IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE- ADMO
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wilson, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ADMO
"
Sealed the 28th January 1868, and dated the 13th November 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th November 1867.
I, THOMAS WILSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS,"
to be as follows:-
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms relate to those kinds of
fire-arms called self-ignition fire-arms, and consist of the several arrangements
or combinations of parts of the said fire-arms herein-after described.
One part of my improvements in the said fire-arms consists in constructing
the closing plug hollow or tubular, and fitting therein a cylindrical piston or
hammer, the said piston or hammer carrying a percussion pin or striker for
A

page_text: exploding the cartridge, and also fitting into the piston or haminer a steel
catch or sear for holding the hammer in its cocked position prior to the
discharge of the gun.
Another part consists in forming at the rear of the closing plug a slank
or spindle, and fitting thereon a rotating locking handle or collar for locking
or fixing the closing plug prior to the discharge of the gun. I form on the
forward end of the locking handle or collar lugs or projections which pass
through openings formed in the end cap or shoe and take into anoular spaces
formed in the said end cap or shoe, and thereby lock or secure the plug in
position during fire. The locking lugs are tapered on one side, so that on
pushing the plug forward to close the breech the locking handle or collar is
partially rotated, and by means of a spring acting in an opposite direction
upon the said collar its lugs are made to interlock with the shoe cap by a
self-acting motion. I form the rear end of the rotating collar into a handle
for unlocking and operating the breech plug. The spring described for
locking the plug or closer is fitted into the hollow or recessed end of the
collar, and has its two ends connected, so that when a partial rotation is given
to the collar the said spring tends to twist it in the opposite direction. The
motion of the rotating collar is regulated by a fixed stud formed on the end
plate fixed to the extreme rear of the plug shank or spindle. I construct
the breech shoe by preference and for convenience of manufacture of two parts,
the shoe proper and the shoe cap, and I attach the cap to the shoe by
screwing.
Another part consists in constructing and jointing to the forward end of the
closing plug a lever catch or extractor hook for withdrawing the case of the
exploded cartridge from the chamber. A recess or opening is made in the
forward end of the plug in which the extractor hook is jointed. A spring is
situated under the tail of the extractor hook, by means of which it is allowed
on closing the breech to pass over the rim of the cartridge case, and is pressed
firmly upon the said rim while withdrawing the said case from the chamber.
Instead of the jointed hook or extractor described the side lever extractors
herein-after described in this Specification may be used, the said extractors
being operated by the top plate or cover attached to the closing plug and
sliding with it upon the upper side of the breech shoe.
Another part eonsists in forming or constructing the interior of the breech
shoe so as to expel the exploded cartridge case therefrom upon its withdrawal
from the chamber. I form the interior of the shoe with a notch or step in its
lower side and near its rear end, so that on withdrawing the cartridge case
its rim strikes against or is caught by the said notch or step and the cartridge

page_text: case tilted or thrown from the breech chamber and the breech cleared for
reloading.
Another part consists in constructing and attaching to the under side of the
breech shoe a spring stop or guide for limiting the motion of the closing
block and hammer, and for guiding them in their motion on closing and dis-
charging the gun. A hook or projection is made at the rear end of the said
spring stop or guide, which hook passes through a slot or opening in the
breech shoe and into a slot in the closing plug, thereby guiding the said plug
and forming a stop or catch for the hammer to rest against, and hold the
said hammer in position for discharging the gun.
Another part of my Invention consists in attaching the trigger for dis-
charging the gun to the under side of the spring stop described with respect
to the last part of my Invention, and constructing the said trigger to act as a
double lever, the rear end projecting through the breech shoe sufficiently to
disengage the sear of the hammer when the trigger is pulled, and the forward
end acting upon the under side of the shoe when pulled in the opposite
direction, and thereby withdrawing the spring stop from the slut in the closing
plug, and allowing the said plug to be freely withdrawn from the breech for
cleaning or for other purpose.
Another part consists in constructing and attaching to the under side of the
breech shoe a safety slide or bolt working in a V groove, formed by preference
on the shoe cap. The forward end of the said slide or bolt when pushed
home takes into a notch or recess in the trigger, and thus prevents the said
trigger from acting until the safety slide is withdrawn. The rear end of the
safety slide is formed with a projection upon its upper side, which on closing
the breech is caught by the locking collar (herein-before described), and
carried forward by the said collar so as to engage with the trigger notch and
prevent the action of the trigger until the slide or bolt is withdrawn by hand;
the accidental discharge of the gun is thus prevented. The rear of the safety
bolt is continued somewhat beyond the locking collar, and is formed into a
thumb plate or handle by which it is operated. When the gun is required to
be fired rapidly the safety bolt is withdrawn to its full extent, and fixed by a
stud below the line of action of the locking collar.
Another part consists in the construction and arrangement of a locking
check bolt by means of which the gun cannot be discharged until the closing
plug is securely locked in its place. I form a tube or box, and embed it
firmly in the stock immediately under the breech shoe; and I fit in the said
tube or box a rod or bolt which is pressed against the shank of the trigger by
a coiled spring; the rear end of this bolt projects upwards and traverses a

page_text: groove in the shoe cap below the periphery of the locking collar; a groove is
formed in the said locking collar at a point opposite the groove in the shoe
cap. When the locking collar is in its secured or locked position, and the
trigger pulled, the check bolt is free to pass the locking collar, but should the
locking collar not have been turned sufficiently to gain its secure position the
check bolt cannot pass, and the trigger is thus prevented from discharging
the gun.
Another part consists in making the rear ends of the plugs or breech closers
tubular and separate from their front ends, and attaching the said parts
together so that the front end shall be capable of a motion of partial rotation
independently of the tubular or rear end, the said motion of the plug serving
to lock the action.
Another part consists in constructing the needle and needle carrier of needle
guns separate from the sliding hammer or block and making it work in the
forward end of the plug, and attaching a coiled spring to the said needle and
carrier for the purpose of withdrawing the needle from the base of the
cartridge after being struck by the hammer. The sliding hammer or block in
this arrangement is fitted with a sear, and is urged forward by a coiled spring
in a manner similar to that described with respect to the first part of my
Invention.
Another part of my Invention consists in making the plugs with an internal
contraction or collar near the front end for facilitating the fixing and action
of the needle and coiled spring.
Another part consists in fitting and arranging the extractors or extractor rods
or bars to work in grooves formed on either side of the shoe, also in attaching
to the end of the said rods or bars a coiled spring for the purpose of effecting
the return motion of the extractor to its position in the shoe or barrel, and
also in connecting and working the extractors or extractor rods or bars by the
sliding action of the breech closer, or by the breech plate or cover attached to
the said breech closer.
Another part consists in fixing and arranging a longitudinal magazine tube
underneath the barrel of the gun described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to me October 24th 1866, No. 2748, and fitting to the rear
of the said tube a cartridge lifter, and operating the said lifter by the motion
of the closing plug in opening and closing the breech.
Another part consists in binging a flap block or closer to the top of the
breech shoe, the said flap block or closer being provided with a tubular or
hollow screw pin or back bolt, working in the rear and axis of the said closer,
and operated by a handle or thumb plate formed thereon for the purpose of

page_text: fixing and securing the said flap block or closer during the discharge of the gun.
The rod or striker for discharging the cartridge is made to work through the
axis of the said pin or bolt, the said rod or striker being driven forward by a
hammer or bolt working in the rear of the gup. I form the extractor or extractors
for withdrawing the cartridge case in this arrangement to work in holes or
grooves in the sides of the chamber, the said extractors being forced out by
the action of a lever or levers on the joint of the hinged block acting upon
them on opening the breech; or I attach a lever or plate to one or both sides
of the chamber, the said levers working upon pins or centres situated below
the axis of the barrel or chamber; the upper ends of the levers are fitted into
the mouth of the chamber, and are acted upon by the joint of the closing block
on opening the breech, and thus withdraw the exploded case. The levers or
plates may be acted upon by springs at their lower ends, by which they will
be forced into the notches or recesses in the mouth of the chamber.
Another part consists in hinging to the upper side of the breech shoe a
solid flap or closing block for opening and closing the breech. I construct a
sliding rod or hammer to work underneath the breech shoe, and actuate the
said rod or hammer by a coiled spring. I form a projecting head on the rear
and upper side of the sliding rod or hammer, which passes through a hole in
the end of the shoe and takes into a corresponding hole in the closing block,
and thereby bolts it down during fire. I form on the under side of the sliding
rod bents or notches, into which a sear takes, which said sear is disengaged by
a trigger on firing the gun. I fit a steel striker in the axis of the closing
block, which is driven by the sliding rod or hammer against the cartridge and
discharges it. In this arrangement I prefer to use for extracting the exploded
cartridge case the side lever extractors described in the previous part of this
Specification, and also to operate the said extractors by projections on the joint
of the closing block acting upon the side levers on opening the breech.
The arrangement of parts described for bolting down and discharging the gun
may be applied to guns in which the closing block opens and closes by a
lateral motion, as well as to those in which the closing block opens by a
vertical motion.
Another part consists in applying a central pin or striker to work in the
axis of the sliding breech piece or closer of the gun, described and represented
in Figures 18 and 19 of the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me
dated September 1st, 1864, No. 2145, and driving the said pin or striker
forward by a bolt or hammer in the rear of the gun.
Another part consists of the following arrangement of the parts of breech-
loading fire-arms and the method of operating the same:-I attach to the rear

page_text: of the barrel a breech shoe open at top for introducing the cartridge. The
rear end of the closing plug is tubular, and is provided with a cylindrical
hammer, and to the forward end of the closing plug a front piece or block is
attached. This front piece or block has projecting ears or sides, which
traverse the opening in the breech shoe. To the rear and sides of the breech
shoe I connect a lever, which lever when shut down covers the breech opening.
The said lever is connected to the breech plug by means of a strap, the
forward end of which is connected to the front piece or block, and the rear
end to the under side of the lever, at about an inch and a half from its centre
of motion. On raising the lever described, the closer is withdrawn from the
mouth of the chamber, and on lowering the said lever it is returned again to
its place and the breech closed. The body of the lever is made of a trough
form, so that when shut down its sides rest upon the edges of the breech
opening, and its rear ends rest against the projecting rear sides of the breech.
The forward ends of the lever when shut down rest against the projecting
sides or ears of the closing piece or block, and thus sustain it in position
during the discharge of the gun.
In this arrangement of my Invention I prefer to attach the extractor hook
to the extreme end of the breech closer in a similar manner to that described
in a former part of this Specification, and the trigger and safety action I also
prefer to construct similarly. Instead of the extractor hook being fitted to
the end of the closer as described, I sometimes attach one or more extractors
to the sides of the breech shoe and operate them by the motion of the closing
plug.
My improvements consist further of the following arrangement and con-
struction of the parts:-On the breech of the barrel a breech tube or shoe is
screwed, an opening being made through the top of the shoe for the
introduction of the cartridge. A sliding plug or closer is fitted into the shoe,
the said plug having a stem or axis at its rear end. The plug has a rib or
shoulder along its upper side, which when the said plug is withdrawn to open
the breech passes along a slot or opening in the top of the breech shoe. On
the stem or axis at the rear of the plug or closer a saddle piece is fitted, which
piece fills up the rear of the breech shoe and slides with the plug. The
breech plug has both a sliding motion and a motion of partial rotation, so that
when the breech is closed the rib on its forward end is turned down by the
partial rotation of the plug and rests against a shoulder in the breech shoe,
and thus sustains the breech plug in position during the discharge of the gun.
The saddle piece is provided with a prolongation at front, which serves to
partially cover the opening in the breech shoe and to attach the extractor

page_text: An
hook to. The said saddle piece has only a sliding motion, the said part being
prevented from rotating with the plug by the groove in the breech shoe.
oblique percussion piston or striker is fitted in the rib or shoulder on the
forward end of the plug, which said striker is driven forward by a hammer of
the usual construction. A thumb plate or handle is situated on the extreme
rear or axis of the breech plug for operating the said plug, and the said
thumb plate is provided with a projection so situated that when the hammer is
raised to full-cock it is pressed down and the breech plug made to take its fixed
The
position position, thereby securely closing the breech before firing the gun.
sliding motion of the breech plug is regulated by a stud pin passing through
the side of the breech shoe and taking into a groove in the said plug. Instead
of attaching the extractor hook to the prolonged front of the saddle piece it
may be jointed to the forward end of the rib, and by means of a spring under
its rear end made to act in a similar manner to the hook described in the first
part of this Specification. Instead of forming the locking rib on the plug or
closer, and partially rotating the said rib or lug for locking the plug or closer,
the locking rib or lug may be formed on the forward end of a tubular piece
working on the stem of the closing plug, the said closing plug being fixed or
locked by partially rotating the tubular piece and rib or lug, the plug in this
arrangement having only a sliding motion in the breech shoe.
arrangement it is preferred to explode the cartridge by a central striker
passing through the axis of the closing plug and driven forward by a sliding
rod or hammer working under the breech shoe, similar to the one described in
a previous part of this Specification, and instead of the jointed spring spring
hook or extractor previously described, the side plate and lever extractors
described in a former part of this Specification may be used, the said extractors
being operated by the closing plug and sliding backwards and forwards with
the said plug.
In this
My improvements consist further of the following construction of the
extracter and joint pin of those kinds of breech-loading fire-arms described in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, dated October 24th, 1866,
No. 2743. The joint pin in this arrangement is formed without a head or
screw, one end of the said pin being of larger diameter than the other end,
thereby forming a shoulder against which the extractor rests when fitted and
in a working position. The joint pin. passes freely through the snugs. or eyes
in which it works, and also through the extractor eye and closing block, thus
embracing and retaining the extractor in its place against the end of the said
block. I fix the rod or joint pin in the closing block by means of a steel set
pin, so that on raising the block the joint pin turns with it and also slides

page_text: longitudinally with it when withdrawing the cartridge case. By this method
of construction the extractor and joint pin are much simpler to fit, and the
closing block works easier and steadier than by the ordinary method of
construction: .
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms consist further in attaching
to the tail or breech pin of guns having side hinged closing blocks a flat
spring catch for retaining the closing block in its place when shut down for
firing the gun. The spring is made by preference with a stud or shank on
its end and at right angles to the spring, which said shank takes into a hole in
the face of the tail pin, the lower flat end of the spring when the block is shut
down bearing upon the end of the said closing block, and thereby retaining it
in its position. This arrangement for holding down the block is cheaper and
more efficient than that in ordinary use.
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms relate further to the breech-
loading gun described and represented in Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19
of the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, dated August 4th, 1866,
No. 2016, and consist of the following improvements in the said gun :-
These improvements consist in forming a projection on the under side of the
breech piece, the said projection traversing a slot in the bottom of the breech
chamber, and in connecting the said projection with a rod and coiled spring
underneath the barrel, by which the return motions of the breech piece and
extractor are effected. A projecting piece may be formed on the under side
of the closing block, which when the block is shut down takes into the rear of
the slot in the breech piece and abuts against the end of the said slot, and
assists in sustaining the block on the discharge of the gun.
My improvements in cartridges for breech-loading fire-arms consist in
making and constructing self-ignition cartridges in the manner herein-after
described. I manufacture the base cap and anvil tube of one piece of copper
or other soft metal by stamping in dies. The copper cap and anvil tube I
prefer to first cast in a mould to nearly the required size and figure and after-
wards stamp it in dies to bring up its edges and give it the exact size and
finish. I attach the head or cap of the powder case of the cartridge by pressure,
or by an internal block of paper or metal expanded laterally against the inner
sides of the cap, or by soft soldering the case to the cap. A sounder and
better cartridge is thus produced than can be produced in the ordinary way.
Another part consists in forming the end or head plates and anvil cups of
metallic cartridges in one piece by press tools, and attaching the said plates to
the powder cases by soft soldering, or by pressure or paper pulp against the
anvil cup.

page_text: Another part consists in forming the anvil cup with a flange sufficiently
broad to form the rim of the cartridge, and attaching the said anvil cup to the
copper powder case by pressure or by soft soldering.
Another part consists in constructing the copper powder case with an outer
flange, and attaching an anvil cup or disc to the said case by closing in the
flange around it or by soft soldering. Instead of an anvil cup for firing
ordinary percussion caps I sometimes construct the end plate or disc with a
hole in it, and insert a small rim cap which can be discharged without an
anvil
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th May 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
WILSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas
Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Thomas Wilson, 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
THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE
AND CONSTRUCTION OF CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Wilson, 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 Thomas Wilson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms relate to those kinds of fire-
arms called self-ignition fire-arms, and consists of the several arrangements or
combinations of parts of the said fire-arms herein-after described.
One part of my improvements in the said fire-arms consists in constructing
the closing plug hollow or tubular, and fitting therein a cylindrical piston or
hammer, the said piston or hammer carrying a percussion pin or striker for
exploding the cartridge, and also fitting into the piston or hammer a steel
catch or sear for holding the hammer in its cocked position prior to the
discharge of the gun.
Another part consists in forming at the rear of the closing plug a shank or
spindle, and fitting thereon a rotating locking handle or collar for locking or
fixing the closing plug prior to the discharge of the gun. I form on the
forward end of the locking handle or collar lugs or projections which pass
through openings formed in the end cap or shoe and take into annular spaces
formed in the said end cap or shoe and thereby lock or secure the plug in
position during fire. The locking lugs are tapered on one side so that on
pushing the plug forward to close the breech the locking handle or collar is
partially rotated, and by means of a spring acting in an opposite direction
upon the said collar its lugs are made to interlock with the shoe cap by a
self-acting motion. I form the rear end of the rotating collar into a handle
for unlocking and operating the breech plug. The spring described for
locking the plug or closer is fitted into the hollow or recessed end of the collar,
and has its two ends connected so that when a partial rotation is given to the
collar the said spring tends to twist it in the opposite direction. The
motion of the rotating collar is regulated by a fixed stud formed on the
end plate fixed to the extreme rear of the plug shank or spindle. I construct
the breech shoe by preference and for convenience of manufacture of two
parts, the shoe proper and the shoe cap, and I attach the cap to the shoe by
screwing.
Another part consists in constructing and jointing to the forward end of the
closing plug a lever catch or extractor hook for withdrawing the case of the
exploded cartridge from the chamber.
A recess or opening is made in the
forward end of the plug in which the extractor hook is jointed. A spring is
situated under the tail of the extractor hook, by means of which it is allowed
on closing the breech to pass over the rim of the cartridge case, and is pressed
firmly upon the said rim while withdrawing the said case from the chamber.
Instead of the jointed hook or extractor described the side lever extractors

page_text: herein-after described in this Specification may be used, the said extractors
being operated by the top plate or cover attached to the closing plug and
sliding with it upon the upper side of the breech shoe.
Another part consists in forming or constructing the interior of the breech
shoe so as to expel the exploded cartridge case therefrom upon its withdrawal
from the chamber. I forn the interior of the shoe with a notch or step in its
lower side, and near its rear end, so that on withdrawing the cartridge case its
rim strikes against or is caught by the said notch or step, and the cartridge case
tilted or thrown from the breech chamber and the breech cleared for reloading.
Another part consists in constructing and attaching to the under side of the
breech shoe a spring stop or guide for limiting the motion of the closing plug
and hammer, and for guiding them in their motion on closing and discharging
the gun. A hook or projection is made at the rear end of the said spring
stop or
guide, which hook passes through a slot or opening in the breech shoe
and into a slot in the closing plug, thereby guiding the said plug and forming
a stop or catch for the hammer to rest against and hold the said hammer in
position for discharging the gun.
Another part of my Invention consists in attaching the trigger for discharging
the gun to the under side of the spring stop described with respect to the last
part of my Invention and constructing the said trigger to act as a double lever, the
rear end projecting through the breech shoe sufficiently to disengage the sear of
the hammer when the trigger is pulled and the forward end acting upon the under
side of the shoe when pulled in the opposite direction, and thereby withdrawing
the spring stop from the slot in the closing plug and allowing the said plug
to be freely withdrawn from the breech for cleaning or for other purpose.
Another part consists in constructing and attaching to the under side of the
breech shoe a safety slide or bolt working in a V groove or guide formed by
The forward end of the said slide or bolt when
preference on the shoe.
pushed home takes into a notch or recess in the trigger or spring stop and thus
prevents the said trigger or spring stop from acting until the safety slide is
withdrawn. The rear end of the safety slide is formed with a projection upon its
upper side which on closing the breech is caught by the locking collar (herein-
before described) and carried forward by the said collar so as to engage with
the trigger notch and prevent the action of the trigger until the slide or bolt is
withdrawn by hand. The accidental discharge of the gun is thus prevented.
The rear of the safety bolt is continued somewhat beyond the locking collar,
and is formed into a thumb plate or handle by which it is operated. When
the gun is required to be fired rapidly the safety bolt is withdrawn to its full
extent and fixed by a stud below the line of action of the locking collar.

page_text: Another part consists in the construction and arrangement of a locking
check bolt by means of which the gun cannot be discharged until the closing
plug is securely locked in its place. I form a tube or box and embed it firmly
in the stock immediately under the breech shoe, and I fit in the said tube or
box a rod or bolt which is pressed against the shank of the trigger by a coiled
spring. The rear end of this bolt projects upwards and traverses a groove
in the shoe cap below the periphery of the locking collar. A groove is formed
in the said locking collar at a point opposite the groove in the shoe cap.
When
the locking collar is in its secured or locked position and the trigger pulled the
check bolt is free to pass the locking collar, but should the locking collar not
have been turned sufficiently to gain its secure position the check bolt cannot
pass, and the trigger is thus prevented from discharging the gun.
Another part consists in making the rear ends of the plugs or breech closers
tubular and separate from their front ends, and attaching the said parts
together so that the front end shall be capable of a motion of partial rotation
independently of the tubular or rear end, the said motion of the plug serving
to lock the action.
Another part consists in hinging to the upper side of the breech shoe a
solid flap or closing block for opening and closing the breech. I construct a
sliding rod or hammer to work underneath the breech shoe and actuate the
said rod or hammer by a coiled spring. I form a projecting head on the rear
and upper side of the sliding rod or hammer which passes through a hole in
the end of the shoe and takes into a corresponding hole in the closing block
and thereby bolts it down during fire. I form on the under side of the sliding
rod bents or notches into which a sear takes, which said sear is disengaged by
a trigger on firing the gun. I fit a steel striker in the axis of the closing
block which is driven by the sliding rod or hammer against the cartridge and
discharges it. In this arrangement I prefer to use for extracting the exploded
cartridge case side lever extractors, also to operate the said extractors by
projections on the joint of the closing block acting upon the side levers on
opening the breech. The arrangement of parts described for bolting down
and discharging the gun may be applied to guns in which the closing block
opens and closes by a lateral motion as well as to those in which the closing
block opens by a vertical motion.
Another part consists of the following arrangement of the parts of breech-
loading fire-arms and the method of operating the same:-I attach to the
rear of the barrel a breech shoe open at top for introducing the cartridge.
The rear end of the closing plug is tubular, and is provided with a cylindrical
hammer, and to the forward end of the closing plug a front piece or block is

page_text: attached. This front piece or block has projecting ears or sides which traverse
the opening in the breech shoe. To the rear and sides of the breech shoe I
connect a lever, which lever when shut down covers the breech opening. The
said lever is connected to the breech plug by means of a strap, the forward
end of which is connected to the front piece or block and the rear end to the
under side of the lever at about an inch and a half from its centre of motion.
On raising the lever described the closer is withdrawn from the mouth of the
chamber, and on lowering the said lever it is returned again to its place and
the breech closed. The body of the lever is made of a trough form so that when
shut down its sides rest upon the edges of the breech opening and its rear ends
rest against the projecting rear sides of the breech. The forward ends of the
lever when shut down rest against the projecting sides or ears of the closing
piece or block and thus sustain it in position during the discharge of the gun.
In this arrangement of my Invention I prefer to attach the extractor hook
to the extreme end of the breech closer in a similar manner to that described
in a former part of this Specification, and the trigger and safety action I
also prefer to construct similarly. Instead of the extractor hook being fitted
to the end of the closer as described I sometimes attach one or more
extractors to the sides of the breech shoe and operate them by the motion of
the closing plug.
My improvements consist further of the following arrangement and
construction of the parts:-On the breech of the barrel a breech tube or shoe
is screwed, an opening being made through the top of the shoe for the introduc-
tion of the cartridge. A sliding plug or closer is fitted into the shoe, the said
plug having a stem or axis at its rear end. The plug has a rib or shoulder
along its upper side which when the said plug is withdrawn to open the breech
passes along a slot or opening in the top of the breech shoe.
On the stem
or axis at the rear of the plug or closer a saddle piece is fitted, which piece
fills up the rear of the breech shoe and slides with the plug. The breech
plug has both a sliding motion and a motion of partial rotation, so that when
the breech is closed the rib on its forward end is turned down by the partial
rotation of the plug and rests against a shoulder in the breech sboe and thus
sustains the breech plug in position during the discharge of the
gun. The
saddle piece is provided with a prolongation at front which serves to partially
cover the opening in the breech shoe and to attach the extractor hook to. The
said saddle piece has only a sliding motion, the said part being prevented from
rotating with the plug by the groove in the breech shoe. An oblique percussion
piston or striker is fitted in the rib or shoulder on the forward end of the plug,
which said striker is driven forward by a hammer of the usual construction.
A

page_text: thumb plate or handle is situated on the extreme rear or axis of the breech
plug for operating the said plug, and the said thumb plate is provided with a
projection so situated that when the hammer is raised to full-cock it is pressed
down and the breech plug made to take its fixed position, thereby securely
closing the breech before firing the gun. The sliding motion of the breech
plug is regulated by a stud pin passing through the side of the breech shoe
and taking into a groove in the said plug. Instead of attaching the extractor
hook to the prolonged front of the saddle piece it may be jointed to the
forward end of the rib, and by means of a spring under its rear end made to
act in a similar manner to the hook described in the first part of this
Specification. Instead of forming the locking rib on the plug or closer and
partially rotating the said rib or lug for locking the plug or closer, the locking
rib or lug may be formed on the forward end of a tubular piece working on
the stem of the closing plug, the said closing plug being fixed or locked by
partially rotating the tubular piece and rib or lug, the plug in this arrangement
having only a sliding motion in the breech shoe. In this arrangement it is
preferred to explode the cartridge by a central striker passing through the
axis of the closing plug and driven forward by a sliding rod or hammer
working under the breech shoe similar to the one described in a previous part
of this Specification, and instead of the jointed spring hook or extractor
previously described, the side plate and lever extractors described in a former
part of this Specification may be used, the said extractors being operated
by the closing plug and sliding backwards and forwards with the said plug.
My improvements consist further of the following construction of the
extractor and joint pin of those kinds of breech-loading fire-arms described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me dated October 24th
1866, No. 2743.
The joint pin in this arrangement is formed without a head or screw, one
end of the said pin being of larger diameter than the other end, thereby
forming a shoulder against which the extractor rests when fitted and in a
working position. The joint pin passes freely through the snugs or eyes in
which it works, and also through the extractor eye and closing block, thus
embracing and retaining the extractor in its place against the end of the said
block. I fix the rod or joint pin in the closing block by means of a steel set
pin so that on raising the block the joint pin turns with it and also slides
longitudinally with it when withdrawing the cartridge case. By this method
of construction the extractor and joint pin are much simpler to fit, and the
closing block works easier and steadier than by the ordinary method of
construction.

page_text: My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms consists further in attaching
to the tail or breech pin of guns having side hinged closing blocks a flat spring
catch for retaining the closing block in its place when shut down for firing
the gun.
The spring is made by preference with a stud or shank on its end.
and at right angles to the spring, which said shank takes into a hole in the
face of the tail pin, the lower flat end of the spring when the block is shut
down bearing upon the end of the said closing block and thereby retaining it
in its position. This arrangement for holding down the block is cheaper and
more efficient than that in ordinary use.
My improvements in cartridges for breech-loading fire-arms consist in
making and constructing self-ignition cartridges in the manner herein-after
described. I manufacture the base cap and anvil tube of one piece of copper
or other soft metal by stamping in dies. The copper cap and anvil tube I
prefer to first cast in a mould to nearly the required size and figure, and
afterwards stamp it in dies to bring up its edges and give it the exact size and
finish. I attach the head or cap of the powder case of the cartridge by
pressure or by an internal block of paper or metal expanded laterally against the
inner sides of the cap or by soft soldering the case to the cap. A sounder and
better cartridge is thus produced than can be produced in the ordinary way.
Another part consists in forming the anvil cup with a flange sufficiently
broad to form the rim of the cartridge and attaching the said anvil cup to
the copper powder case by pressure, or screwing, or by soft soldering.
Another part consists in constructing the copper powder case with an outer
flange, and attaching an anvil cup or disk to the said case by closing in the
flange around it or by soft soldering. Instead of an anvil cup for firing
ordinary percussion caps I sometimes construct the end plate or disc with a hole
in it and insert a small rim cap which can be discharged without an anvil.
Having explained the nature of my Invention I will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation, Figure 2 in plan, and Figure 3 in
longitudinal vertical section a direct-acting breech-loading gun constructed
according to my Invention, the parts being in the positions which they
respectively occupy when the gun is ready to be discharged.
Figure 4 is a plan of the gun with the breech open ready for the introduction
of a cartridge.
Figure 5 is a plan of the under side of the gun without the stock and the
trigger removed; and Figure 6 is the same partly in longitudinal section and
partly in elevation.

page_text: Figure 7 represents the closing prug separately.
Figures 8 to 14 represent separate portions of the gun as herein-after par-
ticularly explained. The same letters of reference are used to indicate the
same parts in Figures 1 to 14 both inclusive.
a is the barrel of the gun; b, the shoe or breech chamber; and c, the shoe
cap screwed to the rear end of the said shoe. Or the shoe b and cap c may
be made in one piece, but it is preferred to make them separately. d is the
tubular plug or closer for opening and closing the breech of the barrel.a.
The said plug has in its interior the nearly cylindrical sliding hammer e carry-
ing the percussion pin or striker e for exploding the cartridge a'. The sliding
hammer is urged forward to discharge the gun by the helical spring f fixed
at one end to the rear of the sliding bammer e, and bearing at the other end
against the solid end or abutment of the plug d as seen in Figure 3. Instead
of the riband spring f a coiled wire spring may be employed. In the said
hammer e is a steel catch or sear g with which catch or sear the upper hooked
end h³ of the spring stop or arm h on the under side of the shoe b engages
to hold the said hammer in its cocked position. The. spring arm h, h³, is
shown separately in Figure 12. The said catch or sear 9 turns on a centre
at 9, and is pressed outwards by a spring, as indicated in dotted lines in
Figure 3. The catch or sear 9 can by this construction be pressed inwards
so as to allow the plug d to pass the hooked end h³ of the spring stop or
arm h when the said plug is withdrawn to open the breech. The hooked
end h³ of the stop or arm h is depressed to release the sliding hammer e by
means of the short arm of the trigger i bearing on the cross pin ³ carried-
by the said spring arm. The spring arm h, h³, besides serving to hold the
hammer e in its cocked position serves also as a guide and stop for limiting
the motion of the closing plug d and hammer 6, and for guiding them in their
motion on opening, closing, and discharging the gun. This is effected by
making the hooked end h* pass through and work in a longitudinal slot k in
the bottom of the plug d, and also enter a slot in or bear against the flattened
bottom of the hammer e. The shank of the plug d is prolonged and has
fitted thereon a rotating locking handle or collar 1. This locking collar is.
shown separately in side elevation and end elevation in Figure 8. On the
forward end of the locking collar are two lugs or projections m, m, the top
side of one and the bottom side of the other being bevilled or inclined as
illustrated in the Drawing. In the cap c of the shoe openings n, n, are made,
the said openings n, n, being bevilled or inclined on opposite sides. The
shape of these openings will be best seen by referring to Figure 9, which
represents a cross section and end elevation of the cap c, the cross section:

page_text: representing the inner ends of the openings n, n, and the elevation the outer
ends of the said openings. On pushing the plug d forward to close the breech
the lugs m, m, enter the openings n, n, and by the action of the bevilled parts
of the said lugs- and openings the collar is partly rotated. As soon as the.
lugs have passed through the openings n, n, in the shoe cap ca partial:
rotation in an opposite direction to that described is given to the said collar,.
and its lugs m; m, are made to take into the annular space p behind the
solid end of the shoe cap and interlock. with the said shoe cap by a self-acting
motion. The twisting or partial rotation of the locking collar / to engage its
locking lugs m, m, with the shoe cap is effected in the following manner :-
The end of the said locking collar is made into a box or circular chamber ³,
in which a coiled spring qis placed, one end of the said spring being fixed to
the inner side of the said chamber, and the other end. being hooked to a collar
or short tuber fixed on the end of the shank. of the plug d. The end of the
chamber is covered by a cap or plate s, which said plate carries a stud s³
which works in a slot P in the front of the chamber 12; and. thereby limits the
motion of the said looking collar. The cap or plate has no rotatory motion,.
being fixed to the end of the sbank of the plug in the manner represented in
Figure 3.
A front elevation of the locking collar with the cap or plate & removed is
represented in Figure 10, and a front and side elevation of the plate or cap s
is represented in Figure 11. When the lugs m, m, enter the openings n, n,
in the shoe cap c, and a partial rotation is thereby given to the locking collar
as herein-before described, the spring 9 is brought into a state of tension so:
that when the said lugs have entered the annular space p in the shoe cap the
said spring being at liberty to move uncoils itself, and in doing so gives a
partial rotation to the locking collar in the opposite direction, and thereby
causes the lugs m, m, to interlock with the shoe cap c, as herein-before
described, and to securely fix the plug in its place. When it is wished to
withdraw the plug d a motion of partial rotation is given to the locking
collar so as to bring its lugs m,. m, opposite the openings n, n, in the shoe-
cap, when the said plug may be withdrawn and the breech opened. The
exterior of the circular chambers of the locking collar is milled, and with
the projecting thumb piece 1* constitutes a handle by which the locking collar
is rotated and the breech plug operated. Instead of making the locking lugs
on the locking handle or collar and openings in the shoe cap to receive them,
as herein-before described and represented, the parts may be reversed, that is,
the locking lugs may be formed upon the outside of the shoe cap and the
handle or cellar made to pass over and interlock with the said lugs, sub--

page_text: stantially in the manner previously described. More than two lugs and
openings may be used if thought desirable.
Although I have only described and represented my improved locking
handle or collar as applied to the locking of a hollow or tubular plug in its
place, yet the said locking handle or collar and the modification thereof herein
described may be applied to the locking or fastening of all kinds of tubular
or solid plugs or breech closers of breech-loading fire-arins as have a sliding
motion in the breech shoe or chamber to open or close the breech. t is the
extractor for withdrawing the case of the exploded cartridge from the barrel a.
The said extractor consists of a lever catch or hook jointed at t² to the forward
end of the plug as best seen in Figure 3, a hole or recess being made in
the said plug in which the extractor is jointed. The tail of the extractor,
catch, or hook t is made into a spring and bears upon the top of the plug;
or instead of making the tail of the extractor hook into a spring the said tail
may be shortened and a separate spring be employed to raise it, as illustrated
iu Figure 34. On pushing home the plug d to close the breech after the
introduction of the cartridge as into the barrel a the extractor hook t passes
over and engages with the rim of the said cartridge, and is pressed firmly upon
the said rim while withdrawing the exploded case of the said cartridge from
the barrel a by the spring tail or the spring under the tail of the extractor.
Instead of one extractor hook, as described and illustrated, the plug may be
made to carry two or more extractor books. In order to eject or expel the
exploded case of the cartridge from the shoe or breech chamber 6 upon its
withdrawal from the barrel a a notch or step (see Figures 3 and 4) is made
in the lower side and near the rear end of the shoe b. The acting edge of
บ
filed flat, as seen in
the step u is made by a pin, the front edge of which is
Figure 4. After the exploded case has been withdrawn from the barrel a by
the action of the extractor t the rim of the said case strikes against or is
caught by the said notch or step u, and the said case is tilted or thrown from
the breech chamber and the breech cleared for reloading. On the under side
of the shoe cap c is a safety slide or bolt (shown separately in Figure 18)
for preventing the trigger acting until the said slide or bolt is withdrawn, and
thereby preventing the accidental discharge of the gun; the said slide v
works in a channel at (see Figure 6) formed in the lump to which the
trigger is jointed, and its sliding motion is limited by the stop pins and v.
The front end of the slide when it is pushed home, as represented in Figure 8,
engages under a shoulder at h³ (see Figure 12) in the spring arm h, h. The
hooked end of the spring arm h is thereby incapable of motion, and the
sliding hammer e cannot be released to discharge the gun so long as the

page_text: slide occupies the position represented. The said slide v projects outside
the cap c, and is provided with a handle v for working it.. The safety slide or
bolt v is made self-acting by making on the rear and upper side of the said
slide or bolt a projection or shoulder. v,, which projection or shoulder on
pushing up the plug d. to close the breech is caught by the inner flange of the
handle of the locking collar 1,, and carried forward to the position represented
in Figure 3, and thereby prevents the descent of the spring catch or stop h³.
When it is wished to discharge the gun the slide v is pulled outwards by its
handle. The stud is thus brought to the bottom of its slot, and the
front end of the slide removed. from the spring arm h, h. The hooked end h³
of the said spring arm or stop may now be depressed by the action of the
trigger. for releasing the hammer e.. When the gun is required to be fired
rapidly. the safety slide or bolt vis withdrawn and fixed out of the line of.
action of the locking collar 1, 1, by depressing the said slide and removing its
stud from the slot in which it works, and engaging the said. stud. with the:
depression in the under side of the shoe cap c. Also working on the under
side of the shoe cap c is a locking check bolt w (shown separately in
Figure 14) by the use of which the gun cannot be discharged until the closing
plug d is securely locked in its place. The check bolt wis connected to a
stem w in the box or case x embedded firmly in the stock. The inner
expanded end w³ of the stem w bears against the trigger i. The said check
bolt w works in a slot in the box x, a coiled spring in the said box pressing
the said bolt towards the trigger i. The bolt w projects upwards and traverses
a groove y in the shoe cap c.. A groove is also made in the back flange of
the handle of the locking collar 1, the said groove z being made at such a
point on the said handle of the locking collar as when the latter is in its
locked or secured position the said groove is opposite the groove y in the shoe
cap. When the plug d is securely fixed by the position described of the
locking collar, and the trigger i is pulled, the said trigger acts upon the inner
end w³ of the bolt w and pushes it outwards, the check bolt w being free to
pass through the groove z in the locking collar. Should, however, the locking
collar not have been turned sufficiently to gain its secure position the check
bolt w bears against a solid portion of the flange of the handle of the locking
collar, and the said bolt as well as the trigger are thereby incapable of
motion, and the gun cannot be discharged. The return motion of the trigger i, i",
is produced by the action of the check bolt w, as will be understood by an
examination of the Drawing.
Having described in detail the construction and action of the novel parts of
the gun I will now briefly describe the operation of the several parts in.

page_text: opening and closing and discharging the gun. The parts of the gun being in
the respective positions represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 the safety slide v
has only to be withdrawn to make the gun ready to be discharged. On pulling
the trigger i the check bolt w passes through the slot of the locking collar 1,
and the hook h³ of the spring arm or stop h, h, is by the action of the short
arm of the trigger depressed and the hammer released. By the action of
the compressed spring the said hammer e is urged forward and its pin or
striker is made to pass through the hole in the front end of the plug d and
explode the cartridge a and discharge the gun. On loosing the trigger i the
spring arm A, h, rises by its elasticity and the check bolt and the trigger
are returned to the positions represented by the spring of the said check bolt.
In order to reload the gun the handle of the locking collar / is partly rotated,
and its lugs m, m, thereby brought opposite the openings n, n, in the shoe
cap. By now sliding the plug d by the said locking collar the breech is
opened, as illustrated in Figure 4. In the act of opening the breech the
exploded case of the cartridge is first withdrawn by the extractor hook t, and
next ejected by the step u. The jointed catch or sear g is also pressed inwards
so as to permit the hammer e to pass the hooked end of the spring arm or
stop h, h. A fresh cartridge being introduced into the barrel a through the
opening in the shoe b the plug d is pushed home and niade to, cluse
the breech, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. In closing the breech by the
plug d the following operations are caused to be performed:-The book of
the extractor engages with the rim of the cartridge, The sear or catch g of
the hammere coming against the part 3 of the spring stop arrests the motion
of the said hammer and causes the spring f to be compressed behind the said
hammer, and thereby to cock the gun. The safety slide v is advanced to the
position represented, and finally the plug is locked in its place by the lugs of
the locking collar engaging with the solid part of the shoe cap, as herein-before
described,
Instead of the rectilinear safety slide or bolt under the shoe cap for
preventing the accidental discharge of the gun a circular spring slide or bolt
around the handle of the locking collar in combination with the locking check
bolt herein before described may be employed in place of the said rectilinear
safety slide or bolt. This arrangement of my Invention is represented in
Figures 124, 184, 144, and 15, Figure 12 representing a side elevation of the
gun; Figure 13 a plan of under side and end elevation; and Figures 14 and
15 cross sections of the handle of the locking collar of the gun.
a is the spring slide or bolt fitting the periphery of the bandle of the
locking collar, and being situated between the flanges of the said handle.

page_text: The said slide a is connected to the handle and its motion limited by the
pin and slot at b, the elasticity of the said spring slide tending to keep it in
the position in which it is placed. c is the opening in the handle ³, through
which the check bolt w may pass. When it is wished to prevent the accidental
discharge of the gun the slide a is pushed down by hand so as to cause it to
cover the opening c in the handle, and the check bolt cannot pass through
it, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 14. By moving the slide a to the position
represented in Figures 18 and 15 the check bolt w may pass through the
opening and the gun may be discharged, as will be understood from the
description herein-before given. In this arrangement the box in which the
check bolt works is made solid with the shoe cap. A separate box is thereby
saved.
Figure 12 represents in side elevation, Figure 13" in plan of under side,
and Figure 14 in longitudinal section a breech-loading gun containing an
arrangement of my Invention for effecting the discharge of the gun and for
permitting the closing plug to be wholly withdrawn from the breech chamber
or shoe for cleaning or for other purpose. In this arrangement I joint the
trigger to the under side of the strong spring arm or stop h, h³, behind
which the sear g of the hammer e engages, as herein-before explained, and I
provide the said trigger with two arms a³, a³, to act as a double lever. The
arm a³ acts upon the sear g to discharge the gun, and the forked arm a bears
upon the breech shoe, as herein-after explained, to depress the spring stop h, h³,
when the plug d is required to be wholly withdrawn from the breech shoe.
The forked arm a of the trigger also acts upon the hooked lever m on the
under side of the gun. The trigger is shown separately in Figure 15", the
arm or stop in Figure 16", and the hooked lever in Figure 18". The use of
the lever wis to prevent the action of the trigger and the discharge of the
gun should the closing plug not have been securely fixed in its place. The
hooked rear end of the lever w passes through a slot in the shoe and enters
a slot in the plug, and should the plug not be fixed in its place the motion
necessary to permit the trigger to act cannot be given to the said lever, and
hence the gun cannot be discharged. When the trigger i is pulled in the
direction of the arrow Figure 14 the arm a³ acts upon the sear g and releases
the striker e and discharges the gun. When it is required to completely
withdraw the plug d for cleaning or other purpose the trigger i is pulled in a
contrary direction to that indicated by the arrow when the forked arm a*
bearing against the bottom of the breech shoe causes the stop h, h³, to be
depressed; the hooked end of the said stop is thereby withdrawn from the
longitudinal slot k in the plug d and permits the said plug to be wholly

page_text: withdrawn from the shoe. vis the safety slide herein-before described (shown
separately in Figure 17"). The parts of the gun 'Figures 12", 18", and "14",
which I have not described are constructed in the manner described with
respect to Figures 1 to 18, and corresponding parts are marked with the same
letters of reference.
Figures 16 and 17 represent modifications of the closing plug of the gun
represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. In Figure 16, which represents a side
view and end elevation of the plug d, a longitudinal rib d is made along the
upper side of the said plug, the rib d being grooved as hest seen in the endl
elevation. In the groove of the said rib the extractor hook or catch t is
jointed instead of being jointed in a recess made in the plug, as herein-before
described. In Figure 17, which represents a longitudinal section and end
elevation of the plug d, a cover d³ is attached to the plug at its front end,
the said cover being of a length proper to cover the opening in the breech
shoe when the plug is pushed home. The said cover is attached to the plug
by the rib d. An opening d³ is made in the said rib, in which the extractor
hook or catch is jointed, as illustrated in the Drawings.
The improvements herein-befere described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 17
of the Drawings are applicable to double guns as well as single guns, and
either for military or for sporting purposes.
Figure 18 represents in longitudinal vertical section a modification of the
sliding hammer of the gun already described, and also a modification for
fastening the tubular closing plug in its place for discharge.
a is the barrel; b, the shoe or prolonged breech end of the barrel; &, the
tubular closing plug; e, the sliding hammer made tubular and containing the
coiled spring f for driving forward the hammer to discharge the gun. The
coiled spring f bears at one end against the closed front end of the tubular
hammer, and at the other end against a piston h capable of working in the
hollow of the said tubular hammer. A cap screwed on the rear end of
the said hammer closes the said end, and the front or shoulder of the said
cap acts as the catch of the hammer. The plug d has both a sliding
motion and a motion of partial rotation in the breech shoe, the said plug
being operated by the handled. The plug d is provided with a lug d, which
by a motion of partial rotation may be brought against the shoulder 6 in the
breech shoe so as to lock or securely fasten the plug during fire. The plug d
works on the sliding of the plug in a longitudinal slot in the breech shoe. i,,
is a spring arm or stop of the kind herein-before described for holding the
hammer in its cocked position. The hook 3 of the said stop works in a
longitudinal slot k-in the plug on the sliding of the said plug, and works in

page_text: a cross slot in the said plug when it is partly rotated to lock it for firing. In
the Drawing the parts of the gun are represented in the positions which they
respectively occupy after the gun has been discharged. To reload and cock
the gun the handle of the plug is turned so as to release its lug d³ from
the shoulder 6 on the breech shoe; by then sliding the plug outwards the
breech is opened, the cap e depressing the hooked end of the arm or stop i
on passing over it. On pushing up the plug d after the introduction of a
fresh cartridge the motion of the sliding hammer e is arrested by the circular
shoulder at 3 of the cape coming against the end of the arm i. On con-
tinuing the motion of the plug its rear end strikes against the rod of the
piston h and advancing the said piston in the hollow hammer e compresses the
coiled spring f; the hammer e is thereby cocked and held in its cocked
position. After the plug d has been pushed home by giving it a partial
rotation it is locked by the lug ds and shoulder 6' and the gun is ready to be
discharged. On pulling the trigger the hook is depressed and the hammer
liberated and driven forward by the compressed spring f and made to dis-
charge the gun in the manner herein-before described.
Figure 18 represents in longitudinal section a closing plug or breech
piece provided with a hollow or tubular hammer or striker constructed some-
what differently from that last described. In this modification the rear end
of the hollow hammer e is open and the rear end of the coiled spring f by
which the said hammer is driven forward passes through the said open end
and bears against the closed end d of the plug d, the other end of the spring f
Attached to the end
bearing against the interior of the hollow hammer e.
of the plug d is a guide rod 9 for guiding and supporting the coiled spring f.
In other respects the hollow hammer or striker is the same as that last
described. When the plug d is pushed home after loading the gun the hollow
hammer is caught and held by the hooked arm or sear, and on the con
tinued motion of the plug the coiled spring fis compressed between the end d*
of the plug and the closed end of the hollow hammer e, as represented, and the
said hammer is thereby cocked. The guide rod 9 may be omitted, but I
prefer to use it. By this arrangement I am enabled to use a longer spring
than can be used in the closed hammer last described. The tubular hammers,
Figures 18 and 184, and arrangements for cocking the said hammer are
applicable to direct-acting guns generally. Instead of giving the closing plug
a partial rotation by hand to cause its lug to engage with the fixed shoulder
on the breech shoe the locking of the plug may be made self-acting as in the
gun herein first described. I effect this by modifying the parts of the gun.
last described in the manner represented in plan in Figure 19, where b is the

page_text: breech shoe; d, the tubular plug.; d, the locking lug; 6, the fixed shoulder
against which the lug d³ bears to fasten the plug; f is the slot in the breech
shoe in which the lug works when the plug d is moved to open or close-the
breech. Carried by and working with the plug d, but capable only of a
sliding motion, is a saddle piece c to which the extractor hook or catch may
be affixed. The construction of this saddle piece will be understood by
referring to the gun herein-after next described. On the saddle piece o
is a flat spring, the free end of which bears upon the lug and tends to
keep it locked or engaged with the shoulder 6. When the plug d is partly
rotated to unfasten it the spring is compressed, and on pushing home the
plug to close the breech the said spring e acting on the lug d³ gives a partial
rotation to the plug and causes the said lug to engage with the shoulder b
and thereby fasten the plug in its place for discharge; both the plug & and
saddle piece c may be provided with covering plates.
Figures 20 to 30 both inclusive represent another gun constructed according
to my Invention, Figure 20 representing in plan the breech end of a piston
gun without the stock and hammer, the parts of the gun being in position
for discharge; Figure 21 a longitudinal vertical section of the same, the plug
being liberated and ready to open the breech, and Figure 22 a side elevation
of the same with the breech end opened; Figure 23 represents in plan the
breech shoe and barrel of the gun, and Figure 24 represents an end elevation
of the breech shoe; Figure 25 represents the plug and saddle piece detached
from the gun; Figure 26 represents the plug without the saddle piece;
Figure 27 represents in side and end elevation, Figure 28 in plan, and
Figure 29 in longitudinal section, the said saddle piece separately; Figure 30
represents a side elevation of the gun with the stock and hammer complete,
and exhibits the arrangement for locking the plug on the raising of the
hammer to full-cock.
a is the barrel; and 6 the breech shoe; c is the opening for the introduction
of the cartridge; d is the plug or closer having a rib or shoulder e along its
upper side through which the oblique striker f passes. The plug d has both
a sliding motion and a motion of partial rotation. When the plug d is
withdrawn to open the breech, as illustrated in Figure 22, the rib e passes along
the shot 9 in the rear of the shoe b, and after the plug has been pushed home
by giving the said plug a partial rotation the rib e is turned down against a
shoulder h on the breech shoe 6 (see Figure 23) and thus supports the
breech plug in position during the discharge of the gun. i is a saddle piece
at the rear of the breech plug d the said saddle piece filling up the breech shoe
and sliding with the plug. The saddle piece i is provided with a prolongation

page_text: marked at its front end. The said saddle piece i, ³, has only a sliding
motion. The sliding of the plug d and saddle piece is limited by a pin
passed through the breech shoe engaging in the longitudinal groove k in the
side of the saddle piece i. The upper part 3 of the saddle piece slides in and
partly fills up the slot g in the shoe b. The shape of the part is best seen
in Figure 27. On the front of the prolonged part of the saddle piece i the
extractor hook is jointed as best seen in Figure 21. The said extractor
hook is pressed down and made to engage firmly with the rim of the cartridge
by the spring m. The plug d is operated by the projection or thumb
plate d of the handle. The said projection or thumb plate has a spring
stud or small bolt d' which when the plug has been locked in its place springs
into a hole or depression 68 in the end of the shoe b (see Figure 24) and
thereby holds the said projection or thumb plate in its place. On lifting the
projection or thumb plated with some force the bolt is pressed back by
coming against the end of the shoe, when the plug may be partly rotated for
the purpose of unlocking it. is the step on the bottom of the breech shoe
for ejecting the cartridge case. The plug d and saddle piece i are provided
with covering plates. The parts of the gun being in the positions represented
in Figure 22 the gun is ready to be charged. After introducing the cartridge
into the barrel the plug d is pushed home and made to close the breech as
illustrated in Figure 21, the saddle piece i, i, sliding with the said plug, and
the extractor carried by the said saddle piece rising over and engaging with
the rim of the cartridge. By turning the plug d a portion of a rotation by its
projection or thumb plate d the rib e is turned down against the shoulder h
on the breech shoe and the plug is thereby fixed in its place. On locking the
plug the spring stud or bolt d³ of the thumb plate or projection d³ drops into
the hole 6 and fixes the said thumb plate or projection. Should the thumb
plate or projection d² be not pressed down sufficiently far to cause the plug to
be locked the comb of the hammer p of the gun when the said hammer is
raised to full-cock presses the said projection or thumb plate down. The plug
is hereby male to take its fixed position and the breech securely closed before
the gun can be discharged. The manner in which the comb of the hammer
acts upon the projection of the handle of the plug to lock the said plug
will be understood by an examination of Figure 30. After the discharge of
the gun the plug is partly turned and withdrawn when the breech is opened
as illustrated in Figure 22, the exploded case of the cartridge being withdrawn by
the extractor and ejected by the step. Instead of forming the locking rib
on the plug or closer, and partially rotating the said rib or lug for locking the
plug or closer, the locking rib or lug may be formed on the forward end of the

page_text: tubular piece working on the stem of the closing plug, and the said closing
plug being fixed or locked by partially rotating the tubular piece and rib or lug,
the plug in this arrangement having only a sliding motion in the breech shoe.
Figures 31, 32, and 33 of the accompanying Drawings represent another
gun constructed according to my Invention, Figure 31 representing a side
elevation of the breech end of the gun without the stock; Figure 32 a
longitudinal section of the closing plug, and Figure 33 a plan of the same.
a is the breech shoe or chamber open at top. In the said shoe a tubular
closing plug b is fitted, the said plug containing a striker and tubular hammer c
and cocking mechanism of the kind berein-before described and illustrated
in Figure 18 of the accompanying Drawings. d is the spring arm for guiding
the plug and for holding and releasing the cocked hammer c. At the front
end of the plug a cross block e is attached. The said cross block e is broader
than the plug (see Figure 33), the ends of the said block constituting
projecting pieces which traverse the opening at fin the breech shoe. One
side of the pieces and the ends a³ of the opening in the breech shoe are
curved as represented. To the rear end and sides of the breech shoe at g I
connect the lever h which lever serves both to cover the opening f in the
breech shoe and to support the plug 6 in its place during fire. The body of
the lever is made of a trough form so that when shut down, as represented
in Figure 31, its vertical sides h³ rest upon the edges of the breech opening f.
The curved ends h³, h, of the said sides h fitting respectively against the
curved side of the projecting pieces of the block e and the curved ends a³ of
the shoe, the curves of the said parts being struck from the centre 9 on which
the lever h turns. The said lever his connected to the plug 6 by the strap i.
The said strap is jointed at one end to the block e at the forward end of the
plug and at the other end to about the middle of the under side of the lever h,
as indicated in Figure 31. On raising the lever h upon its centre g by the
the handle h* its curved ends h³, h, are raised from the block e and ends a
of the breech shoe, and the plug or closer b is thereby released, and may be
withdrawn by means of the said lever from the mouth of the barrel and the
breech opened. After the introduction of a cartridge into the barrel through
the open breech shoe a, and on lowering the lever h, the plug b is returned
again to its place in the barrel and the breech closed. By the advance of
the plug 6 to close the breech the sliding hammer c is cocked and held in
its cocked position by the arm or stop d, as berein-before described. By
completely shutting down the lever h its curved ends h³, h, are made to bear
respectively against the curved side of the projecting pieces of the block e
and the ends a² of the shoe a, as represented in Figure 31, and thus sustain

page_text: the plug 6 in position during the discharge of the gun. The gun is discharged
by the depression of the spring arm or stop d by the action of the trigger.
The extractor hook for extracting the exploded cases of the cartridges may
be attached to the extreme front end of the plug b, the said hook being
constructed in the manner herein-before described.
b
Figure 34 of the accompanying Drawings represents in longitudinal section
an arrangement of parts for fixing the plugs or sliding closers of breech-
loading fire-arms in their places and for carrying the hook or extractor of the
fire-arm. This part of my Invention consists in making one end or part of
the plug separate from the other end or part, and attaching the said parts
together so that one part shall be capable of a motion of partial rotation
independently of the other part, the said partial rotation serving to lock the
plug. a, b, are the two parts of the plug, the front end or part 6 being
connected to the other part a by a screw as represented. The said part b
is capable of a partial rotation on the part a by means of the said screw.
The part a is capable only of a sliding motion, and upon the said part a the
hook or extractor is placed. The part 6 carries the lug c for locking the
plug a, b, and the handle d for rotating the part or end 6 and operating the
plug a, b. When the plug has been pushed home by the handled so as to
close the breech by giving a motion of partial rotation to the end or front
the said handle its lug c is made to bear against a shoulder on the
part b
breech shoe and thereby fix the plug in its place. By turning the front
end in the contrary direction to that described so as to raise its lug c from
the shoulder on the breech shoe, the plug is released and may be withdrawn
to open the breech. The rear end of the plug may be made capable of
rotation instead of the front end as described.
Figure 35 represents in longitudinal vertical section another gun constructed
according to my Invention. a is the breech shoe, and 6 is a flap or block
for opening and closing the breech, the said block being jointed at be
to the rear end of the barrel c and turning in a vertical plane upon the
joint at 6*.
In the axis of the block b is a pin or striker d for igniting the
cartridge in the barrel, the said striker being pressed towards the butt end of
the gun by the coiled spring represented. Underneath the shoe a is a sliding
rod or hammer e pressed towards the muzzle end of the gun by the coiled
spring around the said rod. The said rod or hammer e has on its rear end a
projecting head e³, and a bandle for cocking the said hammer. The head es
of the hammer passes through a hole at a³ in the rear end of the shoe a and
takes into a corresponding hole 63 in the closing block b and bolts down the
said block during fire. On the under side of the sliding ro: or hammer e

page_text: of the hammer e is
of the hammer is
and the said block
bents or notches e, e, are made into one or other of which the sear f takes
as berein-after described. The sear fis disengaged from the bent e* or e
by the trigger in the usual manner. The Drawing represents the parts of the
gun in the positions which they respectively occupy after the gun has been
discharged. In order to reload the gun the handle
pulled towards the butt end of the gun. The head
thereby withdrawn from the opening in the block b,
may be raised from the breech shoe so as to open the breech. On the
withdrawal of the head to release the block 6 the rod or hammer e is also
withdrawn and its spring compressed, the sear ƒ engaging with the first or
half-cock bent es in the said hammer and holding the said hammer in its
half-cocked position. After introducing the cartridge into the barrel and
shutting down the block b the sliding hammer is still further withdrawn
and brought to full-cock by the engaging of the searf with the full-cock
bente. The gun is now ready to be discharged; by pulling the trigger of
the gun the sear is released from the hammer e, and the said hammer is
forced forward by its compressed spring. On the advance of the hammer e
its head first enters the opening & in the block b and holds the said block
securely down and then drives forward the striker d, which striker ignites the
cartridge and discharges the gun.
The extractor herein-after described and represented in Figure 354 may
he employed to extract the empty cases of the cartridges from the gun,
Figure 35. The arrangement of parts, Figure 35, may be applied to guns
in which the closing block opens and closes by a lateral motion.
Figure 354
represents one of my arrangements for extracting the empty cases of the cart-
ridges from the barrels of breech-loading fire-arms having jointed blocks.
a is the breech block jointed to the end of the barrel b. On either end of the
joint of the said block an arm c is made, and on either side and at the mouth
of the barrel is a lever extractor d against which the rim of the cartridge
bears. The return motion of the extractors is effected by springs e under the
tails or horizontal arms of the lever. On raising the breech block a the
arms c act against pins or studs on the levers d, and advance the said levers
towards the butt end of the gun, and thereby extract or start the empty cases
from the barrel. On removing the arms c from the lever extractors & the
latter are returned to the position represented by the springs e; the side lever
extractors d may be applied to guns having sliding plugs or closers. The
arms c may be put loose on the joint pin, and the joint made to act on them
when it bas been raised to nearly its full height.
Figures 36 to 44 of the accompanying Drawing represent my improvements

page_text: in constructing the extractors and joint pins of breech-loading fire-arms having
side-hinged closing blocks, and also in retaining hinged closing blocks in their
places when shut down for firing the gun. Figure 36 represents in plan,
Figure 37 in side elevation, and Figure 38 in longitudinal section the breech
end of a breech-loading gun (the stock being omitted) of the kind described
containing my improvements. Figure 39 represents a longitudinal section of
the same taken through the joint and extractor pin of the gun; Figure 40
is a transverse section of the same taken through the line a, Figure 39, and
Figure 41 is a transverse vertical section taken through the line b, Figure 38;
Figure 42 is a plan of the breech end of the gun without the closing block;
and Figures 43 and 44 are parts of the gun; c is the breech shoe and dis
the closing block hinged to the side of the said breech shoe. I make the
joint pine (shown separately in Figure 43) without a head; the end e² of the
said pin being of larger diameter than the other portion, thereby forming a
shoulder at e³, against which the extractor frests when fitted on the said pin,
as represented in Figure 39. The said joint pin ee passes freely through the
snugs or eyes g, h, on the breech shoe c, and also through the eye of the
extractor and tubular part or knuckle d² of the breech block d (see
Figure 89). The extractor fis thus situated between the shoulder e³ of the
joint pin and the front end of the knuckle d, and is retained in its place by
the said parts. The rear eye h is screwed into and projects from the rear of
the breech shoe. The said eye h is represented separately in Figure 44. In
the said eye h the rear end of the joint and extractor pin e works; and out-
side the said eye h the knuckle d of the closing block slides when the sail
block is moved longitudinally to extract the cartridge. The rod or pin ee³ is
fixed in the closing block, and made to partake of the
block by means of a steel set pin i.
breech the joint pin ee³ turns with it;
tudinally to extract the empty cartridge case from the barrel the pin ee³ and
extractor f slide with it, the enlarged part of the pin e sliding nearly out
of the snug or eye g, and the opposite end of the said pin advancing in the
snug or eye h.
The extractor thereby withdraws the empty case from the
barrel, and the coiled spring k in the knuckle of the closing block is
compressed, the said compressed spring effecting the return of the block dds,
pin ee, and extractor f to their places. By this method of constructing the
extractor and joint pin they are much simpler to fit, and the closing block
works easier and steadier than by the ordinary method of construction. I
retain the closing block d in its place during fire by means of a flat spring
attached to the tail pin of the gun. The said spring is made with a stud or
motions of the said
On raising the block d to open the
and on moving the said block longi-

page_text: shank on its free end, which said stud or shank may be pressed into a
recess made in the face of the block m which carries the said. spring, and
which block m is screwed into the tail pin as represented. In the end of the
closing block d a recess is made,. into which when the said block is shut
down the end of the spring 1 takes, and thereby retains the said closing
block in its place during fire. On raising the block d with considerable force
the projecting free end or shank of the spring is pressed into the recess P³,
when the said block may be lifted from the breech shoe for reloading the
gun.
This part of my Invention for fastening down the hinged blocks is also
applicable to blocks hinged to the breech end of the barrel, as well as to
blocks hinged to the side of the breech chamber or shoe. This arrangement
for holding down the closing block d is simpler and more efficient than that in
ordinary use.
Figures 87, 38, 39, 40, and 41 represent my improvements in making
and constructing self-ignition cartridges. I manufacture the base cap and anvil
tube of one piece of copper or other soft metal by stamping in dies. The
copper cap and anvil tube I prefer to first cast in a mould to nearly the
required size and figure, and afterwards stamp it in dies to bring up its edges
and give it the exact size and finish. I attach the head or end of the powder
case of the cartridge by pressure or by an internal block of paper or metal
expanded laterally against the inner side of the end of the powder case or by
soft soldering the case to the cap.
Figure 37 represents in longitudinal section and Figure 38* in elevation
a cartridge made according to this part of my Invention.
a is the base cap,
and a* the anvil tube made of one piece of metal as represented; 6 is the
powder case of the cartridge to which the parts a, a, are to be affixed, the
part a³ of the cap a is made very slightly taper internally, and by closing the
said part as of the cap upon the end 62 of the powder case the parts are
securely fixed together, as represented in the elevation Figure 38*, which
represents a complete cartridge. Instead of closing the cap upon the end of
the powder case as described, the powder case may be attached to the cap
by an internal block of paper or metal expanded laterally against the inner
side of the said end or by soft soldering the case to the cap. By making
cartridges in this way a sounder and better cartridge is produced than can be
produced in the ordinary manner.
Another part consists in forming the anvil cup with a flange or end plate
sufficiently broad to form the rim of the cartridge, and attaching the said anvil
cup and end plate to the copper powder case by pressure, or screwing, or by

page_text: soft soldering, This part of my Invention is represented in Figure 39*, where
the anvil cup is marked c, and the broad flange or end plate forming the rim.
is marked d. I attach the powder case e to the cap either by paper pulp f
pressed between the anvil cup and the powder case or by screwing or soft
soldering.
Another part consists in constructing the copper powder case case with an
outer flange, and attaching an anvil cup or dise to the said case by closing in
the flange around it or by soft soldering.
This part of my
Invention is represented in Figures 40 and 41 of the
Drawings. The combined anvil cup and end plate or disk is marked g, h,
and the flange on the end of the copper powder case is marked i. By closing
the flange i upon the bevilled edge or rim of the plate or disk h the powder
case is securely fixed to the end plate or cap of the cartridge, as illustrated in
Figure 41; or the fixing of the flange to the rim of the plate or disk h may
be effected by soft soldering.
Instead of an anvil cup for firing the ordinary percussion cap, as illustrate.l
in Figure 404, the said cup may be dispensed with, and a hole made in the end
plate or disk h, in which hole a small rim percussion cap is placed, as illustrated
in Figure 41, which rim cap l can be discharged without an anvil.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the precise details herein described, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of my Invention; but I claim as my
Invention,
Firstly. The arrangement or combination of the parts substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 both inclusive of the
accompanying Diawings of the rotating locking handle or collar and rear of the
breech shoe or shoe cap for locking the closing plugs or breech pieces of breech-
loading fire-arms by a self-acting motion; on pushing up the plugs or breech
pieces to close the breech, whether the locking of the plugs or breech pieces be
effected inside or outside the breech shoe or shoe cap; also the modifications
for locking or closing the plugs of breech-loading fire-arms, substantially as
herein-before described with reference to Figures 18 and 19 of the accum-
panying Drawings.
Secondly. Arranging a spring stop and guide for guiding the plug and
sliding hammer of breech-loading fire-arms, and for holding and releasing the
said hammer, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the
Figures 1 to 14 of the accompanying Drawings; also the arrangement of
parts described with respect to Figures 12, 13, 14%, and 15 of the

page_text: accompanying Drawings for releasing the sliding hammers and for permitting.
the breech plug to be wholly withdrawn from the breech chamber or
shoe.
Thirdly. Making the sliding hammers of breech-loading fire-arms hollow or.
tubular, and arranging the parts for cocking and working or forcing up the
said hammer substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in
Figure 18 of the accompanying Drawings; also the construction of the
hollow open-ended hammer (either with or without the guide rod) and the
parts connected therewith substantially as herein-before described and illustrated
in Figure 18 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. Applying to the sliding hammers of breech-loading fire-arms a
jointed catch or sear for holding the hammer in its cocked position, substantially
as herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifthly. Making the extractors of breech-loading fire-arms of a jointed lever
hook or spring catch, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 34, 16, and 17 of the accompanying Drawings, whereby the
said extractors are enabled to pass freely over the rim of the cartridge case,
and are pressed firmly upon the rim of the said cartridge case on withdrawing
it from the barrel.
Sixthly. Expelling, tilting, or ejecting the exploded cartridge case from the
breech chamber or shoe of breech-loading fire-arms on its withdrawal from
the barrel by means of the opposing notch or step in the lower side and near
the rear end of the breech chamber or shoe, against which notch or step the
exploded case is brought by the action of the extractor, substantially as berein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 21, and 23 of the accom-
panying Drawings.
Seventhly. The self-acting safety slide or bolt under the breech shoe or shoe
cap of breech-loading fire-arms for preventing the discharge of the gun by
accidental pressure on the trigger, constructed substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 14, both inclusive, of the accom-
panying Drawings.
Eighthly. The locking check bolt for preventing the action of the trigger and
consequent discharge of breech-loading fire-arms until the locking collar and
closing plug are securely fixed or locked in their places, constructed sub-
stantially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 14, both
inclusive, of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninthly. The safety slide or bolt on the handle of the rotating locking collar
in combination with the locking check bolt for preventing the discharge of

page_text: breech-loading fire-arms by accidental pressure on the trigger, constructed
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 124,
184, 144, and 15 of the accompanying Drawings.
Tenthly. The general arrangement and combination of the parts of breech-
loading fire-arms herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 20 to 30
both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings, and particularly the adaptation
to the said plugs or closers of the extractor hook land the saddle piece i, 3, 2ª,
for carrying the said extractor hook; also making the locking rib or lug upon
a tubular piece, and making the closing plug capable only of a sliding motion,
as described.
Eleventhly. The construction and arrangement of the projection or thumb
plate of the bandle of the plugs or closers of breech-loading fire-arms for
fixing the said handle in its place, and thereby preventing the discharge of
the
gun until the plug or closer is in its fixed or secure position, substantially
as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 20 to 30 both inclusive of
the accompanying Drawings.
Twelfthly. The arrangement or combination of the parts of breech-loading
fire-arms, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 31,
32, and 33 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirteenthly. The construction or arrangement of the parts of the plugs or
closers of breech-loading fire-armis, described with respect to Figure 34 of
the accompanying Drawings, for locking the said plugs or closers in their
places and for carrying the extractor hooks.
Fourteenthly. The arrangement or combination of the parts substantially
as herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 35 of the accom-
panying Drawings for bolting, cocking, and discharging breech-loading fire-
arms.
Fifteenthly. The arrangement of parts herein-before described and illustrated
in Figure 35 of the accompanying Drawings for extracting the empty casos
of the cartridges from the barrel.
Sixteenthly. The construction and arrangement of the extractors and joint
pins and parts connected therewith of breech-loading fire-arms having side
hinged blocks substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 36 to 44 both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventeenthly. The construction and arrangement of parts for fixing or
retaining the hinged closing blocks of breech-loading fire-arms in their places
during fire, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
86 to 44 of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Eighteenthly. The improvements in making and constructing cartridges for
breech-loading fire-arms, substantially as herein - before described and
illustrated in Figures 374, 38, 394, 40, and 41ª of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
THOMAS WILSON. (L.B.)