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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Breech Loading - Military Rifles >> Benjamin's Patent
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl?num=1139507010

Message started by ramshorn06 on 02/09/06 at 5:43pm

Title: Benjamin's Patent
Post by ramshorn06 on 02/09/06 at 5:43pm

Does anyone have any information on Benjamin's Patent for converting the Enfield rifle to a capping breechloader? Apart from my rifle, which is based on a two-band Pat. '61 rifle, the only other mention I have found is in 'Guns of the World'. This is a 1972 book which includes a collector's catalogue. The Benjamin is listed along with various experimental Enfield conversions, such as Cornish's and Wyley's.

Title: Re: Benjamin's Patent
Post by Gordon on 04/16/06 at 6:23pm

Patent 3308 of Dec 31, 1863 by A Byrnes and H Benjamin describes a sliding breech block operated by a lever. Does this describe your Enfield conversion?

I have a copy of the patent drawing and description

Title: Re: Benjamin's Patent
Post by ramshorn06 on 04/18/06 at 11:18pm

Thanks Gordon, this is the type of information I was looking for. I was going to attach some photos of the action, to see if they match your patent drawings, but it looks as if I'd have to put them on another site, with a link. I'd be grateful if you'd let me know how I can get a copy of the patent drawings, for comparison.
The action works in a similar manner to the Monkeytail, only the plunger is connected to a sliding plate that covers the breech and is locked in place by a lever on the right side. It is only possible to depress this lever and open the action, when the hammer is resting on the nipple. At half and full thingy, the lever is covered by the hammer, preventing the action from being opened. Depressing the lever and lifting the plate up and back, opens the breech. Pushing it forward and down, closes it. A nitrated paper cartridge, with a waxed felt base, is inserted in the open breech and compressed by the plunger, while the waxed felt base forms a gas-tight seal. When the charge is fired by a percussion cap, the paper burns away, leaving the waxed felt wad to be pushed ahead of the next round, cleaning the chamber and bore.

Thanks & Regards,

Ian

Title: Re: Benjamin's Patent
Post by Gordon on 04/20/06 at 9:51pm

Ian, This is the patent text but I can't scan the drawing in- I can send it by e-mail attachment([email protected]) or post; I'm in Hampshire, UK

3308. Byrnes, A., and Benjamin, H. Dec. 31.

FIC.8._ f..FIC.4._

Breech actions, sliding breech-block; muzzleloading.-Relates to modifications of the breech mechanism described in Provisional Specification, No. 1908, A.D. 1862, and to means for effecting obturation in other breech-loaders. The longitudinally-sliding breech-block E, Fig. 4, is operated by a lever c bearing in the closed position against the rear of the breech frame and locked by a spring bolt G. Obturation is effected by a soft-metal ring placed on the stem f of a detachable piece F fitted on the front end of the breech-block and retained by a projection d engaging in a slot in its stem. The top and bottom of the breech-block are cut away, so that it can be removed when turned at right-angles to its normal position. The spring bolt G is withdrawn
by a lever H. Fig. 8, a projection HI on which prevents the hammer from being cocked while the bolt G is withdrawn. On cocking the hammer, a pivoted piece J on the lever is moved, so as to prevent the unlocking of the bolt while the hammer is cocked. When used as a muzzleloader, obturation is effected by striking the piece F with a ramrod.

Cheers, Gordon

Title: Re: Benjamin's Patent
Post by dbm on 04/21/06 at 5:52pm

Following is the picture associated with the above Patent Specification.

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/pics/benjaminpatent.jpg