Gunnery. The rear part of the breech of a cannon, esp. the protuberant part including the cascabel. Now historical.

†(a) Firearms (probably) = breech-pin n. at breech, n. compounds 2a (obsolete rare); (b) (in a piano, harpsichord, etc.) one of the pins or pegs…

a pin or plug closing the breech end of a gun.

(a) a part of a mechanism resembling or serving the function of a finger; (b) a part of a mechanism designed to be gripped or operated by a finger.

An extension of a metal tool or instrument, as a chisel, file, knife, axe, coulter, pike, scythe, sword, etc., by which it is secured to its handle…

A pin or plug closing the back of a musket or other gun; = breech-pin n. Also: the back end of this.

a lever by which the breech-block of some cannons is screwed in place.

(see quot.).

A thing which plunges or may be plunged; esp. an instrument or part of a mechanism which works or is… The firing pin in some breech-loading…

Something resembling a shoe (sense 1 or 4) in shape, position, or function. That part of the breech which carries the breech block in a converted…

a movable steel block by which the breech end of the barrel in certain firearms is closed.

The ‘carrier’ of a breech-loading gun, a kind of bracket-truss for supporting the breech-screw when withdrawn preparatory to loading.

(See quot.)

Firearms and Gunnery. A cap, pad, or other sealing device for preventing the escape of gas through the breech of a gun in firing. Cf. gas check n. at…

Ordnance. See quot. 1909.