Description
For sale is a pair of vintage Barr & Stroud C.F.42 7x binoculars, marked Barr & Stroud, Glasgow & London, with A.P. No. 1907A, serial number 28507 M, and military-style broad arrow markings.
These classic British military/naval binoculars have built-in pale yellow / amber filters, which can be switched in and out of the optical path. When switched on, the filters give the view a light yellow/amber tint, useful for reducing glare and improving contrast in bright or hazy conditions. When switched off, the binoculars return to the normal clear view.
The optics are intact and clean, and the binoculars achieve very clear and sharp images for their age. The binoculars have individual eyepiece focusing and a sturdy vintage metal body. Both image focusing mechanisms and filter switches work well.
Main Features:
- Brand: Barr & Stroud
- Model: C.F.42
- Magnification: 7x
- Objective lens: 50mm
- Markings: A.P. No. 1907A / Serial No. 28507 M
- Individual eyepiece focusing
- Features: Built-in switchable pale yellow/amber filters
- Dimensions (when open): 185mm (W) x 230mm (H) x 75mm (D)
- Weight: approx. 1.2 kg (excluding leather case)
- Includes: Binoculars, leather neck strap and brown leather carry case
Other markings on prism covers:
British Patents:
No.376495/1931
No.435220/1934
Application No.4440/1940
Note:
The binoculars are in good working vintage condition overall, with age-related cosmetic wear. There are visible scuffs, paint wear, small chips and rubbed areas to the black finish, especially around the bridge and outer edges. The body covering is almost intact, with yellow painted arrow markings on the barrels. The leather neck strap is aged and worn.
The internal lenses are clean, with no visible dust or mould when looking through the objective lenses. There appear to be some tiny dots visible through the right eyepiece when viewing through the binoculars, but these are negligible and do not affect performance.
The brown leather carry case is included and shows heavy vintage wear, including scratches, scuffs, rubbing, edge wear, marks and ageing to the leather and fittings. It remains a good original-style accessory/display piece. The leather fastener tab is detached from the spring clasp, as shown in the last photo.
