IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL-FIRE BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Needham and George Henry Needham, both
of Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Gunmakers, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL-FIRE BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME."
Sealed the 17th April 1866, and dated the 20th October 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Needham and
George Henry Needham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 20th October 1865.
We, JOSEPH NEEDHAM and GEORGE HENRY NEEDHAM, both of Piccadilly,
in the County of Middlesex, Gunmakers, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL FIRE BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS, AND IN AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME," to be as follows:-
Our improvements relate, first, to a breech-loading. fire-arm applicable for
a rifle or military gun. The closure for the breech consists of a square block-
like piece comprising the gun-lock, trigger, and trigger guard, all mounted

page_text: and moving on a fulcrum pin situated immediately below the open breech end
of the barrel. This block-like piece is fitted between the side or cheek pieces
extended in the rear of the barrel, and carrying in line therewith the abut-
ment for the breech piece. This breech piece has a tail-like extension close
underneath, and in the direction of the stock in the form of a lever, it is in a
position suitable for gripping when firing the gun; a second lever lies parallel
with and within this one above mentioned, which second lever operates the
catch for locking and releasing the breech piece; it also half-cocks the gun in
the act of releasing the breech piece. The space in which the breech piece
is fitted is open above and below the breech piece, being inserted from below
and pivotted as before mentioned. The opening above serves to introduce
the cartridge at the breech end of the barrel, which is exposed by the move-
ment of the breech piece on its joint pin, whereby it turns to a position almost
below the level of the bore; a slight projection on the face of the breech piece
enters a recess in the barrel breech when it is brought up, which forces the
cartridge into the barrel at the time the cartridge enters the barrel, the head
or projecting flange on the head of the metal cap of the cartridge enters a
notch cut across a ridge of a circular form described from the breech piece
axis, which withdraws the cartridge case half an inch or so when the breech
is opened. Instead of this a tooth or two may be substituted to operate an
extractor moving in line parallel with the barrel. As before mentioned the
hammer or striker is contained in the breech piece, the cock or finger piece
projecting through the upper part, while the trigger projects below; the
hammer is furnished with a pin, which occupies a hole in the breech plug,
through which it advances in striking and exploding the cartridge. The
breech piece is released and brought down by depressing the thumb piece of
the second or inside lever, while the closing is effected by pressing on the
outside or first lever in the opposite direction, and if it is not thoroughly
closed the hammer cannot fall so as to discharge the cartridge.
The second part of our Invention is an extractor adapted for central-fire
breech-loaders having a breech piece or plug, which is hinged or jointed at
the rear end of such plug, that is to say, at the end farthest from the barrel,
and which breech plug moves to a position at right angles to the barrel or
nearly so. We dispose the extractor in a channel parallel with the cavity
receiving the breech plug, forming it of the entire length of that piece; the
fore part of the extractor is furnished with a hook piece or tooth which takes
hold of the flange of the metal top of the cartridge, so as to pull it back with
its retrograde movement. The extractor at the rear end is formed with an

page_text: arm or piece at right angles, passing round behind the back end of the plug, and
is furnished with a horn or projection upon which the breech plug when it is
moved out of the line of the barrel takes effect, and causes the extractor to
move backwards and withdraw the cartridge case a short distance from the
barrel, when it either falls out or may be readily extracted by the fingers.
The rear end of the extractor is furnished with a pin in the line of the axis
of the barrel on which it is mounted and slides. A small inclined piece is
formed on the extractor under the breech plug, against which another inclined
projection therein comes in contact, when it is shut down causing the extractor
to advance to its forward position; if necessary the extractor may be formed
so as to force the cartridge home in the barrel at same time.
The third part of our Invention relates to the extractor of a gun con-
structed on the principle of Lefaucheux known as the drop gun, which we fit
and furnish generally somewhat as described in the Patent, No. 1544,
granted to Joseph Needham, dated May 22nd, 1862, excepting the extractor,
which we now mount on a stem placed on the under side of the barrel, and
furnish with a head piece (part in contact with the cartridge) fitted into a
recess of same form cut in the breech end of the barrel. We lead the
extractor stem towards the joint on which the barrels move, where a fixed
horn or projection enters a slot in the stem. The motion of the barrels in
falling has the effect of propelling the extractor stem by reason of its contact
with the horn before mentioned, so that the cartridge case is thrust back-
wards out of the barrel a given distance. The closing of the breech
causes the cartridge extractor to return to its normal position with the fresh
cartridge.
A further improvement consists in fitting in the abutment of the barrels a
detached sliding striker, which is operated by a cam on the axis of the
lever used to secure and release the barrels, so that in releasing the barrels
the striker is thrust backwards and forces the hammer (by which. it is struck
in the act of firing) to half-cock. The same cam and connection with the
hammer by the striker prevents the gun going off unless the breeches of the
barrels be properly closed.
Another arrangement of breech-loading gun consists of the breech plug or
closing piece mounted on the gun somewhat in the manner of the gun first
herein described, but having the joint on which it moves above the barrel
instead of below as before, the square block-like part fits into a recess as
before, but which is not cut through as in the former case, so that when the
plug is raised by a tail-like piece or lever lying along the upper part of the stock

page_text: a cavity is presented, into which the cartridge is dropped, and slid forwards
into the barrel. The arrangement for withdrawing the cartridge case à short
distance is the same as in the first gun, viz., by a notch cut across a circular
part described from the joint of the breech piece. The tail lever is in this case
single and somewhat broad, having a slot through which the head of the cock
or hammer passes when the lever is down and the breech closed. The head
of the cock is somewhat of a T-form, the horizontal limbs of such T-head
being fitted to the slot in the lever just to pass through, but so adjusted that it
will only do so at half-cock, under which circumstances the breech is alone
free to be opened or closed.
When the hammer is at full cock the rear limb.
of the T-head holds down the lever, and when the hammer strikes and dis-
charges the arm the forward limb of the T holds the lever and breech plug
down. Thus, after firing it is simply necessary to half-cock, then throw up
and over the lever and breech plug, by which action the cartridge case is
partially withdrawn, and the breech exposed for the insertion of another
cartridge. The breech piece is then returned to position, and kept at half-
cock, or it may be full-cocked, or lowered to secure the lever in the down
position. The hammer strikes on a sliding pin or needle in the breech piece,
which passes through to effect contact with the cartridge. The tumbler is
formed below the joint of the hammer lever, and communicates with the sear
and trigger much in the ordinary manner.
The last part of our Invention relates to the ammunition of central fire-
arms, and consist in forming the bullet of iron, and to contain the charge of
powder. For this purpose we cut off lengths of iron tube, upset, close, and
shape the one end, and then tin the bullet, and fill in the charge of powder at
the rear end. We place a metal cap on the rear end, similar to the caps or ends
of central-fire cartridges. The charge is thus enclosed impervious to moisture,
and will bear rough usage without detriment, and in firing no residue is left in
the barrel except the metallic rear cap, which is extracted from the gun as in
ordinary. Instead of the bullet being entirely of one piece with the receptacle
for powder, this receptacle may be of thin metal fixed in the forward and
bullet part, this receptacle for powder being of metal will be carried out of
the barrel by the bullet.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Needham and George Henry Needham in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 20th April 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
NEEDHAM and GEORGE HENRY NEEDHAM, both of Piccadilly, in the County of
Middlesex, Gunmakers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Joseph Needham and George Henry Needham, Her special licence
that we, the said Joseph Needham and George Henry Needham, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Joseph Needham
and George Henry Needham, our 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 CENTRAL-PIRE BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN AMMUNITION
FOR THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Joseph
Needham and George Henry Needham, our executors or administrators, by au
instrument in writing under our, 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
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Joseph Needham and George Henry
Needham, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-.
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereou
(that is to say)-
Our improvements relate, first, to a breech-loading fire-arm applicable for a
rifle or military gun.. The closure for the breech consists of a square block-
like piece comprising the gun lock, trigger, and guard, all mounted on a
fulcrum pin, situated immediately below the breech end of the barrel. This

page_text: block-like piece is fitted between the side or cheek pieces extended in the rear
of the barrel in line therewith, and carrying the abutment for the breech piece.
This breech piece has a tail-like extension close underneath, and in the
direction of the stock in the form of a lever, it is in a position suitable for
gripping when firing the gun, a second lever lies parallel with and within this
one above mentioned, which second lever operates the catch for locking and
releasing the breech piece, it also half-cocks the gun in the act of releasing
the breech piece. The space in which the breech piece is fitted is open above
and below the breech piece, being inserted from below and pivotted as above-
mentioned. The opening above serves to introduce the cartridge at the breech
end of the barrel, which is exposed by the movement of the breech piece on its
joint pin, whereby it turns to a position almost below the level of the bore, a
slight projection on the face of the breech piece enters a recess in the barrel
breech when it is brought up, which forces the cartridge into the barrel, at the
time the cartridge enters the barrel the bead or projecting flange on the head
of the metal cap of the cartridge enters a notch cut across a ridge of a circular
form described from the breech pin axis, which by its motion withdraws the
cartridge case half an inch or so when the breech is opened. Instead of this
a tooth or two may be substituted to operate an extractor moving in line
parallel with the barrel. As before mentioned the hammer or striker is con-
tained in the breech piece, the cock or finger piece projecting through the
upper part while the trigger projects below, the hammer is furnished with a
pin which occupies a hole in the breech plug, through which it advances in
striking and exploding the cartridge. The breech piece is released and
brought down by depressing the thumb-piece of the second or inside lever,
while the closing is effected by pressing on the outside of first lever in the
opposite direction, and if it is not thoroughly closed the hammer cannot fall so
as to discharge the cartridge.
Fig. 1 represents a side view; Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal
section of a gun, constructed according to this Invention; in Fig. 3, the breech
closing mechanism is shown as lowered for opening the breech, said mechanism
is separately represented in section; in Fig. 4, a, a, is the hollow block-like
piece with tail extension 6 mounted on a strong fulcrum pin c passing through
the metal of the barrel, the solid end of a, a, coming against the breech of the
barrel has a circular projection d, which enters the recess e, while the whole
is fitted between the cheek pieces f, f, extending backwards from the barrel
which unite in a solid piece or part g, forming the abutment for the breech-
closing piece, being in fact a through slot or cavity in the barrel for the

page_text: reception of a in which it fits somewhat accurately; between the cheeks of a
is fitted the lock mechanism, that is to say, the hammer or cock h, sear i, and
tumbler k, and trigger z, which projects through a slot at the bottom; between
the sides of a and b is also mounted a lever Z on a fulcrum at m. This lever
has a thumb projection n which is used to depress that end of the lever l
which when it assumes the dotted position seen in Fig. 4, on the pressure
of the thumb being continued carries a, b, with it, and so throws down the
breech piece, the object of moving lever / first is to release the part p from a
recess in 9, forming a catch and locking the breech in position. At same.
time that lever is depressed it takes effect on a point q on the tumbler.
and raises the part h to half-cock. The striker is a short rod pivotted on has
seen in Fig. 4. The extractor in this case consists of a notch s cut across the
quadrant-like projection d described from fulcrum c, and of about one-eighth
or a quarter of an inch in breadth, received in a like recess below the bore of
the barrel as before mentioned. The operations of loading and firing are as
follows: The part a, b, is thrown into the position seen in Fig. 3, by pressing
the thumb-piece n, which half-cocks as described, a cartridge is then inserted
in the bore and pushed forwards till the metal bead projecting from the rear
thereof comes in contact with d which prevents its fully entering the barrel,
the tail 6 is then raised, when projection d abuts against the cartridge and
forces it forwards, the bead at same time entering the notch s, during the
time the striker will be withdrawn within the surface of a by reason of the
half cocking as before mentioned. The breech piece a, b, being brought up
the part p of lever I will snap into the recess in g, when the gun is secure for
firing, and simply requires to be full-cocked. In holding and firing the gun,
three fingers of the trigger hand grasp the tail b, which ensures the breech
piece being in proper position. It will be observed that the trigger guard is
also fixed on the part a, when the brecch piece a, b, is again dropped for
re-loading, the notch withdraws with it the metal cap and cartridge case
which is subsequently removed by hand, or dropped out by inverting the
gun.
Another arrangement of the breech-loading gun has the breech plug or
closing piece mounted on the gun somewhat in the manner of the gun first.
herein described, but having the joint on which it moves above the barrel
instead of below, as before; the square block-like part fits into a recess as
before, but which is not cut through as in the former case, so that when the
plug is raised by the tail-like piece or lever lying along the upper front of the
stock a cavity is presented into which the cartridge is dropped and slid

page_text: forward into the barrel. The arrangement for withdrawing the cartridge case
a short distance may be the same as in the first gun, viz., by a notch cut
across a circular part described from the joint of the breech piece. The tail
lever is in this case single, and somewhat broad, and has a slot through which
the head of the cock or hammer passes when the lever is down and the breech
closed. The head of the cock is somewhat of a T-form, the horizontal limbs
of such T-head being fitted to the slot in the lever just to: pass through, but
so adjusted that it will only do so at half-cock, under which circumstances the
breech is alone free to be opened or closed. When the hammer is at full-
cock the rear limb of the T-head holds down the lever, and when the hammer
falls and discharges the arm the forward limb of the T holds the lever and
breech plug down. Thus after firing it is simply necessary to half-cock, then
throw up the lever and breech plug, the cartridge case is partially withdrawn,
and the breech exposed for the insertion of another cartridge. The breech
plug is then returned to position, and kept at half-cock, or it may be full
cocked or lowered to secure the lever in the down position. The hammer
takes effect on a sliding pin or needle in the breech piece, which passes through
to effect contact with the cartridge. The tumbler may be formed on the lower
part of the hammer lever below the joint, and communicate with the sear and
trigger much in the ordinary manner. Instead of disposing the breech plug
or piece on the top to rise upwards on a horizontal axis, it may be disposed at
the side, and move laterally on a vertical axis with this advantage, it will
obviate the necessity of inverting the gun to drop the cartridge out, as a slight
inclination sideways will then answer the purpose; this arrangement is
particularly applicable for double guns.
Fig. 5 represents a plan, and Fig. 6 a side view, partly in section, of a gun
constructed according to this part of our Invention. a is the plug or breech
piece, and a tail or lever handle; this piece a is mounted on a fulcrum
pin c, and fits within a cavity in the metal formed at the rear of the bore, the
bottom of said cavity being about level with or a little below the lower side of
the bore, the plug or piece a is furnished with the nose projection d, as before.
A slot is made in the tail 6, through which the head of the cock or hammer e
passes; it is T-formed, and when forward, as in striking to fire the gun, the
forward part of the T-head passes over or enters a recess in a, and so fixes it
down, and the breech closed while in that act; (if the T-head of cock or
hammer be made to pass over the top of the breech a to hold it down
when striking the cock should be provided with a second part or projection to
take effect on the striker.) The opposite part of the T-head passes over the

page_text: tail of the lever when at full-cock, as seen dotted, and therefore in that
position also holds part a down and the breech closed, while the gun remains
at full-cock. While the gun is at half-cock the breech piece a may be lifted
freely by the thumb end of-b, and thrown over, as shown dotted in Fig. 6, to
expose the breech for loading. The lock of this gun may be the same as an
ordinary gun, but the hammer in striking effects contact with a striker rod 'f
lodged in the centre of piece a, as seen dotted, as also in Fig. 8, the point of
which striker enters the centre of the cartridge, and discharges the piece!
The striker rodfis of an L-shape, having a part projecting sideways, with
which the hammer comes in contact when it enters the groove or recess a in a.
The cartridge extractor for this gun may consist of the quadrant projection &
on a before mentioned with reference to the gun first described, or that repre-
sented in a modification of this gun shown at Figs. 7 and 8 may be used.
Instead of the cock or hammer holding the lever 6 down while at full-cock
this effect may be dispensed with, and the part a slightly held in place by the
action of the striker rod f, which is constantly forced backwards by a spring 9,
causing its projecting end to be compressed and slip into a recess in the
abutment v.
In the modification shown at Figs. 7 and 8 the breech piece a is arranged
to hold in such way the cock or hammer holding it only when down.
Fig. 7 represents a side view, and Fig. 8 a plan, partly in section, with the
breech piece mounted on the side of the barrel, and pivotted so as to move
laterally, and when open is thrown back to the position shown in the plan,
where it may be held slightly by a spring, or should move with sufficient
stiffness on its joint pin c to retain its position. When this breech piece is
closed and the piece at half-cock we prefer it should hold only by the snap of
the rear end of its striking rod taking into a cavity v¹ in the abutment v,
shown dotted in the plan, but if desired the cock or hammer y may be so
arranged with the tail or lever 6 as to fix it while at full-cock, as in the last
case. The nose of the cock or hammer in striking enters a recess x cut in
the rear of breech piece a; it is also at same time received in a recess or
notch cut in the solid abutment v, in which position it acts like a bolt to
prevent the lateral movement or opening of the breech piece a. The nose of
the hammer takes effect on the angle piece or projection on the side of the
striker, as before, and discharges the cartridge. The cartridge extractor,
seen in separate views H, I, in this case consists of a piece u mounted on
the joint pin c, said piece corresponding with and occupying a cavity at the rear
of the bore; it partially embraces the lip or flange of the metal cartridge, and

page_text: when discharged and the breech opened the part u is moved on fulcrum c, and
leaves the recess in which it is fitted, assuming the position shown in the
plan, Fig. 8, drawing with it the metal cap & case of the cartridge, which fall
out, when the gun may be reloaded. The motion of the extractor u is limited,
and is moved by the action of part a coming in contact with its tail u¹ after
the breech is well open.
The second part of our Invention relates to an extractor adapted for
central-fire breech-loaders having a breech piece or plug, which is hinged or
jointed at the rear end of such plug, that is to say, at the end furthest from
the barrel, and which breech plug moves to a position at right angles to the
barrel or nearly so, and such as described in the Specification of a Patent
granted to one of us and bearing date 2nd October 1852, No. 184, we dispose
the extractor in a channel parallel with the cavity receiving the breech plug,
forming it of the entire length of that piece; the fore part of the extractor is
furnished with a hook piece or tooth which takes hold of the flange of the metal
top of the cartridge so as to pull it back during its retrograde movement. The
extractor at the rear end is formed with an arm or piece at right angles,
passing round behind the back end of the plug, and is furnished with a horn
or projection, upon which the plug when it is moved out of line of the
barrel takes effect, and causes the extractor to move backwards and with-
draw the cartridge case a short distance from the barrel, it then either falls out
or may be readily extracted by the fingers. The rear end of the extractor is
furnished with a pin in the line of the axis of the barrel on which it is
mounted and slides. An inclined surface formed on the extractor under
the breech plug, against which another inclined projection on the plug comes
in contact, when it is shut down, causes the extractor to advance to its forward
position, if necessary the extractor may be formed so as to force the cartridge
home in the barrel at same time.
Fig. 9 represents a vertical section, and Fig. 10, a plan, with the breech
plug removed of a gun, such as described in the Specification before referred
to, furnished with the extractor above described, and of which Fig. 11 shows
a detached view. The extractor A is fitted in a recess or channel in the
bottom of the breech plug chamber in which it slides, it has a projection or
knob 1 at the fore end, which when forward is flush with the recess in the
-bore, into which the flange or head of the metal cap of the cartridge fits, at
the back end it is carried round behind the breech piece B, and slides on
a pin 2 in the abutment, it has a projecting head 3, against which the breech
piece B presses and forces it backwards, drawing with it the cartridge, as

page_text: before explained, the extractor stem has two slots, through one of which, 4, the
trigger passes, while an inclined projection 5 on breech piece B enters the
other, and by contact with the inclined end of the slot drives the extractor
forward in shutting down the breech piece B. The rotating and advance
motion of the breech piece thrusts the cartridge and extractor completely
forward. This extractor may be applied equally to double or single guns.
The third part of our Invention relates to the extractor of a gun con-
structed on the principle of Lefaucheux, known as the drop gun, which we
fit and furnish generally somewhat as described in the Specification of Patent
No. 1544, dated May 22nd, 1862, excepting the extractor, which we now
mount on a stem placed on the under side of the barrel, and furnished with a
bead piece (part in contact with the cartridge) fitted into a recess of same
form cut in the breech end of the barrels, we lead the extractor stem towards
the joint on which the barrels move, where a fixed horn or projection enters
a slot in or presses on the end of the stem. The motion of the barrels in
falling has the effect of propelling the extractor stem by reason of its contact
with the horn before mentioned, so that the cartridge case is thrust back-
wards out of the barrel a given distance. The closing of the barrel
causes the cartridge extractor to return to its normal position with the fresh
cartridge.
A further improvement in these guns consists in fitting in the abutment of
the barrels a detached sliding striker, which is operated by a cam on the axis
of the lever used to secure and release the barrels, so that in releasing the
barrels the striker is thrust backwards and forces the hammer (by which it is
struck in the act of firing) to half-cock. The same cam and connection with
the striker will prevent the gun going off, should it not return to its proper
position, in other words, unless the breeches of the gun be properly closed and
locked.
This extractor is represented as applied to a double gun in Fig. 12, which
shows a longitudinal section of the gun, the extractor being fitted imme-
diately below the web uniting the two barrels; Fig. 13 shows an end view,
and Fig. 14 a side view of the extractor; the head 7 of which is received in
and fits a cavity cut in the end of the barrels of same form, it slides on a
stem 8 fitted in a suitable channel, and has the extreme end abutting on a
horn 9, which is a fixture to the metal of the stock. When the barrel is
allowed to drop, as seen dotted, the end of 8 pressing against born 9 causes
the head 7; to be thrown outwards, as seen dotted, carrying with it the
cartridge cases, the lips or flanges of whose metal caps rest in the grooved or

page_text: recessed edges of 7. The extractor is returned to position when the breech is
closed by head 7 coming in contact with the breech abutment. In Fig. 12
is also shown the detached sliding striker 6, which is a pin fitted somewhat
tightly in the abutment of the breech. It is operated in the backward direc-
tion by the lever axes 10, by which the breech is released; a cam or tooth
therein presses it backwards. The thrusting back of striker 6 also effects the
half-cocking of the hammer, which is pressed backwards by it. The axis 10
and lever handle return to their normal position immediately, leaving the
striker free to be driven forward when the hammer again descends.
The last part of our Invention relates to the ammunition of central fire-
arms, and consists in forming the bullet of iron, and to contain the charge of
powder; for this purpose we cut off lengths of iron tube and upset, close, and
shape the one end, and then tin the bullet, and fill in the charge of powder at
the rear end; we place metal cap on the rear end, similar to the caps or
ends of central-fire cartridges. The charge is thus enclosed impervious to
moisture, and will bear rough usage without detriment, and in firing no
residue is left in the barrel, except the metallic rear cap, which is extracted
from the gun, as in ordinary. These bullets may also be made of rod iron
cut off, and the charge cavity drilled out, or they may be otherwise formed.
Instead of the bullet being entirely of one piece with the receptacle for
powder, this may be of thin metal fixed in the forward and bullet part, but
which receptacle for powder being of metal will be carried out of the barrel
by the bullet.
Fig. 15 is a side view, and Fig. 16 a longitudinal section of a bullet
constructed according to our Invention. j,j, is the solid metal part coated
with tin, and o the cavity for containing the charge; w, the metal cap closing
in the charge, and containing the percussion powder to ignite the charge.
Having described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, we declare that what we claim as our Invention to be protected by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the arrangement and construction of breech-loading fire-arms, herein-
before described and represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, of the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Secondly, the arrangement and application of the extractor, represented at
Fig. 11 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, to breech-loading fire-arms, such
as described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10, as and for the purpose set
forth.
Thirdly, the arrangement and combination of the extractor represented

page_text: separately at Figs. 13 & 14, with the Lefaucheux or drop gun to operate, as
and for the purposes herein-before described, with reference to Fig. 12 of the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fourthly, the application and arrangement of a detached sliding striker in
the manner and as described with reference to Fig. 12 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Fifthly, the construction and use of tinned iron bullets containing the charge
of powder, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Needham, for myself and on
behalf of the said George Henry Needham, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
W. CLARK,
Patent Agent,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
JOSEPH NEEDHAM. (L.B.)