IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH- PRO
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Godfrey Anthony Ermen, of Eccles, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Godfrey Anthony Ermen
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 5th April 1869.
I, GODFREY ANTHONY ERMEN, of Eccles, in the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND CARTRIDGES RELATING THERETO," to be as
follows:-
The Invention is designed for the purpose of effecting various improve-
ments in breech-loading fire-arms, and also in the projectiles and
cartridges used therewith, that will by the novelty and simplicity of the
improvements materially facilitate and expedite the process of loading
and firing the "piece;" and as the improvements relate, first, to various
parts or portions of the breech end of the gun I will proceed to describe
them separately.

page_text: First. The rear end of the barrel or chamber into which the cartridge
is inserted preparatory to firing has a slightly tapered bore equal in
diameter and length to the diameter and length of the cartridge, the
diameter of which is somewhat greater than the bore of the remainder
of the barrel, the entrance to which from the cartridge chamber being
conical or tapered, the difference in diameter forming a shoulder in the
interior of the barrel, against which the front part of the cartridge abuts,
From
the particulars of such projectile being herein-after described.
the rear end of the barrel or cartridge chamber a vertical slot is formed
by two plates of metal forming portions of the gun barrel, and which
project from the rear end of such barrel on either side thereof, their
extremities being secured to the gun stock. Into this slot, which is
centrally placed at the "breech," a sliding block or piece of metal is
placed, which is actuated by the following arrangement of mechanism for
the purpose of forming an abutment or resisting cover for the cartridge
at the "breech" end of the gun at the time of firing. The front surfaces
of this block abuts or beds against the breech surface of the gun, which
is ground thereto so as to fit with the greatest accuracy, the rear end
of the block being formed slightly inclined or wedge shaped for the
purpose of fitting and sliding against a fixed inclined surface that will
cause such block when raised to cover the breech to be wedged or
pressed into ridged contact between the breech containing the cartridge
and the fixed inclined surface at its rear, by which means a solid and
effective abutment is formed during the time the cartridge is exploding.
The said block is actuated so as to rise and lower in the afore-mentioned
slot at the rear of the gun in the manner and for the purpose following:
-The hammer employed for striking the "plunger needle" herein-after
described is constructed of a peculiarly formed lever, the fulcrum of
which is placed a little below and immediately under the front ground
surface of the sliding block forming the abutment at the breech of the
gun, the said fulcrum being supported in the plates forming the vertical
opening or slot in which the block slides. Two strong feather springs
project from underneath the barrel, one of which projects into an
opening in the sliding block beyond its centre, the said spring being
employed for exerting a pressure in the interior of the block that will
keep it constantly bedded against the rear or "breach" end of the gun,
and which when released will raise it so as to form the necessary abut-
ment or resistance at the breech for counteracting the explosion of the
cartridge. The second or lower spring is caused to exert a pressure on

page_text: a bent projecting portion of the hammer lever on the opposite side of
its fulcrum from the hammer, the pressure of such spring being employed
for raising the hammer when released. The normal position of the
hammer lever when raised after firing and previous to recharging (at
which time the sliding block covers the breech of the gun) leaves the
before-mentioned springs free and uncontrolled, but when it is required
to "recharge" the long end of the hammer lever is pressed down, the
action of which through the medium of a spring link suspended from
the outside central portion of the sliding block, and against which a
lower portion of the hammer lever presses, forces the sliding block down
into its lowest position in the slot so as to expose the breech or cartridge
chamber of the barrel. When the block is in this lowered position, and
in which it is retained by the spring link attached to its outer surface,
the hammer lever is caught by a spring lever catch, the fulcrum of
which is secured to the lower projecting end of the fixed inclined plate,
against which the rear inclined or wedged surface of the block abutment
slides. The upper portion of the block abutment when raised comes
directly in a line with the centre or axis of the gun barrel; this upper
portion is provided with a "plunger needle" that slides in a recess
formed in the block abutment, one end of such recess being provided
with a hole through which the needle slides equal in diameter to such
needle, the opposite or rear end being provided with a valve that
prevents the escape of gas at the time of firing. The intermediate space
contains a helical spring that keeps the needle back and out of contact
with the percussion end of the cartridge when not acted upon by the
hammer. The operation of loading and firing the gun, together with
the action of the breech abutment, will now be readily understood. The
upper or striking end of the lever hammer when depressed compresses
the projecting springs actuating the sliding abutment block and also
the hammer when released, which may be effected simultaneously or
separately, as herein-after described. The same depression of the lever
hammer at the same time lowers the abutment block through the
medium of the central spring link, as before described, into its lowest
position, so as to allow a notch in the hammer to be caught by a
spring lever catch attached to the fixed inclined plate forming the
surface against which the rear end of the block abutment slides.
The spring link retaining the block abutment and the lever catches
forming the trigger retaining the hammer are actuated so as to move

page_text: in opposite directions from each other for the purposes of safety in the
following manner:-If it is desired to raise the abutment block before
firing the finger is inserted between the spring link attached to the
block and the lever catch of the hammer, which when this inserted the
finger of the person firing the gun forces the afore-mentioned spring
link in a direction from his person, which immediately releases the abut-
ment block from its detention by the lower projecting portion of the
hammer, at which time the spring actuating such block raises it into
position so as to close in and form a wedged abutment block to the
breech end of the gun barrel or cartridge chamber, the said chamber
having been previously charged or supplied with its projectile and
cartridge, the sliding plunger of the needle at this time being directly
on a line with the explosive percussion of the cartridge; the gun being
now ready for discharge, the lever catch forming the trigger retaining
the hammer is pressed back in a direction towards the person firing,
thereby instantaneously releasing the hammer, which through the spring
afore-mentioned exerting a pressure on the same is caused to strike the
rear projecting end of the plunger needle, so as to forcibly impel it
forwards into contact with the percussion of the cartridge, the concus-
sion of which effects the discharge of the "piece," or, if desired, the
placing of the wedge block abutment at the breech of the cartridge
chamber, and the action of the hammer discharging the piece, as before
described, may be simultaneously effected by pulling back the spring
lever catch retaining the hammer, which at once wedges the breech
abutment into its place at the "rear" of the cartridge chamber, and
releases the hammer, the combined action of which expedites and
facilitates the quick and repeated firing of the gun.
The construction of the cartridge and the peculiarity of its explosion,
forming the second part of my improvements, I will now proceed to
describe.
The cylindrical paper tube forming the outer cover or casing of the
cartridge is equal in diameter to the breech chamber provided in the
barrel to receive such cartridge; the end of the cartridge first inserted
therein is provided with an egg-shaped projectile, a portion or one-half
of its length being embedded or enveloped by a hardened conical piece
of paper or other suitable material surrounded with lubricant, and
fitting the reduced taper bore of the gun; this said hardened com-

page_text: pressible material forms a component part of a similar material that
forms the closing in or end of the cartridge that is equal in diameter to
the increased diameter of the cartridge chamber, thus forming a shoulder
or "set-off" that beds against the shamphered "shoulder" in the gun
barrel formed by the difference in the diameter of the bore of the cart-
ridge chamber and the barrel of the gun. The egg-shaped projectile (the
rear portion of which is surrounded with hardened paper and lubricant
is of a diameter that fits the reduced bore of the barrel of the gun. The
cartridge is provided with an axis of metal wire, one end of which is
inserted in the hardened compressible material forming the front end of
the cartridge, the opposite or "rear" end of which is recessed so as to
form a small inverted cap, into which is placed the percussion explosive
material, the rear end of the cartridge being perforated so as to form
thoroughfares leading to the powder contained in the cartridge; thus
when the needle plunger is impelled forward, as hercin-before described,
it pierces the paper or other covering, and comes into concussion with
the explosive percussion, which igniting the powder causes the dis-
charge of the gun; but in order to obtain the maximum power or
pressure of the powder when ignited for expelling the projectile the
explosive gases are for an instant retained until their accumulated
power has force enough to compress the hardened paper abutting against
the shoulder in the barrel to a reduced diameter that will fit the bore of
the barrel; so soon as this is done the projectile is expelled with the
utmost accumulated force of the powder, the high pressure of which
expels the projectile with the greatest possible force.
In the case of "rifled breech-loaders" the same cartridge may be
used with the greatest effect, as the compression of the hardened com-
pressible material of the cartridge forms a mould that at once adopts
itself to the rifle of the gun without being previously shaped and
prepared.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Godfrey Anthony Ermen in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 5th October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GODFREY
ANTHONY ERMEN, of Ecclos, in the County of Lancaster, send
greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Godfrey Anthony Ermen, Her
special license that I, the said Godfrey Anthony Ermen, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Anthony
Ermen, 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-ARMB AND CARTRIDGES RELATING
THERETO," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Godfrey
Anthony Ermen 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 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 Godfrey Anthony Ermen, 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 and accompanying Drawings:-
The Invention relates to that class of guns known as "breech-
loaders," and is designed for the purpose of effecting various improve-
ments therein and also in the projectiles to be used therewith that will
combine efficieny of action with simplicity of loading and firing.
The improvements in the breech relate, first, to the cartridge chamber
of the gun; and, secondly, to the breech mechanism.
The former of these improvements consists in constructing the cart-
ridge chamber of a bore slightly tapered and of larger diameter than the
remaining bore of the gun barrel; the difference in their diameters at
their point of junction form an angular shoulder of about 45°, and
against which the front part of the cartridge abuts when inserted
therein preparatory to firing.
The latter or second improvement, relating to the breech mechanism,
consists of a sliding wedged shape block inserted in a slot formed by

page_text: two plates or arms projecting from the rear of the gun barrel, their
extremities being connected to the gun stock. The front surface of this
block abutting against the breech plate of the gun is ground thereto so
as to fit and slide against the same with the greatest accuracy, the rear
end being formed slightly inclined or wedge shape, so that when the
block is raised so as to cover the breech it will be wedged or pressed
into perfect contact therewith.
The wedged breech block is actuated to rise and fall in the opening
or slot at the breech of the gun by an arrangement of mechanism
the construction and action of which may be thus described. The
hammer employed for striking the plunger needle contained in the
upper portion of the breech block (the construction and action of which
is more particularly described hereafter) is constructed of a peculiarly
formed lever, the fulcrum of which is situated on the framing of the
gun immediately under the breech. A projection on the lever when
being forced down presses upon a set-off or stud forming a portion of
a V spring that is inserted in a recess formed in the breech block, and
connected thereto by means of catches, so that as such spring is forced
down by the lever hammer it withdraws the breech block into its lowest
position so as to expose the cartridge chamber, where it is finally caught
and retained by means of a catch formed on a second V spring situated
in a recess of the hammer, and connected thereto in a manner similar
to the V spring of the breech block before described; the said catch on
the V spring of the hammer when lowered is caught by a projection
formed on the lower or closing in frame of the vertical slot containing
the breech block, and which is connected to the gun by the pin forming
the fulcrum of the hammer lever. The said hammer at its fulcrum
has an eccentric formation which at the time of its being lowered
depresses a strong blade spring, which is a bent continuation of the
said lower closing in frame and also a shield for projecting the springs
of the breech block and hammer when in their lowest position. This
lower closing in frame contains a strong bent spring that is arranged so
as to exert a pressure on a lever projecting from the fulcrum of the
hammer lever, the opposite extremity of which through the medium of
the bent spring is kept in forcible contact with the rear under side of
the breech block, so that when the breech is lowered by the depression
of the hammer as before described the lever and spring of the breech
block, and also the spring acting upon the eccentric formation of the

page_text: hammer at its fulcrum, are fully compressed and exerting their
maximum amount of force upon their respective parts (viz.), the breech
block and the hammer, and in which state they are maintained so long
as the V catch of the hammer is retained under the projection of the
lower frame and the catch of the breech block retained under the
lower projection of the hammer. If it is desired after inserting the
cartridge to raise the block into position, so as to form a protection and
abutment to the cartridge, the catch of the V breech spring is forced
forward beyond the lower projection of the hammer, which becoming
thereby released is at once raised through the medium of the spring
and lever in the lower closing in frame, so as to assume its wedge
position at the breech of the gun, but on the other hand, if it is desired
to fire off the piece at once after placing in the cartridge the V spring of
the hammer is withdrawn from its retaining catch, the effect of which
releases both the hammer and breech block, which are at once thrown
upwards by their respective springs, so that the placing of the block at
the breech and the firing of the gun take place simultaneously. The
explosion of the cartridge is effected in the following manner :-At the
time the spring and lever actuating the breech block raises it into
position, so as to close in and form a wedge abutment to the breech
end of the gun or cartridge chamber, the sliding plunger or needle
contained within the upper portion of the said block is on a line with
the axes of the gun barrel, and which when in its normal position is
kept clear of the breech by means of a coiled or helical spring exerting
a pressure upon a projecting portion of the same above the needle in
the interior of the block, which causes such needle at the rear to project
outward from the breech piece, so that when the V spring of the
hammer is released the pressure exerted by the lower afore-mentioned
spring upon its eccentric formation at its fulcrum causes it to strike the
projecting end of the plunger needle, and so impell it forceably forward
into contact with the percussion of the cartridge, the concussion of
which effects the discharge of the piece. The lower closing in frame of
the slot containing the breech block is connected to the gun by the
pin forming the fulcrum of the hammer lever, and is constructed with
a bent lower blade spring, which is for giving motion to the hammer
as before described, and also for exerting a pressure upon a curved
back plate secured to the gun stock, against which it beds and retains
the lower closing in frame in position at the time the gun is in use;
but if it is desired to withdraw the breech and its mechanism for

page_text: cleaning, or for any other purpose, this lower frame is displaced by
pulling it out of contact with the back curved plate against which it
passes so as to allow it to hang by its swivel pin, at which time the
lower or wide portion of the wedge shape slot is exposed and the breech
readily withdrawn.
The construction of the cartridge and the peculiarity of its explosion,
forming the second part of my improvements, I will now proceed to
describe.
The cylindrical paper tube forming the outer cover or casing of the
cartridge is made to fit the cartridge chamber of the gun for which
it is designed; the end of the cartridge first inserted is provided
with an egg-shaped projectile, a portion or one-half of its length being
embedded or enveloped by a hardened conical piece of paper or other
suitable material surrounded with lubricant and fitting the reduced taper
bore of the gun; this said hardened compressible material forms a
component part of a similar material that forms the closing in or end
of the cartridge that is equal in diameter to the increased diameter of
the cartridge chamber, thus forming a shoulder or set-off that beds
against the "champered" shoulder in the gun barrel formed by the
difference in the diameter of the bore of the cartridge chamber and the
barrel of the gun. The egg-shaped projectile, the rear portion of which
is surrounded with hardened paper and lubricant, is of a diameter that
fits the reduced diameter or barrel of the gun. The cartridge is provided
with an axis of metal wire, one end of which is inserted in the hardened
impressable material forming the front end of the cartridge, the
opposite or rear end of which is recessed so as to form a small inverted
cap into which is placed the percussion explosive material, the rear end
of the cartridge being then covered in with paper, rubber, or other
suitable material, the cap containing the precussion being perforated so
as to form thoroughfares leading to the powder contained in the
cartridge; thus when the needle plunger is impelled forward as herein-
before described it pierces the paper or other covering and comes into
concussion with the explosive percussion, which igniting the powder
causes the discharge of the gun; but in order to obtain the maximum
power or pressure of the powder when ignited for expelling the projectile,
the explosive gasses are for an instant retained until their accumulated
power has force enough to compress the hardened paper abutting
against the shoulder in the barrel to a reduced diameter that will fit

page_text: the bore of the barrel; so soon as this is done the projectile is expelled
with the utmost accumulated force of the powder, the high pressure of
which expells the projectile with the greatest possible force. In the
case of "rifle breach-loaders" the same cartridge may be used with the
greatest effect, as the compression of the hardened compressable material
of the cartridge forms a mold that at once adapts itself to the rifle of
the gun without being previously shaped and prepared.
In order that the Invention may be better understood and explained
in detail I have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings, made about full
size, and having similar letters of reference marked upon corresponding
parts upon all the Figures alike.
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of the gun and breach
block shewing the different diameters of the cartridge chamber and
bore of the barrel, and also the mechanism actuating the breech
together with the position and arrangement of the needle employed
for exploding the cartridge. This view shews the breech block raised
into its wedged position when forming an abutment to the breech of
the cartridge chamber, the hammer being also released but prevented
coming into contact with the needle, in which position it is maintained
when being carried or until required for firing.
Figure 2 represents a similar section to the last, with the exception
that the hammer is shewn in its lowest position, the detaining stud
being reversed, leaving the mechanism of the breech in a position ready
for firing on the release of the hammer.
Figure 3 represents the breech block and hammer in their lowest
position as they would appear at the time of charging the gun.
Figure 4 represents a transverse section of the same through the
line A, B.
Figure 5 represents a longitudinal section of the gun shewing the
position of the breech mechanism at the time of firing.
Figure 6 represents a plan view of the breech block and mechanism
with the hammer shewn in its lowest position.
Figure 7 represents a plan section of the lower closing in picce
containing the springs actuating the breech block and hammer.
Figure 8 represents an elevational half size view of the breech and
gun stock in a position ready for firing, the lower closing in picce being

page_text: shown in dots as it would appear when lowered for the purpose of
exposing the slot containing the breech block, leaving the same free for
removal.
Figure 9 represents a longitudinal section of the improved cartridge.
In the foregoing Figures, a, a, represents the framing and stock of the
gun, 6 the barrel, and c the cartridge chamber, which is larger in diameter
than the barrel b. The angular shoulder forming the junction between
the cartridge chamber and the barrel form an abutment against which
the projectile is detained at the time of explosion, the particulars of
which are hereafter described in connection with Figure 9. d is a
sliding wedge shape block inserted in the slot e formed by the two
projecting plates f,f, which are connected to the gun stock a; the front
surface of the breech block d slides against the breech surface e of
the gun, the edge of which is provided with a knife or projecting edge
that keeps the surfaces of contact between the gun and the breech
block free from dirt or extraneous matter. The rear end of the breech
block d² is slightly inclined or wedged shape, the formation of which
allows the block when being raised or lowered to move without
frictional contact until it is finally raised, at which time it becomes
wedged into its seating so as to form a rigid resistance at the breech
at the time of exploding the cartridge.
The action of placing and displacing the breech is accomplished by
the following arrangement of mechanism:-The hammer g employed
for striking the plunger needle h is a lever of peculiar formation
having its fulcrum i situated on the gun or frame slightly in advance
and under the breech. This lever g is provided with a swell or
projection k, which when the hammer is being forced down presses
upon the projection of the V spring m connected to the breech
block d, the downward action of which lowers the said block to the
bottom of the slot e, thereby leaving exposed the cartridge chamber c,
as seen in Figure 3). When in this lowered position the catch n of the
V spring o connected to the hammer g is caught by the projection p
formed on the lower or closing in frame q of the vertical slot e; at this time
both the hammer g and block d are in their lowest position, the position
of the breech block being maintained by reason of the projection on the
lever pressing upon the projection of the V spring m of the breech
block. The hammer lever g at its fulcrum has an eccentric formation r,
which at the time of its being lowered depresscs the strong blade

page_text: 8
springs, which is a bent continuation of the lower closing in frame 9; it
also forms a shield for the projecting ends of the V springs m and o
when lowered. The lower closing in frame q contains a strong spring t
that is employed for exerting a pressure on the lever u projecting from
the fulcrum i; the opposite end of the lever is caused through the
medium of the spring t to exert a pressure upon the under side of the
breech block d, so that when the breech block is lowered by the depression
of the hammer g, as before described, the lever and spring t of the
block, and also the spring acting upon the eccentric formation r of the
hammer, are fully compressed and exerting their maximum amount of
force on their respective parts, in which state they are kept so long as
the catch n on the spring o of the hammer is retained under the
projection p of the lower closing in frame q. If after placing in the
cartridge it is desired to raise the breech block so as to cover the breech,
the V spring m is forced forward so as to allow its catch to slip beyond
the projection % of the hammer, the action of which releases the block
from detention, thereby allowing the spring to force it through the
medium of the lever u into its highest or wedged position in the slot e;
but if it is desired to fire the gun at once after charging when the breach
and hammer are in their lowest position (as seen in Fig. 3), it is only
necessary to draw back the V spring o into the position shewn in dots.;
it becoming thereby released from detention at once effects the simul-
taneous placing of the block at the breach and the explosion of the cart-
ridge. The explosion of the cartridge is effected in the following manner
(see Fig. 5)-When the block d is in position so as to close in and
forme a wedged abutment to the breech end of the gun the sliding plunger
or needle is on a line with the axes of the gun barrel, and which when
in its normal position is kept clear of the breech and caused to protrude
at the rear (see Fig. 1) by means of the coiled spring exerting a
pressure upon the projection o¹ of the needle placed in a recess of the
breech block above the needle, so that when the hammer is released as
before described it is forcibly thrown upwards by reason of the spring s
exerting a pressure upon its eccentric formation, and is caused forcibly
to strike the protruding end of the needle h, which impells it forward into
contact with the percussion of the cartridge, the concussion of which
effects the discharge of the gun. The lower closing in frame q is
connected to the gun by the pin i forming the fulcrum of the hammer
lever, and is constructed with a bent lower blade spring 8, which is

page_text: employed for giving motion to the hammer as before described, and also
for exerting a pressure upon the curved back plate wo secured to the gun
stock a, and against which the curved blade spring 8 is forced, so as to
lic in contact therewith during the time the gun is in use, but when it
is desired to withdraw the breech mechanism for the purposes of cleaning,
the springs and back plate w are drawn out of contact, which leaves the
lower frame in a suspended position, as shewn in dots, Fig. 8, in which
position the slot is exposed, and the breech block and mechanism readily
withdrawn. When it is desired after charging the gun and replacing the
breech block to retain the hammer or trigger in a safe position, the
swivel stud x is turned by means of the thumb piece y into the position
shewn in Figure 1; but when it is desired to fire the gun the trigger or
hammer is drawn back and the swivel stud x reversed, as seen in Fig. 3,
at which time the gun is ready to be discharged. The packing piece z
through which the needle h slides in the upper portion of the breech
block d prevents any escape of the explosive gasses getting into the
breech mechanism.
Fig. 9 represents the peculiar description of cartridge which forms the
second part of my improvement, and in which A is the cylindrical paper
tube forming the outer casing of the cartridge; B is the projectile,
a portion or one-half its length being embedded in the hardened
compressible material C and lubricant which forms the closing in of one
end of the cartridge, which abuts, when inserted in the cartridge chamber
of the gun, against the shoulder formed by the difference in the diameter
of the bore of the cartridge chamber and the barrel of the gun; D is a
central piece of wire, the rear end being recessed so as to form a cap or
receptacle for containing the fulminating powder, over which and the
rear end of this cartridge is closed in with paper or rubber, so that when
the needle is impelled forward it pierces the paper or other covering
and explodes the cartridge, which is retained in the cartridge chamber
until the accumulated power of the exploded gasses have force enough to
compress the hardened compressable material C into the reduced diameter
of the barrel, the effect of which expels the projectile from the gun with
the highest pressure the power can attain.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, together with
the method of carrying the same into practical effect, I wish it to be

page_text: First. The novel and peculiar construction of the cartridge chamber of
the gun, as shewn and described.
Secondly. I claim the novel construction and adaptation to the breech
of the gun of a wedged shape block and mechanism for actuating the
same, in the manner and for the purpose as herein-before described, set
forth, and fully illustrated in the Drawings attached.
And, lastly. I claim the adaptation to my improved construction of
cartridge chamber of the novel construction and arrangement of cartridge,
as shewn and described in Fig. 9 of the Drawings, together with
the several parts forming these improvements, or any slight modification
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Godfrey Anthony Ermen, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-nine.
GODFREY ANTHONY ERMEN. (L.s.)
Witness to the signature of
Godfrey Anthony Ermen,
THOMAS WRIGLEY,
Agent to the Petitioner,
India Buildings,
Manchester.