IMPROVE- MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT Richard Clay, the younger, of Muswell Hill, in
the County of Middlesex. Gentleman, for the Invention of IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 26th May 1868 and dated the 30th November 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Clay at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th November 1867.
d. RICHARD CLAY, the younger, of Muswell Hill, in the County of.
Middlesex. Gentleman. do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," 1o be as follows;-
The object of my Invention is to produce a breech-loading fire-arm capable
of discharging a cheaper kind of cartridge than that in ordinary use and of
being used if required as a muzzle-loading fire-arm.
My said Invention consists. firstly, of a fire-arm constructed as follows:-
The principal parts of the said fire-arm consist of the barrel, a stationery
cartridge holder. a sliding tubular breech chamber, and a locking tube by
which the breech chamber-and the barrel are held together during the dis-
charge of the gun. At the rear end of the barrel which is open a tubular
socket of larger diameter than the interior of the said barrel is formed. Into

page_text: this socket the fore part of the breech chamber enters when the fire-arm is
closed for discharge, the said part having a conical face which is pressed
against a similarly formed shoulder in the said socket in order to make a gas-
tight joint. The cartridge holder referred to consists of a disc (of the same
diameter as the barrel) fixed to two metal side straps of about the length of
the cartridge, which straps project. from the rear end of the barrel in which
their fore ends are so fixed as to lie flush with its interior and slide in grooves
in the breech chamber, so that when the breech is closed the interior of said
chamber and barrel are perfectly cylindrical. The disc referred to has a hole
in its axis through which a needle or striker passes, when the fire-arm is
fired; or the disc of the cartridge holder may be supported by a metal bar or
stem passing through the rear end of the breech chamber, the end of this
said stem being connected to the stock of the gun, so that when the breech
chamber is slidden back this stem will keep the disc stationary, and at the
same time will act as a guide to the breech chamber to keep it steady. The
striker would then run diagonally through the breech plug as in the case of a
converted Enfield, hereafter specified. In both cases the disc whether sup-
ported by straps to the fore part of the barrel or by the aforesaid stem must
have a certain amount of play allowed it in order that when the fire-arm is
closed for firing it may close against the breech plug without confining the
locking action. That part of the stock which is underneath the cartridge
holder is cut away so as to allow the cartridge case to be pushed out or to
fall out without reversing the fire-arm. A breech plug into which is screwed
a nipple containing a needle or striker) is screwed into the tube constituting
the breech chamber at a distance from its fore end equal to about the length
of the cartridge. That part of the said tube which is behind the breech plug
is occupied by a sliding hammer and a coiled spring by which the said
hammer is urged forward, one end of the said spring bearing against a piston
carried by the said hammer and the other end bearing against a plug which
is screwed in the rear end of the tube and has a hole in its axis through
which the rod of the sliding hammer passes. A slot is cut in the under part
of the said tube to allow of the point of the trigger engaging with a projection
on the piston carried by the hammer. On the exterior of the tube con-
stituting the breech chamber are two flanges, and the locking tube herein-
before referred to is formed with an internal flange at its rear end. which said
internal flange slides upon the said tube between the flanges on the same.
The fore part of the locking tube has quadrantal shoulders or ridges in its
interior at opposite points, which said shoulders when the gun is closed for
firing engage with corresponding shoulders formed on the exterior of the

page_text: barrel. the acting surfaces of the aforesaid shoulders being inclined, so that
when the locking tube is turned by means of a handle or lever formed on the
said tube they have a screwing or wedging action.
The action of the paris is as follows:-In order to load the fire-arm the
locking tube is turned by means of its handle through about a quarter of a
circle and the shoulders in the said tube are thereby disengaged from those on
the barrel, and the said locking tube can be slidden back upon the breech
chamber until the internal flange at the rear of the said locking tube hears
against the rear flange of the breech chamber, when the said locking tube
will carry back the said breech chamber and thereby uncover the cartridge
holder from which the remains of the cartridge last discharged will fall or can
be pushed. A fresh cartridge is now inserted in the said cartridge holder, the
bullet of the said cartridge or fore end of cartridge (in short guns) resting in
the barrel of the fire-arm and the base of the said cartridge resting against
the disc of the cartridge holder. The locking tube is then moved forward and
the internal flange at its rear bears against the flange on the fore part of the
breech chamber, which breech chamber is thus slidden over the cartridge and
brought to bear against the rear end of the barrel. When the parts are in
this position the breech plug bears against the disc of the cartridge holder and
takes the strain of the explosion. The locking tube being now turned into its
original position the shoulders on the interior of the said tube engage with the
shoulders on the exterior of the barrel, and the said barrel and the breech
chamber are securely held together during the discharge of the fire-arm
The piston on the hammer is held back by the irigger during the forward
motion of the breech chamber. so that the hammer spring is compressed and
the gun is thereby cocked during such motion. By unscrewing the nipple
containing the striker and substituting a percussion-cap nipple the fire-arm is
fitted for use as a muzzle-loading fire-arm, an opening for the insertion of the
percussion cap being made at the upper part of the breech chamber. The
stock is so shaped and fitted with guides and stops that the breech chamber
may run smoothly backwards and forwards.
The second part of my Invention consists of a breech-loading fire-arm
constructed as follows:-The principal parts of the said fire-arm consist of
the barrel (which is affixed to the stock by means of side straps). a cartridge-
case extractor, a locking shutter, and the lock, which last is of the kind herein-
before described with reference to the first part of my Invention. The rear
end of the barrel which is open is chambered out or enlarged so that its
diameter slightly exceeds that of the rest of the barrel, the length of the
chamber or enlarged part being about equal to the length of the cartridge.

page_text: In the said chamber slides the cartridge case extractor which consists of a
metal ring connected by two metal side straps (which slide in grooves in the
cartridge chamber) to a disc or valve which closes the breech. The interior
of this ring fits the bullet easily but does not admit the cartridge case. Con-
sequently when the cartridge case extractor is drawn back after the discharge of
the fire-arm the said ring brings with it the case of the exploded cartridge or
any unconsumed portion thereof. At the back of the valve herein-before
referred to is another valve of larger diameter, which valve is formed in one
piece with the locking shutter herein-before, referred to. A washer of leather
or other suitable material is interposed between the aforesaid valves, which are
connected by means of a hollow iube which contains a needle or striker and
which is formed on or screwed into the axis of the froni valve and passes
through the back valve and the locking shutter. the said tube being secured
by a nut which engages with a screw thread on the exterior of the said tube.
and a nipple being screwed into the end of the said tube next the hammer.
That part of the stock which is underneath the cartridge case extractor when
the latter is drawn back is cut away to allow of the passage of the cartridge
case. The locking shutter which is or may be of an oblong form is carried by
a tube or hollow stem provided with a lever or handle by which the said stem
can be turned so as to cause the ends of the said shutter to engage in grooves
formed in the side straps by which the barrel is connected to the stock. The
acting faces of the said ends and of the said grooves are inclined so that when
brought together they shall have a wedging action, by which the front and
hack valves shall be firmly pressed in their respective seats at the rear of the
barrel. The iube carrying the lock is so connected to the hollow stem
carrying the locking shutter (in which stem the head of the hammer works)
as to be capable of a sliding motion. but incapable of rotary motion. The
accidental discharge of the fire-arm is prevented by a safety catch carried by
the-hollow stem_of_the_locking shutter, which catch when the parts are not
securely locked engages with a quadrantal shoulder formed on a portion of the
hammer head. This catch being bevilled in one direction allows of the back-
ward motion of the hammer head, but will not allow it to go forward until the
locking shutter is turned so as to pass into the grooves herein-before referred
to when the said catch is moved out of the path of the hammer. That part
of the hammer rod which passes through the disc or plug by which the rear
end of the lock tube is closed is furnished with a catch which when folded
forward rests against the said disc and keeps the fire-arm at half-cock, and
when raised up acis like the comb of an ordinary cock and constitutes a
means of drawing the piston back to full-cock without having to open the breech
S

page_text: The action of the paris is as follows:-In order to load the fire-arm the
locking shutter is turned by means of its handle through aboni a quarter of a
circle, and the ends of the said shutter are thereby disengaged from the
grooves in the side straps, and the said. shutter is slidden back from the barrel
carrying with it. the lock, the breech valves, and the cartridge case extractor,
which latter brings with it the case of the exploded cartridge, which case is
pushed or falls through the stock. A fresh cartridge is now inserted. the
bullet lying in the ring of the cartridge case extractor and the base of the
said cartridge resting against the froni valve herein-before referred to. The
breech valves and the parts in connection therewith are then slidden forward,
and the extractor and the cartridge carried by the same are pushed into the
barrel. The locking shutter is then turned till its edges engage with the grooves
in the side straps, when the breech valves are held firmly to their seats and the
fire-arm is ready for firing, the cocking of the said fire-arm being effected in
this instance as in that of the fire-arm first described by the motion of loading.
This fire-arm may be rendered suitable for use as a muzzle-loading fire-arm
by inserting a sicel or paper Lube, the internal diameter of which is equal to
that of the barrel, behind the ring of the extractor to fill up the space usually
Occupied by the cartridge case, and by substituting a percussion cap nipple for
the nipple carrying the striker. I prefer to use with fire-arms of the kinds
herein-before described cartridges similar to the "Chassepot." cartridge or
Prussian needle cartridge, or cartridges in general having their sides formed
of paper or other cheap material and carrying the percussion ring at their rear
end or base, but ordinary cartridges or Boxer cartridges may be used.
When the latter are used the disc of the cartridge holder described under the
first head of my Invention and the front valve described under the second
head of my Invention are furnished with projections which support the base of
the cartridge.
In the case of the fire-arm constituting the second head of my Invention
the projection referred to is bent so as to form a hook, which engages with the
rim of the cartridge and thus acis as an extractor, so that the ring and straps
of the extractor can if desired be dispensed with.
My Invention consists. thirdly, of the method herein-after described of
converting muzzle-loading fire-arms inio breech-loading fire-arms of the kind
described under the first head of my said Invention.
I will describe this part of my Invention as applied to the conversion of an
ordinary Enfield rifle: A portion of the breech end of the barrel is cut away
to make room for a sliding tubular breech chamber which is of the same
description as but shorter than the breech chamber herein-before described.

page_text: Not being required to carry any lock the old lock is retained intact with the
exception that the hammer is altered to a shape somewhat similar to that of
the hammer used in the "Snider rifle. The nipple through which the striker
passes is screwed into the breech plug herein-before described in a diagonal
direction, so that the said siriker shall be siruck by the hammer on its descent.
The back sight is moved rather nearer to the muzzle to make room for a collar
to be fixed as in the "Snider" rifle on the rear end of the barrel. This collar
carries the shoulders with which the shoulders in the interior of the locking
tube engage, and is so shaped as to pass ihrongh the stock and thus take off
the recoil. A portion of the head of the stock is cut away to allow the breech
chamber to slide back, a guide being fitted over it to keep it in its place. The
extractor and other details are similar to those herein-before described under
the first head of my Invention. This arrangement allows of the rifle being
loaded from its muzzle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Clay in the Great Seal Patent office on
30th May 1868.
the
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, T. RICHARD
CLAY, the younger, of Muswell Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Genileman.
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her mosi Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Palent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did. for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
sail Richard Clay Her special licence that the said Richard Clay, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Richard
Clay, 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
ferm 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 FIBX-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that T, the said
Richard Clay, 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

page_text: 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 Richard Clay, 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:
The object of my Invention is to produce a breech-loading fire-arm capable
of discharging a cheaper kind of cartridge than that in ordinary use and of
being used if required as a muzzle-loading fire-arm.
My said Invention consists, firstly. of a fire-arm constructed as follows:-
The principal parts of the said fire-arm consist of the barrel, a stationary
cartridge holder, a sliding tubular breech chamber and a locking tube by
which the breech chamber and the barrel are held together during the dis-
charge of the fire-arm. At the rear end of the barrel which is open a tubular
socket of larger diameter than the interior of the said barrel is formed. Into
this socket the fore part of the breech chamber enters when the breech is
closed for discharge. the said part having a conical face which is pressed
against a similarly formed shoulder in the said socket in order to make a gas-
tight joint. The cartridge holder referred to consists of a disc (of the same
diameter as the interior of the breech chamber) fixed to a metal strap or to
two metal side straps of about the length of the cartridge (or to
a stem
as herein-after described), which strap or straps projects or project from the
barrel in which its or their fore end or ends is or are so fixed as to lie flush
with the interior of the said barrel, and also to lie in a groove or in grooves
in the breech chamber, so that when the breech is closed the interior of the
said chamber and barrel are perfectly cylindrical. A breech plug (into which
is screwed a nipple containing a needle or siriker) is screwed into or formed
on the tube constituting the breech chamber at a distance from its fore cul
equal to about the length of the cartridge. The discharge of the fire-arm is
effected by means of an ordinary gun lock, the hammer of which is arranged,
to strike upon the needle aforesaid. the said hammer being forced back to full-
cock by the backward motion of the breech chamber. On the exterior of
the tube constituting the breech chamber are two flanges, and the locking tube
herein-before referred to is formed with an internal flange at its rear end,
which said internal flange slides upon the said tube between the flanges on
the same. The fore part of the locking tube has quadrantal shoulders or
ridges in its interior at opposite points, which said shoulders when the gun is
closed for firing engage with corresponding shoulders formed on the exterior

page_text: of the barrel, the acting surfaces of the aforesaid shoulders being inclined. so
that when the locking tube is turned by means of a handle or lever fornued
on the said tube. they have a screwing or wedging action; or the locking tube
may be made to turn on the rear end of the barrel, and the quadrantal
shoulders may be formed on the sliding breech chamber.
In this arrange-
ment the lever by which the locking tube is turned is not formed on the said
Lube, but is connected to the breech chamber by means of a ring turning in
an annular groove formed on the exterior of the said breech chamber. By
this means the said breech chamber can be moved backwards and forwards
without turning. The locking tube has two projections or jaws formed on its
edge next the breech chamber. When the breech chamber is brought up to
the barrel the lever aforesaid engages with these jaws, so that when it is
Lurned through a quarter of a circle it carries round with it the said locking
tube, the shoulders on the interior of which engage with those on the exterior
of the said breech chamber and thus hold the latter to the barrel. Instead
of connecting the disc of the cartridge holder to the barrel by means of a
strap or straps as herein-before described the said disc may be supported by a
metal bar or stem the fore end of which passes through the rear end of the
breech chamber, the rear end of the said stem being connected to the stock
of the gun, so that when the breech chamber is slidden back this stem will
keep the disc stationary and at the same time will act as a guide to the breech
chamber. The striker would then run diagonally through the breech plug
as in the case of a converted Enfield" herein-after described; or the stem
is bored out for a part of its length to carry the striker. In this case the said
stem has at a proper distance from its rear end a slot through which a cross
bar or pin carried by the head of the striker works; the projecting part of
this bar receives the blow of the hammer.
In the two modifications last described the breech chamber may be held
to the barrel by either of the arrangements of locking tube herein-before
described or instead of the said arrangements of docking. tube the said tube
may be dispensed with, and lugs may be formed on the fore part of the
breech chamber, which lugs are caused by the turning of the said breech
chamber to engage with shoulders on the barrel.
Fire-arms constructed as herein first described may be fitted for use as
muzzle-loading fire-arms by unscrewing the nipple containing the striker and
substituting a percussion-cap nipple; or the said striker may be made hollow
so as to allow the flash from the percussion cap to pass through it, in which
case the firearm may be used without any alteration either as a muzzle-
loader or as a breech-loader. The stock of the fire-arm is so shaped and fitted

page_text: with gunes that the precen Chamoci may ram Sony
forwards.
DACA WALES
CUTECE
My Invention consists, secondly. of the method herein-after described of
converting muzzle-loading fire-arms into breech-loading fire-arms of the kind
described under the first head of my said Invention.
I will describe this part of my Invention as applied to the conversion of an
ordinary Enfield rille: A portion of the breech end of the barrel is cut away
to make room for a sliding tubular breech chamber which is of the same
description as the breech chamber berein-before described. The old lock is
retained with the exception that the hammer is altered 40 a shape somewhat
similar to that of the hammer used in the Snider ritle. The nipple
through which the striker passes is screwed into the breech plug in a diagonal
direction, so that the striker shall be struck by the hammer on its descent,
and pass diagonally through the disc of the cartridge holder. The back
sight is moved rather nearer to the muzzle to make room for a collar to be
fixed as in the Snider rifle on the rear end of the barrel. This collar
carries the shoulders with which the shoulders on the interior of the locking
tube engage, and is so shaped as to pass through the stock and thus keep
the barrel steady; or the locking tube may turn as herein-before described
on the rear end of the barrel, the requisite quadrantal shoulders being in
this case formed on the breech chamber. A portion of the head of the
stock is cut away to allow the breech chamber to slide back. a guide being
fitted over it to keep it in its place. A semi-tubular metallic guide is
The
inserted in the stock, in which guide the breech chamber slides.
cartridge holder or extracior and other details are similar to those herein first
described.
.
'
My Invention is especially applicable to the discharge of cartridges having
paper cases and to other similar kinds of cheap cartridges, as the gas closure
is effected by the parts of the fire-arm and is not dependent upon the con-
struction of the cartridge; but fire-arms constructed according to my said
Invention may also be used for the discharge of cartridges of the ordinary
kind.
Having now described the nature of my Invention will describe the
manner in which the same is to be performed, reference being had to the
Drawings hereto annexed, and to the letters and Figures marked thereon.
Figure represents in side elevation a portion of a rille constructed accord-
ing to the first part of my lavention; Figures 2 and 3 are horizonial sections,
Figure representing the breech open for loading and Figure 3 representing
the said breech closed for discharge; Figure 4 is a transverse section taken

page_text: on the line U. Figure 3: Figure 5 is an end elevation of the rear of the barrel;
and Figures 6. 7. 8, and 9 represent. sundry details herein-after referred to.
The same letters and figures of reference indicate the same parts in the several
Figures.
A is the barrel which is fixed to the stock B in the ordinary way; C is the
breech chamber, and D is the locking tube by which the said breech chamber
is held to the barrel during the discharge of the rifle E is the cartridge
holder, which consists of a disc e' which is connected to a ring e by means
either of a metal strap e. as shown in Figures 2 and 3, or by means of two metal
side straps e', e, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, which represent in side
elevation, horizontal section, and end elevation respectively a cartridge holder
constructed according to this modification of my invention. Figure 9 is a
transverse section of a breech chamber furnished with grooves c'. c', to admit
the side straps e', e'. (which are so connected to the ring e as to allow a
little play.) so that the interior of the said straps may lic flush with that of the
barrel. In the arrangement shown in Figure only one groove is
necessary. The ring is fixed in the barrel by screwing, rivetting, or other-
wise. The said barrel has at a an annular V-shaped groove or socket into
which when the breech is closed for discharge a correspondingly formed -pro-
jection on the breech chamber enters, thereby forming a gas-tight joint.,
are segmental shoulders formed on the rear end of the barrel. with which
shoulders correspondingly formed shoulders in the interior of the locking
tube engage when the breech is closed for discharge, the acting surfaces
of the said shoulders being inclined so that they may have a wedging action
when brought together. The said tube is worked by means of a lever or
handle and has at its rear end an internal flange which as the said tube
is moved backwards and forwards bears against one or other of two
flanges c, c, on the breech chamber G. The rifle is discharged by means of a
striker which passes through a nipple screwed into the breech chamber
and receives the blow of a hammer Fimpelled by any suitable lock¯¯By==|
screwing the said nipple and substituting a percussion-cap nipple for the same
the rifle may be used as a muzzle-loading rifle. Or instead of a solid striker
a hollow striker may be used, in which case the rifle may be loaded either
from the breech or from the muzzle.
This modification is illustrated in vertical longitudinal section in Figure 10,
in which Figure the hollow striker is marked e'. When the rifle is loaded
from the muzzle the rear end of the hollow striker lies flush with the end of
the nipple (as shown) and the flash from the percussion cap passes through
the said striker.
Gis a semi-tubular guide in which the breech chamber and

page_text: locking tube slide. Portions of the said tube are cut away so as to form
recesses, in which recesses trunnions d', F, on the locking tube engage
when the breech is closed for discharge. The recoil is thus transmitted to
and sustained by the said semi-tubular guide. A longitudinal slot g is formed
in the said guide to allow of the passage of the trunnion when the breech
is opened for loading.
The action of the parts is as follows: In order to load the fire-arm the
locking tube D is turned through a quarter of a circle and the shoulders d
are thereby disengaged from the shoulders ². The said tube is then slidden
back, and as it is so slidden the flange is caused to bear against the flange c'
and thereby carry back the breech chamber C. which forces the hammer back
to full-cock. The case of the previously exploded cartridge is thus leit
uncovered and can be withdrawn. A fresh cartridge is now inserted, the fore
part of the bullet lying in the ring which is of a size proper to admit the
said bullet but not the case of the cartridge. The base of the cartridge rests
against the disc e'. The locking tube is then slidden forward and the flange
Fis caused to bear against the flange and thereby carry forward the breech
chamber, which is thus slidden over the cartridge until the annular projection
engages in the groove a', when the said iube is turned into its original
position and the shoulders d' are caused to engage with the shoulders and
hold the breech chamber to the barrel..
Figures and 12 represent in side clevation a portion of a rille constructed
according to one of the modifications of my Invention herein-before described;
and Figures 13 and 14 are horizontal sections of the barrel and breech chamber
and parts connected therewith. The said Figures and 13 represent the
breech open for loading and the said Figures 12 and 14 represent the said
breech closed for discharge. Figures 15 and 16 are transverse sections taken
respectively on the lines V and W. Figure 12; Figures 17 to 23 (both
inclusive) represent sundry details herein-after referred to.
The same
letters and figures of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures.
In this arrangement the locking tube D (which is represented in front
elevation in Figure 17, side elevation in Figure 18, and vertical longitudinal
section Figure 19) does not travel backwards and forwards on and with the
breech chamber C but turns on the barrel A, having an internal flange
which bears against a flange on the rear end of the barrel and is kept in
position by a ring. The rear end of the said tube is furnished with jaws d',
d, and also with quadranial shoulders . . which when the breech is closed
engage with corresponding formed shoulders c', c', on the breech chamber C

page_text: see the front elevation of the said breech chamber at Figure 20. The said
breech chamber is furnished with guides . . which slide in guides b'. '.
screwed to the stock. The said breech chamber is moved backwards and
forwards by means of a handle or lever formed on a ring' ' (shown in side
and front elevations in Figures 21 and 22 respectively) which turns in an
annular groove in the said breech chamber. The cartridge holder E (shown
in vertical longitudinal section in Figure 23) is of the kind herein-before
described with reference to the first part of my Invention; F is a semi-tubular
piece of metal which is screwed to the stock and takes the recoil from the
locking tube the rear end of which bears against the said piece F. The other
details are essentially the same as those herein-before described with reference
to the first part of my Invention.
The action of the parts is as follows:-In order to load the rifle the
handle which lies between the jaws P., is turned into the position
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 15, and thereby carries round the locking
tube until the shoulders are disengaged from the shoulders c', '. The
breech chamber is then slidden back to the position shown in Figures and
ia, and a cartridge G is placed in the cartridge holder E. The breech
chamber is then slidden forwards over the said cartridge until it is brought up
to the rear of the barrel when the handle e engages with the jaws d², d², and
being turned into the position shown in Figures 12 and 15 carries round the
Jocking tube. thereby causing the shoulders
to engage with the
shoulders c', ', and thereby hold the breech chamber to the barrel.
Figure 24 represents in plan, Figure 25 in vertical longitudinal section,
and Figure 26 in front elevation a portion of a rifle constructed according to
another of the modifications herein-before described. The same letters and
figures of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures. In
this arrangement the locking tube is dispensed with, and the breech chamber C
is furnished with lugs which engage with shoulders, on the barrel A
and thereby hold the said breech chamber to the barrel. The said breech
chamber is turned and slidden by means of a handle and is mounted on a
stem carrying the disc of the cartridge holder. as shown (with reference to
another modification) in Figures 27 and 28.
The said Figures 27 and 28 are vertical longitudinal sections of a portion
of a rifle constructed according to another modification herein-before described,
Figure 27 representing the breech open for loading, and Figure 28 répre-
senting the said breech closed for discharge; Figure 20 represents details
berein-after referred to. The same letters and figures of reference indicate

page_text: the same parts in the several Figures. In this arrangement. the disc of the
cartridge holder E instead of being supported by the strap or straps herein-
before referred to is supported by a metal bar or stem e which passes through
and is held by a socket fixed to the stock of the rifle. Ai the back of the
disc E is an annular V-shaped projection e which when the breech is closed
for discharge enters a correspondingly shaped annular groove in the breech
chamber and thereby prevents "back flash." In order to allow for wear, and
to keep the projection and groove aforesaid in close contact, the stem e' is
pressed back by a coiled spring which is compressed between the socket li
and a nut on the said stem, the motion of which is limited by the collar e².
The said stem is hored out for a portion of its length in receive a striker e", to
which is affixed a head carrying a cross har e which passes through a
sliding guide tube e, works in a sloic, and receives the blow of a hammer el
(indicated in doited lines) which is impelled by any suitable lock.
Figure 29
represents in horizontal section the details last described. The arrangements
for locking the breech chamber and barrel and for sustaining the recoil are
the same as those herein-before described with reference to Figures 11 to 22.
When the breech chamber is mounted on a solid bar or siem a nipple is
screwed diagonally into the said breech chamber, and a striker contained in
the said nipple passes diagonally through the disc of the cartridge holder.
I do not consider it necessary further to describe the mode of converting a
muzzle-loading fire-arm into a breech-loading fire-arm, as I believe that such
mode will be sufficiently understood by reference to the description herein-
before given and to Figures 11 to 28 of the accompanying Drawings.
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-before described, as the same may be
varied without departing from the nature of my said Invention; but I claim
as my Invention,-
Firstly, The stationary cartridge holder or extractor through the disc of
which the striker acts, which said disc is supported and held in its required
position relatively to the barrel by a metal strap, or by two metal side straps.
or by a stem (either solid or hollow) passing through the back of the breech
chamber, such cartridge holder or extractor being more especially adapted for
use with ordinary central-fire cartridges and capable of preventing back
flash," in the manner herein-before described.
Secondly. The combination with the aforesaid cariridge holder or extractor
of the several arrangements of locking tube and parts connected therewith,

page_text: herein-before described, for the purpose of holding the breech chamber to the
barrel as required.
In witness whereof. I, the said Richard Clay, have hereunto-, sql my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
H. H. MURDOCH,
7, Staple Inn.
RICHARD CLAY. Junior. (S.)