Can you guess what this would be used for ?

[CINDERS]

Most of the learned pelicans will get this straight off but was it part of their kit when they went into the field.

Thanks in advance

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

There was one for sale on ebay a couple of weeks ago

[Son]

It is a pointer type tool.. a spotter can look through one side at a target and the sniper looks through the other to see the target the spotter sees. Forget what it was called... have seen a couple on e bay

[Peter Laidler]

Nothing(?) to do with sniping or a snipers or a riflemans kit.......... It was a training aid used and still used during map reading and fieldcraft training so that the person being trained to give fire-orders etc etc to the Artillery and mortars. So that the directing staff know that their instructions are fully understood by the trainee instructor who.........

Still in use today especially on the JOTAC courses at Warminster. Used to see them clipped to map-boards every day.

I suppose that anyone COULD use such a beast but by the time you have done the map and compass course you'd be familiar with clock-face target location methods. I say 'anyone' but I don't include types such as REME officers who wouldn't even know how to fold a map!

[Son]

Just goes to show that you can't believe everything you read on an e bay description. Thank you Peter!

[CINDERS]

Thanks Peter, guess you could suggest the REME Officers do an Origami course that would solve the folding but the reading may be challenging............... besides it cost me next to zip $25.ooAU but it will be a useful aid for me to teach my son rather than go through the knuckles or the degrees from the front sights on a SMLE

[Peter Laidler]

Funny you should say that......... I used to take my son out into the open countryside with a map and prismatic compass (they used SILVA compasses at their school Cadet Force until I gave them 6 prismatics 'on loan'/forever!) and use one of those while treaching him to read a map and read the land. He is better than me now. Mind you, that's not difficult! I used to be issued with a prismatic compass, kept it around my neck/in a pouch. It looked good of course, like a mickey mouse watch - but it was really just for the Sergeants to use who knew what they were doing

How many times have I seen people with the map laid out on the bonnet of the Landrover or alongside a 432........ with the compass open and sat on it!!!!!!

[Paul S.]

Funny you should say that.........
How many times have I seen people with the map laid out on the bonnet of the Landrover or alongside a 432........ with the compass open and sat on it!!!!!!

That made me laugh. I've seen that too - and the quizical looks on their faces when they can't work out why it doesn't work.

[Beerhunter]

The most dangerous thing in the army? An officer with a map!

[Frank LE]

It is called a "Staff Pointer". Used for map reading exercises and so on.
Officers and specially staff guys in the field with map and prismatic - danger to everybody. I had the compass only for decoration with me. I left these mysteries to the knowing Sergeants.