IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmond Pope, of Clonmel, Ireland, Gun Maker,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.".....
Sealed the 9th December 1864, and dated the 14th June 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmond Pope at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th June
1864.
I, EDMOND POPE, of Clonmel, Ireland, Gun Maker, do hereby declare the
5 'nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS," to be as follows:-
This' Invention relates to certain improvements in breech-loading fire-arms,
in which the barrels are made to turn upon a joint, the breech end of the
barrels rising in a vertical plane from and against the break-off....
0 The improvements consist of a new method of a lock-fast action, which is.
accomplished by bolting and locking the barrels to the body and break-off by
four combined bearings; the said bolting and locking being effected as
"follows:
19
Firstly, the lump attached to and underneath the barrels is placed on a
5 fixed bolt or "rod 'passing horizontally through the body; and: forming, the
for

page_text: hinge joint in front of the break-off, upon which the barrels fall over to admit
the insertion of the cartridge.
The second bearing is the segment of a circle on the lump attached to the
barrels, fitting accurately on a corresponding segment in the body.
The third bearing is a moveable bolt or rod passing parallel with the front
bolt through the body; this bolt rotates one half turn on its axis, which axis
forms two reverse excentric actions, one acting on the lump attached to the
barrels, and the other acting at the same time on a piston rod passing
longitudinally through the body; this piston rod being attached to a square
bolt or plug, acting parallel with the said piston rod through the body under-
neath the level of the barrels, and entering into a corresponding cavity in the
said lump attached to the barrels, thus forming four combined solid bearings
and grips on the said lump attached to the barrels, by which means the
barrels are held solid to the body, and break-off during discharge. Attached
to this excentric bolt, in front of the break-off, is a lever which, when turned
one half turn on its axis towards the muzzles, unlocks and raises the barrels
in a vertical position to receive the charge. The action of this lever can be
reversed to turn towards the breech end of the barrels, if desired. When the
barrels are depressed against the face of the break-off, the lump attached to
them comes in contact with the excentric bolt, by which means the said bolt
and lever are turned to a quarter turn on their axes and in their locking
direction, the said bolt by this action entering into its bearing the segment of
a circle. At the same time the reverse excentric, acting on the piston rod
attached to the square plug before described, brings the lump attached to
the barrels into a fixed position without the aid of a spring; but by the
action of the lump on the barrels on the two combined reverse excentrics,
which are at all times, when turned on their axes, reverse to each other, one
excentric acting towards the breech end and entering the corresponding
segment of a circle in the lump attached to the barrels; the other. reverse
excentric acting on the piston rod attached to the square bolt. or plug which.
moves parallel with the line of the barrels by the action of the excentric bolt
through the body and in front of the break-off; this action being aided by.
a spring or lever when the barrels are closed down, the whole locking and
bolting may be accomplished by a self-action, and the gun is ready to be
discharged. When locked by this self-actión the safety of the arm is not
dependent on the spring, which only assists the rotation of the excentrics into.
their bearings, rendering the action at all times secure from accident: at the.
moment of discharge....
The Invention further consists in the capability of changing the direction

page_text: of the back bolting plug, if desired, by its being passed from the lump
underneath the barrels into the body. acted on by the excentric bolt beforo
described. This bolt or plug also can be made self-acting by the rotation of
the excentric bolt on its axis, aided by a spring or lever. I propose also to
substitute a fifth bolt or grip by passing a second piston rod longitudinally
through the body parallel with the one described: in. connection. with the
excentric bolt.
My improvements further consist of the hinge joint in the fore part of the
stock being so contrived that the hand cannot be pinched when the barrels
are raised in a vertical line to receive the cartridge. The fall over of the barrels
being checked from the inside does away with the necessity of having a notch
outside to check the fall of the barrels; this joint in the said fore part being.
the segment of a circle upon which the barrels rotate in a vertical plane. This
rotatory action of the barrels is checked by either one or two slots cut in tho
circular joint on the corresponding segment on the fore part of the body.
When the barrels are fixed upon this joint, one or two projections being
either on the lump or barrels, enter the said slots cut in the circular joint of
the fore part, which checks the fall over of the barrels. The breech. end is
allowed to rise vertically to any degree required; the circular formation of
this binge joint being greater in its diameter than the depth of the fore part.
When the breech end of the barrels lifts up vertically, the diameter of the
said joint acts without a notch or catch to pinch the left hand, caused by the
overbalance of the barrels on the said hinge joint, which instantaneously
dopresses the muzzles to allow the loading or unloading of the arm. This
arrangement also can be accomplished by allowing the diameter of tho
said hinge joint to be equal to the depth of the fore part, and by giving
sufficient freedom on the segment of the said circular joint on the part where
the joint may meet, to check the action of the said hinge; the latter arrange;
ment being checked inside in the rotation of the barrels on their hinge joint, as
before described.
My improvements further consist of the said fore part being driven firm on
the loop on the barrels to which it is attached, which tends to check the
instantaneous fall over of the barrels, and to perfect the hinge joint upon
which they turn. The end of this loop on which the fore part is attached
being the segment of a circle taken from the hinge joint, greater bearing of
the said fore part is obtained on the axis of the said hinge joint, to which it is
partly attached. This fore part can be lifted from the barrels by the greatest
possible ease by the action of an excentric leyer inserted and attached in a
suitable box or frame inlaid in the extreme point of the said fore part, forming

page_text: finish in the ordinary way. The said lever will act with the same effect by
being raised vertically either towards the muzzles or breech end of the barrels
or act in any direction in which the said lever may be raised and attached.
My said improvements are applicable to both single and double barrel
fire-arms.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edmond. Pope, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th December 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDMOND
POPE, of Clonmel, Ireland, Gun Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edmond Pope, Her special license that I, the said Edmond Pope,
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Edmond Pope, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Edmond Pope, executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edmond Pope, 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 fol-
lowing statement:―
My Invention relates to certain improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, in
which the barrels are made to turn upon a joint, the breech end of the barrels
rising in a vertical plane from and against the break-off.
The improvements consist of a new method of a lock-fast action, which is

page_text: accomplished by bolting and locking the barrels to the body and break-off by
four combined bearings; the said bolting and locking being effected as
follows:-
Firstly, the lump attached to and underneath the barrels is placed on a
fixed bolt or rod passing horizontally through the body, and forming the hinge
joint in front of the break-off, upon which the barrels fall over to admit the
insertion of the cartridge.
The second bearing is the segment of a circle in the lump attached to the
barrels, fitting accurately on a corresponding segment in the body.
The third bearing is a moveable bolt or rod passing parallel with the front
bolt through the body; this bolt. rotates on its axis, which axis forms two.
reverse excentric actions, one acting on the lump attached to the barrels, and
the other acting at the same time on a rod passing longitudinally through the
body; this rod being attached to a square bolt or plug acting parallel with
the said rod through the body underneath the level of the barrels and entering
into a corresponding cavity in the said lump attached to the barrels; thus are.
formed four combined solid bearings and grips on the said lump attached to
the barrels, by which means the barrels aro held solid to the body and break
off during discharge. Attached to this excentric bolt in front of the break-
off is a lever, which, when turned on its axis towards tho muzzles, unlocks and
raises the barrels in a vertical position to receive the charge. The action of
this lever can be reversed to turn towards the breech end of the barrels if
desired. When the barrels are depressed against the face of the break-off,
the lump attached to the mcomes in contact with the excentric bolt, by which
means the said bolt and lever are turned on their axes and in their locking
direction, the said bolt by this action entering into its bearing the segment of
a circle. At the same time the reverse excentric acting on the rod attached to
the plug before described brings the lump attached to the barrels into a fixed
position without the aid of a spring, but by the action of the lump on the
barrels on the two combined reverse excentrics, which are at all times, when
turned on their axes, reverse to each other, one excentric acting towards the
breech end and entering the corresponding segment of a circle in the lump
attached to the barrels; the other reverse excentric acting on the rod
attached to the bolt or plug, which moves parallel with the line of the barrels
by the action of the excentric bolt through the body and in front of the break-
off. This action being aided by a spring or lever, when the barrels are closed
down, the whole locking and bolting may be accomplished by a self-action,
and the gun is ready to be discharged. When locked by this self-action the
safety of the arm is not dependent on the spring, which only assists the

page_text: rotation of the excentrics into their bearings, rendering the action at all times
secure from accident at the moment of discharge.
The Invention further consists in the capability of changing the direction of
the back bolting plug, if desired, by its being passed from the lump under-
Death the barrels into the body acted on by the excentric bolt before described.
This bolt or plug also can be made self-acting by the rotation of the excentric
bolt on its axis, aided by a spring or lever. I propose also to substitute a fifth
bolt or grip by passing a second rod longitudinally through the body parallel
with the one described in connection with the excentric bolt.
My improvements further consist of the hinge joint in the fore part of the
stock being so contrived that the hand cannot be pinched when the barrels
are raised in a vertical line to receive the cartridge. The fall over of the
barrels being checked from the inside does away with the necessity of having
a notch outside to check the fall of the barrels; this joint in the fore part
being the segment of a circle upon which the barrels rotate in a vertical plane.
This rotatory action of the barrels is checked by either one or two slots cut in
the 'circular joint on the corresponding segment on the fore part of the body.
When the barrels are fixed upon this joint, one or two projections being
either on the lump or barrels, enter the said slots cut in the circular joint of
the fore part, which checks the fall over of the barrels. The breech end is
allowed to rise vertically to any degree required, the circular formation of
this hinge joint being greater in its diameter than the depth of the fore part.
When the breech end of the barrels lifts up vertically, the diameter of the
said joint acts without a notch or catch to pinch the left hand caused by the
overbalance of the barrels on the said hinge joint which instantaneously
depresses the muzzles to allow the loading or unloading of the arm. This
arrangement also can be accomplished by allowing the diameter of the said
hinge joint to be equal to the depth of the fore part, and by giving sufficient
freedom on the segment of the said circular joint on the part where the
joint may meet to check the action of the said hinge; the latter arrange-
ment being checked inside in the rotation of the barrels on their hinge joint,
as before described..
My improvements further consist of the said fore part being driven firm on
the loop on the barrels to which it is attached, which tends to check the
instantaneous fall over of the barrels and to perfect the binge joint upon which
they turn. The end of this loop on which the fore part is attached being the
segment of a circle taken from the hinge joint, greater bearing of the said
fore part is obtained on the axis of the said hinge joint, to which it is partly
attached. This fore part can be lifted from the barrels by the greatest

page_text: possible ease by the action of an excentric lever inserted and attached in a
suitable box or frame inlaid in the extreme point of the said fore part,
forming finish in the ordinary way. The said lever will act with the same
effect by being raised vertically either towards the muzzles or breech end of the
barrels, or act in any direction in which the said lever may be raised and
attached.
My said improvements are applicable to both single and double. barrel
fire-aŕms.
In order that my said Invention may be more completely understood, I
proceed to describe the same with reference to the Drawings hereto annexed,
and the figures and letters thereon, similar letters denoting corresponding
parts in the several Figures where such occur respectively.
Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of a breech-loader constructed on my
principle; a shews the lump attached to and underneath the barrels b, placed
on the fixed bolt c, passing horizontally through the body and forming the
hinge joint in front of the break-off, on which the barrels fall over to admit
the insertion of the cartridge. The second bearing is shewn by the lump'd in
the form of a segment of a circle described from the centre or axis of the bolt
c, and fitting accurately on a corresponding segment e in the body. The third
bearing consists of a double or reverse excentric bolt f, passing parallel with the
bolt c through the body. This bolt is set in bearings in the body and rotates
on its axis, such axis forming two reverse excentric actions, one acting on the
Jump g, shewn clearly in Fig. 2, which represents a similar section with the
barrels depressed ready for the insertion of the cartridge. The form of this
double reverse excentric bolt is shewn at Figs. 3 and 4, which represent
horizontal sections. It will be observed that when the barrels are closed
down the lump g, which is of a circular form, fits accurately to the portion h
of the excentric bolt, which is shewn in its closed position at Fig. 3, but at
Fig. 4 the bolt is shewn drawn round by the lever i, in order to open or raise
the breech end. Now, in order to permit of the fitting of the lump 9 on the
circular bolt when closed down, I take off a portion of the periphery of the
bolt, as shewn by the curve j, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, which latter represents an
end view of the bolt; when the breech is in a raised position from the body,
the lump 9 is, in order to close the gun, brought down to the projection k, left
by the removal of the portion of the bolt, as described, because if the bolt
were of a true circular section at the part where the lump on the barrel is
lowered thereon, the lump 9 could not pass on to it; immediately the lump
touches the projection the bolt commences to turn, and ultimately the lump g
reaches the under part of the bolt, which now will present its true circular
g

page_text: portion to the corresponding form of the lump, and the two will fit
accurately. The screw is for the purpose of tilting or raising the barrels,
when the lever is brought back again, for it is obvious that the bolt when
turned to the open position will force the lump g upwards and turn the barrels
on the hinge joint c, the screw is necessary to effect the requisite raising of the
breech end of the barrels. The slot I, shewn in Fig. 2, serves as a space for the
passage of the screw. The fourth bearing is effected by the plug m, Figs.
1, 2, 3, 6, and 7; this plug is caused to move into the cavity n, Fig. 2, and
back into the body, as shewn by the second excentric of the bolt, as shewn at o,
Figs. 3, 4, 5, which acts upon the connecting link p, Fig. 8 (in bracket), which
represents a plan, a side view, and an end view; it is shewn in other Figures,
and clearly in Fig. 6. This link gears with the connecting rod q, Fig. 9, which
is a plan view shewing the plug m by means of the slot r, Fig. 8, which
forms a fork taking into recesses r, cut on each side of the rod q, it will thus
be evident that as the excentric bolt is turned by the closing down of the
barrels the plug m will be drawn into, the cavity n to form the fourth
bearing, and that when the bolt is turned reversely to throw up or open tho
gun, the plug m will be simultaneously drawn back by the link p and rod 9⚫.
Fig. 10 shews a front view of the plug and its rod q; the plug works in a
cavity or slot cut in the side of the fore part of the body of the gun, as shewn ;*
Fig. 11 is a section of the bolt c, forming the hinge joint. This is simply a
plug having no screw thread cut thereon; after insertion in the body it is beld
firmly in position by means of a small screw entering the cavity s.
In somo
cases I propose to vary the action of the plug m by placing it in the lump g,
and attaching the link p thereto by means of a screw, as shewn, or by a pin or
otherwise at Figs. 12 and 13, which represent vertical sections, Fig. 12 being
closed and 13 open, by which the latter Figure, it is obvious that when the
breech is being closed down the excentric bolt will rotate and force back the
link and plug into the body, in fact this action is just the reverse of the former,
shewn at Figs. 1, 2, 8, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Fig. 14 represents another method of actuating the plug m from the body
into the lump. It will be observed that the connecting link p is differently
formed, and that the rod q is screwed thereto. The various parts are shewn
separately at the bracketed Fig. 15. The plug m is then secured to the rod q
by the nut t, thus forming a fixed connection or union. The excentric bolt
forces the plug back when it is desired to open the gun' by the lever beforo
described; but in order to facilitate the return of the plug into the lump when
the
gun is closed I apply a spring of the form shewn at u, which is secured
by a screw to the tang. of the break-off, as shewn; it is set in a cavity or

page_text: groove cut in the body, and it enters the lump, terminating in a rounded
extremity, as shewn, where it bears upon the plug. The action of the spring
will turn the excentric bolt back and retain it in its closed position by a
correct adjustment of the bolt.
But I can effect this object by another arrangement of spring in those guns
to which I may prefer to use such spring action, for, as I have already stated,
the opening and closing of the gun can be effected without the use of such
action, as shewn in Fig. 1; Figs. 16 and 17 represent sections of such arrange-
ment. I cut a slot in the fore part of the body, as shewn; c is the axis of the
excentric bolt, to which I attach or key a disc or wheel having teeth cut on
half its periphery, as shewn ; into this small wheel a second larger wheel, toothed
on a quarter of its periphery, is caused to gear, as shewn at v; this wheel is
held by a bearing set in the body; a is a lever set on a fulcrum a¹, its
extremity bears upon the wheel v; y is a spring. secured by the screw y¹ in
the body, as shewn; this spring bears upon the lever x. Fig. 16 represents the
gun closed down, the lever x acting upon the surface of the wheel v, created by
the removal of a portion of the periphery of the wheel so as to form a species
of cam wheel, as shown. Now it is evident that when the lever i, Figs. 3 and 4,
is turned down to open the gun, the small wheel will assume the position
shewn at Fig. 17, turning the wheel v as shewn, and presenting a circular face
to the lever, so that the spring has no influence to turn back the wheel v;
but when the breech is being lowered or closed the lump g has time..to get
down into position, as before described on to the projection of the excentric: bolt
and turning it slightly; the wheel v is turned to such an extent as to bring
the flat surface or notch into gear with the lever and spring y, so that the
closing of the gun is suddenly and completely locked and effected. The slot is
covered over and concealed by the slip or bar z; this slip is formed to enter a
dovetail at the rear end of the slot, the other end being secured by the screw
21, which also serves to secure the hinge bolt, Fig. 11, by entering the cavity
s, as before stated. Fig. 18 represents a modification of the spring action
wherein I dispense with the lever x. It will be observed that the Fig. shews
the position of the spring and wheels when the gun is closed as before stated;
when the lever i is turned back the wheel will assume such a position as to
bring the projection v' under and within the rounded extremity of the spring,
so that the pressure of the spring would simply hold the wheel v.in such
position, but, as before stated and described, the turn given to the wheel v by
the descent of the lump 9 upon the double excentric bolt would bring the
surface
of the wheel into gear with the spring with the same result before

page_text: described. The form of the wheel v varies from that shewn in Fig. 17 in
order to suit the action of the spring.
Fig. 19 represents a plan view of the fore part of the body and break-off of
the gun, the letters denote the parts previously described, and the screw which
secures the hinge bolt in position. The lever i is here shewn closed and
fitting its recess cut on the outside of the body to receive it, so as to be flush
with the side of the body, the chequered thumb-piece alone projecting to
admit of its being turned down.
With regard to the description of the hinge joint already given, I would
refer to Figs. 1, 2, 7 as examples of hinge joints larger in their diameter than
the depth of the fore part, and to Figs. 13 and 14 as examples where the joint
is equal in diameter to the depth of the fore part. It will be observed that the
lump a is of a circular form in front, and so far under and above the rear as
always to expose a portion of a circle, after which the diameter is increased
and the lump consequently strengthened to its junction with the barrel; a³
represent slots or grooves cut on each interior side or other part of the surface
of the body, on which the joint. works, and two small projections a* are fixed
to the lump so as to fit such slots, so that when the barrels are depressed they
shall be retained at a definite required angle for the insertion of the cartridge,
or the projections which travel in the slots may be placed directly under the
barrels. By these arrangements it is evident that no space or open notch can
exist under the joint to pinch the left hand, an accident that so commonly
occurs with the ordinary joint.
Figs. 21 and 22 represent sections of segmental friction cheeks, which are
formed with dovetailed ends; by reference to Fig. 1 at c, c, these cheeks are
shewn inserted in the lump d and in the lump a', forming the loop of the
barrel to which the fore part of the stock is attached. By this arrangement, in
combination with my circular action, I renew these cheeks or bearing and
wearing surfaces at any time when the barrels may release or disjoint from the
break-off, and in so doing I encrease the thickness of these friction cheeks to
the substance required for the perfect rejointing of the barrels to the break-off,
at the same time increasing the hinge plug bolt to the same degree where the
lump works or turns, the form of the original plug bolt admitting of the
insertion of one of a greater diameter at the hinged portion. The periphery
of the lump or loop a¹ must be that of a circle described from the joint c
directly in a vertical line with the axis, and not from the axis itself. I prefer
to make all the moveable wearing parts, such as the lumps, plug, excentric
bolt, aud hinge bolt of steel, also the segmental cheeks.

page_text: Fig. 23 represents a section of my excentric spring lever for the purpose of
lifting the fore part of the stock from the barrels, the said fore part being
driven firm on the several bearings, it is necessary to apply some such means of
starting the joints to release the fore part from the barrels. ' represents the
box or frame in which the excentric lever c is set on a pivot, as shewn; d¹ is
the spring serving to return the lever to its closed position. At Fig. 1 this
lever is shewn closed or shut, and the whole fixed to the woodwork of the
stock by two screws; when. the lever is partly depressed by its chequered
end there is no strain upon the thumb, except that of the spring; but when the
excentric portion comes in contact with the rib, the lever is well down for
grasping, and the leverage enables the operation to be effected with com
parative ease.
Fig. 24 represents an under. plan view of the lever and box, which is inlaid
in, the stock, and forms perfect finish with the outlines or curves of the
woodwork. In some cases I apply my double-action excentric bolt before
described in the rear part of the body or break-off, in order to insert and
retract a bolt or plug through the body or break-off, and into the lump
attached to the barrels, or into the barrels.
My double-action excentric bolt may also be used in ordnance for the
purpose of tightening up the vent-piece in lieu of using screwed breeches.
By my arrangement of joint and circular form of lumps I gain strength
and reduce friction to a minimum, a desideratum not hitherto accomplished
in any other form of gun wherein the barrels are depressed on a joint. The
Invention is applicable to both single and double barrelled breech-loading
fire-arms.
!
J
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I would remark in conclusion that I do
not limit myself to the precise details and configuration of parts I have
expressed and shewn, as the same may be slightly varied or modified without
departing from the principles on which my Invention is based; but what I
claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein in part recited Letters
Patent are,
Firstly, the construction and application of the double reverse excentric
bolt f, and its combination with the connecting link and plug m, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
Secondly, the method of forming the hinge joint and bolt to obviate the
open notch under the joint.
Thirdly, the general construction of the body and the lumps corresponding
thereto and to the double excentric bolt, whereby the firm and uniform

page_text: quadruple bearing is obtained, together with the methods of renewing the
friction cheeks of the lump d and the loop a'.
Fourthly, the construction and application of the spring, lever, and wheel
movement shewn at Figs. 16, 17, and 18.
Fifthly, the construction and application of the excentric spring lever
shewn at Figs. 1 and 23 and 24.
And, sixthly, the modifications shewn in Figs. 12 and 13 of actuating the plug
by the excentric bolt from the lump into the body or break-off, and also the
application of the spring in combination with the excentric bolt and con-
necting link, as shewn at Figs. 14 and 15, and the method described of setting
the excentric bolt in the body and through the break-off for the purpose
of actuating the plug, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmond Pope have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
A. C. M. PRINCE,
Office for Patents,
4, Trafalgar Square,
London.
EDMOND POPE. (L.S.)