IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING FIRE-ARMS."-
A communication.
Scaled the 11th September 1857, and dated the 2nd April 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd April 1857.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING FIRE-ARMS,"
to be as follows:-
The general object of these improvements is to obtain in revolvers greater
readiness of operation, durability, and facility for repair, combined with
elegance and compactness of form; but the more special object has been to
provide for greater convenience, quickness, and certainty in the operations of
loading and firing under the comparatively difficult and hitherto neglected
contingencies of being in action on horseback, or in a boat; and, furthermore,
to avoid the fouling of the lock by the smoke and gas resulting from the
discharge, which is so common to revolvers in general.
These improvements are effected by certain improvements in the details of

page_text: the arm, which I will now briefly point out. The rotating breech cylinder is
surrounded and partly enclosed in a "casque" of a cylindrical form. This
"casque" extends forward as far as the front face of the cylinder, and to its front
is attached a transversely hinged apron piece, in which the barrel is screwed.
A self-acting spring clamp, attached to the barrel, and projecting rearward,
catches into a notch in the casque, and thus holds the hinged apron piece and
the casque securely together. To prevent the straining or breaking of the spring
clamp, a check pin or screw is provided, which stands up from the barrel, and
prevents the spring being bent back or strained out of position. In the
revolving cylinder grooves or shoulders are made, against which a safety
screw projecting through the casque bears, for the purpose of preventing
the cylinder from dropping out of place when the apron piece is turned
down.
The revolving shaft, through which the cylinder derives motion from the
driving wheel within the lock, is provided with a button head, in advance of
the bearing of the said shaft, such button head and a portion of the said bear-
ing fitting into a central cavity in the rear end of the cylinder beyond the
reach of the fire from the cones, thereby excluding all fire, smoke, and gas
from the lock. The chambers of the cylinder are made with a conical seat to
receive the ball, and in the rear of this seat the bore of the chambers is
diminished.
The pawle which acts on the ratchet wheel for revolving the cylinder
is connected to the rear end of a dog or lever, hinged to the heel of the
bammer, and this dog, being itself operated by the trigger, will cause the pawle
to revolve the cylinder. In combination with the dog, or its equivalent, by
which the hammer is connected with the trigger for cocking, is an adjustable
tripping screw, which disconnects the dog from the sere of the trigger sooner
or later, as may be required. The driving pawle extends backward beyond its
connection with the downward extension or heel of the dog, and connects with
the main spring, whereby the main spring is made to serve as a pawle spring.
The dog or lever is employed to act in combination with locking notches in
the driving wheel, for the purpose of locking fast the cylinder at the proper
position for discharge. On that part of the head of the trigger behind the
sere is a screw projection, which is arranged to operate, in combination with a
projection on the heel of the hammer and with the sere and dog, for the pur-
pose of preventing the immediate fall of the hammer, when the dog is thrown
off the sere of the trigger, to lock the revolving wheel, and retain the hammer
on "cock" in a raised position, so as to afford an opportunity of taking deli-
berate aim.
A sight hole is formed through the hammer to allow of a point

page_text: blank aim over a fixed sight on the barrel being taken when the hammer is
cocked, at the same time that the nick in the top of the hammer serves as an
elevated sight, so that both sights are always ready when the hammer is
cocked.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 2nd October 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special license that I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, 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 REPEATING FIRE-ARMS," being a communica-
tion from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, 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
following statement, reference being bad to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, is
designed to obtain in revolvers greater readiness of operation, durability, and
facility for repair, combined with elegance and compactness of form; but the

page_text: more special object has been to provide for greater convenience, quickness,
and certainty in the operations of loading and firing; under the comparatively
difficult and hitherto neglected contingencies of being in action on horseback
or in a boat; and, furthermore, to avoid the fouling of the lock by the smoke
and gas resulting from the discharge.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which Fig. 1
is a longitudinal section of a "revolver" pistol with the improvements applied
thereto; Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Figures 3 and 3* are interior views
of the lock, the former exhibiting it in its condition before and the latter in its
condition after the discharge. Fig. 4 is a front end view, and Fig 4* a rear
end view, of a revolving chambered cylinder; Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are
detail views, that will be found herein-after described.
"
A in Figures 1 and 2 is the barrel, screwed into an apron piece B, (of which
Fig. 5 is an interior face view,) hinged at a to the lower part of a "casque'
E, of cylindrical form, which surrounds and partially encloses the revolving
chambered cylinder C, and constitutes a holder or receptacle for it while being
loaded, thus affording great convenience for loading with loose powder. With
a view to the employment of loose powder, and the prevention of the crushing
of the grains thereof, and its too tight packing in the chambers by the
ramming in of the balls, the chambers are constructed as shewn in Fig. 1, that
is, they are first bored a trifle smaller than the bore of the barrel and then
bored from the mouth inwards to a sufficient distance to receive a spherical
ball of such size as to "slug" in rifle grooves in the barrel; such a tool being
used for this larger bore as will make a seat v, v, of the form of a portion of a
sphere to receive the ball, in the manner shown by red outline in the aforesaid
Figure. The smaller portion of the bore is of sufficient capacity to contain
the charge of powder, and when charged, the ball is placed in the mouth and
rammed hard down upon the seat v, v, so as to make it expand towards the
sides of the chamber sufficiently to make it fit tightly therein without packing
or crushing the grains of powder. When the chambers are to be loaded with
ball cartridges they should be constructed in the usual manner. The "casque"
F is a part of the same casting as the frame R of the stock, the trigger guard
E, and the recoil shield g; it extends forward as far as the front face of the
cylinder C. The apron piece B is locked to the "casque" at the top, to lock
the barrel and cylinder together in condition for firing, by a clamp O, which is
attached to or forms part of the same piece of metal with a spring O*, that is
One lip
fastened to the barrel by a screw u', or by any other suitable means.
of this clamp hooks into a notch or opening p² made in the top of the
casque, and the other lip p fits against a shoulder p³ on the apron piece, as

page_text: shewn in Fig. 1, and thus the said clamp performs the duty of confining the
apron and casque together independently of any aid from the spring O*, which
is only used to attach it, and to bring it down into its place. Ears p, p, are
made on the sides of the clamp to take hold of to lift the lip p¹ out of the
notch p for the purpose of liberating the apron piece B, so that the letter
with the barrel can be turned down on its hinge a to leave the chambers of
the cylinder fully exposed for convenience of loading. A stop screw u passes.
through a hole in the clamp O and screws into the top of the apron piece B,
and serves to prevent the straining or breaking of the spring O* by lifting it
higher than is necessary to enable the lip p¹ of the clamp to clear the notch or
opening på. To insure the clamp O coming into operation to lock the barrel
when the apron piece and barrel are raised, the rear lip p¹ is bevilled on its.
back side, so that when it meets the front of the casque it rises and slides over
it, and snaps into the notch or opening p², and hence is self-acting. The
detachment of the cylinder from the casque cannot, however, be effected when
the apron piece is turned down, till the point of a screw Q, which may be
termed the "safety screw," is withdrawn from a groove 1, 71, (see Fig. 1,) that
is turned round the exterior of the cylinder. This groove is so wide that when.
the apron piece is turned down, the safety screw Q will, while its point is in
the groove, allow the cylinder to slide forward a short distance for convenience
of capping the nipples d, d. Instead of having the screw in the casque, and
a groove 1, 1, on the cylinder, the screw may be on the cylinder and the
shoulders on the casque, which would be equivalent. The front end of the
cylinder C turns on the point of a centre screw b, which is secured in the apron
piece B, and its rear end turns on a hollow cylindrical projection c, which
extends forward from the recoil shield g. The recoil bearing of the cylinder
consists of an annular projection 7, formed on the rear end thereof, around the
stationary projection c of the recoil shield. The hollow projection c forms a
part of the bearing for the revolving shaft i, which imparts rotary motion to
the cylinder. This shaft i carries at its rear end the revolving and locking
wheel G, and at its front end it has a button 2, of the same size as the exterior
of the projection c, fitting into the cavity which is made in the centre of the
rear of the cylinder to receive it and the projection c. The button fitting
close up to the face of the projection c forms a joint that is beyond the fire of
the cap, and prevents any smoke finding its way round the revolving shaft into
the lock to foul it, which is an evil common to revolvers as heretofore con-
structed. This button is furnished with a feather a, fitting easily in a
groove in the cavity in the rear of the cylinder, and hence, when the wheel
G, shaft i, and button ¹ revolve, the cylinder C must revolve with them. In

page_text: the face of the wheel G, of which a view is given in Fig. 6, there are circular
indentations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, arranged at equal distances apart, in a circle
described from the centre of the wheel, and corresponding in number with the
number of chambers in the cylinder C, which indentations serve as the
equivalents of so many ratchet teeth in receiving the point of a pawl P,
connected to and operated by the trigger T, whereby the necessary motion to
proluce the revolution of the wheel G is obtained. This pawl, which, besides
being shewn in Figures 1, 3, and 3, is shewn in the detail views in Figures
9 and 10, is not jointed directly to the trigger, but is connected by a pin at
some distance from its rear end with a dog D, which is connected by a joint
pin with the tumbler of the hammer I, and which also serves the two
purposes of transmitting motion from the trigger to cock the hammer and of
locking the wheel G during the discharge of each chamber. The last-
mentioned part of its duty is performed by its entering into one of a series
of notches e', e, e, e', es, corresponding in number with the chambers made
in the edge of the said wheel. The dog D is shewn detached in Fig. 8, and
in Fig. 10 it is shewn connected with the pawl P, the former exhibiting a side
view and the latter a top view. It has a hook q at its front extremity to engage
with a scre s on the trigger T, and has also attached to its front extremity a
friction roller, which is intended to run up the conical or otherwise inclined
point of an adjustable screw 2', which is inserted in the recoil shield for the
purpose of liberating or tripping off the hook g from the sere s of the trigger.
The screw ¹ being adjustable, enables the dog to be liberated sooner or later,
as the case may require. The trigger, which is shewn detached in Fig. 11, has
its upper part in the form of an excentric segment, and some distance in rear of
the sere s² there is a projections, by preference a screw, (as shewn in Figures
1, 3, 3, and 11,), which admits of adjustment. This projections is intended
to work in combination with a projection s', on the bottom of the tumbler or
heel of the hammer I, in a manner that will be presently described. is the
pin constituting the centre of motion of the trigger, and a² is a pin con-
stituting the centre of motion of the hammer. The hammer I has a taper
hole n through its head, which when it is at full cock comes horizontally in
the line of sight, so that point blank aim can be taken over a fixed sight on
the barrel; and it has a nick in the top (see Fig. 2), which serves as an
elevated sight, so that either sight is at all times ready when the hammer is
cocked. M is the main spring, connecting by a stirrup with a pin 23,
passing through the rear end of the pawl P. To make the dog sufficiently
rigid in a lateral direction, the pin 23 above mentioned, and the pin z before
mentioned, as connecting it with the dog D, are extended through a short

page_text: link-like piece of metal 25, (see Fig. 10,) which has the same form as the rear
portion of the pawle, as separated by the dotted line in Fig. 9, and the
dog D and stirrups fitting between the pawl and link, prevent any
twisting strain, and hence any tendency to a lateral movement of the pawl.
The operation of firng the pistol is effected as follows:-When the trigger
is pulled, the sere s² moves forward, and catching the book q of the dog D,
draws forward the dog, which, by its connection with the hammer, raises it,
and by its action on the pawl P causes the point thereof, which is in one of the
circular indentations in the face of the wheel G, to move upwards, and thus to
cause the revolution of the said wheel, and consequently of the cylinder C.
The simultaneous rotation of the wheel G and forward movement of the dog D
brings one side of the head of the latter at the proper moment against the
higher side of one of the locking notches e¹, e², &c. (see Fig. 6), and the rota-
tion of the cylinder is thereby stopped, while at the same moment the under
surface of the friction roller of the dog is borne on the conical or inclined
point of the adjustable screw 2, and any further pull of the trigger forces the
top of the head of the dog (which is made of such shape as to fit snugly into
the bottom of the locking notches) to the bottom of a locking notch, where-
upon the hook q, which has been slipping up off the sere s³, escapes entirely
therefrom. This escape would leave the hammer free to fall, but that it is
prevented by the projection or screw points of the trigger catching the projec-
tion s of the hammer tumbler (as shown in Fig. 3) at the instant of such
escape. The reason for thus preventing the fall of the hammer is, that if it
fell with the escape of the hook no deliberate aim would be permitted, owing
to the uncertainty to the operator of the precise instant of the escape. The
projection s continues to hold up the hammer so long as the trigger is held
back, but as soon as the pressure of the finger upon the trigger is in the least
degree slackened so as to allow it to move forward, the main spring, by its
action on the tumbler of the hammer, draws the projection s¹ clear of the pro-
jection s, and the hammer being released, falls and effects the discharge. Thus,
the instant of dischargo is both known and controlled, and deliberate aim
allowed. After the discharge, as the finger continues to relax its pull on the
trigger, the downward pressure of the hook 9 of the dog D upon the then
steeply inclined excentric upper portion of the trigger forces the latter back
into the position shewn in Fig. 1, and causes the parts of the lock to assume
the proper positions for another discharge by another pull of the trigger.
The main spring in this weapon performs all the duties which in fire-arms
of usual construction require several springs. By its connection with the rear
end of the paul P through the stirrup s³ it presses down the forward end of the

page_text: pawl and thus holds it into the indentations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in the face of the
revolving wheel G, and through the connection of the pawl P with the dog D
at a it presses down the forward end of the latter upon the trigger, and
through the connection of the dog with the hammer at a bears down the
head of the hammer upon or toward the cones d, d.
The same construction and arrangement of all the parts, as is above-
described, may be applied to rifles, but as owing to the greater weight of a rifle
barrel it would not be so convenient to have it arranged upon a hinge to turn.
down, provision may be made for loading the chambers through openings in
the apron piece.
Having thus set forth the nature of the "Improvements in Repeating
Fire-arms, communicated to me from abroad, and explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above
in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-
First, the combination of the "casque" F, extending forward as far as the
front face of the cylinder, and surrounding it with the transversely hinged
apron piece B, substantially as set forth.
Second, the construction of the chambers, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and
herein fully described, for the purpose of loading with loose powder and balls.
Third, the self-acting spring clamp O combined with the barrel apron
piece and casque, substantially as described.
Fourth, the check screw u applied as described to prevent the straining or
breaking of the spring O* by the operation of the clamp O.
Fifth, the employment, in combination with the casque F and revolving
cylinder, of the safety screw Q, and groove or shoulders 1, 2, for the purpose
herein specified.
Sixth, providing the revolving shaft i, through which the cylinder derives
motion from the revolving wheel within the lock, with a button headin
advance of the bearing c, c, of the said shaft, such button head and a portion
of the said bearing fitting into a central cavity in the rear end of the
cylinder, beyond the reach of the fire from the cones, thereby excluding all
fire, smoke, and gas from the lock.
Seventh, the combination with the dog, D, or its equivalent, by which the
hammer is connected with the trigger for cocking, of an adjustable tripping
screw 2', operating substantially as described, to disconnect the dog from the
sere of the trigger sooner or later, as may be required.
Eighth, extending the rear end of the aforesaid dog, or its equivalent, down-
wards, from where it connects with the heel of the hammer, and jointing to the
part so extended the pawl P, which acts on the revolving wheel of the

page_text: cylinder, thereby causing the pull on the dog, or equivalent, by the trigger to
operate the pawl to revolve the cylinder, substantially as herein set forth.
Ninth, extending the pawl backward beyond its connection with the down-
ward extension or heel of the dog, and connecting the main spring to the part
of the pawl so extended, substantially as herein described, whereby the main
spring is made to serve as a pawl spring.
Tenth, the arrangement of the dog D, or its equivalent, to act in combina-
tion with locking notches in the revolving wheel G, or its equivalent, for the
purpose of locking fast the cylinder at the proper position for discharge, as
herein set forth.
Eleventh, the projection or screws on the part of the head of the trigger
behind the sere, and the projection s¹ on the heel of the hammer, arranged to
operate in combination with each other and with the sere s² and dog D, for
the purpose of preventing the immediate fall of the hammer when the dog is
thrown off the sere s of the trigger to lock the revolving wheel and retaining
the hammer on "cock," in the manner herein described, and illustrated in
Fig 3, to afford opportunity for taking deliberate aim.
Twelfth, the construction of the hammer with an opening n, which when
the hammer is cocked may be looked through for the purpose of taking point
blank aim over a fixed sight on the barrel, at the same time that the nick in
the top of the hammer serves as an elevated sight, so that both sights are
always ready when the hammer is cocked.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Second day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)