Description
An original military-issue field monocular telescope, finished in non-reflective blackened metal and fitted with a side-mounted spirit level / clinometer assembly, indicating use for surveying, artillery sighting, or field engineering work.
This type of instrument was designed for observation and angle measurement, rather than simple viewing, and is typical of WWI–WWII era military optical equipment.
How the Instrument Works:
When viewing through the telescope:
- Half of the circular field of view shows the external scene.
- The other half shows a spirit level bubble with a horizontal reference bar
- By adjusting the angle of the telescope, the bubble can be aligned centrally against the horizontal bar
- This allows the user to determine and maintain a level or specific viewing angle while observing
This split-field viewing system confirms the instrument’s sighting and levelling function, commonly used for alignment, range observation, and field positioning tasks.
Features & Construction:
- Solid metal construction with matte black military finish
- Side-mounted housing containing the integrated spirit level / clinometer
- Compact monocular telescope design
- Pull-out eyepiece tube for focus adjustment
- Supplied with original brown leather carry case
- Objective lens: 18 mm
- Length: 130mm (closed) – 150mm (extended)
- Weight: 115 g
Condition:
Clean lenses and clear image viewing. Body shows wear, scratches and patina consistent with military service. Leather case shows wear and ageing but remains intact and functional.
This is a genuine early 20th-century military optical instrument, ideal for:
- Military history collectors
- WWI / WWII displays
- Scientific or surveying instrument collections
- Industrial or study décor
