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Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. WEBSITE MUSEUM |
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BIG & SMALL #3 binoculars |
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BINOCULARS RESEARCH WEBSITE, NOT FOR PROFIT FERNGLAS-FORSCHUNGS-WEBSITE, NICHT GEWINNORIENTIERT SITE DE RECHERCHE SUR LES JUMELLES, À BUT NON LUCRATIF |
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Big and Small: Regent binoculars |
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Regent was a (UK) trademarked brand of UK optics importer/distributor Haddenroy Ltd., and it is probable they also marketed the brand in Canada. My smaller Regent 7x15 binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan. My larger 10x50 Regent binoculars were assembled by JB181 / Yamagami Kogaku Seisaku of Japan, with the body made by JE11/ Omiya Kogaku Kikai Seisalcujo of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Zykkor binoculars |
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Big and Small: Luna binoculars |
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Big and Small: United binoculars |
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Big and Small: Yashica binoculars |
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Big and Small: Rosco binoculars |
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Big and Small: Vixen binoculars |
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Big and Small: Pilot binoculars |
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Zykkor was a trade marked binoculars brand of Photo Consumer Electronic Corp. NY USA. My smaller 8x30 Zykkor binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan. My larger 7x50 Zykkor binoculars were assembled by JB133/ Kamakura Koki Co. Ltd. . of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Skyline binoculars |
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Skyline binoculars are associated with the Canadian distributor Consumer Distributing Co Ltd./ La Compagnie Distribution Aux Consommateurs Limitee which operated from 1957 with Canadian and US operations. My smaller Skyline 8x20 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. They carry the “ K ” logo frame mark and “ OSK ” prism cover marking of contract mfgr. Omori Sogo Kogaku of Japan. I cannot identify the ” DBK ” marking at this time. My larger Skyline 7x50 binoculars also post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. Their “ HOC ” marking is believed to be Hiyoshi Optical Co. of Japan. |
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United was the brand of US mail order retailer United Binoculars Co. My smaller United 10x20 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. They carry the “ K ” logo frame of contract mfgr. Omori Sogo Kogaku of Japan My larger United 10x20 binoculars were assembled by JB115/ Kanagawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Japan, w ith body by JE20/ Mitsui Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Hilton binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Hilton brand use on binoculars. Both my smaller 7x18 and larger Hilton 7x35 Power Guide Triple Tested binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so date 1952-Nov 1959. The diamond BO logo on the larger binoculars is probably a mark of the Japanese exporter I cannot identify at present. |
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Luna binoculars and Luna by Scope binoculars are a non trade marked brand of Scope Instrument Corp., which was a division of Berkey Photo Co of NY USA. My smaller Luna 6x15 black binoculars date to occupied Japan, and in terms of US importation probably around 1950-1951. My smaller Luna by Scope 7x15 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959.They carry the K logo of of contract mfgr. Omori Sogo Kogaku of Japan. My Luna Scope 7-12 x 40 Varipower binoculars were assembled by JB72/ Rubina Koki Co. Ltd. of Japan, a nd the body was made by JE2/ Katsuma Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Admiral binoculars |
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Big and Small: Zuiho binoculars |
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Pilot & Scope were non trade marked brands of Scope instrument/ Berkey Marketing Co/ Berkey Photo NY. My smaller 7x15 Pilot binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, with frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger 7x35 Pilot binoculars predate JB codes. |
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YAN probably an exporter logo |
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Big and Small: Belfont binoculars |
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Belfont was a trade marked brand of U.S. Washington D.C. regional catalog showroom retailer W. Bell & Co. , which was active 1950-1991. My smaller Belfont 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB231/ Tochihara Optical Co ( 栃原光学株式会社) of Japan, and carry the the TJK in diamond logo mark of Japanese exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co). of Japan. My larger Belfont variable power zoom 7-15 x35 binoculars were assembled by JB46 / Otsuka Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan, and they also carry the TJK in diamond mark of exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co) of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Golden Gate binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Golden Gate brand use on binoculars. My smaller 7x18 Golden Gate binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, with frame by JE84/ Oei Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan. My larger Golden Gate 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB153/ Kitano Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd. of Japan, w ith body made by JE30 / Kofu Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Lentar binoculars |
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Lentar was a US trade marked brand of New York City retailer Interphoto Corp Inc., but was also a brand of Hong Kong exporter W. Haking, who assembled binoculars in Hong Kong (I believe from Japanese components in the 1950s/1960-sand for shipment to commonwealth countries without the import duties that Japanese binoculars would have imposed on them). My “smaller” 12x50 Lentar external prism binoculars carry the trade marked crown logo of W. Haking and pivot cover is marked “ Hong Kong ”. My larger 7x50 Lentar binoculars also carry the trade marked crown logo of W. Haking and pivot cover is missing but had probably been marked “Hong Kong”. e |
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Yashica is a trade marked brand of Yashima Kogaku Seiki Kabushiki-Kaisha of Japan and successor companies. My smaller 8x20 Yashica binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ). of Japan. My larger 8x40 Yashica binoculars were assembled by JB142/ Subaru Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd. of Japan, with frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. These binoculars carry an OSC logo on the pivot that I cannot identify, which is probably of the Japanese exporter.
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Admiral is a trade marked brand of GMC Trading AG of Wallisellen Switzerland (Gujer, Mueli & Co.). My (“smaller”) reverse poro pattern 10x48 Admiral binoculars were assembled by JB74/ Omori Sogo Kogaku Kogyo of Japan, with frame made by JE51/ Yoshimoto Kogaku Co. Ltd of Japan. My larger Admiral 10x50 binoculars probably postdate JB code usage but do have a body maker JE3 code for Toei Kogaku Seisakujo Co. Ltd. of Japan |
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The Zuiho brand has been used by optical manufacturer Zuiho Optical Instrument Co. Ltd since the 1950’s. My smaller Zuiho 6 x15 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. My larger Zuiho 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB25/ Zuiho Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd. of Japan, with body by JE38/ Nakabishi Kogaku Inc., of Japan. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Rosco brand use on binoculars. My smaller Rosco 7x18 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so they date 1951-Nov 1959. They carry a MSK logo so were assembled by Meiji Seiko Kogaku.’ 明治精工株式会社 of Japan. My larger Rosco 7x18 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes. |
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Big and Small: Zenith Tempist binoculars |
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Big and Small: Silver binoculars |
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Though binoculars have been distributed with the Zenith name in many countries for many years, I have never found documentation defining the background of Zenith brand use on binoculars. My smaller Zenith Tempest 7x18 binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ), of Japan, and also carry the associated NAOKI mark. My larger Zenith Tempest 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB81/ Copitar Co. Ltd. of Japan, with body made by JE54/ Suzuki Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Carl Wetzlar binoculars |
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Big and Small: Eagle binoculars |
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Big and Small: Centura binoculars |
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Carl Wetzlar was a brand of Canadian importer Carsen designed to invoke Carl Zeiss and Leitz Wetzlar. My smaller 6x15 Carl Wetzlar binoculars have the “ K ” logo indicating the assembling manufacturer was Omori Sogo Kogaku of Japan. My larger Carl Wetzlar 8x40 Sportster binoculars were assembled by JB9/ Sato Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Japan, and came with an AM transistor radio carry case (mine still works), presumably to appeal to a sports fan who could watch a football or baseball game while listening to commentary on the game on the radio carry case. |
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Big and Small: St. Moritz binoculars |
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Big and Small: Daylite binoculars |
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AM transistor radio binocular carry case |
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Centura was a trade marked brand for binoculars of Broadway Hale Stores Inc., a California based regional department store chain that acquired a Phoenix Arizona location in 1968 and also in 1968 developed mail order operations by acquiring mail order firm Sunset house. The firm made other acquisitions, splits, etc. but after the time period of these binoculars. My smaller Centura 6x15 Model 200 binoculars were assembled by JB001/ Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 ) of Japan. My larger Centura 7x50 model 302 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ). of Japan. |
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Eagle binocular s: I believe from observation that the Eagle brand as used on binoculars was normally a brand of Japanese manufacturer Meiji Seiko Kogaku/ Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd ( 明治精工株式会社 ). of Japan. My smaller Eagle 8x20 binoculars carry the MSC logo in two places, with frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger Eagle 7x50 binoculars probably post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Silver brand use on binoculars. My smaller Silver 6x15 binoculars was assembled by JB5/ Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd./ 明治精工株式会社 of Japan. My larger Silver 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB73/ Tsuchida Kogaku Seisakujo of Japan |
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The body was made by JE33 / Teito Koki Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Adams binoculars |
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Big and Small: Stoddard’s binoculars |
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St Moritz was a US trade marked brand of the New York City firm Manhattan Novelty Corporation. My smaller St Moritz 7x18 binoculars do not carry JB mfgr codes and carry an exporter logo that I am quite familiar with, but which I have never found any documentation on. My larger St. Moritz 6x30 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but presumably predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. They carry an exporter logo TB in diamond that I cannot identify with documentation. |
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Stoddard’s was a US trade marked brand of Boston Massachusetts retailer Stoddard’s Inc. My smaller 8x20 Stoddard’s Model 730 binoculars were assembled by JB001 / Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 ) of Japan, with frame by JE79/ Furukawa Kogaku Seisakujo of Japan. My larger Stoddard’s 7x35 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but presumably predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. |
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Daylite was a US trade marked brand of McDowell-Wellmang Engineering Co. My smaller Daylite 7x18 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, with frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger Daylite 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB75/ Seki Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd. of Japan, with frame by JE1/ Toa Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. |
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Big and Small: Milo binoculars |
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Adams was a non-trade marked brand of catalog and retailer Montgomery Ward. My smaller Adams 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB74/ Omori Sogo Kogaku Kogyo of Japan, with frame made by JE51/ Yoshimoto Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan. My larger Adams 7x35 binoculars were assembled by JB23/ Ishii Kogaku Co. Ltd., of Japan, with frame made by JE45/ Tamron Co., Ltd., of Japan. They also carry the TJK in diamond mark of exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co) . of Japan. |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Milo brand use on binoculars. My smaller Milo 8x20 binoculars were assembled by JB231/ Tochihara Optical Co ( 栃原光学株式会社 of Japan. My larger Milo 7x35 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but predate JB codes, so they date 1951-Nov 1959. A cleaning cloth with these binoculars were marked for trading company international trade Associates, Inc., and I have another with the same cloth. Instructions with the binoculars give no insight. I suspect that co was the US importer, and as Milo binoculars were also imported to the UK, Milo is probably a Japanese exporter’s non TM brand name. |
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Big and Small: Enbeeco |
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I believe Enbeeco was a non trade marked brand of UK distributor Newbold & Bulford Ltd. (located at Enbeeco House in London WC1 in England). My smaller somewhat unusual power Enbeeco 7x20 binoculars post date the US occupation period, but presumably predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959. My larger Enbeeco 7x50 monocular incorporates an internal compass, as can be seen in the bottom of the view through them of my retired San Francisco Tsunami evacuation road sign hanging on my barn. It was assembled by JB001 / Toa Optical Co., Ltd. (Toa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha )( 東亜光学株式会社 ) of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Iveco binoculars |
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Iveco was a (German) trade marked binoculars brand of Israel Weissbord Stuttgarg Germany My smaller 8x30 Iveco binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) of Japan. My larger 7x50 Iveco binoculars were assembled by JB61/ Meiho Kogaku Seisakujo Inc. of Japan, marked in German Verg ü tete Optik (coated optics) and marked Winkel (angle of view). |
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Both are german speaking market marked Verg ü tete Optik (coated optics) and with Weitwinkel (wide angle) or Blickwinkel (perspective). |
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Vixen is a trade marked brand of Vixen Optical Industries Japan. My smaller Vixen 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB5/ Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd. of Japan. They are marked also Koyu, and Koyu and Vixen are parts of the same combined manufacturing/marketing/trading/sales/export/distribution entities. My larger Vixen 7x50 binoculars have silk screen markings, rubber eye shields, many molded components, and soft case indicative of the post JB code and relatively recent manufacture. (also no country of origin marking, and I think probably Chinese manufacture). |