Maxim MG's clinometers?

[captain]

Hi,

Can somebody tell me if these clinometers are related to the Maxim guns? There is no mention of clinometer or similar instruments in Dolf's book (Devil's paintbrush), although they were most probably existing. I can provide details if necessary.
Thanks,
Luc

[woodsy]

I am of the opion that these are not Maxim or any other MG clinometers. All MG clinometers have much lower ranges of angle, ususally less than 40 degrees. These ones have 90 degrees plus which simply would not be needed. Only very rarely (and at extreme range or below a steep hill) would a gun be elevated more than 25 degrees. The pictured instruments are obviously well made and may well be for survey work.

[reme245]

You don't say what nationality these clino's are, but presumably in the early days of indirect fire standard artillery items would have been acquired.

I have a nice 1905 dated Russian example in my M1910 collection.
I am now up to 7 guns (must be mad) having recently found a fortress model with pipe for fume extraction and a gun featuring a different pattern of spring for the shield.

I am still looking for a 1905 in the unlikely event one of these ever comes on to the market in the UK.

[captain]

Hi,

Both are German and WW1.
The first one is marked on the backside: G. Rodenstock, München, GGF 43 reprinted and the number 964 reprinted.
Woodsy, for example: the US 1917 MG clinometer measures elevations up to 80°.





The second one has following markings: crowned M (German Imperial Navy) and AD. The clinometer has been modified by "cut and paste": purpose unknown.

[woodsy]

Hi Captain

The M1917 Browning clinometer adjustments are in mils, not degrees. The maximum elevation measurement on the M1917 clino is 840 mils, which is approximately 47 degrees 17 minutes. One degree equals 17.7778 mils. The use of the two systems has caused confusion in the past and now the US and the UK (and other allies) use mils exclusively. In WW1 it was mainly the US who used mils.

[captain]

Hello Woodsy,

You are right. I did not check correctly the graduated section. As the silhouettes of all clinometers are about the same I have been confused. I thought mills were used much later, as a NATO standard.
My clinometers are probably artillery ones. I have indeed Soviet ones with adjustments up to 44 degrees.
But how do German WWI MG clinometers than look like? I've never seen others than mines.
Luc