IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ARMS OF VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS, WHICH IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO CANNON
Year: 1818

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
ELISHA HAYDEN COLLIER, late of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts..
one of the United States of America, but now of Charter House Square,
London, Gentleman, send-greeting...
WHEREAS His most Excellent, Majesty King George the Third
did, by. His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the
Twenty-fourth day of November, in the fifty-ninth year of His reign,
give and grant unto me, the said Elisha Hayden Collier, my exors,
adñiors, and assigns, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Elisha Hayden Collier, muy exors, adfiors.
and assigns, during the term of years therein mentioned, should- and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, the Invention, partly communicated
to me by a certain foreigner residing abroad, together with certain
additions of my own Invention, of an "IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ARMS OF
VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS, WHICH IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO CANNON;"

page_text: in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, that if I, the
said Elisha Hoyden Collier, shall not particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and
cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chan-
cery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all
liberties and advantages whatsoever thereby granted, shall utterly cease,
determine, and become void, as in and by the same, relation being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso of the
said Elisha Haydon Collier, do hereby declare that this Invention is
described in manner following, that is to say:
The object of the said Invention is to render a gun, pistol, or other
fire-arm capable of being fired off several times in succession with
only once loading. The manner in which this effect is produced will,
however, be better understood by a reference to the Drawings accom-
panying this Specification, and by the following description thereof,
the same letters of reference applying to the same parts in all the
Figures.
Fig. 1, is the side view of a pistol formed upon this construction;
Fig. 2, an end view of the same; and Fig. 3, a section through the
middle of it, viewed on the opposite side to Fig. 1. Fig. 4, is another
section similar to Fig. 3, excepting that the situations of several parts
of the movements are changed, as will be described hereafter. Figs.
5, and 6, are also introduced to shew the different situations of par-
ticular parts of the lock in performing their several offices. Other
Figures, from Fig. 7, to Fig. 26, inclusive, are also added to explain
the detail of the several parts. A, Figs. 1, and 2, is the wooden stock
of the pistol. B, a metal plate forming one side of a frame or case to
contain the parts of the lock and other movements, to be particularized
hereafter. C, is another metal plate with straps forming the top, end,
and bottom of this frame, which is firmly secured to the stock A, by
screws. Into the end of the frame C, is screwed the axis D, at the other
end of which is an elevated off-set having a hollow made in its upper

page_text: part, into which one end of the long barrel E, which is open at both
ends, is received and secured by a screw. To the top of the frame C, is
secured the elevated brace F, having also at is other end a hollow to
fit the end of the long barrel E, and to which it is also joined by a screw;
and thus the long barrel E, is firmly united to the frame C. Upon the
axis D, revolves a number of short barrels or chambers G, arranged in
a circular manner, and at equal distances ground the axis. One end of
each of these short barrels is closed, and they are of sufficient capacity
to contain the charges of gunpowder, shot, or ball intended to be used.
These short barrels may either be made of iron, or of any other fit
metal or composition of metals, in separate tubes, and afterwards firmly
united together, or they may be made out of one solid mass of metal
properly bored and shaped into form. A cylindrical hole is made
through the centre of this set of short barrels, into the fore end of which
is screwed a nut H, having a cylindrical hole in its centre, through which
the axis .D passes, and into the opposite end of it another nut I, is
screwed, with a cylindrical hole also in its centre, fitted to the axis. This
nut I, is prevented from becoming unscrewed by means of a steady pin
screwed into the joint between the male and the female screw. To the
nut I, is screwed a plate or wheel K, having a number of teeth equi-
distant around it, corresponding to the number of short barrels used,
the use of which teeth will be described hereafter. Ou the axis is
fastened one end of a spiral spring L, similar to the main spring of a
clock or watch, the other end of which is secured to the inner part' of
the cylindrical hole within the set of short barrels, and which spring,
when wound up, has a tendency to cause the barrels to revolve in a
circular direction. A boss or ring M, is also fixed upon the axis D, by
means of a pin passed through it, against which boss one end of an
helical spring N, placed upon the axis D, presses, the other end of it
pressing against the nut H, in the fore end of the set of short barrel G,
and thus gives it a tendency to thrust or push outwardly, so as to cause
a recess made in the end of each short barrel to fit upon a shoulder
made upon the end of the long barrel as they pass it in succession, and
thereby to make a close joint with it ready to be discharged. In order
to prevent the short barrel from recoiling during the discharge, a

page_text: bolt O is thrust against it by the action of a tooth P, formed upon the
axis of the lock-tumbler, as shewn in Fig. 3; that part of the axis
opposite to the tooth P, being also supported by a bracket Q, firmly
screwed to the top plate of the frame C, and rivetted to the end plate
thereof. Another tooth R, fitted upon the square part of the axis of
the tumbler, operates upon one end of a lever S, turning upon, its
fulcrum at T, to the other end of which is jointed the catch bolt U, so.
as to cause it to advance and recede alternately, and when advanced
to catch or lay hold of that tooth of the wheel K, which may happen
to be opposite to it, and by being withdrawn, to bring the set of short.
barrels along with it, until that one which was engaged in or jointed
with the long barrel becomes sufficiently separated from it to allow the
spiral spring L, to cause it to. revolve far enough for the next short
barrel in succession to take its place, which it does by the pressure
exerted by the helical spring N, against the set of short barrels, and by
the catch bolt U, slipping off the tooth of the wheel K, in consequence
of the circular motion of the barrels, and thereby permitting the recess
in the approaching short barrel to slip upon the shoulder on the end of
the long barrel.
Fig. 1, represents the pistol as just discharged, with the catch bolt U,
hooked upon one of the teeth of the wheel K.
Fig. 3, is a section of the pistol in this situation, to shew the
tooth R, lying ready to act upon the lever S, and pull back the
catch bolt U.
Fig. 4, shews the cock a little raised, the tooth R being engaged
in pushing forwards the end of the lever S, and threby drawing back
the catch bolt U, and the set of short barrels, until that which was
united with the long barrel has become disengaged from it. The tooth
of the wheel K disengages itself from the catch bolt U, by the action of
the spiral spring, and the cock will then be at liberty to be brought
to the half cock, and the catch bolt withdrawn so far as to let the
next tooth of the wheel R pass by it, and the next short barrel will
then be at liberty to engage itself with the long barrel by the action of
the helical spring N.
In bringing the cock from the half cock to the full cock, the.

page_text: tooth R depresses the lever S, until it can pass over it, at the same
time compressing the spring V, which is attached to the catch bolt-U;
but when brought to the full cock, as shewn in Fig. 5,' the tooth R
will have passed over the lever S; and by the reaction of the spring V;
the lever, will be raised, so as to be acted upon by the tooth R, in the
opposite direction when the cock is discharged. By the time it has
arrived at the situation of half cock the tooth R will have pushed
back the lever S, and moved the catch bolt U, forwards, until the spring
W (also fixed to the catch bolt) acts against the stud X; and as the
cock moves further down the lever S is, still more depressed, so, that
the tooth R, is just ready to pass over it; and when in this situation,
the end of the spring W, being pressed against the stud X, which is
above the fulcrum T, upon which the lever S moves, it causes the
catch bolt U to rise up to the upper side of the cap or cavity through
which it passes, at the same time receiving the spring. Y; which acts
on the top of it, as shew in Fig: 6; the catch bolt is thus lifted up.
sufficiently high to pass over the before-mentioned. tooth of the wheel
K. When the cock has descended a little more the tooth R will have
passed the end of the lever S, and by the reaction of the spring W, the
lever S will be raised to its first situation, as shewn in Fig. 3, and at
the same time, by the reaction of the spring Y, the catch bolt U, will
be depressed and hooked upon the tooth of the wheel K, ready to again
bring forwards the short barrels, as before described. When the cock
is quite down, as shewn in Fig. 3, and the discharge may be taking.
place, it will be observed that the point of the tooth P. is depressed
below the centre of the axise of the tumbler; and the greater is the
effort made by the discharge of the piece against the bolt O, to cause
it to recede, so much the more does it prevent the tooth Pfrom
rising out of the recess in the end of the bolt O; which is below the
centre of the axis of the tooth, the bolt itself being supported upon;
the brackett Q. When the cock is raised the tooth P is lifted out of
the recess in the end of the bolt O, and permits it to slide back by the
pressure of the short barrels against it, as shewn in Fig. 4: The sear
and other parts of the lock not described; being common to other locks,
need not be particularized here; I can apply either the usual hammer,

page_text: or one of the magazine hammers (to be herein-after described) to this
lock. The hammer Z, is united to the elevated brace F, (instead of
to the lock plate as usual) as shewn in Figs. 1, and 8. Each short
barrel has a separate pan a, and a sliding cover b, fitted to it, moving in
dovetailed grooves, and regulated by the spring c, so as to move freely,
but not too easily, so as to be affected by the recoil in firing the piece.
Each sliding cover has also a tooth or stud d, upon it, against which the
toe e, of the hammer acts on shutting the pan, so as to cause the cover
to slide back, the hammer itself then covering the priming ready to
receive the fire from the flint. In order to use this weapon the short
barrels or chambers much each receive a charge of gunpowder, and
either shot or ball, as may be required. The pans also must also be
filled with prime, and the sliding covers shut upon it. All the short
barrels but one may be loaded, and that one, namely, that which is
engaged in the long barrel, will be disengaged from it on winding up the
spring L, by turning the short barrels round in the contrary direction
to that in which they move when fired, the remaining short barrel may
then be loaded and primed, and the piece is ready to fire off each
charge in succession by merely cocking the lock, shutting the hammer,
and discharging the piece.
Fig. 27, is a side view, and Fig. 28, a top view of a gun, fitted up
with a lock and its appendages of the construction before described
as applied to the pistol, but with a magazine hammer and one pan
only, which serves all the short barrels as they revolve. This maga-
zinė hammer f, has a chamber g, Fig. 31, made at the back of it,
to hold a sufficient quantity of gunpowder to fire off the number of
barrels required. At the lower part of the chamber is fitted a
cylinder i, shewn separately at Figure 32, having a number of equi-
distant cavities j, j, j, around it, and each sufficiently large to receive
a supply of gunpowder for a priming. This cylinder communicates
with the chamber by the opening 1, at the bottom of it; and un-
derneath it is another opening m, which delivers the gunpowder it
has received into the pan n; a sliding cover o, with a stud and
regulating spring in the inside of the chamber, closes it. On one
end of the cylinder is fitted a ratchet wheel p, Figs. 27, and 30, having

page_text: teeth corresponding to the number of cavities in the cylinder, and a
spring q, to retain it in the required situation. This ratchet wheel
meets a click , jointed to the elevated brace F, having a spring s,
acting upon it, and which click causes the cylinder to turn on shutting
the pan until the next cavity in succession is brought over the pan, aș
shewn in Fig. 31, and delivers its priming into the pan, whilst at the
same time another cavity is receiving another priming from the chamber,
as is likewise shewn in Fig. 31. The toe of the hammer is acted upon
by the spring t, in the manner represented in Figs. 27, and 30. The
pan n, is attached to a metal hoop or cylinder a, at the end of which is
a plate with a hole in the middle of it, to permit the axis and bolts
to pass through; this plate is firmly secured to the end plate of the
frame C, by means of screws. Within the hoop u, the set of short
barrels revolves, the interstices between them at that end being filled up
or left solid, so as to form a cylindrical surface nearly filling the hoop,
so as not to permit the gunpowder to pass out of the barrels through
the touch-holes, nor the flame to communicate from one barrel to
another. Within this hoop the short barrels are capable of moving
in all the various directions, the same as if it was not there.
Fig. 29, represents the set of short barrels G, within the hoop'u, and
the situation of the pan n, upon it communicating with one of the touch-
holes. Fig. 7, is the set of short barrels viewed from the opposite end
in Fig. 2. Fig. 9, shews the axis D, separate. Fig. 10, is the end of
the lock frame C. Fig. 11, is a side view of the cock; and Fig. 12,
shews its thickness. Fig. 13; is the tooth R, of which Fig. 14, shews
the thickness. Fig. 15, 16, & 17, are different views of the bridle of
the tumbler, which is situated when in use near the middle of it,
between the teeth P, and R. Figs. 18, and 19, are an end and front
view of the axis of the tumbler and tooth P. Figs. 20, and 21, are a
top and side view of the bolt O. Fig. 22, is a side view of the sear and
sear bridle. Fig. 23, is an edge view of the sear.
view of the scar bridle; and Fig. 25, is a side of
catch bolt U, with its springs W and V, the dotted
situations of the different parts, as already described.
edge view of Fig. 25.
Fig. 24, an edge
the lever S, and
lines shewing oter
Fig. 26, is an

page_text: I do not mean hereby to claim as my Invention any such parts of
fire-arms as are already known and in use, although such may be here
represented as connected with those parts which I do consider as my
Invention, for the sake of explanation and the better understanding
thereof. But I do hereby claim the new combinations and applications
of those parts to produce the different effects herein described; I can'
also apply any of the parts either to guns, pistols, or other fire-arms,
as well as to cannon, under proper modifications thereof.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elisha Hayden Collier, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of May,
ahi hundred and
Inrolled the Twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and nineteen.