IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS, AND IN BAYONETS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Stephen Amos Main, of Morley's Hotel, Strand,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS, AND IN BAYONETS FOR THE SAME."-
A communication from abroad by Charles Howard, resident at the
City and State of New York United States of America
Sealed the 19th February 1867, and dated the 23rd August 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Stephen Amos Main
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd August 1866.
I, STEPHEN AMOS MAIN, of Morley's Hotel, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS, AND IN BAYONETS FOR THE SAME,"
to be as follows:-
In constructing breech-loading fire-arms according to this Invention a
short length of the barrel at its breech end is bored out to a greater diameter
than the rest of the bore of the barrel; this enlarged chamber I call the
receiving chamber. A longitudinal slot is formed through the barrel on the
under side of this chamber to admit of a cartridge being inserted into the
chamber; the breech pin or block that is to close the rear end of the barrel is

page_text: capable of sliding to and fro in the receiving chamber. From the rear end of
the breech block projects a cylindrical rod, around this is a tube forming the
hammer; between the tube and the cylindrical rod of the breech block is a
spiral spring; the rear end of the spring bears against a nut screwed on to
the rear end of the rod, and the forward end of the spring bears against the
forward end of the tube, which is reduced in diameter so that it may fit
closely around the rod and slide upon it. In the under side of this tube is a
slot, into which when the tubular bammer is drawn back a projection on the
trigger enters and retains the hammer from again moving forward until the
trigger is pressed an. When the sliding breech block is slidden back in the
receiving chamber to open the breech the cylindrical hammer is moved back
with it, and when the breech block is again slidden forward to close the
breech the hammer is retained back by the trigger as above explained. The
tube forming the hammer has a striker projecting from its forward end which
passes through a slot in the breech block so that its end may strike upon the
rear end of the cartridge and explode it. In order to move the breech block
to and fro it is formed on its under side with a projection which enters the
slot in the under side of the receiving chamber; to this projection is pin
jointed one end of a lever; the lever towards its other end is suitably shaped
to form a trigger guard. The lever near its end that is pin jointed to the
breech block has also pin jointed to it one end of a link which at its other end
is pin jointed to the under side of a tubular metallic body into which the
breech end of the barrel is screwed; this metallic body is attached to the
stock and it carries the trigger above mentioned. When the lever guard is
turned down it turns upon the pin that connects it with the link, and its upper
end being jointed to the sliding breech block the breech block is slidden
back in the receiving chamber. When the trigger is again turned up the
breech block is slidden forward to close the barrel. When the breech block
is in this position the forward end or part of the lever is received into and
closely fits the slot in the under side of the receiving chamber; the rear end
of the portion of the lever received into the slot bears against the end of the
slot, and an adjoining portion of the lever also bears against the face of a solid
projection on the tubular body, and these bear the recoil of the breech block
when the piece is fired. The link at the this time lies partly in a slot formed in
the lever and partly in a slot in the "body" to which it is jointed. In order
to extract the empty cartridge cases from the barrel after the piece has been
fired 1 place on each side of the breech block a sliding piece, and these pieces
form what is called extractors; they slide partly in grooves formed in the
sides of the receiving chamber an partly in grooves in the sliding breech block.

page_text: The forward end of each piece is bent over so that it may hook over a flange at
the rear end of the cartridge, and when the breech block is slidden back the
extractors are drawn back with it, and their hooked ends draw back the empty
cartridge case; the case then drops away through the slot in the bottom of
the receiving chamber; the sliding pieces are then stopped from moving
further back with the sliding breech block in order that when a fresh cartridge
is inserted into the receiving chamber the flange of the cartridge may come
behind the booked ends of the extractors. When the breech piece is again
slidden forward by turning up the lever guard the cartridge is pushed forward
into the barrel, and the lever is then retained by a spring catch actuated by a
spring formed in one piece with the trigger spring.
I will now describe the improvements in bayonets and in the barrels of fire-
arms to receive the same.
I make the exterior of the barrels of fire-arms to taper as far as the forward
or front sight, which is placed at a short distance from the muzzle of the
barrel, and the portion of the barrel between the sight and the muzzle I make
cylindrical.. The bayonet is composed of a tube which at one end fits on the
cylindrical end of the barrel and at the other is tapered to a point to form the
bayonet blade. When the bayonet is out of use its tubular hilt is placed on
to the end of the barrel in such manner that the pointed blade lies along the
side of the tapered barrel, and the blade is made of such a shape that at this
time it fits closely to the barrel. When the bayonet is to be fixed on the
barrel in position for use the position of the bayonet is reversed, the tubular
bilt being placed on the end of the barrel in such manner that the pointed
bayonet blade projects out beyond the barrel. When the bayonet is in this
position the rear end of the tubular hilt of the bayonet rests against the fore-
sight which forms a firm base for it. The bayonet is fastened or kept in its
place both when "fixed" and when "returned" by a catch composed of a
split spring ring which embraces a portion of the tubular hilt of the bayonet.
At one part of the inner circumference of the spring ring is a projection which
passes through a slot in the tubular hilt and enters a slot or recess in the
exterior of the barrel. On the exterior of the ring is a thumbpiece by which
(when it is required to slide the bayonet off the end of the barrel) the ring
can be turned round, thus springing open the ring and withdrawing the
projection from the recess in the barrel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Stephen Amos Main in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd February 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, STEPHEN
AMOS MAIN, of Morley's Hotel, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Stephen Amos Main, Her special license that I, the said Stephen Amos
Main, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Stephen Amos Main, 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 Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS, AND BAYONETS FOR THE SAME,"
a communication to me from abroad by Charles Howard, a person resident
at the City and State of New York, United States of America, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Stephen Amos Main, my executors
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 per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Stephen Amos Maine, 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 thereof, reference being had to the accompanying. two
Sheets of Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is
to say :-
The improvements which constitute the said Invention may be divided into
two parts.
The first part of the Invention consists, first, of an improvement in the

page_text: construction of the butt of the barrel of the fire-arm for the purpose of
permitting the entrance of the cartridge and the dropping of the discharged
cartridge shell after firing.
Secondly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the connection of
the trigger guard with the sliding breech pin that closes the breech of the
barrel.
Thirdly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the form of the sliding
breech pin.
Fourthly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the form of the
hammer, by which the fulminate is exploded.
Fifthly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the extracting hooks
for withdrawing the discharged cartridge shell from barrel.
.
Sixthly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the form of the lever
and trigger guard.
Seventhly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the form of the
receiver that connects the barrel with the stock.
Eighthly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the combination of
the breech pin, the hammer, and the appurtenances thereof.
Ninthly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the combination of
the lever guard with the receiver.
In constructing breech-loading fire-arms according to the said first part of
this Invention a short length of the barrel at its breech end is bored out to a
greater diameter than the rest of the bore of the barrel; this enlarged
chamber I call the receiving chamber; a longitudinal slot is formed through
the barrel on the under side of this chamber to admit of a cartridge being
inserted into the chamber. The breech pin or block that is to close the rear
end of the barrel is capable of sliding to and fro in the receiving chamber.
From the rear end of the breech block projects a cylindrical rod; around this
is a tube forming the hammer; between the tube and the cylindrical rod of
the breech block is a spiral spring; the rear end of the spring bears against a
nut screwed on to the rear end of the rod, and the forward end of the spring
bears against the forward end of the tube, which is reduced in diameter so
that it may fit closely around the rod and slide upon it. In the under side of
this tube is a slot, into which when the tubular hammer is drawn back a
projection on the trigger enters and retains the hammer from again' moving
forward until the trigger is pressed on. When the sliding breech block is
slidden back in the receiving chamber to open the breech the cylindrical
hammer is moved back with it, and when the breech block is again sliddeu
forward to close the breech the hamnier is retained back by the trigger, as

page_text: above explained. The tube forming the hammer has a striker projecting
from its forward end, which passes through a slot in the breech block, so that
In
its end may strike upon the rear end of the cartridge and explode it.
order to move the breech block to and fro it is formed on its under side with
a projection which enters the slot in the under side of the receiving chamber;
to this projection is pin jointed one end of a lever; the lever towards its other
end is suitably shaped to form a trigger guard. The lever near its end that is
pin jointed to the breech block has also pin jointed to it one end of a link,
which at its other end is pin jointed to the under side of a tubular metallic
body, unto which the breech end of the barrel is screwed; this metallic body
When
is attached to the stock, and it carries the trigger above mentioned.
the lever guard is turned down it turns upon the pin that connects it with the
link, and its upper end being jointed to the sliding breech block, the breech
block is slidden back in the receiving chamber. When the trigger is again
When the
turned up the breech block is slidden forward to close the barrel.
breech block is in this position the forward end or part of the lever is received
into and closely fits the slot in the under side of the receiving chamber. The
rear end of the portion of the lever received into the slot bears against the
end of the slot, and an adjoining portion of the lever also bears against the
face of a solid projection on the tubular body, and these bear the recoil of
the breech block when the piece is fired; the link at the time lies partly in
a slot formed in the lever, and partly in a slot in the "body" to which it is
jointed. In order to extract the empty cartridge cases from the barrel after
the piece has been fired I place on each side of the breech block a sliding
piece, and these pieces form what are called extractors; they slide partly in
grooves formed in the sides of the receiving chamber, and partly in grooves in
.the sliding breech block; the forward end of each piece is bent over so that it
may hook over a flange at the rear end of the cartridge, and when the breech
'block is slidden back the extractors are drawn back with it, and their hooked
.ends draw back the empty cartridge case; the case then drops away through
the slot in the bottom of the receiving chamber; the sliding pieces are then
stopped from moving further back, with the sliding breech block in order that
when a fresh cartridge is inserted into the receiving chamber the flange of the
cartridge may come behind the hooked ends of the extractors. When the
breech piece is again slidden forward by turning up the lever guard the
cartridge is pushed forward into the barrel, and the lever is then retained by
a spring catch actuated by a spring formed in one piece with the trigger
spring.
The aforesaid construction and operation of a fire-arm embodying the said

page_text: improvements will be fully understood from the accompanying Drawings A.
wherein Figure 1 is a side view of said fire-arm with the lever guard closed;
Figure 2 is a view as above with the right side of the barrel and breech-piece
removed so as to show the lock; Figure 3 is a view as above, showing the
lever guard open in a position to receive the cartridge; Figure 4 shows the
lever guard closed after the insertion of a cartridge and the piece cocked;
Figure 5 is a side view of the breech pin, with joint for connection with the
lever guard; Figure 6 is a side view of the cylindrical bammer with percussion
arm, also showing the groove and mortice for the extracting hook to slide in;
Figure 7 is a bottom view of the hammer, showing the mortice for the trigger;
also the percussion arm and points; Figure 8 is a view of the nutt which
screws on to the back end of the breech pin to hold the spiral mainspring;
Figure 9 is a cross section of the fire-arm, showing the receiving chamber
with grooves in each side for the extracting hooks; also the sliding breech pin
with the slot for the percussion arm of the hammer; Figure 10 shows the
bottom and side views of the extracting hooks; Figure 11 is a bottom view
of the back end of the barrel, showing the slot and receiving chamber; also
the forward end of the receiver, showing the slot for the fulcrum yoke and
mortice for the trigger.
a in Figure 1 is the stock; b is the barrel, and is made with a large calibre
at the back end, forming a receiving chamber c, as shown in Figures 3 and 4,
for the breech pin d to slide backward, as shown in Figure 3, to admit the
cartridge; also to slide forward, so as to force the cartridge into the small
calibre of the barrel, as shown in Figure 4; there is also a slot or
opening e, Figs. 11 and 3, cut through the bottom of the barrel near the
back end, through which the cartridge is inserted into the receiving chamber,
and through which the sliding breech pin is attached to the lever guard f,
which works it in such a manner as to open and close the aperture;
this slot being upon the bottom of the barrel allows the shell of the
exploded cartridge to drop from the piece by its own gravity. The re-
ceiving chamber c extends back through the metallic receiver g.
receiver connects the barrel with the stock, and has a projection on the lower
side of the forward end for the recoil block part of the lever guard to butt
against; it also has a slot or mortice for the attachment of the fulcrum
yoke g as shown in Figure 11. The forward end of the breech pin d (Fig. 5.)
is made to fit the receiving chamber c with a sufficient projection (fitting the
slot through the barrel) to form a firm joint h for the attachment of the lever
guard. The back end of said breech pin is made small, forming a round
bolt, which constitutes the center and base of the lock, Fig. 5. The hammer j
The

page_text: +
is a cylinder fitting the receiver chamber, and with a percussion bar or arm k
reaching through the forward or large part of the breech pin to explode the
cartridge. On each side of this hammer. there is a groove and mortice for
the reception and working of the sliding extracting hooks. The caliber
of this cylindrical hammer near the forward end is large enough to enclose
a spiral mainspring, which surrounds the back end or round part of the breech
pin. Near the forward end the caliber is reduced to fit the back end or
bolt of the breech pin, thus leaving a jog for the forward end of the
spiral mainspring. The hammer slides upon the bolt of the breech pin, and
the percussion arm slides in a slot 1, Figure 9, cut through the forward or large
end of the breech pin. The bolt of the breech pin thus extends into the large
calibre of the hammer, with space enough about it for the reception of the
spiral mainspring. The said spring is inserted within the banimer and
around the said bolt, and a small nut, Fig. 8 (and m, Fig. 4), fitting the calibre
of the hammer is screwed on to the back end of the bolt. The spring is thus
confined between the jog near the forward end of the hammer and the nutt.
These four pieces, i.e., the breech pin, hammer, spiral mainspring, and nutt,
constitute the entire lock and breech pin with a joint to attach the lever.
guard. When the guard is thrown open to load, the lock and breech pin are
forced backwards. The sear of the trigger n hooks into a mortice u, which
is cut through the bottom of the hammer (Fig. 7) and holds the hammer
firmly. When, the guard is closed the breech pin is brought forward, leaving
the hammer held back by the trigger, as shown in Figure 4; the spiral main-
spring is thus compressed between the nutt on the bolt of the breech pin and
the jog near the forward end of the hammer; in this position the arm is
cocked. When the trigger is pulled the hammer is relieved and thrown
forward by the action of the said spiral mainspring, and the percussion arm.
reaching through the large part of the breech pin explodes the cartridge. If
the operator does not wish the piece cocked he holds back the trigger while
he closes the guard, so that the hammer is not caught and held back by the
sear of the trigger, but goes forward with the breech pin. To cock the piece
from this position the guard is opened a short distance and closed. The
lever guard f is made light at the back end and in a suitable shape to form a
guard for the trigger, and the forward, portion is made heavy to form a recoil
block between the breech pin and the receiver, and the back end of the slot
in the barrel. The lever guard is attached by a firm joint h at its forward
end to the sliding breech pin; it is also connected with the lower part of the
receiver g by the yoke o; this yoke has a hole in each end; the end is
secured by a bolt or pin to the inner and upper part of the lever guard a

page_text: short distance from its forward end; the back end of the yoke is secured in
like manner in a slot cut into the projection on the forward end of the receiver g.
A joint is thus formed at each end of the yoke, and it is used as a fulcrum
for the lever guard to act upon, so as to force the breech pin and lock backward
and forward as heretofore described. The forward portion of the lever guard
is n ade large and fits closely into the slote of the barrel, and butts against
the lower projection of the receiver, and also against the back end of the slot
in the barrel, thus forming with the breech pin to which it is connected a rigid
recoil block. The trigger and sear n consists of one piece inserted through
a mortice in the lower part of the receiver g, to which it is attached by a
small pin near its upper and back corner. The sear or hook is upon its upper
and forward corner; this sear catches into the lower mortice of the hammer u,
Fig. 7, whenever the lock is forced back by opening the lever guard, and
retains the hammer when the breech pin is forced forward by closing the
guard. The sear or trigger spring p is a small flat piece of steel attached at
its center by a screw to the upper side of the lower tang of the receiver g..
Its forward end rests in a notch in the back part of the trigger; its back end
rests upon the catch which holds the back end of the lever guard. This spring
thus does the double duty of working the trigger and catch. The extracting
hooks and Fig. 10 are light bars of steel flat on the inside and rounded
on the outside, made to slide backward and forward with the lock, partly in.
grooves cut into the sides of the receiving chamber for the purpose t, Figs. 3
and 9, and partly in the grooves and mortices cut into the sides of the hammer.
These extracting hooks have each a projection or hook on the forward end;
near the back end there is in each a slight projection which extends into
the side mortice of the hammer. When the guard is raised so as to carry
the lock and hammer back against the back end of the receiving chamber, the
extracting hooks or bars strike against the back end of the grooves in the
receiving chamber, and the forward ends of said hooks are thus forced
forward of the forward end of the breech pin, extending into and on each side
of the receiving chamber c, as shown in Figure 3, r. Thus when the cartridge
is dropped into the receiving chamber it falls between these hooks, the flange
of the cartridge being back of the forward projections of said hooks, so that
when the guard is closed, the cartridge is forced forward into the small calibre
of the barrel with the projection on the forward end of the hooks in front of
the flange. In this position the piece is discharged. Now when the guard is
opened the back projections of the hooks catch into the mortices made for that
purpose in the hammer, and are thereby carried back with the lock, and the shell
of the cartridge is drawn out into the receiving chamber by the forward pro-

page_text: jections of the hooks, and drops out of the piece by its own gravity through the
opening on the bottom of the barrel.
Now what I claim to be the first part of the Invention, and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is, -
--
First, the mortice or slot cut through the bottom of the barrel near the
back end for the reception of the cartridge, and when the cartridge is exploded
to allow the shell to drop from the piece by its own gravity, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Second, connecting the trigger guard, which also forms the lever and recoil
block, with the sliding breech pin through the same slot in the bottom of the
barrel used for the reception of the cartridge, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
Third, the form of the sliding breech pin, namely, the forward end made
large to fit the calibre of the receiving chamber and the slot in the bottom of
the barrel, and having a strong joint for the attachment of the lever guard,
and the back end of the said breech pin made small and round, forming a
centre bolt for the lock, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fourth, the form of the hammer, being a cylinder with a projecting deto-
nating arm, and so constructed as to enclose the spiral main spring which
propels it, also with a slot and mortice in each side to receive and work the
sliding extracting hooks, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fifth, the sliding extracting books made substantially in the form and for
the purposes set forth in the Specification.
Sixth, the form of the lever guard being so formed as to fit closely into the
slot of the receiving chamber of the barrel and butting against the receiver,
with a slot in the upper side to secure and conceal the fulcrum yoke, at the
same time forming a guard for the trigger, substantially as and for the pur-
poses herein set forth.
Seventh, the form of the receiver being made with a projection from the
bottom side for the lever guard to butt against, and with a slot cut into it to
receive and attach the fulcrum yoke, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
Eighth, the combination of the breech pin, hammer, spiral mainspring, nutt,
and lever guard, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.
Ninth, the combination of the lever guard, yoke, and receiver, substantially
in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.
The second part of the said Invention consists, first, of an improvement in
the general form of the bayonet so that it will fit closely to the bottom side
of the barrel of the fire-arm.

page_text: Secondly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the hilt of the bayonet
to enable the bayonet to be secured or fastened by means of an open spring
ring.
Thirdly, the Invention consists of an improvement in securing or fastening
the bayonet by means of an open spring ring.
Fourthly, the Invention consists of an improvement in the shape of the
barrel of the fire-arm to adapt it to be used in connection with the preceding
three improvements.
In constructing bayonets and fire-arms to receive the same according to
these improvements I make the exterior of the barrels of fire-arms to taper
as far as the forward or front sight, which is placed at a short distance from.
the muzzle of the barrel, and the portion of the barrel between the sight and
the muzzle I make cylindrical. The bayonet is composed of a tube, which at
one end fits on the cylindrical end of the barrel, and at the other is tapered to
a point to form the bayonet blade. When the bayonet is out of use its tubular
bilt is placed on the end of the barrel in such manner that the pointed blade
lies along the side of the tapered barrel, and the blade is made of such a
shape that at this time it fits closely to the barrel. When the bayonet is to
be fixed on the barrel in position for use the position of the bayonet is reversed,
the tubular hilt being placed on the end of the barrel in such manner that
the pointed bayonet blade projects out beyond the barrel. When the bayonet
is in this position the rear end of the tubular hilt of the bayonet rests against
the foresight which form a firm base for it; the bayonet is fastened or kept
in its place both when fixed and when returned by a catch composed of a
split spring ring which embraces a portion of the tubular hilt of the bayonet.
At one part of the inner circumference of the spring ring is a projection which
passes through a slot in the tubular hilt, and enters a slot or recess in the
exterior of the barrel; on the exterior of the ring is a thumbpiece, by which
(when it is required to slide the bayonet off the end of the barrel) the ring
can be turned round, thus springing open the ring, and withdrawing the
projection from the recess in the barrel.
The aforesaid construction and operation of the fire-arm fitted with said
improvements will be fully understood from the accompanying Drawings B,
wherein Figure 12 is a side view of the bayonet when returned and the
barrel of the fire-arm; Figure 18 is a side view of the bayonet fixed and the
forward end of the barrel; Figure 14 is a side view of the forward end of the
barrel showing the front sight and the notch to secure the bayonet; Figure 15
is a view of the open spring ring fastener; Figure 16 is a cross section of the
barrel, bayonet, and fastener, showing the segment of the latter dropped into

page_text: the notch of the barrel to secure the bayonet; Figure 17 is the same, showing
the fastener turned to release the bayonet; Figure 18 is a cross section of the
barrel and blade of the bayonet midway of the latter.
A is the gun barrel; B is the forward sight; C is the hilt of the bayonet;
D is the bayonet fastener; E is the bayonet blade.
The bayonet consists of a tube at one end which forms the hilt, and a
segment of a tube tapering to a point at the other end which forms the blade
of the bayonet, said tubular form adapts it to the outer surface of a tapering
barrel, so that when the bayonet is returned or in its ordinary carrying
position the hilt, which is a perfect tube, embraces the forward end of the
barrel between the muzzle and the forward sight. The blade of the bayonet,
which is a tapering segment of a tube, extends back to a point closely and
smoothly embracing the bottom of the tapering barrel, as seen in Figure 12.
When the said bayonet is "fixed" or in position for use it is reversed and
placed on the end of the barrel, the hilt or tube enclosing the end of the
barrel between the muzzle and the forward sight, as before; the sight forming
a firm base for the back end of the bayonet to rest upon, as seen in Figure 13.
Said bayonet is kept in its place both when fixed and when "returned" by
an open spring ring D, a segment of which is made thick, Fig. 15, and drops
into a not or slot G, Fig. 14, cut into the barrel midway between the
forward sight and the forward end of the barrel. There is also a thumb-
piece H projecting from the ring for the purpose of working it; said ring
embraces the bayonet at the centre of the hilt, where there is a suitable
groove for it to work in, and where a slot is cut across the tube making an
opening for the thick part of said ring to drop through into the notch or
slot G of the barrel. The barrel is made without taper from the muzzle to
the forward sight, so as to fit the hilt of the bayonet both when "fixed" and
when reversed or "returned." The balance of the barrel tapers towards
the breech in the usual way. To "fix" the bayonet from its "returned"
position the ring is turned or slidden far enough to raise the thick part out
of the slot in the barrel, when the bayonet can be removed, reversed, and
"fixed," and the ring being slipped back again holds the bayonet securely
in its place. A similar operation "returns" the bayonet and secures it in
its place.
What I claim as the second part of the Invention, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is,
First, a bayonet being made substantially in the general form described in
above Specifications, so shaped that it will fit closely to the bottom side of the
barrel of a fire-arm which is made tapering from the breech to the forward

page_text: sight, and of equal size from said forward sight to the muzzle, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Second, the groove around the centre of the hilt of the bayonet for the
spring ring, and the opening through said hilt for the thick part of the ring
to drop through into the notch across the barrel to secure the bayonet in its
place, both when "fixed" and "returned," substantially in and for the
purposes set forth in the Specifications.
Third, the bayonet fastener, an open ring, a segment of which is made thick
to drop through the side of the hilt into a slot cut across the barrel and a
thumbpiece in said ring by which it is worked, substantially in the form and
for the purposes set forth in the Specifications.
Fourth, the shape of the barrel to adapt it to said bayonet, namely, made
all of a size or without taper from the muzzle to the forward sight, while it
tapers from the forward sight backward in the usual way; also a notch cut
midway between the muzzle and forward sight across the barrel to receive
the bayonet fastener and secure the bayonet both when "fixed" and when
"returned."
In witness whereof, I, the said Stephen Amos Main, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
STEPHEN AMUS MAIN. (L.S.)