CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE-ARMS AND THE LOCKS OF FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1814

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JAMES THOMSON, of Colebrook Terrace, Islington, in the County of
Middlesex, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name
and on the behalf of His most Excellent Majesty King George the
Third, by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain,
bearing date at Westminster, the Ninth day of March, in the fifty-fourth
year of His reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said James Thomson, His especial licence that I,
the said James Thomson, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Thomson, my exors, adiiors, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also within all His Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE-ARMS AND THE LOCKS OF FIRE-ARMS;"
in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, obliging me,
the said James Thomson, by an instrument in writing under my hand
A

page_text: d seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to
use the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
thin four calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
d recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
reunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, 1, the
d James Thomson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
vention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is
scribed and ascertained in the Drawings herewith, and the following
lanations thereof (that is to say):
My Invention consists in constructing fire-arms to be primed, loaded,
1 discharged expeditiously; also in securing the powder of the priming
1 charge from moisture, and in guarding against accidents from fire-
s and powder flasks by my improvements on the mode in which the
e are to be made, constructed, and effected.
The Drawings are,
Figure 1, a single barrelled and poli-chambered gun, with its
lock, &c.
2, a ditto,
shewing the left side thereof.
3, is a piece of metal containing nine chambers.
4, is a magazine gun hammer, and shewing its cavity to
receive a cylindrical pin.
5, is a section of Number 4, shewing the interior of the
chambers, &c. of the hammer.
6, is one view of the cylindrical pin, shewing the cavity or
trough in it to contain powder for one priming; also
part of the groove on it to guide and regulate its action.
7, is another view of the same cylindrical pin, shewing the
whole of the said groove.
8, is a 'spring ketch, to be placed on the left side of the
stock, for regulating the action of the chambers,
Figure 3, and for keeping each of them (successively)
in its proper place, to be embraced by the coupling
box or clip to connect them to the barrel.

page_text: 1
may
9, is a section of one chamber, shewing the mode and form
in which the ends of the chambers and end of the bar-
rel be connected together without having a screw
on either at the point where they come in contact,
(which might be found to get clogged by the effects of
the powder.) by making the screws on the barrel and
on the coupling box or clip at some distance from the
chambers; also, that the chamber or chambers may be
turned by a handle in like manner as Figure 35.
10, is a view of a hammer and pan, water and air tight; also-
shewing the mode of making the communication from
the pan to the touch-hole in-like manner tight.
& 10
B
are two views of a like hammer- and pan as the last,
shewing more distinctly the ledge on the pan to receive
the elastic washer; also that the pan may be made in
various forms.
4
11, is a view of a washer to be used on the ledge of the pan,
and between the plate of the lock and the barrel.
ad 13, are views of the ledge of the pan and rim of the pan,
made in separate pieces in the form of boxes, the
elastic washer being first to 'be introduced into the
cavity of Figure.12; the ledge, and Figure 13, being
pressed also into. the .cavity of Figure 12, having the
washer between them, fastens it in its place to cover
the ledge.
14, is a view of a separate washer that may be placed between
the plate of the lock and the barrel to make the joint
between them tight..
15, is a view of a cylindrical pan and cover, which, by turning
:
the cover, secures the pan from moisture...
16, is a ditto, with a spring in the cover, which, by acting
latterally, has the same effect as the preceding.
17, is a view of a gun lock; &c., which, by one motion, is
cocked, the hammer shut down, and the priming
furnished.

page_text: a view of the fert side of the hammer and cock, XC. Of
the preceding Figure 17.
the inner or under side, of the cock of Figure 17,
shewing the manner of the lever and its pisten, being
formed and attached to it.
a view of the face of the hammer, shewing the point of
the pisten or plug of the chamber through the seat of the
hammer; also shewing the mode this magazine hammer
may be used to furnish a priming by the action of the
finger and thumb on the pisten, in place of being acted
upon by the lever and plug, &c. attached to the cock.
a section of Figure 20, shewing the magazine chamber
with the pisten and spiral spring placed in it, also the
cap or cover, which, on being screwed or otherwise
fastened upon the top of the hammer, is acted on by
the spiral spring.
another section of Figure 20, shewing a valve or hole
from the magazine through the back part of the
hammer for security; also shewing the opening of the
valve in the scat of the hammer.
a view of the pisten, its button, top, and the spring that
acts thereon, shewing distinctly their forms.
a view of a lock, with the cock at bearer, shewing a
slide which in that position covers the touch-hole, and
which remains so covered until the lock is cocked.
a ditto, at cock, shewing the touch-hole then open.
N.B. In these two last Figures the seat of the hammer
and the pan are represented flat (as is usual) that
the action of the slide may be.distinctly seen.
s a view of the left or inner side of a lock, shewing the
slide used to Figures 24, and 25; also a hammer, which,
on being shut, primes the pan; it is on the same prin
ciple as Figure 4, with the addition of a crank to the
cylindrical pin, and a stay attached to the lock for the
crank to act upon.

page_text: is a view of the main spring of a lock, with a slide
attached to it, having a similar operation as Figures
24, and 25, but simpler in the construction.
is a view of a cover for a gun flint to guard against fire-
arms being accidentally discharged.
30, and 31, are views of fire-arms constructed to be loaded
at the breach by means of moveable breach pins or
plugs.
& 35, is a view of another mode of loading fire-arms at
the breach by means of a valve or plug acting on a
center in the barrel.
A; B, C, D, are views of the sections of musket breaches,
or the breach end of musket barrels, so constructed as
to be loaded expeditiously with ball without any wadding
or ramrod, also so as to explode the whole charge of
powder more effectually than 'inuskets on the common
construction.
N. B. These four Figures are of the dimensions of a
musket barrel, but may be made of any other size,
or for pistols.
foregoing enumeration of the different Figures is intended
tinctness in describing the various combinations of the
at parts; also to guard against such parts as are new from
pirated, or iny right evaded by any different combination
parts to produce a like effect; also for facility in referring
different parts; likewise, that to some mechanics perhaps
ence merely to the general description and the Drawings
e suflicient to enable them to comprehend that which is
te to make the article without going into the more
lar detail of the minutiae of each part.
5, 6, and 7, are component parts of the hammer apper-
ure 1. The hammer is excavated, as is shewn by section,
horizontal cavity a communicating with the vertical cavity
, by the hole c, and from the cavity a there are two holes
d in sloping directions through the seat of the hammer
mers one hole may be sufficient). Figure 6, is a cylindrical

page_text: 'pin having a groove; trough, or hollowed part e, of a size to contain the
quantity of powder requisite for one priming. Figure 6, is to be intro-
duced into. the cavity a, of Figure 5, and when e is opposite to c, the
trough, groove; or hollowed part e is in a situation to be filled with
powder from the magazine b, and when the said trough, groove, or
hollowed part e, is turned round. to holes d, d, it will enipty its contents
through them into the pan of the lock; and in any situation of this
cylindrical pin in its chamber the powder in the magazine b is not liable
to be exploded, and on the like principle powder flasks may be made to
be extremely secure. Figure 7, is another view of the same cylindrical
pin, in which is a groove f cut full half way round its circumference;
when that cylindrical pin is put in its chamber g, of Figure 4, (which is
the same as a, of Figure 5,) the groove f comes opposite to h, a small
screw nail in the hammer, the point of which being screwed into the
groove f, fastens that cylindrical pin in its place, and also regulates the
distance which that cylindrical pin is to traverse, viz, about one half
of a revolution or turn. This cylindrical pin to be turned by the fly
i thereon, or it may be turned by a crank, a lever, or a spring; or
the groove on the cylindrical pin may be cut entirely round its
circumference, in which case the said pin may be turned one entire
round, and will have the same effect as the foregoing in turning an
half round. to and fro. k, on Figure 4, is a cap or cover to close the
top of the magazine, or it may have a stopper pressed or screwed into it,
as at 1, Figure 5, and to guard against accidents from explosion having
a screwed cover or stopper; a safety valve may be made on the back
of the magazine, as will be described in Figure 22. But I consider it
almost impossible for an explosion to happen in the above described
magazine hammer. m, Figure 5, is a small stud in the seat of the
hammer placed between the holes d, d, the object of which is to direct
the powder or refuse from the powder which is blown from the touch-
hole by the discharge from getting by the right hole d, to the cylindrical
,pin to clog it, the left hole d being nearer the touch-hole, and when
the hammer is open at a larger angle from it is less liable to receive the
powder or refuse. of the powder from the charge. Fig. 3, is a poli-
chambered breach having nine chambers (but it may be constructed to
have fewer or more chambers); each chamber contains a charge of

page_text: powder and ball or shot; the dotted lines, shew the cavities of each
of these chambers, and the points o the touch-holes to each chamber.
P, are male screws on the end of each chamber. 9, are indented ratches
or notches. r, is a center hole, on which the piece, Fig. 3, is turned, and
each chamber is in succession moved to come into a straight line with
the barrel. The dotted marks, are hole's indented on the opposite
side of the metal, the use of which will be herein-after described, on
Fig. 3, being put in its place, and forming a part of Fig. 1. Now refer
also to Fig. 2, which is the left side of Fig. 1, (with difference only of
the position of box, and clip or coupling box v, to be noticed in the
sequel). t, on Fig. 2, is a pin which passes through the hole 7, of Fig. 3,
and is screwed into the plate of the lock, and is the center on which the
chamber Fig. 3, turn., is Fig. 8, in its place on the stock, and is a
spring ketch, the point of which 4, drops into the holess, of Fig. 3.
, is the center on which it acts. †, is a spring on the under part of it
which passes on the stock. is a button top, which being pressed upon
disengages the end or point, from the holes, (described in
Fig. 3, as being on the opposite side of that piece, i.e., on the side of
it towards the left side of the stock). I have before noticed that on
the stock is Fig. 8, in its place; and by looking at Fig. 8, and u, on
Fig. 2, it is obvious that, and come in contact. The pur-
pose of Fig. 8, or u, is to regulate each of the chambers to be in an
exact line with the barrel; and the holes, are at distances from
each other accordingly. v, Fig. 1, is a coupling box, cap, or clip,
having on its interior a female screw corresponding to the male
screws p. on the ends of the chambers, and to the male screw on the
end of the barrel; when this coupling box or clip is entirely upon the
barrel the chambers are disengaged from it, and at liberty to be moved,
and when this coupling box or clip is partly on the barrel, and partly on
the end of one of the chambers, that chamber is thereby connected to
the barrel. Here it may be proper to remark that Fig. 2, shews this
coupling box, cap, or clip v, entirely on the barrel, discovering the
joint between the barrel and the chamber where they come in contact.

page_text: and that Fig 1, shews the coupling box, cap, or clip in part on the
barrel, and in part on the end of the chamber concealing their points of
contact, and discovering at one end of the clip a part of the screw on
the barrel, and at the other end of the clip a part of the screw on the
end of the chamber. This coupling box, cap, or clip, is to be turned
by the nob or fly y, and the screws are of that pitch or number of
threads that half a turn moves it the distance required. z, is the center
of the trigger, and the trigger is continued to and
being the
end to be acted upon by the finger (the seer of the lock acts in the
usual way), at the end of is a stud to fall into the ratches or notches q,
by means of which, on the end being pressed downwards, the stud
at is pressed upwards, and being in one of the ratches or notches
2 forces the chambers successively up, each in a right. line with the
barrel. The end or point, of Fig. 8, (or u,) adjusts the distance each
chamber is to be moved by dropping into the holes ; and the
coupling box, cap, or clip v, being turned on the screw p of the chamber
then secures it in its place. is merely a stay on the plate of the
lock to guide the prong of the trigger towards, which is a spring to
facilitate the stud at passing from ratch to ratch g, on the end of the
trigger being pressed upwards. is a box or cover to enclose the
chambers, and to secure the charges from being displaced by the con-
cussion from the discharges; it acts on a hinge or joint at is an
aperture in the cover to permit the action of stud; and is a spring
ketch on which fastens; therefore, if by any accident the powder in
any of the disengaged chambers should explode, the consequence would
be only throwing open that box.
To comprehend Fig. 9, the inspection of the Figure, and a reference
to the description already given of it and of its similar part in Figure 1,
and of the corresponding action of the handle to be described in Fig. 35,
is presumed to be sufficiently explanatory. When a small number of
chambers are used the handle may be found to be more convenient to
turn the chambers by than the mode described in Fig. 1. N.B. The
handle and two extra chambers are represented by dotted lines on the
Figure. Figures 10 to 16 represent the mode of constructing the locks,
washers, &c., to secure the powder of the priming and charge from

page_text: moisture. There is opposite to the touch-hole of the barrel a hole a,
through the plate of the lock into the pan; the pan is formed with an
elevated lip or rim b, b, b, b; the seat of the hammer is hollowed out
c, c, leaving a projecting rim or lip d, d, d, d, the interior of which is
of the size to admit the exterior or rim or lip b, b, b, b, of the pan, and
embraces it when the hammer is shut down upon the pan. On the out-
side of the rim or lip b, b, b, b, is a ledge c, c, e, e, for the lip or rim
d, d, d, d, of the hammer to fall upon, and on that ledge is placed a
washer of leather or other clastic substance f. ff, which, being pressed
by the rim d, d, d, d, of the hammer, forms a tight joint to them. The
washer fff may be either continued round the plate of the lock to
some distance beyond the hole a in the plate, having a hole g through
it, leaving a communication from the pan to the touch-hole (or a
separate washer, to be hereafter described, may be used to that part);
also the washer f, ff, to be left long enough at the other end to turn
over that part of the pan, and be fastened to it by a screw or pin h, on
the drawing of the washer f. ff; or an indenture
either the plate of lock at i, or on the
may be made in
barrel, or partly in each, to
and the plate of the lock
receive a separate washer, as Fig. 14, k,
pressing the elastic washer between it and the barrel makes the joint
between them air-tight. The drawing of this pan is of a cylindrical or
barrel form, with an oblong cavity, but it may be made of any other form.
Fig. represents it an oval. Or the rim of the pan b, b, b, b, may be
a separate piece, as 1, Fig. 13, in the form of a box, somewhat smaller
than the cavity of the ledge e, e, c, e, as represented by x; and the washer
being introduced into the cavity of the ledge e, c, e, e, Fig. 12, and
Fig. 13, also pressed into the cavity x, will fasten the washer in its
place, to be turned down on the ledge e, c, e, e, and the more effectually
to secure the washer the ledge e, e, e, e, may be jagged, and the points
of the jaggs will indent themselves into the washer. In these modes
the powder of the priming and charge is secured from moisture, and the
washer is fastened on the ledge of the pan, and the washer is not
exposed to the flame from the powder.
Another mode, of making a water-tight pan is its being cylindrical,

page_text: as Fig, 15; m, m, the diameter, with a cylindrical tube cover; n, n, a
section of its interior diameter or concavity to admit m,.m, and be
fitted exactly thereto, the one being ground into the other, the cover
having an opening on it o, corresponding to the opening, or cavity of
the pan p. The cover is fastened on the pan by the male screw 7, at
the end of the pan coming into the female screw 7, in the cover; and the
cover being turned on the pan by the flys, into the position where the
opening in each are opposite, leaves the pan open, and when the cover
is turned to have its opening away from the opening in the pan the
opening or concavity of the pan p will then be surrounded and shut up
by the cover; or, as in the Drawing, Fig. 16, (of which part. of it t, t,
is a section,) by placing a spiral spring, as represented, (or other spring,)
in the cavity of the cover, it will move the cover off the opening or
cavity in the pan; and when the cover is pressed on the pan to enclose
it, it is there fastened by a spring u, (or a pin,) coming into a notch or
hole made on the seat of the hammer to receive it, by which means
the instant that the hammer begins to turn over it disengages itself
from the spring or pin u, on the cover, and the cover recedes from the
pan, leaving the powder in the pan exposed to the spark from the flint.
In each of these two modes an elastic washer being placed round the
pan, and bearing on the plate of the lock, and to be pressed on by the
end of the cover, makes the joint between the cover, pan, and plate
of the lock air-tight; a separate washer, such as Fig. 14, k, already
described, to be placed between the barrel and the inside of the plate
of the lock to make that joint also tight. To describe Fig. 17,
accurately it is equally necessary, as in Fig. 1, first to describe its
component parts; viz, Fig. 22, is a section of the hammer, shewing
a, an hole in the back of the hammer, through the magazine, for
security in case of explosion; it is merely a hole to be closed up by
a cock or other stopper, or may be a small flap or door acting on
an hinge to be kept shut by the pressure of a spring thereon, and
which on explosion would be opened, and give vent to the explosion.
Fig. 23, is a spiral spring and pisten to be placed in the cavity or
chamber of Fig. 21. is the spiral spring, the upper part of which

page_text: presses upon the cap or cover k, of Fig. 21, and the lower part of
it on f, a button or cap on the top of the pisten. The other end of the
pisten h, i, is made cylindrical, but that part of it i, is filed off on
each side about one third of the substance, leaving the periphery of
the circular part entire at each edge of the flat surface of that part
then left. y, is a small pin through the upper part of h, the remaining
cylindrical part to serve as a stop to the pisten. by acting on the
shoulder of the opening in Figure 22. Fig. 21, is a section of the
hammer, having the pisten and spring placed in it, shewing the valve
formed by the end of the pisten and the hole c, in the seat of the
hammer. The cap k, is to be screwed or otherwise fastened upon
the top of the hammer for the upper end of the spiral or other
spring to act upon, by which it is obvious that the end of the pisten
being pressed upwards, the flotted or reduced part of it i, being then
in the hole c, and occupying only about one third part of the cavity c,
that the powder from the magazine will pass through the interstices on
each side of it into the pan. Fig. 19, shews the inner side of the cock,
the substance of which is reduced from 1 to m, to admit the lever n,
which is moveable from 1 to m, on a center Oo, screwed into the cock.
2, is a plug, moveable on a center q; r, is a hole or holes, in which the
mortice licaded pin s, of Fig. 18, is screwed. Fig. 18, s, is a mortice
headed pin fastened on the cock at r; t, is a slip of metal to traverse
through the mortice hole in's, the shoulders of it at the end u; to
prevent its passing further through that mortice hole, the end 1, is
fastened to the hammer by the screw pin there represented ✗ On
.
Fig. 17, is a hole through the pan to admit P, , the plug at the end of
the lever on the cock. The hammer and cock, &c., as above described,
is represented on the lock in Fig. 17, and thereon is also a spring y,
fastened to the fence of the pan, and acting on the lever n, whereby
cocking presses up the lever n, and the plug p, at the end of it through
the hole of the pan, and the plug p, pressing on the end of the
pisten opens the valve in the seat of the hammer, the hammer being
brought over at the same time by the slip of metal t, connected to the
cock and hammer, and the priming is deposited in the pan; and so soon
as the trigger is pulled the spring y, (as well as the lip of the cock at 1,)

page_text: presses down the lever n, and the plug p, disengaging it from the
end of the pisten in the hammer, the point of the pisten resumes it
position of closing the valve c, the force of the spiral (or other
spring) in the hammer, and the cocking, &c. may be facilitated by a
slip of metal, as, fastened to the back of the cock, and passing through
a mortice on the plate of the lock (or on the stock), and by merely
pressing the curved end of that slip of metal the lock will be cocked,
the hammer brought over upon the pan, and the priming deposited,
or the priming may be effected in a similar manner by half cocking,
from the lever being attached to the plate of the lock, and acting in
the same manner as hereafter to be described in Figures 24 and 25;
in that case the spring y is to be dispensed with, and in place of it
there is a spring to be placed on or under the stay h, to press on that
end of the lever to keep the plug steady in its different positions; or
the hammer, Figure 4, already described, may be applied to this lock,
having the crank and stay of Figure 26, added to it. Fig. 20, is a
representation of hammer of Figure 17, shewing the face of it, and the
manner of priming by pulling up or pressing down the pisten, instead
of using the foregoing machinery attached to the cock; the dotted lines
shew the interior parts, as before described; and the pisten rod being
continued through the cap with a small nob upon it, it is obvious
that pulling the pisten up by that nob will have the same effect as its
being pressed up by the opposite end; also that if it is preferred as
being more convenient to press the pisten down, in place of pulling it
up, the spring is to be placed under the button top to press upwards,
and the forms of h and i, the valve end of the pisten, to be reversed,
i. e. the flatted part i to be towards the magazine. Figs. 24, 25, 26,
and 27, represent the manner in which a slide may be constructed to
close up the touch-hole. Fig. 25, is a lock at cock, shewing the touch-
hole a open. (Fig. 24, is a lock with the cock down, or at bearer,
shewing the touch-hole then closed.) b, is a lever acting on a center
pin c, fastened on the plate of the lock. d, is a pin passing through an
opening (shaded dark) in the plate of the lock, and is attached to the
slide 1, of Figure 26, in the interior of the lock. The cock has a notch
in it from e to f, so adjusted that the lip facts on the end of the

page_text: lever b, from half cock to whole cock, thereby pressing it up, and
consequently bringing down the opposite end to which the slide / is
attached, and opens the touch-hole; and the lip e is so adjusted that
on the flint having struck the hammer, the lip e then comes in contact
with the lever b, near c its center, and by pressing it down instantly
moves up the 'slide 7, to close the touch-hole; and the slide so closing
up the touch-hole remains there at half cock, as is apparent from
inspecting the Figure, for the lip f does not come in contact with the
end of the lever b, to move the slide until the lock is half cocked.
h, is a stay merely to keep the lever in its place, but a spring may be
placed on the inside of that stay or on the plate of the lock, which
by pressing on the side of the lever will keep it more steadily there,
and without otherwise affecting its action. Fig. 27, is a simpler
mode of a slide to cover the touch-hole, but in that way the touch-hole
will be open when the cock is down (or at bearer), and shut only when
at half cock and whole cock, viz., me is a slip of metal attached to the
main spring, and is brought up by it on half cocking to cover the touch-
hole, and in like manner is brought down by that spring as the cock
passes from half cock to bearer. Figure 26, represents not only the
slide 7, to the inside of Figures 24 and 25, but also another mode of a
self-priming magazine hammer; it is on the same principle as Figure 4,
and furnishes a priming by shutting down the hammer on the pan by
means of a crank o being placed on the end of the cylindrical pin;
having a pivot or stud on it p, acting on a hole in groove, or brace, or
stay, which is attached to the plate of the lock, whereby that end of
the crank is kept stationary, and the movement of the hammer in
opening and shutting alters the relative situation of the groove, trough,
or cavity in the cylindrical pin (which has been described in Fig. 4); so
as to present itself alternately to the powder in the magazine, and to the
hole in the seat of the hammer, through which the priming (taken by
the said cavity from the magazine) is deposited into the pan. Fig. 28,
is a cover for the flint to a gun lock, of leather, such metal or other
material, that the intervention of it between the flint and hammer
will prevent their impingency from producing sparks or flame.
part of it, in the form of a bag, into which the flint is to be placed. b,
is, one side or half of the bag, continued of length to receive the cock
a, is

page_text: pin through it at c, by which the cover is fastened on the flint; when
the cover is made of metal it may be fastened by a ring or spring loop
from the bag part to come over the cock pin in same manner. Fig. 29,
represents the first mode of loading from the breach; the stock is to be
continued straight, some distance longer behind the breach than is
usual, and the stock is to be made in two pieces, which join or come in
contact with each other at a a, b, b. d, is the moveable plug or breach
pin; it forms a part of or is attached to the bolt e, e, which is a quick
screw. ff are two poppets or sockets fixed in the stock, having
internal female screws corresponding to the male screw on the bolt e, e.
g, the end of bolt e, e, is firmly fastened to the separated part of the
stock b, b, c, c, at b, b; and that part of the stock being turned round
by the action of the screw bolt e, e, turning along with it through the
poppets f, f, moves the plug d back to the poppet f nearest to it, (as
marked in dotted lines,) and consequently the separated part of the
stock is also moved backwards, viz., b, b, to h, h. The breach end of
the barrel is then open to receive the charge, and when the separated
part of the stock b, b, c, c, is turned back into its former position to a, a,
and b, b, being in contact they are there fastened by the sliding bolt i,
the end of which k, being pressed into a hole or mortice to receive it in
the moveable part of the stock, whereby the moveable part of the stock
is secured from turning, and consequently the plug d is kept firmly in
the end of the barrel. Figure 30, is in principle the same as Figure 29,
with this difference, that the stock is not in two parts, and the screw
bolt and plug d is turned by a crank handle l, at the end of the said
bolt;
and when the plug d is in the end of the barrel, the sliding bolt i
fastens the crank handle, and consequently the plug d, in its place; the
dotted lines on this Figure represent the position of the crank handle,
bolt, and plug in the situation the piece is to be charged. Figure 31,
differs from. Figure 30, in the bolt. being plain, and to slide in the
sockets or poppets, and the crank handle is fastened by a stationary stop
m, placed on the stock; the dotted lines n, shew the crank handle in
contact with the stop m. Figures 32, 33, 34, and 35, represent another
mode of constructing fire-arins to be loaded at the breach. «, is the
touch-hole, and that part of the barrel to be in the usual situation of a
touch-hole to the lock; the barrel is continued further back to b; and

page_text: at b, is closed up in the usual manner by a plug or breach. That part of
the barrel from a to b, is square on the exterior. for greater strength.
c, is an oblong hole or mortice, through that part of the barrel, in length
equal to the length of Figure 33, and in breadth equal to the calibre of
the barrel, or somewhat more. d, is a round hole transversely through
the barrel and mortice, of a size to fit exactly the pin, Figure 34.
Figure 38, is of the form represented; its ends e, and f, segments of a
circle, of which is the centre; the mortice and it are made to fit
exactly; at h is a hole to admit the cylindrical pin, Figure 34.
Figure 83, being placed in the mortice c, the pin 34 is to be put
through the holes d of the barrel, and h, of Figure 33, (as is repre-
sented in Figure 35, a section,) and fastened in its place by a small
pin through them i, on Figure 38, passing through the cylindrical pin
34, at m; or the pin 34, may, at that part where it is to fit in hole h of
33, be square, and the hole h also a square to receive it; and the cylin-
drical pin, Figure 34, is fastened to the barrel by a small screw k, O
Figure 32, passing through the metal of the barrel at that part, the
point of which coming into groove 1, on the cylindrical pin, Figure 34,
(and similar to that which has been already described in hammers,
Figures 4, and 7.) Figure 35, is a section of the parts above described
connected together, and n is a handle to the cylindrical pin 34, which
is the axis on which Figure 33, moves in the holes d, Figure 32. The
handlen, being pressed backwards, opens the end of the barrel to receive
the charge by the piece, Figure 33, being then in the situation repre-
sented;
and if a cartridge is used for loading, on the handle n being
pressed forwards, the end will cut off the end of the cartridge in
passing up to p, the loaded position. r, is a stationary stop placed on.
the left side of the stock to guide the distance which the handle is
to move (or on that stop being removed to allow the piece 33, to pass
further up to be cleaned). , is a spring ketch also on the left side of
the stock, the end of which t, to come in contact with the handle, and
thereby keep it firm in the loaded position. On the stock there is an
indenture or cavity to receive the spring ketch's, to be pressed into it,
and to be then flush or level with the stock, and to allow the handle
to pass over that ketch, its end being, then relieved from the handle

page_text: (also as being an expeditious mode of fastening the handle in its
place the instant it is pressed forwards into the loaded position);
for so soon as the handle passes over the end of the spring ketch,
the end of it t, rising by the spring, will press on the side of the
handle. In this manner of loading at the breacli, it is effected with
facility, expedition, and security, the recoil on discliarge being sustained
by the breach or plug differing but little from arms on the usual con-
struction; and in loading at the breach, especially rifles, it is not only
expeditious but it avoids the powder being exposed to the moisture in
the barrel. Figure 36, A is a section of the breach or breach end of
the barrel it is to be of that length that its cavity or chamber will
contain the charge of powder and also the ball, and is to be attached to
the barrel by the male screw c, c, entering into the female screw d, d,
of Figure B, that part of the breach from f to g (about the length of
the size of the calibre of the barrel) to be excavated conically. The
largest end of the cone f to f, to be of the same size as the calibre; the
smallest end of the cone g to g, being somewhat less than the ball to
be used. The ball will, on being dropped in from the muzzle, jam
itself into the conical chamber. The chamber h, continued to the
anti-chamber i, may be either of the size g to g, or off to f, (i.c. cqual
to the calibre,) or it may be excavated to be larger at the end i, that is
to say, larger than the calibre, and it is so represented by the dotted
lines. A chamber in that form I have found to shoot stronger and with
less recore than a parellel chamber ; the touch-hole is also conical,
the smallest end towards the anti-chamber i, by which means the flame
from the priming is more certain of being communicated to the charge,
and by the rush of the powder exploding there, and in the anti-chamber
i, into the charge, it is more certain to be wholly consumed; and if the
touch-hole is made in a sloping direction backwards towards the anti-
chamber, the powder, &c. which on firing is blown from the touch-
hole will take a forward direction, and avoid the inconvenience which
a soldier is liable to from his left man's discharge, and that incon-
venience will be still further guarded against by a small stud 1, being
placed in the barrel behind the touch-hole, having a like inclination (or
even greater) than the line of the touch-hole. In loading, the ball is
to be used without any wadding between it and the powder, and the

page_text: powder would be secured by the ball only, but perhaps it would be
preferable to have a bit of soft paper wrapped round the ball. There
is no occasion for a ramrod to load, and loading and priming (using the
magazine hammer of my invention, Figure 4,) will be effected in one
half of the time requisite to load a musket of the common construction,
or by the mode in which Figure C, is a section; a similar effect will be
accomplished, even with old muskets, by boring the breach end of the
barrel from n to o, somewhat larger than the calibre of the barrel, and
introducing a piece of metal. p, p, is a section of it, having a conical
chamber in the like direction, as Figure A, and to be there fastened by
screws through the barrel, as 7, 7, whereby the ball would in like manner
as in the former jam itself into the cone. Also the chamber s, to con-
tain the powder would be larger than the calibre of the barrel; or the
piece p, p, may be fastened into the barrel without any alteration of its
calibre; or the same may be effected, but less perfectly, by merely small
studs being screwed into the barrel, as t, t, t, Figure D, the points of
which being a small distance through the interior surface of the barrel
would indent themselves into the ball by its impetus in dropping down
the barrel, and consequently be fastened to keep it and the powder in
their place. If for military purposes cartridges are preferred to loading
with a flask, they may be used, viz., having shook the powder into the
barrel from the cartridge, and introduce it by the ball end towards
the breach, it will, by its weight, assisted by a blow of the butt of the
stock on the ground, lodge the ball in its place in contact with the
powder.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Thomson, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this First day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
JAMES (L.S.) THOMSON.
Signed, sealed, and delivered (being first
duly stamped) in the presence of
WM OMAN,
14, Tokenhouse Yard, London.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourth day of July, in
the
year of our Lord 1814, the aforesaid James Thomson came before
our said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowleged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid
was stampt according to the tenor of the Statute made for that
purpose.
Inrolled the Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fourteen.