IM- PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES USED THERE- WITH PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville, of No. 50, Baker Street, Portman
Square, in the County of Middlesex, Artist, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES USED THERE-
WITH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th May 1855.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE, of No. 50, Baker Street, Portman Square, in the
County of Middlesex, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES USED
THERE WITH" to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention consists of an improved moveable breechi
piece, and the mode in which I propose to carry my Invention into operation
will be understood by reference to the annexed Drawing. Figure 1 presents a
side view of a gun, in which my improvements are introduced. A is the breech
or loading chamber, which is opened preparatory to inserting the charge by
drawing back the breech piece, herein-after described; B is the nipple; and C
is the stud or haudle by which the breech piece is to be moved.
Figure 8 is the breech piece, which I propose to construct of a cylinder of
solid metal. B is the nipple attached for the cap; C, the stud or handle by
which the breech piece is to be moved; D, nipple or piercer to perforate the
cartridge; E, end of breech piece, which is in the form of a truncated cone,
fitting a part of the barrel of a corresponding form.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the gun barrel, and represents

page_text: the breech piece in situ. A is the loading space or breech chamber, which is
constructed of a somewhat larger bore than the barrel, the forward end forming
a truncated cone, into which the end of the moveable breech piece (E, Figure 3,)
fits air-tight. His a slot behind the moveable breech piece, in which the stud
or handle C works.
In order to load the gun, the stud or handle C is drawn through the slot H,
drawing back the moveable breech piece, thus leaving the forward part of the
chamber open for the insertion of the charge. The cartridge, which is repre-
sented at Figure 5, is then inserted by being simply laid in the vacant portion
of the chamber, the pointed end towards the muzzle.
Figure 4 is the back end of the cartridge, having a hole in the centre
covered with thin paper or other suitable material. The cartridge having
been placed in the loading chamber, as before mentioned, the moveable breech
piece is returned to its normal position by means of the stud or handle C,
carrying the cartridge to its proper place in the barrel, while the piercer or
nipple D perforates the back end of the cartridge, thus forming a communica-
tion with the powder. The stud or handle C is then turned over into a suitable
notch, or otherwise secured from recoil during firing. The gun is then fired
in the ordinary way, the ignition taking place through the oblique aperture
running from the nipple B, upon which the percussion cap is placed to the
aperture in the piercer or nipple D, as shewn in Figure 8. The nipple B may
be placed either upon the moveable breech piece or fixed in the usual manner,
in which latter case the communication with the powder is completed upon
the moveable breech piece being placed in proper position for firing.
These improvements may be applied to fire-arms of every description,
whether with smooth or rifled barrels, and their novelty consists in the move-
able breech piece being constructed of a solid cylinder of metal, as above
described, and in the mode of loading and ignition above mentioned. Although
I have included the figure of a cartridge in the annexed Drawing, yet I do not
claim any exclusive right in respect thereof, as any suitable cartridge may be
used, and the fire-arms constructed with my improvements may be loaded
either with ball or shot.
The second portion of my Invention consists of improved bullets to be used
in fire-arms constracted with my improved breech. Figure 6 is a longitudinal
ion of a conical bullet, formed of cast iron (distinguished in the Drawing
by the dark colour), the iron being partially covered with lead, as shewn by
the light portion of the Figure. The lead is effectually secured to the iron
portion of the bullet by slots being formed through the latter at right angles
to each other, through which the lead is cast, so that the lead casing cannot be

page_text: torn from the iron centre by the force of the explosion, or in the passage
of the bullet through the barrel. This form of bullet I propose to uso with
rifled barrels, the lead taking the form of the rifle grooves. The novelty
of this bullet consists in the mode of securing the lead to the iron.
Figure 7 is a bullet to be used with fire-arms with smooth bores, being con-
structed with grooves at the conical or rounded end, as shewn in the Drawing,
such grooves having the effect of imparting all the certainty of aim, which is
usually considered as the result of the rifling of the gun barrel. This bullet
will, as I conceive, render it unnecessary to use guns with rifled barrels.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Melville in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th November 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE, of No. 50, Baker Street, Portman Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Artist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her beirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alexander Melville, Her special licence that I, the said Alexander
Melville, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Alexander Melville, 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, 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 PROJECTILES USED THEREWITH," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be 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, do hereby declaro
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following

page_text: statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of an improved method of constructing
breech-loading fire-arms, such improvements being applicable to fire-arms of
every description, whether with smooth or rifled barrels.
Figure 1 in the annexed Drawing represents a side view of a portion of a
gun, in which my improvements are introduced. A is a slide or cover, placed
over the breech or loading chamber, herein-after mentioned, for the purposo
of keeping the same free from moisture, and to prevent the admission of
any dirt or other extraneous substances; B is a stud or handle, fixed to the
moveable breech piece, herein-after described, for the purpose of moving the
same; C is a slot for the breech stud or handle to move in.
Figure 2 represents the moveable breech piece, which is constructed of
solid metal, the forward end of which, marked A, is in the form of a truncated
cone, fitting a corresponding part of the barrel of the gun, and having
immediately behind it a screw, marked B, working into a worm constructed in
the interior of the barrel, as herein-after mentioned, and having the effect of
holding the breech piece perfectly tight when moved into its proper position
preparatory to firing; C is a nipple or piercer to perforate the cartridge, there
being an aperture passing therefrom through the end of the breech piece, such
aperture being represented in the Drawing by dotted lines, and the use of
which is herein-after mentioned and described; D, slide or cover.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of a portion of the gun barrel viewed from
above, and shewing the arrangement and mode of action of the moveable
breech piece. A is the breech piece; a, the screw; b, the conical portion of
the breech piece; c, the nipple or piercer with the aperture forming a com-
munication with the powder; B, the screw or worm in the interior of the
barrel, corresponding to the screw upon the breech piece C, the portion
of the barrel into which the conical part of the breech piece is to fit; D, a
portion of the slide or cover, which is moved with the breech piece for
the purpose of covering the same, which would otherwise be exposed; E, a
part of the breech piece, upon which the slide or cover is moveable, allowing
the former to rotate; F, screw or stud, for the purpose of preventing the slide
or cover from slipping off the breech piece; G, stud or handle, for the purpose
of moving the breech piece; H, breech chamber, in which the charge is to bo
placed; I, nipple for receiving the percussion cap.
Figure 4 is a section of the breech piece at the part which is constructed
with the screw.
Figure 5 is a section of the corresponding part of the barrel into which the

page_text: said screw works, as herein-after mentioned. In order to load the gun, the
stud or handle G is to be drawn through the slot marked C, Figure 1, drawing
back the moveable breech piece, and thus leaving the forward part of the
chamber open for the insertion of the cartridge. The cartridge is then inserted
by being simply laid in the vacant portion of the chamber, the pointed end
towards the muzzle. The cartridge having been thus placed in the loading
chamber, the moveable breech piece is returned to its normal position by means
of the said stud or handle working in the said slot C, Figure 1, carrying the
cartridge to its proper place in the barrel, while the nipple or piercer C,
Figure 3, perforates the back or near end of the cartridge, which may be
covered with thin paper or other suitable material; or, if constructed with a
thick covering, a hole may be made in the centre of the end thereof for the
insertion of the said nipple or piercer, such hole being covered with thin paper
or other suitable material, and thus forming a communication with the powder.
The stud or handle is then turned over into a suitable notch, constructed at the
forward end of the said slot, into which the same works, thereby turning the
screw with which the breech piece is constructed, as herein-before mentioned,
into the corresponding worm in the interior of the barrel, thus rendering it
perfectly secure from recoil during firing. It must be observed, that upon the
moveable breech piece being thus placed in position, the aperture with which
the conical end thereof is furnished is brought into exact coincidence with the
aperture running from the nipple, marked I, Figure 3, upon which the per-
cussion cap
is placed, thus completing the communication between the latter
and the charge. The gun may then be fired in the ordinary way. It should
be remarked that the moveable breech piece should be so constructed and
fitted that the same shall work accurately and in an air-tight manner in the
breech chamber and barrel. If desired, with a view of rendering the con-
struction less expensive, the screw herein-before mentioned may be altogether
dispensed with, in which case the stud or handle with which the breech piece
is moved, and the notch into which the same is turned preparatory to firing,
and the parts in connection therewith, must be constructed of additional
strength, having regard to the greater strain which would be exerted upon
them during the discharge. I must observe, however, that I prefer using the
arrangement in which the screw is introduced.
The second portion of my Invention consists of improved projectiles which
be used with fire-arms constructed with my improved breech.
may
Figure 6 in the annexed Drawing is a longitudinal section of a conical
bullet, formed of cast iron (which is distinguished in the Drawing by the dark
color), the iron being partially covered with lead, as shewn by the light portion

page_text: of the Figure. The lead is effectually secured to the iron portion of the bullet
by slots being formed through the latter at right angles to each other, through
which the lead is cast, so that the lead casing cannot be torn from the iron
centre by the force of the explosion, or in the passage of the bullet through
the barrel. I propose that the last-mentioned form of bullet shall be used with
rifled barrels, the lead casing taking the form of the rifle grooves.
Another projectile is shewn at Figure 7 in the annexed Drawing, which
represents a bullet which I intend to be used with fire-arms with smooth
bores. This bullet is constructed with straight grooves or channels at the
conical or rounded end thereof, such grooves or channels having the effect of
preventing friction, and of obtaining greater steadiness of flight, together with
all or some of the advantages which are attributed to the rifling of the gun
barrel. This bullet will, as I conceive, render it unnecessary to use fire-arms
with rifled barrels.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
improvements, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have described or referred
to, as variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles
or main features of the said Invention; nor do I claim all the parts thereof
as being novel and original; but what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the construction of a solid moveable breech piece, together with the
general arrangement of parts to be used in combination therewith, and the
application thereof, as herein-before described.
And, second, the peculiar constructions of projectiles, as herein-before
mentioned and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE. (LS.)
Witness,
E. P. H. VAUGHAN,
59, Chancery Lane,
Agent for the Patentee.