Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 11th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 25th Feb., 1887.
1, ATHANASE CHUCHU of Bahia, in the Empire of brazil, Armourer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to breech-loading rifles and pistols and comprises the improve-
ments hereinafter described.
A fire-arin thus constructed comprises two principal parts, viz. the shoe which has 1
affixed to one of its extremities the barrel and to the other the butt; and the breech
block which fits into the shoe. This block is pivotted in the said shoe in a longitudinal
direction so that in operation it can move a quarter of a turn laterally and it contains
internally the cocking and firing mechanism."
The said breech-block is adapted to be readily introduced and withdrawn from the
shoe. For this purpose a small sliding door having a spring catch is placed on one
side of the shoe. If the breech-block is in position and it is desired to withdraw the
same, the said door is moved aside with one of the fingers so as to allow an elongated
rear portion of the breech-block to pass through the opening formed when it is
inclined to withdraw it from the shoe.
The extractor is pivotted at the front end of the shoe in proximity to the chamber
of the barrel; and is arranged in connection with a lever which projects into a groove
in the front end of the breech-block. A spring exerts a pressure upon the said
extractor and lever.
In a channel or groove in the breech-block is inserted a small screw which, when
the breech-block is rocked laterally, strikes the extractor lever and causes the extractor
to move and expel the cartridge from the breech-chamber. After the passage of this
screw, the extractor is disengaged from the pressure of the extractor lever and returns
to its original position under the action of the said spring. On the return of the
breech-block to its closed position the extractor lever is again placed in connection with
the extractor so that at the next movement of the breech-block it is again operated
upon by the said screw.
The hammer is pivotted within the breech-block, and is arranged to strike a firing
pin placed in the front part of the said breech-block.

page_text: The sear is pivotted below the hammer so that its end can engage in notches in the
same.
The main spring is placed in the prolongation of the breech-block and bears with
one end against the hammer to thow it forward when released by the sear; and with
its other end against. the scar- in order to hold it in engagement with the hammer
except when it is acted upon by the trigger to release the hammer and fire the gun.
The trigger is cocked by means of a lever keyed outside the gun, to a shaft passing
through the breech-block. This operating lever also engages with a catch to hold the
breech-block in its closed position. Upon the shaft of the operating lever is a three-
armed lever. When the operating lever is raised to open the breech one arm of the
said lever bears upon the hammer and causes the cocking of the same. The second
arm simultaneously engages with a notch in the firing pin and moves the same back,
and the third arm engages with a lever which forms a safety catch for preventing the
imovement of the trigger and the accidental discharge of the arm when it is not
properly closed.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
•Improvements in Breech-loading Rifles and other Fire-arms,
I. ATHANASE CHUCHU, of Bahia, in the Empire of Brazil, Armourer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
This invention relates to breech-loading rifles and pistols and comprises the
improvements hereinafter described.
The accompanying drawing represents in detail the construction of a gun and a
pistol according to this invention.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a gun from the left hand side.
Figure 2 is a similar view from the right hand side.
Figure 3 is an elevation of a pistol.
Figure 4 illustrates the method of withdrawing the breech block from and introducing
into the shoe.
Figure 5 shows the gun with the breech block detached from the shoe. The
remaining Figures are hereinafter referred to.
A fire, arın constructed according to the said invention comprises two principal parts
viz. the shoe S which has affixed to one of its extremities the barrel, and to the
other, the butt and the breech-lock A which fits into this shoe. This block is pivotted
in the said shoe in a longitudinal direction, so that in operation it can move a
quarter of a turn laterally and it contains internally the cocking and firing
mechanism.

page_text: The said breech block is adapted to be readily introduced and withdrawn from the
shoe and the operation is shown in Figure 4.
With the thumb of the left hand the door T is raised so as to provide an opening
for enabling the shank to pass when the block is inclined to the right as shown.
Figure 6 is a transverse section of the shoe S and showing the arrangement of the
extractor. In this Figure P is the part of barrel containing the chamber, C is the
extractor. Dis a lever for operating the extractor and Q is a spring which exerts a
pressure upon the said extractor and lever.
Tho operation of the extractor will be understood by reference to Figure 9 which is
an end view of the breech block. It will be seen that in the channel or groove E is
inserted a small screw K which when the breech block is rocked laterally strikes the
extractor lever D and causes the extractor C to move outwardly and expel the cart-
ridge shell from the breech chamber P after the passage of this screw, the extractor
is disengaged from the extractor lever D, and returns to its original position under the
action of the said spring Q. On the return of the breech block to its closed position
the extractor lever D again bears upon the extractor so that at the next movement of
the breech block it can be operated upon by the said screw K.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the breech block looking towards the right and
showing the construction and operation of the cocking and firing mechanism.
G is the lever by means of which the locking of the breech is effected, and the
movement of which causes the cocking. To the shaft of the lever G is fixed a three
armed lever by means of a transverse screw. Each of the said arms has a separate
function that is to say the arm N exerts pressure upon the hammer B and cocks it ;
the arm M which is hook-shaped draws back the firing pin O; and the arm L presses
upon a piece V Figures 4 and 5 which is placed upon the left hand side of the shoe.
This arm V is in communication with the trigger and operates as a safety catch motion;
the operation of the other parts is easily seen by reference to Figure 8.
Figure 9 which represents the breech-block as seen from one end, shows the lever G
raised, the hammer B cocked, the firing pin o, the groove E into which the extractor
lever projects, the screw K which causes the extractor to operate, and the pivot F
which is located in the shoe of the gun as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 10 represents the pieces of the breech-block detached that is to say, the
piece M, N, L having three functions, a piece J which serves to maintain the main-
spring I in place and to close the end of the breech-block as shown in Figures 7 and 8,
and the firing-pin ». This firing pin is notched on two sides at the rear end; the
notch on the left-hand side receives the end of a screw as shown in Figure 1 whereby
the said pin is maintained in position, while into the notch on the right hand side the
hook-shaped arm M of the three armed lever engages.
A spring fixed on the side of the breech-block behind the lever G presses upon
the latter and regulates its operation. The hammer B and the sear H operate as shown
in Figures 7 and 8. I is the main-spring which operates with both ends, one extremity
pressing against the sear and the other against the hammer. The lever G is in one
piece with the shaft which carries the three armed lever M, N, L; a notch is formed
in this shaft for receiving the end of the screw which maintains the lever M, N, Lin
position.
Figure 11 represents the body or shoe S of the gun dismounted and the pieces
connected therewith detached.
V is a safety catch being in contact at one extremity with the sear H, and at the
other being operated upon by the arm L (Figure 7). This catch when under the
pressure of the said arm leaves the trigger free to act, in the contrary case however,
it enters, under the pressure of its spring, into a notch formed in the lower portion of
the trigger U.
T is a door which permits the insertion of the breech block into, and removal from
the shoe. At the lower part of this door is a spring X which serves as a catch for
door and exerts pressure upon the head of the piece J (Figure 10) thereby regulating
the rotary movement of the breech-block. X is a loop to which one end of the shoulder

page_text: strap of the gun is attached. As to the pieces C, D, Q, their respective locations and
operations are understood having already been explained.
Figure 12 shows the first operation in using the gun, that is to say, the cocking.
For this purpose the knob of the lever G is grasped and pulled towards the operator.
This movement cocks the hammer B against the pressure of the spring I, moves the
firing-pin O to its rearward position and disengages the piece V which locks the
trigger U. In this position the gun presents no danger whatever of accidentally
discharging.
Figure 13 shows the second operation. After the aforesaid first operation, the lever
Gis turned sharply to the right, this movement causes the extractor C to operate and
forcibly expel the empty cartridge shell out of the chamber.
There are six operations required for the improved fire-arm, namely:-1st, the
cocking, 2nd, turning the breech-block to the right, 3rd., inserting the cartridge into
the chamber, 4th, closing the breech by moving the breech-block back, 5th, engaging
the lever G with its catch, and 6th, pulling the trigger.
As I have already mentioned with regard to Figure 12, there is not the slightest
danger of the gun accidentally going off as long as the lever G is not brought back to
its normal position, as shown in Figure 2.
The arrangement and construction of a pistol according to this invention is the
same as that before described, the only change being in the dimensions of the parts.
This invention which relates only to the breech and breech mechanism of the
improved fire-arm can be adapted to any arrangement of barrels and cartridges,
whether rim or central firing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
The improved fire-arin consisting of two principal parts, one being the exterior
casing or shoe which has attached to it on the one hand the barrel, and on the other
hand the butt and the other the breech-block, which contains the principal mechanism
of the gun and is located in the said shoe; the various parts of the said fire-arm being
constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.