Improvements in Pistols and other Small-arms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pistols and other Small-arms.
I, GEORGE VINCENT FOSBERY, of 279 Vauxhall Bridge Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Colonel V.C. 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 :-
small arms of the revolver
the recoil movement of one
described in the Complete
This invention has reference to pistols, and other
type in which the breech mechanism is actuated by
part of the fire-arm relatively to the other, as
Specification of a prior application for Patent No. 15453 made by me on the
16th day of August 1895.
One of the chief objects of my present invention is to so construct and arrange
the pawl employed for operating the cartridge cylinder, that the blow which
takes place on recoil between the said pawl and the ratchet wheel on the said
cartridge cylinder, will be absorbed or cushioned by the compression of a
resilient device; the re-action of the said device causing the aforesaid pawl to
operate the cartridge cylinder.
Another object of my present invention is to provide improved means for
preventing the firing of all of the cartridges in the cartridge cylinder in rapid
succession when the trigger is once pulled.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which I have shewn my improvements applied to a
revolver."
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation with the recoiling part in its forward or firing
position.
Figure 2 is a similar view but with the recoiling part in its backward position
and the hammer fully cocked. The trigger is here shewn in the position it occupies
when pulled.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-section taken approximately on the line 1. 1
of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the hammer shewing more clearly the
construction and arrangement of the resilient device. The hammer is here shewn
in its "fired" position.
Figure 5 is a similar view but with the hammer in its "cocked" position.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively. a side elevation and plan view of the resilient
device shewn in Figures 4 and 5.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a front elevation and a central vertical section
of the hammer with a modified construction of the resilient device.
Figures 10 and 11 are similar views shewing a further modified construction
of the resilient device.
Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view shewing the trigger and parts in
immediate proximity thereto in the position they occupy when the firing sear has
just been released by the trigger.
Figure 13 is a similar view of the same parts in another position.
A is the revolving cartridge cylinder; B the barrel; C the hammer; and C¹ the
main spring. All of these parts are carried on a movable portion D that is
capable of sliding to and fro on the part Ex of the handle or stock E in a similar
manner to that described in the Complete Specification of my aforesaid prior
application for Patent.

page_text: the portion c of the hammer to move downwardly whereby the hammer is turned
about its pivot and fully cocked; and in this position it is retained by the sear I.
H is the trigger controlled by a spring h which when the said trigger is released,
keeps it in the position shewn in Figure 1.
This trigger is provided with a recess for the reception of a pin h¹ which is
normally retained in an outward position by a light spring 2. The extent to which
this spring-pin can project is limited by a transverse pin 3 passing through a slot in
the said spring-pin.
When the hammer is cocked and the trigger is pulled to discharge a cartridge the
aforesaid spring-pin h' acts on an enlargement i on the tail of the firing sear I,
thereby tripping the sear (Figure 12) and releasing the hammer. If the trigger be
not then released by the user, but be still held in the position shewn in Figure 2, the
aforesaid enlargement i on the firing sear will, as the recoiling part of the pistol
again resumes its firing position, come against the spring pin h. The sear will not
however be operated thereby, because the spring controlling the pin is, as already
stated, only a light one and therefore does not offer sufficient resistance to turn the
sear against the superior strength of the sear-spring . The parts therefore occupy
the position shewn by Figure 13 and it will be evident that so long as they are in
this position the pistol cannot be fired.
Immediately however the trigger is released and allowed to assume the position
shewn in Figure 1 the aforesaid spring-pin is again projected from its recess by its
spring and consequently if the trigger be then again pulled this spring pin will come
beneath the enlargement on the sear, as shewn at Figure 12, and fire the pistol.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the specific examples
shewn for rendering the pawl F resilient, as variations of these devices will readily
present themselves to ordinary mechanicians for effecting the object of this part of
my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a fire-arm of the kind herein before specified a resilient device or buffer
which acts in conjunction with the pawl for operating the cartridge cylinder,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
2. In a revolver the combination with the bainmer, of a pawl having a sliding pivot
controlled by a spring substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 11 and
for the purpose specified.
3. The trigger provided with a spring controlled pin which acts in conjunction
with the firing sear substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
4. The combination of the rearwardly extending arm on the hammer and a fixed
incline situated at the rear of the said arm substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
5. The oscillatory lever and its curved arm in combination with the recoil spring
situated within the stock of the fire-arm substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
6. A revolver in which the parts are constructed arranged and combined to
operate substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of June 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.