Help Identifying Binoculars

[fredhorace77]

I have a set of binos that I have used for the last 10 years. They have served me well and they are in need of some repairs. I have had a very difficult time trying to identify these. I was told by a friend that they were supposedly 1960-1962 era Bausch & Lomb 7x50 marine binos, which were made for the military. I did receive these as military surplus appox. 15 years ago. You focus the individual eye pieces then they are focused no mater what distance you look. They have an area next to the eye cups that supposedly had a small metal plate which contained the make and model but they fell off long before I acquired them. Also the rubber eye cups have been missing before I received them. I dipped the eyecups into a liquid rubber so they wouldn't scratch my eyeglasses. Any help will be greatly appreciated. The link at the bottom will take you to larger photos thru photobucket.
http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/fredhorace77/embed/slideshow/

 

[Lapua40X]

Bausch and Lomb is pretty proud of their products and usually have their logo and/or company name stamped into the binocular frame somewhere.
To my eye, they bear a strong resemblance to the current model Swift SeaHawk Binoculars.
Could they be Swift?

 

[fredhorace77]

They do look somewhat similar. Do you know if the military ever contracted with swift?
I just noticed on the end cap of the middle piece that holds the two sides together it says "Japan" but that's the only markings I can make out aside from the serial number on the other end and a six-digit number that has been inscribed into the main post that holds the two pieces together.

 

[AKShooter]

Dang , wish I could help. Man you really hold onto gear, keep looking
For a fix, but maybe in the meantime treat yourself to some new glass!

 

[fredhorace77]

I know what you mean. These ride in the truck all the time and the glass in them will amaze you. I do own a pair of swaro 10x42 but to tell you the truth I prefer these when having to glass large areas and I don't have to constantly keep focusing them like I do on the swaros.

 

[Lapua40X]

They do look somewhat similar. Do you know if the military ever contracted with swift?

I'm not an expert in binoculars - I just read a lot of technical stuff that nobody else seems to be interested in.
Swift did (perhaps still does) make binoculars for military. The model I'm best acquainted with is the Swift Aerolite (7x50 I believe) and I also believe Swift is made in Japan.

https://www.google.com/search?q=SWIFT+AEROLITE+781+7+X+50+WATERPROOF+MILITARY+ISSUE+BINOCULARS&client=ubuntu&hs=s4N&channel=fs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=T53MUoOOEcHbkQfvyICoAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1231&bih=934#facrc=_&imgrc=kNCOELNWIiSOsM%3A%3BRWzkLIOcojWB6M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.ebayimg.com%252Ft%252FSWIFT-AEROLITE-781-7-X-50-WATERPROOF-MILITARY-ISSUE-BINOCULARS-%252F00%252Fs%252FNzg1WDczMw%253D%253D%252Fz%252FJKwAAOxyRhBSryIm%252F%2524_35.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fitm%252FSWIFT-AEROLITE-781-7-X-50-WATERPROOF-MILITARY-ISSUE-BINOCULARS-%252F121237098058%3B280%3B300

 

[fredhorace77]

I think your onto something with the swift...ill try giving them a call and see if they can identify these according to serial number. Thank You so much for your help. This is the best lead ive had.

 

[Lesloan]

Sorry I can't help you on the identification. But if these were actually made in the early 60s you might be better off buying a new pair. Optics have come a long way in the last 50 years.

 

[fredhorace77]

Sorry I can't help you on the identification. But if these were actually made in the early 60s you might be better off buying a new pair. Optics have come a long way in the last 50 years.

you would think differently if u had an opportunity to look thru these. At dusk my swaros only beat these by 28 seconds. Just because something is simply "newer" doesnt always mean better...Factory rem. triggers are a prime example. Id take an 1960's model over any x-mark junk they make today. As matter of fact there's not much of anything made to the quailty it was 50 years ago..Heck I have to spend weeks just to find a nice pair of dress shoes that are made of actual full leather. And not this man made junk 99.9999% of shoes are made of today.