Range Finder

[nightstalker]

Hi all,
I have been looking for info on the small, I believe triangular shaped, range finder that was used during the Civil War period. I searched this sight with no luck, maybe it was somewhere else that I saw one.
Could anyone direct me in the right direction ? I would like to get either a templet or dimentions for making one.
I've heard that Berdans Sharpshooters were given one of these as a reward during compition shooting events and were worn as a Medal as well.
Would anyone know to what distance and the accuracy these range finders were capable of ?
Thanks, Nightstalker

[RaiderANV]

Is this that which ye seek? It is called a Stadia. If the link does not work hit ebay and put in range finder stadia and you should find an original priced at $113 http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem;PdsSession=f7c894fa13b0a47a15f4ca74fffe7e 80?itemId=251206416978&cmd=VIDESC

[Blair]

Pat,

Looks identical to the 'Stadia' I made up for myself using common sheet brass based off of information from "Lord's, Civil War Encyclopedia".

[nightstalker]

Is this that which ye seek? It is called a Stadia. If the link does not work hit ebay and put in range finder stadia and you should find an original priced at $113 http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem;PdsSession=f7c894fa13b0a47a15f4ca74fffe7e 80?itemId=251206416978&cmd=VIDESC
Thanks Raider, That's exactly what I was looking for, but without the proper name for it I couldn't find it.
Have you ever used one or heard if they worked well? I'll check this out further. Thanks again, a big help.
All the best, Nightstalker

[John Holland]

Respectfully, I believe what you are looking at on EBAY is a modern FAKE! It is bad enough that so many people call the Cavalry...the Calvary....which has Biblical conotations only, but the Frankford Arsenal NEVER used the word "Cavalary" for mounted troops, much less the font is all wrong. And my friends want to know why don't I buy off Ebay....Oh, let me count the reasons...."Cavalary", etc. ad nauseum.

JDH

[Maillemaker]

Everyone knows that cavalary is biblical cavalry. :)

Steve

[RaiderANV]

John to the rescue again! Frankly I only looked for a few seconds to see if it was a Stadia so he would be on the right page since his intent was to make one. I didn't look that close at it and most likely would not have noticed the mistakes John found either. Now........if it was a Maynard I was ah look'n at...... I made one from an original someone had many many moons ago who my father knew. Copied it flawlessly. Problem was it was off about 25%. I'd guessed it was due to the average height of a soldier being only 5'4" back then and me and my buddies all were over 6'2"???

[R. McAuley 3014V]

Dixie Gun Works used to offer a replica of the Civil War era stadia, complete with a little cloth pouch carry case. I bought one and still have it. As far as its accuracy goes, while I didn't compare it to any modern transit or range finders, but a friend of one of my team members was showing his new $600 range finder to a group of us sitting in camp up at the National a few years back, and someone asked him to pick out an object to range. I ranged the object visually, like I learned to do in infantry basic, and my distance was within five feet of the distance he ranged with his $600 range finder!

Well, I was the cycle's top graduate and even set post record for BRM for scoring a perfect score (scoring 40 pop-up targets but with a round left over). As far as is known, that feat hasn't been matched much less broken in 30 years! :)

[Maillemaker]

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2418

Steve

[Space Cowboy]

Hello Shooters,

I am in the process of making a brass Frankford Arsenal stadia. The body is ready, it only needs the correct markings. And it is a working version. :)

I'll have it calibrated this week.

SC

1874

[Space Cowboy]

Actually the idea became a product in the meantime.

This is our very first product designed and produced 100% by us. It is a working, authentic copy of the stadiametric range finders produced by the Frankford Arsenal before and during the Civil War. The brass version of these stadias were issued to the best shooters of the company, while the silver version was given to the best shots of the regiment. Our model is the exact copy of the brass version. The body is made of 2 mm brass sheet, and it is mechanically engraved according to the original pattern. The front side is calibrated for infantry, the rear side for cavalry. The stadia can be fine tuned to your eyes by the length of the cord. It will make a periodically correct companion to every Civil War enthusiast. But this is not just a decoration. You can calibrate it for hunting big game as well. If you need one, drop me a mail!

SC

18921893189418951896

[Space Cowboy]

Thanks for all the inquieries guys! Here is the pic of the first pieces leaving towards the USA. The chain was still missing when the pic was mad, but of course it is accessory of the stadia.

Cheers,
SC


1900