IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING REVOLVER FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Adams, of Number 891, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING REVOLVER FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 17th April 1867, and dated the 22nd October 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Adams at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd October 1867.
I, JOHN ADAMS, of Number 391, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS, IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING REVOLVER FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
In constructing breech-loading revolver fire-arms in accordance with this
Invention a frame and barrel as described in the Specification of my Invention
for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date the Twenty-eighth
day of July 1866, No. 1959, are used. A cylinder is introduced into the
frame, the chambers of such cylinder being drilled through the same from end
to end, and the back part of each chamber being made larger to the length of
the cartridge than the front part thereof; this enlargement is parallel, and
does not taper in any way excepting at the front end, so as to allow the ball
to pass over freely into the smaller part of the chamber. On the side of the
frame at the rear end of the cylinder a sufficient quantity of metal is cut away
to allow the cartridges (which are of the description known as "central-fire";

page_text: cartridges) to be inserted into each successive chamber as the cylinder is
rotated. To prevent the cartridges from falling out through the opening thus
cut away a small shield is attached to the frame by means of a hinged joint,
which shield fits into the above-mentioned opening, and when closed prevents
the cartridges from falling out. The shield when closed is kept in its position
by means of a small bolt and a spiral spring which are inserted into a hole
drilled through the shield. One end of the bolt is coned, and when the shield
is closed is forced by the spiral spring into a small recess adapted to the shape
of the coned end, which recess is cut into that portion of the hinged joint of
the shield which is fixed to the frame. The shield is thus held in its position
when down, and by pressing the shield upwards with the finger the coned end
of the bolt slips out of the recess, and allows the shield to be turned up when
it is desired to free the opening above described. The fixed shield ordinarily
employed in revolver fire-arms is dispensed with, the chambers of the cylinder
being protected when on the side of the frame opposite to that on which the
.moveable shield is placed by a portion thereof being covered by the frame, and
Attached to the frame of the
the cartridges thus prevented from falling out.
barrel in front of the cylinder is a piece of metal which carries a moveable
rod in a line with the opening in the frame above described. This rod is for
the purpose of pushing out the cartridges before or the cartridge cases after
the revolver has been fired; this rod is called the ejector, and the hole through
which it passes is called the ejector hole. The end of the ejector which is
farthest from the cylinder is turned at a right angle, or nearly so, and when in
its normal position lies under the barrel. The cylinder rod runs parallel with
the ejector through a hole cut through the frame, and in order to keep both
in their normal positions when the revolver is ready for firing a hole is drilled
through a portion of the frame in front of the cylinder, the same cutting
partially into the ejector and the cylinder rod, and also into the piece of
metal which carries the ejector; into this hole is inserted a bolt having for
its object the locking both of the ejector and the cylinder rod when in their
normal positions; this bolt, which may be termed the "primary" bolt, is
fitted to the hole, and has a thumb piece attached to it for the purpose of
turning it round; this thumb piece, when both the ejector and the cylinder
rod are in their normal positions lies flat against the piece of metal which
carries the ejector, it is kept in that position by means of a spiral spring or
a bolt similar or analogous to that described above as being inserted into the
moveable shield. This spring and bolt (which bolt may be termed the
"secondary" bolt) may either be inserted into the piece of metal which
carries the ejector or into the frame itself, and the coned end thereof when the

page_text: "
"
primary" bolt is closed is forced into a recess cut into the "primary" bolt.
When it is desired to release the ejector the "primary" bolt is, by means of
he thumb piece above described, turned partially round until the coned end
of the "secondary" bolt drops into a second recess cut into the "primary"
bolt. When this is done a third recess which is cut into the "primary"
bolt, corresponding in size and form with that portion of the ejector hole other
wise occupied by the "primary" bolt, is brought opposite to such hole; the
ejector is thus released. When it is desired to bolt the cylinder the ejector is
thus pushed into one of the chambers, and locked by means of the "primary"
bolt exactly similar to the manner above described for keeping it in its normal
position. When it is desired to release the cylinder rod the "primary" bolt
is, by means of the thumb piece above describe turned still further round
until the coned end of the "secondary "bolt drops into a fourth recess cut
into the "primary" bolt. When this is done a fifth recess cut into the
"primary" bolt, corresponding in size and form with that portion of the
cylinder rod hole otherwise occupied by the "primary" bolt, is brought
opposite to such hole; the cylinder rod can then be withdrawn.
arrangement the two rods are never released at the same time.
By this
The ejector and cylinder may be secured in their normal positions as
follows: A hole is drilled through a portion of the frame in front of the
cylinder, the same cutting partially into the cylinder rod and to the centre of
the ejector. Into this hole is inserted a bolt, which may be called a
primary" bolt. This "primary" bolt carries with it a "secondary" bolt
and a spring similar to that described above as being inserted in the
moveable shield, with this exception that a small collar is left around the
ejector. A smooth small groove is turned around the ejector, the same
corresponding in form with the coned end of the "secondary" bolt. This
groove is directly opposite the coned end of the "secondary" bolt when the
ejector is in its normal position. When the ejector is in its normal position
with the end lying underneath the barrel the coned end of the "secondary'
bolt is forced by the spiral spring into a recess cut into the above-mentioned
groove around the ejector. When it is desired to release the cylinder rod, the
end of the "primary" bolt which projects on the underneath side of the frame
is pressed upwards with the fingers until a recess which is cut into it, corre-
sponding in size and form with that portion of the cylinder and hole otherwise
occupied by the "primary" bolt, is brought opposite to such hole; the
cylinder rod is thus released. The "primary" bolt is kept in its position, by
means of a small slot cut in its side, into which is inserted the point of a small
screw passing through a portion of the frame.
"J

page_text: This Invention is also applicable to the conversion of muzzle-loading
revolver fire-arms into central-fire breech-loading revolver fire-arms. The old
cylinder is preserved, the portion containing the percussioning being cut
off, and a loose breech piece inserted, the same being provided with move-
able strikers. It is loaded by partially withdrawing the cylinder rod, when the
the loose breech piece falls down.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Adams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd April 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
ADAMS, of No. 391, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Adams, Her special licence that I, the said John Adams,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Adams, 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 THE CONSTRUC-
TION OF BREECH-LOADING REVOLVER FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Adams, 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 John Adams, 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,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto, annexed, and to the figures
and letters marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention consists in certain improvements in breech-loading
revolver fire-arms whereby great simplicity of construction is combined with
efficiency of action.

page_text: In constructing breech-loading revolver fire-arms in accordance with my
said Invention a frame and barrel as described in the Specification of my
Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date the
Twenty-ninth day of July, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six,
No. 1959, are used. A cylinder is introduced into the frame, the chambers of
such cylinder being drilled through the same from end to end, and the back
part of each chamber being made larger to the length of the cartridge than
the front part thereof. This enlargement is parallel, and does not taper in
any way excepting at the front end, so as to allow the ball to pass over freely
into the smaller part of the chamber. On the side of the frame at the rear
end of the cylinder a sufficient quantity of metal is cut away to allow the
cartridges, which are of the description known as " central-fire cartridges," to
be inserted into each successive chamber as the cylinder is rotated. To prevent
the cartridges from falling out through the opening thus cut away a small
shield is attached to the frame by means of a hinged joint, which shield
fits into the above-mentioned opening, and when closed prevents the
cartridge from falling out. The shield when closed is kept in its position by
means of a small bolt and a spiral spring which are inserted into a hole
drilled into the shield. One end of the bolt is coned, and when the shield
is closed is forced by the spiral spring into a small recess adapted to the
shape of the coned end, which recess is cut into that portion of the hinged
joint of the shield which is fixed to the frame. The shield is thus held in
its position when down, and by pressing the shield upwards with the finger
the coned end of the bolt slips out of the recess and allows the shield to be
turned up when it is desired to free the opening above described. The fixed
shield ordinarily employed in revolver fire-arms is entirely dispensed with,
a portion of the chambers of the cylinder when on the side of the fran:e
opposite to that on which the moveable shield is placed being partially
covered by the rear end of the frame, whereby the cartridges are prevented
from falling out. By means of this arrangement it is also readily seen when
the chambers are loaded, such chambers not being hidden by any shield
attached to the frame as in the methods of construction ordinarily adopted.
Attached to the frame of the barrel in front of the cylinder is a piece of metal
having a hole drilled through the same for the purpose of receiving a moveable
rod which works therein in a line with the opening in the frame above
described in which the cylinder is placed. This rod is for the purpose of
pushing out the cartridges before or the cartridge cases after the revolver
has been fired, and is called the "ejector," the hole through which it passes
being called the "ejector hole." The end of the ejector which is furthest from

page_text: the cylinder is turned at a right angle or nearly so, and when in its normal
position, lies under the barrel. The cylinder rod runs parallel with the
ejector through a hole cut through the frame, and in order to keep both in
their normal positions when the revolver is ready for firing a hole is drilled
through a portion of the frame in front of the cylinder, the same cutting
partially into the ejector and the cylinder rod and also into the piece of
metal which carries the ejector; into this hole is inserted a bolt having for
its object the locking both of the ejector and the cylinder rod when in their
normal positions; this bolt, which may be termed the "primary" bolt,
is fitted to the hole and has a thumb piece attached to it for the purpose of
turning it round. The thumb-piece, when both the ejector and the cylinder
rod are in their normal positions, lies flat against the piece of metal which
carries the ejector, it is kept in that position by means of a spiral spring
and a bolt similar or analogous to that described above as being inserted into
the moveable shield; this spring and bolt (which latter may be termed the
"secondary" bolt) may either be inserted into the piece of metal which carries
the ejector or into the frame itself, and the coned end thereof when the
primary" bolt is closed is forced into a recess cut into the "primary" bolt.
When it is desired to release the ejector, the "primary" bolt is, by means
of the thumb piece above described, turned partially round until the coned
end of the "secondary" bolt drops into a second recess cut also into the
"primary" bolt. When this is done a third recess cut into the "primary"
bolt, and corresponding in size and form with that portion of the ejector hole
otherwise occupied by the "primary" bolt, is brought opposite to such hole;
the ejector is thus released. When it is desired to lock the cylinder the
ejector is pushed into one of the chambers until the second recess in it comes
opposite the "primary" bolt, the "primary" bolt is then turned until the
thumb piece lies flat against the metal piece which carries the ejector. When
it is desired to release the cylinder rod the "primary" bolt is by means of the
thumb piece above described turned still further round until the coned end
of the "secondary" bolt drops into a fourth recess cut into the "primary
bolt. When this is done a fifth recess cut into the "primary" bolt, corre-
sponding in size and form with that portion of the cylinder rod hole otherwise
occupied by the "primary" bolt, is brought opposite to such hole; the
cylinder rod can then be withdrawn. By this arrangement the two rods are
never released at the same time.
"
By another arrangement the ejector and cylinder rod are secured in their
normal positions in the following manner:-A hole is drilled through a
portion of the frame in front of the cylinder, the same cutting partially into

page_text: the cylinder rod and to the centre of the ejector. Into this hole is inserted
a hollow bolt which may be called a "primary" bolt. This "primary" bolt
carries within it a "secondary" bolt and a spiral spring similar to that herein-
before described as being inserted in the moveable shield, with this exception
that a small collar is left around the bolt. A small smooth groove is turned
around the ejector, the same corresponding in form with the coned end of
the secondary bolt. This groove is directly opposite the coned end of the
secondary" bolt when the ejector is in its normal position. When the
ejector is in such normal position with the end lying underneath the barrel
the coned end of the "secondary" bolt is forced by the spiral spring into a
recess cut into the above-mentioned groove around the ejector. When it is
desired to release the cylinder rod the end of the "primary" bolt which
projects on the underneath side of the frame is pressed upwards with the
finger until a recess which is cut into it, corresponding in size and form with
that portion of the cylinder rod hole otherwise partially occupied by the
primary" bolt, is brought opposite to such hole; the cylinder rod is thus
released. The "primary" bolt is kept in its position by means of a small
slot cut in its side, into which is inserted the point of a small screw which
passes through a portion of the frame.
66
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings from which the nature
of my said Invention will be more clearly understood.
Figure 1 represents a side view of my improved revolver, with the cylinder
partly in section; Figure 2 is a view of the under side of the same; and
Figure 3 a section taken through the line A, B, Figure 1. Figure 4 is a
section taken through the line C, D, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a transverse
section taken through the line E, F, Figure 4; Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are
details, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
Figures. Figure 8 is a section taken along the line I, K, Figure 1, and shews
a method of supporting the end of the ejector when in its normal position.
The frame and barrel are shewn at A, B being the cylinder, C are the
chambers, and D the back part thereof. The side of the frame A at the rear
end of the cylinder at E is cut away to allow the cartridges F to be inserted
in the chambers, as before mentioned; G is the moveable shield attached to
the frame A by means of the hinged joint H, the shield fitting into. the
before-mentioned opening E; I is the bolt, and K the spiral spring by which
the shield when closed is kept in position. The coned end of the bolt when
the shield is closed is forced by the spiral spring K into the recess L, which
latter is cut into that portion of the hinged joint H of the shield which is
fixed to the frame. By pressing the shield G,upwards the coned end of the

page_text: bolt I slips out of the recess L and allows the shield to be turned
up; N is
the piece of metal which carries the ejector O, P being the ejector hole; Q
is the end of the ejector O, the same being turned at a right angle; R is the
cylinder rod running parallel with the ejector through a hole S cut through
the frame, T being a hole drilled through a portion of the frame in front of
the cylinder, and cutting partially into the ejector O and the cylinder rod R,
and also into the piece of metal N. The "primary" bolt U is inserted into
this hole T, having for its object the locking of the ejector and the cylinder
rod when in their normal positions; V is the thumb-piece attached to the
bolt U for the purpose of turning it round, and W the "secondary" bolt by
which the thumb piece is kept flat against the piece of metal N, when the
ejector and cylinder rod are in their normal positions. When the "primary"
bolt U is closed, the coned end of the "secondary" bolt W is forced into a
recess X cut into the former. To release the ejector the "primary" bolt U
is turned partially round until the coned end of the "secondary" bolt W
drops into a second recess Y, cut also into the "primary" bolt U; a third
recess Z cut into the "primary bolt, and corresponding in size and form
with that portion of the ejector hole P, otherwise occupied by the "primary"
bolt, is brought opposite to such hole and the ejector is released. When it
is desired to lock the cylinder, the ejector is pushed into one of the chambers
and is locked as herein-before described. When it is desired to release the
cylinder rod the "primary" bolt is turned still further round until the coned
end of the "secondary" bolt W drops into a fourth recess 1 cut into the
primary" bolt, as shewn in Figure 1. When this is done a fifth recess 2
cut into the " primary" bolt, and corresponding in size and form with that
portion of the cylinder rod hole S, otherwise occupied by the "primary"
bolt is brought opposite to such hole. The cylinder rod can then be with-
drawn.
48
"
19
"
The arrangement secondly above mentioned for securing the ejector and
cylinder rod in their normal positions is shewn in Figures 10, 11, and 12 of
the annexed Drawings.
"
Figure 10 is a side view; Figure 11 a transverse section taken through
the line L, M, Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a plan view of the "primary
bolt. The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in these
three Figures.
A is a hole drilled through a. portion of the frame B in front of the
cylinder, and cutting partially into the cylinder rod C and to the centre of
the ejector D. The hollow "primary" bolt E is inserted into this hole, and
carries within it a "secondary" bolt F and a spiral spring; G is the small

page_text: collar left around the bolt E; H is the groove turned around the ejector.
When it is desired to release the cylinder rod C, the end of the "primary"
bolt E which projects on the underneath side of the frame is pressed upwards
until the recess I is brought opposite to the cylinder rod hole K, when the
cylinder rod is released. The "primary" bolt E is kept in its position by
means of the slot L, into which is inserted the point of the screw M.
My said Invention is also applicable to the conversion of muzzle-loading
revolver fire-arms into central-fire breech-loading fire-arms by combining my
improvements as herein-before described with the old muzzle-loaders.
In another mode of converting muzzle-loading revolvers into central-fire
breech-loaders I preserve the old cylinder, cut away the percussioning, and filt
the vacant space in the frame by inserting a removeable breech piece
which revolves with the cylinder, and which carries within itself moveable
strikers communicating with the hammer and the centre of the cartridge.
up
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion
that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting
the Invention secured to me by the said herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent are,
First, the construction and application of a moveable shield to the cylinders
of breech-loading revolver fire-arms as and for the purpose herein-before
described and set forth, or any mere modifications thereof.
And, secondly, the combination and arrangement of the several parts and
mechanism herein-before described and set forth for the purposes aforesaid,
or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Adams, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
0 Witness,
R. S. MORDAUNT VAUGHAN,
54, Chancery Lane, W.C.
JOHN ADAMS. (L.S.)