IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS" communicated to him from abroad by John
Hamilton Brown of the City and State of New York United States of
America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th Juno 1883.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS [A communi-
cation to him from. abroad by John Hamilton Brown of the City and Stato of
New York United States of America]
The present invention relates to fire-arms and comprises various improvements
hereinafter described.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide in a fire-arm, a hammer
having a convex breast and a breech-block having a cam-like rear portion whose
under side extends approximately in the same direction as the upper portion of
the breast of the hammer so combined that when the breech block is shifted
to expose the breech of the barrel its cam-like rear portion will act directly against
the convex breast of the hammer to effect the cocking of the haminer.
The hammer is preferably impelled forward by a spring acting against the under
side of a shoulder extending from the rear of the hammer.
The said invention also comprises the combination with the hammer, the trigger-
plate and the lock-plates, of a sleeve extending through the hammer and trigger
plate and forming the pivot for the hammer, and a screw extending into the lock.
plates and through the sleeve so as to secure all parts in their proper relative
positions. By this combination of parts it is rendered practicable to pivot the
hammer to the trigger plate before inserting the trigger plate and hammer between
the lock-plates.
The said invention also comprises the combination of a sliding breech-block, an
ejector, a pin having a fixed position in the lock-case, and a lever snugly fitting

page_text: upon, and fulcrummed by, said pin so as to be capable of a swinging motion
thereon and having a cam-like lug provided with an L-shaped slot extending from,
and connected to, the breech-block by a pin passing through the said slot whereby
the lever after shifting the breech-block can be moved further to actuate the
ejector without affecting the breech-block.-
The said invention also comprises the combination of a hammer, a trigger, and
a safety catch serving to lock the trigger when the hammer is cocked, pivotted to
a support so that its lower end will project in front of the trigger and adapted to
be released by pulling upon its lower end in the same direction as the trigger is
pulled in order to effect the release of the hammer.
The support to which the safety catch is pivotted will preferably be the trigger
itself.
The said invention also comprises a rifle barrel having near the breech, and just
in rear of the rifling, a forwardly tapering internal portion and having at the
breech a differently tapering or cylindric portion; the same being adapted and
designed for use with a cartridge having an externally tapering shell adapted to fit
in the said forwardly tapering portion of the barrel which is just in rear of the
rifling and adapted to fit at the rear end in the said differently tapering or
cylindric portion of the barrel. When the cartridge is exploded its shell will be
expanded into this barrel so that the shell will not move forwardly through the
barrel and yet the shell may be withdrawn.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th December 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London
"
IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS a communi-
cation to me from abroad by John Hamilton Brown, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America
The present invention relates to fire-arms and comprises the combination of a
hammer having a convex breast and a breech-block having a cam-like rear portion
whose under side extends approximately in the same direction as the upper
portion of the breast of the hammer, in such a manner that when the breech-
block is shifted to expose the breech of the barrel its cam-like rear portion will
act directly against the convex. breast of the hammer to effect the cocking of the
hammer.
The hammer is preferably impelled forward by a spring acting against the under
side of a shoulder extending from the rear of the hammer.
The said invention also comprises the combination, with the hammer, the
trigger-plate and the lock-plates of a sleeve extending through the hammer and
trigger-plate and forming the pivot for the hammer, and a screw extending into
the lock-plates and through the sleeve so as to secure all parts in their proper
relative positions. By this combination of parts it is rendered practicable to pivot
the hammer to the trigger plate before inserting the trigger-plate and hammer
between the lock-plates
The said invention also comprises the combination of a sliding breech-block,
an ejector; a pin having a fixed position in the lock-case, and a lever snugly
fitted upon the said pin which serves as the fulcrum of the lever so as to be
capable of a swinging motion thereon and having a cam-like lug provided with
an L-shaped slot extending from, and connected to, the breech-block by a pin
passing through the said slot whereby the lever, after shifting the breech-
block can be moved further to actuate the ejector without affecting the breech-
block
The said invention also comprises the combination of a hammer, a trigger, and
a safety catch serving to lock the trigger when the hammer is cocked, pivotted to
a support so that its lower end will project in front of the trigger, and adapted to
be released by pulling upon its lower end in the same direction as the trigger is
pulled, in order to effect the release of the hammer.
The support to which the safety catch is pivotted will preferably be the trigger
itself
The said invention also comprises a rifle barrel having near the breech, and just
in rear of the rifling, a forwardly tapering internal portion and having at the
breech a differently tapering or cylindric portion the same being adapted and
designed for use with a cartridge having an externally tapering shell adapted to fit
in the said forwardly tapering portion of the barrel which is just in rear of the
rifling and adapted to fit at the rear end in the said differently tapering or
cylindric portion of the barrel. When the cartridge is exploded its shell will be
expanded into this barrel so that the shell will not move forward through the
barrel and yet the shell may be withdrawn
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the lock and a portion of the barrel and
stock of a fire-arm embodying the said invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the north of the look in different nositiona

page_text: Figure 4 is a transverse section taken just in rear of the breech block as
indicated by the line x, x, Figure 2; and
Figure 5 is a transverse section taken as indicated by the line y, y, Figure 2.
A designates the breech of the barrel. It may be of the usual or any approved
construction and is shown as being secured to the false breech A¹ by being screwed
into the latter.
B designates a breech-block adapted to slide up and down in guide ways in the
lock-case, just behind the breech of the barrel. The upper part of the lock-case
and the corresponding part of the breech block, are hollowed out so as to facilitato
the insertion of a cartridge in the breech of the barrel. In the upper part of the
brocch-block a firing pin C is arranged. This firing pin is shown as having the
end portions made very much smaller than the body or main portion. The
cavities provided-in-the-breech-block for the reception of this firing pin-correspond-
in size to the body and end portions of the firing pin except in length, in which
.respect there is enough difference to admit of the requisite longitudinal movement
of the firing pin. At the front of the breech-block is a plate b which is secured
in place by screws so that it may be removed to provide for the insertion and
removal of the firing pin. The forward end a of the firing pin is rounded so
that the pin will work back on coming in contact with any object during the
movement of the breech-piece. The upper portion of the breech-block is provided
with a rearward cam-like protuberance d having an inclined lower surface.
The lower portion of the breech-block terminates in cheek pieces e between
_which extends a cam-lug f projecting from a lever D. This lever is pivotted at
the forward end on a pin g which has a fixed position on the fore portion of the
lock-case, and its rear end is adapted to fit close to the under side of the stock E.
The lever is so shaped as to comprise a trigger-guard h. The, cam-lug f, of the
lever has an L-shaped slot s through which passes a pin i whereby it is connected
to the cheek-pieces e of the breech-block.
A spring F attached to the under side of the barrel A acts upon the forward
end of the lever so as to hold it in position when its rear end fits close to the stock
and also when its rear rear end is swung forward. Instead of arranging the
spring F to act directly upon the lever it is preferably made to act upon an anti-
friction roller ; which is mounted upon the lever.
When the lover is swung
forward it draws down the breech-block and when it is swung back it elevates the
breech-block by the action of the walls or sides of the slot s upon the pin i. After
the lever has been swung forward far enough to depress the breech-block, the said
lever can be moved farther forward to operate an ejector G. In this last move-
ment of the lever one limb or branch of the L-shaped slot 8 passes away from the
pin and the other limb or branch of the slot plays over the said pin without
affecting the breech-block.
His a hammer pivoted upon a sleeve k and having a convex breast / below its
head m.
The sleeve is supported in lugs extending upwardly from the trigger-
plate. It, and the hammer, are fitted into place, the whole being slipped between
the lock-plates and a screw / passed through the sleeve and lock-plates. The
hammer is impelled forwards by a main spring I. This main spring is doubled or
bent over between the ends so as to form two arms, one of which acts on the
under side of a shoulder n of the hammer and the other of which acts upon the
trigger J in rear of its pivot so as to impel the trigger forward and the sear K
upward against the hammer. The doubled portion is fitted into the hold by a
notch o in the trigger-plate L. The trigger J is pivoted within the forked end of
the trigger-plate by a pin p. The under side of the cam-like portion d of the
breech-block extends approximately in the same direction as, or conforms to, the
upper portion of the breast of the hammer H.
When the breech-block is depressed, its cam-like portion d acting upon the
breast of the hammer forces the same rearwards and as soon as the hammer
reaches its rearmost position the scar engages with a notch in it and holds it there
even after the breech-block is elevated.
M

page_text: M designates a safety catch consisting of a lever pivoted upon a pin q within
a slot in the trigger so that its upper end may engage with the trigger plate L
when its lower end is impelled forward. A spring N fastened at one end by a
screw to the trigger and at the other end impinging against the safety catcli
lever causes the latter to engage with the trigger-plate Before the trigger can be
operated to release the hammer the lower end of the safety catch must be pulled
back so as to disengage its upper end from the trigger-plate. By this arrangement
the hammer is prevented from being accidentally released by a shock acting on the
trigger. It will therefore prevent the release of the trigger being occasioned by
setting down the fire arm suddenly. If the notch of the hammer or end of the sear
becomes so worn that the sear will not hold the hammer reliably this safety catch
will, in many cases, serve to hold the hammer securely.
. The ejector G consists of a lever pivoted on the pin g on which the lever D is
pivoted. It is arranged at one side of the lever, and is provided with a lateral
projection with which the forward end of the lever D comes in contact when the
rear end of the said lever is swung back. When this occurs the upper end of the
ejector lever is forced rearwardly so that a lug u with which it is provided will
act on the forward side of the flange on the head of the cartridge shell and force
the cartridge shell out backwards. The ejector lever will be pushed forwards by
the insortion of a fresh cartridge. If no cartridge is inserted before the lever D is
swung backwards, the raising of the breech-block incident to swinging this lever
backwards will cause the ejector lever to be pushed forward.
At the rear end the rifle barrel A has a chamber which is adapted to receive a
cartridge P. This chamber consists of a forwardly tapering portion a³ which is
forward of the breech of the barrel and just in rear of the rifling b and a differently
tapering or cylindric portions c³ extending from the forwardly tapering portion a³
to the breech. What is meant by a differently tapering portion c³ is a portion
which tapers forwardly but at such a different angle from that of the tapering
portion as in front of it that a shoulder will be formed at its junction with the
tapering portion a³. Obviously if the portion c³ were made cylindrical a shouldor
would be formed at its junction with the tapering portion a³. It will not be so
desirable to make the portion c³ cylindrical as tapering because when made tapering
the cartridge shells can be more easily extracted.
The shell of the cartridge P is made to taper externally towards the forward end
and its angle of taper will be approximately the same as the angle of taper of the
portion as of the barrel, hence when in place its exterior and the portion a³ of the
barrel will be coincident. This shell is of such length that the entire portion
which surrounds the bullet extends into the tapering portion a³ of the barrel and
hence forward of the shoulder d³. By reason of the manner in which cartridgo
shells are ordinarily made it will be most convenient to make the interior of the
cartridge shell parallel with the exterior. The forward portion e³ of the interior of
the shell is, however, made cylindrical to conform to the cylindrical portion of the
bullet, and owing to this formation of the shell the interior and exterior of the
shell converge at the forward end to a fine edge which is about equal in thickness
to the difference between the radius of the adjacent part of the tapering portion a³
of the barrel and a radius of the rifled portion of the barrel. It will be obvious,
therefore, that the space between the cartridge shell is not a short abruptly.
tapering space as usual but is a long gradually tapering portion and hence it will
be perceived that the upsetting of the bullet will be extended over a greater length-
of its surface and will be very gradual so as not to be seriously objectionable.
The diameter of the rear portion of the cartridge shell and the diameter of the
portion c³ at the rear are about the same, so that the cartridge shell will fit snugly
in the barrel at the breech or rear end.
The cartridge shell may be made, of sheet metal as usual and may be drawn out
or otherwise treated to produce the internally cylindrical portion e³ at the forward
end.
£
When the cartridge is fired its shell will be expanded into the portion cª

page_text: behind the shoulder d³ and thus it will be prevented from being carried through
the barrel,
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim :-
First. In a fire-arm, a hammer having a convex-breast and a breech-block having
a cam-like rear portion whose under side extends approximately in the same
direction as the upper portion of the breast of the hammer, so combined that when
the breech-block is shifted to expose or open the breech of the barrel its cam-like
rear portion will act directly against the convex breast of the hammer to effect the
cocking of the hammer, substantially as specified.
Second. In a fire-arm, a hammer having a convex breast and a shoulder at the
-rear-a-spring-acting-on-the-under-side-of-the-shoulder to impel the hammer forward,
and a breech-block having a cam-like rear portion whose under side extends in
approximately the same direction as the upper part of the breast of the hammer,
and which is so combined with the hammer that when the breech-block is shifted
to expose or open the breech of the barrel its cam-like rear portion will act
directly against the convex breast of the hammer to effect the cocking of the
hammer, substantially as specified.
Third. In a fire-arm, the combination, with the hammer, the trigger-plate and
the lock-plates, of a sleeve extending through the hammer and trigger-plato and
forming the pivot for the hammer, and a screw extending into the lock-plates and
through the sleeve so as to secure all parts in their proper relative positions,
substantially as specified.
Fourth. In a fire-arm, the combination of a sliding breech-block, an ejector, a pin
having a fixed position in the lock-case, and a lever snugly fitting upon the said
pin (which serves as its fulcrum) so as to be capable of a swinging motion thereon
and having a cam-like lug provided with an L-shaped slot extending from it and
connected to the breech-block by a pin passing through the said slot, whereby the
-lever, after shifting the breech-block, can be moved further to actuate-the-ejector
without affecting the breech-block, substantially as specified.
Fifth. In a fire-arm, the combination of a hammer, a trigger, and a safety catch,
serving to lock the trigger when the hammer is cocked, pivoted to a support so
that its lower end will project in front of the trigger and adapted to be released by
pulling upon its lower end in the same direction as the trigger is pulled in order to
effect the release of the hammer, substantially as specified.
Sixth. In a fire-arın, the combination of a hammer, a trigger, and a safety catch
pivoted to the trigger and serving to lock the same when the hammer is cocked,
substantially as specified.
Seventh. A rifle-barrel having near the breech, and just in rear of the rifling, a
forwardly tapering internal portion and having at the breech a differently tapering
or cylindrical portion, which barrel is adapted and designed for use with a cartridge
having an externally tapering shell adapted to fit in the said forwardly tapering
portion of the barrel which is just in rear of the rifling, and adapted to fit at the
rear end in the said differently tapering or cylindrical portion of the barrel,
substantially as specified.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
band and seal this twenty seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three