Britain 3039
A.D. 1868, 5th October. № 3039.
Repeating Fire-arms.
LETTERS PATENT to Charles François Galand, of Liège, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Gun Manufacturer, and Alfred Sommerville, of the Firm of Braendlin, Sommerville, and Company, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturers, for the Invention of “Improvements in Repeating Fire-arms.”
Sealed the 19th March 1869, and dated the 5th October 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles François Galand and Alfred Sommerville at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 5th October 1868.
We, Charles François Galand, of Liège, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Gun Manufacturer, and Alfred Sommerville, of the Firm of Braendlin, Sommerville, and Company, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for “Improvements in Repeating Fire-arms,” to be as follows:—
Our Invention consists, firstly, of the improvements herein-after described in repeating fire-arms whereby the whole of the cases of the exploded cartridges are simultaneously withdrawn or extracted from the chambers of the revolving barrel of the said fire-arms and great facility afforded for the introduction of fresh cartridges into the said chambers.
We will describe this part of our Invention as applied to a repeating pistol. We construct and arrange the parts of repeating pistols in the following manner:— We make both the revolving barrel and fixed barrel capable of a sliding motion upon a rod projecting axially from the face of the break-off or false breech of the pistol. Between the said break-off and the rear end of the revolving barrel we place a disk having a series of holes in it equal in number to the chambers of the revolving barrel. The said holes are chambered out to receive the rims of the cartridges when the latter are placed in the chambers of the revolving barrel. To the axis of the said disk a tube is fixed, which tube slides upon the axial rod herein-before described. The revolving barrel is situated on and is capable of sliding upon the tube of the disk, the revolving barrel and tube being connected together by a sliding key on the said barrel working in a longitudinal slot in the said tube. By this arrangement the rotatory motion which is given to the disk is communicated to the revolving barrel. On that face of the disk which is presented to the break-off is a ratchet upon which the arm of the lock acts to propel the revolving barrel, and on the periphery of the said disk are projections by means of which and an arm of the lock the revolving barrel is fixed during discharge. In order to extract the cases of the exploded cartridges from the chambers of the revolving barrel it is necessary to slide the disk revolving barrel and fixed barrel away from the break-off. This is effected by a lever, one end of which is jointed to the extreme front end of the axial rod described. The other and free end of the said lever is so shaped as to constitute the trigger guard of the pistol. Near the jointed end of the lever is a link which is connected to a lump at the under side and rear end of the fixed barrel. To extract the cases of the exploded cartridges from the revolving barrel the lever described is depressed, the disk revolving barrel and fixed barrel are thereby caused to slide upon the axial rod from the break-off of the pistol. As soon as the disk has receded from the break-off a distance about equal to the length of the cartridges used the said disk comes to rest by the end of its tube bearing against a shoulder on the axial rod. By the continued depression of the lever the fixed and revolving barrels are moved from the now fixed disk (the key of the revolving barrel sliding in the slot in the tube of the disk) until they have attained the full extent of their sliding motion. As the revolving barrel moves from the fixed disk the whole of the cases of the exploded cartridges in the chambers of the said barrel are simultaneously withdrawn or extracted by the said fixed disk, the rims of the said cases as herein-before explained occupying the chambered out parts in the holes in the said disk. After the exploded cases have fallen from the disk the revolving barrel is returned to the said disk by partly raising the lever. When in this position there is sufficient room between the said disk and the face of the break-off for the easy introduction of fresh cartridges into the disk and chambers of the revolving barrel. After introducing the cartridges the lever is fully raised into its normal position under the pistol and is maintained there by a spring catch fastening. By the raising of the lever the disk revolving and fixed barrels are carried to the break-off, the said parts being supported in that position by means of a shoulder on the lever bearing against the lump on the inside of the fixed barrel. The pistol is now ready to be discharged by pressure on the trigger.
Our Invention consists, secondly, in applying, constructing, and arranging in the manner herein-after described the mechanism of repeating fire-arms. We make the said mechanism capable of ready attachment to or detachment from the barrel of an ordinary gun, or rifle, or stock, or other support. The said mechanism consists essentially of a revolving barrel of the ordinary kind carried in a frame, on the under side of the base of which are tenons or other convenient fastenings for securing the repeating mechanism to a barrel or other support with which it is to be used.
This part of our Invention may however be fixed permanently to a stock or other support. We construct the lock of the repeating mechanism as follows:— The said lock is situated behind the revolving barrel and above the base plate carrying the barrel. The trigger consists of a lever raised into its normal position by a flat spring. Near the end of the short and inner arm of the trigger are two levers or arms, one being for lifting the hammer and the other for working the revolving barrel. Another arm or lever is jointed nearly over the centre on which the trigger turns. This arm is for the purpose of holding the hammer at half-cock. The several arms described are pressed upon by flat springs. A rectangular case covers the lock mechanism, and a guard covers the projecting outer end of the trigger; by depressing the trigger the hammer may either be raised to full-cock and liberated or be raised to half cock only. When the trigger is depressed the arms described lift the hammer, work the revolving barrel, and if wished hold the hammer at half-cock. The depressing of the trigger also causes the end of its inner arm to bear on the revolving barrel and fix it during discharge. The repeating mechanism described is fixed in such a position on the barrel of the gun with which it is used that the person holding the gun in position for firing can readily reach the trigger of the said mechanism. When applied to a gun the repeating mechanism may be discharged, should occasion require it, after the gun has been used.
The arrangement herein first described for extracting the exploded cartridge cases from the barrel and for introducing fresh cartridges may be applied to the repeating mechanism last described. In this case the actuating lever is situated above the barrel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed by the said Charles François Galand and Alfred Sommerville in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd April 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, Charles François Galand, of Liège, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Gun 20. Manufacturer, and Alfred Sommerville, of the Firm of Braendlin, Sommerville, and Company, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said Charles François Galand and Alfred Sommerville, Her special licence that we, the said Charles François Galand and Alfred Sommerville, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Charles François Galand and Alfred Sommerville, our 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 Repeating Fire-arms,” upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Charles François Galand and Alfred Sommerville, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, 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 Charles François Galand, on behalf of myself, and the said Alfred Sommerville, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:—
Our Invention consists, firstly, of the improvements herein-after described in repeating fire-arms whereby the whole of the cases of the exploded cartridges are simultaneously withdrawn or extracted from the chambers of the revolving barrel of the said fire-arms and great facility afforded for the introduction of fresh cartridges into the said chambers.
We will describe this part of ourInvention as applied to repeating pistols. We construct and arrange the parts of repeating pistols in the following manner:— Both the revolving barrel or cylinder and fixed barrel are made capable of a sliding motion upon a rod projecting axially from the face of the break-off or false breech of the pistol. Between the said break off and the rear end of the revolving barrel or cylinder we place a disk having a series of holes in it equal in number to the chambers of the revolving barrel or cylinder. The said holes are chambered out to receive the rims of the cartridges when the latter are placed in the chambers of the revolving cylinder. To the axis of the said disk a tube is fixed, which tube slides upon the axial rod herein-before described. The revolving barrel or cylinder is situated on and is capable of sliding upon the tube of the disk, the said revolving cylinder and tube being connected together by a sliding key on the said cylinder working in a longitudinal slot in the said tube. By this arrangement the rotatory motion which is given to the disk is communicated to the revolving cylinder. On that face of the disk which is presented to the break-off is a ratchet upon which the arm of the lock acts to propel the revolving chamber, and on the periphery of the said disk are projections, by means of which and an arm of the lock the revolving chamber or barrel is fixed during discharge. In order to extract the cases of the exploded cartridges from the chambers of the revolving cylinder, it is necessary to slide the disk revolving cylinder, and the barrel in front of it away from the break off. This is effected by a lever, one end of which is jointed to the extreme front end of the axial rod described. The other and free end of the said lever may be so shaped as to constitute the trigger guard of the pistol. Near the jointed end of the lever is a link which is connected to a lump at the under side and rear end of the fixed barrel. To extract the cases of the exploded cartridges from the revolving cylinder the lever described is depressed, the disk, revolving cylinder, and barrel in front of it are thereby made to slide upon the axial rod from the break-off of the pistol; as soon as the disc has receded from the break-off a distance about equal to the length of the cartridges the said disk comes to rest by the end of its tube striking against a shoulder on the axial rod. By the continued depression of the lever the said barrel and revolving cylinder are moved from the now fixed disk (the key of the revolving cylinder sliding in the slot in the tube of the disk) until they have attained the full extent of their sliding motion. As the revolving cylinder moves from the fixed disk the whole of the cases of the exploded cartridges in the chambers of the said cylinder are simultaneously withdrawn or extracted by the said fixed disk, the rims of the said cases as herein-before explained occupying the chambered out parts in the holes in the said disk. After the exploded cases have fallen from the disk the revolving cylinder is returned to the said disk by partly raising the lever. When in this position there is sufficient room between the said disk and the face of the break-off for the easy introduction of fresh cartridges into the disk and the chambers of the revolving cylinder. After introducing the cartridges the lever is fully raised into its normal position under the pistol and is maintained there by a spring catch fastening. By the raising of the lever the disk, revolving cylinder, and barrel are carried to the break-off, the said parts being supported in that position by means of a shoulder on the lever bearing against the lump on the under side of the barrel. The pistol is now ready to be discharged by pressure on the trigger.
Our Invention consists, secondly, in applying, constructing, and arranging in the manner herein-after described the mechanism of repeating fire-arms. We make the said mechanism capable of ready attachment to or detachment from the barrel of an ordinary gun, or rifle, or stock, or other support. The said mechanism consists essentially of a revolving cylinder or barrel of the ordinary kind carried in a frame, on the under side of the base of which are tenons or other convenient fastenings for securing the repeating mechanism to a barrel or other support with which it is to be used. This part of our Invention may however be fixed permanently to a stock or other support. We construct the lock of the repeating mechanism as follows:— The said lock is situated behind the revolving barrel or cylinder and above the base plate carrying the said barrel or cylinder. The trigger consists of a lever raised into its normal position by a flat spring. Near the end of the short and inner arm of the trigger are two levers or arms, one being for lifting the hammer and the other for working the revolving cylinder. Another arm or lever is jointed nearly over the centre on which the trigger turns. This arm is for the purpose of holding the hammer at half-cock. The several arms described are pressed upon by flat springs. A rectangular case covers the lock mechanism, and a guard covers the projecting outer end of the trigger. By depressing the trigger the hammer may either be raised to full-cock and liberated or be raised to half-cock only. When the trigger is depressed the arms described lift the hammer, work the revolving cylinder, and if wished hold the hammer at half-cock. The depressing of the trigger also causes the end of its inner arm to bear on the revolving cylinder and fix it during discharge. The arrangement herein first described for extracting the exploded cartridge cases from the barrel and for introducing fresh cartridges may be applied to the repeating mechanism last described. In this case the actuating lever is situated above the barrel or revolving cylinder.
Having explained the nature of our Invention we will proceed to describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation in position for firing a repeating pistol constructed according to one of the arrangements of our Invention; Figure 2 is the same with the parts in the positions which they respectively occupy after the cases of the exploded cartridges have been extracted from the chambers of the revolving cylinder; Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an elevation of a portion of the pistol taken from the side opposite that from which the elevations, Figures 1 and 2, are taken; and Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 are parts of the pistol separately as herein-after explained. The same letters of reference are employed to indicate the same parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
a is the break-off; b, the revolving cylinder rotating in the frame or body c, c², the said cylinder b being capable of rotating and sliding upon the rod d projecting axially from the break-off a; e is the barrel of the pistol fixed to the moveable part of the body or frame c, c², and capable of sliding on the rod d. Between the break-off a and the rear face of the cylinder b is a disk f provided with holes f², f², recessed to receive the rims of the cartridges placed in the chambers of the cylinder. This disk forms the extractor of the pistol. To the axis of the disk or extractor f a tube g is fixed, which tube slides upon the rod d, its sliding motion being limited as herein-after explained. The revolving cylinder is situated on and slides upon the tube g of the disk or extractor f. The revolving chamber b is shown separately in end elevation in Figure 5, in end elevation and side elevation in Figure 7, and in connection with the tube g and other parts in longitudinal section in Figure 8. The disk or extractor f with its tube g is represented separately in side elevation and end elevation in Figure 6. The revolving cylinder b and the tube g of the extractor are connected together by a sliding key h on the said cylinder (see Figures 5, 7, and 8,) working in a longitudinal groove i in the tube g (see Figures 6 and 8). Or the parts may be reversed, that is, the key may be made on the extractor tube g and the longitudinal groove in the cylinder b. By either of these arrangements the rotatory motion given to the disk or extractor f is communicated to the revolving cylinder b. On the rear face of the disk or extractor f is a ratchet k, upon which an arm of the lock acts to propel the revolving cylinder, and on the periphery of the disk or extractor are projections f³ against which an arm of the lock bears to fix the revolving cylinder during discharge. l, l², is the lever by which the sliding motion of the revolving cylinder b and barrel e is effected, and by which the said cylinder and barrel are supported during discharge. That part or end of the lever marked l is jointed at l³ to the extreme end of the rod d, and the other part l² is so shaped as to constitute the trigger guard of the pistol as represented. The lever l, l², is held in its place by the spring catch fastening at l⁴. The said lever is connected to the moveable part o² of the frame or body by means of the link m, the shape and position of which will be readily seen by reference to the Drawing. The revolving cylinder b is connected to the moveable part c² of the frame or body by means of the plate n fixed by a screw (see Figures 4 and 8). One end of this plate is hooked and is engaged with the collar p on the front of the revolving cylinder. To extract the cases of the exploded cartridges from the chambers of the revolving cylinder b the lever l, l², is depressed and made to take the position represented in Figure 2. By the depressing of the lever l, l², the following action of the parts takes place:— The disk or extractor f, cylinder b, and the barrel e with the moveable part c² of the frame or body are made to slide on the rod d. As soon as the disk or extractor f has receded from the break-off a to the position represented in Figure 2 the said disk or extractor f comes to rest by the end of its tube g striking against the stop q on the rod d (see Figures 3 and 8). By the continued depression of the lever l, l², the barrel e, and revolving cylinder b are moved from the now fixed disc or extractor f, the key h of the revolving cylinder working in the groove i in the tube until the said barrel and cylinder occupy the positions represented in Figure 2. As the cylinder b moves from the fixed disk or extractor f(Figure 2) the whole of the cases of the exploded cartridges are simultaneously extracted from the chambers of the revolving cylinder by the said fixed disk or extractor, the rims of the said cases occupying the chambered out or recessed parts in the holes f² in the said disk or extractor. When the parts of the pistol are in the positions represented in Figure 2, the extracted cases being no longer supported by the cylinder b fall from the disk or extractor f, when the said cylinder may be returned to the said disk or extractor by partly raising the lever l, l². The fresh cartridge can now be introduced into the chambers of the revolving cylinder b at the space between the disk or extractor f and the face of the break-off a. By then fully raising the lever l, l², the disk or extractor f, cylinder b, and barrel e are returned to the positions represented in Figures 1 and 3, the said lever being fastened by the catch at l⁴. The pistol is now ready for discharge. When the lever is raised the part or shoulder at l⁵ on the said lever bears against the moveable part c² of the frame or body and thereby supports the several moveable parts of the pistol for discharge. The said lever also supports the link m, the joint m² of which enters a depression in the rod d. In order to bind the moveable part c² of the body or frame to the fixed part c when the former is pushed home a hooked lever r is situated on the top of the part c², and a notch or recess s is made in the other part c. A rod t pressed down by a spring is jointed to the lever r. When the part c² of the frame or body has been moved to its place against the fixed frame c a stud u enters a recess at u² in the said fixed frame; the hooked end of the lever r is also brought opposite the notch or recess at s. When the lever l, l², is fully raised and snapped into its place under the pistol the part l⁵ of the said lever bears against the bottom of the rod t, and raising the said rod causes the hooked lever r to engage with the recess s. The moveable and fixed parts c, c², of the frame or body are thus securely bound together during the discharge of the pistol. When the lever l, l², is depressed the rod t is pressed down by its spring and the hooked lever is released from the recess s and the part c² is per mitted to slide with the barrel e and cylinder b to extract the cases of the exploded cartridges, as herein-before explained.
Figure 9 represents in side elevation in position for firing a repeating pistol constructed according to another arrangement of our Invention; Figure 10 is the same after the cases of the exploded cartridges have been extracted; Figures 11 and 12 represent the revolving cylinder separately; Figure 13 represents the extractor separately, and Figure 14 the connecting plate for the cylinder and barrel separately. The parts of this pistol are marked with the same letters of reference as corresponding parts in Figures 1 to 8, both inclusive, of the Drawings, and the difference in the details of some of the parts is herein-after pointed out.
In this arrangement in place of using an extractor consisting of a disk of the diameter of the revolving cylinder having a series of countersunk holes in it, as last described, we use a disk of small diameter having a series of curved notches made in its periphery, against which curved notches portions only of the rims of the cartridges bear when the said cartridges are placed in the chambers of the revolving cylinder b. The construction of the extractor f in this arrangement will be readily understood by an examination of Figure 10 and the separate views Figure 13. The said extractor f when the cylinder b is in position for discharge enters a correspondingly shaped recess w (see Figure 12) in the rear face of the said cylinder b. The fixing of the cylinder b for firing is effected by the arm of the lock acting against the projections at b³ in the said cylinder instead of against projections on the extractor plate or disk. No top strap is used for the purpose of binding the frame or body c to the lump c² on the barrel e. The barrel e and cylinder b are connected together by the plate n (shown in Figure 14) engaging with the collar p on the cylinder b. Instead of a pin on the bottom of the moveable part of the frame entering a recess in the fixed body, as last described in this arrangement of our Invention, an opening or mortice at u² is made at the bottom of the lump c² on the barrel e, which when the said barrel is moved home slides upon the projection or tenon u at the end of the frame c and binds the parts together. The lever l, l², in this arrangement differs from that previously described in the following respects:— The lever is made shorter and a separate trigger guard is used, and the free end of the lever instead of being fixed underneath the pistol is fixed to the side thereof by the stud l⁴, as seen in Figure 9. When the lever is raised a shoulder at l⁵ passes behind the tenon and mortice fastening at u, u², and thereby binds the parts together and supports them during discharge. The link m has also a shoulder at m³ which bears against the front of the lump c², and further assists in supporting the moveable parts during discharge. In order to limit the distance to which the cylinder bb can be pushed back preparatory to reloading the said cylinder we provide the trigger x with a tooth x² which acts as a stop against which the cylinder b strikes when the lever l, l², is raised, and thereby prevents the said cylinder being carried so near to the break-off a as to render the introduction of the cartridges difficult. After the re-charging of the cylinder b by raising the hammer y to half-cock the trigger x is depressed and the tooth z² removed from the path of the cylinder b. By now fully raising the lever l, l², the extractor f, cylinder b, and barrel e may be pushed home and supported by the said lever for discharge.
Figure 15 represents a repeating pistol of the kind last described, in which the free end of the actuating and supporting lever is fastened behind the lump on the barrel, instead of at the side of the pistol; Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are parts of the same. The lever l is shortened, and is fixed in its place behind the lump c² by means of a spring bolt marked z connected to and working in a slot 1 in the end of the lever; the front of the bolt z is bevelled, and its ends are made into ears z² for grasping the said bolt. The construction of the spring bolt will be readily understood by an examination of Figures 16, 17, and 18, Figure 16 showing the bolt in section engaged with lips z³ made near the bottom of the front of the lump c²; Figure 17 showing a horizontal section of the end of the lever, the bolt being in plan, and Figure 18 showing the bolt and end of the lever in plan; Figure 19 is a side elevation of the end of the lever, and exhibits the slot 1 in which the bolt works; Figure 20 represents a plan of the body c of the pistol, and exhibits the tenon u upon which the mortice u² (Figure 16) at the end of the lump c² engages when the barrel e is pushed home. On raising the lever its free end passes behind the lump c², the bolt z being pushed back. When the lever is fully raised the bolt z snaps upon the lips at z³, and thereby fastens the lever securely in its place, the parts of the pistol occupying the positions represented in Figure 15. To release the lever for opening the pistol the ears z² of the bolt z are grasped between the thumb and finger and pressed towards the muzzle end of the pistol; the bolt z is thereby liberated from the lump c², and the lever may be depressed.
The improvements herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings may be applied to repeating guns as well as to pistols.
Figure 21 represents in side elevation, Figure 22 in plan, and Figure 23 in longitudinal section the mechanism of a repeating fire-arm constructed according to our Invention to be temporarily attached to the barrel of an ordinary gun or rifle, or to a stock or other support; Figures 24 and 25 are elevations taken at opposite ends; Figure 26 is an elevation of the face of the revolving cylinder; Figures 27, 28, and 29 represent details of the same; Figure 30 represents in plan the repeating mechanism applied to the barrel of an ordinary rifle. a is the revolving cylinder, having the length represented in the Drawing; the said cylinder turns on an axis carried by the frame b. On the under side of the said frame are hollow projections or mortices c, c, which are made to engage upon correspondingly shaped projections or tenons on the barrel stock or other support to which the mechanism is to be attached; other convenient fastenings may however be employed.
The lock of the repeating fire-arm consists of the following parts: d is the hammer turning on the centre d² and raised by the spring d; e is the trigger turning on the centre e² and raised by the spring e³. The trigger is shewn detached in elevation and plan in Figure 27; the short inner arm of the trigger carries two arms or levers f, g; the arm g is for the purpose of lifting the hammer d, and the arm f is for working the revolving cylinder a. These arms are shown separately in Figures 28 and 29. A third arm h nearly over the joint of the trigger holds the hammer in its half-cocked position. Each of the arms f, g, h, is pressed upon by flat springs. The extreme end e⁴ of the short arm of the trigger is shaped in the manner best seen in Figures 23 and 27 for the purpose of fixing the revolving cylinder during discharge. The lock mechanism is covered by a case i, and a guard k is situated around the projecting outer end of the trigger. By depressing the trigger e the hammer d may be lifted to full-cock by the arm g, and be liberated or be lifted to half-cock by the said arm. In the latter case the arm h holds the hammer at half-cock. By the same motion of the trigger e the arm f rotates the cylinder a through the required angle to bring one of its chambers opposite the hammer d. When the trigger e is sufficiently depressed to discharge the fire-arm its inner end e¹ bears against one of the teeth b² on the revolving cylinder and fixes it during discharge. The repeating fire-arm described and represented is fixed in such a position on the barrel or stock of the gun with which it is used that the person holding the gun in position for firing can readily reach the trigger of the said repeating fire-arm. When applied to a gun the repeating fire-arm may be discharged should occasion require it after the gun has been used.
Figure 31 represents in side elevation, and Figure 32 in plan, the repeating mechanism last described (provided with a sliding revolving cylinder and barrel) to be fixed permanently to a stock or other support; Figure 33 represents parts of the same in longitudinal section. The said repeating mechanism also contains the extracting mechanism herein first described. In this arrangement the lever l is situated above the fire-arm, and is connected thereto in the manner which will be readily understood by an examination of the Drawings.
Instead of connecting the extractor plate to the revolving cylinder by a key and slot, as previously described, rods m are used, which rods work in holes in the revolving cylinder, as represented in the Drawings.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details herein described and represented as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of our Invention; but we claim as our Invention of improvements in those kinds of repeating fire-arms in which both the revolving cylinder and barrel are capable of sliding to and from the break-off or back of the body,—
Firstly. The construction and arrangement of parts herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings for extracting simultaneously the whole of the empty cartridge cases from the revolving cylinders of the said fire-arms, that is to say, making the extractor capable of sliding a limited distance from the break-off, and so connecting the revolving cylinder to the extractor that when the latter comes to rest the said revolving cylinder moves from the temporarily fixed extractor, and thereby effects the extraction of the empty cartridge cases, the extracting position of the extractor permitting of the easy introduction of fresh cartridges into the revolving cylinder, the said extractor and parts connected with it being constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as herein-before described and illustrated.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings of the levers and parts connected with them for sliding the revolving cylinders and barrels of the said fire-arms, and for effectually supporting the said revolving cylinders and barrels for discharge.
We claim with respect to the repeating fire-arms represented in Figures 21 to 33 both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings,—
Thirdly. Making repeating fire-arms capable of ready attachment to or detachment from the barrels or stocks of guns or rifles, or other supports, for the purpose and substantially as described and illustrated.
Fourthly. The combination or arrangement of the parts of the said repeating fire-arms substantially as described and illustrated, whether the said repeating fire-arms be permanently fixed to their supports or capable of ready attachment to or detachment from their supports.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles François Galand, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
CHARLES FRANÇOIS GALAND. (L.S.)
Witness,
Joseph Derreumaux,
230, Faubourg St. Laurent,
Liège (Belgium).