IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH- LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Henry Burton, of 76, Cheapside, in the City
of London, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 25th June 1867, and dated the 9th January 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Henry Burton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th January 1867.;..
I, JAMES HENRY BURTON, of 76, Cheapside, in the City of London, Engineer,
'do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
The improvements in breech-loading fire-arms have for their object simplicity
and cheapness of construction, facility and security in use, and lightness of
weight. The face or head of the breech bolt, or that end of it which enters
'the breech end of the barrel, and which acts there as the abutment for the
charge, is formed separate from the main part of the bolt with a male screw
to screw into it. I prefer to form the head or face of hardened steel or of
case-hardened iron, and it has holes in its outside surface for the insertion of
any suitable separate lever for the purpose of aiding in screwing or unscrewing
it. The opening in the front end of the breech bolt for the application of
this separate face or head affords facility for the application of a screw nut to
the front end of the hammer to act as an abutment on the hammer for the
corresponding end of the helical hammer spring to act against; this nut only

page_text: touches the interior of the breech bolt at parts of its surface, whilst at other
parts it allows the air in the interior of the breech bolt to pass it freely in its
to-and-fro motion. The hammer (towards its rear end) is formed at its under
surface with a strong fin or projection, which when the parts are in position
for firing is capable of sliding in a longitudinal opening provided for it in the
breech bolt; this fin or projection also passes through its longitudinal opening in
the breech bolt into a fixed groove provided for it parallel to the axis of the
gun and in the rear of the breech shoe. An object of this fixed groove is to
prevent the hammer from turning with the breech bolt; on the lower edge
of this fin is also formed the parts ordinarily called the "tumbler" with full
and half cock notches for receiving the nose of the " sear." In order to with-
draw the breech bolt so as to clear the barrel of an empty charge case, or to
insert a charged one, the hammer is first withdrawn to the full-cock notch so
as to withdraw the fin or projection, above referred to, from the longitudinal
opening in the breech bolt, when the hammer will be held by the "sear" at
full-cock; the breech bolt may now be turned partly round in the shoe whilst
the bammer remains stationary, when the inner end of its fin or projection
will come against the back end of the breech bolt, or against a recess in that
end of it. The hammer thus passes from being held by the "sear" to being
held by the rear end of the breech bolt retaining the hammer at full-cock,
and rendering it impossible for it to be impelled forward prematurely to
explode the cartridge whilst the breech bolt is in any position other than that
for firing. When the hammer is at half-cock the striking part carried or acted
on by it is still withdrawn within the face of the breech bolt, thus enabling
the arm to be carried loaded with safety, and also effecting the security of the
parts of the breech from accidental derangement in carrying or handling the
arni. The part in which the fixed groove, above referred to, is formed to
receive the lower edge of the fin of the hammer by being extended backward
serves as a guide and support for the breech bolt in its to-and-fro movements.
The case of the discharged cartridge is withdrawn from the barrel by a pro-
jection from a plate, which is capable of sliding in a groove provided for it in
.the breech shoe; this projection acts to catch the flange of the metallic charge
case and retain it between this projection and the face of the breech bolt, and
the plate on which this projection is formed has also another projection at or
near its rear end, which projection enters a compound longitudinal and trans-
verse groove, similar to what is technically termed a "bayonet motion," formed
in the exterior surface of the breech bolt. When that bolt is turned partially
round the transverse portion of the groove allows the bolt to move in that
direction over the latter described projection on the plate; this plate with its

page_text: projections I call the "extractor." The object of the longitudinal portion of
the groove is to admit of the "extractor" remaining stationary whilst the
bolt is partially withdrawn, and the continued movement of the bolt then
withdraws the discharged case. The "sear" moves on an axis supported by
lugs formed on or affixed to the "shoe;" the "sear" spring is also affixed at
one end to the under side of the "shoe."
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Henry Burton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th July 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HENRY BURTON, of 76, Cheapside, in the City of London, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight bundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Henry Burton, Her special licence that I, the said James Henry
Burton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said James Henry Burton, 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Henry Burton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
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 James Henry Burton, 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 :-
The improvements in breech-loading fire-arms have for their object simplicity
and cheapness of construction, facility, and security in use, and lightness of

page_text: weight. The face or head of the breech bolt, or that end of it which enters the
breech end of the barrel and which acts there as the abutment for the charge
is formed separate from the main part of the bolt with a male screw to screw
into it. I prefer to form the head or face of hardened steel, or of case-hard-
ened iron, and it has holes in its outside surface for the insertion of any suitable
separate lever or "implement" for the purpose of aiding in screwing or un-
screwing it; the opening in the front end of the breech bolt for the application
of this separate face or head affords facility for the application of a screw, nut,
or collar to the front end of the hammer to serve as an abutment on the hammer
for the corresponding end of the helical hammer spring to act against; this
nut or collar only touches the interior of the breech bolt at parts of its surface,
whilst at other parts it is cut away to allow the air in the interior of the breech
bolt to pass it freely in its to-and-fro motion; the hammer (towards its rear
end) is formed at its under surface with a strong fin or projection, which when
the parts are in position for firing is capable of sliding in a longitudinal opening
or slot provided for it in the breech bolt; this fin or projection also passes
through its longitudinal opening or slot in the breech bolt into a fixed groove
provided for it parallel to the axis of the gun, and in the rear of the breech
shoe. An object of this fixed groove is to prevent the hammer from turning
with the breech bolt; on the lower edge of this fin are formed full-cock and
half-cock notches for receiving the nose of the "sear," which notches serve a
purpose similar to that of the "tumbler" in ordinary gun locks. In order to
withdraw the breech bolt so as to clear the barrel of an empty charge case, or to
insert a charged one, the hammer is first withdrawn to the full-cock notch so as
to withdraw the fin or projection above referred to from the longitudinal opening
or slot in the breech bolt, when the hammer will be held by the "sear" at
full-cock; the breech bolt may now be turned partly round in the shoe whilst
the hammer remains stationary, when the inner or front end of its fin or pro-
jection will come against the back end of the breech bolt; the hammer thus
passes from being held by the "sear" to being held by the rear end of the
breech bolt, retaining the hammer in a position slightly beyond that of full-
cock, and rendering it impossible for it to be impelled forward prematurely to
explode the cartridge whilst the breech bolt is in any position other than that
for firing. When the hammer is at half-cock the striking pin carried or acted
on by it is still withdrawn within the face of the breech bolt, thus enabling
the arm to be carried loaded with safety, and also effecting the security of the
parts of the breech from accidental derangement in carrying or handling the
arm; the part in which the fixed groove above referred to is formed for
receiving the lower edge of the fin of the hammer by being extended backward

page_text: serves as a guide and support for the breech bolt in its to-and-fro movements;
the case of the discharged cartridge is withdrawn from the barrel by a projec-,
tion from a plate which is capable of sliding in a groove provided for it in the
breech shoe; this. projection acts to catch the flange of the metallic charge
case, and to retain it between this projection and the face of the breech bolt,
and the plate on which this projection is formed has also another projection at
or near its rear end; this plate with its projections I call the "extractor."
The projection at or near its rear end enters a compound, longitudinal, and
transverse groove similar to what is technically termed a "bayonet motion"
formed in the exterior surface of the breech bolt. The object of the transverse
portion of this groove is to receive the latter described projection on the plate
or "extractor," and thus allow the breech bolt to be turned partially round
prior to opening or subsequent to closing the breech of the barrel. The object
of the longitudinal portion of the groove is to admit of the "extractor' re-
maining stationary whilst the bolt is partially withdrawn, and the continued
movement of the bolt backwards then withdraws the discharged case. The
projection on the rear end of the extractor when acted upon by the move-
able head of the breech bolt at the time that the rear end of the extractor is
borne against the rear end of the groove formed for it in the shoe constitutes
a stop to limit the backward motion of the breech bolt. The "sear
on an axis supported by lugs formed on or affixed to the "shoe." The
"sear" spring is also affixed at one end to the under side of the "shoe."
But that the Invention may be better understood I will, by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, proceed to describe means pursued by me in carrying
the same into effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS,
"
moves
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section, Figure 2 a plan view, and Figure 3
an external side view of so much of a fire-arm as will serve to illustrate my
improvements. Figures 4 and 5 are similar views to Figures 1 and 2, but
with the parts in different positions; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 show some of
the parts separately. In each of these views the same letters indicate
corresponding parts wherever they occur.
a, shows a portion of the stock; b, a portion of the barrel; c is the sight; d
is the shoe in the cavity (between the breech d' and the bridge d²) of which
the cartridge is placed as shown by the red lines in Figures 4 and 5 in ordr
to its being forced into position for firing in the breech end of the barrel by the
breech bolte; this breech bolt is formed to slide and turn easily in the shoe d

page_text: and its fore end or face or head e¹ is by preference formed of hardened steel or of
case-hardened iron and to screw into that end of the breech bolt. To facilitate
the turning of this part e¹ for its removal or replacement it is formed with
a series of holes or recesses e in its periphery adapted to receive the end of
any suitable pin to act for the time as a lever in turning that piece e¹ for
screwing it into or unscrewing it from the main part of the breech bolt e.
fis the hammer, in the fore end of which is fitted the striking pin g for
exploding the cartridge and thereby firing the charge, as is well understood;
h is the hammer spring which is of a helical form and rests at one end against
the end of the chamber formed for it as shown in the breech bolt e, and at
the other end it rests against the collar f¹ on the hammer with a tendency to
force the hammer forwards with an elastic force. The collar f¹ is formed
to screw on to the end of the hammer fas a nut, facility for the application
or adjustment of which is obtained by the head e¹ of the bolt e being moveable.
The end of the chamber in the bolt e thus acts as an abutment for one end
of the helical bammer spring h, whilst the nut f¹ acts as an abutment for the
other end of. it. This collar or nut f¹ is formed as shown by the separate views
of it at Figure 26 to touch the interior of the breech bolt e at parts (2) of
its surface, the other parts (3) of its surface being cut away to admit of the
air contained in the chamber of the breech bolt freely passing from one side
to the other of this collar as it moves in that chamber with the movement
of the hammer. The hammer f is formed with a strong fin or projection f
which when the parts are in the position for firing is capable of sliding in a
longitudinal opening or slot e³ provided for it in the breech bolt e. The lower
edge or surface of this fin or projection f* also passes into a groove ¹ formed
for it in the rear extension i of the shoe d, or it may be in a plate separate
from it. Across the lower edge or surface of this fin fis also formed the
full-cock. notch 5 and the half-cock notch 6 to receive the nose j¹ of the sear j.
The breech bolt at its rear end is also cut away as shown at e in order that
when the hammer is drawn back so that the nose j¹ of the sear enters the
notch 5 the fin or projection is out of the slot in the breech bolt; the
breech bolt may then be turned partly round by acting on the handle e³, so as
to bring the projection & coincident with the opening d³ formed for its passage
in the bridge d, and thereby admit of the breech bolt being drawn back into
the position indicated by Figures 4 and 5. The projection e on the breech
bolt e when the parts are in the position indicated by Figures 1 and 2, with its
rear end abutting against the bridge de serves to hold the breech bolt with
its face or head e¹ correctly in the breech end of the barrel, and this projection ec
in connection with the bridge d' receives the shock of the discharge. In the

page_text: "
turning and subsequent back movement of the breech bolt the bammer passes
from being held by the "sear"j to being held by its shoulder f", resting
against the rear end of the breech bolt, by which, although the hammer is
held as it were at full-cock, it is also so held by the rear end of the breech
bolt as to render it impossible for it to be impelled forward prematurely to
explode the cartridge whilst the breech bolt is in any position other than that
for firing. The case of each discharged cartridge is after firing withdrawn
from the barrel by means of the plate which is capable of sliding in a groove
formed for it in the lower part of the shoe, and at one end this plate lis
formed with a projection to catch on the projecting edge or rim of the
cartridge case, and at the other end it is formed with another projection * to
pass into a compound longitudinal and transverse groove formed in the
under side of the breech bolt. The part of this compound groove is in a
line parallel with the axis of the breech bolt, and at its fore end a shoulder is
formed to it by the head or face e¹; this part is of length sufficient to
admit of the breech bolt being withdrawn some distance before the "extractor'
acts upon the cartridge case to withdraw it, and the momentum thus, obtained
by the breech bolt renders the action upon the spent cartridge case more
effective to withdraw it in the case of its sticking in the breech end of the
barrel. The transverse portion of this groove serves to receive the projection l²
and admit of the turning of the breech bolte when it is fully in its place
in the rear or breech end of the barrel. A stop limiting the longitudinal
motion of the breech bolt backwards is thus provided by the projection on
the rear end of the "extractor" acting in conjunction with the shoulder
formed by the moveable head e¹ of the breech bolt, and the rear end or
termination of the groove in the shoe in which the extractor slides. The
sear is supported to turn upon an axis carried by lugs d' projecting from
the under side of the shoe d. The lever 3 of the "sear" is in position to be
acted upon by the trigger m, and it is borne upon by the spring n also affixed
to the shoe d with a tendency to bear the nose of the sear j towards the
hammer in order that the "sear" may properly engage the "tumbler" notches 5
and 6 formed on the projecting fin f* of the hammer f.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying
the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details shown and described so long as the peculiar character
of the Invention be retained substantially as described; but what I claim is,―
First, the forming the face or head of the breech bolt separate from the
main portion of that bolt and capable of ready attachment thereto or removal
therefrom, substantially as explained.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the so arranging and combining parts of the breech
bolt that an abutment for the helical hanimer spring may be applied to the
hammer through the front end of such breech bolt; also I claim the applica-
tion of a nut or collar to the hammer as an abutment for one end of the
helical hammer spring.
Thirdly, I claim the forming the hammer with a fin or projection f' having
full-cock and half-cock notches thereon, thus combining in one piece both
hammer and what is equivalent to the "tumbler" in ordinary gun locks,
which fin or projection. is also capable of sliding in a slot in the breech bolt
and in a groove in the stationary part of the fire-arm, and of being held by
the end of the breech bolt in manner and for the purposes substantially as
.described.
Fourthly, I claim the actuating of the cartridge" extractor" by a projection
at or near its rear end in conjunction with the compound longitudinal and
transverse groove in the breech bolt and the moveable face or head of the
breech bolt as described.
Fifthly, I claim the method of stopping or limiting the extent of the
backward movement of the breech bolt by the combination of parts substantially
as shown and described.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of applying and actuating the "sear" as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Henry Burton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
JAS. H. BURTON.
L.S)