IMPROVI MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bethel Burton, of Brooklyn, in the State of
New York, United States of America, for the Invention of "IMPROVI
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES."
Sealed the 24th July 1868, and dated the 26th May 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bethel Burton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 26th May 1868.
I, BETHEL BURTON, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United
States, of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECE-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CALTRIDGES," to be as
follows:-
At the rear end of the barrel I provide a cylinder through which is
At the
a cross mortice suflicient for receiving or ejecting the cartridge.
bottom of this cylinder I place a carrier that is operated by a lever
connected with the trigger so that the carrier is drawn down in order
that a cartridge may be forced back upon the said carrier from a
magazine under the barrel, and then when the sliding breech pin is
drawn back this carrier elevates the cartridge ready to be forced forward

page_text: into the barrel.
The sliding breech pin made as a hollow cylinder
with a grooved surface to lessen friction; it can be pulled back or
pushed forward by hand, and upon its surface at the back portion are
sectional screw threads that sustain the said breech pin by being turned
into similar sectional screw threads inside the cylinder at the rear of the
barrel. The trigger is provided with a finger having a hooked end, and
the sliding breech pin cylinder is made with an L-shaped slot so as to
slide back and forth over this finger and also to ensure the breech pin
being fully forward before it is turned to lock the sectional screws.
The said slot is made narrower, except at its ends, so that the finger
cannot be drawn down for discharging the piece except when the breech
pin is drawn back or turned fully to its place when forward. The entire
breech pin and the parts it carries can be drawn back out of the breech
of the gun by a strong pull on the trigger drawing down the finger out
of the aforesaid L slot, and I provide a sliding bolt that takes into a hole
in the lever handle at the back end of the breech pin when the screws
are partially interlocked so that the arm cannot be fired in transporta-
tican. I provide a space above the breech pin in which is a segmental
slide fitting the outside of the breech pin and having a recess for the
sectional screws, so that this slide and the recoil shield it carries at the
end are moved with the breech pin; a spring cartridge extractor is
placed in this slide and acts above the flange of the cartridge to draw it
back. Within the hollow breech pin is the hammer, which is thrown
forward by a helical spring when the finger is drawn down; this finger
springing up in front of the hammer when the breech pin is drawn back
holds the said hammer in place, while the spring is compressed by the
breech pin being pressed forwards. A projecting punch from the end of
the hammer explodes the cartridge by striking the same when the
trigger is pulled. The cartridge case is formed of sheet metal with a
cylinder projecting forwards from the centre of the base within the
powder space in which is a sliding needle, over the head of which is a
gas check within the said cylinder formed as a cap, and the needle
passes forward out of the said cylinder and towards the ball.
fulminate I employ is made of amorphous phosphorous mixed with
shellac dissolved in alcohol, and to this is added chloride of potash
either alone or with other substances, such as sulphur or charcoal. This
detonating mixture placed in a cavity in the ball is perfectly safe, and
the needle cannot be pressed into contact therewith except by a punch
driven into the cylinder of the cartridge case. The amorphous
The

page_text: phosphorous may be caused to adhere to the surface of paper or card,
and the chloride of potash may be similarly spread, and disks of these
materials may be employed kept apart by a ring of paper, and when
the needle or punch presses the materials into contact an explosion will
onsue
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Bethel Burton in the Great Seal l'atent Office
on the 26th November 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COMF, I, BETHEL
BURTON, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United States of
America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Bethel Burton, Her special licence that
I, the said Bethel Burton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Bethel Burton, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-APMS AND CARTRIDGES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Bethel Burton, 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 Bethel Burton, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto

page_text: annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section of the breech and magazine
portion of the gun loaded and ready for firing, and the manner of
constructing the cartridge; Fig. 2 is a top view of the fire-arm with
the breech pin drawn back showing the cartridge in the chamber of
the breech; Fig. 3 is a cross section of the gun at the line x, x, Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a cross section of the rear end of the breech at the line z,
Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the breech pin and its lever
showing the rib N, N', n, in the slot of the breech pin F; Fig. 6
represents the sliding cover, recoil block, and steady pin, hereafter
described; Fig. 7 represents the hammer and spiral spring; Fig. 8 is
a perspective view of the cartridge retractor; Fig. 9 represents a
section of a bullet with a wooden plug m inserted in the base; the
fulminate a hereafter described is secured to the wooden plug. Similar
marks of reference denote the same parts.
I extend the barrel A by securing thereon a breech or cylinder B,
and I form a longitudinal slot or opening in the cylinder on the upper
side from the point B to and running under the strap C of the breech,
as seen in Figs. 1 and 4, which allows the slide E to move back and
forward with the breech pin F without weakening the breech. Upon
the under side of said breech a lump B* is formed, which is let into the
stock and serves as a recoil block, and also as a guide for the finger H.
I form another longitudinal slot in the under side of the breech, making
an opening in the stock down into the magazine; the carrier T works
in this slot, and is large enough to convey the cartridge up from the
magazine D into the chamber of the breech. The carrier T is worked
by the arm k on the trigger K by means of an open slot in the end
of said arm acting on a pin e on the under side of said carrier. Upon
the forward end of the slide E are a recoil block q and steady pin I,
through which a hole i is made for the hammer pin to pass for the
purpose of striking the blow to ignite the charge. On the under side
of the slide E at O a recess is made to receive the sectional screw f
on the breech pin F. A lip is formed upon the lower edge of the recoil
block q, which serves to keep the flange or head of the cartridge up
under the hook of the extractor. In the forward under side of the
slide E there is a longitudinal recess made running from y to Y
which receives the cartridge extractor G, Fig. 8. The breech pin F

page_text: is bored out to allow the hammer L and its spiral spring M to work
therein, and in said breech pin there is a longitudinal slot R, R', r,
and in said slot a rib is formed, as shown at N, N', n, Fig. 5. The
trigger K is pivoted in the usual way upon the stud of the trigger
plate. The finger H is also pivoted on the arm of the trigger K in
such a manner that when the trigger is pulled the arm k draws down
the finger H at right angles with the breech through the recoil block B*
and breech, releases the hammer, and fires the charge, and draws down
the carrier T at the same time to receive the cartridge D' from the
magazine D when the breech pin is drawn back. The empty shell is
withdrawn from the barrel by the hook of the cartridge extractor G.
The pressure of the spring M upon the hammer L against the base of
the cartridge case tilts it up and out of the chamber of the breech. The
spring acting upon the trigger K forces the carrier T and loaded
cartridge D' up into the chamber of the breech. When the forward and
turning motion of the breech pin F pushes the cartridge into the
chamber of the barrel the sectional screws f, f', being united sustain
the breech pin against the recoil from the exploded cartridge. Upon
the upper end of the finger H a hook his formed on two sides, as shown
in Figs. 1 and 3. The lateral hook on the finger H is above the
longitudinal rib N, N¹, as the breech pin is pressed forward, and when
the breech pin F is revolved the front hook on the finger H, Fig. 1,
is above the transverse rib N', n, in said breech pin slot, so as to prevent
the arm from being discharged until the breech pin is entirely screwed
up. When the slot r in the breech pin is brought to the finger H the
said finger H is free to be drawn down by the action of the trigger K.
When the finger H is drawn down the spring M forces the hammer L
forward over the end of the finger H, firing the piece, and when the
breech pin is revolved and drawn back the rib N, N', n, slides over the
hook on the finger H until it reaches the slot R, when the spring J
presses the finger H up against the steady pin I. During the forward
motion of the breech pin the hook h on the finger H passes over the
rib on the slot of the breech pin, as described. In order to put the parts
together and into the chamber of the breech the extractor G is placed
in the recess Y, y, in the slide E. The spring M and hammer L are
placed in the chamber of the breech pin F; the breech pin is then
slidden over the pin I against the recoil block q; the breech pin is then
turned until the sectional screw-f enters the recess O in the slide E; the
inger H is then drawn down flush with the inside of the cylinder, and

page_text: the breech pin and slide inserted and pushed forwards. When the
spring J is relieved it forces the finger H up into the slot in the breech
pin in front of the hammer L; when the breech pin is pushed forward
this finger H detains the hammer, causing the movement of the breech
pin to compress the spiral spring, and at the same time the finger
guides the sectional screws into place.
In order to carry
with
the gun
safety when loaded the lever & must be turned until the hole therein
at u is brought opposite the end of the bolt S, Fig. 2, which bolt is
made to enter the hole u in the lever d and prevent the breech pin
from turning. When in this position the transverse rib N¹, n, in the
slot of the breech pin is brought under the front hook on the finger H,
so that the latter cannot be drawn down. The manner of constructing
the slide E, Fig. 6, with the recess Y, y, for the reception of the
cartridge retractor G, Fig. 8, and the recess in which the sectional
screw f works, affords great security and convenience in connecting the
parts together. When the spiral spring M and hammer L are in the
chamber of the breech pin and the extractor G in the recess Y, y, of
the slide E, by placing the sectional screw f in the recess O of the slide E
the whole are united and held together without the use of screws or
other fastenings, ready to enter the chamber of the breech, and work
back and forth in loading and reloading, and cannot be separated until
again withdrawn from the chamber of the breech, to do which no tools
are required, it being only necessary to pull hard on the trigger K,
which draws down the finger H, and allows the breech pin and sliding
cover to be drawn entirely out. The hammer L and hammer pin l
are made in one piece, so that when the breech pin is moving forward
the hammer pin is held back by the finger H, thus preventing the
possibility of a premature discharge from the hammer pin becoming
rusted and stuck fast in the hole i of the recoil block and steady
pin.
The following is a description of the mode of constructing my car-
tridge and preparing the fulminate for use therein-The shell is formed
in the usual way with a longitudinal tube p in the base, as shown in
Fig. 1, through which the firing pin passes. A cup wis then placed
in the tube on the head of the firing pin, which cup serves to stop the
escape of gas that may pass through the hole in the tube in which
the firing pin works. The tube p is made in such a manner as to
allow the firing pin v to be driven forward until the point of said pin,

page_text: which is kept at a distance from the fulminate, is driven into or against
said fulminate by the blow from the hammer . The point of the firing
pin being so far from the fulminate prevents the possibility of pre-
mature ignition by a fall or concussion in handling or transporting the
cartridges.
In priming cartridges I prefer using the following compositions and
mode of preparing:-I take shellac dissolved in alcohol and mix there-
with amorphous phosphorous; when mixed, I add thereto chloride of
potash. Other ingredients may be added thereto if desired, such as
sulphur, charcoal, &c., or any of the component compounds which make
fulminate, or any two compounds which combined will ignite by friction,
concussion, or percussion, or any one preparation which will ignite by
percussion or friction combined with shellac. The composition I place
in the base of the bullet, as represented at a, Fig. 9, cr in any other
place in the cartridge or projectile for the purpose of ignition.
When
the firing pin receives the blow from the hammer and strikes the chloride
of potash and amorphous phosphorous preparation it immediately ignites
and fires the charge.
The mode of preparing and using this kind of fulminate affords the
greatest security against explosion. It is readily and quickly prepared,
and will not ignite while drying until subjected to very high temperature,
which affords great advantages in manufacturing.
The fulminate is perfectly waterproof, and is not injured by coming
in contact with grease or oil, as is the case with other fulminates, and
will remain perfect for an unlimited lapse of time in all climates.
What I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,
First. The manner of constructing the breech or cylinder B, C, as
described.
Second. The recesses O and Y, y, in the slide E, as described.
Third. The manner of coupling together the slide E, breech pin F, and
cartridge extractor G, substantially as specified.
Fourth. The slot in the breech pin F made narrower by the longi-
tudinal rib N, N1, or its equivalent, for the purposes and substantially
as described.

page_text: Fifth. Fluting the breech pin F, hammer L, steady pin I, or the
under side of the strap C for reducing friction and preventing the parts
being obstructed in their movement.
Sixth. The locking bolt S in the breech B in combination with the
hole u in the lever d, as shown and set forth.
Seventh. Constructing the trigger K with an arm k to act on the
carrier T and to move the finger H in the guide or hole through the
recoil block B✶ and breech.
Eighth. The combination of the carrier T with the spring J, trigger K,
and arm k, working on the stud of the guard plate.
Ninth. The manner of constructing the hammer L, 1.
Tenth. The manner of combining the spiral spring M, hammer L,
cartridge extractor G, with the breech pin F and slide E working in the
chamber of the breech for inserting and firing the cartridge and
withdrawing and expelling it from the chamber of the breech, as
described.
Eleventh. The elongated tube p in combination with the firing pin v
in the cartridge, for the purposes and as set forth.
Twelfth. The manner of preparing the fulminate for use as a primer,
as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bethel Burton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.
BETHEL BURTON. (L.S.)