British F.T.37 Rangefinder

[Luis Bren]

Another Bristish stuff to my collection

Wiki say:
F.T. 37
It is unknown when this device came into service. It is very similar to the F.T. 27, this device was available in an 80 cm base length and possibly also in 1m. The editor owns three -- one complete with its storage box, which also contains an M.B. 4 and M.E. 6 mounting. The M.E. 6 mounting is a very heavy piece of metal! A bill of materials in the box indicates that it is for an F.T. 36, though the outer stamp indicates F.T. 37. The F.T. 37's minimum convergence distance is 250 yards. It appears that its scale illumination is to be provided by a small electric lamp, as several bulbs are packed neatly in the box and the device lacks the handy flip-up cover found on most (all?) F.T. 27s. The bill of material indicates 2 volt accumulators (batteries) would be supplied in the box.
The F.T. 37 had rubber masks to comfortably receive the rangetaker's face as he peered through it.

This seem to be a F.T. 37s , but no found information in the web..















More info are welcome!

Regards

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Luis Bren]

Two men of the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment use a range finder during a firing practice in Palestine.

[henry r]

Judging by the language on the controls it was made for a foreign contract. Possibly why it is a type (well tipo) 37 not 36.

I must admit I'm exceedingly jealous, I've wanted a small range finder since i was a kid but never found the "right" one.

[Peter Laidler]

We had a couple of these and the user technical handbook. They were part of the Vickers MMG ancillary kit, like the director and stand etc etc.... but I digress! To be honest, the range takers must have had a degree in difficult sums to read, make sense of and come up with an answer. Total hieroglyphics to me! I could never understand why they needed them (the rangefinders, not the men..). After all, if they were firing by map and compass or indirect fire or OHF/compass, then they could accurately get the range from the OS map! That's what they do with the GPMG.

Re the photo.... note that the range finder is mated and accurately scraped and fitted to the stand, both of which are shown and numbered on the chest. Also note the rexine covering sewn over the brass rangefinder tube. We used this brown or green rexine to re-cover binos and Sct Reg telescopes - as well as lorry/vehicle seats!

[Luis Bren]

Dear Peter!
Thanks for your comments.
I got two manuals downloaded from the web. One from 1915 and another from 1933.
This rangefinder I got seems to have dovetails to install illuminators.
And in these manuals does not indicate what is the lamp to be used.
Will your manuals indicate those lighting fixtures?









Thanks in advance!

[Peter Laidler]

I don't know the answer BUT I seem to remember that the lights came in a little box that also contained the batteries. The main lead plugged into the box and the lead then split into 3 ways(?) and the actual lights were enclosed in sleeves that slid onto dovetails on the side of the rangefinder and lit up the reticle scales. The batteries were 1.5v and 1.25" x 1.25" square and 4" or so tall with screw-down terminals. A similar set-up was used for the GAP lamps, 3" mortar and the early C2 sight for the 81mm mortar - before the nuclear lamps used now.

I wouldn't mind betting that someone on this forum has one of these lamp boxes and doesn't know what it is. He will now! Like someone else I know had a load of 'things' in a big box that turned out to be rare Vickers Gun Aiming Posts for setting up the guns in the indirect fire role! Have you got rid of them all yet Brian?

[bigduke6]

A mate of mine collects range finders, and Binoculars (mainly Barr& Stroud) a slightly strange pastime is when he goes out and uses the range finders...... it normally keeps him out the pub for at least 4 hours......

[Luis Bren]

I want collects all ww2 british army but i wish had time and money to collects another military stuff
Another Argentina Surplus Range Finder can found in my country

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