Superb Barr & Stroud CF46 15x60 Binoculars - good optics - made in Anniesland Glasgow

Description

Vintage pair of made-in-Glasgow Barr & Stroud high-power model no. CF46 15 x 60 binoculars in excellent condition with original leather case.

Barr & Stroud were an optical company based in Anniesland Glasgow operational from the Victorian period through to about 1970 when the business was acquired and production eventually re-located elsewhere. The managing director of the firm from the early 1900s to around 1928 was a Mr Harold Drinkwater-Jackson, who we have a kind of personal connection with, because he built the house on the outskirts of Glasgow where we currently live. I've therefore collected some Barr & Stroud instruments over the years and occasionally sell some of the items from my collection, such as this rather fine example of the Barr & Stroud CF46 model.

Barr & Stroud originally manufactured military optical instruments such as rangefinders, with their product range quickly extending to include various other optical items - marine periscopes, telescopes and from about 1919 they also made binoculars. The firm won contracts with the Admiralty and therefore supplied many instruments during WWII, perhaps the best known being their excellent CF41 model of binoculars with interchangeable internal filters that were widely used by the Royal Navy and Coastal Defence forces. So, don't bother with over-priced Zeiss and Leitz binoculars when there's our very own home-grown Barr & Stroud!

This CF46 example carries serial number 115652 being the most powerful non-military model with 15x magnification and 60mm objectives, dates to 1951 or perhaps just into 1952. Barr & Stroud serial numbers are always strictly sequential, so dating is certain.

This pair is in excellent condition with clear optics, smooth focus and good collimation. There's some minor loss of external finish to one of the tubes, but cosmetic only and hardly noticeable - see listing photos. Overall, an excellent example of a civilian model of high-power binoculars sporting the famous Barr & Stroud brand. It also comes with a modern neck strap (not shown in listing photos).

The item can be collected from Milngavie, or if shipping is required, this can be done at cost - just ask seller for details.

Note: currently available brand new Barr & Stroud optical instruments are nothing to do and have no connection with the original British company.

Ad ID: 1503217318