IMPROVEMENTS IN FIREARMS AND BAYONET ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur William Lovell Reddie of the Office for Patents
"
66 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIREARMS AND BAYONET ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR.'
Communicated to him from abroad by Eben Townsend Starr of the City and
State of New York, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur William Lovell
Reddie at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th December
1882.
"
ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE of the Office for Patents 66 Chancery Lane
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ARMS AND
BAYONET ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR [Communicated to him from abroad by
Eben Townsend Starr of the City and State of New York, United States of
America]
These improvements in fire arms are all applicable to that class of breech-loading
fire arms in which the breech-block containing the hammer and other lock
mechanism is pivotted within the breech-receiver so that it has to be swung back-
wards and downwards to open the breech, and in which the necessary movements
of the breech block and the cartridge shell extractor are effected by a lever pivotted
on the same centre of motion with the breech block; but certain features of the
invention are applicable to other breech-loading fire-arms, and in part also to
muzzle loading fire-arms.
One part of the invention consists in the combination with the breech-receiver
of a breech loading fire-arm, and with a breech-block pivotted to swing backward
and downward therein and containing the lock mechanism and a lever for
operating the breech-block pivotted on the same centre therewith, the said breech
block and breech receiver having between them a bore or socket formed partly in
the rear wall of each, of a locking bolt or key which is connected with said lever
so as to be operated thereby and which fits said bore or socket and thereby holds
the breech block against movement both in a backward and in a lateral direction,

page_text: The portion of the bore or socket which is in the breech receiver, forms a bearing
for the locking bolt or key which receives the force of the recoil in firing. In the
above recited combination the locking bolt or key may be made of circular form
in transverse section, in which case the bore or socket in the breech block wherein
it fits, and the inclined bearing in the breech receiver are of corresponding
transverse section.
Another part of the invention consists in the construction of the locking key
or bolt and the lever in the combination above recited, the former with a notch
in its rear side and the latter with a forwardly projecting hook engaging with said
notch, whereby a simple and strong direct connection is provided between the bolt
or key and its operating lever.
Another part of the invention consists in the combination with the above
mentioned breech receiver, breech block, lever and locking bolt or key of a hammer
having a projection upon its tumbler which is so brought against the lever in
cocking the hammer as to prevent the lever from being swung downwards to
withdraw the locking bolt or key while the hammer is at full cock.
Another part of the invention consists in a novel method of applying a spiral
main spring to a swinging hammer which is applicable with especial advantage
to breech loading fire-arms of the class hereinbefore mentioned, but which might
also be applied to fire arms of other kinds. The spiral spring is placed upon an
extensible core or guide made of two parts one of which is adapted to slide in and
out within the other. One of the said parts is pivotted, or otherwise suitably
attached, to the breech-block and the other is arranged to bear against the back of
the hammer either with a rounded end or head which enters a recess in the
hammer, or in any other suitable manner. The spring is applied between two
shoulders or bearings, one on each of the said parts of the two-part core or guide,
and during the movements of the hammer in the operations of cocking and firing,
the spring and the two-part core or guide swing together upon the pivot or attach-
ment which forms the connection between the said core or guide to the breech
block.
Another part of the invention consists in the combination with a cartridge shell
extractor working under the barrel and having its front part bi-furcated of a
breech operating lever provided with a horn which enters the said bifurcated part
for the purpose of moving the extractor rearwards to extract the shells, and a
spring one end of which works through the said bifurcated part and bears upon
the said horn for the purpose of controlling the action of the said lever.
The principal improvement in bayonet attachments consists in the combination
with the barrel and ram-rod or wiping rod of a gun, of a bayonet provided with
two parallel sockets, one of which fits the barrel, and the other of which when
the bayonet is in place on the barrel, receives within it the end of said rain-rod or
wiping rod. This allows the bayonet to have a long and broad hilt which forms
an efficient handle when it is used as a sword, and enables the whole length of the
hilt to come on the barrel without interfering with the rod.
Another improvement in the bayonet attachment consists in the combination
with a tip band on the gun-stock having in its front a recess or cavity, of a bayonet
having a socket fitted to the barrel and a projection adapted to enter said recess
or cavity and thereby prevent the turning of the socket upon the barrel.
Another improvement in bayonet attachments consists in providing for fitting
the gun having such a bayonet attachment as is hereinabove mentioned, with a long
ram-rod or wiping rod by making the said rod with an invertible tubular portion
which screws into a tapped hole in the tip-band of the gun, and which is received
within the lower socket of the bayonet-hilt.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Arthur William Lovell Reddie in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 25th June 1883.
"
ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE of The Office for Patents 66 Chancery Lane
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND
BAYONET ATTACHMENTS THEREFOR Being a Communication to me from Abroad
by Eben Townsend Starr of the City and State of New York United States of
America
These Improvements in fire-arms are all applicable to that class of breech-loading
fire-arms in which the breech-block containing the hammer and other block
mechanism is pivotted within the breech receiver so that it has to be swung back-
wards and downwards to open the breech, and in which the necessary movements
of the breech-block and the cartridge shell extractor are effected by a lever
pivotted on the same centre of motion with the breech block, but certain features
of the Invention are applicable to other breech-loading fire-arms and in part also
to muzzle-loading fire-arms
One part of the Invention consists in the combination with the breech-receiver
of a breech-loading fire-arm and with a breech-block pivotted to swing backward
and downward therein and containing the lock mechanism and a lever for operating
the breech-block pivotted on the same centre therewith the said breech block and
breech receiver having between them a bore or socket formed partly in the rear
wall of cach, of a locking bolt or key which is connected with said lever so as to
be operated thereby and which fits said bore or socket and thereby holds the
breech block against movement both in a backward and in a lateral direction―
The portion of the bore or socket which is in the breech receiver forms a bearing
for the locking bolt or key which receives the force of the recoil in firing. In the
above recited combination the locking bolt or key may be made of circular form
in transverse section in which case the bore or socket in the breech-block
wherein it fits, and the inclined bearing in the breech-receiver, are of corresponding
transverse section.
Another part of the Invention consists in the construction of the locking key or
bolt and the lever in the combination above recited, the former with a notch in its
rear side, and the latter with a forwardly projecting hook engaging with said notch
whereby a simple and strong direct connection is provided between the bolt or key
and its operating lever.
Another part of the Invention consists in the combination with the above
mentioned breech-receiver, breech-block, lever and locking bolt or key of a hammer
having a projection upon its tumbler which is so brought against the lever in cocking
the hammer as to prevent the lever from being swung downwards to withdraw the
locking bolt or key while the hammer is at full cock.
Another part of the Invention consists in a novel method of applying a spiral
main spring to a swinging hammer which is applicable with especial advantage to
breech-loading fire-arms of the class herein before mentioned, but which might also
be applied to fire arms of other kinds-The spiral spring is placed upon an
extensible core or guide made of two parts: one of which is adapted to slide in and
out within the other. One of the said parts is pivotted or otherwise suitably
attached to the breech-block and the other is arranged to bear against the back of
the hammer either with a rounded end or head which enters a recess in the
hammer, or in any other suitable manner. The spring is applied between two
shoulders or bearings one on each of the said parts of the two-part core or guide,

page_text: and during the movements of the hammer in the operations of cocking and firing
the spring and the two-part core or guide swing together upon the pivot or
attachment which forms the connection between the said core or guide to the breech
block
Another part of the Invention consists in the combination with a cartridge shell
extractor working under the barrel and having its front part bifurcated or forked,
a breech operating lever provided with a horn which enters the said bifurcated or
forked part for the purpose of moving the extractor rearwards to extract the
shell, and a spring one end of which works through the said bifurcated or forked
part and bears upon said horn for the purpose of controlling the action of said
lever.
The principal improvement in bayonet attachments consists in the combination
with the barrel and ram rod or wiping rod of a gun, of a bayonet provided with two
parallel sockets one of which fits the barrel and the other of which, when tho
bayonet is in place on the barrel, receives within it the end of said ram rod or
wiping rod This allows the bayonet to have a long and broad hilt which forms an
efficient handle when it is used as a sword and enables the whole length of the
hilt to come on the barrel without interfering with the rod.
Another improvement in the bayonet attachment consists in the combination
with a tip-band on the gun-stock having in its front a recess or cavity, of a
bayonet having a socket fitted to the barrel and a projection adapted to enter
said recess or cavity and thereby prevent the turning of the socket upon the barrel.
Another improvement in bayonet attachments consists in providing for fitting
the gun having such a bayonet attachınent as is hereinabove mentioned, with a
long ram-rod or wiping-rod by making the said rod with an invertible tubular
portion which screws into a tapped hole in the tip band of the gun and wbich is
received within the lower socket of the bayonet hilt
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a breech loading
musket with bayonet attached illustrating the Invention, Figure 2 is a longitudinal
section of the gun full size showing the breech closed, Figure 3 is a top view thereof,
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section of the breech block detached from
the gun, Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig: 2 with the breech open, Fig 5 represents
a view similar to Fig 2 with the hammer cocked, Fig: 6 represents a transverse
section on the dotted line y y Fig 2, Fig: 7 represents a front view of the breech
with the operating lever and hammer, Fig 8: represents an inverted plan view of
the cartridge shell extractor, Fig: 9 represents a perspective view thereof, and
Fig 10 represents a plain view of the extractor the end portion of the breech
operating lever which engages therewith and the spring for acting upon the said
lever. Fig 11 represents a side view of the hilt of a bayonet illustrating the
improved attachment, Fig 12 represents a longitudinal section of the muzzle portion
of the musket barrel and the hilt or socket portion of the bayonet fitted thereon,
Figure 13 represents a transverse section on the dotted line x x— —Fig 12, looking
in the direction indicated by the arrows, and Fig: 14 is a transverse section of the
bayonet hilt on the dotted line z z Fig 12.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A is the barrel of the gun B is the breech receiver mortised to receive the breech
block C which is pivotted upon a pin a on which it may be swung downward and
backward to open the breech.
The breech-block C is mortised to receive within it the several parts of the lock
mechanism, and its rear wall or end is shaped correspondingly to the rear wall B¹
of the breech receiver as shewn in Figures 2, 4, 5.-D is the breech block operating
lever, the form of which is shewn in Figures 2, 4 and 5
The lever fits within the mortise of the breech block C and is fulcrumed on the
same pin a therewith, but so that it and the breech block may swing thereon
independently of each other.
In the rear part of the breech block C is the locking bolt or key E represented as of
nearly cylindrical form, being only very slightly taper and fitting in a boro or

page_text: socket, E', which is formed partly in the rear wall of the breech block and partly
in the breech receiver.
In the rear side of the bolt or key E near its lower end is a notch d, and upon
the lever D is a strong forwardly projecting hook which enters the notch d and
forms a direct connection between the bolt or key and the lever D
The upper part of the bolt or key E fits directly between the breech block and
the upper part of the rear wall, B¹, of the breech receiver, and the portion of the
bore or socket E' which is in the receiver forms a bearing c² which is inclined
upward and backward from the portion below it.-This inclined bearing is nearly
at right angles to the direction in which the force of the recoil acts when the fire
arm is discharged and consequently the said bearing forms a solid abutment which
receives the force of the recoil and prevents the breech block from movement away
from the breech
As the bore E is formed partly in the breech block and. partly in the breech
receiver the locking bolt or key holds the breech block not only against backward
movement, but against lateral movement, and hence the breech block may fit so
easily in the mortise in the receiver that it will not be prevented from working
freely in case of a little dirt getting between it and the sides of the receiver.
On each side of the breech operating lever D above and forward of the pivot a
there is a shoulder c which operates against a shoulder c' on each side of the interior
of the breech block C, for the purpose of producing the downward and backward
movement of the breech block for opening the breech by the act of pulling down
the lever. So much play is provided for between these shoulders that the lever
will draw down the locking bolt E below the bearing c³ before it comes into
operation on the breech block to open the breech.
3
F is the hammer pivotted in the breech block on a pin e.-G is main-spring
placed on a two-part extensible core consisting of a tubular portion of which has
formed upon it a shoulder f¹ for one end of the spring to bear against, and a
pin fitting and adapted to slide within the tubular portion, and having an eye ƒ³
against a shoulder on the back of which the other end of said spring bears-The
eye f³ fits within the mortise of the breech block C, as shewn in Fig: 6, and is
secured by a pin g inserted through it and the breech block, and forming a fixed
abutment for the spring.
The end of the tubular portion ƒ of the core is rounded or convex and fits into
a concave recess f* in the hammer F as shewn in Fig 6.
This extensible two-part core forms a guide for the main spring G and accommo-
dates itself to the extension and contraction thereof-When the hammer is cocked
the main spring is brought nearly into line with the hammer pivot and the pin g,
but as the hammer falls the front end of the core rises more and more above the
centre of the hammer pivot, and consequently the power of the spring constantly
increases as the hammer moves forward and reaches its maximum when the hammer
strikes the cartridge
In lieu of the end of the tubular core of the main spring G resting in the
cavity in the hammer, it might be pivotted to the hammer; in either case the
spring is free to swing on the pin g as the hammer swings.
The tumbler F of the hammer F has the usual half-cock notch h, and cock notch i.
The trigger H and sere H' are formed in a single piece fulcrumed on a pin ; which
secures it in the breech block C, and are acted on by a spring H' which bears
against the eye f³.
On the tumble F¹ forward of the half-cock notch h is a projection which when
the hammer is cocked as shewn in Fig: 5 is in contact, or nearly so, with the
forward end of the lever D above its fulcrum pin a, and the lever cannot then be
pulled down because of its forward part coming against the said projection, and
consequently the locking bolt E cannot be drawn down away from the bearing c
while the hammer is cocked.
In the front of the hammer F, above its pivot e, is a notch 1, and adjacent
thereto is a horn or projection m, on the lever D.

page_text: When the lever D is pulled down after firing, its first movement causes the
horn m. to move back the hammer until the said horn engages with the notch Z.
which is sufficient to bring the half-cock notch, h. forward of the point of the
sere H, and consequently the lever D cannot draw down the locking bolt E
sufficiently to remove it from the inclined bearing c² until the hammer is moved
sufficiently to carry the half-cocking notch, h. beyond or forward of the point of the
sere H¹
When the lever D is swung up to close the breech, the horn m. acts in the
reverse direction on the hammer, and taking into the notch 7. it tends to draw the
hammer forward, and through the hammer raises the breech-block. The lever and
breech-block are thereby caused to maintain the same relative position which they
bear to each other when the breech is open, as seen in Fig: 4, during the whole
closing movement of the breech-block and not until the breech-block is completely
raised and in proper position to close the breech, does the lever commence to move
up relatively to and into the breech-block to move the locking bolt or key up into
its locking position between the breech-block and the inclined bearing c². When
the breech block comes up to its closed position and cannot move further the
horn m. is drawn out of the notch 7. by the continued movement of the lever which
then brings the locking bolt up against the bearing c².
I is the shell extractor fitted to slide in grooves or ways n. in the side walls of
the breech receiver below the barrel A, as shewn in Fig: 4. The extractor has at
its rear end an upwardly extending portion which is about equal in width to the
diameter of the cartridge chamber, and is adapted to bear upon nearly half the
circumference of the flange of the shell, thereby giving it a very broad and strong
hold thereon.
The extractor I, is forked at its forward end as shewn at n. in Figures 8. 9 and 10,
and the lever D is provided with a projection or horn o, which enters the fork,
n. and acts upon the crutch or back thereof to draw the extractor backward and
eject the shell. The lever only acts to draw the extractor backward and the latter
is pushed forward in front of the flange of a cartridge by the breech block C, in its
closing movement.
J designates the spring which prevents the lever D from dropping down when
the breech is closed. It is attached to the underside of the barrel A at p., and its
rear end or tip is received in the fork n¹. of the extractor I. and presses upon the
projection or horn, o, on the hammer. By providing the fork n. in the extractor,
the spring J is permitted to bear directly upon the horn o, and the fore-stock can
be made of less depth than would be necessary if the spring were below the
extractor.
The Bayonet attachment will now be described.
K designates the tip-band which is recessed at q. to receive the end of the
fore-stock L-M is the sword bayonet, the hilt portion of which is fitted to the
barrel A.
The bayonet is provided with a main or upper socket M' which receives the
barrel A, and with a smaller and lower socket M², parallel with the socket M¹.
The two sockets form a handle or hilt which is adapted to be grasped very firmly
in the hand when the bayonet is used as a sword.
N desiguates the wiping rod, which is provided with an invertible tubular end
portion N'. When not in use the rod passes through the said tubular portion and
is screwed into the front end thereof at r. The opposite end of said tubular
portion is furnished with a screw thread r. and may be screwed into the band K.
When the wiping rod is to be used the tubular end portion N¹ is unscrewed
from the band K and from the end of the rod N, after which it is inverted in
position and again screwed on the rod, thus making the rod long enough for use.
When the rod N is in the band K and the bayonet is on the gun, the front end of
the rod is received within the socket M2 of the bayonet.
In the front face of the tip-band K there is a recess or cavity s and on the
socket M³ there is a hub or projection 8' which enters the recess or cavity 8, when

page_text: the bayonet is on the gun.-The engagement of the hub or projection 8', with the
recess or cavity s prevents the bayonet from turning on the barrel.
At the front end of the socket M' there is a catch for holding the bayonet on the
barrel. This catch is composed of a lever O fulcrumed on a pin t. and having a
projection t'. which enters a recess t. in the exterior of the barrel.
One arm of
the lever O, projects beyond the exterior wall of the socket M³ so that it may be
operated by the finger or thumb to withdraw the pin t. from the recess 2., and
the lever is acted upon by a spring u to hold the pin in engagement with the
recess t
Having now set forth the nature of this Invention of "Improvements in Fire-
arms and Bayonet attachments therefor" as communicated to me by my Foreign
Correspondent, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish
it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim.―
First The combination of the breech-receiver, the breech-block, pivotted to
swing backwards and downwards and containing the lock mechanism, the lever for
operating the said breech-block, pivotted on the same centre therewith, the said
breech-block and breech receiver having between them a bore or socket, formed
partly in the rear wall of each, and the locking bolt or key, which is connected
with the said lever so as to be operated thereby, and which fits the said bore or
socket, and thereby holds the said breech-block both against backward and lateral
movement, substantially as described.
Second: The combination with the pivotted breech-block and the breech-
receiver of the locking bolt or key fitting between them and having the notch in
its rear side, and the lever fulcrumed on the same centre with the breech-block
and provided with the forwardly projecting hook which enters the said notch to
form a direct connection between the said locking bolt or key and the said lever,
substantially as described.
Third The combination with a pivotted breech-block and a breech-receiver
having in their adjacent rear walls a hole or socket, a locking bolt or key therein,
and a lever for operating the said breech-block and bolt or key, of a hammer
having a projection upon its tumbler which is brought against the lever in cocking
the hammer and prevents the lever from being swung downwards to withdraw the
locking bolt or key while the hammer is at full cock, substantially as described.
Fourth The combination with the swinging breech-block, containing the lock
mechanism, of a spiral main-spring fitting between the hammer and a fixed
abutment in the breech-block, and an extensible core and guide for the spring,
composed of two parts fitting one within the other substantially as described.
Fifth-In a fire-arm the combination with a hammer having a cavity or
recess in its back, of a spiral main-spring, and an extensible two-part spring
core, one end of which is rounded so as to fit the said cavity or recess, substantially
as described.
Sixth The combination with the breech-block of a breech-loading fire-arm and
a hammer pivotted in the said breech-block, of a spiral main-spring and an
extensible two-part core and guide therefor, so pivotted to the breech-block as to
provide for a swinging or oscillating motion of the said spring substantially as
described.
Seventh The combination of the breech-block C, the hammer F, having the
cavity or recess, ft. the extensible core or guide composed of the tubular part f
having a rounded end and a shoulder f¹, the pin f2. provided with the eye f³. and
the pin g. substantially as described.
"
Eighth The combination with the barrel A and breech-block C of the
extractor I, bifurcated or forked at its front-end, the lever D provided with a
horn, o, working in the fork or bifurcation of said extractor, and the spring J, the
end of which enters the said fork or bifurcation and bears upon the said horn
substantially as described.
Ninth The combination with the gun barrel and ram-rod or wiping-rod of a
bayonet provided with two parallel sockets, one of which is fitted to the barrel

page_text: and the other of which receives the end of said rod, substantially as herein
described.
:
Tenth The combination with the barrel of a fire-arm and a band which receives
the top of the stock and has a recess or cavity in its front, of a bayonet provided
with a socket fitting the said barrel and with a hub or projection adapted to enter
the said recess or cavity, substantially as herein described.
:
Eleventh The combination of the barrel A, the band K the rod N and the
tubular portion N¹ screwed upon the end of the rod and screwed into the said
band, and the bayonet M provided with sockets M¹ M² substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Arthur William Lovell Reddie have hereunto
set my hand and seal the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.
ARTHUR W. L. REDDIE. (L.S.)