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Big and Small: Remingten binoculars |
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Remington Arms Co. trademarked and licensed the “Remington” brand to be used on many types of outdoor goods, including binoculars. There were exportrt binoculars knock offs of that brand by importers, including these “ Remingten ” binoculars and also “Remingto” binoculars. My smaller 9x21 Remingten binoculars were assembled by JB69/ Akebono Optical Co., Ltd. (Akebono Kōgyō Seisakujo) ( 曙光学工業 ) of Japan, with frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc., of Japan. My larger 7x35 Remingten binoculars were assembled by JB65/ (unidentified entity), with frame/body by JE19/ FujiKogeisha Co. Ltd. Of Japan, with unidentified cross hatch exporter mark. My largest 7x50 Remingten binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. They carry the same unidentified cross hatch IMO exporter mark. |
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Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. WEBSITE MUSEUM |
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BIG & SMALL #6 binoculars |
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BINOCULARS RESEARCH WEBSITE, NOT FOR PROFIT FERNGLAS-FORSCHUNGS-WEBSITE, NICHT GEWINNORIENTIERT SITE DE RECHERCHE SUR LES JUMELLES, À BUT NON LUCRATIF |
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Big and Small: Galaxy binoculars |
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Big and Small: Linet binoculars |
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Big and Small: Peerless binoculars |
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Big and Small: Barska binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Linet brand use on binoculars. Despite the ® symbol, Tess and Wipo show no relevent trademark registration . But I have also found no easy way to research vintage Japanese registered trademarks in english. My smaller Linet 7x18 binoculars were assembled by JB5/ Meiji Seiko Kogaku Ltd. 明治精工株式会社 of Japan , and they also have the MSC/ Meiji Seiko Co. emblem. My larger Linet 16X50 binoculars were assembled by JB113/ Ito Kogaku Kikai Seisiakujo. Inc. of Japan. |
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Peerless was a U.S. and Canadian registered trademarked binoculars brand of Peerless Telerad Inc. (Peerless Camera) of the USA. My smaller 6x15 Peerless binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959. They are marked as assembled by AKC /Akebono Kogako Co./ 曙光学工業 of Japan . My larger Peerless 7X50 binoculars were assembled by JB17/ Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., and the frame/body were m . ade by JE12/ Orora Kogaku Co. Ltd./ Aurora Kogaku Co. Ltd.of Japan. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Galaxy brand use on binoculars. Despite the ® symbol. Tess and Wipo show no relevent trademark registration . (unable to search early Japan based trademarks).But my larger binoculars included named exclusive importer documentation. My smaller Galaxy 7x18 binoculars were assembled by JB 001/ /Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 of Japan . . My larger Galaxy 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB174/ Chitose Kogaku Co. Ltd. Of Japan and the frame/body were made by JE40 Mutsu Koki Inc. of Japan. |
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Barska is a U.S. trademarked brand of Micro World Corp for binoculars with first U.S’ use listed as 1994. The box for my smaller Barska 8x21 binoculars is Chinese manufacture and has a 2010 box marked copyright. Though not marked, I assume that my larger 10x50 binoculars are also Chinese. |
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Big and Small: Comet NK binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Comet brand use on binoculars (such as trade marks). In usage, Comet appears as a model line on many TOA marked and manufactured miniature binoculars, and one Aloma branded Akebono manufactured miniature binocular. My smaller 6x15 Comet NK binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger 8x30 Comet NK binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. NK is not Nippon Kogaku, but is unknown. |
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Big and Small: Patrician Deluxe binoculars |
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Big and Small: Hansa binoculars |
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Hansa was a U.S. trademarked and UK trademarked optical goods brand of Omiya Shoji Kabushiki Kaisha/ Omiya Photo Supply Co. Ltd of Japan. My smaller 6x15 Hansa binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. Their K logo indicates the assembling manufacturer was Omori Sogo Kogaku of Japan. My smaller 6x15 Hansa binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. They have an unknown KM exporter mark. |
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7x50 Hansa has rotating ocular yellow filters |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Patrician or Patrician Deluxe brand use on binoculars. Despite the ® symbol. Tess and Wipo show no relevent trademark registration . (Wipo may not reflect Japanese trademarks). My smaller 6x15 Patrician Deluxe binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. Their K logo indicates the assembling manufacturer was Omori Sogo Kogaku of Japan. My smaller 7x50 Patrician Deluxe binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. The CTTD logo is unknown. |
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Big and Small: Brentwood binoculars |
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Brentwood were probably a non trademarked binoculars brand of the Wanamakers, Broadway, and/or other Carter Hawley Hales owned store chains. My smaller 6x15 Brentwood binoculars were assembled by JB 001/ /Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 of Japan . My larger Brentwood 10x50 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan and the frame/body were made by JE5/ Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd./ 明治精工株式会社 of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Raleigh binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Raleigh brand use on binoculars My smaller 6x15 Raleigh binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan and the frame/body were made by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc., of Japan. My larger Raleigh 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB101 Hifumi Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd. Of Japan and the frame/body were made by JE7/ with frame/body by JE7/ Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. Of Japan. |
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Big and Small: S & A binoculars |
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S & A was Boston Ma. USA based importer Swift and Anderson (1927-1959), and they became Swift Instruments in 1959. My smaller 6x15 S&A Sport binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. They are marked as assembled by AOCo/ Asahi Optical Co. of Japan. Their prism cover markings are similar to what Swift instrument Company used subsequently. My larger S & A marked 8x30 French contract binoculars are also probably from the 1950’s. |
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Big and Small: Hamilton binoculars |
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Big and Small: Clover binoculars |
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Big and Small: Dollond & Dollonds binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Hamilton brand use on binoculars. My smaller 6x15 Hamilton binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger 7x50 Hamilton binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. The exporter logo on the pivot is unknown to me at this time. |
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Big and Small: Ocean binoculars |
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Big and Small: TOR & TOR Deluxe binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Clover brand use on binoculars. My “smaller” 7x25 Clover external prism binoculars were assembled by JB 001/ /Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 of Japan . My larger 6x30 Clover binoculars post date the US occupation period, but seem to predate JB codes, so date 1952- Nov. 1959. The exporter SOC in clover logo on the pivot may be Subal Optical Co. of Japan (speculative) but I have observed the Subal name spelled out on pictures of full size binoculars marked with the Clover brand. SOC was also used by Showa Optical Co, but in a trademarked logo that was different. |
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The UK based Dollonds retail optician chain was actually Dollond and Aitchison Ltd. during the time period these binoculars were produced, and they were an importer, exporter, and distributor, as well as retailer (exporting to South Africa, New Zealand, Rhodesia, Ceylon and Malta). I believe that like the U.S. retail chain E.J. Korvette who initially branded their house brand binoculars Korvette then at one point changed to Korvettes to match the store name, Dollond did the same: thus both Dollond and Dollonds branding of house binoculars. My smaller 8x20 Dollonds binoculars were assembled by JB5/ Meiji Seiko Kogaku Ltd. 明治精工株式会社 of Japan, w ith frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo Inc., of Japan. My larger Dollond 8x40 binoculars were assembled by JB78/ Kuribayashi Kogaku Seisakujo of Japan, with body made by JE3 Toei Kogaku Seisakujo Co. Ltd. Of Japan. See also my Dollond military binoculars. |
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Ocean was believed the brand of Optical Instrument Ltd.of 2-51 Shimo-mach Kita Ku, Tokyo, and probably was related to Tamagawa Optical Instrument co. (also of the same 2-51 Shimo-mach Kita Ku Tokyo), with both listed in the 1959 list of Japanese Optical manufacturers. My smaller 7x18 Ocean binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959, and they are rather unique among miniature binoculars in in brown lacquer rather than black. My larger 7x35 Ocean binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952- Nov. 1959. The exporter H.O.C. logo on the pivot is the logo of Hiyoshi Optical company of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Starlite binoculars |
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TOR was a brand of the TOR Optical trading Company of Japan, founded in 1948, and active in exporting binoculars to the US in the 1950’s. My smaller TOR 6x15 binoculars are marked “Made in Occupied Japan” , and thus date Feb. 1947 to 1951. (and predate JB JE manufacturer codes). My larger 7x35 TOR Deluxe binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Starlite brand use on binoculars. My smaller 8x20 Starlite binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952- Nov. 1959. They are marked on prism cover non obvious location MSC for Meiji Seiko Co.. 明治精工株式会社 of Japan. My larger 7x50 Starlite binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952- Nov. 1959. I have not fully identified S.B.K. I.O.C. , but believe the I.O.C. is Itabashi Optical Mfg Co Ltd. (speculative), as another trademarked logo with a different marking at top but with I.O.C. in the curved bottom section is documented as being by registered trademark Itabashi Optical Mfg. Co. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Tosco binoculars |
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Tosco binoculars may be a product of photo goods supplier S. Ishitmitsu & Co. Ltd of Japan. (speculative)My smaller 8x20 Tosco binoculars were assembled by JB5/ Meiji Seiko Kogaku Ltd. 明治精工株式会社 of Japan, w ith frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo Inc., of Japan. My larger Tosco 8x30 binoculars were assembled by JB250/ Fujimori Optical Co., Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Fujca, Fujinon, binoculars |
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Fuji, Fujinon, Fujca Meibo, the Fuji Logo, and Fuji plus various model names were trade marked brands of Fuji Photo Film Co. or Fujifilm Corp. in various countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, Kenya, etc. my Fuji Starlit 6x15 binoculars were made in occupied Japan and thus date Feb. 1947 to 1951. My larger Fujica Meibo 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB8 / Fuji Sbashin Koki Co. Ltd. with frame by JE55/ Enshu Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd. My larger Fuji Inc. civilian 7x50 binoculars were assembled in the USA. My larger laser protection Fujinon M22 7x50 US military binoculars were part of a US contract through Northrop Grumman with Kama Tech U.S. content. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Wuest brand use on binoculars. My smaller Wuest 10x40 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, and also have the TJK in diamond mark of exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co.) of Japan, and the frame manufacturer was JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. My larger Wuest H-19 8x40 binoculars were assembled by JB13/ (unknown maker code) with a frame/body by JE22/ Itabashi Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo Inc. of Japan. My largest Wuest 10x50 |
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Big and Small: Wuest binoculars |
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The worldwide use of the brand Falcon on binoculars is not clear. UK importer Greenkat Ltd held UK trademark# 113577 for binoculars 1980-2001 but usage may have been earlier and trademark applies only to the UK. US importers United Binoculars Co and Bushnell also used “Falcon” as a specific model name on binoculars. My smaller Falcon 8x20binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959, and carry an exporter logo that I am quite familiar with, but which I have never found any documentation about. My larger 7x50 Falcon binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952- Nov. 1959. I have not identified the J.O.C. in the logo, which is often the contract manufacturer. |
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Big and Small: Falcon binoculars |
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Big and Small: SUI binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of SUI brand use on binoculars, and logo use suggests S.U.I. was probably the initials of a Japanese trading co. that funneled binoculars to Japanese exporters (SUI binoculars observed in the US, UK, Netherlands). My smaller 6x15 SUI binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan and the frame/body were made by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc., of Japan. My larger SUI 12x50 binoculars were assembled by JB132 / Taiei Kogaku Co. Ltd. Of Japan, with a frame/body by JE9/ Sato Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. Of Japan, with unknown exporter NT in diamond. |
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Big and Small: Wasta binoculars |
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I have not found documentation defining Wasta brand use on binoculars. My smaller Wasta 6x25 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger Wasta 7x35 binoculars also post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959, and also carry the E.P. Japanese tax exempt export only marking to prevent Japan domestic market sale. They have a exporter marking I cannot identify. |
