AN IMPROVED SHIELD FOR THE PROTECTION OF INFANTRY
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Wood, of Old Glossop, in the County of Derby,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SHIELD FOR THE PROTECTION OF
INFANTRY."
Sealed the 16th August 1878, and dated the 28th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Wood at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th May 1878.
JAMES WOOD, of Old Glossop, in the County of Derby. "AN IMPROVED SHIELD
FOR THE PROTECTION OF INFANTRY."
This Invention relates to the construction of a movable bullet-proof shield to be
used in the field of battle or elsewhere for the protection of infantry advancing in
the face of musketry or rifle fire.
The shield is made of plate steel of a sufficient thickness to be bullet-proof, and
may be made of any convenient width and of a height sufficient to cover the men
in a slightly crouching position, but low enough for the men to fire over, using the
top as a rest for their rifles. The shield is carried upon an axle mounted upon
light wheels and provided with shafts or rails, so that the men may push it before
them as they advance, and when at rest it is supported by the shafts resting on the
ground at the back.
The shield is so arranged that it can be raised or lowered or set to any required
angle, according to the angle of the fire to which the men are exposed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Wood in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th November
.1878.
JAMES WOOD, of Old Glossop, in the County of Derby. "AN IMPROVED SHIELD
FOR THE PROTECTION OF INFANTRY."
This Invention relates to the construction of a movable bullet-proof shield to be
used in the field of battle or elsewhere, for the protection of infantry advancing in
the face of musketry or rifle fire.
The shield is made of plate steel or other suitable material of a sufficient thickness
to be bullet-proof, and may be made of any convenient width and a height sufficient
to cover the men in a slightly crouching position, but low enough for the men to
fre over, using the top as a rest for their rifles. This shield is carried upon an axle
or axles mounted upon light wheels and provided with shafts or rails, so that the
men may push it before them as they advance, and when at rest it is supported by
the shafts resting on the ground at the back.
The shield is so arranged that it can be raised or lowered or set to any required
angle, according to the angle of the fire to which the men are exposed.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked
the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation thereof.
In the annexed Drawing, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation; Fig. 2, a front view;
and Fig. 3, a back view of a shield made according to my Invention.
I may here remark that, for the sake of illustration, this shield is represented as
of a rectangular form, and of a width to cover one man only. It is proposed to be
worked by and form a shelter for (say) three men in Indian file, but I wish it to
be understood that the shield may be made of any other suitable form and of a
width to cover two or any other convenient number of men.
The shield is constructed of a plate of steel or other suitable material a, a,
((or of two or more plates bolted together) of a sufficient thickness or strength to be
bullet-proof. Its height is such that when mounted upon wheels b, b, infantry can
fire from the shoulder over the top through the slot b*, bx, at objects in front, but
on crouching slightly they will be entirely hidden. This height may be varied by
altering the position of the axes of the wheels b, b, in slots c, c, at the back of the
plate a, a.
To the back part of the shield a, a, are attached two bars or shafts d, d, the rear
ends of which are cased with wood, so as to form convenient shafts to be grasped
by the men in propelling the shield forwards, the men walking in between the
shafts and behind the shield, the shafts being lifted up into about the horizontal
position. When the shield has been moved to the required position the shafts are
lowered and released, spikes e, e, at the ends thereof entering the ground and
forming abutments for the shield (as shown at Fig. 1). Extending from the shafts
to the back of the shield near the top are two rods or struts f, f, to support the
upper part of the shield, and these struts are made adjustable by means of bolts
working in slots g, g, so as to alter the inclination of the shield, according to the
angle of fire to which the men may be exposed. Midway between the edges of the
shield there is a loop hole h, h, placed at such a distance from the ground as to
enable a man to fire through from the shoulder when in a kneeling position. This
loop hole can be closed at any time by means of a swing door or cover i, i. Other
loop holes may be made higher up, if preferred, so as to enable the men to inspect
the ground in front of the shield without exposing themselves to the fire of the
enemy.

page_text: At the outer edges of the shield, near the bottom thereof, are two sliding
bolts k, k, by thrusting which outwards between the spokes, the wheels can be
effectually "scotched" when required.
This shield may be used by infantry for their protection when acting on the
offensive or defensive; when troops are advancing in the face of rifle or musketry
fire, they must advance with these shields as quickly as possible in a stooping or
crouching position, so that their heads are below the top of the shield, which they
propel before them, and the troops must be of such a number to a shield as will
enable them to move with their shields over any practicable ground, their rifles
being slung behind them whilst propelling the shield. When they have taken up
their position the shafts d, d, are lowered till the spikes e, e, rest upon or enter the
ground; the men are then ready for action.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention, the construction
and use of the improved portable shield for the protection of infantry, substantially
as herein-before described, and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Wood, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.