IMPROVE- MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME."-
A communication from abroad by La Société Industrielle Suisse, an
Incorporated Company of Neuheusen, near Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Sealed the 12th May 1868, and dated the 23rd November 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd November 1867.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME,"
a communication to me from abroad by La Société Industrielle Suisse, an
Incorporated Company of Neuheusen, near Schaffhausen, Switzerland, to be
as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates both to repeating and non-repeating breach-loading
fire-arms, and to the construction of cartridges for breach-loaders. In con-
structing & repeating breach-loader according to this Invention I screw the
breach end of the barrel into a breach piece which is so formed as to carry
the whole of the lock mechanism and to receive the stock which is secured
thereto. Within this breach piece is situate a cylindrical sliding breach closer
provided with a handle at the rear end for manoeuvering the same in order to
open and close the breech. Along the centre of this breech closer slides the

page_text: striker consisting of a rod or spindle which is struck at the rear end by the
hammer and transmits the blow either directly or through an intermediate
piece to the rear end of the cartridge herein-after mentioned in order to
explode the same. The expended cartridge case is extracted by means of a
hooked instrument fitted into a groove made longitudinally along the top of
the breach closer. In the stock beneath the breech end of the barrel there is
formed a tubular magazine for the cartridges which are pressed forward by a
helical spring into a chamber formed in a vertical sliding piece called the
"elevator," at its junction is (when the breech closer is drawn back so as to
open the breech and remove the spent cartridge case) to bring a fresh cartridge
in a line with the barrel. This movement of the elevator is effected by a bell
crank lever acted upon by the sliding breech closer; on pushing forward the
breech closer the fresh cartridge will be forced into the barrel and the breech
closed ready for firing. The front of the hammer carries a safety spring lever
arm which enters a notch in the boss of the handle on the breach closer, when
the breach closer is its in closed position only and has been partly turned round
by the handle so as to lock it by means of suitable lateral projections, but if
the breech closer be not in its closed and locked position then the notch in the
handle will not coincide with the safety arm, and the hammer will be prevented
from touching the striker. The accidental firing of the arm before the breech
has been properly closed is thus prevented. In constructing a non-repeating
arm the before-mentioned cartridge magazine, the "elevator," and the parts in
immediate connection therewith are dispensed with, the cartridges being
dropped one by one into the chamber at the rear of the breech and pushed
forward into the barrel by the breech closer and then fired by the means
herein-before described. In some cases it is proposed to combine with the
cartridge magazine of the repeater a spring stop acted upon by the ball of the
left hand in such a manner that when pressed against it will obstruct the out-
ward delivery of the cartridges from the magazine. By this means facility is
afforded for using the repeater at will as a mere breech-loader, each charge
being inserted by hand through a lateral opening into the elevator in lieu
of being pushed therein from the magazine, the store in which may thus be
retained for cases of emergency. Ordinary breech-loaders may readily be
converted to the improved system above described, which the Inventors
designate the "Vetterlin system," by the aid of certain additions to and
modifications of the parts herein-before referred to. In effecting the con-
version the rear end of the barrel is screwed into a breech-piece which contains
the sliding breech closer, a safety pin is hinged to the trigger which prevents
the latter from releasing the hammer and firing the arm so long as the breech

page_text: closer is not in its closed and locked position. The sliding breech closer
with spent cartridge case extractor attached is actuated and locked in a
similar manner to that herein-before described, but in lieu of containing the
striker the latter is situate at the side of the arm and consists of a small
spring lever which enters a slot in the side of the breech and is struck by the
hammer, the original position of which on the arm remains unaltered. This
hammer drives the striker against the cartridge and effects its explosion.
On withdrawing the sliding breech closer the hooked extractor draws with it
the spent case out of the barrel until the lower edge of the flauge of the
cartridge by coming in contact with the stop pin or projection causes the case
to tip over and be readily removed from the gun.
The improved cartridge is constructed with a thin metal case narrowed
towards the front end for the reception of the ball, having the rear end composed
of two metal bosses or discs screwed one partly into the other; the inner
dise is perforated in the centre to afford free access of the flame to the powder.
The rear disc or screwed piece contains in the centre a species of metal cup
perforated in the bottom for the passage of the flame; this cup tends to prevent
any escape of fragments of the exploded cap which is placed therein.
The cap consists of two parts, namely, the cap proper which contains the
fulminate and a small cylindrical grooved piece of metal which answers the
purpose of a nipple.
According to a modified construction of cartridge the two screwed metal
discs are dispensed with and the perforated cup containing the cap, and the
piece serving as a nipple is made stronger and thicker and is secured by a
flange to the base of the cartridge.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd May 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Henry Johnson, He special license that 1, the said John

page_text: Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or 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 "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME," a
communication from abroad by La Societe Industrielle Suisse, an Incor-
porated Company of Newbeuson, near Schaffhausen, Switzerland, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates both to repeating and non-repeating breech-
loading fire-arms, and to the construction of cartridges for breech-loaders.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
corresponding Figures.
The improved repeating fire-arm is represented by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
and 7 (Sheet 1), of the Drawings annexed. It consists of a piece of forged
iron A, which serves to carry the whole of the mechanism, and receives at one
extremity the barrel Y of the gun, and at the other the wooden stock Z; 'in
this piece A works a slide B, shewn in Figures 8, 9, and 10, and which is
provided with a groove a, in which works the cartridge case extractor C;
this extractor terminates in a hook 6 which lays hold of the flange of the
cartridge and is retained in the groove a by a pin which passes through an
oblong opening made in the projection d of the extractor, as shewn in Figures
11 and 12. Two projections c which come in contact alternately with the key
F(Figure 17) guide its to-and-fro motion and maintain the slide B in the
piece A. The striker (Figures 13 and 14) consists of a rod D placed in the

page_text: centre of the slide B; it is kept in its place by the nut G (Figure 15), which
also serves to secure the piece I and the lever J. In some cases the rod D,
in lieu of striking the cartridge in the centre, bears against a forked piece E,
of which the prongs e, e, strike the case of the cartridge containing the
fulminate. The slide B is provided on its under side with a groove f which
serves as a guide to the lever L of the elevator K, it is moreover cut away or
hollowed slightly on either side in order to diminish friction; it carries also a
spring H (Figure 16) which is so disposed that it is only when the slide B is
completely drawn back into the piece A that it permits the piece I to move
under the action of the lever J in order to lock the slide B in the piece A ;
this piece I (Figures 18 and 19) is provided on its circumference with three
projections h which coincide with three similar projections inside the piece A,
so as to lock the slide B which closes the breech of the barrel at the moment
grooves i
of exploding the cartridge; the piece I is furnished with two internal
serving as stops for the spring H, and terminates in a six-sided portion which
receives the head of the lever or key J. (Figures 20 and 21). I have
illustrated at Figures 22 and 23 the brass elevator K which causes the
cartridges to pass in succession from the magazine X contained in the stock
into the slide B; this elevator is provided externally with projections u which
facilitate its adjustment in position, and permit it to slide vertically inside the
piece A; it has formed in one of its sides an opening which admits of the
introduction of the cartridges into the magazine X; it is also provided on its
two internal sides with projections m for the purposes of holding the empty
cartridge cases withdrawn from the barrel by the extractor and preventing
the full cartridges from being thrown out when being rapidly elevated.
the rear end of the elevator the projections m no longer exist, in order that
the empty cartridge may assume an oblique position in turning over for the
purpose of escaping by their own action from the hook 6 of the extractor.
bell crank lever L (Figures 24 and 25), of which the extremities move in the
opening o of the elevator, and in the groovef of the slide B, brings the elevator
to the level of the barrel Y, when the slide B is entirely withdrawn from the
breech of the barrel. In order to lighten the elevator K a chamber q is
formed therein closed by a flat portion, which during its movement serves to
hold back the cartridges in their magazine X. The small arm of the lever L
being only acted upon by coming in contact with the extremities of the groove f
the elevator is maintained in its elevated position by the friction of a spring M
(Figures 26 and 27) fixed to the trigger guard U. The cock N (Figures 28
and 29) is hinged at r to the piece A, and has formed on it at s'a hammer head
or striker, of which the upper surface t is roughened, as shewn, so as to be
At
A

page_text: readily seized by the thumb; the cock is formed also with a projecting part u
which completely closes the slot in the piece A in which it moves.
The lower
part of the cock is curved to receive the action of the mainspring P
(Figures 35 and 36) by means of the link O (Figure 30), to which it is
jointed at x, and of which the two branches y rest in the curved parts z in the
free end of the spring P. The cock N further carries a stop Q (Figure 31)
which is supported by a spring R (Figure 32) and which is intended to
prevent accidental discharge of the arm by coming in contact with the solid
portion of the head of the lever J; a notch k is made in the head of the
lever J, so as to allow the stop Q to pass when the slide B is locked in its
place in the breech of the barrel ready for firing. The object of the spring R
is to bring the stop Q in contact with the head of the lever J. The stop Q, as
well as the notch k, is inclined or bevelled on one side, so that the first move-
ment imparted to the lever J forces back the cock a certain distance, and
the slide B in moving back completes the full cocking of the arm. The
link O has the effect of varying the length of the arm of the lever in an
inverse ratio to the tension of the spring P. The trigger S (Figures 33 and
34) is kept in contact with the cock by the spring T fixed to the piece A
which spring may be in one piece with the spring P before referred to.
Figures 37 and 38 represent the plate W which closes the opening L,
through which the cartridges are introduced into the magazine X; this
magazine is, as will be seen on referring to Figures 2 and 4, closed by a
metal tube enclosing a helical spring which constantly urges forward the
cartridges into the elevator.
The following is the mode of using this improved repeating fire-arm :-
When the arm has been fired the lever J must be raised about one-sixth of a
revolution in order to unlock the slide B, which is then drawn back; the
extractor draws with it the spent case and the bell crank lever L of the
elevator K causes the latter to raise a fresh cartridge to the axial line of
the barrel; the cartridge thus elevated is forced into the breech of the barrel
by pushing forward the slide B, which is then secured by depressing the
lever J; the arm is now ready for firing in the usual manner.
In the mean-
time a fresh cartridge has entered the elevator from the magazine, and the
extractor has seized the flange of the cartridge case, which after having been
exploded is withdrawn, like the preceding one. In case the lever J has not
been lowered to the position of safety the cock will be arrested by the stop Q,
and the striking of the cartridge cannot therefore take place accidentally.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 (Sheet 2), illustrate an arrangement for
keeping the cartridges within the magazine, whereby the gun may be used as

page_text: an ordinary breech-loader. For this purpose it is sufficient to introduce the
cartridges one by one through the lateral orifice 1, reserving the magazine full
of cartridges in readiness for an emergency. With this object a spring a
situate on the left side of the gun and terminating in a stop B which is situate
behind the flange or metal cap y of the cartridge. A screw e secures the
spring to the piece A, the spring being guided by a piece & which embraces
it towards its middle. It is by the pressure of the ball of the hand that the
passage of the cartridge into the elevator from the magazine is prevented
or allowed.
The cartridges shown in Figures 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26,
are covered by a metallic casing made slightly tapered towards the front
end which receives the ball; the breech or base of the cartridge is composed
of two pieces and 6, screwed the one into the other; it is pierced in the
centre in order to admit the flame of the detonating charge in the cap into
the powder of the cartridge. In the interior of the piece there is a cap
having an opening or central perforation made therein to allow the flame to
escape and to prevent fragments of the cap from being thrown outwards by
its explosion. The cap is composed of two pieces, viz., the cap proper p,
which receives the fulminating composition, and the striker p having four
grooves in its circumference to allow of the passage of the flame.
Figures 27, 28, 29, 80, and 31, illustrate a modification of the cartridge above
described wherein the ball or breech piece, n, 6, is dispensed with; in this
modification the cap à is much thicker in order to present sufficient resistance.
I have also represented on Sheet 2 of the Drawings an arrangement of
fire-arm analogous to the one herein-before described, but in which the parts
for producing repetition are not employed. All the other parts, whether
moveable or fixed, are similar to and are indicated by the same letters as the
parts represented in Sheet 1. I have shewn only in detail the mainspring
and the prolongation of the piece A which serves to connect it to the
stock Z.
Sheet 3 illustrates the application of this Invention to the conversion into
In order to effect this conversion the
breech-loaders of ordinary fire-arms.
barrel e of the gun to be converted is cut off and a screw thread 6 formed
thereon in order to connect it to the breech piece a, which breech piece is
equivalent to the one shewn at A on Sheet 1, herein-before described, but
slightly modified in form. The breech piece receives a slide d operated by
means of a lever, and carrying the cartridge extractor and the lid or cover to
close the chamber. On the right-hand side of the breech a there is formed
an enlargement c which contains the parts intended to transmit the blow of the

page_text: hammer to the cap. The slide d differs little from that herein-before
described with reference to the repeating fire-arm, it carries three projections
which engage behind corresponding projections formed in the breech piece a.
In this system of conversion the stock is retained, together with the trigger
guard and trigger; also the lock carrying the cock. The striking portion g
of the cock (which is shewn in detail in Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3) is so dis-
posed as to strike a piece h which is contained in the enlargement c of the
breech piece a. The piece h, shewn in detail in Figures 10 and 11, Sheet 3)
is jointed at i and carries a projection which enters a corresponding recess
in the breech piece a in order to transmit the blow of the hammer to the cap.
The striking portion g of the cock is provided with inclined planes, which at the
time of the discharge strike the oblique faces k of the piece h and cause it to
turn round its joint i and strike the cap on the cartridge. In order to effect
the return of the piece to its state of rest after each discharge a spring
(shewn in detail in Figures 12 and 13) is provided on the side of the breech
piece a which tends continually to draw back the piece h in order that the
projection j which it carries may be withdrawn entirely within the aperture in
which it is contained. The cartridge extractor m, herein-before described, is
adapted to this system of gun, its form, which is slightly modified, being shewn
in Figures 14 and 15; it is disposed in a groove formed in the top part of
the cover t, and is secured to it by a screw p, and is provided at its rear end
with a projection n which serves to limit the oscillating motion of the lever v;
this cartridge extractor terminates in a book g (Figures 2 and 4), to lay hold
of the flange of the cartridge case r, which when drawn back bears on the
end of a screws which causes it to rock or tip over in order to facilitate its
withdrawal from the arm to be replaced by a new cartridge, as shewn in
Figure 4. The hook 9 passes through the cover t which is cut away for this
purpose at o.
The cover t (shewn in detail in Figures 16, 17, and 18) is
applied to the top of the slide and terminates in a part n forming a socket to
connect it to the slide, with which it acts conjointly, partaking of its to-and-
fro motions, whilst the slide alone is capable of turning on its own centre by
means of the lever which actuates it; this lever is curved in form, as shewn
in Figures 19 and 20, and is limited in its stroke by the projection " on the
cartridge extractor.
Figures 21 and 22 shew the safety pin x, which is fixed by means of the
fork y on the trigger z, and bears against the slide, so as to prevent any
motion of the tumbler when the slide d is not secured in its proper position
for the discharge. When the slide is in its place the pin x enters a groove
formed in the slide and the trigger is then free. A lever w places the trigger z

page_text: in communication with the cock, by which means the discharge of the gun
is
effected. In order to render the slide d capable of the to-and-fro motion it
is provided with a groove on its under surface to enable it to clear the screws.
This system of converting ordinary guns into breech-loaders is based on the
same principle as the repeating fire-arm herein-before described, the chief
parts of which, viz., the slide, extractor, lever, and the rest are retained,
their form alone being modified to facilitate their adaptation to the conversion
of ordinary guns.
Sheet 4 illustrates a special system of slide with central striker applied to
a non-repeating breech-loading fire-arm, but which is also applicable to the
repeating fire-arm (Sheet 1) and to the converted gun illustrated by Sheet 3
of the Drawings. In this arrangement the striker is so disposed that it is
retained in the interior of the slide so long as the latter is not in a proper
position for firing, and thus it prevents an accidental discharge. In order to
effect this object the rear end σ of the striker is provided with a cruciform
portion which enters a corresponding mortise situate in the extremity of
the slide ; the striker also terminates in a square formn x which passes
through the breech screw, so that it partakes of the rotatory motion of this
screw when it is moved by the actuating lever. It will be perceived that if
the internal feather edges of the mortise and the edges of the cruciform
portion of the striker are carefully cut, as the latter partakes of the rotatory
motion of the breech screw and of the actuating lever it will be drawn back
a distance equal to the dimensions of the feather edges of the cruciform
portion T. Now as the size of these feather edges is equal to the distance the
point of the striker protrudes from the slide it cannot effect any blow on the
cap until the slide is secured in its proper position for firing. The connection
of the turning piece with the actuating lever w the breech screw and the slide
is effected in the following manner :-The turning piece which carries the
stops or projections intended to secure the slide in the interior of the breech
is tapped at its rear end and is screwed on to a corresponding screwed portion
formed on the slide 4. On the turning piece there is cut a polygonal form
for the reception of the actuating lever a which is secured in its place by the
breech screw screwed on to the end of the turning piece; the breech screw
is also employed to maintain the striker σ in its place, the front extremity of
which traverses the slide in order to strike the cap in the centre of the
cartridge.
Figures 12, 13, and 14 illustrate a very simple arrangement of cartridge
extractor, in which the extractor a terminates at one end in a spring B¹ and
at the other by a hook y¹. A dovetailed piece & in a groove in the top of

page_text: the slide
serves to guide the motion of the latter and to maintain the
extractor a in its place.
The system of slide and striker herein-before described prevents the
possibility of accidental discharge to whatever shock the arm may be sub-
jected, since the striker is retained inside the slide so long as the latter is out
of its proper position for firing. This mechanism is applicable to all the
various descriptions of fire-arms herein-before referred to.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel
and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. the general arrangement and combination of the details constituting
an improved repeating fire-arm, as herein-before described and illustrated on
Sheet 1 of the Drawings annexed.
Second. The peculiar construction and arrangement of the striker and
slide, as herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Third. The peculiar arrangement of mechanism for the withdrawal of the
artidge case after the explosion, herein-before described and illustrated on
Sheet of the Drawings.
Fourth. The peculiar arrangement of mechanism for giving motion to
the elevator, as herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
Fifth. The peculiar construction and arrangement of the hammer or cock,
and the combination therewith of the stop, for preventing accidental discharge
of the arm, as herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
Sixth. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
improved non-repeating fire-arm, wherein the previously described cartridge
magazine and its appendages are dispensed with, as herein-before described
and illustrated on Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Seventh. The peculiar arrangement of spring stop for maintaining the
cartridges in the magazine, so that when the magazine is charged the
repeating fire-arm may be employed as an ordinary breech-loading fire-arm,
as herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Eighth. The peculiar mode of securing the percussion cap in the two forms
of metallic-cased cartridges, as herein-before described and illustrated on
Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Ninth. The general arrangement and combination of details or parts,

page_text: whereby ordinary guns may be converted into breach-loaders, as berein-before
described and illustrated on Sheet 3 of the Drawings.
Tenth. The peculiar arrangement of safety pin employed to prevent
accidental discharge, and the intermediate hinged piece employed in trans-
mitting the blow of the cock or hammer to the cartridge, as herein-before
described and illustrated on Sheet 3 of the Drawings.
Eleventh. The peculiar construction and arrangement of slides, extractor,
and safety striker, and their combination with the turning piece, forming a
bolt or lock, and with the actuating lever, substantially as and for the purpose
herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 4 of the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification, set my hand and seal, the Twenty-second day of May,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.8.)