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Big and Small: Korvette binoculars (No “ s ”) |
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BIG & SMALL #7 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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- SWAP SHOP & MISC - MISC #1 - MISC #2
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OTHER BINOCULARS #12
- INDEX #1 (A-L) - INDEX #2 (M-Z) |
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Big and Small: St. Moritz binoculars |
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St. Moritz was a US trade marked brand of the New York City firm Manhattan Novelty Corporation. My small St. Moritz 6x15 binoculars 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. Likewise my small St Moritz 7x18 post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959, and have the same logo. My larger St. Moritz 6x30 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959. They carry an exporter logo :” TB” in diamond that I cannot presently identify with documentation. My larger St. Moritz 7x50 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but presumably predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959. They carry an exporter logo of “ T ” in triangle that I cannot presently identify with documentation. |
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Not Big ! Not Small ! Not Binoculars ! Chicken Glasses !!! |
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I am sticking my 1940’s chicken glasses in because they are optical; related to perception and survival; most of you have probably never have seen or heard of them; and I think they are great fun in a weird/freakish way. In the middle of the last century these were installed on chickens. Chickens instinctively peck at certain things, and if a chicken got slightly injured all the others would peck at the blood and hurt or kill it. Cannibalism !!! With these red glasses that blood could not be perceived, and so more chickens would survive. A slightly different cheaper plastic version is still being made for worldwide distribution in the 2020s ! Just google “Chicken Glasses” ! |
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CREDIT: NATIONAL BAND & TAG CO. |
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My chicken glasses on a pencil. (didn’t have a chicken beak). |
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Big and Small: Hambletonian binoculars |
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Hambletonian, based on a 1953 US patent and 1954 ad claim, was a brand of Peerless Camera Stores of New York City. One of my small Hambletonian 6x15 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959, and carry the TOA mark of Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 of Japan. Another of my My small Hambletonian 6x15 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959. My larger Hambletonian 8x30 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959, and carry an exporter mark I cannot identify. My larger Hambletonian 7x50 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov. 1959, and are also marked “ Peerless ”. |
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Big and Small: Minette binoculars , Minette Gold Star binoculars, Gold Star binoculars |
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I believe that Minette, Minette Gold Star, and Gold Star binoculars were associated brands of Minato Shoki Co. Ltd. of Yokohama Japan. My small Gold Star 6x15 binoculars have a frame made by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My Gold Star Minette 8x20 binoculars have a frame made by JE7/ Nippon Kogaku of Japan. My largest Minette Gold Star 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB233/ Shuzaburo Ishikawa (Ishikawa Optical Ind.) of Japan, with body by JE9/ Sato Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. Of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Fusco binoculars |
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Big and Small: Skymaster binoculars |
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Big and Small: Kurt Muller binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Fusco brand use on binoculars (such as registered trade marks). My smaller Fusco 7x18 binoculars has no JB code but had a frame made by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger Fusco 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB152 / Taito Kogaku Co. Ltd. Of Japan with frame/body made by JE30/ Kofu Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. Of Japan. |
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Kurt Muller binoculars seem to have been a non trade marked brand of a division of the Canadian firm Taymor Industries Ltd., who operated as a outdoor and camping outfitter for around forty years or so. My smaller 6x15 Kurt Muller binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. They carry an E.B.L. marking I cannot identify. My larger 10x20 Kurt Muller 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 10x20 Kurt Muller binoculars were assembled by JB139/ Busho Kogaku Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan, with body made by JE11/ Omiya Kogaku Kikai Seisalcujo of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Herter’s binoculars |
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Herter’s was a brand used by the Waseca Minnesota mail order and chain outdoor outfitter 1937 until 1981 bankruptcy on binoculars including these. (with brand used on some other products after that). My small Herter’s 6x15 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 Herter’s 5x25 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 was made by JE50 Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. |
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My next larger Herter’s 10x20 binoculars were assembled by JB231/ Tochihara Optical Co ( 栃原光学株式会社 of Japan. My largest Herter’s 7x-15x x35 zoom binoculars were assembled by JB46/ Otsuka Kogaku Co. Ltd. Of Japan, have the TJK in diamond mark of exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co.) of Japan |
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Skymaster binoculars were a Canadian trademarked binoculars brand of Allied Towers Merchants Ktd. With first Canadian use claimed 1968. My smaller 8x20 Skymaster binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan. My larger 7x35 Skymaster binoculars were assembled by JB78/ Kuribayashi Kogaku Seisakujo of Japan, with body made by JE3/ Toei Kogaku Seisakujo Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Limer binoculars |
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“Korvette” and “Kovettes” were brands of US retail chain E.J. Korvette. My smaller 7x18 Korvette binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan. My larger 7x50 Korvette binoculars were assembled by JB61/ Meiho Kogaku Seisakujo Inc. of Japan. My largest 20x50 Korvette binoculars were assembled by JB147/ Sankaku Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. Of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Korvettes binoculars (With “ s ”) |
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My smallest 6x15 Limer binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959, and were made by AOCo./Asahi Optical Co of Japan. My small 8x20 Limer binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger 7x35 Limer binoculars were assembled and also had frame by JB4/ JE4 Toei Kogaku K.K., are marked T.K.K. for Toei, and were imported exclusively by Hurricaine Import Co. Ltd. of Japan. My larger 7x50 Limer binoculars are also marked T.K.K. and were made in occupied Japan so probably around 1949-1951. My largest 11x80 Limer by Mirador binoculars post date JB codes, and were previously owned by the U.S. Secret Service. |
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“Korvette” and “Kovettes” were brands of US retail chain E.J. Korvette My smaller 6x15 Korvettes binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan, and also carry the associated NAOKI mark. My larger 8x40 Korvettes binoculars were assembled by JB38/ Nakabishi Kogaku Inc., of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Lupinus binoculars |
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Lupinus is a US/ UK/ Canada/ Australia trade marked binoculars brand of Kowa Co. Ltd. Of Japan with use claimed as early as 1958, alsoused on other optical products. My small 7x18 Lupinus 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 small 10x20 Lupinus binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger 7x35 Lupinus binoculars with box were assembled by JB34/ Musashi Kogaku Co. Ltd. Of Japan with frame by JE1 / Toa Kogaku Co.Ltd. and unidentified exporter mark MOP . |
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Big and Small: Copitar binoculars |
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Big and Small: Combat P.T.C. binoculars |
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Copitar was a trade marked binoculars brand of Copitar Co. Ltd. Of Japan. My smaller 8x20 Copitar binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc) ( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan, and also carry the associated NAOKI mark. My larger 7x35 Copitar binoculars were assembled by JB251/ Toho Optical Mfg. Co., Ltd . of Japan, and came complete with a “How to Have More Fun with Copitar Center Focus Binoculars” operating instruction booklet. Both binoculars have silk screen marking but also JB codes so I would guess probably around 1970’s. The larger has the “triple tested” nonsense blurb of Robert Bushnell” that became so commonly used by many brands. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Combat brand use on binoculars or of the P.T.C. marking. My smaller 6x15 Combat binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger 12x50 Combat binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959, and have an exporter logo I do not recognize. |
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Big and Small: Prinz binoculars |
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Big and Small: L.L. Bean binoculars |
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Prinz was a U.K. trademarked binoculars brand of UK camera store chain Dixons Retail PLC /DSG international which had as many as 530 stores in the UK plus 322 in northern Europe trading under various names. My smaller 8x20 Prinz Micro binoculars in Dixon’s box are Empire made (Hong Kong assembled) for commonwealth tax free import. My Prinz Micro 12x50 binoculars also in Dixon’s box are also Empire made and have an original price tag of £14/11/0d . My “smaller” size lighter and newer Prinz 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB101/ Hifumi Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd. of Japan. My “larger” size Prinz 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB50 Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc., and the frame/body was made by JE15 Tokyo Oputikaru Co. Ltd./Tokyo Optical Co. Ltd. |
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Big and Small: Condor binoculars |
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Outdoor mail order outfitter L.L. Bean of Maine brands many items that they sold. My small L.L. Bean branded 6x15 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. These were Swift Model No. 709 binoculars that L.L. Bean would have contracted for with U.S. importer Swift. My larger 10x50 L.L. Bean branded binoculars are marked as Nikon Stayfocus Plus II. |
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Condor binoculars seemed to have been imported into the US from Japan ca 1956-1968, and into the UK by E. Hill in the late 1960’s, and also appear in the Japan home market. My smaller Condor 6x15 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger Condor 10x50 binoculars probably post date JB code markings. |
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Big and Small: Eikow binoculars |
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Big and Small: Aurora binoculars |
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I had some data suggesting Aurora was a brand exported by Japanese photo equipment exporter Kyoei Shoji Co. Ltd. My smaller Aurora 7x18 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 was made by JE50 Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger Saiko Aurora 6x30 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. I am not sure the Aurora logo brand and Saiko “Aurora” used as model line have common history. |
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Big and Small: S & G binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of S & G brand use on binoculars. My smaller S & G 9x20 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959. My larger 7x50 Copitar binoculars were assembled by JB17/ Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Japan with body made by JE12/ Orora Kogaku Co. Ltd./- Aurora Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Kestrel binoculars |
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In the UK from 1975 Kestral was a binoculars trademark of importer Greenkat Ltd. My smaller 8x20 Kestral 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. The frame was made by JE50 Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger 8x30 Kestral binoculars were assembled by JB17/ Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., of Japan with body made by JE12/ Orora Kogaku Co. Ltd./- Aurora Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan, and exporter mark of OHTAKE , which is probably a phonetic translation of the Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., (multiple English co. phonetic spellings are not uncommon). |
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Eiko Optical was a Japanese firm that merged with Mizar in 1990. My small Eikow 6x15 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 small Eikow 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 Eikow 8x30 binoculars probably post date common use of JB/JE codes (1980’s and later) judging by cheap plastic parts, but are marked Japan. |
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Big and Small: Eikow Airport binoculars |
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Eiko Optical was a Japanese firm that merged with Mizar in 1990. Airport was apparently an early binoculars line of theirs. My smaller 6x15 Eikow Airport binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan, and also carry the associated NAOKI mark. My larger 7x59 Eikow binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952 to Nov. 1959, with an unknown Japanese manufacturer. |
