Developed and adopted in the years before World War 2 the Telescopic Sight M1 was intended to give the US Army's M2 machine gun the means to provide accurate fire at long range. The exact date of its adoption is unclear but FM 23-60 field manual for the M2 machine gun published in September of 1940 includes pictures of the M1 sight.

Magnification was 3.25x with a field of view of 12 degrees, the only difference between the M1 and M3 models was in the size and graduations of the range dial (TM 9-1581, 1941). It appears that M3 scopes were still marked M1.

Although it was adopted before the war the scopes appear to have seen only limited used during the early years of World War 2. Despite this most M2 machine guns seen in World War 2 photos are equipped with the dovetail mount for the M1 telescopic sight to the right of the iron sights. It is unknown when the scope was removed from service, but the dovetail mount is commen sight of M2 machine guns in Korea.

The scope was produced by Fairchild Aviation Corporation and Perfex Corp of Milwaukee Wisconsin, it is unclear if they were the only manufacures of the scope.

Images






On a M2 machine gun during a pre WW2 US Army demonstration (Senich, 1988).



On M2 machine gun, in Morocco November of 1942.



The dovetail mount for the M1 telescopic sight, seen here in Iraq, decades after the scope it was intended for last saw service.




Rear view showing the large adjustment dial marked in yards and mils.



Technical Manual and Ordnance Maintenance Telescopic Sights M1 and T3, TM 9-1581 published in 1941. Note the later M3 model is instead called the T3.

If anyone has a copy of the TM 9-2581 or FM 23-60, both should have some additional informaiton regarding the M1 sight.



Reticle








Serial Numbers

Serial	Code	Manufacture	Year	Images	Notes
2255	J.K.C.	Fairchild Aviation Corp	1941	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
3542	J.K.C.	Fairchild Aviation Corp	1941	1, 2
6811	D.A.	Perfex Corp	1942	1, 2, 3

References

Senich, P. (1988). The Complete Book of U.S. Sniping. Paladin Press.

War Department. (1941). Technical Manual and Ordnance Maintenance Telescopic Sights M1 and T3, TM 9-1581. US Government Printing Office.

Return to Index