Please help me identify this "WRC eclectro Sight"

[Craig Powers]

I picked this gun up this week from my mother's friend. It is a "fuzzy farrant" conversion on a 5 screw model 14 made about 1955. The gun has a fantastic action and I bought it as soon as I had the chance. I had been told it had a magnetic trigger safety on it but when I took the stocks off I found the "electro sight patent pend" markings on the frame and the wiring. A quick investigation revealed the fine wires running through the sideplate and under the rear sight and down to the front sight on the top of the barrel. The fine line down the barrel can be seen in the picture. It evidently has an LED emitter under the rear sight and another in the front. The battery may have been soldered in originally. The battery compartment is missing. I am going to see if I can find a way to re-engineer a battery for this thing simple to see if I can get it to work.

Any information anyone has would be appreciated.

The patent information: Patent US3914873 - Illuminated gun sights - Google Patents

 

[DWalt]

I've read about similar things, but have never seen one. Obviously, for some reason(s), it didn't catch on in the marketplace. I suspect it would have been somewhat expensive to purchase and install. I would think it needed some kind of switch to turn on and off, but not necessarily. Some modern military sights which depend upon a battery are designed to remain always on, with a battery life of over 5 years. I personally can't imagine it would have worked that well in its intended purpose. A laser would likely be much better and cheaper.

 

[Jim Watson]

I read a gunzine article about the system at the time. Gun Digest or Guns & Ammo Annual, perhaps.
The one illustrated had rechargeable battery in the grip and a little plug in the butt. There was a version for autos with a set of contacts between grip and slide that would align when the action was closed. Your illuminated sights would blink at the shot while the slide was cycling, but so what?

A neat idea, obsoleted by tritium lamps with no power supply necessary... but a service life defined by the half life of the tritium.

 

[A10ACN]

I vaguely remember seeing these in a gun mag as well…early 80s?? Interesting that I've seen the same concept in 1920s Brit double rifles for hunting tigers in India.
Can you post more pics?

 

[Grayfox]

Looking at the patent drawings in the link provided, it appears that it uses a round watch battery. I'm guessing the insert just above the grip screw is the switch?
Can you post some pics with the stocks off and the inside of the stocks?

 

[SG-688]

L-Tronic

This is in my files as the L-Tronic sight.

I found a brief mention in the 1977 Guns & Ammo annual grip article by Dave Hart - ironically showing a Farrant grip with the L-Tronic button - and giving credit to "Cap" Cresap.

I sent you a PM.

 

[Craig Powers]

This is in my files as the L-Tronic sight.

I found a brief mention in the 1977 Guns & Ammo annual grip article by Dave Hart - ironically showing a Farrant grip with the L-Tronic button - and giving credit to "Cap" Cresap.

I sent you a PM.

got it...and replied...

I was at SHOT this last week and life has been a bit of a blur...
apologies for being tardy

 

[Craig Powers]

Looking at the patent drawings in the link provided, it appears that it uses a round watch battery. I'm guessing the insert just above the grip screw is the switch?
Can you post some pics with the stocks off and the inside of the stocks?

the battery box is missing..
it was aparently soldered in...
I'm going to run this by a electronic's wiz and see if we can fab the parts.. it look like only the battery parts are missing

 

[Rigger]

I have a vintage Jeff cooper book that had a section on the elctro sight. Ill look for it.

 

[Craig Powers]

I have a vintage Jeff cooper book that had a section on the elctro sight. Ill look for it.

Thanks!
or let me know which book and I'll get it...
I found "cap" Cresap... I think?... In Saugus, CA...tried calling yesterday but no voice mail and nobody answered....

found multiple references to him regarding the firearms industry including some electronics patents

 

[Retired W4]

Just curious, but you mentioned a Fuzzy Farrant conversion. Has the grip frame been cut for the grips? The wood does have that profile.

 

[Craig Powers]

Just curious, but you mentioned a Fuzzy Farrant conversion. Has the grip frame been cut for the grips? The wood does have that profile.

The grip frame has been cut back...as in this image...

 

[SG-688]

Thanks for the hint: Page 80 of Cooper On Handguns shows the sight system with an external charger powered by 4 D cells.

The caption cites Cap Cresap and John Elliott.

And that's about it.

I had that photo in my mind, but couldn't remember where I'd seen it. I've been neglecting my Cooper....

 

[Craig Powers]

Thanks for the hint: Page 80 of Cooper On Handguns shows the sight system with an external charger powered by 4 D cells.

The caption cites Cap Cresap and John Elliott.

And that's about it.

I had that photo in my mind, but couldn't remember where I'd seen it. I've been neglecting my Cooper....

thank you ..
cooper on handguns is around here somewhere... nope that's perspective on personal defense...Oh wll I have a book order to complete... or perhaps not... 2 grand on that internet book site.. wow...I remember it being a good book.. and wish I still had it.. 2 grand...wow..

 

[george_lehr]

There's a used one on Amazon for $69.99:
500 Service Unavailable Error

 

[Craig Powers]

Yeah saw that
I might have to visit the library again instead
Need to save up to fix this smokewagon

 

[SG-688]

PM sent with a photo.

Also see the 1974 Guns & Ammo Annual for a mention by Whit Collins with essentially the same photo showing the 4 D-cell charger. Stated cost: $40 ... in 1974 dollars.