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Scout Regiment tripod
Hello Everybody
I picked up a 1942 NZ telescope tripod at the War and Death Show at Paddock Wood. I want to use it at the range but it needs some adjustments. Can anybody answer a few questions?
1. It is 28 inches high. Why is it such a ridiculous height? It can't be used prone (too high) and it can't be used kneeling or sitting (too low). Any ideas? I am thinking to cut it down to 20 inches so I can use it prone - otherwise its not much use to me. Or would this be a bad bubba-ing? I know they are around in the more useful 20 inch format.
2. What was used to keep all of the legs together during transport - was it a leather strap for instance?
3. What kind of carrying strap was attached to the brass fitting on the leg and the brass attachment on the telescope ferrule? Any idea where I can get one?
4. Was there some kind of wooden plug on a string that fits into the clamp when the telescope is not in it? Any idea where I can get one?
5. Was there any kind of soft covering inside the clamp to avoid damaging the scope?
All views are gratefully received.
Cheers
Steve
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4 Attachment(s)
Ok, it sounds like you have a "Stand, Instrument, No21 MkV"
It wasn't specifically for the Tel Sct Regt, but could be used with it. Initially it was probably intended for use by signallers where the observer was seated on the ground.
I have seen quite a few tripods of the same type only shorter offered from time to time- IIRC most of these had WW1 dates on them. I don't know if they were made this way or modified.
The tripod has a leather loop on a canvas strap to hold the legs together when closed. It buckles to the leather cap that protects the top and forms a sling for carrying. The wooden "plug" for the bracket is just round with a string connected to one end. You could make one up from an appropriate sized dowel or old shovel handle or something.
The top clamp on mine I lined with a little stick on felt to protect the tube of my telescopes.
Here's a couple of relevant pics to help answer your questions.
One other point, It may be worth looking for a little Parker Hale tripod like the white one in the pic below. I have used it on the range with a little felt around the 'scope tube under the springs and prefer it to the taller one (which I wouldn't cut)
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"Ok, it sounds like you have a "Stand, Instrument, No21 MkV"
That's the job, thanks Son,
Was there a different tripod specifically meant for the telescope?
Even sitting down a guy must have been some kind of midget or contortionist to get down to this. I could do with it being 6" higher to use it comfortably.
I would expect that many of these may have been cut down to personal preference during WW2 - it would seem the obvious thing to do, especially by the colonial boys. But I am loathed to destroy the true originality really.
Cheers
Steve
---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 PM ----------
Actually, I could make some shorter legs and keep the originals in storage.
Steve
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Making new legs sounds like a great idea. You could use either wood or light metal tube to whatever height suits best. :thup:
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There was a short legged version as well. I used to have one and will check and see if I have a photo.
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Son - the shorter Parker Hale Tripod - do you know if these saw service issue ? I had one of these given to me with my Scout Reg. Telescope a couple of years ago and wondered whether it was remotely right for 'field' use. Now, I'm not a shooter I'm one of those dreaded WW2 re-enactors whose 4T is, in reality, just a paperweight and I haven't taken it out on display as I was unsure of its 'correctness' for WW2.
Thanks for any sort of reply on this as it's been a conundrum, wrapped in an enigma for a while and it would be nice to take it out to play if there was a chance it was correct - otherwise it stays in the attic with the rest of the kit :lol:
Paul
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Hi, Paul.
I don't think the Parker Hale tripod was ever an issue item. I think they came about shortly after WW2 when there probably was a large quantity of quality surplus military telescopes available for fullbore shooters. (maybe someone has a Parker Hale catalog that might date them)
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I agree with Son. Lots of the small bore rifle clubs had the short stands with their cheap ex WD scout reg scopes during the 50's right up until probably, even today. My sons school CCF bought 6 scout reg scopes in the 60's for 16 shillings each (that's 80pence today). They still have their short stands that I imagined were just cut down heliograph stands or Stand Instrument as stated by Son once again.
The actual stands were used in the instrument shops for all manner of applications
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FWIW, I browsed through my limited collection of PH catalogs and found their short-legged "Sensitive" tripod available from at least 1935 to 1977. That's the one with the coil springs. An early catalog also lists "renovated" military tripods with short or medium length legs with the clamp/wingnut arrangement to hold the telescope.
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Thankyou Steve H. I'd say that would explain everything! Unless there is a LoC entry showing mods to shorten tripods, or a pic of a shortened military tripod in service.....
I'll have a look through the LoC index and see what I can find, bearing in mind the books I have only go to 1926.