An Improved Method of Locking the Striking Gear of Small Arms.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left. 19th June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Locking the Striking Gear of Small Arms.
I, JOHN D'ARCY-IRVINE of Howth in the County Dublin, Ireland, Retired
Commander Royal Navy do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved method of securely and effectually
locking the striking gear of small arms in such a way that the charge cannot
be acted upon by accident or otherwise, so long as the striking gear remains thus
locked; and my invention has special reference to that class of small arms provided
with bolt action, such as the chassepot and magazine rifle.
In carrying out my invention I propose to increase the length of the striking
bolt, so as to enable a portion of its base to project through the breech, or end of
the barrel, and in one side of this projecting portion a suitable hole is pierced for
the purpose presently described.
To suitable framework in the forearm of the stock is pivoted a suitable pawl
provided at its free end with a spud which enters the aforesaid hole in the base of
the striking bolt. Thus so long as the said pawl engages in the said hole, the
striking gear is securely locked, and cannot be acted upon by the trigger, or by
accident, or otherwise.
To unlock the gear it is only necessary to disengage the pawl, when the gear
will be free to be operated by the trigger in the ordinary manner.
Dated this 5th day of January 1891
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Locking the Striking Gear of Small Arms.
I, JOHN D'ARCY-IRVINE, of Howth, in the County Dublin, Ireland, Retired
Commander Royal Navy, 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 :-
This invention has reference to an improved method of securely, and effectually
locking the striking gear of small arms, in such a way that the charge cannot be
acted upon by accident or otherwise, so long as the striking gear remains thus
locked; and my invention has special reference to that class of small arms provided
with bolt action such as the châssepot, and magazine rifle.
In carrying out my invention I propose to increase the usual length of the
striking bolt (if necessary for the purpose of my invention) so as to cause a portion
of its base to project through the breech of the barrel, and in one side of this
projecting portion, a suitable hole is pierced for the purpose presently described.
To suitable frame work in the fore arm of the stock is pivoted a suitable pawl
provided at its free end with a stud which penetrates the aforesaid hole in the base
of the striking bolt, and is locked therein by the slight forward movement of the
striking bolt, which is caused in closing the bolt action as hereinafter more fully
described.
Thus so long as the said pawl engages in the said hole, the striking gear being
securely locked, cannot be acted upon by the trigger, or by accident, or

page_text: To unlock the striking gear it is only necessary to disengage the pawl, when the
trigger can be brought to bear in the ordinary manner.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood, I will describe
the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1, is a top view of the striking gear, and bolt action of a rifle of the
ordinary châssepot or magazine type, showing the application of my invention when
the striking bolt is locked, and the closing lever raised;
Fig. 2, is a similar view showing the pawl disengaged, and the operating lever
pressed down;
Fig. 3, is a side view of Figs. 1, and 2; and
Figs. 4, and 5, are detail views of the pawl and stud.
Sunilar letters indicate corresponding parts in the several views, a, is the locking
action, b, is the striking bolt with the hole c, provided at its base, e, is the pawl
pivoted on the framework f, and carrying at its free end the stud g, which is
provided with a projection for the purpose of engaging a lip formed at the entrance
to the hole c, whereby on the forward movement of the striking bolt when the stud
is shot into position, the pawl cannot be disengaged until the bolt is drawn back
slightly. This movement is effected by raising the lever a, with the hand which
throws back the striking bolt b, a short distance clear of the trigger check h, as
shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3.
The pawl e, is then disengaged, and when the lever a, is pressed home again, the
striking bolt comes in contact with the trigger check (the coil spring actuating
the bolt moving it forward) and the gun is then ready for firing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
First. In connection with the use of small arms the method of locking the
striking gear securely and effectually in the manner substantially, as herein
specified and set forth.
Second. In connection with the locking apparatus of small arms, the use and
application of a pawl provided with a spud, arranged and operating substantially
in the manner, and for the purpose herein described and set forth.
Dated this 18th day of June 1891.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.