Description
U.S. Army Telescope, Elbow M35 Antiaircraft Battery Commander’s Observation Telescope, Stock No. 7579982
The U.S. Army Telescope, Elbow M35, identified on its nameplate by Stock No. 7579982 and Serial No. 5647, was the battery commander’s main optical telescope on the Antiaircraft Battery Commander’s Observation Instrument M1. This World War II-era instrument supported aerial-target observation, spotting, and angular measurement for U.S. Army antiaircraft units.
The M35 combined an elbow optical layout with selectable 10× and 20× magnification, allowing the observer to maintain a level viewing position while using the complete observation instrument’s traversing and elevating controls.
Historical Significance
The Observation Instrument M1—often called the BC telescope—was part of the optical and fire-control equipment used by World War II antiaircraft batteries. Army technical literature describes the complete instrument as a means of recognizing possible aerial targets, spotting, measuring horizontal and vertical angles, and performing limited orientation work in place of a surveyor’s transit.
The M35 served as the primary telescope in that system. Its selectable magnification and mil-graduated reticle gave the battery commander a more detailed observation channel than the paired fixed-power telescope used by the second observer.
Observation Instrument M1 Relationship
The complete Antiaircraft Battery Commander’s Observation Instrument M1 used two opposed optical units: the Telescope, Elbow M35 as the 10×/20× main telescope and a fixed 8× Telescope, Elbow M2 for the second observer. Their opposed eyepieces allowed the two operators to face one another while observing the same line of sight.
This M35 telescope is one component of that larger observation system, which also used a dedicated mount, tripod, electrical equipment, and packing chests.
What This Item Is and Does
The Telescope, Elbow M35 provided the battery commander with a magnified view of aerial targets and a reticle for spotting and angular measurement. The operator could select either 10× or 20× magnification, focus the eyepiece by its diopter scale, and introduce internal colored filters to reduce glare.
Period Ordnance descriptions specify horizontal and vertical reticle scales graduated in 1-mil intervals for 50 mils in each direction from the center. The telescope also incorporated provision for reticle illumination during night observation.
Key Features
- Official nameplate nomenclature: Telescope, Elbow M35
- Nameplate stock number: 7579982
- Nameplate serial number: 5647
- Documented application: Antiaircraft Battery Commander’s Observation Instrument M1
- Selectable 10× to 20× magnification
- Mil-graduated horizontal and vertical reticle
- Internal colored filters and provision for illuminated night observation
- World War II-era U.S. Army antiaircraft fire-control optic
Why This Item Matters
The M35 represents a specialized optical component from the Army’s World War II antiaircraft command-and-observation system. Its distinctive elbow form, dual-power optics, reticle system, and surviving military identification plate give it strong display and research value within a fire-control, artillery, or military-optics collection.
Because the M35 was the battery commander’s principal telescope rather than a generic field optic, it preserves a direct connection to the observation and coordination equipment used by antiaircraft units.
About This Item
The offered item is the U.S. Army Telescope, Elbow M35 shown in the photographs. Its plate reads TELESCOPE, ELBOW M35, STOCK NO. 7579982, and SERIAL NO. 5647.
The photographed example shows substantial age and storage wear, including heavy dust and soiling, scratches and scuffs, chipped and flaking olive-drab finish, finish loss, and oxidation or discoloration on exposed hardware. The identification plate remains legible. The M35 is a component of the Observation Instrument M1 rather than the complete two-telescope instrument with its mount, tripod, and electrical accessories.
Ideal For
This Telescope, Elbow M35 is a strong fit for:
- World War II U.S. Army equipment collections
- Antiaircraft artillery and fire-control displays
- Military optics and instrument collections
- Museum, restoration, research, or prop reference
Approx length 26", Approx width 16", Approx height 4", Approx weight 16lbs.
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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