IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Webster Cochran, of the City, County, and
State of New York, United States of America, now of No. 8, South-
ampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Webster Cochran
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th April 1867.
I, JOHN WEBSTER COCHRAN, of the City, County, and State of New York,
United States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as
follows:-
The said improvements relate to fire-arms whose breech is closed by a
detached sliding block which carries devices for exploding and ejecting the
cartridges, and which is fitted into the breech chamber in such a manner as
to be readily removeable therefrom when desired.
The said improvements consist, first, in the combination of a peculiarly
constructed breech block with an adjustable stay which is jointed to the said

page_text: block, and fits tightly at the time of firing between the same and a recoil
bearing at the rear of the breech chamber, the said stay being readily released
to allow the sliding block to be drawn back to open the breech.
The said improvements consist also in the employment in combination
with the said block and stay of a sliding bolt which is constructed and
arranged to enter a recess formed in the rear of the adjustable stay, and hold
the same down in the breech chamber, and at the same time drives forward
the striking pin which explodes the cartridge, its rear end being for this
purpose arranged in the proper position to be struck by the tumbler or
hammer when the trigger is pulled. The said striking pin is so constructed
and arranged that the piece can be adapted to either central or rim fire
cartridges.
The said improvements also consist in the employment of an adjustable
thumb piece which is attached to an extension of the rear of the said stay,
and is provided with a hook or claw to take hold upon a lip or shoulder on
the strap or breech pin. The shank of the thumb piece is provided with a
spring which acts to keep the hook under the said projection, but which yields
to allow the stay to shut down properly into the breech chamber or to be
raised therefrom.
The said improvements further consist in constructing a portion of the
breech chamber immediately behind the barrel just wide enough to allow the
cylindrical portion of the cartridge to enter, but too narrow to admit the rim
of the said cartridge, which can only be introduced at a certain distance
behind the barrel, where the entrance to the breech chamber is widened.
This mode of forming the chamber in combination with the arrangement of
the sliding breech block in the rear portion of the said chamber prevents the
improper insertion of the cartridge when the piece is hastily loaded.
The said improvements further consist in the peculiar construction and
arrangement of the extractor or retractor for removing the empty cartridge
cases. The said extractor is loosely attached to the under surface of the
sliding breech block by a screw or pin passing through a longitudinal slot in
the extractor; the forward end of the latter is provided with a shoulder to
take hold upon the rim of the cartridges, and another shoulder is formed
on its other end for the breech block to act upon. The rear end of the
extractor is formed with a conical or taper edge, which coming in contact with
a recess or notch at the back of the breech chamber tilts the extractor and
jerks out the cartridge.
The said improvements further consist in the construction of a lock whose
parts are all supported upon the guard plate and in which the tumbler and

page_text: mainspring are so constructed and arranged that the force of the spring upon
the tumbler is greatest when the latter is down upon the striking bolt.
The said improvements consist, lastly, in the general arrangement and
combination of parts. The forward end of the sliding block enters and fits
a recess at the rear end of the barrel, and is kept from rising with the
adjustable stay, or being otherwise displaced when the breech is open, by studs
which project from its sides into longitudinal grooves formed in the sides of the
breech chamber; vertical grooves extend from these horizontal grooves to
the top of the said chamber to allow the studs to pass when the breech
block is removed. The accidental removal of the said block is prevented by an
adjustable spring catch or dog which extends through one side of the chamber
into one of the vertical grooves flush with the upper side of the longitudinal
groove so as to allow the stud to pass freely therein, but not to rise till the
said dog is drawn back, which is easily effected by the thumb or finger. The
rear end of the breech block forms the arc of a circle whose centre is the
fulcrum or hinge pin connecting the said block with the adjustable stay which
is well fitted to the curved end of the breech block, whose surface is provided
with a stop or projection to prevent the adjustable stay being thrown up too
far. The recoil shoulder on the rear end of the stay also forms the arc
of a circle struck from the hinge pin, and the recoil bearing at the rear of
the breech chamber is curved to correspond with the said shoulder. The
said binge pin lies central with the bore of the barrel; the force of the
explosion is by this arrangement of parts deprived of all tendency to force
the said block out of the chamber. The stay which supports the breech
block in the said chamber is provided at its rear end with a tongue or extension
which when the breech is closed rests upon the metal strap or breech pin
on the upper side of the stock. The said tongue is formed with a longitudinal
slot to receive the shank of a sliding thumb piece; the latter is constructed
with a hook or claw which is caused by a spring to take hold upon a lip or
projection on the strap or breech pin. The firing or exploding pin extends
longitudinally through the adjustable stay, its forward end entering a recess or
mortice formed in the breech block. The said end is constructed with a
head on one side which extends across the centre of the block; the forward
end of the latter is perforated with two holes, one in the centre and the other
at one side. A small pin is provided to fit these holes; the said pin is
changed from one to the other of the said holes to adapt the piece to either
central or rim fire cartridges as desired. The head of the striking pin lies
in the proper position to drive the short pin forward when the same is in
either of the said holes. The rear end of the striking pin does not extend

page_text: quite to the recoil shoulder on the adjustable stay, but leaves sufficient space for
the end or head of a sliding bolt which at the time of firing the piece projects
through the rear end of the breech chamber into a recess formed in the end
of the said stay and locks the same firmly in its place. The sliding bolt
is connnected with the shank of the thumb piece by a stud or spur which is
attached to the said shank and projects into a recess or notch formed across
the upper surface of the sliding bolt, whose rear end lies in the proper position
to receive the blow of the tumbler when the piece is fired. By this mode
of connecting the thumb piece and sliding bolt, the latter can be drawn back
by means of the said thumb piece when the piece is either at full or half-cock.
The recess or notch in the top of the sliding bolt is made longer than the
stud or spur which fits therein, so as to leave the striking bolt a free movement
end wise when struck by the tumbler. The aperture formed in the top of the
breech chamber for the admission of the cartridges is formed for a portion of
s length immediately behind the barrel of just sufficient width to admit the
cylindrical body of the cartridge, but will not allow the flange or rim thereof
to enter. The rear portion of the said aperture is made wider than the front
portion, and when the breech is opened the wide portion of this aperture is
left clear to admit the rim of the cartridge which can thus be readily inserted
when properly adjusted, but not otherwise. The extractor is formed and
arranged to slide in a longitudinal groove or channel in the bottom of the
breech chamber; a narrow slot or aperture is cut through the central portion
of this groove or channel and through the under side of the stock. This
aperture permits the escape of the gas if a cartridge should burst, and also
serves as an outlet for any dirt, water, or other substance that may collect in
the breech chamber. The extractor is formed with a central longitudinal
slot, and is by preference connected to the under side of the breech block by
a screw or rivet passing through the said slot. The forward end of the said
extractor is furnished with a shoulder or claw which lies under the rim of
the cartridge when the same is inserted in the charge chamber. The rear
end of the extractor is made in the form of a wedge whose extremity or
apex lies clear of the surface upon which the extractor rests, and the upper
side of the extractor is made concave to allow space for the tilting of the
extractor when its rear end is depressed. When the breech is closed the
sliding block fits tightly upon the forward portion of this concave surface
and keeps the extractor firmly in its place. In opening the breech the
rear end of the said block comes in contact with a shoulder formed on the
rear of the extractor, which is thereby drawn backward, bringing with it the
empty cartridge case, the rim of which is supported upon the forward end

page_text: of the extractor. A recess or cavity is formed at the rear of the groove or
channel in which the extractor slides in such a position that when the latter
is drawn back by the sliding block the upper inclined surface of its wedge
shaped end is depressed by the upper surface of this recess. The extractor
is of such a length that the breech block has a certain amount of play or
lost motion before it strikes the shoulder on the rear of the said extractor, and
the forward end of the latter projects beyond the breech block when the same is
drawn back. The upper inclined surface of the wedge shaped end of the
extractor is brought into contact with the recess or cavity at the back of the
longitudinal groove, and being thereby depressed tilts or throws up the forward
projecting end of the said extractor and jerks out the cartridge resting upon
the same. The parts of the lock are all supported upon the guard plate
which is provided on its upper surface with two lugs or jaws between which
the tumbler or hammer is pivoted. The mainspring is attached by one end
to the rear of the guard plate, and its other end at the point of the contact
with the tumbler may be provided with a small friction roller; the tumbler is
provided with a curved shoulder for the said friction roller or the end of the
spring to act upon; the bearing surface of the said shoulder is so formed and
arranged in relation to the spring that the leverage thereof upon the tumbler
decreases as the latter is pulled back, and increases as it approaches the striking
pin, the pressure of the spring upon the tumbler is therefore greatest when
the tumbler is down upon the striking pin or bolt. The sear is attached to
the front of the trigger, and rests upon the adjacent portion of the guard plate
in the proper position to force the trigger into the notches in the tumbler
when the piece is either at full or half-cock.
In adapting these improvements to the conversion of muzzle-loading arms
into breech-loaders an opening is formed in the top of the barrel to receive
the sliding block and adjustable stay. The ordinary cone or nipple is removed
and replaced by a similarly shaped cone, which is formed upon the sliding
bolt for locking the adjustable stay; the ordinary lock and hammer are
retained. When the trigger is pulled the hammer falls upon the sliding cone,
which is driven forward with the bolt to which it is attached; the said bolt
drives forward the striking pin and explodes the cartridge, and at the same
time locks the breech block securely in its place. When the hammer is
back by a spring; the
set at full or half-cock the sliding cone is forced
bolt is thus drawn out of its recess in the stay and allows the breech to be
opened.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Webster Cochran in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 19th October 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WEBSTER COCHRAN, of the City, County, and State of New York, United
States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and graut unto me,
the said John Webster Cochran, Her special licence that I, the said John
Webster Cochran, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Webster Cochran, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Webster Cochran, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under ny, 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 John Webster Cochran, 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 accompanying Drawings
forming a part of this Specification :-
The said improvements relate to fire-arms whose breech is closed by a
detached sliding block which carries devices for exploding and ejecting the
cartridges, and which is fitted into the breech chamber in such a manner as
to be readily removeable therefrom when desired.
The said improvements consist first, in the combination of a peculiarly
constructed breech block with an adjustable stay which is jointed to the said
block, and fits tightly at the time of firing between the same and a recoil

page_text: bearing at the rear of the breech chamber, the said stay being readily released
to allow the sliding block to be drawn back to open the breech.
The said improvements consist also in the employment in combination with
the said block and stay of a sliding bolt which is constructed and arranged
to enter a recess formed in the rear of the adjustable stay and hold the same
down in the breech chamber, and at the same time drives forward the striking
pin which explodes the cartridge, its rear end being for this purpose arranged
in the proper position to be struck by the tumbler or hammer when the
trigger is pulled. The said striking pin is so constructed and arranged that
the piece can be adapted to either central or rim fire cartridges.
The said improvements also consist in the employment of an adjustable
thumb piece which is attached to an extension of the rear of the said stay,
and is provided with a hook or claw to take hold upon a lip or shoulder on
the strap or breech pin. The shank of the thumb piece is provided with a
spring, which acts to keep the hook under the said projection, but which yields
to allow the stay to shut down properly into the breech chamber or to be
raised therefrom.
The said improvements further consist in constructing a portion of the
breech chamber immediately behind the barrel just wide enough to allow
the cylindrical portion of the cartridge to enter, but too narrow to admit
the rim of the said cartridge, which can only be introduced at a certain
distance behind the barrel, where the entrance to the breech chamber is
widened. This mode of forming the chamber in combination with the
arrangement of the sliding breech block in the rear portion of the said
chamber prevents the improper insertion of the cartridge when the piece is
bastily loaded.
The said improvements further consist in the peculiar construction and
arrangement of the extractor or retractor for removing the empty cartridge
cases which is loosely attached to the under surface of the sliding breech
block by a screw or pin passing through a longitudinal slot in the extractor;
the forward end of the latter is provided with a shoulder to take hold upon
the rim of the cartridges, and another shoulder is formed on its other end for
the breech block to act upon. The rear end of the extractor is formed with
a conical or taper edge, which coming in contact with a recess or notch at
the back of the breech chamber tilts the extractor and jerks out the cartridge.
The said improvements further consist in the construction of a lock whose
parts are all supported upon the guard plate, and in which the tumbler and
mainspring are so constructed and arranged that the force of the spring upon
the tumbler is greatest when the latter is down upon the striking bolt.

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan showing the top of the breech of a rifle constructed
according to my improvements; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the
line a, a, Figure 1 showing the parts of the breech mechanism adjusted for
firing the piece; Figure 3, is a similar section of my improved mechanism
showing the same with the breech open; Figures 4 and 5 represent detached
portions of the said mechanism; Figure 6 is a plan illustrating the adaptation
of my improvements in the conversion of a muzzle-loading rifle into a breech-
loader; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section on the line y, y, Figure 6; Figures
8 and 9 represent detached portions of this modification of my improvements.
Like letters indicate the same parts in each of the Figures.
The stock A and barrel B may be constructed and united in any ordinary
and convenient manner, and the barrel may be formed solidly with the breech
shoe C or firmly secured thereto. The forward end of the sliding block b
enters and fits a recess B₁ at the rear end of the barrel, and when the
breech is opened is kept from rising with the adjustable stay c, or being
otherwise displaced by studs d which project from its sides into longitudinal
Vertical grooves e¹
grooves e formed in the sides of the breech chamber a.
extend from these horizontal grooves to the top of the said chamber to allow
the studs d to pass when the breech block is removed. The accidental removal
of the said block is prevented by an adjustable screw for by a spring catch
or dog which extends through one side of the chamber into one of the
vertical grooves e flush with the upper side of the longitudinal groove e so as
to allow the stud to pass freely therein, but not to rise till the said screw or
dog is drawn back. The dog is formed with a projecting head, and is thereby
easily operated by the thumb or finger. The rear end of the breech block b
forms the arc of a circle whose centre is the fulcrum or hinge pin g
connecting the said block with the adjustable stay c, which is well fitted to the
curved end of the breech block, whose surface is provided with a stop or
projection to keep the adjustable stay c from being thrown up too far. The
recoil shoulder c¹ on the rear end of the stay c also forms the arc of a circle
struck from the hinge pin ġ, and the recoil bearing a¹ at the rear of the breech
chamber a is curved to correspond with the said shoulder; the hinge pin g
lies central with the bore of the barrel B. The force of the explosion is by
this arrangement of parts deprived of all tendency to raise the block bout of
the chamber a. The stay which supports the breech block in the said

page_text: chamber is provided at its rear end with a tongue or extension c², which when
the breech is closed rests upon the metal strap or breech pin D on the upper
side of the stock A; the said tongue is formed with a longitudinal sloth to
receive the shank of a sliding thumb piece i; the latter is constructed with a
book or claw 2, which is caused by a spring j to take hold upon a lip or
projection D¹ on the strap or breech pin D. The firing or exploding
pin extends longitudinally through the adjustable stay c, its forward end
entering a recess or mortice 63 formed in the breech block b; the said
end is constructed with a head on one side which extends across the
centre of the block b; the forward end of the latter is perforated with
two holes 1, 2, one in the centre and the other at one side; a small pin
is provided to fit these holes. The said pin is changed from one to the
other of the holes 1, 2, to adapt the piece to either central or rim fire
cartridges as desired. The head of the striking pin lies in the proper
position to drive the pin forward when the same is in either of the said holes.
The rear end of the striking pink does not extend quite to the recoil shoulder c¹ on
the adjustable stay c, but leaves sufficient space for the end or head of a sliding
bolt m, which at the time of firing projects through the rear end of the breech
chamber a into a recess c formed in the end of the said stay, and locks
the same firmly in its place. The sliding bolt m is connected with the
shank h¹ of the thumb piece i by a stud or spur 23, which is attached to the
said shank, and projects into a recess or notch n formed across the upper
surface of the sliding bolt m, whose rear end lies in the proper position to
receive the blow of the tumbler o when the piece is fired. By this mode of
connecting the thumb piece i and sliding bolt m the latter can be drawn
back by means of the said thumb piece when the piece is either at "half-cock,"
as shewn in Figure 2, or at full-cock.. The recess or notch n in the top
of the sliding bolt m is made longer than the stud or spur 2 which fits
therein so as to leave to the striking bolt a free movement endwise when
struck by the tumbler o. The aperture in the top of the breech chamber
for the admission of the cartridges is formed for a portion of its length p, p,
immediately behind the barrel of just sufficient width to admit the cylindrical
body of the cartridge, but will not allow the flange or rim thereof to enter.
The rear portion p', p', of the said aperture is made wider than the front
portion, and when the breech is opened, as shewn in Figure 3, the wide
portion of this aperture is left clear to admit the rim of the cartridge,.
which can thus be readily inserted when properly adjusted, but not otherwise.
The extractor 9 is formed and arranged to slide in a longitudinal groove or
channel a* in the bottom of the breech chamber. A narrow slot or aperture

page_text: is cut through the central portion of this groove or channel, and may be con-
tinued through the under side of the stock A. This aperture permits the escape
of the gas if a cartridge should burst, and also serves as an outlet for any dirt,
water, or other substance that may collect in the breech chamber. The
extractor q is formed with a central longitudinal slot q', and is by preference
connected to the under side of the breech block 6 by a screw s or rivet passing
through the said slot. The forward end of the said extractor is furnished
with a shoulder or claw q which lies under the rim of the cartridge when
the samo is inserted in the charge chamber. The rear end 3 of the extractor
is made in the form of a wedge whose extremity or apex lies clear of the
surface upon which the extractor rests, and the upper side of the extractor is
made concave to allow space for the tilting of the same when its rear end q*
is depressed. When the breech is closed the sliding block fits tightly upon
the forward portion of this concave surface, and keeps the extractor firmly
in its place. In opening the breech the rear end of the said block comes
in contact with a shoulder q' formed on the rear of the extractor 97, which is
thereby drawn backward, bringing with it the empty cartridge case, t'e rim of
A recess
which is supported upon the forward end q of the said extractor.
or cavity t is formed at the rear of the groove er channel a* in which the
extractor 9 slides in such a position that when the latter is drawn back by
the sliding block 6 the upper inclined surface of its wedged-shaped end 3 is
depressed by the upper surface of this recess t. The extractor 2 is of such
a length that the breech block 6 has a certain amount of play or lost motion
before it strikes the shoulder q' on the rear of the said extractor, and the
forward end of the latter projects beyond the breech block when the same
is drawn back. The upper inclined surface of the wedge-shaped end of
the extractor is brought into contact with the recess or cavity t, at the back
of the longitudinal groove a*, and being thereby depressed tilts or throws up
the forward projecting end q² of the said extractor and jerks out the cartridge
resting upon the same.
The parts of the lock are all supported upon the guard plate u which is
provided on its upper surface with two lugs or jaws u¹ between which the
tumbler or hammer o is pivoted. The mainspring w is attached by one
end to the rear of the guard plate u, and its other end at the point of contact
with the tumbler o, may be provided with a small friction roller w². The
tumbler o is provided with a curved shoulder 03 for the said friction roller or
the end of the spring to act upon. The bearing surface of the said shoulder
is so formed and arranged in relation to the spring w that the leverage of
the said spring upon the tumbler o decreases as the latter is pulled back, and

page_text: increases as it approaches the striking pin m; the pressure of the spring w
upon the tumbler o is therefore greatest when the said tumbler is down upon
the striking pin or bolt m. The sear ¹ is attached to the front of the trigger =,
and rests upon the adjacent portion of the guard plate in the proper position
to force the trigger into the notches 3, 4, in the tumbler o, when the piece is
either at full or half cock.
In adapting these improvements to the conversion of muzzle-loading arms
into breech-loaders, as illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, an opening is
formed in the top of the barrel B to receive the sliding block b and adjustable
stay c. The ordinary nipple for the percussion cap is removed and replaced
by a cone D² of somewhat similar shape, which is formed upon the sliding
bolt D³ for locking the adjustable stay; the original lock and hammer are
retained. When the trigger E is pulled, the hammer F falls upon the
sliding cone D2, which is driven forward with the bolt D3 to which it is
attached. The said bolt drives forward the striking pin k, and explodes the
cartridge, at the same time locking the breech block 6 securely in its place.
When the hammer F is set at either full or half cock the sliding cone D³ is
forced back by a spring G. The bolt D³ is thus drawn out of its recess in
the stay c and allows the breech to be opened.
Having thus fully described my said improvements, and shewn how the
same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish
it understood that I do no claim the employment of a hinged sliding breech
block and stay, nor the arrangement of the firing pin in combination with
the breech block and tumbler, but I claim,-
First, constructing the block 6 to enter the rear end of the barrel or charge
chamber, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second, the combination of the said block with the adjustable stay c
formed with a recoil shoulder c¹ and fitted into the chamber a for the purposes
and substantially in the manner set forth.
Third, the sliding bolt m constructed and arranged to operate in com-
bination with the tumbler o, striking pin k, and stay c, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Fourth, the peculiar construction of the firing pin k whereby the same can
be adapted to either central-fire or rim-fire cartridges, substantially as set forth.
Fifth, the adjustable thumb piece i on the stay c provided with the hook
or claw and spring j, and arranged to operate in combination with the lip
or shoulder D', substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Sixth, constructing the forward end p, p, of the breech chamber narrower
than the rear portion of the same for the purpose set forth.

page_text: Seventh, the device 9 for extracting and ejecting the cartridges, constructed,
arranged, and operating substantially as set forth.
Eighth, the combination of the said extracting and ejecting device with
the block b, groove a*, and recess t, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth."
Ninth, the mainspring wand tumbler o constructed and arranged in such
a manner that the pressure of the spring upon the said tumbler is greatest
at the moment when the latter strikes the firing pin.
Tenth, the combination of parts of a breech-loading fire-arm, substantially
as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eleventh, the modification of my improvements to adapt them to the
conversion of muzzle-loading arms into breech-loaders, substantially as
illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Webster Cochran, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
J. W. COCHRAN. (L.S.)