(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. W. FOSBERY.
RECOIL OPERATED FIREARM,
No. 584,631. Patented June 15, 1897.

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G. W. FOSBERY.
REGOIL, OPERATED FIREARM.
No. 584,63. Patented June 15, 1897.

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RECOIL, OPERATED FIRE ARM,
Patented June 15, 1897.

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RE00IL OPERATED FIREARM.
No. 584,631.
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G. W. FOSBERY.
RE00IL OPERATED FIREARM.
No. 584,631

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 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
GEORGE VINCENT FOSBERY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.
RECO L- O PERATED FREARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 584,631, dated June 15, 1897.
Application filed June 28, 1898, Serial No. 597,060, (No model.)
To ?till cluon, if in?t i? colleein: mer fully cocked. The trigger is here shown
13e it known that I, GEORGE VINCENT FOS in the position it occupies when pulled. Fig.
BERY, colonel Victoria Cross, a subject of the 3 is a fragmentary cross-section taken ap
Queen of Great Britain, residing at 279 Vaux proximately on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. t.
hall IBridge load, ILondon, in the county of is a central longitudinal section of the ham
Middlesex, England, have invented certain mer, showing more clearly the construction
new and useful Improvements in Revolvers and arrangement of a resilient device which
and other Small-Arms, of which the follow acts in conjunction with the pawl for actu
ing is a specification, reference being had to ating the cartridge-cylindler, as will be here
O the accompanying drawings. inafter fully explained. The hammer is in
This invention relates more particularly to this figure shown in its' fired position. Fig.
that class of pistols or other firearms in which 5 is a similar view, but with the hammer in
the cartridges are contained in a revolving its “cocked’ position. Figs, G and 7 are re
chambered cylinder which is caused to suc spectively a side elevation and plan view of
cessively bling the said cartridges in a line the resilient device shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
ment with the barrel by the actuation of the IFigs. S and 9 are respectively a front eleva
halmmer. tion and a central vertical section of the ham
It is the chief object of the present inven mer with a modified construction of the re
tion to so construct pistols of this description silient device. Figs. 10 and 11 are similar
that the discharge of one cartridge will auto views showing a further modified construc
matically cause the hammer to be cocked and tion of the resilient device. Fig. 12 is a frag
a fresh cartridge to be brought into position mentary sectional view showing the trigge:"
for firing, so that instead of the user having and parts in immediate proximity thereto 75
to exert a strong pull on the trigger for effect in the position they occupy when the sear
25 ing the movement of the entire mechanism, has just been released by the trigger. IFig.
as heretofore, the pull on the trigger is merely 13 is a similar view of the same parts in
required to release the hammer and fire a another position. Figs. 14 to 18 illustrate a
cartridge. modified construction of the pistol wherein
According to my invention the revolving the spring for returning the sliding portion
chambered cylinder, the barrel, and the whole to its firing position is situated differently,
of the breech mechanism excepting the trig and wherein the cocking of the hammer is ef
gel are so mounted on the handle or stock of fected in a somewhat-modified manner, and
the weapon that on discharge they all recoil wherein the aforesaid spring-stop is carried 85
and slide together on the said stock and re by the trigger. In these figures, Fig. 14 is a
35 cock the hammer by bringing a projection side elevation of the pistol with the sliding
thereon against a fixed piece firmly attached portion shown in its forward position. Fig.
to some appropriate part of the stock. These 15 is a vertical longitudinal section with the
recoiling or sliding parts (hereinafter referred parts in the position they occupy at the colm
to collectively as the “sliding portion”) are pletion of the recoil movement of the sliding
40 returned to their normal position by the reac portion. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional
tion of a spring. view showing the trigger and parts in imme
In order that my said invention may be diate proximity thereto in the position they
fully understood and readily carried into ef occupy when the pistol is ready for firing. 95
fect, I will proceed to describe the same with Fig.17 is a similar view showing the parts in
45 reference to the accompanying drawings, in another position. Fig. 18 is a detail scutional
which I have shown my improvements ap view of the spring-stop. .
plied to a revolver. Ilike letters of reference indicate similar
Figule 1 is a side elevation with certain parts in all the figures. OO
parts in longitudinal section, the sliding por A is the revolving cartridge-cylinder; 3, the
tion being in its forward or firing position. barrel; C, the hammer, and C the main spring.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, but with the sliding All of these parts are carried on a portion ID,
portion in its backward position and the ham that is capable of sliding to and fro on the
 2 584,631

part E* of the handle or stock E. The slid avoiding the percusslve action which would
ing portion of the pistol is provided with lon otherwise take place between the pawl and
gitudinal grooves d, into which fit correspond the ratchet-wheel A'. The reaction of the 7 O
ing fins e on the portion E*. These grooves aforesaid spring f causes the lever f' to re
and fins serve to guide the sliding portion dur sume the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby
ing its rectilinear movements. the pawl operates on the ratchet-wheel A" and
Situated within the stock or handle E of the turns the cartridge-cylinder A the proper dis
pistol is a lever d', Figs. 1 and 2, whose full tance to bring a fresh cartridge into firingpo
crum is located at d, and this lever is fur sition. It will be obvious that the strength
Cs nished with a segmental arm d, which is sur of the springf8 must be sufficient to readily
rounded by a spiral spring d. One end of turn the cylinder A when fully charged with
this spring bears against the aforesaid lever, cartridges.
and the other end lies in the corner e' of the In Figs. 8 to 11 I have illustrated modified
stock, in which position it is retained by the constructions of the resilient pawlF. In each
segmental arm. The upper end of the lever of these examples the hammer is formed with
d fits into a notch d in the sliding portion, a centrally-arranged cavity f for the recep
so that when the latter recoils the lever d is tion of a sliding block, f, to which the pawl
caused to turn about its fulcrum into the po F is pivotally connected.
sition shown by Fig. 2, whereby the spring d. f is a spiral spring which in Figs. 8 and 9
is compressed and by its reaction returns the is situated beneath the sliding block and bears
sliding portion to its firing position through against a screw-plug f' in the lower end of
the intervention of the lever d". the cavity f.
. In Figs. 14 and 15 the coiled spring dis lo In Figs. 10 and 11 the sliding block is pro 90
cated within a longitudinal cavity between vided with a piston f, and pins f extend
25 the parts D and E*, one end of the said spring across the cavity f to serve as a support for
bearing against a projection Don the sliding the lower end of the spring f. The upper
portion D and the other end bearing against end of the said spring bears against the lower
a projection E'ron the fixed portion E*. side of the piston f. In each of these cases 95
The mainspring C' is carried by a bar D', the spring f serves a similar purpose to that
depending from the sliding portion and with of the springfshown in Figs. 4 and 5-viz., to
which it moves. C, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, is a act as a cushion for absorbing the blow that
link connecting the mainspring to the hammer would otherwise come on the pawl and by its
in a manner Well understood. reaction to turn, the cartridge-cylinder. OO
A' is the ordinary ratchet-wheel on the cyl G is the usual stop for locking the cylinder
35 inder A, with which the nose of the spring A in the position into which it is set by the
pawl F engages to turn the said cylinder. I. aforesaid pawl. In the example of pistol
prefer to construct and arrange this pawl in shown in Figs. I and 2 this stop is released
such a manner that the blow that takes place. by the lower or pivotal end of the pawl act IOS
between the said pawl and ratchet-wheel on ing on the extension g of the said stop during
46) recoil will be absorbed or cushioned by the the cocking of the hammer and the depression
compression of a resilient device which in its of the said pawl.
reaction causes the pawl to operate the car I wish it to be understood that I do not con
tridge-cylinder. In the construction shown fine myself to the specific examples shown for d
by Figs. 1 to 7this pawl is pivotally connected rendering the pawl Fresilient, as variations
by a pinf to a rocking lever f', having a sleeve of these examples will readily present them
floosely mounted on the axle C8 of the ham selves to mechanicians of ordinarv intelli
mer. The inner end of the said lever is pro gence.
vided with a tailf, against which bears one To effect the cocking of the hammer, it is IIS
end of a spring f. The opposite end of the in Figs. 1 to 13 provided with a rearward ex
so said spring bears against a pin f', carried by tension or arm c, having an antifriction-roller
the hammer. The pinf works in a curved c' at its end. Immediately behind this roller
slotf in the hammer, this slot being an arc is situated an incline c', which is somewhat
of a circle described from the axis about curved. When the sliding portion of the pistol 20
which the lever frocks. The said springf8 recoils, the said roller c' runs on this curved
55 exerts sufficient pressure on the tail f° of the incline and by so doing causes the portion c
lever f' to cause the latter to keep the pawl of the hammer to move downwardly, whereby
in its elevated position, Fig. 4; but when the the hammer is turned about its pivot and
pistolis fired and the movable portion recoils fully cocked, and in this position it is re I 25
the hammer, as it assumes its cocking posi tained by the sear I. In Fig. 14 the said ham
tion, brings the nose of the pawl against the mer is cocked by an arm or lever C, carried
teeth of the ratchet-wheel A'. The effect of by the axle C. The free end of the said arm
this movement is not, however, to turn the or lever normally lies adjacent to a fixed stud :
cylinder A, but to force the pawl downward or projection C, which is furnished with an
and turn the lever f' into the position shown antifriction-roller C. In this case each time
by Fig. 5. This movement compresses the the pistolis fired the shock of discharge causes
spring f, which therefore absorbs the thrust the sliding portion to recoil and bring the
and acts as a cushion to the pawl, thereby aforesaid arm or lever Cagainst the fixed pro
 584,631 3.
jection C, whereby the axle C is turned and under the action of the spring d. but if the
the hammer fully cocked. trigger has not been previously released by
II, is the trigger, controlled by a spring l, the operator-that is to say, if it still occu 7O
which, when the said trigger is released, keeps pies the position represented in Fig. 17-the
it in the position shown in Fig. 1. pinli will collide with the shoulder II* of the
In order to prevent the firing of all the car trigger and will thereby be forced longitudi
tridges in the cartridge-cylinder in rapid suc nally into its recess, so as to be incapable of
cession when the trigger is once pulled, I so coming between the trigger and the sear I, 75
arrange the sear I relatively to the trigger II Fig. 17. The trigger cannot, therefore, reach
O that the latter cannot act upon the sear to re the sear to operate it, and consequently the
lease the hammer unless it is released after pistol cannot be discharged. Immediately,
each discharge. For this purpose I provide however, the trigger is released the shoulder
a resilient or spring-pin h", which is carried II* moves out of the path of the pin hand
either by the trigger II, as in Figs. 12 and 13, allows the latter to move forward under the
or by the part D' of the sliding portion D of influence of its spring and to assume a posi
the pistol, as shown at h, Figs. 15, 16, 17, and tion above the trigger, as represented in Fig.
18. When the said spring-pin is carried by 16. The pistol can therefore be fired when
the trigger, the latter is provided with a re the trigger is next pulled. 85
cess for the reception of the spring-pin, which What I claim is
is normally retained in an outward position 1. In a small-arm, the combination with
by a light spring h°. The extent to which the stock, of a sliding portion mounted
the spring-pin can project is limited by a thereon, a barrel, revolving cartridge-cylin
transverse pin h, passing through a sloth der, pivoted hammer and cylinder-actuating
in the said spring-pin. mechanism carried by said sliding portion, an
When the hammeris cocked and the trigger. arm on said hammer, and a projection on the
is pulled to discharge a cartridge, the afore stock arranged in the path of said arm,
said spring-pin l'acts on an enlargemention whereby when the sliding portion recoils said
the tail of the sear I, thereby tripping the arm strikes the projection and the hammer is 95
sear, Fig. 12, and releasing the hammer. If thereby cocked and the cylinder partially ro
3o the trigger be not then released by the user, tated to bring a fresh cartridge into a linement
but be still held in the position shown in Fig. with the barrel, substantially as described.
2, the aforesaid enlargement on the sear 2. In a small-arm having a revolving car do
will, as the recoiling part of the pistol again tridge-cylinder operated by the cocking of the
resumes its firing position, come against the hammer, the combination with a spring-con
35 spring-pin h". The sear will not, however, be trolled sliding portion comprising the barrel,
operated thereby, because the spring control the cartridge-cylinder and the hammer and
ling the pin is, as already stated, only a light With a stationary portion comprising the
one and therefore does not offer sufficient re stock and the trigger; of a rearwardly-pro
sistance to turn the sear against the superior jecting arm on the hammer and of a fixed in
strength of the sear-spring i". The parts clined projection mounted on the stock and
therefore occupy the position shown by Fig. situated at the rear of the aforesaid rear
13, and it will be evident that so long as they Wardly-projecting arm substantially as de IO
are in this position the pistol cannot be fired. scribed and for the purpose specified.
Immediately, however, the trigger is released 3. In a small-arm having a revolving car
45 and allowed to assume the position shown iri tridge-cylinder operated by the cocking of the
Fig. 1 the aforesaid spring-pin is again pro hammer, the combination with a sliding por
jected from its recess by its spring, and con indertion comprising the barrel, the cartridge-cyl
sequently if the trigger be then again pulled and the hammer, of a stationary por II5
this spring-pin will come beneath the enlarge tion comprising the stock and the trigger, a
ment on the sear, as shown in Fig. 12, and rearwardly-projecting arm on the hammer, a
fire the pistol. When the said spring-pin is fixed inclined projection mounted on the
carried by the piece D', it occupies such a po stock in the rear of the rearwardly-projecting
sition that it is capable of goming between arm, an Oscillatory lever engaging the said
the trigger and the tail of the sear I, as shown sliding portion, and a spring operating to
55 at Fig. 16, when the trigger is released. The force said oscillatory lever and sliding por
mouth of the aforesaid recess is somewhat tion to their forward or firing position, sub
enlarged to permit of the spring-pin moving stantially as described.
vertically as well as longitudinally. 4. In a small-arm having a revolving car I 25
When the hammer is cocked and the pistol tridge-cylinder operated by the cocking of the
ready for firing, the aforesaid pin it will oc hammer, the combination with the sliding
cupy the position represented in Fig. 16, and and stationary portions of an oscillatory lever
consequently if the trigger be now pulled the whose lower end has a fulcrum within the
pin will be raised and cause the sear I to re stock and whose upper end engages with the
lease the hammel' and fire a cartridge. The said sliding portion; of a bent arm on the
sliding portion of the pistol will then recoil, said lever, and of a spiral spring surrounding
fully cocking the hammer, as already stated, the said bent arm and normally acting to
and will afterward return to its firing position keep the said lever and the sliding portion
 4. 584,631

in their forward or firing position substan tridge-cylinder operated by the cocking of

tially as described. the hammer, the combination with the ham
5. In a small-arm having a recoiling por mer, of a sliding piece consisting of a trans
tion carrying a barrel, a hammer and a re
volving cartridge-cylinder operated by the verse pin working in curved slots in the
hammer; of a driving-pawl pivotally mounted 40
cocking of the hammer, the combination with on said sliding piece; of a lever carrying the
the hammer and a driving-pawl operating to said transverse pin and located within a bi
turn the cartridge-cylinder, of a spring ar furcated portion of the hammer and loosely
ranged to absorb the thrust of the pawl mounted on the hammer-axle; of a tailpiece
IO caused by the recoil and react to cause the
on the free end of the said lever; and of a
pawl to rotate the cylinder, substantially as spiral spring situated within the bifurcated 45
described. portion of the hammer and bearing at one
6. In a small-arm having a revolving car end against a fixed stop on the hammer and
tridge-cylinder operated by the cocking of at the other end against the tailpiece on the
the hammer, the combination with the ham said lever; all substantially as described and so
mer of a sliding piece carrying the driving for the purpose specified.
pawl, and of a spring which acts to absorb 9. In a small-arm the combination of a
the blow on the nose of the said driving-pawl, sliding portion which recoils on discharge
and which by its reaction causes the rotary and automatically cocks the hammer, of the
movement of the cartridge-cylinder substan trigger and the sear, a spring-controlled pin
tially as described. situated in a recess formed in the said sliding
7. In a small-arm having a revolving car portion and adapted to come between the tail.
tridge-cylinder operated by the cocking of of the firing-sear and the leaf of the trigger
the hammer, the combination with the ham when the firearm is ready for firing but is
mer of a sliding piece to which the driving prevented from assuming this position if the
pawl is pivotally connected; of a lever piv trigger be still pulled during the return of
oted to the hammer and connected at one end the sliding portion to the firing position, sub
to the aforesaid sliding piece; and of a spring stantially as described and for the purpose
which bears against the free extremity of the specified.
3O said pivoted lever, whereby the said lever In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set 65
acting under the influence of its spring nor my hand this 4th day of June, 1896. .
mally keeps the driving-pawl in an elevated. GEORGE WINCENT FOSBERY:
position substantially as described and for Witnesses:
the purpose specified. ARTHUR A. BERGIN,
35 8. In a small-arm having a revolving car WM. MELLENTS JACKSON.