Improvements in Mechanism for Automatic Guns.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 14th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Automatic Guns.
COLOMBO RICCI of Santarcangelo di Romagna (Italy) Mechanical Engineer at
present residing at N° 3 Pier Road Erith-Kent-do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to automatic guns of the kind and class described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent, N° 1307 and N° 8281-29 January-and
8 July 1885 that is to say, guns which are worked by the force of the recoil, or what are
generally called, Maxim automatic guns.
In the said former Specification, 1307 and 8281 guns are described, in which a
special arrangement (including the crank handle, the resistance piece, the dead stop
with bracket and washer, the buffer spring and bracket for the same) suitably disposed
on the right hand side, serves for working the breech-mechanism.
One feature of my present invention, is to provide for the same purpose a simple
cam (on the left hand side of the gun) cut out of a solid piece with the fusee and
crank-spindle which passes through the case from left to right, and thus eliminate all
the above mentioned pieces.
This cam, besides opening the breech-mechanism, bears at its low part a projection,
which in its motion comes in contact with a suitable piece that I provide on the left
hand side of the case, and serves for bringing the whole recoiling parts home, before
the breech-mechanism begins to close.
I provide also the recoil plates with suitable projections for limiting the backward
and forward rotation of the crank, as may be seen on the annexed drawings.
I eliminate the chain, hooks and regulating screw for the coil spring, and substitute
a single link for the former, and suitable books for the second, shaped off the coil
spring itself.
By this arrangement, the gun can be fired (if desired) without handle or any other
piece of mechanism rotating on the outside of it; for the purpose of loading the gun,
a loose handle is provided, which can be chained to the handle-block or wherever is
found more convenient.
The centre line of the crank, connecting-rod, side levers and lock, will be one for all,
and coincide with the axis of the gun.
By this arrangement, a more effective power can be utilized from the recoil of the
gun.
I eliminate the latch-block that is riveted on the cover of the gun, the two cover
springs and the two cams that are riveted within the outside-plates, and provide for
•

page_text: this purpose two cams cut out solid on the inner face of the recoil plates, and thus
enable the carrier to be guided in its motion round the axis of the gun.
Another feature of my present invention, to provide the rear block with wooden
handles (or any other light and non conducting material) riveted, or screwed on lugs
which are suitably cast for this purpose, instead of the ordinary solid cast handles
which exist in the old gun.
Besides being lighter and more convenient, especially for cold countries, the block
thus arranged, may be entirely shaped and finished by the use of an ordinary milling
machine.
By means of two screws or any other suitable device, I hinge the aforesaid block
to the bottom of the outside plates, and provide a special pin at its uppermost part,
which serves at the same time for fastening it, and secure the lid to the body of the
gun.
By this arrangement, this rear block can be swung down by simply removing the
above mentioned pin, and thus allow the recoiling mechanism to be withdrawn in the
easiest possible way.
I put the trigger within the gun attached to the front face of the rear block, and
provide a suitable spring for working the trigger, the trigger-bar, trigger-button and
safety-catch at the same time.
For the sight, I provide a special bracket, cast solid on the left hand side of the
rear block, and by means of a suitable spring, I enable the sight to be fastened or
withdrawn in the most convenient manner.
Another feature of my present gun, is to provide the trunnion-block with a suitable
valve, than can be set at will, from the outside, by the gunner for escape of steam
from the water-jacket.
This valve is so arranged, that either the front, or the rear of the water-jacket can
be put in communication with the atmosphere, according to firing on elevation or on
depression.
By setting this valve in a third position, every communication with the inside of
the water-jacket is intercepted, and the gun can be carried from one place to the
other without any loss of the water with which it has previously been filled up.
I arrange the same trunnion-block so as to be fixed, by means of screws or of rivets,
directly on the outside plates, as shown by the accompanying drawings, and thus
considerably reduce the work and make the gun itself far stronger and simpler.
By applying the stuffing-box directly to this trunnion-block (instead of having a
sleeve on the barrel), the water in the jacket is brought considerably farther over
the chamber of the barrel, and thus more satisfactory results are obtained.
BREECH MECHANISM OR BOLT.
A characteristic of this piece of mechanism, is to construct it in such a manner, as
to enable the carrier to be put in and withdrawn from the top of the bolt. I provide
for this purpose a suitable carrier-stop, as shown by the accompanying drawings, and
and by simply realising this aforesaid carrier stop of a quarter of an inch, the carrier
can be taken out independently of any other piece.
--
The main spring, differs from the ordinary one by having its two branches almost
of equal length, by taking its bearing against a fixed point, and by being connected
at its lower end with the hand-sear.
By this-arrangement, the firing-pin can-be cocked-with much-less power-than it is
in the old bolt, (with main springs of equal initial tension) and the pressure on the
hand-sear, besides being reduced to 10 will be the same, either before or after
cocking. This in consequence of the peculiar shape of the head of the longer branch
of the main spring, which reduces the leverage when the tension increases.
I make the firing pin double T shape and thus manage a free exit for gases in
case of broken caps.
The gib is hinged on the carrier at its upper part, the spring fixed to it, and the
top projection and gib-plate suppressed.
This piece is so arranged, that the cartridge will be held firm by it when in place,

page_text: I also provide the feed-box with a top paul instead of the two bottom ones, and
thas put in sight the means by which the feed-belt may be withdrawn.
In consequence of this arrangement, the roller can be shifted closer to the outside
plates, and the feed-box itself, may be made considerably smaller and lighter.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figures 1 and 2 are the elevation and plan showing the cam for working the
breech-mechanism.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, are the rear view, side view longitudinal section and plan of
the handle-block and its details.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the trunnion block showing also the valve or
steam-outlet.
Figures 8 and 9 are a longitudinal section of the breech-mechanism and end view
of the same showing also an elevation of a recoil plate.
Figures 10 and 11 are a longitudinal section and plan of the feed box.
•
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A is the body of the gun seen from the left hand
side.
B. is a steel cam that opens the breech-mechanism.
C. is the projection which coming in contact with the fixed piece D., that is riveted
on the outside plate, carries forward the recoil plates and barrel before the breech-
mechanism begins to close.
E. is the fusee, F. the link which serves to connect it with the coil-spring G. by
means of the hook H.
The cam B. with its projection C. and the fusee E. constitute a single piece with
the spindle L. which goes through the body of the gun from left to right; serves as
shaft for the crank within the gun, and bears at its extremity on the right hand side
the crank-handle, fixed or loose as it may be the case.
K. is the spring box which serves to cover the coil-spring and all the aforsaid
mechanism.
By firing the gun, the whole recoiling-mechanism is thrown backward, and as the
cam B. comes in contact with the fixed piece D. forces the crank to rotate on its axis
and open the breech-mechanism. When the crank is half way of its rotation, the
projection C. is brought in contact with the fixed piece D¹. and by completing its
motion, the recoil-plates and barrel are brought home, and the breech-mechanism
completely open.
The coil spring G. which has been stretched by the backward motion of the crank,
pulls the fusee F. through the link F. closes the breech-mechanism and the gun is
ready to fire a second time.
It is obvious by this arrangement, that the recoil parts will be home, before the
breech-mechanism begins to close.
Referring to Figures 3. 4. 5. and 6., A. is the handle-block made of cast metal with
the lugs I. and the bracket R. B. are the wooden handles which are fixed by means
of rivets or screws C. on the lugs I. D. is the handle-pin which serves for fastening
the handle-block A. to the body of the gun and to secure the lid. N.
Half of this pin D. is cut off on a certain length as shown in the accompanying
drawing, Fig. 5 and by simply turning it upward in its vertical position, the catch is
released and the lid may be opened.
By pulling this pin D. entirely out of its bearing, the handle-block A can be turned
down on its hinge T. and thus enable the recoil-mechanism to be withdrawn from
the gun.
G. is the trigger, F. the trigger-button, K. the trigger-bar, E. the safety-catch, and
H. the spring which is so arranged as to work all these pieces.
By simply removing the pin M. all the aforsaid pieces may be taken out for cleaning
or any other purpose.
In Figure 5. the safety-catch is turned up, the trigger-button covered and the gun
can not be fired,

page_text: By turning the safety-catch E. down in the position shown in Figures 3. 4. and 6.,
the trigger-button is freed and the gun in a firing position.
Figures 3. 4. and 6, show also the arrangement for fastening the sight on the
handle-block A.
R. is the bracket which is cast solid with the handle-block, S. a spring riveted on
the bracket R. that serves to keep in place the sight O.
It is obvious by this arrangement, that the sight O. can be put in place or removed
in the easiest possible way.
Referring to Figure 7, A. is the trunnion block, B. is the water-jacket. C. the valve,
and D. the tube that puts in communication the front part of the water-jacket B.
with the valve C. When the gun is fired on elevation, the valve C. is set as shown in
Figure 7. and the steam entering by the extremity of the tube D passes through the
valve C. which puts it in communication with the outlet E and lets it free in the
atmosphere.
When the gun is fired on depression, the valve C. has to be turned through one
quarter of a turn and then the communication to the front of the tube D. is stopped,
the one from the rear F. open, and the steam finding a free passage on this side, is
let off by the same outlet E. as before.
By screwing tightly home the valve C. every communication with the outside is
intercepted, and the gun may be carried away without loosing any of the water with
which it has previously been filled up.
The valve C. is of brass or any other metal, the knob G. of vulcanite and fixed to
the valve by means of the screw H. By unscrewing this valve, and taking it out, a
passage is left, through which the water-jacket may be filled up in the ordinary way.
K. is the packing gland screwed on the trunnion-block A., and L the rivets which
fastens this same trunnion-block to the outside plates.
For field-guns, a corrugated barrel may be substituted to the ordinary barrel M.
the water-jacket B and the valve C. entirely suppressed and thus a lighter, simpler
and more suitable gun obtained.
Referring to figures 8 and 9., A is the breech-block, B. the carrier, C. the recoil
plate D. the carrier stop E. the main spring, F. the hand sear G. the firing pin H. the
gib and I. the gib spring. The carrier-stop D. is screwed on the breech-block, and
by simply releasing it of a quarter of an inch, the carrier B. may be lifted out
indipendently of any other piece. The main-spring E. is geared with the firing
pin G at g., with the hand sear F. at f., and takes its bearing against the rivet K.
When the firing pin G is cocked, and the main spring brought from the position
shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines, the point of contact, (between
the head o. of the main spring E. and the projection g.) will be lowered; in consequence
of which, the leverage from this point of contact and the horizontal axis of the
rivet K. is shortened proportionally to the increased tension of the spring E. and the
pull at the end f. kept constant.
The shape and gearing of the firing pin G are well shown in both figures, and gases
are allowed a free exit through the recesses m. n.
The gib H. is hinged on the pin h. and the gib-spring I. attached to the gib itself.
By so doing, almost every friction is eliminated and the cartridge may be withdrawn
from the carrier-by-simply-pulling-it-upward.-c.-c. are the-projections-on-the-recoil-
plates which serve to limit the rotation of the crank M.
N. is the cam, round which the carrier B. travels, guided by its shoulders b. and
is thrown downwards by the top projection O. P. is a notch through which these
shoulders b. are allowed to pass when the breech-block is withdrawn from the gun.
Holes 8. 8. are drilled in different suitable places of the breech-block A in order to
make it lighter and facilitate the fitting out of the different parts where they come
gear together.
in
Referring to Dia 10 and 11 A in the fand how 12 the wall the dama

page_text: top of the feed box is clearly seen, and by simply lifting it up, the feed belt may
easily be withdrawn without any accident.
тргоѵешение и меслашиш 100 диютные типа,
COLOMBO RICCI of Santarcangelo di Romagna (Italy) Mechanical Engineer, at
present residing at 3 Pier Road Erith-Kent-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 automatic guns of the kind and class described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent No. 1307 and 8281 dated 29 January and
8 July 1885, that is to say, guns, which are worked by the force of the recoil, or what
are generally called: Maxim automatic guns.
In the said former Specification N° 1307 and 8281, guns are described, in which a
special arrangement, including the crank handle, the resistance piece, the dead stop
with bracket and washer, the buffer spring and bracket for the same suitably disposed
on the right hand side, serve for working the breech mechanism.
One feature of my present invention, is to substitute for the same purpose, a
suitable cam, bearing at its lower part a projection, which in its rotary motion comes
in contact with a fixed piece, suitably arranged for this purpose, and carries forward
all the recoiling parts of the gun, before the breech mechanism begins to close.
I provide the recoil plates with two cams for guiding the carrier in its forward
and backward motion, and also provide two side projections for limiting the backward
rotation of the crank as shown by the drawings of my Provisional Specification
No 2904.
.
By this arrangement, the gun can he fired, if desired, without handle or any other
piece of mechanism rotating on the outside of it.
The centre line of the crank, connecting rod, side levers and lock, will coincide with
the axis of the gun; and a more effective energy may thus be utilized from the
recoil.
Another feature of my present invention, is to provide the rear block with wooden
handles (or any other light material) riveted or screwed on lugs which are suitably
cast for this purpose.
By means of two screws or any other suitable device, I hinge the aforesaid block to
the bottom of the outside plates, and provide a special pin at its uppermost part,
which serves at the same time for fastening it, and secure the lid to the body of
the gun.
By this arrangement, this rear block, can be swung down by simply removing the
above mentioned pin, and thus allow the recoiling mechanism to be withdrawn in the
easiest possible way.
I put the trigger within the gun, attached to the front face of the rear block; and
provide a suitable spring for working the trigger, the trigger bar, trigger button and
safety catch at the same time.
For the sight, I provide a special bracket cast solid on the left hand side of the
rear block, and by means of a suitable spring, I enable the sight to be fastened or
withdrawn in the most convenient manner.
Another alteration in these guns, is to provide the trunnion block with a suitable
valve, that can be set by the gunner at will from the outside for the escape of steam
from the water jacket.

page_text: T018 valve is so arranged, war c
be put in communication with the atmosphere, according to firing an elevation or on
depression.
By setting this valve in a third position every communication with the inside of
the water jacket is intercepted, and the gun, can thus be carried from one plate to
another without any loss of the water with which it has been previously filled up.
By applying the stuffing box directly to the trunnion block, instead of having a
sleeve on the barrel, the water in the jacket may be brought considerably farther
back over the chamber of the barrel and thus prevent any overheating of the same.
BREECH MECHANISM OR BOLT.
One feature of this piece of mechanism, is to construct it in such a manner as to
enable the carrier to be put in and withdrawn from the upper part of it.
I provide for this purpose a suitable carrier-stop screwed in at the top of the bolt
and projecting in front for keeping the carrier in place. By simply releasing this
aforesaid carrier-stop of a quarter of an inch, the carrier may be taken out indepen-
dently of any other piece.
The main spring differs from the ordinary one, by having its two branches almost
of equal length, by taking its bearing against a fixed point, and by being connected
at its lower part with the hand sear.
By this arrangement, the firing pin can be cocked with much less power than it is
in the old bolt, and the pressure on the hand-sear, besides being reduced of %/0, will
be the same either before or after cocking. This in consequence of the peculiar shape
of the head of the longer branch of the main-spring, which reduces the leverage when
the tension increases.
I make the firing-pin double T shape, and thus manage a free exit for gases in case
of broken caps.
The gib is hinged on the carrier at its upper part, the spring fixed to it, and the
top-projection and gib-plate suppressed.
This piece, is so arranged, that the cartridge will be held firm by it when in place,
and may be taken out from the top of the carrier in the easiest possible way.
I also provide the feed-box with a top pawl instead of the two bottom ones, and
thus put in sight the means by which the feed belt may be withdrawn. In conse-
quence of this arrangement, the roller can be shifted closer to the outside plates, and
the feed box itself may be made considerably smaller and lighter.
In the drawings left with my Provisional Specification dated 15 February 1892
N° 2904, I have shown, how these alterations may be conveniently and advantageously
carried into practice.
Figures 1 and 2 of the aforesaid drawings, are the elevation and plan showing the
cam and its bottom projection for working the breech mechanism
Figures 3. 4. 5. and 6 are the rear view, side-view, longitudinal section and plan of
the handle block and its details.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the trunnion block showing also the valve or
steam outlet'
Figures 8 and 9 are a longitudinal section of the breech mechanism and end view
of the same, showing also an elevation of a recoil-plate
Figure 10 and 11 are a longitudinal section and plan of the feed-box
Referring to Figures 1. and 2. A. is the body of the gun seen from the left hand
side. B. is a steel cam that opens the breech mechanism. C. is the projection, which
coming in contact with the fixed piece D³. that is riveted on the outside plate, carries
forward the recoil plates and barrel before the breech-mechanism begins to close.
E. is the fusee, F. the link which serves to connect it with the coil spring G. by means
of the hook H. The cam B. with its projection C. and the fusee E. constitute a single
piece with the spindle L. which goes through the body of the gun from left to right,
serves as shaft for the crank within the gun, and bears at its extremity on the right
hand the crank-handle-fixed or loose as it may be the case. K. -is-the-spring-box-
which covers the coil-spring and all the aforesaid mechanism.
•

page_text: By firing the gun, the whole recoiling mechanism is thrown backward, and as the
cam B. comes in contact with the fixed piece D. forces the crank to rotate on its axis
and opens the breech mechanism. When the crank is half way of its rotation, the .
projection C. is brought in contact with the fixed piece D. and by completing its
motion, the recoil plates and barrel are brought home, and the breech-mechanism
completely open. The coil spring G. which has been stretched by the backward
motion of the crank, pulls the fusee E through the link F., closes the breech-
mechanism, and the gun is ready to fire a second time.
It is obvious by this arrangement, that the recoil parts will be home, before the
breech-mechanism begins to close.
Referring to Figures 3. 4. 5 and 6., A. is the handle-block made of cast metal with
the lugs I. and the bracket R. B. are the wooden handles which are fixed by means
of rivets or screws C. on the lugs I. D. is the handle pin which serves for fastening
the handle-block A. to the body of the gun, and to secure the lid N.
Half of this pin D. is cut off on a certain length as shown on the drawings of my
Provisional Specification N° 2904. Figure 5. and by simply turning it upwards in its.
vertical position, the catch is released and the lid may be opened.
By pulling this pin D. entirely out of its bearings, the handle-block A can be
swung down on its hinge T. and thus enable the recoil-mechanism to be withdrawn
from the gun.
G. is the trigger. F. the trigger-button, K. the trigger-bar, E. the safety-catch and
H. the spring which is so arranged, as to work all these pieces.
By simply removing the pin M. all the aforesaid pieces may be taken out for
cleaning or any other purpose.
In Figure 5. the safety catch is turned up, the trigger-button covered, and the gun
cannot be fired. By turning down the safety-catch E. in the position shown
in Figures 3. 4. 6. the trigger-button is freed, and the gun in a firing position.
Figures 3. 4. 6. show also the arrangement for fastening the sight on the handle-
block A.
R. is the bracket which is cast solid with the handle-block, S. a spring riveted on
the bracket R. that serves to keep in place the sight O.
It is obvious by this arrangement, that the sight O. can be put in place or removed
in the easiest possible manner.
Referring to Figure 7. A. is the trunnion-block, B. is the water-jacket, C. the valve
and D. the tube that puts in communication the front part of the water-jacket B.
with the valve C.
When the gun is fired on elevation, the valve C. is set as shown in Figure 7. and
the steam entering by the extremity of the tube D. passes through the valve C. which
puts it in communication with the outlet E. and lets it free in the atmosphere. When
the gun is fired on depression the valve C. has to be turned through one quarter of a
turn and then the communication to the front of the tube D. is stopped, the one from
the rear F. open, and the steam finding a free passage on this side, is let off by the
same outlet E as before. By screwing tightly home the valve C. every communica-
tion with the outside is intercepted, and the gun may be carried away without losing
any of the water with which it has previously been filled up.
The valve C. is of brass, the knot G. of vulcanite fixed to the valve by means of a
screw H.
By unscrewing this valve, and taking it out, a passage is left, through which the
water-jacket may be filled up in the ordinary way.
K. is the packing gland screwed on the trunnion block A. and L. the rivets which
fasten this same trunnion block to the outside plates.
For field-guns, a corrugated barrel may be substituted to the ordinary barrel M.
the water-jacket B. and the valve C. entirely suppressed, and thus a lighter, simpler
and more effective gun obtained.
Referring to Figures 8. 9. A. is the breech-block. B. the carrier, C. the recoil-plate

page_text: D. the carrier stop. E. the main-spring. F. the hand-sear. G. the firing pin. H. the gib
and I. the gib-spring.
The carrier stop D. is screwed on the breech-block, and by simply releasing it of a
quarter of an inch, the carrier B. may be lifted out, independently of any other
piece.
The main spring E. is geared with the firing pin G. af g. with the hand sear F. at f.
and takes its bearing against the rivet K.
When the firing pin G is cocked, and the main-spring brought from the position
shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines, the point of contact between
the head e. of the main spring E. and the projection g., will be lowered, in
consequence of which the leverage from this point of contact and the horizontal axis
of the rivet K. is shortened proportionally to the increased tension of the spring E.
and the pull at the end f. kept constant. The shape and gearing of the firing
pin G. are well shown in both figures, and gases are allowed a free exit through the
recesses m. n.
The gib H. is hinged on the pin h., and the gib spring I. attached to the gib itself.
By so doing, almost every friction is eliminated, and the cartridge may be withdrawn
from the carrier by simply pulling it upward.
c. c. are the projections on the recoil plates which serve to limit the rotation of the
crank M.
N. is the cam, around which the carrier B. travels guided by its shoulders b. and
is thrown downwards by the top projection O. P. is a notch through which these
shoulders b. are allowed to pass when the breech block is withdrawn from the
gun.
Holes 8. s. are drilled in different suitable placed of the breech block A. in order
to make it lighter and facilitate the fitting out of the different parts where they come
in gear together.
Referring to Figures 10 and 11, A. is the feed-box B. the roller. C. the top pawl
and D. the spring for the same. The handle E. of the pawl C. being placed on the top
of the feed-box is clearly seen, and by simply lifting it up, the feed-belt may be easily
wlthdrawn without any accident.
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 The addition of a suitable projection at the lower part of the crank-handle or
cam which serves to rotate the crank and open the breech mechanism. It is this
projection, that in its rotary motion will cause all the recoil parts to be carried forward
before the aforesaid breech mechanism begins to close.
2ª The addition-of-two-cams on the inner face of the recoil-plates-for-the-purpose
of-guiding-the-earrier-in-its-forward and,backward-motion.
3 The addition-of two wooden handles (or of uny-other-light-material)-either
serewed-or-riveted-on-luge-suitably-east-with-the-rear-block.
4-A-trigger-arrangement-and-special-fastening-pin,-as-shown--in-the-drawings
accompanying-my- Provisional Specification-No. 2004-
5 Avalve-or-steam-outlet which-can-be-set-at-will by the-gunner from the outside
of the gun,-for-escape-of-steam from the water jacket.
GA-bolt-so-arranged,-that-the-carrier-can-be-put-in and withdrawn-from-the-top
(by-simply-releasing the carrier stop, which is screwed on the upper part of the bolt)
independently-of-all-the-other-pieces.
7 A-main-spring-for belt, so-arranged, that besides reducing-the-pressure-on-the
hand-sear, this same-pressure--will--be-kept--constant--either-before--or--after-the
aforesaid-spring-has-been-cocked.
8-A-firing pin double-T-shape-for-the-exit-of-gases in ease-of-broken-caps.

page_text: "A gib-hinged on the upper-port--of-the--carrier, with its spring--connected
to-it.
10 A top-pawl in the feed box for the purpose of avoiding-accidents-when-the
feed-belt-is-to-be-withdrawn.
COLOMBO RICCI