An Improved Night Sight suitable for Small Arms and Artillery.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Night Sight suitable for Small Arms and Artillery.
1, EDWARD AUGUSTUS DOWN, of North Kilworth, near Rugby, Warwickshire,
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Indian Forest Service, 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 an improved night sight which is equally applicable to
small arms and artillery, and has for its object to facilitate obtaining accuracy of
aim when shooting or firing at night. Such improved night sight consists of a
horizontal bar of a triangular, square, round, or other convenient form; which is
coated or partially coated with, strong luminous paint and mounted on a clip or
slide, or other equivalent device, whereby it is attached to a rifle or gun imme-
diately in rear of the foresight. The section of such bar when made triangular,
forms a right angled triangle, the inclined surface of which reflects the rays of the
moon when shooting by moonlight with the moon in the rear of the object aimed at.
When such sight is fitted on the rifle or gun, the-top-of-the. luminous bar is on a
level with the top of the foresight, thus allowing of an accurate aim being taken
even on a dark night, provided the darkness is not so great as to render the object
aimed at invisible. The length of the bar, and the size of the clip or slide or other
equivalent device whereon it is mounted, are regulated by the description of weapon
to which it is applied.
Preferably I make the bar of a triangular form, with an inclined surface of, say
about half an inch or more in depth, and recess the same in the centre where it is
mounted on the clip or slide, or other equivalent device, so that the ends of the
bar which project equidistantly on each side of the clip or slide, or other equivalent
device, present a broader and consequently more obvious luminous surface to the
eye when taking aim.
In the accompanying drawings, wherein similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts,
Figure 1 shews in elevation a square horizontal bar A mounted on a clip B, and
Figure 2 shews a similar view of a triangular horizontal bar A mounted on a
slide B.
Figure 3 is a section of such triangular bar taken on the line 1. 1. Figure 2,
shewing the inclined surface from C to D, and
Figure 4 is a plan view of such bar and mount.
Figure 5 shews a view of the bar A fitted to a rifle immediately in rear of the
foresight with the centre of the bar visible through the V groove in the backsight E,
and the two ends projecting horizontally and equidistantly one on each side of such
backsight.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-Having fitted the night sight to
the rifle or gun the luminous bar is horizontally aimed at the object to be hit, after
which the backsight is gradually raised by the action of the shoulder of the marks-
man, until it conceals the middle of the bar, with the exception of that portion
thereof which is seen through the V groove in the backsight, in the same manner
as the barley corn of the foresight is visible through such groove when firing by
day. At the same time the two luminous ends of the bar which project equi-
distantly one on each side of the backsight, and which must be kept in a perfectly
horizontal line with each other are distinctly visible and thus ensure accuracy of
aim.
My invention combines the essential advantages of simplicity, utility, and
economy. It can be easily and quickly attached and adjusted, and ensures accurate
aim being taken. It prevents canting as the person firing can at once see whether

page_text: the bar is out of the horizontal line by the position of the two projecting ends. It
is particularly adapted for sporting purposes, and is likewise of essential advantage
from a military point of view, as it greatly assists soldiers at night in obtaining an
accurate aim either when attacking or defending a position. When applied to
military rifles the luminous bar is used with the leaf down when taking aim up to
400 yards, and with the leaf up when taking aim from 500 yards and upwards, in
the ordinary manner.
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
An improved night sight suitable for small arms and artillery consisting of a
luminous horizontal bar of a triangular, square, round, or other convenient form,
mounted on a clip or slide, or other equivalent device, whereby it is attached to a
rifle or gun immediately in rear of the foresight, all substantially in the manner and
for the purpose hereinbefore described and shewn.
Dated 24th day of June 1892
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for Applicant.