Patent GB-191014385-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with Automatic Fire Arms.
Inventor: RIBBENTROP BERTHOLD
IPC: F41A5/18
Filed: 1910-06-14
Granted: 1911-04-27
Abstract: 14,385. Ribbentrop, B., Heisch, E., and HallÚ, C. R. S. J. June 14. Breech actions, sliding breech-block.-Relates to gas operated guns in which the action of the breech-mechanism is delayed until the pressure in the barrel has subsided sufficiently to prevent sticking of the cartridge. According to the present invention, both the opening and closing springs are compressed simultaneously by utilizing the kinetic energy of the powder gases, the gases being allowed to escape immediately after impact upon the piston which compresses the springs. The barrel A, Figs. 1 and 2, has a cone-shaped projection A<1>, upon which is fitted a member H<1> secured in place by a screwed locking-pin J. The locking-pin has a passage communicating with the barrel, and may be rotated to establish communication either with the atmosphere or, as shown in Fig. 1, with a tube H fitted to the member H<1>. A piston G<2> loose in the tube H carries a tube G which telescopes with a tube F fixed to the body B of the weapon, springs within the tubes being compressed as the tubes telescope. The gases escape by a large opening H<3> immediately after impinging upon the piston G<2>. The driving-rod L, Fig. 2, comprises a flat bar having at one end a ring L<1> upon which the spring S<2> acts, the ring sliding loosely upon the tube G. A claw L<3> on the rod L engages a projection from the bolt-sleeve D; and a recess in the rod normally engages a spring catch M. A claw L<2> engages the end of the lever O, and a projection L<4> runs in a guiding-slot in the body of the weapon. A second spring catch K is attached to the body. In operation, the tube G initially moves rearwards through the ring L', and the spring S<2> is thereby compressed. the incline on the end G' of the tube G depresses the catch M, the driving-rod then unlocking the breech under the action of the spring S<2>, and the catch K engages behind the end G' of the tube G. When the bolt has almost completed its rearward travel, the ring L' reaches, and depresses, the catch K, thus setting free the tube G to return to the position shown in Fig. 1 under the action of the contained springs, the breech being thereby closed and a fresh cartridge inserted. By dispensing with the incline on the part G', and adding a thumb-piece to the catch M, the operating of the breech mechanism may be delayed until the thumb-piece is depressed by the marksman. By adding an additional catch M, the weapon may be arranged to fire as last described, or automatically. The bolt handle is so arranged that, when in the forward locked position, it acts upon a lever which places the driving-rod L in engagement with the bolt-sleeve D, the handle itself being clear of the bolt. By turning the handle to the unlocked position, the driving-rod is disengaged from the sleeve D, and the weapon can operate as an ordinary bolt-action weapon. A sliding-piece completely covers in the mechanism against dust and sand. The trigger - mechanism R, R<1> is shown in Fig. 1; and a safety-device comprises a pin Y with a cut-away part. A hand-operated lever is provided to hold the breech-bolt in the open position when the magazine is being refilled or at other times.