IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH- LOADING FIRE ARMS."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mac Naughton, of the City and County of Edinburgh,
North Britain, Gunmaker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE ARMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mac Naughton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1879.
JAMES MAC NAUGHTON, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Gunmaker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE ARMS."
This Invention has reference to the new or improved construction of and arrange-
ment and combination of the parts of the action of breech-loading fire arms, as
guns and pistols carried by the shooters for sporting or military purposes, which
will make such actions and fire arms more safe, convenient, durable, and efficient
than they have been as heretofore constructed. And the nature and novelty of the
Invention or the several improvements consist all as follows:-First, to improve-
ments connected with the extractor mechanism for giving it increased range of
action in removing the spent cartridge cases, by having a hook or catch formed at
the lower end of each side of the lever, which presses out the spindle of the
xtractor by the opening, hinging, or swivelling down of the barrel, which raises.
he link and causes the hooks to take into projections left on the upper part of the
ot in the breech piece on each side of the securing bolt, as this is removed, and so
press out the extractor spindle much further than it is done by the ordinary cam
and swivelling action on the upper part or arm of the lever; second, another im-
provement consists in the extension of the rib between the barrels backwards into
a slot in the breech block, with a slot in it so as to be locked by a horizontal
swivelling segmental bolt on the upper part of the spindle of an arrangement of
top lever, which also actuates the lower locking double grip bolts; third, another,
improvement consists of a new method of bringing or pressing the hammers to full
cock by a sliding bar directly attached to the rear end of the double grip bolt,
which raises the hammers automatically as the lever removes the said bolts;
fourth, another improvement consists in a new general arrangement of limbs or
work of the lock on the trigger plate, with the hammers ranged near the centre of
the gun, and all removable with the trigger plate by the unscrewing of three screws,

page_text: one in front down through the strap of the action, and two others below, one
behind the trigger guard, and one in front thereof.
Fifth. Another improvement consists in the construction and use of a single blade
sere spring split down the centre in front to work both seres.
Sixth. Another improvement refers to an improved construction of connecting
link motion between the main spring and tumbler or cock, consisting of a short flat
link or swivel fitted into a vertical slot, with a pin in the upper end inserted into a
fulcrum hole in the tumbler above and behind the fulcrum, and having the lower
free
end rounded as a journal to work in a hollow segmental bearing in the upper
end of the main spring.
Seventh. Another improvement has reference to the construction and arrange-
ment of a safety bolt for securing the triggers, and also the main springs when
desired while the lock is at full cock, consisting of an angular bow lever fulcrumed
behind the triggers, and pressed down or raised by a slot in its rear semi-circular
end, and a pin working in it on the lower end of a small vertical oscillating spindle,
with click collar and spring at its upper end taking into curved notches on the
under side and back end of the strap, and actuated by a small thumb lever on its
upper end close behind the thumb piece of the top lever, so as either to be actuated
by hand or automatically by a spring pin fitted and working in the rear end of the
thumb part of the lever, and which is capable of being locked or released by a
spring catch fitted in the lower side of the lever.
Eighth. Another improvement consists in carrying the pistons back from the
face of the action where they strike the cap within their holes bored through or
immediately under the strap converging towards the centre as high up as possible,
where the hammers strike them, all for the purpose of giving the hammers a
greater range of leverage or swing, which are pivoted as low down as possible
through the edge or bottom of the trigger plate, so that the pistons may be struck,
lying as high in the gun as they can be got, giving the hammers the greatest
possible sweep, which enables light main springs to strike a sufficiently heavy
blow.
Ninth. Another improvement consists in forming an aperture or slot in the strap
immediately over the hammer heads, and filling it with a small piece of plate glass,
mica, or other transparent material jointed so as to make the action perfectly water
tight, all for enabling the shooter to see at once if his gun is at full cock or other-
Wise. The lever above is also perforated for the like purpose over the glass below,
thus also affording a protection for it, the lever being also perforated over the
breech nail, so that this can be screwed out or inserted without removing the lever.
An alternate improvement for so observing when the hammers are locked consists
in carrying back n segmental piece formed on the top of the hammers, working
close up to the under side of a close bevilled slit through the strap over it, so that
in looking through this hole the word "cocked" or "uncocked" could be at once
seen cut on the top edge of the hammer, indicating its position to the shooter, and
which would only show when the hammer was in these positions respectively. One
arrangement for making the safety locking lever of the triggers also lock the main
spring (which is safer than locking the hammers as is sometimes done) consists in
elongating the length of that lever so as to take into an opening or check into the
horizontal arm of a hanging stop lever over each main spring, so that as the said
stop lever is lifted to lock the triggers it would also lift the arm and lock the main
spring, or vice versa.
And it will be understood that all these improvements may be fitted on one gun
action or any number of thein which may be desired or preferred.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Mac Naughton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
January 1880.
JAMES MAC NAUGHTON, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Gunmaker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
My said Invention has reference to the new or improved construction, and
arrangement, and combination of the parts of the "action" of breech-loading fire-
arms, as guns and pistols, carried by the "shooters" for sporting or military
purposes which will make such "actions" and fire-arms more safe, convenient,
durable, and efficient than they have been as heretofore constructed.
And in order that the nature, novelty, and mode of performing my said Inven-
tion, and the putting of the improvements thereof into effect or practice may be
properly understood, I will now proceed to describe the several Figures on the
Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for that purpose, the same
reference letters and numerals representing the same or equivalent parts whero
shown.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the "breech" and "action" part of a double
barreled sportsman's gun or fowling piece, showing one modification or general
arrangement and combination of the parts thereof, constructed in accordance with
and illustrative of my said Invention or improvements as applied thereto; and
Figure 2 is an irregular horizontal section of the same with the barrels 1, 1; and
upper outer hand lever B, B', and tail plate 31 removed to show the parts of the
works inside more clearly; while Figures 3 and 4 are an elevation and plan of the
improved hand lever B, B', detached; and Figures 5 and 6 are corresponding views
of the spindle C, C¹, of this lever detached; and Figures 7 and 8 are an elevation
and plan of the combined bar and pushing plate b, 61, for securing the barrels 1, 1,
and cocking the hammers D, D', simultaneously by the lever B, B'; and Figures 9.
to 12 are like views of the locking spindle ¹, ", and lever H, h, all indicated
detached from the general arrangement of the "action shown in Figures 1
and 2.
"
Referring to these Figures 1 and 2 the breech ends 1, 1, of the barrels are con-
structed and hinged on their joint pin 2 in the forward projecting bed or securing
part 3 of the "break-off" or lump 31, with upper rear strap 31, and having the two
gripping lumps 1', 1", projecting down from the centre rib between the barrels,
and their usual slots in the bed part 3 all fitted so far much as usual.
The Invention consists, first, in improvements connected with the extractor 4, 4¹,
and its mechanism or actuating lever a, a', for giving it increased range of action,
in removing the spent cartridge cases, by having a hook or catch a' formed at the
lower end of each side of the lever a, a¹, which presses out the spindle 41 of the
extracter 4 by the opening, hinging, or swivelling up of the barrel, which raises
the link or lever a, a', and causes the hooks a¹ to take on to projections left in the
upper part of the slot at all on the bed piece 3, or on each side of the securing
bolt b, b, as this is removed, and so press out the extracter 4 by its spindle 4' much
further and swifter than it is possible to be done by the ordinary cam and swivelling
action on the upper part or arm of the usual construction of extracter lever.
Another or second improvement consists in the extension of the upper part of
rib between the barrels 1, 1, backwards at A into a vertical slot A' in the face of
the "break-off" lump 31, with a horizontal, preferably dovetailed, slot in the rib so
as to be locked by a horizontal swivelling segmental bolt B on the upper front end
of the top hand lever B, B', or it might be its spindle C, C', which also actuates the
lower locking double grip bolt b by an arm B on it, jointed to a lever C on the
lower end of the spindle C, C, fulcrumed in a journal at C¹ bearing in the upper
part of the lump 3' and strap 31, and which secures the breech end of the barrels

page_text: 1, 1, both below by the two lumps 11, 111, and by the upper extension of the rib A,
all more efficiently and simply by the action of an upper hand lever B, B¹, than by
any of the arrangements heretofore in use.
Another or third improvement consists of a new method of bringing or pressing
back the hammers D, D', to full cock simultaneously by a sliding bar or plate,
pusher b', formed or directly attached to the rear end of the double grip bolt
which raises the hammers D, D¹, automatically by the same action of the hand
lever B, B', which removes the said locking bolt b and unlocks the barrels.
Another or fourth improvement consists in the new general arrangement of the
hammers D and their members or the works of the lock, all in a portable manner,
on the trigger plate E, and all enclosed and protected with the hammers D, D¹,
ranged near the centre of the gun, as seen in Figure 2; and all removable with the
trigger plate E by the unscrewing of three or four screws, one e in front down
through the strap 3" of the action, and three others below, a long one e¹ behind the
trigger guard E¹ and short ones ell, e², at the extreme front and rear ends thereof.
The improvements of this general arrangement consist in fulcruming the two
hammers D, D1, and tumblers, which are in one piece, on a pin d through the lower
part of their tumblers D¹ in recesses d' between a central and side webs or feathers
,, d, projecting up from the trigger guard plate E. A further improvement
consisting in mounting the sere levers f, f, close over the tumblers D' and on each
side of the central feather d", so as to be actuated by a single sere spring f¹ split
down the centre in front to work both seres, and screwed at f" behind to a central
web projecting up from the trigger plate E behind the triggers F, F, which are
similarly fulcruined below the sere levers f. f, over the tumblers D' to the central
feather connected to the rear end of their respective sere levers f, f, by a notched
projection at F¹, so as to dispense with trigger springs, although these might be
used when desired.
Another improvement consists in an improved construction of connecting link
motion between the main spring G and the tumblers D' of the cock D consisting of
a short flat link swivel fitted into a vertical slot with a pin in the upper end inserted
into a fulcrum hole in each tumbler above and behind its fulcrum d, and having
the lower end rounded as a journal to work in a hollow segmental bearing in the
upper free end g of the two main springs G, so as to actuate both the hammers D, D',
in a pushing manner, or it might be the free ends g, g, of the main spring G so
rounded and working direct in a hollow bearing formed in each tumbler, as seen in
Figure 1. Or otherwise the main springs G', G', might be by another improvement
formed separately as a single bow string compressed longitudinally, as seen in
Figure 13, and detached in elevation and plan in Figure 15, the front end g being
bent up and acting as described in reference to Figures 1 and 2, and the back
end g' being simply curved down and forced into an undercut notch in the upper
face of the trigger plate E, which improved spring has the effect of increasing in
strength as the hammers approach to strike their pistons, and so lessening the force
required to actuate the main hand lever B, B', in cocking the hammers, enabling
the extracters to be thrown out with greater force and ease by the last part of
the motion of this lever, while at the same time giving a sharper blow to the
pistons c, c¹.
.
Another improvement has reference to the construction and arrangement of a
safety bolt or lever for securing the triggers F, F, while the lock is at full cock
consisting of an angular bow lever H, h, shown in elevation and plan in Figure 9,
and fulcrumed at H¹ behind the triggers F, F, to the vertical feather fe, and pressed
down or raised by an inclined slut h in its rear semi-circular end, shown in
Figure 10, and a pin h' oscillating in it on the lower end of a small vertical
oscillating spindle working down through the rear end of the strap 3" and the
vertical feather f², with a holding spring i secured at ¹ to the underside of the
strap 3, and taking into click notchess or flat recesses h² at its upper end on the
spindle above the safety lever H, so as to hold it in its locked or unlocked position,
and actuated by a small thumb lever h³ on its upper end (as seen detached in

page_text: elevation and plan in Figures 11 and 12) placed close behind the thumb piece B¹ of
the top lever B, when the word "safe" is engraved under the small lever h³ which
shows the word "safe" or covers it, according as the gun is locked or not locked
(or the words "cocked" and "uncocked" might be shown); and although not so
shown the lever H might be automatically locked by the action of a square headed
piston fitted in the rear end of the main lever B, B', below the thumb piece B¹,
which piston would be pushed in when not used to act automatically on the
lever h.
Another improvement consists in carrying the pistons c, c, back from the face 3¹
of the "break-off," where they strike the cap within their holes bored through or
immediately under the strap 3", converging towards the centre as high up as
possible, as at c¹, where the hammers strike them, as seen particularly in Figures 1
and 2, all for the purpose of giving the hammers D, D, a greater range of leverage
or swing, which are pivoted at d as low down as possible through recesses d¹ in the
trigger plate E, so that the pistons c, c', may be struck lying as high in the gun as
they can be got, giving the hammers D, D, the greatest possible sweep, which
enables light main springs to strike a sufficiently sharp or heavy blow by their
increased velocity.
Another improvement consists in forming an aperture or slot I in the strap 3" imme-
diately over the hammer heads D, D, and filling it with a small piece of plate glass I',
mica, or other transparent material, jointed so as to make the action perfectly water
tight, as scen particularly in Figure 1, all for enabling the "shooter " to see at once
if his gun is at full cock, and the lever B, B', above is also perforated at B" for the
like purpose over the glass below, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, thus also affording a
protection for it, the lever B, B¹, being also perforated over the breech nail e, so that
this can be screwed out or inserted without removing the lever B, B¹. An alternate
improvement for so observing when the hammers D, D, are "cocked" or "uncocked
consists in carrying back a segmental piece D, D, formed on the rear top ends of
the hammers D, D, working close up to the under side of a close bevelled slit, as I,
without glass or mica through the strap 31, over it, so that in looking through this
hole the word "cocked or "uncocked" could be at once seen cut on the top end
or segment of the hammer, indicating its position to the shooter, and which words
would only be visible when the hammers are at these positions respectively.
"
Figure 13 shows a sectional elevation of a gun action, substantially similar in
most respects to that shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 14, a plan of the
action and trigger plate E removed, but in this case shown as fitted and lettered
accordingly, with the new or improved longitudinal acting blade springs G¹, G¹,
herein before described, one to each tumbler D' and hammer D; and Figure 15
shows an elevation and plan of one spring G¹ detached. Instead of locking the
triggers by the lever H, h, and spindle h¹, hii, as shown in these Figures 1, 2, and
13 and 14, the hammers D, D, might be locked by a long double armed or beam
lever, as shown dotted in at J, J', shown only in dotted lines in Figure 13, fulcrumed
on the web f (analogous to the lever H), but having a catch at j at the upper end
of the arm J, taking into a holding notch in the back edge of the head of the
hammers D by the power of a light spring fitted under or at the side of the lever J
for that purpose, and released by the raising of the back arm J¹ of the lever J, J¹,
which projects slightly from a slot for the purpose in the trigger plate E behind the
trigger guard, and by the pressure of the right hand in gripping the gun just before
drawing the trigger. This arrangement of locking catch lever J, J', and its spring
automatically locks the hammers D, D, the moment they are cocked, as before
described, by the action of the hand lever B, B, and spindle C, C¹, and pushing
bar b, b, b, and which also locks and unlocks the breech-end of the barrels 1, 1,
by the sliding bolt b below; and a new or improved swivelling segment or sector
catch B is formed on the front end of the lever B, B', which is always brought back
to its normal position to lock the barrels in a straight line over the break block
strap 311 by the power of the spring C" acting on the spindle C, C', and this locking
of the hammers D' vertically locks their springs G or G³, whichever of these may be
.

page_text: used (though not direct), as they cannot act even if the sere levers for their
springs f¹ were by a jerk or accident to release the tumblers D'. It is to be under-
stood that other general arrangements or combinations of the improvements and
parts of enclosed action hammer breech-loading guns may be used than that shown
and described in Figures 1 and 2, that is, with any of the alternative improvements,
such as the improved main springs G¹, or the hammer locking lever J, J', or the
segmental heads on the hammers D, showing through a slot in the rear strap 311 for
seeing when the hammers are cocked or not, instead of the glass or mica window
I, I, for that purpose; or otherwise it might be with only one, two, or more of these
improvements combined with other ordinary arrangements for the improvements
not so introduced or used.
Figures 16, 17, and 18, are respectively a sectional side elevation, back end view
and plan of a breech loading duck gun action, with a vertical sliding block 4,
and vertical acting under hand lever 6, shown as fitted with and illustrative of the
application of several of my improvements to this class of breech-loading single
barreled guns or rifles. And Figures 19 and 20 show a back end view of the slido
block 4 and hand lever G respectively, as detached from the general arrangement,
Figures 16 to 18, in which it will be seen the block 4 is fitted to slide in its vertical
recess 5, slotted out of the solid "break-off" block or lump 51 of the action which
may be formed in one piece with the trigger plate or lower strap 511, to which the
action is secured, and has the wood "stock secured thereto enclosing the works. The
hand lever 6 is secured by a pin and collar joint at 6¹, to a snug or bracket piece 6¹¹
screwed to the front face of the chamber lamp 5, 51, or it might be the front end of
the trigger plate 511, and actuates the block 4 by a link 4 jointed to it below, and
at the top to the underside of the block; this link 41 works down through slots in
the pushing cocking bars h' and loose protecting plate E" below it, and the hori-
zontal arm 7 of the bell crank lever extracter 7, 7', above it, fulcrumed near the
lower part of its vertical arm 7, so as to act with great force and to draw the
cartridge case quickly, when the lower end of the block 4 acts on the horizontal
arm 71, the spring 71 at the back of the extracter 7, bringing it back into its recess
as soon as the lever 6 and block 4 is again raised. In this single barrel arrange-
ment, I mount the axis d of the hammer D and tumbler D¹ low down to the trigger
plate 511, as in the former arrangement Figures 1, 2, and 13, 14, but in the form of
a transverse spindle d, in journal bearings in the vertical feathers d³, d¹¹, near the
centre, and the outer check d³ of the block case 5, 51, and with the tumbler D¹
secured on the inner end of the spindle & between the journal bearing, and having
the hammer D mounted on it near the other end, close up to the inside of the said
cheek d³, all enclosed, but with a pointer d secured on its extreme outer end to
show at a glance outside, when the enclosed hammer D is cocked or uncocked. The
sere lever fis fulcrumed over the tumbler D³, on which it acts by its spring f¹
secured to the plate 511 on one side, while it is disengaged by the lateral arm fl
stretching over the trigger F, mounted and fulcrumed at Fi on the other side.
The main spring G₁ is of the new or improved longitudinal acting plain blade con-
struction, shown in detached side elevation in plan in Figure 21, and substantially
the same as described in reference to and shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15, having
the front end g rounded as a journal to work in a corresponding hollow groove
in the under back edge of the tumbler D', while the other back end g', which is
also rounded, is curved or inclined slightly down, so as to be forced or inserted into
an under-cut notch in the plate 5", to hold and secure it in proper working position
as seen in the compressed position with the hammer D, "cocked" in Figure 16, and
shown dotted in their "uncocked" positions, in which case the curve of the spring G¹
is flattened or straightened, and has then its maximum strength, which gives an
improved action and increasing force or momentum to the hammer when let go and
acting. In this arrangement, the head of the hammer D is made to project forward,
and work through a slot D" cut for it through the back upper face at one side of
the block case 5, 5', so as to be quite out of the way of the central U recess 5111
(behind and in a line with the barrel 1), for the insertion of the full, and the
1

page_text: throwing out of the spent cartridge case. The striking piston c, c', is fitted in a
horizontal angled recess, with the head laterally projecting outwards in plan, as
seen dotted in at c¹, or it might be in some cases carried straight through the
centre in the axial line of the barrel, or angled upwards also to give a longer
leverage of the hammer through the block 4, with the point c passing through the
centre of the block in the front face to pierce the cap of the cartridge, and the back
end and face formed with a good broad head at c¹, opposite the head of the hammer
D, so as to be struck by it at the side of the block 4 and its case 5, 5¹. The
hammer D is cocked by an eccentric or crank pin 611 in the moving hinge 61 of the
lever 6, jointed to the front end of the sliding or reciprocating pushing and cocking
plate or bar h, having its front end curved up so as to take into a suitable rounded
bend or groove h₁ for it in the front edge of the tumbler D', so as to turn it upwards
and backwards during the downward action of the hand lever 6, 6', and draw it
back out of the way of the tumbler in firing, by the upward action of the lever which
is locked in this position to the trigger plate 5 as usual by a spring catch 62, so as
to form the trigger guard also.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. The general construction or combination of the moving parts of double or
single barreled breech-loading guns or fire-arms with enclosed hainmer "action," all
substantially as and for the purposes or advantages herein described in reference to
and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
2. The construction and use of a lever a, with catches a' fulcrumed to and raised
with the barrel or barrels of breech-loading guns or fire-arms, for the improved
extraction of the cartridge cases, all substantially as herein described in reference to
and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 13 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
3. The construction and arrangement or combination of the top hand lever B, B¹,
with its vertical spindle C, C', and upper locking segment B, and combined lower.
locking and pushing or cocking bar h, h¹, for simultaneously unlocking the breech
end of the barrels, and cocking the hammers and locking them below and above by
the reverse action of the said hand lever in breech-loading guns or fire-arms, with
enclosed hammer " actions," all substantially as herein described in reference to
and shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
4. The general arrangement or combination of the hammers and tumblers D, D¹,
with their actuating main springs G, G¹, G', and other retaining springs, levers, and
essential connecting members of breech-loading guns or fire-aruns, with enclosed
hammer and "actions," all mounted portably on and removable with the trigger
plate E, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 1, 2,
and 13 and 14 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
5. The general arrangement and combination of the sere levers f, and their
duplex or split springs f¹ and notch connection F, with their triggers F, without
springs in enclosed hammer "actions," substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, of the accompanying Drawings, or any
mere modification thereof.
1
6. The general arrangement and combination of the parts of mechanism for
locking the triggers F by a lever H, , and actuating spindle h', h", h, spring i,
and outside lever h³ of enclosed haminer "actions," or of the alternate arrangement
for locking the haminers and their springs by a catch lever J, J', substantially as
herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 9 to 14
of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
7. The fitting of the striking pistons c, c¹, in double barreled guns or fire-arms
converging towards the centre, and those of single bareled guns or fire-arms angled

page_text: towards the side or upwards in closed hammer "actions," all substantially as and
for the purposes of being conveniently struck by their hammers, as described in
reference to and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 13, 14, and Figures 16 to 18 respectively,
of the accompanying Drawings.
8. The fitting of apertures through the top hand lever B, B¹, or through the
upper strap 3 or equivalent part above the hammers of enclosed hammer "actions,"
either fitted with glass, mica, or other transparent material, or having the segmental
head of the hammer filling the aperture, as described in reference to and shown in
Figures 1 to 4, and Figure 13 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mero modifi-
cation thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Macnaughton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
JAMES MACNAUGHTON. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mac Naughton, of the City and County of Edinburgh,
North Britain, Gunmaker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE ARMS."
Sealed the 6th January 1880, and dated the 12th July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mac Naughton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1879.
JAMES MAC NAUGHTON, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Gunmaker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE ARMS."
This Invention has reference to the new or improved construction of and arrange-
ment and combination of the parts of the action of breech-loading fire arms, as
guns and pistols carried by the shooters for sporting or military purposes, which
will make such actions and fire arms more safe, convenient, durable, and efficient
than they have been as heretofore constructed. And the nature and novelty of the
Invention or the several improvements consist all as follows:-First, to improve-
ments connected with the extractor mechanism for giving it increased range of
action in removing the spent cartridge cases, by having a hook or catch formed at
the lower end of each side of the lever, which presses out the spindle of the
extractor by the opening, hinging, or swivelling down of the barrel, which raises
the link and causes the hooks to take into projections left on the upper part of the
slot in the breech piece on each side of the securing bolt, as this is removed, and so
press out the extractor spindle much further than it is done by the ordinary cam
and swivelling action on the upper part or arm of the lever; second, another im-
provement consists in the extension of the rib between the barrels backwards into
à slot in the breech block, with a slot in it so as to be locked by a horizontal
swivelling segmental bolt on the upper part of the spindle of an arrangement of
top lever, which also actuates the lower locking double grip bolts; third, another
improvement consists of a new method of bringing or pressing the hammers to full
cock by a sliding bar directly attached to the rear end of the double grip bolt,
which raises the hammers automatically as the lever removes the said bolts;
fourth, another improvement consists in a new general arrangement of limbs or
work of the lock on the trigger plate, with the hammers ranged near the centre of
the gun, and all removable with the trigger plate by the unscrewing of three screws,

page_text: one in front down through the strap of the action, and two others below, one
behind the trigger guard, and one in front thereof.
Fifth. Another improvement consists in the construction and use of a single blado
sere spring split down the centre in front to work both seres.
Sixth. Another improvement refers to an improved construction of connecting
link motion between the main spring and tumbler or cock, consisting of a short flat
link or swivel fitted into a vertical slot, with a pin in the upper end inserted into a
fulcrum hole in the tumbler above and behind the fulcrum, and having the lower
end rounded as a journal to work in a hollow segmental bearing in the upper free
end of the main spring.
Seventh. Another improvement has reference to the construction and arrange-
ment of a safety bolt for securing the triggers, and also the main springs when
desired while the lock is at full cock, consisting of an angular bow lever fulcrumed
behind the triggers, and pressed down or raised by a slot in its rear semi-circular
end, and a pin working in it on the lower end of a small vertical oscillating spindle,
with click collar and spring at its upper end taking into curved notches on the
under side and back end of the strap, and actuated by a small thumb lever on its
upper end close behind the thumb piece of the top lever, so as either to be actuated
by hand or automatically by a spring pin fitted and working in the rear end of the
thumb part of the lever, and which is capable of being locked or released by a
spring catch fitted in the lower side of the lever.
Eighth. Another improvement consists in carrying the pistons back from the
face of the action where they strike the cap within their holes bored through or
immediately under the strap converging towards the centre as high up as possible,
where the hammers strike them, all for the purpose of giving the hammers a
greater range of leverage or swing, which are pivoted as low down as possible
through the edge or bottom of the trigger plate, so that the pistons may be struck,
lying as high in the gun as they can be got, giving the hammers the greatest
possible sweep, which enables light main springs to strike a sufficiently heavy
blow.
Wise.
Ninth. Another improvement consists in forming an aperture or slot in the strap
immediately over the hammer heads, and filling it with a small piece of plate glass,
mica, or other transparent material jointed so as to make the action perfectly water
tight, all for enabling the shooter to see at once if his gun is at full cock or other-
The lever above is also perforated for the like purpose over the glass below,
thus also affording a protection for it, the lever being also perforated over the
brecch nail, so that this can be screwed out or inserted without removing the lever.
An alternate improvement for so observing when the hammers are locked consists
in carrying back a segmental piece formed on the top of the hammers, working
close up to the under side of a close bevilled slit through the strap over it, so that
in looking through this hole the word "cocked" or "uncocked "could be at once
seen cut on the top edge of the hammer, indicating its position to the shooter, and
which would only show when the hammer was in these positions respectively. One
arrangement for making the safety locking lever of the triggers also lock the main
spring (which is safer than locking the hammers as is sometimes done) consists in
elongating the length of that lever so as to take into an opening or check into the
horizontal arm of a hanging stop lever over each main spring, so that as the said
stop lever is lifted to lock the triggers it would also lift the arm and lock the main
spring, or vice versa.
And it will be understood that all these improvements may be fitted on one gun
action or any number of them which may be desired or preferred.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Mac Naughton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
January 1880.
JAMES MAC NAUGHTON, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain,
Gunmaker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
My said Invention has reference to the new or improved construction, and
arrangement, and combination of the parts of the "action" of drop down breech-
loading fire-arms, as guns and pistols, carried by the "shooters with enclosed
hammers for sporting or military purposes which will make such "nctions" and
fire-arms more safe, convenient, durable, and efficient than they have been-us
heretofore constructed.
And in order that the nature, novelty, and mode of performing my said Inven-
tion, and the putting of the improvements thereof into effect or practice may be
properly understood, I will now proceed to describe the several Figures on the
Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for that purpose, the same
reference letters and numerals representing the same or equivalent parts where
shown.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the "breech" and "action" part of a double
barreled sportsman's gun or fowling piece, showing one modification or general
arrangement and combination of the parts thereof; constructed in recordance with
and illustrative of my said Invention or improvements as applied thereto; and
Figure 2 is an irregular horizontal section of the same with the barrels 1, 1, and
upper outer hand lever B, B', and tail plate 3" removed to show the parts of the
works inside more clearly while Figures 3 and 4 are an elevation and plan of the
improved hand-lever B, B', detached; and Figures 5 and 6 are corresponding views
of the spindle C, C', of this lever detached; and Figures 7 and 8 are an elevation
and plan of the combined bar and pushing plate b, b', for securing the barrels 1; 1;
and cocking the hammers D. D', simultaneously by the lever B. B's and Figures 9
to 12 are like views of the locking spindle--"; und lever H;-, all indiented
detached from the general arrangement of the "action" chown in Figures
and
Referring to these Figures 1 and 2 the breech ends 1, 1, of the barrels are con-
structed and hinged on their joint pin 2 in the forward projecting bed or securing
part 3 of the break off" or lump 3', with upper rear strap 3", and having the two
gripping lumps 1' 1", projecting d down from the centre rib between the barrels,
and their usual-slots in the bed-part-3 all fitted so far much as usual.
The Invention consists, first, in-improvements connected with the extractor 1, 1';
and its mechanism or netunting lever a, a' for giving it increased range of nation,
in removing the spent cartridge cases, by having a hook or enteh-a' formed at the
lower end of each side of the lever a, a', which presses out the spindle 1' of the

page_text: extracter 1 by the opening, hinging, or swivelling up of the barrel, which raises
the link or lever-a, a', and enuses the hooks a' to take on to projections left in the
upper part of the clot at a" on the bed fieee 3, or on each side of the securing
bolt b, ', as this is removed, and so press out the extraeter 1 by its spindle 4'-much
further and swifter than it is possible to be done by the ordinary cam and swivelling
nction on the upper part or arin of the usual construction of extracter lever.
Another or second improvement consists in the extension of the upper part of
rib between the barrels 1, 1, backwards at A into a vertical slot A' in the face of
the break-off hump 3', with a horizontal, preferably dovetailed, clot in the rib se
as to be locked by a horizontal swivelling segmental bolt B on the upper front end
of the top hand lever B, B', or it might be its spindle C, C, which also netuates the
lower locking double grip bolt 6 by an arm B" on it, jointed to a lever (" on the
lower-end-of-the spindle-C, C', fulcrumed in a journal at (" bearing in the upper
part of the lump 3' and strap 3", and which secures the breech end of the barrels
1,1, both below by the two lumps 1', 11, and by the upper extension of the rib A,
ull more efficiently and simply by the action of an upper hand-lever B, B', than by
any of the arrangements heretofore in use.
Another or third improvement consists of a new method of bringing or pressing
back the hammers D, D', to full cock simultaneously by a sliding bar or plate,
pusher '; formed or directly attached to the rear end of the double grip bolt b
which raises the hammers D, D', automatically by the same nction of the hand
lever B, B', which removes the said locking boltband unlocks-the-barrels.
Another or fourth improvement consists in the new general arrangement-of-the
hammers D and their members or the works of the lock, all in a portable manнег;
on the trigger plate E, and all-enclosed and protected with the hammers D, D';
ranged near the centre of the gun, as seen in Figure 2; and all removable with the
trigger plate E by the unscrewing of three or four screws, one-e in front down
through the strap 3" of the action, and three others below, a long one behind the
trigger guard E' and short ones e", at the extreme front and rear ends thereof.
The improvements of this general arrangement consist in fuleruming the two
hammers D, D', and tumblers, which are in one piece, on a pin d through the lower
part of their tumblers D'in recesses-d' between à central and side webs or feathers
ddd² projecting-up from the trigger guard plate E. A further improvement
consisting in mounting the sere levers/-;-close over the tumblers-D'-and on-ench
side of the central feather-d", so as to be netuated by a single sere spring / split
down the centre in front to work both-seres, and screwed at /" behind to a central
web-projecting up from the trigger plate E behind the triggers", ", which re
similarly fulerumed below the sere levers /-/-over the tumblers D' to the central
feather d-connected to the rear end of their respective-sere-levers /,/, by a notched
projection-at, so as to dispense with trigger springs, although these might be
used when desired.
11
Another improvement consists in an improved construction of connecting link
motion between the main spring G and the tumblers D' of the cock D consisting of
n-short flat-link swivel fitted into a vertical slot with a pin in the upper and inserted
into a fulerum hole in each tumbler above and behind its fulerum d, and having
the lower end-rounded as a journal to work in a hollow segmental bearing in the
upper free-end g of the two main springs G, so as to netuate both the hammers D, D';
in a pushing manner, or it might be the free ends-g,g, of the main spring (80
rounded and working direct in a hollow bearing formed in each tumbler, as seen in
Figure 1. Or otherwise the main springs G, G', might be by another improvement
formed separately as a single bow string compressed longitudinally, as seen in
Figure 13, and detached in elevation and plan in Figure 15, the front end y being
bent up-and-neting as described in reference to Figures 1 and 2, and the back
end-g' being simply curved down and forced into an underent notch in the upper
free-of-the-trigger plate E, which improved string has the effect of increasing in
strength as the hammers approach to strike their pistons, and so lessening the foree
required to actuate the main-hand lever B, B'. in eveking the hammers, enabling

page_text: the extracters to be thrown out with greater force and ease by the last part of
the motion of this lever, while at the same time giving a sharper blow to the
pistons-cr-c'
Another improvement has reference to the construction and arrangement of #
enfety bolt or lever for securing the triggers F. F. while the lock is at full cock
consisting of an angular bow lever H, /, shown in elevation and plan in Figure
and fulcrumed at 11' behind the triggers E, F, to the vertical feather f², and pressed
down or raised by an inclined sloth in its rear semi-circular end, shown in
Figure 19, and a tin / oscillating in it on the lower end of a small vertical
oscillating spindle "-working down through the rear end of the strap 3" and the
vertical feather 2 with a holding spring i-secured at i to the underside of the
strap 3" and taking into click notchess or flint recesses /² at its upper end on the
spindle above the safety lever H, so as to hold it in its locked or unlocked position,
and actuated by a small thumb-lever h³-on-its upper end (as seen detached in
elevation and plan in Figures 11 and 12) placed close behind the thumb piece-B'-of
the top lever B, when the word "safe" is engraved under the small lever h³ which
shows the word "safe" or covers it, recording as the gun is locked or not locked
(or the words cocked" and "uncocked" might be shown); and although not co
shown the lever 11 might be automatically locked by the nation of a square headed
Fiston fitted in the rear end of the main lever B, B', below the thumb piece B',
which piston would be pushed in when not used to act automatically on the
lever-h
Another improvement consists in carrying the pistons c, c, of drop down guns with
enclosed hammer action back from the face 31 of the "break-off," where they strike
the cap within their holes bored through or immediately under the strap 31, con-
verging towards the centre of the action as high up as possible, as at e, where the
hammers strike them, as seen particularly in Figures 1 and 2, all for the purpose of
giving the hammers D, D, a greater range of leverage or swing, which are pivoted
at d as low down as possible through in recesses d in the trigger plate E, se in order
that the pistons c, c', may be struck lying as high in the gun as they can be got,
giving the hammers D, D, the greatest possible sweep, which enables light main
springs to be employed and to strike a sufficiently sharp or heavy blow by their
increased velocity.
Another improvement consists in forming an aperture or slot I in the strap 3" imme
diately over the hammer heads D, D, and filling it with a small piece of plate glass!';
mien, or other transparent material, jointed to us to make the action perfectly water
tight, as seen particularly in Figure 1, all for enabling the shooter" to see at once
if his gun is at full cock, and the lever B, B', above is also perforated at B" for the
like purpose over the glass below, as seen in Figures 3 and 1, thus also affording a
protection for it, the lever B, B', being also perforated over the breech mail-e, so that
this can be screwed out or inserted without removing the lever B, B'. An alternate
improvement for so observing when the hammers D, D, are cocked" or "uncocked"
consists in carrying back a segmental piece D, D, formed on the rear top ends of
the hammers D, D, working close-up to the underside of a close bevelled slit, as I,
without glass or mien through the strap 3", over it, so that in looking through this
hole the word cocked" or "uncocked" could be at once seen out on the top end
or segment of the hummer, indienting its position to the shooter, and which words
would only be visible when the hammers are at these positions respectively.
Figure 13 shows a sectional elevation of a-gun nction, substantially similar in
most respects to that shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 11, a plan of the
action and trigger plate E-removed, but in this case shown as fitted and lettered
necordingly, with the new or improved longitudinal neting blade springs (+) (+);
hereinbefore described, one to each tumbler D' and hummer D; and Figure 15
shows an elevation and plan of one spring ("' detached. Instead of locking the
triggers by the lever H, /, and spindle h',h", as shown in these Figures 1, 2, and
13 and 11, the hammers D, D. might be locked by a long double armed or beam
lever, as shown-dotted in at J,J', chown only in dotted lines in Figure 13, fulerumed

page_text: on the web (analogous to the lever H), but having a catch at j at the upper end
of the arm-J, taking into a holding notch in the limek edge of the head of the
hammers by the power of a light spring fitted under or at the side of the lever J
for that purpose, and released by the rising of the back arm-J' of the lever J,J';
which projects slightly from a slot for the purpose in the trigger plate E behind the
trigger guard, and by the pressure of the right hand in gripping the gun just before
drawing the trigger. This arrangement of locking entch lever J, J', and its spring
automatically locks the hammers D, D, the moment they are cocked, ns-before
described, by the nation of the hand lever B, B', and spindle C, C³, and pushing
bar-,--and which also locks and unlocks the breech-end of the barrels 1, 1,
by the sliding bolt-/-below; and a new or improved swivelling segment or sector
entch B is formed on the front end of the lever B. B', which is always brought back
to its normal position to lock the barrels in a straight line over the break block
strap 3" by the power of the spring C" neting on the spindle C, C', and this locking
of the hammers D', vertically locks their springs G or G, whichever of these may be
used (though not direct), as they cannot net even if the sere levers for their
springs were by a jerk or accident to release the tumblers D'. It is to be under-
stood that other general arrangements or combinations of the improvements and
parts of enclosed action hammer breech-lending guns may be used than that shown
and described in Figures 1 and 2, that is, with any of the alternative improvements,
such as the improved main springs G', or the hummer locking lever J, J', or the
segmental-heads on the hummers D, chowing through a slot in the rear strap 3" for
seeing when the hammers are cocked or not, instead of the glass or mien window
1, 1', for that purpose; or otherwice it might be with only one, two, or more of these
improvements combined with other ordinary arrangements for the improvements
not so introduced or used.
Figures 16, 17, and 18, are respectively a sectional side elevation, back end view
and plan of a breech loading duck gun nction, with a vertical sliding block,
and vertical acting under hand lever G, shown as fitted with and illustrative of the
application of several of my improvements to this class of breech londing single
hurreled gumm or rifler. And Figures IP and 20 show a buck and view of the slide
block 4 and hand lever i respectively, as detached from the general arrangement,
Figures 16 to 18, in which it will be seen the block 1 is fitted to slide in its vertical
recess slotted out of the solid break-off" block or lum; 5' of the nation which
may be formed in one piece with the trigger plate or lower strap 5" to which the
nction is secured, and-hus the woodstock secured thereto enclosing the works. The
hand lever is secured by a fin and collar joint at 6', to u snug or bracket jiere 611
screwed to the front-face of the chamber lamp 5, 3'; or it might be the front end of
the trigger plate 5", and actuates the block 1 by a link 4'-jointed to it below, and
at the top to the underside of the block: this link 1' works down through clots in
the pushing cocking bars /-and-louse protecting plate E" below it, and the hori
zontal arm 7'-of the bell-crank-lever extracter 7, 71, above it, fulerumed near-the
lower part of its vertical-arm-7; 50 ns to net with great force and to draw the
cartridge-ense-qquickly, when the lower end of the block 1 nets on the horizontal
arm 7, the spring" at the back of the extracter, bringing it back into its recess
as soon as the lever-6 and block 4 is again raised. In this single barre! arrange
ment, I mount the axis d of the hammer and tumbler D'-low down to the trigger
plate as in the former arrangement Figures 1, 2, and 18, 11, but in the form of
a transverse-spindle d, in journal bearings in the vertical fenthers d², d", near the
centre, and the outer check d³ of the block ense 5, 5', and with the tumbler D¹
secured on the inner-end of the spindle-d-between the journal bearing, and having
the hammer D-mounted on it near the other end, close up to the inside of the said
cheek-d, all enclosed, but with a pointer-"" secured on its extreme outer end to
show at a glance outside, when the enclosed hammer Discorked or uneoeked. The
sere lever is fulcrumed over the tumbler D', on which it nets by its spring/
secured to the plate 5" on one side, while it is disengaged by the lateral-arm/"
stretching over the trigger F, mounted-and-fulerumed-at-En-on-the-other-side.
11

page_text: The main spring G'is of the new or improved longitudinal acting plain blade-con-
struction, shown in detached side elevation in plan in Figure 21, and substantially
the same as described in reference-to-and-shown in Figures 12, 14, and 10, having
the front end-g-rounded as a journal to work in a corresponding-hollow-groove
in the under buck edge of the tumbler D', while the other back end-g' which is
also-rounded, is-eurved or inclined slightly down, so as to be forced or inserted into
an under ent notch in the plate 5", to hold and secure it in proper working position
as seen in the compressed position with the hammer D, "rocked" in Figure 16, and
shown dotted in their "uncorked" positions, in which case the curve of the spring (
is Huttened or straightened, and has then its-maximum-strength, which gives an
improved-netion and increasing forer-or-momentum-to-the hammer when let go and
neting. In this arrangement, the head of the hammer Dis-made-to-project forward.
and work through a slot D" Tue for it through the back-upper-face nt-one side of
the block-ense-5, 51, so as to be quite out of the way of the-central U-recess-*111
(behind and in a line with the barrel 1), for the insertion of the full, and the
throwing-out-of-the-spent-eartridge ease. The striking piston-c-'-is-fitted-in-n
horizontal-angled recess, with the head laterally projecting outwards in plan, as
seen dotted-in-at-c"; or it might be in some cases enrried straight through-the
centre in the axial line of the barrel, or angled-upwards-also-to-given-longer
leverage of the hammer through the block 1, with the point-c-pussing through the
centre of the block in the front free-to-pierce the cap of the cartridge, and the back
end and face formed with a good broad head at c', opposite the head of the hammer
D. so as to be struck by it-at-the-side of the block 1 and-its-ease-5, 5': The
hammer Dis cocked by an eccentric or crank pin 6" in the moving hinge 6'-of-the
lever G, jointed to the front end of the sliding or reciprocating pushing and cocking
plate or bar, having its front end curved up so us to take into a suitable rounded
bend or groove-2 for it in the front edge of the tumbler D', so as to turn it upwards
and backwards during the downward nation of the hand-lever-6, 6',-and-draw-it
back out of the way of the tumbler in firing, by the upward action of the lever-which
is locked-in-this-position to the trigger-plate-> as usual by a spring eatch 62,-so-us
to form the trigger guard also.
-per-
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of 1
forming the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but-what-1-consider to be novel-and-original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is what I claim is,-
1. The general construction-or-combination of the moving parts of double or
single barreled breech loading guns-or-fire-arms-with-enclosed hammer "nction," all
substantially as and for the purposes or advantages herein described in reference to
and shown in the necompanying Drawings, or any-mere-modification thereof.
2. The construction and use of a lever a, with eatches a' fulerumed to and raised
with the barrel or barrels of breech-loading guns or fire arms, for the improved
extraction of the cartridge cases, all substantially as herein described in reference to
and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 13 of the necompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
3. The construction and arrangement or combination of the top hand lever B, B';
with its vertien! spindle C, C); and upper locking segment B, and combined lower
locking and pushing or cocking bur h; h', for simultaneously unlocking the breech
end of the barrels, and cocking the hammers and locking them below and above by
the reverse-netion of the said hand lever in breech loading guns or fire arms, with
enclosed hammer actions," all substantially-us herein described in reference to
and shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 1 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
1. The general arrangement or combination of the hummers and tumblers D, D';
with their netunting main springs G, (i)(i), and other retaining springs, levers, and
essential connecting members of breech leading guns or fire arms, with enclosed

page_text: hammer and actions," all mounted portably on and removable with the trigger
plate-E, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 1,
and 13 and 14 of the necompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
5. The general arrangement and combination of the sere levers f, and their
duplex or split springs and notch connection ", with their triggers F, without
springs in enclosed hummer "nctions," substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in Figures 12, 13, and 11, of the necompanying Drawings, or any
mere modifiention thereof.
6. The general arrangement and combination of the parts of mechanism for
locking the triggers F by a lover-11, h, and netuating spindle-h³, h", h", spring-is
and outside lever /³ of enclosed hummer "nctions," or of the alternate arrangement
for locking the hammers and their springs by a-entch lever-J,-J', substantially as
herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 9 to 14
of the necompanying Drawings, or any mere modification-thereof.
The In drop down fire arms with enclosed hammer action fitting of the striking
pistons, e, in double burreled guns or fire arms converging towards the centre, and
those of single bureled gune or fire-arms angled towards the side or upwards in
closed hammer "nctions," all substantially as and for the purposes of being con-
veniently struck by their hammers, as described in reference to and shown in
Figures 1, 2, and 13, 11, and Figures 16 to 18 respectively, of the accompanying
Drawings.
8. The fitting of apertures through the top hand lever B. B', or through the
upper strap 3" or equivalent part above the hammers of enclosed hammer "actions,"
either fitted with glass, mien, or other transpurent material, or having the segmental
head of the hammer filling the aperture, as described in reference to and shown in
Figures 1 to 1, and Figure 13 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modifi
ention thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Macnaughton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.