Improvements in and relating to Breech-loading Ordnance.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1898-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Breech-loading Ordnance.
We, JOHN FORSYTH MEIGS Engineer a Citizen of the United States of
America, residing at Delaware Avenue, South Bethlehem, in the County of North-
ampton and State of Pennsylvania, and SIGARD AXEL STEN HAMMAR Engineer
a Subject of the King of Sweden, residing at 28, North Main Street, South Bethle-
hem, in the County of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, both of the United
States of America, 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:
Figure 1 shows a view in side elevation of a gun provided with our invention;
Figure 2, a plan view of same;
Figure 3, a view showing on an enlarged scale, a rear elevation of the gun,
with the carriage, recoil cylinders and the connections between one of such
cylinders and the rack rod for actuating the breech mechanism, removed;
Figure 4, a view of a section on line of Figure 3;
Figure 5, a view on an enlarged scale of
Figure 6, a view of a section on line
a section on line y-y of Figure 1;
of Figure 1, the scale being larger
than that of Fgure 1 and smaller than that of Figure 5;
Figure 7, a view on an enlarged scale of a longitudinal section of the operating
cylinder;
Figure-8, a view on an enlarged scale of a section on line ¹-x of Figure 1;
the parts being shown in position as when the piston of the operating cylinder
is being driven forward;
Figure 9, a detail plan view of the valve mechanism, on an enlarged scale;
- Figure 10, a detail sectional view of the valve mechanism on line y-y' of
Figure 9;
Figure 11, a sectional view on an enlarged scale showing a longitudinal section
of the recoil cylinder, with the hollow piston and piston rod;
Figure 12, a view of a section on line ¹¹ of Figure 11;
Figure 13, a detail perspective view of the trigger and the outer end of the
sear to be engaged thereby;
Figure 14, a detail view of a section on a vertical longitudinal plane, showing
the cocking ring and its firing pin retracting cam or incline; and
Figure 15, a similar view of a section on a transverse plane, showing a cross
section of the breech plug and the rack bar, in position as when the plug has been
moved some distance to the rear of its breech closing position.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.
The object of our invention has been to provide an improved breech loading
gun, in which the breech mechanism will be automatically opened and closed
by power derived from the pressure of fluid taken from the recoil cylinder; the
means for closing the breech will be under control as to the time and speed of its
operation and the firing device can be caused to act automatically as the breech
closing plug is moved into closed position and locked, or can be caused to operate
at any time desired after the closing and locking of the breech plug.

page_text: Our invention consists in the gun and in the parts thereof, constructed,
arranged, and combined, as hereinafter specified.
A special purpose which we have had particularly in view, in devising the gun
mechanism hereinafter described and shown in the drawings, has been to provide
a gun, so arranged as to its breech mechanism and firing devices, that there will
be, in combination with means for automatically closing the breech plug or block,
a hand operated device on one side of the gun, to cause release of the breech
closing mechanism, and, on the other side of the gun, a device adapted to be
operated by hand, which will, at the will of the operator, cause the gun to be
fired, as the breech plug or block is closed and locked, or, after the closing and
locking of the plug or block, at any desired time.
In devising the mechanism just above referred to it has been our intention to
make the gun capable of being operated by two men, one of whom is to keep the
gun pointed and operate the device for causing the firing, while the other on the
other side of the gun, is to cause or control the closing movement of the breech
mechanism through a device to be actuated by him, the arrangement being such
that the gun can be fired by the successive or simultaneous performance of two
operations by the two men, performed either simultaneously or successively.
While the mechanism of the gun, as shown in the drawings, and described here-
inafter, is designed for automatic operation by power derived from pressure trans-
.mitted from the recoil cylinder, it is also so arranged as to be capable of operation
by hand, to cause opening of the breech for the admission of a load to the chamber
of the gun, and cause the breech to be closed.
While our improved gun is shown in the drawings and will be described
hereinafter as arranged to have the breech mechanism operated to open the breech
by power derived from the pressure of fluid forced from a recoil cylinder of the
gun during the return of the latter to battery after recoil, and while this arrange-
ment is the one which we prefer, we desire it to be understood that our breech
opening devices are adapted to be actuated as well by pressure of fluid from the
recoil cylinder during recoil of the gun, and we contemplate, where desired, making
the fluid conducting conduits or passages connecting the recoil cylinder with the
operating cylinder in which the breech mechanism actuating piston moves, such
as to admit the flow of fluid from the recoil to the operating cylinder during the
rearward travel of the recoil piston with the gun when the latter is recoiling after
firing, instead of arranging such conduits or passages, as shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
In such drawings, A designates the gun body proper, which is shown as mounted
in an ordinary and well known form of "recoil mount," having a sleeve or hollow
frame B, within which the body A is mounted and guided so as to be capable
of having rectilinear rearward and forward movement therein without rotation
on its axis.
Such sleeve or framé is, as usual, provided with trunnions one of which is shown
at B', which are mounted in suitable trunnion bearings on a frame C, pivotally
supported on a carriage or stand C¹, and provided with the usual means för
swinging the frame C in a horizontal plane.
The sleeve or hollow frame B carrying the gun body, is also shown as provided
with the usual means for rocking it on its trunnions to adjust the elevation of the
guni.
The body or gun proper A has secured to it at a point to the rear of sleeve B,
the usual ring D to be connected with the devices for taking up the recoil of the
gun when the latter is fired. Such devices, as shown, consist of two cylinders E E,
which are rigidly secured to the hollow frame or sleeve B and each one of which
contains a reciprocating piston head E¹ connected with a piston rod E passing
rearward through a plug e closing the rear end of the cylinder and a stuffing
box el which can be of any desired construction, adapted to allow easy reciprocation
of the piston rod through it, while effectually preventing the leakage of fluid from
within the cylinder out around the rod.

page_text: Near its rear end, each of these. piston rods E2 E2 passes through an opening
in an eard on ring D, and has a shoulder, d' bearing against the forward side
of the respective ear.
Beyond the rear side of the ear, through which it passes, each rod E is screw;
threaded, and has screwed upon it a nut e engaging the rear face of the ear, and
a jam or lock nut, e to lock nut from turning.
The arrangement of recoil cylinders, pistons, piston rods, ring D, and of the
connections between the latter and the piston rous, so far described, is one usual
and well known in recoil mounts for ordnance.
and
Each cylinder E' contains the usual spring E3 around the respective rod
engaging at its opposite ends bearings.e e resting against the rear face of the
piston head E and the forward face of the plug e which closes the rear end of
the cylinder, respectively.
This spring, exerting its stress against rearward travel of the respective piston
head E, caused by the recoil of the gun from firing, and being compressed by
such recoil, serves, by forcing the piston head and connected rod and ring D,
forward again after the recoil has ceased, to return the gun to battery.
The forward end of each cylinder, is closed by a screw plug e which has its
inner or rear face made concave, as shown in Figure 11.
:
As in the recoil cylinders for guns, as heretofore used, each cylinder E is filled
with a body of fluid, which can be water, oil, or other fluid, but preferably consists
of a mixture of glycerine and water, such body of fluid being, as in the recoil
cylinders heretofore in use, for the purpose of acting as a brake, to slow down
the movement of the gun in recoil. For this purpose, such cylinders, or the
piston heads therein have been provided with ports or by-passes through which
the fluid in the cylinder can flow past the piston heads at a certain predetermined
rate as such heads are moved back and forth, the rate of travel allowed to the
heads being dependent upon the combined area of the ports or by-passes in the
respective cylinders or piston heads, all as will be understood by those familiar
with recoil mounts for ordnance.
In the present case, the cylinders E, E, are, as in the cylinder shown in Figure 11;
provided with four longitudinal grooves e e, forming by-passes extending from
the forward ends of the spaces within the cylinders, and which, in the ordinary
way, should have their rearward ends situated to the rear of the points to which
the rear faces of the respective piston heads are carried by recoil of the gun.
Each of the piston heads E has in its front face short radial grooves e² e', the
same in number as the grooves e6e6 in the surrounding cylinder, and similarly
situated so that their outer ends coincide with cylinder grooves. These grooves e e,
are of sufficient length to form ports or passes, connecting the grooves ee with
the recess or cavity e8 in the cylinder closing plug e, when the piston head E¹
is at the end of its forward travel in the cylinder and is resting against the plug e
in the position normally occupied by it when the gun is in position ready for
firing.
Where, as in the gun mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, two
recoil cylinders are used, we make the piston head and rod of one of the cylinders
(preferably the one on the right side) hollow, in the manner shown fully
in Figure 11, that is, with a small passage or bore e extending entirely through
both head and rod, and connect the two cylinders by means of an opening back
of the most rearward position of breech face of piston.
In the case of guns using only one recoil cylinder, the piston head and rod of
that cylinder are made in the manner just described.
The rearward end of the hollow piston rod is closed by a screw cap elo and just
forward of the latter there is a side port el, through the wall of the rod com-
municating with the interior of a hollow sleeve coupling es surrounding the piston
rod between cap eto and the shoulder e3 on the rod, and having its interior con-
nected with a pipe e preferably, but not necessarily made in one piece with the
coupling. The port or passage e, within coupling e¹, is an annular one, as

page_text: shown in Figure 8, so as to always be in full communication with the port ell,
even if there should be any twisting or rotation of the piston rod or coupling
with reference to each other.
Supported on a strong arm F, bolted to the body or gun proper A, is a cylinder G,
which we term the operating cylinder, and which is preferably formed in one
piece with the head carrying the supporting arm F. The interior of this
cylinder, at its rear end, is connected with a port g, which, in turn, communicates
with the passage g' in the head G¹, communicating with pipe e¹.
At the point where passage gl joins port g, a valve seat 92 is provided, to receive
a piston valve g³, adapted to close communication between said port and passage,
the head of such valve being adapted, when down or seated in closed position to
entirely close the outer end of port g against the outward flow of fluid from the
operating cylinder G.
The upper end of the cylindrical recess g₁ provided in head G¹ for putting in
place and movement of valve g³, is closed by a screw plug g³, provided with a
stuffing box g through which and the plug g³, passes the valve stem g, for
operating the valve, such stem having its upper end connected by pin with
one arm of lever g³, pivotted upon an arm g, bolted to the head G₁, the other
arm of the lever being in such position, as to be conveniently reached and operated,
to move the valve head, by any one standing on the right side of the gun. Fitted
and sliding within the operating cylinder G, is a solid piston H, having connected
with it, the piston rod H, extending out through the rear end of the cylinder, and
through the stuffing box h on such end. The forward end of piston H fits and
slides through the stuffing box h, and has the packing compressing device in the
form of an annular screw plug or cap h² screwed into the cylinder end; but can
be of any other desired construction.
With the connected recoil and operating cylinders, a sufficient quantity of the
water, oil, water and glycerine, or other Huid, is used to fill the recoil cylinder,
the hollow piston head E¹ and piston rod E, and the connecting ports, pipe, and
passages, connecting the bore of the piston rod with the rear end of the operating
cylinder G. The rear end of the piston rod H¹ has screwed upon it a head h
between which and the rear end of the cap or plug h of the stuffing box his
a spiral spring H2, surrounding the rod H¹, and exerting its pressure on head h³
to force the rod, and, consequently, the piston H, rearward towards and into the
position which it is shown as occupying in Figures 6 and 7. This rod H¹ with its
head, we connect with the breech mechanism which is to be operated in the
manner to be hereinafter described.
While, for convenience sake, we have shown in the drawings and shall describe
hereinafter our invention as applied to a certain form of breech mechanism, we
desire it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the use of our invention
in connection with such form of breech mechanism, but contemplate employing
our operating devices and firing mechanism in connection with any other desired
form of breech mechanism or devices for opening and closing breech loading
guns. The breech mechanism which we have shown in the drawings connected
with the piston and head, so as to be operated by the movement of the rod forward
and rearward under the action of forward pressure on the piston H in cylinder G,
and the rearward pressure of spring H2, upon head h³, is of the type having a
breech plug I of the interrupted screw form, the breech being formed with corres
sponding interrupted screw threads, arranged to allow the direct inward and
outward movement of the plug, to insert it in and withdraw it from the breech,
and to secure locking and unlocking of the inserted plug when the latter is partially
rotated, in the way well known to those familiar with breech closing devices for
ordnance. It also has a tray I' with a collar I2 on its front edge, which, at one
side has pivotal lugs or ears ii, engaging a vertical pin I3 supported on the
breech of the gun at one side of the rear end thereof.
The tray is provided with the two ribs to engage longitudinal guiding
grooves on the breech plug when the latter is being moved in and out on the

page_text: tray, the grooves in the plug being so situated, as to be brought in line with the
respective ribs on the tray when the plug has been rotated to disengage its locking
partial threads from the corresponding threads within the plug receiving chamber
of the breech of the gun. With the plug in this position, it can be moved longi-
tudinally rearward and forward to remove it from and insert it into the breech
plug chamber of the gun..
The periphery of the rear end of the breech plug I is provided with a segmental
series of gear teeth or cogs I I* which, when the plug is seated in its chamber in
the gun, so as to close the breech, are in position to be engaged by the teeth of the
sliding toothed rack bar 15, guided in a transverse channel 2 in the front of the
tray . These teeth or cogs on the rack bar, which is adapted to reciprocate in
a direct line across beneath the breech plug, are on the upper side of the bar.
latter has another series of teeth or cogs 16, on its rear side, engaged by the toothed
segment I on the breech mechanism operating lever 18, pivotally supported on
tray I by the pivot pin I passing down through the curved slot Iio.
T'he
1
The travel of the rack bar I across the breech of the gun is limited by the
end of guide-way 22.
The pin I also passes through a hole in the angle of the elbow lever I having
the short arm pivotally connected with the tray I by the pin 112 and the long
arm provided with a stud 13 engaging an opening, in the cocking ring 114,
journalled on a plug 115, screwed into the rear end of the breech plug, and held
on plug Is by an enlargement or head I16 on the latter.
The operation of the parts of the breech mechanism and operative devices, as
so far described, is briefly as follows:-
With the breech plug in breech-closing position and turned to cause its inter-
rupted threads to engage the corresponding threads within the breech plug
chamber, and with the parts in position, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, if the
lever I be swung rearward and to the right, it will first swing on pin 19, so that
the toothed segment 17 will cause the rack bar 15 to travel to the left and, through
the meshing of the teeth on its upper side, with the cogs or teeth II on the breech
plug, to turn the latter far enough to disengage its interrupted threads from
those on the plug chamber in the breech, the partial turning of the plug thus.
caused, bringing the longitudinal grooves in the plug into line with the plug-
guiding ribs on the tray.
The rack bar 15, having moved far enough to the left to cause the above
described partial rotation of the breech plug, comes in contact with the end of its
guide way, and is stopped thereby. Continued movement of the operating lever 18
then causes the latter to swing upon the last or outer tooth of the rack bar as a
fulerum, because of the engagement of its toothed segment I with such tooth
and the pin I passing through the curved tray slot I10 and connecting the lever 18
,with elbow lever I", moves out along the slot 10 without swinging the tray,
and causes elbow lever I to swing rearward upon its pivotal pin 12. This move-
ment of lever I, through its described connection with the breech plug, causes
the latter to be drawn longitudinally rearward upon the tray I'
When being thus retracted and drawn outward upon the tray, the plug finally
comes in contact with the nose K of the tray holding catch K pivoted in ears on
the under side of the tray and normally engaging a lug or shoulder on the breech,
and, tripping such catch, leaves the tray free to be swung rearward as the plug
reaches the end of its rearward travel on the tray.
When the levers 18 and I have been swung far enough to thus withdraw the
breech plug from the breech upon the tray, the pin I comes in contact with the
end of the slot I in the tray, and, checking the swing of lever I with reference
to the tray, and, consequently, preventing further movement of the breech plug
with reference to the tray, causes the latter to swing rearward and to the right
upon its pivot so as to carry the plug to one side, and leave the breech open and
clear for the withdrawal of a cartridge or the insertion of a new charge.
The lever 18 can be swung over to the right, to cause and complete the swinging.

page_text: of the tray after the withdrawal of the breech plug from the breech, or when it
has been moved quickly far enough to withdraw the breech plug from the breech
upon the tray, the momentum of the plug will through the connection of the
plug with elbow lever 1", and because of the engagement of pin 1' with the end
of the tray slot 110, be enough to cause and complete the swing of the tray, without
power further applied to lever I³.
To close the breech again, the lever 18 is swung in the-opposite direction, or to
the left, its first movement in that direction causing, by the engagement of pin I
with the side of slot I, the tray to swing forward to its normal position to
bring the breech plug in line with the breech chamber.
The movement of pin 1 with lever 18, causes the elbow lever I" to slide the
plug forward on the tray into its breech closing position after the tray has been
swung into its normal forward position, so as to bring the curved slot 110 into
concentricity with the swing of the elbow lever I upon its pivot pin I. The
pin I then being in contact with the inner end of the tray slot 10, acis as a
fulcrum for the further swinging of the lever 18, with reference to the tray, which
will cause its toothed segment 1 to slide the rack bar I to the right again to
cause the breech plug to be rotated to bring its interrupted screw threads into
engagement, with the corresponding threads within the breech to ensure secure
locking of the plug in the well known way.
1
To prevent the rack bar 15 from being moved to the right before the breech
plug has been inserted in the breech, and to secure proper meshing of the teeth
on top of the rack bar with those on the breech plug when the latter is in position
for turning it to lock it in closed position, the breech plug is to be provided with
a longitudinal groove L, to engage the last tooth at the right end of the series
of teeth on the rack bar top, as long as the plug is to the rear of the position
where it is to be turned on its axis to lock or unlock it in the breech. The lever 18
will then, when it is swung inward and forward to close the breech, first fulcrum
on the outer tooth of the series of teeth on the side of the rack bar 15.
The firing pin M, moving in a central passage m in the breech plug I has, on
its rear end an arm M² moving in a recess m in the supplemental plug 115, and
is pressed towards its firing position by the firing spring M³ seated in a recess m²
in the pin and bearing at its rear end against the rear end of recess m¹ in plug I¹³.
The outer end of arm M2 has a cocking notch m³, and to the rear of such notch
has its edge bevelled or rounded off, (see Figure 4), so as to be adapted to ridė
outward under and cam back the nose m4 of the spring pressed sliding sear M
on the ring I¹³ secured to the breech plug I, when the firing pin arm M2 is forced
back to retract and cock the firing pin. To thus retract the arm M and pin M,
when the breech plug is rotated to unlock it ready for retraction to open the
breech, the cocking ring I, which is held from rotating with the breech plug by
the engagement of the stud 113 on lever I" with the opening in the ring, is
provided with an inclined cam face adapted to engage and cam the arm M²
rearward with reference to the breech plug as the latter is rotated with reference
to the cocking ring in a direction to disengage the screw threads on the plug
from those in the breech.
The cam is of sufficient height to retract the arm M² far enough to bring
the cocking notch m³ to the nose of the sear M which is then forced into the
notch by the movement of the sear under stress of the spring m³ situated in a
recess m on the inner side of the sear and engaging the forward end of such
recess, and an abutment m on the tray ring 12. This sear, sliding radially with
reference to the ring I on the breech plug can be supported in any desired way,
but it is preferably guided and supported on such ring by a groove with undercut
sides engaging guide ribs on the sear M.
With the construction of firing pin with its retracting devices and the sear as
just above described, the firing pin will be retracted into its cocked position where
it will be held by the sear each time that the breech plug is rotated to unlock it
ready for withdrawal from the breech, and the cam face on the cocking ring will,

page_text: by standing in the way of the forward side of the arm M3 of the firing pin,
effectually prevent any such forward movement of the pin as would project it's
forward end from the breech plug to fire the gun before the breech plug has 'been
returned to the breech and turned far enough to bring its interrupted screw
threads into such engagement with the corresponding threads on the breech, as to
effectually lock the plug against rearward. longitudinal movement, if the gün
should be fired. The cocking ring as arranged affords then, not only a means for
cocking the pin, but a safety device against premature firing before locking of
the plug.
The outer end of the sear M has a trigger-engaging toe m³, on its forward side,
adapted to project over the nose m³ of the trigger M when the breech plug has
been inserted and locked in position to close the breech. This trigger is pivoted
in a radial recess m10 in the breech of the gun, and has besides the arm carrying
the nose m another outwardly extending arm engaged by a spring-pressed
plunger ml, seated and guided in a recess m12 in the breech. and actuated by a
spring m3 seated partially in a cavity m¹ in the plunger, and with its forward
end engaging the front end of recess m¹². The action of the spring-pressed
plunger on trigger M³ serves to keep it normally held in the position shown in
Figure 4, that is, with its nose m' situated on the inner side of the path of the
toe me on the sear M4, as the latter is moved towards the position in which it is
shown in Figures 3 and 4 by the locking rotation of the breech plug, hereinbefore
described.
The nose of the trigger will then, not tend to trip the sear while the trigger
remains unswung, and in its normal position, but will do so if the trigger is
swung to carry its nose m³ outward.
In order to provide for automatic firing of the gun by tripping of the sear M,
as the breech plug I has, after being inserted in place in the breech, been rotated
to. lock it, we have made the sear toe m³ and the trigger nose m³ bevelled, 'as
shown in Figures 3, 4 and 13, the toe m8 having its inner side bevelled outward
and forward, with reference to the travel of the sear with the breech plug during
the locking rotation of the latter, and the nose m³ of the trigger having its outer
side correspondingly bevelled, so that, if the trigger be pulled to swing its nose
carrying arm outward into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, the
inclined or bevelled face on it will be in position to engage the inclined face on
the sear M, and cam the latter outward, to disengage the sear nose mt from the
notch m³ on the firing pin arm M² to release such pin just as the locking rotation
of the breech plug is completed.
The turning of the plug, by the mechanism herein before described to lock it
in breech closing position, serves then, in our gun, to automatically cause firing
of the gun when the trigger is held pulled into the position shown in dotted lines
in Figure 4.
To afford improved means for pulling the trigger as desired, we connect the end
of a cord or lanyard N, with the outer end of the trigger, and lead such lanyard
forward through a ring or loop N¹ on the ring D which is fixed on the gun body A,
and then rearward through an opening in the plate N2 attached to and extending
rearward from the annular fraane or sleeve B in which the gun body slides. From
the opening in the plate N2 the lanyard passes forward again into position to be
grasped and pulled by the man standing on the left side of the gun, who can
then keep the gun pointed and control the firing.
With the arrangement of lanyard and guiding devices just above described
it will be seen that we avoid any possibility of the lanyard being jerked from
the hands of the operator by recoil of the gun, for as the gun body and ring D
travel rearward during recoil of the gun, and the plate №2 remains stationary,
slack will be produced in the portion of the lanyard between the guide ring or
loop N and the guiding opening in the plate N2, and there will, consequently be
no pulling inward or rearward of the part of the lanyard reaching from the
plate No to the hand of the firer holding the lanyard end.

page_text: It will be understood that when the gun is not to be fired automatically, but
at will, the lanyard is left slack during the closing and locking movement of the
breech mechanism, so that the trigger is held in its normal position with its
nose m³ out of the path of and disengaged from the sear toe m³, but in position
to engage such toe whenever the trigger is subsequently pulled by the lanyard.
In order to operate the shown and described mechanism by power derived from
fluid under pressure taken from the recoil cylinder of the gun, in which cylinder
the fluid is put under pressure by the movement of the piston head which moves
with the gun body or gun proper in its recoil and return to battery, we have
connected with or made in one piece with head 3³, screwed on the piston rod H¹
of the piston H in the operating cylinder G, as hereinbefore described, a rack
bar H³, guided and moving on the bracket piece H4 bolted to the gun body A
and having a central opening for the reception of the lower end of the hinge
pin 13 of the tray I. Upon this pin we journal a segment gear H5 and a lever H³,
preferably made in one piece with the segmental gear, but which, if desired,
may be made separate from the gear and attached thereto in any desired way,
so that it will rotate with it on pin 13. This lever He has a stud H engaging
a groove H8 in a projecting portion H on the under side of lever I³.
The engagement of stud H and the groove H8 is such, that as the lever H6
swings from left to right, as it will do when the rack bar Hs is drawn forward by
a forward travel of the piston H and piston rod H¹, and by engagement of its
teeth with segment gear H5, causes said gear to rotate upon pin 13, the lever 18
will be swung in the same direction, that is, to right so as to cause the breech
mechanism to be actuated, as herein before described, to unlock and retract the
breech plug, cock the firing pin, and swing the tray with the plug thereon around
to the right, so as to leave the passage to the breech of the gun clear for the
insertion of another charge.
The return swing of lever H as the piston H, piston rod H¹ and rack bar H³
are reciprocated in the other direction, as they will be by the action of the spring H³,
compressed by the prior forward movement of the piston and rod, will then, because
of the engagement of the stud H with groove H; cause the lever 18 to be returned
to its normal position again, causing, as it swings, in the manner and by the means
herein before described, the tray to be swung around to bring the breech plug
in line with the breech chamber, and the plug to be slid into such chamber; and
then rotated to cause it to be locked shut by the engagement of its interrupted
screw threads with the threads within the breech plug chamber of the gun.
With the mechanism of our gun constructed and arranged as shown in the
drawings and described herein before, the operation is briefly as follows:-
Starting with the breech mechanism closed and the piston H at the limit of its
rearward travel in the operating cylinder G, and the piston El in the forward end
of the recoil cylinder E, when the gun is to be loaded, valve is opened by
pressing down the outer arm of the valve operating lever 79 and the lever 18 is
swung by hand to open the breech mechanism in the ordinary way, such opening,
because of the preliminary unlocking rotation of the breech plug, causing the
firing pin to be retracted into position to be held cocked by sear M.
As the opening of the breech mechanism by lever 18 causes, through the swing-
ing of the connected lever H6 and segment gear H³, the rack bar H³, piston rod H¹
and piston H to be reciprocated, to compress spring H2, the latter will exert its
pressure to return the piston, piston rod and rack bar to their normal positions,
so as to cause a partial back rotation of the segment gear and a swing of lever H6
to cause its stud H', engaging grooves H8 on lever 18, to swing the latter forward
again to cause closing and locking of the breech mechanism in the manner
explained herein before. As the piston H is forced forward in cylinder G, the
valve being held open, it will draw fluid from the recoil cylinder into the
operating cylinder through the described ports, passages and pipe connecting the
two cylinders E and G.
If, when the breech mechanism has been thrown open, as described, the valve

page_text: operating lever be released, the valve spring will throw the valve shut so as to
close the port g opening into operating cylinder, and the operating piston will
be held from moving rearward by the fluid confined in the cylinder G.
If now, a load has been put in the gun chamber, the closing of the breech
mechanism can be caused upon the movement of the valve lever, to open the valve
and establish communication between the port y and passage g', so that the fluid in
cylinder G can flow out of the same back towards the recoil cylinder E, leaving
the piston H free to move rearward under stress of spring H2, which then acts,
through head h³, rack bar H³, segment gear H³, and lever H6 with its stud and
groove connection between it and lever 18, to swing the latter lever so that it will
cause the breech closing devices to be closed and locked, in the manner already
described.
If the lanyard N is pulled to pull the trigger and trip the firing pin holding
sear, the firing pin, actuated by spring M³ will fire the charge in the gun. Recoil
of the body A or gun proper will then, because of the connections between its
ring D and the piston rod E2 of the recoil cylinder E, draw the piston head E¹
rearward in such cylinder, against the stress of the recoil spring E3, the movement
of the piston head, and, consequently, of the gun in recoil, being slowed down
by the retarding fluid in the cylinder which must pass from the rear to the front
of the piston through the ports or by-passes in the cylinder as the piston moves
rearward in the cylinder, the rate of such passage of fluid, and, consequently,
the rate of travel of the piston and the gun in recoil, being dependent upon
the aggregate area of the ports or by-passes e in cross section,
The gun body and the piston E¹, having completed their rearward travel under
the force of the recoil of firing, and the spring E³ being compressed by such
travel of the piston, the stress of such spring acting upon the piston moves it for-
ward again, so as to cause the piston rod, through its connections with ring D, to
return the gun to battery. This return of the piston under stress of spring E³,
causes the fluid which has accumulated in the cylinder E, and is in bore of the
piston rod E2, the ports, passages, and pipe forming a communication between
such piston rod, bore, and the port g, entering the operating cylinder G to be
put under great pressure, so that it will be forced from the recoil cylinder out
through the hollow piston rod and through the various communicating ports,
passages, and pipe e¹, past valve g³ which it raises, and into the rear end of the
operating cylinder G. There, pressing upon piston H, it forces the latter forward,
so that through rod H¹, head h³, and rack bar H³, it causes the segment gear H³
to be rotated to swing lever H6, so that, through its stud and groove connection
with lever 18, such lever He causes lever 18 to swing around to the right to cause
the breech mechanism to be unlocked and swing open in the manner already
described, the firing pin being retracted and cocked as already explained, by the
unlocking movement of the breech plug.
As soon as the piston E¹, in the recoil cylinder, has completed its forward travel
within the latter, and the pressure of the fluid in front of the piston begins to
decrease, the valve g³ is at once closed by its spring g', so that none of the fluid
can flow back again, out of the operating cylinder.
The piston H is then held from return or rearward movement by the fluid con-
fined behind it in the cylinder G, until the valve g³ is opened by movement of
its operating lever g³.
The described forward movement of the piston H, caused by the pressure of fluid
from the recoil cylinder, compresses the spring H2 between head H3 and the end
of the stuffing box plug or cap h, so that power will be stored up in it, enough
to return the piston rod and cylinder and cause lever H to swing lever Is to the
left again, to close and lock the breech mechanism when the valve lever is moved
to open valve g³, so as to leave the fluid in the operating cylinder free to flow back
towards the recoil cylinder again.
As long as the valve remains closed, the lever He cannot move to swing the
lever 18 forward or to the left, and the breech mechanism is held open.

page_text: When a new charge has been inserted in the gun chamber and the breech is
to be closed, the one who is to control the movements of the breech mechanism
and stands at the right.of the gun, presses down on the outer arm of lever g³ so as
to cause the valve g³ to be opened.
The piston H.and rod H¹ are then thrown quickly rearward by the compressed
spring H2, the flow of the liquid from the operating chamber as the piston moves
rearward, being assisted by the partial vacuum existing in the recoil cylinder;
because of some of its liquid having been forced out from such cylinder during
the forward movement of piston E, and kept from returning by the closing of
valve g³.
The rearward movement of rod H¹, under stress of spring H2, causing the rack
bar H³ to turn the segment gear H5, and the lever H to be swung to the left,
causes lever 18 to be swung to cause closing and locking of the breech mechanism.
If the lanyard be pulled so as to hold the trigger swung, with its cam-faced nose
in the path of the cam-faced toe on the sear M4, as the breech plug is turned to
cause it to be locked; the trigger nose will cause the sear to be tripped to release
the firing pin and fire the gun, just as the locking movement of the breech plug
is completed.
The gun body or gun proper' A will then, by the firing, be caused to recoil
again to draw the piston E¹ in the recoil cylinder rearward again to compress the
recoil spring E3 as before, ready to have its stress applied again through the fluid
in the recoil cylinder, tubular piston rod E2, and the described ports, passages
and pipe between the recoil and operating cylinders, to the piston H in the latter
cylinder as the piston E¹ is forced forward again in the recoil cylinder by such
spring 3, after the recoil of the gun has ceased.
.
The stress of the recoil spring being transmitted, through the fluid in the manner
described, during the return of the gun to battery, causes the breech mechanism
to be unlocked and opened again, and the firing pin to be retracted or cocked
in the manner already described, the valve g³ acting again as before to check the
back flow of the fluid from the operating cylinder when the piston H has been
forced forward to cause opening of the breech mechanism.
The return movement of piston H and piston rod H', under stress of spring H³,
to cause closing and locking of the breech mechanism is then prevented until
the man whose duty it is to control the operation of the breech mechanism, moves
lever to open valve g³, which he does after he sees that the man or men who
have to insert the new load in the gun have withdrawn their arms and hands out
of the way of the breech mechanism.
By moving the lever g to open valve ³ more or less to regulate the flow of
fluid past it, he can regulate or control the speed of the operation of the breech
closing devices, as desired.
The one whose duty it is to fire the gun can then, as before, either pull the
lanyard to cause the trigger to trip the sear and fire the gun automatically as the
breech plug is turned into its locking position after insertion to close the breech,
or can leave the lanyard loose, in which case the firing will not be automatic as
above described, but can be caused at any desired time, by a pull on the lanyard
to swing the trigger to trip the sear out of engagement with the cocking notch
on the head or arm M² of the firing pin M.
While we have shown and described the operating cylinder as so connected with
the recoil cylinder that fluid under pressure from the latter is taken through
the hollow piston E from in front of piston E¹, and the pressure on the fluid is
that of the stress of the compressed recoil spring E3 acting during the counter
recoil or return of the gun to battery, we contemplate, where desired, taking the
fluid from the part of the recoil cylinder to the rear of piston head E¹ instead, so
that the pressure on the fluid which is to move the piston H forward, is that
of the recoil of the gun, the breech being consequently unlocked and thrown open
by the force of the recoil and during the recoiling movement of the gun.
We desire it to be understood also, that while we have shown and described

page_text: mechanism in which the fluid under pressure, for operating the breech mechanism
is taken from one recoil cylinder, we can, without involving any departure from
our invention, take the fluid from several or all of the recoil cylinders used with
any gun. This can easily be arranged for by connecting the several cylinders
by connections similar to those herein before described with one or more ports g
opening into the operating cylinder.
Where the fluid used in the recoil cylinder and for. actuating the piston in the
operating cylinder is to be taken from behind the piston of the recoil cylinder,
so that the operating piston will be actuated during the recoil of the gun, any.
suitable connections between the cylinders can be used, but we prefer to employ
a hollow piston rod in connection with a solid piston in the recoil cylinder,
making a suitable port or opening in the rod at a point to the rear of the piston
head, so that the fluid from the recoil cylinder can pass into the hollow piston
rod, and then take the same course in reaching the operating cylinder, as in
the construction shown in the drawings, and hereinbefore described.
As indicated in the foregoing description, we do not limit ourselves to the use
of any one kind of fluid in the recoil cylinder, or the passages and pipes con-
necting such cylinder with the operating cylinder.
Our mechanism, as shown and described, would be operative to advantage
even where the recoil checking fluid in the recoil, cylinder is air, instead of
water, or oil and water, or other liquid.
As indicated hereinbefore, our operating devices, as herein before described, are
adapted for use in connection with many different forms of breech mechanism for
breech loading guns, all that is necessary, in securing the proper application of
our invention to the desired form of breech mechanism, being that the piston of
the operating cylinder shall be connected with some moving or operating part
of such breech mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what wo
claim is:-
1. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving in the latter, to put the fluid therein under pressure, and con-
nected with the gun body, in combination with a breech closing device and means
for, moving it to cause it to be locked and unlocked, means actuated by pressure
of fluid from the recoil cylinder to cause the breech closing device to be unlocked,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving in the latter to put the fluid therein under pressure, and connected
with the gun body, in combination with a breech closing device, and means for
causing the breech device to be locked, and connections between the recoil cylinder
and the locking means, whereby power derived from the pressure of the fluid from
the recoil cylinder, causes locking of the breech closing device, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving in the latter to put the fluid therein under pressure and connected
with the gun body, in combination with a breech closing device and means for
causing unlocking of such device, connections between the recoil cylinder and
the means for causing unlocking of the breech closing device, whereby pressure
of fluid from the recoil cylinder operates such unlocking means, and a spring
acting upon the latter to cause locking of the breech closing device, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
4. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a piston
moving in the latter and connected with the gun body, in combination with movable
breech mechanism and a movable device for operating the latter, and means for
actuating such device, moved by the pressure of fluid taken from the recoil
cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 5. In a breech loading gun, in combination with the breech mechanism thereof,
a recoil cylinder containing fluid, the piston in such cylinder connected with the
gun body, the recoil spring, a movable device actuated by fluid from the cylinder,
under pressure, during the return of the piston after recoil, and operative con-
nections between such device and a movable part of the breech mechanism,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. In a breech loading gun having a fluid-containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving in the latter and connected with the gun body, in combination
with movable breech mechanism, a movable device for operating the latter, means
for actuating such device in one direction by pressure of fluid from the recoil
cylinder, and spring mechanism for moving the breech mechanism actuating
device in the other direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving therein, and connected with the gun body, in combination with
inovable breech mechanism and a movable device connected therewith so as to
actuate it, means for actuating such device in one direction by the pressure of
fluid from the recoil cylinder, spring mechanism to move the device in the other
direction, and means for checking the movement of the device under the action
of the spring mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose described.
S. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving therein and connected with the gun body, in combination with
movable breech mechanism, a second cylinder in communication with the recoil
cylinder, a piston in the second cylinder, and connections between the latter
piston and the breech mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a piston
moving therein and connected with the gun body, in combination with the
movable breech mechanism of the gun, a second cylinder, in communication with
the recoil cylinder, a piston in the second cylinder moved in one direction by
pressure of Huid under pressure from the recoil cylinder, connections between the
latter piston and the breech mechanism, and a spring acting to move the second
piston in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the fluid under
pressure from the recoil cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder, and a
piston moving therein and connected with the gun body, in combination with the
movable breech mechanism of the gun, a second cylinder in communication with
the recoil cylinder, a piston in the second cylinder, moved in one direction by fluid
under pressure from the recoil cylinder, a spring acting to move the latter piston
in the other direction, connections between such piston and the breech mechanism,
and means for controlling at will the movement of the second piston under stress
of the spring, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder, and a
piston moving therein and connected with the gun body, in combination with the
movable breech mechanism of the gun, a second cylinder in communication with
the recoil cylinder, a valve in the connections between the two cylinders, means
for moving such valve, a piston in the second cylinder, moved in one direction
by fluid under pressure from the recoil cylinder, a spring acting to move the
latter piston in the other direction, and connections between such piston and the
breech mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose described.
12. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving in the latter and connected with the body of the gun, in combina-
tion with a recoil spring acting upon the piston in the recoil cylinder, movable
breech closing mechanism, a movable device for operating such mechanism, a
second cylinder, a piston moving therein, connections between the two cylinders
through which fluid under pressure can pass from the recoil cylinder to the other
cylinder, and connections between the piston in the second cylinder and the breech
mechanism operating device, substantially as and for the purpose described.
13. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder, in com-

page_text: bination with a piston moving in such cylinder and connected with the gun body
a recoil spring compressed by the movement of the piston with the gun body during
recoil of the latter, a second cylinder, connections between the two cylinders to
allow the passage of fluid between them, a piston in the second cylinder adapted
to be moved in one direction by fluid under pressure from the recoil cylinder
entering the second cylinder, spring mechanism acting to move the piston in the
latter cylinder in the other direction, movable breech mechanism and connections
between the latter and the piston of the second cylinder, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
14. In a breech loading gun having a fluid containing recoil cylinder, in combina-
tion with a piston moving in the latter connected with the gun body, so as to move
therewith as the body recoils, a recoil spring resisting the movement of the piston
during recoil, a second cylinder, connected by fluid conducting connections, with
the part of the recoil cylinder which is on the side of the piston which is forward
with relation to the direction in which the recoil spring tends to move the piston,
a piston moving in the second cylinder, spring mechanism acting to return the
latter piston when it has been moved by pressure of fluid admitted to the second
cylinder, movable breech mechanism, an operative device connected with some
part of the breech mechanism, and connections between such device and the piston
of the second cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.
15. In a gun, in combination with a fluid containing recoil cylinder, the piston
moving therein, and connected with the gun body so as to be moved by the recoil
thereof, the recoil spring, the hollow piston rod having its bore connected with the
interior of the cylinder by a suitable fluid conducting passage or port, a second
cylinder connected with the bore of the piston rod by suitable fluid conducting
passages, a piston moving in the second cylinder, and adapted to be moved in one
direction by the pressure of fluid in its cylinder, and spring mechanism acting
to return the piston after such movement, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
16. In a gun, in combination with a fluid containing recoil cylinder, the piston
moving therein and connected with the gun body so as to be moved by the recoil
thereof, the recoil spring, the hollow piston rod having its bore connected with
the interior of the cylinder by a suitable fluid conducting passage or port, a second
cylinder connected with the bore of the piston rod by suitable fluid conducting
passages, a piston moving in the second cylinder, and adapted to be moved in one
direction by the pressure of fluid in its cylinder, spring mechanism acting to
return the piston after such movement, a movable valve to check the flow of fluid
from the second cylinder, and means for moving such valve, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
17. In a gun, in combination with a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
hollow piston moving therein, and connected with the gun body so as to be moved
by the recoil thereof, a recoil spring compressed by the movement of the piston
during recoil of the gun, a hollow piston rod having its bore connected with that
in the piston, a second cylinder connected with the recoil cylinder by suitable fluid
conducting connections, a piston moving in the second cylinder adapted to be
moved in one direction by the pressure of fluid in its cylinder, and spring
mechanism to return such piston after it has been moved by the fluid, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
18. In a gun, in combination with a fluid containing recoil cylinder and a
piston moving therein, connected with the gun body so as to be moved in one
direction by the recoil of the latter, a recoil spring to return the piston after
recoil, a second cylinder connected with the recoil cylinder by suitable fluid con-
ducting connections, a piston in the second cylinder, moved in one direction by
the pressure of fluid in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston of the
second cylinder, and a spring compressed by movement of the piston and rod by
pressure of fluid in the second cylinder, and acting to return the rod and cylinder

page_text: when the pressure of fluid in the second cylinder is reduced, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
19. In a breech loading gun, in combination with movable breech mechanism
thereof, and an operating lever to operate such mechanism, a second pivoted lever,
connections between the two levers whereby the swinging of the second lever causes
swinging of the operating lever to operate the breech mechanism, a toothed piece
connected with the second lever, and a toothed rack engaging such toothed piece,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
20. In a breech loading gun, in combination with the movable breech mechanism
thereof, and an operating lever to operate such mechanism, a second pivoted lever,
connections between the two levers whereby movement of the second lever causes
the operating lever to be moved, a toothed piece connected with the second lever,
a toothed rack engaging the teeth of such piece, a recoil cylinder containing fluid,
a piston therein connected with the gun body, and a movable piece actuated by
fluid under pressure from the recoil cylinder, and connections between such piece
and the toothed rack to actuate the latter, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
21. In a gun, in combination with the gun body, a hollow piston and piston rod,
connections between such rod and the gun body, a recoil cylinder in which the
piston moves, containing fluid and provided with suitable ports or by-passes to
allow passage of the fluid by the piston, a recoil spring compressed by the move-
ment of the piston during recoil of the gun, and acting to return the piston after
the recoil is completed, a second cylinder connected with the bore of the piston
rod by fluid conducting connections, and a movable head moved by the pressure
of fluid in the second cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.
22. In a breech mechanism for breech loading guns, in combination with the
breech closing device adapted to be locked by movement in a certain direction, a
firing device, a movable sear carried by the breech closing device, and adapted
to engage a notch of the firing device, and having a lug or shoulder and a trigger
situated so that the sear is moved into the path of part of it, as the breech closing
device is moved into locking position, substantially as and for the purpose de-
scribed.
23. In a breech mechanism for guns, in combination with a breech closing device
adapted to be locked by movement in a certain direction, a spring-pressed firing.
device, a movable sear carried by the breech closing device and adapted to hold
the firing device retracted, and having a shoulder and a trigger having a cam face
to engage the sear shoulder, which can, by swinging of the trigger, be caused to
stand in the path of the shoulder on the sear so as to trip the latter as the breech
closing device is moved into its locked position, substantially as and for the
purpose described..
24. In a breech mechanism for guns, in combination with a breech closing
device adapted to be locked by movement in a certain direction, a spring pressed
firing device, a movable sear carried by the breech closing device, and adapted to
hold the firing device retracted and having a trigger engaging shoulder, a trigger
on a part stationary with reference to the moving breech closing device, and a
spring to hold the trigger swung normally out of the path of the shoulder on the
sear as the latter moves with the breech closing device. as such device. is moved
into its locking position, the sear engaging nose of the trigger being adapted to
be moved by movement of the trigger against the stress of its spring into the
path of the sear shoulder, and to then move the sear to release the firing device
as the sear shoulder rides over the trigger nose during locking movement of the
breech closing device, substantially as and for the purpose described.
25. In a breech mechanism for guns, in combination with the breech closing
plug adapted to be locked in its breech closing position by rotation, a spring
pressed firing pin having a notched part, a spring-pressed firing pin holding sear
rotating with the plug and having a trigger engaging shoulder, a trigger around
to which the sear shoulder is brought by the locking rotation of the plug and

page_text: which has a nose to engage the sear shoulder, either or both the sear shoulder
and the trigger nose being beveled so that if the trigger is held pulled before the
breech plug is moved into locking position to carry its nose into the path of the
sear shoulder, the engagement of the trigger nose and shoulder will cause the
sear to be tripped to release the firing pin, as the rotation of the plug to cause
its locking, is being completed, and a spring device to hold the trigger swung
normally in position to keep its nose out of the path of the sear shoulder, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
26. In combination with the means for releasing the firing device of a recoil
mounted gun, the firing lanyard connected with such device, a suitable guide for
the lanyard situated on a part moving with the gun body to which guide the
lanyard runs forward from the firing device releasing means, and a second guide
over which the lanyard runs situated on a part stationary with reference to the
recoiling part of the gun, such second guide being situated to the rear of the first
guide, so that the lanyard runs rearward to it from the latter guide, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
27. In a breech loading gun, in combination with the breech plug adapted to
be locked in breech closing position by axial rotation, a spring pressed firing pin
having a radial arm with a cocking notch, a spring pressed sear moving with the
breech plug as the latter is rotated and having a nose to engage the notch on the
firing pin arm and a trigger engaging shoulder, a cocking ring journalled upon a
bearing moving with the plug and having a cam face to retract the arm of the
firing pin, means for holding such ring from rotating with the plug, a trigger
for tripping the sear after the plug has been rotated far enough to lock it from
opening by the pressure brought upon it when the gun is fired, and a spring
acting to hold the trigger normally swung to keep its sear engaging nose out of
the path of the sear shoulder, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 21st day of November 1898.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.