IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN LUBRICATING BULLETS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Tranter, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Gunmaker, for the. Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN LUBRICATING BULLETS FOR THE SAME."
Sealed the 25th May, 1869, and dated the 28th November 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Tranter, at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 28th November 186.
I, WILLIAM TRANTER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Gunmaker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN LUBRICATING BULLETS FOR THE
SAME," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates in the first place to a breech-loading gun with a
sliding block and lock noving as required in a solid frame perpendicularly
and at right angles to the bore of the barrel by means of the guard acting
in a slot or opening made in the frame for that purpose, the solid frame
being formed in such a manner as to admit of the stock being made in
one piece. This solid frame has a strengthening rib on each side which
fits on the top edges of the stock, the lower part of the frame passing.
through the stock to the under side thereof. The guard, which is in one
P

page_text: piece, is jointed to the lower side of the frame and acts as a lever
working in a cavity formed in the lower end of the sliding block and
lock in order to cause the said block and lock to move upwards and
downwards as required. The lock, which forms part of the sliding block,
is raised to half cock by the movement of the guard, block, and lock
downwards, which brings the striker in contact with a projection for that
purpose; the lock is composed of the block, striker, sear, and one or two
springs, and may be so arranged as to be held together with one or more
screw pins as preferred. To the solid frame is fitted an extractor acting
either inside or outside of the same, and also acting in connection with
the guard, block, and lock upon a pin which passes through the frame or
on the same pin which holds the guard. When the extractor is put inside
the frame it is formed so as to embrace half the circle of the breech end
of the barrel with a thin fence to fall to the level of the face of the end
of the barrel for the purpose of holding and driving out the case. When
fitted to the outside of the frame it is made to act in connection with
two sliding extractors, one on each side of the frame. A spring is placed
at the front of the frame to act in connection with the guard or extractor
for the purpose of retaining the lock in its required position. The
trigger may be fixed in the back of the frame or in a plate to lie under-
neath, which will also serve to bind the frame and stock together by
means of a più passing through the tail of the frame and the stock and
screwed into the plate. The frame and the method of fitting the stock
to this gun may be applied to other forms of blocks for closing the
breech, also the lock may be fitted to a block moving in a curved line or
from a centre.
My Invention relates in the second place to breech-loading pistols,
which may be either single or double-barrelled. In a double-barrelled
pistol each barrel is formed with a projection or lump on the side against
which a block is fitted in order to close the breech as required; this block
is inserted at the breech end of the barrels and is pivoted at one end so
as to admit of its being raised and lowered as required, the reverse end
having on it a jointed link by which it may be locked to close the breech
and when raised to serve as a handle and lever for opening it. The
block is or may be fitted with striking pins in the usual manner in
order to fire the cartridges. The barrels are fixed to a metal frame which
serves to hold the locks and triggers, and also as a means of fastening
the stock. The locks are so made as to admit of the action lying under the

page_text: barrels, the sears being placed in front of the tumblers with the tail thereof
acting over the main spring, and the triggers in front of the sears, which
triggers are likewise inade to work in the metal frame. An extractor is
fixed on the top of the barrels to force out the two cartridges at once by
the thumb or by means of a lever. A clearing rod may be fitted under-
neath the barrels. By this arrangement of the locks and frame the
triggers can be placed at such a distance in front as will enable them to
be used conveniently.
My Invention relates in the third place to breech-loading revolver
pistols. The frame is jointed at its top rear angle, and is closed as
required by causing a suitably formed piece on it to pass into a hole or
slot at its front lower angle, the frame being retained in a fixed position
by means of a lever acting in a slot hole or notch for that purpose. The
revolving chamber is adapted to act in connection with the barrel in
front by means of a centre rod and clip. The centre rod is made to
move an extractor fitted into the breech end of the chamber by the
thumb or by means of a lever acting with the centre rod, which lever
may be formed with teeth to take into suitable recesses formed in the
under side of the barrel. By this means the empty cartridge cases
may be removed from the chamber with facility.
My Invention relates in the fourth place to another method of
extracting the cartridge cases. For this purpose a rod is made to
move in a socket jointed to the front of the solid frame of the pistol,
such rod when not required to be used being caused to lie underneath
the revolving chamber and been embedded in the body or frame of the
pistol. The rod is retained in its position by means of a spring fitted
on the socket and pressing on the rod, and the rod on being with-
drawn from its recess can be moved to the required position for forcing
out the empty cases.
My Invention relates in the fifth place to a modification of a
lever for fixing the barrels of a breech-loading rifle described ia the
Specification of a Patent granted to me, and bearing date the 17th
August 1866, No. 2113. For this purpose the lever instead of working
loosely ou the piu passing through the frame is connected to a pin
solid with a lever forined to move on the side of the frame.
My Invention relates in the sixth place to lubricating bullets, and
consists in forming a swell at the base of the bullet equal to the depth
of the grooves of the rifling. The surface of the bullet from this swell

page_text: to the end of the cartridge case (when the bullet is placed therein)
is equally covered over with wax or other lubricant so as to be flush
with the swell at the base by the means herein-after described.
And my Invention relates in the last place to the method of applying
the lubricant to bullets. For this purpose a tube is employed of a
bore or size corresponding with the size required for the base of the
bullet. A small hole is formed on the top for the lubricant to pass
through and a smaller hole at the bottom to allow the air to escape.
Surrounding the hole at the top a tube fitted with a plunger is placed
at right angles in order to force in the lubricant. At the front of
the bullet is placed a socket which fits over the bullet to the distance
required to be covered by the lubricant, and the other end of the
socket fits the base of the bullet. The socket and bullet are moved
forward as required by menus of a lever and plunger. The part of the
tube where the lubricant is deposited on the bullet is kept warm by
means of steam or otherwise, and the end where the bullet emerges
therefrom is kept cool by means of water. The socket may be made in
two parts and have a lubricating wad between them if required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Tranter in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th May 1669.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
TRANTER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gunmaker, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Tranter, Her special
licence that I, the said William Tranter, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Tranter my exe-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,

page_text: the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN LUBRICATING BULLETS,"
upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said William Tranter, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Tranter, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thercon (that is to say):-
My Invention of "Improvements in Breech-loading Fire-arms, and in
Lubricating Bullets," relates in the first place to a breech-loading gun
with a sliding block and lock moving as required in a solid frame
perpendicularly, and at right angles to the bore of the barrel by means
of the guard acting in a slot or opening made in the frame for that
purpose, the solid frame being formed in such a manner as to admit
of the stock being made in one piece; this solid frame has a strengthening
rib on each side, which fits on the top edges of the stock, the lower part
of the frame passing through the stock to the under side thereof. The
guard which is in one piece is jointed to the lower side of the frame,
and acts as a lever working in a cavity formed in the lower end of the
sliding block and lock, in order to cause the said block and, lock to move
upwards and downwards as required. The lock which forms part of the
sliding block is raised to half-cock by the movement of the guard block
and lock downwards, which brings the striker in contact with a pro-
jection for that purpose; or the same effect may be produced by means
of the sear pressing against a projection formed on the lower part of the
striker, the end of the main spring taking a bearing in the frame instead
of on the striker, as herein-after described. The lock is composed of the
block, striker, sear, and one or two springs, and may be so arranged
as to be held together with one or more screw pins as preferred. To
the solid frame is fitted an extractor, acting either inside or outside of
the same, and also acting in connection with the guard, block, and lock
upon a pin or pivots, which passes through or pass into the frame, or on

page_text: case.
the same pin which holds the guard. When the extractor is put inside
the frame, it is formed so as to embrace half the circle of the breech end
of the barrel, with a thin fence to fall to the level of the face of the end
of the barrel, for the purpose of holding and driving out the cartridge
When fitted to the outside of the frame it is made to act in
connection with the guard or extractor for the purpose of retaining the
lock in its required position. The trigger may be fixed in the back of
the frame or in a plate to lie underneath, which will also serve to bind
the frame and stock together by means of a pin passing through the tail
of the frame and the stock and screwed into the plate. The frame and
the method of fitting the stock to this gun may be applied to other forms
of blocks for closing the breech; also the lock may be fitted to a block
moving in a curved line or from a centre.
My Invertion relates in the second place to breech-loading pistols,
which may be either single or double barrelled. In a double-barrelled
pistol, each barrel is formed with a projection or lump on the side,
against which a block is fitted, in order to close the breech as required;
this block is inserted at the breech end of the barrels, and is pivotted at
one end so as to admit of its being raised and lowered as required; the
reverse end having on it a jointed link by which it may be locked to
close the breech, and when raised to serve as a handle and lever for
opening it. The block is or may be fitted with striking pins in the
usual manner, in order to fire the cartridges. The barrels are fixed to a
metal frame which serves to hold the locks and triggers, and also as a
means of fastening the stock. The locks are so made as to admit of the
action lying under the barrels, the sears being placed in front of the
tumblers with the tails thereof acting over the main springs and
the triggers in front of the sears, which triggers are likewise made to
work in the metal frame. An extractor is fitted on the top of the barrels
to force out the two cartridges at once by the thumb or by means of a
lever. A clearing rod may be fitted underneath the barrels. By this
arrangement of the locks and frame the triggers can be placed at such
a distance in front as will enable then to be used conveniently.
My Invention relates in the third place to breech-loading revolver
pistols. The frame is jointed at its top rear angle, and is closed as
required by causing a suitably forined piece on it to pass into a hole
or slot at its front lower angle, the frame being retained in a fixed
position by means of a lever acting in a slot hole or notch for that

page_text: purpose. The revolving chamber is adapted to act in connection with
the barrel in front by means of a centre rod and clip. The centre rod is
made to move an extractor fitted into the breech end of the chamber by the
thumb or by means of a lever acting with the centre rod, which lever is or
may be formed with teeth to take into suitable recesses formed in the
under side of the barrel. By this means the empty cartridge cases may be
removed from the chamber with facility.
My Invention relates in the fourth place to another method of
extracting cartridge cases. For this purpose a rod is made to move in a
socket jointed to the front of the solid frame of the pistol, such rod when
not required to be used being caused to lie underneath the revolving
chamber and being embedded in the frame or body of the pistol. The
rod is or may be steadied in its action by means of a spring fitted on the
socket and pressing on the rod. And the rod on being withdrawn from
its recess can be moved to the required position for forcing out the
empty cases.
My Invention relates in the fifth place to a modification of a lever
for fixing the barrels of a breech-loading rifle described in the Speci-
fication of a Patent granted to me, and bearing date Seventeenth
August, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, No. 2113. For this
purpose, the lever instead of working loosely on the pin passing through
the frame is connected to a pin solid with a lever formed to move on the
side of the frame.
And my Invention relates in the last place to lubricating bullets, and
consists in forming a swell at the base of the bullet about equal to the
depth of the grooves of the riffing. The surface of the bullet from this
swell to the end of the cartridge case (when the bullet is placed therein)
is equally covered over with wax or other lubricant, so as to be flush with
the swell at the base.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to
describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by
reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which are represented the
parts of fire arms above referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a gun constructed accord-
ing to my improvements, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same, in
the line ab. of Fig. 1.

page_text: A is a solid metal frame formed with a strengthening rib on each side
fitting on the top edges of the stock B, as shewn in Fig. 2, the lower
part of the said frame passing through the stock to the under side
thereof; C is a sliding block capable of moving perpendicularly in the
frame A at right angles to the bore of the barrel, when actuated as
required by the guard D, which is pivotted at E, and has a projecting
arm F with studs G passing into a slot in the block C; H is the striker or
hammer pivotted at I, with bents or notches at the bottom for the sear
J to take into, a swell being formed on the bottom of the striker to enable
the sear to give a backward motion to the striker and lift it to half-cock;
K is the main spring, the long side L of which acts upon the sear, and the
short side M thereof acts upon the striker. Studs are formed at M to
take a bearing in the sliding block C, when the striker H is at half-cock.
Studs are also formed at the top of the main spring for retaining it in its
required position in the block. Grooves are formed in the block for the
studs of the spring to slide into. N is the extractor for extracting car-
tridge cases, which is pivotted at O with a projecting tail piece P, which
is acted upon as required by the part of the sliding block at Q as it is
moved downward by the guard; R is a spring fitted with a roller to act on
the front end of the guard, causing it to spring upwards or downwards as
required.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a double-barrelled pistol constructed
and arranged according to my improvements under the second head of my
Invention; Fig. 4 is a back end view, and Fig. 5 a plan or horizontal view
of the same; Fig. 6 represents the lock detached.
;
A, A, are the barrels, at the breech end of which are lumps B, B,
projecting on each side; C is a block which fits against the said lumps,
in order to close the breech as required. This block is pivotted at D so
as to admit of its being raised into the position shewn by dotted lines in
Fig. 4, or lowered as required. At the reverse end of this block is a
jointed link E by which the block may be locked in order to close the
breech the link E also serves as a handle and lever for raising the
block, and thereby opening the breech; F is a metal frame which serves
to hold the barrels, locks, and triggers, and also as a means of fasteuing
the stock. The lock is enclosed in this metal frame and admits of the
triggers being placed in a forward position under the barrels, and the
pistol being thereby made much shorter than usual, which is thus
rendered more convenient to handle. For these purposes the sear G

page_text: which acts in connection with the tumbler H is pivotted at the upper
part of the tal plate, and has a tail piece extending towards the
bottom of the plate passing over the top edge of the main spring I. The
triggers J, J, are pivotted in the frame at the upper part thereof at K,
the blade of the trigger acting against the tail piece of the sear G for
the
purpose
of releasing the hammer. L is the extractor for forcing out
the cartridge cases, either by the fingers or by means of a lever.
Figures 7 and 8 relate to the third head of my Invention. Fig. 7 is a
side view of a frame and barrel of a revolver pistol, and Fig. 8 represents
detached a revolving chamber with its centre rod, toothed lever, and
cartridge extractor.
.
A is the frame of the pistol, which is jointed at its top rear angle at B,
and which is closed as required by means of a suitably formed piece of
metal shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 7 passing into a hole or slot at the
front lower angle C, the parts of the frame being retained in a fixed
position by means of a lever acting in a slot hole or notch, for that
purpose, or being otherwise so retained; D is the revolving chamber,
which is adapted to act in connection with the barrel in frout by means
of a centre rod E and clip screwed to the barrel, and acting in the
slot F (Fig. ). The centre rod is made to move an extractor G, which
slides into the breech end of the chamber by means of the toothed lever H
jointed to the centre rod, and acting in suitably formed teeth on the
under side of the barrel, as shewn by dots in Fig. 7. By opening the
frame and moving the handle of the toothed lever H into the position
shewn in Fig. 8, the empty cartridge cases may be removed from the
chamber with facility.
Figures 9, 10, and 11 relate to another method of extracting cartridge
cases referred to under the fourth head of my Invention. Fig. 9 is a side
view of a revolver pistol, with a rod for the purpose applied to it, and
Fig. 10 is a back end view of the same.
A is the rod, which is caused to move in a socket B jointed to the
front of the solid frame of the pistol; this rod when not required to be
used for the purpose of extracting cartridge cases is caused to lie under-
neath the revolving chamber, as shewn in Fig. 9, by turning the
socket B on its pivot C. The enlarged end of the rod is or may be
slightly embedded in the body or frame of the pistol for the purpose
retaining it in its position. D is a spring fitted on the socket B, which
by pressing on the rod serves to steady its action. When, the rod is
of

page_text: required to push out a cartridge case it is moved into the position shewn
by dotted lines in Fig. 9 by turning the socket B on its pivot the distance
required.
Fig. 11 shows a modification of the rod A with the socket B pivotted
at B In this Figure the rod is represented as out of use, and is fixed
in such position by its enlarged end being partially sunk or embedded in
the body or frame of the pistol. The rod is represented by dotted lines
as ready for use.
With respect to the fifth head of my Invention, the modification herein-
before referred to of the lever for fixing the barrels of a breech-loading
pistol will be readily understood by reference to the Drawing in the
Specification of my former Patent, No. 2113, One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-six), and making the lever herein described instead of working
loosely on the pin through the frame to be connected to a pin solid with a
lever formed to move on the side of the frame.
Fig. 12 represents a lubricating bullet, having a slight swell A formed
at its base about equal to the depth of the grooves of the rifling. The
intervening space between the swell and up to or near the end of the
cartridge case is covered with the lubricant flush with the swell at the
base.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what 1 claim
as of my Invention is as follows:-
With reference to guns I claim, —
First. The metal frame formed with a strengthening rib on each side
to rest on the top edges of the stock, the other portions of the said frame
passing through the stock, as represented and described, or partly through
the same.
Secondly. The adaptation and application to guns of a sliding block
with a lock (forming part of it) capable of being put to half-cock, as
represented and described.
Thirdly. The block acted upon as required by the guard in the manner
represented and described.
Fourthly. The construction and arrangement of the lock, applicable either
to a sliding block or to a block moving in a curved line.
Fifthly. The mode of fitting the extractor to the frame, so that it
may be acted upon by the sliding block or guard, as represented and
described.

page_text: And, sixthly. The general arrangement and construction of the gun, as
represented and described.
With reference to double-barrelled pistols I claim,-
First. The block for closing the breech formed with a jointed link, which
serves as a lock for closing, and a handle for opening the breech.
Secondly. The construction of double pistols with a metal frame for
the purpose of holding the locks and triggers and fixing the stock and
barrels.
Thirdly. The general construction of the lock, as represented in' Fig. 6
and herein-before described.
Fourthly. The general construction and arrangement of the parts of the
pistol, whereby it is rendered more convenient to handle and to use.
With reference to breech-loading revolver pistols I claim, the use of a
a cartridge case extractor moved by the centre rod of the revolving
chamber, which rod is acted upon as required by means of the thumb
or by means of a toothed lever and rack formed on or fixed to the
barrel.
With reference to another method of extracting cartridge cases I claim
an extracting rod sliding in a socket arranged to lie underneath the
chamber when out of use, as represented and described.
I also claim the application of a lever ou the side of the frame to the
catch for fastening the barrels of a breech-loading rifle, as described, so
far as applicable to the catch described under my former Patent, No. 2113
(One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six).
And lastly, I claim the form of lubricating bullet represented and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Tranter, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
)
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
WILLIAM TRANTER. (L.S.)
0