NEW RIFLE SIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 11 March 1912, Page 7

NEW RIFLE SIGHT.

INVENTION OF A KING'S PRIZEMAN. FAR-REACHING EFFECTS, A wonderful new rifle sighting device which, it is claimed, eliminates the difficulties of range-finding in rifle shooting is now under the consideration of the naval and military authorities with a view to adoption in the services. It i* the invention of a Territorial non-com-missioned officer, Sergeant Ommundsen, of the Queen's Edinburgh Rifles, a winner of the King's Prize at Bisley and one of the best rifle shots in Britain (says the Daily Mail). No' less a ballistical authority than Sir George Greenhill, formerly a profeisor at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, describes the new system of sighting as likely to bring about a revolution in the art of shooting. Successful tests with the device have already been carried out at the Army Musketry School at Hythe. The whole system -is based upon a geometrical theory of angles, and by a practical adaptation of this particular scientific theory Mr. Ommundsen has evolved his special rifle sight, which he calls a "two-point negative angle battle sight." The underlying principle of the sight i» to remain a secret until explained in ft lecture by Sir George Greenhill before a gathering of naval, and military officers and scientific men at the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Victoria Embankment. But of the actual sight itself, and the tangible results attained by its use upon a service rifle it is possible ' to speak. Its whole value is that it does away with the need for range-finding. • The immense importance of that is obvious, for in rifle shooting, unless the distance of the object fired at is known accurately, the shot is likely to be wasted. Sir George Greenhill stated recently:' "At unknown ranges a moderate shot, using Mr. Ommundsen's system of sighting, would easily beat an expert shot. The system eliminates range finding, and its use in warfare, where soldiers have constantly to fire at different ranges, and m big game hunting, would be extremely valuable." In operation the device is extremely simple, lis working part consists of a circular shutter pierced with a tiny aperture. A .small lever moves the shutter, and when the lever is down to a righthand position the aperture is high. Those high and low positions are the only two sighting points of the aperture. In use the lever is moved to the left and the aperture is high when the rifle is being lired at men advancing, and the lever is to the right and the aperture low, | when the rille is- being lired at objects 1 behind cover. "Tesis under skirmishing comHtfo'K," slated Mr. Ommundsen in an interview, "have shown that the percentage of hits when using the sfgiit is ninelyiive, as against nineteen when using ordinary sights. By the use of the sight any man who can shoot —and it is a soldier's business to do tlnit—and takes aim correctly can hit objects at distances that are unknown to him."