Nikon Binoculars 100 Chapter 2

Nikon Binoculars 100 Chapter 2

The Imperial Japanese Navy 12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope
Showa 12

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope, 1937

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope

This model was designed to be water-resistant and pressure-resistant so that it could operate while submerged, and was mounted on the decks of submarines. It was able to withstand depths of up to 100 m. Its body was housed in a molded box, a thick glass plate was attached in front of the objective lens to increase water resistance, and a cover attached to each eyepiece was closed before submergence. The model exhibited here was detached from a submarine during repairs and stored for long time. It had a magnification of 20X.

Showa 12 (1937)

The model exhibited here was stored for long time. Long time? It's already a gem of a short story. What is amazing is that this 12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope were probably brought into Nippon Kogaku in Showa 20 1945 (1945), at most one year ago, in Showa 19 (1944). It may have been hidden from the eyes of people for about 80 years since then.

Submarine Picture Book

It will be hard to see such historical binoculars in the future. I decided to show you as many images as possible to leave for posterity as a photographic source. After all, new discoveries can be expected by seeing many people including experts.

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope, 1937

Open the Submerged Hatch on the Eyepiece

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope, 1937

Images Taken from Another Angles

My friend Asano-san provided me with images taken from different angles.

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope, 1937
Photo: Copyright (c) 2018, Masami Asano, All Rights Reserved.

Beautiful Historical Binoculars

12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope, 1937

The Imperial Japanese Navy 12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope
Showa 12

Next Page Articles

→ Next Chapter 3 25 cm Binocular Telescope

Shortcuts

Chapter 0      Top Page
Chapter 1      Go to the Nikon Museum
Chapter 2      12 cm Waterproof Binocular Telescope
Chapter 3      25 cm Binocular Telescope
Chapter 4      MIKRON Family
Chapter 5      Historical Nikon Binoculars
Chapter 6      Modern Nikon Binoculars
Chapter 7      Museum Tour

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