WWI era vintage scrolling map ?

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20 years

Posts: 1,496

A friend showed me an unusual artifact yesterday, It was found deep in a hedgerow near what is now Stansted airport in the 1950's. It appears to be a scrolling map holder, made of very light gauge aluminum and bears no visible marks or stamps.
The map itself also appears to be military in origin and is of the area surrounding Verdun. It has penciled trench lines and has French forts highlighted by pencil circles drawn around them.
Has anyone any ideas as to its origin/vintage

Another conundrum is how it ended up in a hedgerow, and why!

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Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 9,821

I would think the map itself will tell you a great deal of its history.
I'm sure London has an antique map shop which could pin down the general timeframe and other details.

Member for

20 years

Posts: 1,496

Thanks for the replies so far, very interesting to say the least!

Member for

20 years

Posts: 1,496

Apparently this item has this stamped on it :

Aeronautique Militaire MG BTe SGD

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 9,821

A bit of a historic update:

I'm reading a book about the 1908 New York to Paris automobile race and one of the team's (a French De Dion) had a scrolling map. So it appears the idea even predates the war.

Member for

20 years

Posts: 1,496

Thank you Mr Boyle, that is interesting.I shall pass this on to the current owner of the item.

I have also suggested that she contact the Shuttleworth Collection here in the UK, they may have info too...perhaps!