GB2329456A - Firearm device - Google Patents

Abstract

A cylinder for a muzzle loading revolver which has been re-designed in a way to allow the use of modem ammunition components. i.e. smokeless powder 6, modern pistol primers 8, and modern hollow based wadcutter bullets 5. The cylinder being bored with a step to determine the depth to which the bullet can be seated. This is required to avoid compression of the powder charge.

Description

Firearm Device The present invention relates to the cylinder of a revolver, in particular a double action muzzle loading revolver. This invention features a cylinder which includes all the components of a modern cartridge, save the removable cartridge case.

The method of firing muzzle-loaded firearms is well known. Within the cylinder, "black powder is used as a propellant and percussion caps are used to ignite said black powder. The percussion cap is placed on a nipple which is screwed into the rear of each chamber.

The cylinder commonly features five or six chambers which contain a small amount of said black powder which has been compacted by a slightly oversized lead ball.

By pulling the trigger of the revolver the hammer releases, striking the percussion cap, which in turn detonates the powder, resulting in the lead ball being propelled down the barrel of the weapon.

There are many inherent disadvantages in the above system. For example, the black powder is explosive and volatile, and easily ignited by a stray spark or flame.

The residue from black powder is corrosive, necessitating a thorough cleaning of the firearm every time it is discharged. There is also a tendency for the percussion caps (whether spent or not) to fall off during recoil of the firearm, jamming the mechanism.

The obnoxious smoke produced by the burned black powder also prevents the use of such weapons at indoor firing ranges. Unless grease or some similar material is applied on top of the ball in the loaded chamber, "flash over" can also occur wherein the flame of the ignited burning powder in one chamber can push past the ball to the powder below and detonate the neighbouring chamber. Most modern made reproduction revolvers are single action only, making them unsuitable for competition use. The present invention is designed to eliminate all of these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cylinder for a revolver comprising a plurality of elongate chambers, the chambers preferably being generally cylindrical.

Preferably each chamber is adapted to allow insertion of a bullet at the forward end of said chamber.

Preferably each chamber is flared at the forward end such that the diameter at the forward end is larger than the diameter distal from the forward end.

Preferably each chamber is provided with retaining means for retaining a bullet, such that the bullet is spaced from the rear end of said chamber. Preferably the retaining means comprises a shoulder in the chamber wall. Preferably the shoulder is provided at an intermediate position in the chamber such that the forward portion of the chamber has a larger diameter than the rear portion of the chamber. Preferably the forward portion of the chamber has a diameter adapted to hold a bullet in position by friction.

Preferably each chamber is associated with a primer pocket located in the rear face of the cylinder.

Preferably each chamber is connected by communicating means to its associated primer pocket. Preferably said communicating means is a cylindrical passage at the rear end of the chamber, whereby said passage has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the chamber.

According to the second aspect of the invention there is provided a muzzle loading revolver comprising a barrel, a frame, a crane and a cylinder according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably said cylinder is removable.

Preferably the revolver further comprises a recoil shield which in use abuts the rear face of the cylinder. Preferably said recoil shield has an arcuate groove in the abutting face in a position corresponding to the arcuate path traced by a primer pocket of said cylinder when said cylinder is rotated about its axis of rotation. Preferably the groove has a depth adapted to allow the free passage of primer placed in said primer pocket and projecting therefrom when said cylinder is rotated.

The cylinder of the present invention is bored out as if it had an integral cartridge contained within it.

At the rear of each chamber is a primer pocket which allows the present invention to be used with a modern firearm primer. The primer pocket is connected to the chamber by means of a flash hole, while the front of the chamber is bored out to accept a modern smokeless powder and a modern hollow-based wad cutter bullet. In order to prevent the bullet from being shaved while being loaded, the front end of each chamber is slightly tapered.

The cylinder is spring-loaded and allows a very slight recoil action backwards, thereby preventing the primer from moving out of the primer pocket and jamming the cylinder. The only modification required to the firearm to accept the present invention is to provide an arcuate groove around the recoil shield of the weapon, thus allowing the cylinder to rotate, should the primer be slightly set back in the primer pocket of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the firearm; Fig. la is a through section of the recoil shield of the firearm; Fig. 2 is a partial section of the cylinder, according to the present invention.

Figs 1 to 2 illustrate the cylinder of a double action muzzle loading revolver, where the cylinder is designed to contain all the components of a modern cartridge, save the removable cartridge case.

The revolver 1 features a recoil shield 3 in which there is a radial groove 4. Primers (not shown) are placed in the primer pockets 8 of the removable cylinder 2. When the cylinder 2 is fitted onto the revolver 1, any protruding portions of the primers are enclosed by the groove 4, thus allowing cylinder 2 to rotate while the primers occupy the primer pockets 8.

Within the removable cylinder 2 are six chambers 13.

Each of these chambers contains a primer pocket 8 which is connected to the chamber 13 via a flash hole 10.

Within each of the primer pockets 8 is fitted a primer.

When the trigger 12 of the revolver is pulled, the hammer 11 is released and strikes the primer. The primer then ignites the powder (not shown) within the powder chamber 6. The powder is a modern smokeless powder. Upon ignition, an expanding gas then propels the "wad cutter" bullet 5 towards the target. When fired, the cylinder 2 is preferably allowed to move backward between 0 and 0.25mm to avoid the primer moving out of the primer pocket 8 and jamming the mechanism of the cylinder 2.

The chambers 13 of the cylinder 2 are machined to feature a step 7 against which the rear of the bullet 5 rests when loaded into the chambers 13. The chambers 13 also feature a slight rearward taper 9 to prevent "shaving" of the bullet 5 occurring during loading.

These and other modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

What I claim is:

1. A firearm revolver cylinder machined in its external dimensions to be identical to the existing cylinder of any desired make of proprietary revolver firearm in all respects that relate to the mechanical function of the cylinder but with the chambers bored to accept a projectile, powder and cartridge primer directly into the cylinder in the desired relative dimensions rather than those relative dimensions being defined by means of a cartridge case.

2. A revolver cylinder as in claim 1 where each chamber is bored for a proportion of its length at one diameter and at a second smaller diameter to form a "step" on to which a projectile may be pressed to set a fixed repeatable depth. The smaller of the two diameters provides the combustion chamber for the propellant. The opposite end of each chamber to the projectile is bored to create a recess or "pocket" to accept a proprietary make of pistol cartridge primer. The dimensions for the primer recess and the required hole to provide access to the combustion chamber for the primer flame will of course be machined to the same dimensions as the cartridge case for which the proprietary primer is designed.

3. A cylinder as in claims 1 and 2 where a spring is provided to apply force pushing the cylinder towards the barrel of the revolver such that the cylinder may recoil against the said spring in reaction to the exit of a projectile from the cylinder. Said spring may be located on the shaft upon which the cylinder is rotatably mounted on the frame of the proprietary revolver.