Details
Dear buyer, to place a delivery, we are required to indicate the recipient's phone number, since the deliveries are courier deliveries. If they do not reach you, we will lose the parcel. Please, if for some reason you do not want to indicate your phone number, do not make a purchase.
American Optical AO 72 Glacier Glasses – Mountaineering Goggles – WWII-Era Industrial Safety – Green Lenses & Leather Shields – Circa 1940s
A rare and authentic piece of early 20th-century optical history, these AO 72 glacier glasses were manufactured by American Optical, one of the most prominent U.S. eyewear producers, and are believed to date back to the late 1930s to early 1940s. Originally designed for military, mountaineering, and high-altitude protection, this model combines functionality with rugged, industrial-era aesthetics.
Glasses feature:
Round green safety lenses, offering enhanced contrast and glare protection.
Protective side shields and a central bridge cover in leather, designed to block snow genuine glare and wind.
A distinctive metal frame with yellow cable temples — these wrap-around earpieces were meant to keep the goggles secure under extreme conditions.
Embossed with the original AO (American Optical) logo and “72” engraving, denoting the model.
This model was part of the same line of eyewear used by pilots, mountaineers, and scientists in harsh environments and even adapted later for cold-weather sports.
Brand: American Optical (AO)
Model: 72
Circa: 1930s–1940s
Origin: USA
Frame: Chrome-plated metal with leather and rubber components
Lenses: Green-tinted mineral glass (non-prescription)
Condition: Excellent vintage condition, with natural patina on metal and aged leather
Whether you’re a collector of military and optical artifacts or simply appreciate rare industrial-era design, these glasses are a conversation-starting relic of functional American design.
We accept returns within 14 days, as it is not easy to return to our country - please ask all the questions that will help you understand - whether you really want to keep the glasses. Thank you for your understanding.