I have some Japanese binoculars I got in a box lot of WW2 items from an estate and wonder if it is WW2 era. On one side near the left eyepiece it says "sHowA" and near the right eyepiece it says "Field 8.5" , "8 x 30" and "No. 2714". I removed the cover with the inscriptions and on the edge of the body it says, "L90". There are no other inscriptions on it. From this info can you tell when it was made. I would add photos, but do not have the option to attach. Thanks.
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Sounds like the mark is the "JL" mark (sort of a combination of the two letters). If so these would be postwar. Does the mark look like an L with a tail? "JL" marks (standing for Light Machinery of Japan) are hallmarks followed by a manufactures code on Japanese optics produced after 1959 up to a certain point. If this is the case with your binoculars, the "90" would be for the manufacturer Someno Koki Seisakujo.
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