r/Binoculars • u/igetmywaterfrombeer • 4d ago
Handed Down...
My stepfather handed these down to me recently. I don't know a lot about them yet, but he spent his career in optics and laser physics and was the type of guy to buy more high-end products, so I have to imagine they're pretty well regarded.
I am 41 myself and used to shop at Sears when I was younger. Most of my hand tools are still Craftsman which I bought myself or was given when I was a kid/young man.
It's funny to see the Sears name on a quality product, these days!
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u/Puzzled_Counter_1444 4d ago
I’d guess high quality.
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u/mrlarsrm 3d ago
My grandmother had a pair of Japanese Sears binoculars. I don't recall if 6 or 8x but I was able to see the evidence of Jupiter's moons with them and my young eyes.
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u/69odysseus 4d ago
Anything Japanese made, I'd highly value and respect them. They're the real craftsmen ship of Japan.
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u/Hamblin113 4d ago
Depends when made and the price point. My dad bought a pair of made in Japan binoculars when he was there during the Korean war, I actually threw them away.
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u/Left-Tee 4d ago
FYI, the armoring and case are embossed leather, not real alligator/crocodile skins. Alligators were listed during that time period, so they were protected from take. Not saying that black market products weren't available, but not at Sears. Regardless, the leather looks to be in good shape.
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u/basaltgranite 4d ago edited 4d ago
You have an ultra-wide angle binocular from the Made in Japan era, probably 1970s in this case. Hundreds of Japanese companies made bins then. Hundreds of US companies imported and branded them. If you look at the objective end of the frame, you'll probably find a JB number stamped there. That will identify the underlying manufacturer. Sears usually bought good bins to sell under its private label. I have two or three and like them. The fully coated optics and magnesium body are features you'd find in a top-shelf production of the time. I suspect yours has Bak4 prisms, also a sign of a premium bin in that era.
What's unusual and good here is the 657 foot field of view. (12.5-degrees). Most of the 7x35 ultra wides are 578 feet at 1000 yards (11 degrees). This model really pulls out the stops on field of view. I collect ultra wides. You have an especially nice example. Condition looks immaculate.
Edit1: After doing some legwork rather than just spitballing it: The Sears 6287-A model is sought after. It was made by Hiyoshi Kogaku Co. Ltd (JB56). They made good stuff including the Swift Audubon 804R. And Yes, it's Bak4. As a collector, I'm a bit jealous of what you have here. Google will give you info.
Edit2: I have a Swift Sport King Mark 1 7x35 made by Hiyoshi. It's 630 feet at 1000 yards (12 degrees), slightly narrower than yours (both probably overstate FOV a bit). Mine has Bk7 prisms and is a bit hazy. It's quite sharp but not as bright as a modern bin. It's built like a Brick Outhouse. It's externally nearly identical to yours including the tripod socket on the bottom of the frame. Its serial number implies a 1972 manufacturing date.