What is this item.....

[CINDERS]

On that site the buyers description;
ALDIS BROTHERS LTD BIRMINGHAM 215506
I have been informed it's some form of training aid for a WW1 SMLE . Quite possibly for the RFC. The glass is unbroken and the optics are good for the age. It is undated so far as I can see but it certainly fits other WW1 scopes I've had.
I've photographed it against my SMLE for scale but this is in no way included in the sale.
Although the piece is in very good condition there are no mounts for the scope and it will NOT fit directly onto an SMLE. The pictures are for scale only.

Anyone have any clue as to what this item is or even if it is related to the 303 line of rifles. TIA.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Can't see it fitted as a unit but I'd say that it was an optical form of the little prismatic aim corrector. Remember the things that hooked over the backsight so the instructor could see the aiming picture. I would say that the 'sights' on the thing should be in the horizontal plane, but I don't know and never seen one!

[r.furborough]

Aldis made signaling lights, the devices used to communicate between ships using Morse code and a light with shutters that opened and closed.
This just may be an aiming scope for one of those signalling lights

[CINDERS]

#3 is a more plausible thing I feel thanks for the replies always appreciated.

[Flying10uk]

There were also signalling lamps for use by ground troops and I do have an example of the light unit but not the complete outfit. As far as I can remember (I did see the complete set up years ago.) there is a light unit with sight mounted above the lamp, the battery pack and a morse key. I'll have to see if I can find the light unit over the weekend although I think the sight is different on my example.

[Peter Laidler]

Mmmmmm. Op[tically, the small diiameter curvature of the lenses shown in photos 2 and 4 - especially photo 2 - would indicate to me something of a short range nature. But I could be wrong of course and won't bore you with a good example........

[browningautorifle]

Here's a Japanese version for you...identical. By the way, signalling lamps in the navy were referred to as "Aldis lamps".

[Roger Payne]

I've seen a few of those around over the years.........now I know what they're for!

[Gil Boyd]

It does look like a boresight of sorts, or like the ship to ship signalling lamps, just a rough on target line up device IMHO

[Peter Laidler]

They're called 'finder' telescopes. I wonder what the field of view is? During the 60's astronomers - or stargazers - used to use No42 and 53 teles to do the same job.

The answers here are great examples of just what a wide degree of expertise there is on this forum. It never fails to amaze me.........