Improvements in Breech-loading Small-arms.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec.. 1890-Accepted, 21st Feb.. 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech-loading Small-arms.
I, CHARLES ROSSON, of 4, Market Head, Derby, in the County of Derby, Gun-
maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide a means or arrangement of parts in
breech loading small arms having "drop down" barrels whereby the wear arising
from friction between the moveable "fore-end" iron and the loop may be taken up
or compensated for such arrangement also providing an easy method of detaching
the "fore-end" when requisite to remove it from the gun.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings I have only delineated such parts of the
gun as are necessary to explain my invention and the letters of reference thereon
indicate similar parts in the various figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of that part of a gun containing my mechanism
and shewing the fore end secured in position and the lever closed.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the actuating lever open, thus releasing the
loop and lifting the compensating piece hereafter described.
Figures 3 and 4 are modifications showing different methods of actuating the
compensating piece.
In the foregoing figures A represents the strap portion of the "fore-end" iron,
B the loop or bearing for the "fore-end" iron, C is the compensating piece, D the
lever or bolt of the "fore-end" fastener, E a small lever actuating the compensating
piece C and G a spring controlling the said compensating piece.
In carrying out the main feature of my invention I arrange or insert between the
fore-end iron A and the loop B a tapered piece or block C normally retained in
position by the spring G but capable of being withdrawn or raised by the action of
the small lever E pivotted at E¹ to the frame H and to the compensating piece C
at E2 and actuated by the projection D2 of the lever D which is also pivotted to the
frame H and the short arm of which engages with the loop B releasing or securing
the "fore-end."
On opening the lever D for the purpose of releasing or removing the fore-end
the small lever E is turned on its pivot at E' thereby withdrawing the tapered
compensating piece C and allowing of the ready removal of the "fore-end,"
friction between the loop B and the fore-end "A being thus reduced or entirely
obviated.
The tendency of the spring G being to constantly force the compensating piece C
into the space between the fore-end A. and loop B (when uncontrolled by the lifting
lever E and larger lever D) any wear of these parts is taken up by reason of the
tapered form of the compensating piece and the "fore-end remains firm in
position.
The before described mechanism may be attached either to the frame H of the
"fore-end "fastener or to a framework fixed to the "fore-end" iron.
In Figure 3 show a method of actuating the compensating piece C by a sliding
"fore-end" bolt F and in Figure 4 by means of another modification of the lever D
as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 except that in this figure (i.e. Figure 4) the lever D is
pressed inwards instead of opening outwards or I may if desired actuate the com-
pensating piece C solely by means of the spring G although I prefer one of the
methods before described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
In breech loading small arms with "drop down action the use of a tapered com-
pensating piece such as C. operated by suitable means as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and substantially as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
E
Dated this 23rd day.ofil December: 71890..!
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