IMPROVEMENTS IN T
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of the Firm of
Robertson, Brooman, and Co., of 166, Fleet Street, in the City
of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
T
"
Sealed the 23rd November 1853, and dated the 30th May 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald
Brooman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 30th May 1853.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of the Firm of Robertson,
Brooman, and Company, of 166, Flect Street, in the City of London,
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to self-loading fire-arms. The general ap-
pearance and main features are similar to that class of repeating
arms in which the magazine is contained within the breech in tubes
arranged in a cylindrical cluster and capable of revolving, the load
being transferred to the barrel by a carrier operated by the marksman.
The improvements consist in the manner of constructing the magazine,

page_text: in transferring the loads to the barrel, and in a new description of
primer or " cap magazine." In Figure 1, the breech is in skeleton,
showing the position of the magazine tubes. Fig. 5, is a section in
continuation, the tubes being also in section, and showing the manner
of feeding the ammunition to the conveyor, together with its internal
construction. The magazine consists of several tubes a, united in a
cluster, five being the number represented as shewn in the cross
section, Figures 8, and 9. The tubes have also a long slot on the
outer side, cut about two-thirds their length from the bottom, as seen
at a', Figure 1. The tubes are held within a metal frame b, in which
they revolve upon an axis. This frame may be withdrawn from the
breech of the gun by letting down the shoulder piece c, which allows
it to be drawn out in a convenient manner to recharge the tubes. The
frame is held in place when within the breech by the narrow pieces b',
set up for slides. In the interior of cach tube is a feeder, consisting
of a spiral spring, as seen at d, Figure 5, the lower end of which is
made fast to a slider or flat ring, which encircles the whole cluster of
tubes, as seen at e, and it is by the movements of this slider along the
cluster of tubes that the charges are propelled within the cavity of
the conveyer, whence they are to be delivered into the barrel, as will
more fully appear. On the outside of the slider c, is a screw thread e',
making a single turn; this engages in the notches c¹, so that as the
tubes are revolved the slider while revolving is also carried along upon
them, and thus pushes the springs d, in the same manner.
The pitch
of the screw e', is such that in one revolution of the cluster of tubes the
slide will have been carried along a distance equal to the space occupied
by a load for the gun. Five shots are fired to each revolution of the
cluster of tubes; therefore at each load they move round one-fifth of a
revolution. To charge the magazine the tubes are taken out by
removing the frame b. The slider e, is sent down to the bottom,
and the tubes are filled with the prepared ammunition, similar to that
shewn at f. The ammunition may be crowded in, so as partially to
compress the springs d. To accomplish this, the cluster of tubes them-
selves may be drawn a short distance out of the frame b, the ring e,
remaining at the bottom, and this removes the springs still further

page_text: down; this done, the magazine is put back again. The extreme ends
of the tubes strike against the abutment, as seen in Figure 5, before
the frame b, is fully within the breech. The pushing of this along
causes the cluster of tubes to pass through the ring e, until their ends
reach the end of the frame b, and thus produce a compression of the
springs by making the distance between their ends resting against the
shot and the ring less than before. This done, the magazine is put
back again, and the charges are then ready for transmission to the
barrel, which operation is accomplished by the parts now to be de-
scribed. At g,
is the conveyer. This is a cylindrical piece of metal
fitting with a close joint in a circular hole cut transversely through the
head of the breech piece, just behind the place where the barrel is
attached. To keep it in place, a groove g', Figure 7, cut round as
shown, has the point of a screw h, Figure 2, set down through the
breech, entering it for that purpose. There is another irregularly
shaped groove ', which connects with the cap primer hereafter de-
scribed. A circular cavity is cut in the circumference between the
two grooves deep enough to receive the charge, and shewn at i, Figures
5, and 6. In Figure 5, it is shewn in the position to receive the charge
and ready to convey it to the barrel. At the bottom of the cavity there is a
steel point, near the letter i, Figure 6, the object of which is to puncture
a hole in the paper cap covering the powder in the ammunition, in the
manner shewn in Figure 5. This is accomplished the moment the
cavity i, comes round opposite the mouth of a tube, for then the force
of the spring d, sends the ammunition in (the powder end being first)
with suflicient force to make the hole, as shewn. Within the cavity
there is a follower, which is capable of being moved back and forth by
its connection with a slide k, moving in a channel cut in the conveyer
alongside of the cavity. The follower has also a hole in its centre to
permit the punch to stick through, as seen in Figure 5. It is designed,
bowever, in certain cases to fix this point upon the centre of the
follower, especially where the bore of the gun is less than that of the
cavity, for then it will require some force to send the charge in, and
the point in being withdrawn would not to be able to draw it back by
reason of the adhesion to the side of the barrel. It will now be seen,

page_text: that it is by means of this follower that the charge is ejected from the
chamber into the barrel of the gun. This movement, as well as the
movements requisite for turning the conveyer, and also rotating the
magazine tubes, is accomplished by a handle or lever attached to the
conveyer, and shewn at 7, in the several Figures. The inner end of the
lever is attached by a link to the slide k, holding the follower i, as seen
in Figure 6, wherein is also shewn the manner of moving it back and
forth. m, is the nipple for holding the percussion cap this has a
crooked touch hole, leading round so as to come out at the circum-
ference opposite to the hole in the charge when the latter is properly
within the barrel: it is seen at m', Figure 7. This part of the con-
veyer then forms the solid breech plate to receive the reacting shock
at the moment of firing. At n, is a projection or stud, fast to the con-
veyer, and which strikes against a slide connecting with the magazine
tubes at a certain part of the revolution, and moves the latter onward
the proper distance at each time of loading. The slide referred to
is at o, and it is immediately opposite to the spot where the tubes
end on the inside of the breech. The slide is kept in place by
working in a groove cut in the metal of the breech. On its under
side a spring pawl, seen partly in dotted lines in Figure 8, passes
through and presses upon a ratchet of five teeth cut on the ring en-
closing the ends of the magazine tubes, as seen in the last-nained
Figure; the revolution, therefore, of the conveyer in one direction brings
the stud n, so as to strike upon the under side of the projection o", on the
slide, and to move the latter up; this again, through the action of the
pawl, pushes round (a stop interfering to prevent too much motion) the
cylinder of tubes to the given distance at the moment the cavity i, has
come opposite to the hole in the breech leading to a tube, and, as before
mentioned, a charge is then sent in by the force of the spring. In
Figures 2, and 3, the conveyer is in the position to a receive a load, the
lever 1, being parallel with the side of the gun, and lying in its rest .
To carry the load to the barrel the lever must be raised and pushed
forward, thus turning the conveyer in its socket until the cavity i
comes opposite to the chamber connecting with the barrel at p, Figure 5.
During the progress of the conveyer around, the stud n, is brought to

page_text: strike the projection o", on the slide, and thus turn the cluster of tubes
so as to bring the next one opposite the hole in the breech, ready for
depositing the charge in the cavity on its return. To send the charge
to the barrel it is only necessary to throw the lever 1, out, so that it
will stand at right angles to the side of the gun, as shewn in the dotted
lines, Figure 2, and in the detached view, Figure 6, in which latter
Figure the position of the follower ', is shewn to be by that movement
at the mouth of the cavity, and of course has ejected the load into the
barrel of the gun. The next movement is to bring the lever back
parallel to the side of the gun, and reverse it as before, to receive
another charge. In the act of reversing, the lever strikes upon the
upper side of the projection o¹, on the slide o, and sends that down to
its first position, that the point of the pawl o¹, may enter the next
notch in the ratchet, on the end of the cylinder of tubes. Figure 9,
shows a modification for the slide o this consists of a metal ring,
passing round the ends of the tubes freely, so as to allow of the play
of a pawl between a projection through the side of the breech, allowing
for the action of the lever 7, and stud n, the same as in the former
instrument. I now pass to the opposite side of the gun, to describe
the priming and the method of firing the load. The primer or cap
magazine consists of a long and narrow metal case of a square form
in the transverse section, the interior of which is of sufficient size to
receive a cap. The case is shewn at 1, Figures 1, and 2, partly in
section. The caps are put in with their open ends downward, and form
a single row, as seen at 71. The magazine is large enough to hold as
many caps as there are charges in the breech, or even more, to allow
for false ones. They are fed down toward the mouth, and kept in
position to be taken on the nipple one after the other by the move-
ments of a slide placed upon the cap case, and connected to a spring
follower on the inside by a slot along the side similar to the slide of a
pencil case. The slide and its interior spring follower are seen at s.
The manner in which the slide is made to traverse from one end to the
other is by the action of two sets of ratchets and spring pawls, the
latter connected with the slide. One of the ratchets is fixed, and may
be cut on the side of the barrel, as seen at t; the other is upon the

page_text: surface of the cap case r, at t. The slide has a pawl at u, taking into
the ratchet t, upon the barrel, and another at ¹, taking into the
ratchett. To produce the required movement in the slide the case
must itself have a movement of its own; this it has, being a series of
short vibrations back and forth, parallel with the barrel, each vibration
being to a distance equal to the space occupied by a cap within it. Let
the cap case be pushed along toward the letter w, on the shield. The
slide would be carried along with it were it not for the pawl u, bearing
against the ratchet t.
This keeps it in place, and accordingly the case
slips through. Now on allowing the case to come back again, the slide
would be brought back with it, were it not for the pawl u, engaging in
the ratchet t. Thus, the two pawls work alternately in the ratchets, the
one to hold it in place when the case is pushed back, and the other to
bring it forward again on its return for a new hold, and thus the
follower is kept urging out the caps at the proper. I
times for their
delivery. The cap case is supported at the end near the nipple by
passing through a hole or box a, fitted to hold it, and at the other end
by a rod, on which there is a recoil spring passing through holes in two
ears of a plate, as seen at a¹; this plate may be detachable from the
gun barrel, and by this means the cap case can be taken off, since the
opposite end can be readily drawn out of the strap holding it. The
manner of producing the movements of the case at the proper time
for feeding the cap to the nipple is thus-By the description of the
manner of forcing the caps along by the slide it is evident there is a
continuous pressure by the spring follower upon them, tending to push
them out at the open end. To prevent this there is a slender spring,
as seen at y. The end is bent round so as to partially close the mouth;
it also stands off from the end of the case the distance of the diameter
of a cap, as in the usual cap primer. There is always a cap held here,
and kept from falling out by mere pressure of the follower spring
acting against the mass. The end of the cap magazine is kept a short
distance away from the range of the nipple as it sweeps round with
the conveyer; but by means of a delicate lever working in the inside
the cap case is allowed to slide forward, and bring the spring end y,
directly in the way of the nipple, as the conveyer is being turned back

page_text: after having placed its charge in the barrel; the open end of a cap is
therefore held, as it were, in suspension directly over it, so that the
point enters and takes the cap on in the same manner as if it were
placed there by the fingers. The moment this occurs, as the nipple
moves on, the same lever which permitted the case to come forward
now pushes it back, the spring y, opening to let the cap out, while
another is forced immediately into the place. The manner in which
this is performed is as follows:-In Figure 10, is a view of the pieces
for regulating and effecting the movements of the cap case. This
consists of a lever or finger, attached to a small shaft; on the opposite
end of which is another lever or finger, containing a roller 2¹. This piece
lies under the forward part of the conveyer, and cross-wise of the gun,
as seen in dotted lines, Figures 1, and 2. The point of the finger *,
comes up and plays against a stud on the back of the cap case, as seen in
Figures 1, and 2, so that its vibrations effect the pushing back of the cap
case; the roller in the opposite end plays in a groove h¹, before named, in
the conveyer, as seen more clearly in Figure 4. In a proper place in this
groove is a recess, which allows the roller to fall back; and this permits
the finger, also to move; and thus the cap case slides back, being
pushed by its spring at a¹, and feeds a cap upon the nipple. The roller,
as the conveyer goes on, rides out of the recess, and, moving the finger =,
causes the case to be pushed back again, relieved of a cap, as before
described, and also moving the slide s, in the manner heretofore stated.
As the conveyor is carried onward the nipple goes up and terminates under
the head of the head of the hammer, pressing so hard against that as to
set it back and allow it to rest wholly upon the nipple. This effects the
proper pushing down of the cap upon the nipple, and also holds it on.
The load may now be fired by cocking and pulling the trigger in the
usual manner. To clean off shells of the exploded caps from the nipple
the inner edge of the hammer is roughened or rasped, as shewn g'; thus,
while the nipple is retreating by the revolution of the conveyer g, it is
scraped against this rasp, inasmuch as the hammer follows the nipple a
short distance, which motion brings the rasped part in contact with the
nipple, thus taking hold of the shell and throwing it off.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal
Patent Office, on the 30th November 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I
RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of the firm of Robertson, Brooman, and
Company, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special
licence that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Richard
Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree 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," (being a commu-
nication from abroad), upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Richard Archibald Brooman, 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 Richard Archibald Brooman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:
This Invention relates to self-loading fire-arms. In their general
appearance and main features the fire-arms constructed according to
this Invention are similar to that class of repeating arms in which

page_text: the magazine is contained within the breech, in tubes arranged in a
cylindrical cluster, and capable of revolving, the load being transferred
to the barrel by a carrier operated by the marksman. The improve-
ments now introduced consist in the manner of constructing the
magazine, in transferring the loads to the barrel, and in a new
description of primer or "cap magazine." The several Figures of the
annexed Drawings represent the improvements. In Figure 1, the
breech is in skeleton, showing the position of the magazine tubes.
Figure 5, is a section in continuation, the tubes being also in section,
and shewing the manner of feeding the ammunition to the conveyer,
together with its internal construction. The magazine consists of
several tubes a, united in a cluster, five being the number represented
as shewn in the cross section, Figures 8, and 9. The tubes have also a
long slot on the outer side, cut about two thirds their length from the
bottom, as seen at a', Figure 1. The tubes are held within a metal
frame b, in which they revolve upon an axis. This frame may be with-
drawn from the breech of the gun by letting down the shoulder piece c,
which allows it to be drawn out in a convenient manner for recharging
the tubes. The frame is held in place when within the breech by the
narrow pieces ', set up for slides. In the interior of each tube is a
feeder, consisting of a spiral spring, seen at d, Figure 5, the lower end
of which is made fast to a slider or flat ring which encircles the whole
cluster of tubes, as seen at e; and it is by the movements of this slider
along the cluster of tubes that the charges are propelled within the
cavity of the conveyer, whence they are to be delivered into the barrel,
as will more fully appear.
On the outside of the slider e, is a screw
thread e, making a single turn: this engages in the notches c', so that
as the tubes are caused to revolve, the slider, while revolving, is also
carried along upon them, and thus pushes the springs d, in the same
manner. The pitch of the screw e', is such that in one revolution of
the cluster of tubes the slide will have been carried along a distance
equal to the space occupied by a load for the gun. Five shots are fired
to each revolution of the cluster of tubes; therefore, at each load they
move round one fifth of a revolution. To charge the magazine the
tubes are taken out by removing the frame b. The slider e, is sent down

page_text: to the bottom, and the tubes are filled with the prepared ammunition,
similar to that shewn at f. The aminunition may be crowded in, so as
partially to compress the springs d. To accomplish this the cluster of
tubes themselves may be drawn a short distance out of the frame b, the
ring e, remaining at the bottom, and this removes the springs still fur-
ther down; this done, the magazine is put back again. The extreme
ends of the tubes strike against the abutment, as seen in Figure 5,
before the frame b, is fully within the breech. The pushing of this
along causes the cluster of tubes to pass through the ring e, until their
ends reach the end of the frame b, and thus produce a compression
of the springs by making the distance between their ends resting
against the shot and the ring less than before. This donc, the
magazine is put back again, and the charges are then ready for trans-
mission to the barrel, which operation is accomplished by the parts
now to be described. 9, is the conveyer. This is a cylindrical piece
of metal, fitting with a close joint in a circular hole cut transversely
through the head of the breech piece, just behind the place where
the barrel is attached. To keep it in place a groove y', Figure 7,
(cut round as shewn) has the point of a screw h, Figure 2, set
down through the breech, entering it for that purpose. There is
another irregularly shaped groove at h', which connects with the
eap primer hereafter described. A circular cavity is cut in the cir-
cumference between the two grooves deep enough to receive the
charge, as shewn at i, Figures 5, and 6. In Figure 5, it is shewn in
the position to receive the charge, and ready to convey it to the barrel.
At the bottom of the cavity there is a steel point near i, Figure 6, the
object of which is to puncture a hole in the paper cap covering the
powder in the ammunition, in the manner shewn in Figure 5. This
is accomplished the moment the cavity i, comes round opposite the
mouth of a tube, for then the force of the spring d, sends the ammu-
nition in (the powder end being first) with sufficient force to make the
hole, as shewn. Within the cavity there is a follower, which is capable
of being moved backwards and forwards by its connection with a slide
k, moving in a channel cut in the conveyer alongside of the cavity,
The follower has also a hole in its centre to permit the punch to stick

page_text: through, as seen in Figure 5. It is designed, however, in certain
cases, to fix this point upon the centre of the follower, especially where
the bore of the gun is less than that of the cavity, for then it will
require some force to send the charge in, and the point, in being with-
drawn, would not be able to draw it back by reason of the adhesion to
the side of the barrel. It will now be seen that it is by means of this
follower that the charge is ejected from the chamber into the barrel of
the gun. This movement, as well as the movements requisite for turn-
ing the conveyer, and also rotating the magazine tubes, is accomplished
by a handle or lever attached to the conveyer, and shewn at 7, in the
several Figures. The inner end of the lever is attached by a link to
the slide k, holding the follower ', as scen in Figure 6, wherein is
also shewn the manner of moving it backwards and forwards. m, is
the nipple for holding the percussion cap this has a crooked touch-
hole, leading round so as to come out at the circumference opposite to
the bole in the charge when the latter is properly within the barrel:
it is seen at m', Figure 7. This part of the conveyer then forms the
solid breech plate to receive the reacting shock at the moment of
firing., is a projection or stud, which is fastened to the conveyer,
and which strikes against a slide connecting with the magazine tubes
at a certain part of the revolution, and moves the latter onward the
proper distance at each time of loading. The slide referred to is shewn
at o, and it is immediately opposite to the spot where the tubes end on
the inside of the breech. The slide is kept in place by working in a
groove cut in the metal of the breech. On its under side a spring
pawl, seen partly in dotted lines in Figure 8, passes through and presses
upon a ratchet of five teeth cut on the ring enclosing the ends of the
magazine tubes, as seen in the last-named Figure; the revolution, there-
fore, of the conveyer in one direction brings the stud n, so as to strike
upon the under side of the projection o", on the slide, and to move the
latter up. This again, through the action of the pawl, pushes round
(a stop interfering to prevent too much motion) the cylinder of tubes
to the given distance at the moment the cavity i, has come opposite
to the hole in the breech leading to a tube, and, as before-mentioned,
a charge is then sent in by the force of the spring. In Figures 2, and 3,.

page_text: the conveyer is in the position to receive a load, the lever 1, being
parallel with the side of the gun, and lying in its rest, . To carry the
load to the barrel the lever must be raised and pushed forward, thus
turning the conveyer in its socket until the cavity i, comes opposite to
the chamber connecting with the barrel at p, Figure 5. During the
progress of the conveyer around, the stud n, is brought to strike the
projection on, on the slide, and thus turn the cluster of tubes so as to
bring the next one opposite the hole in the breech, ready for depositing
the charge in the cavity on its return. To send the charge to the
barrel it is only necessary to throw the lever 1, out, so that it will stand
at right angles to the side of the gun, as shewn in the dotted lines,
Fig. 2, and in the detached view, Figure 6, in which latter Figure
the position of the follower i, is shown to be by that movement at the
mouth of the cavity, and in which position, of course, the follower has
ejected the load into the barrel of the gun. The next movement is to
bring the lever back parallel to the side of the gun, and reverse it as
before to receive another charge. In the act of reversing, the lever
strikes upon the upper side of the projection o", on the slide o, and
sends that down to its first position, that the point of the pawl o', may
enter the next notch in the ratchet on the end of the cylinder of tubes.
Figure 9, shews a modification for the slide o. This consists of a metal
ring, passing round the ends of the tubes freely, so as to allow of the
play of a pawl between a projection through the side of the breech,
allowing for the action of the lever 1, and stud n, the same as in the
former instrument.
I now pass to the opposite side of the gun, to describe the prim-
ing and the method of firing the load. The primer or cap magazine
consists of a long and narrow metal case, of a square form in
the transverse section, the interior of which is of sufficient size to
receive a cap. The case is shewn at r, Figures 1, and 2, partly in
section. The caps are put in with their open ends downward, and
form a single row, as seen at 7. The magazine is large enough to hold
as many caps as there are charges in the breech, or even more, to allow
for false ones. They are fed down toward the mouth, and kept in
position to be taken on the nipple one after the other by the move-

page_text: ments of a slide placed upon the cap case, and connected to a spring
follower on the inside by a slot along the side similar to the slide
of a pencil case. The slide and its interior spring follower are seen at s.
The manner in which the slide is made to traverse from one end
to the other is by the action of two sets of ratchets and spring pawls,
the latter connected with the slide. One of the ratchets is fixed, and may
be cut on the side of the barrel, as seen at t; the other is upon the
surface of the cap case r, at t'. The slide has a pawl at u, taking into
the ratchet t, upon the barrel, and another at taking into the ratchet
t. To produce the required movement in the slide, the case », must
itself have a movement of its own; this it has, being a series of short
vibrations back and forth parallel with the barrel, each vibration being
to a distance equal to the space occupied by a cap within it. Let the
cap case be pushed along toward w, on the shield. The slide would be
carried along with it, were it not for the pawl u, bearing against the
ratchett. This keeps it in place, and accordingly the case slips through.
Now on allowing the case to come back again the slide would be
brought back with it were it not for the pawl u', engaging in the ratchet
t. Thus the two pawls work alternately in the ratchets; the one to hold
it in place when the case is pushed back, and the other to bring it
forward again on its return for a new hold; and thus the follower is
kept urging out the caps at the proper times for their delivery. The
cap case is supported at the end near the nipple by passing through a
hole or box a, fitted to hold it, and at the other end by a rod on which
there is a recoil spring passing through holes in two cars of a plate, as
seen at this plate may be detachable from the gun barrel, and by
this means the cap case can be taken off, since the opposite end can be
readily drawn out of the strap holding it. The manner of producing
the movements of the case at the proper time for feeding the cap to the
nipple is as follows:-From the foregoing description of the manner of
forcing the caps along by the slide it is evident there is a continuous
pressure by the spring follower upon them, tending to push them out at
the open end. To prevent this there is a slender spring, as seen at y,
the end of which is bent round so as to partially close the mouth; it also

page_text: stands off from the end of the case the distance of the diameter of a cap,
as in the usual cap primer. There is always a cap held here, and kept
from falling out by mere pressure of the follower spring acting against
the mass. The end of the cap magazine is kept a short distance away
from the range of the nipple as it sweeps round with the conveyer, but,
by means of a delicate lever working in the inside the cap case, is
allowed to slide forward and bring the spring end y, directly in the way
of the nipple as the conveyer is being turned back after having placed its
charge in the barrel; the open end of a cap is therefore held as it were
in suspension directly over it, so that the point enters and takes the cap
on in the same manner as if it were placed there by the fingers. The
moment this occurs, as the nipple moves on, the same lever which
permitted the case to come forward now pushes it back, the spring
y, opening to let the cap out, while another is forced immediately into
the place. The manner in which this is performed is as follows:-
Figure 10, is a view of the arrangement for regulating and effecting the
movements of the cap case. This consists of a lever or finger z, attached
to a small shaft, on the opposite end of which is another lever or finger
containing a roller. These parts lie under the forward part of the
conveyer and crosswise of the gun, as seen in dotted lines in Figures 1,
and 2, and the point of the finger, comes up and plays against a stud
on the back of the cap casc, as also seen in Figures 1, and 2, so that
its vibrations effect the pushing back of the cap case. The roller in the
opposite end plays in a groove h', before named, in the conveyer, as seen
more clearly in Fig. 4. In a proper place in this groove is a recess,
which allows the roller to fall back; and this permits the finger z, also to
move; and thus the cap case slides back (being pushed by its spring a¹,)
and feeds a cap upon the nipple. The roller, as the conveyer goes on,
rides out of the recess, and, moving the finger, causes the case to be
pushed back again, relieved of a cap, as before described, and also moving
the slides, in the manner heretofore stated. As the conveyer is carried
onward the nipple goes up and finally comes under the head of the
hammer, pressing so hard against it as to set it back and allow it to rest
wholly upon the nipple. This effects the proper pushing down of the

page_text: cap upon the nipple and also holds it on. The load may now be fired
by cocking and pulling the trigger in the usual manner. To clean off
shells of the exploded caps from the nipple the inner edge of the
hammer is roughened or rasped, as shewn at g'; thus, while the nipple is
retreating by the revolution of the conveyer g, it is scraped against this
rasp, inasmuch as the hammer follows the nipple a short distance, which
motion brings the rasped part in contact with the nipple, thus taking
hold of the shell and throwing it off.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
as the Invention is as follows:-
First, I claim cutting slots in the tubes of the magazine, and com-
bining with each tube a spring connected to a ring moving on tho
outside for feeding up the spring, and maintaining the compressed
position given at the time of charging the tubes with the ammunition,
as described, whereby such charge is forced into the conveyer by a power
independent of gravity; and I also claim the piercing of the hole com-
municating with the powder in the manner described, and this whether
the feed ring e, be combined with a screw placed exteriorly or within
the interior of the cluster of tubes, or in any analogous manner.
Second, I claim combining the tube magazine with the conveyer in
such manner that it will be caused to revolve so as to bring each tube
of the series successively opposite to the hole or cavity through which
the charge is fed to the conveyer as fast as those charges are transferred
to the barrel, in the manner herein-before described.
Third, 1 claim the follower 2, in combination with the cavity of the
conveyer and the lever for ejecting the charge into the barrel, as
described.
Fourth, I claim the cam groove h', in combination with the finger
levers, 2, and the cap case to regulate the feed of the caps, as de-
scribed.
Fifth, I claim the needle or point in the cavity i, against which
necdle the charge may be driven in the manner and for the purpose
herein-before described; and,

page_text: Sixth, I claim the cap magazine, consisting of a case lying parallel to
the barrel and capable of being moved backwards and forwards so as to
actuate a feeding slide and deliver the caps upon the nipple at the
proper moment required, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of
November, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
R. A. BROOMAN. (L.S.)