American, WW2, M4 Sherman Tank Telescope, Dated 1943

*American, WW2, M4 Sherman Tank Telescope, Dated 1943*

57cm overall length.
Marked "Telescope M70 F. No 47408 H.M.R., W.E.M.Co., 1943, C132086"
Indistinctly marked on the Sun Shade "B177652".

This intriguing telescopic sight, developed in the early 1940s, was used with the M4 Sherman tank. The M4 was utilized by the U.S. Armory & Marine Corp., as well as by British and Canadian forces across Africa, Western Europe, and the Pacific Theater. Unlike its predecessors, the M4 was designed with speed as a primary consideration rather than firepower. Its main role was to support the infantry & needed to keep up with the rapid pace of ground troops.

Initially, tanks lacked a telescopic sight mounted on the gun mount, with the only sight integrated into the gunner’s periscope and lacking magnification. The Sherman Tank's fire control was then enhanced by incorporating a direct telescope mount to the M38A1 gun mount. The M70 F telescope was used on the M4A3 75W Shermans. It featured 3X magnification and a 12-degree, 19-minute field of view. An improved iteration of the earlier M70, this version boasted superior optics and an updated reticle designed for a newer gun.

*Condition*
The telescope is a great piece of WW2 history, it retains some of its original green paint but has some rusting. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

JAQAAOXBOO_7371146884