Unknown weapon mount/tripod/bipod part - Can you help?

[Gil Boyd]

That patent is a good example of what's stupid about patents. How on earth did he EVER gat a patent for something like that. We were always taught that you can't patent a) the bleedin obvious, b) the laws of physics and c) metallurgy utilising the naturally occurring

Peter,
Absolutely right there. Invented many things in the past, and soon learnt, Intellectual Property Rights have more impact in court. The only person who gains in Patents are the Lawyers, because it is bloody expensive!! If its something that is clearly brand new and imaginative and beyond anyone else having beaten you to the post, then yes Patent it, but otherwise, simply place the original material in a self addressed envelope, photos, drawings etc of your design, sign all stick down parts and Record Delivery it back to yourself. Only to be opened in court by the Judge, when the other person thinks he thought off it first!!
Worked for me and held to be legal.