Japanese Navy binoculars : C H Carney, Merchant Navy

Second World War Japanese Navy binoculars in leather case. The eye pieces are individually tuned to achieve focus and they are marked from -4 to +2. The prism plates are secured by a single brass screw on each side. Stamped into the left plate is a circle containing the kanji character for 'AIR'. Next to this has been stamped an inverted triangle with a half-moon shape over the top which contains the maker's details 'CHIYO-KO'. Underneath this stamp is 'NO. 124' which is the production factory 'ODA KOGAKU SEIKI CO. LTD'. Stamped beneath this are another series of Japanese characters, which roughly translate as 'WITH MEASUREMENT LINES'. Stamped into the right prism plate is '7X 710' '. to represent the binoculars' lens power and field of view.

Stamped on the rear of the hinge joint is an anchor representing the Imperial Japanese Navy. A series of graded lines from 55 to 75 is to the right of the anchor. The body of the field glasses is covered with a textured black leather which provides grip for the user. A thin brown leather strap is attached for wearing around the user's neck.

The storage box is made from wood covered in black leather. A leather belt loop is sewn on the back of the box and also provides the anchor point for the lid. The lid is held closed by an elastic strap with a leather tab containing a brass eyelet which fits over a metal stud attached to box. Leather tabs have been attached to the left and right side of the box. The right tab has a brass hanger secured by a leather loop and the left tab's loop is broken and the brass hanger is missing. The initials 'J R' have been scratched into the leather underneath the metal stud on the front of the box.

Two yellow tinted eye pieces are stored inside the box. One is located centrally on the inside of there lid and the other is on the inside rear wall. Both lenses are held in by two crossed leather straps with the upper strap containing a press stud for securing the lenses in place. The inside of the case is not lined, but two small felt covered pads have been inserted into the bottom of the case to protect the eye piece lenses from being damaged during storage.

Associated with the service of Cleve Hart Carney, who served with the Merchant Navy, including on operations off the coast of Vietnam during the war.