IM- PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the Firm of
Mennons and Telescheff, Home and Foreign Patent Agents, of No. 8,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, and 27, Rue
Laffitte, Paris, in the Empire of France, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE
SAME." A communication from Emile d'Erlanger, residing at No. 20,
Rue Taitbout, Paris, France.
Sealed the 3rd September 1867, and dated the 13th March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 18th March 1867.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the Firm of Mennons and
Telescheff, Home and Foreign Patent Agents, of No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, and 27, Rue Laffitte, Paris, in the
Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE
SAME" (a communication) to be as follows:-
The improved breech mechanism which constitutes the principal element
of this Invention, comprises a moveable breech lock working in a fixed box

page_text: The latter,
in combination with a percussion needle and cartridge extractor.
which is mounted in front of the breech bolt, has the form of a cradle in
which the cartridge is placed, and which after each shot returns to its starting
point and ejects the spent shell.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings it will be seen that the breech
lock comprises the following parts:-
1stly, Fig. 1, the bolt, with which are connected Fig. 2, the stop piece of
the same; Figs. 2 bis, 2 ter, the pivot and check screw of this stop piece.
2ndly, Fig. 3, the spring seer.
3rdly, Fig. 4, the tumbler.
4rthly, Fig. 6, the tube containing the spiral spring.
5thly, Fig. 7, the cap of the bolt.
6thly, Fig. 11, the percussion needle.
7thly, Fig. 5, the moveable head, with which are connected Fig. 12, the
obturator or plug; Fig. 9, the cartridge extractor; Fig. 10, the directing
ring.
The bolt Fig. 1 is composed of A, B, the handle; A, C, the guide rib;
D, E, F, G, the central space in which the internal mechanism is lodged;
H, I, J, K, prolongation of the central space for the reception and rotation
of the stalk of the moveable head; G, I, H, F, projection against which
bears the front knot of the tumbler; L, M, N, O, threaded extremity for
the reception of the bolt, cap, or nut Fig. 7; P, Q, R, S, space for the spring
branch of the seer; R, S, T, U, mortice for the passage of the tang and
nose of the seer; a, b, c, d, mortice on the opposite side for the end of the
seer tang; V, X, Y, C, slot in the guide rib for the reception of the T stop
piece; Z, hole for the pivot of the T stop piece; m, n, tapped hole for the
check screw of the moveable head.
The T stop piece Fig. 2 is composed of A, B, the stalk; C, the head;
D, D, the two branches; E, the pivot hole; F, a rectangular slot for the
screwing and unscrewing of the needle; G, the ear.
The pivot and screw Figs. 2 bis and 2 ter, the latter being calculated to
project in the prolongation of the central space, so as to engage in the circular
gorge of the stalk of the moveable head.
The seer Fig. 3 is composed of A, B, the threaded end; G, the nose; D,
the tang.
The tumbler Fig. 4 is composed of A, B, the head or front knot; E,
tapped hole for the needle; C, D, the rear knot; F, the T shaped mortice;
H, G, slot for the passage of the seer tang; K, half bent; L, full bent.

page_text: The spring holder Fig. 6 is composed of A, B, C, the stalk; D, the head;
E, the tag.
The bolt cap or nut Fig. 7 is composed of A, the needle passage; D, the
screw threading; B, C, the external grooves.
The needle Fig. 11 is composed of C, the point; B, the quadrangular
part; A, the threaded extremity.
The moveable head Fig. 5 is composed of A, B, the stalk; D, its gorge
and groove; E, the front piece; g, depression; f, slot for the adjustment and
attachment of the cartridge extractor; F, conical shaft, surrounded by the
obturator; a, b, hole for the attachment pin; m, n, needle passage.
The directing ring Fig. 10 comprises C, & tapped hole for the tenon; B,
groove for the small end of the attachment pin; A, the tenon.
The obturator Fig. 12 is composed of a cylindrical ring of vulcanized
caoutchouc, which takes a conical form when adjusted on the conical shaft of
the moveable head.
'
The cartridge extractor Fig. 9 is composed of D, the small end with
circular internal edge; C, the body; B, the large end; A, the face pierced
in a for the passage of the connecting pin, and slit to prevent possible rupture
on the explosion of the charge. In case of defective centering of the pro-
jectile, the smaller end of the extractor may be forked, or again the middlo
edge of this end may be suppressed, leaving only the two corners or horns,
the thickness of this part of the extractor being reduced as much as
possible.
The cartridge Figs. 8, 13, is composed of A, the projectile of any desired
form and weight; B, the powder; a, b, c, d, the pasteboard case or shell of
a conical form (or cylindrical if so required); C, the priming plug, com-
prising, 1stly, k, o, q, p, a. pasteboard disc over the powder provided with a
cell for the priming S; 2ndly, t, u, a small patch of vulcanized caoutchouc
set over the orifice of the priming cell; 3rdly, v, x, a felt washer fixed to the
pasteboard disc, terminating the rear end of the cartridge, and maintaining
in position the caoutchouc patch. The priming S may be composed of any
suitable fulminating compound. A mixture of wax and tallow or other
lubrifying material is placed in the gorge m, n, g, h, of the projectile, which
latter is separated from the powder by a disc of paper e, f.
The chamber of the gun Figs. 14, 15, is of a conical or cylindrical formi
according to the shape of the cartridge, which when driven home by the breech
bolt acts as a wedge, and presses close with the extractor in which it is placed
against the inner surface of the barrel.

page_text: It will be understood that the general details of form and arrangement
of the breech mechanism and cartridge above described may be modified or
even simplified if so desired according to the intended use of the arm.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Mare Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the Firm of Mennons and Telescheff, Home
and Foreign Patent Agents, of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, and 27, Rue Laffitte, Paris, in the Empire of France, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence that I, the
said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I; the said Marc Antoine François Mennons; 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME," a communication from
Emile d'Erlanger, a person resident at No. 20, Rue Taitbout, Paris, France,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons, 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 immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, 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

page_text: | by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings
and to the letters marked thereon, that is to say:
The improved breech mechanism which constitutes the principal element of
this Invention comprises a moveable breech block working in a fixed box in
combination with a percussion needle and cartridge extractor. The latter
which is mounted in front of the breech bolt has the form of a cradle, in which
the cartridge is placed, and which after each shot returns to its starting point
and ejects the spent shell.
.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings it will be seen that the breech
lock comprises the following parts :-
1stly, Fig. 1, the bolt, with which are connected Fig. 2, the stop piece of
the same, Figs. 2 bis and 2 ter the pivot and check screw of this stop piece.
2ndly, Fig. 3, the spring seer.
Srdly, Fig. 4, the tumbler.
4thly, Fig. 6, the tube containing the spiral spring.
5thly, Fig. 7, the cap of the bolt.
6thly, Fig. 11, the percussion needle.
7thly, Fig. 5, the moveable head with which are connected Fig. 12, the obtu-
rator or plug; Fig. 9, the cartridge extractor; Fig. 10, the directing ring.
The bolt Fig. 1, is composed of A, B, the handle; A, C, the guide rib';
D, E, F, G, the central space in which the internal mechanism is lodged ;
H, I, J, K, prolongation of the central space for the reception and the
rotation of the stalk of the moveable head; G, I, H, F, projection, against
which bears the front knot of the tumbler; L, M, N, O, threaded extremity
for the reception of the bolt, cap, or nut Fig. 7; P, Q, R, S, space for the
spring branch of the seer; R, S, T, U, mortice for the passage of the tang
and nose of the seer; a, b, c, d, mortice on the opposite side for the end of
the seer tang; V, X, Y, C, slot in the guide rib for the reception of the
T stop piece; %, hole for the pivot of the T stop piece; m, n, tapped hole for
the check screw of the moveable bead.
The T stop piece, Fig. 2, is 'composed of A, B, the 'stalk; C, the head';
D, D, the two branches; E, the pivot hole; F, a rectangular slot for the
screwing and unscrewing of the needle; G, the ear.
The pivot and screw, Figs. 2 bi and 2 ter, the latter. being calculated to
project in the prolongation of the central space so as to engage in the circular
gorge of the stalk of the moveáble head.
The seer, Fig. 3, is composed of A, C, the spring branch slightly arched to
prevent the unscrewing of the cap; A, B, the threaded end; C, the nose;
D, the tang.

page_text: The tumbler, Fig. 4, is composed of A, B, the head or front knot; E,
tapped hole for the needle; C, D, the rear knot; F, the T-shaped mortice;
H, G, slot for the passage of the seer tang; K, half bent; L, full bent:
The spring holder, Fig. 6, is composed of A, B, C, the stalk; D, the lead';
E, the tag.
The bolt, cap, or nut, Fig. 7, is composed of A the needle passage; 'D, the
screw threading; B, C, the external grooves.
The needle, Fig. 11, is composed of C, the point; B, the quadrangular
part; A, the threaded extrémity.
The moveable head, Fig. 5, is composed of A, B, the stalk; D, its gorge
and groove; E, the front piece; g, depression; f, slot for the adjustment and
attachment of the cartridge extractor; F, conical shaft surrounded by the
olturator; a, b, hole for the attachment pin ;. m, n, needle passage.
The directing ring, Fig. 10, comprises C, a tapped hole for the tenon; B,
groove for the small end of the attachment pin; A, the tenon.
The obturator, Fig. 12, is composed of a cylindrical ring of vulcanised
caoutchouc, which takes a conical form when adjusted on the conical shaft of
the moveable.head.
The cartridge extractor, Fig. 9, is composed of D, the small end with
circular internal edge; C, the body; B, the large end; A, the face perced
in a, for the passage of the connecting pin and slit to prevent possible rupture
on the explosion of the charge. In case of defective centering of the projectile
the smaller end of the extractor may be forked; or, again, the middle edge of
this end may be suppressed, leaving only the two corners or horns, the thick-
ness of this part of the extractor being reduced as much as possible.
The chamber of the gun, Figs. 14, 15, is of a conical or cylindrical form
according to the shape of the cartridge, which when driven home by the
breech bolt acts as a wedge and presses closely with the extractor in which it
is placed against the inner surface of the barrel.
Fig. 14 is a plan of the false breech or receiver, in which is lodged
the moveable breech mechanism, and to which is screwed the barrel ;
Fig. 15 bis is an end view, and Fig. 16 is a side view of the same. In the
latter Figure a is the opening for the trigger, and 6 the recoil piece; Fig. 17
represents the bolt in the closed position with the T stop piece D, D; Fig. 18
represents the interior of the bolt with the seer set in position, the nut screwed
down, and the mechanism uncocked.; Fig. 19 represents the mechanism at
full-cock; Fig. 20 represents the general adjustment of the piece composing
the moveable head; Fig. 21 represents the general adjustment of the pieces
composing the breech bolt; Fig. 22 represents the bolt closed down in the

page_text: breech receiver, the arm at full-cock, and the right branch of the T-stop
piece inserted in the corresponding slot cut in the side of the breech receiver.
In this Figure is also shown the adjustment of the barrel to the breech.
The operation is as follows:-The mechanism is cocked by drawing back-
wards the milled head D; the handle A, B, is thrown up and drawn backwards
to open the breech; the cartridge is placed in the cradle, and the breech is
closed by a forward and downward motion of the bolt. The arm is then
ready for discharge.
The cartridge, Figs. 8 and 13, is composed of A, the projectile of any
desired form and weight; B, the powder; a, b, c, d, the paste board case
or shell of a conical form or cylindrical if so required; C the priming plug
comprising, Istly, k, o, q, p, a pasteboard disc over the powder provided with
a cell for the priming S; 2ndly, t, u, a small patch of vulcanised caoutchouc
set over the orifice of the priming cell; 3rdly, v, x, a felt washer fixed to the
pasteboard disc, terminating the rear end of the cartridge and maintaining in
position the caoutchouc patch. The priming S may be composed of any
suitable fulminating compound. A mixture of wax and tallow or other
lubrifying material is placed in the gorge m, n, g, h, of the projectile, which
latter is separated from the powder by a disc of paper e, f.
It will be understood that the general details of form and arrangement
of the breech mechanism and cartridge above described, may be modified or
even simplified if so desired according to the intended use of the arm.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, I would have it
understood that I lay no claim to the different parts of the breech mechanism
taken separately, most of these parts having already been applied in a more or
less modified form to fire-arms of various descriptions, but what I claim is,―
1stly, the improved combination of mechanism forming a moveable breech
arrangement for portable fire-arms, applied and operated substantially as above
laid down and shewn in the Figures of the accompanying Drawings.
2ndly, the improved cartridge as above described and shewn in Figs. 8 and
13 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Second day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
חזdıזזותו
'SHONNET TATT TIT
CNNONS. (L.S.)
M. F.