IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Harris John Holland, of Bond Street, in the County
of Middlesex, Gun Manufacturer, and Walter Payton, of Johnson Place,
Harrow Road, in the said County, Watch and Clock Maker, for the
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Harris John Holland
and Walter Payton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 31st July 1861.
We, HARRIS JOHN HOLLAND, of Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Gun Manufacturer, and WALTER PAYTON, of Johnson Place, Harrow Road,
in the said County, Watch and Clock Maker, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrangements
of breech-loading fire-arms. According to one mode of carrying out this
Invention we propose to form an external screw thread on the breech end of
the barrel, and to apply a collar thereto, provided with a suitable lever handle
to facilitate the turning thereof. This collar is slotted on one side, such slot
corresponding to a similar slot in the breech end of the barrel when the lever
is raised to open the breech. A suitable piston or plunger fits at one end into
the breech chamber, and is provided with an ear or projection on one side,
which is withdrawn from or inserted through the coinciding slots above
referred to; the stem of the plunger lying in a semicircularly grooved or
channelled piece fitted in the stock, and in a line with the barrel, the front part

page_text: of such piece of metal being made to overlap slightly the screwed collar above
referred to, so as to keep the barrel in its place. In charging the gun the
collar is turned partly round so as to bring its slot in coincidence with the one
in the breech, when the plunger is free to be withdrawn, leaving an opening
in the upper side of the channel for the introduction of the cartridge, which is
now forced into the chamber in the breech by the front end of the plunger.
The plunger is locked in its place immediately behind the cartridge by turning
down the lever again so as to restore the collar to its original position. When
the breech is open the lever will always be in such a position as to prevent the
hammer from falling upon the nipple. In lieu of the collar, and grooved or
channelled-piece in the stock, being separate and distinct, we propose in some
cases to combine a tube with the collar, the two being made in one piece, and
the tube being slotted on one side to admit of the insertion of the charge.
When closed this slot in the tube will lie underneath upon a semicircular bed
of metal let into the stock. A plunger, somewhat similar to the one above
described, works inside the tube for the purpose of forcing in the charge and
forming the moveable breech. The rear end of the tube is screwed into a
collar fixed to the stock, which collar is slotted on the top side to coincide with
the slot in the breech end of the barrel. A projecting rib or feather is
formed along the entire length of the piston or plunger, which slides in the
slot of the stationary collar when it is inserted and withdrawn, and fits also
the slot in the tube; when the piston is withdrawn its feather will fit partly
in the slot in the tube and partly in the slot in the fixed collar, consequently the
piece cannot be fired until the piston is pushed into its proper place and
locked safely by turning down the lever. The piston is so made that the hind
part will be free to rotate whilst the front portion remains locked in the barrel.
This form of breech-loader is particularly applicable for converting muzzle-
loading fire-arms to breech-loaders..
According to another arrangement, which is applicable to fire-arms con-
taining one or more barrels, the barrel or barrels are forged with a pro-
jection on the under side, which works in a slot in a metal seat screwed
to the stock. This projection is pivotted to the front end of the seat piece;
the open breech ends of the barrels, when in a position for firing, resting
against a solid back piece forming the rear portion of the seat. A slot or
opening is made in the projection above referred to, situate between the centre
of motion of the barrels and their breech ends, and a lever carried by the seat
works therein, being actuated by an external lever situate close by the side of
the barrel or barrels, and convenient to the band. A notch or slot is made in
the rear end of the projection on the barrels, into which engages, when the

page_text: breech is closed, a corresponding projection on the seat, so that the barrels
may be locked or held firmly in their closed position. In opening the breech
the handle is turned down half a revolution, which has the effect of unlocking
the barrels by thrusting them forward, provision being made at the pivot to
allow for such longitudinal motion, whereupon the weight of the fore part of
the barrels causes their breech ends to rise above the stock in readiness to
receive the cartridges. The breech is then closed again by turning the handle
back, when the small inner lever, by acting upon the bottom of the opening
in the projection, raises the barrel or barrels so as to bring the breech end or
ends down into the seat, and by acting against the rear end of the opening it
forces the barrel or barrels back against the solid back piece and locks them
in that position, when the gun is ready for firing. Suitable provision is made
to admit of the easy removal of the barrels and separation of the various parts
for the purpose of cleaning and packing the same.
The improvements herein-before described are equally applicable to rifled
and smooth-bore fire-arms by using cartridges suited thereto.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Harris John Holland and Walter Peyton in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 31st January 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, HARRIS
JOHN HOLLAND, of Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex,- Gun Manu-
facturer, and WALTER PAYTON, of Johnson Place, Harrow Road, in the said
County, Watch and Clock Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Harris John Holland and Walter Payton, Her special license
that we, the said Harris John Holland and Walter Payton, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Harris John
Holland and Walter Payton, our executors, administrators, or 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," upon the condition (amongst

page_text: others) that we, the said Harris John Holland and Walter Payton, ou
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our hand
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of them, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manne
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Grea
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Harris John Holland and Walter Payton
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:―
Our said Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrange-
ments of breech-loading fire-arms. According to one mode of carrying out
this Invention, we propose to form an external screw thread on the breech
end of the barrel, and to apply a collar thereto provided with a suitable lever
handle to facilitate the turning thereof. This collar is slotted on one side, such slot
corresponding to a similar slot in the breech end of the barrel when the lever
is raised to open the breech. A suitable piston or plunger fits at one end into
the breech chamber, and is provided with a rib or projection on one side,
which is withdrawn from or inserted through the coinciding slots above
referred to; the stem of the plunger lying in a semicircular grooved or chan-
nelled piece fitted in the stock and in a line-with the barrel, the front part of
such piece of metal being made to overlap slightly the screwed collar above
referred to, so as to keep the barrel in its place. In charging the gun the
collar is turned partly round so as to bring its slot in coincidence with the one in
the breech, when the plunger is free to be withdrawn, leaving an opening in the
upper side of the channel for the introduction of the cartridge, which is now
forced into the chamber in the breech by the front end of the plunger. The
plunger is locked in its place immediately behind the cartridge by turning
down the lever again, so as to restore the collar to its original position. When
the breech is open the lever will always be in such a position as to prevent
the hammer from falling upon the nipple. In lieu of the collar and grooved
or channelled piece in the stock being separate and distinct, we propose in
some cases to combine a tube with the collar, the two being made in one
piece, and the tube being slotted on one side to admit of the insertion of the
charge. When closed, this slot in the tube will lie underneath upon a semi-
circular bed of metal let into the stock. A plunger, somewhat similar to the
one above described, works inside the tube for the purpose of forcing in the

page_text: The rear end of the tube is
charge and forming the moveable breech.
nserted into a collar fixed to the stock, which collar is slotted on the top side
to coincide with the slot in the breech end of the barrel. A projecting rib or
feather is fitted to or formed along the entire length of the piston or plunger,.
which slides in the slot of the stationary collar when it is inserted and with-
drawn; when the piston is withdrawn its feather will fit partly in the slot in
the tube and partly in the slot in the fixed collar, consequently the piece
cannot be fired until the piston is pushed into the proper place, and locked
safely by turning down the lever. The piston is so made that the hind part
will be free to rotate, whilst the front portion remains locked in the barrel.
This form of breech-loader is particularly applicable for converting muzzle-
loading fire-arms to breech-loaders.
According to another arrangement, which is applicable to fire-arms con-
taining one or more barrels, the barrel or barrels are forged with a projection
on the under side, which works in a slot in a metal seat screwed to the stock.
This projection is pivotted to the front end of the seat-piece; the open breech
ends of the barrels, when in a position for firing, resting against a solid back
piece forming the rear portion of the seat. A slot or opening is made in the
projection above referred to, situate between the centre of motion of the
the seat works therein,
barrels and their breech ends, and a lever carried
being actuated by an external lever situate close by the side of the barrel or
barrels convenient to the hand. A notch or slot is made in the rear end of
the projection on the barrels, into which engages, when the breech is closed, a
corresponding projection on the seat, so that the barrels may be locked or held
firmly in their closed position. In opening the breech the handle is turned
down half a revolution, which has the effect of unlocking the barrels by
thrusting them forward, provision being made at the pivot to allow for such
longitudinal motion, whereupon the weight of the fore part of the barrels
causes their breech ends to rise above the stock in readiness to receive the
cartridges; the breech is then closed again by turning the handle back, when
the small inner lever or cam, by acting upon the bottom of the opening in
the projection, raises the barrel or barrels, so as to bring the breech end.or
ends down into the seat, and by acting against the rear end of the opening it
forces the barrel or barrels back against the solid back piece, and locks them
in that position, when the gun is ready for firing. Suitable provision is made
to admit of the easy removal of the barrels and separation of the various parts
for the purpose of cleaning and packing the same.
The improvements herein-before described are equally applicable to rifled
and smooth-bore fire-arms by using cartridges suited thereto...

page_text: And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose we
shall refer to the several Figures on the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto
annexed, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts through-
out all the corresponding Figures.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of our Drawings, represents a side elevation of one
arrangement of breech-loading fire-arms, constructed according to our Inven-
tion, the breech-piece being represented closed; Figure 2 is a corresponding
plan of the same; Figure 3 is a similar view, shewing the breech open;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional detail of the breech when open; Figure 5
is a similar view of the same closed; and the rest of the Figures are details
herein-after more particularly referred to.
A is the stock; B, the barrel; and C, the piston or plunger, which closes
the breech. This plunger slides freely in a longitudinal direction along the
interior of the tube D, which is made in one piece with the internally screwed
collar E, as will be seen more clearly in the longitudinal sectional details,
Figures 4 and 5. The collar-or-enlarged end E of the tube screws externally
on to the breech end F (Figure 6) of the barrel, and is provided with a bent
handle G, (shown clearly in Figures 7 and 8,) for the purpose of opening and
closing the breech. When closed this handle fits close against the side of and
partly under the stock of the gun, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 7; but when
the breech is to be opened the handle is turned up into the position indicated
in Figures 3 and 8. The tube D rests within a metal trough or hollow bed H,
(Figures 7 and 8,) let into the upper surface of the stock in the rear of the
barrel, and it is held down upon the bed by being inserted at the rear end into
a ring or collar K fixed into the stock, or formed upon the end of the bed H.
This tube D has a longitudinal slot or opening made along one side, which
opening is of sufficient width to admit of the insertion of a cartridge through
it into the tube, when the latter has been turned round by means of the
handle G, so as to expose the opening above referred to (see Figures 3 and 4).
A longitudinal rib or projection c is fitted or formed upon one side of the
plunger C, and made to fit the longitudinal opening of the tube D (see
Figures 7 and 8). The front end C of the plunger, or that part which enters
the barrel when the breech is closed, is fitted loosely to the hinder part of the
plunger, so as to be capable of turning freely therein; a stem or shank d
formed on the part C entering a corresponding socket made in the plunger,
and being retained therein by a screw pin, the inner of which takes into
an annular groove e formed round the stem d, as shewn in Figure 4. A
similar projection, c is formed upon one side of the loose end piece C', &

page_text: coincides with the rib or projection c when the breech is open; f is a sinall
spring stop pin inserted into the piece C', and projecting slightly therefrom for
the purpose of preventing the plunger being accidentally drawn entirely through
the fixed collar K, the pin striking against the side of the collar and acting as a
stop (see Figures 3 and 4). When it is desired to withdraw the plunger
entirely, this may be done by depressing the stop pin until it can pass under
the collar. An internal slot or groove is made in the top side of the collar K,
to admit of the passage therethrough of the rib or projection c, corresponding
slots g and h being formed respectively in the collar or enlarged end E of the
tube D, and in the screwed breech end of the barrel (see Figures 4, 6, and 8),
to receive the projection c¹ of the loose end piece C. The projections c and c¹
are flush with the surface of the tube D, and are rounded or curved on their
outer surfaces to conform to the general contour of the exterior of the tube,
so that when the plunger is pushed home the tube with the plunger in it may
be turned round in its bed, so as to bring the opening, and rib or projection
which fills it, down upon the interior surface of the bed, as shewn in Figure 7,
which represents the closed position.
In Figure 1 the hammer is represented as down upon the nipple and the
breech closed. In order to charge the gun the hammer is first brought back
to half-cock, so as to be clear of lever or bandle G, and the latter is then
turned over nearly half a revolution, and brought into the position (Figures 3
and 8). This operation has the effect of imparting a corresponding rotation
to the tube D in its bed, its position being changed from that shown in
Figure 7 (with its longitudinal opening down upon the bed) to that illustrated
in Figures 3 and 8 (with the opening upwards); this turning of the tube D
turns also the plunger C inside it, such plunger being carried round with the
tube by reason of the locking of the rib or projection c in the opening of the
tube. The fore part C of the plunger remains stationary during this partial
rotation of the tube and plunger, it being loose upon the end of the plunger,
and locked in its place inside the breech end of the barrel by the projection c¹
fitting the corresponding slot h in the breech. The partial turning of the
collar E has the effect of slightly unscrewing it from the barrel, causing it with
the tube to be moved back longitudinally, and therefore if the back part of the
collar were perfectly perpendicular or at right angles to the axial line of the
bed H, against the front end of which it works, it would be requisite to leave
a slight clearance between the end of the bed and the back of the collar, in
order to allow of such longitudinal motion; but as this would be objectionable
by reason of the liability of dirt getting into the opening so left, we propose to
incline the back of the enlargement or collar E exactly in conformity with the

page_text: pitch of the screw threads, so that it will always be in close contact with the
end of the bed plate in whatever position it may be brought. The slot g
inside the collar E is by the partial rotation above mentioned brought into a
line with the slot h in the end of the barrel, and consequently the plunger C, C',
is free to be drawn back by pulling the knob or handle made for that purpose
at its rear end; and when thus withdrawn the entrance to the tube D is
exposed for the insertion of a cartridge therein. After the cartridge has been
introduced, the plunger C, C¹, is pushed forward and forces the charge into
the breech chamber of the barrel, the end C entering the barrel, as shewn in
Figure 5, and being clear of the slot in the collar E, the latter, with the
tube D, is turned downwards by depressing the handle or lever G, when the
opening in the tube, which is already closed by the rib or projection c, will be
brought down upon the bed plate, and the breech will be thereby effectually
closed, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. When the breech is closed the plunger C
cannot possibly be withdrawn, as the slots in the collar E and tube D do not
coincide with the projection c¹ on the end of the plunger, and hence the plunger
is effectually locked in its place until the tube and collar have been turned
back again.
Figure 1, on Sheet 2 of our Drawings, represents a full-sized side elevation
of a double-barrelled smooth-bore breech-loading gun, constructed according to
another modification, shewing the breech closed; Figure 2 is an external side
elevation of the same, shewing the breech open; Figure 3 is a longitudinal
section of the breech partly open;-and Figure-4-is-a-similar view, shewing-the
breech closed. A represents one of the barrels, and B, B', projections forged
on the under side thereof. These projections work in a slot or opening in the
seat piece C (Figure 2), and the front one B' is pivotted at its front end to
the same by an ordinary pin or pivot Dentering a slot E in the front projection,
as shewn in Figure 2, to admit of the barrels moving longitudinally. F is a
slot or opening made between the two projections, such opening or space being
situate between the pivot D or centre of motion of the barrels and their breech
ends; within this opening F works a cam or lever G in one piece with the
pin H, one edge of which cam is curved at g concentrically with the working
centre or pin H of the cam or lever. I (Figure 1) is an external lever arm
or bandle, secured to one end of the pin II, and serving to turn the same
when opening or closing the breech. The pin H works in the cheeks C, and
in order to facilitate its removal a small block h¹ (shown more clearly in the
detail Figure 5) having dovetailed flanges inserted into a corresponding groove
in the top of one of the cheeks, is used. The pin H passes through this
block h', and the whole is free to be slid out laterally when the holding screws

page_text: a
are withdrawn. K is a projection on the front of the breech piece M, having
a piece of steel L applied thereto, inserted from the rear of the breech piece.
This projection K fits into a notch ¹ (Figures 2 and 3) made in the rear
end of the projection B underneath and between the two barrels, and serves to
lock the barrels in their places when the breech ends are closed. The curved
edge g of the lever or cam G works against a correspondingly inner curved
surface on the projection B, as shewn, and when in that position it maintains
the barrels firmly against the breech piece M (see Figure 4). On turning
the lever or cam G in the direction of the arrow, its edge h acts against the
forward end i of the opening, and pushes the barrels longitudinally from the
breech piece, so as to disengage them from the projections K, L, during which
movement the curved edge g bears upon the bottom k of the opening, and
keeps the breech ends of the barrels down upon the seat piece until their.
disengagement has been entirely effected; this arrangement preventing all play.
or shaking of the barrels, even after the breech has become disengaged. The
continued rotation of the cam or lever G causes its curved edge g to leave the
bottom k of the slot or opening when the weight of the fore part of the barrels.
controlled by the motion of the corner 1 of the cam upon the bottom part k of
the slot or opening F causes them to turn on their pivot D, thereby effectually.
exposing the breech of each barrel, as is clearly shewn by Figure 2, when the
cartridges may be inserted with facility. For the purpose of closing the breech
again it is simply necessary to bring back the cam or lever G to its original
position, in doing which it will first press upon the bottom of the slot or
opening, thereby depressing the breech ends of the barrels down upon their
seat piece (see Figure 3), and will then force them longitudinally towards the
breech piece, so as to lock them under the projections K, L, this latter motion
being obtained by the action of the corner of the cam or lever G against the
straight portion at m of the back end of the slot or opening F, the curved
part g finally entering the corresponding curved part of the projection B, and
firmly holding the barrels in their closed position. Any suitable snap catch
being used to fix the external lever I in the position seen in Figure 1, and
so prevent it accidentally turning down. By simply withdrawing the pin or
bolt N, the fore part 0 of the stock, with the tail P which forms the bottom of
the slot or opening F, may be removed by sliding it forward slightly, so as to
detach the stepped end p of the tail from its notch in the bottom of the
projection B, at the same time detaching the projection a from the notch in
the front part of the projection B', and disengaging that portion of the fore
part which is stepped under the stop piece attached to the barrels, and in
which the pin N slides. The barrels may now be detached from their pin or

page_text: pivot D, the whole of the parts being thus easily accessible for the purposes of
cleaning, oiling, or repairs.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe, in conclusion, that what we consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general constructions and arrangements of breech-loading fire-
arms, as herein-before described.
Second, we claim, in reference to Sheet 1 of our Drawings, the application
and use in breech-loading fire-arms of a slotted tube and collar, screwed
externally on the rear end of the barrel, having a plunger provided with a
longitudinal rib or projection sliding therein, in combination with a slot or
recess formed in the screwed breech end of the barrel, as herein-before
described.
Third, making the front end of the plunger above referred to loose from
the body of the plunger, so as to admit of the plunger being partially rotated
whilst the loose end thereof remains stationary inside the breech of the barrel,
as herein-before described.
Fourth, we claim, in reference to Sheet 2 of our Drawings, the application
and use of a vertical cam or lever situate between the pivot or working centre
of the barrels and their breech ends, in combination with front and rear
projections fitted to or forged upon the barrels, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Harris John Holland, on behalf of myself
and the said Walter Payton, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two.
HARRIS JOHN HOLLAND. (L.S.)
HARRIS JOHN HOLLAND. (L.S.)