Improvements relating to the Breech Mechanism of Automatic and similar Fire-arms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Loft 31st May 1827-Accepted 10th Nov
1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Breech Mechanism of Automatic and
similar Fire-arms.
I, HUGH WILLIAM GABBETT-FAIRFAX, of 107 Lambeth Palace Road, London,
S.E., Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to that class of automatic fire-arms in
which the barrel and breech-lock recoil together against the resistance of springs,
and in which the breech-lock after becoming unlocked remains behind while the
barrel returns towards its firing position and opens the breech, the said breech-
lock being subsequently allowed to advance and close the breech and otherwise
act upon the breech-mechanism.
One part of my present invention has reference to a switch and incline carried
by some stationary part of the fire-arm and acting in conjunction with a radial
arm on the breech-block for imparting to a rotative head thereon the requisite
movement to lock and unlock the said breech-block to and from the barrel as the
latter reciprocates. The said switch and incline have heretofore been arranged
by me in such a manner that the unlocking of the breech-block takes place during
the recoil movement of the barrel; but according to my present improvements
on this part of my invention, the aforesaid switch and incline are so arranged that
the breech-block does not become unlocked or disconnected from the barrel during
recoil but during the advance of the barrel as it repains its firing position.
Both
For this purpose I provide the frame or other stationary part of the fire-arm
with two horizontal slots one of which is at a higher lev! than the other.
of these slots open at their forward end into a vertical slot and at their rearward
end into a space or recess wherein the switch works. This switch is so arranged
that it normally occupies such a position or inclination that its upper edge con-
stitutes a guide for directing the aforesaid radial arm from the lower to the
higher slot during the early portion of the return movement of the barrel into
its firing position.
The said radial arm on the breech-block travels along the lower slot during the
entire recoil movement of the barrel without tending to alter the position of the
said arm and the rotative head, consequently the breech-block does not at this
time become unlocked or disengaged from the barrel. On the return movement,
however, of the barrel and breech-block, the aforesaid radial arm travels up the
switch to reach the upper slot, whereby the rotative head is turned and unlocks
the breech-block. The barrel then continues its advance without the breech-
block and the breech is thus opened. Just prior to the termination of the forward
movement of the barrel, the breech-block is permitted to advance and close the
breech, the locking of the block to the barrel being effected by the radial arm
descending the vertical slot and turning the rotative head in the reverse direction.
I prefer to construct the lower slot, at the part where it meets the vertical
slot, with a pivoted piece upon the end of which the said radial arm falls when it

page_text: descends in the vertical slot. The end of this pivoted piece rests upon a vertical
pin which is supported by a pivoted lever engaging with the safety sear a set
forth in the specification of my herein before mentioned application for Patent.
This pivoted piece serves as an incline for guiding the radial arm into the lower
slot at the next recoil movement of the barrel and breech-block.
Another part of my present invention relates to the ejecting mechanism which
comprises a sliding rod or bar mounted in a longitudinal recess formed in one
side of the breach end of the barrel. This sliding rod or bar carries a spring
controlled stop or abutment which is so arranged that it lies against the flange
or rim of the cartridge on the side opposite to the extractor. The extent to which
the sliding rod or bar can move is limited by a suitable stop. When the discon-
nection of the breech-block from the barrel takes place, that is to say when the
breech-block is restrained from following the barrel as the latter regains its firing
position, the extractor claw, which is on the breech-block, tightly holds the
cartridge and consequently, as the barrel advances, the cartridge is withdrawn
from the barrel and at the same time the sliding rod or bar moves longitudinally
outward until retarded by the aforesaid stop. The jerk thus produced by the
sudden stoppage of the sliding rod or bar as the barrel continues to advance,
forcibly throws the cartridge in a lateral direction away from the abutment and
thereby effects the ejection. It will be obvious that the stoppage of the sliding
rod or bar takes place prior to the completion of the advance movement of the
barrel. The said sliding rod or L'ar is returned to its original position by means
of the breech-block as the latter advances to close the breech.
According to a modification of this ejecting mechanism the aforesaid sliding rod
or bar may consist of a blade having a fixed stop or abutment at its outer end and
may be provided with a spring which acts to return the said blade to its original
position immediately the ejection of the cartridge has been effected.
According to a further modification of the ejecting mechanism, I may employ
an arm which is pivotally connected to the frame or other stationary part of the
fire-arm in such a position that it is capable of turning inwardly and striking
a lateral blow upon the cartridge when the latter has been extracted. This turn-
ing inward of the pivoted arm may be effected by a sliding rod or bar which is
connected to the said pivoted arm by a spiral spring or similar flexible connection.
This bar may have a nose or projection at its free end against which a shoulder on
the barrel strikes as the latter advances to its firing position.
Tlated this 10th day of drano 1806
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to the Breech Mechanism of Automatic and
similar Fire-arms.
I, HUGH WILLIAM GABBETT-FAIRFAX, of 107 Lambeth Palace Road, London,
S.E., Civil Engineer, 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 more particularly to that class of automatic fire-arms in
which the barrel and breech-lock recoil together against the resistance of springs,
and in which the breech-lock after becoming unlocked remains behind while the
barrel returns towards its firing position and opens the breech, the said breech-

page_text: block being subsequently allowed to advance and close the breech and otherwise
act upon the breech-mechanism.
One part of my present invention has reference to the switch and incline
referred to in the specification of my prior Patent No. 18686 of the year 1895,
the said switch and incline acting in conjunction with a radial arm on the breech-
block for effecting the locking and unlocking of the block to and from the barrel.
In the mechanism described in the aforesaid specification the switch and incline
are so arranged that the unlocking of the breech-block takes place during the
recoil movement of the barrel. According to my present invention the switch
and incline are so arranged that the breech-block is unlocked or disconnected
from the barrel not during its recoil but during its return movement.
Another part of my present invention relates to the ejecting mechanism which
is so constructed and arranged that the ejection of the cartridge case is effected,
during the forward movement of the barrel by the combined action of the ejector
and the extractor as hereinafter explained.
In order that ny said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same more fully by reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a sectional view of an automatic pistol showing an arrangement
of the switch whereby the unlocking of the breech-block takes place during the
forward movement of the barrel. In this figure the breech-block has "been
removed in order that the said switch can be clearly seen.
Figure 2 shows a modified arrangement of the switch whereby the unlocking
of the breech-block is commenced during the recoil movement of the barrel and
completed during the forward movement thereof.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a sectional elevation and a sectional plan
shewing one form of my improved ejector mechanism, the parts being in the
position they occupy when the breech is closed.
Figures 5 and 6 are similar views shewing the parts in the position they occupy
when the breech is open and the cartridge is being ejected.
Figures 7 and 8 show in horizontal section, a modified form of the ejector
mechanism, the parts being respectively indicated in the open and closed position.
Figure 9 is a sectional plan showing another form of ejector mechaní-m con-
structed according to this invention.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the figures.
A is the barrel and A' the spiral spring by which it is caused to assume its
firing position after each discharge. B is the breech-block, B3 its firing pin and
C its rotary head. D is the firing hammer and D' its main spring. Fis the
safety sear; G the trigger; and H the detachable cover or casing which envelopes
the breech-block. All of these parts are similar to those referred to in my
aforesaid prior patent.
Referring more particularly to Figure 1: is the switch for directing the
radial arm of the rotary head of the said breech-block. This switch is pivoted
at b to the casing or detachable cover H of the breech-mechanism. The path in
which the arm travels is indicated by the arrows and comprises two horizontal
grooves d, d', the former of which is at a higher level than the latter. Both of
these horizontal grooves open at their forward end into a vertical groove e. This
switch is so arranged as to normally occupy such a position or inclination that
its upper edge al constitutes a guide for directing the aforesaid radial arm from
the lower to the higher groove during the forward movement of the barrel and
breech-block towards their firing position. The radial arm travels along the
lower groove d' during the entire recoil movement of the barrel and breech
block, without tending to alter the position of the said arm and the rotative head
of the breech-block; consequently the breech-block does not at this time become
unlocked or disengaged from the barrel. During the recoil mavement, the
switch a opens to allow the end of the arm to pass under it. It then closes again
under the action of a spring a*, so that on the return movement of the barrel and

page_text: breech-block, the radial arm travels up the switch to reach the upper groove,
whereby the rotative head is turned and unlocks the breech-block. "The barrel
then continues its advance without the breech-block, which is temporarily
restrained by a stop (not illustrated in the drawings but fully described in my
aforesaid prior specification) and the breech is thus opened. Just prior to the
termination of the forward movement of the barrel, the said stop is automatically
removed as explained in my said prior specification whereby, the breech-block is
released and permitted to advance and close the breech, the locking of the block
to the barrel being effected by the radial arm descending in the vertical groove e
and so turning the rotative head in the reverse direction.
I prefer to provide the lower groove d near the part where it meets the
vertical groove e with a pivoted piece f upon the free end of which the sail radial
arm falls when it descends in the vertical groove. The end of this pivoted piece
rests upon a vertical pin g which is supported by a pivoted lever g¹ engaging with
the safety sear F as set forth in my prior specification so that the descent of the
said radial arm releases the hammer simultaneously with the locking of the
breech-block to the barrel. This pivoted piece f serves to guide the radial arm
into the lower groove at the next recoil movement of the barrel and breech-block.
In the modified arrangement shown in Figure 2 the unlocking of the breech-
block instead of being effected wholly during the forward movement of the
barrel and breech-block, is effected partly during the recoil movement and partly
during the forward movement.
In this case, at the rear end of the lower groove d' is formed an incline d³
which serves to guide the arm on to a horizontal portion d³ where the recoil
movement is completed. The switch a, which under the influence of the
spring a rests normally upon the upper extremity of the said incline d³, is
raised or opened by the arm in ascending the said incline, and closes behind it
as it passes on to the part d³. In the movement of the arm up the incline, the
rotary head of the breech-block is partly rotated. As the barrel and breech-
block move forward, the switch directs the said arm into the upper groove d, thus
completing the rotation of the aforesaid rotary head and unlocking the breech-
block from the barrel so that the latter can resume its firing position without
the breech-block.
Referring now to the ejector mechanism, this comprises as shown in Figures 3
to 6, a sliding rod or bar i mounted in a longitudinal recess formed in one
side of the breech end of the barrel. This sliding rod or bar carries a stop or
abutment k forming the ejector proper which is mounted at one end of a spring
blade secured to the rod or bar. The stop or abutment is so arranged that
it lies against the flange or rim of the cartridge at a point opposite to the
extractor 7, and is formed with a recess adapted to receive the said flange or
rim. The extent to which the sliding rod or bar can be moved or drawn out
rearwardly of the barrel is limited by a suitable stop, which may consist of a
catch or tooth m, carried by a spring m¹ secured to the barrel, the said catch
being adapted to engage with a tooth or projection on the sliding rod.
When the disconnection of the breech-block from the barrel takes place, that
is to say when the breech-block is restrained from following the barrel as the
latter regains its firing position, the extractor tightly holds the cartridge and
consequently as the barrel advances the cartridge is withdrawn from the barrel.
At the same time the sliding rod or bar moves longitudinally outward until
retarded by the aforesaid catch m which arrests it with a sudden jerk, and
causes it to move forward with the barrel again. This jerk and forward move-
ment co-operate to effect the ejection of the empty cartridge, and throw the same
out laterally through an opening . By reason of the extractor / holding, one
side of the cartridge, the latter is caused to turn about the extractor as a pivot,
as it is being ejected.
11.
It will be obvious that the stoppage of the sliding rod or bar, that is to say
its engagement by the catch m takes place prior to the completion of the forward

page_text: movement of the barrel. The return of the sliding rod or bar to its original or
forward position where it lies entirely in the recess is effected by the breech-
block as the latter advances to close the breach.
According to the modification shown in Figures 7 and 8 the aforesaid ejector
is formed as a blade or rod n having at its rear end a fixed stop or abutment n¹.
This blade is drawn out into the position shown in Figure 7 by the engagement
of the stop or abutment with the rim of the cartridge as the barrel moves
forward, and in this movement a spring is compressed between a pair of stops n³
one stop being on the barrel and the other on the blade n. Immediately how-
ever that the said barrel clears the end of the cartridge case, the latter is free
to move sidewise which it does under the pressure on it of the abutment n', due
to the influence of the spring 2. The cartridge case is thus ejected through the
opening simultaneously with the return of the blade n to its original position.
According to the further modification shown in Figure 9 the ejection is
effected by an arm o pivoted at o' to the frame or other stationary part of the
fire-arm at a point opposite to the extractor and so arranged that it is capable of
exerting a lateral pressure against the cartridge as the latter is being extracted.
This lateral pressure is obtained by imparting to the pivoted arm
movement which is effected by a slotted bar p working on a guide pin p¹ and
connected by a spring with a projection o2 on the said arm o At its forward
end ae bar carries a finger or projection 23 which is engaged by a shoulder p*
on the barrel. The whole of this device is enclosed in a casing q
o an inward
The arrangement is such that as the barrel moves forward and while the
extractor is withdrawing the cartridge, the bar is carried forward with the
barrel, and stretches the spring på, so causing the pivoted arm o to press against
the cartridge. Therefore as soon as the said barrel clears the cartridge the arm o
under the action of the said spring 2 throws the cartridge out laterally through
the opening and effects the ejection thereof. The arm o is returned to its
normal position by the breech-block pressing it inwardly as it subsequently
moves forward in closing the breech.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. An automatic or similar fire-arm having a longitudinally sliding breech-
block provided with a rotative head and in combination therewith a switch so
arranged as to unlock the breech-block from the barrel as the latter performs
its forward or return movement.
2. In an automatic or similar fire-arm having a longitudinally sliding barrel
the improved arrangement of the switch substantially as described with reference
to Figure 1, or to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings for the purposes
specified.
3. In an automatic or similar fire-arm the combination with a longitudinally
sliding barrel of an extractor and ejector so arranged as to effect by their com-
bined action the ejection of the cartridge case in the forward movement of the
barrel as hereinabove described.
4. The improved ejecting mechanism constructed and operating substantially
as described with reference to Figures 3 to 6, or Figures 7 and 8, or Figure 9 of
the accompanving drawings.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.