IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES."
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Westley Richards, of Birmingham, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Westley Richards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th March 1866.
I, WESTLEY RICHARDS, of Birmingham, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
AND CARTRIDGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading fire-
arms and cartridges. In constructing breech-loading fire-arms according
to my present Invention I proceed to some extent in the same manner as
is described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to me, and dated
25th March 1858 (No. 633), in so far that I hinge to the rear end of the
barrel a lever, on which is a sliding block forming the abutment for the
cartridge in the barrel.
According to my present Invention, however, the block does not carry
a plug to enter into and close the breech end of the barrel, but the front

page_text: of the block simply comes to within a short distance of the end of the
barrel, the cartridge being constructed, as herein-after explained, so as to
make a gas-tight joint notwithstanding that this space is left. The cart-
ridges carry their own priming, and to fire them a pin is passed in an
inclined direction through the block, and this pin when struck by the
hammer of the ordinary lock is thrown forward and explodes the cartridge.
The pin immediately after being struck is brought back by an ordinary
bent spring on the outside, which is much superior in its action to a coiled
spring inside the block, which has heretofore been used in other breech-
loading fire-arms. The space into which the sliding block enters to close
the breach is not, as in my said former Patent, a chamber enclosed at the
sides, but these sides are dispensed with in order to allow the freer use of
the fingers in putting in a cartridge and withdrawing the case after firing.
The sliding block has a hole or holes formed in it, which both serve to
lighten it and to permit the free escape of any gases which may pass back
by the side of the pin or striker. In order to connect the barrel with the
body or frame of the breech-loading apparatus I employ simply a stud on
the under side of the barrel, which enters a hole in the fore part of the body
or frame, and is there secured by a screw pin. In order to assist in with-
drawing the cartridge case after firing an extractor is used; it is a piece
which is able to slide in longitudinal guides on one side of the barrel; the
end of this piece stands just over the end of the barrel, and when it is
moved back it catches a flange on the end of the cartridge, and so pushes
it out. Motion is given to the extractor by a tail on the lever on the
further side of the hinge, which tail when the lever is raised comes against
a stud on the extractor. In some cases in place of employing a sliding
block to form an abutment for the cartridge I employ a block hinged on
one side (by preference the right-hand side) to the body, and turning on
this hinge into and out of its place, leaving however, as before, a small
space between the front of the block and the end of the barrel. An
extractor is used, as in the former case, but is worked by a lever of its
own. The cartridge I employ consists of a capsule of brass or other metal
cast or formed solid for some distance up, with the exception of a central
perforation to receive the priming; it has a flange at the back considerably
larger than the bore of the barrel, and immediately in advance of the
flange is a groove, so that the case may not stick, even should it bulge
slightly in firing. On this capsule the cartridge is constructed by forming
or placing a tube of paper on its exterior and finishing the cartridge as is

page_text: usual in making flexible breech-loading cartridges. In place of paper a
woven fabric or similar material may be used. One great object served
by the paper or material on the outside of the capsule is to prevent the
cartridge case sticking in the gun. In place of making the capsule solid
at the rear end, I sometimes fill it for a distance with paper pulp or similar
material, and form grooves or chokes round it at distances apart along the:
portion of the capsule; thus filled these grooves also serve to prevent the
cartridge case sticking in the barrel after firing. Sometimes after a wad
of paper pulp or similar material has been introduced into the capsule I.
put in also a metal lining, resting at the bottom on this pulp or material,
and then I place in another similar wad, so that the bottom of the lining
becomes enclosed between the two. The priming may be applied as in
central-fire cartridges now manufactured.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Westley Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th September 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WESTLEY
RICHARDS, of Birmingham, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of March, in the year of
of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Westley Richards, Her special licence that I, the said
Westley Richards, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Westley Richards, 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 BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Westley Richards, 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

page_text: 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 Westley Richards, 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:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading fire-
arms and cartridges. In constructing breech-loading fire-arms according
to my present Invention I proceed to some extent in the same manner as
is described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to me, and
dated 25th March 1858, No. 633, in so far that I hinge to the rear end of
the barrel a lever, on which is a sliding block forming the abutment for the
cartridge in the barrel.
According to my present Invention, however, the block does not
carry a plug to enter into and close the breech end of the barrel,
but the front of this block simply comes to within a short distance
of the end of the barrel, the cartridge being constructed, as herein-
after explained, so as to make a gas-tight joint notwithstanding that
this space
is left. The cartridges carry their own priming, and to
fire them a pin is passed in an inclined direction through the block, and
this pin when struck by the hammer of the ordinary lock is thrown forward
and explodes the cartridge. The pin immediately after being struck is
brought back by an ordinary bent spring on the outside, which is much
superior in its action to a coiled spring inside the block, which has hereto-
fore been used in other breech-loading fire-arms. The space into which
the sliding block enters to close the breech is not, as in my said former
Patent, a chamber enclosed at the sides, but these sides are dispensed with
in order to allow the freer use of the fingers in putting in a cartridge and
withdrawing the case after firing. The sliding block has a hole or holes
formed in it, which both serve to lighten it and to permit the free escape
of any gases which may pass back by the side of the pin or striker. In
order to connect the barrel with the body or frame of the breech-loading
apparatus I employ simply a stud on the under side of the barrel, which
enters a hole in the fore part of the body or frame and is there secured by
a screw pin. In order to assist in withdrawing the cartridge case after
firing an extractor is used; it is a piece which is able to slide in longi-
tudinal guides on one side of the barrel; the end of this piece stands
just over the end of the barrel, and when it is moved back it catches a

page_text: flange on the end of the cartridge and so pushes it out. Motion is given
to the extractor by a nib on the lever on the further side of the hinge,
which nib when the lever is raised comes against a stud on the extractor.
Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a breech-loading rifle constructed
according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a similar view, but with the
breech open for loading; Figure 3 is a plan, and Figure 4 a longitudinal
section of the same.
a, a, is a portion of the stock, into which is inserted the body 6; a plan
of this part is shewn separately at Figure 5, and a longitudinal section at
Figure 6. The body is secured to the stock at its rear end by a screw
pin c, and near its other end a hole is made through it to receive a lump d'
on the under side of the barrel d, and a screw pin c¹ entering this lump
holds the barrel d and body 6 firmly to the stock a; in this way a very
strong joint is readily made between the body and barrel, whilst at the
same time the barrel can be removed easily when desired. To the breech
end of the barrel is hinged the lever e, and a spring e¹ is applied at the
joint so as to keep the lever either closed down, as it is shown at Figure 1,
or raised, as at Figure 2. f is the block which in firing forms the abutment
for the cartridge; it is mounted on the lever e, on which it is capable of
sliding a short distance to admit of its readily entering into its seat, as it
is shown at Figure 4, and being raised out of it, as it appears in Figure 2.
A side view of the block f and parts connected therewith is shown sepa-
rately at Figure 7, a front view at Figure 8, a back view at Figure 9, and
a plan at Figure 9*. The motion of the block f on the lever e is provided
for by forming a dovetailed groove f¹ at the top of the block, in which is
inserted a corresponding guide strip e² fixed by screws to the under side
of the lever e. It will be seen that when the block is in its place to form
an abutment for the cartridge that there is still a space left between its
fore end and the breech end of the barrel; this allows of the flange at the
back of the cartridge projecting free beyond the end of the barrel; thus
the user can sec at once when the gun is loaded, and great facility is
given for the removal of the cartridge case after firing. f is a pin or
striker passing down through a hole bored for it in the block f; it has a
collar upon it on which the lever or sear 9 rests; this lever is pressed
upon by the bent or sear spring g', which thus tends constantly to draw
back the pin or striker f and prevent its end projecting from the front of
the block. In discharging the piece the upper end of the pin or striker
receives the blow of the hammer h, which is actuated by a lock of ordinary

page_text: construction, and then the spring g¹ is overcome, the pin or striker forced
forward, and the cartridge which carries its own priming exploded. f*,*,
are holes formed through the block f to lighten it and to prevent a flash
passing back by the passage in which the pin or striker works; this end is
attained by causing the holes f* to communicate with the passage formed
for the said pin or striker. f3 is a tail on the block f; it enters a slot 6¹
in the body b, and serves more securely to keep the block in its place
when the piece is discharged: This tail fs also is inclined at the back to
guide the block down into its place in closing the breech. i is a slide, with
a finger upon it to draw back the cartridge case after firing, so that the
fingers of the user may readily get hold of it to throw it out. This is faci-
litated also by forming the box or chamber in the body which receives the
block without sides, and by tapering the end of the barrel in the manner
shown. This slide i with its finger is shown in plan at Figure 10, and
Figures 11 and 12 are opposite side views of the same. The slide i fits
into a groove formed for it in the side of the barrel, and is there retained
by a small pin passing through a slot formed for it in the slide i. The
extractor is actuated by a nib e on the lever e, which when the breech is
opened for loading comes against the projection * on the slide i and
pushes it back, and then the flange ¹ coming against a flange on the back
of the cartridge case withdraws it.
Figure 13 is a side view of a portion of a rifle similar to that above
described, but some of the parts are modified in form. The box or
chamber in the body b which receives the block f is, as before, made
without sides, to allow the fingers to be used freely in inserting and with-
drawing the cartridges and cases; also as before there is a space left
between the face of the block f and the end of the barrel. The method
of fixing the barrel to the body is, however, modified, a screw thread being
cut on the exterior of the barrel, which enters a collar at the fore end of
the body. The block f is arranged as already described. The form of
the extractor is somewhat changed, and it is so arranged that a cartridge
can be inserted and pushed quite home, carrying the extractor with it,
whilst the lever e is raised. The slide i, as before, works in a dovetailed
groove in the side of the barrel, its finger lying in a recess in the end of
the barrel. It is actuated as before by a nib e² on the lever e coming
against the tooth i* on the extractor, but these parts are so formed as to
clear each other when the lever e is thrown up so as to allow of the
extractor being pushed back with the new cartridge, then, as the lever e is

page_text: shut down, the nib e², comes against the back of the tooth i* and pushes the
extractor a short distance further forward towards the muzzle, but
immediately the nib e has passed the extractor is moved back again the
short distance it moved to clear the nib by the shoulder ex behind the nib
ecoming against the tail of the extractor, so that the nib e² may catch
the tooth i* next time the lever is raised; is a stop piece on the
extractor to prevent its falling too far back; Figures 14 show the extractor
separately. I would remark that in the Specification of a former Patent
granted to me a somewhat similar extractor is described, but it was arranged
to work in a groove in the side of the box or chamber which receives the
block f. The cartridge I employ consists of a capsule of brass or other
metal cast or formed solid for some distance up, with the exception of a
central perforation to receive the priming; it has a flange at the back
considerably larger than the bore of the barrel, and immediately in advance
of the flange is a groove, so that the case may not stick, even should it
bulge slightly in firing. On this solid capsule, which enters for some
distance into the barrel, the cartridge is constructed by forming or placing
a tube of paper on its exterior and finishing the cartridge as is usual in
making flexible breech-loading cartridges. In place of paper a woven
fabric or similar material may be used. One great object served by the
paper or material on the outside of the capsule is to prevent the cartridge
case sticking in the gun. Figure 15 is a side view, and Figure 16 a longi-
tudinal section of a cartridge thus constructed. a is the solid capsule with
the groove a¹ in it; immediately in front of the flange within the capsule
are the ordinary central-fire percussion arrangements, consisting of an.
ordinary cap 6 and anvil c; d is a tube of paper or other material tied round
the capsule in the groove a¹, and at its other end secured to the base of
the ball. Sometimes for economy I make the capsule a much shorter
than it is shown at Figure 16, and attach to it a metal continuation, as is
shown in the longitudinal section Figure 17. a is the capsule, and e a
metal continuation attached to it; the piece e is a drawn tube of copper
closed at the rear end, with the exception of a small opening in the centre
which passes over a stud in the middle of the bottom of the capsule; this
stud has a perforation through it for the flash to pass from the cap to the
charge, and the stud is slightly rivetted over to hold the parts a and e
together. Where cartridges cannot readily be obtained these parts may.
be used many times over and over again. A cheaper cartridge is formed
by substituting a roll of sheet brass or metal for the copper tube e; this

page_text: arrangement is shown at Figures 18. The end of the sheet metal rolle is
received into an annular hollow in the face of the capsule a, and is there
secured by forcing a wad of paper pulp f into the hollow so as completely
to fill it. In place of making the capsule solid at the rear end, I sometimes
fill it for a distance with paper pulp or similar material, and form grooves
or chokes in it at distances apart along the portion of the capsule thus
filled; these grooves serve to prevent the cartridge case sticking in the
barrel after firing. Sometimes after a wad of paper pulp or similar
material has been introduced into the capsule I put in also a metal lining,
resting at the bottom on this pulp or material, and then I place in another
similar wad, so that the bottom of the lining becomes enclosed between the
two. A longitudinal section of a cartridge thus constructed is shown at
Figure 19. The outer metal capsule and the inner lining are put together,
and the paper pulp pressed firmly into its place; the grooves or chokes
on the outside are made by pressure in suitable dies. In this Figure c is
the metal capsule; c*, cx, the chokes or grooves in it; e, the inner metal
lining and ff, the pulp wads. Figure 20 shews a portion of a cartridge
in which a capsule and inner metal lining tube are employed, as in the last
Figure, but the whole of the pulp or similar material is placed within the
lining tube, so that the base of the lining tube comes directly into contact
with the capsule. In some cases I make the lining tube much shorter
than it is shown in the Drawing, and it is then merely a dished ring to
strengthen the angle of the capsule.
'
What I claim is the general arrangement and combination of the parts
of breech-loading fire-arms as berein-before described.
I also claim the arranging the block which forms the abutment for the
cartridge so as to leave a space between its fore end and the breech end of
the barrel, in order that a flange at the back of the cartridge may when the
fire-arm is loaded project clear from or beyond the breech end of the
barrel, so that the user can without opening the breech see whether the
gun is loaded.
I also claim the employment of a bent or sear spring such as is shewn,
for the purpose of drawing back the pin or striker, by means of which
the cartridge is exploded.
I also claim the connecting the barrel with the body or frame of the
breech-loading apparatus by means of a stud on the under side of the
barrel entering a hole in the fore part of the body or frame.
I also claim the constructing the middle part of the body, or the space

page_text: into which the abutment block enters, with open sides in place of making
it an enclosed box as heretofore, by which means the removal of the
cartridge case after firing is facilitated.
I also claim the arranging an extractor to slide in a groove at the side
of the barrel and to be actuated by the lever which removes the abutment
block from behind the cartridge, as described.
I also claim the constructing central-fire cartridges for breech-loading
fire-arms with a metal capsule cast or formed solid for some distance up,
with the exception of the central perforation, and with a tube of paper,
woven fabric, or similar material surrounding it and projecting beyond its
end so as to form a continuation to the cartridge, as described.
I also claim the grooving the exterior of the capsule as described, to
render it less liable to stick in the gun.
I also claim the making. central-fire cartridges with, at their rear ends,
an outer metal capsule and an inner metal lining as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Westley Richards, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
WESTLEY RICHARDS. (L.S.)