Elementary Optics and Applications to Fire Control Instruments: Prepared Under the Director of the Chief of Ordnance, May, 1921 (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

United States; Army; Ordnance Dept

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0267688415 ISBN 13: 9780267688418

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Master the fundamentals of light, reflection, and refraction that power fire-control instruments.

This nonfiction reference explains how light travels through different media, how surfaces reflect and refract, and how these rules guide the design of optical devices used in weapons and targeting systems. It covers core concepts like the laws of reflection and refraction, indices of refraction, and the behavior of light at polished versus rough surfaces, all illustrated with practical examples.

The text then applies these ideas to real instruments, describing telescope components, reticules, eyepieces, and how to achieve accurate sighting and measurement. It also discusses range finders, internal adjustments, and compensation for thermal and mechanical changes to keep systems reliable in service.

• Foundational optics: reflection, refraction, indices, and how they determine light paths.
• Surface quality and material effects on light behavior in practical instruments.
• Fire-control optics: objectives, eyepieces, reticules, and their roles in aiming accuracy.
• Range finders and their internal adjustments, including self-compensating designs for field conditions.

Ideal for engineers, technicians, and students studying military optics and historical fire-control equipment.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0267688415
• ISBN 13: 9780267688418
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 112