Improvements in Sighting Apparatus for Quick Firing Guns.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1592
Complete Specification Left, 13th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sighting Apparatus for Quick Firing Guns.
I, EMIL RITTER VON SKODA of Pilsen, Austria, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to sighting apparatus for the rapid laying of quick firing
guns to any desired range and which can be used by day or by night. In the
latter case the apparatus is furnished with devices for electrically illuminating the
fore and rear sights.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation, a plan, and a rear elevation
of a quick fire sighting apparatus constructed according to this invention.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a longitudinal section and a cross section of a
sighting apparatus of this kind adapted for use at night time.
Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the mode of operation of my sighting apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the device for illuminating the rear sight.
Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a vertical section and a plan of the electrically
illuminated fore sight.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of electric conductors for
the lamps.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the quick fire sighting apparatus comprises a rotary
eccentric plate A arranged parallel to the axis of the barrel upon a pivot a mounted
in two eyes b¹ hinged to a base plate B which is screwed to the gun barrel. A
clip c, which is pivoted to the eye b', is caused to engage, in an annular groove
formed in that end of the pivot a that projects through the eye 1, for the purpose
of retaining the eccentric plate in place.
In the cylindrical surface of the eccentric A is formed a groove d of V shape in
cross section to serve as a sight notch. The direction of this groove with relation
to the axis of the gun barrel corresponds to the lateral deviation of the projectile.
Furthermore there is screwed to the side of the eccentric plate A semi-circular
range plate C to which an arresting plate D is secured so as to project over the
periphery of the plate C. This plate C is provided on its cylindrical periphery
with a suitably divided numbered range scale, it may be, for example, extending
from 2 to 200 or to 2400 metres by means of which the angle through which the
eccentric plate A is to be rotated to correspond with the desired sighting height
for the time being, can be readily determined.
The periphery of the plate D is formed with notches or excisions which
correspond to the divisions of the aforesaid range scale.
On the base plate B is fixed by means of two screws g a flat steel spring E the
free elastic end of which is formed with a tooth-like projection e which engages in
the notches of the disc D and thereby locks the latter and the eccentric plate A in
their various positions.
The spring is formed near the projection e with an inclined surface which in
rubbing against the cylindrical surface of the range plate C, is inclined towards
the person laying the gun and thus constitutes an indicator for the range scale.
The fastening screws g of the arresting spring E, also serve to hold a rectangular
ebonite plate which is inserted under the base of the spring and serves to insulate
a metallic clamping screw F provided with an arm i which is mounted on the said
plate, when the sighting apparatus is employed as a night sight, as will be
hereinafter described.
To the disc D is fixed a handle k (Fig. 3) for the purpose of rotating the

page_text: eccentric plate A into certain positions. On the pivot pin a of the eccentric A
between the eyes 6 is also mounted a rod-sighting device G that is capable of
being turned up or down and of being held in the raised or lowered position by
means of a flat spring m that is let into the base plate and is arranged to bear
against a projection on the pivoted end of the said device. One side of this rod
sighting device, which is specially suitable for less rapid firing at long ranges, is
formed as a rack with which engages a small driving wheel or pinion mounted on a
sliding piece 22.
The lateral movement of the sight notch in this sighting device takes place in
consequence of the laterally inclined position of the rod sighting device G in its
upright position. In connection with both of the hereinbefore described sighting
devices there is provided a front sight that may be of the usual construction; this
front sight is screwed to the gun barrel so as to be in a vertical plane passing
through the longitudinal axis of the gun.
When the quick-fire sighting apparatus hereinbefore described is required to be
employed as a night-sight, it is provided with an arrangement for electrically
illuminating the sights. For this purpose the construction of the apparatus is
modified as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this construction the eccentric plate A the
pin a and the range disc C are made in one piece and so as to form a casing in
which is arranged an incandescence lamp L, the stem of which is inserted in the
slotted end of a small ivory tube o that is placed in the tubular eccentric pin a,
the arrangement being such that the glass stem of the lamp as far as it extends
into the small tube o is surrounded with a covering of vulcanized caoutchouc for
the
purpose of providing an elastic support or bearing, whilst the free or exposed
portion of the stem is held in a brass socket p which is fixed by means of the side
lug to the inside wall of the casing.
Within the ivory tube are two brass pistons 9 9' which are connected together
by spiral springs of German silver. The piston nearest the lamp is fixed and is
electrically connected with one end of the carbon filament of the lamp. The
other piston is elastic and projects from the small ivory tube or from the eccentric
pin and bears against the transversely arranged arm i of the above mentioned
insulated clamping screw F. The other end of the carbon filament of the lamp is
in metallic connection with the brass socket p or its lug p' and consequently with
the casing and the gun-barrel.
The eccentric plate A is perforated along the groove d constituting the back
sight for the purpose of allowing of the passage of light from the enclosed
incandescence lamp, the perforations being arranged obliquely with regard to the
periphery of the grooved eccentric plate and at short distances apart.
The range dise C is made open at its cylindrical surface for a length corre-
sponding with the length of the range scale, the opening being covered with a
transparent plate r of celluloid, that lies at one side in a groove in the casing and
on the other side is fixed by the overlapping edge of the disc D which is screwed
to the outer side of the casing, and is also fixed at its ends to the casing
by screws.
The plate which when the casing is illuminated appears grey in colour is
provided similarly to the disc C of the day sighting apparatus with a numbered
distance scale of a black colour. In other respects the construction of this
sighting apparatus is similar to that heréinbefore described for day use.
The corresponding front sight is also adapted to be electrically illuminated and
is externally of the same shape as the front sight of the day sighting apparatus.
It consists of a suitably bored parts screwed into the gun barrel, and of a
hollow conical parts, screwed into the top of the part s. The parts is
furnished at its apex on the side turned towards the person laying the gun, with a
small window or opening t through which light can pass from the interior of the
parts. Below the screw thread portion of the conical part s' and held within the
lower parts of the sight, is an ebonite cylinder u made in two halves, in which is
located a small incandescence lamp having preferably a red bulb. The stem of

page_text: the lamp is fitted with a brass socket w covered with an envelope of vulcanized
caoutchouc. One end of the carbon filament of the lamp is electrically connected
with this socket which is also electrically connected with the metallic body of the
sight, or with the gun-barrel through a metallic pin a screwed into the side of the
sight. The other end of the carbon filament of the lamp is connected by means of
a spiral spring with a metallic piston y of parallelopipedal shape fitted in the said
ebonite cylinder. The said piston has on its lower side a semi-circular recess the
surface of which bears upon a contact pin which is diametrically inserted in the
body of the sight and is secured therein by a cross pin z'. The contact pin is of
copper and is formed at its outer projecting end with an eye and is encased in an
ivory sheath with the exception of a portion underneath the piston y where the
copper pin is exposed.
2
The lamps in both sights, are connected electrically to the conductor of a
secondary battery or a constant primary battery common to both.
A battery of a current strength of about 4 to 5 volts suffices to supply both
lamps.
Fig. 10 illustrates diagrammatically the arrangement of conductors for the
lamps.
The material of the conductor must be flexible and well insulated and should not
be liable to be affected by damp and heat. The battery H is located in a small
When the
box protected from shock, on which there is arranged a switch K.
battery current is sent into the circuit, according to the diagram shown by means
of the aforesaid switch, the two lamps and L, are caused to glow. The apex of
the conical parts' of the sight will thereby be caused to assume a dull red glow;
the scale of the range disc will become clearly visible; and the sight notch in the
eccentric plate A will in consequence of the light holes in the same, appear as a
dull green line made up of dots that will not dazzle, the intensity of its light
becoming gradually less in an upward and downward direction. In consequence of
this the person laying the gun is enabled to set the sighting apparatus to any
desired range and to keep the back sight constantly under observation and to bring
its uppermost surface which will be clearly perceptible, into exact coincidence
with the front sight.
The mode of operation of the hereinbefore described sighting apparatus will be
readily understood from the diagram shown in Fig. 8.
In this diagram A and A2 represent the two extreme positions and A¹ any
middle position of the eccentric plate A; a is the pin on which the plate A is
eccentrically arranged; d, d' are the sighting points corresponding to the
several positions of the eccentric plate shown; a a' are the angles of rotation for
the corresponding heights of the sighting points d' d³, and s is the front sight.
Dated this 4th day of October 1892.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sighting Apparatus for Quick Firing Guns.
I, EMIL RITTER VON SKODA of Pilsen, Austria, Manufacturer, 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 relates to sighting apparatus for the rapid laying of quick firing
guns to any desired range and which can be used by day or by night. In the latter
case the apparatus is furnished with devices for electrically illuminating the fore and

page_text: In the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification,
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation, a plan and a rear elevation, of
a quick fire sighting apparatus constructed according to this invention.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a longitudinal section and a cross section of a
sighting apparatus of this kind adapted for use at night time.
Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the mode of operation of my sighting apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the device for illuminating the rear sight.
Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a vertical section and a plan of the electrically
illuminated fore sight.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of electric conductors for the
lamps.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the quick fire sighting apparatus comprises a rotary
eccentric plate A arranged parallel to the axis of the barrel upon a pivot a mounted
in two eyes 6 b¹ hinged to a base plate B which is screwed to the gun barrel. A
clip c which is pivoted to the eye b¹, is caused to engage in an annular groove formed
in that end of the pivot a that projects through the eye b', for the purpose of
retaining the eccentric plate in place.
In the cylindrical surface of the eccentric A is formed a groove d of V shape in
cross section to serve as a sight notch. The direction of this groove with relation
to the axis of the gun barrel corresponds to the lateral deviation of the projectile.
Furthermore there is screwed to the side of the eccentric plate A a semi-circular
range plate C to which an arresting plate D is secured so as to project over the
periphery of the plate C. This plate C is provided on its cylindrical periphery
with a suitably divided numbered range scale, it may be, for example extending
from 200 to 2400 metres, by means of which the angle through which the eccentric
plate A is to be rotated to correspond with the desired sighting height for the time
being can be readily determined.
The periphery of the plate D is formed with notches or excisions which correspond
to the divisions of the aforesaid range scale.
On the base plate B is fixed by means of two screws g, a flat steel spring E the
free elastic end of which is formed with a tooth-like projection e which engages in
the notches of the disc D and thereby fixes the latter and the eccentric plate A in
their various positions.
The spring is formed near the projection e with an inclined surface f which in
rubbing against the cylindrical surface of the range plate C is inclined towards the
person laying the gun and thus constitutes an indicator for the range scale.
The fastening screws g of the arresting spring E, also serve to hold a rectangular
ebonite plate which is inserted under the base of the spring and serves to insulate
a metallic clamping screw F provided with an arm i which is mounted on the said
plate, when the sighting apparatus is employed as a night sight, as will be herein-
after described.
To the disc D is fixed a handle k (Fig. 3) for the purpose of rotating the eccentric
plate A when the same has occupied certain positions. On the pivot pin a of the
eccentric A between the eyes b 6 is also mounted a rod sighting device G that is
capable of being turned up or down and of being held in the raised or lowered
position by means of a flat spring m that is let into the base plate and is arranged to
bear against a projection on the pivoted end of the said device. One side of this
rod sighting device which is specially suitable for less rapid firing at long ranges, is
formed as a rack with which engages a small driving wheel or pinion mounted on a
sliding piece n.
The lateral deviation of the sight notch from the vertical line in this sighting
device takes place in consequence of the laterally inclined position of the rod
sighting device G in its upright position.
In connection with both of the herein before described sighting devices there is
provided a front sight which is screwed on the chase of the gun and may be of the
usual construction.
When the quick-fire sighting apparatus hereinbefore described is required to be

page_text: employed as a night-sight, it is provided with an arrangement for electrically
illuminating the sights. For this purpose the construction of the apparatus is
modified as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this construction the eccentric plate A the
pin a and the range disc C are made in one piece and so as to form a casing in which
is arranged an incandescence lamp L, the stem of which is inserted in the slotted
end of a small ivory tube o that is placed in the tubular eccentric pin a, the
arrangement being such that the glass stem of the lamp as far as it extends into the
small tube o is surrounded with a covering of vulcanized caoutchouc for the purpose
of providing an elastic support or bearing, whilst the free or exposed portion of the
stem is held in a brass socket p which is fixed by means of the side lug p' to the
inside wall of the casing.
Within the ivory tube are two brass pistons q q¹ which are connected together by
spiral springs of German silver. The piston nearest the lamp is fixed and is
electrically connected with one end of the carbon filament of the lamp. The other
piston is elastic and projects from the small ivory tube or from the eccentric pin
and bears against the transversely arranged arm i of the above mentioned insulated
clamping screw F. The other end of the carbon filament of the lamp is in metallic
connection with the brass socket or its lug p and consequently with the casing
and the gun-barrel.
The eccentric plate A. is perforated along the grooved constituting the back
sight for the purpose of allowing of the passage of light from the enclosed
incandescence lamp, the perforations being arranged obliquely with regard to the
periphery of the grooved eccentric plate and at short distances apart.
The range disc C is made open at its cylindrical surface for a length corre-
sponding with the length of the range scale, the opening being covered with a
transparent plate of celluloid, that lies at one side in a groove in the casing and
on the other side is fixed by the over-lapping edge of the disc D, which is screwed
to the outer side of the casing, and is also fixed at its ends to the casing by screws.
The plater, which when the casing is illuminated appears grey in colour is
provided similarly to the disc C of the day sighting apparatus with a numbered
distance scale of a black colour. In other respects the construction of this sighting
apparatus is similar to that hereiubefore described for day use.
The corresponding front sight is also adapted to be electrically illuminated, and
is externally of the same shape as the front sight of the day sighting apparatus.
It consists of a suitably bored parts screwed into the gun barrel, and of a hollow
conical part s¹ screwed into the top of the parts. The part s' is furnished at its apex
on the side turned towards the person laying the gun with a small window or opening t
through which light can pass from the interior of the part s¹. Below the screw
thread portion of the conical part s' and held within the lower parts of the sight,
is an ebonite cylinder u made in two halves, in which is located a small incan-
descence lamp having preferably a red bulb. The stem of the lamp is fitted with.
a brass socket to covered with an envelope of vulcanized caoutchouc. One end of
the carbon filament of the lamp is electrically connected with this socket which is
also electrically connected with the metallic body of the sight, or with the gun-
barrel through a metallic pin a screwed into the side of the sight. The other end of
the carbon filament of the lamp is connected by means of a spiral spring with a
metallic piston y of parallelopipedal shape fitted in the said ebonite cylinder. The
said piston has on its lower side a semi-circular recess the surface of which bears
upon a contact pin z which is diametrically inserted in the body of the sight. The
contact pin is of copper and is formed at its outer projecting end with an eye and
is encased in an ivory sheath with the exception of a portion underneath the
piston y where the copper pin is exposed. The ivory sheath is secured to the body
of the sight by means of a pin z'.
The lamps in both sights, are connected electrically to the conductor of a
secondary battery or a constant primary battery common to both.
A battery of a current strength of about 4 to 5 volts suffices to supply both
lamps

page_text: Fig. 10 illustrates diagrammatically the arrangement of conductors for the
lamps.
The material of the conductor must be flexible and well insulated and should not
be liable to be affected by damp and heat. The battery H is located in a small
box protected from shock, on which there is arranged a switch K. When the
battery current is sent into the circuit according to the diagram shown, by means
of the aforesaid switch, the two lamps v and L are caused to glow. The apex of
the conical parts of the sight will thereby be caused to assume a dull red glow;
the scale of the range disc will become clearly visible; and the sight notch in the
eccentric plate A will in consequence of the light holes in the same, appear as a
dull green line made up of dots that will not dazzle, the intensity of its light
becoming gradually less in an upward and downward direction. In consequence of
this the person laying the gun is enabled to set the sighting apparatus to any
desired range and to keep the back sight constantly under observation and to bring
its uppermost surface which will be clearly perceptible, into exact coincidence with
the front sight.
The mode of operation of the herein before described sighting apparatus will be
readily understood from the diagram shown in Fig. 8.
In this diagram A. and A' represent the two extreme positions and A' any middle
position of the eccentric plate A; a is the pin on which the plate A is eccentrically
arranged; d, d², d', are the sighting points corresponding to the several positions of
the eccentric plate shown; a a' are the angles of rotation for the corresponding
heights of the sighting points d' ; and s is the front sight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Sighting apparatus suitable for a quick firing gun, comprising a plate A
having at its periphery a sight notch and mounted to rotate about the axis of
an eccentrically arranged pin, and semi-circular plates C D fixed to the said
plate A and provided with a range scale and with means whereby the said plate A
can be arrested and held in the adjusted position substantially as described.
2. Sighting apparatus of the kind referred to in Claim 1, in which the plate A
is made hollow so as to contain an incandescence electric lamp and is formed at its
grooved periphery with holes that will be illuminated by a lamp located within the
said hollow plate substantially as described for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with sighting apparatus of the kind referred to in Claims 1
and 2, of a rod-sighting device substantially as described.
4. The use in conjunction with sighting apparatus of the kind referred to in the
preceding claims, of a forward sight adapted to be illuminated by an electric
incandescence lamp located within it substantially as described.
5. My improved sighting apparatus constructed arranged and operating substan-
tially as herein before described with reference to and shown in Figs. 1 to 4
inclusive, or modified according to Figs. 5, 7 and 8 of the drawings for the purpose
specified.
6. My improved front sight with internal electric incandescence lamp constructed
and arranged substantially as described with reference to and shown in Figs. 8
and 9 for the purpose specified.
Dated this 13th day of October 1892.
EMIL RITTER VON SKODA,
By L. W., per F. B.