IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Davies at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th November
1861. A communication from abroad by Benjamin Franklin Joslyn,
of Stonington, Connecticut, in the United States of America.
I, GEORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County
of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE," (a communication
to me from abroad by Benjamin Franklin Joslyn, of Stonington, Connecticut,
in the United States of America,) to be as follows:-
The first part of these improvements relates to devices, which although
applicable to fire-arms generally, and to cannon of small calibre, are especially
well adapted to such fire-arms as have been constructed for loading at the
muzzle, but have to be converted into breech loaders, and consists,―
Firstly, in a breech hinged to the rear end of the barrel, and constructed
substantially, as set forth hereafter, so that the upper portion of the said
breech may fit over an enlargement on the end of the barrel in a manner
which renders the breech incapable of moving longitudinally when the
cartridge is discharged.
Secondly, in a device described hereafter for retaining the lower portion
of the breech in its proper position in respect to the end of the barrel.

page_text: Iniraly, in a device for rocking the preech to the varrel, and reaпу
releasing it therefrom.
And, fourthly, in an inclined projection on the hinged breech, whereby the
spent cartridge may be partially withdrawn on turning the breech from the
barrel preparatory to the insertion of another cartridge.
The second part of these improvements relates to revolving fire-arms,
and consists,
Firstly, in combining and arranging a series of parts in the peculiar
manner described hereafter, and in such relation to the hammer shaft as to
revolve the cylinder the required distance by the act of cocking the hammer.
And, secondly, in so constructing the ramrod, which is connected to the
fire-arm, that it can be readily adjusted longitudinally to suit the different
loads with which it may be necessary to charge the chambers of the cylinder.
The third part of this Invention relates to improvements in breech-loading
fire-arms, in which the moveable breech consists of an arm fitting into the stock,
and so hinged to the end of the barrel that it can be turned up, thereby
exposing the bore of the barrel for the insertion of the cartridge, and this
portion of the improvements consists,-
Firstly, in a device by which the fire-arm is rendered self-tightening at the
breech.
And, secondly, in a device by which the discharge of the fire-arm is rendered
impossible unless the breech is depressed and locked to its proper position.
In carrying out the first part of these improvements, an enlargement or broad
collar is formed at the rear end of the barrel so as to present an abrupt
shoulder, and from the side of this enlargement project two lugs to which the
moveable breech is hinged. The upper portion of the moveable breech fits
over the rear end of the barrel, enclosing about one-half of its circumference,
and its under side is recessed so as to receive the enlargement of the barrel,
and has a shoulder fitting accurately to and bearing against the shoulder
before named. The other part of the breech entirely covers the open breech
or end of the bore of the barrel, and the lower end of this part is formed for
fitting into a recess in the "tang" or "break-off" at the point where the latter
joins the barrel, as well as for fitting on each side of the same. The face of
this part is also recessed to receive the head or flange of a metallic cartridge,
and a nipple is screwed into the breech in such a position as to afford a direct
communication with the cartridge. The moveable breech is provided with a
thumbpiece and a spring locking pin placed close together so as to be
operated by one movement. There is a wedge-formed projection on the
moveable breech; which as the breech is being opened enters between the end

page_text: of the barrel and the flange of the cartridge last discharged, and partially
withdraws the latter, so that it can easily be seized by the finger and thumb
and entirely removed.
In carrying out the second part of these improvements, the barrel and
revolving cylinder are placed in the same relation to each other as in the
"Colt's revolver." The cylinder is revolved on an arbor, which is provided at
its forward end with a screw fitting into the frame which connects the barrel
with the stock. The arbor extends to some distance behind the cylinder,
where the former is provided with a milled head, so that it can be turned by
hand. On this arbor is fitted a clutch cylinder (so as to be capable of
revolving freely) having on its face inclined projections fitting into cor-
responding notches formed in the rear end of the cylinder, being kept in gear
therewith by a spring. In the under part of the clutch cylinder a spiral slot
is formed, in which works the end of an arm fixed on the hammer shaft, or on
the tumbler, so that as the hammer is cocked the clutch is caused to revolve
a sufficient distance to bring another chamber opposite to the barrel. On the
falling of the hammer the spiral spring yields, and the clutch is brought back
to its original position without turning the cylinder. The cylinder is furnished
with notches corresponding with each of the chambers, and the tumbler is
provided with a small "dog" or spring catch, which as the piece is being
cocked acts upon a stop lever and withdraws its end from the notch in which
it was engaged before the cylinder begins to revolve, the stop lever falling into
the next succeeding notch as soon as the hammer has reached "full cock,"
and another chamber is exactly opposite the barrel, thus locking the cylinder
firmly in the required position. The ramrod slides in a socket in the frame
opposite to one of the chambers of the cylinder, and its front end is furnished
with a toothed rack on its upper side, a similar rack being on the under side
of the barrel in such a position that a toothed segment gears into both racks.
This segment is attached to a lever, and by turning the latter downwards the
segment causes the ramrod to force the charge into one of the chambers. The
upper end of the lever is furnished with a spring catch for locking it to the
barrel when not in use. The ramrod is made in two pieces screwed together,
so that its length may be readily adapted to different charges.
In carrying out the third part of this,Invention the rear end of the barrel
is recessed for the reception of a ring, which is straight or cylindrical on the
outside and bevilled on the inside in two directions, the rear bevilled portion
being arranged to receive the conical head of a plug, the stem of which fits
loosely into a chamber formed in the hinged breech, the stem being confined
therein by a set screw, the point of which projects into a recess in the same,

page_text: which recess is of such a form as to allow of a limited amount of movement of
the plug in the chamber. When the discharge of the cartridge takes place
the backward pressure acting against the bevilled face of the ring forces it
tightly on to the conical plug of the breech, and thus effectually prevents the
escape of gas. The rear end of the arm which forms the moveable breech
is provided with a spring bolt furnished with a ring for unlocking the same,
and having a pin projecting from its under side, which acts upon a sliding bar
beneath furnished with a projection fitting into a notch in the trigger. This
sliding bar is acted on by a spring which always keeps the projection in the
notch of the trigger, and thus effectually prevents the latter from moving,
except when the sliding bar is drawn back by the pin, which only happens
when the breech is closed, and the spring bolt shoots into its locked position.