During World War One, soldiers faced a tough challenge while fighting from trenches. They needed to shoot at the enemy without exposing themselves to danger. Standing up to shoot meant risking getting hit by enemy snipers. To solve this problem, the periscope rifle was invented, allowing soldiers to fire while staying hidden.
The periscope rifle wasn’t invented by just one person. It appeared on battlefields across Europe as soldiers tried to find ways to stay safe while shooting. Some were made in workshops, while others were put together by soldiers themselves.
The first patent for a periscope rifle was filed by William Yultan from Great Britain in 1914. He created a device called the Hyposcope, which used a double reflecting prism to help soldiers aim while staying below the line of sight. It was designed for British Lee-Enfield rifles but could be used with other guns too.
In May 1915, an Australian lance corporal named William Beech came up with his version of the periscope rifle in the trenches of Gallipoli. After seeing his fellow soldiers get shot, Beech, who was a construction foreman, attached a periscope to a rifle. His design used a wooden frame and a box periscope, allowing soldiers to shoot safely from below the parapet.
As the war continued, various designs of periscope rifles emerged. J.E. Chandler from Britain created a more complex version in September 1915, which allowed soldiers to fire multiple rounds without lowering the rifle. The German army also developed their own factory-made periscope attachments, known as the Spiegel Kolben, which were simple yet effective.
In the United States, advanced periscope rifles were developed. J.L. Cameron and Lawrence E. Yagi from Cleveland designed a steel frame for the Springfield Model 1903 rifle, featuring a magnifying periscope and a 25-round magazine. Another American, Mr. Giberson from California, created a model that transformed into a periscope rifle with the press of a button.
Despite their advantages, periscope rifles had limitations. They were less accurate because they were used from below and rested on sandbags, making them unstable. The recoil was stronger, and aiming through the periscope was difficult, especially if the mirrors got dirty. If a mirror was damaged, soldiers had to find replacements, like shaving mirrors. Even skilled shooters struggled to hit targets beyond 100 yards.
Periscope rifles were a clever solution to the dangers of trench warfare, allowing soldiers to shoot while staying protected. Although they had their drawbacks, these innovative weapons played a role in the strategies of World War One, showcasing the creativity and resourcefulness of soldiers during the conflict.
Using simple materials like cardboard, mirrors, and tape, build a basic periscope. This hands-on activity will help you understand how periscopes work and why they were essential for periscope rifles during World War One. Test your periscope by trying to see over obstacles without exposing yourself.
Work in groups to create a mini-simulation of trench warfare. Use classroom furniture to build “trenches” and role-play as soldiers using periscope rifles. Discuss the challenges faced by soldiers and how the periscope rifle provided a tactical advantage.
Choose one of the periscope rifle designs mentioned in the article, such as William Beech’s or J.E. Chandler’s. Research more about its design and effectiveness, then present your findings to the class. Highlight the innovations and limitations of your chosen design.
Participate in a class debate on the effectiveness of periscope rifles. Divide into two groups: one arguing for their usefulness and the other against. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments.
Imagine you are a soldier in World War One using a periscope rifle. Write a short story about a day in the trenches, focusing on how the periscope rifle helps you stay safe and the challenges you face. Share your story with the class.
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**Periscope Rifles: Weird Tech of World War One**
For the soldiers stuck in the stalemate of World War One, fighting from the trenches was no easy task. Shooting from the trenches meant that a soldier had to stand up over the parapet, exposing himself to enemy snipers. Therefore, soldiers needed to find a way to shoot the enemy without the risk of being exposed. The invention of the periscope rifle allowed them to avoid that risk.
Although it appeared on the Western Front first, the invention of the periscope rifle cannot be credited to just one individual. The necessity to stay concealed while shooting led to almost simultaneous occurrences of periscope rifles on battlefields across Europe. Some were made in specialized workshops, while others were improvised by soldiers on the battlefield.
The first patent for a periscope rifle attachment was by William Yultan from Great Britain. He applied for the patent in the early days of the war in 1914. His device, named the Hyposcope, was a rifle butt siding attachment that consisted of a double reflecting prism mounted over the butt. The prism allowed the shooter to aim while staying below the line of sight. The Hyposcope was designed to be attached to British Lee-Enfield rifles but was used with other rifles and even machine guns.
Without knowledge of Yultan’s invention, an Australian lance corporal, William Beech, invented his version of the periscope rifle in May 1915 in the trenches of Gallipoli. Beech got the idea after witnessing his fellow soldiers being shot while trying to shoot the Turks above the trenches. Being a construction foreman, he worked to attach a periscope to a rifle. His device was a wooden frame for the Lee-Enfield rifle with a box periscope. The upper mirror of the periscope was in line with the rifle’s sights, and the lower mirror aligned with the soldier’s eyes. The shot was fired via a wire connected to the rifle’s trigger. With this device, a soldier could shoot from the top of the parapet while standing safely below it.
The accuracy of the periscope rifle was relative and dependent on the skill of the shooter. However, as the distance between opposing trenches on the Gallipoli battlefield was relatively small, the periscope rifle proved to be effective. The drawback of the device was that the bolt was out of reach of the shooter, who had to bring the rifle down to cycle it after each shot. As Beech’s periscope rifle proved its worth, he was ordered to establish a workshop on the beaches behind the front lines, where he made more periscope rifles. The Turks eventually captured and copied their own versions later on.
Another British periscope rifle was constructed by J.E. Chandler. The device he made in September 1915 was more complex but more efficient than previous inventions, as it had levers for actuating the bolt. This rifle allowed the shooter to fire all 10 rounds without having to bring it down each time. Periscope rifles were also used by the German army, which produced factory-made periscope attachments. Their periscope rifle attachment, the Spiegel Kolben, was simple in design but very effective. Its entire frame contained the periscope and was made of steel, resulting in better accuracy. To fire, the soldier pulled an auxiliary trigger attached to the rifle’s trigger by a chain. Some versions had a mechanism to cycle the bolt without bringing the rifle down after each shot, and improvements allowed the soldier to adjust the periscope height. The German periscope rifle also had an extended 25-round magazine and luminous sights for shooting at night.
The most advanced periscope rifles were made in the United States. One such device was created by J.L. Cameron and Lawrence E. Yagi from Cleveland, Ohio. Their device was a steel frame designed for the Springfield Model 1903 rifle, featuring a magnifying periscope, trigger extension, and bolt action lever, along with a 25-round extended magazine. Another American design was made by Mr. Giberson from California. At first glance, Giberson’s model looked like a standard Springfield M1903 rifle; however, the press of a button opened a collapsible hinged stock with a built-in periscope, turning the ordinary rifle into a periscope rifle. This design was the most advanced version and had great mobility, but it seems it was made too late to see action on the battlefield.
Periscope rifles were primarily used by standard infantrymen, while marksmen preferred standard sniper rifles and hidden nests. Although periscope rifles provided safe shooting from cover, they were quite inaccurate, as the weapon was used from below while laid on sandbags instead of being held firmly in a soldier’s hands. Periscope rifles were very unstable, and the recoil was much greater. For a sniper, such a device couldn’t compare with having the rifle firmly in his shoulder. Furthermore, aiming through the periscope wasn’t an easy task, especially if the mirrors became smeared, which was frequently the case in the muddy trenches. If a mirror was shot out of the periscope by an enemy sniper, any form of replacement mirror had to be found, including shaving mirrors. Even a good shooter had difficulty hitting targets at distances further than 100 yards.
Periscope – A device used to see over or around obstacles, often used in submarines and trenches during warfare. – During World War One, soldiers used a periscope to safely observe enemy movements from their trenches.
Rifles – Long-barreled firearms designed for precise shooting, commonly used by soldiers in warfare. – The introduction of more accurate rifles changed the tactics used in battles during World War One.
World War One – A global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, involving many of the world’s great powers. – World War One was marked by trench warfare and significant technological advancements in weaponry.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army and are trained to fight in wars. – The soldiers endured harsh conditions in the trenches during World War One.
Invention – The creation of a new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation. – The invention of the tank was a significant development in military technology during World War One.
Design – The plan or blueprint created to construct an object or system. – The design of the trench system was crucial for the defense strategy during World War One.
Aiming – The act of pointing a weapon or device at a target with the intent to hit it. – Soldiers practiced aiming their rifles to improve accuracy in battle.
Trench – A long, narrow ditch used in warfare to provide cover and protection for soldiers. – Life in the trench was difficult, with soldiers facing constant threats from enemy attacks.
Warfare – The engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict. – Trench warfare was a defining characteristic of battles during World War One.
Innovations – New methods, ideas, or products introduced to improve or change existing systems. – Technological innovations during World War One, such as the use of airplanes, changed the nature of warfare.
