IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE- ARMS, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and
Edward Clarence Shepard, of Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 3rd January 1865, and dated the 7th November 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
and Edward Clarence Shepard at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 7th November 1864.
We, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and EDWARD CLARENCE
SHEPARD, of Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
Our Invention of improvements in breech-loading fire-arms relates to that
description of arm in which the barrel is held firmly, and is securely attached
to the gunstock, and a moveable breech-piece is adapted to the rear end
thereof, so that by drawing or moving back such breech-piece the open end of
the barrel may be exposed, in order to admit of a cartridge being pushed in.
In our improved arm the moveable breech-piece is either mounted on. a
strong pin, on which it may be turned back to open the breech of the barrel,
or it may be made to slide back in a line parallel, or nearly so to the longi.

page_text: tudinal axis of the barrel, but in whatever way the breech-piece be moved to
open the breech of the barrel for charging, a moveable block or strut is placed
behind this breech-piece to receive the recoil or shock of the explosion of the
charge, and to prevent the breech-piece from moving when such explosion
takes place. This moveable block or strut may be adapted in various ways,
and it may either be connected by a joint with the moveable breech-piece
itself, or it may be jointed to some other part of the arm, and so placed in
reference to the breech-piece that it may be brought down immediately
behind it, and thereby secure it in its place before the charge is exploded.
A convenient mode of arranging the several parts is to mount the moveable
breech-picce on a strong pin or pivot, having its bearings in two side plates,
and to connect the block-piece to the moveable breech by a strong spring or
hinge joint. When the breech-piece is in its place the outer end of the
moveable block will be forced up by the spring, and made to bear against the
face of a fixed block placed nearly in a line with the axis of the piece. In
order to prevent the block from being accidentally displaced, a spring bolt is
adapted thereto and made to take into a notch in the fixed block. In order
to open the breech for the purpose of loading the arm the spring bolt must be
forced back, and the moveable block pressed down into a recess made between
the side plates to receive it. The moveable breech with its block may then
be drawn back, and the rear end of the barrel exposed, so as to admit of a
cartridge being placed therein.
As a modification of this arrangement the moveable block may be so
hinged to the breech-piece as to admit of being lifted up away from the fixed
block, instead of being pushed down, as above mentioned, to allow the
moveable breech to be drawn back. Or the moveable block may be hinged
to the fixed block behind, so that it may be lifted up out of the way when the
breech-piece is to be drawn back. In this instance the spring bolt if required
will be placed at the forward end of the moveable block, and will be caused
to take into a notch made in the back of the breech piece, so as to prevent it
from being displaced accidentally. When either of these last two arrange-
ments are adopted, the hammer must be so arranged and mounted on its axle
that when it is brought into the position of full cock the comb and nose of
the hammer will be moved sideways out of the way of the moveable block.
This may be effected by giving the hammer a sideway motion by means of a
cam or excentric when it is drawn back; or the hammer may be mounted on
an inclined pin or axle, the angle of which will carry it back into the desired
position. The same effect may be produced by placing the axle pin or joint
of the moveable block or strut at an angle to a horizontal line. Or this

page_text: moveable block or strut may be hinged to one of the side plates, so that it
may be lifted sideways out of its place in order to open the breech.
•
Another modification consists in placing the moveable block or strut in a
recess between the side plates, and mounting it on a strong transverse axle or
pin, which may also form the axle of the hammer. The forward end of the
strut is so arranged that it will when in place fall against a corresponding face
on the back of the moveable breech-piece. The upper side of this strut may
be provided with a segmental piece, which will act as a filling piece, and
prevent dirt and water from getting into the interior of this part of the arm.
The moveable strut and breech-piece may be connected together by a link, so
that both pieces may be operated simultaneously, and by one motion.
As a modification the moveable breech instead of being mounted on a fixed
stud or axle may be made to move to and fro in grooves or on guides made in
or affixed to the side plates. Or the moveable breech-piece and block may
be combined in one piece and hinged to the stationary block, so that they
may be lifted up on the hinge. A moveable plug is then attached to the
breech-piece. This arrangement will be found convenient when caps are used.
The lock and hammer of the arm are attached to a lock plate of the ordinary
or any other suitable construction; but for the convenience of manipulation
with the arm, we place the lock plate, lock, and hammer on the left side of
the arm instead of on the right side, as is usual, the configuration of the
hammer being, of course, modified accordingly. We prefer, however, to use
a lock specially adapted to our arm, and to this end a disc on the axle of the
hammer is made with a notch on its periphery; or it may be provided with a
projecting stud which takes into a notch or notches at the end of the main
spring, whereby the hammer is held at half cock or full cock. The opposite
end of the spring acts on another pin or stud fixed in the disc of the hammer
shaft, and when the notch or projecting stud of the disc is released from the
notches of the main spring, the opposite end of the latter will pull down the
hammer and explode the charge.
Although our improved breech-loader may be adapted to use ordinary
percussion caps to explode the charge, we prefer to employ cartridges made
specially for, the improved fire-arm, and which cartridges contain their own.
detonating composition. These improved cartridges, and the mode of manu-
facturing them will be hereafter. explained.
".
We would, however, observe, that cartridges made with metallic cases
containing the loose powder, and having the bullet fixed in at one end, and the
detonating composition in a flange at the other end may be used with one.
improved breech-loader..

page_text: Another improvement in the breech-loading arm consists in constructing
the moveable breech-piece with a moveable shield, or in making the face of
the breech-piece moveable on a centre pin, so that it may be turned round
thereon by means of the comb or finger, whereby the breech-piece is lifted
away or moved back from the rear end of the barrel. When cartridges con-
taining their own detonating composition are-used, this composition is placed.
in the hollow flange of the thimble or metallic case containing the powder,
and is exploded by the hammer being brought down with a smart blow on the
flange. To admit of this operation a notch is cut in the breech-piece, and
the hammer is formed with a sharp nose, which enters the notch in the
breech-piece and strikes the flange. The object of the moveable shield
(which is of a circular form) is to cover the flange of the cartridge, and
prevent the nose of the hammer from reaching it, except when the charge is
to be exploded. To this end the shield is made moveable on its centre, so
that the notch that is cut through it may be moved away when required from
the corresponding notch in the breech-piece, and an unperforated part of the
shield will be brought opposite to the notch in the breech-piece, so that the
hammer will be prevented from reaching the flange of the cartridge. In
order to prevent the shield from being turned round accidentally, a depression
is made in the back of it, so that when the hammer is let down its nose will
enter the depression in the shield and prevent it from being moved. By this
means all the parts connected with the breech will be locked together, and an
accidental discharge of the arm will be rendered impossible. By this arrange-
ment the necessity of using the ordinary balf-cock is avoided, as the hammer
is let down on the back of the shield, and can never touch the charge until
the shield is removed. We, however, propose to use a half-cock, the notch
for which we place in close proximity to the whole cock notch of the tumbler
or hammer disc. By this means the arm can be loaded at half-cock, which
is a great advantage. In order to prevent the hammer from descending
accidentally on the cartridge should the breech be open when the-hammer is
at half-cock, a small spring lever provided with a projecting pin is adapted to
one of the side plates, so that when the moveable breech is drawn back it
will come against the spring connected with this lever, and will force, out a
pin through the lock plate in front of the hammer, and prevent the latter
from falling, even should the trigger be accidentally touched. It will be
obvious that the action of the spring stop for the hammer may be mado
dependent upon the position of the moveable block or strut, instead of upon
the position of the breech-piece. This, and also the mode of adapting the
breech-piece to the barrel, and of attaching this latter to the stock are

page_text: matters of detail depending mainly upon the particular arrangement and com-
bination of the parts, it being obvious that as we make no change in the barrel,
barrels of any construction may have our improvements adapted thereto.
Our improved cartridges are made of powder compressed by means of
powerful hydraulic presses in strong metal moulds, so as to make the grains
of powder adhere together, and also to the leaden bullet, in the rear end of
which is placed a pellet of bibulous or unsized paper that has been prepared
with nitro-sulphuric acid, in the same way as gun cotton is usually made.
Before placing the powder in the compressing mould it may be damped with
liquid nitro-glycerine, which will increase its explosive power, and will also
assist in causing the grains to adhere together. When the compressed mass
with the bullet is removed from the mould it should be coated with collodion,
and its lower end placed in a metal thimble provided with a hollow flange
containing the detonating composition. The cartridge is to be covered with
a textile fabric prepared, if desired, with nitro-sulphuric acid, the same as
gun cotton is usually prepared. This fabric is to be coated with collodion,
which will cause it to adhere firmly to the powder, and will prevent the latter
from being accidentally broken, and will render it perfectly waterproof. The
cartridge when dry may be enclosed or wrapped up in paper for the con-
venience of carriage. Previous to the cartridges being used these envelopes
must be torn off, and when the charge is exploded there will be no residuuni
left in the barrel, and nothing will remain but the metal thimble in which the
cartridge was placed. This metal thimble will be sufficient to prevent any
escape of gas by the breech, and being very short will not be liable to stick
in the barrel, as is sometimes the case with metallic cartridges. Upon
opening the barrel the empty thimble will be drawn out by means of a
spring catch adapted to the moveable breech-piece, or by any other con-
1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton and Edward Clarence Shepard.in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th May 1865..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE, PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM:
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and EDWARD CLARENCE. SHEPARD, of Regent's.
Park, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of. November, in the year of our Lord'

page_text: •
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said William Edward Newton and Edward Clarence Shepard, Her
special license that we, the said William Edward Newton and Edward
Clarence Shepard, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said William Edward Newton and Edward Clarence Shepard, our
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 make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES USED THEREWITH," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said William Edward Newton and Edward
Clarence Shepard, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, 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 we, the said William Edward Newton and
Edward Clarence Shepard, do hereby declare the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say):-
Our Invention of "Improvements in Breech-loading Fire-arms" relates to
that description of arm in which the barrel is held firmly in and is securely
attached to the gun stock a moveable breech-piece being adapted to the
icar end of the barrel so that drawing or moving back such breech-piece,
the open end of the barrel may be exposed in order to admit of a cartridge
being pushed in.
In the accompanying Drawings we have shewn different views of various
forms of breech-loading rifles constructed according to our Invention. It will
be seen that in our improved arm the moveable breech-piece is either mounted
on a strong pin on which, it may be turned back to open the breech of the
barrel, or the breech-piece may be made to slide back in a line parallel or
nearly so to the longitudinal axis of the barrel, but in whatever way the breech
piece be moved, to open the breech of the barrel for charging the gun, a block
or strut is placed behind this breech-piece to receive the recoil or shock of the

page_text: explosion of the charge, and to prevent the breech-piece from moving when
such explosion takes place. This block or strut may be adapted in various
ways, and it may either be connected by a joint with the moveable breech-
piece itself, or be formed in one piece with the breech-piece, or it may be
jointed to some other part of the arm, and so placed in reference to the breech-
piece that it may be brought down immediately behind it, and thereby secure
it in its place before the charge is exploded.
Fig. 1 represents a sectional view of a convenient mode of arranging the
several parts.
'
This arrangement consists in mounting the moveable breech-piece a, on a
strong pin or pivot b, having its bearings on two side plates c, c. The block piece
d which receives the recoil is connected to the moveable breech a by a hinge
joint e, or by a strong spring; this moveable breech-piece a with its block d
is shewn detached in side and end elevation at Figures 2. When the breech-
piece a is in its place, the outer end of the moveable block d will be forced
up by the spring f, and made to bear against the face of a fixed block g.placed
nearly in a line with the axis of the piece. In order to open the breech for
the purpose of loading the arm, the moveable block d must be pressed down
and thereby pushed into à recess made between the side plates c, c, to
receive it. The moveable breech a with-its block d may then be drawn back,
and the rear end of the barrel exposed so as to admit of a cartridge being
placed therein.
Figures 8 and 4 represent two sectional views of a modification of this
arrangement, the moveable block d being so hinged to the breech-piece a, as
to admit of being lifted up away from the fixed block 9, as shewn in Fig. 3
(instead of being pushed down as above mentioned), to allow the .imoveable
breech a to be drawn back. In order to prevent the block d from being
accidentally displaced a spring catch h is made to take into a notch in the
fixed block 9, as shewn at Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 (Sheet II.), represents another modification in which the moveable
block d is hinged at e to the fixed block g behind, so that it may be lifted up
as shewn by dots in the Drawing when the breech-piece a is to be drawn back.
When the moveable block d is lifted up the breech piece a may either be
drawn back by hand or it may be connected to the block d by a link so that
both pieces may be moved together.
.
As a modification of this arrangement the moveable block d may be mounted
on a pin j, which has its bearings in the two side plates c, c, as shewn at Fig. 6,
but the tail end of the piece d will abut against the fixed block 9, which
will therefore take the thrust from the recoil. In these instances the spring
י

page_text: bolt h if required will be placed at the forward end of the moveable block d,
as shewn at Fig. 5, and will be caused to take into a notch made in the back
of the breech-piece ȧ, so as to prevent it from being displaced accidentally.
Fig. 7, Sheet I. is a sectional elevation, and Fig 7, a plan view representing
another modification which consists in placing the moveable block or strut d
in a recess between the side plates, and mounting it on a strong transverse axle
or pin j, which may also form the axle of the hammer m. The forward end
of the strut d is so arranged that it will when in place fall against a corres-
ponding face on the back of the moveable breech piece a, as is clearly shewn
in the Figure 7. The upper side of this strut may be provided with
a segmental piece d which will act as a filling piece, and prevent dirt and
water from getting into the interior of this part of the arm. The moveable
strut d and breech-piece a may if desired be connected together by a link k,
as shewn in the Drawing so that both pieces may be operated simultaneously
and by one motion; or these pieces may be operated by separate motions as in
Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 (Sheet II.) is a sectional view, and Fig. 8, a plan view of a
modification of the above in which the moveable breech a instead of being
mounted on a fixed stud or axle as in the former instances is arranged to move
in a straight line to and fro in grooves or guides made in or affixed to the side
plates c, c, or on a rod c³ fixed in the fixed block 9, and to a block p screwed
on to the barrel. The moveable block dis hinged to the back of the move-
able breech-piece a, as in Figures 3 and 4, and upon lifting up the tail end of
the moveable block d, and drawing it back, the brecch-piece a .will also be
drawn back on the rod c' at the same time, and thus expose the open end of
the barrel.
Figures 9, 90, 9, 9, 9d, represent a modification in which the moveable
breech-piece a and block d are combined in one piece which turns on a
horizontal pinj mounted in the side plates c, c. The breech-piece and block
may therefore be lifted up together by turning the block or piece d on the pin j,
as shewn at Figure 9, and by dots in Fig. 9, and then the open end of the
barrel will be exposed. Fig. 9b is a sectional view of one of the side plates;
Figs. 9° and 9, are cross sections shewing the moveable block d in place
and the method of securing it by the spring h. When either of these last
arrangements is adopted it will be found convenient for the hammer g to be so
arranged and mounted on its axle that when it is brought into the position of
full cock, the comb and nose of the hammer will be moved sideways out of the
way of the moveable block d. This may be effected by giving the hammer a
sideway notion (when it is drawn back) by means of a cam or excentric on

page_text: the lock plate against which the side of the hammer will bear as it is moved
or turned on its axis. Or the hammer may be mounted on an inclined pin or
axle, the angle of which will carry it back into the desired position. The
same effect may be produced by placing the axle pin or joint of the moveable
block or stud d at an angle to a horizontal line.
Fig. 10, (Sheet I.), is a modification of Fig. 9. The moveable breech-piece
and block d are made in one piece in this instance also, the principal difference
being that a moveable plug or filling piece n is attached by a hinge e to the
breech piece or block d, which is shewn detached at Fig. 10, and when the
breech piece and block are in place, the plug n will fill up the space at
the rear end of the block d, and will effectually prevent any of the parts from
becoming displaced until such plug is removed. The plug n therefore acts as.
a locking bolt, and also takes the thrust or recoil from the discharge of the
powder in the barrel. In order to open the breech end of the barrel the plug
or filling piece n must be lifted up, the block d and breech may then be drawn,
back a short distance, in order to relieve the projecting block on the face of
the breech piece from the recess at the end of the barrel, the block d may
then be turned up on the pin j, as shewn by dots in the Figure, and the open.
end of the barrel will thus be exposed, so that a cartridge may be introduced.
Figures 11 and 11" (Sheet II.), represent another modification, in which
the moveable breech piece and block are made in one piece. In this instance
the moveable breech piece, instead of being mounted on a pin in the side.
plates, is connected by a pin or hinge joint to the rear end of the barrel.
When it is required to charge the gun the moveable breech a is lifted up and
turned back, as shewn by dots in Fig. 11, so as to expose the open end of the
barrel; the cartridge is then inserted and the moveable breech is replaced,
and upon the explosion of the cartridge taking place, the recoil or thrust on;
the breech piece will be taken by the fixed block g, as in the other instances.
The cartridge is exploded by means of a pin p, which is struck by the
bammer 9, as will be hereafter more fully explained.
The lock and hammer of the arm are attached to a lock plate of the
ordinary or any other suitable construction, but for the convenience of manipu-
lation with the arm we place the lock plate, lock, and hammer on the left
side of the arm, as shewn in the Drawings, instead of on the right side, as is
usual, the configuration of the hammer being of course modified accordingly.
We prefer, however, to use a lock specially adapted to our arm, and to this.
end a disc on the axle of the hammer is made with a notch on its periphery,
as shewn at Figs. 1, 5, 6, and 7, or it may be provided with a projecting stud,.
which takes into a notch or notches at the end of the main springs. If the

page_text: main spring is made double, the opposite end of the spring may be made to
act on another pin or stud fixed in the disc of the hammer shaft, and when
the notch or projecting stud of the disc is released from the notches of the
main spring, the opposite end of the latter will pull down the hammer and
explode the charge.
Although our improved breech-loader may be adapted to use ordinary
percussion caps to explode the charge, we prefer to employ cartridges made
especially for the improved fire-arm, and which cartridges contain their own
detonating composition. These improved cartridges and the mode of manu-
facturing them will be hereafter explained.
We would, however, observe that cartridges made with metallic cases
containing the loose powder, and having the bullet fixed in at one end, and
the detonating composition in a flange at the other end, may be used with our
improved breech-loader. The discharged cartridge cases. are withdrawn from
the barrel in most of the several modifications above described, by means of a
spring catch attached in some instances' to the breech-piece, and. in others con-
nected by a link, as at Figs. 9 and 10, to the moveable block d, so that when
either of these parts is moved or drawn back the discharged cartridge will at
the same time be drawn out of the barrel. A notch is cut out of the lower
side of the barrel in order to receive this spring catch, which when in its
place fills up the notch and completes the bore. If desired, two spring
catches may be employed to extract or draw out the cartridge, one catch is to
be placed on each side of the barrel, and corresponding notches on the latter
are to be made to receive the catches.
A somewhat similar form of cartridge extractor is shewn at Figures 9
and 9. In this instance the cartridge extractor or hook is secured to the
sliding block m, which is moved to and fro in guides c³, c', made in the side:
plates c, c, as seen in Figures 9" and 9b. The block m is actuated by a
rocking lever n', connected at its opposite end to a sliding rod o. When the
block d is lifted up its tail end comes against the sliding rod o, and will move
the latter forward, as seen in Fig. 9, and by dots in Fig. 9. By this means
the block m and hook will be forced back, and will in so doing pull out the
case of the exploded cartridge, as seen in Fig. 9. If preferred, the sliding
block m may be moved back by hand by a separate movement, as shewn in
Figures 11 and 11, in which a part of the barrel is cut away, and the
missing part is made good by a moveable piece m', which is attached to the
sliding block m. A stud q is screwed into this sliding block and projects out.
through the side plates, so that it may be pulled forward by hand. When the.
cartridge case has been released from the barrel, the block m will be pulled

page_text: back into its original position by means of the coiled spring r, so as to
complete the breech end of the barrel ready to receive another cartridge.
In order to prevent the breech block d from rising up or being displaced acci-
dentally, a spring catch h with a suitable handle is adapted to the forward
end of the block d. In all the Figures the barrels are constructed with a
recess or countersink to receive the projecting flange of the metallic cartridge,
as shewn at Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. As the flanges of these
cartridges are made hollow to receive the fulminating powder by which the
charge is exploded, they must be struck on the edge by some suitable instru-
ment, such as the end of the hammer, or by a pin. In Figures 1, 7, 7",
and 10, and in the detached view, Fig. 1, of the hammer, the latter is made
with a sharp elongated nose or end, which strikes through a notch made in
one side of the breech piece a, and by hitting the cartridge a strong blow will
explode the fulminate. In Figures '5, 5, 6, 8, 8", 11, and 11, the nose of the
hammer is shortened, and the cartridge is exploded by means of a pin p,
which works in a hole made through the breech piece, and is struck by the
shortened nose of the hammer q. When the hammer strikes the pin p it
drives it forward against the flange of the cartridge and explodes. the latter.
The pin itself is prevented from coming out of its place by means of a small
screw which holds it, but yet allows it to have sufficient play to move forward
when struck.
Another improvement in the breech-loading arm consists in constructing
the moveable breech piece a with a moveable shield' a', as shewn at Figure 2.:
This shield or disc a¹ is made moveable on a centre pin, so that it may be:
turned round thereon by means of the comb or finger.a", whereby the breech-
piece a.is lifted away or moved back from the rear end-of the barrel. When.
cartridges containing their own, detonating composition are used, this com-
position is placed in the hollow flange of the thimble or metallic case con-:
taining the powder, and is exploded either by the hammer being brought
down with a smart blow direct on to the flange, or by the hammer being made
to strike a pin p, as in some of the Figures. If the hammer is intended to.
strike direct on to the cartridge, a notch is cut in the breech-piece a, and the
hammer q is formed with a sharp nose which enters the notch in the breech-
piece and strikes the flange, as shewn in some of the Figures.. The object of;
the moveable shield a' (which is of a circular form) is to cover the flange of.
the cartridge, and prevent the nose of the hammer or the pin p from reaching.
it except when the charge is to be exploded. To this end the shield is made
moveable on its centre, so that the notch or hole that is cut through it may
be moved away when required from the corresponding notch in the breech-.

page_text: piece a, and an upperforated part of the shield will be brought opposite to the
notch or hole in the breech-piece, so that the hammer 9 or pin p will be
prevented from reaching the flange of the cartridge. In order to prevent the
shield a¹ from being turned round accidentally, a depression is made in the
back of it, so that when the hammer is let down its nose or the end of
the pin p will enter the depression in the shield, and prevent it from being
moved. By this means all the parts connected with the breech will be
locked together, and an accidental discharge of the arm will be rendered
impossible. By this arrangement the necessity of using the ordinary half
cock. is. avoided, as the hammer may be let down, and can never touch the
charge until the shield is removed; we, however, propose to use a half-cock
the notch for which we place in close proximity to the whole cock notch of the
tumbler or hammer disc. By this means the arm can be loaded at half-cock,
which is a great advantage.
In order to prevent the hammer descending accidentally on the cartridge,
should the breech be open when the hammer is at half-cock, a small spring
Jover provided with a projecting pin is adapted to one of the side plates, so
that when the moveable breech a is drawn back it will come against the
spring connected with this lever, and will force out a pin through the lock
plate in front of the hammer, and prevent the latter from falling even should
the trigger be accidentally touched.
Our improved cartridges are made of powder compressed by means of any
suitable press in strong metal moulds so as to make the grains of powder
adhere together, and also to the leaden bullet, in the rear end of which is
placed a pellet of bibulous or unsized paper that has been prepared with nitro-2
sulphuric. acid in the same way as gun cotton is usually made. Before placing
the powder in the compressing mould it may be damped with liquid nitro-
glycerine which will increase its explosive power, and will also assist in
causing the grains to adhere together. When the compressed mass with the
bullet is removed from the mould it should be coated with collodion, and its s
lower end placed in a metal thimble provided with a hollow flange containing
the detonating composition. The cartridge is to be covered with a textile
fabric prepared, if desired, with nitro-sulphuric acid the same as gun cotton is
usually prepared.. This fabric is to be coated with collodiom which will causo
it to adhere firmly to the powder, and will prevent the latter from being 3
accidentally broken, and will render it perfectly waterproof. The cartridge
when dry may be enclosed or wrapped up in paper for the convenience of
carriage. Previous to the cartridges being used these paper envelopes must
be torn off, and when the charge is exploded there will be no residuum left in

page_text: the barrel, and nothing will remain but the metal thimble in which the car-
tridge was placed. This metal thimble will be sufficient to prevent any
escape of
I gas by the breech, and being very short will not be liable to stick
in the barrel as is sometimes the case with metallic cartridges. Upon
opening the barrel the empty thimble will be drawn out by means of the
spring catches, hooks, or other contrivances, above described, for extracting
the cartridges.
Instead of forcibly compressing the powder, we sometimes make a case of
textile fabric coated with collodion, and attach it to the bullet in any con-
venient manner, and when this case is charged with powder it should be
shaken so as to make the grains lie closer together. The end of the case may
be closed and inserted into a metal thimble, as in the other instance.
Having now described our Invention of improvements in breech-loading
fire-arms, and in the cartridges to be used therewith, and having explained
the manner of carry the same into effect, we claim as the Invention secured
to us by Letters Patent, as aforesaid, the several arrangements of parts
herein set forth whereby the moveable breach is secured in its place, and is
supported against the recoil produced by the explosion of the charge. We
also claim the mode herein set forth of making cartridges for breech-loading
fire-arms.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Edward Newton and Edward
Clarence Shepard, have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Sixth
ight hundred and siste five