Improvements in and relating to Safety Targets.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Feb., 189
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
Improvements in and relating to Safety Targets.
1, EDWARD JOSHUA BLACKBURN SCRATTON, of Rinloch House, St. Andrews,
Fifeshire, Barrister-at-Law do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in safety targets and has for its object to
permit of the extremely popular pastime of rifle shooting being practised with
absolute safety, in confined spaces, such as ordinary rooms, back yards, gardens and
the like but which are capable of application in any situation.
Hitherto the above amusement has been indulged in (in confined spaces) by but
few, owing to the extreme danger of the return of parts or all of the projectile
after striking an ordinary wooden or metal target. By my improvements all such
danger is completely overcome, and rifle practise with suitable weapons, such as
saloon, pea, and rook rifles, can be indulged in with perfect safety in any ordinary
roon, back yard, garden and the like.
According to my improvements the target is so constructed that the bullet will
penetrate through a front medium, and Hatten itself against a back or secondary
medium, and the splintered projectile be effectively trapped.
This would or may be carried into practice by constructing a rectangular shaped
wooden box, in which the back or rear side is protected by a sheet of metal, while
the other sides with the exception of the front would be protected by thin sheet
metal.
The front side would be formed of beech or other tough wood or equivalent
suitable material, which a bullet can pass clean through. The thickness of the
front will be determined by the penetrative power of the projectile and weapon
employed. The fronts would be made portable and removable such as slide in
grooves formed in the adjacent sides or ends and thus be interchangeable, so that
when a front becomes worn out, which takes some time, it can be replaced by a
new front at a trifling cost. Fronts of various thicknesses could be supplied with
each target.
A paper "carton" with bulls-eye and circles or other indicating marks would
be affixed to the outer surface of the wooden front and the target would then be
ready for use.
A bullet striking the wooden front goes clean through it and flattens itself, or
flies to pieces against the metal protected back; the lightly protected sides and
the wooden frout effectually prevent any particles of metal from returning. They
cannot leave the target box, but fall to its bottom and can there be collected at
pleasure and be removed by a sliding tray.
Thus it will be seen that with this target not a vestige of the projectile is able
as formerly to return, and by its rebound or ricochet, put out an eye, or maim
a limb.
Dated this 28th day of February 1896.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.

page_text: I, EDWARD JOSHUA BLACKBURN SCRATTON, of Rinloch House, St. Andrews,
Fifeshire, Barrister-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement in writing that is to say —
This invention relates to improvements in safety targets portable or otherwise
and has for its object to permit of the extremely popular pastime of rifle, revolver
and other forms of shooting being practised with absolute safety in confined
spaces, such as ordinary rooms, backyards, gardens and the like, but which are
capable of application in any situation and whereby the bullet lead used can be
recovered.
Hitherto the amusement of rifle, pistol and revolver and other shooting, in
confined spaces, has been indulged in by but few owing to the extreme danger of
the return of parts or all of the projectile after striking the target ordinarily used.
By my improvements all such danger is completely overcome and rifle and pistol
practice with suitable weapons such as saloou, pea and rook rifles and pistols can be
indulged in with perfect safety in any ordinary room backyard garden and the like,
while at long ranges, both with small arms, and heavy guns, the metal of the
projectiles can be recovered when targets constructed on the principles of my
invention are used.
According to my improvements the target is so constructed that the projectile
will penetrate through a front medium, and is flattened or stopped against a back
or secondary medium and protected sides and the splintered projectile can be
effectively trapped and recovered, if desired but cannot return, to the danger of
the shooter or spectators, or markers at long rifle ranges.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying
same into practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended a sheet
of explanatory drawings in which
Figure represents a perspective elevation of a target complete as constructed
in accordance with my improvements. Figure 2 is a similar view with the bullet.
penetrable front cover of target removed and
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section through Figure 2.
Referring to these drawings:-
The improvements would or may be carried into practice by constructing a
rectangular shinped box of wood, or other suitable material in which the back or
rear side is protected by a sheet of metal a, or other suitable material while
the other sides a and with the exception of the front would or may be
protected by metal or other suitable material, although this in some cases need be
necessary when very light weapons such as air guns are used with a vory slight
front.
The front side would be formed of beech or other tough wood or equivalent
suitable material, which a bullet or other projectile can pass clean through. The
thickness of the front and of the armour plating at back and sides will be
determined by the penetrative power of the projectile and weapon employed. The
fronts would be made portable and removable such for instance as being
temporarily secured between a lower clip and an upper clip c', these clips being
formed with central sluts e in which work thumb screws c' so as to secure a front
cover of any desired thickness. By this or other suitable means the fronts bare
made interchangeable, so that when a front becomes worn out, which takes some
time, it can be replaced by a new front at a trifling cost. Fronts of various

page_text: thickness could be supplied with each portable target. The front b may be
formed of a greater breadth than the box part so that same can be adjustablo and
can be shifted along as it gets perforated by the bullets.
A paper carton d with bulls eye and circles or other indicating marks would be
affixed by pins to the outer surface of the wooden front b and the target would
then be ready for use.
A bullet striking the penetrable front b goes clean through it and flattens itself
or flies to pieces against the arinour protected back a; the lightly protected sides
and the wooden front b effectually prevent any particles of metal from returning.
The splintered projectile cannot leave the target box, but falls to its bottom and
can there be collected at pleasure either by removing the front cover b or by
having a sliding drawer at bottom of box.
Thus it will be seen that with this target not n vestige of the projectile is able,
as formerly, to return, and by its rebound or ricochet, put out an eye or maim
a limb.
When these targets are employed for artillery and heavy gun practice they
would preferably be made entirely of metal with the exception of the penetrable
and removeable front cover.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what
I claim is :-
A safety target portable or otherwise whereby all danger of return of the
projectile is effectually prevented constructed and arranged substantially as herein
set forth.
Dated the 16th day of November 1896.