binocular strap?

[PogueMahone]

I can't think of an image of or an artifact set of binoculars that I've seen that had a strap on the actual binoculars. Typically you see the case with a strap for carrying the binoculars. But some binoculars have "eyelets" on either side that are obviously for some sort of strap.

1) Has anyone got an example of binoculars being worn on a strap directly without benefit of a case?

2) Does anyone know what such a strap would be made of? String, leather, cloth?

[10TnVI]

Re: binocular strap?

Joe- I've done a little study on the matter, but there is not a lot of research/timeline info out there-I can find no provenanced example of a civil war dated binocular with a neck strap. After the war they seem to have started producing them with loops for a leather strap, but it does not seem to be a wartime feature. Confusion does creep in since the same basic binocular, and I suspect many surplus civil war era, was used as late as the start of the 20th century, leading to misidentification of Spam-Am war used with civil war used. I imagine many a pair saw service in both:-) since I still use my first pair of binoculars bought over 35 years ago.

I currently own two pair with pretty solid CW/preCw provenance based on manufaturer and features.

To answer the base question, since straps don't seem to be PEC, I'd say use whatever material you like
See you at Perryville-

[PogueMahone]

Re: binocular strap?

Well, this was also a suspected answer to the question.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: binocular strap?

I reread original post..... disregard both eaxamples show case strap only. Sorry

[PetePaolillo]

Re: binocular strap?

I reread original post disregard

[PogueMahone]

Re: binocular strap?

Yes, but those straps are on the case.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: binocular strap?

I posted them before I read your original post carefully. Sorry about that

[PogueMahone]

Re: binocular strap?

Ha! Not a problem! I bought the binoculars before I could thoroughly research the item!

No buyer's remorse here, though. I like the size, the manufacturer is definitely CW period, the style and design is good except for the strap holes. Since my investment is only $10, I'm contemplating trimming the holes off to make the appearance more correct.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: binocular strap?

GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT,

Adjutant General's Office,

No. 22. ) Washington, January 27, 1863.

Acting Signal Officers of the Army, or others, who may lose or dispose of field-glasses belonging to the supplies for the signal service, will be charged for the same at the following rates, computed as the average actual cost to the United States:

For each signal telescope and strap $27 00

For each binocular glass, case, and strap 22 00

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

L. THOMAS, Adjutant General.

From http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA5...=1&output=text

Of course, this doesn't say what kind of strap, or whether it's the strap to the binoculars or the case.

Then you could always do something like Colonel Stokes

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?ils:1106:./temp/~pp_2dEB::displayType=1:m856sd=cwpb:m856sf=05980:@@@mdb=cwp

or Captain Wade

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?ils:335:./temp/~pp_2dEB::displayType=1:m856sd=cwpb:m856sf=05437:@@@mdb=cwp

but those are a little light.

[PogueMahone]

Re: binocular strap?

Well, thank God I'm not in the Signal Service!

And don't get me started on pince-nez! I've been admiring several sets on eBay this morning. Another underrepresented item in this hobby!

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: binocular strap?

Well, thank God I'm not in the Signal Service!

And don't get me started on pince-nez! I've been admiring several sets on eBay this morning. Another underrepresented item in this hobby!

Pince-nez are interesting, but there's a real distinction between the earlier and later nose rests, or whatever they are (you probably already know this).

There's actually a lesson there, I think. If people secured their pince nez various ways, why wouldn't they have secured their longer-range glasses, especially if the Signal Corps mentions their value on horseback and in boats?

Anyway, I wouldn't trim off the strap loops yet. New works appear on Google Books every day. The moment you do, someone will find documentation that they're correct after all.

I realize this falls far short of documentation. However, I put personal, private purchase items (as most telescopes and field glasses were) in a different category than government issued equipment (as only some were). Documentation of a specific make and model to a particular year or even decade can be difficult. Sometimes the best you can do is make a choice between something vaguely of the period or a wretched repro. I'm thinking specifically of traveling inkwells, but I think it may apply here as well. We have all kinds of documentation of the use of field-glasses, but I'm not aware of a quality reproduction and I think it would be a sin to take an original into the field.

[ThehosGendar]

Re: binocular strap?

Totally off topic and late, but look at the interior stitching of Col. Stokes' collar lining. Hoo-wee. Awesome stuff. Love the high-res.!

[PogueMahone]

Re: binocular strap?

dragging an old thread back out of the closet to see if the moths have eaten it yet ...

I was perusing a picture book "Rebels and Yankees: Commanders of the Civil War" by William Davis and on a page featuring Stonewall Jackson's belongings is a pair of binoculars that have straps attached to little rings on the sides of the eyepieces.

So, maybe the little straps are correct after all ...

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: binocular strap?

Or maybe Jackson was just a farb -- where do you get lemons in the Valley, anyway?

Seriously, nice find: is there a credit on the picture?

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: binocular strap?

See, I was expecting Hank to set me straight on that :) Thanks!