IM- PROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Merwin, Milan Hulbert, and William Augustus
Hulbert, Merchants, of the City of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and
State of New York, United States of America, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 8th March 1878, and dated the 22nd January 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Joseph Merwin, Milan Hulbert,
and William Augustus Hulbert at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents
on the 22nd January 1878.
JOSEPH MERWIN, MILAN HULBERT, and WILLIAM AUGUSTUS HULBERT, Merchants,
of the City of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and State of New York, United
States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention relates to revolving fire-arms designed to use metallic-cased
cartridges; and it consists in the construction and combination of parts, as will be
herein-after more fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
In order to enable others skilled in the art to which this Invention appertains
to make and use the same, its construction and operation will now be described,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawing, and to the letters of reference
marked thereon, which forms a part of this Specification, and in which,-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved revolving fire-arm; Figure 2 is a
longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3 is a front view of the recoil shield with the gate dropped down; Figure 4
is a similar view with the gate closed.
Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the cylinder and recoil shield.
Figure 6 is a cross section on the line y, y, Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a face view of the spring stop, by which the barrel in sliding on the
centre pin is stopped at a given point.
Figures 8 and 9 are opposite face views of a key employed in locking the barrel
on the centre pin.

page_text: Figure 10 is a cross section of the pistol on the new, figure
Figure 11 is an upper face view of the strap of the frame.
Figure 12 is a rear end view of the barrel and bracket.
Figure 13 is a side view of the fire-arm with the barrel and cylinder removed.
Figure 14 is a plan view of the outer end of the centre pin.
Figure 15 is a rear end view of the cylinder detached.
A represents the frame with the recoil shield B and the strap C, the latter
extending longitudinally under and beyond the front end of the cylinder; D is the
many-chambered revolving cylinder rotating upon the centre pin E, which projects
from the frame in the centre of the recoil shield; F is the barrel, with bracket G
underneath.
The mechanism of this pistol (shown in the Drawing), so far as relates to the
hammer, trigger, main and sear springs, and the device for locking the cylinder
rotarily, does not differ essentially from that now in use; a particular description
of the same is therefore unnecessary.
The recoil shield B is formed or provided at H with a projecting collar or short
tube, surrounding and concentric with the base of the centre pin E, in the outer
circumference or periphery of which collar is turned out an annular groove or
channel, as shown, close to the forward face of the recoil shield, so as to form a
shoulder, past which project (toward the centre pin) the flanges of the cartridge
-cases-or-shells-I.. In the rear end.of the cylinder D_is_cut_or_turned out an annular
recess or groove a, which it will be observed is concentric with the central hole of
said cylinder, and with its series of cartridge chambers, and into this recess a fits
the collar or ring H of the recoil shield, in the manner shown. From this con-
struction and combination of parts it follows that when the cylinder D is in place,
and its chambers filled or loaded with cartridges I, the flanges of the latter will at a
point nearest the base, or centre pin, or centre of rotation of said cylinder, project
inwardly past or in rear of the collar H, and into the channel or groove formed
therein. This groove being a very little wider than the flanges of the cartridges
are thick; the part of said flanges which project into said channel can move round
freely therein without hindrance or friction whenever the cylinder is rotated on the
centre pin; but whenever the cylinder is pulled off of the centre pin, or moved
longitudinally thereon, the said projecting portions of the flanges of the cartridges
will hang in said channel and hold on against the shoulder or rear edge of the
collar, and be detained rearward while the cylinder is being moved forward, and
thus the cartridge shells will be effectually extracted or withdrawn from the
chambers of the cylinder whenever the latter is moved longitudinally forward on
the centre pin. The groove a in the rear end of the cylinder does not practically
weaken the walls of the chambers in the cylinder, because said groove is always
completely filled or blocked up by the ring extractor H when the chambers are being
discharged of their contents.
The ring extractor H may be either formed with the recoil shield in one piece,
or it may be made separate, and permanently secured to the recoil shield or to the
centre pin.
The recoil shield B is made solid, and formed with a drop gate J for opening and
closing the passage or groove through which the cartridges are inserted in the
cylinder. When this gate J is closed the recoil shield forms a complete circular
breech for the fire-arm.
With the annular or ring extractor H, as above described, for simultaneously
extracting all the shells, it often happens that the heads or flanges of the cartridges
drop away from the extractor, become disengaged from it, and thus fail to be
extracted entirely from the cylinder. The cause hereof is that the heads of the
cartridges are unconfined at a point opposite the extractor, and hence there is room
for them to move laterally. To obviate this difficulty a forwardly projecting rim
or flange b is formed around the entire outer circumference of the recoil shield,
including the drop gate J, which rim or flange confines the heads of the cartridge.
shells at points diametrically opposite to the points where they are held by the

page_text: extractor, and thus prevents them from moving laterally or dropping away from
the extractor, and hence insures the complete extraction of them from the cylinder.
It will be noticed that the recoil shield B is perfectly rigid, and forms a part of
the frame A, of which C is the projecting part or strap below the cylinder. The
rim or flange b around the recoil shield is extended across the top of this strap C,
as shown at b' in Figure 4, so as to form a continuous guard around all the cartridge
heads in the cylinder.
In some cases the extractor H might be formed on the recoil shield so as to
grasp the cartridge heads at their outer edges, and in such cases the confining rim
or flange b should be formed on the axial or centre pin.
The inside flange formed at the rear end of the cylinder D around the central
hole by the annular recess or groove a is projected a trifle beyond the end of the
cylinder and forms the ratchet d for rotating the cylinder, said ratchet being thus
formed on the cylinder and not on the extractor, as is usually the case.
After the loads or cartridges have been fired off the expansion of the shells often
causes them to stick in the chambers, so that it is difficult to move the cylinder
longitudinally forward from the recoil shield, as the heads of the shells are held by
the extractor H. To obviate this difficulty the parts are so constructed that by
rotating the barrel F the cylinder is at the same time moved forward on the axial
pin E, thereby forcibly starting the same away from the shells which are held in the
extractor. The mechanical means shown in the Drawing for accomplishing this
object are as follows:-On the forward face of the cylinder D is a projecting boss e,
having an annular recess e¹ next to the face of the cylinder; and upon the rear end
of the barrel is formed a semicircular collar or roof-like cover f, recessed to receive
the projecting rim of the boss e. When the barrel and cylinder are in position on
the centre pin this boss and collar form a lock by which the cylinder is drawn for-
ward on the pin with the barrel, and also forms a gas check. The bracket G is
made in one piece solid with the barrel, and is bored nearly through longitudinally
to receive the cylindrical centre pin E. Near its front end it has a suitable slot or
opening to receive the locking key bolt K. L is a retaining stop, pivoted in an
opening in the side near the rear end of the bracket, and pressed into engagement
with a transverse notch or groove h' in the centre pin by a spring i. The said
transverse groove
h¹ opens into a longitudinal groove h, thus permitting the bracket
and barrel to be drawn off from the centre pin until the nose k of the catch L in
traversing the said groove h is stopped against the end thereof; then if it is desired
to remove the barrel entirely from the centre pin it may be done by pressing upon
the lower end of the catch L, thereby lifting its nose out of the groove. The lower
end of the catch L is provided with a small spring stop m, which prevents said
catch from being accidentally pressed down, and thus disengaging the barrel. By
however pressing in said spring stop the catch can be manipulated, as described.
At the junction of the two grooves h and h' in the centre pin E is an incline h³,
as shown in Figures 13 and 14.
Near the fore end of the strap C of the frame is a slot n across the same to
receive a lip or projection p formed on the face of the base of the bracket G. The
projection p is formed with a lip p' to enter a notch n¹ in the side of the strap to
prevent the bracket from swinging beyond its proper point. In a longitudinal
groove in the upper face of said strap is a sliding catch M, the beveled end of which
is pressed forward into the slot n by a spring o. When the bracket is swung to its
place over the strap the projection p presses back the catch M against the spring o
until the bracket reaches its position, and the lip p² stops in the notch n³, when the
said catch, under the stress of said spring o, slides forward into a notch
the projection p, and thereby the bracket is securely locked in position. N is a
finger piece, the stem of which is connected to the catch M through a slot in the
strap, whereby the said catch may be withdrawn and the bracket unlocked from the
strap. The barrel and bracket can then be turned one-fourth of a revolution on the
pin E, so as to entirely withdraw the bottom projection p from the slot or grooven,
and until the end of the stop L enters the slot h on the axial pin. As soon as the
cut across

page_text: projection p has cleared the slot n the nose k on the stop L strikes the incline h³, so,
that simultaneous with the latter portion of the rotating movement of the barrel,
the barrel and cylinder (they being locked together as above described) will be
moved longitudinally on the axial pin E by the nose k riding along the incline h² to
enter the longitudinal groove h. Thus the cylinder is forcibly started from the
cartridge shells, which are held by the extractor on the recoil shield, and loosened
before their final extraction.
It is evident that various other mechanical means may be employed for moving
the cylinder forward on its axial pin simultaneous with, and by the action of, the
barrel in being rotated; and the same result may be accomplished in fire-arms
having a strap extending above the cylinder as well as below the same.
On the end of the centre pin E are formed key bits r, r, the portion forming the
bolts being flattened by the cutting away of about one-half of its diameter, so that,
it may pass under the key bolt K, and then, by being turned a quarter around,
locked into said key bolt.
By the extension of the centre pin along under the barrel within the drilled-out
solid bracket beneath it, when the parts are brought in position for firing, and the
bracket foot or projection swung within the slot in the lower strap of the frame,
all the parts are firmly locked together and require no additional aid of key bits,
bolts or catch devices (to resist the recoil of the discharge), either upon the centre
pin or to act thereupon.
It is evident that when the barrel with its bracket and the cylinder attached are
placed upon the extended centre pin, and the foot of the bracket in position, said
parts cannot be separated unless by transversely breaking the centre pin, or turning
the bracket foot out away from the slotted strap, or breaking the strap, which
cannot be done by any usual revolver cartridge charge, as the lines of resistance to
separate the parts are in the angles of an arch. This strong and simple construc-
tion, whereby the centre pin not only forms the base pin for sliding forward the
barrel and the cylinder but also forms the axial pin on which the barrel is rotated
upon its centre, so as to allow the foot of its bracket to swing into or pass out of
slot cut in the frame strap constitutes an important part of the Invention.
Much difficulty has been experienced in preventing the gases from the discharge
passing into the assembled parts lying in front of the cylinder, and particularly so
as to the centre pin, when said pin is extended so as to be used as a base pin for
sliding forward the barrel and cylinder, as well as for a central axial pin for rotating
the same. To prevent this difficulty the barrel is constructed at its rear end with
the roof-like cover f, that extends partially down upon the bracket rear, and suffi-
ciently surrounds the centre pin at that point to deflect and throw off the gases
from the parts described, and at the same time admit the rim of the covering boss e
on the front of the cylinder to take in the semicircular recess formed in the under
part of the said deflector; thus it acts as a clutch for carrying forward the cylinder
with the barrel for extracting the cartridge shells.
The key bolt K forms an additional lock when the parts are in position for
firing. The use of this key bolt separate from the barrel is recommended; but, if
preferred, one or more projections may be formed on the under side of the barrel,
corresponding in form and position to the body of the bolt when in place, the nose
at the front end of the bracket being cut away for the purpose, and the space
thereby exposed capped by a separate piece screwed on.
Having thus fully described the Invention, what is claimed as new and desired
to be secured by Letters Patent is,―
1st. The combination with a removable cylinder having a suitable recess or
groove for its reception of a fixed collar or ring-like extractor, substantially as set
forth.
2nd. In a revolving fire-arm a rigid recoil shield provided with an annular ring
extractor and a drop gate for loading through the recoil shield on to the extractor,
substantially as herein set forth.
3rd. In a revolving fire-arm the combination of a stationary ring extractor and a

page_text: rotating and sliding cylinder having the ratchet formed thereon, substantially as
set forth.
4th. In a revolving fire-arm a rigid recoil shield B provided with a forwardly-
projecting rim or flange b around its entire circumference, and an annular extractor,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
5th. The frame strap C provided with the flange or shoulder b¹ to form a con-
tinuation of the rim b surrounding the recoil shield, for the purposes herein set
forth.
6th. In a revolving fire-arm the combination of a barrel, a cylinder, a forwardly-
projecting combined slide rod and centre pin, and an extractor, substantially as
shown, whereby a partial rotation of the barrel on said centre pin permits the
sliding forward longitudinally of the barrel and cylinder on said combined slide rod
and centre pin, and extracts the cartridge shells, as specified.
7th. The combination in a revolving fire-arm of the centre pin E, provided with
the slots h, h¹, and incline h2, the spring catch L, and the bracket G, as and for the
purpose specified.
8th. In a revolving fire-arm a longitudinally sliding barrel, a cylinder, and a
frame strap, in combination with an extended slide rod centre pin, as and for the
purpose specified.
9th. The combination in a revolving fire-arm of the bracket G and the barrel F
with the centre pin E, provided with the flattened key bits r, r, and the key bolt K,
as and for the purpose specified.
10th. In a revolving fire-arm the combination of the barrel and cylinder with a
centre pin, said pin provided with incline, transverse, and longitudinal slots, the
barrel being provided with a stop or projection to engage with said slots, for the
purpose herein set forth.
11th. In a revolving fire-arm the combination of a frame strap or straps provided
with a slot or groove, the cylinder and barrel provided with a projection to engago
in said slot or groove, for the purpose herein specified.
12th. The combination of the central pin E having slots h, h¹, and incline h², the
cylinder D, frame strap C with groove n, and spring bolt M, the bracket G with
notched projection p, and the spring slot L, all constructed substantially as and for
the purposes herein set forth.
13th. The spring stop m arranged in the end of the retaining stop or catch L,
for the purposes herein set forth.
In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 2nd
day of January, in the year of our Lord 1878, at the City of New York.