IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Pountney at the
Offico of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th May 1878.
WILLIAM POUNTNEY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention refers,―
Firstly. To certain improvements in the locking action of breech-loading fire-arms
constructed upon the drop-down principle, and it consists in a side bolt thumb-
piece governed by a spring, which bolt is fitted through a slot cut near the rear end
of the break off, and underneath the barrels. The spring by which the bolt is
governed may be a spiral one, or, if preferred, a flat spring, and may either be let
into the side of the break off, or may be flush therewith. When the action is closed,
the wide part of the bolt is partly or entirely across the slot in the usual opening in
the break off, the lump on the barrels completely filling the cavity in the body,
except the opening to receive the bolt, and the thumb-piece projecting on the side.
This, when pressed inwards, forces the bolt in the opposite direction, releasing the
barrels by releasing the lump from the grip of the bolt, and thus opening the action.
In closing the action the lump on the barrels, by its edges being bevilled, forces the
bolt to the opposite side of the break off, where its broad end projects until the
barrels are again in the proper position, when the governing spring of the locking
bolt will thrust the bolt into its locked position. The end of the bolt, protruding or
not through the break off, becomes an indicator of the arm being safely locked or
otherwise.
Secondly. My Invention refers to improvements in the fore end fastener
applicable to breech-loaders and other fire-arms. It consists in forming the loop,
which is attached to the barrels, so that it contains within itself the entire locking
or fastening action, which may consist of a bolt governed by a spiral or other

page_text: suitable spring. This loop passes through a slot in the strap of the fore piece; and
the beak of the bolt then catches on the under edge of the strap, and holds the
parts firmly together. The beak of the bolt being rounded, the parts are released
by simply pulling off.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Pountney in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
November 1878.
WILLIAM POUNTNEY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention refers,-
Firstly. To certain improvements in the locking action of breech-loading fire-arms
constructed upon the drop-down principle, and it consists in a side bolt thumb-
piece governed by a spring, which bolt is fitted through a slot cut near the rear end
of the break off, and underneath the barrels. The spring by which the bolt is
governed may be a spiral one, or, if preferred, a flat spring, and may either be let
into the side of the break off, or inay be flush therewith. When the action is closed,
the wide part of the bolt is partly or entirely across the slot in the usual opening in
the break off, the lump on the barrels completely filling the cavity in the body,
except the opening to receive the bolt and the thumb-piece projecting on the side.
This, when pressed inwards, forces the bolt in the opposite direction, releasing the s
barrels by releasing the lump from the grip of the bolt, and thus opening the action.
In closing the action the lump on the barrels, by its edges being bevilled forces the
bolt to the opposite side of the break off, where its broad end projects until the
barrels are again in the proper position, when the governing spring of the locking
bolt will thrust the bolt into its locked position. The end of the bolt, protruding or
not through the break off, becomes an indicator of the arm being safely locked or
otherwise.
Secondly. My Invention refers to improvements in the fore end fastener
applicable to breech-loader and other fire-arms. It consists in forming the loop,
which is attached to the barrels, so that it contains within itself the entire locking
or fastening action, which may consist of a bolt governed by a spiral or other
suitable spring. This loop passes through a slot in the strap of the fore end and
the beak of the bolt; then catches on the under edge of the strap, and holds the
parts firmly together. The beak of the bolt being rounded, the parts are released
by simply pulling off the fore end.

page_text: Figures, a portion, nail size, or the barrels, back strap, and break on, one action
unlocked.
Figure 4, the same parts to the same scale, but shewn locked.
(a) is the break off or body into which the lumps (b, b¹,) upon the under side of
the barrels are received; (c) is the locking bolt working through a slot in the break
off or body, and governed by a spring (); (e) is the thumb-piece screwed to the
bolt, and projecting when the action is locked, as shewn in Figure 1. Pressing this
thumb-piece drives the bolt (c) through the break off or body projecting it on the
opposite side, and releasing the lump (6) from the grip in the groove, shewn at (ƒ)
Figure 3, and allows the action to open, as seen in Figure 3. Closing down the
barrels causes all the parts to assume the position seen in Figure (4), and the action
is locked by the bolt (c) snapping into the groove (f); (c) represents a sliding
bolt upon the side of the break off or body, and arranged to work up under the
head of the thumb-piece (e), and in that position to act as a locking bolt, preventing
the accidental opening of the piece; but this safety bolt is not an essential part of
my Invention. This locking action may be arranged to work from either side of
the arm, and the bolt may be so constructed as to lock simultaneously into both
ends of the back lump, or into either or both ends of the back lump, together with
the back end of the fore lump.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 refer to my improved fore end fastener, Figure 5 showing
the strap of the fore end slotted, as at (g), through which slot the loop (/), Figure 6,
which is attached to the under side of the barrel, passes. This loop (h) contains
all the parts shewn in Figure 7, a bolt (i), round which is a coiled spring (1), a stop
piece (), and screw cap (l). The use of the spring (j) is to keep the beak of the
bolt outside the loop, so that when the slot (g) is passed over the loop, the beak,
which I prefer rounded, but which may be bevilled, is pressed inwards until it is
through the strap, when the beak of the bolt snaps into the hollow at (m),
Figure 5, and the parts then assume the position seen at (n), Figures 3 and 4. This
bolt action may be doubled, if desired, by putting the spring in the middle between
two bolts. In either case the parts are released by simply pulling off the fore end,
no implement being required.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I claim,-
Firstly. The improvements in the locking action of drop-down breech-loading
fire-arms, as described, and shewn in Drawings hereunto annexed.
Secondly. I claim the improvements in the fore end fastener for breech-loaders or
other fire-arms, as herein described and illustrated, or any equivalent for these
several mechanical appliances by which the loop or lug upon the barrels is made to
contain or carry all the parts necessary to form the automatic locking and unlocking
action in connection with the strap upon the fore end, as herein more fully set forth
and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Pountney, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.