A fabulous pair of 20 x 120 (20 power magnification and 120 mm objective lenses) large scale military binoculars by Toko (Tokyo Optical Company) of Japan mounted on their original cradle bracket, circa 1948. This model of binocular was first used in WWII for long range land, sea and air observation. The Japanese companies of Nikko and Toko were the principal manufacturers of binoculars for Japan's military during the war with Toko being the main supplier to the Imperial Japanese Army. To achieve the high standard of optics required for this type of instrument, it is recorded that the Japanese optical industries purchased some 200,000 pounds of optical glass from the specialist glass manufacturer Schott in Germany through the duration of the war, delivered to them via U-Boat.
The binoculars have been stripped of their original paint, the cast aluminium of the binocular and cradle polished to a mirror finish and then fitted to a period wooden tripod stand. The optics have been fully refurbished to the highest standards. The binoculars come with a newly made hardwood floor stand to provide stability to the tripod and give protection to floor surfaces.
Dimensions: 68.5 cm/27 inches (length of binocular).
