IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THERE WITH
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Restell, of the Laurels, Palace Square,
Norwood, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THERE WITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Restell, at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th. October 1866.
I, THOMAS RESTELL, of the Laurels, Palace Square, Norwood, in the
County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature, of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES TO BE USED
THEREWITH," to be as follows:
This Invention relates to improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, the
chief objects being to effect the conversion of the Enfield rifle in an efficient
and economical manner, to introduce certain improvements in details into the
converted gun patented by me March 9th, 1866, No. 722, and to provide
efficient cartridge extractors for breech-loaders. When I use a sliding plug
or brecchi pin for closing the breech I propose, according to one arrangement,
to secure the sliding pin by a vertical bolt, which is thrown up in rear of the
pin; this bolt I actuate by the ordinary lock in the following manner:-The
pin of the swivel acred on by the mainspring, is elongated in order that it
may actuate a rock lever by working in a slot cut in the tail thereof. The
forward end of this rock lever works in a slot cut in a bolt which is pro-
:

page_text: jected through the barrel in rear of the sliding plug or breech pin, and serves
to secure it at the time of firing. There is an incline on this bolt, as in my
Patent before mentioned, for operating a central needle carried by the breech
pin; the breech pin is surrounded by a coiled spring for bringing it up to its
place, and a detaining ring is used to hold the plug back for charging. A
seat is made in the face of the breech pin to receive the flange of the ordinary
metal case cartridge. The breech pin thus serves not only to close the breech,
but as a cartridge extractor; the back motion of the pin after firing, to admit
of recharging, effecting the withdrawal of the cartridge case. In order to
avoid the necessity for increasing the bore of the charging chamber, the car-
tridge case I propose to form with an annular groove at its rear, which will
allow of its being retained by the sliding breech pin in a manner similar to
the flanged cartridge. The vertical bolt, and the arrangement for operating it,
may be applied to the sliding breech plug of the before-mentioned Patent, to
which a guide rod is attached, and which by being withdrawn from the barrel
for loading in the line of its axis removes the necessity for cutting a side
opening in the barrel for the admission of the cartridge; this plug may also
be provided with a cartridge extractor as above described.
To prevent the sliding breech pin of the before-mentioned Patent from
dropping away from the gun, and to effect its return to its place automatically,
I propose to attach to the breech-closer piu a rod which I surround by a
coiled spring confining the same in a box by the side of the barrel; this rod
carries a spring catch which when the rod is drawn out of the spring box
forms a catch and retains the breech closer in its backward position to allow
of the cartridge being inserted. By depressing this spring catch with the
finger the coiled spring is left free to act, and thus the breech-closer will be
drawn forward to close the breech. Fitted to the front of this plug is a
carriage for receiving the flange of the cartridge, the advance of the plug
therefore ensures the placing of the cartridge in the barrel, and the with-
drawal of the plug causes the extraction of the cartridge; or the plug may be
fitted with a catch which has a stud projecting laterally therefrom for
pushing back the catch; this catch will enter a recess in the end of the barrel
and hold securely thereto, but when the end is grasped to withdraw the
plug for loading the stud of the catch will be pressed upon and the catch
released.
A further modification consists in closing the breech by a disc hinged to the
barrel which is cut through transversely to allow for the insertion of the
disc; this disc is fitted with the needle arrangement, which is actuated by the
ordinary hammer. The spindle of the hinge carries a cam which works an

page_text: extractor that fits in a recess in the thickene part of the barrel. The
extractor is carried by a guide bar which works in agroove for ned for itin the
thickened part of the barrel. When therefore the hinged disc is raised the
extractor is moved rearwards and withdraws the cartridge. The extractor
carries at its rear a spring catch which yiel Is to allow the flange of th: cart-
ridge to pass it at the time of charging, but which serves to push home the
cartridge when carried forward by the extractor.
When constructing a new gun I propose to make the breech-closer swing
on a transverse hinge, and to fit the breech-closer with a needlo which will
run through it and project from its rear end. In this case the needle is
operated by a hammer hidden in the stock. Two triggers are to be used, one
for cocking and the other for firing the gun; the cocking trigger is to be
pushed and the other pulled as usual. A cam groove is formed on one side
of the breech-closer for operating a cartridge extractor carried by a guide rod
outside the barrel; this extractor carries a spring catch, as before described,
for ensuring the proper insertion of the cartridge in the barrel. The breech.
closer is made fast by a side-spring catch, which is released by the fingers to
open the breech for loading. The hammer action is carried by a bracket
secured to the under side of the barrel.
As a modification I propose in some cases to employ a hinged breech-
closer, with the hinge parallel to the axis of the barrel, and the breech-closer
I fit with a curved slotted plate for working the cartridge extractor. To the
guide rod of the extractor I attach a spring (coiled in a box) in order to keep
the extractor from falling back when released from the cam of the breech
closer.
Another arrangement for closing the bore of the gun consists in the use of
a vertical bolt of a width somewhat greater than the bore; the tail piece is
attached to this bolt, and the stock is recessed to allow the tail piece to
descend and open a way for the insertion of the cartridge. The bolt is fitted
with a small rock lever, the lower end of which acts as a pin to explode the
cartridge. As the bolt is thrown up by the mainspring, the head of the
rock lever strikes against a projection on the end of the barrel, and causes it
to rock and thrust the pin against the percussion of the cartridge. In this
cuse no extractor is provided.
In adapting the first-described improvement to walking-stick guus I form
the "bents".or.half and full cock notches on the rock lever, which actuates
the bolt for securing the breech-closer and firing the charge, and the main-
spring.I cause to act directly on the notched rock lever. The barrel may be
opened and closed by a hinged pièce or wedge turning ou a vertical pin; this

page_text: hinged piece carries a needle arrangement for firing, and its under side is
formed with a cam groove to receive a pin projecting from the underlying
cartridge extractor; through this extractor projects a spring catch, over
which the flange of the cartridge snaps in the act of being inserted. In
withdrawing the cartridge the catch is first drawn down by aknob attached
to it, and the cartridge having been released from the barrel by the extractor
may then be thrown out of the gun...
As an improved catch for break-down guns (to prevent the catch being
accidentally unfastened) I fit a spring catch into the lump at the upper side
of the barrels and cause it to catch rearwards under the lining of the stock ;
a thumb-piece pendent from this catch projects through the stock and is pro-
tected by the trigger guard, and by pressing against this thumb-piece the
catch is released.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Restell in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
RESTELL, late of the Laurels, Palace Square, Norwood, in the County of
Surrey, but now of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Restell, Her special license that I, the said Thomas
Restell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Thomas Restell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Restell, by an
instrument in writing under my-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

page_text: 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 Thomas Restell, 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 (that is to say) :-
:-
My Invention relates to improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, 'the
chief objects, amongst others, being to effect the conversion of the Enfield
rifle in an efficient and economical manner, to introduce certain improve-
ments in details into the converted gun, patented by me March 9th,
1866, No. 722, and to provide efficient cartridge or cartridge case extractors
or ejectors for breech-loaders. When I use a sliding plug or breech pin for
closing the breech I propose, according to one arrangement, to secure the
sliding pin or plug by a vertical bolt, which is thrown up in rear of the fore
end or closing part of the plug or pin. This bolt I actuate by the ordinary
lock now in use in the following manner :-The pin of the swivel acted on
by the mainspring is elongated in order that it may actuate a rock lever by
working it in a slot cut at right angles through it near the axis on which it
works The forward end of this rock lever works in a vertical slot cut in a
bolt before referred to, which is projected through the barrel in rear of the
front or closing end of the sliding plug or breech pin and serves the important
function of securing it at the time of firing. There is an incline on the top
end of this bolt towards the muzzle of the arın, as in my Patent before
inentioned, for operating a central needle carried by the breech plug or pin.
In my Provisional Specification I mentioned a mode of advancing the
breech plug by means of a coiled spring, but in practice I have not found
the necessity for the use of a coiled spring, and as a consequence the
detaining ring (also therein mentioned) for holding the plug back during
the period of loading. A seat is made in the face of the breech pin to receive
the flange of the ordinary metal or other case cartridge. The breech pin or
plug thus serves not only to close the breech, but as a cartridge or cartridge
case extractor, the back motion of the pin or plug after firing (to admit of
recharging) effecting the withdrawal of the exploded cartridge case. İn
order to avoid the necessity for increasing the bore of the charging chamber
1 propose forming the rear end of the cartridge case with an annular groove,
which will allow of its being retained by the sliding breech pin or plug in
a manner equivalent to the flanged cartridge.
The vertical bolt above referred to, and the arrangement for operating it,
may be applied to-the-sliding breech plug as mentioned and exhibited at

page_text: Figure 3 in the Specification of my Patent before referred to of 1866,
No. 722, to which a guide rod is attached, and which plug or pin by being
withdrawn froin the barrel for loading in the line of its axis removes the
necessity for cutting a side opening in the barrel for the admission of the
cartridge. This plug may also be provided with a cartridge extractor as before
described. To prevent the sliding breech pin of the before-mentioned Patent
dropping away from the gun, and to effect its return to the place automically,
I propose to attach to the breech (closing) pin a rod for cleaning and loading
from the muzzleit necessary, the the range of which I control by a stop attached
to the spring or other equivalent means, but the former may be conveniently
applied in the left-hand side of the stock opposite the lock with convenient
means of actuation. Thus when the rod is drawn back with the closing plug
the proper distance or range the stop and spring forms a catch and retains
the breech-closer in position to allow of the cartridge being inserted, when
the rod and closing plug may be pushed forward readily by the hand, thereby
obviating the necessity of closing it by the contracting force of a coiled spring
referred to in my Provisional Specification. By depressing or actuating the
detent for relieving the rod, which may be easily effected with the finger of
the user, the rod may be withdrawn altogether for cleaning or charging at the
muzzle as before stated. Fitted to the front end of the closing plug is a
carriage for receiving the flange of the cartridge, the advance of the plug
therefore ensures the placing of the cartridge in the barrel, and the withdrawal
of the plug causes the extraction of the cartridge; or the plug may be fitted
with an elastic seat and central stud projecting concentrically, therefrom.
This central stud will enter a recess in the rear end of the cartridge hereafter
described, and holds it securely for withdrawing it; or the cartridge case may
be blown away altogether with the charge.
A further modification consists in closing the breech by a disc hinged to
the barrel, which is cut through transversely to allow for the insertion of the
disc. This disc is fitted with the needle arrangement, which is actuated by
the ordinary hammer. The spindle or axis of the hinge joint on which the
closing disc or plug works carries a cam which works an extractor that fits
in a recess in the thickened breech part of the barrel. The extractor is
carried by a guide bar, which works in a groove formed for it in the said
thickened part of the barrel. When therefore the hinged disc is raised the
extractor is moved rearwards and withdraws the cartridge or cartridge case
The extractor carries at its rear a spring catch, which yields to allow the
flange of the cartridge to pass it at the time of charging, but which serves to
push home the cartridge when carried forward by the extractor.

page_text: When constructing a new gun I propose to make the breech closer swing
on a transverse hinge, and to fit the breech-closer with a needle, which will run
through it and project from its rear end. In this case the needle is operated
by a hammer hidden in the stock. Twotriggers are to be used, one for cocking
and the other for firing the gun. The cocking hammer trigger is to be
pushed and the other pulled as usual. A cam groove is formed on one side of
the breech closer as above referred to for operating a cartridge extractor
carried by a guide rod outside the barrel. This extractor carries a spring
catch as above described for insuring the proper insertion of the cartridge in
the barrel. The breech closer is made fast by a side spring catch, which is
released by the fingers to open the breech for loading.
The hammer action is carried by a bracket secured to the under side of the
barrel. As a modification I propose in some cases to employ a hinged breech
closer with the hinge parallel to the axis of the barrel, and the breech closer I
fit with a curved slotted plate for working the cartridge extractor. To the
guide rod of the extractor I attach a spring (coiled in a box) or other
equivalent means in order to keep the extractor from falling back when
released from the cam of the breech closer.
Another arrangement for closing the breech, more particularly when using
small bore guns, consists in the use of a vertical bolt of a width somewhat
greater than the bore. The tail piece is attached to this bolt, and the stock
is recessed to allow the tail piece to descend and open a way for the insertion
of the cartridge. The face of the bolt is fitted with a small rock lever, the
lower end of which acts as a pin to explode the cartridge. As the bolt is
thrown up by the mainspring the head of the rock lever strikes against a
projection on the end of the barrel and causes it to rock and thrust the pin
against the percussion of the cartridge; in this case no extraction is provided,
as each exploded case may be pushed forward and blown out by the fol-
lowing charge, or otherwise, as preferred. In adapting the first-described
improvement (as relating to the vertical securing bolt) to walking-stick guns
I form the "bents" or half and full cock notches on the rock lever, which
actuates the said bolt and firing the charge; the main spring I cause to act
directly on the notched lever. The barrel may be opened for receive the
cartridge and closed by a sliding or hinged piece or other suitable means; this
hinged or other part carries a needle-arrangement for firing, and-its under
side is formed with a short groove or other equivalent means to receive the-
anderlying cartridge extractor, which extractor is also particularly applicable
o the description of guns known as carbines, for which this general arrange-
nent is particularly applicable. Through this extractor projects a spring

page_text: catch, over which the flange of the cartridge snaps in the act of being inserted.
In withdrawing the cartridge or exploded cartridge case the catch is first
drawn down by a knob attached to it, and the cartridge or case having been
drawn back and released from the barrel by the extractor will then be thrown
out of the gun by the sudden action of the extractor.
The last passage of my Provisional Specification, referring to break-down or
"Lefaucheux" guns, I now. determine to exclude altogether from this my
Complete Specification.
. But in order that I may be well understood as to the true nature and
character of my Invention, and the various modified forms in which the same
may be used and applied, I will proceed more particularly to describe my
improvements, aided by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, as well as to the Specification of a Patent granted
to me 1858, No. 1497, as also to my Specification of 1866, No. 722, that is

page_text: the breech of the gun, where the plug is represented in dotted lines. The
part of the plug marked a, and through which a vertical hole is formed, will
be exact in position over the bolt F before referred to, and which bolt F is
actuated by the action of the cock G in such a way that when the cock
descends in discharging (the position of which is shown in dotted lines)
the bolt is elevated through the barrel A and plug H, making the security of
the piece in discharging self-acting; as the discharge is effected by an
inclined groove filed out in the front of the bolt F towards the muzzle, as
exhibited at b, which incline as it rises forces the needle, shown in dotted
lines at C, against the percussion cap of the cartridge, as described in my
former Patent before mentioned. In again pulling back the cock G the
full force of the spring operates on the swivel, which having an elongated pin
working through the curved slote of the rock lever 1) and pressing up its rear
end pulls down the bolt F permitting the plug H to be pulled back for
recharging.
Fig. 3 is simply a modification also of a Patent granted to me in 1866;
Number 722, drawn for the purpose of exhibiting the improvements of this
my present Patent, so far as relates to the use of a vertical bolt for securing
the breech pin and actuating the same by the action of the lock inserted
directly under the borrel, but in this case the elevation and depression of the
bolt F (shown in a side and front view at Fig. 3) is effected by an arm
or rock lever formed in connection with that part technically called the
tumbler; in this Figure, as at Figure 1, as much of the stock as is
necessary is exhibited in section, likewise the breech of the barrel. The
breech plug is attached to a rod marked L, L, which serves the purpose
of a guide for the plug M, as in my former Patent before mentioned, and a
rod for cleaning and loading from the muzzle when required. But in order to
define a backward or rear action for the closing plug I cut a groove in the
rod L, aș at d, d, Fig. 4, into which a pin works attached to a spring, as
exhibited at Fig. 5, A, A being the barrel, B the stock, and L, L the rod,
which is retained in its range and prevented turning round by the flat pin N
working through the lump O attached to the barrel, therod passing through a
hole formed in the same; the pin N is held up in position by the spring Psecured
to the under side of the stock by a screw, as shown. When the rod is required
to be drawn out altogether the pin N is pulled down by the ring Q, but when
inserting the rod from the rear end of the piece from the top end of the pin
being slightly inclined it yields automatically-for-the insertion: -
.:
Fig. represents the under side of the lock plate and guard, made by
preference one piece as exhibited in Figure 3, the width of the plate

page_text: as here represented shows the entire thickness of the lock with the exception
of the part R, which carries the cock G, preserving the strength of the
stock.
Fig. 7 (as Figures 1 and 3) represents as much of a carbine necessary for
exbibiting and explaining the application of my improvements to such kind of
arms,audin which I have exhibited another method by which the vertical bolt
shown at F is actuated by a rock lever working on the fulcrum g, and this I
effect by forming the rear end of the rock lever D into teeth or cogs which
gear into the part called the tumbler, in which the bents are formed, and
which part marked S works on the fulcrum h, the breech plug is represented
as drawn back, which would leave an opening on the left-hand side of the
barrel for receiving the cartridge; this opening is effected and closed by a
shield attached to the plug, as exhibited in a side view at Fig. 8, to the front
of this shield a spring joint is formed working on the axis marked i; a spring
being formed by a small wire carrying a ring, and which are shown in dotted
lines, as when the opening is closed, in Figure 7, but instead of using a
separate shield and ring, the shield marked k may be attached by a hinge
joint to the plug in manner similar as here described, but for a military arm
I prefer adopting the arrangement here shown. Fig. 9 represents a transverse
section of the plug and shield, Figure 8, as taken through the dotted lines m, m,
together with the chamber of the barrel in which it works, and which chamber
I have exhibited in a front view at Fig. 10; the opening in the rear end
from end to end represents the opening in the breech extending from o to o,
Figure 9, as if the breech pin T was drawn out. Referring again to Figure 8
I will describe my means of extracting a cartridge or a cartridge case after
explosion, and which arrangement has also the important quality of not only
retiring the cartridge case from the breech when it has been exploded, but to
eject it all altogether from the chamber.
These important operatious I effect by forming a seat on the front end of
the plug with a concentric flange, or round that portion of it opposite the
spring joint and shield before referred to, and against this seat and within the
partial concentric flange lies the flange of the ordinary "Boxer cartridge,"
which I prefer using with this description of arm. At the bottom and forming
part of the seat and flange I apply a smallrock lever, which is partly exhibited
in dotted lines in Figure 8, marked r, working on the axis s, and which axis
being contracted from its extreme circumference (which is perfectly circular
with the plag and chamber in which it works) it is evident that in drawing
back the cartridge case by the retiring of the plug in order that the increased
portion of the front end of the plug marked T shall be stopped by coming in

page_text: contact with the concentric contracted rear end of the barrel, here shown
marked A, that the rock lever r will have been suddenly depressed, thereby
flirting out the cartridge case; this is better exhibited in Fig. 11, which
represents the front end view or seat of the plug with the concentric flange
around one side of it, marked u, u, with the rock lever, the front of which
forms part of the seat and flange, here thrown forward towards the centre,
expelling the cartridge which is represented in the dotted lines, and the same
position the ejecting lever r assumes in this Figuré I have exhibited in
Fig. 12 in the act of throwing out a cartridge case, identically as described
at Figure 8 and the attendant views, and the only difference between this
and the plug therein described is simply the means of pulling it back, namely;
by the handle or knob part, marked V, which is identical with the part
marked with the same letter in Figure 3, to which gun with all the details
for extracting and ejecting the cartridge herein described, I sometimes apply,
but as the ring and spring joint exhibited in dotted lines at Figure 7, and in
edge view at Figure 8, may not be applicable for long guns, notwithstanding
when adopting this plan for long military weapons I prefer opening the
chamber on the right-hand side instead of on the left hand as preferred by
me for carbines. In referring again to Figure 7 I will simply observe that
the plug is drawn back, and consequently the bolt F is in a position as
drawn down by the rock levor D, and the carbine now at half cock; the mode
of exploding the cartridge is identically as described with respect to Figures 1
and 8, and in this view I have exhibited the plug in section showing the
recess for the needle to work in held back by the coiled spring.
As a modification of the means last described for actuating the vertical lock
bolt F, I may for economy manufacture the lock and bolt in a manner as
exhibited at Fig. 13, in which case I consequently appropriate the mechanical
power of the long arm of the rock lever D, which enables me thereby to
controll' the action of the lock. I effect this by lengthening the lower end
of the lock bolt F, terminating it with a knob by which to pull it down and
make it perform all the functions of the cock, which I entirely dispense
witli. This exceedingly economical arrangement may be efficiently applied
to double-barreled guns, with double vertical bolts, double plugs, and one
guide rod, as exhibited in Figure 3, appropriating a ring or any other con-
venient means for pulling down the vertical boltas'may be preferred; a double-
harrelled breech-loading arm thus constructed may be used or manipulated
with all the facilities ifnot more than ordinary double-barrelled breech-loaders.
Fig. 13a represents a solid gun band, particularly suitable for breech-
loaders, the novelty of which consists in tápping a screw through the under

page_text: or thickened part, the inner end of the screw abutting into and against a
small metal cap let in the stock; thus under all variations of climate or
weather the band can be secured or tightened up which though a simple is
an important improvement.
.
In many instances it is preferable to use cartridges so constructed that
while they possess the means of extraction,they shall not be increased by any
projecting rim or flange than the general circumference or bore of the gun,
and this I effect, as exhibited in section at Fig. 14, by forming the rear end
either of metal, hard wood, or other suitable composition, provided with a
sunken groove or aunular recess, into which the pulp or paper of the case is
contracted or pressed; the rear or metal end of the cartridge is formed with
a groove terminating with a slight projection, so that when using those cart-
ridges I form a seat in the front end of my plug, as exhibited in a side and
end view at v, v, Figure 14 n, so that in dropping or placing the cartridge into
the chamber the rear end falls into this seat; the chamber being regulated
when opened to suit the length of the cartridge used, so that a loaded cart-
ridge may be placed in and taken out from the breech without the necessity
of forcing the cartridge back by the use of a ramrod. This description of
cartridge I prefer to use with the arm described at Figure 3, notwith-
standing the cartridge is described in a Patent granted to me, 1858,
Number 1497, (may be advantageously used) and as here exhibited in side
and sectional view at Fig. 15, the important feature of which was the elastic
seat, from which the effect of the explosion of the cartridge forcing the said
seat back on to the plug fixed itself on a projecting screw fixed in its front
end permitting the case to be drawn back by the plug for re-loading.
Fig. 16, Sheet 2, represents as much of a gan necessary to represent my
improvements. The chamber is opened by the part forming the plug working
on an axis at a¹. In the rear part of this plug or hinged lever, marked B', an
excentric groove is for med marked 61, which actuates the slide c' which is
connected with a strap marked d', which terminates forward with the bow
part e¹ which crosses the open chamber, leaving an opening underneath for the
insertion of a cartridge, say of the "Boxer kind" which is represented partly
in position, which being further pressed forward iu range with the barrel, the
part will come forward as it forms part of a spring held on to the plate d'
by the screw gl, and when the flange of the cartridge has passed this catch it
will be held by it, the cartridge being carried forward by the extractor or
carrier, and the effect of the excentric groove 6' will be that as the lever B¹ is
pushed down in position the cartridge will be thoroughlypushed forwardintothe
breech ready for explosion, the lever being held in position by a catch on the

page_text: other side partly shown, marked h¹. 'This gun is constructed without a hammer
or rather an external one, and is half or full cocked by the forward trigger
being pushed forward, while to discharge the piece the rear one or ordinary
trigger is used, which causes the arm or hammer to strike the needle, showu
in dotted lines, which advances its forward end through the nose, thereby
exploding the cartridge, when by relieving the detent h and raising again the
lever B¹ to the position here shown, the extractor e will bring back the
cartridge case that by the thumb or finger.nail it may be readily pulled back
and removed.
Fig. 17 is simply a side and sectional view of the detent h¹. Fig. 18
represents the breech end of the barrel with sufficient of the stock and lock to
illustrate my mode of making breech-loading guns by closing and opening the
breech by the elevation and depression of a vertical bolt here showu marked F
elevation by the action of the cock lever when discharging, and depressing it
when placing the same at half or full cock. The bolt F in this case, I make
either rectangular or square and larger in its square or transverse way than
the bore of the gun. In the top end of the bolt, a small angular lever is fixed
on an axis near the top, marked , with a slight projection on its rear top end,
marked n', in order that when- the bolt is fully elevated (thereby closing the
breech) the projection m¹ coming in contact with the top part n' will cause
the lower extremity of the angular lover to protrude concentrically with the
bore of the barrel, aud explode the central-fire cartridge required to be used
with this description of gun. The lock and other general arrangements may
be as exhibited and explained at Figure 3, with the exception that no guide
rod or plug is required, and by preference I use. cartridges as patented by
me and described at 5, 6, and 7 of a Patent granted to me in 1866,
Number 722.
Fig. 19 simply a rear sectional view of the breech end of the barrel with
the bolt F and rear edge view of the angular lever A. Fig. 20 represents my
improved vertical bolt as applied to walking stick guns which is principally
represented in dotted lines with the barrel broken off for convenience of space,
the arrangement of the lock in this case is identical as described in Figure 13.
Sheet 1, with the exception that the bolt F having no stock to pass through,
is shorter than that I have there described. The barrel is screwed on to the
handle at p, p, and an opening formed from there forward for receiving the
plug as bere exhibited, the opening and spring joint lid or shield being on the
other side, but which I have exhibited in a flat and side view at Fig. 21, the
projection 7 being simply for opening and closing the lid.
-
In this modification the place in the plug for the bolt F I prefer placing at

page_text: its rear end as exhibited at 1, but as herein-before described the top forward
part of the bolt F is bevelled for advancing the pin for exploding the cartridge.
On the front end of the plug I form a seat for receiving and extracting the
cartridge used as described by me in relation to Fig. 7, as well as the means
there also described of ejecting. Or in place of using the injector here referred
to, I may use cartridges herein-before referred to as forming part of my Patent
of 1858, which in exploding fix themselves on a projecting hollow screw-like
head in front of the plug, by which means the cartridge case is withdrawn from
the exploding chamber, as the plug is retired or brought back by the hinged
or spring lid the needle is struck a second time and thrust forward, striking
the cartridge case off the screw head, and this arrangement as here exhibited
in dotted lines at t¹ (for striking the needle a second time) may also be applied
to the carbine herein-before described. Fig. 22 is simply a collapsed rear
end view of Figures 21 and 23, an inside flat view of the lock portion of
Figure 20.
Having now described the nature and object of my Invention, and various
modifications in which the same may receive effect, I wish it understood that
I do not propose limiting myself to the exact portion or details herein described
and referred to in the accompanying Drawings, as the same may be varied
without departing from the spirit of my Invention; as, for instance, instead of
actuating the rock lever as exhibited at Figure 1, the same result may be
effected by allowing the free end of the main spring to bear down upon a stud,
exhibited at Figure 24, marked u¹, for the purpose of raising the bolt while
the depression is effected by a stud also secured to the rock lever at v¹, which
.stud, as the long arm of the lever is depressed, glides away from the action or
the spring altogether, but conies again into action as the long end of the lever
rises. And again at Fig. 25 I have exhibited the rock lever with the axis on
which it works below the swivel pin, as in this case I am able to avail myself
of the advantage of a small auxiliary spring for holding up the bolt in case of
the main spring breaking or becoming defective. And in like mauner a
cartridge case extractor, as described at Figures 8, 11, and 12, forming a part
.and parcel of the plug, and within the diameter of the plug or recess or bore
of the barrel in which it works a detachable extractor may be applied, as
exhibited at Fig. 26, in which case the extractor proper marked w¹ has a slight
parallel range of action by means of the slot a³ and retaining pin y', but
which extractor, as described in the Figures last referred to, has the quality of
being suddenly thrown in an oblique direction by the part z' coming in contact
with the concentric contraction in the extreme rear end of the barrel, thus
causing it to flirt or throw out the extracted case. And, further, the means

page_text: for holding and regulating the backward and forward action of the plug,
described and exhibited at Figure 1, may be varied; as, for instance, instead.
of making the pin K at the top as there described, it may be turned into the
form of a ball, a corresponding groove being formed on the under side of the
plug, as exhibited in a side and end view at Fig. 2a; but what I claim and
wish protected by these my in part recited Letters Patent 18,-
Firstly, the general means herein described and exhibited for securing the
breech plugs of breech-loading fire-arms of various descriptions, as also the
discharging the same by means of a vertical bolt and withdrawn, by the means
as herein described and exhibited, or their equivalents.
Secondly, the means of opening and closing by means of a vertical bolt the
breech part of breech-loading fire-arms without the use of a breech plug, as
herein described and exhibited.
Thirdly, the means herein described and exhibited for extracting or ex-
pelling cartridges or exploded cartridge cases, the said means being confined
within a circular form of, by preference, the size of the bore of the breech.
Fourthly, the general arrangement for opening and closing the breech,
discharging the gun, and extracting the cartridge or cartridge cases, as
described and exhibited at Figure 16.
. And, lastly, I claim the improvement in cartridges herein described and
exhibited.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Restell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixtv-seven.
Witness,
HERBERT HESKY,
Clerk to James S. Cockings,
Patent Agent,
Birmingham.
THOMAS RESTELL. (L.s.)