IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Robert Duncan, Advocate, and Jamės
Macnaughton, Gun Maker, both of the City & County of Edin-
burgh, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."-Partly a communication from abroad
by William H. Kerr and Charles J. Brydges, both of Montreal,
Canada.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Robert
Duncan and James Macnaughton at the Office of the Commis-
sioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 17th April 1872.
We, ALEXANDER ROBERT DUNCAN, Advocate, and JAMES MAC-
NAUGHTON, Gun Maker, both of the City & County of Edinburgh,
North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows, that is to
say:―

page_text: Letters Patent were granted to William Robert Lake, of London, as a
communication from William H. Kerr and Charles J. Brydges, both of
Montreal, Canada, No. 1647, dated 22nd June 1871, parts of which
new improvements are likewise applicable to other breech-loading fire-
and they will all either simplify or improve the construction and
action of the breech-loading rifles or fire-arms to which they are appli-
cable and applied compared to those heretofore in use.
arms,
.
The nature of the several improvements of this said Invention consists
all as follows, namely, first in making the striking piston (or needle)
in the form of a single rod, (instead of by a dotached piston and spiral
spring with loose striking pin as heretofore,) sliding and guided in the
longitudinal hole in the breech block, and actuated by and attached
at the under side of its rear end, passed through a recess below the
resisting end of the breech box for the purpose, by a loose oblong or
elliptical hole or joint to a cross screw pin (or other equivalent con-
nection which would allow of the sliding and swivelling action), in or
to the swivelling, body part of the cock or hammer, which strikes the
flat end of the piston as well as carries it forward by its said joint con-
nection, a shoulder a little further forward on the said back end or
head of the piston strikes and stops its forward action against the back
end of the breech block, as well as that of the cock or hammer, thus
making a solid resistance for snapping drill and doing away with the
necessity for the present snap cap, at the same time striking and forcing
the point of the piston an eighth of an inch or so through the forward
end of the breech picce, sufficient to fire off the fulminating powder or
percussion cap in the end of the cartridge when one is inserted, all just
after the action of the main spring hammer and tumbler has raised and
locked the breech block between the end of the barrel and cartridge
and the abutting end joint of the breech box. The said loose joint and
hammer pull back the striking pin or piston within the front of the
breech piece in cocking the gun before lowering the breech block for
the withdrawal of the spent cartridge case and the insertion of a new
cartridge..
Another improvement consists in making the forward and downward
slow and powerful wedge motion of the front end of the tumbler, or it
might be a part of the breech block, to act on the horizontal part or
arm of a knee lever on the extractor, and give the first starting motion
to the vertical extractor end and the spent cartridge case while it is

page_text: tight, and then making the last forward motion of the point of the
tumbler to act on the short vertical part of the knee lever immediately
below the fulcrum, and thus throw the case quite out with the greater
velocity due to the forward wedge and lever action of the tumbler.
Another improvement consists in causing the front end of the breech
piece or block to rise slightly above the lower side of the recess for
receiving the rim or head of the cartridge at the back end of the barrel
after the spent case has been extracted and the operator leaves the
lock on cock, so that in pressing home the fresh cartridge properly into
its place the rim pushes the front end of the breech block down before
entering its recess, when the main spring then pushes up the point of
the block again so as to hold in the cartridge, which cannot then fall
out but remains fixed all ready for firing without the use of a separate or
special spring catch as heretofore used for this purpose.
Another improvement consists in forming a groove or chamber in the
centre and upper part of the back end of the breech 'block and its
resisting hinged part which is pivoted and kept in place or hung for
this purpose by the points of two screw pins, one screwed through each
side of the breech chamber or box, (instead of by a single long joint
pin passed through the whole as heretofore,) which screws as well as
all the main fulcrum screws of the action are prevented from turning or
getting loose by small locking side screws, all for the purpose of enter-
ing and working the ramrod, so as to clean the barrel from the breech
end instead of from the muzzle as heretofore, and allow the inside of the
barrel to be inspected from the rear instead of as heretofore from the
muzzle by a reflection off the breech block, a short additional cleaning
point piece or "jag" being screwed on to the point of the ramrod by
a small screw socket head to lengthen it for the purpose of allowing
the person to freely work the ramrod over the cocking lever, and
discharge all dirt through the muzzle instead of allowing it to pass out
through the back end into the breech box and action as heretofore;
the short additional cleaning piece is conveniently retained in a recess
in the stock, the socket head being screwed on the outside so as to be
screwed and fixed in the heel plate of the stock easily removable by a
screwdriver or key for the purpose.

page_text: escape of the water which might collect there during use in wet weather,
which aperture is by preference provided with a small sliding or hinged
closing plate or lid conveniently on the outside.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Robert Duncan and James Mac-
naughton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th October
1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ALEX-
Gun
ANDER ROBERT DUNCAN, Advocate, and JAMES MACNAUGHTON,
Maker, both of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain, send
.greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, .bearing date the Seventeenth day of April, in the year.
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself; Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Alexander Robert Duncan and
James Macnaughton, Her special licence that we, the said Alexander
Robert Duncan and James Macnaughton, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Alexander Robert Duncan
and James Macnaughton, our 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 King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS,”
the same is partly the result of our own Invention, and partly a
communication to us from abroad by William H. Kerr and Charles J.
Brydges, both of Montreal, Canada, upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said Alexander Robert Duncan and James Macnaughton,
our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our,
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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Alexander Robert Duncan and
James Macnaughton, 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 in writing,
3 reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the
letters and numerals marked thereon, that is to say :—
Our said Invention has reference to improvements upon the Invention
for "Improvements in Breech-loading Rifles," for which British Letters
Patent were granted to William Robert Lake as a communication from
William H. Kerr and Charles J. Brydges, both of Montreal, Canada,
No. 1647, dated 22nd June 1871, parts of which new improvements are
likewise applicable to other breech-loading fire-arms, and they will all
either simplify or improve the construction and action of breech-loading
rifles or fire-arms to which they are applicable and applied, compared
with those heretofore in use.
And in order that the nature and mode of performing the several
improvements of our said Invention may be properly understood, we
shall now proceed to describe the various Figures on the Sheet of
Drawings which we have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing
the best modes and means which we are at present aware of for carrying
the whole into effect or practice, the same reference letters and numerals
being employed to indicate the same and like parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation with outside enclosing plate d removed,
showing the "action" complete carried on the main acting solid stud
fulcra C, G, I, formed on the far side of the solid breech case or
shoe D, indicated as formed in one piece with the barrel F, shown in
section, but the barrel may also be screwed into the breech box when
desired, as shown at Figures 2 and 16; and Figure 2 is a corresponding
sectional elevation of the breach end and stock of a breech-loading rifle
or gun constructed in accordance with and illustrative of one modifica-
tion of our said Invention or improvements; while Figures 3 and 4 are
respectively a plan and a section taken on the line 1 - 1 of Figure 1
of the same gun, both corresponding to that Figure.
Figures 5 to 15 are various views of the important or improved parts
of the "action" detached to show their form and construction more
clearly than is possible to be seen in the general arrangement of the
whole in Figures 1 to 4, Figure 5 being a side and end view of the

page_text: improved striking or firing piston or needle A formed in one pieco;
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation and plan; and Figure 7 is a front and
back end view all of the rising and falling breech piece B, showing its
improved construction of rear hinge or joint B", D", on two fulcrum
pins K, K, with new recoss B for looking through the barrel and
cleaning it from the breech end; Figure 8 is a side and front view, and
Figure 9 is a corresponding plan of the extractor H of a slightly
improved construction made to be acted upon at two parts, first power-
fully on the rounded end H' of the new horizontal arm H' to start the
cartridge when tight, and afterwards swiftly by the short part H' of
the vertical arm below its fulcrum h, having also improved bevelled
extracting projections at " on the inner faces, which allow them to
be very strong and yet having a very small recess cut out of the breech,
which thus sustains the cartridge case from the strain of the powder;
Figure 10 is a side view of the extractor fulcrum ½ of an improved :
construction, with the screw h³ at the neck or head end, and a square
point, which entering the square hole ³ in the inner side of the
enclosing and retaining plate or cover d of the breech box or shoe D, *
prevents the possibility of the screw turning or getting loose or lost,
and also serves to steady or support the point of said fulcrum pin; ¦
Figure 11 is a side and edge view of the cocking and breech block
actuating lever C and tumbler C³, with swivel or bridle link e attached ;
Figure 12 is a side view and plan of the tumbler reciprocating bar G, with
new or improved projecting or inclined part G' for actuating the long
horizontal arm H' of the extractor II, before the point G³ as usual:
strikes its lower arm H³, which is made short to act more swiftly;
Figure 18 is a side and edge view of the trigger I; and Figure 14
is an edge view and plan of its spring J; Figure 15 is a side and
edge view of the new or improved enclosing side d, detached for
securing all the parts of the "action on their fulcra C³, G³, Iª, by
being inserted into a recess in the side of the breech case or shoe D,
the forward checked end ™ entering a slot or under cut part ď, while
the back end is held by a screw c³ by preference screwed into the solid
fulcrum stud Os of the cock or hammer C, C³,
"
"
Figure 16 is a sectional elevation with the barrel in section of a
slightly different modification of our improved breech-loading "action"
from that shown in Figures 1 to 4, having an improved lever C, c, for

page_text: C', a", worked side by side on the same fulcrum C³, shown in combined
side and edge view in Figure 17, and each in detached side and edge
views in Figures 18 and 19 respectively.
Referring to Figures 1 to 15 our said improvements and mode of
5 putting them into practice consists all as follows, namely, first in
making the striking piston or needle in the form of a single rod A,
Figure 5 (instead of as a detached piston and spiral spring with loose
striking pins, as heretofore), sliding or guided through the longitudinal
or nearly axial hole a in the breech block B, the transverse kneo
piece A' at the under side of the striking rear end A" is attached or
entered into the deep notch a' cut for it in the upper part of the com-
bined cock and tumbler C, C₁, after passing through a recess & for it
below the resisting hinged end d" of the breech box or "shoe" D, or
otherwise the end A might be connected by a loose oblong or elliptical
5 vertical hole or joint to a transverse screw pin '(or other equivalent
connection instead of the open recess a¹, which would allow of the
necessary sliding and swivelling action of the piston A through and
with the falling block B), in or to the swivelling body part C' of the
cock or hammer C, O', the part a" of which strikes the flat end A" of the
Opiston A as well as carries it forward by its said joint connection A³, a¹.
A shoulder A³ may be formed on the back end or head of the piston A,
as indicated in red lines at A³, Figure 6, to strike and stop its forward
action against the back end a³ of the breech block B, as well as that of
the cock or hammer C, thus making a solid resistance for "snapping
drill," although we have shown and prefer the face C" of the cock C
to strike the forward part c" of its working slot c³ to do this, as seen in
Figures 1, 2, and 3; thus doing away with the use of the snap cap here-
tofore employed for that purpose, at the same time striking or forcing
the point A of the piston an eighth of an inch or so through the
forward and B' of the breech piece B sufficient to fire off the fulminating
powder or percussion cap in the end of the cartridge = when one is
inserted, all just after the action of the main spring E, hammer C, and
tumbler C', has raised and locked the fore end B' of the breech block B
between the breech and F' of the barrel F, and the cartridge flange or
5 head at F and the abutting end joint B" of the corresponding part D"
of the breech box D. The said loose joint A¹, a', and cock or hammer C
also pull back the striking pin or piston A within the front end B' of
the breech piece B, first, in cocking the gun before lowering the breech

page_text: block B for the withdrawal of the spent cartridge case and the insertion
of a new cartridges.
Another improvement consists in making the forward and downward
slow and powerful wedge action of the tumbler C and front enlarged
part or end G³ of its sliding bar G to act on the new or improved
horizontal part or arm H' of the knee lever of the extractor H, and give
the first powerful starting motion to the extractor end H" and the spent
case while it is tight; and then make the last and quick forward motion
of the point G³ of the tumbler C and reciprocating bar G to act on the
short vertical part H³ of the knee lever H immediately below the
fulcrum H³, and thus throw the spent cartridge- case quite out with the
greater velocity due to the forward action of the tumbler C, C', and its
bar G.
Another improvement consists in causing the front end B' of the
breech piece or block B to rise slightly above the lower side of the 1
chamber for receiving the rim or head of the cartridge at the back
end F" of the barrel. After the spent case has been extracted and the
operator leaves the lock on cock, as indicated at B' and, in Figure 2,
so that in pressing home the fresh cartridge properly into the place
the rim pushes the front end B' of the breech block B down before 2
entering the recess or chamber, when the main spring then pushes up
the point B' of the block B again so as to hold in the cartridge, which
cannot then fall out, but remains fixed all ready for firing without the
use of a separate or special spring catch heretofore used for the purpose
of retaining the cartridge in its place until the gun is fired by the 2
raising of the breech block B by the main spring E on drawing the
trigger I against the power of its spring J for retaining the sear nose I'
in the "bents" or notches of the tumbler C'. The screw j, for
screwing the trigger spring J to the lower side of the box D, also fixes
the forward limb of the trigger guard M after its rear limb has been 3
screwed hard up into the under side of the breech box D. But it will
be understood that the trigger guard M when desired may be formed
in one with the breech box D, especially when this is formed separately
from and screwed on to the breech end F' of the barrel F, all as shown
at Figure 16, and thus save one loose piece in the "action."
Another improvement consists in forming a groove or chamber B³ in
the centre and upper part of the back end B" of the breech block B
and its resisting hinged part D" in the breech case, the block B being
3

page_text: "
pivoted and kept in its place, or hung for this purpose by the points
of the two screw pins K, K, (Figures 3 and 4,) one screwed through
each side of the breech box D (instead of by a single long joint pin
passed through the whole as heretofore), all for the purpose of entering
and working the ramrod O, so as to clean the barrel from the breech
instead of from the muzzle, as heretofore, and allow the inside of the
barrel'to be inspected from the rear (instead of, as heretofore, from the
muzzle by a reflection of the breech block) and the pivot screws K, as
well as all the main fulcrum screws C³, G³, I, of the "action when
-made loose, and not solid with the breech box D, as by our improve-
ments to be herein-after more particularly described, may be prevented
from turning or getting loose by small locking side or "eclipse "
screws; or the latter long screws might all be made with screws h' at
their necks and squares " on their points secured in the new plate d,
5 as described in reference to the fulcrum pin h of the extractor, as shown
at. Figure 10. The extractor H is fulcrummed on the improved screw
pin h, shown in Figure 10, with a screw at the neck into and through
the solid side of the breech box D until the head ¹ bears hard up
against it when the square h" on the point is in position to enter and
be held tight by the corresponding square hole or recess in the closing
plate d, shown at Figure 15.
By another improvement the breech box D is made out of a solid
picce of metal with the upper and lower tail pieces R, R', for securing
the whole to the stock P by the screw 7 passed down through the whole,
; and secured into the lower tail piece R', which may have an extra
screw s into the wood at its extreme end. This box D so worked out of
the solid metal has the studs or fulcra C, G, I, (of the cock, and
tumbler C, C, and its sliding and swivelling bar G, 'and that of the
trigger respectively,) all formed out of or secured solid to the one side
of the box D, the other side, which is formed sufficiently open to inspect
and insert or remove the parts of the "action" or block, being closed
in by the side plate d, Figure 15, fitted into a recess of the same shape
as the plate secured by the checked tenon d entered into a corre-
sponding mortise or under cut recess in the front, and secured at the
back part by the screw c³ screwed into the end of the stud Ở³, which, as
well as the others G and P, has its free projecting end entered. and
secured in holes formed for them in the.plate d, which thus-encloses and
secures the whole action, and yet admits of free access to the works by
loosening the one screw c². .

page_text: Another improvement consists in the construction and use of a short
additional cleaning joint piece or “jag" N for lengthening the ordinary
ramrod O to the point O' of which it is screwed by a small screw socket
head n, all so that the operator may work the ramrod in the new
groove B³ freely over or past the side of the cocking lever C, and dis-
charge all the dirt through the muzzle of the gun, instead of allowing
it to pass out through the breech or cartridge chamber end F" into the
breech box D, and the action as heretofore. This short additional
cleaning piece N is conveniently retained within a recess in the stock P,
the outside of the socket head n being screwed so as to be secured into
a corresponding minor screw in the heel plate P' of the stock, and made
easy of removal by a screwdriver or key for the purpose, all as shown
dotted in at N, n, Tigure 1.
"
Referring to Figures 16 to 19, this modification of our Invention
consists in and illustrates a new or improved means of making our
improved automatic or self-cocking and extracting breech-loading rifle
"action" described in reference to Figures 1 to 15, and other such
"actions" to also close up the block B again after cocking the hammer
or striker and extracting the spent cartridge, and still leave the gun
and "action". on half or full cock ready for firing by forming the
cocking lever C. with its boss and lower limb c, which is jointed to the
reciprocating tumbler bar G for working the block B, Figures 16 and 17,
loose and separate from the tumbler C¹ and striker a" with the retaining
"bents
and limb e', to which the main spring, swivel, or bridle
link e is jointed, so that both are capable of oscillating on their common
fulcrum C³ free of each other, the latter C' by preference having a light
indicating lever or dog head e³ behind the main lever C to show at once
whether the piece is on cock or not, as shown detached in Figures 18
and 19. But when the main lever C is pulled back it cocks the other
lever e', main spring E, and tumbler C', as seen at Figures 16 and 17,
and is free to close and lock up the breech block B by being pushed
forward after the spent cartridge case has been extracted and the new
one inserted, as indicated in Figure 16, leaving the piece ready for firing.
Although it is a lateral projection e" on the tumbler piece C¹ which
passes over into the plane of the lever piece C, c, so as to be cocked by :
it, yet still it will be understood that the lateral projecting piece or
pin e" might be formed on the lever piece C, c, and thus draw or pull
the striking tumbler piece O' back, as it were, instead of pushing it
before it, as indicated in this modification, Figures 16 to 19; and it will

page_text: be understood that this modification is also still capable of being fired
open as before, and as the other modifications are, although having the
power of being so fired after the breech block is closed by these latter
improved constructions of the cock and tumbler O, C¹.
•
5 By another improvement a small rectangular or other shaped hole Q
may be formed through the bottom of the trigger plate or the breech
box D for the escape of the water that might collect therein during use
in wet weather, which aperture Q is by preference fitted with a small
convenient sliding or hinged closing plate or lid Q' on the outside, all
as indicated in red lines at Q, Q', in Figure 16.
Having thus described and particularly ascertained the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, we would now observe that what we consider novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the
3 herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The construction and arrangement of the parts of breech-
loading rifles or other fire-arms, substantially in the new or improved
manner herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and use of the striking piston in one piece
for breech-loading fire-arms, substantially as herein described and shown
in the accompanying Drawings.
'
Third. The new or improved construction of the extractor in breech-
loading fire-arms actuated first by an inclined part on and then by the
point of the tumbling or reciprocating breech block bar, substantially
as herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The making of the front end of the hinged falling brecch
block of breech-loading fire-arms to retain the new cartridge within the
breech chamber of the barrel by the power of the main spring after the
'overdraw" of the cock or lever has been let go, all- substantially as
herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
"
Fifth. The construction of solid breech boxes or shoes with an
enclosing and retaining side plate for the "actions" of breech-loading
fire-arms of the hinged falling block construction, and by the removal
of one screw exposing the whole "action" for the purpose of inspection
and cleaning, all substantially in the new or improved manner herein
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Sixth. The forming of the cocking lever and the striking tumbler
with the retaining "bents" on it in two parts (of breech-loading fire-
arms), so as to allow the former to close the hinged falling block, and
still leave the latter on half or full cock ready for firing, all substantially
as hercin described and shown in Figures 16 to -19 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventh. The hinging of the falling blocks of breech-loading fire-arms
on two side pins, and forming a groove right through the centre of the
upper back hinged end, and bearing part between the pins, substantially
in the new or improved manner herein described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Eighth. The construction and use of an additional length or "jag"
to the ramrod and its use in breech-loading fire-arms, substantially 'in
the new or improved manner herein described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Alexander Robert Duncan and
James Macnaughton, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-two.