Britain 10667
AD. 1845 № 10,667.
Fire-arms and Apparatus to be used therewith.
SMITH’S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME GREETING, I, the said Charles James Smith, of Whittall Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-five, in the eighth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Charles James Smith, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence,full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles James Smith, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Charles James Smith, my exors, admors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. my Invention of “Improvements in Artillery, Guns, Pistols, and other Description of Fire-Arms, and in Apparatus to be used therewith,” in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said Charles James Smith, shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to he performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty’s High Court of Chancery within gix calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said Charles James Smith, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and.the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described and ascertained in and by the following instrument in writing, reference being had to the letters and figures marked thereon, and to the Drawings thereunto annexed.
My first Invention, as applicable to artillery, gnus, pistols, and other fire-arms, consists of a cylindrical magazine and of a globular reservoir for continuous and self-priming, the reservoir being previously filled with detonating halls, and the magazine being fixed upon the breech or end of the barrel of the gun or fire-arm, &c., and moved by a lever attached to the cock or striker and the magazine.
These improvements are fully illustrated and shewn upon the accompanying Drawings marked 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each of the several parts is distinguished by a letter or a figure, and the same letters and figures refer to the same parts throughout all the Drawings, or such of them upon which those parts arc shewn.
On Drawing 1, Figure D represents an elevation of that part of a gun to which my Invention relates, the remaining parts not therein shewn being of an ordinary character, and are therefore omitted. E, is a plan of the same, shewing the cock at half bent. The figures embraced under the letter F, shew views of my newly invented magazine and reservoir, Nº 1, is the cock or striker; 2, the lock plate; 8, the barre;l 4, the reservoir, holding the detonating balls, and fixed in the magazine. No, 5, is a circular magazine to which the reservoir No. 4, is fixed, and moves upon a part of the breech or end of the barrel, 6, is n lever which connects the cock and magazine. 7, is a steel plug in the cock; 8, a pin which fastens the magazine to the breech No. 18; 10, the trigger; 18, the breech; 14, the break off. 17, is the hole in the magazine through which the cock passes to explode the ball. 5 c, is an inside view of the magazine. 5 c 1,is a top view of the same. 5 c 2,is a sectional view of the same, shewing the position of the detonating balls when in the reservoir fixed in the magazine. 22, is a small hole made in the magazine to allow one detonating ball to explode at one time, and should be immediately over the touch-hole when the cock is at full bent. 28, represents the balls in the reservoir. 24, is a sectional view of the reservoir, shewing the manner in which it is to be filled with balls. 25, is an elevation of the breech upon which the magazine moves, shewing also the touch-hole which communicates with the charge.
The manner of using my Invention is as follows:— The detonating halls (agreeable to the size of the hole 22in the magazine) being placed in the reservoir № 4, the cock then being raised draws with it the magazine No. 5, by means of the lever 6, which connects the two till the hole 22 in the magazine comes immediately over the touch-hole. The reservoir will then allow one ball to pass through the hole 22, into the touch-hole. The trigger being pulled, the cock is forced down by the main spring with the plug 7, through the hole 17, into the touch-hole, and explodes the ball left there by the reservoir, which communicates with the charge: the reservoir being at the same time forced away, and so may the action be, repeated.
My second Invention, ns applicable to guns, pistols, and fire-arms, consists of magazine which contains and regularly supplies detonating shells halls, caps, or patent detonating boxes, and patent detonating rings for discharging the same, and may be attached either to the lock, barrel, or stock of the fire-arm. On Drawing 1, A is an elevation of that part of the gun or other similar fire-arm to which my Invention is applicable. B, is a plan of the-same. C,and G, are various detached parts. Figure 1, is the cock or striker. 2, is the lock plate; 3, the barrel; 4, the magazine for the balls, caps and boxes, rings, &. 5, is a circular piece of metal which moves upon a portion of the breach or end of the barrel. 6, is a lever which connects № 5, with the cock. 7, is a steel plug fixed in the cock; 8, a pin which holds a piece of metal 5, to the breach. 9, is a pin which works in a slot in the magazine, and is attached to a piston inside the magazine, which is pressed against the boxes, caps, &e. by means of o spiral spring. 10, is the trigger; 11, cap of the magazine; 12, an opening through which the magazine is filled with boxes caps, &c.; 18, the breach; 14, break off; 15, holes for attaching the magazine to the gun, &c. 4ᵃ is a plan of the magazine; 4ᵃ² a section of the one, shewing the action of the spiral spring 14), with the piston. 16, are boxes shewn in section with the magazine. 4ᵃ³ is a front view of the magazine No. 4, shewing the holes through which the boxes, shells, &e. pass. 17, is the hole through which the plug No. 7, passes in order to strike and explode the boxes, shells, &c. when lodged over the touch-hole. 18, is the part attached to the lever 6, and which connects it with the cock; 20, the stock, only part of which is shewn. The mode of action of this part of my Invention is as follows:— The boxes, shells, rings, or caps, &c., arc placed in the magazine through the opening 12, until the magazine is filled; the cock being raised draws down the piece of metal No. 5, till the hole 17,is brought opposite to the passage 16½, and the caps in the magazine where it receives one of the boxes, caps, &c. forced in by the piston 9, acted upon by the spring 14½. By pulling the trigger the cock is released, which falling down forces up the piece of metal 5, with the box or cap, &e. in the hole 17, immediately over the touch-hole, where it is exploded by the striker of the cock; and thus the action may be continued. G, represents a tubular primer, to be used for the purpose of supplying the magazine with boxes, caps, &e. at the end, instead of through the opening marked 12, and also for feeding the metal conductor 5, with the same. No. 1, represents two pieces of tube sliding, one (No. 4) within the other (No. 5), the ends being closed. No. 5, is made to fit into the magazine, and is fastened therein by the spring No 2. No. 8, is a slot in the tube No. 5, to allow a pin (No. 6,) fastened to the tube No. 4, freely to work therein, and which prevents the tubes being dis connected by the spring 7. No. 1ᵃ, is a plan of the same; 1ᵇ, section of ditto, shewing the spiral spring therein; and 1ᶜ, is another section of the same.
My Invention also includes improvements in pistols or guns having four, five, six, or any other number of barrels. These improvements consist of, first, a magazine so constructed in the body as to contain a supply of patent detonating boxes for one or more discharges of all the barrels. Secondly, the ratchet of the barrel being placed inside the body of the pistol, and connected with the barrel by a revolving axis. Thirdly, two bolts, which act alternately and stop the barrel in its proper place. Fourthly, in order to replenish the magazine with patent detonating boxes or rings a key is placed between the barrel and the body of the pistol, which key is held by the striker. These improvements are fully exhibited in the accompanying Drawings, Nos. 8, and 4, to the Figures on which the following description refers. The following describes each part and its details:— A, the body; 1, the magazine; 2, the priming hole; 9, the bridle; 4, main spring stud; 5, back sight; 6, nock for support of axle; 7, trigger pin. B, the barrel; 1, countersunk hollows for the nipples; 2, metal lift, to form divisions between the nipples; 3, countersunk for neck 6, of the body A; 4, key hole to fit over key formed on the axle C, No. 3; * 5, front sights; 6, hole fur axle; 7, countersink fur axle pin C, No, 4. C, the axle; 1, key to fit in ratchet wheel I, No. 4; 2, collar turning on shoulder formed on the neck 6, on the body A; 8, key to fit in hole 4, in barrel B; 4, axle pin to fasten the barrels B, on the axle C. 1D, main spring. IL, trigger spring and pin. T, slide spring and pin. G, magazine cover and pins; 1, hole for the striker to pass through; 2, stud to stop the lever; 8, central hole, to pass over the neck 6, of the spring box H. H, box for spring; 1, driver to the patent boxes, with pin for ditto; 2, roller to ditto; 3, helical spring fastened at one end to the stud 4, on the body A, and at the other end in a notch in the spring box No. 4; 5, small stud to fasten the lever or key J; 6, neck of spring box to fit upon the neck 6, of the body A. I, wheel with ratchet formed on the face of it; 1, pin to fasten the ratchet wheel to the axle; 2, the ratchets; 3, stops for the bolt; 4, key hole to fasten on axis. J, the lever or key to be fastened on the box H,by the notch 1, which fits upon the stud H, № 5; 2, hole for the striker to fasten the key during priming; the lever is formed with a ring 3, which is slightly raised, in order to free it from the barrel K, the trigger; 1, pin to raise the lever; 2, notch to fit upon the “sear nose.” L, the swivel to connect the main spring with the tumbler. M, the tumbler; 1, the axle hole; 2, hole for the pin which connects the striker with the tumbler; 8, hole for the pin 4, which connects the swivel and sear with the tumbler; 5, hole for the sear spring pin; 6, countersink for the sear and the swivel. N, the sear spring and pin. O, slide bolt and pin, the nose of which 1, acts on the stop No. 8, on the ratchet wheel I; 2, hole for the pin to fasten to the trigger. P, the striker in two parts, connected by a binge join;t 1, the tongue; 2, the jaw; 8, hole for 4, the hinge pin; 5, the nose of the striker; 6, hole for the pin 7, which connects the striker and the tumbler; 8, countersink for the tumbler; 8, stop bolt to fit the stops 8, on the ratchet wheel I. Q, the sear; 1, hole for pin to connet the sear with the swivel and tumbler; 2, countersink for the swivel; 3, sear nose acting on 2, in trigger K. R, the slide lever; 1, the nose, slightly bent on one side to meet the face of the ratchet wheel I; 2, countersink for the spring F, to work in; 8, slot to work upon the pin 1, fixed in the side of the body ‘T; 4, slot for the pin 1, in the trigger K to work in. 8, the nipple or cone. I, the side of the body; 1, the lever pin; 2, the hole for the lever pin; 8, top strap pin and hole. U, the top strap “set down” to keep the stock small. V, steel nipple box let into the end of the stock.
The mode of using my improved pistol, the parts of which 1 have just described, is as follows: —The lever J, is brought round and held by the striker P; the boxes or rings are dropt into the aperture Y, in the body A, until it is filled; the lever J, is released by a slight withdrawing of the trigger K, and the pistol is then ready primed.
My said improvements also embrace another method of refilling the magazine, viz., without the lever J, in order to allow the barrels to he placed close to the body. This method is exhibited by Figure 2, Drawing No. 2; and the same letters thereon shewn which are shewn on Drawings Nos. 8, and 4, refer to similar parts, and therefore need not be described. W, is a stop pin or screw; X, a spring to ditto: B, is section of the end of the barrel. No. 1, are the nipple holes; 2, is the hole through which the pin or screw W, passes. On the plate G, are exhibited a groove No. 9, with a stop No. 8, therei № 10, is & hole to allow the stud of the axis to pass through. No. 7 are pin holes to fasten the plate G, to the body. No. 6, is the hole for the striker P, to pass. H, is the box containing the spring. No. 8, is the lever which forces the detonating boxes, rings, &e. into their places. № 5, an opening for the pin or screw W, to turn the.box for the purpose of filling the magazine. H¹, is a flat view of the same. X, is the spring already described; 2, is the hole to fasten it to the body. The pin W is reduced, forming shoulders for the spring X to act against. The mode of using this improvement is as follows:— The pin or screw W is forced into the aperture 3, in the box H; the barrel is then turned round; the boxes are supplied through the hole 2, in the body A, until it is filled, the pin W removed, and the pistol is ready for action.
My Invention also includes improvements in double barrelled central fire pistols, whereby the striker which explodes the cap is removed by the action of the barrels in revolving to prevent disturbing the caps on the nipples. On Drawing No. 2, Figure 8, represents my improved double central fire pistol; A, the body; DB, the barrels; C, the lover; D, the mainspring; F, top strap with sight; I, small spring to hold the lever C; K, the trigger; M, the tumbler; P, the striker, with joint; Q, the sear. A, front view of the body; 1, hole for the lever C; 2, the hole for the striker P; 8, hole for the axis of the barrel; 4, projection to protect the axis. B, end view of the barrels; 1, the axis; 2, holes cut in the shape of the letter V, to fit the end of the lever C; G, the nipples; C, side view of the lever; C 1, end view of ditto; C 2, bottom view of ditto. No. 8, in C 2, is the point of the lever fitting B 2. No. 1, is the lever spring; 4, hole in ditto; P, the striker; No. 1, projection for the lever to work against; 2, pin hole for the tumbles 8, the joint. In using this pistol the cups are placed on the nipples in the usual way by turning the barrels B; the lever C, is forced against the projection No. 1, of the striker P, which removes the striker off the. cap until the barrel is turned into its proper position for firing the other. barrel, thereby preventing the cap being disturbed on-the nipple.
My improvements in apparatus to be used with fire-arms are applicable to powder flasks for the purpose of loading a series of barrels, such as 4, 6, 8, or any other number, at one and the same time, with the least possible trouble and the greatest certainty. This is accomplished by introducing a division in the neck of the flask, and by turning the flask this division cuts off the communication between the powder contained and the holes through which it passes, allowing only one charge for each barrel to pass out at one time. My improved flask is represented on Drawing No. 2, Figure 1; A, the flask; D, the division in the neck; C, the tubes through which the powder passes B, the bottom of the flask; No. 8, is a slot in B, to fit the pin 9, in the flask A, and retain the bottom in its place; 6, is a spring working in the division D, to return it to its proper place after loading; 7, is a slot cat in the division D, to regulate the distance through which it moves; 2, holes to contain and convey the charges of powder; H, a division in the flask, dividing the powder in G, from the balls in F; 10, is a pin for connecting the top of the flask C, with the plate E, at the bottom of the division; D1, is a square projection passing through the division, and upon which the top C, is fastened; No. 3, is a projecting ring, which works in a groove cut on the face of the division D, and thus keeps the powder from interfering with the spring.
My Invention alto embraces several waterproof and fireproof detonating boxes and rings, which are exhibited on Drawing No. 1. The solid blank 2}, into the box 4, as also the solid blank 3, into the box 7, which should exactly fit the inside of the box 4; the box 7, is then filled with detonating powder, and placed within the box 4, with the open end foremost; the two are then forced together in a press, and the outside edge or lip of the box 4, is lapped over the box 7, thereby making it fireproof and watertight. Figure 2 J, represents a similar box, with this difference, that the solid blank 38, is made to fit the open end of the box 6, which is filled with detonating powder, and then drawn over by a press, which turns the edge of the box over the blank, and thus forms a fireproof and watertight box. 3 c, shews a detonating ring cut out of solid metal; the metal being pierced is covered with a thin coat of soft metal on one side, and then filled with powder, and afterwards covered on the other side, making it fireproof and water tight. No. 1, a pierced solid blank; 2, ditto, filled with powder; 8, side view of the ring finished; 4, flat ditto. 4 d, represents a hollow ring. № 1, is a solid blank; № 4, ditto, formed into a ring; 8, ditto, filled with powder; 2, section of ditto; 5, elevated view of ditto, the powder being cither covered or not. The several Figures shewn at H, on Drawing No. 1, represent the several parts of each of my invented boxes and rings, and in the several stages of their manufacture.
Having thus described my several Inventions and improvements, I will now proceed to state my several claims:—
Firstly, the magazine or reservoir attached to the cock by a lever, and having a motion in the arc of a circle, for the purpose of supplying detonating balls and removing them for the continuous discharge of fire-arms.
Secondly, the magazine and apparatus therewith connected whereby the caps, boxes, shells, &e. are conducted from the magazine to the touch-hole, as shewn in Drawing No. 1, for the purpose of continuous firing.
Thirdly, I claim the supplying of detonating boxes or rings for discharging pistols or guns having a series of barrels, by means of a magazine constructed in the body of the pistol or gun, whereby it is continuously and self primed, and also for the construction of the pistol or gun, by which the ratchet wheel and lever are placed within the body of the pistol or gun, and also a joint in the striker.
Fourthly, I claim the manner of removing the striker of a double central fire pistol, for the purpose of allowing the barrel to turn without disturbing the caps.
Fifthly, I claim the construction of a powder flask for charging pistols or guns having a series of barrels, whereby the barrels are simultaneously charged by one motion of the flask, and the powder is kept away from the spring by which it acts.
Sixthly and lastly, I claim the several methods of making detonating waterproof and fireproof boxes and rings for the use of my Patent, and all other guns, pistols, and other fire-arms, whereby such boxes and rings are made to explode and fire a charge on either side and on a flat surface, whereby priming cannot escape from the box or ring without destroying it.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Charles James Smith, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
CHARLES JAMES (L.S.) SMITH.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord 1845, the aforesaid Charles James Smith came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-five.