CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1835

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
SAMUEL COLT, of Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the
Fourth, by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain,
bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of October, in the
sixth year of His reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Samuel Colt, His especial license, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Samuel Colt, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Samuel Colt,
my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed,
my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS;" in
which, said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said
Samuel Colt, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed; to be
inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in

page_text: part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Samuel Colt, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion of certain improvements applicable to fire-arms, and the manner
in which the same is to be carried into effect, are fully set forth and
explained in the following description thereof, as elucidated by the
Drawings hereunto annexed, reference being had to the figures and
letters marked on the Drawings in corrrespondence with the same
figures and letters herein contained, that is to say :-
My Invention consists, First, in the adaptation and application of
certain levers, lifters, slides, plates, connecting pieces, springs, a ratchet,
a mandril or arbor, a shackle, and other apparatus, as herein-after par-
sularly shewn and described, to that species of gun and pistol having a
cylindrical breech piece revolving round an axis parallel to the axis of
the barrel, in which breech piece six or more chambers are bored, each
capable of containing a charge of powder and shot, and which charges
by the revolution of the cylinder may be brought successively in a line
with the bore of the barrel, through which they may be discharged one
at a time; the object of my principles, adaptations, and applications
being to cause the said cylinder to revolve the distance from centre to
centre of two contiguous chambers by the action of cocking the gun or
pistol, and by the same action to lock the cylinder firmly in its place
when so brought, and thus that no care or attention on the part of the
person using the fire arms is required in order to bring the charges into
the proper place for being discharged through the barrel.
Secondly, in a peculiar mode of securing the revolving breech piece,
that it may revolve freely and yet be discharged safely.
Thirdly, in protecting the lock and connecting works from wet and
from the smoke of the explosions, by a peculiar shield which will allow
the smoke to escape without annoyance to the person using the gun or
pistol, which shield also receives and resists the recoil of the revolving
cylinder.
Fourthly, in placing the axis of the aperture of the percussion tube
in a right line with the axis of the chamber.

page_text: Fifthly, in a ready method of securing the barrel to the cylinder, and
of detaching it at pleasure, so that the loading of the chambers may be
performed with facility and dispatch.
Sixthly, in effectually separating the recesses in which the percussion.
tubes are placed from each other, so as to prevent fire communicating
from the exploding cap to the adjoining ones.
And seventhly, (in the case of guns discharged from the shoulder) in
the use of a ram or sliding piece to receive the blow of the hammer
and communicate the same to the percussion cap, whereby more space
is obtained between the revolving cylinder and the hammer for the
apparatus. And the manner in which I carry into effect these my
improvements upon fire' arms is shown and explained as follows:-
Section 1, represents the parts necessary to the application of my
improvements to fire arms discharged from the shoulder; section 2,
represents the parts necessary to the application of my improvements to
pistols: In order to a clear explanation, I will first describe the parts
and their connections, shewn in both sections; then those peculiar to
shoulder-arms, as shewn only in section 1; and after which, such parts
as belong to pistols, as contained in section 2. The parts shewn in
both sections are Figure 1, the main spring; Figure 2, the stirrup,
which connects the main spring to the hammer; the stirrup is omitted
in section 2, for the sake of shewing a different form of action of the
spring on the hammer; Figure 3, the hammer; its fulcrum is at a;
at b, is attached the stirrup (Figure 2); at c, are the notches for the
trigger; d, is the place where the lifter (Figure 5) is attached; e, is a
stud projecting from the side of the hammer that operates on the key.
Figure 4, is the key that locks the cylinder (Figure 13); its fulcrum is
at a; b; is the bolt at the end of the long arm which enters the mortice
b, b, &c. in the cylinder (Figure 13.) The catch C, is attached to the
armi d, of the key by the pin c, passing through its lower end to form a
hinge, which permits the upper end of the catch to move laterally;
g, is the plate acted upon by the stud e, on the hammer (Figure 3)
to draw out the bolt of the key from the mortice in the cylinder
(Figure 13); J, is a spring rivetted to the catch c, at f; the lower end
of which spring acts below the hinge to bring the upper part back to

page_text: its place, when the stud c, on the hammer (Figure 3) has passed down
to the place g, of the catch C; L, is a spring (attached to the lock
plate) that forces the arm b, into the mortices b, in the cylinder
(Figure 13). Figure 5, is the lifter which turns the cylinder (Figure
13); the arm a, acts on the teeth of the ratchet (Figure 10); the round
part of the arm C, passes through the hammer (Figure 3) at d, in
which it is permitted to turn sufficiently to keep the arm a, in a proper
situation to act under the teeth of the ratchet (Figure 10). The lifter
is joined at b, with the forked end of the arm C, by the pin e, which
forms a hinge to allow the arm a, some lateral motion in respect of the
hammer, whereby the lifter may accommodate itself to the curvature of
the ratchet and depth of its tooth. Figure 6, is the nutt which holds
the arbor (Figure 8) in the shield (B, Figure 29). Figure 7, is an
end view of the nutt (Figure 6); a, is the place where it screws on to
the arbor. Figure 8, is the arbor on which the cylinder (Figure 13)
and shackle (Figure 11) turn, and which arbor connects the barrel
(Figure 18) with the cylinder (Figure 13); a, a, are the bearings of
the cylinder; B, is a mortice, through which the wedge (Figure 19)
enters to connect the barrel (Figure 18) with the cylinder (Figure 13);
C, is the part on which the shackle (Figure 11) turns; d, is the screw
on which the nutt (Figures 6 and 7) is screwed to fasten the arbor
firmly to the shield (B, Figure 29); e, is a feather or ward which
enters a groove in the shield (Figure 29) to prevent the arbor from
turning; f, is a feather or ward which enters a groove in the plate
(Figure 17) to prevent the plate from turning. The end G, passes
through the plate (Figures 16 and 17), and through a projection under
the barrel (Figure 18), to connect them to the cylinder (Figure 13).
Figure 9, is the ratchet wheel which is placed on the shackle (Figure
11). Figure 10, is an end view of the ratchet; a, a, &c. are the teeth
which are acted on by the arm a, of the lifter (Figure 5), to cause it to
turn the shackle (Figure 11), which enters at b; and c, is a groove that
receives the ward a, of the shackle. Figure 11, is the shackle which
connects the ratchet (Figure 9) to the cylinder (Figures 13 and 14);
a, is a ward which enters the groove c, in the ratchet (Figure 10), and
causes the shackle to move with the ratchet; b, is a ward which enters

page_text: a corresponding grove in the cylinder (Figure 14), to prevent it from
turning except with the shackle and ratchet. Figure 12, is an end
view of the shackle; the arbor (Figure 8) on which the shackle turns
passes through its central aperture a. Figure 13, is the cylinder in
which are chambers for the charges; c, c, &c. are tubes screwed into
the bottom of the chambers on which the percussion caps are placed;
b, b, &c. are mortices to receive the bolt b, of the key (Figure 4) which
locks the cylinder when a chamber is directly opposite the barrel
(Figure 18). The shield B (Figures 28 and 29) is fixed over the end
A, of the cylinder, to protect the percussion cap from moisture. Figure
14, represents the back end of the cylinder (Figure 13). The shackle
(Figure 11) enters the central apertures a, and the ward 6 of the
shackle enters the mortice 6, of the cylinder, which causes them to turn
together; c, c, &c. are ends of the percussion tubes on which are placed
the percussion caps; d, d, &c, are partitions between the tubes which
prevent fire communicating from the exploding caps to the adjoining
ones. Figure 15, represents the forward end of the cylinder (Figure 13);
a, is the middle aperture through which the arbor (Figure 8) passes;
b, b, &c. are the chambers for the charges. Figure 16, is the plate
which covers the forward end of the cylinder (Figures 13 and 15) to
protect the charges from moisture, and to which plate the barrel
(Figure 18) is firmly secured. Figure 17, represents the forward view
of the plate (Figure 16); a, is an aperture through which the end g, of
the arbor (Figure 8) passes; e, is a groove to receive the ward f, of the
arbor (Figure 8); at b, the barrel (Figure 18) is attached; c, is a hole
through which the charges may be passed into the chambers b, b, &c. in
the cylinder (Figure 15), when it is desirable to omit taking off the
barrel and plate; and d, d, &c. are mortices to receive the ends s, s, of
the guards or lock plates (Figures 28 and 29). Figure 18, is the
barrel which gives direction to the charge; a, is the end that screws
into the plate at b (Figure 17); b, b, is a projection under the barrel
which receives the end G, of the arbor (Figure 8); C, is a mortice for
admitting the wedge (Figure 19). Figure 19, is the wedge which
passes through the mortice C, of the barrel (Figure 18), and the
mortice B, in the arbor (Figure 8), to hold the plate (Figure 16), and

page_text: the barrel (Figure 18), in contact with the cylinder (Figure 13), and
the cylinder in contact with the shield (Figure 29); the small end
of the wedge enters the mortices, and when it is pressed into them the
edge a, acts on the end d, of the mortice C, in the barrel (Figure 18),
the other edge b, acts on. the end h, of the mortice B, in the arbor
(Figure 8), which causes the plate (Figure 16), and the barrel (Figure
18), to be drawn to the fore end of the cylinder (Figures 13 and 15)
with any requisite degree of tightness.
Parts shewn only in section 1, as not adapted to pistols :-Figure 20,
is the lever used for drawing back the hammer; its fulcrum is at a;
b, is the part that acts at f, on the hammer (Figure 3), and raises it
when the end c, of the lever is drawn down; f, is a spring fastened
in the lock plate (A, Figure 29), which spring acts at e, on the lever,
and draws the end c, to its place against the lock plate, after the
haminer has been drawn back to its proper position for being let off' for
exploding the percussion caps. Figure 21, is the trigger; its fulcrumr
is at a; b, is a spring fastened to the lock plate that forces the catch c,
of the trigger into the notches c, of the hammer (Figure 3). Figure 22,
is the spiral spring that draws the ram (Figure 23) from the tubes c, c,
&c. in the cylinder (Figure 13), and permits the cylinder to turn when
the end g, of the hammer (Figure 3) is drawn back. Figure 23, is the
ram for conveying the force of the hammer to the percussion cap. The
spiral spring (Figure 22) is placed on it at a; b, is a pin against which
the spiral spring acts to force back the ram, the other end of which
spring abuts against the back part of the shield; at the end c, of the
ram there is a shoulder that comes against the shield (B, Figure 29) to
prevent the coiled spring from drawing the ram too far back from the
percussion cap. The end g, of the hammer (Figure 3) strikes the end d,
of the ram, the other end f, of which discharges the percussion cap.
Parts peculiar to pistols shewn only in section 2-Figure 24, is the
connecting rod or sliding piece between the hammer (Figure 3), and
the trigger (Figure 26); a, is a slot through which a pin passes to hold
the connecting rod in its place, and to allow it a longitudinal motion
The face of the end b, is oblique, so that when the part d, of the
hammer (Figure 3) is raised, it commences to act at the bottom part c..

page_text: of the oblique face of the connecting rod, and causes it to slide forward;
the other end f, of which connecting rod operates at b, on the secret
trigger (Figure 26). E, is a forked spring fastened to the lock plate
(Figure 28), the upper end of which forked spring hooks into the end
b, of the connecting rod to force its catch d, into the notches c, on the
hammer (Figure 3), and hold it back when the notches are brought
opposite the catch. Figure 25, is a view of the upper side of the con-
necting rod; a, a, the shoulders against which the prongs of the spring
(E, Figure 24) press; c, c, the shoulders behind which the fork of the
trigger acts. Figure 26, is the secret trigger to let off the lock; its
fulcrum is at a; at b, the end f, of the connecting rod (Figure 24)
acts when it is moved forward by the haminer (Figure 3), which causes
the end c, of the trigger to be thrown into a suitable position for the
finger. Figure 27, is a view of the upper side of the trigger (Figure
26); it turns on the pin a; b, is a spring (fastened to the lock plate) to
hold the secret trigger in its place, by acting on the projection c; d, is
the fork that acts behind the shoulders c, c, of the connecting rod (Figure
25), so that by pressing the finger on the end c, of the trigger, the
catch d, of the connecting rod (Figure 24) is drawn from the notch c,
of the hammer (Figure 3), and the main spring (Figure 1) forces the
end g, of the hammer (Figure 3) against the percussion cap, which
causes the load to be discharged, as is seen in the transparency (Figure
31). Figure 28, represents the handle, lock plate, and shield; the
part colored yellow is the shield; the part colored red is the handle
and lock plate; the main spring (Figure 1) is fastened at a; the
hammer (Figure 3) turns at d; the key (Figure 4) at c; the con-
necting rod (Figure 24) slides on the pin at 6; and the trigger (Figure
26) turns at e. The forked end of the lock plate s, enters the
mortices d, d, &c. in the plate (Figure 17). At 9, is a hinge to permit
the back part of the handle to open when the screw h, is drawn.
The screw i, connects the handle and lock plate with the shield;
the forward part B, of the shield covers the hind part A, of the
cylinder (Figure 13), and protects the percussion caps from moisture.
The back part J, forms a complete cover for the lock, and protects it
from the smoke of the percussion caps and from moisture. The form

page_text: of the inside of the shield and lock plates must be such as to allow
the parts their respective motions as seen in the transparent view
(Figure 31). Figure 29, (section 1,) is the lock plate, shields, and
guards, suited to guns discharged from the shoulder. A, is the lock
plate to which the main spring (Figure 1) is attached, at d; the
hammer (Figure 3) at e; the trigger (Figure 21) at f; the key
(Figure 4), and the lever (Figure 26), at g. At h, is the guard for
the trigger. i, is a bolt that passes through the lock plate and
stock, and screws to the upper guard at j, to connect them together;
the forked ends of the lock plate S, S, enter the mortices d, d, &c. in
the plate (Figure 17). 1, 1, are screws which connect the lock plate
and guards to the shield B. The forward part of the shield covers
the end A, of the cylinder (Figure 13), and protects it from moisture.
Between the ratchet (Figure 9), and cylinder (Figure 13), is a partition
on the shield to prevent the smoke of the percussion caps getting to
the lock. , is a sliding shutter over an opening to the tubes for the
purpose of putting on percussion caps. t, is a hole in the top of the
shield for the smoke of the percussion caps to escape. The interior
of the shield and lock plate must be suited to the lock, as is seen in
the transparent view (Figure 31). Figure 30, sections 1, and 2,
represent (by an end view) the relative position of the key (Figure 4);
the lifter (Fig. 5); the ratchet (Fig. 10); and hammer (Fig. 3).
The black line A, represents the hammer. B, in the centre is the
position of the ratchet. C, is the key which is operated on by the
stud e, and the hammer A. The end of the stud c, and the end i, of
the back part of the key are both cut off obliquely, that they may, when
brought in contact, cause the upper end of the catch of the key to move
laterally and permit the stud e, to pass down to its place behind it
again, when, by means of the spring j, which is fastened to the upper
end i, of the catch, and acts below the joint at k, it is brought back to
its former position before the stud e, on the hammer A. D, is the
lifter. The arm c, passes through the hammer (A), where it is secured
by a pin acting in a groove in the arm to prevent it from coming out.
b, is the hinge that allows the upper end a lateral motion. a, is the arm
which acts in the teeth a, a, &c. of the ratchet B. At d, a spring is

page_text: attached that keeps the arm a, into the teeth of the ratchet by the
action of its other end on the lower part of the hinge b. Figure 31,
sections 1, and 2, shew, by a transparency, the relative position of all the
parts combined; the colour and form of the outlines of each correspond
with the colour and form of their separate parts. To work the lock of
the gun draw on the lever at c, (Figure 31,) and as the arm d, of the
hammer (Figure 3) is raised, the stud e, presses against the end g, of
the key (Figure 4), and consequently its bolt b, is withdrawn from the
mortice 6 of the cylinder (Figure 13), at which time the lifter (Figure 5)
(being connected with the hammer (Figure 3) at a) is raised, and its
arm a, catches in a tooth of the ratchet (Figures 9 and 10), which,
being connected with the cylinder (Figure 13), by means of the shackle
(Figure 11) causes the cylinder (Figure 13) to turn, and before the
succeeding chamber is brought opposite the barrel (Figure 18), the
stud e, on the hammer (Figure 3) passes the top of the catch of the key
(Figure 4), and when the hammer (Figure 3) is drawn back to its
proper position for discharging, then the succeeding chamber in the
cylinder (Figure 13) has come directly opposite the caliber of the
barrel (Figure 18). In this position the bolt b, of the key (Figure 4)
is forced by the spring L, Fig. 4, into the succeeding mortice in the
cylinder (Figure 18), and holds it until the pulling back of the hammer
is repeated. By pulling the trigger the mainspring (Figure 1) forces
the hammer (Figure 3) forward to its former position, and the upper
end g, discharges the percussion cap. During which operation the lifter
(by means of its lateral motion to the left) passes below the succeeding
tooth on the ratchet, and by means of the lateral motion to the right of
the catch C, of the key (Figure 4), the pin e, on the hammer (Figure 3) is
permitted to pass below it again. A repetition of the same motions produce
the same effects. To work the pistol lock the cock is drawn back, which,
by its lower part, acts against the oblique back-end of the connecting
rod, the front end of which presses against the shoulder of the trigger
and throws its tail down into the position for discharging. The opera-
tion of the key, lifter, and other parts for unlocking, turning, and
relocking the cylinder are similar to that for the gun, and the lock is
let off by pulling the trigger, as in the gun, when the various parts will
be restored to their places for a repetition of the working. Figure 32,

page_text: represents a pistol when fitted for use. To load the gun or pistol it is
only necessary to draw out the wedge a, (Figure 19,) which will liberate
the barrel (Figure 18); then, by withdrawing the bolt (Figure 4) from
the mortice of the cylinder (Figure 13), which is effected by drawing
back the hammer (Figure 3), then the cylinder (Figure 13) may be
taken off from the arbor (Figure 8.) And, lastly, I hereby declare that
I lay no claim to the various common parts, of fire arms herein-before
described, such parts having been introduced into the Specification
merely for the purpose of more clear description; but I distinguish the
parts and combinations constituting my Invention, and claim my right
to the same as applicable to fire arms, by the following enumeration
thereof: First, the application of a key for locking and unlocking the
revolving cylinder on the principle described at Figure 4. Secondly,
the application of a lifter to act in turning the ratchet on the principle
described at Figure 5. Thirdly, the application of a sliding connecting
rod (Figures 24 and 25), for the triple purpose of throwing out the
secret trigger (Figures 26 and 27), of holding the hammer at half and
full cock, and of communicating with the trigger for letting off the
hammer on the principle herein-before described. Fourthly, the com-
bination of the key and lifter, or the key, lifter, and connecting rod, with
the hammer, so that the backward motion of the hammer shall suc-
cessively produce the unlocking, the rotary motion, and the relocking of
the cylinderon the principle herein described. Fifthly, the application
of the ratchet (Figures 9 and 10). Sixthly, the application of the
shackle (Figures 11 and 12.) Seventhly, the application of the per-
cussion tubes c, c, &c. (Figures 13 and 14,) in a right line with the
axis of the chamber in the cylinder. Eighthly, the application of the
partitions d, d, &c. (Figure 14) between the percussion caps. Ninthly,
the application of the ram (Figure 23). Tenthly, the application of
the shield (B. Figures 28 and 29.) Eleventhly, the manner of uniting
the barrel with the cylinder. And, Twelfthly, the entire arrangement
of the whole apparatus, as herein-before shewn and explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Colt, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-five.
SAMUEL (L.S.) COLT.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirtieth day of October,
in the year our Lord 1835, the aforesaid Samuel Colt came before our
said Lord the King, in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifi-
cation aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.