Ross No.3 MkII 6x20 Binoculars, 1917

Torfaen Corvine
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Ross No.3 MkII 6x20 Binoculars, 1917
Ross No.3 MkII 6x20 Binoculars, 1917

A pair of binoculars with an interesting history. They are marked up on the right prism housing with graticule information and “Ross, London (Mill Hill) 1917”; the left housing is marked “Binocular Prismatic No 3 MkII” and the serial number 4507. No 3 denoted 6x20, No 2 6x30.

Despite the graticule information, the graticule is absent. Sadly, the knurled knob at the front, for locking the inter-pupillary distance, is missing. They are in fair, usable optical condition and mechanically good.

Carl Zeiss of Jena opened a factory in 1909 in Mill Hill, London, in order to circumvent the British Government’s reluctance to purchase from foreign firms, initially supplying a 6x30 based on their Silvamar model. From 1911, both Ross and Zeiss London supplied the British Army with 6x24 binoculars designated Binocular Prismatic No 3 MkI. However, in 1917, the British Government seized the Mill Hill factory, which was acquired by Ross. This company then produced Zeiss pattern binoculars marked with their name. Paperwork from the Optical Munitions Department suggests that Ross later imported bodies from France. From June 1917, Ross were producing 50-75 pairs of Mk 3 per week. Using the higher figure would make this pair one of 1800 produced in 1917.

The Ross No 3 MkII appears virtually identical to the Carl Zeiss DF03 6x24, a military version of the Zeiss Telex, produced originally in 6x21, then later, 6x24. See below for comparison photograph.

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Taken on: October 13, 2021
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Sets appears in:   • Militaria Vol 2    • Optical-Photographic   
Groups appears in:   • Retired and Loving It!    • *Welsh Photographers*   
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ60, f/7.1, 1/400 sec, 4.3mm, ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ60
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure Time: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Focal Length: 4.3mm
ISO: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Spot
White Balance: Auto
Light Source: Flash
Gain Control: High gain up
Color Space: sRGB
Software: Ver.1.0
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