f IN FIREARMS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Beesley of Queen Street, Edgware Road in
the County of Middlesex, Gunmaker for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
f
IN
FIREARMS "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Beesley at: the
Office of the Cominissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1883.
:
FREDERICK BEESLEY of Queen Street; Edgware Road in the County of Middlesex,
Gunmaker IMPROVEMENTS IN FIREARMS."
The object of this invention is to utilize the explosion of the cartridge or its
equivalent, or the recoil of the gun consequent on such explosion, for the purpose
of automatically effecting the cocking of the hammer or its equivalent, ready for the
next discharge.
In carrying my invention into effect I may use various arrangements of
mechanism, but the following will serve as examples of means for practically
carrying out my idea.
Thus a sliding steel bolt may be inserted through the back of the action into the
chamber of the arm, the front end of the said bolt resting against the base of the
cartridge when the arm is loaded, and the rear end against the breast of the cock
or tumbler or against one side of a rocking lever which in its turn rests against the
breast of the cock or tumbler when at rest. On the discharge of the arm, the base.
of the cartridge is driven backward against the steel bolt, which in its turn thrusts
the rocking lever and that the breast of the cock or tumbler backwards, to full
cock, where it is retained in position by the sear catching in the bent ready for the
next discharge, while the steel bolt is carried forward by means of a spring and
again rests against the base of the cartridge when the gun is again loaded.
Another method of attaining the same object is by having a second or false back
to the action of the arm connected with the first, and suitably supported by sliding
grooves and rods, which rods act against the cocks in the same manner as above
described.
T
Another method of effecting the same purpose is by having a false or loose
heelplate acting against sliding rods which traverse the whole length of the stock
of the arm extending from the heel plate to the lock or locks (in one or more
pieces). The front end rests against the bottom of the tumblers so that when the
arm is discharged, the recoil causes the heel plate to be pressed in by the shoulder
of the firer, which thrusting the sliding rods forward through the stock and against
the lower sides of the tumblers raises them to full cock ready for the next
discharge.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Beesley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th August 1883.
FREDERICK BEESLEY of Queen Street Edgware Road in the County of Middlesex
Gun-Maker "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIREARMS"
The object of this Invention is to utilize the explosion of the cartridge or its
equivalent, or the recoil of the gun consequent on such explosion, for the purpose of
automatically effecting the cocking of the hammer, or its equivalent, ready for the
next discharge.
In the accompanying Drawing, I have illustrated three different ways of carrying 1
my invention into effect.-Fig: 1 is a partial side section of a break-down gun
with bar action locks, fitted so that the recoil of the fire-arm against the shoulder-
of the firer may effect the cocking of the tumblers ready for the next discharge.
Fig: 2 is a detail plan view of a portion of the mechanism shewn in Fig: 1-
Fig: 3 is a partial sectional view of a gun with back action locks, fitted so that 1
the recoil of the cartridge itself will raise the hammer to full cock ready for
the next discharge. Fig: 4 is a side section of part of a bar action gun.-In
this case the barrels are mounted on a sliding block or action which, together with
the barrels, is thrust backwards upon the explosion of the cartridge and acting on
a thrust rod or equivalent device, raises the hammer to full cock Figures 5 and 6 5
are transverse sectional views on the line x. x. of Fig: 4 as seen from the rear and
front of the gun respectively.
Referring now to Fig: 1 A are the barrels pivotted at a. as usual, to the
action B; the mechanism for locking the barrels is omitted for the sake of
clearness, and may be of any suitable known kind.-C indicates the lock plate,
one only being shown.-D is the tumbler or cock, which I form with a projecting
spur E on its under or lower side. F is the main spring for actuating the tumbler
in the usual way through the link G.-H is the bridle piece. I the sear, and J the
sear spring.-K. is a bolt sliding on the lock plate through the stud or guide block L,
and through a projection in the lower side of the bridle H.
This bolt K has a shoulder k. on it, which is adapted to engage with the spur E
on the tumbler, as shewn in the detail plan view Fig: 2, and cock the tumbler
when the rod is thrust forwards. In order to prevent any interference with the
tumbler while striking its blow on the firing pin or "striker" it is desirable to
hold back the rod K and its shoulder k. and to this end I cause a tumbling lever M
keyed onto a fulcrum or pivot pin, N, and upheld by a spring O, to engage with a
notch on the extreme end of the rod K.
It will be understood that there are two levers, such as M, pivotted on the
common transverse fulcrum pin or pivot N, and each upheld by a slight spring
such as O. but the mechanism represented in the drawing refers to one barrel
only.
The butt end of the stock is fitted with a loose heel plate P and, passing through
the whole length of the stock, is a rod Q, bearing at its rear end against and
secured to the loose heel-plate, and at its forward end against the bolt K, to which
it is attached. The gun is represented in the drawing as on the point of being
fired.
The action of the parts is as follows: —
Directly the trigger is pulled, the mainspring F forces the tumbler against the
firing pin, and at the same moment dislodges the lever M from its bearing against
the sliding bolt K. The bolt K is thus free to engage with the spur E through its

page_text: shoulder k. and bring the tumbler D to the cocked position, directly the force of
the recoil has driven the fire-arm back against the shoulder of the firer, and the
heel plate P has thrust forward the rod Q.
On removing the gun from the firing position, the springs R will force back the
heelplate and rod, as well as the sliding bolt K, allowing the lever M to regain its
position as shewn in the drawing and hold the bolt K clear of the tumbler, until
the trigger is again discharged. The loose heel plate may be either fitted with
guides as shewn, or be hinged to the butt at one end or side.
This mode of applying the invention is also suitable for back action guns.
Referring now to Fig: 3, A are the barrels pivotted as usual to the action B;
C is the lock plate, D the hammer or cock E the bridle piece, F the sear, and G the
mainspring.
:
H represents a cartridge in the chamber of the barrel ready for firing. It will
be perceived that the chamber of the gun is cut deeper than usual to allow the
cartridge to pass further forward into the barrels and leave a space H¹ between
the base of the cartridge and the breech face of the action Fitted so as to project
into this space is a plunger or bolt I, adapted to play through the back of the'
action, and having its rear end bearing against a tumbling lever or lifter J. which
hangs in front of the hammer D as shewn On the discharge of the gun taking
place, the cartridge will be driven backwards against the bolt I; which acting
through the lever J against the breast of the hammer, will cause the said hammer
to be raised to full cock ready for the next discharge. On opening the gun to
remove the spent cartridge the plunger or bolt I will be brought forward into its
place, as shewn, by the spring K.
If desired, the bolt I may be made larger to allow the striker or firing pin L to
pass through it, and in that case the lever J would require to be pivotted over the
'striker," instead of under it as shewn in the drawing.
In this Figure, M is a stop piece projecting from the side plate C, and adapted to
receive and check the hammer or cock D, when it is thrust back to the cocking
position by the recoil of the cartridge acting upon it through the plunger or bolt I*
and lever J.
In this arrangement of mechanism I preferably adapt to the lever J, or hammer D,
a small externally projecting hand lever, whereby the hammer may be cocked in.
the event of a miss fire.
This system is equally applicable to a bar action lock. Fig: 4 represents part
of a bar action gun in side section. Fig: 5 is a section on the line xx. of Fig: 4,
looking towards the front; and Fig: 6 is a section on the same line, looking
towards the rear of the gun.
A. A are the barrels. B is a block forming part of the action, to which the
barrels A A are hinged and locked in the usual way. In Fig: 4 of the Drawing,
the locking lever b is indicated.
a
"
The block B is shaped or cut away in a manner similar to the action known as
skeleton bar action," and is fitted to slide to a limited extent within an outer
case or action B', which latter is attached to the stock and trigger-plate in the
usual manner.
D is the tumbler or hammer, F the sear, G the sear spring.
H is a bolt screwed into the sliding block B, and extending rearwards through
holes in the front part of B¹. so as to bear against the breast of the hammer D.-
I is a tumbler or lever keyed on a pivot J. passing transversely across the action
to a corresponding lever or tumbler on the other side.
The front end of this lever, when in its normal position rests against a solid
part of the block B, and prevents the two parts B and B'. coming together.
Its rear end underlies the breast of the hammer D At the moment of discharge
the cock D will depress the rear end of the lever I, and bring its front end opposite
a recess K formed in the block B, thus allowing the barrels A A and block B to
slide backwards in the case B' in doing which the bolt H will be thrust against
the breast of the tumbler D, and lift it to full cock ready for the next discharge.

page_text: r
L. L. indicate two spiral springs for thrusting the barrels A. A with their sliding
block B, away from the case B' after the discharge, thereby allowing the lever I to
fall into its locking position as shewn in the Drawing.
Small: nuts or cross pins on or through the bolt H may be used to limit the
extent of forward movement of the block B within the case B¹.
The blocks B and B¹ are formed to interlock as shewn at M, Fig: 6 and a central
guide bolt (Fig: 4) may also be used to maintain the parallelism of the parts.
The above indicate some of the modes of applying my invention to fire-arms,
but it is obvious that the same result, vis: the cocking of the hammer or its
equivalent by the recoil of the gun or the explosion of the cartridge, may be
effected in many other ways.
In break-down guns fitted with this Invention, no more force will be required
to open and close the gun than is required to open or shut the ordinary locking
device, the extra force usually required to be expended in forcing the hammers back
in opening or closing the gun, being thereby saved, and the cocking being auto-
matically effected by the recoil of the gun or a part of the gun on its discharge,
or by the direct impact of the cartridge itself when exploded upon the cocking
mechanism.
.
The means above-described-are-applicable with but trifling-modifications-to-all-
small fire-arma:
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention of "Improvements in
Firearms-and-explained in what manner the same may be carried into effect I
wish it to be understood that I claim :
First Utilizing the explosion of the cartridge or its equivalent, or the recoil
of the gun, or a part of the gun, consequent on such explosion, for the purpose of
automatically cocking the hammer or its equivalent ready for the next discharge
substantially as set forth.
Secondly The several arrangements of mechanism described with reference to
the accompanying Drawing, whereby the automatic cocking of the hammer or its
equivalent is effected immediately upon the discharge of the gun.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Beesley have hereunto set my hand
and seal the tenth. day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
FREDOK BEESLEY. (L.S.)