Nikko (Nippon Kogaku/Nikon) Orion 6X24
Manufacturer/Model: Nikko (Nippon Kogaku/Nikon) Orion 6X24
Field of View: 10 deg = 175 m/1,000 m; APFOV 60 deg
Weight: 446 gr
Exit Pupil: 4 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: 67018 = Probably early - mid 1930's
Notes: Nikon began manufacturing binoculars in 1917 under the name Nippon Kogaku K.K. (the name Nikon was not used until 1959) and exported over 15,000 prismatic binoculars to Europe and North America in 1918. In 1921 Nippon Kogaku hired 8 German scientists and engineers to assist in redesigning their binoculars. The Orion 6X24 was one of their creations, and almost immediately in 1923 the model was adopted by the Imperial Army as its primary prismatic binocular. Later during the 1930's upon war with China, the design was released to numerous other manufacturers to boost production, and it subsequently saw extensive use during WW II.
This example is very well-made and light-weight and gives a very pleasing wide-angle view, easily the widest view of any standard army 6X binocular used by the powers during WW II. During the war none were made with coated optics, but afterward many were assembled from surplus parts and sold, some with coated optics. See: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/4323170120/in/set-72157623....
Nikko (Nippon Kogaku/Nikon) Orion 6X24
Manufacturer/Model: Nikko (Nippon Kogaku/Nikon) Orion 6X24
Field of View: 10 deg = 175 m/1,000 m; APFOV 60 deg
Weight: 446 gr
Exit Pupil: 4 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: 67018 = Probably early - mid 1930's
Notes: Nikon began manufacturing binoculars in 1917 under the name Nippon Kogaku K.K. (the name Nikon was not used until 1959) and exported over 15,000 prismatic binoculars to Europe and North America in 1918. In 1921 Nippon Kogaku hired 8 German scientists and engineers to assist in redesigning their binoculars. The Orion 6X24 was one of their creations, and almost immediately in 1923 the model was adopted by the Imperial Army as its primary prismatic binocular. Later during the 1930's upon war with China, the design was released to numerous other manufacturers to boost production, and it subsequently saw extensive use during WW II.
This example is very well-made and light-weight and gives a very pleasing wide-angle view, easily the widest view of any standard army 6X binocular used by the powers during WW II. During the war none were made with coated optics, but afterward many were assembled from surplus parts and sold, some with coated optics. See: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/4323170120/in/set-72157623....