Prismatic binoculars with a leather covering. The eyepieces focus independently as there is no central focussing wheel. There are loops for a carrying strap which is now missing. The binoculars also have a leather case, which is badly damaged.

The case is dated 1943 and both the case and the bincoulars have the letters 'beh' inscribed on them. This was the code for Ernst Leitz - during the Second World War, the Germans used these codes to conceal the identity of their suppliers. Both the bincoulars and the case also carry the swastika and eagle symbol of the German Third Reich. The binoculars were, apparently, taken from an armed trawler during the Second World War.

The binoculars formerly belonged to Terence Thornton Lewin (1920-99). Lewin entered the Royal Navy in 1939 and served in the Home and Mediterranean Fleets, Malta and North Russian convoys and the invasion of North Africa. Among other commands after the Second World War, he was Commander, HM 'Britannia' (1957-58), commanded HMS 'Hermes' (1966-67), subsequently becoming First Sea Lord. He was Chief of Defence Staff during the Falklands War, 1982. Lord Lewin later served as Chairman of the Trustees of the National Maritime Museum (1987-95).