IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS." A communication from abroad by Franz von Dreyse,
of Soemmerda, in the Empire of Germany.
Sealed the 23rd May 1876, and dated the 4th December 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 4th December 1875.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention may be divided into two parts, consisting, first, of an
improved construction of lock; and, second, of a novel construction of

page_text: The first part of the Invention comprises several improvements in the
lock, and relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms which is known
as bolt guns, in which the breech is closed by a bolt, which is slidden
forward in the shoe and is then secured in place by being partially
rotated on its axis so as to bring the handle (whereby it is moved) into
a notch or recess so that the bolt cannot be moved back until the handle
is lifted out of the notch or recess.
In the present Invention the bolt
consists of a hollow cylinder, which is provided with a handle whereby
it may be moved to and fro in the shoe, and may be partially
rotated on its own axis. At the forward end of the hollow bolt is
adapted a short cylindrical block called the locking head, to which is
attached the hooked cartridge extractor, these parts being connected
together in such a manner that when the bolt is rotated on its axis the
hook of the cartridge extractor is carried round the rim of the cartridge
and loosens the same when it is inclined to stick in the breech. In the
after part of the hollow cylindrical bolt is placed the striker, to the
forward end of which is attached the striking pin, which passes through
a hole in the locking head, and projects therefrom when thrown forward
by the coiled main spring in order to strike the base of the cartridge.
The
rear end of the locking head and the forward end of the
striker are made with inclines which bear against each other, so that
when the bolt is rotated the striker will be forced back, and will with-
draw the striking pin from the cartridge, and at the same time will
compress the main spring by carrying back a shoulder, against which
the spring bears for the purpose of forcing it forward when the trigger
releases the striker. The shoulder, as it is forced back, passes over and
depresses the sear, which being attached to a flat spring acts as a spring
catch to hold the striker at full cock until it is drawn down by pulling
the trigger. By this means the arm is cocked automatically by the
mere act of rotating the bolt preparatory to drawing it back to open the
breech for the reception of a cartridge. The arm is provided with a
safety bolt made in the form of a cylinder to receive the end of the
coiled mainspring. It is provided with a handle, whereby it is turned.
round so as to prevent a stud or block on the striker from going forward
and allowing the striking pin to reach the cartridge. One of the main
features of this part of the Invention is that all the working parts of
the lock are enclosed within the sliding bolt.
The second part of the Invention relates to the construction of the
barrel, and consists in chambering out the breech end of the barrel to

page_text: receive a short grooved rifle tube. The remaining portion of the barrel
may be plain or without grooves, so that when the bullet by passing
along the short rifled part has received its rotary motion it may pass along
the remaining portion of the barrel with much less friction than hereto-
fore. By thus reducing the friction a very flat trajectory and much greater
penetration are obtained. As these short rifled barrels need not be per-
manently secured to the long barrel, but should be capable of removal
therefrom with facility, it will be evident that if the main part of the
barrel be a smooth bore the arm may be used either as a smooth bore
shot gun or as a rifle, as may be desired, by simply providing the
chambered-out breech end with a short barrel of the required form.
This improvement is applicable to sporting guns as well as to military
fire-arms.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 3rd June 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-.
ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her
special licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my exe-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Edward Newton, 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 BREECH-LOADING FIRE-
ARMS," being a communication to me from abroad by Franz von Dreyse,
of Soemmerda, in the Empire of Germany, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors or

page_text: 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention may be divided into two parts, consisting, first, of an
improved construction of lock; and, second, of a novel construction of
barrel.
The first part of the Invention comprises several improvements in tho
lock, and relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms which is known
as bolt guns, in which the breech is closed by a bolt which is slidden
forward in the shoe, and is then secured in place by being partially
rotated on its axis so as to bring the handle (whereby it is moved) into
a notch or recess so that the bolt cannot be moved back until the handle
is lifted out of the notch or recess. In the present Invention the bolt
consists of a hollow cylinder, which is provided with a handle whereby
it may be moved to and fro in the shoe, and may be partially rotated on
its own axis. At the forward end of the hollow bolt is adapted a short
cylindrical block called the locking head, to which is attached the
hooked cartridge extractor, these parts being connected together in such
a manner that when the bolt is rotated on its axis the hook of the
cartridge extractor is carried round the rim of the cartridge, and loosens
the same when the cartridge is inclined to stick in the breech. In the after
part of the hollow cylindrical bolt is placed the striker, to the forward
end of which is attached the striking pin, which passes through a hole
in the locking head and projects therefrom when thrown forward by the
coiled mainspring in order to strike the base of the cartridge. The rear
end of the locking head and the forward end of the striker are made
with inclines, which bear against each other, so that when the bolt is
rotated the striker will be forced back, and will withdraw the striking
pin from the cartridge, and at the same time will compress the main-

page_text: spring by carrying back a shoulder, against which the spring bears for
the purpose of forcing it forward when the trigger releases the striker.
The shoulder as it is forced back passes over and depresses the sear,
which being attached to a flat spring acts as a spring catch to hold the
striker at full cock until it is drawn down by pulling the trigger. By
this means the arm is cocked automatically by the mere act of rotating
the bolt, preparatory to drawing it back to open the breech for the
reception of a cartridge. The arm is provided with a safety bolt made
in the form of a cylinder to receive the end of the coiled mainspring.
It is furnished with a handle, whereby it is turned round so as to prevent
a stud or block on the striker from going forward and allowing the
striking pin to reach the cartridge. One of the main features of this
part of the Invention is that all the working parts of the lock are
enclosed within the sliding bolt.
The second part of the Invention relates to the construction of the
barrel, and consists in chambering out the breech end of the barrel to
receive a short grooved rifle tube. The remaining portion of the barrel
may be plain or without grooves, so that when the bullet, by passing
along the short rifled part, has received its rotary motion it may pass
along the remaining portion of the barrel with much less friction than
heretofore. By thus reducing the friction a very flat trajectory and
much greater penetration are obtained. As these short rifled barrels
need not be permanently secured to the long barrel, but should be
capable of removal therefrom with facility, it will be evident that if the
main part of the barrel be a smooth bore the arm may be used either as
a smooth bore shot gun or as a rifle, as may be desired, by simply
providing the chambered-out breech end with a short barrel of the
required form. This improvement is applicable to sporting guns as well.
as to military fire-arms.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shown various views of the
gun with the several working parts in different positions.
Fig. 1, Sheet I. is a longitudinal section of the arm showing the
breech end of the barrel, the shoe and the sliding or locking bolt in
section, the several parts being in the position they would assume
immediately after discharging the arm.
Fig. 2 is another sectional view showing the breech end of the barrel,
the shoe, and the hollow bolt in section, but the locking head and

page_text: striker in elevation, the several parts being in the position they would
assume when the bolt has been partially rotated by turning the handle
to the left preparatory to drawing back the bolt in order to load the
gun; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the gun with the several parts in
the position ready for firing.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 in Sheet I. are various views of
several parts of the lock detached.
The several Figures in Sheet II. represent different views of the
improved barrel with separate rifled breech piece, and illustrate the
second part of the Invention.
The shoe a is screwed on to the end of the barrel and serves for the
reception of the several parts of the lock. To the under side of the
shoe is attached by means of a screw, the trigger spring 6 which is
shown detached in side and end elevation at Fig. 5. The trigger b¹ is
connected to the rear end of this spring and is movable round a pin, as
shewn at Fig. 5. The sear 6 of the trigger spring passes up through a
square hole in the lower side of the shoe a, and enters into the interior
of the cylindrical bolt e, as shown at Figures 1, 2, and 4. The upper
side of the shoe is cut through lengthways to allow the bolt handle to
enter. This slot widens towards the front so as to be wide enough to
receive the cartridge.
The locking head c (which is shown detached in side and end
elevations at Fig. 6) serves to lock the barrel and to carry the cartridge
extractor d which is attached thereto. At the rear end of the cylindrical
part there is a curve d', and this part is also provided with a groove for
lubrication. This locking head enters into the bore of the hollow
cylindrical bolt e, and in its longitudinal axis it is bored through to
allow the striking pin h to pass through. The bolt e is a hollow cylinder
(provided with a handle e¹) and serves for the reception of the internal
parts of the lock and the back parts of the locking head c. On the
under side of the bolt e (which is shewn detached at Fig. 7, in side
elevation and back and front end views) there is a long and a diagonal
slot which allows the trigger spring sear d to enter and to act upon the
internal parts of the lock. Opposite to this slot at the end of the
cylindrical bolt is a groove for the locking head stop pin e*.

page_text: The safety bolt f (which is shown detached at Fig. 8 in side elevation
and front and back end views) is a cylinder provided with a handle and
a stopping pin which enters into the back end of the bolt e, and admits
of securing or stopping the lock. Its wide bore receives the hinder end
of the spiral spring f¹ (shown detached at Fig. 9), which has its hinder
point of support on the bed of the safety bolt f. Through the bore of
the safety bolt the hinder part of the striker g with the striking pin h is
passed.
The striker g (shown detached in side view and front and back end
views at Fig. 10) serves to receive the striking pin h (shown detached at
Fig. 11) and to direct it through the bolt e. In order to hold the
striking pin h, the striker g, Fig. 10, is bored through, and in the end of
this bore it is tapped with screw threads to receive the screw at the rear
end of the striking pin, see Fig. 11. The front part of the striker g ends
in a curve which corresponds with the curve d' of the locking head c,
Fig. 6. Besides this there are on its front part a groove for lubrication
and a stud or feather g¹ which fits into a groove in the bolt e, and hinders
the striker g from turning round in the bolt e. The back tapered
shoulder g³ forms the front supporting point of the spiral spring ƒ¹ which
is adapted to and surrounds the rear end of the striker g. This
shoulder g³ being taper it allows it to slip over the sear 6³ of the trigger
spring at the cocking and firing off of the arm.
The striking pin h (shown detached at Fig. 10) is screwed into the
striker g and serves to ignite the cartridge by striking and exploding
the cap or fulminate at the rear of the cartridge when it is thrown
forward by the force of the spiral spring ƒ¹.
The spiral spring f¹ (shewn detached at Fig. 11) is the actuating
power which causes the shooting forward of the striker 9 and with it the
striking pin' h.
g
The above are the principal working parts of the lock, and the
operation of putting together the several pieces of the lock is effected by
the following motions :—
1. The safety bolt fis introduced into the bolt e.
2. The spiral spring f¹ is pushed into the back part of the striker g
into which the striking pin h has previously been screwed, and now the

page_text: 3. The bolt e is then grasped with the left hand under the button of
the locking head c, and this button is so placed upon the striker that its
stud is in the same direction as the rib of the striker (and therefore the
curves of the locking head and striker are not one on another), and the
rib of the locking head is guided into the corresponding groove of
the bolt. The locking head c is then pressed down until it rides on the
bolt e, and is then turned to the left until the curves audibly meet
together.
4. In order to secure the safety bolt f the latter is held in the left
hand and is pushed by its handle with the thumb of the right hand
until its stopping pin f* enters into the cross groove of the bolt; it is
then turned to the left and drawn back until the trigger spring scar 6ª
disappears out of the bore of the shoe.
5. In order to lock the safety bolt and complete the locking of the
bolt it is pushed forward with the thumb and turned towards the
right.
The taking to pieces of the lock is effected in the opposite way. The
lock must be either in the fired off or cocked state. The trigger must
be drawn back until the trigger spring sear 6³ comes out of the inner
bore of the shoe, then the bolt must be taken out of the shoe. Then
the safety bolt f is made safe, the locking head turned so far until its
stud corresponds with the groove of the bolt. The locking head is
drawn out about one-eighth of an inch from the bolt, then the bolt e
and locking piece is grasped fast with the left hand so that the thumb
and forefinger prevent the locking piece from springing out when the
spiral spring f¹ is let free. Then the safety bolt fis pushed forward and
cocked, whereby the forefinger and thumb of the left hand allow the
locking piece to slip slowly forward. Then the striker g with the
spiral spring f¹ and the safety bolt fare removed from the bolt.
In order to explain the proper mode of handling and loading the gun
it will be necessary to refer to Fig. 1, in which (as above mentioned)
the gun is shown as in a fired off state, all the parts of the lock being
shewn in section.
To load the arm the bolt e is seized by the handle e¹ and turned to
the left, by which means the lock will be brought into the state
represented in Fig. 2, in which the shoe, the bolt, and the safety bolt

page_text: .
are drawn in section. These parts are also seen in Fig. 3, which is a
plan view shewing the position of the parts after turning the bolt e to
the left; the bolt e is then drawn back as far as possible. Then the
metal cartridge is put into the cartridge receptacle of the shoe (it is
not necessary to guide it into the barrel) the bolt e is again pushed
forward and shut by turning it to the right by means of the handle e¹
The cartridge will then be in the barrel and the gun is ready for firing,
the several parts being in the position shewn at Fig. 4. The locking
head c (when the bolt is closed) lays itself with its stud c¹ on the left
side of the opening for the reception of the cartridge, as shewn at Fig 3;
when therefore the bolt e is turned to the left it can be moved no
further in that direction. When the bolt e is in this position the striker
(by the curve at its forward end coming in contact with the curve d' of
the locking piece e) will be forced backwards, and the spiral spring f
which has its two points between the shoulder g' on the back part of
the striker g and the bore of the safety bolt f will be pressed together
and the gun will be cocked. The backward movement of the striker g
only ceases when its shoulder g³ has got behind the trigger spring sear 6³.
In turning the bolt e the stud e* of the locking piece c has entered into
a curved groove or recess in the bore of the bolt e, the locking piece c
cannot therefore slip forward when the bolt e is again turned back. The
striker g will therefore be retained in the same position as it had taken
up, and the spiral spring f' remains cocked.
When after the cartridge has been inserted and the bolt e has been
pushed forward, the spring extractor d on the locking piece c seizes the
flanged head of the metal cartridge, and when the bolt is turned to the
right the left edge of the locking piece c lies against the right edge of
the cartridge receptacle of the shoe. The locking piece c cannot follow
the turning of the bolt e, and therefore the stud e* of the locking piece
comes out of the curved groove or recess of the bore of the bolt e into a
short longitudinal groove, and slips forward until its top surface touches
the head of the cartridge, i.e., to the edge of the open breech of the
barrel. The coiled spring f' is now only held back and prevented from
pushing forward the striker by the trigger spring sear 6³, which is held
at the back of the shoulder 9' of the striker head, and prevents the
latter from moving forward; a pressure on the trigger b' draws down
the trigger spring sear 63, and the back striker head g² becomes free;
the spiral spring f¹ then pushes the striker g forward with all its force

page_text: so that the point of the striking pin h will hit the percussion cap of the
cartridge and explode it; when the breech is again opened and the
bolt e is drawn back, the extractor d draws out the spent cartridge
case.
In order that tight fitting cartridge cases may be drawn out with ease,
the back end of the bolt e and shoe a are provided with corresponding
curves e*, Fig. 3, and studs, so that when the bolt is turned round they
come together, and so draw the bolt e back like a screw retreats when
turned in its socket. The movement of the bolt e is thereby so equal
and irresistible, that even the tightest fitting cartridge is loosened and
easily drawn out without the extractor injuring the flange. There are
therefore only three movements necessary in using the gun (1) opening
the bolt (2), putting in the cartridge, and (3) shutting the bolt. The
rate of firing is thereby brought to twenty-four rounds per minute.
The lock is fitted in the same way for needle ignition as for pin ignition,
and for the first it is only necessary to alter the bore of the locking
piece c and striker g, and to screw a needle into the striker g in the
place of the striking pin h.
To ensure safety in the use of the arm the safety bolt ƒ must be
pressed forward with the right-hand thumb until the stop pin i enters
into the cross groove of the bolt, which then being turned to the left
the safety bolt is drawn back. To ensure safety when the gun is cocked
it will only be necessary (after the safety bolt has been turned to the
left) to allow the coiled spring f' to act. The safety obtained hereby is
complete as the main spring f' is thereby completely expended, and
therefore an absolute safety against the gun going off by itself is
secured.
or when
When the lock is made safe the stop pin f2 of the safety bolt fenters
into a groove in the safety bolt, so that a turning of the bolt e, i.e., an
opening of the same, is impossible. The object of this is to prevent the
lock from coming open either when carrying the arm
exercising with it when loaded, and further to prevent the cartridges
from falling out by the bolt e dropping down. The cocking of the gun
is effected by pressing forward the safety bolt and turning it to the
right.
The above lock can also be used for paper cartridges with gas proof
heads by taking away the extractor arrangement and using a needle
instead of the striking nin h

page_text: The second part of the Invention is shown in Sheet II. of the
Drawings, and relates to a novel construction of barrel for breech-
loading guns, by which the rotation of the shot or bullet is produced by
a short rifled piece inserted in the breech of the gun, the bore of the
main barrel of the piece being perfectly smooth.
Fig. 12, Sheet II., is a longitudinal section of a rifle barrel con-
structed according to the Invention. It will be seen that the inside
bore of the barrel is made perfectly cylindrical and smooth throughout,
and of the usual calibre, but at its breech end a cylindrical bore or
recess is made of greater diameter to receive a short rifled tube j, the
outside diameter of which exactly corresponds with the width of this
recess or enlarged bore. The rear end of this detachable rifled piece is
made of a larger diameter as is usual in breech-loading rifles so as to
receive the cartridge. The bore of the piece ; is furnished with rifling
grooves, the twists of which are regulated according to the calibre of
the barrel, and the size of the charge of powder to be employed.
In the barrel shewn on the annexed Drawing, the grooves make one
turn in about sixteen inches, but any other suitable twist may be
employed. The depths of the grooves agree with the calibre of the
barrel; in the back part of the piece ; the chamber for receiving the
cartridges is turned out, and the grooves are broken off both towards the
front and towards the cartridge chamber.
The detachable rifled piece ; is shewn detached in elevation at
Fig. 13, and in section (taken in the line a, b, of Fig. 13) at Fig. 14;
Fig. 15 is an end view of the breech end of the piece. This im-
provement is applicable to double-barrelled rifles, and also to sporting
guns.
Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section of a double barrelled sporting gun;
Fig. 17 is an elevation of the breech end of the same; Fig. 18 is an
elevation of the short rifled piece detached from the barrel; and
Fig. 19 is a longitudinal section of a detachable piece with a smooth
bore; and Fig. 20 is a cross section of the same.
Both barrels of the double barrel are turned out or bored so as to
form recesses at the back ends to receive the movable or detachable
pieces j. The movable pieces ; are either smooth or rifled, according to
whether the gun is to be used for shot or for bullets. The smooth

page_text: ->
bore detachable pieces are of exactly the same calibre as the barrel in
the rifled ones, and the calibre of the grooves in the rifled piece agrees
with that of the barrel. The rifled detachable piece has four shallow
flat grooves with the same twist as that of the one shewn at Fig. 12,
but any other suitable twist may be adopted.
On referring to Fig. 17 it will be seen that the inserted detachable
piece j in one barrel is rifled and in the other barrel it is smooth. It
has hitherto been considered that the rotation of the shot could only
be produced by means of grooves cut in the barrel, but by this improved
method of constructing barrels it will suffice to insert a short rifled
piece into the breech end of the smooth barrel to obtain a regular
rotation of the shot and a certain true aim.
The trajectory of the shot in barrels constructed in this way is
exceedingly flat because the shot has not to overcome the considerable
friction due to the barrels, which are grooved the whole length, and
consequently the initial velocity of the bullet is greater. For the same
reasons the certainty of correct aim is increased.
In its application to sporting guns this system of construction offers
the great advantage that when out shooting one can by changing the
insertion piece ; alter a shot gun into a true rifle in a few minutes.
The employment of the short removable barrels is therefore necessary
to convert a shot gun into a rifle or a double barrelled rifle, but as
already said above for this purpose it suffices to change the insertion
pieces, which can be done in a very short time and in a very few motions.
of the hand, even in the field while out shooting.
Breech-loading ordnance may in the same manner be provided with
short detachable rifled tubes.
Having now described the Invention of "Improvements in Breech-
loading Fire-arms," which has been communicated to me by my foreign
"correspondent, and having explained the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent
as aforesaid the general construction and arrangement of parts herein
shewn and described.
I claim particularly the cylindrical bolt e, constructed to enclose the
principal working parts of the lock, as and for the purposes herein set
forth.

page_text: I also claim the combination of the cylindrical bolt e with the locking
head c, safety bolt f, and striker g, with its striking pin h and actuating
coiled spring f¹, the whole being arranged, constructed, and operated
as and for the purposes herein set forth.
I further claim the adaptation of the rib g¹ to the forward end of the
striker g and the use of the stop pin i at the rear end thereof, as and
for the purposes herein set forth.
I also claim the mode herein shown and described of loosening and
drawing out cartridge cases that stick tightly in the breech.
I further claim the mode herein set forth of constructing the locking
head c for the purposes above described.
Lastly. I claim constructing the breech end of breech-loading fire-
arms with an enlarged bore in order that it may receive a short
detachable tube or piece, which may be cither a smooth bore or rifled,
while the remainder of the fixed barrel is made with a smooth bore, as
and for the purpose herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Second day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six.