Improvements in Sights for Small Arms.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sights for Small Arms.
I, PAUL KOTTLORS, of Krappitz, Province of Silesia, Prussia, Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved sighting arrangement for rifles, by means
of which an accurate aiming can be obtained even in firing a series of shots
successively.
The invention is specially applicable for target practice.
I have discovered that a rapid and accurate aiming which does not strain the eyes
can be obtained by fixing the aim with the aid of whole circles arranged concentri-
cally and I have accordingly constructed a sighting arrangement which forms the
object of my invention and produces in aiming an image consisting of concentric
circles. Figure 1 of the drawings shows a rifle provided with my circular sighting
arrangement.
Figures 2, 3, and 4 show the new back sight in side elevation, plan, and rear
elevation respectively.
Figure 5 shows the foresight, and Figure 6 is a combined view of the fore and
backsight as it is to be seen when looking through the hole x of the disc X,
Figure 1.
The back sight y, Figures 2, 3 and 4, is arranged in a U shaped frame or shell
with its rear end pivotting upon a bolt o to which it is fixed. The front and free
end of the back sight y carries a rectangular piece b, b¹, the middle part of which
is cut out at 62, 63, Figures 3 and 4. In the horizontal arm 6' of this rectangular piece
is fixed vertically over and across the cutting out 62, a circular ring d in such a
manner that the latter projects an equal distance up and down the arm 6¹ and the
portions of the arm b¹ placed on both sides of the cutting out 62 extending also an
equal distance within such ring as clearly shown in Figure 4.
The cutting out 62 has a width of about 2 millimetres while the cutting out b³
in the vertical arm b is a little wider than the outer diameter of the ring id, so that
the latter must be sighted when aiming. The binge bolt c passes through the
segmental slot a in the side walls of the shell or frame A and is provided with a
head at one end and with a screw thread and a nut c¹ at the other. By screwing
this nut, the back sight can be set and fixed at any suitable height. When the said
sight has to be adjusted or shifted, the nut c is slightly loosened, the sight
piece y, b, b¹, is raised the distance required, the rectangular piece b, b' which is
hinged on the bolt c is then placed in such a position that the sighting ring d is
vertical and the nut c¹ is screwed tight again.
The foresight 2, Figure 5 is formed of a disc g of clear glass inserted in a ring f.
This disc having a diameter of about 10 millimetres has in its centre a dark point or
speck burnt in or formed in any other suitable manner.
The foresight z may however consist of a metallic ring in the centre of which a
small disc or pea could be fixed by means of radial arms or spokes. Owing to the
peculiar arrangement of the foresight, the object being fired at remains when taking
the aim entirely and constantly in sight.
The rifleman perceives now as he looks through the opening a of the disc X of
the gauge, alidade, or split block the image shown in Figure 6 and it is therefore
very easy for bim on account of the circular form of the aim and of the foresight to
aim repeatedly, rapidly, and accurately.
This gauge or alidade X is in common use for target rifles in Germany, Switzer-
land, and elsewhere, and consists of a disc with a very small hole or slit. The object
of this piece X is to shut out the whole of the field of view from the marksman

page_text: except that part which is in a direct line with the two sights A and z which may be
seen through the small hole or slit, thus concentrating the aim on the sights alone,
without interference from other objects in the range of vision.
Owing to the back sight leaving only a narrow opening, or slit, free in the centre
of the sighting ring, the aiming or sighting is greatly facilitated as it is only
required to place or aim the centre of the foresight into the middle of the opening
or slit, so as to make them coincide.
The frame or shell A carrying the sight piece is arranged to slide backwards and
forwards a distance of about 10 cm. upon the barrel of the rifle in order to be able in
aiming through the hole a of the disc X to place the sighting ring d, so that its
periphery shows (in the aiming image Figure 6) an equal distance from the ring f of
the foresight and from the circular edge of the opening in the disc X whereby.an
accurate sighting is particularly facilitated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
A backsight which is provided instead of the usual notched back sighting piece,
with a vertical and fully perceivable ring d connected with the sight piece by means
of two horizontal arms only arranged in diametrically opposite positions as in the
drawings Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6 such ring facilitating the accurate concentric adjustment
of sight taking, as set forth.
Dated this 10th day of December 1889.
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London, Agent for the said P. Kottlors.