Glasses Moderating, Binoculars No 1 Mk 1, c. WW1
A leather case incised “Glasses Moderating Binoculars No 1 Mk 1”. For “glasses moderating”, read “filters”. The four filters, for fitting over the eyepiece oculars, are stored within the case in a red plush lining. I have seen others on the internet where the description is stamped into the lid along with a Government broad arrow. On the rear of the case are small loops for threading the binoculars case strap through. The filters appear to be two strengths of neutral density; I have seen on the internet the same type of case with yellow filters. They fit on my 1915 pair of Zeiss (London) and 1917 Ross No 2 binoculars, albeit a very tight fit. All the cups are stamped “No 1”.
In 1907 the army designated an 8x20 as the Binocular, Prismatic Mk 1. In 1909 it was replaced by the Mk 2 a 6x30 prismatic binocular produced after the expiry of the Zeiss patent for wider separation of the objective lenses for an enhanced stereo effect and greater field of view. In 1911, a cheaper Mk 3 was introduced, in 6x24. These latter two were initially supplied by Ross and Zeiss (London). Subsequently, before or during WW1, these models were renamed No 1 (8x20), No 2 (6x30) and No 3 (6x24); these designations were followed by Mk I or Mk II where the former indicated no graticule fitted and the latter, graticule fitted.
Glasses Moderating, Binoculars No 1 Mk 1, c. WW1
A leather case incised “Glasses Moderating Binoculars No 1 Mk 1”. For “glasses moderating”, read “filters”. The four filters, for fitting over the eyepiece oculars, are stored within the case in a red plush lining. I have seen others on the internet where the description is stamped into the lid along with a Government broad arrow. On the rear of the case are small loops for threading the binoculars case strap through. The filters appear to be two strengths of neutral density; I have seen on the internet the same type of case with yellow filters. They fit on my 1915 pair of Zeiss (London) and 1917 Ross No 2 binoculars, albeit a very tight fit. All the cups are stamped “No 1”.
In 1907 the army designated an 8x20 as the Binocular, Prismatic Mk 1. In 1909 it was replaced by the Mk 2 a 6x30 prismatic binocular produced after the expiry of the Zeiss patent for wider separation of the objective lenses for an enhanced stereo effect and greater field of view. In 1911, a cheaper Mk 3 was introduced, in 6x24. These latter two were initially supplied by Ross and Zeiss (London). Subsequently, before or during WW1, these models were renamed No 1 (8x20), No 2 (6x30) and No 3 (6x24); these designations were followed by Mk I or Mk II where the former indicated no graticule fitted and the latter, graticule fitted.