IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARME
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Wyley. of Allsop's Place, Regent's Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Geological Surveyor, for the Invention of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Wyley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
October 1861.
I, ANDREW WYLEY, of Allsop's Place, Regent's Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Geological Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARME." to be as follows:-
My improved fire-arm is a self-cocking, self-capping breech-loader, (but
may be cocked or capped by hand). It is provided with improved sights and
improved means of attaching the barrel to the stock, and an improved cleaning
ramrod and sling attachment. The breech is of cylindrical shape usually with
a more or less expanding or elastic tubular lip for better closing the junction
with the barrel. The breech is hollow to contain the charge wholly or partially.
The nipple is placed centrally in the rear end, and may be screwed from inside.
This breech slides to and fro in a long breech case attached to the barrel at
one end, and to a false breech or abutment at the other. It is locked to the
barrel, by a quarter turn of a lever or handle, and projecting lugs or segments
of screw threads (on opposite sides of the breech) lock into corresponding
threads or recesses cut in the inside of the breech case. It may be locked by
a single projection, as in Kufahl's needle gun.
Price 8d.1

page_text: The breech case proper, is quite open above, and for the most part below
also, thus consisting of two parallel straps of rectangular section, except that
the inside of each is hollowed out to fit the cylindrical breech and allow it to
slide back and forwards, the locking projections or screw threads on the latter
then running freely in the open spaces between the check straps. The part of
the stock between the above checks is hollowed out to a proper shape to allow
the breech projections to pass, and thus serves as bottom to the breech case,
but it is advisable to use a sheathing or casing of metal over this, which sheath-
ing may be attached either to the stock or breech case, and can be made to
serve the double purpose of stopping the breech at the quarter turn when
unlocked, and steadying it in its backward motion in the breech case.
The straps of the breech case are attached directly to the barrel or to a
collar piece into which the barrel is screwed. The collar piece may be made
flush with the barrel on the upper part, so that breech, collar, and barrel appear
here as one continuous cylinder, leaving a clear view along the barrel.
The cheeks may be rounded externally, but I prefer them to be flat so as
to be flush with the wood of the stock.
The lock is placed below the breech case in the middle of the stock; the
cock or hammer works on a round pin placed as low as possible nearly under-
neath the nipple, and strikes upwards and forwards through a vertical slot.
The mainspring acts on the heel of the cock, the head of which is for the most
part a segment of a fly wheel, with the outer circumference of which by pre-
ference a detent attached to the trigger engages either directly or by means of
a connecting rod.
The striking face of the cock forms a somewhat acute angle on the lower
part, and slopes off upwards and backwards into a slightly curved thumb
piece, which serves for cocking or uncocking by hand. When the
breech is unlocked by a quarter turn of the lever and forcibly drawn
back in the breech case, it pushes back the cock sliding over the in-
clined face of the latter, which is forced back so far as to allow the
trigger detent to come into action, and hold it at full cock. The same
motion brings the nipple into a cap which has already been brought into
the best position for the nipple to enter. A hole is bored quite through
the wood of the stock, extending from the butt plate to the rear of the false
breech.
This hole receives the priming or cap tube containing a supply of caps,
which are pushed forward by a spiral spring. The tube either passes quite
-through-the false breech or enters it some way, and abuts against a slight
shoulder, the cap opening being continued as far as is required in the false
1

page_text: breech. In one form or arrangement the tube may remain fixed in the stock,
the caps being supplied from the front. They may be dropped succes-
sively down the tube or be poured down it from a store tube or tubes
carried separately or in the stock of the gun. The forcing spring is held
back by a cord passing out through the rear end of the tube near the butt
plate. Access to the cord may be obtained by opening a circular trap in
the stock, but the latter may be dispensed with, the cord being wound up
on a small pulley or drum, the handle for turning which acts outside the
stock. The caps may be made up into a rouleau in a tube of thin paper
attached to the outside of the former by gum shellac or other suitable cement,
and the leading cap may be detached from the others by breaking through the
paper tube at the junction, carrying with it its paper coating.
stock to be
In this case
In another arrangement the priming tube is removed from the
filled with caps, being drawn through a hole in the butt plate.
the arrangement is somewhat different. A pin is made to project from a small
piston or driver through which the spring acts on the caps, and works freely
in a long slot in the cap tube. When the spring is bent by hand to its full
extent or nearly so by means of this projecting pin, this last is turned round
into a transverse or bayonet slot, and holds the spring back while the caps
are being dropped or poured in at the mouth of the tube. A groove is made
along one side of the hole in the stock in which the cap tube is placed. When
the charged tube is passed steadily up the stock, the head of the projecting
pin above alluded to travels freely in the groove. When the tube is home
in its place it is turned partially round, and as the pin is caught in the groove
and cannot turn along with it, it is brought out of the transverse slot, and
opposite the longitudinal one, and the spring is then free to act on the caps.
The tube is turned by a flat spring projecting laterally from its rear end, and
simultaneously locked by means of a projection, which now is brought round
The spring then falls into a groove
so as to engage with the butt plate.
so as to be nearly flush with the stock, and holds the cap tube securely in
its place. By raising the spring out of the groove and turning the tube
round so as to free the locking projection, the tube may be readily withdrawn.
The caps must in succession be brought from their inclined position at the end
This may be
of the cap tube into the best position for the nipple to enter.
done in several ways; for instance, a hole is bored transversely across the
front part of the false breech, and in this a small cylinder turns freely.
hole or cavity is made in the centre of the cylinder at right angles to its length
and deep enough to contain a single cap. When the cylinder is in its usual
position, this hole is exactly opposite to the front end of the cap tube.
A
The

page_text: leading cap will be forced in by the spiral spring bottom forwards. When the
cylinder is turned round it carries the cap round with it, and finally places the
cap so that the nipple can enter it and carry it off. Motion is communicated
to the cylinder by means of a small rack working below it, and gearing into
a pinion on the left-hand extremity of the former. The rack projects some
way in front of the false breech, so that when the breech is drawn back from
the barrel its rear end forces back the rack, thereby rotating the cylinder, and
bringing the cap from opposite the priming tube in a reversed position to
opposite the nipple. When the breech is pushed forward in the breech case,
carrying with it the cap, the rack is forced out after it by a spiral spring
in the rear of the false breech, and brings the cap cavity in the cylinder once
more opposite the priming tube, when a fresh cap is pushed in.
In another method of priming, the leading cap is simply pulled down from
its inclined position at the end of the priming tube, and is brought up exactly
opposite the nipple by means of a carrier. If made somewhat larger than
the half circle, the carrier may travel on the cylindrical surface, and revolve on
it as an axis. If more than one-half this ring is cut away a different axis is
provided. In order that this axis may not interfere with the priming tube, and
also with a view to its easy detachment from the false breech, it is placed on
one side of the latter, and is connected with the carrier ring by a peculiar crank
shaped piece. To the angle of this crank-shaped piece which hangs below the
lateral plug or axis of motion of the carrier, a wire is linked, and is capable
of moving freely under the adjoining check of the breech case in a recess
provided for it. The fore end of the wire is bent at right angles, and projects
so as to be caught by the shoulder of the breech cylinder when the latter is
pushed home for locking. The crank is thus pulled forwards, and the carrier
attached to it is moved over the cylindrical surface so as to bring the cap
opening in the carrier opposite the priming tube to receive a fresh cap. As
the cap opening is quite open in front it is closed by a cover to prevent the
caps being shot out. This cover can be moved out of its place to allow
access in the filling the priming tube with caps. On drawing back the breech
from the barrel the wire is disengaged, and the carrier with its cap is then
brought down opposite the nipple. The action of the parts is as follows:-
After firing, the breech handle or lever is smartly struck up by the hand, and
the breech is then drawn back over the cock, and the nipple is forced into a
cap prepared for it. It should be understood that the upper curved portion
of the inside of the checks of the breech case is cut away so that when the
breech is stopped by coming against the false breech, the continued pressure
of the hand on the lever may tilt the breech at the fore end, so that it may be

page_text: conveniently loaded either with a cartridge or with a loose charge. When
the breech is sufficiently tilted it is stopped by projections on the interior of
the breech case. These projections may be made moveable to admit of the
brecch being readily withdrawn for cleaning the parts exposed to the cap
flask. Should the caps run out or the priming apparatus get out of order, the
caps may be applied by hand in the ordinary manner. When the breech is
loaded a slight pressure of the hand brings it again into line with the axis
of the barrel, it is shoved forward and locked for firing. If not immediately
required for firing the breech may be partially locked, and a spring made to
retain it in this position. It is then perfectly safe as the hammer cannot fall
on the cap. In this case no half cock is required. The ordinary sights may be
used with the above fire-arm, but I prefer the following arrangement:-The back
sight consists of two parallel legs, distant about the width of the barrel, and con-
nected at the top by a cross piece. It slides up and down in two parallel holes
in the fore part of the side straps. These holes are continued downwards
through the wood of the stock or the metal framing substituted for the same,
so that the crosshead and a small part of the legs are alone exposed when the
sight is pressed close down upon the barrel; the sight is then at the proper
elevation for 100 yards. On one leg the distance scale is marked, on the other
may be marked a scale for projectiles, which may be occasionally used, and
which have a trajectory different from from those commonly employed, such as
round bullets, shells, &c. The above sight can be retained at any elevation
by a pinching screw or a spring pressing against one of the legs, and lateral or
transverse motion may, if required, be given to the sight leaf on the crosshead.
The line commonly inlaid in the leaf I prefer of platinum, but a white ena-
melled line may be substituted. A spirit level may be temporarily attached to
this sight by spring clips sliding over the legs. The ordinary fore sight is made
more visible against a dark object by inserting a plate of white enamel. Sup-
plementary sights with a larger surface of enamel may be made temporarily
attachable to the ordinary sights. The use of enamel employed as above may
be advantageously extended to fire-arms of all sorts; it is also applicable to
ordnance.
I sometimes attach the fore sight to the end of a spring blade protected by
a fixed shield.
The sight in its undisturbed state projects above the highest end of the above
shield guard, so as to be distinctly visible, but on the application of force from
above or from the front, the sight will be pressed into the cover. The retrac-
tile fore sight is applicable not only to fire-arms of the special construction
already referred to, but to all rifles, muskets, or pistols where the back sight is

page_text: not required to be flush with the barrel; an extra back sight, graduated up to
two thousand yards or more, may be used. It is interchangeable with the
ordinary sight, the one not in use being conveniently carried in holes or grooves
in the fore end of the stock, in which both are made to fit. When firing lying
flat on the ground, this extra sight can be used as a rest. A small sight for
point blank or for fifty yards distance may be usefully placed in advance or
rear of the principal sight.
In attaching the barrel to the stock I provide for tightening up and for un-
equal expansion, as follows:-A deep longitudinal groove is sunk in the middle
of the hollow part of the stock; the sides of the stock can thus be made to
approach each other, and tightened to the barrel by screw pins passing through
loops dovetailed or soldered to the lower part of the barrel. The holes in the
loops are made slightly oblong as they approach the muzzle, so as to allow
a certain amount of play.
The ramrod may be carried in the lower part of the groove, which may be
widened for its reception. The ramrod which is used as a cleaning rod has
a long cylindrical head, somewhat smaller than the bore. A number of deep
grooves are turned on the cylinder, and rings of vulcanized india-rubber are
sprung into the grooves, and project somewhat beyond the cylinder, so as to
leave spaces between to catch the fouling. A lap or rag may be used round
the above. In some cases it will be desirable to make the ramrod head of the
usual shape, the other end being made to screw into a cleaning head con-
structed as above and carried in the wood of the stock. The above cleaning
ramrod may be applied to all fire-arms.
The scroll or steadying piece frequently attached to rifles behind the trigger
guard construct strongly, with a view to its affording an effective bearing for
the swivel pin or other attachment of the sling, and attach it therefore more
strongly to the stock than usual.
In the case of sporting rifles the swivel pin may pass through a hole bored
transversely across its projecting extremity. In military rifles a slot is cut
along its middle, so as to allow of the swivel pin travelling from its projecting
extremity up close to the stock; a space being cut out of the rear end of the
sling to allow the trigger guard to pass through, the sling may be drawn tight,
and will be pretty close to the lower part of the stock.
Instead of a hammer or cock actuated by a mainspring, I sometimes employ
a straight piston or striker. This piston is forced forward by a spiral spring,
The nipple in this case should project, not from the centre of the rear of the
breech, but from its lower edge. The nipple may be made of elbow form. The
striker is placed opposite the nipple, and works back and forward in a hole in

page_text: the lower part of the false breech. A pillar projects from the bottom of the
false breech through the stock and trigger plate, and in a slot in this pillar the
sear and sear spring works. The trigger acis directly on the sear or through
a small connecting rod. The scar engages in notches cut in the lower surface
of the striker. When the breech is turned a quarter round in unlocking, the
nipple is brought to the middle of the inside surface of the right-hand check of
the breech case, which is partly cut away to free the exploded cap, and main-
tains this relative position when being drawn back till it enters the cap. The
cap carrier, priming tube, &c. must, in this arrangement, be placed consider-
ably to the right of their former position in the middle line of the stock. When
the breech is drawn back, it forces back the piston or striker to full cock, and
then it tilts it out of the line of the barrel as before. A thumb-piece is
attached to the front of the striker to admit of uncocking and cocking by hand.
In certain cases the striker may be made hollow, so as partially to contain the
spiral spring.
By using a short cap tube it will be quite possible to construct pistols on
the foregoing principles, though the latter are more applicable to the construc-
tion of long-stocked firc-arms.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Andrew Wyley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
April 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANDREW
WYLEY, of Allsop's Place, Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex, Geological
Surveyor, 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 sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Andrew Wyley, Her special license that I, the said Andrew Wyley,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Andrew
Wyley, 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, usc, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-
ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Andrew Wyley,

page_text: by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertained 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 Andrew Wyley, do hereby declare the
nature of my 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, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures (marked thereon (that is to say):
My Invention is mainly applicable to fire-arms, in which the charge is
deposited wholly or partially within the chamber of a moveable breech, which
is locked to the barrel for firing by means of segments of screw threads, but
some of the improvements are applicable to other descriptions of fire-arms.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings is represented the breech action,.
priming apparatus, lock, and back sight of my improved fire-arm in one of its
simplest forms. Fig. 1 is a section, taken vertically through the middle line,
the breech being represented in the locked position; Fig. 2 is a side view,
shewn partially in section, of the breech when brought up into the charging
position, the right-hand cheek of the breech case being removed; Fig. 3 is a
sectional plan view of the breech in the locked position; Figures 4 and 5
represent one end of the priming cylinder, with the rack and pinion action.
In Fig. 5 the
In Fig. 4 the rack is shewn as forced back by the breech; the position of
the cap is then in the axis of the barrel, as shewn in Fig. 9.
rack is forced out as far as the adjustable shoulder will permit by the spiral
spring, which is placed in a slightly inclined hole in the stock. The cap is
then in the position shewn in Fig. 10, having just entered from the priming
tube. The cylinder is slightly cut away on the lower edge of the cap opening,
to prevent its catching on the second cap when turned round. Fig. 6 is a
section, taken immediately in front of the false breech; Fig. 7 is a section.
taken immediately in the rear of the breech in the locked position; Fig. 8
shews the same when unlocked, the parts being slightly modified. The breech B
and parts adjoining are so constructed that (the breech being unlocked) by
a simple continuance of the motion, whereby the breech is withdrawn from the
barrel, the fire-arm will be cocked, a cap placed upon the nipple N, and the
breech B tilted into an inclined position, so as to be readily loaded with a
cartridge or with a loose charge. This being done, the above motions are
reversed and the breech locked, and the piece will then be ready for firing.
The breech B is of cylindrical form, usually of the same external diameter as

page_text: the rear of the barrel, the chamber being somewhat larger than the bore of
the latter. T is provided with a more or less conical tubular lip, which is
made to enter a considerable distance into the barrel or the collar of the
breech case A, into which it is screwed, and serves by its expansion to prevent
the escape of the gases. This lip may form part of the breech piece B, or it
may be screwed into the latter. The breech B with its tubular lip should be
of sufficient length to contain the entire charge, including lubrication or the
powder, and so much of the ball or shot cartridge as will give the breech B
sufficient hold of the same to carry it into the barrel. The breech B is turned
by the lever L, which may project at right angles. or be bent down so as to lie
close to the stock. It is driven into a hole formed excentrically across the
rear end of the breech, while the screwed part of the nipple N acis as a key
to keep it in its place. This breech B slides back and forward in a long breech
case A. attached at one end to the barrel, and at the other to an abutment or
false breech D. This breech case A, in its simplest form, consists of two
parallel straps or cheeks a, of rectangular section, except so far that they are
hollowed out on the inside to fit. the cylindrical breech B. This curved part
should in each case be a quarter of the circle. They are connected at their fore
part by a collar, into which the barrel is screwed, or they may be united directly
to the barrel by welding or brazing. which method is preferred for shot guns.
They are attached behind to the false breech by screw pins e. e, which admit
of the barrel and breech case being readily removed from the stock. In most
cases shoulders or flanges are left on the false breech D, for the breech case A
io abut against. The collar of the breech case A may project above the barrel,
as in Sheet II. Fig. 1. or it may be cut away above, or above and below, so
as to be flush with the barrel and breech, as in Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet [.
Screw threads are cut on the inner curves of the breech case A. from near the
middle to within a short distance of the collar or barrel. Corresponding screw
threads are left projecting on opposite sides of the breech B, which lock into
these and force the breech up to the barrel. When the breech is unlocked the
screws are disengaged by turning the lever L through a quarter of a circle,
and the breech B is then free to slide back into the uncrewed part of the
breech case A, the projecting screw threads occupying the open spaces between
the cheeks of the latter. The wood of the stock is hollowed out to allow
the projecting screw to pass freely, as seen in the section. Fig. 7; but it is
advisable to protect the wood by a metal casing U, which may be attached to
the stock or to the breech case A, forming a bottom to the latter, as in Fig. 7.
Sheet I., or the side straps a, a, of the breech case A and bottom may be
formed out of one piece of metal, as shewn in section in Fig. 8, Sheet T.

page_text: is mane separately. It is constructed of the section
represented in Fig. 7, Sheet I.. having a curved channel, in which the pro-
jecting screw threads can steadily travel: but in order that the above screw
threads may enter this channel u. so much of that angle which would interfere
with their passage is cut away, as represented roughly in perspective in Fig. 15,
Sheet II. The angle opposite is allowed to remain, and serves as a stop to
the projecting screw threads when the breech has been fully unlocked. A
small projection on the lever L, shewn in Fig. 8, may be made to serve the
same purpose by coming in contact with the upper surface of the left-hand
cheek of the breech case A, when the lever is in the upright position there
shewn. Or a projection placed on the under side of the breech at its rear end,
and nearly opposite the lever, may be made to serve the same purpose. When
the breech is locked it passes into a recess in the left-hand cheek.
Fig. shews a modification of the lever L. A stop is also required to
prevent the breech from overshooting the screw of the breech case when it is
pushed up towards the barrel. For this purpose a curved piece f. Figures 1
and 2, Sheet I., and Fig. 15, Sheet I., is fixed to the bottom of the breech
case A close to the collar, and its edge is sloped off so as to fit the leading
screw thread of the breech. In some constructions, as that shewn in Fig. 1,
Sheet H., this stop is not required, one of the threads of the breech case screw
serving the same purpose. The false breech D is firmly secured to the stock
by a screw pin passing up through the trigger plate. Sometimes it is desirable
to unite the trigger plate with the tang of the false breech D, and as a screw
passing through both would interfere with the priming tube T, about to be
described, the following plan is adopted: A thick metal plug n, shewn a!
Fig. 2, Sheet II., is screwed or driven into the upper part of the bend of the
stock. A hole is formed in it transversely, through which the priming tube
passes. A screw from the tang takes into the upper part of the plug n, and
one from the trigger plate or guard into the lower. If a slotted tube is used,
a passage is cut for the pin head d¹ to pass. The barrel is attached to the
stock by bands or loops, or by an arrangement hereafter to be described.
In addition, a screw may be made to pass upwards from the lower side of
the stock, and engage in a projection or small lump left on the under side
of the barrel, as seen in Fig. 1, Sheet I. This will be found useful in unscrew-
ing the barrel from the breech case. If a cleaning rod is used, it may pass
through a hole in this lump above where the screw engages, as seen in Fig. 1.
Sheet II. The false breech D has several duties to perform; it not only
serves as an abutment for the recoil, but it is made to carry the self-priming
apparatus, and in one arrangement it carries the principal parts of the lock;

page_text: It is also made to afford a suitable centre or bearing for the breech B wach
the latter is tilted up for charging: for this reason its fore part is made of a
rounded shape, or a projection in the form of a half cylinder F, but somewhat
larger, extending horizontally across it. A groove G. corresponding to this, is
formed in the rear end of the breech, and when the two come in contact they
form a hinge on which the breech B turns when brought to the charging
position, as shown in Fig. 2. Sheet I. In order to permit of the breech B
rising out of the breech case A, the upper inside curved portion of the cheeks
or sides of the latter is cut away so as to present a flat surface. When the
breech B has been sufficiently elevated for loading it is stopped by two pins
or studs H, Fig. 3, projecting from the side straps a, a. Grooves, Fig. 2,
are cut in the breech B, which allow it to clear the ends of the pins H until
it has reached the charging position. In one construction of the arm, these
pins I also serve to prevent the rear end of the breech B from rising when
passing over the hammer or cock C. In this case small rollers may be
placed on the ends of the pins to prevent their wearing unevenly. The pins H
may be attached to blade springs, as shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 1, Sheet II.,
to retain the breech B in the loading position, but friction and the spring of
the breech case A is itself quite sufficient. The lock is placed in a vertical
slot, passing through the middle of the stock and bottom of the breech case A.
In one form, as shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet I., the several parts are attached to
a continuation of the trigger plate M. The cock C strikes upwards and
forwards, and the nipple N projects from the centre of the rear end of the
breech B it is usually made in the form of a common wood screw, and is
screwed from the inside. A small cartridge piercer of steel or platinum may
project from the head, as shewn at Fig. 11, Sheet I. The communication
being quite straight, and easily cleaned, is made narrower than usual. The
cock C consists of a straight arm carrying a circular-shaped head, forming as
it were a segment of a fly wheel. In any part of this, but, by preference, its
outer circumference, is made a notch or notches, in which a detent, forming
part of the trigger 1, engages. These parts are seen best in Fig. 1, Sheet I.;
or, if preferred, the trigger may be connected to a detent m by a link ke, as in
Fig. 1, Sheet II. If a link k, see Fig. 1, Sheet II., is used, it must be placed
somewhat to one side, so as not to interfere with the opening E, through
which the exploded cap falls. Various methods of fixing the main spring and
trigger spring. which acts as a sear spring, are shown in Figures 12 and 13,
Sheet I. The mainspring acts on the heel of the cock, either directly or by
means of a swivel, as in Fig. 1. Sheet II. Instead of the various parts being
attached to a lock plate M. they may be included in a metal casing M¹

page_text: attached to the breech case A. the stock not extending further than the false
breech D; this is usually made in one piece with the trigger guard. The
mainspring may here be fastened by a small wedge or cotter ", kept in its
place by a screw, instead of the screw shewn in Fig. 1. Sheet I. The cock C
may be mounted upon a piece fixed to the bottom of the breech case A, as in
Fig. 1. Sheet II.. and the mainspring attached to the same, as shewn in the
same Figure, or in any other convenient way: in this case the mainspring is
compressed as in the ordinary lock, in the former construction it is extended.
The fore part of the cock C or hammer head slopes backwards, and is extended
into a curved projection, on which the thumb presses when uncocking or
cocking by hand. The lower angle of this inclined face enters the half-
round groove G in the rear of the breech B when the breech is locked for
firing the cock C is then free to fall upon the cap, but when the breech B
is unlocked, the cock C falls on the more projecting part of the breech B. and
cannot possibly explode the cap. A spring catch may be used to retain the
breech B in the unlocked or partially unlocked state, in which case no half-
cock is required; it may be placed under the bottom of the breech case A,
and a conical stud on its free extremity be made to fall into a shallow conical
hole in the fore end of the breech B. between the shoulder and the first screw
thread, but not so as to present any great obstacle to its being locked or
drawn back. When the breech is unlocked and turned a quarter round, the
lower angle of the cock C slides over it, an inclined surface being formed
upon it for the purpose, and the cock is gradually raised from the nipple N.
The breech being now drawn forcibly back in the breech case A, the cock C
is drawn back along with it until its face is nearly horizontal; the breech B
then slides over it a short way until it is stopped by the false breech D, which
tilts it up ready for loading. As the cock face is considerably inclined, a
small piece is cut out obliquely, so that the base of the cavity may conform to
the face of the nipple N. This cavity should be made just deep enough to
retain the exploded cap until it is forced out by the breech passing over it.
When the cap falls from the nipple N, the gun should be held with the
muzzle elevated, and the cap will be swept away by the backward motion of
the breech B, and falls through a passage E in the stock. The priming or
cap tube T extends quite through the bent part of the stock, and contains a
store of caps, which are pushed forward by a spiral spring. The tube passes
quite through the false breech D. or abuts against a slight shoulder. The
cap opening being continued as far as is required in the false breech D, may
be regarded as part of the tube. In one construction the tube may remain

page_text: the from the spring
cover 1, Fig. 3, Sheet II., being moved to one side as shewn by dotted
lines. They may be made up into a rouleau in a thin paper tube, attached
to their outsides by gum, shellac, or other suitable cement. When the leading
cap is detached, in this case it carries with it its paper coating. During the
filling process the forcing spring is held back by a cord passing out through
the rear end of the tube. Access to this may be had by opening a small
circular trap in the butt plate; or the latter may be dispensed with, the cord
being wound up on a small pulley or drum mounted in a transverse hole in the
stock in advance of the butt plate. It is wound up by a key, and retained by
a spring catch while the tube is being filled.
In another arrangement, the priming tube T. Sheet II., Fig. 1, and Sheet T.,
Fig. 1, is removed from the stock to be filled with caps, being withdrawn
through a hole in the butt plate. In this case a different construction is
adopted; a pin is made to project from a small piston d, see Fig. 1, Sheet L..
through which the spring acts on the caps, and travels freely in a long slot
on one side of the cap tube T. When the tube T is withdrawn, and the
spring is bent (by means of this screw pin) to its full extent, or nearly so,
the latter is turned round into a transverse or bayonet slot, which holds the
spring back while the caps are being passed in at the mouth of the tube T.
A groove is made along one side of the hole in the stock in which the cap
ube T is placed, and a corresponding notch is made in the butt plate. When
the charged tube is passed steadily up the stock, the projecting pin above
alluded to travels freely in the groove. When the tube T is home in its
place it is turned partially round, and as the pin is caught in the groove, and
cannot turn along with it, it is brought out of the transverse slot and opposite
the longitudinal one, and the spring is then free to act on the caps.
The tube is turned by a flat spring T, Sheet II., Figures 23 and 24,
projecting laterally from its rear end, and simultaneously locked by means of
a projection which now is brought round so as to engage with the butt plate;
the spring then falls into a groove so as to be nearly flush with the butt plate,
and holds the cap tube securely in its place. To withdraw the tube, it is only
necessary to lift the spring handle T, Figures 24, 25, and 26, Sheet II., and
turn it slightly round so as to free the locking projection. As the projecting
pin is still in the groove, it would tend to prevent the tube from turning, but..
to obviate this, a second transverse slot is cut in the fore part of the tube,
Fig. 27, Sheet III., into which the pin passes, when the tube is easily with-
drawn, the projecting pin passing freely along the groove, and through the
same notch in the butt plate through which it entered.

page_text: prefer. In most cases, to place the Spiral Spring
against a collar G. Fig. 1. Sheet I., which is fastened by a small screw or
screws, before mentioned. fo the piston or driver inside the tube. These
screws work freely in the longitudinal slot of the tube, and their heads travel
The
in a groove in the wood of the stock, as in the former construction.
priming tube is made to contain forty to sixty caps, and the piston or cap
driver d should be of such a length that it will just drive up the last cap; it is
then stopped by the collar coming in contact with the false breech. The
leading cap is brought from its inclined position at the mouth of the tube into
a proper position to be taken off by the nipple, that is, into the line of the
barrel's axis by the following arrangement: A hole is bored transversely
across the front of the false breech D, and in this a small cylinder P, Figures 1,
2, and 3, Sheet I., whose diameter is somewhat greater than the length of the
cap, turns freely on centres in two pins g, screwed in from opposite cheeks of
the breech case. A hole or cavity is made in the cylinder P at right angles
to its length, and deep enough to contain a single cap; in the bottom of this
cavity there is a small view hole to shew when the tube T is empty. When
the cylinder P is in its usual position this hole is exactly in front of the cap
tube; the leading cap will in this case be forced into the cavity by the spiral
spring. When the cylinder is rotated about half a circle, it carries round the
leading cap, and places it exactly opposite the nipple N. In order that it may
not catch on the second cap, which partially enters the transverse hole, the
cylinder is slightly cut away on one side. Motion is communicated to the
cylinder P by means of a small rack R, Figures 1, 4, and 5, Sheet I., which
gears into a pinion on the left hand extremity of the cylinder P. The rack R
projects some way in front of the false breech D, so that when the breech B
is drawn back from the barrel, its rear end forces back the rack R, thereby
rotating the cylinder P, and giving the requisite change of position to the cap.
When the breech B is pushed forward in the breech case A, carrying with it
the cap, the rack R is forced out, and brought to its former position by a
spiral spring in the rear of the false breech D, see Figures 4 and 5, Sheet I.
The cap opening of the cylinder P is thus again brought opposite the priming
tube T, and a fresh cap is pushed in. In order that the cap may remain
stationary while the nipple N is entering, some teeth of the rack are cut away
so that it may pass the cylinder P without acting on it. In order to ensure
correctness of position in the cylinder P, at the two stationary points, two flat
A blade
surfaces are formed on it usually at the end opposite the pinion.
spring O, see Fig. 2, Sheet I., acting on these, tends to bring it up correctly.
independently of the rack R, which must work somewhat loosely. The nipple

page_text: enters the cap through a hole in the rounded portion F of the false breech D.
which forms a casing or cover to the cylinder P; this hole is enlarged in an
upward direction to admit of a certain amount of angular motion of the
nipple N, when the breech B is hitched up for charging. This angular motion
is communicated to the cylinder P. which is then free to move with the
breech B.
In another method of priming. the leading cap is pulled down from its
inclined position at the end of the priming tube T, and brought opposite the
nipple N by means of a carrier travelling over a belt or cylindrical surface
formed round the false breech D. and having a hole to receive the leading
cap. If made of annular form or somewhat larger than a half circle, the
carrier P may revolve on the belt as an axis, as in Fig. 10. Sheet II., but as
the carrier is most frequently placed in the middle line of the false breech D..
the tang of which would interfere with the above construction, it is usually
made in the form of a circular are carried by a radial arm, whose centre of
motion coincides with the axis of the above cylindrical surface. Figures 1. 2. 4.
and 5, Sheet. II. The above radial arm may be placed in a recess on one side
of the rear end of the false breech D, and its lower part may be connected
with the arc of the carrier by a short bar, also fitted to work close to the
surface of the false breech D: thus carrier P", arc. bar, radial arm, and
lateral plug or axis form a peculiar crank-shaped piece, represented in per-
spective in Fig. 4, Sheet II., or the arc may be made of a divided or forked
shape in its lower part, so as to clear the pin which fastens the false breech D,
attached to a double radial arm swinging on centres placed one on each side
of the priming tube T, as represented in Figures 1 and 5, Sheet II. This con-
struction may be simplified by dispensing with the tang of the false breech.
and fixing the latter to the stock by means of side straps. To the end of the
radial arm of this carrier piece P. P, a wire is linked, which is capable of
moving freely in a recess provided for it under the adjoining cheek of the
breech case A. The fore end of the wire is bent at right angles, and projects
inwards through a small slot so as to be caught by the shoulder of the breech
cylinder B, when the latter is pushed forward after having taken off a cap, a
recess is formed to receive it in the rear of the barrel or collar, into which
it is screwed. The arm is thus pulled forward, and the carrier arc P is moved
over the cylindrical surface so as to bring the cap opening opposite the priming
tube to receive a fresh cap. As the cap opening is quite open in front, it is
closed by a cover 1, Fig. 3, Sheet II.. to prevent the caps from being shot out.
On drawing back the breech from the barrel for loading, the wire is disen-
gaged, and the carrier tube, with its included cap, is then brought. opposite the

page_text: קוקו
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shewn in Figures 1 and 5, Sheet II.
The above action may be reversed, so that the backward motion of the
breech B brings the cap opposite the nipple N. and a spring is used to bring
back the carrier P', P. One way of doing this is by placing a nearly flat
spring on one side of the slot in the bottom of the breech case A, through
which the cock or hammer acts. Its fore end is fixed, and its rear end jointed
or linked to the carrier arc. so that when the breech is drawn back, the pro-
jecting screw threads on the latter slide over the spring and press it down.
thus bringing the carrier are into the priming position. The spring should be
so constructed that little or no pressure is exercised while the nipple N is
entering the cap, when the breech B is again pushed forward. the spring raises
the carrier till the opening comes once more opposite the priming tube. If the
breech B when elevated for loading is made to oscillate about the axis of the
cylinder on which the carrier travels, the cap opening may be simply a circular
hole of a size to admit the cap freely, as in Figures 10, 11, and 12, Sheet TT.;
but as the firc-arm is more usually constructed so that the breech B may
oscillate on the axis of the half round projections forming the front of the false
breech D, it is necessary to construct the above cap opening so as to admit of
a certain amount of angular motion in the nipple N. This may be done by
making the cap opening oblong in a vertical direction, using a slight spring z
to keep the cap in the upper part, which spring yields to the nipple N when
the breech B is raised. Or the carrier opening may be enlarged more so at
each end, and a short tube of india-rubber inserted of such a form that it will
retain its place in the opening while allowing the cap freely to enter. Figures 8,
Sheet IT. To economize space, the carrier opening may be formed as
represented in Fig. 9. If the hole is angularly enlarged, as shewn in Figs. 6
and 7, Sheet II., a single slip of india-rubber may be used let into a recess in
the carrier, as shewn. In case the supply of caps should be exhausted, or the
priming arrangement out of order, a supply of loose caps should be carried, as
the gun can be capped and cocked by hand. and also loaded at the muzzle as
readily as the common muzzle-loader. The breech B can be easily removed
by loosening the studs or pins H'. By employing a small pinching screw or
spring-stop to hold back the rack R in the position shewn in Fig. 4, Sheet L.,
the replacing of the breech B will be facilitated.
The ordinary sights may be used with the above fire-arm, but I prefer the
following arrangement: The back sight S consists of two parallel wires con-
nected at top by a Gross head, the lower side of which is usually made to fit
close to the barrel. It slides up and down in two parallel holes in the fore

page_text: part of the breech case A on opposite sides of the barrel. When the collar of
the breech case A is flush with the barrel, as in Fig. 1. Sheet I., these holes
are made in the side straps d. 4. If the collar projects over the barrel, as in
Fig. 7, Sheet II., a portion of the former is removed, and the underlying
screw thread is cut away, so as to form a recess for the sight head, which,
when home on the barrel, is flush with the collar. the moveable leaf alone
appearing above it. The holes are bored through the junction of the barrel
and the above collar, and are continued through the wood of the stock, which
is here of considerable depth. Thus when the sight is home on the barrel,
only a small portion of the legs is allowed to project. The sight is then at the
proper elevation for one hundred yards. On one leg the distance scale is
engraved, see Fig. 34, Sheet III., and on the other may be marked a scale
for projectiles occasionally used, whose trajectory differs from the ordinary
bullet. The sight is retained at the different elevations by a pinching screw,
as shown in Figs. 34. Sheet II.; or a spring pressing against one of the legs,
as in Sheet II., Fig. 37. and lateral or transverse motions may be given to the
sight leaf on the crosshead in several ways, some of which are represented in
Figures 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, and 42. The means of adjustment are
for the most part either by a small clamping screw passing through a slot in
the leaf, or by a long screw working in a traversing nut attached to the sight
leaf. The line usually inlaid in the sight leaf I prefer to be of platinum, but
a broad line of white enamel may in certain cases be substituted, especially for
night shooting. A back sight for extra long distances is also employed, and
is graduated up to two thousand yards, or more. It is interchangeable with
the ordinary back sight, the one not in use being conveniently carried in holes
or grooves formed in the fore part of the stock, in which both are made to fit:
This additional sight may be made from a single steel wire bent to shape,.
and having a traversing leaf inserted in a saw cut in the upper bent part; as
shewn in Fig. 40, Sheet II. The leaf is fixed in any position by a small
screw passing through a slot in the same. In firing while laying flat on the
ground the above sight may be used as a rest or support for the barrel by
placing it in a reversed position below the stock in two holes made to receive
it. A short spirit level may be temporarily attached to either of the above
sights by spring clips sliding over the legs, as shewn in Figures 36 and 38.
Sheet III. An ordinary fore sight may be used, but in order to render it
more visible against a dark object, or in certain lights, a plug of white enamel
is inserted, so as to present to the eye a spot or vertical line, in all cases
bisecting the sight. The enamel is inserted in holes or dovetail grooves in the
sight, and may be fixed with shellac or other suitable cement, or in the case of

page_text: moveable sights, may be rivetted in its place by pinching with a pair of plyers
while softened before the blow pipe, and the sights afterwards ground up and
blued. For military sights the enamel plug is inserted in a fine hole drilled
obliquely downwards, and commencing close to the top of the side next the
eye, which is made rounded instead of angular; a second plug may be inserted
lower down for a full sight, see Fig. 43, Sheet 11. The enamel may be inlaid
or attached to copper in the first instance, and this may be afterwards attached
to the sight by soldering, or otherwise, but this is more applicable to the back
sight when it is desired to substitute an enamel line for one of gold or
platinum. This process is also applicable to the supplementary sighis now
about to be described. These are moveable sights made to slip over the
ordinary sights, and attach themselves by springs, and shewing a larger
surface of enamel than the ordinary sights, so as to be more available for
night shooting. Some forms of these are shewn in Figures 46, 47, 48,
and 49. The enamel in the foresight is usually placed on a flat or hemi-
spherical disc of copper, afterwards screwed or soldered to the spring clip, as
shewn in Figures 46, 47; and 48, are used with the retractile sight about to
be described. For the back sight a broad enamel line or spot may be inlaid
in a copper leaf. The remaining surface may be enamelled black, or the
Chamel may be fixed in a steel leaf by some of the methods already indicated.
The use of enamel disposed as above is applicable not only to the special
breech-loading rifle which have been describing, but to all fire-arms as far
as they are furnished with sights. Fig. 45 represents the enamel as applied
to the ordinary bead sight. It is also applicable to ordnance.
In non-military rifles prefer to make the foresight retractile, of which
Fig. 50 is a section, within a suitable sheath or cover. This may be done as
follows: A dovetail groove is made in the upper side of the barrel extending
backwards from the muzzle for an inch or more. A cover or sheath some-
what resembling a bridge rail in section, but gradually increasing in height
from the muzzle backwards, is fitted into the above groove. To fix it more
securely a small screw may be passed through its fore end into the barrel.
Its height and appearance to the eye in aiming, as represented in Fig. 52, is
pretty much that of a military sight with the interior cut away so as to leave
a square bridge. The slope of the upper surface should correspond to the
line of aim at the most distant object usually fired at. The real sight is placed
on the end of a blade spring, and projects through a groove or notch in the
upper part of the cover in the end next the eye, the other end of the spring
being fixed near the fore end. The sight is sloped off towards the muzzle,
and a slight pressure from above or from the front forces it within the cover.

page_text: A fine sight is thus less liable to injury from external violence or from the
common practice of resting a rifle against a wall. The enamel mounting may
be applied to this sight, as shewn in Figures 50, 51, and 52. In attaching
the barrel to the stock I provide for tightening up, and guard against
unequal expansion of wood and metal, as shewn in Figures 19, 20, and 21,
Sheet II. A deep longitudinal groove is sunk in the middle of the hollow
part of the stock. The sides of the stock can then be made to approach each
other and tightened up to the barrel by screw pins passing through loops Y
dovetailed or soldered to the bottom of the barrel. The holes in these loops
are made slightly oblong, as seen in Fig. 19, more so towards the muzzle, so as
to allow a certain amount of play. If a rammer or cleaning rod is used it may
be carried in the bottom of the grooves, as in Fig. 20; one of the loops may be
extended so as to pass through the stock to carry the sling swivel, as seen at
Fig. 6 The loops may be attached to flat rings driven on to the barrel, as
shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 21. The loop should be slit longitudinally to
allow for the barrel's expansion. The loops may be united so as to form a
continuous rib. This improvement is applicable to all long-stocked fire-arms.
The cleaning rod, of which Fig. 18, Sheet II., is a section, may be used as a
ramrod for muzzle-loading, and is made with a long cylindrical head some-
what smaller than the bore. A number of deep grooves are turned in the
latter and rings of vulcanized india-rubber spring into the same, projecting
slightly beyond the cylinder so as to search into the grooves and retain the
fouling. A lap or rag may be used with the above. The cleaning head may
be carried separately in the stock of the gun. This cleaning ramrod is appli-
cable to other fire-arms. The scroll or steadying piece behind the trigger
guard construct somewhat stronger than usual, and attach it more securely
to the stock, as shewn at Fig. 2, Sheet I., with a view to its affording an
effective hearing for the swivel in or other attachment of the sling. In the
case of sporting rifles the swivel pin may pass through a hole in its lower end.
In military rifles a curved slot O is cut along its middle, so as to allow of the
swivel pin travelling from its projecting extremity close up to the stock. A
space X being cut out of the rear end of the sling large enough to allow the
guard to pass through, the sling may be drawn pretty close up to the stock,
as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2. Sheet II. This sling attachment is
applicable to other fire-arms besides the special arm above described.
I have now shewn how my improvements may be carried into effect, but I
do not confine myself to the precise details of construction above given or
shewn in the Drawings annexed, as the constructions may be greatly varied
without departing from the main features of the Invention. As an example,

page_text: the lock may be arranged very differently. Instead of a lock actuated by a
main spring a straight piston or striker may be employed, forced forward by a
spiral spring, as shewn in Figure 10, Sheet II. In this case the nipple Nis
made to project, not from the centre of the rear of the breech, but from its
lower edge (in the locked state), a portion of the breech being obliquely cut
away for it, as shewn in Fig. 10, Sheet II. With a view to this the nipple is
made of elbow form, the nipple proper and the screwed part being connected
by a wedge-shaped piece which can be grasped by a suitably shaped wrench.
A small screw may be used to guard against its shifting. When the breech B
is unlocked the nipple N is brought to the middle of the inside part of the
right-hand cheek of the breech case, as shewn at Fig. 16, Sheet 11. This is
cut away for some distance, so as to allow space for the cap to fall off. By
making, the fore part of the cavity in the cheek of an inclined or cam-shaped
form, so as to catch the prongs of the exploded cap, its disengagement may be
facilitated. When the breech is drawn back the nipple keeps the same
relative position till it enters the cap, which is brought into place by a priming
arrangement similar to those before described, but placed not in the middle
of the stock and false breech D, but close to their right-hand side. The piston
or striker C¹, usually a cylinder of about half-inch diameter, moves horizontally
in a hole formed in the bottom of the false breech and opposite to the nipple N
in the firing position. A tail piece on this striker enters some way into a
spiral spring acting in a tube, as shewn at Fig. 13, or in a suitable cavity in
the stock. The end of the spring may rest against an abutment formed on
the tang of the false breech, as in Fig. 10, Sheet II. The lower part of the
striking cylinder is flattened, and a piece of the same section as the portion.
guide, so as to prevent the striker
removed, is fixed in the striker hole as a
from turning round. From the base of the false breech D a pillar projects
downwards through the stock. Its end is screwed and passes through the
trigger plate, and a boss or nut on the fore end of the trigger guard screws the
whole together. In a vertical slot in this pillar is placed the sear K and sear
spring m.
The sear K is of bell-crank shape and engages in notches or bents
on the flat under surface of the striker for cock and half cock, and an extra
bent is added to prevent the striker being pushed too far forward, when the
nipple is wrenched from under it. The trigger t acts directly on the sear, as in
Fig. 13, Sheet II., or through a small connecting rod ¹, as in Fig. 10; a light
spring may be used to keep the trigger or connecting rod up to the sear. On
the fore part of the striker is a curved piece, rising somewhat higher than the
top of the barrel, used in uncocking and cocking by hand. The front of the
false breech D is of a rounded form op the left-hand side and the rear of the

page_text: A pin projects from the
breech B hollowed out, so as to form a joint on which the breech B can swing
up for loading. If the rack and pinion method of priming be used the false
breech D. Fig. 13, may be flat, bevelled off above.
breech end on the side opposite the nipple, and where the breech B is drawn
back it enters a second hole in the priming cylinder P. causing the breech B
to swing on the axis of the latter. The middle of the priming cylinder P is
reduced so as to allow room for the striker, and two flat surfaces are formed
on the reduced part. A blade spring o' acts on these to stop the primer at the
proper points. As a striker of the above form tends to leave a vacuum behind
it, a hole Z and Z'. Figures 10 and 13. Sheet. II., should be bored in any
convenient position so as to admit the air.
For cutting the inside screw of the breech case, which is the principal
difficulty in constructing the above fire-arm, a special arrangement. is required..
It may be done by means of the ordinary screw cutting lathe, the breech case
being held in a suitable chuck, and a long inside screw cutting tool used with
a steady slide rest, but as the sharp angles of the checks are apt to break
the tool, it is preferred to use, instead of an ordinary screw tool, a cylindrical
guide plug, one end being fixed in a slide rest, and the other shewn in section
in Fig. 22, Sheet II., travelling up steadily between the checks of the breech
case, which it nearly fits. In a transverse slot, close to the extremity, a cutter,
Fig. 22, is placed, and made to advance by a wedge-shaped piece, which is
pushed forward by a feeding screw, the two last being placed in a hole ex-
tending quite through the plug the end of the screw projects to allow of the
cutter being advanced between each cut. The guide plug and slide rest may
be drawn back for a fresh cut, with the cutter projecting as in the last one,
care being taken that the cutter point is kept in the open space between the
cheeks of the breech case.
The expanding cutter constructed as above may be placed at one end of
a hollow traversing mandril, while the breech case is held stationary. The
mandril is made to traverse by a half nut or die engaging in a screw cut on
the mandril of the same pitch as the breech screw. This die is moveable
so far as to allow the mandril to be drawn back after each cut, the cutter
point then travelling in the open space as before. The feeding screw and wedge
piece are placed in the hole in the mandril, a rod from the former projecting
to allow of the cutter being advanced between each cut.
DESCRIPTION OF SHEET II. OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Fig. 1 the breech case is modified, the screw which unites it to the
barrel being a continuation of the locking screws segments, an external screw

page_text: being made to project above the surface of the barrel. A projecting collar
is thus formed, but this practically is no great drawback, especially when bands
and a high military foresight are used. By cutting away a segment of the
collar and removing the screw threads underneath. a recess is formed for the
crosshead of the backsight, which if made of corresponding shape will lie
flush or even with the collar, the leaf only projecting above, and be thus
protected from injury. While the internal surface of the breech case is shaped
as before, in this case it is round externally, of the same size as the collar
in front to which the barrel is screwed. It is conveniently constructed out
of a short tube, the inside diameter of which corresponds to that of the rear end
of the barrel. An inside screw is cut in one end of the tube for about two and
a half inches of its length, the barrel is screwed into this for about one inch,
the upper surface of the tube is now cut away, commencing immediately in
rear of the barrel, thus opening out the breech case. a recess is formed along
the bottom for the projecting threads of the breech as before. Owing to its
round shape the breech case is let into a hollow in the stock in the same
way as the barrel itself; the end of the barrel is hollowed out to receive the
expanding lip of the breech.
The arrangement of the lock will be sufficiently understood from the Draw-
ing. Fig. 2 is a modification in which the lock is placed in a flat metal casing
underneath the stock. The stock in this case is not so deep.
In this Figure is shewn the arrangement whereby the sling may be drawn
up to the bottom of the stock. Fig. 3 is a front view of the fore end of the
false breech with the second method of priming: the dotted lines represent
the closing spring removed to one side to allow of caps being introduced at
the front end of the priming tube while fixed in the stock.
Fig. 4 is the carrier represented roughly in perspective: the short plug or
axis at one end turns in a hole in the side of the false breech; Fig. 5, also
in perspective, is a view of the forked carrier as used in Fig. 1. It is
brought into the priming position by the spring V: Fig. 6 is a section
and back view of the carrier hole furnished with its flat india-rubber spring
to allow of the angular motion of the nipple when the breech is tilted; Fig. 8
shews the carrier hole made differently with a tubular india-rubber spring;
Fig. 9, a modification of the latter spring: Figures 10 and 13 represent in
partial section modes of construction in which a straight striker and spiral
spring are used. These will be sufficiently understood from the description
already given.
In Fig. 10, the second mode of priming is employed, the cap tube being
placed close to the right side of the stock. The carrier is here made a

page_text: complete circle, slotted to allow the pin of the false breech to pass, it is
shewn in perspective in Fig. 12; Fig. 11 is a front view of the false breech
in this construction.
In Fig. 13 the first method of priming modified is used; Fig. 14 is a
section of the false breech shewing the priming cylinder in this arrangement;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the fore part of the hottom of the breech
case when constructed separately.
The angle of the channel in which the lower projecting screw threads of
the breech travels is cut away so as to allow the screw segment to enter;
is a small recess for the beni end of the wire r, when the breech is
home for firing: Fig. 16 is a section immediately behind the breech B, in
the mode of construction shown in Fig. 10, Sheet 2, shewing the breech
in the unlocked state and the cavity or hollow in the side strap to allow the
cap to fall off; Fig. 17 is a section of the tang of the false. breech shewing the
arrangement whereby the trigger and trigger guard slotted pillar in the above
construction may be dispensed with, the scar or detent being placed under
the tang, and engaging in a notch in the tail of the striker C¹, acts as sear
spring, and the sear is released from the notch by pressing down with the
thumb of the right hand, a pin passing through a hole in the tang, and con-
nected loosely with the long arm of the lever or sear. A recess is made for
the head of the pin in the tang, by which greater security is attained; Fig. 18
is a section of the cleaning ramrod head, as already described; Fig. 19 is a
longitudinal section of the stock, shewing the groove, loop, and screw pin used
in connecting the barrel to the stock; Fig. 20 is a cross section; Fig. 21 is
a cross section where the loop is passed through the stock to carry the sling
swivel. The dotted lines shew where the loop may be continued so as to form
a ring round the barrel, the loop being partially slit to allow of the barrel's
expansion; Fig. 22, in partial section, shews the guide plug and expanding
cutter used in cutting the breech case screw; Fig. 23 is a section of part of
the priming tube in that construction where it is withdrawn from the stock
for filling with caps, the spring being placed outside: Fig. 24 is a section of the
butt shewing the tube locked in its place; Fig. 25 is a back view, shewing the
spring handle where the tube is entered or ready to be withdrawn from the
butt; Fig. 26 in its locked state, with part removed to shew the locking
projection and groove in the tube hole.
one side, as here shown; Fig. 27 is a section of the false breech and stock,
shewing the fore end of the tube, with the driver projecting a little beyond, so
as to push in the last cap. The dotted lines refer to a transverse slot, into
The locking projection is placed to

page_text: which the pins. connecting collar, and driver pass when the tube is turned
round to free the locking piece at the butt; Fig. 28 is a longitudinal section.
Fig. 29 a plan, and Fig. 30 a cross section, of a tool for cutting out the lateral
groove in the tube hole in the butt. It is simply a rod nearly fitting the hole.
and having a serrated cutter placed in a slot, which is made to advance after
each cut by a screw passing freely through a gap in the upper side of the
cutter, and working in a screw cut in the middle of the slot, which is slightly
bored out for the purpose: Fig. 32 is a section of a modification, a long saw-
shaped cutter being pivotted in a long slot or saw cut, and made to advance its
cutting part by means of a thin wedge; a gap is cut longitudinally in the
wedge for the screw which works against the side of the slot, as before.
The tail spring keeps the cutter up against the wedge; Fig. 31 is a cross
section of the end in which the screw is placed; Figures 34 and 35 shew
front and back elevations of the back sight with the leaf traversed by a nut
on its back, moved in a slot by a horizontal screw in a way well known.
In Fig. 36, which is a front view with the leaf removed, and Fig. 37, which
is a partial section of the sight head, the nut is of a rounded form, travelling
in a hole bored horizontally through the head, which is cut away on one side,
as shewn. One end of the traversing screw is made large enough to fix one
end of this hole, a slight shoulder projecting beyond, and a washer or bearing
of similar shape inserted in the other end; the tail of the screw passes through
the last, and is rivetted beyond, but so as to turn freely.
In Figures 39, 40, and 42, a leaf of angle or T-section is used. One side
forms the visible leaf, and a small pin passes through a slot in the other into
the crosshead, either above or below, so as to allow the leaf to traverse; it
may be fixed at any point by the screw.
The leaf may be of the section
In Fig. 40, which shews the
shewn in Fig. 41, and traverse in a dovetail.
form I prefer for the extra sight, a long thin leaf is made to traverse in a saw
cut in the head. It is fixed by a small screw passing through a slot in the
leaf shewn by the dotted lines. The sight itself is formed out of a steel wire
bent to shape.
A scale may be engraved on the head of any of these to
regulate the adjustment of the leaf. The notches placed near the end of the
leaf in Fig. 40 are used when a greater lateral range is required than is
furnished by the actual traverse of the middle line or notch.
In Figures 43, 14. and 45, are shewn different forms of sight. fitted with a
plug or small plate of enamel, as already described.
Figures 50, 52, shew the usual method of mounting the retractile sight.
Fig. 50 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 52 a view of the back end: Fig. 51

page_text: shews the sight head as fitted with a ping of enamel. Figures 47 and 48 are
supplementary sights for the above. The spring tail piece is slid under the
spring of the retractile sight, the enamelled head then intercepts the view of
the latter; Fig. 46 shews a supplementary sight adapted to the form of fore-
sight shewn in Fig. 45; Fig. 49 is a form to slide over and grip the ordinary
lump of the military foresight. If the last is under cut or grooved, the
supplementary sight will have a securer hold.
With the special arm above described almost any ammunition may be used,
but I prefer the following: -Loose charge of powder and ball, with the
lubrication between or in front of the ball, as shewn in Fig. 53. For shot
gun, loose charge of powder and shot cartridge. Loose shot may be used by
employing a short plug or rammer to force down the enclosing wads. 'The
breech or its tubular lip in these cases is made longer than usual to contain
the entire charge, its bore being in the shot gun very little larger than the barrel.
Fig. 54 shews a method of loading with loose powder and a ball covered
with a patch, or one or two folds of greased paper, which is twisted or other-
wise arranged so as to enclose the lubrication behind. To prevent the last
being forced into the cup of the Enfield ball, a boxwood plug is used. or a
ball may be used with a flat base or with a hemispherical projection instead of
cup, as shewn.
The powder and ball may be made up and used as in the
Enfield cartridge. The ball is left projecting from the lip of the breech, as in
all the subsequent methods of loading. except Fig. 57, for two-thirds of its
length or more, and pushed into the grooves of the barrel by the forward
motion of the breech; this part of the barrel being slightly opened out, but
not so much as to cut away the grooves. Fig. 55 shews the charge placed in
a pasteboard stiff cartridge, the breech and a portion of the barrel being
chambered out to retain it. The cartridge is pulled out by hand before
reloading. The lubrication may be placed before the ball, as in Fig. 55 and 57.
The back end of these cartridges have a central hole, covered with thin paper
or membrane, so as to admit the cap flush; or they may be perforated when
pushed home by a pricker attached to the nipple. Fig. 58 is a shot cartridge
on this plan; Fig. 56 shews a modification of the Enfield cartridge; the
lubrication is placed between the ball and a thin wad, which is placed over
the powder. The cartridge is nipped by a turn or two of thread close to the
wad on the side next the ball. When the powder is introduced into the
breech (after opening the powder end of the cartridge in any of the usual
ways), the ball is reversed, and with its paper coating inserted a short way
into the breech. The empty part is then carefully broken away at the nipping,
so as to leave the lubrication projecting from the end of the ball enclosed in

page_text: the paper, which by the nipping has been brought to a somewhat conical form
so as readily to enter the barrel.
The lubrication L in most cases used is a patch or wad of grease tempered
with bees-wax where required.
CLAIMS.
First, the general construction of the above special fire-arm. so far as the
self-cocking and self-capping arrangements are concerned.
Second, so constructing and arranging the parts of the said fire-arm, that
while it possesses the above advantages, it may be capped and cocked by hand
in a manner differing little from that in ordinary use.
Third, the arrangement whereby the breech is tilted up and retained in
position for charging.
Fourth, the method of securing the breech lever in its place by the screwed
part of the nipple impinging on or cutting into one side of the tang of said
lever, which passes through the breech.
Fifth, the methods of constructing the breech case as above shewn.
Sixth, the method of constructing the cock with radial arm and circular
head into notches, in which last a detent attached to the trigger engages directly
without an intermediate sear, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1. of the Draw-
ings.
Seventh, the rack and pinion primer and appendages of same, substantially
as above described.
Eighth, the method of constructing the priming inbe with its immediate
appendages, as shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet 1.. of the Drawings, so as to be readily
withdrawn and replaced in the stock.
Ninth, the means by which the small piston or cap driver d is set free.
allowing the spring to act upon the caps after the tube has been introduced
into the stock, and the simultaneous locking of the latter in its place.
Tenth, the connecting piece n. Fig. 2, Sheet II. as already described.
Eleventh, the second method of priming, so far as relates to mounting the
cap carrier therein described, and the means by which the latter is made to
reciprocate.
Twelfth, the modification of the foregoing construction, wherein a striker
and spiral spring are used, as shewn in Figures 10 and 13, Sheet II.
Thirteenth, the nipple of elbow form therein used.
Fourteenth, the method shewn of placing the sear and sear spring in a pillar
projecting from the false breech.
Fifteenth, the arrangement shewn in Figure 17, Sheet II., wherein the sear
spring and substitute for trigger are placed in the upper part of the stock.

page_text: 271
THE DRICK OW
and making the same rise and fall in two parallel holes bored one in each of
the side straps of the breech case, or passing through the junction of breech
case and barrel.
Seventeenth, the methods of traversing the sight leaf shewn in Figures 36,
37, 39, 40, and 42.
Eighteenth, the use of the extra sight for long distances, interchangeable
with the ordinary sight, as above described.
Nineteenth, the use of enamel in the foresight, as above described, and its
application to all fire-arms.
Twentieth, the use of the same in supplementary sights for night shooting,
and their application to all fire-arms where sights can be gripped by the spring
clips, as shewn in Figures 46 and 49, Sheet II.
Twenty-first, the retractile fore sight and cover, substantially as above
described, and its application to all fire-arms, with the limitation above
mentioned.
Twenty-second, the methods shewn in Figures 19, 20, 21, Sheet II., for
aflixing the barrel to the stock, by which provision is made for expansion and
contraction, and tightening up, without the use of the ordinary bands, and its
application to all long-stocked fire-arms.
Twenty-third, the constructing and fixing the scroll piece in the rear of the
guard, so as to afford an effective bearing for the swivel pin or other attach-
ment of the sling, and allow the same to travel from the lower end of said
scroll piece up to the stock, as above described, and its application to ordinary
fire-arms furnished with a sling.
Twenty-fourth, the cleaning ramrod or ramrod head, as described, and its
application to other fire-arms.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Andrew Wyley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Second day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
C. WINTERSGILL,
66, Chancery Lane.
ANDREW WYLEY. (L.S.)