IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH- LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Barnes, of Bermondsey Street, in the County
of Surrey, Gunmaker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 18th April 1878, and dated the 22nd February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Barnes at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd February 1878.
EDWARD BARNES, of Bermondsey Street, in the County of Surrey, Gunmaker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the mechanism of the breech action of
breech-loading rifles and other fire-arms. For this purpose according to my im-
provements the breech block (for closing the cartridge chamber after a cartridge
has been inserted in the barrel) is mounted upon an axis parallel with the barrel,
such axis being arranged to move to and fro in bearings, forming part of the
breech piece.
The axis and breech block are moved to and fro by means of a fixed pin which
enters a spiral groove or cam surface formed on the said axis, so that on opening
the breech the axis and breech block are caused to move backwards, and in doing
so a shoulder upon the axis acts upon the boss of a cranked arm which slides freely
upon the breech block axis.
This sliding arm in its backward movement sets the hammer at full cock and
extracts the exploded cartridge case in the following manner :-A projection upon
the cranked arm in moving backwards acts against a step or projection upon the
hammer and forces it back until the short arm of the trigger enters a notch on the
under side of the cock to retain the hammer at full cock.
The cock and hammer are actuated by a mainspring at the back in the ordinary
manner, the trigger being also maintained in position by a spring.
A moveable stop is arranged in combination with the trigger to prevent it from
being pulled accidentally,

page_text: A notch or projection in the sliding arm in moving backwards engages with a
step or projection on the back end of a rod which carries the extractor.
The extractor rod slides to and fro in a bearing on the under side of the breech
piece, and the end which acts to withdraw the empty cartridge passes up through a
slot in the breech piece behind the shoulder of the cartridge. When the sliding
arm has moved the extractor far enough to withdraw the empty cartridge the rod
is released by an incline thereon coming against a fixed stop, the rod and extractor
being moved back by a spiral spring upon the rod.
The needle for exploding the cartridge is carried by the breech block, and is
in a central position and in a direct line with the cartridge, so that it cannot be
struck by the hammer until the breech is fully closed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Barnes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd August
1878.
EDWARD BARNES, of Bermondsey Street, in the County of Surrey, Gunmaker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the mechanism of the breech action of
breech-loading rifles and other fire-arms.
And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into practice I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a breech-loading gun arranged and constructed in
accordance with my Invention; the breech being open, the hammer pressed back by
a small roller carried by a crank arm, the extractor catch has not yet come against
the projection, but so soon as it does the extractor will move into its proper position
and the piece will be ready for loading.
Figure 2 shows another side view, the breech being closed and ready for
firing.
Figure 3 shows another side view, the piece having been fired.
Figure 4 shows a transverse section of the breech and breech block.
Figure 5 shows separate views of crank arın for pressing back hammer and
actuating extractor.
Figure 6 shows a plan of the breech and breech block.
And Figure 7 shows a separate view of the extractor.
The breech block a for closing the cartridge chamber (after a cartridge has been
inserted in the barrel) is mounted and fixed upon an axis a parallel with the
barrel, such axis a¹ being arranged to move to and fro in bearings 6' forming part
of the breech piece b.
The axis a and breech block a are moved to and fro by means of a fixed pin b⁹
which enters a spiral groove or can surface formed on the axis a¹, so that on
opening the breech the axis a' and breech block a are caused to move backwards,
and in doing so the block and a shoulder upon the axis a' acts upon the boss of the

page_text: cranked arm c which is mounted upon and moves backwards with the breech block
axis a¹.
The arm c moves to and fro with the axis a', but does not revolve with it, being
held in position by a garter screw c* entering a circular groove cut on the axis a' to
carry the arm c back when the breech block is closed.
This sliding arm c in its backward movement sets the hammer d at full cock and
extracts the exploded cartridge case in the following manner:-An arm or pro-
jection el carrying a friction roller, forming part of the cranked arm c, in moving
backwards acts against the body of the hammer d and forces it back until the short
arm or sear e¹ of the trigger e enters a notch on the under side of the cock or
hammer to retain the hammer at full cock.
The cock or hammer d is actuated by a mainspring ƒ at the back in the ordinary
manner, the trigger being also maintained in position by a spring e*.
A movable stop is arranged in combination with the trigger to prevent it from
being pulled accidentally, as will be readily understood by any competent gun
maker.
A notch or projection c² in the sliding arm c in moving backwards engages with
a spep or projection g* on the back end of the rod g which carries the extractor g¹.
The extractor rod g slides to and fro in a bearing g² on the under side of the breech
piece, and the end which acts to withdraw the empty cartridge case passes up
through a slot in the breech piece behind the shoulder of the cartridge. When the
sliding arm c¹ has moved the extractor far enough to withdraw the empty cartridge
case the end of the rod g is released by an incline thereon coming against a fixed
stop formed on the trigger plate, the rod and extractor being moved back by a
spiral spring upon the rod g.
The needle for exploding the cartridge is carried by a sliding bolt mounted in the
breech block, and is in a central position and in a direct line with the cartridge,
and it cannot be struck by the hammer to explode the cartridge until the breech
block is fully closed down in its seat.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming or carrying the same into practice, I would remark that I do not intend to
confine myself to the exact details herein-before described, neither do I claim any
of the mechanical parts separately which are well known and in common use; but
what I claim is,-
First. The improved arrangement and combination of mechanical parts whereby
the breech block a and axis a¹ are caused to actuate the arm c, to set the hammer
at full cock and extract the empty cartridge case, substantially in the manner herein-
before described, and represented in the Drawings annexed.
Secondly. I claim the improved arrangement of mechanism for actuating and
releasing the extractor by means of the sliding arm c¹ engaging with the catch g*
on the extractor rod g, which is released at the proper time by a fixed stop or
incline, substantially in the manner herein-before described, and represented in the
Drawings annexed.
Thirdly. I claim the improved arrangement and combination of breech-loading
mechanism arranged to act substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described, and represented in the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Barnes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
EDWARD BARNES. (L.S.)