Improvements in Miniature Targets for Rifle Practice at Short Ranges and in Marking and Signalling Apparatus for Use therewith.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1887
Complete Left, 25th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 26th May, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Miniature Targets for Rifle Practice at Short
Ranges and in Marking and Signalling Apparatus for Use
therewith.
I WILLIAM EDWIN HEATH of 46 Fairmead Road Islington Captain 7th V. Kings
Royal Rifles do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I provide an iron shield with wings to prevent splashing. In the upper portion of
this shield I form an opening through which the Miniature Target is shewn represent-
ing the proportions of a target as seen from the firing point on the actual range
whether third second or first class or for any other practice. The bulls-eye in all
targets being at or near the same height. At the back of this screen I place an iron
plate forming the segment of a circle to which I attach all the targets required in
their varying sizes. This plate revolves on a centre so that any desired target can be
shewn at the opening by turning it round, or I hang the separate targets on pins or
slide them into grooves or fix them in such a way that the target desired is presented
at the opening to receive the shots.
I ensure accuracy in marking by providing cards representing the face of the
target and by register pins fix them over the face of the target before firing, removing
them when the number of shots has been fired for comparison with the register at
the firing point.
I provide a bulls eye for aiming at in front of the shield capable of being raised
and lowered to compensate for the raising and lowering of the backsight of the rifle
when sighted for the supposed range-the distance of the firing point being the same.
This bulls eye is a round flat disc hinged on an upright rod kept upright by a spring,
in case it should be struck by a bullet it would resume the perpendicular after being
struck.
Over the opening shewing the target 1 provide another opening for shewing in
figures the value of the shot or the cease fire disc.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Miniature Targets for Rifle Practice at Short
Ranges and in Marking and Signalling Apparatus for Use
therewith.
1 WILLIAM EDWIN HEATH of 46, Fairmead Road, Islington Captain 7th V. Kings
Royal Rifles 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 :--
I provide an iron shield N Sheet 1, of suitable size. In the upper portion of this
shield I form an opening through which I present the Target. This target represents
the actual appearance which a full sized target would have if viewed from the range,
which it is supposed to represent, and for which the backsight of the Rifle would be
adjusted for the practice, and these targets diminish in size as the supposed range is
increased.
I cause these targets to revolve on a pivot at the back of the shield N so that at
will any target may be presented at the opening to be fired at.
I mount these targets for this purpose on a strong plate, as shown by the dotted
lines in sheet 1 of the drawings. This plate revolves on its centre, and as desired,
brings either of the targets H H to the opening where it is retained by the paul M,
or, I slide the targets separately behind the shield into slots prepared for their
reception shown at V sheet 3.
I provide a bull's-eye K for aiming at in front of the shield, mounted on a bar
which slides up or down in the slot I to the required height, to compensate for the
raising or lowering of the back-sight of the Rifle for the supposed range. The
distance from the firing point being the same.
The shield N is shown in section N 1, the target plate at H 1, the aiming bulls-
eye at K, and a section of the target at H 2. Sheet 1.
In sheet 2 the targets are mounted on edge round the plate which assumes a
hexagon, or other form, depending on the number of targets mounted, and as
though on a wheel in a horizontal position. The section through A B shown at A 1,
and B 1 also shows this form of mounting the targets by the horizontal section G.
The target is shown also in perpendicular section at C. 1., and D. 1., sheet 2
through C. D.
I prefer to make all these targets with raised surfaces representing the centre and
bulls-eye, for more readily painting out in black and white.
F is the panel opening in the shield through which the desired target is shown,
sheet 2. E is a moveable aiming bullseye.
In sheet 3 another way of mounting these targets is shown at 0 1., by a
perpendicular section through O. O. The plate is shown at P, and turns on edge
towards O. 1.
The frame R is bolted to a wall or upright, and carries the revolving targets P. P.
and the shield O. 1.

page_text: The aiming spot, in this drawing, is shown at S ; and at S. 2., in horizonal section
enlarged size, is a block carrying the aiming spot and engaging a dovetailed bar, so
that it can be placed at the proper height, being retained there by the pin T.
To ensure accuracy of marking by the marker, I form grooves, Z Sheet 3 in the
front of the shield and place in the grooves cards bearing the exact representation of
the target behind, according to class, and the bullet penetrating the card, strikes the
target behind; forming a perfect record and check marker; being removed after the
requisite number of rounds have been fired and compared with the Register at the
firing point.
For signalling the value of the shot, I provide a set of levers L sheet 1, at the
back of the shield, which are operated on from the Markers Mantlet. These levers
are mounted at their extremities with plates carrying numbers which can be raised
and lowered at will.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. For Targets for aiming drill and Rifle practice in Drill yards or sheds or other
places, the exhibiting the target of the desired size and proportion at an opening in
the shield while the other targets are concealed from view by the shield substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. For Targets for aiming drill and Rifle practice the methods of mounting the
targets on revolving plates or bases, (so that one target only is seen,) and which
methods are substantially as hereinbefore described and particularly shown in the
sheets 1. 2. and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. For Targets for aiming drill and Rifle practice the method of raising and lowering
the aiming spot, as shown in K and I sheet 1, and S., S2 and T sheet 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. For Targets for aiming drill and Rifle practice, the method of marking shown
by the set of levers L sheet 1, behind the shield N in sheet 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. For Targets for aiming drill and Rifle practice the method of check marking by
the insertion of the card, being the facsimile of the target and placed over and in
front of the actual target, in the grooves Z in sheet 3 of the accompanying drawings.
6. The general construction, combinations, and arrangements of parts, constituting
improvements in Targets for aiming drill and Rifle practice as herein before described
with reference to the several modifications illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of February One thousand eight hundred and eighty eight