Improvements relating to Quick Firing Ordnance, and to Mountings and Turrets, and to Methods of and Means for Working the same.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Quick Firing Ordnance, and to Mountings
and Turrets, and to Methods of and Means for Working the
same.
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of Baldwyn's Park, Bexley, in the County of Kent,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements relating to quick firing ordnance
and to mountings and turrets and to methods of and means for working the same.
Very large naval guns i.e. guns with a calibre of from 9 to 14 inches can only be
fired at a very moderate rate. In an engagement the time that must elapse after
one shot has been fired before another can be delivered would be sufficient for the
whole aspect of affairs to have changed, and in the case of a gun mounted in a fort
the ship at which the gun is firing might be completely out of range by the time
that the gun could be re-loaded after firing. Moreover by reason of the time
required for loading the gun, the gunner cannot profit by observation of the result
of the previous shot. For instance if it should be found that the previous shot fell
short of the object the gunner would not be able to correct this error at the next
shot owing to the alteration in the distance or range due to the ship's movements.
The very large guns now in the Service will probably be exceedingly unreliable in
an actual engagement, especially if the ship is in a sea-way; the excitement of the
men, and the motion of the ship being both conducive to errors in the manipulation
of the numerous valves and handles that are necessary to perform the functions of
loading and firing.
By my invention I propose to obviate these difficulties by performing all the
functions except the firing, by machinery so that the gunner has only to pull a
lanyard or manipulate some equally simple device in order to discharge the piece;
that is to say assuming the gun to be loaded-the gunner aims and fires, and in a
few seconds after the discharge, the gun becomes automatically reloaded and ready
for another shot, it only being necessary for the gunner to sight the gun and again
pull the lanyard.
One of the essential features of this invention is that in the working of the gun
the movement of one part of the mechanism having partly or completely finished
its action actuates a valve or switch in such a manner as to start another part of
the mechanism which in its turn after having partly or completely finished its
action starts another part of the mechanism and so on throughout the entire cycle
of operations that take place between one discharge and the next discharge of the
gun, except the firing.
The gun is mounted on a revolving platform which extends through one or more
of the decks of the ship. A hole is provided in the upper deck of the ship, around
which is arranged a suitable track or race-path for receiving rollers or balls.
This turret is con-
A turret is mounted on this track in the ordinary manner.
structed with a cylinder or cylindrical frame having doors in its side and extending
downward through the hole to the next deck, the bottom of the cylinder forming a
floor. The said turret being designed to contain only one gun. its horizontal
section above the race path is made elliptical with a very sharp or thin edge
through which the muzzle of the gun projects, so that while the muzzle of the gun

page_text: is kept pointing in the direction of the enemy there is no surface on which such
enemy's projectiles can strike except at a very small angle.
The gun has an elliptical casing whose least diameter may be considerably less
than the diameter of the platform mounted on the rollers, while if necessary its
greatest diameter may be considerably greater so that it projects over the deck.
The gun proper or barrel has attached to it two strong bars similar to the inner
recoiling frame or side bars of a Maxim gun. These bars extend to the rear of the
gun through a sufficient distance to permit the breech block to be withdrawn from
the breech far enough to allow a complete cartridge to be introduced between the
breech and the face of the breech block. The breech block may be of any suitable
type or form but I prefer to use a screw block with divided or interrupted threads.
The breech-block is mounted on a crosshead which is fitted to slide in the aforesaid
recoiling frame or side bars and the breech block is free to rotate sufficiently in
this crosshead to lock and unlock it from the divided or interrupted screw threads
in the breech of the gun. The gun may be advantageously constructed as described
in the Specification of my Patent No. 4320 dated the 22nd day of March 1887.
The breech block cross-head is moved end wise and rotated by hydraulic apparatus
or by other convenient means. The trunnions are on a non-recoiling part of the
mounting.
In the Maxim gun the automatic mechanism has been heretofore operated by
energy developed within the gun. This method of working requires that a
preliminary shot should actually be fired with a fully loaded cartridge in order to
test the gun's action. This would not be practicable with large guns. The actions
must be performed and be thoroughly tested without the necessity of firing a
single shot. I therefore employ a steam engine or other suitable motor for
performing all the functions of the mechanism except pulling the trigger and I
transmit power from the motor to the gun by fluid pressure. I may use water,
compressed air, steam or electricity. I prefer however to employ water or other
liquid under a high pressure.
The gun is mounted in such a manner as to have a very large amount of
preponderance; that is, the trunnions are as far forward as possible, I am thus
enabled to diminish the size of the embrasure. The rear end of the gun is
supported by a hydraulic piston, the rod of which is attached to the non-recoiling
part of the mounting. The said non-recoiling part has a jacket which forms the
trunnion piece and the gun slides freely to and fro in or through the jacket.
In some cases it may not be possible through lack of space to place the hydraulic
support of the rear end of the gun on the extreme end of the non-recoiling plates
cr bars.
In such cases it may be placed in any convenient position so long as it
does not interfere with other parts of the mechanism.
The vertical cylinder or cylindrical part of the turret that extends through the
upper deck and which is attached to the turret or platform carrying the gun
provided with a bottom floor which is level, or approximately level, with the deck
below, or is in any convenient position which will permit it to be supplied with the
cartridges through openings in its side. I prefer to fix on this floor a railway track
for supporting the cartridges. The carrier is so arranged as to sink slightly below
the railway track and as it reaches its lowermost point to touch a lever which will
transfer a cartridge into the carrier.
The gun is trained by rotating the turret and cylinder.
A. hydraulic lift attached to the cylindrical part of the turret is provided with a
cartridge carrier which, descends through the lower floor of the said cylindrical
part so that cartridges lying on the floor can be conveniently rolled into it.
Hydraulic cylinders and pistons are provided to check the recoil, and the pistons,
instead of fitting loosely or having openings through them to allow the water to
pass from one end of the cylinder to the other, are made to fit the piston rod air
tight, each being provided with some kind of hydraulic packing, preferably leather
cups. A hole is provided in the side of the cylinder through which hole the liquid
is driven by the piston from one end of the cylinder, through a relief valve, into

page_text: the other end of the cylinder, the relief valve being weighted, to the required
pressure.
The gun, having recoiled, remains in the recoil position until it is driven forward
by some external force. A valve is arranged in such a position that as the gun in
its rearward movement reaches or nearly reaches the limit of this movement the
said valve allows water under a high pressure to enter the cylinders of the hydraulic
buffers and force them, with the gun, back into the firing position.
The hydraulic cylinders and their connections are so arranged that as the liquid
enters the said cylinder and drives the gun back into the firing position, liquid is at
the same time entering the hydraulic cylinders that operate the breech-block and
release it from the gun, this being accomplished very quickly and before the gun
has fairly commenced to return into the firing position. As soon as the breech is
unlocked, liquid is automatically allowed to enter the cylinders and force the breech-
bleck back to its extreme rearward position. Another valve is provided so that as
the breech block reaches this point, it opens the said valve and allows the liquid to
enter the cylinder of the hydraulic lift which supports the cartridge carrier. The
cartridge carrier will then commence to rise. In combination with the carrier
I arrange devices whereby it will be tilted forward to adapt itself to the angle at
which the gun is being fired.
The cartridge carrier may be made considerably shorter than the cartridge. As
the loaded cartridge is raised into the loading position and presents itself to the
breech approximately co-axial with the hore of the gun the breech-block is
liberated and commences its forward movement. The breech block is provided
with one or more projections which support and guide the cartridge, the cartridge
carrier being provided with grooves through which these projections or supports
freely pass. The carrier will remain in this position until the breech block has
advanced far enough to completely support the cartridge and to thrust the projectile
into the bore far enough to hold it safely therein. At this moment the breech
block operates a valve of the hydraulic lift which allows the cartridge carrier to
descend for the next cartridge. The breech block continues its forward movement
until the cartridge is completely home in the barrel. The spent cartridges are
extracted in the ordinary manner.
Suppose now that it is necessary to try the action of the gun without actually
firing a cartridge. The only difference between the working of the gun with loaded
cartridges and with blanks would be that when the gun is fired with a loaded car-
tridge a certain amount of water passes through the relief valve, while when all the
functions are performed without firing, no water passes through the relief valve;
the work done by the relief valve being always equal to the amount of work
necessary to bring the gun to a state of rest after firing. In case a gun should be
fired with a half charge and with half recoil it would be necessary to complete the
stroke by allowing more water to enter, when all the functions would be performed
as before. The water is conveyed to the rotating platform through a central pivot
or through flexible or telescopic tubes. One cylinder however has to travel with
the cross head carrying the breech block and this has the water conveyed to it
from the central supply through either a flexible pipe or a telescopic joint. The
gunner will have conveniently at hand two levers one connected with the motor
rotating the turret and the other with an equilibrium hydraulic valve connected
with the elevating gear. He will therefore be able with a slight motion of the hand
to point the gun accurately and instantly pull the trigger. Or I may adopt the
arrangement of electrical training described in the Specification of the Patent
No. 13672 dated the 17th day of October 1884.
If I use electricity for working the gun the movements of the parts above
described are made to open and close electric circuits.
I prefer to use a cartridge case made of steel and provided with either
fulminating primers or electric primers, and to use projectiles made as described in
the Specification of my Patent No. 680 dated the 14th day of January 1890.
I also prefer to use with these guns a sight such as that described in the

page_text: Specification of my Patent No. 13975 dated the 14th day of October 1887, with
slight modifications, that is to say the sight is provided with a single peep-bole in
the rear and two needles, as far forward as possible. Before going into action it
will be the duty of the officers to ascertain the exact height from the top mast or
other object on the enemy's ship, to the water; this is all it would be necessary to
ascertain. The gunner then, instead of receiving orders to fire at a certain range
must be informed of the distance of the object (say the topmast) from the water's
surface. He must then sight his gun so as to bring one of the needles to the top-
mast and the other to the water's surface, and in order to get the needles into this
position he must train his gun into a position for striking the ship at a part above
the surface of the water. His sights would therefore always be adjusted quite
independently of the range; thus no matter how far off the enemy's ship may be,
his sights would be in the right position to hit the said ship. The gun would also
be provided with ordinary sights for close quarters.
Dated this 17th day of January 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to Quick Firing Ordnance, and to Mountings
and Turrets, and to Methods of and Means for Working the
same.
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of Baldwyn's Park, Bexley, in the County of
Kent, Mechanical 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 to quick firing ordnance and to mountings and turrets
therefor and to methods of and means for working the same.
Very large naval guns i.e. guns with a calibre of from 9 to 14 inches as usually
worked can only be fired at a very moderate rate. In an engagement the time that
must elapse after one shot has been fired before another can be delivered would
be sufficient for the whole aspect of affairs to have changed, and in the case of
a gun mounted in a fort the ship at which the gun is firing might be completely
out of range by the time that the gun could be re-loaded after firing. Moreover
by reason of the time required for loading the gun, the gunner caunot profit
by observation of the result of the previous shot. For instance if he could find
that the previous shot fell short of the object the gunner would not be able to
correct this error at the next shot because of the alteration in the distance or
range, due to the ship's movements. The very large guns now in the Service will
probably be exceedingly unreliable in an actual engagement, especially if the ship
should be in a sea-way; the excitement of the men, and the motion of the ship
being both conducive to errors in the manipulation of the numerous valves and
handles that are necessary to perform the functions of loading and firing.
By my invention propose to obviate these difficulties by providing for
performing all the functions, except the firing, by machinery so that the gunner has
only to pull a lanyard or manipulate some equally simple device in order to
discharge the piece; that is to say-assuming the gun to be loaded-the gunner
aims and fires, and in a few seconds after the discharge, the gun is automatically
reloaded and ready for another shot, the gunner having only to sight the object and
again pull the lanyard.
The working of the gun may be effected by water, compressed air, steam or
electricity, I prefer however to employ water or other liquid under a high
pressure.

page_text: One of the essential features of this invention is that, in the working of the gun,.
one part of the mechanism having partly or completely finished its action actuates
a valve or switch in such a manner as to start another part of the mechanism,.
which in its turn after having partly or completely finished its action starts another
part of the mechanism and so on throughout the entire cycle of operations that
take place between one discharge and the next discharge of the gun, except the
firing.
Another feature of my invention is the manner of testing the action of the
mechanism without firing. In the Maxim gun the antomatic mechanism is
operated by energy developed within the gun. This method of working requires
that a preliminary shot should be fired with a fully loaded cartridge in order-
to test the gun's action. This would not be practicable with large guns. The
action must be tested without the necessity of firing a single shot. I therefore
employ fluid pressure for performing all the functions of the mechanism except
pulling the trigger.
These and other features of my invention are hereinafter set forth and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings which illustrate a gun provided with hydraulic power
for bringing the various parts of the machinery into operation. These drawings I
will now proceed to describe.
Figures 1 and 1 together shew a side elevation of a gun, mounted according to-
my invention in a turret which is shewn in vertical section.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the gun also shewing the turret in vertical
section.
Figure 3 is an outline plan or top view of the turret.
Figures 4 to 7 illustrate on a larger scale details of the cartridge carrier
bereinafter more fully referred to; Figure 4 being a longitudinal section of the
carrier in its fully elevated position with a cartridge thereon ready to be pushed
into the breech of the gun; Figure 5 a transverse section shewing the breech-
block in end elevation; Figure a plan of the cartridge carrier and its cartridge ;
and Figure 7 a sectional plan of the ram of the cartridge carrier shewing a device
hereinafter referred to.
Figure 8 is an enlarged elevation shewing more clearly the arrangement of the
recoil cylinder and parts connected therewith.
Figure 9 is a transverse section of the gun frame and shewing, also on an
enlarged scale, the means for actuating the breech-block.
Figure 10 is a central longitudinal section also on an enlarged scale shewing the
breech-block, the firing mechanism and one of the extractors.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
A is the gun; BB are side plates or frames in which the gun recoils. C is.
a revolving platform upon which the gun is mounted and C₁ is another revolving
platform or floor connected to the platform C by a cylindrical structure C² which
extends downwardly through one or more of the decks of the ship and has
doorways C³ therein. The platform C is provided with rollers or balls to enable
it to revolve on a suitable track or race path which is arranged in proximity to the
hole or space through which the cylindrical structure C2 passes. D is the turret,.
which, being designed to contain only one gun, is made elliptical in longitudinal
section with a comparatively sharp or thin edge at D¹ through which the muzzle
of the gun projects, as shewn in Figure 3, so that while the muzzle of the gun is
kept pointing in the direction of the enemy there is no surface on which the enemy's
projectiles can strike, except at a very small angle. The gun is trained as usual by
rotating the platform and turret and is elevated by any suitable means.
The said elliptical turret or casing D may have its least diameter considerably
less than the diameter of the platform C, and its greatest diameter considerably
more than that of the said platform so that the said turret will project over the
deck.
The two side plates or bars B constitute a frame similar to the inner recoiling
frame or side bars of a Maxim gun. E is the breech-block which is supported

page_text: between the said bars B and slides to and fro therein to open and close the breechi.
The aforesaid frame or bars B extend beyond the rear of the gun to a sufficient
distance to permit the breech-block to be withdrawn from the breech far enough
to allow a cartridge to be introduced between the breech, and the forward face of
the breech-block. The breech-block may be of any suitable type or form but I
prefer to use a screw-plug or block with divi led or interrupted screw thread.
The breech-block is mounted on a crosshead e which is fitted to slide in grooves b
formed in the aforesaid recoiling frame or side bars B and the breech-block is free
to be rotated in this crosshead sufficiently to lock and unlock it from the divi led or
interrupted screw threads in the breech of the gun. The breech-block cross-head
is moved end wise by means of an hydraulic cylinder F and is rotated to lock it to
the gun and unlock it therefrom by an hydraulic cylinder G.
The before mentioned cylinder F is fixed longitudinally on one side of the
frame B and is provided with pipes ff' communicating with the front and rear
ends of the said cylinder F (see Figure 1) the former of these pipes being furnished
with a relief valve 2 and the latter with a four-way-valve f. The said valve f³
controls the flow of liquid to and from the cylinder F, the said liquid coming from
the pipe a² which communicates with the main supply pipe a. On the inner side of
the frame B is an arm or lever f' (Figure 9) which is connected by suitable rods,
shafts and gearing f' to a lever which actuates the aforesaid valve f³. f is a
casing enclosing a spring which tends to keep the valve in its closed position.
The ends of the cross-head e carrying the breech-block project through the
grooves in the frame B and are connected on one side to the rim of the cylinder F
and on the other side to a telescopic cylinder F¹.
The aforesaid cross-head also carries the vertically arranged hydraulic cylinder (+
whose piston is connected to one end of a rocking arm g (see Figure 9) the other
end of this arm being connected to a rod g' linking the rocking arm g to an arm g²
fixed to the breech-block. The said rod g' has a nose g³ projecting therefrom
which is capable of actuating a crank arm f.
9 is a valve controlling the entrance of liquid under pressure to the cylinder G,
this valve being provided with a lever 9 whose free end lies in the path of a
projection g standing out from the frame B, so that as the gun recoils the lever is
operated by the said projection, and allows liquid to enter the lower part of the
cylinder G and turn the breech-block to disengage it from the breech of the gun.
During the unlocking of the breech-block as above stated the aforesaid nose g³
on the link g¹ operates the arm and thus turns the valve f³ into position to allow
liquid to enter the cylinder thereby withdrawing the breech-block from the
gun.
The gun body may advantageously be constructed as described in the Specifica-
tion of my former Patent No. 4320 dated the 22nd day of March 1887.
The gun may be mounted with trunnions A' or upon a pivottel beam or frame.
When provided with trunnions they are in a non-recoiling part of the mounting and
carry junction boxes to receive the pipes a which conduct the liquid under pressure
to the various hydraulic cylinders used for working the gun. I prefer to construct
the non-recoiling part of the mounting with a jacket H through which the gun can
slide freely to and fro, the said jacket serving as the trunnion piece.
An hydraulic brake-cylinder I is provided to check the recoil; the piston of
which cylinder instead of fitting loosely or having openings through it to allow the
liquid to pass from one end of the cylinder to the other, is made to fit the cylinder
air-tight, the piston being provided with some kind of hydraulic packing, preferably
leather cups. A pipe 1x is provided on the side of the cylinder through which
pipe the liquid is driven by the piston from one end of the cylinder through a
relief valve 1 to the other end of the cylinder, during recoil after firing the gun,
the relief valve being loaded by a weight or spring to the required pressure.
This cylinder is also provided with a four-way-valve 12 for controlling the
entrance of liquid under pressure to either the front or the rear part of the
cylinder 1. The aforesaid valve 12 is operated by means of a sliding rod or bar 1*

page_text: (see Figure 8) having thereon two tappets I* Is which are so arranged that one of.
them viz. 1, is operated when the gun recoils and the other viz.: 15 when the gun.
returns to its firing position. The inner end of this rod or bar I is connected by
a link 1 to a pivoted crank handle 17 which is controlled by a spring contained
in a casing 18 pivoted to one of the side plates B. During the recoil of the gun
after discharge the liquid in the cylinder I is driven from one side of the piston to
the other past the relief valve I' and the recoil of the gun actuates the rod 1³ and
starts the cycle of operations that are performed by the various mechanisms, but
when it is desired to cause the gun to recoil without firing, the rod 1³ is actuated
by operating the crank handle 1' by hand whereby liquid under pressure is allowed
to flow from the pipe a' and to enter the front of the cylinder I through the
valve 12, no liquid then passing the relief valve I¹.
The gun is mounted in such a manner as to have a very large amount of
preponderance; that is, the trunnions are as far forward as possible. I am thus
enabled to diminish the size of the embrasure. I provide hydraulic cylinders J
and pistons for supporting the rear end of the gun, the piston rods being attached
to the frame B or other non-recoiling part of the mounting. These cylinders J
are controlled by means of a hand wheel J' which is situated in convenient reach
of the gunner and may operate in any ordinary and well known manner.
In some
cases it may not be practicable through lack of space to arrange the hydraulic
cylinders J at the extreme end of the non-recoiling plates or bars B, in which
cases the hydraulic cylinders may be placed in the position indicated in the
drawings, or in any other convenient position, so long as they do not interfere with
other parts of the mechanism.
K is another hand-wheel similar to the one J' above referred to and is employed
for operating the mechanism for turning the turret.
The vertical cylinder or cylindrical part C of the turret which extends through
the upper deck and which is attached to the turret or platform carrying the gun is
provided with a bottom floor C'as above described which is level, or approximately
level, with the deck below, or is in any convenient position relatively to the
cartridge magazine which will permit it to be supplied with the cartridges through
the openings C³ in its side. I prefer to provide this floor with an inclined guide
way C having rails C³ for supporting the cartridges and for conducting them to
the cartridge carrier M. This carrier is so arranged as to sink slightly below the
rails supporting the cartridges and, as it reaches its lowermost point, to actuate
mechanism which will allow a cartridge to be transferred from the rails to the
carrier.
The said cartridge carrier is connected by pins m (see Figures 4 to 7) to a slotted
head m' which is pivoted at m² to the upper end of the ram n of the hydraulic
cylinder N by which the carrier is raised and lowered. The fore end of the
cartridge carrier is provided with a transverse pin m³ whose ends when the cartridge
carrier is fully elevated come into engagement with the upper portion of recesses B'
formed in the frame B.
On reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that the cartridge carrier normally
occupies an inclined position so long as it is out of engagement with the recesses B₁.
When however the ends of the pin m³ engage with the upper portions of the said
recesses B' the front end of the carrier is prevented from rising any higher with
the result that the ram n still continuing to ascend the carrier turns about the
pin m³ as a fulcrum and brings the axis of the cartridge into alignment with the
axis of the gun (see Figure 4) so that when the breech block advances towards
the breech the cartridge will be pushed into the gun. The ascent and descent of
the cartridge carrier is controlled by a valve n' which regulates the admission
of the liquid under pressure through the pipes n* to the cylinder N. This valve
is operated by rods n² connected with lever mechanism n³ carried on the inner side
of the frame B. This mechanism is actuated by a projection n¹ on the breech-
block coming against arms n n forming part of the aforesaid mechanism n³.
M and M² are vertical guides by which the flange of the cartridge and the nose

page_text: of the projectile are respectively guided during the ascent of the cartridge
carrier M. M³ M are two standards projecting from the table C' and arranged
in such a manner that when a cartridge is allowed to pass from the rails C³ it does
not fall directly upon the cartridge carrier but rests upon these standards in a
horizontal position immediately above the said cartridge carrier so that as the
latter ascends it receives the cartridge without experiencing any undue shock.
The before mentioned ram n of the cylinder N is provided with a crosshead n
(Figures 5 and 6) which works in a vertical guide n' and is furnished with a
pivoted spring-controlled lever n³ having a pin n³ adapted to normally engage with
a hole in the aforesaid cross head and a recess in the ram, whereby the said
crosshead and ram are locked together. This lever n is also formed with a dog n¹º
which when the crosshead arrives almost to the top of the guide n' strikes against
a projection n which causes the lever n³ to remove its pin n° out of engagement
with the ram and thereby release the crosshead so that the ram can continue its
ascent without the crosshead. Simultaneously with this disengagement, a pro-
jection n on the crosshead strikes against a tooth n¹³ on a spring catch n¹
provided with a hinged projection n¹s at its upper end. This catch n thus gives
way as the cross-head ascends and brings its tooth beneath the projection n' so
that the crosshead is supported thereby, when it is released from the ram as above
stated. The upper end of the ram n has a finger n which serves to retain a flap O
in its raised position (that is to say in the position represented by the full lines in
Figure 5) while the carrier M descends after leaving its cartridge in proper
position in the space existing between the breech-block and the breech of the gun.
The aforesaid flap O is hinged at O' and is adapted to fall by the action of gravity
into the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 5 so that when an empty
cartridge case is withdrawn from the gun by the extractors E¹ on the breech-
block, the said cartridge case will fall onto the flap O and be directed thereby to a
suitable shoot or the like for leading the empty cartridge cases to
any desirable
place. This flap is retained in the before mentioned dotted position by the
bracket O. As the ram n descends the finger n strikes against the hinged
projection thereby causing the catch a to release the crosshead n® and allow
it to descend with the ram, the aforesaid lever n at the same time leaving the
projections and permitting its pin n° to again lock the crosshead to the ram.
B2 B3 are guiding fins on the frame B which act to direct the base of the
cartridge into proper position relatively to the breech block so as to ensure that
the flange of the cartridge will enter behind the nose Ex of the extractor (see
Figure 4). B B are longitudinal guiding strips which assist in directing the
cartridge into the breech of the gun when the said cartridge is pushed forward by
the breech-block.
In order that only one cartridge at a time shall pass onto the cartridge carrier
I may provide reciprocating guard plates P Px whose positions are regulated by
a spring controlled lever P. The inner end of this lever has a link P furnished
with a pin P working in a guide P. As the carrier M ascends the outer end of
the lever P¹ is caused to descend by the action of the crosshead n' and to carry the
plate P out of the path of the cartridges on the rails C, the inner end of said
lever P¹ meanwhile causing the guard plate P* to ascend. The said guide P is
so shaped or bent at its upper part that the aforesaid pin P³ can move out of the
way of the rising crosshead n to allow the latter to pass by. When the carrier M
again descends the link P2 is caught by the crosshead n and caused to turn the
lever P¹ about its pivot so as to lower the plate P* and bring the plate P into its
raised position. As this plate P rises an inclined piece P thereon comes against
the cartridge that is in front of it and pushes said cartridge onto the
standards M3 M4.
The breech-block (Figure 10) is provided with the firing pin E and a spring
controlled trigger E³ to which a lanyard is attached for firing the gun. These
parts may be of the ordinary and well known construction.
When the gun is discharged it recoils in the ordinary way, forcing the liquid

page_text: at the
from one end of the brake cylinder 1 to the other past the relief valve 1'. As the
gun in its rearward movement reaches or nearly reaches the limit of this move-
ment it operates the rod 18 by coming against the tappet 14 whereby the valve 1'
is turned into position to allow liquid under high pressure to enter the cylinder I
and force the gun again into the firing position. While the liquid is entering the
said cylinder I to drive the gun forward into its firing position, liquid
same time entering the hydraulic cylinder G that operates the breech-block an!
releases it from the gun, this being accomplished very quickly and before the gun
has fairly commenced to return into the firing position. As soon as the breech-
block is unlocked, liquid is automatically allowed to enter the cylinder F by the
nose operating the arın f4 and mechanism connected therewith, whereby the
breech-block is carried back to its extreme rearward position. The breech-block
as it reaches this position opens the valve n' through the intervention of the
lever n and rods n² and allows the liquid to enter the cylinder N of the hydraulic
lift which supports the cartridge carrier M. The cartridge carrier will then
commence to rise. In combination with the carrier, I arrange devices as already
stated whereby it will be tilted to adapt itself to the angle at which the gun is
being fired.
At this
The cartridge carrier may be made considerably shorter than the cartridge. As
the loaded cartridge is raised into the loading position and presents itself to the
breech approximately co-axial with the bore of the gun the breech block is
liberated by a projection m* on the carrier striking against a lever f forming part
of the mechanism fe for actuating the valve f³. Liquid thus enters the
cylinder F and causes the breech-block to advance towards the breech of the gun. In
combination with the breech-block I may arrange one or more projections which
support and guide the cartridge, the cartridge carrier being provided with grooves,
or being curved as shewn in the drawings, so as to allow these projections or
supports to freely pass. The carrier will remain in its elevated position until the
breech-block has advanced far enough to completely support the cartridge and to
thrust the projectile into the bore far enough to hold it safely therein.
moment the breech-block again operates the valve n' of the hydraulic lift by
acting upon a lever ne forming part of the mechanism n² n³, whereby the cartridge
carrier is caused to descend for another cartridge. The breech block then
continues its forward movement, forcing the cartridge completely home in the
barrel, and closing the breech by the motion of the lever g, the liquid at this time
entering the top of cylinder G by the reversal of the valve g. This reversal
takes place by reason of the arm g striking against a stop or projection g' on the
frame B as the breech block advances towards the breech of the gun. The gun
can then be fired by pulling the before mentioned lanyard. The spent cartridges
are extracted by the breech-block in the ordinary manner aud fall on to the flap
as hereinbefore explained.
Suppose now that it is necessary to try the action of the gun without actually
firing a cartridge. The only difference between the working of the gun with
loaded cartridges and with blanks would be that in the recoil of the gun after it
has been fired, with a loaded cartridge a certain amount of liquid passes through
the aforesaid relief valve 1', whereas when all the functions are performed without
firing, no liquid passes through this relief valve; the work done by the relief valve
being always equal to the amount of work necessary to bring the gun to a state of
rest after firing. If the gun should be fired with a half charge and with half
recoil it would be necessary to complete the recoil movement by manipulating the
lever handle 17 thereby allowing more liquid to enter the cylinder I, all the
functions would then be performed as before.
By reason of the cylinder G having to travel with the cross-head e carrying
the breech-block the liquid for supplying this cylinder is conveyed to it from
the main supply pipe a through either a flexible pipe or a telescopic tube F'.
The gunner has, as already stated, conveniently at hand the two hand wheels J'
and K one for rotating the turret and the other for operating the elevating gear.
B

page_text: He will therefore be able with a slight motion of the hand to point the gun
accurately, and instantly pull the trigger. Or I may adopt the arrangement of
electrical training described in the Specification of the Patent No. 13,672 dated
the 17th day of October 1884.
If I use electricity for working the gun the movements of the parts above
described are made to open and close electric circuits.
I prefer to use a cartridge case made of steel and provided with either fulminating
primers or electric primers, and to use projectiles made as described in the
Specification of my Patent No. 680 dated the 14th day of January 1890.
I also prefer to use with these guns a sight such as that described in the
Specification of my Patent No. 13,975 dated the 14th day of October 1887, with
slight modifications, that is to say the sight is provided with a single peep-hole
in the rear and two needles, as far forward as possible. Before going into action
it will be the duty of the officers to ascertain the exact height from the topmast,
or other object on the enemy's ship, to the water; that is all that it would be
necessary to ascertain. The gunner then, instead of receiving orders to fire at a
certain range must be informed of the distance of the object (say the topmast)
from the water's surface. He must then sight his gun so as to bring one of the
needles to the topmast and the other to the water's surface, and in order to get
the needles into this position he must train his gun into a position for striking the
ship at a part above the surface of the water. His sights would therefore always
be adjusted quite independently of the range; thus no matter how far off the
enemy's ship may be, his sights would be in the right position to hit the said ship.
The gun would also be provided with ordinary sights for close quarters.
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 :-
1. In a gun-mounting, the combination of the parts of the mechanism in such a
manner that, in the cycle of operations performed between two consecutive
discharges, each part of the mechanism, on or before completing its action, starts
another part so that the different functions of the mechanism are automatically
performed in their proper order.
2. In combination with the fixed and recoiling frames of a gun-mounting and
with mechanism for automatically performing the aforesaid cycle of operations
between the consecutive discharges of the gun, means for testing the action of the
mechanism without firing the gun.
3. In the said gun-mounting the brake or buffer cylinder having an external
pipe provided with a relief-valve for controlling the passage of the Huid from one
to the other side of the piston and arranged in combination with a four-way cock
or valve substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The formation of a turret substantially as set forth with reference to Figure 3
so that when the gun is pointing at the enemy the said turret exposes very little
surface to the impact of the enemy's projectiles.
5. A gun on a recoil-mounting arranged on a rotating platform having a down-
wardly extending cage or cylinder provided with an hydraulic carrier-lift the
movement of which forms a part of an automatically performed cycle of operations
for the purposes set forth.
6. In a gun mounting of the kind or class hereinabove described and in com-
bination with the breech-block which performs part of the aforesaid cycle of
automatic operations, the carrier moved by an hydraulic lift in such a manner as
to raise a cartridge from the hold or magazine and leave it in the loading position
in front of the breech block for the purpose specified.
7. The combination with the said carrier and lift of the device for automatically
adjusting the carrier as it rises into the required position according to the angle of
elevation of the gun substantially as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 of
the acccompanying drawings.

page_text: 8. A gun having hydraulic apparatus such as that herein described arranged in
combination with the breech-block and with other parts of the mechanism whereby
it is automatically caused to operate at the proper times for turning the said block
about its axis and moving it longitudinally to and from the breech for the purposes
specified.
9. The gun mounted in a rotating turret in combination with mechanism sub-
stantially as described and shewn in the accompanying drawings for automatically
and otherwise working the said gun in the manner above set forth.
Dated this 16th day of November 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.