IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Jolinson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS." -A communication from abroad by
La Société Industrielle Suisse, an Incorporated Company, of New-
301
Scaled the 18th February 1873, and dated the 30th December 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Potition,
on the 30th December 1872.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of No. 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," a communication to me from
abroad by La Société Industrielle Suisse, an Incorporated Company, of
Newheusen, near Schaffhausen, Switzerland, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the repeating and
simple action fire-arms, as manufactured by the Société Industrielle
Suisse, and consists,―

page_text: First. In making the stock of the repeating fire-arm in one piece,
only mortised throughout its entire height up to the point where the
fixed breech is situate, in and upon which are mounted the several parts
of the system. By this mode of construction the solidity of the arm is
greatly increased, and more particularly that of the butt, thus rendering
more serviceable as a weapon of war.
Secondly. Of a peculiar arrangement of the fixed breech piece of the
repeater, which consists of an extended portion projecting from the rear
end, in which is formed a dove-tailed groove forming a guide for the
sliding bolt or breech piece. A stop or projection is formed on the boss
of the actuating lever, the lateral faces of which projection are inclined
to correspond to the sides of the dovetailed guide groove, within which
it enters. Thus when the actuating lever is elevated the stop or
projection enters the said groove by a lateral notch made therein. In
withdrawing the sliding breech piece the stop serves as a guide, and
maintains it in line with the breech.
Thirdly. In making the trigger grooved of the repeating and single
action fire-arms in one forging with the guard plate. A screw passing
through the trigger guard plate serves to secure the breech to the stock,
the guard plate retaining its position when the screw is removed.
Fourthly. Of a peculiar arrangement of the plate, which closes the
lower part of the breech, and which carries the bent lever for clevating
the cartridges. This plate is maintained securely in its place by a
rounded hook, which enters a corresponding notch made in the lower
part of the front portion of the breech, and also by projections which
enter corresponding notches made in the lower part of the lateral faces
of the breech. This plate is moreover fixed in position by means of the
same screw, which secures the breech to the stock, and it serves also to
keep the front end of the trigger guard plate in position.
Fifthly. The employment both in the repeater and in the single action
fire-arm of a stop fitted to the end of the extended portion of the breech,
such stop turning on a centre in a transverse opening made in the said
extended piece, such stop coming in contact with a projection made on
the boss or enlargement of the actuating lever when the sliding breech
is drawn back. This stop is maintained in its proper position by a blade
spring, which enters a notch made in the cylindrical portion of the pivot
of the stop, thus whilst allowing the latter to turn it brings it back to its

page_text: JOHNSON & Improvements in Fire-arms.
place again. When the sliding bolt or breech piece is to be entirely
removed the stop is lowered so as to allow the breech piece to pass
over it.
Sixthly. Of certain improvements in the bent lever and parts
connected therewith for elevating the cartridges, with a view to
rendering more easy the rising of the elevator of the repeater fire-arm,
and of enabling the arm to be used at will as a single action arm or as a
repeater.
In the first arrangement the working centre of the bent lever is kept
low down, and upon the boss of the lever two notches are formed, into
cither of which engages the end of a blade spring which regulates the
position of the said bent lever. In this case the lower part of the
clevator is modified in order to afford a passage for the long arm of the
lever, thus simplifying the construction of the arm, whilst at the same
time by increasing the relativo length of the shorter arm of the bent
lever the force required for lifting the elevator is considerably
diminished:
In the two other modifications herein-after referred to arrangements
are adopted which will permit of the employment of this system of
repeating fire-arm as a single action arm when so required.
In the second modification or arrangement there is fitted to the said
bent lever a strong spindle, provided with a screwed portion, and passing
through the joint, the upper end of such spindle entering the notch in
the lower part of the sliding or moveable breech piece, which thus trans-
mits the rising and falling motion to the elevator, the screwed spindle
taking the part of the shorter arm of the bent lever, the working centre
of which, as in the previous modification, is kept well down below the
junction of the two arms of the lever. Should it be required to use the
arm without the elevator the spindle is unscrewed till it no longer
engages with the sliding breech piece, when the cartridges will be
inserted by hand. On screwing up the spindle again the arm may be
used as a repeater.
In the third modification or arrangement the form and arrangement
of the elevator is altered; it consists of a species of spoon or trough
working on a centre, and the elevator and bent lever are combined in one
by the addition of a screwed spindle which fulfils the functions of the
one previously described.. The head or boss of the hinged or pivotted

page_text: elevator is traversed by the screwed spindle, the upper end of which
engages with the sliding breech piece. This modification also permits
of the arm being readily adjusted so as to operate either as a repeater or
as a single action arm. In both these last-mentioned modifications
the boss of the bent lever or of the hinged or pivotted clevator has
notches made in it for the reception of the end of a blade spring, as in
the first of the three modifications.
Seventhly. Of improvements in the single action arm, which consist
in applying to the spring of the stop which throws out the empty
cartridge case a flat elongated head. A portion of the length of this head
engages in a slot made longitudinally in the cylindrical portion of the
sliding breech piece, the stability of which is thus increased, as it is
maintained secure in every position by the pressure of the said spring in
whatever position the arm may be hield.
All the improvements herein-before described with reference to the
repeater are also applied to this arm. It is provided with a moveable
stop for keeping the sliding breech piece within the fixed breech, and it is
guided by a groove made in the interior of the breech. The extractor is
made stronger, and so arranged that no escape of gas can take place
through the slot made in the chamber for the reception of the hook
which seizes the flange of the cartridge.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th June 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the 36th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license
that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors,

page_text: ARMS,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-
a communication to me from abroad by La Société Industrielle
Suisse, an Incorporated Company, of Newhucsen, near Schaffhausen,
Switzerland, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Henry Johnson, my
by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent. ¡
-
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, 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 accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:
-
This said Invention has for its object various improvements in the
construction of repeating and single action fire-arms, as manufactured
by the Société Industrielle Suisse, by which simplicity of construction,
facility in manipulation, and increased strength are obtained.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
corresponding Figures.
Sheets 1 and 2 illustrate the improvements and modifications of the
repeating fire-arm, with details of the various parts; Sheet 3 illustrates
the improvements on the single action fire-arm, with details; and Sheet 4
shews improvements on both systems of fire-arms, also with details.
Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) are clevations of a repeating firc-arm,
constructed according to these improvements; Figure 3 is a longitudinal
section of same; Figure 4 is an clevation; and Figure 5 a corresponding

page_text: plan, shewing the sliding bolt drawn back; and Figures 6, 7, and 8, are
transverse sections taken respectively along the lines A, B, C, D, and
E, F (Figures 2, 3, and 4, respectively).
-
The stock A of the gun is formed (as shewn in Figure 1 (Sheet 1) in
one piece, mortised throughout its entire length to the point where the
fixed breech piece B is situate, by which the strength of the gun, and
especially of the butt end, is considerably increased.
The breech piece B is modified, as shewn, particularly in Figures 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 (Shect 1), which represents various
views of the same detached; it is provided with a screwed socket D, for the
reception of the barrel E, and has also an extended portion C projecting
from its rear end, in which is formed a longitudinal dovetailed groove a,
intended to receive a correspondingly shaped projection 6', formed on the
boss I of the lever J, which actuates the sliding bolt, by which means
the bolt is guided perfectly during its motion. A notch 6 is formed to
bis
admit of the passage of the projection 6'.
The actuating lever is shewn in detail in Figures 38 and 39 (Sheet 2).
a¹ is a projection on the boss I, which projection has formed on it a heel
piece c', which latter comes against a stop R herein-after referred to, and
maintains the sliding bolt; d¹³ are helical, hollow, or sunk portions, which?
effect the cocking of the striker; e¹ are projections, which come behind
the projections n, in order to lock the gun; f¹ are oblique faces, and a
notch corresponding to similar parts on the sliding bolt F; is a
central opening for the reception of the sliding bolt F; ' is a stop piece,
which limits the lowering motion of the actuating lever.
The trigger guard c³, shewn in Figures 31 and 32 (Sheet 2) is forged
in one with the trigger guard plate P, and the fixed breech piece B is
secured to the gun by means of a screw Q, the screwed portion a² of
which enters the fixed breech piece, whilst the head & fits in the trigger
guard. It is simply necessary therefore to remove the screw Q in order
to effect the withdrawal of the fixed breech piece, the trigger guard
plate P remaining attached to the stock of the gun, to which it is
secured by screws passing through the holes ³. The trigger guard
plate has also an opening f* formed in it for the passage of the trig-
ger X, and is provided with a support d, having an eye e to carry the
trigger.

page_text: The trigger X is binged at y³, and its heel piece receives the action
of the spring Y. The part 3 of the trigger projects beyond the interior
of the trigger guard. w² is the elbow bend of the trigger, which is
jointed to the forked head f³ of the tumbler V. The trigger spring Y is
attached to the trigger guard by a screw passing through the hole a³,
the extremity be of such spring acting on the heel piece 23 of the trigger.
³ is the upper end of the tumbler, and e³ the stop piece of same.
On the other hand the piece O, shewn in Figures 27, 28, and 29
(Sheet 2), which closes the under portion of the breech piece B, and
which is provided with a forked support u', having an eye v¹ to receive
the axis of the bent lever Tof the cartridge elevator, is securely main-
tained in its place by the screw Q and by a rounded hook ¹ and
projections y. This piece O itself maintains the trigger guard plate P, a
hole to being provided for the screw to pass through, and the trigger
guard plate is also attached by projections to the faces of the breech
piece, so that the three parts B, O, and P are firmly connected together,
whilst it is simply necessary to withdraw the screw Q in order to
completely separate them from cach other. The support u¹ has a notch x¹
formed in it to receive a spring U, which will be herein-after described.
The bent lever T (Figures 50 and 51, Sheet 2) has a rounded head of
formed on its long arm. p² is its short arm, and q³ the bent portion of
the lever; is the screw which forms the hinge of the lever; and sis
a notch for the reception of the rounded extremity of the spring U
(Figure 59), which spring is also provided with a rounded portion 11³,
which enters the cavity a¹ of the support u¹.
In order to facilitate the removal of the sliding bolt F the extending
portion C has formed in it an eye d (Figure 10, Sheet 1), for the
reception of a stop R (Figure 47, Sheet 2), which is formed with a
notch, to receive the action of a spring S situate in a recess c,
(Figure 10, Sheet 1,) and is also provided with a smooth portion j³, to
arrest the part c¹ of the projection a' formed on the boss I of the
actuating lever when the sliding bolt is brought back. It is simply
necessary to lower the stop P, the head of of which is striated or
roughened, in order to remove the sliding bolt; the key employed to fix.
the bolt is thus dispensed with, which obviates the necessity for the
double spring of the extractor, whilst the boss I and the bolt F not being
now slotted become much more firm and strong. The head of the
spring S is perforated for the reception of the attaching screw m³.

page_text: fis an opening formed in the extended portion C for the passage of
the tumbler V; g is an aperture for the introduction of the cartridges;
h is a passage for the cartridge extractors; is the entrance to the
cartridge magazine; j is an opening for the reception of the hook z¹ of
the plate O, which closes the under side of the breech piece; & arc
notches formed in the checks of the breech piece to receive the lateral
projections on the plate O; 7 is a tapped portion for the reception of the
screw of the trigger guard; m is a recess for the passage of the bent
lever T of the cartridge elevator; n are internal projections, which serve
as a supporting point to the sliding bolt F; G is the striker, and H its
head; K is a socket for the reception of the helical spring M of the
cocking mechanism, the extremities n² of such spring being plain; L is
the breech nut; X, the trigger hinged by the screw c³ (Figure 3) Sheet 1;
and Y the trigger spring.
Figures 19 to 23 (Sheet 2) shew various detail views of the sliding 1
bolt F. o is a recess drilled therein for the passage of the striking
pin G; p are lateral recesses; q is a flange, having an oblique face,
which receives the action of the boss I, and ensures the tight closing of
the gun; is a passage made for the head H of the striker; S is a screw
thread cut on the end of the sliding bolt to receive the breech nut; is
the reduced extremity of the branches of the bolt F, screwed into the
breech nut; u is a groove for the reception of the extremity of the bent
lever T; and a notch for the cartridge extractor.
Figures 24, 25, and 26 (Sheet 2) are detail views of the striker: ¹are
inclined planes on the striker to receive the action of the boss I; j¹ is a 2
widened portion of the head H in connection with the tumbler V; K' arc
notches for the reception of the spring of the cocking mechanism.
Figures 33, 34, and 35 (Sheet 2), are detail views of the breech nut L,
and Figures 36 and 37 (Sheet 2) are detail views of the breech socket K.
x is the portion of the socket against which the breech nut L bears; y
is 3
the portion of the breech nut which receives the spring of the cocking
mechanism; z is an annular groove in the nut L for the reception of the
two branches of the sliding bolt; w is an aperture in the breech nut for
the passage of the striker G.
Figures 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 (Sheet 2) are detail views of the cart- 3
ridge clevator N. are projecting portions of the sides of the elevator,
which are fitted to work between the chiceks of the breech piece; m' is a

page_text: recess provided to facilitate the introduction of the cartridges; n¹ is an
internal cylindrical recess or cavity in the elevator, which receives the cart-
ridge; o' are internal projections, which support the cartridge case brought
back by the extractor; 2' is a recess at the rear of the projections o¹ for
the reception of the flange of the cartridge; 7' is a recess for the recep-
tion of the bent lever T; is the lower bottom of the elevator; & is a
plane surface to receive the action of the bent lever T; and t¹ is a recess
which admits of the passage of the hook of the plate O.
Figures 45, 46, 48, 49, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57 (Sheet 2), are detail views
of other detached portions which are herein-after referred to.
The form of the extractor Z (Figure 60), Sheet 2, which is stronger,
prevents its being injured by an escape of gas by placing it above the
sliding bolt F; it has the effect of closing the notch in the breech picce
which its head g³ enters in order to lay hold of the flange of the cartridge.
The cartridge extractor is attached by a pin passing through the hole h³,
and its rear portion is reduced in thickness so as to form a spring ³.
In order to take the repeating gun to pieces it is simply requisite to
unscrew the large screw of the trigger guard to remove the plate which
carries the bent lever, and to lower the stop piece; the sliding bolt
may then be withdrawn. The barrel and breech piece are removed by
withdrawing the lever screw and the ramrod, and taking off the rings,
then turning the gun over in the hand, with the barrel underneath.
On the right hand side of the extended portion C, which serves as a
guide to the movement of the sliding bolt, there is provided a moveable
heel piece (Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 4), which is secured by a screw K³,
disposed transversely, and on which it is capable of oscillating. This
heel piece has formed on its lower end a species of tooth ³, intended to
stop the motion of the tumbler, which is for this purpose provided with
a lateral projection m³, and the upper end of the heel piece is striated or
roughened, so as to admit of it being readily raised again with the
finger.
It will thus be perceived that by raising the heel piece 1" before closing
again the bolt the tumbler is driven back by the tooth ³, and does not
come in contact with the striker at the time of closing the gun, which is
in a state of rest, although loaded. The heel piece ³ is also depressed
by the lowering of the actuating lever, so that it is simply requisite to
raise the heel piece with the hand when it is required to place the

page_text: loaded gun at rest, its lowering being effected automatically. In order
to effect the cocking of the gun it is simply necessary to raise and lower
the actuating lever.
It will be perceived moreover that this very simple arrangement is
equally applicable to the simple action fire-arm, which may thus be t
placed in a state of rest whilst in its loaded condition.
In the first modification of the repeating fire-arm, which is shewn in
Figures 61, 62, 63, and 64 (Sheet 2), the hinged centre of the bent
lever A is made lower, and its position is regulated by a spring U
entering notches B¹. In this case the lower part of the cartridge
elevator N is modified, in order to admit of the passage of the long arm
of the lever A³, and the general construction of the arm is thus simplified
at the same time, that by the relative increase in the length of the short
arm of the lever A¹ the force that the raising of the elevator requires is
sensibly diminished.
In the other three modifications of this system of repeating firc-arm
which I am about to describe arrangements are adopted which admit of
this system of fire-arm being employed as a single action gun.
J
In the modification shewn in Figures 72, 73, 74, and 75 (Sheet 2),
there is applied to the bent lever G¹ a stout pin I¹, having a screw thread a
cut upon a portion of its length, which pin passes through the forked
head H³, and its extremity enters the slot formed in the under portion of
the sliding bolt F, which thus, as before, transmits motion to the
elevator N.
A
A spring U serves, as before, to maintain the bent lever by acting on a
notches formed on the circumference of the head H³ of the lever, which
head is composed of two parts forming the lower joint. By unscrewing
the pin I until its extremity is released from the sliding bolt the cart-
ridge may be placed on the elevator and pushed into the barrel by
means of the bolt in the same way as in the single action gun. On this
system, on the contrary, by screwing in the pin I up to its shoulder the
gun is ready to be fired as a repeating fire-arm. Holes jaro provided
around the head of the screw I' to facilitate the screwing and un-
screwing.
. This arrangement also admits of the sliding bolt being entirely with- {
drawn without taking the repeating mechanism to pieces, which offers
great advantage for attending to it.

page_text: Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (Sheet 4) shows a modification of this
arrangement, in which the pin n³ is plain throughout its entire length,
but provided towards its head o³ beneath with two small transverse
notches p³, in which the head of a spring q³ fitted on to the body
(Figures 8 and 9) of the bent lever may engage, such spring by exercising
sufficient pressure on the pin n³ arrests its free motion; it is simply neces-
sary therefore to pull or press the pin n³ in order to cause it to engage with
or release it from the bolt, and consequently to produce or suspend the
action of the elevator.
The pin is also provided with a notch o, which is traversed by a
small pin, so that the motion of the pin n³ is limited to the distance
between the notches p³.
In the modification shewn in Figures 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, and 71
(Sheet 2) the elevator is composed of a species of hinged spoon C', and
the elevator and the bent lever are in fact combined by the arrangement
of the screwed pin E¹ passing through the head D', such pin performing
the same functions as the screw I herein-before described, and admitting
of the gun being used either as a repeating or single action firc-arm.
The circumference of the head of the jointed elevator C¹ is, as before,
provided with two notches F¹ (Figure 67), intended to receive the
extremity of the spring U, which determines its position.
In the single action fire-arm on this system, shewn on Sheet 3 of the
Drawings hereunto annexed, a special improvement has been made, which
consists in the application of an elongated head Q¹ to the spring stop O¹
(Figure 109), which is secured by a screw P³ to the breach piece K', and
is intended to eject the empty cartridge case. A portion of this head
remains engaged in a longitudinal groove R' formed in the cylindrical
portion of the sliding bolt F, which is thus maintained in all its positions
by the pressure of the spring O'.
The whole of the improvements herein-before described with reference
to the repeating fire-arm are also applied to this single action fire-arm,
shown on Sheet 3, with details of the various parts. The simple action
fire-arm is in fact provided with a moveable heel stop, intended to
maintain the sliding bolt in the breech, and the bolt is guided in a groove
formed in the interior of the breech.
•
The forms and arrangements of the extractor are also modified in order

page_text: Sixth. The modifications made in the system of bent lever, with a
view to render more easy the upward motion of the clevator of the
repeating fire-arm.
Seventh. The application to the bent lever of the repeating fire-arm
of a moveable arm, having a screwed pin or notches, with a view to
admit of such repeating fire-arm being employed as a single action fire-
arm.
Eighth. The arrangement of hinged or jointed clevator applied as a
modification of the repeating fire-arm.
Ninth. The application of the system of moveable stop, hercin-before
described, admitting of the loaded gun being placed in a state of rest,
which arrangement is applicable to both systems of arms.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of
June One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)