product code : k8290 : £ 115

• 1940s/50s metal frame marked AO


• Can be glazed with Rx or sunglasses lenses.

condition

• lenses : n/a


• frame : very good


• fit : very good - cable arms

size

• face : 127mm


• lens width : 44mm


• lens height : 38mm


• bridge : 26mm (marked on frame)


• arms : n/a - cable arms

other info

• An early safety or industrial frame from American Optical, very
  
  much styled on their Sampson frame, seen here in a 1941 catalogue.
  
  These safety frames were built for strength, the double-soldered
  
  bridge keeping it rigid and aligned at all times. Needed if you were
  
  working in WW2 as one of the Rosie Rivetters here and here - taking
  
  your place alongside the men in shipyards and munitions factories.
  
  The difference between this and the optical Sampson is of course the
  
  material: this is a heavy nickel frame whilst the domestic frames were
  
  yellow gold-filled metal. Here is a catalogue entry from 1959, the
  
  Sampson still going and below it, the Liner, similar again to this work
  
  frame. The arms on this frame are fibre covered for extra comfort and
  
  the nose pads are the pink plastic self-adjusting variety. This pair retains
  
  its safety glass lenses - stamped by AO - which are in okay condition,
  
  considering it probably served its time on the line in WW2, but we're
  
  offering this more as an everyday frame, for those who have an active
  
  lifestyle and require a hard-wearing frame. It's lasted 80 or so years
  
  and it still has the same again, we reckon.
  
                                                                    — klasik