Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 26th June, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1883
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide a ready means of firing Hotchkiss or
other guns, either by mechanical or electrical means at the will of the operator without
the changing of any parts or loss of time.
To obtain this result an insulating material is interposed between the bearings of
the striker spindle and the breech block by which it is carried-the main spring is
also insulated.
The trigger sear is (at the times when the gun is to be fired electrically) held down
by means of a cam or bolt so as to prevent contact with the striker.
Beneath the trigger is placed an insulated point which is connected with a binding
screw. A spiral spring keeps the trigger away from this point.
One wire from the battery is carried to the binding screw in connection with the
insulated point and the other wire to a binding screw at one end of the spindle of
the insulated striker.
When the trigger sear is not held down by the cam or bolt the gun is in a condition
to fire by percussion.
When the scar is held down by the cam or bolt the striker cannot cock or be held
back, but simply rises and falls with the motion of the block thus causing the firing
pin to make contact with the electric primer when the breech is closed.
When there-
fore the trigger is pressed by the finger and makes contact with the binding screw the
current is perfected through the striker, the primer and the gun, and the cartridge is
thereby exploded.

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a Hotchkiss gun with firing mechanism
adapted in accordance with my invention for either electrical or mechanical firing.
Figure 2 is a rear end elevation.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal and vertical section, and Figure 4 is a transverse section
on the line A B in Figure 3.
a is the breech block of the Hotchkiss gun which rising and falling in a vertical
transverse slot behind the barrel closes the breech behind the cartridge and opens it
after firing for the expulsion of the cartridge case and the introduction of a fresh
cartridge. bis the striker with its firing pin b. 2 is the spindle or axis of the
striker. ce is the insulating material (vulcanite is preferred) which I introduce
between the spindlo & and its bearings in the breech block a. d is the main spring

page_text: operating the striker.
e is the insulating material which I insert between the main
spring and the block a in which the spring is held. is the sear lever and f¹ is its
spring. is a cam or bolt which I provide in order to hold the sear lever away from
the bent on the striker when it is intended to fire by electricity. h is a wire electrically
connected with the striker and firing pin and passing to one of the terminals of the
firing battery.
i is the trigger and the arm forming part of the trigger which operates on the
sear lever in mechanical firing. is a coiled spring which when the trigger is free
holds up the arm . k is an insulated point with which when the trigger is pulled
the arm comes into contact. is an insulated wire connecting the point k with the
other battery terminal.
When the cam or bolt g is turned so as to be out of the way of the sear leverf the
gun can be fired mechanically in the ordinary way. When on the other hand the cam
or bolt 9 is so turned as to prevent the action of the sear lever the striker 6 returns
when the breech is closed to such a position that the firing pin b₁ makes contact
electrically with the electric primer in the cartridge. Then when the trigger is pulled
it closes the circuit through the point and the current from the battery passes from
the firing pin, to the primer of the cartridge, thence to the body and the charge is
fired.
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. Combined mechanical and electrical firing mechanism in which for electrical
firing the sear lever of the mechanical firing apparatus is kept out of action by a bolt
and in which the striker and firing pin are insulated and connected with a battery.
and made to serve as an electrical contact maker operating when the breech is closed
to establish contact with the electrical primer of the cartridge and thus including it in
a circuit which is closed by pulling the trigger substantially as described.
2. Combined mechanical and electrical firing mechanism for guns substantially as
described and represented by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 26th day of June 1888.