Improvements in Breech Loading Small Arms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1896-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech Loading Small Arms.
I, GEORGE LUGER of 57 Belle-Alliance Strasse, Berlin, in the Kingdom of
Prussia and Empire of Germany Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference
being had to the drawings hereunto annexed and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
This invention relates to improvements upon an invention in respect of which
I obtained Letters Patent No. 19965 of 1894, and the object of the invention is to
afford the greatest possible safety to the marksman or user of the rifle, whilst at
the same time rendering the action of such rifle both simple and reliable.
The arrangements forming the subject of this invention, which, as regards their
essential nature, are very simple, may moreover, be applied to other types of
fire-arms, and be modified accordingly, as exemplified by the accompanying
drawings, which represent several rifles of somewhat different pattern provided
with these improvements, although they do not by any means exhaust the many
forms in which my invention may be carried out.
Throughout the several examples herein described and illustrated, like letters of
reference designate like or corresponding parts, all sections-unless otherwise
described being supposed to be taken longitudinally and axially.
Referring to the drawings,
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the closed breech, taken at, or through, the
bolt-head and the cartridge chamber.
Figure 2 is an end elevation showing the interior of the same breech viewed
from the front, with the barrel removed.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the breech-case and cartridge chamber,
with the bolt drawn back.
Figure 4 is a front elevation in perspective, showing another bolt-head having at
the top a forwardly projecting flange c
Figure 5 is a side elevation partly in section of part of a rifle in which the
breech is closed and the bolt is provided with a head, such as is shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of the breech shown in Figure 5 with the barrel
removed.
Figure 7 is a front elevation in perspective of a bolt head unprovided with any
projecting flange.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken through the closed breech at the head and
the cartridge chamber.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 10 is a perspective view, corresponding with Figure 9, of the rear end of
the barrel separately.
Figure 10A is a rear view of the same.
Figure 11 is a vertical section through the closed breech, and cartridge chamber
with specially inserted ring segments surrounding the cartridge base.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the specially inserted ring constructed in
accordance with Figure 11.

page_text: Figure 13 is a rear view of such ring.
Figure 14 is an elevation with the barrel removed, showing the interior of the
breech represented at Figure 11, viewed from the front, and with the removeable
ring appearing in the form in which it is shown in Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a perspective rear view of the detached barrel showing the recessed
or enlarged portion As with which it is provided to facilitate the insertion of the
removeable ring shown in Figure 13.
Figure 16 is an elevation of the breech viewed from the right hand side fitted
with a box shaped cartridge receptacle or magazine, and assumed to be open.
Figure 16 represents separately a novel constituent part or device appertaining
to the breech shown in the previous figure.
Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16, but showing the magazine parts in a
modified form.
Figure 18 is a left hand side elevation of the breech-case, with a novel
arrangement for the operation of the cartridge sustaining or lifting spring t.
Figure 18 is a cross section on the line - of Figure 18, viewed from the
front.
Figure 18 shows the novel part or device belonging to the arrangement
represented in the two preceding figures, the cross section being taken on the
line X X.
Figure 19 is a vertical section through the bolt-head showing the same provided
with a novel arrangement of notches.
Figure 194 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 20 is a front elevation of a bolt and head of a modified form.
Figure 21 is a rear elevation of a breech-case provided with grooves of a
peculiar shape adapted to receive the studs of the bolt and closed at the rear.
Figure 22 is a similar elevation but with a bolt inserted into the breech.
Figure 23 is a sectional plan of a closed breech of the same character as that
previously shown.
Figure 24 is a similar view representing the same breech open, with the bolt drawn
right back to the arresting projection or stop.
Figure 25 is a vertical section thereof.
Figure 26 is a cross section on the line I-I of Figure 24.
Figure 27 is a similar section on the line II-II of Figure 24.
Figure 28 is a cross section of a breech taken approximately on the line III-III
of Figure 25, but supposed to have the magazine attached to it, whilst the breech
bolt is shown in its forward position, but before being turned or locked, and
Figure 29 is a similar section showing the arrangement as it appears whilst the
breech bolt is being turned on or off.
Figure 30 is a vertical section of a portion of a breech bolt showing a new
arrangement for coupling the firing pin with the tail-piece of the bolt.
Figure 30 is a cross section of the same on the line -..
Figure 30 is a similar section of the same on the line z-z.
An essential improvement the object of which is to protect the marksman from
injury through over-loaded or defective cartridges, is illustrated by way of example
in Figures 1 to 15 of the drawings which show several different forms thereof.
The arrangement adopted for this purpose mainly consists in the provision within the
head of the breech-case of special projections or shoulders-which may assume
the form of segments of rings or any other suitable shape-so that they may
surround on all sides, or embrace the base of a cartridge to that extent to which
such cartridge base is not secured against being forced aside by the extractor and
by the flange shaped piece projecting from the bolt-head. These segmental (or
other) shoulders are adapted to fill every free or available space between the front
surface of the bolt-head and the end of the barrel, so that the cartridge material
finds a sufficient counter-support even at all parts or points of the base edge or rim
of the cartridge, and should such cartridge happen to be over-loaded, or be attended
with some other defect of the same kind, the cartridge case.cannot be forced apart

page_text: beyond the limit of fracture; the cartridge being, consequently made secure against
bursting, whilst the gases from the impelling agent (or explosive) employed are
prevented from rushing out.
This improvement offers the important advantage, which none of the arrange-
ments used for a similar purpose have hitherto attained, that, in the first place it
enables the front surface of the bolt-head to be without any inconvenience or
danger made flat below, i.e., unprovided with any rest or support for the edge or
rim of the cartridge base with the result that the cartridges as they rise from the
magazine, will always immediately take up their position under the hook or clutch
of the extractor, so that they may be at once firmly grasped by these hooks, without
necessitating any stoppages or intervals which might prove dangerous; and
secondly it admits of the barrel being in every instance screwed into the casing at
such a distance from the front surface of the bolt-head, that no notches or slots
need be provided at its end, to make room for either the projecting extractor head
or the projecting shoulder on which the cartridges are to rest; whereby it is
relieved from the necessity of always having an identical screw thread, whilst it is
enabled to be by an extremely simple operation fitted to the case and exchanged
when required.
One form of this arrangement is shown by way of example in Figures 1 to 3,
the inspection of which will suffice to enable this part of the invention to be
clearly understood. The shoulders 63, which are to surround and, as it were, to
supplement the cartridge base, are here made integral with the breech casing B
and so arranged as-on one side-to take up their positions in front of the front
surface of the bolt-head c, flattened down above and below its centre as illustrated
in Figure 7, so that they may be said to form a sort of supplement or extension
of the barrel A which meets them; the consequence being that it the barrel need
not be provided with a part always screw-threaded in an identical manner, and
requiring in all cases to be screwed into the casing strictly in the position which it
is required to assume.
Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a method of applying the invention, wherein the bolt-
head c, besides having a stud or projection c, has a flanged portion c" at the top,
and is only flattened down or has the flange cut away at its lower part, so that the
cartridges, as they rise from the magazine, immediately take up their position
under the hook of the extractor i, in the manner above stated, and are there
retained. As a substitute for the portion of the flange, which is wanting below,
there has however been provided here, at a corresponding point, within the breech-
case B, a shoulder, flange, or projection in the shape of a segment of a ring.
This is here shown-by way of modification, as being formed separately from
the breech casing, that is as a loose or removeable part, specially inserted, and
located in its proper situation; an arrangement which, under certain circumstances,
facilitates the process of manufacture.
A further modification is represented in Figures 8 to 10. In this case the
annular segments 63, project from the end A of the barrel A, and are adapted to
surround and supplement the cartridge bases, this convenient arrangement enabling
them to be fitted within the inner flange 62 of the casing B when the barrel is
screwed into such casing. The projections in this instance, may either be made
integral with the barrel, or preferably, to avoid the necessity of providing
identical screw-threads-secured in a convenient position to the barrel end A' and
made readily adjustable thereon. The advantage which this arrangement offers
over those in which the slot or notch for the accommodation of the cartridge
extractor is directed forwards from the end A2 of the barrel towards the threaded
portion A-even though the projections should be made integral with the
barrel is that the outward movement of the extractor is limited by the strong
flange or ring of the casing B, so that should the cartridge material expand
unduly, the said extractor can in no case be either broken or jammed, as is clearly
illustrated by the horizontal sections in Figure 8.
A further convenient method of employment of this invention is exemplified by

page_text: Figures 11 to 15. The projections 63,-the shape of which should, in each case,
correspond to that of the bolt-head,-are here placed upon a complete or continuous
ring. This arrangement offers the advantage of considerably simplifying the
process of manufacture and at the same time, affording the possibility of locating
the projections 63-which correspond to the extractor i and the cartridge supporting
stud in shape-either within the barrel A, or within the breech-casing B, before
such barrel is screwed. into the said casing; it being unnecessary for the barrel to
be screw-threaded identically.
For this purpose it is expedient to turn the barrel with a rearwardly extending
recess or enlargement A-similar to what is shown in Figure 15-into which the
ring carrying the projections 63 enters in either of two cases, namely either when
the projections 63 have been inserted, along with the ring into the case B before
the barrel was screwed in-as shown in Figure 14 which is a front view of the
arrangement or where such projections have been secured to, or formed on, the
barrel before-hand, so as to be screwed into the breech-case jointly with such
.barrel. Or, indeed, the arrangement comprising the complete ring may be carried
out without such ring being sunk into the barrel.
The removeable projections 6 are in all cases secured against being turned or
shifted, out of the position they should properly occupy in the head of the
breech-case, or on the barrel-by means of pins, stops, or other suitable devices, as
suggested at 6, unless they are so secured by the adjoining parts being made of
such a shape as to exactly fit or engage with, each other.
The arrangements herein shown and described, by way of example, comprising
loose or removeable projecting pieces 63, independent of the remaining parts of
the breech, and specially attached to the rifle in any suitable manner, afford
various advantages, such for instance, as the possibility of employing special
material; of hardening the same so as to secure it against being burnt out; of
readily exchanging the removeable parts; of simplifying the methods of
manufacture or the like.
All the examples here given, to illustrate the application of the invention to a
cylindrical breech bolt, with a breech-case B secured to the barrel, are obviously
applicable likewise, to the various other types of rifle breeches in which the
breech-case is connected with the barrel otherwise than by screwing; as well as to
those breech devices, wherein the barrel is made integral with the breech-case, or
with the head thereof; or again, to those breech arrangements in which the breech
bolt produces the desired closing effect by directly engaging in the end of the
barrel or by overlapping the same; where the present improvement only serves as
a substitute for, or supplement of, the portion-wholly or partly wanting in the
bolt-head by which the bottom or base of each cartridge is to be surrounded or
embraced; unless this object is attained by the cartridge extractor, or by the
projection on the bolt-head serving as a rest or support for the cartridges.
Instead of being constructed in any of the forms described above, the projecting
pieces constituting the essential feature of this invention, and adapted to be
placed in front of the front surface of the bolt-head, and to surround the cartridge
base may undergo further optional modifications. Thus, for example, the projecting
ring or annular flange which in the forms of arrangement last described is
broken or interrupted twice-may be replaced by a projecting ring closed in on all
sides, or open on one side only, to accommodate the extractor; in which case the
stud c, projecting from the bolt-head, and serving as a rest or bearing for the
cartridges, may either be also replaced by some equivalent device, or be made
capable of receding by the overcoming of the resistance of a spring.
Besides, the improved arrangement, instead of being applied to breech bolts with
moveable heads, which are proving more and more convenient and advantageous;
may be employed in conjunction with breech mechanisms, the bolts of which are
provided with fixed heads; in which case, however, care should be taken to provide
for the proper closing of the grooves & in the head of the breech-case B-receiving
the bolt-studs by forming oblique projections or inclines in front of the curve b

page_text: in the bearing 65 of the stud or projection of the bolt-head, as illustrated in
Figures 3 and 24; or at least provision should be made-say in the shape of
suitable perforations or ports-for the harmless escape of the gases into the
channels or grooves b; such gases being still liable, at this part, to rush out with a
certain amount of violence.
Furthermore, as will be seen from the drawings, I in many cases deem it
advantageous so to arrange the projections 63 that the cartridge head or base is not
so closely surrounded by them as the remaining part of the cartridge is by the
barrel; and that there is left a free space capable of being correspondingly filled
to such an extent that the material of which the cartridge base is formed may-in
the event of the gases attaining an excessive degree of pressure-expand almost to
the limit of disruption; a buffer-like action being by such means provided for, to
take up, or deaden, the violent recoil to which the studs of the breech bolt would
otherwise be subject, while at the same time the cartridges, which after firing, are
invariably expanded somewhat in the rearward direction are thus enabled to be
extracted without any difficulty.
In order to protect the cartridge bases from being forced asunder, or to prevent
them from bursting-which accidents are particularly liable to occur in the case of
cartridges whose cases are made of too soft material-I have devised the arrange-
ment represented on an enlarged scale by way of example in Figures 19 to 20 ;
which arrangement may be advantageously applied to the front surface of the
bolt-head, and be used either in conjunction with the above mentioned removeable
projecting pieces 3, or,-where overloading is already sufficiently provided against-
by itself. It simply consists in the provision of a number of annular grooves or
notches such as c, the shape of which in section, is preferably as shown in
Figure 19; so that, should excessive pressure develop, the material of the cartridge
base, if too soft to resist, may be forced into such grooves which will thus check
its further expansion.
I have also made an important improvement in rifle breeches combined with
cartridge magazines as exemplified in Figures 16 and 17-for the purpose of
obviating what is known as "blind" firing, which now frequently occurs in
connection with repeating rifles, and which consists in the trigger being pressed by
the marksman unconsciously, while there is no cartridge in the barrel or firing
chamber. The means I have devised for avoiding this mainly consists in the
insertion of a special piece or removeable stop, adapted-when the contents of
the cartridge magazine are exhausted-to be raised by the parts of the mechanism
employed to convey the cartridges from the magazine to the barrel, into the path
of the bolt, which for the time being is drawn back; whereby such bolt is
prevented from moving forward to its closed position, whilst there are no cartridges
in the magazine, or where the supply of cartridges has not been renewed in
proportion as it has been exhausted.
The examples shown in the drawings clearly illustrate this part of the invention.
It will there be seen that, on the right hand side of the breech-case B above the
magazine there is provided an arm u of elongated shape. This arm which is
shown detached in Figure 16-which is a detail view corresponding to Figure 16-
is connected to the front part of the case B by means of the pivots, in such a
manner that its rearward portion may freely descend as far as the tappet or stop u*,
projecting in front, will allow. At its rear end, the said arm u is fitted with an
upwardly projecting finger or cam u' which, passing through a suitable perforation
or slot, extends into the groove provided for the bolt-stud though
normally, yielding either to its own weight or to suitable spring action it remains
below such groove, or in other words, below the path of the stud c projecting from
the bolt, so that the breech bolt may without hindrance be moved past (or above)
such finger, in the forward direction; the parts assuming the relative positions
indicated, partly in dotted lines in Figure 16, where the magazine is supposed to
be only partially filled.
To attain however, the object of this arrangement, as above stated, namely, to

page_text: check the forward movement of the cylinder, when it has been drawn back, and
when the contents of the magazine are exhausted, the shapes of the arm u and
cartridge supporting plate m or of the conveyer or feeding arm m are made to so
correspond, so that when in consequence of repeated firing, all the cartridges have
left the magazine, the said arm u'may be so operated and raised by the cartridge
feeding mechanism, that the cam or finger u shall take up its position so as to
partly project into the path of the breech cylinder or bolt, or of its projection or
stud, and thereby prevent the cylinder from advancing.
.
It will be seen that in the particular arrangement shown in Figure 16, the said.
arm u is provided with a projection u adapted-when the magazine is empty-to
be pressed against by the projection or stop m" of the cartridge supporting plate,
which exercises a powerful upward pressure; the consequence being, that the arm u
is raised and must come into operation, no matter whether it is held down by its
own weight or by spring action.
The finger which, as the last cartridge passes from the magazine into the
barrel, takes up its position in the path of the stud or projection of the breech bolt
is inclined or bevelled in the forward direction, so that, when the cylinder or bolt
is next drawn back, the finger or cam u' is first depressed by the projection c
sliding rearwards and is not until after this allowed to come forward and act as a
stop, by which time the said projection will have moved behind it.
Figure 17 indicates the operative position of the novel device or constituent
part of the mechanism, after the contents of the magazine have been exhausted,
and the breech has again been opened. Owing to the pressure of the cartridge
feeding lever m (which in this example is supposed to be unprovided with any
conveyer plate) upon the arm u, the finger u' having by this time overcome the
resistance of its spring u³, has now assumed its position in the path of the bolt, and
in front of the projection or lug c¹ thereof, so that it is, for the time being,
impossible to move the cylinder forward, until either the magazine is re-charged
with cartridges, or the cartridge feeder or conveyer depressed by hand.
It will be readily understood that this arrangement effectively obviates the
closing of the breech, regardless of the condition of the supply of cartridges stored
up in the magazine ;-which, hitherto, has been a somewhat frequent occurrence
where hurry and excitement prevailed. Besides, owing to the insertion of the
moveable stop or check above referred to, the cartridge feeding devices are never
liable to sustain the slightest damage, in contradistinction to those well known
arrangements in which the operation of arresting the breech bolt, for the identical
purpose, is performed direct by the feeding devices themselves-namely by the
conveyer plate or feeding arn-with the ensuing disadvantage that when the
marksman in the excitement of the moment overlooking the fact that the magazine
supply is exhausted, somewhat forcibly pushes the bolt forward, the feeding devices
are apt to be shaken so violently as to become deformed and incapable of
performing their function; whereby the whole repeating rifle may be rendered
unfit for use.
In the form of arrangement shown in Figure 16, the cartridge plate has to be
depressed by the finger of the marksman whenever it is desired to close the breech
with the rifle unloaded. To avoid this, and to admit of the "blind" displacement,
or idle operation, of the bolt for purposes of practice, I have devised the
arrangement shown in Figure 17, which enables the bolt arresting arm u to be
kept out of operation even in the event of there being no cartridges in the
magazine. This arrangement. is as follows:-
In the side of the casing B above the arresting arm u, a stop pin u is suitably
arranged. The shape of its lower part in section, is such, and it is made so to
accommodate the correspondingly notched or slotted arm u, that when the magazine
is empty this arm may freely be forced upwards by the cartridge feeding lever m;
whenever the incline at the end of the said stop pin coincides with that of the notch
or slot of the arresting arm. When however, the said stop pin us is required to
come into operation and to prevent the arresting arm from being thus raised, it is

page_text: by means of the knob or button u turned 180°; whereby its lower point engages
the upper edge of the arresting arm which it accordingly retains in position, under
all circunstances, so securely, that it can in no event be pressed into the raised
position, whilst this situation lasts; so that the bolt may move backwards and
forwards unimpeded, whether there be any cartridges in the magazine or not. It
will readily be seen, that both the arm and stop pin being provided with
inclined or cam surfaces fitting each other, when the magazine supply is exhausted,
the raised arresting arm may also if required, be depressed with comparative ease,
or the powerful upward pressure of the cartridge conveyer gently overcome by
turning the stop pin . Special attention is, in this connection called to the fact
that the stop pin us may, at a suitable height or level, be fitted with a cam, finger
or the like, adapted, when required, to take up its position over the cartridges, so
as to stop the "repeating" or self feeding action of the device.
For the purpose of locking the stop pin us in position, I employ to some
advantage in the form of apparatus last described, a spring u secured to the wall
of the breech-case pressing outwardly against correspondingly flattened portions of
the stop pin and thus fixing it in the position it is for the time being required to
occupy
It will be understood that the several arrangements here shown may undergo
various modifications, provided always that the main object for which the invention
is designed, is kept in view throughout, which object may be stated thus; to provide
means for arresting the breech bolt in its rearward position, after the contents of
the cartridge magazine have been exhausted, by the insertion of a removeable part
or device which,-while it partakes of the action of the cartridge feeding
mechanism, for the purpose of its engagement-prevents direct contact of any part
of such mechanism with the bolt, thereby preventing injury to the same.
The device last described for throwing the parts, whereby the bolt is arrested,
out of gear or operation, may however, be applied in a like manner to those
arrangements in which the retention of the bolt in place, after the exhaustion of
the cartridge supply in the magazine, is effected by the cartridge feeding devices
direct.
In the construction of repeating rifles, for which I have obtained Letters Patent
hereinbefore referred to, I now propose to employ-with a view to varying the
method of loading-the improved arrangement shown by way of example in
Figures 18, 184, and 18. The object of this arrangement is to admit of the
magazine being variously charged and discharged without the aid of any transverse
bolt or similar device maintaining and supporting the frame embedded therein.
This arrangement, the nature of which will be readily understood by reference to the
drawings, simply consists in the provision of a revolvable pin or pivot t' on the left
hand side or wall of the breech case, in such a manner that its lower end comes to
be located underneath the spring controlled arm t; which arm it is adapted to
operate in the following manner.
As will be seen from Figure 18B where the adjusting pin t' is shown detached in
several positions, that portion of its lower end which extends underneath the spring
controlled armt, is provided with two flat surfaces of different depth and to,
against either of which the armt will press according as the adjusting pin is turned
one way or the other. Supposing that, as shown in the example Figure 18, the
knob or button t8 is turned in the forward direction: then, the spring controlled
arm of the case B will be pressed outwards, and so will also the wing or lug t2,
projecting from the arm t, and assisting in supporting the cartridge, be forced
outwards as is best shown in the cross section Figure 18A-so that auy cartridges
that may be contained in the magazine-whether loose or set in a frame-may
issue from the magazine by moving in an upward direction. Should however the
said button or knob 8.be turned backwards, then the flattened portion to of the
adjusting pin-which lies somewhat deeper than that t-will be turned towards
the resilient arm t, which in this case will more closely approach the casing and
force the wing or lug inwards a sufficient distance to effectively prevent the

page_text: cartridges contained in the magazine-whether in a loose condition or fitted in a
frame from leaving such magazine, merely by the action of the supporting lug t
and without the assistance of any other means whatsoever. The supply of
cartridges, thus retained in the magazine; may then only be removed therefrom
(if required) singly, by the displacement of the breech bolt, or together by shifting
the knob or head 8 so as to force outwards the supporting lug or rest t connected
therewith.
This arrangement may be employed either by itself, or in combination with
arrangements wherein the frame of cartridges is retained in the magazine by means
of a resilient hook which keeps them from rising. The arrangement described is
alone sufficient, however, to answer all practical purposes, since, as before explained,
the cartridges inserted into the magazine, no matter whether they be loose or
contained in a frame or case, are invariably overhung or covered or, as it were,
held from the top, by the wing or lug 2 and are therefore always retained in
position; whilst, if the cartridges be first mounted in a frame, such frame after
having got rid of its last cartridge, will of its own accord drop out of the magazine
below, where an aperture is provided for the purpose. Besides, the magazine may
in all cases be re-charged with fresh cartridges, inserted singly, in proportion as
the previous supply is being consumed: but in that case, as the support afforded to
the frame is absent, such frame-according to the number of additional cartridges
thus gradually introduced-will be drawn downwards and caused to project from
the magazine below.
The arm t, constantly acting upon the adjusting pin, in this case serves to fix or
lock the pin t in the particular position it is occupying at the time.
This arrangement may be modified in more than one way, to suit varying
requirements, so long as its main object is kept in view, namely the possibility of
charging and emptying the cartridge magazine at will, the cartridges being
inserted by the well-known methods, either singly and in a loose condition, or in
sets mounted in a frame or case.
A further important improvement, which I have made in the breech-case, as
illustrated by way of example in Figures 21 to 27, consists in this particular
that the horizontal longitudinal grooves provided in the sides and facing each
other, for the accommodation of the studs or lugs of the bolt are only extended
rearwardly as far as is necessary to allow of the unimpeded movement of the
bolt in loading. Sundry advantages accrue from this modification, one of them
being for example, that with this arrangement the marksman is all the more
effectively protected from injury from backward flashes of gas, and his confidence
in the safety of the rifle he is using is proportionately enhanced. Besides the
breech is thereby thoroughly protected from any foreign matter which might tend
to gain access to its interior; the bolt and "lock" are more fully and reliably
guided; the stop or holder now generally used, may be dispensed with; the guiding
pins or lugs of the bolt reach, and strike the limits of their respective movements
uniformly and simultaneously; the rear part of the case gains a considerable amount
of strength and durability, which enables such case, in its centre, to be of still
lighter construction, and the whole breech of even less weight, than hitherto, and
it also possesses other advantages.
The rear view given in Figure 21 of a breech casing fitted with this improved
feature, will suffice to give a general idea of the same. It will be seen that
the longitudinal grooves b-indicated in dotted lines-which are provided for the
accommodation of the guide pins or studs of the breech bolt and are situated
in the same horizontal plane on opposits sides, and are adapted to permit the
cylinder to slide backwards and forwards are not extended right up to the back-
ward extremity, where as will be seen there is only-in addition to the perforation
provided for the bolt-a groove 6 for the guide rail of the bolt and lock to
slide in, and another groove 67 for the nose of the trigger. But at the ends
of the longitudinal grooves bb on the right band side an annular groove 68 is
provided, that extends downwards on the right and upwards on the left, and

page_text: terminates in the axial groove 6 at the top. The object of this annular groove
ehall be presently stated.
In the elevation shown in Figure 22, where the bolt is supposed to be
inserted, the upper groove 66 is, by way of modification, cut open throughout-as
it is also in the examples which are to follow-it is however, entirely filled up
by the guide rail D' of the lock D of the bolt C in the same way as the nose
of the trigger d entirely closes up the lower groove.
The breech bolt is inserted into the improved case constructed in accordance
with this invention, either as indicated partially in dotted lines in Figure 23
namely, by using a bolt conveniently made up of two or more parts, and by
inserting the portion thereof which carries the studs, guide pins, or lugs c from
the front, and properly connecting the same with the other part smoothly slid in
from the rear; or,-as illustrated in the examples Figures 25 to 27,-by providing
a suitable annular groove 68 in the rear part of the casing B, at the ends of the
longitudinal grooves b in which annular groove the lugs may along with the bolt,
be turned to their proper terminal position, at the ends of the said longitudinal
grooves b, after having been first moved a sufficient distance in a straight line by
means of the grooves and 7 of equal width.
In the latter case, any involuntary displacement of the said lugs or studs or
their accidental entrance into the annular groove, whilst the bolt is performing
the movements requisite for loading, is prevented by the rearwardly projecting
arm of the ejector which is mounted in the recessed projection; for which
purpose the said arm r', subjected to the constant pressure of the spring, as
shown, will always engage in the recess or notch of the left hand lug or
projection c¹ whenever the bolt C reaches the termination of its rearward move-
ment. Hence it follows, on the other hand, that, as the breech bolt is either
inserted or removed at the back, the above mentioned arm must in all cases
Be first moved out of the way which is effected by pressing the longer arm r of
the ejector inwards with the finger, after which the bolt lugs c may freely be
turned inwards or outwards as may be required.
Where, as shown in the forms of apparatus Figures 24 and 25, there is provided!
a special moveable head on the bolt C, in front of the lugs or projections c', the
insertion of these parts into the breech-case B is either effected as stated, by
inserting the bolt with the lugs or projections from behind, and the bolt-head
preferably, through the front, or-and this is the arrangement I adopt in preference
when carrying out the invention in this form-by introducing the bolt with its
head, bodily through the rear, and turning (or screwing, as it were) the lugs or
projections into the grooves b. This having regard to the supporting lug or
projection of the bolt-head c and the annular groove 6s made only just deep
enough to accommodate the length of the lugs or projections, must be effected in
this manner; that the bolt head combined with the bolt into one body, and inserted
by being moved, at first, and for as great a distance as possible, in a right line, is,
first of all, moved to the left, by correspondingly turning the bolt in such a
manner that its studs projections or lugs e shall enter the grooves b; after which
the bolt is moved forward again a sufficient distance for its studs projections or
lugs to be also turned or screwed" into the annular groove 68; in doing which,
as before stated, the long ejector arm r should be forced inwards with the finger of
the haud, such arm having already beeu, by this time, partly shifted by the
supporting stud projection or lug c of the bolt-head, which is suitably bevelled for
the purpose, and which has been moving in advance.
It will be seen that, in the forms of construction above described, the right-
hand side or wall of the breech-casing is made to extend backwardly only as far or
in other words it is cut away as much as is necessary to prevent it from being in
the way of the projection on the breech bolt, when the bolt is moved forward in
the grooves and of the casing together with the bolt-lugs or projections c
which at first are arranged one over the other in a vertical plane. The left hand

page_text: wall of the case, however, should be preferably extended further, so that the bolt
must in all cases be inserted in exactly the same position.
This feature of my improvements, namely the limiting of the longitudinal grooves
for the guide studs projections or lugs of the breech bolt, according to requirements,
may also undergo various modifications, as the shapes of the several parts of the
breech, or other circumstances, may render desirable, provided always that the main
object thereof is fulfilled, namely: that the grooves are tightly closed in at the back,
so as to keep out foreign matter, and as a protection from the rearward flashes of gas;
whereby the possibility is also created of dispensing with the guard plates which
have hitherto been frequently used, to prevent diffusion of gas, and with other
complicated protective appliances.
A further feature of my invention has for its object to prevent the cartridges
from being driven one over the other, and it consists of an extremely simple
arrangement, the method of operation of which is illustrated with particular
clearness in the cross-sections Figures 28 and 29.
The arm t situated on the left hand side of the breech-case B, as shown in
Figures 18, 28, and 29, in addition to its wing-shaped projection t2 employed to
afford a stop for the cartridges in the magazine M, or to retain such cartridges, has
a second similar projection t" formed on it,-about the distance lower down of the
space occupied by a cartridge, as shown in Figures 25, 28 and 29,-which is
adapted to grasp and retain the cartridge supply stored up in the magazine by an
action similar to that of the first mentioned projection; the arrangement being
such that, when the cartridge immediately above it, and retained by the projection
or wing 2, is, by the bolt, shifted in a forward direction, the cartridges lying
underneath are held back and prevented from rising within reach of the bolt
(Figure 28), until the wing or projection t" moves out of the way. When, there-
fore, the bolt is withdrawn from the magazine, after feeding one cartridge, the.
next following cartridge cannot rise, for the time being, and the risk of its being
thrust over the first by the bolt is avoided. In this arrangement, the bolt must
first be turned or "screwed" into the casing, and while this is being done, the nose
or stop will sweep past the upper projection t, and in so doing, force it, and the
arm t itself, and also, consequently, the additional projection or wing t", momentarily
out of the way; so that the cartridges are released, as illustrated in Figure 29, and
allowed to rise, while at the same time, or better still, just when the bolt is
beginning to be turned in, the extractor grasps the cartridge contained in the
barrel and takes it back along with it; whereupon the bolt is turned back and
withdrawn again. Hence it will be clearly understood that the cartridges are
effectually prevented from striking up against each other, since no cartridge is
allowed to leave the magazine and to get into the path of the bolt, unless such bolt,
through the medium of the extractor, has securely grasped the preceding cartridge
and brought it back, along with it, from out of the barrel; the safety of the
marksman being thus entirely ensured.
And, lastly, I have devised, as a means of ensuring safety, and in order to enable
the weapon to be more readily taken to pieces and fitted together, the improvement
illustrated in Figures 30 to 30B in the arrangement for coupling the firing bolt or
pin with the small lock.
"The arrangement adopted to ensure safety, as will be seen from Figure 30 is
such that the screw-threads or ring segments e do not all abut against or closely fit
against, the rests or supports in the small lock, but that at the front of one or more
of them there remains a narrow space or interstice e so that the shock occurring
when the small lock springs forward is sustained only by the closely fitting or
supported screw-threads e in the rear.
It sometimes occurs that in consequence of a defect in the material or from a
like cause, the portion of the firing pin enclosed in the small lock be broken, and
this (as is well known) will always happen at the part of the said firing pin where
it is subjected to the greatest strain; i.e. where the screw-threads e closely fit
against the rests, and generally at the foremost screw-thread convolution or ring.

page_text: In the improved arrangement described above, the front screw-threads, or screw-
segments, or ring-segments, which at the front do not abut against their supports
are however, merely safety devices, or devices intended to remain in reserve.and
not to come into operation until the screw threads or ring segments in the rear-
which are the coupling devices proper-happen to become deformed or broken
together with the rearward part of the shaak or stock of the firing pin..
By this arrangement the coupling of the percussion devices is rendered in the
highest degree reliable and possible accidents are avoided.
It is advisable so to construct the shank of the firing pin E that from the free-
reserve convolutions of the screw thread forward it should display a larger diameter
than it does rearwardly between the coupling rings proper which are in contact
with the rests or supports.
It will be understood that the said reserve convolutions may be arranged on the
front part of the firing pin in any suitable number and of any size but to simplify
the process of manufacture, they should preferably be made similar to those in
the rear.
In the same way as in the well-known ordnance guns and rifles, where it is not
feasible to screw in the breech blocks-where these are provided with so-called
screw-threads or annular segments-whilst they are being guided longitudinally
and have not yet reached their terminal position, the firing bolt or pin, in this
arrangement also cannot be screwed into the small lock until the said bolt or pin
has completed its passage through the guide and has fully taken up its terminal
position, it being immaterial whether all its convolutions are made of the same
size although that is preferable because it simplifies the process of manufacture-
or whether their size varies.
Instead of being employed, as here shown, in combination with the small
relatively solid lock-so called-which serves as a percussion device, the improved
arrangement may be adapted to various types of fire arms having breeches wherein
the firing pin or bolt is connected with a comparatively light part-say, the nut of
the firing pin, the trigger nose or the like.
As a means for preventing the small lock-which is secured longitudinally by
means of screw-threads, helical or annular segments or the like-from being
unintentionally turned out of the desired position, I preferably employ a vertically
adjustable arresting pin which may conveniently be held or supported by the pin
or stud s' in the snall lock, and which pin e' to afford a passage for the firing pin,
is correspondingly perforated.
This pin is subjected to the pressure of a spring " and provided with a
projection e adapted to engage with the shank of the firing pin and automatically
to enter a corresponding recess in the, latter when it has been screwed into the
small lock, so as to occupy therein the final position ascribed to it, whereby the
said small lock and firing pin are protected, also, from being inadvertently shifted
out of their proper position in relation to each other.
In order to remove the firing bolt from the small lock again, it will be under-
stood that the pin e should he first pressed upward by the finger of the hand,
whereupon the parts may be unscrewed and moved apart as readily as they have
been put together.
All the arrangements hereinbefore described may be applied, each separately,
or in groups not only to the particular type of rifles herein referred to, but to fire-
arms of other constructions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The construction of breech characterized by projections or shoulders (such
as b) having the shape of segments of rings, provided within the breech-case, and
either integral therewith or loose, and specially inserted into the same in the proper
situation in front of the front surface of the bolt head, for the purpose of

page_text: surrounding, embracing and securing the base flange or rim of each successive
cartridge, to the extent to which it is not supported by the extractor and by
the material projecting from the bolt head, substantially as herein shown and
described,
2. The arrangement of the segmental shoulders or flanges (63) referred to in the
preceding claim, in such a manner, that they shall project at the barrel-end and
that, like the extractor-head projecting from the bolt-head on the other side,-
they are surrounded or grasped by an inner shoulder (62) projecting within the
breech case, and are thus prevented from moving apart substantially as herein
shown and described with respect to Figures 8 to 10*.
3. The employment of notches (c), in the front surface of the bolt head
adapted as a means of protection against the disruption of the cartridge material
at the bases of the same, substantially as herein shown and described with respect
to Figures 19 and 20.
4. The provision of means, for arresting the breech bolt in its drawn-back or
rearward position, after the contents of the cartridge magazine have been exhausted;
such means mainly consisting of a special piece or moveable body (such as u) linked
to the breechase or otherwise suitably attached, and normally kept out of the
path of the bolt either by its own weight or by spring action, but adapted, after the
contents of the magazine have become exhausted to be raised into engagement by
the cartridge feeding mechanism, in such a manner that the bolt meets it and is
prevented from moving past, while, however, no part of the said cartridge feeding
mechanism itself at this juncture comes into contact with the said bolt, so that it
cannot be damaged by a forward thrust of such bolt, substantially as herein shown
and described with respect to Figures 16 and 17.
5. The employment of means, for throwing the arresting device referred to in
the preceding clain out of gear; such means consisting of a stop-pin (such as u³),
mounted in the side of the breech-case, and placed in contact with the arresting
arm; such pin being helically inclined and made to accommodate the arresting
arm (u), which is correspondingly notched, in such a manner that when the said pin
is turned in the required direction, the arresting arm is thereby forced out of the
path of the bolt and positively maintained at such a distance therefrom as
not to impede the movements of the bolt, when the cartridge supply in the magazine
is entirely exhausted substantially as herein shown and described.
6. The provision of a projection or stop, suitably combined or connected with
the stop-pin characterized by the preceding claim, and adapted, when turned in
the required direction, to overhang the cartridges located in the magazine,
substantially as herein shown and described.
7. The application of the stops or locking devices referred to in the last two
preceding claims, to the cartridge feeding devices, which are also arranged for direct
action as bolt-arresting devices substantially as herein shown and described.
8. The arrangement for the removal of the supply of cartridges from the magazine
without the displacement of the breech bolt: such arrangement mainly consisting
of an adjusting pin (such as t7) mounted in the side of the breech-case, and adapted
to turn to the required extent and to act upon the resilient arm of the projection or
wing () which. retains the cartridges in the magazine-eccentrically that is to
say by means of surfaces cut at unequal depths or levels, while being capable of
allowing the whole series of cartridges to leave the magazine, when turned in the
required direction substantially as herein shown and described.
9. The arrangement in the breech of a rifle wherein the longitudinal grooves (b),
provided in the sides of the breech-case so as to face each other in the same
horizontal plane, are only extended in the rearward direction as far as is necessary
to enable the bolt to perform freely the movements requisite for loading, whilst for
the remaining distance such grooves are solidly closed in (or dispensed with) thus
affording protection both against possible rearward flashes of gas from the interior,
and against the admission of dust or impurities from outside, substantially as herein
shown and described with respect to Figures 21 to 27.

page_text: 10. The arrangement for preventing the cartridges from being driven one over-
the other; the main feature of such arrangement being that a second wing-shaped
projection (such as t") provided on the resilient arm (t) in the side of the breech-
case, takes up its position over the second cartridge that is contained in the
magazine, and retains such cartridge, after the removal of the first or uppermost
cartridge, out of the path of the bolt, until the nose (c) provided on the cylinder
touches the upper projection (2) as it moves past in the act of closing the breech,.
and thereby momentarily forces out the safety wing (t") a sufficient distance to.
prevent the underlying cartridges from being released until the cartridge which has
just passed into the barrel is securely grasped by the extractor, so that, when the
next breech is reopened, such cartridge will positively be carried backward
substantially as herein shown and described with respect to Figures 28 and 29.
11. The coupling of the firing bolt or pin with the small lock, the firing pin nut.
or other percussion device, substantially as described, the main feature of which is
that, the screw-threads (or helical convolutions), helical or annular segments or
other similar projections, such as e, formed upon the firing pin and adapted to
secure such firing-pin in position longitudinally, do not all come in contact with, or
are not all supported by the corresponding rests within the small lock, but that one
or more of such segments at the forward part, are kept in reserve or are free of their
supports so that there remains a narrow intermediate space, such as ev in front of
them, by which means the rearward convolutions only-being the coupling con-
volutions proper-are subjected to a strain when the small lock is driven forward;.
the front convolutions not being intended to come into operation unless and until the
rearward, supported convolutions, together with the shank of the firing pin, happen
to become deformed or broken substantially as set forth.
12. The whole of the arrangements herein above described, whether taken in
their entirety, or in groups or series, or in separate parts, as applied either to the
particular type of fire-arms herein mainly referred to, or to any other forms or
constructions of fire-arms: all substantially as set forth.
Dated this 26th day of June 1896.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents..