IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Henry, of Edinburgh, in the County of
Mid Lothian, North Britain, Gunmaker, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 16th October 1861, and dated the 22nd April 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
April 1861.
I, ALEXANDER HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, Gunmaker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED THERE.
WITH," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of the stocks
of rifles and other generally similar arms, also in sights for the same, and in
moulds for casting projectiles to be used therewith. Under one modification
the improvement in the stock of the rifle or other fire-arm consists in adapting
thereto a moveable cheek piece, which is adjustable so that it rests against
the cheek of user at whatever elevation the back sight may be placed. Under
one form this cheek piece consists of a saddle-shaped piece of wood, metal
india-rubber, or other suitable material made to fit the stock of the gun at the
part where the cheek rests against. The cheek piece is made with an internal
screw, and it is raised or lowered by means of a screw let into the stock of

page_text: the piece and terminating externally in a milled head. This screw works
through a nut inside the stock, so that by turning the milled head the adjus-
table cheek piece is raised or depressed as required. In this way when the
stock of the piece is lowered at the shoulder in order to obtain the necessary
elevation of the barrel the rising of the adjustable cheek piece admits of a
steady and correct aim being taken. The adjustable cheek piece may be
arranged in various ways; it may be hinged to the backward end of the stock,
the front end being raised by a screw or other equivalent means. Or the
cheek piece may be attached to the shoulder plate of the stock and raised by
means of screws or a rack and pinion, or other equivalent contrivance. Under
one modification the improved back sight consists of a base plate which is
secured to the barrel of the piece. This plate has hinged to it an open
rectangular frame to which is fitted a cross piece capable of being moved
up and down by means of a vertical screw which works through a nut
attached to the frame. A spring is fitted below the hinge of the frame
so that it is held steadily whether up or down. The vertically sliding cross
piece is graduated in front, and upon this scale there is fitted a vernier
to which a horizontal traverse is given by means of a screw terminating
in a laterally projecting milled head. This laterally traversing piece has
a small notch cut in the centre of the upper edge and a line of gold or
other marking is made in it down to the graduated scale. The face of the
frame may also be graduated to show the requisite elevations for different
distances. By moving the laterally traversing piece more or less to the
right or left the marksman is enabled to adjust the sight so as to allow for the
deviation caused by the pressure of the wind on the projectile. The front
sight may also be made adjustable under one form; it consists of a small
steel plate which is fixed transversely to the barrel of the piece. The edge
of this plate is graduated, and it has fitted within it a dovetailed sliding piece
which is attached to a screw contained within the base plate. The sliding
piece has a sight fitted to the centre and a vernier line marked at each end of
it. The sliding piece is moved to and fro by means of a key which fits
the squared ends of the traversing screw, circular apertures being formed
at the ends of the base plate to admit of the insertion of the key on either
side.
Another improvement is in a mould for casting cylindro-conoidal shot.
The upper face of the mould has fitted to it a moveable steel cutter, which is
fastened by a screw at one corner to one half of the mould the cutter has a
conical aperture in it for pouring the molten metal down into the body of the
mould. This cutter is jointed at one corner to an arm which is centred on a

page_text: screw that is fast to the opposite half of the mould. When the molten lead
is poured in through the cutter the opening of the handles of the mould
causes the arm to push the cutter over the face of the mould and so cut off the
runner or nib of metal leaving the projectile complete. It is further proposed
to use a small leather case for holding the ball and lubricator to be carried
in the pocket. The ball is inserted into the case first, and then the lubricant,
so that by squeezing the end of the case, the lubricant is first forced into the
barrel above the powder and the ball follows after. The object of the above
case is,-first, to admit of a powder flask being used instead of having the
powder in paper cartridges, as in the latter case, if they have been made for
a length of time the powder gets deteriorated in strength and quality; and,
second, it protects the bullet from injury, and renders unnecessary the
carrying of the lubricators separately, which is found of great convenience.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd October 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEX-
ANDER HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Gunmaker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of April,in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alexander Henry, Her special license that I, the said Alexander
Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Alexander Henry, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIREARMS, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED THERE WITH," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Henry, my executors or ad-
ministrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, or under
the hand and scal of one of them, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manuer the same was to be

page_text: 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 I, the said Alexander Henry, 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 fol-
lowing statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the leters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Mysaid Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of the stocks
of rifles and other generally similar arms, also in sights for the same, and in
moulds for casting projectiles to be used therewith. Under one modification
the improvement in the stock of the rifle or other fire-arm consists in adapting
thereto a moveable cheek piece, which is adjustable, so that it rests against
the cheek of the user at whatever elevation the back sight may be placed.
Under one form this cheek piece consists of a saddle-shaped piece of wood,
metal, india-rubber, or other suitable material, made to fit the stock of the
gun at the part where the cheek rests against. The cheek piece is made
with an internal screw, and it is raised or lowered by means of a screw let
into the stock of the piece, and terminating externally in a milled head.
This screw works through a nut inside the stock, so that by turning the
milled head the adjustable check piece is raised or depressed as required. In
this way when the stock of the piece is lowered at the shoulder in order to
obtain the necessary elevation of the barrel, the rising of the adjustable cheek
piece admits of a steady and correct aim being taken. The adjustable cheek
piece may be arranged in various ways; it may be hinged to the backward
end of the stock, the front end being raised by a screw or other equivalent
Or the cheek piece may be attached to the shoulder plate of the
stock, and raised by means of screws, or a rack and pinion, or other equiva-
lent contrivance.
means.
Under one inodification the improved back sight consists of a base plate,
which is secured to the barrel of the piece. This plate has hinged to it an
open rectangular frame, to which is fitted a cross piece capable of being
moved up and down by means of a vertical screw which works through a
nut attached to the frame. A spring is fitted below the hinge of the frame
so that it is held steadily whether up or down. The vertically sliding cross-
piece is graduated in front, and upon this scale there is fitted a vernier to
which a horizontal traverse is given by means of a screw terminating in a
laterally projecting milled head. This laterally traversing piece has a small
notch cut in the centre of the upper edge, and a line of gold or other marking

page_text: is made in it down to the graduated scale. The face of the frame may also
be graduated to show the requisite elevations for different distances. By
moving the laterally traversing piece more or less to the right or left the
marksman is enabled to adjust the sight so as to allow for the deviation
caused by the pressure of the wind on the projectile. The front sight may
also be made adjustable; under one form it consists of a small steel plate,
which is fixed transversely to the barrel of the piece. The edge of this
plate is graduated, and it has fitted within it a dovetailed sliding piece,
which is atached to a screw contained within the base plate. The sliding piece
has a sight fitted to the centre, and a vernier line marked at each end of it.
The sliding piece is moved to and fro by means of a key which fits the
squared ends of the traversing screw, circular apertures being formed at the
ends of the base plate to admit of the insertion of the key on either side.
Another improvement is in a mould for casting cylindro-conoidal shot.
The upper face of the mould has fitted to it a moveable steel cutter, which is
fastened by a screw at one corner to one half of the mould; the cutter has
a conical aperture in it for pouring the molten metal down into the body of
the mould. This cutter is jointed at one corner to an arm which is centred
on a screw that is fast to the opposite half of the mould. When the molten
lead is poured in through the cutter the opening of the handles of the mould
causes the arm to push the cutter over the face of the mould, and so cut off
the runner or nib of metal, leaving the projectile complete. It is further
proposed to use a small leather case for holding the ball and lubricator to be
carried in the pocket. The ball is inserted into the case first, and then the
lubricant, so that by squeezing the end of the case the lubricant is first
forced into the barrel above the powder, and the ball follows after.
And in order that my said Invention of improvements in firo-arms, and
in apparatus to be used therewith, may be properly understood, I shall now
proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory Sheet
of Drawings, which I have hereunto appended, for the purpose of showing
certain modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously
carried out in practice, that is to say:
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is an elevation of a por-
tion of a gun, showing my improved cheek plate applied thereto. The stock A
of the gun has fitted to it a metal plate B, which is curved and shaped to the
form of the part of the stock on which it rests so as to fit closely thereto. The
plate B may be covered with leather, or it may be made smooth and browned
like the barrel. To the under side of the cheek plate B is attached a flanged
tube, the position of which is indicated by dotted lines in the Drawing. This

page_text: tube forms an internal screw, and is fitted in a correspondingly shaped recess
formed in the stock A, in which recess it is free to move up and down. In
the lower ridge, or face of the gun stock, is fitted an escutcheon plate, through
which an external screw passes, the projecting end of the screw terminating
in a milled head C. This screw fits the internal screw of the flanged tube,
and upon turning the milled head C in one direction the plate B is caused
to rise, so that when taking aim at long distances the marksman raises the
cheek plate to such an extent that when the gun is placed in position for
taking aim the plate B rests firmly against the side face of the marksman,
and the aim is thus taken with much greater comfort as well as precision. In
this way when firing at lorg ranges the stock of the gun may be lowered to any
required extent without inconvenience, as the head rests steadily against
the cheek plate B, whilst the eye is directed along the surface of the plate
in line with the barrel. By turning the screw C in the opposite direction
the cheek plate B is brought down closely on to the stock, in which position
it offers no impediment to the ordinary use of the gun.
Various mechanical contrivances may be arranged for raising the cheek
place, some of which I have referred to in the first part of this Specification,
but the modification herein-before described I have found to be the most
simple as well as efficient in practice.
I will now proceed to describe my improvements in the back sights of fire-
arms. Figure 2 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is an elevation of
one arrangement of back sight, Figure 3 is a corresponding side view,and
Figure 4 is a plan showing the sight turned down upon the gun barrel, and in
the position adapted for firing at comparatively short ranges. Figures 5, 6,
and 7 are enlarged views showing the details of arrangement of the laterally
shifting sight. To the barrel D is brazed or otherwise attached the base
plate E of the sight, and to this plate is hinged the rectangular frame F. A
blade spring G presses upon the heel of the frame F, so as to retain it in an
elevated or depressed position, as required. Across the frame F is fitted the
sliding piece H, which traverses up and down the frame, its proper position
being regulated according to the numbered graduations on the limb of the
frame. The sight piece H has a projecting part formed on the back of it at
one side, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6. This part is screwed internally,
and has fitted to it the vertical screw I. The upper part of this screw is plain,
and works through a collar formed on the back of the frame F,and terminates
in a milled head J. Upon turning the head J, the sight piece His raised or
lowered, and is by this means set with the greatest nicety to the required
position, and without the possibility of its shifting during the loading or firing

page_text: of the gun.
In addition to the vertical traverse of the sight piece H it is
also arranged to move laterally, so as to allow for the pressure of the wind
upon the projectile, and so avoid the necessity of making the allowance in
taking ain. The parts of this portion of the sight are shown drawn to an
enlarged scale in Figures 5, 6, and 7. Figure 5 is a front view of the sight
piece, with the laterally traversing plate removed; Figure 6 is a sectional
elevation taken at right angles to Figure 5 on the vertical line 2, and Figure 7
is a back view or plan of the traversing plate. The sight piece His recessed
longitudinally to receive the screwed spindle K, which is placed loosely in the
recess formed for it in the piece H. The screw of the spindle K projects
beyond the recessed part and takes into the internal screw, which is formed in
the grooved part of the plate L. This plate is bevelled at the edges, and is
fitted into a corresponding recess in the part H. When the parts are put
together the squared ends of the spindle K extend into small recesses formed
at each end of the part H to admit of the insertion of a key for moving the
traversing plate L either to the right or left. The key M, which is used for
the purpose is similar to a watch key, but is made to correspond at the upper
part to the head of the screw I; the spindle of the key is partially screwed
externally to admit of its being retained in a small collar formed at the
opposite corner of the frame F. The lower edge of the sight piece H is
graduated, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, and the traversing plate L has a
platinum or gold line formed in it at the centre, so that upon turning the
spindle K with the key M, the line on the plate L may be readily made to
coincide with any line on the lower scale. The back of the frame Fis
graduated, as shown in Figure 4, so that when turned down upon the
barrel the sight piece H may be used for comparatively short ranges.
Upon screwing down the sight piece H by the screw I it can be readily and
accurately adjusted to suit the required range.
In Figures 8, 9, and 10, a somewhat different arrangement of the traversing
plate is shown. Figure 8 is a front, and Figure 9 a corresponding side
elevation of a portion of the frame F with the sight piece H in position;
Figure 10 is a plan of the upper part of the sight corresponding to Figure 8.
In this modification the traversing plate Lis of a wedge-shaped figure when
viewed endwise, as in Figure 9, and the spindles K works against the lower
face of the plate L; in other respects the arrangement of the parts is similar
to what has been herein-before described, the difference of the two sights
consisting in the form and arrangement of the traversing plate L.
Figure 11 is a front elevation of an arrangement of-back sight suitable for
use with an adjustable front sight; Figure 12 is a transverse section of the

page_text: same, taken on the line 1, 1, Figure 11; and Figure 13 is a plan of the sight
showing it turned down upon the barrel. In this modification the sight
piece L consists of two slips of metal arranged parallel to each other, so as to
enclose the frame F. The slips of metal are connected by screws at each end;
one of these screws is formed with a projecting milled head N, by turning
which the sight piece L may be fixed tightly to the frame F. The sight is
also fitted with the vertical screw I, for the purpose of raising or depressing
and placing accurately in position the sight bar L. The sight bar L is not
provided with any lateral adjustment, such an arrangement not being required
where the front sight is constructed with this improvement. The key M,
which is carried at the corner of the frame F, is for adjusting the front sight,
some modifications of which I will now described. Figure 14 is an end view
of a laterally adjusting front sight, and Figure 15 is a longitudinal section of
the same, taken on the line 3, Figure 14; in order to show the details more
clearly, these Figures are drawn to a scale twice the real size of the sight.
The base plate O, which is dovetailed on, or otherwise attached to the end of
the barrel, has formed in it a channel to receive the screwed spindle P, which
is made like the spindle herein-before described. The screw P gives motion
to a traversing plate of metal Q, which is bevelled to fit a groove of corre-
sponding figure formed in the base plate above the recess for the screw.
traversing metal slip Q has fitted to it the sight R, which may be either fast
to the plate or moveable, and is in this example of a conical figure. With the
key M removed from the back sight, the traversing plate Q may be moved
either to the right or left, the distance being regulated according to the
strength of the wind. In adjusting the sight, if the wind blows from the right,
the sight is moved over to the left hand, and vice versa. But in using the
adjustable back sight alone this movement of the sight in a direction contrary
to that of the wind is not required, the traversing sight piece in this case
being moved towards the side from whence the wind is blowing.
The
Figures 16 and 17 represent another arrangement of front sight in end
elevation and transverse vertical section. In this modification the sight R is
of a wedge-shaped figure when viewed from the end, as in Figure 16; it
is: traversed to and fro by means of a screwed spindle and key, as before
described. The sight is also protected from injury by a tubular guard S,
which is arranged as shown in Figure 17, and traverses with the sight R,
the guard S also serves as a sun shade to the front sight, as well as to
reflect light upon the sight, and render it quite distinct in taking aim.
Figure 18 is an elevation, Figure 19 a vertical section, and Figure 20 a
transverse sectional plan of another form of adjustable front sight. The

page_text: spindle P, shown in dotted lines in Figure 18, and in end view in Figure 19,
when actuated by the key moves the traversing plate Q which carries the
sight R. and guard S in either direction as required. In the traversing plate
of each of these modifications of adjustable front sights, two lines T,Figure 20,
are formed, either of gold or platinum, and upon the base plate O is a
graduated scale, so as to indicate the amount of deviation of the traversing
plate Q, so that after a certain amount of practice the marksınan is enabled
to adjust the front sight at once to suit the strength of the wind, which would
otherwise carry the ball wide of the mark. With these several improvements
a degree of accuracy and certainty in striking a given object within a limited
area is obtained that with the ordinary arrangements would be impracticable.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that what I consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the application and use of an adjustable cheek plate applied to the
stock of fire-arms, for the purpose of obtaining greater steadiness and accuracy
of aim in firing at long ranges, as herein-before described and shown under
one modification of the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts
forming the back sights, herein-before described and shown in the accompany-
ing Dawings, in which the vertical and horizontal adjustments are obtained
by means of screws or other equivalent mechanical contrivance.
Third, the general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts
forming the adjustable front sights, herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of October; One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-one.
ALEXANDER HENRY. (L.S.)