IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International Patent
Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME."-A com-
munication from abroad by Silvanus Frederic Van Choate, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 11th February 1868, and dated the 26th November 1867.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 26th November 1867, pursuant to the 9th Section of
the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1832.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS, I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME," and have peti-
tioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and

page_text: assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn
Declaration that it has been communicated to me from abroad by Silvanus
Frederic Van Choate, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal,
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings forming a part of this
Specification.
My Invention relates to a new mode of constructing breech movements for
magazine or repeating guns, and for single loaders, as well as for the conversion
of muzzle-loaders into breech-loaders, and also to a new mode of constructing
cartridges for the use of the same, and for other purposes.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one of my plans for
forming the breech of a gun. This consists in a mode of revolving laterally
the butt stock on a strong bolt A, having a substantial head B imbedded in
the breech block C attached to the butt stock, while the forward end of the
bolt is connected with the "reinforce " D, and secured by an adjustable key or
wedge E. This key is fitted into a mortise cut through the "reinforce" block
and the bolt A. The wedge or key is slightly bevelled towards the end, on its
left hand edge, and the adjacent part of the mortise in the bolt is bevelled cor-
respondingly, so that by means of a screw marked a the key or wedge may be
adjusted to tighten or loosen the movement of the breech. The butt breech C
is lecked and kept securely in place, and its lateral movement is regulated by
a sliding bolt marked b, operated by the finger pin c, and pressed forward by a
half circle spring d, secured to the lock at e. The forward end of this bolt b
rests and moves in a slot and mortise cut in the rear face of the reinforce D
at f. This bolt is kept from being drawn back or unlocked while the nose of
the hammer rests against the needle plunger by a stop 9 on the end of the dog
of the lock. When the hammer is half cocked the dog moves up into its
notch in the tumbler, thus releiving the end of the bolt, which may then be
drawn back by the finger. At the same time by a slight outward turn or
twist of the wrists the breech may be opened and the cartridge shell thrown
out by the action of the extracting mechanism operated by the movement of
the breech, the opening of the chamber of the barrel being in position for the
insertion of the cartridge as represented in Figure 2. A reverse movement
of the wrists closes the breech, when by the forward movement of the bolt b
the butt is securely locked.

page_text: Figure 3 shows the rear end of the "reinforce" D, and Figure 4 represents
the forward end of the breech block C; these faces of D and C, seen in
Figures 3 and 4, are the two faces which fit together.
Figure 5 is another arrangement of my Invention and mode of constructing
the breech of a gun. This plan is adapted to magazine guns as well as to
the conversion of muzzle loaders. This Figure represents a longitudinal
section of the breech without the stock or its appendages taken on a vertical
plane in the line A, B, of Figure 6. These Figures are intended to show
more particularly a common Springfield (U. S.) or Enfield (English) rifle
musket changed from the muzzle to a breech-loading arm by my Invention.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line B, C, of Figure 7 showing
the centre pin b, the breech block D, "reinforce "C, and link m, hook q,
connecting pin p, and the slots and grooves for the pin and its head to move
in. Figure 9 is a cross section taken on the line C, D, Figure 5. Figure 10
shows the plan of arranging the hammer plunger. Figure 11 is an elevation
of one side of the breech block, and Figure 12 is an elevation of the other
side of the same showing a part of the side cut out to receive the link m.
Figure 13 is a plan, and Figure 15 is a rear end view of the same piece.
Figure 14 is a section taken on the line E, F, of Figure 7 not showing the
stock and lock. The breech "reinforce " C, Figure 5, is a strong piece of metal
supporting the movable breech block D. The barrel of the gun is connected to
the forward end of the said "reinforce" by a screw thread, while the
"reinforce" or frame is secured to the wood of the butt of the gun by a
screw bolt at a; the whole when completed assumes the form represented in
elevation in Figure 7, and in plan at Figure 6. In Figure 5 6 is a centre pin
upon which the breech block D is hinged; the said breech block has a knob
or handle c attached to one side as seen in Figure 6. A strong spring d,
Figure 5, arranged to press against the heel of the breech block at e serves to
ock the block when the breech is closed, and also to keep the breech block
firm when it is thrown back for the purpose of loading. The action of this
spring upon the breech block is exactly like the back spring of a penknife
upon the blade, thus being more convenient and simple than any arrangement
of locking bolt or other device to secure and regulate the breech block. To
open the breech for loading or other purposes the breech block D is thrown
backwards by the knob c in a line toward the shoulder of the person holding
the gun until it is arrested by the heel e of the breech pin coming in contact
with the shoulder f on the "reinforce" or frame. The centre pin b must be
placed exactly in a line with the centre of the barrel in order to resist effec-
tually the force of the explosion of the charge. The forward lower end of

page_text: the breech block D is arranged with a projecting piece F, Figure 5, which fits
into a corresponding mortise formed in the under side of the "reinforce " or
frame, as represented in section at h in Figure 9. This projection forms a
strong bar to resist the concussion of the charge. The rear end of the breech
block is also provided with two shoulders j, Figure 8, while the "reinforce," as
seen in the same Figure, also contains corresponding shoulders or jaws i, one
on each side of the hinge neck of the breech block. The extreme rear
end k, Figure 8, of the breech block also rests and fits against a solid bearing
in the frame at 7. These shoulders and projections arranged relative to the
central strain render this plan of breech one of the most substantial that
could be devised, taking into consideration simplicity and effectiveness. The
cartridge extractor of this plan has a positive action. It consists of a bar or
link m, Figure 8, connected at one end with the breech block by a pin at n,
and similarly attached at the other end o to the cartridge hook. The rear
end of the hook slides back and forth in a groove cut in the side of the
"reinforce" or frame, as shown in dotted lines at g, Figure 5, while the con-
necting pin p, Figure 8, slides in a slot formed in the centre of the groove.
The head of the pin on the other side serves to hold and guide the hook qand
link m, Figure 8. When the breech pin is drawn back the link m acts as a
connecting rod or link and draws the cartridge hook q back. When the said
hook is driven forward by the closing of the breech the forward or hook end
slides into a triangular or bevelled notch r, Figure 8, formed in the rear end
of the barrel, while by means of the corresponding shape of the head of
the hook the catch on the end is forced behind the flange or projection
on the cartridge shell when the latter is drawn out on the reverse move-
ment of the breech block. The said breech block may be removed by
unscrewing the centre bolt b, Figures 5 and 8, and the cartridge hook
removed by sliding it back until the head of the pin p will pass out of a hole
formed for this purpose in the sides of the "reinforce or frame at the rear
end of the slot. When the gun is to be loaded the hammer is drawn back to
"half-cock" and the breech block is brought back to a perpendicular position.
The protruding end a of the hammer plunger b, Figure 10, passes over the
top of the nose of the hammer. The hammer plunger 6, Figure 10, is a
round piece having two sizes or diameters, the lower end being the smaller.
Corresponding holes are bored out in the plug c in which the plunger moves.
The two parts are then bent into the desired curve, when the plug is again
turned down to form a cylinder having a shoulder or head d, Figure 10, on
the end next to the rear end of the barrel. This cylinder is fitted and
permanently secured in the breech block. The plunger has a slot d cut in
"

page_text: one side, wherein is fitted the screw pin e, Figure 10, which serves to regu-
late the movement of the plunger and also to keep it in its place. A small
spring at f, Figure 10, is arranged to draw back or move up the plunger
when the hammer is withdrawn. To remove the plunger and spring for
cleaning or otherwise it is only necessary to take out the small screw pin e.
To adapt my Invention to a magazine gun I extend back the neck or back
end of the breech block far enough to set the hammer and lock movement in
a slot formed in the rear of the centre pin. Underneath this, extending
forward to the back end of the barrel and backward to the back end of the
butt stock, I arrange a groove which opens outwardly with a trap-door
movement on the left hand side of the butt stock. This groove is formed just
large enough to admit ten cartridges placed in a longitudinal row on top of a
metallic band arranged on a small roller at each end of the slot. This band
is provided with cleats or notches in one side which fit the projections on the
heads of the cartridge shells and serves to keep them separated from each
other as well as to move them forward. The bottom of the lock tumbler
carries a projecting pawl which moves the band and cartridges forward when
the hammer is drawn back. Near the hinged centre of the breech block is
arranged a curved arm having a hand on its lower and forward extremity.
When the breech block is down the hand of this arm lies flat on the top of
the band exactly in the way of the cartridge. When the hammer is drawn
back a cartridge is carried forward and deposited on the hand, and when the
breech block is drawn back the arm and hand raise the cartridge up to the
line of the bore through a slot cut in the "reinforce" or frame. When the
breech block is closed, by means of a plunger or piston attached to it,
the cartridge is pushed forward into the barrel, while the forward end of the
piston or plunger enters the rear end of the chamber in the barrel, and
effectually secures the vent, while the breech block fits down over it with a
shoulder and securely locks the plunger in its place. In this arrangement of
parts the forward end of the link m, Figure 8, is attached to the piston
instead of the hook. The cartridge book is fastened to the piston, the groove
and slot in the side of the "reinforce" for the connecting pin p, Figure 8,
being unnecessary. In its reverse movement the breech block draws back the
piston, and the hook connected with it draws back the cartridge shell. The
hammer plunger is arranged in the piston and the back end projects and
moves in a hole through the top of the breech block just in advance of the
hinge centre.
Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19 represent longitudinal sectional views of my
improved needle cartridges. The needle, as represented in Figure 19, con-

page_text: sists of a piece of common wire, having a hole or slot punched through it near
its forward end, as shown at s, Figure 19. This hole or slot is intended to
hold the fulminate. The needle is arranged with its forward end almost
touching the base of the ball, and its rear end connected with the centre of
the head of the cartridge shell. The lock hammer is made to drive the needle
forward, and when the point comes against the metal ball the force of the
blow crushes the needle at the point where the hole or slot has been punched
through it, thus igniting the fulminate. The said hole or slot may be made
half way, one-third of the way, or any desired position between the ends of
the needle, and if it is desired to ignite the charge at various points at the
same instant, a corresponding number of holes may be formed in the said
needle.
Figure 17 illustrates an arrangement of the needle to carry the fulminate
in a cavity in the forward or back end of the said needle, as may be desired.
Figure 18 is another modification by which the needle is arranged to carry
a percussion cap on either the forward or back end, as may be desired. The
cap may be set into the base of the ball and the forward end of the needle
arranged to move in the cap. By employing ordinary caps, as described for
the fulminate, all such caps which are rendered useless by the introduction of
breech-loaders may be used with good results, thus saving a large sum which
would otherwise be lost.
Figure 16 is another arrangement of the needle. In this form the
needle is set in the base of the ball and serves to keep the ball steady in its
flight, while its back end at t forms a solid anvil, or cushion, or bed to receive
the concussion of the blow of the hammer. This arrangement gives a
certainty to the explosion of the fulminate, not attainable in the ordinary
mode of arranging the fulminate in the central-fire cartridges, as the copper,
brass, or other metal composing the head of the shell gives or springs more or
less under the effects of the blow. In this arrangement of the needle to act
as an anvil or bed to receive the concussion the fulminate may be placed in
or on the end of the needle, as represented in Figure 17, or it may be secured
to the head of the cartridge shell, or in any other desirable manner, or a
common percussion cap may be placed on the rear end of the needle. In the
cartridge shown in the chamber of the barrel, Figure 1, the fulminate is
placed at the base of the ball and the needle is fastened to the base of the shell.
The hammer plunger is represented as having driven the needle forward through
the fulminate. The needle may be arranged in a great variety of ways,
but the examples herein given are sufficient to illustrate the principles and
utility of my Invention. The cartridges are made somewhat taper, being a

page_text: little the largest in diameter at their base, and the chamber of the barrel is
made of corresponding form, so that the cartridge shell is extracted more
readily.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be conveniently and
advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First. The various forms, modes, and parts combined, or separately, or the
equivalents thereof for the purposes of constructing breech-loading arms, sub-
stantially as described.
Second. The various forms and modes of constructing cartridges with a
central needle arranged substantially as described when used for the purposes
above specified, or in any form or manner equivalent thereto when accomplish-
ing like purposes.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
THOS. N. PALMER,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.
8, Southampton Buildings.
W. C.