IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to (Pierre Ambjörn) Comte de Sparre, of Boulevard Saint
Denis, No. 1, at Paris, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said (Pierre Ambjörn) Comte de
Sparre at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February
1880.
(PIERRE AMBJÖRN) COMTE DE SPARRE, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.”
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of breech-loading fire-
arms, and consists,―
Firstly. In novel mechanical combinations by which the obturator or closing
apparatus is commanded either directly or indirectly by the movements of the
cock.
Secondly. In a novel mechanical combination for the extraction of the empty
socket in a straight line parallel with the axis of the gun, and
Thirdly. In a novel mechanical combination for enabling the weapon, to be
recharged rapidly.
My new system in its combination by which the obturator is commanded directly
by the cork is advantageously adapted for pistols, and is shown on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings, like letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in
all the Figures.
A (Figures 1 and 3) represents the cock which is pivoted at K, and commands
the movement of the obturator B by means of the slot N, in which travels the
roller O (Figs. 1 and 7) attached to the obturator B. To the cock are also fixed
the pin T, which commands the extractor C (Figures 1 and 10) and the spring P,
which causes the socket to spring off at the moment of its disengagement, which is
effected by the pin T; D (Figures 1 and 8) is the large spring which acts upon the
cock through the medium of the small link F (Figs. 1 and 5); C is the extractor
(Figs. 1 and 10); and E (Figs. 1 and 4) is the tumbler with its spring V.
Figure 2 is the weapon seen from behind, Figure 6 from above; Figure 11,
the framework without its elements; and Figure 9, a view of the same from below
without the strap G. G. G.

page_text: ;
The cock A has four different positions, namely, A, part stroke; A¹, safety notch
A², cocked, and when lowered to As the pin T strikes against the lower extremity of
the extractor c which is pivoted in u for dislodging the socket, which, once disengaged,
is jumped out by the spring P.
Whilst the cock descends from A to A the obturator remains motionless by virtue
of the circular form of the groove N, but in moving from A to A³ the roller passes
into the radial part of the groove, and compels the obturator to descend in order to
open a passage for the socket when the extractor is struck by the pin T; at the
same time the hook c¹ formed by the upper part of the extractor prevents the
obturator from rising again so that the chamber of the weapon remains open until
a new charge is introduced, which brings back the hook c¹ and permits of the
obturator and cock rising again. The first rises again at this time to its original
place, but the cock is stopped in the cocked notch by virtue of the tumbler.
The weapon carries two charges, one in the gun and the other in a kind of
magazine above, which embraces the cartridge only for about $/, round, leaving the
upper part of the remaining quarter open; the small spring x lodged in a groove
underneath prevents the cartridge from falling out, but when the first shot has
gone off the cock should be lowered to A3, and the empty socket extracted by
putting the thumb of the same hand with which the weapon is held on the cartridge
at top and bringing it back when it falls by itself into the entrance of the chamber,
after which it is caused to enter the weapon by pushing it forwards with the nail
of the thumb.
If desired to have many charges in reserve the upper magazine abovo described
is prolonged forwards by means of a tube, at the bottom of which is a spiral spring.
As many charged cartridges as its length permits are then introduced, and the last
rests in the magazine, with the opening so that each time this last cartridgo is
withdrawn by the thumb it is immediately replaced by another, and so on for as
many as there are in the tube.
The modified combination of my system by which the obturator is commanded
indirectly by the cock is better adapted for war or hunting guns, see Sheet 2,
whereon, Fig. 1, is the cock, which is pivoted at u, but commands the
obturator t by the medium of the arm c (Figures 1 and 7) jointed at e, which forms
the rocking lever d; this lever is furnished with two other arms g, against which
acts the spring m and which, by its movement forwards, compresses the spring r
attached to the extractor (Figures 1 and 3); b is the tumbler; Fig. 2 is the
weapon seen in plan; and Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same on line A, B.
The cock a has four positions similar to that before described on Sheet 1, but in
this case when the cock is descending from a² to a³ its lower part a* strikes against
the arm c, which thereby causes the lever à to turn on its centre S, and its
extremity passing into a notch in the obturator obliges the latter to descend, the
arm K simultaneously bending the spring r fixed to the extractor. When the
obturator has descended sufficiently for allowing a free passage for the extractor l,
which slides horizontally in a groove between the gun and the breech, the
extractor is pushed quickly forwards by the recoil of the spring for throwing the
empty socket out.
In this position the obturator is retained below until the introduction of a new
charge, which by its form, brings back the extractor, leaving the passage free to
the obturator for rising again by the action of spring m, and for the cock, which is
stopped in the cocked position a², held back by the tumbler.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said (Pierre Ambjörn) Comte de Sparre in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 17th August 1880.
(PIERRE AMBJÖRN) COMTE DE SPARRE, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of breech loading firo
arms, and consists, firstly, in novel mechanical combinations by which the
obturator or closing apparatus is commanded, either directly or indirectly by the
movements of the cock.
Secondly. In a novel mechanical combination for the extraction of the empty
socket in a straight line parallel with the axis of the gun, and
Thirdly. In a novel mechanical combination for enabling the weapon to be
recharged rapidly. My new system in its combination by which the obturator is
commanded directly by the cock is advantageously adapted for pistols, and is shewn
on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, like letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the Figures. A (Figures 1 and 3) represents the cock,
which is pivoted at K, and commands the movement of the obturator B by means
of the slot N, in which travels the roller O (Figs. 1 and 7) attached to the obturator B.
To the cock are also fixed the pin T, which commands the extractor C (Figs. 1 and
10), and the spring P, which causes the socket to spring off at the moment of its
disengagement, which is effected by the pin T; D (Figs. 1 and 8) is the large
spring which acts upon the cock through the medium of the small link F (Figs. 1
and 5); C is the extractor (Figs. 1 and 10); and E (Figs. 1 and 4) is the tumbler
with its spring V. Figure 2 is the weapon seen from behind, Figure 6 from above;
Figure 11, the framework without its clements; and Figure 9, a view of the same
from below without the strap G, G, G.
The cock A has four different positions, namely, A, part stroke; A', safety notch;
A², cocked, and when lowered to As the pin T strikes against the lower extremity
of the extractor c, which is pivoted in u for dislodging the socket, which, once
disengaged, is jumped out by the spring P. Whilst the cock descends from A to
A² the obturator remains motionless by virtue of the circular form of the groove N,
but in moving from A² to A³ the roller passes into the radial part of the groove,
and compels the obturator to descend in order to open a passage for the socket
when the extractor is struck by the pin T; at the same time the hook c' formed by
the upper part of the extractor prevents the obturator from rising again, so that
the chamber of the weapon remains open until a new charge is introduced, which
brings back the hook c', and permits of the obturator and cock rising again. The
first rises again at this time to its original place, but the cock is stopped in the
cocked notch by virtue of the tumbler. The weapon carries two charges, one in
the rear and tho other in a kind of magazine above, which embracos the cartridge
only for about 3/4 round, leaving the upper part of the remaining quarter open; the
small spring lodged in a groove underneath prevents the cartridge from falling
out, but when the first shot has gone off the cock should be lowered to A³, and the
empty socket extracted by putting the thumb of the same hand with which the
weapon is held on the cartridge at top, and bringing it back when it falls by
itself into the entrance of the chamber, after which it is caused to enter the
weapon by pushing it forwards with the nail of the thumb.
If desired to have many charges in reserve the upper magazine above described
is prolonged forwards by means of a tube, at the bottom of which is a spiral
spring. As many charged cartridges as its length permits are then introduced, and
the last rests in the magazine, with the opening so that each time this last cartridge
is withdrawn by the thumb it is immediately replaced by another, and so on for as
many as there are in the tube.

page_text: The modified combination of my system by which the obturator is commanded
indirectly by the cock is better adapted for war or hunting guns, see Sheet 2,
whereon a, Fig. 1, is the cock, which is pivoted at u, but commands the obturator t
by the medium of the arm c (Figs. 1 and 7) jointed at e, which forms the rocking
lever d; this lever is furnished with two other arms g, against which acts the
spring m and, which, by its movement forwards, compresses the spring rattached
to the extractor 7 (Figures 1 and 3); bis the tumbler; Fig. 2 is the weapon seen in
plan, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same on line A, B.
The cock a has four positions similar to that before described on Sheet I, but in
this case when the cock is descending from a³ to a³ its lower part a strikes against
the arm c, which thereby causes the lever D to turn on its centre S, and its
extremity passing into a notch in the obturator obliges the latter to descend, the
arın K simultaneously bending the spring r fixed to the extractor.
When the obturator has descended sufficiently for allowing a free passage for the
extractor 1, which slides horizontally in a groove between the gun and the breech,
the extractor is pushed quickly forwards by the recoil of the spring for throwing
the empty socket out.
In this position the obturator is retained below until the introduction of a new
charge, which by its form brings back the extractor, leaving the passage free to
the obturator for rising again by the action of spring m, and for the cock, which is
stopped in the cocked position a, held back by the tumbler.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the saine is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,
1. In breech loading fire arms, the mechanical combination and arrangement
whereby in the first case the obturator is commanded directly, and in the second
case indirectly by the cock, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
by the accompanying Drawings.
2. The mechanical combination and arrangement of the extractor when the
obturator is commanded indirectly by the cock, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
3. The mechanical combination and arrangement for carrying one or more reserve
charges introduced into the gun, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Ambjörn Comte Do Sparre, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this First day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
ALBERT CAHEN,
Civil Engineer,
of Boulevard Saint Denis, 1,
at Paris.
P. A. DE SPARRE. (L.S.)