Binoculars

[Lars R.]

I wonder, was there a default Binocular issued to Canadian troops, or was it the same mixture of makes as with the British?

And would these be marked C arrow?

Cheers,

[maple_leaf_eh]

There were Canadian 7x35 binoculars made by REL in Toronto. I had a set, but found those particular ones weren't much good. Very old optical construction which had not aged well. I forget if those ones had an extra reticle engraving with ranging marks for artillery spotting.

[Michael R.]

Research Enterprises Limited in Canada eventually produced quality optical glass and rolled out a wide range of optical products during WWII. Their binoculars (and other optics) can be found “R.E.L.” marked with year dates, Canadian inspector & acceptance marks, which may include the standard “C-Broad Arrow”.

[Lars R.]

Thanks Terry and Michael.

I found a nice clean R.E.L. Canada 1944, but Graticules removed. 6x30. Only Arrow, no C, marked C.G.B. 53 G.A. 33803-C, but that may be a supply to the British?

[rob love]

It seems that a lot of the Cdn produced optics were marked with the Broadarrow only despite the items being for Canadian use. You will find the same marking on sniper telescopes, even though the majority of them (especially the non-British models) were for Canadian service.

Yours appear to be nicely marked in that they do not have the post war Canadian Arsenals conversion marking on them. Most of the ones in this country have the later designation and markings. They would mill off the REL and put the CAL mark on them instead.

[Lars R.]

Thanks Rob.

...a shame though, that the Graticules were removed. Optics are great though. The FINNEGANS Case is 42, probably British. I love that BD blouse made by Dunlop Rubber Co.!

[Ed Storey]

During the Second World War the British/Canadians employed a number of binocular types with different magnifications for specific applications. A numbering system was used to differentiate each of the specific binocular types. Binoculars were precision optical equipment in which only a few companies had the ability to manufacture so it is not uncommon to find contracts being met by R.E.L. in Canada for the British which would account for the Broad Arrow stamp. The Finnegans marked 1937 Pattern Web case is indeed a British manufactured item as confirmed by the Broad Arrow markings.

I have attached a photographs from my collection of a set of C Broad Arrow stamped American manufactured Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. 8x30 Military Stereo as an example of inter-Allied production of optics.

IMG_8322 copy.jpg

IMG_8314 1 copy.jpg

[barriefield-brian]

My set are broad arrow 6x30. REL Canada1944. I guess my pics are too large to load.

[Bruce MacMillan]

My pair of 6x30 No 2 CDN Mk 2/6 were made by REL. Marking on left side include:
R.E.L. Canada
1942-C

Right hand has engraving about info on graticule and marked:
C.A.L./Canada
1952
and a decal marked:
Universal Camera Corp
New York, USA

I assume it's a refurb as the pattern 37 case has a NSN number written on it.