IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING OR REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augusto Albini, of Genoa, and also of No. 1,
New Broad Street Buildings, in the City of London, Captain in the
Royal Italian Navy, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
Scaled the 14th September 1869, and dated 19th March 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augusto Albini at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th March 1869.
I, AUGUSTO ALBINI, of Genoa, and also of No. 1, New Broad Street
Buildings, in the City of London, Captain in the Royal Italian Navy,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN REPEATING OR REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to revolving fire-arms in which the simultaneous
extraction of all the exploded cartridge cases is effected by means of an
extractor carried by a rod sliding in the axis of the cylinder containing
the charge chambers, such cylinder being so jointed or hinged to the
frame as to be capable of being swung or turned out of it in a vertical

page_text: plane at right angles to the axis of the barrel; and my said Invention
consists of the arrangements of parts herein-after described for locking
the breech cylinder in the frame preparatory to firing, for unlocking the
said cylinder preparatory to loading, for working and guiding the
extractor, and for otherwise adding to the efficiency of revolving fire-
arms, by which said arrangements the principle above described is
rendered capable of application to existing fire-arms as well as to the
construction of new fire-arms.
I mount the charge chamber on a tubular axis fixed to an arm, which
when the said cylinder is in position for firing lies between the fore end
of the said cylinder, and the back of the fore part of the frame, the lower
end of the said arm being jointed to the lower part of the frame at the
side thereof so as to admit of the said arm and cylinder being turned or
swung out of the frame in a vertical plane at right angles to the axis of
the barrel. In the tubular axis aforesaid I fit a rod which carries the
extractor and effects the locking and unlocking of the cylinder; this rod,
which I will call the extractor rod, has a thumb plate or handle on its
fore end, by means of which it can be slidden backwards and forwards
within the said tubular axis. A hole of a diameter corresponding to that
of the fore end of the extractor rod is drilled in the fore part of the frame
in a line with the axis of the cylinder and communicates with a lateral
slot cut in the said frame, so as to allow the extractor rod to pass into
and out of the said hole when the charge cylinder is turned on its hinge,
that portion of the said rod which comes opposite the said slot when the
rod is in its most forward position being cut away or reduced in
diameter so as to allow the said rod to pass through the said slot. That
portion of the said rod which is next to the thumb plate aforesaid is
left cylindrical. When the charge cylinder is in position for firing and
the extractor rod is pushed back the cylindrical portion aforesaid enters
the hole in the fore part of the frame, and the rear end of the said rod
enters a hole in the rear of the frame, thus locking the cylinder in the
said frame. A spring stop is affixed to the arm which carries the
cylinder, which said stop engages with notches in the extractor rod, and
thus arrests the motion thereof at the required points. The extractor
consists of a metal plate, the edges of which have the form of concave
curves corresponding to those of the barrels. This plate when the parts
are in their normal positions, lies in a recess formed in the rear end of
the charge cylinder, and each of its curved edges bears against part of

page_text: the flange or rim of a cartridge. A face ratchet of the ordinary kind is
affixed to the back of the extractor, by means of which ratchet the
cylinder is turned. The rear end of the extractor rod passes through and
slides in holes in the axis of the said extractor and ratchet, and is
furnished with shoulders, one of which bears against the front of the
extractor when the said rod is pushed backward, and the other against
the back of the extractor when the said rod is pulled forward. The
extractor is furnished with two or more guide rods, which slide in holes
in the cylinder.
The action of the fire-arm is as follows:-In order to load the
extractor rod is pulled forward, so as to withdraw its rear end from
the hole in the rear of the frame, and to bring that part of the said rod
which is of small diameter opposite to the slot in the frame. The
cylinder is then turned sideways out of the frame, and the said rod is
then pushed backward, carrying with it the extractor, which withdraws
the cases of the exploded cartridges. The said rod is then pulled forward
until the extractor is brought back to its normal position. Fresh car-
tridges are then inserted in the charge chambers, and the cylinder is
turned into the frame and locked therein by pushing back the extractor
rod.
My Invention may be modified in the following ways: —
According to one modification instead of jointing the arm carrying the
tubular axis aforesaid to the side of the frame, as herein-before described,
I joint the said arm to the front of the said frame, and hinge to the said
arm a lever, which can be caused to act on the extractor rod for the
purpose of extracting the exploded cartridge cases.
According to another modification I joint to the side of the frame two
arms formed in one piece with the axis on which they turn. One of
these arms carries the tubular axis aforesaid, and lies between the fore
end of the cylinder and the back of the fore part of the frame, and the.
other arm lies in front of the said frame, and serves to steady the
extractor rod which passes through a hole in the said arm.
According to another modification I dispense with the tubular axis
herein-before described, and mount the cylinder in a ring which passes
round an annular depression formed around the middle of the said
cylinder which revolves in the said ring, and I joint the said ring to the
side of the frame.

page_text: According to another modification I place between the rear end of the
frame and the rear end of the cylinder a disc or shield, on the back of
which is formed a circular boss, which turns in a hole in the frame.
Ratchet teeth are formed on the said disc, which is connected to the
cylinder by means of the extractor rod, the rear end of which is made
square and engages in a square hole in the disc, so that as it is turned
by means of its teeth it carries round the said cylinder.
According to another modification I joint to the lower part of the
frame at the rear thereof, an arm carrying a revolving disc or shield
furnished with a polygonal axis, on which the cylinder is placed, so
that when all the cartridges contained in the said cylinder have been
discharged it may be removed from the said axis and another loaded
reserve cylinder may be placed thereon.
According to another modification in making new fire-arms I placo,
the hinge, on which the cylinder furnished with my improved extractor
rod as aforesaid turns, inside the frame instead of at the side thereof.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Augusto Albini in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th September 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTO
ALBINI, of Genoa, and also of No. 1, New Broad Street Buildings, in the
City of London, Captain in the Royal Italian Navy, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her.
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of March, in the year
of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Augusto Albini, Her special licence
that I, the said Augusto Albini, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Augusto Albini, my executors,
administrators, and 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
REPEATING OR REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)

page_text: that I, the said Augusto Albini, my executors or administrators, 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 Augusto Albini, 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 thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention relates to revolving fire-arms in which the simul-
taneous extraction of all the exploded cartridge cases is effected by means
of an extractor carried by a rod sliding in the axis of the cylinder con-
taining the charge chambers, such cylinder being so jointed or hinged
to the frame as to be capable of being swung or turned out of it in a
vertical plane at right angles to the axis of the barrel; and my said
Invention consists of the arrangements of parts hercin-after described
for locking the breech cylinder in the frame preparatory to firing, for
unlocking the said cylinder preparatory to loading, for working the
extractor, and for otherwise adding to the efficiency of revolving fire-
arms, by which said arrangements the principle above described is
rendered capable of application to existing fire-arms as well as to the
construction of new fire-arms.
I mount the charge chamber on a tubular axis fixed to an arm, which
when the said cylinder is in position for firing lies between the fore end
of the said cylinder and the back of the fore part of the frame, the lower
end of the said arm being jointed to the lower part of the frame at the
side thereof, so as to admit of the said arm and cylinder being turned
or swung out of the frame in a vertical plane at right angles to the
axis of the barrel. In the tubular axis aforesaid I fit a rod which
carries the extractor and effects the locking and unlocking of the
cylinder. This rod, which I will call the extractor rod, has a thumb
plate or handle on its fore end, by means of which it can be slidden
backwards and forwards within the said tubular axis; a hole of a diameter
corresponding to that of the fore end of the extractor rod is drilled in
the fore part of the frame in a line with the axis of the cylinder and
communicates with a lateral slot cut in the said frame, so as to allow

page_text: the extractor rod to pass into and out of the said hole when the charge
cylinder is turned on its hinge, that portion of the said rod which comes
opposite the said slot when the rod is in its most forward position being
cut away or reduced in diameter so as to allow the said rod to pass
through the said slot; that portion of the said rod which is next to the
thumb plate aforesaid is left cylindrical. When the charge cylinder is
in position for firing and the extractor rod is pushed back the cylindrical
portion aforesaid enters the hole in the fore part of the frame, and the
rear end of the said rod enters a hole in the rear of the frame, thus
locking the cylinder in the said frame. A spring stop is affixed to the
arm which carries the cylinder, which said stop engages with notches
in the extractor rod, and thus arrests the motion thereof at the required
points. The extractor consists of a metal plate, the edges of which
have the form of concave curves corresponding to those of the barrels.
This plate when the parts are in their normal positions, lies in a
recess formed in the rear end of the charge cylinder, and each of its
curved edges bears against part of the flange or rim of a cartridge.
A faco ratchet of the ordinary kind is affixed to the back of the extractor,
by means of which ratchet the cylinder is turned. The rear end of the
extractor rod passes through and slides in holes in the axis of the said
extractor and ratchet, and is furnished with shoulders, one of which
bears against the front of the extractor when the said rod is pushed
backward, and the other against the back of the extractor when the
said rod is pulled forward. The extractor is furnished with two or more
guide rods which slide in holes in the cylinder.
The action of the fire-arm is as follows:-In order to load the ex-
tractor rod is pulled forward, so as to withdraw its rear end from the
hole in the rear of the frame, and to bring that part of the said rod,
which is of small diameter opposite to the slot in the frame. The
cylinder is then turned sideways out of the frame, and -the said rod is
then pushed backward, carrying with it the extractor, which withdraws
the cases of the exploded cartridges. The said rod is then pulled
forward until the extractor is brought back to its normal position.
Fresh cartridges are then inserted in the charge chambers and the
cylinder is turned into the frame and locked therein by pushing back
the extractor rod.
My Invention may be modified in the following ways:-

page_text: the tubular axis aforesaid to the side of the frame, as herein-before
described, I joint the said arm to the front of the said frame and
hinge to the said arm a lever, one end of which can be caused to
act on the extractor rod for the purpose of extracting the exploded.
cartridge cases.
According to another modification I joint to the side of the frame
two arms formed in one piece with the axis on which they turn. One
of these arms carries the tubular axis aforesaid and lies between the
fore end of the cylinder and the back of the fore part of the frame,
and the other arm lies in front of the said frame and serves to steady
the extractor rod which passes through a hole in the said arm.
According to another modification I dispense with the tubular axis.
herein-before described, and mount the cylinder in a ring which passes
round an annular depression formed around the middle of the said
cylinder which revolves in the said ring, and I joint the said ring to
the side of the frame.
According to another modification I place between the rear end of
the frame and the rear end of the cylinder a disc or shield, on the back
of which is formed a circular boss which turns in a hole in the frame..
Ratchet teeth are formed in the said disc, which is connected to the
cylinder by means of the extractor rod, the rear end of which is mado.
square and engages in a square hole in the disc, so that as it is turned
by means of its teeth it carries round the said cylinder.
According to another modification I joint to the lower part of the
frame at the rear thereof an arm carrying a revolving disc or shield
furnished with a polygonal axis on which the cylinder is placed, so that
when all the cartridges contained in the said cylinder have been dis--
charged it may be removed from the said axis and another loaded reserve
cylinder may be placed thereon.
According to another modification in making new fire-arms, I place
the hinge on which the cylinder furnished with my improved extractor
rod as aforesaid turns inside the frame instead of at the side thereof.
Having explained the nature of my Invention, I 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, and Figure 2 in. side elevation
partly in longitudinal section a repeating or revolving pistol constructed

page_text: according to my Invention; Figure 3 represents a side elevation, and
Figure 1 an end elevation of the same after the revolving cylinder has
been turned out of the frame and the cases of the exploded cartridges
have been extracted from the chambers of the said cylinder; Figures 5,
6, 7 and 8, are parts of the same separately. The same letters of
reference indicate the same parts in each Figure.
a is the revolving cylinder; 6 is the solid frame of the pistol, and c is
the barrel, the solid frame and barrel are made in one piece as usual.
The cylinder a is mounted on the tubular axis d, upon which axis the
cylinder is capable of revolving to bring each of its chambers in
succession in a line with the barrel c. The front end of the said tubular
axis d is carried by the arm e, the lower horizontal part of which is
jointed at e, e³, to the side of the frame b; the axis d and arm e are
shewn separately in Figure 5. The said arm e moves in a vertical plane
upon its joint, and the cylinder a is by the motion of the said arm
capable of being turned out of or into the frame as illustrated in
the Drawing. In the tubular axis d is a rod by which the extractor g
is operated and the cylinder a locked to and released from the frame b,
the rod fis shown separately in Figure 6; the said rod f is provided
with a thumb plate or handle f by which it may be moved backwards
and forwards in the hollow axis d. In the fore part of the frame b
is a channel h in which the front end of the rod f works. The hole
or channel serves as a guide to the rod f and assists in locking the
cylinder a in its frame. The side of the channel h is open to permit
of the removal by a lateral motion of the said rod f from the channel,
when the cylinder a is turned out of the frame on its jointed arm e.
When the rod is pushed forward its fore end f³ enters a hole (sce
Figure 2) in the back of the frame b, and securely fastens the cylinder
in the frame. When the rod is in this position the rear end fis
situated in the channel h, and the said part f* prevents the rod being
drawn through the lateral opening of the channel h. When it is
wished to release the cylinder a the rod f is pulled towards the muzzle
end of the pistol, the front end f³ of the rod is thereby withdrawn
from the hole 6, and the rear part fis also removed from the channel
when the cylinder a may be turned outwards upon its jointed arm e.
When in the last described position a cut away part f³ of the rod f
is brought opposite the lateral opening of the channel h, and the
said rod can pass through the said opening. The sliding motion of

page_text: the rod is limited by a spring stop i (shown separately in Figure 7)
within the tubular axis d engaging with one or other of two notches
or depressions k, l, in the rod f; when the rod f is drawn forward
to release the cylinder a, the stop i falls into the notch or depression k.
And when the said rod is pushed outwards to operate the extractor as
herein-after explained the said stop i drops into the notch or depression l,
in either case the further motion of the rod is arrested. The extractor g
(shown separately in Figure 8) consists of a notched disk or plate having
a ratchet g at back, upon which ratchet the lock acts to propel forward
the cylinder a. The said extractor is connected to the cylinder a, and
its motion transmitted to the cylinder a by means
of the guide
rods,, sliding in holes in the said cylinder. The extractor 9 is
pushed outwards from the cylinder a, when the rod f is pushed towards
the back of the body by means of a shoulder f on the said rod bearing
against the inner face of the extractor, and the said extractor is pushed
inwards to its place at the rear of the cylinder when the rod f is drawn
towards the muzzle of the pistol by means of the head f' on the said
rod bearing against the outer face of the extractor. When the parts
of the pistol are in the respective positions represented in Figures 1
and 2 the said pistol is ready for discharge. After discharge in order
to extract the cases of the exploded cartridges and reload the pistol
the parts are manipulated as follows:-The hammer m is first raised
to half cock, the rod f is next pulled forward by its thumb plate or
handle f, so as to withdraw the front end f³ from the back of the body or
frame b, and bring the cut away part f³ opposite the lateral opening h³
in the frame b. By means of the said thumb plate or handle f the
cylinder a is now turned out of the frame 6 upon its jointed arm e
into the position represented in Figures 3 and 4, and is thereby clear of
the said frame b. By next pushing outwards the rod f, the extractor g
is removed from the cylinder a as illustrated in Figure 3, and the cases
of the exploded cartridges are thus extracted from the chambers of the
said cylinder. To reload the pistol the rod f is pulled forward and
the extractor 9 returned to its place at the rear of the cylinder. Fresh
cartridges are now introduced into the chambers of the said cylinder,
the rims of the said cartridges resting against the extractor g. The
cylinder is raised by the thumb plate fa and turned on the jointed
arm e into the frame b, and by pushing home the rod f the said cylinder
is securely fastened in the frame and the pistol is ready for discharge.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which 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 illus-
trated, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature
of my Invention; but I claim as my Invention of improvements in
repeating or revolving fire-arms.
Firstly. Making the revolving cylinder of the said fire-arm rotate
upon a tubular axis fixed to an arm jointed to the solid body or frame
of the fire-arm, upon which jointed arm the revolving cylinder may
be turned out of the said solid body or frame for extracting the cases
of the exploded cartridges and for loading the revolving cylinder, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Secondly. The arrangement or combination of parts substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawing
for locking the revolving cylinder in the frame preparatory to firing
and for unlocking the said cylinder for loading. Also the arrangement
or combination of parts described and illustrated for working the
extractor by which the simultaneous extraction of the whole of the
cases of the exploded cartridges is effected.
Thirdly. The several modifications herein-before described of the said
arrangements or combination of parts.
In witness whereof, I, the said Augusto Albini, have hereunto sct
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and sixty-ninc.
Witness,
H. H. MURDOCII,
7, Staple Inn,
London.
A. ALBINI. (L.S.)