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King Brothers Binocs

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peteh View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/27/2014 at 12:56
Recently a friend purchased at a thrift store a pair of King Brothers 8X40 binoculars. He says they are heavy and seem to be of good quality. I haven't been able to find any information for them on the web.
 
Anybody experts out there know anything about King Brothers binoculars?
 
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
 
Pete H.
Lake Forest, CA 
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2014 at 13:26
Absolutely never heard of them.  Are they older leatherette covered porros?  Really a picture or two showing relevant detail would go a long ways here.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/28/2014 at 12:47
Upon looking at the pictures you sent, they seem pretty typical of the many porro prism binoculars produced in the days of the Japan Telescope Inspection Institute (JTTI).  That JTTI process was adopted in December 1959 and lasted sometime into the early 80's (I think).  My estimate is that these were made in the 1960's.

There were literally hundreds of Japanese firms that produced optics that received the yellow oval "passed by JTTI" stickers.  Some were made for the firms own brand and other for whoever needed binoculars.  Stores like Sears, Wards, K-Mart, Herter's and others I have never heard of, like King Brothers sold JTTI produced binoculars branded with the ordering company name.  Companies like Bushnell, Tasco, and Swift (among others) we think of as optical companies often had their own designs produced for them by JTTI participants.

Look for the J-L numbers which you will (probably) find on the objective end of the hinges or maybe on the cap on the end of the hinge.  They will appear as J-B or J-E with a number.  The J is actually a stylized JL (for Japan Light Co, home of the JTTI.).  The J will typically be tilted inward with the dash attached to the J.  The numbers will identify the manufacturer of the binocular.

As for value specimens like these in any of the various labels we see them under sell from $10-50.  The outstanding feature of these is the very wide 10* angle of view.

Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/28/2014 at 14:45
Pics?
-Matt
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/28/2014 at 17:49
He sent me some, but I need to take some time to get them uploaded properly tonight.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/28/2014 at 21:10
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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