Is there anyone out there that can fix WW2 binos?I have a brit pair and a russian pair that the prism is out of alignment.OK if your looking through 1 side at a time but double vision if you look through both.Crosseyed CossacksLOL.Help needed.Pm any info.Dave.
WW2 Bino repair
- Thread starter Dave.S
- Start date
...Check with your local Astronomy Retailer. 'Sounds like it's probably just a matter of "Alignment" and most repair (and some Camera repair places) can do it fairly easily. I'm guessing, but the price for an "alignment and clean" will run close to $100. So, make sure you get an estimate before you commit ! ..... One other possibility, and only if you're desperate and the 'glasses are otherwise not worth much, do it yourself. Instructions may be available on the net, or try your local Library. The reason I mention this is years ago in a Camera Repair Manual/Book they also included instructions regarding Binoculars. Damn it ! I can't remember the book but possibly it was aimed at repairing Mamiya Cameras? .... David K
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The problem of cracking open old optics is the seals and glues are 65 plus years old. For example, the No.32 sniper scopes have lenses stuck together with balsum tree gum. If it separates, there is no technician trained today who will understand what it takes to fix that. Good luck all the same.
- Location
- Alberta Free State
Well, I don't know off hand. One thing that comes to mind is that any University that has a Physics department usually has a lens/optical shop. I've known a few of the gnomes who run these places over the years, and if you can find one, oftentimes they will have the knowledge to direct you to the correct resource. If you're really lucky they might take an interest.
A second source of information is the science department of a provincial museum. They deal with restoring all sorts of odd bits and pieces. You might have to visit them - I've never had much luck on the phone.
Old issues of amateur astronomy magazines from the 50's and 60's are often archived in local or regional libraries, and many times the collections are indexed. A lot of amateur astronomers used war-surplus optics parts that were available cheap (as did radio hams), so there should be some articles on dealing with various types.
I have a pair of WWII Canadian Officers' binoculars that belonged to my uncle. They rode with him on tank, jeep and truck through Normandy, Holland, The Schelt, The Rhineland, and for years afterwards served for bird-watching in the local ravine at home.
They were manufactured by the Wolensak company in the U.S. - my only knowlege of them is that they made tape recorders when I was a kid. I rather suspect that in view of the U.S. maker and the lack of Broad Arrow markings, that his were either a "trade", a private purchase (he was a "regular" officer before the war), or simply snitched. There are many pictures of him wearing them, so he came by them early on.
Like yours, my uncle's binos are in need of a few minor repairs and adjustments, but I'm reluctant to mess with them. They're more important as a "family artifact", although if I could return them to 100% without damaging them or destroying their appearance, I'd do it. I don't think Tommy would mind.
But I'd hate like hell to get them apart, and then bugger them up completely.
.. Just a reminder, get an estimate if you're having it done for payment; The British ones, if from one of the better known manufacturers are probably worth spending some money on them,i.e "Barr and Stroud". The Russian ones, perhaps debatable. I paid, and really I forget the cost, to have a pair of Canadian made, R.E.L 7x50 ( 1945 /CAL1950 ) cleaned and aligned, and have used them both on land and on water. Still have the Mil marks inside, which would have been a problem to remove ! Got a pair of Bausch & Lomb 7x50 (1960s vintage) again money well spent ! .... Anyway, good luck ! ... David K
