IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jehiel Keeler Hoyt, of the City, County, and State
of New York, United States, now of No. 12, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS."-A communication from abroad
by Benjamin Franklyn Joslyn, of Stonington, Connecticut, United States
of America.
Sealed the 3rd May 1864, and dated the 7th November 1863.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Jehiel Keeler Hoyt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration,
on the 7th November 1863, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent
Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEHIEL
KEELER HOYT, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States,
now of No. 12, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REVOLVING FIRE-ARM8," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my.
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same,
and have made solemn Declaration that it has been communicated to me from
abroad by Benjamin Franklyn Joslyn, of Stonington, Connecticut, United
States of America.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said benjamin Franklyn Joslyn, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal
fully describes and ascertains the nature of said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings, making a part of this Speci-
fication.
Said Invention relates to improvements in that class of revolving fire-arms
in which metallic cartridges are used.
The first part of said Invention consists, firstly, of a device for preventing
the spent cartridges from interfering with the free rotation of the cylinder;
secondly, of a breech plate attached to or forming a part of the frame, and so
constructed with respect to the cylinder as to permit the lateral movement of
the same to a limited extent from the frame, and to guide the cylinder when
it has to be returned to its proper position, thereby obviating the delay
incurred in detaching the cylinders of ordinary revolvers entirely from and
readjusting them in the frame; thirdly, in a novel device for operating the
cylinder through the movement of the hammer; fourthly, of a movable centre
pin for the rear of the barrel, the movement of the pin being limited by a
spring and lip on the same, as described hereafter; fifthly, of a novel device
for retaining and releasing the cylinder; and, sixthly, of a device serving the
double purpose of a centre pin for the front of the cylinder and a suitable
instrument for removing the spent cartridges from the chambers of the
cylinder.
The second part of said Invention consists, firstly, of a mode, described
hereafter, of constructing the stock and frame of a revolving fire-arm in two
parts, connected together and arranged to permit a lateral movement of the
cylinder, substantially as described hereafter; secondly, of a peculiar manner
of constructing the rear of the cylinder; thirdly, of a modified device for
retaining and releasing the cylinder; and, fourthly, of a modified device
serving the double purpose of a centre pin and of an instrument for forcing
the spent cartridges from the chambers of the cylinder.
On Drawing No. 1, which relates to the first part of my Invention, Figure 1
is a longitudinal section of the improved breech-loading revolving fire-arm;
Figure 2, a sectional plan on the line 1, 2, Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4, trans-
verse sections on the line. 3, 4, Figure 1; Figure 5, a transverse section on
the line 5, 6, Figure 1; Figure .6, an end view; Figure 7, a detached view of
part of the fire-arm; Figure 8, a view of the rear of the cylinder; and Figure 9,
a longitudinal section of the same on the line 7, 8, Figure 8. Similar letters
refers to similar parts throughout the several views.

page_text: A is the frame of the pistol, an extension B from the rear of which forms
the stock or handle, the barrel C being secured to the front end of the frame
in the usual manner. In the rectangular opening of the frame A revolves
the cylinder D, at the rear of which is a projection a, having as many depres-
sions as there are chambers in the cylinder, each depression being inclined
on one side and abrupt on the other, as best observed on reference to the
sectional view, Figure 9. On the front end of the cylinder B is a tubular
projection 6 which is arranged to fit snugly in, and when necessary, to slide to
and fro in a groove f formed in the frame A (see Figure 2). In the frame,
at the rear of the cylinder, is a circular opening in which the cylindrical
block E fits snugly, and through this block passes a pin e, the end of which fits
into a recess in the projection a of the cylinder, a portion of the head F of the
pin fitting in the opening of the frame which coutains the block, in which
position the head is retained by the spring C, the latter having a lip c¹, the
purpose of which will appear hereafter. It will be observed, on reference to
Figures 2, 3, and 4, that a portion of the front end of the block E is cut away,
leaving a semi-cylindrical projection in which a longitudinal opening for the
reception of the pin h, the outer end of which is so beveled as to engage
properly in depressions of the projection a, a spiral spring in the opening and
at the rear of the pin tending to force the latter towards the cylinder, while
the pin is retained within proper limits by a projection passing into an oblong
slot in the block, as seen in Figure 2. It should be understood that this
block E is arranged to turn freely in the frame, but to have no longitudinal
movement. Between the rear of the cylinder and the frame intervenes a
breech plate G, in which is a central opening of such shape and dimensions as
to allow for the free movement of the pin e and pin h, the plate having on one
side a lug d fitting against the side of the frame, to which the plate is secured
by a set screw 1, Figure 2. In the face of the plate G is a depression, the
edges of which are beveled and adapted to the beveled edges of a recoil
plate H, which fits loosely in and so as to be readily withdrawn vertically from
the plate G when the latter is detached from the frame. The recoil plate is
so situated as to form the rear of one of the chambers of the cylinder when
the front of the chamber coincides with the bore of the barrel; the face of the
recoil plate being slightly convex and projecting beyond the face of the breech
plate, while the inside is concave, as seen in Figure 7. The recoil plate being
somewhat loose in the recess of the breech plate is capable of yielding to a
limited extent at the moment the discharge of the cartridge takes place, but
instantly recovers its former position after the discharge. In the upper edge
of the recoil plate is cut a notch j, through which passes the point k of the

page_text: hammer I as it falls upon the edge of the flange or enlargement of the metallic
cartridges used in connection with the improvements. On the hammer pin L
is secured a cam-shaped lever N having the usual notches, in which engages
the upper end of the trigger O, the main spring P being. connected to the
arm s of this lever by a link m. From the face of the lever N projects a pin,
to which is connected the lower end of the connecting rod n, the upper end of
the latter being jointed to a pin on that part of the block from which, as before
remarked, a portion is cut away. To a spindle Q attached to the frame below
the cylinder is hinged a lever having two armis p and q, the latter having an
orifice for the reception of the sliding rod r, the heads of which is pressed
against the edge of the cam-shaped lever N by a spiral spring contained in
the said orifice. A flat spring t is secured at one end to the under side of the
frame, the other end bearing against the under side of the arm p, the rounded
portion of which is arranged to fit in a slight depression formed in the cylinder
at such points that when the end of the arm is in one of the said depressions
one of the chambers of the cylinder must coincide with the bore of the barrel.
To a projection J beneath the barrel and near the muzzle, one end of a rod K
is so jointed that it can be moved laterally, the rod fitting snugly, but so as to
slide freely in the tubular rod K', the rear end of which passes through the
frame A and into the tubular projection 6 of the cylinder, thus forming the pin
on which the front end of the said cylinder revolves. A spiral spring contained
within the tubular rod K', and bearing against the rod K, tends to maintain
both rods in their proper position when not required for the use explained
hereafter. On cocking the hammer the lever N will turn in the direction of
its arrow, and through the connecting rod n cause the cylindrical block E
(which, while the hammer was down, occupied the position shown in Figure 3)
to turn in the direction of its arrow. As the lever N turns the friction
between its edge and the head of the pin r causes the arm q to be elevated,
and the arm p consequently depressed, free from the depressions in the
cylinder, thereby causing the latter to be released. The pin h, owing to the
movement imparted to it by the partial turning of the block E, will, as it bears
against the abrupt side of one of the depressions in the projection a of the
cylinder, move the latter round to an extent sufficient to bring into a line with
the bore of the barrel that chamber of the cylinder next to that which had,
prior to the movement of the cylinder, coincided with the said bore. When
the hammer has been brought to the position of full cock the arm q
is released
and the springt forces the arm p against the cylinder, the head of the arm
entering one of the depressions, so that the cylinder is retained in a proper
position prior to the falling of the hammer, and will remain in that position

page_text: during the descent of the hammer and until the latter is again moved back.
On releasing the hammer the lever N is turned by the action of the spring p
in the direction contrary to that pointed out by the arrow, the hammer striking
the edge of the flange of the cartridge and discharging the contents of the
same. During this movement of the lever the block E is turned back to its
former position, the pin e sliding over the inclined side of the depression in
the projection a of the cylinder takes its place in the adjacent 'depression
preparatory to a repetition of the above-described movements.
In fire-arms of the class to which the improvements relate the free turning
of the cylinder is obstructed to a greater or less degree owing to the heads of
the cartridges being forced by the explosion of the contents back against the
breech plate, thereby causing an undue friction, which has been the great
objection to the use of metallic cartridges in revolving fire-arms. The main
object in my present improvements has been to overcome this difficulty. It
should be understood that the beads of the cartridges in the cylinder prior to
their discharge come successively in contact, but only just in contact, with the
convex face of the recoil plate H, so that no undue force is required in
revolving the cylinder and transferring the heads of the cartridges in succession
to a position coinciding with the recoil plate, as little force is required in the
improvements to move the head of a spent cartridge from the recoil plate for
the following reasons:-The moment the discharge takes place the spent
cartridge is forced with a violent concussion against the recoil plate, and the
latter yields slightly to the force of the shock. The instant the latter is ex-
pended, however, the plate, owing to its elasticity, recovers its former position,
pushes back and compresses the head of the cartridge so that it is either clear
of the plate or bears so lightly against the same as to present no obstruction to
the free turning of the cylinder. When the empty cartridge cases have to be
discharged from the chambers preparatory to reloading, the hammer is brought
to half-cock, the spring c is depressed below the edge of the head F of the
pin e and the latter is withdrawn until arrested by the lip c¹ of the spring,
which prevents its further outward movement. The tubular rod K¹ is then
pushed forward until its end is released from the projection 6 of the cylinder
as well as from the frame, when, by a lateral movement of the cylinder, which
is now free from the pins on which it has turned, it may be thrown out to the
position shown in Figures 5 and 6, the projection 6 passing along the groove f
of the frame, the projection a moving in the oblong slot in the breech plate
until it strikes the elge z, Figure 5, which prevents any further outward
movement of the cylinder. The rods K and K' are then turned to one side
and the rod K¹ drawn back, so that its end may enter one of the chambers of

page_text: the cylinder and the empty cartridge case and be used as an instrument for
pushing the latter from the chamber (see Figure 2). After a case has been
discharged from one chamber the cylinder is turned by the finger and thumb
until the adjacent chamber with its empty case is brought in a position to be
treated in a like manner; and after all the cases have been removed the
cylinder is reloaded and pushed back to its place, the pin e being moved into
the orifice of the projection a, and the end of the rod K¹ into the orifice of the
projection 6, when the fire-arni is in a condition to be again discharged.
As there is no necessity for disconnecting the cylinder entirely from the
fire-arm for the purpose of loading or of withdrawing the spent cartridges, and
as the cylinder when moved out laterally is self-adjusting to its proper place,
a slight lateral push being all that is necessary for the purpose, it will be
evident that this portion of the improvements prevents the delay experienced
in handling and adjusting the detachable cylinders and breech-pieces of ordinary
revolving fire-arms. It will also be seen that the devices for revolving the
cylinder are simple and efficacious, and not of a character to be damaged or
easily disarranged. The pin e cannot be lost or mislaid owing to the spring c
which can be depressed sufficiently to allow for the withdrawal of the pin from
the orifice in the cylinder, the lip c, however, preventing its further withdrawal.
The rod K and tubular rod K' have the advantage of forming a suitable
instrument, always at hand, for discharging the spent cartridges from the
chambers of the cylinder, the end of the rod K₁ at the same time forming a
detachable pin, on which the front end of the cylinder turns.
On Drawing No. 2, which forms the second part of my Invention, Figure 1
is a longitudinal section, illustrating a modification of the improved revolving
fire-arms; Figure 2, a plan view partly in section; Figure 3, an end view;
Figure 4, a transverse section on the line 1, 2, Figure 1, the barrel and frame
being removed; Figure 5, an end view of the cylinder; Figure 6, a transverse
section on the line 3, 4, Figure 1; and Figure 7, a section on the line 5, 6,
Figure 6.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several
views.
A represents the frame; B, the stock; C, the barrel; and D, the cylinder
of the fire-arm. In the present instance the stock and frame are not made in
one piece, as described in reference to Drawing No. 1, but are secured to
each other at the point designated by the line 1, 2, Figure 1, by suitable set
screws passing through holes x in the flange 6 of the stock, and screwing into
the frame. The hammer I, link m, main spring P, trigger o, and dog d, are
connected to the stock B, and are too similar to those of ordinary revolving
fire-arms to need a minute description. The cylinder D has at its front end a

page_text: projection e, adapted to a recess in the frame, of such a form as to permit the
cylinder to move laterally in the manner described above, and into the front
end of the cylinder is fitted a projection on the block E, which cannot turn
independently of the cylinder owing to a pin f. An opening i, Figure 6, is
formed in the rear of the frame for the reception of the block E, the opening
being of such a form as to permit the free rotation of the block as well as a
limited lateral movement. On the rear of the block are formed suitable teeth
so arranged in respect to the dog d that on cocking the hammer the cylinder
will be turned to the proper extent. A rod F, passing through the frame
beneath the barrel into the cylinder, serves as the centre pin on which the
cylinder revolves, the rod being arranged to slide freely in an arm G, which
is hung loosely to the frame at m, Figure 3, and the end of the rod being
furnished with a spring n, the outer end of which fitting in a depression on
the under side of the barrel, serves to maintain the rod in its proper position
in respect to the cylinder. The rear end of the cylinder has a series of
projections j, Figure 5, of such a shape as to form around each chamber a
recess for the reception of the head of the metallic cartridge, the projections
bearing lightly against a breech-plate H, secured to the inside of the frame, as
seen in Figure 6. This plate may be arranged to yield and recoil when the
discharge of one of the cartridges takes place, in the same manner and for the
same purpose as that described in reference to the plate H in Drawing No. 1.
On the edge of the block E, at the rear of the cylinder, are as many depressions
as the cylinder has chambers, and into these depressions engages a projection t
on the end of a spring K, which is secured to the side of the stock, the
tendency of the spring being to maintain a portion of the projection t in one or
other of the said depressions (see Figure 2). A small pin w passes through
and is arranged to slide in the stock, one end of the pin being in contact with
the spring, and the other end in contact with the side of the hammer on which
an inclined projection y, Figure 2, is formed, the latter on elevating the
hammer bearing against the pin w, and thereby forcing the spring outwards,
and moving its head or projection t clear of the depressions in the edge of the
block E. It should be understood that the inclined projection on the side of
the hammer is so formed and arranged as to cause the spring K to release
the cylinder during such time only as the dog d is in the act of revolving the
5 cylinder; at all other times the latter is locked by the spring and its
projection t. It will be seen that on withdrawing the rod or centre pin F
from the cylinder the latter is at liberty to be moved laterally to an extent
sufficient to allow for the introduction of the metallic cartridges into the
chambers, the flange bof. the stock, as well as the flange of the frame to

page_text: which that of the stock is secured, being so cut away at q, Figures 4 and 6, as
to permit the insertion of the cartridges after a much less lateral movement of
the cylinder than that described in Drawing No. 1.
When the spent
cartridges have to be removed from the chamber, the rod F is withdrawn from
the cylinder, and clear of the frame, the cylinder is moved laterally from the
frame, and the arm G is turned away from the barrel, and the rod F thereby
brought into a proper position to be used as an instrument for forcing the
spent cartridges from the chamber. When the cylinder has to be detached,
which is rarely required, the stock is unscrewed from the frame, after which
the block E can be driven from the cylinder by the rod F, when the cylinder
is at liberty.
Having thus fully described my Invention, and shown in what manner the
same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into effect, I claim,-
Firstly, in connection with revolving fire-arms arranged for the use of
metallic cartridges, a recoil plate (Drawing No. 1) on the frame or on a
breech-plate attached to the frame, said recoil plate being situated at the rear
of the cartridge when the latter is in position to be discharged, and operating
so as to permit the free turning of the cylinder, as herein described.
Secondly, the breech-plate G so constructed and arranged in respect to the
cylinder, that it shall permit a limited movement of the cylinder laterally from
the frame, and shall serve as a guide on restoring the cylinder to its proper
position preparatory to the discharge of the cartridge, substantially in the
manner set forth for the purpose specified.
Thirdly, the block E (Drawing No. 1) arranged to turn in the frame on the
movement of the hammer, and having a yielding pin h adapted to the recesses
in the rear of the cylinder, the whole being arranged and operating substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Fourthly, the combination of the sliding pine and its head F, spring c and
its lip (Drawing No. 1), the whole being constructed and arranged in
respect to the cylinder substantially as specified.
Fifthly, in combination with the cam-shaped lever L I claim the lever with
its two arms p and q, yielding rod r, and spring t, or its equivalent, the whole
being arranged and operating for the retention and release of the cylinder,
substantially as specified and illustrated in Drawing No. 1.
Sixthly, the rod K and tubular rod K' with its spring, the whole being
connected to the barrel substantially as described, and arranged to serve the
double purpose of a centre pin for the cylinder and an instrument for
discharging the spent cartridges.
Seventhly, constructing the stock and frame of the fire-arm of two parts

page_text: secured together and arranged to permit a lateral movement of the cylinder,
substantially as described and illustrated in Drawing No. 2.
Eighthly, the block E, adapted to and rendered detachable from the cylinder
substantially as set forth, and having teeth at the rear, and depressions on the
edge for the purpose specified (Drawing No. 2).
Ninthly, the spring K with its head t when combined with the hammer
and cylinder, and operating to lock and release the latter on moving the
hammer, substantially as set forth, and shown in Drawing No. 2.
Tenthly, the rod F and arm G (Drawing No. 2) arranged substantially as
set forth, so as to serve as a centre pin and as an instrument for forcing the
spent cartridges from the chamber of the cylinder.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jehiel Keeler Hoyt, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
JEHIEL KEELER HOYT. (L.B.)
Witness,
GEORGE HASELTINE,
International Patent Office;
12, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London.