Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1891-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
LOUIS FERDINAND TAVERNIER of 17 Portsea Place Connaught Square W.
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A repeating fire arm consisting
1st. Of a case, flat or otherwise, which can be either square, rectangular, circular
or of any other shape on plan, and of a size that may be found most convenient,
made of steel, iron, or other suitable material, one side of the said case being firmly
fixed to the frame or edge either by being stamped out of one piece, or secured
together by rivets, bolts or other means, the other side being removeable, so that
the battery can be taken out for loading, and the interior examined and cleaned.
By adoption of another principle to my invention, expended cartridges can be
thrown out, and loaded ones inserted without removing either the battery or side of
case.
2nd. Of a folding butt end, at the part opposite to where the tube or barrel is,
this folding end when down serving as a secure handle by which the fire arm can be
held when ready for discharging, this butt end consists of two side pieces, hinging
on a pin or pins passing through the sides of the case, or by other suitable meaus,
when not required for service the butt end folds over the sides of the case, and the
trigger which is hinged in two places is closed up and prevented from being by any
means accidentally pulled, by the edge forming the back of the folding butt end,
thus enabling the smaller arms to be safely carried in the pocket; my improved
folding butt end or handle can be made applicable to other classes of repeating fire
arms and revolvers, so that when folded underneath, the total length is decreased,
the trigger fully protected, and is made more convenient for carrying.
3rd. The application of an endless chain having a special arrangement, for carrying
cartridges forming a battery, in combination with an inside moveable barrel, which
by its action on pulling the trigger each cartridge is absolutely covered as it is in
position, so that all escape of gas into the interior of the case, as well as fouling, is
prevented at the moment of discharge, at the same time increasing the force of the
projectile, at each pull of the trigger one cartridge is discharged, the reaction
bringing another into position for firing.
14th October 1890.
HENRY J. COOKE,
13, Victoria Street, S.W.
For Louis F. Tavernier.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
LOUIS FERDINAND TAVERNIER of 17 Portsea Place, Connaught Square, W.
Gentleman 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 :-
A repeating fire arm with folding moveable handle or butt end which when
closed forms a safety guard over a hair or ordinary trigger, consisting
1st. Of a case, flat or otherwise, which can be either square, rectangular, circular
or of any other shape on plan and of a size that may be most convenient, made of
steel iron or other suitable material, one side of the said case being firmly fixed to
the frame or edge either by being stamped out in one piece or secured together by
TD 077

page_text: bolts, rivets or other means, the other side being removeable, or opened by a spring
or other means so that the battery can be taken out for loading and the working
parts examined and cleaned.
By the adoption of another principle that I propose and which is applicable to
my invention, the expended cartridges may be thrown out without removing either
the battery or side of case.
2nd. Of a folding butt end at the part opposite to where the discharging tube or
barrel is, this folding end when down serving as a handle by which the fire arm is
held ready for firing and consists of two side pieces secured when in position for
firing by a spring pin which passes through a projecting piece on the upper part of
the case, or by other suitable means; when not required for service the spring pin
is pressed so that the butt end is released, and folded over the sides, at the same
time closing the trigger underneath which is so jointed as to close up, thereby
preventing the fire arm from being by any means accidentally discharged, thus
enabling the smaller sized fire arms made on my principle to be carried with safety
in the pocket.
My improved folding butt end or handle can be made applicable to other classes
of fire arms, and revolvers, so that when folded over or underneath the total length
is shortened, the trigger being fully protected and at the same time more convenient
for carrying.
In the larger class of fire arms made on my principle the butt end, can be made
solid, fixed to case, and not to fold, having a chamber or tube through which the
expended cartridges can be thrown out.
3rd. The application of an endless chain or carrier having a special arrangement
for holding and carrying the cartridges, thus forming a battery; as each cartridge
is successively brought into position for firing it is at the same moment so covered
by the sliding barrel that all escape of gas into the interior of the case as well as of
fouling is prevented at the moment of discharge; by this means also the initial
force of the projectile is increased.
By the action of pulling the trigger, one cartridge is discharged, the reaction
causing the sliding barrel to take its normal position again.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed to
describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the several figures on the
annexed two sheets of drawings, the same letters and numerals of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all figures, which in all cases are drawn full size.
Fig. 1 shews the small fire arm with folding butt end, folded over so as to
enable its being carried with safety in the pocket.
Fig. 2 under plan of same shewing the trigger protected.
Fig. 3 firearm with one side of case removed so that the working parts
may be seen, the folded butt end being down in position for holding.
Fig. 4 cartridge carrier on endless chain or belt, with details, as section,
plan, & underplan.
Fig. 5 sectional plan on line A B Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 larger sized fire arm with side plate removed, shewing details of
working parts, with butt end fixed and not folding.
On filling the several short tubes on the endless chain or belt, the tops of
which are bevilled as at f¹, with the necessary loaded cartridges, it is placed
in position in the case, one tube being in line with the barrel, the moveable
side of the case d is then closed, and the pistol ready for service; in the
smaller fire arms the folded butt end c being down as shewn in Fig. 3, thereby
allowing the trigger to fall down. By pressing the trigger i, the lever m
which works the sliding tube or inner barrel y, through the lower end of the
curved lever o and connecting coupling is drawn back, so that the cartridge
which is in a line with the barrel, is thereby covered by the end of the sliding
tube, and kept in position by the catch n, at the same moment, the buffer springs
on the guide rods t, t, are compressed forcing the needle of the striking hammer
against the detonating end of the cartridge, thus exploding it; the shape of

page_text: the bar working the striking hammer is immaterial either straight as l in Fig. 3
or curved.
On releasing the trigger i the bar j connected to the top end of trigger forces
round the square q, over which the cartridge carrier. f passes, by means of the
ratchet p, by this the case with the exploded cartridge is carried under and
the next tube or case, with loaded cartridge takes its place in line with the
barrel ready for firing, the sliding barrel or tube taking its normal position, till
the trigger is again pressed; the same process being repeated till all the
cartridges have been fired; the cartridge carrier containing the empty cases can
then be taken out and refilled, or replaced by another carrier with loaded
cartridges.
The plates rands are for the support of the guide rods tt and in case of the
larger fire arms, a small loosely fitting spring block (Fig. 6) shewn in dotted lines
is inserted, for the purpose of keeping the cartridge carrier in tension, so that it
should not work loose and slip. This can also be done independent of the buffer
springs, by using detent or other suitable springs.instead.
r
In regard to the small sized pistols for the pocket, the folding butt end c, when
down ready for service is secured by means of two holes e¹ at a point by which it is
slipped over the two ends of a spring pine passing through a projecting lug on the
upper end of the case, the spring pine being pressed releases the folding butt end,
which then folds over the sides, the one part covering over and acting as a trigger
guard.
In the case of the larger fire arms the trigger may have the ordinary guard..
With these also the side of the case can be opened by means of a steel spring as
shewn at v Fig. 6, the side being hinged at the barrel end. The advantage of one
of the sides being in a moment opened, is that not only can the cartridge carriers
be easily taken out for refilling, but that all the parts are thereby easily accessible
for cleaning and examination.
Having now particularly described and ascertained my invention and in what
manner generally, the same is carried out, the details of the working parts being
subject to be altered or modified from what is shewn on the drawings on the
accompanying sheets, so as to suit the various classes of fire arms-I declare that
what I claim as my invention is
1. The folding butt end which when down serves as a handle by which the
weapon is held, when required for firing, and when folded over the sides, the lower
part acts as a guard to the trigger partially covering it, or wholly so if necessary
thereby preventing the weapon being discharged or going off accidentally when
carried in the pocket.
My application of the folding butt end can be fitted to other classes of fire arms,
at the same time I do not consider it an essential part of the larger, sized fire arms.
made on my principle.
2. The application of an endless chain of special construction on which are fixed
short tubes or barrels, which I call carriers for holding the cartridges, this endless
chain being constructed for as many carriers as may be convenient, according to
size of fire arm, and forming what may be termed a battery.
As it is intended that these endless chains with their carriers may be taken out
of the case, and replaced at pleasure, and that some may be carried loose, charged
with cartridges ready for inserting in place of those that have been expended, the
carriers ou the endless chain besides being enlarged at their bases, are fitted with
two or more small springs of sufficient clasticity to allow the cartridges to easily
pass when inserted or allow of their being as easily extracted, but at the same time
preventing their slipping out, or I insert in the recess at the base of the carriers, a
small steel spring secured at one end, and encircling the cartridge case, which
answers the same purpose.
3. The inner sliding tube which by its shape at the one end, as also by its move-
ment absolutely covers each cartridge as it is presented and when in position for

page_text: firing, so that all fouling, or escape of gas into the interior of the case is prevented,
at the same time an increased initial force is given to the projectile.
4. The application and arrangement of the several springs and levers, and working
parts generally as shewn on the accompanying drawings and described, by which
the endless chain with carriers is worked, and the cartridges successively brought
into position for firing at the same instant being covered by the sliding tube, the
said working parts being worked by one movement of the trigger.
5. The movement by which the sliding tube is brought into exact position to
cover the cartridges at the moment of firing together with the application of using
the recoil or buffer springs as a means of keeping the endless chain with the carriers
constantly in a state of tension so that there is no possibility of its slipping, the
cartridges being kept in exact position with the sliding tube at the moment of firing.
As it may not be advisable at all times to use the recoil or buffer springs for
keeping the endless chain in position, I then use a detent or other spring for the
purpose.
Dated this Seventh day of July 1891.
LOUIS FERDINAND TAVERNIER.