Year: 1895

page_text: I, AMERIGO CEI, Captain of the Ninth Regiment of Cersaglieri, of Florence,
Italy, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
:―
This invention relates to a new principle for utilizing gas for obtaining with war
guns a speed of a thousand shots per minute and is applicable generally to all
portable fire-arms for war, for sporting and for defence, and also for quick firing
artillery, mitrailleuses and revolvers.
In order to obtain in existing war guns continuous rapid firing without being
obliged to take them from the shoulder I have thought of adopting the principle of
the immediate action of the gas of each cartridge.
The detonating gas acting at the same time on the projectile and on the face of
a small piston applied to the barrel, actuates the breech block and imparts thereto
the automatic movement necessary for completing the charging and for firing.
By means of this mechanical combination the system for closing opens and shuts
under the most absolute conditions of safety, because the action of the gas
generated by the firing of the cartridges, although it is immediate and powerful,
acts on the closing mechanism of the breech after the projectile has left, that is to
say when, after the pressure has ceased, the free air enters by the mouth into the
interior of the barrel.
This gun for utilizing gas, owing to the simplicity of the new principle upon
which it is based exceeds the most rapid existing mitrailleuses with regard to the
rapidity of firing, and its employment is applicable to land and naval warfare.
Owing to its special manner of operation it perfectly fulfils all the requirements
of technical and ballistic order necessitated by the present method of fighting; in
distinction to the new most recent guns, it on the contrary does not consume the
munitions too quickly, because as the magazine has only to be employed at the
actual decisive moment it may fire successively a single shot at a time; which places
the gun of the foot soldier under the discipline of firing, which was lost in adopting
the recent system of multiple charging.
The effect of the gas in the firing of a single shot at a time is that the breech
block opens always by itself, and violently ejects the discharged cartridge case;
this greatly simplifies the charging and entirely removes the inconvenience which
up to the present occurred through expanded cartridge cases, which on account of
the increased friction produced the breaking of the ejecting mechanism, or
remained stuck in the firing chamber without being able to be displaced therefrom
by the repeated efforts of the firer.
Continuous firing, although it is rapid and violent, has finally the advantage that
one may constantly take aim; in fact, when the gun has been placed to the
shoulder in order to fire all the cartridges contained in the removable magazine, it
is only necessary to pull the trigger until the noise of the discharge suddenly
ceasing, indicates to the firer the complete emptying of the said magazine. This
continuous firing although it is more rapid than the firing produced by the most
rapid mitrailleuses, is however also subject to the will of the firer, for, immediately
the trigger is abandoned all the movements are arrested, and the arm remains in
the condition so that a single shot can be fired at a time, as in revolvers.

page_text: This new arm may be advantageously employed, especially in the navy, for
being portable and light like an ordinary gun it may be substituted for the fixed
mitrailleuses of small calibre thus greatly increasing the power of defence of ships
from the insidious attacks of torpedoes etc. The cartridge is of the smallest calibre
which has been employed up to the present; while the cartridge case is very long
and has a calibre of at least 8 millimetres.
The changeable magazines for foot soldiers are 45 centimetres long and may
contain up to a hundred shots each. On the other hand in the navy, by reason
of the improved conditions, special magazines may be employed containing
250 cartridges, so that by changing four in a minute a thousand aimed continuous
shots may be fired.
The principle of the utilization of the detonating gas for increasing the speed of
firing is applicable either to war guns, sporting guns, revolvers and to light
artillery and mitrailleuses.
As the part serving to actuate the breech block of each form of arm to give a
rapid to and fro movement thereto, remains always firm the principle of storing up
the force by means of the gas, is of easy application and varies according to the
different arms and according to the more or less simple arrangement of the
mechanisms for closing and charging.
The following is a description of the mechanism for applying the principle of
utilizing gas to guns with a breech block having a rectilinear movement, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. A (Sheet 1) is a longitudinal section through the barrel, and shows the parts
in position for firing.
Fig. B (Sheet 1) is a corresponding view showing the parts in the positions they
occupy immediately after the discharge of the gun.
Fig. C (Sheet 1) is a longitudinal section taken through the breech block and
transmission bar, and shows the springs operating these parts.
Fig. D (Sheet 2) is a longitudinal section showing the transmission bar moved
forward to the position it occupies immediately after the discharge of the gun.
Fig. E (Sheet 2) is a similar view, but shows the transmission bar moved back
by the action of its spring, and having opened the breech in its movement.
Fig. G (Sheet 2) shows detail views of the piston and of the helical spring
operating same.
Fig. M (Sheet 2) shows in plan and side elevation the bar for transmitting
movement to the breech block.
Fig. N (Sheet 1) is a view showing the automatic detent employed when
continuous firing by constant pulling on the trigger is required.
Fig. S (Sheet 2) is a view of the barrel showing the cylinder in which the piston
for operating the transmission bar works.
The part for transmitting the movement to the breech block operates beneath
the barrel and partly laterally to the movable breech; it is composed of two
movable parts, that is to say of a piston e (Sheet 2, Fig. G) and of a transmitting
bar d (Sheet 2 Fig. M), of a helical spring for the piston (Fig. G) and of a helical
spring m for the breech block (Sheet 2 Fig. E); other parts complete the
mechanical operation of the said piston and of the transmission bar. The gas
which stores up the power, passes by a holer (Sheet 1, Fig. A) of small calibre
and passes into a small cylinder f soldered to the underside of the barrel (Sheet 2,
Fig. S). In the cylinder slides the piston c (Sheet 1, Fig. A), which has a
determined travel, and which moving backwards compresses the helical spring
surrounding its rod i (Sheet 1, Fig. B) and carries with it the transmission bar d
(Sheet 2, Fig. D); by reason of this movement, as will be seen in Figs. B and D
(Sheets 1 and 2), the breech block will not move, but it hooks into the transmission
bar d by means of a tooth n (Sheet 2, Fig. D) which is secured to it, with the
object of being able to effect with the same bar the rearward movement
(retrocession) by the effect of the expansion of the piston spring, as soon as the
projectile by leaving the mouth of the barrel has caused the pressure of the gas to

page_text: cease, as will be seen in Fig. E (Sheet 2). The return forward movement of the
breech block is determined by the expansion of the helical spring m (Sheet 2, Fig. E),
which constantly retains the said breech block drawn forward; immediately that
it automatically unhooks from the transmission bar by reason of the shock of the
small nose
against the curved surface of the stop s fixed to the breech (Sheet 2,
Fig. E). In the to and fro movement of the breech block the cartridge case of the
exploded projectile is ejected from above, and the arm is recharged automatically
in the same manner as occurs in guns which have the cartridges in a central
magazine.
The whole of the arrangement constituted by the piston, the transmission bar and
the two springs is connected to the gun without any screws; this simplifies the
mounting and dismounting of the gun. The cartridge magazine v (Sheet 1 Fig. C)
according to whether the gun is intended to serve for war purposes on land or at
sea varies in its length according to the quantity of cartridges which it is to
contain; it is removable and may be applied and removed from the breech by means
of the right hand alone being retained by the said breech by means of the hook p
(Sheet 2, Fig. D). For marine purposes, the magazines each containing 250 shots,
may be fixed very near one to the other in any position on the ships where it is
desired, so that the firing may be effected by only applying the gun over same.
DIFFERENT MEANS OF EFFECTING THE FIRING.
1st. Ordinary firing with a single cartridge at a time without the employinent of
the magazine: For firing with a single cartridge at a time the breech block is to
be opened by hand, the cartridge introduced into the chamber, and then pressure
is to be applied to the tail of the hook h (Sheet 2, Fig. S), fixed to the outside of
the movable breech so that the breech block drawn by its spring may reclose
immediately when it is no longer retained by the said hook. For the following
shots the operation of drawing the breech block backwards is suppressed, this
backward movement being effected by the action of the gas. By reason of such
economy of movement, as, further, the breech block remains open after each shot,
in order to continue the firing it is only necessary to introduce the cartridge and
press on the knob.
2nd. Intermittent rapid firing by intermittent pulling on the trigger as in
revolvers: As at each shot the breech block opens and closes by itself, it follows
that for effecting intermittent firing of the cartridges from the magazine it is only
necessary to pull and release the trigger at each shot without ever taking the butt
from the shoulder and without removing the eye from the sight.
3rd. Continuous firing by constant pulling on the trigger:-For obtaining
continuous firing the firer has only to pull on the trigger until the cartridges in the
magazine are completely exhausted; this firing is obtained by means of the
automatic detent which consists in a small tooth (z Sheet 1, Fig. N) which is
applied to the striking rod and which prevents it from going forward, exactly
resisting the breech, but which on the other hand is afterwards acted upon by the
nose p (Sheet 1, Fig. N) of the stem of the breech block each time that it passes
forward to close the breech, thus producing the automatic release.
Dated this 20th day of September 1895.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Farms.
I, AMERIGO CEI, Captain of the Ninth Regiment of Cersaglieri, of Florence,
Italy, 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 :-
The present invention relates to fire-arms in which the gas generated by the
explosion of the cartridges is utilized for the purpose of opening and closing the
breech, and such invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in
which:-
Fig. 1 is a section showing the bore of the barrel and the position of the piston
(acting by suction) prior to the passage of the gas, and also the spring.
Fig. 2 shows the position of the connecting-rod and its tooth or pawl before it
has been moved back by the piston.
Fig. 3 shows the piston driven by the gas, the spring being compressed and the
rod in its forward position with the tooth hooked on to the hand lever of the breech
block or sliding bolt.
Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 but shows the draw-rod hooked on to the breech
block.
:
Fig. 5 shows the spring expanded, the transmission or connecting rod with its
book lowered and the closing block or bolt driven back together with the empty
cartridge case, which is thus expelled, while the draw-rod is subjected to pressure.
Fig. 6 is a bottom view or inverted plan of the improved fire-arm with the tube
wherein the piston slides shown in section, so that the aperture or port provided for
the passage of the gas may be seen.
Fig. 7 is a top or plan view of the fire-arm enabling the position of the closing
or breech block and of its lever and draw-rod to be realized.
Fig. 8 shows the fire-arm whilst in the act of being fired; it fires one charge at
a time, and it will be seen that the tail piece of the trigger does not come out or
protrude from the trigger guard, and that the tooth of the sear checks the motion
of the firing-pin.
Fig. 9 is a view of the fire-arm with the trigger depressed prior to the firing of
the gun, the firing-pin being in its forward position.
Fig. 10 is a view showing the closing bolt or breech block in its rearward
position.
Fig. 11 shows the transmission or connecting rod with its spring controlled tooth,
as seen from one side.
Fig. 12 is a plan view of such rod.
Fig. 13 represents the piston, and
Fig. 14 the spring.
Fig. 15 shows the complete rifle as seen from the right hand side, and with the
breech block in its forward position.
Fig. 16 is a similar view but with the breech block shown in its rearward
position.
Fig. 17 is a section showing a "loader" retained by the hook.
Fig. 18 is a section showing the removable cartridge magazine attached to the
gun.
Fig. 19 represents a charging packet or bundle of six cartridges.
Fig. 20 shows the bridge or trigger guard as seen from above and from one
side.
Fig. 21 is a rear sectional view of the cartridge magazine or charging chamber.

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E: 15 & sectional view of such cartridge magazine showing the charge
elevating springs.
Fig. 23 is a section of a complete breech block or closing bolt.
Fig. 24 is a side elevation of such breech block or closing bolt, the hand lever
being removed.
Fig. 25 is a similar view of the same part, but the nose or point of the lever is
here supposed to have raised the spring pawl of the firing-pin.
Fig. 26 shows the said block or bolt with the transmission rod and hand lever,
before it has raised the spring controlled pawl of the spindle of the firing-pin.
Fig. 27 is a plan view of the complete breech block or closing bolt.
Fig. 28 shows such block as viewed from the right hand side, the sear tooth
which holds back the firing-pin also being shown.
Fig. 29 shows the cylinder in longitudinal section and end elevation.
Fig. 30 is a side elevation of such cylinder.
Fig. 31 shows the small tube in plan and in section.
Fig. 32 shows a side elevation and front and rear views of such small tube.
Fig. 33 shows the firing-pin spindle with the movable head.
Fig. 34 shows the firing-pin with the spring controlled pawl.
Fig. 35 shows the spindle when about to enter the cylinder, with the small tube
or sleeve, the spring and the movable head.
Fig. 36 shows the lever of the breech block or closing bolt, and
Figs. 37 and 38 show the screws of the trigger guard.
The gas generated by the explosion is utilized for the purpose of opening and
closing the breech. The charging or loading of the rifle may be effected by either
of the two following methods, viz.-By means of removable cartridge magazines
(shown in Fig. 18, Sheet IV) each containing a number of cartridges, and which
are hooked underneath the breech as shown in Fig. 18; or by means of "loaders
as shown in Fig. 17, Sheet IV, which are of a capacity sufficient for six charges,
and are inserted into the breech through the top thereof.
"
The breech block or closing bolt g opens and closes again automatically at each
discharge of the fire-arm, delivering the cartridges from the magazine and
discharging them one at a time.
The barrel has a perforation a (Sheet I, Fig. 1) made in it for the passage of
the gas generated by the explosion. Such gas, by acting upon a piston b (Fig. 3),
compresses a spring c (Fig. 3), which, by its subsequent expansion, drives back the
breech block or closing bolt g by means of a connecting rod t attached to the
piston b. A spring contained in tube i (Figs. 2 and 4, Sheet I) by means of a
rod attached to the handle or hand lever of the breech block g as shown in
Figs. 2 and 4, constantly tends to draw such breech block back to the closed
position.
In sliding rearwards the bolt or block g extracts the empty case of the cartridge
which has been discharged, while whenever it moves forward it inserts a new
cartridge into the chamber. The connecting rod, which always moves simultaneously
with the piston b, on reaching the limit of its forward stroke engages with the
lower part of the handle of the breech block by means of its spring controlled
hooke (Fig. 4). When the spring forces the connecting rod back, together with
the piston, the breech block g is also forced back as shown in Fig. 5, Sheet I.
As the book e of the connecting rod is depressed by the part h (Fig. 5) of the
breech, it will release the breech block g which being acted upon by its draw-rod
as above described returns to the "closed" position.
To fire the gun it is necessary to pull the trigger, when the tooth of the tumbler
or sear (Fig. 8, Sheet II) descends and releases the firing-pin s, thereby enabling
he latter to strike and discharge the cartridge.
After each discharge the trigger should be released so that its tooth may lock
he firing-pin in position again as shown in Fig. 8.
All the cartridges in the magazine are thus discharged without the necessity of
emoving the stock of the rifle from the shoulder. When a cartridge magazine is

page_text: fixed in position, or when the charging operation is performed by means of a
"loader," it is necessary to open the breech block by hand.
The sear tooth l, by entering a slot in the breech block or bolt g, keeps it from
closing of its own accord when not required to do so, as shown in Fig. 10,
Sheet III.
To close the breech it is necessary to lower the sear tooth 1 by pressing the
tail-piece q (Sheet 111, Fig. 10) of the trigger.
In order to prevent the sear tooth from stopping or interfering with the motion
of the sliding block g, it is necessary to prevent the tail piece g of the trigger from
coming forward in front of the projection (Sheet III, Fig. 10) of the trigger
guard, and this result is attained by always keeping one finger upon the said trigger
guard. This trigger guard is conveniently left open to allow of the free passage
of the trigger with its tail piece.
In order to enable the fire-arm to be discharged in as continuous a manner as
possible, it is necessary to keep the trigger constantly pressed back.
In this case the firing-pin s is no longer held back by the tooth 7 of the trigger,
but is on the contrary retained by another spring-controlled tooth or pawl v
(Sheet V, Fig. 26), confined within the axis of the firing-pin.
Whenever the closing bolt or breech block g comes back to its closed position,
on being acted on by its spring controlled draw rod, the point or nose of the
hand lever of such block (Fig. 27, Sheet V) forces the spring controlled tooth or
pawl of the firing-pins within the spindle or axis of the latter, so causing the
discharge of the gun.
The following are the component parts or devices of this improved rifle,
viz. The barrel, the breech block, the case or stock, the fittings, the cartridge
magazines, and the means for utilizing the gas in the manner stated.
The barrel is constructed of steel and has the movable breech, the piston-tube
being also screwed to it. The perforation a which is made in the barrel for the
passage of the gas generated by the explosion, is situated a considerable distance
from the charging mechanism, so as to allow the gas, before it enters such
perforation, time enough to impart to the projectile fall the initial velocity which
the cartridge is capable of displaying.
The case or stock S is of oak and serves to connect together the several parts
of the mechanism.
The breech block g is arranged to move in a straight line and is provided with
supports at its front part. It consists of the following parts :-The cylinder, which
carries the cartridge extractor; the small tube; the firing-pin or bolt & with a
removable head, a spiral spring and automatic catch device to engage with the
firing-pin or bolt s, and the handle-rod.
The fittings are:-A ring or eye z (Fig. 15, Sheet IV) connecting the case
with the barrel-cover; the barrel-cover 2¹ (Fig. 15, Sheet IV) made of wood and
serving to protect the marksman's hands from the heat; the plate or shield z¹¹
(Fig. 15, Sheet IV) which connects the barrel to the barrel-cover and firmly
retains the tube i (Fig. 8, Sheet II) of the spring of the breech block; the bridge
or trigger guard which, by means of two screws, unites the barrel to the stock S
(Fig. 1, Sheet I) and carries the spring-catch p" (Fig. 20, Sheet V) for locking
the magazines in position; the tail piece secured by means of two screws to the
butt end of the stock or case; and the breech tube, wherein the cylinder of the
breech block is adapted to slide, so that it does not inconvenience the marksman by
its rapid reciprocating motion.
The cartridge magazines are metal receptacles capable of holding a number of
cartridges arranged in two rows or tiers, so as to be inserted in the gun barrel
from each one of the tiers alternately, and one at a time (see Fig. 21, Sheet V).
Two springs m, m² are arranged (as shown in Fig. 22, Sheet V) to act on the
cartridges to bring them to their proper positions for being inserted into the gun
barrel. The cartridge magazines are secured to the breech by a hook p" (Fig. 20,
Sheet V) forming part of the trigger guard and controlled by a spring.

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The loaders are metal receptacles which will hold as many as six cartridges each
a hook being provided as shown in Fig. 17, Sheet IV, for retaining them within
the cartridge magazine; and as soon as the last charge has been fired, the case falls
to the ground by its own weight.
The gas-utilizing arrangement consists of the piston b, a transmission bar o
connecting rod t with a spring catch e, a stout spiral spring c, and a rod with a
head d for operating the spring.
The piston (Fig. 13, Sheet III) is a solid piece of pure steel. The transmission
bar or connecting rod t (Figs. 11 and 12, Sheet III) is also of steel and has two
rectangular apertures for the passage of the gas tube and for containing the large
spiral spring c, the hook e it carries at its rear end being retained by a pin or pivot.
and acted on by a small spiral spring.
The parts are arranged together as follows for securing the admission of the gas
from the barrel to the gas tube in which the piston 6 works :-The pistou is first
placed in the transmission, har or connecting rod t, which must then be located
under the barrel so that the piston enters the gas tube, which in its turn should
rest in the rectangular slot or recess in the said transmission bar, while the hook
or pawle of the latter presses upon the inclined part of the breech. The rod or
spindle around which the spiral spring c is coiled as shown in Fig. 14, Sheet III,
should, on the other hand, be placed within the rectangular slot in the transmission
bar so that one of its ends enters a hole in such bar while the other enters a hole
made in a projecting piece formed on the barrel.
In fitting up the breech the small tube shown in Figs. 31 and 32 is placed on
the spindle of the firing-pins as shown in Fig. 35, Sheet V.; then the spiral
spring t, and next the movable head which should powerfully compress the spring.
The firing-pin, after its parts have been thus fitted together, as shown in Fig. 35,
is inserted into the cylinder shown in Fig. 30, Sheet V, so that the tooth s
(Fig. 31, Sheet III) of the tube may, by turning the latter, be caused to enter the
groove or recess formed in the interior of the cylinder.
The handle-rod or operating spindle should then be placed on the cylinder in
such a manner that its nose g' (Fig. 26, Sheet V) may enter the helical slot in
the cylinder, and so that the handle or knob ¹ (Fig. 26, Sheet V) may press upon
its rearward grooved or recessed portion.
The breech block, connected with the operating spindle, is then inserted into
the breech chamber, so that the cylinder and spindle may take up their respective
positions; then the spring tube of the breech block should be secured to the
hield, band or plate 2" (Fig. 15, Sheet IV), care being taken to first connect the..
pindle to the said breech block.
For intermittent or "revolver" firing pressure is alternately exercised upon
he trigger, care being taken to place a finger firmly upon the rest (Fig. 8, Sheet II).
f the trigger guard, so as to prevent the pawl from engaging with the recess in
he cylinder and thereby interfering with the motion of the breech. Whenever
e breech closes, the firing-pin s is kept back by the pawl 1 (Fig. 8, Sheet II) and
oes not advance for firing until it is released from its engagement with the said
wl, when the latter is depressed by the pressure of the finger upon the trigger..
hen it quickly advances and strikes the cartridge with energy under the impulse
its spring which is coiled around its shank or body (Fig. 35, Sheet V).
henever the trigger is pressed upon, a shot is fired, and thus all the cartridges
om the magazine are successively discharged, without its being necessary to.
move the rifle from the shoulder.
For continuous firing the trigger u (Fig. 9, Sheet III) is again so pressed that.
e pawl cannot meet the firing-pin. In this case the firing-pin s fires the cartridge
the action of the spring catch or tooth v (Fig. 34, Sheet V), which is engaged
ngside of its rod. The catch or tooth v retains the firing-pin when the breech
ck is outside the firing chamber, as it is opposed by the small tube; but after
sit drives it forward when it is forced back into engagement with the rod in

page_text: consequence of the stroke it receives from the nose x (Fig. 27, Sheet V) of the
breech rod, whilst the breech block is completing its closing movement.
Whenever the breech closes, the rifle is fired once, without its being necessary
to operate the trigger; the cartridges, as they are supplied from the magazine,
being fired at a rate of speed proportionate to the energy or power of the spring
which returns the breech block to the closed position.
To stop continuous firing the trigger is released, when, by means of its pawl or
tooth, it will stop the firing mechanism and prevent a discharge, as shown in
Fig. 8, Sheet II.
For firing with a single cartridge at a time (without the use of the magazine)
the breech is opened until stopped by the pawl; a cartridge is inserted into the
firing chamber on to the top of the breech chamber, and then the rifle is fired by
pressing on the trigger and immediately releasing it again. Whenever the trigger
is thus released, its tooth or pawl rocks the breech block into position against the
action of the gases tending to thrust it back. The marksman, therefore, need
never have anything to do with opening or closing the breech after once firing his
rifle.
For "multiple" charging with Mannlicher's "bundles" of cartridges this rifle
may as shown in Fig. 18, Sheet IV, be loaded with cartridges joined together
beforehand in sets or "bundles" of ten each, which are introduced bodily from
above the breech; this method of charging, however, makes no difference either in
the mode of firing or in the arrangement of the port or perforation through which
the gas employed for operating the breech block passes.
When inserting a cartridge magazine into the gun such magazine is inserted
with one hand and pushed inward until it comes underneath the breech and until
its stationary tooth p' (Fig. 21, Sheet V) comes into engagement with the spring
catch pl of the trigger guard.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In fire-arms :
1. The utilization of the gas generated by the explosion substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein before described.
2. The construction and arrangement of parts for carrying out the object set
forth in the preceding claim, substantially as herein before described, and as shown
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 92nd day of T1000
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.