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Optical Instruments

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**QUALITY**NAMED VICTORIAN 1848-1884 PROMINENT BRITISH ROYAL NAVY CAPTAIN’S 2 DRAW DAY OR NIGHT BRASS TELESCOPE**By Thomas Harris & Sons London Engraved To 'Capt H. Chads R.N’ With Sliding Eye Piece & Lens Shutters. Sn 22896 - 22896
The most prominent "Captain Chads" of the Royal Navy were two men from the same family: Henry Ducie Chads (1788-1868), an officer from the Napoleonic Wars to the Crimean War, and his son, Admiral Sir Henry Chads (1819-1906), who served as Commander-in-Chief of The Nore. The family also had a prior ancestor, Captain Henry Chads R.N. (died 1799), who was the father of Henry Ducie Chads. Admiral Sir Henry Chads KCB (27 October 1819 – 29 June 1906) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Born the son of Admiral Sir Henry Ducie Chads, Henry Chads joined the Royal Navy in 1832 and went on to take part in operations against Malay pirates in the Strait of Malacca. Promoted to Captain in 1848, he commanded HMS Portland, HMS Amphion, HMS Conway, HMS Nile and then HMS London. He was appointed Captain-Superintendent of Deptford Dockyard in 1863 and Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1876 before retiring in 1884. He lived at Portland House in Southsea and there is a memorial to him in St Judes Church in Portsmouth. Thomas Harris originally established his firm in 1780 based at 9 and 22 Cornhill, London. He brought his son William into the firm in 1806 to form T Harris & Son – moving to 140 Fleet Street in the same year, and then 20 Duke Street in 1808. Between 1810 and 1817 they were based at 30 Hyde Park, but their main premises were at 52 Great Russell Street, occupying this address between 1816 and 1885. By 1890 they were at 32 Gracechurch Street, remaining there until 1901. The company had a royal appointment to the Prince Regent in 1819 and to King George IV in 1820. T. Harris & Son were known as opticians and makers of globes, mathematical instruments, and telescopes. Their ‘Day or Night’ telescopes were commonly used on board ship. As the name suggests, they could also be used at night because they had relatively large objective lenses to collect the maximum amount of light. Telescopes of this kind, marketed as “Day or Night,” were particularly valuable to Royal Navy Captains & watch officers stationed on deck at night.. This is an original ROYAL NAVY CAPTAIN’S 2 DRAW DAY OR NIGHT BRASS TELESCOPE By Thomas Harris & Sons London, the rim of the barrel engraved To Capt H. Chads R.N’. It is made brass & the barrel is bound with basket weave for grip and protection. One draw is signed by the maker ‘T. Harris & Sons London Day Or Night’. All optics of the telescope are excellent and function as they should. The scope has sliding brass shutters to protect the eyepiece and lens. The scope is 15 ¼” in length when closed and 35” length fully drawn. The price for this telescope by a quality maker attributed to a Prominent British Royal Navy Captain includes UK delivery. Sn 22896
£675.00

Imperial German, WW1, Carl Zeiss Jena, Artillery Fuss Artillerie Aiming Compass Director & Tripod. - MISC 836
This is a rare WW1 Imperial German artillery aiming compass director bu Carl Zeiss of Jena complete with its original extending tripod with its brass mounting plate. The director works correctly and has a sliding needle stop for transportation. The silvered face is engraved CARL ZEISS JENA B.R. FUSSARTILLERIE together with N S W (compass points). The outer dial is graduated to 5760 and the compass needle moves freely. The needle has the south painted white with the north painted blue with a yellow N painted on it for north. The director is made of cast brass and is very heavy. The director is stamped with the serial number 4193. All of the optics, the sighting telescope, magnifier and compass level bubble all work correctly. The compass head is also detachable from the mounting bracket for servicing. The matching extending tripod retains most of its original green painted finish with a cast brass director holder. The holder is engraved CARL ZEISS JENA in a monogram BR 8044. The tripod legs are mad of brass tubing. The price for this scarce and complete artillery director complete with its matching tripod includes U.K. delivery. (Head on MISC shelf, tripod with tripods, stockroom). MISC 836
£495.00

Northern Ireland Troubles & Falklands War Era 1977 Dated British L2A2 SUIT (Sight Unit Infantry Trilux) Low Light 4 x Prism Sight Unit For British L1A1 SLR Infantry Rifles & GPMG’s With L1A1 SLR Rifle Top Mount Rail. OPT 900 - OPT 900
The SUIT sight is a 4× prism sight with tritium-powered illumination, utilised at dusk or dawn. The full name is the L2A2 Sight Unit Infantry Trilux. The sight is not designed as a sniper sight, but as a standard issue infantry sight to improve the infantryman's night fighting capability and to assist target identification at long range in daylight and in poor light conditions. These sights were mounted on the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle or GPMG. The SUIT sight was developed in the United Kingdom by Royal Armaments Research Development Establishment (RARDE) and is manufactured by Avimo Ltd., now known as Thales UK. It was first produced in 1976 by Avimo Ltd in London and is regarded as an early optical combat sight. The FN FAL from which the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle was derived was not designed for mounting optical sights like the SUIT. To mount the SUIT, a new top cover was designed. This had a rail welded to the top to accept the sight mount, and two tabs at the rear of the pressed sheet steel cover which butted against the back of the upper receiver, preventing the cover from sliding on its rails and affecting the weapon's zero. The custom top receiver cover rail mounting causes an offset of the optical sight axis to the left side in relation to the receiver and barrel center axis. This prismatic offset design of the sight helped to improve clearance around the action, reduce the overall length of the sight, parallax errors and heat mirage from the barrel as it heated up during firing. The mounting system was technically complex as it combined interfaces between the rifle and the top cover and the rail and the SUIT sight unit itself. Sight adjustment was performed on the front of the SUIT unit base for elevation and on the right bottom side for windage. The SUIT L2A2 scopes were used by British forces during the Falklands war and the troubles in Northern Ireland. Illustrated in image 1 but not included is an L1A1 SLR rifle fitted with SUIT sight and Sight rail. Illustrated In image 3 Is a British Paratrooper in the field armed with an SLR mounted with SUIT sight. The Optics of our SUIT with military reticle are excellent and fully functional (The radioactive tritium light source has to be replaced every 8–12 years, since it gradually loses its brightness due to radioactive decay and as is common our SUIT sight has no power). The rubber eye cup is complete. The identification plate is absent from the sight but the sight retains it’s radioactive symbol roundel and date roundel ‘3/77’ (March 1977). The Unit is complete with its correct top rail mount for L1A1 SLR rifles. The price includes UK delivery. OPT 900 (rifle sights shelf storeroom)
£975.00

**RECENTLY SERVICED**FULL WORKING ORDER**C1900 Armstrongs Of Manchester Brass Cased Naval Bulkhead Ship’s Clock Complete With Key. Sn 22762 - 22762
The famous watch and clockmaking family business Armstrongs of Manchester was founded at 88 Deansgate in 1825 by Joseph Armstrong (born 1801) and 2 of his 13 children, followed him into his Deansgate business - Thomas Armstrong (1829-91) and George Booth Armstrong (1836-91). On their father’s retirement in c1858, these two brothers then formed a partnership from the 88 Deansgate premises, changing the name of the business to ‘Thomas Armstrong & Brother’ and by 1860, opening a second retail outlet at 80 Deansgate, Manchester. With this additional retail space, the brothers also extending their product offering into jewellery and optical supplies and services. This is an excellent brass nautical ship’s bulkhead clock by Armstrongs of Manchester made C1900. It has a 6” diameter face which is clean. It has 1-12 hour Roman numeral markings with black metal hour and minute hands. It is marked on the face by the manufacturer ‘Armstrongs Manchester’. The face also has an adjustable slow-fast slider in a slot for fine tuning the time keeping & a hole for key winding. The clock case is brass and measures 8” diameter including its integral rim which has 4 factory drilled holes for wall mounting. It has a hinged, brass rimmed, glazed face cover and is complete with steel winding key. The clock case is 4” deep with the face closed. This clock has recently been fully serviced and is fully functioning, keeping precise time. The price for this excellent nautical time piece includes UK delivery. Sn 22762 (clocks shelf storeroom)
£475.00

Italian, WW2 Era, 6.5mm Breda 30 Machine Gun Prismatic Optical Sight. - OPT 824
The Italians main machine gun during WW2 was the 6.5mm Breda 30 machine gun. This is a detachable prismatic optical sight for the machine gun which is made with a heavy brass body and a machined dovetail on the bottom and caries the serial number 875 stamped onto it. the front of the body is engraved SAN GIORGIO SESTRI PONETE. This company specialised on rangefinders and artillery instruments during World War 1. The rear is engraved 6,5____105oo (6.5 x magnification). The sight has vertical reticles between 0 to 10 with crosshairs and windage from 1 to 10. The price for this rare to find prismatic machine gun sight includes U.K. delivery. OPT 824
£245.00

WWII MkII Scout Regiment Telescope for the Snipers No4T Rifle Kit with Leather Case. 22558. - 22558
The MkII scout regiment telescope was first introduced in 1939 at the start of WWII and soon after supplied as an integral part of the snipers No4T kit chest issued alongside the Holland & Holland modified Lee Enfield No.4 (T) snipers’ rifle, matched scope, officers’ prismatic compass, etc. The 20x-22x telescope provided a good balance between ease of use/weight, acquiring targets, and locating other snipers. The scope is stamped with the British Military broad arrow, confirming service issue, and other marks show the model number ‘OS.126.GA’ maker Broadhurst Clarkson Ltd (Broadhurst Clarkson and Fuller Ltd is one of the oldest names in UK amateur astronomy. We have a trading history that stretches back to 1785. From Spectacles, microscopes, sextants and quadrants. Terrestrial and astronomical telescopes, the company has a fine tradition of craftsmanship and innovation. A large part of the business was manufacturing telescopes for the war office through both world wars with its own large factories in London) and serial number which dates it c1943 possibly very early 1944. The lenses and brass work are in very good order as with the leather work. The price includes UK delivery. 22558.
£375.00

**SCARCE**WW2 British 1939 Pattern ME Co (Mills Equipment Company) Leather Binocular Case With Shoulder Strap & WW2 1942 British WD Taylor Hobson No.2 MK II, 6X Magnification Prismatic Binoculars With Neck Strap. OPT 864 - OPT 864
This is a rare to find WW2 British 1939 Pattern ME Co (Mills Equipment Company) Leather Binocular Case With Shoulder Strap which contains a set of WW2 1942 British WD Taylor Hobson No.2 MK II, 6X Magnification Prismatic Binoculars With Neck Strap. The leather hard case has the correct copper riveted edges and hinged lid with copper lug that fastens to a retaining strap with eyelet on the body of the case. The rear of the case has belt loops secured by copper rivets and it has the correct leather shoulder strap secured by copper rivets to the sides of the case. The inside of the case is lined with Horse hair or fibre padding to protect Binoculars when being carried in the field. The body of the case has faint ‘ME Co’ impressed marking together with indistinct numbers. The case contains a set of WW2 British Military No.2 MKII, 6X Magnification Prismatic binoculars. The brass binoculars measure 6" X 5" and have black textured coating, with adjustable eyepieces (the bakelite eyepiece from one lens is absent). The body of the binoculars have lanyard bars and they are fitted with original webbing neck strap. All optics are good. The right shoulder of the binoculars is crisply stamped with graticule detail together with 1942 date, WD arrow and maker’s name ‘Taylor Hobson’. The left shoulder is crisply stamped with 'OS 108 M.A Bino Prism No.2 MK II, x6' Model and magnification detail together with 'No.208913'. All lettering is highlighted in original white paint (illustrated). The binoculars retain all of their original black finish and have original red paint on the forward casing screws. The price includes UK delivery. OPT 864
£295.00

WW1 & WW2 British Era WD Barr & Stroud Ltd Vickers HMG & Mortar Crew Infantry No.2 Type FT27 No.2 MK III Range Finder With Shoulder Strap & Rare To Find Original Post WW2 Webbing ME Co Field Carry Satchel. OPT 863 - OPT 863
This is a nice, original, WW1 & WW2 era British WD Barr & Stroud Ltd Vickers HMG & Mortar Crew Infantry No.2 Type FT27 No.2 MK III Range Finder (see pages 510 & 511 of ‘The Grand Old Lady Of No Man’s Land The Vickers Machine Gun by Goldsmith’ where Barr & Stroud Range Finders are described and illustrated). It has all of its original controls, identification plates with WD designation markings & Patent detail (illustrated in the images), folding carry / support handles, webbing & leather shoulder strap. The body of the range finder retains its original green paint and it measures 90cms in length. It is complete with its original rare to find original webbing field carry satchel. The sturdy satchel is undamaged and clean and has its original fastening straps with buckles, reinforced ends & shoulder strap. The inside of the satchel is ink stamped by the maker ‘ME Co’ (Mills Equipment Company) together with stores number and 1955 date. The price includes UK delivery. OPT 863 (bottom shelf storeroom near slings box)
£375.00

Quality Made Post WW2 Soviet Russian Reproduction Leica Nazi German Luftwaffe 35mm Camera With Case. OPT 861 - OPT 861
Among the rarest and most sought after Leicas are the Luftwaffe, cameras issued to the Nazi Air Force. Original Nazi German Luftwaffe cameras are extremely rare and extremely expensive in the several thousand pounds range. Post WW2 Soviet Russian contractors produced quality made reproductions of these and other Leica cameras predominantly between 1956 & 1973. For the most part they are Russian Zorki or Fed cameras. Pre-war the Soviets built an entire industry on Leica copies for their domestic market. This post WW2 Soviet Russian made Nazi Luftwaffe Leica camera is in excellent condition. It is the gold effect case variant with faux Nazi Luftwaffe and motto markings, removable lens cover and original leather carry case. The camera is numbered 20368. The camera appears to be fully functioning but has not been tested and we give no guarantee regarding functionality. The camera comes with its original leather case with clasp fasteners and retaining screw which retains the camera securely in its case during transport. The price for this quality made camera, an interesting conversation piece worthy of further research includes UK delivery. OPT 861 (shelves storeroom with clocks)
£595.00

**RARE**WW1 1918 Wood Transit Cased 1918 British Military Lamp Electric Signaling, Daylight Mark 1 Morse Code Set By Arthur Lyon & Wrench Ltd With Accessories & Original Illustrated Instruction Pamphlet. Sn 22553:18 - 22553:18
The Lamp, Electric, Signaling, Daylight, was a portable, electric morse military signaling lamp, used for daylight communications in World War 1 and through until after World War 2. The lamp used an external battery as a power source (not included). This is a rare to find Mark 1 example. It is complete with its original communication cords Lamp, spare filters and an original tin of spare bulbs screw in spike for the lamp for handle or mount use. The fitted case has the correct terminals for attaching communication wires and is complete with correct Morse Key. The lid of the wood transit case has an identification plate ‘Lamp Electric Signaling, Daylight Mark 1 1918 Made By Arthur Lyon & Wrench Ltd’, a similar plate is mounted on the lamp. The inside of the case has instructions for use plates and contains its original illustrated instructions pamphlet. The original wood case has 2 hinged lids covered with canvas and press stud fasteners The case is fitted with original leather shoulder strap. The case measures 9 ½” x 9 ½” x 6”. The case has no damage. The set has not been tested and we give no guarantee regarding functionality. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22553:18 (storeroom shelves above entrenching equipment)
£375.00
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