IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES AND FIREARMS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander John Paterson, of Edinburgh; in the
County of Midlothian, North Britain, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES AND FIREARMS."
Sealed 'the 28th January 1868, and dated the 7th August 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander John Paterson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th August 1867.
I, ALEXANDER JOHN PATERSON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES AND FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows,
that is to say:
The first part of this Invention relates to certain peculiar arrangements
and constructions of cartridges which are exploded by friction.
Under the first arrangement of the friction cartridge there is placed at the
rear end of the powder a piece or strip of cartridge paper or other materia 1
such as cloth, wire gauze, cord, wire, or a thin shaving of the tough kinds of
timber, or a piece of very thin and flexible_metallic_plate, which_may_bè
stiffened with gum' or any other suitable material if necessary. On one or
Price 8d.1
T

page_text: more parts of this piece or strip of material sand or other substance is placed
so as to convert the parts on to which it is placed into a rough and therefore
highly frictional surface. A piece of twine, cord, tape, or other flexible
substance coated or combined with an easily inflammable material is wound
over the frictional surfaces, so that in the act of firing which is effected by a
needle being thrust forward from the lock in a manner similar or nearly
similar to some of the several modes set forth in the Letters Patent granted to
Alexander John Paterson on or about the 13th day of February 1867, and
numbered 399, the needle catches into, and in its backward motion draws
the piece of twine, tape, or other material coated with the ignitable substance
forcibly over the frictional or rough surfaces, the ignitable material is at once
fired, and the ignition is in consequence immediately communicated to the
cartridge, the case of which may be self-consuming or not, as desired. In
place of arranging the friction surfaces and igniting material as herein-before
described, their order may be reversed by placing the roughened surface on the
twine, tape, or wire, and the ignitable substances on the paper or other
material before referred to.
Another modification of this part of the Invention consists in using a
hollow or solid annular ring placed in the base or body of the cartridge, a
part or parts of which are converted into a friction surface or surfaces, and
over or across which a cord, twine, tape, wire, or other flexible substance is
stretched, covered or coated with an easily ignitable substance. When the
needle of the lock is shot forward it acts forcibly on the cord, twine, tape, or
other flexible substance, and therefore draws the ignitable substance over the
friction or roughened surface, when ignition immediately follows, and is at
once communicated to the surrounding powder. In this, as in the preceeding
modification, the situations of the roughened surfaces and the ignitable sub-
stance may be reversed.
Another modification of this part of the Invention consists in placing a
ring or annulus in the base of the cartridge as well as a disc of the same or
nearly the same diameter; a portion of one of these is coated with a friction
surface, and the other with an igniting surface, so that as the disc is turned
round upon the ring the two surfaces are rubbed against each other, and the
ignition of the inflammable substance as well as the powder at once ensues.
To cause the rotation of the disc a peculiar arrangement for actuating the
needle is adopted; this consists in causing the needle to be forced forward by a
spring in the ordinary manner, so that its front end, which is flat pointed,may
pierce into and therefore firmly catch on itself the disc. During the remainder
of the action the needle is twisted by means of passing through a spiral

page_text: groove, or by means of a guide block moving in spiral guides passing over a
part of it or a bar contiguous to it. This arrangement of the lock and mode of
actuating the needle constitutes one arrangement of the second part of the
Invention.
Another arrangement of lock for firing the cartridge constructed under the
first modification consists in using a hollow breech block in which the
mechanism for firing the cartridge is placed, which consists of a needle or rod
fastened to a block moveable backwards and forwards in guide bars, and
which is maintained in a normal position within the block by means of a
spring. A second moveable block attached toa spiral spring is also employed,
and the manner of firing the cartridge consists in drawing back the second
block and hooking it into the first block, the first block and needle being
prevented from being pulled forward by the stronger spring of the second
block by means of a detent retaining it. The trigger on being pulled lifts the
detentoffthefirst-mentioned block,and the stronger spring to which the second-
mentioned block is attached carries the needle rapidly forward into the body
of the cartridge, so that the barbed or hooked point of the needle catches into
the piece of twine, tape, wire, or other flexible material herein-before referred
to. The hook by which the second-mentioned block is held into the first-
mentioned block is disengaged during the forward motion of the needle by
coming in contact with a projection that lifts it out of contact with the block,
at which instant of disengagement the weaker spring attached to the needle
block draws the needle rapidly backwards, and so pulls the friction and
ignition surfaces over one another, so that the cartridge is fired. In place
however of this last-mentioned arrangement the needle may be pressed
forward by the trigger, and being acted on by a spiral spring as soon as the
finger is released from the trigger the action of the compressed spring at once
draws the needle back.
In all the preceeding arrangements of cartridges there is no contact
between the igniting surfaces and the friction surfaces until the needle acts
upon them, therefore accidental ignition is prevented.
Another part of this Invention relates to the arrangement and construction
of magazine arms. The stock of the arm is made hollow, and in the hollow
part two pullies or rollers are placed, over which a belt or chain passes. One
or both rollers are acted upon by a spring or springs, which may be wound by
a key applied to the axis or axes of the spring or springs. The belt is pro-
vided at intervals with spring catches for retaining or holding the cartridges.
And in preparing the arm for firing each of the catches is supplied with a
cartridge; and to enabie the belt to be so filled it is necessary to wind it

page_text: backwards, which action is effected by turning the rollers acted upon by
a spring or springs, so that when the belt is full the tension of the
spring effects the sending forward of a cartridge each time the breech is
opened.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Johu Paterson in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 6th February 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
JOHN PATERSON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent. Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of August; in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reigu, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alexander John Paterson, Her special license that I, the said
Alexander John Paterson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Alexander John Paterson, 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 Inven
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES AND FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander John Paterson, 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 saine 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 Alexander John Paterson, 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, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates, firstly, to certain peculiar arrangements and
constructions of cartridge which are exploded by friction.
Under the first arrangement of the friction cartridge there is placed at the

page_text: rear end of the powder a piece or strip of cartridge paper or other material,
such as cloth, wire gauze, cord, wire, or a thin shaving of the tough kinds of
timber, or a piece of very thin and flexible metallic plate, which may be
stiffened with gum or any other suitable material if necessary. On one or
more parts of this piece or strip of material sand or other substance is placed
so as to convert the part on to which it is placed into a rough and therefore
highly frictional surface. A piece of twine, cord, or other flexible substance
coated or combined with an easily inflammable material is wound over the
frictional surfaces, so that in the act of firing, which is effected by a needle
being thrust forward from the lock in a manner similar or nearly similar to
some of the several modes set forth in the Letters Patent granted to me on or
about the 13th day of February 1867, and numbered 399, the needle catches
into and in its backward motion draws the piece of twine, tape, or other
material coated with the ignitable substance forcibly over the frictional or
rough surfaces, the ignitable material is at once fired, and the ignition is in
consequence immediately communicated to the cartridge, the case of which
may be self-consuming or not as desired. In place of arranging the friction
surfaces and igniting material as herein-before-described their order may be
reversed by placing the roughened surface on the twine, tape, or wire, and
the ignitable substances on the paper or other material before referred to.
Another modification of this part of the lnvention consists in usinga hellow
or solid anuular ring placed in the base or body of the cartridge, a part or
parts of which are converted into a friction surface or surfaces, and over or
across which a cord, twine, tape, wire, or other flexible substance is stretched,
covered or coated with an easily ignitable substance. When the needle of
the lock is shot forward it acts forcibly on the cord, twine, tape, or other
flexible substance, and therefore draws the ignitable substance over the
friction or roughened surface, whenignition immediately follows,andis atonce
communicated to the surrounding powder. In this, as in the preceding
modification, the situations of the roughened surfaces and the ignitable
substance may be reversed.
a
Another modification of this part of the Invention consists in placing
ring or annulus in the base of the cartridge as well as a disc of the same or
nearly the same diameter. A portion of one of these is coated with a friction
surface, and the other with an igniting surface, so that as the disc is turned
round upon the ring the two surfaces are rubbed against each other, and the
gnition-of-the-inflammable-substance as well as the powder at once ensues.
To cause the rotation of the disc a peculiar arrangement for actuating the
needle is adopted; this consists in causing the needle to be forced forward by

page_text: aspring in the ordinary manner, so thatitsfront end, which is flat-pointed, may
pierce into and therefore firmly catch on itself the disc. During the remainder
of the action the needle is twisted by means of passing through a spiral groove
or by means of a guide block moving in spiral guides passing over a part of
it, or a bar contiguous to it. This arrangement of the lock and mode of
actuating the needle constitutes one arrangement of the second part of the
Invention.
Another arrangement of lock for firing the cartridge constructed under the
first modification consists in using a hollow breech block in which the
mechanism for firing the cartridge is placed, which consists of a needle or rod
fastened to a block moveable backwards and forwards in guide bars, and which
is maintained in a normal position within the block by means of a spring.
A second moveable block attached to a spiral spring is also employed, and the
manner of firing the cartridge consists in drawing back the second block and
hooking it into the first block, the first block and needle being prevented from
being pulled forward by the stronger spring of the second block by means of a
detent retaining it. The trigger on being pulled lifts the detent of the first-
mentioned block, and the strongerspring to which thesecond-mentioned biock
is attached carries the needle rapidly forward into the body of the cartridge,
so that the barbed or hooked point of the needle catches into the piece of
twine, tape, wire, or other flexible material herein-before referred to. The hook
by which the second-mentioned block is held into the first-mentioned block is
disengaged duringthe forward motion of the needle bycoming in contactwith
a projection which lifts it out of contact with the block, at which instant of
disengagement the weaker spring attached to the needle block draws the
needle rapidly backwards, and so pulls the friction and ignition surfaces over
one another so that the cartridge is fired. In place, however, of this last-
mentioned arrangement the needle may be pressed forward by the trigger, and
being acted upon by a spiral spring as soon as the finger is released from the
trigger the action of the compressed spring at once draws the needle back.
In all the preceding arrangements of cartridges there is no contact between
the igniting surfaces and the friction surfaces until the needle acts upon them,
therefore accidental ignition is prevented.
Another part of this Invention relates to the arrangement and construction
of magazine arms. The stock of the arm is made hollow, and in the hollow
part two pullies or rollers are placed, over which a belt or chain passes.
One or both rollers are acted upon by a spring or springs, which may be
wound by a key applied to the axis or axes of the spring or springs. The belt
is provided at intervals with spring catches or projections for retaining or

page_text: holding the cartridges. And in preparing the arm for firing each of the catches
is supplied with a cartridge; and to enable the belt to be so filled it is necessary
towind it backwards, which action is effected by turning the rollers acted upon
by a spring or springs, so that when the belt is full the tension of the spring
effects the sending forward of a cartridge each time the breech is opened.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I shall
now proceed to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a cartridge which is exploded by
friction. At the rear end of the cartridge A there is placed a cupped ring of
paper, cloth, metal, or other suitable material a, a portion of which is covered
with inflammable substance Over this cupped there is placed a piece of cord
or other flexible substance covered with sand, ground glass, or other material
capable of forming a frictional surface b. When the cartridge is to be exploded
the cord partly covered with the frictional surface is suddenly drawn over the
disc which is covered with the inflammable substance (by means herein-before
described, causing it to ignite the powder through the generation of the heat
produced by the friction surface passing over it.
Figure 2 is a is a section of another cartridge, in which the cupped ring a
carrying the ignitable surface is placed further forward in the cartridge, and
the cord covered with the frictional material is seized at the rear end of the
cartridge by a needle actuated by any of the modes explained in the Specifi-
cation of Letters Patent granted to me, bearing date the 13 day of February
1867, No. 399, or by any of the modes herein-after described..
Figure 3 is another modification, in which the cupped ring is covered with
the frictional material, and the cord with the inflammable material.
Figure 4 shows another method of construction, and consists of two strips
of paper, cloth, or other material a, on which the imflammable material is
placed, and the frictional surface on a piece of cord or wire passing between
them and carried to the rear end of the cartridge, where it is caught by the
needle and drawn rapidly through, thereby causing explosion. In Figure 5
the explosive material is put on the disc a, and the frictional surface on a
similar disc, to each of these discs a cord or wire b is attached; when the
cord or wire is pulled the discs rotate in opposite directions, causing the
friction surface on one disc to pass over the inflammable material on the other
disc whence explosion ensues.

page_text: needle darting forward. In this case the frictional surface is put on the disc a
and the inflammable material on the cord or wire b.
Figure7shows another method of constructing cartridges whichareexploded
by causing a disc on which the frictional or the inflammable material may be
placed to revolve and rub against another ring which is kept stationary.
Figure 8 is an elevation of the revolving disc which is placed at the rear of
the cartridge. Figure 9 is a front view, and Figure 10 a side view of the ring,
which is kept stationary in the cartridge by means of the strips a. Figure 11
is a longitudinal section of the breech piece of a rifle or fowling piece, in
which the cartridge shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 may be exploded.
The needle a is carried in the block b, which is pushed forward by the rod c,
acted on by the trigger d; behind the block b there is placed a slide block.
e₁.
pressed upwards by the spring f. A hole is bored through the block e above
the plane in which the rod c moves forward, but when e comes in contact with
the guide ping the block e is forced down till the hole in the block e is con
centric with the rod c; the compressed spiral spring now forces back the
block band needle a, causing the explosion of the cartridge. When the block e
is. forced back by the spiral spring the trigger bar c passes into a hole bored
in the block b to receive it. When the trigger is released it is forced back by
the spring i, the rod c is withdrawn from the breech piece, and the slide
block e is forced up by the springf, the spent cartridge is now withdrawn and
replaced by a fresh one, and the gun is ready for firing. Figure 12 i a longi-
tudinal section of the breech picce of a rifle or fowling piece, which is also
suitable for exploding the cartridge shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The
needle a is attached to the block b, which is pushed forward by the rod c
acted on by the lever d, which is centred on the same fulcrum as the
triggere. To the top of the trigger e there is attached a scissor-shaped catch f
one end of which encloses the bar d when the gun is cocked, as shown in
Figure 13; but when the cartridge is to be exploded as the trigger is drawn
back the catch moves forward, taking with it the bar d, until it comes in
contact with the angular stop g which opens the catch f, and the coiled spiral
spring which has been compressed by the forward movement of the block b
immediately forces back the needle and the cartridge is exploded. When the
spent cartridge is withdrawn and replaced by a fresh one the trigger is
"cocked" and the catch fencloses the bar d, and the piece is again ready
for firing.
Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the breech piece of a gun or fowling
piece, in which the cartridge shown in Figure 7 may be exploded by
causing one of the discs to rotate and rub against the other. This is effecte

page_text: by forming three grooves on the surface of the block a; one of the grooves
is formed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun, another is formed
transversely round the block, and the third is formed spirally or inclined
to the other two grooves. A pin passes through the top of the breech
piece and works in the grooves of the block a; the block is pushed forward
by the bare guided by the pin b working in the longitudinal groove. As soon
as the rear end of the longitudinal groove has reached the pin b it
passes into
the transverse groove, round which it is suddenly forced by the uncoiling of "
the spring d, the needles e attached to the front end of the block a at the
same time causing the rearmost disc of the cartridge to revolve and explode
the cartridge by causing the frictional material to rub against the inflammable
substance, as herein-before described. As soon as the transverse groove has
passed round the pinb the block a is drawn back through the inclined, groove
by the contraction of the spring d endways. In order that the block may be
moved forward in the longitudinal groove, instead of the inclined groove, a
spring is placed at the front end of the inclined groove to act as a guide, as
shown on the projected planc, Figure 15, where the pin bis represented as
having passed along the inclined groove to the front of the spring. c.
Figure 16 shows another arrangement of mechanism whereby the cartridge
shown in Figure 7 may be exploded. In this arrangement the block a has
grooves formed on it in which the pin & works, at herein-before described and
shown in Figure 15. The needles, which may be two or more in number for
rotating the disc in the cartridge, are attached in the same manner as in
Figure 14. Acavity is formed in the rear end of the block a, into which a coiled
spring c of ribbon steel is placed, one end of the spring being attached
to the block a, and the other end to the rod d, which is attached to the guides e,
but is loose in the block a. In firing the gun the block a is pushed forward
in the parallel groove, as the rod d does not revolve, but is kept moving
parallel by the guides e; as soon as the block a has been moved forward far
enough to allow the pin fto pass into the transverse groove the block and the
needles are caused to rotate by the unwinding of the spring c; the inclined
groove now passes along the pin f' by thecontraction of the springg, at the same
time causing the spring'e to be tightened up, and the gun inay be reloaded.
Figure 17 shows another modification of my Invention also used for firing
the cartridge shown in Figure 7. The rotating motion is produced in this
arrangement by ineans of two or more twisted springs or wires a, one end of
the wires being fixed to the rear-end-of-the-breech-piece-as-the-block-b
moves forward the wires are untwisted or brought into a position parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the breech, and when the pinc has passed out of the

page_text: longitudinal groove by the forward inotion of the block it is caused to pass
suddenly through the transverse groove by the wires resuming their twisted
position; the block is now drawn back by the contraction of the spiral
spring e, returning by the spiral or inclined groove.
b
Figure 18 shows another modification for producing rotatory motion. In
this arrangement the block a is made hollow, a slit being made in the end of
the block a so that the twisted spring 6 may pass out and in; one end of the
spring b is secured to the rear end of the breech piece; as the block a moves
forward in the parallel groove the spring bis untwisted, and when thespring c
has passed into the transverse groove the spring resuming its twisted form
causes the block to rotate suddenly through the transverse guide; theblock is
now returned by the inclined groove in consequence of the contraction of the
spiral spring d, the other movement being performed, as herein-before
described.
Figure 19 is a longitudinal section of a breech piece of a gun in which the
cartridge shown in Figure 6 may be exploded by the backward movement of
the needle. In this arrangement the firing block a to which the needle is
attached slides inside another block b,which maybe termed the cockingblock,"
and is held back by a catch c similar to that shown in Figure 13. Suitable
catches are provided in the block a (not shown in the Drawings), so that when
the catch c is opened by the bar d, actuated by the trigger, the block a is
forced forward along with the block by means of the spiral spring e; this
forward movement compresses the spring f.which is much weaker than e.
When the blocks arrive at the front end of the breech piece the catches in the
blocks a and b are set free by striking the pins g, and the block a is forced
back by the compressed spring f, the cocking block being brought back
during the closing of the breech by any of the means described in the Specifi-
cation of Letters Patent herein-before referred to.
Figure 20 is an elevation of a safety trigger where the trigger a is drawn
back out of contact with the rod b. When the gun is to be fired the trigger a
is slid backwards till the point c comes in under the rod 6, which is forced up
by the trigger being drawn. As the trigger in this case does not pull the rod
down after firing a spring d is provided by which it is forced down; additional
security may be obtained by attaching a spring to that part of the trigger
marked a¹, so that the trigger may always be kept out of contact with the
rod b, except when drawn backwards at any time when the arm is to
be fired.
Figure 21 is a longitudinal section of a "magazine arm" according to my
Invention. The cartidges a are contained in a tube inserted in the stock

page_text: of the gun and closed at the end by the screwed cap c or other suitable
means. The cartridges are drawn forward by means of a spring coiled up in
the same manner as a watch spring inside the drum d, Figures 21 and 24.
To the outside of the druin d there is attached a piece of gut or wire, to which
is fixed the block e by which the cartridges are drawn forward as they are
required; when the supply in the tube b is finished the gut or wire is wound
upon the drum f, which operation also winds up the spring in the drum d;
the block e is drawn back to the position in which it is shown dotted until
the tube is filled with cartridges.
Figure 22 is a sectional plan of the breech piece showing the mode of
cocking the "piece" and extracting the spent cartridges, all the operations
connected therwith being performed by the opening and closing of the
breech piece, which is carried on the fixed square axis s. The cocking of the
piece is effected by means of the strut b, which is hinged by a universal joint
to ene side of the axis s. is the firing block to which the needle d is fixed;
e, a lever working in amortice in the firing block c, and hinged to the block f
situated on a circular part of the axis s. When the breech piece is opened the
distance between the lever c and the fulcrum of the strut bis diminished by
of the strut being fixed on the side of the axis; by this means the
lever c is pushed back, carrying with it the firing block; the lever e is now
held back by means of the scissor catch, shown in Figure 13, or by any of the
modes described in the Specification of Letters Patent herein-before referred
to. When the breech is closed the strut returns to its normal position,
and the gun is ready for action. The extraction of the spent cartridge is
effected by the bar y actuated by a pin working in the grooves cut in the
block in the same manner as shown in Figure 15. When the breech piece is
shut the pin is at the rear end of the longitudinal groove, and is forced
suddenly backwards by meaus of the spiral spring k, or by some other spring
as shown. As the breech piece is lifted clear of the breech, the spent cart-
ridge is withdrawn by means of the extractor g, the pink now passes into the
inclined groove, and by the time the breech piece is fully opened it has reached
the top and passed into the transverse groove down which it passes. When
the breech piece is in the action of being shut the pin moves along the trans-
verse groove, and when completely closed has arrived at the rear end of the
longitudinalgroove, having compressed the spring kin readiness to extract the
next spent cartridge when the breech is re-opened.
Figure 23 shows another method of cocking." In this case the lever-a-
which actuates the firing block has a piece of wire or catgut c attached to it,
and passing round the pulley, pin, or roller d, the other end is attached to the

page_text: axis e, so that when the breech piece is opened the wire or catgut is wound
round the fixed axis e, and the lever a is drawn back, being held until firing
the gun by any of the modes herein-before mentioned.
に
Figure 24 is a plan of Figure 21 having part of the stock removed to show
the mechanism by which a bullet is jerked forward into the barrel after the
spent cartridge is removed. This is effected by the bar g, Figures 21 and 24.
one end of which works in the grooved block h fixed to the breech block and
moveable about the axis S. When the breech piece is opened and the spent
cartridge withdrawn the point i of the bar g has passed from the transversc
groove into the longitudinal groove, along which it is suddenly forced by the
spring, Figure 24, and the upturned hinged point of the bar strikes the
cartridge and projects it forward into the breech of the gun. The bar m which
is hinged upon a fulcrum of the shape of a double L(Z) the lower part acting
as a hinge, the central part passing through the bar m, and the other end acting
as a lever actuated by a pin fixed in the block after a cartridge has been pro-
jected forwards the hinged door o, Figure 21, is forced up by aspring, not shown
in the Drawings, and as the breech piece is being closed the pin n, Figure 24,
presses upon the (Z)lever in the barm and pulls the point of it out ofthe drum d;
as the pin n passes beyond and under the lever the spring presses upon mand
keeps it in contact with the drum d, so that as soon as the notched part of
the drum makes one revolution the point of the bar m is forced into the notch,
and as the circumference of the drum d is equal to the length of one cartridge
the column of cartridges has moved forward that distance to supply the place
of the one that had been jerked forward. As it may be more convenient touse
this arm as an ordinary breech-loader at times, this may be effected by throwing
all the mechanism in Fig. 24 out of gear by means of the rod pheld by a spring
or other means at the side of the stock. On the grooved block h a second
transverse groove q is formed, which meets the longitudinal groove. In using
this gun as a "magazine arm" the pin on the rod p prevents the lever g
from getting into the groove q, but when it is desired to use it as an ordinary
breech-loader the point of the lever g is passed to the front of the pin r, so
that in opening and closing the breech the point of the lever g moves only in
the transverse groove 2, and the movement of the mechanism for supplying
the cartridges is stooped. Instead of twisting the wires and springs previous
to their being fixed in the breech piece, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, they
may be put in straight, and the firing block being forced forward in the spiral
grooves the wires or springs are twisted according to the amount of twist given
to the grooves in the firing block. When the pin has passed through the spiral
groove it is made to turn suddenly through the transverse groove by the wires or

page_text: of
part
my
springs resuming the straight form and the cartridge is exploded; in this case
the firing block returns through the straightgroove, actuated as herein-before
described. It is also to be understood that this
Invention may
I also
be may be modified by omitting parts of the self-acting mechanism.
propose to apply my system of constructing and exploding cartridges to heavy
ordnance. It is to be understood that for the purpose of enabling the blocks
in which the cams are cut to work smoother and steadier two or more set of
cam grooves may be cut on opposite sides of the blocks which act upon
corresponding pins in the moveable part.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be used carried into practical effect, I would observe,
in conclusion, that what I consider novel and original and therefor claim
as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The several arrangements of friction cartridges as shown at Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and herein-before described, or any mere
modification thereof.
Second. The arranging of friction andigniting surfaces within cartridges,so
that they are brought to act upon each other by means of a needle being shot
forward and backwards from the breech at the instant of firing, as herein-
before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Third. The use of a needle with prongs or points, and to which a partial
revolving motion is imparted by means of cam grooves for the purpose of
firing those cartridges wherein discs are employed, one of which rotates over
the surface of the other as herein-before described and shown at Figures
13, 15, 16, and 17, or any mere modification thereof.
Fourth. The arrangement of apparatus for projecting the firing needle
forwards and backwards for the purpose of discharging the cartridges,shown
in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the apparatus being shown at Figures 10,
11, and 18, as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Fifth. The apparatus for withdrawing the trigger out of contact with the
firing bar, as shown at Figure 19, and herein-before described, or any mere
modification thereof.
Sixth. The construction of "magazinearms" so that the spent cartridge case
is extracted and a new cartridge sent forward by the act of opening and closing
the breech, as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Seventh. The apparatus or means for extracting the spent cartridge case,
and for sending forward a new cartridge into the barrel by the act of opening

page_text: and closing the breech piece, as shown at Figures 20, 21, 22, and 23, or any
mere modification thereof.
Eight. The application of the extractor, shown at Figures 20, 21, 22, and
23, to guns other than "magazine arms," but wherein the breech pieces are
moveable about an axis fixed at one side, the mechanism for actuating the
extractor being either inside or outside the breech piece.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander John Paterson,have hereunto
set my hand and seal. this Third day of February, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-eight.
ALEX. J. PATERSON. (L.S.)