These are Type 2 Rectangular Binoculars of the Imperial Japanese Army. Manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K.K. (now Nikon), they were used primarily as battery commander’s binoculars for reconnaissance of enemy positions and observation of shell impacts.
This example is missing the dedicated carrying case that would normally accompany it.
This is the eyepiece section. The lenses have some slight haze, but they are still perfectly usable. The right eyepiece has a reticle scale.
It bears the marking “日本光学 (NIKKO)”.
The arms can be spread out to the left and right. By design, they can be opened until they are nearly horizontal.
Looking into the arms, you can see through to the other side of the eyepiece lenses.
Loosening the lever-style screw allows the body to be separated from the tripod.
Loosening the wing nut allows the tripod head to be rotated. The wing nut has a protrusion that prevents it from being loosened beyond a certain point.
