Year: 1888

page_text: We, WILLIAM HALE DRIGGS and SEATON SCHROEDER, residing respectively at
2001, R, Street, and 723, Twentieth Street, in the City of Washington, District of
Columbia, United States of America, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention has for its object certain improvements in breech-loading ordnance,
and more particularly in rapid-firing single-shot guns. This object we accomplish by
the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this
specification, wherein the same reference letters and numerals indicate the same or
corresponding parts; and our invention consists in the construction and arrangement
or combination of parts hereinafter disclosed in the description, drawing and claims.
Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of the breech
end of the gun and the breech-block, the cam and firing-pin being shown in side
elevation and other parts and features in dotted lines. Figure 2 shows the same, with
the breech-block moved back into position for opening the chamber for the introduction
of a cartridge. Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the breech of the gun, with the breech-
block closing the chainber and a number of other parts and features shown in full
and dotted lines. Figure 4 shows a detail side view of the breech-block. Figure 5
shows a front view of the same. Figure 6 is a rear view of the cam in detail.
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively side and rear views in detail of the extractor arm
for the right side of the breech-block. Figure 9 is a detail side or edge view of
the sliding leaf for holding and releasing the firing-pin. Figures 10 and 11 are
broken horizontal sections of the breech-block and sliding leaf, said sections being
respectively taken on the dotted lines x and y y Figure 3. Figure 12 is a vertical
section of a part of the breech-block on the dotted line z z of Figure 1. Figure 13
is a broken side view of the gun breech and the operating handle, showing the
spring-catch in the latter and the recess therefor in the former.
In the drawing A represents the breech-block, which is provided on its upper
surface with bands, a a, which fit into correspondingly-shaped grooves or recesses, a¹ a¹,.
in the upper interior surface of the gun-breech A' and extend downward a suitable

page_text: distance within the walls of the chamber A2. These bands and their grooves firmly
hold the breech-block in position and prevent backward movement of the same during
firing.
The breech-block A is formed with a cavity A³, extending from the front toward
the rear, the general contour thereof being represented in longitudinal and transverse
section in Figures 1 and 12. Formed in the front part of the cavity is a horizontal
wall, 1-2, of suitable length, which merges into an upwardly inclined wall 2-3;
and in the rear upper part of the rectangular portion of said cavity is a round
shoulder, 4, which may be an integral part of the breech-block, as shown, or a round
pin immovably secured therein, the use of the latter permitting more ready slotting
or cutting out of the block.
The central front face of the breech-block containing the cavity is left open until
the latter is finished and ready for use and the cam is introduced, after which said
cavity is covered by a strong face-plate, 5, which is held in place by a locking plug, 6,
screwed into the same and the cheeks of the cavity. This construction of breech-
block we have discovered to be convenient and advantageous in forming the features
or parts interiorly of the cavity and in introducing the cam.
In the sides of the breech-block are formed cam or guide grooves, 77, which are
of the shape shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and in full lines in Figure 4, their
lower or rear walls to 9-being nearly vertical, but slightly inclined forwardly.
From the point said guide grooves continue on in curved lines from point 10 to
point 11, the two latter points of said grooves being concentric with the axial bolt
when in the upper part of the elongated opening in the breech-block, the purposes
and functions of these parts and features being hereinafter fully described. Projecting
into said cam or guide grooves 7 7, are guide studs, 12 12, which are secured in the
walls of the breech. The elongated opening, 13, just referred to, is also formed in
the breech-block-in its lower portion-and is inclined upward and forward two or
three degrees from the vertical, so as to allow of a down and up movement of said
block at a slight inclination. A strong axial bolt, B, passes through said elongated
opening, fits in openings in the walls or cheeks of the breech and extends out beyond
the same on the left side where it is provided with an operating handle, b.
In the upper part of the cavity in the breech-block, or above the rectangularly-
shaped part of the cavity, is arranged the firing-pin, C, which is provided at its rear
end with a finger loop, c, and at its front end with an upturned head, c. On the
under side of this firing-pin toward its rear end, are respectively formed half and full
cock studs, cand c, and a downwardly and forwardly extending cocking lug, c,
is arranged near its middle. In the top portion of the cavity, above the firing-pin, is
arranged a spiral spring, D, which has its front and rear ends abutting respectively
against the upturned head of the firing-pin and the rear wall of the cavity.
Before applying the face-plate, 5, the cam, E, firing-pin, C, and spiral spring, D,
are introduced through the front of the cavity A³; the breech-block is then placed in
the breech and the axial bolt, B, inserted and securely keyed or fastened to the cam,
said bolt having one end suitably shaped to easily pass through the opening in said
cam and the holes in the walls or cheeks of the breech.
In the left upper end of the cam, E, and extending its full width, is formed a
circular recess, e, which is struck with the same radius as the rounded shoulder, 4, in
the cavity of the block. Beneath said recess, e, and in the middle of the upper rear
part of the cam is formed a larger curved and walled recess, e¹ as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 1, and in rear view in Figure 6, which terminates in front at the
point e¹ of the cam. This point, when the breech-block is closed, rests beneath the
horizontal wall 1-2 of the cavity and supports said block in raised position. At the
rear lower end of the cam is a toe el, which, when said cam is turned backward,
exerts a downward pressure upon the lower wall of the cavity in the breech-block.
In the rear of the breech-block is located the sliding leaf, F, which holds and
releases the firing-pin and which fits in a mortise cut in the rear face of said block
and extending downwardly from the hole for the firing-pin. Side views of this
sliding leaf are shown in Figures 1 and 9 and transverse sections of the same and its

page_text: mortise in Figures 10 and 11, which are respectively views on the dotted lines
and y y of Figure 3. This sliding leaf is inserted in the mortise from the bottom, and
corresponds therewith in cross section, as shown, but they may be of any other suitable
shape which will hold the leaf firmly and prevent it from rearward movement. The
upper end of the leaf is beveled on the front side so that the inclined studs, c¹ clll, on
the firing-pin will press it downward when said pin is retracted; and the rear side of
the upper end of said leaf is straight, so as to catch the straight front sides of said
studs of the firing-pin and hold the latter half or full cocked. A coiled spring, f, is
located in a vertical cylindrical recess, f1, in the rear wall of the breech-block and
prosses the sliding leaf up against the firing-pin. The top of this spring bears against
a flat circular lug, f, on the front side of the leaf, said lug being arranged and
adapted to move in said cylindrical recess. The spring is introduced at the bottom
of said recess and held in place by a plug, f, which is fitted in said recess and
screwed or otherwise firmly and removably held in position. From the rear face of
the leaf projects a laterally-extending arm, G, which terminates in a lip, g, having a
rounded rear face as shown in Figures 1 and 9. A vertical slot, gl, is formed in said
arm, and a screw stud, g, passes through the same and into the wall of the breech,
whereby the vertically sliding leaf is kept in proper alignment in its mortise.
A small rock-shaft, H, passes transversely through the right wall of the gun-breech,
and its inner end terminates in a recess in said wall in rear of, but out of line with,
the side of the breech-block. On the inner end of said rock-shaft is a trip or finger, h,
which is normally just in contact with the round lip g of the laterally-extending arm G
of the sliding leaf F, while on the outer end of said rock-shaft is secured a finger piece
or trigger, ¹, which projects downward beneath the usual hand rest or pistol grip, h",
and which, on being pressed by the finger, causes the trip h to bear down upon the
lip G and thus slide the leaf F downwardly against the resistance of the coiled springf
and liberate the firing-pin C which then flies forward against the primer and explodes
the cartridge.
The cartridge-shell extractor consists of two upwardly-extending arms, II, provided
with lateral pins or pivots, ii, which project into openings in the inner surfaces of the
walls of the gun-breech forward of the axial bolt B. As the breech-block A is flush
with or takes up the whole width of the breech-chamber, the sides of said block, along
its bottom and front surfaces, have formed therein recesses, J J, which are of a depth
inward from the sides of said block equal to the width of the long or main portions of
the extractor arms I I, sufficient room being provided at the upper ends of said
recesses to permit the block to descend slightly along the extractor arms previous to
the commencement of its rotary movement. On the inner sides of the extractor-arms,
along their lower rearwardly-projecting ends, are formed curved projections, i¹i, which
extend into recesses or steps, JJ, formed along the lower front and bottom parts of
the breech-block, and which are still deeper or cut further in from the sides of said
block than the recesses J, J. These deeper recesses or steps, when the breech-block
descends to its revolving position, will bring their upper curved walls, j, j, in contact
with the curved projections, i, on the inner sides of the extractor-arms. These.
upper walls,j,j, of the deeper recesses or steps J'J', are circular in form for a certain
distance, as shown in Fig. 4. and are slightly eccentric with respect to the center of
rotation of the block, so that during its rotation, as hereinafter described, said walls
will press slightly and slowly against the curved projections i¹, i¹, on the inner sides
of the lower ends of the extractor-arms and thus cause the heads (11, 11, of said arms
(said heads being suitably fashioned to grasp the rims of cartridge shells,) to move
slowly to the rear and will pull the shell along with them. At the rear ends, j, j, of
the deeper recesses or steps, J, J', the upper walls j, j, change in curve abruptly
downward; hence, these abrupt curves coming in contact with the curved projections
on the extractor-arins, when the block has rotated sufficiently to the rear to fully
expose the bore of the gun, will cause the extractor-heads ",", to suddenly pull or
jerk the cartridge shell and throw the same quickly to the rear.
In an opening formed in the operating handle b, attached to the projecting end of
the axial bolt B, is secured a spring-catch, K, which, as the cam is completing its

page_text: forward movement and the bore is being closed by the breech-block, takes into a
recess k, formed in the exterior surface of the wall of the breech.
The rear end of this recess is so sloped as to not too much retard the rearward
movement of the spring-catch when opening the breech, and yet there is sufficient
frictional resistance between said spring-catch and the sloping part of the recess to
prevent backward movement of the breech-block by jar or concussion arising from
the firing of neighboring guns. The front end of the recess, k, terminates against a
vertical wall, k, which, in connection with the spring-catch abutting against the same,
prevents more rotation of the handle b, and cam E than is necessary to close the
breech; also, when said catch strikes against said vertical wall a clicking sound is
produced, indicating that the breech is completely closed and secure.
Secured within the interior surfaces of the breech walls, and suspended therefrom at
the extreme rear of the gun breech, is a strong tray or support, L, which receives and
sustains the weight of the breech-block when it is turned back and the bore is open
for loading. In the center of the horizontal limb of this tray or support is formed a
recess, 7, through which passes the finger loop c, on the projecting rear end of the
firing-pin.
The operation of the parts of our invention, excepting that which is obvious and
before described, is as follows:-
Fig. 1 represents the breech of the gun as closed, or as it would appear after a
discharge. To open the bore the handle b, is pulled to the rear, which turns the axial
bolt B, and the cam E. When the latter has been turned back a sufficient distance to
cause its front point el, to pass out from beneath the horizontal wall 1-2 of the
cavity A³ in the breech-block the toe e¹¹, of said cam will pass down upon the bottom
wall of the cavity and force said block downward, this movement being permitted by
the point e" of the cam moving along the inclined wall 2-3 of the cavity. After
further turning the cam, accompanied by the downward movement of the block, its
circular recess e, embraces the rounded shoulder 4, in the cavity and, after this, the
further rotation of the cam is necessarily accompanied by the rotation of the block,
which by this time, has descended far enough for its axial bolt B, to move to the upper
part of the elongated opening 13 and for the bands a, a, to clear their grooves a¹, a¹,
in the gun breech. After this the movement of the block is rotary and to the rear
around the axial bolt, it being guided by the cam-grooves 7, 7, in its sides, in which
engage the guide pins or studs 12, 12, fixed in the walls of the breech. During
the first part of the downward movement of the block its cam or guide grooves
descend over the pins or studs 12, 12, until the latter occupy the points 9, 9, in said
grooves, and during the further rotary movement of said block said pins or studs
successively occupy the positions 10, and 11, in said guide grooves, the grooves at the
points last named being concentric with the axial bolt B, when in the upper part of
the elongated opening 13.
To return the breech-block and close the bore of the gun the handle b, axial bolt B,
and cam E, are moved forward. At first the rounded shoulder 4, remains engaged in
the circular recess e, of the cam and causes the block to swing upward with said cam.
In the meantime the guide grooves 7 7 in the sides of said block moves over the pins
or studs 12 12 and change positions from point 11 to point 10. On reaching point 10,
in consequence of the change in the curves of the grooves, the upper surfaces or walls
of said grooves take against the pins or studs 12 12 and are moved upward, thus
forcing upward the breech-block and disengaging the rounded shoulder 4 from the
circular recess e of the can. When this is effected the front point e" of the cam
commences to impinge at the point 3 in the cavity and, the rotary motion of the cam
continuing, moves along beneath the inclined wall 2-3 in said cavity and forces the
breech-block upward. In the meantime the guide pins or studs change position in
the grooves 77, moving from points 9 to points 8; also the axial bolt B changes
position from the top to the bottom of the elongated opening 13. When the point ell
of the cam reaches the lower or front end of the inclined wall 2-3 it moves a short
distance beyond the same and beneath the horizontal wall 1-2 in the cavity and
firmly supports the breech-block in its raised and closed position. Further forward

page_text: motion of the cam is prevented by coming against the face-plate 5, which may be
provided on its rear face with a rounded or other suitably-shaped anti-friction bearing
surface for contacting with said cam; also the before-described spring-catch K, on
the operating handle and the recess k in the outer surface of the breech wall assist in
arresting the forward movement of the cam.
As the cam E rotates rearward and the block A descends, the cocking-lug 11 of
the firing-pin C take against the bottom of the curved and walled recess e¹ formed in
the middle of the upper rear part of the cam, and is moved rearward, the portion
of the cam in front of said recess passing up into the curved front part of said cocking-
lug. This pushing or retracting movement imparted to the firing-pin is effected
against the resistance of the spiral spring D, which is contracted thereby; and said
movement is continued until the circular recess e in the cam embraces the round
shoulder 4 in the cavity, when the relative motions of the cam and firing-pin cease.
When the recess e of the cam comes in contact with the round shoulder 4 the full
cock stude of the firing-pin has passed the rear of the block and is caught by the
sliding leaf F, before described.
The construction and arrangement of the parts of the breech-block, relative to the
breech, as constructed, are such as to resist backward and downward pressure upon
the face of said block from the force of the exploded charge. The arrangement of
the cam in the center of the block is productive of great ease and power of movement
of said cam, and there is but little liability of derangement of the same and the parts
operated thereby; also, by means of the cam or guide grooves in the sides of the
breech-block and the two stationary guide pins or studs fitted in the walls of the
breech, great positiveness and steadiness of movement of the block are secured, and,
also, great strength of the parts and little liability of their getting out of order are
obtained; also, in case of failure of the cartridge cap to obturate or confine the gases
in the bore, in which event the firing-pin would be violently projected to the rear-
due to the gases rushing through the hole in the face-plate the thickness of the
metal of the cocking-lug and of the upturned head of our firing-pin would prevent
the latter being shot out through the firing-pin hole in the rear face of the
breech-block.
Having thus fully described the construction, arrangement and operation of the
various parts of our invention, we claim the following as new :-
1. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block, which first moves
downward in opening, then rotates backward and downward, and which is provided
with cam or guide grooves in its sides, the breech-walls provided with guide pins or
studs fitting in said grooves, and mechanism for imparting the directions of movement
named to said block, substantially as described.
2. In a breech-loading gun, in which the breech-block first moves downward in
opening, then rotates backward and downward, the combination of a chambered
breech formed with openings in its walls, an axial bolt fitted in said openings, a
breech-block formed in its interior with a central cavity, a cam secured to said axial
bolt and arranged within said central cavity, and means for rotating said bolt and cam
and for moving and guiding said breech-block downward, then backward and
downward and for returning the same to its original position, substantially as
described.
3. In a breech-loading gun, in which the breech-block first moves downward in
opening, then rotates backward and downward, the combination of the chambered.
gun-breech A¹ provided with grooves in its upper interior surface, the breech-block A
provided on its upper surface with bands a a, adapted to fit said grooves and hold
said breech-block firmly in place, provided with the elongated opening 13, and with a
central cavity A³ in its interior, the axial bolt B, fitted in openings in the breech-
walls and passing through said elongated openings, the cam E, secured to said axial
bolt and located in said central cavity, and means for rotating said cam and for
guiding said breech-block downward, backward and then downward and for returning
the same to its original position, substantially as described.

page_text: 4. In a breech-loading gun, in which the breech-block first moves downward in
opening, then rotates backward and downward, the combination of the chambered
breech formed with openings in its walls, an axial bolt fitted in said openings, a breech-
block formed with cam or guide grooves in its sides, with an elongated opening and
with an interior central cavity having a horizontal wall, an inclined wall and a rounded
shoulder, stationary pins or studs secured in the walls of the breech and fitting in
said cam or guide grooves, a cam secured to said axial bolt and arranged within said
cavity and formed with an upper front point, a toe, and a circular recess, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
5. In a breech-loading gun, a breech-block formed with a central cavity extending
from its front rearward, as a convenient construction in forming and assembling the
features and parts interiorly of said cavity, and provided at its front with a strong
face-plate and with a locking plug for holding the latter in place, substantially as
described.
6. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block, formed with a
circular cavity in its upper portion and with firing-pin holes in its front and rear
walls, with a firing-pin arranged in said cavity and holes and provided with a strong
projecting cocking-lug and an upturned head, and a suitable spring, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
7. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block having a downward
movement in opening, then a rotary backward and downward movement, and which
is formed with an interior central cavity, with a firing-pin arranged in the upper part
of said cavity and provided with studs for holding it full or half cocked and with a
downwardly-projecting cocking-lug, a spring in contact with said firing-pin, and a
rotary cam arranged within said cavity and adapted to come in contact with and
retract said firing-pin, substantially as described.
8. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block formed with a
central cavity, a firing-pin arranged in the upper part of said cavity and provided at
its front end with an upturned head and on its lower side with a cocking-lug and full
and half cock studs, means for holding said studs when the pin is retracted, a spring
arranged in contact with said firing pin, and a rotary cam for retracting the latter,
substantially as described.
9. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block formed with a central
cavity, a spring-controlled firing-pin arranged in the upper part of said cavity and
provided with full and half cock studs and with a finger loop on its rear end, and
means for holding and releasing said firing-pin, substantially as described.
10. In a breech-loading gun, in which the breech-block first moves downward in
opening, then rotates backward and downward, the combination of the chambered
breech formed with openings in its walls, an axial bolt fitted in said openings, a
breech-block formed in its interior with a central cavity, a cam secured to said axial
bolt and arranged within said central cavity, a firing-pin arranged in the upper part
of said cavity and provided on its under side with studs for holding it full or half
cocked and with a downwardly and forwardly projecting cocking-lug arranged to
come in contact with and be operated by said cam, for retracting said firing-pin, and
means for rotating said bolt and cam and for moving and guiding said breech-block
downward, then backward and downward and for returning the same to its original
position, substantially as described.
11. In a breech-loading gun, firing-pin holding and releasing mechanism, consisting
of a breech-block formed with a vertical mortise and a cylindrical recess, in combina-
tion with a coiled spring placed within said recess, a removable plug for closing the
lower end of said recess, a sliding leaf fitted in said mortise and having a circular
lug extending over said coiled spring and also having a laterally-extending arm, and
means for moving said arm downward, substantially as described.
12. In a breech-loading gun, firing-pin holding and releasing mechanism, consisting
of a breech-block formed with a vertical mortise and a cylindrical recess, in combina-
tion with a spring-controlled firing-pin, a coiled spring placed within said recess, a
removable plug for closing the lower end of said recess, a sliding leaf fitted in said

page_text: mortise and having a circular lug extending over said coiled spring and also having a
laterally-extending arm, and a rock-shaft provided at its inner and outer ends,
respectively, with a trip and trigger, substantially as described.
13. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block formed with a
vertical mortise and a cylindrical recess in its rear face, a spring-controlled firing-pin
arranged in the upper part of said block, a coiled spring placed in said cylindrical recess,
a vertically-movable leaf arranged in said mortise and provided with a lug projecting
over the coiled spring in said recess and means for moving said leaf downward and
releasing the firing-pin, substantially as described.
14. In a breech-loading gun, in which the breech-block first moves downward in
opening, then rotates backward and downward, the combination of the gun-breech A¹,
the breech-block A having formed in its sides, along its front and bottom, recesses J J
and lower deeper recesses or steps JJ, the latter having upper curved walls, j ją
the cartridge-shell extractor, consisting of the upwardly-extending arms II formed
to fit said recesses and provided with heads, with lateral pivots ii, working in
openings in the breech-walls, and with curved projections on their lower, rear-
wardly-projecting ends said projections extending into and being operated by said deeper
recesses or steps, and means for moving said breech-block downward, then backward
and downward, substantially as described.
15. In a breech-loading gun, in which the breech-block first moves downward in
opening, then rotates backward and downward, the combination of the gun-breech A¹,
the breech-block A having formed in its sides, along its front and bottom, recesses J J
and lower deeper recesses or steps JJ, the latter having upper curved walls, j j,
merging into abrupt curves ¹ at their rear ends, the cartridge-shell extractor,
consisting of the upwardly-extending arms II, formed to fit said recesses and provided
with heads, with lateral pivots ii, working in openings in the breech walls, and
with curved projections on their lower, rearwardly-projecting ends, said pro-
jections extending into and being operated by said deeper recesses or steps, and means
for moving said breech-block downward, then backward and downward, substantially
as described.
16. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech-block, which first moves
downward in opening, then rotates backward and downward, with a tray or support
arranged at the rear end of the breech and suspended from its walls and formed with
a central recess, substantially as and for the purpose described.
17. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a breech block and mechanism for
moving the same downward, backward and downward in opening and for returning
the same to its original or closed position, with the gun-breech provided on its exterior
surface with a recess which is formed with a sloping or inclined rear surface and
with a vertical wall at its front and a handle provided with a spring-catch adapted to
move in said recess, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated th: 50th an
1000
WILLIAM HALE DRIGGS.
SEATON SCHROEDER.
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.