The Trench Periscope
Looking out over the battlefield from the trench could cost you your head and in turn, your life. Soldiers quickly realized this and the US Army responded with the trench periscope. It is a lokg wooden hollow box about 14 inches in length held together by twisted wire and a wooden stake screwed to the left side for propping up on the ground or sandbags. Inside, there are two mirrors – one on top, and the other on the bottom, angled so they reflect off each other and allowing the user to see out of the top of the periscope while looking into the bottom. Some of these examples had belt hooks as well but the example shown does not have one. Though repainted by a reenactor or collector, the periscope is in the correct color- an OD green.
*Photos courtesy of International Military Antiques
American Militaria Reference
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