Greetings all, Recently picked up a bargain ''tank'' periscope. Looks similar to a US army M6 (as used in Sherman/Lee/Grant/Stuart) but about half the size. All internet searches turn up a blank except two previously for sale marked ''M3 Stuart or M8 Greyhound'' but I've not found any corroborating information to support this. Can anyone provide further identification? Markings are as follows: PERISCOPE TYPE MPLS. HON. REG. {stands for the manufacturer Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Company PART NO. WC341 NO. 1942 Looking through the mirrors there's a dividing vertical line if this helps.
Bumping an old post up the list. An update so far, got funny looks comparing the size against any US armour I could find at the Tank Museum last weekend to no avail. However, I'm confident to discount: M4a1 (early) M3 grant M3 lee M3 Stuart Ram M8 greyhound Staghound M3 half-track Current hypothesis, M22 locust (though presume this is M6), M2 light, or m2 medium. Purely based on early date, unless it's not from an afv at all, in which case I'm stumped.
Here is (I believe) the same item, on eBay.uk Original WW2 Tank Periscope Type C. 1942. MPLS. HON. REG. Part W0341 | eBay UK
Looking thru my TM, I‘ll post what I find. I did check the TM for M3 Stuart, but it does not seem to have a similar vision block to this M4A2 - similar, but I don’t think this is it TM 9-731B Technical Manual Medium Tank M4A2 1943
TM 9-759 Technical Manual Medium Tank M4A3 1942 Manual ‘mentions’ protected vision blocks (6 of them) but does NOT give you any details TM 9-752 TANK, MEDIUM M4A3 1944 Doesn’t give you any photo’s or data on “vision devices’
Information on the M6 periscope. This author says it was used on various tanks. Photo’s are “similar’ to yours WW2 US Tank Periscope And another on all models of periscopes M4 Series Fire Control: How the Sherman aimed its gun | The Sherman Tank Site
Of course I have no way of knowing (this could be yours) but this site was selling an exact duplicate of your photo’s……but doesn’t say what it was from or used on, put givesa clear photo of the info, part no, and date etc WW2 Periscope type C 1942
Looked up the Staghound, just for interest and the photo’s in the manual do seem to be the same type as your photo’s, but their not to clear so I’ve posted the info for you to look at TM9-1741C MEDIUM ARMOURED CAR T17E1 Source: TM 9-1741C Ordnance Maintenance: Chassis, Hull and Turret for Medium Armored Car T17E1 : United States. War Department : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive I hope more knowledge members might jump in here and help with this. Cheers
Hi Temujin, Some great resources, thank you for taking the time to post these. I'm coming to the conclusion that ruling out is the way to go. It appears that pretty neat all US armour standardised on the M6 and derivatives (eg m13 the gunners variant) which is about a third larger than mine. I did get the chance to check a staghound at Bovington, the drivers positions are definitely the larger M6, and I couldn't reach the TC\G positions but appeared to be the same; this marries with the Pam you sent as it includes a retainer lock screw which appear on the larger M6 but not mine. That is indeed the one I purchased, this is the only reference I've seen of one being sold which actually mentions specific vehicles. But the AAAM appears to have mistaken it for the much more common M6. The mystery continues, thank you again for your help.
An update, with a possible solution. Going through some general tank distractions I came across this picture of Monty in the turret of an M3 Grant in North Africa: The hatch periscope looks very similar to an M6 but is missing the distinctive lower hook and appears to be attached by a slot and knob on the side: Which appear to be similar to those on mine: Here's a view of the mount from the Chieftain 'Inside the Hatch' video of a Grant with the two slots visible, and with his hand as a rough scaling tool that looks about right for size: So, a lead; even if it was one earlier discounted. Doing some digging it appears that even though the Lee had only protectoscopes, the British tank commission specified the Grant must have a periscope fitted for the TC and Driver. Latest Theory, this is a Grant TC/Drivers periscope before US vehicles were standardized on the M6 used in the M4...I wonder if the very early Shermans like Michael had the same? Woud certainly explain why this type is thin on the ground. However, without an image of this periscope outside the protective mount, or a manual for the Grant turret with illustrations I can't be 100%, although I'm fairly confident. Thanks again for your hard work Temujin, will post again once I can confirm the identity.
Trying to see if I can find additional information about the M3 Grant/Lee for you. Found this info, again it doesn’t see to be the right periscope but posting it anyway. I realize this was a Lee, but still looking for more info on the GRANT Source: Medium Tank M3 Lee
Many thanks. Yes I've not found much either. It appears the gunners periscope was the same one fitted to both Lee and Grant. But the Grant was the only one to feature them for driver and TC. Like that pictured most of the museum ones I've found references fir have lost theirs...I suppose if I can find one with the slot and persuade the museum I could see if it fits, a Cinderella slipper situation haha.
