Improved Device for Setting the Elevation of Rifle Sights.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Setting the Elevation of Rifle Sights.
HARRY ANDREWS of 31 New Road Woolwich, Kent, Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient device to enable the
sliding bar on the backsight of a rifle to be accurately set so as to obtain the correct
angle of elevation when shooting at known distances..
In its simplest form I provide for this purpose a gauge designed preferably to set,
upon the edge of the stock by the backsight. I construct the said gauge with a series
of steps, the successive pitches thereof being equivalent to the necessary number of
degrees of rise or fall of angle of elevation required at different ranges. In using my
improved device to set the bar of the backsight of a rifle, the bar has simply to be
brought into contact or upon the step indicating the range, and the gauge reapplied
and the bar moved and set upon the next step for setting to the correct elevation
required at the next range. I therefore do not require to read off the number of
degrees of movement necessary and as is the case to follow when setting the sliding
bar with a vernier scale elevator as now in use.
I provide in my device for means to enable me to elevate and lower the aforesaid
steps with respect to their altitude from a normal zero, which admits of my adjusting
the steps of my device to suit the correct height and exact reading so as to be common
to any rifles differently sighted.
I also provide in my device means for small vertical adjustment of the steps to
readily be made and then the sliding bar may be reset higher or lower, to the
hundred and fiftieth part of an inch, when required. The means of adjusting the
steps is advantageously carried into practice by making the device in two parts.
On the upper part I form the graduated steps upon which the sliding bar may be
set for the sighting of any particular range, and the lower part which rests upon the
stock is formed with an inclined plane. The two parts are suitably held together by
screws or other adjustable fastenings. Suitable graduations are inarked on one or
both of the two surfaces which coincide and form the inclined sliding surfaces. By
moving the upper part, having the "Range Steps" thereon, along the inclined plane
surface of the lower part, the said steps are raised or lowered as may be found
necessary for effecting their correct elevation prior to the setting of the sliding bar
thereon.

page_text: HARRY ANDREWS of 31 New Road Woolwich, Kent, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient device to enable the
sliding bar on the backsight of a rifle to be accurately set so as to obtain the correct
angle of elevation when shooting at known distances.
In its simplest form I provide for this purpose a gauge designed preferably to set
upon the edge of the stock by the backsight. I construct the said gauge with a series
of steps, the successive pitches thereof being equivalent to the necessary number of
degrees of rise or fall of angle of elevation required at different ranges.
In using my improved device to set the bar of the backsight of a rifle, the bar has
simply to be brought into contact or upon the step indicating the range, and the
gauge reapplied and the bar moved and set upon the next step for setting to the
correct elevation required at the next range. I therefore do not require to read off
the number of degrees of movement necessary when setting the sliding bar with a
vernier scale elevator as now in use.
I provide in my device for means to enable me to elevate and lower the aforesaid
steps with respect to their distance from a normal zero, or base line, which admits of
my adjusting the steps of my device to suit the correct altitude and exact reading so
as to be common in its application to any rifle differently sighted.
I also provide in my device means for small vertical adjustments of the steps to
readily be made, and thus permit the sliding bar to be reset higher or lower-to the one
hundred and fiftieth part of an inch-when required.
The means of adjusting the steps, hereinafter called the "Range Steps" is
advantageously carried into practice by making my improved device in two parts.
On the upper part I form or construct the graduated "Range Steps "upon which the
sliding bar is set for the sighting of, or adjustment to, any particular range, while on
the lower part which rests upon the stock I form or construct an inclined plane.
The said two parts forming my device are suitably held together by a screw or other
adjustable fastenings. Suitable graduations are marked on one or both of the two
surfaces which coincide and form the inclined sliding surfaces.
By moving the upper part, having the "Range Steps" thereon, along the inclined
plane surface of the lower part, the said "Range Steps" can be raised or lowered for
effecting their correct elevation, from the normal zero or base line, prior to the setting
of the sliding bar theron.
The accompanying drawing shows my device provided with means to effect the
elevating or lowering of the "Range Steps."
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation.
Figure 2 is an end view.
Like letters indicate like parts in the two views.
a, a¹, a², a³, a, as, are the "Range Steps" in my device, each successive step rising
equivalent to the normal changes of elevation required from range to range of the bar
of the Rifle Sight. B upon which the "Range Steps" are formed is fitted to and
moves upon the lower inclined surfaces D, D₁ formed on the lower or base
part C.
The screw E which passes through the inclined slot El holds the parts B and C
together when tightened. When the screw E is released the upper part B can be
moved up or down the inclined surfaces D, D¹ thereby raising or lowering the
"Range Steps" a a¹ a² a³ a' a' to any particular position, which may be fixed

page_text: upon and read by the graduations H. F is the base which rests upon the stock
of Rifle. In a simpler form of my device, and when made preferably in one piece,
I provide one or more adjusting screws at the base thereof for the purpose of
elevating or lowering the "Range Steps" in ny device.
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 gauge provided with a series of "Range Steps" whereupon the movable sliding
bar of the rear sight of a rifle can be definitely adjusted substantially as and for the
purposes herein specified.
2. A gauge having a series of, or one or more, adjustable "Range Steps" for use in
determining the elevation of a rifle sight & operated substantially as herein before
described.
3. A gauge of the kind or class herein described constructed with its adjustable
"Range Steps" substantially as shown and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing.