Toko 20 x 120 Binoculars
A fabulous pair of 20 x 120 (20 power magnification and 120 mm objective lenses) large scale military binoculars by Toko (Tokyo Optical Company) of Japan mounted on their original cradle bracket, circa 1948. This model of binocular was first used in WWII for long range land, sea and air observation. The Japanese companies of Nikko and Toko were the principal manufacturers of binoculars for Japan's military during the war with Toko being the main supplier to the Imperial Japanese Army. To achieve the high standard of optics required for this type of instrument, it is recorded that the Japanese optical industries purchased some 200,000 pounds of optical glass from the specialist glass manufacturer Schott in Germany through the duration of the war, delivered to them via U-Boat.
The binoculars have been stripped of their original paint, the cast aluminium of the binocular and cradle polished to a mirror finish and then fitted to a period wooden tripod stand. The optics have been fully refurbished to the highest standards. The binoculars come with a newly made hardwood floor stand to provide stability to the tripod and give protection to floor surfaces.
Dimensions: 68.5 cm/27 inches (length of binocular).
Estimated delivery time 2 to 4 days
Key Details
Toko
Tokyo Optical Company
Japan
Circa 1948
Model First Used in World War II
Original; Fully Restored
Excellent Condition
Stripped of the original paint, with the cast aluminium of the binocular and cradle polished to a mirror finish. The optics have been fully refurbished to the highest standards.
Cast Aluminium, Wood
Silver Polished Aluminium Finish
27 in
Length of Binocular (68.5 cm)
20x magnification with 120mm objective lenses, a large scale military model designed for long range land, sea, and air observation.
Mounted on its original cradle bracket and fitted to a period wooden tripod stand, with a newly made hardwood floor stand for stability and floor protection.
Authentic Wartime Optics, Not Reproductions
Original period engineering with its wartime markings intact. The real object, in a market flooded with replicas.
150 Hours of Swiss Watchmaker Restoration
Fully opened, inspected, and revived. Every prism hand polished and microscopically finished to tolerances measured in fractions of a human hair.
Restored as a Working Instrument
A clear, comfortably merged image through both barrels. Built to be used, not displayed as decoration.
Nine Months to Complete
Multiple original WWII donor sets were used to bring this instrument back to life. Over those nine months, original glass, prisms and the markings plate were sourced to replace damaged or missing parts. Often disassembled again after it performs perfectly, not because it failed, but because it can still be refined.
One Serial Number in the World
Original markings make every piece historically rare. No one else in the world owns this exact instrument.
Appreciating as Scarcity Accelerates
Most originals never survived to be collected, meeting their fate at the bottom of the sea and on lost battlefields. The remaining few are disappearing into private collections while demand climbs.
It's all in the details
