Periscope Rifles. World War 1 ANZACs at Gallipoli.

I wrote about the 'Krummlauf' and 'Cornershot' devices earlier (3rd March 2014) - but now realise that I should have included World War 1 periscope devices in the story - so here goes.

It is not known who or even which side in the conflict first had the idea, but soldiers on both sides seem to have been using periscopes from early in the 1914-1918 war.

Sergeant William Beech - May 1915

2nd Battalion Australian Imperial Force 

 

Rifleman and Spotter using a periscope.

 

During the Gallipoli Campaign Sergeant Beech joined together a SMLE .303" rifle and a periscope on a timber frame (he was a builder/foreman in civilian life) using the mirrors image to align the rifles sights on target - and used a string to pull the trigger. These 'periscope rifles' are reputed to have been useable out to a hundred yards range.

 

 

This type of arrangement was soon widely adopted by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who set-up an expedient production unit on the beach at Anzac Cove.

 

                                                                

                                                           

I can remember playing with a toy cardboard periscope as a kid - maybe my dad made it for me or bought it.

- Way back in history Johannes Gutenberg (he of early printed books) marketed a form of periscope in the 1430s for use in crowds at religious festivals.

 

 

               Array of Periscope Trench Rifles from Springfield Armoury.

 

I used to protest that it was laziness that was the "mother of invention" but this proves that indeed it is "necessity" for sure.

 

Marty K