IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wilson, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 25th January 1867, and dated the 24th October 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th October 1866.
I, THOMAS WILSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS,
AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms relate to breech-loading fire-
arms in which the breech is opened for loading and closed for firing by means
of a block hinged to the side of a shoe or breech piece attached to the rear of
the barrel, the said block shutting down into the said shoe or breech piece for
closing the breech, and being raised out of the said shoe or breech piece for
opening the breech and charging.
My improvements also relate to breech-loading fire-arms of the kind called
needle
guns, and to other breech-loading fire-arms. In making fire-arms of
the kind first described, instead of making the shoe-or breech piece of the said

page_text: fire-arms solid, and of wrought iron by the process of stamping or forging as
at present practised, I make the said shoe or breech piece of cast steel or
homogeneous iron, or of the kind of cast iron capable of being annealed, and
commonly called malleable iron. In making the said shoe or breech piece of
cast steel, homogeneous iron, or malleable iron, I employ the process of
casting, by which means I am enabled to form the shoe or breech piece hollow,
and. to give it very nearly the exact form which the finished shoe or breech
piece is required to have. I thus save much time and labour in the manu-
facture of the said shoe or breech. piece. I also form. the closing block of
cast steel, homogeneous iron, or malleable iron by the process of casting.
My Invention consists further of the following improvement in connecting
the shoe with the barrel. Instead of forming a square shoulder in the shoe
for the barrel to abut against, I form a long cone or bevil on the screwed end
of the barrel and a corresponding hollow cone-or seat in the shoe, by which
means I obtain greater strength in the shoe, and a better and readier fit of
the barrel and shoe.
My improvements consist further in forming a receptacle for the spring
which effects the return motion of the closing block-and cartridge case extractor
solid with the said block instead of making it of-separate tubes as at present
practised. By this improvement a longer and better bearing is obtained for
the block, and the action of the joint pin is easier.
My improvements consist further in attaching the hook or cartridge case
extractor to the front end of the closing block by means of a hollow or tubular
pin screwed firmly into the end of the said block instead of attaching the said
hook or extractor by screwing upon the end of a long tube passing loosely
through the hole or joint of the closing block. By this improvement the
hook or extractor is more readily and more firmly attached to the closing
block, and a longer and better bearing obtained for the hinge of the closing
block.
My improvements consist further in forming the joint pin on which the
closing block turns with a screw thread upon its point or forward end, and
causing the screwed end to take into a corresponding concave screw in the
rear bearing of the shoe or breech piece, thereby firmly securing the joint in
its place without the use of the set pin now employed. By this means the
bearings of the shoe are bound more firmly together, and a stronger and better
action secured.
My improvements consist further in forming a slight shoulder on the joint
pin on which the closing block turns. The tubular piece or washer which
serves as an abutment against which the closing. block and extractor spring

page_text: Dear in effecting the return motion of the said block and extractor is bound
firmly between the said shoulder and the rear bearing on the shoe or breech
piece. By this improvement the closing block and cartridge case extractor
have a firmer and easier sliding action than that obtained by the loose tubes
5 fitting loosely on the joint pin at present employed.
My improvements consist further in employing a spiral spring made from
flat steel for effecting the return motion of the cartridge case extractor, and
also in employing a similar spring for effecting the return motion of the per-
cussion pin or striker instead of the helical wire springs ordinarily employed
for these purposes. The said spiral springs give a smoother action than the
helical wire springs, and are not so liable to snap or break. The said spiral
springs made from flat steel may used for effecting the return motion of
the cartridge case extractors, and the percussion pins or strikers of various
kinds of breech-loading fire-arms.
.
My Invention consists further of improvements in the fire-arms first described
in the Specification of my Patent, dated August 4th, 1866, No. 2016, and are
as follows:-Instead of loading the gun with a made-up cartridge, as described
in the said Specification, I form a case of brass or steel and fit a nipple in
the extreme base. The external figure of the said case is like the made-up
cartridge and fits into the chamber of the gun. The metal case described
may be removed from the charge chamber to be loaded, or the gun can be
loaded at the muzzle with powder in the absence of special ammunition, and
discharged by an ordinary percussion cap upon the nipple.
My Invention consists farther of the following improvements in constructing
louble guns:-Instead of attaching the closing lever to lumps on the sides of
he barrels, I attach the lever to a strong circular bar or pin formed between
he barrels, and close the bore or breeches of the barrels by projections formed
n either side of the lever. The extractor in my double gun, as well as the
node of operating the said extractor, are similar to those described in the
pecification of the Patent herein-before referred to.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in the needle
uns described in the Specification of the Patent before referred to:-Instead
forming the traverse chamber of the breech with an enlarged bore as far
the powder chamber of the gun, and making the end of the closing plug
nical to fit the hollow cone or seat at the mouth of the said chamber, I
ntinue the bore. of the powder chamber, for about 2 or 3 inches in its
ar, and form the closing plug to slide into the said bore and close it without
conical-seat-at-its-mouth, by which arrangement the gun is easier to load and
t liable to foul by dirt accumulating upon the seat. I enlarge the rear of

page_text: the traverse chamber for about six or seven inches, and form on the rear of the
closing plug an enlarged part or collar to fill up the said chamber. The fore
and rear ends of the closing plug are of different diameters, the fore end being
of a size proper to close the powder chamber, and the rear end being of a size
proper to fill up and slide freely in the rear of the traverse chamber. The
sliding hammer or striker and steel spring for actuating it work. in the
enlarged rear of the traverse chamber, and are actuated in the same manner
as described in the Specification of the Patent herein-before referred to.
My. Invention consists further in adapting and applying an extractor to the
said needle gun to enable it to fire the improved "Boxer "cartridge. I form a
channel or recess in the upper and left-hand side of the traverse chamber and
fit into the said recess an extractor; the forward end of the extractor is
formed with a.hook, which fits in the shoulder of the chamber and engages
with the head of the cartridge; the rear of the extractor also is formed with
a hook which works in grooves in the closing plug. The stem of the extractor
traverses the recess in the upper side of the traverse chamber, and is
retained in its position by a V plate traversing a slot formed in the side of the
said chamber, the said plate being attached to the stem of the extractor by
screw pins. On opening the breech the closing plug engages with the hook
on the extractor and imparts to it the motion necessary to draw the exploded
cartridge case from the charge chamber; a fresh cartridge may afterwards be
introduced into the chamber, which cartridge is carried forward with the
extractor on pushing up the closing plug.
sear,
My Invention consists further of the following new or improved sear and
trigger mechanism for discharging needle guns, and in preventing the gun
being discharged unless the breech plug is properly secured or locked. I form
the sear with a projecting arm nearly at right angles with the said
I also
make the trigger work in a metal box situated on the under side of the gun.
1 fit in the forward end of the said box a lever and make the trigger with two
arms nearly at right angles to one another, the upper arm being for operating
the sear, and the horizontal arm for actuating the lever, described. The said
lever has a hook or projection formed upon its forward end and passes through
a hole or slot in the under side of the breech or barrel and takes into a hole
or recess formed in the closing plug, the said hole or recess when the breech
is closed coinciding with the hole in the barrel. On pulling the trigger to
discharge the gun, the forward end of the lever described is raised, and if the
breech is properly closed passes into the recess in the plug, but when the
breech is open or not sufficiently closed the recess does not come opposite
the hooked end of the lever which cannot therefore be raised, and which con-

page_text: sequently does not permit the upper trigger arm to act upon the sear, and
thus prevents the discharge of the gun when not properly closed. The
horizontal arm of the trigger is arranged to act upon the lever before the
upper arm reaches the sear, consequently if the lever is obstructed by the solid
part of the closing plug the trigger cannot act, I fit in the lower part of the
trigger a safety lever, the heel of which is made to rest opposite the solid part
of the trigger guard, and prevents the trigger being pulled until the heel of
the safety lever is raised by pressing down its opposite end when the trigger
may be pulled and the gun discharged. Instead of the safety lever being
attached to the trigger it may be jointed to the guard and made to prevent
the action of the trigger until the said safety lever is pressed down.
By the arrangements described the accidental discharge of the gun is
prevented. The safety sear or the trigger mechanism last described
may be
applied to breech-loading fire-arms in general in which the discharge is effected
by means of a sliding piston or hammer.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in cartridges
for breech-loading fire-arms, the said cartridges being of the kind commonly
called self-igniting cartridges. I make the case of the cartridge of paper,
linen, cloth, or other similar material and secure the said case to the bullet
by pasting or gumming in the usual way; I then fill the case with powder
and insert in the rear of the case a short overlapping tube of paper slightly
stronger than the case; I then insert in the case and immediately upon the
powder a cardboard wad with a square hole in its middle; I next insert in
the square hole a flange or winged percussion cap which permits the flash to
pass through apertures formed by the angles of the square hole in the card-
board wad; I next place upon the percussion cap a thin cloth or felt wad and
turn down the circular edge of the case upon it and then paste or gum a disc
of paper to complete the cartridge; I then tie or throttle the cartridge about
hree-eighths of an inch from the rear for the purpose of tightening or com-
pressing the powder and binding firmly together the parts constituting the
base of the cartridge, and thereby produce a greater resistance to the action
of the needle in igniting the cartridge. The cartridge may be tied or throttled
ear the bullet as well as at its base if required for rendering the powder
more compact. The cartridges being thus finished are lubricated and wrapped.
in the usual way.
P

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Thomas Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
WILSON, of Birmingham, in' the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas
Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Wilson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Wilson, 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 THE MANU-
FACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES FOR
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Thomas Wilson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particu-
larly 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 Thomas Wilson, 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 thereof, that is to say:-
My improvements in breech-loading fire-arms relate to breech-loading fire-
arms in which the breech is opened for loading and closed for firing by means
of a block hinged to the side of a shoe or breech chamber attached to the
rear of the barrel, the said block shutting down into the said shoe or
breech chamber for closing the breech and being raised out of the said shoe
or breech chamber for opening the breech and charging.
My improvements also relate to breech-loading fire-arms of the kind called
needle guns and to other breech-loading fire-arms. In making fire-arms of
the kind first described, instead of making the shoe or breech chamber of the

page_text: said fire-arms solid and of wrought iron by the process of stamping or forging
as at present practised I make the said shoe or breech chamber of cast steel
or homogeneous iron or of the kind of cast iron capable of being annealed and
commonly called malleable iron. In making the said shoe or breech chamber
5 of cast steel, homogeneous iron, or malleable iron, I employ the process of
casting, by which means I am enabled to form the shoe or breech chamber
hollow and to give it very nearly the exact form which the finished shoe or
breech chamber is required to have; I thus save much time and labour in
the manufacture of the said shoe or breech chamber. I also form the closing
> block of cast steel, homogeneous iron, or malleable iron by the process of
casting.
My Invention consists further of the following improvement in connecting
the shoe with the barrel. Instead of forming à square shoulder in the shoe
for the barrel to abut against I form a long cone or bevil on the screwed end
of the barrel, and a corresponding hollow cone or seat in the shoe, by which
means I obtain greater strength in the shoe and a better and readier fit of the
barrel and shoe.
My improvements consist further in forming the receptacle for the spring
which effects the return motion of the closing block and cartridge case
extractor solid with the said block instead of making it of separate tubes as at
present practised. By this improvement a longer and better bearing is
obtained for the block and the action of the joint pin is easier.
'
My improvements consist, further, in attaching the hook or cartridge case
extractor to the front end of the closing block by means of a hollow or tubular
pin screwed firmly into the end of the said block instead of attaching the said
hook or extractor, by screwing upon the end of a long tube passing loosely
through the hole or joint of the closing block. By this improvement the
hook or extractor is more readily and more firmly attached to the closing
block and a longer and better' bearing obtained for the hinge of the closing
block.
My improvements consist; further, in forming the joint pin on which the
closing block turns with a screw thread upon its point or forward end and
causing the screwed end to take into a corresponding concave- screw in the
rear bearing of the shoe or breech chamber, thereby firmly securing the joint
pin in its place without the use of the set pin now employed. By this means
the bearings of the shoe are bound more firmly together and a stronger-and
better action secured.
My improvements consist, further, in forming a slight shoulder on the joint
pin on which the closing block turns. The tubular piece or washer which

page_text: serves as an abutment against which the closing block and extractor spring
bear in effecting the return motion of the said block and extractor is bound
firmly between the said shoulder and the rear bearing on the shoe or breech
chamber. By this improvement the closing block and cartridge case extractor
have a firmer and easier sliding action than that obtained by the loose tubes
fitting loosely on the joint pin at present employed.
My improvements consist further in employing a spiral spring made from
flat steel for effecting the return motion of the cartridge case extractor, and
also in employing a similar spring for effecting the return motion of the
percussion pin or striker instead of the helical wire springs ordinarily
employed for these purposes. The said spiral springs give a smoother action
than the helical wire springs, and are not so liable to snap or break. The
said spiral springs made from flat steel may be used for effecting the return
motion of the cartridge case extractors and the percussion pins or strikers of
various kinds of breech-loading fire-arms.
My Invention consists further of improvements in the fire-arms described
in the Specification of a Patent, dated August 4th 1866, No. 2016, and are
as follows:-Instead of loading the gun with a made-up cartridge as described
in the said Specification I form a case of brass or steel and fit a nipple in the
extreme base. The external figure of the said case is like the male-up
cartridge, and fits into the chamber of the gun. The metal case described
may be removed from the charge chamber to be loaded; or the gun can be
loaded at the muzzle with powder in the absense of special ammunition, and
discharged by an ordinary percussion cap upon the nipple.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in constructing
double guns-Instead of attaching the closing lever to lumps on the sides of
the barrels, I attach the lever to a strong circular bar or pin formed between
the barrels, and close the bore or breeches of the barrels by projections formed
on either side of the lever. The extractor in my double gun, as well as the
mode of operating the said extractor, are similar to those described in the
Specification of the Patent herein-before referred to.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in the needle
guns described in the Specification of the Patent before referred to:-Instead
of forming the traverse chamber of the breech with an enlarged bore as far as
the powder chamber of the gun, and making the end of the closing plug
conical to fit the hollow cone or seat at the mouth of the said chamber, I
continue the bore of the powder chamber for about two or three inches in its
rear, and form the closing plug to slide into the said bore, and close it without
a conical seat at its mouth, by which arrangement the gun is easier to load

page_text: and not liable to foul by dirt accumulating upon the seat. I enlarge the rear
of the traverse chamber for about six or seven inches, and form on the rear of:
the closing plug an enlarged part or collar to fill up the said chamber. The
fore and rear ends of the closing plug are of different diameters, the fore
end being of a size proper to close the powder chamber, and the rear end
being of a size proper to fill up and slide freely in the rear of the traverse
chamber. The sliding hammer or striker and steel spring for actuating it
work in the enlarged rear of the traverse chamber, and are actuated in the
same manner as described in the Specification of the Patent herein-before
referred to,
.
My Invention consists further of the following new or improved scar and
trigger mechanism for discharging needle. guns, and in preventing the gun
being discharged' unless the breech plug is properly secured or locked. I
form the sear with a projecting arm nearly at right angles with the said sear,
I also make the trigger work in a metal box situated on the under side of the
gun; I fit in the forward end of the said box a lever, and make the trigger
with two arms nearly at right angles to one another, the upper arm being for
operating the sear and the horizontal arm for actuating the lever described.
The said lever has a hook or projection formed upon its forward end, and
passes through a hole or slot in the under side of the breech or barrel, and
takes into a hole or recess formed in the closing plug, the said hole or recess
when the breech is closed coinciding with the hole in the barrel. On pulling
the trigger to' discharge the gun the forward end of the lever described is
raised, and if the breech is properly closed passes.into the recess in the plug,
but when the breech is open or not sufficiently closed the recess does not
come opposite the hooked end of the lever, which cannot therefore be raised,"
and which consequently does not permit the upper trigger arm to act upon the
sear, and thus prevents the discharge of the gun when not properly closed. The
horizontal arm of the trigger is arranged to act upon the lever before the upper
arm reaches the sear, consequently if the lever is obstructed by the solid
part of the closing plug the trigger cannot act. I fit in the lower part of the
trigger a safety lever, the heel of which is made to rest opposite the solid part
of the trigger guard, and prevents the trigger being pulled until the heel of
the safety lever is raised by pressing down its opposite end, when the trigger
may be pulled and the gun discharged. Instead of the safety lever being
attached to the trigger it may be jointed to the guard, and made to prevent
the action of the trigger until the said safety lever is pressed down.
By the arrangements described the accidental discharge of the gun is
prevented The safety sear or the trigger mechanism last described may be

page_text: applied to breech-loading fire-arms in general in which the discharge is
effected by means of a sliding piston or hammer.
.
1
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in cartridges
for breech-loading fire-arms, the said cartridges being of the kind commonly
⚫called self-igniting cartridges. I make the case of the cartridge of paper,
linen, cloth, or other similar material, and secure the said case to the
bullet by pasting or gumming in the usual way; I then fill the case with
powder, and insert in the rear of the case a short overlapping tube of paper
slightly stronger than the case; I then insert in the case and immediately upon
the powder a cardboard wad, with a square hole in the middle. I next insert
in the square hole a flanged or winged percussion cap which permits the flash
to pass through apertures formed by the angles of the square hole in the card-
board wad; I next place upon the percussion cap a thin cloth or felt wad, and
turn down the circular edge of the case upon it, and then paste or gum a disc
of paper to complete the cartridge; I then tie or throttle the cartridge about
three-eighths of an inch from the rear for the purpose of tightening or
compressing the powder, and binding firmly together the parts constituting
the base of the cartridge, and thereby produce a greater resistance to the
nction of the needle in igniting the cartridge. The cartridge may be tied or
throttled near the bullet as well as at its base, if required, for rendering the
powder more compact. The cartridges being thus finished are lubricated and
wrapped up in the usual way.
·
'
Having explained the nature of my Invention I will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in plan the breech end of a rifle in which the breech
is opened and closed by a block hinged to a shoe or breech chamber, the said
rifle being constructed according to my Invention, the stock, hammer, and other
parts being omitted; Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same; Figure 3
is a cross section of the same taken through the line x, Figure 2; Figure 4
is a plan of the same with the closing block turned back and exhibiting the
action of the cartridge case extractor; Figure 5 represents a section of the
shoe or breech chamber separately; and Figure 5 a section of the end of the
barrel separately. a is the barrel and 6 the shoe or breech chamber connected
thereto in the way herein-after explained; c is the closing block hinged by its
knuckle or tubular part c³ to the said shoe. The said knuckle or tubular
part is made in one piece with the block c, and in the said part c³ a receptacle d
(see Figure 2) is made for receiving the spiral springe by which the return
motions of the block c, and cartridge case extractor f are effected. The

page_text: cartridge case extractor f is attached to the front end of the closing block c
by means of a hollow or tubular screw pin g which pin is screwed firmly into
the end of the block in the manner best seen in Figure 2. The said block c,
and extractor fare capable of sliding longitudinally upon the joint pin h
the open end of the receptacle d in the knuckle part of the block sliding
over or upon the tubular piece or washer i on the forward end of the said
pin h. The tubular piece or washer i serves as an abutment against which
the spring e bears in effecting the return motions of the block c, and extractor f.
The joint pin h has a slight shoulder upon it at h between which shoulder.
and the rear bearing k the said tubular piece is bound firmly on the screwing.
up of the said joint pin h. I form the joint pin h with a screw thread h³
upon its forward end, the said screw taking into a corresponding screw in the
rear bearing k of the shoe or breech chamber b. The closing block c when
shut down into the shoe b is kept in its place by means of a snap bolt in
the tail pin of the shoe, the said bolt being pressed inwards by a coiled spring n.
The head of the bolt 2 is rounded, and when the block is being shut down the
said bolt is pressed back, and when the block is completely shut down springs
into a recess made in the rear of the said block as represented in Figure 2.-
By lifting, the block c by its handle or thumb plate with sufficient force
the bolt is forced back and the block can be raised and turued aside, the
outward motion being limited by the stop coming against the shoe b.
After the breech has been opened, by then sliding the said block towards
the butt end of the gun the block and extractor carried by it are moved to
the positions represented in Figure 4, the exploded cartridge case p being started
from the barrel by the said extractor in the manner represented in the said
Figure 4. By the sliding of the block c the spring e is compressed between the
abutment i and closed end of the receptacle d, and when the block is released
the said compressed spring effects the return motion of the said block and car-
tridge case extractor, the latter returning to its recess at the mouth of the barrel.
I connect the shoe b with the barrel a by making a long cone or bevil 9 on the
screwed end of the barrel a, and a corresponding hollow cone or seat r.in the
shoe, by which means I obtain greater strength in the shoe and a better and
readier fit of the barrel and shoe than when a square shoulder is formed in
the shoe for the barrel to fit against as is usual. By forming the receptacle
for the spring in one piece, .with the block as described and represented, instead
of making it of separate tubes as at present practised, and causing the receptacle
to slide upon a washer or tubular piece, a longer and better bearing is obtained.
and the action upon the joint-pin is easier, and by attaching the hook or
extractor to the front-end-of-the-closing block-in-the-manner described-and-

page_text: represented instead of attaching the said book or extractor by screwing it
upon the end of a long tube passing loosely through the hole or joint of the
closing block, the said extractor is more readily and more firmly attached to
the closing block, and a longer and better bearing is obtained for the hinge
or knuckle piece of the closing block. Also by the arrangement described
for fastening the joint pin in its place the use of the set pin now employed
is dispensed with; and the bearings of the shoe are bound more firmly together
and a stronger and better action is obtained. The spiral springs e and n
which I use for giving the return motions to the closing block and extractor
and snap bolt are made from flat steel. Springs of this kind may also be
employed for effecting the return motion of the percussion pin or striker s,
and also for the cartridge case extractors and percussion pins or strikers of
various kinds of breech-loading fire-arms. The said spiral springs made from
flat steel give a smoother action and also occupy less longitudinal space than
the helical wire springs ordinarily employed and are not so liable to snap or
'break.
I manufacture the shoes or breech chambers of rifles of the kind herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the following
manner-Instead of making the shoe or breech chamber solid and of
wrought iron by the processes of stamping or forging as at present practised,
I make the said shoe or breech chamber of cast steel or homogeneous iron or
of the kind of cast iron capable of being annealed in contact with haematite or
peroxide of iron and commonly called malleable iron. In making the said
shoe or breech chamber of cast steel, homogeneous iron, or malleable iron, I
employ the process of casting, by which means I am enabled to form the
shoe or breech chamber hollow, and to give it very nearly the exact form
which the finished shoe or breech chamber is required to have; I thus save
much time and labour in the manufacture of the said shoe or breech chamber ;
I-also manufacture the closing block of these rifles of, cast steel, homogeneous
iron or malleable iron, by the process of casting. I either use sand moulds or
metal or chill moulds in which to cast the breech shoes or chambers and closing
blocks, the said moulds being made in the ordinary way; the casting process
is also conducted in the ordinary way.
Figures 6 to 15, both inclusive, represent a needle gun and central fire-
percussion gun, and new or improved mechanism for discharging needle and
central-fire percussion guns, and for preventing the guns being discharged
unless the breech plug is properly secured or locked in its place, the said guns
and mechanism being constructed according to my Invention.
.Figures 6 and 7 represent longitudinal sections of a needle gun containing

page_text: my improvements, the trigger and sear mechanism being in different positions ;
Figure 8 is a modification of the same, in which a pin or striker instead of a
needle is used; Figure 9 represents an elevation, and Figure 10 a cross
section of the same without the stock; Figure 11 is a plan with the breech.
open, and Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of the plug and cover.
separately.
Figures 13, 14, and 15 are separate views of the sear and trigger
mechanism. a is the closing plug capable of sliding in the chambers b and c,
the said chambers having different diameters, that is, the chamber 6 has the
same diameter as, and is a prolongation of the powder chamber 6³ of the
barrel, while the chamber c is of somewhat greater diameter. The chamber b
is closed when the plug a is pushed home by means of an enlarged part or
collar a, which bears against the shoulder at a³ formed at the junction of the
two chambers b and c. At the back of the plug a, and capable of working
only in the traverse chamber c, is a sliding hammer d, motion to which to
discharge the gun is given by the coiled spring e. In the axis of the sliding
hammer is a rod or needle carrier d, which has at its extreme front end a
triangular needle d"; the forward end of the rod d² works through a-hole in
the axis of the plug a, as represented. On the under side of the sliding
hammer is a rib d' which traverses a shallow longitudinal groove c³ in the.
chamber c; in this rib is a bent d in which the sear f engages in the manner
represented in Figures 6 and 7. In the upper side of the chamber 6 is an
opening 6 for introducing the cartridge, and along the top of the traverse-
chamber c is a slot c. The opening & and slot care covered by a plate g.
connected to the plug a, the said plug being operated by the handle h; on the
sliding of the plug a the stem of the handle works in the slot c³, and when the
plug has been pushed home the said handle may be depressed or turned aside.
and made to bear against the shoulder i and support the plug during dis-
charge. In the end of the traverse chamber c'an end piece or cap c' is fitted,
which cap forms an abutment for the coiled spring e, and. fills up the slot in
the rear end of the chamber c. The front end of the rib of the closing plug a.
is provided with a snap bolt k (see Figure 12), which bolt when the plug a is.
pushed home and the handle h is turned aside snaps into a depression / at the
bolt k
end of the chamber 6, and holds the said plug in its place. The
is released from the depression when the bandle is raised by coming against
the projecting part 1 (see Figure 11).
snap
The action of the gun is as follows:-After the discharge of the gun, in
order to reload it, the handle h is raised. from the shoulder i and the plug a
made to slide in the traverse chamber c. and uncover the opening be; on the

page_text: sliding back of the plug it pushes before it the sliding haminer d and com-
presses the springe behind the said hammer, the sear f engaging with the
bent ds in the said hammer. After the introduction of the cartridge into the
powder chamber 68 the plug a is pushed home and fastened by the turning
aside of the handle h, as herein-before explained, leaving the sliding hammer d
carrying the needle d³ cocked ready to discharge the gun, the parts of the gun
having the respective positions represented in Figures 6, 7, 9, and 10. On
releasing the sear f from the hammer d in the manner herein-after explained,
the said hammer is urged forward by the compressed spring e; the rod dis
thereby forced through the hollow plug a, and the needle carried by it made
to penetrate and ignite the cartridge in the barrel and discharge the gun.
Instead of placing the spring e in the barrel or breech, as represented in
Figures 11 and 12, it may be placed in a tube, and compressed by the advance
motion of the plug instead of by the retiring motion of the plug to open the
breech, as last described. When percussion cartridges are used with this gun
I dispense with the needle d³, and use the rod d², which is pointed to strike
upon and ignite the cartridge; this arrangement of my Invention is repre-
sented in Figure 8.
I will now proceed to describe the sear and trigger arrangement. The
searf is provided with a projecting arm f nearly at right angles to the said
sear; m is the trigger having at its upper end two arms m², m³, nearly at.
right angles to one another. The trigger m, m³, m³, is shown separately in
Figure 14; n is a lever (shown separately in Figure 13) turning on the
centre n², the forward end n³ being hooked or turned at right angles to the
other part. The trigger m and lever n work in the metal box p fixed to the
stock of the gun. The arm m³ of the trigger m is for operating the sear f
and the arm m³ is for actuating the lever n, n³; the hooked end 3 of the lever
n passes through a hole or slot q in the lower side of the chamber c, and takes
into a hole or recess a formed in the closing plug a; the said hole or recess
when the breech is closed coinciding with the hole q in the chamber c.
Jointed to the guard is a safety lever (shown separately in Figure 15)
pressed up against the end of the trigger m by the spring. When the
lever is pressed down by the finger a projection on the said lever is
brought opposite a hole m' in the trigger m, and the said trigger can then be
pulled to discharge the gun; on pulling the trigger m the arm m² acting
upon the short arm of the lever n raises its hooked end n³, and if the breech
has been properly closed by the plug a;, the said hooked end passes into the
recess a' in the plug a, and thus permits the trigger m to be raised sufficiently
to cause the upper trigger arm m³ to act upon the arm f2 of the searƒ to

page_text: liberate the hammer d and discharge the gun. If, however, the. breech is
open or not sufficiently closed the recess a in the plug does not come opposite
the hooked end n³ of the lever n, which cannot therefore be raised, and con-
sequently does not permit the upper trigger arm m³ to act upon the sear, and
thus prevents the discharge of the gun when not properly closed. It will be
seen from an examination of the Drawing that the horizontal arm 'm³ of the
trigger is arranged to act upon the lever n before the other arm m³ reaches
the sear arm, consequently if the lever n is obstructed by the solid part of the
closing plug, the trigger cannot act upon the sear, as before explained. In
Figure 6 the trigger and sear and safety mechanism are represented in
position. before the safety lever r is depressed, consequently no pressure or
blow on the trigger can discharge the gun, and in Figure 7 the said
mechanism is represented in position after the safety lever r and trigger m
have been acted upon by the finger and the end of the lever n raised into the
recess in the plug, the arin m³ of the trigger being represented about to act-
upon the sear arm f. Instead of jointing the safety lever to the guard
it may be jointed to the trigger, but I prefer the arrangement. represented,
and instead of using a jointed sear of the form represented, a spring sear arm
may be employed, which is acted upon by the trigger in the manner described
with respect to the sear f, fs. By arranging the sear and trigger mechanism
in the manner described and represented, the accidental discharge of the gun.
is prevented. The safety sear or the trigger mechanism may be applied. to
breech-loading fire-arms in general in which the discharge is effected by
means of a sliding piston or hammer.
Figure 16 represents in longitudinal section a metal case to contain a
charge constructed according to my Invention; the said case is. made of brass
or steel, and has a nipple a fitted in its extremo base, as represented. The
external figure of the said case is, similar to that of a made-up cartridge, and
is of a size proper to fit in the chamber of the gun. The nipple a is situated
in a depression in the middle of the base, and the top of the nipple is a little
below the level of the end of the said base, so that when a percussion cap is
placed on the nipple it lies nearly flush with the end of the base. The case
having been loaded with powder and ball, and a percussion cap placed on the
nipple, it is introduced into the charge chamber of the gun in like manner to
that of a made-up cartridge: After the discharge of the gun the case is
removed from the charge chamber to be re-loaded; or instead of loading the
case preparatory to introducing it into the charge chamber of the gun, a per-
cussion cap may be placed on the nipple, and the empty case introduced into³-
the charge chamber and loaded at the muzzle of the gun. By the use of the

page_text: metal case, Figure 16, the gun may be charged with ordinary powder and ball
in the absence of special ammunition.
Figures 17 and 18 represent my improvements in constructing double
guns; Figure 17 representing the gun partly in plan and partly in horizontal
section, and Figure 18 the closing lever and parts carried by it. In this case
I attach the lever or closer a to a strong circular bar or pin 6 made from pro-
jections on the inner sides of the barrels c, c, and engaged together in the
manner represented. Around this bar or pin 6 the eye or joint piece a³ of
the closing lever a works; the bores of the barrels c, c, are closed when the
lever a is shut down by means of projections a³, a³, formed on either side of
the said lever. In this double gun two extractors are used for extracting the
exploded cases from the barrels, and two sliding bars or hammers for dis-
charging the gun; the said extractors and hammers being constructed and
operated and the gun cocked and discharged in the manner described with
respect to single guns.
Figure 19 represents an elevation, and Figure 20 a longitudinal section of
a complete self-ignition cartridge constructed according to my Invention, and
Figure 21 is a portion of the same. I make the case a of paper, linen, cloth,
or other similar material; and secure the said case to the bullet b by pasting
or gumming in the usual manner. I then fill the case a with the gunpowder,
and insert in the rear of the said case a cardboard wad c with a square hole
in its middle, and insert in the said square hole a flanged or winged percussion
cap d. This wad c and percussion cap d fixed to it by its flanges or wings are
represented separately in back and front elevation in Figure 21. When the
percussion cap d is fixed in the wad c apertures marked c³, formed by the
angles of the square hole in the said wad, are left, through which apertures on
the ignition of the percussion cap the flash therefrom passes to the powder of
the cartridge. Upon the percussion cap d I place a disc of paper e, and upon
the latter a cloth or felt wad f, and upon the wad fa disc of paper g; I then
turn down the end of the case a upon the end paper disc g, and next paste or
gum a disc of paper h upon the turned down end of the case, and thereby
complete the cartridge, as seen in the section, Figure 20; I fiually tie or throttle
the cartridge at i for the purpose of tightening or compressing the powder and
binding firmly the parts constituting the base of the cartridge. The cartridge
may also be tied or throttled at the bullet end. The cartridges are lubricated
and wrapped up in the usual way. The rear of the case a containing the
percussion cap, wads, and disks may be strengthened by inserting a short tube
of paper into the said base before the introduction of the wads and disks.
Instead of using a square hole in the cardboard wad c to receive the flanged or

page_text: winged percussion cap d, the flash from which passes through the angles of
the said square hole, a circular hole may be made in the pasteboard wad, and
the percussion cap be made to project a short distance from the inner face of
the wad. This arrangement of my Invention is illustrated in Figure 22 of
the Drawings. In this case the percussion cap d is made longer than in the
last-described arrangement, and is provided with longitudinal slits or passages
d left between the wings or flanges, through which slits or passages the flash
passes to the gunpowder of the cartridge when the percussion cap is ignited,
instead of passing through the angles left in the wad; as previously described.
The cartridge is provided with a percussion cap. and wad of the kind repre-
sented in Figure 22, and made up in the cartridge in the manner represented
in Figure 20.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit
myself to the precise details herein described and illustrated in the ac-
companying Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from
the nature of iny Invention; but I claim as my Invention with respect to
breech-loading fire-arms in which a breech block is hinged to a shoe or breech
chamber at the rear. of the barrel,-
Firstly, manufacturing the shoes or breech chambers of the said fire-arms
as well as the closing blocks of the said fire-arms of cast steel or homogeneous
iron, or malleable or annealed cast iron by the process of casting, as herein-
before described, whereby much time and labour are. saved in the.manufacture
of the said shoes or breech chambers and closing blocks.
Secondly, forming the receptacle for the spring which effects the return
motions of the closing block and cartridge case extractor in one piece.with the
closing block, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly, attaching the hook or cartridge case extractor to the front end of
the closing block by means of a hollow or tubular screw pin-screwed into the
end of the said block, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly, connecting the shoe or breech chamber with the barrel by means
of a long cone or bevil on the screwed end of the barrel taking into a corre-
sponding hollow cone or seat in the shoe or breech chamber, as herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 2, 5, and 5 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifthle-binding the hearings of the shoe or breech chamber firmly together

page_text: by making on the forward end of the joint pin of the block a screw, which
takes into a corresponding concave screw in the rear bearing of the shoe or
breech chamber, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 2 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Sixthly, securing the tubular piece or washer which acts as an abutment
for the spring which effects the return motion of the extractor and breech
block firmly between a shoulder on the joint pin and the rear bearing of the
shoe or breech chamber, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly, the use of spiral springs made from flat sheet steel, for effecting
the return motion of the cartridge case extractors and hinged blocks and
percussion pins or strikers of hinged block guns and other breech-loading
fire-arms.
I claim with respect to needle guns and central-fire percussion guns in
which the breech is opened and closed by a sliding plug or bolt.
i
Eighthly, making the traverse chamber of the said guns of greater diameter
at the rear end than at the front end, and making the plug of different
diameters to fit the said parts, as herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the accompanying Drawings. Also the
snap bolt, described and represented in Figure 12, for holding the plug in its
closed position.
:
Ninthly, the construction and arrangement of parts, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 13, and 14 of the accompanying
Drawings, of sear and trigger mechanism for discharging needle guns and
central-fire percussion guns, and for preventing the gun being discharged
unless the breech plug or closer is firmly secured or locked.
Tenthly, the construction of the safety lever and trigger, herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 15 of the accompanying
Drawings, for preventing the accidental discharge of the gun, the said safety
lever and trigger being applicable to fire-arms generally.
Eleventhly, I claim the metal case herein-before described and illustrated
in Figure 16 of the accompanying Drawings, for containing a charge to be
used in place of a made up cartridge, the said case having a nipple in the
axis of the extreme base for receiving a percussion cap by which the charge
is ignited.
Twelfthly, the arrangement or combination of parts of double breech-loading
guns herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 of the

page_text: Lastly, the arrangements or combinations of parts of self-ignition cartridges,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 19, 20, 21,
and 22 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
THOMAS WILSON. (L.S.)