WW1, Monocular, Col BM Humble DSO, HQ 2 Canadian Brigade (Ref:1101)

WW1 period Monocular, Vedel x8, by Watson & Sons of London (Serial No. 76087), originally belonging to Colonel B.M.Humble D.S.O. 

The Monocular is collectable in it's own right without the connection.

Major with the of the Canadian 2nd Division Headquarters in France 1914-1917, later stationed in the UK (c1917 on) promoted to Colonel and heading up logistics in the UK. Awarded the DSO in 1917. The inscription will post-date the (long) field service in France - whether inscribed for himself or as a presentation piece (from HQ France?) is unknown, but assuming records for Watsons still exist it should be able to trace the original purchaser from the serial number.

The case is marked :Col. B.M.Humble, D.S.O., FLCB. in gold embossed lettering. 

Photos of Col (then Major) Humble with HQ 2nd Canadian Brigade are available to view online.

Condition wise, the monocular is in good working order, though the lenses have an accumulation of dirt internally so will need cleaning (has not been disassembled) - vision and focus adjustment are still very good as-is.  The chagrin coat is in good underlying condition and has been lightly treated with a professional restorer and polish. The case is in a good underlying condition with no chips or cracks (including the eye piece), but the enamel is very worn; the metal has some light surface degradation but nothing serious. The monocular is in my opinion fully restorable to a high standard (if wished, though personally I prefer the signs of age). 

Comes with the original leather case, with gold-embossed lettering, and the original strap and clips. The case leather is in a good underlying condition though has been poorly stored at some stage, it's been lightly treated with professional restorer and appropriate oils. The stitching of the case is loose and in poor condition, but should be fully restorable to a very high standard. The strap has the original brass clips which have wear and signs of age but are still functional - looks like the strap has broken at some stage and has been knotted (left as-is). The rear mini-strap that helps retain the strap connector for the cover is loose/detached but in good condition.

'Provenance' wise, this came along with some personal effects/collection of a former RAF Pilot (WW2/immediate post-WW2) - it's possible that it was collected in the assumption that it related to Bill Humble MBE (RAF). 

It's likely (from research) that BMH had either property in England, else close relations with property - perhaps this is linked to why the item remained in the UK. 

Condition is used, signs of age - refer to photos.

Shipping is to the UK mainland only, else via eBay global shipping under their terms.