Original WWII U.S. Navy Bu. Ships Mark 28 Mod.0 7×50 Binoculars by Bausch & Lomb with Case – Dated 1943

Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition pair of WWII U.S. Navy Mark 28 Mod.0 7×50 Binoculars made in 1943 by Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. specifically designed for the Bureau of Ships. U.S. Navy organizations that were largely responsible for procurement in 1940 were designated Bureaus, each commanded by a Rear Admiral. These Bureaus included: Aeronautics, Engineering, Navigation, Ordnance, and Ships. So the fleet of surface combat and support ships, of submarines, of Coast Guard and of Maritime Service vessels, along with most of their instruments and consumables too, were largely specified by and contracted for by the Bureau of Ships (BUSHIPS, or sometimes designated BU.SHIPS)

When the mission was to observe movement across a wide expanse of air and water then a binocular with a much wider field of view was justified. Several wide angle binocular models were commissioned specifically for the Bureau of Ships whose vital work included spotting enemy vessels, planes, as well as other objects; these bear the designation BU.SHIPS as found on this example. The Mark 28 was a version like the original Bausch & Lomb Mark 1 produced for the Navy, but with improved waterproofing and different prism plates.

These are marked on the right side of the rear by the eyepiece with the model and serial number:

U.S. NAVY, BU.SHIPSMARK 28, MOD.0N 203395, 1943

Below this is the manufacturer information: BAUSCH & LOMB OPT. CO. ROCHESTER N.Y. U.S.A.. The left rear plate is simply marked 7×50.

The optics are clear and excellent, all aspects of the binoculars function, and they are in overall excellent condition. The rubber neck strap is supple and strong without defect, though it does have some white residue on it from years of storage. The rubberized case made by HOOD is also marked BAUSCH & LOMB and is in excellent condition with original rubber carry strap.

Overall a fantastic Bureau of Ships wide angle 7×50 binocular set from WWII.