WW2 british ALDIS lamp signalling daylight short range

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Found the nos tripods I bought years ago. Don't think they are Lucas lamp
Stand. Instrument. No.21 mk5 there is a round leather cap on top.Dated 1943

Those are not for the signalling lamp (or heliograph) but they are part of the complete station. That's the telescope tripod for the signalling or scout telescope. (Sadly, the legs are usually shortened drastically by later owners for use with spotting scopes for rifle shooting.)

The Mk.5 has been around for over a century: the one I just looked at (manufactured by Houghton Butcher (a famous camera company)) is a Mk.5 and dated 1916.

The tripod should have a round wooden block on a string to protect the telescope 'jaws' against crushing when not in use, the leather bucket to cover the top (ditto), and a canvas shoulder sling (with a sleeve that fits over the legs) for carrying. (There was also a specialised bit of horse harness for the cavalry to carry tripods.)

Chris.