REPEATING MAGAZINE GUNS AND AMMUNITION THEREFOR
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 6th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 11th Feb., 1887.
RESERV
1, GEORGE ROWELL 42 Richmond Road South Kensington S.W. Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for REPEATING MAGAZINE GUNS AND
AMMUNITION THEREFOR to be as follows:-
The guns belong to the class commonly known as "bolt" guns, in which the closure
of the breech is effected by a reciprocating bolt or piston, sliding in a breech-case
behind the breech.
The piston may be of circular, oval, elliptical, or polygonal shape on transverse
section. It is made tubular to receive a firing-pin actuated by a coiled spring
around it. The face of the piston near the opening for the protrusion of the firing-
pin is slightly cupped, and has one or more shallow grooves leading therefrom to the
periphery, to avoid premature discharge, and to provide an escape for gas from
defective cartridges. The grooves may, instead, be formed on the base of the
cartridge-case.
2:
The piston is actuated by a handle which in the closed position depends from the
lower border of the gun, in line with and behind the trigger-guard, forming a
"pistol-grip, and resting upon a recoil-block behind it; a
spring catch indicates
when it is closed, and retains it. The handle is attached to the piston by a collar
which permits a partial revolution of the handle without carrying the piston round
with it. On the side of the collar opposite to the attachment of the locking-handle is
a projection which partly receives and distributes the backward pressure on discharge.
The rear border of the collar has a notch with one or both sides inclined, to admit a
cam-like projection attached to the rear end of the firing-pin; or conversely, the
notch may be upon the firing-pin, and the cam-like projection on the posterior border
of the collar of the locking-handle. A smaller notch behind the root of the handle
retains the nose of the cam.
The breech-case is pierced in line with (or nearly) the bore to receive the piston.
It is slotted on each side, to receive cartridges from the magazine on one side, and
eject the empty case from the other side. It is also slotted above to enable the piece
to be loaded by hand, and if desired the empty cartridge-cases to be ejected upwards.

page_text: These apertures are covered by hinged or sliding doors. The breech-case is also
slotted longitudinally on one or both sides near its rear for the passage of the stalk of
the locking handle in opening and closing the breech; the slot on the right side opens
into a transverse slot, slightly inclined spirally, to allow the locking handle to he
lowered to the closed position before-mentioned. On the opposite diameter to this
transverse slot, in the tube of the breech-case, is a groove, also with a slight spiral
inclination, to receive the projection from the collar of the locking-handle. From the
rear of the breech-case an upper and lower tang, united by screws or vertical plate of
iron, pass to the butt-stock.
The piston is prevented from sliding out beyond the extent necessary to admit a
loaded cartridge in front of it by a stop-stud projecting into the receiver, preferribly
from the lower part; it is received into a longitudinal groove on the piston ending a
short distance from the front end thereof. This stud also prevents rotation of the
piston when the handle is turned. The stop-stud may be immovably fixed to the
breech-case ; or attached by screw; or hinged to lugs beneath the receiver, in which
case it may be held in position by the end of the cleaning-rod, or by a screw-pin.
The arrest of the backward motion of the piston may be equally well effected if the
stud be on the piston or extractor, and the groove where required be upon the
interior of the breech-case.
The discharging apparatus consists of a firing-pin within the piston, actuated by a
coiled spiral spring, with a cam at rear actuated by the incline on the collar of the
locking handle on raising the same to the horizontal position and withdrawing. On
the return of the piston in closing the breech the firing-pin by a notch is retained
("cocked") by a scear held up by a spring, the nose of which scear passively slides
in the same groove on the piston as the stop-stud, behind which it lies. The secar is
withdrawn by an ordinary trigger within the usual trigger-guard. The nose of the
scear enters beneath the front border of the collar of the locking-handle when closed.
The collar has a small recess to receive the scear on the pull of the trigger, when
fully closed. From this arrangement it results that the gun can not be fired except
when duly closed; and during discharge cannot be opened until the pressure upon
the trigger is removed. These parts (the scear, trigger, and trigger-guard) lie
beneath the cartridge-receiving part of the breech-case.
In place of the helical spring the firing-pin may be projected by a hammer and
blade or V-spring contained in the locking-handle, and moving with it.
A rib attached to the rear part of the firing-pin, sliding in the slot for the locking-
handle, is arrested opposite a line on the outer surface of the breech-case, and indicates
when the firing-pin is cocked ready for discharging.
A safety-bolt, though not essential, may be added, either attached to the trigger-
guard and locking the scear, or attached to the rear end of the firing-pin, and taking
into a notch on the breech-case, or vice versa.
The extraction of the cartridge-cases is effected by a clawed extractor either rigid
with the head of the piston, or attached to the piston behind the head by a blade
spring, lying in a longitudinal or slightly spiral groove upon the upper part or right
side of the piston, and lying flush with the groove or slightly arched over it. On
withdrawal the base of the cartridge-case strikes against the edge of a shallow cross
groove cut in the lower part of the receiver; or, failing this, against a narrow stud
placed in front of the stop-stud for the piston (above-mentioned), and received into
the same groove as the stop-stud, a special narrow groove being continued from the
former to the end of the piston. By either of these means the cartridge-case is jerked
out of the breech-case. When ejected through the side opening a net or other bag
may be attached to collect the empty cartridge cases.
The magazine, in which the cartridges lic side by side, is attached to either side of
the breech-case by a button projecting from it being received into a slot in the side
wall of the breech-case; or vice versa. When in use the magazine stands vertically:
when not in use it is turned down along the side of the piece, thereby arresting the
stream of cartridges to the chamber. The magazine is of such a size at its exit
aperture into the receiver as to allow the exit of one cartridge only at a time; away

page_text: from this exit it may be of the same size, or expanded to receive auxiliary ready-
charged magazines. The entrance to the magazine is closed by a hinged or sliding
door, to which is attached a spring follower. The walls of the magazine are fenes-
trated. The interior at its posterior part is grooved to receive the projecting rim of
the base of the cartridge-case, and guide the cartridge to the receiver in line with
the chamber.
The rifling of the bore may be of any known form, but preferribly of the form
which I call "spiral sigmoid." In shot-guns the bore is "choked at the muzzle,
and this narrowed part rifled, the sigmoids being two or more in number. The hand
is protected from overheating of the barrel near the breech by a band of woven or
laced wire, nickel-plated or otherwise protected from rusting. The barrel should not
be embedded in the wood-stock, to give free and equable cooling.
"
The sights may be of ordinary form and placed in the usual positions; or
preferribly of the following description:-The "foresight" has a hinged arched guard.
The bead or cone is detachable being received into a slot in the block; it may be
grooved superiorly, or slit, or perforated, in the line of sight. The "backsight" is
attached to the under surface of the hinged lid of the receiver of the breech-case
when required for use the lid is turned forward to rest upon the barrel. The sight
consists of a hinged tangent leaf, bearing a sliding bar with a notch or one, or more
than one, line as usual. The bar has dovetailed to its upper surface a laterally
traversing triangular prismatic bar having a notch or one (or more than one) line,
preferribly white-in its upper and front faces and borders; it is pierced from side to
side to receive a small spirit-level; the spirit, of red or other distinctive colour, being
contained in a tube of annealed glass, celluloid, or extract of sea-weed, partially
enveloped in cork or other soft elastic substance. The traversing bar has apertures
on its rear and front faces to permit of the spirit-level being seen the distinctness of
the latter may be enhanced by a coating of white paint or enamel upon the interior
of the perforation, or upon the spirit-tube. If damaged, or if desired, the traversing
bar, held in position by a blade-spring, may be removed, and the sliding bar alone
used. For long ranges an apertured-lise sight, elevated by screw like an opera-
glass, is hinged to the upper breech-tang; when not in use it folds backwards into a
groove upon the "comb" of the butt-stock. Lenses adapted to the state of vision of
the user may be attached over the aperture in the disc. The apertured disc can be
detached and affixed to a spectacle-frame.
A vernier scale is cut upon the flange of the sliding bar and upon the tangent leaf.
The leaf is retained in position by a blade-spring.
One or two supports are hinged to the fore-end of the stock, to act as a barrel rest,
in shooting.
A sword or other bayonet is carried beneath the fore part of the barrel.
The fore-stock is attached by bands as usual. The rear part of it is strengthened
by a breech-bracket extending from the breech-case to the rear band. A cleaning-
rod passing along beneath the barrel screws into the under part of the breech-case
and retains the stop-stud, for the piston in position. Such cleaning-rod may be
tubular, with detachable ends to insert into the barrel for practice with miniature
ammunition.
The muzzle-stopper consists of a central metallic rod, enveloped by a helical spring
or caoutchouc, and an outer coating of loose porous felt to carry lubricant. A disc
larger than the bore rests on the muzzle. The projecting end of the central rod has
two flat side wings. The sight-protector is a tube of metal fitting over the muzzle end
of the barrel to a little beyond the "foresight" which is received into an arched part.
The end covering the muzzle is capped, the disc having a central aperture and side
slits to pass over the head and wings of the muzzle-stopper above-described.
The heel-plate consists of a fixed part, and a hinged part which when raised rests
upon
the shoulder of the user; between these two parts an elastic pad may be
placed. Alongside the butt-stock lies the blade of a trenching spade, hinged to the
fixed part of the heel-plate; when turned back for use projects from the butt end of
the stock. It is detachable, and has a socket in its hinge-plate for the insertion of a

page_text: handle carried suspended from the waist-belt, and hollowed to receive a bayonet. Or,
the spade may be carried in the knapsack and be attachable to the butt as a handle.
The butt is hollowed to carry cleaning apparatus, paints, and if desired, a few
cartridges.
The manipulation of the arm, (assuming the piece to have been just discharged) is
as follows-The fore-finger is lifted off the trigger, the locking-handle lifted to the
horizontal position, describing one quarter of a circle, the handle and piston are then
drawn back, at the same time the empty cartridge-case is withdrawn and ejected;
then a new cartridge enters the receiver in front of the piston; the bolt and handle
are then pushed forward, the handle depressed into position, the fore-finger returning
to its place in front of the trigger which, when aim is taken, may be pulled, and the
piece discharged.
The breech-mechanism may be reversed, mutatis mutandis, for left shoulder and
left eye shooting.
The cartridge-case, around the dome for the percussion-cap, contains a small
quantity of white powder (nitro-compounds). Leading from the summit of the
dome to the fore end of the powder charge is a central axial column of the same
powder; the remainder of the charge is ordinary black powder: The projectile has a
taper "spiral sigmoid" or fish-tail rear; its head is recessed, or partly recessed and
partly made of lighter material than that of the rest of the projectile, such as wood,
ebonite, or celluloid. A liquid lubricant is used enclosed in capsules of gelatine or
caoutchouc, placed alongside the taper rear of the projectile. Waxed wads are
placed behind the capsules. Between the waxed wads and the powder is a felt wad.

page_text: 1, GEORGE ROWELL 42 Richmond Road South Kensington London W. Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The guns belong to the class commonly known as "bolt" guns, in which the closure
of the breech is effected by a reciprocating bolt or piston, sliding in a breech-case
behind the breech, Fig. 1.
The piston may be of circular, oval, elliptical or polygonal shape on transverse
section. It is made tubular to receive a firing-pin actuated by a coiled spring around
it. The opening for the protrusion of the firing-pin, is slightly cupped and has one
or more shallow grooves leading therefrom to the periphery, to avoid premature
discharge and to provide an escape for gas from defective cartridges; such grooves
may, instead, be formed on the base of the cartridge-case.
に
The piston is actuated by a handle which in the closed position depends from the
lower border of the gun, in line with and behind the trigger-guard, forming a
pistol-grip," and resting upon the recoil-block behind it, Fig. 1, B. A spring catch
indicates when closed and retains it, Fig. 1, 6. The handle is attached to the piston by
a collar which permits a partial revolution of the handle without carrying the piston
round with it. On the side of the collar opposite to the attachment of the locking-
handle is a projection which partly receives and distributes the backward pressure on
discharge, Figs. 2 and 3, c. The rear border of the collar has a notch, with one or
both sides inclined, to admit a cam-like projection attached to the rear end of the
firing-pin; or, conversely, the notch may be upon the firing-pin, and the cam-like
projection on the posterior border of the collar of the locking-handle. A. small notch
behind the root of the handle retains the nose of the cam.
The breech-case is pierced in line with (or nearly) the bore to receive the piston.
It is slotted on each side, to receive cartridges from the magazine on one side, and
eject the empty case from the other side. It is also slotted above, to enable the piece
to be loaded by hand, and, if desired, the empty cartridge-cases to be ejected upwards.
These apertures are covered by hinged or sliding doors. The breech-case is also
slotted longitudinally on one or both sides near its rear for the passage of the stalk
and burr of the locking handle in opening and closing the breech; the slot on the
right side opens into a transverse slot, slightly inclined spirally, to allow the locking
handle to be lowered to the closed position before-mentioned. On the opposite
diameter to this transverse slot, in the tube of the breech-case is a groove, also with a
slight spiral inclination to receive the projection from the collar of the locking handle.
From the rear of the breech-case an upper and lower tang, united by screws or
vertical plate of iron, pass to the butt-stock, Fig. 1, 7, 8.
The piston is prevented from sliding out beyond the extent necessary to admit a

page_text: loaded cartridge in front of it by a stop-stud projecting into the receiver, preferably
from the lower part, Fig. 1, 4; it is received into a longitudinal groove on the piston
ending a short distance from the front end thereof. This stud also prevents rotation
of the piston when the handle is turned. The stop-stud may be iminovably fixed to
the breech-case; or attached by screw; or hinged to lugs beneath the receiver, in
which case it may be held in position by the end of the cleaning-rod, or by a screw-
pin. The arrest. of the backward motion of the piston may be equally well effected
if the stud be on the piston or extractor, and the groove, where required, upon the
interior of the breech-case.
The discharging apparatus consists of a firing-pin within the piston actuated by a
coiled spiral spring, with a cam at rear actuated by the incline on the collar of the
locking-handle on raising the same to the horizontal position and withdrawing. On
the return of the piston in closing the breech the firing-pin by a notch is retained
("cocked") by a scear held up by a spring, the nose of which seear passively slides
in the same groove on the piston as the stop-stad, behind which it lies. The scear is
withdrawn by an ordinary trigger within the usual trigger-guard, Fig. 1, 1. The nose
of the scear enters beneath the front border of the collar of the locking-handle when
closed. The collar has a small recess to receive the scear on the pull of the trigger,
when fully closed. From this arrangement it results that the gun can not be fired
except when duly closed; and during discharge cannot be opened until the pressure
upon the trigger is removed, Fig. 1, 9. These parts (the scear, trigger and its guard)
lie beneath the cartridge-receiving part of the breech-case.
In place of the helical spring the firing-pin may be projected by a hammer and
blade or V-spring contained in the locking-handle, and moving with it.
A rib attached to the rear part of the firing-pin, sliding in the slot for the locking-
handle is arrested opposite a line on the outer surface of the breech-case and indicates
when the firing-pin is cocked ready for discharging, Fig. 1, 10.
A safety bolt, though not essential, may be added, either attached to the trigger-
guard plate and locking the scear, Fig. 1, 11; or attached to the rear end of the
firing-pin, and taking into a notch on the breech-case, or vice versa.
The extraction of the cartridge-case is effected by a clawed extractor Figs. 2 and 3, d,
either rigid with the head of the piston, or attached to the piston behind the head by
a blade spring lying in a longitudinal or slightly spiral groove upon the upper part or
right side of the piston, and lying flush with the groove or slightly arched over it,
On withdrawal, the base of the cartridge-case strikes against the edge of a shallow
cross groove cut in the lower part of the receiver, Fig. 1, 5; or failing this, against a
narrow stud placed in front of the stop-stud for the piston (above-mentioned) and
received into the same groove, a special narrow groove being continued from the
former to the end of the piston. By either of these means the cartridge-case is jerked
out of the breech-case. When ejected through the side opening, a net or other bag
may be attached to collect the empty cartridge-cases.
The magazine, Fig. 1, D, in which the cartridges lie side by side, is attached to
either side of the breech-case by a button projecting from it being received into a slot
in the side wall of the breech-case; or vice versa. When in use, the magazine stands
vertically when not in use it is turned down along the side of the piece, thereby 4
arresting the stream of cartridges to the chamber. The magazine is such a size at its
exit-aperture into the receiver as to allow the exit of one cartridge only; away from
this exit it may be of the same size or expanded to receive auxiliary ready-charged
magazines. The entrance to the magazine is closed by a hinged or sliding door, to
which is attached a spring follower. The walls of the magazine are fenestrated. The 5
interior at its posterior part is grooved to receive the projecting rim of the base of the
cartridge case, and guide the cartridge to the receiver in line with the chamber.
The rifling of the bore may be of any known form; but preferably of the form
which I call "spiral sigmoid," Fig. 8 a. In shot-guns the bore is "choked" at the
muzzle, and this narrowed part rifled, the sigmoids being two or more in number, 5
Fig. 9. The hand is protected from overheating of the barrel near the breech by a
band of woven or laced wire, nickel-plated or otherwise protected from rusting Fig. 1, H.

page_text: The barrel should not be imbedded in the wood-stock, to give free and equable
cooling.
«
;
23
The sights may be of ordinary form and placed in the usual positions; or
preferably of the following description. The "foresight," Fig. 1, I, has a hinged
arched guard. The bead or cone is detachable, being received into a slot in the block;
it may be grooved at the top, or slit, or perforated in the line of sight, Fig. 8, b. The
backsight" is attached to the under surface of the hinged lid of the receiver of the
breech-case when required for use the lid is turned forward to rest upon the barrel.
The sight consists of a hinged tangent leaf, Figs. 10 and 12, a, bearing a sliding bar
with notch or one or more than one lines as usual, Figs. 10 and 12, . The bar has
dovetailed to its upper surface a laterally traversing triangular prismatic bar, Fig. 11,
having a notch or one or more than one lines, preferably white, in its upper and froni
faces and borders; it is pierced from side to side to receive a small spirit-level,-the
spirit of red or other distinctive colour being contained in a tube of annealed glass,
celluloid, or extract of seaweed, partially enveloped in cork or other soft elastic
substance. The transverse bar has apertures on its rear and front faces to permit of
the spirit-level being seen, the distinctness of the latter may be enhanced by a coating
of white paint or enamel upon the interior of the perforation or upon the spirit-tube,
If damaged, or if desired, the traversing bar, held in position by a small blade spring,
may be removed and the sliding bar alone used. For long ranges an apertured-dise
sight, Fig. 1, G, elevated by screw like an opera-glass, is hinged to the upper breech
tang; when not in use it folds backwards into a groove upon the "comb" of the butt-
stock. Lenses adapted to the state of vision of the user may be attached over the
aperture in the disc. The apertured-disc can be detached, and affixed to a spectacle
frame, Fig. 13. A vernier scale is cut upon the flange of the sliding bar and upon the
back of the tangent leaf of the backsight. The leaf is retained in position by a
blade-spring.
One or two supports are hinged to the fore-end of the stock, to act as a barrel rest.
A sword or other bayonet may be carried beneath the fore part of the barrel.
The fore-stock is attached by bands as usual. The rear part of it is strengthened
by a breech-bracket, Fig. 1, 11, extending from the breech-case to the rear band.
A cleaning rod, passing along beneath the barrel, screws into the under part of the
breech-case, and retains the stop-stud for the piston in position. Such cleaning rod
may be tubular, with detachable ends, to insert into the barrel for practice with
miniature ammunition.
The muzzle-stopper, Fig. 14, consists of a central metallic rod, enveloped by a
helical spring and an outer coating of loose porous felt to carry lubricant. A disc
larger than the bore rests on the muzzle. The projecting end of the central rod has
two flat side wings. The sight-protector is a tube of metal fitting over the muzzle
end of the barrel to a little beyond the "foresight," which is received into an arched
part. The end covering the muzzle is capped, the disc having a central aperture and
side slits to pass over the head and wings of the muzzle-stopper above-described.
The heel-plate consists of a fixed part, and a hinged part which when raised rests
upon the shoulder of the user; between these two parts an elastie pad may be placed.
Alongside the butt-stock lies the blade of a trenching spade, hinged to the fixed part
of the heel-plate; when turned back for use it projects from the butt end of the stock.
It is detachable and has a socket in its hinge-plate for the insertion of a handle carried
suspended from the waist-belt, and hollowed to receive a sword or other bayonet. Or
the spade may be carried in the knapsack and be attachable to the butt as a handle.
The butt is hollowed to carry cleaning apparatus, paints and, if desired, a few
catridges.
The manipulation of the arm assuming the piece to have been just discharged, is as
follows:-The forefinger is lifted off the trigger, the locking handle lifted to the
horizontal position, describing one quarter of a circle, the handle and piston are then
drawn back, at the same time the empty cartridge-case is withdrawn and ejected;
then a new cartridge enters the receiver in front of the piston; the bolt and handle
are then pushed forward, the handle depressed into position and the trigger pulled, the

page_text: forefinger returning to its place in front of the trigger which, when aim is taken, may
be pulled and the piece discharged. The hand never leaves the handle of the bolt.
The breech mechanism may be reversed, mutatis mutandis, for left shoulder or left
cyc shooting.
The cartridge-case, Fig. 15, around the dome for the percussion-cap, contains a
small quantity of white powder (a) (nitro-compounds). Leading from the summit of
the dome to the fore end of the powder charge is a central axial column of the same
powder (); the remainder of the charge is ordinary black power. The projectile,
Figs. 16, 17, has a taper "spiral sigmoid" or fishtail rear; its head its recessed, or
partly recessed and partly made of lighter material than that of the rest of the
projectile, such as wood, ebonite or celluloid. A liquid lubricant is used enclosed in
capsules of gelatine or caoutchouc placed alongside the taper rear of the projectile,
Fig. 15, d. Waxed wads are placed behind the capsules. Between the waxed wads
(which may be omitted) and the powder is a felt wad.

page_text: 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. A. breech-closing piston on bolt, whose handle in the closed condition depends
from the under border of the gun; in line with and behind the trigger-guard, forming
pistol-grip."
al
«
2. A combination of bolt, locking-handle, firing-pin, extractor, and secar and its
recess, substantially as described.
3. A stop-stud, retained by screw-pin or cleaning-rod, so that when either of the
latter is removed, the bolt may be taken out and the piece cleaned from the breech,
substantially as described.
4. A safety holt, bolting the scear, substantially as described.
5. An indicator, substantially as described.
6. The construction for ejecting the empty cartridge-cases at the side, and a bag to
collect them, substantially as described.
7. A woven wire hand guard near the breech, to allow cooling while protecting the
user's hand.
8. The use of sights" constructed substantially as described and shown.
9. A breech-bracket supporting the barrel.
10. A combined muzzle-stopper and sight protector, substantially as described.
11. A hinged part of the heel-plate to rest on the shoulder of the user.
12. A trenching spade, substantially as described.
13. A mode of loading a cartridge with different powders to get their full effect
without any being blown out unburnt, substantially as described and depicted.
14. The use of a liquid lubricant enclosed in capsules, substantially as described.
15. A tubular cleaning rod, substantially as described.