Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 27th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 25th Mar., 1887.
RESERVI
I, John George HOWARD, of Gamatibié, British Bechuanaland, South Africa, but
temporarily residing at 58 Compton Road, Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford,
engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to breech-loading fire-arms, and has for its principal object to
utilize the recoil of the discharge for the purpose of cocking the striker, opening the
breech, throwing out the empty cartridge case, bringing the parts into position for
receiving a fresh cartridge, and finally bringing the parts into position for the next
discharge as the fresh cartridge is inserted.
According to this invention, the barrel and the breech and breech-frame and striking
pin are fitted to slide within a metal frame carrying the action. At the inner end of
the key-piece or wood support, forward of the action (which is of course fixed to the
barrel and slides therewith) is fitted a case carrying a spiral spring which bears
between the forward end of such case and a plate at the forward end of the action-
frame. The recoil of the discharge forces back the barrel within the action frame, and
the spiral spring draws the barrel forwards again. The breech-block is pivoted within
a breech-frame forming the backward extension of the barrel, and in such a manner
as to open sideways, preferably towards the left hand. The striker in striking rises
up through the lower side of the breech-frame and breech-block and strikes the back
end of the striking-pin which is carried within the breech-block. A projection is
carried on the underside of the breech-frame, and as the barrel recoils the hinder end
of this block pushes against a vertical face on the front edge of the striker and forces
back the striker until it is down clear of the breech-frame, when the block, continuing
to move backwards with the barrel, slides over a part of the edge of the striker which
is then horizontal, and thus maintains the striker in its backward or downward position.

page_text: A stud or pin fixed at its lower end to the action-frame, projects up through a slot in
the lower side of the breech-frame and into a groove in the under face of the breech-
block. This groove is shaped so as to allow the breech-block to move hackwards
with the breech-frame without being moved sideways until the striker is clear of the
breech-block, or nearly so, and is shaped slantwise across the breech-block so that the
further backward motion of the barrel causes the breech-block to be moved out
sideways by the pin. The groove is also shaped so that when the breech-block is
moved outwards as far as necessary for the insertion of a cartridge the breech-block
may travel somewhat further in a backward direction with the breech-frame without
being moved further outwards by the pin. An extractor, formed at its upper end
similarly as the extractor employed in the Martini-Henry rifle, is formed at its lower
end with a slot by which it is carried on a pin fixed transversely in the action-frame,
and when the barrel is in its forward position the upper part of the extractor is in
position with its prongs on either side of the bore, and with its back edges flush with
the back of the barrel, and with the hinder end of the slot against the transverse pin.
As the barrel commences to recoil, it carries the extractor back with it until the
forward part of its slot comes against the transverse pin. At this point the breech-
block is clear of the back of the extractor, and the continued backward movement of
the barrel tilts the upper end of the extractor backwards, which then turns on the
transverse pin as a fulcrum and throws out the cartridge against the right side of the
breech-block which is curved to give an outward direction to the cartridge. The
cartridge is thus thrown clear of the breech and falls on to the ground. The backward
movement of the barrel is stopped by the back end of the breech-frame coming in
contact with the inner back end of the action-frame, and thus the whole force of the
recoil is expended, except for the force which has been exerted in compressing
the spiral spring, aforesaid, (and in cocking the striker). This spiral spring then
reacts and forces forwards the barrel, and with it the breech-frame and breech-block,
but the forward motion stopped by means of a retentive stop, hereinafter described,
just at the point when the breech-block is about to be drawn in again by the reverse
action of the pin within the groove in its lower face. A fresh cartridge is then
inserted, and as it is pushed into place within the back end or breech of the barrel the
flange around its back end forces forwards the upper part of the extractor into its
original position in relation to the barrel, and as this operation is effected the lower
part of the extractor releases the retentive stop in the manner hereinafter described,
and the spiral spring comes into action again and forces forwards the barrel, and with
it the breech-frame and breech-block, into its original position, at the same time
closing the breech-block ready for the next discharge of the gun.
The retentive stop arrangement above referred to consists of an arm pivoted under-
neath the breech-frame and projecting forwards, and when the barrel is in its forward
position this arm rests upon the transverse pin, aforesaid. This arm is pressed
downwards by means of a spring, and, when the barrel has recoiled sufficiently far to
have opened the breech, the forward end of the arm falls behind the transverse pin,
and thus securely prevents the barrel from moving forwards again sufficiently to close
the breech until the arm is raised clear of the pin. The raising of the arm i. *ffected
by the movement of the lower end of the extractor around the pin consequent on the
placing of the fresh cartridge in position.
As the block on the underside of the breech-frame passes from off the striker the
sear retains the striker.
It is not essential that the striker shall pass clear of the breech-block before the
breech-block commences to be opened, as the opening within the breech-block for
the reception of the striker may be inclined on one side to allow of the breech-block
being moved sideways as the striker is being drawn down out of such block. The
striker must, however, be drawn back sufficiently to allow the striking-pin to pass
clear of the back end of the barrel before the breech-block is moved sideways.
A safety stop is provided to prevent the barrel being accidentally telescoped into
the action-frame and thus throwing out the cartridge when the fire-arm is grounded
or held under other conditions likely to occasion such result. This stop consists of an

page_text: arm pivoted to a transverse pin carried by the action-frame, in combination with a
projection under the breech-frame. When the arm is raised with its forward end
behind the projection, the barrel cannot be pushed backwards within the action-frame.
The armi is drawn down clear of the projection, when the gun is about to be fired, by
the grip of the hand under the stock, for which purpose a bar is fulcrumed at its back
end to the underside of the stock and is geared at its front end, by means of a slotted
connection, with a downwardly projecting arm from the boss or nave of the stop arm,
so that as the bar is pressed upwards, or inwards, by the grip of the hand, the
downwardly projecting arm is drawn backwards, and the stop arm is consequently
drawn down clear of the projection under the breech-frame. The bar is pressed
downwards, or outwards, by means of a spring immediately it is released from the
grip, and thus the stop arm returns automatically into position behind the projection.
The mechanism just described is utilized also for automatically locking the trigger, for
which purpose the lower end of the downwardly projecting arm is arranged to come
over the hinder end of the sear, so as to lock the trigger except when drawn back
from the sear by the grip of the hand against the bar.
A safety stop is provided also to prevent the barrel being telescoped into the action-
frame as it is grasped in the act of taking aim. This safety stop consists of a lover
carried at a point between its ends by the last-mentioned transverse pin, so as to bo
capable of turning loosely thereon. On the hinder end of this lever is carried a block
which fits up between the back end of the breech-frame and the inside of the back end
of the action-frame when the barrel is in its forward position, and the forward end of
this lever projects over a cam carried on one side of the striker. In its normal
position, the hinder end of the lever is held so as to maintain the block thereon below
the breech-frame, by the forward end of a spring which rests at about its centre upon
a fixed transverse pin and at its hinder end abuts against a fixed support. A thumb-
piece is hinged on the upper side of the stock, in position to be pressed upon by the
thumb when grasping the stock to take aim, and this thumb-piece is, in its normal
position, pressed upwards against a stop by the part of the spring between the
transverse pin and the fixed abutment. As the stock is grasped, the thumb-piece is
pressed down and thus raises the front end of the spring and brings the block into
position between the back end of the breech-frame and the inner back end of the
action-frame. As the trigger is pulled, however, in firing, and the striker released,
the cam on the side thereof, moving with the striker, raises the front end of the lever
which has the block on its hinder end and thus draws such block down clear of the
breech-frame so that the barrel can then recoil.
Mechanism is provided, also, by which the barrel can be drawn back and the breech
opened without discharging the gun, as when a cartridge is to be withdrawn without
being discharged. For this purpose, a follower is carried upon a transverse spindle
passing through the action-frame below the breech-frame and projecting on the right-
hand side of the action-frame. A lever is fixed to the projecting end of this spindle
by which it may be turned. The barrel is drawn back by turning the follower
backwards against the block first-described as projecting on the underside of the
breech-frame, and the resulting action is the same as when the barrel recoils from the
discharge of a shot, the parts coming into position with the breech open ready for
the reception of a cartridge; and the operation of placing in the fresh cartridge, and
the action resulting therefrom, are precisely the same as already described. The hand
lever which is fixed to the projecting end of the spindle is provided with suitable
means for holding it in position when not in use, and these may conveniently consist
of a spring peg on the outer end of the lever projecting sideways into a hole in the
side of the action-frame, from which it may be readily withdrawn when the lever is to
be used.
Mechanism is provided also for closing the breech when it is not required to insert
a cartridge. For this purpose, a cam is carried on the, follower, aforesaid, and a
projection is formed on the lower side of the retentive stop, in such relative positions to
one another that as the handle is raised to move the follower from the position in
which it is when the parts are in place to receive a fresh cartridge, the cam coming in

page_text: contact with the projection under the retentive stop raises such stop and allows the
spiral spring to draw forwards the barrel and close the breech as before described. In
order to ensure that the extractor shall, in such case, move properly into position to
allow of the closing of the breech, a spring, which travels with the barrel, is caused to
bear on the forward end of the slotted part of the extractor. As the retentive stop. is
raised this spring is enabled to come into action and draw the extractor into a proper
vertical position within the back end of the barrel.
The
space occurring between the back end of the breech-frame and the inner back
end of the action-frame, when the barrel is in its forward position, is surrounded with
a guard or hood to prevent the ingress of dirt.
Dated the Twenty-fourth day of March 1886.

page_text: Improvements in Fire-arms.
I, JOHN GEORGE HOWARD, of Gamatibié, British Bechuanaland, South Africa,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 the letters of
reference marked thereon (that is tó say) :-
:-
This invention refers to breech-loading fire-arms, and has for its chief object to
utilize the force of the recoil of the discharge for the purpose of cocking the striker,
opening the breech, throwing out the empty cartridge case, and leaving the parts in a
position for receiving a fresh cartridge, and finally closing the breech ready for the
next discharge.
According to this invention a breech-frame is fitted to slide along a metal framing
carrying the action, and the arrangement and operation of the mechanism is such that
immediately upon the discharge of a cartridge, the barrel and breech-frame recoil, and
in doing so cock the striker, and compress a powerful spring which in reacting
carries forward again the barrel and breech-frame and causes the breech to be
automatically opened and the empty cartridge case extracted and thrown clear of the
breech. The fire-arm then remains with the breech open ready to receive a fresh
cartridge, and the action of pushing in such cartridge effects the automatic closing of
the breech. The only operation, therefore, which has to be performed in using the arm
in action (in addition of course to firing) is the pushing in of a fresh cartridge, the
breech being opened, the empty cartridge case thrown out, and the breech closed
again, all entirely automatically. The invention comprises, also, an arrangement of
safety stop by which the barrel is prevented from being accidently recoiled; a special
provision for enabling a tightly fitting unexploded cartridge to be withdrawn, when
desired; and a loaded and unloaded indicator.
In order that this invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed at once to
describe it with reference to the drawings herewith, of which figure 1 is a longitudinal
vertical-section through the centre of a fire-arm constructed according to this
invention, but with part of the barrel and fore-end, and also part of the stock, shewn
as if broken away, for convenience of illustration, and shews the parts in position at
the instant of discharge, but previously to the recoil of the barrel and other parts, as
hereinafter explained.
Figure 2 is a view corresponding to fig. 1, but shews the parts in position due to
the breech being open for the reception of a fresh cartridge. In this latter view, only
such parts are shewn as are necessary to shew the alteration in position, compared with
the parts shewn by figure 1.
Figure, 3, is a plan of figure 1, with the barrel and breech-frame removed, so that a
plan of the interior mechanism may be clearly seen. In this figure the spiral spring
and fore-end, hereinafter described, and also the stock, are omitted, for convenience of
篇

page_text: illustration, and part of the back end of the action frame, hereinafter described, is
broken away.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the centre of the breech-frame, and the rear
end of the barrel, and plan of the breech-block, hereinafter described, shewn in its
open position for the reception of a fresh cartridge. The crank and spring hereinafter
referred to as employed in opening and closing the breech-block, respectively, are
shewn by broken lines in this view, as is also the rocker hereinafter described.
Figure 5, is a view of the underside of the breech-frame hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of part of the trigger plate, and the safety-stop
mechanism, hereinafter described, for preventing the barrel being accidentally recoiled,
and shews, also the back end of the breech-frame, hereinafter described, and sufficient
of the other parts of the mechanism to make the application of this part of the
invention clear; and figure 8 is a plan of part of the trigger-plate and of the grip
lever, stop-piece & spring therefor, hereinafter described.
The remaining figures illustrate certain of the details & will be hereinafter described.
The same letters of reference occurring upon two or more of the views indicate
corresponding parts.
The barrel A is screwed or otherwise fitted into the front end of a breech-frame B.
The barrel, and breech-frame, are mounted to be capable of sliding end ways upon
upon an action frame C, C₁, and are guided thereupon by means of a dove-tail block D
under the barrel fitting within dove-tail slides D' D', see specially figure 7, which is a
transverse section through the forward end of the action frame and part of the barrel
thereabove, and also by means of a reduced part E, on the rear end of the breech-
frame fitting within a guide E¹ on the rear end of the action-frame. The backward
movement of the barrel and breech-frame is stopped by the back wall of the guide E',
& the forward movement is stopped by a key-piece a fixed by means of a transverse
pin a¹ within the forward end of the action frame. A spiral spring A' within the fore-
end B¹ bears at its rear end against the key-piece a and at its forward end against the
end of the cylindrical opening in the fore-end B₁ within which it is contained. A
bung b on the forward face of the key-piece assists in maintaining the spring A¹ in
position. The main section of the action frame is rectangular, but the front end C¹ is
formed to the section shewn at figure 7, so as to correspond with the contour of the
fore-end B; and a casing or shield 6 formed, preferably, of sheet metal is fixed to
the fore-end and slides over the front end of the action frame, as the barrel recoils in
the manner hereinafter described, and thus prevents the hand from being pinched
between the back of the fore-end B¹ and the front end of the action fraine. The
discharge of the fire-arm causes the barrel A, and breech-frame B, and with then also
the breech-block F, to recoil, and thus compress the spring A'. The striker G. is
carried on the pin e and is thrown up by the spring to strike the striker pin G¹.
The breech-block F is carried upon a vertical pin c so as to open sideways, as shewn
specially by figure 4. On the bottom of the pin c so as to be immediately on the
underside of the breech-frame B, is formed or fitted a crank J, and a heel-piece p
(shewn by broken lines figure 4) projects from the pin c opposite to the junction of
the crank therewith, and a spring m (shewn also by broken lines figure 4) carried on
the underside of the breech-frame, so as to travel therewith, bears against such heel-
piece in a manner tending to turn the pin c in a direction to close the breech-block F',
or to maintain such block in its closed position. In the position in which the parts are
shewn by figures 1 & 3, the crank J passes across to the opposite side of the action
frame CC, and is formed to a curved shape, on plan, so as to allow of the cocking of
the striker. The striker G in striking passes up through an opening c¹ in the bottom
of the breech-frame.
An extractor, H, is supported upon a pin h carried so as to turn freely within a
lug projecting downwards from the underside of the breech frame. The extractor
has a backwardly-projecting arm d and a forwardly-projecting arm d'. A rocking
lever H¹, hereinafter termed the "rocker," is carried upon a round part on the striker
spindle e so as to be able to turn freely thereon. This rocker has a backwardly-
projecting arm e¹, and a forwardly-projecting arm e. In the position in which the

page_text: parts are shewn by figures 1 & 3, the outer end of the crank J projects over the top
of the arme of the rocker and thus prevents the rocker from being tilted forwards.
The trigger M, is formed in one piece with the sear -M. A secondary sear M² is
carried upon a fixed fulcrum f. A stud projects from the side of the secondary
sear M³ into a slot formed in part of the rocker H', and a spring g bears up against
a shoulder on the sear M² so as to constantly tend to turn such sear in a backward
direction, and consequently to tilt the rocker forwards, but is prevented by the crank J
(the outer end of which in the position shewn is between the top of the back end of
he rocker & the underside of the breech-frame) from so turning such sear and tilting
the rocker until such crank passes from over the top of the back end of the rocker, as
hereinafter described.
As the barrel and breech-frame, and consequently also the breech-block F and the
extractor H recoil, a lug i on the underside of the breech-frame comes in contact with
a shoulder on the front edge of the striker and moves the striker back into the
position shewn by figure 2, and the crank J is also thus moved back from off the top of
the part e' of the rocker, whereupon the spring g is free to turn back the secondary
sear M into the position shewn at figure 2, bringing with it the rocker into the position
also shewn by such figure. This operation takes place immediately the crank J has
reached the back end of the rocker, that is, approximately, at the extreme end of the
recoil. The secondary sear M2 is brought into bent with a shoulder on the striker
and retains the striker in its cocked. position as the lug i passes out of contact there-
with on the return of the barrel and breech-frame. This secondary sear is necessary
because the movements of the parts are so rapid that the finger cannot, with any
certainty, be released in time from the trigger to allow the sear M¹ to come into bent
in time to catch the striker before the lug has passed out of contact therewith.
The force of the recoil is to a large extent absorbed by and stored up within the
spring A, and such spring, consequently, reacts after the recoil and forces forwards
the barrel and breech-frame and block, and any parts which they carry.
A bar K, hereinafter termed the "tilter," is fulcrumed to a vertical pin j, and a
toe-piece projects sideways from the tilter. A spring k tends to press the tilter to
the left side of the action frame, and a stud k¹ projects downwards from the dove-tail
block D underneath the barrel, and by pressing against the toe-piece j¹, as shewn by
figure 3, maintains the tilter K in the position shown by such figure, and, consequently,
clear of the arm d¹ of the extractor. When, however, the barrel has recoiled, in the
manner previously described, the stud passes from out of contact with the too-
piece.j, and the tilter K is consequently forced, by the spring k, against the left side
of the action frame, and its backward end comes, consequently, in front of the arm d¹
of the extractor. The backward end of the tilter has a curved and slanted part K³
formed thereon, as shewn, for a purpose which will be presently understood.
As the barrel and action-frame, and the parts which they carry, are moved forwards
again after the recoil, the back end of the arm e¹ of the rocker, being tilted up into
the position shewn by figure 2, the outer-end of the crank J is caught against the
back end of such arm, and thus as the pin c moves forwards with the action-frame
the outer end of the crank J is drawn around a cam-shaped part e³ (see figure 3) on the
back end of the arm e as shown by broken lines figure 4, and the pin c is
consequently turned and the breech-block Fopened, as shewn by such figure. The
parts may be arranged for the barrel to recoil about six tenths of an inch, and in such
case the breech-block may be conveniently operated to be wide open at about three
quarters of the length of the return movement. During the return movement, also,
the arm of the extractor comes in contact with the curved and slanted part K of
the tilter K, and thus the extractor is tilted backwards and loosens and throws out the
empty cartridge case; and immediately this has been accomplished, and almost
simultaneously with the barrel reaching the forward end of its movement, the stud k¹
comes in contact with the toe-piece j' and moves the tilter K clear of the arm d¹ so
that the extractor can be moved up into its vertical position again as hereinafter
described. As the breech-block opens sideways the cartridge case is, of course,
thrown out sideways, and consequently does not fly up into the air.

page_text: The parts are now in the position shewn by figures 2 and 4, and are ready for the
reception of a fresh cartridge, that is to say, the barrel and breech are in their forward
position again and the breech-block F is wide open. The fresh cartridge is simply
pushed into place from the right-hand side of the breech, and as it is pushed home the
flange of the cartridge, coming in contact with the fork of the extractor, moves the
extractor back again into a vertical position; and just as the fork of the extractor
approaches its vertical position, a sideway projection g¹ on the armi d of the extractor
comes in contact with a corresponding projection g2 on the arm of the rocker and
thus moves the rocker back again into the position shewn by Figure 1, whereupon the
outer end of the crank J is free to pass over the upper side of the hinder end of
the rocker, and thus immediately upon the rocker being moved into such position the
spring m (figure 4) acts to turn the pin c so as to close the breech-block F and at the
same time turn the crank J into the position shewn by figure 3. The putting in of a.
fresh cartridge, consequently, causes the automatic closing of the breech. As the
rocker is moved into position from that shewn by figure 1 to that shewn by figure 2
the secondary sear M² is moved in a corresponding manner, & consequently out of bent
with the striker. By this time, however, the finger has been removed from the trigger,
and the forward end of the sear M' is consequently in the position shown by figure 2,
being pressed up into such position by its spring m¹; as, therefore, the secondary
sear M² is moved out of bont with the striker the striker itself is slightly turned.
forwards by the spring F¹, and comes into bent with the sear M. The fire-arm is
now ready for the next discharge.
To sum up the above operations immediately upon the discharge of a cartridge the
barrel and action frame recoil, and the lug i moves back the striker and the crank is
carried back from off the top of the arm of the rocker, and the secondary sear M
is thus brought into bent with the striker so as to hold it in its backward position until
the sear M is able to come into bent. This movement of the secondary sear also tilts
forwards the rocker so as to bring the back end of the arm e' in front of the outer end
of the crank J. The extractor is carried back with the action frame as it recoils, and
the titer K is moved sideways by the spring k so that its backward end is in front of
the arm d¹ of the extractor. On the return of the barrel and action frame the outer
end of the crank J is drawn around the cam-shaped end of the rocker and the
breech-block F is opened, and the arm d² of the extractor, coming in contact with the
curved and slanted end of the tilter K, causes the tilting backwards of the extractor
and the throwing out of the cartridge case, and as the barrel completes its forward
movement the stud k¹ pressing against the toe-piece draws the tilter K sideways clear
of the arm d¹ of the extractor. The fire-arm is thus in position with the breech open
ready for the reception of a fresh cartridge, and the putting in of such cartridge
returns the extractor to its vertical position again, and the projection g₁ on the arm d
of the extractor, coming in contact with the projection on the arme of the rocker,
tilts back the rocker into its former position and allows the crank J to be moved by
the spring m to close the breech, and draws the secondary sear M2 out of bent with the
striker and allows the striker to come into bent with the sear M. The fire-arm is
thus loaded and ready for the next discharge.
In order to provide against liability of the empty cartridge case being violently
ejected by the pressure of unescaped gas, instead of being thrown out by the extractor,
I employ a check spring S fixed at its hinder end, and having at its front end a
claw S¹ which catches in front of a shoulder in the breech-frame, when such frame
is at the backward end of its recoil, and checks the too sudden return of the
breech-frame and barrel and thus allows time for the dispersion of the gas before the
opening of the breech takes place. The return of the breech-frame and barrel is,
however, automatic notwithstanding the check spring, as the recoil force of the
spring A¹ is sufficient to cause the shoulder to disengage itself from the claw S¹,
and in doing so press down the spring S.
The recoil spring A¹ may be varied in strength according to the character of the
cartridge employed. I find that a strength of about 130 pounds when compressed by
the recoil answers the purpose wben cartridges of 577/450, with solid drawn cases

page_text: "
are employed. When "Boxer" ог "coil" cartridges are to be used the underside of
the arm of the extractor should be shaped to give a more sudden throw to the
ог ❝ coil"
empty case, than when the solid drawn cases are used, as the " Boxer
cases expand more, and consequently bind more tightly in the breech.
Figure 9, is a detached back elevation and figure 10 a side elevation of the extractor
when in the position shewn by figure 1. If it should be required to close the breech
without inserting a cartridge, the fork of the extractor is simply pressed into its
vertical position, by pressing the thumb against the right side prong n of the fork,
which is formed, preferably, to project somewhat beyond the hinder end of the barrel,
when in its vertical position, in order to facilitate the operation. The arm d¹ of the
extractor is shaped so that during the earlier part of its contact with the tilter it
loosens the cartridge case in the breech, but does not throw it suddenly backwards,
and so that during the latter part of its contact it throws or jerks out the cartridge
case.
As the breech-block is not locked when closed the front end is formed to make
slightly more than a right angle with the left side (that is about 91 degrees) so that
the pressure of the gas will act upon a slightly inclined face in a direction tending to
maintain the breech in its closed position, and thus any tendency of the gas to force
open the breech is avoided. The inner front end of the breech-frame is, of course,
slanted to suit the slant of the front end of the block.
The right hand front corner of the breech-block is notched out, as shewn by figure 4,
to allow for the projection of the prong n of the extractor, and also for the backward
movement of the prong n' when the breech is open.
Figure 11. is a back elevation of the crank J and pin c, when in the position shewn
by figure 3, and figure 12 is an elevation of such crank and pin as seen from the
lower side of figure 3. Figure 12* is a section taken through the pin c on line x x of
figure 12, and figure 12b a corresponding section taken on line y y of figuro 12. The
former section shews the shape given to the pin at this point to key it into the block F,
and the latter section shews such shape to be preserved, in the main, at this point for
strength, but to be somewhat reduced on one side to allow of its turning in the hole c³
in the action frame through which the section shewn by figure 12" has been passed up
for the insertion of the pin within the block F.
The extractor pin his cylindrical throughout and fits flush within one side of the
extractor, and is screwed within the other side, and is fixed in position by being passed
through a hole formed therefor in the side of the action-frame, and this hole is
afterwards closed in with a dummy screw. The hinder end of the part e¹ of the
rocker H is somewhat slanted so as to give it a lead in closing up behind the crank J.
The slot is slightly curved out to widen it at its outer and lower side, as shewn by
figures 1 and 2, in order to prevent the spring g becoming too greatly compressed and
thus offering an inconvenient resistance as, the extractor is pushed into a vertical
position on the insertion of a cartridge or for the purpose of simply closing the
breech.
In case it is desired to insert a cartridge after the breech has been closed up, with
the gun unloaded, the breech may be pushed on one side so as to admit the cartridge ;
and if it is desired to withdraw a cartridge without firing it, the breech may be simply
pushed open by band with the result of drawing the crank from off the rocker and
allowing the spring g to turn back the sear M³ and tilt forward the rocker which
thus, through the medium of the projections g³ and g¹, operates the extractor and
loosens the cartridge so that it can readily be removed with the thumb and finger.
The upper end of the prong n of the extractor may be fitted with a knob n² as shewn
in plan by figure 15, for the purpose of facilitating the drawing of a tight fitting
unexploded cartridge. This knob is screwed into an enlarged part n³ formed specially
therefore on the prong as shewn in side elevation figure 16.
A short thumb lever K¹ is formed on the outer end of the striker spindle e, and by
depressing the lever the striker may be cocked at any time, in case a cartridge misses
fire, or in case the trigger has been pulled so as to bring the sear M' out of bent after
the breech has been closed up with the barrel empty.
.

page_text: In order to prevent any risk of the barrel and breech-frame being accidentally
recoiled, I have devised a safety-stop arrangement which securely prevents the barrel
and breech-frame from being recoiled, until the stock is grasped for firing, and I
adapt this mechanism, also, as a safety stop to prevent the trigger being pulled
back except when the stock is grasped for firing. This part of my invention is
illustrated by figures 6 and 8. The part of the breech-frame shewn by figure 6 is
represented as in its former position. A stop-piece L formed with a forwardly
projecting arm o, and a backwardly projecting arm o', is carried upon a pin r fixed in
the action frame. A grip-bar N is carried upon a fulcrum-pin supported by a screw-
eye carried from the lower side of the stock N¹. A lugs is formed on the upper
side of the forward end of the grip-bar N, and passes up through an opening formed
therefore in the trigger plate. A spring Q presses constantly upon the arm o¹ of
the stop-piece and thus tends to raise the arm o into the position shewn by
figure 6, that is with its forward end behind a downwardly projecting part s¹ of the
pin c, and to maintain it in such position, and consequently prevent the barrel and
breech-frame from recoiling. When the stop-piece L is in the position shewn by.
figure 6, the grip-bar N is down from the trigger plate at its forward end, with a
stop t on the lug s resting upon a corresponding ledge in the trigger-plate, and the
pressure of the spring Q tends to maintain it in such position. When the stock
is grasped for firing, the pressure of the grasp raises the grip-bar N, and the lug s
presses underneath and raises the arm o¹ against the pressure of the spring, and thus
draws down the arm o from behind the part s¹ and allows the barrel and action-frame
to recoil when the discharge takes place. When the grip-bar N is released from the
grasp, the pressure of the spring causes the parts to return again to the position
shewn by the drawings, and thus prevents the barrel and breech-frame from being
accidently recoiled. The grip-bar N is, preferably, set so as not to quite close against
the underside of the stock N', when grasped, in order to prevent its being readily
choked by an accumulation of dirt between itself and the stock. The forward end of
the arm o is curved on plan, and the part s¹ is formed circular, so as to allow of the
turning of the pin c in opening and closing the breech.
Figure 13 is a back elevation of the stop-piece L, and figure 14 a transverse
section through the grip-bar N.
When the stop-piece L is in the position shewn by figure 6 the lower front
edge is slightly over the back end of the scar M¹ and thus prevents the trigger being
pulled; but when the grip-bar N is raised up, so as to move the stop-piece in the
manner described, the edge of the stop-piece is drawn from over the sear and the
trigger can then be pulled.
A loaded and unloaded indicator may be applied to the breech-block (see
figures 1 and 4), and consists of a lever 1 let into an opening formed therefor in the
breech block, and fulcrumed upon a pin 2. This lever carries a plate 3 at the outer
face of the block, and is pressed by means of a spring 4, in a manner tending to
move the plate backwards, and the nose end 5 of the lever forwards from the front
face of the block. When a cartridge is placed in the barrel, and the breech closed,
the nose of the lever is forced back by the flange or back end of the cartridge, flush
with the face of the block, and thus causes the plate 3 to be moved forwards; but
when the breech is closed with the fire-arm empty, the nose of the lever projects
somewhat into the barrel. When the plate 3 is in its backward position, as shewn by
figure 4, the word "
empty or unloaded is exposed on the side of the block,
immediately in front of the plate, and the word "loaded" is covered by the back end
of the plate, and the reverse effect is produced when the plate is in its forward
position. The opening in the breech-block is shaped to admit of the insertion of the
curved shaped lever with the spring connected thereto.
"
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim, is :-
1. A fire-arm constructed and operating substantially as described.
2. A fire-arm in which the barrel and breech-frame are mounted so as to recoil on

page_text: the discharge of a shot and by such recoil cock or move the striker into a backward
or downward position and compress a spring which in reacting moves forward
the barrel and breech frame and effects the opening of the breech block and extracts
the empty cartridge case, and leaves the breech open for the reception of a fresh
cartridge, substantially as described.
3. A fire-arm in which the barrel and breech-frame are mounted so as to recoil on
the discharge of a shot and by such recoil cock or move the striker into a backward or
downward position and compress a spring which in reacting moves forward the barrel
and breech-frame and effects the opening of the breech-block and extracts the empty
cartridge-case, and leaves the breech open for the reception of a fresh cartridge,
having during such reaction stored up energy which causes the automatic closing of
the breech upon the insertion of a fresh cartridge, substantially as described.
4. In a fire-arm in which the opening of a breech-block and the ejectment of
a cartridge case are effected automatically, the arrangement of the breech-block to
open sideways in order that the cartridge case may be thrown automatically sideways
from the breech, substantially as described.
5. In a fire-arm in which the barrel and breech-block are mounted to recoil upon
the discharge of a shot the arrangement of a breech-block to open sideways in order
that the cartridge case may be thrown sideways from the breech, substantially as
described.
6. The construction and combination of the breech-block F with the breech-frame B,
substantially as described and shewn for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination of the barrel A, breech-frame B, breech-block F constructed to
open sideways, and striker G, constructed and operating substantially as described and
shewn for the purpose set forth.
8. The means by which the opening of the breech-block is effected, substantially as
described.
9. The combination of the breech-block F, pin c, crank J, and spring m, constructed
and operating substantially as described and shewn for the purpose set forth.
10. The combination with the parts referred to in the last preceding claim of the
rocker H¹ constructed and operating substantially as described.
11. The combination with the ordinary sear and with the striker, of a secondary
sear operating to retain the striker in its backward or downward position until after
the finger has been removed from the trigger and the ordinary sear thereby allowed
to come into bent with the striker, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
12. The combination of the rocker H¹ with the secondary sear M² and a spring by
which such sear is turned in a backward direction and the rocker tilted forwards,
substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
13. The means by which the extractor is operated to loosen and throw out an empty
cartridge case, substantially as described.
14. The combination of the extractor H with the tilter K, substantially as described
and shewn for the purposo set forth.
15. The means by which, upon the insertion of a cartridge, the breech-block is
caused to close automatically, substantially as described.
16. The means by which upon the insertion of a cartridge the extractor H is caused
to operate the rocker H¹ and secondary sear M³, substantially as described and
shewn for the purpose set forth.
17. The means by which the tilter K is drawn clear of the extractor arm d¹ as the
barrel completes its forward movement, substantially as described, for the purpose set
forth.
18. The means by which the barrel is mounted upon the action-frame, substantially
as described and shewn.
19. A breech-block formed with a face slightly inclined to the axis of the barrel,
substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
20. The breech-block F formed with the front end inclined at somewhat more
than a right angle with the left side, substantially as described and shewn for the
purpose set forth.

page_text: 21. The means, substantially as described, whereby an unexploded cartridge is
extracted by simply pushing open the breech.
22. The prong n of the extractor formed to project somewhat beyond the hinder
end of the barrel when the extractor is in its vertical position, substantially as
described, for the purpose set forth.
23. The knob n² on the extractor, substantially as described for, the purpose set
forth.
24. The means by which the barrel and breech are prevented from being
recoiled until the stock is grasped for firing, substantially as described.
25. The combination with the means referred to in the last preceding claim of the
means by which the trigger is prevented from being drawn back until the stock is
grasped for firing, substantially as described.
26. The combination of the lever N, stop-piece L, and spring Q substantially as
described for the purpose set forth.
27. In a fire-arin in which the barrel and breech-block are mounted to recoil upon
the discharge of a shot, and are drawn forwards again by means of a spring and by
which latter operation the opening of the breech is effected, retarding or delaying
such forward movement so as to allow time for the dispersion of gas from the barrel,
substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
28. A check spring operating with a shouldor or equivalent part to retard or delay
the forward movement of the breech-frame and barrel, substantially as described, for
the purpose set forth.
•
29. The check spring S, having a claw S¹ thereon in combination with the
shoulder, substantially as described and shown for the purpose set forth.
30. In a breech-loading fire-arm, a loaded and unloaded indicator, operating to
indicate that the arm is loaded, by the pressure of the flange on the back end of the
cartridge against a yielding part projecting, previously to such pressure, beyond the
face of the part which closes against the back end of the cartridge, substantially as
described.
31. In a breech-loading fire-arm, a loaded and unloaded indicator, consisting of a
lever 1 having a nose 5 at one end and a plate 3 at the other, and spring 4, constructed
and operating substantially as described and shown.
32. In a breech-loading fire-arm the loaded and unloaded indicator, substantially as
described.
Dated this Twants gooond day of Tonu 1907