A Portable Bullet Proof Shield and Rifle Rest.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left. 7th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Portable Bullet Proof Shield and Rifle Rest.
I, FRANCIS BOYNTON, of 33 Carlton Road, Worksop, in the County of
Nottingham, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to the protection of soldiers from musketry fire. For this
purpose I provide a plate made of tough steel of a suitable shape to cover a man
when in a prone position. This plate is carried as an article of equipment and it is
adapted to serve as an efficient rifle rest.
This bullet proof plate when out of use can be carried on the valise or knapsack
in such a manner as to be easily and quickly detached from such equipment and it
is provided with a coupling for its quick and simple attachment to the rifle at or
about the middle band. The plate may be covered with canvas or by other means
protected from oxidation.
When required for use the bullet proof plate or shield is detached from the
equipment and attached to the rifle by a hook shackle or the like so that it can
swing freely on the rifle remaining for the most part vertical.
In advancing in action the soldier would carry his rifle with both hands in an
almost vertical position in front of him. The bullet proof shield would then cover
the vital parts viz. head and chest from a direct fire.
If at the halt to open fire the soldier would lie down in a prone position and place
his rifle to his shoulder in a proper position for aiming, and by this action he would
necessarily place the bullet proof plate or shield in such a position as to effectually
shield the whole of his body from direct fire. When the bullet proof shield rests
with its lower or bottom edge on the ground, it may be supported by the valise and
it then forms a very effective rest to assist in steadying the aim and ensuring
accuracy as the weight of the bullet proof shield would render a wild and reckless
aim impossible. When only required for protection the rifle might be used to
strut the shield, the butt of the rifle being lowered until the heel of the butt
touched the ground, the plate or shield being inclined slightly backward, retiring-
the soldier would carry his rifle at the slope-in this order the bullet proof shield
would protect his back from a reverse fire.
The bullet proof shield may be shaped for the rifle to fire "en barbette" or
through a loop hole in the plate.
The bullet proof shields may be so constructed that when desirable to protect
rallying groups, sections or masses of troops, the sides of the shields may either
overlap or the edges butt and interlock one with the other, also they may be
erected one on the top of the other and secured in this position in such a manner
as to give complete protection from both flank and direct fire. Squares could also
be protected in a similar way.
Dated this 8th day of June 1893.

page_text: A Portable Bullet Proof Shield and Rifle Rest.
I, FRANCIS BOYNTON, of 33 Carlton Road, Worksop, in the County of
Nottingham, Civil Engineer, 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:—
My invention relates to the protection of soldiers from musketry fire. For this
purpose I provide a plate made of tough steel of a suitable shape to cover a man
when in a prone position. This plate is carried as an article of equipment and it is
adapted to serve as an efficient rifle rest.
This bullet proof plate when out of use can be carried on the valise or equipment
in such a manner as to be easily and quickly detached from such equipment and it
is provided with a coupling for its quick and simple attachment to the rifle at or
about the middle band. The plate may be covered with canvas or by other means
protected from oxidation.
When required for use the bullet proof plate or shield is detached from the
equipment and attached to the rifle by a hook shackle or the like so that it can
swing freely on the rifle remaining for the most part vertical.
In advancing in action the soldier would carry his rifle with both hands in an
almost vertical position in front of him. The bullet proof shield would then cover
the vital parts viz.: head and chest from a direct fire.
If at the balt to open fire the soldier would lie down in a prone position and
place his rifle to his shoulder in a proper position for aiming, and by this action he
would necessarily place the bullet proof plate or shield in such a position as to
effectually shield the whole of his body from direct fire. When the bullet proof
shield rests with its lower or bottom edge on the ground it then forms a very
effective rest to assist in steadying the aim and ensuring accuracy as the weight of
the bullet proof shield would render a wild and reckless aim impossible. When
only required for protection the rifle might be used to strut the shield, the butt of
the rifle being lowered until the heel of the butt touched the ground, the plate or
shield being inclined slightly backward-retiring-the soldier would carry his rifle
at the slope in this order the bullet proof shield would protect his back from a
reverse fire.
The bullet proof shield may be shaped for the rifle to fire "en barbette" or
through a loop hole in the plate.
The bullet proof shields may be so constructed that when desirable to protect
rallying groups, sections or masses of troops, the sides of the shields may either
overlap or the edges butt and interlock one with the other, also they may be
erected one on the top of the other and secured in this position in such a manner as
to give complete protection from both flank and direct fire. Squares could also be
protected in a similar way.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the drawings annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front view of one of the shield plates; its width at the bottom is
about 43 c.m. and its thickness is such that its weight is about 33 kilos. The shield
plate is notched or cut away at the upper part to receive the rifle.
Figure 2 shows a shield plate of another pattern; its height is less and its

page_text: plate with the rifle; the
The rifle has upon it a
Figure 3 shows one way of connecting the shield
shield plate is seen in section and is marked a.
spring hook b; this hook is connected with the rifle by the joint pin c¹ of the
band c.
Figure 4 shows a side view of the hook 6 the actual size together with a portion
of the shield plate a.
Figure 5 a section of the hook 6 on the line 4-4 in Figure 4, a portion of the
plate a is also represented. The hook b as will be seen passes through a hole a*
formed in the shield plate.
Figure 6 shows another way of connecting the shield plate with the rifle; here
there is a hook provided upon the shield plate and an eye connected with the rifle
by a link secured to the band c by the joint pin c. Whatever be the way in
which the shield plate is connected with the rifle it is essential that there should
be such freedom that the plate can hang vertically from the rifle however (within
a wide range) the rifle may happen to be inclined and also such freedom as
admits of the rifle being aimed either to the front or wide on either flank,
whilst the shield plate remains stationary with its lower edge resting upon the
ground.
The shield plates are provided with button like studs a'a' and notches a² a² by
which the plates can be locked the one to the other.
Figures 7 and 8 show the rifle and shield plate as used by the soldier during an
advance. In retiring, the rifle is carried at the slope and the head and back are
protected.
Figure 9 represents a soldier in the prone position using the shield plate both
for protection and as a rest for the rifle whilst aiming.
Figure 10 is a front view, in which, three rifles are seen aimed over three shield
plates locked together side by side. The legs of one man only are partially
exposed.
Figures 11 and 12 show how the shield plate may be carried detached from the
rifle and strapped upon the valise.
Figure 13 shows six shield plates locked together in double tier and with rifles
supporting them and ready for use.
By arranging the shields in double or triple tier against a fence or structure of
any sort it may be rendered rifle proof.
"
When in combination in this manner one section of the men can fire in a prone
position, and the rear rank fire kneeling, using the upper row of shields
en barbette." Squares could also be protected in a similar way, and the shields
could be used for defence of post, zareba, defence of working parties, makeshift
sapshields &c., rendering stockades, walls &c., bullet proof by hanging the shields
on the face. They could also be utilised as a substitute for intrenchments, thus saving
considerable time otherwise occupied in forming trenches and embankments.
The shield in a modified form might be adapted for the protection of cyclists,
and Maxim or other machine guns.
Each shield may be made in two or four parts jointed together as is indicated
by the Figures 14 and 15.
The shield need not be carried by any soldier on the line of march, but could
be carried by the company section or column baggage, and distributed to the
sections and companies just before going into action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A shield plate connected with a military rifle by a readily detachable and
free joint; the whole so arranged that the shield plate serves both to protect the
soldier and also as a rest for the rifle to steady the aim when the soldier is firing in
a prone position substantially as described.
2. A shield plate connected with a military rifle by a readily detachable free

page_text: joint and arranged to interlock with other adjacent shield plates substantially as
and for the purpose described.
3. A shield plate and military rifle connected by a free joint and arranged
substantially as shown by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 28th day of February 1894.
FRANCIS BOYNTON.