Third Great Grandfather John George Bolen, the son of an English immigrant, was an engraver, gunsmith, inventor and marketeer.
In 1851 he was issued a patent for a Burglar Alarm. This alarm, triggered by opening a door or window, would fire a small charge of gun powder to scare away the intruder.
A Patent Model for this invention occasionally comes up for auction.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
JOHN G. BOLEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.
BURGLAR-ALARM
Specification of Letters Patent No. 8,439, dated October 21, 1851
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, John G. Bolen, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Instrument for Detecting Burglars, which I denominate the "Bolens Alarm Gun or Magazine"; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of said machine or instrument, together with its appurtenances and the mode of preparing and operating the same.
In the construction of said machine. I group together several firing chambers or some equivalent thereto, by piercing a metallic slab with perforations which form so many distinct calibers, as shown in the annexed drawing; in which--
Figure 1, exhibits a side elevation, Fig. 2, an end, and Fig. 3, a
horizontal cut section view, Fig. 4, exhibits a longitudinal view of the
fuse required for igniting the charges contained.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts throughout said
drawings.
The mechanism of said instrument is constructed as follows, see Fig. 1. The
magazine A with its perforations or calibers b. Near the
center, and back corner of A is vertically fixed the standard B,
horizontally through the top of which, in a corresponding mortise is
suspended upon a fulcrum pin d, the hammer lever C, the hammer ends
of which is made to fall vertically upon the nipple or cone D, which is
fixed vertically into said magazine connecting with the first left hand
barrel; while the lever end of said hammer extends from said fulcrum to the
right hand back corner of said magazine, having its end fork shaped, it
being separated by a horizontal slot, into which the vertical sear or
discharging lever E is arranged to play in and out freely, said lever is
provided with cross pins, e, fixed horizontally in, and projecting
from opposite sides of the same, under which pins the prongs of the hammer
lever is held, when the machine is in a cocked position. The bottom end of
the lever E, plays upon a fulcrum pin in the vertical stud F. The upper end
of said lever is provided with a clevis or ring f, into which the
discharging line is secured in the usual manner. Between the standards B and
F, and on a line with, and under the lever end of the hammer C, is
horizontally fixed the mainspring G, its lower limit being fixed to the
upper surface of A, by the foot of standard B, and its upper one bearing
against the under side of the lever C. Horizontally through the back corner
of the magazine and on a line with the breech end of the barrels a small
perforation H, is made through and through so as to range on a line with the
prime holes g, of said calibers, which lead into said perforations or
fuse chamber from whence they continue through and out at the back side of
the magazine, in a direct line with said loading chambers, where they are
termed vent holes as designated by the letter h. The object of
piercing the fuse in connection with the vent holes is to prevent the fuse
from becoming the abutment to the explosive force of the charge through the
priming hole, which, without said perforations and vent holes, the chambers
would be liable to discharge simultaneously. In this "fuse chamber" I insert
my fuse, which is a simple paper cylinder charged with the ordinary slow
match composition, fitting closely and rammed firmly in the same after which
(before loading the barrels) said fuse is pierced through from the priming
holes g, to the opposite vent hole A in each barrel (see Figs. 3 and
4,) by means of a priming wire, in order that the powder from each charge
may communicate with the fuse, which may be so compounded as to ignite the
charges consecutively as required. The perforations through said fuse are
indicated by the letter m. The fuse being thus inserted and pierced
as above described I next proceed to lute up closely the outer orifices of
the vent holes, also the muzzle end of the fuse chamber with bees wax,
putty, or any other water proof luting. I then proceed to charge the barrels
of the magazine with blank cartridge, or plain powder and wadding, and then
fix a percussion cap upon the nipple D, and in case the machine is to be
placed where it is exposed to moisture, I secure the muzzles of my barrels
and lower rim of the cap with the same water proof luting said magazine is
then placed in any convenient locality in the apartment or place to be
guarded. A line, rod, or wire, is now attached to the ring f, from
which it is extended and attached to some leading line which is connected
with doors, windows, or other places of ingress, or accessible passages, in
said manner as to become deffected or strained by the movement of, or
passing in the same, which deflection or straining of said lines must
necessarily draw back the upper end of the discharging lever E, and thereby
draw off, or disengage the cross pins, from the forks of said levers, the
hammer end of which falls (propelled by the force of the spring G,) upon the
cap upon the cone D, by which means the magazine is fired, as before
described.
Although there is but little apparent novelty in this machine, it is obviously a useful instrument for the purposes designed. It being cheap compact, and effective, occupying but little room, and easily managed.
It is not intended as a destructive weapon, but simply as an alarm, and
detection of thieves, burglars.
My claims in the above described invention, I shall confine to a group or
train of barrels, or firing chambers in combination with the pierced fuse,
and bent holes, constructed, prepared, and operated essentially in the
manner, and for the purposes above set forth and described.
JOHN G. BOLEN
Witnesses:
Livingston K. Miller
Cornelius Bogert