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Optical Instruments

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**RARE**WW2 ‘Dirty Dozen’ 15 Jewel Swiss Omega British WD Wrist Watch With Correct Military & Manufacturer Markings & Later Wrist Strap. Sn 16357 - 16357
In the 1940s, during World War II, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) needed watches to issue to army personnel – they felt civilian watches just didn’t quite make the mark. Perhaps in a bid to maximise production, rather than partnering with a specific brand, they invited Swiss manufacturers who could build a watch to the requested standard to bid for contracts. Due to the rigours of military life, very strict specifications were set, and all in, twelve watch manufacturers were eventually accepted, resulting in the nickname ‘The Dirty Dozen’. They were: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor and Vertex. These were all delivered in 1945 and accompanied by a pigskin or canvas strap. More formally, these watches were known as W.W.Ws, a code established by the British Army to distinguish these from other military equipment and it simply stood for Watch. Wrist. Waterproof. The MOD specs were exactly what you would expect a military watch to be - waterproof, luminous, regulated to chronometer level and composed of a case that was rugged. Two serial numbers were required, one being the manufacturer’s number, and the other (with the letter) being the military store number. On top of that, the dial needed to be black, with arabic numerals and sub seconds in order to maximise legibility. The case-back had to include the W.W.W designation and a broad arrow marking, with the dial only displaying the latter. This is a rare, original, WW2 British Military watch by the quality Swiss manufacturer Omega, one of ‘The Dirty Dozen’. The watch has all of the correct WD features listed above and has crisp Omega and WD markings together with 15 jewelled movement and compensated balance wheel (all markings illustrated). The watch is unrestored and has the correct steel pins and removable screw back. It is fitted with later expanding metal bracelet over the original pins. The glazed face is 36mm diameter. The watch has been inspected and is in fully working order. The price for this rare WW2 British Military Omega watch includes UK delivery. Sn 16357 (drawers office)
£975.00

**FULL WORKING ORDER**Early 20th Century / Pre WW1 Brass Cased Naval Bulkhead Ship’s Clock Complete With Key. Sn 23183 - 23183
This is an excellent brass nautical ship’s bulkhead clock by Armstrongs of Manchester made in the early 20th century before the Great War. It has a 6 ¾” diameter enamel face which is clean. It has 1-12 hour Roman numeral markings with black metal hour and minute hands & minute timer dial. There are no visible maker or date marks on the clock. 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 ½” diameter including its integral rim which has 4 factory drilled holes for wall mounting. adhered to the rear of the clock is a label with hand written numbers '205-4752'. It has a hinged, brass rimmed, glazed face cover and is complete with brass winding key. The clock case is 3 ¾” deep with the face closed. This clock is fully functioning, keeping precise time. The price for this excellent nautical time piece includes UK delivery. Sn 23183 (clocks shelf storeroom)
£295.00

WW2 Nazi German 7 X 50 Magnification Kriegsmarine Binoculars By Nazi Code ‘blc’ Carl Zeiss, Jena With 1944 Dated Case & 1943 Sprung Fastener By Nazi Code frn (Federn Metallwerkenfabrik). Sn 15757 - 15757
These are a very good, original cased pair of Nazi German, 7 X 50 Magnification, Kriegsmarine Binoculars. The Binoculars have a black textured finish, with adjustable eyepieces. The textured finish has areas of surface wear to be expected with age and service use but the metal work is undamaged. The body of the binoculars have lanyard bars and are fitted with original leather neck strap. All optics are excellent and function as they should. The shoulders are crisply marked '7 x 50' (Magnification) together with serial number and bears the German manufacturer's Nazi code blc which is Carl Zeiss, Jena (all illustrated). The Binoculars are contained in their fitted sturdy black leather case with hinged lid. The lid of the case has its original sprung fastener which is date stamped ‘43’ (1943) together with Nazi manufacturer code ‘frn’ which is Federn Metallwerkenfabrik Havel (illustrated). The body has its original single stud fastener. The case has hinged strap rings (shoulder strap absent) & the rear of the case has a large riveted and stitched belt loop. The body of the case body is date stamped ‘1944’ together with indistinct Nazi manufacturer code (illustrated). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 15757
£845.00

Boer War Era, British, 1894 Dated Watkin Clinometer for Ranging Artillery Pieces. - MISC 1014
This is a Watkin clinometer made in 1984 and was used for checking the elevation and ranging of artillery weapons used for indirect fire by the military such as the British army, to lay and orient guns. It could measure elevation to ensure correct firing angles and was later used to check the accuracy of new sighting devices. This is a Watkin clinometer made in 1894 and has a WD stamp and crowfoot on the side of the frame. The adjustable dial is marked WATKIN CLINOMETER 1894 (DATE) SIEMENS BROS & Co MAKERS 1110 LONDON. The bronze frame is stamped with the war department WD and a crowfoot. The elevation dial and spirit level are made of brass. The spirit level glass and bubble are in good working order. The elevation scale is marked in degrees and minutes up to 45 degrees. The price for this Boer War era clinometer includes U.K. delivery. MISC 1014
£275.00

WWI, 1914 Dated, British, 13 & 18 Pounder Artillery Dial Sight No7 MKII. - MISC 1013
This is an original, early First World War, 1914 dated British No7 Mark II dial sight used on 13 and 18 pounder field guns. The sight could be used for both indirect periscope sighting and for direct line of sight. Th top of the prism is stamped DIAL SIGHT NO7 MKII R&J Beck Ltd 1914 (1914 date) No 1475. The sight is in excellent condition and the body retains much of its original black finish. The optics of the sight are good with a nice crosshair in the entre. The sight was bolted to the left hand side of the gun and was held in position with a castellated nut and split pin, both of which are both present. The price for this early WW1 prismatic 13 and 18 pounder field gun sight includes U.K. delivery. MISC 1013
£275.00

**RARE**Original British WW1 Trench Warfare Periscope Mirror Observation Attachment For British Pattern 1907 SMLE Rifle Bayonets. OPT 901 - OPT 901
This is a rare to find original WW1 Trench Warfare Periscope Mirror Attachment For British SMLE Rifle Bayonets, see page 351 of ‘The Lee Enfield Story’ by Skennerton where an MOD pattern room image of one of these devices attached to a Pattern 1907 bayonet is illustrated. That image and a period image of one of these devices in use attached to a British Army Sergeant’s SMLE rifle are illustrated in image 1. There are no visible maker or date marks on this periscope mirror. The steel cased mirror measures 49 mm x 90 mm x 8mm when closed. The hinged case has a clip attachment to the rear which neatly slides onto the tip of a British Pattern 1907 bayonet. The clip is hinged for adjustment. The metal work has most of its original green paint. The case opens to reveal a small mirror which has some tarnish due to age but is still useable. The price for this rare trench warfare piece includes UK delivery. OPT 901 (in Misc drawer office) NB The WW1 SMLE & Bayonet illustrated in the images are not included but are available separately on our website stock number D 5990)
£225.00

Rare* WWII Japanese Army NCO Issue 6X24 Binoculars by Manufacturer KAIKOSHA K.T. Sn - 22295
These are WWII issue Japanese army NCO binoculars with original leather carry strap. These bear the KAIKOSHA K.T. for Kaikosha, an organisation in Kudan, Tokyo. The original Kaikosha was founded before World War II as an organisation exclusively for active duty commissioned officers and warrant officers in the Imperial Japanese Army for mutual aid, friendship, and academic research, but was re-founded after the war to represent formerly high-ranking army officials. The organisation's name means “let’s go together” or “we shall fight this war side by side,” and derives from a line in an old Chinese poem recorded in the Book of Odes. This example is stamped with the serial number; 30479. The binoculars are fully functional, with each side having an independent focus control. The optics are clear and focus accurately. Areas of the black paint are exposed through age related wear, see images for condition. The price for these scarce binoculars includes UK delivery. Sn 22295
£375.00

**CHECKED & CLEANED**FULLY FUNCTIONING**WW2 1944 British WD Officer’s Mess Hall Smith’s Empire Astral Pallet Movement Large Wall Clock With No.10 Popular Progress Key. Sn 22942 - 22942
The history of the Smiths Astral clock began in 1932 when S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories) Ltd purchased the English Clock and Watch Manufacturers, acquiring the trade name Astral for their high-quality marine clocks and other products. The Astral became a respected brand for various items, including watches and, notably, the eight-day ships' clocks used for watchkeeping on the bridge. Smith’s Empire Astral Pallet Movement clocks are very durable and reliable. This is an original checked & cleaned WW2 1944 British WD Officer’s Mess Hall Smith’s Empire Astral Pallet Movement Large Wall Clock With No.10 Popular Progress Key. The clock is un-damaged and has a hinged glazed cover with brass rim and wood frame (14” clock face diameter, 17” overall width, 4 ¾” deep). The clean clock face is clearly marked with black Roman Numeral hour marks & minute marks. The face below the winding hole has crisp WD broad arrow 1944 date and ‘Smith’s English Clocks Ltd London’. The face of the clock also has a slow / fast adjuster slot. The rim of the glazed cover and back of the wood frame have latches which lock together to keep the cover securely in place. The rear top of the wood frame has a bracket for wall hanging. The clock keeps excellent time and its steel key is numbered ‘10’ and ‘Popular Progress Made In England’. The key winds the clock correctly. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22942 (clocks shelf storeroom)
£495.00

**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

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
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