Mk1 British WW2 Infrared "Tabby" Night Vision Monocular with Case

An excellent example of a WW2 British Infrared Tabby Night Vision Monocular.

Complete with its original case, both Monocular and Case are in very good condition and profusely marked although testing of the function is not possible as the sealed battery pack is long since discharged. Both Monocular and Case retain their original straps and show no obvious signs of damage.

Tabby was a pioneering World War II active infrared night vision system named after a tabby cat's ability to see in the dark. Developed around 1939 and in service by 1942, these units relied on an infrared image converter tube paired with an external infrared light source.

Having the vague appearance of a water bottle in a leather case, this device was used, prior to and on D-Day in Normandy by the assault pilotage (COPPs and the SBS teams) to guide in the invasion task forces onto the beaches. Used by the commando, airborne and ranger units over the period of WWII and classified as Top Secret.