USRE1670E - lawrence - Google Patents

Description

' of Vermont, did invent a new and useful or to release the barrel when it is to be turned UNITED STATES E. H. ASI-ICROFT, OF BOSTON,

PATENT OFFICE.

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSTCNEE CE RTCHARD s.A

LAWRENCE.

Speeilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 8,637

. May 17 dated January G, 185.2; `Reissue No. 1,670, dated To all whom, t may concern.- A

Be it known that RICHARD S. LAWRENCE, of Windsor, in the county of Windsor and State Improvement in Breech-Iioading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactk description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gun embracing his improvement. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the center of` thesame; Fig. 3, across-section thereof. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are sections of the taper spindle and ,the arms that turn thereon to sustain the barrel.

This invention consists, first, in mounting the barrel on a conical or tapering spindle attached to and projecting from the breech beneath the re-enforce, so that the axis of the spindle shall always be parallel to the barrel, second, in screwing the barrel into a sleeve or re-enforce to which the arms are attached by which the barrel is turned upon the spindle; third, in combining with the barrel a spring catch-lever to hold it in position when loaded,

aside to receive a cartridge; fourth, in combining with the barrel a cutting-edged breechpiece to out off the rear end of the cartridge by turning the barrel into position.

In the accompanying drawings, c represen ts the stock of agun, and b abreech-piece of metal secured to the forward end of the stock by two metal straps, c c, let into the stock at top and bottom. The front face of this breech-piece is flat and at right angles to the bore of the barrel. The right -hand edge is slightly curved, as represented in the drawings at d, and brought to a sharp edge, such as will effectually cut paper. A tapering or conical spindle, e, projects from near the bottom of the breech-piece, and to the spindle is fitted, to turn freely but accurately thereon, two arms, ff, that project downward from a sleeve, f/, that embraces and in which is firmly fitted the rear end of the barrel h. These arms maybe made wider or narrower, or of one piece,^so as to cover the spindle, according to the strength required; and the size and taper of the spindle `by which it is connected with the spindle on which the barrel turns, as well as a support `to holdthe barrel firmly to the breech at the top and it is obvious may be extended to any length that the barrel of any breech-loading arm mayrequire such strengthening and support. After these arms have been puton the spindle, they are held in place by a nut, i, on the end of the spin dle,which should be screwed up so tight as to insure the close contact of the rear end of the barrel with the front face of the breech-piece..` rIhe breechpiece is formed with a iiange or projecting piece, j,

at the top, and projecting out in front and extending some distance over the barrel, and in the under face thereof is formed a transverse groove, k, which receives a lip7 Z, projecting upward from the sleeve that embraces the barrel, so that when the barrel is in place the f1tting of this lipin the groove shall firmly bind together the barrel and breech-piece, to resist' the force of the explosions. |Ihe barrel is locked in place by a spring catch-lever, m, the

forward end of which enters a notch in the lip Z, its rear end having a thumb-piece projecting upward by which the operator can unlock the barrel at pleasure. In the line of the axis of the barrel, or at any point within the bore,when the barrel is in place and looked, there is a hole, n, which runs up through the breech-piece to and through the nipple for the purpose of communicating fire to the charge. If the breeclrpiece is made of iron or .other soft metal, then a part of its face should be cut out and filled up with a plate of steel, o, to make the cutting-edge. This plate of steel is best secured by being dovetailed into the breech-piece.

It will be seen by the foregoing that by pressing the thumb of the righthand on the catch lever mthe barrel can be turned by the left hand until the bore of the barrel is brought outside of the breech-piece,'for the reception of acartridge,which is conveniently and readily insertedby the right hand While the gun is held in theleft, andthen thebarrel is turned back and locked, the cutting-edges at the side ofthe breech-piece cutting off the rear end of the cartridge, so that the powder of the charge is thus exposed to the touch-hole in the breech-piece. The spring catch-lever drops intoits notch the moment the barrel is turned into position, and the barrel is thus firmly held up to the breech-piece both at top and bottom, and can be dischargedrany number of times with safety.

What is herein claimed as the invention of v the said LAWRENCE isbreech, substantially inthe manner described. y

2. screwing the barrel into a sleeve or rescribed, so that no loose powder can remain t on the outside of the breech after the base of the cartridge has been cut off and the barrel turned into position to fire.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto signed ymy name this 28th day of April, A. D. 1864.

E. H. ASHCROFT.

Witn esses C. E. Astronom, S. G. MORRILL.

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