IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING FIREARMS
Year: 1884

page_text: I RICHARD PAULSON, of Boon Hills, Langwith, in the County of Nottingham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING FIREARMS, to be as follows :-
The object of this Invention is to render it possible to fire rapid single
shots from a breech-loading weapon, or a.
.. large number in quick succession from a
magazine.
The improvements relate principally to the perticular construction of the breech-
action, and the mode of operating the same, for feeding, exploding and extracting
the cartridges-In carrying out this three-fold object, I usually make the breech-
chamber that receives the cartridges to extend some little distance further than is
usually done, along this chamber the cartridge is pushed by the action of a plunger,
bolt, or piston; The action of this piston is very important, and usually contains
the striker, It is operated either by means of a lever, or suitable springs; and is
so constructed that when driving home the cartridge along the aforesaid chamber,
no pressure is brought to bear on the percussion cap, or the part intended to receive
the blow of the striker, or needle; thus preventing accidental or premature
explosions in case an unextracted, or unexploded cartridge remains in the chamber,
while a second cartridge is being pushed forward by the piston; in which event both
are extracted by means of the lever operated by hand; further to insure perfect
safety, the striker is so arranged, that it cannot be effectually used to explode the
charge, unless the piston, and cartridge, are in their proper position at the end of the
chamber; The aforesaid piston is so arranged, that the force of the explosion
causes it, together with the shell of the cartridge (when used) to be driven back
until it reaches the end or nearly the end of the breech, when it is brought up by
the action of a bolt, or projection on the breech-block. This force exerted on the
piston also causes it to compress suitable springs, so placed, that when liberated
they are made to operate the breech, extract the exploded shell and substitute a
fresh cartridge in its place, To enable me to do this, I prefer to use a double
acting trigger, which may be placed under, at the side, or above the breech, as may
be deemed most convenient, when the said trigger is pressed, either by the finger,
or when placed above, by the thumb, so as to liberate the striker and explode the
charge, a slight interval occurs before the pressure is removed and it is allowed to
resume its former position, during the said interval the piston, although driven

page_text: partly back by the explosion, is locked, but as soon as the trigger moves forward,
it is liberated and driven back by the compressed spring or springs to its full limit,
so that the exploded cartridge can be ejected and a fresh one substituted in its
place, which is immediately pushed to the end of the chamber, ready for fireing, by
the piston; This action of the piston, on its being forced back by the exploding
charge, and aided by the aforesaid coiled, or spiral springs, can be rendered
automatic Further I may by attaching suitable shoulders, or projections, working
in grooves, to the said piston, cause it to rotate and aid in imparting the required
motion to the breech-block; This breech-block may also rotate, or slide from side
to side; or in any required direction; I prefer to make it so that, as the piston
passes forward into the chamber, by its action the breech-block is also depressed
until the opening therein intended to receive the cartridge comes opposite the
passage leading into the magazine, when a fresh cartridge is inserted therein, either
by hand, or from the magazine as may be desired; on the piston being forced back
to its full extent a free passage is left for the breech-block to rise, which it may be
made to do, either by means of a compressed spring, or by the piston, or parts
attached thereto, acting upon it, as it is thus driven back.
I intend to apply the aforesaid improved breech-action, or a modification thereof,
to various classes of weapons, but as previously described, to sporting and military
carbines, rifles, smooth-bores and pistols; the barrels of which may be made inter-
changeable, so that one action may do for a rifled or smooth-bore, and long or short
barrels as desired :-Further two or more barrels may be used with their corre-
sponding breech-actions, in which case I prefer to connect the pistons of each, by a
short arnı working in a socket, having a pin or bolt passing through it, holding it
in its proper position, and the main spring instead of only operating one, may be
made to aid in working both, to do this I prefer to bend it in the shape of half a
circle, or crescent, then, as each alternate charge is exploded, one piston is driven
backwards and the other forward, at the same time a fresh cartridge is substituted
as the empty one is ejected; or a separate main spring may be used for each
piston, and double triggers if desired; at the same time, any well known simple
bolt arrangement may be used to lock the triggers, automatically or otherwise,
and prevent it accidentially liberating the striker; This striker, or needle, is
preferably placed within the piston, and is operated by a spiral spring coiled round
or behind it, which is compressed and locked as the piston is driven back, or the
usual hammer, or tumbler, may be used to give the blow required to explode the
charge.
The hand lover may form the trigger guard, or be placed instead on either side
as most convenient.
I usually, but not always; combine this breech-action, with a magazine to
contain the reserve cartridges, the said magazine may be placed under the barrels,
in the stock, or in any suitable position as may be most convenient, and may be
removeable at pleasure; I prefer to replenish it through a suitable opening, closed
by a spring flap; a spiral, or other spring is placed therein, to push forward the
cartridges into the breech-block as required; The supply of cartridges contained
in the magazine, may be reserved for any emergency that may arise, when they
may be liberated and fired continueously until exhausted, without removing the
weapon from the shoulder, or rest: or by means of the hand lever, single shots
may be fired as heretofore:-I may make the stock of compressed paper instead of
wood, so that it shall be strong, but light; The shoulder or heel-plate, may also
be made of spring steel, so as to be elastic, and deaden the shock produced by
heavy or continueous firing, this, together with the recoling piston allows of heavy
charges being fired without inconvenience or danger of bursting the barrel, and
instead of the ordinary black gunpowder, I may use a quick burning, almost smoke-
less discription, although certain gunpowder & various cartridges are mentioned no
claim will be set up for them Any of the usual metalic cartridges may be used, or
paper cases, that on the charge being fired, burn up, or drives out the empty shell
with the charge; or I may use a-modification of them both, the rim by which it is

page_text: extracted being somewhat smaller than its base, this rim can then be readily
griped by the edge of the piston, which projects slightly and is made to expand, so
that the shell or cartridge can readily be extracted by this means.
I sometimes make use of a coiled spring, or springs, compressed by the aid of a
lever or crank; the heel-plate may be utilised to act as the latter, the force or
power thus obtained, may be made to work, or aid in working the breech-action
and piston: With such a rapid fire-arm, it is obviously an advantage to be enabled
to take equally rapid aim; with this object I may place the back sight over or near
the breech, this rear sight I prefer to hinge, so that it may be closed flat when not in
use, it is made preferably of a disc of metal with graduated openings, or slots, cut
therein, through which aim may be taken for various ranges without roadjusting
them.

page_text: I, RICHARD PAULSON of Boon Hills Langwith in the county of Nottingham,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
.BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING FIREARMS, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
The object of my Invention for Improvements in Breech-Loading and Repeating
Firearms is to construct a firearm from which it shall be possible to fire rapidly
single shots, or a larger number of shots in quick succession from a magazine
attachment, situated under the barrel, or in the stock, or attached to the body or
shoe or other convenient part of the firearm or which can be used as an ordinary
breech-loading firearm as may be desired.
In firearms constructed according to my invention the pressure of the gases
resulting from the firing of the explosive charge is utilised to supply the motive
power for extracting the empty cartridge and operating the striker, sliding bolt
hereinafter described and the breech block.
The breech chamber that receives the cartridges may be made to extend a short
distance further, into the barrel than is usual, The cartridge is pushed into this
chamber by the thumb, or by means of a bolt sliding in the said chamber and
carrying the striker. The cartridge extractor is attached to the said bolt or the
rim of the cartridge is received in grooves in its bifurcated end. The sliding bolt
is so constructed that when the cartridge is being driven home along the aforesaid
chamber no pressure will be exerted on the percussion cap or other part intended
to receive the blow of the striker or neeule. This arrangement prevents any
liability of an explosion should a shell or cartridge remain in the breech chamber
whilst a second cartridge is being pushed forward by the sliding bolt. The sliding
bolt is actuated either by means of a hand lever operating in the usual manner so
that a cartridge or empty shell can be withdrawn at any time without being
exploded, or by means of springs compressed by the force of the explosion and
controlled by the trigger of the firearm as hereinafter described.
The sliding bolt is so arranged that the force of the explosion or the hand lever
causes it together with the shell of the cartridge when such shell is used, to be
driven back until it reaches the end or nearly the end of the breech, when it is
locked or brought up by a bolt or a projection on the breech block in which
position a fresh cartridge is inserted in the breech chamber either from a magazine
if such be used or by hand. The force thus exerted on the sliding bolt causes it to
compress a spring or springs which is or are so placed that when liberated it or
they operate the breech, force the fresh cartridge into its proper position and
operate the striker to explode it.
The trigger which is placed in any convenient position may be double acting so
that supposing the parts to be in the proper positions when operated it acts so as
to liberate the striker and explode the charge and when released it is forced to
resume its normal position by a spring, and liberates the sliding bolt which was

page_text: forced back by the explosion and retained by a catch during the interval of time
intervening between the explosion and the release of the trigger.
The sliding bolt when forced back may be made to rotate as well as simply
sliding back by means of projecting shoulders working in inclined grooves in the
enclosing casing or vice versa and this rotation may be transmitted to the breech-
block causing it to be operated in the required manner. The breech block may be
depressed, when the sliding bolt is forced back, until an opening therein intended
to receive the cartridge comes opposite the passage leading into the magazine when
a fresh cartridge may be inserted therein either by hand or from the magazine as
may be desired. On the bolt being forced.back to its full extent by the explosion
or by the hand lever, the breech block is forced to rise by means of a spring or by
the forward movement of the sliding bolt.
The bereinbefore described breech-action or obvious modifications of them may
be applied to various classes of firearms such as sporting or military guns, carbines
or rifles, pistols and double treble or multiple barrelled firearins, Any known
safety arrangement may be used to lock the firing pin in a position of safety and
be operated automatically or otherwise, so as to prevent the accidental discharge of
the firearm.
The firing pin striker, or needle is placed within the sliding bolt and is operated
by a spiral or other spring which is compressed and locked in its compressed
condition as the bolt is driven back.
The hand lever for operating the breech mechanism by hand may form the
trigger guard.
The magazine may be of any suitable construction and is preferably constructed
so that the cartridges are liberated by a catch so that they can be reserved for an
emergency the firearm being meanwhile fed by hand.
In order that the said invention may be more fully understood I now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the three sheets of drawings annexed.
Figures 1 and 2 shew in vertical longitudinal section an application of my
invention to a Martini or Peabody Rifle.
These figures show clearly the constructions of the parts which will be readily
understood with reference to the foregoing description. The operation is as
follows:-
Supposing the rifle to be loaded and the parts to be in the proper positions for
firing the trigger is pulled releasing the catch t of the tumbler H, thus leaving the
spring B, free to force the rod E forward and operate the sliding bolt G and the
striker which is situated within the sliding bolt G. The main spring B, is placed
within a tube a secured within the stock B of the gun as shewn at C.
A screw
plug D at the rear end of the tube a serves to aid in retaining the tube a properly
within the stock and as an abutment for the spring B. The rod E has a rounded
end bearing in a recess in the striker Fso that the striker is free to move with the
breech block K independently of the rod E. The striker F is made slightly taper
so that when forced forward by the spring B, it expands the sliding bolt G which
is suitably, slotted at its back end to allow of the expansion and which is thus
caused to fit very tightly in the breech-block K and to resist the force of the
explosion until the bullet leaves the barrel when the equilibrium, hitherto main-
tained between the parts, is destroyed and the cartridge shell is driven back with
considerable force.
Fig. 1 shews the position of the parts just before the explosion. After the
explosion, the cartridge shell is driven backwards as described above and drives
before it the sliding bolt G, striker Fand rod E and compresses the spring B, which
is locked by means of the tumbler H which is driven backwards with the striker F
and is locked by the catch t engaging with the trigger as in the ordinary Martini
rifle. The rim of, the cartridge as the cartridge is driven backwards slides along
the inclined surface M of the breech-block, as shewn in fig. 2 until the rim passes
beyond a slight projection on the inclines M when it is ejected by the remaining
force. Should however the cartridge fail from any reason to be ejected, the falling
"

page_text: 2
breech-block operates the ordinary extractor causing the cartridge to be ejected as
heretofore. A guide N prevents the shell being ejectod too violently without
depressing the breech-block which is pivotted at its rear end as clearly shown. The
breach-block K is raised after the ejection of the cartridge by a light spring J
which however is not strong enough to prevent the breech block being pushed
downwards for the insertion of a fresh cartridge. The parts are thus automatically
brought back into the proper positions for firing. If from any cause it is desired
to eject a cartridge without firing it or to operate the breech-block, the lever O is
operated in the ordinary manner.
The forks of the lever O are cut away or reduced so as not to interfere with the
falling breech-block. The sliding bolt is retained in its backward position by a
catch until the trigger is released; this catch is not shown in the drawings; it
acts to prevent the bolt from again being driven forward until a fresh cartridge
has been inserted from the magazine or by hand and is a very important part of
my invention.
Figs. 3 and 5 show in longitudinal section another modification of my invention.
The body or case containing the breech mechanism is arranged as clearly shewn
so that the sliding bolt G which when the cartridge is fired projects into the end
of the barrel which may be enlarged for this purpose, after the explosion, is first
driven back so as to clear the end of the barrel and is then forced downwards
against the resistance of the spring J, and is held in that position by a catch until
a fresh cartridge is inserted when it is withdrawn by the forward motion of the
trigger or of the cartridge or by other suitable means. In its backward movement
the bolt G compresses the spring B, which is retained in its compressed condition
by means of the catch T which is forced upwards by a spiral spring. Two elongated
slots or openings S are made in the sides of the body or case of the breech
mechanism through one of which, the cartridges may be fed either by hand or from
a magazine; the empty case extracted by means of the catch L being forced out
by the fresh cartridge at the other side.
When a magazine is employed, the sliding bolt as it is driven backwards in
addition to operating the breech mechanism as described operates suitable springs
which act to substitute the fresh charge so that by. repeatedly pulling the trigger,
a corresponding number of shots can be fired without removing the weapon from
the shoulder; while at any time, by disconnecting the magazine, single shots may
be fed by hand and fired as heretofore.
The sliding bolt T is operated to release the spring B₂ by means of the trigger
as already shown.
This firearm is also provided with.a catch not shown in the drawings which
prevents the forward movement of the sliding bolt until the trigger is released after
firing the cartridge.
Fig. 4 shows a section of a magazine suitable for this rifle-In this magazine the
cartridge may be inserted through an opening closed by a spring or flap or by
removing the magazine itself as is usual; then as each cartridge is extracted a
fresh one takes its place and is pressed forward by the spring as shewn.
Figs. 6 and 7 show another modification of my invention applied to a repeating
pistol.
The sliding bolt G is driven back after the explosion and is retained as shewn in
Fig. 6 by the spring catch V which can be withdrawn by the forward motion of
the trigger. The cartridge when driven back is ejected either by a spring or by
being displaced by the succeeding cartridge as the latter is pressed upwards from
the reservoir by the spring Was shewn. A slight projection on the rod E prevents
more than one cartridge being forced upwards at a time. The cartridge is driven
forward into the barrel by a slight spring which may be placed behind the sliding
bolt G and be released by the forward movement of the trigger. The pistol may
'also be used to fire single shots to enable which a small catch, operated by hand,
may be provided at the exit from the magazine to provent the cartridges being
Comed fad

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a firearm of the sliding or falling block type, constructing the mechanism
so that a sliding bolt driven back against the resistance of a spring by the force of
the explosion after the charge has left the barrel operates the breech mechanism in
such manner that the empty cartridge shell is extracted and ejected and that a
fresh cartridge can be inserted either by hand or from a magazine substantially as
described.
2. In a firearm of the sliding or falling block type, operating the breech
mechanism by means of a sliding bolt forced back against the resistance of a
spring by the force of the explosion in such manner that the said firearm can be
used either as an ordinary breech loading firearm the cartridges being inserted by
hand or as a repeating or magazine firearm substantially as described.
3. The construction of a firearm in which the recoiling empty cartridge case
after the explosion of the charge drives back a sliding bolt against the resistance
of a weak spring, the said bolt having been retained in its proper position until
the charge left the barrel by being expanded by the firing pin, and operates the
breech mechanism in such manner that the said case is ejected from the firearm,
that the firearm is recocked and that a fresh cartridge can be inserted either by
band or from a magazine when the firearm can be again discharged by again
operating the trigger substantially as described.
4. In a firearm, the construction and arrangement of the sliding breech bolt in
such manner that the said bolt is expanded by the striker and is thus enabled to
resist the force of the explosion until the charge has left the barrel by means of a
comparatively weak spring substantially as described.
5. The construction of a pistol in which the kick or recoil after the explosion
is utilised for extracting the empty cartridge shell and operating the breech
mechanism substantially as described with reference to figs. 6 and 7 of the
drawings.
6. In a firearm of the sliding or falling block type, constructing and arranging
the mechanism so that the explosion of one cartridge forces back against the
resistance of a spring a sliding bolt operating the breech mechanism and which is
retained in its backward position so that a fresh cartridge can be inserted by hand
or from a magazine until released by the forward movement of the trigger or by
other suitable means when it is driven forward by the spring and the said firearm
can again be fired by again operating the trigger substantially as described.
7. The constructions of firearms substantially as described with reference to the
drawings.
Dated this twenty first day of Tule 100K