IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND LIKEWISE THE CARTRIDGES AND BALLS TO BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Lindner, of the City of New York, in the
United States of America, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND LIKEWISE THE CARTRIDGES AND BALLS TO
BE USED THEREWITH"
Sealed the 15th October 1867, and dated the 18th April 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Lindner at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th April 1867.
I, EDWARD LINDNER, of the City of New York, in the United States of
America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND LIKEWISE THE CARTRIDGES
AND BALLS TO BE USED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
That portion of the present Invention which relates to the construction of
breech-loading fire-arins may be first described, an important feature of which
consists in the employment of a screw breech piece of a conical form with a
moveable cover thereto, and in an arrangement for the withdrawal of the
igniting point upon the opening of the breech piece, the same being applicable
to guns with or without the ordinary lock. The use of the cone of the breech
piece has the peculiar merit that on the opening or closing of the breech by
means of the screw it causes the cartridges to move forward or backward.
In the manufacture of these arms a common gun barrel is used, at the
larger end of which a screw thread is cut, on which is screwed a chamber

page_text: with an opening at the upper part thereof to receive the cartridge. A flat
screw thread is cut in the interior of the chamber, in which thread the screw
of the breech piece works; this screw terminates in front in a short round
stud partially grooved, its hinder part being square and having a lever fixed
thereon for the purpose of operating the breech piece and screw. A portion
of the screw of the breech piece has the thread cut away and made smooth,
so that in leaving the screw thread of the chamber it may move backwards
and forwards. In order to give the screw a true horizontal direction it has a
right-angled groove in which fits a screw attached to the chamber. On the short
round stud of the screw is the fixed cone of the breech piece which is attached to
the moveable cover and to the screw of the breech piece. This arrangement
allows thecone to move forwards and backwards without rotating. An extractor
is adjusted to the bottom of the conical piece for the purpose of advancing or
drawing back the cartridges, it may be made fast or moveable. The extractor
moves in a groove formed in the chamber and cannot revolve. On the side of
the cone is a circular hole drilled slightly out of the centre, and through which
the needle penetrates. The needle has a head, and on the breech piece being
opened this head slides on an oblique plane formed in the chamber so that it
is constantly withdrawn. The moveable cover before referred to is constantly
drawn forward or backward by the opening or closing of the breech piece, and
is useful in imparting to the screw a horizontal direction when an angular
form is given to it, and it is connected with the screw at the point at which
the lever is situated, so that it can move in the angle given to the cover. By
this arrangemont the groove in the screw of the breech piece and the small
screw of the chamber can be dispensed with. The conical part of the breech
piece fits exactly into the space prepared for it in the chamber, and forms by
the action of the screw a perfectly tight joint. The receptacle or chamber for
the cartridges can be made suitable for any cartridge it may be desired to
employ, and for this purpose its diameter is rather larger than the bore of the
gun, and is so arranged that in pushing the cartridge forward the ball will
always be in the axial line of the barrel. The hammer of the lock should be
so shaped as always to fall on the centre of the head of the needle as will
be well understood by persons conversant with such mechanism.
The manipulation of the gun just described is as follows:-The gun having
been discharged the hammer should be raised, the lever turned from right to
left, thus causing the screw to rotate and leave the chamber; as the screw
retires the needle slides on the oblique planes of the breech chamber and is
withdrawn. The cartridge is then placed in the opening of the chamber so
that the head falls on the extractor which is fixed to the cone; the screw and

page_text: the cone are then pressed against the cartridge seat in the barrel, the screw is
turned by the lever from left to right, and the screw having returned into the
chamber the joint is perfect; at the same moment a safety pin which is con-
nected with the trigger falls into a hole in the screw, the hammer strikes the
head of the needle, and the cartridge explodes; the hammer is then raised,
the screw turned from right to left and drawn back, the extractor acts upon
the empty cartridge case and withdraws it from its place, when it falls from
the chamber or is displaced by the next cartridge used.
To convert muzzle-loading fire-arms into breech-loaders the breech piece
above described is made aud screwed on to the end of the barrel; a sufficient
portion of the stock is cut away to admit the chamber, which is screwed to the
stock, by which means the conversion is made, and the gun adapted for
central-fire cartridges; or if it be desired to adapt the gun to metallic car-
tridges with circular rim fire, it will suffice to use a new conc with the breech
piece, in which the opening for the needle must be made near the edge of the
circumference. To adapt the gun to the use of cartridges which are not
uniform, instead of screwing the chamber over the barrel it is screwed into
the same, and a ring is placed in the chamber, such ring being kept in its
position by the barrel, both having a slight freedom of motion. The gases of
the powder passing the ring on the cone of the breech piece renders the joint
perfectly tight.
The principle upon which the new arm without a lock is constructed
consists in boring out the solid screw and placing it in a suitable percussion
apparatus, uniting therein all the parts of the lock. A ribbon spring is used
as a motive power instead of the ordinary spring, and central-fire cartridges
should be used. The screw is bored out cylindrically as far as its front stud,
through which and the cone the opening is continued, but of much smaller
diameter. In the portion thus bored out the ignition point or rod is placed,
and over the rod a ribbon spring; a screw cap is placed on the said red, by
means of which the ribbon spring is thrust back, so that it is always in a state
of tension. To the front part of the cone of the breech piece is screwed a
stuffing box which presses against a small packet of felt or leather impreg-
nated with grease; on this packet is placed a disc of asbestos, mica, or other
suitable material, so that the returning gas from the powder may not consume
he felt or leather. To the breech piece screw is attached a lever having two
or more oblique planes, and into which lever a cover with corresponding
oblique planes gears; the rod terminating in the ignition point or needle passes
through the lever and cover, the rod being connected with the cover by a screw,
a groove in the rod allowing the screw to turn in it. In order to restrict the

page_text: cover to a horizontal motion it has attached to it a forked piece of metal which
fits into the breech chamber; in the screw of the breech piece is a small lever
which has a small spring with an angular motion, and which serves to hold
back the needle when it is withdrawn. The withdrawal of the empty car-
tridge cases by the opening of the breech piece is effected by means of a series
of levers moving on one axis, and connected with the trigger of the gun in
such a manner that at the time of discharge it acts on the small lever in the
screw of the breech piece, causing the hook with which the last-mentioned
lever is furnished to fall, thus allowing the needle to move; when the breech
piece is opened a hook which is attached to the cone thereof acts on one of
the series of levers before mentioned, and which is connected with the car-
tridge expeller and causes it to rise and throw out the empty case from the
chamber, when the expelling lever resumes its normal position. By another
motion of the cone of the breech piece when pressed upon the extractor of the
cartridge passes over the expeller by reason of another of the series of small
levers having retrograded. In order to prevent the involuntary discharge of
the gun an excentric motion is given to the cover by means of a knob attached
thereto, thereby preventing the cover from touching the lever, so that should
even the cock of the gun move the needle would fail to reach the cap of the
cartridge.
The method of manufacturing the last-mentioned gun is substantially the
same as that previously described, only the hammer is not raised. The
opening for the introduction of the cartridge is made by moving the lever from
right to left, thereby causing the screw to leave the chamber, and simul-
taneously by means of the oblique planes connected with the lever the cover
with its corresponding oblique planes is withdrawn, the cover being prevented
from rotating by a rod connected with the chamber. The backward inove-
ment of the cover is communicated to the needle and the spiral spring which
surrounds it. When the oblique planes gearing into each other arrive at the
highest point theycan reach,the angular spring held in the screw falls behind
acollar formed on the needle holding it, so that it cannot recede, and keeps the
spiral spring in a state of tension; the gun is now fully cocked, but cannot
go off. When the lever has been moved as far as the screw will permit the
latter is withdrawn with the moveable cover, the cartridge is placed in the
opening of the chamber and pushed into its seat by means of the screw,
the lever is then turned from left to right, and the joint is tight. The trigger
upon being moved acts upon the before-mentioned lever, which commands the
angular spring, the needle is set free, and is pushed forward by the ribbon
spring, when it explodes the cartridge.

page_text: A special mode of constructing guns designed for the use of metallic
cartridges is as follows:-The barrel has at its rear end a screw thread, on
which is screwed a piece of steel with a screw attached to it, so that the screw
which receives the breech piece is out of the axial line of the barrel, and
forms at the same time a screw hinge. The piece of steel is furnished with a
groove and a screw thread corresponding with that of the screw attached to it,
and has screwed thereto a breech piece, which is moved forwards and back-
wards by a rotary movement from right to left, or vice versa, by means of a
small lever; this motion presses the breech piece against the steel piece,
forming a tight joint. Two openings are drilled in the breech piece, into
each of which is inserted a rod or pin, such rods or pins being connected on
the outside by a cap. The breech piece has on its outside a tooth which takes
into the groove in the piece of steel, and is drawn close by a rotary motion
given to the screw thread underneath, this arrangement admitting of a more
solid joint being made on each side. The same result can be obtained by
placing on the inner side of the breech piece two guards, which fit into the
corresponding grooves of the steel piece. On the front face of the latter is
arranged an extractor, which communicates with the seat of the cartridges,
and which is advanced by a spring, and when caused to withdraw by being
pressed falls on a spring which acts at each rotation of the breech piece,
pushes the extractor forward, and throws out the empty metallic case. The
before-mentioned cap which connects the rods receives the blow of the
hammer, the shock causes the front rod to fall into a hollow formed in the
piece of steel, where it protects the breech piece against any sudden opening,
whilst the other rod, which is somewhat shorter, causes the explosion of the
cartridge. The manipulation of the last-described gun is of a very simple
character. The lever is first moved from right to left, and the hammer then
raised to allow the safety bolt to slid over an oblique plane, and be pushed
buck when it becomes an obstacle to the needle receding. The motion given
to the lever causes the gun to open by an excentric movement of the screw
hinge, and the extractor shoots out alongside the seat of the cartridge. The
head of the cartridge is then placed on the extractor, and both are pushed
into the barrel, the spring of the extractor being made to disappear; the lever
is then turned from left to right, so as to form a tight joint, and the gun is
then ready for discharging.
The cartridges to be used with guns manufactured in accordance with the
Tnvention are of several kinds. One form of such cartridges is a combination
and metal, the latter consisting of a thin sheet of brass or other
suitable metal placed between two sheets of paper. The paper and metal are
of
paper

page_text: rolled together and cut to the required length, and having been placed inside
the cartridge case the two are pressed in a mould which forms the head and
base of the cartridge. A hollow is provided at the base of the paper cylinder
to receive the copper capsule, and an aperture is left to facilitate the ignition
of the cartridges. In the case thus formed a non-metallic piston is inserted,
on which is placed the usual copper capsule; the bottom of the case is covered
with a small brass cap.
Another form of cartridge is made of common paper, having at the base an
ordinary capsule attached by a small slip of paper. The cartridge is suitable
for in which the cap is placed on the nipple.
guns
A third form of cartridge is entirely constructed of rolled paper, a porcelain
stalk being made the igniting channel. The ball has a groove near its base,
which is used to keep it in its place.
Another kind of cartridge is made of ordinay paper, and leaves after the
discharge no residue to be got rid of. The outward form of this cartridge is
that of a screw, round which is wound a thin thread of any suitable material,
the paper case being blown from the barrel by the explosion of the powder.
Another form of cartridge is filled with compressed powder, the bottom
being constructed so that it shall be fired with a needle.
A further kind of cartridge has a wooden stalk fixed in the centre of the
ball with grease, stearine, or wax. At the top of the stalk is a hollow filled
with inflammable substances, on which the needle acts. A paper disc is placed
at the bottom of the stalk, which ensures its leaving the barrel when the gun
is discharged.
In another form of cartridge to be fired with a copper capsule the wooden
stalk is substituted by a small metal tube placed in the ball as before mentioned.
On the end of the tube, and at the base of the cartridge, a copper capsule is
placed, the tube becoming the piston. To preserve the cartridge a paper ring
is placed round the capsule, completely enclosing it. The cartridge may be
filled with either loose or compressed powder. For the cartridges just described
the guns with the screw breech piece, the fixed cone, and the ring, as before
mentioned, are the most suitable.
The following method of constructing cartridges is well adapted for needle
guus: The explosive matter is placed in a bottom of pressed paper; imme-
diately behind it is a layer of tallow or wax, behind which is pressed in a disc
of metal cr other suitable material, and, lastly, a layer of greased felt. The
needle goes through the felt, the disc, and the tallow, beyond which it reaches
the explosive matter, and fires the cartridge. In cocking the gun the needle
leaves the small disc, and cleans itself each time in the layer of felt.

page_text: Another method of forming cartridges consists in placing the capsule anıl
the lower part of the cartridge in the charge of compressed powder. The
resistance of the ball in forcing its way into the rifle grooves and that of the
powder pressed into a conical form suffice to produce explosion.
The difficulty of rendering small-bore breech-loading fire-arms efficient is
mainly owing to their requiring very long cartridges; this evil may be obviated
by employing a ball, the hinder portion of which is half a diameter larger than
the front part; this may be termed a "flange" ball. The front part of the
ball fits the barrel exactly, and at each discharge its point is in the axis of the
barrel. To prevent the recoil of the gun being too violent the seat of the ball
is funnel-shaped. In leaving this funnel-shaped part the hiuder part of the
ball lengthens and completely fills the bore of the gun, by which a decrease
of friction and an uniform velocity are obtained.
Another peculiar form of cartridge may now be described. The case is
made entirely of common paper; into this case are pressed three or more balls
of different weights; owing to their diversity in weight the balls have different
velocities, and attain different elevations according to their diameter. To
adapt this cartridge to the gun a ball is first used which has a small opening
drilled through it longitudinally. The diameter of this bail exceeds that of the
barrel, and fills the rifle grooves from their commencement. The second ball,
the diameter of which is somewhat less than that of the barrel, is bored through
its length, and has an oval hollow towards the centre, into which the point of
the first-mentioned ball fits. The third ball is of the same diameter as the
second, and has the same oval concavity, but is not perforated. The two front
balls move freely in the barrel, whilst the hinder ball has to overcome the
resistance of the rifle grooves. The perforations and hollows adapt the balls
for a long range, and the cavities may be filled with explosive matter.
principle involved in the construction of these cartridges is that of causing the
balls to expand one after another by the mere explosion of the powder.
The
0 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Liudner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th October 1867.
() SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Liudner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th October 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
LINDNER, of the City of New York, in the United States of America, Engineer

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Lindner, Her special licence that I, the said Edward
Lindner, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Edward Lindner, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND LIKEWISE THE CARTRIDGES AND BALLS TO
BE USED THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Edward Lindner, 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 Edward Lindner, 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 Drawings hereunto annexed, and to
the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
That portion of my said Invention which relates to the construction of
breech-loading fire-arms may be first described, an important feature of which
consists in the employment of a screw breech piece of a conical form with a
moveable cover thereto, and in an arrangement for the withdrawal of the
igniting point upon the opening of the breech piece, the same beingapplicable
to guns with or without the ordinary lock. The use of the cone of the breech
piece has the peculiar merit that on the opening or closing of the breech by
means of the screw it causes the cartridges to move forward or backward.
As the annexed Drawings will be continually referred to in the following
description I may here state that Figure 1 is a side view of a percussion gun;
Figure 2 is a top view of the same with the breech piece open; Figure 3 is a
side view of the same; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the gun; Figure 5,
a side view of the gun without a lock; Figure 6, is a top view of the same;
Figure 7, longitudinal section; Figure 8, sectional view of the interior of the
gun; Figure 0, section of breech piece and moveable ring, herein-after men-

page_text: tioned; Figure 10), a gun with screw breech piece used as a screw hinge;
Figure 11, inside view of the percussion apparatus of the gun; Figure 12,
variouspartsof the cone of the breech piece, herein-after mentioned: Figure 13
is a section of the screw; Figure 14 represents sundry parts of the gun without
a lock; Figure 15, various views of portions of the breech piece; Figure 16
the screw with the lock spring; Figure 17 shews the various parts of cartridge
expeller; Figure 18, lever with oblique plane; Figures 19 and 20, stop and
safety apparatus; Figure 21, various sections.
In the manufacture of these arms I use a common gun barrel, at the larger
end of which I cut a screw thread (shewn at a in the Drawings) on which
I screw the chamber B (Figures 1 and 8); the upper part of this chamber
has an opening in it (shewn at Figures 2, 6, 7) to receive the cartridge; a flat
screw thread (b) is cut in the interior of this chamber (see Figures 2, 3, 6, 7)
in which works the screw of the breech piece C; the said screw (see Figures
3, 4, 7, and 16) terminates in front in a short round stud (c) partially
grooved (see Figure 16); its hinder part terminates in a square head c
(Figure 16) in which is fixed the lever by the screw g; a portion of the
Screw C has the thread cut away and made smooth, so that in leaving the
screw thread 6 of the chamber B it may move backwards and forwards. In
order to give the screw a true horizontal direction it has a right-angled groove,
(shewn at h, Figure 3) in which fits the screw i, Figure 15, attached to the
chamber B. On the short stud cof the screw is the fixed cone Dof the breech
piece (Figures 3, 4, 7, 8, 12) which is attached to the moveable cover E
(Figures 1 and 8) by the small screw K. (Figures 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7), and also
to the screw C. This arrangement allows the cone to move forwards and
backwards withoutturning. To the bottom of this conical piece D is adjusted
an extractor (shewn at 7 in Figures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15) which can either
be made fast or so as to be moveable; the use of this extractor is to advance
or draw back the cartridges, and it move in a groove (m, Figures 2 and 6)
formed in the chamber and cannot revolve. On the side of the cone D is a
circular hole (n, Figures 3 and 12), drilled slightly out of the centre; it is
through this hole that the needle penetrates (see o, Figure 12); the needle
has a head (2, Figures 3 and 12); on the breech piece being opened this
head p slides on the oblique plane q of the chamber B (Figures 2 and 3) so
that it is constantly withdrawn and can neither become rusty or foul. The
moveable piece E (Figure 2) forms the covering of the opening of the chamber
13 and is constantly drawn forward or backward by the opening or closing of
the breech piece; it is also useful in imparting to the screw a horizontal
direction when an angular form is given to it, and it is connected with the

page_text: screw at the point at which is the lever f, so that it can move in the angle
given to the cover. By this arrangement the groove / in the screw C and the
small screw of the chamber B may be dispensed with. The covering E is
an important portion of the arm, and has never prèviously to my said Inven-
tion been applied to any gun. The screw v (Figures 3 and 4) serves to
secure the chamber to the stock of the gun. The conical part 1) of the
breech piece fits exactly into the space prepared for it in the chamber B
(Figures 3, 4, 7, 8), and forms by the action of the screw a perfectly tight
joint of the breech piece, as shewn in Figure 4, so that no gas can come back
into the face of the person using the gun should any accident happen to the
cartridge employed. The receptacle for cartridges S (Figures 3, 4, 7, 8),
can be made so as to be suitable for any cartridge it may be desired to employ.
For this purpose its diameter is somewhat larger than the bore of the gun,
and is so arranged that in pushing the cartridge forward the ball will always
be in the axis of the barrel (see Figures 4, 8). The greatest precision in
shooting is thus obtained :-The hammer F (Figures 1 and 4) of the lock
should be so shaped as always to fall on the centre of the head pof the needle o,
Figure 12. Figures 2, 3, 4, and 12, shew more distinctly and minutely the
different parts of the breech piece; Figure 12 also shews that the hook of the
extractor adapted to the cone D can move forward and backward, so that when
a cartridge is inserted its head must always fall on the said extractor. The
lever may be of any required form, and the screw C may have a right or
left-handed thread according to the side on which the lever is to be brought
down. To prevent the needle o from turning, the inner side under the head
is slightly flattened, and the cover E coming against this part prevents its
rotating. The manipulation and mechanical action of the gun just described
is as follows-The gun having been discharged, the hammer must be first
raised; the lever is then turned from right to left, which causes the screw C
to leave its chamber B, and it can then be drawn out, see Figures 2 and 3.
As the screw retires the head p of the needle oslides on the oblique plane q
of the chamber B, and the needle is in fact withdrawn, and cannot get burnt
or rusted, an important advantage which no other needle gun possesses; the
cartridge is then placed in the opening S of the chamber B, so that the head
falls on the extractor on the cone D. The screw C and the cone D are then
pushed against the cartridge seat in the barrel, the screw O is turned at the
same time by the lever f from left to right, and the screw having returned
into the chamber B the joint is perfect. At the same movement the safety
pin O (Figure 4), which is connected with the trigger w falls into the oval
hole in the screw,
the hammerstrikes the head of the needle, and the cartridge
P

page_text: explodes, see Figure 4. After the discharge the hammer is raised, the screw
is turned from right to left, and drawn back. The cartridge extractor / has
seized the empty case, and withdrawn it from its place, and it falls from the
chamber B, or is displaced by the next cartridge used. These operations are
repeated with each discharge.
To convert muzzle-loading fire-arms into breech-loaders the breech piece
above described and shewn in the Drawings is made and screwed on to the
end of the barrel, a sufficient portion of the stock is cut away to admit the
chamber B, which is screwed to the stock, by which means the conversion is
made, and the gun adapted for central-fire cartridges, or if it be desired to
adapt the gun to metallic cartridges with run fire it will suffice to use a new
cone with the breech piece D), in which the opening for the needle must be
inade near the edge of the circumference. To adapt the gun to the use of
cartridges which are not uniform, instead of screwing the chamber B above
the barrel it is screwed in the same, and the cone of the breech piece to which
the ring t (Figure 9) is adapted is made use of. The pressure of the ring t
on the cone D caused by the explosion of the powder renders the joint pci-
fectly tight. The common copper cap may be used. The foregoing particulars
relate mainly to the conversion of muzzle-loading guns into breech-loaders
where the existing percussion lock and all other parts of the gun can be used
without alteration. Figures 5 and S, and the different parts shewn are prin-
cipally intended for new guns without any locks, the screw breech piece and
the moveable cover being applicable thereto as well as the parts of the said
breech piece above described, and will be herein-after referred to under
the same letters of reference. The chamber B with the fixed cone by the side
of the screw, and the moveable cover are all with a very trifling and unim-
portant difference the same.
The principle upon which the new arm without a lock consists in boring
out the old solid screw and placing it in a suitable percussion apparatus,
uniting, in fact, therein all the parts of the lock. Figures 7 and 8 shew the
mechanism of the gun. No. 1 is the ribbon spring used as a motive power
instead of the spring of a common lock; central-fire cartridges should be used.
The screw C is bored out cylindrically as far as its front stud, through which
and the fixed cone m the opening is continued, but is ofmuch smaller diameter.
In the portion 2 and 3 thus bored out I place the ignition point or rod 4,
Figures 7, 8, 14, and over the rod the ribbon spring No. 1; I also place on
the said rod a screw cap 5, Figures 7, 8, by means of which the ribbon spring
is thrust back, so that it is always in a state of tension. To the front part of
the cone of the breech piece D, Figures 7, 15, is screwed a stuffing box b,

page_text: which presses against a small packet of felt or leather impregnated with
grease No. 7, Figure 7; on this packet is placed a disc of asbestos, mica, or
other suitable material, No. 8, Figures 7 and 4, so that the returning gas
from the powder may not consume the packet No. 7. To the front part of
the screw e, Figures 7 and 1.6, is adapted a lever f having two oblique planes
(the number of these planes can be increased if required), see Figures 7, 8,
and 18; into this leverf gears the cover 10 with its corresponding oblique
plane g¹, Figures 7, 8, 14, and 19. Through this lever and the cover No. 10
the rod 4 passes, the saine terminating in the ignition point or needle; a
screw 11 connects this rod with the cover No. 10, a groove in the rod allowing
the same to turn in it. In order to restrict the cover 10 to a horizontal
motion, it has attached to it the forked piece No. 13, Figure 14, which fits
into the chamber B, Figures 7 and 8. In the screw C, Figure 10, is a lever
No. 14, which has a small spring No. 15 with an angular motion, and which
serves to hold back the needle when it is withdrawn, whilst the hook falls
behind the collar No. 16 of the needle No. 4, see Figure 8; the remaining
parts of the arm are described in the gun with a lock.
The parts shewn at Figure 17 are those of an apparatus for throwing out
by the opening of the breech piece the empty case of the spent cartridges.
The lever No. 17 acts upon a shorter lever No. 18, also on the circular lever
No. 19, all three moving on one axis. The circular lever No. 19 is connected
with the trigger of the gun (No. 20) in such a manner that at the discharge
it acts on the small lever No. 14, Figure 8, in the screw C, causing the hook
of the said lever, Figure 8, to fall, thus allowing the needle to move. When
the breech piece is opened, the hook 21 attached to the cone of the breech
piece, Figure 15, acts on the small lever 18 connected with the cartridge
expeller, and causes it to rise and throw out the empty case from the
chamber B, when the expeller resumes its normal position. By another
motion of the cone of the breech piece D when pressed upon, the extractor of
the cartridge passes over the expeller, for the reason that the small lever 18
has retrograded, see Figures 7, 8, and 17.
Figure 20 represents a stop and safety apparatus to prevent the involuntary
discharge of the gun. By turning the knob 22, an excentric motion is pro-
duced by which the cover 10 is prevented from touching the lever f, so that
should even the cock of the gun move the needle 4 would fail to reach the
cap of the cartridge. Various other ways of fitting these safety apparatuses
may be adopted, but which as they would only be modifications of the same
principles it is unnecessary for me to describe.
The gun constructed without a percussion lock, as just described, requires

page_text: central-fire cartridges with small copper caps, like those shewn at Figure 22.
If it is desired to use this arm as a needle gun a fine point or needle, as shewn
at No.23, should be added to the rod 4. The needle passes through the stuffing
box, and Fig. 24 shews the cone of the breech piece made ready for the
needle, and Figures 23 and 25 shew the cartridges adapted for this construction.
Figure 10 is another gun with a screw breech picce specially designed
for the use of metallic cartridges. The barrel A has at its lower end a screw
thread, on which is screwed a piece of steel G having a screw H attached to
it, so that the screw which moves the breech piece is out of the axis of the
barrel and forms at the same time a screw hinge. In this piece of steel is a
groove Kanda screw thread corresponding with that of H, to which is screwed
a breech piece L, which is moved forwards and backwards by a rotary move-
ment given to the small lever M from right to left, or vice versa. This motion
presses the breech piece L against the steel piece G, forming a tight joint. Two
openings are drilled in this closing piece L, into each of which is inserted a
rod or pin x, y, the same being joined on the outside by a cap z. The piece L
has on its outside a tooth v, which takes into the groove Kof the piece of steel,
and is drawn close by a rotary motion given to the screw thread underneath,
that of the groove K corresponding with the thread H. This arrangement
admits of a more solid joint being made on each side. The same result can
be attained by placing on the inner side of the closing piece L two guides A
and B, which respectively fit into the corresponding grooves of the steel piece.
On the front face of the steel piece is adapted an extractor which commu-
nicates with the seat of the cartridge; this extractor is advanced by a spring,
and when caused to withdraw by being pressed it falls on a spring which acts
at each rotation of the closing picce, pushes forward the extractor, and the
empty metallic case is thrown out. The cap which connects the rods.x, y,
receives the blow of the hammer; the shock causes the front rod y to fall into
a hollow formed in the piece of steel where it protects the brecchi piece against
any sudden opening, whilst the other roda, which is somewhat shorter, causes
the explosion of the cartridge. The dotted line shows how this rod a may be
used for central-fire cartridges. Before the breech piece L is a hook N
attached to the stock of the gun, on which at each opening of the breech piece
the extractor strikes and allows of the cartridge being introduced. The
extractor is always withdrawn when the charge leaves the barrel and is held
by the fallen rod, allowing the breech piece L to press strongly on the head of
the cartridge and the steel piece G.
The method of manipulating the gun without a percussion lock, as shewn
in Figures 5, 6, 7, and S, is in principle substantially the same as that pre-

page_text: viously described, only the hammer is not raised. In Figure 5 the gun is
represented as discharged. The opening for the introduction of the cartridge
is made by moving the leverf from right to left; this motion causes the
screw C to leave the chamber B, and simultaneously by means of the oblique
planes No. 9 connected with the lever, the cover 10, with the corresponding
oblique plane No.9'are withdrawn, the cover 10 being prevented by the rod 13
connected with the chamber B from rotating. The backward movement of
the cover 10 is communicated to the needle 4 and the ribbon spring which
surrounds it. When the oblique planes, gearing into each other, arriveat the
highest point they can reach, the angular spring 14 held in the screw falls
behind the collar 16 of the needle, holding it so that it cannot recede, and
keeping the ribbon spring in a state of tension. The gun is now fully cocked,
but cannot go off, because the lever when it has run its course, which is
limited by the slot h in the screw, strikes against the small screw i in the
chamber B, and the displacement of the oblique planes geared into each other
is impossible until the lever and screw with which it is connected are again
removed from their original or normal position; consequently, when the lever
has been moved as far as the screw will permit the latter is withdrawn with
the moveable cover, as above described, the cartridge is placed in the openingS
of the chamber B (Figures 1 and 6) and pushed into its seat by means of the
screw; the lever is then turned from left to right and the joint is tight. To
protect the breech piece the angular spring 14 places itself again underneath
(see Figure 16). On moving the trigger 20 which acts upon the elbowed
lever 19, which commands the angular spring 14, the needle 4 is set free and
is pushed forward by the ribbon spring when it explodes the cartridge. After
the discharge the withdrawal of the screw and the placing of the spring in a state
of tension are repeated by means of the rotation of the lever by the drawing
back of the screw of the closing cone and the hook attached to it, the lever 18
is acted upon and raises the expeller 17, which throws out of the chamber the
empty cartridge case. The hook 21 releases the small lever 18, and the expeller
falls into its place by its own weight. By the closing of the screw the small
lever 18 is turned over to the opposite side, and the hook 21 attached to the
closing coue can pass over the lever 18 without raising the expeller. As the
loading of this arm requires fewer movements it can be fired more rapidly
than the one just before described.
The manipulation of the gun shewn at Figure 10 is the most simple. The
lever M is first moved from right to left, the hammer must then be raised to
allow the safety bolt to slide over an oblique plane, and be pushed back when
it becomes an obstacle to the needle receding. The motion given to the lever

page_text: causes the gun to open by an eccentric movement of the screw hinge, and the
extractor shoots out alongside the seat of the cartridge; the head of the
cartridge is then placed on the extractor and both are pushed into the barrel,
the spring of the extractor being made to disappear; the lever is then turned
from left to right, when the screw H and the grooves of the screws K, ",
operate strongly on the closing picce L and form a tight joint. The gun
is
then ready for discharging, and after each discharge the same movements
must be repeated.
The cartridges to be used with guns manufactured in accordance with this
Lavation are of several kinds.
One form of such cartridge, as shewn in Figure 22, is a combination of
paper and metal, the latter consisting of a thin sheet of brass (No. 25), or
suitable metal, which is placed between two sheets of paper. The paper and
metal are rolled together on a cartridge mould. A strip of paper is then
rolled on a cylinder (No. 26) of a diameter which will admit of its going
inside the cartridge case into which the paper rolled ou it is put after being
cut to the required length; it is then, together with the case, placed in a
suitable mould and pressed, and the paper cylinder comes out with the head
and base of the cartridge formed, see Figure 22. In pressing the paper
cylinder care must be taken to provide at its base a hollow part to receive
the copper capsule and to leave a small aperture to facilitate the ignition of
the cartridges. In the case so formed I place a non-metallic piston, No. 29,
the same being made, for example, of glass or porcelain, and on which is
placed the usual copper capsule, No. 30, the piston and the cupsule being
pressed into the bottom No. 28 until the capsule is flush with the edge of the
paper. The bottom so arranged is covered with a small brass cover, No. 31,
which is slightly pressed on. This last operation not only renders the cart-
ridge stronger at the part by which it is to be withdrawn but it prevents the
loss of the capsule in carriage. Moreover this metallic cap effectually stops
all return of gas through the channel of ignition and renders fouling to any
material extent impossible. This form of cartridge is superior to all others
inasmuch as it does not oxilize, it is protected inside and outside with a
covering of paper, it is expansive, so that if in the carriage it gets out of
shape it can still be used, and it is easily got rid of after firing. The circum-
stance of the non-metallic piston preventing all oxidationof the copper capsule
to which at the same time it offers a considerable resistance, is peculiar to it,
and finally the cost of manufacturing this form of cartridge is less than that of
any central-fire cartridge, and it requires no special apparatus.
Another form of cartridge, shown in No. 31, Figure 22, is made of commou

page_text: paper, having at the baseanordinarycapsule attached by a small strip of paper;
this cartridge is suitable for guns in which the capsulesareplacedonthenipple.
Athird form of cartridge, shewn at No. 32, Figure 22, is entirely constructed
of rolled paper. To avoid the channel ofignition passing through the pressed
paper the Drawing R shews an errangement in which the porcelain stalk is
made the igniting channel. When this cartridge is filled the ball is placed in
the case with a pair of pliers, and the groove near its base is used to keep it
in its place.
In Figure 23 the different numbers shew an entirely new kind of cartridge
made of ordinary paper, leaving after the discharge no residue to be got rid
of. The outward form of this cartridge is that of a screw, No, 38, around
which is wound a thin thread of any suitable material. The merit of this
form of cartridge lies in the fact of the paper case being blown from the barrel
by the explosion of the powder into an infinite number of small pieces, thereby
getting rid of the objection and difficultyofusingpaper cartridgeswithbreech.
loading fire-arms. No. 34 shews a cartridge madewith compressed powder; the
bottom No. 35 indicates that it is to be fired with theneedleshewnin Figure23.
Another form of cartridge has a wooden stalk, shewn at No. 36, fixed in the
centre of the ball by grease, stearine, or wax; at the top of this stalk is a
hollow, filled with inflammable substances on which the needle acts, as shewn
in Figure 24. To provide for this stalk invariably leaving the barrel when
the gun is discharged at its bottom is placed a paper disc, No. 37, which
ensures its doing so.
The cartridge I am now about to describe is to be fired with a copper
capsule. In place of a wooden stalk it has a small metal tube, No. 38, placed
in the ball, as already described. On the end of the tube, and also at the base
of the cartridge, a copper capsule is placed, the same being so placed on the
end of the tube which becomes the piston of the capsule. The cartridge may
be fired just behind the ball at the base of the cartridge, and at any other
point; it is only requisite to make a sufficient number of holes in the tube.
To preserve the cartridge a paper ring, No. 39, is placed round the capsule
completely enclosing it. The cartridge may be filled with either loose or coni-
pressed powder.
For the cartridges just described the guns with the screw breech piece, the
fixed cone, and the ring t shewn at Figure 9, are the most suitable.
Figure 25 is a needle gun cartridge in which the explosive matter is placed
in a bottom of pressed paper. Immediately behind it is a layer of tallow or
wax, shewn at No. 40, behind which is pressed in a disc of metal or other
suitable substance, No. 41. And, lastly, a layer of greased felt, No. 42.

page_text: The needle goes through the felt, the metal disc, and the tallow, beyond which
it reaches, and fires the cartridge. The needle by this arrangement has a
constant supply of grease. The felt contributes to the tightness of the joint,
and the backward action of the gases from the powder pressing strongly on
the powder, prevents any portion of them entering the lock. In cocking the
gun with the cartridge shewn at Figure 24 the needle leaves the small disc,
cleans itself cach time in the layer of folt, and never becomes foul. In the
place of a layer of felt a paper tube may be used with the disc. In loading
and firing the gun this paper tube, which is of conical form, is pushed forward
by the succeeding cartridge, and it is entirely removed by the discharge; this
tube also prevents the gas from coming back or interfering with the perfect
closing of the joint.
Figure 26 is a cartridge the capsule and the lower part of which are placed
in the charge of pressed powder. The resistance of the ball in forcing its way
into the rifled grooves of the barrel and that of the powder pressed into a
conical form suffice to explode the capsule.
The difficulty of making small bore breech-loading fire-arms is mainly owing
to their requiring very long cartridges. To obviate this difficulty is the object
of the ball No. 43, the hinder portion of which is half a diameter larger than
the front part; I call this a flange ball, sec Figure 27. By enlarging the
lower portion of the ball I obtain a short cartridgo for a small bore. The
front part of the ball fits the barrel exactly, and at each discharge its point is
in the axis of the barrel. To prevent the recoil of this gun being too violentthé
seat of the ball is funnel-shaped,as shewn at No.44; on the powder exploding
theedge of the ball in forcing its way through the funnel-shaped part adapts
itself to the sides of the barrel,and thus prevents in the most effectual manner
gas
all escape of behind the ball. In leaving the barrel the hinder part of
the ball lengthens itself, and completely fills the bore of the gun, by which a
decrease of friction and a uniform velocity are obtained. The merit of this
portion of my said Invention consists in the different diameters given to the
ball and the funnel-like form of the barrel behind the rifle grooves. I would
here remark that only the hinderportion of the ball being forced into therific
grooves and no gas escaping the ball has a very low trajectory.
Figure 28 represents a cartridge of which the case is made entirely of
common paper. Into this case are pressed three balls of different weights; if
desired a greater number of balls can be used. The object of this cartridge is
to enable troops on the point of being attacked by the bayonet to fire at a
great distance three or four balls at each discharge. Owing to the diversity
in weight the balls have different velocities, and at a certain distance they

page_text: attain different elevations according to their diameter. Toadapt this cartridge
to the gun above described I use first the ball shewn at No. 46, a small opening
being drilled through it longitudinally. The diameter of this ball exceeds that
of the barrel, and fills the rifle grooves from their commencement. The second
ball is that shewn as No. 47, it is bored through its length in the same way
as No. 46, and has morcover an oval hollow towards the centre, into which
the point of the ball No. 46 fits; its diameter is somewhat less than that of
the barrel. The third ball, No. 48, is of the same diameter as No. +7, and
has the same oval concavity, but is not perforated like the balls Nos. 46
and 47. The cartridge case keeps all these balls together, as shewn nt
Figure 28 and No. 49; the two front balls having a smaller diameter than
the barrel move freely therein, whilst the hinder ball has to overcome the
resistance of the rifle grooves like any other ball. The perforations and
hollows adapt the balls for a long range, and the cavities may be filled with
explosive matter to make the balls scatter more on leaving the barrel. The
action of these projectiles is as follows:-On the powder exploding a portion
of the gas passes through the perforation of the hinder ball into the cavity of
the second, which it causes to dilate, so as to fill the rifle grooves of the
barrel; at the same time another portion of the gas has traversed the drilled
opening of the second ball and reaches the cavity of the third, which dilates
under its action, and the three balls leave the barrel together, each one filling
the rifle grooves. By the use of these cartridges in my gun with the fixed
breech piece thirty or forty balls per minute can be fired. The principle I
claim in these cartridges is that of causing the balls to expand one after the
other by the mere explosion of the powder. These cartridges or balls can be
made in special moulds, or by a double pressure; by the first 1 obtain the
cavity, and by the second the form.
Figure 23 shews the apparatus of a needle gun, in which the needle is
pressed down by the action of the gases on the india-rubber disc, through
which it passes, so as to effectually stop any portion of the said gases from
penetrating the aperture through which the needle works.
Figure 30 is an apparatus constructed on the same principle and producing
the same effect, the only difference being that the needle works through a
moveable stuffing box instead of an india-rubber disc; by the use of either of
these arrangements the needle is cleaned by the pressure of the gas.
Figure 31 is a common paper cartridge, the bottom of which is double
and is in connection with the igniting cap, which cap offers a resistance to
the explosion. At about one-third of the length of the cartridge from the
bottom the circumference of the cartridge is strongly indented by means of a

page_text: ligature drawn tightly round it; the effect of this ligature is to strongly com-
press the powder, which, when exploded, blows the paper case to atoms, the
same leaving the barrel of the gun with the ball. More than one ligature can
be used to increase the above effect if found necessary; they will also add to
the facility of transporting them.
Having thus fully declared and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.I would observe in
conclusion that I do not restrict myself to the precise details herein-before
described and set forth, as variations may be made therein without departing
from the main principles of my said Invention; but that what I consider novel
and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured tome
by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent are,-
Firstly, the combination and arrangement of parts and mechanism in the
constructionofbreech-loadingfire-arms,as substantially herein.beforedescribed
and set forth, or any mere modifications thereof.
And, secondly, the combination and arrangementol parts in the construction
of cartridges and balls, as substantially herein-before described and set forth,
or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Lindner, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Fourteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
A. CROOT
EDWARD LINDNER. (L..s.)