IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MECHANISM AND IN SIGHTS FOR SMALL ARMS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Fraser, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, Gun and Rifle Maker, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING MECHANISM AND IN SIGHTS FOR SMALL ARMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Fraser at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd December 1880.
DANIEL FRASER, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Gun and Rifle Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MECHANISM AND IN
SIGHTS FOR SMALL ARMS."
This Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the details of the
breech and lock mechanism of the class of breech-loading small arms in which a
vertically sliding or hinged breech block is employed; and the Invention also
comprises improvements in adjustable sight apparatus applicable to small arms
used in rifle matches and target practice.
In carrying out the Invention, according to one modification, the breech block is
fitted to slide vertically in the breech shoe or action, the parts being arranged so
that when the block is lowered for opening the breech there is a clear unobstructed
space from the breech backward in the line of the barrel, affording great facility for
cleaning the barrel as well as for inserting cartridges. The breech is opened and
closed by means of an external lever handle fixed on a transverse spindle fitted at
the front lower part of the breech shoe, there being fitted on a squared part of the
spindle a lever, to the outer end of which there is jointed a link having formed on
its outer end a small round projection or boss which engages in a socket in the
side of the breech block, the link being in or partly in a rebate or recess formed in
the side of the breech block. The lever handle may be set in any desired position,
but is by preference nearly vertical when the breech block is raised, and it is turned
over backwards for lowering the block to open the breech. When the handle is
turned to raise the block the lever on its spindle is moved a little beyond the
position in which it and its link are in a straight line, and the link then assuming
an angular position such as to prevent any downward pressure of the block from
turning the lever in the direction for lowering the block. The hammer, which may

page_text: either be formed with a striking point or be arranged to act on an interposed
striker, is set loosely on the spindle of the lever handle; and it has formed or fixed
on it a projection or pin which extends behind the lever described as for moving
the breech block, so that the hammer is cocked by the movement of the lever in
opening the breech. The main spring is placed beneath the barrel in front of the
parts hereinbefore referred to, and is connected to the fore part of the hammer.
The sear assumes the form of a horizontal lever centered near its middle, its after
end being acted on by the trigger, and having the usual spring applied to it to
cause it to engage with the bent or spur of the hammer. A safety slide is fitted
in connection with the trigger, and is moved into a position to lock the trigger by
the back of the hammer when being cocked, whilst an external sueck or projection
serves for moving it by hand into either the locked or unlocked position. An
extractor lever for withdrawing the cartridge case is centered loosely on the spindle
of the breech handle, and is moved by means of a projection or pin formed or fixed
on it, and acted on by the hammer at a suitable part of the cocking movement of
the latter. The end or thumb piece of the lever handle is fitted with a spring
detent which engages with a pin or projection on the side of the breech shoe, and
which is released by compressing a piece jointed in the handle.
The improvements in the sight apparatus are applicable to such apparatus when
fitted at the butt of the stock, and consists principally in forming a recess along
the top of the stock to receive the slotted sight bar or flap when turned down out of
use, so that it may then be completely out of the way of any instrument used in
cleaning the barrel. The recess forms a complete sight case, and renders it unneces-
sary to remove the sight. The boss by which the sight bar is hinged is formed
with notches, in one or other of which a spring detent engages to keep the bar
steady in its elevated or depressed position. The sight piece is adjusted along the
bar by means of a short screw which engages with screw threads formed in the
sides of the slot, and is turned by the finger and thumb; and a conical rubber
shade is adapted to the sight piece, this shade being made with a metal ring
and bayonet joint for convenient attachment to or separation from the sight piece,
whilst the sight piece is made with a clamping screw to fix it in any position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Daniel Fraser in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st June
1881.
DANIEL FRASER, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Gun and Rifle Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MECHANISM AND IN
SIGHTS FOR SMALL ARMS."
My said Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the details of the
breech and lock mechanism of the class of breech-loading small arms in which a
vertically sliding or hinged breech block is employed; and my Invention also
comprises improvements in adjustable sight apparatus applicable to small arms
used in rifle matches and target practice.
In carrying out my Invention according to one modification the breech block is
fitted to slide vertically in the breech shoe or action, the parts being arranged so
that when the block is lowered for opening the breech there is a clear unobstructed
space from the breech backwards in the line of the barrel, affording great facility
The breech is opened
for cleaning the barrel as well as for inserting cartridges.
and closed by means of an external lever handle, which may be set in any desired
position, but which I at present prefer to be somewhat inclined backwards from a
vertical position when in its raised condition, and it is turned backwards and
The lever handle acts on
downwards for lowering the block to open the breech.
the block through a link, and the parts are arranged so that when the block is
raised and closes the breech it is, as it were, locked, in consequence of the position
then assumed by the link. The hammer,, which may either be formed with a
striking point or be arranged to act on an interposed striker, is set loosely on the
spindle of the lever handle, and is arranged to be cocked by the movement of a
lever in opening the breech. A safety slide is fitted in connection with the trigger,
and is moved into a position to lock the trigger by the back of the hammer when
being cocked, whilst an external sneck or projection serves for moving it by hand
into either the locked or unlocked position. An extractor lever for withdrawing
the cartridge case is centered loosely on the spindle of the breech handle, and is
moved. by means of a projection or pin formed or fixed on it and acted on by the
hammer at a suitable part of the cocking movement of the latter.
My improvements in the sight apparatus are applicable to such apparatus when
fitted at the butt of the stock, and consist principally in forming a recess along
the top of the stock to receive the slotted sight, bar, or flap when turned down out
of use, so that it may then be completely out of the way of any instrument used
in cleaning the barrel. The recess forms a complete sight case, and renders it
unnecessary to remove the sight.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory Drawings
to be hereinafter referred to, and representing my improved mechanism or
apparatus.
The details of the breech and lock mechanism are shown on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 being a side elevation; Figures 2 and 3, vertical
sections; Figures 4 and 5, a sectional side view and a sectional plan of the breech
lever handle; Figure 6, a plan of the sear and parts connected therewith; Figures 7
and 8, side and front views of the extractor lever, and Figures 9 and 10, vertical
sections as at right angles to each other of a modification of the screw joint by
which the barrel is fixed to the breech shoe or action.
The improved sight details are shown on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 11 being a sectional side elevation showing the sight turned down;

page_text: Figure 12, a plan corresponding to Figure 11, and Figure 13 a side elevation
showing the sight turned up.
In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or
like parts wherever they are repeated.
In Figures 1 and 2 the parts are shown in the positions they have immediately
after firing, the breech block 21 being in its highest position, and the hammer 22
being also raised. In Figure 3 the breech block 21 is shown as lowered, and the
hammer 22 as cocked. The breech block 21 is of a rectangular form in plan, and
is fitted to slide vertically in a space formed for it in the breech shoe 23, which is a
massive box fixed to the stock 24 by a strong bolt 25, and which has the breech
end 26 of the barrel screwed into its upper front part, this breech shoe or box 23,
with the lock mechanism and other details constituting what is known as the
action of the gun. In Figure 2 the shoe 23 is as sectioned just within its side, and
in Figure 3 it is as sectioned at its middle. When the breech block 21 is down, as
shown in Figure 3, there is a clear unobstructed space from the breech 26, backwards
in the line of the barrel, the back of the shoe being hollowed out at the middle of
the top sufficiently to present no obstruction. The breech block completely fills
the space in which it works in the shoe 23, both in its raised and in its lowered
position; and no parts of the lock mechanism or action are in the least exposed, even
when the breech is opened by lowering the block, and in this way all risk of water
or foreign matters getting into the internal parts is avoided. The breech is opened
and closed by means of an external lever handle 27 fixed on a transverse spindle 28
fitted at the front lower part of the breech shoe 23, there being fitted on a squared
part of the spindle 28 a lever 29, to the outer end of which there is jointed a link 30,
having formed on the inner side at its outer end a small round projection or boss,
which engages in a socket in the side of the breech block 21, the link 30 being
in or partly in a rebate or recess 31 formed in the side of the breech block, the
socket for the boss on the end of the link 30 being deeper than this rebate 31.
When the lever handle 27 is turned up to raise the breech block 21 the lever 29 on
its spindle 28 is moved a little beyond the position in which it and its link 30 are
in a straight line, and the link then assumes an angular position, such as to prevent
any downward pressure of or on the block 21 from turning the lever 29 in the
direction for lowering the block, which is consequently as it were locked in position.
In Figure 3 the lever 29 for moving the block 21 is supposed to be removed, so
that the hammer 22 may be better seen. This hammer 22 is represented as con-
structed for acting on an interposed striker 32, which is fitted in a socket formed
for it in the breech block 21. The movement of the striker 32 is limited by a
cross pin fixed in the block, and which passes through a recess formed on the upper
side of the striker, and also keeps the striker in its place. After firing the striker 32
is moved back, either by a spiral or other convenient spring, or by its point
encountering a small inclined hollow formed below the breech opening as the
block 21 descends. The hammer 22 is set loosely on the spindle 28, and it is
formed with a projection 33, which extends behind the lever 29, so that the hammer
becomes cocked by the movement of the lever 29 in opening the breech. The
hammer 22 reaches the striker 32 through a cavity formed in the underside of the
breech block 21, and the hammer and other internal parts remain always covered
by the breech block.
The main spring 34 is placed beneath the barrel in front of the breech shoe 23,
and is connected by a link 35 to the fore part of the hammer 22. The sear is in
the form of a nearly horizontal lever 36, 37, centered near its middle, its forward
part or arm 36 engaging with the bent or spur of the hammer 22, whilst its after
arm 37 is acted on by the trigger 38, a spring 39 being applied to it as usual to
make it engage with the hammer. A safety slide 40 is fitted in connection with
the trigger 38, and has an external sneck 41 attached to it; its back end when it
is moved back engages under a spur formed on the front of the trigger boss, and 5
prevents the trigger from being moved. The front part of the safety slide is made
with a part 42 extending over the middle of the sear 36, 37, into a position to be

page_text: acted on by the extreme end of the hammer 22, and when being cocked the hammer
moves the slide 40 back, so as to lock the trigger 38. A small spring 49 (Figure 6)
bears on the slide 40 to prevent accidental displacement.
An extractor lever 43, shown separately in Figures 7 and 8, is centered loosely
on the spindle 28 of the breech handle 27, and is moved by means of a projection
or pin 44 on it, and acted on by the hammer 22 at a suitable part of the cocking
movement of the latter. This extractor lever 43 may be placed at either side, and
if desired it may be made to catch the cartridge case at both sides by the addition
of a part indicated by dotted lines in Figure 8, a groove being formed in the face
of the breech 26 to receive this additional part. A spring may also be applied for
ejecting the cartridge case when drawn out of the breech. The end or thumb
piece of the lever handle 27 is fitted with a spring detent 45 (Figures 4, 5,) which
engages with a pin or projection on the side of the breech shoe 23 when the lever
handle is raised into the position for closing the breech. This detent 45 is fitted
into a socket formed in the end of the lever bandle 27, and is released by
compressing a curved piece 46 jointed to the end of the lever 27, this piece having
formed on its inner side a bevilled projection, which acts on the bevilled side of a
notch formed in the side of the spring detent 45. For the purpose of fixing the
barrel to the shoe 23, or separating them quickly, I sometimes adopt a contrivance
which will be understood with the assistance of Figures 9 and 10. The screw
threads of both the breech 26 and the socket in the shoe 23 are made in each case
in three segmental portions, with the parts between cut away. The breech 26 is
entered with its projecting screwed segments in the cut-away parts of the socket,
and then about a sixth of a turn causes the several screwed segments to engage
with each other. When thus screwed home a pin or key 47 is passed across to
prevent loosening, or a small screw pin may be screwed from the outside of the
socket through into the barrel for that purpose.
The improved sight apparatus, shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13, comprises a
slotted sight bar or flap 51, which is hinged to a metal base 52, fixed by screws in
the top of the stock 24 close to the butt end. A recess or groove 53 is formed
along the top of the stock 24 to receive the flap 51 when turned down, and when
the flap is so turned down no part of it or of the base 52 projects above the top
line of the stock, and it is completely out of the way of any instrument used in
cleaning the barrel. The boss 54, by which the flap 51 is hinged, is formed with
notches, in one or other of which a spring detent 55. engages to keep the flap or
bar steady in its elevated or depressed position. The sight piece 56 is adjusted
along the bar 51 by means of a short screw 57, which engages with screw threads
formed in the sides of the slot, and is turned by the finger and thumb, and a
conical rubber shade 58 is adapted to the sight piece 56, being made with a metal
ring and bayonet joint for convenient attachment to or separation from the sight
piece, whilst the part on which the ring of the shade 58 is put is a clamping screw
for fixing the sight piece 56 in any position, and can be conveniently turned by
means of the shade. The shade 58 may be attached by means of a cord 59 to the
upper end of the sight flap or bar 51, and when the flap is turned down the shade
may hang over the side of the stock, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 11, so
that the risk of dropping or misplacing it may be avoided.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1. The improved combination of parts concerned in opening and closing the
breech, and comprising the breech block (21), the link (30), lever (29), spindle (28),
and hand lever (27), these parts being arranged and acting substantially in the
manner hereinbefore described.
2. The combination of the lever (29) and link (30) for moving the breech block,
the parts being arranged so that when the breech block is closed the link is

page_text: slightly past the line of centres, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
3. The arranging or combining together of the hammer (22), breech-block lever
(29), main spring (34), and sear (36, 37,), substantially in the improved manner
herein before described.
4. The arrangement of the safety slide (40) in relation to the hammer (22) and
trigger (38), as hereinbefore described.
5. The mode of combining the extractor lever (43) with the other [parts, as
herein before described.
6. The mode of applying the spring detent (45) and the piece (46) for releasing
it to the lever handle (27), as hereinbefore described.
7. The forming of a recess or case for the sight apparatus in the top of the stock
near the butt, as herein before described.
8. The arranging or combining together of the sight details and shade, substan-
tially in the improved manner hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Daniel Fraser, have hereunto set my hana
and seal, this Twentieth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.