-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CRp79sfHsdoc4t1Mac2wIsvrdRY2MKcYKYWV3YbcE6VrYAsLZupS8gb0LcvVpL3P
 gLbCaSN/ZNIf6bK+i47fbA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-03-001544.txt : 20030522
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-03-001544.hdr.sgml : 20030522
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030522101834
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-03-001544
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030521
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030522

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KNOWLES C HARRY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000939465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24712
		FILM NUMBER:		03715487

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		90 COLES ROAD
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6092288100

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000815910
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC [3577]
		IRS NUMBER:				221866172
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COLES ROAD AT RTE 42
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		609-228-8100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COLES ROAD ROUTE 42
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-05-21</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000815910</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MTLG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000939465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KNOWLES C HARRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
        <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-21</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>20000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>22.71</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>3303000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C. Harry Knowles</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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