Bausch & Lomb AN 6531 Kalichrome Outdoorsman Aviator Sunglasses
Vintage Bausch & Lomb AN 6531 Type II aviator
sunglasses are the iconic original B&L military version aviator sunglasses c early 1930s/ 1940s, issued to Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aviators as pilot sunglasses in the years leading up to and during World War II
. This is the style from which all future B&L Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses and shooters originate including the famous 10k GF and 12k GF Outdoorsman sunglasses which have their own place in eyewear history. They feature Bausch & Lomb Kalichrome C yellow lenses first developed around this time specifically for hunters and shooters, and they were adopted by marksmen and sharpshooters in the military for their amazing properties to heighten contrast especially on cloudy or overcast days. The AN 6531 frame core is copper rather than magnetic steel and the plating is nickel instead of 12K gold; you never wanted to take something magnetic into the cockpit of an aircraft for fear of the affect on your compass navigation system. This frame was lighter weight than subsequent versions which were typically gold plating over a steel frame, and while American Optical and Rochester Opitcal also produced the AN6531 for the military each company used its own lenses so here you get unparalleled Bausch & Lomb quality. The "General" brow bar takes its name from the analogous style worn by General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines during the war, designed to improve the balance of the sunglasses on the face. The Outdoorsman "shooter" ear stems curve around the ears to provide the most secure fit possible, all in all making the B&L AN6531 a formidable accessory for the troops and pilots during World War II. The unisex Bausch & Lomb AN6531 Outdoorsman frame measures approximately 5.675" temple to temple, and the lenses measure approximately 2.25" x 1.875" at the widest points, and the bottom of the nose bar is impressed Bausch & Lomb. Very rare.
Item VS1390 / Price: SOLD
See the 12k GF gold plated version of these Bausch & Lomb AN6531 Kalichrome Outdoorsman sunglasses, item vs 3177. And did you know that American Optical and Bausch & Lomb both produced AN 6531 Kalichrome sunglasses during the years around World War II, even sharing parts and production lines at times. Check out the identical American Optical AN6531 Kalichrome Outdoorsman sunglasses here, and thanks for visiting and shopping at the Vintage Sunglasses Shop.
 |
 |
No Fakes, No Lies, No Reproductions, Save 10% Plus Free Shipping
Don't be fooled by fakes and condition misrepresentations. Vintage designer sunglasses are widely counterfeited and reproduced, sold knowingly and unknowingly in the market. Auction sellers describe condition using vague, subjective, and misleading words to get higher prices and prevail in a purchase dispute, and most offer no returns. You can trust the Vintage Sunglasses Shop to protect your eyes and your investment as the world's largest retailer of authentic vintage sunglasses - read about our condition & authenticity guarantee.
Tell your friends about us on Facebook or Twitter, then enter promo code 444971 at checkout to save 10% on your entire order plus always free shipping in the US and subsidized express shipping worldwide.
We buy finer vintage designer sunglasses that meet our standards; learn how to sell your vintage sunglasses at good prices with no fees, hassles, or uncertainties.
Visit us on Facebook at Vintage Sunglasses Shop, Vintage Revo Sunglasses, and Vintage Vuarnet Sunglasses, and thanks for visiting and shopping at the Vintage Sunglasses Shop!
