IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE." A communication from abroad
by Edwin A. Brydges, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.
Sealed the 15th February 1878, and dated the 18th August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th August 1877.
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE,'
A communication from abroad by Edwin A. Brydges, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany.
This Invention consists of improvements in breech-loading small-arms and
ordnance for military and other purposes.
In constructing small-arms according to the first part of this Invention a transverse
cut is made, say, about 1 inch wide, and reaching below the cartridge chamber in
the breech receiver immediately at the rear of the cartridge chamber. At the side
or other convenient part of the breech receiver, according to the working of the
block (that is to say, whether the block is hinged at the side or other part of the
receiver) there is provided a suitable lug or projection to form a part of the hinge
for the breech block. The block which is hinged to this lug turns, according to the
present construction, upwards and to the left of the cartridge chamber by one
movement. As soon as the block is sufficiently raised the sear spring catches into a
notch on the pawl, the block remains raised, the mechanism at full-cock, and the
chamber open for loading.
The entire rear part of the breech receiver is grooved or hollowed out to facilitate
the introduction of the cartridge.
The block, which is provided with a knob or handle for raising the same, contains
the mechanism for exploding the cartridge, and forms one of the principal features
of this Invention. The said block contains a foot, the lower part of which protrudes

page_text: below the lower surface of the block, and the part of the said foot in the interior of
the block is provided with an inclined surface; the head of the knife for cutting
through the base of the cartridge case operates against this inclined surface. The
said knife is provided with an incline to the head of the same, corresponding to the
incline on the foot above mentioned, and a spiral spring, so that as soon as the block
has fallen, and the knife cut through the base of the cartridge to explode the charge,
the spiral spring forces the head of the knife back again, and consequently forces the
head so on the incline to the foot that the lower part of the foot protrudes again as
before the operation of loading and firing.
In lieu of using this foot and head and inclines, it is proposed to employ in some
cases a series of watch springs so fastened together that they form a flexible con-
nection between the foot and the knife, and a spiral spring surrounding these layers
of watch spring to force the parts, back to their original position.
The block is connected to the sear spring by means of a full linked chain, or a
series of springs forming a flexible connection.
"
This fire-arm possesses all the advantages of the present systems, whilst obviating
their faults or defects; it enables the soldier to fire 20 well aimed shots per minute;
it is not necessary that the soldier should remove the gun from his shoulder in
loading, and in case of its being used in the skirmish line it need not be moved in
the least degree.
The improved breech-loading fire-arm is onerated in the following manner :—
The principal features of this part of the Invention are,-
1st. Placing the mechanism of a military or other breech-loading arm in the
block of the same, so that by the automatic falling of the block the charge is
exploded.
2nd. The use of chains or flexible connections between the sear spring or other
equivalent and the breech block.
3rd. The use of inclined surfaces in the interior of the breech-loading block for
'forcing the knife or other equivalent out to explode the charge, or a flexible con-
nection of watch springs or other equivalent between the knife and the protruding
foot at the lower surface of the block.
This Invention relates, secondly, to breech-loading ordnance.
In carrying out this part of the Invention à transverse cut is made at the rear of
the cartridge chamber, as herein-before described with reference to small arms, and
a lug is also cast to the rear part of the cannon to form a suitable hinge for the
revolving breech block.
As soon as the block is sufficiently raised the nose to the firing pin protrudes so
as to hold up the block and prevent the same from falling and exploding the charge;
this block remains raised during the loading and sighting of the gun.
As soon as
these operations are completed the lever is turned or depressed, the block falls or
closes, the foot or projection to the lower surface of the block is driven in, and the
knife or pin out, the primer or cap is exploded, and consequently the charge.
The block is fastened to a strong sear or V spring or other equivalent running
parallel with the tube of the gun or otherwise by means of a chain or combination
of flexible springs.
The foot and knife or pin are either operated by inclined surfaces acting
against each other, or are connected to each other by a suitable flexible or other
connection.
The block is further provided with a tube-like projection for the insertion of the
lever for raising the breech block, or a simple handle can be used.
The cut to the rear of the cartridge chamber need not be straight, but can be of a
semicircular or other suitable form, as can also the falling or closing breech block.

page_text: The use of this breech-loading cannon, which entirely supercedes all existing
systems, enable a field gun to be fired with almost the same rapidity as an infantry
small-arm.
The principal features of this part of the Invention are,―
1st. Placing the mechanism for firing a cannon in the block piece of the same.
2nd. Dispensing with all touch holes, fuses, and the like (whereby numerous mis-fires
are caused), and using a cannon with a revolving breech block, in combination with
a suitable cartridge so arranged that by the falling of the block or closing of the
breech by means of the block the charge is exploded.
3rd. The use of chains, flexible, or other suitable connections between the spring
or other mechanical equivalent for the same and the breech block, or of a rigid con-
nection so hinged or connected to the spring or block, or both, as to allow of the free
action of the breech block.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
February 1878.
.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE."
A communication from abroad by Edwin A. Brydges, of Berlin, in the Empire of.
Germany.
The said Invention relates to improvements in breech-loading small-arms for
military and other purposes, and in breech-loading ordnance, all as herein-after.
described with reference to the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 (on Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a longitudinal sectional elevation
of a breech-loading small-arm constructed according to the said Invention, the
breech being represented as closed; Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation cor-
responding to Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 are similar views to Figures 1 and 2, but with the breech repre-.
sented as open; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the gun with the.
parts in their open position, the view being taken on the opposite side to that shewn
in Figure 3.
Figure 6 represents a side elevation of a portion of a breech-loading cannon,"
constructed according to the said Invention, the breech being represented as open;
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the same corresponding to Figure 6.
Figure 8 (on Sheet 2) is a longitudinal section shewing the breech closed; and-
Figure 9 is a plan corresponding to Figure 8.
The same letters indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Referring to the arrangement of breech-loading small-arm, which is illustrated by
Figures 1 to 5 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings, A is the breech shoe or receiver, to which
is screwed the barrel B, the two parts being rigidly secured to the stock C in any.
usual and well-known manner. The shoe A forms the cartridge chamber a, into
which the charge is introduced by a longitudinal slot or cavity b provided in the.
said shoe, the cartridge chamber being closed by a breech block D, the construction,
and arrangement of which and of its accessories form essential features of the said.
Invention. The block D' is pivotted at c to lugs d provided on the side of the shoe

page_text: A, and the said shoe is slotted transversely at e for the reception of the block D,
which is capable of being turned upon its pivots c from the horizontal position
shewn in Figures 1 and 2 to the vertical position indicated in Figures 3, 4, and 5, in
order to open the breech for the introduction of the charge, and cock the gun, and
vice versa, in order to close the breech and discharge. the gun. These conjoint
operations are performed by the aid of the devices and in the manner next herein-
after described.
1.
The breech block D is connected by a chain f (or by flexible or other couplings
admitting of the free action of the block) to a spring E, so that when the block is
elevated by the act of laying hold of its handle g, and turning it upon its piston c.
In order to open the breech the spring is drawn up or compressed. By 'this action
the nose or extremity h of the spring is caused to engage with the notch i of a
detent F, carried upon a sliding rod Ğ, which is mounted in bearings or supports
H, H, beneath the shoe A, and is provided with a helical spring k, tending to draw
the said detent in the direction of the nose h of the spring E. Simultaneously with
the motion of the block D the striking pin or knife I, which is contained within
and works through the front of the block, is also drawn back under the action of a
helical spring in the following manner :- -The head I of the pin I, which is made
of an inclined shape, is arranged in connection with an incline formed on a slide
D' working across the breech block D, so that in proportion as the block rises,
giving play or space for the descent of the slide D¹, the pin is retracted under the
action of its spring, the head I acting upon the incline 7, and forcing the slide D¹
downwards, so that its extremity is caused to protrude, as shewn in Figure 4.
The breech having been completely opened the charge may now be inserted, after
which the breech is closed and the gun discharged simply by the act of operating
the trigger K, which is arranged in the following manner:-The trigger is connected
by an arm L and pin m to the sliding rod G of the detent mechanism, so that when
the said trigger is operated the nose or extremity h of the spring E is released,
whereby the said spring is caused to suddenly draw down the breech block D, and
as the extremity of the slide D¹, on the descent of the block, comes into contact
with the bottom of the shoe at 2 (Figure 4), the incline l acts upon the inclined
head I of the striking pin or knife J, and impels it forward to explode the charge.
A spring safety catch M is provided for preventing the premature ascent of the
slide D¹, the extremity n of the catch being capable of engaging in a notch n³ formed
in the slide.
The breech block may be provided on its face with a copper ring to serve as a
gas check if found desirable.
The details of the arrangement of the striking pin or knife I and the protruding
slide D may be modified whilst retaining the same relation between them.
By this improved fire-arm great rapidity of firing is attainable, the number of
movements are reduced to a minimum, and the gun may be loaded without the
necessity for removing it from the shoulder.
The improved breech-loading cannon, which is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 (on
Sheet 1), and Figures 8 and 9 (on Sheet 2) of the Drawings, is constructed upon
the same principle as the breech-loading small-arm herein-before described, the
details only being slightly modified.
The block D is connected by a chain f (or by flexible or other connections, as
before mentioned) to the spring E, as in the case of the small-arm, but in lieu of
employing a detent engaging with the spring there is provided a spring bolt or
detent F (fitted so as to be capable of sliding through the solid metal of the breech
at the rear of the breech block D), and which projects in front of the block, or
enters a notch therein at i, so as to intercept or retain the block when in its elevated
position.
When the charge has been introduced, and the sight has been taken, the gun is
discharged by the act of depressing the trigger or lever K, which has the effect of
disengaging the bolt F from the block D, leaving the latter free to be drawn down
under the action of the spring E, whereby the breech is closed, and the striking pin

page_text: or knife I, under the action of the incline on the slide D', is impelled forwards to
explode the charge. A safety catch M is provided, which may be turned within
the range of the breech block so as to intercept it, and prevent the liability of a
premature discharge.
The breech block D is fitted with a copper facing o, which serves as a gas
check.
It is obvious that metallic cartridges may be used both in the small arms and
ordnance.
If necessary the block may be recessed or perforated for the facility of sighting
the gun when the block is in its elevated position.
In some cases, as for example for large guns, strong springs of other descriptions
may be substituted for the V shewn in the Drawings, and the block when of
unwieldy dimensions may be raised by levers or chains.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,―
First. In breech-loading small-arms or ordnance arranging the firing mechanism
in the interior of the breech block so that by the descent or motion of the block, in
order to close the breech, the charge is exploded, substantially as herein-before
described.
Secondly. In breech-loading small-arms or ordnance, coupling the breech block to
a spring or its equivalent by means of chains or flexible or other connections,
admitting of the free action of the block, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Thirdly. In breech-loading small arms or ordnance, actuating the striker by means
of inclines or their equivalents in the interior of the breech block, the whole being
arranged and combined so as to operate substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Speci-
cation set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of February, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)