Help Identifying Galilean Binoculars! (1 Viewer)

[Heafnerco]

Hello,
I recently acquired a large number of binoculars from my grandfather, dating back to the 1890s, all the way up to the 1970s. There is one set of binoculars that I have been unable to find ANY information on. I believe these are 1890-1930 time frame and I have been told they are Galilean-design field glasses. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KC Foggin]

I hope you get an answer. Very interesting.

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Heafnerco, post 1,
If there is not a single inscription on the binocular it is kind of difficult to identify. As far as shape is concerned it has a faint resemblance wit the Zeiss Galan 2,5x34 from 1924, but it may well be older than that. Perhaps one of the collectors on Binopedia could help you to answer the question.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[LPT]

I believe it’s American made circa 1920’s - ‘30’s. I think by a company in Chicago.

 

[Binastro]

Hi and welcome,

It is an unusual binocular.
I have not seen one like it in the U.K.

Yes, a Galilean or Dutch field glass.

It seems to focus but have no dioptre correction.
And no means of changing interpupillary distance.

Regards,
B.

 

[Heafnerco]

I believe it’s American made circa 1920’s - ‘30’s. I think by a company in Chicago.

Any info on the company? Thanks!

 

[normjackson]

Any info on the company? Thanks!

Well done LPT :

Pardon our interruption...

 

[John A Roberts]

The US patent application dating from 1935 (USD 98185) was by Milton Reynolds of Chicago, for
'. . . a new, original, and ornamental Design for a Binocular Telescope'.
See both the original image and text (along with a correction) . . .


John

 

[Heafnerco]

I hope you get an answer. Very interesting.

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

I did get an answer! 1930's Reynolds Appliances Corp 400 Binoculars Chicago USA Unusual #10 | eBay

 

[Heafnerco]

The US patent application dating from 1935 (USD 98185) was by Milton Reynolds of Chicago, for
'. . . a new, original, and ornamental Design for a Binocular Telescope'.
See both the original image and text (along with a correction) . . .


John

Thank you so much! You guys are awesome!

 

[Heafnerco]

Heafnerco, post 1,
If there is not a single inscription on the binocular it is kind of difficult to identify. As far as shape is concerned it has a faint resemblance wit the Zeiss Galan 2,5x34 from 1924, but it may well be older than that. Perhaps one of the collectors on Binopedia could help you to answer the question.
Gijs van Ginkel

They’ve been identified! 1930's Reynolds Appliances Corp 400 Binoculars Chicago USA Unusual #10 | eBay

 

[Heafnerco]

Hi and welcome,

It is an unusual binocular.
I have not seen one like it in the U.K.

Yes, a Galilean or Dutch field glass.

It seems to focus but have no dioptre correction.
And no means of changing interpupillary distance.

Regards,
B.

They’ve been identified! 1930's Reynolds Appliances Corp 400 Binoculars Chicago USA Unusual #10 | eBay

 

[Foss]

Is that a Zeiss Turita in the background (image #1) ?

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Foss, post 13,
It looks more like a Möller Theatis 3,5x15.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[John A Roberts]

As Gijs says, the binocular in the background in post #1 does appear to be a Moller Theatis. For comparison, see two images of a brass finished version with pearl inlays. They’re from Johann Leichtfried’s under appreciated site ferglasmuseum at: Möller Wedel Theatis 3 1/2x Luxusausführung

The Theatis has a distinct V shape at the rear, resulting from the use of Sprenger-Leman roof prisms combined with inboard objectives.
For the early history of roof prisms in binoculars along with images of the various prisms, see post #33 and on at: New Horizons II

And for some images of early Zeiss roof prisms including the Turita, see post #83 and on at: Zeiss: Collection of cross-section and cutaway images
(as indicated in the previous link, the Telita/Turita used a modified Moller prism, which was a less efficient version of the Henoldt Penta)


John