IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARKS AND CARTRIDGES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Olark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARKS AND CARTRIDGES."-A
communication from abroad by Jules Félix Gévalot, Manufacturer,
of 13, Boulovart St. Martin, Paris.
Sealed tho 2nd July 1869, and dated the 14th January 1800.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melvillo
Clark at the Office of the Coramissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 14th January 1869.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE OLARK, of 68, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of tho
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARKS AND CART-
RIDGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, 1st, to improvements in breech-loading fire-
arms; and, 2ndly, to improvements in central-fire cartridges, which
improvements are also applicable to existing cartridges.
The improvements in fire-arms consist,―

page_text: '
length of the breech chamber at one side to terminate in a recess to
receive the end of the spring-acting cartridge extractor. The recess
being made in the shoulder formed at the junction of the bore and
breech chamber no space is required for receiving the extractor at that
point, which space is liable to burst the cartridge in firing.
2ndly. I make on the opposite side of the breech chamber a shallow
recess to receive a portion of the rim of the cartridge case when drawn
back by the extractor. In this manner the cartridge case will receive a
jerk tending to throw it out of the chamber in a horizontal direction on
drawing back the-sliding plug.
3rdly. The closing plug is provided with a metal head grooved to
receive the cartridge extractor. A small nib is fixed or formed on the
head of the sliding plug received in the groove made in the breech
chamber forming a guide for the head and serving to keep the spring in
position. The metal head of the plug serves to prevent the escape of
gases.
'
4thly. In the application to the sliding plug of an improved extractor
provided with a hook at its front end and an enlargement at the other
end of a suitable form, by means of which it is fixed between the head
and rotating part of the closing plug.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1
of which shows a longitudinal elevation of the fire-arm; and Figure 2 a
plan of same. In this Figure the breech-closing plug is shown
drawn back with the rim of the cartridge engaged on one side in the
recess in the breech chamber, and on the other in the nose of the
extractor in position to be thrown out automatically; Figure 8 is a
horizontal section of the gun showing the recess terminating the groove
made in the side of the breech chamber, together with the cartridge in
position to be drawn out by the extractor; this Figure also shows the
recess on the left side of the breech chamber; also the pin or striker
and the metal head of the breech plug to be used in lieu of india-rubber
washers for preventing the escape of the gases. Figures 4, 5, and 6
show the cartridge extractor and the mode of fitting the same to the
head of the closing plug.
Figure 7 shows another form of extractor. The same reference
letters apply to the several Figures.

page_text: a, gun stock; b, breech chamber, bored of slightly larger diameter
than the bore c so as to form a shoulder against which the rim of the
cartridge abuts, as seen; the breech chamber is further made open at one
side as usual to permit of the insertion of the cartridge and of the
operation of the breech plug; f, groove, extending the whole length of
the breech chamber at one side and terminating in a recess g, as shown
in Figure 8; h, recess made in the breech chamber at the left side,
against which the rim of the cartridge case abuts on being extracted for
the purpose of throwing out the same; i, metal head of breech-closing
plug to bo used in lieu of india-rubber washers to prevent the escape of
gases; j, cartridge extractor fitted to the head of the sliding plug and
sliding in groove f, terminating at its end in a claw & for hooking the
rim of the cartridge & shown in red lines in Figures 2 and 3. In Figures
4, 5, and 0 the rear end of the extractor is shown of dovetailed form
rounded on one side to permit of its being countersunk in the head i of
sliding plug; p, nib forming a guide for the movable head i.
In Figure 7 the extractor is rounded at one end, as seen, and held in
position by a pin passing through the head of the plug. The extractor
is further split at q so as to give it a spring action; m, breech-closing
plug, to which a slightly increased extent of motion is given than in
ordinary in order to more completely extract the cartridge case from
the barrel; n, striker made about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, so
as to render it less liable to break; o, back sight.
The improved central-fire metallic cartridges to be used with these
and other fire-arms aro represented on an enlarged scale in the accom-
panying Drawings. Figure 8 shows a section of the cartridge ready
charged; it consists, 1st, of a head A of copper thinned round the edge
in order to prevent its cutting the case containing the powder from the
internal pressure produced by the explosion. I form the rim by the aid
of pressure, so as to bring the two surfaces together and prevent the
gases from entering and bursting the rim. 2ndly, the tube B is
composed of thin sheet copper, coiled on a mandril of suitable diameter
and then covered with paper pasted on to prevent the copper from
uncoiling. 3rdly, of a cylinder or wad of compressed pasteboard O,
serving to close the end of the cartridge and for connecting the copper
cap and tube. In Figure 8 the cap is shown of conical form, by means
of which the pressure of the wad ensures a tight fit between the
сар and
the tube; but when the cap is cylindrical, as in Figure 9, in order
to secure the parts together I pierce holes b, b, in the cap, into which

page_text: the tube and pasteboard wad are forced, forming so many tongues for
connecting the parts. It consists, 4thly, of a chamber D of copper firmly
secured to the cartridge by means of a flange on the outside and an
enlargement in the interior of the cartridge as seen; or chamber D may
be secured by means of ribs formed thereon, as seen in Figures 10
and 11. By applying pressure the pasteboard wad is caused to lodge in
the grooves and be there fixed by the tongues d, d, so as to firmly fix
the chamber D in position. 5thly, of an anvil B of lance head form,
made of sheet copper. 6thly, of a priming E, the charge of which it is
composed being compressed by a stamp, so as to have less thickness at
the part where it rests on the anvil than around its edges. This
arrangement possesses the advantage of ensuring an explosion, as the
blow is not deadened by too thick a layer of fulminate. 7thly, the
quantity of powder to be used may vary between one-fifth and one-sixth
of an ounce. 8thly, the ball F is made of the same diameter as the
bore of the gun, a circular enlargement F at about mid-length being
made of the same diameter as the bottom of the grooves of the rifling.
The grooves g, h, in the ball serve to reduce the friction. 9thly, a
short tube G of paper is applied at the base end of the ball, its exterior
diameter slightly exceeding the enlargement on the projectile, but
capable of entering the recess in the barrel for its reception. 10thly, a
similar short tube H is applied on G, serving to secure the latter and
the ball in the cartridge case B, the tubes G and H being first fixed to
the ball.
This arrangement enables a short cartridge to bo used, which is moro
readily extracted after firing, while at same time the ball being fitted to
the cartridge in the manner shown is enabled to readily expand in the
grooves, this being indispensable for obtaining good shooting. The two
tubes G, H, drop off the ball soon after it has left the barrel.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Hor
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, tho said Alexander Melville Clark, Her
special licenco that I, tho said Alexander Melville Clark, my exc.
cutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Alexander Melville Olark, my executors, 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, the Channel Islands, and Ialo
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
AND CARTRIDGES," a communication to me from abroad by Jules Félix
Góvelot, Manufacturer, of 13, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Olark, my
excoutors 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
Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander. Melville Olark, 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, referenco being had to the Sheet of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures markod
thercon (that is to say):
:-
This Invention relates, 1st, to improvements in breech-loading fire-
arms; and, 2ndly, to improvements in central-fire cartridges, which
improvements are also applicable to existing cartridges.
The improvements in fire-arms consist, 1st, in making the end of the
extractor groove extending the whole length of the breech chamber at
one side to terminate in a recess to receive the end of the spring acting
cartridge extractor. The recess being made in the shoulder formed at
the junction of the bore and breech chamber no space is required for
receiving the extractor at that point, which spaco is liable to burst tho
cartridge in firing.

page_text: 2ndly. I make on the opposite side of the breech chamber a shallow
recess to receive a portion of the rim of the cartridge case when drawn
back by the extractor. In this manner the cartridge case will receive a
jerk tending to throw it out of the chamber in a horizontal direction on
drawing back the sliding plug.
3rdly. The closing plug is provided with a metal head grooved to
receive the cartridge extractor. A small nib is fixed or formed on the
head of the sliding plug received in the groove made in the breech
chamber forming a guide for the head and serving to keep the extractor in
position. The metal head of the plug serves to prevent the escape of gases.
The improvements consist, 4thly, in the application to the sliding plug.
of an improved extractor, provided with a hook at its front end, and an
enlargement at the other end of a suitable form, by means of which it is
fixed between the head and rotating part of the closing plug.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1
of which shows a longitudinal elevation of the fire-arm, and Figure 2 a
plan of same. In this Figure the breech-closing plug is shown drawn
back with the rim of the cartridge engaged on one side in the recess in the
breech chamber and on the other in the nose of the extractor in position
to be thrown out automatically. Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the
gun showing the recess terminating the groove made in the side of the
breech chamber together with the cartridge in position to bo drawn out by
the extractor. This Figuro also shows the recess on the left side of the
breech chamber, also the pin or striker, and the metal head of the breech
plug to be used in lieu of india-rubber washers for preventing the escape
of the gases. Figures 4, 5, and 6 show the cartridge extractor and the
mode of fitting the same to the head of the closing plug. Figure 7
shows another form of extractor. The same reference letters apply to
the several Figures.
a, gun stock;. b, breach chamber bored of slightly larger diameter
than the bore c, so as to form a shoulder against which the rim of the
cartridge abuts as seen. The breech chamber is further made open at
one side as usual to permit of the insertion of the cartridge and of the
operation of the breech plug. f, groove extending the whole length of
the breech chamber at one side and terminating in a recess g, as shown
in Figure 3; h, recess made in the breech chamber, at the left side,

page_text: against which the rim of the cartridge case abuts on being extracted for
the purpose of throwing out the same; i, metal head of brecch-closing
plug to be used instead of india-rubber washers to prevent tho escape of
gasses; j, cartridge extractor fitted to the head of the sliding plug and
sliding in groove f, terminating at its end in a claw k for hooking the rim
of the cartridge t, shown in red lines in Figures 2 and 3. In Figures 4,
5, and 0 the rear end of. the extractor is shown of dovetailed form,
rounded on one side to permit of its being countersunk in the head of
sliding plug. p, nib forming a guido for the movable head i. 'In
Figure 7 the extractor is rounded at one end, as seen, and held in position
by a pin passing through the head of the plug. The extractor is
further split at g so as to give it a spring action. m, breech-closing plug,
to which a slightly increased extent of motion is given than in ordinary
in order to more completely extract the cartridge case from the barrel.
n, striker made about onc-eighth of an inch in diameter so as to render
it less liable to break; o, backsight.
The improved metallic cartridges to be used with these improved fire-
arms are represented on an enlarged scale in the accompanying Draw-
ings. Figure 8 shows a section of the cartridge ready charged. It
consists, 1st, of a head A of copper thinned round the edge in order to
provent its cutting the case containing the powder from the internal
pressure produced by the explosion. I form the rim by the aid of
pressure so as to bring the two surfaces together and prevent the gases
from entering and bursting the rim. 2ndly, of a tube B, composed of
thin sheet copper, coiled on a mandril of suitable diameter and then
covered with paper pasted on to provent the copper from uncoiling.
3rdly, of a cylinder or wad of compressed pasteboard O, serving to closo
the end of the cartridge and for connecting the copper cap and tube.
In Figure 8 the cap is shown of conical form, by means of which the
pressure of the wad ensures a tight fit between the cap and the tube, but
when the cap is cylindrical, as in Figure 9, in order to secure the parts
together I pierce holes b, b, in the cap, into which the tubo and paste-
board wad are forced, forming so many tongues for connecting the parts.
It consists, 4thly, of a chamber D of copper firmly secured to the cart-
ridge by means of a flange on the outside, and an enlargement in the
interior of the cartridge, as seen; or chamber D may be secured by.
means of ribs formed thereon, as seen in Figures 10 and 11. By
applying pressure the pasteboard wad is caused to lodge in the grooves

page_text: and be there fixed by the tongues d, d, so as to firmly fix the chamber D
in position. 5thly, of an anvil E, of lance-head form, made of sheet
copper. 6thly, of a priming F, the charge of which it is composed
being compressed by a stamp so as to have less thickness at the part
where it rests on the anvil than around its edges. This arrangement
possesses the advantage of ensuring an explosion as the blow is not
deadened by too thick a layer of fulminate. 7thly, the quantity of.
powder to be used may vary between one-fifth and one-sixth of an ounce.
Sthly, the ball F is made of the same diameter as the bore of the gun, a
circular enlargement F at about mid length being mado of the same
diameter as the bottom of the grooves of the rifling. The grooves g, h,
in the ball serve to reduce, the friction. Othly, a short tube G of paper
is applied at the baso end of the ball, its exterior diameter slightly
exceeding the enlargement on the projectile, but capable of entering tho
recess in the barrel for its reception. 10thly, a similar short tube H is:
applied on G, serving to secure the latter and the ball in the cartridge.
case B, the tubes G and H being first fixed to the ball. This arrange-
ment enables a short cartridge to be used which is more readily extracted.
after firing, whilo at same time the ball being fitted to the cartridge in
the manner shown is enabled to readily expand in the grooves, this being a
indispensable for obtaining good shooting. The two tubes G, H, drop
off the ball soon after it has left the barrel.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as improvements in
breech-loading fire-arms and cartridges to be protected by the herein- 2
before in part recited Lotters Patent is,―
1st. The recess g for receiving the end of the cartridge extractor made
in the shoulder formed by the junction of the bore and breech chamber,
disposed in the manner shown, and for the purpose described.
2ndly. I claim the recoss h mado in the side of the breech chamber to g
receive the rim of the cartridge when drawn back by the extractor, as
and for the purpose described.
3rdly. I claim the head of the breech-closing plug together with the
improved cartridge extractor, arranged and applied in the manner shown
and described.
T
3

page_text: described and shown in the Drawings, such improvements being
applicable to existing cartridges.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Tenth day of July,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M.. OLARK. (L.B.)