IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SMOOTH-BORE CARTRIDGE SHOT REVOLVERS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Willian Phillips Thompson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th February 1879. A communication
from abroad from William Castles Dodge, of Washington, in the District of
Columbia, United States.
"
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Firm of W. P. Thompson and Co., Patent
Agents and Consulting Engineers, of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO SMOOTH-BORE CARTRIDGE SHOT REVOLVERS." A communication
from abroad from William Castles Dodge, of Washington, in the District of Columbia,
United States.
My Invention relates to that class of fire arms designated as revolvers, and the
Invention consists of a revolving cylinder having its chambers extending entirely
through it from end to end, in combination with a smooth bore single barrel in front
whereby an arm is produced specially adapted to shooting shot instead of the
bullets ordinarily used in this class of arms as hereinafter more fully set forth.
The object of this Invention is to produce an arm specially adapted for the defence
of houses, et cetera, against burglars, robbers, and the like, and where it is often
necessary to use an arm in the dark when it is impossible to take accurate aim, and
also for military use.
In constructing an arm on my plan I make the frame in the usual manner or of
any desired pattern or style, I then provide a cylinder which has its chambers bored
entirely through from end to end, so that it may be loaded from the rear by the
insertion of flanged metallic cartridges, as is also usual with ordinary revolvers at
the present day. This cylinder is mounted in the frame, which latter is provided-
with a lock and mechanism for rotating the cylinder and a stop for holding it in
position when fired, the same as in ordinary revolvers, though I prefer to use what
is known as a self cocking lock, that is, one in which the hammer may be both
cocked and released by simply pulling the trigger, of which there are various kinds
known to the trade, and which therefore need not be specially described. I then
provide a single barrel which is secured to the frame in front of the cylinder in the
usual manner; but this barrel instead of being rifled or grooved, as has heretofore
been the practice, I make with a smooth bore. The object of using this style of
barrel is to enable the shot to pass readily through it without jamming or wedging

page_text: in the grooves or against the edge of the lands as they would if the barrel was
rifled. In order to enable the arm to be used with convenience and be loaded with
ease and rapidity I propose to use metallic cartridge shells and charge the same
with powder and buck-shot, the powder being first put in, then a wad, then the
buck-shot, and finally another wad to hold the-shot in.
To produce the best results the chambers of the cylinder should be of such a size
as to receive a cartridge that will chamber the shot in such manner that a layer of
shot will fit the barrel with their centres all in the same transverse plane without
unnecessary waste room, so that they will not jam or wedge in the chamber or in
the barrel and will thus pass through the barrel with less friction and without being
crushed out of form or shape. By this means the shot will be thrown with more force
and accuracy.
In a short arm like a revolver it is necessary that the force of the powder shall
be exerted upon the shot throughout the entire length of the barrel, in order to pro-
ject the shot with the required force; and to do this the chambers of the cylinder
should be bored enough larger than the bore of the barrel to enable a cartridge shell
to be used of such a size that its interior diameter shall be equal to the diameter
of the bore of the barrel, so that the shot and wad shall have a continuous passage
of uniform diameter and thus prevent the escape of gas past the edge of the wad
which is behind the shot, as any gas escaping past the wad would of course be lost
and would not aid to propel the shot. In case thin shells are used and the wads
contracted somewhat, as they naturally would be in forcing them into the shells,
then it may suffice to have the chambers of the cylinder and the bore of the barrel
of uniform diameter, because in that case the wads as they are forced from the shell
will expand and fill the bore of the barrel and thus operate to prevent the escape
of the gas past them; but I profer that the chambers shall be slightly larger in
diameter than the bore of the barrel, for the reason stated. It will of course be
understood that the muzzle of the barrel may be slightly expanded or contracted in
order to regulate the scattering of the shot, the same as in ordinary shot guns. The
advantages of such an arm for the purposes named are apparent. It frequently
happens that when one is attacked by burglars or robbers several shots are fired
from the ordinary revolver without effect, owing to the darkness or to the un-
With an arm like
steadiness of the aim on account of the excitement or fright.
this carrying six or niue buck-shot it will be almost impossible for the assailant to
escape without injury, for even if it be in the dark, or there be no chance to take
aim, the numerous and scattering shot will some of them be pretty sure to hit the
object if the arm be merely pointed in the right direction and fired.
While I have described it as adapted to use buck-shot it is obvious that it may
be made to use shot of other sizes equally well and thus the arm may be reduced in
size. By using the coarser sizes of bird shot a larger number of shot may be used
and a larger space thus covered by them.
Another advantage of such an arm is that while it is less likely to produce death,
it is far more likely to produce wounds and thus lead to the detection and conse-
quent legal punishment of the guilty parties. As a means of defence against vicious
animals, and for express messengers and watchmen, it will be far more efficient than
the ordinary revolver.
It is also obvious that shot guns may be constructed on the same plan for sporting
purposes or for defencive use.