REL Stand Cno47 mk1 for telescope observer, sniper.

I noticed a little looseness on the shaft of this folding tripod for the REL sniper observation scope, and found that by loosening off the knob on the bottom, the shaft actually splits and there is a little U-joint affair in there. Not sure if it is to direct the observation of the telescope while staying low.....on this one the inner ujoint turns within the upper shaft. Or could it merely be to allow the telescope to go lower if the tripod is used with the lower legs collapsed?

Has anyone else noticed this? Any ideas what it is for?

Edited to add: I see X201201 mentions this feature on the knowledge library entry for the stand as a feature to allow the scope to go lower when the stand is on it's half-legs.

I got this photo from Colin Stevens showing the difference between the wartime REL folding tripod and the post war Canadian Arsenals Ltd tripod. The post war version did away with the two part shaft and simplified it to a one piece shaft. Great, another variant that a guy has to collect.

so if REL only made 500 of these scopes and tripods, and they were not adopted formally by the Brits, why would they have made the tripods post-war?

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Originally Posted by snipershot1944

so if REL only made 500 of these scopes and tripods, and they were not adopted formally by the Brits, why would they have made the tripods post-war?

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Good question....perhaps to replace damaged tripods? There were, after all, 500 of the telescopes kicking around. There is more than the British armies needs to consider....the Cdn Army was still a reasonable size thru the cold war.

I have only seen one of the CAL made examples, which is the one Colin now has. No idea how many Cdn Arsenals made. One has to wonder how much of REL was adopted into Cdn Arsenals. Cdn Arsenals later rebuilt and upgraded the REL binoculars, and were also involved in upgrading the early radar trailers.

Does anyone know how long the Canadian armed forces used the WW2 manufactured REL binoculars and other optical equipment after WW2? Is some of it still in use?

We still had REL Binos into the 80's listed on the WOCS registers as BINOCULARS, Prismatic No2, 6x 30 - OTHER

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

REL binoculars

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I joined in '74 and never saw them. I recovered a pair from one of the ranges in the '80's but they had been dropped by the UK contingent that had been out the night before.

All the REL tripods I have ever owned have had the two piece stem.
It was for lowering the profile of the scope.
I also have one that is just a few numbers shy of the purported 500 units REL manufactured.
It is two piece stem, dated 1945, and British Broad Arrow marked.
I am surprised no one noticed the two piece stem before.

I have a pair of REL 7x50 naval binoculars which I suspect were copied from U.S. Navy 7x50 Bosch & Lomb binoculars because the design looks very similar. I also have one or two other very similar U.S made versions by other makers, all looking much the same as the REL 7X50.

REL Stand C No. 47 MK. I - I have more photos of two known versions on my web site at Telescope, Observing, Sniper www.captainstevens.com

I have the 2004 version of Without Warning, not the 2014 version and my book does not show the tripod carrying case. Does anyone have a photo they can post?

Sniper's C Mk.1 Tripod Pouch [BAM191] - $85.00 : Broad Arrow Militaria

Here is one that sold a few years ago on a millitaria site. $85.....I suspect it would not have been there for long.

They would be easy to replicate.....the same vintage canvas could be salvaged form tent peg bags....I have a number of those in new condition.

Interesting. I think mine might reside in a Canadian small ammo pouch.

No32 sights (and presumably No42's and 53's too) came from the manufacturers in a thick canvas/calico type bag like that but a top flap folded inside. Not really protection as such but.... I still have one or two, one marked with a 4 figure number.