Improvements in Appliances for Adapting Fire-arms for Practice. with Miniature Ammunition.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Feb, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Adapting Fire-arms for Practice.
with Miniature Ammunition.
1, RICHARD MORRIS of Bennett Park Blackheath, in the County of Kent, Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In my Specification No. 1773 of 1881, I describe: the application of a small bore
tube fitted within the barrel of a rifle or other fire arm for use with miniature
ammunition, so that practice in the use of the weapon could be obtained at moderate
cost and over short ranges, all the operations of sighting, aiming, charging, firing and
extracting being performed in the same manner as they are performed when
ordinary ammunition is employed.
My present invention relates to means of fixing such a small bore tube within the
main barrel and of charging the miniature cartridges and of extracting their shells
by working the bolt mechanism of the breech, as for ordinary cartridges. The small
bore tube is introduced at the muzzle of the gun and extends down the barrel to the
point where the ordinary hore narrows in from the charge chamber, the end of the
tube being made to fit the bore exactly at this place so that the bore of the small tube
is truly concentric with that of the barrel. The outer end of the small bore tube has
fixed on it a tubular boss which fits outside the muzzle end of the barrel and has
a notch to pass clear beyond the sight which is fixed on the barrel. On the part of
the tubular boss which extends beyond the sight is fitted a ring which can be turned
partly round by hand. This ring has a notch which in one position of the ring allows
it to pass over the sight as the small bore tube is pushed into the barrel. When the
tube is pushed home, the ring is partly turned round moving its notch to a position
not coincident with the sight, and thus the ring being engaged behind the sight acts
as a bayonet catch, preventing the small bore tube from being displaced. The
miniature cartridge which I employ is fitted to enter the end of the small bore tube,
not quite up to its flange so as to leave room between the flange and the end of the tube
for the latch shaped hook of a spring extractor. This extractor is fitted on a flat or
in a groove on the side of a breech block which has the external shape of an ordinary
cartridge without its bullet, so that it fits the charge chamber of the gun having the
miniature cartridge in front of it. This block has a flange like the ordinary cartridge
and is bored with a longitudinal central hole in which is fitted a wire free to slide, to
operate as a striker to fire the miniature cartridge in front of it as described in my
previous Specification No. 13206 of 1885. Usually in the cavity behind the breech,
in which the bolt moves to and fro, there is a projection which, as the bolt is drawn
back holding the shell of a spent cartridge by its extractor, meeting the flange of the
shell disengages it from the extractor and causes the shell to be thrown out of the
cavity. In order that this may not operate in the same way on the breech block, I
cut away part of its flange so that it can clear the projection as it is drawn back
along with the bolt, the breech block thus remaining attached to the bolt and moving
to and fro with it. For operating with the miniature ammunition, the bolt is drawn
back in the usual way taking the breech block with it so that there is room in front of
the block for inserting the miniature cartridge into the breech of the barrel. The
bolt being then pushed forwards the breech block enters the breech and pushes the
miniature cartridge onwards till it enters the small bore tube, at the same time. the

page_text: spring extractor on the breech block latches over the flange of the small cartridge
so that its hook end is in front of the flange. On pulling the trigger, the ordinary
striker pushes forwards the striker in the breech block causing it to fire the small
cartridge. After firing, the bolt is drawn back bringing with it the breech block
and also the shell of the small cartridge which is held by the hook of the spring
extractor until it comes clear out of the barrel when the spring extractor releases it.
Although for the sake of clearness I have described my invention as applied to a
small arm such as a rifle, the, described, construction, and operation of the breech
block and miniature cartridge are obviously applicable to fire arms of larger size
such as machine guns and other breech loading guns.
Dated this 30th day of March-1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Adapting Fire-arms for Practice
with Miniature Ammunition.
1, RICHARD MORRIS, of Bennett Park, Blackheath, in the County of. Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and.. in what manner, the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in, and by the
following statement :-
-
In my Specification No. 1773 of 1881, I described the application of a small bore
tube fitted within the barrel of a rifle or other fire arm for use with miniature
ammunition, so that practice in the use of the weapon could be obtained at moderate
cost and over short ranges, all, the operations of sighting, aiming, charging, firing
and extracting being performed in the same manner as they are performed when
ordinary ammunition is employed.
My present invention relates to means of fixing such a small bore tube within. the
main barrel and of charging the miniature cartridges and of extracting their shells
by working the bolt mechanism of the breech, as for ordinary cartridges, as I shall
describe referring to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the muzzle end of the gun. Figs. 2 and 3. are, part
longitudinal sections of the small bore tube and the breech block. Fig. is a side
view and Figs. 5 and 6 are end views of the breech block. Fig. 7 is a plan and
Fig. 8 is a side view of part of the tube and the muzzle sleeve attached to it, and
Fig. 9.is a front view of the muzzle sleeve.
The small bore tube A is introduced at the muzzle of the gun and extends down
the barrel to the point where the ordinary bore narrows in from the charge chamber,
the end of the tube being made by a sleeve B on it to fit the bore exactly at this
place so that the bore of the small tube is truly concentric with that of the barrel.
The outer end of the small bore tube has fixed on it a tubular boss or sleeve C which
fits outside the muzzle end of the barrel and has a notch. D to pass clear beyond the
sight E which is fixed on the barrel. On the part of the sleeve C which extends
beyond the sight E is fitted a ring which can be turned partly round by hand,
applied to a milled part of the ring. To keep the ring F.in position and limit the
extent to which it can be turned, the end of a screw. fixed in the ring projects
into a slot of the sleeve C.
This ring has a notch which in one position of the ring allows it to pass over..the
sight as the small bore tube is pushed into the barrel.
When the tube is pushed home, the ring is partly turned round moving its
notch. D to a position not coincident with the sight E, and thus the ring. being
engaged behind the sight acts as a bayonet catch preventing the small bore tube
from being displaced. The miniature cartridge G which I employ is fitted to enter
the end of the small bore tube A not quite up to its flange so as to leave room
between the flange and the end of the tube for the latch shaped hook of a spring

page_text: extractor H. This extractor is fitted on a flat or in a groove on the side of a breech
block K which has the external shape of an ordinary cartridge without its bullet, so
that it fits the charge chamber of the gun, having the miniature cartridge G in front
of it. This block has a flange like the ordinary cartridge and is bored with a
longitudinal central hole in which is fitted a wire L free to slide, to operate as a
striker to fire the miniature cartridge in front of it as described in my previous
Specification No. 13206 of 1885.
i
Usually in the cavity behind the breech, in which the bolt moves to and fro, there
is a projection which, as the bolt is drawn back holding the shell of a spent cartridge
by its extractor, meeting the flange of the shell disengages it from the extractor and
causes the shell to be thrown out of the cavity.
In order that this may not operate in the same way on the breech block K, I cut
away part of its flange as shewn at k¹ so that it can clear the projection as it is drawn
back along with the bolt, the breech block K thus remaining attached to the bolt and
moving to and fro with it. For operating with the miniature ammunition, the bolt
is drawn back in the usual way taking the breech block K with it, so that there. is
room in front of the block for inserting the miniature cartridge G into the breech of
the barrel. The bolt being then pushed forwards the breech block K enters the
breech and pushes the miniature cartridge G onwards till it enters the small bore
tube; at the same time the spring extractor H on the breech block latches over the
flange of the small cartridge so that its hook end is in front of the flange. On
pulling the trigger the ordinary striker pushes forwards the striker L in the breech
block K causing it to fire the small cartridge.
After firing, the bolt is drawn back bringing with it the breech block K and also
the shell of the small cartridge which is held by the hook of the spring extractor H
until it comes clear out of the barrel, when the spring extractor releases it.
Without employing the small bore tube A, a cartridge fitting in its front the bore
of the gun but so short as to contain only a miniature charge, may be used in con-
junction with a breech block such as K fitting the charge chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I am aware
of the invention of Mr. James O'Kelly as described in Specification No. 14916
A.D. 1887 and I do not claim anything described or claimed therein what I claim
in respect of appliances for adapting fire arms for practice with miniature ammu-
nition is:
1. In combination with the small bore tube to be fixed in the barrel of a gun, a
muzzle sleeve attached thereto provided with a ring notched to pass the sight, and
fitted to turn partly round behind the sight so as to act as a bayonet catch to hold
the tube, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9.
2. A breech block shaped like the ordinary cartridge provided externally with a
spring extractor, and internally with a sliding striker, substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Dated this 30th day of January 1890.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Adapting Fire-arms for Practice
with Miniature Ammunition.
I, RICHARD MORRIS of Bennett Park Blackheath, in the County of Kent, Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In my Specification No. 1773 of 1881, I described the application of a small bore
tube fitted within the barrel of a rifle or other fire arm for use with miniature
ammunition, so that practice in the use of the weapon could be obtained at moderate
cost and over short ranges, all the operations of sighting, aiming, charging, firing and
extracting being performed in the same manner as they are performed when.
ordinary ammunition is employed.
My present invention relates to means of fixing such a small bore tube within the
main barrel and of charging the miniature cartridges and of extracting their shells
by working the bolt mechanism of the breech, as for ordinary cartridges. The small
bore tube is introduced at the muzzle of the gun and extends down the barrel to the
point where the ordinary bore narrows in from the charge chamber, the end of the
tube being made to fit the bore exactly at this place so that the bore of the small tube
is truly concentric with that of the barrel. The outer end of the small bore tube has
fixed on it a tubular boss which fits outside the muzzle end of the barrrel and has
a notch to pass clear beyond the sight which is fixed on the barrel. On the part of
the tubular boss which extends beyond the sight is fitted a ring which can be turned
partly round by hand. This ring has a notch which in one position of the ring allows
it to pass over the sight as the small bore tube is pushed into the barrel. When the
tube is pushed home, the ring is partly turned round moving its notch to a position
not coincident with the sight, and thus the ring being engaged behind the sight acts
as a bayonet catch, preventing the small bore tube from being displaced. The
miniature cartridge which I employ is fitted to enter the end of the small bore tube,
not quite up to its flange so as to leave room between the flange and the end of the tube
for the latch shaped hook of a spring extractor. This extractor is fitted on a flat or
in a groove on the side of a breech block which has the external shape of an ordinary
cartridge without its bullet, so that it fits the charge chamber of the gun having the
miniature cartridge in front of it. This block has a flange like the ordinary cartridge
and is bored with a longitudinal central hole in which is fitted a wire free slide, to
operate as a striker to fire the miniature cartridge in front of it as described in my
previous Specification No. 13206 of 1885. Usually in the cavity behind the breech,
in which the bolt moves to and fro, there is a projection which, as the bolt is drawn
back holding the shell of a spent cartridge by its extractor, meeting the flange of the
shell disengages it from the extractor and causes the shell to be thrown out of the
cavity. In order that this may not operate in the same way on the breech block, 1
cut away part of its flange so that it can clear the projection as it is drawn back
along with the bolt, the breech block thus remaining attached to the bolt and moving
to and fro with it. For operating with the miniature ammunition, the bolt is drawn
back in the usual way taking the breech block with it so that there is room in front of
the block for inserting the miniature cartridge into the breech of the barrel. The
bolt being then pushed forwards the breech block enters the breech and pushes the
miniature cartridge onwards till it enters the small bore tube, at the same time the
spring extractor on the breech block latches over the flange of the small cartridge
so that its hook end is in front of the flange. On pulling the trigger, the ordinary
striker pushes forwards the striker in the breech block causing it to fire the small
cartridge. After firing, the bolt is drawn back bringing with it the breech block
and also the shell of the small cartridge which is held by the hook of the spring

page_text: extractor until it comes clear out of the barrel when the spring extractor releases it.
Although for the sake of clearness I have described my invention as applied to a
small arm such as a rifle, the described construction and operation of the breech
block and miniature cartridge are obviously applicable to fire arms of larger size
such as machine guns and other breech loading guns.
Dated this 30th day of March 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Adapting Fire-arms for Practice
with Miniature Ammunition.
I, RICHARD MORRIS, of Bennett Park, Blackheath, in the County of Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be, performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
In my Specification No. 1773 of 1881, I described the application of a small bore
tube fitted within the barrel of a rifle or other fire arın for use with miniature
ammunition, so that practice in the use of the weapon could be obtained at moderate
cost and over short ranges, all the operations of sighting, aiming, charging, firing
and extracting being performed in the same manner as they are performed when
ordinary ammunition is employed.
My present invention relates to means of fixing such a small bore tube within the
main barrel and of charging the miniature cartridges and of extracting their shells
by working the bolt mechanism of the breech, as for ordinary cartridges, as I shall
describe referring to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the muzzle end of the gun. Figs. 2 and 3 are part
longitudinal sections of the small bore tube and the breech block. Fig. 4 is a side
view and Figs. 5 and 6 are end views of the breech block. Fig. 7 is a plan and
Fig. 8 is a side view of part of the tube and the muzzle sleeve attached to it, and
Fig. 9 is a front view of the muzzle sleeve.
The small bore tube A is introduced at the muzzle of the gun and extends down
the barrel to the point where the ordinary bore narrows in from the charge chamber,
the end of the tube being made by a sleeve B on it to fit the bore exactly at this
place so that the bore of the small tube is truly concentric with that of the barrel.
The outer end of the small bore tube has fixed on it a tubular boss or sleeve C which
fits outside the muzzle end of the barrel and has a notch D .to pass clear beyond the
sight E which is fixed on the barrel. On the part of the sleeve C which extends
beyond the sight E is fitted a ring F which can be turned partly round by hand,
applied to a milled part of the ring. To keep the ring F.in position and limit the
extent to which it can be turned, the end of a screw f¹ fixed in the ring projects into
a slot of the sleeve C.
This ring has a notch which in one position of the ring allows.it to pass over the
sight as the small bore tube is pushed into the barrel.
When the tube is pushed home, the ring is partly turned round moving its
notch D to a position not coincident with the sight E, and thus the ring being
engaged behind the sight acts as a bayonet catch preventing the small bore tube
from being displaced. The miniature cartridge G which I employ is fitted to enter
the end of the small bore tube A not quite up to its flange so as to leave room
between the flange and the end of the tube for the latch shaped hook of a spring
extractor H. This extractor is fitted on a flat or in a groove on the side of a breech
block K which has the external shape of an ordinary cartridge without its "bullet, so
that it fits the charge chamber of the gun, having the miniature cartridge G in front
of it. This block has a flange k like the ordinary cartridge and is bored with a
`longitudinal central hole in which is fitted a wire L free to slide, to operate as a

page_text: striker to fire the miniature cartridge in front of it as described in my previous
Specification No. 13206 of 1885.
Usually in the cavity behind the breech, in which the bolt moves to and fro, there
is a projection which, as the bolt is drawn back holding the shell of a spent cartridge
by its extractor, meeting the flange of the shell disengages it from the extractor and
causes the shell to be thrown out of the cavity.
In order that this may not operate in the same way on the breech block K, I cut
away part of its flange as shewn at k¹ so that it can clear the projection as it is drawn
back along with the bolt, the breech block K thus remaining attached to the bolt and
moving to and fro with it. For operating with the miniature ammunition, the bolt
is drawn back in the usual way taking the breech block K with it, so that there is
room in front of the block for inserting the miniature cartridge G into the breech of
the barrel. The bolt being then pushed forwards the breech block K enters the
breech and pushes the miniature cartridge G onwards till it enters the small bore
tube; at the same time the spring extractor H on the breech block latches over the
flange of the small cartridge so that its hook end is in front of the flange. On
pulling the trigger the ordinary striker pushes forwards the striker L in the breech
block K causing it to fire the small cartridge.
After firing, the holt is drawn back bringing with it the breech block K and also
the shell of the small cartridge which is held by the hook of the spring extractor H
until it comes clear out of the barrel, when the spring extractor releases it.
Without employing the small bore tube A, a cartridge fitting in its front the bore
of the gun but so short as to contain only a miniature charge, may be used in con-
junction with a breech block such as K fitting the charge chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
in respect of appliances for adapting fire arms for practice with miniature ammuni-
tion is:
1. In combination with the small bore tube to be fixed in the barrel of a gun, a
muzzle sleeve attached thereto provided with a ring notched to pass the sight, and
fitted to turn partly round behind the sight so as to act as a bayonet catch to hold
the tube, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9.
2. A breech block shaped like the ordinary cartridge provided externally with a
spring extractor, and internally with a sliding striker, substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Dated this 30th day of January 1890.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.