IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Bentley, of Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Gun and Pistol Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Bentley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th December 1852.
I, JOSEPH BENTLEY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Gun and Pistol Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS" to be as
follows:-
Improvements applicable chiefly to that class of "fire arms"
known as "revolvers," and which consists mainly in an improved
bolt or catch to hold back the cock (or hammer) off the nipples dur-
ing the act of loading, and the arrangements for lifting the hammer
and causing the chambers to revolve during the rising of the cock,
and securely holding them (the revolving chambers) in the required
position during the time of firing, and an improved elevating sight.
The Invention is shown in the annexed Drawing, which is a side

page_text: view of a pistol upon this plan, with the side plate (coloured brown)
and a portion of the metal (coloured yellow) of the stock removed
to expose the lock to view. A, the barril of the pistole. B, the
revolving chambers provided with nipples, between which there arc
safety partitions. C (coloured yellow), the metal portion of the
stock which is proposed shall be formed of one piece. D (coloured
brown), the side plates for the stock, and which are proposed to
be made of gutta percha or papier maché. E, the hammer or
cock, working upon its axis e, and through a mortise hole at c¹
(in the upper part of the stock frame). Upon the top of the
haminer there is a slot cut formed as shown, in which is placed
F (coloured red), the bolt or lever, which works upon the pin f
and which is kept down, when not in use, by the small V spring
shown underneath it. The lever or catch serves to hold back the
hammer, which is done by causing the point of the hammer to be
drawn out of the mortise, when the thumb being placed on the top
of the end of the lever nearest to the stock by a slight pressure,
the reverse end is raised out of its position, when the hammer, being
allowed to go down again, the front end of the catch or lever comes
against the stock frame just above the mortise hole, and prevents
the end of the hammer passing forward; but the moment the ham-
mer is drawn back, the catch recede into it's groove again, so that
the end of the hammer is free to pass through the mortise hole
against the nipples. G, the lever for causing the chambers to re-
volve, and which is provided with a spring at the back to keep
it against the notches or rack formed on the back of the chambers,
and is attached to the hammer by the pin g, and works in a slot
formed within the stock at the side of the cock, the spring work.
ing against the back or further side thereof. H, the "dog" (or
piece of metal for hooking on to the top of the trigger), working
upon the pin h, and which communicates the action from the trig-
ger. The lower end of the cock is reduced in thickness on the re-
verse side (as noted on the Drawing by the red stipple), so as to
allow the "dog" and its spring, which is shown above it in red, to
work more conveniently. I, the trigger, working upon its pin i.

page_text: K, the trigger spring, the working end being formed with two
arms (somewhat like the letter T laid horizontally), the upper linb
being notched to fit the edge of the divisions between the nipples; the
lower one working against the trigger, upon being forced upwards
by the action of the trigger, securely holds the chambers in their
position during the time of fireing, the edge of the then lowest divi-
sion being held in the notch until the return of the trigger. L, the
swivel (or piece of metal) by which action is communicated to &
from M, the inain spring. N, the trigger guard. The dotted lines
running through the chambers denote the axle upon which they
revolve. The barril A, is secured by the pin ", which passes
through the end of the pin or axle upon which the chambers revolve,
and the pin or screw a¹, to the metal frame of the stock.
By this arrangement, if the trigger be drawn backwards, the
"dog" (H) is drawn forwards, which lifts the hammer (E), draws
down the main spring (M) by means of the swivel (L), and causes
the lever (G) to rise up and push round the chambers to the re-
quired position; by which time the trigger has been sufficiently
drawn back to force up the catch upon the end of the trigger-spring
against the then lowest division between the nipples, by which the
chambers are securely held by the notch in the catch until the re-
turn of the trigger. When the trigger is drawn backwards to its
fullest extent, it unhooks or disconnects itself from the catch of the
"dog" (H), iminediately upon which the main spring being at
liberty to act, forces down the hammer by drawing up the swivel
(L), and by this means the lever for revolving the chambers is drawn
down below the next notich. By mearly relieving the trigger of the
backward pressure of the finger, it returns to its former position, by
which the chambers are relieved of the bolt upon the end of the trig-
ger spring, and the upper end of the trigger again couples or hooks
itself with the "dog" (H). It will be now seen that the lock has
adjusted itself (entirely by it's own action) as it was previous to the
trigger being drawn, and consequently ready to repeat the operation,
to perform which only requires the trigger to be drawn back.
When the bolt or cotch upon the top of the hammer is required,

page_text: all that is requisite is to partially draw back the trigger so as to
slightly raise the cock, then place the thumb upon the catch, a slight
pressure will raise the reverse end out of the socket, and then reliev-
ing the trigger, the end of the catch will rest against the frame of
the stock just above the mortise, thereby preventing the end of the
hammer possing through the mortise hole and striking the nipples.
Upon the trigger being drawn back (by the action of the small
spring below it), the catch returns into its groove.
The parts lettered O, p, form an improved elevating sight, and
which consists of a piece of metal attached to the upper side of the
hinder part of the barril, upon which a scale or index is marked,
and which is slightly undercut on the sides so as to hold on a slide
(2), which is required to work backwards and forwards thereon.
Upon the top of the scale there is two pieces of metal of equal lengths,
or nearly so, jointed together; the ends are also jointed, one to the
end of the scale, and the other to the slide; by this arrangement,
if the slide be pushed along the scale, a triangle will be raised, upon
the upper point of which the sight is formed. The scale to be marked
to indicate the place to fix the slide, so that the sight will be elevated
to the best position, to be used to take aim at any distance within
range of the projectile. This sight might be applied to all kinds of
fire arms with advantage.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said Joseph Bentley in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th June 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOSEPH BENTLEY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Gun and
Pistol Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the
fifteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,

page_text: give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Bentley, Her special licence
that I, the said Joseph Bentley, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Bentley, 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 "IMPROVE.
MENTS APPLICABLE TO FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Joseph Bentley, by an instrument in writing under
iny hand and seal, 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 imminediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Bentley, do hereby de-
clare 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 improvements are applicable to that class of fire arms known
as revolvers, and which consists in an improved bolt or catch to hold
back the cock (or haminer) off the nipples during the act of loading,
and arrangements for lifting the hammer and causing the chambers
to revolve during the rising of the cock, and securely holding them
(the revolving chambers) in the required position during the time of
firing.
The Invention is shown in the annexed Drawings, in which like
letters refer to similar parts.
Figure 1, is a side view of a pistol upon this plan, partially in sec-
tion to expose the lock to view. Figure 2, is a side view of an im-
proved form for a revolving pistol stock or frame, shewing the pin
or axis for the chambers to revolve upon, with a screw formed upon
it to attach the barrel thereto. Figure 3, the cock or hammer (E,
in Figure 1). Figure 4, the hammer bolt or lever (marked F, in
Figure 1). Figure 5, the V spring of ditto (f, in Figure 1).

page_text: upon
Figure 6, the lever and it's spring shewn (as at F, and f, Figure 1).
Figure 7, the "dog." Figure 8, trigger shewing the rounded head.
Figure 9, trigger spring, with a catch or chainber bolt upon the end
thereof. Figure 10, end view of the chamber bolt or catch the
end of the trigger spring. Figure 11, main spring swivel. Figure
12, main spring. Figure 13, view of a side plate for the stock.
This Invention will be readily understood by reference to Figure 1,
and other diagrams in the annexed Drawings.
A, the barrel of the pistol. B, the revolving chambers provided
with nipples, between which there are safety partitions. C, the
metal portion of the stock or body which is proposed should be
formed of one piece. D, the side plates for the stock, and which
are proposed to be made of gutta percha or papier machić. E, the
hammer or cock working upon it's axis e, and through a mortice
hole at e (in the upper part of the stock frame). Upon the top of
the hammer there is a slot cut, as shewn by the dotted lines, in which
is placed F, the bolt or lever, which works upon the pin f, and which
is kept down when not in use by a sinall V spring shewn. This lever
or catch serves to hold back the hammer, which is done by causing
the point of the hammer to be drawn out of the mortice, when the
thumb, being placed on the top of the end of the lever nearest to the
stock, and by a slight pressure the reverse end is raised out of it's
position, when the hammer being allowed to go down again, the
front end of the catch or lever comes against the stock frame just
above the mortice hole, and prevents the end of the hammer passing
forward; but the moment the hammer is drawn back, the catch re-
cedes into it's groove again, so that the end of the hammer is free to
pass through the mortice hole against the nipples. G, the lever for
causing the chambers to revolve, and which is provided with a spring
at the back to keep it against the notches or rack formed on the back
of the chambers, and is attached to the liaminer by the pin g, and
works in a slot formed within the stock at the side of the cock, the
spring working against the back or further side thereof from the cham-
bers. II, the dog (or piece of metal for hooking on to the top of the
trigger), working upon the piu h, and which communicates the ac-

page_text: tion from the trigger. The lower end of the cock is reduced in thick-
ness on the reverse side (as shewn in the Drawing, Figure 3), so as
to allow the dog and it's spring (which is also shewn by Figure 3),
to work more conveniently. I, the trigger working upon it's pin (i).
K, the trigger spring, the working end being formed with two
arms (somewhat like the letter T, laid horizontally), the upper limb
being notched to fit the edge of the divisions between the nipples;
the lower one working against the trigger, upon being forced up-
wards by the action of the trigger, securely holds the chambers in
their position during the time of firing, the edge of the then lowest
division being held in the notch until the return of the trigger (sec
Figure 9, which is a side view of the trigger spring with a catch upon
the end thereof). Figure 10, is a front view of the catch or bolt.
L, the swivel (or piece of metal) by which action is communi-
cated to and from M, the main spring. N, the trigger guard.
The dotted lines running through the chambers denote the axil
upon which they revolve. The barrel A, may be secured by a pin
at the position marked with the red + (which passes through the
end of the pin or axil upon which the chambers revolve), and a pin
or screw at the point marked *, to the metal frame of the stock, or,
as I prefer, by fixing it to the pin on which the chambers revolve
by means of a screw formed thereon, as shewn in Figure 2, and to
the stock frame by the screw pin (viz.) O, shewn in Figure 1,
which is a large headed screw pin, by which the barrel is secured
to the stock frame.
By this arrangement it will be seen, on reference to the Drawings,
if the trigger be drawn backwards the "dog" (H) is drawn for-
ward, which will lift the hammer (E), draws down the main spring
(M) by means of the swivel (L), and causes the lever (G) to rise
up and push round the chambers to the required position, by which
time the trigger has been sufficiently drawn back to force up the
catch upon the end of the trigger spring against the lowest division
between the nipples, by which the chambers are securely held by the
notch (as seen in Figure 10) in the catch until the return of the
trigger. When the trigger is drawn backwards to it's fullest extent

page_text: it unhooks or disconnects itself from the catch of the "dog" (H)
(the roundish top shewn in the Drawing, Figure 8, is found greatly
to assist the perfect working of the fire arm); immediately upon
which the main spring, being at liberty to act, forces down the
hammer by drawing up the swivel (L), and by this means the lever
for revolving the chambers is drawn down to the next notch. By
merely relieving the trigger of the backward pressure of the finger,
it returns to it's former position, by which the chambers are relieved
of the bolt upon the upper end of the trigger spring, and the upper
end of the trigger again couples or hooks itself with the "dog" (H).
It will be now seen that the lock as adjusted itself (entirely by it's
own action) as it was previous to the trigger been drawn, and, con-
sequently, ready to repent the operation, to perform which only
requires the trigger to be drawn back.
When the bolt or catch (as shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5,) upon
the top of the hammer is required, all that is requisite is partially
to draw back the trigger so as to slightly raise the cock, then place
the thumb upon the catch, as slight pressure will raise the reverse
end out of the socket or mortice, and then relieving the trigger the
end of the catch will rest against the frame of the stock just above
the mortice, thereby preventing the end of the hammer passing
through the mortice hole and striking the nipples. Upon the trigger
being drawn back, the catch returns into it's groove by the action of
the small V spring (shewn by Figure 5).
An approved clevating sight for fire arms, of which a sketch is
shewn, placed on the barrel of the pistol, Figure 1. This sight
consists of a piece of metal attached to the upper side of the hinder
part of the barrel, upon which a scale or index is marked, and which
is slightly undercut on the sides so as to hold on a slide, which is
required to work backwards and forwards thereon; upon the top of
the scale there is two pieces of metal of equal lengths, or nearly so,
jointed together; the ends are also jointed, one to the end of the
scale, and the other to the slide; by this arrangement, if the slide
be pushed along the scale, a triangle will be raised, upon the upper
point of which the sight is formed. The scale to be marked to in-

page_text: dicate the place to fix the slide, so that the sight will be elevated to
the best position to be used to take aim at any distance within
range of the projectile.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, what I claim is, the catch or
lever placed in a mortice upon the top of the cock or hammer as
described; the rounded top of the trigger to give it an easy and
certain action; the bolt or catch on the end of the trigger spring
to hold the chambers securely in their position during the act of
firing; and the mode of screwing on the barrel to the pin or axil
upon which the chambers revolve, and by the large headed screw
to the body or frame of the stock; and the particular form of stock
frame formed of one piece of metal; and, lastly, the use or applica-
tion of gutta percha and papier maché to the manufacture of side
plates for the stocks of fire arms.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Bentley, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Third day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
HENRY KELLY.
JOSEPH (L. s.) BENTLEY.