Sears 6276 and 6287 "Super Wide Angle"

These wide angle binoculars appear to be sibling models from Sears.  They share many mechanical and optical design traits.  They have metal screw-up eyecups, a focus wheel along the hinge, and a tripod socket below the  right body.  Though they are well made, they have short eye relief.

#6276 7x50, serial no. C-62760003

Mfr: J-B146, J-E21

Date: circa 1960's

AFOV: ~77 degrees

TFOV: ~11 degrees, 578 feet at 1000 yards

Eye Relief: ~9mm

Prisms: high index

This particular sample appears to be a very early production unit, judging from the serial number.  It is also interesting that it came with a case marked with the "Scope" logo on the clasp, although it clearly appears to be the original case with all the proper accessories (very much like the one for the 6287).  Optically, there is a fair amount of distortion and astigmatism at the edge of field.  There are also light leakages evident.  Note that the optical design incorporates a focal reducer lens between the eyepiece and prism (seen in the right photo above), just like in the Tasco 420.  The designers probably did this to reduce the size of eyepiece required.   Unfortunately, it also increases eyepiece aberrations and reduces the eye relief.

#6287 7x35, serial no. C-62871098

Mfr: J-B146, J-E21

Date: circa 1960's

AFOV: ~87.5 degrees

TFOV: ~12.5 degrees, 657 feet at 1000 yards

Eye Relief: ~8mm

Prisms: high index

This binocular came with the following accessories: yellow eyepiece filters, winged rubber eyecups, and a hand strap for the tripod socket.   It offers a fair super wide angle view, but suffers from short eye relief.  I have also heard of a model 6287A, but have not examined it.