IMPROVE- MENTS IN SNIDER RIFLES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Cooper, of Shoay Gyeen, in British Burma,
but at present of Calcutta, in the East Indies, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SNIDER RIFLES."
Sealed the 24th April 1877, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
2
Sealed the 24th April 1877, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 12th October 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Cooper at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th October 1876.
JOHN HENRY COOPER, of Shoay Gyeen, in British Burma, but at present of
Calcutta, in the East Indies. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SNIDER RIFLES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the well-known "Snider" breech-
loading rifle. This arm as ordinarily constructed has a breech block which is fitted
upon a pin at the rear of the barrel and turns up out of the breech chamber to open
the breech. When closed the said breech block is secured by a spring catch. This
breech block carries a piston which is struck by the hammer to explode the cartridge
in the barrel. The arm cannot be fired if the breech is not properly closed.
The said Invention consists in having the breech of the usual Snider rifle and its
stock so formed that after the ball has been discharged the breech block is drawn
back and the cartridge falls through an aperture formed on the left under side of
the breech; this arrangement obviates the necessity of turning over the rifle (as is
usually done) to drop the discharged cartridge case.
This Invention shortens the time and facilitates and lessens the number of move-
ments necessary in the present form of the Suider rifle for a proper and continuous
discharge in rapid firing.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said John Henry Cooper in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th April 1877.
JOHN HENRY COOPER, of Shoay Gyeen, in British Burma, but at present of
Calcutta, in the East Indies. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SNIDER RIFLES."
Pin Ad

page_text: My Invention consists in having the breech of the Snider rifle and its stock so
formed that after the ball has been discharged and the breech block is drawn back
the cartridge falls through an aperture formed on the left side of the breech and
through the stock and thus obviates the necessity of turning over the rifle (as is
usually done) to eject the discharged cartridge case.
This arrangement shortens the time and facilitates and lessens the number of
movements necessary with the present form of Snider rifle for a proper and con-
tinuous discharge in rapid firing.
Having thus described the nature of the said: Invention, I will proceed more
particularly to describe in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of
the accompanying Drawing, in which are represented portions of a Snider rifle
with my improvements.
Figure 1 shows the breech barrel and stock of a "Snider." A is the breech, and
B the breech block; C, the stock, and D the barrel of the gun; E is the nipple
with nipple pin; F is the cock and G the trigger. The dotted lines show the
position of the aperture H above mentioned.
Figure 2 is a cross section at line x, y, Figure 1, of the breech A, block B, and
aperture H. I represents the cartridge extractor and J the hammer spring.
Figure 3 represents the gun in section; the breech block B thrown back; the
extrator I.
H is the aperture cut in the stock (see Figure 2), and K, K, show the iron lining
and breech continuous laterally with the said aperture. This aperture can be made
either slanting laterally as above described or may be made closer to the centre of
the stock and under the breech, assuming a nearly vertical position.
It will be seen from the above description that the breechi block when shut holds
the cartridge in its place in the barrel of the gun ready for discharge. Now when
the extractor I is drawn back by the hand the cartridge case comes along with it,
and would in the usual arrangement of rifle known as the "Snider
" be deposited
in the breech and be thence ejected by turning over the gun and allowing the
cartridge to drop out; but in my arrangement this last movement of the rifle is a
obviated, for as soon as the extractor is drawn back the discharged cartridge falls
through the aperture (H, Figures 2 and 3) in the side of the gun and through the
stock, while the soldier relieved from the necessity of executing the further move-
ment is able to reload at once, thus saving at every discharge the time and exertion
necessary with the rifle and stock in their present form for getting rid of the 3
cartridge.
T
My Invention may be applied to existing Snider rifles by removing (1) a portion
of the stock and (2) the bottom of the breech, and by brazing or welding an iron
case on to (1) the left or (2) the underside of the breech to fit the aperture.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the 4
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I claim, the application to the breech
of the "Snider" rifle of an aperture or iron case as above described extending from
the bottom of the breech through the stock of the rifle for getting rid of the
discharged cartridge case.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Cooper, have hereunto set my 4
hand and seal, this Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven
J. H. COOPER. (L.S.)