Collecting militaria for a fair exchange.
WW2 Royal Navy Binoculars - REL Canada (7x50)
£125.00
o.n.o
A fine naval optic these binoculars weigh in at a light 880 grams and designed with best wartime technolgy (dated 1945) to be sleek and fit right nicely for wear on long watches. Guide low-light gathering capability slight dust in L/h tube c/w scuffing to metal housing towards front due regular use and commensurate wear. Lenses un-scratched. A fine useable Binociular comes with leather case and all correct straps. A small trade cartouche for Franks of Glasgow Saltmarket, later Queen Street - a respected surplus optics concern in postwar years up to early sixties. These Binocular fit right nicely in hand.
Availability:
In stock
SKU
CX1330957376
The WWII Royal Navy 7x50 binoculars produced by REL Canada (Research Enterprises Limited), a Canadian optical company established during World War II. These binoculars were used by the Royal Navy and other Allied forces during the war.
The following is a detailed breakdown of their background:
REL Canada (Research Enterprises Limited)
REL Canada was founded in 1940 as a government-owned corporation to meet the demand for precision optics, such as binoculars, rangefinders, and bombsights, for Allied forces during the war.
The company primarily manufactured the 7x50 specification binoculars, which were highly favored for naval and military use because of their robust construction and excellent optical performance in low light conditions, typical for sea combat scenarios.
The 7x50 designation means that the binoculars had a 7x magnification and a 50 mm objective lens diameter, providing good light-gathering ability in poor visibility situations like dusk or dawn.
Franks of Glasgow
Franks of Glasgow was an optical and scientific instrument retailer based in Glasgow, Scotland, with a storefront first located on Saltmarket and later on Queen Street.
Franks of Glasgow was known for selling high-quality optical instruments, including binoculars, telescopes, and other navigational or military-related optics.
During the war, shops like Franks would often supply high-end optical instruments, including those for military use. It's possible that Franks of Glasgow may have either retailed REL-made binoculars or serviced them for military and civilian customers alike.
REL 7x50 Binoculars - Usage in WWII
These binoculars were highly regarded for their durability and optical clarity, making them a preferred choice for naval officers, lookouts, and artillery observers.
The Royal Navy made extensive use of 7x50 binoculars because of their ability to provide a wide field of view and exceptional visibility in challenging lighting conditions, which was crucial during night operations and over vast open seas.
REL Canada’s production capacity during the war contributed significantly to the Allied war effort, with many of their binoculars and optics being distributed to various branches of the military, including the Royal Navy.
Significance of these Binoculars:
A pair of REL 7x50 binoculars from WWII with a connection to Franks of Glasgow, represent an interesting piece of both Canadian and British wartime history.
Such binoculars would be valuable to collectors of military memorabilia, particularly those specializing in naval optics or WWII artifacts.