{"product_id":"original-u-s-navy-binoculars-from-wwi-by-u-s-maritime-gun-factory-optical-shop-annex-and-bausch-and-lomb-optical-set-of-2","title":"Original U.S. Navy Binoculars From WWI by U.S. Maritime Gun Factory Optical Shop Annex and Bausch and Lomb Optical - Set of 2","description":"Original Items: One Set only. This is a very nice original pair of U.S. WWI binoculars. Binoculars, known as field glasses, were a very important piece of equipment for U.S. soldiers. They needed it for observations by land or even balloons. Binoculars were in short supply, so many soldiers brought their own personal binoculars to the battlefield. Also a lot of the binoculars from WWI were special donations from civilians received by Army and Navy donation campaigns. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe first set of binoculars is made by the U.S. Maritime Gun Factory Optical Shop Annex. It's in a very good condition, with fairly clean glasses and can still be used today! The binoculars are made for the Signal Corps, which is why they have orange lenses inside. The orange lenses were used for nighttime operations. The operator could choose between the ‘normal’ glasses or the orange glasses. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe United States proclaimed war on the German Empire on 6 April 1917. Crown Optical was among various contracted organizations that were encountering hardships in satisfying the expanding needs of the U.S. Government. So in 1917 Crown Optical was nationalized, the U.S. Government appointed the office to the U.S. Naval force who set up the U.S. Maritime Gun Factory Optical Shop Annex (NGF Annex) in the offices of the previous Crown Optical. Assembly of optics continued and expanded so that by late 1917 the processing plant was providing agencies of the U.S. Naval force, the U.S. Armed force, and others as well.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAfter the takeover of the office by the U.S. Naval force markings that fused a Navy Anchor logo, which is visible at the binocular . The labeling of binoculars will bear the U.S. Navy shop origin information in block letters, as bellow:\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.NAVAL GUN FACTORY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOPTICAL SHOP ANNEX\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eROCHESTER,N.Y. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe second set of binoculars was manufactured by the Bausch \u0026amp; Lomb Optical located in Rochester, NY.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis set of binoculars is in good condition, with signs of moderate use and wear. The glasses are fairly clean and have multiple markings on it. It bears the marking of the Bureau of Ordnance U.S. Navy. It's a Mark 7 with serial number 4017. It also shows a sign with: \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrism Stereo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30MM Apert.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6 power\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt also bears the company name and logo:\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBausch \u0026amp; Lomb Optical Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRochester, NY, USA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn the eyepiece of the binocular, you can find a slide with orange lenses, where the operator could choose between the normal lenses and the orange lenses. These orange lenses were used for nighttime operations, because they cut down glare and thus improve contrast so you get better image quality even in hazy conditions.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe further improvement of the firm was impacted by political occasions. Due to the World Wars and the ensuing requirement for optical instruments, for example, field glasses, range locators, camera focal points, binocular telescopes, searchlight mirrors, torpedo tube sights, and periscopes, the item reach was  impressively widened in a short amount of time. Until World War I, optical glass and the instruments produced using it (counting numerous tactical instruments) were regularly brought into generally European and North American nations from Germany. Because Germany became an enemy of the Allies, the need for homegrown industries was expanded.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReady for use in the WW1 Trenches or to display!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39758868807749,"sku":"ONSV7881","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV7881__01.jpg?v=1643313992","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-navy-binoculars-from-wwi-by-u-s-maritime-gun-factory-optical-shop-annex-and-bausch-and-lomb-optical-set-of-2","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}