British 1758
LETTERS PATENT to John Adams, of King William Street, in the City of London, Gun Manufacturer, for the Invention of “ Improvements in Revolving Fire-arms, and in Cartridges for the same.”
Sealed the 7th January 1862, and dated the 12th July 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION leffc by the said John Adams at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th July 1861.
I, John Adams, of King William Street, in the City of London, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for “ Improvements in Revolving Fire-arms,. and in Cartridges for the same,” to be as follows:—
My Invention relates principally to that class of revolving fire-arms wherein a cylinder or series of revolving chambers containing separate charges is employed, each chamber being brought in succession opposite to a fixed barrel to be discharged.
The first part of my improvements consists in forming the barrel and the frame or opening in which the chambers rotate from one piece of metal, but in place of forming the frame and barrel as heretofore in one piece, suitable for being attached to the stock of the fire-arm, I form it in two parts. The part of the frame which carries the rotating chambers is firmly connected t6 that part of the frame which carries the lock and hammer, and which is attached to the stock of the fire-arm, by which arrangement thO construction of the parts is greatly simplified.
The second part of my improvements consist in constructing and arranging the cylinders or series of revolving chambers in combination with a revolving breech piece or base plate, such chambers being suitable for receiving and exploding the charges contained in cases or cartridges somewhat similar to the cases or cartridges denominated “Lefancheux cartridges,” and part of my Invention consists in so constructing revolving fire-arms of this description that a set of rotating chambers suitable for being charged at the muzzle with cartridges or with ordinary ammunition may be substituted for the set of chambers which are only suitable for being loaded with cartridges at the breech end. Apparatus is also arranged for forcing out the empty cases when exploded, and forcing in the charge when the cylinder is loaded at the muzzle.
Heretofore when the “ Lefaucheux Cartridge ” has been employed for charging the chambers of revolving fire-arms a fixed breech piece or base plate has been employed to close the back ends of the chambers to receive the lateral concussion when the discharge takes place, and revolving fire-arms so constructed were only suitable for being charged with such cartridges; now, according to my Invention the series of revolving chambers and the breech piece or base plate are arranged so as to rotate together on the same pin or central axis, which is capable of being readily withdrawn when it is desired to detach or exchange the rotating cylinder.
In order to load the fire-arm when it is arranged with a cylinder and chambers suitable for receiving “ breech-loading cartridges,” the central axis (which is retained by a spring) is partly withdrawn so as to release the base or back plate, which can then be slid sideways, leaving the back ends of part of the chambers on one side of the cylinder open ready to receive the cartridges* in succession, each of which is furnished with a suitable percussion cap to be exploded when struck by a projection on the hammer, openings being left in the back plate for this purpose. The lock and apparatus for giving motion to the revolving cylinder is of the ordinary construction, and the driver, by acting • upon a ratchet on the back of the breech or base plate, gives motion thereto, and a tooth or projection on this plate in its rotation comes against one of a series of projections upon the cylinder, and causes it to rotate with it. A sliding rod is arranged in combination with the sliding axis, upon which the cylinder and breech piece rotates; this rod is employed to force out the empty cases when exploded, and is also suitable for ramming in the charges when ordinary ammunition is employed; it is also so arranged that when the sliding axis is forced home, and the parts are in position for being discharged, v the rod is fixed by a sliding pin or bolt actuated by the central axis. : ;
When ordinary ammunition is employed, the rotating chambers previously described are to be removed by withdrawing the central axis, and an additional set of chambers substituted therefor, suitably constructed for receiving ordinary powder and ball, or made up cartridges, together with a percussion cap for exploding the same, the breech piece and other parts remaining as before described $ or the rotating breech piece and cylinder may both be removed, and a cylinder or series of chambers of the ordinary construction substituted therefor.
My improvements in cartridges for revolving fire-arms, such as before described, consists in forming them with a percussion cap and an exploding pin placed in the base or back end of the cartridge in place of introducing the pin through the side of the cartridge, as heretofore.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed by the said John Adams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th January 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, If JPoW’
Adams, of King William Street, in the City of London, Gun Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John Adams, Her special licence that I, the said John Adams, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Adams, 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 nr Revolving Fire-arms, and in Cartridges for the same,” upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Adams, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Adams, 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
My Invention relates principally to that class of revolving fire-arms wherein a cylinder or series of revolving chambers containing separate charges is employed, each chamber being brought in succession opposite to a fixed barrel to be discharged.
The first part of my improvements consists in forming the barrel and the frame or opening in which the chambers rotate from one piece of metal, but in place of forming the frame and barrel as heretofore in one piece suitable for being attached to the stock of the fire-arm I form it in two parts. The part of the frame which carries the rotating chambers is firmly connected to that part of the frame which carries the lock and hammer, and which is attached to the stock of the fire-arm, by which arrangement the construction of the parts is greatly simplified.
The second part of my improvements consists in constructing and arranging the cylinders or series of revolving chambers, in combination with a revolving breech piece or base plate, so that such chambers may be suitable for receiving and exploding the charges contained in cases or cartridges somewhat similar to the cases or cartridges denominated “ Lefancheux cartridges,” and part of my Invention consists in so constructing revolving fire-arms of this description that a set of rotating chambers suitable for being charged at the muzzle with cartridges or with ordinary ammunition may be substituted for the set of chambers which are only suitable for being loaded with cartridges at the breeqh end. Apparatus is also arranged for forcing out the empty cases when exploded, and forcing in the charge when the cylinder is loaded at the muzzle.
Heretofore, when the “Lefancheux cartridge” has been employed for charging the chambers of revolving fire-arms, a fixed breech piece or base plate has been employed to close the back ends of the chambers to receive the lateral concussion when the discharge takes place, and revolving fire-arms so constructed were only suitable for being charged with such cartridges. Now, according to my Invention, the series of revolving chambers and the breech piece or base plate are arranged so as to rotate together on the same pin or central axis, which is capable of being readily withdrawn when it is desired ito detach or exchange the rotating cylinders.
In order to load the. fire-arm when it is arranged with a cylinder and chambers suitable for receiving “ breech-loading cartridges,” the -central axis (which is retained by a spring) is partly withdrawn so as to release the base or back plate, which can then be slid sideways, leaving the back ends of part of the chambers on one side of the cylinder open ready to receive the cartridges at the breech end of the cylinder in succession, each of which is furnished with a suitable percussion cap to be exploded when struck by a projection on the hammer, openings being left in the back plate for this purpose. The lock and apparatus for giving motion to the revolving cylinder is of the ordinary construction, and the driver by acting upon a ratchet on the back of the breech or base plate gives motion thereto, and a tooth or projection on this , plate on its rotation comes against one of a series of projections upon the cylinder, and causes it to rotate with it. A sliding rod is arranged in combination with the sliding axis, upon which the cylinder and breech piece rotates. This rod is employed to force out the empty cases when exploded, and is also suitable for ramming in the charges when ordinary ammunition is employed. It is also so arranged that when the sliding axis is forced home, and the parts are in position for being discharged, the rod is fixed by a sliding pin or bolt actuated by the central axis. When ordinary ammunition is employed the rotating chambers previously described are to be removed by withdrawing the central axis, and an additional set of chambers substituted therefor, suitably constructed for receiving ordinary powder and ball, or made up cartridges, together with a percussion cap for exploding the same. The breech piece and other parts remaining as before described, or the rotating breech piece and cylinder may both be removed, and a cylinder or series of chambers of the ordinary construction substituted therefor.
My improvements in cartridges for revolving fire-arms, such as before described, consists in forming them with a percussion cap, and an exploding pin placed in the base or back end of the cartridge, in place of introducing the pin through the side of the cartridge as heretofore.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried into practice, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto * annexed.
Description of the Drawing.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a revolving fire-arm constructed according to the first part of my Invention 5 Figure 2 shows a side view partly in section of the barrel and frame, in which the chambers revolve in combination with the part of the frame which carries the lock and hammer, and to which the stock is attached; Figure 3, 4, 5, and 6 show separate views of. these parts, the nature of which is written thereon.
a is the barrel and frame in which the series of chambers revolve, formed, as shown, out of one piece of metal, the lower part a1 of which fits accurately into the slot b1 formed in the part b of the frame which carries the lock and hammer, and to which part the stock of the fire-arm is attached, as is well understood in the construction of revolving fire-arms of this description. The two parts a, b9 are secured together by screws or pins at a2, a2, or in any other convenient manner. By thus forming tbe barrel a and frame b to which it is attached in two parts, the construction of such parts is greatly simplified, and the cost of manufacturing fire-arms of this description is considerably reduced.
I will now describe the second part of my improvements, which consists in constructing and arranging the cylinders or series of revolving chambers of revolving fire-arms in combination with a revolving breech piece or base plate, so that such chambers may be suitable for receiving and exploding the charges contained in cases or cartridges, somewhat similar to those known as “ Lefan-cheux cartridges.” c, c, in the several Figures of the Drawing shows the series of revolving chambers which are open at each end, and suitable for being charged with cartridges at the breech end of each chamber; d is the breech piece or base plate for closing the back ends of the chambers c when the fire-arm is discharged. This breech piece or disc d is carried by and rotates with the chambers c on the same central pin or axis/, which is capable of being readily withdrawn when it is desired to release the breech piece to detach or exchange the revolving chambers c. The lock of the fire-arm and the apparatus for giving motion to the combined parts c and d9 is of the ordinary construction, the driver being arranged to act on a ratchet formed on the back of the breech piece or base plate d9 so as to give rotary motion thereto, there being a tooth or projection dl on the breech piece d9 which in its rotation comes against one of a series of projections c1 formed on the outer circumference of the revolving chambers c9 by which such chambers are caused to rotate correctly with the breech piece d. Openings are formed in the breech piece d for the hammer e to pass through in order to explode the cartridge when the fire-arm is discharged. When it is desired to load the firearm, the central pin or axis / (which is retained by a spring/1) is withdrawn a short distance to permit the breech piece d to be slid a short distance sideways, so as to uncover the back ends of some of the revolving chambers c on one side, in order to admit of the cartridges being introduced into the back end of each chamber as they are brought round in succession for this purpose. The cartridges employed in this arrangement are each furnished with a percussion cap arranged as hereafter described, which is exploded when struck by a projection on the hammer. A sliding rod g is arranged in combination with the central axis/, as shown at Figure 11, to force out the empty cartridge cases when exploded. This rod g is also suitable for ramming in the charges when chambers carrying ordinary ammunition are employed; it is also so arranged that when the central sliding axis / is forced home and the parts are in position for being discharged, the rod g is fixed by a sliding pin or bolt g* actuated by the central axis. In place of arranging the sliding ramrod g as above described, I prefer to arrange it in combination with the lever h, as shown as Figures 1, 2, 4, and 7, in which arrangement the curved part A1 of the lever h is caused to act on the slotted part of the rod g, when the lever is raised to force it a short distance into one of the chambers c (in order to ram in the charge w hen muzzleloading chambers are employed, as herein-after described). When the lever is raised to its highest position the curved projecting rib or surface A2 on the lever h passes completely through the slot in the rod g, so that the rod is then quite free to be slid further into the chambers c as they are brought opposite to it, to force out the empty cartridge cases, and when the rod g is drawn back and the lever A is depressed, the projecting rib or surface A* re-enters the slot in the rod g and withdraws it completely from the chambers c, as shown.
It will be evident from the foregoing description that by withdrawing the central axis the set of revolving chambers c may be readily removed and another set of chambers substituted therefor; and part of my Invention’ consists in constructing revolving fire-arms of this description, that a set of rotating chambers cx, such as is shown at Figure 9, suitable for being charged at the muzzle with cartridges or with ordinary ammunition, may be substituted for the set of chambers c, Figure 8, before described, which are only suitable for being loaded with cartridges at the breech end. It will be seen on examining Figure 9 that these chambers cx are formed with a nipple suitable for receiving an ordinary percussion cap, which is exploded by a blow from the hammer e9 which passes through openings formed in the breech piece d, which is the same together with the other parts as before described. Or, in place of substituting the set of rotating chambers cx for the set of rotating chambers c, both the rotating breech piece and cylinder c or cx may be removed, and a cylinder or series of muzzle-loading chambers of the ordinary construction, and such as are generally used with rotating fire-arms may be substituted therefor, and used in combination with the other parts of the piece constructed according to my Invention.
My improvements in cartridges suitable for being used with revolving firearms, such as before described, are shewn by the enlarged section of a cartridge, constructed according to this part of my Invention, at Figure 12, which it will be seen is arranged with a percussion cap i, and an exploding pin j, placed in the base or back end of the cartridge. The cap with the small exploding pin is inserted into a hole or recess formed in the solid base h of the cartridge, a small hole or passage being formed to connect the recess in which the cap is placed with the interior of the cartridge, so that the fire from the explosion of the cap passes directly into and through the centre of the
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into practice, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein described, so long as the peculiar character of either part of my Invention be retained; but what I claim is,—
First, the arrangement and combination of the parts a, b, of revolving firearms, as herein described.
Secondly, I claim the arrangement and combination of the revolving chambers c and breech-piece d for loading the chambers of revolving fire-arms at the breech end, as herein described.
I also claim the arrangement and combination of the parts of revolving firearms, whereby muzzle-loading rotating chambers cx may be substituted for the breech-loading chamber c, as herein described.
I also claim the arrangement of apparatus for forcing out the discharged cartridge cases from the chambers c, and for ramming in the charge when the chambers c* are employed, as herein described.
And, thirdly, I claim the improvements in cartridges for rotating fire-arms, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Adams, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
charge.
JOHN ADAMS. (l.s.)
Witness,
J. G. Tongue, Patent Agent,
SO
34, Southampton Build88., W.C.