Patent: Oscar Frankenau

US 196794
United States Patent Office
OSCAR FRANKENAU, OF NÜRNBERG, GERMANY
IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED POCKET-BOOK AND REVOLVER.
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,794, dated November 6, 1877; application filed September 14, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR FRANKENAU, of Nürnberg, Germany, have invented a new and Improved Combination Pocket-Book and Revolver, of which the following is a specification,

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a sectional side view of my improved combination pocket-book and revolver, arranged in position to be carried in the pocket. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, partly in section, showing it ready for firing; and Fig. 3 is an end view of the combination pocket-book and revolver, showing the pocket book or case opened for use.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a combination, with the frame of the the pocket-book cigar case, or similar devise, to be carried in the pocket, of a revolver, which is arranged at the inside of the frame of the pocket-book or case, so as to be out of sight, but ready for being instantly fired whenever required.

The advantage of such a combination for travelers and others will be readily perceived, as it forms a convenient mode of carrying a revolver for protection, especially when attacked, as the revolver may be fired at the robber when handing the pocket-book.

The invention consists of the combination of a pocket-book frame with a revolver, arranged at the interior and attached to the frame, being separated from the folding pockets or case by a metallic partition.

The trigger is made to swing downward for firing, or up onto the frame, or into a groove flush with the same, being held by a suitable catch.

An opening in the side part of the frame, in line with the barrel to be fired, is closed by a hinged cap, which is opened or closed jointly with the trigger, being set into downward position or locked to the frame.

By reference to the drawing, A represents a pocket-book, cigar-case, or similar article, carried for use in the pocket; and B, a revolver of suitable size, that is screwed to the frame C of the pocket-book or case. The revolver may be arranged with any suitable number of barrels, as desired.

The pockets or compartments for the money, cigars, &c., are arranged at one side of a hinged partition, D, of sheet metal, which is covered with leather, and intended to separate that part in which the revolver is arranged from the pockets, and also to protect the revolver against pressure.

The partition D is concaved or bulging at that part where the same passes around the cylinder of the revolver, so as to form a kind of casing for it.

The trigger E of the revolver is extended to the outside of the frame C, and hinged so as to be swung up to the frame C, and is retained by a suitable catch, a. In some cases it may be preferable to lodge the trigger, when at rest, in a groove of the frame, so as to be flush with the outer surface of the frame, and preclude thereby any possibility of accidental release and discharge of the revolver while in the pocket.

The trigger E, when thrown up on the frame, comes in contact with a spring-acted post or rod, B, of a cap, E, which is hinged to the inside of the frame, and fitted tightly into an opening, d, of the same, which opening is in line with the barrel to be fired.

The locking of the trigger to the frame produces the simultaneous pushing in of the spring-acted post b, that passes through a guide-hole of the frame to the inside of the same, being hinged to the back of the cap E. The pushing in of the spring-post throws the cap and closes the exit-opening d, By releasing the trigger and throwing the same in downward position, the post is thrown out by the action of its spring, and thereby the cap opened, so as to clear the barrel, the revolver then being ready for firing, the balls passing unobstructed through the opening in the frame. The simultaneous opening and closing of the exit-aperture for the balls by the release and relocking of the trigger forms an essential feature of the device, which forms a convenient mode of carrying a revolver for protection and self-defense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent—

1. A pocket-book or cigar-case having a revolver or fire-arm inclosed within its frame or fitted thereto in stationary bearings, so as to be fired without removal therefrom, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A pocket-book having a chamber or receptacle adapted to hold a revolver, and pockets for money or other valuables, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A pocket-book having a partition provided with. an internal concaved or bulging partition adapted to receive a revolver, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A pocket-book frame having an end-opening located in line with the barrel of a revolver inclosed in said frame, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A pocket-book frame having a hinged trigger, a suitable catch device for the same, and a revolver attached to the frame of the pocket-book, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A pocket-book having a frame with an aperture for the passage of the balls, a hinged cap for closing such aperture, an internally-located revolver, an external trigger, and devices, substantially as shown, for connecting the latter with the cap for opening and closing the aperture in the frame simultaneously with the releasing or locking of the trigger, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a combination pocket-book and revolver, the combination of the swinging trigger with the sliding and guided spring-post of the cap, hinged to the inside of the frame and fitted to the ball-aperture of the same, so as to open or close by the releasing or locking of the trigger, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of August, 1877
OSCAR FRANKENAU

Witnesses:
F. W. Gültzoty,
H. Stadler.