1897 BRITISH LAWRENCE & MAYO BINOCULARS "THE LYNX" in JAPANESE RUSSO - JAPAN WAR

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Seller: lsjapanstuff ✉️ (3,497) 100%, Location: Alhambra, California, US, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 204598335202 1897 BRITISH LAWRENCE & MAYO BINOCULARS "THE LYNX" in JAPANESE RUSSO - JAPAN WAR.   This is something with a most likely fascinating history. A set of British binoculars made by Lawrence & Mayo given to and used by a Japanese officer in the Russo - Japan War (1904 - 1905). From our research online the registration number on the compass (300906) gives their manufacturing date as 1897.   Just prior to the Russo - Japan war, Japan had signed a military alliance with Great Britain. Japan wanted to go to war with Russia but didn't want to fight with France, Russia's ally. By allying themselves with Britain both France and Britain agreed to stay out of the war between Russia and Japan.  But they were allies and British officers (and reporters) would often stay with the Japanese army observing.    We have no idea how these ended up in the Japanese army. When we first found these with other military items in Japan, our assumption was they were a souvenir taken from a British officer at Singapore or Burma during WW2.  But the Japanese stamped in the leather kanji writing is professionally done. The top three kanji writing says (in Japanese) "For Military service" These were issued.   We don't know the significance of the "5" and "6" on either side of the top three kanji.   We (my Japanese wife and I) can't read the bottom two kanji.   Japan was also Britain's ally in WW1 but there was virtually no physical contact. The Japanese took all the Germany's possessions in the Pacific (They kept all of Germany's Micronesia until they were retaken by the Americans in WW2) But in WW1 Japan mostly stayed out of the European sector.     That's their history.    Their solid brass and called "The Lynx". They come with a compass that originally had 'glow in the dark' radium points on the North and South poles. The points no longer glow in the dark. (Not that we could see anyway.) The compass still turns to North. The lens have pull out brass shade covers This is shown in the photos.   The original leather case has the belt loops on the back but the latch or buckle on the front is missing. Also whatever was connected to the sides is also missing. The interior velvet lining is still there but not pristine.    We've tried to show all of this in the photos.  The very last photo is a photo we found online. That is NOT a photo from these binoculars. We've shown it here to show these used to have that label inside the compass cover. That label is missing. If we look close we can see some of the glue that was used to stick the label.   We've seen online people selling these with the brass professionally polished. They look beautiful.  These are in their original condition with all their history.    They're 3 inches deep, 4 1/4 inches wide and weigh just under 1 pound We have been selling Japanese antiques for 25 years. We are shipping from Los Angeles. We have other antique/vintage Japanese items on ebay. Please see our "Other" items.  We will combine items for shipping.
  • Condition: Used
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
  • Region of Origin: Japan

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