IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes
and Son, Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."-A. com-
munication from abroad by Eli Whitney, of the City and County
of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, United States of
America.
Sealed the 14th August 1874, and dated the 19th February 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th February 1874.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son,
Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS," a communication to me from abroad by Eli Whitney, of the
City and County of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, United
States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in breech-loading fire-arms,
the first part of the Invention to that class in which the breech piece is

page_text: hung below the barrel, and swings back and downward to open the
breech; the second part to those in which the breech piece swings
laterally from the breech; the third part to those in which the breech
piece is hung to one side of the barrel to swing transversely to open the
breech.
The first part of this Invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive,
and consists,―
First. In combining with the breech piece and lever upon the same
axis a firing pin through the breech piece and connected with the said
lever, so that in moving the said lever to turn back the breech piece it
will first withdraw the firing pin.
Second. In forming the fulcrum pivots of both the breech piece and
supporting cam with an arm outside the frame, and which when set so
that their ends meet, a single screw or head will hold and prevent their
displacement.
Third. In the arrangement of a latch piece forward of the cam below
the pivot, so as to lock the said cam in its closed position.
Fourth. In combining with the cam a hook or catch by which it may
be held back from the breech piece, and so as to allow the removal or
introduction of the breech picco without disarranging the other parts of
tho mechanism.
Fifth. In combining with the breech piece its lever and cam a wheel
or roll against which the said lever works in forcing back the cam to
prevent the usual rubbing and consequent friction.
Sixth. In combining with the breech piece and its lever a retractor
upon the same pivot as the said lever and breech piece, one arm of
which extends up into the cartridge chamber, the other down into a
recess in the breech piece, and a spring bearing upon the said breech to
impart a suddenly accelerated movement to the said retractor during the
last part of the movement of the breech piece.
A is the frame of the usual form in this class of arms; B, the breech
piece hung upon the pivot C, so as to swing back and down as in Fig. 3;
Dis a lever hung upon the same pivot C, and to turn the breech piece by
mcans of the said lever a slot a is made in the lever, and a stud b on the
breech piece lies in the said slot, and a projection d on the breech piece

page_text: .
extends up and in front of the said lever, so that when in its extreme
forward position relatively to the breech piece the lever rests against the
said projection d, and the stud lies back in the slot, as seen in Fig. 7,
both of these in the same relative position to each other as when closed,
therefore, in drawing back the lever D it must move the extent of the
slot a, or so that the forward end of the slot will strike the stud before
the breech piece will begin its backward movement.
The firing pin E is arranged through the breech piece so that when
the hammer strikes its roar end it will be forced forward and com-
municate the blow to the cartridge in the usual manner.
•
In order to insure the retreat of the firing pin after firing, that the pin
when the breech piece is next closed upon an unexploded cartridge may
not strike and prematurely discharge the cartridge, as it would be liable
to do if not positively drawn back, I connect the firing pin with the
lever D by means of a stud f on the pin, as seen in Fig. 6, projecting
through a slot in the breech piece, and taking a bearing in a slot 9 (sco
Fig. 5) in the lever. The forward end of the slot strikes the stud fearly
in its movement, so as to draw back the firing pin before the breech
piece commences its opening movement; returning the slot g in the
lever allows the full forward or closing. movement of both the lever and
breech piece without action, upon the firing pin leaving the pin in its
extreme backward position, as seen in Fig. 6, ready for the blow of the
hammer. The lever D is provided with a thumb piece D' by which to
conveniently operate it.
In the rear of the breech piece B and its lever D is the locking cam F
hung with the hammer G upon the pivot H, the pivots C and H being
parallel to each other, the cam F provided with a spring F' to force it
forward beneath the breech piece, as seen in Fig. 2, to lock the breechi
picce in its closed position, and yielding as the cam is forced back for
the opening of the brecch.
To remove the operative parts of the arm it is necessary to first romove
the pivots C, H, and that this may be readily done, and at the same
timê insure the retention of the pivots in place, I construct each pivot.
as seen in Fig. 8, with an arm H³ upon one end and of a length to meet
about midway between the pivots outside the frame, as seen in Fig. 1,
but so as to be turned from that position as shown in broken lines. At
the point where the said arms meet a headed screw or similar
A. 2

page_text: device is set in the frame, so that when the arms are brought together
the ends will pass beneath this head, and by turning the head be locked
in that position; when released from the head either or both may be.
turned and withdrawn.
c..In order that the breech piece may be removed without disturbing the
parts in its rear I arrange a spring bar I (see Fig. 3), beneath the
cam F with an upward projection at its end, and on the cam below
the, pivot. I form a corresponding notch n. The relative position of
the points i and n is such that in the usual rear movement of the cam
the notch will not quite reach the projection i; but when the cam is
forced a little further down, then the notch n will engage the projection i,
and the cam be thus locked and prevented from flying up or forward,
then the breech piece and parts attached thereto may be easily removed.
and replaced and the cam released by depressing the spring bar I.
C 7
To lock the cam F when it is forward and holding the breech piece I
construct the spring bar I, so that when the cam is in its extreme
forward position the forward end of the bar I will reach up in front of
the cam below the pivots, as seen in Fig. 2, and thus prevent the
withdrawal of the cam until the bar is depressed, and this is done by the
lower portion of the hammer in the act of cocking. This is cam-shaped
as seen at m and in turning the hammer the said cam-shaped portion
riding over the end of the bar, depresses it sufficiently to free the cam,
and on the discharge or fall of the hammer when the cam is forward the
bar flies up forward of the cam as before. The cam F must be forced
back before the breech picce can be removed. This is done by the
lever D, tho cam and lever shown in Fig. 9, as in a closed position. It
will be remembered that during the first portion of the rear movement
of the lever the breech piece remains stationary, and during this first
movement of the lever it bears upon and forces back the cam sufficiently
far to free the breech piece from the cam. As the spring F¹ bears
constantly upon the cam it causes no inconsiderable friction between the
cam and lever. To overcome this friction I introduce upon the cam an
antifriction roll L, sec Figs. 7 and 9, which alone bears upon the lever
and makes its movement easy and free. Upon one side of the breech
piece B a disc P is placed, and a recess is formed in the breech piece for
that purpose, and so as to form a bearing upon which the disc will
turn freely. This disc is constructed with an arm R extending up into
the cartridge chamber so as to lie beside the cartridge, and directly

page_text: forward of the flange; when the breech piece is closed a second arm S,
extends downward from the disc P and lies in a recess T in the breech
block; this recess T extending from t to w, so that in turning the breech
back the side wo of the recess will strike the arm S, and turn the disc P
to throw out the arm R, as seen in Fig. 3, but this does not occur until
near the extreme movement of the breech piece backward, or until the
breech piece has moved so far back that the cartridge may pass out over
it; the outward movement of the arm R draws the cartridge or shell, as
the case may be, and the recess T allows the movement of the breech
piece without effect upon the retractor arm R except as described. In
closing the breech piece the side of the recess T strikes the arm S and
returns the retractor to place.
In order to eject the shell free from the arm I give to the breech-
piece a suddenly accelerated movement near its extreme rear point by
means of a spring W on the frame bearing upon the breech-piccc.
Below the pivot C a sudden fall-off or escapement is made at x, so that
as the breech piece approaches its extreme rear movement the point
passes over the bearing point of the spring W, and the reaction of the
spring gives to the breech piece a quick and sudden throw to its extremo
point, carrying with it the retractor with sufficient force to eject the
cartridge or shell, as the case may be, clear from the arm.
The second part of this Invention is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14
inclusive, and consists,―
First. In the arrangement of the pivot upon which the breech piece
3 turns at one side of the central line, so that the movement of the breech
is more directly away from the barrel than when the pivot is in a central
line.
Second. In combining with a lateral swinging breech a lever pivoted
to the frame beneath the breech piece, and in substantially the same
plane and in connection with the said breech piece, so that a rear move-
ment of the said lever will turn the said breech piece from the barrel,
and a forward movement close the said breech piece.
Third. In combining with the said breech piece and lever a latch,
which holds the said lever in its forward or closed position.
A is the frame; B³, the barrel; C, the breech piece. The said
breech piece is filled into the frame between an abutment D' and the

page_text: rear end of the barrel, and so as to swing laterally away from the barrel,
as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 11. The pivot a³ upon which the breech
piece turns is arranged upon the side of the central line opposite that to
which the breech piece swings, as seen in Fig. 11; hence the movement
of the breech piece in turning is more away from (rearward) the barrel
than when the pivot is on a central line, and enables the more perfect
closing of the breech, and with less friction than in the former case.
At the forward end a projection from the frame extends back over the
breech piece when closed, as seen in Figs. 10 and 12. This prevents any
strain upon the pivot or breech piece tending to raise the forward end,
and as a further protection the rear end of the breech piece extends over
the abutment D³, as seen at f³.
To conveniently operate the breech block I arrange in a recess in tho
frame a lever E³ pivoted to the frame at e beneath the breech piece, and
in substantially the same plane. From this lever a finger piece 62 extends
out to one side, as seen in Fig. 11, by means of which it may be thrown
back and forth. From this lover a stud n extends up into a slot in the
breech piece, as seen in Fig. 12, and in broken lines Fig. 11; there-
fore when the breech piece is closed, by taking hold of the thumb
piece and drawing it back, as scen in Fig. 11, the breech piece will be
turned laterally to one side, as denoted in broken lines Fig. 11, and when
the lever is thrown forward it will bring the breech piece back into
position, closing the barrel.
In order to lock the breech picco when in a closed position I arrange
à latch F in the side of the frame, as seen in Figs. 10 and 12, which
when the lever is forward, as seen in Fig. 10, will spring out and engage
the said lever to hold it in a closed position, and this latch being
arranged in the rear of the finger piece 62 is easily operated by the thumb.
The fore finger upon the forward side of the finger piece the thumb
naturally bears upon the latch, and may by the thumb be depressed to
allow the lever to be drawn back.
Centrally through the breech piece a firing pin P is arranged, as scen
in Fig. 12, to be struck by the hammer H³ in substantially the manner
of striking the firing pin in other arms.
A retractor is arranged in the rear of the barrel and beneath the
breech piece formed from two arms s², t, pivoted to the frame, the
arm s² actuated by the breech piece, and the arm thrown back as the

page_text: breech piece is opened, the forward end of the retractor extending up,
as in Fig. 12, to engage the flange of the cartridge to draw it back.
As there is some liability to clog or for the lodgement of foreign sub-
stances between the breech piece and the frame I construct the breech
piece upon the under side with numerous grooves, as seen in Figs. 13
and 14. This leaves but a small portion of the breech piece to bear
upon the surface of the frame, and the edges of the grooves, as the
breech picce passes over the surface of the frame and the lever, they
tend to scrape and remove any substance which may tend to foul or
interfere with the free working of the breech piece.
The third part of this Invention is illustrated in Figs. 15 to 20
inclusive, and consists,―
First. In providing the breech block with a rear projection, over
which the hammer will lock in its fall to sccuro the block at the time of
explosion, but so that the hammer will be arrested in its descent by said
projection before it reaclics the firing pin when the breech block is not
properly closed.
Second. In combining with the transverse swinging breech block a
friction bearing by which the block will be retained in its closed position,
but so as to be easily opened.
Third. Chamfering the lower edge of the breech block upon the
front side, so that in closing it will serve to press the cartridge
home.
Fourth. Forming a groove or channel on the under side of the breech
block communicating with the cartridge chamber to form an outlet for
the escape of gas from the cartridge chamber and prevent its passing
into the mechanism of the arm.
Fifth. In a lever extractor, one arm extending outside the frame so as
to be struck by the opening breech piece and the requisite movement
imparted thereby to withdraw the shell or cartridge, as the casc
may be.
A is the frame to which the barrel B' is attached in the usual manner.
Transversely across the frame at the rear of the barrel a slot C³ is formed,
as seen in Fig. 18, into which the breech block D' sets, the said block
hinged to the frame at one side, as at E³, and so as to be turned trans-

page_text: •
versely away from the frame, as seen in Fig. 19, to open the breech for
the insertion or removal of the cartridge or shell. A central rear pro-
jection or enlargement F is formed on the breech block, through which
and the block proper the firing pin is placed, so that when the block
is closed the hammer G will in falling strike the pin to communicate
the blow of the hammer to the cartridge, and in order that the breech
block may be held firmly in its place at the time of firing, as also to
prevent discharge if the breech be not properly closed, I form a tongue
or projection d' on the rear of the block and a corresponding recess or
shoulder on the hammer, as seen in Fig. 17, so that when the hammer,
falls upon the properly closed breech block the said shoulder on the
hammer will lock over the projection on the breech block before the
nose of the hammer reaches the firing pin, consequently if the block bc
not properly closed the nose of the hammer will strike the said projection
and prevent the hammer striking the firing pin. The breech block
is provided with a thumb picce D' for convenience in opening the
breech
In rear of the barrel, and distant from the breech proper, a cheek H³
is formed on each side of the frame, and between these cheeks and the
breech the breech block sets, the checks forming an abutment for the
support of the breech block to resist the recoil consequent upon the
explosion of the cartridge. Between these checks H³, H³, the frame is
shaped to correspond to the lower portion of the bore or cartridge
chamber, as seen in Figs. 16 and 19. This recess I³ serves as a guide
for the insertion of the cartridge, so that when the cartridge is laid into
the recess 1³ a simple longitudinal movement will carry it directly into
the cartridge chamber.
In the check opposite the one to which the breech block is hinged a
frictional device to hold the breech block is placed. This consists of a
piston f set in a cavity in the check, as seen in Fig. 18, with a spring, a
the tendency of which is to press the said piston outward toward the
breech block; the end of the piston protruding slightly into the recess
C³ so as to bear against the breech block when it is closed to create
sufficient friction thereon to hold it, the breech block, in its closed
position, but yet allow it to be easily opened if necessary. A slight
depression may be formed in the breech block corresponding to the
piston, and into which the piston will set when the breech block is

page_text: closed, but this recess must be so slight as to allow the breech block to
be readily forced from the control of the piston.
In order to avoid the necessity of forcing the cartridge quite "home"
before the breech block is closed the first approaching edge D³ of the
breech block is chamfered on the bore or front side, as seen in Fig. 20,
so that in closing the breech block the forward surface acts as a cam to
force the cartridge home. As the gas after explosion tends to work its
way out around the breech block, and especially so when the shell bursts
at the time of explosion, an exit is provided by making a groove /³ on
the under edge of the breech piece extending out to one side and com-
municating with the cartridge chamber, as seen in Fig. 17. This
prevents the possibility of the gas penetrating to the mechanism of the
lock.
Beneath the breech block a lover is hung to the frame on a pivot m³,
one arm L' of which extends to about the centre line, and with an
upward projection n³, which extends up forward of the rim of the
cartridge, as seen in Figs. 17 and 18, the other arm P³ of the lever
extends outside the frame, and so as to lie in the path of the breech
block when being opened. The projecting nose R' of the lever has its
rear inclined, as seen in Figs. 15, 16, and 19, so that as the breech is
opened, and so soon as the cartridge chamber is uncovered the breech
block will strike upon the incline of the nose R³ and forco forward that
arm of the lever and the other arm back, as seen in Fig. 18, the projec.
tion 3 forcing the shell or cartridge, as the case may be, out from the
chamber, a quick opening of the breech block imparting so sudden a
movement to the lever as to eject the shell free from the arm.
It will be understood that the hammer must be drawn back to at
least half-cock before the breech block is opened or closed.
0
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th August 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents,
123, Chancery Lane, London, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward Thomas Hughes,
Her special licence that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Edward Thomas Hughes, 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,"
a communication to me from abroad by Eli Whitney, of the City and
County of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, United States of
America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edward
Thomas Hughes, my exccutors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, 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.
f
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that
is to say:
This Invention relates to an improvement in brecch-loading fire-arms,
and the first part of the Invention to that class in which the breech
piece is hung below the barrel, and swings back and downward to open
the breech; the second part to those in which the breech piece swings
laterally from the breech; the third part to those in which the breech
piece is hung to one side of the barrel to swing transversely to open the
breech.
The first part of this Invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive,
(.

page_text: First. In combining with the breech piece and lever upon the same
axis a firing pin through the breech piece and connected with the said
lever, so that in moving the said lever to turn back the breech piece it
will first withdraw the firing pin.
Second. In forming the fulcrum pivots of both the breech piece and
supporting cam with an arm outside the frame, and which when set
so that their ends meet, a single screw or head will hold and prevent
their displacement.
Third. In the arrangement of a latch piece forward of the cam below
the pivot, so as to lock the said cam in its closed position.
Fourth. In combining with the cam a hook or catch by which it may
be held back from the breech piece, and so as to allow the removal or
introduction of the breech piece without disarranging the other parts of
the mechanism.
Fifth. In combining with the breech piece, its lever, and cam a wheel
or roll, against which the said lever works in forcing back the cam to
prevent the usual rubbing and consequent friction.
Sixth. In combining with the breech piece and its lever a retractor
upon the same pivot as the said lever and breech piece, one arm of which
extends up into the cartridge chamber, the other down into a recess in
the breech piece, and a spring bearing upon the said breech to impart a
suddenly accelerated movement to the said retractor during the last part
of the movement of the breech piece.
A is the frame, of the usual form in this class of arms; B, the breech
picce, hung upon the pivot C so as to swing back and down, as in
Fig. 3. D is a lever, hung upon the same pivot C, and to turn the
breech piece by means of the said lever a slot a is made in the lever, and
a stud on the breech piece lies in the said slot, and a projection don
the breech piece extends up and in front of the said lever, so that when
in its extreme forward position relatively to the breech piece the lever
rests against the said projection d and the stud b lies back in the slot, as
seen in Fig. 7, both of these in the same relative position to each other
as when closed, therefore in drawing back the lever D it must move the
extent of the slot a, or so that the forward end of the slot will strike
the stud before the breech piece will begin its backward movement.

page_text: The firing pin E is arranged through the breech piece so that when
the hammer strikes its rear end it will be forced forward and communicate
the blow to the cartridge in the usual manner.
In order to insure the retreat of the firing pin after firing, that the
pin when the breech piece is next closed upon an unexploded cartridge
may not strike and prematurely discharge the cartridge, as it would bo
liable to do if not positively drawn back, I connect the firing pin with
the lever D by means of a stud f on the pin, as seen in Fig. 6, projecting
through a slot in the breech piece, and taking a bearing in a slot g (scc
Fig. 5) in the lever. The forward end of the slot strikes the stud f carly
in its movement, so as to draw back the firing pin before the brecch
piece commences its opening movement; returning the slot g in the
lever allows the full forward or closing movement of both the lever and
the breech piece without action upon the firing pin, leaving the pin in
its extreme backward position, as seen in Fig. 6, ready for the blow of
the hammer. The lever D is provided with a thumb piece D', by which
to conveniently operate it.
In the rear of the breech piece B and its lever D is the locking cam F,
hung with the hammer G upon the pivot H, the pivot C and H being
parallel to cach other, the cam F provided with a spring F to force it
forward beneath the breech piece, as seen in Fig. 2, to lock the breech
piece in its closed position, and yielding as the cam is forced back for
the opening of the breech.
To remove the operative parts of the arm it is necessary to first remove
the pivots C, H, and that this may be readily done and at the same time
insure the retention of the pivots in place, I construct cach pivot as
seen in Fig. 8, with an arm H¹ upon one end, and of a length to meet
about midway between the pivots outside the frame, as seen in Fig. 1,
but so as to be turned from that position, as shown in broken lines. At
the point where the said arms meet a headed screw / or similar device is
set in the frame, so that when the arms are brought together the ends
will pass beneath this head, and by turning the head be locked in that
position. When released from the head either or both may be turned
and withdrawn.
In order that the breech piece may be removed without disturbing the
parts in its rear I arrange a spring bar I (see Fig. 3) beneath the cam F,
with an upward projection i at its end, and on the cam below the pivot

page_text: .
I form a corresponding notch. The relative position of the points i
and is such that in usual rear movement of the cam the notch n
will not quite reach the projection i, but when the cam is forced a littlo
farther down then the notch n will engage the projection i, and the cam
be thus locked and prevented from flying up or forward; then the
breech piece and parts attached thereto may be easily removed and
replaced, and the cam released by depressing the spring bar I.
To lock the cam F when it is forward and holding the breech piece I
construct the spring bar I so that when the cam is in its extreme forward
position the forward end of the bar I will reach up in front of the cam
below the pivots, as seen in Fig. 2, and thus prevent the withdrawal of
the cam until the bar is depressed, and this is done by the lower portion
of the hammer in the act of cocking. This is cam shaped, as seen at m,
and in turning the hammer the said cam-shaped portion riding over the
end of the bar depresses it sufficiently to free the cam, and on the
discharge or fall of the hammer when the cam is forward the bar flics
up forward of the cam, as before. The cam F must be forced back
before the breech piece can be removed. This is done by the lever D,
the cam and lever shown in Fig. 9, as in a closed position. It will be
remembered that during the first portion of the rear movement of the
lever the breech piece remains stationary, and during this first movement
of the lever it bears upon and forces back the cam sufficiently far to free
the breech piece from the cam. As the spring F" bears constantly upon
the cam it causes no inconsiderable friction between the cam and lever.
To overcome this friction I introduce upon the cam an antifriction.
roll L, see Figs. 7 and 9, which alone bears upon the lever and makes its
movement easy and free. Upon one side of the breech piece B a disc P
is placed, and a recess is formed in the breech piece for that purpose and
so as to form a bearing upon which the disc will turn freely. This disc
is constructed with an arm R extending up into the cartridge chamber,
so as to lie beside the cartridge and directly forward of the flange.
When the breech piece is closed a second arm S extends downward from
the disc P and lies in a recess T in the breech block, this recess T
extending from t to w, so that in turning the breech back the side 10 of
the recess will strike the arm S and turn the disc P to throw out the
arm R, as seen in Fig. 3, but this does not occur until near the extreme
movement of the breech piece backward, or until the breech piece has
moyed so far back that the cartridge may pass out over it. The outward

page_text: movement of the arm R draws the cartridge or shell, as the case may be,
and the recess T allows the movement of the breech piece without effect
upon the retractor arm R, except as described. In closing the breech
piece the side of the recess T. strikes the arm S, and returns the
retractor to place..
In order to eject the shell free from the arm I give to the breech
piece a suddenly accelerated movement near its extreme rear point by
means of a spring W on the frame bearing upon the breech piece.
Below the pivot C a sudden fall off or escapement is made at x, so that
as the breech piece approaches its extreme rear movement the point x
passes over the bearing point of the spring W, and the reaction of the
spring gives to the breech piece a quick and sudden throw to its
extreme point, carrying with it the retractor with sufficient force to
eject the cartridge or shell, as the case may be, clear from the arm.
The second part of this Invention is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14
inclusive, and consists,-
J
First. In the arrangement of the pivot upon which the breech picco
turns at one side of the central lino so that the movement of the breech
is more directly away from the barrel than when the pivot is in a central
line..
Second. In combining with a lateral swinging breech a lever pivoted
to the frame beneath the breech piece, and in substantially the same
plane and in connection with the said breech piece, so that a rear move-.
ment of the said lover will turn the said breech piece from the barrel
and a forward movement close the said breech piece.
Third. In combining with the said breech piece and lever a latch
which holds the said lever in its forward or closed position.
A is the frame; B³, the barrel; 0%, the breech piece. The said breech
piece is fitted into the frame between an abutment D³ and the rear end
of the barrel, and so as to swing laterally away from the barrel, as
'denoted in broken lines Fig. 11. The pivot a³ upon which the breech
piece turns is arranged upon the side of the central lino opposite that to
which the breech piece swings, as seen in Fig. 11; hence the movement
of the breech picce in turning is more away from (rearward) the barrel
than when the pivot is on a central line, and enables the more perfect
closing of the breech, and with less friction than in the former case.
At the forward end a projection d³ from the frame extends back over

page_text: the breech piece when closed, as seen in Figs. 10 and 12. This prevents
any strain upon the pivot or breech picce tonding to raise the forward
end, and as a further protection the rear end of the breech picce extends
over the abutment D³, as seen at fº.
To conveniently operate the breech block I arrange in a recess in the
frame a lever E³ pivoted to the frame at e beneath the breech piece and
in substantially the same plane. From this lever a finger piece b³
extends out to one side, as seen in Fig. 11, by means of which it may
be thrown back and forth. From this lever a stud n extends up into a
slot in the breech piece, as seen in Fig. 12 and in broken lines, Fig. 11;
therefore when the breech piece is closed, by taking hold of the thumb
piece and drawing it back, as seen in Fig. 11, the breech piece will be
turned laterally to one side, as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 11, and when
the lever is thrown forward it will bring the breech piece back into
position, closing the barrel.
In order to lock the breech piece when in a closed position I arrange
a latch F in the side of the frame, as seen in Fig. 10 and 12, which
when the lever is forward, as seen in Fig. 10, will spring out and engage
the said lever to hold it in a closed position, and this latch being
arranged in the rear of a finger piece is casily operated by the
thumb. The fore finger being upon the forward side of the finger piece
the thumb naturally bears upon the latch, and may by the thumb be
depressed to allow the lever to be drawn back.
Centrally through the breech piece a firing pin P is arranged, as seen
in Fig. 12, to be struck by the hammer H in substantially the manner
of striking the firing pin in other arms.
A retractor is arranged in the rear of the barrel and beneath the
breech piece, formed from two arms 82, 12, pivoted to the frame.
Tho
arms actuated by the breech piece and the arm 3 thrown back as the
breech piece is opened, the forward end of the retractor extending up,
as in Fig. 12, to engage the flange of the cartridge to draw it back.
As there is some liability to clog or for the lodgement of foreign
substances between the breech picce and the frame I construct the
brecchi picce upon the under side with numerous grooves 2º, as seen in
Figs. 13 and 14. This leaves but a small portion of the breech piece to
bear upon the surface of the frame, and the edges of the grooves as the
breech piece passes over the surface of the frame and the lever they

page_text: tend to scrape and remove any substance which may tend to foul or
interfere with the free working of the breech piece.
The third part of this Invention is illustrated in Figs. 15 to 20 inclusive,
and consists,-
29
First. In providing the breech block with a rear projection over which 5
the hammer will lock in its fall to secure the block at the time of
explosion but so that the hammer will be arrested in its descent by said
projection before it reaches the firing pin when the breech block is not
properly closed.
Second. In combining with the transverse swinging breech block a 1
friction bearing by which the block will be retained in its closed position
but so as to bo easily opened.
:
Third. Chamfering the lower edge of the breech block upon the front
side so that in closing it will serve to press the cartridge home.
Fourth. Forming a groove or channel on the under side of the breech 1
block communicating with the cartridge chamber to form an outlet for
the escape of gas from the cartridge chamber and prevent its passing
into the mechanism of the arm.
Fifth. In a lever extractor, one arm extending outside the frame so as
to be struck by the opening-breech piece, and the requisite movement 2
imparted thereby to withdraw the shell or cartridge as the case may be..
so as to be 2
to open tho
A' is the frame, to which the barrel B³ is attached in the usual
manner. Transversely across the frame at the rear of the barrel a slot C³
is formed, as seen in Fig. 18, in which the breech block D³ sets, the
said block hinged to the frame at one side, as at E³, and
turned transversely away from the frame, as seen in Fig. 19,
breech for the insertion or removal of the cartridge or shell. A central
rear projection or enlargement F³ is formed on the breech block, through
which and the block proper the firing pin is placed, so that when the
block is closed the hammer G³ will in falling strike the pin to com- 3
municate the blow of the hammer to the cartridge; and in order that
the breech block may be held firmly in its place at the time of firing, as
also to prevent discharge if the breech be not properly closed, I form a
tongue or projection on the rear of the block, and a corresponding
recess or shoulder on the hammer, as seen in Fig. 17, so that when the 3
hammer falls upon the properly closed breech block the said shoulder on

page_text: the hammer will lock over the projection & on the breech block before
the nose of the hammer reaches the firing pin, conséquently if the block
be not properly closed the nose of the hammer will strike the said pro-
jection and prevent the hammer striking the firing pin. The breech
block is provided with a thumb picce D' for convenience in opening the
breech.
In rear of the barrel and distant from tho brecch proper a check H³ is
formed on each side of the frame, and between these chocks and the
breech the breech block scts, the checks forming an abutment for the
support of the breech block to resist the recoil consequent upon
the explosion of the cartridge. Between these checks H³, H', the framo
is shaped to correspond to the lower portion of the bore or cartridge
chamber, as seen in Figs. 16 and 19. This recess I³ serves as a guide for
the insertion of the cartridge, so that when the cartridge is laid into the
recess I³ a simple longitudinal movement will carry it directly into the
cartridge chamber..
In the check opposite the one to which the breech block is hinged
a frictional device to hold the breech block is placed. This consists of a
piston f³ set in a cavity in the check, as seen in Fig. 18, with a spring,
the tendency of which is to press the said piston outward towards the
breech block, the end of the piston protruding slightly into the recess C³
so as to bear against the breech block when it is closed to creato
sufficient friction thereon to hold it, the breech block, in its closed
position, but yet allow it to be easily opened if necessary. A slight
depression may be formed in the breech block corresponding to tho
piston and into which the piston will set when the breech block is
closed, but this recess must be so slight as to allow the breech block to
be readily forced from the control of the piston.-
In order to avoid the necessity of forcing the cartridge quito "home".
before the breech block is closed the first approaching edge D3 of the
breech block is chamfered on the bore or front edge, as seen in Fig. 20,
so that in closing the breech block the forward surface acts as a cani to
force the cartridge home. As the gas after explosion tends to work its
way out around the breech block, and especially so when the shell bursts
at the time of explosion, an exit is provided by making a groove ½³ on
the under edge of the breech piece extending out to one side and com-
municating with the cartridge chamber, as seen in Fig. 17. This
T

page_text: Fifth. In combination with the breech piece B, lever D, and cam F,
I claim the antifriction roll L on the cam, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. In combination with the breech piece B and lever D I claim
the disc P constructed with the retractor arm R above and the arm S
below the pivot C, the said breech picce constructed with a recess T to
receive the arm S, the two sides t, to, of which act upon the said arm S
and the spring W to impart a sudden accelerated movement to the
retractor as the breech piece approaches its extreme rear or open move-
ment, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. The breech block C² arranged to open and close by a hori-
zontal lateral swinging movement, when the pivot upon which the said
breech piece turns is arranged upon one side of a central line, and that
opposite to the direction in which the breech piece swings to open the
barrel, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. In combination with the breech block C² pivoted to the frame
and having a horizontal lateral movement, I claim the lever E³ pivoted to
the frame and swinging in substantially the same plane as the breech
piece, and connected to the said breech piece, and provided with the finger
piece for the purpose of operating tho said lever, all substantially
as set forth.
Ninth. In combination with the breech block C³, having a horizontal
lateral movement, and the lever E³ for operating the said breech piece, I
claim the latch F arranged to lock the said lever when in a closed
position, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. In combination with the breech picce C³, having a horizontal
lateral swinging movement, I claim the projection d² from the frame over
the forward end of the said breech piece, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Eleventh. The construction of the breech picco C³, lever E³, and the
retractors 8², 13, substantially in the manner set forth.
Twelfth. The breech piece C³ pivoted to the frame and having a
horizontal lateral movement when constructed with grooves n³ upon its
under surface, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Thirteenth. The breech block D³ hung to the frame A³ upon a pivot
parallel to the bore of the barrel as described, and so as to swing in a

page_text: path transverse to the barrel, combined with the projection d³ on its rear
and a corresponding notch or lip on the hammer, substantially as
specified.
Fourteenth. In combination with the breech block D³ constructed and
arranged to move as described to open and close the breech, I claim tho 5
spring piston f³ arranged in the frame, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Fifteenth. In combination with the frame and barrel of a breech-
loading fire-arm, I claim the breech block D³ when hinged to the frame
in the manner described so as to swing transversely over and away from 1
the breech, when the said breech block D³ is chamfered on its forward
lower edge D³, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Sixteenth. In combination with the frame and barrel of a breech-
loading firc-arm I claim the breech block D³ when hinged to the frame
in the manner described so as to swing transversely over and away from 1
the breech, when the said breech block D³ is constructed with the
groove ³ communicating with the cartridge chamber and leading
outside the arm, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Seventeenth. In combination with the frame and barrel of a breech-
loading fire-arm I claim the breech block D³ when hinged to the frame 2
in the manner described so as to swing transversely over and away from
the breech and the retractor lever L³, P³, arranged as described, and
projecting from the frame in the path of the breech block, and so as to
be operated thereby, substantially as and for the purpose specified..
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have here- 2
unto set my hand and scal, this Eighteenth day of August,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.