Hollingsworth, Jehu and Mershon, Ralph S.

Name Street Town State From To
Hollingsworth, Jehu and Mershon, Ralph S.   Zanesville Ohio 1855 1863


Patent Date Remarks
12,470 February 27, 1855 Patent drawing
Patent drawing, page 2
12,471 February 27, 1855 Patent drawing
39,825 September 8, 1863 Patent drawing
Patent drawing, page 2
Patent drawing, page 3


Contract for
   


Product
Mershon and Hollingworth revolving rifle. This item differs from other revolving rifles in that it represents an early attempt at automatic firing. There is a coil spring chamber behind the cylinder and the shooter compressed the energy in the spring by means of a cranking lever that folds down and is concealed in the top of the small of the stock when it has served it's purpose. This lever connected to a ratchet is turned up and cranked in an arc above and perpendicular to the line of the bore. With spring compressed and cylinder loaded for six shots the user aimed the gun, pulled the trigger and from then on by a series of levers, cams and disconnectors there was an automatic discharge of six shots.