Hi, everyone. These were from an elderly relative and WWII veteran. During the war he was stationed all over the world, so my guess is that he got these at that time. Inside where the eyes go are the words "Jockey Club Paris." They are a little banged up and dirty but still work, so I posted this under "tools." I"m afraid to clean the black grip part because I don't know what it's made of. It is possibly leather. Of course, leaving it as is shows the character.
I think @Shangas might have some words of wisdom for you Andrea. He has shown off some opera glasses and such in the past and did quite a bit of repair work on some (if I recall correctly.)
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus - Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon. There B, your words of wisdom. Unfortunately I can't help you until I know what it is you need help with. Le Jockey Club de Paris is a French horse-racing club which, I believe, is still around today. They were prolific manufacturers of racing binoculars like these. The body of the binoculars are clad in leather, either Moroccan, or Shagreen. These would date to the early 1900s, somewhere between the end of the Victorian era up to the 1930s I'd say, or possibly the late Victorian era (1880s-1900). The problem is that the same styles of binoculars and opera glasses were made for decades and decades and decades. A pair made in 1860 is basically the same as a pair made in 1920. Unless there's some specific information (a date, or a very distinctive style, a famous maker), they're almost impossible to date. The body is brass, heavily plated in nickel. That's all I can really tell you, unless you need to know something specific. Here's my pair of Jockey Club binoculars... As you can see, they're not exactly rare.
Here is one with the same eyepieces as yours. https://www.etsy.com/listing/258181154/vintage-binoculars-sportiere-paris The following was priced at $82.00: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/224968943855514072/ Or https://www.etsy.com/listing/56525699/reserved-vintage-jockey-binoculars-with --- Susan
