IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE- ARMS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Giovanni Pace, of the City of Valetta, in the Island of
Malta, for an Invention of * IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Giovanni Pace at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1880.
GIOVANNI PACE, of the City of Valetta, in the Island of Malta.
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention relates to certain improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, with
the object of simplifying the method of working such fire-arms and rendering them
more handy than as at present constructed, by constructing them with a longi-
tudinally actuated action in lieu of the laterally or vertically actuated action with
which such fire-arins have been hitherto constructed, and which allows of a con-
tinuous firing in one position without the necessity of constantly changing the
position there is according to the present methods of construction.
In carrying this Invention into effect, according to the modification I will firstly
describe, I make the whole action, minus one or two parts hereinafter enumerated,
movable longitudinally within the stock, and I construct and operate it as
follows:-
A recessed or bifurcated bar or rod, supported at its front end by a guide rod,
is at its forward end provided with a handle by which it. can be reciprocated as
rapidly as desired, and is also provided with forward and rearward cam-projections
or actuating parts and with rearward slots, the projections being intended to effect
the raising or unlocking of the breech-closing details (the lowering or locking
thereof being effected by the means hereinafter described), and the slots to allow of
this being effected before causing the longitudinal movements of the action.
The slots engage with side projections of a carrier, by which the details of the
action are supported and with the reciprocating movements of which they
partake.
The striker, or needle, and extractor details are carried by a forward or upper
extension of the carrier, which also acts as a pusher or rammer to thrust the
cartridges as they are placed in position singly by hand, or as they successively
drop from a case or magazine fitted to the fire-arm, in a convenient position into
the barrel, and the hammer and its actuating parts (minus the trigger) are carried
by a rearward or lower extension of the carrier.
The striker or needle works between the extractor-fingers (for a central fire
cartridge) and is directly impelled by the hammer,

page_text: The extractor fingers are pivotted to the carrier and grip the rearmost rim of the
cartridge, and are so shaped as to be opened and closed at the proper times by a
rack between projections of which they lie, a downward projecting part of the
rack engaging with the recessed bar or rod and receiving its movements directly
therefrom.
The hammer, according to this modification, is not directly actuated by the
trigger, the latter having a fixed position as regards the stock, but it is actuated
through the intervention of a chain of a sufficient length to allow of the recipro-
cations of the carrier, and which is connected to a lever pivotted to the carrier
and by which the hammer is actuated, the lever having other functions which will
be hereinafter described.
A forward toe of the lever engages with a spring affixed to the carrier, the
spring having a constant tendency to, keep the lever in such position that a
rearward toe thereof is at all times ready to engage with a spring catch of the
hammer, so as to thrust the latter back until it escapes from its influence, when a
rearward spring to which it is linked impels it with great energy against the rear
end of the striker or needle, and so causes the explosion of the cartridge. The link
is engaged by another spring catch carried by the carrier, and which in its rear-
most position is actuated by a projection of the top plate of the stock, so as to
withdraw the hammer a little to allow of the striker again getting into position,
being actuated by its spring.
The operation of the mechanism comprised in this modification is as follows:-
Suppose the carrier to be in its rearmost position, a cartridge drops from the
case into position between the said pusher or rammer and the breech end of the
barrel, the handle and recessed bar or rod is, then thrust out, and its forward cam
projection engages with a depending part of an upper breech spring closing piece,
and so releases the carrier from the detaining action of a stop carried thereby.
The slots in the said bar then catch the carrier and draw it and all it carries until
the rearward projection of the bar gets in advance of the depending part of the
breech spring closing piece, when the latter is released and falls so as to prevent
any return of the carrier, the cartridge having been thrust by the latter into firing
position within the barrel. The trigger is then pulled, and by means of its chain
and lever the hammer is cocked and released, and is then impelled against the
striker by means of its spring and the cartridge is thus exploded; the pulling of
the trigger also by means of its chain and lever secures the breech closing piece,
as the lever engages with a bifurcated lever engaging with the depending part of
the breech closing piece, drawing it down firmly in position. The handle is then
pulled back, when the slots of the said rod or bar allow of its rearmost cam pro-
jection again reversing the spring breech closing piece, and of its connection with
the rack, closing the extractor-fingers about the cartridge case before they draw
the carrier and all it carries rearward into its former position, the cartridge case
then falling out of position.
In a second modification the hammer and its attachments are carried by and
have a fixed position in relation to the stock, and the hammer is directly acted
upon by the trigger and is cocked by the said longitudinal bar or rod, and the
piece which receives the cartridge from the case or magazine, and which is made
to close the breech end of the barrels, has a lateral motion, its actuating rod or bar
having a longitudinal motion imparted by hand, as in the previous modification.
This rod or bar in this case is so shaped and jointed. to a piece which is linked to
the breech closing piece as to cause the latter to partake of lateral motion as it
reciprocates longitudinally. The rod or bar also works in connection with a pusher
or rammer and with an extractor, the former of which when the handle is thrust
forward pushes the cartridge from off its receiver into the barrel, and the latter of
which when the handle is drawn back removes the cartridge case from the barrel,
the rod or bar in this movement also cocking the hammers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Giovanni Pace in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
November 1880.
GIOVANNI PACE, of the City of Valetta, in the Island of Malta.
IN BREECH LOADING FIREARMS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention relates to certain improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, with
the object of simplifying the method of working such fire arms and rendering
them more handy than as at present constructed, by constructing them with a
longitudinally actuated action (in lieu of the laterally or vertically actuated action
with which such fire arms have been hitherto constructed), and which allows of
a continuous firing in one position without the necessity of constantly changing
the position there is according to the present methods of construction.
In carrying this Invention into effect according to the modification I will firstly
describe, and which is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings in
longitudinal section in Figures 1 and 2, and in detail in Figures 3 to 5, I make the
whole "action," minus the parts 1, 2, 3, 11, hereinafter more particularly referred
to, movable longitudinally within the stock, and I construct and operate it as
follows:
A recessed or bifurcated or double slide bar or rod 4, supported at its front end
by a guide rod 5, is at its forward end provided with a handle 6, by which it can
be reciprocated as rapidly as desired between the limits of the lugs 7 by which
the guide rod 5 is supported. The slide bar 4 is also provided with forward and
rearward cam projections or actuating parts 8, 9, and with rearward opposite
slots 10, the projections 8, 9, being intended to effect the raising or unlocking of
the breech closing spring plate 11 by means of projecting studs 12 on its depending
arms 1 (the lowering or locking thereof being effected by the means hereinafter
described), and the slots 10 to allow of this being effected before causing the
longitudinal movements of the action.
The slots 10 engage with side projections 13 of a carrier 14, by which the details
of the action are supported and with the reciprocating movements of which they
partake.
The striker or needle 15 and the extractor details 16, 17, are carried by a
forward or upper extension of the carrier, which also acts as a pusher or rammer
to thrust the cartridges as they are placed in position singly by hand, or as they
successively drop from a case or magazine 18 (fitted to the fire-arm in a convenient
position, as shewn in the transverse section, Figure 5) into the barrel 19, and the
hammer 20 and its actuating parts 21, 22, 23, 24, (minus the trigger 3) are carried
by a rearward or lower extension of the carrier.
The striker or needle 15 works between the extractor fingers 16, see Figure 4, for
a central-fire cartridge, and is directly impelled by the hammer 20, as will be clearly
seen on reference being had to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
The extractor fingers 16 are pivoted with capability of lateral motion at x to
the carrier 14 to grip the rearmost rim of the cartridge, and are so shaped, as seen
best in the sectional views, Figures 4 and 5, as to be opened and closed at the proper
times by a rack 17 between projections of which they lie, a downward projecting
part a of the rack engaging with a cross piece 25 of the slide bar 4, and receiving
its movements directly therefrom.
The bammer 20 according to this modification is not directly actuated by the
trigger 3, the latter having a fixed position as regards the stock 26, but it is
actuated through the intervention of a chain 27 of a sufficient length to allow of
the reciprocations of the carrier 14, and which is connected to a lever 21 pivoted
at y to the carrier, and by which the hammer is actuated, the lever having other
functions which will be hereinafter described.

page_text: A forward toe b of the lever 21 engages with a spring 28 affixed to the carrier,
the spring having a constant tendency to keep the lever 21 in the position shown
in Figures 1 and 2, so that a rearward toe c thereof is ready to engage with a spring
catch 22 of the hammer, so as to thrust the latter back, as shown in Figures 3, until
it escapes from its influence, when a rearward spring 23 to which it is linked at d
impels it with great energy against the rear end of the striker or needle 15, and so
causes the explosion of the cartridge. The link & is engaged by another spring
catch 24 carried by the carrier, and which in the rearinost position of the slide
bar 4, see Figure 2, is actuated by a projection 29 of the top plate 30 of the stock,
so as to engage with a catch on the spring 23, and release the hammer from
its action, allowing it to fall back a little, as shown in this Figure, to allow of the
striker 15 again getting into firing position, being actuated by its spring 31.
The operation of the mechanism comprised in this modification is as follows:-
Suppose the carrier and all parts of the "action" carried thereby to be in their
rearmost position, Figure 2, a cartridge drops from the case 18, Figure 15, into position
between the said pusher or rammer and the breech end of the barrel, the handle 6
and slide bar 4 are then thrust out, and the forward cam projections 8 engage with
the pins 12 of the depending parts 1 of the breech spring closing piece 11, and so
release the carrier from the detaining action of a stop 32 carried thereby. The
slots 10 in the bar 4, which allow of this independent motion and action, then
catch the projections 13 of the carrier and draw it and all it carries until the
rearward projections 9 of the bar get inad vance of the depending parts 1 of the
breech spring closing piece 11, see Figures 1 and 3, when the latter is released and
falls behind the carrier, so as to prevent the return thereof, the cartridge having
been thrust by the carrier into firing position within the barrel. The trigger 3 is
then pulled, and by means of its chain 27 and lever 21 the hammer 20 is cocked
and the spring 23 is released from the action of the detent 24, the spring of which
thus causes it to fly back to the position shewn in Figure 1, and as the toe c of the
lever 21 releases the hammer it is impelled against the striker 15 by means of the
spring 23, and the cartridge is thus exploded; the pulling of the trigger also by
means of its chain 27 and lever 21 secures the breech closing piece from rising, as
an extension e of the lever 21 engages with a bifurcated lever 2 (pivoted to the
side plates at f) engaging with inner projecting lugs of the depending parts 1 of
the breech closing piece 11, drawing it down firmly in position, as shown in Figure 3.
The handle 6 is then pulled back, when the slots 10 of the bar 4 allow of the
rearmost cam projections 9 again raising the spring breech closing piece 11 and of
its connections 25, a, with the rack 17, closing the extractor fingers 16 about the
cartridge case, before they draw the carrier and all it carries rearward into its
former position, Figure 2, the cartridge case then falling out of the open bottom of
the fire-arm between the end of the rammer and its seating 33, which is provided
with a spring 34 to prevent the cartridges slipping when firing at a considerable
elevation. In the rearmost position of the detent 24 it leans against a rest i in a
slotted bar 30 connecting the forward and rearward parts of the carrier, which to
ensure accuracy in its movements is provided with side extensions at j, which
engage in slots k in the side plates 37 and with an extension at which slides on
a guide rod 38 which is supported in the manner shown.
In a second modification, which is illustrated in longitudinal section in Figures 6
and 7, and in cross section in Figures 8 and 9, the hammer 20 and its actuating
mechanism 3, 22, 23, and 24, are carried by and have a fixed position in relation
to the stock 26, and the hammer is directly acted upon by the trigger, and the
piece 14 which receives the cartridge from the case or magazine 18, and which is
made to close the breech end of the barrel 19, has a lateral motion, its actuating
rod or bar 4 having a longitudinal motion imparted by hand, as in the previous
modification. The rod or bar in this case is so shaped at S, and jointed by a
turning or swivelling piece m to a piece 39 which is provided with teeth, as shown
in Figures 8 and 9, and gears with a toothed quadrant 40 forming part of or secured
to the breech closing piece 14*, as to cause the latter to partake of lateral motion

page_text: as the bar reciprocates longitudinally. The bar 4 is slotted at 10, and works in
connection with a combined pusher or rammer and extractor 16, which, when the
handle is thrust forward, pushes the cartridge from off its receiver 33 into the
barrel, and when the handle is drawn back removes the cartridge case from the
barrel.
The combined pusher and extractor 16 is acted upon so as to engage with the
rim of the cartridge by a spring 17*, which is secured to it and has a longitudinal
movement between the lever 4 and the surrounding case 42 imparted to it
by means of the slide bar 4, but the slots 10 in the latter allow of the receiver 33
when a cartridge has fallen into it from the case 18, as shown in Figure 9, being
turned by the means hereinbefore indicated to opposite the barrel (a position not
illustrated on the Drawings) by the longitudinal movement of the bar 4 from the
position shown in Figure 7 to another position not shown on the annexed Drawings,
but more advanced than the one shown in Figure 7 by the length of the slots
10, and lower (corresponding to that illustrated in Figure 6) by the vertical depth of
the slots, before the rammer is carried by means of the pins 35 along with the bar
in its further progression and caused to push the cartridge into the barrel,
immediately after which in its further progression the part 9 of the bar 4
causes (by the same means as caused the first movement of the receiver to opposite
the barrel) a further movement thereof, so as to bring the breech closing piece
14* with its contained needle 15 to opposite the cartridge within the barrel, and
in line with it and the hammer, when all is in position ready for firing. The slots
10 also allow (in the backward movement of the bar 4 from the position indicated
in Figure 6 to another position not shown on the Drawings, but more in rear than
the one shown in Figure 6 by the length of the slots 10 and higher (corresponding
to that illustrated in Figure 7) by the vertical depth of the slots) of the receiver 33
and breech closing piece 14* being turned from the position illustrated in Figure 8
to that shown in Figure 9 at one movement by the part 9 of the bar 4, and by the
means hereinbefore described, before the slide 4* carrying, or to which the extractor
is affixed, is acted upon by the bar 4 in its further retrogression, catching the pins
35 and causing the cartridge case to be withdrawn from the barrel and to fall
out of the case 43 through an opening 44 left for the purpose.
When the cartridge
is in firing position the haminer 20 is actuated by the means 3, 22, 23, 24,
which act equivalently and have equivalent functions to the corresponding parts
described with reference to the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
spring piece 24 by bearing upon the toe n of the hammer after firing relieves it
from the full action of the spring 23. The hammer. 20 can be cocked by pulling it
back, when its toe o engages with the toe c of the trigger until it slips past
and rests upon it and is supported thereby; the spring piece 24 then being raised
clear of the toe n by the altered position of the trigger with which its prolonged
end then engages, so that upon the trigger being pulled and the hammer thereby
released the spring 23 can exert its full influence thereupon. A forward arm P of
the trigger engages with an extension 1 of the barrel closing piece, and at the time
of firing depresses it, and affords an additional security against any movement
of the breech closing piece at the time of the firing or upon the discharge of the
cartridge. The trigger is kept to its position by a spring 54, and the detent 22 is
pressed out by a spring 55.
The
The bar 4 in this modification works in connection with a sliding piece 45,
which is pivoted at to the bar 4*, and is provided with projections 46
and 47, the former of which engages with the front cam projection 8 of the bar 4
immediately after the first closing movement of the breech closing piece in
the forward movement of the bar 4 to the extent of the length of its slots, as
hereinbefore described, and then releases the piece 45 from the detaining action of
a catch 48 with which a spring 9 carried by the case 42 caused it to engage; and
thus when the slots 10 in the further progression of the bar 4 catch the pins 35
of the bar 4* and carry it along, the piece 45 also partakes of its motion until the
cartridge is thrust by the rammer within the barrel, when the piece 45 reaches

page_text: the position indicated in Figure 6, and is caused to engage with a catch slot
50 by means of a spring 51 carried by the case 42, the bars 4, 4×, continuing
further motion or progression until the breech closing piece is in position for firing
(see Figure 8), when they also reach the position indicated in Figure 6. In the first
part of the retrogression of the bars 4, and until the breech closing piece assumes
the position indicated in Figure 9, the piece 45 does not partake of any rearward
motion, but in the further retrogression of the bar 4, a rear extension 52 of the
bar 4 catches the fore projection 47 of the piece 45 and raises it from its detaining
slot 50, and it then partakes of the movement of the bars 4, 4*, which then move
together during the time the cartridge case is being withdrawn, when it is again
locked by the catch 48, and all the parts assume the position shown in Figure 7.
The movements of the sliding piece 45 are partly controlled by a catch piece 53
carried by the bar 4*, and which at the proper time engages with the slot ?
formed between the parts of the sliding piece 45 and a spring catch 56, which is
acted upon by a spring 57 and so causes its backward and forward movements,
the catch 53 being free from the catch slot upon the sliding piece 45 reaching
the position indicated in Figure 6, so that the bar 4* can continue its further
progression as herein before described.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention,-
First. The construction of breech-loading fire arms in such a manner, substantially
as herein before described and as illustrated on the accompanying Drawings, as
that the whole "action," minus one or two parts, as hereinbefore specified, is
movable longitudinally within the stock or breech end of the gun, the whole of
such mechanism being actuated by an outside handle, and especially I claim the
particular combination of parts, as herein before described and as illustrated in
Figures 1 to 5 of the annexed Drawings, or any modification thereof acting in any
similar way.
Second. The construction of breech loading fire arms in such a manner, substantially.
as herein before described and as illustrated on the accompanying Drawings, as that
part of the action has a lateral motion imparted to it from the parts which receive
longitudinal motion, as described with reference to the preceding claim, and
especially I claim the particular combination of parts, as herein before described and
as illustrated in Figures 6 to 9 of the annexed Drawings, or any modification thereof
acting in any similar way.
In witness whereof, I, the said Giovanni Pace, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
GIOVANNI PACE. (L.S.)