Improvement in sights for Guns and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1899-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1899-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
Improvement in sights for Guns and the like.
I, AUGUST BUSCHMANN, Mines Engineer, of Hildesheim, in the Province of
Hannover and Kingdom of Prussia, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to sights on guns and the like, and is intended
to remove a well recognized disadvantage.
For it is very difficult for the person aiming especially in the open field, where
there no are straight lined objects or surfaces, such as houses churches and the
like, directing his eye in strict alignment, to hold the gun in such a position that
the sight is accurately in vertical line over the axis of the gun.
For every divergence in the position of the sight from the vertical line naturally
brings about a lateral divergence of the flight of the projectile from the aim as
taken; so that the projectile in spite of the most accurate sighting and aiming
does not strike the spot it should do.
In order to obviate this disadvantage, in the present invention there is a sensi-
tive pendulum attached to the sighting apparatus actuating it towards the object
aimed at and making it possible for the marksman to keep with the greatest ease
in true alignment with the object aimed at.
In the accompanying drawing there is shown a sight provided with this pendu-
lum.
Fig. 1 gives the front view as seen from the butt end of the gun, Fig. 2 a
lateral view, Fig. 3 the back view of the pendulum from the butt, Fig. 4 a view
from above, while Fig. 5 gives a vertical section to the line of Fig. 4, Fig. 6
gives a section to the line y-y of Fig 3; Fig. 7 shows a special form of the
pendulum.
Naturally the construction and arrangement must be selected or altered accord-
ing to the system and construction of the sight and it is immaterial in what
manner the pendulum itself is formed or made. For instance, a thread or thin
wire, hung as high as possible to or above the sight, with a small weight, bullet
or the like, attached to its lower end would suffice; the attachment of this thread
must necessarily be in the very centre of the sight itself and above the centre of
alignment.
It is conceivable that the thread, or wire, however thin, may, in consequence
of being somewhat distant from the eye completely or partially cover the point
aimed at on which the eye should be fixed, and thus prove a hindrance in aiming:
therefore it would be better to select a pendulum which leaves a slit in the centre
open for fixing the object aimed at, so that the thread or wire connecting the
centre of gravity of the pendulum with the point of suspension and movement
should run laterally along the perpendicular line of junction of both points. This
can be carried out on one side or on both sides (forked).
On the accompanying drawing the latter arrangement is represented and
with the sight corresponding somewhat in its construction and arrangement of
parts to that in use in the German army.

page_text: The sight is soldered with its foot A on the barrel B and consists of the small
Hap C1, the block sight C and the large flap C2. With the block sight or the
small flap, a slight divergence in the position of the sight from the perpendicular
produces of course, owing to the slight distance between the notch of the sight
and the axis of the barrel, but an infinitesimal. lateral deflection of the gun scarcely
sufficient to be detrimental to the shooting. On the other hand the higher the
notch of the sight is above the barrel, the more frequent the miss, owing to small
lateral divergences, consequently the great importance of using such a sight
pendulum as provided by the present invention.
In the construction of the sight represented in the drawing the small flap C1
and the larger flap C2 revolve by means of the hinge-flaps or eyes D1 and D2
round the same axis E, the large flap C2 being made in one piece with the block
sight C in such a manner that the latter lies at the foot of the large flap at such
an angle to it that they together make a right angle, with a short and thick side
formed by the block sight, and a long thin side formed by the large flap.
If the large flap is used, so that it stands upright from the gun-barrel, the
block sight lies on the small flap C1, whilst, in order to make use of the block
sight C or the small flap, the large flap must be laid back into the position along-
side the foot of the sight A, or the barrel B, indicated by the dotted lines in
Fig. 2.
C
With the method of construction represented the revolving point for the
pendulum is placed up above on the large flap 02 beneath its notch in the
cross-piece b, the pendulum being supposed to be formed of a thin narrow strip
of metal which is pierced at the top for the insertion of the pivot c, and having
below c throughout its length a slit d, thus leaving at each side of d to the right
and left a narrow wire-like metal strip or bridge, whilst the lower end the slit d
terminates in a peg-like projection f to which the pendulum weight g is attached.
The latter is obliged in this case when the flap 02 is raised, to move
in a corresponding groove on the underside of the block sight C and is therefore,
the limited size of the several parts, more especially of the block sight C, allowing
only of a small extent of the groove h, and consequently friction of the weight g
against the sides of h very easily occurring, especially with a barrel raised or
lowered obliquely, attached in the form of a small pulley resembling as much
as possible in its shape a bullet, and made to revolve round the small pin f at
the lower end of the pendulum I', so as to reduce any friction to a minimum,
and to secure to the pendulum as free a play and beat as possible.
Of course care must be taken that the actual body of the pendulum, that is,
the part lying between the weight y aud the pivot c, should be as light as possible,
the weight g on the other hand as heavy as possible.
The minimum weight would naturally be attained in the first instance by using
a fine thread or threads but as the gun must be capable of bearing rough treat-
ment and of being used in very unfavourable weather, fine threads would be un-
suitable, especially as they possess no rigidity, which is absolutely necessary for
the pendulum if it is to act properly even when the barrel is held obliquely
upwards or downwards and in spite of the friction caused thereby on the sides
of the groove. Thus it would be advisable to make the body of the pendulum
as described and illustrated, of a thin slit metal plate, or of two parallel wires,
the upper one forming the eye to hang on, the lower one the pivot for the weight g
Still easier, and perhaps more calculated to attain the desired end, would be
its construction from a single wire bent in such a manner that its central piece i
runs parallel with the centre line m below the eye k and above the weight g and
connecting and g. But with this arrangement there would not be presented
to the eye such a sharp perpendicular sight line, as by the slit d formed between
the two wires or metal bridges e.
Aiming by means of the latter would thus have to be done in such a manner
that at every adjustment of the slide G which moves up and down on the large
flap C2 the notch in the slide G should always fall on the slit d of the pendulum.

page_text: Only in this position would the gun be held in the right manner when aiming,
thus avoiding a lateral deviation of the flight of the projectile from the desired
line.
It goes without saying that the advantages of the pendulum with a suitable
construction of the whole sight would also assist the taking aim with the small
flap or block sight; but it would be still simpler in this case to omit the block
sight and the little flap altogether, and when aiming to use only the large flap
which must then at its lower end be made and measured off in such a manner
that in this case it is also possible to aim at distances otherwise only indicated
by the block sight and small flap.
The parts in the drawing not yet referred to are the usual ones, thus for
instance H is the button with the spring by which the slide G is moved and held
fast in every position, to the large flap which is provided in front with a scale
for the distance on one side with notches.
For AUGUST BUSCHMANN,
Bernh. Brockhues.
I, AUGUST BUSCHMANN, Mines Engineer, of Hildesheim, in the Province of
Hannover and Kingdom of Prussia, 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 present invention relates to sights on guns and the like; and is intended
to remove a well recognised disadvantage.
For it is very difficult for the person aiming, especially in the open field, where
there are no straight lined objects or surfaces, such as houses churches and the
like, directing his eye in strict alignment, to hold the gun in such a position that
the sight is accurately in vertical line over the axis of the gun.
For every divergence in the position of the sight from the vertical line naturally
brings about a lateral divergence of the flight of the projectile from the aim as
taken; so that the projectile in spite of the most accurate sighting and aiming
does not strike the spot it should do.
In order to obviate this disadvantage, in the present invention there is a sensi-
tive pendulum attached to the sighting apparatus actuating it towards the object
aimed at and making it possible for the marksman to keep with the greatest ease
in true alignment with the object aimed at.
In the drawing filed with the Provisional Specification there is shown a sight
provided with this pendulum. Fig. 1 gives the front view as seen from the butt
end of the gun, Fig. 2 a lateral view, Fig. 8 the back view of the pendulum
from the butt, Fig. 4 a view from above, while Fig. 5 gives a vertical section to
the line of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 gives a section to the line y-y of Fig. 3; Fig 7
shows a special form of the pendulum.
Naturally the construction and arrangement must be selected or altered accord-
ing to the system and construction of the sight and it is immaterial in what
manner the pendulum itself is formed or made.
For instance, a thread or thin wire, hung as high as possible to or above the
sight, with a small weight, bullet or the like, attached to its lower end, would
suffice; the attachment of this thread must necessarily be in the very centre of
the sight itself and above the centre of alignment.

page_text: It is conceivable that the thread, or wire, however thin, may, in consequence
of being somewhat distant from the eye completely or partially cover the point
aimed at on which the eye should be fixed, and thus prove a hindrance in aiming;
therefore it would be better to select a pendulum which leaves a slit in the centre
open for fixing the object aimed at, so that the thread or wire connecting the
centre of gravity of the pendulum with the point of suspension and movement
should run laterally along the perpendicular line of junction of both points. This
can be carried out on one side or on both sides (forked).
On the drawing filed with the Provisional Specification the latter arrangement
is represented and with the sight corresponding somewhat in its construction and
arrangement of parts to that in use in the German army.
The sight is soldered with its foot A on the barrel B, and consists of the small
flap C1; the block sight C and the large flap C2. With the block sight or the
small flap, a slight divergence in the position of the sight from the perpendicular
produces of course, owing to the slight distance between the notch of the sight
and the axis of the barrel, but an infinitesimal lateral deflection of the gun scarcely
sufficient to be detrimental to the shooting.
On the other hand the higher the notch of the sight is above the barrel, the
more frequent the miss owing to small lateral divergences consequently the great
importance of using such a sight pendulum as provided by the present invention.
In the construction of the sight represented in the drawing the small flap Cl
and the larger flap C2 revolve by means of the hinge-flaps or eyes D1 and D2
round the same axis E, the large flap 02 being made in one piece with the block
sight C in such a manner that the latter lies at the foot of the large flap at such
an angle, to it that they together make a right angle, with a short and thick side
formed by the block sight, and a long thin side formed by the large flap.
If the large flap is used, so that it stands upright from the gun-barrel. the
block sight C lies on the small flap C1 whilst in order to make use of the block
sight C or the small flap, the large flap must be laid back into the position along-
side the foot of the sight A, or the barrel B, indicated by the dotted lines in
Fig. 2.
With the method of construction represented the revolving point for the
pendulum is placed up above on the large flap 02 beneath its notch a in the
cross-piece b, the pendulum being supposed to be formed of a thin narrow strip
of metal which is pierced at the top for the insertion of the pivot c, and having
below throughout its length a slit d, thus leaving at each side of d to the right
and left a narrow wire like metal strip or bridge whilst the lower end below the
slit terminates in a peg-like projection f to which the pendulum weight
attached.
is
The latter is obliged in this case when the flap C2 is raised, to move
in a corresponding groove on the under side of the block sight C and is therefore,
the limited size of the several parts, more especially of the block sight C, allowing
only of a small extent of the groove h, and consequently friction of the weight
against the sides of h very easily occurring especially with a barrel raised or
lowered obliquely, attached in the form of a small pulley resembling as much
as possible in its shape a bullet, and made to revolve round the small pin f at
the lower end of the pendulum F, so as to reduce any possible friction to a mini-
mum, and to secure to the pendulum as free a play and beat as possible.
Of course care must be taken that the actual body of the pendulum, that is,
the part lying between the weight g and the pivot e, should be as light as possible,
the weight g, on the other hand as heavy as possible.
The minimum weight would naturally be attained in the first instance by using
a fine thread or threads but as the gun must be capable of bearing rough treat-
ment and of being, used in very unfavourable weather, fine threads would be un-
suitable, especially as they possess no rigidity, which is absolutely necessary for
the pendulum if it is to act properly even when the barrel is held obliquely
upwards or downwards, and in spite of the friction caused thereby on the sides

page_text: of the groove. Thus it would be advisable to make the body of the pendulum
as described and illustrated of a thin slit metal plate, or of two parallel wires,
the upper one forming the eye to hang on, the lower one the pivot for the weight g.
Still easier, and perhaps more calculated to attain the desired end, would be
its construction from a single wire bent in such a manner that its central piece i
runs parallel with the centre line m below the eye and above the weight g and
connecting and g. But with this arrangement there would not be presented
to the eye such a sharp perpendicular sight line as by the slit d formed between
the two wires or metal bridges e.
Aiming by means of the latter would thus have to be done in such a manner
that at every adjustment of the slide G which moves up and down on the large
flap C2 the notch in the slide G should always fall on the slit d of the pendulum.
Only in this position would the gun be held in the right manner when aiming,
thus avoiding a lateral deviation of the flight of the projectile from the desired
line.
It goes without saying that the advantages of the pendulum with a suitable
construction of the whole sight would also assist the taking aim with the small
flap or block sight; but it would be still simpler in this case to omit the block
sight and the little flap altogether, and when aiming to use only the large flap
which must then at its lower end be made and measured off in such a manner
that in this case it is also possible to aim at distances otherwise only indicated
by the block sight and small flap.
thus for
The parts in the drawing not yet referred to are the usual ones
instance H is the button with the spring by which the slide G is moved, and held
fast, in every position to the large flap which is provided in front with a scale
for the distance on one side with notches.
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. Sight for guns thereby characterized that in the perpendicular line, passing
from the axis of the barrel through all the notches of the sight flap or the block
sight and the slide of the large flap a pendulum F lies, in order when aiming
especially in the open air, to be able always to keep the respective notch exactly
perpendicular over the gun and thus avoid the deviation of the line taken when
aiming from the direction of the flight of the projectile.
2. A special form of the improvement in sights as characterized by Claim 1,
in which the body of the pendulum, connecting the pendulum weight g with the
attachment point and pivot a, leaves the centre-line free, i.e. transparent to the
eye, either by the wire i forming the pendulum being laid laterally alongside of
the middle-line m (Fig. 7) or by the body of the pendulum being formed of two
wires or bands running parallel alongside of each other and leaving a slit d open
between them.
0 1 1
T
1000