CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
C6, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS."-
A communication.
Sealed the 11th September 1857, and dated the 1st April 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent New ton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st April 1857.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS,"
to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention consists in a certain mode of applying a
movable charge chamber to breech-loading fire-arms, and in certain con-
trivances employed in combination therewith as auxiliaries, for the purpose of
preventing the parting of the joint between the chamber and the barrel by
the force of the explosion of the charge,and causing the force of the explosion
to close the joint tighter, and for preventing the wearing loose of the joint by
the frequent opening and closing of the chamber to load and discharge.
The barrel is made like that of an ordinary muzzle-loading rifle, and fitted
in the same manner, with an ordinary breech, but the breech is made without
the break-off hook, commonly used to secure it in a muzzle-loading weapon,

page_text: and its rear is slanted or bevelled off and made to fit closely into the stock,
which is of malleable cast iron in a single casting. In the rear of the breech
a hole is bored (in a direction parallel with the bore of the barrel) through a
solid part of the stock, forming a breech plate, and continued a short distance
into the breech. This is for the purpose of receiving a round sliding bolt,
tapered at its forward end, and having a slotted head at its rear end, into
which enters a headless stud or screw, carried by the tumbler of the lock; on
the elevation and fall of the hammer, the tumbler will therefore be caused to
withdraw the bolt from and project it into the breech. A spring hinge is
employed for connecting the breech with the barrel,and this hinge also forms
a "sight." The rear of the barrel is bored out to form a seat for a valve
metal tube, which may be termed the tubular bolt valve," the said tube
having its exterior formed cylindrical for the greater portion of its length,with
conical ends, and a bore slightly larger than the bore of the barrel,and having
its interior conically enlarged at the rear end. When in its place with its
conical front end fitted tight in the barrel the "tubular bolt valve " does not
extend quite to the rear of the barrel, room being left behind it for a ring of
copper, or some soft metal, which is made conical internally, but cylindrical
externally, to fit between the conical exterior of the rear end of the tubular
bolt and the cylindrical interior of the barrel, and prevent the passage of any
gases of ignition between those surfaces. A pointed cone is screwed into the
interior of the breech for the purpose of puncturing the cartridge. This is
placed excentrically, so as not to come opposite the tie on the latter, and the
vent passes through or along one side of it,and its point stands nearlyopposite
to or slightly in rear of the rear end of the tubular bolt valve. The annular
surface of its rear end is thus left exposed to the forward force of the
explosion, so as to be thereby forced ahead to close the joint between the
chamber and barrel at the earliest instant of discharge, by which means, if
the ball should fit the tube loosely and at the same time not be an expanding
ball, and thus permit the escape of gas past it before it reached and tightened
in the barrel, the gas will be prevented passing through the valve joint and
"cutting" the surfaces thereof. By cutting away the inclined rear of the
breech or the face of the stationary breech plate or recoil shield below the
centre of the bore, the force of the explosion will tend to throw the chamber
the more tightly down into the stock, in lieu of any chance tendency upward
out of its seat. To prevent too forcible a pressure being thereby produced on
the under portion of the valve face a check or bearing screw is provided.
Below the movable breech a recess is made in the stock to receive any
powder that may be accidentally spilled in loading.

page_text: In the construction of a weapon for military use, it is preferred to make
the hinge that connects the moveable breech with the barrel of a rigid lever,
extending rearward beyond the lock to give greater power to open the
chamber, should the same be corroded, or otherwise have an unusual
tendency to adhere. And in the same class of weapon it is preferred to
use as a substitute for the locking bolt at the breech, a pin or projection
from the side of the hammer, which on the descent of the latter shall
impinge and bear upon the lever, and thus bring down the chamber to its
bearing in the stock, and lock it securely in place. The chamber may be
fitted so as to swivel laterally, and thus when open it may be turned to a
vertical position, or with its mouth upward, for convenience of loading
with loose ammunition while the weapon lies in a horizontal position.
As an improvement in hair triggers, a friction roller is attached to the
trigger, and a spring applied to act upon the roller.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st October 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED.
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reiga,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton Her special license that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," being a communication from abroad, upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, by au
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

page_text: 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, 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, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, con-
sists, firstly, in a certain mode of applying a moveable charge chamber to
breech-loading fire-arms, and in certain contrivances employed in combina-
tion therewith as auxiliaries, for the purpose of preventing the parting of
the joint between the chamber and the barrel by the force of the explosion
of the charge, and causing the force of the explosion to close the joint
tighter, and for preventing the wearing loose of the joint by the frequent
opening and closing of the chamber to load and discharge.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the appli-
cation of this part of the Invention to a sporting rifle; Fig. 1 being an
external side view of the rifle complete; Fig. 2, a central section, full size,
of the loading chamber, and parts of the stock and barrel, exhibiting all the
operating parts; and Fig. 3 being a transverse section through the loading
chamber and stock in the line ** of Fig. 2. Similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in these Figures.
The barrel A, A¹, is first made in the same manner as the barrel of any
ordinary muzzle-loading rifle, and fitted in the same manner, with an ordinary
breech ; but the breech is made without the ordinary break-off hook.com-
monly used to secure it in a muzzle-loading weapon, and has its rear slanted
or bevelled, as shewn at b*, b*, in Fig. 2. The barrel thus made is fitted
closely and solidly into the portion a, a, of the stock, which is of malleable
cast iron in a single casting, and after being fitted it is firmly secured by a
screw c, or other suitable means. A hole is then bored in a direction parallel
with the bore of the barrel through the solid breech plate d, which forms part
of the casting a, a, and continued a short distance into the breech b. Into
this hole is fitted a round sliding bolt e, having a slotted head at its rear end,
(shewn in Fig. 2) into which enters a headless stud or screw e', which is fixed
in and carried by the upper part of the tumbler T of the lock, and which will
therefore be caused to withdraw the bolt from and project it into the breech
by the elevation and fall of the hammer. The lock may be of the ordinary
construction. Upon the top flat side of the octagonal portion of the barrel

page_text: near the breech is then screwed a spring mnge,, of the same wha
top flat side. The barrel is next taken out of the stock a, a, and the breech
is taken out, and with a suitable tool or cutter the rear of the barrel is bored
or reamed out to form a seat larger than the bore of the barrel to receive the
valve metal tube B, shewn in Figures 2 and 3, which may be termed the
"tubular bolt valve." The exterior of this tube is formed cylindrical for the
greater portion of its length, and its extremities are made conical; the bore
is slightly larger than the bore of the barrel, and its rear end is enlarged
conically. The conical or valve-like forward end of this tube is ground into
the corresponding portion of the seat in the barrel with oil and emery to
make a perfectly air-tight fit. When in its place, with its conical front end in
its seat, the "tubular bolt valve" B does not extend quite to the rear of the
barrel,room being left behind it for a ring, r, of copper, or some soft metal,
which is made conical internally, but cylindrical externally to fit between the
conical exterior of the rear end of the valve B and the cylindrical interior of
the barrel. The tubular bolt valve B and ring r,, having been fitted to the
barrel, are removed, and the barrel is cut in two immediately in the rear of
the conical portion of the tube seat, which is just in the rear of the centre or
joint pin of the hinge f,f, and the space left by the metal necessarily
removed in the cut is filled by a metal ring a, a, whose exterior comes flush
with the exterior of the barrel. The filling up of the cut with the metal ring
is not however absolutely necessary in practice, but is only inserted to give a
finished appearance to the barrel. A pointed cone z is screwed into the
interior of the breech b for the purpose of puncturing the cartridge. This is
placed excentrically, so as not to come opposite the tie on the latter, and the
vent passes through or along one side of it, and its point stands nearly
opposite to or slightly in rear of the rear end of the tubular bolt valve B.
The re-insertion of the tubular bolt valve and the screwing in of the brecch
complete the barrel, and the portion A of the barrel in rear of the cur con-
stitutes the moveable charge chamber, which, when the barrel is replaced in
the stock and the lock applied, is allowed, by the bringing of the hammer H
to "full cock," and consequent withdrawal of the bolt e from the breech b, to
be lifted up from its seat in the stock and thrown over on the top of the
barrel, in the position shown by dotted outlines in Fig. 2, in which position its
open mouth faces the operator, and there is no obstruction to the insertion of
a cartridge therein. The vent screw v (see Fig. 1) is made with a larger
head than usual, in order that, while the thumb of the right hand remains on
the hammer after cocking it, the forefinger may be hooked under the said
screw head, and obtain a good "purchase" thereon to raise the chamber from

page_text: its seat. If the chamber should not come exactly home to its seat by its own
weight when turned down again after being loaded, it will be brought home
by the entrance of the bolt e into the hole in the breech when the hammer
commences to fall on the pull of the trigger to effect the discharge, the lower
edge of the forward end of the bolt e being bevilled to effect this result.
The connection of the hammer with the bolt e prevents the hammer falling
upon the cap to explode the charge till the chamber has been secured by the
entrance of the bolt into the hole in the breech. Instead of the front end or
face of the tubular bolt valve, and the seat thereof in the part A of the barrel,
having a conical form, they may have a conoidal form, as shewn by the dotted
lines y,y, in Fig. 1, or may be made spherical, to constitute a ball and socket
joint. Whatever their form, the face of the valve must be so arranged rela-
tively to the joint of the hinge, that the valve will work into and out of its
seat without abrasion thereon, as any abrasion would in time cause the valve
and seat to wear loose and leak, and a leak being once established is rapidly
increased by what is known as "cutting," viz', the forcing through it of the
red-hot gases eliminated in the explosion. When the explosion takes place,
the portion of the charge first ignited being in the rear of the tubular bolt
valve B, where its annular area is exposed, assisted by the friction of the ball,
particularly if a "Minie" or expanding ball be used, acts to force and hold
the tubular bolt valve firmly forward in its seat, and across the joint between
the portions A, A¹, of the barrel, thus locking down the forward end of the
charge chamber and perfectly tightening the joint, while the bolt e locks
down the rear end of the chamber. The metal ring r, r, is expanded
laterally by the force of the explosion, and is at the same time driven forward
between the conical exterior of the rear end of the valve B and the interior
of the chamber of the barrel, and thus prevents any leakage of gas past the
rear or side of the valve.
When it is preferred to use powder and ball, it is very desirable in many
cases that the charge chamber should be capable of being brought to a vertical
position for loading while the weapon lies horizontally, as, for instance, when
thehunter or sportsman is on horseback, or lying down concealed. To provide
for this, the chamber is made to swivel on the screw h,by which it is attached
to the rear leaf of the hingef, and in the same leaf of the hinge, which is
made to constitute a spring, there is fixed a taper-pointed screw i, which, when
the chamber lies longitudinally with the barrel,or with its centre in the same
plane as the centre of the barrel, clicks into a countersink ou the exterior of
the chamber, as shewn in Fig. 2, and holds the said chamber fixed in that
position, but still allows it with a slight exertion to be turned at a right angle

page_text: to the barrel after the chamber has been thrown over to the position indicated
in Fig. 2. This condition of the chamber is illustrated in Fig 1, and by
reference to that Figure it will be seen that if the rifle is laid on its side in
a horizontal position the chamber will be vertical.
Although the chamber is bolted in front to the other portion of the barrel
by the bolt valve B, and in the rear with the stock by the bolt e, yet to insure
that,in case of imperfect fitting of thebreech to the surface of thebreech-plate
or recoil shield d,which may sometimes occur, that portion of the rear of the
breech or of the breech plate or recoil shield d below the centre of the bore
is cut away, as shown at s in Fig. 2, by which means the force of the discharge
is caused to exert a tendency to throw the body of the chamber more snugly
down into the stock, instead of the reverse; but, in such case, to the end that
it shall not bring too great a strain on the bolt valve B, a bearing screw ¿¹ is
screwed into the bottom of the interior of the stock. The chamber has a
bearing in the stock of such form (see Fig. 3) that no lateral deviation from
a correct position is permitted. Beneath the chamber the stock a, a, is so
formed as to have a recess D), see Figures 2 and 3, so that in case of any
grains of powder beeu spilled in loading hastily, or dropped from a loosenedor
imperfect cartridge, it will fall into this recess, and not block under the
chamber and prevent its coming down properly in line with the other portion
of the barrel and firmly upon its bearing within the stock. To prevent the
straining of the joint of the hinge, or any solid jam of the valve face, being
caused by grains of powder lodging in the valve seat, both parts of the hinge
are made springs, and the attaching screws h, h, h¹, are placed some distance
from the joint. By this means the chamber is caused to have an elastic yield
up or down in its closing movement. The extremity of the rear leaf of the
hinge is turned up and notched to form a sight, and the elasticity of the leaf
enables this sight to be raised and lowered by the screw, and thence it is
equivalent to what is known as the "spring crotch sight." This sight may be
made in the same manier on the forward leaf of the hinge if considered
preferable. 2 is a little spring hook applied to the hammer H for hooking off
the cone the shell of an exploded cap as the hammer is lifted; Cis an instru-
ment for picking open the cone if stopped, or for removing any bit of paper
that may be left by an exploded cartridge in the chamber. This instrument
fits into a sheath 1, provided for it in the portion a, a, of the stock.
Any ordinary rifle or even a pistol may be altered to this plan in the
manner described, it being only necessary to strengthen the stock, if of wood,
between the barrel and breech, by fitting a metal lining within the stock to
stiffen it.

page_text: Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the application of this part of the
Invention to a military weapon. Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal central
section; Fig. 5, a top view; Fig. 6, a transverse section in the line y, /, of
Fig. 4; and Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views. Similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in these Figures. a, a, is the metallic portion of
the stock; A' is the stationary portion of the barrel, screwing into a, a; A is
the moveable portion, constituting the charge chamber, and made of the same
piece of metal with the breech b. The hinge which connects the charge
chamber A with the portion A' of the barrel consists of two lugs m, m (see
Figures 5 and 6,) cast on the top of the part a, a, of the stock, and a rigid
lever L secured to the top of the chamber A by screws n,n. The lever L (of
which Fig. 7 is a side view, and Fig. 8 a transverse section,) extends some
distance beyond the breech, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5, so as to give it a
greater power to open the chamber. Instead of the locking bolt e employed
in the sporting rifle to lock the chamber in place during the discharge, a
stud or projection p is provided on the side of the hammer H in this weapon
to bear upon a projection p¹ on one side of the lever L when the hammer
descends. B in Fig. 4 is the tubular bolt valve, which is made with the valve
larger than the portion of its tube that remains in the chamber, for the reason
that the thickness of metal in the barrel is less in proportion to the bore than
that of the sporting rifle. », r, is the soft metal ring at the rear of the tubular
bolt valve.
Fowling-pieces may be made breech-loading on this plan, but as in those
weapons
there is not sufficient thickness of metal outside the bore to introduce
a tubular bolt valve B,the ring al,fitted as in the sporting rifle, may be of soft
metal, and the de cent of the charge chamber to its bearing in the stock, owing
to the inclined form of the rear of the breech, if there be sufficient play left
in the hinge, would wedge the chamber forward tightly upon such ring, and
thus close the joint, and the chamber being so wedged up, the hammer would
lock it down with sufficient firmness without the bolt ebeing used. Thehingef
might then also be short and without spring. This arrangement is illustrated
in Fig. 9. The same plan, substantially as described, for the rifle or military
weapon may be applied to cammon with simply such modifications of form as
would be entailed by the difference of form between them and small arms."
The Invention consists, secondly, in an improved hair trigger, which is
applicable not only to breech-loading but to muzzle-loading fire-arins. The
same trigger serves also as an ordinary trigger when it is not desirable to use
it as a hair trigger. This part of the Invention is illustrated in Figures 2
and 10 of the Drawing, the latter of which Figures is a side view of the

page_text: interior of the lock, and shows the trigger T* arranged to operate as an ordi-
nary trigger. This trigger is constructed with a long heel t, and carries
above its centre of motion a friction roller, over which stands the point of
a spring, which is secured within the lock. To set the trigger as a hair
trigger, it is pushed forward as shewn in Fig. 10, causing the roller * to pass
under the point of and strain the springs till the heel of the trigger rests on
the point of a screw u*, which is adjusted in such a manner as to stop it with
the centre of the friction roller * a little in rear of a line drawn through the
centre of the pivot t, on which the trigger works, and the point of the spring
s, which is now strained so as to press upon the roller. In this condition of
the trigger the pressure of the spring tends to hold down the heel, but on the
slightest pressure being applied in front of the trigger to draw it back, the
centre of the roller is caused to pass the aforesaid line, which is represented
in red color in Fig. 10, and the action of the pressure of the spring on the
roller is instantly reversed, throwing the roller forward and the heel of the
trigger upward very suddenly, and causing the latter to strike the heel of the
sere S and disengage it from the tumbler to effect the discharge. When the
trigger is not thrown forward to bring the top of the roller under the point of
the springs to strain it, the spring does not press upon the roller, but
remains at rest, and the trigger operates substantially like a common trigger.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements in
Fire-arms," as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and ex-
plained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be under-
stood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,--
First, the arrangement of a portion of the barrel at the rear of sufficient
length to constitute the chamber to hold the charge, and having the breech
attached to swing out from the line of the bore by a hinge upon its ex-
terior, as described, in combination with the stationary inclined breech plate
or recoil shield and inclined rear of the breech, substantially as herein set
forth.
Second, I claim, in combination with the chamber hinged as above
specified, the conical, conoidal, or ball and socket valve face projecting
across the joint between the chamber and barrel so far as of itself to bolt
the chamber into the line of the barrel, the taper or curve of the valve face
being such, in relation to the position of the joint of the hinge, that it shall
swing out of and into its seat without slide or abrasion thereon, substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Third, I claim making the valve face of the joint between the chamber
and the forward portion of the barrel upon the end of a loose tube B of some

page_text: not too ductile metal, capable of bearing repeated use, extending back into
the chamber, of which it constitutes a legitimate part, and of such strength
and thickness that it shall effectually resist any change of size or form by
the force of the explosion or expansion thereby outwardly against the
interior of the chamber, by which its freedom to drive bodily forward, in the
manner of a puppet valve, into its seat to close the valve by the force of the
explosion would be prevented, the said tube being formed open at both
ends, and slightly exceeding in bore the bore of the forward part of the
barrel, as herein described.
Fourth, I claim extending the rear of the "tubular boit valve" B so far
back into the chamber that the annular edge of its open rear shall terniinate
opposite to or slightly in front of the point of first ignition of the charge, as
herein set forth, so that while the tube fits closely against the cylindrical sides
of the chamber to prevent the gases eliminated by the explosion from passing
between them, the annular surface of its rear end is left exposed to the forward
force of the explosion, so as to be thereby forced ahead to close the joint
between the chamber and barrel at the earliest instant of discharge, by which
means if the ball should fit the tube loosely aud at the same time not be an
expanding ball, and thus permit the escape of gas past it before it reached and
tightened in the barrel, the gas will be prevented passing through the valve
joint and cutting" the surfaces thereof.
66
Fifth, I claim, in combination with the tubular bolt valve, a ring of soft
metal applied substantially as described at its rear aunular edge, so that by
the force of the explosion it will be expanded laterally and driven forward into
the annular corner formed between the rear of the tubular bolt valve and the
sides of the chamber, closing the joint between them tightly at this point but
leaving them elsewhere an easy fit, while the washer, being of soft metal, has
not rigidity sufficient to prevent itself and the valve from being driven forward
in the chamber by the explosion, should the valve not be in contact with
its seat.
Sixth, I claim the bolt e projecting through the stationary breech plate or
recoil shield into the breech, and so connected with the lock that it must move
continuously and simultaneously with the hammer, and hence make the fall
of the hammer upon the cap, or its equivalent, dependent upon the bolt, having
properly entered and secured the chamber in place, as herein described.
Seventh, I claim the tapering of the under part of the forward end of the
bolt e as described, so that if the chamber is not quite home to its place when
the trigger is pulled, the bolt will bring it so before the hammer reaches the
cap, or its equivalent.

page_text: Eighth, I claim connecting the bolt e with the tumbler by the slotted
head embracing the headless stud or screw e¹ in the tumbler, as described,
so that there being no actual attachment of the bolt and the lock, the latter
may be removed in the ordinary way without regard to the former.
Ninth, I claim cutting away the inclined rear of the breech, or the
face of the stationary breech plate or recoil shield , below the centre of
the bore, as shewn at s, Fig. 2, and described, to ensure that the explosion
shall tend to throw the chamber the more tightly down into the stock, in
lieu of any chance tendency upwards out of its seat.
Tenth, I claim the bearing screw applied substantially as described for
receiving the force of the above-mentioned downward action of the chamber,
and preventing too forcible a pressure being thereby produced on the under
portion of the valve face.
Eleventh, claim forming a recess in the stock beneath or around the
chamber substantially as described to receive any powder that may be
accidentally spilled in loading, so that it shall not block under the chamber
and prevent it coming down to a horizontal line and in contact with its
bearings.
'I welfth, I claim the arrangement of the hinge of the charge chamber upon
the top of the same, as described, whereby the chamber swings over into the
most elevated and unobstructed position for the insertion of cartridges, while
the barrel and not the joint of the hinge bears the weight of the chamber
when the latter is opened, and the cutting away and consequent weakening of
the stock, which would be necessary to enable it to swing in any other direction,
is obviated, and at the same time the hinge is enabled to constitute a sight.
Thirteenth, I claim making one or both leaves of the said hinge constitute
a spring or springs substantially as described, so as to yield, as described, in
case of any obstruction lying on or adhering to the valve face.
Fourteenth, I claim applying the chamber so as to swivel laterally, sub-
stantially as described, in order that when open it may be turned to a vertical
position, or with his mouth upward, for convenience of loading with loose
ammunition while the weapon lies in a horizontal position, as herein explained.
Fifteenth, in the construction of a weapon for military use, I claim making
the aforesaid hinge a rigid lever extending rearward beyond the lock, in the
manner substantially as shown in Figures 4 and 5, to give great power to
open the chamber, should the same be corroded, or otherwise have an un-
usual tendency to adhere.
ixteenth, I claim the employment in a military weapon, as a substitute for
the locking bolt at the breech, of a pin or projection from the side of the

page_text: hammer, that on the descent of the latter shall impinge and bear upon the
lever, and thus bring down the chamber to its bearings in the stock and lock
it securely in place.
Seventeenth, I claim the hair trigger or "set," consisting of a simple
trigger, having a friction roller * attached, and a spring s* applied to
act upon the said roller, in the manner substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the First day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)