IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND MAGAZINE-FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND
MAGAZINE-FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES THEREFOR." A communication
from abroad by Myron Coloney, Journalist, of the City of St. Louis, and State
of Missouri, in the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th December
1878.
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BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND MAGAZINE-FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES THERE-
FOR." A communication from abroad by Myron Coloney, Journalist, of the City of
St. Louis, and State of Missouri, in the United States of America.
The Invention relates in part to a cannon or other fire arm provided with a
chambered breech slide having a reciprocating movement transverse to the gun, and
constructed with two chambers or sets of chambers extending completely through
from front to back, one of said chambers or sets of chambers being brought into
position for loading while the other is in position for firing, and vice-versa.
In applying the Invention to heavy ordnance the trunnions project from a rigid
plate extending on each side of the gun, and forming a table on which the breech
slide moves.
On this table are hinged shutters, which close the rear ends of the respective
chambers while in loading position. The said shutters when opened admit of loading
from the rear, or allow the escape of the empty cartridge case in loading from the
front, and when closed prevent the escape of the cartridges rearward in case the gun
is elevated to a considerable angle.

page_text: The improvements may be adapted to either centre-fire or rim fire cartridges, or
to cartridges with radial firing pins either at the front or rear end of the powder
chamber.
This part of the Invention is well adapted for heavy siege guns, but some of the
improvements are applicable to field artillery; and some to small arms.
It is especially designed for throwing torpedo and incendiary shells provided with
a time firing mechanism, and made the subject of a separate application for Letters
Patent. The improved cannon is so mounted that it may be elevated to any
desirable angle, even to a vertical position, or turned completely over for loading if
desired.
The cannon. is thus adapted for throwing torpedoes and shells after the manner of
a mortar, but with much greater accuracy both as to line and range. It is provided
with a telescopic sight, which remains in horizontal or nearly horizontal position, as
required, without following the elevation of the gun.
The gun may be so mounted as to admit of training it completely around when
required.
The Invention further consists in providing breech loading or magazine fire arms
with a recoil spring and follower, à firing pin, and a trigger, so contrived that the
piece will be cocked automatically by the explosion of the charge.
The Invention further relates to a trigger of peculiar construction adapted to
catch the hammer or firing pin automatically and instantaneously, whether released
by the finger or not.
The Invention further relates to a novel construction of cartridge with a shouldered
ball, which determines and limits its insertion from the front, but after firing leaves
a shoulderless shell, which may be ejected backward.
The Invention further relates to the combination of a circumferentially grooved
cartridge and holding jaws, which admit of the cartridge being carried in a lateral
direction to firing position, and hold it firmly under the stroke of the firing pin or
hammer.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th June 1879.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. “IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND MAGAZINE-FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES THERE-
FOR." A communication from abroad by Myron Coloney, Journalist, of the City of
St. Louis, and State of Missouri, in the United States of America.
The Invention relates in part to a cannon or other fire arm provided with a
chambered breech slide having a reciprocating movement transverse to the gun, and
constructed with two chambers or sets of chambers extending completely through
from front to rear, one of such chambers or sets of chambers being brought into
position for loading while the other is in position for firing, and vice versa.
In applying the Invention to heavy ordnance the trunnions project from a rigid
plate extending on each side of the gun, and forming a table on which the breech
slide moves.
On this table are hinged shutters, which close the rear ends of the respective
chambers while in loading position. The said shutters when opened admit of loading
from the rear, or allow the escape of the empty cartridge case in loading from the
front, and when closed prevent the escape of the cartridge rearward-in-case the gun
is elevated to a.considerable-angle.
The improvements may be adapted to either centre fire or rim fire cartridges, or
to cartridges with radial firing pins either at the front or rear end of the powder
chamber.
This part of the Invention is well adapted for heavy siege guns, but some of the
improvements are applicable to field artillery, and some to small arms.
It is especially designed for throwing torpedo and incendiary shells provided with
a time firing mechanism, and made the subject of a separate application for Letters
Patent.
The improved cannon is so mounted that it inay be elevated to any desirable
angle, even to a vertical position, or turned completely over for loading if desired.
The cannon is adapted for throwing torpedoes and shells after the manner of a
mortar, but with much greater accuracy both as to line and range. It is provided
with a telescopic sight, which remains in horizontal or nearly horizontal position, as
required, without following the elevation of the gun.
The gun may be so mounted as to admit of training it completely around when
required.
The Invention further consists in providing breech loading or magazine fire arms
with a recoil spring and follower, a firing pin, and a trigger, so combined that the
piece will be cocked automatically by the explosion of the charge.
The Invention further relates to a trigger of peculiar construction adapted to
catch the hammer or firing pin automatically and instantaneously, whether released
by the finger or not.
The Invention further relates to a novel construction of a cartridge with shouldered
ball, which determines and limits its insertion from the front, but after firing leaves
a shoulderless shell, which may be ejected backward.
The Invention further relates to the combination of a circumferentially grooved
cartridge and holding jaws, which admit of the cartridge being carried in a lateral
direction to firing position, and hold it firmly under the stroke of the firing pin or
hammer.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings,
more fully to describe the same,

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a breech loading cannon, illustrating the In-
vention; Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof; Figure 3 is a vertical
transverse section of the same without the carriage; Figure 4 is a vertical longi-
tudinal section of the breech, illustrating a modification; Figure 5 is a side elevation
of a magazine field piece embodying the Invention; Figure 6 is a plan thereof;
Figure 7 is a front view of the same; Figure 8 is a side elevation of a musket or
shoulder gun, illustrating the Invention; Figure 9 is a plan view of a spade bayonet
on a larger scale; Figure 10 is a horizontal section of the breech portion of the
gun on a still larger scale; Figure 11 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same;
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section of the firing apparatus, showing it
cocked or in firing position; Figure 13 is a transverse section on the line a, a,
Figures 10 and 11, the breech slide being shown in central position for clearness of
representation; Figure 14 is a transverse section on the line b, b, Figures 10 and 11;
Figure 15 is a detached side view of the improved automatic trigger; Figure 16 is
a perspective view of the recoil follower and spring with cartridge attached ;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the front part of the follower with the cartridge
omitted so as to show the holding jaws.
The gun 7, shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, may be mounted on a table 1
pivotted at 2, and trained by gearing 3 in any usual or suitable manner. 4, 4, are
the cheek plates or standards forming bearings for the trunnions 5, 5, which are
formed on the extremities of a rigid breech plate 6 extending on each side of the
gun 7, and either cast in one therewith or securely fastened thereto.
The horizontal reciprocating breech slide 8 is fitted tightly within a chamber
prepared for it in the breech of the gun 7, and the upper surface of the plate 6
being on a level with the bottom of the excavation in the gun forms a table, on
which the slide 8 is supported as it moves out alternately on either side of the gun.
The slide is constructed with two chambers 9, 9, so placed that at each extremity
of its stroke one of the said chambers will be brought in line with the bore of the
gun while the other is exposed for loading, as illustrated in Figure 1. The move-
ment of the slide is effected by crank gearing 10 and shaft 11, on which are.
pinions 12 taking into racks 13 on the under side of the breech slide. Shutters
14, 14, on either side of the gun, hinged at 15, 15, and fastened by pins 16, 16, give
access to the rear of the slide chambers when in loading position, but prevent the
escape of the cartridges therefrom when closed. 17 represents a breech-block in
line with the bore, having a recoil pin 18 sliding within it, and carrying in front a
follower 19, which is pressed forward by the recoil spring 20. This spring may be
of steel and in spiral form, as shown in Figure 1, or of rubber in hour glass shape,
as illustrated in Figure 4.
The rubber spring of hour glass shape has an important function in packing the
joints and preventing the escape of gas backward into the recoil chamber.
For centre fire cartridges a firing pin 21 is used, actuated by a spring 22, and
retained in firing position by a trigger 23, the parts being so combined that the force
of the explosion will cock the pin automatically in readiness for firing.
Figures 2 and 4 show also a vertical firing pin or nipple 24, pierced to com-
municate fire from a cap when required to be so used, and pressed outward by a
spring 25, so that it will serve as a firing pin with a primed cartridge arranged for
rear fire, as in Figure 2, or for front tire, as in Figure 4, and having either a
stationary pin or nipple for the reception of a percussion cap, as shown, or a firing
pin acting on an internal cap. A hammer 26 of any usual form operates on the pin
or nipple 24.
The chambered breech slide 8 being made of tempered steel can be accurately
fitted within its chamber, so as to be practically gas tight, and at the same time
will be free from liability to expansion or distortion by the repeated explosions

page_text: :
within it. It thus sustains the chief stress of the explosion, and relieves the gun
from the liability to weakening and ultimate bursting to which a gun made in one
piece is necessarily subject. By this expedient, and the elasticity afforded by the
recoil spring 20, the liability or probability of bursting the gun is effectually
obviated.
.
The enlargement of the combustion chamber produced by the recession of the
recoil pin or follower is advantageous in permitting the more perfect and complete
combustion of the powder, and hence increases the effect of the explosion.
For heavy siege guns, where the ammunition is necessarily handled by machinery,
the system of construction and working affords great facility for loading either from
front or rear, the powder and ball being introduced either together or separately, as
preferred.
This description of the Invention, as embodied in a cannon with a single barrel
and a slide with a single pair of chambers, will enable one skilled in the art to
construct a gun having two or more barrels, and a corresponding number of
chambers at each end of the slide, but the details necessary in applying the In-
vention to machine battery guns form the subject of a separate application for
Letters Patent.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 show the manner of applying the Invention to magazine
field pieces, and Figures 8 to 17 inclusive to magazine shoulder guns or muskets.
The Invention is applied to field pieces and muskets in the following manner :--On
each side of the barrel 7 is a magazine 27, provided with the customary follower 28
and spring 29, and adapted to contain and feed the cartridges,-which consist of a
cylindrical sheet metal-case-30-formed with a circumferential groove 31 near the
base, and receiving a ball 32 which projects radially beyond the case so as to form
a shoulder 33, which, as the chambers of the reciprocating slide 8 are alternately
presented to the respective magazines, are seated on an internal shoulder 34 within
the slide chambers. The said chambers extend completely through the slide from
front to back, and the described mode of seating the cartridge by means of a shoulder
formed on the ball admits of loading from the front, and discharging the empty shell
backward by the act of introducing a new cartridge.
The slide 8 is reciprocated by means of a lever 35 on a shaft 11 carrying
pinions 12, which gear with racks 13 on the slide, the said lever being provided with
a spring latch 51 engaging with catches 52, 52, at the extremities of the stroke; or
in small arms the lever 35 may be attached directly to the slide 8 by a hinge 36, as
shown in Figures 11 and 13, a spring 37 being employed to throw the lever into a
notch at each extremity of its stroke, and thus lock the slide in either firing
position. Directly in rear of the barrel 7, and in position to form the back of the
firing chamber as either chamber of the breech slide is brought in front of it, is a
follower 19 pressed forward by a spring 20, which bears against a hollow breech
block 17 and serves to take up the récoil. The follower 19 is connected by a
stem 38 with a head 39 within the hollow breech block 17, which limits the
forward movement of the follower 19. On the face of the follower or recoil
block 19 are jaws 40 adapted to engage in the circumferential groove 31 in the
cartridge when in firing position, and hold it securely against the stroke of the
firing pin.
The firing pin 21 works within the stem 38, and is thrown forward by a
spring 22 bearing on a collar 42, which also limits the forward motion of the pin.
The firing spring 22 co-acts with the spring 20 in taking up the recoil. A head 41
on the rear end of the firing pin permits cocking it by hand when necessary. 43 is
the shoulder on the pin which is held by the trigger pin in cocking. In Figure 11
is shown a trigger 44 of simple form actuated by a spring 45, and operating on a
single trigger pin 46.
The improved double trigger for automatic cocking is shown in Figure 15. In
this a supplemental trigger-pin 47 is employed, permitted to slide downward in a
short horizontal arm or lug 48 on the trigger head, but confined by a nut 49 to adapt

page_text: it to be drawn down by the return motion of the trigger. A spring 50 tends to
press the pin 47 upward when the trigger is drawn.
The operation of this device is as follows:-
Supposing the pin to be cocked, as shown in Figure 11, the drawing of the
trigger 44 releases the firing pin 21, which is thrown forward in customary manner
to effect the discharge. The explosion throws the firing pin back into cocked
position, as already explained, and if the trigger be not released so as to allow the
pin 46 to catch the shoulder 43 of the firing pin, the supplemental pin 47 will
be pressed upward so as to engage the said shoulder; and on the trigger being
released the supplemental pin 47 will be drawn down, and the pin 46 allowed
to rise so as to catch the pin in readiness for firing when the trigger is again
drawn.
The recoil spring 20 is preferably made of rubber, of the hour glass shape, shown
in Figures 16 and 17, which adapts it to serve as a packing to exclude gas from the
recoil chamber. The Invention enables the soldier to carry his ammunition on bis
shoulder instead of by a belt around his waist. By a simple appliance the magazines
may be made to have a vertical movement or adjustment, so that when one is
exhausted that below it may be raised into feeding position. By thus using two
magazines on each side the gun may contain 64 rounds, and the whole will not be
more weighty than a long range rifle, or than is necessary for steadiness of fire,
because the barrel may be made quite light by reason of the freedom of liability to
bursting conferred by the recoil spring and follower.
The elastic recoil and the three resisting shells admits of the use of a much larger
charge, thereby increasing the range.
By relieving the soldier of weight and encumbrance around his waist he is
enabled to march with less fatigue, and is always ready to receive a charge. The
manipulation of the gun is exceedingly simple, and does not require, as some other
magazine guns do, more skill and intelligence than can be depended on in the common
soldier.
The spade bayonet, shown in Figure 9, is a good appliance for throwing up en-
trenchments or rifle pits.
Figure 8 shows the mode of carrying the spade bayonet in sockets under the
stock when not in use. An ordinary bayonet may then be fixed in position for
action.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,―
First. A reciprocating breech slide having chambers extending completely through
from front to back in combination with a follower and recoil spring located in a
chamber in line with the barrel, as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. The combination of the reciprocating chambered-breech slide 8 and the
hinged shutters 14, as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. A breech loading cannon constructed with a reciprocating breech slide 8,
trunnion plate 6, trunnions 5, standards 4, and elevating gearing, as and for the
purposes explained.
Fourth. The combination of the follower 19, the firing pin 21 working within it,
the springs 20, 22, and a suitable trigger, the whole operating substantially as herein
set forth to effect the cocking of said firing pin by the force of the explosion.
Fifth. The second holding pin 47 combined with the trigger, substantially as
herein described, and having a movement independently of the trigger to adapt it to
catch the firing pin when the trigger is in retracted position, and release it when
the trigger is released.
Sixth. The hooked holder, constructed substantially as shown, to adapt it to permit
the lateral insertion or removal of the cartridge, and to hold it longitudinally against
the stroke of the firing pin or hammer.
Seventh. The combination of the hooked holder and a transversely moving breech
slide, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: Eighth. A cartridge constructed with a cylindrical shell circumferentially grooved
near its base and a ball of greater diameter forming a shoulder for seating the cart-
ridge in loading from the front, and permitting the free expulsion of the shell rear-
ward after the ball is discharged.
Ninth. A circumferentially grooved cartridge in combination with a transversely
moving breech slide and a suitable holder, to permit the introduction and removal
of the cartridge and shell by a transverse movement, and to hold it against the
stroke of the firing pin, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
B. J. B. MILLS. (L.S.)