IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1865

page_text: 5
In the Matter of Letters Patent, granted to GEORGE TOMLINSON
BOUSFIELD, of Loughborough Park, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS," bearing date the Nineteenth day of April One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, No. 1092.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION as proposed to
be entered by JOHN BATLEY, of 7, Kensington Park Gardens, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, Assignce of the said Letters
Patent.
WHEREAS by an indenture dated the Thirteenth day of September
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and made between the said
George Tomlinson Bousfield, of the first part, Henry Oliver Peabody, of
the second part, and the Providence Tool Company of the third part,

page_text: the above in part recited Letters Patent and Invention were assigned
and transferred to the said Providence Tool Company, their successors,
and assigns:
And whereas by another indenture dated Twenty-third day of May
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, and made between the
said Providence Tool Company of the first part, Thomas Greenwood, of
Leeds, in the County of York, Machinist, and Westley Richards, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Maker, of the second part,
and John Batley, of No. 7, Kensington Park Gardens, in the County of
Middlesex, Machinist, of the third part, the said Letters Patent and
Invention were assigned and transferred to the said John Batley, his
executors, administrators, and assigns, and the same are now fully and
solely vested in him, both of which assignments have been duly
registered in the Great Seal Patent Office:
And whereas since the filing of the Specification of the said Letters
Patent and the date of the said assignments, I, the said John Batley, have
been advised and have ascertained that there are grounds for objecting
to the part of the Invention claimed in the fourth and last claim in the
said Specification, that it was wanting in novelty at the date of the said
Letters Patent, I, the said John Batley, for the reasons aforesaid, do
hereby disclaim and strike out from the said Specification the fourth and
last claim, which comprises the following words, namely:-"Fourth,
constructing the breech piece D with a groove m corresponding with
the bore of the chamber for the purpose of facilitating the introduction
of the cartridge, substantially as described," and I limit the Invention
to the first, second, and third claims as contained in lincs 30 to 39,
page S, of the printed copy of the said Specification published at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents in One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-five.
And in order that the description of the Invention given in the body
of the Specification may not be said to be in any respect inconsistent
with the omission of the said fourth claim, I insert after the words
"loading fire-arms" in line 27 of page S of the said printed copy the
words "but no claim is made to this feature as forming part of
the said Invention." And the said Specification when amended by
the said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration will read as
Clas.

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 are central longitudinal vertical sections of the
breech part of a fire-arm constructed according to this Invention,
showing the breech-piece in different positions. Fig. 3 is a transverse
section of the same in a plane through x, x, Fig. 1.
This Invention relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms in
which the rear end of the barrel can be alternately opened and closed
by the movement of a breech block which swings upon a hinge within
a mortice in the frame connecting the stock with the barrel, and is
operated by means of the trigger guard as a lever; its distinctive
peculiarities consist in,-
First. A combination of devices for imparting a movement to the
breech-block whereby the piece can be brought into the position for
loading by a much smaller extent of movement of the guard lever than
in most other fire-arms of its class, and the whole movement of the
breech block be performed within the frame which connects the stock
with tho barrel.
Secondly. In the simplicity and effectiveness of the combination of
devices for ejecting the exploded cartridge shell, and in the facility
with which the same can be done cotemporaneously with the opening of
the chamber preparatory to reloading.
Thirdly. In the means for holding the breech piece in its respective
positions for loading and firing, and also for causing it to be auto-
matically returned after aiding in ejecting the empty shell to a position
at which a groove upon its upper surface shall coincide with the bore of
the chamber to facilitate the insertion of another cartridge.
In the accompanying Drawings A is the metal breech frame which
unites the barrel B with the stock C, and which has provided within it
a mortice or parallel-sided opening b, b, for the reception of the swinging
breech block D, which is secured therein by a pin a upon which it turns,
passing through the upper part of the rear end of the block and through
the sides of the frame A. E is the trigger guard lever for operating
the breech block; it has a long arm c serving as a trigger guard, and a
short, arm connecting it with the breech block, and is hung at the
angle upon a fulcrum pin e inserted through the lower part of the frame.
The short arm is forked so as to embrace the breech block, as shewn
at n, n, (Fig. 3.) In the instance shown in the Drawings the short arm
of the guard lever is rounded, and enters into a long notch, or slot
open at one end cut in the lower side of the breech piece. It is obvious

page_text: that as the guard lever E is moved downward, or to the position shown
in Fig. 2, the extremity of the arm d will describe the arc of the circle
due to the length of the arm as a radius, and will, as it rides along the
surface of the long notch f, compel the breech block to turn upon its
hinge a, thereby uncovering the rear of the barrel, as shewn in Fig. 2.
By bringing back the guard lever to the first position the end of the
breech block which has been depressed will by the movement of the end
of the arm d over the same arc in returning be made to rise and close
the end of the barrel, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen that this
method of operating the breech block possesses the advantage of a very
small extent of movement on the part of the guard lever as compared
with most breech-loaders of this class.
J The arrangement here shown, and which I think preferable to any
other, for the reason that it allows of an easy dissection of the parts
which operate the breech piece, is one of many which may be employed
involving the same principle, as, for instance, a slot or mortice can be
cut in the lower part of the breech piece, and the end of the short arm d
be connected therewith by means of a pin with a friction collar sur-
rounding the same, the diameter of which shall be just equal to the
width of such slot, so that as the guard lever is moved upwards or down-
wards to bring the piece to the position for firing or loading, as the
case may be, the roller will travel along the slot and operate the block
in the same manner as in the case particularly described.
Another feature of the Invention consists in the device for ejecting
the exploded cartridge shell in combination with a positive movement
of the breech block in the same direction as that which it makes when
being brought to the position for loading. The rear end of the borc of
the barrel is countersunk for the reception of the flanch which surrounds
the base of the metallic cartridge. F is an elbow lever of steel arranged
to work in a mortice provided for it in the breech frame below the
barrel on a fulcrum pin g. The arms of this lever are of unequal length.
The longer and upright arm (when the cartridge is properly inserted in
the bore) bears at its extremity against the flanch of the cartridge, the
rear of the barrel underneath the cartridge being recessed to accom-
modate the arm in this position. The shorter arm stands at about a
right angle with the other, and when the arm is in position for firing
is disconnected with any other part. If, however, the guard lever is
brought down so as to bring the breech piece to the position for loading,

page_text: as heretofore explained, and its movement continued in the same direction
for a short distance further, the breech piece will strike against the
shorter arm of the lever F, and as the latter is free to turn upon its
fulcrum g the longer arm in front of the cartridge flanch will be thrown
backwards and the exploded shell be withdrawn. It will bo observed
that the arm can be brought to the position for loading without
influencing the elbow lever at all, inasmuch as the breech piece must
be carried lower than its proper relation to the barrel at the time of
loading to be brought into contact with the short arm of F, but, as in
practice, it will be desirable to remove an exploded shell simultaneously
with the opening of the breech, the guard lever should be brought down
with sufficient force and to an extent to enable the breech block to
strike a smart blow upon the short arm of the elbow lever, and thus
impart through the movement of the end of the longer arm an impulse
to the empty shell which will eject it at once from the chamber into
the air.
Another feature of the Invention consists in the means for holding
the breech piece in its respective positions for loading or firing, and also
for causing it to be automatically returned after aiding in ejecting the
empty shell to a position at which a groove upon its upper surface shall
coincide with the bore of the chamber, to facilitate the insertion of
another cartridge. These objects are accomplished by means of a spring
bar G in combination with notches j and 1, and a friction roller i, so
arranged with reference to each other that the roller shall by the tension
of the spring enter the one or the other of these notches, and while in
either of the same hold the breech block in the position due to the
location of such notch. The spring bar G is attached to the under side
of the breech piece D, and is made in two parts, hinged together at k,
and kept asunder by an intermediate spring. The lower member of the
spring bar rides upon the roller i, which is mounted in the breech frame,
so that when the said roller is in the notch j the breech will be held
in the position for firing, as shown at Fig. 1, and when by the action
of the guard lever the breech is depressed the roller will be in the
notch 7, and hold the breech block in the position for loading, as shewn
at Fig. 2.
picco
The same spring which keeps asunder the two members of the spring
bar G causes the breech block to return to the position for loading
after the latter has been further depressed, so as to act upon the elbow

page_text: lever to eject the cartridge shell, and thereby allow the surface of a
groove m in the breech block to correspond precisely with the borc to
facilitate the insertion of the next cartridge, from the fact that there
is no notch to hold the block in the last-named position, but on the
contrary, the roller is at this time pressing against the side of the
notch as upon the surface of au inclined plane,, so that the tendency
of the spring is to cause the block to rise until the roller is seated in
the deepest part of the notch. As already incidentally stated the top
surface of the brecch piece D is formed with a tapering groove m;
when the piece is in position for loading the surface of this groove will
correspond with that of the bore, and the cartridge when placed in the
groove will slide naturally into its place in the chamber. This feature is.
practically of great importance in diminishing the chances of dropping:
a cartridge in the attempt to load when the fingers are benumbed with
cold, which is a serious cause of complaint against most other varieties
of breech-loading fire-arms; but no claim is made to this feature as
forming part of the said Invention.
What I claim as the Invention and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,
First. The method, substantially as described, of controlling the
motions of the breech piece in a breech-loading firc-arm, by com-
bining the guard lever E with such breech piece, in the manner as herein
specified.
Second. Combining an elbow lever For its equivalent with the
breech piece D, in the manner substantially as described, for the purpose
of ejecting the discharged cartridge case by a continued movement of
the guard lever in the same direction which it makes to bring the
piece to the position for loading.
Third. Holding the breech piece at its respective positions for loading
or firing by the use of the notches j and in combination with the
spring bar G and roller i, operating in the manner substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Batley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
JOHN BATLEY. (L.S.)

page_text: To the Clerk of the Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above-named John Batley
to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which
the same relates, the above-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of
Alterations.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Tomlinson Bousfield, of Loughborough Park,
Brixton, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."-A communication from abroad by Henry
Oliver Peabody, residing at Boston, Massachusetts, United States of
America.
Sealed the 27th June 1865, and dated the 19th April 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Tomlinson Bousfield
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th April 1865.
I, GEORGE TOMLINSON BOUSFIELD, of Loughborough Park, Brixton,. in the
County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms in which the
rear end of the barrel can be alternately opened and closed by the movement
of a breech block, which swings upon a hinge within a mortice in the frame
connecting the stock with the barrel, and is operated by means of the trigger
guard as a lever; its distinctive peculiarities consist in,-
First, a combination of devices for imparting a movement to, the breech.

page_text: block, whereby the piece can be brought into the position for loading by a
much smaller extent of movement of the guard lever than in most other fire-
arms of its class, and the whole movement of the breech block be performed
within the frame which connects the stock with the barrel.
Secondly, in the simplicity and effectiveness of the combination of devices
for ejecting the exploded cartridge shell, and in the facility with which the same
can be done cotemporaneously with the opening of the chamber preparatory
to reloading.
Thirdly, in the means for holding the breech piece in its respective positions
for loading and firing, and also for causing it to be automatically returned
after aiding in ejecting the empty shell to a position at which a groove upon
its upper surface shall coincide with the bore of the chamber to facilitate the
insertion of another cartridge.
In carrying out this Invention there is a metal breech frame which unites
the barrel with the stock, and which has provided within it a mortice or
parallel-sided opening for the reception of a swinging breech block, which
turns upon a pin passing through the upper part of the rear end of the block.
and through the sides of the metal frame. The trigger guard lever is arranged
for operating the breech block, as herein-after described. It has a long arm
bent at its end into a trigger guard and a short arm connecting it with the
breech block, and at the angle it turns upon a fulcrum pin inserted through
the lower part of the frame. The short arm of the guard lever is forked so
as to embrace the breech block, and the end of this arm enters into a long
notch or slot open at one end cut in the lower side of the breech piece. It is
obvious that as the guard lever is moved downward the extremity of the short s
arm will describe the arc of the circle due to the length of that arm, and will
as it rides along the surface of the long notch compel the breech block to turn.
upon the pin which passes through its rear end, thereby causing the forward
end of the breech block to turn down and so uncover the rear end of the
barrel. By bringing back the guard lever to the first position the end of the s
breech block which has been depressed will by the movement of the end of
the short arm over the same are in returning be made to rise, and again close
the end of the barrel. This method of operating the breech block possesses
the advantage of a very small extent of movement on the part of the guard
lever as compared with most breech-loaders of this class.
The arrangement above described is the arrangement which I think
preferable to any other, for the reason that it allows of an easy direction of
the parts which operate the breech piece; but many variations involving the
same principle as this arrangement may be employed, as, for instance, a slot
3

page_text: or mortice can be cut in the lower part of the breech piece, and the end of
the short arm be connected therewith by means of a pin with a friction collar
surrounding the same, the diameter of which shall be just equal to the width
of such slot, so that as the guard lever is moved upwards or downwards to
bring the piece to the position for firing or loading, as the case may be, the
roller will travel along its slot and operate the breech block in the same
manner as in the case particularly described above.
Another feature of the Invention consists in the devico for ejecting tho
exploded cartridge shell in combination with a positive movement of the
breech block in the same direction as that which it makes upon being brought
to the position for loading. The rear end of the bore of the barrel is counter-
sunk for the reception of the flanch which surrounds the base of the
metallic cartridge. An elbow lever of steel turning on a fulcrum pin is
arranged to work in a mortice provided for it in the breech frame below the
barrel. The arms of this lever are of unequal length, the longer and upright
arm (when the cartridge is properly inserted in the bore) bears at its extremity
against the flanch of the cartridge, the rear of the barrel underneath the
cartridge being recessed to accommodate the arm in this position. The shorter
arm of this elbow lever stands at about a right angle with the other, and when
the arm is in position for firing is disconnected with any other part. If, how-
ever, the guard lever is brought down so as to bring the breech piece to the
position for loading, as before explained, and its movement continued in the
same direction for a short distance further, the breech piece will strike against
the shorter arm of the elbow lever, and as the latter is free to turn upon its
fulcrum (its longer arm in front of the cartridge flanch will be thrown back-
wards, and the exploded shell of the cartridge so withdrawn. It will be
observed that the arm can be brought to the position for loading without
influencing the elbow lever at all, inasmuch as the breech piece must be
carried lower than its proper relation to the barrel at the time of loading to
be brought into contact with the short arm of the elbow lever; but as in
practice it will be desirable to remove an exploded shell simultaneously with
the opening of the breech, the guard lever should be brought down with
sufficient force and to an extent to enable the breech block to strike a smart
blow upon the short arm of the elbow lever, and thus impart through the
movement of the end of the longer arm an impulse to the empty shell which.
will eject it at once from the chamber into the air.
Another feature of this Invention consists in means for holding the breech
piece in its respective positions for loading or firing, and also for causing it to
be automatically returned after aiding in ejecting the empty shell to a position..

page_text: at which a groove upon its upper surface shall coincide with the bore of the
chamber to facilitate the insertion of another cartridge. These objects are
accomplished by means of a spring bar in combination with two notches and
a friction roller so arranged with reference to each other that the roller
shall by the tension of the spring enter the one or the other of these notches,
and while in either of the same hold the breech block in the position due to
the location of such notch. The spring bar is attached to the under side of
the breech piece, and is made in two parts hinged together, and kept asunder
by an intermediate spring. The lower member of the spring bar rides upon
a roller, which is mounted in the breech frame, so that when the said roller
is in one of the notches the breech will be held in the position for firing, and
when by the action of the guard lever the breech piece is depressed the roller
will be in the other notch, which will hold the breech block in the position
for loading. The same spring which keeps asunder the two members of the
spring bar causes the breech block to return to the position for loading after
the latter has been further depressed, so as to act upon the elbow lever to
eject the cartridge shell, and thereby allow the surface of a groove in the
breech block to correspond precisely with the bore to facilitate the insertion
of the next cartridge. There is no notch to hold the block in the last-named
position, but on the contrary the roller is at this time pressing against the
side of one of the notches as upon the surface of an inclined plane, so that the
tendency of the spring is to cause the block to rise until the roller is seated
in the deepest part of the notch. The top surface of the breech piece is formed
with a tapering groove, and when the piece is in position for loading the
surface of this groove will correspond with that of the bore, and the cartridge
when placed in the groove will slide naturally into its place in the chamber.
This is of importance in diminishing the chances of dropping a cartridge in
the attempt to load when the fingers are benumbed with cold, which is a
serious cause of complaint against most other varieties of breech-loading
fire-arms.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her beirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield, Her special licence that I, tho
said George Tomlinson Bousfield, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield, 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, excrcise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARыS," a communication to me from abroad by Henry Oliver Peabody, a
person resident at Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, upon
the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain 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 George Tomlinson Bousfield, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
Figures 1 and 2 are central longitudinal vertical sections of the breech part
of a fire-arm constructed according to this Invention, showing the breech
piece in different positions; Figure 3 is a transverso section of the same in a
plane through x, x, Figure 1.
This Invention relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms in which the
rear end of the barrel can be alternately opened and closed by the movement
of a breech block, which swings upon a binge within a mortice in the frame
connecting the stock with the barrel, and is operated by means of the trigger
guard as a lever; its distinctive peculiarities consist io,—
First, a combination of devices for imparting a movement to the breech
block, whereby the piece can be brought into the position for loading by a
much smaller extent of movement of the guard lever than in most other fire-
arms of its class, and the whole movement of the breech block be performed
within the frame which connects the stock with the barrel.

page_text: Secondly, in the simplicity and effectiveness of the combination of devices
for ejecting the exploded cartridge shell, and in the facility with which the
same can be done cotemporáneously with the opening of the chamber
preparatory to reloading.
Thirdly, in the means for holding the breech piece in its respective positions.
for loading and firing, and also for causing it to be automatically returned
after aiding in ejecting the empty shell to a position at which a groove upon
its upper surface shall coincide with the bore of the chamber to facilitate the
insertion of another cartridge.
.
In the accompanying Drawings A is the metal breech frame which unites
the barrel B with the stock C, and which has provided within it a mortice or
parallel-sided opening &, b, for the reception of the swinging breech block D,
which is secured therein by a pin a, upon which it turns, passing through the
upper part of the rear end of the block and through the sides of the frame A.
E is the trigger guard lever for operating the breech block; it has a long
arm c, serving as a trigger guard, and a short arm d connecting it with the
breech block, and is hung at the angle upon a fulcrum pin e inserted through
the lower part of the frame. The short arm is forked, so as to embrace the
breech block, as shown at n, n, (Figure 3). In the instance shown in the
Drawings the short arm of the guard lever is rounded, and enters into a long
notch for slot, open at one end, cut in the lower side of the breech piece.
It is obvious that as the guard lever E is moved downward or to the position
shown in Figure 2, the extremity of the arm d will describe the arc of the
circle, due to the length of the arm as a radius, and will as it rides along the
surface of the long notch of compel the breech block to turn upon its hinge a,
thereby uncovering the rear of the barrel, as shown in Figure 2. By bringing
back the guard lever to the first position, the end of the breech block, which
has been depressed, will, by the movement of the end of the arm d over the
same are in returning, be made to rise and close the end of the barrel, as
'shown in Figure 1. It will be seen that this method of operating the breech
block possesses the advantage of a very small extent of movement on the part
of the guard lever as compared with most breech-loaders of this class.
The arrangement here shown, and which I think preferable to any other for
the reason that it allows of an easy dissection of the parts which operate the
breech piece, is one of many which may be employed involving the same
principle; as, for instance, a slot or mortice can be cut in the lower part of the
breech piece, and the end of the short arm d be connected therewith. by means
of a pin with a friction collar surrounding the same, the diameter of which
shall be just equal to the width of such slot, so that as the guard lever is

page_text: moved upwards or downwards to bring the piece to the position for firing or.
loading, as the case may be, the roller, will travel along the slot and operate
the block in the same manner as in the case particularly described.
Another feature of the Invention consists in the device for ejecting the
exploded cartridge shell in combination with a positive movement of the breech,
block in the same direction as that which it makes when being brought to the
position for loading. The rear end of the bore of the barrel is countersunk
for the reception of the flanch which surrounds the base of the metallic
cartridge. F is an elbow lever of steel arranged to work in a mortice.
provided for it in the breech frame below the barrel on a fulcrum pin g. The
arms of this lever are of unequal length. The longer and upright arm (when,
the cartridge is properly inserted in the bore) bears at its extremity against
the flanch of the cartridge, the rear of the barrel, underneath the cartridge
being recessed to accommodate the arm in this position. The shorter arm
stands at about a right angle with the other, and when the arm is in position
for firing is disconnected with any other part. If, however, the guard lever.
is brought down so as to bring the breech piece to the position for loading, as
heretofore explained, and its movement continued in the same direction for a
short distance further, the breech piece will strike against the shorter arm of
the lever F, and as the latter is free to turn upon its fulcrum g the longer arm
in front of the cartridge flanch will be thrown backwards, and the exploded
shell be withdrawn. It will be observed that the arm can be brought to the
position for loading without, influencing the elbow lever at all, inasmuch as
the breech piece must be carried lower than its proper relation to the barrel at.
the time of loading to be brought into contact with the short arm of F; but
as in practice it will be desirable to remove an exploded shell simultaneously.
with the opening of the breech, the guard lever should be brought down with
sufficient.force and to an extent to enable the breech block to strike a smart
blow upon the short arm of the elbow lever, and thus impart through the
movement of the end of the longer arm an impulse to the empty shell which
will eject it at once from the chamber into the air.
Another feature of the Invention consists in the means for holding the
breech piece in its respective positions for loading or firing, and also for
causing it to be automatically returned after aiding in ejecting the empty shell.
to a position at which a groove upon its upper surface shall coincide with the
bore of the chamber to facilitate the insertion of another cartridge. These
objects are accomplished by means of a spring bar G in combination with
notches; and, and a friction roller i, so arranged with reference to cach
other that the roller shall by the tension of the spring enter the one or the

page_text: other of these notches, and while in either of the same hold the breech block
in the position due to the location of such notch. The spring bar G is attached
to the under side of the breech piece D, and is made in two parts hinged
together at k, and kept asunder by an intermediate spring. The lower member
of the spring bar ridés upon the roller i, which is mounted in the breech
frame, so that when the said roller is in the notch j, the breech will be held in
the position for firing, as shown at Figure 1, and when by the action of the
guard lever the breech piece is depressed, the roller will be in the notch Z, and
hold the breech block in the position for loading, as shown at Figure 2.
The same spring which keeps asunder the two members of the spring bar G
causes the breech block to return to the position for loading after the latter
has been further depressed, so as to act upon the elbow lever F to eject the
cartridge shell, and thereby allow the surface of a groove m in the breech
block to correspond precisely with the bore, to facillate the insertion of the
next cartridge, from the fact that there is no notch to hold the block in
the last-named position, but on the contrary the roller is at this time
pressing against the side of the notch as upon the surface of an inclined
plane, so that the tendency of the spring is to cause the block to rise until
the roller is seated in the deepest part of the notch. As already incidentally
stated, the top surface of the breech piece D is formed with a tapering
groove m.
When the piece is in position for loading the surface of this
groove will correspond with that of the bore, and the cartridge when placed
in the groove will slide naturally into its place in the chamber. This feature
is practically of great importance in diminishing the chances of dropping a
cartridge in the attempt to load when the fingers are benumbed with cold,
which is a serious cause of complaint against most other varieties of breech-
loading fire-arms.
What I claim as the Invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent
is,-
First, the method, substantially as described, of controlling the motions of
the breech piece in a breech-loading fire-arm by combining the guard lever E
with such breech piece in the manner as herein specified.
Second, combining an elbow lever F, or its equivalent, with the breech piece D
in the manner substantially as described, for the purpose of ejecting the dis-
charged cartridge case by a continued movement of the guard lever in the
same direction which it makes to bring the piece to the position for loading.
Third, holding the breech piece at its respective positions for loading or
firing by the use of the notches j and 7, in combination with the spring bar G
and roller i, operating in the manner substantially as described.

page_text: Fourth, constructing the breech piece D with a groove m corresponding
with the bore of the chamber for the purpose of facilitating the introduction
of the cartridge, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
GEO. T. BOUSFIELD. (L.S.)