UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ETHAN ALLEN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BACK SIGHTS FOR RIFLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 36,760, dated October 28, 1862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ETHAN ALLEN, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Constructing Rear Sights for Rifles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which—

Figure 1 is an elevation of the revolving sight. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same with a portion of the exterior removed to show the stop or bolt, and Fig. 3 is a view of the disk.

The nature of my invention consists in so arranging a series of holes in a revolving disk, between two plates of metal, with a vertical slot cut through each, that as the disk is turned from one notch in the periphery to the next a new hole appears in the slot a little higher or lower than the last, according to the direction the disk is revolved.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct my sight in the form seen at A A, splitting the circular part A vertically for the reception of disk B, as seen in Fig. 2. Disk B is held in position by pin d, and revolves upon it, having notches b cut in its periphery. There is a vertical slot, f, cut through a a′ of plate A at C. Disk B is also perforated with a series of holes in the form of a scroll, as seen from g to h, Fig. 3, and is also numbered from one to sixteen in a circle near its edge. There is a spring bolt or stop, D, with a thumb-piece, E, which is received into notches b, and holds disk B in position.

The operation is as follows: The part A of the sight is secured to the breech of any ordinary rifle, and disk B is turned until “1” is seen through the opening C in plate A′, when one of the holes in disk B is brought opposite slot f at its lower extremity, as seen at k, Fig. 1, producing the required opening for a sight at the shortest distance. Then, as it is found necessary to elevate the piece, the disk is revolved, bringing each figure in succession to view through the opening C, which raises the sight higher, up to “16,” when the opening in slot f will be found to be at the highest point.

It will be perceived that the marksman can try his rifle for any distance, changing his sight until it is found to be right, and then whatever figure appears in opening C he will understand is the right elevation for that distance, and the same rule applies to any other distance.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

Plate A′ and disk B, constructed substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

ETHAN ALLEN.

Witnesses:
GEORGE W. FAIRFIELD,
HENRY C. WADSWORTH.