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Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. WEBSITE MUSEUM |
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OTHER BINOCULARS #14 & OPTICAL SIGHTS/MOSTLY MILITARY |
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CONSTANTLY NEWLY ADDED ITEMS ARE INSERTED THROUGHOUT THE SECTION AND NOT NECESSARILY ON THE LAST PAGE. |
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Contact me at: miniature.binoculars@gmail.com |
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1943 WWII Nash Kelvinator U.S. Army M3 6x30 military binoculars with HMR marking |
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My Nash Kelvinator Corporation M3 6x30 binoculars were made in 1943, and it is my understanding that Nash Kelvinator and Westinghouse made 311,263 M3 binoculars between 1942-1944, with their production lines having been transitioned from their civilian production of autos and refrigerators under the tutelage of optical firm Bausch & Lomb. Given that other letters on US military binoculars FJA was Frank J. Atwood and RLB was Roy L Bowin (military officers in charge of inspection teams /QC/ specification compliance it) is likely that HMR is also. |
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The green paint indicates a post w WWII military rebuild/ refurbishment |
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1941 WWII Wollansak U.S. Army M5 6x30 military binoculars |
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For my WWII marked Wollensak (M5) 6x30 binoculars issued as Australian Army property marked No2 Mk 11 binoculars see OTHER BINOCULARS #9 |
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In May 1941, the US military contracted with the Wollensak Optical Co. (W.O. Co.) of Rochester New York for 16,900 6x30 binoculars designated M5 with U.S. property markings, including my example serial number 33080. ( Thanks to Steve Papa for acquisition assistance ! ). |
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1942 WWII U.S. Army M6 6x30 Universal Camera Corporation military binoculars |
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My Universal Camera Corporation M6 6x30 binoculars were made in 1942 under the auspices of the W.P.B ./ War Production Board, the U.S. Government agency created in January 1942 to coordinate the U.S. WWII military mobilization. The Universal Camera Corporation (1932-1964) was one of many U.S. companies directed to convert to war production during WWII. |
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1942-1943 WWII U.S. Army M8 6x30 military binoculars made by Bausch & Lomb |
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It is my understanding that the Bausch & Lomb Corporation of Rochester NY made 18,617 6x30 M8 binoculars under contract to the US Army during 1942-1943, including mine, which has a right ocular graticule/ ranging grid. R.L.B. was Roy L Bowin, who was the officer in charge of the QC/ inspection program and teams for this model of binoculars. Quality control was a great concern and problem with the rapid expansion of production and new manufacturers of US WWII military optical goods. |
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ca 1943 WWII U.S.M.C. / U.S. Marine Corps M9 military binoculars made by Universal Camera Corp. with left ocular graticule. |
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It is my understanding that the Universal Camera Corporation made 30,244 M9 binoculars under contract to the US Army and the US Marine Corps in 1942 and early 1943, after which the M9 production shifted to Bausch & Lomb. My example is late production, probably 1943, as it is not dated as most 1942 models were, does not have the W.P.B. (War Production Board) marking that most 1942 M9 binoculars had, and also judging by observed serial numbers of 1942 marked M9 binoculars. These binoculars have a left ocular graticule/ ranging grid (in contrast the M9 pattern binoculars that Universal Camera Corp made for UK British military contracts had a different right ocular graticule/ ranging grid). |
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FOR OUR other U.S. M9 BINOCULARS reused by the U.S. Govt. ATTD SEE OTHER BINOCULARS #12 |
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WWII 1944 Nash Kelvinator U.S. Army M13 6x30 military binoculars |
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My Nash Kelvinator Corporation M13 6x30 binoculars were made in 1944, and it is my understanding that Nash Kelvinator and Universal Camera made 43,378 M13 binoculars between 1943-1944, and that these were the M3 binoculars design but with improved waterproofing and improved cement. H.M.R. is presumed a commanding official of quality control for these model binoculars, but documentation of who it was is not known at this time. |
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WWII U.S. Army M15 7x50 military binoculars serial #18584 (No Reticule) Stock #7678143 |
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My US Army M15 7x50 binoculars have no reticule, and have a decal stating that they have coated optics. There is no indication of manufacturer (Westinghouse is known as one primary manufacturer of M15 binoculars). Regardless, the lenses were probably made by Bausch & Lomb. US government oversight optics production mandated a cooperative effort among manufacturers during that period. |
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WWII U.S. Army M17 7x50 military binoculars with left ocular reticule. |
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During WWII a large succession of binoculars models were produced for the U.S. Army including modifications and/or improvements to existing designs. According to Bob Womack, 54,412 of my US Army M17 model binoculars were produced by Westinghouse using Bausch & Lomb and Optical Research Co. produced lenses, with this model being similar to the M15 model but with a left ocular reticule/ ranging grid. There was also a separate M17A1 model. my M17 7x50 binoculars are quite heavy at over 3 pounds, and are quite large at nearly 8 inches by 8 inches, and were obtained in a leather mod 24 carrying case. |
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1944 US M-16 WWII 7X50 Military Binoculars made by Nash Kelvinator |
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My WWII US military M16 7x50 binoculars were apparently made in 1944 by Nash Kelvinator (the company being a 1937 merger of Nash Motors Co and Kelvinator Appliance Co). My binoculars came in an original green color, and with a horizontal and vertical ranging grid in one ocular, which is not uncommon for military binoculars. The US badly needed binoculars early in WWII. So naturally they got car and refrigerator makers to make them! |
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The US Army M19 binoculars design was developed in 1955, with left side graticule/ ranging grid, and produced ca 1975-1980’s. These binoculars were designed to be field serviceable by replacing pre-adjusted modules, as shown by the ring attached ocular assembly. |
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US Army M-19 7x50 Military Binoculars with Graticule/ Ranging Grid |
