Description
Original Second World War British Air Ministry binoculars for night use, complete with their original fitted leather carrying case.
The binoculars are military marked on the bridge:
REF. No. 6E/338
with the British Broad Arrow property mark.
The leather case is correspondingly marked:
REF. No. 6E-338
BINOCULARS FOR NIGHT USE
This pattern is generally associated with the HUSUN “Pilot” low-light binoculars, manufactured by Henry Hughes & Son Ltd of London for British military service during the Second World War.
These are low-power, large-objective Galilean binoculars, generally regarded as approximately 2.5×50, designed specifically to gather as much light as possible for use in poor light and at night rather than to provide high magnification.
Condition:
The lenses are intact and clean for their age, and the binoculars have been tested and produce a good, clear image.
The central focusing mechanism operates as intended.
The black finish shows general age-related wear, rubbing and small areas of paint loss, particularly around exposed edges and metal fittings. The body coverings remain almost intact and show normal wear consistent with wartime service and age.
The original leather case is included. It remains structurally complete but shows substantial age-related wear, surface marks, scuffs, staining and dryness to the leather. The shoulder strap and fittings are present and one end of the strap is deteached from the case. Please study all photographs for more details.
Main Features:
- Model Reference: 6E/338
- Type: Binoculars for Night Use
- Service: British Air Ministry / RAF
- Approximate date: c.1940–1945
- Associated maker: Henry Hughes & Son Ltd / HUSUN
- Approximate specification: 2.5×50 (i.e., 2.5x magnification, 50mm objective lens)
- Eyepiece diameter: 23mm
- Central focusing wheel
- Dimensions (when closed): 125mm (W) x 90mm (H) x 60mm (D)
- Weight: 678 g
- Original leather case: Included
An interesting and increasingly difficult-to-find piece of genuine British wartime optical equipment, particularly desirable with its matching Air Ministry-marked leather case.
