
Most snipers now operate in teams, with one as the shooter and one as the observer. The telescope on the rifle is fine for the shooter putting the bullets onto the target, but finding the target can require higher power magnifications, especially when great distances and camouflage are involved. Binoculars can be used to supplement the rifle scope for searching for targets but it was found that telescopes are better. These are high power telescopes that were either handheld, or more usually, mounted on a small tripod. They were usually 20 power (20X) or greater. Optical clarity, avoidance of fogging, weather resistance and weight are all factors in their selection. Telescopes were used by other Army personnel such as Artillery Observers, Signallers and by Naval personnel. Some models were unique to sniper and others were more generic.
- Scout Regiment Telescope MK. IIS – This was the standard British sniping observer’s telescope throughout WWII and into the 1990s.
- Telescope, Observing, Sniper’s C MK. I (aka TOS C MK.I) – This was developed by R.E.L. in Canada to replace the Scout Regiment Telescope.
- Bushnell Spacemaster II (20X) – In use by Canada during the 1970s and 1980s alongside the C3A1 sniper rifle. (Ref. B-0L-309-005 FT-001 78-04-14)
- Leupold commercial spotting scope – Canadian Army issue in Afghanistan.
- U.S. M49 Observation Telescope – These seem to have been used from WWII at least through to Vietnam.
- Periscope – The Soviets used periscopes a lot in WWII. Their sniping was often in city rubble, so being able to observe without exposing oneself was crucial.
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Link to my page Sniper Rifles & Snipers
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Link to my page on Photographs of Snipers
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Link to my page on the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (T) Sniper Rifle
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Link to my page – No. 4 Mk. I (T) Sniper Equipment Markings
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Link to my page – Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I (T) – Furniture
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Link to my page – Long Branch Scout Sniper’s Rifle 1943-1944
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Link to my page – R.E.L. Scope Case C No. 8 Mk. 2
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Link to my page – Sniper Scope Tools
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Link to my page – Sniping Observation Telescopes
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Link to my page – “Shoot To Live” book 1945 Canadian Army
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Link to my page – World War II sniper rifles which shows where the No. 4 (T) rifles fitted in with its contemporaries.
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Link to Forgotten Weapons video on YouTube about a No. 4 Mk. I (T), a 1944 BSA Shirley rifle R35125, scope No. 32 Mk. 3 # 24571 at RIA Rock Island Auctions 2018
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OTHER WEB SITES TO LOOK FOR
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MILSURPS.COM https://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72
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MILSURPS.COM From No4 Mk I (T) to L42 AI – Part 1 (by Graeme ‘broadarrow303’ Barber)
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MILSURPS.COM 1944 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch TP (Trade Pattern) Sniper Rifle
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MILSURPS.COM 1943-44 Enfield No.4 Mk1* Experimental Long Branch ‘Scout’ Sniper Rifle
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