Improvements in Breech Loading Ordnance.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
•
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech Loading Ordnance.
We, ANDREW NOBLE, Knight Commander of the Bath, late Captain in the
Royal Artillery, of Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Manufacturing
Engineer, and EDWARD WILLIAM LLOYD, late Commander in the Royal Navy,
of Elswick Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to breech loading guns having a divided screw breech
block, mounted upon a carrier arm, jointed to the breech of the gun and having
also upon the carrier arm a sliding piece which on receiving movement from a
hand lever or otherwise, imparts to the breech block the rotation required in
locking and unlocking. Such breech mechanism is described in the Specification
of a Patent granted to me Andrew Noble and another No. 9989 in the year 1892.
By our present improvements we provide in such mechanism for the use of an
obturating pad to prevent the escape of powder gases.
When an obturating pad is employed is necessary that the breech block
should travel truly in an axial direction so long as the obturating pad is in the
bore; we provide for this by so mounting the breech block that it can move along
its pivot for the distance required: To impart the requisite movements to the
breech block the following arrangements are made:-The sliding piece on the
carrier arm is furnished with a pin or projection which enters a groove in the face
of the breech; also there is an inclined groove in the top of the sliding piece and
a radial projection on the breech block entering this groove. In opening the
breech the first movement of the sliding piece along the carrier arm turns the
breech block sufficiently to disengage the screw threads and then the groove in
the top of the sliding piece operates to withdraw the breech block along the pivot.
When the sliding piece reaches the end of its course the obturating pad is already
clear of the bore, then the movement of the carrier arm about the hinge joint
which connects it with the gun, carries the breech block away to one side and
leaves the breech open for loading. In closing the breech corresponding move-
ments occur in the reverse order.
The breech block is prevented from turning when out of the gun by a projection
on the carrier arm which engages the flange of the breech block when the block
is in its rearward position upon the pivot.
The carrier arm is prevented from leaving the rear face of the gun until the
sliding piece reaches the end of its travel for up to this time a projection on the
sliding piece is engaged in a groove upon the gun.
The carrier arm when it commences to retire from the rear face of the gun
liberates a spring catch and allows it to engage with the sliding piece which is
thus locked fast upon the carrier arm until after loading the arm is again returned
to its place. When the mechanism is too large and heavy to be worked by a lever
it can be worked by a hand wheel and axis giving movement by means of a worm
This pinion
pinion loose on the joint pin of the carrier arm.
may either have upon it the lever which imparts movement to the sliding piece
upon the carrier arm or it may engage with another toothed pinion or are mounted
upon the carrier arm.
and worm wheel to a
Sometimes we provide in another way for the withdrawal of the breech block in
an axial direction sufficiently far to clear the obturating pad of the bore; in place
of making the pivot of the breech block fast with the carrier arm we connect it
therewith by trunnions in such manner as will admit of the carrier arm moving

page_text: rearwards for a short distance around the hinge which connects it with the gun,
whilst the breech block retires in an axial direction.
Our invention also relates to firing mechanism for breech loading guns
such as
above described. This firing mechanism which we will now describe is adapted to
be used either with electric or with percussion primers. In an axial position, in
the rear part of the breech block we provide a cylindrical cavity, being a
continuation and enlargement of the vent. This cavity receives within it a tubular.
or hollow bolt containing a coiled spring and a firing pin which the spring presses
forward.
The firing pin can move endwise within the bolt and the bolt within the cavity
but neither is permitted to turn. At the fore end of the bolt there is a screw cap
with a hole in the centre; this cap serves as a holder for a flanged primer. The
primer is inserted through the hole in the cap, the cap is then screwed on to the
bolt and the bolt is replaced in the cavity in the breech block from which it is
removed in order that the primer may be adjusted to it.
The bolt at its rear end
is screwed into a socket and on the exterior of the socket piece there is a segmental
thread adapted to interlock with a corresponding thread within the mouth of the
cavity in the breech block. The socket piece also has a handle upon it by which
it can be turned for locking and unlocking the bolt and for other purposes
hereinafter explained.
When the socket piece is turned it by means of the screw thread within it
imparts a short but powerful end wise movement to the bolt which is useful in
starting the withdrawal of the primer case from the vent. The firing pin consists
of an outer tube surrounding a rod from which it is electrically insulated by an
intermediate tube of vulcanite or like material, it has an insulated handle at its
rear end and a lateral arm which when in the firing position places the insulated
parts of the firing pin in electrical connection with the firing circuit.
The socket piece at the rear end of the bolt has a projection extending back
from it and this is received into a recess in the firing pin near to the handle.
After firing the firing pin is drawn back by its handle until the projection is clear
of the recess; the socket piece is then turned by its handle which both unlocks the
bolt so that it can be withdrawn from the breech block and also brings the
projection to a shallow notch on the firing pin into which it passes. The firing pin is
then held back a short distance within the bolt so that when a primer is adjusted
to the fore end of the bolt the nose of the firing pin is not in contact with it.
When an electric primer is used as soon as the bolt has been replaced in the breech
block and locked the firing pin is allowed to pass forward again and the coiled
spring then presses its nose into good electrical contact with the base of the
primer. Suitable safety devices, (it may be such as are described in the Specifica-
tion No. 9989 hereinbefore referred to) are provided to prevent any premature
closing of the firing circuit.
When a percussion primer is employed a sear hook which is mounted upon the
carrier arm is allowed to engage a projection on the firing pin and retain it until
it is released by pulling a lanyard. The sear hook operates to prevent the firing
pin from passing forward with the breech block when in the closing of the breech
the breech block is made to slide along its pivot by the operation of the inclined
groove upon the upper surface of the sliding piece on the carrier arm as already
explained.
As a safety device we sometimes employ a locking slide lying in a recess in the
pivot on which the breech block is carried. On the locking slide there is a
projection entering into a segmental groove within the breech block and this
groove is of such a form that the locking slide cannot go forward until the breech
block is home; at other times the rear end of the locking slide is in a position to
prevent the forward movement of the firing pin.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1893.
A. NOBLE.
EDWARD W. LLOYD.

page_text: Improvements in Breech Loading Ordnance.
We, ANDREW NOBLE, Knight Commander of the Bath, late Captain in the
Royal Artillery, of Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Manufacturing
Engineer, and EDWARD WILLIAM LLOYD, late Commander in the Royal Navy,
of Elswick Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to breech loading guns having a divided screw breech
block, mounted upon a carrier arm, jointed to the breech of the gun and having
also upon the carrier arm a sliding piece which on receiving movement from a hand
lever or otherwise, imparts to the breech block the rotation required in locking
and unlocking. Such breech mechanism is described in the Specification of a
Patent granted to me Andrew Noble and another No. 9989 in the year 1892. By
our present improvements we provide in such mechanism for the use of an obturating
pad to prevent the escape of powder gases.
When an obturating pad is employed it is necessary that the breech block
should travel truly in an axial direction so long as the obturating pad is in the
bore, we provide for this in a manner we will presently describe.
Our invention relates also to firing mechanism for guns and to safety devices to
prevent premature firing.
In the drawings annexed
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a gun with breech closing mechanism and firing
mechanism in accordance with our invention.
Figure 2 is a section on the line 2, 2, in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3, 3, in Figure 1, in this figure the
opening of the breech has commenced.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section showing the firing mechanism to a larger scale.
Figure 5 is a rear elevation and Figure 6 is a plan and shows the application of
a worm and worm wheel to actuate the breech mechanism.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a modification in the breech mechanism. Figure 7
is a rear elevation. Figure 8 is a section 'on the line 8, 8, in Figure 7 and Figure 9
is a section on the line 9, 9, in Figure 7.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another modification. Figure 10 is a rear elevation
and Figure 11 is a horizontal section.
Figures 12 to 26 show details hereinafter referred to.
We will describe in the first place the Figures 1, 2, and 3.
a is the breech of the gun. a is the divided screw thread cut in the breech.
is the breech block having a corresponding divided screw thread to engage
with the thread in the breech. c is a pivot on which the breech block is carried;
it forms a part of the carrier arm d which is jointed to the breech of the gun by
means of the hinge pin e. is the obturating pad, it rests against the fore end of
the breech block and when the gun is fired is compressed between it and the
head y of the obturator. 9' is the stem of the obturator, it passes through the
pivot c. is a hand lever jointed to the carrier arm, it is connected by a link i
with the sliding piece on the carrier arm and it imparts to the sliding piece a
movement to and fro along the carrier arm. The slide operates upon the breech
block to move it as required.
In Figure 2 the obturating pad is seen in the bore of the gun; in removing it
from the bore to the position in which it is seen in Figure 3 it is necessary as
before stated that the obturating pad should travel truly in a direction parallel to
the axis of the gun, otherwise the pad could not be withdrawn without damage.
Similarly in closing the breech it is necessary that the obturating pad in entering

page_text: the bore should move truly in an axial direction. We provide for this by so
mounting the breech block that it can move along its pivot c for the distance
required. To impart the requisite movements to the breech block the following
arrangements are made, the sliding piece k on the carrier arm is furnished with a
pin or projection which enters a groove in the face of the breech block, also
there is an inclined groove in the top of the sliding piece and there is a radial
projection connected with the breech block entering this groove. In opening
the breech the first movement of the sliding piece k along the carrier arm d by the
action of the projection turns the breech block sufficiently to disengage, the
screw threads and then the groove in the top of the sliding piece operates on
the projection to withdraw the breech block along the pivot. When the sliding
piece reaches the end of its course the obturating pad is already clear of the
bore, then the movement of the carrier arm & about the hinge joint which connects
it with the gun, carries the breech block away to one side and leaves the breech
open for loading. In closing the breech corresponding movements occur in the
reverse order.
Figure 12 is a plan of the sliding piece k and shows clearly the inclined groove
in the top of it which operates on the projection I to move the breech block endwise
and commence the withdrawal of it.
This figure also shows the projection on the sliding piece together with a
portion in horizontal section of the breech block 6 near its periphery. The
projection is seen to be engaged in a groove in the breech block, so that in its
movement from left to right it carries with it the portion of the breech block which
the figure shows; the breech block as a whole turning on its pivot c.
Figure 13 is an end elevation of the sliding piece with its projection k¹; also a
vertical section of a portion of the breech block is indicated, again showing the
groove in which the projection is engaged.
Figure 14 shows the radial projection keyed upon the stem gl of the obturator
which, as far as the manipulation of the breech mechanism is concerned, may be
regarded as part of the breech block b. The antifriction roller which forms the
extremity of the projection is shown to be lodged in the groove of the sliding
piece the movement of the piece k from left to right moves and the parts
connected with it, rearward whilst the carrier arm d remains at rest. The carrier
arm is slotted to permit of this movement of the projection l.
The breech block is prevented from turning when out of the gun by a
projection (Figures 1 and 3) on the carrier arm which engages the flange of the
breech block when the block is in its rearward position upon the pivot.
Figure 15 shows in rear elevation a portion of the flange of the breech block; it
is seen to be engaged with the projection d' on the carrier arm.
Figure 16 is a horizontal section of the parts seen in Figure 15; dotted lines
indicate the position occupied by the flange when the breech is closed; the
projection d is then clear of the flange.
The carrier arm is prevented from leaving the rear face of the gun until the
sliding piece k reaches. the end of its travel for up to this time a projection k³ on'
the sliding piece is engaged in a groove at a' upon the gun.
Figure 17 is a rear elevation of a portion of the carrier arm. The projection k²
of the sliding piece is represented in its two extreme positions and it will be seen
from this figure that as the projection moves to the right it soon engages in the
groove of the piece a² which is a fixture upon the gun. Whilst the projection A² is
so engaged the carrier arm d is locked and cannot turn about its hinge e but when
the projection reaches the position indicated by the dotted lines the projection
has passed clear of the piece a² and the carrier arin is free to move rearward.
Figure 18 is a section of parts represented in Figure 17.
The carrier arm when it commences to retire from the rear face of the gun
liberates a spring catch m and allows it to engage with the sliding piece k which is
thus locked fast upon the carrier arm until after loading the arm is again returned
to its place.

page_text: Figure 19 is a plan partly in section of a portion of the carrier arm, and a part
of the gun itself is also seen in section.
Figure 20 is a section on the line A. A in Figure 19.
In Figure 19 the position of the carrier arm is that which it occupies just after
the commencement of the rearward movement. This movement has allowed the
catch piece m to be pressed outwards by its spring and the lug or catch on the
under side of the catch piece to engage with a notch in the side wall of the groove
in the sliding piece k.
When the mechanism is too large and heavy to be worked by a lever as h it can
as is shown by Figures 5 and 6 be worked by a hand wheel and axis giving move-
ment by means of a worm and worm wheel to a pinion loose on the joint pin of the
carrier arm.
This pinion may either have upon it the lever which imparts movement
to the sliding piece upon the carrier arm or as these figures show the pinion on the
joint pin may engage with another toothed pinion or are mounted upon the carrier
arm and replacing the hand lever.
In Figures 7, 8 and 9 also a hand wheel and worm is employed to give motion to
the breech mechanism. The worm actuates a pinion loose on the hinge pin e and
to an arm fast with the pinion the link is jointed. In other respects these figures
show mechanism similar to that already described and they are lettered in accordance
with the description already given. In each case when the breech is closed the
joints of the link i are so situate that the mechanism is locked and the link cannot
yield to any tendency the breech block may have to unscrew under the influence of
the pressure to which it is exposed when the gun is fired.
Sometimes we provide in another way for the withdrawal of the breech block
in an axial direction sufficiently far to clear the obturating pad of the bore; in
place of making the pivot of the breech block fast with the carrier arm we connect
it therewith by trunnions in such manner as will admit of the carrier arm moving
rearwards for a short distance around the hinge which connects it with the gun,
whilst the breech block retires in an axial direction.
This device is clearly shewn by the Figures 10 and 11. The mechanism for
locking and unlocking the breech is in this case such as is described in the Speci-
fication 9989 the independent rearward movement of the breech block being no
longer required.
We will now proceed to describe the firing mechanism shown in the drawings
and especially in Figure 4. This firing mechanism is adapted to be used either
with electric or with percussion primers. In an axial position, in the rear part of
the breech block or in the stem gl of the obturator which for this purpose may be
regarded as part of the breech block we provide a cylindrical cavity, being a
continuation and enlargement of the vent n. This cavity receives within it a
tubular or hollow bolt o containing a coiled spring p and a firing pin which the
spring presses forward.
The firing pin can move endwise within the bolt and the bolt within the cavity
but neither is permitted to turn. At the fore end of the bolt there is a screw
cap o with a hole in the centre; this cap serves as a holder for a flanged primer n¹.
The primer is inserted through the hole in the cap, the cap is then screwed on to
the bolt and the bolt is replaced in the cavity in the breech block, from which it is
removed in order that the primer may be adjusted to it. The bolt o at its rear
end is screwed into a socket and on the exterior of the socket picce there is a
segmental thread adapted to interlock with a corresponding thread within the mouth
of the cavity in the breech block. The socket piece also has a handle 7' upon it
by which it can be turned for locking and unlocking the bolt and for other purposes
hereinafter explained.
q
When the socket piece 7 is turned it by means of the screw thread within it
imparts a short but powerful endwise movement to the bolt o which is useful in
5 starting the withdrawal of the primer case from the vent. The firing pin consists
of an outer tuber surrounding a rod from which it is electrically insulated by
an intermediate tube of vulcanite or like material t, it has an insulated handle '

page_text: at its rear end and a lateral arm which when in the firing position places the
insulated parts of the firing pin in electrical connection with the firing circuit at u'
The socket piece at the rear end of the bolt has a projection (Figure 2)
extending back from it and this is received into a recess in the firing pin at
near to the handle.
After firing, the firing pin is drawn back by its handle s until the projection q
is clear of the recess; the socket piece is then turned by its handle which both
unlocks the bolt o so that it can be withdrawn from the breech block and also
brings the projection to a shallow notch on the firing pin into which it passes.
The firing pin is then held back a short distance within the bolt so that when a
primer is adjusted to the fore end of the bolt the nose of the firing pin is not in
contact with it. When an electric primer is used as soon as the bolt o has been
replaced in the breech block and locked the firing pin is allowed to pass forward
again and the coiled spring p then presses its nose into good electrical contact with
the base of the primer.
Figure 21 shows a section of the handle s of the firing pin and the portion
with which it is connected. The thick black line in this figure represents the
insulating material.
Figures 22 and 23 show a side view and a section of the socket piece q and
Figure 24 is an elevation of a portion of the firing pin. The projection q² at the
time of firing occupies the recess but before withdrawing the firing apparatus
from the gun the firing pin is drawn back by hand and the socket piece 7 is turned
until is brought to the shallow safety notch r¹.
Suitable safety devices it may be such as are described in the Specification
No. 9989 hereinbefore referred to are provided to prevent any premature closing
of the firing circuit.
When a percussion primer is employed a sear hook which is mounted upon the
carrier arm is allowed to engage a projection on the firing pin and retain it until
it is released by pulling a lanyard. The sear hook operates to prevent the firing
pin from passing forward with the breech block b when in the closing of the breech
the breech block is made to slide along its pivot by the operation of the inclined
groove upon the upper surface of the sliding piece on the carrier arm as
already explained.
As a safety device we sometimes employ a locking slide w (Figure 8) lying in a
recess in the pivot c on which the breech block is carried. On the locking slide
there is a projection entering into a segmental groove within the breech block
and this groove is of such a form that the locking slide cannot go forward until
the breech block is home; at other times the rear end of the locking slide is in a
position to prevent the forward movement of the firing pin.
Figures 25 and 26 show details of this device Figure 25 is a longitudinal section
of a portion of the breech block baud the pivot c together with the locking slide w.
The parts are here in the positions they occupy when the breech is securely
closed. Figure 26 shews a plan of the locking slide, the dotted lines represent the
groove in the breech block which as soon as the breech block is turned from the
firing position will move the slide we so that its end will project into the path of
the projection on the firing pin and the gun cannot then be fired. The form of
the groove is such that the movement of the breech block b around and along the
pivot piece c is not interfered with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is, to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The combination of parts by which provision is made for the axial withdrawal
of the obturator and consisting of the screw breech block b mounted on the pivot c
on which it can both turn and slide and the carrier arm d supporting the pivot and
jointed to the breech of the gun.
2. In combination with the breech block the pivot e and the carrier arm d, the

page_text: sliding piece & with means for moving the piece k along the carrier arm and the
projections and grooves by means of which the piece & operates to turn the breech
block and move it along its pivot.
2. In combination with the breech block b, the pivot c, the carrier arm d and
the sliding piece k, the spring bolt m which locks the sliding piece k fast with the
carrier arm when the said arm retires from the breech of the gun.
4. In combination with the breech block b, the pivot c, the carrier arm d and
the sliding piece; the engaging parts on the sliding piece and a² on the gun
which prevent the carrier arm leaving the breech of the gun until the unlocking
movement of the slide is complete.
6. A gun substantially as described in respect to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the
Pinnexed drawings.
6. A gun substantially as described in respect to Figures 5 and 6 of the
annexed drawings.
7. A gun substantially as described in respect to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the
annexed drawings.
8. The combination of parts by which provision is made for the axial withdrawal
of the obturator and consisting of the carrier arm hinged to the breech of the gun,
the pivot piece jointed to the carrier arm and the breech block carried by the
pivot piece and capable of turning upon it.
9. Firing apparatus consisting of a hollow bolt contained in a cavity in the
breech closing apparatus; a locking appliance such as q upon the rear end of the
bolt to lock it in the cavity, and release it so that it may be withdrawn; a cap or
appliance such as o' upon the end of the bolt for the attachment thereto of a
primer to be inserted with the bolt into the cavity; a firing pin within the hollow
bolt, and a spring pressing the firing pin forward to bring it into contact with the
primer.
10. Firing apparatus consisting of a hollow bolt contained in a cavity in the
breech closing apparatus; a locking appliance such as q upon the rear end of the
bolt to lock it in the cavity and release it so that it may be withdrawn; a firing
pin within the hollow bolt; a spring pressing the firing pin forward to bring it
into contact with the primer; an insulated conducting core such as s to the firing
pin and a contact such as connecting in circuit with a firing key the conducting
core and the primer in contact with the same.
11. Firing apparatus consisting of a hollow bolt to be inserted into a cavity in
the breech closing appliance with means for preventing the bolt turning in the
cavity; a socket piece screwed on the rear end of the bolt and having interrupted
threads on its exterior serving to lock the bolt in the cavity provided to receive it;
a cap screwing onto the fore end of the bolt to hold the primer in its place; a
firing pin consisting of an insulated rod encased in a tube having a handle at its
rear end; such firing pin being contained within the hollow bolt in which it is free
to slide but restrained from turning; a coiled spring within the hollow bolt and
around the firing pin which it presses forward; interlocking recesses and
projections on the socket piece and the firing pin; circuit arrangements for electric
firing; and releasing arrangements for percussion firing.
12. Firing apparatus substantially as described in respect to Figure 4 of the
annexed drawings.
13. The safety appliance illustrated by Figures 8, 25 and 26 of the annexed
drawings and consisting of a locking slide lying in a recess in the pivot piece and
engaging with a controlling groove in the breech block; such locking slide abutting
on the firing pin and only permitting it to advance when the breech block has
been turned sufficiently far to lock it securely in the gun.
Dated this 28th day of July 1894.
A. NOBLE.
EDWARD W. LLOYD.