# US 5,704,149 A · Hammer for muzzle loader rifle

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,704,149 A
- Document ID: US5704149A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/500,807
- Filed: 1995-07-11
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1995-07-11
- Inventors: David Bethshears
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704149A

## CPC

- F41C 9/08: Muzzle-loading smallarms; Smallarms with flintlock mechanisms; Accessories therefor
- F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR

## Abstract

A hammer design for use on various firearms, including specifically muzzle-loading firearms, that is easier to engage, quicker to engage, safer to engage and easily adaptable to handle accessories. The present invention discloses a muzzle loading firearm which includes a stock, a barrel fastened to said stock, a pivot mounted to said stock, a trigger and a hammer mechanism comprising of a hammer head and a lever arm both secured to the pivot.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A muzzle-loading firearm comprising:
a stock;
a barrel fastened to said stock, said barrel having a chamber end and a muzzle end wherein said chamber end has a firing hole;
a nipple affixed to said stock and having a bore in a plug which is aligned with said firing hole;
a pivot connector rotatably mounted to said stock wherein said pivot connector may be rotated to an engaged position or a fired position;
a hammer pivot affixed to said pivot connector;
a hammer head having a generally elongated body and a first and a second end at respective ends of said body, and having a first central axis defined by an imaginary line extending along said body and aligned with both said first and said second ends, wherein said first end is secured to said hammer pivot and said second end contacts said nipple when said pivot connector is in said fired position;
a lever arm having a generally elongated body and a pivot end and a thumb grip end at respective ends of said body, and having a second central axis defined by an imaginary line extending along said body and aligned with both said pivot end and said thumb grip end wherein said pivot end is secured to said hammer pivot and said thumb grip end provides leverage for rotating said hammer pivot between said fired position and said engaged position, whereby said first central axis and said second central axis intersect at said pivot connector;
a trigger for releasing said pivot connector from said engaged position to rotate said hammer head to strike said nipple.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The muzzle-loading firearm recited in claim 1, wherein said lever arm is positioned relative to said stock such that the user has an unobstructed view along the length of said barrel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The muzzle-loading firearm recited in claim 1, wherein the lever arm never extends beyond to topmost portion of said stock.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The muzzle-loading firearm recited in claim 3, wherein said pivot is rotated to said engaged position by placing a majority of the force on the lever arm in a direction perpendicular to said barrel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The muzzle loading firearm recited in claim 1, wherein the forces placed on the lever arm are in both a direction perpendicular to said barrel and forward toward said nipple.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The muzzle loading firearm recited in claim 5, wherein said hammer head, said hammer pivot and said lever arm form a V-shape.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The muzzle loading firearm recited in claim 6 wherein the angle formed by said hammer head, said pivot connector and said lever arm is about 90.degree..

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The muzzle loading firearm recited in claim 6 wherein the angle formed by said hammer head, said pivot connector and said lever arm is at least 90.degree..