IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1858

page_text: application ju
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Quin at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th Junc
1858.
I, RICHARD QUIN, of 5, Rodney Street, Pentonville, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention is applicable to those descriptions of ordnance and fire-arms
which are loaded at the breech.
In constructing breech-loading ordnance, I form a horizontal and rectan-
gular passage or opening through the breech end of the piece, and perpen-
dicular to its axis. This opening is for the purpose of receiving moveable
chambers, corresponding in form with the passage or opening. Two of such
moveable chambers are cast or formed in one piece, and between the two
chambers is a space to facilitate the sponging of the gun or piece of ordnance
after firing; this operation is not conducted in the usual manner, but through
an opening corresponding with the bore of the piece formed through its brecch
end; the sponge is introduced by this opening, and passes through the space
between the two chambers to the interior of the piece, the metal which con-
nects the two chambers being so arranged as not to interfere with the sponge
so passing. While the sponging operation is proceeding, the chambers will
both be exterior of the passage through the breech, one on one side, the other

page_text: on the other, and at this time the charges are placed within them. To
facilitate the introduction and the ramming of the charges into the chambers,
semicircular troughs are fixed, one on each side of the piece, so as exactly to
correspond with the bore of the chambers. When they are in position for
loading, these troughs act as guides, both to direct the cartridges into the
chambers, and also to guide the rammer in its strokes; the rammer used is of
a hooked form, so that the gunner, while using it, stands behind the piece.
When the chambers are loaded, one of them is slid into the opening within
the breech, till its bore corresponds with the bore of the piece, it is then keyed
up by a wedge driven down perpendicularly into a recess at the back of the
chamber, which is thus secured accurately in position; the wedge is forced
into its place, and withdrawn by a lever; when this chamber has been discharged,
the other is brought into position in a similar manner. In order to facilitate
the sliding of the chambers within the opening in the breech, the moveable
piece, consisting of the two chambers and the space between them, is formed
to an arc of a circle, and at its ends radial arms are fixed, which proceed to a
centre under the gun or piece of ordnance. In constructing fire-arms, I make
a passage through the breech of the barrel, as already described with reference
to ordnance, but only a single moveable chamber is employed; it is mounted
ou a centre under the barrel, as before, and it is by hand slid into its place for
firing; and is withdrawn in a similar mauner for loading. A trough is used
for guiding the cartridge into its position within the chamber, but in place of
the wedge passing down behind the chamber, to fix it before firing, an enlarge-
ment is formed on the cock, so that when the hammer descends, it enters a
recess in the chamber, and if the chamber should happen to be improperly
placed the hammer cannot strike the cap.