IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE
Year: 1884

page_text: I GEORGE QUICK of Chipping Campden in the County of Gloucester, Chief
Engineer, Royal Navy do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE" to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in the mechanism described in my former
Patents "Breechloading Mechanism for Ordnance" A.D. 1880. N° 256 and
Brecchloading Mechanism for Ordnance" A.D. 1881. Nº 2251.
st
The objects of these improvements are to obtain a greater amount of strength in
the breech of the gun, greater facility for firing, better obturation and to provide a
simpler arrangement for working the breech mechanism by fluid pressure.
A greater amount of strength in the breech of the gun is obtained firstly, by
forming the end of the sliding carriage which acts as a guide for the insertion of the
charge into the gun of a reduced size so that a smaller amount of the metal of
the gun has to be cut away to form the receptacle of the said sliding-carriage;
secondly, by fitting the said sliding carriage with projecting lugs on the upper
and lower sides of its rear part fitting into corresponding recesses in the rear part
of the carriage way in the gun, so as to tic these parts together and thus help to
resist any tendency there may be when the gun is fired to open the rear part of
the said carriage way Also I modify the construction of the sliding carriage by
fitting it into the carriage way with grooves in both the sliding carriage and the
gun corresponding with each other, and fitting in the said grooves steel keys to
help resist the backward strain of the gas pressure by which means the perfect
fitting of the surfaces of the said keys in the grooves is more easily effected than
when the Lands are formed out of the solid metal of the sliding carriage to fit the
grooves in the gun.
The improvement in the firing apparatus has for its objects, firstly, the automatic
closing of the vent by a sliding shutter securing the firing primer in its place by
the single movement of the breech screw lever in closing the chamber of the gun;
secondly, the prevention of the firing of the charge until the breech screw is
completely screwed up; thirdly, the automatic opening of the vent and the
extraction of the exploded primer by the single movement of the breech-screw lever
when opening the powder chamber for the gun to be loaded; fourthly, in case of
nisfire, to permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent without difficulty
or necessity for opening the breech of the gun, or moving the breech screw lever.
When this firing apparatus therefore is used in conjunction with my breechloading

page_text: mechanisin the following operations are performed by only one simple movement
of the breech screw lever;-first, the breech screw obturator is liberated from the
powder chamber; second, the breech screw and sliding carriage are moved on one
side and the loading tray of the sliding carriage is brought into position for the
gun to be loaded; third, the vent is opened; fourth, the exploded friction tube, or
firing primer, is extracted from the vent; fifth, the firing apparatus is put into the
safety position as soon as the breech screw lever is moved.
When the gun has been charged and the firing primer placed in the vent only
one simple movement of the lever in the reverse direction performs the following
operations; first, the sliding carriage is brought back to the firing position; second,
the breech screw with obturator closes the rear of the powder chamber gas tight;
third, the firing primer is secured in the vent by the sliding shutter and the vent
is effectively closed; fourth, the firing apparatus is brought into the firing position
only when the powder chamber is perfectly closed fifth, the lever is locked to the
gun by a spring catch so that the chamber cannot be opened until the spring is
compressed.
These objects are effected as follows:-The firing apparatus consists of a vent
passing through the axis of the breech screw with an enlarged chamber at the rear
end of the vent adapted to receive a firing primer in the ordinary manner but the
rear end of the breech scrow is prolonged a short distance beyond the breech screw
lover, and in this prolongation I form a slot or guide with grooves in which a vent
shutter is adapted to slide easily to and fro directly in rear of the enlarged chamber
of the vent. The other end of the vent shutter slides on the rear face of ono end
of the breech screw lever to which it is freely secured by one or more pius passing
through an elongated slot in the said lever. One of these pins projects through the
forward side of the lever and engages in a curved guide secured to the rear face of
the breech of the gun, part of which guide is eccentric to the centre of the said
breech screw, so that as the breech screw is turned through one part of its travel
the vent shutter is caused to move to or from the centre of the breech screw and
thus to automatically close or open the vent; On the forward side of the sliding
shutter is a projecting toe piece, or catch, which operates on a cartridge or primer
extractor hinged to the breech screw directly over the chamber of the firing primer,
so that on the vent shutter uncovering the vent the toe piece actuates the extractor
which throws out the firing primer. The vent shutter may be adapted to use
friction primers, or electric fuses. When friction primers or electric fuses are to be
used I form that end of the shutter, which covers the primer, with a narrow slot so
as to pass easily on each side of the friction pin or insulated wires in the centre of
the primer.
The end of the slot which is directly in line with the friction pin of the primer
when the breech is perfectly closed I enlarge somewhat, and on the friction pin of
the primer close to the base of the said primer I form a small collar of greater
diameter than the said friction pin so that it cannot be drawn through the slot in
the vent shutter until the latter is completely home and the enlarged part of the
slot is directly in line with the collar of the friction pin, so that premature firing
before the chamber of the gun is perfectly closed is rendered impossible. A similar
form of sliding shutter is used when the firing of the gun is to be effected by
electricity, but it is not necessary in that case to enlarge any part of the slot.
To permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent in case of misfire or
under any other circumstances 1 form one part of the upper side of the curved
guide which actuates the ventshutter movable on the main part of the said curved
When it is desired to
guide but held in position by a guide plate and spring catch.
extract the primer the spring catch of the movable part is pressed down and the
movable piece drawn back by one hand of the operator; the ventshutter is then
drawn back sharply by the other hand, by which the vent is opened and the firing
primer extracted from the vent without the breechscrew being moved,
primer can be then inserted, the ventshutter closed, and the sliding piece of the
guide returned into its place and secured to the gun by the spring catch.
A fresh

page_text: The improvement in the obturator or gascheck consists in fitting a cylindrical
metal ring into a recess in the rear of the powder chamber, the interior diameter of
the ring being less than the diameter of the powder chamber, but sufficiently large
for the projectile and cartridge to be passed through it easily; the rear end of the
exterior of the ring is of greater diameter than the forward end, the two exterior
diamoters being connected by a conical or conoidal surface. The recess which
receives the ring has a corresponding conical or conoidal surface against which the
ring is forced up by the breechscrew. The cylindrical part of the recess has one or
more grooves cut in its surfaco so as to reduce the bearing surface of the metal on
the ring. As the surface of the forward or muzzle end of the ring is freely exposed
to the pressure of the gas whilst the rear end is not so exposed the tendency of
the gas pressure will be to drive the ring back upon the breechscrew. The face of
the brecchscrew may have a flat surface to bear against a corresponding flat surface
on the rear of the gas ring, but I prefer to mount an expanding valve face on the
breechscrew consisting of a plate of metal presenting a concentric corrugated
surface to the powder charge and having a conically shaped periphery fitting into a
conical seating formed in the rear end of tho gas ring. On the charge being fired
the gas pressure flattens the corrugated plate somewhat by which the periphery is
expanded tightly into the conical scating in the gas ring, the gas ring being at the
same time pressed backwards unto the corrugated plate and also expanded tightly
into its seating in the gun by the said gas pressure.
Now although I have described the method of actuating the breech mechanism
directly by hand, yet I would have it understood that this breech mechanism may
be actuated in large guns by a pinion gearing into a wheel fixed on the breechscrow
as described in my Patent No 2251 of A.D. 1881; or by incans of hydraulic or
compressed-air mechanism as described in my Patent N° 256 of A.D. 1880. But to
use fluid pressure with this mechanism I employ only one cylinder and a piston
connected with a rack gearing with a wheel fixed on the breechscrew; and on the
said breechscrew I aflix also a lever having an arm which carries the pin by which
the sliding carriago is moved and also carries the ventshutter. By theso means tho
breechscrew, the ventshutter, the extractor, and the sliding carriage are actuated by
one movement of the lever of the cock or valve which admits the fluid pressure to
the cylinder.

page_text: I GEORGE QUICK of Chipping Campden in the county of Gloucester, Chief
Engineer, Royal Navy do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE" and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the mechanism described in the
specification of my former patents for "Breechloading mechanism for ordnance"
N° 250 of 1880 and "Breechloading mechanism for ordnance N° 2251 of 1881
respectively.
The objects of these improvements are to obtain a greater amount of strength in
the breech of the gun, greater facility for firing the charge, better obturation, and
to provide a simpler arrangement for working the breech nechanism by fluid
pressure.
A greater amount of strength in the breech of the gun is obtained, firstly, by
forming the end of the sliding carriago which acts as a guide for the insertion of
the charge into the gun of a reduced size so that a smaller amount of the metal of
the gun has to be cut away to form the receptacle of the said sliding-carriage.
Secondly, by fitting the said sliding carriage with projecting lugs on the upper
and lower sides of its rear part fitting into corresponding recesses in the rear part
of the carriage way in the gun so as to tie these parts together and thus help to
resist any tendency there may be when the gun is fired to open the rear part of the
said carriage way. Also I modify the construction of the sliding carriage by
fitting it into the carriage-way with grooves in both the sliding carriage and the
gun corresponding with each other and fitting in the said grooves steel keys to help
resist the backward strain of the gas pressure, by which incans the perfect fitting
of the surfaces of the said keys in the grooves is more easily effected than when the
Lands are forined out of the solid metal of the sliding carriage to fit the grooves in
the gun.
The improvement in the firing apparatus has for its object, firstly, the automatic
closing of the vent by a sliding shutter securing the firing primer in its place by
the single movement of the breech screw lever in closing the chamber of the gun.
Secondly, the prevention of the firing of the charge until the breech screw is
completely screwed up, thirdly, the automatic opening of the vent and the
extraction of the exploded primer by the single movement of the brecchi screw lever
when opening the powder chamber for the gun to be loaded; fourthly, in case of
misfire, to permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent without difliculty
or necessity for opening the breech of the gun or moving the breech screw lever.
When this firing apparatus therefore is used in conjunction with my breech-loading
mechanism the following operations are performed by only one simple movement of
the breech screw lover:-first, the breech screw obturator is liberated from the
powder chamber; second, the breech screw and sliding carriage are moved on one
side and the loading tray of the sliding carriage in brought into position for the gun
to be loaded; third, the vent is opened; fourth, the exploded friction tube, or
firing primer is extracted from the vent; fifth, the firing apparatus is put into the
safely position as soon as the breach screw lever is moved.
When the gun has been charged and the firing primer placed in the vent only
one simple movement of the lever in the reverse direction performs the following
operations-first, the sliding carriage is brought back to the firing position;
second, the breech screw with obturator closes the rear of the powder chamber gas

page_text: tight; third, the firing primer is secured in the vent by the sliding shutter and the
vent is effectively closed; fourth; the firing apparatus is brought into the firing
position only when the powder chamber is perfectly closed; fifth, the lever is
locked to the gun by a spring catch so that the chamber cannot be opened until tho
spring is compressed.
These objects are effected as follows:-The firing apparatus consists of a vent
passing through the axis of the breech screw with an enlarged chamber at the rear
end of the vent adapted to receive a firing primer in the ordinary manner but the
rear end of the breech screw is prolonged a short distance beyond the breech screw
lever and in this prolongation 1 form a slot or guide with grooves in which a vent
shutter is adapted to slide easily to and fro directly in rear of the enlarged
chamber of the vent. The other end of the vent shutter slides on the rear face of
one end of the breech screw lever to which it is freely socured by one or more pins
passing through an elongated slot in the said lever. One of these pins projects
ihrough the forward side of the lever and engages in a curved guide secured to the
rear face of the breech of the gun, part of which guide is eccentric to the centre of
the said breech screw so that as the breech screw is turned through one part of
its travel the vent shutter is caused to move to or from the centre of the brocch
scrow and thus to automatically close or open the vent. On the forward side of the
sliding shutter is a tocpiece or catch which operates on a cartridge or primer
extractor which extractor consisting of a lever having two arms hinged to the
breech screw directly over the chamber of the firing primer which lever imparts
motion to a piece of inetal which forms a portion of the rear part of the primer
chamber, so that on the vent shutter uncovering the vent, the toe piece actuates
the extractor which throws out the firing primer. The vent shutter may be
adapted to use friction priners percussion primers or electric fuses. When friction
primers or electric fuses are to be used I form that end of the shutter which covers
the primer with a narrow slot so as to pass casily on each side of the friction pin
or insulated wires in the centre of the primer.
The end of the slot which is directly in line with the friction pin of the primer
when the breech is perfectly closed I enlarge somewhat and on the friction pin of
the primer close to the base of the said primer, I form a small collar of greater
diameter than the said friction pin, so that it cannot be drawn through the slot in
the vent shutter until the latter is completely home and the enlarged part of the
slot is directly in line with the collar of the friction pin so that premature firing
before the chamber of the gun is perfectly closed is rendered impossible. A similar
form of sliding shutter is used when the firing of the gun is to be effected by
electricity but it is not necessary in that case to enlarge any part of the slot. To
permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent in case of misfire, or under
any other circumstances, I form one part of the upper side of the curved guide
which actuates the vent shutter moveable on the main part of the said curved
guide but held in position by a guide plate and spring catch. When it is desired
to extract the primer the spring catch of the moveable part is pressed down and
the moveable piece drawn back by one hand of the operator; the vent shutter is
then drawn back sharply by the other hand by which the vent is opened and the
firing primer extracted from the vent without the breech screw being moved. A
fresh primer can be then inserted the vent shutter closed and the sliding piece of
the guide returned into its place and secured to the gun by the spring catch.
This vent closing arrangement is applicable to other description of breech loading
guns. The improvement in the obturator or gas check consists in fitting a
cylindrical metal ring into a recess in the rear of the powder chamber, the interior
diameter of the ring being less than the diameter of the powder chamber, but
sufficiently large for the projectile and cartridge to be passed through it easily; the
rear end of the exterior of the ring is of greater diameter than the forward end of the
two exterior diameters being connected by a conical or conoidal surface. The
recess which receives the ring has a corresponding conical or conoidal surface
against which the ring is forced up by the breech screw. The cylindrical part of

page_text: the recess has one or more grooves cut in its surface so as to reduce the bearing
surface of the metal on the ring. As the surface of the forward or muzzle end of
the ring is freely exposed to the pressure of the gas whilst the rear end is not so
exposed the tendency of the gas pressure will be to drive the ring back upon the
breechscrew. The face of the breechscrew may have a flat surface to hear against
a corresponding flat surface on the rear of the gas ring, but I prefer to mount an
expanding valve face on the breechscrew consisting of a plate of metal presenting
a concentric corrugated surface to the powder charge and having a conically shaped
periphery fitting into a conical seating formed in the rear end of the gas ring.
On the charge being fired the gas pressure flattens the corrugated plate somewhat
by which the periphery is expanded tightly into the conical seating in the gas
ring; the gas ring being at the same time pressed backwards unto the corrugated
plate, and also expanded tightly into its seating in the gun by the said gas pressure.
Now although I have described the method of actuating the breech mechanism
directly by hand, yet I would have it understood that this breech mechanism may
be actuated in large guns by a pinion gearing into a wheel fixed on the breach
screw as described in the specification of my patent No 2251 of 1SS1; or by means
of hydraulic or compressed air mechanism as described in the specification of my
patent No 256 of 1880. But to use fluid pressure with this mechanism 1 now
employ only one cylinder and a piston connected with a rack gearing with a wheel
fixed on the breechscrew; and on the said breechscrew 1 affix also a lever having
an arm which carries the piu by which the sliding carriage is moved and also
carries the vent shutter. By these means the breechscrew, the vent shutter, the
extractor and the sliding carriage are actuated by one movement of the lever of the
cock or valve which admits the fluid pressure to the cylinder.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
Figure 1, represents an end view of a gun embodying my invention as applied
to ordnance of moderate size shewing the breech closed, and primer chamber.
covered by the vent shutter, ready for the gun to be fired. Figure 1 A represents an
end view of the gun shewing the breech opened and primer chamber uncovered
ready for the gun to be loaded and the primer inserted.
Figure 2, represents an elevation of the right hand side of the gun.
Figure 3, represents an elevation of the left hand side of the gun.
Figure 4, represents a vertical longitudinal section of part of the gun, with
breech closed as when ready for firing.
Figure 5, represents a horizontal section through the axis of a portion of the
gun with breech closed as when ready for firing.
Figure 5 A represents a vertical transverse section of the gun at a, b, in figure 5,
shewing the location of the breechscrew, sliding carriage and loading tray when
the gun is ready for firing. Figure 6, represents on an enlarged scale an end view
of the breechscrew shewing the primer chamber, the two armed lever hinged to the
breechscrew and the primer extractor. Figure 6a represents a front view of the
extractor. Figure Gb, represents a side elevation of the two armed lever in
connection with the primer extractor. Figure 7, represents the front face of the
vent shutter which covers the primer chamber and slides on the rear face of the
breechscrew lever.
Figure 7a, represents on an enlarged scale a vertical section of the vent shutter.
Figure 8, represents on an enlarged scule a horizontal section of the moveable
slide which permits the vent shutter to be withdrawn by hand to extract the
primer when the breech of the gun is closed.
Figure 9 represents a vertical longitudinal section of part of the powder chamber
and breechscrew shewing the arrangement of the gas ring in the chamber and of
the valve face on the breechscrew for obturation.
Figure 10, represents an elevation of the breech of a gun of largo size with
mechanism to be actuated by fluid prossure.

page_text: Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring first to Figures 1, 1 A, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5 A the letter A designates the breech
portion of the gun, into which I cut a slideway or recess at right angles to and
partly across the gun about one calibre in advance of the extreme rear end of the
gun by boring, drilling and slotting machines. I then extend the said slideway,
but of a reduced size to the extreme rear end of the breech but on one side of the
gun only. In the forward and larger part of the slideway I then cut by drilling
and slotting a small passage right through the other side of the gun, but so as to
leave a considerable amount of metal in the rear of the main part of the said recoss
or slideway. And in the said slideway I form grooves on the upper and lower
sides of the main part by means of slotting machines; and in the rear part of the
said slideway I form other larger T shaped grooves at right angles to the bore of
the gun. And into this said recess or slideway I fit a sliding block or breechscrew
carriage designated B, the said block or carriage having the loading trays E and E¹
and the tie lugs F and F¹ formed on it so as to constitute one piece only. There
are two studs or stops on the lower side of the loading trays to limit the travel of
the sliding block or carriago, the said stops working in grooves formed in the
metal of the breech. The lugs F and F are accurately fitted so as to help tie
together the upper and lower parts of the rear part of the slideway in the gun.
The keys k, k,, 1ª, k³, and k³, are fitted into their places after the sliding carriago
is in its place and the breechscrew has been tightly screwed up. These keys may
be screwed to the sliding block by small screws or other similar means. Letter C,
designates the breechscrow which I fit into the sliding block and also into a portion
of the metal of the breech of the gun by means of a female screw thread which is
cut to correspond in both the metal of the gun and in that of the sliding carriage.
C, designates a lever fitted on the breechscrew to which it is secured by two
screws as shown, or by any other well known means. p, designates a pin fixed in
one end of the lever; and m, designates the guide fixed on the gun into which the
pin p, gears for shifting the sliding block. Letter D, designates the vent shutter
which shutter slides in a slot in the breecbscrew and upon the rear face of one end
of the lever G which said shutter secures the primer in its place. p', designates
the pin screwed into the vent shutter and projecting through an elongated slot in
the lever G; the said pin p¹, gears into the excentric guide n, which guide may
be cut into the metal of the gun and sliding block, or formed of separate pieces of
metal screwed on as shewn in the drawing.
Letter, designates the moveable part of the guide for permitting the opening
of the primer chamber by hand and the extraction of the primer in caso of iniss-
fire without the chamber of the gun being opened. Letter t, designates a bush
fitted into the gun in rear of the breech screw to act as a guide for the introduction
of the charge to the loading tray and chamber of the gun. Letter Q, designates
the chamber for the tiring primer. J, designates the spring catch to lock tho
lever G to the gun this spring catch is not of my invention but is similar to that
which has been in general use for similar purposes for many years.
Figure 6, shews on an enlarged scale an elevation of the rear face of the breech-
screw with the vent shutter removed. Letter C designates the breechscrew;
Q, the primer chamber; h, is the lever hinged to the breechscrew and q, is the
primer extractor.
Figure Ga, is a front elevation of the extractor detached from the other parts;
and figure 66 is a side clevation shewing the connection of the lever h, with the
extractor q
Figure 7, represents the front face of the vent shutter D in which p', is the pin
by which the said shutter is moved when it works in the guiden, and the LoU
piece or part e, is that which actuates the short arm of the lever h, (see ligure Gb)
for extracting the firing primer. Figure 7a, is a longitudinal section of the
shutter D.
Figure S, represents a horizontal section through the moveable piece 7, of the
guiden; 8, designates the catch to lock the piece to the gun and e, the spring to

page_text: actuate the catch. Figure 9, represents a vertical longitudinal section on an
enlarged scale of the obturation arrangement; Y designates the gas ring fitting
into a recess in the rear of the powder chamber and V the concentric corrugated
valvo face secured to the breech screw.
Figure 10 represents an elevation of the breech of a heavy gun, the breach
mechanism of which is to be worked by fluid pressure. In this figure. letter A
designates the gun; B the sliding block or carriage; C, the breechscrew D, tho
vent shutter; E the loading tray; Ga lever with one arm secured to the breech-
screw; T, a toothed wheel' secured thereon also; M, a cylinder securely bolted to
the gun in which cylinder a piston not shewn' is fitted with piston rod connected
to the crosslicad and rack represented by O; L, designates a-pipe for the admission
of the fluid pressure to a fourway cock, the plug of which is actuated by the
lever u. L is the admission port for the fluid to the cylinder when the breech is
to be opened and the same becomes the exhaust port when the breech is to bo
closed; L³ is the exhaust pipe when the breech is to be opened and becomes the
admission pipe when the breech is to be closed; and Z designates the pipe for the
discharge of the fluid from either end of the cylinder M.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim-is:
(1). The peculiar form of sliding block or breechscrew carriage, having one end,
and the rear part of the said block or carriage of reduced size, so that a smaller
quantity of metal has to be cut out of the breech of the gun to form the receptacle
for the said block or carriage, whereby greater strength is retained in the gun;
together with the keys fitted in the sid-block and-slideway; and the methal of
tying together the rear part of the sideway by Tshaped lugs formed on the rear
part of the said sliding block or carriage which logs fit into corresponding recesser
formed in the rear part of the said slidoway.
(2) The method of automatically-securing-the-primer-in-tho-vent_or_primer__
chamber by means of a shutter mounted in a grooved recess formed in the rear
end of the breech screw and sliding on the roar faco of the lever, which shutter is
actuated by means of a pin passing through the said lever and gearing into an
excentric slot formed at the rear end of the breech of the gun.
(3). The method of automatically extracting the primer by means of the vent
shutter actunting, when the breach of the gun is being opened, a lever hinged over
the primer chamber, which lever imparts to the primer extractor a motion parallel
to the axis of the primer chamber, the said extractor forming a portion of the rear
part of the said primer chamber.
(4). The obturation of the powder chamber by the combination of the gas ring
in the rear end of the powder chamber with a concentric corrugated valve face on
tho breachscrow.
(5). The combination of one cylinder, piston, piston rod and rack with wheel
and lever on breechscrew, vent shutter on breechsorow and lever and primer
extractor mounted in breechscrew.

page_text: I GEORGE QUICK, of Chipping Campden, in the county of Gloucester, Chief
Engineer, Royal Navy seek leave to amend the specification No. 1115 of 1884, as
shown in red ink in the copy of the original specification hereunto annexed.
My reason for making this amendinent is as follows:-that since filing the
Complete specification I have discovered that claim 2, by itself is too wide and
embraces more than having regard to the state of knowledge at the date of the
application I was entitled to claim.
In the matter of the application made by George Quick for leave to amend the
Specification of Letters Patent N° 1115 of 1884.
I hereby grant leave to the said George Quick to amend the said Specification
in the manner proposed.
H. READER. LACK,
Comptroller General.

page_text: I GEORGE QUICK of Chipping Campden in the County of Gloucester, Chief
Engineer, Royal Navy do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE" to be as follows:-
"
"
My Invention relates to improvements in the mechanism described in my former
Patents Breechloading Mechanism for Ordnance" A.D. 1880. N° 256 and
Brecchloading Mechanism for Ordnance" A.D. 1881. N° 2251.
The objects of these improvements are to obtain a greater amount of strength in
the breech of the gun, greater facility for firing, better obturation and to provide a
simpler arrangement for working the breech mechanism by fluid pressure.
A greater amount of strength in the breech of the gun is obtained firstly, by
forming the end of the sliding carriage which acts as a guide for the insertion of the
charge into the gun of a reduced size so that a smaller amount of the metal of
the gun has to be cut away to form the receptacle of the said sliding-carriage;
secondly, by fitting the said sliding carriage with projecting lugs on the upper
and lower sides of its rear part fitting into corresponding recesses in the rear purt
of the carriage way in the gun, so as to tie these parts together and thus help to
rerit any tendency there may be when the gun is fired to open the rear part of
the said carriage way Also I modify the construction of the sliding carriage by
fitting it into the carriage way with grooves in both the sliding carriage and the
gun corresponding with each other, and fitting in the said grooves steel keys to
help resist the backward strain of the gas pressure by which means the perfect
fitting of the surfaces of the said keys in the grooves is more easily effected than
when the Lands are formed out of the solid metal of the sliding carriage to fit the
grooves in the gun.
The improvement in the firing apparatus has for its objects, firstly, the automatic
closing of the vent by a sliding shutter securing the firing primer in its place by
the single movement of the breech screw lever in closing the chamber of the gun;
secondly, the prevention of the firing of the charge until the breech screw is
completely screwed up; thirdly, the automatic opening of the vent and the
extraction of the exploded primer by the single movement of the breech-screw lever
when opening the powder chamber for the gun to be loaded; fourthly, in case of
misfire, to permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent without difliculty
or necessity for opening the breech of the gun, or moving the breech screw lever.
When this firing apparatus therefore is used in conjunction with my breechloading
mechanism the following operations are performed by only one simple movement
of the breech screw lever;-first, the breech screw obturator is liberated from the
powder chamber; second, the breech screw and sliding carriage are moved on one
side and the loading tray of the sliding carriage is brought into position for the
gun to be loaded; third, the vent is opened; fourth, the exploded friction tube, or
firing primer, is extracted from the vent; fifth, the firing apparatus is put into the
safety position as soon as the breech screw lever is moved.
When the gun has been charged and the firing primer placed in the vent only
one simple movement of the lever in the reverse direction performs the following
operations; first, the sliding carriage is brought back to the firing position; second,
the breech screw with obturator closes the rear of the powder chamber gas tight;
third, the firing primer is secured in the vent by the sliding shutter and the vent
is effectively closed; fourth, the firing apparatus is brought into the firing position
only when the powder chamber is perfectly closed fifth, the lever is locked to the
gun by a spring catch so that the chamber cannot be opened until the spring is
compressed.

page_text: These objects are offected as follows:-The firing apparatus consists of a vont
passing through the axis of the breech screw with an enlarged chamber at the rear
end of the vent adapted to receivo a firing primer in the ordinary manner but tho
rear end of the breech screw is prolonged a short distance beyond the breech screw
lever, and in this prolongation I form a slot or guide with grooves in which a vont
shutter is adapted to slide easily to and fro directly in rear of the enlarged chamber
of the vent. The other end of the vent shutter slides on the rear face of ono end
of the breech screw lever to which it is freely secured by one or more pins passing
through an elongated slot in the said lever. One of these pins projects through the
forward side of the lever and engages in a curved guide secured to the rear face of
the breech of the gun, part of which guide is eccentric to the centre of the said
breech screw, so that as the breech screw is turned through one part of its travel
the vent shutter is caused to move to or from the centre of the breech screw and
thus to automatically close or open the vent; On the forward side of the sliding
shutter is a projecting toe piece, or catch, which operates on a cartridge or primer
extractor hinged to the breech screw directly over the chamber of the firing primer,
so that on the vent shutter uncovering the vent the toe piece actuates the extractor
which throws out the firing primer. The vent shutter may be adapted to use
friction primers, or electric fuses. When friction primers or electric fuses are to bo
used I form that end of the shutter, which covers the primer, with a narrow slot so
as to pass easily on each side of the friction pin or insulated wires in the centre of
the primer.
The end of the slot which is directly in line with the friction pin of the primer
when the breech is perfectly closed I enlarge somewhat, and on the friction pin of
the primer close to the base of the said primer I form a sinall collar of greater
diameter than the said friction pin so that it cannot be drawn through the slot in
the vent shutter until the latter is completely home and the enlarged part of tho
slot is directly in line with the collar of the friction pin, so that premature firing
before the chamber of the gun is perfectly closed is rendered impossible. A similar
form of sliding shutter is used when the firing of the gun is to be effected by
electricity, but it is not necessary in that case to enlarge any part of the slot.
To permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent in case of misfire or
under any other circumstances I form one part of the upper side of the curved
guide which actuates the ventshutter movable on the main part of the said curved
guide but held in position by a guide plate and spring catch. When it is desired to
extract the primer the spring catch of the movable part is pressed down and the
movable piece drawn back by one hand of the operator; the ventshutter is then
drawn back sharply by the other hand, by which the vent is opened and the firing
primer extracted from the vent without the breechscrew being moved. A fresh
primer can be then inserted, the ventshutter closed, and the sliding piece of tho
guide returned into its place and secured to the gun by the spring catch.
The improvement in the obturator or gascheck consists in fitting a cylindrical
metal ring into a recess in the rear of the powder chamber, the interior diameter of
the ring being less than the diameter of the powder chamber, but sufficiently large
for the projectile and cartridge to be passed through it easily; the rear end of the
exterior of the ring is of greater diameter than the forward end, the two exterior
diameters being connected by a conical or conoidal surface. The recess which
receives the ring has a corresponding conical or conoidal surface against which the
ring is forced up by the breechscrew. The cylindrical part of the recess has one or
more grooves cut in its surface so as to reduce the bearing surface of the metal on
the ring. As the surface of the forward or muzzle end of the ring is freely exposed
to the pressure of the gas whilst the rear end is not so exposed the tendency of
the gas pressure will be to drive the ring back upon the breechscrew. The face of
the breechscrew may have a flat surface to bear against a corresponding flat surface
un the rear of the gas ring, but I prefer to mount an expanding valve face on the
breechscrew consisting of a plate of metal presenting a concentric corrugated
surface to the powder charge and having a conically shaped periphery_fitting into a

page_text: conical seating formed in the rear end of the gas ring. On the charge being fired
the gas pressure flattens the corrugated plate somewhat by which the periphery is
expanded tightly into the conical seating in the gas ring, the gas ring being at the
same time pressed backwards unto the corrugated plate and also expanded tightly
into its seating in the gun by the said gas pressure.
Now although I have described the method of actuating the breech mechanism
directly by hand, yet I would have it understood that this breech mechanism inay
be actuated in large guns by a pinion gearing into a wheel fixed on the breechscrew
as described in my Patent N° 2251 of A.D. 1881; or by means of hydraulic or
compressed-air mechanism as described in my Patent No 256 of A.D. 1880. But to
use fluid pressure with this mechanism 1 employ only one cylinder and a piston
connected with a rack gearing with a wheel fixed on the breechscrew; and on the
said breechscrew I affix also a lever baving an arm which carries the pin by which
the sliding carriage is moved and also carries the ventshutter. By these means the
breechscrew, the ventshutter, the extractor, and the sliding carriage are actuated by
one movement of the lever of the cock or valve which admits the fluid pressure to
the cylinder.

page_text: I GEORGE QUICK of Chipping Campden in the county of Gloucester, Chief
Engineer, Royal Navy do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE" and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
My invention relates to improvements in the mechanisin described in the
specification of my former patents for "Brechloading mechanism for ordnance
No 256 of 1880 and " Breechloading mechanisin for ordnance No 2251 of 1881
respectively.
The objects of these improvements are to obtain a greater amount of strength in
the breech of the gun, greater facility for firing the charge, better obturation, and
to provide a simpler arrangement for working the breech mechanism by flui
pressure.
A greater amount of strength in the breech of the gun is obtained, firstly, by
forming the end of the sliding carriage which acts as a guide for the insertion of
the charge into the gun of a reduced size so that a smaller amount of the metal of
the gun as to be cut away to form the receptacle of the said sliding-carriage.
Secondly, by fitting tlie said sliding carriage with projecting lugs on the upper
and lower sides of its rear part fitting into corresponding recesses in the rear part
of the carriage way in the gun so as to tie these parts together and thus help to
resist any tendency there may be when the gun is fired to open the rear part of the
said carriage way. Also I modify the construction of the sliding carriage by
fitting it into the carriage-way with grooves in both the sliding carriage an 1 the
gun corresponding with each other and fitting in the said grooves steel keys to help
resist the backward strain of the gas pressure, by which means the perfect fitting
of the surfaces of the said keys in the grooves is inore easily effected than when the
Lands are formed out of the solid inctal of the sliding carriage to fit the grooves in
the gun.
The improvement in the firing apparatus has for its object, firstly, the automatic
closing of the vent by a sliding slutter securing the firing primer in its place by
the single movement of the breech screw lever in closing the chamber of the gun.
Secondly, the prevention of the firing of the charge until the breech screw is
completely screwed up, thirdly, the automatic opening of the vent and the
extraction of the exploded primer by the single movement of the breech screw lever
when opening the powder chamber for the gun to be loaded; fourthly, in case of
misfire, to permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent without difficulty
or necessity for opening the bree h of the gun or moving the breech screw lever.
When this firing apparatus therefore is used in conjunction with my breech-loading
mechanism the following operations are performed by only one simple movement of
the breech screw lver-first, the breech screw obiurator is liberated from the
powder chamber; see nd, the breech screw and sliding carriage are moved on one
side and the loading tray of the sliding carriage is brought into position for the gun
to be loaded; third, the vent is opened; fourth, the exploded friction tube, or
üring primer is extracted from the vent; fifth, the firing apparatus is put into the
safety position as soon as the breech screw lever is moved.
When the gun has been charged and the firing primer placed in the vent only
one simple movement of the lever in the reverse direction performs the following
operations: first, the sliding carriage is brought back to the firing position;
Second, the breach screw with obturator closes the rear of the powder chamber gas

page_text: tight; third, the firing primer is secured in the vent by the sliding shutter and the
vent is effectively closed; fourth; the firing apparatus is brought into the firing
position only when the powder chamber is perfectly closed; fifth, the lever is
locked to the gun by a spring catch so that the chamber cannot be opened until the
spring is compressed.
These objects are effected as follows:-The firing apparatus consists of a vent
passing through the axis of the breech screw with an enlarged chamber at the rear
end of the vent adapted to receive a fring primer in the ordinary manner but the
rear end of the breech screw is prolonged a short distance beyond the breech screw
lever and in this prolongation I forin a slot or guide with grooves in which a vent
shutter is adapted to slide easily to and fro directly in rear of the enlarged
chamber of the vent. The other end of the vent shutter slides on the rear face of
one end of the breech screw lever to which it is freely secured by one or more pins
passing through an elongated slot in the said lever. One of these pins projects
through the forward side of the lever and engages in a curved guide secured to the
rear face of the breech of the gun, part of which guide is eccentric to the centre of
the said breech screw so that as the breech screw is turned through one part of
its travel the vent shutter is caused to move to or from the centre of the breech
screw and thus to automatically close or open the vent. On the forward side of the
sliding shutter is a toepiece or catch which operates on a cartridge or primer
extractor which extractor consisting of a lover having two arms hinged to tho
breech screw directly over the chamber of the firing primer which lever imparts
motion to a piece of metal which forms a portion of the rear part of the primer
chamber, so that on the vent shutter uncovering the vent, the toe piece actuates
the extractor which throws out the firing primer. The vent shutter may be
adapted to use friction primers percussion priniers or electric fuses. When friction
primers or electric fuses are to be used I form that end of the shutter which covers
the primer with a narrow slot so as to pass easily on each side of the friction pin
or insulated wires in the centre of the primer.
The end of the slot which is directly in lino with the friction pin of the primer
when the breech is perfectly closed 1 enlarge somewhat and on the friction pin of
the primer close to the base of the said primer, I form a small collar of greater
diameter than the said friction pin, so that it cannot be drawn through the slot in
the vent shutter until the latter is completely home and the enlarged part of the
slot is directly in line with the collar of the friction pin so that premature firing
before the chamber of the gun is perfectly closed is rendered impossible. A similar
form of sliding shutter is used when the firing of the gun is to be effected by
electricity but it is not necessary in that case to enlarge any part of the slot. To
permit the firing primer to be extracted from the vent in case of misfire, or under
any other circumstances, 1 form one part of the upper side of the curved guide
which actuates the vent shutter moveable on the main part of the said curved
guide but held in position by a guide plate and spring catch. When it is desired
to extract the primer the spring catch of the moveable part is pressed down and
the moveable piece drawn back by one hand of the operator; the vent shutter is
then drawn back sharply by the other hand by which the vent is opened and the
firing primer extracted from the vent without the breech screw being moved. A
fresh primer can be then inserted the vent shutter closed and the sliding piece of
the guido returned into its place and secured to the gun by the spring catch.
This vent closing arrangement is applicable to other description of breech loading
guns. The improvement in the obturator or gas check consists in fitting a
cylindrical metal ring into a recess in the rear of the powder chamber, the interior
diameter of the ring being less than the diameter of the powder chamber, but
sufficiently large for the projectile and cartridge to be passed through it easily; the
rear end of the exterior of the ring is of greater diameter than the forward end of the
two exterior diameters being connected by a conical or conoidal surface. The
recess which receives the ring has a corresponding conical or conoidal surface
against which the ring is forced up by the breach screw. The cylindrical part of

page_text: the recess has one or more grooves cut in its surface so as to reduce the bearing
surface of the metal on the ring. As the surface of the forward or muzzle end of
the ring is freely exposed to the pressure of the gas whilst the rear end is not so
exposed the tendency of the gas pressure will be to drive the ring back upon the
breechscrew. The face of the breechscrew may have a flat surface to bear against
a corresponding flat surface on the rear of the gas ring, but I prefer to mount an
expanding valve face on the breechscrew consisting of a plate of metal presenting
a concentric corrugated surface to the powder charge and having a conically shaped
periphery fitting into a conical seating formed in the rear end of the gas ring.
On the charge being fired the gas pressure flattens the corrugated plate somewhat
by which the periphery is expanded tightly into the conical seating in the gas
ring; the
gas ring being at the same time pressed backwards unto the corrugated
plate, and also expanded tightly into its seating in the gun by the said gas pressure.
Now although I have described the method of actuating the breech mechanism
directly by hand, yet I would have it understood that this breech mechanism may
be actuated in large guns by a pinion gearing into a wheel fixed on the breech
screw as described in the specification of my patent No 2251 of 1881; or by means
of hydraulic or compressed air mechanisin as described in the specification of my
patent N° 256 of 1880. But to use fluid pressure with this mechanism I now
employ only one cylinder and a piston connected with a rack gearing with a wheel
fixed on the breechscrew; and on the said breechscrew I affix also a lever having
an arm which carries the pin by which the sliding carriage is moved and also
carries the vent shutter. By these means the breechscrew, the vent shutter, tho
extractor and the sliding carriage are actuated by one movement of the lever of the
cock or valve which admits the fluid pressure to the cylinder.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
Figure 1, represents an end view of a gun embodying my invention as applied
to ordnance of moderate size shewing the breech closed, and primer chamber
covered by the vent shutter, ready for the gun to be fired. Figure 1 A represents an
end view of the gun showing the breech opened and primer chamber uncovered
ready for the gun to be loaded and the primer inserted.
Figure 2, represents an elevation of the right hand side of the gun.
Figure 3, represents an elevation of the left hand side of the gun.
Figure 4, represents a vertical longitudinal section of part of the gun, with
breech closed as when ready for firing.
Figure 5, represents a horizontal section through the axis of a portion of tho
gun with breech closed as when ready for firing.
Figure 5 A represents a vertical transverse section of the gun at a, b, in figure 5,
shewing the location of the breechscrew, sliding carriage and loading tray when
the gun is ready for firing. Figure 6, represents on an enlarged scale an end view
of the breechscrew shewing the primer chamber, the two armed lever hinged to the
breechscrew and the primer extractor. Figure 6a represents a front view of the
extractor. Figure 6b, represents a side elevation of the two armed lever in
connection with the primer extractor. Figure 7, represents the front face of the
vent shutter which covers the primer chamber and slides on the rear face of the
breechscrew lever.
Figure 7a, represents on an enlarged scale a vertical section of the vent shutter.
Figure 8, represents on an enlarged scale a horizontal section of the moveable
slide which permits the vent shutter to be withdrawn by hand to extract the
primer when the breech of the gun is closed.
Figure 9 represents a vertical longitudinal section of part of the powder chamber
and breechscrew shewing the arrangement of the gas ring in the chamber and of
the valve face on the breechscrew for obturation.
Figure 10, represents an elevation of the breech of a gun of large size with
mechanisin to be actuated by fluid pressure.

page_text: Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring first to Figures 1, 1 A, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5 A the letter A designates the breech
portion of the gun, into which I cut a slideway or recess at right angles to and
partly across the gun about one calibre in advance of the extreme rear end of the
gun by boring, drilling and slotting machines. I then extend the said slideway,
but of a reduced size to the extreme rear end of the breech but on one side of tho
gun only. In the forward and larger part of the slideway I then cut by drilling
and slotting a small passage right through the other side of the gun, but so as to.
leave a considerable amount of metal in the rear of the main part of the said recess
or slideway. And in the said slideway I form grooves on the upper and lower
sides of the main part by means of slotting machines; and in the rear part of the
said slideway I form other larger T shaped grooves at right angles to the bore of
the gun. And into this said recess or slideway I fit a sliding block or breechscrew
carriage designated B, the said block or carriage having the loading trays E and 'E'
and the tie lugs F and F formed on it so as to constitute one piece only. There
are two studs or stops on the lower side of the loading trays to limit the travel of
the sliding block or carriage, the said stops working in grooves formed in the
metal of the breech. The lugs F and F are accurately fitted so as to help tic
together the upper and lower parts of the rear part of the slideway in the gun.
The keys h, k, k², la, l^, and k", are fitted into their places after the sliding carriage
is in its place and the breechscrew has been tightly screwed up. These keys may
be scrowed to the sliding block by small screws or other similar means. Letter C,
designates the breechscrew which I fit into the sliding block and also into a portion
of the metal of the breech of the gun by means of a female screw thread which is
cut to correspond in both the metal of the gun and in that of the sliding carriage.
G, designates a lever fitted on the breechscrew to which it is secured by two
bcrews as shewn, or by any other well known means. -, designates a pin fixed in
one end of the lever; and m, designates the guide. fixed on the gun into which the
pin p, gears for shifting the sliding block. Letter D, designates the vent shutter
which shutter slides in a slot in the breechscrew and upon the rear face of one end
of the lever G which said shutter secures the primer in its place. p', designates
the pin screwed into the vent shutter and projecting through an elongated slot in
the lever G; the said pin 2, gears into the excentric guide n, which guide may
be cut into the metal of the gun and sliding block, or formed of separate pieces of
metal screwed on as shewn in the drawing.
Letter, designates the moveable part of the guide for permitting the opening
of the primer chamber by hand and the extraction ef the primer in case of miss-
fire without the chamber of the gun being opened. Letter t, designates a bush
fitted into the gun in rear of the breech screw to act as a guide for the introduction
of the charge to the loading tray and chamber of the gun. Letter Q, designates
the chamber for the firing primer. J, designates the spring catch to lock the
lever G to the gun this spring catch is not of my invention but is similar to that
which has been in general use for similar purposes for many years.
Figure 6, shews on an enlarged scale au elevation of the rear face of the breech-
screw with the vent shutter removed. Letter C designates the breechscrew;
Q, the primer chamber; h, is the lever hinged to the breechscrew and q, is the
primer extractor.
Figure Ga, is a front elevation of the extractor detached from the other parts;
and figure 6b is a side elevation shewing the connection of the lever h, with the
extractor 9.
Figure 7, represents the front face of the vent shutter D in which p', is the pin
by which the said shutter is moved when it works in the guide n, and the toe
piece or part c, is that which actuates the short arm of the lever h, (see figure Gb)
for extracting the firing primer. Figure 7a, is a longitudinal section of the
shutter D.
Figure 8, represents a horizontal section through the moveable picce r, of the
guide n; 8, designates the catch to lock the piece to the gun and e, the spring to

page_text: actuate the catch. Figure 9, represents a vertical longitudinal section on an
enlarged scale of tho obturation arrangement; Y designates the gas ring fitting
into a recess in the rear of the powder chamber and V the concentric corrugated
valvo face secured to the brecchi screw.
Figure 10 represents an elevation of the breech of a heavy gun, the breech
mechanism of which is to be worked by fluid pressure. In this figure letter A
designates the gun; B the sliding block or carriage; C, the breechscrew D, the
vent shutter, E, the loading tray; G a lever with one arm secured to the breech-
screw; T, a toothed wheel secured thereon also; M, a cylinder securely bolted to
the gun in which cylinder a piston not shown is fitted with piston rod connected
to the crosshead and rack represented by O; L, designates a pipe for the admission
of the fluid pressure to a fourway cock, the plug of which is actuated by the
lever u L is the admission port for the fluid to the cylinder when the breech is
to be opened and the same becomes the exhaust port when the breech is to be
closed; L is the exhaust pipe when the breech is to be opened and becomes the
admission pipe when the breech is to be closed; and Z designates the pipe for tho
discharge of the fluid from either end of the cylinder M.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
1 claim is
(1). The peculiar form of sliding block or breechscrew carriage, having one end,
and the rear part of the said block or carriage of reduced size, so, that a smaller
quantity of metal has to be cut out of the breech of the gun to form the receptacle
for the said block or carriage, whereby greater strength is retained in the gun;
together with the keys fitted in the said block and slideway, and the method of
tying together the rear part of the slideway by T shaped lugs formed on the rear
part of the said sliding block or carriage which lugs fit into corresponding recesses
formed in the rear part of the said slideway.
(2). The method of automatically securing the primer in the vent or primer
chamber by means of a shutter mounted in a grooved recess formed in the rear
end of the breech screw and sliding on the rear face of the lover, which shutter is
actuated by means of a pin passing through the said lever and gearing into an
excentric slot formed at the rear end of the breech of the gun in combination with
the (3) The method of automatically extracting the primer by means of the vent
shutter actuating, when the breech of the gun is being opened, a lever hinged over
the primer chamber, which lever imparts to the primer extractor a motion parallel
to the axis of the primer chamber, the said extractor forming a portion of the rear
part of the said primer chamber.
(3) (4). The obturation of the powder chamber by the combination of the gas ring
in the rear end of the powder chamber with a concentric corrugated valve face on
the breechscrew.
(4) (5). The combination of one cylinder, piston, piston rod and rack with wheel
and lever on breechscrew, vent shutter on breechscrew and lever and primer
extractor mounted in breechscrew.