Traditional Muzzleloading Association

The Center of Camp => People of the Times => Topic started by: bluebottle on April 22, 2014, 07:58:18 AM

Title: Q on eye glasses
Post by: bluebottle on April 22, 2014, 07:58:18 AM
I found frames that I can order to match the late 1700's.  Has anyone done this and what is the hassle from the Eye doctor in reference to getting a set of lenses in them to match what you need?
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: ridjrunr on April 22, 2014, 12:09:07 PM
I had some done by a guy that was recommended to me by the lady I bought my original frames from. She was at a civil war re enactment but my frames are about 1810. ( best I can tell) Anyways I got bifocals put in and shipped back to to me for about $90. I f you are on facebook, look up Michael j. Epstein. He did a perfect job on mine. But,... He didnt do a straight line across type of bifocal like the originals. They are a modern bifocal.he said the original straight line across is a lot more difficult and more expensive. I figured I would try out the quality and service first so when my scrip changes or I want to redo, I know where to go. Plus it gave me a chance to see if I like my frames.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: bluebottle on April 22, 2014, 12:40:58 PM
Thx rid, I am on FB and will look it up.  I also have bifocal but for out in the field I could get by with non bifocal.  thx again
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Snapper on April 22, 2014, 04:03:51 PM
I've had a few sets of period reproduction eyewear fitted with my prescription over the years.  In fact, my eye doctor seems to get a kick out of doing this for me.  I would suggest you speak with a local person in your area, if you don't already have a doctor, to see what problems they might anticipate.  The frames you get will have to be able to accept your lenses so that might be an issue but a trained eye doctor will be able to help you with that.  I now have 3 pair (2 for late 17th/early 18th century and one for latter half of the 18th century) and they've held up well to lots of use in the field both at the standard site events and on "active duty" in the woods.  My guess is you'll have the same experience.

That's all for now.  Take care and until next time...Be well.

snapper
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Bison Horn on April 22, 2014, 04:53:30 PM
My eye Dr is a shooter and he had my perscription done in tint and shooting glasses quality. Of course no bifocal. BH
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Fletcher on April 22, 2014, 07:51:55 PM
I was given a frame that was well over 100 years old by an optometrist friend.  I then paid him $100
for lenses to my prescription at the time and they worked great.  Got a lot of compliments on them.
2 years ago I had lens implants with my cataract surgery and my vision is better than 20/20 - first time
in my life without glasses.  However - since I am not 'old'  I need reading glasses.  I took these frames to
several places - they want as much as $200 for an exam and prescription for plain old 2.0 readers lenses
and to mount them in the old frame with no guarantee they will work or hold up.

I think I will call my old friend and see what he can do.  Sure seems to be a racket in the last 20 years  :cry:
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: bluebottle on April 23, 2014, 06:08:37 AM
Thx all, will talk to local first but just didn't know if it was something he had seen before.  Being it's in Murfreesboro TN maybe he has seen it from all the CW re enactments over this way from others.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: flashpan on May 03, 2014, 11:53:58 AM
Picked up my frames in an antique shop, they date around 1860-1870.
My optometrist was excited by the opportunity to fit bi-focal lenses in them, I went with glass, and not a poly...
If I remember correctly, he charged me about $90-100
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: bluebottle on May 03, 2014, 04:44:27 PM
thanks flash.  spoke to one of the guys at the bledsoe fort fair yesterday and he was saying the same  about his.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: gunmaker on May 03, 2014, 08:06:32 PM
Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc. (http://www.jas-townsend.com) has everything for re-enactors hats to shoes & frames...
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: bluebottle on May 03, 2014, 09:49:48 PM
thx gunmaker, that is who i'm getting them from.  ordered a book from the and got a email it had been shipped...arrived the next day.  dont get much better than that
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: 45.70 on May 13, 2014, 10:22:59 PM
Does anyone know of period glasses made cheaper, I.E.  just reading glasses.  I see 20/20 past my hand, but I need reading glasses to see anything within arms reach.  

Thanks, Garry
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Riley/MN on May 14, 2014, 03:11:31 PM
Quote from: "45.70"
Does anyone know of period glasses made cheaper, I.E.  just reading glasses.  I see 20/20 past my hand, but I need reading glasses to see anything within arms reach.  

Thanks, Garry

Yup, I got some at the New Ulm Trade fair. +1.5 I think. Jeff Plath was selling them.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: 45.70 on May 15, 2014, 11:28:05 AM
Riley,

Do you know how can I contact Jeff Plath?

Thanks, Garry
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Riley/MN on May 15, 2014, 06:05:37 PM
Here's his website. He doesn't have a phone.

Taylors Falls Bead Store (http://http)

See if sse can figure out how I did that...
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Sir Michael on May 26, 2014, 10:31:15 PM
Here is a link to a good site on period spectacles.  Once you know what the year you want its easy to use this site to pick out the appropriate characteristics.  Then go looking for a pair of frames that will meet your needs.

http://www.antiquespectacles.com/guide/guide_to_assist.htm
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Geezer in NH on July 30, 2014, 01:58:31 AM
I am lucky, one of my nephews makes glasses and the office he works for, the DR is a hunter shooter. For letting the DOC use my winch for his moose hunt I have had access for period glasses, but better yet my glasses I use to shoot in competition are set up with the focal point for my sights!!! Sweet deal
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Riley/MN on July 31, 2014, 10:52:43 AM
Geezer - Where are you located?
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Sir Michael on July 31, 2014, 02:31:05 PM
Here is another source.

http://earlyspecs.com/
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Geezer in NH on July 31, 2014, 05:50:45 PM
25 miles south of GMRB in Conway NH
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Riley/MN on August 01, 2014, 12:51:52 PM
Okay, I had friends in Keene that had gone to an "eye-guy" that was a shooter. Don't remember the name, but I could probably find out.

Used to make it up to Conway once in a while when I lived in VT...
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Geezer in NH on August 01, 2014, 02:27:39 PM
My nephew works out of Rochester down by the coast.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Hank in WV on August 01, 2014, 05:29:55 PM
One of my favorite areas in the country. Used to love the spring skiing up on Mt Washington. Also loved the bike races in Laconia.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: LRB on August 03, 2014, 07:14:04 AM
Just a suggestion. You can buy these in 41mm for $9.95. That's frame and lenses. With reasonable care, the lenses can be cut down to fit other frames with a Dremel tool. I have done this a half dozen times. I wear these very same glasses as shown as my every day glasses, and find them to be very good, and I have a hard to correct prescription. I have to pay an extra $5.00 or $10.00 because I am in their extreme range of being near sighted. Check them out.  Round Eyeglass Frames for Men & Women | Zenni Optical (http://www.zennioptical.com/round-glasses?currentPage=1&Nao=0)
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: No Rod on August 12, 2014, 09:53:46 PM
Quote from: "LRB"
Just a suggestion. You can buy these in 41mm for $9.95. That's frame and lenses. With reasonable care, the lenses can be cut down to fit other frames with a Dremel tool. I have done this a half dozen times. I wear these very same glasses as shown as my every day glasses, and find them to be very good, and I have a hard to correct prescription. I have to pay an extra $5.00 or $10.00 because I am in their extreme range of being near sighted. Check them out.  Round Eyeglass Frames for Men & Women | Zenni Optical (http://www.zennioptical.com/round-glasses?currentPage=1&Nao=0)

these are the glasses I wear... had the put in progressive bi-focals too. very reasonable.
Title: Re: Q on eye glasses
Post by: Mad Irish Jack on September 08, 2014, 11:37:56 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/Mad_Jack/photo2MA31743821-0002_zpse8925069.jpg) (http://http)
 These are my glasses. They were made in this manufactioning fashion from the early-mid 1700's. Mine have been documented as made between 1803 to 1805. The dates are the only period when the letters USA were engraved into the nose bridge that is silver soldered to the glass rims. These glasses have been so lettered. The stems are formed, heated and cold quenched to harden for a formed ear bend. The stems are curled to a loop and attached with a small brass rivet (this is due to fact that small machined screws weren't perfected and put into eyeglass frames until the 1890's). Thus most eyeglasses for events need only the proper appearance as there are few and far between originals and those willing and able to use them. And, most tinted glasses were for a medicinal use of some need.