SHOOTING GALLER
Year: 1884

page_text: I, FLORENCE MOORE, of 5, Clarendon Place, Plymouth in the county of Devon,
wife of Captain Edward, Crozier Sibbald Moore Royal Engineers Gibraltar, do
hereby declare the nature of the said invention for A MILITARY SHOOTING GALLERY
to be as follows:-
It is proposed to use a short Range of 100 yds. as the extreme actual range to be
obtained, & on it as a basis by the application of certain alterations in the con-
ditions of the Targets, &c, to obtain an equivalent to practice at the longer
ranges.
The Gallery is bottle shaped & consists of two parts, both of which are enclosed
at the sides, but only one is roofed in with a bullet-proof roof, so arranged as to
admit air & light-this latter portion, corresponding to the neck of a bottle,
terminates at one end in the "Standpoint," & in the other in a point called the.
"Neck"-The size of the "Neck" is so designed as to restrict the fire within the
limits of the butt, & Side Walls beyond the "Neck" The shape of this portion
corresponds to the body of the bottle.-The men thus fire from the "Standpoint
at the mouth of the bottle, down the neck, & the bullets are stopped either by the
side Walls or the Butt which corresponds to the bottom of the bottle-The position
of the "Neck" is of considerable importance & is arrived at in the following.
manner A height of 10 feet is assumed for the height of the roof of the Neck
position in the clear inside and allowing 5 ft to be the maximum height that a
Rifle can be discharged from at the shoulder, when standing this point will be
5 feet below the roof, & if a line be drawn through this point at an elevation of
3° 7', which is the inclination required for the axis of a. M. H. Rifle for a range of
1000 yards, it will intersect the roof at a distance 91,827 feet from the "Stand-"
point." This is consequently the length given to the Neck portion, or distance
from the "Standpoint" to the "Neck" The "Neck" is crossed by an Iron Girder.
which supports the roof at a height of 10 ft in the clear; the width in this instance
is taken as 20 ft throughout the Neck portion. The Angles of the Wall at the
"Neck" are protected with Iron.
The height of the Butt must not be less than that given by the prolongation of:
a line drawn through the ground at "Standpoint," & the roof at "Neck," that is,
less than 32,67 feet & as a bullet (M. H) falls .8 ins. in 100 yds, a butt 35 ft high:
will be sufficient to prevent any bullets from going over it. The butt.is made
60 ft. wide so as to give room for moving Targets &c. The Side Walls are algo,
designed so as to prevent any bullets from going over them.

page_text: .
The "Standpoint" from which the firing takes place only occupies 15 feet of the
centre of the mouth of the bottle. It is 10 ft wide & enclosed with barriers-a
second enclosure is provided immediately behind it for men watching the practico-
A Ditch is placed directly in front of the "Standpoint" to prevent any one firing
in advance of the right position-It can, if required, be crossed by a small bridge,
which is guarded by a gate & kept locked.
A Registering table is provided on the right of the "Standpoint." There are
many ways of providing for safety & for the necessary accommodation for Shelter,
light, & air at the "Standpoint "-The drawing shews an extreme case, where the
Standpoint" is covered in, with a projecting bullet-proof roof, & substantial
masonry walls are carried up clear of it at the end & sides, to such a height as to
arrest any bullets that might be accidently discharged, clear of the roof; these
walls would be whitened so as to reflect light on to the "Standpoint
cases side walls under the eaves, with large windows would be sufficient, & in some
cases the walls & even the roof over the "Standpoint" might be dispensed with
altogether.
"
In many
Markers Butts may be used in the Gallery if preferred to an automatic recording
apparatus.
In order to make the Target, aimed at appear the same as it would at a longer
range than 100 yds, it is diminished in size in direct proportion to the proposed &
actual ranges thus:-When it is proposed to fire at 800 yds. or 1000 yds. the
proper size of the Target according to the Musketry Regns being 6 ft. x 8 ft, in the
Military Shooting Gallery, the Targets are 9. ins. by 12 ins & 7.2 by 9.6 ins.
respectively At intermediate ranges corresponding proportional deductions would
be made in the size of the Targets to be aimed at, the calculation being based on
the Musketry Regus The Target aimed at is called the "Sighting. Target" & its
centre would be at a height of one half the full sized Target above the ground
viz-3 feet.
"
It is evident that when a shot is fired at the "Sighting Target" with the Rifle
sighted to a longer range than 100 yds, the bullet, in consequence of the Trajectory
of the Rifle, will strike the Butt above the prolongation of the line of sight; the
height of this point in the case of a M. H. Rifle, at a distance of 100 yds, when
sighted for 1000 yds. is about 6 ft. 10 ins., consequently a second Target, called a
Recording Target" is provided, with its centre vertically above the centre of the
"Sighting Target," to receive the bullets, & it alone should be hit during the
practice at the longer ranges-The "Recording Target" is, in a similar manner to
the "Sighting Target," reduced in size to allow for the decreased range; it should
be marked so as to be almost, if not entirely, invisible at the " Standpoint,"
& if the Butt be faced with iron, a succession of these Targets, corresponding
in size & position, to the various ranges, may conveniently be engraved on the
face of the Butt, as well as a central vertical line--It should be remarked that
this arrangement of the two Targets is a great advantage, as it necessitates great
care being taken in keeping the sights upright, when shooting, more especially
at the long ranges; therefore in this particular even the Gallery approximates to
the actual conditions which obtain on a regular range. By placing the "Recording
Target" either to the right or left of the central line, the use of the Wind Gauge
may also be taught.-Moving Targets may be readily used in this Gallery & may
conveniently be actuated from behind the Side Walls or even from the "Standpoint"
as desired.
A Magazine is shewn on the Drawing for the supply of ammunition, & an Office
for the purpose of recording its issue & the results of the practice-Quarters are
also provided for the N. C. O. in charge of the Gallery-A Dressing-room & other
necessary accessories for the convenience of the men using the range are also
included in the design.
N.B. 1. The dimensions herein given can be modified according to the space
& nature of the ground available, & also with the strength of the Garrison for
whom the Range is to be built.

page_text: 2. Two or more small Ranges might with advantage be built side by side if
required.
3. By making the proper correction for distance between the Recording &
Sighting Targets, due to difference of trajectories, the Range can be utilized for all
Rifles with a flatter Trajectory than that of the M. H. Rifle.
4. By shortening the Neck portion & raising the height of the Butt, on the same
principle as herein explained, the Gallery can be adapted for Rifles, with a higher
Trajectory than that of the M. H. Rifle.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
I FLORENCE MOORE wife of Captain Edward Crozier Sibbald Moore Royal
Engineers Salisbury House Salisbury Road Dover in the County of Kent do
hereby declare the nature of the invention. for A MILITARY SHOOTING GALLERY
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement →
The importance at the present day of improving the shooting of the British
soldier is generally admitted, & it will be obtained in proportion as facilities for
his instruction & practice are increased. A great step in this direction would have
been made & an enormous advantage obtained, if means were provided, so that a
man could fire on any, & every day of the week, if he pleased with the Service
Rifle & ammunition. It is therefore most desirable that some approximation to a
Rifle Range should be made sufficiently near to the men's Barracks that they may
be able to walk into it as readily as they can at present into a Regimental Skittle
Alley or Fives Court. Such a range must not occupy much space, it should
therefore, be self contained, so that there can be no possibility of any stray bullets
doing any damage outside its limits. Service Ammunition should of course be
used on the Range, for it is very evident that any system of instruction which
necessitates the use of other than the Service Ammunition neglects a most
important factor in the instruction of the Soldier, viz the recoil of the rifle, & is
most defective, for it is the recoil which makes so many men unsteady when
firing.
It is also proposed to utilize some of the principles involved in the Gallery to
make existing Rifle Rangos safe & also to enable short-Ranges with a limited
extent of ground to be utilized for long ranges.
.L
The accompanying plan for a Military Shooting Gallery, of which the following
is a description, has been prepared with these objects in view.
"
"
The "Gallery" is shaped like a Champagne -bottle (Fig 2) & consists of three
parts named for distinction the "Stand Point," Guard" & "Range" corresponding
to the "Cork" "Neck" & "Body" of the bottle respectively. The men would
thus fire from the "Stand Point" down the neck of the bottle (the Guard) along
the "Range," the bullets being stopped by the Butt or end wall, at the bottom of
the bottle.
.
The whole of the gallery is enclosed with Walls. "The Stand point" is a small
enclosure for the men to fire from, a portion of it is railed off for those actually
firing; the line from which the firing is intended to take place is on the side
nearest the "Guard" & is defined by the scarp wall of a ditch (Figs 1, 2, 6 & 7) so as
to prevent the possibility of men firing in advance of the proper position. A desk
for registering the shooting is shown on the right of the "Stand Point." (Fig 6).
The " Guard"
is designed to limit the lateral & vertical fire so as to oblige it to
pass through a restricted space 20 feet wide. by 10 feet high, at the further end of
the "Guard" called the "Neck." A portion of the. "Guard" near the "Stand
Point" is roofed in with a bullet proof roof (Figs 6 & 7) but for the remaining
50 feet of its length it is simply crossed at a height of 10 feet from the ground

page_text: line by two iron girders, so designed, as to intercept all bullets fired at a greater
elevation than is required for them to pass through the restricted opening at the
"Neck" already mentioned. A Bridge, secured with a door is provided for crossing
the ditch from "Stand Point" to "Guard" when necessary (Figs 6, 7). The length
of the "Guard" is 91-827 feet, obtained by assuming the maximum height at
which a rifle could be discharged from the shoulder to be 5 feet; & as the
inclination of the axis of a M. H. Rifle is 3° 7' for 1000 yds, it would rise the
remaining 5 feet in that distance.
The usual position for firing at long ranges is lying down so that the Butt
wall is made slightly higher than that obtained by the intersection of a vertical'
line at the Butt with the prolongation of a line drawn through the edge of the
-ditch at "Stand Point" & the underside of the girder at the neck (Fig. 1.)
The height of the side walls (Fig. 1.) of the Range is obtained on the same
principle as that of the Butt & are consequently reduced in height parallel to
greatest elevation of line of fire, with the exception of the inclined walls near the
'Neck," as these are traced clear of the extreme lateral lines of fire & are only
10 ft Fig 2 high. The length of Gallery from "Stand Point" to Butt is taken as
100 yards, & this is therefore the extreme actual range to be obtained; it is on this
as a basis that by certain alterations in the conditions of the Targets, &c, that it is
proposed to obtain an equivalent to practice at the longer ranges.
"
Sighting Target" In order to make, the Target, aimed at, appear the same as it
would at a longer range than 100 yards, it is diminished in size in direct pro-
portion to the proposed and actual ranges; thus when it is proposed to fire at 800
or 1000 yards, the proper size of the Target according to the Musketry Regas being
6 ft x 8ft, in the Military Shooting Gallery the Targets are 9 ins x 12 ins
& 7" x 9" ins respectively. At intermediate ranges corresponding proportional
deductions would be made in the size of the Targets to be aimed at; the calculation
being based on the Musketry Regns (See Table) The Target aimed at is called the
"Sighting Target" & its centre would be at a height of one half the full sized
Target, above the ground, viz 3 feet..
"
"Recording Target." It is evident that when a shot is fired at the "Sighting
Target" with the Rifle sighted to a longer Range than 100 yds, the bullet in
consequence of the trajectory of the Rifle, will strike the Butt above the pro-
longation of the line of sight; the height of this point in the case of a M. H. Rifle
at a distance of 100 yds when sighted for 1000 yds is about 12 ft 5 ins consequently
a second Target, called a "Recording Target" is provided with its centre vertically
above the centre of the "Sighting Target" to receive the bullets, & it alone should
be hit during the practice at the longer ranges. The "Recording Target" is in a
similar manner to the "Sighting Target" reduced in size to allow for the decreased
range; a succession of these Targets corresponding in size & position to the
various ranges & trajections, is 'given in the table & Figs 5 & 8, & should be
engraved on the face of the Butt, which is plated to a height of 20 feet (see
Figs 5 & 9).
Vertical & horizontal lines through the centres are also required as shown in
Figs 5 & 8.
For the convenience of the Markers, the "Recording Target" in use can be
painted black.
It should be remarked that this arrangement of two Targets is a great advantage,
as it necessitates great care being taken in keeping the sights upright when
shooting, more especially at the long ranges, therefore in this particular even, the
gallery approximates to the actual conditions which obtain on a regular range,
Separate "Sighting Targets" as shown in Figs 9 & 10 & of the dimensions given
in the table, are only required from 300 yds, & upwards. The method of fixing
them is shown in Figs 8 & 9. The Sighting & Recording Targets for 100 yds
range being identical are engraved on the Butt, but for the 200 yds range separate
targets are engraved. By placing the sighting target either to the right or left of
the central line, the use of the wind guage may be taught.

page_text: Moving Targets may be readily used in this gallery & may conveniently be
actuated from behind the side walls, or even from the stand point if required.
N.B. 1. The dimensions herein given can be modified according to the space
& nature of the ground available & also with the strength of the garrison for
.whom the range is to be built.
[:
2. Two or more small ranges might with advantage be built side by side if
required.
.
3. By making the proper correction for distance between the Recording &
Sighting Targets due to difference of Trajections, the Range can be utilized for all
Rites with a flatter Trajectory than that of the M. H. Rifle.
4. By shortening the "Guard" & raising the height of the Butt, on the same
principle as, herein explained, the gallery can be adapted for Rifles with a higher
trajectory than that of the M. H. Rifle.
5. The principles on which the gallery are designed are applicable to existing
Ranges in the following manner :-
#l
-The Guard" may be built at the extreme
limit of an existing Range so as to restrict the vertical & lateral range of the
bullets within safe limits: the range would have to be marked out in the opposite
direction for such ranges as would otherwise be dangerous, & the ordinary targets
put up at the proper distances as required from the Stand Point. The guard under
such circumstances might be modified by omitting the Roof, as the cross girders
would probably afford sufficient protection. The Ringe might also be left open.
In some cases existing short ranges might be made available for practising at
longer ranges by adapting the principle of the Recording & Sighting targets as
described, using the full available range as the basis, or a moveable butt might be
placed when required at the 100 yards range.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said
Apvention & in: what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is
The construction of a gallery which may be safely used even in the heart of
a town for practising with the Service Rifle & Ammunition.
2. The construction of the "Guard" which restricts the fire within definite
limits, & is also applicable for this purpose to ordinary ranges.
"
3. The use of two Targets for Sighting & recording the practice of the Service
Rifle with its own Service ammunition.
.
4. The method of reducing the size of the Targets so as to produce the same
effect as when firing at a greater range than the actual distance between the
'Stand Point" & "Butt."
5. The general arrangement by which a short range is made by these alterations
in the conditions to produce the same effect as when practising with the Service
Rifle & Service Ammunition at a full sized Range.
Dated this 2nd day of Habruare 100%
Dated this And
2nd day of February 1905
Witness to the signature of Florence Moore,
JOHN FINNIS,
J.P. for Borough of Dover.
FLORENCE MOORE.