+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Scout Regiment tripod

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Devils Own's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    03-12-2013 @ 06:31 AM
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    83
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:55 PM

    Scout Regiment tripod

    Hello Everybody

    I picked up a 1942 NZicon telescope tripod at the War and Death Show at Paddock Wood. I want to use it at the range but it needs some adjustments. Can anybody answer a few questions?

    1. It is 28 inches high. Why is it such a ridiculous height? It can't be used prone (too high) and it can't be used kneeling or sitting (too low). Any ideas? I am thinking to cut it down to 20 inches so I can use it prone - otherwise its not much use to me. Or would this be a bad bubba-ing? I know they are around in the more useful 20 inch format.

    2. What was used to keep all of the legs together during transport - was it a leather strap for instance?

    3. What kind of carrying strap was attached to the brass fitting on the leg and the brass attachment on the telescope ferrule? Any idea where I can get one?

    4. Was there some kind of wooden plug on a string that fits into the clamp when the telescope is not in it? Any idea where I can get one?

    5. Was there any kind of soft covering inside the clamp to avoid damaging the scope?

    All views are gratefully received.

    Cheers

    Steve
    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.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel Son's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 07:30 AM
    Location
    On the right side of Australia, below the middle and a little bit in from the edge.
    Posts
    1,239
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    01:55 AM
    Ok, it sounds like you have a "Stand, Instrument, No21 MkV"
    It wasn't specifically for the Tel Sct Regt, but could be used with it. Initially it was probably intended for use by signallers where the observer was seated on the ground.
    I have seen quite a few tripods of the same type only shorter offered from time to time- IIRC most of these had WW1 dates on them. I don't know if they were made this way or modified.

    The tripod has a leather loop on a canvas strap to hold the legs together when closed. It buckles to the leather cap that protects the top and forms a sling for carrying. The wooden "plug" for the bracket is just round with a string connected to one end. You could make one up from an appropriate sized dowel or old shovel handle or something.
    The top clamp on mine I lined with a little stick on felt to protect the tube of my telescopes.

    Here's a couple of relevant pics to help answer your questions.
    One other point, It may be worth looking for a little Parker Hale tripod like the white one in the pic below. I have used it on the range with a little felt around the 'scope tube under the springs and prefer it to the taller one (which I wouldn't cut)

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Devils Own's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    03-12-2013 @ 06:31 AM
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    83
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:55 PM
    Thread Starter
    "Ok, it sounds like you have a "Stand, Instrument, No21 MkV"


    That's the job, thanks Son,

    Was there a different tripod specifically meant for the telescope?

    Even sitting down a guy must have been some kind of midget or contortionist to get down to this. I could do with it being 6" higher to use it comfortably.

    I would expect that many of these may have been cut down to personal preference during WW2 - it would seem the obvious thing to do, especially by the colonial boys. But I am loathed to destroy the true originality really.

    Cheers

    Steve

    ---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 PM ----------

    Actually, I could make some shorter legs and keep the originals in storage.

    Steve

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel Son's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 07:30 AM
    Location
    On the right side of Australia, below the middle and a little bit in from the edge.
    Posts
    1,239
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    01:55 AM
    Making new legs sounds like a great idea. You could use either wood or light metal tube to whatever height suits best.

  7. #5
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,651
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:55 AM
    There was a short legged version as well. I used to have one and will check and see if I have a photo.
    “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.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

  8. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    colonel blimp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Last On
    01-22-2015 @ 04:20 PM
    Posts
    22
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:55 PM
    Son - the shorter Parker Hale Tripod - do you know if these saw service issue ? I had one of these given to me with my Scout Reg. Telescope a couple of years ago and wondered whether it was remotely right for 'field' use. Now, I'm not a shooter I'm one of those dreaded WW2 re-enactors whose 4T is, in reality, just a paperweight and I haven't taken it out on display as I was unsure of its 'correctness' for WW2.

    Thanks for any sort of reply on this as it's been a conundrum, wrapped in an enigma for a while and it would be nice to take it out to play if there was a chance it was correct - otherwise it stays in the attic with the rest of the kit

    Paul

  9. #7
    Advisory Panel Son's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 07:30 AM
    Location
    On the right side of Australia, below the middle and a little bit in from the edge.
    Posts
    1,239
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    01:55 AM
    Hi, Paul.
    I don't think the Parker Hale tripod was ever an issue item. I think they came about shortly after WW2 when there probably was a large quantity of quality surplus military telescopes available for fullbore shooters. (maybe someone has a Parker Hale catalog that might date them)

  10. Thank You to Son For This Useful Post:


  11. #8
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-24-2024 @ 09:52 AM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,507
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:55 PM
    I agree with Son. Lots of the small bore rifle clubs had the short stands with their cheap ex WD scout reg scopes during the 50's right up until probably, even today. My sons school CCF bought 6 scout reg scopes in the 60's for 16 shillings each (that's 80pence today). They still have their short stands that I imagined were just cut down heliograph stands or Stand Instrument as stated by Son once again.

    The actual stands were used in the instrument shops for all manner of applications

  12. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Peter Laidler For This Useful Post:


  13. #9
    Legacy Member Steve H. in N.Y.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 09:17 AM
    Location
    You get one guess
    Posts
    525
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    10:55 AM
    FWIW, I browsed through my limited collection of PH catalogs and found their short-legged "Sensitive" tripod available from at least 1935 to 1977. That's the one with the coil springs. An early catalog also lists "renovated" military tripods with short or medium length legs with the clamp/wingnut arrangement to hold the telescope.

  14. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Steve H. in N.Y. For This Useful Post:


  15. #10
    Advisory Panel Son's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 07:30 AM
    Location
    On the right side of Australia, below the middle and a little bit in from the edge.
    Posts
    1,239
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    01:55 AM
    Thankyou Steve H. I'd say that would explain everything! Unless there is a LoC entry showing mods to shorten tripods, or a pic of a shortened military tripod in service.....

    I'll have a look through the LoC index and see what I can find, bearing in mind the books I have only go to 1926.

  16. Thank You to Son For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Scout Regiment Telescope lens check
    By MikB in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-01-2009, 05:32 PM
  2. Scout Regiment Telescope (Instruction Manual)
    By Badger in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-11-2007, 08:30 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks