IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO FIRE ARMS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS, of Bagshot House, Athlone, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention for AN IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO FIRE
ARMS, to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to the application or arrangement of a suitable
device, or screen, to fire arins, for the purpose of obscuring the vision of the non-
aiming eye during the operation of aiming or sighting the arm, and enabling the
arm to be sighted or aimed with both eyes open, while, at the same time, the
whole of the object aimed at will be. visible to both eyes.
My invention consists of a disc or screen made of indiarubber or other suitable
material, and of convenient shape, which is attached to a small pouch or sleeve
made of similar material, and of such dimensions as to be capable of being passed
over the thumb of the hand of the sportsman or person taking aim.
The application of this device will be readily understood: When the arm is
being aimed, or sighted, the left hand is extended forward supporting the arın, and
the thumb is placed on the upper surface of the barrel, or barrels, as the case may
be. Now the thumb being provided with the disc or screen above described, the
line of vision of the non-aiming eye is thereby consequently screened or obscured
in so far as sighting the arm is concerned, while the whole of the object aimed at
will be visible to both eyes as herein before specified.
It is obvious that if the arm be held in position for aiming from the left
shoulder, the above-described device must be placed on the thumb of the right
hand the left eye being then the aiming eye, and the device being set up to
intercept the line of vision of the right, or now-aiming eye.

page_text: I, WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS, of Bagshot House, Athlone, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has reference to the application or arrangement of a suitable
device or screen to fire-arms for the purpose of obscuring the vision of the non-
aiming eye during the operation of aiming or sighting the arm, and enabling the
arm to be sighted or aimed with both eyes open, while at the same time the whole
of the object aimed.at will be visible to both eyes.
My invention consists of a disc or screen made of india-rubber or other suitable
material and of convenient shape, which is attached to a small pouch or sleeve
made of similar material, and of such dimensions as to admit its being passed over
the thumb of the sportsman or person taking aim.
The application of this device will be readily understood. In practice, when
the arm is being aimed or sighted, the left hand is extended forward supporting
the arm, and the thumb is placed on the upper surface of the barrel-or barrels, as
the case may be. Now, the thumb being provided with the disc or screen above
described, the line of vision of the non-aiming eye impinges against same, and is
thereby, consequently, screened or obscured in so far as sighting the arm is
concerned, while the whole of the object aimed at will be visible to both eyes as
hereinbefore specified.
The accompanying drawings will enable the nature and application of my said
invention to be more readily understood. Fig. 1 represents, in elevation, the arm
as usually held in taking aim the left hand firmly grasps the barrel-or barrels,
as the case may be ;-and on the thumb of this hand is seen the disc or screen,
which acts in the manner above described. Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing the
position of the disc or screen on the line of vision of the left eye; and figs. 3 and 4
represent in detail a front, and side view of the device, full size.
It is obvious that if the arm be held in position for aiming from the left
shoulder, the above-described device must be placed on the thumb of the right
hand; the left eye being then the aiming eye, and the device being set up to
intercept the line of vision of the right or non-aiming eye.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I am
aware that devices for the purpose of screening the vision of the non-aiming eye
have been hitherto used, and to such devices I lay no general claim; but what I
consider novel and original, and therefore claim as my Patent is
In the sighting or aiming of fire-arms the method of screening or obscuring the
non-aiming eye, in the manner substantially as herein described and set forth.
Dated Fifth day of January 1886˚