IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE ARMS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Adsett, Gun Manufacturer, and Thomas Adsett,
both of the City of Canterbury, in the County of Kent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE ARMS."
Sealed the 8th August 1879, and dated the 13th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Adsett and Thomas
Adsett at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th February
1879.
JAMES ADSETT, Gun Manufacturer, and THOMAS ADSETT, both of the City of
Canterbury, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE
ARMS."
Our improvements consist mainly of arrangements whereby guns cannot be opened
without placing the locks at full cock. Also by these improvements the gun is
made to indicate when at cock and loaded. Each lock comprises a lock plate, tum-
bler, and cam (said cam being fastened or connected to the tumbler), a bridle, scar,
and sear spring, spiral spring, and striker bar.
Working on the outside of the lock plate is an indicator in connection with the
tumbler to indicate when the gun is cocked. This is effected by a lifter, which, as
the gun is opened, lifts the cock or cocks and tumblers to full cock, at the same
time actuating the indicator, thus showing when the gun is cocked, the cartridge
forcing the striker back raising an indicator, and showing that the gun is loaded.
The gun is placed in working order by first lifting the tumblers by the lever, thus
drawing back the striker bar by means of the cam (to which the spring is connected
.on the striker bar) to position to full cock. To prevent the gas after the explosion
of the cartridge from entering the lock of the gun, I arrange a covering or box in
which the spring works. A safety bolt may be used with these arrangements,
which locks the whole action of the gun.
This safety bolt can be removed when the person about to fire has the gun in
position, without taking his aim off, and without removing the gun from the
shoulder, by moving the bolt with the thumb. This safety bolt may, it is evident,
be dispensed with if required.

page_text: and by means of the inclined plane g, the indicator g³ is forced out, thus indicating
the gun loaded.
When the gun is discharged it assumes the first position, and the indicator is
also withdrawn or flies in.
The gun is reloaded as before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out
in practice, we hereby declare that we claim the Invention of "Improvements in
Breech-loading Fire-arms," substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described, in
which the important points are, -The action of the lever M on the striker B,
arranged to actuate C and D, substantially as and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Adsett and Thomas Adsett, have here-
unto set our hands and seals, this Eleventh day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
Secretary,
JAMES ADSETT. (L.S.)
THOMAS ADSETT. (L.S.)
Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
Agents,
21, Cockspur Street,
S.W.