Possible Civil War binoculars?

[FrankN]

Hello All,
I have very limited knowledge about binoculars. I don't own these but I saw them in a nearby antique store. French made with a US distributor. Cylinders pull down for sun block. They are labeled as Civil War but maybe it's more accurate to call them Civil War era? Thanks for looking and opinions are welcome!

Frank

 

[bobinwmass]

Looks like the Aloe & Hernstein Company was not formed until 1876, in which case the binoculars would not be Civil War.

 

[UCVRelics]

Hello All,
I have very limited knowledge about binoculars. I don't own these but I saw them in a nearby antique store. French made with a US distributor. Cylinders pull down for sun block. They are labeled as Civil War but maybe it's more accurate to call them Civil War era? Thanks for looking and opinions are welcome!

FrankView attachment 431575View attachment 431576View attachment 431577View attachment 431578

They are way post CW.
By 1865 Albert and his father, Sadoc, were in business together as opticians in St. Louis under the name S. Aloe & Son. In addition to selling eyeglasses, they also sold opera and field glasses, telescopes, microscopes and magnifiers.

This arrangement lasted only a couple of years and in 1867 Albert was in business for himself as A.S. Aloe. In 1876 he went into a partnership with William H. Hernstein. From 1876 until 1880 the company was doing business as Aloe & Hernstein. In 1880 it was changed to Aloe, Hernstein & Company. In 1885 Albert again decided to go his own way and established A.S. Aloe & Company. This was the final form of the company name which was to last 76 years and through two following generations of Aloes.

 

[FrankN]

bobinwmass and ucvrelics, Thank you for your quick and educational replies!
Frank

 

[UCVRelics]

bobinwmass and ucvrelics, Thank you for your quick and educational replies!
Frank

No problem. The french company did make binos during the CW and many made there way to the US and used during the CW.

 

[Christian1863]

Hello All,
I have very limited knowledge about binoculars. I don't own these but I saw them in a nearby antique store. French made with a US distributor. Cylinders pull down for sun block. They are labeled as Civil War but maybe it's more accurate to call them Civil War era? Thanks for looking and opinions are welcome!

FrankView attachment 431575View attachment 431576View attachment 431577View attachment 431578

i have a pair that look exactley like these.

 

[TotallyNotAConfederateAnd]

While straight-bridge "field glasses" dominated the 1860s, arched binoculars could theoretically appear in the Civil War. Historians note that field glasses with arched/curved bridges began emerging around the mid-1860s, though straight-bridge designs were the vast standard for officers and Signal Corps soldiers at that time. Don't lose hope of what others say!