Double Action Revolver Hammer

The following patents are considered pertinent: U.S. Pat. No. 1,049,106 U.S. Pat. No. 1,049,105 U.S. Pat. No. 1,042,007 U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,045 U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,286

This invention relates to a revolver and more particularly, a revolver hammer provided with double action.

The present invention is concerned with a revolver wherein the required actuation of the firing mechanism to produce a shot or several shots following each other takes place by operating a trigger. However, to place a well-aimed single shot, it is possible to cock the trigger of the firearm by means of a hammer and then release it by a considerably small movement of the trigger. Such firearms are commonly referred to as double action firearms.

In order to provide a double action firearm in existing revolver constructions, the hammer used to ignite the cartridge projects from the firing mechanism above the handle and can be moved by the thumb out of a rest position to a cocking position ready for firing so that only a small amount of the trigger movement is necessary to discharge the firearm. To provide a sufficient engaging surface for the thumb of the hand holding the hammer and to assure a secure swing actuation into the cocking position, a part of the hammer fully projects out of the hammer as an actuating lug.

While such a construction has the aforementioned advantages of producing a shot or several shots following each other in rapid succession, such a revolver suffers from drawbacks in that the revolver with its lug or hammer can be caught in the lining of a coat or trouser pocket, thereby preventing the pulling of the firearm and defeating the entire purpose of the double action revolver.

This invention provides a link mechanism for converting a single action revolver hammer to a double action revolver hammer so that the trigger can be quickly cocked, and returned, if necessary, to a flat rest position on the hammer wherein no projections extend from the revolver handle or hammer to snag on a coat or trouser pocket.

In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the link has an arcuate bottom edge which is mounted off-center in a groove in the top of the revolver hammer. Upon pivotal movement of the link from a closed position within the groove to an open position, wherein the link extends outwardly of the hammer and is locked in the groove, the hammer is cammed and the trigger is cocked to a quick release or second action position. A leaf spring is provided in the bottom of the groove so that when the link is pivoted in an opposite direction, the leaf spring will aid in returning the link to its closed position within the groove which is contiguous with the outer surface of the hammer, so when a revolver is placed in a pocket, there will be no extremities which could snag on the clothing of the user. In addition, the leaf spring also aids in keeping the link in both an open and closed position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hammer of a revolver provided with the double action link mechanism of the present invention, shown in a closed position and in an open position in phantom lines to cock the trigger of the revolver; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 1, and further illustrating in phantom lines the action of the return spring for the link.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a hammer 10 of a single action revolver modified in accordance with the present invention to furnish double action.

A link 12 having an outer edge 14 contiguous with the outer edge 16 of hammer 10 is pivotally mounted within a groove 18 in hammer 10 by a pin 20 inserted off center with respect to the arcuate lower edge 22 of link 12. The top of link 12 includes a substantially flat or planar surface 24.

Disposed within the bottom of the groove 18 is a leaf spring 26 having an end 28 embedded within the hammer 10 and a free end 30 between the lower arcuate edge 22 of link 12 and a wall of groove 18. Link 12 can be pivoted from its closed position shown in FIG. 1 to an open position showing phantom lines in FIG. 1 to cock the trigger of the revolver for quick action. When link 12 is pivoted to the open position illustrated, its eccentric or off-center mounting locks arcuate edge 22 agains the bottom of groove 18, depressing free end 30 of leaf spring 26. This has the effect of camming hammer 10 backwards (which is connected to the trigger) to cock the trigger. Slight finger pressure on the trigger will then fire the revolver. It is to be noted, as is self evident from the Figures, that leaf spring 26 also acts to maintain the link in an open locked position by exerting an upward force against the lower edge of the link.

In order to store link 12 and revert revolver back to its single action mode, the link 12 is unlocked and rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. Slight movement of link or spur 12 in a counterclockwise direction enables free end 30 of leaf spring 26 to complete and aid the rotative movement of link 12 to its closed position as shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the revolver can be conveniently stored within a pocket without fear of it being snagged upon removal. As is clear from the Figures, leaf spring 26 also aids in keeping the link in a closed position by exerting a force against the inner side of the link.

While a specific embodiment of a double action revolver hammer has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.