IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC PISTOLS
Year: 1876

page_text: 66
LETTERS PATENT to George Gibson Bussey, of Museum Works, Rye Lane,
Peckhan, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
PNEUMATIC PISTOLS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Gibson Bussey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th February 1876.
GEORGE GIBSON BUSSEY, of Museum Works, Rye Lane, Peckham, in the County
of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC PISTOLS."
My improvements have reference to that class of air guns and pistols in which
the propelling force is obtained by the sudden compression of air resulting from the
action of releasing a compressed spiral spring confined in a cylinder, and can be
easily understood by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
The figure represents a longitudinal section of a pistol embodying my improve-
ments.
A is the stock plate on to which the stock or handle is fixed, and may be of any
shape or form desired.
B is the cylindrical air chamber, the air in which when suddenly compressed by
liberating the spiral spring propels the dart D through the barrel.
C the barrel with dart D inserted therein.
E is the spiral spring in the compressed state.
I the piston fitting the cylinder nearly air-tight.
G is the sear holding the spring in compression.
His the sear spring holding the scar in position.
J is the trigger which when pulled acts on the sear, and thus releases the spiral
spring.
K is the cup which closes up the cylinder after the spring piston has been placed
therein.
L is a cone shaped hole into which tapered end of the barrel fits, and when
ground in, the connection is sufficiently tight to receive the discharge and still to be
conveniently detached for reloading.
M, M, are the sights common to all air or fire-arins.
N is the ramrod used for compressing the spiral spring.

page_text: The manner of using this pistol is as follows:-
The barrel being withdrawn from the hole L and a projectile inserted therein, as
shewn at D, the spring is compressed by forcing the ramrod M through the hole L
till the spring is compressed beyond the nose of the sear G, when the barrel is
replaced, and is now ready for discharge.
By the adoption of my improvements the following advantages are secured :—
1st. The loading is performed in the most simple and least dangerous manner,
requiring not more than the strength of a child to accomplish.
2nd. The pistol in consequence of its small number of parts and the manner it is
put together can be made at a smaller cost.
3rd. The barrel being so easily detached the pistol can be packed in a small
space.
Having now fully described the nature of my improvements, and the manner
of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do not
claim as my Invention the compression of air by means of a spring, that having
been done by a Belgian gun maker many years ago, and also according to the
Specification of a Patent granted to Albert Augustus Pope, but I claim as my
Invention the causing the spring and piston acting on air being driven in the same
direction as the projectile, also the means of releasing the spring by a sear and
trigger, as shewn, also the very simple and efficient manner in which I compress the
spring and attach and detach the barrel to and from the cylinder.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Gibson Bussey, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.