IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING GUNS AND FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Westley Richards, of Birmingham, Gun Manufac-
turer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING GUNS
AND FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 25th June 1858, and dated the 25th March 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Westley Richards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
March 1858.
I, WESTLEY RICHARDS, of Birmingham, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
GUNS AND FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading guns and
fire-arms. For these purposes a hollow box or chamber is formed or fixed to
the breech end of the barrel, which breech end is made to receive a cylindrical
plug. The interior of the box or chamber is made suitable for receiving a
cartridge, and in such manner that when the cartridge has been introduced it
be slid out from the box or chamber into the end of the barrel. The
plug used to close the breech end of the barrel is attached by preference to a
sliding block by a knuckle or other suitable joint, which block slides along a
guide fixed longitudinally on the under side of the cover of the box or chamber;
and it is preferred to use a V form groove for the sliding block. The cover.
of the box or chamber used when for military and sporting fire-arms is hinged
may

page_text: to the fore end of such box, and has a handle which extends some distance
beyond the back end of the box, and is received into a recess formed in the
stock, where it is grasped when discharging the piece. The back end of the
cover descends down beyond the end of the box so as to prevent there being
any flash in a backward direction should the plug fit imperfectly. The
portion of the plug which enters the end of the barrel is made in any suitable
manner to render its fits as correct as may be, but I prefer fixing a disc of
platinum and a disc of copper or soft metal at the end of the plug by a
screw. The block to which the plug is attached is formed with a curved
inclined end or otherwise, so that in coming against the end of the box when
the cover is shut, it may be forced forward so as to cause the plug to enter
into the breech end of the barrel.
When making a breech-loading fire-arm with the breech end of the barrel
so formed as to turn upon a hinge or axis to receive the charge, such portion
of the barrel is arranged to slide and also to rotate, the forward end of the
moving part of the barrel being made to enter the breech end of the barrel.
At the breech end of the barrel is formed a box or chamber in which the
moveable part of the breech end of the barrel turns. The moveable piece of
the barrel is connected to a block by an axis at its back end, and such block
is capable of rotating partly around within a sliding tubular piece, which on
its inner surface is formed with a screw or incline corresponding with a screw
or incline in the block, by which, when the moveable part of the barrel is
turned partly round, it will be forced up to the barrel, and the tubular piece
is set up by a screw plug behind to compensate for wear. The moveable part
of the barrel carries the nipple, and is turned by a small folding handle which
enters a recess at the side of the fire-arm.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Westley Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th September 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WESTLEY
RICHARDS, of Birmingham, Gun Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Westley Richards, Her special licence that I, the said Westley Richards,

page_text: my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Westley
Richards, 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 GUNS AND FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Westley Richards, 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 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 Westley Richards, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading guns and
fire-arms. For these purposes a hollow box or chamber is formed or fixed to
the breech end of the barrel, which breech end is made to receive a cylindrical
plug. The interior of the box or chamber is made suitable for receiving a
cartridge, and in such manner that when the cartridge has been introduced it
may be slid out from the box or chamber into the end of the barrel. The
plug used to close the breech end of the barrel is attached by preference to a
sliding block by a knuckle or other suitable joint, which block slides along guides
fixed longitudinally on the under side of the cover of the box or chamber,
and it is preferred to use V-formed guides for the sliding block. The cover
of the box or chamber used when for military or sporting fire-arms is binged
to the fore end of such box, and has a handle which extends some distance
beyond the back end of the box, and is received into a recess formed in the
stock, where it is grasped when discharging the piece. The back end of the
cover descends down beyond the end of the box so as to prevent there being
any flash in a backward direction should the plug fit imperfectly. The portion
of the plug which enters the end of the barrel is made in any suitable manner
to render its fit as correct as may be. The block to which the plug is
attached is formed with a curved inclined end or otherwise, so that in coming
against the end of the box when the cover is shut, it may be forced forward so
as to cause the plug to enter into the breech end of the barrel. When making
a breech-loading fire-arm with the breech end of the barrel so formed as to

page_text: of the form given to it, the manner in which it is connected with the block d,
and the manner in which this is connected with the cover c, freely enter the
end of the barrel, and the block d will also freely enter the chamber b. When
the box or chamber 6 is closed, the projection d from the block d enters an
aperture at the bottom of the chamber, and thus the block & becomes
firmly fixed, so that it is unable to move in either direction; and when the
piece is discharged the back pressure of the explosion only presses the block
more firmly against the end of the chamber, and from the inclined form of the
end of the block and of the chamber, it is impossible for it to be forced out of
its place. The plug e is kept tight by fixing at its end a disc of copper or soft
metal covered by another disc of platinum; e¹ is a hook fixed into the plug e
for the purpose of withdrawing the exploded cartridge when the chamber is
opened, and for which, amongst other matters of invention, I have applied
for other Letters Patent. The cartridge employed has a disc of thick felt at
the back, through which at the centre a small hole is made so as to fit the
hook e', and when the cartridge is put into the barrel and the chamber closed
the hook enters the hole in the felt dise; in opening the chamber after the
discharge of the piece, the motion of the hook is such as to ensure the with-
drawal by it of the disc of felt with the paper of the cartridge attached to it.
Should the plug e not fit the barrel with perfect accuracy, the form of the
cover c is such as to prevent any flash passing back to annoy the user of the
weapon.
I would remark in respect to the above, I make no claim to any of the
mechanical parts separately, nor do I confine myself to the details; but what
I claim is the combination above described.
Figure 14 shows a side view of part of the barrel of a fire-arm constructed
according to another part of my Invention.
Figure 15 shows the rotating and sliding breech, with the block to which it
is attached separately; and Figure 16 shows a plan of the parts, the dotted
lines showing the breech moved out in a position to receive a cartridge.
In the arrangement shown the fore part of the moving breech is made
conical to fit into the back end of the fixed barrel, but this may be varied.
a is the barrel, having at its breech end a box, formed suitable for receiving
the movable breech in such manner as to allow it to turn outwards; b is the
moveable breech, which is attached by an axis or pin joint to a block or
cylindrical sliding piece c, which is formed with an inclined groove, so that in
making about a quarter of a rotation it will withdraw the fore end of the
moveable breech a short distance back from the breech end of the barrel a,
and admit of the moveable breech turning outwards in its axis or pin joint d.

page_text: The moveable breech, together with its block c, is moved by means of the
folding handle c, which, when the fire-arm is about to be discharged, is folded
into a recess formed in the under part of the box or chamber in which the
moveable breech rotates and slides. I would remark that I do not claim
moveable or sliding breeches generally, but what I claim is the combination
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Westley Richards, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
RICH. BAYFIELD,
of Birmingham.
WESTLEY RICHARDS. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Westley Richards, of Birmingham, Gun Manufac
turer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING GUNS
AND FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 25th June 1858, and dated the 25th March 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Westley Richards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
March 1858.
I, WESTLEY RICHARDS, of Birmingham, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
GUNS AND FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading guns and
fire-arms. For these purposes a hollow box or chamber is formed or fixed to
the breech end of the barrel, which breech end is made to receive a cylindrical
plug. The interior of the box or chamber is made suitable for receiving a
cartridge, and in such manner that when the cartridge has been introduced it
may be slid out from the box or chamber into the end of the barrel. The
plug used to close the breech end of the barrel is attached by preference to a
sliding block by a knuckle or other suitable joint, which block slides along a
guide fixed longitudinally on the under side of the cover of the box or chamber;
and it is preferred to use a V form groove for the sliding block. The cover
of the box or chamber used when for military and sporting fire-arms is hinged

page_text: to the fore end of such box, and has a handle which extends some distance
beyond the back end of the box, and is received into a recess formed in the
stock, where it is grasped when discharging the piece. The back end of the
cover descends down beyond the end of the box so as to prevent there being
any flash in a backward direction should the plug fit imperfectly. The
portion of the plug which enters the end of the barrel is made in any suitable
manner to render its fits as correct as may be, but I prefer fixing a disc of
platinum and a disc of copper or soft metal at the end of the plug by a
The block to which the plug is attached is formed with a curved
inclined end or otherwise, so that in coming against the end of the box when
the cover is shut, it may be forced forward so as to cause the plug to enter
into the breech end of the barrel.
When making a breech-loading fire-arm with the breech end of the barrel
so formed as to turn upon a hinge or axis to receive the charge, such portion
of the barrel is arranged to slide and also to rotate, the forward end of the
moving part of the barrel being made to enter the breech end of the barrel.
At the breech end of the barrel is formed a box or chamber in which the
moveable part of the breech end of the barrel turns. The moveable piece of
the barrel is connected to a block by an axis at its back end, and such block
is capable of rotating partly around within a sliding tubular piece, which on
its inner surface is formed with a screw or incline corresponding with a screw
or incline in the block, by which, when the moveable part of the barrel is
turned partly round, it will be forced up to the barrel, and the tubular piece
is set up by a screw plug behind to compensate for wear. The moveable part
of the barrel carries the nipple, and is turned by a small folding handle which
enters a recess at the side of the fire-arm.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Westley Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th September 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WESTLEY
RICHARDS, of Birmingham, Gun Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Пer heirs and successors, give and grant auto me, the
said Westley Richards, Ifer special licence that I, the said Westley Richards,

page_text: ds some distance
ess formed in the
e back end of the
event there being
imperfectly. The
de in any suitable
r fixing a disc of
of the plug by a
ed with a curved
1 of the box when
the plug to enter
end of the barrel
arge, such portion
orward end of the
nd of the barrel.
nber in which the
moveable piece of
dund such block
r piece, which on
iding with a screw
t of the barrel is
the tubular piece
The moveable part
ding handle which
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Westley
Richards, 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 GUNS AND FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Westley Richards, 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 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 Westley Richards, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading guns and
fire-arms. For these purposes a hollow box or chamber is formed or fixed to
the breech end of the barrel, which breech end is made to receive a cylindrical
plug. The interior of the box or chamber is made suitable for receiving a
cartridge, and in such manner that when the cartridge has been introduced it
may be slid out from the box or chamber into the end of the barrel. The
plug used to close the breech end of the barrel is attached by preference to a
sliding block by a knuckle or other suitable joint, which block slides along guides
fixed longitudinally on the under side of the cover of the box or chamber,
and it is preferred to use V-formed guides for the sliding block.
The cover
of the box or chamber used when for military or sporting fire-arms is hinged
to the fore end of such box, and has a handle which extends some distance
beyond the back end of the box, and is received into a recess formed in the
stock, where it is grasped when discharging the piece. The back end of the
cover descends down beyond the end of the box so as to prevent there being
any flash in a backward direction should the plug fit imperfectly. The portion
of the plug which enters the end of the barrel is made in any suitable manner
to render its fit as correct as may be. The block to which the plug is
attached is formed with a curved inclined end or otherwise, so that in coming
against the end of the box when the cover is shut, it may be forced forward so
as to cause the plug to enter into the breech end of the barrel. When making
a breech-loading fire-arm with the breech end of the barrel so formed as to
tters Patent, filed
tent Office on the
OME, I, WESTLEY S
ng.
ria, by Her Letters
e year of our Lord
-first year of Her
grant unto me, the s
Westley Richards,

page_text: the barrel being made to enter the breech end of the barrel. At the breec
end of the barrel is formed a box or chamber, in which the moveable part o
the breech end of the barrel turns. The moveable piece of the barrel is con
nected to a block by an axis at its back end, and such block is capable o
rotating partly around within a sliding tubular piece, which on its inner sur
face is formed with a screw or incline corresponding with a screw or inclin
in the block, by which when the moveable part of the barrel is turned partly
round it will be forced up to the barrel, and the tubular piece is set up by a
screw plug behind to compensate for wear. The moveable part of the barre
carries the nipple, and is turned by a small folding handle which enters a
recess at the side of the fire-arm.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of part of a breech-loading gun constructed
according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a side view partly in section; and
Figure 3 is a plan of the same. a is the breech end of the barrel, to which a
box or chamber 6 is fixed; this box or chamber is open at the top, and is
furnished with a cover c hinged to it at c'. A plan, a side view, and an under
side view of the cover c with its handle, are shewn at Figures 4, 5, and 6
respectively; is a projection fixed or formed on the under side of the cover c',
and the sides of the projection & form guides for the sliding block d, which
has jointed to it the plug e, used for closing the breech end of the barrel.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 shew respectively a plan, a side view, an under
side view, a front view, and a back view of the block d and the plug e com-
bined together; and Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of the plug e. The
motion of the block d on the cover c is limited by the screw d', the end of
which enters a groove c³, formed in the projection c³.
Figure 13 shews in plan the position which the parts assume when the box
or chamber is opened to receive a cartridge; to load the piece the cartridge
is introduced into this chamber, and is pushed forward by the finger into the
breech end of the barrel, which is enlarged or chambered for the length of the
cartridge as is shewn by the Drawing, so as to allow the cartridge to enter
freely; when the cover c is again closed the operation of loading is complete.
It will be seen that in closing the chamber b, the plug e Bill, in consequence

page_text: of the form given to it, the manner in which it is connected with the block d
and the manner in which this is connected with the cover c, freely enter the
end of the barrel, and the block d will also freely enter the chamber b. When
the box or chamber 6 is closed, the projection d from the block d enters au
aperture at the bottom of the chamber, and thus the block d becomes
firmly fixed, so that it is unable to move in either direction; and when the
piece is discharged the back pressure of the explosion only presses the block
more firmly against the end of the chamber, and from the inclined form of the
end of the block and of the chamber, it is impossible for it to be forced out of
its place. The plug e is kept tight by fixing at its end a disc of copper or soft
metal covered by another disc of platinum; el is a hook fixed into the plug e
for the purpose of withdrawing the exploded cartridge when the chamber is
opened, and for which, amongst other matters of invention, I have applied
for other Letters Patent. The cartridge employed has a disc of thick felt at
the back, through which at the centre a small hole is made so as to fit the
hook e', and when the cartridge is put into the barrel and the chamber closed
the hook enters the hole in the felt disc; in opening the chamber after the
discharge of the piece, the motion of the licok is such as to ensure the with-
drawal by it of the disc of felt with the paper of the cartridge attached to it.
Should the plug e not fit the barrel with perfect accuracy, the form of the
cover c is such as to prevent any flash passing back to annoy the user of the
weapon.
I would remark in respect to the above, I make no claim to any of the
mechanical parts separately, nor do I confine myself to the details; but what
I claim is the combination above described.
Figure 14 shows a side view of part of the barrel of a fire-arm constructed
according to another part of my Invention.
Figure 15 shows the rotating and sliding breech, with the block to which it
is attached separately; and Figure 16 shows a plan of the parts, the dotted
ines showing the breech moved out in a position to receive a cartridge.
In the arrangement shown the fore part of the moving breech is made
conical to fit into the back end of the fixed barrel, but this may be varied.
is the barrel, having at its breech end a box, formed suitable for receiving
he movable breech in such manner as to allow it to turn outwards; b is the
noveable breech, which is attached by an axis or pin joint to a block or
ylindrical sliding piece c, which is formed with an inclined groove, so that in
naking about a quarter of a rotation it will withdraw the fore end of the
noveable breech a short distance back from the breech end of the barrel a,
nd admit of the moveable breech turning outwards in its axis or pin joint d.

page_text: The moveable breech, together with its block c, is moved by means of the
folding handle e, which, when the fire-arm is about to be discharged, is folded
into a recess formed in the under part of the box or chamber in which the
moveable breech rotates and slides. I would remark that I do not claim
moveable or sliding breeches generally, but what I claim is the combination
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Westley Richards, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
RICHP. BAYFIELD,
of Birmingham.
WESTLEY RICHARDS. (L.S.)