British 2297
LETTERS PATENT to Edward Lindner, of the City and State of New York, in the United States of America, for the Invention of “ Improve*
HOTS IS REVOLVING-BREECH FlBE- lit M3 AND MAGAZINE.”
Sealed the 24th April 1855, and dated the 28th October 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Lindner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th October 1854.
I, Edwaud Lindner, of the City of New York, in the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for “ Improvements in Revolving-breech Fire-arms and Magazine ” to be as follows:—
I construct ray fire-arm with one barrel, either rifled or plain, and attach a chamb^ed breech in an opening behind the barrel, so that the upper chamber in said breech shall coincide with the bore of the gun. This chambered breech is fitted so that it can be revolved on a pipe, within which pipe is a sliding rod receiving its motion from the cock or hammer; so that as the hammer is cocked, a latch on said rod (moving in a slot in the pipe on which the chamber revolves) takes one of a series of spiral grooves around on tho inside of the centre hole of said chambered breech, revolving the same sufficient to bring the next chamber on the line of the barrel. The centre rod is prolonged through beneath the barrel, and fitted with guides, that allow the same to slide endwise, and said rod passes between the barrel and a pipe that contains cartridges; and a follower in said pipe, taken by latches on said sliding rod, forces each cartridge in succession back into the lower chamber of the revolving breech, whence it is brought around to be fired in turn. In order to explode the cartridge as it comes on to the line of the barrel (in consequence of cocking the piece as before described), I use a needle, set and moving in slides, with a circular spring around it, and the back end of the needle projecting through. The cock is moved by the main spring, and discharged by the trigger as usual; but instead of the end striking a cap, as usual, I fit a small latch, to move on a centre crosswise of the hammer, which as the hammer is discharged, takes the rear end of the needle, forcing the same into the cartridge, exploding a percussion pill contained in said cartridge, and a fixed cam lifts the end of this latch as the needle gets fully home, allowing the said needle to be thrown back by its spring, so as not to get heated by the explosion.
In order to use caps when desired with this fire-arm, I fill an annular groove with said percussion caps, and have the same so attached to the gun that the end cap in said ring is on the line of the nipple and barrel, and as the slide which is attached to the hammer comes up on firing the piece, it carries said cap out of the ring on to the nipple, and explodes the same, firing the piece. Two, three, or more tubes containing cartridges may be applied beneath and around the barrel, each of which has its cartridges emptied successively into the breech as the same is revolved by firing the piece, and a cartridge box may be constructed of a series of tubes to be emptied into said pipes to replenish the same. My claims are, to the means for rotating the chambered breech; to the means for supplying cartridges to the rotating breech out of a pipe or pipes ; to the means for firing said cartridge when on the line of the barrel by the needle, actuated as described, or by percussion caps, as specified; also to a cartridge box of pipes to supply those attached to the barrel; and also to a knife in the inside of each chamber to pierce and cut the end of the cartridge, so that it can be exploded; and to a peculiar rammer which may be used to force home the ball into the chamber.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed by the said Edward Lindner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th April 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Edward Lindner, of the City and State of New York, in the United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letteis Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward Lindner, Her special licence that I, the said Edward Lindner, ray executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said Edward Lindner, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for “Improvements in Revolving-breech Fire-arms and Magazine/’ upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edward Lindner, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Lindner, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:—
The nature of my Invention consists in providing below the gun barrel an extra charge barrel, which according to its length contains from thirty to fifty cartridges. Between the gun and charge barrel is a rack, in connection with a piston or slide, which acts upon the cartridges, and which said rack is again in connection with the gun lock, in such a manner, that each time the gun is fired off, one of the cartridges is forced into a revolving breech piece, by which means the whole amount of cartridges contained in the charge barrel can be fired off in the shortest possible time. The revolving breech piece is turned round each time the gun is cocked one-sixth part by a mechanism applied to the inside of the same. The percussion caps are brought exactly opposite the nipple by an arrangement of springs, and are put on the same by the hammer itself at the moment the gun is fired off, while the fi red-off caps are thrown off from the nipple when the gun is cocked. The needle lock is so arranged, that the needle, after having entered the cartridge sufficiently far to ignite the priming, springs suddenly back, by which arrangement any heating of the needle is effectually prevented, and the application of a revolving breech piece is permitted.
Figure 1 of the Drawings annexed is an outside vi -data lost-
is a longitudinal section of the gun adapted to the ne -data lost-
outside view of the same; Figure 4 is a longitudinal s -data lost-
percussion-cap lock; Figure 5 is a top view of the sa -data lost-
hammer; Figure 19 is a cross section and part of a si -data lost-
with five charge barrels ; Figure 20 is a view of a rou -data lost-
where several charge barrels are used; Figure 21 is a -data lost-
of a cartridge box particularly adapted to this gun -data lost-
views and sections of several parts of this gun, &c., and -data lost-
mentioned in the following description :—A is the ba -data lost-
screwed to the frame C at its after end in such a m -data lost-
responds exactly with the openings in the revolving b -data lost-
cartridge or charge barrel, which is likewise fastene -data lost-
same is made of very thin metal, and is provided with -data lost-
9, 10, 19,) running very nearly the whole length, an -data lost-
feeder W is guided. On the lower side of this barrel -data lost-
number and distance apart as the teeth on the rack -data lost-
B are connected together bv the side plates m, m, (Fi -data lost-
the rack E is situated, provision being made in the keys k, k, by which the rack E is guided (Figure 2).
the barrels are attached, and within which the revolvi -data lost-
lock, springs, &c. are situated, (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, a -data lost-
percussion-cap lock, the same is provided with two pr -data lost-
has two prolonged sides, by which the whole is fast -data lost-
wooden butt end of the gun. One of these side plate -data lost-
for the purpose of facilitating access to the lock. D -data lost-
piece, provided with six holes u, u, u, and ground in -data lost-
tight. For the needle lock, (Figures 12, 18,) th -data lost-
bored through, and are somewhat countersunk towa -data lost-
smaller holes arc at the back bored through to allow -data lost-
needle, as shewn at e, e, e, e, (Figure 18). At the aft -data lost-
tapering recesses c, in which the pin df provided with -data lost-
and by which the revolving breech piece D is held f -data lost-
the knee piece II is firmly attached a stop pin g, whic -data lost-
of the breech piece D, holding the same stationary wh -data lost-
upper hole e in the same to discharge the gun. The r -data lost-
adapted for the percussion-cap lock is represented -data lost-
Figure 7 shews a section on the line I. and II. of Fig -data lost-
back view of the same. U h h h h are six nipples ( -data lost-
the back end of the same (Figure 4). n, n, n, are recesses, into which the stop pin o (Figures 4 and 5) fits, to hold the breech piece in its position. In the centre of the breech piece a hole is bored out (Figure 13), in which six spiral grooves pv are cut, for the purpose of turning the breech piece from the inside by means of the piece p (Figures 2, 4, 13). q (Figure 13) is a recess, sharply turned in, where the grooves pl terminate, for the purpose of allowing the piece p to drop after having passed through the spiral grooves pK F is a hollow pin screwed in the frame C, and upon which the revolving breech piece is carried and allowed to turn. The same is bored out sufficiently large to allow the piece G to pass through it easily, and is provided with two slots r and s (Figure 14), large enough to allow the piece p to move in the same. E is the rack (Figure 24), situated between the gun barrel A and the cartridge barrel B. This rack has the same number of teeth as the number of charges for which the cartridge barrel is arranged, and these teeth are exactly the same length or distance apart as the length of one cartridge. Towards the middle and near the forward end is made a slot Kl, in which the key K is fitted, and through which the rack E is guided, v is a square hole, through which the square bolt w passes, and which through the motion of the rack is carried back and forward with the same. To the after end of the rack E is attached the round rod G, which passes through the bolt F, as before described. In this rod G is let in the piece p> so that the same can move around a pin fast through G, and the end is bored out from the rack E up to the point where the piece p is attached. Behind the piece p is a spring, which is let into the rod G in such a manner that it presses upon the lowfer projection of the piece p, thereby forcing the same always upwards. In the bored-out part of the rod G is a turned rod z, provided with a small spiral spring. The after end of this rod z fits into the recesses of the piece p, and the forward end is provided with a cross pin z\ which is held fast during part of the time the rack E with the rod G is moving, and thereby compresses the spiral spring around the rod z, so as to give the latter a small motion when released. On the after end of the rod G is attached the knee piece H, having teeth cut on it, and provided with a slot h\ into which the key cl is fitted, and by which it is guided and made to move parallel when moved by the segment K. W is the feeder, which slides in the cartridge barrel (Figures 2, 16, 17, and 19), and is made to press upon the charges by the rack E. The feeder is made round to fit into the cartridge barrel, with flat projecting pieces 1 and 2, which fit into the slots h, h, of the same, and by which the piston is guided. Through these projecting pieces 1 and 2 the pin sl passes, the upper end of which fits the teeth of the rack E, and the lower end receives a small head r1. The pin s7 is provided with a spiral spring, to press the same always -data lost-
into the teeth. To prevent the piston from moving -data lost-
the backward motion, a small spring a1 is attached to -data lost-
into the teeth made at the lower side of the cartrid -data lost-
represents a section at the lines XIIT. and X IV . of t -data lost-
small spring t\ which is placed around the groove of -data lost-
the purpose of keeping the same steady in the cartrid -data lost-
represents a section at the lines XV. and XVI., she -data lost-
the cartridge barrel B, the feeder W , in connection
as the connecting side plates ra, m, and key K, by w -data lost-
guided, as has before been described. K is a segn -data lost-
Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5,) and by which the knee piec -data lost-
the pin J is fastened the cock L. On the segment K -data lost-
through which a communication is made .with the s -data lost-
with the cock L and the main spring 0 , as well as wi -data lost-
notch W 1, when the gun is cocked. Q, is the trigger
M is the needle box, screwed to the frame C, and in -data lost-
the needle carrier N moves and is guided; this box -data lost-
on for the purpose of putting in or taking out the ne -data lost-
needle carrier has a collar a111, against which a spira -data lost-
end of which spring presses against the box R in su -data lost-
the needle with the carrier always out of the revolving -data lost-
when forced *in by the action of the hammer L. R i -data lost-
against the back face of the revolving breech piece
the same through the above-mentioned spring, and
opening e is closed up tight. If the gun is made with
2 and 3, then a joint ll (Fig. 15) is made to the sc -data lost-
cross pin nl is jointed, upon which the spring m1 act -data lost-
acts upon the needle carrier N when the gun is fire
and consequently the needle into the charge. S is an
one of the projecting sides of the frame C, for the p -data lost-
cross piece n1 after the same has pressed the needle
sufficiently far into the charge to ignite the priming, b -data lost-
cross piece n1 the needle carrier will be at liberty to pa -data lost-
forced out by the spiral spring around the same, as bef -data lost-
o-iin is adapted for the percussion cap, the segment
joint a1, to which the hammer T (Figures 4, 5) is co -data lost-
-is provided with a joint Z1, and is guided in the piece a
to ensure always a straight motion o is the stop bolt,
breech piece is held stationary (Figures 4, ;*>). This stop bolt is provided with a spiral spring round the same, acting upon it in such a manner as to press said stop bolt o always against the back face of the breech piece, and in the recesses n, n, thereon (Figure 8). On the outside of the stop bolt o is attached the small bell crank e\ turning upon the pin /, fast to the side plate of the frame C. ^is a spring bolt, fast to the rod G, and so arranged that by the cocking of the gun, the spring bolt passes under the bell crank el without communicating any action to the same; while, when the gun is fired off, the spring bolt gl comes in contact with the lower part of the bell crank e\ and acts through the same on the stop bolt o, pressing the same out of the recesses n, n, and thereby allowing the revolving breech piece to be turned. Figure 6 represents the percussion-cap chamber, and the manner of feeding the caps in section at the line V., VI. U is the percussion-cap chamber, which is placed right behind the breech piece D, between the frames C (Figures 4, 5), and is formed of two plates u\ u\ with raised circular ribs, forming a groove wide enough for the caps. The two plates have a space between their raised ribs all around to allow the feeding spring x1 and its handle x11 to pass through. At the centre they are held together by a hollow hub, which fits upon a hollow pivot (Figure 14). The groove for receiving the caps is circular, pointing towards the centre, and terminating in front of the nipple Z and the hammer T, where the two plates ul, u\ are perforated, a11, c11, dl\ is a little bell lever with its fulcrum at c11. The point a11 of the same passes into the feeding groove, and is forced into it by a spring 611; its other end dn bears against the revolving breech piece D, and extends far enough down to come in contact with the nipples 7, 7, (Figure 6), when the revolving breech piece D turns. The outer end of the feeding groove is provided with a spring valve d1, to allow it to be opened when the cap chamber is to be filled with caps. Next to this valve dl there is a recess e11 provided for the fired-off caps. / is a hole through which the stop pin o with its spring and case passes; X (Figures 4 and 6) is a spring, which serves to clear the nipples 7, l, of the remainder of the caps, and is made of such a shape as to touch the nipples 7,7, successively as they come to action, and by its elasticity to push off the fired cap, which falls then into the recess eu; X1 is the feeding spring; it is laid spirally around the hub of the cap chamber, to which it is fastened, and extends to the outside of the case, where it terminates in a handle xx\ which presses upon the caps. Figure 9 is a section on the line XV., XVI., representing the ramming hammer Y with its spring glx at the lower side of it; it passes through the frame C, and corresponds with the holes u in the breech piece D. It has its fulcrum at hx\ in front of the frame C, and extends with one arm to G, and with the other to the outside of the frame C ; and t -data lost-
spring gl\ which is secured to the frame C1 and for -data lost-
at the side of G, moves y. An oblong hole zu in th -data lost-
C1, communicating with the holes u in the brecch
purpose of having access to the holes u when they arc t -data lost-
represents a section on the line YU., V III. Z is a s -data lost-
the gun barrel. It consists of two tubes r, one o -data lost-
contain two spiral springs (Figure 11), which are com -data lost-
connected by a cross piece which passes throu -data lost-
spring cases are provided with slots (Figure 11), in w -data lost-
guided. The rack E moves between these spring cases, -data lost-
in order to have access to these springs the cases
hinged together. Figure 4 shews a section of the nip -data lost-
which they are screwed into D. Figure 26 represe -data lost-
cutters. The nipples are hollowed out, and have g -data lost-
and a cutter in the shape of a cross, with sharp edge -data lost-
is turned out or countersunk as much as possible, and -data lost-
and an incision, so as to admit of their being taken -data lost-
a screw-driver, and replaced through the cavity at e1.
side view of a gun, calculated for fortifications, or whe
is no objection. It contains five charge barrels B1, e
with a piston wl ; they have valves at their ends, a -data lost-
used first can be removed from its place, as it turns
clean the revolving breech piece D. This mode of usi -data lost-
barrel will be especially adapted for a short fire-arm,
inches in length, which can easily fire from twenty
succession. Figure 20 represents a rack E \ suitable f -data lost-
one charge barrel. It ditiers from the one described
consists of a series of cones, turned on to a round rod, a -data lost-
towards the gun barrel. This rack touches all the sur -data lost-
and gears into each of the pistons w. AH the rest of -data lost-
as above. Figure 23 represents another manner of -data lost-
for a percussion gun. It has instead of the gearing
with a slot yu, which moves the piece G backwards anc
a screw zn ; all the rest of the lock is the same an -data lost-
trigger may be adopted for pistols where but few cha -data lost-
(it can be worked above as well as below.) The spring -data lost-
entirely done away with, as the spring o of the lock is -data lost-
charges. Figures 21 and 22 shew a rotary cartridge -data lost-
to make a repeating gun complete and perfect. It consists of six charge barrels mn9 fastened to a round bottom plate n11, and surrounded by a circular case. Another circular plate of the same size is connected to the first one by a pin o11, upon which it can turn independently. This plate o11 is provided with a nipple, which corresponds with all the charge barrels in the case, and through which the contents of them can be discharged. Figure 24 is a cartridge, with a paper or muslin case for round bullets, in which there is a cavity for the igniting fuse, in case it is to be used in needle locks. When used with percussion caps, the bottom of the cartridge must be covered with thin skin. The gauze is tied round the bullet with the paper plate in front of the same, and must be carried away by the bullet when the gun is fired off. Figure 25 is a pointed bullet cartridge, calculated for the needle lock; the case is made of thin sheet copper, and pressed around and into the neck of the bullet, so as to make it tight. The end of the bullet does not terminate in a perfect point, but in a cross, with sharp edges. Figure 27 is a copper case with a perforated bottom, which is to be covered in the inside with gauze. Figure 28 is a cartridge with a number of plates made out of felt, and connected by a rivet u/11; it can be used either for the needle or percussion gun. In the Figures the needle gun is represented in a position ready to be fired ofF, and the percussion gun in a position after being fired off.
The use of the gun will bo readily understood from the above description. In order to get a gun ready for firing, first take the feeder W out of the charge barrel (this is done by pressing against the bottom rl and loosening sl from the rack E), then put the cartridge box (Figure 21) with its nipple upon the mouth of the charge barrel B (Figures 1, 2, 4), and empty as much of its contents into B as it will hold i then replace the feeder W, so that the pin s1 can work in the rack E; then cock the trigger L three times to let the charges enter the holes u in the breech piece D until the first one is opposite the gun barrel A; or else the first cartridge to begin with may be placed by hand into the breech piece through the opening zu of the frame C; but this is only needed when all the charges are fired off, which is seldom tho case. It would be advisable to leave three charges at least in the gun, and refil the charge barrel before firing again. Filling the barrel must always be done when tho lock is in tho position shewn in Figures 4 and 5 after being fired off. In order to fire off, thq trigger L must be pulled till P falls into the recess w\ which is so placed that the rack E is moved a little beyond the pin to ensure the certain feeding of the feeder W. When L and K is moved on its fulcrum, the knee piece H gears into K, until G and E slide back, so that the pin s1 drops into the next tooth of E, and the two spiral springs in their cases are being depressed by cross piece wl and plates k’\ and held in that position till P is pulled out of (Figures 2, 4,15). When E begins to move, p stands upright in front of the spiral grooves p\ and enters one of them; and as p itself is prevented from turning by the slots r and s (Figure 14), it causes the breech piece D to turn one-sixth of a revolution. After this the motion of the breech piece is completed; the pin g in the needle gun at H drops into the hole e of the breech piece D, and holds it in this position (Figures 2 and 18).
In the percussion-cap gun this is done by a pin o, Figure 4. When D has come to a stop, the rack E has not yet finished its forward motion by one-eighth, and while E travels through the latter part of its motion, the lower arm of p strikes at s (Figure 4), and causes p to turn on its fulcrum (Figure 13), and presses upon the pin Z and its spring until the recess of p advances in the direction of Z, when Z drops into it, and holds p in this depressed position, so as to clear the spiral grooves p1 (Figures 2 and 13); at the same time the lower arm of p depresses the spring y, attached to G. After the gun is fired off, one charge is passed into the revolving breech piece by its backward motion; the pin z11 strikes against the frame C, while G moves one-eighth further, and is removed from the recess in p, which causes the spring y to throw p back in its upright position, which operation is gone through every time the gun is cocked and discharged. The charges are fed into the revolving breech piece by cocking and discharging, and D carries them successively in front of the opening of the barrel A. The description of the operations is the same in the needle lock as in the percussion-cap lock; the two guns only differ in the mode of igniting the charges. The needle lock is represented in Figure 2; it operates as follows:—When the lock is cocked as described above, the piece nl (Figure 15) of the hinge P, attached to K, drops down in front of N, to which the needle is fastened; at the same time P drops into the recess of K ; when now Q is touched, the needle / darts into D, and ignites the charge. When the needle has advanced as far as possible, the piece n1 comes in contact with the inclined plane s1 (Figures 2, 3, 15), which raises it up and frees N, and allows the spiral spring in M to throw the needle back. This operation is of great importance, as it successfully prevents the needle becoming heated, and at the same time admits of a revolving motion in the breech piece D. As the spring in M bears upon a111, it becomes depressed, and forces the air box R in the frame C (Figure-2) : against the breech piece D, and causes a tight fit around the needle hole e, e. When the trigger L is pulled back, n1 slides on N, and drops down again at the end. When the cartridge shewn in Figure 25 is used, the needle pushes the bullet first into the bore of the barrel, which is a little smaller than the bullet, and where it comes to a stop, and then the needle pierces into the charge; consequently the motion of the needle requires to be a little longer, or the air box R may be shorter. A gun with these water-tight cartridges will never miss, and is consequently of the greatest advantage for sea service, &c. The gun for percussion caps is represented in Figure 4. The frame of the gun is a little longer, and provided with two projections cm, on the inner side of which D, and on the outer side the percussion cap chamber U, is placed, (Figure 6). Between D there is a space for the nipples Z, Z. Figure 4 shews the gun in a position after the charge has been fired off, where the hammer T has entered the chamber U and touched the nipples Z, Z. The stop pin o is in its hole in the breech piece D (Figure 8). When now the trigger is pulled, p enters one of the spiral grooves p\ the spring piece gl attached to G strikes the bell crank e\ which moves it back one-sixth around its fulcrum /, which draws the stop o from its recess w, and depresses its spiral spring; then p begins to move D forward, and the spring piece gl escapes below e, and leaves the spiral spring of o at liberty to expand, which causes o to bear against the back side of D (Figure 8). When now D has finished its motion, and another nipple l stands in front of the feeding hole in the chamber U, the corresponding recess u has arrived before o, and drops into it, and holds D steadily in its position. While D performs this one-sixth of a revolution, the hammer T is withdrawn from U, and the nipple Z, which has just left the barrel A, is cleared of the remainder of the discharged percussion cap by the spring X, which pushes it off, and throws it into the cavity exl (Figure 6). The percussion-cap chamber U, as described above, is placed between the frame C upon the hollow pin T, which is provided with two slots for p. This chamber is so arranged that the spring forces the caps towards the hole through which they arc fitted to the nipple Z, Z, by the hammer T. The lever au, c11, d11, is intended to hold all caps back except the last one until the hammer has withdrawn from U, when the motion of D causes the next nipple Z to strike against the arm of the lever a11, c11, d11, at dl\ which raises the point a11 off the caps, and allows the whole row of caps to slide on. As soon as the nipple Z has left the arm at d11, the spring b forces the point of the lever in between the last cap and the last but one, and so stops the whole series of caps while it leaves the last one in front of the nipple. In this manner the spring will feed all caps except the four last ones, when it strikes against a11; then the spring x must be pulled back by its handle, the valve d opened, and the chamber refilled with caps, which can be done best by a separate percussion-cap box, of a similar construction to the chamber U. The action of the hammer T is easily understood. When it advances, it pushes the last cap upon the nipple, strikes it there, and ignites the charge. In order to give the hammer T a free and still a tight motion, there is a little hinge arranged at y, which springs and allows the hammer to go free. As the trigger L and K requires less motion for the per-cnssion-cap locks than in the needle luck, its fulcrum may l>e placed a little above the centre when adapted for the former. Figure 9 represents the ramming hammer y; it serves to press the charge tight against the bottom of the nipple without striking it too hard. Its motion begins when D has come to a stop, and is caused by a pin in the last moment of the motion of G, when the spring yu is depressed; when G returns, the spring y11 withdraws the ramming hammer from D. Zu is an opening in the frame, corresponding with u in D, in order to have access to these holes when they are to l>c cleaned. The pistons with the cross cutters serve to open the bottom of the charges (Figures 25, 24), and to allow the powder nartly to enter the cavity in the plug, which causes the cartridge case to be drawn out with the bullet when the gun is fired off. The cross cutters may be adapted for every kind of gun or rifle intended to be used with cartridges, and will enable one to fire quicker, as the cartridges need not be opened before they are put into the barrel. The cutters are made of steel and hardened.
Figure 19 is a gun with more than one charge barrel B; it may be used where it can be rested upon something while firing. By means of the round rack all the pistons can be moved one after the other. In order to use one of the charge barrels at the time, the pins sl of all the barrels but one must be withdrawn from the teetli of the rack E. When all the charges of one barrel are used up, and the feeder W1 has descended to the frame C, its pin sl must be withdrawn from the rack, and the pins of one of the other feeders W must be let loose and brought into the teeth of the rack E, and so on, till all the charge barrels arc used. In such a manner a gun may be made for two hundred charges, by having five barrels and forty charges in each of them.
Figure 20 shews the round rack, made of steel. It is to have when used for pistols a round extension, by which it is guided in a staple fastened to the end of the barrel.
Figures 21 and 22 shew the rotary cartridge box; a very convenient implement to fill the charge barrels. In the moveable plate o11, a pin r slides upon the plate n11 till it drops into one of the holes ul\ where it holds the plate in such a manner that the nipple pn corresponds with one of the barrels mn, and all charges contained in this barrel can be emptied.
Figure 27 shews an arrangement for using the percussion caps without the cross cutters of the nipples. The bore of the nipple is made the reverse of what is shewn in Figure 26. It is wider at the point, where the cap is to be put on, and becomes smaller towards the bottom of the cartridge, so as to concentrate the flame originating from the igniting of the cap.
Figure 28 shews a felt cartridge. These serve to clean the gun barrel; they must be placed amongst the other charges, one to every twenty or forty, according to circumstances; they are made so that the dirt in the barrel finds a place between the felt plates. As the charges are ignited in the breech piece D, the gun barrel is not liable to get heated in great measure by the repeated firing.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as my Invention is as follows:—
First, I claim the slanting incisions