IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING SMALL ARMS
Year: 1884

page_text: We JOHN BULLOUGH, of Globe Works, Accrington, in the County of Lancaster,
Machine Maker, and GERBACIO PROTACIO APPLEYARD, of Grafton House, Halifax,
in the County of York, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of our said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING SMALL ARMS," to be as
follows:-
This invention relates, to apparatus for automatically locking, or bolting, and for
automatically unbolting, the "Safety" device, of small arms, and consists of a rod
or spindle, operated by pressure against the shoulder, in combination with a
gravitating or swinging locking bar or catch, for preventing motion of the rod or
spindle, when the gun is grounded.
According to this our invention, we connect with any of the well known locking
devices or "Safeties," a rod or spindle, which extends to and outside the heel
plate, the outer end of the said rod or spindle, carries a button or pressure plate, so
that when pressure of the shoulder is applied to the latter, the rod or spindle is
forced forward, pushing off the "safety" so that the lock mechanism, may be
operated and the gun fired, the return. movement of the safety and rod, or spindle,
is secured by the use of a spiral spring, on the said rod or spindle.
For the purpose of preventing the "Safety" being pushed off, when the butt is
grounded, we cut or form a notch, in the spindle or rod referred to, and suspend in
a box or recess, formed inside the stock of the gun, a swinging locking bar or
catch, which when the gun is grounded, or the barrels are in a vertical position,
enters the notch referred to, and locks the spindle, thereby prevents the latter,
moving the safety, except, when in passing the gun to the shoulder, for purpose of
firing overhead shots, the protruding button or pressure plate, and spindle are
operated by contact with the shoulder, before the swinging locking bar or catch,
can enter the notch of the spindle.
Dated 04h da..
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Town Hall Buildings, Halifax,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: We JOHN BULLOUGH of Accrington in the County of Lancaster Machine Maker
and GERBACIO PROTACIO APPLEYARD of Grafton House late Hebble House Halifax
in the County of York Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of our said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING SMALL ARMS" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, aided by the annexed drawings:-
This invention relates to what is known as "Safety """ Automatic safety" and
other apparatus for bolting or locking and unlocking the triggers or the tumblers
of breech loading small arms.
Our Invention consists of combined stop or locking devices one of which may be
accidentally or otherwise operated or pressed off without operating the other and
admitting of discharge of the Gun.
Such being the nature and object of the said invention the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
forming a part of this Specification in which:
Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section of gun stock fitted with our improved
safety apparatus.
Fig. 2 is end elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is sectional elevation shewing part of gun stock grounded or resting on
its heel plate.
Fig. 4 sectional elevation of part of gun stock at an angle.
Fig. 5 sectional elevation of same parts pressed forward removing "Safety."
Figs. 6 and 7 are details or parts detached.
According to this our invention for purpose aforesaid we employ any of the well
known bolting devices such as the sliding bar 1 which is usually pushed off by the
thumb-but is in this our improved apparatus operated or pushed off by means of
the spindle 2 which is connected to the bar 1 and button or swell 3-When and so
long as pressure from the shoulder or otherwise is applied to the swell 3, the latter,
the spindle 2, and the sliding bar 1 are forced forward to the position shewn at
Fig. 5 moving the bar 1 clear of the part or trigger plate 4, leaving the triggers
free to act for discharge of the gun and by the same pressure the spiral spring 5
will be compressed by the screw or pin 6-Soon as pressure upon the swell 3 is
removed the parts resume the normal position of " Safety "the bar 1 being
returned by the expansion of the spiral spring 5 over the stop 4 as illustrated by
drawing Fig. 1.
"
In order that the gun may be grounded or rested upon its heel plate without
the bar 1 being removed clear of the stop piece 4, and the gun thus be at "danger
the locking bar 7 is employed it being hinged to the bracket 8 and free to swing
loosely on its supporting pins 9. 9. so that when the gun is in a vertical position
(see Fig. 3) the bottom of the locking bar 7 will enter the notch 10 cut or formed
in the spindle 2 and so prevent forward movement of the parts 3, 2, 1 and 5
parts 1 and 4 remaining at "safety" and the gun cannot be fired until the locking

page_text: bar 7 swings clear of the notch 10, which it automatically does soon as the gun is
moved to an angle or to positions such as shewn at Figs. 4, 5.
It will be evident that this locking device must not interfere with the free use
of the gun for shots directly overhead nor does it at all obstruct because in passing
the gun to the shoulder in taking such shots the gun is always inclined more or
less so that the swell 3 is pressed forward before the swing locking-bar 7 can enter
the notch 10 (see Fig. 4).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we would have it
understood that we lay no claim to the bar 1 spindle 2 and swell 3 as a means of
operating the said bar 1-We declare that what we claim is
(1.) The parts 1. 2. 10. 3. 5 and 7 all in combination and substantially as herein
described and illustrated by the annexed drawings.
(2.) The locking bar 7 and notched spindle 2 in combination and for purpose
herein fully described.