IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Restell, of New Kent Road, in the County
of Surrey, Chronometer Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING AND REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES."
Sealed the 29th July 1856, and dated the 8th February 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Restell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
February 1856.
I, THOMAS RESTELL, of New Kent Road, in the County of Surrey,
Chronometer Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CAR-
TRIDGES," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to breech-loading and revolving or turning fire-arms,
and consists in an improved trigger, together with the method of action
thereof, which, by being drawn to and fro in a line parallel with the axial line
of the barrel, releases the breech, brings the hammer back, brings the chamber
containing the charge in position for being fired, brings into play a lever,
which it holds at the back of and against the breech, (the lever forming a
support thereto, and closing it air-tight,) and releases the hammer or apparatus
which fires the charge; in an improved means of or apparatus for imparting
rotary motion to a turning or revolving breech, actuated by the motion of the

page_text: trigger; in a means of preventing any gases escaping between the chambers
in the breech and the breech end of the barrel, by tapering off or decreasing
the diameter of the extreme end of the breech of the barrel, placing thereon a
packing of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material, which fits into
a recess formed for its reception in the front of the revolving chambers; and
in an improved form of hammer or apparatus for firing the charge, and method
of propelling the same...
My improvements in cartridges consist in forming 'thein of a tube of metal,
burred down or otherwise fixed over the neck of a bullet, the bullet being cast
with a shank, which is carried back inside the tube, and formed with a cup on
the end thereof, for the reception of a charge of detonating powder, while the
ordinary gunpowder is contained in the tube all round the shank of the bullet.
The mouth of the tube is covered with a piece of water-proof and spark-proof
paper, which I first prepare with sulphuric and nitric acid, in order that it
may be entirely consumed, and leave no matter in the chamber to foul it;
or the bullet and tube may be cast in one, with a metal shank, and the whole
charged with detonating powder loosely, except at the end of the shank, where
it is applied in the form of paste:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thöinas Restell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th August 1856..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
RESTELL, of New Kent Road, in the 'County of Surrey, Chronometer Maker,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of February, in tlie year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me;
the said Thomas Restell; Her special licence that I, the said Thomas
Restell my executors; administrators, and assigns; 'or such others as I,
I;
the said Thomas Restell, 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 makė,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands; and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE!

page_text: MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
CARTRIDGES,'
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Restell, 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 Thomas Restell, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being bad to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say-
121**
My Invention relates, firstly, to revolving fire-arms which are loaded at the
breech, and consists in an improved trigger, together with the method of
action thereof, which, by being drawn to and fro in a line parallel with the
axial line of the barrel, releases the breech, brings the hammer back, brings
the chamber containing the charge in a position for being fired, brings into
play a lever or tongue-piece, which it holds at the back of and against the
breech, (the lever or tongue-piece forming a support thereto, and closing it air-
tight,) and releases the hammer or apparatus which fires the charge; in an
improved means of or apparatus for imparting rotary motion to a turning or
revolving breech, actuated by the motion of the trigger; in a means of
preventing the escape of any gases between the chambers in the breech, and
the breech end of the barrel, by tapering off or decreasing the diameter of the
extreme breech end of the barrel, aud placing thereon a disc or packing of
vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material, which fits into a recess
formed in the front of the revolving breech around the chambers; and in an
improved form of hammer or apparatus for firing the charge, and.a method of
propelling the same.
My Invention relates, secondly, to cartridges, and consists in forming them
of a tube of metal burred down, or otherwise fixed, over the neck of a bullet,
the bullet being cast with a shank, which is carried back inside of the tube,
and formed with a cup on the end thereof, for the reception of a charge of
detonating powder, while the ordinary gunpowder is contained in the tube all
round the shank of the bullet. The mouth of the tube is covered with a piece
of water-proof and spark-proof paper, which I first prepare with sulphuric and
nitric acid, in order that it may be entirely' consumed, and leave no matter in
the chamber to foul it; or the bullet and tube may be cast in
One
with
&

page_text: metal shank, and the whole charged with detonating powder loosely, except at
the end of the shank, where it is applied in the form of paste.
The accompanying Drawings are designed to illustrate the several parts of
my Invention.
Figure 1 is a side view of a fowling-piece or rifle, in which are combined
those parts of it which relate to fire-arms; and Figure 2 is a longitudinal
vertical section of the same. The several portions of the gun are shewn in
the positions they occupy when the discharge is on the point of taking place.
A is the framework which contains the revolving breech and the greater part
of the lock, together with the trigger and the apparatus for making the breech
revolve, and for stopping it at the proper point, so that the proper charge
chamber may be in a line with the barrel. B is the barrel, which is threaded
on the outside at the breech end, and tapped into the front of the framework A.
projecting a little within it, the projecting part being tapered off and receiving
á disc of elastic material, which fits into the recesses a, in the front of the
revolving breech around the chambers, to prevent the escape of gases when
the discharge takes place. C is the revolving breech, which is pivoted and
free to revolve upon the pin D, when necessary. This pin is passed through a
hole in the front part of the frame A, the hole b in the centre of the revolving
breech C and the tube E, and then enters into a hole in the back part of the
frame A, and is kept in this position by means of a spring c and button F.
The spring c is inserted and fixed in the end of the pin D, which is made
hollow a sufficient distance in for the purpose, and the button F is rivetted or
otherwise secured to this spring c, and is also cut away on the upper side next
to the barrel, to correspond to the external form of the latter. A small
inclined stop d is inserted into and projects from the under side of the barrel
in front of the button F, which button, on the pin D being pushed in, passes
up the incline of the stop d, and falls in behind it, thus holding the pin D in
its place; when this pin D is to be removed, it is only necessary to pull the
button F free of the stop d, and then withdraw the said pin.
The hole in the
enlarged at e, so
breech C through which the pin D passes is recessed out or
as to admit of a helical spring f being inserted between the pin and the breech.
Part of the recess or enlarged portion of the hole is filled up by the steel ring
or ferrule g, which is firmly secured in the back part of the breech. Between
the ring or ferrule g, and the washer h, on the pin D, the spring f is placed,
abutting against each, and forcing the breech C back along the pin D (when
it is not otherwise held forward) so far as to carry it clear of the tapered end
of the barrel B. and allow it to be turned round when necessary. The tube E;
which is on the same pin D as the breech C, has a small projecting flange or

page_text: disc i on its end next the breech C. The outer portion of this disc i is divided
into two by the notches i, j, cut on its periphery, shewn more clearly in
Figures 3 and 4; Figure 3 being a longitudinal section, and Figure 4 an
end view, of the flanged tube E. The notches j, j, are of such a shape and
size that a pin k, in the back of the breech C, will just fit into them, when the
said breech is forced back by the helical spring f, as before described. The
pin k is a little longer than the projecting tapered end of the barrel, so that it
may partly enter one of the notches j before the recess a is entirely clear of
the end of the barrel, thus preventing the breech from being moved round out
of its proper position. One portion of the disc i, between the notches j, j, is
made smaller than the other portion, and thus allows a stop G to abut against
the larger part of the disc i without coming in contact with the smaller. The
tube E and disc i are thus free to make exactly half a revolution at each
charge and discharge of the arm. I should here observe, that the half revolu-
tion is necessary in the case of the fire-arm I am now describing, because the
number of charge chambers employed being two, the breech has to make half
a revolution in removing one charge chamber from and presenting another to
the barrel. Where the number of charge chambers is greater than two, the
periphery of the disc i must be divided by a corresponding number of notches
into a corresponding number of parts. In the tube E is cut a helical slot E¹,
shewn in Figure 5, which is a side view of the tube E. This slot E cor-
responds to half a revolution of the tube E, the disc i, and the breech C, and it
is prolonged at each end in a direction parallel to the axis of the tube. The
use of this slot E¹ will be presently explained; H is the trigger, which is
moved backward and forward within the framework A; a rod or sliding wire
is screwed or otherwise secured to the lower part of this trigger, and slides
in a groove or recess m in the framework A, to secure its parallelism. A
hole n is formed in the trigger to receive the finger by which it is worked;
another hole o is formed in it at right angles to the hole n, and just above it,
and in this hole o the tube E is supported, and partially revolves on the pin D;
a. pin p is screwed into the side of the trigger II, and projects on the inside,
and takes into the helical slot E', and by acting against the sides of this helical
slot E', as the trigger C is pushed backwards and forwards, imparts a half revo-
lution to the tube E and the disc i. This latter transmits its motion to the pin
k, and through it to the breach C, whilst the disc i moves round in one direction,
that is, when the trigger is drawn backwards; but when the trigger is pushed
forwards, the pin k remains clear of the disc i, and therefore continues at rest.
Above the hole o is formed in the trigger H another hole 9, and recess g', of
a size sufficient to admit the hammer or needle, and to allow it to move easily to

page_text: and fro within it. The hammer or needle is formed in two parts I and J, of
"which a side "View is seen in Figure 6, a section in Figure 7, and separate
views in Figures 8 and 9; the tube I being in section in Figure 8. The
outer part I is 'tubular to near the point or end r, which strikes the cap or
Percussion mixture; a small slot's is cut through the tube I, so as to allow
the catch 't, which is forined on the end of the spring part J, and projects
beyond the outer surface of 'the tube I, when at liberty to do so. A tube K,
the inner diameter of which is sufficient to allow the hammer or needle to slide
freely through it, is screwed into the back part of the frame A, and serves as a
guide. for the liaminer. The rounded end of Jabuts against the face of the
cock L, which cock is projected or thrown forward by means of the main
spring M, which takes into it. The trigger H is cut away, or recessed at it's
upper part to within a short distance of its front, in order to allow it to be
drawn back along the tube K; before it is fully drawn back, however, the
'catch 't of the hammer projects behind the trigger, and by it is caught and
drawn back, until the inclined portion of the catch t comes in contact with the
'edge of the tube K, when it is gradually forced down and at last released, the
hammer being immediately forced forward by the cock L and the main
spring M. To force the breech forward against the tapered end of the barrel,
and to prevent the recoil of the breech when the discharge is thus effected, à
lever or tongue piece N, which is hinged or jointed to the frame A at O, is
drawn down by an inclined plane P, formed upon the top of the trigger piece
which is prolonged for the purpose, this inclined plane P coming in contact
with a corresponding inclined plane P', formed on the lever or tongue piece N,
and pulling it into the position shewn in Figures 1 and 2. By means of two
other inclines Q, Q, the lever or tongue piece N is subsequently raised into
the position shown by dotted lines, when the trigger H is pushed forwards,
thus releasing the breech and allowing it to be forced back by the spring f,
clear of the tapered end of the barrel, in order that it may be rotated. The
lever or tongue piece N, with its inclines P¹, Q', is shown separately in
Figures 10 and 11, of which the former is a longitudinal section, and the
latter a plan. The trigger II, with its sliding rod or wire 1, its inclines P and
Q, its holes mi, o, and q, its recess q', and its pin p, is shewn in Figures 12, 13,
and 14; Figure 12 being a side view; Figure 13, a longitudinal section; and
Figure 14, an' end view.
Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 are respectively a side view, a longitudinal
section, a back end view, and a front end view of the revolving breech C,
in which are shown the hole b, with its recessed or enlarged portione,
the steel ring or ferrule g, (with a screw g', which secures it in its
3

page_text: place;) the charge chambers (in Figure 18), the recesses a, a, the pink, and
a circular groove or channel al, on the rear end of the breech, the object of
which is to allow the breech to commence to rotate before the point of the
hammer is withdrawn, through the whole thickness of the rear end of the
breech, which is made much thicker than the sides to increase its strength.
Figure 19 is a side view of the pin D partly in section, shewing the relative
sizes of its various parts, the washer h, the spring c, and the button F..
Figure, 20 is a transverse section of the front.part of the frame A, shewing an
arrangement of flaps or covers for keeping the charges.in the charge chambers
after loading; for this purpose. I. employ two flaps v, vl, one on each side of the
frame A. These flaps, are carried on the square portions, w¹, w, of the
spindle w, which turns in a hole in the,frame A.. A small helical spring,
which presses at one end against the frame A, and at the other against, the
flap v, tends to keep the flap.v close against the frame A,, in which is fixed a
small inclined catch or stud a¹, behind which the flap catches, (a notch being
cut out of the flap for the purpose,) and by which it is kept closed. Since the
flap is fixed upon the same spindle as v, the former cannot open while the
latter is closed, and therefore the one catch ¹ serves to keep them both shut ;
y is a hole through which the end of the rod or wire 7 passes, when the trigger
II is pushed quite forward; this hole.y is closed by the spindle w, when the
flaps v and v are open, and therefore the rod or wire cannot pass through it,
but if pushed forward presses against the spindle w, in consequence of which
the trigger itself is prevented from coming full forward while the breech is
being charged, during which time it occupies the position indicated by the
dotted lines in Figure 20.
In Figure 21, I have shewn a transverse, section of the front part of a
frame similar to A, in which I. have formed a hole Z, through which a charge
may be passed into one chamber, while the other remains, in the position
which it cccupies when the piece is ready to be discharged.
Figure 22 is a side view of a musket for military purposes, in which six
charge chambers are employed. This fire-arm so nearly resembles the fowling-
piece. already described, (except in respect to the number of its charge
chambers,) that a detailed description of it will not be necessary; I will,
however, describe one or two modifications of the foregoing arrangements,
which I have introduced into it. The first relates to the means by which the
breech is caused to rotate. The modified apparatus used for this, purpose is.
shewn in Figures 23, 24, and 25; Figure 23 being a side, view of the tube and
disc, which correspond to the tube E and disc in the fowling-piece; Figure 24,
a view of the back side of the modified, disc, which I shall call , and Figure 25,

page_text: a view of the front side of the same disc... In the present case, instead of
forming a pin upon. the breech to be. acted upon by the disc as before, I employ
a pink, which passes through the disc, and takes.successively into each of
the recesses a", in the rear end of the breech. These, recesses a" are shown
in Figures 26 and 27, which are respectively a back end view, and a
longitudinal section of the revolving breech;. Figure 28 being a front end
view of the same. The pin k is carried on one end of a curved spring A, the
other end of which is secured to the disc by the screw ml. The pin is
furnished with a knob or head n', by which it may be taken hold of by the
finger and thumb, and withdrawn from the breech in order to allow the latter
to rotate. In Figures 24 and 25, G₁ represents part of a stud or stop,
corresponding to G in the fowling-piece, and the reduced portion of the disc
shewn above, and on either side of it.corresponds to the reduced half of the
disc i, of the fowling-piece. The reduced portion extends round the periphery
of the disc, a less distance in this than in the former case, because of the
increase in the number of. the charge chambers, as has already been explained.
The upper part of the disc is cut away as shewn at o', in order that the disc
may not come in contact with the hammer.
Figure 29 is a transverse section of the front part of the frame of the
musket, showing also an arrangement of parts for partially covering and
for uncovering, as may be required, one of the six charge chambers or
all of them successively. A³ is the frame; B', a fixed plate, which prevents
the charges behind it from falling out of their chambers; C¹, a latch
or guard piece which serves the same. purpose as B', but on the otlier
side of the frame A¹. This piece C' is centred upon a screw, and has below
a short projecting portion c', which is placed in a depression in the outer
end of a horizontal piece D', which is kept pressed out by a spring d', that
surrounds a stud formed upon the inner end of D', and bears. against D' at one
end, and a screwed plug E' at the other. By pressing the piece D' inwards,
the projection c¹ of C is carried inwards, and the upper end of C¹ outwards,
whereby the upper charge chamber on that side of the frame is uncovered
and may be readily charged. While this is done, the piece D', (and therefore
C' also,) may be retained in position by the rod or wire, which is attached to
the lower part of the trigger, being pushed forward through both the hole e¹ in
the frame, and the 'hole f, in the piece D¹, which are then in the same
longitudinal line. By drawing the trigger back, the piece D¹ will be released
and pressed out by the spring d', and the latch or guard piece C' thereby
thrown in front of the newly-charged chamber.
Figure 30 represents my improved cartridge. A² is the tube, which, is, fixed

page_text: over the neck a² of the bullet B2, which is formed with projections,
which are designed to aid the bullet in taking into the grooves of a rifled
barrel, when the piece with which it is used is discharged. C2 is the shank
which is cast in the bullet, and extends back within the tube A³, having
fornied on the end of it a cup c³, which receives the detonating powder, the
ordinary gunpowder de filling the tube A all round the shank C. D2 is the
piece of water-proof and spark-proof paper, with which the mouth of the tube
A is covered, and which is prepared in the manner and for the purpose
herein-before explained.
Figure 31 represents an improved cartridge, which I propose to use with
fowling-pieces. It is composed of a tube E,.in which are placed two wooden
discs, f, which are placed upon a shank or stem g³, fitted like the shank in
Figure 30, with a cup containing detonating powder in one end; the ordinary
gunpowder h is placed within the tube around the shank g², between the end
of the tube and the disc es, and the small shot are placed within the tube
between the discs and f³. This cartridge is also furnished with a piece of
water-proof and spark-proof paper, over the end of the tube similarly to the
former one.
Figure 32 represents a common cartridge, which also may be used with my
improved fire-arms.
The striking end of the hammer, shewn in my improved fowling-piece before
described, is formed for discharging cartridges like those first described, as will
be seen on reference to Figures 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, but I do not confine myself
to that arrangement; I sometimes prefer using an ordinary nipple and
percussion cap, as shewn in Figure 38, and then I form the hammer with
a plain blunt striking end, as shewn in the side view Figure 34.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that 1 claim,-
First, the employment in fire-arms of a trigger, together with the method of
action thereof, which trigger on being drawn backwards and forwards in a line
parallel to the axis of the barrel releases the breech, brings the hammer back,
brings the chamber containing the charge into position for being fired, brings
into play a lever which it holds at the back of and against the breech, (the
lever forming a support thereto, and closing it air-tight,) and releases the
hammer or apparatus which fires the charge, as herein-before described, and
represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Secondly, the employment of apparatus for imparting rotary motion
to a revolving breech, by means of a reciprocating trigger, as herein-before
described, and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: Thirdly, preventing the escape of gases from the charge chambers of fire
arnis, by means of recesses formed around them and a projecting tapered
barrel end, which fits into the same with an elastic packing upon it, as herein;
before described, and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fourthly, the employment of the hammers for discharging projectiles,
herein-before described, and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fiftly, constructing fire-arms by combining my several improved parts,
or any of them 'with other well-known parts of fire-arms, as herein-before
described, and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Sixthly, the improved fire-arms herein-before described, and represented in
the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Seventhly, constructing cartridges for fire-arms in the manner herein-before
described, and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
And, eighthly, the use of a wire or rod passing through the lower part of
the frame of a gun lock for guiding the trigger, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Restell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-six.
THOMAS RESTELL. (L.S.)