IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND COMBINATION OF BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING FIREARMS AND ORDNANCE, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES FOR USE IN THE SAME
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Krutzsch, of 34, Copley Street, Stepney
Green, London, E., Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND COMBINATION OF BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING
FIREARMS AND ORDNANCE, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES FOR USE IN THE SAME."
Sealed the 22nd February 1867, and dated the 27th August 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Krutzsch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th August 1866.
1, WILLIAM KRUTZSCH, of 31, Copley Street, Stepney Green, London, E,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND COMBINATION OF BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING
FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES FOR USE IN THE SAME," to be
as follows:-
In carrying out the portion of my Invention which has reference to the
construction of breech-loading fire-arms I screw on to the breech end of the
barrel a sector piece forming a breech block, around which slides another
sector piece turning on an axle, and is hooked together as it were to the first-

page_text: mentioned sector piece (which first-mentioned sector piece being that which
is fastened to the barrel I distinguish as the "inner sector piece," and I
distinguish the latter-mentioned sector piece as the "outer sector piece,") by
means of an angular projection or feather taking into a corresponding groove
in the inner sector piece. The axle of the inner sector piece on which the
outer sector piece rotates or works is prolonged through the boss of the
outer sector piece; over this prolongation is slipped the breech tail piece
to which the butt of the gun is attached. This breech tail piece is fastened
to the prolongation of the inner sector piece by means of a screwed bolt,
which passes through the centre or axis of the said prolongation, and is screwed
into a nut or female screw formed in the recessed portion of the breech tail
piece, by this arrangement a bearing is formed around which the boss of the
"outer sector piece" works confined within the two collars thus formed when
the several parts are fitted together, and by the turning round of the "outer
sector piece." by the contrivance herein-after described the breech end of the
barrel is entirely opened or closed. The" outer sector piece" is prolonged
in the shape of an elongated boss, into which is fitted a tube which contains
the striker and spiral spring for discharging the gun; when the gun is closed
the axis of the striker is in line with that of the barrel; this striker is formed
with a projection or feather which passes through a slot in the elongated boss
of the striker tube, and the prolongation of the "outer sector piece" into a right-
angled triangular groove, the one side of which is parallel with the axis of
the barrel. On the "outer sector piece" is hinged a handle or lever, the turning
action of which is in a line parallel with that of the barrel, when the brecch
end of the gun is closed the said handle or lever is kept stationary by means
of a projection on the lower part of the hinge piece in the angled groove of
the "inner sector piece." Through the left side of "inner sector piece" is
drilled a hole tangential to the exterior of the barrel.
The "outer sector
"
piece" is also bored with a hole in such a position that when the breech
is opened the axes of the openings in the "inner and outer sector
pieces are nearly in the same line. In the opening in the "outer sector
piece" is fitted a spiral spring and a plunger. Through the hole in the
"inner sector piece" is fitted a spindle, the lower part of the head of which
fits or takes into a slot in the breech end of the barrel; and the upper part
of the head of this spindle has a notch corresponding with the before-
mentioned projection on the under part of the hinge of the handle. By
turning the "outer sector piece" to the left the projection of the striker is
forced back through the inclined side of the already mentioned triangular

page_text: groove, and so brings the striker and spiral spring in tension and are so held
by a notch or catch. The lower part of the handle is brought into or takes
into the notchin the head of the spindle in contact, so that by a forward action
of the handle the spindle with the lower part of the head, which forms a hook
which grips the rim of the cartridge, is pushed backwards, and so withdraws
or extracts the cartridge case of the charge which has been exploded and
pushes the plunger and the spiral spring in the "outer sector piece" back-
wards. The handle is brought back to its upright position when the hand is
withdrawn or released, and the breech will then be left open to receive*
another charge. By turning the "outer sector piece" to the right the pro-
jection of the striker moves in the right angle part of the triangular groove
behind the small bolt which is connected with the trigger, and which small
bolt being withdrawn when the trigger is pulled the striker is forced forward
for the purpose of discharging the piece. The tube which contains the striker
is provided with a spring which lies in a groove in the tube. This spring is
notched through a small projection in the prolongation of the "outer sector
piece," and by pressing this spring on its end, which is provided with a small
nob, the striking part is disconnected; by this arrangement an accidental
discharge is entirely prevented, and by using the gun with leisure the discon-
necting of the striking part can always be performed before the breech ist
opened, and be again connected or pushed in before the gun is required to be
fired. The end part of my striker is flat and shaped the same as a notch door
lock.
In carrying out that portion of my Invention which has reference to the
combination of the repeating principle of fire-arms with the breech-loading
arrangement just described 1 proceed as follows:-I fit on the axis of the
"inner sector piece" a tube (forming a magazine for the cartridges) along the
under side of the barrel; between this tube and the barrel is left a groove
provided with notches; in the said groove is fitted a rod extending the whole
length of the barrel; over the said tube is fitted a slide or handle connected
with the rod in the groove; in the said slide or handle is cut a long-threaded
or wide-pitched nut on the lock side of the gun; in the said nut is fitted a
corresponding screw which on its other end, that is to say, the end nearest to
the butt of the gun, has fitted a toothed segment which gears or takes into a
rack or a toothed segment cut outside of the boss of the "outer sector piece;"
behind this last-mentioned toothed segment, on the screw spindle, is another
toothed segment which gears or takes into a rack fastened on a block which
works in a slot in the breech tail piece; the said block has an opening corre-

page_text: sponding with that in the tube under the barrel. The cartridge extractor in
this arm is on the right-hand side of the "inner sector piece," goes through
the same, and is connected by a rod on the slide or handle on the tube under
the barrel; the said tube has an opening with a slide or covering for the
purpose of unloading the magazine or tube over it at the end nearest to the
boss on the "outer sector piece;" this tube is provided with a block which at
one end is fitted with a spiral spring which has a free action from to of
an inch; this block is provided with another spring which links in the rod
between the barrel and the tube. If I fill or charge the tube below the barrel
with cartridges and put the block before mentioned on the top of the same
the block will link with the spring in the before described rod and so prevent
the cartridges from coming this way out again. The toothed segments and
the first-mentioned rod and small rod on the cartridge extractor are so
arranged that by the first sliding movement of the slider or handle from the
front to the end of the gun the toothed segment which gears into the rack on
the boss of the "outer sector piece" will turn the outer sector piece so
that the barrel is opened; the next and increased movement in the same
direction will withdraw the exploded cartridge and cause a fresh cartridge to
be slipped in the opening of the block in the breech tail piece; the succeeding
movement will lift the block, which slides on the breech tail piece with its
opening opposite the barrel, and will throw off the cartridge case which has
just been withdrawn. If the movement of the handle or slide is reversed
towards the muzzle of the gun the cartridge will, by the action of the cartridge
extractor, which has a hook on its end, be pushed into the barrel and the
block will be withdrawn through the breech tail piece and the
gun closed
ready for firing. By this arrangement there is no need to take the gun from
the shoulder after firing for the purpose of loading.
In carrying out insomuch of my Invention as relates to improvements in
the contruction of breech-loading ordnance I adapt to the breech end of the
gun a similar arrangement of " inner and outer sector pieces "and ignition
or discharging apparatus to that previously described for application to small
arms, with this différence, that the interior of the boss of the "outer sector
piece' turns round or works in a flat-threaded screwed surface formed on the
axle of the "inner sector piece." The "inner" and "outer sector pieces
also link or take into each other by means of corresponding flat-threaded male
and female screwed surfaces formed on the inner and outer peripheries respec-
tively of the segmental portions of the said "inner and out sector pieces." I
prefer to turn one sector over the other by a worm fitted on the "inner sector.

page_text: piece" which grips in a part of a worn wheel on the "outer sector piece,"
and by this arrangement of parts I am enabled to open and close the breech
end of the cannon with facility. In light pieces of ordnance a lever or rack
and pinion or similar mechanical contrivance will serve the purpose of a worm
and worm wheel. The breech arrangement and actuating parts as just
described is adaptable for the conversion of all calibres of guu metal, cast
iron, or steel muzzle-loading ordnance into breech-loaders.
I adapt for use in the breech-loading and repeating fire-arms herein-before
described the so-called "Boxer" (or "Brown's") cartridge for all sizes of
bore under the Eufield or 5.77 bore by inserting a paper or any composition
ring, which is fastened on the cartridge case or the lining in the cartridge,
leaving an opening equal to the bore of the barrel.
For breech-loading ordnance according to my Invention I make the cart-
ridge case of metallic or other suitable material, the ignition part being similar
to that of the central-fire cartridges for small arms, but I fix over the ignition
opening in the interior of the opening of the cartridge atbin metallic plate, which
by the explosion will close the opening entirely. In the base of the cartridge
I form two recesses which may either be screwed or be shaped as T-shaped
recesses to allow of the insertion of screws or hooks for the purpose of with-
drawing the cartridge case of the charge which has been exploded.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Krutzsch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th February 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
KRUTZSCH, of 34, Copley Street, Stepney Green, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of August, in the year ofour Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty thirtieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Krutzsch, Her special licence that I, the said William
Krutzsch, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Krutzsch, 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,

page_text: the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND COMBINATION OF BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING FIRE-ARMS
AND ORDNANCE, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES FOR USE IN THE SAME," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Krutzsch, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 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 William Krutzsch,do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the followingstatement,
and on reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, that is to say:
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have illustrated the mode or
method of carrying out the several parts of my said Invention. In the
several Figures the same letters of reference are employed to denote like
or corresponding parts in each.
Figures 1 to 13 c, illustrate that portion of my said Invention relating to
the construction of breech-loading fire-arme.
In carrying out the portion of my Invention which has reference to the
construction of breech-loading fire-arms I screw to the breech end of the
barrel a sector piece A forming a breech block, around which slides another
sector piece C turning on an axle b, and is hooked together; as it were, to the
first-mentioned sector piece A (which first-mentioned sector piece being that
which is fastened to the barrel I distinguish as the "inner sector piece," and
I distinguish the latter-mentioned sector piece as the "outer sector piece,")
by means of an angular projection or feather C taking into a corresponding
groove C¹in the "inner sector piece." The axle of the "inner sector piece
on which the "outer sector piece" rotates or works is prolonged through the
boss of the "outer sector piece;" over this prolongation is slipped the breech
tail piece B to which the butt of the gun is attached; this breech tail piece
is fastened to the prolongation of the "inner sector piece" by means of a
screwed bolt a¹ which passes through the centre or axis cf the said pro-
longation, and is screwed into a nut or femal screw a³ formed in the recessed
portion a" of the breech tail piece; by this arrangement a bearing is formed,
around which the boss d of the "outer sector piece" works confined within
the two collars, shewn in Figure 2, thus formed when the several parts are
fitted together, and by the turning of the "outer sector piece" by the con-

page_text: trivance herein-after described the breech end of the barrel is entirely
opened or closed; the "outer sector piece" is prolonged on the shape of an
elongated boss D, into which is fitted a tube d¹ which contains the striker e
and spiral spring e¹ for discharging the gun, as shown in Figure 2. When
the gun is closed the axis of the striker is in line with that of the barrel;
this striker is formed with a projection or feather ƒ which passes through a
slot in the elongated boss of the striker tube d¹, and the prolongation of the
"outer sector piece" into a right-angled triangular groove g, shewn in
Figures 8 and 8b, one side of which is parallel with the axis of the barrel on
the "outer sector piece," is hinged a handle or lever E, the turning action of
which is in a line parallel with that of the barrel; when the breech end of the
gun is closed the said handle or lever is kept stationary by means of a pro-
jection h on the lower part of the hinge piece i in the angled groove of the
"inner sector piece;" through the left side of the "inner sector piece" is
drilled a hole k tangential to the exterior of the barrel; the "outer sector
piece" is also bored with a hole k¹ in such a position that when the breech is
opened the axis of the openings in the "inner and outer sector pieces" are
nearly in the same line, as shewn in Figure 3. In the opening in the "outer
sector piece" is fitted a spiral spring / and a plunger; through the hole in the
inner sector piece" is fitted a spindle m, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6; the
lower part m'of the head of the head of the spindle fits or takes into a slot m
(as shewn in Figure 3) in the breech end of the barrel, and the upper part m
of the head of this spindle has a notch n corresponding with the before-
mentioned projection on the under part of the hinge of the handle; by turning
the outer sector piece to the left the projection f of the striker a" is forced
back through the inclined side g₁ of the already mentioned triangular
groove g, and so brings the striker and spiral spring in tension, and are so
held by a notch or catch g¹, as shewn in Figures 8 and 9. The lower part h
of the handle E is brought into or takes into the notch n in the head of the
spindle m in contact, so that by a forward action of the haudle E, as shewn in
Figure 6, the spindle, with the lower part of the head which forms a hook m¹,
gripping the rim of the cartridge is pushed backwards, and so withdraws or
extracts the cartridge case of the charge which has been exploded, and pushes
the plunger and the spiral spring in the outer sector piece backwards; the
handle is brought back to its upright position when the hand is withdrawn
or released, and the breech will then be left open to receive another charge.
By turning the "outer sector piece to the right the projection f of the
striker moves in the right-angle part g₁ of the triangular groove g behind the

page_text: L
small bolt o (shewn in Figure 10) which is connected with the trigger, and
which small bolt being withdrawn when the trigger is pulled the striker is
forced forward for the purpose of discharging the piece. The tube d' which
contains the striker is provided with a spring of which lies in a groove oll
(as shewn in Figure 7) in the tube d'; this spring is notched through a
small projection o¹ in the prolongation D of the outer sector piece, and
by pressing this spring o¹ on its end, which is provided with a small nob,
the striking part is disconnected; by this arrangement an accidental dis-
charge is entirely prevented, and by using the gun with leisure the discon-
necting of the striking part can always be performed before the breech is
opened and be again connected or pushed in before the gun is required to
be fired. The end part e" of the striker e is flat and shaped the same as a
notch door lock (as shewn in Figures 11*) and 11b.
· Figures 14 to 25 illustrate that portion of my said Invention relating to
the combination of the repeating principle of fire-arms with the breech_
loading arrangement thus described.
In carrying out this portion of my said Invention I proceed as follows:--I
fit on the axis of the "inner sector piece "a tube F, as shewn in Figure 17,
forming a magazine for the cartridges along the under side of the barrel;
between this tube and the barrel is left a groove q, as shewn in Figure 21, pro-
vided with notches 9', as shown in Figure 17; in the said groove is fitted a rod
q"extending the whole length of the barrel; over the said tube is fitted a slide
or handle G connected with the rod in the groove; in the said slide or handle
G is cut a long-threaded or wide-pitched nut r on the lock side of the gun
(as shewn in Figure 14); in the said nut is fitted a corresponding screw 1
which at its other end, that is to say, the end nearest to the butt of the gun,
has fitted a toothed segment 711 which gears or take into a rack or a toothed
segment (as shewn in Figure 23) cut outside of the boss of the "outer
sector piece;" behind the last-mentioned toothed segment on the screw spindle
is another segment or a cam piece s which gears or takes into a rack or a
projecting piece fastened on a block s which works in a slots" in the breech
tail piece (as shew in Figures 24, 25), this block has an opening s corre-
sponding with that in the tube F under the barrel (as shewn in Figure 16).
The cartridge extractor H in this arm is on the right hand side of the "inner
sector piece," goes through the same, and is connected by a rod H¹ on the
slide or. handle on the tube under the barrel. This tube is provided with a
block J which at one end is fitted with a spiral spring which has a free
action fromto of an inch. This block is provided with another spring K

page_text: which links in the rod "between the barrel and the tube. If I fill or charge
the tube below the barrel with cartridges and put the block before mentioned
on the top of the same the block will link with the one spring in the block
before described rod qu, and so prevent the cartridges from coming this way
out again. The toothed segments, the first mentioned rod q, and small rod
H¹ on the cartridge extractor, as shewn in Figure 14, are so arranged that by
the first-mentioned sliding movement of the slider or handle from the front to
the end of the gun the toothed segment "," which gears into the rack, "" on
the boss of the "outer sector piece" will turn the "outer sector piece," so that
the barrel is opened as shewn in Figure 24; the next and increased movement
in the same direction will withdraw the exploded cartridge and cause a fresh
cartridge to be slipped in the slot or openings of the block s¹ in the breech
tail piece. The succeeding movement will lift the block which slides in the
breech tail piece with its opening opposite the barrel and will throw off the
cartridge case which has just been withdrawn. If the movement of the handle
or slide is reversed towards the muzzle of the gun the cartridge will, by the
action of the cartridge extractor which has a hook H" on its end, as shown
in Figure 14, be pushed into the barrel and the block s¹ will be withdrawn
through the breech tail piece and the gun be closed ready for firing (as shown
in Figure 25). By this arrangement there is no need to take the gun from
the shoulder after firing, for the purpose of loading.
Figures 26 to 28 illustrate that portion of my said Invention relating to
the improvements in the construction of breech-loading ordnance. Figure 26
is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a cannon having the breech-
loading arrangement of parts according to my Invention. Figure 27 is an
end view of the breech shewing the barrel closed by the outer sector piece.
Figure 28 is an end view of the breech shewing the barrel opened, both the
outer and the inner sector pieces being here shewn. In carrying out this
portion of my said Invention I adapt to the breech end of the gun a similar
arrangement of "inner and outer sector pieces" and ignition or discharging
apparatus previously described for small arms, with this difference, that the
interior of the boss of the "outer sector piece" turns round or works in a flat-
threaded screwed surface formed in the axis of the "inner sector piece; " the
inner and outer sector pieces "also link into each other by means of
corresponding flat-threaded male and female screwed surfaces formed in the
inner and outer peripheries respectively of the segmental portions of the said
"inner and outer sector pieces," as shewn in Figure 26. I prefer to turn one
sector piece over the other by a worm fitted on the "inner sector piece" which

page_text: grips in a part of a worm wheel on the "outer sector piece," and by this
of
arrangement parts I am enabled to open and close the breech end of the
cannon with facility. In light pieces of ordnance a lever or rack and pinion
or similar mechanical contrivance will serve the purpose of a worm and worm
wheel. The breech arrangement and actuating parts as just described are
adaptable for the conversion of all calibres of gun metal, cast iron, or steel
muzzle-loading ordnance into breech-loaders. I adapt for use in the breech-
loading and repeating fire-arms herein-before described the so-called Bo.er
cartridges for all sizes of bore under the Enfield or 5.77 bore by inserting a
paper or any other composition ring which is fastened to the cartridge case or
the lining in the cartridge, leaving an opening equal to the bore of the barrel
as shewn in Figure 29... For breech-loading ordnance according to my
Invention I make the cartridge case of metallic or other suitable material.
The ignition part being similar to that of the central-fire cartridges for small
arms, but I fix over the ignition opening in the interior of the opening of the
cartridge a thin metallic plate Y,as shewn in Figure 30,which by the explosion
will close the opening entirely. In the case of the cartridge I form two
recesses which may either be screwed or b shaped as T shaped recesses to
allow of the insertion of screws or hooks (as shewn in Figure 30 at x,x, for
the purpose of withdrawing the cartridge case of the charge which has been
exploded.
1
F
Having now described my said improvements, and the manner of carrying
them into effect,I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details of construction herein-beforedescribed,asthesemaybe modified
withoutdeviatingfrom the prínciples or characteristic features of my Invention,
but what I claim is,-.
First, the application of the inner and outer sector pieces: arranged and
applied in the manner herein-before described for opening and closing the
breech end of fire-arms and ordnance.
Second, the arrangement of parts herein-before described for the purpose
of effecting the discharge of the piece, and also the peculiar-shape of the
striker point: as herein-before described, as shewn at Figures 11* and 11b.
Third, the particular mode or method of effecting the loading or charging
of repeating fire-arms by the sliding backward and forward of the handleGin
the manner herein-before described and set forth.
Fourth, the application of the ring(shewn at Figure 29 in the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings) to the cartridges for breech-loading arms in the manner
and for the purpose hereinbefore described.

page_text: Fifth, the application to the cartridges for breech-loading ordnance of the
metallic plate Y,shewn at Figure 30 in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described and set forth..
In witness whereof, I, the said William Krutzsch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of February, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-seven.
WILLIAM KRUTZSCH. (L.B.)
Witness,
FRED. MEDLEY,
Il, Cooks Court, Carey Street,
Lin. Inn Fields.