IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Gordon, of Goswell Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Distiller, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."

page_text: describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:—
This Invention consists in certain combinations and arrangements of
mechanism in the construction of breech-loading fire-arms in which
central-fire ammunition is employed, and is substantially as follows:-
The mechanism hercin-after described may be inserted in and carried
by a "shoe," attached to the rear end of the barrel, which is constructed
of proportionate length (or a portion of which has been previously re-
moved), or the "shoe" may be dispensed with and a portion of the rear
end of the barrel removed for the admission of the mechanism. The
percussing and discharging mechanism is contained in the interior of a
breech bolt, a portion of which is hollow, and which is placed in the
breech chamber, and is capable of being moved longitudinally backwards
and forwards in the axial line of the barrel. The rear end of the breech
bolt is terminated by a bow or ring, which serves as guard for tho
trigger head herein-after mentioned, and also for the purpose of-moving
the bolt forwards and closing the breech chamber. The breech chamber
is closed by a cover which is attached to a bar or pin mounted in suitable
lugs or projections on the left-hand side of the breech looking towards
the muzzle of the gun, and in which it is free to rotate or partially
rotate; an inclined groove being formed in the said bar and traversing a
portion of the circumference thereof for the reception of a pin, which is
attached to a projection formed on the forward end of the breech bolt,
the result of this arrangement being that as the breech bolt is drawn or
pushed backwards or forwards the pin moves in the before-mentioned
groove and the breech cover is raised or lowered. The forward end
of the breech bolt is solid, but has a perforation through the centre
thereof corresponding with the axial line of the barrel, and through
which perforation the percussing piston functions or works. The breech.
bolt immediately behind the solid portion thereof.last referred to is
chambered or hollowed, and in the forward portion of the chamber is
placed a tube, the forward end of which is a block having attached
thereto the percussing piston, and on the lower side of which is formed
a tooth or projection for the action of the scar tooth. Within the last-
mentioned tube is placed a spiral spring, one end of which rests against
the. block at the end of the tube, and the other against the rear end of

page_text: .
L
the chamber or hollow of the breech bolt. Between the breech cover
and the before-mentioned ring or bow a moveable collar is placed over
the breech bolt, the right-hand side of which collar is provided with a
projection or finger piece, to which is attached a lump or arm in which
is formed a groove or recess capable of receiving a pin formed on or
attached to the brecchi cover. A pawl or catch mounted on a pivot is
placed in the groove or recess, and by which the breech cover pin is
prevented from moving upwards until the finger piece and collar arc
pulled backwards. The scar tooth is formed on or attached to the upper
side of a flat spring which is placed under the breech mechanism and
attached by a screw at the forward end thereof to the shoe or barrel;
the rear end, which is formed with a curved or bevilled face, being
unattached and free to be actuated and pressed downwards by the
trigger, as herein-after mentioned. The last-mentioned spring lies in
a hollow formed in the stock beneath the breech mechanism for its
reception. The cartridge extractor consists of a piece of metal centered
on the forward end of the breech bolt and provided with a tooth having
a bevilled face coinciding with a recess formed in the upper portion of
that part of the barrel in which the ammunition is placed, and which
tooth upon the gun being loaded and the breech bolt pushed forwards
preparatory to firing partially rises by reason of its being pivoted at its
hinder end, and then assisted by a small pin which is placed beneath
the hinder end of the extractor drops behind the rim of the cartridge.
The extractor is also prevented by the action of the pin from being
forced upwards by the discharge of a defective cartridge. The trigger
consists of a horizontal bar or plate which is mounted on a transverse
pivot passing through the forward portion of the ring or bow before
mentioned. A. vertical pin terminated at its upper end by a head for
the purpose of receiving pressure is attached to the hinder end of the
horizontal plate and passes through the ring or bow, which, as before
mentioned; serves the purpose of a trigger guard. A projecting angle
or shoulder on the trigger plate rests upon the bevilled or curved face on
the rear end of the sear spring.
-
The locking arrangement may be modified as follows:--The moveable
collar between the breech cover and the ring or bow is provided on the
right-hand side thereof with a projection or finger piece, to the forward
face of which is attached a pin capable of fitting and taking into a hole
formed in a projection on thic breech cover for its reception. A slot is

page_text: formed in the breech bolt beneath that part on which the collar is fitted,
and in which slot a rocking lever is mounted by means of a transverse
pin, the two ends of such lever being respectively bent or turned
upwards from the pin upon which the lever is centered, and being free
to move up or down according as they are controlled by the position of
the collar. The forward arm of the rocking lever assists in throwing
up the breech cover when the breech bolt is withdrawn after discharge,
whilst the hinder arm assists in forcing the moveable collar and locking
pin forwards when the breech is closed preparatory to firing. The
moveable collar and locking pin may be also modified by placing the
finger piece or projection on the former on the top thereof in a vertical
position, in which case the finger picce or projection is cleft or divided
in the centre so as to serve the purpose of a sight guide. The locking
pin is placed at the side of the breech, as before mentioned, or, if pre-
ferred, may be placed in the centre of the upper portion of the collar
immediately below the finger piece or projection, and a hole formed in
the rear part of the breech cover for its reception.
'
This Invention with the modifications before referred to may bé
applied to double-barrelled fire-arms by a simple duplication of the
mechanism, as will be well understood by persons conversant with such
matters..
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings, from which the
nature of my said Invention will be more clearly understood.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the brecch action of a gun
constructed in the manner firstly herein-before described; Figure 2 is a
top view, and Figure 3 is a longitudinal section shewing the breech
mechanism; Figure 4 is a side elevation shewing the breech block with-
drawn, and Figure 5 is a top view of the same; Figure 6 is a bottom
view of the breech shewing the sear in the act of cocking. In these
several Figures the same letters of reference indicate similar parts of the
mechanism.
A is the barrel; B, the breech bolt; b, the block carrying the per-
cussing piston; 6, the spiral spring for actuating the same; C is the
breech cover; D is the sear spring, and d the sear tooth; c is the tooth
which acts upon the sear tooth and retains the latter in position until
it is released in the act of firing; E is the collar to which is attached
the finger piece F; fis the lump or arm attached to the finger piecc;
f, the groove therein, and f" the paw or catch; G is the cartridge

page_text: extractor, and h the pin by which its action is assisted, as before men-
tioned, such action being facilitated by reason of the upper portion of
the block 6 being bevilled, as shewn in Figure 3; H is the trigger plate;
I, the trigger head; and J the trigger guard. Figure 7 shews tóp and
end views of the breech cover; Figures 8 and 9 shew the breech bolt;
Figure 10 is an end view of the breech cover and bolt; Figure 11 is
the piston block; Figures 12 and 13 shew the trigger guard; Figures
14 and 15 are side and top views of the sear spring; Figure 16 repre-
sents the trigger plate; Figures 17 and 18 represent the finger piece;
Figure 19 is the projecting lump or arm on the finger piece; and
Figures 20 and 21 shew the hinge pin with the inclined groove' therein,
as before described.
In Sheet 2 of the annexed Drawings the modifications of the arrange-
ment of the locking pin and the employment of the rocking lever, as
herein-before mentioned, are represented. Figures 1 and 2 shew the
breech action in elevation, the breech bolt being withdrawn in the latter
Figure, Figures 3 and 4 being top views. The finger piece is shewn
at A, the locking pin at B, and the rocking lever at C. Figure 5 repre-
sents the trigger guard and rocking lever, and Figure 6 the rocking
lever detached; Figure 7 is an elevation of the vertical finger piece with
the locking pin, Figure 8 being an end view of the finger piece shewing
the cleft or division in the centre thereof, which serves as a sight guide;
Figures 9, 10, and 11 respectively shew the finger piece when placed at
the side, in elevation, end view, and plan.
In Sheet 3 of the annexed Drawings the application of this Invention
to double-barrelled fire-arms is shewn. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a
double-barrelled gun, and Figure 2 is a transverse section through the
line A, B, in Figure 1. In these Figures pull triggers are shewn as
being employed to operate the sear springs. Figure 3 is a top view
shewing one breech chamber open and the other closed; Figure 4 is a
bottom view; Figures 5 and 6 represent the triggers; Figure 7 is the
rocking lever, and Figures 8 and 9 shew side and top views of the
breech bolt; Figure 10 shews the finger piece and locking pin; Figures
11 and 12 are side and top views of a double-barrelled gun with pressure
trigger action.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe
in conclusion that what I consider novel, and therefore claim as con-

page_text: tituting my said Invention is, the combination and arrangement of
parts and mechanism in the construction of breech-loading firé-arms,
substantially as herein-before described and set forth, or any merc
modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Gordon, have hereunto 5
set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
R. S. MORDAUNT VAUGHAN,
54, Chancery Lane.
CHARLES GORDON. (L.S.)