The "Flashspotter Rifle" & "Spotlight-Projector"
for anti-aircraft firing practice with rifle and light automatic
See also: Aim teaching devices
and the Experimental SMLE with Anti-Aircraft sights
These two training devices enjoyed comparatively limited use, but were not entirely without merit or gainful employment.
The Flashspotter is oddly named in that the inference most likely drawn from its description would be that it is intended to assist with the task of 'flash spotting' - usually understood to be the detection of the location of muzzle flash from a fired weapon. The meaning actually intended by the name given in fact relates to the spotting of the point of aim of a firearm "by means of an attached or integrally beamed and focussed flash of light".
In his book "The British Sniper", Ian Skennerton describes this equipment as a "counter-sniper device" which "produces a muzzle flash, and one of its purposes was to draw enemy sniper fire".
That the Flashspotter might have been used in this way is a possibility perhaps, but almost any suitable light source, properly directed, would have achieved similar results; however, the warrior's ingenuity in the field knows no bounds. The patent for the design clearly indicates its purpose to be the projection of a light point onto a target for safe aiming practice, the text stating that" a spot of bright light will be projected upon the target in a position at which it would have been struck by a bullet had the rifle really been fired at the time the trigger was pulled. This enables the accuracy with which the rifle was sighted to be easily tested in any suitable place without the necessary for actually firing the same and consequently avoiding all danger or the necessity for taking special precautions against it. "
The Patent and Nameplate showing British Patent Number 243249 which dates back to 1925,
although the rifle itself is no doubt of rather later vintage, and probably Second World War (1939 - 45).
With the 'barrel removed it is possible to view and change the bulb, which is located in the 'receiver' at its forward end.
The 'barrel' contains only a small lens complex for focussing the light beam.
There is a slot, about four inches long in the bottom of the barrel,
through which a locking screw protrudes to permit fore and aft focus adjustment for the distance to the target.
With the trigger-guard removed, it is possible to see the wiring from the trigger switch going forward to the bulb and the battery terminals,
one under and one to the right hand side of the fore-end woodwork.
Apparent in the image below are marks bearing a similarity to inspection or contractor's stamps.
We have, as yet, been unable to undentify both these .............,
.............. and the marks on the underside of the 'receiver' in front of the trigger.
The comprehensive 1925 patent extract for both the integral Flashspotter rifle and alternative separate projector unit is copied at the bottom of the page.
In 2003, during a period when the hand-in of firearms and edged weapons was being encouraged, Northumbria Police advised the press that
" Amongst those given to officers for destruction or to be made safe were a BB gun made to look like a self loading automatic pistol and a Flashspotter Infantry Rifle, made in 1935."
The example shown on this page is the only one that has ever come to our notice, so, perhaps not all the aspects of removing "firearms" from the populace are entirely positive. The report hardly shows such policing in an historically sympathetic or appreciative light. Confirmation of the dating of one of these unusual training devices is about the only worthwhile outcome of this particular incident.
The Spotlight-Projector
This is a similar device to the Flashspotter rifle, but is a separate unit capable of being fitted to a number of different small-arms. One of its principle purposes was to teach the 'lead' required when firing on moving targets, and its use was comprehensively detailed in two Small Arms Training pamphlets, Volume I, No.6 - Anti-Aircraft, and No.21 - The Machine Carbine.
Replication of the relevant sections of these manuals is to be found on this page.
Below, the unit is shown attached to a Lee-Enfield Pattern '18 in .22 Rimfire calibre.
The focussing lens is evident at the front of the device
and, at the rear, the terminals to which the instructor's pressel switch is connected.
The focussing of the spot beam is achieved by sliding the telescoped sections of the projector and then locking up the knurled knob on the slide slot.
The projector and its adaptors were issued in a strong wooden box - shown below.
The items in this particular kit, from left to right, are the wiring harness and Bakelite pressel switch,
the three components for clamping the projector to the Lewis Gun, the bracket for mounting the unit on the S.M.L.E. rifle, and the projector itself.
The bracket for the S.M.L.E. rifle could also be used with various machine guns when utilised with other adapting brackets.
These can be seen in the manual extract below.
A wiring diagram is pasted into the lid to ensure correct connection between the components and the accumulators which,
contemporary with the early 1940s, would probably have been glass cased lead-acid batteries with the terminals sealed at the top in pitch.
Extract from the Small Arms Training pamphlet, Volume I, No.6 - Anti-Aircraft - pages 33 to 39, starting at Section 7.
Spotlight projector. The apparatus consists of :
i. (a) A projector fitted with an electric bulb and a focusing device.
(b) Brackets to attach the projector to
The rifle.
The L.M.G. (Bren or Lewis according to the gun with which the unit is armed).
(c) A D.P. rifle adapted for use with the projector.
(d) A spare pistol grip, to which is fitted a switch device and an electric lead and two clips.
(e) A transformer in a special box, with an electric lead fitted with an adaptor, and a two-pin socket. This box should not be opened.
(f) An electric lead, fitted with a pear switch, two " spade " ends, two " pin " ends, and a two-pin plug.
ii. The spotlight projector (see Figure 15) is fitted to the special rifle as follows :—
(a) Attach the bracket to the rifle on the. bayonet boss and standard Clamp the bracket firmly by tightening the wing nut between the bayonet boss and the standard..
(b) Remove the spindle on the front of the bracket by unscrewing the wing nut, put the pivot of the pro¬jector between the wings of the bracket so that the projector is under the barrel with the ;terminals towards the butt. Replace the spindle, passing it through the hole in the pivot of the projector, and screw it up firmly.
(c) Attach the electric lead (i. (f) above) to the rifle and the projector. The two " spade " ends fit on td_ terminals on the projector, and the two " pin " ends, on to the terminals on the rifle.
35
(d) 'Insert the two-pin plug into the socket on the trans former box.
(c) having first ascertained that the controlling switch is Off, remove the bulb from a convenient electric
light, and inert the adaptor of the transformer.
Switch on the current to the light, and the projector is ready for use. When the trigger is pressed or the pear switch is operated, a spot of light will be pro¬jected from the projector.
iii. The spotlight is fitted to the Bren gun as follows (see Figure 17)
(a) The attachment is fitted to the pistol grip.
(b)• Attach the bracket to the muzzle of the Bren gun by unscrewing and removing the wing nut, slipping the hinged portion_ over the barrel, and pushing it back until the ring of the bracket fits over the flash eliminator. Replace the wing nut and screw up firmly..
(c) Fasten the lead from the pistol grip to the milled head screw on the rear of the block on the bracket, and
secure the lead to the top of the barrel with the two clips provided.
(d) The projector is fitted to the bracket in the same manner as for the rifle. The electric lead is also connected in the same manner, except that the
pin " ends are in this case connected to the terminals on the bracket.
(e) Continue 'as in ii. (d) and (e) above. (see Figure 18).
iv. The spotlight projector is. fitted to the Lewis gun as follows :
(a) Replace the pistol grip on the gun with the special pistol grip issued for the spotlight projector.
(b) Attach the spotlight projector bracket to the gun as follows :—
Insert the small end cif the arm of the bracket under the sling swivel from the front so that the wings point towards the muzzle and the thickened portion of the small end is towards the radiator casing. Unscrew the clamping screw of the band and slide the band, with the heads of the two
terminals towards the butt, over the front radiator casing, pushing it back until the hole in the band corresponds with the hole in the arm of the bracket. Insert the clamping screw and clamp tightly.
{c) Pass the lead from the trigger under the band of tile anti-aircraft
holder and the field mount, and attach it to the milled head screw on the
front of the block on the bracket.
(d) As in iii. (d) above.
(e) Continue as in iii. (d) and (e) above (see Figure 20).
v. The transformer is issued complete in its box with all necessary connections
made. No alterations will be made to the internal wiring of the box. Any
necessary repairs must be made by an electrician.
vi. To focus the light from the projector, unscrew the small milled head
screw under the barrel of the projector a few turns, and slide it backwards
and forwards until a small clear ring of light is thrown. Clamp by screwing
tightly.
vii. To .register the projector for aiming at diving and climbing targets,
place the rifle in an aiming rest, slightly loosen the wing nut on the top
of the projector and the wing nut on the wings of the bracket. Take a correct
aim at a target and clamp the aiming rest firmly. Press the trigger, and
order an assistant to move the projector until the spot rests on the point
of aim. Clamp the projector. Check correctness of registration and adjust
as necessary.
viii, To register the projector for aiming at crossing aero¬planes,
use two marks painted on the screen (see paragraph 6 (ii)), six feet eight
inches apart. With the rifle on the rest or the gun on the tripod, order
one man to aim at the left of the two marks and then register the light
on the right-hand mark as in vii. above. The centre of the rest or tripod
to be 10 yards from the screen.
8. Moving target for spotlight projector (see Figure 21).
i. The target described below has been designed for use indoors with the
spotlight projector. it is capable of a con¬siderable range of speeds,
which can be varied from one and a half feet a second up to about six feet
a second. In addition, it can be used at angles other than the horizontal,
in order to give a diving effect to the target. it is easily reversible
; only a short time is necessary to change the weights- and reverse the
model aeroplane.
The most suitable range. at which to use the target is ten yards, both from
the point of view of the spotlight projector and the best speed of the target.
The model aeroplane should be as light as possible. It should be six inches
long and eight and a half inch wing span. Stiff drawing paper is the best
material for the purpose. The most suitable length of run is 20-24 feet,
but this may have to be. shortened when the run is not horizontal if insufficient vertical drop
is available, at one end of the run..
ii. Description of target.—Two front wheel hubs and spindles of an
ordinary bicycle form the pulleys for the target. The oiling caps arc removed.
Round blocks of wood, with holes of the same diameter as that of the hubs
of the wheels bored through their centres, are halved and glued in position
on one half of the hubs. Three screws through the spoke holes retain the
blocks in their correct positions. The pulleys are then turned on a lathe
to the shape and dimensions shown in Figure 21.
(e) Continue as in ii. (d) and (e) above. (see Figure IS).
iv:. The spotlight projector is fitted to the Lewis gun as follows : —
(a) Replace the pistol grip on the gun with the special pistol grip issued
for the spotlight projector.
(b) Attach the spotlight projector- bracket to the gull as follows :
Insert the small end (.4 the arm of the bracket under the sling swivel from
the front so that the wings point towards the muzzle and the thickened portion
of the small end is towards the radiator casing. Unscrew the clamping screw
of the band and slide the band, with the heads of the two terminals towards the butt, over the front radiator casing; pushing it back
until the hold in the band corresponds with the hole in the arm of the bracket.
Insert the clamping screw and clamp tightly.
The hubs are set opposite to one another in brackets. An endless cord of
mattress thread is run round the two wooden pulleys, and the model aeroplane
is hung on the lower thread. A second cord, also of mattress thread, is
run over the metal part of the hubs, with two weights of 12 ounces, each
hung at either end of the cord. The length of this cord should be so adjusted
that, when one weight is resting on the ground, the other is against the
stop close to the pulley.
A complete turn should w t be taken round the hub with the weight cord ;
this introduces friction, and is quite un¬necessary.
Screens should be erected in front to hide the mechanism and track, and
behind to show up the spot.
iii. Method of using target.—
(a) See that the endless cord* is not too tight. A tight cord increases
the friction in the hubs. The results of such friction are :--
(i) Jerky movement.
(ii) A large bias is required to move the model (see (e) below).
(iii) It is impossible to run the target at a very low speed.
(b) See that plenty of play (711, inch) is allowed in the cones of the bearings,
and that they are kept well oiled. If this is not done, the same defects
as given under (a) above are obtained.
(c) Arrange the two 12-ounce weights in such a way that one, called No.
1, is at the highest, and the other, called No. 2, is at the lowest point
of its run.
(d) Fix the aeroplane to the lower part of the endless cord at the end near
the No. 1 weight.
(e) •Add rider weights to No. 1 weight until the aeroplane begins
to move, then add two or more small rider weights until the aeroplane moves
at a speed of six and two-thirds feet a second. With the gun at 10 yards
range this represents an aeroplane at 400 yards travelling at 180 m.p.h.
The number of small rider weights to be added will depend on the tension
of the cord and the working condition of the hub and pulley. Adding weight
to the No. 1 weight increases the speed. Adding weight to the No. 2 weight
decreases the speed.
(f) After the run, return the aeroplane to its original position by pulling
down No. 2 weight, not by lifting No. 1 weight.
(g) To reverse the direction of the run, reverse the aeroplane. The original
No. 1 weight now becomes No. 2 weight, and vice versa.
* The tension of this cord varies to some degree with the weather.
The Projector unit was approved for fitment to the Lewis gun, Bren light machine gun and Sten and Thompson sub-machine guns amongst other weapons.
Here follows an xtract from the Small Arms Training
pamphlet, Volume I, No.21 - The Machine Carbine - pages 21 to 27
APPENDIX A
THE THOMPSON SUB-MACHINE GUN M.1 (U.S. MODEL)
Troops operating with American forces may meet this weapon, which, in the U.S. Army, is replacing the various types of Thompson machine carbines already described in this pamphlet. The M.1 differs from the earlier types in many respects, the most important of which are :
(a) The fixed backsight consists of an aperture and a " U " sight.
(b) The butt cannot be detached from the pistol grip.
(c) No " H " piece or felt pads are incorporated.
(d) The cocking handle is similar to that of the Sten and fits into the right side of the bolt.
(e) The buffer is not integral with the buffer rod ; this simplifies stripping considerably.
Stripping.—Remove the butt and pistol grip together (see Thomp¬son, Lesson 3). Press in the rear end of the buffer rod and lift out the buffer. Maintain pressure on the rod and draw the bolt back till its front end is behind the slots in the body. (This will prevent distortion of the spring.) Remove the rod and spring under control. Draw the bolt back till the cocking handle is in line with the enlarged recess in the cocking handle slot. Depress the firing pin hammer, raise the bolt slightly, and remove the cocking handle. Draw the bolt back and lift out.
Assembling.—Replace bolt and cocking handle. Draw the bolt back as for removing the spring. Replace the spring and buffer rod, being careful not to distort the spring. Maintaining pressure on the rod, ease the bolt slowly forward, and replace the buffer. Replace the pistol grip and butt.
Cleaning.—As in Thompson, Lesson 3, except that graphited grease need not be used since there is no " H " piece. Note also that the bolt must be kept well oiled, because there are no felt pads in the body to act as oil reservoirs.
APPENDIX B
FITTING OF THE SPOTLIGHT PROJECTOR
1. For the spotlight projector see Pamphlet No. 6. The apparatus can easily
be fitted to the Thompson and Sten machine carbines
with a few simple additional fittings.
2. Plates 10 and 11 show the projector fitted to the Thompson with horizontal foregrip and no compensator. The only additional requirements are :
(a) A trigger guard clip.
(b) A lead clip. (See
(c) A thin metal plate and 2 wood screws. Plate 12
(d) Two suitable lengths of insulated wire.
In addition, the spotlight bracket issued for the No. 1 rifle must be modified by the drilling of a small hole 1 in. from the bottom of the slot which fits on to the bayonet standard (Plate 13).
1. Bracket for use with vertical foregrip and compensator.
2. Thin metal plate and two wood screws.
3. Lead clip.
4. Trigger guard clip.
To assemble the apparatus :
Screw the bracket into the underside of the foregrip with the metal plate and wood screws. Screw the terminal block into the right side of the foregrip.
Fit the trigger guard clip to the trigger guard. (This clip must be insulated so that the small contact screw does not make contact with the trigger guard through the clip). Fit the lead clip to the body behind the pistol grip.
Connect the extra leads to the terminals : connect the other ends to the trigger guard and lead clips. Attach the projector and main leads as for the rifle.
3. Plate 14 shows the projector fitted to the Thompson with vertical foregrip and compensator. In this case a special bracket is necessary (Plate 12). To assemble : fit the bracket to the projector. Slide the bracket over the compensator and tighten the screw. Proceed as in para. 2 (from " Screw the terminal block, etc." to the end of the paragraph).
4. Plates 15 and 16 show the projector fitted to the Sten Mark II.
Additional fittings required are :
(a) A special bracket.
(b) A terminal block with spring clip.
(See Plate 17)
(c) An insulated trigger guard clip (as in 2 (a) above, modified to fit the Sten trigger guard).
(d) Two short lengths of insulated wire.
To assemble :
Fit the bracket over the muzzle and tighten the screw. Fit the terminal block in its clip over the magazine housing. Fit the trigger guard clip to the trigger guard, as in para. 2 above.
Connect the extra leads to the terminals ; connect the other ends to the trigger guard clip and to the screw at the front of the trigger mechanism casing.
Attach the projector to the special bracket and connect main leads as for the rifle.
NOTE.—The scale of spotlight projectors is detailed in A.C.I. 567 of 1940 (see reprint notified in A.C.I. 1732 of 1943).
An Improved Indicating Device for use
in connection with the Sighting of Fire-arms.
We, JOHN WILLIAM FRASER LAMONT, of 217A, Kensington High Street, London,
1V. 8, and HERBERT _DICKINSON, of 2, Jasper Road, Norwood, London, S.E.
19, British subjects, 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 :—
Our invention relates to an improved indicating device adapted for use in
connection with the sighting of fire-arms. This is intended to show the
degree of is correctness in the sighting of the firearm by momentarily projecting
upon the target a spot of light, the projection of which is controlled by
the trigger of the fire-arm.
The object of this invention is to pro vide a simple and improved device
of this type adapted to be readily fitted to almost any existing type of
fire-arm and embodying an improved form of electrical contact adapted to
be actuated by or through the firing mechanism thereof so as to close an
electric circuit momentarily and to thus illuminate an electric lamp which
projects a spot of light through a suitable system of reflectors and optical
leas or lenses onto the target so as to indicate the spot on which the fire-arm
was aimed.
According to this invention, we employ a simple form of electrical contact
comprising a slidable weight adapted to be actuated through the hammer or
bolt of the fire-arm or through the momentum or impact thereof so as to
cause the weight to slide and to engage contacts so as to complete an electrical
circuit through a small electric lamp connected with a suitable battery
mounted upon the fire-arm or carried by the user. Suitable spring or other
means are employed to return the slidable weight and again break contact
so as to extinguish the lamp. A reflector and suitable lens or lenses are
provided so as to project the light from the lamp in the required direction.
The slidable contact device and the light and optical system for its projection
are preferably embodied in a single unit, such for instance as a tubular
casing or upon a single base. In he case of a sporting gun or like firearm,
the hammer or its equivalent may strike directly upon the sliding weight
or upon a pin or connection adapted to transmit the impact of the hammer
or its equivalent thereto so as to actuate the weight and close the electrical
circuit momentarily at the required time. When it is required to fit our
improved device to a rifle of the well known service pattern, the contact
device and the optical system may be connected up as a unit in a suitable
tubular or other casing adapted to be secured as an attachment to the exterior
of the rifle as for instance by attaching its two ends to the usual sling
clips provided on the fore part of the rifle. In this case the slidable
weight is very delicately balanced and is adapted to be operated to close
the circuit through the impact of the bolt of the rifle when this is released.
The resultant jar of the released bolt will be communicated through the
rifle so as to cause the delicately balanced weight to ove under the influence
of the momentum imparted to it so as to close the circuit momentarily, a
suitable spring acting to return the weight almost at once. In this manner
no actual alterations are necessary to the rifle itself and no connection
need be made to its mechanism. In fitting the device into a sporting gun
or the like in which the bore of the barrel or the chamber for the reception
of the cartridges is of considerable dimension, our improved device may
be made to fit in the breech of. the gun in the place of a cartridge. The
voltage or current for illuminating the lamp may be considerably above the
normal for which the latter is intended so as to obtain the desired brilliance
during the exceedingly short period for which the lamp is illuminated.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood, reference is made
to the accompanying drawings in which:—
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a service rifle with one form of our improved
device fitted thereto as an attachment.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing a suitable arrangement of
the device used in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a part sectional view of a sporting gun showing our improved device
fitted within the barrel thereof.
Fig. 4 is a part sectional elevation to an enlarged scale of the device
fitted in the breech of the sporting gun, and
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic arrangement of a suitable form of sliding contact
device and electrical lamp according to our inventon.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, our improved indicating device 1 is arranged
as a unit in a tubular casing and is shown fitted to a standard service
pattern rifle 2 being connected to the bands 3 and 4 on the fore part of
the rifle and which usually act as clips for securing the sling. Electric
leads 5 extend from the rear end of the device to a suitable electrical
battery or other source of current which may be carried on the person of
the user or mounted on the rifle or in any other suitable position.
The construction of the indicating device 1 is shown in Fig. 2, and com
prises an outer tubular casing 10 fitted with a projector lens 11 at its
forward end and a reflector 12 in a suitable position along its length.
In front of the reflector is supported a small electric light bulb 14 so
that when this is illuminatedthe light from the reflector will be projected
by the lens 11 so as to be focussed in a bright spot upon the target, at
which the rifle is directed. If desired, a suitable condenser 15 may be
provided between the lamp 14 and the projector lens 11, but this may be
omitted if desired. In the latter case, the reflector 12 will be suitably
formed to act as a combined reflector lens.
In the rear portion of the casing 10 is supported the electrical contact
device comprising a block of insulating material 20 in which is supported
a pair of contact blades 21, each of which are connected in circuit with
the lamp and an electric battery. Centrally mounted in the block 20 is a
spindle 22 upon which is arranged the contact weight 23, whilst the rear
end of the spindle 22 engages in a guide plate 24. A suitable fine spring
25 is interposed between the contact weight 23 and the block 20 so as to
normally hold the former out of contact with the blades 21. The front end
of the spindle 22 is screw-threaded and provided with an adjusting nut 26
by means of which the position of the weight 23 may be adjusted. The cap
27 in the rear end of the casing 10 is provided with an opening 2S through
which the leads upon the battery may pass. If desired, the casing 10 may
be made in two parts separable near the end of the block 20 so as to facilitate
access to the nut 26 or 85 for other purposes.
The slidable contact weight 23 is adapted to be actuated by the impact of
the bolt 6 of the rifle when this is released by the trigger 7. In the usual
service pattern rifle, the force of impact of the bolt 6 when released is
sufficient to cause the slidable weight 23 to move toward and engage the
two blades 21 so as to close the electric 95 circuit through the lamp 14.
The effect is however, only momentary, and the spring 25 again returns it
to its original position, breaking the contact so that the lamp will only
be illuminated for a very short period. The result of this is that a spot
of bright light will be projected upon the target in a position at which
it would have been struck by a bullet had the rifle really been fired at
the time the trigger was pulled. This enables the accuracy with which the
rifle was sighted to be easily tested in any suitable place without the
necessary for actually firing the same and consequently avoiding all danger
or the necessity for taking special precautions against it.
Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, these show the application of our improved
device to a sporting gun in which the slidable contact weight. is actuated
directly by the mechanism of the gun. The sporting gun 30 is provided with
a suitable projection lens 31 in the barrel thereof, and an electric lamp
32 and reflector 33 are arranged in the barrel toward the breech end thereof.
In the actual breech of the gun is fitted a, slid- able contact device in
such a manner that the actual firing mechanism of the gun will actuate the
weight directly when it is released by the trigger 34. In the sectional
view shown in Fig. 4, the block 40 of insulating material supports the two
contact blades 41 and the spindle 42 carrying the slidable contacts 43.
A spring 44 is provided between the weight and the block 40, and a nut 45
is provided on the screw-threaded end of the 5 spindle 44 for adjustment
purposes. In the end of the breech is provided a cap 46 having a loosely
fitting pin 47 therein, the outer end of which projects slightly from the
cap and is located so that it will be struck sharply by the end of the firing
lever 48 when this is released by the trigger 34. This arrangement applies
to the type of sporting gun known as a hammerless type, but it is to be
under stood that the actual hammer may serve the same purpose in the type
of sporting gun so fitted. The impact of the firing lever 48 on the loose
pin 47 will cause it to strike sharply upon the slidable weight 43 moving
it into contact with the two blades 41 so as to close the circuit and cause
the electric lamp to be illuminated. Sufficient clearance is however, left
between the end of the loose pin 46 and 25 the end of the slidable weight
43 to permit the latter to return under the influence of the spring and
so again break the circuit and extinguish the lamp automatically.
In Fig. 5 is shown a diagrammatic arrangement in which a lamp 50 and lens
reflector 51 are mounted upon a baseboard 52 of insulating material. A pair
of contact blades 53 and 54 are also arranged on the base board 52 and connected
in circuit with the lamp and a suitable source of electric current. Slid-
ably mounted in guides 55 is a spindle 56 carrying upon its end the slidable
plate 57 and having a coil spring 58 arranged around the spindle and between
one of the guides 55, and an adjustable nut 59 on the spindle. Movement
of the slide able weight 57 may be effected by an actual blow upon the end
of the spindle 56 so as to cause the weight 57 to strike against the contact
blade 54 so as to bring it into engagement with the other contact blade
53 to complete the circuit.
Instead of a direct blow upon the spindle 56, the momentum caused by the
impact of some other movable part such as the bolt of a rifle may be employed
for causing the slidable weight to move in the desired manner.
Whilst our improved device has been described in detail as applied to small
arms such as rifles, sporting guns and the like it is to be understood that
it may be equally well applied in connection with larger fire-arms such
as ordnance, machine guns and the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. An improved indicating device for use in connection with the sighting
of fire-arms comprising an electric lamp connected in circuit with a source
of current and a pair of contact blades adapted to be closed by means of
a slidable weight actuated by the mechanism of the gun when released by
the operating trigger, and a suitable optical system for projecting the
light from this lamp so as to momentarily produe a spot of light upon the
target when the electrical circuit is closed.
2. In an improved indicating device for use in connection with the sighting
of fire-arms according to Claim- 1, arranging the slidable weight to be
operated directly by the impact of the hammer of the gun or its equivalent
which is arranged to strike a direct blow upon the slidable weight so as
to cause it to engage the contact blades against the action of a spring
which subsequently returns it and again breaks the circuit.
3. In a device for use in connection with the sighting of fire-arms according
to Claim 2, arranging the slidable weight to be actuated indirectly through
the impact caused by the release of a bolt of a rifle or its equivalent,
which impact will set up a momentum in the weight causing it to engage the
contact blades against the action of a spring which will return it and again
break circuit.
4. In a device for use in connection with the sighting of fire-arms according
to Claim 2, arranging the electrical contact device in the form of a pair
of con tact blades supported upon an insulating base and connected in the
electrical circuit, a centrally disposed pin upon which is mounted the slidable
weight, a light coil spring interposed between the weight and the base and
a loose pin mounted in a suitable guide and adapted to receive the direct
blow of the striker or hammer of the gun and to in turn impart this to the
slidable weight so as to cause it to momentarily engage the contact blades,
substantially as described.
5. In a device for use in connection with the sighting of fire-arms according
to Claim 3, arranging the lamp and optical system in the forward part of
a casing preferably of tubular form in the rear end of which is arranged
the circuit closing device comprising a block having a pair of spring blades,
a slidable weight mounted on a pin axially disposed between them and supported
at its free end in a suitable guide, the weight being sufficiently sensitively
mounted 'so that the momentum set up by the impact of a bolt of a rifle
or its equivalent will cause the weight to momentarily engage the contact
and close the circuit, a suitable spring being provided to normally hold
the weight out of engagement, and the whole device being arranged in the
manner of an attachment adapted to be fitted to the exterior of a fire-arm
without alteration thereto.
6. The improved device for use in connection with the sighting of fire-arms
substantially as described in the specification with reference to Figs.
1 and 2 of the accompanying sheet of illustrative draw ings.
7. The improved 'device for use in connection with the sighting of fire-arms
substantially as described in the specification with reference to Figs.
3 and 4 of the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.
8. The improved device for use in connection with the sighting of fire-arms
substantially as described in specification with reference to Fig.
5 of the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.
Dated this 26th day of May, 1925.
RAYNER & Co.,
5, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. 2, Agents for the Applicants.
Redhill: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Love & Malcomson,
Ltd.-1925.
Small arms use of the rifle and light automatic (e.g. the Lewis Gun) against aircraft
became necessary early in the First World War -1914-18,
but its importance was equally great during the Second World War - 1939-45.
We have, on this page, replicated training manual extracts from each period, and include an inter-war section.
This is in the form of a text-searchable flip-page document that may take a few moments to load.
Provisional Notes on Firing at Aircraft with MG and other Small Arms - 1917
After making a search entry, click search magnifier twice
The 1931 Small Arms Manual carried inter-war updating of techniques and equipment.
The Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III, Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.V, and Enfield No.3 (P'14) rifles rifle had yet to be replaced
by the Lee-Enfield No.4 rifle that was in gestation in the form of the No.1 Mk.VI trials rifle.
The Lewis Gun remained in service throughout both conflicts.
The Spotlight Projector is specifically covered from page 29.
Again, this text-searchable flip-page document may take a few moments to load.
The 1931 manual also carried specific instructions for the use of the Spotlight Projector
including the means to construct equipment to permit the 'flying' of a model aircraft
to provide the required realistic and challenging target.
This is another searchable flip-page facsimile of the section
See also: Aim teaching devices
and the Experimental SMLE with Anti-Aircraft sights