IM- PROVEMENTS IN BREECHI LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paulin Gay, Civil Engineer, and Henri Guénot, Merchant,
both of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECHI LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 4th July 1879, and dated the 17th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Paulin Gay and Henri
Guénot at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January
1879.
PAULIN GAY, Civil Engineer, and HENRI GUÉNOT, Merchant, both of Boulevard
Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
Our Invention relates to improvements in breech loading fire arms, and consists
chiefly of mechanism for bringing forward the projectiles from the stock or rear of
the gun, the action of which mechanism is rendered continuous and automatic by
means of a ball carrying chain put in movement by the trigger when pulled to fire
a charge. Each link of the chain is in the form of a cup or chamber to receive a
projectile, so that these links coming successively opposite the rear end of the
barrel provide a continuous charge until the chain is exhausted. An indicating
dial may be placed at the side of the gun to show continually the number of
charges fired, and therefore the number of those remaining. It will thus be
understood that with this arrangement of continuous ball carrying chain a great
number of shots can be fired without recharging the gun.
We avoid the inconveniences resulting from the severance of the chamber and
the barrel as with some guns by the employment of a mode of obturating, the effect
of which is to entirely prevent the escape of the gases at the junction of the
chamber and barrel.
We proceed to describe the construction of a carbine capable of firing, say,
100 shots without recharging, and in which the hermeticity of the joint is obtained
by means of a movable obturator. The ball carriers in the form of cylindrical
chambers, each to receive a projectile, are united by jointed plates, and thus form an
endless chain. This chain passes over a drum having teeth which gear with a
pinion; the drum is mounted on a nut or boss formed with a hole for the passage
of the striker or needle. The pinion has 6 pins which are acted upon by the teeth
of a wheel; this wheel has fixed to it a ratchet wheel acted upon by a tractor
connected with the trigger, and it has 6 pins acting successively on one of the arms
[Price 6d1

page_text: of a bent piece, which by means of a jointed piece attached to the rod of the
striker controls the movement of the latter under the action of a spring.
The obturator for closing the joint between the ball carrier and the barrel which
is fixed is actuated by a lever jointed to a tractor rod operated by a pin fixed to
the tractor before named. This obturator is thus directly operated by the trigger,
it is composed of a ring carefully fitted and faced at the rear part of the barrel;
this ring is widened in conical form at the back, and the front face of the ball
carrier, which is likewise conical, fits exactly into it. A spring returns the trigger
to its normal position after each discharge. The barrel and the breech are screwed
together.
We will now describe a pistol constructed according to our Invention in which
there is no gearing, and the barrel at each discharge hermetically fits against the
ball carrier and prevents escape of gas. A nut or boss for drawing forward the ball
carrier has six holes for the passage of the needle or striker. A tractor connected
directly to the trigger acts upon a six toothed ratchet wheel fixed to the said nut or
A second tractor
boss, and causes it to make th of a revolution at each action.
likewise actuated directly by the trigger to which it is connected by a pin brings
against the ball carrier either the movable obturator hereinbefore described or the
barrel itself; this tractor is connected to the trigger so that the latter can act upon
it before the release of the trigger catch.
The striker or needle which is attached to a piece guided in a slot in the plate is
thrown forward by the action of a spring, which is stretched by a catch jointed to
the lever of the trigger. The release is produced when the rear arm of the catch,
by coming against a pin, is caused by this pin to disengage itself from a retaining
spring fixed in the lever. The trigger is returned to position by a spring.
The barrel of the fire arm thus arranged is threaded and mounted on a socket
forming an integral part of the outer body of the arm, and there are two side
plates.
When tho barrel is to be movable in the direction of its axis, it is not screwed to
the stock, but should be adjusted with care and guided by tenons.
The gun is charged through an opening formed in the upper part of the butt, a
ball guide serves for the introduction of the projectiles into the ball carrier, into
which they are forced by means of a pusher.
In order to make the operation of charging safe, the striker or needle is held by
means of an oscillating lever fitted with a button; a quarter turn given to the
button causes a hook on the lever to retain the striker.
In order to diminish the heat produced by rapid and continuous fire, cooling
mixtures may be placed around some of the parts, or for the same purpose
mechanical devices such as fans may be employed.
The balls or projectiles may contain quick powder or fulminate in hollows formed
therein for the purpose, guarded from damp by a washer covered with a varnish or
other suitable material.
The balls may also be provided with a metal disc to produce obturation of the
ball carrier. The charges may be made in an independent tube which is introduced
at will into the hollow of the ball.
Instead of the endless chain composed of cups or chambers to receive the charges
and balls, we can employ a chain of simple links suitably arranged to receive each
comulato contridge

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Paulin Gas and Henri Guénot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
July 1879.
PAULIN GAY, Civil Engineer, and Henri Guénot, Merchant, both of Boulevard
Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING FIRE ARMS."
Our Invention relates to improvements in breech loading magazine fire arms, and
consists chiefly of continuous and automatic mechanism for bringing forward the
projectiles from the stock or rear of the gun by means of a special arrangement of
ball-carrying chain put in movement by the trigger when pulled to fire a charge.
Each link of the chain is in the form of a cup or chamber to receive a projectile, so
that these links coming successively opposite the rear end of the barrel provide a
continuous charge until the chain is exhausted. An indicating dial may be placed
at the side of the gun to show continually the number of charges fired and therefore
the number of those remaining. It will thus be understood that with this arrange-
ment of continuous ball-carrying chain a great number of shots can be fired without
recharging the gun.
We avoid the inconveniences resulting from the severance of the chamber and
the barrel, as, with some guns by the employment of a mode of obturating, the effect
of which is to entirely prevent the escape of the gases at the junction of the
chamber and barrel.
Although the projectiles employed with our improved fire arms may be charged
with ordinary powder or fulminate, pure or mixed, we find that pyroxyline, which
cannot be used with ordinary fire arms, can be employed with our arms, provided
the charge is graduated. The objection to the use of quick powders in other arms,
and especially in arms where the chamber is adherent to the barrel, lies chiefly in
the molecular wear of the metal in the exploding chamber. In these arms the
chamber being single cannot resist indefinitely the repeated action of a sudden
great strain. In our improved arms the number of the chambers or ball carriers
being considerable the objection referred to does not exist, and we can truly say
that the duration of the multiple chambers is in direct ratio of their number to the
chain. The employment of quick powders is important because they avoid the
necessity of giving to our arms the large dimensions which the use of ordinary
powders would require. Our balls are arranged to receive at their rear, either
adherent thereto or in separato cups or cases, their charges perfectly graduated and
covered with an apyrous substance, which renders them innocuous in handling and
non-inflammable in contact with each other. As will be seen further on, we can
use, according to the bore of the gun, projectiles charged with ordinary powder
introduced into the interior of the ball by means of a distinct cup.
In order to effect the automatic bringing forward of the ball carriers opposite
the barrel we have designed an arrangement by means of which we produce at the
desired time the obturation of the junction between the chamber and barrel, and
also the percussion. This arrangement is applicable to pistols, carbines, &c.
In order that our Invention may be fully understood we annex a Sheet of
Drawings which show several fire arms together with detail views of the mechanism
and accessory parts.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a magazine carbino constructed according to
our Invention, and capable of holding 100 charges; the obturation of the junction
between the chamber and barrel is produced by a movable ring acted upon by the
trigger; Figures 2 and 3 are longitudinal sections of two magazine arms in the
form of pistols; in these examples the obturation is produced by the barrels
themselves, which, by the pulling of the trigger, fit and partially or totally cover
the ball carriers; Figures 4 and 5 are side views of the lock and mechanism
employed in the several examples, but suitably modified in form and size. The
other Figures represent different forms of ball carrying chains and of projectiles.

page_text: The lock and mechanism B (Figures 4 and 5) are constructed as follows:-Two
metal plates a, a, carry all the other parts of the mechanism. A nut or boss b
with four or six sides, according to the size of the projectile, has its journals or axes in
the plates a, a. This nut, which is intended to draw forward the ball carrying
chain, is formed with 4 or 6 holes for the passage of the needle or striker p; this
is fixed in a guided slide c and actuated by the spring r by means of the jointed
lever and the link b¹. The lever is pivoted at x, and its pin y serves as a
support to the spring ». A double ratchet with 8 teeth is mounted on the axis of
the nut b, and brings at each discharge a fresh projectile opposite the barrel. This
ratchet is actuated by a tractor t which receives its motion at the required time by
a pin fixed to the slide c. The two hooks c', c³, (Figure 4) mounted on the
tractor t are placed the one at the side of the other; they are at such a distance
from each other that when the first, c', has finished its action and quitted the tooth
of the ratchet after having imparted to it 1/8th of a turn, the second, c³, is
exactly in the position of the first, ready to complete in like manner the quarter turn
necessary to place a new projectile opposite the barrel. The bringing forward of
the chain might also be effected by a click or pawl mounted on the striker carrier c
and producing a pull on the rivets of the links which would project from one side
of the ball carrier.
The piece or plate g jointed at g' carries at d¹ the lever & which draws the lever
into its movement by the hook . The disengagement and therefore the percussion
are produced by the pin g against which the oblique rear face of the lever & comes.
In this movement the piece g draws a second sliding tractor 11 which is connected
at to the obturator and pulls it over the ball carrier. A spring returns the
piece to its position of rest; a spring 11 moves the obturator and its tractor
forward.
When the striker pis disengaged from the nut b it can be held in this position
by the hooked lever (Figure 5) worked externally by a button and jointed to the
plate a. This hook engages behind the slide c, and we can, without fear of the
gun discharging, move the ball carrying chain so as to load it with projectiles.
The striker can be held by any other suitable means.
The operation of loading is made through an opening in the outside of the stock,
at u for instance. When the ball carrier is in the form of the example, Figure 9,
the introduction can be made by means of a pusher. Or the loading can be effected
through a lateral opening u¹, Figure 11, when the ball carrier is in the form,
Figure 7. The two arms, shewn respectively in Figures 2 and 3, have different
constructions of ball carriers jointed so as to form an endless chain; these carriers
vary according to the projectile or cartridge to be received.
The ball carrier, Figure 7, is intended to contain a cartridge with powder, and
having a cup or case with projecting flange; it is composed of a cylindrical socket
or chamber h, at the rear of which is a recess to receive the flange of the case.
The loading of this projectile should take place at the back of the ball carrier, as
seen in Figure 11. The chamber h has lugs o, o, forming male and female parts
which connect by hinges; these ball carriers can thus be jointed together without
any intermediate part and form the endless chain & employed in the arm, Figure 2.
This chain is shewn as for 21 projectiles; it is lodged inside the stock formed of
a metal body, which is closed at the sides by the plates a, a'. The chain is
supported internally and the cartridges kept therein by a sheet metal diaphragm j
conducting the ball carriers over the nut b, and leaving at the lower part between
its two plates the necessary space for the introduction of the cartridges into the
chain.
The ball carrier (Figure 9), which is fitted to the arms shewn in Figures 1 and 3,
is intended to receive a projectile without a cup, and carrying the charge itself in a
recess formed for the purpose; this charge may be composed of ordinary powder as
in the ball shewn in Figure 10 or be formed of a fulminate. The ball carriers in
this case cannot be formed with holes through them like those shewn in Figures 6
and 7; a simple channel m is formed in the bottom for the passage of the striker

page_text: or needle. These ball carriers are connected together by the jointed plates n. The
chain can be supported and guided over the nut b (Figure 3) by a suitable
support fixed to the plates a, a'; & roller q (Figure 1) will serve the same purpose.
Another roller q' of suitable diameter will guide the chain at the rear end of the
stock.
A circulation of air can be kept up in the stock to cool the ball carriers; this
may be obtained by forming holes in the body of the stock with the addition, if
required, of a longitudinal channel c" (Figure 3) formed along the top of the barrel
and leading into the stock; any other mode of cooling may however be employed.
The obturation of the joint between the ball carrier and barrel is effected either
by a suitable arrangement hereinafter described of the barrel itself (Figures 2 and 3)
or by a movable ring (Figure 1). In the latter case the obturator is composed of
a movable ring f carefully fitted and faced at the rear part of the fixed barrel C;
this ring is widened in conical form at the rear, and when drawn by the tractor t¹¹
fits over the front of the ball carrier h, which is likewise conical. The cavity h',
for allowing the necessary play to the obturator can hold a certain quantity of oil,
which, while lubricating the rubbing surface of the obturator, will form a perfect
hydraulic joint. A small hole leading to the outside allows of the escape of the air
within the cavity h', and which would hinder the return of the obturator.
The second arrangement of obturator shewn in Figures 2 and 3 is composed of a
movable barrel C', having a boro corresponding to the projectile; this barrel is
formed at the rear with a conical recess corresponding to the front part of the ball
carrier, and which, like the obturator previously described, fits over the ball carrier
when the trigger is pulled. We have previously explained that this movable
barrel is connected with the trigger by the tractor t" attached at . The movable
barrel C¹ slides, being guided, if required, by tenons and grooves in the outer
barrel C, which may be formed in a piece with the breech as in Figure 3, or
screwed thereto as in Figure 2. The sliding barrel may be arranged to entirely
cover the ball carrier up to its base.
Figures 7 and 10 indicate the mode of manufacturing projectiles suitable for our
magazine arms. Either the charge (fulminate or quick powder) may form an
integral part of the ball, being simply lodged in a cavity of the ball or enclosed in
the body of a cup fitted to the ball (Figure 7) or the charge (quick powder or
ordinary powder) may be enclosed in an independent tube, which can be readily
introduced into the interior of the ball (Figure 10). The arrangements of charges
can be varied as desired, and can be regulated according to the new means of
projection, which science may indicate.
It is evident that the characteristic parts hereinbefore described should be
adjusted carefully, and we can, if need be, apply at the points of connection, and at
the joint to ensure tightness packings of caoutchouc, asbestos, or other suitable
materials made apyrous by known processes.
The arrangements described permit of a regular fire without intermission and by
the simple pull given to the trigger until all the charges in the chain ball carrier
have been exhausted.
The Invention is applicable to arms of various kinds, military and sporting guns,
pistols, &c., and also to guns mounted on carriages so as to form field batteries of
mitrailleuses.
The improved arms may carry any number of charges limited only by the
dimensions of the stock.
And having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim as our "Improvements in
Breech Loading Fire Arms,-"
First. The continuous ball carrying chain put in motion by special mechanism
actuated by the trigger, substantially as herein before described with reference to
the annexed Drawings.
Second. The several arrangements of the links or parts of the chain in which the

page_text: projectiles or cartridges are lodged, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the annexed Drawings.
Third. The particular arrangement of mechanism by which, under the action of
the trigger, the movements of the ball carrying chain, the obturator, and the striker
or needle are produced, substantially as herein before described with reference to
the annexed Drawings.
Fourth. The several means of producing obturation by a movable ring and by a
movable barrel actuated by the trigger, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the annexed Drawings.
Fifth. The combination or combinations of parts, substantially as hereinbefore
described, and represented in the annexed Drawings, forming improved breech
loading fire arms.
In witness whereof, we, the said Paulin Gay and Henri Guénot, have hereunto
set our hands and seals, this Fifth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy nine.
Witness,
ALBERT CAHEN,
Civil Engineer,
Of Boulevard St. Denis, 1,
At Paris.
PAULIN GAY.
(L.S.)
HENRI GUENOT. (L.S.)