Telescope or rifle stand? (John C. J. KNOTT. A K-B product)

Bendy_House

Ok, this doesn't fit in the DIY section, but I can't find a more relevant forum on this site - now't 'antique' or similar?

Anyhoo, I just bought a stunning 1915 3-draw telescope locally, and the guy gave me this folding stand he used with it. It's more recent - I'm guessing ~1950 - as it was around that time the K-B business existed; I think it folded in 1955.

When trying to research the owner/manufacturer - John CJ Knott - it turns out he was more into rifles than telescopes (and fired in the Olympics), so I wonder if this is actually a field rifle stand and not for telescopes? Can't find any info about it on t'web.

What are folk's thoughts? The stand is unfortunately too wide when unfolded to allow it to sit in its intended location - a bookshelf - so the telescope (a thing of real beauty) will have to sit or stand on its own

(The support is around 1' high above floor level, each leg ~14" long.)

Thanks.

Bendy_House

Thank you - it is. It has a leather case, too, although the stitching has partly gone, but that just adds to its character.

ROSS make, so well-regarded.

Section62

Bendy_House said:

When trying to research the owner/manufacturer - John CJ Knott - it turns out he was more into rifles than telescopes (and fired in the Olympics), so I wonder if this is actually a field rifle stand and not for telescopes? Can't find any info about it on t'web.

Telescopes are used in target shooting to check the accuracy of the shot, so the two really go hand in hand. 

See the copies of The Marksman journal towards the end of this page for contemporary examples of telescopes and rests in use....

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/John_Knott.html

If you asked me to guess I'd suggest the broad 'V' shape of the top of the rest is more suited to a larger diameter item like a telescope than a relatively small diameter rifle barrel. Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think you'd normally use a rest like that with a rifle.

JGB1955

My husband (a Lee Enfield shooter) tells me that it's a 'spotting scope stand'. 

Bendy_House

Fab - thank you all! That's pretty conclusive, then. Lawdie, what a good 'DIY' forum!

Bendy_House

Section62 said:

Telescopes are used in target shooting to check the accuracy of the shot, so the two really go hand in hand. 

See the copies of The Marksman journal towards the end of this page for contemporary examples of telescopes and rests in use....

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/John_Knott.html

If you asked me to guess I'd suggest the broad 'V' shape of the top of the rest is more suited to a larger diameter item like a telescope than a relatively small diameter rifle barrel. Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think you'd normally use a rest like that with a rifle.

I had looked at that magazine, but can't see what you're referring to. There's 26 pages in all? Where are the stands? Cheers.

Section62

Bendy_House said:

Section62 said:

Telescopes are used in target shooting to check the accuracy of the shot, so the two really go hand in hand. 

See the copies of The Marksman journal towards the end of this page for contemporary examples of telescopes and rests in use....

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/John_Knott.html

If you asked me to guess I'd suggest the broad 'V' shape of the top of the rest is more suited to a larger diameter item like a telescope than a relatively small diameter rifle barrel. Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think you'd normally use a rest like that with a rifle.

I had looked at that magazine, but can't see what you're referring to. There's 26 pages in all? Where are the stands? Cheers.

Electronic image 20 of the July 1950 edition - not exactly the same stand, but demonstrates the use of a telescope on a stand of that height (convenient for use in the prone position) whilst the rifle is held conventionally with two hands.

Ditto on electronic image 13 of the September 1950 edition.  The second shooter from the camera position (adjacent to the '56' marker) looks like they might have one with a 'wing' design similar to yours, rather than the normal tripod design.

Bendy_House

Section62 said:

Electronic image 20 of the July 1950 edition - not exactly the same stand, but demonstrates the use of a telescope on a stand of that height (convenient for use in the prone position) whilst the rifle is held conventionally with two hands.

Ditto on electronic image 13 of the September 1950 edition.  The second shooter from the camera position (adjacent to the '56' marker) looks like they might have one with a 'wing' design similar to yours, rather than the normal tripod design.

Thanks! That's beyond forensic :-)

Eldi_Dos

That was a good find, can I ask are you intending to polish it up or keep it with the patina of use, it is a question I often ask myself when dealing with older pieces of equipment.

Bendy_House

Eldi_Dos said:

That was a good find, can I ask are you intending to polish it up or keep it with the patina of use, it is a question I often ask myself when dealing with older pieces of equipment.

Absolutely, for me, keeping the patina - no question. I'm not even going to have the leather stitching redone.

From what I have read recently about such vintage gear - a completely new area for me - is that the value can also be adversely affected by cleaning it up.

From just a visual perspective, I hate the colour of polished brass, so keeping the dull finish was a no-brainer!

It's bizarre what you come across on Marketplace - I was not, in any way, looking for anything like this; it was either geetars or a water butt, can't recall. And then I saw it...

FreeBear

Best if you can store it somewhere dry and keep the leather case/caps well away from the glass - Seen lots of lenses ruined by fungus in part due to leather & damp (and it doesn't take much damp).