Improvements in Ejecting Spent Cartridge Cases from Drop Down Fire-arms.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1887
Complete Left, 7th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ejecting Spent Cartridge Cases from Drop Down
Fire-arms.
I, JOHN DICKSON, of the Firm of John Dickson & Son, 63 Princes Street.
Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, North Britain, Gunmaker do hereby declare
the nature of this invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN EJECTING SPENT CARTRIDGE CASES
FROM DROP DOWN FIRE-ARMS to be as follows:-
This Invention which relates to improvements in ejecting spent. Cartridge Cases
from the breech end of the barrels of drop down fire-arms, has for its object to insure
that after the extractor has moved the spent Cartridge Case or cases rearwards, the
ejector or ejectors shall be immediately brought into operation so as to completely
remove the spent cartridge case or cases out of the breech end of the barrel or
barrels accordingly as the firearm is single or double barrelled; it being here
explained that the improvements are applicable to both single and double barrelled
firearms. For the sake of convenience the invention is hereinafter described as
applied to double barrelled drop down guns or firearms. The improvements consist
in forming the extractor with two recesses in its rear face into which each ejector
respectively fits; the ejectors themselves being each respectively connected to a
horizontal bar which is carried in a groove one on either side of the lump. The
extractor is slid or moved in order to perform the extracting action by means of a
cam situated in the upper part of the body of the action or it may be otherwise
equivalently operated.
In the lower body part of the action two horizontal cylindrical holes are formed,
each being fitted with a horizontal bar and having at its inner end a head (provided
with a slot) against, which a spiral spring surrounding the smaller part of the bar
bears. Each cylindrical bar and spiral spring is contained in its hole by means of a
nipple, through a hole in the centre of which the rearward end of each bar projects,
whilst the forward end of each bar when the spring surrounding it has been
compressed and released in the manner bereinafter described is percussively driven
by the reaction of the spiral spring against a lever the lower arm of which engages
with the slot herein before mentioned, and each lever in turn strikes the horizontal bar

page_text: or tail of the corresponding ejector. For the purpose of compressing the spiral
springs the levers last mentioned are formed with a rounded part against which the
barrels bear in the act of closing the gun, until a hook formed upon the end of each
bar engages with and becomes retained by a catch upon a lever, one of which is held
by a bridle-piece at the outer side and front part of each hammer. As the hammers
are brought to full-cock" in the act of opening the gun the lower parts of them
which are specially shaped to act upon the two side levers cause each lever to be
moved upon its axis and to become disengaged from the hook on the horizontal bar.
The compression of the spiral spring on each bar being thus free to react causes the
forward end of each horizontal bar to be moved against the aforesaid levers, which
are contained in the forward upper part of the body of the action and the upper parts
of these levers to strike percussively against the horizontal bar of each ejector and
thus the rapid and effectual ejecting of the spent cartridge cases is effected.
It is further explained that the side levers and the shape of the lower part of the
hammers are so adjusted relatively to each other that if only one of the cartridges in
a double barrelled firearm has been fired and it is desired to eject that case only, the
side lever corresponding to the cartridge which has not been discharged is prevented
from engaging with the hook of the bar of the undischarged side of the action.
Dated this 1st day of July 1887
J. H. JOHNSON, DAY & JOHNSON,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Petitioner's Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ejecting Spent Cartridge Cases from Drop-down
Fire Arms.
I, JOHN DICKSON of the firm of John Dickson and Son 63 Princes Street,
Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, North Britain, Gunmaker do hereby declaro
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 :—
My Invention which relates to improvements in ejecting spent cartridge cases from
the breech end of the barrels of drop-down fire-arms, has for its object to ensure that
after the extractor has moved the spent cartridge case or cases rearwards, the ejector
or ejectors shall be immediately brought into operation so as to completely remove by
rapid action the spent cartridge case or cases out of the breech end of the barrel or
barrels accordingly as the fire-arm is single or double barrelled; it being here
explained that the improvements are applicable both single and double barrelled
fire-arms.
For the sake of convenience the Invention is hereinafter described as applied to
double-barrelled drop-down guns or fire arms.
The improvements consist in forming
the extractor with two recesses in its rear face into which the rearward part of each
ejector respectively fits; the ejectors themselves being each respectively formed with a
horizontal bar or tail carried in a groove one on either side of the lump. The extractor
is slid or moved in order to perform the extracting action by the well-known action
of a cam upon the bar of the extractor or it may be otherwise equivalently operated.
In the lower body part of the action two horizontal cylindrical holes are formed,
each being fitted with a horizontal bar, having at its inner end an enlargement or
head (formed with a vertical slot in it) and against which head a spiral spring
surrounding the smaller part of the bar, presses. Each horizontal bar and spiral
spring are confined by means of a nipple into the cylindrical hole containing them
and through a hole in the centre of this nipple the rearward end of each horizontal
bar projects, whilst the forward end of each such bar, when the spring surrounding
it has been released, in the manner hereinafter described, is, at the instant of such
release percussively driven by the reaction of the said spiral spring against a lever,
the lower arm of which engages with the vertical slot hereinbefore mentioned as
formed in the enlargement or head at the inner end thereof and simultaneously the
upper arm of each lever in turn strikes the horizontal bar or tail of the corresponding
ejector and drives it outwards, that is to say rearwards. For the purpose of com-
pressing the spiral springs the upper arm of each last mentioned lever is formed with
a rounded part against which the barrels bear in the act of shutting them down to
close the gun. This closing action has the effect of depressing the upper armis
of the said levers and therefore of moving the lower arms thereof together with the
horizontal bars backwards or rearwards. At the termination of this backward or
rearward motion a hook formed upon the outer end of each horizontal bar engages

page_text: with and becomes retained by a catch formed on a lever, which lever is retained by a
bridle-piece at the outer side and front part of each tumbler or hammer, that is to say,
one such lever is situated at each side of the action. The lower parts of the hammers
or tumblers are specially shaped to act when opening the gun upon the two side
levers hereinbefore mentioned and when the hammers or tumblers are brought to
"full cock" each side lever has been moved upon its axis sufficiently for the catch
thereon to become disengaged from the hook on the horizontal bar. The compressed
spiral spring on each bar is thus freed to react and the compression causes the forward
end of each such horizontal bar to be pressed or driven back against the lower arm
of each of the aforesaid levers contained in the forward upper part of the body of
the action. This also carries the upper part of each of the said levers to strike per-
cussively against the corresponding horizontal bar of each ejector and thus the rapid
and effectual ejecting of the spent cartridge case is effected.
It is further explained that the side levers and the shape of the lower part of the
hammers are so adjusted relatively to each other that if only one of the cartridges
in a double-barrelled fire-arm has been fired and it is desired to eject that case only
the side lever corresponding to the cartridge which has not been discharged is
prevented from engaging with the hook of the bar of the discharged side of the
action.
In order that my said Invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect, will now proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a portion of a drop-down double-barrel gun or fire-
arm with the stock removed in order to shew the construction of the action and made
in accordance with my Invention.
Figure 2, is a plan of the same.
Figures 2, 2, 2, represent details hereinafter fully described.
Figure 3, is another side elevation of the same portion of a gun as that shown at
Figures 1 and 2 but in this case in the position for loading.
Figure 4, is a plan corresponding to Figure 3.
Figure 5, is a part side elevation and part section through the line a, a, Figure 8,
of a drop-down double barrel gun or fire-arm shewing the ejecting mechanism
constructed according to and constituting my Invention.
Figure 6, is a plan of part of the same with the barrels removed.
Figure 7, is a plan of the underside of the breech-end of the barrels shewing the
extractor and ejectors.
Figure 8, is an end elevation of the body piece of the action with stock removed
and shewing the position of the horizontal bars for operating the ejectors.
Figures 9, 10 and 11, are views of the extractor and ejectors detached.
Figure 12, is a part elevation and part section of a drop-down fire-arm with an
alternative method of operating the extractor but in connection with which my present
improvements are shown applied.
Figure 13, is a plan of part of the same with the barrels removed.
Figure 14, is a plan of the underside of the breech end of the barrels.
Figures 15, 16, and 17, are views of a modification of the extractor and ejectors
detached.
The ejection of spent cartridge cases from the breech end of the barrels of drop-
down guns or fire arms as shown on the annexed drawings is effected as follows:-
When the gun is being opened so that the barrels A, ultimately come to occupy the
position in which they are shewn at Figures 3, and 4, the extractor B, is forced back-
wards, that is to say rearwards, to the full extent of its travel, and at the same time
the ejectors C, are simultaneously forced back to the position shewn, namely, that
which they occupy when having ejected a spent cartridge case or cases. The means
by which the extractor and ejectors are so operated is hereinafter described.
When the gun is loaded and the barrels A, are shut down upon the stock and its
connections, that is to say, when in position for firing, the breech is closed as shewn
at Figures 1, 2, 5 and 8. The horizontal bars marked E, and E', carried in cylindrical
holes in the lower body part of the gun and held therein by means of the nippers F,

page_text: and F, screwed thereinto as shewn more particularly at Figure 5, are forced
backwards to the full extent of their travel by the pressure of the underpart of the
barrels A, upon the rounded part L, formed upon the upper portion of each bell-crank
lever J, shewn in elevation and plan detached at Figure 2. Two slots n, are cut in
the metal at the underside of the barrels for the said rounded part I, of each lever J,
to enter and to enable the upper tail or arm of each lever J, to come in contact with
the horizontal bar M, of each ejector C, or C, fitted as aforesaid in a groove one on
either side of the lump Z. Pins Z, and Z, are provided in order to limit the range
of travel of the ejectors hooks formed upon the tail of the ejectors catching in or
upon the said pins when at the extremity of their range of motion. The pressure due
to the closing movement of the barrels A, upon the rounded portions L, of the bell-
crank levers J, forces the lower arm of the said levers (each of which is engaged in
the slotted head G, of the horizontal bars E, and E¹) backwards and thus the
springs H, one of which surrounds each bar E, are compressed. This action brings
the hook N, on the rearward end of each horizontal bar E, or E', just above and in
the path of the catch P, formed on each lever Q, the shape of which is more especially
seen in the elevation and plan of the said lever Q, at the detached views thereof,
Figure 2. The catch P, on each lever Q, enters the hook N, on each bar E, so soon
as the gun is discharged, by virtue of the lower outer part of each tumbler or
hammer S, being so shaped that the levers Q, are relieved from contact with the
lower part of the said hammers. The catch P, formed on cach lever Q, is then forced
by the spring U, into the hook N, on the end of each horizontal bar E, or E¹, in which
position it is held until the breech of the gun or fire arm is opened for extracting the
discharged cartridge case or cases. On so opening the breech of the gun or fire arm
the pressure of the barrels upon the upper arms of the levers J, is withdrawn and the
hammers S, are simultaneously cocked by means of the bar W, Figures 1, 3 and 8 being
slid horizontally backwards through the projection or cam X, shown in dotted lines in
Figures 1 and 3, formed on the fore-part iron Y, being forced into contact with the
bar W, which at the same time pushes the bent arms Y, against the hammers or
tumblers S, and just above the axis thereof. A recess being formed in the inner side
of each tumbler or hammer S, to receive the end of the said bent arm Y, as shewn
in dotted lines at Figures 1, and 3. The end of each bent arm Y', acting in the
recess in each tumbler or hammer S, is preferably fitted with an antifriction roller.
The lower part of each of the hammers or tumblers S, (when the cocking of the
tumblers or hammers takes place) comes into contact with the rearward end of each
lever Q, turns each lever Q, upon its axis on or in the bridle piece R. and releases
the catch P, from the hook N, formed on the end of each horizontal bar E, and E'. At
the same instant that the hooks N, and catches P, are disengaged, the springs H, are
released and the reaction of the said springs due to this compression causes the
levers J, to percussively force the ejectors C, and C, backwards by rapidly striking
the hooked horizontal bars or tails M of the ejectors C, and C', and thus these eject
the spent cartridge cases.
The extractor B, and the ejectors C, and C, are forced forwards or inwards to the
full extent of their travel by means of the part W1, coming in contact with the bases
of the cartridges and forcing the whole forwards or inwards in the act of closing
the gun.
As an alternative method of working the extractors and which has been found to
answer well in practice I dispense with the well known cam T, as shewn in Figure 6,
and in place thereof employ a link V, shewn in Figures 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17,
sheet 4, pivoted to the curved inner end of the lump Z, the upper end of the said link
being inserted in the slot marked a, formed in the horizontal bar B', attached to the
extractor B, the said link V, on the gun or fire arm being closed or locked enters the
recess b, formed in the forward upper part of the body of the action to receive
the lump Z, the sides of the said link V, coming in contact with one end of the
recess b, thus bringing the extractor B, and ejector C, into their normal or closed
position.

page_text: The extractor B, and ejectors C, are operated in the same
as that hereinbefore described.
relationship to each other
It is to be understood that although in the preceding specification and on the
annexed sheets of drawings, I have described and shewn my improved arrangements.
for ejecting spent cartridge cases from breech loading fire arms as applied to one
well-known arrangement of what are sometimes called hammerless guns yet my
Invention is not limited in its application to the arrangement of guns and gun actions
which I have shewn and referred to, as the ejecting arrangements constituting my
Invention being independent of many other parts of the action of fire arms, it is
obvious that many different actions commonly called gun actions may be adopted to
operate my ejecting mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
The ejectors for ejecting spent cartridge cases from breech-loading fire arms which
are moved to a further extent than the extractor by the sudden or percussive action
upon the ejectors due to the release of a spring or springs in compression acting upon
a rod or rods and thence through levers on the tails or bars of the ejectors, the said
rod or rods being released in the act of opening the gun by means of the cocking of
the hammers causing the lever or levers with retaining catch or catches to be released
from the said rod or rods substantially as hereinbefore described and shown upon the
annexed sheets of drawings.
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