IMPROVEMENTS IN DREECH-LUADING FIRD PARD AND VAMMARVEL ORDNANCE,
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wilson, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
DREECH-LUADING
FIRD PARD AND VAMMARVEL
ORDNANCE,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
September 1864.
I, THOMAS WILSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mecha-
nical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE," to be as
follows:-
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms consist of the arrangements
or combinations of parts herein-after described, which arrangements or combi-
nations of parts can readily be applied to muzzle-loading fire-arms, for the
conversion of the said muzzle-loading fire-arms into breech-loading fire-arms.
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms are, however, well adapted to
be carried into effect in new fire-arms.
I will describe this part of my Invention as applied to a muzzle-loading
fire-arm for converting the same into a breech-loading fire-arm.

page_text: One of my improvements is as follows:-Between the sight and the extreme
breech end of the barrel I cut an opening in the upper side of the barrel, the
said opening being about two inches in length. In making the said opening,
I cut away so much of the barrel as to leave only the lower half of the barrel
between the sight and the breech. Into the said opening I fit a steel block
or closer, which is shaped at bottom to fit the bore of the barrel, and at top
has the same curvature as the exterior of the barrel. Tho said block or
closer is hinged to the side of the opening, by preference to the left-hand side.
I effect the hinging of the block to the side of the opening in the following
manner: I fit to the side of the barrel nearly semi-tubular pieces of metal,
which lio close to the outside of the barrel on that side to which the block is
hinged, and pass under the lower side of the barrel. Each of these pieces has on
its top an enlarged eye or hollow projection similar to a portion of the barrel of
a door binge, the under side of the projection being hook-shaped and fitting on
the bevilled edge of the opening. The said pieces are also notched into the side
of the barrel to prevent their motion in the direction of the axis of the barrel.
The portion of each of the said pieces of metal extending under the barrel is
fastened to the barrel by a screw pin; or they may be fixed to the barrel by
brazing. Instead of making the eyes or hollow projections on the tops of
separate pieces of metal, they may be made on one piece af metal. The steel
block or closer is provided with a side flap having hollow projections or eyes,
similar to those fixed on the side of the barrel, and at such distances apart
that they engage between them. A pin being passed through the alternating
projections of the flap and barrel, they are connected together and constitute
a bingo Joint, on which the block or closer turns. The bottom of the open
part of the barrel is chambered out to receive a cartridge. The percussioning
and nipple are situate on the steel block or closer, the communication hole
extending through the block to the axis of the barrel. The cartridge is ignited
from behind through a small hole in the bore. In order effectually to prevent
the escape of gas on firing. a thin tubo or gas check is fitted into the charge
chamber, which check on the ignition of the cartridge is forced against tho
face of the steel block and prevents the escape of gas. In order to load the
gun it is only necessary to raise the steel block on its hinge from the opening
in the barrel, when the cartridge can be inserted in the charge chamber. By
turning the block into the said opening the gun is made ready for firing. In
new guns the eyes or projections are formed on the barrel itself, instead of
being made of separate pieces of metal screwed or brazed to the barrel. Tho
cars for carrying the steel block or closer in this arrangement are applicable

page_text: to all altered guns, whether loading with an ordinary or with self-ignition
cartridge. Instead of the percussionary being formed on the rear, it may be
formed on the forward end of the steel block or closer, and the hammer
lengthened to reach it, or a striker or pin may be used between the hammer
and nipple. By this means the ordinary hammer would fall upon the striker
and the striker upon the cap and explode it. Instead of the gas check
described, a screw pin may pass through the extreme end of the breech of the
barrel and force up the steel block against the face of the chamber, and thus
prevent escape of gas. The cartridge used in this arrangement of breech-
loading fire-arms is ignited through the base, the wad and end of the cartridge
paper being perforated to allow the powder to come up. A disc of thin paper
is pasted outside the wad to keep in the powder.
Another of my improvements is as follows:-I insert or fix in the breech end
of the barrel a breech rib or frame; this rib or frame is of the figure of a
rectangular tube, from which the whole of the top and nearly the whole of one of
the vertical sides have been cut away. In the remaining vertical side of the
said breech frame I make a dovetail groove in a direction parallel to the axis
of the barrel, and into the said groove I fit a dovetail, the said dovetail being
fixed or formed on the breech plug by which the barrel is closed for firing.
The breech plug is supported in position during fire by means of a lug or
excentric working on its rear end, and taking into an opening cut in the side and
bottom of the breech piece. Instead of making the end of the sliding breech
plug enter the barrel, the said sliding breech plug may have a hole in its axis,
into which holo a separate breech plug is fitted. In this case the lug or
excentric for fixing the breech plug during fire is formed on the rear end of
the plug, and the front end of the plug is enlarged to fit the barrel. The plug
is turned by a handle, which also serves to draw back and push home the
sliding piece carrying the plug. Although I prefer to make the dovetail slide
which carries the plug on the inner face of the breech rib or frame, yet it
may be made on the outside with nearly the same effect. When the sliding
plug is not provided with a separate plug or closer its end may be made
cylindrical, so as to enter and fit the charge chamber. Instead of fixing the
plug for firing in the manner described, it may be held in position during fire by
a tongue piece working through a vertical slot in the body of the plug, and
abutting against the end of a slot or opening in the bottom of the breech rib
or frame. The rear of the tongue piece may be formed into a handle for
operating the breech plug. In new guns the rib or frame is Diade solid with
the barrel.

page_text: My improvements in breech-loading ordnance are as follows:-I make the
bore of the gun extend from end to end, so that the charge may be intro-
duced from behind. I cut a horizontal opening or slot across the breech of
the gun, and I fit a steel sliding block into the said slot; the said block works
on antifriction rollers, and may be made to slide backwards and forwards in
the slot; the said sliding block has two holes in it, either of which may at
pleasure be brought into coincidence with the bore of the gun; one of the
said holes is cylindrical and of the same diameter as the bore of the gun;
when this hole is made to coincide with the bore of the gun the gun is open
from end to end, and the charge may be introduced from behind. The other
hole has a strong screw thread cut in it, and a steel screw pin or closer is
made to screw therein. The front end of the closer is made cylindrical, and
fits the bore of the gun accurately. Its extreme front end is hollowed out
into a cup-like or tubular form, and when the closer is advanced into the bore
of the gun, the hollow end and also a portion of the solid cylindrical part of
the closer are introduced into the charge chamber and close it. The rotary
motion of the closer, necessary to make it scrow backwards and forwards in
the slide, is effected by a prolongation of the closer, or by a rod fixed in it,
the said prolongation or rod protruding from the bore at the back of the gun.
By turning the said prolongation or rod, the closer may be made to move
backwards or forwards in the sliding block, and the breech thereby opened or
closed. That part of the bore which is at the back of the sliding block has
horizontal slots opening into it to receive the prolongation or rod of the closer
on the motion of the sliding block. The gas check or hollow end of the steel
closer for preventing the escape of gas may be formed of copper or other
metal, and attached to the end of the closer; and the sliding block may be
operated by hand, or by a screw from the side of the cannon, or by a lever,
or by a pinion in the rear of the breech, the said pinion taking into a rack
or teeth formed in the steel block. In order to charge the gun the closer is
withdrawn from the breech into the slido by giving it a rotary motion. The
sliding block is moved until the unoccupied hole in it is brought into a line
with the bore; the charge is introduced from behind, and the sliding block
moved across the bore until the closer is brought into a lino with the bore;
the closer is then turned until its end advances into and closes the breech,
when the gun is ready to be fired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th March 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THомAS
WILSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand cight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Thomas Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Wilson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE," upon the condition.
(amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Wilson, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 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 Thomas Wilson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms consist of the arrangements
or combinations of parts herein-after described, which arrangements or com-
binations of parts can readily be applied to muzzle-loading fire-arms, for the
conversion of the said muzzle-loading fire-arms into breech-loading fire-arms.
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms are, however, well adapted to be
carried into effect in new fire-arms.
I will describe this part of my Invention as applied to a muzzle-loading
fire-arm for converting the same into a breech-loading fire-arm..
One of my improvements is as follows:-Between the sight and the extreme
breech end of the barrel I cut an opening in the upper side of the barrel, the

page_text: said opening being about two inches in length. In making the said opening
1 cut away so much of the barrel as to leave only the lower half of the barrel
between the sight and the breech. Into the said opening I fit a steel block or
closer, which is shaped at bottom to fit the bore of the barrel, and at top has
the same curvature as the exterior of the barrel. The said block or closer is
hinged to the side of the opening, by preference to the left-hand side. I effect
the binging of the block to the side of the opening in the following manner :-
I fit to the side of the barrel nearly semi-tubular pieces of metal, which lie
close to the outside of the barrel on that side to which the block is hinged,
and pass under the lower side of the barrel. Each of these pieces has on
its top an enlarged eye or hollow projection, similar to a portion of the
barrel of a door binge, the under side of the projection being hook-shaped, and
fitting on the bevilled edge of the opening. The said pieces are also notched
into the side of the barrel, to prevent their motion in the direction of the axis
of the barrel. The portion of oach of the said pieces of metal extending under
the barrel is fastened to tho barrel by a screw pin; or they may be fixed to
the barrel by brazing. Instead of making the eyes or hollow projections on
the tops of separate pieces of metal, they may be made on one piece of metal.
The steel block or closer is provided with a sido flap, having one or more
hollow projections or eyes similar to those fixed on the side of the barrel, and
at such distances apart that they engage between them. A pin being passed
through the alternating projections of the flap and barrel, they are connected
together, and constitute a binge joint on which the block or closer turns. The
bottom of the open part of the barrel is chambered out to receive a cartridge.
The percussioning and nipple are situated on the steel block or closer, the
communication hole extending through the block to the axis of the barrel.
The cartridge is ignited from behind through a small hole in the base. In
order effectually to prevent the escape of gas on firing, a thin tube or gas
check is fitted into the charge chamber, which check on the ignition of the car-
tridge is forced against the face of the steel block and prevents the escape of
gas. In order to load the gun, it is only necessary to raise the steel block on
its hinge from the opening in the barrel, when the cartridge can bo inserted in
the charge chamber. By turning the block into the said opening the gun is
made ready for firing. In new guns the eyes or projections are formed on the
barrel itself, instead of being made of separate pieces of metal scrowed or brazed
to the barrel. The ears for carrying the steel block or closer in this arrange-
ment aro applicable to all altered guns, whether loading with an ordinary or
with self-ignition cartridge. Instead of the percussioning being formed on the
rear, it may be formed on the forward end of tho steel block or closer, and

page_text: the hammer lengthened to reach it; or a striker or pin may be used between
the hammer and nipple. By this means the ordinary hammer would fall upon
the striker and the striker upon the cap and explode it. Instead of the gas
check described, a screw pin may pass through the extreme end of the breech
of the barrel and force up the steel block against the face of the chamber and
thus prevent escape of gas. The cartridge used in this arrangement of breech-
loading fire-arms is ignited through the base, the wad and end of the cartridge
paper being perforated to allow the powder to come up. A disc of thin paper
is pasted outside the wad to keep in the powder.
Another of my improvements is as follows:-1 insert or fix in the breech
end of the barrel a breech rib or frame; this rib or frame is of the figure of a
rectangular tube, from which the whole of the top, and nearly the whole of one
of the vertical sides have been cut away. In the remaining vertical side of the
said breech frame, I make a dovetail groove in a direction parallel to the axis
of the barrel, and into the said groove I fit a dovetail, the said dovetail being
fixed or formed on the breech plug, by which the barrel is closed for firing.
The breech plug is supported in position during fire by means of a lug or ex-
centric working on its rear end, and taking into an opening cut in the side and
bottom of the breech piece. Instead of making the end of the sliding breech
plug enter the barrel, the said sliding breech plug may have a hole in its axis
into which hole a separate breech plug is fitted. In this case the lug or ex-
centric for fixing the breech plug during fire is formed on the rear end of the
plug, and the front end of tho plug is enlarged to fit the barrel. The plug is
turned by a handle, which also serves to draw back and push home the sliding
piece carrying the plug. Although I prefer to make the dovetail slide which
carries the plug on the inner face of the breech rib or frame, yet it may be
made on the outside with nearly the same effect. When the sliding plug is
not provided with a separato plug or closer, its end may be made cylindrical so
as to enter and fit the charge chamber. Instead of fixing the plug for firing
in the manner described, it may be held in position during fire by a tongue
piece working through a vertical slot in the body of the plug, and abutting
against the end of a slot or opening in the bottom of the breech rib or frame.
The rear of the tongue piece may be formed into a handle for operating the
breech plug. In new guns the rib or frame is made solid with the barrel.
My improvements in breech-loading ordnance are as follows:-I make tho
bore of the gun extend from end to end, so that the charge may be introduced
from behind. I cut a horizontal opening or slot across the breech of the gun
and I fit a steel sliding block into the said slot. The said block works on anti-
friction rollers, and may be made to slide backwards and forwards in the slot.

page_text: The said sliding block has two holes in it, either of which may at pleasure
be brought into coincidence with the bore of the gun. Ono of the said holes is
cylindrical or taper and of the same diameter as the bore of the gun.
When
this hole is made to coincide with the bore of tho gun, the gun is open from
end to end and the charge may be introduced from behind. The other holo
has a strong screw thread cut in it, and a steel screw pin or closer is made
to screw therein. The front end of the closer is made cylindrical, and fits the
bore of the gun accurately. Its extreme front end is hollowed out into a cup-
like or tubular form so as to constitute a gas check, and when the closer is ad-
vanced into the bore of the gun the hollow end, and also a portion of the solid
cylindrical part of the closer, are introduced into the charge chamber and close
it. The rotary motion of the closer necessary to make it screw backwards and
forwards in the slide is effected by a prolongation of the closer, or by a rod
fixed in it, the said prolongation or rod protruding from the bore at the back
of the gun. By turning the said prolongation or rod the closer may be made
to move backwards or forwards in the sliding block, and the breech thereby
opened or closed. That part of the bore which is at the back of the sliding
block has a horizontal slot opening into it to receive the prolongation or
rod of the closer on the motion of the sliding block. The gas check or
hollow end of the steel closer for proventing the escape of gas may be formed
of copper or other metal, and attached to the end of the closer, and the
sliding block may be operated by hand or by a screw from the side of the cannon,
or by a lever, or by a pinion in the rear of the breech, the said pinion taking
into a rack or teeth formed in the stoel block. In order to charge the gun
the closer is withdrawn from the breech into the slide by giving it a rotary
inotion. The sliding block is moved until the unoccupied hole in it is brought
into a line with the bore; the charge is introduced from behind, and the
sliding block moved across the bore until the closer is brought into a line
with the bore; the closer is then turned until its end advances into and closes
the breech, when the gun is ready to be fired.
Having explained the nature of my luvention, 1 will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation a breech-loading converted gun or
rifle constructed according to one of my improvements, the gun being ready for
discharge; Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same; Figure 3 is
a plan of the same; and Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same,
the stock and other parts being omitted in the said Figures 2, 3, and 4. The
same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.

page_text: In converting a muzzle-loading rifle into a breech-loading rifle according
to this part of my Invention I cut an opening about two inches long in the
barrel a, between the sight and the extreme breech end, the said opening
cutting away so much of the barrel as to leave only the lower half of the
barrel between the said sight and breech end. I afterwards boro out the
barrel at the said part of a diameter somewhat greater than the bore of the
barrel. The shape of the breech end or breech chamber thus left will be best
seen by reference to Figure 4, in which Figure 4 and in Figure 2 the said
chamber is marked b. Into the said chamber 6 I fit a steel block or closer c,
the bottom of which has a semicircular figure and accurately fills up the said
chamber when the block is shut down, and the top of the said block has the
same or nearly the same curvature as the exterior of the barrel a. The block
or closer c is binged to the side of the opening in the chamber b, by preference
to the left-hand side, the said hinging being effected in the following manner:
-I fit to and fix on that side of the barrel or chamber 6 at which the block
or closer is to be hinged two nearly semi-tubular or nearly semi-annular
pieces of metal marked d, e, the said pieces of metal lying close to the outside
of the chamber b, and passing under the lower side of the said chamber, as
representated in the transverso section Figure 4. Each of the nearly semi-
tubular or annular picces d, e, has on its top an enlarged eye or hollow pro-
jection d, e, similar to the knuckle of an ordinary hinge, the under and inner
side of the said projections d², e, being hooked shaped, the hooked shaped
parts fitting on the bevilled edge of the opening in the side of the chamber b
(see Figure 4). In the said bevilled edge of the chamber where the projec-
tions of the semi-tubular or annular pieces are to be situated notches or
recesses are cut, into which notches or recesses the hooked ends of the said
parts fit when placed on the outside of the barrel or chamber b, and thereby
bind or fix them on the edge of the opening. The parts of the nearly semi-
tubular or annular pieces of metal d, e, which extend under the chamber 6 are
fastened thereto by screw pins f,f; or the said parts d, e, may be fixed to the
chamber by brazing. Instead of making the eyes or knuckles to form the
joint on the tops of separate pieces of metal they may be made on one piece,
that is to say, I take a plate of metal curved of the figure of the pieces d, e, and
of a length equal to the length of the opening in the chamber b, the said plate
being provided at the top of either end with eyes or knuckles similar to those
marked d², e. This plate of metal carrying the eyes or knuckles is fastened
to the barrel or chamber by screws or by brazing. The steel block or closer c
to be jointed to the eyes or knuckles d, e, has a hollow flap or knuckle cof
a length nearly equal to the distance beween the said eyes or knuckles d³, e²,

page_text: the said parts d³, &, and constituting the bingo upon which the block or closer
turns. By fitting the flap or knucklo c³ between the knuckles d, e, and passing
a screw ping through the said knuckles e³, c, d, the end of the pin screwing
into the knuckle d, the hinging of the block or closer c to the side of the barrel
or chamber b is completed. The nearly semi-tubular or annular pioces d, e,
or continuous plato to which the knuckles d, e, are fixed, lio in recesses made
in the stock for their reception.
The improvements described and represented for forming the eyes or
knuckles to which the block or closer is hinged aro applicable to all altered
guns, whether loading with ordinary cartridges or with self-ignition cartridges.
When 1 employ self-ignition cartridges I prefer to discharge them by employ-
ing a hinged block or closer of either of the constructions described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me bearing date the First day of
September 1864, No. 2145, but hinged blocks of other constructions may be
used. In now guns the eyes or projections for forming part of the hinge joint
are formed on the barrel itself, instead of being made of separate pieces of
metal as already described. On the roar end of the block or closer c, and in a
line with the hammer h, the nipple i is situated, tho communication holo k of
the said nipple passing in an oblique direction through the said block to tho
axis of the barrel, as best seen in Figures 2 and 4. The end of the barrel a
is chambered out at a² for a short distance to the size of the chamber b, and
in the said part a³ I place a thin tube or gas check 1, the said check being
forced by the explosion of the cartridgo against the base of the block c,
thus preventing the escape of gas between the said base and end of the
barrel a. The cartridge m used with this gun is ignited through the base, the
wad n of the said cartridge being perforated to allow the powder to come up,
a disc of thin paper being pasted outside the wad to keep in the powder.
When the cartridge has been introduced into the barrel a the hinged block
or closer c is shut down into the chamber 6 in the manner represented in the
Drawing. The chamber 6 is thereby completely filled up, and tho top of
the said chamber closed, and the communication hole k in the block c brought
opposite the perforation in the base of the cartridge m. The gun is now ready
for firing, the discharge being effected by the fall of the hammer on a per-
cussion cap upon the nipple i, the fire from the said cap passing down the
communication hole k in the block c to the cartridge m and discharges tho gun.
After discharge, by taking hold of the projecting part c³ of the block c, the
said block can be turned on its hingo and raised out of the chamber b, and
the said chamber opened for the introduction of a new cartridge. By then
shutting down the bluck c the gun is again ready for discharge. Instead

page_text: of firing the gun by the direct action of the hammer on a percussion cap on a
nipple situated at the rear of the steel block or closer, the nipple may bo
situated on the front end of the block or closer, and the percussion cap
discharged by the intervention of a pin or striker, the said pin or striker
5 working in a bearing or bearings in the block, the hammer in this case
striking on the striker and the striker on the percussion cap; or the hammer
may be lengthened in order to reach the nipple at the front end of the block.
Tho gas check 1, for preventing the escape of gas between the end of tho
block c and face of the chamber b, may be dispensed with, and the same result
obtained by forcing up the said block against the said face by means of a
screw passing through the extreme end of the breech of the barrel. This
screw and the position it occupies at the end of the barrel or chamber b is
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, and is marked p. The front end of the
screw p when driven home to force up the block c enters a recess in the rear
end of the said block, the said screw being turned by a handle or thumb
plate 9 on its end. When I use the screw p the tail pin 6 is removed, the end
of the barrel being closed by the said screw. The improvements described and.
represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be applied to new guns or rifles...
Figure 5 represents in longitudinal vertical section the breech end of a
breech-loading gun or rifle constructed according to another part of my Inven-
tion, and Figure 6 is a transverse section of the same; Figures 7, 8, and 9
represent modifications of the same as herein-after described.
a is the barrel, and 6 the breech end or breech chamber of the said barrel,
in which chamber the breech plug c for opening and closing the barrel slides.
The said chamber 6 consists of a breech rib or frame having the figure of a
rectangular tube, from which the whole of the top and nearly the whole of one
of the vertical sides have been cut away. The shape of the said breech rib or
frame 6 is best seen in Figure 6. The breech rib or frame b is represented as
being made separately and screwed to the end of the barrel a, but in new
guns
the said breech rib or frame b is made in one pieco with the barrel. I
guide the plug c in its motion to open or close the breech chamber or frame b
in the following manner:-In the vertical side 6 of the breech frame or
chamber b a dovetail groove d is made in a direction parallel to the axis of
the barrel, and into the said groote a dovetail e on one side of the sliding
plug c is fitted. A groove is made in the dovetail e through nearly its whole
length, and in the said groove the end of a pin or stud f passed from the side
of the breech chamber enters. The said pin facts as a stop by limiting the
sliding motion of the plug c. Instead of making a complete dovetail on the
plug, a half dovetail only may be used, working in a similar shaped groove in

page_text: the side of the breech chamber. A plug with a half dovetail is represented in
section in Figure 9. The end c³ of the plug c is made cylindrical and of a
sizo proper to fit the bore of barrel a, as represented in Figure 5. The breech
plug c is supported in position during fire by means of a lug or excentric g on
one side of the part of tho plug c, the said part 9' working on the rear end
of the said plug c, the said lug or excentric 9 taking into an opening h cut or
made in the side and bottom of the breech frame or chamber b. Tho part g
carrying the lug or excentric 9 has a stem ³ at its front, which is inserted
and is capable of a partial rotation in a hole in the axis of the plug c. Tho
back of the part g is prolonged outwards and passes through the end of the
breech frame or chamber b, and carries at its end a handle i, by means of
which the lug or excentric 5 can be partly rotated, and the plug c and parts
connected with it moved into or withdrawn from the chamber b. The part g²
is connected to the plug c and the excentric or lug g maintained in its fastened
and unfastened positions in the following manner :-In the top of the plug c
a recess is made in which a spring k is situated. Tho free end of the said
spring carries a small bar or plate &", which passes through the plug and
enters a slot made in the cylindrical surface of the stem of the lug or
excentric g. The shape of the said slot will be best seen by reference to
When the
Figure 6; the said slot is angular or V-shaped at bottom.
excentric or lugg is in the position represented, the bar or plate presses
on one side of the angular slot and tends to hold down tho said lug or
excentric g in the opening h. When the excentric or lug g is turned partly
round by the lever or handle i, so as to remove it from the opening
stem is also partly rotated, and the bar or plate then presses upon the
other side of the angular slot in the said stem and holds the excentric or lug
in the position into which it has been turned. Tho parts of the gun being
in the position represented in Figures 5 and 6, the gun is ready for discharge.
In order to reload the gun the handle or thunib plate i is moved about a
quarter of a rotation. This motion removes the lug or excentric g from out
the opening hand unfastens the breech plug c. By pulling the handle i tho
said plug can be withdrawn from the breech frame or chamber b, the said plug
being guided in its motion by the dovetail e working in the dovetail groove d,
and its motion limited by the pin or stud f. After charging, tho plug c is
pushed up into the position represented and the breech end closed. By now
giving the handle i about a quarter rotation, the lug or excentric 9 is turned
into the opening in the breech frame or chamber b, and the breech plug c
thereby supported during fire. Instead of making the end of the sliding
breech plug enter the barrel, the stem of the lug or excentric may be pro-
the

page_text: longed through the axis of the said plug and its end made to carry a separate
breech plug, which fits the breech end of the barrel.
This modification of my Invention is represented in longitudinal section in
Figure 7 and a plan of the plug separately in Figure 8. In the said Figures
7 and 8 the separate breech plug which enters the barrel a, and is situated at
the front end of the plug c, is marked c, and the prolonged stem is marked g³.
The other parts are of the same construction as corresponding parts in
Figures 5 and 6, and are marked with the same letters.
Figure 10 represents in longitudinal section, Figure 11 in plan, and
Figure 12 in transverse section, a breech-loading gun constructed according
to another part of my Invention. a is the barrel and 6 the frame or brecch
chamber; c is the sliding plug for opening and closing the breech, the said
plug being guided and limited in its motion by pins & on either side of the
brècch chamber b, entering longitudinal slots e on either side the said sliding
plug (see Figures 11 and 12). In the middle of the body of the plug ca
vertical slot is made, in which a tongue piece f is fitted, the forward end of
the said tongue piece being jointed to the forward end of the plug at f2. The
rear end of the tongue piece f is formed into a handle f³ for raising the
tongue piece and also for withdrawing the plug c from or moving it into
the breech chamber b. On the bottom of the tongue piece f and at the
rear end is a projection f*, which, when the plug is in its place ready for
firing, abuts against the end of a slot or opening 9 in the bottom of the
chamber 6, and supports the said plug during fire. The tonguo piece f is
pressed down and its projection f* made to enter the slot g by the free end of
a spring bearing on the top of the said tongue piece. In order to withdraw
the plug c from the chamber 6 for loading the gun, the handle f³ is raised so
as to lift the projection f* from the slot g; this having been done, the plug c
is withdrawn by the handle f³ from the breech end of the barrel, and the
breech chamber 6 made clear for the introduction of the cartridge. On
pushing forward the plug c after loading into the position represented, the
tongue piece f is pressed down by the spring h, and the projection f* on its
under side made to enter and abut against the end of the slot g in the bottom
of the chamber 6, and support the said plug c during discharge.
Instead of raising the tongue piece from the plug by a handle at its rear
end, as in the arrangement just described, the tongue piece may be raised from
the plug by a handle or lever situated on the top of the plug. This modifi-
cation is represented in Figures 13 and 14, Figure 13 representing a side
elevation of the plug separately, and Figure 14 a plan of the same. c is the
sliding plug
is the tongue piece jointed at f to the forward end of the

page_text: plug c. The said tongue piece carries a handle f' at its rear end. On
the top of the said plug is a handle or lever d, d', jointed at d³ to tho rear of
the tongue piece f. The jointed end d of the handle or lover d, ds, has tho
form represented in Figure 18, and works in an opening in the rear of the
tongue f, and bears upon the lower part of the tail or rear of the plug c. In
order to lift the tongue piece f partly out of the plug c, so as to liberate the
said plug, the part d' of the handle or lever d, d', is raised from the plug;
during this motion the jointed end d bears against the bottom of the tail or
rear of the plug, and raises the joint d³, which connects it to the tongue
piece thereby lifting the said tongue piece, and removing its projection f*
from the slot in the breech chamber. The position of the handle or lever d, dª,
when raised from the plug, is indicated in dotted lines; when tho handle d'
is raised somewhat beyond the vertical position it has no tendency to fall.
The part d' which is taken hold of to raise the lever d is hollowed out at its
middle, as will be understood by an examination of tho end view of the said
part, Figure 14, so as not to interrupt the view of the sights on the top of the
barrel.
Figure 15 represents in horizontal section the breech end of a breech-
loading cannon constructed according to my Invention; Figure 16 is a
transverse section of the same taken through the line a, Figuro 15; Figure 17
is an end clevation of the same, and Figures 18 and 19 represent separate
parts of the saine, as herein-after explained. 6 is the bore extending from
end to end of the cannon, so that a charge can be introduced from behind.
The breech end c of the cannon is enlarged, and across the said enlarged part
I cut or make a horizontal opening or slot d, into which is fitted a steel sliding
block e; this sliding block is shewn separately in elevation in Figure 18, and
plan of under side in Figure 19. The said block works on antifriction rollers f,
so as to facilitate the backward and forward motion of the said block in the
slot d; the said block has two holes 9 and h made in it, either of which may
at pleasure, in the manner berein-after described, be brought into coincidence
with the bore 6 of the cannon. The holo g is taper, and when brought
opposite tho boro b forms a prolongation of the said bore, and opens the
cannon from end to end. The other hole h has a strong screw thread cut in
it, into which a steel screw, pin, or closer i scrows, and closes the said hole.
The front of the said closer i is cylindrical, and fills the bore of the cannon
accurately, and the extreme front end is hollowed out into a cup-liko form;
this cupped or hollowed end is forms a gas check, and prevents escape of gas
on the discharge of the cannon. When the screw or closer i is advanced in
the block e, by turning the handle & on its prolonged rear end, in a direction

page_text: proper to drive home the said screw, its hollow front end is, and also a
portion of the solid cylindrical part of the closer are introduced into the bore
or charge chamber 6 of the cannon, and close the said chamber. By turning
the handle in the opposite direction to that described, the closer can be
drawn into the sliding block e, and its front end i removed from the bore or
chamber b. At the back of the enlarged part c of the breech end, and on one
side of the bore b, a slot or opening is made, in which the prolonged part i³
of the closer i works when the sliding block e is moved backwards and for-
wards in the slot d; the said sliding block e is moved backwards and forwards
in the slot d by means of a pinion m gearing with a rack n made on the lower
edge of the said block e. The axis of the pinion m passes to the back of the
cannon, and has a handle o on its end, by means of which rotary motion is
given to the said pinion; the sliding block e may also be operated by hand or
by a screw from the side of the cannon or by a lever.
The action of the several parts is as follows:-The several parts being in
the positions represented in Figure 15, the cannon is ready to be fired. In
order to charge the cannon, the handle is turned so as to withdraw the
front end 2 of the closer into the sliding block e, and open the breech, and
permit of the sliding of the said block e. The block e is now moved across
the bore 6 by turning the handle o of the pinion m until the unoccupied hole,
in the said block e is brought into a line with the boro b. The part i³ of the
closer now occupies the slot or opening 7; the charge is introduced from
behind into the breech chamber or bore b, and the sliding block e moved back
in the slot d to the position represented in the Drawing by the rotation of the
handle o.
The handle of the closer i is then turned until the end i³ of the
said closer advances into and closes the breech, as represented, when the gun
is ready to be fired. The gas check or hollow end is of the steel closer i
consists of a metallic cup, the thin edges of which bear against the bore or
cylindrical surface of the chamber of the cannon. On the discharge of the
cannon the said thin edges are forced into close contact with the cylindrical
surface of the bore or chamber, and prevent all escape of gas; the said gas
check is may either be made solid with the cylindrical end of the closer i, as
represented in Figure 15, or it may be made separately, and attached to the
end of the closer, as represented in Figure 20. The said separate gas
check 2, Figure 20, is attached to the closer i by a cross rib on its base
entering a corresponding groove across the front of the closer, the said parts
being fastened together by a screw pin p, as represented.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which

page_text: the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit
myself to the precise details herein described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from the
nature of my Invention; but I claim as my Invention,―
Firstly, the improvements in converting muzzle-loading fire-arms into
breech-loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, hinging a steel
block or closer to the side of an opening made in the barrel for the intro-
duction of the charge by means of eyes or knuckles of tho kind described, to
which the said block or closer is hinged, the said eyes or knuckles being
formed on the tops of nearly semi-tubular or nearly semi-annular pieces of
metal, or on the top of a continuous nearly semi-tubular plate of metal, the
said pieces or plate of metal being fastened to the barrel by scrows or by
brazing.
Secondly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of breech-
loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, whether the same be applied to con-
verted fire-arms or to new fire-arms.
Thirdly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of breech-
loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7,
8, and 9 of the accompanying Drawings, whether the same be applied to
converted guns or to new guns, that is to say, making the breech ends or
breech chambers of the barrels of a breech rib or frame of the form repre-
sented, in which the breech plug slides, the said plug being guided in its
motion by a dovetail on the said plug working in a dovetail groove in the side
of the breech rib or frame, also supporting the breech plug during discharge
by a lug or excentric at the rear of the plug taking into an opening cut in the
side and bottom of the breech rib or frame, the said lug or excentric being
combined with the breech plug essentially in the manner described and
represented.
Fourthly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of breech-
loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 10, 11,
and 12 of the accompanying Drawings, and the modification thereof herein-
before described and represented in Figures 13 and 14, whether the same be
applied to converted guns or to new guns, that is to say, the arrangement or
combination of parts described and represented for guiding and limiting the
motion of the breech plug and for supporting the said breech plug during
discharge.

page_text: ада
illustrated in Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the accompanying
Drawings for opening and closing the breech ends of breech-loading ordnance,
and for preventing the escape of gas at the breech on the discharge of the said
ordnance.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
THOMAS WILSON. (L.S.)
THOMAS WILSON. (L.s.)