IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Needham, of 26, Piccadilly, in the
County of Middlesex, Gun Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 5th January 1853, and dated the 2nd October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Needham
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd October 1852.
I, JOSEPH NEEDHAM, of 26, Piccadilly, in the County of Middle-
sex, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows, that is to say:—
This Invention relates to certain modifications and improvements on
breech-loading fire-arms, whereby the action of loading and firing is
rendered much more simple and rapid than by the arms upon that
principle now in use. The improvements consist in enclosing a short
piercer in a metal tube, which is hinged to the breech of the gun barrel.
This piercer is actuated by a helical spring enclosed within the tube,

page_text: which is fitted with a cap screwing on to its free end; the closed end of
this cap has a small perforation in its centre to allow the point of the
piercer to pass through on its way to the cartridge or capsule. The
operation of loading the gun is effected by a partial revolution of the
cap of the tube, which movement allows of the tube being turned back
on its joint, thereby leaving an opening in the breech sufficiently large
to admit the insertion of the cartridge or capsule. The lower portion
of the cartridge, or a suitable capsule to contain the detonating powder,
is so formed as to be a sufficiently tight packing of itself to prevent the
escape of gasses at the junction of the free end of the tube and the
breech of the barrel. Having inserted the cartridge or capsule, the
tube is shut down again, and the cap again partially revolved, so as to
take its original position, thereby forming an effective joint with the
breech end of the barrel. By drawing the trigger the sear is relieved
from a notch in the shank of the piercer, and the piercer is instantly
acted upon by the helical spring, thus effecting the firing of the arm.
To prevent accidents a safety bolt is attached to the tube, and is so
arranged that by partially turning it the piercer may be locked or
released, as the case may be.
In connexion with these arms a reservoir of cartridges may be
formed under the barrel and in communication with the breech, and
any suitable arrangement may be employed for supplying the cartridges
in regular succession as required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Needham in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 2nd April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOSEPH NEEDHAM, of 26, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Gun
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the

page_text: sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Needham, Her special license
that I, the said Joseph Needham, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Needham, 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, tho
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Needham,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly 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 Joseph Needham, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:
My said Invention relates to various arrangements of mechanism
apparatus, or means applicable as well to the construction and action
of fire-arms of the breech-loading class as to the cartridges or explosive
charges used therein, for the purpose of simplifying and rendering more
rapid the loading and firing actions, and increasing the general efficiency
of the arms. And in order that my Invention may be properly under-
stood I shall now proceed to describe the several Figures on the Sheet
of Drawings hereunto attached. Figure 1, on my Sheet of Drawings
is a side or longitudinal elevation of all the important portions of a
rifle made according to my improvements. Figure 2, is a plan, and
Figure 3, is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, corresponding.
Figure 4, is a longitudinal section of the lock mechanism detached," as.
drawn on a larger scale. Figure is an enlarged elevation of the
"

page_text: needle actuating cam; and Figure 6, is a plan corresponding. Figure
7, is an enlarged side elevation of the cocking lever and shifting cylin-
drical cap; and Figure 8, is a corresponding elevation at right angles
thereto. The barrel A, of the gun is fitted to the stock B, in the usual
manner by means of the terminal projection C, screwed to the stock
and the slotted eyes D. The breech end of the barrel is half cut away
longitudinally for a short distance on its upper side, so as to leave a
species of trough for the reception laterally of the short tubular piece E,
hinged on the fixed joint pin F, passed transversely through the barrel
end. The hind end of this tubular piece is solid and rounded off, and
bears against the breech end of the trough, and its front end has an
external square threaded screw cut upon it for screwing into a similar
internal screw in the front tubular cap piece G, which cap has a short
lever H, formed upon it to work it by, and a small double crown cam I,
is screwed inside its front end. This duplex cam, when made to revolve,
serves to draw back the ignition needle. J, which is a short piece of
steel wire fitted concentrically into the front end or socket K, of the
catch spindle L, and screwed therein by a side pinching screw, whilst
it projects through the cam I, and the front solid end of the cap G, as
a guide to keep it in a line with the axis of the rifle or gun barrel.
The spindle L, is entirely concealed in the tubular piece E, and G, of
the lock mechanism, and its tapered detent end extends back for con-
nection with the trigger action. It is surrounded by a helix M, which
abuts in front against the socket collar K, and behind against an
internal shoulder of the tube E, so that it constantly tends to press
forward the needle to the position represented in Figure 4, which is
that occupied at the moment of exploding the cartridge N. And to
prevent the spindle or needle holder from turning round, it is formed
with the diametrically opposite feathers O, fitting into corresponding
grooves in the interior of the tube E. The "sear" P, and sear
spring Q, are both attached to the tubular piece E, the sear being set
on a transverse stud centre, whilst the spring, which is a flat blade, is
screwed outside underneath, its loose free end having a constant tendency
to turn the sear upwards on its centre, and bring its catch notch into
gear with the terminal detent on the spindle L, when the latter is drawn

page_text: back, retaining it in this position until the trigger is drawn. The
trigger R, set on a stud centre in the usual way has an elevated notch
to fit to the tail of the sear, so that when the trigger is drawn back on
firing, it depresses the tail of the sear and releases the needle holder
detent, when the spring M, darts the needle forward to give the igniting
puncture. The cartridge, one arrangement of which is shown in
elevation at Figure 9, and vertical section at Figure 10, is fitted with
a capsule T, of gutta-percha or other suitable material at its base, a
short tail-piece U, being formed upon this capsule, the interior of which
is fitted with a thin piece of metal slightly dished to contain the fulminate
for the explosion. This fulminate is reached by the needle, when
necessary, through a central aperture made in the base of the capsule,
the object of which capsule is the prevention of the wasteful escape of
the explosive gases on firing. It remains in the barrel after each
explosion, and may be drawn out by the tail U, which projects outside.
Figures 11, and 12, represent an elevation and section of another con-
struction of cartridge. The capsule T, being in this arrangement
dispensed with. As the enlarged portion A, of the cartridge is formed
by simply doubling over the edge of the paper before rolling the
cartridge, the tail B, may consist of a loop of tape attached to the
cartridge. The piece of metal C, containing the explosive powder is
attached by simply fitting it to the lipped end of the cartridge, and
pasting a thin piece of paper over it, thereby effectually securing it to
the cartridge. To guard against accidental discharges, a small safety
bolt V, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, is screwed into the upper side of the
tube E, its projecting inner end, one side of which is cut away, being
made to gear with a notch on the upper side of the spindle L, when the
safety apparatus is in action. When so placed, the gun cannot be
discharged; but on drawing over the small arm V', fast on the upper
end of the bolt from one notch to the other on the tube E, the spindle
L, becomes unlocked from the bolt V, in readiness for firing. When
the breach is closed for firing, the lever H, of the cap G, is turned
downwards, and fits into a recess cut in the side of the gun-stock, being
held in this position by a small spring detent W, fast in the stock, and
projecting through a slot in the lever. When the gun is to be loaded,

page_text: this lever H, is turned over upon the axis of the cap G, which turns
with it, carrying round also the duplex cam I. In this way the two
inclines of the cam press against the feathers O, on the socket K, and so
force back the striker or needle, until the after end of the striker or
needle spindle is caught by its detent, and held by the sear notch, as
delineated in Figure 3. The same movement also withdraws the front
end of the cap G, from its partial entrance into the gun barrel, by
reason of the action of the screw connecting the cap with the tube E,
and the latter, together with its cap G, may then be turned back upon
its centre F, until it stands up at right angles from the barrel, as shewn
in red lines in Figure 1. This leaves the trough or cut away portion
of the breech quite open to receive the cartridge N, and the tube E,
is then shut down, and the lever H, returned to the position shewn in
Figure 1, reversing all the actions already explained, and forcing the
end of the cap G, into the breech end of the barrel. The piece is now
ready for firing, and when the trigger is drawn, the needle explodes the
fulminate in the breach of the cartridge by its rapid puncturing and
striking action, and the charge is exploded. The breech is then opened
again, and the empty capsule is withdrawn by its projecting tail U.
As the combined length of the tubular pieces G, and E, varies with the
different stages of the action of the piece, the junction edges of the two
pieces are cut cbliquely to correspond with the angle of the screw
threads, by which they are connected, in order that no space may be left
between these edges at any time for the entrance of dirt. Figure 13,
is a partial section of the breech and screw cap G, shewing the applica-
tion of an ordinary percussion cap. The side of the screw cap G, is
cut away at a, and an ordinary nipple b, is screwed into the cap, the
perforation through the nipple corresponding with the needle hole in
the end of the screw cap. A gun of this description may be used with
or without the percussion cap, as the case may be. The needle J,
shewn in dotted lines, is contained in the thick short spindle c, which is
secured to the socket collar herein-before mentioned, and is actuated in
a precisely similar manner to the needle in Figure 4. When a percus-
sion cap is used, the needle. J, is removed from the spindle c, and the
striking of the end of the spindle c, against the cap on the nipple

page_text: explodes it, and consequently fires the charge. But when the gun is
wanted as a needle gun, then the needle J, is fitted into the spindle c,
and on firing the gun it passes through the nipple and enters the
cartridge, as herein-before described. A swelling d, and annular groove
is formed upon the face of the screw cap, in order that the end of the
cartridge may be broken or burst in when the cap is screwed up, thereby
leaving the powder exposed to the igniting action of the percussion cap.
By this arrangement the junction between the end of the screw cap
and the breech will be on the side of the cartridge, in place of the end
of it, as will be clearly seen on reference to Figure 13. In this case,
of course, the ordinary cartridge may be used. Figure 14, is an
arrangement wherein the cartridge or charge is placed within a suitable
chamber in the front end of the screw cap G, in place of inserting it
in the breech of the gun barrel. This chamber is of a larger bore than
the barrel, as shewn by the Drawing. In this arrangement the escape
of the gases at the junction is prevented by the enlarged rim a, on the
front of the cartridge striking against the projecting edge b, of the end
of the barrel when the charge is fired, and being also expanded laterally
by the passage through it of the enlarged zone C, on the ball, shewn in
Figures 15, and 16. To facilitate this mode of packing, the bore of
the cartridge chamber is made larger than that of the barrel. A similar
arrangement to the one last above described is also applicable to all
breech-loading revolvers. Figures 15, and 16, are an elevation and
section of the cartridge employed in this latter arrangement, the rim
a, being formed by doubling the paper before rolling. This rim fits in
front of the projecting zone c, of the bullet. In place of a zone or rim
being formed upon the body of the cartridge, a separate ring, Figure 17,
made of card board, felt, soft metal, or any other suitable material, may
be employed: Figure 17ª, represents, in vertical section, the shell of
the cartridge A, formed in one piece with the ball B. Cartridges of
this description may be made by a suitable die, into which the cold
metal for forming them is pressed by a plunger actuated by a fly press
or other mechanical contrivance. The great pressure thus exerted on
the soft metal squeezes up the sides of the cartridge from the solid
piece in the die below. The shoulder C, answers the same purpose as

page_text: the projecting ring in Figures 15, and 16, herein-before described.
It will be obvious to the practical man that the various constructions
of cartridges herein-before described, for preventing the escape of
the explosive gases in breech-loading fire-arms, are equally appli-
cable to cannon of the breech-loading class. The cartridge may be
made to expand bodily by making it of a spiral coil of card board,
as shewn at Figure 18, the coil being merely held together by a
very slight lapping of thread. A cartridge of this construction is
easily made, and requires no packing capsule, as the explosion of
the powder causes the cartridge to expand along its entire length,
and consequently prevent any escape of gases. Ordinary cartridges
may be used with my improved gun by the employment of the ex-
panding capsule, Figure 19, which is stamped out of a piece of mill-
board, or any other suitable material, and dished; this capsule is
perforated at the centre, and has a small piece of metal containing
fulminating powder, similar to the one herein-before described. The
cartridge having been inserted into the breech, this expanding capsule
is put behind it. The explosion of the charge expands the capsule, and
forms the packing required. Figure 20, is a side elevation of a double
tube for double-barreled guns. Figure 21, is a front view of the
The needles are actuated
same; and Figure 22, is a plan of the same.
in a manner similar to the arrangement shewn at Figure 4; but one
handle cocks both simultaneously. A, is the body of the moveable
double tube which turns on a stud pin at B; this pin also secures it to
the breech end of the barrel in a similar manner to the pin F, in
Figure 4. The handle C, is formed in one piece with the hollow screw
D; this screw works into an internal screw in the piece A. E, is a
face piece, which is attached to the boss of the handle C, by a screw pin
F, which passes through the centre of the hollow screw D. The screw
F, is introduced from the back of the piece A, which is bored entirely
through for that purpose. The face piece E, has two projecting bosses
G, G, formed upon it to fit into the barrel. H, I, are upper and lowe
projecting lugs on the face piece E, which fit accurately over the ene
of the tube piece A, and preserve the face piece from derangement o
position. The junction edges of the piece A, and boss of the handl

page_text: '
are made slightly inclined, as in the cap G, Figures 7, and 8, to cor-
respond with the pitch of the screw D, so that when the handle is
turned there is no space left for dirt to enter between the junction
edges. The boss of the handle C, has two inclines J, cut upon it,
each incline acting on a projecting lug K, on the side of the spindles
L, which contain the needles. In Figure 21, half of the face piece
is cut away, to shew more clearly the boss of the handle O. As the
face piece is attached to the boss of the handle C, it follows that
when the handle is drawn up, as in Figure 20, to cock the gun, the
projecting bosses on the face piece will be withdrawn from the breeches
of the barrels, and the piece A, will thus be left free to be turned
back for the insertion of fresh cartridges into the breeches of the
gun. When the cartridges are in their places, the piece A, is shut
down, and the handle C, depressed, thereby forcing the bosses G,
G, of the face piece E, into the ends of the barrels. Safety bolts
are also attached to this arrangement, similar to the one lettered V, in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not
confine or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which
I have had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be.
made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features
of my Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the system or mode of preventing the escape of the gases of
the explosion by the use of a capsule or ring, to be expanded by the
gases themselves, or by the use of an expanding cartridge, as herein-
before described.
Second, the system or mode of expanding the cartridge case, or a
ring thereon, by means of a ring or zone or an enlarged portion upon
the ball, as herein-before deecribed.
Third, the system or mode of forming cartridges with an end ring,
or thickened portion of the case, for preventing the gaseous escape, as

page_text: herein-before described and shewn at Figures 11, 12, 15, and 16, of
the Drawings.
Fourth, the system or mode of constructing cartridges, whereby they
may expand bodily throughout their entire length, and so form
a packing, as described and shewn at Figure 18. Also the con-
structing of the packing rings or zones on cartridges in the same
manner.
Fifth, the system or mode of constructing cartridges, by forming the
case in one piece with the ball, as herein-before described and referred
to in Figure 17*, of my Sheet of Drawings.
.
Sixth, the application and use of a projecting tag or tail for removing
the exploded cartridge case, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the application and use of an expanding capsule in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated in
Figure 19, of the Sheet of Drawings.
Eighth, the application and use of a detached packing ring in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described and referred to in
Figure 17, of the Drawing.
Ninth, the forming of that portion of the gun which holds the
tubular pieces containing the action or mechanism in one piece, with
the barrel itself, as herein-before described and shewn in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, of my Drawings.
Tenth, the application and use of a revolving spiral cam for putting
the needle or striker into firing position.
Eleventh, the system or mode of forming the junction with the breech
by a screw connection with the after tubular piece.
Twelfth, the system or mode of keeping the exposed edges of the
joint between the two sections of the tubular case of the lock mechanism
in close contact by an external spiral or incline.
Thirteenth, the system or mode of simultaneously cocking and with-
drawing the needle or needles or strikers by turning the cap piece G,
as described.
Fourteenth, the system or mode of preventing accidental discharges
by means of a rotatory detent catch to engage with a catch or stop on
the needle or striker holder,
"

page_text: Fifteenth, the system or mode of constructing fire-arms, wherein the
case of the lock mechanism is withdrawn at an angle with the axial line
of the barrel for charging.
Sixteenth, the system or mode of bursting in the end of the cartridge,
in manner and for the purpose herein-before described with reference
to Figure 13, of the Drawings.
Seventeenth, the application and use of an ordinary nipple for per-
cussion caps in guns of the needle class, as herein-before described and
shewn at Figure 13.
Eighteenth, the application and use of a charge chamber distinct from
the barrel of the fire-arm, such chamber being of a larger bore than the
barrel itself, for the purpose herein-before described.
Nineteenth, the application and use of the peculiar junction edges,
shewn at Figures 13, and 14, wherein the escape of the gases, if any,
would be at a right angle with the axial line of the barrel.
Twentieth, the arrangement and construction of double barrelled
guns of this class, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures
20, 21, and 22, of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Needham, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Second day of April, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-three.
JOSEPH NEEDHAM. (L.S.)