Year: 1888

page_text: I PHILIP THOMAS GODSAL of Eton in the County of Buckingham, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to bo as follows:-
This invention rela'es to breech-loading small arms, and combines the advantages
of the systems known respectively as "block actions" and "bolt actions," ensuring
the strength, security, and efficiency of the former, with the celerity and repeating
power of the latter.
In its simplest form, the action is manipulated in a similar manner to a bolt gun,
namely, by a partial turn of a lever, which turns the block, and then a draw or slide
back of some length.
In carrying out my invention, I employ what I will call a stock-bar. This stock bar
consists of a flat bar of metal running from underneath the barrel, to which it will be
firinly secured, to any required distance down the butt or stock. The stock bar is.
slotted to receive the trigger and its appurtances, and when the action is worked with
an under lever, some other mechanism to be hereafter described. The stock bar is
essentially in one piece, but it may, for convenience of manufacture, be made of two
longitudinal plates strongly rivetted or otherwise secured together. The upper edge
of the stock bar is carried back under the barrel to the breach, where it is raised to
the level of the bore of the gun; from thence the bar is carried back to any desired
distance, its upper edge being maintained in line with the bore of the gun, and being
slightly hollowed, if necessary, in correspondence therewith, to receive the cartridge.
On either side of the stock bar, near the top and parallel with it, a longitudinal
groove is cut, and on this straight upper edge of the stock bar is fitted a long hollow
block, which I call the "saddle block."-This "saddle block" contains the striker and
its main spring. The true block or obturator is a short cylinder of about the same
diameter as the base of the cartridge, or larger if necessary. Through the centre of
the block, a hole is drilled for the passage of the striker.

page_text: The fore end of the saddle block is open, and round its immer and upper rim, a
groove is cut to receive a lip formed at the back of the true block or obturator. The
saddle block grips the sides of the stock bar, and slides thereon. The true block is
placed in its position in tho saddie block before sliding the saddle block on to the
stock bar, and when the saddle block is so slidden on, the true block is held in its
place between the saddle block and the upper surface of the stock bar.
One of the lower sides of the striker hole is so shaped as to act as a cam to push
back the striker sufficiently to keep it away from the cartridge whilst the block is
being unlocked from the barrel, also rendering the gun absolutely safe from discharge
until the action is relocked.
Outside the front edge of the true block, projections are formed, preferably three in
number, which, when the block is advanced to close the breech, are received into
notches cut in the breech end of the barrel. On a partial turn being given to the
block, these projections take into a circular groove cut round inside the breech end of
the barrel, and the block will be securely locked to the barrel. This partial rotation
of the block cannot however take place until it is thrust home, as the stock bar on
which the block travels provents its rotation.
Instead of locking the block to the inside of the breech, the action may be
reversed, and the block made to grip the barrel externally.
The partial turn for locking and unlocking the block is imparted to it by means of
a short lever connected therewith in any suitable manner.
The striker is a direct one,
actuated as usual by a spiral spring, and is caught by the trigger in the manner usual
to holt guns, as the saddle block travels forward.
The extractor is arranged to lie behind the rim of the cartridge when in place,
& is carried upon a sliding bar, which preferably lies within the saddle block, between
one of its wings or flaps and the stock bar. This extractor bar is connected to the
saddle block in such a manner that the latter can be drawn back to some oxtent, and
with it the obturator, without affecting the position of the extractor. The continued
withdrawal of the saddle block, however, causes a projection upon it to strike against
a corresponding projection upon the extractor bar, and forcibly move it in the line of
travel of the saddle block, thereby bringing the extractor to bear sinartly upon the
rim of the discharged cartridge which it is desired to eject.
The extractor bar is preferably provided with a light spring to return the extractor
to its normal position within the breech.
The process of loading the gun is as follows:-Supposing the action to be closed ;-
(1) Give a partial unlocking turn to the breech block to unlock it.
(2) Draw back the saddle block and with it the true block.
(3) Insert a cartridge into the barrel, either with the hand, or from a hopper or
magazine at the sido.
(4) Press forward the saddle block, thereby driving in the cartridge, when a
partial locking turn should be given to the true block, and the gun will be ready
for firing.
When it is desired to work the action at great speed, a lover operated by the fingers
of the firing hand may be placed underneath the stock bar, working on a fulcrum
carried by a sliding block or har. The short end of this lever is connected with the
saddle block by a link bar. The sliding fulcrum block or bar passes up through the
middle of the stock bar, and is forined with a slot in it through which passes a trans-
verse retaining pin. On one side of the lower end of the fulcrum slide is fixed one
end of a vertical rod, the other end of which carries a pin which, when the breech
block advances to close the breech, enters a slot in a short lever arm projecting from
the block, and remains so engaged while the action is closed. When the under lever
is depressed, the fulcrum slide descends, dragging (by means of the vertical rod)
the breech block round a partial revolution, thereby unlocking the block from the
barrel. When this is done, the upper end of the slot in the fulcrum slide will have
reached the retaining pin, and can go no farther. The saddle block being no longer
locked to the barrel, will, under the pressure of the lever and link, be thrust back
the necessary distance:

page_text: In order to prevent the fulcrum block beginning to move before its proper time in
closing the action, a small lever actuated by a spring catches onto its top. The
forward motion of the saddle block presses this lever back at the proper moment to
disengage it.
•
In applying my invention to repeating arms, I propose to place a magazine or quick
loader, preferably on the left side of the stock bar, from which the cartridges are
delivered, and forced into the barrel by the forward movement of the saddle block.
Dated this 8th day of August 1888.
'NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 1, PHILIP THOMAS GODSAL of Eton in the County of Buckingham, England,
Gentleman, do hereby declare 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 :--
This invention relating to-breech-loading small arms, and combines the advantages
of the systems known respectively us block action" and "bolt action," ensuring
the strength, security, and efficiency of the former, with the celerity and repeating
power of the latter.
.
The action is manipulated in a similar manner to a bolt gun, namely, by a partial
turn of a lever, which unlocks the block, and then a draw or side back of some
length.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a slide elevation, partly in section, of a breech action constructed
according to my invention, the action being closed and the cartridge fired.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the action open ready to insert a cartridge.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 1, 2, with the obturator removed; and,-
Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 3, 4, both of. Fig. 1, and looking from the
rear.
Fig. 4 is a section on the line 5, 6, Fig. 2, with the obturator removed.
In Figs. 2 and 4*, I have shown the arm with a magazine adapted thereto.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the saddle block, and Fig. 6 is a rear end view of the
same.
Fig. 7 is a side view, and Fig. 8 a front end view, of the plug or filling piece
which closes the rear end of the saddle block.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of stock bar, saddle block, and breech end of the barrel.
Fig. 10 is a side view; and Fig. 11 a front view, of the true block or obturator,-
Fig. 12 being a back view of the same, with lever handle, and Fig. 13 a similar view
of the parts in the unlocked position.
Fig. 14 is a side view, Fig. 15 is a plan view, and Fig. 16 a rear end view, of the
cartridge extractor.
Fig. 17 is a side view, Fig. 18 an end view, Fig. 19 a plan view, and Fig. 20 a front
view, of the firing pin or striker.
Fig. 21 is a side view of the arm showing the magazine position, with certain
details relating thereto, which will be particularly referred to hereafter;-and Fig. 22
is a cross section taken on the line 7-8 of Fig. 21.
Figs. 23 are details which will be referred to particularly hereafter.
A is the barrel, A' A² (Fig. 21) the butt and stock, and B the trigger plate.
The trigger plate is secured, at its front end, to a forked piece B₁, the prongs of
which extend upwards on either side of the breech of the barrel, and are secured

page_text: thereto by screws or otherwise. Or the fork may be formed in one with the breech.
The object of this piece B' is to hold the rear end of the stock A3 and the front end
of the butt.A securely.in position, and it also forms a rigid attachment for the front
end of the trigger plate. The rear end of the trigger plate is attached to a stock bar
5 (to be referred to) by a screw or screws B, which pass through the butt A', and
thus the fixed parts of the action and the barrel are securely attached to the stock and
butt A' (see figs. 1, 2, & 21).
The fore end A of the stock, which fits into the piece B', is secured to the barrel
in the usual manner. This portion of the stock is grooved on its underside to receive
0 the cleaning rod as usual.
0
C is what I torm a "
stock bar," which is preferably formed in one with the
brbroech end or portion D of the barrel. This bar extends some distance to the rear
..from the breech, and is made, at its lower edge, with a lateral rib, fin, or projection,
on the upper face of which the extractor slides. The upper face of this bar C
may be curved, and forms a surface along which the breech block or obturator travels.
On one side, the bar C has an angular or other suitably shaped projection (³, und, on
the other side, is a recess C, the object of which will be more fully described
hereafter. The section of this "stock bar" will be readily seen by reference to
Figs. 3, 4, 4*, & 22.
The front end of the stock bar C may be recessed or cut away transversely at its
upper part, as shewn at C, Fig. 2, so as to leave a shoulder (or it may be made with
a shoulder), which forms part of the moans for locking the breech block or obturator
to the breech end or portion D of the barrel, as will hereafter be more fully
described. The front half of the body of the stock bar may be bored out or grooved
5. longitudinally at its lower part (see the dotted lines C, Figs. 1 and 2), to receive
the end of the cleaning rod. By this means, I am enabled to have a cleaning rod in
one piece, of greater length than the barrel. It also removes a portion of the
1. metal, and lightens the part without detriment to its strength.
The breech end or portion D of the barrel (which may be made separate from, and
0 arranged to screw onto the barrel A) has a circular central opening at rear, and
several dovetailed or other suitably shaped ways or notches D' in the edge of the
.opening, which leave projecting portions or Ings D2, D3, to form part of the locking
device. The end of the barrel, and the inside edge of the projecting portions or
lugs D, will form an annular groove in which radial projections, on the true block or
obturator, can rotate.
•
It will bo obvious that the stock bar and breech D, need not necessarily have
any permanent connection the one with the other, but in this case, the upper surface
of the stock bar must be arranged to form a rearward continuation of the lower
lug D of the breech D.
E is the true breech block or obturator, and consists of a solid cylinder Eof
suitable 'diameter, having at its fore end lateral or radial projections ³, near its
rear end a hand lever E, and in rear of the hand lever, an annular groove E². The
band lever is a projection from a rim or lip on the block, which is so arranged as, to
close against the breech of the barrel, and thus prevent the possibility of any flame
5-reaching the firer's face. On one sido this rim or lip is cut away so as to leave a
shoulder, which, as the block is moved axially, comes against a pusher to be
hereafter described, and so regulates or limits the axial motion to be given to the block.
The rear face of the cylinder has an inclined portion. or ratchet tooth E, and the
cylinder is bored centrally with a conical hole to receive the point of the striker. A
::small vertical hole may also be made in the block to act as a vent in case a cap
shouid explode. The form of the obturator is more particularly shown in the
..detail views, Figs. 10, 11, 12, & 13, though it may also be seen in Figs. 1 and 2.
F is the sadile block, which consists of a hollow cylinder having externally, on
ifthe underside, downwardly projecting pieces F. At the front end, the lower part
of the cylinder is ent away for a short distance; the side pieces Flare grooved
vertically, and the block is formed with an internal rim or lip (see Fig. 6), which
extends on both sides to the bottom of the pieces F, so that, as seen from "the

page_text: front, the block will be fork-shaped. This rim or lip lies in the groove E³ of the
obturator E, when the latter is inserted in the fork, and the obturator may be
secured in position by a lateral projection on the pusher before referred to, which
would underlie the obturator, or in any other convenient manner. By these means,
the obturator will be securely held in position in the block, but will be capable of
axial motion therein. The inner face of one of the pieces F is formed with an
angular or V shaped recess, into which the projection Con the stock bar fits, and
the other piece has a projection (sec Fig. 6) which fits into the recess C³ of the
stock bar CF is a projection at the forward portion of the part F1 of the saddle
block, which, besides holding the saddle block to the stock bar, is also intended to
actuate the extractor, as will be presently explained. F' is a cylindrical plug or
filling pieco, which is intended to close up the rear end of the saddle block F, and
also to serve as an abutment for the rear end of the main spring G. This plug is
secured in position by a screw F³, which passes through the block F. A rectangular
chamber F is made longitudinally in the ping to receive the rear end of the striker,
when the spring is cramped, and it also serves to prevent any axial motion of the
striker.
G¹ is the striker, and the main spring G is mounted thereon, and bears against a
collar or shoulder G³ on the striker. The front half G' of the striker is cylindrical,
as shown, while the rear half, G₁, is rectangular, and cut away on its upper side.
The striker thus formed will be in one piece, and the main spring can be placed
--upon it without difficulty.
The rear end of the striker is formed with. a downward projection or bent G³,
which catches against-the sear as the action is pushed forward by the handle E.
The sear may be of any suitable construction, and will be placed in a slot formed in
the stock bar C to receive it.
The front face of the collar G2 is formed with an incline or ratchet tooth G*,
which fits against the inclined part E of the obturator E, when the parts are in their
normal position (see Fig. 1).
The cartridge extractor consists of a block H provided with an upwardly and
inwardly inclined extension piece or claw H', which is intended to lie behind the rim
of the cartridge when in place, and a long stem or tail piece H³, the rear end of
which is formed with a shoulder or stop H³. The block H may have a notch into
which takes the point of a pivotted catch on the underside of the lever E³, and
which prevents any automatic movement of the lever.
The extractor lies by the side of the stock bar C, and works on the lateral rib or
projection C and it is also held in position by the part F¹ of the saddle block F,
which presses against it.
Jis a pusher bar (see Figs. 21 & 24) or rod, which is secured outside the saddle
block by screws.
This pusher piece extends as far as the front of the block E, and enters a recess
formed for it in the breech end or portion D.
J* is a lateral projection on the inner side of the pusher piece J., which fits under
the obturator E, and serves to hold it in position.
When putting the action together, the true block or obturator E is first slidden
upwards in the forked end of the saddle block. The pusher piece J is then secured
to the side of the saddle block.
The striker G', with the main spring G on it, is next inserted in the saddle block,
and the plug F is pushed in after it, and secured by the screw F. The parts thus
combined form one compound piece, which may be called the "assembled saddle
block." The extractor is now placed in position beside the stock bar (, with its tail
piece projecting some distance in rear thereof, and the assembled saddle block (with
the lever E turned so that the shoulder of its rim is against the pusher, or in the
position shown in Fig. 13), is then slidden on the stock bar between the block H
and the stop H³ of the extractor, and the parts are pushed home & locked in the
breech. A pin is inserted at the rear end of the stock bar to prevent the parts being
drawn off when opening the breech.

page_text: The mode of operating the action is as follows
The cartridge has been fired, and the parts are in the position shown at Fig. 1, that
is to say, the hand lever is horizontal, as seen in Figs. 4 and 12, and the projections E¹
of the ohtarator are behind the shoulders D of the breech ond or portion D of tho
barrel, the action being thereby firmly locked to the barrel.
It is desired to open the breech in order to withdraw the cartridge case and
reload. The lever E is pushed up into the position shown at Fig. 13, and is drawn
back with the block E. This upward movement of the lever axially turns the
obturator E, and brings the projections E in line with the ways D' of the breech D,
so that the obturator is free to be drawn back by the handle E. This axial movement
'of the obturator also brings two of the projections E' on opposite sides of the stock
bar, as will be understood on reference to Fig. 13; thus, the obturator, when
drawn back, cannot be moved axially to bring it to its normal position until it is
pushed quite home into the breech piece.
By the same axial movement. the inclined portion F, at the rear ond of the
obturator, slides on the corresponding part G of the striker, and pushes back the striker
into the position shown at Fig. 2, so that the point of the striker will be withdrawn
inside the block E, and clear of any cartridge in the breech, thereby rendering the
fire-rm safe from accidental discharge until the action is absolutely relocked.
At the proper moment during the rearward movement of the sad.lle block F, the
projection F on the part F' comes into contact with the shoulder H³ of the extractor H,
and the extractor is drawn back with the cartridge caso.-As the saddle block will be
drawn back with some force, a sharp blow will be given to the extractor, which will
overcome any slight tendency of the cartridge case to stick. Should, however, the
caso stick tight, a succession of blows may be given to the extractor, which in most
cases will have the desired effect.
When the fresh cartridge is inserted in the breach, the lever E is pushed forward,
and with it the obturator and sadlo block. The projections El enter the ways Di
of the piece D, and when right home, the obturator is moval axially, by which
means the projections E' are brought behind the shoulders D', and the action is
locked to the barrel. At the same time, the inclined face.E is moved round so as
to leave the striker free to reach the cartridge when the trigger is palle:.
During the forward movement, the projection or bent G³ of the striker comes into
contact with, and is held by the sear, so that by the continue: forward movement of
the saddle block, the mainspring G is cramped ready for firing.
The sear and the trigger arrangement may be of any well known and convenient
kind.
In Figs. 2, 4, and 21, I have shewn, by way of example, how my improved fire-
arm may be adapted for use as a magazine arin.
The magazine, which may he of any suitable construction, is place'l in a recess
formed by cutting away one side of the stock A', just in rear of the breach D. The
magazine will be retained in this recess, by a spring catch, or in any other convenient
manner, which, while holding it securely will admit of its being readily removed,
when empty, to be replaced by a full magazine.
The cartridges will be pushed forward by the pusher J, which is secured to the
side of the saddle block F in such a position as to pass through a notch J¹ at the
back of the magazine (see Fig. 4*).
When the cartridge is pushed from under a retaining piece on the magazine by
the pusher, it springs up into the path of the obturator E, by which it is forced into
the breech, while the front end of the pusher enters the hole in the piece D made to
recrive it.
In order that the arm may be loaded by hand, oven when a full magazine is in
position, I provide a bolt K, Firs. 21, 2, and 23, which is fitted to the stock A' in
rear of the magazine, and is arranged to enter the notch J' before mentionell, so
that it will overlie the top cartridge, ant keep it down out of the path of the pusher J,
unt. it is wanted. The pulling back of the bolt K will release the cartridges in the
magazine.

page_text: It will be obvious that any suitable safety catch arrangement to lock the trigger,
or to intercept the striker, may be adapted to the arm.
-
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim i3-
:-
1. The breech action for small arms herein shown and describad, and consisting of
a piece D, which forms the breech end-of the barrel, a stock bar (firmly secured to
the piece 1), a breech block or obturator E, capable of locking into tho. breech D,
and of axial motion in a saddle block F, a main spring G mounted on a striker G
of special construction, and contained in the saddle block F, and an extractor H, all
constructed, combined, and operating as set forth.
2. In a breech action for small arms, a "stock bar" as herein shown and described,
and consisting of a bar C, having a lateral rib C at its lower edge, a lateral rib C³,
and a recess (³ at its upper part, and a flat or curved upper surface, such stock bar
being so combined with the piece D as to form a rearward continuation of the
lower lug of the piece D, substantially as set forth.
3. In a breech action for small arms, an obturator as herein shown and described,
and consisting of a cylinder E, radial lugs E', handle E³, groove E³, an incline*E*
on its rear face, a conical contral hole, and a vent hole, as set forth.
4. In a breech action for small arms, a saddle block as heroin shewn and described,
and consisting of a hollow cylinder E, external downward projections F. rim F³, the
front portion of the block being cut away and forked, projection--and a filling..
plug F, as and for the purpose set forth:
5. In a breech action for small arins, the striker of the form shown and described,
that is to say, having a cylindrical portion G¹, and a rectangular portion Gi*, a
collar G³, near its front end, with an external inclined face G, a striking point, and
a projection or bent G³ at the rear end, as set forth.
6. In a breech action for small arms, the combination, with the barrel A, of
breech portion D, a stock bar C, a breech block E, and a saddle block F,
set forth.
7. In a breech action for small arms, the combination of a rotating or axially
moving breech block with a reciprocating saddle block, as herein shown and
described.
8. In a breech action for small arms, the combination of a stock bar C, a recipro
cating saddle block, and an axially moving breech block, as herein shewn and
described.
9. In a breech action for small arms, the stock bar C, the saddle block F, and the
extractor H, all combined and operating as set forth.
10. In a breech action for small arms, the safety arrangement in front of the main
spring, as herein shown and described, and for the purposes set forth.
11. The combination in a breech loading firearm, of the breech action referred to
in Claim 1, with a magazine for cartridges, as herein shown and described.
Dated this 26th day of Auril 1889.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.