Ross Binocular Prismatic No. 6 Mk I 4X24 (View 1)
Manufacturer/Model: Ross Binocular Prismatic No. 6 Mk I 4 X 24
Field of View: 12 deg = 213 yd/1,000 yd; APFOV 48 deg
Weight: 565 gr
Exit Pupil: 6 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: 3520 = 1936.
Notes: Specimen has War Ministry arrow. No. 6 is military model appearing identical to the civilian “Steplow” model. Porro II design with prisms cemented together and the field lens cemented to prism face to increase light transmission by reducing number of air/glass surfaces.
5,000 of these binoculars were ordered in 1936 for use by anti-aircraft searchlight units, but due to unsatisfactory performance the type was declared obsolescent in December 1936 on the same day it was officially introduced. Reid in "Binoculars in the British Army Part III" footnotes correspondence suggesting that the binocular was selected in consideration of women members of anti-aircraft batteries. Although some researchers doubt the complete order of 5,000 was ever completed, an example serial numbered 4631 has been seen. This model was eventually replaced by the No. 5 Mk I 7X50 which was soon to replaced by the No.5 Mk II 7X50 in 1938.
This example has seen a lot of hard use and even though declared obsolescent, the binocular would have remained in service until it was no longer serviceable. Many of these are found with chipped prisms possibly because the binocular is unstable when set upright upon the objective ends and is easily upset. The view is nicely sharp, bright and wide-angle although of low magnification (Note that many of the early Galilean binoculars were likewise 4X but with an extremely narrow field of view). Recreationally, it's pleasant to use but not hard to see how it would have been unsuitable for its intended purpose.
Revised January 2/11 and November 12, 2014.
Note: If you have a vintage binocular you either wish to sell or would just like some information about, I can be contacted at flagorio12@gmail.com
Ross Binocular Prismatic No. 6 Mk I 4X24 (View 1)
Manufacturer/Model: Ross Binocular Prismatic No. 6 Mk I 4 X 24
Field of View: 12 deg = 213 yd/1,000 yd; APFOV 48 deg
Weight: 565 gr
Exit Pupil: 6 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: 3520 = 1936.
Notes: Specimen has War Ministry arrow. No. 6 is military model appearing identical to the civilian “Steplow” model. Porro II design with prisms cemented together and the field lens cemented to prism face to increase light transmission by reducing number of air/glass surfaces.
5,000 of these binoculars were ordered in 1936 for use by anti-aircraft searchlight units, but due to unsatisfactory performance the type was declared obsolescent in December 1936 on the same day it was officially introduced. Reid in "Binoculars in the British Army Part III" footnotes correspondence suggesting that the binocular was selected in consideration of women members of anti-aircraft batteries. Although some researchers doubt the complete order of 5,000 was ever completed, an example serial numbered 4631 has been seen. This model was eventually replaced by the No. 5 Mk I 7X50 which was soon to replaced by the No.5 Mk II 7X50 in 1938.
This example has seen a lot of hard use and even though declared obsolescent, the binocular would have remained in service until it was no longer serviceable. Many of these are found with chipped prisms possibly because the binocular is unstable when set upright upon the objective ends and is easily upset. The view is nicely sharp, bright and wide-angle although of low magnification (Note that many of the early Galilean binoculars were likewise 4X but with an extremely narrow field of view). Recreationally, it's pleasant to use but not hard to see how it would have been unsuitable for its intended purpose.
Revised January 2/11 and November 12, 2014.
Note: If you have a vintage binocular you either wish to sell or would just like some information about, I can be contacted at flagorio12@gmail.com