IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Castle Dodge, of Washington City, District
of Columbia, United States of Amèrica, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS."
1
Sealed the 2nd February 1866, and dated the 7th August 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Castle Dodge
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th August 1865.
I, WILLIAM CASTLE DODGE, of Washington City, District of Columbia,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to that class of fire-arms denominated many-chambered,
and in which metallic cartridges are generally used; it consists primarily in
the simultaneous and rapid removal of the cartridge cases or shells from the
arm, and in certain devices adapted to produce that result.
The principal device used in my Invention is the retractor, which removes
the cartridge cases. This consists of a metallic plate of any suitable form to
adapt it to the arm to which it is to be applied, and is so constructed as to fit
snugly against or within the end of the barrels or cylinder from which the
cases are to be removed; it has portions so cut away as to form openings or

page_text: recesses corresponding with the chambers, as shown in Figures 7, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, and 16. This plate a is provided with a stem b, or its equivalent, by
which it is held, guided, and operated: On this stem is placed a spiral
spring c, secured by a nut d. By these means the plate a is brought close up
against the end of the cylinder or barrels, so that when the cartridges are
inserted their flanges or rims will rest in whole or in part against the outer
face of a. As already stated, this retractor plate a may be of any suitable
form; it may be a perforated disk, as shown in Figure 13, in which case it
will lie flat against the end of the cylinder or barrels, or it may be in the form
of a smaller disk, with sections cut away, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10,
or what is technically known as a "spider;" or it may be a perforated disk,
with portions cut away as indicated in red lines in Figure 13. When either
of the latter forms of a is used, the end of the cylinder or barrel should be so
recessed as to cause the outer surface of a to come flush therewith. To permit
the use of this retractor the cylinder (in revolving arms) must be so attached
to the frame that the end which receives the cartridges can be swung or moved
clear of any obstruction, such as recoil plate E or other portions of the frame.
This I accomplish by so pivoting the frame to which the barrel is attached as
to permit it being moved in a vertical plane, as shown in Figure 1, or in a
horizontal plane, as shewn in Figure 9, in which latter case the face of the
recoil plate E will necessarily be made concave, as shown in Figure 15, in
order to permit the cylinder to swing clear, and yet be brought in close contact
therewith when in position for firing. In those arms whose barrels do not
revolve the object is accomplished by so hinging them that the end may be
elevated, as shown in Figure 6, or in other suitable manner. In order to
permit the passage of the stem 6 through the cylinder, and at the same give
the latter a suitable bearing, I attach the cylinder to the frame by means of
the tubular bolt or stud g, which is secured to the frame at one end only; and
upon, which the cylinder is secured by a proper head or nut, as shown, in,
Figure 2, where the parts are shown in section; or it may be attached by
means of the neck or journal h, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.. By this
last method I am enabled to use a retractor stem as large as bolt g without
enlarging the cylinder; or by making the stem slightly less, in diameter, the
spring c may be seated within the cylinder, the central, bore being properly
chambered for that purpose, as clearly shown in Figures 11 and 12, by which
means room for the operation of the spring c is obtained without having the
stem 6 protruding so far as it necessarily would when the spring is applied
entirely outside of the cylinder, as in Figure 2, and thus the danger of bending
or otherwise injuring the stem b is greatly decreased. ...

page_text: In applying my Invention to those revolving arms whose cylinders are
charged at the front instead of the rear, it will be necessary to attach the
cylinder to the recoil plate E or rear portion of the frame, as shown in Figure 1,
in which case the use of the, tubular bolt or stud would be preferable. In
such cases the barrel must be pivoted as to move in a vertical plane, in order
that it may be removed from the front of the cylinder for the purpose of
permitting the proper use of the retractor for the ejection of the cartridge
cases. For the purpose of .rendering the cylinder more secure in its position,
and ensuring the coincidence of its chambers, with the bore of the barrel,'
I provide it with a moveable bearing or support at the end opposite that which
is attached to the frame. This. I do by causing the stem of the retractor a
to pass through and project outside of plate a, as shown at i, Figures 1,.9,
11, 12, and 13. This projectión i enters a corresponding groovej in plate E
or other portion of the frame, which groove is clearly shown in Figures 11, 14,
and 15. By thus giving to the rear of 6 a firm support, I am enabled to
dispense with the bolt g and journal h, and suspend the cylinder. B entirely
upon the retractor stem 6, the latter of course passing through a proper hole.
in the post e of frame C. In order to operate the retractor in such case the
cylinder B must be held close up to plate E, and not allowed to move back
with the retractor when the latter is shoved out to eject the cartridge cases
after being swung outward from E for that purpose; this may be accomplished
by a slight projection from the under side of bridge piece p passing down over
the edge of the end of the cylinder, but not so far as to interfere with the
operation of the retractor; or said projection may engage in a circumferential
groove on the periphery of the cylinder; or it may be accomplished by any
suitable means. This method of hanging the cylinder I do not consider as
good as the others, and it will only be desirable where the object is to make
a very small revolver. For the purpose of locking the cylinder securely in its'
place in position for firing, a latch k is pivoted in a proper recess in the face
of plate E, the upper edge of the said latch coinciding with the upper edge of
groove j in its rear. Near its centre longitudinally, and at the centre of E,
where it is desired that i shall rest, this latch k is provided with a notch or
semicircular recess in its upper edge, which recess engages with and holds i
firmly in place after it has been forced to its seat in groove j, the latch k being
held up by a spring that yields to the pressure of i upon the inclined end of k,
Within a vertical hole bored in
thereby permitting ; to pass into its seat.
plate E near its right side or edge is placed a catch bolt 2, which has its upper
end bevilled, as shown in Figure 14, and which bolt is pivoted to latch by
means of pin m, which passes through both, working in a vertical slot in E, aud

page_text: is provided with a suitable head or thumb-piece, as shown at m, Figures 9, 11,
and 15. Bolt and latch k are both forced upward by spring o, as shown in
Figure 11. The rear portion of bridge-piece p is provided with a suitable
groove, which engages with a corresponding projection on the top of E, by
which the swinging and stationary portions of the frame are securely united
when brought into position, and when thus united the parts are locked together
by the catch bolt engaging in a suitable recess in the under side of p, as
shown in dotted lines in Figure 11. If desired, the latch bolt 6 may be
located in bridge-piece p, and provided with a suitable head q, as shown in
Figure 2. If desired, the lock joint of the frame C may be located at any
intermediate point on bridge-piece p, as shown at v, Figure 4; or the frame
may be pivoted at the front of p, as shown in Figure 3.
In order to render the arm more strong and durable I construct the pivot
joint as shown in Figures 2 and 11, in which t and u are journals working
within a sleeve, whereby a very strong joint having a long bearing is secured.
In order to render the arm still more perfect and secure it against accidental·
discharges I provide it with a hammer of novel construction. To provide for
using the simplest form of lock the lower end of the hammer D'is located.
centrally within the stock F, by which means the hammer and tumbler can
be formed of one piece. The body of the hammer as it rises above the stock
is then curved to one side, as shown in Figure 5, for the purpose of affording
more room for the thumb to operate the thumb-piece m; and thereby the bolt /
and latch k for unlocking the parts. By thus curving the hammer its point w
is brought into such a position that it strikes the rim of the cartridge which
contains the fulminate along one side of its face, as shown in Figure 14, where
the position of the cartridge is indicated in red. By this means the face of
the hammer is made to cover a much larger portion of the fulminate than
where it strikes radially across the rim in the usual manner.
I then so con-
struct and locate the hammer that no portion of it projects above the bridge
piece p, by which means I prevent the accidental discharges so often caused
by the projecting hook or thumb-piece on the top of the hammer, as usually
constructed, catching in the holster case or pocket when the pistol is inserted
therein. Instead of having the hook project upwards in the usual manner,
I curve it back ward, as shown at x, Figure 2, and unite its rear end with' the
body of the hammer at or near the curve therein, by which it is prevented:
from catching in the holster case or pocket when the pistol is withdrawn
therefrom. Any object coming in contact with a will be thereby so deflected
as to pass above and clear of bridge-piece p.
The application of my Invention to arms whose chambers or barrels do not

page_text: revolve is clearly shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. In such cases the-retractor
stem b, instead of projecting at the end of the cylinder or barrel, is simply.
seated within a suitable hole centrally between the barrels. Before it is thus
inserted a collar y, having a hole through its centre and a screw thread cut
on its periphery, is slipped on the stem b, after which the spring c is placed:
thereon and secured by nut d on the end of the stem, as shown in Figure 8.
The collar y is then screwed into its seat at the mouth of the central hole, in:
which the stem and spring are inserted. The nut d corresponding in size
with the central hole, and the stem b fitting accurately in the collar y, through
which it passes, it follows that the stem 6 and retractor plate a will be so:
guided as to cause them to move in a straight line parallel with the bore
of the barrels. The plate a is provided on its two opposing edges with a
roughened projection, as shewn at 2, z, Figure 7, by which it is readily grasped
between the thumb and finger and drawn outward from the end of the barrels,
thereby removing at once all the cartridge cases, whatever their number.
When released the retractor a is instantaneously and automatically returned
to its original position, thereby rendering the arm ready for being reloaded.
If desired, the same arrangement of the retractor may be adopted with
revolving cylinders, the stem 6 in such case being made shorter, and thus
prevented from projecting beyond the end of the cylinder or the face of the
frame C. In such cases it is obvious that the retractor must be operated by
drawing it outward, as in Figure 8, instead of pushing it by pressing on the
end of 6, as in Figures 2, 9, 11, and 12. In such case the edge of plate a,
Figure 13, may be milled or otherwise roughened to secure a firm hold, or
proper recesses may be made in the sides of the cylinder B at that end where
the plate a is applied. If desired, the stem b, in Figures 11, 12, and 8, may
be provided with a feather having a corresponding seat in the journal h or
collar y, by which its movement will be so guided as to cause the plate a to
return to its seat in such a position that its perforations or recesses shall
exactly coincide with the chambers of the arm; or the same result may be
produced in these cases, and also when the tubular bolt g is used, by attaching
to the inner face of a one or more pins or stems working in corresponding
holes or recesses in the cylinder or barrels. In practice, however, these
arrangements are not found necessary, as the plate a is easily shoved into its
5 proper position by the point of the bullet when the latter is inserted in re-
.loading the arm. In the case of stationary chambers, as shown in Figure 6,
the retractor may be operated by the lock bolt a', which is provided with a
head at 6' for operating it. In such case it is only necessary to connect the
bolt a to plate a or stem b in any suitable manner, the simplest form of which

page_text: in indicated by Figure 6, where the red lines represent an arm projecting
from a¹ in such a position as to engage with and operate the retractor a 'when
a is shoved backward.. The form or method before described and shown in
Figures 6 and 7 is, however, considered preferable, as it is simple, compact,
and not liable to be easily broken or disarranged by ordinary use. This
method of applying my Invention is peculiarly applicable to the arms known
as Elliott's repeater and Sharpe's repeating pistol, and to all arms similarly
constructed. It is obvious' that the methods here shown of applying my
Invention may be so modified as to eject a portion only of the cartridge cases
at once, but that would be a mere modification, and one that I do not deem
desirable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Castle Dodge in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 2nd February 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CASTLE DODGE, of Washington City, District of Columbia, United States of
America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign; did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Castle Dodge, Her special licence that I, the said
William Castle Dodge, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said William Castle Dodge, my executors, administra-
tors, 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 FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Castle Dodge, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument, in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
.calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Castle Dodge, do hereby
declare the nature of the. said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof; that is to say :--
"
:
My Invention relates to that class of fire-arms in which the charge is used
enclosed in a metallic case or tube, or one composed partially of metal and
partially of other material, the prime object of my Invention being the speedy
removal of the cartridge cases: or tubes from the chambers of a many-
chambered fire-arm.
:
My Invention consists, first, in constructing and applying to the arm a
niechanical device for withdrawing or ejecting the shells, which I denominate
a. retractor; it further consists in novel methods of constructing the arm to
permit the retractor to be applied and used, and various devices for operating
the parts.
.
In the accompanying Drawings, which form a part of this Specification,
Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 13 represent various parts and styles
of revolving arnis with my improvements applied.
I
⚫ In the various Figures, wherever they occur, the letters A indicate the
barrel; C, the cylinder; B, the breech or recoil block; F, the frame to which
the barrel is secured; and D, the stock or handle. The cylinder C in all
cases, except as shown in Fig. 9, has its chambers bored entirely through it
longitudinally, so that the cartridges u can be inserted at the rear end of said
cylinder, as shown in Figs. 1 & 2, the cartridges being provided at their rear
end with a radially projecting flange, which may or may not contain the
fulminate as desired. The retractor consists of a metallic plate a fitted
against the end of the cylinder, as in Fig. 9, and having holes in it to corre-
spond with the chambers of the cylinder, so that when the cartridges u are
inserted through said holes into the chambers of the cylinder, the flanges of
the cartridges shall rest against-the-outer face of said retractor or plate a.
When thus constructed, the plate a may consist of a section of the cylinder
itself, cut transversely of any required thickness, though in practice I find it
both easier and cheaper to form the retractor of a separate piece. I also
construct the retractor for this class of arms as shown in Figs. 1 & 5, in
which form it consists of a plate fitted to rest in a recess formed for it in the
end of the cylinder. Semicircular notches are cut in its periphery, so as to
correspond with the chambers in the cylinder, the extreme diameter of the
plate a in these cases being such that when the, cartridges are inserted the
notches in the plate a will encircle one-half of the circumference of the car-
tridge, the flange of the latter resting half way around against the face of the

page_text: plate a, as shown in Fig. 1. It is not, however, necessary that the plate a
should thus encircle the cartridge, it being sufficient if a small point only of
the plate engages underneath the flange of the cartridge. Hence it is
obvious that the retractor plate a may be modified in form to a great extent,
the only requisite being that it shall be provided with openings or notches to
permit the insertion of the cartridges, and have some portion of it engage
underneath or in front of the flange on the cartridges. If desired it may be
constructed in the form of a core, fitting in a suitable hole in the center of
the cylinder, its diameter being such that its periphery shall form a portion,
more or less, of the walls of the chambers of the cylinder, said core extending
wholly or partially through the cylinder longitudinally, as may be preferred.
This form of retractor, however, is not so cheap to make, nor do I consider it
so good as those previously described, for the reason that when thus con-
structed an opening will necessarily extend from one to another of the
chambers in the cylinder, thereby rendering the arm unsafe to use. In order
to operate the retractor a, I attach it to a stem, c, by which it can be shoved
back, as shown in Fig. 7. In order to have this stem c occupy a central
position longitudinally of the cylinder, I mount the cylinder on a tubular
bolt e, as shown in Figs. 6 & 10, the stem c extending through said bolt e,
and projecting at the front end, as shown in Figs. 2, 6, 7, & 10, so that by
pressing back on the projecting end of the stem c the retractor a may be
shoved back, and carry out the shells or cases with it from the chambers of
the arm. In order to bring the retractor back to. its position ready for re-
loading the arm, a spring 6 is applied around the stem c, as shown in the
Drawings. In Figs. 2 & 7 the tubular bolt e is dispensed with, the cylinder C
in such cases being secured to the frame F by means of a tubular journal t.
In order to support the rear end of the cylinder in such cases, the end of
stem c is made to protrude beyond the outer face of plate a, and enter a
groove or recess i cut for it in the breech block B, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,
9, & 10, the groove i being shown more clearly in Fig. 11, which is a front
view of the breech block, a portion being broken away to show the bolt h.
In all cases it is necessary that the end of the cylinder from which the
cartridge cases are to be ejected shall be exposed or moved away from in front
of the breech B, so as to permit the retractor to be shoved back, and thus
remove the shells. In Figs. 1 & 2 the frame F, with the barrel A and
cylinder C attached thereto, is shown pivoted to that portion of the frame
which is below the cylinder, so that the barrel and cylinder may be swung
around in a horizontal plane, by which means the rear end of the cylinder
can be exposed, as shown in Fig. 1, which represents the cylinder moved, and

page_text: the retractor a with the shells u partly thrown back. Fig. 6 represents the
frame pivoted so as to move in a vertical plane, the construction and
operation otherwise being the same.
Fig. 9 represents a revolver in which the cartridges are inserted at the,
front end of the cylinder. In such cases the cylinder C is hung to the breech
block B, the tubular bolt e or hollow journal t either being used, as may be.
preferred, and the frame F with the barrel A being pivoted to move in a
vertical plane away from the front end of the cylinder, and thus permit the
retractor a to shove the cartridges out. In this case the retractor stem c may,
be made to protrude through the breech B, the hammer H being secured to,
one side of the arm; or if located centrally of the stock, it may be curved.
to one side, as shown in Fig. 8, so as not to interfere with the protruding
stem c; or the stem c may be so made as not to protrude, the retractor in
such case being operated by taking hold of its edges and drawing it forward.
away from the end of the cylinder. In all cases where the frame is con-
structed in two parts, and pivoted as described, the rear upper portion of
frame F has a groove cut in it, so as to lock with the top of breech B, and
thus unite the parts firmly, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7, & 9. In order to;
lock the parts together, a lock bolt h is located vertically in the breech B, as;
shown in Fig. 11, and operated by a spring r, as shown in Fig. 2, or in any.
other suitable way. The upper end of bolt h protrudes so as to engage in a.
recess provided for it in the under surface of the rear portion of the frame F,
the end of said bolt being bevelled, so as to be shoved down when struck;
by the frame F as the latter is swung into place. This bolt is provided with.
a thumb-piece m (see Figs. 1 & 2), which protrudes from the rear face of B,:
it working in a slot cut therein, and extending through and being secured to
bolt h, see Figs. 2 & 11, so that by pressing down on m the bolt h may be
depressed, and the frame unlocked preparatory to exposing the end of the
cylinder for throwing out the shells. Where the journal t is used-instead-of-
the bolt e, and it is desired to lock the rear end of the cylinder more securely.
in place, I pivot a latch o, as shown in Fig. 11, at 1, in a suitable recess in
the face of B. This latch o has a notch n at, the center of the front face
of B, to receive the projecting rear end of stem c when it enters groove i, the
end of latch o being bevelled, as shown, so that it will be depressed when hit.
by stem c, and permit the point of c to pass into the center, where it is locked.
by being engaged in the notch n of latch o, the latch being pivoted to the
bolt h by having the end of m extend through both, as shown in Fig. 13,
which is a transverse section of B, taken on. the line x, x, of Fig. 8, so that:
both may be depressed together by simply pressing on the thumb-piece.m, :

page_text: one spring also serving to operate both. By these means both the frame and
the cylinder are independently locked in position, both locking automatically
as they are swung into position, and both being released by a single operation.
It is obvious that this double locking arrangement may also be used in con-
nection with a cylinder mounted on the bolt e, but it is not considered
necessary in that case, as the cylinder is, supported through its entire length
by the bolte being secured rigidly to the frame F, it being either formed
solid with the frame, or having its front end screwed into the frame, as may be
preferred. The only object of using the journal t instead of the bolt e in any.
case is where a very small cylinder is used, and there is not sufficient room to
permit the use of the tubular bolt e and the stem c with the spring b therein.
Where it is not desired to use the additional. locking device o, the.bolt h may.
be located in the upper bar of frame F, and made to engage in notch or
recess in the front face of the upper portion of B, the bolt h being shown thus
arranged by the red dotted lines in Fig. 6, the notch in which it engages
being shown at a¹ of Fig. 9. .
:
Fig. 10 represents my improvements applied to an arm having the frame F
made solid instead of in two separate parts, as in those previously described,
this style being more especially adapted to large arms, such as rifles and shot
guns, whether intended for military or sporting purposes. In this style of
arm the tubular bolt e is secured at its front. end to an inner frame e¹, the
lower arm o¹ of which is bored longitudinally, and secured within the frame F
by the bolt p, which thus forms a pivot, on which the frame e' may be moved
to one side, thus swinging the cylinder C out of the frame F, when the
retractor can be operated as previously described. If the stem c be allowed
to protrude, as shown in Fig. 10, the side of the vertical front bar of frame F
A spring
will necessarily have a recess formed in it to receive the stem c.
catch is located in the front bar of frame F, and arranged to hold the
frame e¹, and of course the cylinder C, securely in position, so as to ensure
the chambers of the cylinder coinciding perfectly with the bore of the barrel.
If desired the additional locking latch o, or its equivalent, may also be used
at the rear end of the cylinder. To use a cylinder loading at the front in
this style of frame, it is only necessary to reverse the position of the inner
frame e¹, so as to have it support the cylinder at the rear instead of at the
front. I construct the hammer H of the form shown in Fig. 6. When thus
constructed and arranged it will be observed that the top of the hammer is
lower than the top of the frame F, so that when the pistol is thrust into a
holster or pocket there is no danger of an accidental discharge.by. having the
top of the hammer catch and be raised, as frequently happens with the arm

page_text: as usually constructed. Instead of the backward projecting book usual on
the top of the hammers, I curve it downward, and unite it to the body of the.
hammer, as shown, so that the danger of catching it in the pocket or holster
when an attempt is made to withdraw the pistol is obviated. If the hammer
be located on the side instead of centrally, the hook may be carried still
further back at its lower portion, and joined to the body of the hammer still.
lower down. By curving the hammer as shewn in Fig. 8, it is made to
strike the cartridge lower down than usual, as it hits: the cartridge along one
side of its face, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11, which enables me to
lower the point of the hammer. By striking the cartridge thus, the point of.
the hammer is also made to cover a much larger portion of the flange con-
taining the fulminate, and thereby render the ignition of the charge more
certain.
In Figs. 3, 4, & 12 my retractor is shown applied to a many-chambered
arm, having stationary in contradistinction to revolving cylinders.. A repre-
sents the barrels, of which, in this case, there are four, but any number may
be used: In Fig. 12 these barrels are shewn hinged to the stock D in such
a manner that their rear end can be tipped up to remove them from in front
of the breech B. It is, however, obvious that instead of tipping the barrels
as there shown, they may be arranged to slide forward, or swing sidewise,
and thus open their rear ends with similar. results. To apply my improve-,
ment to these styles of arms, I simply bore a hole centrally between the
barrels, and parallel therewith, into which I insert the stem c. of the re-
tractor a, first slipping on to the stem c a small collar c', with or without a
serew thread cut on its exterior; then the spiral spring, which is secured by a
nut d, the collar c' serving to hold the parts securely in place, as shown in
Fig. 3, which is a longitudinal section of the barrels with the retractor-
applied: It will be understood that the plate a will be made of any required
form to adapt it to the form and number of barrels which the arm may have,.
and as the steni.c is not intended to protrude from the front, as in the case of
the revolvers, a projection w is made on two opposite edges of plate a, so that
it may readily be. grasped by the thumb and finger, and thus operated.
Instead of making the plate as shown at Fig. 4, the retractor may consist
simply of a flat bar fitted in a recess in the end of the barrel, and of sufficient
width to slightly engage with the flanges of the cartridge shells. This bar
may be arranged either horizontally, as indicated by the red lines in Fig. 4,
or vertically. In all cases where the retractor is to be operated by drawing
it by the thumb and finger, instead of by the protruding stem c, it may
be
secured to the barrels by means of one or more arms or rods working in

page_text: grooves in the sides of the cylinder or barrels, or in holes bored parallel with
the chambers, instead of attaching it by the central stem c. Instead of
making it in one piece, so as to throw out all the shells at once, it may be
made in two or more parts, and each arranged to operate independently; but
these plans are but meré modifications of my general plan, and are neither as
simple nor as cheap. It will be necessary when the retractor is applied to
the rear end of a revolving cylinder to place the ratchet by which the cylinder
is rotated on the plate a instead of on the cylinder itself, as shown in Figs: 1
& 6. In all cases the retractor may be kept from turning if desired by
means of a feather working in a groove; but in revolvers, as the chambers
are of uniform diameter and equidistant, this is not necessary in practice.
Having thus fully described my Invention, what I claim and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is,
1st, the simultaneous ejection of the cartridge shells from a many-chambered
fire-arm, whether loaded at the front or rear, and whether having revolving
or stationary chambers, substantially as and by any of the means herein shown
or described.
2nd, I claim mounting the cylinder of a revolving fire-arm on the tubular
bolte or hollow journal t, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3d, I claim supporting the rear end of the cylinder C by means of the
projecting end of the retractor stem c resting in the groove i, as described.
4th, I claim the pivoted frame F arranged to turn either in a vertical or
horizontal plane, and provided with the locking devices, substantially as shown
and described.
5th, I claim mounting the cylinder C in an independent frame arranged to
swing in and out of the stationary frame F, substantially as shown in
Fig. 10.
6th, I claim the retractor a arranged to operate in combination with a
many-chambered fire-arm, either with or without the spring b; for the purpose
of removing the cartridge shells therefrom, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th
January 1866.
WILLIAM CASTLE DODGE. (L.S.)