IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND PROJECTILES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Westley Richards, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS AND PROJECTILES."
Sealed the 8th December 1868, and dated the 12th June 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Westley Richards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th June 1868.
I, WESTLEY RICHARDS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND PROJECTILES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading fire-.
arms and projectiles. In the Specification of a former Patent granted
to me, and dated the 28th day of July 1866, No. 1960, a gun is described
in which the breech is closed by a block turning down behind the end
of the barrel and then secured by a locking piece jointed to it, such
locking piece being turned by means of a handle into the space between
the block and its abutment. The breech block is jointed to the rear end
of a sliding piece, which also formed the extractor, and which slides in-

page_text: guides on the top of the barrel; thus the joint is in this case imme-
diately over the breech end of the bore of the barrel. The needle or
striker which explodes the cartridge is contained in the block, and
has an external projection upon it which the hammer of an ordinary
lock strikes.
According to my present Invention I modify the construction in the
following manner:-I arrange the stem of the extractor or sliding piece
above mentioned to work in a socket bored out for it in the lump on
the top of the barrel or shoe over the bore, so that the extractor or
sliding piece when the breech is closed is entirely enclosed in the lump.
I cause the pin or axis of the breech block to pass through the stem of
the extractor and also through slotted holes in the sides of the socket.
This axis is at some distance in advance of the breech end of the bore,
and arms on either side extend from the face of the breech block to it.
When the breech block is turned up in opening the breech the side
arms come against projections on the lump which act as fulcra, and the
axis of the block is then caused to traverse along the slots in the socket
carrying the extractor with it. The needle or striker is not struck
directly by the hammer, but it is jointed to one extremity of a cranked
lever turning on an axis in the block, and the hammer strikes the other
extremity of the lever. In opening the breech the handle of the locking
piece comes against the outer end of the cranked lever and raises it,
and the needle or striker is thus withdrawn. In order that in closing
the breech the breech block may be accurately guided into its seat a
pin or projection is fixed on one of its side arms immediately in rear of
its axis, and this pin or projection moves along the edge of a fixed guide
as the breech is opened and closed.
Also according to my Invention in breech-loading fire-arms in which
the breech is opened and closed by a breech block turning on a
transverse horizontal axis at the fore end I arrange the lock within
the breech block, and I so contrive it that the opening the breech puts
the lock to full cock. I prefer that the arrangement should be such as
is described above, and in the Specification of the Patent herein-before
mentioned, where a wedge or filling piece enters behind the brecch
block when the breech is closed and locks the block in its place. When
in opening the breech the wedge or locking piece is withdrawn by
means of its handle, it in so moving presses on the tail of the tumbler
which is centred within the breech block and has the striker jointed to

page_text: it, the tumbler is thus partly rotated against the resistance of the main-
spring, and a sear catching into bents in the tumbler retains the tumbler
in this position. The mainspring and sear are also within the breech
block. The trigger is not carried by the block, but is so placed that if
pressed back when the breech is closed it comes against the tail of the
sear and disengages it from the bent of the tumbler so as to let the
striker fly forward and explode the cartridge. In this gun I sometimes
employ an extractor at the side so arranged that as the breech block
is turned up to open the breech a finger carried by it acting on a projec-
tion pushes back the extractor and then escapes past it. The extractor
is forced home again by the insertion of the cartridge, and in order that
in closing down the breech block the finger on the breech block may
be able to pass to the front of the projection on the extractor, the
finger is connected with the extractor by a spring blade which yields to
allow the finger to pass into its place.
In some fire-arms the breech is closed by a block turning on a
horizontal axis at its rear end, its other end descending to expose
the breech end of the bore, so that a cartridge may be introduced
from the top and rising to close the breech for firing. I according
to my Invention construct such arms in the following manner:-
The breech block is connected with the shoe or body (which at its
fore end is fixed to the barrel and which forms the frame for the
action) by a knuckle joint, and at its other end it rests on the end of
one arm of a lever turning on a horizontal axis. The other arm of this
lever forms a handle, and when the breech is closed it extends along
underneath the trigger guard, and then the arm on which the breech
block rests is in a nearly vertical position. To open the breech the handle
is forced forward and the arm supporting the block being thus brought
nearly to a horizontal position the breech block falls, or rather the arm
carries it down by acting upon a projection upon it and makes way for
the introduction of the cartridge. Along the under side of the block and
extending from its axis nearly to its face which forms the abutment for
When the breech
the cartridge is a groove in which a tumbler works.
carries down the
is opened the arm which supports the breech block
tumbler together with the block against the resistanceof a mainspring
fixed to the body and pressing on the tail of the tumbler, and as it
arrives at the end of its course a sear pivotting on the body or frame
falls into a bent in the tumbler and retains it, and it remains so held

page_text: when by means of the hand lever the breech block is again raised closing
the breech. When the trigger is pressed to discharge the piece its
inner end acts on the tail of the sear and so moves it as to release the
tumbler. When the tumbler is returned by the action of the main-
spring an incline upon it acts on a short lever jointed to the block and
forces it forward, and the needle or striker is connected with the lever
and moves with it. As the breech is opened the needle or striker is
again withdrawn, the arm which supports the block in the first part of
its movement pushing upwards a finger which is jointed to the block
and has an incline upon it, and this incline acts upon the front of the
lever carrying the needle or striker and forces it back. The extractor is
a finger turning on the same axis with the hand lever, and in opening
the breech as soon as the breech block has been lowered clear of the
bore a projection on the hand lever comes against the extractor finger
and pushes it back, and as the head or flange of the cartridge case rests
upon this finger the case is in this way started out of the barrel. The
body or frame may be forged in one piece with the barrel.
In constructing bullets or projectiles for breech-loading fire-arms I
make the coned or fore part of the bullet or projectile somewhat smaller
than the cylindrical part or body of the bullet or projectile so that
there is a shoulder or ledge between them. This shoulder or ledge I find
to be of great service in removing fouling from the barrel and preventing
it from being jammed between the barrel and the projectile, whereby
with other projectiles the resistance in the barrel is greatly increased.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Westley Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th December 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WESTLEY
RICHARDS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Westley Richards, Her special
licence, that I, the said. Westley Richards, my executors, administrators,

page_text: and assigns, or such others as I, the said Westley Richards, 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 Iuvention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND PROJECTILES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Westley Richards, my executors or administra-
tors, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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 Westley Richards, do hereby declare
thic 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, that is to say:―
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading
fire-arms and projectiles. In breech-loading fire-arms in which the
breech is opened and closed by a breech block turning on a transverse
horizontal axis at the fore end I arrange the lock within the breech
block, and I so contrive it that the opening the breech puts the lock
to full cock. I prefer that the arrangement should be such as is
described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to me, and
dated the 28th day of July 1866, No. 1960, where a wedge or filling
picce enters behind the breech block when the breech is closed and
locks the block in its place. When in opening the breech the wedge
or locking piece is withdrawn by means of its handle, it in so moving
presses ou the tail of the tumbler which is centred within the breech
block and has the striker jointed to it; the tumbler is thus partly
rotated against the resistance of the mainspring, and a sear catching
into bents in the tumbler retains the tumbler in this position. The
mainspring and sear are also within the breech block. The trigger is
not carried by the block, but is so placed that if pressed back when the
breech is closed it comes. against the tail of the sear and disengages it
from the bent of the tumbler so as to let the striker fly forward and
explode the cartridge. In this gun I sometimes employ an extractor

page_text: at the side so arranged that as the breech block is turned up to open
the breech a finger carried by it acting on a projection pushes back
the extractor and then escapes past it. The extractor is forced home
again by the insertion of the cartridge, and in order that in closing
down the breech block the finger on the breech block may be able to
pass to the front of the projection on the extractor, the finger is
connected with the block by a spring blade which yields to allow the
finger to pass into its place.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a gun thus con-
structed.
the barrel or it may
b is a block to close
The body or frame a
a is a body or frame, which may be forged with
receive the barrel into a screw socket in front;
the breech; it is pin-jointed to the frame at .
and the breech block are shown separately at Figures 2 and 3.
c is a lever handle shewn also at Figures 4; it is pin-jointed to the
tail of the breech block, and has wedge or filling pieces c¹ upon it,
which when the breech is closed and the handle turned down enter
between the back of the breech block and the shoulders a¹, a', formed
at the ends of the sides of the trough-like frame or body, and so
securely lock the block in its place. is a stop pin on the lever handle
entering a groove formed for it in the back of the block and serving
to limit the motion of the handle.
The block b contains within it a tumbler d turning on the pin d¹ and
having the striker e jointed to it, the sear f turning on the pin f¹
and the mainspring g. These parts are shown separately by the
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively, and as will be scen they are so
arranged that as the handle c is raised to release the breech block by
removing the wedge pieces c' from behind it the projection on the
handle presses upwards the tail of the tumbler d until the bent d
passes the nose of the sear f, and the trigger spring then immediately
causes the sear to drop in behind the bent of the tumbler and so to
secure it.
The trigger is shown separately at Figures 9; it is forked at its
inner end and embraces the tail of the sear when the breech is closed,
but when open the sear and trigger separate. In firing, the trigger
acts to withdraw the sear from the bent in the tumbler, which then
immediately propels the striker forward and causes it to protrude

page_text: from the face of the block and strike the percussion priming of the
central-fire cartridge which is used with the arm.
62 is a cover fitted to the under side of the block 6 to enclose the
parts of the lock, and is a steel face with which the block bis
provided. These parts are shown at Figures 10 and 11.
The extractor is of ordinary construction, but it is actuated in a novel
manner; it is shown in detail at Figures 12. It has a stem /', which
enters a hole bored for it in the body and a projecting nib h²; this
uib projects out from the side of the body and is acted on by the
finger i carried by the block b. The finger has a spring stem ¹ attached
to the block by a set screw at i*, and the pin or axis on which the block
turns also enters loosely a hole formed in the finger, so as to hold it
securely. In opening the breech as the block rises the extractor is
pushed back by the finger (withdrawing the cartridge case from the
bore) until the finger escapes past the projection on the extractor.
When another cartridge is put into the gun it takes forward the
extractor with it, and then in closing the breech as the block descends
the finger i rides over the nib 2 of the extractor in consequence of
inclines being formed both on the finger and on the nib, and the spring
arm being able to yield, and so the finger passes to the front of
the extractor.
Figures 13 show separately the finger i and its spring stem i, and
the relative positions of the finger and extractor appears at Figure 14
which is a side view of part of the gun.
I claim as respects this part of my Invention, the constructing breech-
loading fire-arms in which the breech is closed by a block turning on
an axis at right angles to the bore, the arranging the parts of the lock
within such block and in such manner that the movement of the.
lever handle to open the breech "cocks" the lock, or prepares it for the
discharge of the piece.
I also claim in such fire-arms the arranging the extractor to receive
its outward movement from a finger carried by the breech block on a
spring stem, so that the finger is able to pass the nib of the extractor in
closing the breech by the outward yielding of the stem.
I also claim the constructing breech-loading fire-arms; substantially as
above described.

page_text: In some fire-arms the breech is closed by a block turning on a
horizontal axis at its rear end, its other end descending to expose the
breech end of the bore, so that a cartridge may be introduced from the
top and rising to close the breech for firing. I according to my
Invention construct such fire-arms in the following manner :-The
breech block is connected with the shoe or body (which at its fore end
is fixed to the barrel, which forms the frame for the action) by a
knuckle joint, and at its other end it rests on the end of one arm of a
lever turning on a horizontal axis. The other arm of this lever forms
a handle, and when the breech is closed it extends along underneath the
trigger guard, and then the arm on which the breech block rests is in a
nearly vertical position. To open the breech the handle is forced
forward, and the arm supporting the block being thus brought nearly to
a horizontal position the breech block falls, or rather the arm carries it
down by acting on a projection upon it and makes way for the intro-
duction of the cartridge. Along the under side of the block and
extending from its axis nearly to its face which forms the abutment
for the cartridge is a groove in which a tumbler works. When the
breech is opened the arm which supports the breech block carries down
the tumbler together with the block against the resistance of a main-
spring fixed to the body and pressing on the tail of the tumbler, and as
it arrives at the end of its course a sear pivotting on the body or frame
falls into a bent in the tumbler and retains it, and it remains so held
when by means of the hand lever the breech block is again raised,
closing the breech. When the trigger is pressed to discharge the piece
its inner end acts on the tail of the sear, and so moves it as to release
the tumbler. When the tumbler is returned by the action of the main-
spring an incline upon it acts on a striker and forces it forward. As the
breech is opened the striker is again withdrawn, the arm which supports
the block in the first part of its movement pushing upwards a finger
which acts upon the front of the striker and forces it back. The
extractor is a finger turning on the same axis with the hand lever,
and in opening the breech as soon as the breech block has been lowered
clear of the bore a projection on the hand lever comes against the ex-
tractor finger and pushes it back, and as the head or flange of the
cartridge case rests upon this finger the case is in this way started out
of the barrel. By these means the arm is adapted to receive central-fire
cartridges carrying their own priming, and it is made self-cocking.

page_text: Figure 15 is a longitudinal section of the action of a gun thus con-
structed. a, a, is the body or frame; it is shown in detail at Figure 16;
at its fore end it has a socket, into which the barrel is fixed. These parts
are fitted to a stock suitably recessed to receive them. In some cases
I make the side cheeks of the body or frame with flanges overlapping
the stock, as is shown at Figure 17, which is a transverse section taken
at the line 1, 1, Figure 16. is the block which closes the breech of
the barrel; it is shown separately in detail at Figures 18. The block b
is connected with the body or frame a by a pin passing through it and
fixed in the side cheeks of the body. On this pin the block turns, but
the pin does not have to resist the pressure which comes on the block
when the piece is fired, for, as will be seen, the binder part of the block
and the body are fitted together and form a knuckle joint. c is the hand
lever which supports the block 6 when the breech is closed and draws it
down in opening by coming against the part b'. d is the tumbler; it
turns on the same pin as the block b, and is similarly fitted to the body;
it is shewn separately at Figures 19. c is the mainspring fixed to the body.
and pressing on the tumbler so as to tend constantly to force it upwards.
The spring e is represented at Figures 20. In opening the breech the
lever c forces down the tumbler d, overcoming the mainspring, and so
the bent d' upon it is carried past the nose of the sear c', which by the
sear spring fis caused immediately to drop in in front of it, so that when
the lever is made to return so as to close the breech the tumbler remains
depressed. The sear and sear spring are shown separately at Figures 21
and 22. When the tail of the sear is acted upon by the trigger the
tumbler is liberated and the piece is fired, the incline d on the tumbler
coming against the inclined end of the striker g and forcing it forward,
so as to project its pin-like end beyond the face of the block b and cause
it to strike the percussion priming which is placed in the centre of the
base of the cartridge. The striker is drawn separately at Figure 23, it
is, as will be seen, fitted into a recess in the block b and there held by
a pin passed through the block, the striker being notched at g¹ to admit
of the necessary play. h is a finger pin-jointed to the block b, and
which in opening the breech is acted on by the lever c, so that its free
end is pushed upwards against the incline g² on the striker, and the
striker is in this way drawn back.
Figures 24 show the finger h; i is the extractor, also seen at
finaan tuming on
the same
nin with the lever b

page_text: which is recessed at one side to receive it. The extractor has upon
it a lump i, and on opening the breech the face 2 on the lever
comes against this lump and so moves the extractor back, and in closing
the breech another face moves it back. The free end of the extractor
when the breech is closed enters a notch a' formed for it in the body a,
and it then stands partly in front of the flange of the cartridge, so that
when it is moved back it carries the cartridge case with it. k is an
indicating pin to show when the tumbler is depressed ready for firing;
it is inserted into a hole formed in the tang of the body, and it rests
upon the mainspring, with which a small spring keeps it constantly
in contact. These parts are seen separately at Figures 26 and 27. The
lever c, which is shown separately at Figures 28, is fitted, as will be
seen, with a spring catch to lock it to the trigger guard.
Figure 29 is a longitudinal section of another similar gun differing
from that already described mainly in that the stock is not made in one
piece from end to end but in two parts tied firmly together both on the
upper and under side. In this gun the frame or body, which is shown
separately at Figures 30, is made so as to encase the action without the
assistance of the stock, the two parts of which are connected with it by
two screws or pins. That at the butt end, after passing the wood of
the stock, enters the tang of the body, and the pin which secures the
front portion of the stock screws into a socket formed on a ring encircling
the barrel and shut in between a shoulder upon it and the end of the
body. On the under side of the piece the trigger guard serves both to
complete the enclosure of the action and also to form a strong tie between
the two parts of the stock, the screws above mentioned passing through
it, as the Drawing shows. The trigger guard is shown separately at
Figures 31.
As respects the action the only points in which this gun differs from
that just previously described, excepting only slight differences in form,
are that the mainspring is in this case of the ordinary mainspring form,
and that the spring for the indicator pin is dispensed with, a projection
on the tumbler serving to draw it down. The body or frame may be
forged in one piece with the barrel.
I would remark that I prefer in all cases to use a mainspring of the.
ordinary form, as is shown in Figure 30, although I have shown the
straight spring in Figure 15 as a possible variation.

page_text: I claim as respects this part of my Invention in fire-arms in which
the breech is closed by a block turning on a horizontal axis at its breech
end, the combining a striker and apparatus for actuating the striker with
such block, so as to adapt the gun to receive central-fire cartridges
carrying their own priming.
I also claim in such fire-arms the mounting the tumbler within the
body or frame on the same axis with the breech block, and the arranging
the hand lever which actuates the breech block so as also in opening the
breech to draw down the tumbler and cause the striker to recede.
I also claim in such fire-arms the mounting the extractor on the same
axis with the hand lever and the actuating it by suitable stops or faces
on the hand lever.
I also claim the construction and arrangement of breech-loading fire-
arms, as described.
In constructing bullets or projectiles for breech-loading fire-arms I
make the coned or fore part of the bullet or projectile somewhat smaller
than the cylindrical part or body of the bullet or projectile, so that there
is a shoulder or ledge between them; this shoulder or ledge I find to be
of great service in removing fouling from the barrel and preventing it
from being jammed between the barrel and the projectile, whereby with
other projectiles the resistance in the barrel is greatly increased. Figure
32 shows a bullet or projectile thus formed.
I claim as respects this part of my Invention the constructing bullets
or projectiles with a shoulder or ledge in front, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Westley Richards, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
WESTLEY RICHARDS. (L.S.)