This is one of those things of whose existence I was vaguely aware, but had never paid much attention to.
Now that I've actually stumbled across the patent while looking for something else, I have to think that Mister Albert B.Pratt of Vermont was trolling the patent office, or was completely off his nut.
Come to think of it, I'll bet the folks at the patent office get to deal with plenty of nutters.
How was the hat not supposed to fly off your grape under recoil?
As a side note, even limiting my search to patents issued prior to 12/31/1920, it's amazing how many were issued that contain "breech block".
.