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Big and Small: Nikon binoculars |
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“Nikon” was a brand of Japanese manufacturer/exporter/distributor Nippon Kogaku KK since 1945, and the co became Nikon in 1988. My smaller 7x15 Nikon binoculars were assembled by JB7/ Nippon Kogaku KK., of Japan, with frame by JE44/ likura Kogaku Seisakujo Inc. of Japan. My larger Nikon binoculars 7x50 binoculars are also assembled by JB7/ Nippon Kogaku KK. of Japan, and also carry the EP Japanese export only taxation mark. |
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Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. WEBSITE MUSEUM |
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BIG & SMALL #2 binoculars |
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BINOCULARS RESEARCH WEBSITE, NOT FOR PROFIT FERNGLAS-FORSCHUNGS-WEBSITE, NICHT GEWINNORIENTIERT SITE DE RECHERCHE SUR LES JUMELLES, Ŕ BUT NON LUCRATIF |
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Big and Small: Remington binoculars |
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Big and Small: Revue binoculars |
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Big and Small: CEZ binoculars |
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Big and Small: Empire binoculars |
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“Remington” was a trade marked brand of Remington Arms from 1907, but was widely licensed to distributors for use on all sorts of other goods. My smaller Remington 9x20 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. (Seiwa Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-geisha ) ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, and also have the TJK in diamond mark of exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co) of Japan, and the frame mfgr was JE84/ Oei Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan. My larger Remington 7x25 binoculars were assembled by JB56/ Hiyoshi Kogaku Co. Ltd., with frame/ body manufacturered by JE63 Ofuna Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Super Zenith binoculars |
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Revue was a trade marked brand of Grossversandhaus Quelle Gustav Schickedanzke, Germany, who owned Foto Quelle, which had been founded in 1957. By 1970 European based Foto Quelle was the world’s largest retail chain of camera and photo equipment. My smaller Revue 10x40 external reverse poro prism binoculars post date JB manufacturer’s codes, as do my larger Revue 10x50 conventional binoculars. Both binoculars carry German language markings. |
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I have not been able to determine the identity of C.E.Z., but suspect it to be a Japanese exporter or U.S. importer in the 1950’s. My smaller 6x15 C.E.Z binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date to 1951 to Nov. 1959 and are maker marked AOCo (Asahi Optical Co) of Japan, and carry AOCo’s trade marked Jupiter model name. My larger C-E-Z 7x50 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date to 1951 to Nov. 1959. |
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Empire was a trade marked brand of US importer distributor Jason Empire from around 1963, and subsequently of US importer distributor Bushnell. My smaller Empire 7x18 model 230 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, and the frame manufacturer was JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger Empire 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB139/ Busho Kogaku Seisakujo of Japan. |
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I have not been able to identify the background of Super Zenith brand use on binoculars, though it is multi national and over a long period of time. My smaller Super Zenith 10x20 binoculars were assembled by JB231/ Tochihara Optical Co ( 栃原光学株式会社) of Japan. My larger Super Zenith 16x50 binoculars post date JB codes, are Japanese made, but with silk screen markings on plastic cover panels that probably date them to the 1990’s or newer. The larger binoculars carry a small star logo (probably an exporter logo). |
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Big and Small: Kalimar binoculars |
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Big and Small: Stellar binoculars |
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Big and Small: Solar Deluxe binoculars |
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Kalimar was a trade marked brand of Kalimar Inc from around 1956 with use from 1954, and was subsequently a brand of Tiffen Inc. My smaller Kalimar 6x15 binoculars were assembled by AKC /Akebono Kogako Co./ 曙光学工業 of Japan, and probably post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959. My larger 7x35 Kalimar model K-7072 binoculars do not have JB codes and probably date them and date to the late 1970s or newer. |
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Stellar was a trade marked brand of Astra trading co NYC with use from May 1952, and believed used until around 1992. My smaller Stellar 6x15 binoculars were assembled by Toa Kogaku and are TOA marked, and probably post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959. My larger Stellar 7x50 binoculars were made in Taiwan, China, probably in the 1980’s or 1990’s. |
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Big and Small: Aloma binoculars |
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Big and Small: Cornell binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Cornell brand use on binoculars. My smaller Cornell 7x25 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. ( 清和光学株式会社 ) of Japan, and the frame manufacturer was JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger Cornell 8x30 binoculars were assembled by JB145/ Kimura Kogaku Seisakujo of Japan, and the frame/ body manufacturer was JE1/ Toa Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Woodsman binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Solar or Solar Deluxe brand use on binoculars. My smaller Solar Deluxe 7x18 binoculars were assembled by JB1/ Toa Kogaku Co. Ltd . My larger Solar Deluxe 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB77/ Koronbia Kogaku Co. Ltd./ Columbia Kogaku Co., and the frame manufacturer was JE27/ Sanyo Koki Co. Ltd. |
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The Aloma logo on the larger Aloma binoculars was a registered Japanese trademark of Tokyo Optical Manufacturing Co. Ltd., from 1961on. My smaller Aloma 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB5/ Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd 明治精工株式会社 / . and also have the MSC logo on the pivot cover, and the frame manufacturer was JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. My larger Aloma 20x50 binoculars do not carry JB markings, but do carry a T.O.C. logo on the pivot, which is a Tokyo Optical Manufacturing Co Ltd. mark. |
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Big and Small: Gold Crest binoculars |
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I have observed the use of the Woodsman logo associated with various exporters/importers, such as Yoshida/ United, and Laszlo. My smaller Woodsman logo 6x18 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951-Nov 1959, and are marked Ofuna (Ofuna Optical Instrument Co., Ltd /Ofuna Kōgaku K.K./ 大船光学工業株式会 ). My larger 7x35 Woodsman logo binoculars are also marked for the Hy Score trade marked brand of US importer/distributor S.E. Laszlo. and they were assembled by JB146/ Warabi Kokisha and the frame manufacturer was JE21/ Kokisha Co. Ltd. |
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Gold Crest was the trademarked brand of Lenco Inc. of Chicago Illinois USA, held from 1963-1985, (believed to be same company as distributor Lenco Photo Products, known for Lentar lenses). My smaller Gold Crest 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. ( 清和光学株式会社 ), and the frame manufacturer was JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. My larger 7x35 Gold Crest binoculars were assembled by JB243/ Suwa Koki Co. Ltd. and the frame manufacturer was JE21/ Kokisha Co. Ltd. As can be seen by it’s original box, Gold Crest and GOLDCREST were used interchangeably. |
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Big and Small: Wards binoculars |
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Big and Small: Mayflower binoculars |
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Big and Small: Sans & Streiffe binoculars |
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Mayflower is believed a non trademarked binoculars brand of U.S. distributor Colonial Optical Co Inc. My smaller Mayflower 7x18 binoculars were assembled by JB69/ Akebono Optical Co., Ltd. (Akebono Kōgyō Seisakujo) ( 曙光学工業 ) and the frame manufacturer was JE7/ Nippon Kogaku K.K. My larger 10x50 Mayflower Model 120 binoculars were assembled by JB257/ Kyoshi Optical Co. Ltd. |
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Wards was a U.S. trademarked general brand of U.S. retail chain and catalog retailer Montgomery Ward, also used before being trademarked. My smaller 6x15 Wards binoculars probably post date JB codes but by the “ K ” logo were Assembled by Omori Sogo Kogaku. My larger 7x35 Wards binoculars were assembled 7x35 JB49/ Sankyo Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. and the body was JE4 / Toei Kogaku Co. Ltd. It is marked with the TJK logo of Japanese exporter Toyo Jitsugo Kogaku K.K. (Oriental Trading Co). |
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Sans & Streiffe was a U.S. trademarked binoculars brand of Illinois based importer/distributor Sans & Streiffe, who dealt in binoculars, telescopes, spotting scopes, microscopes, drawing instruments, and slide rules from around 1951 to the1970’s. My smaller 6x15 Sans & Streiffe binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959, and are marked TOA for manufacturer Toa Kogaku Co. Ltd . My larger 7x35 Sans & Streiffe #802 binoculars were assembled by JB94/ Ibuki Kogaku Co. Ltd. and the frame manufacturer was JE7/ Nippon Kogaku K.K. |
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Selsi is a U.S. trademarked |
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Big and Small: Crown binoculars |
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US distributor Compass Instrument and Optical Co. Inc. claimed exclusive right to Crown binoculars in their 1968 literature (worded suggesting exclusive US import agreement rather than brand name ownership). My smaller Crown 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB47/ Tokuhiro Micro Binocular Co: (Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc)( 徳弘光機製作所株式会社 ) and have their Naoki mark, and the frame manufacturer was JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. My larger 10x50 Crown binoculars were assembled by JB206/ Fujita Koki Seisakuio . and the frame manufacturer was JE9/ Sato Kogaku Kogyo Co. |
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Big and Small: Cosmos binoculars |
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Big and Small: Focal binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Cosmos brand use on binoculars for the relevant time period. My smaller Cosmos 6x15 binoculars were assembled by JB001/ Toa Kogaku Co. Ltd . and the frame manufacturer was JE79/ Furukawa Kogaku Seisakujo. My larger 7x50 Cosmos binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959, and are marked for the manufacturer Ofuna ( Ōfuna Kōgaku -Kikai Seisakusho ( 大船光学機械製作所 ) |
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Focal was a U.S. trademarked binoculars brand of chain store retailer Kmart from 1968. My reverse prorro Focal 12x50 binoculars were assembled by JB133/ Kamakura Koki Co. Ltd. My (larger) and conventional 7-15x35 Focal binoculars were assembled post date JB numbers, but are marked with a SMC logo, which is a registered trade mark of Pentax Corp. They are also marked as Siam Cat Optics, which I think is a non trade marked K Mart model line. The BXC mark is probably an exporter. |
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Big and Small: Selsi binoculars |
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Selsi is a U.S. trademarked binoculars brand of NJ based importer/distributor Selsi Inc from 1926. My smaller Selsi 7x18 binoculars post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959, and are marked as assembled by AKC /Akebono Kogako Co./ 曙光学工業 My larger Selsi 7x50 binoculars also post date the US occupation period but predate JB codes, so date 1951 to Nov. 1959. |
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Big and Small: Carton binoculars |
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Big and Small: Greenkat binoculars |
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Carton was a trade marked binoculars brand of Carton Optical Industries Ltd of Japan. My smaller 7x18 Carton binoculars were assembled by JB5/ and are also marked “ MSC ” for Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd. 明治精工株式会社 of Japan. My larger 8x40 Carton binoculars were assembled by JB23/ Ishii Kogaku Co. Ltd. of Yokohama Japan.
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Greenkat was a trade marked binoculars brand of Greenkat Ltd. Of the UK. My smaller 6x15 Greencat binoculars were assembled by by JB231/ Tochihara Optical Co ( 栃原光学株式会社 of Japan. My larger 7x15x35 Greenkat zoom binoculars were assembled by JB133/ Kamakura Koki Co. Ltd., Warabi-Shi, Japan. |
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Big and Small: Kestrel binoculars |
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I have not found the background of Fusco brand use on binoculars My smaller 8x20 Kestral binoculars were assembled by JB5/ and are also marked “ MSC ” for Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd. 明治精工株式会社 of Japan, with frame by JE50/ Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc. of Japan. My larger 8x30 Kestrel binoculars were assembled by JB17/ Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Japan, with body by JE12/ Orora Kogaku Co. Ltd. - Aurora Kogaku Co. of Japan. |
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Big and Small: Mt. Fuji binoculars |
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I have never found documentation defining the background of Mt. Fuji brand use on binoculars for the relevant time period. My smaller Mt. Fuji 8x20 binoculars were assembled by JB93/ Siewa Optical Co. Ltd. ( 清和光学株式会社 ). My larger Mt. Fuji 7x50 binoculars were assembled by JB256 Shinsei Optical Co., Ltd . |
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Big and Small: Sharper Image binoculars |
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The original Sharper Image was a brick and mortar and catalog tech lifestyle retailer 1977 to 2008 bankruptcy, with as many as 187 retail stores in 38 states, then resurrected as a catalog retailer around 2010. Based on my sealed package my smaller 10x20 Sharper Image marked 10x20 binoculars were made in Taiwan around 2006, and based on it’s box my larger 7x50 Sharper Image binoculars were made around 2016 in China. |
