Improvements in Sights for Rifles and other Fire Arms.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sights for Rifles and other Fire Arms.
I, HORACE PÁRR HOLT, Photographer, of High Street, Oakham, Rutland, 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:-
"
*
The usual sights provided for Lee-Metford and other rifles and other fire-
árms consist of the "barleycorn or foresight" set slightly to one side of
the centre line, generally about 023 to the left to counterbalance the natural
tendency of the shot to throw to the left, the backsight being arranged to indi-
cate a central position. But when using the "Morris tube for small shot for
practice there is no necessity for any allowance for side throw and the rifle
should be sighted point blank and as the sights are arranged for fullcharge
shooting they become useless except for giving the requisite elevation.
"
This invention has for its object to provide a means whereby the position
of the V-notch in the back sight can be varied according to whether full charge
is being used or small charge with the Morris tube." Also the ordinary and
special sights can be easily changed and adjusted in position.
And in order that this invention may be more readily understood reference
is had to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings on which
Fig. 1 is a side view of a portion of a rifle fitted with a backsight constructed
according to this invention, the foresight also being shown.
Fig. is an end elevation of the backsight.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the foresight and
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views of a portion of the back sight slightly
modified in construction.
The backsight consists of the base A provided with the hinged leaf B, incline C
and sliding piece D by which the correct elevation can be given for the approxi-
mate distance of shooting, somewhat in the usual manner. Upon the front
end of the leaf B which is also adapted to receive the usual sight piece, a sight
piece having dovetail edges e can be fitted. On this sight piece E a sliding
portion E is adapted to fit in dovetail grooves e transversely across the sight
piece and the V-notch is formed in said sliding portion E¹. By varying
the position of the sliding portion E¹ the V-notch can be placed at the centre
line or at the desired distance to the left. A scale e serves to indicate the
positions. A screw f serves for securing the sight piece E in position on the
leaf B and is preferably arranged for either the ordinary or special sight piece.
The foresight G is as usual, mounted on the barrel H and is provided with
the projecting point arranged slightly to the left of the centre line.
When using full-charge shot, the ordinary backsight can be used having
the V-notch on the centre line or the sliding piece I can be moved until the
V-notch is in the central position as indicated in dotted lines Fig. 2, and the
side throw of the shot is therefore allowed for.
When however small shot is used with a "Morris tube" and it is not neces-
sary to allow for this side throw, the ordinary sight piece can be removed and

page_text: the special sight piece fitted or the sliding portion E¹ can be adjusted to the
required distance generally 023 to the left to bring the V-notch ea into line
with the point g of the foresight G. The rifle can then be aimed point blank
while using the sights as when using fullcharge shot.
In Figs. 4 to 6 the method of varying the position of the sliding portion E
is somewhat altered. A small screw e passes through an elongated slot e in
the sliding portion E¹ and engages in the sight piece E. By means of this
screw the sliding portion E¹ can be clamped in any desired position.
It will therefore be seen that by this invention, the sights can be used in all
cases, and as the backsight need not be turned up out of the way it can also be
used for giving correct elevations. This invention can be used for rifles and
other fire arms of all classes in which sights of this type are employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
(1) An improved sight for rifles and other fire arms, comprising a sight piece
fitted upon the leaf of the backsight and a sliding portion thereon by which
the position of the V-notch relative to the centre line can be varied, substan-
tially as described and for the purposes set forth.
(2) In a back sight for rifles and other fire-arms, the combination with the
base, hinged leaf incline and sliding piece, of the sight piece removably fitted
upon the said leaf and a sliding portion upon said sight piece having the
V-notch so that the position of the V-notch relative to the centre line can be
varied substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(3) Improvements in sights for rifles and other fire arms substantially as s
described with reference to the drawings and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 31st day of Yow 1000
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.