Improvements in the Safety Mechanism of Double Barrel Drop Down Guns and Rifles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Safety Mechanism of Double Barrel Drop Down
Guns and Rifles.
We, FREDERICK JAMES PENN, of No. 117, Linwood Road, Handsworth, in
the County of Stafford, Gun Action Maker, and JOHN DEELEY, of No. 82, High
Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in the
safety mechanism of double barrel drop down guns and rifles whether operated
by a single trigger, or by two triggers in the ordinary way, by which improve-
ments the automatic action of the said safety mechanism is effected.
We will describe our invention, first, in connection with the safety mechanism
of a double barrel gun or rifle operated by a single trigger.
When
At the rear or tail end of the sear of the left-hand or second operated
hammer we arrange a sliding sear locking bolt the said sliding bolt being fitted
and sliding in a slot in the trigger plate or in a separate piece or box fitted to
the trigger plate so as to permit of easy detachment. The said sliding bolt
when in its forward position overhangs a projection on the tail end of the second
sear and thereby prevents the accidental lifting of the said second sear.
the said sliding bolt is in its backward or normal position it is situated behind
and clear of the second sear. The sliding bolt is operated or pushed into its
forward position on the raising of the trigger for the discharge of the first
hammer by an inclined or backwardly extending arm in one piece with the
trigger blade or made separate therefrom and fitted or jointed thereto which
inclined or backwardly extending arm occupies an inclined slot in one side of
the sliding bolt. By the raising of the trigger the inclined or backwardly ex-
tending arm rising in the slot of the sliding bolt the said bolt is urged into its
forward position and on the release of the trigger the inclined or backwardly
extending arm assuming its normal position urges the sliding bolt into its
backward or normal position. On the raising of the trigger for the discharge
of the second or left hand hammer the acting part of the trigger blade which
is now under the second sear lifts the said sear the sliding bolt on its forward
movement passing under the raised sear. In this way the discharge of the
second hammer is permitted.
Where the gun is provided with mechanism by which either the right hand
hammer or the left hand hammer may be discharged first, at the will of the
person using the gun, we provide the tail end of each sear with a projection and
we make the sliding sear locking bolt of such a width that on its forward
motion, effected by the trigger as hereinbefore described, the said sliding bolt
overhangs the projection of the sear of the undischarged hammer and thereby
locks the said sear, the part of the sliding bolt behind the sear of the discharged
hammer passing under the tail end of the raised sear of that hammer.
We wish it to be understood that by altering the position of the inclined arm

page_text: on the trigger blade and reversing the position of the sliding bolt the second
sear may be locked on the backward motion of the sliding bolt instead of on the
forward motion the forward position of the said sliding bolt in this case being
its normal or non-operative position. Further the sliding bolt may be fitted
on the tail end of the sear and bolt on or take into a recess formed in the trigger
plate.
According to a modification of our invention the sliding bolt may be fitted in
the trigger box of the gun (or other convenient place) and may be made to
bolt the second hammer instead of the sear of the said second hammer.
Another modification of our invention applicable to single trigger mechanism
of the kind described, represented and claimed in the Complete Specification of
Letters Patent granted to us No. 21346 year 1895, consists in fitting a pivoted
piece to, and at or about the middle of, each sear so that the forward movement
of the sear sliding piece described and represented in the specification of the said
patent will come into contact with studs on the pivoted piece and so move it
as to bolt the sear by engaging under and in a slot in the trigger box.
In applying our first described improvements to double barrel guns and rifles
of the ordinary construction, that is, guns and rifles provided with two triggers,
the inclined sfot in the sliding bolt is made of a width proper to admit of the
inclined projections of both triggers working therein, the sliding bolt being of
a width proper to permit it to engage with either of the sears.
In this case
we prefer to return the sliding bolt into its normal position by a spring.
Further the sliding bolt may be made in two parts one sliding above the
other so that the right hand trigger will pull one part of the sliding bolt over
the left hand sear and the left hand trigger will pull the other part of the sliding
bolt over the right hand sear. In this arrangement a spring for effecting the
return of the sliding bolt may be dispensed with.
Dated this Fifth day of February 1898.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicants:
Improvements in the Safety Mechanism of Double Barrel Drop Down
Guns and Rifles.
We, FREDERICK JAMES PENN, of No. 117, Linwood Road, Handsworth, in
the County of Stafford, Gun Action Maker, and JOHN DEELEY, of No. 82, High.
Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Our invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in the
safety mechanism of double barrel drop down guns and rifles whether operated
by a single trigger, or by two triggers in the ordinary way; by which improve-
ments the automatic action of the said safety mechanism is effected.
We will describe our invention, first, in connection with the safety mechanism
of a double barrel gun or rifle operated by a single trigger.
At the rear or tail end of the sear of the left hand or second operated
hammer we arrange a sliding sear locking bolt the said sliding bolt being fitted
and sliding in a slot in the trigger plate or in a separate piece or box fitted to

page_text: When
the trigger plate so as to permit of easy detachment. The said sliding bolt
when in its forward position overhangs a projection on the tail end of the second
sear and thereby prevents the accidental lifting of the said second sear.
the said sliding bolt is in its backward or normal position it is situated behind
and clear of the second sear. The sliding bolt is operated or pushed into its
forward position on the raising of the trigger for the discharge of the first
hammer by an inclined or backwardly extending arm in one piece with the
trigger blade or made separate therefrom and fitted or jointed thereto which
inclined or backwardly extending arm occupies an inclined slot in one side of
the sliding bolt. By the raising of the trigger the inclined or backwardly ex-
tending arm rising in the slot of the sliding bolt the said bolt is urged into its
forward position and on the release of the trigger the inclined or backwardly
extending arm assuming its normal position urges the sliding bolt into its
backward or normal position. On the raising of the trigger for the discharge
of the second or left hand hammer the acting part of the trigger blade which
is now under the second sear lifts the said sear the sliding bolt on its forward
movement passing under the raised sear. In this way the discharge of the
second hammer is permitted.
Where the gun is provided with mechanism by which either the right hand
hammer or the left hand hammer may be discharged first, at the will of the
person using the gun, we provide the tail end of each sear with a projection and
we make the sliding sear locking bolt of such a width that on its forward
motion, effected by the trigger as hereinbefore described the said sliding bolt
overhangs the projection of the sear of the undischarged hammer and thereby
locks the said sear the part of the sliding bolt behind the sear of the discharged
hammer passing under the tail end of the raised sear of that hammer.
Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings represent portions of the lock
mechanism of a single trigger double barrel gun containing our improvements.
We will first describe the arrangement Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 which is for
effecting the locking of the left hand sear on the firing of the right hand barrel
of the gun. Figure 1 represents the said arrangement in side elevation with
the trigger in its raised position and the sear of the second hammer locked by
the advance of the sliding locking bolt; Figure 2 is a plan of the same and
Figures 3 and 4 represent portions of the same detached.
a is a projection at the tail end of the left hand sear a and b is the sliding
bolt by the engagement of which with the projection a² of the left hand sear
the locking of the said sear is effected. The said sliding bolt b works in a box c
on the trigger plate d being moved in its forward and backward motion by a
backwardly extending arm of the trigger e (see the separate view of the
trigger Figure 3) engaging in a slot 6 in the inner side of the sliding bolt b
(see the detached view of the sliding bolt and its box Figure 4).
On the lifting of the trigger e for the discharge of the right hand barrel of
the gun the backwardly extending arm e² of the said trigger e rising in the
slot of the sear locking bolt b effects the forward motion of the said sliding
bolt as is represented in Figures 1 and 2 the arm e on its rising motion acting
on the projection 2 constituting the front wall of the slot band on its descent
acting on the projection constituting the rear wall of the said slot b¹. On
the release of the trigger its descent causes the backward motion of the slide b
and the consequent unlocking of the sear which may be raised on the next
lifting of the trigger.
In Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 we have represented the arrangement last
described modified to suit guns in which the right or left hand hammer may
be discharged first at the will of the person using the gun.
Figure 5 is a side elevation the parts being in their normal position; Figures 6
and 7 represent in side elevation and plan respectively' the mechanism after the
raising of the trigger for the discharge of the right hand hammer, and Figures S
and 9 are similar views the parts being in the respective positions which they

page_text: occupy after the raising of the trigger for the discharge of the left hand
hammer. Figure. 10 is a cross section on the line, Figure 7.
In these figures the right and left hand sears are marked respectively A, B.
Each sear A, B is provided with a projection A2 B2 and the sliding bolt is
of a width proper to extend nearly from side to side of the trigger plate d. The
sliding bolt b in this case works in a dovetail slide on the trigger plate & as
will be understood by an examination of the cross section Figure 10.
It will be understood by an examination of the several figures that on the
lifting of the trigger e for the discharge of one hammer the sliding bolt, is
urged forward and made to overhang the projection on the tail end of the sear
of the opposite hammer and thereby effect the locking of the said sear, the
sear acted on by the trigger being lifted to such a height that the locking bolt
passes under the said operated sear.
In Figures 11 and 12 we have shown the application of this, the last described,
arrangement to a double barrel gun provided with two triggers. From the plan
Figure 12 it will be seen that the arms e², e² of each of the triggers e, e works
in a slot in the sliding bolt which sliding bolt is provided with springs f; f
to assist the return or backward motion of the sliding bolt. It will be under-
stood from an examination of the elevation Figure 11 and plan Figure 12 that
on the lifting of one of the triggers for the discharge of one of the barrels the
arm of the lifted trigger effects the pushing forward of the sliding bolt b
which engages with the projection on the tail end of the sear of the other or
undischarged hammer. The parts represented are in their unoperated or
normal positions.
Further the sliding bolt may be made in two parts one sliding above the other
so that the right hand trigger will pull one part of the sliding bolt over the
left hand sear and the left hand trigger will pull the other part of the sliding
bolt over the right hand sear. In this arrangement a spring for effecting the
return of the sliding bolt may be dispensed with.
We wish it to be understood that by altering the direction of the inclined arm e²
on the trigger blade e and altering the position of the sliding bolt the locking
of one of the sears may be effected by the backward motion of the sliding bolt
instead of by the forward motion.
This, arrangement of our invention is illustrated in longitudinal section in
Figure 13 and plan in Figure 14.
Each of the sears A, B in this arrangement carries in place of a projection
at its tail end, a sliding bolt b in a slot of which, the forward extending arm e²
of the trigger e works. On the trigger plate d is a hook shaped catch with
which one or other of the bolts 6 engages on the lifting of the trigger e.
The action of this arrangement is essentially the same as that of the arrange-
ments herein before described.
According to another modification of our invention the sliding bolt may be
fitted in the trigger box of the gun (or other convenient place) and may be made
to bolt the second hammer instead of the sear of the second hammer.
This arrangement of our invention is represented in elevation in Figure 15
and in plan in Figure 16.
The sliding bolt b is fitted and arranged to work in a slot in the body of
the gun and each of the hammers g, gis provided with a projection in the
inner side of which is a slot or depression g'. When the hammers are in their
cocked position the slots glare presented to the extreme or acting ends 62, 62 of
the bolt b. The bolt is moved in its backward and forward motion so as to
cause one or other of the acting ends 62 to engage with or disengage from the
slot g of the unoperated hammer g on the lifting of the trigger e by a lever h
in a depression in which a projection e¹ on the trigger e engages. On the lifting
of the trigger e to discharge one of the hammers g the lever is turned in
the direction of the arrow in Figure 15 and moving the sliding bolt b. forward

page_text: one of its ends & engages in the slot g of the undischarged hammer g the said
sliding bolt b thereby effecting the locking of that hammer. On the release
of the trigger e the lever is turned in the opposite direction to that indicated
and the disengagement of the bolt with the cocked hammer is effected so that
on the next discharge of the gun the hammer is free to move.
Another modification of our invention specially applicable to single trigger
mechanism of the kind described, represented and claimed in the Complete
Specification of Letters Patent granted to us No. 21346 year 1895 consists in
fitting a pivotted piece to, and at or about the middle of, each sear so that the
forward movement of the sear sliding piece described and represented in the
specification of the said patent will come into contact with studs on the pivoted
piece and so move it as to bolt the sear by engaging under and in a slot in the
trigger box.
This arrangement of our invention is represented in elevation in Figure 17
and in plan in Figure 18.
, are the pivoted pieces or horizontal levers turning on the sears A, B
respectively. The parts are so arranged that when both hammers are cocked
the pivoted piece or lever 2 of the sear B engages in a notch or slot d³ in the
trigger box the rear end of the said lever bearing against the pin or
projection of the sliding piece of the right hand sear A thereby locking
the left hand sear B. On the raising of the right hand sear A for the discharge
of the right hand hammer the pin or projection of the sliding piece k¹ of
the right hand sear A is removed from its bearing against the rear end of the
lever and the said lever is turned by the action of a spring (not shown) in
the direction proper to effect the withdrawal of its front end from the notch or
slot in the trigger box d. On the release of the trigger e and forward motion
of the sliding piece of the sear B the pin or projection coming in contact
with the rear end of the lever effects the turning of the said lever in the
direction proper for effecting the engagement of its front end with the notch
or slot in the trigger box . Hence it will be understood that the pivoted
piece or horizontal lever of that sear which is for the time being not over the
acting part of the trigger is in engagement with the notch or slot
the trigger box and consequently the said. sear is locked.
of
Although we have only described and represented the application of one of
the arrangements of our invention to a double barrel gun operated by two
triggers yet we wish it to be understood that with but slight changes all of the
said arrangements are applicable to double barrel guns operated by two triggers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim as our
invention of "Improvements in the safety mechanism of double barrel drop down
guns and rifles":
First: The construction and arrangements or combinations of parts herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 both inclusive of the accom-
panying drawings, the said construction and arrangements of parts consisting
in providing the tail end of the second or right hand sear, or both the right
and left hand sears, with a projection or projections and arranging a sliding
bolt at the rear of the said projection or projections which said sliding bolt is
capable of engaging therewith, the said sliding bolt being made to engage the
said projection, or one or other of the said projections where both sears are
provided with projections, by a backwardly projecting arm on the trigger which
arm works in a slot in the sliding bolt substantially as herein before described
and illustrated.
Secondly-The modification or arrangement of parts herein before described
with reference to Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings the said
modification consisting in arranging a sliding bolt on each sear and providing

page_text: the trigger plate with hook shaped projections the arm on the trigger, on the
raising of the trigger, moving the bolts backwards and thereby causing the bolt
of the sear which has not been acted upon to engage with its hook shaped pro-
jection and thereby lock the sear of the undischarged hammer substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated.
Thirdly; The modification or arrangement of parts hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings in which
the sliding bolt is made to engage with one or other of the cocked hammers on
the lifting of the trigger, the sliding bolt being operated by a lever actuated
by a projection on the trigger substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
Fourthly; The modification or arrangement of parts hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings in which
pivoted pieces are arranged on the sears which pivoted pieces are capable of
engaging in a notch or slot in the trigger box the disengagement of one pivoted
piece from the slot and the engagement of the other pivoted piece with the
slot being effected on the lifting of the trigger substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated.
Dated the Seventh day of October 1898
FREDERICK JAMES PENN.
JOHN DEELEY.