121,994

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI WHITNEY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,994, dated March 26, 1872.

*To all whom it may concern:*

Be it known that I, ELI WHITNEY, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawing constitutes part of this specification, and represents in—

Figure 1, a side view; Fig. 2, a top view; Fig. 3, a longitudinal central section, the parts in position for firing; Fig. 4, the parts in the position of having thrown out the shell; and in Fig. 5, a transverse section on line *x x*.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of breech-loading fire-arms in which the breech-piece is turned down to the rear to open the breech for insertion of the charge, and the said breech-piece locked against the rear of the barrel by a cam falling in behind the breech-piece, and especially to the arm patented to me March 21, 1871.

In my arm patented as above the cam was tripped by the end of the breech-piece coming in contact with the latch which held the cam in its descent, the latch dragging upon the surface of the breech-piece after it was tripped, rendering it liable to catch, and to other objections now clearly apparent. In that arm an independent finger-piece was employed to operate the cam, necessitating an additional operation in the manipulation of the arm.

To overcome these difficulties is the object of the present invention; and it consists in constructing the breech-piece with a projection or stud upon its surface in such relative position to the latch which secures the cam that it will trip the latch and the latch remain always clear from the surface of the breech-piece; and by this construction of the cam, hammer, and breech-piece the cocking of the hammer will draw back the cam without the intervention of other manipulation, but the cam will be released by the descent of the breech-piece independent of the hammer.

A is the frame, constructed with tangs A¹

A² for securing the frame to the stock. B is the barrel, secured to the frame in the usual manner, with the breech open. C is the breech-piece, pivoted in the frame at C¹, and provided with a finger-piece, C², for operating, substantially in the manner as in my patent before referred to. D is the cam shown in section in solid black, Figs. 3, 4, and 5; in Figs. 3 and 4 as raised from the locking position, but thrown forward to lock the breech-piece, as in Fig. 3. This cam is divided or forked to set each side of the hammer E, as denoted in Figs. 2 and 5, and in such relative position to the breech-piece C that when thrown forward, as in Fig. 3, the cam will fall beneath the breech-piece and hold it up against and so as to close the rear of the barrel, as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 3. On the hammer, above its pivot, is arranged a latch, a, which, when the cam is thrown forward to lock the breech-piece, and the hammer also thrown down as for the discharge of the arm, would engage upon the said cam, and project slightly beyond its surface, so that when the hammer is drawn back it will take the cam with it, as denoted in Fig. 3. The edge or face of the cam nearest the breech-piece is drawn further back than the surface of the breech-piece, so that as the breech-piece is drawn down, as in broken lines, Fig. 3, it will pass clear of the end of the latch without coming in contact therewith. In order to trip the latch to release the cam, a stud or projection, d, is arranged upon the surface of the breech-piece in such relative position that it will not reach the latch until the breech-piece has been thrown back nearly to its full extent, and the said projection will trip the latch but not pass below it. Thus the latch is left free or prevented from coming in contact with the firing-pin or whatever else may be arranged upon the surface of the breech-piece; and the cam is manipulated by the hammer and breech-piece without the finger-piece on the cam before referred to. This construction necessitates the arrest of the cam when it has been thrown sufficiently far forward to lock the breech-piece. For this purpose I form a shoulder or projection, b, on the rear of the breech-piece, upon which the cam will strike and there remain until engaged by the latch a.

128,644

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MASON, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLT'S PATENT FIRE-ARMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,644, dated July 2, 1872.

To whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MASON, of the city and county of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Revolving Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making part of this specification.

Figure 1 is an exterior view, showing the lower side of a Colt's revolver with my improvements; Fig. 2, a cross-section on the line *x* *x*, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, an end view; Figs. 4 and 5, detached views of parts of the revolver; and Fig. 6, a cross-section on the line Y Y, Fig. 4.

My invention relates to a revolver with a many-chambered breech, capable of being loaded at the rear. It has for its object to provide for an efficient means of rotating the breech; also, for the application to the pistol of a conveniently-arranged shell-ejector. To these ends my said invention consists in making a cylindrical stud on the shell-ejector case and a recess in the barrel, fitted to receive the stud, so combined as to form as an inexpensive means of fastening, the case to the barrel. It also consists in making an inclined offset in the slit through which the ejector thumb-piece protrudes from the case, which acts in combination with the ejector-spring to keep the thumb-piece in its proper position, as hereinafter set forth.

Similar letters of reference denote the same parts in the several figures of the drawing, in which—

a is the stock of the pistol; b, the barrel; c, the cylinder or many-chambered breech. The cartridge-shell ejector is applied to the side of the barrel b. It consists of a rod, p, sliding in a cylindrical tube or case, i, and furnished at its upper end with a head, q, and thumb-piece r. It is urged outward by a spiral spring in the case. To provide for the firm attachment of the ejector-case i to the band, I form a short cylindrical projection or stud, k, on the side of the tubular body of the case and at a right angle therewith, while in the side of the barrel a shallow bed, l, is cut for the body of the

case, and recess o made to receive the stud k. A single screw, w, which enters the stud k, binds the case firmly to the barrel, as shown in Fig. 2. These parts are all easily made of their exact form by machinery and with simple tools.

The head q of the ejector-rod p, at the part where the rod is screwed into it, is made narrower one way than the other, (see Fig. 3,) so that, while the head is guided in the case when all the parts are in place, yet it may, when the rod is unscrewed and removed and the case i taken off from the barrel, be taken out through an outlet, u, formed in the side of the case i near its upper end and on the side which lies next the barrel. The thumb-piece r protrudes from the side of the case i through a longitudinal slit, s, and this slit is offset in a slanting direction at its upper end in such a manner that the thumb-piece will be swung around against the barrel by the pressure of the ejector-rod spring acting upward, whereby the thumb-piece is held out of the way when not in use. (See Fig. 1.)

To eject the cartridge-shells the thumb-piece r is forced downward, which swings it outward and then carries the rod down through the chambers of the cylinder, which are successively brought into line therewith in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention, I claim—

1. The cylindrical stud k on the side of the ejector-case in combination with the recesses o and l in the barrel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. I also claim the offset t in the slit s of the ejector-case, when made slanting, as described, in combination with the thumb-piece r, ejector-rod, and spring for carrying the ejector-rod outward, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 23d day of January, 1872.

WM. MASON. [L. S.]

Witnesses:

W. B. FRANKLIN,
C. B. RICHARDS.

129,637

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI WHITNEY AND FRANK TIESING, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT; SAID TIESING ASSIGNS HIS RIGHT TO SAID WHITNEY.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,637, dated July 16, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ELI WHITNEY and FRANK TIESING, both of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and we do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawing constitutes part of this specification, and represents, in—

Figure 1, a top view; Fig. 2, a side view; Fig. 3, a longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 4, a transverse section on line *x*x through the breech-block, looking forward; Fig. 5, a top view of the trigger-guard plate; and in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 8ª, 9, and 10, detached views. The first two figures half size, the remainder full size.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of breech-loading fire-arms in which a breech-block is arranged upon a pivot to swing back and down to open the breech, and locked when returned to close the breech by means of a cam, which falls in the rear of the breech-block; and the invention consists, first, in the mechanism, as hereinafter described, for operating the said cam; second, in a cartridge-retractor, arranged longitudinally in the barrel, actuated by the breech-block directly, so that the last part of the movement or fall of the breech-block will give the said retractor a sudden throw, to eject the shell from the arm.

A is the frame of the arm, of the usual form, and to which the barrel B is attached in the usual manner, so as to be open at the breech. C is the breech-block, hung upon a pivot, C¹, the said pivot being transverse to the axis of the barrel, and in line, or nearly so, with the end of the arm, substantially as in other arms having this class of breech-block. D is the cam, hung upon a pivot, D', parallel to the pivot C'; this cam and the breech-block being formed relatively to each other so that when the breech-block is thrown up, as in Fig. 3, the cam D will be forced into the rear of the breech-piece by means of the spring E. Upon the same pivot with the breech-block a lever, C², is arranged, having a thumb-piece, C³, projecting up, by means of which the said lever may be operated. This lever is formed rela-

tively to the said cam, as seen in Fig. 6, so that as the said lever is pressed back to the first position, as denoted in broken lines 2, it will have thrown the cam D back to the position denoted in broken lines, Fig. 6, and also seen in Fig. 7. The cam is thus moved from beneath the breech-block; then a shoulder, a, on the lever strikes a projection, a', on the breech-block; the lever, then pressed further back, to the position denoted in broken lines 3, Fig. 6, and also seen in Fig. 7, carries with it the breech-block C. Arrived at that point, Fig. 7, which is the extreme movement of the lever, and as seen in Fig. 10, a spring, F, bears upon the underside of the breech-block, where, at that point, a fall-off, d, is formed, which coming upon and pressed by the said spring, a sudden throw is given to the breech-block by the spring at this fall-off, which carries the breech-block down to its extreme point, as denoted in broken lines, Figs. 7 and 10. The object of this sudden movement will be more fully hereafter explained. G is the hammer, arranged through a slot in the cam, as seen in Fig. 1, upon the same pivot as the cam, the cam and hammer both turning upon the same center. Before throwing back the lever C² the hammer must be thrown into the position of full-cock, as seen in Fig. 3; also seen in Figs. 6 and 7. Beneath the hammer and breech-block a lever, L, is hung upon a pivot, l, the said lever shown detached in Fig. 8ª. The lever L is divided or forked, and between the fork a tongue, P, is arranged, as a part of the said lever, and this tongue has a notch, n, and is arranged in such relative position to the hammer that when the hammer is drawn back to full-cock a projection, m, on the hammer will catch onto the said notch, as seen in Fig. 6, and will there be held until the lever C² is drawn down so as to strike and depress the lever L, as seen in Fig. 7, which removes the tongue P so as to disengage the hammer and allow the hammer to escape, when, by the action of the mainspring G', the hammer flies up until the notch m catches upon the sear f, the notch m being recessed so as to lock onto the sear and prevent its removal by means of the trigger only, as in the usual half-cock. The breech down, the cartridge is inserted in the usual manner, the breech returned by means of the lever C², the cam falls into the

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rear of the breech-piece, as before described, and, when fully home, a projection, $t$, on the end of the lever L falls into a corresponding notch in the cam, thus locking the cam in that position. As the parts now stand, as seen in Fig. 8, the hammer is locked at half-cock, and the cam and breech-piece also locked in their closed position; hence the arm cannot be accidentally discharged; neither can the breech-piece be removed from the closed position. Beneath the lever L a suitable spring, S, is arranged to bear up the said lever. The full-cocking of the hammer may be done by the sear without the use of the notch $n$; but in any case the hammer should so act upon the lever L that when the hammer is thrown down it will release the cam D from the control of said lever. To discharge the arm draw the hammer back to full-cock, where it again engages with the notch $n$ on the tongue P, the end of the said tongue extending back beneath the sear, so that when the trigger is pulled the sear will press down the tongue P, as denoted in Figs. 3 and 6, releasing the hammer from the notch $n$. It then flies forward to strike the firing-pin in the usual manner, the lower surface of the hammer bearing upon the sear so as to disconnect the lever L from the cam, leaving the arm in position for another operation. R is the retractor for ejecting the cartridge, and is in the form of a slide, working longitudinally in a line parallel with the bore of the barrel, and from which a projection, $b$, extends down, so that a shoulder, $e$, on the breech-block, as it moves from the position in Fig. 9 to that in Fig. 10, draws the slide from the barrel, the shoulder being located, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the breech-block may have been turned partially away from the barrel before the retractor be-

gins its movement. This retractor lies forward of the rim of the shell so as to bear against the rim and force the shell from the barrel as the retractor is drawn out. The movement of the breech-block and retractor is regular until arrived at the position in Fig. 10, when the spring F, acting as before described, imparts a sudden accelerated movement to the breech-block, and through that to the retractor, which throws the shell with sufficient force to eject it free from the arm. In order to secure the pivots $C^1D'$ in place so that they cannot be accidentally removed we form them with an annular groove, $r$, around the head, as seen in Fig. 4, the said groove coming within the frame; and from one edge, by preference the lower edge of the frame, we insert a screw, $h$, the point of which enters the said groove and prevents the removal of the pivot until the screw has been partially withdrawn.

We claim as our invention—

1. The combination of the breech-piece C, its lever $C^2$, the cam D, lever L, and hammer G, when combined to operate substantially as described, and with or without the tongue P on the lever L.

2. The combination, with the breech-piece C, of the lever $C^2$, retractor-slide R, and an accelerating-spring, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described, whereby the breech-piece is operated and the suddenly-accelerated movement of the same is imparted to the retractor to eject the shell, as set forth.

ELI WHITNEY.
FRANK TIESING.

Witnesses:

A. J. TIBBITS,
J. H. SHUMWAY.

128,991

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL B. WESSON AND CHARLES A. KING, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,991, dated July 16, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DANIEL B. WESSON and CHARLES A. KING, both of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Revolving Fire-Arms; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which—

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the barrel and a portion of the frame of a revolving fire-arm having our invention applied. Fig. 2 is a side view of our invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the top. Fig. 4 is a reverse plan view. Fig. 5 is a side view, showing the spring-hook released from the cam. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the spring-hook. Fig. 7 shows a plan and sectional view of the cam or disk for securing the extractor-collar to the barrel; and Fig. 8 shows a plan and side view of the spring used to give the proper friction to the said disk.

Our invention relates to a method for preventing the cylinder of a revolving fire-arm, known in the market as the "Smith and Wesson Revolver," from becoming displaced in the operation of forcing out the empty cartridge-shells from the cylinder; and it consists of a spring or piece secured to the upper and rear part of the barrel, or within a recess made therein, said spring or piece having a hook or point at its rear extremity, which projects downward; and said spring or piece is moved in a vertical direction with reference to the arm, by means of a cam, which is pivoted to the rear part of the barrel and just above the spring, so that the projecting point or hook thereon may be thrown down into the rear of the cylinder to prevent the cylinder from moving to the rear when extracting the empty shells; or said point may be thrown upward from the rear of the cylinder by the movements of said cam. Our invention also consists of a revolving disk having an annular flange thereon, which disk is pivoted to the arm beneath the barrel, said flange having a notch or groove made therein, so that by inserting the extractor in its socket and down past the groove or notch and then moving or

rotating the disk upon its pivot, its annular flange may enter a groove made in the movable collar upon the spindle of the extractor and thus prevent the extractor from being entirely thrown out, and, in connection with a spring upon said spindle, causing the extractor to move quickly back to its position after forcing out the empty cartridge-shells from the cylinder.

That others skilled in the art may be able to make and use our invention, we will proceed to describe its construction and mode of operation.

In the drawing, A represents the upper and rear part of the barrel of the arm terminating in the two projections *x*, as seen clearly in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, having a space, D', between, shown more clearly in Fig. 4, and the latch D is secured to the rear part of the barrel by means of the two ears D'', which extend forward up on the outside of each part *x*, and which are pivoted thereto by means of the pivot *b*. A curved slot, *i*, is made in the upper and rear part of the barrel, and a pin, *i'*, is firmly secured in the ears D'', which pin extends across from one ear to the other and operates in said slot whenever the latch is raised or depressed. A recess, *e*, is made in the lower side of the part A, and a spring-hook, *s*, is secured therein by means of the screw *s'*. A cam, *a*, is pivoted between the parts *a* by means of a pin, *e*, extending through said parts, and the upper part of said cam may form the back sight of the arm, as shown at *a'*, the lower part of the cam impinging against the spring *s* and forcing its point or hook *f* at the end down to the rear of the cylinder. A small bent spring, *o*, is placed within the recess *e* above the spring *s*, the lower arm of the bent spring resting up on the spring-hook *s*, and the upper arm bearing against the small pin *i'*. This bent spring operates to keep the rear end of the latch always depressed, when the rear end of the barrel is locked to the post B upon the frame. A hole, *z*, is made beneath the barrel and parallel with it, of a size to admit the spindle *v'*, having the spiral spring *v* thereon, said spring bearing against the collar *m''*, which is free to slide upon the spindle *v'*. Immediately beneath the longitudinal hole *z*, and in the lower side of the arm, is made an annular recess, *m'',* into which is secured, by means of

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the screw or pivot *m*, the disk *m'*. This disk, shown in plan and section in Fig. 7, has an annular flange, *n'*, fitting into said annular recess *m''* in such manner as to turn or rotate upon its pivot *m*. A notch or groove, *n''*, is cut out of the annular flange *n'*, and a friction-spring, *g*, shown in Fig. 8, is secured beneath the disk *m'*, so that said disk shall be prevented from turning too easily when secured in place.

The operation of our invention is as follows: When the upper part of the cam *a* is in a horizontal position, with the back sight *a'* in proper position upon the barrel to be used, the lower part of said cam impinges upon the top of the spring-hook *s*, pressing its point *f* down in the rear of the cylinder *C*, whether the barrel *A* is locked to the frame or not, so that the cylinder cannot be moved to the rear; but if it is desired to move the cylinder, the back sight *a'* is thrown upward either with the finger or some convenient instrument, so that the lower part of the cam shall be moved off from the spring-hook *s*; and the spring or piece *is* so formed and attached to the part *A* that when it is released from the cam its free end immediately springs upward, raising the point *or hook* *f* from behind the cylinder.

The operation of the cam does not interfere with the movements of the latch *D*, as the lower arm of the bent spring *o* rests upon the piece *s*, while the upper arm bears against the pin *i*' and operates to keep the latch *D* in a horizontal position or parallel with the barrel.

The disk *m'* is secured to the arm beneath the barrel, and if it is turned upon its pivot into a position with the notch or groove *n'*, directly beneath the hole *z*, the cylinder *C* and extractor may then be easily removed from or put into place; but if the cylinder and extractor are put into place with the annular groove in the collar *n* directly over the annular flange *n'*, and the disk *m'* be then turned upon its pivot so that the flange *n'* enters the groove of the collar *n*, then the cylinder and extractor cannot be removed; and when the extractor is forced out, in the operation of removing the empty shells from the cylinder, it is brought quickly back into place again by the operation of the spiral spring *v*, which bears against a collar or shoulder upon the extreme end of the rod or spindle *v'*.

The operation of this device is similar to that produced by the screw now used, which passes

through the lower part of the arm and into the annular groove of the collar *n*; but the disk as herein described is not so liable to work loose, and is much more convenient to operate, as it may be turned with the thumb and finger either way; whereas the screw requires the use of a screw-driver. A part of the periphery of the disk may be checked or made rough, if desirable, so that it may be grasped more firmly in turning it.

The form of the cam may be varied, of course, without departing from the principle of its operation. Instead of using the form of the cam as shown at-a, a hole might be made through the parts *x*, and a screw or pin formed like a cam by having one side made flat, or a portion removed, so that by turning the screw or cam a part of the revolution the spring-hook *s* would be depressed or relieved, as the case might be.

This might be equally as operative as the form of cam shown in the drawing, and we do not, therefore, desire to be limited to this particular form of cam; and we believe we are the first to have used a hook attached to the rear part of the barrel for the purpose of retaining the cylinder in place while expelling the empty cartridge-shells therefrom.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

1. The spring-hook *s*, secured to the rear part of the barrel *A*, and operated by a cam, for the purpose of securing the cylinder *C* to the barrel while expelling the empty shells, substantially as set forth.

2. We claim the pin *i'*, in combination with the barrel-catch *D* and the bent spring *o*, substantially as described, for the purpose of holding the catch closed.

3. We claim the disk *m'* with the flange *n'* thereon, in combination with the grooved collar *n*, for the purpose of securing the extractor to the barrel, as described.

4. We claim, in a revolving fire-arm, the hooked piece *s* secured to the rear part of the barrel *A*, in combination with the cylinder *C*, and the ejector for the purpose of facilitating the ejection of the empty shells.

DANIEL B. WESSON.

CHARLES A. KING.

Witnesses:

T. A. CURTIS,

CLARENCE BUCKLAND.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. WHITTEMORE, OF AUGUSTA, MAINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,921, dated October 1, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. WHITTEMORE, of Augusta, in the county of Kennebec and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, in which—

Figure 1 represents a side view of such portions of a breech-loading fire-arm as are necessary to illustrate my present invention; Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of a portion of the barrel and stock, and a side view of the various parts of the lock, the hammer being shown up against the rear end of the barrel; Fig. 3 represents a similar view, with the hammer thrown back; Fig. 4 represents a transverse section of the piece, showing the face of the discharging-hammer; and Fig. 5 represents a transverse section, showing the face of the recoil-block.

This invention relates to certain improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, where the operation of the fire-arm is rendered more safe and efficient, as will be hereafter explained.

In the drawing, the parts marked A represent the barrel of the piece, the breech or rear end of which is suitably chambered to receive the cartridge B and hammer-face. C indicates the discharging-hammer, which swings upon the spindle a, and is operated by the mainspring D, to which its forward projecting portion is joined by a link, b, as shown. E indicates the locking-piece, which is hinged to the upper rear part of the hammer C by the spindle c, whereby the locking-piece is allowed to move or swing up and down for a short distance independent of the motion of the hammer. F indicates the recoil-block, which receives the backward pressure or recoil of the hammer when the piece is discharged. G indicates the cartridge-shell extractor, arranged through a mortise in the central portion of the hammer, and held therein by a pin, d, which passes through a diagonal slot in the extractor, (indicated by dotted lines,) while the rear end of the extractor-spindle is fitted loosely to, and supported in, an opening formed in the downward-projecting rear end of the locking-piece E. A spring, H, of coiled wire

is arranged around the spindle of the extractor, which spring serves to raise the locking-piece E up into place after it has been pressed back. The recoil-block F is made double, or with two bearing-surfaces, $F^1 F^2$, so that should the piece be discharged by any accident before the locking-piece was up in proper position, or the locking-piece should by any means be caused to slip from the first bearing, $F^1$, the recoil would be borne by the lower bearing, $F^2$, and the hammer thereby prevented from swinging back far enough to permit of the cartridge-shell being thrown out to the rear of the piece by such discharge. A roll, $F^3$, is arranged at the corner between the bearing-surfaces of the recoil-block to reduce the friction against the locking-piece as it passes that position. The curves of the bearing-surfaces of the recoil-block F and locking-piece E are such that the locking-piece E will have a firm and sure bearing against the block when placed at any position along said bearing-surface. I have found, by practice and experiments, that the curvature of the face $F^1$ upon the recoil-block F is in many respects preferable, when described from the center (see dotted lines, Fig. 2,) somewhat below and to the rear of the axis of the spindle c, and with a radius less than the distance from the center of said spindle to the rear end of the locking-piece, the rear face of the locking-piece, of course, being formed to correspond with the face $F^1$. By constructing the curvature as above described the locking-piece, practically, has a perfect bearing against the face $F^1$ all the way from its lower edge as it moves up along the said face, and one upon which it is not liable to slip when the recoil takes place, while at the same time there is sufficient play to allow it to move easily up the bearing-surface. The discharging-hammer C is made with a circular face, $C^1$, which, when the hammer is up against the barrel, fits into and closes the aperture of the breech, thus rendering the escape of the gas less liable, while the base of the cartridge is held more secure and firm at the discharge than with an ordinary-faced hammer.

The cartridge is discharged by means of a small projection or point at the center of the circular face. The locking-piece E and recoil-block F firmly resist all pressure applied to the face of the hammer C; but by pressing

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131,921

back the thumb-piece I which projects upward from the hinged portion of the locking-piece, the rear end of the latter is swung downward, the parts being thereby unlocked, and, by further pressure, the hammer may be swung back to full-cock the piece, (see Fig. 3.) When the locking-piece and hammer are moved back the hook of the extractor G catches the rim of the cartridge-shell and withdraws it from the barrel for about one-half of its length, after which the rear end of the locking-piece E, by its further backward movement is caused to strike the lower end of an ejector, K, pivoted at the side of the lock at k, the upper end of which is thereby swung upward and backward, and the cartridge-shell is by the ejector thrown out entirely from the piece; the parts being then in position shown in Fig. 3. When the pressure upon the thumb-piece I is removed the trigger J catches into the rear notch and retains the hammer at its drawn-back position, or at full-cock, while the spring H raises the locking-piece sufficiently to free the ejector K, and the latter is immediately thrown back to its former position, as shown in Fig. 2, by the feather-spring f. The new cartridge can then be inserted within the chamber of the barrel and the piece is ready to be discharged. When the hammer is let up against the cartridge the front end of the extractor G is brought into contact with the rim of the cartridge, which presses back the extractor, and the diagonal slot and pin d cause the extractor to move downward sufficiently to allow its hooked end to pass beneath the rim of the cartridge, when the extractor again springs up to place so as to catch the rim when next drawn back. The sight L is constructed so as to be also used as a hammer-guard, and is hinged to the top of the barrel in such a manner that it can be turned forward, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and then used as a sight, or it may be turned back, as seen in Fig. 1, so that its end rests between the end of the barrel A and the hammer G, thus preventing the latter from coming into contact with and exploding the cartridge. The sight L may be made so as to be held in any desired position by friction at its hinge, or an adjusting device may be combined with it for retaining it at the proper elevation. The side plate M, which incloses the lock, is made of

the form shown in Fig. 1, having dovetailed projections M¹ M², which are fitted to similar-shaped recesses formed in the side of the barrel A and stock N, and with a suitable notch, M³, to embrace the angle of the barrel at its rear end, so that the plate M serves as a support and brace to strengthen the piece at a position which would otherwise be rendered weak, owing to the cavity required for containing the mechanism of the lock. The projections M¹ M² may be made of other than dovetail form, provided the same result is produced. The side plate is secured in position by screws, as indicated.

Having described my improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, what I claim therein as new, and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

1. The combination, with the rear of the locking-piece E, of the double recoil-block F, having two bearing-surfaces, F¹ F², substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the locking-piece E, hammer C, and barrel A, of the cartridge-shell extractor G, the rear part or end of which is fitted loosely in the lower part of the rear end of the locking-piece, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, with the extractor G, the rear end of which is fitted loosely in the locking-piece E, provided with the oblong opening or slot near its forward end, of pin d, which passes through said opening, as and for the purposes shown and described.

4. The combination, with the locking-piece E, breech-block O, and extractor G, of the ejector K, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combined hammer guard and sight L, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination, with the recoil-block F and locking-piece E, of the relieving-roll F³, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination, with the barrel A and stock N, of the lock-plate M, provided with dovetailed projections M¹ M², substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

JAMES M. WHITTEMORE.

Witnesses:

P. F. SANBORN,
SELDEN CONNOR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. SMOOT, OF ILION, NEW YORK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 133,063, dated November 12, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SYDNEY SMOOT, of Ilion, county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms, of which the following is a full and exact description, reference being had to the drawing forming a part of this specification.

My invention is designed with reference to that class of breech-loading fire-arms in which the ignition of the charge is effected through a firing-pin, which receives the blow of the hammer and transmits it to the cartridge; and my said invention consists in the arrangement and combination of a lever pivoted to a solid breech-block, and connected at its upper end with the firing-pin, and kept in contact at its lower end with a fixed stud or shoulder by means of a spring, by which, when the breech-block is swung away from the chamber to permit the insertion of a cartridge, the lever is caused to ride over the shoulder, and by an angular movement withdraw the firing-pin into the breech-block; but when the latter is closed the bearing of the lever upon the shoulder will hold the breech-block in such position.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown my invention as applied to what is known as the "Remington" rifle; but it is equally applicable, with certain obvious modifications, to any other form of breech-block, whether the same swings from a center above or below the axis of the barrel, or slides transverse to or parallel with the axis of the barrel in closing or unclosing the chamber.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the barrel and breech-block, a portion of the side of the frame being removed for the purpose of showing the operation of the several parts. Fig. 2 is a front view of the breech-block.

In Fig. 1 the breech-block B has a slot in its rear portion for the reception of a lever, C, pivoted to the breech-block at or near the center of its length, and capable of a limited amount of angular or vibratory movement. The upper end of this lever takes into a notch

in the firing-pin E, and its lower end is kept in contact with a pin or stud, D, on the frame by means of a spring, S.

It will be observed that the notch in the firing-pin is wider than the end of lever C by an amount equal to the movement of the pin.

The mode of operation of the above is as follows: When the breech-block is swung away from the chamber to permit the insertion of a cartridge the lower end of lever C rides over the stud D, compressing the spring S, and taking on a slight angular movement by which the firing-pin is withdrawn into the breech-block. The cartridge being then inserted and the breech closed, the lower end of lever C is pressed outward by the spring S, and, resting against the stud D, forms a support to hold the breech in its closed position, while the upper end of the said lever is thereby moved forward, leaving the firing-pin free to be driven forward by the hammer without imparting any motion to the retractor. When the firing-pin reaches the end of its forward movement it comes in contact with the upper end of the extractor-lever, and the several parts are then in position to repeat the series of operations just described.

It will be observed that the piece C is thus caused to perform the double function of withdrawing the firing-pin and holding the breech in its closed position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is—

1. In a breech-loading fire-arm having a solid breech-block, the combination and arrangement of the lever C, pivoted to the breech-block, with the firing-pin E and fixed shoulder D, to operate substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In combination with the lever C, pivoted as described, and the fixed shoulder D, I claim the spring S, arranged to operate as described, whereby the breech-block is held in its closed position, as set forth.

W. S. SMOOT. [L. S.]
Witnesses:
H. H. BENEDICT,
S. S. WESTCOTT.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD GEIGER, OF HUDSON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES C. ALGER, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,501, dated January 27, 1863; reissue No. 2,231, dated April 17, 1866; reissue No. 5,727, dated January 13, 1874; application filed February 12, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD GEIGER, of Hudson, Columbia county, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this description, in which—

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a part of a barrel and breech-frame of a fire-arm with my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same in the axis of the barrel; and Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.

My improvement consists in certain new combinations of a barrel bored through from end to end, with a swinging breech-piece and a swinging shoulder and other devices, as hereinafter specified, these improvements con- ducing to the strength and facility of manip- ulation of the arm, and cheapness of construc- tion.

In the accompanying drawings, which ex- hibit my invention in the form preferred by me, A is the breech-frame, which connects the barrel B with the stock. C is the swinging breech-piece or breech-piece working upon a pin, a, in a mortise or slot in the frame A, and furnished with an ear or thumb-piece, b, by means of which the breech may be opened or closed. D is a spring, acting upon the breech- piece for the purpose of keeping it closed when the hammer is drawn back. The same spring serves also to hold the breech open during the operation of loading. In Fig. 2, the black outlines show the breech and spring in the closed, and the red outlines in the open, posi- tion of the former. E is a piece of metal in which are combined a nose, f, the point of which strikes and explodes the cartridge; a locking-shoulder, c, separate and distinct from the nose f; a thumb-piece, g, and tumbler h. These parts, in the construction shown in the drawings, all move together when the arm is fired, and are drawn back by means of the thumb-piece g. This piece E is pivoted upon a strong pin, c. The breech is so formed at d

that it may be locked by the shoulder e. The piece E is provided with a main spring, F, to throw it toward the breech, and a trigger, G.

By inspection of the drawings, it will be perceived that the swinging breech-piece vi- brates in a plane passing through the axis of the barrel, and is moved by an ear projecting above the breech-frame, and above the pin on which the breech-piece swings, instead of by means of a lever or other device projecting be- low the barrel, as is usually the case; and, by this arrangement, the construction of the gun is cheapened, the slot or opening in the lower side of the breech-frame is dispensed with, and the manipulation of the arm is more easy, as the opening of the breech is effected by a mo- tion similar to the ordinary cocking of a gun. It will also be perceived that the breech-piece is not chambered to receive a cartridge within it, but is a block or gate for closing the butt of the barrel after the cartridge is inserted into that butt. The breech-piece may, there- fore, be called a solid breech-piece, to distin- guish it from the chambered breech-pieces sometimes used in firearms. By inspection of the drawings, it will also be seen that the swinging breech-piece is locked to resist the explosion of the charge, by a swinging shoul- der detached from the breech-piece, and thrown into place prior to the firing of the charge. It will likewise be noticed that both the hammer and the swinging shoulder are independent of the breech-piece in its motions—or, in other words, that the arm may be cocked or half- cocked, or the shoulder withdrawn from or re- placed in the locking position, without open- ing the breech-piece, and that the breech-piece is held shut while the shoulder is out of con- tact with it by a spring; and also, that the combination is such that the shoulder resists the force of the explosion; and the following results follow from these peculiarities in con- struction: First, all devices for locking the breech-piece and resisting the strain of the explosion, except the shoulder swinging on a pivot, are dispensed with; second, the gun may be carried full or half-cocked, when loaded, without danger of the falling out of the cartridge; third, that the locking of the

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breech-piece is effected prior to the explosion of the charge, and that the gun cannot be fired unless the breech is closed and the breech-piece locked; fourth, that the breech-piece is unlocked, so that it may be opened by pulling back the shoulder by means of a thumb-piece after it has been thrown into the locking position by the main spring.

In order to load the gun, it is first cocked or half-cocked, which will withdraw the shoulder, and unlock the breech-piece. The breech-piece is then pulled back by taking hold of the ear, as in cocking a common gun, and will be held open by the spring in the precise construction shown in the drawings. The cartridge is then to be shoved in, ball first, and the breech-piece closed, being held closed by the spring, so that the cartridge will not be displaced, even if the hammer be kept at full or half-cock. The gun may be fired in the usual way, and the shoulder will be carried under the breech-piece so as to lock the breech, the strain of the explosion being sustained by the swinging shoulder, the hammer being unable to explode the charge until the shoulder locks the breech-piece.

Any proper kinds of cartridges may be employed, and the firing may be effected by a percussion-cap or other kind of priming; but I prefer to use cartridges with metal cases, which also contain the priming.

Fig. 2 represents, attached to the breech-piece, a contrivance for withdrawing from the barrel the cases or shells of exploded cartridges.

In constructing the gun, I prefer to make the locking-shoulder and hammer in one piece, as being simpler and cheaper. The various peculiarities of construction that are important in the combinations hereafter specified are these: That the shoulder does not consist of the nose of the hammer; that it is introduced below the nose of the hammer; that it effects the locking of the breech-piece by passing under or behind the block, instead of cutting into it; that it moves either with or in advance of the hammer, so that the hammer cannot strike and explode the cartridge until the locking-shoulder is in position to secure the breech; and also that the swinging shoulder locks the swinging breech, so that the force, strain, or shock of the explosion is transferred to and resisted by the swinging shoulder.

Neither do I claim an ear, or handle, or thumb-piece made in one piece with the swinging breech-piece, although I prefer that construction, the peculiarity of construction that is important being not in the mode of connection, but in the position of the ear and the plane of vibration of the breech-piece, as before described, so that the breech-piece may be opened by a manipulation similar to cocking an ordinary gun-lock.

I do not claim a swinging or pivoted breech-piece by itself, nor a swinging breech-piece in combination with an independent hammer, as

there are many well-known forms of such contrivances; and I do not claim a swinging breech-piece in combination with a hammer and a locking-shoulder, which are so connected in operation with the breech-piece by mechanical devices that the breech-piece moves when the hammer and the shoulder moves, and vice versa.

Neither do I claim the combination, broadly, of a swinging locking-shoulder independent of the breech-piece, pivoted in rear of said breech-piece, for the purpose of locking or unlocking said breech-piece, with the several elements hereinafter mentioned, as such a combination is shown in the French patent granted to Flobert in November, 1855. In the case of Flobert the nose of the hammer served the double purpose of exploding the cartridge and locking the breech-piece. The latter operation was performed by the nose of the hammer passing through the breech-block; and, if the nose of the hammer were made large enough to afford a sufficient locking-shoulder, it would cut into and detract from the strength of the breech-block; and, again, the shoulder in that case is necessarily too high up to afford a sufficient mode of resisting the recoil of the charge. These objections are obviated in my invention by the introduction of a locking-shoulder other than the nose of the hammer, and below it, which effects the process of locking by passing below or behind the breech-block, instead of passing through or cutting into it, thus giving a sufficient bearing surface on the locking-shoulder, combined with a solid and strong breech-block; but

I do claim as my invention in fire-arms—

1. These elements in combination, namely: A barrel open at the breech, a solid breech-piece swinging in the plane of the barrel, a swinging locking-shoulder other than the nose of the hammer, independent of the breech-piece, located below the nose or face of the hammer, and pivoted in rear of said breech-piece, for the purpose of locking and unlocking said breech-piece, so constructed as that the operation of locking is effected by the said locking-shoulder passing behind or below the breech-block; and a thumb-piece located above the center of motion of said locking-shoulder, for the purpose of operating the same, substantially as described.

2. These elements in combination, namely: A barrel open at the breech; a solid breech-piece swinging in the plane of the barrel; a spring for forcing the locking-shoulder under the breech-piece; a swinging locking-shoulder other than the nose of the hammer, independent of the breech-piece, located below the nose or face of the hammer, and pivoted in rear of said breech-piece, for the purpose of locking or unlocking said breech-piece, so constructed as that the operation of locking is effected by the said locking-shoulder passing behind or below the breech-block; and a thumb-piece located above the center of motion of said lock-

5,727

3

3. The combination, in a breech-loading gun,
of a barrel open at its rear end, with a breech-
block provided with a thumb-piece and a recoil
or bearing surface on its rear or under side,
other than the passage through which the ham-
mer transmits its blow for firing the gun, and
a swinging locking-shoulder other than the
nose of the hammer, and independent of the
breech-block, said breech-block and hammer
being pivoted in rear of the barrel, substan-
tially as described.

4. In combination with a barrel open at the breech, a solid breech-piece swinging in the plane of the barrel; a spring for the purpose of forcing the locking-shoulder under the breech-piece; and a swinging locking-shoulder other than the nose of the hammer, independent of the breech-piece, located below the nose or face of the hammer, and pivoted in rear of said breech-piece, so constructed as that the operation of locking is effected by the said locking-shoulder passing behind or below the breech-block, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a barrel open at the breech, a solid breech-piece swinging in the plane of the barrel; a spring for the purpose of holding the breech-piece closed; an ear or thumb-piece, located substantially as described, by which the breech-piece may be operated from above its center of motion; a swinging locking-shoulder, other than the nose of the hammer, independent of the breech-piece, located below the nose or face of the hammer, and pivoted in rear of said breech-piece, for the purpose of locking and unlocking said breech-piece, so constructed as that the operation of locking is effected by said locking-shoulder passing behind or under the breech-block; a thumb-piece located above the center of motion of said locking-shoulder, for the purpose of operating the same, and a spring for the purpose of forcing the locking-shoulder under the breech-piece, substantially as described.

CHARLES C. ALGER,

Assignee of L. Geiger,

Witnesses:

GEO. PRATT,

HENRIETTE E. BULL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTIAN SHARPS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,625, dated April 8, 1873; application filed July 14, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN SHARPS, of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented Improvements in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms, of which the following is a specification:

Nature and Object of my Invention.

My invention consists of certain improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, too fully explained hereafter to need preliminary description; the main object of my invention being the production of a safe breech-loading fire-arm, which can be rapidly loaded and discharged.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.

Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved breech-loading fire-arm; Fig. 2, the same, showing the breech opened; Fig. 3, a plan view of Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5, Sheet 2, sections on the line 1 2, Fig. 3, showing the hammer and firing-pin and safety device for preventing the accidental movement of the firing-pin and premature discharge of the cartridge; Figs. 6 and 7, sections on the line 3 4, Fig. 3, showing the operation of the cartridge-extractor; and Fig. 8, a view representing a modification of the safety device connected with the firing-pin.

General Description.

A represents the frame of the fire-arm, and B the barrel, the former being recessed at the rear of the barrel for the reception of the breech-piece and parts connected therewith, and being secured to or forming part of a stock, C, within which is arranged an ordinary gun-lock, of which D is the hammer and E the trigger. The breech-piece F consists of a solid block of metal, fitted snugly within the recess of the frame, and hinged or pivoted within the latter to a pin, a, which passes through the opposite sides of the frame, and permits the said breech to be raised and closed against the end of the barrel, as shown in Fig. 1, or to be thrown back from the same, as seen in Fig. 2. The breech-piece has a smooth, straight face, b, which fits accurately and closely against the rear of the barrel and flanged end of the cartridge; and the upper and rear portion of the said breech is

formed on a curve described from the center of the pin a, and is adapted to and arranged to turn in close proximity to the correspondingly-curved rear end c of the recess in the frame. A curved cam-like projection, q, Figs. 3 and 4, is formed on the side of the breech adjacent to the hammer for the purpose of acting upon and lifting the latter to the position of half-cock during the opening of the said breech, as will be more fully explained hereafter. A curved lever, G, bent to such a form as to serve as a trigger-guard, is hung to the pin d in the lower portion of the frame A beneath the breech-piece, and is acted on by a spring, e, secured to the frame, which tends to maintain it in the raised position shown in Fig. 1. This lever G is connected by a link, H, to a bolt, J, which is adapted to and has a limited sliding movement in a recess, f, formed for its reception in the rear portion of the breech-piece. The extent of this movement of the bolt is determined by slots g, g', formed in the opposite sides of the breech-piece, and into which project the ends of the pin h, by which the said bolt is connected to the link.

When the breech is closed, as shown in Fig. 1, it is backed against the end of the barrel by means of the bolt J, which is then interposed between the said breech and an inclined shoulder, i, of the frame. In opening the breech by means of the lever G the bolt J is, during the first portion of the movement of the lever, drawn inward from the shoulder i, so as not to interfere with the movement of the said breech, as will be fully described hereafter.

The center-fire cartridge x, which is adapted, as usual, to the rear open end of the barrel, is exploded by means of a firing-pin, K, arranged to slide in an opening in the breech, and having, at its rear end, an inclined enlargement or head, k, which is struck and thrust forward by the descending hammer.

The premature discharge of the cartridge by means of the firing-pin is prevented by a dog, m, hung to the frame A, acted on by a suitable spring, and arranged to catch and hold back the said firing-pin until it is lifted, by means of the hammer, before the latter strikes the firing-pin. (See Figs. 4 and 5.)

The cartridge extractor or ejector consists of a

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137,625

simple arm, L, adapted to a recess in the frame at one side and in front of the breech-piece, which is also slightly recessed for its reception, the said extractor being hung to the same pin *d* to which the operating-lever G is pivoted, and being operated in such a manner as to extract or eject the cartridge after the opening of the breech by means of a shoulder, *n*, on the said lever, which, during the last portion of the movement of the latter, strikes a projection, *n'*, of the extractor, and thus starts the same, the movement of the extract-or being completed by means of a spring, *p*, with which it is provided. (See Figs. 6 and 7.)

In order that the operation of the fire-arm may be fully understood, let it be supposed that a cartridge has been introduced into the barrel, the breech closed and locked by means of the lever G and bolt J, and the hammer cocked. On the descent of the latter the inclined end of the safety catch or dog *m* will first be struck and raised, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to release the firing-pin, and the latter will then be struck and thrust forward by the hammer and the cartridge exploded. The recoil will be taken up by the solid metal of the breech, the bolt J, and frame A; these several parts, as best observed in Figs. 1 and 6, being in close contact with each other, and the whole being locked, and in a measure wedged together, by means of the bolt J, which prevents any possibility of the turning or opening of the breech, and, by taking up the whole force of the recoil, relieves the strain which would otherwise be brought to bear upon the pivoting and connecting pins of the breech, link, and operating-lever. After the discharge of the cartridge the lever G is lowered in the direction of the arrow, Fig.

1. During the first portion of this movement the bolt J will be drawn back clear of the shoulder *i* and into the recesses in the breech, so as to unlock the latter, and as soon as the pin *h* has passed entirely through the slots *g* of the breech, and the bolt has been thus drawn back, the said breech will, on the continuance of the movement of the lever in the same direction, be opened or thrown back, as shown in Fig. 2. The hammer will also, during this movement of the lever and breech-piece, be raised by the cam-like projection *q*

of the latter to the position of half-cock, and will not, therefore, offer any obstruction to the opening or closing of the said breech. During the last portion of the movement of the lever in the same direction, its shoulder *n* will strike the projection *n'* of the extractor L and turn the latter slightly in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7, so as to start the cartridge-case, which is sometimes apt to stick in the barrel. The movement of the extractor in the same direction is completed by means of its spring *p*, which, after the starting of the cartridge-case by the positive movement of the operating-lever, suddenly ejects the said case, after which another loaded cartridge is inserted in the barrel. The breech is then closed by means of the operating-lever and locked, as before, by the bolt J, the breech as it is raised coming in contact with the extractor and pushing the same before it to its original position, Fig. 6.

Instead of employing the dog *m* as a device for holding back the firing-pin, the said dog may be dispensed with and the firing-pin be provided at one side with a lip, *s*, Fig. 8, adapted to an eccentric slot, *t*, formed in the frame A, the said lip, and consequently the firing-pin, being drawn back by passing through the eccentric slot when the breech is lowered or opened, and remaining drawn back when the said breech is closed, as indicated by the dotted lines.

### Claims.

1. The curved cam-like projection *q* of the breech-piece, arranged to act upon and lift the hammer to the position of half-cock when the said breech-piece is opened, all substantially as specified.

2. The firing-pin K, so combined with and controlled by a cam-slot, *t*, dog *m*, or equivalent device, that it shall be drawn back by the same into the breech in the act of opening or closing the latter.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHRISTIAN SHARPS.

### Witnesses:

WM. A. STEEL,
JOHN K. RUPERTUS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE SMITH AND DANIEL B. WESSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WINCHESTER REPEATING-ARMS COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING AND REPEATING FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 10,535, dated February 14, 1854; reissue No. 279, dated October 10, 1854; extended seven years; reissue No. 5,710, dated December 30, 1873; application filed November 21, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that HORACE SMITH and DANIEL B. WESSON, formerly of Norwich, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, now of Springfield, Massachusetts, did invent certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, like letters indicating like parts wherever they occur.

To enable others skilled in the art to construct and use the invention, I will proceed to describe it.

This invention relates to fire-arms, and it consists in a novel construction of certain of the parts of the arm; and it also consists in a novel combination of elements or devices, whereby the arm, or a magazine attached thereto, can be supplied with a quantity of metallic cartridges ready prepared for firing, and said cartridges be transferred successively from the magazine to the barrel, be there fired, the empty shell (or the cartridge, if not fired) be then withdrawn from the barrel, then be released from the extractor and expelled from the arm, and the breech opened and closed, all by a movement-to and fro of an operating-lever, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Figure 1 is a top-plan view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, showing the breech closed and the hammer cocked ready for firing. Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the breech opened and the shell expelled. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are views of portions shown detached and more in detail.

This arm belongs to that class technically known as magazine or repeating arms. Such arms have heretofore been made, but not so as to use metallic cartridges, the shells of which had to be withdrawn, nor so as to cock the hammer by the movement of the operating-lever. Nor has any arm heretofore been so constructed as to first withdraw the cartridge, or

its shell, from the barrel, and then expel the same from the arm.

In the drawings above referred to, A denotes the barrel of the piece, and B the stock or lock-case. Underneath the barrel is a long tube, C, that serves as a magazine for carrying the cartridges. This magazine and barrel have at their rear ends a carrier or slide-block, D, whose office is to receive a cartridge from the magazine and transfer or raise it up into line with the barrel. For this purpose the said carrier is caused to slide up and down within a chamber, E, and to be moved by a lever, F, that plays or turns on a fulcrum, a, with the operating-lever G, which, in this case, is also made to turn on the same pin a. A sliding breech-piece, H, is also employed to force the cartridge out of the carrier (when the latter is raised to its highest position) and into the barrel. The cartridges are placed one after another in the magazine, and are pressed toward the carrier by means of a helical spring, I, that bears against a cylindrical follower, K, from which a screw-pin, b, projects, and extends into and through a long slot, c, that is made lengthwise in the magazine, and opens into another and short slot, d, that is cut through a spring chamber or tube, L, which is so applied to the barrel, by means of a clasping-sleeve, M, as to be capable of being turned laterally entirely out of line with the magazine, so as to permit the latter to be supplied with cartridges whenever necessary. The slot d of the magazine is turned, at its upper end, at right angles to the main part; thence it is turned down a short distance parallel to such main part, the whole being as represented in Fig. 5, for the purpose of confining the spring within the chamber in a contracted state. By applying the finger to the head of the screw b, and pushing the follower K toward the spring I, we can crowd the spring entirely into the chamber L, and so as to carry the screw b to the upper part of the slot d. When this is the case, if we press the screw laterally into the lateral part of the groove, the spring may be preserved in place

2

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in the chamber, while such chamber is turned
out of line with the magazine-tube. The
breech-piece H is operated, or moved back
and forth, by toggle-joints N O, that are
worked by the operating-lever G, the position
of the several parts of the fire-arm, when the
longer arm of the operating-lever is moved en-
tirely forward or away from the stock, being
represented in Fig. 6, which represents a lon-
gitudinal section of the arm under such cir-
cumstances. The toggles are jointed to the
breech-piece H and the lock-frame. They are
moved up and down by the short arm k of the
operating-lever G, projecting upward from its
fulcrum, and provided with one or more studs
to enter and slide in a slot, i, formed through,
or affixed to, the back toggles. When the
toggles are brought into a straight line with
each other, the breech-block H is hard up
against the rear end of the cartridge, and
serves as a breech to the barrel. Fig. 9 de-
notes a top view of the breech-piece H. Fig.
10 is a horizontal and central section of it.
This breech-piece H is made with a head or
end of suitable shape to pass through the car-
rier and close the rear end of the bore of the
barrel when forced against it. In rear of this
head the breech-piece is reduced in width, as
seen at p in Figs. 9 and 10, it being so re-
duced for a distance at least equal to the
length of the carrier D, and for the purpose of
passing out of the opening q, made through
the top of the carrier and leading out of its
cartridge-chamber. The front end of the said
breech-piece is formed with a flat end or face,
a', to fit against the rear end of the cartridge-
shell and hold it in the bore; and from this
face a', at each side, projects a hook, r, as rep-
resented in Figs. 9 and 10, these hooks having
their points turned inward, and placed at such
distance asunder that when the breech is
closed they will ride forward past the en-
larged head or base of the cartridge-shell and
inclose it between them. The blow of the
hammer against the rear of the breech-piece
H causes its front end to upset the rear end
of the cartridge-shell, thereby causing the lat-
ter to expand laterally and engage with the
hooks r, which thus grasp and hold it with
sufficient force to withdraw it from the cham-
ber of the barrel when the breech-piece or pis-
ton is next retracted or forced back by the op-
erating-lever. Having withdrawn the remain-
der of the cartridge from the barrel, and over
the projections a² a² (see Figs. 1, 3, 4) on the
carrier, these projections a² are forced into such
contact with the remainder of shell, and by and
during the next upward movement of the car-
rier, as to expel it from the piece or fire-arm.
These projections constitute the boundaries of
the opening q, and they perform an important
function, namely, the expulsion from the cham-
ber E of the remainder of the cartridge, or
that part of it which is drawn from the barrel
by the hooks r after a discharge, and previous
to the introduction of the next cartridge into
the barrel. The construction of the carrier so

that it may not only pass down by the breech-
piece and to the magazine while the breech-
piece is up against the barrel, but so that it will
expel the remainder of the cartridge extracted
from the barrel, constitutes an important fea-
ture of this improved fire-arm. The cock or
percussion-hammer is arranged in rear of the
breech-piece H and turns on a pin, k', and is
made to strike directly against the rear end of
the breech-piece H and to inflame the priming
by the concussion produced by its percussion
or blow on such end. The trigger is shown at
P, and the mainspring at Q. This cock or
percussion-hammer is also so arranged that it
shall be elevated or set to full-cock by the back
pressure on it of the breech-piece H, induced
by the toggles, which are moved by the oper-
ating-lever when the latter is moved away
from the stock. Thus the operating-lever,
when so moved, is made to simultaneously
cause the hammer to be cocked, the breech-
piece to be forced back, and the carrier to be
elevated. The carrier-lever is elevated by
means of the lower arm of the operating-lever
G and depressed by the upper arm thereof, the
carrier-lever being so shaped, as seen in Figs.
7 and 8, which are side and top views of it, and
so applied to the operating-lever, as to enable
the latter to actuate it. It will thus be seen
that, by this combination of elements or de-
vices, the entire series of operations for open-
ing and closing the breech, releasing and ex-
pelling the cartridge-shell, and cocking the
arm, as also for bringing a fresh cartridge up
from the magazine and placing it in the cham-
ber of the barrel, are performed by the hand
of the operator on one lever, and that this le-
ver also locks the breech closed during the act
of firing. It will also be further seen that af-
ter the shell is drawn out of the chamber it is
thrown clear from the arm by the carrier, which
is raised by the movement of the operating-
lever in opening the breech, no other move-
ment being required for that purpose.

I do not claim as the invention of said SMITH
& WESSON the employment of a carrier or slide
for transferring the cartridge from the maga-
zine to the barrel, nor the employment in com-
bination therewith of a sliding breech-piece to
force the cartridge out of the carrier and into
the barrel; nor the employment of the piston-
slide H as a breech to the barrel; nor the firing
by concussion instead of percussion; nor the
improvement of making or applying the per-
cussion-hammer so as to strike on the rear end
of a small pin, instead of directly against its
cartridge or priming, and so that the priming
at the front or lower end of the pin shall be
exploded by concussion produced by the per-
cussive blow of the hammer on the other end
of it; but

What I do claim as their invention is—

1. The combination of the percussion-ham-
mer, the sliding breech-piece, and the barrel,
substantially as described, whereby the breech-
piece H shall serve both as a breech to hold the
cartridge in the barrel, and as a means of con-

5,710

3

veying the force of the blow of the hammer to the cartridge, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with an extractor for drawing the shell out of the chamber, a device arranged to strike the shell or cartridge and expel the same from the arm, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the sliding breech-piece H and the carrier D, constructed substantially as described, whereby the carrier can be operated while the breech is closed, and also be made to expel the shell while being raised, as set forth.

4. The combination of the hammer and the breech-piece H with the operating-lever G, whereby the hammer may be cocked by the movement of the operating-lever, substantially as described.

5. A reciprocating breech-piece arranged to move in line with the bore of the barrel, in combination with an extractor which advances from behind the cartridge to engage therewith, for the purpose of withdrawing the shell from the barrel when the breech is opened.

6. The combination, in a breech-loading arm, of a hammer, a reciprocating breech-piece, and an extractor with an operating-lever, the said parts being arranged to operate substantially as described, whereby the movement of said lever shall open the breech, cock the hammer, and withdraw the shell, as set forth.

7. The combination, substantially as described, of a barrel open at its rear end with

a reciprocating breech-piece moving in line with the bore of the barrel, and an extractor arranged to advance from behind the cartridge, to engage with and extract the shell.

8. In combination with a barrel open at the rear, a device arranged to operate on the shell as it is withdrawn from its chamber, and expel it from the arm, the combination being substantially such as described.

9. The combination, substantially as described, of an operating-lever, an extractor, and a device arranged to operate on the shell after the breech is opened and expel it from the arm, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, substantially as described, of an operating-lever with a hammer, breech-piece, and extractor, whereby the movement of the lever once forward and back will open and close the breech, cock the gun, and withdraw the cartridge-shell.

11. The combination, substantially as described, of an operating-lever with a hammer, closing breech-piece, extractor, and a device for throwing out the shell, whereby the motion forward and back of the lever will open and close the breech, cock the gun, withdraw the shell, and expel it from the arm.

OLIVER F. WINCHESTER,
President Winchester Repeating-Arms Co.

Witnesses:

W. W. WINCHESTER,
T. L. BENNETT.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 147,457, dated February 10, 1874; application filed July 16, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELI WHITNEY, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in—

Figure 1, a side view; Fig. 2, a top view, the breech-piece removed, but shown in an open position in broken lines; and in Fig. 3, a longitudinal central section.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of breech-loading fire-arms which have a breech-piece arranged to swing laterally from the barrel to open and close the breech, such as was patented to me November 8, 1864; and the invention consists, first, in the arrangement of the pivot upon which the breech-piece turns at one side of the central line, so that the movement of the breech is more directly away from the barrel than when the pivot is in a central line, as in my afore-said patent; second, in combining with a lateral-swinging breech a lever pivoted to the frame beneath the breech-piece, and in substantially the same plane and in connection with the said breech-piece, so that a rear movement of the said lever will turn the said breech-piece from the barrel and a forward movement close the said breech-piece; third, in combining with the said breech-piece and lever a latch which holds the said lever in its forward or closed position.

A is the frame; B, the barrel; C, the breech-piece. The said breech-piece is fitted into the frame between an abutment, D, and the rear end of the barrel, and so as to swing laterally away from the barrel, as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 2. The pivot a, upon which the breech-piece turns, is arranged upon the side of the central line opposite that to which the breech-piece swings, as seen in Fig. 2; hence, the movement of the breech-piece in turning is more away from (rearward) the barrel than when the pivot is on a central line, as in my patent before referred to, and enables the more perfect closing of the breech and with less friction

than in the former case. At the forward end a projection, d, from the frame extends back over the breech-piece when closed, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3. This prevents any strain upon the pivot or breech-piece tending to raise the forward end, and as a further protection, the rear end of the breech-piece extends over the abutment D, as seen at f.

To conveniently operate the breech-block, I arrange, in a recess in the frame, a lever, E, pivoted to the frame, at e, beneath the breech-piece, and in substantially the same plane. From this lever a finger-piece, b, extends out to one side, as seen in Fig. 2, by means of which it may be thrown back and forth. From this lever a stud, n, extends up into a slot in the breech-piece, as seen in Fig. 3, and in broken lines, Fig. 2; therefore, when the breech-piece is closed, by taking hold of the thumb-piece b and drawing it back, as seen in Fig. 2, the breech-piece will be turned laterally to one side, as denoted in broken lines, Fig. 2, and when the lever is thrown forward it will bring the breech-piece back into position, closing the barrel.

In order to lock the breech-piece when in a closed position, I arrange a latch, F, in the side of the frame, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, which, when the lever is forward, as seen in Fig. 1, will spring out and engage the said lever to hold it in a closed position, and this latch being arranged in the rear of the finger-piece b, is easily operated by the thumb, the forefinger upon the forward side of the finger-piece, the thumb naturally bears upon the latch, and may, by the thumb, be depressed to allow the lever to be drawn back.

Centrally through the breech-piece a firing-pin, P, is arranged, as seen in Fig. 3, to be struck by the hammer H in substantially the manner of striking the firing-pin in other arms.

A retractor is arranged in the rear of the barrel and beneath the breech-piece, formed from two arms, st, pivoted to the frame, the arm s actuated by the breech-piece, and the arm t thrown back as the breech-piece is opened, the forward end of the retractor extending up, as in Fig. 3, to engage the flange of the cartridge to draw it back.

As there is some liability to clog or for the lodgment of foreign substances between the

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 151,458, dated May 26, 1874; application filed
March 18, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Figure 1, a side view; Fig. 2, a top view; Fig. 3, a sectional side view; Fig. 4, a longitudinal section at the breech, the breech-piece removed; Fig. 5, a transverse section on line *x x*, showing the breech-piece open.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of breech-loading fire-arms in which the breech-block is hung at one side of the frame, and swings transversely to open or close the breech; and the invention consists, first, in constructing the transverse swinging breech-block with a rear projection, whereby a long bearing is formed for the firing-pin without lengthening the frame; second, in combining, with such breech-block, cheeks on the frame to support the breech-piece and to form a guide or channel leading to the barrel.

A is the frame, to which the barrel B is attached in the usual manner. Transversely across the frame, at the rear of the barrel, a slot, C, is formed, as seen in Fig. 4, into which the breech-block D sits, the said block hinged to the frame at one side, as at F, and so as to be turned transversely away from the frame, as seen in Fig. 5, to open the breech for the insertion or removal of the cartridge or shell. A central rear projection or enlargement, F, is formed on the breech-block, through which and the block proper the firing-pin *a* is placed, so that when the block is closed the hammer G will, in falling, strike the pin to communicate the blow of the hammer to the cartridge; and, in order that the breech-block may be held firmly in its place at the time of firing, as also to prevent discharge if the breech be not properly closed, I form a tongue or projection, *d*, on the rear of the block, and a corresponding recess or shoulder on the hammer, as seen in Fig. 3, so that when the hammer falls upon the properly-closed breech-block the said shoulder

on the hammer will lock over the projection *d* on the breech-block before the nose of the hammer reaches the firing-pin; consequently, if the block be not properly closed, the nose of the hammer will strike the said projection *d* and prevent the hammer striking the firing-pin. The breech-block is provided with a thumb-piece, D', for convenience in opening the breech. In rear of the barrel, and distant from the breech proper, a cheek, H, is formed on each side of the frame, and between these cheeks and the breech the breech-block sits, the cheeks forming an abutment for the support of the breech-block to resist the recoil consequent upon the explosion of the cartridge. Between these cheeks H H the frame is shaped to correspond to the lower portion of the bore or cartridge-chamber, as seen in Figs. 2 and 5. This recess I serves as a guide for the insertion of the cartridge, so that when the cartridge is laid into the recess I a simple longitudinal movement will carry it directly into the cartridge-chamber. In the cheek opposite the one to which the breech-block is hinged a frictional device to hold the breech-block is placed. This consists of a piston, *f*, set in a cavity in the cheek, as seen in Fig. 4, with a spring, the tendency of which is to press the said piston outward toward the breech-block, the end of the piston protruding slightly into the recess C, so as to bear against the breech-block when it is closed to create sufficient friction thereon to hold it (the breech-block) in its closed position, but yet allow it to be easily opened, if necessary. A slight depression may be formed in the breech-block corresponding to the piston, and into which the piston will sit when the breech-block is closed; but this recess must be so slight as to allow the breech-block to be readily forced from the control of the piston. In order to avoid the necessity of forcing the cartridge quite "home" before the breech-block is closed, the first approaching edge D' of the breech-block is chamfered on the bore or front side, as seen in Fig. 6, so that in closing the breech-block the forward surface acts as a cam to force the cartridge home. As the gas, after explosion, tends to work its way out around the breech-block, and especially so when the shell bursts at the time of explosion, an exit is provided by making a groove, *h*, on the un-