Original Item: One of a Kind. Here is a very interesting pair of aviator sunglasses with side windows, which fold away and come with a stiff leather pocket carrier. The design covers a wide field of view, making them perfect for early aviation. they measure 4 ½” inches across closed, and do not have any markings on them that we can see.

The case measures 5" x 1 ¾”, and has a faded maker mark on the closure flap. On the body there is an engraved oval Silver plaque, marked to Fred Zinn:

The La Fayette Escadrille (French: Escadrille de La Fayette) was a U.S. unit constituted in 1916 under French command, made up of volunteers who came forward to fight for France during World War I in Europe before the United States entered the war in 1917. The escadrille of the Aéronautique Militaire was composed largely of American volunteer pilots flying fighters. It was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolutionary War.

A U.S. Pilot/Airman from Battle Creek, Michigan, Friedrich Wilhelm "Fred" Zinn, of German extraction, joined the French Aeronatique Militaire in August 1914 as a U.S. volunteer. February 1st 1916 he served as a Gunner/Bombadier with the "Escadrille F-14". From December 12th 1916 to October 21st 1917 specialized in aerial photography.

He then joined the U.S. Army "Aviation Section, Signal Corps" as a captain at the end of 1917 and was based at Chaumont, the GHQ. He concluded his WWI service with many medals and awards and died in bed October 4th 1960.

A great set of early aviators sunglasses, named to a known aviator from the WWI. Ready to display!