IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MAGAZINE FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MAGAZINE FIRE-ARMS." A communi-
cation from abroad by E. Remington and Sons, of Ilion, New York, United
States of America
Sealed the 29th March 1878, and dated the 3rd October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October 1877.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MAGAZINE
FIRE-ARMS." [A communication from abroad by E. Remington and Sons, of Ilion,
New York, United States of America.]
The said Invention relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms termed
magazine guns, and consists in various improvements in the parts of the mechanism,
as herein-after specified.
The breech mechanism comprises a bolt which slides to and fro longitudinally at
the rear of and in line with the barrel, and is turned on its axis to secure and
release it in closing and opening the breech.
One part of the said Invention relates particularly to devices whereby the arm
is set to full-cock by the act of closing the breech, and another part relates to a
modification of such devices, whereby the arm is set to half-cock in closing the
breech.
The magazine is a tube placed below the barrel, and closed at its outer extremity.
At the rear end of this magazine tube is arranged a device, whereby the cartridges
are received from the said tube, and placed in a position to enter the barrel. These
prominent features of the said fire-arms and peculiar features in their construction,
and their combination with novel and peculiar devices for increasing the efficiency
and convenience of this class of fire-arms, are herein-after described.
The aforesaid sliding bolt carries a firing pin or striker, which extends through
it; and in combination with this firing pin I employ a handle which serves for the

page_text: .
manipulation of the bolt in the usual manner, but which, instead of being attached
rigidly to the said bolt, is pivotted to the same. The inner end of this handle has
an arm which bears against the front face of a lug or shoulder on the said firing
pin; this arm has in its front side a groove for the reception of a lug or projection
on a locking bolt fitted within a rib formed on the side of the sliding breech bolt,
and provided with a spiral spring that tends to drive it forward into a recess at the
rear of the barrel. With this device or combination of parts it will be impossible
to turn the breech bolt in its chamber without first pushing the handle forward on
its pivot, by which movement the said locking bolt is drawn back from its recess,
and the firing pin is retracted. In one arrangement of my improved mechanism
the said firing pin also has a shoulder, which acts on the sear, and sets the gun at
half-cock.
The extractor consists of a rigid hook set in a recess in the upper part of the
breech bolt; it has an inclined or bevelled shoulder so arranged, in combination
with the aforesaid locking bolt, that the nose or extremity of the extractor is forced
downward by the pressure of the said locking bolt on its inclined arm, and the said
extractor is thereby caused to take a firm hold on the cartridge shell; and if extra
force is required for the extraction it can be applied by means of the aforesaid
pivotted handle. In combination with the said extractor, I provide an ejector
constructed with two curved or semicircular arms fitted in recesses in the side of
the said breech bolt. These arms are inclined on their front faces, and when pushed
forward will strike the shoulder of the breech bolt, and are thereby caused to act
effectually for throwing the cartridge shells from the receiver.
The aforesaid sliding breech bolt has a shell or sleeve constructed in two parts so
fitted together that the front part, to which the said pivotted handle is attached,
can be turned laterally, independently of the rear part. A lug or feather is formed
on the firing pin in the vicinity of the point of junction of the two parts of the
sleeve. In the interior of these two parts is a longitudinal groove, in which the
said lng of the firing pin is fitted to slide.
When the breech is closed, and the aforesaid handle is turned down to lock the
breech bolt, the grooves in the two parts of the sleeve are in line, and form one
continuous groove in which the said lug can move freely to and fro; but when the
said handle is not fully turned down the two parts of the said groove will not be
in line, and consequently the firing pin cannot move forward. Therefore, there will
be no danger of premature or accidental discharge or explosion of the cartridge in
the barrel.
At the rear of the magazine is a carrier for elevating the cartridges from the said
magazine into the position for entering the barrel. The said carrier is an arm of
suitable length and shape to receive a cartridge and hold the same, and which is
pivotted within a chamber at the rear of the magazine in such a manner that it
can turn on its pivot to raise the cartridges from the magazine to the barrel. The
pivot or journal of the said carrier rests in recesses in hooks formed on a small
lever; this lever has a thumb-piece by which it may be readily adjusted to depress
or raise the said pivot. A stud or lug is provided to prevent the removal of the
breech bolt; but when the said hooks are depressed and disengaged from the pivots
of the carrier, the latter can be pushed, and will set the said lug clear of the breech
bolt, which can then be easily removed.
One very important feature of this Invention is the cut-off for the magazine ;
this cut-off is a plate arranged at the rear and at one side of the magazine tube.
It has a capability of slight movement up and down, and is pressed upward by a
spring; its upper end is shaped to correspond with the bore of the receiver, and is
bevelled or inclined on its rear face. This bevelled face is so arranged that, when
in the act of closing the breech, it is struck by the end of the breech bolt; the said
plate is forced downward. A semicircular concavity is formed in the side of the
said plate opposite the magazine tube; the upper half of the concave part is bevelled
on its front side, and the lower half thereof is bevelled on its rear side; and these
bevelled portions form lips, which, as the said plate moves up and down, come

page_text: alternately over the mouth of the magazine. A pointed bolt is provided to secure
or lock this plate in the proper position to cut off the communication between the
magazine and the barrel. A thumb-piece on this bolt projects at the side of the
receiver. A notch is formed in the said plate for the reception of the point of the
said bolt.
The aperture at the bottom of the receiver through which the cartridges are
introduced into the magazine is closed by a plate, formed at the ends with small
projections or tongues, which rest loosely in recesses formed in the receiver. A
spring is provided to hold the plate and keep it closed, but the said spring allows
the front end of the said plate to be raised for the insertion of the cartridges, the
carrier being then raised out of the way. The said plate is formed with a vertically
projecting lip which prevents its displacement when raised.
The forward end of the said breech bolt has a recess formed to fit over or around
the rim of the cartridge; this recess is bevelled or undercut to ensure its holding
the cartridge very securely when extracting the same.
The above-described improvements are subject in certain cases to the following
modifications, that is to say, the aforesaid carrier is constructed with a pivot hole
of varying width, and the pivot shaft has a varying diameter, so that when the said
pivot is partially withdrawn the rear end of the carrier may be depressed to allow
the breech bolt to be removed. In combination with the said carrier I employ a
spring pawl, whose spring serves as a trigger spring and also to depress the carrier
when the aforesaid pivot is removed or partially drawn out. The stem of the said
pivot is bevelled or inclined, so that when the said pivot is screwed into its place
it raises the carrier. The said carrier has an arm whose top is formed to correspond
with a groove in the breech bolt, and the said arm is provided with an ejecting
point which extends to the outside of the face of the breech bolt, and tilts or throws up
the cartridge shell when the said bolt is drawn backward. The trigger is provided at
one side with a comb which constantly presses against the bottom of the breech
bolt, thereby preventing the rattling and slipping of the said bolt in its seat when
the gun is being loaded with its muzzle depressed; and to still further ensure this
result a spring is arranged in combination with this trigger to cause friction between
the same and the bolt; the firing hammer has a notch which comes opposite a spring
bolt in the handle when the hammer is at half-cock. By the use of this contrivance
the breech bolt will be locked so that it cannot be turned when the hammer is
set at half-cock. The magazine cut-off has its upper part bevelled and arranged in
combination with an inclined recess so that it has a vibrating lateral and an up-and-
down movement. It also has a thumb slide which carries a taper or bevelled
excentric split pin, which acts to throw the said cut-off out of connection with the
breech bolt in order that the gun may be used while keeping the contents of the
magazine in reserve.
My improvements also comprise the following modifications of the parts of the
said fire-arms, that is to say, the breech bolt has a rear cap or collar, which is of the
same diameter as the forward end of the bolt; the intermediate portion of the said
bolt is of smaller diameter, and is surrounded by a sleeve on which is fixed the
handle for manipulating the bolt. The sear is fitted to work in a slot in the rear
lower portion of the breech bolt. On or near its front end is an arm or tread which
rests in a recess in the smaller portion of the said bolt, and its projecting ends are
covered by the said cap or collar; by this arrangement the said sear is kept in place
without a pin or other fastening, and is allowed to oscillate vertically on the head.
On the lower side of this sear is a hook formed to engage with the nose of the
trigger, and on the rear end of the said sear is a nose which engages with full and
half-cock notches on the part of the firing pin which I term the hammer. The
trigger is constructed with an arm extended forward from its fulcrum, and with
the aforesaid nose extending backward to engage with the hook on the sear. I employ
in this modification of my Invention, and in combination with the other parts above
described, a swinging cocking piece or lever whose lower end is pivoted to a lug or
extension on the rear end of the said cap or collar, and at its intermediate

page_text: position the said cocking piece is connected to the aforesaid hammer or firing pin by
a link.
In another modification of this Invention the carrier has a pivot hole of varying
width, and the pivot shaft is of varying diameter, so that upon a partial withdrawal
of the pivot the rear end of the carrier and its drum will drop or may be pressed
down and out of the way, so that the breech bolt may be removed from the
receiver.
A loose vibrating lever has its loose or free end resting upon the heel of the
carrier arm,
which I denominate the carrier pawl. This carrier pawl carries a spring
which serves as a trigger spring, and to press down the carrier arm when the pivot
is partially or entirely removed.
-The stem of the said pivot is bevelled or inclined from its smaller to its larger
diameter, so that screwing it into place automatically lifts the carrier arm into
operative position.
The cartridge carrier has pivoted to it a spring hook which locks the carrier in
its upward position, and is released or unlocked by the forward motion of the breech
bolt, or by a shoulder made by a notch in the side of the breech bolt, and which
acts as a cam to throw the latch or hook off the stud upon turning the bolt to unlock
and open the breech. This contrivance is necessary in order to release the carrier
upon opening the breech, should the magazine be charged while the breech bolt is
closed and locked in position for firing. The groove in the bottom of the breech bolt
which works over the carrier arm is contracted to a mere notch near the front face,
and there are shoulders which offer a resistance to the carrier arm to operate the
carrier and to stop the bolt.
The top of the said carrier arm is made of a form to correspond with the groove
in the breech bolt, so that a point thereon will extend outside of the face of the
breech bolt and tilt the cartridge shell upon the backward movement of the bolt.
The trigger is provided with a comb at one side which constantly presses against
the bottom of the breech bolt, thereby obviating the rattling and slipping of the
bolt in its seat while loading with the muzzle depressed.
The firing hammer has a notch which comes opposite the spring bolt in the
handle when the hammer is at half-cock, which is the proper position for carrying
arms. This contrivance causes the breech bolt to be locked so that it cannot be
rotated when the hammer is at half-cock.
The magazine cut-off employed in this modification is as follows:-The upper end is
bevelled and the recess is made inclined at the upper part, so that it has a vibrating
as well as up-and-down movement.
In combination with this cut-off is a slide that carries a split pin which is
bevelled or tapered at the end, and being excentric to the perforation in the cut-off
operates it laterally to throw it out of connection with the breech bolt, and so keep
the magazine in reserve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
. April 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING MAGAZINE
FIRE-ARMS."
A communication from abroad by E. Remington and Sons, of Ilion,
New York, United States of America.
The said Invention relates to that class of breech-loading fire-arms termed
magazine guns, and consists in various improvements in the parts of the mechanism,
as herein-after specified.
The breech mechanisın comprises a bolt, which slides to and fro longitudinally
at the rear of and in line with the barrel, and is turned on its axis to secure and
release it in closing and opening the breech.
One part of the said Invention relates particularly to devices whereby the arm
is set to full-cock by the act of closing the breech, and another part relates to a
modification of such devices whereby the arm is set to half-cock in closing the
breech.
The magazine is a tube placed below the barrel, and closed at its outer extremity.
At the rear end of this magazine tube is arranged a device whereby the cartridges are
received from the said tube and placed in a position to enter the barrel. These.
prominent features of the said fire-arms, and peculiar features in their construction
and their combination with novel and peculiar devices for increasing the efficiency
and convenience of this class of fire-arms are herein-after fully described.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of that portion of the gun which contains the breech
mechanism; Figure 2 is a plan of the under side of the same.
Figures 4 and 5 are longitudinal sections thereof, showing the internal arrange-
inent and construction of the mechanism.
Figures 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 shew portions of this fire-arm,"
and are herein-after more particularly described.
Figure 17 is a longitudinal section of a magazine gun, constructed according to
this Invention, with slight modifications, as herein-after described.
Figure 18 is a similar view of part of the said gun, shewing its carrier raised,
looking in the opposite direction.
Figure 19 is a horizontal section of part of the said gun.
Figures 20 and 21 are transverse sections of the same on the lines *, **, and
y*, y*, of Figure 17.
Figure 22 is an under side view, and Figuro 23 an end view of the breech bolt
for the said gun.
Figure 24 is a side view of the firing bolt.
And Figures 25 and 26 shew an under side view and side elevation of a modified
form of the breech bolt, herein-after described.
Figure 27 shews a portion of a gun, herein-after described.
In the arm shewn in Figures 1 to 16 the receiver or frame A and the breech
bolt B are constructed in any convenient manner, but the handle L by which the
bolt is operated, instead of being rigidly attached, is pivoted to the said bolt, as
shown in Figures 4 and 5. At its lower end it has a projecting arm d, which bears
against the front side of a lug h on the firing pin F. This arm & also has a groove e
formed in its side, in which engages a lug or projection i formed on the rear end
of a locking bolt b, which is shown detached in Figure 15, and in its proper position
in Figures 4 and 5. This bolt b is located within a projecting rib on the side of
the breech bolt B, and has a spiral spring arranged to push it forward and cause it
to engage in a recess b', as shewn in Figure 4, whereby the breech bolt is locked
fast when closed. With this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen

page_text: that the breech bolt cannot be turned on its longitudinal centre or axis, to permit
it to be drawn back to open the breech until it has been unlocked. Its unlocking
is effected by pushing the outer end of the handle L forward, by which movement
the said locking bolt b will be drawn back and disengaged, and at the same time
will push back the firing pin F far enough to secure it at half-cock, both of these
objects thus being accomplished by one and the same movement of the handle L.
The extractor f consists of a rigid hook set loosely in a recess in the upper side
of the breech bolt, as shown in Figure 5, and also in Figure 7, which is a longi-
tudinal section of some of the parts, shewn in Figure 5, seen from the opposite side
of the gun. The shoulder a of this extractor is inclined or bevelled and is made
larger than before, and the front shoulder of the recess in the bolt against which
it rests is vertical or slightly under cut, so that the nose or front end of the said
éxtractor is thrown downward by the pressure of the locking bolt b, and thereby
caused to have a firm hold on the flange of the cartridge shell, and if great force is
necessary for the extraction of a cartridge it is obtained dy drawing the upper end
of the handle back, by which movement the locking bolt can be pressed against
the extractor with any degree of force required. This result may also be accom-
plished even when the pressure of the locking bolt is removed by the action of the
point of the shoulder a of the extractor, which bears against the wall or side of the
recess, in which it is placed at a point considerably lower than the hook of the
extractor, so that as the breech bolt is drawn back the said point of the extractor
is drawn down, and made to keep a firm hold. on the shell during its withdrawal
from the chamber of the gun. Inasmuch as the forward end of the locking bolt b
is forced back when the breech bolt is pushed forward by its striking against the
wall of the receiver, as shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that the extractor is
then loose and free to rise and ride over the flange of the shell to engage therewith,
and that when the breech bolt has been turned over sidewise to lock it when closed,
the locking bolt then enters its recess b¹, thereby bringing its shoulder against
the rear shoulder of the extractor, and ensuring its engaging with the flange of the
shell.
It will also be observed that the under side of that portion of the extractor
which rests in the recess in the breech block is made in the form of an arc of a
circle, whereby it is enabled to move freely by rocking on the surface of the said
recess.
By referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that the shell or sleeve of the breech bolt
is made in two parts, B1 and B2, so that the front part B¹, to which the handle L is
attached, can be turned laterally on the breech bolt independently of the rear part
B, and that there is a lug l on the firing pin F in the vicinity of the joint where
these two parts of the sleeve come together. On the inside of each of these parts
B', B2, there is a longitudinal groove, as shown at o¹, o³, in which the lug of the
firing pin slides. These two grooves o¹, o³, are arranged in such relation to each
other that when the breech is closed, and the front sleeve B' with the handle L is
turned over in the position necessary to lock the breech bolt fast, they are in line,
thus permitting the lug 7 to slide freely back and forth therein; but at all other
times, as for instance, when the handle is turned in the opposite direction to open
the breech, the two grooves are thrown out of line, and then the lug will rest
against the end of the front sleeve B¹, the firing pin being then kept from moving
forward in case the, sear should be broken, or for any reason should fail to hold the
firing pin back. By these means the danger of a premature or accidental explosion
a cartridge in the gun, by the closing of the breech bolt, is rendered impossible,
inasmuch as the firing pin cannot possibly touch the said cartridge until after the
breech is closed and securely locked.
of a
The carrier E for elevating the cartridges from the magazine to the chamber is so
constructed as to enable the breech bolt to be readily removed, and for this purpose
I pivot the rear end of the carrier E in such a manner that it can be depressed at
will, thereby lowering the stud or arın u, which serves as a stop to keep the bolt from
being drawn entirely out of the breech, and as means for operating the carrier, the

page_text: said bolt, in its to-and-fro movement, striking against this arm u, first on one,
and then on the other side, thereby alternately raising and lowering the said
carrier.
The manner in which I prefer to hold the pivoted end of the carrier E is shown
in Figures 1 and 2.
V is a lever having its lower end provided with two arms or hooks I, in whose
front edges are notches or recesses for the journal or pivot pin of the carrier to
rest in. This lever is pivoted as shown at 8, and at its upper end is provided with
a button or thumb-piece P, by which it is pushed forward or back at will. The
upper arm of the said lever works in a recess made for it in the side of the receiver,
as shown in Figure 1, and is provided on its under side with a small pin or pro-
jection to rest in a cavity, and thus prevent its being accidentally moved. By
throwing the upper end of the lever V forward, the hooks or arms I are disengaged
from the pivot pin r of the carrier, when the latter can be forced down, thereby de-
pressing the lug or arm u, so that it is clear of the breech bolt, which can then be at once
taken out. After the said breech bolt is replaced, the pivot of the carrier is raised
to its normal position, and the lever V is thrown back, thereby causing the hooks I
to engage again with the journal or pivot pin r.
In Figure 13 I have shown the lever V as made in the form of an elbow lever
with its front end engaging with a vertically sliding piece t, to whose lower end the
carrier is pivoted. By operating the lever V, the carrier with its arm u can be
raised and lowered without detaching its pivot from its support.
Either of these arrangements may be used, but I prefer the one first above described.
For holding up the aforesaid carrier while the cartridge is being pushed into the
chamber, I arrange a small friction pin q, having a spring to press it slightly outward
at any suitable point in the receiver. This device is shewn in Figure 5, so arranged
at the front end of the carrier well or cavity as to press against the front end of the
said carrier, when the latter is raised, with just sufficient force to prevent the
dropping or shaking down of the latter, but leaving it in a condition to be easily
thrown down by the forward movement of the breech block. This friction pin q is
to be applied to the carrier, and is arranged to press against the side of the receiver,
as shown in Figure 2.
In like manner a friction pin y, Figure 5, is arranged to press against the breech
bolt with sufficient force to prevent its sliding by its own weight when the gun is
being handled or turned in different positions.
My improved form of carrier, which is termed a "broken jointed" carrier, is con-
structed as shewn in Figures 2 and 5.
The carrier lever u is pivoted to the rear of the carrier E with a joint somewhat
resembling a rule joint, which prevents the falling of the carrier with its upper
surface too far below the bottom of the magazine tube, but allows it to be pressed
inward to load the magazine from below when the breech is closed. A spring u¹
keeps the carrier in place when not pressed upon from the outside. This carrier is
raised and lowered by the engagement of the carrier lever u with the straight groove
in the breech bolt. When the said bolt is moved forward, the rear end of the groove
strikes the lever u, and depresses the carrier; and when the said bolt is drawn back,
and the ejector x strikes the lever and expels the shell, it also operates on said lever
to elevate the carrier.
Another important feature of my improvements is the cut-off for the magazine, as
shewn in Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section shewing the same parts as in Figure 7, but in a
different position.
Figures 9 and 11 are transverse sections.
Figure 10 shews portions of the mechanism detached.
This improved cut-off consists of a plate O arranged at the rear end of the maga-
zine tube at one side, as shown in Figures 9 and 11. It is so arranged as to have
a slight movement up and down, being pressed upward by a spring v, as shewn in
Figure 9.. Its upper end m is made circular to correspond with the bore of the

page_text: receiver, and its rear face is bevelled as shown; when the front end of the breech
bolt in closing the breech strikes this bevelled face, it will force the plate O down-
ward, as shown in Figures 7 and 11. A semicircular notch is cut in the side of the
plate O at the point opposite the magazine tube G, the upper half of this notch being
bevelled on the side toward the muzzle of the gun, and the lower half being bevelled
on its opposite face, as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 11, thus forming two oppositely
inclined lips n' and n, which as the cut-off plays up and down come alternately
over the mouth of the magazine; it is shown up in Figures 8 and 9, and down in
Figures 7 and 11. To fasten it down to permanently cut off the passage of the
cartridges from the magazine to permit the use of the gun as a single loader, and
reserve the cartridges in the magazine, I arrange a bevel-pointed thumb bolt R in a
suitable recess in front of the cut-off plate O, in such a manner that it can be moved
back and forth by its thumb-piece T, which projects at the side of the receiver, as
shown in Figure 1, the sliding thumb bolt R and the cut-off plate being shown
detached in Figure 10. A notch is cut in the plate O for the point of the bolt R
to enter its front side, also being bevelled, so that by pushing the bolt R toward the
plate O, the latter is forced down to the position shewn in Figure 11, and held there
until the thumb bolt R is pushed back again. When in this position it will be seen that
the lip n¹ of the cut-off O enters or comes opposite the magazine G, and keeps the
cartridges from being pushed out upon the carrier, and it thus becomes a permanent
stop or cut-off.
When the thumb bolt R is pushed back so as to leave the cut-off plate free, its
operation is as follows:-Supposing the gun to be open, the cut-off O will then be
up, as shown in Figure 9, in which case its lower lip n will be in front of the
cartridge C, as shown in Figure 8, thereby holding the cartridge in the magazine.
As the breech bolt is closed, its front end strikes the bevelled end m of the plate O,
pushing it down to the position shewn in Figure 11; the lip n is thereby thrown
down in line with the bottom of the magazine tube G, at the same time the lip n'
is brought down so that the cartridge will then rest against its bevelled face with
the flange of the cartridge behind the lip n, as shown in Figure 7. As soon as the
breech bolt starts to move back again, the plate O is left free to be raised by its
spring which pushes it up until the edge of the lower lip n bears slightly against
the body of the shell, and causes the upper lip n to rise far enough to let
the head of the shell pass it when the magazine spring pushes the cartridge out
upon the carrier E; this operation is repeated every time the breech is opened and
closed. By this arrangement it will be seen that the cartridges are retained within
the magazine until after the one in the chamber of the gun has been fired, and that
the next cartridge is forced out upon the carrier almost at the instant the
breech bolt commences its backward movement, so that it rests securely on the
carrier by the time the breech bolt has receded far enough to raise the latter.
In other magazine guns a second cartridge is admitted from the magazine to the
carrier while the first cartridge is in the chamber of the barrel, and before it is
discharged.
In the present Invention, by means of the devices above described, a second
cartridge is not allowed to escape from the magazine tube to the carrier until after
the discharge of the first one in the chamber of the barrel; I thus avoid all danger
of accidental explosion, either from defects in the cartridge in the chamber, or from
defects in any of the cartridges in the magazine; for, if the cartridge in the chamber
should have a head so defective as to permit the escape backward of any gas when
discharged, such gas could not come in contact with the cartridges in the magazine,
but would continue toward the rear end of the carrier well, and there make its
escape. A second cartridge cannot escape to the carrier until the bolt is turned up,
and the carrier cannot rise to convey the said cartridge to the chamber until the
breech bolt has been drawn back far enough to eject the sbell or cartridge
previously in the chamber, by reason of the operation of the carrier lever by the
bolt, as before described.
The opening in the bottom of the receiver A is closed by a plate J (shown in

page_text: Figures 1, 5, 7, 8), the said plate being provided at each end with a small pro-
jection or tongue c; these tongues rest loosely in recesses, as shown in Figure 5; a
spring k, attached to the inner face of the guard strap, bears on the plate J to hold
it down, but permits its front end to be raised when desired to permit the insertion
of the cartridges in the magazine, the carrier E being then tipped up out of the way.
The said plate is provided on its edges with vertically projecting lips z, as shewu in
Figures 5 and 7, which lips serve to prevent its being turned over or misplaced
when raised. This manuer of constructing and securing the plate J is very simple
and inexpensive, and dispenses with hinges, screws, and the like.
The guard strap U, as shewn in Figure 3, is provided at its front end with two
semicircular studs p, which project up into the receiver A, and are secured thereto
by a screw passed transversely through both of the said studs; as these studs p are
both formed by making a single round stud, and then cutting a slot through the
centre for the spring k, they are exceedingly simple and easy to make by
machinery.
In order to secure the magazine to the barrel I use the device shown in Figure 6,
which is an exterior view of the muzzle end of the said barrel and receiver. H is a
ring, which, instead of passing around the barrel as usual, is fitted into a dove-
tailed recess in the under side of the said barrel, as shown; and for securing the
tip or front part of the stock, and to assist in holding the magazine, I secure at any
suitable intermediate portion of the barrel in like manner a piece M, as shown in
Figures 12 and 14, which are a transverse section and side view. This piece is
made to rest on the magazine tube, and fit on each side in a recess on the inner
faces of the wood composing the tip or front stock, which is secured thereto by short
screws inserted from the sides, as shown in Figure 12.
By referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that the front end of the breech bolt is
recessed to fit over the end of the cartridge C, and that the wall of this recess is
bevelled, dovetailed, or undercut. This formation is adopted for the purpose of
holding the cartridge securely as it is drawn out; the pressure of the extractor on
its upper side pressing the flange of the shell down into the dovetailed recess formed'
by under cutting, as above described.
The ejector pin is shown in Figures 4, 5, and 16, the latter shewing in side view
the portion of the breech bolt to which this pin is connected. The said pin is
constructed with two semicircular arms x², which fit in recesses in the sides of the
breech bolt.
As shewn in Figure 16 these arms x1 are inclined on their front face, so that
when the pin is pushed forward these arms will first strike the shoulder of the
breech bolt at their extremities, and then as pressure is applied to it its front end
will be thrown upward. It will therefore be seen that in this case the ejector pin
has two movements; namely, first a forward, and then an upward movement of
its outer end, whereby it is made to operate very effectually in throwing the shell
from the receiver.
The sear Wis fitted to work in a slot in the rear lower portion of the breech
bolt B, as shewn in Figure 5. On or near its front end is an arm or head W',
which rests in a recess in the said bolt, and its projecting ends are covered by the
cap or collar B. By this arrangement the said sear is kept in place without a pin
or other fastening, and is allowed to oscillate vertically ou the head W. On the
lower side of the sear is a hook W2, and on the rear end of the said sear is a nose Ws,
which engages with full and half-cock notches on the part of the firing pin, which
I term the hammer. The trigger W is constructed with an arm W, extended
forward from its fulcrum Ws, and formed with a nose extending backward to
engage with the hook W on the sear We, as shewn.
Another part of my Invention comprises a swinging cocking piece or lever F*, as
shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5, whose lower end is pivotted to a lug or extension
B* on the rear end of the breech bolt B, and at its intermediate portion the said
cocking piece is connected to the hammer or firing pin F by a link a
In the modified form of my Invention, shewn in Figures 17 and 18, when the

page_text: carrier E is in its elevated position, as shewn in Figure 18, its front end E* is above
the level of the bottom of the chamber of the barrel, so that whether the gun is
being operated as a single loader or as a magazine arm, when a cartridge has been
inserted in the chamber of the barrel the said front end E* of the carrier prevents
its dropping out while the breech remains open.
The elbow lever has its fulcrum level with the bottom of the magazine tube, so
that when the carrier is raised it assumes an inclined position, with the point
of the cartridge opposite the chamber of the barrel. By this arrangement
the cartridge will be inserted into the chamber by the forward movement of
the bolt; and the bolt in its forward movement will first strike the cartridge
outside of its centre.
In the bottom of the receiver and top of the carrier well at the rear end, is a
rib or flange E¹, as shewn in Figures 18 and 19, of semicircular or semi-elliptical
form, overhanging the rear portion of the well, so that when the carrier rises
with a cartridge thereon, the said cartridge is kept from being thrown out of
the receiver, because the flange E¹ engages with the head of the cartridge to prevent
its rising.
In the upper corner of the rear end of the said carrier well under the flango E¹
is an incline surface E2, against which the head of the cartridge bears as it is
raised by the carrier and the cartridge is thereby thrown forward toward the
chamber of the barrel.
Moreover, in the modification of this Invention, shewn in Figures 17 to 24, the
carrier E has a pivot hole of varying width, as shown in Figures 17, 18, and 20,
and the pivot shaft E3 is of varying diameter, so that upon a partial withdrawal of
the said pivot the rear end of the carrier E and its arm E* will drop, or may
be pressed down and out of the way, so that the breech bolt B may be removed
from the receiver.
X is a loose vibrating lever, pivotted as shown and having its loose end resting
upon the heel of the carrier arm E. This lever X I denominate the carrier pawl.
This carrier pawl X carries a spring X', which serves as a trigger spring, and also
to press down the carrier arm E* when the pivot E³ is partially or entirely removed.
The stem of the pivot E³ is bevelled or inclined from its smaller to its larger
diameter, as shewn in Figure 20, so that when screwed into its place it automati-
cally lifts the carrier arm E* into the operative position of the latter.
The cartridge carrier E has pivotted to it a spring hook E³ which locks the carrier
in its upper position, and is released or unlocked by the forward motion of the
breech bolt B, or by a shoulder on the side of the breech bolt, which shoulder acts
as a cam to throw the latch or hook E, from the stud E, upon turning the bolt
to unlock and open the breech. This contrivance is necessary in order to release
the carrier in opening the breech, should the magazine be charged, while the breech
bolt is closed and locked in position for firing. The groove B³ in the bottom of the
breech bolt B, which works over the carrier arm E, is contracted to a mere notch B*
near the front face, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, so that the shoulders B5, B5,
offer a resistance to the said carrier arm E, to operate the carrier and stop the
breech bolt.
may.
The top of the carrier arm E is formed to correspond with the groove in the
breech bolt B, so that the point E7 will extend outside of the face of the said breech
bolt and tilt the cartridge shell in the backward movement of the said bolt. Thus
the carrier arm E* gives to the carrier a vibratory movement, and causes it to act
as a stop to the breech bolt, and as an ejector for the cartridge:
The trigger W is provided on one side with a coinb We, as shewn in Figure 19,
which constantly presses against the bottom of the breech bolt, thereby obviating
the rattling and slipping of the bolt in its seat in loading the gun with the
muzzle depressed, thus formning what may be termed a frictional steadying
device.
The firing hammer F has formed in it a notch F1, which comes opposite the spring
bolt L in the handle L, when the hammer is at half-cock, which is the proper

page_text: position for carrying arms. This construction causes the breech bolt to be locked,
so that it cannot be rotated when the hammer is at half-cock.
The magazine cut-off O, employed in this modification, is constructed as follows,
that is to say-The upper end is bevelled, as shown at m, Figures 17 and 21,
and the recess m¹ is correspondingly bevelled or inclined at its upper part, so
that the said cut-off has a vibrating as well as up-and-down movement. The thumb
slide T carries a split pin R, similar to that shewn in Figure 10, and which pin is
bevelled or tapered at the end, and, being excentric to the perforation w in the
cut-off, operates the latter to throw it laterally out of connection, with the breech
bolt; the contents of the magazine may then be held in reserve.
When a carrier similar to that shewn in Figure 17 is used instead of the double-
jointed carrier shewn in Figure 5, in order to allow the raising of the said carrier,
when the breech is closed, to permit the magazine to be charged, I employ the
device shewn in Figure 25; that is to say, I form on the part B' of the breech bolt
Ba cam face Bº. When the handle of the breech bolt is turned down to close and
lock the breech this cam face moves out of the way of the carrier arm, as shewn in
dotted lines. This carrier arm can then move backward into the space left by this
movement of the cam face, and the carrier is thereby free to be raised.
cartridges can then be inserted into the magazine. When the handle is again
turned upward the said cam face B" moves into the position shewn in full lines,
thereby pushing the carrier arm forward and depressing the carrier.
The
In Figure 22 I have shewn a modification of this device, in which I form a
lateral extension B7 of the slot B³ in the breech bolt, to allow the carrier to be
raised when the breech is closed when the said carrier is not made with a double
joint.
In Figures 25 and 26 I have shewn a device whereby the drawing back of the
breech bolt sets the arm at half-cock. For this purpose I form in the breech bolt a
slot or cavity B*, into which the comb W on the trigger W is forced' when the bolt
is drawn back. This slot B* is arranged in such a position that the aforesaid comb
of the trigger resting against the under surface of the breech bolt will cause the
point of the trigger to ride over the full-cock notch on the firing bolt, but the said
trigger comb will then be free to enter the slot B*, and thus cause the trigger to
engage with the half-cock notch.
In Figure 27 I have shewn a further modification of the said Invention, whereby
the cut-off is operated by the trigger and independently of the breech bolt. The
object of this arrangement is to prevent any possibility of the jamming of the
cartridges by moving the breech bolt without firing the gun. In this modification
the said cut-off is provided with shoulders, formed and operating like those shewn
in Figure 17; but this cut-off is formed or fixed on the end of a lever 1, which is
pivotted at the point 2, and has an arm 3 extending to the top of the trigger. The
latter in this case is formed with a small comb 4, which projects over the extremity
of the said arm. When the said cut-off lever is in the position shewn the magazine
is closed, but by pulling the trigger the arm 3 of the said lever will be depressed,
and the said cut-off raised, thereby permitting a cartridge to pass out of the receiver.
5 is a spring for returning the cut-off to its normal position when the trigger is
released.
When it is desired to use the gun as an ordinary rifle, and reserve the contents of
the magazine, I adjust the small arm 6. This arm is shewn clear of the cut-off
lever; but by turning it forward on its pivot 7 its nose or extremity 8 will depress
the arm 3 of the cut-off lever so that it will not be actuated by the trigger, and
then the firing of the gun will have no effect on the cut-off.
In boring the hole for the magazine tube the stock is divided at any suitable point
between the breech and the muzzle, and the hole is bored from both directions,
that is to say, toward the breech in one piece, and toward the muzzle in the other
piece. When the parts are placed in position the joint is covered by a band, and
the front end is kept from becoming displaced by a lug or projection on the barrel.

page_text: By this construction the bore may be made with accuracy, and to any desired depth,
leaving the front end of the stock closed and solid.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that claim in and forming part of the mechanism of a breech-loading magazine
fire-arm,
First. The combination of the pivotted handle with the firing pin, whereby the
firing pin is retracted by the movement of the said handle, as above set forth.
Second. The combination of the pivotted handle or lever with the locking bolt
and firing pin, constructed to operate in such a manner that the breech bolt is
unlocked and the firing pin is retracted by a single movement of the said handle,
as above set forth.
Third. The combination of the pivotted handle, the firing pin, and the sear in
such a manner that the movement of the said handle forces back the firing pin and
half-cocks the gun, as above set forth.
Fourth. The combination of the extractor, the locking bolt, and the pivotted
handle in such a manner that additional force can be applied to the said extractor
by drawing the said handle back, as above set forth.
Fifth. The firing pin provided with a stud in combination with the sleeve of the
breech bolt and with the aforesaid grooves, and arranged to operate in such a
manner that the said firing pin is held back until the breech is closed and locked,
as above described.
Sixth. The swinging or pivotted books constructed to operate in such a manner
as to support the pivot of the carrier, and which are detachable therefrom at will,
as above set forth.
Seventh. The cut-off in combination with the sliding thumb bolt, constructed
and operating in such a manner as to prevent the passage or exit of the cartridges
from the magazine, as above set forth.
Eighth. The cut-off provided with the bevelled or oppositely inclined lips, and
the bevelled top, and constructed, arranged, and operating in combination with a
sliding breech block, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Ninth. The device for closing the bottom of the receiver, consisting of the plate,
provided with the projections or tongues at the ends of the said plate for holding
the same in place, as above described.
Tenth. The breech bolt, provided at its front end with the dovetailed or under-
cut recess for securely holding the cartridge shell while it is being withdrawn, as
above set forth.
Eleventh. The ejector pin provided with the inclined or bevelled arms, arranged
to operate in connection with the breech bolt in such a manner that the said ejector
has imparted to it both a forward and an upward movement, as above described
and for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. A sear constructed with a hook for engagement with the nose of the
trigger, and a nose for engagement with the full-cock and half-cock notches, as
above described and for the purposes specified.
Thirteenth. A trigger constructed with an arm extending forward, and a nose
extending rearward, in combination with the aforesaid sear, as above described.
Fourteenth. The combination of parts comprising the reciprocating breech bolt,
carrying therein the lock or firing mechanism and the swinging cocking piece or
lever, arranged and operating as and for the purpose above described.
Fifteenth. The device herein-above termed a carrier, so arranged that its front
end holds the cartridge in place in the chamber of the barrel and prevents its
dropping out, whether the gun is being operated as a magazine or as a single loader,
as above set forth.
Sixteenth. A carrier and elbow lever, pivotted and operating in such a manner
that when the said carrier is raised it assumes an inclined position with regard to
the point of the cartridge opposite the centre of the chamber of the barrel, whereby

page_text: the bolt in its forward movement will first strike the cartridge outside of its centre,
as above set forth.
Seventeenth. The flanges in the bottom of the receiver and top of the carrier,
well arranged to engage with the head of the cartridge to prevent its being thrown
out of the receiver, as above described.
Eighteenth. The contrivance consisting of the pivot with a differential or varying
diameter, and bevelled or shouldered, in combination with the perforation or hole
with a varying size or diameter in the said carrier, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Nineteenth. The combination of parts comprising the carrier, whose operating
arm is vertically movable, and the spring pawl or other suitable means for
depressing the carrier arm automatically when its support is removed, as above set
forth.
Twentieth. The combination of the trigger, the cartridge carrier, and the inter-
posed spring device for operating both trigger and carrier, as above set forth.
Twenty-first. The combination of parts comprising the carrier arm and the breech
bolt, provided with corresponding recess and projection, as shown and described for
the purpose set forth.
Twenty-second. The combination of parts comprising the breech bolt and the
trigger, provided with the comb and the spring device for causing friction between
the said bolt and trigger, for the purpose specified.
Twenty-third. The spring bolt in the handle in combination with the notched
firing hammer, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Twenty-fourth. The cut-off, bevelled at the upper end, and adapted to lateral
as well as vertical play or movement, as shown and described for the purpose
specified.
Twenty-fifth. The device comprising the carrier, so hinged or pivotted to a lever
as to form a "broken-jointed" carrier, which may be raised independently of the
said lever to allow the magazine to be loaded, when the breech is closed by the bolt,
as above described.
Twenty-sixth. The devices herein described for holding the loaded cartridges in
the magazine until after the discharge of the cartridge in the chamber of the barrel,
as above set forth.
Twenty-seventh. The device consisting of the cam face on the breech bolt for
allowing the carrier to be raised when the breech bolt is closed, and depressing the
carrier when the breech bolt is turned before drawing it back, as above described.
Twenty-eighth. The device for the same purposes consisting of the lateral
extension of the groove in the breech bolt, operating as above set forth.
Twenty-ninth. The device whereby the drawing back of the breech bolt sets the
gun at half-cock, as above set forth.
Thirtieth. The modification of the devices for operating and controlling the cut-off,
as shewn in Figure 27 of the Drawings, and as above set forth.
Thirty-first. A stock for a magazine gun made in two pieces with the joint
covered by the band, as above described and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WM RORT TAKE