Year: 1887

page_text: 1, ADOLPH LINDNER of No. 8 Jäger Strasse in the City of Berlin, Prussin,
Germany, Gentleman, 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 improvements in breech loading fire arms of the block
system, whereby the block rotates around a fulcrum and moves in the mortise of the
breech receiver and whereby all the parts of the lock or action are snugly enclosed in
the breech block. The important features of the present invention are that all flat
and V springs are dispensed with and replaced by helical springs, the trigger and
cocking cam are arranged on the fulcrum or axis to the block, the block is closed on
all sides so as to prevent the penetration of rain or sand to the parts of the lock which
however are of such solid construction that even if the parts should become foul the
same will in no way cease to act and besides this although the parts are perfectly
enclosed in the block they are readily accessible for cleaning or oiling by removing
the side of the block. No sensitive parts are employed in order to secure an action
which will with certainty withstand the influences of climate and weather, no extra
movements are necessary in comparison with the block system (Henry Martini) at
present in use in the British Empire so that the new weapon which will in a later
application be represented as a repeating rifle can be immediately taken into use by
the troops with hardly any alteration of the instructions, said alterations in the
manipulation being of so trifling a nature that the men will readily understand
the same.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the breech block and receiver, the parts of the
action being represented in elevation and in the position they occupy after the
explosion has taken place.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the breech receiver and breech block, the latter in fully
opened condition.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the breech with the parts of the action at full cock
and the safety bolt already pushed to the rear,

page_text: Figure 4 is a top view of the block with the upper surface removed. Figure 5 is
a vertical section through the block.
A is the breech receiver, B the breech block working in a mortise of the breech
receiver and made of one piece with the trigger guard b and hand lever b¹ said block
being hollowed out so as to receive the entire mechanism or action of the breech
loading fire arm, 1) is the stock. The block B is snugly closed by means of a plate
screwed or otherwise attached to the block or the block can bo so hollowed out that
the parts can be fitted into the same from the upper or lower surface.
The stationary axis g serves to receive the block B and also serves for the trigger e
and axis for the tappet or cam c.
d is a two armed lever the shorter arm of which
is operated by the cam e so as to force back the helical spring to the firing pin h
until the arm i is caught by the hooked pawl k. This pawl is operated from the
trigger e by means of the rod which is slotted at its lower end to allow the pin m of
the trigger to make a predetermined rear movement before the pawl rod is
operated. The trigger e is of peculiar form and carries on its rear end an
extension n the rear end of which is perforated to receive the guide rod o of the
helical spring p which has the tendency to force the extension n downwards and
consequently the grip of the trigger e forwards, or the said spring can be arranged
on the rod for a like purpose and the extension avoided.
A strong bolt provided at its forward end with a cam groove q¹ embracing the
pin m of the trigger e is so arranged that when the trigger e is pulled to the rear it
will first operate the said bolt y and cause the samo to protrude from the breech block
and enter a corresponding cavity in the rear part of the breech receiver A. As
extractor I prefer to employ a cranked rod provided with suitable extractor hook
or forked books and foot moving in a suitable groove in the movable breech block.
The operation of the parts is as follows:-
Supposing the charge to have heen fired off and the parts in the position represented
by Figure 1, the hand lever b is released from the ordinary friction pin and the
entire block turned down into the position represented in Figure 2. During this
movement the tappet or cam c keyed to the axle g will force the small arm of the
lever d forwards and the larger arm to the rear so as to force back the helical firing
spring and firing pin h until the arm or nose i is caught by the hook of tho pawl k
whilst all the other parts remain in action.
After a fresh cartridge has been partially inserted into the cartridge chamber in
the barrel C the block B is rotated on its axle g and the cartridge pushed home, into
the cartridge chamber.
Pressure is now exerted on the trigger e so as to partially compress the spring p
and force the strong safety bolt q into its recess in the breech receiver A before the
pawl can be raised to free the firing pin. If the pressure on the trigger is continued
the pin m will force the rod upwards, compress the helical spring p still further,
raise the pawlk and free the firing pin which is impelled forwards by its
helical spring so that the tip of the firing pin impinges against the cap of the
cartridge and fires the charge. If the trigger e is now released the helical spring p
will immediately return the parts to the position as represented by Figure 1 and
when the breach is again opened the fired off cartridge will be immediately extracted
from the chamber and ejected from the weapon. In a later application I shall show
my invention as repeating rifle with an oval or circular magazine arranged
immediately behind the breech receiver and around tho screw rod-serving to attach
the butt of the weapon to the breech receiver. It will be evident to all versed in the
science that the form of the parts can be modified in various ways without departing
from the tenor of my invention. A small safety slide can be arranged to secure the
trigger and prevent the same from being prematurely operated.
Instead of connecting the safety bolt q to the trigger e by the pin and groove, the
bolt can be provided with a spiral spring and be acted on by a nose on the trigger, in
this case the spiral spring on the rod might eventually be omitted altogether
although I should prefer to retain the same in case the spiral spring p and rod o and
extension n are omitted,

page_text: Having now particularly described my said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I desire it to be understood that what I claim and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. The use and construction of a rotary breech block securely closed on all sides
and moving around the stationary axle g whereby the entire action or parts are
enclosed in the breech block B, substantially as described in the foregoing
specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a breech block the use of the trigger e pin m and extension n in combination
with the bolt q, rod o, spring p, the rod land pawl k, substantially as described in the
foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a rotary breech block the use of the bolt q slotted at 7' in combination with
the pin or stud m and trigger e, substantially as described in the foregoing specification
and shown in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a rotary breech block the use of the slotted rod 1, and hooked pawl k in
combination with the trigger e, substantially as described in the foregoing specification
and shown in the accompanying drawings.
5. In a rotary breech block the use of the cam or tappet c on the axle g and the
two armed lover d in combination with the firing pin h, noso i and spring f,
substantially as described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
6. The general construction arrangement and combination of the parts in my
improved breech block or any mero modification of the same, substantially as
described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of November 1887.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Associate Agent.