IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Syme, of 58, Rose Street, Garnet Hill,
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Agent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 1st March 1867, and dated the 10th October 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Syme at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
October 1866.
J, JAMES SYME, of 58, Rose Street, Garnet Hill, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention relates to the breech and arrangements connected therewith,
and consists of further improvements on my method of constructing fire-arnis
for which Letters Patent were granted to me in One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-four, No. 1805, for "Improvements in Fire-arms. and' Apparatus
connected therewith," which improvements had reference to muzzle-loading
fire-arms, the present improvements relate to breech-loading fire-arms
constructed to fire cartridges containing their own ignition, known as central-
fire cartridges using by preference "Daws patent central-fire cartridge cases."
Instead of attaching the metal tubular stock to the barrel as described.in
iny Letters Patent referred to, I now construct a separate piece of metal, using
steel, malleable iron, malleable cast iron, hard gun metal, or other suitable

page_text: metal, and I produce this either by making patterns and core boxes, and
casting therefrom as is usual, or I forge by hammering or stamping on dyes
this separate breech piece into the requisite form as hereafter described.
That part of the breech piece into which I screw the breech end of the barrel
I form of a somewhat larger diameter than the barrel, in the interior of which
I cut a screw corresponding to the thread of screw on the end of the barrel,
which I reduce more or less according to the varying bore of the barrel.
In rear of the breech part of this piece I form an opening of about three
quarters of an inch from front to rear to receive the moveable breech closer,
and on the right or left side of this opening I raise two ear pieces, which form
the knuckle of the hinge joint of the breech closer, in rear of the breech closer
opening I form a curvilinear channel for passing in the cartridge when loading,
and for throwing out strait to the rear the cartridge case after each discharge,
thus avoiding turning the fire-arm to right or left to get the cartridge case
thrown out; the bottom of this channel I make in a line a little below the
under side of the bore of the barrel, and on the right or left side of this channel
I form the lock recess, which side I form of sufficient thickness to receive the
works of a back action lock, and in order to lighten the entire breech piece
I form a great part of its interior hollow in rear of the loading channel. I
reduce the size of the breech piece and form it into a circular shape to the
length of one inch or thereabouts, and on this circular part I cut a screw
corresponding to that made in the tubular stock, which I then screw on to
the screwed end of breech piece; to hold the stock and breech piece in position
I put, in one or more transverse screws or pins. On the right or left of that
part of the breech piece into which the barrel is screwed I form a projecting
piece nearly of a semicircular shape for the purpose of being bored out to receive
the piston or centre rod of the cartridge case ejector, this ejector I form with
the ejecting end and centre rod of one piece of steel or other suitable metal
which I make to work without a spring, and I make this centre rod of the
ejector of a length sufficient to eject the cartridge case one inch, more or less,
by allowing the front end to pass along the outside of the barrel, which so far
as is required I flatten to a plane surface for the following purpose:-Ou the
front end of the centre rod of the ejector I fix a knot of sufficient size for
working the ejector backwards or forwards, and I do this by reducing the
round centre rod to a square so far as is required to pass through the working
knob, through which I make a square hole so as to fit tightly on the square
part of the centre rod of the ejector, this knob is held on by a screwed nut sunk
in flush with the front of the knob and screwed on to the further reduced end
of the ejecter; this working knob I flatten on its lower side so much as to make

page_text: it fit close to and work along the plane part of the barrel as a guide to keep
the ejecter from turning to one side or the other. The rear end of this ejecter
I make to fit in flush with the rear end of the barrel, which is screwed so far
into the breech block as to be flush with the front side of the opening formed
to receive the breech closer; this breech closer I form of steel or other suitable
metal, and I make it of such length across the top so that it projects over one
side of the breech block or piece three-eighths of an inch or thereabouts for
the purpose of opening or closing it by the thumb and forefinger; the opposite
end I make to pass over and in between the two ears formed on the breech
piece; through these and this end of the breech closer I pass a steel pin as a
centre to work the hinged breech closer on, and one end of this centre pin I
screw into one or other of the ears already described; the middle part of the breech
closer I make to project downwards into and to fill the opening formed for its
reception, which I make with two abutments, one on each of the loading channel
previously described, which abutment, receive the impinge of each discharge
from the fire-arm; into this moveable hinged breech closer I make a striker to
pass through at an oblique angle, or such angle as that the front and lower end
of this striker shall hit the centre cap placed in the cartridge case, and I'make
this striker to work with or without a spring though using a spring by preference
for the purpose of throwing back the striker after each blow from the dog
head of the lock; when made to work without a spring I so form the lower
end part round and part flat that on raising the breech closer it is thrown out
or pressed back, and the same in like manner when the breech closer is put
down in position.
For the purpose of keeping the breech closer in position before each dis-
charge I adopt one or other of the following means:-On that side of the breech
block opposite to where I hinge the breech closer, and on its outer side, I form
& recess of sufficient depth to insert a spring, which I make flush with the?
outer surface of the breech piece or block; the lower end of this spring 'I fix
with a small screw screwed into the body of the breech piece, and the upper
end of this spring I make in this case into a round tapered pin of one-eighth to
three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, or thereabouts, and I make a hole through,
the breech piece for this pin to pass through, this spring with pin at-upper
end being made of one piece of steel; and I make the end of the pin described.
to project inwards into the opening of the breech closer, and form its inner end,
into a semicircular form, and in the breech closer opposite to this pin I form,
a concave recess to receive the end of the pin, which having a spring at its
lower end thus holds the breech closer in position, and which can thus be
opened and closed by being pressed back by the breech closer when opened or,

page_text: shut; or, in another case, I make the top end of this fixing spring to extend
upwards and pass through the overhanging end of the breech closer, and on
the inner side of the hole I make an angular surface at any suitable angle
corresponding to that formed on the inner side of the spring, which when thus
formed can also, as in the former case, be worked without a spring being acted
upon otherwise than by the pressure from the breech closer when opened or shut
down; but in another case when rapidity of firing is not so much desired I form
the upper end of this fixing spring with a square catch to pass over the upper.
surface of the breech closer, which when thus fitted is held in position until by
pressure from the thumb or finger the catch of the spring is released in the
act of opening the breech. On the rear end of the lock plate which projects
along the stock tube 1 form an irregularly curved piece of metal as the remain-
ing part of the lock seat; this irregularly curved piece of metal I attach to the
stock tube either by brazing or by screws or pins. The trigger and trigger
guard I attach to the breech block by screws. The cartridge I prefer to use.
contains a thin disc of vulcanized india-rubber placed between the powder and
bullet, which I prefer to use with a very small cavity in the base just suffi-
ciently large to receive the twisted end of the paper wrapper, which for military
fire-arms I coat with beeswax, using a plain surfaced lead bullet with a nearly
semispherical front; this vulcanized india-rubber disc I use for the purpose of
utilizing the whole of the lubricant which at each discharge it carries along
before it through the barrel; this kind of ammunition I find most suitable for
fire-arms of medium bore about half an inch diameter..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Syme in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
SYME, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters &
Patent, bearing date the Tenth 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
James Syme, Her special licence that I, the said James Syme, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Syme, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree

page_text: with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
James Syme, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said James Syme, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
. My Invention relates to the breech of fire-arms and arrangements connected
therewith, and consists of further improvements on my method of constructing
fire-arms for which Letters Patent were granted to me in 1864, No. 1805,
for "Improvements in Fire-arms and in Apparatus connected therewith,"
which improvements had reference to muzzle-loading fire-arms; the present
improvements relate to breech-loading fire-arms, and are applicable to fire-ȧrms
constructed with tubular metal and wood stocks as well as to fire-arms con-
structed with the usual wood stocks, and are adapted for cartridges carrying
their own ignition. When I construct fire-arms having their stocks made of
metal tubes and filled in with hard wood, as described in the Specification of
my Letters Patent referred to, instead of attaching the metal tubular stock to
the, barrel I connect the stock and barrel to a separate' breech block or piece
of metal, using steel, malleable iron, malleable cast iron, hard gun metal, or
any suitable metal, and I produce this metal breech block either by making
patterns and core boxes, and casting therefrom as is usual, or I forge it into
'the requisite shape by the usual means employed in forging metals, or I stamp
it into the requisite form by suitable dies and punches. The front end of this
breech block or connecting piece I make somewhat larger in diameter than
the breech end of the barrel, on which I cut a screw corresponding to that
which I cut in the interior of the front end of the breech block, which on being
screwed hard home the one into the other forms the connection between the
barrel and breech block; in rear of this front portion of the breech block I
form an opening of any convenient length from front to rear to receive a
moveable breech closer, and on the right or left side of this opening I raise

page_text: two ear pieces to form the knuckle of the hinge joint of the breech closer; in
rear of the breech closer opening I form a curvilinear loading channel for
passing in the cartridge when loading and for throwing out straight to the
rear the empty cartridge case after each discharge, thus avoiding turning the
fire-arm over to the right or left to get out the empty cartridge case; in the
bottom of the front end of this loading channel I make a step down to form
one abutment to the breech closer, as well as form a channel for the safe
escape of gas should a defective cartridge happen to burst at its base, which
will be clearly understood by reference to the Drawings hereunto annexed; on
the right or left side of the loading channel I form the lock recess to receive
the works of any suitable lock, and in order to lighten the entire breech block
I form the greater portion of its interior hollow; in rear of the loading channel
I reduce the size of the breech block and forin a sufficient length of it into a
circular shape, and on this circular part I cut a screw corresponding to that
which I cut in the end of the metal tubular stock, the one being screwed into
the other forms the connection between the stock and breech block, and to
hold these firmly in position I put in one or more transverse screws or pins;
on the right or left side of the front portion of the breech block into which-the
barrel is screwed I form a projecting piece nearly of a semicircular shape for
the purpose of being bored out to receive the centre rod of the cartridge case
ejecter, this ejecter I make with the ejecting end and centre rod of one piece
of steel or other suitable metal, which I make to work to and fro by the hand
without a spring, because having provided a loading channel open to the rear,
when the cartridge is pushed forward into the breech chamber it takes the
ejecter home before it when not previously pushed home by the hand, a spring
is therefore unnecessary; I make the front end of the centre rod of the ejecter
to pass along the outside of the breech end of the barrel to a greater or less
extent, whatever the description of cartridge used may require for ejecting the
empty case; on the front end of the ejecter rod I secure, in any convenient
manner, a knob of any suitable size and form for the hand to work it by, and
in some cases I make the bottom end of this working knob to fit a plane
surface which I form on a portion of the barrel to act as a guide to keep the
ejecter from turning to one side or the other; in some other cases I make the
bottom and sides of the ejecter knob to fit in between slides, grooved or
otherwise formed, which I make either as part of the barrel, or I make
and secure to the barrel by brazing, soldering, or other suitable meaus
a separate piece or pieces of suitable metal to form the slide guide for the
ejecter; the rear end of the ejecter I make to fit in flush with the rear end
of the barrel, which is screwed so far into the breech block as to be flush with

page_text: the front side of the opening made to receive the moveable breech, closer.;.I
make the breech, closer of steel, iron, or other suitable metal, and I make it
so long as to pass over one side of the breech block or stock any convenient
-length for the purpose of opening and closing it by the thumb and forefinger;
the opposite or hinged end I make to fit in between the two ear pieces raised
on the breech block, through, these and this end of the breech closer I pass a
steel or other metal pin as a centre to work the hinge on; the head end of
this binge pin .I. flatten on one side to prevent it turning, either way, and
on the opposite end I fit a screwed nut. In some cases I make the head of the
hinge pin round, and then screw one or other of its ends into one or other
of the ear pieces; the middle portion of the breech closer I make to project
downwards into and to fill the opening made to receive it; in this opening
make two abutments one on each side of the loading channel in addition
to the one at front end of the loading channel already described, which
abutments receive the impinge of the breech closer from each discharge;
all around the front side of the breech closer I make a very important pro-
vision, which I term a "safety. gas escapement," to meet the danger of an
accidental explosion or bursting of a defective cartridge which now and again
is likely to be among so many good ones, even though these should be made
O from the best material and by the best skill, and I make this provision by
leaving that portion of the face of the breech closer on which the cartridge
base rests of a circular form in diameter, somewhat larger than the extreme
diameter of the cartridge base, and all around this circular part of the face of
the breech closer I cut away so much of the outer portion of it as to afford
5 ample space for the gas to expand itself without injuring the shooter or the
fire-arm, and I make this opening for the safe escape of gas in such accidental
cases of any suitable form or size; reference to the annexed Drawings will
make this, more clearly understood. I make and fit into the moveable hinged
breech closer a steel striker or cartridge exploder which I make to pass
0 through at such an angle that its front and lower end shall strike the centre
cap placed in the base of the cartridge when that is on the central-fire
principle, or at such an angle as to strike the rim of the base of the cartridge
when that contains the fulminate, and I so adjust the parts of the breech
arrangement that the steel striker is made self-acting without a spring, and
5 when I employ a spiral wire spring to throw back the striker, should the
spring break, the adjustment of the striker is such that it continues to act
..independently of the spring. For some fire-arms which are constructed to fire
pin cartridges, I adapt the dog head of the lock to strike the exploding, pip
by which these cartridges are fired. For the purpose of keeping the breech
closer in position before each discharge I adopt various means; the following

page_text: are some of these means, which, however, are so numerous that I have only
illustrated two methods on the annexed Drawings. First, on that side of
the breech block or shoe which is under the overhanging end of the breech
closer I make and secure. a steel spring at its lower end by a screw
which passes through the spring and is screwed into the breech block or into
the lock plate in some cases. At the upper end of the spring 'I fit a tapering
steel pin, which I make to pass through the side of the breech block or breech
shoe into the opening formed for the breech closer; the inner end of this
tapering pin I make into a semispherical form, and on the side of the breech
"closer just opposite the end of this pin I make a concave recess to receive the
end of this fixing pin, which is acted on by the upper end of the spring. .I
make it act in this way. Near the outer end of the fixing pin and on its under
side I cut a circular groove-into which I fit the upper end of the steel spring,
'which end I form concave to fit the circular groove in the pin which prevents
the spring moving to one side or the other. Or, second, I form a recess around
part of the under side of the breech closer, into which I fit and fix a spring
'with a pin end such as is already described. In this case the pin and spring
'I make of one piece of steel; the outer and rounded end of this spring and
'pin I make to fit into a corresponding recess in the inside of the breech block
or shoe when the breech closer is down in its position, this spring therefore
acts in the opposite direction to the first-modification. Third, I sometimes
make the fixing spring, when secured to the breech block or shoe, to extend
upwards and pass through a hole made in the overhanging end of the breech
closer, and on the inner side of this hole I make an angular surface corre-
'sponding to that which I form on the inner side of the top end of the spring,
which thus, as in the two previous modifications, allows the breech closer to
be opened or shut without the spring being acted on otherwise than by the
breech closer when being opened or shut down. In a fourth case, where
* securer fixing of the breech closer is considered desirable and rapidity of fire
"not so much wanted, which, however, in this modification would not be much
retarded, I form the upper end of the spring with a rounded-head and square
'catch to pass over the upper surface of the breech closer, which by this means
is held in position until by pressure from the thumb or finger on the rounded
head the catch of the spring is released in the act of opening the breech
closer. Another modification I adopt when additional strength and safety in
securing the breech closer is considered necessary, as, for instance, in military
fire-arms, is as follows:-On the breech block or shoe, at any convenient
distance down below the overhanging end of the breech closer, or in some
cases as shewn in the Drawings hereunto-annexed, I form two car pieces or

page_text: rojections to form the knuckle of a strong hinged steel spring fixer, the lower
end of which I make thin enough to act as a spring; the upper end I make to
pass through the overhanging end of the breech closer and provide it with
square catch as in the previous case. About the middle of this strong fixer I
aise a solid knuckle, which I fit in between the two ear pieces made to receive
t, and through these 1 pass a steel or iron pin as a centre, which centre pin:I
secure by similar means described for the hinge pin of the breech.closer; this
strong spring fixer must likewise be acted on by the thumb or finger before
opening the breech closer, and for this purpose I make the top of the strong
fixer of a rounded or knob form. Around the rear end of the lock. plate, when
that projects back past the end of the breech block along the metal stock
tube, I form an irregularly curved piece of metal to complete the remainder.
of the luck seat; this piece of metal I attach to the stock tube by screws,
soldering, brazing, or other suitable means. In the interior of the hollow part
of the breech block I make a trigger fixing pillar which connects the upper and
lower portions of the breech block, to which pillar I attach the trigger by a
screw; the trigger guard I attach to the breech block by screws, one at each end.
When I apply my improved breech-loading mechanism to fire-arms mounted
with wood stocks, or when I apply it to transform or convert muzzle-loading
fire-arms so as to make them load at the breech, I make a breech-shoe of steel,
iron, gun metal, or other suitable metal by means similar to what I use to
produce the breech block previously described; this shoe I make to receive
the breech end of the barrel, which I secure to the breech-shoe by screwing
the one into the other, as previously described for the breech block; this shoe
I provide with a hinged breech closer and cartridge case ejecter, and fixing
spring or strong fixer, all as previously described; but as in this case a breech
block is not required to form a strong and necessary connection to or part of
the stock, I make the loading channel of thin metal with a projecting. rim,
and I extend this portion of the shoe so far to the rear as to afford
space for
fixing or tail screw, which I make to pass through the wood stock and screw
into the trigger guard below; and to give additional strength to the fixing of
the barrel and shoe to the wood stock I put in another fixing screw through
the front of the trigger guard, which I likewise make.to pass through the
wood stock, and screw into the breech-shoe immediately under the breech
closer, and close to the rear end of the barrel. In both metal stocked and
wood stocked fire-arms, in order to complete the "safety gas escapement,"
already in part described, I bore one or more holes downwards through the
breech block or shoe and wood stock, and in the hole or holes thus made in
the wood stock I insert tinued or otherwise prepared metal tubes to prevent

page_text: the water when cleaning the fire-arm or in other ways injuring the interior of
the wood stock. For the purpose of protecting military breech-loading fire-
arms from being injured in the breech arrangements by what is termed
"snapping practice" in preliminary training to shoot, I make and fit either
for the nipple or upper socket through which the striker works, and which
nipple or socket receives the blow of the lock hammer; or I make and fit for
the striking end of the hammer a spring steel (or other metal) socket snap
cap, which, in either case, to make it retain its hold I make one or more cuts
in the rim of the spring socket to allow it to adapt itself to the nipple or to
the hammer end; or I sometimes form a screw on the hammer end, and make
another in the fixing socket of the snap cap, which when used is screwed on
to the hammer end, and in either case I make this kind of snap cap with a
suitable recess in front, which I fill in with copper or other suitable soft metal
or material, and I sometimes place a soft metal disc in the bottom of the
spring socket when this is used on the nipple to soften the blow of the
hammer, and thus protect the breech arrangements from injury from the
snapping practice referred to.
.
In order to shew more clearly the manner of carrying my Invention into
effect, I proceed to describe the same with reference to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, Figure 4 a cross section
through Figure 1 at the line A, B, and Figure 5 another cross section at the
line C, D; Figure 2 is a side view, and Figure 3.a plan of the upper side, all
shewing my improved breech-loading arrangements as applied to fire-arms
constructed with tubular metal stocks; Figure 6 is a cross section through
Figure 2 at the line E, F, which shews the grooved guide for the ejecter knob
ánd centre rod; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section shewing the application of
my improved breech-loading mechanism to fire-arms with wood stocks;
Figure 8 is a cross section through Figure 7 at the line A, B; Figure 8" is
á-similar section at the same line, which shews one mode of applying to the
lock plate the strong spring fixer for the breech closer having a square catch
at top; Figure 11 is another cross section through Figure 7 at the line C, D;
Figure 9 is a side view, and Figure 10 a plan of the upper side, all as applied
to wood stocked :fire-arms; Figure 12 is a longitudinal section through the
éjecter shewing the ejecter end and centre rod with the knob for working the
ejecter to and fro by the hand; Figure 13 shews my improved spring steel
socket snap cap. The same letters refer to similar parts in all the Figures.
A is the barrel; B, the stock; D, the moveable hinged breech closer;
C, the loading channel open to the rear of the breech closer; E, E, are the
two side abutments, and F the under abutment on which the breech closer

page_text: 5
abuts when in its closed position; a¹, a'; are the two ear pieces between which
the breech closer is hinged; o, o, shew the "safety gas escapement;"G; the
hole or holes to complete the safety gas escapement at the front end, and lower
side of the breech closer; N is the fixing spring, and H the fixing pin of the
breech closer; P is the steel striker which passes through the breech closer to
explode the cartridge, and is shewn to work with and without a spring,
although space is provided for a spiral spring, which may or may not be used}
Lis the metal breech shoe as applied to fire-arms with wood stocks; Jis the
tail fixing screw of this shoe, and K is the other fixing screw of this shoe,
both of which pass through the wood stock and trigger guard; M is the
metal breech block which connects the barrel and tubular metal stock when
I apply my improved breech-loading mechanism to fire-arms constructed with
that description of stock; Q is the irregularly curved piece of metal, which in
some cases I make to complete the lock seat; R is the centre rod off the
ejecter, and S, S, are the grooves into which the lower end of the working
'knob T is made to fit, and thus to act as a guide to keep the: ejecter in
position.
. I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not confine myself entirely and
exclusively to the different modifications herein-before described and shewn in
the Drawings hereunto annexed, because I am well aware that many modi-
fications may be made without departure from the principles or main features
of my Invention.
And I wish it to, be as clearly understood that I do not claim the exclusive
right to anything that is.old in combination with my Invention
I
And having now described the nature of my said. Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, in such a way that any person can readily
understand the same, I declare what I believe to be new and therefore claim
as my "Improvements in Breech-loading Fire-arms,"—
First, forming a metal breech block or shoe adapted to fire-arms constructed
with a tubular metal stock, as herein-before described and shewn in the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Second, forming a metal breech shoe adapted to fire-arms constructed with
wood stocks, as herein-before described and shewn in the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Third, making a hinged breech closer adapted to the breech block or shoe
with a "safety gas escapement," in the manner. and for the purpose herein-
before described and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fourth, the completing of said "safety gas escapement" by forming a
channel under the front end of the breech closer, and making one or more

page_text: holes downwards through the metal breech block or through the metal breech
shoe and, wood stock to allow the gas of a defective cartridge to escape freely
without injuring the weapon or shooter if such a cartridge should accidentally
burst at its base, as described and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fifth, the adapting of the steel striker or cartridge exploder to act without
a spring, and adjusting the breech arrangements to produce this self-acting
result, as shewn in the Drawings.hereunto annexed.
*Sixth, adapting the lower end of the working knob of the ejecter to a plane
surface on the barrel, so as to act as a guide to the ejecter, as herein-before
described..
Seventh, making a grooved or other formed guide to the working knob of
the ejecter, as herein-before described and shewn in the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Eighth, the making and applying a strong steel spring fixer to the breech
¡closer, as described and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Ninth, making and adapting a spring socket or screwed socket snap cap to
the nipple of breech closer or to the hammer end of the lock, for the purpose
and in the manner herein-before described and shewn in the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Tenth, the combination, and adaptation in the construction and general
,arrangement of the various parts as a whole to fire-arms which load at the
breech, or in transforming or converting fire-arms which load at the muzzle
into fire-arins to load at the breech.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Syine, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, One thousand eight hundred
and 'sixty-seven.
JAMES SYME Gol