Bausch & Lomb Aviator Sunglasses WWII USGI?

[Walkwolf]

Hi Joe. The '14' is indeed for the quality of gold plating. As you've found,
58mm are small - I wear a 62mm size frame. I'm not quite sure of their
age, as RayBan Aviators did not change much since the '30's.
'RayBan' sunglasses are now a division of an Italian
company - 'Luxotica'.

These have 'cable' temples/arms, and commercially these are called
the 'Outdoorsman' model. There are probably small, etched
'BL' logos on the lenses near the temple brackets.

If I had to guess, I'd say 1960's or 70's era, due to the colour
of the brow bar and nose pieces.........

[GIZMO8Z]

Thanks, Steve!

These sunglasses were found in a WWII footlocker and were wrapped up in an old olive drab green scarf. Do you see any red flags that would rule these out as not being used in WWII?

[GIZMO8Z]

[Walkwolf]

No, just that they look very 'new'. I think the plastic would
have shrunk or discoloured some over time - but if they
were unused and stored properly, they just might be
WWII vintage.

I actually have two pair of this type 'put away' until my
current ones break. I've been through about 4 or 5
pair of RayBan Aviator sunglasses since the early
1980's, even though I take extra good care
of them.

Pity there is no case, as a case could tell me
the era they came from.........!

[GIZMO8Z]

Thanks, Steve! I'll take some better photos in day light. The frames are still shiny, but they have a lot more age than can be seen in the photos I posted in the first post.

[GIZMO8Z]

Upon further investigation, these sunglasses are marked "B&L RayBan USA" on the metal part of the frame that is covered by the brow bar.

[Walkwolf]

I wore a complete WWII USAAF Officer uniform to a Hallowe'en party
a few years ago, accented with an A2 flight jacket and RayBan
Aviators. Everyone kept calling me 'General MacArthur'!

Probably had more to do with the visor cap, but my
RayBans were a big part of the 'costume'.........

[GIZMO8Z]

Lol nice, Steve!

[Nergock]

58 is the width of one lens in millimeter (mm). 14 is the width of the nose bridge in mm. The width of the frame should be about 5.5". This is considered a medium. A small is 54mm and a large is 62mm. If there's on "BL" etched on the lens, I would place this anywhere between 1950s and 1960s. Given that there's no "GF" marking (which stands for gold filled), the gold on this is via electroplating. Gold filled frames contains 5% weight of frame in gold. Non-gold filled version such as this only has 1% weight of frame in gold. Given the great condition but lack of case, I'd say a fair price for this is between $120-$200.

[GIZMO8Z]

Hi Nergok,

I don't think the lenses were etched or marked in anyway.