IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Westley Richards, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gun Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES."
Sealed the 25th November 1862, and dated the 11th September 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Westley Richards at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th September 1862.
I, WESTLEY RICHARDS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in fire-arms and cartridges.
In constructing breech-loading fowling pieces and other small fire-arms where
the barrels are mounted so as to turn on horizontal axles under their breech
ends, as in breech-loading fowling pieces of ordinary construction, I employ,
in order to lock the barrels in position for firing, a self-acting spring catch or
bolt taking into a notch in a piece projecting from the upper part of the
breech end of the barrels; this piece, as the breeches are closed for firing,
enters a recess in the top of the breech plate or false breech; the recess and the
piece entering it are both inclined, so as to draw the breeches tightly against
the breech plate. The spring catch is mounted in the tang of the breech

page_text: plate, by preference, so as to slide longitudinally therein, a spring tending con-
stantly to throw it forwards; in closing the breeches of the barrels, however, it
recedes, both it and the piece at the breech end of the barrels being suitably
inclined; immediately the barrels are closed it again springs forward into its
recess, and so holds the barrels securely. The catch is drawn back to open
the breeches by a thumb-piece or lever on the top of the stock. The self-acting
spring catch may be made to work at the side of the stock, still taking into a
piece projecting from the top of the barrels; or the spring catch may be
made to take into a notch at the top of the breech end of the barrels them-
selves, instead of into a projection therefrom. The arrangement first described
is, however, most convenient.
In constructing breech-loading cannon I form a slot or opening in the
piece at the breech end, and passing entirely through it. In this opening I
mount a block to close the bore of the piece; it is arranged to turn on a
centre or axis at its rear end and on one side thereof, so that it can, by moving
on this centre, cover or uncover the breech end of the bore. In order to press
the block firmly up to its seat at the breech end of the bore of the piece a
wedge is employed, which enters between the back of the block and the
rear end of the slot or opening in which the same is mounted. When the
block is turned to one side of its slot or opening, so as to uncover the bore of
the piece, space will be left at the other side of the slot for introducing the
charge. The block and wedge are connected together, so that on opening the
breech one movement of a lever withdraws the wedge and moves the block to
one side, and in closing the breech another movement replaces the block and
draws the wedge in behind it. In place of employing a wedge behind the
block, the block may be so arranged as when the breech is closed to rest
against the rear end of the slot or opening in the breech of the gun; the fore
end of the block in this case does not itself close the bore of the piece, but
between it and the bore a breech piece is interposed, and the block is made
hemispherical or curved in front, and fits into a corresponding recess in the
back of the breech piece. To open the breech for loading the gun, the breech
piece is pushed to one side of the slot in the breech end of the piece, and
room is then left for the introduction of the charge into the bore from the
other side of the slot. When the breech piece is brought back into its place
it becomes securely jammed against its seat at the breech end of the bore.
In breech-loading cannon, in order to prevent the escape of gases at the
breech, I enclose the end of the cartridge in a collapsible cup or ring
of thin metal or other rigid material, the body of which fits the bore of the
piece, but it is not joined up; the side and the edges of the metal are lapped.

page_text: The bottom of this cup, which rests against the breech piece, is produced by
pieces lapping the one over the other; thus the cup is able to expand when
the pressure of the gases comes upon it, still, however, remaining gas-tight.
Expanding cases constructed as above described are much superior to rigid
cases of thin metal, which have in some cases been employed heretofore, for
they will not split when the explosion takes place, even should the cup not fit
the bore with perfect accuracy, besides which, being compressible, it can be
rammed forward out of the chamber into the bore of the piece, whereas the
rigid case has to be withdrawn at the breech, which causes a loss of time in
serving the piece. I prefer also in order to render the cup more secure to
cover the bottom angle thereof with lead, or a mixture of lead and tin. This
soft angle piece may conveniently extend up the side of the tin cup for about
an inch, and it may extend along the bottom of the tin cup for about an inch
inwards all round. I also in forming cartridges for breech-loading cannon
introduce into the woollen bag which, as is usual, is employed to contain the
charge, a cup of thin metal, (by preference coated with india-rubber or
gutta percha, or similar soft and elastic material). This cup is rounded at
the base, and is pushed to the bottom of the bag before the charge is put in
it. The fabric of which the bag is formed is saturated with grease, and at
its rear end fits the chamber of the piece. This metal cup will prevent the
base of the cartridge being burst by the explosion, and even should the metal
bo rent, in consequence of imperfect fitting, the india-rubber will still prevent
the gases striking through the cup. The cup being curved at the base will
be sufficiently compressible to be forced through the gun, so that it need not
be withdrawn at the base, except when the gun is so placed that the cup if
fired out might do injury where it was not intended. In applying lubrication
to the exterior of the cartridges of breech-loading cannon, I prefer to employ
two descriptions of grease, the one soft and the other harder; the cartridge is
dipped into the greases whilst they are in a melted state; it is dipped several
times into the soft grease until a sufficient thickness has accumulated, and
afterwards it is dipped into the harder grease (wax is very suitable) and
thus a comparatively hard surface is given to the cartridge, which renders it
moro convenient for handling. When lubricating the woollen cartridges of
cannon, as above described, I enclose the powder in paper before putting it in
the woollen case, so that the lubricant may not penetrate to it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Westley Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 11th March 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WESTLEY
RICHARDS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Elevonth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Westley Richards, Her special licence, that I, the said Westley
Richards, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Westley Richards, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Iμ-
PROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Westley Richards, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Westley Richards, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in fire-arms and cartridges.
In constructing breech-loading fowling pieces and other small fire-arms whore
the barrels are mounted so as to turn on horizontal axles under their breech
ends, as in breech-loading fowling pieces of ordinary construction, I employ, in
order to lock the barrels in position for firing, a self-acting spring catch or bolt
taking into a notch in a piece projecting from the upper part of the breech
end of the barrels; this piece, as the breeches are closed for firing, enters a
recess in the top of the breech plate or false breech; the recess and the piece
entering it are both inclined, so as to draw the brecches tightly against the
breech plate. The spring catch is mounted in the tang of the breech plate,

page_text: by preference, so as to slide longitudinally therein, a spring tending constantly
to throw it forwards; in closing the breeches of the barrels, however, it
recedes, both it and the piece, at the breech end of the barrels, being suitably
inclined; immediately the barrels are closed it again springs forward into its
recess, and so holds the barrels securely. The catch is drawn back to open
the breeches by a thumb piece on the top of the stock.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a double-barrelled fowling piece constructed
according to my Invention, the red lines indicating the barrels in the position
which they occupy when the breech ends of the barrels are open for loading;
Figure 2 is a plan of the same; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the
breech plate and parts connected therewith, the barrels are shown in position
for firing; Figure 4 is an under side view of the breech plate with some other
parts; Figure 5 is a transverse section taken at the line 1, 1, in Figure 4;
Figures 6 and 7 show respectively a side and end view of the breech. end. o
the barrels.
a, a, are the barrels, having a conical projecting piece a' at the breech.end;
this projecting piece is made of steel, and enters a corresponding recess formed
for it in the breech plate. In the projection a' there is a notch a,into which
the spring catch centers when the barrels are in position for firing. This
spring catch c slides upon the tang of the breech plate, and is held thercon in
consequence of its foremost end passing through a horizontal hole or passago
in the brecch plate, and there is also a small pin c screwed into it on.the under
side which passes through and slides in a slot in the tang of the breech plate.
On the under side of the catch is another pin c³, which also slides in a slot in
the tang of the breech plate, and against which a small arm d, turning on a
centre at d, is caused to press by the action of the small spring d², and this
causes the spring catch at all times to assume its locking position when it is
free to do so. The spring catch c is drawn back to release the barrels by a
thumb piece c³ formed at its hinder end; when this is done the barrels may
be turned up into the position shown in red lines in Figure 1, and loaded in
the manner now common in breech-loading fowling pieces. On turning the
barrels down the inclined end of the projection a¹ will force back the spring
catch until the notch a' comes level with it, when it will spring forward into
this notch and hold the barrels firmly in position for firing. In order to make
the joint between the two parts of the stock with neatness, I form in the front
part of the stock a groove d*, which, when the barrels are turned up for
loading, receives a corresponding projection or tongue e, and as the tongue or
projection e is at all times partly in the groove d*, as shown in Figure 3, the
joint on which the barrels turn is always covered by the stock. I would

page_text: remark that a spring catch such as that shown may be made to lock the
barrels of a fire-arm in position by entering a recess in the rear ends of the
barrels, the inclined projection a¹ not being omployed. This inclined projection
and its corresponding recess are, however, also important parts of my Inven-
tion, as by the use of them the piece is much strengthened and it is rendered
more durable, the joint being relieved of much of the strain which would
otherwise come upon it. The self-acting spring catch may be made to work
at the side of the stock, still taking into a piece projecting from the top of the
barrels or the spring catch may be made to take into a notch at the top of
the breech end of the barrels themselves, instead of into a projection therefrom.
The arrangement first described is, however, most convenient.
In constructing breech-loading cannon I form a slot or opening in the piece
at the breech end and passing entirely through it. In this opening I mount
a block to close the bore of the piece; it is arranged to turn on a centre or
axis, so that it can, by moving on this centre, cover or uncover the breech end
of the boro. In order to press the block firmly up to its seat at the breech
end of the bore of the piece a wedge is employed, which enters between the
back of the block and the rear end of the slot or opening in which the same is
mounted. When the block is turned to one side of its slot or opening. so as
to uncover the bore of the piece, space will be left at the other side of the slut
for introducing the charge.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section, and Figure 9 is a side view, of the hinder
end of a breech-loading cannon so constructed.
it:
a, a, is a slot or opening in the breech end of the piece and passing entirely
through it; b is a block mounted in this opening; it serves to close the bore c
of the gun; 'the fore end of this block is cylindrical, further back it is rectan-
gular in section. At the rear end of the block, and on one side thereof, there
is connected the piece d which links the block with the centre or axis e. The
block is not rigidly attached to the connecting piece d, but is able to slide a
distance upon
the end of the piece d is for this purpose made parallel and
of dovetail form in section, and is received into suitable guides on the block b,
as the Drawing shows; the motion is limited by suitable stops. f is a wedge
which is used to press the block 6 firmly up to its seat at the breech end of
the bore of the piece; it is lifted in and out of its place by hand, a short hand-
spike or lever being used to push it home after loading, and also to start it
when it is required to remove it after firing. The block b is moved in and out
by means of a handle b', and is guided in its course by small friction pulleys b²
attached to it, one at the top and the other at the bottom, and which, by
traversing the shallow guide grooves 9 govern the motion of the block as is

page_text: required. The red lines in the Drawing indicate the position the parts assume
when the breech is open for loading; the projectile and cartridge are then
introduced in the direction shown by the arrow. The means which I employ
for making a tight joint between the block 6 and its seat, so that there may
be no escape of gas in firing, are herein-after described.
Figure 10 is a horizontal section, and Figure 11 is a side view, of a
modification of the above arrangement, in which no wedge is used, but
in which still the block is withdrawn on one side whilst the cartridge is
introduced from the other. As will be seen, the block is mounted as in
the former arrangement; it is of sufficient length to fill the whole of the
slot or opening a when it is in its place without any wedge or filling piece;
and in order that it may be able to move out of the way so as to open
the breech for loading it is made semi-globular in front, and at the back
it is curved, the curve being a segment of a circle struck from the centre
of the semi-globular front; the back of the slot against which the block rests
is similarly curved. The red lines show the position of the parts when the
breech is opened for loading; the handle in this case is attached to a piece d,
and is marked d', or in place of employing a wedge behind the block, the
block may be so arranged as when the breech is closed to rest against the
rear end of the slot or opening in the breech of the gun, the fore end of the
block in this case does not itself close the bore of the piece, but between it
and the bore a breech piece is interposed, and the block is made hemispherical
or curved in front, and fits into a corresponding recess in the back of the
breech piece. To open the breech for loading the gun the breech piece is
pushed to one side of the slot in the breech end of the piece, and room is then
left for the introduction of the charge into the bore from the other side of
the slot; when the breech piece is brought back into its place it becomes
securely jammed against its seat at the breech end of the bore. Figure 12,
is a horizontal section, and Figure 13, a side view of the breech end of a
cannon thus constructed. 9 is the breech piece; it is able to slide freely in
guiding grooves in the top and bottom of the slot or opening in the breech of
the gun, so as to cover and uncover the end of the bore, but beyond this
distance the guiding grooves prevent it travelling. The block 6 is made
semi-globular or semi-cylindrical at each end; oue end of it works in a
corresponding recess in the hinder end of the slot or opening in the gun, and
the other also in a corresponding recess which is formed in the back of the
breech piece. 6 is a pin or axis on which the block 6 works loosely; it serves
to retain the block in its place. In working the gun the breech is opened
and closed by moving the breech piece in its guiding grooves by means of a

page_text: handle or opening through it, which receives a lever or short hand-spike.
The red lines also in this Figure show the position of the parts when the
breech is open for loading. In breech-loading cannon, in order to prevent
the escape of gases at the breech, I enclose the end of the cartridge in a
collapsible cup or ring of thin metal or other rigid material, the body of
which fits the bore of the piece, but it is not joined up the side, and the edges
of the metal are lapped. The bottom of this cup which rests against the
breech piece is produced by pieces lapping the one over the other, thus the
cup is able to expand when the pressure of the gases comes upon it, still
however remaining gas-tight.
Expanding cases constructed as above described are much superior to
rigid cases of thin metal, which have in some cases been employed heretofore,
for they will not split when the explosion takes place, even should the cup not
fit the bore with perfect accuracy, besides which, being compressible, it can be
rammed forward out of the chamber into the bore of the piece, whereas the
rigid case has to be withdrawn at the breech, which causes a loss of time in
serving the piece. I prefer also in order to render the cup more secure to
cover the bottom angle thereof with lead, or a mixture of lead and tin.
Figure 14 is a vertical section of a cup thus constructed, together with other
parts used in connection therewith; Figure 15 is a plan view of the same.
a is the collapsible cup of tin, or it may be made of copper or other metal;
6 is a lead or soft metal angle piece; c is a wad of felt saturated with grease;
and d is a disc of sheet iron which is furnished with a strap or handle passing
through the felt wad, and serving to withdraw the cup after firing, if it is
desired so to do. Into the cup, arranged as above described, the end of the
cartridge or case containing the powder is fitted before it is placed in the gun.
The cup may, if desired, be made of sufficient length to enclose the whole of
the cartridge, and by thus increasing the length of the cup the interior of
the gun will be protected from wear. When the breech piece of the gun is
flat at the end, the bottom segments of the cup may meet, or nearly so, in the
centre, in other cases they may be made very narrow. A cup constructed as
above described will be found serviceable for many rounds, and will effectually
prevent the escape of gases at the breech when the joint in the breech of the
gun is not itself gas-tight. In applying lubrication to the exterior of the cartridges
of breech-loading cannon I prefer to employ two descriptions of grease, the one
soft and the other harder. The cartridge is dipped into the greases whilst
they are in a melted state; it is dipped several times into the soft grease (such
as tallow) until a sufficient thickness is accumulated, and afterwards it is
dipped into the harder grease, (wax is vory suitable,) and thus a comparatively

page_text: hard surface is given to the cartridge, which renders it more convenient for
handling.
This method of lubricating I find especially applicable to cannon cartridges
made of paper; woollen cartridges saturated with grease I have not found
convenient, as they remain after firing in the chamber of the piece, the grease
preventing the fabric boing consumed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Westley Richards, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
WESTLEY RICHARDS. (L.e.)