IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND IN . CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH."
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Rigby, of Suffolk Strect, in the City of
Dublin, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND IN
. CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Rigby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th April 1871.
I, JOHN RIGBY, of Suffolk Street, in the City of Dublin, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
AND IN CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH," to be as follows :-
The first part of this Invention consists in an improved arrangement
of mechanism for opening and closing those descriptions of breech-
loading fire-arms in which the barrel moves on an axis under the barrel,
near the breech end thereof, and the breech rises up to permit the
introduction of the cartridge. The barrel is provided with a steel lump
underneath, which lump enters a corresponding recess formed in the
breech piece for its reception. Below the breech piece and in front of
the trigger guard a steel or iron lever is hung on a cross pin. One end

page_text: of this lever enters the before-mentioned recess, and is shaped as a hook
to engage in a corresponding notch in the steel lump. The handle of
the lever lies over or on one side of the trigger guard or at the side
of the lock, as may be preferred. In front of the lever a flat spring is
inserted in the bottom surface of the breech piece, which spring is
secured by a screw or otherwise at the end thereof furthest from the
lever. The other end of the spring which acts on the lever is divided
by a notch in order to permit the passage of a projection which is formed
on the lever, and which projection comes in contact with the steel lump
under the barrel when the lever is moved forward to open the gun, and
so raises the breech end. When the lever is thus pushed forward the
bearing surface between it and the spring is so shaped that the spring
holds it in the same position until the barrel is returned after loading.
The steel lump then comes into contact with the projection on the lever,
and sets the latter in motion, which motion being accelerated by the
pressure of the spring causes the hook to become firmly engaged with
the steel lump and effectually closes the breech.
Another part of this Invention consists of a method and arrangement
of mechanism for securing the extractor in breech-loading fire-arms in
which central-fire ammunition is employed. In place of a fixed pin,
the point of which prevents the removal of the extractor as ordinarily
constructed, a loose stud is used, over which a small coiled spring or flat
spring is placed in the barrel lump to press the stud on the leg of the
extractor, and thus, although the extractor is prevented from falling
out, it can always be removed by a pull sufficiently strong to overcome
the resistance of the spring stud.
This Invention further consists in an arrangement by means of which
central-fire breech-loading guns or rifles may be converted at will into
small-bore or pea guns or rifles. This is effected by inserting at the
breech end a small bore tube turned to fit inside the chamber and
barrel. The same striking arrangement may be employed to ignite the
cartridges used in such small-bore tubes and for the ordinary large
cartridges for which the gun has been originally made, and the extrac-
tion of the small cartridge is effected by replacing the ordinary extractor
by another suitable to the smaller bore.
The several arrangements hercin-before mentioned are equally appli

page_text: Another part of this Invention relates to the manufacture of such
steel or iron gun barrels as are drilled from solid bars or punched and
rolled. Such barrels as ordinarily manufactured have the grain of the
metal running in a longitudinal direction, and are consequently less
favorably disposed to resist any bursting strain than welded barrels, in
which the grain runs spirally. The present improvement consists in
heating the barrels either before or after drilling, but while the hole
is still unfinished, and twisting them on their own axes until the grain
of the metal is thrown spirally round the bore to any desired angle. It
is preferred to do this after the first hole has been made, and to hammer
the surface lightly after twisting.
This Invention also relates to an improvement applicable to the
construction of cartridges for breech-loading fire-arms, and has for its
object the diminution or prevention of fouling in the barrel. To effect
this object the inner surface of the cartridge case is formed with raised
ridges thereon, the same being placed either at right angles or obliquely
to the line of bore; or certain contractions are so placed that during the
passage of the ignited gases from the cartridge into the barrel the
harder and more adhesive portions are caught by and deposited on
these ridges or contractions. The same object may also be effected by
attaching one or more metal rings or coils to the inner surface of the
cartridge case, or so placing the same therein as not to be forced out by
the discharge.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Rigby in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 26th October 1871.
'
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
RIGBY, of Suffolk Street, in the City of Dublin, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Rigby, Her special licence
that I, the said John Rigby, my executors, administrators, and assigns,

page_text: or such others as I, the said John Rigby, 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 FIRE-ARMS AND IN
CARTRIDGES TO BE USED THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Rigby, 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 John Rigby, 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 thereof, reference being had to the Drawings here-
unto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is
to say :-
The first part of my said Invention consists in an improved arrange-
ment of mechanism for opening and closing those descriptions of breech-
loading fire-arms in which the barrel moves on an axis under the barrel
near the breech end thereof, and the breech rises up to permit the
introduction of the cartridge. The barrel is provided with a steel lump
underneath, which lump enters a corresponding recess formed in the
breech piece for its reception. Below the breech piece, and in front of
One end
the trigger guard, a steel or iron lever is hung on a cross pin.
of this lever enters the before-mentioned recess, and is shaped as a hook
to engage in a corresponding notch in the steel lump. The handle or
thumb piece of the lever lies on one side of the trigger guard or at
the side of the lock, as may be preferred. In front of the lever a spring
is inserted in the bottom surface of the breech piece, which spring is
secured by a screw or otherwise at the end thereof furthest from the
lever. The other end of the spring, which acts on the lever, is
divided by a notch in order to permit the passage of a projection which
is formed on the lever, and which projection comes in contact with the

page_text: steel lump under the barrel when the lever is moved forward to open
the gun, and so raises the breech end. When the lever is thus pushed
forward the bearing surface between it and the spring is so shaped that
the spring holds it in the same position until the barrel is returned after
loading. The steel lump then comes into contact with the projection on
the lever and sets the latter in motion, which motion being accelerated
by the pressure of the spring causes the hook to become firmly engaged
with the steel lump and effectually closes the breech.
Another part of my said Invention consists of a method and arrange-
ment of mechanism for securing the extractor in breech-loading fire-
arms in which central-fire ammunition is employed. In place of a
fixed pin, the point of which prevents the removal of the extractor, as
ordinarily constructed, a loose stud is used, over which a small coiled
or flat spring is placed in the barrel lump to press the stud on the leg
of the extractor, and thus, although the extractor is. prevented from
falling out, it can always be removed by a pull sufficiently strong to
overcome the resistance of the spring stud.
These portions of my said Invention will be more clearly understood
by reference to the annexed Drawings, in which Figure 1 shews the
position of the barrels and lever when the action is closed; Figure 2
shews the position of the lever, barrels, and extractor when the barrels
are being opened. Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a plan and side
view of the spring. The same letters refer to the like parts in the
several Figures.
A is the barrel; B, the lump underneath the same; C, the lever with
the hook-shaped piece; D, the handle or thumb piece of the same;
E, the spring; F, the extractor, and f, the loose stud which keeps the
samo in position..
My said Invention further consists in an arrangement by means of
which breech-loading fire-arms of ordinary calibres can be converted at
will into small-bore or pea guns or rifles. This is effected by inserting
at the breech end a small-bore tube turned to fit inside the chamber
and barrel. The same striking arrangement may be employed to ignite
the cartridges used in such small-bore tubes, and for the ordinary
large cartridges for which the gun has been originally made; and
the extraction of the small-bore cartridge is effected by replacing the
ordinary extractor by another suitable to the smaller bore.

page_text: The several arrangements herein-before mentioned are equally appli-
cable to double-barrelled and single-barrelled fire-arms.
Another part of my said Invention relates to the manufacture of such
steel or iron gun barrels as are drilled from solid bars, or punched and
rolled, or welded and drawn, and consists in heating and twisting the 5
barrel on its own axis, before it is finally bored, until the grain of the
metal is thrown spirally round the bore to any desired angle.
My said Invention also relates to an improvement applicable to the
construction of cartridges for breech-loading fire-arms, and has for its
object the diminution or prevention of fouling in the barrel of the fire- 1
arm. To effect this object I form the inner surface of the cartridge
case with raised ridges thereon, the same being placed either at right
angles or obliquely to the line of bore; or contractions are so placed
that during the passage of the ignited gases from the cartridge into
the barrel the harder and more adhesive portions are caught by and 1
deposited on these ridges or contractions. The same object may also
be effected by attaching one or more metal rings or coils to the inner
surface of the cartridge case, or so placing the same therein as not to
be forced out by the discharge.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in
conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim
as constituting the Invention secured to me by the said herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent arc,–
-
First. The combination and arrangement of parts and mechanism for
the purpose of raising and depressing the barrels of breech-loading fire-
arms, and holding the same in position as herein-before set forth and
described, or any mere modifications thereof.
Secondly. The method of securing the extractor of breech-loading
fire-arms as herein-before set forth and described, or any mere modifica-
tions thereof.
Thirdly. The method of converting large-bore fire-arms into small-
bore fire-arms as herein-before set forth and described, or any merc
modifications thereof.
Fourthly. The manufacture of gun barrels substantially in the manner
as herein-before set forth and described.

page_text: And lastly. The construction of cartridges for breech-loading fire-
arms in the manner herein-before set forth and described, or any mere
modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, 1, the said John Rigby, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Twenty-fifth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.