Mystery AVC item

**plbramham** · 03-28-2013, 05:24 PM

Can anyone identify the purpose of this mystery First World War item please?
I would normally have said it was some sort of pocket gun sight or surveying item (theodolite/ rangefinder?) but it was with a variety of items from a Sergeant in the AVC which came directly from his daughter so it is not a case of it being mixed up with another man’s possessions by while in a dealers stock . It is made of blackened brass, 5 inches long, extending to about 7 inches with the sliding tube. It has a spirit level on the top and crosshairs on the glass lens. The barrel is engraved “Cooke, Troughton & Simms Ltd London & York”, and is in a quality fitted leather case. There are no military markings of any kind on it. ( and of course the rular is there just to show scale.)
The other items with it were most certainly of a veterinary nature: a riding crop, blood stick, blood-letting fleam with multiple blades, reusable metal syringe & case, & mechanical shears.
Can anyone help ? I’m sure that it is totally non- AVC, why would you want a spirit level when treating a horse? !!!
Regards Paul

**SteveR** · 03-29-2013, 01:39 AM

It is for rectal exams. You stick it in the guys rectum and look through it to see the colon. i wouldn't touch any brown crusty stuff on the edges though.

**Thanatos** · 03-29-2013, 02:04 AM

Gday
Cooke Troughton and Simms made a variety of optical equipment both civil and military.
My guess on this one is it's a civil spotting telescope,either for surveying or general use.
It's a nice object IMO.
Cheers
Dave

**plbramham** · 03-29-2013, 10:02 AM

by SteveR

It is for rectal exams. You stick it in the guys rectum and look through it to see the colon. i wouldn't touch any brown crusty stuff on the edges though.

Hi thanks for that, but why the built in spirit level if it's to go up horses backsides? Cheers Paul.

**plbramham** · 03-29-2013, 01:53 PM

I have discovered that the full company name - "Cooke, Troughton & Simms Ltd London & York" was not used until amalgamation in 1922, so this must be a post war item used by the Sergeant in his later civilian occupation
I have received this reply to the same posting I placed on The Border Regiment Forum (The Border Regiment Forum • Index page )
“ There are several Google hits for "Cooke, Troughton & Simms". The instrument looks to be some kind of specialist level. There are some illustrated here: ICE Museum Collection
The firm was an amalgamation in 1922 of Cooke & Sons and Troughton & Simms. In 1924 it became wholly owned by Vickers."

Paul