Landships II

Roxhan · Private

Artillery Artifact...What is this?

CharlieC · Legend

Possibly prisms for a coincidence range finder. You'll have to wait for the real gurus to see your post for more.

Regards,

Charlie

Roxhan · Private

I believe Charlie is on the correct path to identifying this. Meanwhile, I would like
it to end up where someone who collects these things to have it. The best identification gets it....that's if you would like to have it.

Roxhan · Private

Roxhan wrote:

I believe Charlie is on the correct path to identifying this. Meanwhile, I would like
it to end up where someone who collects these things to have it. The best identification gets it....that's if you would like to have it. The date on the
leather carrying case is 1907. Must be a WWI piece.

�

Rectalgia · Legend

Appears to be the Weldon Range Finder - see March 1905 Notes on Rangefinders etc., Infantry and Cavalry School - p33, Figure 1 Plate II for the instrument (showing the distinctive prism shapes and compass needle), p5 for description of use.

Regards,

Steve

P.S. The Scientific American article reproduced at http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/scientific-american/sup7/Weldon-s-Range-Finder.html is probably a bit clearer.

I think our member Ralph Lovett would be the best beneficiary if you're giving it away (not that I've consulted him). But it should certainly stay in the USA I think.

P.P.S. Ah, I see from reference to http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3504392 that the Weldon was in Australian use as well - that article notes the use of both Watkin and Weldon rangefinders in the report on the activities of the Brisbane Volunteer Rifles on Saturday 23 November 1889.

-- Edited by Rectalgia on Friday 15th of October 2010 07:04:22 PM

Roxhan · Private

Steve,
Thanks for the correct identification. The picture on the web site you referenced
matches the instrument that I have to a tee. The thing is in remarkable good
condition for its 100+ year age. The gentleman I purchased it from had just hung
on to it for some fifty years but didn't know what it was. The internet has help
us in�some ways, eh? I will�contact the individual you mentioned. Thanks!

P.S. I have not yet been successful in using it!

Regards,
Rox

Rectalgia · Legend

Roxhan wrote:

... I have not yet been successful in using it! ...

Ah well, you have to manage that before you pass it on Rox. I understand the official pamphlet (both US and British) was just 9 pages and hopefully reflects some degree of simplicity. What is not described closely in what I have (briefly) read is the use of the "the opening shown in the lid below the prism" - (used in sighting) the description is a little ambiguous, seemingly meant to be made clear when one understands the underlying trigonometry.

Had to giggle at the Brisbane Courier comment that one could dispense with the tape (measure) that went with it if one was "a very accurate pacer over short distances" (that is to set the base for range estimate). Evidently the reporter could not bridge the gap in imagination between exercises and live action. Blessed if I would want to be pacing in measured step at right angles to the front, even at the typical operating ranges of the "long-range snipers" aka artillery gunners. Easy to see why this was not the preferred range finder for machine-gun crews!

That is a most desirable little object despite the "Board on Range and Position Finders" disparaging the type as being "... of English make, and possesses no special merits" when they purchased one (for $25) to use in the testing of their $2000 Improved Lewis Rangefinder - NYT "Army Ordnance Tests" Nov 29, 1894. Yeah, right, a semi-custom Lewis declination scope for the price of a nice house, tested against an instrument worth about 4 years' worth of newspaper subscriptions.

But I digress, most generous of you in parting with it and I'm sure it will be appreciated (and shared with a wide audience) in its new home.

Steve