The basic technology for the Army’s fancy high-tech M68 CCO (the Aimpoint) was first patented all the way back in 1900. The concept of the reflex sight, in brief, is that ambient light is used to reflect a reticle pattern through a lens into a shooter’s line of sight. When properly mounted on a gun, that reticle can be used for aiming. The first reflex-type gunsights were mounted in fighter aircraft in late World War I, and by World War II they were standard equipment. Up to that point, though, they were fairly bulky and fragile, though, and so the market for reflex sights on small arms didn’t really show up until the end of WWII.
One of the first commercially fairly successful such sights was the Nydar Model 47, made by the Swain Nelson company and introduced in 1945. It was intended as a sight for shotgun hunters, to aid in firing on flying birds (basically the same application as when used in fighter aircraft). We had the chance to take a look at one recently, and it’s pretty neat:
The main lens is fairly large by today’s standards, close to 1.5 inches. The reticle is a white bullseye pattern, and is a bit dim but definitely visible (I would rate it as more visible than the integrated sight on the FN PS90).
The reticle looks better in person; it was a bit tricky to get a photograph of it. As with today’s optical sights, multiple different mounting bases were made so that the standard sight unit could be attached to a variety of different shotguns.
We haven’t tried actually using one of these, but the general consensus is that they were a bit fragile. They never really became popular, and it was really only with the fairly recent military acceptance of close-range optical sights that popular interest in them has really become widespread.
Nice, you can see that its design inspired todays optical sights, like Kobra.
The Nydar shotgun sight only worked well under the right light conditions.
I acquired one as a teenager in the early 50’s because I lived down the street from where they were made in Glenview, Ill.
17 April 2017 TO: Ron Reisener FM: Fernan A. Febres Subject NYDAR Sight 4
Shotguns. Mr. R. Reisener good evening, I am latinamerican ordnance
engineer and wish to know if you still own and have the NYDAR Sight you
purchased as a teenager in the 50s. I knew and used the Nydar sight on
shotguns on for shooting turkeys when I went to Valley Forge Military
Academy – Wayne Pennsylvania in the late 50s. My company could consider a
joint venture with you if still have the Nydar Sight, please info.
Best regards, Fernán A. Febres ++58-416-301.8808 and
mdc.ferroviaria.1@gmail.com
I have one. Still in the original box
Believe there is one of these in the Tulsa firearms museum – http://www.thegunmuseum.com/
I was very surprised when I saw it, and am pleased to finally learn what it is.
I have one in my apartment and it was only 40 bucks so you can get them for decent prices
hi i have a Nydar model 47 shotgun sight in the original box with the original How to Mount instructions,How to use instructions and mounting screws and wrench in the envelope. it was given to me by my grandfather in 1970 which he bought in illinois in 1945 new and was never mounted so it is still new. i would be interested in selling it for a reasonable price. my ph#1-208-519-0823
I also have a ‘new in box’ Nydar Model 47 that was never mounted. Received from a family member who recently passed. Please contact me if you are interested. Box, instructions, leather cover, and sight are all in perfect condition.
Jordan
Recently shot savage 720 with one of these sights on it. When well sighted in very easy to use. Only problem is it shoots itself loose base and all. I even use blue lock tight the screws, sense then I have use red lock tight on the main base and adjustment plate hopefully it stays tight this time. I will leave an comment on the results.
What shape does the lens have and at what distance is the focal point?
I have one new in box, never been mounted. If interested call 807-227-2864
Just got a Model 47 for pricing out a few firearms for a lady. Just wondering what they are worth, All original, everything is there.
I have a Nydar no idea what they are worth can’t find another for sale.