Leitz Trevavoid Binocular
Have recently inherited a set of Leitz Trenavoid 7X42 binocular that says "Portugal". Never knew Leitz' were made in Portugal. Just sent them to NC for general refrubishment and cleaning. Any idea on the age and approximate of the item? Suddenly, I'm binocular rich - also came up with an almost new set of Nikon Monarch 10X40'S, to go with my present Pentax 10X40's.
Keep off the Ridgeline
Keep off the Ridgeline
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Kdub, sorry to throw this at you, but I think they are probably knock offs. The Trinovid binoculars were made by Leica, not Leitz and of course they were made in Germany. The "Trenavoid" and Portugal, makes me think they are not Trinovids. There have been a number of different models of Leicas carrying the Trinovid name over the past 30 or more years. They range from high end compact glasses to high end full sized glasses. To the best of my knowledge Leitz never made glasses with the Trinovid name, and Leitz is also in Germany.
Kdub, another possibility is: Leica bought out Leitz some years ago. It is possible the Trinovid name was originally Leitz and then transfered to Leica. Check the spelling, if it is "Trenavoid," I will stick with the knock off. If it is Trinovid it may be real. I have no idea why it would have been made in Portugal however, which is not one of the centers of optics excellence.
My heros have always killed cowboys.0 -
You're right - the spelling is "Trinovid" - was just too lazy to go check before.
I too, always thought the Leitz and Leica's were made in Germany (East Germany, was my thinking, until the country united). These look exactly like the Leica's, in that they have an olive OD rubber coating with the red dot saying "Leitz" on it. Focus is by the center wheel, both for distance and eye correction. Has a focus wheel on both ends of the center shaft. Underneath is a legend "Leitz Trinovid Portugal", moulded into the coating.
Keep off the Ridgeline0 -
Kdub, did a little quick research: It seems Leitz and Cambridge Instruments merged in in 1990 to form Leica. Thus the Trinovid name would have been on the Leitz binos prior to that. I believe the olive rubber cover is a relatively late version, so probably 1980's. In excellent shape they will probably bring 75%-80% of original price, which was likely $600+ even then. Optics have not changed much, though coatings have. I still don't know about the "Portugal" but otherwise these should be high quality optics.
My heros have always killed cowboys.0 -
I've owned a set of Leica 7X42 BA Trinovid green armored binoculars for many years and they have gone around the world with me and although they look a bit rough on the outside, they are still optically perfect. These binoculars have been through hell and LOTS of hard use and I almost lost these to a Serbian border gaurd on the Montenegro frontier-- but he excepted a cash bribe instead. I have a friend and neighbor purchased a near identcal pair of Leitz binoculars at the same time and these were indeed assembled in Portugal. This was simply a cost cutting move which saved money using cheaper labor for assembly-- the glass and mechanics are still German. While my friend was not thrilled when he discovered the Portugal connection, his binocualrs continue to fuction perfectly...of course he uses his binoculars only to look out at the girls out by the pool!
Mark T. Christian0 -
All,
I know that this is being anal, but...
Leitz = E.(Ernst) Leitz of Wetzlar Germany, see history as copied from their website:
1849 The 23-year-old mathematician Carl Kellner from Hirzenhain establishes an "Optical Institute" in Wetzlar for the development of lenses and microscopes.
1851 The first lenses and microscopes are introduced onto the market.
1855 After the death of Carl Kellner, his widow continues the business with twelve employees.
1865 The precision mechanic Ernst Leitz becomes a partner in the company.
1869 Ernst Leitz takes over the sole management of the company and expands it under his name.
1887 The 10,000th microscope is produced, the number of employees is approximately 120.
circa 1900 Ernst Leitz introduces the 8-hour day and founds a health insurance association.
1920 After the death of Ernst Leitz I, his son, Ernst Leitz II, takes over the management of the company.
1924 Ernst Leitz II decides to mass-produce the camera constructed by Oskar Barnack. Meanwhile the number of employees in the factory has risen to 1,000.
1925 At the spring fair in Leipzig, the Leica camera is presented to the public for the first time.
1938 Foundation of the Leica School which later becomes the Leica Academy.
1952 Construction of the manufacturing plant in Midland, Ontario, in Canada.
1956 The sons of Ernst Leitz II, Ernst Leitz III, Ludwig Leitz and G?nther Leitz, take over the management of the firm after their father's death.
1966 In April production starts in the Oberlahn plant.
1973 The Portugal plant in Vila Nova de Famalicao near Porto starts production.
1986 Foundation of Leica GmbH in order to bundle activities in the photo market.
1987 On the January 1st, 1987, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH and Wild Heerbrugg AG merge to form the Wild Leitz group. The new company employs a total 9,000 people.
1988 Move to the new plant in Solms near Wetzlar.
1990 The merger of Wild Leitz Holding AG with The Cambridge Instrument Company plc creates the new Leica Holding B.V. group. So now the Leica name also stands for the leading manufacturer of microscopes, surveying and photogrammetry systems, as well as optical-scientific instruments.
Incorporation of the Zett-Ger?te-Werk (former Zeiss-Ikon) into the Leica Camera Group and foundation of Leica Projektion GmbH.
1996 On April 1st, Leica takes over the camera division of Minox GmbH, manufacturer of sub-miniature and miniature cameras. On July 25th, 1996 the Leica Camera GmbH is transformed into a public company. Now the company is called Leica Camera AG.
That gives you a run down on the history of the company. Here is the website address: http://www.leica-camera.com/index_e.html
After having dealt with E. Leitz optics and Leica cameras for well over 30 years, it kinda wrankles me to see people mess up their history. Don't take offense, it's just more information to have for the next time.
Best.0 -
Well..............!
I certainly do appreciate all the information supplied - having been involved with land surveying in the past, I recoginze the Wild name as relating to transits, along with Zeiss. The history of your binocular is very interesting, Mark Christian - enjoyed your comments. Thanks, He Dog and Nononsense for your valuable imputs. This set belonged to my late brother and hunting partner, who I lost this past March to the dreaded "C". I'll be missing him on my hunting sojourns, but this binocular and several other items of his will accompany me on the next deer hunt. May even take his favorite 250-3000 Savage 99 EG along and see if it can tag one.
Keep off the Ridgeline0 -
Yep, kinda anal, but so what? Thanks for the history and sorry for the "wrankling."
My heros have always killed cowboys.0 -
Just FYI, originally the tradename "Leica" stood for LEItz CAmera....and I've got quite a collection of them, including an original Barnak-designed Leica "A".
Nice going, Nononsense.0
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