Came across this document recently and took some pics. Interesting in that it indicates a scale of issue of only five telescope-sighted rifles per battalion with three Pattern 14 with (F) backsights issued in lieu of scoped rifles as "a temporary measure".
Rubber eyepieces mentioned, but no photographic evidence of same in use that I can remember.
Interesting: 750 unfitted Aldis sights on hand in mid 1917 and apparently no great change by July 1918 when this document was received. Makes me wonder if they were ever fitted to rifles before the war ended.
Good to see they all got their bayonets on issue however!
Last edited by Surpmil; 02-22-2025 at 06:53 PM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
The nomenclature of the Armourers tools issued then was the same as we were issued with up until the 90's - and beyond! I've still got the brace, Armourers and a few of the Bits, Armourers, Brace and the pincers - that I used yesterday, in the kitchen!
In the Fifties and Sixties every household tool kit had a brace with a selection of bits, a plane, roofing hatchet for cedar shakes, ball peen and claw hammers, pincers, and a blow torch. There wasn't much Dad couldn't do with those tools.
I'll post a bit more of it, but one of the pages of interest is blurred so will try again in a few days.
I see I confused the date with another document; this is September 1918 which makes the telescope rifle scale of issue even more noteworthy.
Everything is enumerated, right down to the number of horse shoe nails, so that problem was addressed in due time clearly.
Last edited by Surpmil; 02-23-2025 at 11:00 AM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
PM
