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Up for sale is a wonderful piece of optical history: a pair of authentic Chevalier Opticien Paris field glasses/binoculars, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century.
Chevalier was one of the premier French optical houses of the Belle Époque era, renowned for their high-quality craftsmanship. Both eyepieces are clearly stamped/engraved: "CHEVALIER OPTICIEN" on the top half and "PARIS" on the bottom half with a central star emblem.
Features & Construction:Body: Classic Galilean design featuring a black-finished brass body wrapped in textured black leather.
Focusing: Smooth central manual focusing wheel mechanism.
Sunshades: Equipped with integrated, extendable brass objective lens hoods/sunshades to block glare.
Case: Includes the highly desirable, original molded leather hard carrying case with its front buckle strap assembly.
Condition Notes (Please Read & See Photos):Binoculars: Genuine antique condition with beautiful, authentic patina. The leather wrap shows expected scuffs, fading, and wear from age but remains largely intact. The brass parts show minor wear to the black finish, highlighting the gorgeous gold-toned brass underneath. The mechanical focusing wheel turns properly.
Optics: The lenses have visible dust, light haze, and minor debris consistent with a century of storage. They could benefit from a gentle, professional cleaning if intended for actual use.
Leather Case: The original leather case is structurally intact but shows heavy signs of age, including surface drying, crazing, cracking, and fraying on the straps. The closure strap is intact but fragile.
This item is sold strictly as-is to preserve its historic integrity. This is an exceptional addition to any collection of militaria, optical instruments, or vintage French antiques.
Item will be packed with extreme care using plenty of bubble wrap to ensure safe transit. Please review all photos carefully as they serve as the primary description of the item's physical condition.
