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Field Improvised Trench Periscope


johnny12550
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Found this WWI Trench Periscope? That's what it looks like to me. I have searched the web and found examples, but nothing in this form. It does work and has some type of marking to the front as seen in the pics. Any help in identification would be appreciated.

 

Thanks-John

post-129350-0-47823500-1441460794.jpg

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Very unusual, but interesting. It appears to have been hand made from a crate. The I.C.C. marking stands for the Interstate Commerce Commission, and would have been in reference to the original contents of the crate.

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I see that the I.C.C was initially involved with the railroads in the United States. Could it maybe have been used by one of the numerous railway battalions that went to France during the war. My understanding is that they recruited seasoned railroad workers to handle the railways and transportation of equipment towards the front. The only problem with my theory is why would a railway man need the periscope? I thought their trip ended at a forward base and they would return to the rear to transport more supplies. There really would be no need for any of them to be at a forward trench just yards away from the enemy.

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Just some extra info: It may have been made with pieces of some type of box, but it was made well. There are slots below the letters ( pic 2) that facilitate the opening of the panel should a mirror be broken and need changing. Also the inside of the periscope walls has slots in the wood where the mirrors slide in and out should one be broken and needs replacement.

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