Improvements in Drop-down Guns and Rifles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 1st Oct., 1892-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Drop-down Guns and Rifles.
I, JAMES WILLIAM SMALLMAN, of 61, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the locks of hammerless drop-down guns and rifles.
In carrying out my invention, I make the tumbler in two parts. The first part
(which should be as heavy as possible) is connected to the second; the latter being
in engagement with the main-spring. The first part may be jointed to the second,
or both parts may be pivoted on the same pin.
The action is as follows:-During the opening of the gun or rifle, the cocking
rod or lever acts on the second part and compresses the main-spring; the first part
being moved by the second into the cocked position. When the trigger is pulled,
the first part is acted on by the main-spring through the second part until the
movement of the latter is arrested, whereupon the momentum of the first part
causes that part to travel on and give the requisite blow for firing the cartridge.
When the locks are mounted on lock-plates, the first part may be forced into its
extreme position by contact with the main-spring or with the swivel.
When the locks are contained in slots in the action-body, the first part may be
forced into its extreme position by the main-spring as it slides toward the tumbler-
pivot; the sliding main-spring having a tongue working in a slot in the second part.
Or the first part may be taken back by contact with a fixed stop.
Or a spring may be interposed between the two parts.
My improved locks can be let down in a gun or rifle fitted with ejecting
mechanism mounted in the fore-end (as described in the Specification to Deeley's
Letters Patent No. 14,526 of 1884) or carried by the barrels (as described in the
Specification to my Letters Patent No. 9,062 of 1889) as readily as the locks in an
ordinary hammerless gun or rifle not fitted with ejecting mechanism.
Dated the 2nd day of January 1892.
JAMES W. SMALLMAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Drop-down Guns and Rifles.
I, JAMES WILLIAM SMALLMAN, of 61, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 relates to the locks of hammerless drop-down guns and rifles.
The way in which I prefer to carry out my invention is illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings, whereof
Fig. 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, representing the
lock-mechanism uncocked and with the point of the tumbler projecting beyond the
face of the break-off; Fig. 2 being a corresponding view shewing the point of
the tumbler behind the face of the break-off.
The tumbler A A' is made in two parts A and A'. The part A (which should
be as heavy as possible) is jointed by means of a screw-pin a* to the part A'; the
latter being in engagement with the main-spring C. Both parts may, however, be
pivoted on the pin A'.
The action is as follows:-During the opening of the gun or rifle, the cocking

page_text: lever D lifts the part A' and compresses the main-spring C; the part A being
moved by the part A¹ into the cocked position. When the trigger is pulled, the
part A is acted on by the main-spring C through the part A' until the movement
of the latter is arrested, whereupon the momentum of the part A causes that part
to travel on and give the requisite blow for firing the cartridge.
As the part A bears the weight of the main-spring and the part A is free to
move to a limited extent on the pin a*, the point a, if it project beyond the face E
of the break-off, can be readily pressed back by the extractor when the lock is let
down or the gun is put together.
The lock-mechanism illustrated in the drawings is given by way of example only,
as the invention is applicable to hammerless locks constructed on various principles.
When the locks are mounted on lock-plates, the first part may be forced into its
extreme position by contact with the main-spring or with the swivel.
When the locks are contained in slots in the action-body (as shewn in the
drawings) and both parts are mounted on the pin which serves as the tumbler-
pivot, the first part may be forced into its extreme position by the main-spring as
it slides toward that pin; the sliding main-spring having a tongue working in a slot
in the second part.
Or the first part may be taken back by contact with a fixed stop.
Or a spring may be interposed between the two parts. The spring may act on
either side of the pin a*.
The divided tumbler A A¹ only performs its proper function of firing the gun;
whereas, in a rebounding lock, the tumbler, in addition to firing the gun, depresses
or raises one arm of the main-spring. Consequently, in the new lock, a lighter
main-spring may be employed; the gun being thus rendered easier to open.
further advantage is that a tumbler made in two parts, on being subjected to hard
wear, lasts much longer than a tumbler formed in one piece. Moreover, there is
no lost motion between the cocking mechanism and the lock.
A
My improved locks can be let down in a gun or rifle fitted with ejecting
mechanism mounted in the fore-end (as described in the Specification to Deeley's
Letters Patent No. 14,526 of 1884) or carried by the barrels (as described in the
Specification to my Letters Patent No. 9,062 of 1889) as readily as the locks in an
ordinary hammerless gun or rifle not fitted with ejecting mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :—
1. The improved lock-mechanism for hammerless guns and rifles constructed or
operating substantially as herein described.
2. In a drop-down hammerless gun or rifle, dividing the tumbler into two parts,
so that one part can act in combination with the other part, substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth.
3. In the lock of a drop-down hammerless gun or rifle, the combination, with the
part A, of the part A¹ and the main-spring C, substantially as herein set forth.
Dated the 27th day of September 1892.
JAMES W. SMALLMAN.