"It is forbidden to turn on during the day without a diaphragm and direct at a bright light": about the features of the NSP-2 night sight of the 1950s

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"It is forbidden to turn on during the day without a diaphragm and direct into a bright light." This inscription is made on the device, which was one of the first devices, as they would say now, night vision - for a combat rifle weapons... We are talking about a device designated as NSP (NSP-2) - a night rifle scope.

For the first time, the NSP device was used on an automatic weapon, namely, on a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the 1950s. Speaking specifically about the NSP-2, it began to be installed in 1956 on a 7,62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle of the AKMSN modification.



The night rifle scope made it possible to conduct aimed shooting at targets in the dark, which, for obvious reasons, increased the effectiveness of the use of firearms. However, this complex cannot be called easy to use. There are reasons for this.

For a start, it should be noted that the NSP (NSP-2) was used not only on Kalashnikov assault rifles. They were also equipped with RPDs (Degtyarev light machine guns), as well as anti-tank hand grenade launchers (RPG-2).

The principle of operation of the night rifle scope belongs to the principles typical of illuminated scopes. The target was illuminated by a powerful headlamp. For obvious reasons, the principle is not at all the same as is characteristic of night vision devices today.

The photographs show that the NSP (NSP-2) is a device of impressive dimensions. It was connected to an assault rifle, machine gun or grenade launcher using a special dovetail mount. At the same time, the night rifle scope itself weighed almost 5 kg (4,9 kg in firing position). For its operation, a rechargeable battery was required, the mass of which was about 2 kg. The total mass of the complex based on the AKMSN with all the aiming devices was 16 kg, unthinkable today. At the same time, firing using such an aiming system was limited to about 3,5 hours - after that it was necessary to change the battery.

Indicators of the field of view for NSP-2 - 8 degrees. In this case, the scattering angle of the searchlight, which was part of the complex, is up to 6 degrees.

The complete list of items included in the NSP-2 of the 1950 model is impressive in its vastness: in addition to the sight with the diaphragm itself, it is a power supply with a low-voltage converter and a 3SC-25 battery, a bag, a case, numerous spare parts and accessories, including a light filter, a frame , drying cartridge, RB-3 spark gap, spare battery, protector, two headlights, contact nuts to the battery.

"It is forbidden to turn on during the day without a diaphragm and direct at a bright light": about the features of the NSP-2 night sight of the 1950s


There was a special regulator on the sighting system, which made it possible to adjust the modes of its operation depending on the approximate target range, where 1 - 100 m, 2 - 200 m, 3 - 300 m, 5,7,9 - 400, 500 and 600 m, respectively ... Moreover, such modes were used for the Kalashnikov assault rifle and RPD.

So that the power cord does not interfere with the shooter, if possible, it was attached to the body with a special bracket.

Such equipment for conducting aimed shooting at night was supplied, among other things, for the USSR Airborne Forces.

It is not hard to imagine how much effort it took to at least set up this entire sighting system for firing, not to mention how much effort was expended in carrying it as part of a soldier's general equipment.
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  1. -17
    31 January 2021 05: 18
    Here is archaic ... in comparison with modern night vision devices and thermal imagers heaven and earth. Carrying 16 kg of this miracle on your hump is a thankless task ... yes, with a bright flash in battle, it can get out of order. So much work and all in vain.
    1. +10
      31 January 2021 06: 13
      Quote: Lech from Android.
      Here is archaic ... in comparison with modern night vision devices and thermal imagers heaven and earth.


      Quote: Lech from Android.
      So much work and all in vain.


      So it what ... Maybe then A. Bell did not need to invent the telephone, the development of which became later radio, and then mobile - "cellular" communication?

      The only question is, how would you go to VO from Android Yes

      The world's first commercially successful mobile phone Motorola DynaTAC 8000x (1983)



      Smart watch with phone function

      1. -11
        31 January 2021 06: 35
        I had such phones ... smile archaic ... communication was often broken at the most inopportune moment ... pounded against the wall to work.
        I go to VO both from a smartphone and a computer. hi
        It is absolutely necessary to develop everything and not stand still ... movement is life ... and the first samples were still archaic looking from the heights of our time ... but honor and praise to the pioneers in this matter.
        1. +13
          31 January 2021 06: 49
          Quote: Lech from Android.
          I had such phones ... smile archaic ... communication was often broken at the most inopportune moment ... pounded against the wall to work.

          Are you a US citizen while a very wealthy citizen, in order to use the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, model of 1983 and cost at that time - 3995 $ (for the USA at that time an impressive amount, not taking into account the monthly fee for telephone calls)?
          1. -11
            31 January 2021 06: 51
            What are you, a US citizen, and a very wealthy citizen, to use the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x phone, model 1983 and cost at that time - $ 3995

            Not ... there were Motorola of late models, probably Chinese crafts ... I was very dissatisfied with them.
            I don’t understand just where does Motorola and NVG of the first models have to do with it?
            It seems like night sights are in the subject ... let's talk about the dinosaurs of the Jurassic period ... large and heavy infections were hi
            1. +10
              31 January 2021 07: 05
              Quote: Lech from Android.
              I don’t understand just where does Motorola and NVG of the first models have to do with it?

              Logic, wake up Yes
              To understand the clearly traceable connection of technical progress, in the movement from "archaic" to the latest models of technology (no matter which one), you need to compare old phonethat you were not happy with, and your current Android ...
              And the "archaic" NSP-2, a sample of the mid-50s of the twentieth century - with the current samples.

              They were firstborn, without which there would be no future generations. What phones, what night vision devices.

              And you :
              Quote: Lech from Android.
              So much work and all in vain.
              1. -4
                31 January 2021 07: 21
                So much work and all in vain.
                I put a completely different meaning into this phrase ... your logic is lame.
                Have you brought 16 kg of this load onto the battlefield, which will be out of order from the outbreak of a projectile, and what will you do with all this economy? You will no longer have time to repair and adjust in battle.
                hi
                1. +4
                  31 January 2021 09: 06
                  As far as I remember, with a strong flash, this sight was temporarily out of order. That is, there was a continuous flare, which passed for several minutes. No fix / tweak required. But for a few minutes, the sight was really useless. Shoot from the open.
                  1. +1
                    31 January 2021 09: 12
                    The construction battalion was not equipped with such, only intelligence and border guards.
                    1. +1
                      31 January 2021 09: 20
                      Quite right. But there were such in the BB. In some units, in one of which my father served. He explained how to handle such things.
                      1. -2
                        31 January 2021 09: 24
                        I didn't think about BB, but first of all there are all the innovations.
                      2. +4
                        31 January 2021 09: 27
                        Not everywhere. And not all. You just don't have to confuse purely military things and those that are useful not only in the army. The protection of especially important objects, for example, as the protection of closed cities, secret enterprises, etc., is in great need of such devices. These are not grandmas with revolvers from VOKHR.
                      3. -8
                        31 January 2021 09: 32
                        These things were rather tested in the protection of places of deprivation of liberty, secret enterprises, well, I don’t know, if the commander was lousy, anything could have happened.
                      4. +6
                        31 January 2021 09: 39
                        How is your logic? Why do the guards, the protection of places of detention, have such sights? But the plant for the manufacture of nuclear warheads, storage sites for strategic reserves, including nuclear missiles, other factories and warehouses of the Strategic Missile Forces - they, as I understand your opinion, are just trifles. The main thing is to protect the convicts. Do you work for an hour outside the "memorial"? And then they also have such a stupidly perverted logic. They say that half of the country was in prison, half of the country was guarded, and only traitors, "dissidents" and other "unworthy" solos were and are the conscience of the nation. laughing
                      5. -11
                        31 January 2021 09: 41
                        I'm not interested in politics. Law-abiding citizens work at all secret enterprises and the maroon berets do not graze them.
                      6. +5
                        31 January 2021 09: 45
                        You are just an illiterate person. Maroon berets do not "graze" anyone at all. Their tasks are different. There are maroon berets, there are units for the protection of especially important objects / cargo, there are convoy units, there is a guard of places of deprivation of liberty, which does not apply to the explosives at all. Learn materiel. By the way, the main task of the units for the protection of especially important is to prevent outsiders from accessing objects / cargoes containing state secrets. To eliminate any spies, terrorists, saboteurs on the approaches to the guarded object.
                      7. -13
                        31 January 2021 09: 47
                        Their tasks are simple, suppress riots, catch fugitives. And I am not interested in politics because it is an empty interest until 2030.
                      8. +7
                        31 January 2021 09: 49
                        However, you really have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. smile
                      9. -8
                        31 January 2021 10: 27
                        No, I know for certain only what I myself was a witness, as well as you. But no one bothers me to think and remember information, somewhere it turns out very close to the truth in practice. In your opinion, the BB is guarding military facilities of special importance? You are mistaken, any military facility is listed as belonging to its own branch of the military, which has its own guard service and special forces, the explosives from objects of particular importance only have places of confinement. Other civilian objects of particular importance are supervised by the FSO. Or can you tell us about a miracle where the explosives are suddenly guarding the Institute of Nuclear Research, maybe a mobile rocket launcher, well, at least a nuclear power plant?
                      10. +6
                        31 January 2021 11: 59
                        Yeah ... you should at least get acquainted with the goals and objectives of the VV, otherwise your, to put it mildly, far from reason, your statements that maroon berets guard convicts cause Homeric laughter from everyone who is even a little familiar with the topic.
                      11. -15
                        31 January 2021 12: 11
                        Well, you are more careful with your grades, you are not a teacher to me, otherwise I will also appreciate the distance from your empty mind here.
                      12. +8
                        31 January 2021 13: 17
                        God ... what only smart people here you will not meet .... and where do these come from? belay
                      13. The comment was deleted.
                      14. +3
                        31 January 2021 13: 21
                        First read the topic, then you will understand what nonsense you are talking here smile
                      15. -9
                        31 January 2021 13: 31
                        By the decree of the President of the RSFSR of October 20, 1991, all formations of the Internal Troops of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs stationed on the territory of the RSFSR were taken under the jurisdiction of the RSFSR and subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia [8].

                        On November 9, 1991, the decree was approved by the Presidium of the RSFSR Armed Forces [9].

                        The Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia acquired official status on September 24, 1992, with the adoption of the Law of the Russian Federation No. 3534-1 "On the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation" [10].

                        Until 1996, they carried out the protection of correctional institutions, and the functions of escorting the special contingent - until January 1, 1999.
                      16. The comment was deleted.
                      17. +6
                        31 January 2021 15: 25
                        Young man, BB (Rosgvadia) and the FSIN do not confuse, completely different departments ... FSO and the protection of the VGO are not compatible concepts. Learn materiel ...
                      18. -10
                        31 January 2021 18: 16
                        You know - the old man, the young man is not very kind here, I do not advise you to climb
                      19. +3
                        31 January 2021 18: 53
                        Stop carrying nonsense, you will get kinder ...
                      20. The comment was deleted.
                      21. +4
                        31 January 2021 16: 44
                        Quote: Andrey.AN
                        Or can you tell us about a miracle where the explosives are suddenly guarding the Institute of Nuclear Research, maybe a mobile rocket launcher, well, at least a nuclear power plant?

                        There are no internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for three years already!
                        The penal system was divorced from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the late 90s!
                        Civilian objects of particular importance from dams, locks and dams to nuclear power plants are guarded by units of the Russian Guard. However, private security is in the same place.
                        Good luck.
                      22. +3
                        31 January 2021 20: 35
                        among the objects of special importance for VV, only places of detention.

                        Not at all. For example, it is the explosives that are guarding the perimeter of the city of Sarov (Federal Nuclear Center).
                      23. +2
                        31 January 2021 21: 30
                        Yes, there are already no Internal Troops ...
                      24. +2
                        31 January 2021 22: 10
                        It may well be. It is difficult to keep track of the movements of the authorities.
  2. +11
    31 January 2021 09: 18
    The topic is interesting. The note is superficial. Was it really impossible to write that in the receiving part there was an image intensifier (image intensifier), using an external photoelectric effect, for which a high-voltage power supply was needed. Because of this, I had to carry such a lot of weight. Modern thermal imagers operate on an internal photoelectric effect and do not require backlighting.
    1. +5
      31 January 2021 11: 20
      which needs high voltage power supply. Because of this, I had to carry so much weight.


      Well, the weight came from the power of the headlight. She ate 25 watts from a silver-zinc battery (4,5 volts) with a capacity of 25 ah. And they did not regret it, even though such batteries are only 25 cycles and are expensive, but light. Well, you need a high image intensifier. And the converter naturally weighed too. Then there was no aliexpress with DS-DS on a microcircuit laughing
      Here's a diagram from a native datasheet.
    2. -1
      1 February 2021 16: 25
      Quote: Aviator_
      Modern thermal imagers work on the internal photoelectric effect
      They work on bolometric matrices, i.e. just resistance thermometers.
  3. Kaw
    +8
    31 January 2021 09: 56
    The Germans used something similar in the defense of Berlin.
    Zielgerät 1229 (ZG 1229) Vampir
    And the weight was the same 16 kg. Start of production 1943
    https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5bb492c1db5ea800ab722bf0/pribory-nochnogo-videniia-v-vermahte-5bb9357f17241200aa647066
    1. +3
      31 January 2021 15: 26
      The Germans used something similar in the defense of Berlin.
      Something similar happened in the Red Army. For example articles on VO
      https://topwar.ru/117300-sovetskie-pribory-nochnogo-videniya-vremen-velikoy-otechestvennoy-voyny.html
      https://topwar.ru/14990-pervye-sovetskie-pribory-nochnogo-videniya.html
    2. +2
      31 January 2021 16: 29
      Guderian still had NVG on tanks when he attacked Tula in autumn 1941. But this device did not save him, it got there well.
      1. The comment was deleted.
    3. +3
      31 January 2021 16: 46
      In the USA, WWII also had "night lights"
      Night vision goggles
      NVG and Sten
      The photo is clearly British and Stan
      Night vision goggles
      NVG usa carbine M4
      NVG and M3 carbine
  4. +3
    31 January 2021 10: 07
    Searchlight illumination from decommissioned devices, enjoyed a huge popularity among fishermen and hunters. With the light filter removed, it gave a bright narrow beam somewhere about 500 meters. The only negative was afraid of overheating.
    1. 0
      31 January 2021 10: 46
      Well, I don’t know, but where did you get such happiness in marketable quantities? As far as I remember, the finder was used en masse.
      1. +3
        31 January 2021 11: 03
        In the 80s, they were already considered obsolete. And at the rembaz they were running around. What to store in a warehouse what to junk.
        They were not massive. Mostly they were with officers and warrant officers from the divisions who used them and were engaged in repairs.
        At the end of the 80s, I saw BN-1 among the most advanced in hunting.
  5. +9
    31 January 2021 12: 11
    For the first time, the NSP device was used on an automatic weapon, namely, on a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the 1950s.

    The sight was developed by V.I. Arkhangelsky.

    The PPN-1 sight (night machine gun sight, the first sample) is installed on the company machine gun mod. 1946 This is 1948.
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  6. 0
    1 February 2021 04: 39
    The total mass of the complex based on the AKMSN with all the aiming devices was 16 kg, unthinkable today.

    The machine relied on? The one who decided that from this it is possible to shoot with hands was shot for subversive activity?
  7. 0
    17 March 2021 11: 26
    The Germans probably spied on the development. They, towards the end, have already experimented for both tanks and riflemen ..

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