WWII U.S. Army M17 Elbow Telescopes by Honeywell, 1943 – Pair with Wood Box

Offered here is an exceptional pair of U.S. Army M17 Elbow Telescopes, manufactured in 1943 by the Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, one of America’s premier wartime suppliers of precision optics. These rugged instruments were designed for use with heavy artillery and armored vehicles, providing gunners with accurate sighting capability from a protected position. Their distinctive “elbow” design allowed operators to aim comfortably within confined spaces such as tanks or behind artillery shields.

Each unit retains its original data plate: one marked M17 No. 77611 A.C.R. and the other M17 No. 132990 A.C.R., with additional stamped numbers D43795 and C78175. Both are fitted with a rotating filter selector offering Clear, Neutral, Amber, and Red settings — an innovative feature for adapting to changing light, smoke, or night operations. The set includes a clamp stamped B172948 and comes housed in its original wooden military storage box, impressed D-82790.

The M17 was most commonly paired with the 155mm M1917 Howitzer and also served in tank and anti-aircraft roles. These optics played a vital role in enabling the overwhelming firepower that defined U.S. artillery support during World War II. Rugged cast housings, olive drab finish, and durable construction speak to their battlefield origins.

For collectors, these are more than just optical instruments — they are tangible artifacts of wartime engineering and ingenuity. Minneapolis-Honeywell, better known today as Honeywell International, shifted much of its production during WWII to support America’s war effort, producing bombsights, guidance systems, and sighting optics such as these. Surviving paired examples, still boxed, are increasingly rare and highly sought after by militaria enthusiasts, artillery historians, and museums alike.

Condition:

Good overall, with scratches, finish wear, and age-appropriate loss consistent with field use. Wear noted to eyepieces, but optics remain intact and filter dials turn properly. Wood box shows scuffs and handling marks but retains full function and adds significantly to provenance.

Dimensions:

• Each telescope: 7" H x 5" W x 11" D
• Box: 7.5" H x 11.5" W x 13.5" D
• Weight (each elbow): 4 lbs 7.2 oz

Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo

Few artifacts connect us so directly to the lived experience of WWII gunners. Looking through these very scopes, an artilleryman in 1943 may have sighted distant enemy positions across Europe or the Pacific. Today, they stand as tangible links to the human stories of war, resilience, and innovation.