British army-issue binoculars - magnification

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Chris C, Jan 31, 2023.

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  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I have one generalist book on army equipment. It mentions that various designs of binoculars were issued, but also mentions the "Binoculars, Prismatic No.2 Mark III" which had a magnification of 6 x 30.

    My question is whether x6 was the standard (or most common) power level of army-issued binoculars?
     
  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    This seems to be a quick summary... highlighting the x6 "strength for the infantry"...

    Guide to military binoculars

    WHY SUCH LOW MAGNIFICATION?
    The military have the money and the authority to order binoculars of any magnification they wish. They know (as does every binoculars dealer and enthusiast) that the lower the power the easier it is to get good quality with small binoculars; the lower the power the brighter the image; the lower the power the wider the field of view. And the entire point of binoculars is to be able to see what is going on, there's no point in having binoculars so strong that you can identify the rifle held by a soldier on a distant hill but not have the field of view to see his colleagues shooting at you.
    This is why the standard strength for the infantry (and the smallest and easiest binoculars to carry) is 6X. And the 'powerful' binoculars used at sea (though these binoculars are always quite large) are 7X. They do have 10X, but a decent 10X (decent in optical quality) would be too large to hold and would be mounted on a stand. In WWII they used 5X on the anti-aircraft batteries, because a feature of low power is a wide angle of view - they could scan large areas of the sky very quickly, and they were still good enough quality to identify enemy planes. And I had a recent (captured in the first Iraq war) 'flash spotter' telescope which was 4X magnification. So please don't think that high magnification is best.

    The "books" tab on Google can bring up a number of previews on the topic...

    standard army-issued binoculars - Google Search

    As well as discussions on which are popular (and found most) in the sales markets and how many makes there were and the various qualities of each.

    --- x ---

    Typically... albeit by default most references seem to refer to general US equipment.

    Screenshot_20230131-145949_Samsung Internet.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2023
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  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Perhaps of interest, looking at the 56 Recce 'Equipment returns' in their diaries (1942), there are references to:-
    Binoculars, Prismatic, TP
    Binoculars, Prismatic, No. 2 'S'
    Binoculars, Prismatic, No. 2 Mk II
    Unfortunately no other details.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2023
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  4. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    That's interesting and the x5 for anti-aircraft batteries makes good sense. Thanks!
     
  5. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    The question of issue does seem to have depended on the arm of service and the date in question. From bits and bobs I've found;

    Binoculars, prismatic, No.2 are listed for Infantry units, Recce Regts, Engrs, and Field and Atk Regts RA, at least for mid 1944.
    Binoculars, prismatic, No.5 are down for Field Regts (only three pairs initially, then seems to be a dozen), Atk Btys (seemingly one pair per det) and LAA Regts (a whopping 25 pairs per Bty!).

    No.5s also went to RAC units starting around February 1944, to replace No.2s on a one-for-one basis as they became available. Due to demand outstripping supply an interim scale of issue was used, not sure how long that persisted. A small issue of No.5s was also approved for Inf units very late on.

    Gary
     
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  6. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    From the book I have, which is multi-national (Allied):
    IMG_20230131_150051_318.jpg
     
  7. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Another rabbit hole... do you know what the difference was between these two models?
     
  8. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

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  9. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  10. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I have to admit, no, I mainly think of the IWM site to look at their photo archive, and I forget everything else!
     
  11. Quarterfinal

    Quarterfinal Well-Known Member

    Bang on. This involves the Exit Pupil, visible at the eyepiece as shown below:
    upload_2023-1-31_22-56-13.jpeg

    and essentially to do with optimizing the light presented to the eye. An old chestnut cites that the human pupil dilates to a maximum diameter of 7 millimeters." Therefore 7mm is supposed to be the ideal maximum size for the exit pupil of binoculars or a telescope.

    Discounting the science, the most desired binoculars for many would be those proffed from the enemy, minding those formerly issued to certain U-boat commanders. Perhaps similarly sought are those with other cachets of rarity, for example:

    British Army Binoculars

    upload_2023-1-31_23-7-56.jpeg

    Perhaps Member Keith will post a snap of the Exit Pupil of his Husun Pilots?
     
  12. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Gt. Uncle Frank's bins.
    Went with him through the desert in a Crusader and Tunisia in Shermans, with Monty's Foxhounds.
    (Must check vehicles one day. Purely based on an attached note. Definitely his wartime bins, as I recall him being proud of them. Through clouds of Embassy no.6...)

    IMG_20230201_141950366.jpg

    6x perfectly adequate.
    They weren't birdwatching.
    Well... Not all the time.
    Look like 6x30 to me. Again, seems about right. Width of field would surely be a prime concern over excess magnification.
     
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  13. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Seem to all be be the same, possibly issued to Major DCL Shepherd MC 266 Bty BC.
    Can anyone identify them?

    Were Binoculars issued, or as with their boots, did officers buy their own.
    Once described to me (after signing the forms) as "one of the Benefits of an elevation to the peerage".

    At the Battle of Banana Ridge. Lt Beadle GPO 266 Bty.
    His truck was driven off by Herman Goering Paras.
    Never seen again.

    29th April 1943
    "I’ve been unlucky recently and lost pretty well everything except what I stand up in.
    My urgent need is for an excellent pair of boots.
    Here is the formula: Saxone Veldtshoen type size 9 1/2 broad fitting.
    Have these fitted with clump soles and studded with flower shaped studs.
    Register them before sending and I’ll hope for the best".

    BNAF 13th July 1943
    By today’s mail arrived a very interesting letter from you and THE BOOTS!
    The latter despite your fears, are an excellent fit and look like being trusty
    friends in the future. Thank you once more for the trouble it cost you in
    acquiring them.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Feb 1, 2023
  14. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    Binoculars were a G1098 item, along with watches and compasses. Officers did have to supply their own watches for the most part, I seem to recall seeing a request somewhere for them to be issued, which may have come in very late war.

    Gary
     
  15. ceolredmonger

    ceolredmonger Member

    The old low magnification non-prismatic style (look like opera glasses) baffled me until I learned that they were issued for night observation. Simply cutting out peripheral vision and helping rods and cones in the eyes work in low light. Issued to aircrew for night work.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2023
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