IM- PROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS."-A communication from abroad by
Sébastien Amédée Noël, ex Master at Arms, and François Gueury,
Sealed the 25th August 1865, and dated the 9th March 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
March 1865.
!
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in revolver pistols and other revolver
fire-arms; the chief features consist-
1st. In the simplicity in the arrangement of the parts.
2ndly. In the position of the barrel relatively to the chamber containing
the cartridges, the axis of the one being at right angles to the other, but in
which the ball is forced to enter the barrel; this arrangement. is, of especial
advantage in aiming..

page_text: 3rdly. In the arrangement of a chamber for containing cartridges.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing; Fig. 1 of
which shows a sectional elevation of a revolver; Fig. 2, a plan of same with
stock removed; Fig. 3, an end view of the chamber containing the cartridges;
and Fig. 4 a section of same on line 1, 2, Fig. 3. The letters apply to all
the Figures.
a, chamber of the revolver; b, b, cavities, a suitable number of which are
made in its periphery for receiving the cartridges; c, c, cavities made in one
side of chamber a, of the same number as 6, 6, and communicating there-
with by a small channel d, as seen in Fig. 4. The cartridges are placed in
cavities b, and the caps of said cartridges are received in small channels d
at the bottom of said cavities. The chamber a turns on an axis e, mounted
in a hollow cylindrical part f of the same diameter forming the frame of the
revolver, and closed by a plate f; g, barrel of the pistol as seen at Fig. 1;
the axis of the breech chamber is at right angles to the axis of the barrel,
and differing from the usual arrangement; h, ratchet wheel fixed on one side
of chamber a, having a number of teeth equal to that of the cartridges, and
serving to produce the rotation of the breech chamber by the mechanism
herein-after described; i, lever acting as a hammer pivotted at one end on a
screw j, the other end being furnished with a conical nose of the same form
as cavities c, c, and penetrating therein successively in order to produce the
ignition of the cartridges; l, m, lugs formed on the end of lever i, near its
centre of oscillation; n, spring fixed to guard plate o, also forming part of
the frame of the pistol; this spring bears on lug piece l, which is furnished
with a friction roller p in order to keep the nose k of lever i firmly down on
the cap; 9, part oscillating atv in openings; t, trigger piece regulating the
position of part q; u, catch oscillating on part q and maintained in the raised
position shown at Fig. 1 by means of spring v; y, spring fixed to plate o,
and bearing on part q in order to keep it in the position seen at. Fig. 1...
The parts being arranged as described, the following is the action of the
pistol. If pressure be exerted on trigger t, the part q will oscillate on point r,
catch u also participating in such movement, the latter by acting on lug m
causes the lever i to turn on its axis j. In this movement the catch a
causes the chamber a to turn-one-twelfth of a revolution (supposing there are
twelve cartridges), after which catch is liberated from lug m, and lever i
being released by the pressure exerted on part 1 by spring n causes the conical
mose k to enter a cavity with sufficient force to produce the ignition of the
cartridge. The part q is returned to position by spring y until lever i is again

page_text: raised by exerting pressure on trigger t turning the chamber another twelfth
of a revolution, to produce the discharge of the succeeding cartridge, and so on.
It will be readily understood that three or more chambers may be kept
readily charged, it being simply necessary to remove plate f, and apply one;
ready charged on axis e after having removed the chamber. that has been dis-
charged.
The Invention thus consists in the herein-described improvements in.
revolvers as distinguished-
1st. By the simplicity in the construction of the various parts, the wood
butt being in one piece, as also the metal band forming the frame therefor.
2ndly. In the relative positions of the charge chamber and barrel, the one
being mounted at right angles to the other.
And, 3rdly. In the arrangement of the cartridge chamber.
I also reserve the right of placing the barrel either above or below. the
centre line of the breech chamber, as also the employment of any suitable
kind of cartridge. These improvements I also apply to all kinds of fire-arms
and to cannon.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
September 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS," a communication to me from abroad by Sébastien
Amédée Noël, ex Master at Arms, and François Gueury, Armourer, both of

page_text: 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates, first, to improvements in revolver postols; the chief
features consist―
1st. In the simplicity in the arrangement of the parts.
2ndly. In the position of the barrel relatively to the chamber containing the
cartridges, the axis of the one being at right angles to the other, but in which
the ball is forced to enter the barrel; this arrangement is of especial advantage
in aiming.
3rdly. In the arrangement of a chamber for containing cartridges.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 of which
shows a sectional elevation of a revolver; Fig. 2, a plan of same with stock
removed; Fig. 3, an end view of the chamber containing the cartridges; and
Fig. 4, section of same on line 1, 2, Fig. 3. The letters apply to all the
Figures.
a, chamber of the revolver; b, b, cavities, a suitable number of which are
made in its periphery for receiving the cartridges; c, c, cavities made in one
side of chamber a of the same number as 6, 6, and communicating therewith
by a small channel d, as seen in Fig. 4. The cartridges are placed in cavities
b, and the caps of said cartridges are received in the small channels d at the
bottom of said cavities. The chamber a turns on an axis e, mounted in a
hollow cylindrical part f of the same diameter, forming the frame of the
revolver, and closed by a plate f¹; g, barrel of the pistol as seen in Fig. 1,
the axis of the breech chamber is at right angles to the axis of the barrel,
and differing from the usual arrangements; h, ratchet wheel fixed on one
side of chamber d, having a number of teeth equal to that of the cartridges,
and serving to produce the rotation of the breech chamber by the mechanism.
I will now describe, A, lever acting as a hammer, pivotted at one end on a

page_text: Screw 9,
the other end being furnished with a conical nose k, of the same form
as cavities c, c, and penetrating therein successively, in order to produce the
ignition of the cartridges; l, m, lugs formed on the end of lever i near its
centre of oscillation; n, spring fixed to guard plate o, also forming part of
the frame of the pistol; the spring bears on lug piece l, which is furnished
with a friction roller p, in order to keep the nose k of lever i firmly down on
the cap; q, part oscillating at r in opening s; t, trigger piece regulating the
position of the part q; u, catch, oscillating on part q, and maintained in the
raised position shown in Fig. 1 by means of spring v; x, second catch connected
to u, and acting on ratchet h of chamber.a; y, spring, fixed to plate o and
bearing on part q in order to keep it in the position seen at Fig. 1.
The parts being arranged as described, the following is the action of the
pistol. If pressure be exerted on trigger t the part 9 will oscillate on point r;
catch u also participating in such movement, the latter by acting on lug m
causing the lever i to turn on its axis j. In this movement the catch a causes
the chamber a to turn one-twelfth of a revolution (supposing there are twelve
cartridges), after which catch u is liberated from lug m, and lever i being
released by the pressure exerted on part by spring n causes the conical
nose k to enter a cavity c with sufficient force to produce the ignition of the
cartridge. The part q is returned to position by spring y until lever i is again
raised by exerting pressure on trigger t, turning the chamber another twelfth of
a revolution for producing the discharge of the succeeding cartridge, and so on.:
It will be readily understood that three or four chambers may be kept ready
charged, it being simply necessary to remove plate f and apply one ready
charged on axis e, after having removed the chamber that has been discharged:
These improvements are also applicable to other fire-arms, Fig. 5 showing
a gun to which this improved revolving breech is adapted.
.
In this Figure I have also shown a revolver 2, as fixed on the gun barrel in
cases where it is desired to use the bayonet and fire at same time; this pistol
is fixed between the lower band and the breech by means of hooks, binding
screws, or other means.
The pistol is fired by the aid of a small iron rod 3, passing from the ring
attached to the lock along the stock to the trigger guard.
The following are the advantages of this improved revolving fire-arm:-
1st. The cartridge chamber being placed in the body of the fire-arm is
not liable to get out of order, or present any obstacle to the free action of the
mechanism.
2ndly. The plate or cover of the cartridge chamber may be readily opened

page_text: or closed so as to permit of the latter being placed in position or a fresh one
substituted.
3rdly. These improvements are applicable to all kinds of fire-arms from
the pocket pistol to cannon of largest calibre.
4thly. The exactitude and rapidity of its action enables it to be fired twelve
times in ten seconds, or sixty times a minute, supposing it to be furnished
with four spare cartridge chambers.
5thly. The convenient form of this improved revolving fire-arm and the
safety with which it may be used, without danger of explosion; there is also
no recoil produced on its discharge, while it is very simple in its action and
presents a treble means of defence.
6thly. This improved revolving fire-arm also possesses the immense advan-
tage that the cartridge is preserved from injury and cannot become ignited
spontaneously, while after the discharge it will not leave any residue, as such is
particularly guarded against. In this manner the fire-arm is always ready for use.
7thly. The first described or pocket pistol, from its short length and small
diameter, may be carried unobserved in the pocket, rendering it of especial
value for bankers' clerks, police agents, and others.
8thly. These improvements may be applied to fire-arms without altering
their arrangement, or to pistols of the same calibre.
Thus the pistol may be readily fixed between the lower band and the breech
and actuated by the fore finger of the hand, carrying the pistol by means of a
small iron rod passing along the stock of the gun to the trigger guard, which
the combatant avails himself of when at close quarters, enabling him not only
to use the bayonet but also to fire a dozen rounds while still advancing.
9thly. This improved system offers considerable economy in men, horses,
guns, and equipages, in time of war, as by the adoption of these improvements
five hundred and fifty out of six hundred guns may be dispensed with, as also
all the harness and necessary adjuncts.
10thly. Sporting guns on this principle are rendered much lighter, more
convenient and elegant, are very safe, and protected from the action of rain or
from other atmospheric variations.
Having described the nature of this 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 of improvements in revolving
fire-arms is,-
1st. The simplified construction of the various parts, the wood butt being
in one piece, as also the metal band forming the frame therefor.

page_text: 2ndly. I claim mounting the charge chamber and barrel in the relative
positions shown and described, the one being mounted at right angles to the
other.
And, 3rdly. I claim the arrangement of the cartridge chamber; I also
reserve the right of placing the barrel either above or below the centre line of
the breech chamber, as also the employment of any suitable kind of cartridge.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
A. M. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane.
W. CLARK. (L.B.)