{"product_id":"1908-wwi-british-military-ross-london-8-prismatic-monocular-marked-case","title":"1908 WWI British Military Ross London 8½ Prismatic Monocular \u0026 Marked Case","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eA fascinating piece of Edwardian British Military optical history: an original 1908 Ross, London 8½ Power Prismatic Monocular, complete with its matching Broad-Arrow marked leather transit case. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eUnlike modern split binoculars, this compact unit was custom-built by Ross as a standalone monocular for artillery spotters, cavalry scouts, or officers requiring a quick, single-handed field glass. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe Monocular rear brass plate is clearly engraved \"ROSS, LONDON. 8½ No 22186\". \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe opposite plate features the official British War Department Broad Arrow (Crow’s Foot) over the letter 'I' (Imperial Service\/Issue), along with the contract date 1908 and individual issue number No 1778.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe Transit Case is moulded to fit the monocular. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe inside velvet lid retains beautifully preserved gold embossing reading: \"Ross, Ltd. 31, New Bond St. and 3, Cockspur St. London.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe front of the leather case (under the securing tab) features a deeply stamped matching Broad Arrow \/ I government acceptance mark.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe bottom leather base of the case features a stamped letter \"A\" alongside an original handwritten ink inscription.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe monocular brass retains a fantastic, unpolished field patina. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe internal prisms are intact and clear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-complete=\"true\" aria-owns=\"action-menu-parent-container\"\u003eThe large black rear eyecup is present and structurally intact, showing only minor surface wear with some chipping on its bottom edge from historical field use. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-complete=\"true\" aria-owns=\"action-menu-parent-container\"\u003eThe front (objective) lens area is missing its outer protective metal cap sleeve\/ring, exposing the flat brass collar and its fine internal mechanical threads.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-complete=\"true\" aria-owns=\"action-menu-parent-container\"\u003etransit case \u003c\/span\u003eleather is structurally sound with intact perimeter stitching and a working brass closure stud. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe original leather carrying strap is missing. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eOne of the leather attachment tabs on the side of the case has started to separate from the main body and will require stabilisation or minor repair if handled roughly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe purple velvet interior lining is still vibrant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ePlease examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57554545508617,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/5437\/0569\/files\/07915EF7-478D-4C61-BB9C-972E879640C5_1_102_o-Photoroom.png?v=1794247297","url":"https:\/\/haywardsantiques.co.uk\/products\/1908-wwi-british-military-ross-london-8-prismatic-monocular-marked-case","provider":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}