Description

Very nice and complete cased set of “Pocket” Field Glasses as they were commonly marketed in the period. (these are not the fancy schmancy opera/theater glasses also popular in the period) Civil War era advertisements abound for these compact adjustable binoculars in every size form, smaller than these to the impractical to carry, directed specifically at the male and military market. They were offered to everyone; sportsman, bird watchers and of course the soldiers, where fine profits were to be had marketing to the fellow yearning to see what was coming or where he was going just a little bit more clear than the average second rank number 2. Of course they were in practice primarily sold to officers and senior NCOs, in actual need of such items, as a practical alternative to the heavier and sometimes cumbersome strapped and cased versions. I carried a mid sized version just big enough to have extendable shades for years. This set is in excellent condition with very nice optics and the leather barrel covers all intact without separations, relatively uncommon in itself. Only a few little dings in the body evident from honest yet respectful use. The optics are French, top of the line, as was nearly all of the quality pieces in the period, regardless of who made the rets of the set. Eyepieces are marked Fabt. Colmont, Paris. The black lacquered brass is  bright with nice original luster. The adjustment wheel is made of gutta percha and has no drying cracks – another uncommon find. The case is all intact, the seams are good, the lining is all intact, the handle is still fully attached and the latch and button are all there and in working condition. Only the minor unavoidable scuffing from age. These are all condition features which are rarely present, especially in total. Rare to find a common field set in such nice complete condition.