Military M107 155-HE Charge 7 Autocollimator Optical Tube w/ Sight Reticle

Military M107 155-HE Charge 7 Autocollimator Optical Tube w/ Sight Reticle

This is a US military autocollimator optical tube associated with the M107 155mm artillery system, configured for 155-HE Charge 7 use. The assembly consists of a long olive-drab painted metal tube body with aluminum band clamps and a multi-stage optical head assembly at one end that includes adjustment knobs, a lever arm, and wiring leads. An eyepiece at the top of the head assembly provides a view of the internal graduated reticle with crosshair and range graduation markings, visible in our photos. Overall dimensions are 40" x 14" x 5".

Specifications & What's Included

• Designation: M107 / 155-HE / Charge 7
• Overall dimensions: 40" x 14" x 5"
• Construction: Metal tube body, olive drab (OD) green painted finish
• Optical head: Multi-stage body with adjustment knobs, lever arm, and wiring leads
• Eyepiece: Top-mounted on optical head assembly
• Reticle: Graduated sight markings with crosshair and range graduation grid visible through eyepiece
• Body retention: Aluminum band clamps at tube joints
• Condition: AS-IS / For Parts or Not Working — not tested, no functionality guaranteed

Applications

Autocollimators of this type were used in US military artillery systems to align and verify the bore axis of artillery pieces such as the 155mm howitzer family. By projecting a collimated beam of light and measuring the angle of reflection from a mirror placed in or near the bore, artillerymen could precisely establish and verify the weapon's alignment during setup and maintenance — a critical step for accurate fire direction. The M107 designation ties this instrument to the 155mm artillery family in service from the mid-20th century through subsequent decades, and the Charge 7 configuration refers to the specific propellant charge level used in that artillery system's firing tables. These instruments were typically maintained by ordnance and fire control specialists and are now sought by military collectors, surplus dealers, museums, and firearms/ordnance historians as artifacts of Cold War-era US Army artillery equipment. Intact reticle optics, even on as-is units, make these of interest to collectors and optical instrument specialists.