Original Item: Only One Available. From the wonderful Telescope Collection we purchased last year in England this is a Classic Officer’s private purchase, top of the line three draw trench telescope. It is marked on the smallest barrel by the eyepiece with the maker and model information:
(Broad Arrow)
T. T. & H. Ltd.
1917
No. 30363
**
TEL. SIG.(MK IV) ALSO G.S.
This information indicates that this was an official military pattern. By the middle of the war, they were producing MkIII and then MkIV Telescopes, so this is a later war example. It is also marked on the inner barrel with the owners rank and name:
CAP.T K. W. GREENE
SUFFOLK REG.
Captain Kenneth Woolaston Greene was an officer in the Suffolk Regiment during WWI. As the Regiment had two Battalions, it had not been amalgamated as part of the Numerous reforms, and had a history spanning back to the Duke of Norfolk’s Regiment of Foot, which was raised in 1685.
The telescope comes complete with a forward extending sun shade, giving it a length of 36 1/4″ when fully extended and only 11 1/2″ when fully closed/compressed. Both the sun shade and the main barrel still retain their leather covering, though the covering has shrunken at bit. Still it is very nice, with a great color and no major damage. The shoulder strap is unfortunately missing. The optics appear clear and the telescope is fully functional.
A Classic Officer’s Accessory from the Trench War on the Western Front.