Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition pair of WWII US Marine Corps Mark 28 7x50 Binoculars, made in 1944 by Bausch & Lomb Optical Company. These are essentially identical to the U.S. Navy BU. SHIPS Mark 28 7x50 binoculars, specifically designed for the Bureau of Ships. The USMC would later label these as the Mark 46 by the end of 1944.
U.S. Navy organizations that were largely responsible for procurement in the 1940s 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. 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. MARINE CORPS
MARK 28, NO. 10936, 1944
Below this is the manufacturer information: BAUSCH / & LOMB / OPT. CO. / ROCHESTER / N.Y. U.S.A.. The left rear plate is marked 7 X 50., along with 6TH SQUAD scratched into the back.
The optics are clear and excellent, all aspects of the binoculars function, and they are in overall very good condition. The only real issue is that the plastic eye cup on the left side is completely missing, though reproductions are available on the market. The set has a post war nylon chin strap, as these almost certainly saw service into the 1950s and beyond.
The binoculars come in a very nice reinforced hard leather covered case, which is embossed very faintly on the lid: CASE, CARRYING, M14. D-43813 is also embossed on the front just under the lid. The shoulder strap is in good shape, with only slight deterioration issues, and the original belt loop on the back is also in great shape. The top securing strap is still present and locks correctly to the front of the case. However, the case is somewhat deformed, and now caved in somewhat on the top, which can make removing the binoculars difficult.
Overall a great Marine Corps issue wide angle 7x50 binocular set from WWII, complete with an original case.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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