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| Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. There are no patent drawings available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
“The four barrels are formed by boring four holes in a block of brass of about three inches in length, and 24 inches square, which block is made to revolve upon a centre, so that each of its perforations may alternately be brought to coincide with the bore of the main barrel. These perforations form the chambers to contain the charges. A percussion lock is adapted to this gun. The specification does not distinctly state the particular improvements claimed. The revolving barrel itself is not new, but in the way hitherto made has not answered the expectations of the inventor, as it soon gets out of order.
A patent for a revolving barrel to contain six charges, was granted to Artemus Wheeler, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1819, and we are informed that 100 rifles upon his plan were made at the United States arsenal, at Harper's ferry; and the same number upon another plan, varying somewhat from Wheeler's, very favourable anticipations were formed of their utility, but from corrosion of the metal where the barrels unite, or from other causes, a part of the charge soon escaped at this juncture, and they were all laid aside. The present patentee states that eight shots can be made in a minute, and that one gun which he has tried, exceeds his most sanguine anticipations; it is not, however, during the honeymoon that the question is to be decided whether all will wear well.”
Journal of the Franklin Institute Vol. 5, Aug. 1829 pg. 124
The original copy of this patent has become available for sale with the following text:
"Whereas Henry Rogers, a Citizen of the United States, hath alleged that he has invented a new and useful improvement, called, a Revolving Four Barreled Gun, and Improved Percussion Lock, which improvement he states had not been known or used before his application; hath made oath that he does verily believe that he is the true inventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the Treasury of the United States the sum of thirty dollars; THESE ARE THEREFORE to grant, according to law, to the said HENRY ROGERS, his heirs, administrators, or assigns, for the term of fourteen years, from the seventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine, the full and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using and vending to others to be used, the said improvement; a description whereof is given in the words of the said HENRY ROGERS himself."
"Be It Known that I, HENRY ROGERS, invented a knew and useful improvement, called the Revolving four barreled gun, and improved percussion Lock: And that the following is a full and exact description of the construction and operation of the said gun as invented and improved by me. This gun is formed by four barrels, about three inches long, which may be bored in a block of brass, of, say 2 1/4 inches square, and three inches long, and then cut, or filed so as to exhibit five eights of the outside of each barrel; a round hole of about three eights of an inch diameter is then to be bored exactly parallel with, and between the barrels to admit a rod or axle to revolve on, a top view of which is represented by the drawing marked A. The fifth, or long barrel, may be of any length to suit the maker; of the same bore or caliber of one of the four short barrels, and be connected to the breach, at three inches distant, by two strong side straps of steel, equal in width to one square or one eight of the barrel (marked B). When the whole is in good order, eight shots can be made in a minute. I have one gun finished on the above plan." |
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