IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING CANNON AND OTHER BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Gordon, of Goswell Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Distiller, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
LETTERS PATENT to Charles Gordon, of Goswell Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Distiller, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING CANNON AND OTHER BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Gordon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd August 1871.
I, CHARLES GORDON, of Goswell Road, in the County of Middlesex,
5 Distiller, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING CANNON AND OTHER BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
:―
This Invention consists in certain improvements applicable to breech-
loading cannon and other breech-loading fire-arms, and whereby great
advantages are obtained.
In applying this Invention to breech-loading cannon the following
arrangements are adopted :-The breech end of the cannon, which is

page_text: bored of a cylindrical form for the introduction of the charge, is closed
by means of a breech piece which is inserted at the rear end thereof.
This breech piece is of a compound nature and consists of four principal
parts which are connected by a spindle passing through the centre of
the two rear portions and attached loosely to the third portion thereof.
These parts are the rear end of the breech piece, which is of a cylindrical
form, the centre portion which is composed of two several parts arranged
as herein-after mentioned, and another cylindrical block, into which is
screwed the head of the breech piece, the exterior of which is of a slightly
conical form. The two parts of which the central portion of the breech
piece consists are respectively connected by means of pins with the rear
and forward cylindrical portions of the breech piece, and when in their
normal position have a cylindrical section. The pins upon which the
said blocks are mounted are so placed that the latter upon being partially
The interior of the said two
rotated assume an eccentric position.
pieces so connected with the first and third portions of the breech block
are formed with slots therein which are capable of receiving projections
formed on or attached to the before-mentioned spindle. The rear end
of the spindle which projects beyond the rear end of the gun is furnished
with a lever or levers by means of which it can be partially rotated,
thus by means of the projections thereon throwing the eccentrically
mounted pieces outwards, and causing the exterior surfaces thereof to
take into recesses formed in the hollow portion of the rear end of the
gun, and thus hold the entire breech piece perfectly firm, and when
returned to their normal position allow the breech piece to be with-
drawn. The firmness of the breech piece is increased by the projections
on the central spindle fitting into recesses formed in the third portion
of the breech piece, and which they are caused to enter by pushing the
spindle forward when the eccentric pieces have taken into the corre-
sponding recesses in the gun.
In order to prevent the passage of gas upon explosion taking place
a ring or collar of platinum, copper, or other metal possessing the
requisite degree of durability and elasticity is placed around the slightly
conical block at the forward end of the breech piece. Such ring or
collar is also of a slightly conical or divergent form, but reversed with
reference to the conical block at the end of the breech piece, so
that a small space is left between them. Upon the discharge being
effected, the gas which results therefrom enters the last-mentioned

page_text: space, and by expanding the collar causes the anterior edges of the
same to press against the interior surface of the bore of the gun,
and effectually prevents any escape of gas or communication with the
breech mechanism.
The arrangements before described will be more clearly understood
by reference to Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the line A, B, in the trans-
verse section shewn in Figure 2, both these Figures shew the breech
piece unlocked and ready for withdrawal. In these Figures similar
letters indicate similar parts.
A is the rear portion of the gun; B is the first or rear portion of the
breech block; C, the third or forward portion of the same; D, the head
of the block attached to the part C by means of the screws d; E is the
spindle; e is the collar which retains it in position in the third part C;
F are the wings on the spindle E, f being the recesses cut in the piece C
for the purpose of receiving the wings F as before described; G are
the two parts which form the central portion of the breech block and
which rotate eccentrically on the pins g for the purpose of entering the
recesses g', g¹, Figure 2, for the purpose of locking the breech block;
H is the lever by which the spindle E is partially rotated; I is a piece of
metal attached to the spindle E, and which when the latter is pushed
forwards enters into slots formed for its reception in the rear end of
the breech picce; K is the metallic ring or collar for the purpose herein-
before described; L, L, are the studs fixed to the first and third portions
of the breech piece.
Another portion of this Invention consists in the arrangement of a
striking or discharging piston. This piston is a long pin which passes
through the entire length of the breech piece, and having a head of
larger diameter and with a conical end for the reception of which a
suitable hollow or recess is formed in the forward end of the breech
piece. At the rear end of the enlarged head of the piston is placed
a ring or collar of india-rubber or other suitable elastic material confined
between two circular rings or plates. Upon the discharge taking place
the collar expands and is forced backwards against the shoulders of the
recess before mentioned and forms an effectual gas check. The rear
end of the piston has a small bent bar attached at right angles thereto,
and which upon the central spindle and rear end of the breech piece

page_text: being pushed forward for the purpose of locking the latter traverses an
inclined groove which is formed in a metallic cap attached to the rear
end of the spindle and draws the piston backwards ready for discharge,
This arrangement is capable of being adapted to small breech-loading
fire-arms, as will be well understood.
Any lock mechanism for the liberation of the piston which is adapted
for the purpose may be employed, but by preference the mechanism
described in the Provisional Specification of an Invention for which
Provisional Protection has been granted to me for "Improvements in
the Construction of Breech-loading Fire-arms," bearing date the 22nd
day of March 1871, No. 777, is used.
This mechanism is shewn in Sheet 2 of the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken through the line A, B,
Figure 2; Figure 2 is a transverse section; Figure 3 is an end view
of the rear end of the breech; Figure 4 is detached view of the arrange-
ment by means of which the discharging piston is drawn back; and
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the metallic cap attached to the spindle.
In this Sheet the breech piece is shewn locked and the gun ready for
discharge. The same letters of reference refer to like parts in all these
Figures.
A is the rear end of the gun; B, the first portion of the breech piece;
C, the third portion of the same; D, the head of the breech piecc;
d are the screws which fasten the same to the portion C; E is the
spindle; and e the collar on the same; F are the wings on the spindle E;
f, the recesses into which they take; G are the eccentrically mounted
pieces; g, the pins on which they work; H is the lever; I, the piece
of metal attached to the spindle E; K, the metallic ring or collar for
rendering the breech block gas-tight; L, L, are the studs on the breech
piece for the purpose of preventing the same from turning; M is the
discharging piston; m being the enlarged head thereof; m¹ being the
india-rubber collar placed thereon between the two metal plates; m² is
the small bent bar attached at right angles to the piston M; N is the
metallic cap attached to the rear end of the spindle E; n being the slot
therein.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Gordon in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st February 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
5 GORDON, of Goswell Road, in the County of Middlesex, Distiller, send
greeting.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Charles Gordon, Her special licence, that I,
the said Charles Gordon, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Charles Gordon, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF BREECH-LOADING CANNON AND OTHER BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles Gordon, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument 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 immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Gordon, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to
say :-
My said Invention consists in certain improvements applicable to
breech-loading cannon and other breech-loading fire-arms, and whereby
great advantages are obtained.
In applying my said Invention to breech-loading cannon the follow-
ing arrangements are adopted :-The breech end of the cannon, which is

page_text: bored of a cylindrical form for the introduction of the charge, is closed
by means of a breech piece which is inserted at the rear end thereof.
This breech piece is of a compound nature, and consists of four prin-
cipal parts, which parts are connected by a spindle passing through the
centre of the two rear portions, and attached loosely to the third portion
thereof. These several parts are the rear end of the breech piece,
which is of a cylindrical form, the centre portion which is composed of
two separate parts, arranged as herein-after mentioned, and another
cylindrical block into which is screwed the head of the breech piece,
the exterior of which is of a slightly conical form. The two parts of
which the central portion of the breech piece consists are respectively
connected by means of pins with the rear and forward cylindrical
portions of the brecch piece, and when in their normal position have a
cylindrical section. The pins upon which the said parts or blocks are
mounted are so placed that the latter upon being partially rotated assume
an excentric position. The interior of the said two pieces so connected
with the first and third portions of the breech piece are formed with
slots therein which are capable of receiving projections formed on or
attached to the before-mentioned spindle. The rear end of the spindle
which projects beyond the rear end of the gun is furnished with a lever
or levers, by means of which it can be partially rotated, thus by means
of the projections thereon throwing the eccentrically mounted pieces
or wings as they may be termed outwards, and causing the exterior
surfaces thereof to take into recesses formed in the hollow portion of the
rear end of the gun, and thus hold the entire breech piece perfectly firm,
and when returned to their normal position allow the breech piece to be
withdrawn. The firmness of the breech piece is increased by the pro-
jections on the central spindle fitting into recesses formed in the third
portion of the breech piece, and which they are caused to enter by
pushing the spindle forward when the eccentric pieces or wings have
taken into the corresponding recesses in the gun.
The arrangements herein-before described may be applied to small
breech-loading fire-arms as well as to cannon, such modifications as will
be readily understood by persons conversant with such matters being
adopted.
I may here mention that in order to prevent the passage of gas upon
explosion taking place, a ring or collar of platinum, copper, or other
metal possessing the requisite degree of durability and elasticity, is

page_text: placed around the slightly conical block at the forward end of the
breech piece; such ring or collar is also of a slightly conical or divergent
form, but reversed with reference to the conical block at the end of the
breech piece, so that a small space is left between them. Upon the
discharge being effected the gas which results therefrom enters the last-
mentioned space, and by expanding the collar causes the anterior edge
of the same to press against the interior surface of the bore of the gun,
and effectually prevents any escape of gas or communication with the
breech mechanism.
It must be distinctly understood, however, that I do not claim
the arrangements lastly described for preventing escape of gas upon
discharge taking place as being of my Invention.
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings, from which the
nature of my said Invention as applied to cannon will be more clearly
understood.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the line A, B, in the
transverse section shewn in Figure 2. Both these Figures shew the
breech piece unlocked and ready for withdrawal. In these Figures
similar letters indicate corresponding parts.
A is the rear portion of the gun; B is the first or rear portion of the
breech piece; C is the third or forward portion of the same; D is the
head of the block attached to the part C by means of the screws d; E is
the spindle; e is the collar which retains the spindle in position. In
the third part C, F, are the wings on the spindle E, f being the recesses
cut in the piece C for the purpose of receiving the wings F, as before
described; Gare the two parts which form the central portion of the
breech block and which rotate eccentrically on the pins g for the purpose
of entering the recesses g', g', Figure 2, for the purpose of locking the
breech piece, H is the lever by which the spindle E is partially rotated;
I is a piece of metal attached to the spindle E, and which, when the latter
is pushed forwards, enters into slots formed for its reception in the rear
end of the breech piece; K is the metallic ring or collar for the purpose
herein-before described; and L, L, are studs fixed to the first and third
portions of the breech piece for the purpose of keeping it in position.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion
that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as con-
stituting the Invention secured to me by the said herein-before in part

page_text: recited Letters Patent is, the combination and arrangement of parts
and mechanism for locking and securing the breech pieces of breech-
loading cannon, and other breech-loading fire-arms, substantially as
herein-before described and set forth, or any mere modifications
thereof.
•
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Gordon, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Thirty-first day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
R. S. MORDAUNT VAUGHAN,
54, Chancery Lane.
CHARLES GORDON. (L.S.)