IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH LOADING FIRE-ARMS." A communication from abroad by Christiano
Arturo Juan Antonio Heeren, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE-ARMS." A communication
from abroad by Christiano Arturo Juan Antonio Heeren, of Paris, in the Republic
of Franco.
This Invention relates to breechloading firo arms, and consists of certain improvo-
ments in the mechanism hereinafter described, by means of which great security is
afforded against accidents, and the parts of the mechanism are considerably
strengthened and simplified, and are rendered capable of being taken apart with
great facility for the purpose of cleaning the same. A peculiar feature of the
Invention consists in the use of a hammer which is enclosed in the breech, and is
provided with a protruding tail, enabling it to be cocked and uncocked at pleasure,
at the same time indicating the position of the hammer.
The Invention also embraces other important and novel features, as hereinafter
described.
In carrying out this Invention when applied to military firearms the breech is
closed by means of an obturator or breech piece formed in one piece suitably
hollowed out, and which has a vertical motion imparted" to it by a curved arın
forming part of the trigger guard plate. This arm acts as a lever, it being capable
of turning upon a binge joint at its rear extremity, and it is provided with a spring
catch at the other extremity operated by a lever carried in a recess in the rear
part of the trigger guard and turning on a centre. This lever is furnished at one
extremity with a hook or catch, which is caused to engage in a corresponding
recess in the fixed part of the breech by the action of a spring formed by u

page_text: prolongation of the trigger spring, thereby holding the trigger guard in the
position which it occupies when the combustion or cartridge chamber is closed by
the breech piece.
The curved arm actuating the breech piece is arranged so as to be at tho left
hand side of the person using the arm, and it engages in a recess in the body of
the breech piece, which slides vertically in the breech.
The part of the recess in the breech piece which rests upon the extremity of the
curved arm when the breech piece is in its highest position, and closes the coin-
bustion chamber, forms a segment of the cylinder, the centre of which coincides
with the contre upon which the curved arın turns, so that the breech piece remains
stationary so long as the arm bears against this part of the recess, but when the
guard plate, and with it the curved arm, has moved a certain distanco the arm
leaves the cylindrical part of the recess, and at the same time comes in contact
with the projection provided on the lower part of the breech piece, thereby
causing the latter to descend and uncover the opening of the combustion or
cartridge chamber.
By means of this arrangement the combustion chamber is completely closed
before the hammer is allowed to fall upon the needle, and the obturator does not
descend until a certain period after the commencement of lowering the trigger
guard, the arrangement of the stop of the obturator serving at the same time to
limit the stroke of the needle, and contributing to maintain the obturator truly in
position.
▲ recess is provided on the left side of the breach piece of such a form that when
the combustion chamber is fully open the breach picco operates a cartridge
extractor pivotted on a fixed pin underneath the combustion chamber.
This extractor is recessed at the part where it engages with a pin on which it
turns, so as to enable it to be slipped over this pin without taking the pin out of
the breech, after which the extractor is prevented from falling out by the breech
pieco, it being necessary to remove the breech piece in order to insert or take out
the extractor.
The extractor is situate on the right of the breech, and is curved so as to engage
with the side of the cartridge case in order to withdraw the latter in the most
advantageous manner.
The hammer is provided with the usual notched boss pivotted on a pin carried
by the guard plate, so that the hammer is caused to partake of the movements of
the said guard plate, and is cocked automatically by the descent of the latter.
When the guard plate is caused to descend in order to open the combustion
chamber the hammer immediately partakes of the same motion, but the breech
piece remains stationary for a certain time, or as long as the curved arm remains
in contact with the cylindrical surface, as hereinbefore described, so that tho noso
of the hammer is thereby removed from opposite the end of the striking pin, and
is brought opposite to and engages with a small oval recess provided on the rear
surface of the breech piece. The breech piece then commences its descent, and as
it is caused to move in a straight line, whilst the centre on which the hammer is
carried describes an arc of a circle having the joint of the guard plate for a centre,
the hammer is caused to turn upon the pin on which it is carried, and is thereby
brought into the full cock position.
The hammer, which is arranged in the interior of the gun as before mentioned,
is provided with a pondent tail, which extends downwards behind the trigger. The
latter turns on a pin carried by the guard plate, and is caused to engage with the
full cock and half cock notches of the hammer by means of a spring. This pendent
tail extending downwards through the guard plate and behind the trigger is of
great importance, as it always shews whether the hammer is cocked or uncocked,
thus combining the advantage of an external hammer with the safety of a covered
hammer.
The hammer spring, which is compressed by the act of cocking tho hammer, is
formed by two branches connected by an eye or loop carried round the pin of the

page_text: joint of the guard plate, and the latter is provided with a prolongation embracing
the loop of the spring, and serving to retain it in position in case the cartridge is
not pushed far enough into the cartridge chamber; an inclined surface provided
for the purpose of the breech piece comes in contact with the base of the cartridge,
and forces it into the chamber to the required extent.
A striking pin passes through the centre of the breech piece, and is provided
with an elongated head having a long notch on its underside, serving to limit the
stroke of the striking pin by engaging with a transverse pin, the head of which
acts as a stop for the breech piece during its ascent, as hereinafter described. The
striking pin is slightly inclined in order to enable the hammer to act upon it more
effectively; its point is bevelled, so that when the breech piece rises the point.
comes in contact with the cartridge case, which then pushes the pin backwards
without receiving any shock.
The head of the pin herein before referred to acting as a stop to the breech piece
is flattened, and is of such length as to remain always engaged with the hole
provided for its reception in the side of the breech piece, so as to be incapable of.
turning. This precaution is rendered necessary because the head of this pin, which
is quite loose, is intended to enter a groove provided for its reception in the interior
of the fixed breech, and presenting an inclined surface formed by the bottom of
the groove, which deepens gradually towards the upper extremity, where it
terminates abruptly, so that by causing the head of the pin to enter the grooves it
acts as a stop to the breech piece when it comes in contact with the upper
extremity of the groove. In order to accomplish this the extremity of the pin is
bevelled off, and enters the recess in which the curved arm attached to tho trigger
guard works, as hereinbefore described, so that this arm comes in contact with this
extremity of the pin during the ascont of the breech picce, and causes the head of.
the pin to project into the groove. Upon the descent of the breech piece the.
incline on the bottom of the groove pushes the head of the pin back into the side
of the breech piece.
In order to operate the mechanism the rear end of the trigger guard is liberated
by pressing on the lever of the spring catch hereinbefore described, and the guard
plate is caused to descend, turning upon the hinge joint at its opposite extremity.,
The breech piece is thereby drawn down as herein before described and uncovers
the entrance to the combustion or cartridge chamber, the hammer being cocked
automatically at the same time. A cartridge may then be introduced into the
cartridge chamber, and the guard plate is raised and the curved arm pushes up the
breech piece until the cartridge chamber is completely closed, at which point tho
arm commences to act upon the cylindrical surface of the recess in the breech piece,
which then remains stationary, being retained in that position by the arm whilst
the guard plate and arm continue to rise. The cartridge chamber being now closed
there is no danger to the person using the gun in case of accidental explosion of the
cartridge; morcover in case the hammer becomes accidentally liberated when in
this position it will not hit the striking pin until it is raised a certain distance
after the cartridge chamber has been closed. The spring catch at the end of the
guard plate then engages again with the fixed part of the breech and the gun is
roady for firing. The hammer may then be uncocked and placed at half cock or
full cock by means of the pendent tail hereinbefore described, which also indicates
the position of the hammer.
The gun is discharged by pressing on the trigger in the usual manner, and the
empty cartridge case is thrown out during the subsequent descent of the breech
piece by the action of the extractor, as herein before described.
By imparting a vertical motion to the breech piece in lieu of the longitudinal
horizontal motion of the sliding breech bolts ordinarily employed, it is rendered.
possible to employ longer barrels by economising the space provided for the motion
of these bolts without adding to the total length-of-the-weapon,-or-the-total-
length may be reduced without shortening the barrel.
The guard plate and parts attached thereunto may be removed from the breech

page_text: by unscrewing and drawing out the hinge pin at the rear extremity of the guard
plate, and when this is done the breech piu can also bo removed, and after it the
extractor.
In order to disconnect the hammer and other parts from the guard plate to
which they are attached it is simply necessary to remove the screw on which the
hammer turns and the pin of the trigger, the springs of the trigger and hammer
being so constructed and attached as to enable them to be taken out and replaced
without requiring any other tool than a screw driver.
Guns for sporting purposes constructed according to this Invention only differ
from the one herein before described in certain modifications of detail, videlicet:-
The trigger guard plate not requiring to be so firmly supported as in the case of
military guns, is simply provided with a nick or notch in its front end, which
engages with a catch on the end of a spring attached to the breech, which retains
the trigger guard and in position for holding up the breech piece by friction only,
the spring catch and lever at the front extremity of the guard plate hereinbefore
described being consequently dispensed with.
The guard plate carries two curved arms for actuating the breech pieco in
lieu of a single arm, the said arms being arranged on each side of the breech piece
and similar in construction and operation to the one hereinbefore described.
The hammer is between two arins, and is precisely similar in form and action
to the one herein before described, and the extractor works in a recess in the
middle of the breech piece, being bent in order to engage with the side of the
cartridge case.
The extent of the motion of the striking pin is limited by a transverse pin
engaging in a long notch on the upper side of the head of the striking pin, and the
ascent of the breech piece is arrested by the head of a spring provided in the
side of the fixed breech and coming in contact with the upper surface of the breech
pieco.
According to another modification of the breech piece a species of safety guard or
shield is provided on the breech picce, the said guard being in the form of a bent
lever capable of being turned up or down as required by means of a projection on its
When this lever is turned down one of its arms covers the striking
upper side.
pin in such a manner that if the hammer should fall accidentally it would strike
this arm of the lever or guard in lieu of the striking pin.
This guard is placed in position automatically each time that a fresh cartridge is
introduced, being provided for this purpose with an inclined surface, which
comes in contact with the back of the breech box and brings the guard into the
position of safety.
When it is desired to discharge the gun, the guard is moved out of the way of
the hammer by pressing back the projection herein before referred to, which may
be done with great rapidity, and the guard is retained in either position by an
internal spring.
The improvements, either combined or separately, aro also applicable to other
descriptions of firo arms, such as, for example, carbines, pistols, and the like.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
December 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE-ARMS." A communication
from abroad by Christiano Arturo Juan Antonio Heeren, of Paris, in the Republic
of France.
==
The said Invention relates to breech loading fire-arms, and consists of certain
improvements in the construction of the mechanism, as hereinafter described.
Numerous and important advantages result from these improvements, videlicet :-
First. By means of a peculiar arrangement of the breech piece or obturator,
hereinafter described, great security is afforded against accidental injury to the
person using the improved fire-arm.
Second. The strength of the fire-arm in general, and of each separate part of
which it is composed, is considerably increased.
Third. Spiral or helical springs are entirely dispensed with.
Fourth. Great simplicity in all the parts of the mechanism is obtained.
Fifth. Considerable facility is afforded for taking the mechanism to pieces and
putting it together again, so that it is capable of being cleaned with a very small
amount of trouble..
"
Sixth. The hammer is enclosed within the breech, and is provided with a
protruding tail by means of which it may be cocked and uncocked at pleasure.
Seventh. The danger and inconvenience resulting from the employment of a
hammer arranged externally, as well as the disadvantages of the internal hammers
heretofore constructed, which render it difficult to ascertain whether they are
cocked or uncocked, are entirely obviated, and a fruitful source of accidental injury
to persons using the fire-arms and to others in their vicinity is thus removed.
Eighth. Great facility is afforded for loading the weapon in consequence of the
simplicity of the mechanism for opening and closing the breech or cartridge
chamber, and great rapidity in firing is thereby obtained.
Ninth. The total length of the arm is reduced without shortening the barrel
by means of the peculiar arrangement and mode of actuating the obturator or breech
piece.
.
All the advantages hereinbefore recited are, conibined in the improved fire-arm
forming the subject of this said Invention, by means of the general construction
of the mechanism and the novel and peculiar arrangement of the parts of which it
is composed.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represents a longitudinal
vertical section of a portion of a fire-arm constructed according to the said Invention
and adapted for military purposes, the said fire-arm being equally adapted for use
by infantry and cavalry; in this Figure the mechanism is represented in the
position which it assumes after the cartridge has been inserted in its place for
firing.
Figure 2 is a similar view shewing the parts in the position which they
occupy after the gun has been discharged and the cartridge case has been
extracted.
TAL

page_text: Figure 1 (Sheet 2) represents a sido elevation of a portion of a gun also
constructed according to the said Invention, but adapted for sporting purposes.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same with the parts in the
positions which they occupy when the gun is ready for firing.
Figure 3 is a similar view with the hammer uncocked.
Figure 4 is another similar view shewing the parts in the positions which
they assume after the gun has been discharged and the cartridge case has been
extracted.
Figure 5 is a transvorso section of the breech, and Figures G to 20 inclusive aro
details, which will be hereinafter described.
In the arrangement represented in Sheet 1, which is adapted for fire-arms for
military purposes, there is employed a breech block or obturator (shewn in detail
in Figures 8, 9, and 10), which has a vertical motion imparted to it by a curved
arm j, Figures 1, 2, 6, and 7, forming part of a trigger guard plate b, the said arni
in combination with the plate b acting as a lever and turning upon a hinge joint A
at the rear end of the plate.
At the opposite extremity of the plate b is a spring catch & formed on and
operated by a lever a which is carried in a recess in the rear part of the trigger
guard b¹ and turns upon a centre c. The catch d consists of a hook which is
caused to engage in a corresponding recess in the fixed part of the breech by the
action of a spring
formed by a prolongation of a trigger spring (see detail,
Figure 13), the trigger guard being thereby retained in the position which it
occupies when the combustion or cartridge chamber is closed by the breech
piece.
The curved arm j, shewn in detail in Figures 6 and 7, is arranged so as to be
at the left hand side of the person using the arm, and engages in a recess / in the
body of the breech piece which slides vertically in the breech.
That portion of the recess in the breech piece situate between the points a'
and b, Figure 1, is in contact with the extremity of the arm j when the breech
piece is in its highest position and closes the combustion chamber, as shewn in
Figure 1, the said portion of the recess forming a segment of a cylinder, the centro
of which coincides with the centre of the joint A upon which the curved arm
turns, so that the breech piece remains stationary so long as the arm j bears
against that part of the recesя. When however the guard plate, and with it the
curved arm, has moved a certain distance, the arm leaves the cylindrical part of
the recess, and at the same time comes in contact with a projection m provided on
the lower part of the breech piece, thereby causing the latter to descend and
uncover the opening of the combustion or cartridge chamber, this position of the
parts being represented in Figure 2.
On the left side of the breech piece is provided a recess 2, Figures 2 and 8, of
such a form that when the combustion chamber is fully open the breech picce
operates a cartridge extractor n, Figures 2 and 17, pivotted on a fixed pin o
underneath the combustion chamber. This extractor is recessed at the part whero
in engages with the pin o, so as to enable it to be slipped over this pin without
taking the pin out of the breech, after which the extractor is prevented from
accidentally falling out by the breech piece l, it being necessary to remove this
breech piece in order to insert or take out the extractor. The extractor n is situate
on the right of the breech, and is curved at 7, so as to engage with the side of the
cartridge case in order to withdraw the latter in the most advantageous manner.
A hammer S, Figures 1, 2, and 11, provided with the usual notched boss, is
pivotted on a pint carried by the guard plate, so that the hammor is caused to
partake of the movements of the said guard plate, and is cocked automatically by
the descent of the latter. When the guard plate is caused to descend in order to
open the combustion chamber, the hammer S immediately partakes of the same
motion, but the breech piece remains stationary for a certain time, or so long as the
curved arm remains in contact with the cylindrical surface between a' and b¹, so
that the nose of the hammer is thereby removed from opposite the end of the

page_text: triking pin, and is brought opposite to and engages with a small oval recessu,
Figure 10, provided on the rear surface of the breech piece. The breech piece
then commences its descent, and as it is caused to move in a straight line, whilst
the centre on which the hammer is carried describes an arc of a circle having the
joint A of the guard plate for a centre, the hammer is caused to turn upon the
pin t, and is thereby brought into the full cock position, as shewn in Figure 2.
The hammer is provided with a pendent tail v, which extends downwards behind a
trigger w, shewn in detail in Figure 12; this trigger turns upon a pin x, carried by
the guard plate, and is caused to engage with the full cock and half cock notches of
the hammer S by means of the spring h, shewn in detail in Figure 13. The
pendent tail v, extending downwards through the guard plato and behind the
trigger, is of great importance, as it always indicates whether the hammer is cocked
or uncocked, thus combining the advantage of an external hammer with the safety.
of a covered hammer. The hammer is actuated by a spring 2, Figures 2 and 15,
which is compressed by the act of cocking the hammer; the spring is formed by two
branches, connected by an eye or loop carried round the pin i of the joint of the
guard plate, and the latter is provided with a hook, as shewn at A‚ª Figure' 2,
embracing the loop of the spring, and serving to retain it in position.
If the cartridge, in the act of charging the gun, is not pushed sufficiently far into
the cartridge chamber; an inclined surface q, provided for the purpose on the breech-
piece, comes in contact with the base of the cartridge, as the breech is closed and
forces the cartridge into the chamber to the required extent.
A striking pin B, Figures 10 and 14, passes through the centre of the breech-
piece, and is provided with an elongated lead C, having a long notch on its under
side, which serves to limit the stroke of the striking pin by engaging with a
transverse pin D, the latter having a head E (see Figure 8) of a peculiar shape,
which acts as a stop for the breechpiece during its ascent, as hereinafter described.
The striking pin is slightly inclined, in order to enable the hammer to act upon it
more effectively; its point is bevelled, so that when the breech-piece rises the
point comes in contact with the cartridge case, which then pushes the pin backwards
without receiving any shock.
The head E of the pin D acting as a stop to the breech piece is flattened, and is
of such length as to remain always engaged with the hole provided for its reception
in the side of the breech piece so as to be incapable of turning. This precaution is
rendered necessary since the head E of this pin, which is perfectly looso, is intended
to enter a groove F, Figure 4, provided for its reception in the interior of the fixed
part of the breech; the bottom of this groove presents an inclined surface deepening
gradually towards the upper oxtremity, where it terminates abruptly, so that
by causing the head of the pin to enter the groove, it acts as a stop to the,
breech piece when it comes in contact with the upper extremity of the groove. In
order to accomplish this result the extremity of the pin D is bevelled off and enters
the recess in which the curved arm ; works, as hereinbefore described, so that this
arm comes in contact with this extremity of the pin during the ascent of the breech
piece, and causes the head E of the pin to project into the groove F. Upon the
descent of the breech piece the incline on the bottom of the groove pushes the head
of the pin back into the side of the breech piece.
In order to operate the mechanism the rear end of the trigger guard b' is liberated
by pressing on the lever a of the spring catch d, and the guard plate is caused to
descend, turning upon the joint A. The breech piece is thereby drawn down, as
is hereinbefore described, and uncovers the entrance to the combustion or cartridgo
chamber, the hammer S being cocked automatically at the same time.
side
A cartridge c' may then be introduced into the cartridge chamber, the upper
of the breech piece being suitably-rounded and hollowed to facilitate the operation;
and the guard plato is raised, and the curved arm j raises the breech pieco until
the cartridge chamber is completely closed, at-which-point-the-arm commences.to:
act upon the cylindrical surface a, b, of the recess in the breech pieco, which then
remains stationary, being retained in that position by the arm whilst the guard plate

page_text: and arm continue to rise. (The cartridge chamber being now closed there is no
danger to the person using the gun in the caso of accidental explosion of the
cartridge; moreover, in case the hammer should become accidentally liberated when
in this position it will not come in contact with the striking pin until it is raised a
certain distance after the cartridge chamber has been closed.) The spring catch d
then engages again with the fixed part of the breech, and the gun is ready for
firing. The hammer may then be uncocked, and placed at half cock or full cock by
means of tho pendent tail v, which also serves to indicate the position of the
hammer.
The gun is discharged by pressing on the trigger w in the usual manner, and the
empty cartridge case is ejected during the subsequent descent of the breech piece
by the action of the extractor n, as hereinbefore described.
By imparting a vertical motion to the breech piece in lieu of a longitudinal
horizontal motion of the sliding breech bolts or blocks ordinarily employed, it is
rendered possible to employ longer barrels by utilizing the space provided for the
motion of these bolts or blocks, without adding to the total length of the weapon,
or the total length may be reduced without shortening the barrel.
The guard plate and parts attached thereto may be removed from the breech
by unscrewing and drawing out the hinge pin i at the rear extremity of the guard
plate, after which the breech piece and the extractor n can also. be removed in
succession.
In order to disconnect the hammer and other parts from the guard plate to which
they are attached, it is simply necessary to remove the screw t on which the hammer
turns and the pin x of the trigger. The various parts of the mechanism may thus
be taken apart and put together again without the aid of any other tool than
an ordinary screw driver.
In applying the Invention to guns for sporting purposes, the gun is constructed
in a generally similar manner to the milltary fire-arm hereinbefore described, from
which however it differs in certain details, as next, hereinafter described with
reference to the several Figures on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
The trigger guard plate b, shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10, not requiring to
bo so firmly supported as in the case of military guns, is simply provided with a
nick or notch in its front end, which engages with a catch on the end of a
spring e' attached to the breech; the catch retains the trigger guard in position for
holding up the breech piece by friction only, the spring catch and lever at the front
extremity of the guard plate, herein before described, being consequently dispensed
with.
The guard plate carries two curved arms j, Figures 9 and 10, for actuating the
breech piece in lieu of a single arm, the said arms working in corresponding
recesses, provided one on each side of the breech piece, as shewn in the details
Figures 11 to 19, and being similar in construction and operation to the arm
herein before described with reference to Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
The hammer is situate between the two arms, and is precisely similar in form and
action to the one hereinbefore described, and the extractor n, shown in detail in
Figure 8, works in a recess in the middle of the breech piece, being bent in order to
engage with the side of the cartridge case.
The extent of motion of the striking pin B is limited by a transverse pin D
engaging in a long notch on the upper side of the head C of the striking pin, and
the ascent of the breech piece is arrested by the head of a spring E, Figure 5,
provided in the side of the fixed breech (shewn in detail in Figures 6 and 7), which
head comes in contact with the upper surface of the breech piece.
According to another modification of the breech piece, which is represented in
Figure 20, a species of safety guard or shield is provided on the breech piece, the
said guard being formed by a bent lever F capable of being turned up or down as
required by means of a projection f¹ on its upper side. When this lever is turned 5
down one of its arins fil covers the head of the striking pin B in such a manner

page_text: that if the hammer S should accidentally be liberated, it would strike this arm of
the lever or guard in lieu of the striking pin.
This guard is placed in position automatically each time that a fresh cartridge is
introduced, it being provided for this purpose with an inclined surface g¹ which
comes in contact with the back of the breech box and brings the guard into the
position of safety.
When it is desired to discharge the gun the guard is moved out of the way of
the hammer and caused to assume the position indicated in dotted lines in
Figure 20 by the act of pressing back the projection f¹, which operation may be
performed with great rapidity, and the guard is retained in either position by an
internal spring h¹.
The nature of the other details illustrated in Sheet 2 of the Drawings will be
readily understood from the description hereinbefore given of the similar views in
Sheet 1 without further explanation.
The Invention is also applicable to other descriptions of fire arms, such, for
example, as carbines, pistols, and the like.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangement of the hammer S, of the mainspring z, and of the
trigger w capable of turning on an axis in the guard plate b, so that by turning
the latter backwards the breech piece is drawn down by the arm or arms j, and
the hammer by sliding down over the surface of the breech piece becomes cocked,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. The arrangement of the safety guard F for protecting the striking pin
when the fire arm is at rest, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figure 20 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
"
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set iny hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
HITRY
TATT TRAN