British 577
Revolving or Repeating Fire-arms.
LETTERS PATENT to John Hall, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Maker, and John Crofts, of the same place, Foreman, for the Invention of “ An Improvement or Improvements in Revolving or Repeating Fire-arms.”
Sealed the 1st September 1853, and dated the 7th March 1853.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said John Hall and John Crofts at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition and Declaration, on the 7th March 1853, pursuant to the 9th section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
We, John Hall, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Maker, and John Crofts, of the same place, Foreman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for 44 An Improvement or Improvements in Revolving or Repeating Fire-arms,” and the manner in which the same is to be performed, to be as follows (that is to say):
Our Invention consists in a method of simplyfying the action of revolving or repeating fire-arms, and at the same time diminishing the chance of either of the barrels or chambers missing fire. This will be more readily understood on reference to the drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, similar letters denoting similar parts.
Description of the Drawings.
Figure 1, is an elevation of that portion of a pistol to which the improvements are applicable.
„ 2, a cross section of the barrel.
„ 3, an under view, with part of the detail in section.
„ 4, a longitudinal section.
„ 5, transverse ditto, through the flange.
„ 6, 7, 8, and 9, detailed r viows of the respective parts consti-
tuting our improvements.
, 10, a view of the stop catch.
We now proceed to describe the Invention, which can be adapted either to fire-arms in which the barrels are caused to turn, or to those having a single barrel, in which the chambers containing the charge are made to revolve. The drawings shew the improvements applied to the former of these descriptions of fire-arms.
On the breech end of the barrels is formed the projecting ring or flange A, having the notches B, cut in its periphery, in number equal to the barrels, and on the body is pinned or screwed the spring catch C, with the butt D, on the end. In using this weapon, it is necessary to have both hands free, as on discharging one barrel the series will require turning with the left hand; in this respect differing from the revolving arms at present in use, the barrels or chambers of which are caused to revolve by the action of either the trigger or cock. When a barrel has been fired, the series being turned, the butt at the end of the catch on the body takes into the next notch in the projecting flange at the end of the barrel. The distance between these notches precisely regulates the distance the barrels are to travel, and brings the next of the series into the exact proper position for use; whilst, from the form of these notches, the barrels cannot easily travel too far, nor is it possible to turn them in the wrong direction; consequently, greater precision of firing can be ensured than by the arrangement of the mechanism in connection with the trigger or cock causing the revolution of the barrels, and greater simplicity and cheapness is obtained. In constructing single-rbarrel revolving fire arms, or those in which the chambers containing the charges are made to revolve, the projecting flange or ring is of course formed on the breech end of the series of chambers, the spring catch on the body being the same.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that what we claim is, the notched flange on the revolving barrels or chambers of repeating fire-arms, in connection with the spring catch on the body, the whole acting as a stop catch, as herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Hall and John Crofts, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this First day of March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
JOHN (l.s.) HALL.
JOHN (l.s.) CROFTS.