IMPROVE- MENTS IN DOUBLE BARRELLED BREECH LOADING FIRE ARMS
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN GIBSON of 11 Westbourne Square London in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DOUBLE BARRELLED BREECH LOADING FIRE ARMS to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain Improvements in the construction and
arrangement in the Action, Locks and Springs of double Barrelled Breech Loading
Sporting Guns, having the striking parts or hammers of the locks either inside or
outside of the lock plates and the barrels of which are hinged for dropping down
or are otherwise constructed for being opened at the breech for the purpose of
being loaded.
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With the object of securing compact simple, powerful and direct action of all
the moving parts of the locks, locking, bolt; and automatic "safety".or blocking
bolt" and also of giving perfect security against accidental discharge I use the old
and well proved form and general arrangement of locks with such modifications in
shape of the "tumblers" for the convenience of their being blocked and in their
axes to adapt them for passing into and being coupled with the axis of the one
lever-which I call the "motive lever "-of the action (placed underneath the
trigger guard by preference) for withdrawing the "locking bolt' from the
"catches" in the lump of the barrels, for opening the gun and for "cocking" the-
"locks
and by the same movement returning automatically the " safety or
blocking bolt"
to the position in which it thoroughly blocks both triggers
and scears and also blocks the hammers from falling on the "
cap strikers."
This "safety or "blocking bolt slides on a "rib" formed on the top of the
trigger plate (through which rib, the axis of the "motive lever" passes) and is
worked by a thumb-piece" (placed by preference on the top of, and through a
slot" in the "
"
"strap or tang" of the false breech and is fixed into a
"socket" by a screw, in a sliding piece underneath the "tang," which is provided.
with inclined notches for the friction roller carried in a spring for keeping it in
place, which sliding piece has a leg long enough to pass down through a hole or
into a
formed in the "safety or "blocking bolt" (for the purpose of
giving motion to it) and to reach down to the top of the triggers and the arms of
the scears or this part may be formed on and be part of the "safety" or
blocking bolt" and is so notched and formed as to slip over and stop the action
of both, until they are set at liberty for the gun, being fired, by pushing the
thumbpiece forward out of block.
narrow
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step
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The "motive lever" has for its axis a "boss" with a socket or hoop coupling on
each side.
Inside of these socket or hoop couplings one or two (I prefer two) radial
projections, each projection being at its base a little less than one sixth part of the

page_text: .
internal diameter of the "hoop couplings," are formed diametrically opposite to
each other, by the intervening full four sixths being cut out, thus leaving, equal
spaces between the two projections.
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Into these "socket couplings" the "axes" of the "tumblers" of the locks are
made to fit and in part to revolve, and are provided with corresponding projections
at their ends (but on the opposite sides of the centre) and so placed as to bear
exactly on, and to interlock with, the projections in the "socket or "hoop
couplings," when the "motive lever" is at rest in its right position and the
hammers are down; then on pressing the "motive lever" forward the locks will
be simultaneously. "cocked" and the "motive lever" will be returned to its right
place again by a spiral spring let into the action.
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The open spaces between the projections in the "hoop couplings "being
sufficient to admit of its getting back to its starting point, without stop or
hinderance.
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on the
The "locking bolt" of the "action is of the "Purdey" sliding form and is
"cranked
or set upwards at the breech end so as to pass over the "rib "
trigger plate" and is so narrowed at the end as to pass back between the arms of
the "safety or "blocking bolt" through these arms a screw pin is passed, by.
which the "locking bolt on opening the gun pushes the "safety" or "blocking
bolt" back to the safety position.
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That part of the "locking bolt" which passes between the arms of the "safety"
or or "blocking bolt" has a small "slot hole" cut through it at the inner end,
into which a small "arm or "horn" formed on the "boss" of the "motive
lever" projecting upwards, is made to fit into and to work the locking bolt.
כן
The "trigger plate" is divided, where let into the "action" and so far back as
is required for the admission of the "motive" lever-into two parts with
sufficient space between them to admit of the "motive lever." being passed into its
.proper position.
The "motive lever" and "locking bolt' are kept in place,-when the gun is
shut up by the "spiral spring" let into the "action" as before described.'.
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The "safety" or "blocking bolt" has two "arm's on the outside and the front
end of each a projection is formed, which when in place for blocking the hammers
are underneath projections formed on the front and insides of the "tumblers" or
inside hammers, and so arranged that should any failure of the "scear" happen
between its "axis" and the bent" of the "tumbler," or the "scear "by any
violent jar, slip out of the "bent," the "hammers" will be instantly and securely
-blocked and effectually prevented from reaching the "
cap strikers."
One prominent and good feature in the arrangement of this "safety" or
"blocking" bolt, is this, that after one barrel has been fired off, the hammer of the
other lock can be securely blocked by drawing back the thumb piece" to safety
point; before handing the gun to the loader; who before opening the gun to
reload the empty barrel must push forward the "safety" or "blocking bolt" to the
point ready for firing. The shutting up of the gun will automatically return the
blocking bolt" to the place of safety.
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Another good feature is, that should anything happen to let the "hammer" fall
down upon the "safety biock," it; (the safety block bolt), cannot then be moved
out of block by the "thumb piece." The hammer must be again cocked by the
"motive lever" to free the blocking bolt.
The additional security thus gives to those handling the gun and to those near
them is of great importance.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I JOHN GIBSON of 11 Westbourne Square, London W. in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN DOUBLE BARRELED BREECH LOADING FIRE ARMS and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to certain Improvements in the construction and arrange-.
ment in the Action, Locks and Springs of Double Barreled Breech Loading Sporting
Guns having tho striking parts or hammers of the locks. inside or outside of the
lock plates; and the barrels of which are hinged for dropping down or are otherwise
constructed for being opened at the breech for the purpose of being loaded. With
the object of securing, compact, simple, powerfull and direct action of all the moving.
parts of the locks, locking bolt and automatic safety or blocking bolt. And also
giving perfect security against accidental discharge of the gun.
In accomplishing this I use the old and well proved form and general arrange-
ment of locks with such modifications in the shape of the tumblers-for the
convenience of their being blocked, and in their axes, to adapt them for passing
into, and being coupled with, the axis of the one lever (which I call the motive
lever) of the action,-placed underneath the trigger guard by preference,-for
withdrawing the locking bolt from the catches in the lump of the barrels, for
opening of the gun and for cocking the locks, and by the same movement return.
automatically the safety or blocking bolt to the position in which it thorough;
blocks the triggers and scears and also blocks the hammers from falling on tho cap.
strikera.
The safety or blocking bolt B slides on a rib formed on the top of the trigger-
plate-Fig. 8-(through which rib R. the axis of the motive lever L. passes) and
is worked by a thumb-piece T. Fig. 15. (placed by preference on the top of and
through a narrow slot S Fig. 10. in the strap or tang of the false breech and is fixed
into a socket by a screw in a sliding piece P Figs 3 and 15 which is provided with
inclined notches for the friction roller carried in a spring ċ (or the roller may be
dispensed with and the spring adapted for sliding) for keeping it in place; which
sliding piece P has a leg long enough to pass down through a hole or into a step
formed on the safety or blocking bolt B (for the purpose of giving motion to it, for
putting it in or out of block. by hand when required) and to reach down to the top
of the triggers and the arms of the scears, or this part or leg together with the
step above mentioned may be formed on and be part of the safety or blocking
bolt-and is so notched and formed as to slip over and stop the action of both
until they are set at liberty for the gun being fired, by pushing the thumb-piece T
forward out of block.
The motive lever L'has for its axis a boss with a socket or hoop coupling on
each side. Inside of these sockets or hoop couplings one or two (I prefer two)*
radial projections D Figs 3, 4 and 5 (each projection being at its base about one
sixth part of the internal diameter of the hoop coupling) are formed diametrically
opposite to each other by the remaining four sixths being cut out, thus leaving
equal spaces between the two projections.

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Into these socket couplings the axes of the tumblers are made to fit and in part
revolve, and are provided with corresponding projections at their ends (but on the
opposite side of the centres) and so placed as to bear fairly and exactly on and to
interlock with, the projections in the socket or hoop couplings when the motive
lever L is at rest in its right place or position and the hammers are down. Then
on pressing the motive lever forward, the locks will be simultaneously cocked, the
automatic blocking bolt pushed into the safety position and the motive lever will
be returned to its right place again by a helical spring acting on the reciprocating
spindle H Fig 3. let into the action in the centre between the two limbs of the
trigger plate Fig. 8.
The open spaces between the projections in the hoop couplings being sufficient
to admit of its getting back to its starting point without stop or hinderance.
The locking bolt Z of the action is of the "Purdey" sliding form and is cranked
or set upwards, Z Figs 3 and 4. at the breech end so as to pass over the rib R on
the trigger plate and is so narrowed at the end as to pass back between the arms
of the safety or blocking bolt Fig 18 B.
Through these arms a screw pin, Fig 18. is passed by which the blocking bolt-
on opening the gun-pushes the safety or blocking bolt back to the safety position
this will also be effected by the shoulder of the locking bolt Z pressing on the front
end of the blocking bolt B as seen in Figs 4 & 11. That part of the locking bolt Z
which passes between the arms of the safety or blocking bolt has a small slot
hole K. Fig 16. cut through it at the inner end into which a small arm or horn
(i Fig 3, 4, 5 & 6) formed on the boss of or on, the motive lever projecting
upwards, is made to fit into and to work the locking bolt. While passing between
the arms of the blocking bolt, it at the same time overlaps at top the arms of the
blocking bolt and causes them to move in the same plane with the locking bolt as
shown in Figs 3 & 4 and in cross-section in Fig. 11.
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The trigger plate-Fig 8.-is divided into two parts with, a sufficient space
between them, where let into the action and so far back as is required for the
admission of the motive lever L being passed into its proper position, and is secured
to the action by a screw through each "dolls head" of the arms.
The boss of the motive lever L which also forms its axis may be either forged in
one piece with the lever-as shown in Fig. 6. or be formed separately as shown in
Fig. 4.
In the former mode, two brackets j Figs 7 & 8. (right and left) are screwed on to the
limbs of the trigger plate to fill in the rib between the back of the action and the boss.
In the latter mode the sides of the rib R will be left whole and only be bored
through for the boss of the lever to be passed through and into it; and then the
lever to be passed through the boss in a slot hole as shown by the dotted lines and
be kept in place by a screw a Fige 3 & 4. -
The motive lever L and locking bolt Z are kept in place when the gun is shut
up by the reciprocating spindle H acted on by the compressed helical spring let
into the action as before described and shown by Fig. 3.
The safety blocking bolt Fig. 18 has two arms, on the outside and front end of
each a projection e is formed, which, when in place for blocking the hammers (as
shown in Fig 1) are underneath projections, F Fig 1. formed on the front and
insides of the tumblers or inside hammers and so arranged that should any failure
of the scear happen, between its axis and the "bent" of the tumbler or the scear
by any violent action or jar, slip out of the 'bent,' the hammer will be instantly and
securely blocked and prevented from reaching the cap strikers.
One prominent and good feature in the arrangement of this safety or blocking
bolt, is this, that after one barrel has been fired off, the hammer of the other lock
can be securely blocked by drawing back the thumb-piece T. Fig 1 & 3. to safety
position, before handing the gun to the loader, who before opening the gun to
reload, must first push forward the safety or blocking bolt out of block to the
position ready for firing. The opening of the gun will cock the lock and

page_text: automatically return the blocking bolt to the place of safety, and the shutting up of
the gun will place all the parts in their proper relative positions of safety.
Another good feature is that should anything happen to let the hammer fall
down on the safety block, it (the safety block) cannot then be moved out of block
by the thumb-piece T.
་
The hammer must be again cocked by the motive lever to free the bolt.
The additional security this gives to those handling the gun and to those near
them is of great importance.
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I will now by more detailed reference to the Drawings (which are all full size
working Drawings") fully describe the action and how the objects and improve-
ments are accomplished, the letters indicating detail parts are the same for each
such part throughout all the Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a left hand side view of the action when finished, except where the
left lock, part of the bridle of the right lock and wood of the stock have been left
out, so as to show more clearly the arrangement of, the right lock at full cock, with
the springs, scears, and the position of the cap strikers and hammer with the pro-
jection F on its front, hollowed so as to fit down upon and over the projection e
of the safety blocking bolt B (Figs. 17 & 18) and prevent the possibility of its
being moved out of block except by using the motive lever and re-cocking the lock
and returning the blocking bolt to the safety position.
When the gun is to be fired the blocking bolt B is pushed forward by the thumb-
piece T Figs 1 & 3. into a recess in the back of the action beyond the reach of the
hammers;. when the hammer is down the blocking bolt can be pulled back by the
thumb-piece to the safety position for the other lock (if the gun has to be handed
to a loader), the projection e of the blocking bolt passing over the projection F on
the hammer but the blocking bolt must be pushed forward into its recess before the
hammer that is down can be again cocked.-The locking of the hammer returns
the blocking bolt to safety position.
The cap strikers are placed at an angle striking upwards, the advantage of this
being less cutting away of the head of the stock and also with the point of the
striker made about No 14 B. M. wiré gauge in diameter there is less chance of
leakage of gas getting to the locks.
They can however be put in at right angles either from back or front, the
hammers being made correspondingly longer above the axis. The strikers are kept
in place by a screw n let in from the outside in the position shewn, Figa 1 & 3,
and are returned after firing in the usual way by a helical spring.
Fig. 14 shows the hammer when down and the projection e of the blocking bolt
in position in its recess and clear of the hammer, and in a line with the top of the
projection F on the hammer. It shows also the form of the projections on the axis
of the hammers for coupling and interlocking with the projections in the boss of
the lever L. The two projections on the axis of the hammer are not separated
from each other in the centre, as is the case with the projections of the lever axis.
The form of the lock plates is shewn in Fig. 1 partly in the finished part of the
side-view and the remainder in the sectional part.
The front part being a matter of fancy may be shortened to just enough to cover
the screw m indicated by dotted lines in Figs 1 and 13 which is to be used for the
purpose of keeping the reciprocating spindle H and its spring (Figs 4 & 19) in
place and its pressure off the motive lever L when it is necessary to take out the.
triggers plate G or the locking bolt Z or the blocking bolt B.
Fig. 2. Is a plan of the action showing the lock plates which are inch thicker
below the axis and behind the action within the range of the tumblers, or hammers
and are a little recessed as shown by the dotted lines for allowing the hammers to
pass back at right angles to their axes to full cock, the back edge of the hammer
being a little rounded off for the same purpose.
It shows also the trigger plate and triggers and spring for the triggers. The
rib R along which the blocking bolt B slides and the bridles of the locks with their

page_text: "
back leg shortened by the curving of the lock plates to reduce the thickness of the:
grip of the stock to the ordinary size, shows also the form of: the elongated rib:
between the barrels, for the "dolls head" grip.
Fig. 3. Is a longitudinal vertical section of the action, with the barrels opened.
showing the form of the lump and hinge and the notches for the locking bolt, the.
front notch is made inch deeper in the grip than the other, the object of which
will be explained when describing the action of the motive lever L.
The position of the reciprocating spindle H and its spring and the small circular:
notch turned in it for the point of the hidden screw in (Figs 13 & 1) entering to
stop its action when it is necessary to take the trigger plate or the locking and
blocking bolts out. The locking bolt Z is shown full home as if in lock (which
properly it could not be with the barrels open and on the hinge) but it is.
convenient in one view to show it so; with the blocking bolt B in full block of the
triggers scears and hammers and the short arm of the lever L bearing against the
end of the slot hole K keeping the locking bolt firmly home by the pressure of
the reciprocating spindle H by its spring against the quadrant of the lever L. The
safety blocking bolt being held in block of the triggers scears and hammers by the
friction spring screwed to the tang and acting on the sliding piece P.
Fig. 4 Is a side view of the trigger plate, trigger guard, motive lever L locking
bolt Z in lock and safety blocking bolt B out of block and its projections e in the.
recess at the back of the action.
:
Fig. 5. Is a front end view of the trigger guard and motive lever, the rib R for
carrying the motive lever and the automatic safety sliding bolt B. The rib R is
⚫slotted out so far as is necessary to admit the motive lever L and its arm i working
between its sides in the centre.
In slotting the rib R and the trigger plate for the space for the lever L―the
plate must not be cut quite through at the front end between the arms-that
part cc (Figs 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8) of it between where the quadrant of the lever enters.
and below where the reciprocating spindle H abutts upon the quadrant, must be
left intact to cover and enclose the reciprocating spindle H where it projects
beyond the back of the action.
If the motive lever be forged in one piece as shown by Fig 6. then the enclosing
pieces c c must be formed on the back of the action.
Fig. 8. Is a plan of the top of the trigger plate showing the two arms with.
"dolls-heads" for securing it to the action; the rib R in centre and the slot in it
for the motive lever, the position of the triggers and of the two brackets (Figs 6
& 7) for filling in the.space between the centre of the lever's boss and the back of
the action and also the part cc which must be left on the action, if the motive
lever and its boss are forged in one piece or must be left on the trigger plate if the
boss is made separately and the lever passed through it as in Figs 3 & 4.
Fig. 9. Is a view of the breech end of the barrels showing the form of the
extended rib and of the extractor which is acted on in the usual way. in the
dropping down of the barrels.
Fig. 10. Is a plan of the top of the strap or tang of the false breech with the
narrow slot hole for the thumbpiece T, showing also the positions of the two screw
pins that secure the trigger plate, guard & stock to the action.
Fig. 11 Is a cross section of the lock plates trigger plate and the arms of the
safety block bolt B, showing how they are overlapped by the inner end of the
locking bolt; and front view of the hammers with their projections F overhanging
the projections e e on the arms of the safety blocking bolt B.
Fig. 12. Is a front view of the action showing the position and distance apart
of the centres of the cap strikers and the opening for the "doll's head" of the
extended rib.
Fig. 13. Is a back view of the action with the strap or tang left out, showing.
the position of the cap strikers, the slot for the locking bolt and the recess for the
projections, ee on the safety blocking bolt; the position of the reciprocating
spindle H and the recesses for the arms of the trigger plate.

page_text: The projection seen under the tang Figs 3 & 13. is a provision for a slot hôle
for receiving a second locking bolt to pass through and into the extended rib if
considered an advantage.
The locks are held in place by screw pins one through the plates and stock and
the other through the plates and action passing through the "bridge between the
lumps" or this may be done by two separate screws, one on each side screwed into
the action.
The motive lever L Figs 3 & 4 when pressed forward pushes the reciprocating
spindle H before it and if the hammers of the locks are down puts them in full
cock and opens the gun by its arm i;-when the hammers are a little more than
half way to full cock-coming in contact with the cranked part of the locking
bolt Z and pushing it back until it is fully withdrawn from the notches in the
lump of the barrels, and for the purpose of ensuring that the scears of the locks
have got over the bents in the tumblers before the barrels drop, the depth of the
notch in the lump is made deeper in the front part so as to retain the barrels until
the scears have passed the bents. This will be arranged according to the amount
of fall considered necessary for the hammers; in these drawings a fall of inch is
arranged for, so much fall may not be required in the locks of this action, there
being no necessity to reduce the strength of the springs for facilitating the opening
of the gun. The locks must cocked when taken off or when put on.
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. The mode of the direct coupling of the axes of the locks with the motive lever,
its two ways of being constructed and the manner of carrying it.
2. The arrangement of the locks as to their tumblers or hammers with the
projections, in front and on the inside in front for their being blocked automatically
by the lever or by hand.
3. The mode of applying, and the action of the reciprocating spindle and its
enclosed position in a chamber in the body of the action and the mode of applying
the screw for arresting its action on the lever when it is necessary to remove the
trigger plate or the parts in or upon it or the locking bolt or safety blocking bolt
or thumbpiece.
4. The locking bolt in its formation and adaptation for working between,
overlapping, guiding and keeping in position the automatic sliding bolt
5. The automatic sliding safety or blocking bolt as arranged for working in
conjunction with the locking bolt and for blocking the hammers of the locks and
the triggers and scears.
6. The manner of connecting the thumb-piece with the sliding piece P under the
tang.