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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: BINOCULARS
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It occurred to me that the binoculars used by the Navy in WW II were individual focus rather than central focus. In my experience I found the central focus is easier and faster in spotting "target". Why the Navy prefers the individual focus. May be some of you vets can answer that. Thanks.
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Jul 9, 2011 - 10:10pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Victor

I am pretty sure it had to deal with the binoculars being nearly moisture proof, simple, and sturdy in construction. Also that type Binocular was better for distance, which increased visual accuracy. If one Sailor used the Binoculars, he could simply focus each eyepiece on infinity, and note the settings. Some would even tape the eyepieces to insure settings were correct.. I think the resolution was better as well.............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 10, 2011 - 3:13am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

They also seemed to be in short supply (at the start of war involvement?) according to this poster (sorry but don't know the date or source):

[image]http://www.pt103.com/images/asst/lendBinoculars.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 10, 2011 - 7:07am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Did the Navy use US Army issue binoculars?
My dad brought home an Army issue Bausch and Lomb 8 x 56.
Each eyepiece has its own focus ring.

Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: Jul 11, 2011 - 11:18am
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm

Gary

A shortage of Binoculars would certainly lead one to grab a pair of whatever could be used. I'm pretty sure, you would find more then one boat with Army Binoculars onboard..........Remember, these guys were natural scroungers, and would pick up whatever they could get.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 11, 2011 - 1:52pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Pop's bring backs included SARD Mk43 6x42 binoculars and I forget who made the Mark II 16 power "Spyglass" style long tube telescope.

I don't know if he took from PT stores or they walked away during his time in the reserves or his Korean call-up...

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 12, 2011 - 1:05am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Must have been a number of different models and powers. My fathers were Bausch & Lomb
7 x 50 and both eye pieces adjusted. Also marked :
U.S. Navy Bu Ships
Mark II, Mod. 0
No. 26920, 1941

Steve

Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Jul 14, 2011 - 6:20pm
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am

Was that the binoculars that was damaged by enemy fire in the picture you sent me? Any
way Bausch & Lomb made the best binoculars in this country during WW II.
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: Jul 14, 2011 - 8:18pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Came across this bit of history on the internet.

"In 1912, William Bausch, another son of John Jacob, began an experimental glass laboratory. (Until this time, almost all optical-quality glass was imported from Europe.) Bausch & Lomb soon became the first American producer of optical-quality glass. By the end of 1917, the company was producing upwards of 40,000 pounds of this glass per month, fulfilling more than two-thirds of the government's wartime requirements for glass for binoculars, rifle scopes, telescopes, and search lights. Optical glass was produced in the company's Glass Plant in Rochester until the summer of 1986."

It may be that there were a lot of WW1 military surplus glasses that met the spec's of the military in civilian hands at the time.

Gary

Posted By: Gary Paulsen | Posted on: Jul 15, 2011 - 6:25am
Total Posts: 249 | Joined: Feb 14, 2009 - 6:31am

Victor, yes they are the same ones in the photo, shot up during the Elba invasion.

Steve

Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Jul 15, 2011 - 7:09am
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am

Is it fair to say they are the most famous pair of PT binocs in existance?

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 15, 2011 - 9:04am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Yes Jim, I think that would be fair to say.

Interestingly, my fathers birthday is today. He would have been 91 years young.

Steve

Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Jul 15, 2011 - 12:01pm
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am

Steve;
My Dads binoculars that he carried all through the war and brought back are 7x50 and have on them :
SAR D
Product of Square D Company
Flushing, New York.
I also have the original carrying case, which even though Huge(almost 12 inches long and about 10 inches wide), it has a belt mounting on the back of the case.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 15, 2011 - 1:22pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Here's a 1942 War Department manual with some field glasses in it:

[url]http://www.pt103.gdinc.com/manuals/TM9_575_1942_Aux_Fire_Control_Glasses_Watches.pdf[/url]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jul 16, 2011 - 2:16am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

I have some WWII Navy binoculars but these were not used by my father-in-law who was in PT's. Unfortunately I don't know the history behind them.

They are in great working condition and are in a hard rubber black case about 9" tall and 8" wide on the top side. It has a carrying strap on top, two 'belt-loop' attachments, and two loops on either side of the case which a longer carrying strap must have gone through. On the bottom of the case is a trademark stamp: "HOOD" with an arrow going through the middle of the word left to right. I suppose this company made the case?

Description of the stamped/engraved lettering on top of binocs:
U.S. NAVY, BU. OF ORD.
MARK 39, MOD.1, 1943
NO. 1827 INSPR. H.T.M (a small stamped anchor to the right)

BAUSCH & LOMB OPT. CO.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. U.S.A.

7 x 50 - The eyepieces are 1-1/4" dia. The Lens, 2-5/16" dia. Both eyepieces are adjustable.

Posted By: Randy Finfrock | Posted on: Jul 16, 2011 - 9:52pm
Total Posts: 97 | Joined: Nov 27, 2006 - 6:21pm