Trench Periscope Mirror

This mirror was designed to be clipped to a bayonet on a rifle. If a soldier held the rifle upright above the parapet of a trench, he could safely look for enemy soldiers without exposing himself to fire.

Mirrors of this type, and other 'trench periscope' devices, were widely used during the trench warfare of the First World War. This one came back to New Zealand with a soldier who donated it to the museum in 1965.