Description
These attractive French binoculars are marked “HIPPIQUE” on the left barrel and “Marque IRIS De Paris Qualite Garantie” on the right barrel. They feature a classic early field-glass design with black enamelled metalwork, textured leather barrel covering, central focusing, and large objective lenses. They have an elegant antique appearance and would make a lovely collector’s item, display piece, or usable pair of vintage field glasses.
The lenses are intact and clean, and the binoculars produce a clear image. The focusing mechanism works well.
The body is in good antique condition overall, with age-related cosmetic wear, including some paint loss, rubbing to the edges, marks to the leather covering, and general signs of use. The original leather neck strap is present but aged.
The leather carry case is included. It shows noticeable age-related wear, cracking, rubbing, surface loss and general marks, but remains a good period accessory for the binoculars.
Main features:
- Brand / maker: Iris de Paris
- Type: Antique French field binoculars / Galilean binoculars
- Focus: Central focusing
- Objective lens diameter: 40mm
- Eye lens diameter: 21mm
- Magnification unmarked; likely approx. 3x–5x, based on size and period design
- Finish: Black enamelled metalwork with textured barrel covering
- Size: 115mm (W) x 90mm (H) x 50mm (D)
- Weight: 406 g
- Includes: Leather case and neck strap
- Likely date: Early 20th century, probably c.1900–1920s
Note: Iris de Paris was a French binocular and opera-glass brand, particularly known for compact field glasses, theatre glasses and marine-style binoculars. Comparable Iris Paris field glasses and “The Scout” style binoculars are often dated to the early 1900s to 1920s,
