5 replies to this topic

[fsphotography]

Can anyone enlighten me as to the likely manufacture year of this TOKO 7x50 7.1 degree bino and anything
else you may know about it.

Frank.

[MisterDan]

That is not a ToKo binocular. ToKo's logo does not include a circle, and - to my knowledge - has always been accompanied by "TO" and "KO" to either side of the "T" "K" and "K" triangle.  This logo does not show "T" "K" and "K".

 

You have a Tomioka binocular, and it appears to be in wonderful condition. It is likely an exact copy of the Nippon Kogaku Novar, and I would guess its manufacturing year to be in the 1933-1937 range. (I may be "off" by a few years.)

 

Tomioka binoculars are quite rare and coveted. Congratulations on a great find.

 

Best wishes and thanks for sharing.

Dan

[MisterDan]

Here's an image of the Tomioka logo on a 1937 Lausar camera:

 

 

Cheers.

Dan

[MisterDan]

The kanji beneath the serial number indicates that the binocular includes a "scale" or reticle.

Is the reticle still present (presumably in the right scope)?

 

The case is also very interesting.  If you could include another image of the case - the lid and the back hinge, perhaps - that would be great.

 

Thanks again for sharing!

Best wishes.

Dan

[fsphotography]

Hi DAN, thanks for your input, yes i agree that inot TOKO, i have two TOKO binos and just
that that was an early form of their logo. I have looked at the history of the TOMIOKA
company and its an interesting read, its also shed light onto the OFUNA bino i have.
The reticule that you referred to is present, i have cleaned that side and had it out.
The bino is in great condition but very dirty inside, it was originally factory sealed
at the end plates with some kind of tar which has dried out and ended up inside, a real
mess. Glass is perfect, no scratches, not even cleaning marks that i can see. I was really
surprised at how large the prisms are. The kanji i was able to figure out, i found a list
of kanji interpretations which says the one under the serial number denotes a reticule and
the other is AIR FORCE. So appears to be military. The case as you say is interesting, it
is full thickness pigskin, as are the eye cups, and appear to be fully hand sewn.
The optics are very sharp almost to the edge, last 5 percent?? and perfectly collimated.
No coatings of course.

Frank.

Picture of case to follow soon.

Edited by fsphotography, 25 March 2025 - 02:41 AM.

[fsphotography]

Case