Improvements in Single Trigger, Double-barrelled Guns.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1900-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Single Trigger, Double-barrelled Guns.
I, EDWIN CHARLES HODGES, of 8, Florence Street, Islington, in the County
of Middlesex, Gunmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows::
This invention relates to the trigger mechanism of single trigger, double-
arrelled, broading guns or rifles of that description which are generally
knowurop-down," and which are used for sporting purposes.
It consists of an improved arrangement of parts which constitutes a safety
mechanism. It is well known that in ordinary single trigger, double-barrelled
guns that as soon as the trigger is pulled for the purpose of exploding the first
cartridge the usual recoil or "kick" takes place, and presses the stock of the
gun upon the shoulder of the user; this is immediately followed by an involuntary
reaction of the shoulder muscles which press upon the stock of the gun and thrust
it forward. Under these circumstances the finger in contact with the trigger
not infrequently is unable to leave or loose the trigger in time, and consequently
the second barrell is fired without intention and without serving any useful
purpose.
Now in this invention the mechanism of and connected with the trigger plate
is so arranged that upon this involuntary pull of the trigger taking place, the
lock is not operated but the movement is utilized to serve the useful purpose
of releasing the slide and allowing it to move forward to the position required to
enable a third pull of the trigger to fire the second barrel.
The mechanism consists essentially of a slide capable of being moved longi-
tudinally on the trigger plate and having a moveable lever pivoted to and on
each side of it. In place of the pivoted lever a sliding block may be employed
which is capable of longitudinal movement in a groove or in guides. The slide
has simply a longitudinal movement, but each of the levers or sliding blocks
are capable of being moved upwards by the same trigger. An upwardly pro-
jecting part of the right hand lever or the top of the sliding block is arranged
to come under the right hand sear" in such manner that the raising of the
trigger and the right hand lever or sliding block liberates the right hand lock
and fires the first barrel. This movement also causes the upwardly projecting
part of the right hand lever or sliding block to pass from underneath the sear,
while the second or involuntary pull of the trigger allows of a forward motion
of the slide and its connected levers or sliding blocks, to an extent which brings
the upwardly projecting part of the right hand lever or sliding lock underneath
the left hand sear. Consequently. when the trigger is pulled the third time, the
second barrel is fired.
The catch which controls the movement of the slide and its attached levers or
sliding blocks has its point spring connected to the trigger of which it forms
part, while the slide has one or more bent similar to the ordinary gunlock: it
and its attached levers are normally thrust forward by a double leaf, helical or
other suitable spring.

page_text: The slide and its attached levers or sliding blocks are generally thrust back
by the movement of a lever connected with the spindle or bolt of the gun; but
in some cases I use a specially constructed lever and mechanism for this purpose
which mechanism is situate underneath the action of the gun, just in front or
coincident with the front end of the trigger plate.
The lever which governs the drop-down of the barrels for the purpose of extract-
ing spent cartridge cases and inserting fresh cartridges is in general utilized
for the purpose of thrusting back the slide and its attached levers or sliding
blocks to the "cocked" position; the ordinary safety slide may be attached to
this as to other guns.
Locks of any suitable and available description may be employed in connection
with my invention; the only essential being that the sear of each lock shall be
in such a position, that the upwardly projecting portion of the corresponding lever
or sliding block can be brought immediately underneath it.
The right hand lever or sliding block in moving forward temporarily locks
both levers by passing through the box of the trigger plate, and thus prevents the
rising of either lever or sliding block until the slide has moved its full distance
and is in a position suitable for firing the second barrel.
"
This invention is hereinbefore described as applied to guns locks con-
structed on the three-pull" system; but it may equally veil be applied gun-
locks under the system generally known as the "two-pull."
Where the ordinary safety slide is employed, it is found that the recoil of the
first barrel occasionally fires the second barrel by the jar produced on the first
explosion. In order to obviate this I employ a rocking lever which is pivoted
to the safety slide and depends therefrom. When the safety slide is moved
forward for the purpose of allowing the first barrel to be fired, this lever moves
with it and a catch formed thereon by such movement assumes a position in
which it presses on the top of the second sear and thus prevents its rising. By
this means the second barrel cannot be fired by the jar of the first explosion.
The return of the trigger to the normal position, after the recoil of the first
explosion has taken place, pushes the depending lever further forward so liberat-
ing the sear and allowing it to be moved upwards when it is required to fire
a second barrel.
11
1 1
f C
1000
WILLIAM J. MUNDEN,
75, Chancery Lane, Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Single Trigger, Double-barrelled Guns.
I, EDWIN, CHARLES HODGES, of 8, Florence Street, Islington, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Gunmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the trigger and lock mechanism of single-trigger
double-barreled breech-loading guns or rifles, of that description which is
generally known as "drop-down" and which are commonly used for sporting
purposes.
It consists of improved devices by the use of which the danger of the second
barrel being fired accidentally either by the jar of the first explosion or by the
inadvertent pulling of the trigger after such, is entirely removed. Moreover the

page_text: involuntary pull upon the trigger which often follows the recoil from the first
discharge is in some cases utilized for the purpose of moving the mechanism into
a position suitable for firing the second barrel.
The safety slide generally employed in guns of this type serves simply to pre-
vent either barrel being fired, but in my improved devices the liberation of the
first hammer by moving the safety slide fixes the second hammer in the cocked
position, thus preventing the accidental firing of the second barrel by the jar
from the first explosion.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and ascertained I append
drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the trigger and right lock mechanism, the left lock
plate being removed to show the interior.
Fig. 2 is a plan of same.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of trigger and slide mechanism in a position for firing
the right barrel.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of same when the slide has moved to the position for
firing the left barrel.
'
Fig. 5 is an elevation of trigger and slide mechanism involving the "three
pull" system in position for firing the right barrel.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of same in position for taking the "involuntary" pull.
Fig. 7 is an elevation of same in position for firing the left barrel.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of trigger and one vertical slide as shown in Figs. 3
and 4.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the spring device employed in the "three pull"
system shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.
66
<
Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the catch employed in connection with the
three pull system as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.
"
Fig. 11 is an elevation of the safety slide in the first position.
Fig. 12 is an elevation of same in second position, and
Fig. 13 is an elevation of same in third position.
The mechanism may be arranged to fire either barrel first, but as it is usual
to discharge the right barrel before the left I will herein describe the devices
as arranged in that manner.
The breech ends of the barrels are indicated by the letter A and the breech
block which closes these ends by the letter B; the barrels swinging open to the
drop down" position for loading on the pivot b in the usual manner. The
barrels are retained in the closed position for firing in the manner common to
sporting guns of this description by means of a catch operated by a spindle which
is itself moved by the lever C.
By moving this lever to the right the catch is operated in such manner that
the barrels are enabled to assume the "drop-down" position, thus automatically
extracting spent cartridge cases from the barrels and enabling live ones to be
inserted. The lower end of the spindle has an arm formed integrally with it in
such manner that when the lever C is moved to the right the arm presses upon
the bolt e moving a rocking arm 1) (pivoted at d) and pushing its point back-
wards for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The same movement of the
lever and bolt causes a somewhat similar device situate near the upper end of
the spindle to protrude backwards, the dropping down of the barrels cocking
both hammers. E indicates the right hammer which is operated by springs
and levers of any well known suitable type mounted upon the right lock plate G;
the hammer being caused to fall when its "sear" H" is raised by the pull of
the trigger L. A similar mechanism is mounted upon the left lock plate J.
the sear K of which is disposed opposite to the sear H serving to let fall
66
"
the hammer F.
The barrels A, breech block B, spindle. lever C, hammers E and F and the
lock plates G and J. may be of any ordinary and suitable description, provided
that the
which operate the hammers are arranged in the required posi-
sears
"

page_text: tions, these, forming no novel feature of my invention, though necessary to con-
stitute a complete. gun.
Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4:-
To the upper side of the trigger plate M at a point nearly above and slightly
behind the trigger L, a horizontal slide N is attached in such manner as to be
free to slide longitudinally thereon through a short distance being normally
thrust forward by a helical spring to the position in which the pulling of the
trigger L discharges the left barrel; this position is shown in Fig. 4. The slide
can however be pushed back against the thrust of the spring to the position shown
in Fig. 3 in which the pulling of the trigger discharges the right barrel.
The trigger is pivoted to a projecting part m disposed above and forming part
of the trigger plate and the trigger itself has a projecting stop formed integrally
with it and a spring which serves to press the trigger to its normal position as
shown in Figs. 3 and 4. To the trigger also is fixed the catch which being
depressed engages a bent or notch n formed in the upper edge of the slide N
the parts being so disposed that when the point of the catch enters and engages
the bent as shown in Fig. 3 it retains the slide N (against the thrust of the
spring ) in position for discharging the right barrel.
The pushing back of the slide N to the position shown in Fig. 4 is effected
by the point of the rocking arm D; this as before stated being caused by the
movement of the lever C, spindle, and bolt c.
The return movement of the lever C leaves the point of the rocking arm D
and the slide N free to return to their original forward positions.
in the right hand side of the horizontal slide N a transverse groove is cut,
in which a vertical slide P is disposed, so as to be capable of being moved upwards
or downwards, and a similar vertical slide R is fitted in a similar grove in the
left hand side of the slide N. The left vertical slide is disposed behind the right
vertical slide at a distance equal to the distance through which the slide N can
be moved, and the trigger L occupies such a position relative to these vertical
slides. that when the slide N is thrust back, to the position shown in Fig. 3, a
pin (shown in Fig. 8) forming part of the trigger, assumes a position imme-
diately under, and in contact with the lower end of the right vertical slide P.
Consequently when the trigger is pulled, the pin 12 rises, and causes the right
vertical slide to move upwards. The right sear H of the lock being immediately
above this is also moved upwards, and in such movement liberates the right
hammer E, and thus discharges the right barrel.
The pull of the trigger allows the slide N to move forward a short distance,
until a part of the slide comes in contact with the rear end of the trigger (shown
in Fig. 8), the slide being thus retained until the trigger is released, when the
slide moves forward to the position shown in Fig. 4; in this position the left
vertical slide R is over the trigger pin 2, and under the left sear K. Consequently
the pull of the trigger moves the left vertical slide R and left sear K upwards
thus discharging the second barrel.
In the mechanism above described it will be seen that the first pull of the
trigger discharges the first barrel, while its return movement allows the slide N
to move forward to the position required for discharging the second barrel; the
second pull of the trigger effecting this discharge. This is called the two pull "
system.
It is obvious that in place of the vertical slides P and R, levers pivoted to the
slide N may be employed, one end of each being free to be moved upwards by
the pull of the trigger. This is shown in the modified forin of mechanism illus-
trated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In guns of this description as soon as the trigger is
pulled for the purpose of discharging the first barrel, the usual recoil or "kick"
takes place and presses the gun upon the shoulder of the user, this is imme-
diately followed by an involuntary re-action of the shoulder muscles which press
upon the stock of the gun and tend to thrust it forward. Under these circum-
stances the finger in contact with the trigger not infrequently is unable to leave

page_text: or loose the trigger in time, and consequently the second barrel is discharged
without intention and without serving any useful purpose. The mechanism
illustrated in these and the preceding figures removes this defect; in this latter
case by a method which is commonly called the "three pull" system.
In this case the slide N is fitted to the trigger plate M in a somewhat similar
manner to that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4; and is normally thrust forward by
a spring which in this case however is of the double-leaf description. The
small travel of this spring is increased to the extent required to move the slide
the distance between the two positions, by means of a short arm o and a long
arm both having fixed rigidity to one point o² and moving together. The
arm o being short and the arm o¹ long, the slight movement of the former when
thrust by the opening of the spring 01 occasions a much greater movement of the
latter to such an extent that the lower end of the long arm o¹ moves the slide N
sufficiently for to bring the parts into the required positions.
To the right side of the slide N is pivoted at a point 2 the right lever P which
has its free end so disposed that when the mechanism is in the position for
discharging the first barrel as shown in Fig. 5, the pulling of the trigger lifts
the lever and by reason of its free end p being then underneath and in contact
with the right sear H, it lifts the latter and discharges the right barrel. It will
he seen that the lever P is simply an equivalent of the right vertical slide
shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the only difference being that the former is pivoted and
moves about its pivot while the latter slides in a groove. The movement of the
trigger which discharges the right barrel also lifts the catch / from the bent n
(in this case formed by the front end of the slide N) thus permitting the latter
on the return movement of the trigger to slide forward from the position shown
in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6. This forward movement of the slide N and
right lever P¹ brings the latter into such a position that it is prevented from
rising by reason of its front end sliding into an inclined slot formed in the pro-
jection m to which the trigger is pivoted. Should the trigger now be accidentally
pulled in the manner hereinbefore referred to no barrel will be discharged as
the trigger simply lifts the back ends of a catch S which is pivoted at s¹ to a
left lever R¹ similar to the right lever P¹ hereinbefore described. The lever S
serves simply as a movable catch or bent the point of which first engages with
the point of the catch and consequently when its point is depressed by raising
its back ends the slide N is caused to move forward to the position shown in
Fig. that is the position in which the third pull of the trigger lifts the left
lever R and discharges the second barrel. It will be understood that the left
lever R is similar in its attachment and action to the right lever, being pivoted
at to the slide N. The raised positions of these levers P¹ and R are indicated
in dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 7 while a view of the lever or movable bent S and
attached parts is shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 10.
I
The above description describes only apparatus for securing the successive
discharge of the two barrels and for preventing the accidental pulling of the
trigger (following the first discharge) from discharging the second barrel.
will now describe the improved safety mechanism I employ it being understood
that this may be used with the mechanism already described or with modifications
or equivalents for the same.
Beneath the tang T is fitted an upper slide U in such manner that it can be
moved longitudinally through a short distance by means of an integrally formed
finger-piece u disposed above the tang T just behind the lever C. It is auto-
matically moved backward by means of a projection from the lever C. to the
safety position, this taking place by the same movement which opens the breeches
of the barrels, and pushes back the slide N. Formed integrally with this upper
slide U and depending at right angles therefrom is a stop u¹ and at a short distance
behind this a rocking lever 2 is pivoted to and depends from the upper slide U
in such manner as to allow its lower end to move through a small angle. It
has a shoulder 3 formed upon it and a spring ut (shewn in Fig. 1) which serves

page_text: to retain it normally in the nearly vertical position shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The
stop is of such length and the upper slide U is arranged in such a position
relative to the slide N on the trigger plate, that the lower end of the stop can be
caused to slide on or off the point of the trigger stop ; while the shoulder
is in such a position as to be capable of being slid on or off the left sear K.
The rocking lever is of such length that its lower end enters an opening left
in the upper part of the slide N just in front of the left vertical slide R. The
slides N and U and their attached fittings are thus disposed in positions relative
to each other as shown in Fig. 1.
The operation of the combined parts is as follows:-Both barrels having been
discharged the lever C is moved to the right and the barrels caused to drop down
to eject the spent cartridge cases when fresh cartridges can be inserted and the
breech closed. The drop-down movement also cocks both hammers E and F
and simultaneously pushes back the slides N and U, the whole mechanism then
assuming the positions shown in Fig. 1.
This is better illustrated in Fig. 11 in which the stop ¹ is shown as pressing
upon the stop 7. It will be understood that in this position the right sear H
shown in Fig. 1 but not in Fig. 11 is immediately above the right vertical
slide P, being in fact immediately behind and in line with the left sear K.
Consequently neither barrel can be fired as the stop u¹ prevents the stop and
its attached trigger from being lifted. On moving the safety slide U forward
by means of the thumb piece w, the position shown in Fig. 12 is assumed. This
enables the trigger L to be pulled (the stop having moved from over the stop !)
thus discharging the first barrel but the same movement of the safety slide U
brings the shoulder over the left sear K thus locking it and preventing the
accidental discharge of the left barrel by the jar of the first explosion. The first
trigger pull also lifts the catch from the bent and allows the slide N to
move forward in two movements as before described to the position shown in
Fig. 13 in which the slide N has carried forward the lower end of the rocking
lever and removed the shoulder 3 from the sear K, at the same time bringing
the left vertical slide R under the sear. This being now free to rise the pulling
of the trigger L discharges the left barrel by raising the left vertical slide R.
It will be seen that by the use of my improved safety slide, not only is the
locking of both barrels secured as in ordinary gun actions, but in addition the
sliding forward of the safety slide while enabling the right barrel to be fired
puts an absolute stop upon the left sear and thus prevents accidental discharge
of the left barrel by jarring.
The detail modification shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 involve a slight difference
in the operation. In this case the safety slide stop u being removed from the
stop the first pull of the trigger raises the front end of the right lever 1" and
discharges the right barrel. The return movement of the trigger allows of the
slide N moving forward until the point of the catch comes into contact with
the end of the movable bent S. The next pull of the trigger (which as before
explained may be accidental) depresses the point and allows the slide N to move
forward to the position shown in Fig. 7 when the third pull of the trigger raises
the front end of the left lever R₁ and discharges the left barrel. The locking
of the left sear during the discharge of the first barrel may be secured by using
the rocking lever or by means of the front end of the left lever R¹ sliding
under a fixed slip W as shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
-:
1. In a single-trigger double-barrel gun the combination with barrels, a breech
block, lever, and bolt, of a slide attached to the trigger plate, which slide is
operated by a spring, and controlled by the trigger: such slide carrying a right
and a left vertical slide or lever which can be placed under the right and left

page_text: sears
ניג
respectively in such manner that the right and left barrels can be
successively discharged by pulling the trigger substantially as described and
shown.
2. In a single trigger double-barrel gun, the combination with barrels, a breech
block. lever, and boit of the rocking lever 1 operated by the bolt the slide N
normally thrust forward by the spring and controlled by the trigger-operated
catch, the vertical slides P and R so disposed that the right
slide P is first brought under the right sear H and over the trigger
pin in such manner that the right barrel can be discharged, while
afterwards the slide moves forward till the left slide R comes under the left
sear K, and over the trigger piu in such manner that the left barrel can be
discharged, substantially as described and shown.
3. In a single-trigger double-barrel gun, the combination with barrels a breech
block, lever, and bolt, of the rocking lever D operated by the bolt, the slide N
normally thrust forward by the spring O and controlled by the trigger-operated
catch, the levers P¹ and R' pivoted to the slide N and so disposed that the right
lever is first brought under the right sear H and over the trigger in such
manner that the right barrel can be discharged while afterwards the slide N
moves forward until it assumes a position in which the second pull of the trigger
operates the movable bent S and allows the slide N to move forward to such a
position that the left lever R is brought under the left sear K and over the
trigger in such a manner that the left barrel can be discharged substantially as
described and shown.
4. In a single-trigger double-barrel gun the combination with barrels, a breech
block, lever, and bolt, of the rocking lever D operated by the bolt, the slide N,
the spring O, the trigger L, the catch the stop the vertical slides P and R,
the bent n, the upper slide U, means for thrusting this backward by the move-
ment of the lever C, the stop u, the rocking lever having a shoulder ³, and
the sears H and K substantially as described and shown.
5. In a single trigger double-barrel gun the combination with barrels, a breech
block lever, bolt, and hammers, of the rocking lever D operated by the bolt, the
slide N the spring 0, the trigger L, the catch the stop the levers P and R',
the movable bent S, the upper slide U, means for thrusting this backwards by
the movement of the lever C the stop u', the rocking lever u², having a shoulder
and the sears H and K, substantially as described and shown.
6. In a single trigger double-barrel gun, the combination of barrels, a breech
block, lever, bolt, hammers, and sears, of the upper slide U, means for thrusting
this backwards by the movement of the lever C, the stop and the rocking
lever having a shoulder ³, substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 22nd day of June 1900.
WILLIAM J. MUNDEN,
75, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.