Description
T149E1 / M100 Panoramic Artillery Telescope, NSN 1240-00-344-4668
The T149E1 / M100 panoramic artillery telescope, identified on the military storage package by NSN 1240-00-344-4668, is a gunner's optical sight for artillery azimuth reference and indirect laying. The package is marked as containing one telescope
Army documentation associates this sight with the M52 and M52A1 105 mm self-propelled howitzers, the M53 155 mm self-propelled gun, and the M55 8-inch self-propelled howitzer. On these systems, the telescope served as a mounted fire-control instrument rather than a handheld observation telescope.
Historical Significance
The T149E1/M100 belongs to the fire-control equipment developed for the U.S. Army's early Cold War generation of enclosed, tracked self-propelled artillery. Its use across the M52, M53, and M55 families linked one panoramic sight design with 105 mm, 155 mm, and 8-inch artillery systems.
Period Army manuals show the transition from the developmental T149E1 designation to the standardized M100 designation. This marked package preserves that connection between experimental nomenclature, standardized equipment, and later military supply records.
T149E1, M100, and M100C Designations
The exterior package identifies the contents as T149E1. Army field manuals identify T149E1 as the panoramic telescope used with the M52 and identify the standardized sight as Panoramic Telescope M100 on the M53 and M55. Later cataloging also associates NSN 1240-00-344-4668 with the M100C configuration. The package identity is therefore preserved as T149E1/M100, with M100C noted as a later configuration cataloged under the same stock number.
What This Item Is and Does
The T149E1/M100 is a mounted gunner's panoramic telescope. Its rotating optical head and graduated azimuth controls provided a sight line to an aiming reference while the crew laid the artillery piece in direction. The instrument includes a coarse azimuth scale, micrometer scale, azimuth counter, elevation control, and eyepiece as shown in the Army's original illustrations.
This role is distinct from a handheld spotting or observation telescope. The sight formed part of the weapon's mounted fire-control equipment and worked with the telescope mount and the vehicle's laying controls.
Key Features
- Package nomenclature: T149E1 panoramic telescope
- Standardized designation: Panoramic Telescope M100
- National Stock Number: 1240-00-344-4668
- Package quantity marking: One telescope
- Function: Mounted panoramic azimuth and indirect-fire sight
- Documented applications: M52/M52A1 105 mm howitzer, M53 155 mm gun, and M55 8-inch howitzer self-propelled artillery
- Packaging: Sealed military storage package with desiccant-preservation markings dating to approximately 1978
- Packaging contractor: Champion Packages; this marking does not identify the telescope manufacturer
Why This Item Matters
A sealed, marked T149E1/M100 package preserves more than the optic alone. Its exterior data ties the telescope to its military stock number, period preservation method, and place within the Army's artillery fire-control system. That makes it useful as a reference artifact for military optics collections, restoration research, and displays centered on Cold War self-propelled artillery.
About This Item
The offered T149E1/M100 panoramic artillery telescope remains in a sealed military storage package marked NSN 1240-00-344-4668 and quantity one. The preservation markings indicate desiccant packaging from approximately 1978. Champion Packages is identified as the packaging contractor, not as the telescope manufacturer.
The packaged telescope is documented for the M52 and M52A1 105 mm self-propelled howitzers, M53 155 mm self-propelled gun, and M55 8-inch self-propelled howitzer. It served as the mounted gunner's panoramic sight used for azimuth reference and indirect laying on these vehicles.
All items are opened from the original packaging to verify its condition before shipment. If your prefer to receive an item in its original, unopened packaging, please indicate your request in the order comments at checkout. Please Note: If you request an item in its original, unopened packaging, we are unable to verify the item's condition prior to shipment.
Ideal For
This sealed military optical instrument is well suited for:
- U.S. military optics and fire-control collectors
- M52, M52A1, M53, and M55 restoration reference or static displays
- Museum and educational exhibits on Cold War self-propelled artillery
- Military technology and artillery fire-control research
- Film, television, and prop departments seeking a documented period artillery sight
Approx length 35", Approx width 11", Approx height 8", Approx weight 32 lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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