Kershaw Vanguard 12x50

Mfr: Kershaw, England

Date: circa 1950's

AFOV: ~76 degrees

TFOV: ~6.35 degrees

Eye Relief: ~10mm

Prisms: high index, Porro II

Serial Number: 70770

According to R.C. Gregory, the Vanguard line from Kershaw was introduced in 1947 and Kershaw ceased production in 1958.  Other Vanguard models besides the 12x50 were a 7x50 and a 10x50.  The Vanguard appears to use prisms in the Porro II configuration and employs an unusual internal center focus mechanism.  The long focus wheel is along the center axle and is readily accessible when holding the binocular along the objective tubes.  The eyepieces slide in and out during focusing but there is no external bridge between them like with most center focus binoculars.  The eyepieces have deep hard eyecups.  It is difficult to see the field stop through this binocular.  Some astigmatism and pincushion distortion are evident towards the edge of field but they are not excessive.  There are several noticeable prism leaks, see the image above taken through the eyepiece of a bright field.  I find this binocular to give decent wide field views, though it is not as good optically as a Zeiss Dodecarem.  Aesthetically,  the Vanguard does have a pleasing design.