Improvements in and relating to Quick-firing Guns.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st Jan., 1891-Accepted, 21st Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Quick-firing Guns.
I, FRANCIS EDWARD DYKE ACLAND, late Captain Royal Artillery, and CARL
HOLMSTRÖM, Engineer, both of 32 Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to quick-firing guns, and comprises improvements whereby
we are enabled to make the gun of circular form in transverse section throughout
its length, and to dispense with lugs or other projections upon the body of the gun
Our said invention, moreover,
for supporting parts of the breech-mechanism."
comprises other improvements hereinafter described.
In our improved gun, the crank-shaft for operating the breech-block to open and
close the breech, is arranged in suitable bearings in the body of the gun behind the
chamber or cavity in which the breech-block slides. The crank-arm or lever is
provided with suitable pins or projections which work in grooves in the breech-
block, these grooves being, by preference, made with a portion concentric with the
crank-shaft so that the said crank-arm will, after raising the breech-block, lock the
same in its closed position. The said crank-arm or lever, being situated behind
the breech-block, may serve as a strut for assisting to support the same against the
force of the explosion in the barrel. To provide for the efficient support of the
said arm or lever for this purpose, the boss or hub of the said lever is sometimes
fitted in a suitable bearing in the body of the gun. The said crank-arm or lever
and the breech-block are preferably so constructed and arranged that, when the
breech is open, the said lever and the upper end of the breech-block will serve as a
loading tray upon which the cartridge may be slid into the chamber of the gun.
The said crank-arm or lever is, moreover, so arranged that, in opening the breech,
it will effect the cocking of the firing-hammer or striker.
For effecting the opening and closing of the breech by hand, a suitable hand-
lever is sometimes fixed upon the operating-shaft. We prefer, however, that the
said hand-lever should be carried by the gun-frame or cradle, and that the said
hand-lever and shaft should be so constructed and arranged that, when the gun is
run out in the said frame or cradle, the hand-lever will engage with the said shaft
and can be used for turning the same, but, when the gun recoils, the said shaft will
be disconnected from the said lever. We thus obviate the inconveniences which
arise in cases where the hand-lever moves with the gun in the recoil.
We find it advantageous to provide a suitable catch for retaining the hand-lever
in the proper position for engagement with the crank-shaft. For this purpose, we
sometimes provide the said hand-lever with a rotary handle or "quill," which is
fitted upon a pin or rod fixed in the said lever, and is capable of a slight lateral
movement thereon, and which is provided with a notch adapted to engage with a
suitable projection on the gun-frame or cradle, with which it is held in engagement
by a suitable spring. By moving the said rotary handle against the force of the
said spring, it can be disengaged from the said projection, to permit the turning of
the hand-lever.
For guiding the breech-block in its movement for opening and closing the
breech, we provide suitable guiding ribs on the breech-block, which work in
corresponding grooves in the body of the gun. We make the forward edges of
these ribs bevelled or inclined in order to obtain great resistance to shearing
stresses whilst making the breech-block as short as is practicable.
In some instances, one or more springs are provided, in which energy will be
stored during the opening of the breech, and which will counterbalance the weight
of the breech-block, and will react to effect the closing of the breech; and the

page_text: extractor is arranged to hold the breech-block in its open position until released
by the insertion of a cartridge in the chamber of the gun. A short arm or lever is
sometimes fixed upon the crank-shaft and has combined with it the said spring or
springs for counterbalancing the weight of the breech-block and for raising the
said block to close the breech when a cartridge is inserted into the chamber of the
gun.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises improvements whereby we obviate any
liability to accidental release of the breech-block by disengagement of the said
extractor therefrom, before the cartridge is fully inserted into the chamber of the
gun, and thus prevent jamming of the cartridge between the body of the gun and
the upper end of the breech-block. For this purpose, we make the said extractor
in two separate parts, which are operated simultaneously, in the downward move-
ment of the breech-block, to effect the extraction of the empty cartridge-shell, and
each of which is provided with a projection adapted to enter a notch in the breech-
block for the purpose of holding down the said block. When a cartridge is inserted
in the chamber of the gun, its flange strikes the two parts of the extractor and
disengages the same from the breech-block, thus permitting the ascent of the said
block under the action of its spring or springs. Each part of the said extractor is,
moreover, movable independently of the other part; therefore, should the forward
end of the cartridge strike against and disengage one part of the extractor from the
breech-block, the other part of the said extractor will still prevent the premature
ascent of the said block. The two parts of the extractor may be operated by
suitable projections on the sides of the breech-block.
The breech-block is preferably provided with a rearward extension or flange
which abuts against a shoulder on the body of the gun when the breech is closed,
thus limiting the upward movement of the breech-block under the action of its
spring or springs.
find it
We mount the firing-hammer upon a suitable pivot-pin, which is inserted and
secured in the breech-block, and we make the said hammer with a rearward
extension arranged to be acted upon by a pin or stud fixed in projections or lugs
on the operating crank-arm or lever. A suitable sear is also mounted upon a
pivot-pin inserted and secured in the breech-block, and is adapted to engage with a
projection on the said hammer for the purpose of retaining the same in its cocked
position. The said sear is provided with a short arm to which is coupled a suitable
link. The main spring acts at one end upon the said link, and at its other end
upon the rearward extension of the firing-hammer; the said spring, therefore,
serves to operate both the firing-hammer and the sear. For retaining the
pivot-pin of the firing-hammer in place in the breech-block, we
advantageous to provide a thin plate or bolt which is fitted to slide transversely
to and fro in a recess or slot in the boss or hub of the firing-hammer.
This plate or bolt is provided with a hole through which the pivot-pin
may be passed, and the pivot-pin is made with an annular or circumferential groove
with which the said plate or bolt may be caused to engage, and with which it will
be held in engagement by the main spring. The pivot-pin of the sear has formed
or fixed thereon an arm or trigger to which a firing cord or lanyard may be
attached, for the purpose of disengaging the sear from the hammer and firing the
For retaining this pivot-pin in place in the breech-block, we prefer to make
the aforesaid link in such a manner that, when it is in its normal position, it will
engage with a notch or groove in the said pivot-pin. When, however, the main
spring is removed, the said link can be turned about the joint-pin which connects it
to the sear, and can thus be disengaged from the notch or groove in the pivot-pin
to permit the removal of the said pivot-pin. The main spring, therefore, in
addition to actuating the firing-hammer and sear, also serves to retain in their
proper position the locking devices for securing the aforesaid pivot-pins in the
breech-block.
gun.
In guns provided with a shoulder-piece or crutch for enabling the gunner to
control the movement of the gun in pointing or aiming the same, an undue
A

page_text: proportion of the weight of the gun is sometimes thrown upon the gunner, by
reason of the rapid change in the position of the centre of gravity of the gun
relatively to the trunnions or bearings, due to the recoil of the gun in its outer
frame or cradle, the preponderance of the part of the gun in rear of the
trunnions or bearings being thus considerably increased. To obviate this incon-
venience, we provide a friction-device or brake, which, from the time the gun
commences its recoil until it returns to the firing position, will be automatically
applied and will resist the turning of the gun and its slide or cradle about the
trunnions or bearings, but, when the gun is run out, will be automatically operated
to release the gun-slide or cradle and permit the same to be freely turned to effect
the vertical pointing or elevation of the gun. This friction-device or brake may
consist of two sliding portions with springs arranged between the same;
parts being arranged in a radial hole or cavity in the gun-frame or cradle. The
outer sliding portion is formed with a conical or other suitably shaped end which
fits into a corresponding recess in the carriage or other mounting in which the gun
and its slide or cradle are supported. The inner sliding portion may be provided
with an antifriction roller which, when the gun is in the firing position, rests
within a recess in the body of the gun. When, however, the gun recoils, an
inclined surface on the body of the gun acts upon the said roller, and thus applies
the friction-device or brake, which is kept applied until the gun returns to the
firing position and the said roller again enters the said recess.
thesc
Our improved gun is provided with one or more suitable recoil-brakes and
recuperators. It may, moreover, if desired, be provided with suitable elevating
and training gear.
We sometimes so construct our improved gun that the opening of the breech
and consequently the cocking of the gun and the extraction of the empty
cartridge-shell will be effected automatically, preferably in the running out or
return of the gun to the firing position. For this purpose, we provide a stop-lever
or pawl which is pivoted to the gun-frame or cradle, preferably below the gun,
and which is acted upon by a spring or springs whereby it is caused to engage with
the aforesaid short arm fixed upon the crank-shaft, and thus effect the turning of
the said shaft about its axis to open the breech. The said short arm is, moreover,
provided with a projection whereby the said stop-lever or pawl will be auto-
matically disengaged therefrom as soon as the breech is opened.
Dated this 20th day of September
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Quick-firing Guns.
We, FRANCIS EDWARD DYKE ACLAND, late Captain Royal Artillery, and
CARL HOLMSTRÖM, Engineer, both of 32, Victoria Street, in the City of
Westminster, 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 :-
Our invention relates to quick-firing guns of that class wherein the breech is
closed by a block or wedge arranged to slide across the end of the bore and
wherein the breech mechanism is so arranged that the breech can be opened
automatically by force derived from the recoil of the gun, and comprises improve-
ments whereby we are enabled to make a gun circular in transverse section
throughout its length and to dispense with lugs or other projections upon the body
of the gun for supporting parts of the breech mechanism.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter
described.

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gun constructed according to our invention.
Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section showing the breech mechanism of the
said gun with the breech open.
Figure 3 is a similar section showing the breech closed.
Figure 4 is a rear end view of the breech.
Figures 5 and 6 show side and rear views of the extractor.
Figures 7 and 8 are longitudinal and transverse sections illustrating the
construction and arrangement of an automatic brake forming part of our
improvements.
Figures 9 to 14 illustrate the arrangement of the hand lever hereinafter described
in combination with the crank shaft in our improved gun.
Figure 15 is a plan showing details hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
A is a strong elastic stand or support. B is a frame or cross-head mounted to swivel
thereon. a is a cradle constructed with two sides or cheeks provided with trunnions a
which rest in suitable bearings in the said frame or cross-head. is the gun proper
or gun body which is circular in transverse section in all parts, that is to say, it is
made without the usual square or rectangular breech portion and without having
formed on it any lugs or projections for the attachment of parts of the breech
mechanism. Therefore the said gun can be very easily forged and finished. The
gun bis supported by guide grooves a² in the cheeks of the cradle a and slides to
and fro in the same in the recoil and return movements. c is the breech-block, d is
the crank shaft, and e is an arm or lever fixed thereon for operating the breech-
block.
The breech-block is formed as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and opens and
closes the breech by moving in the aperture or cavity formed for its reception in
the body of the gun.
For guiding the breech block in its movements for opening and closing the breech
we construct the said block with one or more suitable guiding ribs c¹ on each side
thereof and we form the gun with similar ribs which work between those
of the breech-block c as shown in Figure 15. We make the forward surfaces
of the ribs c¹ bevelled or inclined and their rear surfaces very slightly inclined and
make the corresponding surfaces of the grooves in which the said ribs c' slide of
like form as shown. We form the bearing surfaces in this manner in order to
obtain great resistance to shearing stresses whilst making the breech-block as short
as practicable and also in order that the breech-block by reason of the fitting of the
rear surfaces of the ribs to the slightly undercut grooves may tend to hold the sides
of the breech-chamber or cavity together.
The crank-shaft d for operating the breech-block to open and close the breech,
is arranged in bearings in the body of the gun behind the chamber or cavity in
which the breech-block slides as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. The crank arm
or lever e is provided with pins or projections e¹ which work in grooves f in the
breech-block, these grooves being by preference, made with a portion f¹ concentric
with the crank shaft d when the breech is closed so that the said crank-arm will,
after raising the breech move into the position shown in Figure 3. The crank arm
moreover, has a short portion at e2 bent at a right angle to its main portion, and
provided with a pin or stud e³. The said portion e² of the crank arm acts on the tail
of the firing hammer to draw back the firing pin in the descent of the breech-
block and which serves a further purpose hereinafter described.
The said crank arm or lever è being situated behind the breech-block can be
utilized as a strut for assisting to support the said block against the force due to
the explosion in the barrel. To provide for the efficient support of the said arm or
lever for this purpose a bearing for the boss or hub of the said lever is in some
instances formed at g in the body of the gun. The crank arm or lever e and the
breech-block c are preferably so constructed and arranged that, when the breech is
open, the said lever and the upper part of the breech-block will serve as a loading

page_text: tray upon which the cartridges may be placed and from which they may be slid into
the chamber of the gun.
The breech-block carries the firing mechanism; is the firing pin, i is the firing
hammer one extremity of which projects into a slot in the firing pin; j is a sear;
is an auxiliary sear; is the main spring which is supported by the pin k¹; lis
the trigger and m is the extractor. The said extractor is arranged to be actuated
by the breech-block in its descent to throw out the cartridge and to hold the said
breech-block open until released by the insertion of a fresh cartridge in the
chamber of the gun.
The sear is fitted to turn freely on a round portion of the trigger pivot pin j²
and therefore turns without moving the said pivot pin, and cannot be actuated by
the trigger but as hereinafter described can be actuated by the lever e The
sear is fixed on a square portion of the pivot pin so that it can be actuated by the
trigger.
It will be seen that the sear has an extension j* which lies behind the pin or
stade on the crank arm in such a position that as the crank arm rises the pin ³
will act on the part* of the scar and withdraw the sear from the hook of the firing
hummer, so that if by means of the trigger the auxiliary sear is also being held
out of engagement with the hammer the gun will be fired; but if when the sear; is
pulled back by the rising of the levere the other scar j' remains engaged with the
hammer the gun will not be fired, and the firing cannot take place till the trigger
is pulled.
In the downward movement of the lever e when opening the breech the arm²
acts upon the tail piece of the striking hammer and effects the cocking of the
same. Moreover should the sear hooks be broken from any cause, the gun cannot
be fired until the breech block is pressed home, because in any other position of the
breech block, the tail piece 2 of the striking hammer would encounter the portion e²
of the crank arm and thereby be prevented from acting.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises improvements whereby we obviate any
liability to accidental release of the breech-block e, when open, by disengagement
of the extractor m therefrom, before the cartridge is fully inserted into the chamber
of the gun; it has heretofore been usual to form the extractor with two claws to
act on the rim of the cartridge in the extraction of the same, and to construct the
said claws in one piece so that neither can move independently of the other.
Consequently if in the insertion of a cartridge it should be by accident or want of
care pushed forward somewhat obliquely so that the point or side of the projectile
strikes one of the claws, the extractor will be disengaged from the breech block
and the latter will rise before the cartridge is pushed home. But by our invention
we prevent all danger from this cause of the premature rising of the breech-block
and the consequent jamming of the cartridge between the body of the gun and the
upper end of the said breech-block. For this purpose, we make the said extractor
double or in two similar separate parts. These parts are mounted so that they can
turn independently of each other about their pivot or axis. They are however
operated simultaneously in the downward movement of the breech-block, to effect
the extraction of the empty cartridge-case. For this purpose each side of the
block e is provided with a projection c* arranged to strike the lower arm or tail m¹
of the extractor in the descent of the breech-block. The upper arm of each part
of the extractor is formed with a projection or hook m² adapted to engage with a
notch c² in the breech-block when the same is in the loading position for the purpose
of retaining the said block in this position till a fresh cartridge has been properly
inserted in the gun.
In the insertion of a cartridge, if the same moves forward in
line with the gun's axis the projectile and body of the cartridge will pass freely
between the two claws until the flange or rim thereof strikes the said claws, the
cartridge being then pushed home and the projections on the extractor being
disengaged from the breech-block thus permitting the ascent of the said block under
the action of its spring or springs. But should the cartridge be placed or moved
forward obliquely or out of line with the gun's axis so that the projectile or forward

page_text: end of the cartridge, instead of passing freely between the claws of the extractor to
the gun, engages with one claw only, thereby disengaging one part of the extractor
from the breech-block, the other part of the said extractor not being disengaged
will prevent the premature ascent of the breech-block and the consequent jamming
of the cartridge. A serious cause of inconvenience in the use of guns such as we
have described is the liability of the extractor to be thrown forward by concussion
or vibration before the block has risen to the loading position after opening the
breech. To prevent this we provide the breech-block with spring catches m³
Figure 4 which when the block is down engage with notches m in the lower
extremities of the two parts of the extractor and prevent the accidental movement
of the said extractor.
Instead of arranging our said extractor to be operated by the devices above
described we may employ other suitable means for this purpose.
The breech-block c is preferably provided with a rearward extension or flange
which abuts against a shoulder 62 on the body of the gun when the breech is closed,
thus limiting the upward movement of the breech-block.
We mount the firing hammer i upon a suitable pivot pin which is inserted and
secured in the breech-block, and we make the said hammer with an arm 2 arranged
to be acted upon by the nose of the portion of the crank arm. The sear has a
hooked end adapted to engage with a projection 3 on the said hammer for the
purpose of retaining the same in its cocked position. The said searj has moreover
a short arm which by a link is connected to and acted on by the main spring k,
the other end of which spring acts upon the arm 2 of the firing-hammer; the said
spring therefore serves to operate both the firing hammer and the sears.
For retaining the pivot pin of the firing hammer in place in the breech-block,
we in some instances provide a thin plate or bolt which is fitted to slide trans-
versely to and fro in a recess or slot in the boss or hub of the firing hammer.
This plate or bolt is provided with a hole through which the pivot pin may be
passed, and the pivot pin is made with an annular or circumferential groove with
which the said plate or bolt may be caused to engage, and with which it will be held
in engagement by the main spring.
We prefer however to provide the following means for retaining the said pivot
pin in its place in such a manner as to permit its ready removal when required,
that is to say, we fix on the pivot pin of the sear an arm je which may be an
extension of the trigger and which in its normal position projects over the end of the
pivot pin but which can be readily turned on one side to release the said pin and
permit the same to be drawn out endwise through the side of the breech-block
when necessary.
The pivot pin 2 of the sear has formed or fixed thereon the trigger / by means
of which the gun can be fired. For retaining the pivot pin 2 in place in the
breech-block we prefer to make the aforesaid link in such a manner that, when
it is in its normal position it will engage with a notch or groove in the said pivot
pin. When, however, the main spring is removed the said link can be turned about
the joint pin which connects it to the sear j and can thus be disengaged from the
notch or groove in the pivot pin. The said pivot pin can then be drawn out
endwise through the side of the block. The main spring, therefore, in addition
to actuating the firing hammer and sears, also serves to retain in their
proper positions the locking devices which secure the aforesaid pivot pins in
the breech-block.
For firing the gun automatically a lever or other device is provided on which the
gunner places his finger and depresses or adjusts the same so as to act upon the
trigger while the breech-block is rising thus releasing the sear j³ at the moment
the breech is closed.
For effecting the opening and closing of the breech by hand, we provide a
suitable hand lever. In quick-firing guns it has been hitherto usual to fix the said
lever on the crank shaft. Therefore the said handle moves to and fro with the
.gun in its recoil and return. We can if so desired arrange the handle of our gun in

page_text: like manner.
But as the movement of the lever with the gun is attended with
inconvenience and danger we prefer to arrange the same as follows, that is to say,.
the hand lever is carried by the gun frame or cradle, and does not move with the
gun in its recoil and return. Therefore as the said hand lever is the medium for
operating the crank shaft in opening and closing the breech by hand we have to
provide for its alternate connection with and disconnection from the said shaft so
that when the gun recoils in the cradle the shaft which is normally in connection
with the lever will be disconnected therefrom but when the gun run out after
recoiling the said lever will return into engagement with the said shaft and can
then be used for turning the same to open or close the breech. We thus obviate
the inconveniences which arise in cases where the hand lever moves with the gun
in the recoil.
For carrying this part of our invention into practice we employ the apparatus.
illustrated in Figures 9 to 14.
Figures 9 and 10 show a side view and horizontal section with the parts in the
position they occupy when the breech is closed.
Figure 10 is a section on the line a, a Figure 10.
Figure 11 is a side view showing the hand lever turned down to open the
breech.
Figures 12 and 13 show a side view and horizontal section with the parts in the
position they occupy when the gun has run out after recoil and the breech has been.
automatically opened.
Figures 13 and 13" show details hereinafter described.
Figure 14 is a side view illustrating a modification of the said apparatus.
We fit the boss p' of the hand-lever p in a socket p2 in the side or cheek of the
cradle u which socket will be axially in line with the crank-shaft d when the gun
is in its forward position. The boss is retained in the socket with a capability of
turning therein by means of a screw p* the point of which projects into a groove p**.
extending partially around the boss. The end of the shaft d has a head or collar d',.
across the outer surface of which is formed a groove or slot d² as shown in
Figure 13. The boss p' is fitted with a spring catch arranged to enter and
fit the said groove d² and lock the hand lever p to the shaft d when the gun is in
the firing position. Then the said shaft can be turned by hand to open and close
the breech and fire the gun. It will be seen that when the catch g and slot or
groove d² are in line with each other in the direction of the movement of the gun
in the cradle the end wise movement of the one relatively to the other will cause the.
groove to pass over from the catch. Therefore when the shaft d is moved from
the position shown in Figure in the recoil of the gun the said shaft will be
disconnected from the hand lever by the passing of the groove d² away from the.
catch.
<
We provide the hand lever p with a rotary handle or quill "p3 which is placed
upon the end of the said lever and secured by a pivot pin p as shown in Figure 10
whereon it will vibrate, the said quill being allowed a slight lateral movement or
play on the shank of the hand lever. The quill p³ is provided with a notch
adapted to engage with a suitable projection a on the gun frame or cradle with
which projection the quill is held in engagement by a spring .
$
By these or other suitable devices the hand lever is held with the catch in the
proper position to be engaged with or disengaged from the shaft. But by a slight
movement of the hand against the force of the said spring the quill can be
disengaged from the projection ³ to permit the turning of the hand lever.
The head or collar has on it an incline d* Figures 13 and 13, so that if the
hand lever catch should have been turned into an oblique position when the gun
moves forward and the groove 2 cannot pass over the said catch the said incline
will force back the catch against the resistance of its spring while the groove moves
into a position in which by turning the hand lever the catch can snap into the
said groove.

page_text: In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 9 to 13 the spring catch and slot d² are so
arranged relatively to the hand lever that when the latter is in the position shown
in Figure 9 the said catch is in the slot and the breech is closed. Then by simply
turning the hand lever to the position shown in Figure 11 the breech can be
opened. In Figures 12 and 13 we have shown the parts after recoil the breech
having been automatically opened and the catch y pushed back by the incline d*.
In this case the hand lever must first be turned to allow the catch to snap into the
notch before the breech can be closed by means of the said hand lever. In the
modification shown in Figure 14 when the lever is in the same position as in
Figure 9 the breech is closed but the spring catch a instead of being in the notch d²
is lying across the same, therefore the lever must first be turned into a position to
cause the catch to enter the notch and then turned down to open the breech.
In some instances, one or more springs are arranged as shown at r Figure 1 in
combination with the breech block and crank shaft to counterbalance the weight of
the said breech block c and to store energy during the opening of the breech to
effect or assist in the closing of the same.
In guns provided with a shoulder piece or crutch for enabling the gunner to
control the movement of the gun in pointing or aiming the same, an undue pro-
portion of the weight of the gun is sometimes thrown upon the gunner by reason
of the rapid change in the position of the centre of gravity of the gun relatively to
the trunnions or bearings in the recoil of the gun in its outer frame or cradle,
whereby preponderance of the part of the gun in rear of the trunnions or bearings
is considerably increased. To obviate this inconvenience we provide a friction-
device or brake whereby, from the time the gun commences its recoil until it returns
to the firing position the said brake will be automatically applied and will resist
the turning of the gun and its slide or cradle about the trunnions or bearings, but
when the gun is run out will be automatically operated to release the gun-slide or
cradle and permit the same to be freely turned to effect the vertical pointing or
elevation of the gun. This friction device or brake is clearly illustrated in Figures 7
and 8; a is part of the cradle; ss are two blocks fitted in a socket t therein as
shown. uu are springs arranged between the said blocks. The upper blocks is
capable of vertical movement in the socket and supports a roller vas shown. The
lower block is formed with an arc shaped bearing piece s², having preferably taper
sides and fitted in or between corresponding bearing surfaces in the cross head in
which the gun and its slide or cradle are supported. When the gun is in the firing
position, the roller rests within an inclined or curved recess * in the body of the
gun. When, however, the gun recoils, the inclined or curved surface on the rear
side of the recess acts as a cam upon the said roller and forces it down with the
blocks against the resistance of the springs u thus causing pressure and friction
between the said arc-shaped taper bearing surfaces and also between the trunnions,
while allowing the gun to move freely in its recoil and return. The brake continues
to act until the gun returns to its firing position when the said roller again enters
the recess in the gun and releases the pressure so that the gun and cradle can be
freely turned about the trunnions. Our improved gun is provided with one or more
suitable recoil-brakes and recuperators and, if desired, with suitable elevating and
training gear.
Our improved gun as shown in the accompanying drawings can be operated either
automatically or by hand for opening the breech and consequently cocking and
firing the gun and extracting the empty cartridge-case. When operated auto-
matically we prefer that the breech should be opened in the running out of the gun
to the firing position. For this purpose we provide a stop lever or pawl w which
is pivoted to the gun-frame or cradle preferably below the gun as shown at w³ in
Figure 1 and which is acted upon by a spring or springs whereby as the gun
returns the said pawl is caused to engage with a short arm d³ fixed upon the crank
shaft and thus effects the turning of the said shaft d about its axis to open the
breech. The said short arm is, moreover, provided with a projection d whereby

page_text: the said stop-lever or pawl will be automatically disengaged therefrom so that after
the insertion of a fresh cartridge the block c can be raised to close the breech.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it understood
that although we have particularly described guns having the gun body circular in
transverse section throughout the entire length, we do not limit the use of our
improved mechanism to guns having the body so constructed as such mechanism is
obviously applicable to guns with the body or barrel constructed in any ordinary
or convenient manner, but what we claim is :-
First. A quick firing gun having the breech portion of the gun body circular in
transverse section with an aperture for the reception of the breech mechanism and
with an arm or lever which projects from a shaft supported by bearings in the body
of the gun behind the breech aperture for operating the breech-block, in the said
aperture for the purposes specified.
Second. The crank-arm or lever for operating the breech-block arranged behind
the said block in such a position that it will assist to support the same when closed
substantially as set forth."
Third. The combination, with the firing hammer, of the two sears so arranged
on the pivot pin that one sear is operated by the trigger and the other sear by the
crank arm, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Fourth. The firing mechanism carried by the breech block and consisting of the
firing pin and hammer, the main spring, the two sears, and the trigger l, the said
sears being so arranged upon the pivot pin that one of them can be operated by the
trigger and the other by the extremity of the crank arm, as, and for the purposes
specified.
Fifth. An extractor formed in two parts arranged together as above set forth to
operate in the extraction of the cartridge-case and in the insertion of a cartridge
as, and for the purpose, specified.
Sixth. The extractor formed in two parts constructed as described and so arranged
in combination with the breech block that it will be withdrawn in the descent of the
latter to extract the empty cartridge case and will securely lock the said breech
block in the loading position till a fresh cartridge has been pushed home in the gun
chamber.
Seventh. The spring catches arranged in combination with the extractor so that
after the opening of the breech and before the breech block has risen to its loading
position they will engage with the extractor and prevent its being thrown or jerked
forward by concussion or otherwise.
Eighth. For operating the breech-mechanism of a gun which moves to and fro
in a frame or cradle, the employment of a hand-lever which does not participate in
the to and fro movements of the gun or breech mechanism.
Ninth. The hand-lever having its boss fitted and secured in a socket in the side
of the cradle and provided with a spring-catch arranged in combination with the
grooved head of the crank shaft to operate as, and for the purpose, specified.
Tenth. The crank-shaft carried by and moving with the breech end of the gun
and having its head formed with a groove and incline as described, and so arranged
in combination with a longitudinally immovable hand-lever that the said crank-shaft
will be automatically disconnected from the hand lever in the recoil and connected
therewith in the running out of the gun for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. The friction-brake apparatus arranged in combination with the gun
and cradle, to operate as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Twelfth. The inclined formation of the bearing surfaces of the ribs and grooves
for supporting and guiding the breech block as above set forth, and for the purpose,
specified.
Thirteenth. A quick-firing gun which is mounted to slide to and fro in a cradle
carried by trunnions in a suitable frame, and which is provided with breech-
B

page_text: mechanism and a hand-lever and friction-brake, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of January 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.