IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Henry, of Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid-Lothian, North Britain, Gun and Rifle Manufacturer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.”
Sealed the 17th January 1871, and dated the 20th October 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th October 1870.
I, ALEXANDER HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, Gun and Rifle Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention, which relates to certain improvements in the arrange-
ment or construction of that class of fire-arms wherein a vertically
sliding breech piece is employed for opening and closing the breech or
cartridge chamber, consists in operating the said breech piece by means

page_text: '
of a lever or beam having a radial movement in a vertical plane. The
lever or beam is jointed at its rearward end by a pin or hinge joint to
the metallic casing of the lock, and its forward end enters a cavity of
suitable shape to receive it formed in the breech piece. A lever carried
loosely on a shaft having its axis transverse to the linear axis of the
fire-arm is so placed that its inner end enters a recess, opening, or curved
slot in the lever first referred to, whilst the outer portion of this lever
last referred to is so situated that it to a greater or less extent surrounds
the trigger guard, and is in a position to be with facility raised or
depressed by the hand. As it is depressed it also depresses the lever
first referred to at the interior of the lock, and with it the breechpicce,
thereby opening the breech or cartridge chamber, whilst on being
raised the said lever and breech piece are elevated and the breech or
cartridge chamber closed. The lever first referred to, as well as that
referred to secondly, may be constructed of various forms, but in
each and every form the manner in which they operate upon each
other is the same.. On the transverse shaft herein-before referred to a
tumbler is carried provided with "bents" or notches for the "full-cock"
or " half-cock or the "full-cock" position only of the hammer or
striker, this as the lower lever is depressed is thrown back so as to be
caught by the sear or trigger. One end of the shaft whereon the
tumbler is carried has the hammer or striker attached to it which
is therefore by the depression of the lever raised into the "half" or
"full-cock" position, so that by means of the arrangements set forth
both the breech is opened and the hammer or striker "half" or
"full-cocked" by one motion of the lever, and the arrangement is so
compact that all the working parts of the lock are confined within a
plain casing. One end of the transverse shaft may or may not be
provided with an indicating finger. The reactions of the lock are pro-
duced by means of an ordinary flat mainspring which acts also as the
sear spring, but a separate sear spring may be employed.
"
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved mode of
"lumping" the barrels of double-barrelled fire-arms, it consists in
inserting the lump by one or more dovetails, and then brazing the lump
and barrels together.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 20th April 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenticth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the 34th year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Alexander Henry, Her special license that
I, the said Alexander Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Alexander Henry, my executors, adminis-
trators, or 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-
ARNS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander
Henry, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
'
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Henry, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention, which relates to certain improvements in the
arrangement or construction of that class of fire-arms wherein a vertically
sliding breech piece is employed for opening and closing the breech or
cartridge chamber, consists in operating the said breech piece by means
of a lever or beam having a radial movement in a vertical plane. The
lever or beam is jointed at its rearward end by a pin or hinge joint to
the metallic casing of the lock, and its forward end enters a cavity of
suitable shape to receive it formed in the breech piece. A lever carried

page_text: loosely on a shaft having its axis transverse to the linear axis of the fire-
arm is so placed that its inner end enters a recess, opening, or curved
slot in the lever first referred to, whilst the outer portion of this lever
last referred to is so situated that it to a greater or less extent sur-
rounds the trigger guard, and is in a position to be with facility
raised or depressed by the hand. As it is depressed it also depresses
the lever first referred to at the interior of the lock, and with it the
breech piece, thereby opening the breech or cartridge chamber, whilst
on being raised the said lever and breech piece are elevated and the
breech or cartridge chamber closed. The lever first referred to as well
as that referred to secondly may be constructed of various forms, but in
each and every form the manner in which they operate upon each other
is the same.
On the transverse shaft herein-before referred to a tumbler is
carried provided with "bents" or notches for the "full-cock" or "half-
cock"
or the "full-cock" position only of the hammer or striker, this as
the lower lever is depressed is thrown back so as to be caught by the
sear or trigger. One end of the shaft whereon the tumbler is carried,
has the hammer or striker attached to it, which is therefore by the
depression of the lever raised into the "half" or "full-cock" position,
so that by means of the arrangement set forth both the breech is opened
and the hammer or striker "half" or "full-cocked by one motion of the
lever, and the arrangement is so compact that all the working parts of
the lock are confined within a plain casing. One end of the transverse
shaft may or may not be provided with an indicating and bolting finger.
The reactions of the lock are produced by means of an ordinary flat
mainspring, which acts also as the sear spring, but a separate sear spring
may be employed.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved mode of
"lumping" the barrels of double barrelled fire-arms, it consists in
inserting the lump by one or more dovetails and then brazing the lump
and barrels together.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I now
proceed to refer to the four explanatory Sheets of Drawings which I have
hereunto appended,. and by the several Figures of which are illustrated
different modifications under which it may be carried into practice, that
is to say:-
On Sheet 1 of the said Drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of
part of a breech-loading rifle constructed in accordance with my said

page_text: Invention and having a vertically sliding breech. pieee A, for opening
and closing the cartridge chamber B.;. Figure 2, Sheet 1, is an elevation
of the same in a position the reverse of that shewn at Figure 1; Figures 3
and 4, Sheet 1, are corresponding. plans respectively of the upper and
under sides of the rifle, whilst Figures 5, 6, and 7 are detailed. views of
certain parts thereof..
.
Under the arrangement illustrated by the Figures herein-before
referred to the sides h, upper part i, front and rear walls j'and k, of the
outer shell of the lock casing D, and the sides and front wall n of the
breech chamber or cavity Q are formed in one piece, as shewn in
longitudinal section at Figure 1. The barrel B₁ of the fire-arm is
screwed into a hole formed in the front wall n of the breech
chamber Q, and it together with the lock casing D is secured to the
stock of the fire-arm by a bolt p passed from the rearward end through
a correspondingly shaped hole in the stock, and the forward' end of the
bolt P is formed with a screw thread which is entered into a. tapped hole
in the rear wall k of the lock casing. D. The hole in the stock in the
rear of the head of the bolt p may or may not be plugged up with a
piece of wood or other similarly suitable material.
In the Drawing now under reference it is shewn so plugged up. On
the upper side of the lock casing D a groover is formed as shewn in
longitudinal section at Figure 1, in dotted lines at Figure 2, and in plan
at Figure 3, Sheet 1, in order that the cartridge may be pushed into the
cartridge chamber B of the barrel B³, after the breech piece A. has been
depressed. The bottom or under side of the lock casing D. is formed
of two pieces or plates of metal U. and V, as shewn on the plan of the
under side of the fire-arm at Figure 4, and more particularly by the
detached plan of the under and inner parts of the lock casing at Figure 5.
The forward end of the plate U. also forms the bottom of the breech
chamber Q, as shewn at Figures 1, 2; and 4, Sheet 1, and it is fixed to
the front wall j, of the lock casing (which also constitutes the rear wall
of the breech chamber Q) by screws V, as shewn at Figure 4. The rear
end of the plate U is elongated so as to extend behind the rear wall k of
the lock casing, and on the said elongated. portion a heel y is formed in
a curved recess in which the rearward portion of the lock spring L is
situated, as shewn at Figure 1, Sheet 1. From each of the plates U
and V, and at right angles thereto, pieces W. and X. respectively project,
as shewn in plan at Figure 5 and in side elevation at Figure 6, Sheet 1,

page_text: and these are held together by a screw t tapped through the piece X
into a projection u on the plate W, as more particularly seen in plan at
Figure 5, Sheet 1. Between the pieces W and X the upper end of the
lever F, the "tumbler " H, lever or beam C, and the lock spring L (details
of mechanism herein-after more particularly described) are situated as
shewn, and on the opposite side of the plate W and between it and the
outside plate h of the lock casing the hammer or striker I is placed as
shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1. The vertically sliding breech
piece A is actuated by means of the lever or beam C, the forward end of
which enters a cavity or recess formed to receive it in the lower part of
the breech piece, as shewn at Figure 1, Sheet 1. The lever or beam C
at its rearward end is hinged or jointed to the metallic casing D of the
lock by a pin or stud E, and towards its rearward end a curved toe or
projection a is formed and which is acted upon, as herein-after more
particularly described, by the inner or upper end of the lever F carried
loosely on a shaft or stud whose axis is situated transversely to the
linear axis of the fire-arm. The outer and lower portion of the lever F
is so constructed that when the breech chamber or cavity Q is closed by
the breech piece A. the said lower portion of the lever F surrounds the
trigger guard G, and is therefore in a position to be with facility depressed
by the hand, and the said lever when not in use is retained in position
against the under side of the trigger guard G by means of a catch
spring ¹ formed in one piece with the lever Fon its rearward end.
portion of the lever F, marked c, is formed duplex, and between the two
sides or cheeks sò constructed the tumbler H seen in dotted lines at
Figure 1 is situated. The said tumbler H is fixed on the same shaft or
pin 6 as that upon which the lever F is carried loosely, and it is pro-
vided with a projecting toe e against which the solid upper portion of
the lever F bears as shewn. The tumbler H is also provided with
"bents
"half-
or notches x and a¹ respectively for the "full-cock" or
cock" positions of the hammer or striker I, which is rigidly secured to
one end of or is made in one piece with the shaft or pin b. The portion
of the shaft or pin 6 whereon the tumbler H is carried is formed square,
and the result of this arrangement is that when the lever F is depressed
the tumbler H and hammer or striker I are moved through an angle
rearwards, and the point n¹ of the sear or trigger K enters one of the
"bents"
or notches x in the tumbler, and the hammer or striker I is
thereby held at "half" or "full-cock" as desired. The hammer or
striker I may when necessary be secured at the "full-cock" position
"
That

page_text: by one or other of the arrangements now about to be described, or it may
be placed in the "half-cock" position by depressing the lever F, thereby
drawing back the hammer or striker I until the sear or trigger K enters
the "half-cock." notch r¹. With reference to the "full-cock" position
of the hammer or striker I it may be retained or bolted therein, firstly,
by the arrangement of mechanism shewn in side elevation at Figure 2,
in plan at Figures 3 and 4, and in end elevation at Figure 7, Sheet 1, of
by one or other of the arrangements now about to be described, or it may
be placed in the "half-cock" position by depressing the lever F, thereby
drawing back the hammer or striker I until the sear or trigger K enters
the "half-cock." notch x. With reference to the "full-cock" position
of the hammer or striker I it may be retained or bolted therein, firstly,
by the arrangement of mechanism shewn in side elevation at Figure 2,
in plan at Figures 3 and 4, and in end elevation at Figure 7, Sheet 1, of
the Drawings.
The arrangement consists in attaching a lever a¹ to the outer end of
the shaft b whereon the hammer or striker I is fixed, the said lever a¹
being on the outside of the lock casing D, as shewn. On the lever a¹ a
spring catch e is placed, the lower or spring end c of which is formed
with a slot d, as shewn at Figure 2, through which a screw o is passed
into the end of the shaft in such a manner that while the catch e is
held in its position on the lever a¹ by the head of the screw o it is still
free to move longitudinally on the lever a. To facilitate the sliding of
the catch e its upper part is provided with a thumb piece f. A stud g,
of the shape shewn at Figure 2 is fixed on the side of the lock
casing D, and when the hammer or striker I has been raised to the
"full-cock" position, as herein-before described, and if it is desired to
retain it, that is to say, to bolt it in that position, the spring catch e is
drawn up, as shewn more particularly at Figure 2, so that the front part
of the catch e rests against the back of the stud 9, thereby preventing
the hammer I from being impelled forward until after the catch e is
lowered. For the sake of greater security it is preferred to form a slight
cavity or groove on that portion of the catch e which comes in contact
with the back of the projection 9, but this may be dispensed with.
Should the catch e by any accident be pushed up on the side of the pro-
jection g. opposite to that side at which it is shewn on Figure 2, Sheet 1,
such a position of the catch does not prevent the "full-cocking" of the
hammer I, as from the angular position of the stud 9 when the catch e
is drawn back, the rear part thereof comes in contact with the front of
the projection g and is depressed to its normal position, from which it
can be raised so as to hold or bolt the hammer or striker I, as herein-
before described, when it has been drawn beyond the stud g; or the
hammer or striker I may be locked at the "full-cock" position by the
arrangement of bolting and indicating lever shewn in side elevation at
Figure 8, and in end elevation at Figure 9, Sheet 1. This arrangement

page_text: consists of a lever a fixed to the shaft or pin 6 of the hammer or
striker I on the outside of the lock casing, and by which the hammer
or striker I may be raised to “full-cock" independent of the lever F.
On the lever a a spring bolt c is fixed, the upper part of which slides in
a groove formed to receive it in the lever a, and the lower portion of the
bolt c is so formed as to constitute a spring, which by bearing on the
side of the lever a affords sufficient resistance to movement as to retain
the bolt c in the position desired. The bolt c is retained on the lever a
by means of a screw pin passed through a slot on the inner side of the
said lever, and tapped into the under surface of the said bolt, as shewn
on Figure 9, Sheet 1. On the outside of the lock casing a projection
is formed similar to that shewn at 9, Figure 2, and when the hammer or
striker I has been raised or moved rearwards beyond the said projection,
and if it is desired to retain it there, the spring bolt c is pushed or drawn
up by means of the thumb knob d, so that the front of the bolt c bears
against the back of the projection, thereby locking or bolting the hammer
or striker at "full-cock." The reactions of the lock, that is to say, of
the hammer or striker I, the tumbler H, and the sear or trigger K, are
produced by means of a flat double spring L, shewn at Figure 1, Sheet 1.
One extremity g of the spring L is attached to the tumbler H by means
of a link f, as shewn, and the other extremity i presses against the back
of the sear or trigger K; or the reaction of the sear or trigger may be
effected by means of a separate spring. In a hole or chamber formed in
the breech piece A a piston M, of the shape shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3,
Sheet 1, is placed, by which the cartridge contained in the cartridge
chamber B is ignited or fired when the said piston is struck by the
percussive action of the hammer or striker I; or the cartridge may be
fired by any other suitable arrangement of piston, the said piston forming
no part of my present Invention.
The fire-arm shewn in part on Sheet 1 is provided with an extractor N,
as shown at Figure 1 thereof, for removing the cases of exploded or fired
cartridges from the cartridge chamber B, as is herein-after made more
particularly apparent in reference to Sheet 2 of the Drawings. The said
extractor N is situated in a recess d formed in the front of the chamber
in which the breech piece A is contained, and it is carried loosely on a
pin w. The lower part o of the extractor is formed duplex or with two
arms or toes y, the space between which is sufficient to allow the pro-
jection P on the lower part of the breech piece A to pass
between them.

page_text: Having thus described the various details of mechanism which constitute
this modification of the first part of my said Invention, I now proceed to
set forth the combined action of the said details, and the mode of using
the fire-arm. When it is desired to load the fire-arm the lever Fis
depressed; this has the effect, by the action of the upper end of the
lever F on the toe or projection a of the lever or beam C of depressing
the said lever or beam C through an angle, and the forward end thereof
being situated in a recess in the breech piece A. the said breech piece A
is also drawn down, and in descending its under side R comes in contact
with and depresses the projections or toes y of the extractor N, and by so
depressing them throws the upper part of the extractor rearwards; this
has the effect of withdrawing from the chamber B the case of the
cartridge which has previously been discharged or fired. The depression
of the lever F also turns back the tumbler H, and with it the hammer
or striker I to the "full-cock" position, wherein they are retained by
the point of the sear or trigger Ķ entering the "full-cock" "bent" or
notch x, so that in elevating the lever F the tumbler H and hammer or
striker I remain in that position. By means of this arrangement the
cartridge chamber B is opened, the case of the exploded or fired cartridge
withdrawn, and the hammer or striker I "full-cocked" by one motion
of the lever F. When the lower end of the lever F is elevated, the head
or upper end thereof acting against that part of the under surface of the
lever or beam C marked T causes the said lever or beam C, and with it
the breech picce A, to be returned into the position shewn at Figure 1,
and when this is effected the fire-arm is ready for being discharged.
"
The cartridge contained in the cartridge chamber B is fired by pressing
with the finger upon the sear or trigger K so as to clear the "full-cock
notch or
"bent" of the tumbler H, which being effected the action of
the spring L throws the tumbler H and with it the hammer or striker I
forwards. The front part of the said hammer or striker I passes through
a hole or slot S formed in the rear wall J of the breech chamber, as
shewn in dotted lines at Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 1, and striking pèr-
cussively on the end of the piston M also forces it forwards, so that
the point of the piston M strikes the cap or percussion ignition in
the base of the cartridge, by which means the cartridge is exploded;
the case being thereafter withdrawn and a fresh cartridge inserted into
the cartridge chamber B in the manner herein-before described. The
piston M on being freed from contact with the hammer or striker I is

page_text: pushed back to its normal position, that is, the position shewn at
Figure 1, Sheet 1, when the breech piece A. is lowered by the action of
a central bevilled toc or claw of the extractor N on the point of the
piston. The compound lever a', shewn in position at Figures 2, 3, and 4
and in detail at Figure 7, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, or the arrangement
of lever shown separately at Figures 8 and 9 of the same Sheet in addition
to the purpose of "full" or "half-cocking" the hammer or striker' I,
serve as indicators to denote the position which the hammer or striker I
at any time occupies.
On Sheet 2 of the Drawings hereunto appended Figures 1 and 2 are
longitudinal sections of the same portion of a breech-loading rifle as that
shewn at Figures 1 to 4, Sheet 1, but illustrating another arrangement
of lock casing D. On Figure 1, Sheet 2, the breech piece A together
with the various details of mechanism employed for operating it are
shewn in the position which they occupy at the instant when the
hammer I is in the act of striking the piston M. Figure 2, Sheet 2,
illustrates the position which the vertically sliding breech piece A, and
the entire mechanism occupies when a cartridge has been extracted from
the cartridge chamber B, it being here explained that before inserting
another cartridge the extractor N is returned to its recess d by the partial
upward movement of the breech piece A. The extractor N is more
particularly shewn in side elevation by the detached view, Figure 10, in
front elevation at Figure 11, and in plan at Figure 12, Sheet 2. As
shewn at Figures 11 and 12 the upper end of the extractor N is formed
with two segmental arms u, which when the extractor is in its normal
position rest in a corresponding recess & formed in the barrel B, as shewn
at Figure 1, Sheet 2. The arms are provided with projecting claws v,
the distance between the inner extremities of which corresponds with
the internal radius of the barrel B, and against these claws the flanch on
the base of the cartridge case bears when the cartridge is situated in the
chamber in the position for firing, as seen at Figure 1, Sheet 2. The
piston M (after being acted upon by the hammer I and striking percus-
sively on the cap or percussion ignition in the base of the cartridge
contained in the chamber B, and as the breech piece A is lowered in
order that the case of the said cartridge may be withdrawn, as hercin-
before described in reference to Sheet 1 of the Drawings), is pushed
back to its normal position by the action of the central bevilled toe v
of the extractor, (more particularly seen at Figure 11, Sheet 2 of

page_text: fired by the arrangement of piston shewn in dotted lines on the detached
views of the breech picce A at Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 2, in which
instance the piston M. is withdrawn by the reaction of a compressed spiral
spring surrounding it.
<<
An arrangement of bolt for securing the hammer or striker I in "full-
cock" position different from either of the arrangements herein-before
described in reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7, and Figures 8 and 9,
Sheet 1, is illustrated in dotted lines at Figures 1 and 2, and in detail at
Figure 4, Sheet 2, and it consists in placing a bolt o in a groove formed
for that purpose in the face of the outside plate J. The bolt o is retained
in the plate J by means of a flat-headed pin passed through an oblong
hole from the inner side of the plate J, and screwed into the under side
of the bolt. When it is desired to bolt the hammer or striker I at
full-cock," the hammer or striker I is turned into that position by
depressing the lower end of the lever F. The bolt o is then drawn
up in front of a knob or stud 7 screwed or otherwise fixed into the
upper part of the hammer or striker I and projecting through a curved
slot m in the upper end of the plate J to the outside of the plate, as
shown by applying the finger to the knob r on the bolt o, until the
bolto assumes the position indicated by the dotted lines at Figure 4,
Shect 2, in which position the side of the bolt o bears against the
knob or stud fixed to the hammer or striker I when it is drawn into
the "full-cock" position as above described, so that the hammer I is pre-
vented from being moved out of the "full-cock" position until the bolt o
is lowered. If, however, at any time it should be desired to prevent
the said hammer or striker I from being raised above the "half-cock"
position the bolt o is drawn up previous to depressing the lever F so
that the knob or stud 1 of the hammer or striker cannot pass the bolt o,
and the point of the sear or trigger K thence enters the "half-cock'
bent or notch a¹ of the tumbler H. In lieu of the afore-mentioned
bolt the hammer or striker I may be bolted at the "full-cock" position
by the arrangement shewn at Figure 5, Shect 2, which consists in
attaching a sliding bolt o to the under side of the fire-arm by means
of a screw s, as shewn. A notch or recess, corresponding in shape to
that end of the bolt o marked t, is formed in the lower part of the
hammer or striker I, into which, after the hammer has been raised to
the "full-cock" position, and if it is desired to retain it therein, the said
"

page_text: end of the bolt o is pushed, as shewn at Figure 5, and held therein
by means of the resistance produced by the pressure of the spring a on
the plate x. The hammer or striker I may also be "half" or
"full-
cocked" in turning it back by means of the knob or stud 1, shewn
at Figure 4, Sheet 2, and an indicating finger may or may not be
attached to the axis of the hammer on the outside of the plate J.
In place of the knob t shewn at Figure 4, Sheet 2, a lever V, as at
Figure 13, Sheet 2, and which also serves as an indicator may be used
for drawing back the hammer I or a separate indicator similar to that
shewn at Figures 19 and 20, Sheet 2, may be employed to shew the
position of the hammer or striker I. This indicator consists in attaching
one end of an arm a by a pin to the interior of the upper portion of
the side plate J, as shewn. The opposite end of the arm a is furnished
with a projection b, and when the hammer or striker is raised to "full-
cock" it pushes the projection 6 upwards, thereby causing it to rise
above the upper surface of the plate J, as shewn at Figure 19.
Figure 6, Sheet 2, is a side elevation, and Figure 7, Sheet 2, a front
elevation of the hammer or striker I, here given in order to illustrate
the formation of the shaft b. d is the square part of the shaft or pin
whercon the tumbler II, shown in detail at Figure 3, Sheet 2, is fixed.
In lieu of employing a lever similar to that shewn at F, on Sheets 1
and 2; to perform the various functions herein-before described, one
similar to that shewn in side elevation at Figure 14, Sheet 2, may be
used. In this instance the lever, when not in use, is held against the
under side of the sear or trigger guard G by means of the spring k, one
end of which is fixed to the trigger guard G and the other end enters
a notch formed for that purpose on the lever, or the lever may be
held against the sear or trigger guard by an arrangement similar to
that shewn at Figure 15, Sheet 2, which consists in providing the lever
with a thumb bolt a contained in a socket and resting against a spiral
spring b, as shewn. The upper side of the bolt a is hollowed out and
forms a curved toe c which clasps a catch d on the under side of the
trigger guard. When it is required to release the lever the bolt a is
pressed inwards against the spring 6 until the two points c and d are
clear of each other.
The form of lever shown at Figure 16, Sheet 2, may also be adopted.
Under this modification a flat spring a is attached by means of a screw
or rivet to one part of the lever F and the projecting head 6 of the

page_text: spring enters a notch formed for that purpose on the under side of the
trigger guard, or the lower end of the lever F may be extended and held
against the under bracing plate A by a spring a, as shewn at Figure 17,
Sheet 2, or a form of lever similar to that illustrated at Figure 18,
Sheet 2, and which is retained by the catch spring a entering the
recess may be employed. It is preferred, however, to use the form of
lever shewn on Sheet 1, and at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2, as in practice
it is found to more completely answer the various requirements and is
the more simple in construction.
On Sheet 3 of the Drawings hereunto annexed Figure 1 represents in
longitudinal section that portion of a fire-arm including the breech E
and breech action, and Figure 2 is a plan of the same arranged in
accordance with another modification of my Invention. Under this
arrangement the lever or beam A is formed with a curved slot B, as
shewn at Figure 1, and the upper end C of the lever D is formed duplex,
so as to embrace both sides of the lever or beam A, as shewn in dotted
lines in plan at Figure 2, and it is attached to the lever or beam A by
means of a pin b passed through the slot B as shewn. On depressing the
lever D the pin 6 moves through the curved slot B, thereby depressing
the lever or beam A and the breech piece E in the manner herein-before
set forth in reference to the modification shewn on Sheets 1 and 2 of
the appended Drawings, and as the actions of all the other parts of
mechanism in conjunction with the lever D in this modification are
similar to those herein-before described in reference to Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4, Sheet 1, and Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2, they need not now be
further specified.
b
In lieu of attaching the metallic casing of the lock to the stock or
butt of the fire-arm in the manner as shewn at Sheets 1 and 2, the
lock casing may be attached to the stock as shewn at Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4, Sheet 3, and which consists in forming the upper and lower
parts G and H, respectively of the lock casing in one piece as at
Figures 1 and 3. On the part I a tail or bar J is formed, the rear end
of which is provided with a screw. The bar J is inserted into a corre-
spondingly shaped hole formed in the stock to receive it, and held therein
by means of a nut K which is passed into the stock from the rearward
end and screwed on to the end of the tail or bar J, after which the hole
in rear of the nut K may or may not be plugged up with a piece of
wood or other material.

page_text: Figure 3, is a part longitudinal section, and Figure 4 a part plan of a
breech-loading fire-arm shewing a slightly different arrangement of one
part of my Invention. This arrangement consists in the employment
of a side lever A for opening and closing the cartridge chamber or
cavity, and for "cocking" the hammer or striker B, in lieu of employing
a lever below and passing round the trigger guard as herein-before
described and shewn at Sheets 1 and 2 of the Drawings. The shaft or
pin b which carries the hammer or striker B, and the tumbler C projects
to the outside of the plate D, as shewn in plan at Figure 4, and on this
projecting part of the shaft 6 the side lever A is fixed. When it is
desired to open the breech cavity the lever A is depressed, and it therefore
depresses the lever or beam E through the intervention of the inter-
mediate lever F fixed on the shaft or pin 6, and consequently lowers
the breech piece G¹. The hammer or striker B and tumbler C being
also fixed on the shaft bare actuated in the manner herein-before
described with reference to the first and second modifications.
Figure 5, Sheet 3, represents a part longitudinal section of a breech-
loading rifle, on which is illustrated another slightly different method of
actuating the extractor A. The front part of the lever or beam B in
this instance is extended and projected through the breech piece E, as
shewn, so that when the lever or beam and breech piece are depressed
the point c of the lever B comes in contact with the toe d of the
extractor A, and depressing it throws the upper part e of the extractor
rearwards, and the said upper part being provided with claws similar
to those shewn on the extractor illustrated in detail at Figures 10, 11,
and 12, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, these claws catch against the flanch
of the cartridge casing, which is thereby extracted from the cartridge
chamber B, in the manner herein-before described.
On Sheet 4 of the Drawings hereunto appended is illustrated the last
part of my said Invention, and it relates to an improved mode of
'lumping" the barrels of double barrelled fire-arms. This improvement
consists in inserting the lump by one or more dovetails and brazing or
soldering the lump and barrels together.
Under one modification shewn in end elevation at Figure 1, and in
side elevation at Figure 2, Sheet 4, the lump A is provided with a V or
wedge-shaped projection B, which is inserted into a correspondingly
shaped recess between the barrels C and D, as shewn, and thereafter
brazed or soldered into one piece with the said barrels; Figure 3, Sheet 4,

page_text: represents a plan, Figure 4 an end elevation, and Figure 5 an elevation
with one barrel removed of another arrangement of fixing the lump.
Under this modification a projection A, the form of which is more par-
ticularly seen in end elevation at Figure 4, is formed on the lump D and
inserted between the barrels B and C, and brazed or soldered into one
piece therewith, or a lump similar to that shewn in end elegation at
Figure 6, and in side elevation at Figure 7, Sheet 4, may be employed..
Under this arrangement the lump A is provided with two dovetailed
projections B and C, as shewn in side elevation at Figure 7. Those
parts of the barrels D and E. which come in contact with the dove-
tails B are recessed out, as shewn at Figure 6, in order that the lump
may be more securely retained in position until it is brazed or soldered
into one piece with the barrels D and E.
Another form of dovetail for fixing the lump, shewn in plan
at Figure 8, in end elevation at Figure 9, and in side elevation at
Figure 10, Sheet 4, may likewise be employed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and several
modifications under which the same is or may be used, or practically
carried into effect, I wish to observe in conclusion that I make no
claim to the extractors nor to the vertically sliding breech with the
central-fire piston therein shown in several of the Figures of Sheets 1, 2,
and 3 of the hereunto appended Drawings, as such details are clearly
set forth in the Specification and shown in the Drawings of Letters
Patent previously granted to me, the said Alexander Henry, nor do I
claim the several arrangements of catches and springs for securing the
different forms of levers F, when they are in the elevated position
surrounding the trigger guard as shewn at Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18,
Sheet 2, nor the indicator shown at Figures 19 and 20, Sheet 2 of
the Drawings, what however I do consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting
the breech action shewn at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1, Figures 1-
and 2, Sheet 2, and at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 3, of the appended
Drawings by which the several actions of raising or lowering the breech,
extracting the spent cartridge case and of "cocking" the hammer or
striker are effected. by the actuating of one lever (part of which is
'

page_text: situated at the outside of the lock casing), substantially as herein-before
described.
Second. The actuating a vertically sliding breech piece by a lever
contained within the lock casing and moved radially in a vertical plane
by means of another lever centred upon the axis of the tumbler shaft,
and extending below the body of the fire-arm as herein-before described
and shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 4, Sheet 1, at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2,
at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 3, or by means of a lever situated at the side
of the fire-arm as shewn at A, Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 3, of the Drawings
hereunto appended, or any mere modification thereof.
Third. The different arrangements and constructions of lock casing
herein-before described and shewn at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Sheet 1,
at Figures 1, 2, and 4, Sheet 2, and Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 3, of
the accompanying Drawings.
"
Fourth. The arrangement or construction and employment of the
compound levers shown at Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7, as well as the modifi-
cation thereof shewn at Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 1, of the Drawings, to
act as fingers for indicating whether the hammer or striker is "half
half" or
66 full-cocked," and which indicators also serve as levers for "
"full-cocking" and for bolting the said hammer or striker as herein-
before described or any mere modification thereof.
or
Fifth. The employment of the several forms of levers F, shewn at
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, for operating
the breech action as herein-before described or any mere modification
thereof.
Sixth. The several modes of fixing the lump between the barrels of
double barrelled breech-loading fire-arms as shewn at the several Figures
on Sheet 4 of the appended Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Henry, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.