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goober
17-10-2016, 09:06 PM
Trying to determine where these binoculars came from. They are very old - look military, not particularly powerful - perhaps 2-3x. They are stamped "H.HUGHES & SON. ENGLAND" on one eyepiece, and "59 FENCHURCH ST LONDON" on the other. I suspect they may be artillery spotter glasses, or something like that, from World War 1.

Any historians have an inkling?

raymo
17-10-2016, 10:02 PM
I can say that they are pre 1941, because H.Hughes' premises were
destroyed by a bomb in that year, and the company joined forces with
another company{Kelvin, I think] and the new company had a different name,
Marine Instruments, or something similar, which in turn eventually became
part of Smith's Instruments.
raymo

silv
17-10-2016, 11:17 PM
how interesting they look!
they must be really old.

The company (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_Hughes#The_Hughes_connection ) merged with Kelvin to Kelvin & Hughes and they still exist in London (https://www.kelvinhughes.com/about/history).
You could send them an email with photos, more than 1, and ask them.
I couldn't find a photo & description of this exact model you own.

Pretty exciting, eh? :) :)

alocky
18-10-2016, 11:04 AM
ive seen a few military issue Barr and Stroud binoculars, most bits of equipment that have passed through the sevices end up with an arrow and a date stamped on them somewhere, I'd have a look for service markings.
Cheers
Andrew.

gary
18-10-2016, 12:57 PM
Hi Doug,

If you drop a line to Roger Davis at "Roger's Optics & Restoration" here
in Sydney, he may also be able to add something to the narrative previous
posters have kindly provided.

Contact details - http://www.rogersopticsrestoration.com.au/contact.html

Roger is a historical binoculars aficionado and the go-to guy if you ever
consider having them professionally restored.

goober
18-10-2016, 01:01 PM
Thanks everyone. I may pursue it with Roger. I can see Hughes & Son made "pilot's binoculars", which certainly look similar to these, but these are much "taller".