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    Mystery Leather Scope Case

    I have this leather case that appears to be US Military, but I have not been able to identify it. An M48 Observation Telescope fits inside perfectly. An M49 is too long to fit. It does not look like the M26 or the Bausch & Lomb NRA Model cases that I have. As you can see from the pics, the exposed leather is very weathered or oxidized. But inside the lid you can see the original color of the leather. Can anyone identify what this case is? Thanks.

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    Home made spotting scope or monocular telescope(the pirate kind) case. Highly unlikely to be military issue. They stamp everything. Might be an officer's personal kit brought from home though.
    Those stitches were done by hand vs a sewing machine anything mass produced would have. Buckle looks like it came off a horsey harness too. Kind of odd it doesn't have any verdigris(the copper coming out of the brass).
    The leather is cracked just like any old leather would be. A saddle soap cleaning might help restore it a bit. Mind you, the leather holding the buckle on is not weathered the same as the body. May have been replaced at some time.
    The diameter of the stitching on the lid might help narrow down what was carried. The length and diameter will matter too.
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    Here are the dimensions:
    The OAL with lid installed = 13-3/8"
    Inside length of tube = 13-3/16"
    Outside diameter of base = 3"
    Outside diameter of mouth = 3-1/4"
    Outside diameter of lid = 3-7/16"
    Sides of lid = 1-1/4"

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    Hi. The 13-3/16" means it's for a pretty serious telescoping/collapsible scope. A telescope that long closed is a fairly big scope. It could still be a spotting scope case though.
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    I'm pretty sure it is a spotting scope case. It came with this telescope stand. The name on it says "J.W. Crolley, New Kensington PA". Looks like maybe he made both the stand and the case.
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    "...came with this telescope stand..." There's the answer. Could still be a collapsible scope being used as a spotting scope. That's the thing with having part of kit. I have stuff like that too. Have my pop's button polishing stick. Doesn't look like the ones on the internet though. Flat brass rounded on the ends with a slot. If you didn't know what it was you'd go nuts.
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