REL Canada/Universal Camera Corp N.Y. Prismatic 2-S No. 2 Mk II 6X30 (Australian Army markings)
Manufacturer/Model: REL Canada/Universal Camera Corp N.Y. Prismatic 2-S No. 2 Mk II 6X30 (Australian Army markings)
Field of View: 8.3 deg = 145.5 m/1,000 m; APFOV 49.8 deg
Weight: 725 gr
Exit Pupil: 5 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: 15811-C = 1942
Notes: The circumstances under which the jointly marked REL Canada/Universal Camera New York 6x30 binoculars were manufactured are not known. (Note the “REL” marking on the left prism plate of this example is almost completely obliterated). It is possible that in 1942 REL had contracts for more 6x30's than they were capable of supplying and subcontracted Universal to make them or else REL assembled parts already made by Universal as a start-up exercise leading to their undertaking full scale manufacture. Except for the Australian markings and green coloration this example is a typical REL/Universal 6x30 and almost identical in build to the U.S Army M3 and M6 6x30 and the REL CGB 53 GA 6x30. Company records report that REL’s first 6x30 binocular was made in June 1942 but do not specify the model so it may have been one of the Universal REL’s. All known examples of this binocular are marked 1942, and their serial numbers fit in REL ranges without duplication.
The D/|\D marking on both the left and right prism plates is the Australian Department of Defence property marking used pre-WW I and then from the 1920's - 1960's. The V6/VFA0220 marking on the right prism plate is a British or possibly Australian Army ordnance stores catalog number for this type binocular. The No. 2 Mk II designation is a British Commonwealth marking for a 6x30 prismatic binocular with graticule – there is a standard British type degree scale graticule in the right eyepiece. All these markings are usually present on Australian Army WW II binoculars, but according to Bolton (see: www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/papers/bolton2.htm page 6 of 17) during WW II Canadian and American binoculars “did not arrive [in Australia] until 1944 and 1945” suggesting that this particular one may not have entered Australian service until late or post war. Further, it has anti-reflective coated optics which would have been a late or post war modification, and its green coloration is also a modification (the original black finish is visible in places where the green has worn away) most likely done in accordance with a British 1947 “List of Changes” requirement.
See: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/20973684912/in/photolist-a... and www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/20774631658/in/photolist-a... for more information about REL binoculars.
Note: If you have a vintage binocular you either wish to sell or would just like some information about, I can be contacted at flagorio@shaw.ca .
REL Canada/Universal Camera Corp N.Y. Prismatic 2-S No. 2 Mk II 6X30 (Australian Army markings)
Manufacturer/Model: REL Canada/Universal Camera Corp N.Y. Prismatic 2-S No. 2 Mk II 6X30 (Australian Army markings)
Field of View: 8.3 deg = 145.5 m/1,000 m; APFOV 49.8 deg
Weight: 725 gr
Exit Pupil: 5 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: 15811-C = 1942
Notes: The circumstances under which the jointly marked REL Canada/Universal Camera New York 6x30 binoculars were manufactured are not known. (Note the “REL” marking on the left prism plate of this example is almost completely obliterated). It is possible that in 1942 REL had contracts for more 6x30's than they were capable of supplying and subcontracted Universal to make them or else REL assembled parts already made by Universal as a start-up exercise leading to their undertaking full scale manufacture. Except for the Australian markings and green coloration this example is a typical REL/Universal 6x30 and almost identical in build to the U.S Army M3 and M6 6x30 and the REL CGB 53 GA 6x30. Company records report that REL’s first 6x30 binocular was made in June 1942 but do not specify the model so it may have been one of the Universal REL’s. All known examples of this binocular are marked 1942, and their serial numbers fit in REL ranges without duplication.
The D/|\D marking on both the left and right prism plates is the Australian Department of Defence property marking used pre-WW I and then from the 1920's - 1960's. The V6/VFA0220 marking on the right prism plate is a British or possibly Australian Army ordnance stores catalog number for this type binocular. The No. 2 Mk II designation is a British Commonwealth marking for a 6x30 prismatic binocular with graticule – there is a standard British type degree scale graticule in the right eyepiece. All these markings are usually present on Australian Army WW II binoculars, but according to Bolton (see: www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/exhib/papers/bolton2.htm page 6 of 17) during WW II Canadian and American binoculars “did not arrive [in Australia] until 1944 and 1945” suggesting that this particular one may not have entered Australian service until late or post war. Further, it has anti-reflective coated optics which would have been a late or post war modification, and its green coloration is also a modification (the original black finish is visible in places where the green has worn away) most likely done in accordance with a British 1947 “List of Changes” requirement.
See: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/20973684912/in/photolist-a... and www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/20774631658/in/photolist-a... for more information about REL binoculars.
Note: If you have a vintage binocular you either wish to sell or would just like some information about, I can be contacted at flagorio@shaw.ca .