Assistance with Resistal goggles

[Phil]

Hello all,
I recently acquired a pair of Resistal goggles and I'm trying to learn more about them. I'm wondering if anyone can identify what model and time period these goggles are from? They have Resistal S&B stamped on the middle inside portion of the medal frame. The leather straps are not original to the goggles. It looks like someone sewed them on to make the goggles look complete. I would also like to find a picture of the correct head strap.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Sincerely,
Phil

[regular122]

Nice goggles! The S&B stands for the manufacturers of the Resistal brand goggles -- Strauss & Buegeleisen. They were similar to the British-French Triplex design but were a competitor. The yellow tint was used during the First War period. I have attached a couple of nice advertisements explaining their use and the goggles. They retailed between $5.00 to $8.00 and flying helmets went for approx. $6-7.00 for lighter weight and $8-10.00 for heavier weight padded helmets. these were not insubstantial sums on a $140 per month 2LT pay.

Here is a report from Aerial Age Weekly, dated 17 July 1917, about their introduction to US Aviators.

There has recently been brought out, by Strauss & Buegeleisen, of 37 Warren Street, New York, a goggle that seems to be a distinct advance over those now in use. Somewhat similar to those in use by the Allied aviators in Europe, it has several improvements. It is composed of two layers of glass with a layer of celluloid between, welded together under enormous pressure. This has the effect of making it as transparent as ordinary glass, and in addition is more resting to the eyes. A distinct improvement over previous types of glass goggles is the fact that these goggles,— "RESISTAL," they are called, are bent for vision on the side, giving the wearer a greater range of sight than is the case with straight glass goggles. Another advantage is that the layer of celluloid between the two pieces of glass acts as an insulator, and prevents moisture from gathering on the lens. Numerous strength tests of RESISTAL goggles have been made, and it has been found that even a heavy blow with a hammer will only crack them, and will not shatter them, preventing flying pieces of glass from getting into the wearer's eyes.

The US Army Signal Corps approved a standard design that S&B began to deliver on 1 October 1917. It became the most common type.

The manufacturers' German-sounding names actually resulted in an investigation in early 1918. A newspaper report in New York, supposedly from military sources at Rockwell Field in San Diego, had leveled charges that their company had German infiltrators trying to spy on aviation concerns when delivering the goggles to military airfields. It was found to be complete nonsense in a published report following an investigation in March 1918.

The Resistal goggles had a black elastic strap of approximately 3/4" and it often fades to brown. Some were also grey. The straps were secured on two leather fobs that were stitched to both the cloth and the metal frames. Attaching loops secured the strap and they were tightened by the means of two buckles. The cotton cloth forming the eye covers was olive in color and fades to a light tan when found today. I am attaching a picture of the parts as disassembled. The last pics are the goggles restored to flying status with original yellow lenses swapped. They were very ratty with a cracked lens so they became the ideal candidate for a wearable pair without harming history.

Hope this helps, Steve

[Phil]

Steve,
Thanks for all the great feedback. Your goggle restoration looks great! Do you have any WW1 aviation memorabilia dealers you recommend for someone wanting to build up his collection? Where were you able to find new lenses for your goggles?

Thanks,
Phil

[regular122]

Originally Posted by Phil

Steve,
Thanks for all the great feedback. Your goggle restoration looks great! Do you have any WW1 aviation memorabilia dealers you recommend for someone wanting to build up his collection? Where were you able to find new lenses for your goggles?

Thanks,
Phil

I found the lenses on eBay. Still in the wrappers and still had the little stickers with S&B on them. Amazing what is out there if you know what to look for. As to dealers, I think anyone that has collected stuff over the years would tell you to just acquire as much knowledge on the subject area as possible and then you stumble across things almost anywhere--antique shops, eBay, military online auction / sales sites (prices are higher), gun shows, older collections that people want to thin out or sell, estate sales, etc.

I have also learned that a great resource on eBay is UK, French and German eBay. Even a rarer item with a vendor can usually be talked into shipping to the states if you communicate well with them.

Steve