W GREGORY NRA BINOCULARS GALILEAN VICTORIAN BOER WW1 SUPERB CALIBRE
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W GREGORY NRA BINOCULARS GALILEAN VICTORIAN BOER WW1 SUPERB CALIBRE AND CONDITION Clearing out more accumulated and inherited interesting and assorted ephemera, miscellany, stuff etcAnother inheritance, a gorgeous instrument, of such superlative optical quality that I made an effort to investigate the maker.The National Rifle Association was founded in the UK mid 19th, the USA version a dozen or so years later. The Victorian era spawned photography and a burgeoning interest also in astronomy and microscopy. Optical instrument technology advanced by leaps and bounds. J H Steward of London (founded 1852) was one of the pioneering companies in precision instruments of many descriptions. Amongst their most innovative employees, one William Gregory departed c1885 to establish his own little business, at 51 Strand, London – an address that had been amongst the pioneering photographic establishments. 15 years it flourished until his passing, and a further decade declining under his son’s ownership.
WG had designed a binocular for riflemen at Steward’s, and went on to evolve a better version in his own concern. Both companies had links, of a sort, to the NRA – and both thus titled their rifleman’s binocular, of Galilean design. “The NRA”. Gregory’s own product was a cracker . . . . . compact, lightweight, robust, quick to focus, accurate and bright of image – designed for the longer range rifleman, sporting and military. In its day, perhaps as good as it got. Produced in small numbers, not cheap but not inordinately expensive either . . . . . assuming you were sufficiently well-heeled to afford a good rifle, that is.
The reputation of the Gregory NRA, from a military perspective, was confirmed in the Boer War. In WW1, this now obsolete product of a defunct manufacturer was still keenly sought after, and I’d guess that not too many examples survived . . . . . destroyed in action, as it were.Magnification is, I think, x8 rather than x6, but I’m not sure on that. The front glass is 45mm diameter, and when closed the overall dimensions are some 140x 120mm. Weight is just 685gms.The general appearance is original, I’d be surprised if this have ever been apart, and yet internally it is remarkably clean. Focusing is spot on, smooth as you could wish for, and the sliding hoods are both good.The optics are simply fantastic, the image quality truly amazing, stunning. Never mind just riflemen, this must have been a joy to an artilleryman seeking a long range view.Please see photos for more detail. Combined P&P – if possible I offer a modest P&P discount for multiple purchases, depending on the cost of post or carrier. It isn’t always possible, that’s the way the Royal Mail pricing system works !QUESTIONSOf course Im always happy to answer any questions that you may have – honestly and to the best of my ability. Please ask questions before bidding, not afterwards ! Please note, I am not in any sense an expert, trader or dealer . . . . just an average enthusiast who has collected and inherited too much stuff over the years. My descriptions and photographs are hopefully blunt, down to earth and realistic.
PAYMENT Contact/payment within 4 days of auction end, please, unless by prior agreement. PAYPAL ONLY, THANK YOU. Cash on collection is also fine. I do not accept cheques, postal orders, bank drafts, transfers, money orders of any description. POSTAGE, PACKAGING, DESPATCH Yes, of course Im always happy to combine items to minimise post/carriage cost – please ask for an invoice, before payment ! I always pack items very securely, to ensure that they arrive quickly and safely, which takes time and costs money. I use the most cost-effective despatch appropriate to the item Royal Mail or Hermes for smaller, or carriers (usually UPS) for larger items. Packages by post are despatched within 48 hours of cleared payment. I live in rural Wiltshire, it is simply not possible to despatch items every day. Packages by carrier are normally despatched Mon or Tues, and Thurs or Fri. I email the buyer when packages are despatched Personal collection welcome, I can usually arrange for daytime or evening, weekday or weekend collection. I’m at Mere, (Warminster is the postal town) 2 minutes off the A303 London-Exeter road. International buyers I use Royal Mail Airmail Small Packet post for small items (max 2kgs). For larger items I use the best value business carrier for the destination country, 2-5 day delivery – freight costs vary by country, please ask for a specific quote.
Category: Cameras and Photography:Telescopes and Binoculars:Binoculars and Monoculars
Location: Warminster
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