An Unusual Barr & Stroud CF5 Binocular

Here is an interesting pair of Barr & Stroud binoculars. The model is CF5, but it does not correspond to either of the two CF5 models described in William Reid's We're Certainly not afraid of Zeiss¹, and has some of the features associated with each. 

Two Documented CF5 Models 

The CF5 was the only B&S binocular model designation that was used for more than one distinct binocular model. Reid¹ details two CF5 models:   

The first is a CF5 Porro-I 8x0.9inch (23mm) model, which is one of the 'first eight', and is the central focussing version of the CF7.

The 'first eight' porro-prism binoculars made by Barr & Stroud, (CF1-CF8), were produced, beginning in 1919, and continued in production until the end of the 1920s. The B&S logo, shown here on the left, was engraved on the metal prism cover.

The distinguishing features of the 'first eight' models, compared to later models are: metal prism covers; the B&S logo shown above on the left; a knurled knob at the base of the hinge pillar, used to loosen/tighten the hinge for adjustment of the interpupilary distance; the binocular strap is attached to a single metal loop/slot on each of the two binocular barrels. The 'first eight' CF5 looks similar to the CF1 pictured here on the right.

The second CF5 model is a Porro-I 6x24, pictured on the left here, which replaced the CF1, and was the central focussing version of the CF19, with a field of view of 138 yards at 1000 yards. It was introduced in 1929/1930, and continued in production until 1962.

The distinguishing features of this later model are: Bakelite prism covers; the molded B&S logo shown here on the right; no knurled knob to tighten the central hinge pillar; the binocular strap is attached by two loops/slots on each side, one molded into the edge of each of the upper and lower bakelite prism covers.

An Undocumented CF5 Model? 

This unusual Barr & Stroud CF5 model binocular, recently acquired at auction, differs from the two documented models described above, in several important respects: 

This central focussing model is 6x23, and has no serial number that I have been able to find. The field of view is 8^o (140 yards at 1000 yards). It has Bakelite prism covers (similar to post-1929 models), but the embossed logo is the same graphic design as those of the 'first eight'. Sadly, on this binocular, the top right hand prism cover has broken loop for the binocular strap. 

The left Bakelite prism cover has the circular B&S logo, around which is marked Barr & Stroud Ltd. Type CF 5. 

The right Bakelite prism cover is marked Glasgow & London around a circle enclosing the words 6 x 23 O.G. 8^o. 

The oculars appear similar in design to those of the 'first eight'.The hinge column is similar design to those of the 'first eight', including a knurled knob to tighten the hinge.

The case looks as though it may have been made by B&S, but does not have the usual mark of the company name.

It looks to me as though it is a modified first-eight CF1 design with the metal prism covers replaced by Bakelite ones, and with no strap hoops on the barrels (strap hoops integrated into the prism covers instead). If that's what it is, it could be a prototype for the later CF5, which replaced the CF1. If so, it is likely to be dated c1929, during the redesign from the earlier CF1 6x23 to the later CF5 6x24. In any case, it appears to be a (possibly unique) ex-production model.

If you have any more information about this unusual pair of binoculars, please let me know in the comments below, or contact me by email (see 'Contact' tab).

For more information about Barr & Stroud, and many other optical instrument makers throughout history, please see reference 2.
 

References

(1) We're Certainly not Afraid of Zeiss. Barr & Stroud Binoculars and the Royal Navy. William Reid. National Museums of Scotland Publishing Ltd., 2001. ISBN 1-901663-66-3.

(2) Brass and Glass: Optical Instruments and Their Makers. Tony Benson. 2024. ISBN 978-0957652774.

All photos and text are © copyright Tony Benson, not to be re-used without permission.

Binoculars of Unusual Design

Here, I will take a look at some of the binoculars in my collection that don't conform to the norms of traditional binocular design. Classic binoculars of Galilean, Porro-prism, or roof-prism design, have for much of their history conformed to certain aesthetic and functional design traditions that we're all familiar with. From time to time, however, makers have come up with interesting and unusual deviations from this, some of which are a disaster, and some of which work pretty well. Here are just a few of them:

Here are two pairs of triple-optic Galilean binoculars by Lemaire of Paris. These were manufactured for international sale, frequently bearing a brand-name of the retailer. They have a small knob on the side which, when turned, selects one of three pairs of eyepiece lenses. These are Theatre for closer observation, Field for medium distances, and Marine for long distances. The knob has the Lemaire bee symbol on it.

 

The larger pair shown here has the classic Lemaire bee symbol on the knob, but no maker's or retailer's name. The three lens positions on this are marked Teatro, Campo, and Marina, suggesting they were exported for sale in Italy.

The smaller pair has the retailer's name W. Heath, Plymouth, on the eyepieces, along with the bee symbol. William Heath was an optician and scientific instrument maker trading in Plymouth, England during the late 19^th century.

This next pair is also from Lemaire. It is a pair of clam-shell style folding opera glasses, made during the late 19^th century. It came in a pigskin pouch with a clasp, which was probably original.  

Although this is a little awkward to hold to the eyes, it works perfectly, and is a superb little opera glass. The clam-shell is covered in dark brown leather, and the eyepieces are marked Lemaire Fab^t Paris, along with the bee symbol. The bee symbol also appears on the end-plate for the central focusing bar.

 

This is a pair of miniature Porro prism binoculars, perhaps designed as an opera glss. They are only 85mm wide at the widest point With no maker's name, this pair is a bit of a mystery.

 

With 3x magnification, 12.5mm objective, and adjustable interocular distance of approximately 58mm to 68mm, this is a surprisingly useable and fun little pair of binoculars.

Back with the folding binocular concept, here we have a pair by Mars, inscribed:

Jumelle "Mars"
Brevetée France Étranger
Modèle Militaire.

 

Brevetée France Étranger is French for Patented in France and abroad. Whether this was genuinely used as a military binocular, I do not know.

This next folding binocular is by Zenith, marked as Super Zenith.

This is very similar to the Tasco binoculars used by Timothy Dalton in an early scene of the Bond film, The Living Daylights. Fun as these binoculars are, I cannot believe that this kind has ever been used by the Secret Service.

Here we have another concept that works far better than you might imagine. This is the Kershaw Sportsman, designed to be worn like a pair of glasses. Once again we come back to Timothy Dalton as Bond, who wore a pair similar to these in - you guessed - The Living Daylights.

With a relatively low magnification of about 2 or 2½, these Kershaw binoculars give a surprisingly useful view, for example, at a sporting event such as horse-racing, where too much magnification narrows the field-of-view too far. Each barrel focuses individually, and the interocular distance can be adjusted.

This next one is a humdinger. It is Aitchison's Patent Pocket Binocular Field Glasses.

There is a lot to say about this very special pair of binoculars, which is why I've given it a blog post of its own, which you can see here.

For more information about binoculars, the makers mentioned here, and a great deal more, refer to Brass and Glass: Optical Instruments and Their Makers. Please click here, or on the cover image to the right, to find out more. 

All photos and text © Tony Benson 2025

Index by Location - Brass and Glass: Optical Instruments and Their Makers

 Brass and Glass: Optical Instruments and Their Makers contains over three thousand alphabetically listed entries, many of which are for companies or people who were makers of optical instruments.

So, how do you find who the instrument makers were from the USA, or Germany, or London, or another country of interest?

In this post, you will find an index of the makers ordered by country and region. Since this is quite large, I have also provided indices for some countries as separate lists. Each is provided here as a link to a PDF file in Dropbox. You don't need to log on to Dropbox - just click on the link to view the file, and use the download feature if you wish to keep a copy of the file.

    

Firstly the full index: 

Makers by Country and Region

Smaller indices for frequently mentioned countries, indexed by region:

Austria 

England - London

England - Outside London

France

Germany - Alphabetical 

Germany - By Location 

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Netherlands

Russia, USSR, and GDR 

Scotland

Switzerland

USA - Alphabetical

USA - By State

If you don't see the maker you were looking for, please check with the full listing of entries in the book, which you can find here. 

These indices were prepared by hand. If you spot any typographical errors, ommissions, or errors, please let me know. 

 For full details about the book, and a complete contents list, see here.