United Kingdom. A Binocular Prismatic No. 3 Mark II Army Field Binoculars 1918
These functioning binoculars feature a non-magnetic brass housing on the body painted in black, with the grips covered in a black pebbled leather. The grip coverings on the body exhibiting extensive peeling and loss, with surface rust present on the exposed metal portions. The body tubes housing the lenses are joined together at four locations, forming a bridge, with a central cylinder between the tubes, the cylinder itself finished with a screw at the eyepiece end. Both eyepieces are functional and are gradated in plus and minus on either side of "0", but most of the markings having worn off or are obscured. The ocular and objective lenses are glass, with crazing and chipping evident in the left ocular glass, the other three lenses with scattered contact marks. The binoculars are marked on the back housing on both sides, the left side marked "Binocular Prismatic No. 3 Mk. II / x 6 / 26758", the right side marked "W. Watson & Sons Ltd. / London & Highgate / 1918". The binoculars measure 100 mm in width x 160 mm in length x 40 mm in height when fully extended, weighing 654 grams inclusive of the leather neck strap. The binoculars are accompanied by their heavily stitched brown leather case with thick walls, the front stamped with the British Broad Arrow production insignia just below the buckle strap, the lid is stamped "CASE No.3 PRISMATIC BINOCULAR MARK II" and "J.D. WATTS & Co. 1916" and has a carrying handle held in place via two rivets. The lid is attached to the reverse of the case itself via a wide leather band acting as a hinge and held in place by four rivets. The wide band is flanked by long straps on either side for placement upon a belt. The front has a strap riveted in place to the lid, with two holes for length adjustment, with its end having been lost to time, the strap designed to be fed through the brass buckle with one prong on the front of the case. The underside of the lid has the handwritten initials "W.Y." with "RICH...." stamped beside it, the remaining letters illegible. The inside has raised pads wrapped in black cloth at the bottom and placed on both sides, designed to rest the binoculars on. The leather shoulder strap travels from one side along the bottom of the case to the other side, held in place via five restraining straps, two on either side and one on the bottom. The left end of the strap with eleven holes for length adjustment, with part of its end having been lost to time, the strap having severed where it passes through the restraining straps on the right side, the right end of the strap with a brass buckle incorporating a single prong. The case measuring 170 mm in width x 90 mm in depth x 125 mm in height, with light soiling and wear evident on the exterior from active use. As is.

