IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Edward Lewis, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer, and Henry Walker, of
Birmingham, aforesaid, Machinist, and Joseph Blount Wayne, of
Birmingham, aforesaid, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.'
Sealed the 16th February 1864, and dated the 25th August 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Edward Lewis,
Henry Walker, and Joseph Blount Wayne at the Office of the Commis-
sioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 25th August 1868.
We, GEORGE EDWARD LEWIS, of Birmingham, in the County of War-
wick, Gun Manufacturer, and HENRY WALKER, of Birmingham, aforesaid,
Machinist, and JOSEPH BLOUNT WAYNE, of Birmingham, aforesaid, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
Our improvements relate to breech-loading fire-arms, in which the breech
ends of the barrels are opened and closed by the barrels being made to turn
upon a joint, the breech ends of the barrels rising in a vertical plane from
against the break-off for the introduction of the charge, and shutting down
against the face of the break-off during discharge.
Our Invention consists, firstly, in fixing down the barrels by means of
sliding closers which slide in the break-off in the line of the barrel. The ends.
of the said closers are flush with the face of the break-off when the breech

page_text: ends of the barrels are raised, and when the said breech ends are depressed
the said closers are made to advance from the break-off into the ends of the
barrels, and thereby prevent the rising of the barrels. The said closers are
thus constructed.:-The closer consists of two parts, the one a hollow cylinder
closed at one end, and the other a solid cylinder fitting the hollow one. The
solid cylinder is.stationary, and the hollow one slides upon it, the closed end
of the said hollow one being the part which enters into and locks down the
barrels. The motion of the closer is thus effected:-An axis situated hori-
zontally, and worked by a lever passes through the break-off and closer,
crossing the axis of the hollow part of the closer, the said hollow part having
a slot in which the axis works; the axis passes in front of and bears against
the solid part of the closer. That part of the axis which passes through the
closer is cut away to the extent of about one-half, the axis at that part being
semi-cylindrical.. A spring acting on the hollow part of the closer retains it
within the break-off when it is not pressed outwards by the axis. The action
of the closer is as follows:-When the closer is to be forced forward into the
breech end of the barrel so as to lock down the barrel; the axis is turned
until its longest diameter is horizontal. In performing this motion the closer
is pressed forward to a distance equal to the difference between the longest and
shortest diameters of the axis. When the closer is to be withdrawn and the
barrel unlocked, the axis is turned until its longest diameter is vertical and
its flat side presented towards the barrels, that is to say, it is brought into a
position at right angles.to that before described; the axis, in assuming this
position, permits the closer to be pressed back by its spring into the break-off,
and the barrel is released. During discharge the part of the closer which
enters the barrel is supported by the axis, and the axis is supported by the
solid cylinder, and the said solid cylinder is. supported by the back of the
break-off.
'
Our Invention consists, secondly, in fixing down the barrels by means of a
bolt worked by an axis in the manner herein-before described with reference
to the closers. In this case the breech ends of the barrels fit tightly against
the face of the break-off, as in the ordinary construction; and the barrels are
locked down by a bolt between the barrels, the said bolt being made to
advance and retire by the partial rotation of an axis of the kind already.
described, the bolt having essentially the same construction as the moveable
part of the closer herein-before described; or the bolt may have a vertical
fork on its end, through which fork the axis passes, that part of the axis
passing through the fork being excentric to the other part. The partial
rotation of the axis causes the excentric part to move the bolt in one or other

page_text: direction, and lock down or unlock the barrels ; or, instead of making a fixed
vertical fork on the end of the bolt, the outer branch of the fork may have a
sliding motion on the bolt being pressed towards the other fixed branch by a
spring; in this case we make a small crank out of the axis, which crank
works in the fork of the bolt. The partial rotation of the axis moves the bolt
in one or other direction, and locks down or unlocks the barrels. Both
branches of the fork are kept to their bearing on either side of the crank by
the pressure of the spring on the outer branch of the fork; the said outer
branch of the fork may have a hollow semi-cylindrical bearing capable of
sliding up and down on its inner face, the said bearing being carried up and
down by the motion of the cranked part of the axis.
Our Invention consists, further, in locking down the barrels by means of
spring side bolts made to advance laterally on either side of the barrels, the
bolts turning on the lower side of the break-off, and taking into a lump on
the under side of the barrels. The said bolts are forced back by the partial
rotation of an axis, having cams which, in one position of the axis, press back
the bolts, and in another position allow them to advance by the action of their
springs. We also fix down the breech end of the barrel by means of a spring
bolt working in a line parallel to the axis of the barrel. The said bolt is
pressed forwards towards the breech end of the barrel by means of a coiled
spring, and is withdrawn by means of a cranked lever, the free end of which
lies flat or nearly flat on the strap of the break-off. The upper surface of the
end of the bolt is inclined, and the under side of the breech end of the barre!
is also iuclined, so that when the barrel is shut down it presses back and
engages with the bolt, and the barrel is locked down. In order to unlock the
barrel the end of the cranked lever is raised, and the bolt withdrawn; the
barrel may then be raised for charging. Our several improvements are
applicable both to single and double-barrelled fire-armis.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Edward Lewis, Henry Walker, and Joseph Blount
Wayne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th February 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
EDWARD LEWIS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manu-
facturer, and HENRY WALKER, of Birmingham, aforesaid, Machinist, and
JOSEPH BLOUNT WAYNE, of Birmingham, aforesaid, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said George Edward Lewis, Henry Walker, and Joseph Blount Wayne, Her
special licence that we, the said George Edward Lewis, Henry Walker, and
Joseph Blount Wayne, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said George Edward Lewis, Henry Walker, and Joseph
Blount Wayne, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
the said George Edward Lewis, Henry Walker, and Joseph Blount Wayne,
our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or
their hands and seals, or. under the hand and seal of one of us, or them,
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 George Edward Lewis and Henry.
Walker, on behalf of ourselves and the said Joseph Blount Wayne, 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 by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:―
Our improvements relate to breech-loading fire-arms in which the breech
ends of the barrels are opened and closed by the barrels being made to turn
upon a joint, the breech ends of the barrels rising in a vertical plane from
against the break-off for the introduction of the charge, and shutting down
against the face of the break-off during discharge.
Our Invention consists, firstly, in fixing down the barrels by means of
sliding closers which slide in the break-off in the line of the barrel, the ends
of the said closers are flush with the face of the break-off when the breech
ends of the barrels are raised, and when the said breech ends are depressed
the said closers are made to advance from the break-off into the ends of the
barrels, and thereby prevent the rising of the barrels. The said closers are
thus constructed-The closer consists of two parts, the one a hollow cylinder
closed at one end, and the other a solid cylinder fitting the hollow one. The
solid cylinder is stationary and the hollow one slides upon it, the closed end of
the said hollow one being the part which enters into and locks down the

page_text: barrels. The motion of the closer is thus effected :-An axis situated hori-
zontally and worked by a lever passes through the break-off and closer,
crossing the axis of the hollow part of the closer, the said bollow part baving
a slot in which the axis works. The axis passes in front of and bears against
the solid part of the closer. That part of the axis which passes through the
closer is cut away to the extent of about one-third the axis, at that part having
the figure of two-thirds of a cylinder. The action of the closer is as follows:—
When the closer is to be forced forward into the breech end of the barrel so
as to lock down the barrel, the axis is turned until its longest diameter is
horizontal. In performing this motion the closer is forced forward by the
axis to a distance equal to the difference between the longest and shortest
diameters of the said axis. When the closer is to be withdrawn and the
barrel unlocked the axis is turned until its longest diameter is vertical, and its
flat side presented towards the barrels, that is to say, it is brought into a
position at right angles to that before described. The axis in assuming this
position moves forward a crutch piece connected with the sliding closers, and
thereby forces back the said closers into the break-off and releases the barrel.
During discharge the part of the closer which enters the barrel is supported
by the axis, and the axis is supported by the solid cylinder, and the said solid
cylinder is supported by the back of the break-off'; the withdrawal of the
closer from the breech end of the barrel may be effected by a spring instead
of by the crutch piece described.
Our Invention consists, secondly, in fixing down the barrels by means of a
bolt worked by a horizontal axis and lever. In this case the breech ends of
the barrels fit tightly against the face of the break-off, as in the ordinary
construction, and the barrels are locked down by a spring bolt between the
barrels taking into a lump on the under side of the barrels, the said bolt being
made to advance by means of a coiled spring, and to retire by the partial
rotation of the horizontal axis. The bolt has essentially the same construction
as the moveable part of the closer already described. Our improvements are
applicable both to single and double-barrelled fire-arms.
Having explained the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, represent a portion of a double-barrelled
breech-loading gun constructed according to one part of our Invention, the
stock, hammer, and other parts being omitted, the parts omitted constituting
no part of our Invention.
Figure 1 represents the gun in side elevation, the barrels being fixed.down

page_text: for firing; Figure 2 is a plan of the same; Figure 3 is a horizontal section
of a portion of the same; Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of a
portion of the same, the said section, Figure 4, being taken through the dotted
line a, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 4, excepting that the
parts have the positions which they respectively occupy when the barrels
have been liberated from the break-off and raised for loading; Figure 6 is a
l:orizontal section, the parts of the locking mechanism having the same
positions as in Figure 5; and Figure 7 represents a vertical longitudinal
section taken through the dotted line b, Figure 6.; Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and
12, represent detached portions of our Invention as herein-after particularly
explained. The same letters of reference are used to indicate the same parts
in Figures 1 to 12 both inclusive.
c, c, are the barrels of the gun turning on the axis d in the ordinary way,
and e, e, is the break-off, against the face of which the open breech ends of
the barrels c, c, bear when the barrels are shut down upon the body f. The
said break-off e, e, constitutes a chamber in which the two sliding closers g, g*,
and parts connected therewith are situated. The axes of the closers g, g³, are
respectively coincident with the axes of the barrels c, c. The front ends of
the said closers 9, 9, are flush with the face of the break-off e when the
breech ends of the barrels are raised (see Figure 5); and when the said breech
ends are depressed the said closers are made to advance from the break-off
into the ends of the barrels c, c (see Figures 3 and 4), and thereby prevent
the rising of the said barrels. The open brecch ends c² of the barrels c are of
larger diameter than the bore, and in the said ends c² the ends of the closers
engage. The closers are thus constructed and actuated:-The said closers
consist of two parts g and g³, the 'one 9 being a hollow cylinder closed at one
end, the other 9 a solid cylinder fitting the hollow one g. One of the said
hollow cylinders g is represented separately in elevation in Figure 8, and one
of the solid cylinders gå is represented separately in elevation in Figure 9.
The solid cylinders 9 are stationary, and the hollow ones g slide upon them,
the closed ends of the said cylinders g entering into and fixing down the
barrels c, c.
The simultaneous advancing motion of the parts g of the closers
7, 9, is effected by the horizontal axis h passed through the break off' e, e, and
closers g, g³, the said axis working in openings i in the parts 9 and in semi-
circular depressions k in the front ends of the solid parts gs of the said closers,
the said axis h works in front of and bears against the solid end of the hollow
cylinders g of the closers, as represented in the Drawing. The axis h is fixed
in its place by the screw cap or head 3 screwed on its end, and the said axis
is worked by the lever / situated at the side of the gun. The axis h is shown

page_text: separately in Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 representing plans of the said
axis taken at right angles to one another, and Figure 11 a section of the
same taken through the dotted line m, Figure 10. That part of the axis h
which passes through and works in the closers is cut away to the extent of
about one-third of its circumference, the said axis having in cross section the
figure of about two-thirds of a cylinder. The shape of the axis h will be
readily understood by referring to the sections Figures 4 and 5, and the
separate views Figures 10 and 11. When the closers are to be forced forward
into the breech ends c, c, of the barrels c, c, so as to fix down the said barrels
the lever is moved through about a quadrant, that is, from the position
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5 to that represented in Figures 1, 2, and 8.
By the motion of the lever the curved part of the axis h bears against the
closed ends of the hollow cylinders g of the closers, and forces the said hollow
cylinders forward (the said cylinders 9. sliding upon the solid ones 92) into the
breech ends of the barrels c. The said barrels are thus securely fixed down.
The axis in performing this motion is turned until its longest diameter is
horizontal, as represented in Figure 4; the distance through which the
moveable parts 9 of the closers are pressed forward being equal to the
difference between the longest and shortest diameters of the said axis h. The
simultaneous retiring motion of the cylinders 9 of the closers, when the said
cylinders are required to be withdrawn from the breech ends of the barrels, 'is
effected as follows:-Between the said closers a crutch piece n is situated, the
crutch of which engages with slots at g³ in the inner sides of the moveable
cylinders g of the closers (see Figures 3 and 6). For convenience in engaging
the said crutch piece n with the.hollow cylinders, the said crutch piece is made
in three parts; after the crutch piece has been put in its place through the
back of the break-off e, the parts of the said crutch piece are fixed securely
together by a pin o being passed through them, and by a cap p being screwed
on their ends; the crutch piece n is shown separately in plan and elevation in
Figure 12 a portion of the axis h is cut away at h³, and in the opening thus
formed the crutch head of the crutch piece n fits; in the middle of the flat
part of the axis h a tooth his left, which tooth when the closers are withdrawn
in the manner herein-after described, is made to bear upon the break-off.
When the closers are to be withdrawn, and the barrels thereby unlocked, the
lever is moved from the position represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, to that
indicated in Figure 5, the axis h being thereby turned so as to bring its
longest diameter into a vertical plane, its flat side being presented towards the
barrels, as represented in Figure 5, that is, the axis h is brought into a position.
at right angles to that represented in Figure 4, the curved part of the axis,

page_text: when in the position, Figure 5, having no bearing upon the closed ends of the
cylinders g. During the motion of the axis h from the position Figure 4 to
the position Figure 5, the curved part of the said axis bears against the front
of the crutch head of the crutch piece n, and pushes the said crutch piece
outwards from the barrels, the said crutch piece carrying with it the hollow
cylinders g of the closers, the said hollow cylinders being withdrawn a distance
equal to that to which they had been forced forward by the action of the
axish on the closed ends of the said cylinders g. The said cylinders g aro
thereby withdrawn from the breech ends of the barrels, and the said barrels
liberated from the break-off. While the axis h is acting on the crutch piece n
to withdraw the closers, the said axis is supported by the tooth h' bearing
against the front of the break-off at e³. The manner in which the curved part
of the axis h acts upon the crutch piece n, and the tooth h' bears at e³ on the
break-off on the withdrawal of the closers, will be readily understood by an
examination of Figures 6 and 7. By an examination of Figure 4 it will be
seen that during discharge the hollow cylinders 9 which enter and close the
breech ends of the barrels are supported by the axis h, the axis h is 'supported
by the solid cylinders 92, and the said solid cylinders are supported by the back
of the break-off e, the said parts thus forming a solid bearing in the direction
of fire. When the closers are withdrawn from the barrels this close bearing
of the parts upon one another is still preserved as represented in Figure 5.
Instead of making the inner side of the closed end of the cylinders g flat, that
portion of the surface against which the axis works may have a concavity
made in it of the same radius as the axis h. There is thereby obtained a
greater bearing between the said surface and the axis h.
Having thus described in detail the construction of the various parts of the
gun, we will now briefly describe the manner in which the said gun is used in
opening and closing the breech ends for charging and discharging. When
the several parts of the gun are in the respective positions represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 the gun is ready for discharge. After discharge, in
order to release the barrels and expose their open breech ends for loading,
the lever is turned from the position represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3
to that indicated in dotted lines. in Figure 5; the moveable parts g of
the closers g, g³, are thereby withdrawn from the breech ends of the barrels
into the break-off by the action of the crutch piece n as before explained;
the ends of the barrels being thus released from the break-off the said barrels
turn upon their joint, the muzzle ends descend, and the breech ends rising so
as to expose their open ends for recharging as represented in Figure 5. The
charges having been introduced into the open breech ends of the barrels, the

page_text: said ends are depressed against the face of the break off. The lever / is then
moved back into the position represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the sliding
closers 9 being forced by the action of the axis h from out the break-off
into the open breech ends of the barrels, and the said barrels are thereby locked
or fixed down.
In applying this part of our Invention to single-barrelled guns we arrange
the parts in the manner represented in horizontal section in Figure 12A of
the Drawings; q is the barrel, and r, s, are the two parts of the closer; t is
the lever fixed on the end of the axis or shaft t, indicated in dotted lines, by
moving which said levert motion is communicated to the moveable part r of
the closer. The axis u has nearly the same figure as that portion of the
shaft h contained between the tooth * and the lever 1, Figure 10, and the
advance of the moveable part r of the closer is effected by the shaft u precisely
in the manner herein-before explained with reference to the shaft h and closers
9, 9, of the double-barrelled gun.
The manner in which the shaft u is made to withdraw the moveable part r
of the closer is as follows:- is a small rectangular block of steel inserted in
a recess in the part r of the closer. On depressing the levert the curved part w
of the shaft u presses back the block v and through it the moveable part 1 of
the closer. Instead of effecting the retiring motion of the hollow part of the
closer by means of the arrangements represented the same may be effected by
means of a spring.
Figure 13 represents in side elevation a double-barrelled breech-loading
gun constructed according to another part of our Invention, the breech ends
of the barrels being locked against the face of the break-off ready for discharge.
Figure 14 represents a plan of the under side of the same. Figure 15 repre-
sents a vertical longitudinal section of the same, and Figure 16 represents
the gun, Figure 15, when the barrels have been unlocked and their open breech
ends raised from the break-off for charging. The same letters indicate the
same parts in Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16. In this .gun the breech ends of
the barrels h are locked down by means of a horizontal spring bolt a, sliding
in the hollow shoe or body 6 of the gun. The said bolt a is made of different
diameters at different parts, the smaller part being solid and the larger part
hollow. The solid part constitutes the true bolt. The bolt a is shown
separately in elevation in Figure 17. In the hollow part of the bolt a
a coiled spring c is situated, one end of the said spring bearing against the solid
end of the bolt and the other end against a gland d by which the chamber in
which the bolt works is closed. By means of the spring c the bolt a is urged
forward when at liberty to move into the opening in the body b, or made to

page_text: .
engage in the opening or recess fin the lump 9 on the under side of the
barrels h, as represented in Figure 15. In the axis of the bolt a is a connec-
ting rod i around which, the spring c is placed; one end of the said rod is
screwed to the bolt and the other end passes through the gland d. The outer
end of the rod i is connected through the arm or lever k with the horizontal
axis passing through the break-off m. On the end of the said axis l is a
lever n by which the said axis is moved. The axis and lever n are shown
separately in Figure 18. The lower end of the arm or lever k slides in an
opening in the boss o screwed on the end of the connecting rod i and the said
arm or lever k is connected to the said boss o by a pin passed through the said
boss working in an inclined slot q in the said arm or lever k as represented in
the Drawing. To unlock the barrels h, Figures 13, 14, and 15, from the
break-off m, the lever n is depressed into the position represented in dotted
lines in Figure 13, a partial rotation is thereby given to the axis 7, and the
arm or lever is raised into the position represented in Figure 16, and to that
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 13. By the raising of the arm or lever k
the bolt a is withdrawn from the recess fin the lump g and the breech ends
of the barrels are thereby unlocked; the said bolt a and the several parts con-
nected therewith assuming the relative positions represented in Figure 16.
The bolt a being withdrawn, the barrels h turn upon their joint he and assume
the position represented in Figure 16. The breech ends of the barrels having
been raised the thumb is removed from the lever n when the bolt a is urged
forward by the compressed spring c (Figure 16) into the opening e in the
body as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 16, and the parts of the bolt
assume the relative positions represented in Figures 13, 14, and 15. The
barrels h having been charged, their breech ends are depressed against the face
of the break-off m, on depressing the barrels the curved nose of the lump g
bears against the inclined end of the bolt a and pushes the said bolt into the
body b until the opening or recess f in the said lump 9 comes opposite the said
bolt, when the bolt is pressed forward by the action of the spring c and made
to engage with the opening or recess fand to lock down the barrels as repre-
sented in Figure 15. The construction of the bolt a may be modified in the
manner represented in Figure 19. In this case we make the bolt o of the same
diameter throughout and of one piece of metal. The spring c is situated
around the bolt and bears at one end against the flanges and at the other end
against the screw gland r which is fitted into the end of the chamber in which
the bolt works. The part of the bolt o external to the gland is slotted, and
to the said slotted end the lower end of the arm or lever k is connected in the
manuer before explained. The bolt o, Figure 19, is stronger and less liable to

page_text: get out of order than the bolt a shown in connection with the gun, Figures 13,
14, 15, and 16.
Having now described the nature of our Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we
do not limit ourselves to the precise details herein described and represented
as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of our Invention.
but we claim with respect to the first part of our Invention the improve-
ments herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 12A, both
inclusive, of the accompanying Drawings, in locking or fixing down and
releasing the breech ends of the barrels of breech-loading fire-arms, known
as drop down guns, or fire-arms in which the barrels turn in a vertical plane
upon a joint on the fore part of the body, that is to say,―
Firstly, constructing closers for breech-loading fire-arms of the kind described
of a hollow cylinder sliding upon a solid cylinder.
Secondly, the shaft by which the motion of the closers is effected.
Thirdly, the arrangements of parts for withdrawing the hollow part of the
closer.
Fourthly, the general arrangement or combination of parts for effecting the
closing and opening of the breech ends of the barrels.
We claim with respect to the second part of our Invention the improvements
herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
and 19 of the accompanying Drawings in locking down and releasing the
breech ends of the barrels of fire-arms of the kind described, that is to say,
locking down and releasing the said barrels by means of a spring bolt actuated
in the manner herein-before described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Edward Lewis and Henry
Walker, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Nineteenth day
of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-four.
GEORGE EDWARD LEWIS. (L.S.)
HENRY WALKER.
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
(L.S.)..