Improvements in Breech Loading Small Arms.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1895--Accepted, 13th Apr., 1895
Improvements in Breech Loading Small Arms.
A communication by JOSEPH RIDER, of Newark, in the County of Licking and
State of Ohio, United States of America, Gunsmith.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil 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 improvements in guns of that class styled break-down
or drop barrel guns, in which automatic ejectors are used, which improvements are
hereinafter fully described and shown in the accompanying illustrations, in which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the gun closed;
Figure 2, a similar view showing the barrels tipped ;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are side views of the automatic ejecting devices ;
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are views of parts
shown in detail; and
Figures 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 represent a modification of the automatic cocking
device.
In the drawings,
A A are the barrels; B, indicates the breech frame of the gun, it being
composed of a single solid block of metal, with two chambers for the reception of
the hammers cut in its rear face, as shown more clearly in Figure 9. It will be
seen that by this construction, the front projection to which the barrels are hinged,
the recoil wall of the breech, the top, both side walls and the central partition b',
are all formed of one solid continuous piece of metal without any joints, thus
dispensing with the usual side openings and lock plates, and at the same time
securing solid bearings at both sides and at the centre for the screw or pin which
serves as a journal for the two hammers, one in each of the chambers or recesses.
An opening or recess is formed in the bottom of this frame, in which is fitted a
trigger plate D as shown in Figure 9, the rear end of this plate being prolonged
to form a lower tang, a corresponding upper tang T being formed by a prolongation
of the solid top wall of the frame B the form of this upper tang being shown in plan
in Figure 14 and in sectional side view in Figures 1 and 2. The trigger plate is
fastened in its seat between the side walls by a screw which enters the lower edge
of the central partition b', and a screw y³ connects the trigger plate to the upper
tang about midway of their length, while at their rear ends the two tangs are
connected by another screw which is encircled by a sleeve ¹, the ends of which
abut against the inner faces of the tangs, thereby holding them the same distance
apart, however much the wooden stock may swell or shrink. By these means all
the working or movable parts of the mechanism secured to the frame, trigger
plate and tangs, are always kept in the same relative positions, thus greatly
reducing the liability of the mechanism getting out of order.
The hammers H, with their laterally projecting tumblers a' and cocking arın "
are made integral, of a single solid piece, as shown in Figures 11 and 13, and in
the rear face of the tumbler a', a vertical slot u is formed, for the reception of a
on the front end of the main spring, as shown in Figure 12.
ip
The main spring S is simply a flat spring curved as shown, its front end bearing

page_text: against a shoulder r on the tumbler, while its rear end bears against a shoulder on
the trigger, t, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. At its front end this spring has
formed on it a vertical lip p', the point of which is arranged to bear against the
tumbler below its axis when the hammer delivers its blow, thereby causing a slight
rebound of the hammer, as indicated by the dotted line in Figure 1. This lip
resting in a slot, also serves to prevent any lateral displacement of the end of the
spring.
The sear s may be arranged to engage in a botch t¹ on the tumbler, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2, or with a notch or shoulder on the head of the hammer, as shown
in Figures 20, 21 and 22, the form of the sear in the first case being that of a
simple lever, and in the latter case that of an elbow lever as shown in the respective
figures; but in both cases the rear end of the sear is engaged in a notch of the
trigger in such a manner that the main spring acting on the trigger will at
the same time, through the medium of the trigger, operate on the sear, and thus the
one spring is made to serve in three capacities, namely, as a main spring, a trigger
spring and a sear spring, thereby greatly reducing the number of pieces.
The form of sear and trigger preferred are shown detached in Figures 15 and 16,
the laterally projecting arms on the rear end of the sear s engaging in the notch u
of the trigger t, these parts being shown in position in Figures 1 and 2.
With the
elbow lever form of sear the connection with the trigger is made at the front end
of the trigger, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the operation being the same in
both cases.
In order to automatically cock the hammer by the dropping of the barrels,
a link is pivoted to the lug underneath the barrels, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
At its lower end this link is provided with a crosshead C, shown in Figure 7,
which, when the barrels are dropped, engages under the cocking arms as shown in
Figure 1, and thereby cocks the hammers.
At its upper end a spring e is arranged to bear on the rear shoulder of the link in
such a manner as to throw its lower end forward when released, as shown in
Figure 6. A small rod f, see Figure 6, is mounted loosely in a hole in the lug L,
with its front end protruding as shown, so that when the fore end is applied, its rear
end coming in contact with this protruding end of the rod, will push the latter back
against the link b, thereby forcing the lower end of the link back so it will engage
under the cocking arms, which is its normal position; but the moment the fore end
is removed, the spring throws it forward away from the cocking arms, thus enabling
the barrels to be unhooked and removed instantly.
A small pin v, see Figure 19, is located in each side of the slotted front portion
of the frame, with which the crosshead C will engage when the barrels are dropped,
as shown in Figure 2, thereby limiting the tipping of the barrels.
с
A modification of this cocking device is shown in Figures 20 to 24 inclusive.
Instead of the pivoted link, a sliding bar E mounted in a hole in the lug Las
shown in Figure 20 is substituted. The front portion c of this bar is made in the
form of a small rod to protrude at the front the same as in the other case. At
its rear end it has a depending enlarged portion, as shown more clearly in Figure 24,
at each side of which is a lateral projection g, which has its upper surface inclined
with a small rib h at its rear edge. Upon the upper side of this bar Eis a pro-
jection through which a hole d is bored to receive a screw j as shown in Figures 20
and 23. This hole is counterbored or enlarged for a part of its length to receive
a spiral spring i, the front end of which bears against the shoulder in the hole,
and its rear end against the head of the screw, so that when the bar is placed in
position and the end of the screw is screwed into the lug as shown in Figure 20,
the spring will force the bar forward to the position shown in Figure 22, thereby
drawing its projections g forward from under the cocking arms, thus permitting the
barrels to be removed, the same as above described.
When the fore end is applied, it shoves the bar back so its projections g will
engage under the cocking arms, as shown in Figures 20 and 21. When this form
of cocking bar is used, the cocking arms rare- curved as shown in Figures 20, 21,

page_text: and 22, so that in the tipping of the barrels the curved ends of the arms only will
bear on the inclined surfaces of the projections g, thereby ensuring the same
leverage during all parts of the movement, by which a very eveu and smooth
action is secured.
The automatic ejectors are so constructed as to first start the shells by a
positive movement, and then eject them by action of a spring, and so that the
ejector spring shall.never be under tension except for an instant during the dropping
of the barrels.
.
These ejectors which will now be described, are shown clearly in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, and with their frame complete, in Figure 18. They consist of three
parts, viz. an ejector hammer-k, an operating bar g, and a spring.k. These parts
are made in the forms shown; and are mounted in 'a metallic frame I, as shown in the
several figures. The hammers., one for each barrel, are provided with a head to
bear against the ends of the extractor stems E as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and
with a toe o to engage with a notch in the rear face of the upright part of the
bar g. The bar g has a longitudinal body, and at its rear end is provided with an
upright arm c, the upper end of which is beveled or inclined on both its front and
rear faces, and with right angled shoulders below, the space between the front
shoulder and the body of the bar forming a notch or recess n, in which, at the
proper time, the toe of the hammer engages, as shown in Figure 4. This bar g
is also provided on its under side with a couple of flanges n², through which a pin
is inserted for the spring to bear upon, as shown, the bar being placed loosely in
the frame so as to permit of a slight endwise movement to and fro. The spring k
has its free end, where it bears upon the pin, formed with an incline m as shown in
the several figures, and which incline may be formed by an enlargement of the
spring at that point, or by a bend in the spring, as found most convenient.
A small sliding bolt-l, shown detached in Figure 8, is located loosely in a hole in
the frame, in a line between the main hammers H of the gun and the upright cof
bar.g, as is shown in Figure 1; and in dotted lines in Figure 2. The front ends of
these bolts, which are termed lifting latches, are beveled on their under sides, as
shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and are offset laterally as shown in Figure 8, to
bring their points in line with the uprights.c of the bars 9.
When the gun is fired, these lifting latches are forced forward by the
hammers H, by which their points are made to project from the front end of the
frame B, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 19, so as to engage under the rear
shoulder of the upright c, of the bar g, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.
The parts being thus constructed and arranged, the operation is as follows:
Supposing the gun to have been fired, the various parts will be in the positions
shown in Figure 1, in which it will be observed that the back of the ejector
hammer rests on the bar g, while the face of the hammer touches or very nearly
touches the end of the extractor stem E. Now as the barrels begin to tip, the
point of the latch will raise the rear end of bar g, thereby at the same time raising
the hammer which rests on the bar, and causing the face of the hammer to press
against the end of the extractor steni, and thus to start the shell.
The toe o of the ejector hammer being carried downward in contact with the
inclined face of upright c, forces said upright, and consequently the bar g,
backward, this movement continuing until the toe o and notch n are brought into
alignment or coincidence, whereupon the bar g is moved forward by the action of
the incline m of spring k and its upper wall or shoulder is engaged over the toe o.
In thus moving forward, the bar g carries the rear shoulder of upright off and clear
of the point of lifting latch:l. The rear end of bar g being thus made: free, is
instantly thrown downward by the spring, and gives a sudden impulse to the ejector
hammer, which in turn gives a like sudden movement to the extractor E, thereby
ejecting the shell from the barrel. At the same time the.incline on the spring will
force the bar g forward.
As the barrels are brought back to the closed position, the rear incline of the
uprights c will be brought into contact with the under beveled face of the lifting

page_text: latches, thereby shoving them back, when the several parts will have assumed
their original positions.
In Figure 5 is shown a modification of the ejector. In this a bent spring k¹ is
used, placed above the bar g, and on the bar at the point where the spring bears, an
incline is made, 12, on which the point of the spring operates to draw the bar back,
the same as does the incline m on the spring in the other case. Or, in lieu of this,
the front end of the bar g may have an incline on its under side bearing on a
corresponding incline, as shown at p³. Either of these will cause the bar to move
backward when released from the lifting latch, just the same as when the incline is
made on the spring, though it is preferable to make the incline on the spring.
It will be seen that by this arrangement the ejector springs are under tension only
during the tipping of the barrels, and that when the gun is closed, the ejector
hammers lie loose upon the bar g, as represented in Figure 1, and thus all parts of
the ejecting devices are freed from strain at all times except during the time
occupied in dropping the barrels.
By this construction is produced not only a most efficient automatic ejector, but
the ejectors are also made to serve to start the shells preparatory to their
ejection.
It will of course be understood that two separate extractors are used, one for each
barrel, and that consequently the shell will be started and ejected only from the
barrel that has been fired. If both barrels be fired, the shells will be ejected from
both; but if only one barrel be fired, then the shell will be ejected from that one,
while the shell in the other barrel will not even be started; because unless the gun
hammer be let down, the lifting latch will not be driven forward to engage with
the upright of bar g, and consequently the cjcctor hammer of that side will not be
moved at all.
The barrels are locked closed by a sliding latch L', Figure 2, which by a tooth
engages with the hub of the journal h² of the thumb lever L2, Figure 14, the
latch L' engaging in a notch in the rear end of a rib projecting from the rear end
of the barrels.
The form of this journal and hub is shown in Figure 10. It is placed loosely in
its socket, and is held therein by the spring n', the free end of which is slightly
twisted, so as to bear against an inclined shoulder g' on the hub, as shown in
Figure 10, the pressure of the spring on the inclined shoulder tending to force the
hub downward, and holding it securely in place. By pressing the spring back
away from the shoulder, the thumb lever with its hub and journal can be
lifted out.
"
In order to provide a "safety or means of locking the triggers, a
pin b³ is
provided with a cross plate o² secured to its lower end, shown detached in Figure 17,
and located between the tangs in such position that the plate o² will rest upon the
triggers in rear of their axis, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Directly over the
upper end of this pin a recesses is made in the under side of the upper tang as
shown in Figure 2, into which the upper end of the pin can enter when the triggers
are pulled. In a recess formed in the underside of the tang is placed a sliding
bar a, Figure 14, the front end of which is curved to pass around the hub ' so
.that when the latch L is drawn back to unlock the barrels, a projection on the rear
end of the latch L' will strike against the front end of the bar a³ and shove it
backward; the bar as being connected at its rear end to a thumb piece d³ on the
top of the tang, Figures 1 and 2, by which it can be shoved forward when it is
desired to lock the triggers. The upper end of pin 63 is connected to the sliding
bar as by resting in a notch or hole in the bar, so that as the bar is moved to or fro,
the upper end of the pin 6 will be moved with it. When it is shoved back, the end
of pin will be opposite the recesses in the tang, when of course the triggers will
be free to operate, but whenever the bar a³ is shoved forward, the upper end of
pin 63 will be carried forward away from the recess e³ when of course it cannot be
raised as its upper end will then be under the unbroken face of the tang.
: A spring c³ arranged as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to bear upon the plate o² and

page_text: hold the latter in place on the triggers, though a spiral spring may be coiled around
the pin if preferred, and made to operate the same.
The backward movement of the latch L' caused by the closing of the barrels
will shove backward the bar a³, and the pin 63, leaving the safety in position for
firing the gun; but when the gun is to be carried cocked, the triggers will be
locked by merely shoving the thumb piece d³ forward.
It is obvious that the improvements may be applied to a single barreled gun, in
which case the breech frame will be constructed with one chamber instead of two,
as in that case but a single hammer will be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is-
1. A frame for drop barrel guns, having its front projecting arm, breech or recoil
shoulder, top, side walls, central partition and upper tang formed integral of
a single piece of metal, in combination with a trigger plate D' prolonged rearward
to form a lower tang, said tangs being held rigidly in relation to each other at their
rear ends by a screw and interposed sleeve k¹ substantially as described.
2. A thumb lever L², a locking latch L', arranged to be moved thereby, and a
safety or trigger locking device arranged to be thrown out of the locking position
by the movement of the thumb lever and latch in the opening or closing of the
barrel, substantially as set forth.
3. The hammer H having a vertical notch or bearing on the rear side of its
tumbler, in combination with the curved main spring S provided at its front end
with a lip p arranged to bear against the tumbler below its axis when the hammer
delivers its blow, and cause a rebound of the hammer, as set forth.
4. The combination of the hammer H, main spring S provided with a lip p',
trigger and sears, all arranged to operate substantially as described, whereby the
one spring is made to operate all of said parts and also cause the hammer to
rebound, as set forth.
5. The combination in a drop barrel gun, of a hammer provided with a cocking
arm r, a movable cocking bar secured to the barrel or lug and provided with
a projection to engage with the said cocking arm, and having a stem or bolt
arranged to project at the front of the lug so that the placing in position of the fore
end will throw the cocking bar back into position to engage with the cocking arm,
and a spring arranged to move the cocking bar out of the cocking position upon the
removal of the fore end.
6. A fore end cartridge ejecting device in which the ejector hammer is caused to
first start the shell by a positive movement, and then to eject the shell by action of
the ejector spring, as set forth.
7. An automatic shell ejector, in which the ejector spring is first put under
tension and then released during the dropping of the barrel, whereby said ejector
spring is freed from tension at all times except during the dropping movement of
the barrel.
8. In a break-down gun, the combination of a pivoted ejector hammer located in
the fore end and arranged to bear normally against the front end of the extractor
stem, a spring arranged to be put under tension by the tipping of the barrels and
operate the ejector hammer when released, and a sliding bar in the gun frame
adapted to be operated by the gun hammer when fired and lock the ejector hammer
substantially as described, whereby the ejector hammer is caused to operate by
positive force on the extractor during the initial movement of the barrels and by
the spring during the completion of the movement as herein set forth.
Dated this 7th day of January 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.