IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH- LOADING FIRE-ARMS. ORDNANCE. AND PROJECTILES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wilson, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS. ORDNANCE. AND PROJECTILES."
་་་
Sealed the 19th February 1861, and dated the 12th October 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
October 1860.
i
I, THOMAS WILSON, of Birmingham, in, the County of Warwick, Engineer,
do hereby declare, the nature of the said; Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS. IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS; ORDNANCE AND PROJECTILES," to be as follows
My Invention consists, firstly, of the following method of constructing double-
barrel breech-loading fire-arms. I elongate the barrels three or four inches
behind the nipples, and I connect the barrels together by soldering or brazing
in the usual manner. I make the inner, sides of the elongated breeches of
the barrels flat so as to form a deep solid rib or bar between, the said
elongated, breeches.. Portions of the upper and outer sides of the elongated
breeches are cut away, and through the slots thus made the charge is intro-
duced into the barrels. The barrels are closed during discharge by a sliding

page_text: breech-piece, which slides as a saddle upon the bar between the elongated
breeches. The said sliding breech-piece fits the interior of the elongated
breeches and carries short plugs or projections, which fit the bore of the
barrels. The sliding breech-piece and plugs are fixed during firing, by means
of a slide or cotter passed transversely through the said sliding breech-piece,
and the central rib or bar formed by the junction of the elongated breeches.
The said slide or cotter may be worked by hand, or by a lever, or other mecha-
nical arrangement. The sliding breech-piece may be moved to and fro in the
elongated breeches by hand, stops being provided to prevent it being withdrawn
too far while loading. My Invention consists, secondly, in the following
method of constructing double-barrel breech-loading fire-arms. I make the
elongated breech ends of the barrels shorter than in the last described fire-arm.
I cut a transverse opening in the sides of the -barrel, the said opening being
a little larger than the bore of the barrels, and extending across the barrels
from the outer side of one through the inner sides or junction of the barrels to
the outer side of the other. I fit into the said opening a steel block or slide
of a length equal to the breadth of the two barrels, and of a depth some-
what greater than the bore of the barrels. By sliding this block or slide, one
or other of the bores of the barrels may be uncovered and the charge intro-
duced from behind. The charge having been introduced into one barrel, the
block or slide is moved so as to uncover the bore of the other barrel. This
having been charged, the block or slide is brought into the position in
which it closes both the barrels. The block or slide may be worked by a lever
turning in a horizontal plane on. the head of the gun, the forward end of the
lever being jointed to the top of the barrels, and the middle attached to the
block or slide. By moving the said lever from right to left and the reverse,
the barrels may be alternately opened and closed. The cartridge is pushed
into its place by hand previous to closing the breeches of the barrels.
My Invention consists, thirdly, in constructing single-barrel breech-loading
fire-arms in the following manner, that is to say:-I cut a transverse opening
across the elongated breech, and through the sides thereof, of somewhat larger
depth than the bore of the barrel; I fit a steel block or slide into the said
opening, the said block or slide being deep enough to cover the bore safely,
and long enough to extend through the sides of the elongated breech. On one
end of the said block or slide a head is made, by which it can be readily with-
drawn and replaced after loading. The hammer may be placed on the left-
hand side of the gun. The cartridge is pushed into its place by hand previous
to closing the bore of the barrel by the block or slide.

page_text: My Invention consists, fourthly, in the following method of constructing
breech-loading fire-arms :-I elongate the breech end of the barrel three or
four inches, and continue the bore of the barrel through the said elongation.
An opening is made in the top of the elongation, through which the cartridge
is introduced. A plug is fitted into the elongated breech, the forward end of
the plug to the extent of about half an inch is made cylindrical, to fit and close
the bore of the barrel. The remaining portion of the plug is made flat on its
sides, to permit of it sliding through a locking collar working in the rear of
the elongated breech. This locking collar turns in a recess, being capable of
a partial rotation by a thumb piece or handle. The said locking collar has a
slot or opening through which, when the said collar is in the proper position,
the flat portion of the plug can slide. When the fire-arm is to be loaded the
locking collar is turned into the position which makes its slot coincide with the
flat part of the bolt, when the bolt may be withdrawn and the cartridge intro-
duced. By now pushing home the bolt and turning the locking collar
through a quarter revolution, the slot in the collar is placed at right angles to
the end of the bolt,. and the said bolt is securely fixed ready for firing. Instead
of a lockng collar working in a circular recess as described, I sometimes lock
the plug in its place by means of a plug screwed into the extreme rear of the
breech, and having a slot or opening made through its centre similar to the
collar previously described, and being also capable of partial rotation. This
arrangement answers as well as the locking collar described..
My Invention consists, fifthly, in the following method of constructing breech-
loading ordnance:-I make a vertical opening or mortice through the top of
the cannon at its breech end, the said opening being somewhat wider than the
bore of the cannon, and nearly but not quite as deep. I fit a steel or metal
slide into the said opening, the said. slide being so shaped at bottom as to fit
the curve of the bore. The said slide works freely in the said opening, and is
raised and lowered by means of a vertical screw, which engages in a concave
half screw formed on the rear side of the opening. The vertical screw is
carried by the steel slide, and rises or falls with it. A handle or lever may
be fitted to the top of the screw to turn it by, and raise or lower the slide for
charging or for firing. Instead of raising and lowering the slide by means of
a screw, I sometimes employ a rack and pinion, the rack being formed on the
face of the slide and the pinion being formed on a horizontal axis working in
bearings on the top of the rear of the breech. The said axis is turned by, a.
handle on its end..
My Invention consists, sixthly, in the following method of constructing breech-

page_text: loading ordnance :-I cut a curved slot or mortice through the breech end of
the cannon, the said slot having the curvature of a portion of a hollow cylinder
of somewhat greater diameter than that of the breech end of the cannon, the
axis of the said cylinder being. situated at right angles to the axis of the
cannon. The extreme end of the cannon is curved, so as to form a continua-
tion of the cylindrical surface of the inner side of the slot. The rear end of
the cannon is thus formed into a cylinder, across which the bore of the cannon
passes. I form a circular strap or ring of steel, or other metal, which said
ring on one side passes through the curved slot in the cannon, and on its other
side surrounds or encircles the cylindrical end of the cannon. This ring is
perforated at opposite sides with holes of the size of the bore of the cannon.
By turning the ring by means of a handle on its side, its perforations may be
brought to coincide with the bore of the cannon, and the charge may be intro-
duced at the breech end. By turning the ring so that its perforations are
removed from the-axis of the cannon, the breech is closed and the cannon is
ready for firing: The said ring is made in halves, screwed or otherwise fastened
together. The methods of construction I have described as applied to breech-
loading fire-arms may be applied to ordnance; and the methods. I have described
with reference to ordnance may be applied to fire-arms.
.
:.
My Invention consists, lastly, in the following methods of constructing prò-
jectiles for fire-arms and ordnance :-I make the projectile.or ball of iron, steel,
or other metal, the front of said projectile or ball being conical. or pointed.
The rear of the ball is made into a series of short cylinders of progressively
decreasing diameter. I place upon the step-like rear end of the ball a series
of washers of wood, leather, papier mâché, felt, or other suitable. non-metallic
material, the said washers having an external diameter. somewhat greater than
that of the front of the ball. The washers are secured to the ball by rivetting
or otherwise. In the case of hollow projectiles the leather. or other non-
metallic material may be put on in the shape of a tube or bucket leather.
Instead of making the rear end of the ball of different diameters as described,
I sometimes make it of the same diameter throughout, and fix washers thereon
as before described. By these methods of construction the rear of the pro-
jectile or ball is lightened and the leading of the barrel is prevented. Iron
or steel balls made according to my Invention do not wear the barrel of the
fire-arm or ordnance, as only the leather, wood, felt, or other soft, material
comes into contact therewith. I make lead balls of the step-like form. in the
rear before described, without using washers thereon, or I make them hollow
at the rear, the said hollow being of a figure the reverse of the step-like rear

page_text: described; or, I make the rear of the ball. cylindrical, and make a series of
longitudinal grooves upon it; the said grooves commencing about the middle of
the ball and deepening to the end. By these, methods of constructing projec-
tiles they are lightened in the rear, and the tendency to the formation of a
vacuum behind them as they progress through the air is much diminished.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
April 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
WILSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of
Her.reign; did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Wilson, Her special licence. that I, the said Thomas
Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Thomas Wilson, 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 FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND PROJECTILES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that. I, the said Thomas Wilson, 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 Thomas Wilson, 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 fol-
lowing statement thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention consists, firstly, in constructing double-barrelled breech-

page_text: loading fire-arms in the manner herein-after particularly described, and illus-
trated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings; Figure 1
representing in horizontal section the breech end of a double-barrelled rifle
constructed according to this part of my Invention, the said rifle being ready
for firing; and Figure 2 representing a transverse vertical section of the same;
the said section Figure 2 being taken through the line a, Figure 1. The same
letters indicate the same parts in Figures 1 and 2.
The barrels b, c, are elongated three or four inches behind the nipples, and
the barrels are connected together by soldering or brazing in the usual manner;
d is a deep solid rib or bar situated between the elongated breeches of the
barrels b, c; the said rib or bar being made of the inner sides of the elongated
breeches. Portions of the upper and outer sides of the elongated breeches are
cut away at e, f, as best seen in Figure 2, and through the slots or openings
thus made the cartridges or charges are introduced into the barrels. The said
barrels are closed during discharge by means of a sliding saddle or breech-
piece g, which slides upon the rib or bar d. The said sliding saddle or breech-
piece g fits the interior of the elongated breeches (see Figure 2), and carries
short plugs or closers h, i, (see Figure 1,) which fit the bores of the barrels
b, c. The sliding saddle or breech-piece g and plugs h, i, are fixed during
firing by means of a slide or cotter k, passed transversely through the said
sliding saddle or breech-piece 9 and the central rib or bar d. The said slide
or cotter k may either be worked by hand by means of its head k², or by a lever
or other mechanical contrivance. A pin or other stop near the end of the slide
or cotter k prevents the said cotter from being drawn too far out of the saddle
piece g. When the slide or cotter k is withdrawn from the central rib or
bar d, the saddle piece g is moved backwards from the breech ends of the
barrels by means of the handle or thumb plate 1; the said saddle piece sliding
upon the central rib or bar d. By the sliding of the saddle piece g the plugs
h, i, are withdrawn from the ends of the barrels, and the cartridges or charges
may be introduced through the slots or openings e, f, into the open ends of the
said barrels. After the introduction of the cartridges or charges into the
barrels, the saddle piece 9 is pushed forward upon the rib or bar d into
the position represented in Figure 1; the plugs h, i, closing the ends of the
barrels, the slide or cotter is then passed through the said rib or bar d'and
saddle piece g, when the said saddle piece is securely fixed, and the rifle ready
for discharge. The saddle piece 9 may be prevented from being withdrawn
too far while loading by means of stops. Although I prefer to eniploy a flat
slide or cotter for fixing the saddle piece during discharge, which said slide or

page_text: cotter may be moved by hand or by a lever or other contrivance, yet a circular
or other shaped bolt or pin may be employed with nearly the same effect as a
flat slide or cotter.
My Invention consists, secondly, in constructing double-barrelled breech-
loading fire-arms in the manner illustrated in plan in Figure 3 of the accom-.
panying Drawings. I make the elongated breech ends of the barrels m, n,
shorter than in the last described rifle. I cut an opening at o in the sides of
the barrels m, n, the said opening being a little larger than the bore of the
said barrels, and extending across both barrels. Into the said opening at o, I
fit a steel or metal block or slide p, of a length equal to the breadth of the
barrels m, n, and of a depth somewhat greater than the bore of the barrels.
By sliding the block or slide p, one or other of the bores of the barrels m, n,
may be uncovered, and the cartridge or charge introduced from behind by
hand through the open ends of the barrels at m², n². The sliding of the block
or slide p may be effected by a horizontal lever 9; the said lever being con-
nected to the said block or slide by a pin on the said block working in a
slots in the end of the. lever q. The said lever q turns upon a centre at t,
between the barrels. By moving the said lever q in one direction, the slide p
is moved into the position indicated in dotted lines, and the bore of the barrel
m uncovered, and the cartridge or charge can be introduced into the said.
barrel through the open end at m³. By moving the said lever q in the opposite
direction the bore of the barrel m is uncovered, when the cartridge or charge
can be introduced therein through the open end n. Both barrels having been
charged, the slide p is brought by the motion of the lever q into the position
represented in the Drawing, that is, into the position in which it closes both
the barrels m, n, in which position the said lever is fixed by a cotter or spring
when the rifle is ready for discharge.
I do not limit myself to the use of a lever of the kind described and repre-
sented for moving the slide so as to open one or other, and close both of the
bores of the barrels, as other mechanical arrangements may be employed for:
effecting the same object without departing from the nature of this part of my
Invention.
:
My Invention consists, thirdly, in constructing single-barrelled breech-loading
fire-arms in the manner illustrated in plan in Figure 4 of the. Drawings. I cut
a transverse opening at u, across the elongated breech v, and through the sides
of the same, the said opening being of somewhat greater depth than.the.bore
of the barrel. I fit a steel or metal block or slide tw into the opening u, 'the
said block or slide to being deep enough to cover the bore of the barrel safely,

page_text: and long enough to extend through the sides of the elongated breech. : On
one end of the block or slide wa. head w³ is formed, by which the said slide
can be readily withdrawn for and replaced after loading; or the said slide or
block may be moved by a lever or other mechanical contrivance. The upper
part of the breech v is cut away, and the cartridge is pushed into its place.in
the barrel through the said cut away part previous to closing the slide or
block w. The hammer or cock in this firé-arm may be placed on the left-hand
side of the gun.
The
My Invention consists, fourthly, of the methods of constructing .the breech
ends of breech-loading 'fire-arms, illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the
Drawings; Figure 5 represents in plan, and Figure 6 in transverse vertical
section, the breech end of a rifle constructed according to one of the methods
constituting this part of my Invention. The same letters are employed: to
indicate the same parts in Figures 5 and 6. I elongate the breech end y of
the barrel a three or four inches, and continue the bore of the barrel through.
the said elongated part.. An opening is made in the top of the elongated
part y, through which the cartridge is introduced into the barrel a.
A plug-
works in the elongated breech y, the forward end of the said plug, marked z³,
being made cylindrical to fit into and close the bore of the barrel x.
remaining portion of the plug z is made flat on its sides to permit of it sliding.
through a locking collar 2, in the rear of the elongated breech y; this locking
collar turns in a recess in the breech end of the barrel at 3, the said locking
collar being capable of a partial rotation; it is moved by a thumb piece or
handle 4; the said locking collar 2 has a slot or opening 5, through which,
when the said collar is turned until the handle or thumb plate 4 is brought
into a vertical position, the flat portion of the plug z can slide: When the
fire-arm is to be loaded the locking collar 2 is turned by bringing the thumb
plate 4 into a vertical position; [the slot or opening 5 then coincides with the
flat part of the plug z, which said plug can now be withdrawn through: the
slot 5 by its handle 6, until the head of the plug comes in contact with the
locking collar 2. The bore of the barrel is now open, and the cartridge may
be introduced at the opening in the breech y. The plug z may now be
pushed home into the position represented in Figure 5, by means of its handle
or thumb plate 6, thereby pushing forward the cartridge into its place; -the
locking collar 2 is' then turned by depressing its handle or thumb piece 4 into
a horizontal position, as represented in Figure 6, when the slot 5 crossing the
end of the plug, the said plug is supported and firmly fixed in its place by
the locking collar 2, and the fire-arm is ready for discharge: A nearly. semi-

page_text: tubular plate or cover may be attached to the locking collar 2, for covering
the breech opening and. defending it from wet and dirt, which said cover is
actuated by the rotation of the said locking collar 2, and. made to cover and
uncover the breech opening y during the operation of loading. Instead of a
locking collar working in a circular recess, as last described, a screw collar
working in the extreme rear of the breech may be employed, as illustrated in
Figure 7, in which said Figure 7 the screw collar is marked 8. The said
screw collar takes into a concave screw in the end of the breech.10; 11 is a
handle by which the screw collar 8 is turned; the said screw, collar 8 is
provided with a slot similar to that of the locking collar 2, Figures 5 and 6.
The plug 12 is of the same figure as the plug z in Figures 5 and 6, and the
action of the several parts in Figure 7 is the same in all essential respects as
that of the corresponding parts in Figures. 5 and 6. The plug 12 is withdrawn
and pushed home by means of a handle at 13, not represented in the
Drawing.
My: Invention consists, fifthly, in the methods of constructing breech-loading
ordnance, illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the accompanying
Drawings, Figures 8 and 10, being vertical longitudinal sections, and
Figures 9 and 11 vertical transverse sections, of breech-loading ordnance,
> constructed according to this part of my Invention. I make a vertical opening
or mortice through the top of the cannon, Figures 8 and 9, at its rear end, the
said opening being somewhat wider than the bore of: the cannon, and nearly
but not quite as deep. The Figure of the said opening or mortice will be best
understood by an examination of Figure 9. A steel - or metal slide 14 slides
5 in the said opening or mortice, the said slide 14 being so shaped at the bottom
as to fit the curve of the bore. The said slide 14 works freely in the mortice
or opening in which it is inserted, and is raised or lowered by means of a
vertical screw 15, which said screw is supported by and works in bearings.on
the plate or slide 14. The said screw 15 engages in a concave, half screw
0 formed at 16 on the rear side of the mortice or opening in the cannon. By
means of a winch 17 the screw 15 may be turned. By turning the said
winch 17 in one direction the plate 14 may be raised so as to leave the
bore 18 of the cannon clear, when the charge may be introduced at the open
breech end. By turning the winch 17 in the opposite direction, the slide' 14
5 is brought down, and the breech end of the cannon closed. The cannon is
now ready for. firing. Instead of raising and lowering the slide by means of a
screw, a rack and pinion may be employed, as, represented in Figures 10
and 11.. I form a rack 18 on the plate or slide 19, and a. pinion 20.on: the

page_text: end of the horizontal axis 21, the said axis working in bearings on the top of
the rear of the breech. By means of a winch fitted on the square end of the
axis 21, the said axis and pinion 20.may be turned, and the plate 19 raised or:
lowered. In other respects the cannon, Figures 10 and 11, resembles that
described with reference to Figures 8 and 9.
:
My Invention consists, sixtlily, of the method of constructing breech-loading
ordnance, represented in horizontal section in Figure 12 of the Drawings.
I cut a curved slot or mortice through the breech end of the cannon, the said:
mortice having the curvature; of a portion of a hollow cylinder of somewhat
greater diameter than that of the breech end of the cannon, the axis of the
said cylinder being situated at right angles to the axis of the cannon. The
extreme end of the cannon 22 is curved so as to form a continuation of
the cylindrical surface of the inner side of the slot. The rear end of the
cannon is thus formed into a cylinder 23, across which the bore 24 of the:
cannon passes. I form a circular strap or ring of steel or other metal 25;
which said ring on one sile passes through the curved slot in the cannon, and
on its other sides surrounds or encircles. the cylindrical end 23 of the cannon.
The ring 25 is perforated at opposite sides with holes 26, of the size of the
bore of the cannon: The said ring 25 turns upon the cylindrical end 23 of
the cannon as an axis. By turning the said ring 25, by means of a handle or
lever introduced into the socket formed on its side at 27, the perforations.26
may be brought in the same line as the bore 24 of the cannon; the said bore
is now clear from end to end, and the charge may be introduced at the open
breech end. By turning the ring 25 so that its perforations are placed at
right angles to the bore of the cannon, as represented in Figure 12, the breech
is closed, and the cannon is ready for firing. The ring 25 may, be made in
three pieces, joined at the points indicated in Figure 12. The manner in
which the 'pieces of which the ring 25 is composed engage with and are
fastened to one another is represented in Figure 13.
The method of construction I have herein-before described with reference
to Figure 4 as applied to single breech-loading fire-arms may be applied to
ordnance.
My Invention consists, lastly, in constructing projectiles for fire-arms and
ordnance in the manner illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20
of the accompanying Drawings. Figure 14 represents in longitudinal section
a projectile constructed according to one of the methods of construction con-
stituting this part. of my Invention. I make the projectile or ball of lead,
iron, steel, or other metal; the front 28 of the said projectile or ball is conical

page_text: or pointed. The rear of the ball is made into a series of short cylinders
progressively decreasing in diameter from about the middle to the rear end of
the projectile; the said short cylinders are marked 29, 30, 31, respectively.
I place upon the step-like rear end of the ball 29, 30, 31, a series of washers
32, 33, 34, of wood, leather, paper mâché, felt, or other soft or moderately
hard non-metallic material, the said washers having an external diameter
somewhat greater than that of the front of the ball. The washers are secured
to the ball by rivetting or otherwise.
In the case of hollow projectiles, the leather or other non-metallic material'
may be put on in the shape of a tube or bucket leather. Instead of making the
rear end of the ball of different diameters as described and represented, the
said rear end may be made of the same diameter throughout, and washers or
a tube of non-metallic substance fixed thereon.
Figure 15 represents in longitudinal section a projectile thus constructed.
35 is the rear end of the projectile, and 36 the non-metallic tube or series of
washers. The rear ends of the projectiles, Figures 14 and 15, may be made
When made square or
square or angular in cross section instead of circular.
angular, the washers or tube fixed thereon cannot turn round. By these
methods of construction the rear of the projectile is lightened, and the leading
of the barrel is prevented. Iron or steel balls made according to my Inven-
tion do not wear the barrel of the fire-arm or ordnance, as only the leather,
wood, felt, or other soft material comes into contact therewith. I also make
lead or other metal balls of the step-like form in the rear before described;
without using washers thereon. One of these projectiles is represented in side
elevation in Figure 16. Or, I make the said projectiles hollow at the rear,"
the said hollow being of a figure the reverse of the step-like rear described.
'Figure 17 represents in longitudinal section a projectile of this kind. Or,
I make the rear of the ball cylindrical, and make a series of longitudinal
grooves upon it, the said grooves commencing about the middle of the ball
and deepening to the end; Figure 18 represents in longitudinal section a
projectile of this kind; Figure 19 represents the same in. end elevation; and
Figure 20 represents the same in side elevation. The grooves are marked
37, 37, in the said Figures 18, 19, and 20. By these methods of constructing
projectiles they are lightened in the rear, and the tendency to the formation
5 of a vacuum behind them as they progress through the air is much diminished.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner of car-
rying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit
myself to the precise details berein described and illustrated, as the same may

page_text: be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention; but I claim as
my Invention,-
Firstly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of double-barrelled
breech-loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say; closing the breech ends
of the barrels by means of plugs or closers carried by a saddle or breech piece,
which said saddle or breech piece slides on a rib or bar formed by, on, or
between the barrels, and is fixed or secured in its place during discharge by
means of a transverse slide, cotter, bolt, or other fastening passed through
the said saddle-piece, and central rib or bar, as herein-before described and
illustrated.
Secondly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of double-
barrelled breech-loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in
Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, closing the open
breech ends of the barrels by means of a horizontal block or slide working in
transverse openings made across the barrels, the said block or slide being
worked by a lever or other mechanical contrivance, so as to open either or
close both of the barrels at will.
Thirdly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of single
barrelled breech-loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in
Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings, and the application of the said
improvements to ordnance, that is to say, closing the open breech-end of the
barrel of the fire-arm or ordnance by means of a horizontal block or slide
sliding in a transverse opening across the barrel, the said block or slide being
moved by hand, or by means of a lever or other mechanical arrangement.
Fourthly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of breech-
loading fire-arms, herein-before described and illustrated in Figures, 5, 6,
and 7 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, fixing the plug working
in the prolonged end of the fire-arm, either by means of a locking collar, or
by a screw collar, the said collar having in its axis a slot or opening, through
which slot or opening the flat portion of the plug can be drawn to open the
breech end for loading when the said collar is turned into the required posi-
tion, the said collar fixing the said plug after loading, by being turned so that
its slots shall be brought across or at right angles to the end of the said plug
as described and represented.
Fifthly, the improvements in constructing the breech ends of breech-
loading ordnance, herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 8, 9,
10, and 11 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, closing the open

page_text: breech end of the ordnance by means of a steel or metal slide, working in an
opening or mortice made transversely to the bore of the ordnance, the said
slide being withdrawn, and advanced so as to open or close the breech of the
ordnance either by a screw working in a half screw formed in or attached to
the cannon, or by a pinion working on the cannon engaging with a rack
formed on or attached to the said slide.
Sixthly, the general arrangement or combination of parts for opening and
closing the breech ends of breech-loading ordnance, herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying Drawings.
Lastly, the improvements in projectiles for fire-arms and ordnance herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight bundred and sixty-one.
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
THOMAS WILSON. (L.8.)