Improvements in or relating to Targets and Markers' Mantlets.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Targets and Markers' Mantlets.
1, THOMAS GUTHRIE of 3 Thorney Terrace, South Shields, in the county of
Durham, Painter 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 has reference to improvements in or relating to targets and marker's
mantlets and consists in the provision and disposition of certain works and crections
whereby the marker is enabled to perform his duties with less risk of accident and with
greater expedition than has hitherto been the case while at the same time special
provision is made for the protection of the works themselves against bullet splashes
as is hereinafter shown.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which Fig. 1 is a plan shown partly in section Fig. 2 being a cross section of tho
same; Fig. 3 is an elevation, Figs. 4 and 5 being longitudinal and cross sections
hereinafter described, and throughout this description like letters or numerals indicate
like parts in the drawings.
Referring to the Figures, A A' are retaining walls of masonry supporting the
ground A outside the same. A suitable concrete floor A³ is formed between the
walls so as to leave convenient height for the movements of the marker or markers
within the trench. B is the target which is mounted on an iron frame above the
ground level so that its base shall not become concealed or obscured by dirt. The
said frame shown in front elevation in Fig. 3 may consist of an iron base plate c to
which is rivetted the bar iron frame e' the whole being mounted on wall plate cas
shown in the drawings and within or between the projecting lugs or horns c³ of the
bracket pieces c³ the target rests supported by the back stay c'.
All the upper portion of the masonry and timber work where exposed to the action
of bullets I cover with sheet iron D. At suitable distances along the line of the
trench formed by the walls A A' I place posts or supports 1 notched into the upper
ends of which is the horizontal stringer piece 2 to one side of which a longitudinal
bearing strip 3 is attached to support the ends of the timber covering or roof 4 the
wall A supporting the opposite ends of this covering. A filling-in piece 5 may be
used to bring up the work to the required level when this side of the work may
be covered in with a sufficient thickness of earth (about 18 inches) as at 6 or ashes,
and sodded over to the required formation level.
On the opposite side of stringer 2 to strip 3 I attach an iron longitudinal bearing
piece 7 which supports along the whole line of the trench the upper end of the plate
iron roof & the lower end of which rests on a zinc flashing bedded on the wall as
shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and acting as a gutter and to collect lead splashes. Within
the plate iron roof (which may be formed of or inch plates) and exactly opposite
the centre of each target I form two openings one of which is fitted with a trap
door 10 operated by a handle 10" fitted near to one end of the door the other with, a
skylight 11 and in order to further protect the marker from the bullet splashes I form
a shield 12 at or about the angle shown in Fig. 2 so that as the marker sits on his
sent 13 with footrest 14 and watches the target through skylight 11 any bullet
splashes directed towards the trap door 10 when the latter is open are arrested by
shield 12 and so do not reach the marker. For a target 4 feet wide by 6 feet high, I
find 30" x 7" a convenient opening for door 10 while the skylight 11 may have a clear
ovening of about 15" x 7.1"

page_text: I arrange the skylight 11 (see Figs. 4 and 5) in a zinc frame 11 in such a manner
that the glass 11 can be readily slid out of or into its position from within the trench.
The glass may rest on a smooth wooden frame 11 and all splashes are prevented from
passing the glass by the angle covering strip 11. The heads of the bolts 11" which
connect the frame to the roof 8 are formed large and flat as an additional safeguard
against bullet splashes entering the bolt holes. The nuts of these bolts are inside the
trench so that by unscrewing the same, the zinc frame can be bodily lifted out of its
position for examination or otherwise.
1 find that by the disposition of the glass with respect to the target and direction of
fire as shown in the drawings breakage of the skylight by bullet splashes is entirely
avoided but care must be taken to arrange the several parts at or about the angles
and positions shown and described in order to obtain the best results.
In a line of targets with a continuous trench in front of same (see Fig. 1) I erect
iron screens S of " plate as shown in the drawings so that bullet splashes from one
target may not interfere with the operations of the marker at the next target.
Attached to the wall A' of the trench and placed immediately between each
marker's seat I place a wall bracket in which are two mixing basins 17. 18 and
a box 19 divided into two partitions one for black and the other for white coloring
matter so that the marker imay always have these requisites near at hand while firing
is going on.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-The marker takes his seat on 13 and
through skylight 11 he has a clear front view of the target. As the shots strike the
target he registers the results with the disc marker held up through trap door 10 and
at the same time without moving from his seat he wipes off the mark and cleanses the
target. The marker then withdraws the disc within the trench and closes the trap
door so that there is under these conditions no chance of his being damaged by the
shots. Should however a careless shot be sent down while the marker has the trap
open then the shield 12 comes into play and prevents any splashes reaching him.
The disc markers may be kept in varying lengths or a short length may be kept to
fit onto the ordinary lengths to meet the exigencies of wide shots striking the target
remote from the niarker.
Further although it would be easy to contrive means whereby the opening of the
trap door 10 should bring down the shield 12 into position and whereby the shutting
of the same would similarly displace the shield I prefer to have a fixed shield 12 as
shown in the drawings as by its position there is a tendency to prevent a marker
leaving his seat and looking through the trap door instead of through the glass.
Access can be obtained to the marking trench by means of a few steps at intervals
or by ramped slopes as fonnd convenient.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved arrangement of target and marker's mantlot consisting of a sloping
or inclined mantlet arranged above a trench below the level and in front of the target
having skyligh: therein facing the target and trap door through which the marker can
register the value of the shot and at the same time clean the target the several parts
being arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein before
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a line of targets the combination with a marker's mantlet arranged and
operating as hereinabove described and illustrated of a screen or screens S whereby
the bullet splashes are limited in their actions substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination with a sloping or inclined target marker's mantlet having
skylight and trap door all arranged as above described and illustrated of the shield 12
for protecting the marker while the trap door is open substantially as set forth.

page_text: 4. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting improvements in or
relating to targets and marker's mantlets substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 17th day of Mar 1800
A. CRAUHALL CHAPMAN,
3, St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
Patent Agent for Applicant.