British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > Everything Else > Other Militaria

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20-05-19, 08:20 PM
Wingcowyn Wingcowyn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Default 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
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20-05-19, 08:41 PM
Spitace41 Spitace41 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 261
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20-05-19, 09:14 PM
Mercian's Avatar
Mercian Mercian is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 523
Default

I used the same type in the 70's as a Mortar Fire Controller.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21-05-19, 10:30 AM
Just Just is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,573
Default

Hello Peter

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

cordially
Didier
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21-05-19, 08:34 PM
Wingcowyn Wingcowyn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Default

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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22-05-19, 12:01 PM
NewCollector NewCollector is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 111
Default

These binos were standard G1098 kit well into the eighties.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22-05-19, 06:52 PM
William's Avatar
William William is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 587
Default

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
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 5F82E69A-D9C4-4768-B016-7C2B9108DCB7.jpg (100.8 KB, 15 views)
File Type: jpg B98453B1-C761-4098-A445-D712A70FD7C5.jpg (102.0 KB, 7 views)
File Type: jpg 8B174625-B558-4A8F-A15B-AE417A2692E6.jpg (102.0 KB, 6 views)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22-05-19, 07:51 PM
Wingcowyn Wingcowyn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Default

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
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23-05-19, 10:01 AM
Mike_2817's Avatar
Mike_2817 Mike_2817 is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2,596
Default

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
__________________
Sua Tela Tonanti

Wanted Poppy Pins

Last edited by Mike_2817; 25-05-19 at 10:31 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 24-05-19, 10:00 PM
Wingcowyn Wingcowyn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Default

Thanks Mike 2817 for this explanation. I thought that it was odd that binoculars would not have a case.
Peter
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25-05-19, 06:50 AM
Mercian's Avatar
Mercian Mercian is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 523
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 25-05-19, 07:16 AM
jeep's Avatar
jeep jeep is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Preston, Lancs
Posts: 489
Default

Quote:
A soldier was issued a uniform and personal equipment of AFG 1957 . . .
Should this not be AFG 1157?
__________________
Kind Regards - John
(Arte et Marte)
http://www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 25-05-19, 07:17 AM
Mike_2817's Avatar
Mike_2817 Mike_2817 is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mercian View Post
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.
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...



Image also shows a small officers haversack and wire cutters in pouch.
__________________
Sua Tela Tonanti

Wanted Poppy Pins
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 25-05-19, 10:05 PM
Wingcowyn Wingcowyn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Default

Thanks Mercian, John and Mike 2817.
Peter
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25-05-19, 10:31 PM
Mike_2817's Avatar
Mike_2817 Mike_2817 is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeep View Post
Should this not be AFG 1157?
Yep - amended
__________________
Sua Tela Tonanti

Wanted Poppy Pins
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 03:45 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.