RobbieR Posted 27 February Share Posted 27 February Hello. I have some binoculars. I am quite sure they were WW1 issue. The case that they are in is quite clearly WW1 army issue. Also there are distinctive markings on the binoculars similar to those I have seen on other WW1 era binoculars. I attach an image of the markings. I would be grateful if anyone can recognise these numbers. Perhaps they refer to a particular regiment or unit. It looks like S-3 M. 294 6. Many thanks for your time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmelling1979 Posted 27 February Share Posted 27 February (edited) As far as I know the 'S' number is a grading of the optics, the better the glass the lower the number. S 4 are regarded as second grade, and S 1 are the finest optics. There may still be some members on here who are "experts" in binoculars etc They will know plenty! Cheers John Edited 27 February by johnmelling1979 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieR Posted 27 February Author Share Posted 27 February Thanks very much. It is quite possible that the numbers then relate to the type of optics used in the binoculars. If you look at the case, you can see that it looks like army issue for that time. So, that is why I am thinking this was issued to a soldier or officer in WW1. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 27 February Share Posted 27 February There’s a few threads on here with regards these early war issued binoculars, one is below. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 11 March Share Posted 11 March Civilian or non-standard binoculars adopted for British Army use in the WW1 emergency were graded as follows: S.1 High grade prismatic binoculars S.2 Second grade prismatic binoculars S.3 High grade Galilean binoculars S.4 Second grade Galilean binoculars S.5 Third grade binoculars of either type S.6 Binoculars of unusual design This is from Fred Watson's book 'Binoculars Opera Glasses and Field Glasses' ISBN 0-7478-0292-0 I wish I could find a similar table for telescopes - I've got an excellent super-posh, top-of-the-range nickel silver telescope by Negretti and Zambra which was adopted under the Broad Arrow as an 'S.2', and I'd love to know what made the inspectors assign it as second grade! Perhaps it just didn't fit the army tripod? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieR Posted 11 March Author Share Posted 11 March Thanks for this information. Very interesting indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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