IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Henry, of Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid Lothian, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.'
"
Sealed the 4th February 1873, and dated the 9th December 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Henry at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th December 1872.
I, ALEXANDER HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows, that is
to say:-
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of fire-arms
wherein a vertically sliding breech piece is employed, the act of depress-
ing which simultaneously operates the extractor and cocks, or throws up
into firing position the hammer or striker.
Under one modification these operations are effected by attaching a
stud or pin with or without a roller thereon to the lower part of the

page_text: vertically sliding breech piece, and by forming the tumbler or striker
with a curved breast, against which the stud, pin, or roller attached to
the breech piece acts so as to cock or throw up the hammer or striker
into firing position on the said breech piece being depressed. The under
surface of the breech piece acts on the toe in the extractor and so
operates it.
Under another modification in lieu of forming the breast of the
tumbler or striker curved as herein-before set forth, the breast of the
tumbler or striker is formed with a small curvilinear projection therçon,
and which is acted upon so as to cock or throw up the striker to firing
position on the depression of the vertically sliding breech piece by the
rearward and upturned extremity of a bar, operated by the forward end
of the lever which actuates the breech piece, the said end of the lever
being upturned and situate in an opening formed in the forward
extremity of the bar. The action of extracting the case of the spent
cartridge is under this modification also performed by the under surface
of the breech piece acting upon the extractor in the manner herein-
before mentioned.
Under another modification of the bar the bar may or may not be
formed of two parts hinged or jointed together at their inner ends con-
stituting the central portion of the bar, and on one side of the bar a
projection is formed near that end which acts on the breast of the
tumbler or striker. The rearward end of the bar in raising the
tumbler or striker to firing position acts against a projection on the side
of the tumbler or striker, and a pin is passed through one side wall of
the breech cavity which bears upon the upper surface of the projection
on the bar. When the vertically sliding breech piece is depressed the
forward end of the depressing lever pushes the bar rearwards against
the projection on the tumbler or striker whereby it is raised to the firing
position, which being effected the projection on the bar moves out of
contact with the pin in the wall of the breech cavity, and the inner
extremity of the bar turns upwards from contact with the projection on
the tumbler or striker, and on the further depression of the breech piece
it acts on the extractor in the manner herein-before mentioned. A
rebounding mainspring is used with this modification.
Under another modification in which a hollow vertically sliding breech
pieco is employed through a hole, in the front part of the hollow of

page_text: which the head of the tumbler or striker acts on the igniter in the base
of the cartridge, the breech piece on being depressed carries the tumbler
or striker downwards with it, and the extremity of an arm formed
thereon enters under a catch on the trigger, by which means when the
breach piece is again elevated the tumbler or striker is retained at. the
firing position until released by pulling the trigger. A shoulder is
formed on the tumbler or striker, which when the striker is depressed
acts on a similar shoulder on the extractor so as to cause the extractor to
operate. Under this arrangement the mainspring by which the striking
action of the tumbler is produced is situate in front of the breech cavity
and acts on an arm formed on the tumbler or striker.
Under another modification the cocking or throwing up into firing
position of the tumbler or striker in breech-loading fire-arms wherein a
hollow vertically sliding breech piece is employed is effected by causing
the breech piece whilst it is being depressed to act on an arm formed on
the tumbler or striker, which when it has been raised to firing position
is retained thercin by the forward extremity of a bar entering a bent or
notch in the hammer or striker. The bar is centred on a pin fixed in
or near to the rear wall of the breech cavity, and its rearward end is
situate so as to bear upon the trigger, thus when the trigger is pulled
backwards the rearward end of the bar is raised, thereby depressing its
forward end and releasing the tumbler or striker.
•
The operation of extracting the case of the spent cartridge is effected
by causing a surface on the tumbler or striker whilst it is being raised
to act on an inclined plane formed in or on the extractor, whereby the
upper part of the extractor together with the spent cartridge case is
thrown outwards from the cartridge chamber of the fire-arm.
'
In lieu of causing the vertically sliding breech piece to move the
tumbler or striker into firing position as herein last set forth, the moving
of the tumbler or striker to the said position may be effected by the
forward extremity of the lever employed to depress the breech piece,
which extremity is turned upwards and bears on an arm on the tumbler
or striker, and the breech piece actuates the extractor in the manner
hercin-before mentioned with reference to the first modification.
Under another modification the raising to firing position of the
tumbler or striker is effected on the depression of the vertically sliding
breech piece by an inclined plane formed on a lever or beam, one

page_text: extremity of which is centred on a pin within the lock casing, its other
and forward extremity being situate in a recess formed in the breech
piece. The inclined plane as the forward end of the lever or beam is
depressed acts on a roller or pin situate on the side of the tumbler or
striker, whereby it is moved backwards into firing position.
The extractor is onerated in the manner herein-before referred to with
on the 9th June 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
HENRY, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the 36th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Alexander Henry, Her special license
that I, the said Alexander Henry, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Henry, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, andj no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Alexander Henry, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Henry, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention, relates to improvements in that class of fire-
arms wherein a vertically sliding breech piece is employed, and the
act of depressing or elevating which operates the extractor, and cocks or
throws up the hammer or striker into firing position.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I
now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner
in or under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into
effect, that is to say :—
On Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto appended Figure 1 is a vertical
section, and Figure 2 a plan of a portion of a breech-loading fire-arm,
shewing the breech action, and wherein a vertically sliding breech piece
A is employed, the act of depressing which operates the extractor B and
cocks or throws up into firing position the hammer or striker D. Under
this modification of my Invention the breech piece A is preferably pro-
vided with a roller E situate on a pin or stud attached to the lower part
of the breech piece, as shewn, and the hammer or striker D is formed
with a curved breast a against which the roller E bears, and as the
vertically sliding breech piece is depressed by the lever F and link G
the hammer or striker D is pushed back into the "full cock or "half-
cock" position, in either of which positions it is retained by the point b
of the sear or trigger H entering the "full cock," or "half-cock,"
bent, or notch c or e. When the hammer or striker D has been thus
cocked, the roller E at the lower part of the breech piece A passes out of
contact with the breast a of the hammer or striker, and on the breech
piece A being further depressed by the lever F, the under side thereof
comes in contact with the toes d of the extractor B, which it operates in
the manner well understood. When the lower part of the breech piece A
is elevated from contact with the toes d after effecting the aforesaid
operations, the extractor is returned to the position shewn at Figure 1,
Sheet 1, by the action of a spring I attached to the front wall of the
breech chamber.
A double spring J is used, with the action herein-before described, to
effect the oneration of throwing forward the hammer against the rear-

page_text: ward end of the piston h, and so igniting the cartridge and to draw back
the hanimer from contact with the piston after the cartridge has been
fired. A separate spring K is provided for acting on the sear or
trigger H. The hammer or striker D may be raised to "full cock" or
"half-cock" independently of operating the whole of the breech action
by projecting the axis m of the hammer to the outside of the fire-arm,
and placing thereon a thumb lever, as herein-after more particularly set
forth.
Under another modification of my Invention, illustrated in vertical
section at Figure 3, and in plan at Figure 4, Sheet 1, of the Drawings,
a hollow vertically sliding breech piece A. is employed through a hole in
the front part of the hollow of which the point of the hammer or
striker B acts on the igniter in the base of the cartridge. The hammer
or striker B is centred on the same axis or pin C with the extractor D,
and the vertically sliding breech piece on being depressed by the lever E
acts on curved feathers or projections a formed on the sides of the
hammer or striker B, as shown more particularly in detail at Figures 5
and 6, whereby the hammer or striker is cocked or thrown back into
firing position, which being effected the forward extremity of an elon-
gated sear F enters the bent or notch c, and retains the hammer or
striker at the said position. The sear F is centred on a pin G, and its
rearward end is upturned and bent over the top of the trigger H, as
shewn, so that when the trigger is pulled backwards, after the breech.
piece A has been returned to position for closing the end of the cartridge
chamber I, the rearward end of the sear F is raised, thereby depressing
its forward end, and releasing the hammer or striker, which is caused to
act or strike against the igniter in the base of the cartridge by the main
spring J placed in front of the breech, and attached to the hammer or
striker by the swivel K, as shewn at Figure 3.
A spring L is provided in conjunction with the sear F, by which the
sear is kept in its proper position relatively with the trigger H.
The operation of extracting the case of the spent cartridge is effected
by causing the surface M formed on the hammer or striker B to act
whilst the hammer is being moved by the depression of the breech piece
on an inclined plane N formed on the extractor, as shewn at Figure 3,
whereby the upper part of the extractor, together with the spent cart-
ridge case, are thrown outwards, as herein-before described.
hammer or striker in the modification now last described is locked at the
The

page_text: "cocked" position when desired by a bolt o attached to the under side of
the fire-arm by a pin p, on which it is free to turn, so that by pushing its
forward end outwards, a projection x formed on the rearward end of the
bolt, as shewn in plan at the detailed view, Figure 7, enters a notch in
the back of the. trigger H, which is thereby locked, or the trigger H may
be locked by sliding the bolt o forwards, a slotted hole being formed
therein for the pin p, as shewn in plan at Figure 8, Sheet 1.
In lieu of causing the hollow vertically sliding breech piece to move
the hammer to "full cock" position, as herein-before described and
shown at Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 1, of the Drawings, the moving of the
hammer or striker to that position may be effected by the arrangement
shewn in vertical section at Figure 9, and in plan at Figure 10,
Sheet 1.
Under this modification the forward extremity of the lever A
employed to depress the breech piece B is turned upwards and bears
on a pin a fixed in an arm C formed on the hammer orstriker D, so that
when the rearward end of the lever A is depressed the hammer or
striker D is thrown back into firing position by the forward extremity
of the lever A, and a heel 6 on the breech piece acts on the toes c of the
extractor H, so as to extract the case of the spent cartridge, In lieu
of forming the upturned part A¹ in one piece with the lever A the
upturned part is preferably formed separate therefrom, as indicated by
the dotted lines at x, Figure 9, and centred on the same pin or axis I
with the lever A. In order to slightly raise the hammer or striker
D after firing, so that its striking point may not interfere with the
depression of the breech picce A, the pin d in the link K by which the
brecch piece is attached to the lever is fitted loosely, as shewn at Figure
9. In the breech-loading fire-arm now under reference the trig gger
plate F is continued in front of the breech cavity, and the main
spring G is supported thereon; by which arrangement all the parts
constituting the lock of the fire-arm are attached to the trigger plate
and are thus easily removable.
In lieu of supporting the forward end of the spring G on a heel
or projection formed on the trigger plate, as shewn at 9, the forward
end of the said spring may be supported on the trigger plate itself as
as shewn at Figure 10°.
Under another modification, illustrated in vertical section at Figure
11, and in plan at Figure 12, Sheet 1, of the Drawings, the hammer

page_text: or striker A. in lieu of acting directly against the igniter in the base
of the cartridge, as in the two preceding modifications, strikes against
a short piston B in the breech piece C, and this arrangement enables
the slot or hollow in the breech piece to be of much smaller dimensions.
The hammer or striker A receives its first motion, in being cocked,
by the forward and upturned end of the lever D acting against a
surface a formed on the swivel E, the pin by which the link G is
secured to the lever D being fitted loosely, as shewn at Figure 11.
When the hammer has been thus moved or allowed to recede the
cooking thereof is effected by the under side of the breech piece C
pressing upon feathers 6 formed on the hammer, and the extracting of
the spent cartridge case is effected by the lower part of the breech piece
acting on the toes of the extractor F. The arrangement of sear and
bolt, shewn in conjunction with this modification, are the same as those
heroin-before described in reference to Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 1.
"
66
Under another modification of my Invention, shewn in vertical section
at Figure 1, and in plan at Figure 2, Sheet 2, of the Drawings, in
which a hollow vertically sliding breech piece A is employed, the
cocking" or throwing back into firing position of the hammer or striker
M is effected by the double link B by which the breech piece A is
attached to the lever D. Under this arrangement on depressing the
lever D the curved or inclined projections a formed on the double
link B act on pins or studs 6 projecting from the sides of the hammer
or striker M, so as to move the head of the hammer or striker clear
of the opening or hole c before the breech piece A. begins to descend,
to allow of which the pin e attaching the link to the breech piece is
fitted loosely, as shewn at Figure 1, Sheet 2. When the head of the
hammer or striker has been thus moved clear of the hole or opening c
the breech piece begins to descend and the projections a of the link
B still bearing upon the pins 6 of the hammer or striker M cause the
hammer or striker to be thrown backwards until the point h thereof
passes below the point i of the trigger, by which when the breech piece
is again elevated the hammer or striker is retained at the "cocked"
position. A shoulder / is formed on the hammer or striker, as shewn
at Figure 1, which when the hammer is depressed acts on a similar
shoulder L on the extractor and causes it to operate on the spent
cartridge case. The main spring o, by which the striking action of the
hammer is produced bears on a swivel m attached to the hammer, and

page_text: a separate spring P is provided for acting on the trigger, as shewn at
Figure 1.
In lieu of placing the spring o in the rear of the breech, as shewn,
it may be placed in front and bear on a swivel attached to an arm
formed on the hammer or striker, in the manner herein-before described
and shewn at Figures 3, 4, 9, 10, 10ª, 11, and 12, Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
"
Under another modification of my Invention illustrated in vertical
section at Figure 3, and in plan at Figure 4, Sheet 2 of the Drawings,
the operating of the extractor A is effected in the ordinary manner by
the vertically sliding breech piece B whilst descending, and the "cocking"
or throwing up into firing position of the hammer or striker C is effected
whilst the breech piece B is being returned to position for closing the
end of the cartridge chamber D. Under this arrangement of "cocking
the hammer C, the link E by which the breech piece is attached to the
depressing lever F is formed duplex towards its lower part, and between
the two sides of the link so formed a tongue G is placed and centred on
the same pin H with the link E. Figures 5 and 6, Sheet 2, shew the
link E and tongue G in detail. An arm I projects from the hammer or
striker C, against which the tongue G bears when the breech piece is
being depressed, and by which the tongue G is forced forwards, being
acted upon by a spring a until the upper end of the tongue G is
depressed below the arm I, after which the spring a forces back the
tongue, and the upper end 6 thereof passes under the arm I of the
hammer or striker. By this means when the breech piece B is again
elevated the tongue G pushes back the hammer or striker C until the
"bent" or notch e passes under the point of the sear or trigger J,
by which the hammer is retained at the firing position until released by
pulling the trigger. A double mainspring K is employed in conjunction
with this arrangement, and the extractor A is illustrated as of the
double fulcrum class; but in lieu thereof a single fulcrum extractor
may be employed as in modifications herein-before described and shewn
on the appended Drawings, or double fulcrum extractors may be
employed in conjunction with those preceding modifications in which
the operating of the extractor is effected by the under part of the breech
piece. A bolt similar to that shewn in detailed front elevation at
Figure 7, and in position on the fire-arm at Figure 2, Sheet 2, may be
provided in conjunction with the several breech actions herein-before

page_text: described, to raise the hammer to and lock it at the firing position
without the act of depressing the breech piece, or to lock the hammer
at the said position when it has been thrown up simultaneously with the
depression or elevation of the breech piece. The bolts is formed with
a movable head t, which when it is desired to lock the hammer is pushed t
upwards behind a projection u formed on the side of the lock casing as
shewn at Figure 2, Sheet 2, by which means the forward movement of
the hammer is prevented until the head t is again depressed.
Having now described. and particularly ascertained the nature of my
improved fire-arms, and the manner in which the same is, or may be ]
used, or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion
that I do not claim as forming part of my Invention the several details
of which the different breech actions herein-before described are com-
posed, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim
as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited -
Letters Patent is,―
First. The arrangement of breech action, wherein the " cocking" or
throwing into firing position of the hammer or striker is effected by a
vertically sliding breech piece acting against a curved breast on the
hammer or striker, as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 15
and 2, Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Second. The arrangement and construction of breech action wherein a
hollow vertically sliding breech piece is employed, and the raising to
firing position of the hammer or striker is effected by the breech picco
acting against curved feathers or projections on the hammer, the
operating of the extractor being performed by a surface on the hammer
or striker acting against an inclined plane on the extractor, as herein-
before described and shewn at Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Third. Effecting the cocking or throwing up into firing position of the
hammer or striker by the upturned end, jointed or otherwise, of the
depressing lever acting against a pin fixed in an arm on the hammer or
striker, as herein-before described and shewn at Figures 9 and 10,
Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Fourth, Effecting the "cocking" of the hammer or striker by the
forward end of the depressing lever acting against the swivel, and by the
under side of the breech piece acting on feathers, as herein-before
described and shewn at Figures 11 and 12, Sheet 1 of the Drawings.

page_text: Fifth. The arrangement and construction of breech action illustrated
at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, wherein the hammer or
striker M is moved to firing position by the link B, and retained therein
by the point of the hammer passing under the point i of the trigger, as
herein-before described.
Sixth. The arrangement of breech action shewn at Figures 3 and 4,
Sheet 2 of the Drawings, wherein the raising to firing position of the
hammer or striker C is effected (whilst the breech picce B is being
returned into position for closing the cartridge chamber D) by the tongue
G, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Henry, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three.