IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH- LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Walker, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gun Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS.”
Sealed the 15th August 1876, and dated the 19th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Walker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th February 1876.
HENRY WALKER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
My Invention refers to improvements in the lock portions of breech-loading fire-
arms, the object being to obtain a rebounding or non-rebounding action of such
parts at will.
The Invention further relates to improved means for securing the fore end to
the barrels, and for releasing the same. And my Invention has reference also to
improved arrangements for operating the gripping bolt for fastening the barrels to
the body of the breech, and for releasing the same.
..
Referring to the first portion of my Invention, I form a stud either left solid on
the lock plate or attached thereto by suitable means; on this stud the mainspring
falls when released by the seer being drawn from the tumbler; this stud is placed so
as to catch the mainspring before the hammer which is fastened on the tumbler
reaches the striker of the gun, the momentum of the hammer being sufficient to
explode the cap after the mainspring has been stopped by the stud; when the haminer
has struck the striker it is brought back into the first bent by the power of the seer
spring pressing the seer nose against a bevil on the tumbler, or it is sent back by
the pressure of the striker against the hammer nose, moved either by the striker
being raised by any external aid or by a spring.
Another arrangement for giving a rebound to the mainspring is by lengthening
it beyond the point where the swivel is attached, the projecting end catching
upon a stud on the plate, either solid therewith or fastened thereto, causing
a deflection, and then a rebound to the mainspring; to assist the momentum of
the hammer and strengthen the blow against the striker, the stud before described
forms a stop to the rebound, and not being a permanent stop for the mainspring

page_text: to rest upon, a space being left between the stud and the mainspring when the lock
is in the first bent; the means described for making the lock non-rebounding
can be also applied to this arrangement of the parts. I make this lock so as to
be used either as a rebounder or non-rebounder by moving the upper part of the stud
away by means of a slide actuated by a finger pin on the outside of the lock plate.
By another arrangement I make the lock rebounding by connecting the main-
spring to the tumbler by means of two levers suspended on pivots, the top lever
acting on the mainspring by the motion of the tumbler, and the under lever acting
on the tumbler by the resisting end of the mainspring resting on the end of the
lever; in this case the top side of the mainspring is the pliable one.
My improvements for securing the fore end to the barrels and for detaching the
same consists in the employment of a rod or double rod at the end of which is
arranged a spiral spring suitably confined, and at this end of the rod or double rod
is a thumb piece; the other end of the rod or double rod is attached by a pivot or
centre to a lever or levers, or tongue or tongues, which fit into a loop on the barrels ;
the rod or rods, and tongue or tongues, are forced back by means of the thumb piece
to unfasten the lever from the loop for detaching the fore end from the barrels, and
when being forced back the bevil on the one tongue forcing against an incline on
the loop lifts the fore end from the barrels; in securing the fore end to the barrels
the parts when brought together will lock themselves by the partial giving way of
the spring, and the subsequent release of the same forcing the parts into their
locked position.
-
Another method for holding down and releasing the fore end consists in having
a washer fastened to the fore end iron, with a conical hole in the centre in which
works a corresponding conical disc or plate having a slot or slots to allow the loop
of the barrels to pass; in this loop a groove is cut into which the disc or plate is
driven by means of the spring and rod. A stud is fastened to the conical plate already
described, having an undercut or bevil which impinges against the bevil on the loop
to raise the fore end; or I work the spring by making the rod thin and pliable
between the disc and the thumb piece, which forms a spring actuated by the tongue
bearing against an incline in the fore end when any pressure is exerted against the
end of the rod.
Another way of fastening, releasing, and lifting the fore end is by means of a
lever rod running along the under side rib of the barrels, and being fastened to a
catch suspended from the top of the loop by a pin, at the back of which is a spring
having a tendency to push the catch out, and the catch comes over the fore end iron,
and so holds it down upon the barrels; the rod is made secure to the rib by a loop
fastened to the rib through which the rod is passed. The same arrangement may be
worked by the lever rod being attached to the wood and fore end iron, and not
connected to the catch, but simply releasing the catch by pushing against it,
Again, I fasten, release, or lift the fore end by means of two catches being
suspended on a pin screwed in the top of the loop, and projecting over the top of
the fore end iron, and having two tangs passing through the fore end iron down to
the rib of the barrels, and taking into a forked rod secured to the rib as before
described; the two catches are constantly being forced open by the springs, and are
brought together to release the fore end by the tangs bearing against the forked end
of the rod when it is pressed up, and the fore end is lifted by the bevil on the rod
bearing against the undercut bevil on the fore end iron; or I insert a cylindrical
plug in the loop, at the back of which is a spiral spring, the plug being kept at
tension by the spiral spring, and the fore end passing over the plug causes the
spring to be depressed until the fore end is in place, when the plug will return to
its locking position; to release the fore end I employ a rod, as before described,
attached to the fore end by means of which the bolt is depressed sufficiently to
unlock the parts.
By another method I arrange either one or two double ended levers, secured
centrally to the fore end, one end of the lever or levers bearing into a groove in
the loop, and the other end of the lever or levers being actuated by a bevil onded

page_text: rod or series of connecting links which open and close the lever or levers for the
purpose of releasing the fore end from the barrels.
My improvements in operating the gripping bolt, consists of forming what is
termed a "toggle joint," or series of levers connected to each other, which may be
arranged to work with the lever of the gripping bolt either vertically or horizontally;
and to operate the gripping bolt by means of such "toggle joint," I secure the one
lever to the gripping bolt, and another lever or levers I attach to the break off or
other suitable part of the gun; and these levers are connected by means of a link
which is secured to the actuating lever upon the gun, and this connection is effected
by a tumbler going through the break off; by this arrangement I obtain great force
for opening or closing the breech parts of the gun. To work the arrangements last
described vertically dispense with the tumbler, and the actuating lever is then
worked on an axis; or I may use a single link secured to a lever, the one end of the
link being attached to the operating lever, and the other end to the gripping bolt.
The toggle joint or series of levers I have described for assisting the working of
the gripping bolt I may also use in connection with the ordinary tumbler of the
lock or other parts thereof, for obtaining half or full cock of the lock, at the same
operation of the actuating lever in fastening or opening the breech.
Another arrangement for locking and for drawing back the gripping bolt consists
of a lever working on a pivot out of centre in the actuating lever, this lever acting
against a second lever by means of a stud or other connection; the one end of the
second lever is attached to the gun on a pivot, and to the middle or thereabouts of
such lever is attached a link connected to the gripping bolt, which by this means is
propelled or moved backwards and forwards with great force.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
August 1876.
HENRY WALKER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.'
My Invention refers to improvements in the lock portions of breech-loading fire-
arms, the object being to obtain a rebounding or non-rebounding action of such
parts at will.
The Invention further relates to improved means for securing the fore end to the.
barrels, and for releasing the same. And my Invention reference also to
improved arrangements for operating the gripping bolt for fastening the barrels to
the body of the breech, and for releasing the same.
Referring to the first portion of my Invention I form a catch on the lock plate
attached thereto by suitable means, on this catch the mainspring falls when released
by the seer being drawn from the tumbler. This catch is placed so as to stop the.
mainspring before the hammer which is fastened on the tumbler reaches the striker.
of the gun, the momentum of the hammer being sufficient to explode the cap after
the mainspring has been stopped by the catch; when the hammer has struck the
striker it is brought back into the first bent by the pressure of the striker against
the hammer nose, moved either by the striker being raised by any external aid or.
by the ordinary nipple spring.
Another arrangement for giving a rebound to the hammer is by lengthening the
mainspring beyond the point where. the swivel is attached, the projecting end
taking upon a moveable catch on the plate fastened thereto; the means described
for making the lock non-rebounding can be also applied to this arrangement of
parts. I make this lock so as to be used either as a rebounder or non-rebounder by
moving the upper part of the catch away by means of a slide or pivot actuated by
a finger or pin on the outside of the lock plate.

page_text: The other portions of my Invention will be more clearly understood by referenco
to the Drawings hereunto attached, and to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the barrels and fore end attached; Figure 2 is a
plan of the fore end only; and Figure 3, a section of the same, shewing my
improvements for securing the fore end to the barrels, and for detaching the same.
I employ what is known as a toggle joint, comprising either one or two double
ended levers (a), shewn detached, and link or links (a¹) secured centrally by a pin
(b) to the fore end iron (c), one end of the lever or levers (a) bearing into a groove
(d) in the loop, the other end of the lever or levers (a) being actuated by a bevil
ended rod or slide (e), and the connecting link or links (a), which close the lever
or levers (a) for the purpose of releasing the fore end from the barrels, and so as to
prize the fore end from the barrels I form a bevil (el) on the end of the slide (c),
which comes in contact with a corresponding bevil on the loop of the barrels.
Or by another arrangement, as shewn in section, Figure 4, I secure a cylinder or
tube (f) to the fore end iron (c), in which I arrange a double plug (g, g¹) connected
together by a cross lever (/), and the thumb rod (i) is secured into a lug forming
part of the bottom plug (g), and within the recess between this back part and
the upper plug (g) is a spiral spring having a tendency to force the upper plug (g)
forward, and the lower plug (g) backward; in securing the fore end to the barrels
the plug (g) takes into the loop on the barrels, and to disconnect the fore end from
the barrels the thumb rod (2) is pressed, forcing the lower plug (g) forward, and
causing the upper plug (g) by means of the connecting link to be withdrawn from
its position in the loop, at the same time the bevil end of the plug (g) coming in'
contact with the bevil on the loop causes the fore end to be suitably raised.
Or as shown in Figure 5, in a section of the parts, and views of the parts
detached, I insert a cylindrical plug or bolt (k) in a corresponding cylindrical hole
in the loop (), at the back of which is a spiral spring, the plug or bolt () being
kept at tension by such spiral spring, and the fore end iron (c) passing over the
plug or bolt () causes the spring to be depressed until the fore end is in place, when
the plug or bolt (k) will return to its locking position. To release the fore end I
employ a bell crank lever (m) secured to a frame (n); the tang end (m¹) of the
lever passes through a slot in the loop (), and into a slot in the cylindrical plug or
bolt (k), a spur (m2) projecting from the root of the tang (m³), and pressing against
the top of the loop () lifts the fore end from the barrels. In place of the spiral
spring I use a flat spring suitably arranged under the frame (n).
Figure 6 shews another method of securing the fore end to the barrels by a
modified form of the toggle joint or joints. The loop (l) passes through a pair of
jointed levers (o), which are connected together, and also to the fore end iron by
means of screws, sufficient play being given for the sliding motion by the slots (o¹),
through which the screws pass. The loop (1) is suitably undercut to receive the
fastening end (2) of cach jointed lever (o). The jointed levers (o) are compressed
and actuated by the thumb pieces (0%) extending partially out of the wood of the
fore end, and such thumb pieces (0%) arc suitably grooved to receive the spring or
middle portion of the jointed levers (o), so that the thumb picces (0³) are kept at
tension.
Figure 7 is an elevation closed; Figure 8, a section open; and Figure 9, a part
plan of the working portions of a breech-loader shewing my improvements in
operating the gripping bolt, which consists of what is termed a toggle joint (r),
either single or double, connected to each other, and which are arranged to work
with the actuating lever (s) of the gripping bolt (t) vertically, and to operate the
gripping bolt (t) by means of such toggle joint or joints (). I secure the one lever
or end of the toggle joint to the gripping bolt and the other end to a link or
lever (u), which is attached to the break off or other suitable part of the gun.
Figure 10 is a section of the parts open, and Figure 11 is a plan of the same
closed, shewing the application of the double toggle joint (v) shewn detached, or
series of levers for securing the barrels to the body or breech part (w) of the gun.
The double toggle joint (v) or series of levers are secured to the actuating lever by

page_text: means of a link (a), and the connection is formed between the double toggle joint (v)
and the actuating lever (3) by means of a tumbler (#) going through the break off, and
upon which the toggle joint works centrally. The actuating lever (y) in this case
works horizontally, in closing the gun. The projecting lump (1) on the barrels
impinges against the bevil ends of the double toggle joint of the lever or levers,
opening such ends, and when the barrels are in position these ends will take into
suitable grooves on either side of the projecting lump (1), and thus secure the
barrels firmly to the breech parts, and by this arrangement I obtain great force for
opening or closing the breech parts of the gun. The toggle joint or joints or series
of levers I have described for the securing of the fore end, and for the working of
the gripping bolt I may also use, as shewn in the section of the parts, Figure 12,
in connection with the tumbler (2) of the lock or other parts thereof for obtaining
half or full cock of the lock in closing or opening the breech; to the tumbler (2) is
connected a link (3) which passes up to the links connected with the operating
lever (8). The raising of the actuating lever (8) operates the gripping bolt and the
tumbler (2) by means of the toggle connecting links. In working the gripping bolt
horizontally I attach one end of the series of links (4) to the gripping bolt (5), and
the two upper links (6 and 7) are connected to a tumbler, the axis of which passes
through the break off.
Another arrangement for locking and for drawing back the oscillating gripping
bolt consists of a lever working on a pivot out of centre in the actuating lever, this
lever acting against a second lever by means of a stud or other connection. The
one end of the second lever is attached to the gun on a pivot, and to the middle or
thereabouts of such lever is attached a link.connected to the gripping bolt, which
by this means is propelled or moved backwards and forwards with great force.
Having thus described the object and nature of my said Invention and the
manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, I claim, without limiting
myself to these precise details, the improved parts of the lock portions of breech-
loading fire-arms, as hercin described.
I also claim the arrangement and application of the toggle joint or joints and the
other improved appliances for securing the fore end to the barrels, and for detaching
the same, as herein described and shewn.
I also claim the employment of the toggle joint or joints for operating the
gripping bolt, and for gripping the projecting lump on the barrels of breech-loading
fire-arms, as herein described and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said 'Henry Walker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
HENRY WALKER. (L.S.)