Leather Case, Military I.D. Quiz
 

I have acquired over the years a number of leather cases.

The first two photos show a leather case measuring 4x7 inches by 10 inches deep. It has HELIO 5 " MK.V / F LTD. written on the front. I have been told that this may be for the Mk V Heliograph used by the Canadians up to the last World War. Based on internet queries, this is quite probably so.

The last two photos show a leather case measuring 6.5 inches square by 16 inches long. I has three straps and is all leather construction with no partitions within. It has ROBCO LTD / MONTREAL / 1942 written on the front right panel along with the big C and Broadhead.

Any clues as to what the last case might be would be appreciated.

The first case is for the heliograph which in this case had mirrors with a 5" diameter. In theory it would be capable of transmitting signals up to 50 miles in the daytime and 10-25 miles at night with the proper moon. Saw main military service from roughly 1850-1920 but were also still in use through the end of WWII in some of the desert regions of North Africa and in India.

The U.S. Calvary used them in the American West and the Mounties may also have used them for regions in Canada where telegraph services didn't always exist before the turn of the century.

Not sure on the second case.

Leather ID
 

The last pics have a family resemblance to the "Bags, Aerial Gear", part of the accessories for a complete WS No 19 set station.

The bag contained the ropes, hammers, sledges, pegs, insulator base etc required for the 20' or 34' aerial vertical mast.

Leather cases
 

Thank you for the responses.

I was in the Mounties 30 years and saw a lot of artifacts. I will have to dig deeper to see if in fact the Mounties used the Heliograph at all. Back in 1978, the Heliograph would have had 10 times the distance coverage than that of our police radios.

The second case is still a mystery, but I like the radio relationship.

Now all I have to do is fill them with the proper gear.

Guy