Signallers Telescope - looking for information

[Woftam]

Can anyone give me a rundown (or point me to a website) on the signaller's telescopes that went on to become a part of the snipers equipment.

Looking for a basic rundown on Marks, manufacturers, introduction to service dates, when withdrawn etc.

Particularly interested in R & J Beck as a manufacturer.Any help appreciated.

PS I have done a search and seen the Wikipeadia entries, was looking for a bit more information.

[DuncaninFrance]

............but just in case check this site out.

http://www.snipersparadise.com/sniperchat/

A good place to ask questions about sniping.

[Woftam]

No I didn't know about it Duncan, many thanks. Off to have a look now.

Cheers

Graeme

[Tom-May]

I have an example squirreled away that I can take a look at if you wish, but the only references I have (if any) will be from WW1 signals training manuals.

Any use?

Tom

[Woftam]

Tom,

thanks for the offer. I have the opportunity to buy a WW1 Beck manufactured one but don't know a lot about them. Would be a nice bit of kit to own as I understand many were used as part of a full bore shooters kit in Aussie in the '50's and '60's.

Just wondered where they fitted into the military picture. Were they used exclusively by Sigs or anyone else use them ? I note they are marked as "also G.S." which I understand is general service.

[Tom-May]

Woftam,

I don't know if this will be of any use, but the only descriptive part in the 1907 manual is, as below (There is a line drawing, but, to be honest, I don't think it will be of use).

The rest of the entries are on the stand and focusing etc.

As to the telescope being marked "GS"*, Is suspect that this might be an administrative device to allow the telescope to be issued outside of RE Signals Section.

From: Training Manual - Signalling 1907

TELESCOPE SIGNALLING (MkII)

This telescope when closed is 11 1/2 inches long; it has three draws, the outside tube being covered with leather. The power of the eye-piece can be increased by substituting two additional lenses for those nearest the eye. These additional lenses are mounted in a seperate tube, and carried when not in use in a leather case. When the lower power eye-piece is used, the distant object appears to be magnified 15 times, with the higher power the magnification is increased to 30 times; the two sets of lenses are marked L ands H respectively.

As the telescope not only magifies the distant object but everything else within its field of view as well, it will be understood thatalthough the distant object may be highly magnified , it will probably be more difficult to discern owing to the corresponding high magnification of particles of dust, moisture, &c. in the air. The lowerpower eye-piece is therefore provided for general use and the higher is reserved for particularly favourable weather, or in countries where the atmosphere is abnormally clear.

The telescope when closed is protected by leather caps, and is provided with a shoulder strap which passes through fairways on the caps and the seperate case for the alternae lenses.

Hope this helps

Tom

* Yes, GS = General Service

[Woftam]

Tom,

thanks for that. A fair description of the item I was perusing. Didn't have the case though. Have passed this time but if I see a more complete example that may change.

Cheers

Graeme

[Tom-May]

Graeme,

I must confess that I've never seen the case with (or without) the spare lenses.

Usually what one finds is the standard telescope (if in good condition, with the strap and caps).

Tom