IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, FASTENINGS FOR FOREENDS, AND CARTRIDGE FOR THE SAME.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Spinks Riley, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Gun and Pistol Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, FASTENINGS
FOR FOREENDS, AND CARTRIDGE FOR THE SAME.
"
Sealed the 13th December 1872, and dated the 17th June 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Spinks Riley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 17th June 1872.
I, WILLIAM SPINKS RILEY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,.
Gun and Pistol Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS,
FASTENINGS FOR FOREENDS, AND CARTRIDGE FOR THE SAME," to be as follows :-
My Invention has reference to those kinds of breech-loading fire-arms
called drop down snap guns, and consists of the following arrangement
for fastening down the barrel to break off and unfastening the same.
Firstly. In the centre at the back of break off is a slot cut about 1 of
an inch in width, and in a line with centre bar of barrels, and extending

page_text: underneath the strap of break off within about th of an inch from top
at back, the said slot being brought through to the face of break off
within about ths of an inch from top; at this part there is a shoulder
about half the thickness of the break off. In this slot is affixed a bolt
shaped to fit the various parts of slot across the top of break off, and
from one side to the other a hole is drilled which goes through the said
steel bolt, through which is passed a steel pin, thus securing the bolt to
the break off. The bolt is acted upon by a connecting rod, one end of
which is attached to a tumbler underneath strap of break off, and
passing through to a lever, being parallel with top of break off strap; by
pressing the lever at right angles the tumbler is moved, thus drawing
the connecting rod which is attached to the bolt in a swivel shape, and so
bringing the bolt from a square to an angular position; to keep the bolt
in the square position is a double spring affixed to the under part of
break off, and which is connected with the tumbler by a swivel. The
barrels are affixed to the break off in the usual way, the lump underneath
being extended and sliding down the steel bolt, thus pressing it from its
square to an angular position, the bolt being so arranged as to pass on
to the projecting part of lump, thus holding the barrels secure for firing.
The barrels are released by pressing the lever at right angles as before
described.
Secondly. My Invention consists of the following arrangements or
combination of the parts called forends in all kinds of fire-arms. At
the extreme end of stock is a sliding bolt that connects the forend to
the loop or lump on barrel; this bolt is so arranged as to be acted
upon by a spring, this spring and lever keeping the bolt in its required
position; the front of bolt being bevelled, and loop or lump on barrel
being also bevelled gives it a sliding motion. On affixing the forend
to barrels, the loop on barrel being slotted, and the bolt sliding about
one-eighth of an inch up, by the pressure of the spring forces the bolt
in the slot in loop, thus keeping the forend firm to barrels. Connected
to bolt is a rod passing under and out at end of forend by bottom rib
on barrel, the end slightly protruding and being flat to receive the
thumb, is acted upon by the pressure of the thumb freeing the bolt from
slot, and thus releasing the forend.
Another arrangement of the forend is as follows:-At end of forend a
slot is cut and a small lever inserted, the end or under part of lever
being broad as loop on barrel and shaped to form a catch, the same

page_text: being acted, upon by a spring which keeps it in its right position, the loop
being bevelled with a small slot to receive the lever, the lever sliding
down, the loop enters the slot and thus keeps the forend secure, the lever
being acted upon by a rod which passes under or through forend,
slightly protruding with flat for thumb, the other end of rod resting
on the lever, the pressure of thumb freeing the lever, and thus releasing
the forend.
Thirdly. This Invention consists of a solid but ordinary bolt passing
through forend in the the usual way, the same being cut away on one or
both sides to the extent of about three-sixteenths of an inch. On and
under forcnd iron is affixed a straight spring which is connected to the
bolt by a slot, thus keeping the bolt in its proper position on the side or
sides of bolt being bevelled and the loop on barrel being cut away to
receive the same, the edge being bevelled also gives a sliding motion,
and being acted upon by the spring forces the bolt into a slot made to
receive the same, and thus keeping the forend secure, the head of bolt
protruding above the escutcheon on forend; and the escutchicon being
hollowed to receive the same the forend is released on pressing the head
of the bolt with thumb.
This Invention further consists of a solid round bolt and lever passing
into forend, the lever being shaped to lie down on the under side of
forend wood, the same being level with outside of wood, but slightly
protruding at end, which is shaped to form a thumb-hold; the round
part that passes into or through forend being cut away, the half-circle,
the same width as loop on barrel, which is hollowed to fit circle of bolt,
and slightly bevelled at top, allowing the flattened part of bolt to pass,
placing the forend in its proper position, by turning the lever the round
part enters the hollow of loop, thus making it secure. The forend is
released by slightly turning the lever.
Another arrangement of fastening down the barrel is by fitting a bolt
in extreme end of lump on barrel, the same protruding at recoil bar, the
outsides of bolt working down the sides of lump, and being cut under
the sides of back lump, which is rather wider than the front lump, gives
it a place to slide in, and being so arranged slip under centre of body
gives it a double grip. The bolt is acted upon by a coil spring which is
placed on leg of bolt in front lump, or by a scar spring which is placed
on the back lump licing between the two lumps, and is arranged as to

page_text: act on end of bolt which comes through lump. The barrel is affixed to
break off in the usual way, the bolt protruding from end of lump by
pressure of spring gives it a sliding motion down the face of break off
on closing the barrels in break off, and in a line with bolt a hole is cut
through, into which the bolt pass and so hold the barrels secure for
firing. To release the barrels I arrange a lever which pass through the
solid part of break off. Connected with the bottom of lever is an
eccentric which at right angle, and so freeing the barrel; the lever is
so arranged as to lie down the strap of break off with thumb hold at
the back of break off, or under the strap a spring is fixed to keep the
lever in its place.
My Invention in cartridges consists of the formation of the base,
which I make of a conical shape instead of a common square end now
in use; this brings the powder more within the fire of the cap, and so
causes greater strength to the shooting of the gun.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Spinks Riley in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 17th December 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SPINKS RILEY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun and
Pistol Manufacturer, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of June, 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 successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Spinks Rilcy, Her special licence
that I, the said William Spinks Riley, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Spinks Riley, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH, MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, FASTENINGS FOR FORENDS, AND CARTRIDGE

page_text: FOR THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Spinks Riley, 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 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 Spinks Riley, 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 following statement :-
My Invention has reference to those kind of brecch-loading fire-arms
called drop down snap guns, and consists of the following arrangements
for fastening down the barrel to break off and unfastening the same :—
Firstly. In the centre at the back of the break off is a slot cut about
one-quarter of an inch in width, and in a line with centre bar of barrels,
and extending underneath the strap of break off within about one-eighth
of an inch from top at back, the said slot being brought through to the
face of the break off within about three-eighths of an inch from top; at
this part there is a shoulder about a half the thickness of the break off.
In this slot is affixed a bolt shaped to fit the various parts of slot, across
the top of break off, and from one side to the other a hole is drilled
which goes through the said steel bolt, through, which is passed a steel
pin, thus securing the bolt to the break off. The bolt is acted upon by a
connecting rod, one end of which is attached to a tumbler underneath
the strap of break off, and passing through to a lever, being parallel with
top of break off strap; by pressing the lover at right angle the tumbler is
moved, thus drawing the connecting rod which is attached to the bolt in
a swivel shape, and so bringing the bolt from a square to an angular
position; to keep the bolt in the square position is a double spring h
affixed to the under part of the break off, and which is connected with
the tumbler by a swivel. The barrels are affixed to the break off in the
usual way, the lumps underneath being extended and sliding down the
steel bolt thus pressing it from its square to an angular position, the bolt
being so arranged as to pass on to the projecting part of lumps b, thus
holding, the barrels secure for firing. The barrels are released by pressing
the lever at right angle as before described.

page_text: Secondly. My Invention consists of the following arrangements or
combination of the parts called forends in all kinds of fire-arms. At the
extreme end of stock is a sliding bolt that connects the forend to the
loop or lump on barrel; this bolt is so arranged as to be acted upon by a
spring, this spring and lever keeping the bolt in its required position;
the front of bolt being bevelled and loop or lumps on barrel being also
bevelled gives it a sliding motion. On affixing forend to barrels the loop
on barrel being slotted and the bolt sliding about an ½ of an inch up by
the pressure of the spring forces the bolt in the slot in loop, thus keeping
the forend firm to barrels. Connected to bolt is a rod passing under and
out at end of forend by bottom rib on barrel, the end slightly protruding
and being flat to receive the thumb is acted upon by the pressure of
the thumb forcing the bolt from slot, and thus releasing the forend.
Another arrangement of the forend is as follows:-At the end of the
forend a slot is cut and a small lover inserted, the end or under part of
the lever being broad as loop on barrel and shaped to form a catch, the
same being acted upon by a spring which keeps it in its right position,
the loop being bevelled with a small slot to receive the lever, which
lever sliding down the loop enters the slot and thus keeps the forend
secure, the lever being acted upon by a rod which passes under or
through forend slightly protruding with flat for thumb, the other end of
rod resting on the lever, which pressure of thumb freeing the lever and
thus releasing the forend.
Thirdly. This Invention consists of a solid but ordinary bolt passing
through forend in the usual way, the same being cut away on one or
both sides to the extent of about threc-sixteenths of an inch. On and
under forend iron is affixed a straight spring which is connected to the
bolt by a slot, thus keeping the bolt in its proper position on the side or
sides of bolt, being bevelled, and the loop on barrel being cut away to
receive the same, the edge being bevelled also gives a sliding motion,
and being acted upon by the spring forces the bolt into a slot made to
receive the same, and thus keeping the forend secure the head of bolt
protruding above the escutcheon on forend, and the escutcheon being
hollowed to receive the same, the forend is released on pressing the head
of the bolt with thumb.
'This Invention further consists of a solid round bolt and lever passing

page_text: wood, the same being level with outside of wood, but slightly protruding
at end, which is shaped to form a thumb hold; the round part that passes
into or through forend being cut away, the half circle the same width as
loop on barrel which is hollowed to fit circle of bolt, and slightly bevelled
at top, allowing the flattened part of bolt to pass, placing the forend in
its proper position by turning the lever, the round part enters the hollow
of loop, thus making it secure. The forend is released by slightly turning
the lever.
Another arrangement of fastening down the barrel is by fitting a bolt
in extreme end of lump on barrel, the same passing out at recoil bar, the
outside of bolt working down the sides of lump, and being cut under the
sides of back lump, which is rather wider than the front lump, gives it a
place to slide in, and being so arranged slip under centre of body gives
it a double grip. The bolt is acted upon a coil spring which is placed on
leg of bolt in front lump, or by a sear spring which is placed on the
back lump lying between the two lumps, and is arranged to act on end
of bolt which comes through the lump. The barrel is fixed to break off
in the usual way, the bolt protruding from end of lump by pressure of
spring gives the sliding motion down the face of break off, enclosing the
barrels on the break off, and in a line with bolt a hole is cut through
into which the bolt passes and so holds the barrel secure for firing. To
release the barrels I arrange a lever which pass through the solid part
of break off. Connected in the bottom is an eccentric which is moved at
right angles, and so freeing the barrel; the lever is so arranged as to lie
down the strap of break off with thumb hold at the back of break off,
and under the strap a spring is fixed to keep the lever in its place.
My Invention in cartridges consists of the formation of the base, which
I make of a conical shape instead of a common square end now in use;
this brings the powder more within the fire of the cap, and so causes
greater strength to the shooting of the gun.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a section of Figure 1, with the barrels in the right position for
firing, shewing the extended lump held down by the bolt d under the
break off c in a slot i, shewn in Figure 3; the bolt d is hung to the
break off c by the pin g, and is connected to the tumbler E by the
swivel f, which is joined to the bolt d at m, and to the tumbler e at k;
the tumbler e is connected to the lever by a square tank through a
square pierced hole in the lever l. By pressing the lever at right
angles the tumbler e is acted upon, thus drawing the bolt d, and
releasing the barrels ; the bolt d is kept in its place by the spring h. On
closing the barrels the extended lunp 6 slides down the bolt d, and
when shut down the spring / forces the bolt a into its normal
position.

page_text: and so releases the barrels, the spring ; acting on the projection / brings
back the eccentric d and the lever h into their normal positions. On
closing the barrels the bolt slides against the body e, and when closed
is forced into the slot in the body e by the spring n or a spiral spring, as
described.
and so releases the barrels, the spring ƒ acting on the projection / brings
back the eccentric d and the lever h into their normal positions. On
closing the barrels the bolt c slides against the body e, and when closed
is forced into the slot in the body e by the spring or a spiral spring, as
described.
Figures 14 and 15 represent the lever h, showing the square o, to
which the eccentric d is attached, and the screw and the bar g.
Figures 16 and 17 represent the bolt c.
Figure 18 is the eccentric d.
Figure 19 is the oblong bolt.
Figure 20 is the spring j.
The letters throughout correspond with those of the Figures 13
and 13.
I will now proceed to describe my arrangement for bolting down the
forcend part of the stock to the barrels.
Figure 21 is a side view of the foreend showing the bolt a passing
into the slot of the loop e, which is acted upon by the spiral spring f;
the bolt d is attached to the foreend iron c by the pin g passing
through a slot in the bolt d, and also by the end of the bolt d passing
through the small loop e.
Figure 22 is a top view of the bolt d and the foreend iron c showing
the slot which the pin g works through.
By pressing the protruding end of the bolt d it is forced out of the
slot in the loop e, and the foreend is released. The foreend is replaced
by pressing it on the barrels; the bolt d works down the incline of the
loop e, and is forced into the slot by the spring.
Figures 23 and 24 represent the foreend iron, showing the loop c
which the bolt & works through.
Figures 25 and 26 represent the bolt d with the spring fattached.
The letters throughout the above corresponding.
Figure 27 is a side view of another arrangement of bolting the fore-
end to the barrels, showing the lever c entering the slot in the loop g,
and the rod d bearing against the end of the lever c; the lever c is

page_text: a peg hole for g.
Figure 39 represents the bolte having the word PRESS marked on
the head.
Figs. 40 and 41 represent the spring c.
Fig. 42 is a side view of another arrangement in bolting the forend
to the barrels, showing the bolt & having a grip on the slot in the
loop c.
Fig. 43 is a view of the bolt in its released position from the loop c,
which is obtained by pulling the lever of the bolt d to an angle with the
forend, thus freeing the forend.
The forend is replaced in the ordinary way, and the lever d moved
into its gripping position, which catches on the steel plate e.
Figs. 44 and 45 are views of the bolt shewing the slot f, which frees
it from the loop c.
The arrangement in bolting the stock to the barrel or barrels in
muzzle-loading guns is obtained in a similar manner to that of the
breech-loaders.
Fig. 46 is a section of the cartridge showing the conical shape at the
base, and has reference to that kind of cartridge constructed partly of
paper, cardboard, or other pliable materials, and are commonly used for
sporting purposes.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I wish it to
be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein
described and illustrated, as the same may be varied without departing
from the nature of my Invention; but that what I claim and desire
to be secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
is,―
Firstly. The improvements in holding down the barrel or barrels to
the break off for firing and releasing the same.
Secondly. The improvements in fastening down and releasing the
foreend part of the stock from the barrel or barrels in all kinds of
fire-arms.

page_text: Thirdly. The improved shape of the base of the cartridge.
And, lastly. The general arrangement and combination of parts
forming the before-mentioned improvements in breech and muzzle-loading
fire-arms, fastenings for the foreends, and the cartridge for the same,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated on the Drawings,
or any mere modification thereof.
•
In witness whereof, I, the said William Spinks Riley, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
WILLIAM SPINKS RILEY. (L.S.)