Scherenfernrohr

Always wanted to build one of these but never got round to it I found the actual equipment wouldn`t be too hard to reproduce it was the tripod I copuld not source. Will follow this with interest, let us know how you get on if you are going to build one.

Yes I am looking at building one, but not a replica, more of a working look-a-like prop, it will utilise mirrors not prisms which I believe the original used, which will hopefully be good enough for airsoft, and I'm thinking of using a modified artists easel for the tripod, but the hinge mechanism will be totally different as I can't figure out how to do it with the resources I have at hand. I was wanting dimensions so I can get the proportions about right, but I can probably estimate them from photos. I'll post some photos if I get something together.

Could you use an old pair of wooden crutches? Take the handle out in the middle and replace armpad with single strip of wood. Then it will just be simple hinge onto a central plate where the optics will be attached. Hope that makes sense it did in my head.

Trawl some army surplus stores (big ones). I saw a few bits of old surveying equipment in them years ago, including wooden tripods. I'll have a look up my way see if there are still any about.

I am progressing with this, slowly , but I've given up on trying to get the optics decent , I was originally planning on grafting a set of small binoculars to provide magnification, but the mirrors I'm using are acrylic (so I could cut them to shape) so not good enough quality, and it just magnified a blur, probably just as well as trying to line everything up and get the angles right is a nightmare, you will be able to see something through them, but it will be small and better with one eye shut . I've got an easel to use as the tripod and I think that will look okay, just waiting for some rubber eye cups coming so I can make the end caps and then I'll get it painted and post some pictures, hopefully it will suffice as a prop

Some "in progress" photos...
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I've used 45mm aluminium tube for the "tubes" (available on ebay in various sizes), and 90° 40mm plastic drainage pipe joint (from B&Q) for the right angle joint and mirror holders. I had to cut the acrylic mirror to an oval shape to sit at 45° inside these joints. I had originally experimented with the binoculars and some small glass mirrors and the concept worked fine, but when I'd built the first "tube" the view was blurred and I couldn't understand why, so I repeated the experiment with the acrylic mirror I'd used and it was blurred, while the front on quality was okay, viewing at 45° it was blurred presumably down to the quality of the plastic. I've kept the drainage pipe compression joint at the top front so I can mount a piece of Perspex in it and replace it if it gets cracked by a BB.

Liking it

Looking good already !

good stuff.

Did you end up getting some dimensions or is it guestamate? I was wondering how long the Ally tubes were/

No I couldn't find any drawings so it's just guesstimated from photos, the tube I bought was 600mm long so I just cut it in half which seemed about right

No I couldn't find any drawings so it's just guesstimated from photos, the tube I bought was 600mm long so I just cut it in half which seemed about right

Any chance you can sling me the link where you got the tube from
Cheers
Gordon

Looking really good!

Finally finished...
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... and the view through them ...
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I'm a little disappointed with the optics to be honest, but the original was actually quite a complex precision bit of kit, being binoculars, periscope and range finder all in one, so perhaps that was a little adventurous, but I think they could be improved with better quality mirrors and having mirrors that could be adjusted would help with lining them up better, maybe a future update or MkII , and I know the case isn't right but it'll do

Look ace buddy. don't be too hard on yourself you will get the bonus when you don't have to stick your head up to see what is about.

Looks awesome. Well done!

Nice work haven`t really started mine yet just getting the materials together lookingforward to seeing them in the flesh

Great job! Looking forward to seeing them at a game.

Cheers
Martin