IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS,"―A
communication from abroad by William Castle Dodge and Philip
Tell Dodge, both of Washington, District of Columbia, United
States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 20th March 1871.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS," a communication, to be as follows:-

page_text: the frame in which it operates whereby the gun is rendered extremely
simple, strong, and safe, all as herein-after more fully described.
Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sections of my Invention, and
Figure 3 shews a detached portion of the same.
On
In constructing these improved fire-arms a frame G is provided into
the front end of which the barrel A is screwed in the usual manner.
the inner walls or sides of this frame G a cheek piece or abutment I is
formed on each side a short distance to the rear of the open end of the
barrel A. These cheeks have their front faces curved so as to form the
arc of a circle of which the pin a whereon the breech-block B swings
is the centre; near the top the faces of the cheeks are cut away to form
a recess for the rear portion of the breech-block to rest in. The frame G
thus constructed is provided with a swinging breech-block composed
of two solid blocks B and C, one being hinged or pivotted to the other
in such a manner that its lower or rear end is free to swing to and from
the same. These two parts thus form a compound breech-block and are
so hinged to each other as to furnish a bearing upon the solid metal of
each, and therefore the strain in firing is not brought upon the pin n
which unites them in case a pin is used. According to one manner of
uniting these parts the joint is formed by cutting a mortise in the upper
end of one part and a corresponding tenon or tongue on the other part
of the block, the upper end of the first part being a circle fitted into
corresponding sockets or recesses in the back of the second part, and
forming a knuckle or socket joint. In order to still further strengthen
this joint the bottom or rear face of the tongue W is formed on a curve
concentric with the centre of the joint, and the corresponding portion
of the mortise is hollowed out to fit snugly against this curved shoulder.
Or if preferred the joint may be made with the upper end of one part
cut on a circle all the way across, the end being left solid and fitted
sidewise into a corresponding socket cut in the other part, the part with
the circular end may be held from moving sidewise by simply cutting
a small groove at the centre of its upper end in which the firing pin i
shall engage when inserted. The axis of the joint may be located either
above or below the firing pin, and if the form of joint first described is
used the pin n of the joint may also be used to hold the firing pin in its
seat. If the second form be used and it is located above then it must
have an opening in the rear of the firing pin for the hammer to strike
through to reach the firing pin. In all cases the rear part C is con-

page_text: structed with an arm which extends from the joint upward to a point
just above the other part where it terminates in a thumb piece E, the
object of this thumb piece being to lock and unlock the breech-block B
and to move the same in manipulating it. This arm is preferably located
on the right-hand side of the rear part C where it fits into a suitably
shaped recess cut in the side of the other part B of the block. It is
however obvious that the arm may be located centrally, in which case
a recess must be cut for it to lie in in the forward part of the block, and
its upper end should be curved to bring the thumb out to the right.
The lower end of the rear part C of the block is formed into two steps
or shoulders m, each of these shoulders being formed with their outer
surfaces concentric with the pin or axis n of the joint to permit them
to swing in and out of recesses in the upper portion of the cheeks and
have a firm and solid bearing therein, when the breech is closed; these
recesses being in like manner curved and concentric with the axis of
the joint of the parts when the breech is closed. By thus constructing
these parts the arm is rendered secure against accidental or premature
explosions. The rear end of the rear part C of the block can be swung
up flush with the upper edge of the frame G and thus prevent the
formation of any cavity or recess at that point for the reception of dirt
or other matter which might interfere with the operation of the parts,
and as the rear end of this part is thus elevated it also permits a
shoulder on the hammer to come up flush with the top of the frame G,
thus filling the cavity or slot in which the hammer D swings, and
leaving no cavity for the reception of obstructions.
In order, however, to prevent the protrusion of the firing pin i as the
breech is closed it is so connected to the arm of the rear part C of the
block that as the latter is moved to unlock the breech it will draw back
the firing pin by a positive movement. This may be done in various
ways, one of which is as follows:-The arm may rest in a recess in the
side of the firing pin i so that as the said arm is thrown back the pin is
also forced back and held until the breech is closed and locked by the
swinging forward of the arm when the pin will be free to move as it
is hit by the hammer D. If the arm be located at the side of the block
instead of at the centre then it may be connected to the firing pin i either
by an arm projecting laterally from the pin out through a slot in the
side of the block to the arm or by a pin extending from the arm inward
to the firing pin and made to engage therewith. In case the axis of

page_text: the joint should be located above the firing pin then a suitable shaped
cam-like shoulder is made on the inner face of the arm to draw back
the firing pin i. In the other form of joint above described a pin may
be inserted from below up through the head of the rear part of the
block and made to protrude from its upper surface, fitting in a slot or
recess in the firing pin. The hammer D is located betiveen the cheeks
in line with and directly in rear of the breech block. Its lower front
face is cut away or so formed that when the hammer is at full-cock its
lower portion will not swing forward in advance of the checks. The body
of the hammer above its journal or axis is provided with a shoulder »
which on its upper face is made concentric with its axis of rotation so
that as the hammer swings forward to ignite the charge this shoulder
will pass under the lower end of the rear part of the block and thus
lock the said part securely in its recess in the checks. The front
portion o of this shoulder is bevelled or inclined so that if the said part
of the block should not be fully home to its seat in the recess this incline
will force it home, and the shoulder will lock it there. A spring u is
inscrted between the lower parts of the two parts of the block which
serves to throw the lower end of the rear part into the recess in the
cheeks and hold it there previous to the descent of the hammer. This
shoulder also serves another purpose; the parts B, C, of the block are so
formed and united that when the rear part has its lower end pressed in
against the forward part to allow the breech to be opened the rear face
of the rear part will form a continuation on a true circle of the outline
of the other part, the two parts thus constituting a segment of a circle.
Now if the hammer be released when the part is thus pressed in, whether
the breech be closed or partially opened, the front face of this shoulder
will strike the rear or segmental face of the rear part of the block and
thus prevent the point of the hammer from reaching the firing pin.
.
By making the front face of the cheeks curved they serve as a guide
for the said rear part of the block to bear against in opening and
closing the breech. It is obvious that these checks instead of being
formed one on each side with the hammer between them may be made
in one single solid abutment extending entirely across from side to
side of the frame. In this case the hammer would ceither have to be
located in rear of the abutment or placed on the outside of the frame.
An additional safeguard consists simply of a projection on the side
of the hammer D which extends out far enough to strike the arm of

page_text: the rear part of the block, the arrangement of the parts being such
that if the lower end of the said part is not forced home in its scat in
the recess this projection will strike against the arm before it reaches
the firing pin. By this means the hammer D will force this part of
the block home to its seat before the charge can be ignited, or will
not hit the firing pin.
A sliding extractor may be used to withdraw the cartridge shell, it
being operated by the swinging breech block, or the extractor may
consist of a spring secured at its front end to the lower part of the
breech block the rear end of the spring being left free so that as the
breech is closed it will be depressed into a recess formed for it in the
front face of the hub and thus pass in under the flange, and when in rise
up with its free end in front of the flange so that as the breech is opened
it will force out the shell. Or instead of a spring the piece may be
rigid and have its lower end pivotted to the hub with a spring under it
to throw its free end up in front of the flange and thus operate in the
same manner and be less liable to be broken. Or if a spring be found
objectionable in connection with the said rigid piece the lower end of
the latter may be extended beyond the pivot and be so shaped and
arranged as to guide it in the opening movement of the breech in such
a manner as to keep its free or rear end pressed up against the shell
in front of its flange and thus make it draw or push out the shell.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th September 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,

page_text: r
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," a communication to me from
abroad by William Castle Dodge and Philip Tell Dodge, both of
Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming part of this Specification.
This Invention relates to breech-loading fire-arms, and consists in a
novel method of constructing and arranging the breech mechanism and
the frame in which it operates, whereby the gun is rendered extremely
simple, strong, and safe, all as herein-after more fully described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the breech or rear portion of the
arm shewing the breech open; Figure 2 is a similar view with the
breech closed; Figure 3 is a plan with all the parts in position as when
fired; Figure 4 is a similar view showing a safety guard attached to
the hammer; Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, show detached portions of the
arm; Figures 11, 12, and 13 show detached portions of modified con-
struction.
In constructing these improved fire-arms I first provide a frame G
of the form represented in the Drawing into the front end of which
the barrel A is screwed in the usual manner. On the inner walls or
sides of this frame a check piece or abutment I is formed on each side
a short distance to the rear of the open end of the barrel, as represented

page_text: in Figures 1, 2, and 9. These cheeks I have their front faces curved
so as to form the arc of a circle, of which the pin a whereon the breech
block swings is the centre, this curved face extending from below
upward to near the top where the faces of the cheeks are cut away to
form a recess for the rear portion of the breech block to rest in, as
herein-after more fully explained and as shown in Figure 1 and by
dotted lines in Figure 2. The frame G being thus constructed is
provided with a swinging breech block composed of two solid blocks
B, C, the latter being hinged or pivotted to the former in such a manner
that its lower or rear end is free to swing to and from the part B as
represented in the Drawing. These two parts thus form a compound
breech block and should be so hinged to each other as to furnish a
bearing upon the solid metal of each, and therefore the strain in firing
is not brought upon the pin which unites them in case a pin is used.
One manner of uniting these parts is represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5. In this case the joint is formed by cutting a mortise in the
upper end of the part C, and a corresponding tenon or tongue on the
part B, the upper end of the part C being a true circle and fitting into
corresponding sockets or recesses in the back of B on each side of the
tongue, whereby the solid end of the part C bears directly against the
solid metal of part B on the principle of a buckle or socket joint. In
order to still further strengthen this joint the bottom or rear face of
the tongue on B is formed on a curve concentric with the centre of the
joint as shown in Figure 2, and the corresponding portion of the mortise
in the part C is hollowed out to fit snugly against this curved shoulder
of the tongue, and thus afford a solid bearing at this point also. In this
way I produce a joint that affords a solid bearing entirely across the
block the bearing being divided, part being on the upper end of the part
C and the rest on the bottom of the tongue below. Or if preferred the
joint may be made as represented in Figure 8, in which the upper
end of part C is simply cut on a circle all the way across, the end
being left solid and fitted sidewise into a corresponding socket cut in
the part B. In this case the bearing is all at one point instead of at
two as in the other case, but it still extends entirely across the block.
If this form of joint is used the part C may be held from moving
sidewise by simply cutting a small groove at the centre of its upper
end in which the firing pin shall engage when inserted, the part C being
first placed in position and then the firing pin inserted and secured.

page_text: It will of course be understood that the object of these methods of
constructing the joint in the breech block is to secure the utmost
strength possible. The axis of the joint may be located either above or
below the firing pin, and if the form of joint first described is used the
pin n of the joint may also be used to hold the firing pin in its seat, as
shown in Figure 2. If the second form be used and it is located above,
then it must have an opening in the rear of the firing pin for the
hammer to strike through to reach the firing pin. Whichever form of
joint is used in all cases the part C is constructed with an arm which
extends from the joint upward to a point just above the part B, where
it terminates in a thumb piece E, as represented in the several Figures,
the object of this thumb piece being to lock and unlock the breech
block and to move the same in manipulating it. This arm is preferably
located on the right-hand side of the part C, where it fits into a suitably
shaped recess cut in the side of the part B, as shown in Figure 5, though
by making the block a little wider the recess may be omitted. It is,
however, obvious that the arm may be located centrally, as represented
in Figures 6 and 7, in which case a recess must be cut for its reception
in the part B, and its upper end should be curved to
piece E out to the right, as represented in Figure 7.
this part C is formed into two steps or shoulders
clearly in Figures 1, 5, and 6, each of these shoulders being formed with
their outer surfaces concentric with the pin n or axis of the joint to
permit them to swing in and out of the recesses 1 and 2 in the upper
portion of the cheeks I and have a firm and solid bearing therein when
the breech is closed, these recesses being in like manner curved and
concentric with the axis of the joint of the parts B, C, when the breech
block is in position, as represented in Figure 2. It is obvious that the
bearing would be the same if the end of part C were made with a single
shoulder extending over its entire surface and the recess in the cheeks
made to correspond, but there is a special object in thus constructing
these parts, which is to render the arm secure against accidental or
premature explosions. In this class of fire-arms, which have a swinging
breech block, premature explosions arise from two causes: first, from
the concussion of the breech block against the cartridge when the
breech is closed, and more especially if the breech block be heavy and
a spring be used to throw and hold the block closed; secondly, they are
still more apt to occur from the firing pin becoming jammed or stuck
fast in its seat with its point protruding from the face of the breech
bring the thumb
The lower end of
and m, as shewn

page_text: block, in which case it will of course hit the cap or cartridge as the
breech is closed, and thus be certain to ignite the charge. In either
case the charge is forced out at the rear end of the barrel, and injury
ensues.
Now by this method of constructing the breech block in two parts
and having the rear part C lock into the recess of the checks I, as the
breech is closed accidents from the first cause are prevented, and by
forming the locking shoulder and recess in the form of steps accidents
from the second cause are prevented, because as the breech is closed
the shoulder first locks on step 1 of the recess, so that if the pin at
that instant should hit and ignite the charge the breech block will be
held securely in position, and if at any time thereafter the charge should
be ignited before the block was entirely closed, still these parts would
prevent its opening beyond this point. It is obvious that the same
result might be secured by simply sloping the face of the recess from
its upper to its lower point and forming the end or shoulder of the
part C to correspond, but the locking of the parts in position would be
less secure; that, however, depending upon the angle at which the
part C should be arranged to stand. By this means also the rear end of
the part C can be swung up flush with the upper edge of the frame G,
as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and thus prevent the formation of any
cavity or recess at that point for the reception of dirt or foreign matter
which might interfere with the operation of the parts, and as the rear
end of the part C is thus elevated it also permits the shoulder r on the
hammer to come up flush with the top of the frame G, thus filling the.
cavity or slot in which the hammer swings and leaving no cavity for
the reception of obstructions.
In order however to prevent the protrusion of the firing pin as the
breech is closed, it is so connected to the arm of the part C, that as.
the latter is moved to unlock the breech it will draw back the firing
pin by a positive movement. This may be done in various ways, one of
which is shwen in Figure 6, where the cam is shewn resting in a recess
in the side of the firing pin, so that as the arm is thrown back the pin
is also forced back and held back until the brecch is closed and locked
by the swinging forward of the arm, when the pin will be free to move
as it is hit by the hammer. If the arm be located at the side of the
block, instead of at the centre, then it may be connected to the firing
pin either by an arm projecting laterally from the pin out through a

page_text: slot in the side of the block to the arm, or by a pin extending from the
arm inward to the firing pin and made to engage therewith. In case
the axis of the joint should be located above the firing pin a suitably
shaped cam-like shoulder is made on the inner face of the arm to draw
back the firing pin. If the form of joint shewn in Figure 8 be used,
then a pin may be inserted from below up through the head of the
part C and made to protrude from its upper surface, fitting in a slot or
recess in the firing pin and operating it in the same manner. In this
way I prevent the possibility of the firing pin being left to protrude at
the front of the breech block.
It will be observed that the hammer is located between the cheeks in
line with and directly in rear of the breech block. Its lower front face
is cut away, or so formed that when the hammer is at full cock its
lower portion will not swing forward in advance of the cheeks I. This
is necessary in order to leave a clear open space for the breech block
to swing down within the frame to permit the insertion and removal of
the cartridge shells. The body of the hammer above its journal or
axis is provided with a shoulder r, which on its upper face is made
concentric with its axis of rotation, so that as the hammer swings
forward to ignite the charge this shoulder will pass under the lower
end of the part C, which is cut away at its centre for that purpose, as
shewn in Figure 2, and thus lock the part C securely in its recess
in the cheeks I. It will be observed that the front portion of this
shoulder is bevelled or inclined, as represented at o, Figures 1 and 2,
so that if the part C should happen not to be fully home to its seat
in the recess, this incline o will force it home to its seat, and the
shoulder will be permitted to swing under and lock it there.
As represented in Figures 2 and 5, a spring u is inserted between
the lower parts of B and C, which serves to throw the lower end of
the latter into the recess in the cheeks and hold it there previous to
the descent of the hammer. This shoulder also serves another
purpose. It will be observed that the parts B and C are so formed and
united, that when the part C has its lower end pressed in against the
part B to allow the breech to be opened, the rear face of C will then
form a continuation on a true circle of the outline of B, the two parts
thus constituting a segment of a circle, as represented in Figure 1.
Now, if the hammer be released when the part C is thus pressed in
against the part B (whether the breech be closed or partially opened),

page_text: the front face of this shoulder will strike the rear or segmental face
of the part C, and thus prevent the point of the hammer from reaching
the firing pin.
By making the front face of the cheeks I curved, as represented, they
serve as a guide for the part C to bear against in opening and closing
the breech, and this is important, because as in closing the breech the
thumb is applied to the rear face of E the lower end of C is thereby
pressed backward, and if the cheeks were not there to prevent it the
end of the part C would be swung back and would lock under the
hammer bolt b, and thus prevent the breech from being closed. In
the same manner also the spring u would throw the part C back and
cause it to lock and interfere with its movement in closing. It is,
however, obvious that these cheeks, instead of being formed one on each
side, with the hammer between them, as represented, may be made in
one single solid abutment extending entirely across from side to side
of the frame, and made to operate in the same manner.
In this case
the hammer would either have to be located in rear of the abutment,
or placed on the outside of the frame, and the mechanism would be
less compact and therefore not so good as in the above-described
arrangement.
In Figure 4 is shown an additional safeguard. It consists simply of
a projection von the side of the hammer, which extends out far enough
to strike in rear of the arm of part C, the arrangement of the parts
being such that if the lower end of the part C is not forced home in
its scat in the recess, this projection v will strike against the arm before
it reaches the firing pin. By this means the hammer will force the
part C home to its seat before the charge can be ignited, or failing in
this the hammer will not hit the firing pin, and consequently the gun
will not be discharged. I also use the locking brace C in a modified
form as shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13. In this case the shoulder r
on the hammer is of the full width of the breech block B, so that when
the hammer swings forward to fire the picce, the shoulder will swing
in behind the breech block and hold it closed, the strain being taken
by the axis of the hammer through the medium of the shoulder r.
The brace C is pivoted to the breech block B, as above described, but is
made shorter and does not lock on the cheeks I of the frame. It is
arranged so that when the breech is closed its rear end will swing up
above the shoulder 1, thus permitting the shoulder to pass under it.

page_text: 7"
to lock against the rear face of the breech B, as the piece is fired a
small spring tending to throw the rear end of C up and to hold it
there when not forced down, it being shown in the position as it is when
fired in Figure 12. If by any means the cartridge should be exploded
by the closing of the brecch, then as the breech swings back on its
axis, the rear end of C will be carried down with it and coming in
contact with the front edge of the shoulder will lock securely thereon,
and thus prevent the breech from opening any further and of course
will prevent the charge from blowing out backward. More or less play
may be allowed for the breech block before the brace C locks on the
shoulder, but it is preferable to allow only a slight amount. For this
purpose the brace C is made a little shorter than it would otherwise be,
so that it will be sure to have its rear end clevated before the breech B
on its firing pin can touch the cartridge, then if an explosion should
occur it will be certain to strike the shoulder and thus prevent the
blowing open of the breech.
In opening and closing the breech the motion is the same as in the
other case described. By pressing back on the thumb piece the rear
end of the brace C is depressed, so that it and the breech block B both
swing down in front of the hammer, there being a spring or lever not
shown that prevents the moving of the breech B, until the rear end of C
has been pressed down upon B. It is obvious that this safety arrange-
ment may be applied equally well to the arm located at the centre of the
block as when located at the side.
A sliding extractor may be used to withdraw the cartridge shell, it
being operated by the swinging breech block in any suitable manner,
or the extractor may consist of a spring piece secured at its front end
to the lower part of the breech block as represented in Figure 8, the
rear end of the spring picce e being left free, so that as the breech is
closed it will be depressed into a recess formed for it in the front face
of the hub, thus passing in under the flange, and when in rising with
its free cnd in front of the flange, so that as the breech is opened it
will force out the shell. Or the piece e may be rigid and have its lower
end pivoted to the hub with a spring under it to throw its free end up
in front of the flange, and thus operate in the same manner and be less
liable to be broken. Or if a spring be found objectionable in con-
nection with the said rigid piece e, the lower end of the latter may be
extended beyond the pivot, and be so shaped and arranged as to guide.

page_text: it. in the opening movement of the breech in such a manner as to keep
its free or rear end pressed up against the shell in front of its flange and
thus make it draw or push out the shell.
The operation of this Invention is as follows:-The hammer being
brought to full-cock, the breech is unlocked by pressing back the thumb
picce E, this pressure first moves the end of the part C out of its recess
in the checks and presses it against the part B, when by continuing the
movement the breech block is swung down into the cavity in front of
the checks to the position shown in Figure 1. A cartridge is then
inserted and the breech closed and locked by simply pressing upward
and forward on the thumb piece E when the gun is fired in the usual
manner.
It will be seen that the arm is exceedingly strong, simple of con-
struction, perfectly safe, and can be manipulated with a very few motions
and consequently with great rapidity.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents and shown how the same is to be
performed, I claim,-
First. A frame for a breech-loading fire-arm having the cheeks I with
the locking recesses formed therein, substantially as described.
Second. The compound breech block composed of the parts B, C, the
latter being provided with a thumb piece E, and the said parts being
united, whereby the bearing is thrown upon the solid metal of the parts,
substantially as set forth.
Third. The hammer D provided with the shoulder r arranged to
operate in relation to the compound breech block, substantially as
described.
Fourth. The combination of the breech block B, C, with the cheek
pieces I of the frame constructed with the locking recesses, substantially
as described.
Fifth. The shoulder r with the incline o at its front in combination
with the locking part C for forcing the latter to its seat in the recess,
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination of the firing pin with the hinged or swinging
part C substantially as described, whereby the latter is made to draw back
the firing pin in opening the breech, as set forth.

page_text: Seventh. The swinging breech block having its locking face or
shoulder so constructed that the breech is locked before it is entirely
closed, and the arm thereby rendered more safe, substantially as herein
set forth.
Eighth. The arrangement of the hammer in relation to the arm of
part C substantially as described, whereby the hammer is prevented from
striking the firing pin until the part C is forced to its seat in the recess
and the breech securely locked as herein set forth.
Ninth. In combination with a swinging breech block the latch or
pawl e pivoted thereto and arranged to operate, substantially as described
for withdrawing the cartridge shell as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
one.
Witness,
EDWARD C. Jackson.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)