IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Gilby, of Beverley, in the County of
York, Esquire, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 7th May 1853, and dated the 12th March 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Gilby, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th March 1853.
I, JOHN GILBY, of Beverley, in the County of York, Esquire, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FIRE-ARMS to be as follows:-
In the following description of my Invention the letters of reference
apply to the same parts in each of the three drawings hereunto annexed.
In this rifle a breech case C, is substituted for the fore part of the stock
of an ordinary gun, which breech case is made of iron or steel, and
varies in length according to the size of the gun, and is securely fastened
to the stock by means of a breech plate N, above, and a trigger plate G,
below, which trigger plate forms a part of or is securely fastened to the -
breech case, as represented in Figure 3. The breech is detached from
the barrel, and has a joint at the end, as represented at B. Its bore.

page_text: It is mado
as seen at A, is slightly larger than the bore of the barrel.
to fit accurately into the breech case, and can be moved up and down on
the before-mentioned joint, the shape and position of which joint (as
also of the other end of the breech where it meets the barrel) can be
seen in Figure 3, which is a section. A spring (E,) with a roller attached
to it, is fastened securely underneath the breech, in order to throw it
up for the purpose of charging. At the fore end of the breech, on the
underside, is a loop F, having a rounded projection which works against
a spring catch K, so that when the breech is pushed down after charg-
ing it allows the spring catch K, to enter the loop, and thus holds the
breech securely down when the rifle is charged. This catch is again
liberated to allow the breech to spring up after the rifle is discharged,
by a stud and pin II, Figure 2, (passing through the breech case,) which
is readily pushed by the left hand as the rifle is held. A spring, the
end of which is seen at Y, Figuro 2, and which may be fastened either
to the back part of the breech case, or to the breech plate, (according to
the description of fire-arm required.) works against the joint of the
breech into a notch cut therein, and this holds the breech firmly in its
place when in a proper position for charging. The bolt or pin 13, on
which the breech works, is slightly above the central line of the bore
of the barrel, which materially relieves the tendency of the recoil of the
charge to throw the breech up. The fore part of the breech case is
hollowed to fit the barrel (to which it is secured by a loop or loops and
a bolt or bolts (as shown in section Figure 3). The end of the barrel
which meets the breech, and the upper end of the breech, are cut at
similar angles, as shown in Figure 8, so that the barrel and breech may
be brought into direct and actual contact round the whole circumference
of the bore (or so nearly in contact as may be found convenient), the
barrel always remaining fixed and stationary. The ends of the breech
and barrel are chamfered away, and a groove round them is cut in the
inner circumference of the breech case, to take off any gns and car-
bonacious deposit which may escape at the juncture of the barrel and
the breech during the discharge, or to allow of their being deposited
where they cannot impede the free action of the catch and springs above
described; and there is a slit 2, in the bottom of the breech case, through

page_text: which they can escape into a tube or channel L, made of wood or metal,
or a combination of them, fastened below the breech case, which con-
ducts the gas and deposit away from the hand of the person firing the
rifle.
The second part of my Invention consists of a method of priming,
which is essentially a self-acting apparatus, and which I will now
describe-a, Figure 3, is a metal tube, of a bore sufficiently large to
admit the caps end to end, with a spiral spring y, inside, to force them
forward as required. This tube is inserted at the butt end of the stock,
and is long enough to reach up to the detent b, which moves on a pin
at c, and is forced up by the spring d. e, is a small connecting rod
which passes through the breech case, and is acted on by a shoulder or
projection on the joint of the breech at f, when it (the breech) is shut
down, forcing the detent down at the same time. A hole in that part
of the detent just opposite the end of the tube a, now receives a cap
forced into it by the before-mentioned spiral spring in the last-mentioned
tube. Thus the store of caps is effectually closed against the influence
of the weather; and in this position they remain, till the breech is again
thrown up for the purpose of charging, when the detent immediately
springs up with its enclosed cap, and the nipple is projected into it,
being thus primed by its own motion. After charging, the breech is
again shut down, carrying with it the cap just put on. As this apparatus
occupies the place usually taken up by the lock, I purpose placing the
lock on the opposite side of the stock, and the tumbler pin is brought
through the stock, so that the hammer occupies its usual place. I believe
a detonating cap to be the best priming, but I do not confine myself
entirely to caps, as my Invention may be applied to other kinds of
priming. This rifle is charged (either with or without cartridge) at the
breech, thereby avoiding the weight and trouble of a ramrod, and saving
about two thirds of the time usually employed in charging. It shoots
more strongly than the common rifle, the ball being a trifle larger than
the bore of the barrel, and, therefore, fitting it as close as possible
during its passage through it. A round ball is thus made to expose a
larger surface to the barrel, thereby nearly preventing leading and
-fouling, by clearing its own passage.

page_text: It is believed it will possess all the advantages of the Minić principle,
without its corresponding disadvantages.
The barrel may be grooved on almost any of the usual principles,
and the ball will fit perfectly to the barrel during its passage through it.
Finally, it is ou a principle which admits of self-priming, thereby
saving great time and trouble when very rapid and successive firing
is required.
The whole operation of charging is so quick, that a second barrel
will seldom be wanted; and I believe that one of my rifles will be
found equal in efficiency to several ordinary rifles.
And, probably, with some slight modification, it may be made
applicable to fire-arms of every description.
What I claim is,
First, the securing the breech down during the discharge, by a spring
or catch, or both, working into a loop ur hole, groove or hook, in or 1
upon any part of the exterior circumference of the breech, with or
without a stud or pin for liberating the spring or catch.
Secondly, claim the application of the spring working into the
notch or groove in the back part of the breech, for the purpose of
holding the breech firmly in the proper position for charging.
Thirdly, I claim the application of a groove or grooves, aperture.or
apertures, in the breech case, round or near the juncture or point. of
contact of the barrel and the breech, with or without a tube or tubes.
channel or channels, for the purpose of receiving or carrying off the
gasses or carbonaceous deposit which may escape between the breech S
and barrel during the discharge.
Fourthly, I claim the method of priming by throwing the breech up,
and thus forcing the nipple into or against the priming, so that the
nipple may carry off the priming when the breech is returned to its
place in the line or direction of the barrel. I also claim the method 9
above described, of placing the priming in the proper position for the
nipple to carry it off, and withdrawing the detent into the stock when
the nipple has so carried it off.
Fifthly, I claim the application of the several principles. herein.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Gilby, in the Great Seal Patent Office, on
the 9th September 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN GILBY, of Beverley, in the County of York, Esquire, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Gilby, Her special licence-
that I, the said John Gilby, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said John Gilby, my executors, administrators
and 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Gilby, 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 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 John Gilby, 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): .
In the following description of my Invention, the letters of reference
apply to the same parts in each of the drawings hereunto annexed. In
this rifle, a breech case C, is substituted for the fore part of the stock of

page_text: an ordinary gun, which breech case is made of iron or steel, and varies in
length according to the size of the gun, and is securely fastened to the
stock by means of a breech plate N, above, and a trigger plate G,
below, which trigger plate forms a part of, or is securely fastened to
the breech case, as represented in Figure 9. The breech is detached
from the barrel, and has a joint at the end, as represented at B. Its
bore, as seen at A, is slightly larger than the boro of the barrel. It is
made to fit accurately into the breech case, and can be moved up and
down on the before-mentioned joint; tho shape and position of which
joint (as also of the other end of the breech where it meets the barrel)
can be seen in Figure S, which is a section. A spring E, with a roller
attached to it, is fastened securely underneath the breech, in order to
throw it up for the purpose of charging. At the fore end of the breech,
on the underside, is a loop F, having a rounded projection which works
against a spring catch K, (Figure 2); so that, when the breech is
pushed down after charging, it allows the spring catch K, to enter
the loop, and thus holds the breech securely down when the rifle is
charged. This catch is again liberated to allow the breech to spring up,
after the rifle is discharged, by a stud and pin H, (Figure 6,) passing
through the breech case, which is readily pushed by the left hand as the
rifle is held. The catch above described is peculiarly applicable to
rifles of small borc. To those of somewhat larger bore, I purpose
applying the slide-bolt, seen in Figure 5, working into the grooved
projection on the breech (Figure 4), and moved by a spring, as seen at
Figure 1. For rifles of large bore for sporting purposes, where great
security is required, I prefer the bolt seen at Figure 9. which will work
into a loop on the breech, as seen at F, Figure 8, and pass completely
across the breech case. And, lastly, for military purposes, where great
security is also required, and where complication of springs and such
like apparatus is very objectionable, I prefer the mode of securing the
breech seen at Figuro 7, which is a lever working on a hinge, and from
which a bolt projects at a, (Figure 7); there is a handle of wood at-
tached to it on the underside at r, (Figure 7,) which is immediately
before the trigger-guard, and underneath the forestock. This is casily
moved by the left hand as the rifle is held, and the bolt is thus readily

page_text: pushed into or drawn out from the loop F, according as the breech is
required to be raised or lowered. A spring, the end of which is seen
at Y, Figure 2, and at Figure 8, and which may be fastened either to
the back part of the breech case, or to the breech plate (according to
the description of fire-arm required), works against the joint of the
breech into a notch cut therein, and this holds the breech firmly in its
place when in a proper position for charging. The bolt or pin B, on
which the breech works, is slightly above the central line of the bore of
the barrel, which materially relieves the tendency of the recoil of the
charge to throw the breech up. The forepart of the breech case is hol-
lowed to fit the barrel (to which it is secured by a loop or loops, and a
bolt or bolts), as shown in section (Figure 3). The end of the barrel
which meets the breech, and the upper end of the breech, are cut at
similar angles, as shewn in Figure 3, so that the barrel and breech
may be brought into direct and actual contact round the whole
circumference of the borc (or so nearly in contact as may be
found convenient), the barrel always remaining fixed and sta-
tionary. The ends of the breech and barrel are chamfered away,
and a groove round them is cut in the inner circumference of the
breech case, to take off any gas and carbonacious deposit, which
may escape at the juncture of the barrel and the breech during the
discharge, or to allow of their being deposited where they cannot
impede the free action of the catch and springs, above described;
and there is a slit Z, in the bottom of the breech case, through which
they can escape into a tube or channel I, made of wood or metal, or
a combination of them, fastened below the breech case, which conducts
the gas and deposit away from the hand of the person firing the rifle.
The second part of my Invention consists of a method of priming,
which is essentially a self-acting apparatus, and which I will now describe.
a, Figure 3, is a metal tube, of a bore sufficiently large to admit the
caps end to end, with a spiral spring g, inside to force them forward,
as required. This tube is inserted at the butt end of the stock, and
is long enough to reach up to the detent b, which moves on a pin at c,
and is forced up by the spring d. e, is a small connecting rod, which
passes through the breech case, and is acted on by a shoulder or pro-

page_text: jection on the joint of the breech at f; when it (the breech) is shut
down, forcing the detent down at the same time. A hole in that part
of the detent, just opposite the end of the tube a, now receives a cap,
forced into it by the before-mentioned spiral spring in the last-men-
tioned tube. Thus, the store of caps is effectually closed against the
influence of the weather; and in this position they remain till the
breech is again thrown up for the purpose of charging, when the detent
immediately springs up with its enclosed cap, and the nipple is projected
into it, being thus primed by its own motion. After charging, the
breech is again shut down, carrying with it the cap just put on. As
this apparatus occupies the place usually taken up by the lock, 1 pur-
pose placing the luck on the opposite side of the stock, and the tumbler
pin is brought through the stock, so that the hammer occupies its usual
place. It will be readily seen that the caps might be raised to the
proper position for the nipple to enter them, by connecting the detent
(b) with the tumbler pin of the lock, or with the cock, so that the detent
would rise with its enclosed cap by the action of cocking, and return to
its place by a spring; and this is the method which I prefer for pistols
or other fire-arms, where great economy of space is required; but for
rifles prefer the plan first described. I believe a detonating cap to
be the best priming, but I do not confine myself entirely to caps, as my
Invention may be applied to other kinds of priming. This rifle is
charged (either with or without cartridge) at the breech, thereby avoiding
the weight and trouble of a ramrod, and saving about two thirds of
the time usually employed in charging; it shoots stronger than the
cominon rifle, the ball being a trifle larger than the bore of the barrel,
and therefore fitting it as close as possible during its passage through it.
The barrel may be grooved on almost any of the usual principles, and
the ball will fit perfectly to the barrel during its passage through it. It
will not become so foul as to impede its proper action, or require clean-
ing. until after very long and continued firing; and it may be charged
with great advantage either with cartridge or with flask and ball.
Finally, it is on a principle which adnits of self-priming, thereby saving
great time and trouble when very rapid and successive firing is required.
The whole operation of clinrging is so quick that a second barrel will

page_text: seldom be wanted; and I believe that one of my rifles will be found
equal in efficiency.to several ordinary rifles; and, probably, with some
slight modifications, it may be applicable to fire-arms of every descrip-
tion..
Having now described my said improvements in fire-arms, and in
what manner the same are to be performed, I declare that what I
claim as my Invention is, first, the. securing the breech down during
the discharge by a spring or slide, or catch or bolt (one or more of
them, as seen in Figures 7, 9, 2, 6, 4, 5,) or any mere modification of
them. Secondly, I claim the method of throwing the breech up into a
firm and proper position for charging, as seen in Figures 1, 8, 8;
though I am aware that breeches have been made to spring up for
charging, but not so as to ensure the certainty and rapidity which-will
be attained by my method. Thirdly, I claim the application of a groove
or grooves, aperture or apertures, in the breech case, round or near
the juncture or point of contact of the barrel and the breech, with or
without a tube or tubes, channel or channels, for the purpose of receiving
or carrying off the gases or carbonaceous deposit which may escape
between the breech and barrel during the discharge. Fourthly, I claim
the method of priming by throwing the breech up, and thus forcing the
nipple into or against the priming, so that the nipple may carry off the
priming, when the breech is returned to its place in the line or direc-
tion of the barrel. I also claim the methods above described, of placing
the priming in the proper position for the nipple to carry it off, and
withdrawing the detent into the stock when the nipple has so carried it
off. Fifthly, I claim the application of the several principles herein
specified, and the combination of them, or any of them, to every
description of fire-arms.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Gilby, have heretofore set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight lundred and fit L
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above-
named John Gilby, in the presence of
JOHN GILBY. (L.S.)
JNO. BLYTHE ROBINSON, Sol, Beverley.

page_text: This Deed or Specification was duly acknowledged by John Gilby, of
Beverley, in the County of York, Esquire, to be his act, deed, and
specification, at Beverley aforesaid, this Sixth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three before me.
Jso. BLYTHE ROBINSON,
A Mastor Extraordinary in Chancery
and a Country Commissioner for
administering Oaths in Chancery.