Improvements in Magazine Fire-arms.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magazine Fire-arms.
I, ULDARIQUE MARGA, of 15, Rue Royale, Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Lieutenant of Infantry, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In the repeating fire-arm which forms the subject of this invention, the breech and
magazine are made of a single piece in the sense that the four vertical walls of the
magazine extend downwards directly from the breech and thus surround the opening
necessary for the olevation of the cartridges, whereby they strengthen the breech
weakened by this opening, the bottom of the magazine being ultimately connected
with the four walls. In front of the magazine the breech terminates in the ordinary
tapped socket in which the barrel is secured, and immediately behind the magazine
the breech terminates in a socket or cylinder in which the locking of the bolt is
effected, so that the construction of the breech is as short or compact as this kind of
fire-arm will permit. The posterior cylindrical part of the breech slopes downwards
so as to terminate below in a tail-piece which is let into the stock of the fire-arm, and
is traversed by a screw whose extremity is secured in the prolongation of the trigger-
guard which is likewise sunk into the stock and has on its front part a tappet
engaging with a recess or hole in the back of the magazine. As in front of the
magazine which extends through an opening in the stock, the latter is connected with
the barrel by ordinary rings; it will be readily understood that for dismounting the
metallic part it is sufficient to loosen the above-mentioned screw and rings, although
this connection is extremely firm.
As in all fire-arms of the kind, the magazine is of sufficient capacity for receiving
five cartridges which are constantly pushed upwards towards the breech by the
elevator which is inserted into the magazine through the movable bottom that is
articulated at its anterior extremity by means of a pin or rivet and fixed at its
posterior extremity by a small screw engaging with the sides of the magazine.
The cartridge-elevator comprises a lever at the upper extremity of which is
articulated a plate which, under the action of a spring fixed upon the said lever is
always placed horizontally without being capable of passing from this position in the
upward direction, because the extremity of the aforesaid plate will come in contact
with the extremity of the lever, whilst the plate upon which the cartridges are put
can under the pressure of the latter, give way in the downward direction, and thus
follow all the inclinations which the lower cartridge, in direct contact with it, may
impart to the same. The lower extremity of the above-mentioned lever terminates in
a cam articulated in the magazine by a screw or bolt so that the lever can suitably
oscillate in the magazine. Upon the said cam bears the slightly rounded lower
extremity of a piston located, with a helical spring which constantly presses it down-
wards upon the cam in a recess or hole in the front of the magazine, in which it is
moreover guided by a screw the point of which extends into a groove in the piston
and prevents the latter from leaving its recess or hole when the elevator is removed
from the magazine. The arrangement has been devised in order to produce a strong
elevator no part of which shall either perform constrained movements or be liable to
become deranged.
Under the pressure of the elevator the upper cartridge is placed below a strip
which extends from the outside into the interior of the magazine across a longitudinal
slit formed below the breech at the point where the side of the magazine begins.
This strip protrudes from a spring secured by a screw passing through its lower
extremity upon the exterior side of the magazine, and the upper part of the spring
terminates in a milled thumb-piece which enables the said strip to be drawn laterally

page_text: from the magazine. The strip is placed in such a manner that if the upper cartridge
bears thereon it is already half from the breech so that the extremity of the breech-
bolt on striking the bottom will cause the advance of the cartridge which then passes
altogether from below the strip into the chamber. Accordingly the strip prevents
the cartridges leaving the magazine as long as the breech bolt does not intervene for
this purpose; but it presents yet another advantage which consists in permitting all
the cartridges to pass out at the same time when the aforesaid thumb piece is pulled
on the left hand side in case it is desired to empty the magazine at once instead of
performing five successive operations by the breech-bolt.
By constructing the breech-bolt in such a manner that it is locked at the rear by
means of interrupted screw-threads in the cylinder terminating the breech all the
conditions of solidity are rigorously observed in the sense that in front of the locking
device there is no solution of continuity, either transverse or longitudinal in the
metallic side. These advantages have been obtained by the special construction and
arrangement of the firing-pin and cartridge extractor. The firing pin is a simple
needle having an anterior and posterior cylindrical shoulder guided in the uniform
axial hole of the breech bolt wherein it is actuated by a spring bent double and
located in a decomposable handle the anterior branch of the said spring acting upon
the posterior shoulder of the needle or firing pin. The latter instead of being
combined with a sear extending into the breech bolt and thus necessitating solutions
of continuity in the metal, is provided on the posterior shoulder with a nose forming
a square which projects to the outside of the breech bolt through a special opening
behind the locking device and a horizontal arm of which is placed parallel with the
breech-bolt below the screw-threads. These threads are diametrically opposite and
occupy a quarter of the circumference of the bolt and of the cylinder terminating the
breech, in which they are formed upon the sides symmetrically to the axis whilst they
are interrupted above and below so that the screw-threads on the bolt are engaged
therewith when it is pushed home against the chamber by the downward movement
of the handle to the right-hand-side of the handle whereas they can pass between the
screw threads of the breech when the bolt is unlocked by the upward movement of
the handle to the vertical position, the two upward and downward movements taking
place through a quarter of a revolution.
The opening in the breech bolt through which the above mentioned nose projects is
provided with an anterior and posterior rest, and a straight side and it has a sloping
part extending as a fraction of a spiral from the anterior to the posterior rest whilst
behind the latter is a straight line, so as to leave room for the said nose.
Now as the
latter is guided in a lower groove of the breech it will always remain in a fixed
position whereas the breech-bolt can turn upon the firing pin in one or the other
direction. If under these conditions, I suppose the firing-pin to be projected forwards
and consequently the nose placed before the anterior rest it will move back by sliding
upon the sloping part putting the above mentioned spring under tension and passing
behind the posterior rest when the handle is raised towards the left hand side for
unlocking the breech bolt which is therefore cocked at the same time, and the firing
pin is maintained in this position until the nose is placed again so as to enable it to
be projected forwards by the said spring. Now this occurs when the breech-bolt
being pushed against the chamber, is turned to the right hand side to be locked
because the posterior rest will then leave the said nose against which the straight side
of the opening in the breech-bolt moves, and the firing pin can then be projected
forwards if, when pushing the breech bolt home, the nose has not been placed before
a spring-stop which it is therefore sufficient to draw back for the firing.
The aforesaid stop and a guide of square section are placed at a suitable distance
upon the strengthened anterior part of a spring fixed at its posterior extremity upon
the tail-piece of the breech by means of a screw. This spring has a longitudinal
opening for the reception of the trigger which is articulated in the said spring and
lowers the latter when it is pressed, its posterior extremity forming a support upon
the breech. The aforesaid stop instead of being provided on the spring may also be
adapted to turn directly upon the trigger. The guide is higher than the trigger and

page_text: projects through the wall of the breech into a longitudinal groove in the bolt
extending from the screw-threads of the locking device to a certain distance from the
anterior extremity of the breech-bolt whose backward movement it thus limits the
end of the groove stopping upon the said guide but it easy to see that as soon as
this guide is lowered by the trigger, it passes back into the wall of the breech and
permits the passage of the breech bolt which can thus be removed and reintroduced
at will.
In order that the above mentioned guide shall not prevent the partial rotations of
the breech-bolt to the right and left hand side the groove is continued circularly at its
posterior extremity, and thus serves at the same time as a stop for the transverse nose
of the cartridge extractor constituting a simple bar having a hook at the front end
and placed longitudinally upon the breech bolt, being guided in a groove formed at
an angle of about 45 degrees in the upper part of the breech, so that the breech-bolt
may be said to be rigidly guided above and below. For the breech bolt to have the
strength desired the metal between its axial hole and the bottom of the grooves
is
made of the necessary thickness the latter being augmented by the height necessary
for the said grooves; accordingly the bolt can be of any suitable diameter, in which
the circular groove at the end of the longitudinal groove has the double object to
permit the bolt to effect its turning movements above the guide and the transverso
nose of the extractor, both being stationary relatively to the circular movements of
the breech bolt. The groove and guide are in another relation in addition to that
which has reference to the stoppage and guiding of the breech bolt, namely that
regarding the cartridge-ejector which is very simple in construction and very
effective. This ejector consists of a simple small rod which is a little longer than the
anterior part of the bolt in front of the groove. This part of the metal has a
longitudinal hole parallel with the axis of the breech-bolt, opening three-quarters of
its diameter into the aforesaid groove. Into this hole fits freely the said rod or
ejector having in its middle a groove which is above a pointed screw whereby the
ejector is prevented from leaving its hole and whereby its forward and backward
movements are limited. When under these conditions the bolt is locked the ejector
bearing against the botton of the cartridge moves back in such a manner that its
posterior extremity will project into the groove of the guide, but when the shot has
left and the breech bolt with the cartridge case is forcibly moved backwards the
posterior extremity of the ejector will strike the said guide thus advancing suddenly
in its hole and throwing with its anterior extremity the case outside the breech; this
arrangement of the ejector is evidently as simple as it is practical and effective, and all
its movements are automatic.
Upon the posterior surface of the handle is provided a safety-device which consists
of a slide having a dove-tail base adapted to move in a corresponding groove formed
in the above-mentioned handle, which base is made in one piece with a milled pro-
jection or finger and has below a tenon which can engage with a corresponding notch
or recess in the breech when the bolt, although pushed home, is only turned say,
through one sixth of a revolution. Under these conditions even if the firing pin can
advance by pressing the trigger, the needle will not reach the bottom of the cartridge.
The tenon or the slide is retained in its upper position by a spring which is located in
a recess of the said slide so that it shall not stop the breech bolt inopportunely by
descending automatically.
It may be observed that the sole solution of continuity as regards the bolt is that
by which the above mentioned nose projects, as the two other grooves do not affect
the thickness of the metal necessary for the solidity of the bolt; now as the first is
situated behind the locking device, this will not have any effect either favourable or
unfavourable, upon the aforesaid solidity.
Dated this 16th day of November 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magazine Fire-arms.
I, ULDARIQUE MARGA of 15 Rue Royale, Brussels in the Kingdom of Belgium
Lieutenant of Infantry, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to repeating fire-arms and is represented in the accompanying
drawing in which,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section on a vertical plane passing through the axis of
the fire-arm.
Figure 2 is a transverse section through the magazine.
Figure 3 a transverse section through the locking device for the breech bolt.
Figure 4 a side elevation of the latter, and,
Figure 5 a plan of the trigger spring.
In the improved repeating fire-arm the breech and magazine are made of a single
piece in the sense that the four vertical walls or sides of the magazine extend down-
wards directly from the breech and thus surround the opening necessary for the
elevation of the cartridges whereby they strengthen the breech which was weakened
by the said opening, the bottom of the magazine being ultimately connected with the
four walls.
In front of the magazine the breech terminates in the ordinary tapped socket into
which the barrel is screwed, and immediately behind the magazine the breech
terminates in a socket or cylinder in which the locking of the bolt is effected, so that
the breech is as short or compact as this kind of firo arm will permit. The rear
cylindrical part of the breech slopes downwards so as to terminate below in a tail
piece Q which is let into the stock of the fire-arm, and is traversed by a screw V
whose extremity is screwed into the prolongation of the trigger guard S which is
likewise sunk into the stock and has on its front pari a tappet d engaging with a recess
or hole in the back of the magazine. As in front of the magazine which extends
through an opening in the stock the latter is connected with the barrel by ordinary
rings, it will be readily understood that for dismounting the metallic part it is
sufficient to loosen the above mentioned screw V and rings, although this connection
is extremely firm.
As in all fire-arms of the kind, the magazine is of sufficient capacity for receiving
five cartridges which are constantly pushed upwards towards the breech by the
elevator which is inserted into the magazine through the movable bottom F, which is
pivoted at its front extremity by means of a pin or rivet band fixed at its rear extremity
by a small screw v engaging with the sides of the magazine.
The cartridge elevator comprises a lever L at the upper extremity of which is
pivoted a plate L' which, under the action of a spring fixed upon the lever L, is
always placed horizontally without being capable of passing from this position in the
upward direction, because the extremity of the plate will come in contact with
the extremity of the lever L whilst the plate upon which the cartridges are put can
under the pressure of the latter give way in the downward direction and thus follow
all the inclinations which the lower cartridge in direct contact with it may impart to
the same. The lower extremity of the lever L terminates in a cam c articulated in
the magazine by a screw or bolt so that the lever can suitably oscillate in the
magazine. Upon the cam c bears the slightly rounded lower extremity of a piston p
located with a helical spring, which constantly presses it downwards upon the cam c
in a recess or hole in the front of the magazine in which it is moreover guided by a
screw, the point of which extends into a groove in the piston and prevents the latter
from leaving its recess or hole when the elevator is removed from the magazine.
This arrangement has been devised in order to produce a strong elevator no
part of which shall either perform constrained movements or be liable to become
deranged.

page_text: It may sometimes happen that although the magazine is fitted with cartridges
it is not required to use the gun as a repeating arm but only as a single
loader, the cartridges being laid in by hand which is effected by arresting the cartridge
lifter in its action. For this purpose an adjusting screw S is arranged above or below
the guide pin and adapted to hold the pressing pin or to annul the action of
the spring. The same object is also realized by arranging below the lever La flat
knob K which can be turned and extends through a slit in the bottom of the
magazine, and is then placed cross-wise.
Under the pressure of the elevator the upper cartridge in the magazine is placed
below a strip which extends from the interior into the interior of the magazine
through a longitudinal slit formed below the breech at the point where the side of
the magazine begins. This strip protrudes from a spring secured upon the exterior
side of the magazine by a screw passing through its lower extremity, and the
upper part of the spring terminates in a milled thumb-piece m which enables the
scripto be drawn laterally from the magazine. The strip is placed in such a manner
that when the upper cartridge bears thereon it is already half in the breech, so that
the extremity of the breech bolt on striking the bottom of the same will cause the
advance of the cartridge, which then passes altogether from below the strip into the
chamber. Accordingly the strip prevents the cartridges leaving the magazine as
long as the breech bolt does not intervene for this purpose; but it presents yet
another advantage which consists in permitting all the cartridges to leave the
magazine at the same time when the thumb piece m on the left hand side is pulled in
case it is desired to empty the magazine at once instead of performing five successive
operations by the breech bolt.
By so constructing the breech bolt that it is locked at the rear by means of
interrupted screw threads in the cylinder terminating the breech all the conditions of
solidity are rigorously observed in the sense that in front of the locking device there
is no break in the surface of the metallic wall, either transversely or longitudinally.
These advantages have been obtained by the special construction and arrangement of
the firing pin p¹ and cartridge extractor E. The firing pin is a simple needle having
a front and rear cylindrical shoulder e and e¹ guided in the uniform axial hole of the
breech bolt wherein it is actuated by a spring R bent double and located in a handle P²
which may be taken to pieces, the front branch of the said spring acting upon the
rear shoulder e of the needle or firing pin. The latter, instead of being combined
with a rear part extending into the breech-bolt and thus necessitating breaks of
continuity in the metal, is provided on the rear shoulder el with a nose t forming a
square which projects to the outside of the breech bolt through a special opening
behind the locking device and is provided with a horizontal arm which is placed
parallel with the breech-bolt below the screw threads.
These threads are diametrically opposite and occupy a quarter of the circumference
of the bolt and of the cylinder terminating the breech in which they are formed upon
the sides symmetrically to the axis, whilst they are interrupted above and below, so
that the screw threads on the bolt are engaged therewith when it is pushed home
against the chamber by the downward movement of the handle p² to the right hand
side, whereas they can pass between the screw-threads of the breech when the bolt is
unlocked by the upward movement of the handle to the vertical position as shewn in
Figure 1, the upward and the downward movement taking place through a quarter of
a revolution.
The opening in the treech bolt through which the above mentioned nose & projects
is shewn in Figure 4. It is provided with a front rest a, a rear rest a' a straight side
and it has a sloping part forming a portion of a spiral from the front rest a to the rear
rest a whilst behind the latter is a straight line, so as to leave room for the said nose t.
Now, as the latter is guided in a lower groove t¹ of the breech, it will always remain
in a fixed position, whereas the breech-bolt can turn upon the firing-pin p¹ in one or
the other direction. If under these conditions, I suppose the firing-pin to be projected
forward and consequently the nose placed before the front rest a it will move back
by sliding upon the sloping part putting the above mentioned spring R under tension

page_text: and passing behind the rear rest a¹ when the handle p² is raised towards the left hand
side for unlocking the breech bolt which is therefore cocked at the same time, and the
firing pin is maintained in this position until the nose is placed again so as to enable
it to be projected forwards by the spring R. Now this occurs when the breech-bolt,
being pushed against the chamber is turned to the right hand side to be locked
because the rear rest a' will then leave the said nose t against which the straight side
of the opening in the breech-bolt moves and the firing-pin can then be projected
forwards if, when pushing the breech-bolt home, the nose has not been placed before
a spring stop g which it is therefore sufficient to draw back for the firing.
By providing an oblique opening in the wall of the breech cylinder itself the
part which forms the small lock or the spring head and which is always connected
with the cylinder although made separate from it, can be dispensed with, so that the
breech cylinder may consist of a single steel tube which besides being connected with
the breech-bolt, is not connected with any other part made separate from the same, in
place of having to be completed by the addition of such a part as the aforesaid spring
head as is the case in all other breech chambers.
The aforesaid stop g and a guide G of square section are placed at a suitable
distance upon the strengthened front part of a spring R¹ fixed at its rear extremity upon
the tail-piece of the breech by means of a screw V. The spring R has a longitudinal
opening for the reception of the trigger D which is pivoted in the said spring and
lowers the latter when it is pressed, its rear extremity forming a support upon the
breech. The aforesaid stop g instead of being provided on the spring, may also be
adapted to turn directly upon the trigger D, as shown in Figure 5. The guide G is
higher than the trigger and projects through the wall of the breech into a longitudinal
groove in the bolt extending from the screw-threads of the locking device to a certain
distance from the front extremity of the breech-bolt whose backward movement it
thus limits, the end of the groove stopping upon the guide G; but it is easy to see
that as soon as this guide G is lowered by the trigger, it passes back into the
wall of the breech and permits the passage of the breech bolt which can thus be
removed and reintroduced at will.
In order that the above mentioned guide G shall not prevent the partial rotations
of the breech-bolt to the right and left-hand side, the groove is continued circularly
at its rear extremity, and thus serves at the same time as a stop for the transverse
nose of the cartridge extractor E constituting a simple bar having a hook at the front
end and placed longitudinally upon the breech-bolt, being guided in a groove formed
at an angle of about 45 degrees in the upper part of the breech, so that the breech-
bolt may be said to be rigidly guided above and below. For the breech-bolt to have
the strength desired the metal between its axial hole and the bottom of the grooves
is made of the necessary thickness the latter being augmented by the depth or height
necessary for the said grooves; accordingly the bolt can be of any suitable diameter,
in which the circular groove at the end of the longitudinal groove has the double
object to permit the bolt to effect its turning movements above the guide G and the
transverse nose of the extractor both being stationary relatively to the circular move-
ments of the breech bolt. The groove and guide G are in another relation in addition
to that which has reference to the stoppage and guiding of the breech bolt, namely
that regarding the cartridge-ejector E which is very simple in construction and
very effective. This ejector consists of a simple small rod which is a little longer
than the front part of the bolt in front of the groove. This part of the metal bas a
longitudinal hole parallel with the axis of the breech-bolt opening three-quarters of
its diameter into the aforesaid groove. Into this hole fits freely the said rod or
ejector E' having in its middle a groove which is above a screw v³ whereby the ejector
is prevented from leaving its hole and whereby its forward and backward movements
are limited. When under these conditions the bolt is locked, the ejector bearing
against the bottom of the cartridge moves back in such a manner that its rear
extremity will project into the groove of the guide G, but when the shot has left and
the breech-bolt with the cartridge case is forcibly moved backwards the rear extremity
of the ejector will strike the said guide G thus advancing suddenly in its hole and

page_text: throwing with its front extremity the case outside the breech; this arrangement of
the ejector is evidently as simple as it is practical and effective.
Upon the rear surface of the handle is provided a safety device which consists of a
slide having a dove-tail base adapted to move in a corresponding groove formed in
the above mentioned handle, which base is made in one piece with a milled projection
or finger M and has below a tenon t² which will engage with a corresponding notch
or recess in the breech if the bolt, although pushed home should be only turned by
inadvertence say through one sixth of a revolution. Under these conditions, even if
the firing-pin should be advanced by pressing the trigger, the needle will not reach
the bottom of the cartridge. The tenon or the slide is retained in its upper position
by a spring which is located in a recess of the said slide so that it shall not stop the
breech-bolt inopportunely by descending automatically.
It may be observed that the only break in the continuity of the bolt is that into
which the noset projects, as the two other grooves do not affect the thickness of the
metal necessary for the solidity of the bolt; now as the first is situated behind the
locking device, this will not have any effect, either favourable or unfavourable, tipon
the aforesaid solidity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is '-
First. In a repeating fire-arm having a lower central magazine and a bolt adapted
to be locked at its rear part by means of interrupted screw threads, the breech formed
as described more especially the construction of the same in one piece with the four
vertical walls of the magazine which are closed below by the movable bottom F for
enabling the insertion of the elevator.
Second. The cartridge elevator and in the same more especially the combination of
the piston p with the set screw S in order to lock the lever to and for the same
purpose the combination of the latter with the button K substantially as described
and shown.
Third. The device for retaining the cartridges which also enables their simultaneous
removal from the magazine, this device consisting of the strip 1 projecting through a
slit in the breech and made in one piece with the spring which is fixed upon one
side of the magazine at its lower extremity and terminates in a milled thumb-piece at
its upper extremity.
Fourth. The breech bolt which is in one single cylindrical piece without any
exterior parts and without any hole through the same in front of the locking
device.
Fifth. For the purpose of obviating holes through the wall of the breech bolt
the arrangement on the axial firing pin P¹, of a nose t forming a square the hori-
zontal part of which is placed behind the sear at the exterior of the bolt, whilst the
vertical part projects behind the locking device through an opening of special form
which has two stops a a¹ enabling the firing pin to be automatically cocked by its
inclined part bearing upon the aforesaid nose guided in the groove t¹ of the breech so
that the firing pin shall not make a rotary movement either at the time when the
handle P is raised or when it is lowered.
Sixth. In the breech bolt the arrangement of the longitudinal groove for the
guide G which groove terminates in a circular groove with which engages the
transverse nose or projection on the cartridge extractor E, thus enabling the latter to
be transported longitudinally in the upper groove of the breech and the bolt to effect
its rotary movements without being hindered by the said nose or projection and the
guide G which projects simultaneously into the same.
Seventh. The combination of the guide G in the groove corresponding with the
automatic ejector E¹ which fits freely into the front part of the breech bolt and is
simply retained by the screw 3 its, rear extremity striking against the guide G at the
time of the recoil of the piston so that it will suddenly advance in its seat and eject
the cartridge by acting against the bottom of the same.

page_text: Eighth. The spring R₁ fixed at its front extremity and pierced with an opening in
which is inserted and articulated the trigger D) carrying the scar 9 or the latter being
provided on the said spring together with the guide G for the double purpose of
stopping the bolt in its backward movement and actuating the ejector E.
Ninth. The safety device provided on the rear surface of the handle P2 and com-
prising a slide having a tenon 2 and a finger M travelling in a dovetail groove or
guide and retained in its place by an interior spring which engages with a
corresponding notch.
Dated this 16th day of August 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.