IMPROVE- MENTS IN MAGAZINE FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes and Son,
Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAGAZINE FIRE-ARMS." A communication from abroad by Andrew
Burgess, of Owego, Tioga County, New York, United States of America, Gun
Maker.
Sealed the 8th July 1879, and dated the 9th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th January 1879.
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGAZINE FIRE ARMS."
A com
inunication from abroad by Andrew Burgess, of Owego, Tioga County, New York,
United States of America, Gun Maker.
This Invention relates to improvements in breech loading fire arins, with special
reference to that class commonly known as magazine arms, that is to say, an arm
which has a tube arranged to contain several cartridges which may be successively
transferred from the said tube to the barrel.
In some cases this magazine is arranged beneath and parallel with the barrel; in
others it is arranged in the stop in the rear of the barrel, but in all cases there is to
be performed substantially the same transfer of a cartridge from the magazine to
the barrel; then after firing, the removal of the discharged shell to make way for
a new cartridge, and the special class to which this Invention relates is that in
which a bolt is arranged in the rear of the barrel, having a longitudinal movement
to and from the barrel, to close and open the breech; and the Invention consists in
the details of construction as hereinafter described.
Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the first and second
being sectional side views, and Fig. 3, a transverse section.
A represents the frame which carries at its forward end a barrel B, and beneath
it a magazine C, the latter provided with the usual follower C' and spring C². D
is the bolt arranged in the frame in rear of the barrel, and so as to move longitu-
dinally therewith, as from the position in Fig. 1 to that in Fig. 2, and return, and
it is so moved by the lever D₁ beneath the barrel, and which also constitutes the
trigger-guard. This lever is hung upon a pivot D2 in the frame, its forward end
extending up through a mortise in the bolt D, the upper end of the lever being

page_text: split so as to pass the firing pin, the firing pin running longitudinally through the
mortise in which the lever works.
The forward end of the mortise in the bolt extends down as at D³ to form an
abutment against which the lever bears when in its closed position, as seen in Fig. 1,
and which firmly and securely locks the bolt to resist explosion. On each end of
the longitudinal bolt D are one or more ribs a, working in grooves in the side of
the frame, as seen in Fig. 3, which serve to guide the bolt and resist any upward
tendency which the explosion might produce.
The firing pin d is constructed with a shoulder or downward projection 6 which
the lever strikes when it is being turned to release the bolt, and which imparts to
the firing pin a rearward movement away from the cartridge before the bolt begins
to move, and in the forward movement of the bolt to close the breech; the firing
pin is prevented by said shoulder 6 from reaching the primer on the cartridge until
the bolt is securely locked. Again, if the lever be not completely closed when the
blow of the hammer is given upon the firing pin, the shoulder will strike the lever
and drive it to its home position, or will prevent the firing pin striking the
cartridge.
E is the carrier which is hung at the rear on a pivot e, here represented as being
the pivot of the hammer, and is arranged to move up and down in the mortise in
the frame, as from the position in Fig. 1 to that shewn in broken lines Fig. 2.
Vertically through this carrier is a mortise through which the upper part of the
lever works, one arm of the carrier lies each side of the hammer, the two arms
connected at the top by a bar f, and so that when the upper end of the lever is
turned backward as in opening the breech, the back of the lever will strike the
said bar f, as seen in Fig. 2, and just before it completes its movement; then in
completing its movement, which is indicated by the second broken line, the carrier
is turned up as seen in broken lines, Fig. 2.
When the carrier is down, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear cartridge in the magazino
will be forced into the carrier, as seen in Fig. 2; then when the carrier is raised,
that cartridge will be presented to the open end of the barrel, as seen in broken
lines, Fig. 2, the head of the cartridge rising to its position in front of the bolt;
then when the lever is turned forward to close the breech, the bolt will strike the
head of the cartridge and force it forward into the barrel, as seen in Fig. 1.
When the carrier is raised to thus introduce the cartridge to the barrel, the next
cartridge in the magazine is prevented from any rearward movement by a down-
ward projection r on the underside of the carrier, extending when the carrier is up,
down over the opening of the magazine, and the next cartridge will rest against
this projection until the carrier is dropped, then the cartridge will be forced into
the carrier.
At the lower extremity of the downward projection D³ on the bolt, there is hung
a lever n, as shown in broken lines, Fig. 1, also in Fig. 2, the upper arm of which,
when the breech piece is closed, lies close against the head of the cartridge, the
lower arm n' extending to the rear, and inclined upward; and just before the bolt
reaches its most rearward position, this arm n' strikes a stud in the frame which
causes the upper arm of the lever to throw suddenly forward, os indicated in broken
lines, Fig. 2.
The bolt is provided with the usual extracting hook m, and which engages with
the head of the cartridge, and draws it or the remnants back and holds the
cartridge to the bolt, until the sudden forward movement of the lever n, and this
movement gives to the cartridge a sudden upward start which disengages it from
the hook, and ejects it from the arm, as indicated in broken lines, Fig. 2.
This lever, in its forward position, strikes the cartridge to be introduced in
advance of the bolt, and thereby avoids the sudden blow which might be otherwise
given it in the forward motion of the breech piece.
The magazine is loaded by introducing the cartridges successively through an
opening in the side of the frame against the follower C³, or in any other desirable
manner.

page_text: In the modifications shewn in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the magazine is shown as
arranged in the stock of the gun in rear of the barrel, and the bolt D is represented
as operated by a handle, after the manner of what is known as the "needle
gun.
T represents the magazine which opens through the butt plate, as at T, Fig. 5.
At the forward end underneath the bolt is an incline i rising from the bottom of
the magazine to the open rear end of the barrel, which serves to raise the forward
end of the cartridge as it is pressed forward from the magazine, and at each side a
little to the rear of the incline i, an incline is made, so that the head of the
cartridge rises as it is moved towards the barrel. Instead of these rear inclines i¹, a
spring is may be employed, the cartridge riding onto and depressing the spring in
its forward movement, and then when the bolt is drawn back, the spring will raise
the rear end.
R is a sliding rod arranged in a groove in the upper side of the magazine, seo
Figs. 4 and 6, and is connected to the bolt by a link L, so that as the bolt moves
backward and forward, it will impart a corresponding movement to the rod R. The
rod R carries pawls or similar catches p, distant from each other the length of a
cartridge, and so that when the bolt and the rod R are moved rearward, the several
pawls will also move, and each engage the next cartridge at the rear; and then
when the bolt is moved forward, the column of cartridges in the magazine will be
also moved forward, presenting a new cartridge for insertion into the barrel at each
movement.
It will be understood that the bolt is provided with the usual extracting device.
In case it is desirable to reserve the cartridges in the magazine, the rod R is
raised out of contact with the cartridges, and this is done by means of an eccentric
m² through the stock into a slot in the side of the rod R, and so that by turning
the said eccentric, the said rod may be raised to free it from the cartridges, or
lowered to make engagement as required.
To prevent the cartridges from moving rearward with the rod R, a series of
pawls are arranged below; and that the cartridges may be taken from the
magazine through the opening in the rear should occasion require, the pawls p¹ are
mounted on a sliding rod R' beneath the magazine tube, and so that their points
will extend through openings in the magazine when forward, as in Fig. 4; but
when the rod R' is moved backward, as it may be by the handle R³, the forward
end of the pawls will be pressed beneath the tube, and leave the cartridges free.
At the rear opening T' in the butt plate, there is arranged a spring latch T'
which closes the said opening, and also holds the cartridges in the magazine, and
yields as they are forced successively against it into the magazine.
For convenience of loading, a tube may be employed the length of the inagazine,
as seen in Fig. 10, the column of cartridges first placed in this tube, then the tube
run into the magazine, and the tube withdrawn, leaving the cartridges therein.
To form a clear or direct passage from the magazine to the barrel, the forward
end may be made, as seen in Fig. 7, with a hinged part Ts, the forward end of
which depresses as the bolt is moved to close the barrel, but is raised when the bolt
is moved backward by means of a shoulder r on the bolt striking a shoulder 71 on
the rear end of the hinged part T, which will lift the forward end of the piece
To into line with the barrel, similar to the carrier described in Figs. 1 and 2.
Instead of the sliding rods-shewn in Figs. 4 and 5, the spring and follower seen
in Figs. 7 and 8 may be used, and the magazine charged from the front, the
cartridges successively pressing back the follower, or the follower may be drawn
back by means of a slide P working through a slot in the side of the stock, and
from which is a projection t forward of a similar projection t on the follower.
This slide P extends through the slot to form a convenient handle for moving it.
The slot in the stock through which the compresser P operates may be enlarged,
as more clearly seen in Fig. 9, and form a receptacle for the ram-rod, and that rod
or a tube introduced therein will close the slot through the side of the stock.

page_text: It will be understood that after the magazine has been charged, the slide P must
be moved forward to leave the spring in the magazine free to act.
Or to close the slot, there may be a longitudinal bar arranged in the stock pro-
vided with springs, as seen in Fig. 11, which will fly up and close the slot when
the slide P is forward, and be moved downward as the slide P is moved rearward.
The hinged part Ts should be constructed so that the opening through it is
narrower than the cartridges, and the sides elastic, so that they will prevent the
cartridges from being thrown out or upward, except into the barrel; and also to
pass down froin the cartridge which may not have been forced fully into the
barrel.
A modification is shown in Figs. 12 and 13, designed to hold the cartridges in
the magazine when the breech is open.
A pivoted stop u is arranged forward and near, but below the end of the barrel,
and so that as the cartridge advances it strikes that stop; then when the column of
cartridges is moved forward, that stop turns upward and aids in raising the
cartridge to the barrel; and that the stop may return after the cartridge has been
introduced, a spring u' is hung upon the underside of the bolt, which will engage
the raised stop when the bolt is forward, then when the bolt is withdrawn, it will
return the stop u to receive the next cartridge, the finger u' riding over and to the
rear of the cartridge so stopped into a position to engage that cartridge and move
it forward when next the breech piece is moved; the cartridge in the mean time
having been held in this forward position by the spring stop u² below.
The spring finger u¹ serves also to hold the advancing cartridge down, as seen in
Fig. 13.
Or an incline may be combined with the spring stop, as seen in Figs. 14 and 15.
To charge the magazine from the rear, a loading passage H may be made through
the butt, opening to the magazine at a point forward of the follower when com-
pressed (see Fig. 11a), and so that cartridges dropped into said passage H will fall
into the magazine forward of the follower.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th July 1879. .
A com-
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes & Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGAZINE FIRE ARMS.'
munication from abroad by Andrew Burgess, of Owego, Tioga County, New York,
United States of America, Gun Maker.
This Invention relates to improvements in breech loading fire arms, with special
reference to that class commonly known as magazine arms; that is to say, an arm
which has a tube arranged to contain several cartridges which may be successively
transferred from the said tube to the barrel.
In some cases this magazine is arranged beneath and parallel with the barrel; in
others it is arranged in the stop in the rear of the barrel; but in all cases there is
to be performed substantially the same transfer of a cartridge from the magazine to
the barrel; then after firing, the removal of the discharged shell to make way for a
new cartridge; and the special class to which this Invention relates is that in
which a bolt is arranged in the rear of the barrel, having a longitudinal movement
to and from the barrel to close and open the breech; and the Invention consists in
the details of construction, as hereinafter described and more particularly recited in
the several claims.
Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 on the accompanying
Drawings, the first and second being sectional side views, and Fig. 3 a transverso
section.
A represents the frame which carries at its forward end a barrel B, and beneath
it a magazino C, the latter provided with the usual follower C' and spring C²; D is
the bolt arranged in the frame in rear of the barrel, and so as to move longitudinally
therewith, as from the position in Fig. 1 to that in Fig. 2, and return, and it is so
moved by the lever D' beneath the barrel, and which also constitutes the trigger-
guard. This lever is hung upon a pivot D in the frame, its forward end extending
up through a mortise in the bolt D, the upper end of the lever being split so as to
pass the firing pin, the firing pin running longitudinally through the mortise in
which the lever works.
The forward end of the mortise in the bolt extends down, as at D³, to form an
abutment against which the levers bears when in its closed position, asi seen in
Fig. 1, and which firmly and securely locks the bolt to resist explosion. On each
end of the longitudinal bolt D are one or more ribs a working in grooves in the
side of the frame, as seen in Fig. 3, which serve to guide the bolt and resist any
upward tendency which the explosion might produce.
The firing pin d is constructed with a shoulder or downward projection b which
the lever strikes when it is being turned to release the bolt, and which imparts to
the firing pin a rearward movement away from the cartridge before the bolt begins
to move, and in the forward movement of the bolt to close the breech.
The firing
pin is prevented by said shoulder b from reaching the primer on the cartridge until
the bolt is securely locked. Again, if the lever be not completely closed when the
blow of the hammer is given upon the firing pin the shoulder will strike the
lever and drive it to its home position, or will prevent the firing pin striking the
cartridge.
E is the carrier which is hung at the rear on a pivot e, here represented as being
the pivot of the hammer, and is arranged to move up and down in the mortise in
the frame, as from the position in Fig. 1 to that shown in broken lines Fig. 2.
Vertically through this carrier is a mortise through which the upper part of tho
lever works; one arın of the carrier lies each side of the hammer, the two arms
connected at the top by a bar f, and so that when the upper end of the lever is
turned backward, as in opening the breech, the back of the lever will strike the

page_text: said bar f, as seen in Fig. 2, and just before it completes its movement; then in
completing its movement, which is indicated by the second broken line, the carrier
is turned up, as seen in broken lines, Fig. 2.
When the carrier is down, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear cartridge in the magazine
will be forced into the carrier, as seen in Fig. 2; then when the carrier is raised
that cartridge will be presented to the open end of the barrel, as seen in broken
lines, Fig. 2, the head of the cartridge rising to its position in front of the bolt ;
then when the lever is turned forward to close the breech the bolt will strike the
head of the cartridge and force it forward into the barrel, as seen in Fig. 1.
When the carrier is raised to thus introduce the cartridge to the barrel the next
cartridge in the magazine is prevented from any rearward movement by a down-
ward projection on the under side of the carrier extending, when the carrier is up,
down over the opening of the magazine, and the next cartridge will rest against
this projection until the carrier is dropped, then the cartridge will be forced into
the carrier.
At the lower extremity of the downward projection D³ on the bolt there is hung
a lever n, as shown in broken lines, Fig. 1, also in Fig. 2, the upper arm of which,
when the breech piece is closed, lies close against the head of the cartridge, the
lower arm n¹ extending to the rear and inclined upward; and just before the bolt
reaches its most rearward position this arm n' strikes a stud in the frame which
causes the upper arm of the lever to throw suddenly forward, as indicated in broken
lines, Fig. 2.
The bolt is provided with the usual extracting hook m, and which engages with
the head of the cartridge and draws it or the remnant back, and holds the
cartridge to the bolt until the sudden forward movement of the lever n, and this
movement gives to the cartridge a sudden upward start which disengages it from
the hook and ejects it from the arm, as indicated in broken lines, Fig. 2.
This lever in its forward position strikes the cartridge to be introduced in
advance of the bolt, and thereby avoids the sudden blow which might be otherwise
given it in the forward motion of the breech piece.
The magazine is loaded by introducing the cartridges successively through an
opening in the side of the frame against the follower C¹ or in any other desirable
manner.
In the modifications shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 the magazine is shown as
arranged in the stock of the gun in rear of the barrel, and the bolt D is represented
as operated by a handle after the manner of what is known as the "needle gun."
T represents the magazine which opens through the butt plate, as at T¹, Fig. 5.
At the forward end underneath the bolt is an incline i rising from the bottom of
the magazine to the open rear end of the barrel which serves to raise the forward
end of the cartridge as it is pressed forward from the magazine; and at each side a
little to the rear of the incline i an incline i' is mado so that the head of the
cartridge rises as it is moved towards the barrel. Instead of these rear inclines i¹
a spring is may be employed, the cartridge riding onto and depressing the spring in
its forward movement, and then when the bolt is drawn back the spring will raiso
the rear end.
R is a sliding rod arranged in a groove in the upper side of the magazine, seo
Figs. 4 and 6, and is connected to the bolt by a link L, so that as the bolt moves
backward and forward it will impart a corresponding movement to the rod R. The
rod R carries pawls or similar catches p distant from each other the length of a
cartridge, and so that when the bolt and the rod R are moved rearward the several
pawls will also move, and each engago the next cartridge at the rear; and then
when the bolt is moved forward the column of cartridges in the magazine will be
also moved forward, presenting a new cartridge for insertion into the barrel at each
movement.
It will be understood that the bolt is provided with the usual extracting device.
In caso it is desirable to reserve the cartridges in the magazine the rod R is
raised out of contact with the cartridges, and this is done by means of an

page_text: eccentric m³ through the stock into a slot in the side of the rod R, and so that by
turning the said eccentric the said rod may be raised to free it from the cartridges,
or lowered to make engagement, as required.
To prevent the cartridges from moving rearward with the rod R a series of
pawls p' are arranged below; and that the cartridges may be taken from the
magazine through the opening in the rear, should occasion require, the pawls pare
mounted on a sliding rod R' beneath the magazine tube, and so that their points
will extend through openings in the magazine when forward, as in Fig. 4; but
when the rod R' is moved backward, as it may be by the handle R², the forward
end of the pawls will be pressed beneath the tube and leave the cartridges free.
At the rear opening T in the butt plate there is arranged a spring latch T*
which closes the said opening, and also holds the cartridges in the magazine, and
yields as they are forced successively against it into the magazine.
For convenience of loading a tube may be employed the length of the magazine,
as seen in Fig. 10, the column of cartridges first placed in this tube, then the tube
run into the magazine, and the tube withdrawn, leaving the cartridges therein.
To form a clear or direct passage from the magazine to the barrel the forward
end may be made, as seen in Fig. 7, with a hinged part T, the forward end of
which depresses as the bolt is moved to close the barrel, but is raised when the
bolt is moved backward by means of a shoulder r on the bolt striking a shoulder r¹
on the rear end of the hinged part T³, which will lift the forward end of the
piece T into line with the barrel, similar to the carrier described in Figs. 1 and 2.
Instead of the sliding rods, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the spring and follower, seen
in Figs. 7 and 8, may be used and the magazine charged from the front, the
cartridges successively pressing back the follower; or the follower may be drawn
back by means of a slide P working through a slot in the side of the stock, and
from which is a projection t forward of a similar projection t on the follower; this
slide P extends through the slot to form a convenient handle for moving it.
The slot in the stock through which the compressor P operates may be enlarged,
as more clearly seen in Fig. 9, and form a receptacle for the ram-rod, and that rod,
or a tube introduced therein, will close the slot through the side of the stock.
It will be understood that after the magazine has been charged, the slide P must
be moved forward to leave the spring in the magazine free to act.
Or, to close the slot, there may be a longitudinal bar arranged in the stock pro-
vided with springs, as seen in Fig. 11, which will fly up and close the slot when
the slide P is forward, and be moved downward as the slide P is moved rearward.
The hinged part T should be constructed so that the opening through it is
narrower than the cartridges, and the sides elastic, so that they will prevent the
cartridges from being thrown out or upward, except into the barrel, and also to pass
down from the cartridge, which may not have been forced fully into the barrel.
A modification is shown in Figs. 12 and 13, designed to hold the cartridges in
the magazine when the breech is open. A pivoted stop u is arranged forward, and
near, but below the end of the barrel, and so that as the cartridge advances it
strikes that stop; then, when the column of cartridges is moved forward, that stop
turns upward and aids in raising the cartridges to the barrel; and that the stop
may return after the cartridge has been introduced, a spring u' is hung upon the
under side of the bolt, which will engage the raised stop when the bolt is forward;
then when the bolt is withdrawn it will return the stop u to receive the next
cartridge, the finger u¹ riding over, and to the rear of the cartridge so stopped, into
a position to engage that cartridge and move it forward when next the breech piece
is moved, the cartridge in the mean time having been held in this forward position
by the spring stop u³ below. The spring finger u' serves also to hold the advancing
cartridge down, as seen in Fig. 13.
Or an incline may be combined with the spring stop, as seen in Figs. 14 and 15.
To charge the magazine from the rear, a loading passage H may be made through
the butt, opening to the magazine at a point forward of the follower when com-

page_text: pressed (see Fig. 11"), and so that cartridges dropped into said passage H will fall
into the magazine forward of the follower.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The combination of a mortised and shouldered breech-bolt with a pivoted
lever working in the mortise or against the shoulders, to move and to lock the bolt,
substantially as described.
Second. The breech-bolt described, having projection D³ at the front, and
shoulder or bearing in the rear, in combination with the pivoted lever, substantially
as described.
Third. A swinging lever locking the breech-bolt at an angle with the axis of
the barrel in combination with longitudinal ribs and grooves to resist the upward
tendency of the breech-bolt, substantially as described.
Fourth. The lever, the bolt, and the firing pin in combination, substantially as
described, whereby the firing pin is withdrawn by the unlocking of the lever.
Fifth. A firing pin provided with the downward projection b in combination
with the lever D₁ and reciprocating bolt, substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination of the bolt, the firing pin provided with a downward
projection b, and the locking-lever D', by which the forward movement of the firing
pin to fire the cartridge is prevented until the bolt is locked.
Seventh. A starting lever n pivoted to the moveable part of the breech-mechanism
in combination with studs or projections on the sides of the frame, as and for the
purpose described.
Eighth. The pivoted starting lever n in combination with the bolt, and with a
stop or stops projecting from the inside of the receiver.
Ninth. A fire arm having a reciprocating breech-bolt, a magazine in the breech,
a spring to raise the head of a cartridge when the breech is open, and an incline to
raise the point of a cartridge, substantially as described.
Tenth. The pawls p attached to the feeding-rod R and provided with springs to
press them into engagement with the cartridges in the magazine in connexion with
the bolt, all combined and arranged to propel the cartridges forward, substantially
as described.
Eleventh. The combination with the rod R of the spring to effect its engagement
with the cartridges, and a lifting device to disengage the cartridge in the magazine,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The pawls p' springing into the magazine to prevent the cartridges
from moving rearward, and attached to the rod R¹ for retiring them from the
interior of the magazine, in combination with an opposite propelling device to move
the cartridges forward, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The combination of the reciprocating breech-bolt, the link L, and tho
feed-bar R, when said feed-bar is provided with mechanism by which it may be
lifted out of operative connection with the magazine, as set forth.
Fourteenth. In combination with the loading-orifice of the magazine in the butt
of the arm, a transverse cover having the inclino, and constructed substantially as
described, so as to be adapted to yield for the admission of cartridges and hold them
when in the magazine, substantially as shown and described.
Fifteenth. A loading-tube holding a plurality of cartridges, a magazine of a size
to admit the insertion of said tube, said magazine having pawls or teeth which
spring into the periphery of the magazine, and are depressed by the loading tube
when the latter is inserted, all in combination substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Sixteenth. A magazino in the rear continuing under the bolt in a pivoted carrier,
said carrier being hinged at its rear in line with the magazine, and operating to

page_text: raise the cartridge to the barrel by the movement of the breech-bolt, and to form a
direct passage to the chamber.
Seventeenth. A cartridge carrier pivoted at the front of the magazine and forming
a continuation thereof, said carrier having spring sides, as described, to release
the first cartridge and hold the next from expulsion by the magazine-spring,
substantially as set forth.
Eighteenth. The compresser P operating through a slot in the magazine and in
the stock from the outside in combination with a rod or ribbon for closing said slot,
substantially as specified.
Nineteenth. The oscillating or vibrating finger u arranged in the bottom of the
receiver and combined with the reciprocating breech mechanism to form a stop or
detent for the cartridges as they are loaded in the magazine, and to guide their
points to the barrel-chamber when moved by the bolt, substantially as described.
Twentieth. A spring stop fixed in the bottom of the frame to engage the point
of the cartridge and hold it in the magazine, when so arranged and combined, with
a reciprocating bolt, substantially as described, as to be forced to disengagement by
the propulsion of the cartridge forward in closing the breech, substantially as
specified.
Twenty first. The hand w' arranged in combination with the breech-bolt, sub-
stantially as described, to spring down behind the forward cartridge, drive it
forward, and stop the next cartridge from advancing before it.
Twenty second. The magazine provided with a slot or opening for the purpose
specified, the compressor, and the laterally-moving bar for closing the slot, all in
combination substantially as set forth.
Twenty-third. The rear stock provided with a magazine tube and with a loading
passage or opening through the butt, which enters the magazine tube at a point in
front of that to which the follower in the magazine can be retracted to permit the
introduction of the cartridges into the magazine through said load tube, substantially
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
E. T. HUGHES. (L.S.)