IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING STICK GUNS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN WALKING STICK GUNS." A communication from abroad by Célestin
Dumonthier. of Paris, France.
led the 23rd February 1877, and dated the 13th December 18
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December 1876.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING STICK GUNS."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of walking stick gun, capable
of being used as such either in the ordinary way or after the manner of a pea-
shooter.
The hollow cane or stick, which may be of wood or other material, is made in two
parts, one forming the handle fitted with an internal tube, which encloses the breech
imechanism, i.c., the spiral spring, striker, and the cord, chain, india-rubber tube, or
rod used for compressing the striker spring, or, in other words, cocking the gun;
the other part contains the barrel, fitted at the breech end with a cartridge case
extractor. The breech tube extends a certain distance into the barrel part of the
stick, and encloses the barrel, to which it is connected in such manner as to allow
of the telescopic movement of the two parts necessary for the insertion of the
cartridge.
When used in the manner of a gun, the spring striker is cocked by pulling the
cord or other connection above mentioned; but when used after the manner of a
pea-shooter, the knob handle is unscrewed from the end of the stick, and the cord
or other connection, as well as the spring, are detached from the striker, which is
then free to slide backwards and forwards along the breech tube, and by applying
the mouth to the open end of the tube and blowing therein, the striker may be
projected against the cartridge.
Either ball, small shot, or fireworks may be discharged from this walking
stick gun.
I have represented in the accompanying Drawings several examples of the
improved walking stick gun of this Invention.

page_text: Figure 1 is an external, and Figure 2 a longitudinal sectional view of a gun fitted
with a spiral spring for operating the striker.
Figure 3 is a similar section with the breech open for loading. In this Figure the
spring is removed, and the striker is operated by blowing through the handle.
Figures 4 and 5 are upper and under side views of the gun with the outer sheath
or stick removed.
Figure 6 shows longitudinal and transverse sections and a plan of the extractor.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all these Figures.
h
a, b, are the two parts of the stick or cane; c, breech tube fixed in the part a; d,
hollow knob screwing upon c, made in two parts easily separated; c, striker sliding
in c, and abutting in the forward position against the fixed block f; g, breech plug
pressed forward by a spring h, the movement of the plug being limited by a stud in
slot. The spiral spring may be replaced by an india-rubber tube, which will
answer the same purpose. j, holes for the escape of air when the striker is projected
against the cartridge; k, opening in tube cat which the cartridge is inserted; 1,
barrel fixed in part b of the stick, and sliding at the breech end within the pro-
jecting part of the tube c; m, stud fixed to barrel l, and serving to limit its move-
ment; n is a short tube soldered to tube c, and forming a guide for the barrel / to
slide in; o, cartridge extractor actuated by the stud m, which passes through a slot p
in the extractor o, and works in a longitudinal slot in the tube c, and when the gun
is loaded is received in a notch 9 in order to ensure a tight closure of the breech; ",
striker spring; 8, elastic or other connection attached to striker c, and provided with
a ring for pulling back or cocking the striker and compressing spring. As before
mentioned, the spring and connection 8 are removed, as in Figure 3, when the
striker is operated by blowing into the handle. In this case the striker may have
an india-rubber buffer to prevent noise, and a safety pin z may be fitted in tube c to
retain the striker when the gun is not in use. u, plug or ferrule, which is removed
when the stick is used as a fire-arın.
The action of the gun is as follows:-The part b of the stick is held while the
other part is partially rotated to disengage stud me from notch q to permit the
part a to be drawn back to uncover the breech opening h, at which the cartridge is
inserted, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3. The two parts a, b, of the stick
are then slid together, and the breech closed by the barrel pressing against the
spring breech plug g, which yields sufficiently to allow stud m to enter notch I thus
locking the two parts a, b, together. The ring t is pulled to compress the spring ?
and operate the striker. As the breech plug is movable, the gun cannot be fired
unless the breech is closed perfectly, as the point of the striker could not otherwise
project beyond the face of the plug g.
After firing, the breech is unclosed, as above mentioned, and the cartridge case
withdrawn from the barrel by the extractor o, which by the stud m working in the
slot moves with the barrel when the latter is drawn forward until the extractor,
striking against the tube n, is stopped, and the barrel continuing its movement,
the cartridge is retained by the extractor, and thus withdrawn from the barrel.
Figures 7 to 20 show modifications in the arrangement of the improved walking
stick gun, the said modifications relating,-
1st. To a method of rapidly connecting and disconnecting the two parts of the
stick by means of a bayonet joint for the purpose of cleaning.
2ndly. To prolonging the striker rod backwards, and terminating it with a head,
which is flush with the handle when the gun is not loaded, and protrudes in the
contrary case, thus showing when the gun is loaded. The striker is operated by a
spring, as before, and to cock the gun the striker rod is pulled back and retained by
a spring detent.
3rdly. To the cartridge case extractor, which consists of a flat spring with a
hooked end, which serves both to extract the cartridge and to retain the spring
breech plug in place. On closing the two parts of the gun together the breech plug
is forced back by the barrel, which it prevents from turning, and thus forms a con-
nection between the breech and barrel. Should the breech be imperfectly closed,

page_text: The
to reach the cartridge unless the breech plug is pressed far enough back.
spring extractor may also be located at the bottom of the breech chamber, but in
that case it will act only as an extractor.
Figure 7 shows an external view of the walking stick gun with these modi-
fications.
Figures 8 and 9 show longitudinal sections with the breech open and closed
respectively.
Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section with a cartridge inserted and the striker
forced back by it so as to project from the handle.
Figure 11 is a similar section with a cartridge inserted and the striker in the
cocked position.
Figure 12 shows the two parts of the gun separately.
Figure 13 is an external view of the breech portion, showing the double bayonet
slot and the cartridge extractor placed in the bottom of the breech tube.
In the longitudinal section and plan, Figures 14 and 15, the hooked form of
extractor is shown placed at the top instead of below.
In these Figures the same letters are used to signify the same parts.
gun
The handle portion a of the cane encloses the breech tube b, and the other part c
contains the barrel d, which fits within the tube b; f, striker rod, with the striker g
attached; h, fixed guide through which rod f passes; i, spiral spring enclosed
between the guide and a discj on rod f; h, spring detent mounted on guide h,
and taking into one of the notches on the striker rod f when the
is cocked;
m, trigger attached to detent h, by pressing which the striker g is released for
exploding the cartridge n; o, fixed stop against which abuts the spiral (or india-
rubber) spring p, which presses forward the breech plug 7, whose motion is limited
by a pin and slot s; t, opening in breech for inserting and withdrawing the cart-
ridge; u, cartridge extractor, consisting of a flat spring mounted on tube b. In
Figures 14 and 15 it is shown attached to o, and formed with a hooked end, which
retains the plug », thereby dispensing with the slots and pin. The plug is also
provided with a tubular extension w, which by striking against o limits the recoil
of plug, and prevents damage to the spiral spring p; or the same result may be
attained by throttling the tube b (as at 4, Figure 8) behind the breech plug ; this
throttling of the chamber may be applied to either arrangement of gun. v, x, double
bayonet slot in which works the pin y on the barrel d, thereby securing the two
parts a, c, of the stick firmly together; z, Figure 12, annular space between the
barrel d and the wood or other external sheath c to receive the tube b.
The following is the action of the fire-arm:-To load, the breech is opened by
turning the part a a quarter round by means of the handle e, so as to release the
pin y from the return slot 1 and bring it in a line with slot v, when by pulling
handle e the part a is drawn back to uncover the breech t, as seen in Figure 9; the
cartridge is then inserted, and moved forward into the barrel by pushing in the
handle. The rim of the cartridge n abutting against the end of barrel d raises and
passes under the hooked end of the extractor u, which thus retains the cartridge by
the rim, and the cartridge pressing back the sliding breech plug ?, compresses the
spiral spring p, as shown in Figure 10. The cartridge thus being completely
enclosed in the breech chamber, all escape of gases which might tend to burst the
case is prevented. The cartridge in its backward motion also forces back the
striker gand its rod f, which projects from the handle e, and thus indicates that
the cane is loaded. The gun is cocked by pulling back the striker rod f, and thus
compressing spring i, the striker being held by the detent entering one of the
notches, as shown in Figure 11. In firing, the trigger m is pressed in order to
liberate the striker rod from the detent. On drawing back the part a, the
extractor u retains the cartridge case, and draws it out from the barrel d.
To dismount the parts for the purpose of cleaning, the handle e is turned half
round, so as to bring the second longitudinal slot at the extremity of the tube b
in line with study to perinit of the separation of the parts a, c. The breech plug r

page_text: and spring may then be removed by raising the spring extractor u, Figures 14
and 15. The tube b is removed from the external sheath a by first unscrewing the
handle e.
The end of a fits on a collar 1, and is prevented from turning by the
extractor u, which is received in a recess made in it. Walking stick guns thus
constructed may be readily taken to pieces with the aid of a turnscrew only.
Figure 16 shows an external view of the modified walking stick gun arranged for
use after the manner of a pea-shooter.
Figure 17 shows a longitudinal section in the closed position.
Figure 18, a view of the two parts separately.
Figure 19, a view of the breech tube with the double bayonet slot and the
extractor at the under part of the tube.
Figure 20 is a longitudinal section of the gun loaded, with the extractor on the
upper side of the tube, as and for the purpose previously described with reference to
Figures 14 and 15.
The same letters of reference are used to indicate like parts in these five Figures.
a, b, the two parts of the stick; c, breech tube forming a lining for part a; d,
hollow knob screwing on c. The removable cap or cover of the knob may either be
screwed thereto or secured by a spring rod fixed to the cap and provided with a
catch passing through and engaging with the hollow screw neck of the knob, or the
latter may have a stud taking into a bayonet slot in the rod. e, striker; f, stop;
g, sliding breech plug; h, air holes, all as and for the purpose previously described
in reference to Figure 3; 1, breech opening; j, barrel; h, stud on barrel; 1, bayonet
slot in tube c; m, cartridge extractor, consisting either of a flat spring placed at the
lower side of tube c, like that shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, or hooked and placed at
the upper side, and answering the same purpose as before described and shown in
Figures 14 and 15; o spring behind the breech plug g; n, annular space between
the barrel j and stick b for the reception of tube c.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th June 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING STICK GUNS." A communi-
cation from abroad by Célestin Dumonthier, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved construction of walking stick gun, capable
of being used as such either in the ordinary way or after the manner of a pea-
shooter.
The hollow cane or stick, which may be of wood or other material, is made in two
parts, one forming the handle titted with an internal tube, which encloses the breech
mechanism, i.c., the spiral spring, striker, and the cord, chain, india-rubber tube or
rod used for compressing the striker spring, or, in other words, cocking the gun;
the other part contains the barrel, fitted at the breech end with a cartridge case
extractor. The breech tube extends a certain distance into the barrel part of the
stick, and encloses the barrel, to which it is connected in such manner as to allow
of the telescopic movement of the two parts necessary for the insertion of the
cartridge.
When used in the manner of a gun, the spring striker is cocked by pulling the
cord or other connection above mentioned; but when used after the manner of a
pea-shooter, the knob handle is unscrewed from the end of the stick, and the cord
or other connection, as well as the spring, are detached from the striker, which is
then free to slide backwards and forwards along the breech tube, and by applying
the mouth to the open end of the tube and blowing therein, the striker may be
projected against the cartridge.

page_text: Either ball, small shot, or fireworks may be discharged from this walking
stick gun.
I have represented in the accompanying Drawings several examples of the
improved walking stick gun of this Invention.
Figure 1 is an external, and Figure 2 a longitudinal sectional view of a gun fitted
with a spiral spring for operating the striker.
Figure 3 is a similar section with the breech open for loading. In this Figure the
spring is removed, and the striker is operated by blowing through the handle.
Figures 4 and 5 are upper and under side views of the gun with the outer sheath
or stick removed.
Figure 6 shows longitudinal and transverse sections and a plan of the extractor.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all these Figures.
a, b, are the two parts of the stick or cane; c, breech tube fixed in the part a; d,
hollow knob screwing upon c, made in two parts casily separated; e, striker sliding
in c, and abutting in the forward position against the fixed block; g, breech plug
pressed forward by a spring h, the movement of the plug being limited by a stud or
Blot i. The spiral spring may be replaced by an india-rubber tube, which will
answer the same purpose. j, holes for the escape of air when the striker is projected
against the cartridge; , opening in tube cat which the cartridge is inserted; 1,
barrel fixed in part b of the stick, and sliding at the breech end within the pro-
jecting part of the tube e; m, stud fixed to barrel L, and serving to limit its move-
ment; is a short tube soldered to tube c, and forming a guide for barrel to
slide in; o cartridge extractor actuated by the stud m, which passes through a slot p
in the extractor o, and works in a longitudinal slot in the tube c, and when the gun
is loaded is received in a notch 9 in order to ensure a tight closure of the breech; ",
striker spring; 8, elastic or other connection attached to striker e, and provided with
a ring t for pulling back or cocking the striker and compressing spring 7. As before
mentioned, the spring and connections are removed, as in Figure 3, when the
striker is operated by blowing into the handle. In this case the striker may have
an india-rubber buffer to prevent noise, and a safety pin may be fitted in tube c to
retain the striker when the gun is not in use. u, plug or ferrule which is removed
when the stick is used as a fire-arm.
The action of the gun is as follows:-The part b of the stick is held while the
other part a is partially rotated to disengage stud m from notch q to permit the
part a to be drawn back to uncover the breech opening k, at which the cartridge is
inserted, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3. The two parts a, b, of the stick
are then slid together, and the breech closed by the barrel pressing against the
spring breech plug g, which yields sufficiently to allow stud m to enter notch q, thus
locking the two parts a, b, together. The ring t is pulled to compress the spring?
and operate the striker. As the breech plug is movable, the gun cannot be fired
unless the breech is closed perfectly, as the point of the striker could not otherwise
project beyond the face of the plug g.
After firing, the breech is unclosed, as above mentioned, and the cartridge case
withdrawn from the barrel by the extractor o, which by the stud m, working in
the slot p moves with the barrel when the latter is drawn forward until the
extractor, striking against the tube n, is stopped, and the barrel continuing its
movement, the cartridge case is retained by the extractor, and thus withdrawn from
the barrel.
Figures 7 to 20 show inodifications in the arrangement of the improved walking
stick gun, the said modifications relating,—
1st. To a method of rapidly connecting and disconnecting the two parts of the
stick by means of a bayonet joint for the pupose of cleaning.
2ndly. To prolonging the striker rod backwards, and terminating it with a head,
which is flush with the handle when the gun is not loaded, and protrudes in the
contrary case, thus showing when the gun is loaded. The striker is operated by a
spring, as before, and to cock the gun the striker rod is pulled back and retained by
a spring detent,

page_text: 3rdly. To the cartridge case extractor, which consists of a flat spring with a
hooked end, which serves both to extract the cartridge case and retain the spring
breech plug in place. On closing the two parts of the gun together, the breech plug
is forced back by the barrel, which it prevents from turning, and thus forms a con-
nection between the breech and barrel. Should the breech be imperfectly closed,
the gun cannot be fired, as the striker cannot project through the breech plug so as
to reach the cartridge unless the breech plug is pressed far enough back. The
spring extractor may also be located at the bottom of the breech chamber, but in
that case it will act only as an extractor.
Figure 7 shows an external view of the walking stick gun with these modi-
fications.
Figures 8 and 9 show longitudinal sections with the breech open and closed
respectively.
Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section with a cartridge inserted and the striker
forced back by it so as to project from the handle.
Figure 11 is a similar section with a cartridge inserted and the striker in the
cocked position.
Figure 12 shows the two parts of the gun separately.
Figure 13 is an external view of the breech portion, showing the double bayonet
slot and the cartridge extractor placed in the bottom of the breech tube.
In the longitudinal section and plan, Figures 14 and 15, the hooked form of
extractor is shown placed at the top instead of below.
In these Figures the same letters are used to signify the same parts.
The handle portion a of the cane encloses the breech tube b, and the other part c
contains the barrel d, which fits within the tube b; f, striker rod with the striker g
attached; h, fixed guide through which rod f passes; i, spiral spring enclosed
between the guide and the disc j on rod f; k, spring detent mounted on guide h,
and taking into one of the notches on the striker rod f when the gun is cocked;
m, trigger attached to detent k, by pressing which the striker is released for
exploding the cartridge n; o, fixed stop against which abuts the spiral or india-
rubber spring p, which presses forward the breech plug , whose motion is limited
by a pin and slot &; t, opening in breech for inserting and withdrawing the cart-
ridge; u, cartridge extractor, consisting of a flat spring mounted on tube b. In
Figures 14 and 15 it is shown attached to o, and formed with a hooked end, which
retains the plug r, thereby dispensing with the slots and pin. The plug is also
provided with a tubular extension w, which by striking against o limits the recoil
of plug, and prevents damage to the spiral spring p; or the same result may be
attained by throttling the tube b (as at 4, Figure 8, as indicated in dotted lines)
behind the breech plug ; this throttling of the chamber may be applied to either
arrangement of gun. v, x, double bayonet slot in which works the pin y on the
barrel d, thereby securing the two parts a, c, of the stick firmly together; 2, Figure
12, annular space between the barrel d and the wood or other external sheath c to
receive the tube b.
The following is the action of the fire-arm :-To load, the breech is opened by
turning the part a a quarter round by means of the handle e, so as to release the
pin y from the return slot 1 and bring it in a line with slot v, when by pulling
handle e the part a is drawn back to uncover the breech t, as seen in Figure 9; the
cartridge is then inserted, and moved forward into the barrel by pushing in the
handle. The rim of the cartridge n abutting against the end of barrel d raises and
passes under the hooked end of the extractor u, which thus retains the cartridge by
the rim, and the cartridge pressing back the sliding breech plug ", compresses the
spiral spring p, as shown in Figure 10. The cartridge being thus completely
enclosed in the breech chamber, all escape of gases which might tend to burst the
case is prevented. The cartridge in its backward motion also forces back the
striker and its rod, which projects from the handle e, and thus indicates that
the cane is loaded. The gun is cocked by pulling back the striker rod f, and thus
compressing spring i, the striker being held by the detent entering one of the
g

page_text: notches, as shown in Figure 11. In firing, the trigger m is pressed in order to
liberate the striker rod from the detent . On drawing back the part α, the
extractor u retains the cartridge case, and draws it out from the barrel d.
To dismount the parts for the purpose of cleaning, the handle e is turned half
round, so as to bring the second longitudinal slot v at the extremity of the tube b
in line with study to permit of the separation of the parts a, c. The breech plug r
and spring p may then be removed by raising the spring extractor u, Figures 14
and 15. The tube b is removed from the external sheath a by first unscrewing the
handle c. The end of a fits on a collar 1, and is prevented from turning by the
extractor u, which is received in a recess made in it. Walking stick guns thus
constructed may be readily taken to pieces with the aid of a turnscrew only.
Figure 16 shows an external view of the modified walking stick gun arranged for
use after the manner of a pea-shooter.
Figure 17 shows a longitudinal section in the closed position.
Figure 18, a view of the two parts separately.
Figure 10, a view of the breech tube with the double bayonet slot and the
extractor at the under part of the tube.
Figure 20 is a longitudinal section of the gun loaded, with the extractor on the
upper side of the tube, as and for the purpose previously described with reference to
Figures 14 and 15.
The same letters of reference are used to indicate like parts in these five Figures.
a, b, the two parts of the stick; c, breech tube forming a lining for part a; d,
hollow knob screwing on c. The reinovable cap or cover of the knob may either be
screwed thereto or secured by a spring rod fixed to the cap and provided with a
catch passing through and engaging with the hollow screw neck of the knob, or the
latter may have a stud taking into a bayonet slot in the rod. e, striker; f, stop;
g, sliding breech plug; h, air holes, all as and for the purpose previously described
in reference to Figure 3; i, breech opening;, barrel; 1, stud on barrel; 1, bayonet
slot in tube c; m, cartridge extractor, consisting cither of a flat spring placed at the
lower side of tube c, like that shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11, or hooked and
placed at the upper side, and answering the same purpose as before described and
shown in Figures 14 and 15; o, spring behind the breech plug g. In Figure 20
the extractor m also serves to hold the sliding breech plug g. The plug 7 and
spring o may be removed by simply raising the extractor m, and they may be as
readily replaced by pushing the plugg back by means of the barrel until it passes
under and is retained by the extractor in the same way as the cartridge when
loading the cane. n, annular space between the barrel j and stick b for the reception
of tube c. The two parts a, b, of the stick are united by introducing tube c into
the annular space n, and then pushing it until the studenters slot 7, so as to
retain the tube c, which when once in place has the necessary sliding motion for
opening and closing the breech for loading.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as shown and
described in the various modifications, constituting a walking stick gun, which,
without change in its construction, may be discharged either by means of a spring
and trigger like a gun, or by blowing into it after the manner of a pea-shooter, as
specified.
2nd. The connection of the two parts of the stick by a double bayonet slot, sub-
stantially as shown and described, whereby they may be instantly connected and
disconnected for the purpose of cleaning.
3rd. The combination with the striker of a rod that projects from the handle to
indicate when the cane is loaded, as described.
4th. The two arrangements of cartridge extractors shown and described, the one
being of half round form, and the other consisting of a flat spring mounted either

page_text: on the upper or under side of the breech tube, and serving also to retain the sliding
breech plug and facilitate the mounting and dismounting thereof, all as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. M. CLARK (L.S.)