Improvements in Breech Loading Fire-arms.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th vec., 1887
Specification Accepted, 24th Aug., 1888
Improvements in Breech Loading Fire-arms.
A communication from ROBERT ISBELL HAMPTON, of Athens, Georgia, United
States of America, Dentist.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, M.I.M.E.
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:
This invention relates to improvements in breech-loading guns, and the objects of
these improvements are first, to provide a simple lock mechanism, susceptible of being
constructed with few parts, and in a substantial manner, also embodying an automatic
hammer-bolting feature; second, to afford a means for ejecting the shell after the
cartridge has been discharged and also for making the ejector of each barrel act
independently of the other third to employ a slotted annular bolt in locking the
barrels to the standing breech; fourth to provide an automatic trigger-bolting device,
which can be made independent at will; and fifth to supply the means of taking
up lost motion from wear in the hinge pin, fore-stock and lock-fast action.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side view of the gun with the lock plate removed showing the parts in
proper relation with the hammer at full cock.
Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in the position of rest, or the position they
assume after the hammer has engaged the firing pin.
Fig. 3 is a similar view with the hammer, main and sear-spring and the safety
indicating bolt removed, with the barrels elevated.
'
Fig. 4 is a detached portion of the breech frame, taken from the side opposite to
that displayed in figures, 1, 2 and 3 showing the pivotal connection between the barrels
and breech in section.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, and
Fig. 6 a transverse vertical section of what is shown in fig. 4.

page_text: the annual rocking bort and a top view of the segment gear
for operating the same.
Fig. 8 is a side view of the lock plate showing the end of the safety indicating and
locking bolt.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bolt showing the pin that engages the slot in the
trigger extension.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the pin for holding the trigger locking mechanism
out of action.
Fig. 11 is a view of the rear portion of the breech-frame taken from the opposite
side to that displayed in figures 1, 2 and 3 showing the rear extension of the sear, the
trigger and the safety locking lever.
Fig. 12 represents a view similar to that shown in figure 1 showing the preferred
modified form of hammer, spring and sear.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the preferred form of hammer.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the preferred form of sear, and
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the preferred form of spring.
The breech is constructed to furnish a receptacle for the lock-mechanism, and the
hammer B, which is mounted therein is provided between its pivotal point and heel
with an angular notch which notch is arranged at some distance from the pivot or
axis as to cause the least amount of friction and consequent wear upon the scar by
which it is engaged. The notch C at its lower rear face is cut away to form an
inclined surface G hereinafter referred to. The hammer is further provided between
the notch C and the pivot with a notch with which one end of the combined main
and sear-spring engages and at its rear face with a semi-circular notch or recess H¹
to be engaged by the bolt H also hereinafter referred to. The hammer B extends
forward into the stock under the barrels and at its forward end is provided with
a cam projection M extending inward from its side face into position to be engaged
by a cam I on the ejector lever J and by means of which the hammer is cocked or
forced into position to he engaged by the sear D and engage with the safety locking
bolt H.
The ejector lever J is pivotted to the projection K on the barrels and is so placed
that its upper end will engage the rod p of the ejector N and is provided below with
an outward projecting cam I before referred to. An angular switch block Ŏ having
its pivotal point at the angle as shown at O2 is provided at its lower or depending end
with an inclined projection O³ there being a horizontal arm 0' extending rearward
over said projection and in such position that the toe of the hammer in being forced
upward by the ejector lever will engage the arm 0+ and force and hold the inclined
projection out flush with the face of the guide block which facilitates the easy move-
ment of the cam 1 of the ejector lever on its return with the closing of the barrels.
The switch block O consequent to the engagement of the toe of the hammer there-
with performs the additional function of preventing the main spring from operating
the ejector when the barrel has not been fired for so long as the hammer B remains at
full cock, the main spring E is prevented from operating the ejector lever, and as a
consequence when it is desired to remove an unfired cartridge, on opening the barrel
the same will only be presented or forced out far enough to be-removed by the fingers.
A switch P is employed to accomplish the same end when it is desired to save the
empty shells, which consists of a pin passing through from the side of the breech
frame, and having that portion adjacent to the switch block made in semi-circular
form and by turning either the rounded or the flattened face foward the switch block
the ejector is permitted either to act forcibly to eject the shells or simply to push
them out sufficiently to be removed by band: The head of this switch P is exposed
through the side of the breech frame and is marked with an arrow-feather or other
suitable device, and the breech frame is marked with two arrow-heads át right angles
to each other or other suitable devices, by which the operator can readily ascertain
the position of the switch and set the same in the position desired. By setting the
feathered portion of the arrow in line with the head on the side of the breech-block

page_text: pointing downward, the rounded surface of the pin will be brought opposite the switch
block and consequently hold the same out, and prevent the ejector lever from being
thrown its full extent by the action of the main spring the resistance of which is
transmitted to the said ejector lever through the hammer B; but when it is desired
forcibly to eject the shells, the pin is turned to present the cut away portion opposite
the switch block which will allow the switch full play, and, in this way as each barrel
is provided with a separate ejector and an independently operating spring it will
be seen that either or both barrels may be converted into a non-ejector at will.
The sear D, is mounted in the breech frame in position to engage the hammer, and
is provided with a suitable notch to engage one end of the combined main and
sear-spring E the other end of which engages and operates the hammer passing
through a mortise or slot in the sear, causing the sear to act as a cramp-link for said
spring. The sear has a rear extension D' engaging a notch formed in a rear
extension of the trigger. The hammer having been cocked or caused to engage
with the sear, as before stated, is released therefrom by the trigger F, by pulling
which the sear is made to slip out of the bent notch C in a manner that will be
readily understood and the force of the main-spring E carries the hammer forward
until it nearly reaches the firing pin when the force of the main spring is arrested
by the mortise in the sear acting as a cramp-link, as before stated, the hammer
being carried forward by its momentum until it strikes the firing pin. In this
movement the point of the sear having passed off the arc leading to the bent notch
in the hammer, resting against the inclined surface at G, before referred to, both
ends of the spring are exerted in forcing the point of the sear back over the
inclined surface G causing the hammer to rebound and stand with its engaging
face slightly back from the head of the firing pin.
A tumbler bolt H is employed to engage the semi-circular recess H' in the hammer
to form a safety lock to the hammer. This bolt H is notched at the point where it
engages the hammer and is provided on its inner end with a crank pin or projection h
which engages a slot formed in the end of an upward curved extension of the
trigger and by which said bolt is rotated to engage the hammer or release the same.
When the bolt is rotated to engage the hammer, the semi-circular face or unbroken
surface of the bolt is caused to rest in the notch and securely bolts the hammer against
accidental discharge; but when the trigger is pulled it causes the bolt to be rotated
and turns the notched portion into line with recess, so that the hammer is left free to
be acted upon by the spring. The outer end of the bolt H passes through the lock
plate where the word "safe" or any other word or device indicating this fact is
stamped, which indicates that the hammer is locked. The letters A, F, being cut in
the end of the bolt and the letters S, E, on the lock plate, one on each side, and in
such manner that when the hammer is locked; the letters on the bolt will be in line
with those on the plate, and when not bolted the letters will be out of line. The
barrels are locked or released by means of a slotted annular bolt R having gear teeth
cut in its rear face to be engaged by a sector s which sector is rigidly connected with
and in turn operated from a top lever T. The bolt R engages a slot and mortise cut
in a rib extending rearward from the barrels as shown in figures 2, 3 and 7.
The trip lever U is made in angular form and has connected to its upright portion a
V-shaped spring arm W, having one point of support W₁ at the angle of the lever
and the other W2 at the upper end thereof the free end of the spring engaging a
depression or notch formed in the rear face of the sectors to bring pressure against
the annular bolt R.
A vertically sliding bolt or trip rod V is mounted in bearings in the breech frame
and is connected and..operated from the forward extending arm of the lever U the
bolt being adapted to engage a perforation or hole in the sector s. The trip lever U
is always under tension and is forced down and held by the projection K on the
barrels when closed; but when the lever T is turned to operate the sector and through
it the bolt R, the rear upper end of the trip-lever U is forced backward by the tension
of the spring W thereby raising the forward-extending end and consequently the
sliding bolt or trip rod V and causing the same to engage the perforation & in the

page_text: sector which has by the movement of the lever been brought over the point of the trip
rod and which serves to hold the annular slotted bolt R open until the projection K
again depresses the trip lever U in closing the barrels to withdraw the rod V from the
hole which action allows the spring W acting on the sector to force the bolt R home
and lock the barrels securely.
A set screw Y is employed to engage the annular bolt and take up lost motion from
wear thereon. This screw Y passes through a threaded perforation in the top of the
breech frame in position to engage the upper face of the annular bolt and as said bolt
or its supporting face wears the screw can be turned in to compensate for any lost
motion consequent thereto.
In the upper portion of the breech frame is mounted a sliding plate a notched at its
forward end as shown at a¹ and having at its rear end a thumb piece a² extending
through the frame. A trigger bolt 6 pivotted about centrally of its length engages at
its upper end the sliding plate a and has its lower end extending down into position to
engage a rear extension of the trigger. This mechanism is used automatically to lock
the trigger against accidental displacement and is operated in the following manner :
The backward movement of the upward extending arm of the trip lever U as the
gun is being opened. forces the sliding plate backward which plate engaging the
trigger bolt forces the lower end over the rear extension of the trigger. the said
end being simultaneously depressed by the engagement of the rear extension of the
sear therewith and in this position is held and locked until released by the operator
through the thumb piece a². This automatic feature may be regulated at will by
means of a segmental pin d which is arranged in such manner as to be adapted to
engage the rear face of the trip lever U and hold the same from engaging the.
sliding plate a, and thereby prevent the operation of the trigger bolt. The head of
the pin is marked with an arrow where it extends through the breech frame under
the lever T so that the operator can tell how to set the pin.
The thumb piece a may be used to lock the trigger at any time when the gun has
been cocked without the use of the automatic arrangement.
The trigger bolt is held firmly in position locked or unlocked by the closed end of
the spring E resting against the under side of the trigger bolt spindle E² and from
this in connection with previous description it will be seen that the main spring
performs the work of six springs ordinarily employed viz. first that of a hammer
spring, second through the hammer, that of an ejector spring, third that of a sear
spring, fourth through the sear, that of a trigger spring, and fifth through the trigger
which operates the hammer bolt, it acts also as hammer bolt spring, while sixth, it
also as above stated holds the trigger holt spindle locked or unlocked.
The hinge device (figs. 4, 5, and 6) consist of a threaded bolt f to engage a nut g
having a tapering or cone shaped end and a hollow sleeve gl having its opening made.
tapering or cone shaped and a pin i projecting from its outer face forming a lever to
engage a hole in the projection K on the barrels to cause the sleeve g' to rotate with
the barrels throwing all the friction and consequent wear upon the two cone surfaces
which wear can be readily compensated for by turning the screw and drawing the
cone shaped nut into the hollow sleeve.
The fore stock fastening consists of a pawl operated by a spring k both mounted
on an adjustable bar / connected to a supporting or locking frame which engages with
the stock and with a lug or projection on the barrels.
Lost motion caused by wear between the pawlj and the projection n may be com-
pensated for by turning a nut m which engages a screw thread formed on the end of
the bar which adjusts said bar longitudinally.
Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate a modification of the hammer, sear and spring,
this being the preferred form of construction. The hammer in this instance is formed
with an incline as shown.
The sear is preferably constructed as shown in figure 14, having a slot or recess
cut in its side to admit the main-spring and form a cramp-link for it, instead of a
mortise as shown in the other figures of the drawings. This form allows both ends
of the spring to pass through the slot or recess being thus held much firmer and

page_text: allowing the point of contact of the lower end to be where it will be possible to
regulate the trigger pull much more satisfactorily.
The spring shown in figure 1, is provided on its upper free end with a small anti-
friction roller, which materially lessens the force necessary to open the gun and cock
the locks and renders the spring of a given strength more effective.
•
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination in a breech loading gun of the hammer, the scar, the combined
main and sear spring, the hammer provided with a recess in its rear edge, a notched
bolt for automatically engaging the hammer and the trigger connected to the notched
bolt through a slot in an upward curved extension in the same, and a pin on the bolt
for oscillating said bolt to release the hammer, substantially as described.
2. In a breech loading gun the combination of the hammer provided with the
inclined notch in its lower side to he engaged by the sear and with a semi-circular
recess in its rear face to be engaged by the bolt, said hammer extending forward under
the barrels, the ejector cam mounted on the projection K of the barrels provided with
the cam face the trigger provided with the curved slotted extension the slotted bolt to
engage the hammer provided with the pin to engage the slot in the trigger extension
and a combined main and sear spring all arranged and operating substantially as
described.
3. The combination in a breech loading gun of the hammer provided with the
opening having a notch C in its rear end and inclined surface G the sear D, engaging
with said notch, the combined main and sear spring and the trigger having an exten-
sion for engaging and operating the locking bolt H which engages a notch in
the hammer when the gun is cocked to cause the same to release the hammer, as set
forth.
4. The combination with the hammer having the projection M formed on its
forward upper end the ejector lever pivotted to the lump of the barrels and provided
with the cam projection at its lower end the ejector N guide block L and switch
block thrown into operative position by the toe of the hammer and switch pin P
mutilated in cross section arranged and operating substantially as described.
5. The barrels provided with the rearward-extending rib having the mortise Q¹ and
slot formed therein with the slotted annular bolt R for engaging said rib extension
provided with teeth on its outer periphery, the sector s engaging the same, and lever T
for operating the sector substantially as described.
6. The barrels provided with the rearward-extending rib, having the mortise and
slot formed therein in combination with the slotted annular bolt R engaging the same,
sector S secured to the top lever T and engaging with teeth on the annular bolt, the
spring Wacting on the lever T and trip lever U pressing against the spring and
operated by the rear lump of the barrels and the rod V resting upon and operated by
the trip lever to engage the toothed sector of the top lever substantially as set
forth.
'
7. The barrels provided with the rearward-extending rib having the mortise and
slot formed therein in combination with the slotted annular bolt. R, sector s, secured to
the lever T and engaging with teeth on the annular bolt and the screw Y seated in.
the top of the breech frame for adjusting the annular bolt to compensate for lost
motion or wear thereof, as set forth.
8. The combination with the hammer and sear, the rear portion of the scar
extending back to and engaging a rear extension of the trigger, the bolt 6, pivotted
above the same to swing into engagement therewith the sliding plate engaging the
bolt b, actuated by the lever U to lock the trigger automatically, substantially as
described.
9. The combination with the hammer and sear, the rear portion of the sear
extending back to and engaging a rear extension of the trigger plate, the bolt b
pivotied above the same to swing into engagement therewith the sliding plate

page_text: engaging the bolt to operate the same, the lever U, for actuating the plate as the
gun is cocked and a pin located in the breech frame to engage the forward end. of
the plate and hold the lever from engaging the plate, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
10. The combination of the barrels provided with the projection K the stock
provided with the slotted.end the ring or sleeve fitting between the ends, having the
tapering opening extending through the same, the cone-shaped nut adapted to engage
the sleeve and the threaded bolt passing through the sleeve and engaging the nut
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. The combination of the barrels provided with the projection K having the
perforation formed therein the stock provided with the slotted end, the ring or sleeve
fitting between the ends, the pin extending therefrom to engage the perforation in
the projection K the cone-shaped nut to engage a cone-shaped opening in the sleeve
and a threaded holt passing through the sleeve to engage the nut, all substantially as
described.
12. The combination of the stock the barrels having the projection n formed thereon
the separate locking frame slotted at its outer end to engage the projection and at its
inner end curved to engage the forward part of the breech frame the bar / mounted
therein a pawl mounted on the bar to engage the projection on the barrels to hold
the barrels connected with the stock as set forth.
13. The combination of the stock the barrels having the projection formed thereon the
separate locking frame slotted at its end to engage the projection and at its inner end
curved to engage the forward part of the breech frame the bar I mounted on the
locking frame the pawl mounted on the bar to engage the projection on the barrels
and the adjusting nut m engaging a screw thread on the rear end of the bar for
adjusting said bar endwise substantially as described.
14. The herein described modifications shown in figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 whether
taken by themselves or used in combination with the mechanism of the described or
any other suitable gun.
Natal thin 37th Jane
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