IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I
WILLIAM HENRY RITCHIE, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United King
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the
Seventh day of June, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in
the twelfth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Henry Ritchie, my
exors, adiiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, fully power, sole privi-
lege and authority, that I, the said William Henry Ritchie, my exors,
admiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Henry
Ritchie, my exors, aduiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully, might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," communicated
to me from a certain foreigner residing abroad, in which said Letters

page_text: Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said William Henry Ritchie,
should cause a particular description of the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear...
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said William Henry Ritchie, do hereby declare that the nature of the
said Invention communicated to me, and the manner of performing the
same, are fully described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say: .
The Invention consists, first, of certain modes of arranging apparatus
to facilitate the rapid discharge of fire-arms, whereby the percussion
caps are successively brought on to the nipples of the fire-arms, so that
by the falling of the hammers they may be discharged; and in the
outset I would remark that I am aware that it has been before proposed
to have a magazine of caps connected with the fire-arm, and which are
successively brought on to the nipple after each time of discharging the
gun; and I mention this to state that I do not claim the effect produced,
but only the means, which will be afterwards described, whereby sucli
result is obtained.
•
Secondly, to certain modes of discharging fire-arms; and, thirdly, to
means of arranging the locks of fire-armis.
}
But in order that the Invention may be fully understood I will proceed
to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed, remarking that the samė
parts in the different Figures are marked with similar letters.
In the Drawing No. 1, at .Figure'1, is shewn one of my modes of
arranging the apparatus, in which it will be seen the nipple C, is capable
of moving a portion of a circle on an axis, by which movement it is
brought opposite to a tube or passage T, which tube T contains à
quantity of caps. The rotary movement of the nipple is imparted to it
through the cock, and by the racks D, D, D¹, shewn at Figure 3, where

page_text: it will be seen that the teeth of the rack take into the teeth E, E, of
the nipple. When it is desired to place a cap upon the nipple the
nipple is lowered, as shewn in the Drawings, Figure 2. The projecting
piece S, shewn at Figures 1, and 2, presses upon the flat surfaces P, P,
of a valve F, the object of which is to close the opening of the chamber
which contains the caps A, A, Figure 4, and upon which presses a
spring shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6. When the cock descends the
nipple supplied with a cap is brought up into the proper position to-re-
ceive the blow; at the moment when the nipple is brought up to its
position to receive the blow the projecting-piece S, ceases to press upon
the face of the valve F, which, carried by a spring R, shewn at Figure 3,
again. rises and closes the opening of the tube. and keeps in the other
.caps.
The tube which contains the caps is seen only at that part which
is close to the lock, the other part of it being concealed in a passage
formed in the stock below the barrel. The caps, to about the number
of eighty, being placed in the tube or passage, there is a rod G; having
a spiral spring placed around it. Upon the end of this rod is a project-
ing piece H, which fits into another piece I, in order to keep the spring
in the tube. The handle M of this rod is attached to it by a piu joint,
so that it may bend outwards in order to facilitate the turning of the
rod on its axis when it is desired to unfix and fix it.
Another.mode is a variation of the preceding one, but I have not
shewn any Drawing, but the nipple is moveable and capable of following
the. movement of the cock. When the cock is raised the nipple slides
behind for the caps, which are placed across the gun, instead of being
placed along the length of the barrel, as they are-in-the preceding.sys-
tem. When the cock descends the nipple supplied with a cap comes
into its proper position by the action of the descent of the cock ready to
receive the blow to discharge the gun.
Figure 4 shows another arrangement where the nipple of the gun
turns the cock, instead of descending.from the side of the gun inclines
across it, into which is placed the .tube T, containing the caps, which
push a spring upon the nipple, as in the system. first described. The
mode of giving rotary motion to the nipple may be the same as that de-
scribed in the first systein; but the following arrangement will be found

page_text: L
.
to be very simple: At one end of the spring R, there is a rack D,
which works into the teeth in the nipple; and at the other end of the
spring there, are, two teeth which receive the click or catch upon which
the lever Pacts. The tube containing the caps is closed, by means of
the cover F; which is lowered when the projecting piece S,.of the nipple
presses upon it:
Drawing No. 2, shows. .another mode of supplying the caps for
the purpose of more rapidly discharging the fire-arm. In this Draw-
ing the nipple of the gun is fixed, and of a square form, as shewn
at A, Figure 1. The caps are also square, and open at one side B,
shewn at Figure 2. The tube which contains them is also square. The
arrangement of the spring which presses upon them and pushes, them
forward is similar to that described in the former Drawing, but a rack;
as shown at Figure 4, may be employed for the purposes of moving
them forward by hand. The caps upon being pressed. forward by the
spring will slide upon the nipple. When it is desired to place a cap
upon the nipple of the gun by drawing back, the cock, the pinion E upon
which it moves takes into and gives motion to the rack F, G, which has
at its end a hood or cover M, in which is a cap, which is then brought
into the nipple. The end P, of this piece M, comes over the tube con-
taining the caps, whilst the cap is being carried on the nipple. This system
of using square caps with open sides may be varied in many ways.
Another arrangement is shewn in the Drawing No. 2, at Figures 1,
and 3, the object of which is to supply the place of the ordinary spring
in the locks of fire-arms, and it consists of the use of a strong spiral
spring R, instead of the ordinary bent spring; the spring is pressed up
by the rack K, by the action of the pinion E, the working of which will
readily be understood by the Drawings. The tension of the spring may
be regulated by the screw V.
Another part of the Invention consists of various modes of discharg-
ing fire-arms by having the caps combined with the cartridges shewn.
I do not lay claim to the idea of so constructing cartridges, but to the
mode of constructing fire-arms by which such cartridges may be exploded.
In the Drawing No. 3, at Figures 1, and 2, in which A shows the
breech of the gun, B is a projecting cylindrical pin, on to which the

page_text: cartridge fits in the barrel of the gun, and to which cartridge the cap
containing the fulminating material is connected around it, but the
fulminating material, instead of being at the end of such cap is
placed at the sides all around, as shown at D, Figure 2; a metal rod
E, runs through the cartridge. It will be seen by examining the
Drawing that at the end of the cock G, there is a projection II, which
in descending enters an opening made in the barrel of the
gun, and
strikes against that portion of the cartridge to which the cap is attached,
and its action upon the percussion cap causes the gun to explode.
Figure 2, shows a section of the end of the cartridge, showing the
mode of constructing it.
:
In Drawing No. 3, at Figure 4, is shown another arrangement for
carrying out this part ofthe Invention. Attached to the cartridge is a
metal tube K, running through the whole of its length, a portion of
Which projects beyond the cartridge. This part is filled with fulminat-
ing powder, and when in its proper position enters a recess in the breech
of the gun. T is a metallic rod, to which is affixed a spring S, placed
across the barrel of the gun, and the hammer in descending strikes upon
the head of the rod T, and presses the rod against that part of the rod
K, in the recess, and causes it to explode, and thus to cause the gun to
be discharged. The metal tube K, is perforated with holes, the object
of which is, that the ignition may be imparted to the whole length of
the cartridge:
In Drawing No. 4, is shewn another part of the Invention, which
consists of a mode of arranging the spring of the lock of the fire-arm.
The spring R, Figure 1, is joined to the hammer by a pin E, which moves
in a groove D; at the other end of the spring are two notches which
take into a catch. S, is the stop. X, is the axis of the cock or hammer.
When the gun is cocked the spring will be bent, the notcli taking hold of
the stop; the trigger releasing the stop, the spring regains its position.
Figure 2, shows another mode of arranging the plate of the lock
of fire-arms. A, is a spring fixed to the bolt C, which passes through
the hammer. B, is the end of the spring, which is notched, and
the pivot F, works into those notches. D, is a fixed pin, over which

page_text: slides the end of the spring when the hammer is cocked. E, is the hole
through which the screw is inserted to secure the lock to the stock.
"
In the Drawing No. 5, is shewn other modes of arranging the plate
of the lock.. A, is the axis of the hainier, which has attached to it a
cross piece B, which presses upon the forked upper end of the spring
C; the lower end of the cross piece enters into the tooth E, which is
placed on the lower end of the spring C; the detent in pressing upon
the projecting piece G, releases it.
In Figures 2, and 3, are shewn other arrangements for the simplifi-
cation of the plate of the lock. I, is a straight spring fixed to the plate
by means of the screw J, and by a pin at the point *. At the other
end of the spring is a notch upon which presses and turns a projecting
arm L, excentrically upon the lower part of the hammer. The angular
part of the arm L, is acted upon by two notched teeth M, on the edge
of the trigger, which is fixed upon two uprights N, which uprights are
fixed to the handle O. The trigger is acted upon by a spring P, which
is fixed to the handle O...
Figure 4, shows another arrangement of the plate. Upon the axis
of the hammer is a screw R, which carries an excentric piece S, upon
which is fixed by a strong pin a nearly straight spring T, which moves
it on the other end over a small roller V. At another point of the nut
is a tooth X, which acts upon the notches of the trigger Y, shewn in
Figure 5. One of the uprights N¹, being larger, has thereon a round
hole Z, into which the axis of the hammer passes.
The Drawing No. 6, at Figure 1, shews a mode of employing the
systems described at the Drawing No. 3, when used with fire-arms
which are loaded at the breech. A, is the barrel of the gun. B, is a
part of the breech which is fixed upon the stock; it is hollowed out,
and a female screw formed therein, into which works a screw C.
D, is the point of junction of the barrel. and the breech of the gun.
E, is the lever by which this screw is moved; and F, is the projection
from the screw on to which the cap G fits, and which serves as a point
of pressure for the bolt I, which breaks the cap, and thus causes, the
deflagration. This bolt I, is fixed by a screw to the hammer.. The

page_text: attached to the cartridges, and the other in which the-caps are placed
upon the nipple'; and also, in a mode of arranging the plate, particularly
applicable to this direct action:
In Figure 6, is shewn an arrangement whereby the charge from the
gun is thrown a greater distance. In the breech is a tube pierced with
holes, communicating with the nipple by means of a small passage B.
The cartridge is torn by this tube; the powder surrounds it, and the
flame from the capsule forced into the tube produces the deflagration of
the whole length of the charge C; and the ball D, which contains
powder in the recess thereof; is forced against the sides of the
barrel E.
I will now describe the different modes of applying the various car-
tridges having the caps combined with them to the fire-arms loaded at
the breech. They are shewn in Drawing No. 6.
In all these arrangements a moveable strong screw projects from the
breech, into the barrel, and gives a firmness and solidity thereto.
92
Drawing No. 7, Figure 1: A, represents the screw in the breech;
B, the portion of the barrel which fits into the screw A. C, is an
upright lever by which the screw in the breech is turned, and which
when not in use can be drawn down at the side. In this mode* the
lever is placed on the right side of the gun; and the screw is turned
from the left to the right. The cartridge is to be so formed with
metallic cotton pierced with a hole, which portion is to contain ful-
minating powder; which will rapidly ignite by the action of the rod or
the tube D, when pushed by the hammer. A, is an opening to admit
a rod D, (which acts upon the cartridge,) at one end E, of which is a
nipple, on to which is placed the cap, which may either be placed tliere
by means of the fingers, or by any of the mechanism previously de-
scribed; the other end of the tube D, is pointed so as to pierce the
cartridge. When the hammer by pressing upon the nipple pushes the
tube, the shoulder or projection G of this tube presses against the
shoulder H, which affords a sufficient resistance to the shock of the
hammer. I, is a spring which brings back the tube and nipple to its
former position.

page_text: .
hammer may have its movement given to it by any of the methods
before described in this Specification, or by any of the ordinary methods.
Figure 2, shews the combination of the system described in the Draw-
ing No. 3, with the fire-arms which are loaded at the breech. J, is the
projecting portion of the tube which contains the powder, and which is
broken at the point K, by the rod I-being forced upon it by the
hammer in its descent. Mis. a spring which brings back the rod I
to its position after the gun is discharged; but in place of the discharge
being effected by the rod I, acted upon as it is by the hammer, the rod
may be connected to the hammer, as before described. The Drawing
shews a ball attached to the end of the cartridge, which ball is formed
of a ring of lead, from which projects the conical form of ball; but
this forms no part of the Invention, as any ordinary ball or shot
may be used ith this system.
In the Figure 3, of this Drawing is shewn another mode of arranging
fire-arms which are loaded at the breech by the use of cartridges having
the caps combined with them. The breech, as in the former Figures,
is moveable. In the barrel there is a slot N, in which slides the pin B,
which by the blow of the hammer causes the ignition to take place.
When the cartridge is placed in the barrel, that being lowered for such
purpose, the projecting piece B will be on a level with the barrel, but
as the barrel is screwed up into its level position, the piece B will
project up to the point where the hammer falls upon it.
Figure 4, shews another arrangement, in which the barrel, instead of
a slot, has a groove P, into which the head of the pin slides, which is
shorter than when used with the slot. In this case the hammer will
have a projection which will enter into this groove, but it will not have
to be so long as the one described at Figure 1. There are two dotted
lines in the Drawing which shew, upon the pin of. the cartridge and
upon the point of the hammer, the relative distance that the one shoulder
have to the other.
:
Drawing No. 7, shews a mode of joining the barrel to the breech, and
a mode of acting upon the cap in a horizontal position when connected
to the cartridge, and a combination of the two modes of caps, the one