US1380150A - Front sight for guns - Google Patents

Description

C.- R; KEERAN.

FRONT SIGHTJFOR GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16. 1917.

1,380,150. Patented M y 31,1921,

.a citizen of the i'l STAT CHARLES R. KEERAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FRONT SIGHT FOB GUNS.

Application filed November 1 T 0 all whom it may comem Be it known that 1,

which are eliminatedin my improved front sight. In aiming at rifle, it is generally regarded as best practice to hold the bead just below the bottom edge of the target, allowing a slight space to appear between the top edge of the bead and the bottom edge of the target. This does not, however, insure exact aiming, as there is always a question of how close to hold. Particularly is this a difiicult matter if the light is poor. Theoretically the best sight is one with which it is possible to hold the bead directly on the target. The nearest approach tosuch a sight is what is known as the telescope sight in which use is made of cross-hairs.

It is the primary. purpose of this invention to provide a front sight possessing parts'are so assembly.

many of the advantages of the telescope sight without the drawbacks inherent in that type of sight, such as high cost,-delicateparts, and unwieldiness. A bead is held by cross-hairs in the present form of sight, and instead of interfering with the vision of the shooter, as is the case when the ordinary bead sight is used, my improved device assists the shooter to quickly put the bead directly on the target. Besides en'- abling the shooter to aim better and quicker, my invention possesses other advantages, such as: (1) it is so constructed as to be easily removed or replaced whenever desired; (2') it. is so mountedon the gun barrel as to receive protection at it is so arranged as to guide the eye in ac curately aiming whether the target he moving or stationary;

formed as to facilitate accurate tained in the present front sight, one em- CHARLES KEERAN, United States, residing at shell, whenever proper alltimes; (3)

and (4) its component 2 These and other objects are at- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 31, 1921.

6, 1917. Serial No. 202,277.

bodiment of which is illustrated in the several figures of the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a rifle of conventional design equipped with my improved front containing the sight;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section therethrough, taken on line 5-5 of Fig 4; Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the cross-hairs before assembly;

Fig. 7 represents a modified design of hood construction;

caries."

- Fig. 8 is a cross section therethrough and through the gun barrel mounted;

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof and Fig. 10 is a side elevation pf a still further modified 'hood construction.

The rifle illustrated in Fig. 1 hason its tang. 11, a rear sight 12, and on the forward end of its barrel 13, the front sight 14, which forms the subject of the present invention. The rear sight may be of any approved kind, preferably equipped with an aperture through which the eye may look to line up the front sight with the target.

As appears best in Figs. 4 and 5, my front sight consists of two principal elements, (1) a hood'15 having a base 16 fitted within a dove-tailed slot 17 formed transversely o the gun barrel, and (2) a cylindrical shell 18 arranged to fit within the hood. The engaging surfaces of the hood and shell may be slightly tapered, if desired, so that the latter element will fit snugly within the hood. I prefer that these be constructed to permit removal of the desired, leaving only the hood fixedly secured to the barrel. The replacement of the shell is assuredby a rib 19 mounted on the inner side of the hood, the rib allowing insertion of the shell only when the latter 1s correctly rotated to present a groove 20 formed 'n the shellssurface in position to register wlththe rib 19.

The exterior surface of the shell is formed with a pa ipheral g'rooye or channel. 21.

on which it is elements should Also through the shell, extending in parallel relation to its axis, are several slits 22, four in number in the construction shown, and

situated 90 degrees apart. Interiorly of the shell extending diametrically across between the slits are cross-hairs consisting of two thin metallic strips and 6) of similar formatlom'each provided with a slit 2* at its middle pointextending transversely for about half its width. In assembling these strips 23 into the shell they are inserted through diametrically oppoflte slits 22 and in planesone-in advance of the other. They are then moved intolapping relation, this being po$ible by reason of the slits 24, and into the same plane with the and flush with the outer surfaeeof the shell.

may, if desired,

channel 21 on the outer side of the shell. These two strips 23 are each of suchlength as to project end portions 25 through the shell, these ends clenched or otherwise secured to lie within the channel 21 t will be. notedthat the strips 23 occupy Vertical and horizontal positions within the shell at all times, owing to the rib and the strips within groove means provided for alining theshell are preferably formed of very thin nietal.

- ahead or above the taproperly withm the hood. It is, furthermore, to be observed that the strips which present the efiect of cross-hairs, with a bead or pm-point at the center, of the sight,

enablingthe shooter-to accurately aim the.

gun, and'place the center ofthe' sight directly upon the target. If necessary to aim et the presence of the horizontal and vertlcal cross hairs will ployecl to aid the shooter in estimating the proper lead or elevation required to hit the target. In the form shownin Figs. 7 to 9 incluslve, the hood proper designated as 27 is formed with the usual base 28 arranged to be locked within a'suitable slot 29 in the gun barrel. The rear end 30 of the hood is ex-v tended, however, and is tapered clear to its extremity 31. At this 'point it may be slotted, if desired, as at 32, to facilitate reverse bending in conformity with the curve of the proximate surface of the barrel. If preferred, the hood may be slightly sprung to br1ng it to its final osition, as shown in Fig. 7. so that it upon the barrel; In the construction 0 F-i 10, substantially the sameform of hood is used, exceptthat a band or'ring 32 is emretain the rear extremity of the hood tightly upon the barrel.

By providing a protecting hood for the 23 (see Figs." 5

s permanently in.

with an annular channel, and cross halrs.

always lie ti htly i gun barrel, the she shell containing the cross-hairs, eliminate danger of these delicate parts being accidentally struck or harmed. It frequently happens, in carrying a gun, that the forward end of the barrel hits agamst some obstruc tion, such as might injure a sight of the kind under description. Any injury from such a cause is prevented by means of the present hood, the form shown in F' 7 to 10 inclusive being particularly e ective for this purpose, owing to the rearward taper of its walls, which tends 'to'deflect any-blow which the hood might otherwise receive. The shell containing these cross-hairs, on account of' placed directly upon the target.

, I claim:

1. A'front sight for guns,vco n sistingof a hood secured to the gunbarrel, a shell removably positioned within the hood, the enaim.

gaging surfaces of the shell and hood being tapered," permitting a tight fit therebetween if desired, and coiiperatmg means on the hood and shell the entrance of the latter only w en it is in a predetermined rotative position relative to the hood, and

cross hairs mounted within, the shell, substantially asdescribed. T I

2. A front sight for guns, comprising a hood secured to the gun barrel, a' shell re-' movably positioned within the hood, 00-] it is in predetermined rotative'relation relative to the hood, and crow hairs mounted mounted within theshell consistin of two thin strips arranged in right angular relation to each other and in the 'lane of the channel, 'there being slits longitudinally of strips are exten the channel, substantially as described. 4. A front. sight for guns, including a c lindrical shell ada ted for mounting on t e being formed exteriorly operatin means on the hood and shell, rmitting t e entrance'of the latter only w on its with an annular channel and with four slits r I the shell through which the ends of the ed to lie in clenched. i-.

tion upon the exterior of the shell within lon itudinally of its body, the length of each slit being at least twice the width of the channel, and cross hairs mounted within the shell consisting of thin strips arranged in right, angular relation to each other and in the plane of the channel, the combined width of the strips being'slightly less than the length of the slits, and the ends of the strips i being entered through the slits and clenched exteriorly of the shell within the channel, 10

substantially asdescribed. r

' CHARLES R. KEERAN. Witness:

EPIHZRAIM Bmm v

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