IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1876

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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ernest de Pass at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 11th January 1876. A communication
from abroad by Eugène Hénard, of 17, Boulevart Saint Martin, Paris, France,
ERNEST DE PASS, of Fleet Chambers, 68, Fleet Street, in the City of London,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS." Communicated to
me from abroad by Eugène Hénard, of 17, Boulevart Saint Martin, Paris, France.
Heretofore the ammunition chambers or barrels of the breech cylinders of
revolvers and other fire-arms, after having turned for a portion of its circumference,
were simply brought in front of the barrel of the arm or weapon, and their move-
ment was only a rotatory one around an axis. The result of this arrangement was
that a space or division existed between the breech cylinder and the adjacent
extremity of the barrel, thereby permitting a certain quantity of gas to escape from
the powder, and thus diminishing the projectile force of the arm.
Now this Invention relates to an improved arrangement of moveable breech for
revolvers and other repeating fire-arms, and also to prevent the escape of gas from
the powder. It is based upon the combination of the rotatory movement of the
breech cylinder by bringing together the barrel and the breech cylinder in such a
way that the revolution of such cylinder causes the junction with and horizontal
separation of the barrel and the breech cylinder. In this arrangement the breech
cylinder after having revolved a certain fraction around the horizontal axis becomes
united to or compact with the barrel by a movement of transmission or translation
parallel to the same axis of one of these two parts (either the breech cylinder or the
barrel), and permits one or more notches or projections formed on one of them to
take into one or more corresponding depressions formed on the other. These pro-
jections are disposed around the bore, and may be circular or polygonal, regular or
irregular, or may form a curve of any kind in such way that instead of disjunction,
discontinuity, or interruption between the breech cylinder and the barrel they
become hermetically closed, and each ammunition chamber of the cylinder is
successively united with the barrel. At each fraction or portion of circumference
the breech cylinder is well held up or supported at the back, and the powder is then
able to produce its entire projectile force or effect without loss of gas.
In the breech there is an arrangement for uniting the periodical movement of
rotation of the cylinder with the reciprocating motion of a rod or spindle, which rod

page_text: or spindle serves to drive out the cases of the cartridges, thus permitting a more
rapid loading of the arm.
The striking or percussive force is imparted to the cock or hammer by means of
the trigger, which works springs and set in motion notched catch pieces or clicks.
The bolting arrangement in front of the breech cylinder is held in place by the
aid of a spindle or rod formed in two pieces, and united by a screw threaded portion.
This bolting arrangeinent, the breech cylinder and the spindle or rod, are kept well
in place by means of abutments or projections, but at the same time permit the
rotatory movement of the breech cylinder.
A moveable plug or stopper held in place by a hinged spring serves to close or
release the charge or ammunition chambers from the breech cylinder in order to
allow the arm to be loaded.
The movement of the cock or hammer may be divided into three actions, move-
ments, or periods.
The breech cylinder carries in its back part as many indentations or curves as
there are charge or ammunition chambers. This arrangement of breech is also
applicable to pistols, carbines, guns, and other fire-arms of any calibre.
In another arrangement the junction of the barrel with the breech cylinder is
hermetically or air tightly closed by a movement of the barrel parallel to the axis
of the breech cylinder. The spindle or rod for driving out the cartridge cases
is here dispensed with, and the loading or unloading of the arm is effected by
detaching the breech cylinder from the fittings, stays, or stock. Here also the
'striking appliances may be varied.
In order to disengage the breech cylinder the spindle rod or mandril which is
held by a spring against it is drawn out, and a toothed projection being freed the
breech cylinder comes out of the arm easily.