Improvements in Repeating Fire-arms, more especially applicable to Revolvers
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"Improvements in Repeating Fire-arms, more especially applicable
to Revolvers."
I, ALFRED LINES, of 57 Victoria Road, Deal, in the County of Kent, Engineering
Student, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in repeating fire arms, more especially
applicable to revolvers and is designed to provide an improved construction whereby
the hand, when holding the stock or butt and operating the trigger, can be brought
nearer to the barrel than heretofore so that the tendency which usually exists for the
barrel to be deflected or thrown upward on discharge is materially reduced, and the
weapon can be made shorter for a given length of barrel.
The invention also comprises an improved arrangement of extracting device, as
well as other features hereinafter referred to.
According to the said invention the cylinder is arranged so that it lies over the
front portion of the butt or stock which latter is situated approximately at right
angles to the barrel. In the rear portion of the stock or butt is arranged a pivoted
breech piece or block, which can be turned back to uncover the rear end of the
cylinder, and which serves in being opened or turned back to operate the extractor.
The trigger instead of being pivotted is carried by a stem or rod arranged to work
to and fro parallel or approximately parallel to the cylinder axis, its outer end being
situated somewhat in front of the said cylinder, and much closer to the barrel than
revolver triggers usually are.
The firing pin works in the breech block and is designed to be positively with-
drawn or retracted after firing that is to say it does not depend upon a spring to move
it backward. To this end the said pin has a bluntly pointed extremity against the
side of which the rims or bases of the cartridges strike as the cylinder revolves, and
so force the pin backward ready for the next firing operation.
The breech block may either be simply pivotted and be secured by a catch or snap
device to a rearward projection from the barrel or it may be both pivoted and also be
capable of sliding transversely relatively to the barrel; the latter movement being
effected by a spring and serving to lock it firmly, by causing one or more catches or
projections thereon to engage with a recess or recesses in parts secured to the barrel.
The extracting of the cartridges is effected in the pivotal movement by means of a
suitable connection between the breech block and the extractor plate on the cylinder,
whereby the said plate is caused to be withdrawn in the first part of such pivotal
movement and subsequently released as the movement proceeds.
The rotation of the cylinder is effected in any convenient manner say for example
by a feed pawl engaging with pins or teeth on the cylinder and operated in any
convenient manner from some suitable part of the connections between the trigger
and the firing pin.
According to one construction of revolver embodying my present improvemtns the
stock or butt of the revolver is hollow and in it are arranged a lever, and a pivoted

page_text: arm situated in proximity to the said lever. This arin and the lever are acted upon
by a U-shaped or other suitable spring which tends to turn them in the same
direction.
The arrangement is such that when the trigger is moved inward or pulled to fire
the weapon, the arm and the lever are in the first part of such movement caused to
turn on their pivots, but in the continuation of the movement the point of the lever
is released or slips off a pawl or catch on the trigger stem.
In the breech block and connected at one end with the aforesaid lever is arranged
a slide, which at its other end abuts against a bell crank lever or the like engaging
with the firing pin. During the movement of the lever, the slide is first drawn down-
ward but when the said lever is released or slips as described, the reaction of the
spring will turn it suddenly on its pivot throwing up the slide and causing it to
strike the said bell crank lever and drive forward the firing pin.
The pivotted arm in the stock or butt remains in engagement and under the action
of the spring causes the trigger when released to move outward again.
The arm, in this outward movement, engages with a projection on the lever,
drawing it back, so that the slide comes out of engagement with the bell-crank lever
actuating the firing pin, and leaves the firing pin free to be withdrawn or retracted in
the manner stated above.
Between the extractor plate and the head of the central pin of the cylinder is a
space or recess in which works a pair of claws or horns connected to one or inore
spring controlled arms pivotted in the breech block. Normally these claws or horns
lie in the part of the recess above the head of the central pin, but the arrangement
is such that when the breech block is turned on its pivot they are drawn down under
the said head and pull it outward sufficiently to withdraw the extractor, while when
the breech block is further turned, they are drawn down below the head so releasing
the same and allowing the extractor plate to close under the action of a suitable
spring.
The upward and downward movements of the aforesaid slide are caused to work the
feed pawl for which purpose the said pawl carries a pin engaging with an inclined
groove in the slide.
To ensure the cartridges being brought accurately into position, this inclined
groove terminates in a short vertical portion which permits the slide and therefore
the trigger to be operated without turning the cylinder, and at this time a projection
or spline on the trigger stem is arranged to enter one or other of a series of notches
on the cylinder these notches corresponding to the respective firing positions.
In cases where the breech block besides being pivotted, is movable transversely
with regard to the barrel, I may provide suitably arranged projections on the breech
block in parts connected therewith adapted to enter recesses in the adjacent fixed
parts of the revolver, for obtaining a firmer support.
In order to cock the firing mechanism, the slide is provided with a thumb piece by
depressing which the lever can be turned on its pivot in which movement its point
or end engages with a projection or stud on the trigger stein, draws the said trigger
back and eventually enters a notch or recess in the projection, this being the
"cocked" position.
To prevent the revolver being fired before the breech block is locked, the said
thumb piece is placed in such a position that if the aforesaid snap or catch by which
the breech block is secured, be not properly engaged the said thumb piece will in the
upward or "firing" movement of the slide, come into engagement with said snap or
catch and so prevent the slide operating the firing pin.
In case however of the breech block having a sliding as well as a pivotal movement,
a projection may be provided on the inner face of the breech block, adapted to
extend into the path of the trigger stem and to limit the movement of the trigger
sufficiently to prevent the revolver being fired except when the block has actually
been moved transversely into the locked position.
The cylinder of the revolver is normally held in position on its spindle by a catch

page_text: engaging in an annular groove formed around a projection on the front face thereof,
and the removal of the cylinder is permitted by disengaging this catch.
Daind this 10th
1007
'HASELTINE LAKE & Co.
45-Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.
66
Improvements in Repeating Fire-arms, more especially applicable
to Revolvers."
I, ALFRED LINES, of 57 Victoria Road, Deal, in the County of Kent, Engineering
Student, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in, and by the
following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in repeating fire-arms, more, especially
applicable to revolvers, and, is designed to provide an improved construction whereby
the hand, when holding the stock or butt and operating the trigger, can be brought
nearer to the barrel than heretofore so that the tendency which usually exists for the
barrel to be deflected or thrown upward on discharge is materially reduced, and the
weapon can be made shorter for a given length of barrel.
The invention further relates to an arrangement whereby the trigger can be
operated either by direct pressure thereon, or can be "cocked" that is put into a
position where a further movement of it will fire the weapon, by means of a separate
cocking device, such as a thumb piece, previous to being pulled for the purpose of
firing.
The invention also comprises an improved arrangement of extracting device, as
well as other features hereinafter referred to.
According to the said invention the cylinder is arranged so that it lies over the
front portion of the butt or stock which latter is situated approximately at right
angles to the barrel. In the rear portion of the butt or stock is arranged a pivoted
breech piece or block, which can be turned back to uncover the rear end of the
cylinder, and which serves in being opened or turned back to operate the extractor.
The trigger instead of being pivotted is carried by a stem or rod arranged to work
to and fro parallel or approximately parallel to the cylinder axis, its outer end being
situated somewhat in front of the said cylinder, and much closer to the barrel than
revolver triggers usually are.
The firing pin works in the breech block and is designed to be positively with-
drawn or retracted after firing, that is to say it does not depend upon a spring to
move it backward. To this end the said pin is fitted loosely in the breech block and
has a bluntly pointed extremity against the side of which the rims or bases of the
cartridges strike as the cylinder revolves, and so force the pin backward ready for the
next firing operation.
The breech block may either be simply pivotted and be secured by a catch or snap
device to a rearward projection from the barrel or, it may be both pivoted and also be
capable of sliding transversely relatively to the barrel; the latter movement serving
to lock it firmly, by causing one or more catches..or projections thereon to engage
with corresponding projections on the barrel. The extracting of the cartridges is
effected in the pivotal. movement by means of a suitable connection between the
breech block and the extractor plate on the cylinder, whereby the said plate is caused

page_text: to be withdrawn in the first part of such pivotal movement and is subsequently
released as the movement proceeds, and is allowed to resume its normal position.
The rotation of the cylinder is effected in any convenient manner say for example
by a feed pawl engaging with pins or teeth on the cylinder and operated in any
convenient manner from some suitable part of the connections between the trigger
and firing pin.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same fully by aid of the accompanying drawings,
in which:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a revolver embodying my present improve-
ments, the breech block being partially opened and certain parts being left in
elevation for the sake of clearness.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are sectional elevations showing the relative positions of the
parts of the cocking and firing mechanism at different times.
Figure 5 is an end view of certain parts shown in Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the breech block showing the device for
rotating the cylinder.
Figure 7 shows a detail hereinafter referred to.
Figure 8 shows a portion of the inner face of the breech block.
Figures 9 and 10 are respectively front and side elevations showing the extractor.
Figure 10 is an end view of the pin on which the extractor is mounted.
Figure 11 is a side view, and
Figure 12 an end view, half in section, showing a construction of revolver in which
the breech block is capable of moving transversely to the barrel.
Figure 13 is a part sectional elevation of the breech mechanism of this construction
of revolver.
Figure 14 is a modified form of extractor for use with this construction of
revolver.
A is the stock or butt which is hollow and contains part of the mechanism of the
revolver; B is the cylinder thereof; C is the barrel; D is the trigger and E is the
breech block.
It will be seen that the stock A is arranged immediately beneath the cylinder B
and approximately at right angles to the barrel C. The trigger D is also arranged as
closely as possible to the cylinder, and works in and out parallel with the cylinder
instead of turning on a pivot, the said trigger being carried by a square rod or
stem D¹. The pulling of the trigger may be effected by direct pressure thereon in
the usual manner, in which case the weapon fires without any preliminary cocking,
but if it be desired to cock the trigger, then the latter is thrown back by means of a
thumb piece D2, as hereinafter described for operating the cocking device.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 10, the stock of the revolver
contains a three-armed lever a pivoted at a¹, and an arm b pivoted at b¹.
The lever
has a loop or link a² in which one arm of a V shaped spring cengages, while the arm b
has a wide boss 62 against which the, other arm of the spring presses, the spring itself
being secured in place by a pin c¹ passed through its bend or angle. On the boss b²
is a lip 63 which is adapted to be engaged by a catch a³ on the lever a.
arrangement is such that the spring tends to turn both the lever a and the arm b on
their pivots in a left-hand direction, as indicated by the arrows, and the function of
the arm b is to move the trigger outward into its original position when permitted
to do so.
The
d is a pawl or catch carried by the trigger bar D¹. This pawl or catch is acted on
by a spring d and is adapted, when the trigger is worked without preliminary
cocking, to engage a catch at on the lever a, only however during the first part of
the inward movement of the trigger. The operative end of the pawl is made wide as
shown in Figure 7 to obtain an effective bearing surface.
The arrangement is such that when the trigger is moved inward or pulled to fire
the weapon, the arm and the lever are in the first part of such movement caused to
turn on their pivots, but in the continuation of the movement the point of the lever

page_text: is released from or slips off the pawl or catch d and allows the lever to return to its
original position again.
The trigger-bar D¹ also carries a notched projection d² which the said catch at
engages when the trigger is indirectly operated, to effect the cocking thereof, by the
thumb piece D².
Owing to the shape of the notch in the projection d², the catch a of the lever will
remain in engagement therewith as shown in Figure 3, until the trigger be further
slightly pulled back by direct pressure when the catch will be released and the lever a
will fly round on its pivot under the action of the spring c and will effect the firing
as hereinafter described.
e is a slide arranged to work in the breech block E and connected at one end with
an arm a5 of the lever a. The other end of the slide has secured to it laterally the
thumb-piece D2 and itself abuts against a bell crank lever e¹ engaging with the firing
pin e2. When the lever a is released either from the pawl d, or from the notched
projection d2 and flies back to its original position, it throws the slide e upward and
causes it to strike the bell crank lever e¹ a sharp blow which drives forward the firing
pin e² and fires the weapon.
When the pressure on the trigger is released the arm 6 also turns on its pivot and
moves outward the trigger bar D¹, at the same time, by means of the catch as and lip b³,
turning back the lever a slightly so as to draw down the slide e away from the bell
crank e¹ into the position shown in Figure 2.
The firing pin e² is then free to resume its normal position which it is caused to
do by reason of the side of its blunt point es being struck by the base of the next
cartridge which is brought into position.
It will thus be seen that the firing pin is loose and is unprovided with any con-
trolling spring so that it I ready to be shot forward with considerable force when the
lever e¹ is struck by the slide e.
The upward and downward movements of the slide are guided by a pin et engaging
in a slot in the said slide. The said movements are caused to impart the necessary
step by step motion to the cylinder, for which purpose the feed pawl f carries a pin fi,
engaging in an inclined groove or slot in the slide so that a swinging movement,
transversely to the axis of the cylinder is imparted to the said pawl.
To ensure the cartridges being brought accurately into position the inclined
groove terminates in a short vertical portion f³ which permits the slide and there-
fore the trigger to be moved for a short distance without turning the cylinder, and at
this time a projection or spline d³ on the trigger bar D₁ is arranged to enter one or
other of a series of notches B¹ in the cylinder corresponding to the proper firing
positions.
The breech block E is pivoted at E¹ and is locked in its closed position by a
catch E2 which is adapted to enter an aperture or recess C¹ in a rearward projection of
the barrel C.
The catch may be caused to engage in the recess by a suitable spring, and a
button E3 may be provided on its spindle E' for disengaging it when desired.
To prevent the weapon being fired before the breech block is properly locked the
aforesaid thumb piece E2 is adapted to strike a projection E5 on the locking catch E2
if the latter be not properly engaged, thus arresting the movement of the slide before
the lever e¹ of the firing pin e² is struck.
The cylinder C of the revolver is normally held in position on its spindle by a spring
catch g engaging with a flange g¹ formed around a projection g² on the front face of
the cylinder. The removal of the cylinder is permitted by disengaging this catch.
h is the extractor plate which is secured to a central pin h¹ arranged within the
hollow axis h² of the cylinder B, and acted upon by a spring h³, in the usual manner,
which tends to keep the extractor plate against the rear end of the cylinder.
Between the extractor plate and a head or enlargement ht on the pin h¹, is a space or
recess h³ in which works a pair of claws or horns i formed on a segmental piece 22
having an aperture large enough to clear the head h*. The piece is carried by
spring controlled arms 23 pivotted in the breech block, which latter has suitable

page_text: recesses to accommodate the arms is.
25 is the pin on which the extractor is
mounted. Normally the claws or horns i lie in the part of the recess h³ above the
head of the central pin, but when the breech block is turned on its pivot as in
Figure 1 they are drawn down by the side of the head and pull it out sufficiently to
operate the extractor plate, while when the breech block is further turned as in-
dicated in dotted lines, they are drawn below the head, so releasing the same, and
allowing the extractor plates to be closed by the spring h³. Suitable finger guards
such as KK in Figures 11, and 12 are provided to protect the fingers from contact
with the cylinder, but these guards are not shown in the Figures at present in
question (viz. Figures 1 to 10) for the sake of clearness in the illustration of the
other parts.
:-
The operation of this construction of revolver is as follows:-
Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 2 and that it be desired
to cock the weapon in order to be ready to fire instantly, the thumb piece D² is
pressed down, the slide e is moved downward and the lever a is rotated so that its
catch a' engages the notched projection d² draws back the trigger bar and remains
in engagement therewith after the thumb piece is released, thus keeping the weapon
cocked as in Figure 3. During this downward movement of the slide, the feed pawl f
will have been moved laterally as described and will have turned the cylinder so as to
bring a fresh cartridge into the firing position. If the trigger D be now pressed
inward to only a very slight extent, the projection d² will clear the catch a as will
be apparent from Figure 3 and the lever a will be allowed to fly back in the direction
of the arrows and will throw the slide e upward against the lever e of the firing pin e²,
thus firing the weapon as shown in Figure 4. On releasing the trigger, the trigger
bar D¹, the lever a, the arm b, the slide e and the parts operating the same will return
to their normal position as in Figure 2 in the manner already described.
If however it be desired to fire without first cocking the weapon the trigger bar is
simply pressed inward from the position shown in Figure 2 by direct pressure on the
trigger without pressing upon the thumb piece. In this movement the pawl d
presses against the catch a' and turns the lever in a right handed direction, but as the
catch travels in the are of a circle, it slips off the pawl, when the latter reaches the
position shown in Figure 4, and the lever a is allowed to fly back and effect the firing
as in the previous case.
Referring now to the construction shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the principal
difference between the same and that shown in Figures 1 to 10 is that the breech
block E is capable of moving transversely to the cylinder so as to obtain a more
effective locking action.
For this purpose the pivot E¹ of the breech block is formed with a flattened side or
face E and is arranged to work in elongated openings in the stock A. These
openings are of such a width that the pivot E' can move up and down in them when
its flat face is vertical, that is to say when the breech block is closed. At its lower
end however of each opening is a circular aperture or cavity in which the pivot E¹
can turn freely.
In this case the breech block is provided with three lugs or projections E, the
uppermost of which enters a recess C¹ in a rearward extension of the barrel when
the breech block pushed upward, while the projections on the left and right of the
breech block enter into engagement with corresponding lugs or projections C2 on the
barrel.
In the position shown in Figure 13, the breech block is free to turn on its pivot.
When however it is pressed up against the rear end of the cylinder, its projection E
are ready to engage the recess C¹ and projections C² when the breech block is pushed
upward transversely of the cylinder, by the action of a spring Ex in which move-
ment the pivot E¹ passes up into the openings l. The breech is thus firmly locked
against all except vertical movement and to guard against against this latter the
trigger bar D¹ is provided with a pin d which enters a hole E7 in the breech block
when the trigger bar is pulled back to the firing position, thereby securely locking
the said breech block at the moment of firing.

page_text: The pin d also acts as a safety device, since the trigger bar cannot be moved
forward far enough to allow the catch a to slip off the pawl d or notch d² unless the
pin d enters the hole E', which it cannot do if the breech block is not properly
locked.
To open the breech block it is only necessary after the trigger bar has gone
forward again, to draw down the breech block until the pivot E¹ enters the circular
cavity ', the projections E being released in this movement.
The extractor plate h may as shown in Figures 12 and 13 be operated if desired by
the ordinary device of a spring actuated rod or piston he instead of by the previously
described arrangement shown in Figures 8, 9, 10.
When the arrangement shewn in Figures 8, 9, and 10, is used, the extractor is
slightly modified by having elongated recesses i provided as shewn in Figure 14.
When the breech block is moved down, the points on which the extractor turns,
being rigid with the breech block, move down also from the top to the bottom of the
aforesaid slots the extractor meanwhile remaining stationary.
If now the breech
block is turned back on its pivot E', the extracting operations proceed exactly as
before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A revolver or other fire arm having its stock or butt arranged approximately at
right angles to the barrel, and a trigger working parallel with the axis of the cylinder,
substantially as described.
2. In a revolver or other fire arm, the improved arrangement whereby the trigger
can be operated either by direct pressure thereon or can be "cocked" by a separate
device previous to being pulled for firing substantially, as and for the purpose set
forth.
3. In a revolver or other fire arm, the improved extracting device constructed and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference more particularly to
Figures 1, 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a revolver or other firearm the arrangement of the pivoted breech block
and the means for locking the same and preventing premature firing substantially as
described with reference more particularly to Figures 1 and 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. In a revolver or other fire arm, the modified arrangement of pivoted breech
block adapted to slide transversely to the cylinder substantially as described with
reference to Figures 11, 12, and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a revolver or other fire arm in which the breech-block slides transversely to
the cylinder, the arrangement for preventing premature firing substantially as set
forth with reference to Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.
7. In a revolver or other fire arm, the combination of the pivoted lever and arm,
the trigger bar and the slide of the cocking device, substantially as described.
8. A revolver or other firearm constructed and operating substantially as herein-
before described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 or with reference to Figures 11 to 13
of the accompanying drawings.
D
TOLL 1
the 100
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.