IMPROVEMENTS IN SMALL FIRE ARMS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas William Webley and Henry Webley, both of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturers, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SMALL FIRE ARMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas William Webley
and Henry Webley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
24th November 1881:
THOMAS WILLIAM WERLEY and HENRY WEBLEY, both of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SMALL FIRE
ARMS."
Our improvements consist first of the following method of constructing the lifter
catch, by which the extractor of revolving small fire arms is worked.
We will describe this part of our Invention in connection with a revolving
pistol.
In the body of the pistol and immediately in front of the joint of the lifter
catch is a tooth or cam turning upon a joint and urged forward by a coiled spring
in a recess in the body of the pistol. On the front of the joint of the lifter catch
is a projection on which the spring tooth or can described bears. When after
firing the body of the pistol is depressed, the said spring tooth bearing upon the
said projection operates the lifter and through it the extractor. When the body
has been depressed through an angle somewhat greater than that which projects
the extractor to its full extent, the spring tooth or cam is liberated from the
projection on the joint of the lifter catch, when the extractor snaps back into its
normal position by the action of its spring. The liberation of the spring tooth
from the projection on the lifter catch is effected by the knuckles of. the joint on
which the body turns, between which knuckles the joint of the lifter catch is
situated. These knuckles are eccentric to the centre on which they turn, and
when the body has been turned through the required angle they press back the
spring tooth and permit the extractor to snap into its normal position. Should
the spring tooth become disabled by the breaking of its spring or otherwise, the
parts act in the same manner as the parts of the ordinary construction by
depressing the body through a somewhat greater angle than that by which the
spring tooth is operated.

page_text: Our improvements consist, secondly, of the following method of connecting and
disconnecting the axis of the revolving cylindrical bolt of revolving small fire arms
to and from the block on the fixed barrel of the same. This connecting and
disconnecting is effected by a spring cross pin passing through the said block, a
coiled spring in the hollow head of the pin pressing it in the direction proper to
withdraw it.
A cap fixed by a screw on the other end of the pin secures it in its place, the
said pin being capable of a limited sliding motion by pressure upon its head. The
under side of this pin has two slightly inclined cross slots or notches. The end of
the hollow or tubular axis, which engages with the said spring pin, has on its under
side a slot for the lifter catch to work in. Its upper half is cut away a short
distance, the said cut away part terminating in a nearly semi-circular depression.
When tho axis is pushed home in the block the sides of the terminal end of the
axis enter the slots in the spring cross pin, forcing it back till the semi-circular
depressions in the axis are brought under the cross pin, when the said pin snaps by
the action of its spring into the said depressions and effects the connection of the
axis to the block. The axis is disconnected by pressing on the head of the
cross pin.
Our improvements consist, thirdly, of the following method of mounting the
revolving cylinders of revolving small firo arms. In the ordinary method of
mounting the revolving cylinder upon its axis the rotation of the cylinder soon
becomes impeded by the fouling or corrosion of the axis by the gases produced by
the discharge of the arm. To remedy this inconvenience we mount the cylinder
upon its axis in the following way:-The front end of the axial hole in tho
cylinder is expanded so as to form a cylindrical recess of somewhat larger diameter
than the axix hole. This recess is made of still larger diameter at the extreme
open end. That part of the recess of smaller diameter is screwed internally, and a
screw collar fitting the said screwed recess and having a flange fitting the extreme
open end of the recess takes into the said recess by a screwing motion. The end
of the hollow axis has a flange which fits in the lower part of the said recess.
When the said axis is put in its place in the axial hole in the cylinder its flange
bears against the bottom of the recess. The screw collar is then screwed home in
the said recess and the revolving cylinder is thereby secured on its axis, tho end
bearing of the revolving cylinder being formed by the inner face of the scrow
collar and the flange on the end of the axis. As the recess in which the said
bearing is situated is closed by the screw collar, the gases produced by the
explosion have no access to the bearing, and the fouling of tho parts is effectually
prevented.
Our improvements consist, fourthly, of the following method of ejecting the
cases of spent cartridges from breech loading drop down small arms.
Underneath the rear end of the rod of the extractor is a lever pressed upwards
by a spring. As the breech end of the barrels is raised the extractor is operated
upon by a projection on the body in the ordinary way; but just before it reaches
the end of its stroke the rear end of its rod is brought over the lever pressing on
its under side. The said lever now acting on the end of the extractor rod jerks
forward the extractor and ejects the cartridge case or cases.
Our improvements consist, lastly, in actuating the hand lever of small arms
having concealed or internal hammers by means of a coiled spring acting in front
of the said lever. The coiled spring acts upon the hand lever at a point a little
below the centre on which the lever turns, and after the depression of the said
lever for cocking the gun restores it to its normal position against the trigger
guard.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas William Webley and Henry Webley in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 18th May 1882.
THOMAS WILLIAM WEBLEY and HENRY WEBLEY, both of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SMALL FIRE
ARMS."
Our improvements consist, first, of the following method of constructing the
lifter catch by which the extractor of revolving small fire arms is worked.
We will describe this part of our Invention in connection with a revolving
pistol.
In the body of the pistol and immediately in front of the joint of the lifter
catch is a tooth or cam turning upon a joint and urged forward by a coiled spring
in a recess in the body of the pistol. On the front of the joint of the lifter catch
is a projection on which the spring tooth or cam described bears. When after
firing the body of the pistol is depressed, the said spring tooth bearing upon the
said projection operates the lifter catch and through it the extractor.
When the body has been depressed through an angle somewhat greater than
that which projects the extractor to its full extent, the spring tooth or cam is
liberated from the projection on the joint of the lifter catch, when the extractor
snaps back into its normal position by the action of its spring. The liberation of
the spring tooth from the projection on the lifter catch is effected by the knuckles
of the joint on which the body turns between which knuckles the joint of the
lifter catch is situated. These knuckles are eccentric to the centre on which they
turn, and when the body has been turned through the required angle they press
back the spring tooth and permit the extractor to snap into its normal position.
Our improvements consist, secondly, of the following method of connecting and
disconnecting the axis of the revolving cylindrical bolt of revolving small fire arms
to and from the block on the fixed burrol of the same. This connecting and
disconnecting is effected by a spring cross pin passing through the said block
a coiled spring in the hollow head of the pin pressing it in the direction proper to
withdraw it.
A cap fixed by a screw on the other end of the pin secures it in its place, the
said pin being capable of a limited sliding motion by pressure upon its bead.
The underside of this pin has two slightly inclined cross slots or notches. The
end of the hollow or tubular axis which engages with the said spring pin has on its
underside a slot for the lifter catch to work in. Its upper half is cut away a
short distance, the said cut away part terminating in a nearly semi-circular
depression.
When the axis is pushed home in the block the sides of the terminal end of the
axis enter the slots in the spring cross pin, forcing it back till the semi-circular
depressions in the axis are brought under the cross pin, when the said pin snaps
by the action of its spring into the said depressions and effects the connection
of the axis to the block. The axis is disconnected by pressing on the head of the
cross pin.
Our improvements consist, thirdly, of the following method of mounting the
revolving cylinders of revolving small fire arms. In the ordinary method of
mounting the revolving cylinder upon its axis, the rotation of the cylinder soon
becomes impeded by the fouling or corrosion of the axis by the gases produced by
the discharge of the arm. To remedy this inconvenience we mount the cylinder
upon its axis in the following way-The front end of the axial hole in the
cylinder is expanded so as to form a cylindrical recess of somewhat larger diameter
than the axial hole. This recess is made of still larger diameter at the extreme

page_text: open end. That part of the recess of smaller diameter is screwed internally and
a screw collar fitting the said screwed recess and having a flange fitting the
extreme open end of the recess takes into the said recess by a screwing motion.
The end of the hollow axis has a flange which fits in the lower part of the said
recess. When the said axis is put in its place in the axial hole in the cylinder, its
flange bears against the bottom of the recess. The screw collar is then screwed
home in the said recess and the revolving cylinder is thereby secured on its axis,
the end bearing of the revolving cylinder being formed by the inner face of the
screw collar and the flange on the end of the axis. As the recess in which the said
bearing is situated is closed by the screw collar, the gases produced by the explosion
have no access to the bearing and the fouling of the parts is effectually prevented.
Our improvements consist, fourthly, of the following method of ejecting the
cases of spent cartridges from breech loading drop down small arms.
Underneath the rear end of the rod of the extractor is a lever pressed upwards
by a spring. As the breech end of the barrels is raised the extractor is operated
upon by a projection on the body in the ordinary way; but just before it reaches
the end of its stroke the rear end of its rod is brought over the lever pressing on
its underside. The said lever now acting on the end of the extractor rod jerks
forward the extractor and ejects the cartridge case or cases.
Our improvements consist, lastly, in actuating the hand lever of small arms
having concealed or internal hammers by means of a coiled spring acting in front
of the said lever.
The coiled spring acts upon the hand lever at a point a little below the centre
on which the lever turns, and after the depression of the said lever for cocking the
gun restores it to its normal position against the trigger guard.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings
the manner in which our Invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation; Figure 2 in longitudinal vertical section
and partly in side elevation, and Figure 3 in end elevation a revolving pistol
containing our improvements; Figure 4 represents the same in the act of
extracting the cases of the exploded cartridges, and Figure 5 represents the same
after the said cases have been extracted and the extractor returned to its normal
position; Figure G represents a cross section of the pistol taken on the line a, a,
Figure 2, and exhibits the construction of the cross pin used for connecting and
disconnecting the bolt or axis of the rotating cylinder to and from the block on
the fixed barrel; Figures 7 to 17 both inclusive represent parts of the pistol as
hereinafter explained.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1 to 17.
We will first describe the extracting mechanism.
b is the extractor of the ordinary kind (shown separately in Figure 7). Screwed
to the extractor b is a rod c (shown separately in Figure 8), having at its end the
head c² against which head c and the flange on the axis d of the revolving
cylinder c the coiled spring e (shown separately in Figure 9) takes its abutinents.
The spring e is for the purpose of giving the retiring or snapping action to the
extractor and parts connected with it, as hereinafter explained; f is the lifter
catch by which the extractor b is worked; the lifter catch fis shown separately
in Figure 10. It turns on the pin or centre g, and its head bears against tho
head c of the extractor rod c, and works in a slot in the underside of the axis d of
the revolving cylinder. The lifter catch f has at the front of its joint part a
projection h, and at its back stops or projections i, i, for limiting the depression of
the body of the pistol with respect to the fixed barrel. In front of the joint of
the lifter catch is a tooth or cain k (shown separately in Figure 11) turning on
the centre or pin l, and urged forward by the spring rod or pusher m. The cam k
is cut away at its middle, the part of reduced thickness constituting a tooth which
engages with or bears upon the projection on the lifter catch f.
After the pistol has been discharged and it is wished to extract the cases of the
exploded cartridges the body n of the pistol is depressed in the manner illustrated

page_text: in Figure 4. On first depressing the body n of the pistol, the turning of the lifter
catch f on its centre causes its projection to engage with the spring tooth or
cam k, as seen in Figure 4, thereby temporarily locking the said lifter catch in that
position. The further depressing of the body n causes the temporarily fixed lifter
catch to operate through the rod c, the extractor b, and project the extractor
from the chambers of the revolving cylinder and with it the empty cartridge cases,
as seen in Figure 4, the spring e of the extractor being compressed.
When the body n has been depressed through an angle greater than that which
projects the extractor to its full extent, the spring tooth or cam k is liberated
from the projection on the front of the lifter catch f, when the extractor 6 snaps
back into its normal position by the action of the spring e, as illustrated in
Figure 5. This liberation of the spring tooth or cam k from the projection h on
the lifter catch is effected by the knuckles p, p, of the joint on which the body turns
and between which the knuckles p. p, the joint part of the lifter catch fis situated.
The knuckles p, p, are represented separately in Figure 17. It will be seen by
referring to the said Figure 17 that the parts p³, p², of the knuckles p, p, are
eccentric to the centre on which the lifter catch fand body n turn, and when the
body has been depressed so as to bring the parts p, p, of the knuckles to bear
against the parts,, of the spring tooth or cam k, the said tooth or cam is
pressed back and the lifter catch fis liberated, and the extractor b snaps by the
action of its compressed spring e into its normal position, as illustrated in Figure 5,
the said spring also returning the lifter catch to its normal position. On closing
the pistol after reloading it, the projection on the lifter catch f passes below the
tooth or cam kas illustrated in Figure 2, ready on again depressing the body n to
be reengaged with the cam k for the extraction of the empty cartridge cases, as
hereinbefore described.
We will now describe the spring cross pin and the parts for connecting and
disconnecting the axis or bolt d of the revolving cylinder to and from the block on
the fixed barrel. The cross pin is marked q, and is shown separately in Figure 12.
This pin passes through a hole in the block n³, and is capable of a slight motion in the
line of its axis, a coiled spring around the said pin urging it in the direction proper
to withdraw it. The said pin q is fixed in its place by the screw cap q. In the
underside of the pin g are two slightly inclined cross slots or notches t, t, as best
seen in Figure 12, with which the forked or cut away end of the hollow or tubular
axis d of the revolving cylinder engages. The axis d is shown separately in
Figure 13, and in combination with the revolving cylinder in section in Figure 14,
and end elevation in Figure 15. By an examination of Figures 13 and 14, and the
cross section, Figure 6, it will be seen that the end of the upper half of the axis d
is cut away, terminating in the nearly semi-circular depressions at ³. It will also
be seen from Figure 14 that one side of the cut away end of the axis & is inclined.
In order to connect the axis d of the revolving cylinder to the body the said
axis & is pushed home in the body n and block n³. The sides of the terminal end
of the axis d as they pass into the block n³ enter the slots t, t, in the spring cross
pin g. The inclined side of the said end of the axis d forces the said pin q inwards
until the semi circular depressions in the axis & are brought under the cross
pin q, when the snid pin is forced outwards by the action of its compressed spring
and snaps into the said depressions at d³, and thereby effects the connection of the
axis d to the block n².
In order to disconnect the axis & from the body the cross ping is pressed
inwards by acting on its head so as to bring the notches t, t, in it opposite the
fork or cut away end of the axis d, when the said axis may be withdrawn.
We will next describe our method of mounting the revolving cylinder of the
pistol. The front end of the axial hole in the revolving cylinder is expanded at
for receiving the flange on the end of the hollow axis d (see Figure 14), and
the front of the recess at in the axial hole is also expanded at so as to form a
cylindrical recess of somewhat larger diameter than the recess at 7. The recess
at is made of still larger diameter at the extreme open end. The recess ³ is

page_text: screwed, and in it a screw collar 8 (shown separately in Figure 16) is screwed, the
flange on the screw collar fitting the extreme open end of the recess 7. After the
axis has been put in its place in the axial hole in the cylinder the Hange 2 of
tho said axis d occupies the recess at 73; the screw collar 8 is then scrowed home
in the recess 2-3.
The revolving cylinder is thereby secured on its axis, the end bearing being
formed by the inner face of the screw collar 8, and the flange d² on the end of the
axis d, as will be understood by an examination of Figure 14. As the recess in
which the end bearing d of the axis d works is closed by the screw collar 8, the
gases have no access to the said bearing, and hence the fouling or corrosion of the
axis is effectually prevented.
The improvements described and illustrated may be applied to revolving guns as
well as to revolving pistols.
Figures 18 and 19 represent longitudinal sections of a breech loading drop down
gun containing mechanism constructed according to our Invention for ejecting the
spent cartridge cases from the barrels of the said guns. In Figure 18 the gun is
represented closed, and in Figure 19 open, and the spent cartridge case ejected
from the barrel. a is the barrel and b is the body; c is the extractor. Underneath
the extractor rod d is a lever e pressed upwards by the spring f. g is the nose or
projection near the joint part of the body b, by which the extractor is operated.
When the extractor is in its normal position, Figure 18, the end of the lever c
presses on the underside of the extractor rod d. As the breech end of the barrel a
is raised from the break off the extractor c is started by the nose or projection g
acting on the end of the extractor rod d in the ordinary way.
Soon as the cartridge case has been started from the barrel the rear end of the
extractor rod d is brought over the end of the lever e, which lever now rising acts
on the end of the extractor rod d and jerks forward the extractor and ejects the
cartridge case, the several parts now occupying the positions represented in
Figure 19. On closing the barrel after releasing the gun the lever e is depressed
by the advance of the extractor rod d, and the end of the said lever again presses
on the underside of the rod, as seen in Figure 18.
Figure 20 represents in plan and Figure 21 in longitudinal section our method
of actuating the hand levers of small arms having concealed or internal hammers.
his the trigger plate, to which the hand lever i is jointed at ; is the short arm
of the hand lever, through the action of which the internal hammers are cocked;
is a coiled spring situated at the front of the hand lover, and acting upon the
said lever at a point a little below the centre, on which the lever turns, as illus-
trated in Figure 21. The coiled spring & surrounds the rod l, the head of which
rod has a V shaped notch, with which a V shaped tooth or projection on the hand
lever engages, as seen in Figure 21. The other end of the coiled spring k takes a
bearing at m on the trigger plate. When the hand lever is depressed the rod
is lifted by the V shaped tooth or projection of the lever, and the coiled spring k is
put into a state of tension, the said spring on loosing the hand lever restoring it to
its normal position.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we claim as our
Invention with respect to the improvements in revolving small fire arms
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 17 both inclusive of the
accompanying Drawings,-
First. The improvements described and illustrated in constructing the lifter
catch and parts connected with it for working the extractors of revolving small
fire arms, that is to say, the construction of the spring tooth or cam k, l, and its
combination with the lifter catch fand the knuckles p, p, on the body of the
fire arm for causing the projection of the extractor on the depression of the body
of the fire arm, and for effecting the liberation of the extractor and its return to
its normal position after the extraction, the several parts being constructed,
arranged, and working substantially as described and illustrated.

page_text: Secondly. The improvements described and illustrated in connecting and dis-
connecting the axis of the revolving cylinders of revolving small fire arms to and
from the block on the fixed barrel of the same, that is to say, the spring cross
pin 9, 9, and its combination with the terminal cut away part, and the depres-
sions d³ of the axis d of the revolving cylinder, for the purpose and substantially
as described and illustrated.
Thirdly. The improvements described and illustrated for mounting the revolving
cylinders of revolving small fire arms for the purpose of preventing the fouling or
corrosion of the axes of the said cylinders by the gases produced by the explosion
of the said firearms, that is to say, making in the axial hole in the revolving
cylinder the recess for receiving the flange d' on the axes of the revolving
cylinder, and the recess for receiving the screw collar &, for the purpose and
substantially as described and illustrated.
We claim with respect to the improvements in drop down guns represented in
Figures 18, 19, 20, and 21 of the accompanying Drawings,―
Fourthly. The use of the spring lover e, f, arranged and working substantially
as herein before-described and illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 for ejecting the
cases of the spent cartridges from the barrels of the said guns.
Lastly. The arrangement of parts herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 20 and 21 for actuating the hand levers of drop down guns having
concealed or internal hammers.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas William Webley and Henry Webley,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Sixteenth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
37, Temple Street,
Birmingham.
THOB. W. WEBLEY. (L.S.)
HENRY WEBLEY.
(L.S.)