1940's reflex sight for shotguns

Douglais · December 5, 2011, 09:44 AM

Anybody familiar with the Nydar shotgun sight? It was the first commercial version of a reflex sight, derived from the sights used on fighters, like the P-51. They were manufactured in the late 1940's. I inherited this one from my father-in-law.
Doug

docnyt · December 5, 2011, 09:51 AM

That's a cool piece of history. Have you actually used it?

Fishing_Cabin · December 5, 2011, 10:08 AM

Its a great piece of history. Pretty much the grandfather of the basic reflex type sights we know now. They come around from time to time. Not sure how many were made by Nydar. Seems like from the pics your unit is mostly complete, though I seem to remember a brownish case that the entire unit could be stored in. It may have been an optional item though.

Rugerismisticness · December 5, 2011, 02:48 PM

What's it look like through the lens?

Slopemeno · December 5, 2011, 03:43 PM

The Nydar was way ahead of it's time. I had one in the shop. From what the old timers told me the adhesive that held the glass in place had a tendency to fail.

The view from the shooter's perspective is a white ring suspended in the air. The white ring was very bright if you were in direct sunlight.

The closest thing to it today is the Daisy cheapo dot sight.

AULefty · December 5, 2011, 05:17 PM

I have one that was given to me by one of my son's friends after cleaning out his grandfather's shop. I haven't gathered much information on the sight, but I think it was cutting edge technology when it came out.

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December 5, 2011, 09:51 AM	#2
docnyt Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2011 Location: HeArT of DiXiE Posts: 154	That's a cool piece of history. Have you actually used it?

December 5, 2011, 10:08 AM	#3
Fishing_Cabin Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2010 Posts: 720	Its a great piece of history. Pretty much the grandfather of the basic reflex type sights we know now. They come around from time to time. Not sure how many were made by Nydar. Seems like from the pics your unit is mostly complete, though I seem to remember a brownish case that the entire unit could be stored in. It may have been an optional item though.

December 5, 2011, 02:48 PM	#4
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	What's it look like through the lens?

December 5, 2011, 03:43 PM	#5
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	The Nydar was way ahead of it's time. I had one in the shop. From what the old timers told me the adhesive that held the glass in place had a tendency to fail. The view from the shooter's perspective is a white ring suspended in the air. The white ring was very bright if you were in direct sunlight. The closest thing to it today is the Daisy cheapo dot sight.

December 5, 2011, 05:17 PM	#6
AULefty Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2011 Posts: 5	I have one that was given to me by one of my son's friends after cleaning out his grandfather's shop. I haven't gathered much information on the sight, but I think it was cutting edge technology when it came out.