IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM THE MARKER'S BUTT AND FIRING DARRY DECORATIVELY IN RIBLE CARRINE OR ARTILLERY PRACTICE
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lorenzo George Lysons, of Meadow Bank, Cults,
Aberdeen, Captain and Adjutant 1st Administrative Battalion
Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM THE MARKER'S BUTT AND FIRING
DARRY DECORATIVELY IN RIBLE CARRINE OR ARTILLERY PRACTICE."
Sealed the 24th August 1869, and dated the 27th February 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lorenzo George Lysons
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 27th February 1869.
I, LORENZO GEORGE LYSONS, of Meadow Bank, Cults, Aberdeen,
Captain and Adjutant 1st Administrative Battalion Aberdeenshire Rifle
Volunteers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS POR SIGNALLING FROM THE MARKER'S BUTT AND
FIRING PARTY RESPECTIVELY IN RIPLE, CARBINE, OR ARTILLERY PRACTICE," to be
as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
signalling from the marker's butt and firing party respectively in rifle,

page_text: carbine, or artillery practice. To this end I have two portable signals,
one placed in any convenient position near the marker's butt, and the
other wherever the firing party may be. These signals are composed of
different pieces made to attach and detach easily.
1st. I have a "standard" of wood, iron, or other suitable material, and
of suitable height, either solid or in two pieces. This "standard" is
attached to a "fixing plate" having prongs for holding it in the ground,
or holes in it through which spikes or pins may be driven into the
ground to hold it firmly in its place. In the top of this "standard"
there are open recesses or bushes with suitable covers.
2ndly. I have a light but strong "swinging pole" of wood or iron,
solid or hollow, and of one or more pieces. Near one end of this "pole"
I attach an axle or pivot (by preference moveable). The "pole" is
placed on the "standard" with the axle resting in the bushes, so that on
one side of the axle or pivot there is the long arm of the pole, and on
the other the short. The axle is firmly attached to the "pole" at such
a distance from the end that the short arm when the pole is vertical
clears the "fixing plate."
"
The short arm of the "pole" has one or more weights attached to it
in such a manner that they may be adjustable. These weights hold the
pole" in a vertical position when at rest. On the long arm of the
pole" I attach the signals. These signals may be of any material,
kind, or description, but which I prefer as follows, viz., a red square
with a smaller white or black square below and a red lamp above. At
the extremity of the long arm of the "pole" is an eye or hook. To this
eye or hook I attach a cord, chain, wire, wire rope, or other suitable
"connector," but which I will denominate the "cord." This "cord" is
of suitable length, and can be lengthened or shortened at pleasure, the
"slack "being coiled away in a suitable manner by means of a barrel,
roller, or otherwise. The "cord" is carried along the ground by means
of passing it under or through sheaves or revolving pullies attached to
posts or stones placed at convenient distances, by preference the posts or
stones which mark the firing distances. The signals are placed, as
aforesaid, in suitable positions, so that they can be easily seen, the one
at the marker's butt by the firing party, and the other at the firing
party, by the marker or attendant, and the "cord" attached to the
'pole" of the signalling apparatus at the firing party carried through

page_text: the sheaves to the marker's butt so as to be at his command, and vice
versa. It will be readily understood that either party by pulling the
cord (either by hand or suitable levers) will easily pull down the long
arm of the "swinging pole" (owing to the great leverage) into a hori-
zontal position, in which position the signals cannot be seen. The
"cord" may then be attached to a suitable catch, so that the "swinging
pole" is kept in a horizontal position until released. It will be as easily
understood that whenever the "cord" is released the short arm of the
"swinging pole" being weighted will fall and bring the "swinging pole "
into its natural vertical position again, displaying the signals to the
view of the parties at either end. To prevent the sudden flying up of
the long arm from straining the apparatus I place the india-rubber
cushions in suitable positions to break the fall of the lower short arm,
or I allow the short arm to swing through the "standard," striking
one or more strong springs which act on bells, gongs, or other
alarums. I also attach a bell to the long arm of the "swinging.
pole."
"
The signalling may be arranged as required, but I prefer it as
follows: The marker when ready pulls the "cord" attached to the
"pole" of the signalling apparatus near the firing party until he has
brought the "pole" to a horizontal position, so that the signals are
invisible. The firing party acknowledge the marker's signal by pulling
the "cord" attached to the "pole" of the signalling apparatus near the
marker's butt until they bring the "pole" to a horizontal position, the
"cords" are fixed up, and firing commences. Should the marker wish
to stop the firing he releases the "cord," and the long arm of the
swinging pole" flies up and shows the signals at the firing party's end.
The firing party acknowledge the signal by releasing their cord, and the
long arm of the "swinging pole" flies up and shows the signals at the
marker's end. The range is supposed now to be closed for firing, nor
should any man be allowed to fire until the "pole "at the firing party is
pulled down by the man in the butt as a sign he is ready, which signal is
acknowledged by the firing party pulling down the "pole" at the butt.
A code of signals can be arranged by pulling down the "poles" quickly
twice, thrice, &c., and then letting it remain erect, signalling by this
means "paint out," "mark the last shot," or other desired signal.
These signals are not only of advantage to the firing party and
markers for prevention of accidents and for quick and visible signalling,
but also to the public, as they can be easily distinguished at a long

page_text: distance when up, and would prevent accidents. arising from persons
crossing the line of fire.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Lorenzo George Lysons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 27th August 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LORENZO.
GEORGE LYSONS, of Meadow Bank, Cults, Aberdeen, Captain and
Adjutant 1st Administrative Battalion Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteers,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Lorenzo George Lysons, Her special
licence that I, the said Lorenzo George Lysons, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Lorenzo George
Lysons, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM THE MARKER'S
BUTT AND FIRING PARTY RESPECTIVELY IN RIFLE, CARBINE, OR ARTILLERY
PRACTICE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Lorenzo
George Lysons, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Lorenzo George Lysons, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-

page_text: My Invention consists of an apparatus for communicating between
the marker's butt and firing party in rifle, carbine, or artillery practice.
Communication between the firing party and the butt is as a rule
limited to the brief vocabulary of a couple of buglers and a red flag,
and the wind renders this arrangement uncertain and often useless.
Now my apparatus is constructed as follows: - Planted in the ground
a little distance in front of the butt, out of the line of fire, is a pole with
a socket in which a lighter pole is swung, kept erect by means of
weights, but easily pulled down into a horizontal position by a cord
attached to the top running along the range to the firing party; on
this lighter pole a red square is stretched, either of bunting or painted
tin or iron perforated with holes in case of wind. The face of this red
square is at right angles to the range and can be seen at a very great
distance. A small bell is attached to the pole, which rings when the
firing party either pull down the pole or let it up again. The end of
the cord is made fast, when the pole is pulled down into a horizontal
position, to a small cleet provided for the purpose, and when in this
position no red disc can be seen and firing may be carried on.
letting go the running end of the cord the weights bring the pole into
a vertical position again; the red square is seen all over the range and
firing is suspended. A similar pole is planted in the ground close to
the firing party and the running end of the cord is in the butt; being
very light this pole can be carried up and down the range by the firing
party to the various distances from which the shooting is to be carried
on.
On
The following is an example of the method of carrying on com-
munication with my apparatus:-First, suppose firing has not commenced,
hoth poles should be erect, one red disc facing the firing party, the other
the target. The marker gets everything ready, and then by means of
the running end of the cord at the butt pulls down (which causes the
bell to ring) the pole placed at the firing party in a horizontal position
and makes fast; the ringing of the bell alongside of them calls the
attention of the firing party to the signal, and they answer it by pulling
down the pole at the marker's butt, and make the cord fast; the firing
"bull's eyes,"
may now commence, and the marker indicates the
"centres," and "outers" as at present. If he is doubtful of some hit,
and desires to inspect the target, he lets up the pole at the firing party's
elbows and waits the answering signal and makes his inspection, and

page_text: when completed he again pulls down the pole to signal that firing
may be recommenced. If the firing party wish to interrogate the
marker they let up the signal at the marker's butt, and the marker
answers by letting up the pole at the firing point, and then according
to a preconcerted code of signals pull down the marker's pole "once,"
"twice," "thrice," or otherwise, and then leave it erect. The marker
understands, say, "mark the last shot" and does so in safety. By a
preconcerted code of signals the marker can also communicate with
the firing party.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said. Inven-
tion, I will now proceed to particularly describe and ascertain in what
manner the same may be performed and carried out in practice by
referring to the accompanying Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATIVE OF MY APPARATUS..
Fig. 1, front view of apparatus constructed in accordance with my
Invention showing the pole erect; Fig. 2, side view of same, the pole
being shown down by dotted lines.
A, red square, either bunting in a frame or painted tin or iron per-
forated so as to offer little resistance to the wind; B, swinging pole;
C, stationary pole, which is planted in the ground by means of a forked
foot; D, lever arm, weighted to bring the swinging pole to a vertical
position, the weight is moveable at pleasure; E, G, H, cord or wire for
actuating the signal; F, lamp for signalling at dusk, either white or
red; J, rod of wood or iron planted in ground to guide cord; I, forked
foot for planting pole into the ground.
On a permanent range it would be well to pass the cord through
small pulleys or rings attached to posts at every fifty yards, which could
also serve to mark the distances along the range. This would greatly
diminish friction and save the cord from being frayed or trod upon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed and
carried out in practice, I hereby declare that I claim, the Invention of
"Improvements in Apparatus for Signalling from the Marker's Butt
and Firing Party respectively in Rifle, Carbine, or Artillery Practice,"
as herein-before described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings,

page_text: it being understood that I do not claim the mere details of construction
per se and apart from the purposes of my said Invention, nor do I limit
myself to the precise form of details described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lorenzo George Lysons, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
Witness,
DERONS, Captam
(4.5.)
JOHN DUNCAN,
of Number Eight, Castle Street,
Aberdeen,
Advocate.