Original Item: Only One Available. A refracting telescope (also called a refractor) is a type of optical telescope that uses a lens as its objective to form an image (also referred to a dioptric telescope). The refracting telescope design was originally used in spyglasses and astronomical telescopes but is also used for long-focus camera lenses. Although large refracting telescopes were very popular in the second half of the 19th century, for most research purposes, the refracting telescope has been superseded by the reflecting telescope, which allows larger apertures. A refractor's magnification is calculated by dividing the focal length of the objective lens by that of the eyepiece.

Refracting telescopes typically have a lens at the front, then a long tube, then an eyepiece or instrumentation at the rear, where the telescope view comes to focus. Originally, telescopes had an objective of one element, but a century later, two and even three element lenses were made.

Refracting telescope is a technology that has often been applied to other optical devices, such as binoculars and zoom lenses/telephoto lens/long-focus lens.

This is a wonderful example of a 1942 Spyglass, used by the Officer of the Deck aboard US Naval ships during WWII. These are the MkII Spyglass and have a serial number of 4102. The optic lenses are still very clear and still able to be focused properly. There are markings present on both the telescope and the case.

Markings on the Telescope:

U.S. NAVY BU. SHIPS O.O.D. N.G.F. TYPE
10X MARK II SERIAL NO. 4102  1942
WOLLENSAK OPTICAL CO.
ROCHESTER N.Y. U.S.A.

Wollensak Optical was an American manufacturer of audio-visual products located in Rochester, New York. Wollensak began making camera lenses in 1902. The company also produced camera shutters for large format cameras. They made shutters such as the Betax, Alphax, Optimo and, for the Graflex Corporation, Rapax.

Data Plate on Box:

KOLLMORGEN OPTICAL CORPORATION
10 POWER OFFICER OF THE DECK SPYGLASS MK. II
U.S.N. - BU. SHIPS   SERIAL NO. 1653

As with most military equipment, sometimes the serial number on an item does not match the case they are in. These boxes would have housed the same types of telescopes all with the same size, so it was common to get them mixed up with their proper cases.

Since the introduction of founder Dr. Friedrich Kollmorgen’s patented two-telescope design in 1911, and the company’s incorporation in New York on March 22, 1916, the company has progressed and merged with like-minded visionaries who were committed to solving problems by designing precision-made products. Through the decades, Kollmorgen would be considered the preeminent technological and experiential leader in the design and manufacture of submarine periscopes for the U.S. Navy. And at the start of the nineties, it held the leading market position in the international marketplace as well.

While Kollmorgen Optical Company was growing, another immigrant, Hugo Unruh, left the harsh conditions of post WWI Germany and arrived in America in 1924. Hugo found his niche manufacturing various motors at Arnesen Electrical Company out of New York. However, after the war, business contracted and he found himself unemployed at the age of 42 with a net worth of approximately $4000. He used that money to purchase used equipment and material to begin a new business venture, “Inland Motor,” with a business partner.

Comes more than ready to display with your WWII USN collections!

Box Dimensions: 25” x 3 ½” (Rectangular, even measurements)