Repop field glasses

[BobbyHughes]

Comrades,

Used the search funcition and got no hits, so Ill ask the question here.... Is there anyone that does period correct field glasses out there???

[rogue]

Re: Repop field glasses

Comrades,

Used the search funcition and got no hits, so Ill ask the question here.... Is there anyone that does period correct field glasses out there???

Many times a search at flea markets, antique shops, and even eBay will yield a somewhat period correct set of glasses at a reasonable price. Most seem made in France and fit into Civil War through WWI in time frame. To reproduce these today would be cost prohibitive. IMHO.
Steve Sullivan
46th Illinois
Co.Mil. Hist.
CWPT

[Linkstrap]

Re: Repop field glasses

Most seem made in France and fit into Civil War through WWI in time frame.
Steve Sullivan
46th Illinois
Co.Mil. Hist.
CWPT

It's still relatively easy to source them on this side of the pond. However, most of the ones that I've seen tend to be of English manufacture. Of course, as I live in the UK, this is hardly surprising. It's possible to pick them up in very good condition, the last pair I bought cost me £50, (about $90), and they are in excellent condition, and they have suprisingly good optics too.

[DougCooper]

Re: Repop field glasses

One really great choice: http://members.aol.com/antqoptics/antqoptics.html

Grab an original pair and have the case made for them, all in one spot. There is no known repro field glass maker - as Steve says, that would be serious bucks. Malcolm is an expert, an can steer you clear of buying a post war pair - there are some major differences.

[65thgainf]

Re: Repop field glasses

Are you talking about 'Opera Glasses' I see those in the antique stores, made in France, $25.00 on up.

Jerry Holmes

[Forquer]

Re: Repop field glasses

Comrades,

Used the search funcition and got no hits, so Ill ask the question here.... Is there anyone that does period correct field glasses out there???

Sir -

Given that you're down in Georgia, you can probably scare up some originals that are in good shape, at a decent price, at the Heart of the Confederacy Civil War Show. I believe it's usually held sometime in March.

[65thgainf]

Re: Repop field glasses

The biggest show around will be in Nashville in December. Its held at the fairgrounds and EVERY major dealer is usually there. Along with some of the better sutlers on this very board.

Jerry Holmes

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Repop field glasses

Comrades,

Thanks alot for your help... now I know where to start looking once the bank account allows!

[HighPrvt]

Re: Repop field glasses

Bobby,
I saw several pairs in the antique shops around Ellijay last time I was there.
I believe they were priced reasonable, but they will usually take a decent offer.

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Repop field glasses

Howard,

We'll have to make it up there some time. See ya on the field bud!

[RudyN]

Re: Repop field glasses

Lemaire field glasses are a good bet if you can find them. I was able to get a pair of 5X for only $45.00 last year from a member of my unit. They are in good shape, however I will have to have a case made for them. Work nice even though I normally use glasses with them. On the field I don't wear galsses and the work fine.


Rudy Norvelle

[58 lorenz]

Re: Repop field glasses

I studied the originals pictured in EOG, and several other books I have with lots of photos of authentic binoculars. Then I went to eBay,and bid on those that looked correct (At least last year, there were a suprising amount of good ones there), and won some very nice ones, all french-made, for no more than $50 each.





Doug Price

[markj]

Re: Repop field glasses

If anyone is interested in acquiring period-style binoculars, I have two that I'll be willing to sell for mutually acceptable offers.

Both items are of French manufacture and are identical to those illustrated Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia. I have one large pair and one medium-size pair. The medium-size pair is definitely larger than "opera glasses."

I don't have these items in front of me, but one is definitely marked CHEVALIER on the eyepieces and the other may be marked LEMAIRE (I'll have to check). The large pair, I believe, is 6x with the smaller pair likely being 4x. On the large pair, the leather covers for the lenses are missing and have either peeled away or have been deliberately removed. Otherwise, aside from some scratching, the large pair is in excellent shape. The smaller pair is in quite good shape and the leather covers are still wrapped around the lenses. Both pairs have functioning sight hoods.

I have no idea as to the exact age of either pair, but, as has been mentioned above, this style of binoculars was made well into the 20th Century. My guess is that both pairs date to c.1900-1925; however, both are indistinguishable from the style of field glasses used during the Civil War.

If anyone is interested in these items, please send an e-mail, REPEAT, E-MAIL (no PM's!!!), to markj@purdue.edu and we'll discuss things further.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[MissouriStateGuard]

Re: Repop field glasses

One eBay seller regularly offers reproduction brass fieldglasses with leather carrier. While I haven't seen a pair upclose they do look similar to period field glasses, although the carriers appear to be a washout. Anyway for less than $50, shipping included, they might be an option. At least you won't cry as hard when you drop these and they break.

The seller's ebay name is tedamr, and he currently is offering a pair.

V/R,
Kip Lindberg