Vintage Du Maurier Aviation Special Binoculars with Compass

Vintage Du Maurier Aviation Special Binoculars with Compass

Vintage metal binoculars with compass, tabs for lanyard attachment, and original leather case. Marked on the eye pieces - "DU MAURIER" and "PARIS". Marked on the bridge - "FRANCE", "84", and with a logo that looks somewhat like an anchor. Marked on the side of the eye pieces - "AVIATION" and "SPECIAL. Binoculars are 4" at the top flaring to 4 1/2" at the bottom. Each eye piece is 1 1/2" at top, flaring to 2" at bottom. In the closed position, binoculars are 4" tall, opening to 5 1/2". Binoculars are in excellent condition with no visible signs of wear. Leather case is complete and intact but very dry with some flaking.

In business from 1916 to 1976 in Elmira, New York, the Du Maurier Company advertised itself as "America's oldest direct mail optical factory". Every internet reference I could find to Du Maurier binoculars led me back to the Elmira company. My best guess is that the binoculars were made in France for the Du Maurier Company and marketed through them. A 1925 Du Maurier ad shows a similar pair called "French Aviator Field Glasses". I'm guessing again - glasses were made prior to World War II.

Item ID: RL-87M

$50 USD SOLD