IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Henry, of Edinburgh, in the County of
Mid Lothian, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FIRE-ARMS."
°
Sealed the 25th June 1867, and dated the 31st December 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st December 1866.
1, ALEXANDER HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian,.
North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object certain improved arrangements to be
used in connection with those classes of fire-arms which are loaded at the
breecb, and is more particularly applicable to small arms such as rifles,
carbines, and fowling pieces, and by its adoption improved facilities are
afforded for rapidly loading and closing the breech, and withdrawing the
cartridge case from the barrel after the arm has been fired, whilst at the same
time, by the special arrangement of the breech piece itself, a much more
secure, firmly seated, and enduring breech is obtained.

page_text: CHIS Invention 15 Intended to claim the following
arrangements:-
Under one modification, the breech end of the barrel is attached to a strong
partly open and partly tubular frame, or as this may more strictly be called
the "breech holder" to a suitable hinge-formed recess in which the breech piece
proper is connected by a hinge joint in such manner that the breech piece
may be turned on the joint so as to fit into the tubular or conical recess in
the breech holder and close the end of the barrel, or be turned in the opposite
direction, leaving the barrel open for loading. The recess is, by preference
formed in the shape of a truncated cone, and the breech piece itself is
similarly formed, the conic shape being introduced to give as large an area as
possible to the breech piece, so that the force of the charge may be transmitted
to a much larger surface of bearing than usual.
Another part of this Invention relates to an arrangement by which the
breech piece is started or slightly lifted from its seat by the act of drawing
the hammer to half cock at the time of withdrawing the spent cartridge case
for inserting a fresh cartridge. This detail may be constructed in several
ways, amongst others as follows:-The lower part of the hammer has a short
lever acted upon by a spring projecting from it; this short lever is held by a
pin to the hammer, and the spring which presses upon it maintains it in the
original position; on raising the hammer to half cock this little lever comes
into contact with a bolt which is lifted by the pressure thus brought upon it by
the thumb or finger of the person raising the hammer, the bolt being fitted
capable of sliding upwards and downwards in a suitably formed groove or hole
of a circular, square, dovetail, or other form in a piece of metal attached to
the side of the breech end of the weapon; on being raised the bolt presses
against the lip of the breech piece and so raises or starts the breech
from its bed and retaining catch. On the weapon being fired or the hammer
lowered the spring allows the little lever to yield so as to pass the end of the
bolt, on having passed beyond which the spring again depresses the lever in
position for raising the bolt when next required; a much more powerful
retaining catch can thus be adopted on account of the large amount of power
than can be brought to bear for lifting the breech through the leverage of the
hammer or cock. In lieu of constructing this part as now described, the
lever or projection may be fixed immovably to the lower end of the hammer
and the lower part of the bolt, or the bolt itself constructed to yield so as to
allow the short lever to pass the bolt on the cock or hammer being caused to
descend, and as soon as the lever has passed the end of the bolt a spring or

page_text: springs again bring it into position for being acted upon by the lever as soon
as the cock or hammer is again raised.
Another part of this Invention relates to certain means for withdrawing the
cartridge case from the barrel after the arm has been fired. Under one
arrangement this is effected by applying a sliding bolt underneath the barrel
which is acted on by the hand through the medium of a piece projecting
from the bolt and passing through a slot in the under side of the small part
of the stock; the bolt has coupled to it an extractor which acts upon the
flanch at the base of the cartridge case, and the extractor being caused to
move out by the application of the hand, causes the cartridge to be withdrawn.
In lieu, however, of actuating the extractor in the manner now described an
extractor consisting of a lever is employed; this lever passes out from the
stock behind the trigger guard, and its inner end acts upon the little metallic
flanch at the base of the cartridge case, so that the outer portion of the lever
being pushed forward at the instant subsequent to the breech being raised,
the cartridge is extracted and the barrel ready for a fresh one. The "break-
off" of the arm and the stock are recessed out concentrically and in line with
the barrel forming a passage by which the insertion into the barrel is effected,
and having no obstruction at its end cartridges of any desired length can be
inserted into the barrel and used with weapons constructed under this present
Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th June 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
HENRY, of Edinburgb, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth 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, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree

page_text: 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 FIRE-ARMS,"
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 has for its object certain improved arrangements to be
used in connection with those classes of fire-arms which are loaded at the
breech, and is more particularly applicable to small arms, such as rifles,
carbines, and fowling pieces, and by its adoption improved facilities are afforded
for rapidly loading and closing the breech and withdrawing the cartridge case
from the barrel after the arm has been fired, whilst at the same time, by the
special arrangement of the breech piece itself a much more secure, firmly
seated, and enduring breech is obtained.
As constituting this Invention it is intended to claim the following
arrangements :-
Under one modification the breech end of the barrel is attached to a strong
partly open and partly tubular frame, or as this may more strictly be called
the breech holder, to a suitable hinge-formed recess, in which the breech
piece proper is connected by a hinge joint in such manner that the breech
piece may be turned on the joint so as to fit into the tubular or conical recess
in the breech holder and close the end of the barrel, or be turned in the
opposite direction, leaving the barrel open for loading. The recess is, by
preference, formed in the shape of a truncated cone, and the breech piece
is similarly formed, the conic shape being introduced to give as large an
area as possible to the breech piece, so that the force of the charge may be
transmitted to a much larger surface of bearing than usual.
Another part of the Invention relates to an arrangement by which the
breech piece is started or slightly lifted from its seat by the act of drawing

page_text: the hammer to half-cock at the time of withdrawing the spent cartridge case
for inserting a fresh cartridge; this detail may be constructed in several ways,
amongst others as follows:-The lower part of the hammer has a short lever
acted upon by a spring projecting from it; this short lever is held by a pin to
the hammer, and the spring which presses upon it maintains it in the required
position; on raising the hammer to half-cock this little lever comes in contact
with a bolt which is lifted by the pressure thus brought upon it by the thumb
or finger of the person raising the hammer, the bolt being fitted capable of
sliding upwards and downwards in a suitably formed groove or hole of a
circular, square, dovetail, or other form in a piece of metal attached to the
side of the breech end of the weapon; on being raised the bolt presses against
the lip of the breech piece and so raises or starts the breech from its bed and
retaining catch. On the weapon being fired, or the hammer lowered, the
spring allows the little lever to yield so as to pass the end of the bolt, on
having passed beyond which the spring again depresses the lever in position
for raising the bolt when next required. A much more powerful retaining
catch than hitherto used can thus be adopted on account of the large amount
of power that can be brought to bear for lifting the breech through the leverage
of the hammer or cock. In lieu of constructing this part as now described
the lever or projection may be fixed immovably to the lower end of the
hammer, and the lower part of the bolt or the bolt itself constructed to yield,
so as to allow the short lever to pass the bolt on the cock or hammer being
caused to descend, and as soon as the lever has passed the end of the bolt a
spring again brings it into position for being acted upon by the lever as soon
as the cock or hammer is again raised.
. Another part of this Invention relates to certain means for withdrawing
the cartridge case from the barrel after the arm bas been fired. Under one
arrangement this is effected by applying a sliding bolt underneath the barrel,
which is acted on by the hand through the medium of a piece projecting from
the bolt and passing through a slot in the under side of the small part of the
stock; the bolt has coupled to it an extractor which acts upon the flanch at
the base of the cartridge case, and the extractor being caused to move out by
the application of the band causes the cartridge to be withdrawn. In lieu,
however, of actuating the extractor in the manner now described an extractor
consisting of a lever is employed; this lever passes out from the stock behind
the trigger guard, and its inner end acts upon the metallic flanch at the base
of the cartridge case, so that the outer portion of the lever being pushed
forward at the instant subsequent to the breech being raised, the cartridge is

page_text: extracted and the breech ready for the insertion of a fresh one.. The
break-off" of the arm and the stock are recessed out concentrically and in
line with the barrel, forming a passage by which the insertion into the barrel
is effected, and having no obstruction at its end cartridges of any desired
length can be inserted into the barrel and used with weapons constructed
under this present Invention.
'
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now
proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or
under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect,
reference being had, for the sake of more complete elucidation, to the several
Figures upon the three explanatory Sheets of Drawings which I have hereunto
appended, that is to say :-
.
On Sheet 1 Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an improved.breech-loading
rifle constructed in accordance with the first modification or arrangement of
my Invention Figure 2 is a side elevation corresponding to Figure 1;
Figure 3 a plan, and Figures 4 and 5 details herein-after more particularly
referred to.
;
In Figure 1 on account of the section being taken along the axis of the
barrel A the details of the lock are not shown, but it may be here stated that
locks of the ordinary or other construction may be used. The barrel A is
screwed into the hollow body or break-off piece B, which is also formed to
constitute the cavity for the reception of the breech-closing piece or breech
proper C. The breech C is formed with a hinge joint D, also seen in trans-
verse section at Figure 5; this fits between two similarly formed lugs or
projections E, and the pin or bolt F passes through them, thus hinging the
movable breech to the arm itself. Thus it is obvious that the breech piece C
will, by either being lifted out of or shut down into the cavity, either open or
close the breech end of the barrel A. When the breech piece C is shut down
it is held or retained in that position by means of that end of the spring a
marked c, which, as shown at Figure 5, is formed so that the semicircular end
may catch into a correspondingly formed recess c¹ to the projection, this
recess c¹ being cut in a piece of steel fixed therein, as shown at Figure 5.
The tension of the spring is sufficient to retain or hold down the breech, but
it is not sufficient to hinder or prevent the lifting it up when required to
reload the arm. The spring a is also formed with a second end or tail b
which, as shown at Figure 5, constantly presses against the other side of the
breech cavity, so that as soon as the other end c is released from the recess c¹
the pressure of this part throws the breech piece up out of the breech cavity,

page_text: which is thus left open for withdrawing the spent cartridge case and for
reloading. The piston d by which the ignition of the cartridge is struck passes
through the breech piece C, as shown at Figures 1 and 5, and the upper side
of the breech piece C is formed into a hood E which protects the exposed
end of the piston, whilst the hammer D is so formed that its end falls directly
upon the piston within the hood.
I now proceed to set forth that part of my Invention by which the act of
drawing back the hammer D at the same time releases and causes the breech C
to be thrown open. The hammer D is provided at the lower end with a
projecting spur or toe f shown at Figure 2; in lifting the hammer then the
end of this spur or toe f is also elevated through an equal angle, so that
during its elevation, the toe being in contact with the projecting end of the
slide bar g, Figure 2, shown also in the obverse at Figure 4, the slide bar is
correspondingly elevated, so that its upper end being in contact with the lip
of the breech piece C, the breech piece is similarly lifted, and releases the
spring c from the recess c', so that the tension of the other end of the spring a
causes the breech piece C to be thrown completely up, leaving the breech
cavity empty. On being carried through the complete angular movement
the toef passes above and comes out of contact with the slide bar g, so that
ou shutting down the breech piece the lip of the breech again forces the bar g
to its lowest position in readiness for again being lifted to release or open the
breech. In lowering the hammer or in firing the arm the toe is enabled to
pass below the lower end of the slide bar g by the following arrangement :-
The bridle or guide plate h containing the bar g has an angularly formed
recess made in it, as shown in the obverse view, Figure 4, and the bar g is
maintained in the position shown at Figure 2 by the pressure of a small
spring i, which bears against it, and by means of the slide bar g being thus
maintained it is capable of yielding to the pressure of the toe f, as this is
lowered; as soon then as the toc f has passed below the lower end of the bar g
the spring i forces the bar g back into its position, in readiness for again being
acted upon for the purpose of lifting the breech piece. The extractor consists
of the bar K, which passes through and is constructed so that it may slide in
the lug L fixed to the lower or under side of the barrel. A coiled spring M
surrounds partly the bar K as shown, and being compressed between the lug L
and the head N of the bar K it maintains the extracting end of the bar flush
with the end of the barrel. The extracting end is slightly turned upwards,
as shown at b, the projecting piece fitting into a recess in the end of the
barrel, and is also formed to catch the flanch which surrounds the base of the

page_text: cartridge. A cross bar O passes through the head N of the bar K, and also
passes through the sliding hand piece or guard P, thus holding these two
parts together, so that when it is necessary to extract or withdraw a cartridge,
the hand is applied to the hand piece or guard P, and draws it towards the
breech, which action forces out the extracting bar, and therefor the spent
cartridge case, by means of the upturned end of the bar catching into the
flanch of the case, as herein-before described. The guard or hand piece P is
formed, by preference, of a light iron, or steel, or other metallic framework,
which may be covered with leather, as shown at Figures 1, 2, and 3. There
are certain other points in connection with this modification of my Invention
which also apply to the other modifications and are herein-after more par-
ticularly referred to.
On Sheet 2 is shown the second modification of my Invention, the chief
difference in which from the preceeding consisting chiefly in the form or shape
of some of the parts, and in the manner of actuating the extractor.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, is a longitudinal section, Figure 2 a side elevation,
Figure 3 a plan, Figure 4 a transverse section of the breech piece C, taken
on the line a, a, Figures 1, 2, and 3; and Figure 5 is the obverse view of the
slide bar and the guide plate or bridle in which it slides, and by which it is
held to the lock plate by the three screws, as shown at Figure 2. As the use
and object of, as well as the mode or manner of operating with the several
parts, are generally the same as in the preceeding modification (excepting the
extractor), I have affixed the same letters of reference to corresponding
parts in this second that are used in the preceding modification, and therefor
that part of this Specifiation which describes the preceding also applies to this
second modification, and therefore need not be herein repeated. I therefore
proceed to explain the mode of actuating the extractor to be as follows:-
The extractor bar is made in two portions K and K joined together by an
open link or eye piece K², the spiral spring being placed over the round
part K maintains the end of the bar flush with the barrel, but when it is
necessary to extract a spent cartridge case the lever K³ is pushed into the
position shown by dotted lines at Figure 1, and in being so moved, the short
end acting upon the bar K and K' carries the extractor forward to a pro-
portionate extent, and the upturned end of it marked a catching in the flanch
at the base of the cartridge case, causes the latter to be withdrawn, and on
releasing the hand from the lever K³ the tension of the spring acting upon
the head of the bar K' draws the extractor as well as the lever K³, back into
their former position, after which the arm is ready for reloading. In con-

page_text: nection with this modification of my Invention I employ the hollow recess
marked X in Figures 1 and 3, the advantage of which is that so soon as
withdrawn from the barrel the spent cartridge case at once falls away.
In connection with this second the preceding and succeeding modification of
my Invention I employ the two bevilled projectiles n, shown at Figures 1 and 5,
Sheet 1, fixed on the under edge of the front face of the breech piece C, their
object being to force the cartridge completely into the chamber as the breech
piece is being shut down or closed, and also for forcing the extractor back into
its seat in the event of any obstruction causing it to project. In all these
modifications at the rear end of the breech, the nipple through which the
piston passes is inserted considerably below the upper edge of the recess or
hood E2, thus leaving a part of the recess or hood E2 free for the striking part
of the hammer to enter (which it cannot do until the breech is perfectly
closed), thereby affording an additional and secure bolting of the breech before
the instant of ignition, or in place of forming a complete hood or recess Eas
shown, a projection at the back and below the nipple will answer the same
purpose. In place of forming the retaining and upthrowing springs in one
piece as shown in the several modifications, they may be made of two separate
and distinct pieces, which may be fixed to the breech piece C by one and the
same screw, or otherwise as required. In place of fixing the lifting bar g to
the exterior of the lock plate as herein-before described, it may be fixed to
the interior of the same plate, in which case it would be acted upon by the
tumbler of the lock, or the bar 9 may be so formed that a part of it should
project through a slot formed in the lock plate, which would be acted upon by
the toe or spurf as in the preceding modifications as well as the succeeding.
In place of forming the lever K³ for actuating the extractor as shown in
reference to the second modification on the second Sheet of Drawings, I
sometimes form the trigger guard in one piece with the lever, thereby dis-
pensing with the ordinary trigger guard, so that on applying the hand or
finger to that part of the lever constituting the trigger guard, the lever is
depressed, and the extractor actuated as described and shown in reference to
the second modification. A catch is formed at the back end of the trigger
guard by which it may be held up into position as an ordinary trigger guard,
the catch holding in or on to a piece of metal attached to the stock to retain
it. I sometimes dispense with the use of springs for bringing back the
extractor flush with the barrel, in which case the extractor is pulled back by
band.
At Sheet 3 is shown another mode in which some of the details of my

page_text: improvements may be carried into effect; these however principally consisting
in the form of and means by which the extractor is actuated. The form of the
extractor bar K will be best gathered from an inspection of the longitudinal
section Figure 1. At the rear end of the bar K the piece 1 is fixed, to which
is secured the piece of wood, ebonite, gutta percha, or other material marked 2,
so that on applying the hand to the piece 2 the extractor is sent forward. A
frame 3 is placed for the metallic projection 1 to slide in; it is held in place by
the screw 4, and its front end is held by entering recesses 5 formed in the
ironwork by which the lock is attached to the stock. In other respects this
modification is similar to the second, and therefore need not be herein further
referred to, except in explaining that Figure 2 is a side elevation, and Figure 3
a plan corresponding to Figure 1, Figures 4 and 5 being detail views corre-
sponding to those on the preceding Sheet of Drawings. In this modification
as well as that shown on Sheet 2 a hollow recess X is made in the stock, so
that a spent cartridge may be completely extracted, and will at once fall away;
this recess also facilitates the introduction of cartridges of any length.
In connection with this Invention I employ a substitute for the ordinary
blank cartridge employed in drill for soldiers; it consists of a framework or
case which fits into the chamber like an ordinary cartridge, and in the centre
of which is placed a bar or piston acted upon by a spring, so that the piston
in the breech piece may strike against it; in this way the wasting of gunpowder
as at present incurred by the firing of blank cartridge is prevented, and injury
is prevented being done to the striking part of the hammer if snapped with an
empty chamber. It is to be understood that under this Invention ordinary
muzzle-loaders may be converted into breech-loaders.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that what I consider 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 construction of breech-loading fire-arms
as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Second, the retaining spring for holding down as well as the upthrowing
spring for opening up the breech piece as herein-before described, or any mere
modification thereof.
Third, the use and application of a bolt as well as the means for actuating
the same for the purpose of starting the breech piece from its seat as herein.
before described, or any mere modification thereof.

page_text: Fourth, the several arrangements and constructions of extractor, as
herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Fifth, the projection beneath the breech piece for forcing the cartridge
as well as the extractor completely into the chamber as herein-before described,
or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
ST. JOHN VINCENT DAY, C.E.,
Patent Offices,
166, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow.
ALEXANDER HENRY. (L.s.)