IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES, AND IN CONVERTING BREECH LOADING INTO MUZZLELOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Mathews, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Gun Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES, AND IN CONVERTING BREECH
LOADING INTO MUZZLELOADING FIRE-ARMS,"
Sealed the 10th June 1864, and dated the 24th March 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Mathews at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th March 1864.
I, SAMUEL MATHEWS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES, AND IN CONVERTING BREECH-
LOADING INTO MUZZLE-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in the improvements herein-after described,
in opening and closing the breech ends of breech-loading fire-arms of the kind
commonly called drop-down guns, that is to say, breech-loading fire-arms in
which the open breech ends of the barrels are capable of being raised from
the face of the break-off for charging, and shut down and fixed against the
face of the break-off for discharge.
In one of my improvements the barrels are fixed down by a bolt sliding

page_text: horizontally through the break-off and taking into a hole in the lump on the
under side of the breech ends of the barrels. The bolt is actuated by a slide
on the top of the break-off; the said slide is jointed to the top of a vertical
lever at the back of the break-off, the said lever being jointed to the bottom of
the back of the break-off. The middle part of the lever passes through a slot in
the bolt, and by pressing back the slide on the tang of the break-off the boltis
withdrawn, and the barrels can be raised for charging. The advance motion
of the bolt is effected by a spring.
In another of my improvements the barrels are fixed down by plugs passing
through the break-off and entering the open breech ends of the barrels.
These plugs are connected together at the back of the break-off, and are
moved into and out of the ends of the barrels by means of a lever on the tang
of the break-off. The axis of the said lever has a crank on its lower end
underneath the tang of the break-off, which crank is connected by a link to
the piece which joins the plugs together; or the plugs may be urged forward
and withdrawn by a wedge-shaped block acting against the piece which
connects them. The said wedge-shaped block turns upon a joint at the back
of the break-off, and is capable of being raised and lowered in a vertical
plane. On raising the said block the plugs are withdrawn from the barrels,
and the barrels can be raised for charging. On shutting down the said block
the plugs are forced from out the break-off into the breech ends of the barrels,
and the said barrels are securely fastened down.
My Invention consists, secondly, of a cylindrical metal case closed at one
end to be inserted in the breech ends of the barrels, the said case fitting the
barrel, and having the charge placed in it before it is put into the barrel.
Near the closed end is a tubular nipple on which the percussion cap is placed,
the said nipple occupying the notch in the end of the barrel commonly
occupied by the pin of a pin cartridge. By the use of the said case the escape
of gas at the breech during discharge is prevented.
My Invention consists, thirdly, of the following method of locking down
during discharge the breech ends of such breech-loading fire-arms as have
fixed barrels opened and closed at their breech ends by a block turning in a
vertical plane on a joint and shutting down into a trough-like cavity at the
rear of the breech ends of the barrels. In the said block a bolt slides
horizontally, the said bolt being connected through a slot in the upper side of
the block with a sliding piece on the top of the block. By pressing the said
sliding piece towards the butt end of the gun, the bolt is made to engage in
a hole in the back of the cavity into which the block is shut down. By
motion in the contrary direction the bolt is withdrawn and the block may be

page_text: raised. The cock or hammer may be made to act upon the sliding piece and
shoot the bolt.
My Invention consists, fourthly, of the following improvements in car-
tridges:-At the base of the cartridge I insert a metal cup having thin edges.
On discharge the thin edges of the said cup are expanded, and the breech end
of the barrel effectually closed. The closed end of the cartridge may be made
of lead or other soft metal.
My Invention consists, fifthly, of an instrument to be inserted in the breech
ends of breech-loading fire-arms to effectually close the said breech ends, and
thereby convert the said breech-loading fire-arms into muzzle-loading fire-
arms. The said instrument consists of a cylinder of metal, having a flange at
one end and a screw cap at the other. A washer of a flexible or elastic
material, such as greased wad or india-rubber, is placed on the cylinder
between the flange and screw cap. When this instrument is inserted in the
breech of a breech-loading fire-arm the discharge compresses the washer, and
causing it to expand makes the breech end air-tight.
When this Invention is applied to guns of the kind known as "drop-down
guns," the nipple described with reference to the metal case, constituting the
second part of my Invention, is inserted in the cylinder, and communicates
with the powder in the barrel by means of a hole passing through the centre
of the screw cap and washer.
The cylindrical metal case described under the second head of my Inven-
tion may also be used for converting a breech-loading into a muzzle-loading
fire-arm. Or I effect the same object by inserting in the breech end of the
barrel a cylindrical metal plug with a nipple inserted therein in the way
described with reference to the cylindrical metal case in the second part of
my Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Samuel Mathews in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th September 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
MATHEWS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Maker, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most.Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date.the Twenty-fourth day of March, in.the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of

page_text: Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Samuel Mathews, Her special licence that I, the said Samuel
Mathews, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Samuel Mathews, 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIREARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES, AND IN CONVERTING
BREECH-LOADING INTO MUZZLE-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Samuel Mathews, 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 Inven-
tion, 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 Samuel Mathews, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
MyInvention consists,firstly, ofthe improvements herein-after described in
opening and closing the breech ends of breech-loading fire-arms of the kind
commonly called drop-down guns, that is to say, breech-loading fire-arms in
which the open breech ends of the barrels are capable of being raised from
the face of the break-off for charging and shut down, and fixed against the
face of the break-off for discharge.
In one of my improvements the barrels are fixed down by plugs passing
through the break-off and entering the open breech ends of the barrels.
These plugs are connected together at the back of the break-off, and are
moved into and out of the ends of the barrels by means of a lever on the tang
of the break-off. The axis of the said lever has a crank on its lower end
underneath the tang of the break-off, which crank is connected by a link to the
piece which joins the plugs together.
In another of my improvements, the plugs by which the barrels are held
down are urged forward and withdrawn by a curved wedge-shaped block
acting against the piece which connects them. The said block turns upon a
joint at the back of the break-off, and is capable of being raised and lowered
in a vertical plane. On raising the said block the plugs are ; withdrawn from
the barrels, and the barrels can be raised for charging. On shutting down

page_text: the said block the plugs are forced from out the break-off into the breech
ends of the barrels, and the said barrels are securely fastened down.. Or the
plugs may be held in position during firing by means of a cross piece carried
by a rod connected to the said plugs, the said cross piece being made to enter
a transverse slot in the break-off. The curved wedge-shaped block described
under this head of my Invention may also be applied to the fastening of the
sliding blocks or plugs of guns having fixed barrels.
'My Invention consists, secondly, of the following method of locking down
during discharge the breech ends of such breech-loading fire-arms as have
fixed barrels opened and closed at their breech ends by a block turning in a
vertical plane on a joint and shutting down into a trough-like cavity at the
rear of the breech ends of the barrels. In the said block a bolt slides
horizontally, the said bolt being connected through a slot in the upper side of
the block with a sliding piece on the top of the block. By pressing the said
sliding piece towards the butt end of the gun, the bolt is made to engage in a
hole in the back of the cavity, into which the block is shut down. By motion
in the contrary direction the bolt is withdrawn and the block may be raised.
The cock or hammer may be made to act upon the sliding piece and shoot
the bolt.
1
My Invention consists, thirdly, of the following improvements in cart-
ridges-At the base of the cartridge I insert a metal cup having thin edges.
On discharge, the thin edges of the said cup are expanded and the breech end
of the barrel effectually closed. The closed end of the cartridge may be made
of lead or other soft metal.
My Invention consists, fourthly, of an instrument to be inserted in the
breech ends of breech-loading fire-arms to effectually close the said breech ends,
and thereby convert the said breech-loading fire-arms into muzzle-loading fire-
arms: The said instrument consists of a cylinder of metal having a flange at
one end and a screw cap at the other. A washer of a flexible or elastic
material, such as greased wad or india-rubber is placed on the cylinder between
the flange and the screw cap. I also use a washer of an expanding material,
such as lead or other soft metal or alloy, in place of the elastic washer
described. When this instrumentis inserted in the breech of a breech-loading
fire-arm, the discharge compresses the washer and causing it to expand makes
the breech end air-tight. A tubular nipple is inserted in the cylinder and
communicates with the powder in the barrel. by means of a hole passing
through the centre of the screw cap and washer. Or I effect the same object
by inserting in the breech end of the barrel a cylindrical metal plug-with-a
-tubular nipple inserted therein, as in the instrument last described
:

page_text: My Invention consists, lastly, of a telescopic ramrod to be used with breech-
loading fire-arms. The said ramrod consists of two parts, one of the said
parts being capable of sliding in the other and hollow part, the solid part
being lengthened or shortened by sliding in the said hollow part. The solid
part of the ramrod, when lengthened to its fullest extent, is fixed in that
position by a projection carried by a spring on the said solid part entering a
slot in the hollow part.
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.
شر
Figured represents in longitudinal vertical section a double drop-down gun
constructed according to one of the arrangements of my Invention, the barrels
of the said gun being held or fastened down ready for discharge, the stock,lock,
and other parts being omitted; Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same;
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same taken through the line 1
of Figure 2, and. Figure 4 is a plan of the same. The same letters indicate
the same parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
:
a are the barrels of the gun turning on the joint b in the ordinary way,
Passing through and working in the break-off care two plugsd, d, ofa diameter
somewhat greater than that of the bores of the barrels a. The axes of the
said.plugs dare coincident with the axes of the barrels. The open breech ends
of the barrels are cut away to receive the ends of the plugs d,d, as represented
in the Drawing. The plugs d, d, are connected together at the back of the
break-off by means of the cross bar or piece e, and the said plugs are moved
into and out of the ends of the barrels by means of a lever f situated on the
tang of the break-off; the said lever having motion in a horizontal plane.
The said leverfis connected to the cross bare of the plugs d by means of the
axis g, crankh, and link i. When the parts of the gun are in the respective
positions represented in the Drawing, the plugs d are projected through the
break-off c into the ends of the barrels a, and the said barrels are firmly held
down by the said plugs for discharge; the said plugs being supported during
discharge by the end of the crank h bearing against the shoulder (see
Figure 1) on the under side of the tang l. In order to withdraw the plugs d
so as to release the barrels a; the lever fon the tang is turned at right angles
to the said tang, as indicated.in dotted lines in Figure 4, by which motion the
crank is placed nearly at right angles to the position represented, and the
plugs dare thereby withdrawn by the link i and connecting bar.e into the
break-off c.. The barrels can now be turned on their joint b, and their open
breech ends raised from the face of the break-off for charging. The lever f

page_text: may be held in its place during fire by a strong spring catch fastening formed
to receive it on the top of the tang l
Figure 5 represents in longitudinal vertical section parts of a double drop-
down gun constructed according to another arrangement of my Invention,
the barrels being fastened down; Figure 6 is a horizontal section of the
same, and Figure 7 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the gun,
the
parts being shown in the respective positions which they occupy when the
plugs have been withdrawn from the barrels, and the said barrels ready to be
raised for loading. The same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 5,
6, and 7. Instead of urging forward and withdrawing the plugs by means of
a crank, the said notions are effected by means of a curved wedge-shaped
block acting against the piece or bar which connects the plugs together; 'm
are the barrels; n the plugs,and o the bar or piece connecting the said plugs n
together. In the break-off p is a slot or opening q, in which the block r
can be made to enter; or from which it can be raised. The said block is of
a curved wedge shape, the curve of the said block being struck from the axis
about which the said block turns, and the opening g into which the block
shuts down is similarly curved. The block r is connected to the arm 72, which
arm turns on a joints at the back of the tang; and has motion in a vertical
plane. The rear t of the arm of the block r works in an excentric shaped
recess u made in the stem v of the connecting bar o. The block r may be
raised and lowered by a finger plate on the arm r². On shutting down the
block rit enters the opening q in the top of the break-off, and acting against
the back of the bar o forces the plugs n from out the break-off p into the
open breech ends of the barrels m. The said barrels are thus held down by
the said plugs, the plugs being supported during discharge. by the block 1,
one face of the said block bearing against the back of the connecting bar o,
and the other face against the part pa of the break-off, as will be understood
by an examination of Figures 5 and 6. In order to release the barrels for
loading, the block is raised from the break-off into the position represented
in Figure 7. By the raising of the block r the plugs n are liberated, and are
withdrawn from the ends of the barrels by the action of the rear t of the
arm working in the excentric recess in the stem v. The barrels are thus
unfastened and can be raised for loading. After reloading it is only necessary
to depress the block r into the position represented in Figures 5 and 6, when
the plugs are pushed home into the barrels, and the said barrels fastened
down ready for discharge..
Figure 8 represents in longitudinal section, and Figure 9 in side elevation,

page_text: .
the application of the last-described arrangement to the fastening down of the
sliding blocks of fire-arms having fixed barrels. a is the block. or plug.
sliding in the cavity b in the breech chamber g, at the breech end of the fixed
barrel c. Across the top of the block a a deep depression or recess d is made,
into which recess the curved piece e can be made to enter.. The arm.of the
piece e turns on a joint f on the said sliding block a. 'On either side the
breech chamber g openings; one of which is shown in Figure 9 and marked
h, are made, which openings come opposite that in the block or plug a, when
the-said block is pushed home to close the barrel. When the parts are in
the last-described position, by shutting down the moveable piece e it engages
with the opening d in the block a, and also with the openings h in the sides
of the breech chamber g, and thus fixes the said block to the said breech
chamber, and securely closes the breech end of the barrel for firing. After
discharge the piece e is raised from the openings in the sliding block and sides
of the breech chamber, the block can then be moved towards the butt end of
the gun so as to make clear the cavity in the breech chamber for the intro-
duction of the charge into the barrel, the motion of the said block being
limited by a cotter x, which passes through the sides of the breech chamberg,
and works in a slot a¹ in the said block. Upon removing the said cotter
the block a can be taken out of the breech chamber g. The charge having
been introduced, the block a is moved forward so as to fill up the cavity in
the charge chamber, and close the breech end of the barrel; the piece e is
then shut down, and the gun is again ready for discharge. Instead of the
moveable piece by which the block is fastened down engaging with openings
in the sides of the breech chamber, as in the arrangement last described, the
said piece may be made to pass through an opening in the block, and enter an
opening in the bottom of the breech chamber. This arrangement of this part
of my Invention is illustrated in longitudinal vertical section in Figure 10.
As the construction of the said Figure 10 is so fully shown in the Drawing,
I do not think. a further description necessary.
Figure 10A and Figure 10B represent in side elevation and vertical
section respectively a modification of the fire-arm last described. In this
arrangement the jointed moveable piece or plate a carries on its under side
a block b, which when the plate a is shut down fits between the shoulders c
and d of the breech chamber g, and securely holds in its place the plug or
closer e, to which the said plate a is hinged. The plug e together with the
platea are secured to the breech chamber by means of the spring cotter f,
by withdrawing which spring cotter the plug or closer e and parts a, b, can

page_text: be wholly withdrawn from the breech chamber g. The arrangements herein-
before described and represented in Figures 8, 9, 10, 10A and 10B may
also be applied to cannons.
Figures 11 and 12 represent in longitudinal vertical section and horizontal
sectionrespectivelyanotherarrangementofmy Invention forfasteningdownthe
barrels of drop-down guns. In this arrangement of my Invention the plugsn,n,
are urged forward into the breech ends of the barrels, and withdrawntherefrom
by means of a rod v connected to the bar o of the said plugs. The plugs n and
bar o are capable of a sliding motion only in the break-off, but the rod v and
parts carried by it are capable both of sliding and partly rotating in the break-
off, as herein-after explained. In the break-off p are a longitudinal slot to and
a transverse slota, into one or other of which the cross piece y on the rod »
can be placed at pleasure. When the barrels are unfastened the cross piece y
is situated in a vertical position in the longitudinal slot w,and the plugs n are
clear of the breech ends of the barrels. By pushing the rod uforward by means
of the handle or lever s on its outer end the plugs n are forced into the breech
ends of the barrels and the cross piece y is at the same time brought opposite
the transverse slot x in the break-off. By now turning the hande z about
half round, so as to depress it into the position represented, the cross
piece y is placed horizontally and made to enter the transverse slot x, and
thereby hold the plugs n firmly in the ends of the barrels during discharge.
After discharge the handle z is first raised into a vertical position, so as to
raise the cross bar y out of the transverse slot x and bring it opposite
the longitudinal one w; by then pulling the handles from the break-off,
the bar y is made to enter the said longitudinal slot and the plugs are with-
drawn from the barrels. The barrels may now be raised for loading. The slots
or openings w,a,in which the cross piece y works, are closed by a plate or cover.
In applying the arrangement represented in Figures 11 and 12 to.single
guns having fixed barrels, I arrange the parts in the manner represented
in Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, and 12F of the Drawings,
Figure 12A representing a plan of the breech chamber of the gun without
the plunger; Figure 12B, a vertical section of the gun with the plunger
pushed home, the fastening bolt being raised; Figure 120, a transverse
vertical section of the same through the line A, Figure 12B; Figure 12D,
a horizontal section of the same with the fastening bolt turned down and the
gun ready to be fired; Figure 12E a transverse section of the same through
the line B, Figure 12B; and Figure 12F, a horizontal section of the gun
with the plunger withdrawn from the end of the barrel.

page_text: a is the plunger, sliding and capable of partial rotation in the breech
chamber b. The said plunger a carries a bolt c, the neck of which can be
made to enter either the cross slot d or the longitudinal slot e in the top of
the breech chamber 6 or be withdrawn therefrom. The back of the plunger
is provided with a stem f which works through the axis of the end g of the
breech chamber, the end g serving both as a stop and a guide to the plunger.
When the parts of the gun are in the positions represented in Figure 12D
the bolt c is situated horizontally and occupies the cross slot d in the breech
chamber 6 and securely holds the plunger a in its place during fire. To
unfasten the plunger a and open the breech chamber for the introduction of the
charge the bolt cis raised vertically, as represented in Figure 12B,. so as to
withdraw it from the cross slot d and bring it opposite the longitudinal slote.
By now drawing the bolt c towards the butt end of the gun the bolt c is.
moved into and along the slot e and the plunger a withdrawn from the breech;
end of the barrel. The breech chamber 6 is thereby opened and the charge,
is introduced into the charge chamber through the opening h. The opening h
is closed by a lid or cover.
Figure 13 represents in longitudinal vertical section a gun having a fixed
barrel the breech end of which is opened and closed by a block turning in a
vertical plane on a joint on the said barrel, the bolting mechanism of the said
gun being constructed according to my Invention. The block in the said
Figure 13 is represented unbolted and ready to be raised for the introduction
of the cartridge or charge into the barrel.
.
Figure 14 represents the same with the block bolted down and the gun
ready to be fired; and Figure 15 represents a plan of the same.
Figure 16 represents a side elevation of the block separately; and Figure 17
is a transverse section of the same. The same letters indicate the same parts
in Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
ais the fixed barrel, and b is the rear or breech end.of the said barrel,into a
cavity in which the block c fits. The said block c turns on the joint d on the
top of the barrel a and is raised and lowered by the finger plate e. In the block
ca cylindrical bolt slides horizontally, the said bolt being connected through
the screw pins 9, 9, with a plate or piece h sliding on the top of the block c.
The screw pins g work in a slot i made in the upper part of the block c,
the shape of which slot is best seen in Figures 13, 14, and 17. The sliding
plate his moved backwards and forwards by means of a projection or thumb
plate h². At the back of the cavity in the rear end 6 of the barrel a a hole k
is made, the said hole being in a line with the horizontal bolt f. When the

page_text: block c has been shut down into the cavity in the rear end 3, and the breech
end of the barrel thereby closed, as represented in Figures 13 and 14, by
pressing the projection ³ of the plate h towards the butt end of the gun the
bolt is shot forward and made to engage in the hole k and thus fasten the
block c securely to the barrel, as represented in Figure 14. By pressing
the projection h2 in the opposite direction to that described, the bolt fis with-
drawn from the hole k and the block c may be raised preparatory to the
introduction of the cartridge or charge through the open breech.end into the
barrel a. The sliding motion of the plate is limited by a shoulder at on
the under side and at each end of the plate abutting against the ends of the
slot i, as seen in Figures 13 and 14. I prefer so to place the projection h³ on
the sliding plate h that on raising the hammer m for discharge the said
hammer shall act upon and press forward the said projection h³ and shoot the
bolt fand lock down the block c. The part of the hammer m which acts upon
the projection 2 on the raising of the said hammer is marked m³. By this
means the hammer cannot be raised for discharging the gun until the block c
has been properly bolted in its place.
Figure 18 represents in section a cartridge made according to my Invention.
I make up the cartridge in the ordinary way, but before filling in the powder
and shot I put at the base of the cartridge a metal cup, marked a in Figure
18, and represented separately in Figure 19. On the discharge of the gun
the edges of the cup a are expanded and the breech end of the barrel effec-
tually closed. The closed end of the cartridge may be made of lead or other
soft metal.
Figure 20 represents in elevation an instrument constructed according tomy.
Inventionfor converting breech-loading into muzzle-loading fire-arms; Figure
21 is a vertical section of the same, and Figure 22 represents the parts sepa-
rately. The said instrument consists of a cylinder of metal, b, having aflange at
one end and a screw at the other end. On the screwed part a washer of india-
rubber or other flexible material, c, is placed, and the said elastic washer is
held against the cylinder 6 by the metal washer d and screw cap e; I also
Bometimes use a washer of lead or other easily expanded material in place of
the elastic washer c. When a breech-loading gun is required to be loaded at
the muzzle the instrument Figures 20 and 21 is inserted in the breech end;
on the discharge of the gun the explosion forces backwards the washer d, so
as to compress the elastic washer c between it, and the face of the cylinder a;
the edges of the elastic washer c are thereby expanded against the inside of
the breech end so as to make the said breech end air-tight. When the

page_text: instrument(Figures 20 and 21)is used with guns of the kind called drop-down
guns, the cartridge or charge is ignited by a tubular nipple or striking tube f,
communicating with the cartridge or charge through an opening g in the axis
of the cylinder b. The neck of the said nipple or striking tube foccupies the
notch in the end of the barrel commonly occupied by the pinof apin-cartridge,
and the said tube f is screwed into this instrument or breech-piece from the
under side up to a shoulder at h through the hole, which hole is afterwards
closed by another screw. A cylindrical case for containing the charge may
be screwed in front of the instrument last described. Instead of using the
instrument, Figure 20 and 21, for converting breech-loading fire-arms into
muzzle-loading fire-arins a cylindrical metal plug may be employed, the said
metal plug being provided with a nipple or striking tube communicating with
the powder, as in the instrument Figures 20 and 21.
Figure 23 represents in section a telescopic ramrod for breech-loadingguus
constructed according to my Invention, the said ramrod being capable of
elongating sufficiently to be used with a gun when it is loaded at the muzzle,
and contracting sufficiently to be able to take the place usually occupied by
the ramrod in muzzle-loading guns, the length available in breech-loading
guns being less than that available in muzzle-loading guns. The ramrod
consists of two parts, a and b, the part a being solid and capable of sliding for
the greater part of its length within the part b, which is hollow; c is a spring,
having a projection d on its end. The spring c is fixed to the part a in the
manner represented in the Drawing. The projection d, near the top of the
spring c, is capable of engaging in a slot e in the part b. When the pro-
jection & on the spring c is engaged in the slot e the part a is fixed at the
greatest distance to which it can slide out of the part 6, and the ramrod is
then ready for use. When the ramrod is not in use the projection d is
pressed out of the slot e, when the part a can be made to slide in the part b
and the ramrod shortened sufficiently to be put in its place at the under side
of the gun.
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 represented in the
Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of
my Invention; but I claim as my Invention,―
Firstly, the improvements in breech-loading fire-arms of the kind called
drop-down guns, in which the barrels are held down by plugs or closers
entering the open breech ends of the barrels herein-before described and

page_text: illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 of the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say, the several arrangements and combinations of parts
described and represented forworking the said plugs, in order to hold down or
release the barrels, and for supporting the said plugs in their places during
discharge.
Secondly, the improvements in breech-loading fire-arms having fixed
barrels, the breech of the said barrels being opened and closed by a sliding
block or plug herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 8,9, 10, 10A,
and 10B, of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, fastening down the
sliding block or plug of the said fire-arms by means of a moveable block or
piece of the kinds described and represented; also the application of the said
arrangement to cannons.
Thirdly, the arrangement or combination of parts described and represented
in Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, and 12F of the accompanying
Drawings,for opening and closing the breech ends of breech-loading fire-arms
having fixed barrels.
Fourthly, the improvements in breech-loading fire-arms having fixed
barrels, the breech of the said barrels being opened and closed by a block
turning on a joint in a vertical plane on the said fixed barrels herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 13,14,15,16,and 17 of the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say, fastening down the said blocks by means of a
horizontal bolt in the said blocks taking into an opening or recess at the rear
of the cavity into which the blocks shut down.
Fifthly, the improvements in cartridges herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 of the accompanying Drawings, that is
to say, inserting in the back of the cartridge a metal lic cup, the edges of
which on the discharge of the gun are expanded, and prevent the escape
of gas at the breech; also making the closed end of the cartridge of lead or
other soft metal.
Sixthly, the instruments herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
20, 21, and 22 of the accompanying Drawings, to be used in the breeches of
breech-loading fire-arms for converting the said fire-arms into muzzle-loading
fire-arms, that is to say, elastic or expanding plugs or closers or cylindrical
metal plugs or closers for closing the breech end of the barrel, the said plugs
or closers being provided with nipples or striking tubes for discharging the
gun, and so formed that they may be used in guns for firing ordinary pin
cartridges without altering the said guns.
Lastly, the new or improved telescopic ramrod to be used with breech-

page_text: loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 23 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Mathews, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One [thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
SAMUEL MATHEWS. (L.S.)