IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE MODE OF CAPPING OR PRIMING THE SAME
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE MODE OF
CAPPING OR PRIMING THE SAME."-A communication from abroad by
Paul Perret and François Deroche, Directors of the Joint Stock
Breech-loading Fire-arms Company, of Paris, in the Empire of
France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 25th August 1868.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
THE MODE OF CAPPING OR PRIMING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
These improvements in fire-arms relate to the particular arrangement
of the breech-loading mechanism, which consists of a short tube made

page_text: to lift out of its place in the end of the barrel for the insertion of the
charge and then lowered into position so as to close the breech. This
arrangement presents the following advantages:-1st, the gun may be
rapidly and securely loaded and at same time freed of all residue
of the charge; 2ndly, the barrel and breech are firmly united together
and are not weakened in any way; 3rdly, freedom from accident is
ensured either when extracting the charge in case of a miss-fire or
should the breech burst in firing all escape of gas being at same time
prevented, as in both the latter cases the parts could only be projected
in an upward direction without endangering the person using the gun,
as the upper part only of the breech plug is unenclosed. The breech
plug consists of an independent part moved in and out of position by
means of a screwed stem provided with a very rapid screw thread
entering a corresponding nut, to which nut motion is imparted by a
hand lever for raising or lowering the screwed stem together with the
breech plug to which it is attached, which latter is never entirely
detached, so as to ensure its always returning to position. This breech
plug is further provided with means for ensuring a gas-tight joint
both with the barrel and with the end of the breech chamber, which
is rendered so much the more perfect as the internal pressure of the
gas increases. This improved breech arrangement is applicable to all
kinds of fire-arms, whether used for military or sporting purposes, with
one or more barrels, whatever may be the nature of the charge em-
ployed and whether using percussion or other cartridges or otherwise.
These improvements may also be adapted to existing fire-arms. When
the discharge is produced by the action of a needle I use a peculiar
arrangement of cap, or priming it being remarked that the latter may
be used with loose charges and without a cartridge if desired, using the
needle for exploding the priming.
In the annexed Drawing Figure 1 shows a plan of a double-barrelled
sporting gun fitted with the improvements of this Invention; Figure 2
is a longitudinal vertical section of same; Figure 3 shows a plan of
the improvements applied to a single gun or military carbine; Figure 4,
a side elevation of same; Figure 5 shows a transverse section of an
expanding tube used for preventing any escape of gas; while Figure 6
is a section of the improved impermeable priming. The same letters
apply to the several Figures.
A, breech, to which are attached the barrels B, B, and part a, the

page_text: necessary space being provided in the breech to receive the movable
breech plug C which is fitted to rise out of the breech chamber;
D, screw recessed in the breech plug and suitably secured thereto;
E, nut of screw D fitted to simply turn in breech A by the aid of
hand lever G for raising and lowering screw D, and also serving to
cock the fire-arm by means of a disc H formed on nut E; I, rotating
cam-shaped disc for transmitting the cocking action to the spring
needle carriers K by means of connecting rod J ; this disc I is
caused to turn on its axis i when disc H abuts against stud h carrying
it round until the disc I is brought in contact with disc H, which is
then free to rotate in the reverse direction without acting on disc I.
L, needles which are constantly guided in position by the part a;
M, M, detents of needle carriers which are released by acting on the
triggers N, when the needles and their carriers are free to be acted on
by their springs; O, thumb lever, whose axis when the lever is in the
raised position prevents the needles from acting; when turned down
the gun is free to be fired. P, P, concentric tubes for making a gas-
tight joint formed of a split coil or tube of sheet metal placed two
and two as shown, at the rear of which tubes is placed an india-rubber
or cork disc R. In this disc a metallic cone containing the fulminate
is forcibly introduced, as shown, the head being closed with wax, while
the base is covered by the cork in such manner that the fulminate is
completely protected from injury or damp, it being necessary in order
to explode it accidentally that the part striking it should be as fine
as a needle in order to enter at the point of the cone and explode
the fulminate. The needle of the fire-arm first traverses the thickness
of the cork disc and then passes through the wax at the orifice so as
to effect communication between the fulminate and powder and thus
explode the charge. After firing the needle still remains in the cork
disc, which disc on the backward motion taking place in loading entirely
removes any deposit from said needle.
Figures 12 and 13 show a mode of adapting the needle to an ordinary
lock action in applying the improvements to existing fire-arms; the
only additional parts being the guide S on the lock plate; T, the needle
carrier sliding on or in guide S, in which is mounted the needle t made
of taper form to facilitate its being readily fixed and removed; U, link
for connecting the ordinary lock action to the needle carrier. The
hammer in cocking moves back the needle and carrier, which are

page_text: released by the action of the trigger in the usual way when firing. It
will thus be seen that a percussion or other lock may be provided with
a needle by the simple addition of the parts above mentioned without
changing its form or mode of fixing. These improvements are also
applicable to guns using the Lefaucheux cartridge and to those using
independent priming or loose charges.
Figure 7 shows the application of the improved breech-loading
arrangement to a percussion fire arm, while Figures 8 and 9 show lon-
gitudinal and transverse sections of the movable breech thimble or plug
adapted to the Lefaucheux cartridge, provision being made for receiving
the pin of said cartridge; Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section of the
breech plug fitted to receive an ordinary cap, in which case also the plug
may be closed at its rear end; Figure 11 shows a plan of the breech as
also the position of the closing plug.
A, breech; B, barrel; C, breech plug, which is raised, as shown by
the dotted lines C', for inserting the charge as before described; D, screw
rising and lowering gear; N, trigger; P, gas-tight tubes; V, hammer;
X, nipple; Y, hole for the reception of the pin of the Lefaucheux
cartridge.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th February 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,

page_text: 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, AND IN THE MODE OF CAPPING OR
PRIMING THE SAME," a communication to me from abroad by Paul Perret
and François Deroche, Directors of the Joint Stock Breech-loading
Fire-arms Company, of Paris, in the Empire of France, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
}
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do
hereby declare the nature of the 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 two Sheets of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
:-
:
These improvements in fire-arms relate to the peculiar arrangement
of the breech mechanism, which consists of a short tube made to lift
out of its place in the end of the barrel for the insertion of the charge
and then lowered into position so as to close the breech. This arrange:
ment presents the following advantages:-1st, the gun may be rapidly
and securely loaded and also freed of all residue of the charge; 2ndly,
the barrel and breech are firmly united together and are not weakened
in any way; 3rdly, freedom from accident is ensured when extracting
the charge in case of a miss-fire or should the breech burst in firing, all
escape of gas being at same time prevented; in both cases the parts
would be projected in an upward direction without endangering the
person using the gun, as the upper part only of the breech plug is unen-
closed. The breech plug consists of an independent part moved in and
out of position by means of a screwed stem provided with a very rapid
screw thread entering a corresponding nut, to which nut motion is
imparted by a hand lever for raising or lowering the screwed stem
together with the breech plug to which it is attached, which latter is
never raised entirely out of the breech, so as to ensure its always
returning to position. This breech plug is further provided with means

page_text: for ensuring a gas-tight joint both with the barrel and with the sides
of the breech chamber, which is rendered the more perfect as the internal
pressure of the gas increases. This improved breech arrangement is
applicable to all kinds of fire-arms, whether used for military or sporting
purposes, with one or more barrels, whatever may be the nature of the
charge employed and whether using percussion or other cartridges or
otherwise. These improvements may also be adapted to existing fire-
arms. When the discharge is produced. by the action of a needle I use
a peculiar arrangement of cap or priming, it being remarked that the
latter may be used with loose charges and without a cartridge if desired,
using the needle for exploding the priming.
In the annexed Drawings Figure 1 shows a plan of a double-barrelled
sporting gun fitted with the improvements of this Invention; Figure 2
is a longitudinal vertical section of same; Figure 3 shows a plan of the
improvements applied to a single gun or military carbine; Figure 4
is a side elevation of same; Figure 5 shows a transverse section of an
expanding tube used for preventing any escape of gas; while Figure 6 is
a section of the improved impermeable priming. The same letters
apply to the several Figures.
A, breech, to which are attached the barrels B, B, and part a, the
necessary space being provided in the breech to receive the movable
breech plug C which is fitted to rise out of the breech chamber; D,
screw recessed in the breech plug and suitably secured thereto; E, nut
of screw D fitted to simply turn in breech A by the aid of hand lever G
for raising and lowering screw D, and also serving to cock the fire-arm
by means of a disc H formed on nut E; I, rotating cam-shaped disc
for transmitting the cocking action to the spring needle carriers K by
means of connecting rod J; this disc I is caused to turn on its axis i,
when disc H abuts against stud k carrying it round until the disc I
is brought in contact with disc H, which is then free to rotate in the
reverse direction without acting on disc I. L, needles which are con-
stantly guided in position by the part a; M, M, detents of needle
carriers which are released by acting on the triggers N, when the needles
and their carriers are free to be acted on by their springs; O, thumb
lever, whose axis when the lever is in the raised position prevents the
needles from acting; when turned down the gun is free to be fired.
P, P, concentric tubes for making a gas-tight joint formed of split coils
or tubes of sheet metal placed one in the other so as to break joint as

page_text: shown, at the rear of which is placed an india-rubber or cork disc R.
In this disc a metallic cone containing the fulminate is forcibly intro-
duced, as shown, the head being closed with wax, while the base is
covered by the cork in such manner that the fulminate is completely
protected from injury or damp, it being necessary in order to explode
it accidentally that the part striking it should be as fine as a needle
in order to enter at the point of the cone and explode the fulminate.
The needle of the fire-arm first traverses the thickness of the cork disc
and then passes through the wax at the orifice so as to effect com-
munication between the fulminate and powder and thus explode the
charge. After firing the needle still remains in the cork disc, which disc
on the backward motion taking place in loading entirely removes any
deposit from said needle.
Figures 12 and 13 show a mode of adapting the needle to an ordinary
lock action in applying the improvements to existing fire-arms, the
only additional parts being the guide S on the lock plate; T, the needle
carrier sliding on or in guide S, in which is mounted the needle / made
of taper form to facilitate its being readily fixed and removed; U, link
The
for connecting the ordinary lock action to the needle carrier.
hammer in cocking moves back the needle and carrier, which are
released by the action of the trigger in the usual way when firing. It
will thus be seen that a percussion or other lock may be provided with a
needle by the simple addition of the parts above mentioned without
changing its form or mode of fixing. These improvements are also
applicable to guns using the Lefaucheux cartridge and to those using
independent primings or loose charges.
Figure 7 shows the application of the improved breech-loading arrange-
ment to a percussion fire-arm, while Figures 8 and 9 show longitudinal
and transverse sections of the movable breech plug adapted to the
Lefaucheux cartridge, provision being made for receiving the pin of said
cartridge; Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section of the breech plug
fitted to receive an ordinary cap, in which case also the plug may be
closed at its rear end; Figure 11 shows a plan of the breech, as also the
position of the closing plug.
A, breech; B, barrel; C, breech plug, which is raised, as shown by
the dotted lines C', for inserting the charge as before described; D, screw
rising and lowering gear; N, trigger; P, tubes for making breech gas-

page_text: tight; V, hammer; X, nipple; Y, hole for the reception of the pin of
the Lefaucheux cartridge.
I further modify the improved fire-arms of this Invention with a view,
1st, to ensure the breech plug being perfectly gas-tight when in the
closed position, so as to prevent all escape of gas at the joints in firing;
2ndly, to ensure that the needle employed for exploding the charge shall
strike in a line with the axis of the barrel, so as to prevent any injury to
said needle; 3rdly, to prevent the possibility of the breech being opened
before the needle is drawn back, which would inevitably break said needle
and necessitate its replacement.
The first object, viz., that of making the joints between the breech
plug and barrel perfectly gas-tight may be effected in various ways, but
the principle of the improved means of this Invention consists in fixing
the obturating tubes by bringing the breech plug to position. In this
manner the tubes or obturators are forced against their seats, and so
held firmly during the firing, while they possess a certain freedom during
the loading, and serve to prevent friction between the breech plug and
chamber in moving it in and out of position.
In the Drawings I have shown two modes of obtaining a gas-tight
joint by means of obturators fixed in position during the firing. The
obturators A, A, Figure 14, consist of two tubes abutting end to end,
and fitted in a cavity in the breech plug so as to form a chamber.
These tubes terminate in flanged ends a, a, which form the obturators.
The tubes A, A, may be adjusted more or less closely together by acting
on parts B, B, by means of the rotating nut C of the screw before men-
tioned as serving to raise the breech plug. This nut is provided with a
double cam, D, D, Figure 15, which in bearing on the projections B, B,
separates the tubes A, A, and forces their flanges a, a, the one against the
end of the breech and the other against the end of the barrel, in which
position they are held while firing. The obturators in this manner
ensure a perfectly gas-tight joint when the breech plug is in place, but
when the latter is raised the double cam D, D, is disengaged, and the
tubes A, A, are free to approach each other and bear without pressure on
their seats when raised with the breech plug.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 16 the obturators A, A, are not
operated by a cam in the manner above described, but instead of this I

page_text: provide them with projections e, inclined on the inside, bearing against
similar inclined surfaces e formed in the metal of the breech. These
inclines act as wedges for holding the tubes A, A, apart when the breech
plug is brought in position.
The second and third improvements above mentioned, viz., for ensuring
a central action of the needle, and also for preventing the breech plug
from moving until the needle has been drawn back, are illustrated in the
improved action shown in Figure 17 of the Drawings. The action which
is mounted on the trigger plate is provided with a hammer F, having a
needle G projecting therefrom in a line with the axis of the barrel for
producing the central percussion desired. The hammer F is further
provided with a safety lever H, sliding on the metal of the breech, and
entering the breech plug; this lever H is used for cocking the hammer F
by the aid of a hand lever I placed in front of the trigger guard, as
shown in the Drawing. The lever H and needle G, both of which are
jointed to the hammer F, alike serve to secure the breech plug in position
when firing; and in order to release the same it is necessary to cock
the hammer, which action at same time draws back the needle G and
lever H. The needle will in this manner be wholly withdrawn from the
breech plug while raising the same, and so be protected from injury.
Figure 18 represents the needle G applied to an ordinary gun lock.
The outside hammer serves for cocking and holding the breech plug in
place when the needle is engaged therein, while the cocking of the
hammer draws back the needle and gives the breech plug liberty of
action.
Figures 19 and 20 show a plan and elevation of lock for a double gun
provided with needles for obtaining a central fire. The hammers J are
jointed, and are arrested in firing by slots in the lock plate at points X,
receiving projections on said hammers.
I may also further modify the arrangement of the fire-arm as follows:—
1st. In order to make the breech plug gas-tight when in the closed
position, to prevent any escape at the joints, Figure 21 represents a
section of the breech chamber for receiving the breech plug. This
chamber is provided with ribs a, a, for acting on the obturators A, A,
before mentioned, so as to cause them to press against the end of the
barrel and breech chamber when the breech plug is in place.

page_text: Figures 22, 23, and 24 show views of the breech plug provided with
obturators A, A, which are grooved to correspond with the ribs a, a, of
the breech chamber.
2ndly. In order to ensure a central percussion of the needle in a line
with the axis of the barrel, and prevent damage to the said needle, I
adapt an arrangement of lock shown in Figures 25, 26, and 27. This
lock, which is mounted on one side of the stock as in ordinary, consists
of a lock plate P, provided with a hammer made of such form that on
being cocked the breech plug may be readily raised and the cartridge
inserted. The hammer is connected to a part f, and is also provided
with a needle G jointed thereto, and passing through a guide M, which
slides in a space provided in the breech. In this manner the needle,
hammer, and needle guide are all rendered detachable with the lock
plate.
3rdly. The breech plug may be raised in the manner shown in
Figure 28 by means of a lever placed at one side of the gun and folding
against the lock plate. The breech plug is raised by pushing the lever
out into the dotted position. The lever is recessed into the stock, a
suitable space being provided, as seen, for operating the same.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. As the distinctive feature of the Invention I claim making the
breech plug to rise above the line of the barrel for the purpose of
introducing the cartridge, as herein-before described.
2ndly. I claim the several modes of operating the breech plug herein-
before described and illustrated in the Drawings.
3rdly. I claim the improved priming described and represented in
Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings.
4thly. I claim the several modes and means, described and illustrated
in Figures 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the Drawings, for rendering
the breech plug gas-tight when in the closed position.
5thly. I claim the several means, described and illustrated in
Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 of the Drawings, for ensuring a
central action of the needle used for exploding the charge and to prevent
injury to the same.

page_text: 6thly. I claim the arrangement of parts, described and illustrated in
Figure 17 of the Drawings, for preventing the breech plug being raised
until the needle is drawn back.
7thly. I claim the right of adapting this arrangement of breech plug
to existing fire-arms, whether used for military or sporting purposes, with
one or more barrels, and using percussion or other cartridges or loose
charges, whether the explosion be produced by means of a needle or
striker, or by a percussion priming, all as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Twenty-fourth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-nine.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)