Improvements in Magazine Fire Arms.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 20th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1893-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magazine Fire Arms.
I, JOSEF LAUMANN, of Vienna, Larchenfeldergürtel Koppgasse 24, in the
Austrian Empire, Gunmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in that type of magazine fire arms which
is described in the Specifications of Letters Patent Nos. 379018 and 29841801 already
granted to me, such improvements consisting principally in improved methods of
and means for utilising the force of the explosion, and which will have the effect
of rendering the said type automatic.
$6
"
Throughout this Specification, the expression "cocked," refers to the position of
the parts which immediately precedes the act of firing, and "uncocked" to that
which immediately precedes the cocked position. The terms "left," 'right,'
"front" and "rear are to be understood as if the reader were the marksman
with the weapon in front of him and at the " present."
32
The various parts of the mechanisms described in my two former Patents which
are modified by the present invention are as follows:-
1. The breech bolt.
2. The firing pin.
3. The breech bolt locking bar.
4. The breech bolt lever.
5. The main spring lever.
6. The trigger and firing mechanism.
1. THE BREECH BOLT.
This is provided on the same side as the locking bar, and directly behind the
latter, with a hollow lateral extension or chamber which extends from the said
bar to the rear end of the bolt. This chainber fits within the guiding groove in
the side of the standing breech. The cavity of the chamber communicates with
that of the bolt. The rear end of the latter is closed by a block which is
perforated centrally to allow the firing pin to move to and fro. A lateral extension
of this block is held within the chamber where it acts as a stop for the said
pin. The block is bored out to receive the spring of the firing pin when it is
compressed by the recoil for the purpose of preventing it being put out of shape by
the latter.

page_text: within the chamber on the side of the breech bolt, and which has its under side
bevelled off downwards and to the rear. As the shoulder emerges from the said
chamber, it stands over the locking bar then in its notch in the bottom of the
standing breech and prevents it rising to the level of the groove already referred
to as being in the side of the standing breech. At the same time, this extension
prevents the firing pin reaching and firing the cartridge if, from any cause, the
locking bar is not down in its notch or the breech is not quite closed, or, in other
words, if the breech bolt is not properly cocked. This extension has a second one
which stands in the path of the locking bar, so that when the. breech is opened by
hand, the motion of the said bar to the rear will take the firing pin with it.
3. THE BREECH BOLT LOCKING BAR.
This has only one stud on its side instead of two as heretofore, such ouly stud
standing between two horns which are continuations of the breech bolt lever.
The rear horn stands between the said stud and the chamber on the side of the
breech bolt. The rear end of the bar and rear slope of its notch are less abrupt
than heretofore for the purpose of facilitating the slide of the former up the
latter, prior to its entering the guide groove after the said chamber. The top of
the said end is also bevelled.
:
4. THE BREECH BOLT LEVER AND THE FINGER LEVER.
The latter is not in either of my former Patents. It stands on the right hand
of the arm outside of the breech mechanism chamber. It is held fast to the breech
bolt lever by means of a connecting piece through which the common axis (of the
same kind as heretofore) passes. The bottom of the breech bolt lever is made
knuckle-wise so as to turn in a concave seat formed on the bottom of the chamber
last mentioned. There is no direct connection between the said lever and the
trigger neither has the former any analogous external projection. The finger lever
provides for the breech bolt being uncocked by hand. There is on one side of the
breech bolt lever a ledge-like extension or shoulder of a bold concave contour.
projects towards the front of the chamber of the breech mechanism, and on it and
behind its maximum projection, the nose of the main spring lever is always pressing
or pulling. The fulcrum of the latter is as near to the front of the said chamber as
practicable. The main spring is of the same type as heretofore. It is made fast
in the stock. Antifriction devices between the spring and lever and the latter and
the breech bolt lever may be adopted if desired.
5. THE MAIN SPRING LEVER.
It
The object of this lever is to, by means of the main spring, maintain a constant
pressure upon the projection on the breech bolt lever, as already mentioned. The
effects of such action upon the said lever are that when the safety detent frees it,
the breech bolt, then in the uncocked position, is thrown forward into the cocked
position, and that a strong pressure is then brought to bear upon the locking bar,
then down in its notch, so that it cannot immediately yield to the pressure of the
explosion.
In this way, the recoil is scotched and equalised, so that at its commencement
the pressure upon the locking bar is at its strongest while the more the breech bolt
is moved backwards the more the resistance of the spring decreases because the
point of contact between the levers is moving away. After the recoil is spent,
the main spring lever pulls that of the breech bolt forwards, loads the arin and
cocks the bolt.

page_text: of my former Patent No. 29841891 but the lever has a downward extension past its
fulcrum upon which extension there is pivotted a contact piece which is provided
with a spring adapted to keep it always against a shoulder on the extension and
standing towards the trigger. This latter is pivotted in the usual position, but the
end of it, which enters the breech mechanism chamber, is bent downwards and held
pointing so by a special spring, e.g., a bar spring having its base in the butt end of
the stock, and engaging the end of the trigger. Such end and the contact piece
stand in each others paths. When the trigger is pulled it bears against the contact
piece, and so rocks the firing lever back, thereby freeing the firing pin. But the
trigger end passes the contact piece, and immediately the firing lever is returned
by its spring in time to engage the firing pin as it is returned with the breech bolt,
and hold it cocked.
The trigger spring and the contact piece spring may both be bar springs having
a common base of operation in the butt end.
The contact piece may be pivotted on the trigger end, all the relative functions
being retained.
In a fire arm constructed according to the present invention there are three
agencies which, by their resistance, diminish the excessive pressure of the
explosion.
1. The locking bar which down in its notch in the standing breech, has to mount.
an incline.
2. The projection from the firing pin which stands over the locking bar at the
moment of firing, prevents its mounting the said incline and acts as a brake.
3. The main spring the influence of which is constant.
Dated this 20th day of October 1892.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magazine Fire Arms.
I, JOSEF LAUMANN, of Vienna, Larchenfeldergürtel Koppgasse 24, in the
Austrian Empire, Gunmaker, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in that type of magazine fire arms which
is described in the Specifications of Letters Patent Nos. 37901890 and 29841891 already
granted to me, such improvements consisting principally in improved methods of
and means for utilising the force of the explosion, and which will have the effect
of rendering the said type automatic.
Throughout this Specification the expression "cocked" refers to the position
" to that
of the parts which immediately precedes the act of firing, and "uncocked
which immediately precedes the cocked position. The terms "left," "right,"
"front" and "rear are to be understood as if the reader were the marksman with
the weapon in front of him and at the "present.".
21
The various parts of the mechanisms described in my two former Patents which
are modified by the present invention are as follows:
1. The breech bolt.
2. The firing pin.
3. The breech bolt locking bar.
4. The breech bolt lever.
5. The main spring lever.
6. The trigger and firing mechanism.
In order that my invention and the means by which it is to be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe it and them in

page_text: detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as,
part of this Specification and read therewith.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a recoil actuated repeating pistol, loaded,
having the breech bolt closed, the firing pin fired and the bullet in the act of
moving forward.
Fig. 2 is an external elevation of the right side of the pistol with its finger
lever.
Fig. 3 shews a side and a front elevation of the combined breech bolt lever'
made in one piece with the finger lever.
Fig. 4 illustrates the construction of the breech bolt, the chamber for the closing
block, and the locking bar.
Fig. 5 shews a side view and an inverted plan of the firing pin with its shoulder
which fits into the chamber on the breech bolt.
Fig. 6 is the main spring lever upon which the spring M bears.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the trigger.
Fig. 8 illustrates the construction of the closing block of the breech bolt with
the stop.
Figs. 9 and 94 illustrate the firing mechanism.
The different parts described in the previous Specifications, which have been
modified are
1st. The breech bolt H,
2nd. The firing pin G,
3rd. The locking bar J,
4th. The breech bolt lever I,
5th. The controlling piece or the spring actuated lever Y,
6th. The firing lever P.
1. THE BREECH BOLT.
FIGS. 1 TO 4.
This part carries on its left side a quadrangular shoulder which begins just
behind the locking bar J and extends up to the rear end of the breech bolt.
This shoulder fits exactly within the groove which has always been present,
fills it and now serves also as a guide. This shoulder his hollowed in such a
way that the round hole in the breech bolt for the firing pin, communicates with
its cavity.
At the rear end, the breech bolt H is provided with a
is held in its place by means of a screw while the cheek
cavity to serve as a stop for the recoil of the firing pin.
closing block Q which
of it projects into the
The lower portion of the closing block Q is hollow on the inside in such a way
that it receives the spring of the firing pin in a compressed condition and so prevents
a distortion which the recoil of the firing pin might cause.
2. THE FIRING PIN G. FIG. 5.
It carries, besides what it had before, upon the left side and about at the point
where the shoulder for the detent o² is, a square and flat shoulder g³ which exactly
fits within the cavity of the breech bolt and which on its front portion is chamfered
off downwards. When the disengaged firing pin moves forward, the shoulder g²
must move beyond the opening g³ of the chamber on the breech bolt for the purpose
of standing with its oblique surface upon the lowered locking bar and prevents
the latter from rising. At the same time, this shoulder would prevent the firing
pin G from reaching and firing the cartridge in the barrel if, from any cause,
the locking bar J were not quite down, or the breech bolt were not quite closed.
It is easy to see that the shoulder g' is shaped in such a way that its part
overhangs the locking bar J in order that, in opening by hand, this shoulder of the
firing pin shall be drawn back by the breech bolt lever before the locking bar
begins to rise.

page_text: 3. THE LOCKING DAR ). FIGS. I AND 4.
The locking bar does not present any other modification than the suppression of
the rear stud. It has now no more than one stud, j, inasmuch as for its backward
motion it is useless and when the opening is effected by hand by means of the
finger lever Z, the rear part of the breech bolt lever I bears in just the same way
against the square shoulder of the breech bolt and so carries it backwards.
Besides, the locking bar J presents, as to its rear end, a less abrupt shape, and also
its seat in the standing breech presents an easier incline which allows the locking
bar to free itself with a sliding movement, at the moment of firing, by the recoil
of the explosion.
Besides, the rear end of the locking bar J carries a chamfer over which the
shoulder stands as soon as the latter moves forward when the detent is released.
4. THE BREECH BOLT LEVER I, FICs. 1 AND 3 WITH ITS FINGER
LEVER Z.
By doing away with the rear stud on the locking bar J, the head of the breech
bolt lever I has received another and more solid form and now lifts, when the
opening is effected by hand, the stud j of the locking bar J. by its front horn ¹,
while at the same time and with its rear horn, it pushes back the shoulder g of the
firing pin G, and next bears against the square shoulder of the breech bolt H,
which makes this latter move back as the breech opens.
The breech bolt lever turns as heretofore, on 2, about a threaded bolt which at
the same time holds up the cover plate. Moreover it is bent at a right angle under
the standing breech and terminates on the right external side in the finger lever Z.
They are held solidly to the lever by being both in one piece. This finger lever
serves to open the breech by hand when that is necessary. This piece, twice bent
at a right angle, is bored out below after the manner of a hinge, and rests upon an
extension of the body, while the bolt passed through the whole and screwed into
the finger lever serves as an axis.
The breech bolt lever I carries upon its inner face a shoulder which, towards the
front, terminates in a projection or nose, standing out as far as possible, and
which serves to receive the pressure of the spring M through the controlling
lever Y. To diminish the friction, a small roller or a wheel may be fitted on the
nose i³.
5. THE MAIN SPRING LEVER Y. FIGS. AND 6.
The object of the lever Y, the axis y of which is placed as far to the front of
the body as possible, is, by means of the spring M fixed solidly in m, to exert a
constant pressure upon the projection of the breech bolt lever, with the necessary
consequence that not only when the detent R frees the breech bolt lever I, the
breech bolt H being open, is the said bolt thrown forwards, but also that when the
breech is closed, an effective pressure is exerted upon the lowered locking bar in
such a way that it cannot immediately yield before the impulse of the explosion.
In this way, the recoil is scotched and equalised in such a way that at the
commencement of the recoil, the maximum pressure is brought to bear upon the
locking bar, while the farther the breech bolt lever moves back the more
the resistance of the spring diminishes for the reason that the point upon the lever
where the pressure exerts itself is moving farther away, while the breech being
quite open, that is to say, the action of the recoil being exhausted, the breech bolt
lever is thrown forward, and taking with it the breech bolt H, effects the loading
of a fresh cartridge and the closing of the breech. This method of using the spring
is, undoubtedly, preferable to the use of a spiral spring fixed behind or upon the
bolt, because at the commencement of the recoil, the resistance of the spring is very

page_text: Propor
In the same way, on closure, by reason or the strong compression of
the spiral spring, the pressure is at first very strong, then at the end of its forward
movement, when the cartridge has to be charged into the already fouled barrel, it
has scarcely energy enough to effect it.
6. THE TRIGGER AND FIRING MECHANISM P.
This mechanism consists of two distinct parts:
FIGS. 1, 7 AND 9.
(a.) The firing lever P with its detent o. On the former, and projecting through
the butt end of the pistol there is a stop pin p³ provided with the returning spring p
(in this case a spiral one). The firing lever P carries on its rear portion, an
extension inclined downwards upon which there is fixed, by means of a screw, the
moveable piece p which is always returned to the position indicated in the drawing,
by the small flat spring po.
(b.) A trigger p* pivotted at p by means of a screw, and kept down by means of
a flat spring operating in its rear notch p and fixed upon the frame of the butt.
Consequently, when the trigger is pulled, its rear end p bears upon the piece p²
of the lever P which cannot move forwards, and consequently pushes it back, that
is to say, raises it in such a way that the detent of situated upon the front arm of
the lever, is lowered and so releases the firing pin. But, at the same time the end p
of the trigger has passed the piece p of the firing lever, which allows the spiral
spring p to push it down and to raise the detent o situate upon the front lever
arm. In this way, the firing lever is always brought into position as rapidly as the
breech is opened or closed, even when the trigger is held back. If now, the trigger
is let go, its rear part, kept down by the action of the spring 7, bears against the
piece (catch) p of the firing lever, which yields, without the lever giving way, and
lets the piece of the trigger pass, then, under the influence of the spring p, it
again resumes its former position.
The two springs p' and p may, as is indicated in Fig. 9A, be joined together to
forin a double spring one of the arms of which rests in the notch p of the trigger,
while the second arm rests directly upon the catch p. By this arrangement, not
only are the small flat spring of the catch and the spiral spring saved, but
also the extension of the firing lever P which in that case terminates with the
catch-see Fig. 9ª.
The firing mechanism may also be constructed in such a way that the moveable
piece shall be upon the trigger which then will receive a small extension for the
spring. This inoperative piece, is pressed by its under side against the frame of
the butt when the trigger returns, and consequently, again occupies its original
suitable position.
WORKING.
The pistol is loaded by the following course of action.
The pistol is grasped by the left hand with the bent index finger of theiright
hand upon the finger lever Z on the right side and drawing it back, while at the
same time a slight pressure is brought to bear, with the thumb of the right hand
upon the extension on the left side of the detent R, to raise it. When the breech
is full open, the detent engages, and the breech remains open.
During this operation, the breech bolt lever I has, with its rear horn drawn back
the shoulder g¹ on the firing pin G, which was standing over the bar J, has raised
the latter and pulled the breech bolt back, after which the detent R engages. The
cartridges may then be introduced, that is to say, according to the make of it, the
magazine may be charged, and pressure upon the detent suffices to instantly close
the breech, the top cartridge being, at the same time, pushed into the barrel. It is
quite indifferent, whether the trigger p¹ be pulled at the same time, since the
release of the firing pin can only take place when the trigger has been let go prior
to pulling it again.

page_text: The pistol is by this time loaded, and ready for being fired.
detent, the pistol may be left quite safe and put on one side.
By means of the
The action during firing is effected automatically in the following manner.
When the trigger p' is pulled, the firing pin G is disengaged and driven forwards
by its spiral spring.
The recoil
By the time that its point has struck the cap and fired the latter and the
cartridge, the shoulder of the firing pin G is standing above the depressed bar J
in such a way that this latter cannot leave its sent immediately.
produced by the explosion, acts equally upon the firing pin and the breech bolt,
but the latter cannot yield to its pressure so long as the shoulder 2 of the firing pin
is above the bar J. It is only when this firing pin, has been by reason of the
recoil, once more returned into the bore of the breech bolt that the bar, skidded
sufficiently by the spring M or by the breech bolt lever I, can rise out of its seat
in the standing breech and move back with the breech bolt. This movement takes
with it the cartridge case until the latter is in contact with the ejector and is
thrown out. By that time, the breech bolt has got to the end of its motion, to the
rear and is immediately driven to the front. This cocks the firing pin and loads
a fresh cartridge into the barrel.
In this way, the pistol is again loaded and ready to be fired, and the same series
of actions is repeated each time that the trigger is pulled, until the magazine is
empty.
The detent produces its double effect:
1st. To hold the breech open (during loading):
2nd. To prevent the arm going off when it is loaded and cocked.
The recoil actuated pistol acts with the rapidity of lightning and the eye can
scarcely follow the motion of the breech bolt. That is why the firing pin detent
must be automatic and independent of the marksman, who is not able to let the
trigger go quickly enough.
The disagreeable and irritating "kick" is altogether absent from the recoil
actuated pistol.
The marksman can aim at ease and with good aim, having nothing else to attend
to, for all other operations, which would call for a certain amount of muscular
effort and attention, are now carried out by the recoil. Moreover, the marksman
will certainly perceive if any unnoticed irregularities cause the arm to cease firing.
There are three causes which by their resistance diminish the excessive effect of
the recoil due to the explosion.
1. The bar J which, situated in its seat in the standing breech, must move up an
incline.
2. The shoulder g² of the firing pin G which standing over the bar J at the
moment of firing, prevents its rising and acts as a break.
3. The resistance of the spring M, the force of which is constant.
It must here be remarked that the first two resistances operate only for a short
time aud not at all after they have absorbed the first energetic impulse of the
recoil, while only the spring M is left to counterbalance the effect of the recoil.
But when the breech is closed, an act performed by the spring M alone, the two
resistances above mentioned present no obstacle because it is quite impossible for
them to act.
It is to be understood that although I have selected the application of my
invention to a pistol, it is to be distinctly understood that it is not restricted to any
particular size of arm.
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. An automatic repeating fire arm with breech bolt action produced by the
explosion characterised by a lever under the control of a flat spring M (Fig. 1)
which lever Y acts upon the internal projection of the breech bolt lever I

page_text: combined with the finger lever Z and which, the breech having been opened by
the pressure of the explosion, immediately closes it automatically by driving it
forwards, and by so doing, effects the loading of a fresh cartridge from the magazine
into the barrel.
2. In repeating fire arms, a hollow shoulder on the breech bolt H, the cavity of
which allows a shoulder y of the firing pin G to pass out at firing time, fitting
therein in such a way (Figs. 4 and 5) that the shoulder will then stand over the
lowered bar J and prevent the latter from prematurely leaving its seat in the
standing breech.
3. In repeating fire arms, the combination of the firing lever P (Fig. 9) with the
trigger (Fig. 7), said lever carrying a catch pe under the control of a flat spring,
which catch, by reason of the action of the trigger, effects not only the disengage-
ment of the detent o², but also its engagement.
4. The rigid connection of the breech bolt lever 1 with the finger lever Z and its
mounting hingewise upon an extension of the body.
Dated this 13th day of July 1893.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.