Opinions wanted on military binoculars
 

I have recently acquired these binoculars, which I think might have been issued to a WWII Tank Commander. The ranging graticules are still present. I would be grateful for opinions on them. I attach some pics.
Thanks,
Peter

Hi. These were the standard British Army binoculars of the Second World War. I don't think that you can tie them specifically to a tank commander without documentary evidence though. Still a nice pair of binos.

I used the same type in the 70's as a Mortar Fire Controller.

Hello Peter

have a look here:
https://tedbrink.webs.com/greatbritain.htm

cordially
Didier

Thanks Spitace41, Mercian and Didier,
I can see that just because they have ranging graticules, it does not mean that they are Tank Commander’s binoculars.
Thanks for posting your link Didier, from that I see that they were issued without a case. I thought that all binoculars were issued with a case.
Unfortunately, there seem to be no markings on the right hand side of the binoculars, where the maker and date of manufacture are usually found. They seem to have been made by Taylor Hobson or Kershaw, both of whom had a No.2 Mk II model.
Thanks,
Peter

These binos were standard G1098 kit well into the eighties.

Unused and dated 1941, I have this webbing case, which looks like it might be the right size for your binoculars?

Not sure if it’s worth anything, but I’ll take a reasonable offer, if anybody is interested in buying it. There’s one in the USA, on eBay, going for £35.

All the best

William

Thanks NewCollector. Could you explain what you mean by standard 1098 kit?
Thanks also William for your offer of a case. Since these were issued without a case, then I am not too concerned about one for them, but I might have others that the case would fit. I will try and sort them out and contact you if I think they would be useful.
I was told that they were manufactured by Taylor Hobson in 1943, but because they are not dated or maker marked I do not know how they arrived at that conclusion. Possibly from the serial number?
Thanks,
Peter

AFG 1098 is a schedule of military stores held by a major, minor or sub unit, and compasses and binoculars etc were issued without a cases because they are technical equipment and the cases were part of the webbing equipment worn by officer & soldier. A Pistol holster & lanyard or rifle sling are other examples. A pair of binoculars would always be issued with a case to protect it when not in use,

A soldier was issued a uniform and personal equipment of AFG 1157 and a unit was scaled to a AFG 1098 or 1198 listing the special to purpose equipment from vehicles, personal weapons, radios and technical stores, these were generally issued to the soldier on AFG 1033 issue & receipt voucher.

AFG = Army Form General

Thanks Mike 2817 for this explanation. I thought that it was odd that binoculars would not have a case.
Peter

All l can say is l was never issued a case when l drew binoculars from the stores, as infantry is was just extra weight to carry. When not in use around neck they were tucked inside my combat jacket to stop them swinging around.

Should this not be AFG 1157?

I would say that was more down to personal preference, but your Q stores would have had them if asked! Since Bino's were never really issued to everyone it not something that was stipulated on the kit list to be carried.

In WWII an Officers 37 Patt webbing set was scaled for a Prismatic Compass Case above a Binocular Case to the left, and Small Ammunition Pouch (to hold 12 rounds) above a Holster to the right instead of Ammunition Pouches as issued to Other Ranks. However contemporary photos show many other mix & match combinations...

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attach...2-outside.jpg?

Image also shows a small officers haversack and wire cutters in pouch.

Thanks Mercian, John and Mike 2817.
Peter

Yep - amended