Looking Into 1943: some Very Special Binoculars

[@macass6077]

Nice pair of B&L binoculars! The “Admiral “ stamped on the left top cover really makes them special! I bought and sold high end binocs Romany years ago. As received, they could be in any condition from “pristine “ to “Oh, Shit”! I cleaned and repaired all of my finds, as needed. The worst were German glasses with the prisms cemented in place with wax. The B&L binoculars were so superior to take apart and clean and re-collimate! The prisms were mounted on a gimbal system that enabled me to adjust either ocular side to be in perfect alignment with the other side. In essence, both sides were looking at the same spot in the distance which is very important. An “out of collimated pair, while you may not have been aware of it, caused tremendous eye strain as your brain tried to interpret two slightly (or more) different pictures. I enjoy your channel and, while I don’t watch every episode, am very glad that this noble ship is under your careful hand!

[@maigretus1]

Bausch & Lomb optics. Accept no substitutes. (University of Rochester graduate here)

[@duanem.1567]

VERY cool find!! We used 1943 7x50 Bausch & Lomb binoculars standing bridge watches on the Missouri in the late 1980s. I recall seeing the B&L marking on them. The binoculars were maintained by the quartermasters and stored behind the bridge in the charthouse. They weighed several pounds and were a relief to take off at the end of the watch. We also had a brass sharkskin-covered "long glass" (non-telescoping 15x monocular) from the same period that the officer's quarterdeck OOD carried during working hours as sort of a badge of office and occasionally used to see who was coming down the pier. If a VIP was coming to the ship, you wanted to announce them as early as possible, before they got to the quarterdeck.

[@chuckcts-v3460]

I was in the US Coast Guard, 1962 to 66. I ordered new binoculars for our boat in appx. 1965/66. The new still in original packaging/box binoculars we recieved when opened were dtd 1943.

[@Underwaystudios]

Were you by chance on a 327' ?

[@chuckcts-v3460]

@@Underwaystudios No, 2nd district, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. After boot camp, on the Honor Guard, participated in JFK's Funeral Cortege and Ceremonial Platoon at the Gravesite. Then last 2 years on river boats/buoy tenders.

[@AirJoe]

Wow thats a nice find. Huge thanks to him for donating the ADMARILS' binoculars.

[@cleverusername9369]

Admiral's*

[@dyolf1000]

Admirals’

[@AirJoe]

Anymore grammar issues 😂

[@harryfaber]

@@AirJoe When it comes to grammatical mistooks, we must admire all who correct them for us.

[@g-3409]

By the way, why screaming Admaril? 😂

[@rclooking99]

When I took over as Navigator (of a supply ship and NOT New Jersey),, I was required to complete an inventory by serial number of all the binoculars onboard. So somewhere there should be such an inventory deep in the archives of New Jersey. So if you could find one from say 1945 then you could see if your Admiral binoculars were on the inventory when Halsey and company were around. Good luck looking for that needle!

[@JessicaKStark]

My grandpa was in the navy during the Korean war on a replenishment oiler and I have a pair of binoculars from him marked 'Made in Occupied Japan'.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

When i first reported to a line unit--C/319 FA-- in the 82D, as an FO, I was issues 7×35 B&L binos with a date of manufacture of 1943. They had the old machine gun reticle, and most likely had been in the divisions inventory since WWII.

[@kwd3109]

In the 1980s, when I first started as a deputy sheriff in a county bordering San Francisco Bay there was a small sub station in the eastern part of the county. Inside the station was a pair of B&L binoculars stamped '1943 USMC'. A 30 year man told me the binoculars had been at the station when he started in the 1950s. They were still there when I retired in 2008 and probably are to this day.

[@wdcjunk]

Honestly - I think either Lee’s eyeglasses would be top notch. Also Admiral Tovey’s binoculars would be pretty bad ass. “Oh the sights these saw”

[@jec6613]

Lee's coke bottles would be pretty top notch, or one of his pairs of shooting glasses with half the lens gone so the bolt could come back. I believe that NJ and NC are the only BBs remaining where he commanded from.

[@robertargento5101]

I was issued a set of those exact binos when I joined the Border Patrol in 1977. USN 1942. I wish I keep them when I retired

[@jimgraves4197]

It's a heck of a find and thank you to the gentleman who donated them. Should they be the original binoculars, the events witnessed through them should be reason enough to keep them with the ship where they belong.

[@twentypdrparrott694]

I bought a pair Bausch and Lomb 1943 tan case for $60 bucks at a flea market several years ago. Great pair!

[@brianfrommaumee]

As an optics collector, I can assure you those B&L binoculars were some of the best ever manufactured. The optical clarity and brightness of the standard WWII-era 7 x 50 glasses is hard to surpass, even today. The fact that we manufactured them by the hundreds of thousands in a very short span of time (1942 - 1945) speaks volumes about our manufacturing capabilities during the war.

[@studinthemaking]

That so cool. Why they turn out so well? What year they start making them?

[@WardenWolf]

I strongly doubt that, though I have no doubt they were superb for their day and competitive for several decades after. As someone who has seen the advances in optics, even high-end optics from just 40 years ago don't hold a candle to many affordable ones today. Just look at the advances we've had in eyeglasses just in the last 20 years, with lighter, thinner, and clearer lenses. I've seen a high-end Leupold 6x scope from the 1970s; the clarity is worse than some sub-$100 ones I've seen today. There has been an optics revolution going on since the 1990's and even optics from just 20 years ago are being eclipsed by new stuff at a fraction of the cost.

[@stephenlight647]

Excellent video! Thanks so much to the Marine Sergeant who donated them! I got nervous seeing you holding that baby. Keep a good grip!

[@SteamCrane]

7:14- This is why we keep watching. Best curator anywhere.

[@davidduma7615]

One of your cooler video's in a long time.

[@nmccw3245]

Pedantry has been cranked up to 11. Well played, Ryan, well played. 👍🏻

[@paulfarace9595]

Binoculars were like napkins... you used the ones at hand. The Admiral label likely indicates a flag bridge binocikar, but the big guys had their favorites that they carried with them.

[@MrEricmopar]

I've got some surplus B&L "Ensign" binoculars from WWII that my Grandfather got while working at Mare Island. No new binoculars can hold a candle to them. Unfortunately they are just flat out worn out (threading is loose) but the optics are fantastic compared to even higher end new ones.

[@ericrichard6406]

I think the binoculars with a picture of Halsey holding them would be the Best

[@benn454]

Nah, Halsey's a carrier guy. Ching Lee was the best battleship admiral.

[@ericrichard6406]

I agree but he was on the Washington not New Jersey

[@LegoTux]

Lee was on New Jersey for one or more short periods, would have to check Stilwell's book or Drach's Bio for a refresher. Though he spent most of his time on Washington.

[@Truths_Sayer]

Awesome addition ❤.

[@bobuncle8704]

Sure hope they’re original, and that you get to keep them. Binoculars that Halsey used, yes please. Sweet.

[@jamescameron2490]

I have a pair of 1943 dated USN 6x30 Mk XXIII binoculars made by Universal Camera Corp that my father brought home from WW2. Interestingly, he was in the Army, and spent a couple of years in Iran with the Persian Gulf Command. That being the case, it is unlikely he would have been issued Navy binoculars, particularly since he was a truck driver. Yet they can be seen hanging at his hip in a photo taken of him in the field. I suspect he may have "acquired" them unofficially somewhere along the way. Perhaps on the boat on the way over. I still use them. They still work just as well as the day they were made.

[@dannyhonn973]

Amazing what you find. Educational. Even something as simple as binoculars.

[@shinjiikari1021]

Makes you wonder about the second Pacific squadron's binoculars

[@brandonreimer184]

Scattered across the seafloor along the entire route.

[@Lando_P1]

Very cool! Thanks to the donor for sharing such a wonderful piece.

[@ChrisHipkiss]

Just imagine what has been seen through those!! Fantastic.

[@oligoprimer]

Most of the binos are probably Mk 28 or Mk 32. If you’re lucky, there will be a wide angle Mk 41 or 43. On RN ships, the standard bino size was also 7x50, but on larger ships the captain had a huge 10x80 handheld bino.

[@kenheise162]

Every military unit has a property book officer whose responsible for keeping track of all the units property. Serialized items will be on that property book. You will need to find the ship’s original property books. They will tell you everything that was required to be tracked that was on the ship at that time.

[@franklinwerren7684]

1943 Admiral Binoculars, that is probably the most awesome thing you have!!! If you can find a picture of Bull Halsey with the binoculars around his neck with maybe the Admiral logo showing??? But Halsey work hat he use to wear?? Would be even better!!! Right, I am dreaming!!!😂😂😂😂 DE N2JYG

[@niekbeentjes8849]

For somebody like Patton it would be his revolver but Halsey 100% his pair of Bino's!

[@oligoprimer]

In the movie Patton, the revolvers carried by George C.Scott were Patton’s originals, loaned by the Patton museum.

[@niekbeentjes8849]

@@oligoprimer thats cool didnt know that

[@kqc7011]

I got a pair of these 1943 B&L binocs at a estate sale a few years ago. The glass in these is still very good and clear.. Yes they are a little heavy and hard to adjust if another person wants to look through. These were built with quality. There are some modern manufactures of binocs that are equal and a few that exceed these, but you are going to have to pay for that. My regular binocs are Stiener's and Vortex, both are probably better, but they are not 70+ years old,. My B&L's are on the window sill to look at birds and very seldom leave the house.

[@ForrestPrieto]

Something you guys might want to look into: I guess there's an ebay auction out there offering 2 tickets to ride on the ship during the tow.

[@floridag8rfan]

it's legit

[@DaveSoCal]

Awesome ! Keep us informed

[@michaelfrank2266]

Cool beans, Ryan! *fingers crossed

[@williewilliams6571]

You could raise some SERIOUS coin for the Museum if you were to auction off a small portion of those and included COAs with them. Old Navy binoculars are fairly easy to find, but getting s pair from USS New Jersey would be incredible. I'd say the only artifact that could be cooler than the Admiral's binoculars would be if one of their personal swords or sidearms were somehow donated.

[@davelewandoski4292]

If proven to be the original WWll command binoculars, they need to stay on New Jersey whete they were used!

[@everettputerbaugh3996]

Museum provenance would be difficult for rank insignia, etc. Something unique with a photo of the admiral holding or wearing it... Excellent gift you have, there -- tracing its serial # can prove enlightening (one may be surprised by what the government tracks.)

[@toddsmith4015]

Very cool... be interesting to find out who or what department was responsible for the "Admiral " stamp

[@josephbaca1899]

Wowzers... that's awesome.

[@CalifgalCindy1]

Did anyone else notice that when they showed the 2 sailors on the bridge using the binoculars the ones hat had BB61 on it? It was a generous donation. Love to see them back board.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Didn't have any footage of binoculars in use on NJ so Iowa had to do

[@CalifgalCindy1]

@@BattleshipNewJersey see I was paying attention lol

[@MrTexasDan]

The message slip ending with "the world wonders" might be a good find.

[@kman-mi7su]

Wow! That's a reeeeeally cool find!

[@789train]

years ago i visited the hercules at long beach and i will never forget the display of hughes personal items eg his razor and shaving stuff.. i would think similar personal items some one like halsey used would be interesting

[@amenditman]

Admiral's coffee cup or whiskey glass would be cool.

[@gregoryspring1303]

They may have higher grade optics. Bausch may have some info. I live in Rochester. I helped manufacture the optics for the Abrams Tank. Alex Optical. There $ 1,000's of dollars in those bins if they are Baush.

[@AldoSchmedack]

That was only Baush, the others are Universal Camera Company.

[@danielayers]

Great video. Outta sight!

[@thekidfromcleveland3944]

Well I would stay side arm but I'm pretty sure that's in the NHHC collection. Maybe a his olive Dixie cap? Boots? Also i saw libby on CBS yesterday. She did a great job👍

[@charlesjames1442]

SARD Mark 21s here. Bureau of aeronautics. I had Cory Suddarth do a military spec overhaul on them. Ready for another century.

[@dennisfariello4852]

Wow, that is so cool

[@rubiconnn]

I found a pair of these exact Bausch and Lomb binoculars for sale at a local flea market for $15 (mine aren't stamped "ADMIRAL" though). I keep them in my car for looking at random stuff lol. Mine don't have the case but I keep them stored in a us army 2 quart canteen cover.

[@tomhenry897]

Think marked admiral for his use when on the bridge

[@ut000bs]

This is the kind of stuff that grabs my attention. I love digging into old stuff looking for clues. I've volunteered doing things like that. One thing. Often times, the absolute simplest search strikes gold. Have you Googled the make/model/serial number?

[@Odin029]

It's going to be tough to beat the binoculars that Halsey and Spruance etc used while fighting during WW2

[@turbobird2000]

Wow I missed this one…. What those binoculars witnessed over time is history at its best and worst…. But in the hands of very honorable men.

[@baconmecrazy5047]

How cool, Rochester is my hometown!

[@mm3mm3]

Is it just me or could Ryan make a roll of old toilet paper interesting lol 🧻

[@harryfaber]

Hopefully, not 'used by the admiral'.

[@SteamCrane]

Like the "hot seat" video...

[@dudeman8323]

Great info. I don't know if you have any info about photography on board, I would be very interested, my family was instrumental with Kodak in Rochester in the 30's and 40's.

[@mrennick]

I won a backpack that belonged to a B-17 navigator and it contained his binoculars and canteen last summer. The binoculars were Kershaw Bino Prism No 2 MK III with a 1942 date. Like you, I wonder what they may have seen with these binoculars.

[@CJ-Foygelo]

That’s pretty cool.

[@bryanepp5340]

Very special! Thank you for letting us share in the exciting find.

[@macass6077]

I commented before the video had finished. Sorry! You asked if those binocs were the apex of a symbol of the great men who commanded the New Jersey. I’m fully inclined to agree that as a small hand held piece, there is nothing better to stir the hearts of all that see them.

[@1648Christopher]

There is a Ebay sale on a battleship ride to the Drydock for 2 people, $5,300.00 Ryan, you might want to look into that.

[@ryanstiffler5632]

they set it up. they have a post in the community tab about it

[@Cyberleader135]

I’ve got a pair of what I’m fairly certain are 1939 Carl-Zeiss binoculars, I found them in my cottage

[@jameshigh6481]

Obviously getting Halsey's old cap would be pretty nice.

[@timothywalker4563]

Baush and Lomb Binoculars aren’t anything to sneeze at with an Admirals neck strap but Adm. Halsey is shown in film on the deck and on the outside part of the bridge with what looks like a non regulation type engineers hat, that would be cool to track down for a museum or ships museum. It wouldn’t have surprised me if the admiral had seen an Engineer and thought wow I’m the boss on deck I’ll get a few hats for myself.

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

Rozhestvensky's binoculars would be a good adition to the ship. There must be a fair few of those about.

[@michaelsommers2356]

I'd guess that there are almost none of them left, given how many ended up in the drink.

[@samstewart4807]

Hi Ryan, I am so glad you did not find 1 or 2 pair of binoculars from the Titanic there- That would have caused a scandal.

[@paulstan9828]

Wow! How cool is that holding an item that some of the top players in history used.

[@andrewmoeschberger4902]

As usual, great vid. Question bouncing around my brain: how do you end up being a museum ship curator? It seems like such a weird combination of naval architecture, naval history, construction and building trades, and businessman. What did you study? Where did you learn the things school didn’t teach you?

[@coniow]

Somewhere Ryan has done a video on exactly that topic! Basically you start as a volunteer though ;-)

[@AirtimeAerial]

Halseys baseball cap 💯

[@cosmoflanker]

ADM Rozhestvensky would have been in heaven in that compartment: "Hmm... Which pair shall I throw overboard today..?"

[@dalesql2969]

The original message form with "...the world wonders" text still on it.

[@dalehuff5740]

The Flag or a set of collor stars or a door name plate.

[@SteamCrane]

They should stay with NJ, in a glass case on the flag bridge.

[@Vinemaple]

How about the chair Halsey sat at through Typhoon Cobra, in the cabin Halsey sat in throughout Typhoon Cobra, and the signalling records of Halsey telling the destroyer escorts they weren't in a typhoon and should try to keep up with the rest of the fleet?

[@slimeydon]

One of Halsey’s khaki hats if you don’t have one already

[@VintageCarHistory]

You have so many due to the New Jersey never steaming along with the Kamchatka.

[@michaelsommers2356]

Where do you think all those binoculars in storage came from? From steaming alongside _Kamchatka,_ of course, and catching her discards.

[@dyolf1000]

This is the comment I was waiting for.

[@thurin84]

wow! thats a lot of binos! bausch and lomb are a good manufacturer. doubt its real sharkskin, probably faux. thats cool that its marked admiral. i tried searching the serial number of a pair of binos ive got, but nothing useful came up. but youve probably got access to way better sources than i do. a marked m1 helmet would be way better.

[@dogloversrule8476]

I guess these haven’t been thrown yet (if you know, you know)

[@davee8113]

If they were the admirals, they should be a second back up pair

[@timbowden1680]

Do the numbers on the cases refer to the locations/units of where they were stored and used, or are they just for inventory?

[@Thumpalumpacus]

I'd want to see the cap Halsey threw down on the deck on receiving the "World Wonders" message.

[@clarencesmith2305]

Just my curiosity, how many cases are there on the ship? I am curious enough to open each case and take a photograph of each one there might be others labeled and I don't know how many different brands there are.

[@hoodwerksgarage]

The bones of admiral Halsey would really tie the whole collection together…

[@harryfaber]

Very Catholic approach to the issue.

[@jsk2360]

Have you taken the binoculars to the bridge to survey the area yet?

[@abrunosON]

I would like to know more and where can I get that nice belt you have.

[@samstewart4807]

Admiral Lee's binoculars from Uss Washington nov 1942.

[@gsaunds100]

One of Halsey’s fatigue caps.

[@doughudgens9275]

I’m surprised that is not inventoried by serial number and on someone’s property book. In the Army, you signed for, and were personally responsible, for items like binoculars.

[@tomhenry897]

Believe not serial numbered but the unit numbered them Seen them with the unit then a number Or just a number engraved

[@killsalot78]

love history

[@kaelposavatz9504]

Binoculars are nice. But for iconic Navy you need to find a coffee mug.

[@camickelson]

Bosun whistle from 1943

[@samstewart4807]

Hi Ryan, bad jokes aside, This a very nice video.

[@jagwrenchstudios1065]

How about admiral hats because their hats have name tags inside of the brim.

[@rdbjrseattle]

Do you have Polaroid filters for the Binoculars?

[@geofftimm2291]

What happened to the ship's property books? They should list Serial Number Items.

[@quovadis5036]

I have a pair of these from my grandfather. Safe to assume post-war production.

[@Phillipthe2]

What's the most iconic thing the foundation could collect? Well, right off the top of my head... Battleship New Jersey comes to mind. Just sayin. :D

[@felixtheswiss]

Any of Kamtchatka?