Improvements in Breech Loading drop down guns
Year: 1885

page_text: EDWIN CHARLES GREEN Gun Rifle & Pistol Maker 87 High Street Cheltenham
Glo'stershire do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows :—
My invention for Improvements in Breech Loading drop down guns refer, to an
improved method of securing the lugs to the barrels of hammer and hammerless
drop-down guns, without the aid of brazing, also, to a plan for securely bolting
together, the barrels and breech action of the said guns, Together, with an improved
method of cocking hammer and hammerless guns; with a new safety arrangement
to prevent, the accidental discharge of the locks of said guns.
Also to a gas check, to prevent the gas being forced. into the lock work of the
said guns.
Also, to an improved snap fore-end fastening for same; together, with a new
method for completely ejecting the empty cartridge cases after the discharge of
the gun.
Also to an adjustable anti recoil heelplate, for the butt of the said guns.
Also to a "two-eyed" sight, to enable the shooter to take a quicker and better
aim; together with an adjustable rifle tube, for insertion in the barrels of the
aforesaid guns.
To properly secure the lugs to the barrels upon the plan of my invention, I form
a longitudinal dovetail key, on that part of the tube known as the flat, The lug
is made in the shape of a T, and along its flat is formed a corresponding recess, into
which the raised dovetail of the tube is fitted.
Or instead of making the joint a longitudinal one, it may be when preferred,
formed across the tube and lug.
For double barrels the operation is duplicated, and the lug and tubes soldered
together.
To firmly secure the breech action to the barrels, I combine with the top bolt at
present in use, a bottom cross bolt, similar in shape to the top one, also an additional
top lever grip.
The bottom bolt, is made to travel, through a hole formed in the lower rear part
of the body of the action, and through a corresponding hole formed in the back
part of the lug of the barrels.
This bottom bolt is brought into contact with a spur, formed on a spindle.
The spindle is fitted into a hole, formed through the head of the breech action,
The upper end of the spindle being attached to the top lever in the customary way.

page_text: A projecting toe is formed on the top lever, which toe is made to nu mnto a more
formed in the top bolt.
This lever is so constructed, that the part near its centre is made to engage on
the rear part of the lug of the barrels, and to act as an additional grip, to keep the
barrels and breech securely fastened.
The top and bottom bolts also the lever grip, are actuated by the top lever in
the usual way.
By pressing the lever on one side, the top and bottom bolts, also the lever grip,
are withdrawn free of the lugs of the barrels, thereby enabling the user of the gun
to open the breech for the insertion of the cartridge.
A spring is attached to make the bolts self closing.
To keep the bolts withdrawn so that the breech may be easily closed, I fit a
moveable piston, through the face of the breech action, to the top cross bolt. This
piston is actuated by a spring, Upon opening the breech this piston is forced
forward by the spring, into a recess formed in the cross bolt, and thereby made to
act as a stop, by holding back the bolts.
These bolts can be either used separately or in combination, and they are released
from the stop upon closing the breech, by the end of the barrels coming in contact
with the piston and forcing it back.
In constructing cocking mechanism, upon the plan of my invention, I mount the
lock work either in the body of the breech action or on lockplates. I also fit in an
oblong hole, formed in the underpart of the breech action, a cocking rod, capable
of horizontal as well as differential circular motion, The forward end of this rod,
is made to fit into a small recess, formed in the breast part of the hammer or
tumbler of the lock, and the rear end abuts against a suitable recess formed on the
lower end of the fore-end joint, The cocking rod being thereby supported or
hung between the lock and the fore-end joint.
In opening the gun this rod is forced by the fore end through the breech action
against the tumbler of the lock, and so cocks the lock.
To give greater travel to the cocking rod, and thereby enable me to cock the
locks with greater ease, I form the joint pin of the breech action nearer the
barrels, than it is formed in any other form of hammerless breech action.
This improved arrangement of the joint pin also diminishes the customary strain
on the breech of the gun, at the moment of firing.
To prevent the accidental discharge of the locks I pivot on the lock plate in the
rear of the tumbler head, and over the mainspring an intercepting safety bolt,
which I call a danger check.
The rear end of this danger check, is formed with a transverse arm, which is
made to rest on the trigger in the rear of the lock sear, and it is kept in position
by the aid of a spring.
When the lock is at full cock the elbow, of the danger check engages, in a
bent formed in the tumbler head, the elbow at the same time also engages on
a spur formed on the mainspring and unless the trigger is pulled the elbow of
the danger check intercepts the action of the mainspring and also the fall of the
hammer.
Or when preferred the danger check can be arranged with the transverse arm on
the rear of the tumbler head or fitted on the front of the trigger blade, so that
when the lock is at full cock, the tranverse arm on the tumbler head, engages
under the front part of the trigger, the trigger being made deeper and longer to
allow of this being done. The pivot holes also of the triggers being made oblong
to admit of their being capable of horizontal as well as the customary semi-circular
motion.
To bolt the triggers and sears, I pivot to a stud formed on the trigger plate, a
lever and spring. The short arm of this lever is adjusted over the rear ends of the
triggers & sears: the long arm is carried up to the strap of the breakoff, and is
there actuated in the usual way, by a rod, and thumbpiece in connection with the
top lever.

page_text: To prevent the gas from the exploded caps being forced into the locks, I form
one or more vent holes, from the outside of the fence-part of the breech action, into
each of the striker or piston holes, These holes allow the gas to readily escape
outwards, and so protect the locks, and as an additional precaution I also fit an
India Rubber washer over the front part of the piston which not only acts as
an additional gas check but also acts as a spring to keep the point of the piston
flush with the face of the breech action,
For my fore-end fastening I attach to the end of the fore-end iron, a connecting
bar and slide-catch; this slide catch, is fitted over the barrel loop, which is suitably
shaped to receive & hold it in position, The bar being continued to the end of the
wood part of the fore-end, a spring being attached to make it self acting.
To eject the discharged shells from the barrels, I arrange a spring, with a rod
and stop, or this rod or stop may be inserted in a hole formed in the lug of the
barrels.
This spring is connected with a lever which is pivoted in a recess formed in the
fore-end joint, The long end of this lever is made to abut against the extractor or
against a stud placed between the extractor and lever.
Upon opening the breech of the gun the ejecting spring is compressed by a pro-
jection formed on the forward part of the breech action.
The compression of the ejecting spring actuates the ejecting lever, the lower part
of this ejecting lever, being thereby brought into sharp contact with the extractor,
forces it forward and thereby ejects the empty shells from the barrel of the gun.
To prevent the cartridges being ejected which have not been fired, I attach to
the extractor a clip, the hooked end of which, passes over the edge of the cartridge
base and holds it in the chamber of the barrels.
Opposite this cartridge clip, I arrange in a hole, formed through the face of the
breech action a moveable stud, this stud is made to abut against the front part of
the tumbler of the lock.
The customary fall of the lock, forces the moveable stud forward, and upon
opening the breech of the gun, the end of this stud comes in contact with the
cartridge clip, and so forces it down, or on one side, thereby leaving the shell free
to be ejected.
My anti recoil heelplate is formed, by placing one or more layers of India
Rubber, under the usual horn or iron heelplate, This plan in addition to lessening
the recoil, also forms a very ready method of lengthening and shortening the stock
of the gun.
My moveable spring clip two-eyed sight, is constructed to fit over the barrels
with the customary V on the rib, and with a side projecting shield so formed as to
obstruct the sight of the left or right eye as may be required.
My adjustable rifle tube for insertion in shot guns, or large bore rifles, is formed
with a detachable breech piece, which is secured, to the barrel or tube, by the aid
of two or more grips, formed on the rear end of the tube, with corresponding grips,
formed in the breech piece, and so shaped that by giving the barrel, or tube, one
half turn, the barrel can be detached.
The muzzle of the tube, is also fitted with an adjustable mouthpiece, and fitted
with sett screws, to enable the shooter to adjust the tube, at the angle he may
require 'to give accurate shooting.

page_text: EDWIN CHARLES GREEN Gunmaker 87 High St. Cheltenham do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SMALL ARMS, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention has reference to what are known as outside hammer & also
hammerless guns & rifles & is applicable to both double & single guns & rifles,
& consists of the arrangements or combination of parts, as herein after described,
for securing the lugs to double or single gun barrels, without the aid of brazing.
Also to an improved method of securely bolting together the barrels, & breech
action of said guns, & rifles. Also to an improved method of cocking the locks of
same Together with a new safety arrangement to prevent the accidental discharge
of the locks.
And to a gas check to prevent the gas being forced back into the lock mechanism.
Also to an improved snap forend fastening, and an adjustable anti-recoil
heel-plate.
Also to an improved foresight.
To properly secure, without brazing the hinge lug to the barrels, I form a longi-
tudinal dovetail key on that part of the tube known as the flat 1 (Fig. A),
terminating about inch from the breech end of the tube.
The lug 2 (Fig. B) is made in the shape of a T, & along its upper side, is formed
a corresponding recess 1 A into which the raised key, or dovetail of the tube is
fitted. The operation being duplicated for double barrels.
Or instead of making the joint a longitudinal one, it is equally secure, when the
joint is made transversly.
This transverse joint, can be made, either with a solid key, formed on the tubes,
or by the aid of a loose key 3, which is fitted into a transverse recess 4, formed in
the flats of the tubes (Fig. D), & through corresponding holes formed in the
lug 4 D.
In either of the foregoing plans, the lug & tubes, can be soldered together.
To firmly secure the breech action to the barrels, I combine, with the top cross
bolt 5, (Fig. E.) at present in use, a bottom cross bolt 6 of similar shape, to the top
cross bolt.
These bolts may be either cylindrical, rectangular or of any other suitable form.
I also combine, with these two cross bolts, a top lever grip, which grip, may be
formed either by a projection on the lever, or by a separate longitudinal travelling.
The bottom bolt 6 is made, to travel in a recess 6a formed in the lower part, of
the body of the action, & through a corresponding recess 8 formed in the lug of the
barrels.
The top cross bolt is made to travel, through a hole 9 in the upper part of
breech action, & also through a corresponding hole, in the top rib projecting lug 9 B
of the barrels.

page_text: The third bolt is formed, by a projection on the top lever 7 (Fig. F), which I call
the lever grip, or by a separate sliding bolt as preferred & either the lever pro-
jection or sliding bolt is made to engage in a recess 10, formed in the rear of the
top projecting lug.
A spindle 11 is fitted through the head of the breech action, to which are
attached, two spurs 12, & these spurs are carried into holes 5a formed in the cross
bolts 5. 5, or instead of these spurs, I can actuate the cross bolts, by the aid of two
secondary small 13 C. levers 13 D. The top secondary small lever 13 C, I mount,
on a pin or stud 51, between the thumb top lever 15, & the cross bolt.
The forward end of this small lever, I carry into the recess in the cross bolt,
& the rear end into a hole formed in the front end of the top lever, or into a hole,
formed in a stud 14 affixed to the spindle.
A similar lever, I mount between the bottom bolt, & a stud 14 D formed on the
spindle. The top, & bottom cross bolts, also the lever grips are actuated by
pressure on the top lever 15 in the usual way.
By pressing the lever to the right, the cross bolts are withdrawn to the left,
when attached to the spurs on the spindle, but when the small levers are used, the
cross bolts are mounted on the right side of the gun & the pressure on the top
lever, withdraws the cross bolts, on the right, but in either case the cross bolts, also
the lever grips, are withdrawn, by the one motion of the top lever, thus allowing
the barrels to be tilted. The bolts are driven home, by the aid of a spring fitted.
underneath the strap of the breakoff, & brought in contact with the spindle.
To keep the bolts withdrawn so that the breech of the gun may be easily closed,
I fit a moveable piston, through the face of the breech action to the cross bolt.
This piston is actuated by a spring. Upon opening the breech, this piston is
forced forward, by the spring, into a recess, formed in the cross bolt, & thereby
acts, as a stop, by holding back the bolts.
Upon closing the breech, these bolts are released, by the end of the barrels
coming in contact with the piston, & forcing it back, or if preferred this piston
& spring, can be fitted to act as a stop to the bottom bolt, instead of the top bolt.*
To cock the lock, I mount in a hole 16, formed in the underpart of the breech
action (Fig. E) a cocking rod 16e. This rod is shaped with a stud on its forward
end, & fits into a recess 17. 17, formed in the lower part of the forend iron 17 B,
& the back end of this cocking rod, is made to abut against the front of the
hammer part of the lock 18.
In opening the gun, the rod 16e is forced by the fore-end, through the hole, in
the breech action, against the hammer part of the lock 18, & thereby cocks
the lock..
In closing the gun, the fore-end, by the aid of the stud on the cocking rod,
carries the cocking rod back, & thereby leaves the lock free to discharge the gun.
Or the lock can be cocked by the aid of a rod without a stud, which rod 16 E,
after cocking is brought back, to its normal position by the aid of a spring
(Fig. M).
To give greater travel to the cocking rod, & thereby enable me to cock the locks
with greater ease, I fit the joint or hinge pin 19 of the breech action, nearer the
barrels, than is the custom in other hammerless guns.
This improved arrangement of the joint pin also diminishes the usual strain
upon the breech action at the moment of firing.
To prevent the accidental discharge of the locks, I mount on the lock plate
(Fig. G) in the rear of the tumbler head, & over the mainspring, an intercepting
safety bolt 20 which I call a danger check. The rear end of the danger check, is
formed with a transverse arm 21, & it is made, by the aid of a spring, to rest in a
recess formed in the trigger..
When the lock is at full cock, the front of the danger check engages in or over,
a bent 22, formed in the tumbler head, also on, or over a spur 28 formed on the
mainspring.

page_text: Secondly. The combination of the top lever grip, with the top & bottom cross
bolts, for securing, by the aid of the top rib extention & bottom lug, the breech
to the barrels.
:
Thirdly. The combination of the lever grip, with either the top, or bottom bolts
separately.
Fourthly. The position of the hinge, or joint pin, in giving greater travel to the
cocking rod, & thereby facilitating the cocking of the lock.
Fifthly. The method of actuating the safety bolt, by means of the trigger as
described.
Sixthly. The vent holes, combined with the India Rubber washer, acting as a gas
check to prevent the gas from fired cartridges entering the lock.
In witness whereof, I the said Edwin Charles Green, have hereunto set my
Anell 1000.