Night Vision

They just look like an old pair of binoculars but they are really "Binoculars for Night Use" issued by the RCAF to soldiers fighting in World War 2.  You can see the "RCAF" engraved into them in the photo below. They are a little over 4" high and about 4" long so easily fit into one hand.  You can see from the picture that the bigger lenses at the end are quote a bit larger than the ones you look through!

Made of brass with a black coating you can see the wear on them where they would have been held. They are difficult to adjust and fairly heavy.  There's a small wheel on the top that you can move but it's not easy.  I can't imagine being a tailgunner, flying at night in a plane trying to adjust these quickly while looking for enemy aircraft.

They fit into a nice, hard leather case lined in blue velvet.  The case has leather loops on the sides as well as brass buttons that can attach to straps.  On the top written in white letters is SF6625.  If anyone knows the significance of this number we'd love to hear from you in the comments below! 

The Royal Canadian Air Force was renamed in 1924, prior to that it was simply called the Canadian Air Force.  Night vision goggles have come a long way since World War 2.