Year: 1897

page_text: I, WILLIAM KIDSTON, of 50, West Regent Street, in the County of the City
of Glasgow, North Britain, Solicitor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in coats specially applicable for shooting
purposes and has for its object to so construct these as to enable the sportsman
to carry his gun at the "ready" position with greater ease and comfort when not
in the act of shooting than hitherto.
In carrying out my invention I provide in the inside of the coat about opposite
each shoulder and just under the collar two loops and on each side of the front of
the coat a slit is made. The best positions for these for one shooting from the
right shoulder are just above the left breast pocket on the one side and just above
the small pocket for coppers or tickets on the other side. These slits may be
covered over with the flaps of the pockets so that when not required for the
purposes for which they are intended they will be out of sight and so not in any
way spoil the appearance of the coat. Passing under these loops there is a band
or strap or sling (which, if desired, may be of the same material of which the coat
is made) and this is carried round the shoulders and through the respective slits.
When the gun is not being actually used in the act of shooting one end of the
band is carried under the gun from behind forwards at the place where the shooter
usually holds the gun with the forward hand in the act of shooting, the other
end of the band is carried under the butt also from behind forwards, just behind
the trigger guard. When the ends of the band are grasped with the hands in
the ordinary way when carrying the gun at the ready, the ends adhere to the gun,
and the weight is thus carried or borne by the shoulders and the arms are also
supported and at rest. The strap or sling is not fixed so that by a hitch the gun
can be put to any inclination desired. The relaxation of grasp which naturally
takes place in throwing up the gun to shoot, release the ends of the strap or sling
and the gun comes up perfectly free. The gun being carried in this manner can
be more readily carried in the most convenient and quick position for firing without
fatigue and the strap passing over and in front of the shoulders also serves as
a cushion or pad for the gun when being carried on the shoulder or when fired.
Dated this 15th day of October 1897.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Applicant's Patent Agents.

page_text: I, WILLIAM KIDSTON, of 50, West Regent Street, in the County of the City
of Glasgow, North Britain, Solicitor, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in coats specially applicable for shooting
purposes and has for its object to so construct these as to enable one carrying a
gun or rifle to carry it at the "ready" position with greater ease and comfort
when not in the act of shooting than hitherto.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended two sheets of drawings of which,
Figure 1 shows the improved coat.
Figure 2 represents a person with gun at ready position.
Figure 3 represents a person in the act of firing.
In carrying out my invention I provide in the inside of the coat about opposite
each shoulder and just under the collar two loops A. A Figure 1, and on each side
of the front of the coat a slit is made, shewn at B B Figure 1. The best positions
for these for one shooting from the right shoulder are just above the left breast
pocket on the one side and just above the small pocket for coppers or tickets on
the other side. These slits may be covered over with the flaps of the pockets
so that when not required for the purposes for which they are intended they will
be out of sight and so not in any way spoil the appearance of the coat. Passing
under these loops there is a band or strap or sling C (which, if desired, may be
of the same material of which the coat is made) and this is carried round the
shoulders and through the respective slits. The strap or sling can, if preferred,
be put on outside the coat and can be kept in position by small cross straps or
loops in the best position, preferably just below the centre of the collar at the
back, one on each shoulder, and one at each of the places which would correspond
with the slits above mentioned. With a left hand shooter the relative height of
the slits or cross loops would be reversed. If it be desired to prevent the strap
or sling pulling further than a certain distance, this can be effected by cutting a
slot or slots in the strap or sling and passing through this slot or these slots a
button or buttons affixed to the coat in the most convenient position or positions.
When the gun is not being actually used in the act of shooting one end of the
band is carried under the gun from behind outwards at the place where the shooter
usually holds the gun with the forward hand in the act of shooting, the other
end of the band is carried under the butt also from behind outwards just behind
the trigger guard. When the ends of the band are grasped with the hands in
the ordinary way when carrying the gun at the ready, the ends adhere to the gun,
and the weight is thus carried or borne by the shoulders and the arms are also
supported and at rest. The strap or sling is not fixed so that by a hitch the gun
can be put to any inclination desired. The relaxation of grasp which naturally
takes place in throwing up the gun to shoot, releases the ends of the strap or sling
which fall off and the gun comes up perfectly free. The gun being carried in
this manner can be more readily held in the most convenient and quick position
for firing without fatigue and the strap passing over and in front of the shoulders
also serves as a cushion or pad for the gun when being carried on the shoulder
or when fired.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is;-
Improvements in coats for sporting or military shooting consisting of the addi-
tion of a band, strap, or sling held in position substantially as and for the purposes
above described.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Applicant's Patent Agents."