Skip to main content

WW 2 Galilean Binoculars




A completely frivolous post based on a pleasant find at a local antiques/emporium shop. I came across an unusual (to me anyway) small pair of binoculars in a leather case marked up as an old pair of military binoculars - 2.5 x 50 according to the case. The binoculars had the War Arrow so I took a chance and purchased them for £18.


On getting home a search on the Web revealed they were binoculars of the old Galilean design, manufactured in 1944 (the binoculars are not marked with a date or manufactures stamp, but the leather case had the traces of an old label, which when removed revealed the following: CAT No VF 2507 J.B.B 1944). The searches on the net would appear that military dealers are all claiming these are 'rare' binoculars issued to airborne forces - largely as far as I can ascertain based on one well circulated image - see below. Prices ranged from £125 - £200 plus!! Had I obtained a bargain!? I don't think so, I finally came across a reference suggesting they were widely issued to all Combined Operation type forces, although if you are lucky enough to come across a pair with Air Ministry Markings, I think these are quite rare. Also given the day I searched on the Web there were at least four for sale, this alone would suggest they are not that rare despite the ridiculous price tags some dealers are asking.


Above: Galilean 2.5 x 50 binoculars 

The binoculars cannot be altered at the bridge to suit particular faces. They are very compact and appear to be of a high build quality, the body being brass with Bakelite eye cups and focus wheel. 

Anyway I still wondered what use  any  military personnel could find for a pair of binoculars that only offered 2 1/2 times magnification. These particular Galilean binoculars were supposed to have been issued to paratroopers and pilots because of their light gathering capacity and compact size. As a general rule  the light gathering capacity of any binocular can be compared by dividing the magnification into the lens objective size. So for example a modern 8x32 gives a relative value of 4 (32/8) which would be as bright as a 10x40 but not as bright as a 10x50. So these Galilean should be very bright at 2.5x50 which gives a relative value of 20! - although I must admit I don't know if this principal can be directly compared with prism and Galilean designs of binoculars.

As well as being apparently bright these Galilean binoculars also boast a wide filed of view - 10 degrees. Most binoculars today can only offer between 5 - 8 degrees.

So my curiosity was now aroused - how would these binoculars perform? A test in daylight, comparing these with my 1941 pair of Taylor Hobson prism x6 binoculars, seemed a good idea! As suspected the low magnification seemed to offer only  a slightly better view than the naked eye - if I was an infantryman in 1944 I would have much rather  relied upon my Taylor Hobson's! The results of the test can be seen below.



Above: Galilean 2.5 x 50 Binoculars, 1944
Bottom: Taylor Hobson x6 Binoculars, 1941




Above: Top - 2.5 x 50 Galilean Binocular View
Bottom: Taylor Hobson x6 View

The above images show the wider field of view of the Galilean Binoculars but much clearer detail shown by the higher magnification of the Taylor Hobson's.

Next test was to compare the two at night (approx 10:30 pm).  The photo below shows the image of the pylon in darkness but it was too dark to repeat the 'through the lens images' as shown above. You will have to take my word for it - this is where the Galilean's really performed and is no doubt the reason they were supplied to Combined Op's forces. The performance in darkness was truly amazing. If I was an infantryman in 1944 often operating in darkness I would  much rather have relied upon the Galilean's!!



Conclusion - I don't think I paid £18 for a pair of binoculars worth £125 plus, but probably a fair price. But the real enjoyment is browsing around antique shops/emporiums and once in a while coming across such a gem  - certainly makes the day!

Bentwaters part 3 to follow shortly.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Eastern Command Line - a lazy post

As the title suggests, just a lazy post today, a few pics of CRE Colchester design pillboxes in the Sudbury area to round of the thread on this May visit. Also one pic of concrete road block cylinders now being used as part of river bank defences. This is the first time I have come across this type of road block in Suffolk although I suspect it was probably used quite widely on this Stop Line, perhaps I will come across more examples / references in time. These pictures do show a timeless landscape - traditional floodplain meadows still used for grazing, with the Second World War clearly marking its presence. Lets just hope both the pillboxes and  grazing meadows will be preserved.
Post a Comment
Read more

RAF Hethel Defence Post

At RAF Station Hethel, a remarkable defence post still exists.  Admittedly, RAF Hethel is in Norfolk and not Suffolk, but the records for this site do provide some interest in relation to the defence of airfields in Eastern Command. Work on Hethel began in 1941 and the station was opened late 1942 and was actually one of the RAF Stations handed over to the USAAF for the use of its bomber units. The defence post was constructed in accordance with a new policy adopted by Eastern Command. Previously, airfield defences had been built as a result of the Taylor Report and largely consisted of pillboxes and breastworks which were large and conspicuous and vulnerable to air attack. Experience at Crete had shown the need for small inconspicuous field works. The new defences were to now consist of small two man weapon-slits and small machine gun pits constructed in accordance with “Infantry Training, 1937” Supplement No.3 – “The design and lay-out of Field Defences, 1942”. Above...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anti-tank ditch

December 31st Decided to visit the anti-tank ditch at Aldringham Walks this afternoon. It was constructed between late 1940 and early 1941 and ran from (north to south) Sizewell to the north of Thorpeness Mere. Some of its length is still visible today (see map and bottom photo)). The war diary of 9th Cameronians (15th Div) mentions the construction of the ditch in Margaret Wood (vicinity of No 12 Platoon, B Coy).  The diary also mentions a pillbox being destroyed by the RE in No 12 platoons area, but no luck in finding any remains this time. The diary would also indicate the ditch was a combined obstacle with Z1 scaffolding. The top left photo shows the remains of a weapons pit/shell slit; six pieces of angle iron revetment still exist - one of the pieces is clearly visible in the photo. Perhaps this is part of No 12 platoons position. Many years ago when beating up the young woodland I found a Yorkshire billhook with the WO arrow dated 1946, so this area would appear to have ...
Post a Comment
Read more