THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
207 
At Woolwich, in July, 1871, the infantry range-finder was tried before 
a committee, consisting of Colonel Wray, C.B., Royal Artillery; Captain 
Glynn, Rifle Brigade; Captain Fryer, Rifle Brigade; Captain Noble, 
Royal Artillery; Captain Rawling, 48th Regiment. 
The judging party in this case did badly, because they had to guess on 
fixed points instead of on men, to whose uniforms they were accustomed; 
their errors at 9 ranges were, 0, 20, 40, 45, 52, 70, 116, 150, 275. The 
average error of the range-finder was under 15 yds ; 
A new class of trial was here introduced, viz. firing at a wooden taiget, 
18 X 6 ft., at various distances. 
Four marksmen of the Rifle Brigade, judging their own distance, were 
pitted against 4 men of the same regiment (not all marksmen), who used 
the range-finder. 
In the first 4 trials the men advanced on the targets, in the last three 
they retired, the result being that the men naturally judged much better 
retiring than advancing. 
4 Marks¬ 
men. 
4 Capt. 
Xolan’s 
Party. 
Remarks. 
1st trial. i 
1 hit 
Remainder over target. 
About 900 yards. ( 
5 hits. 
Some short, some over. 
2nd trial, [ 
1 hit 
Remainder all over. 
About 800 yards. ( 
4 hits. 
Some over and two short. 
3rd trial. \ 
0 
All over. 
About 650 yards. ( 
14 hits 
Remainder close to target, left target fell 
down, prop knocked away. 
4th trial. i 
2 hits 
Remainder over. 
About 550 yards. | 
16 hits 
Remainder round target. 
5th trial. ( 
6 hits 
Remainder over. 
About 750 yards. ( 
15 hits 
Remainder short and close in front of 
target. 
6th trial. \ 
3 hits 
Remainder over. Too high. 
About 850 yards. ( 
7 hits 
Remainder close in front of target, and to 
right. 
7th trial. \ 
1 hit 
Remainder over, very much to right. 
Remainder about 20 yards short. 
About 700 yards. / 
2 hits 
Total Hits... 
14 
63 
The infantry range-finder has only about one-tenth the accuracy of 
that used for artillery. Still a single rifle altered to take it would per¬ 
mit a company to know its ranges in any defensive position —as 
Infantry pace pretty accurately no fresh article of equipment need 
necessarily be carried—its use can be learned by any man who knows 
how to read figures; its insertion weakens the toe of the butt of the 
rifle, but stiU leaves that portion stronger than the small of the stock, the 
present weakest point; an extra 1J lbs. has to be carried, but there is no 
other inconvenience. 
A pair of rifles so altered, and the addition of a measuring tape, will 
permit of the distance being taken with a sufficient rapidity for offensive 
operations. The instrument is peculiarly adapted to work on broken 
ground. It must be, however, allowed, that in comparison with 
the range-finder for artillery, the infantry range-finder is untried. 
