Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1888.
Complete Specification Left, 11th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 13th Feb, 1889
I HENRI PIEPER of Lüttich in the Empire of Germany gun manufacturer do nereny
declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to repeating fire arms with a horizontally sliding cylindrical
breech block which when drawn back to open the breech ejects the empty cases and
also operates the repeating action and cocks the hammer. When moved forwards the
breech block pushes a fresh cartridge into the barrel and then closes the breech. The
present improvements relate to the construction and arrangement of various parts of
the gun as hereinafter described.
The Cartridges are contained in a magazine consisting of a round or cylindrical
removeable case or carrier arranged below the breech in such a manner that the
cartridges being arranged around an inclined spindle with the balls towards the
breech are successively elevated and presented in front of the opening of the
breech being guided by an eccentric projection and fed up without the employ-
ment of springs so that they are enabled to be pushed into the breech with precision
and certainty by the forward movement of the breech block. A projection on the
side of the inclined spindle acts upon the Cartridges and each time the breech block
is drawn back the spindle is rotated through a certain angle so that the uppermost
Cartridge is elevated by the pressure of the Cartridge next beneath it and is placed in
position for being pushed into the barrel. With this object the breech block is caused
to operate a catch action connected with the spindle. This Catch Action is so
arranged that when the magazine is closed the breech block cannot act upon it and
is combined with an arrangement for enabling the Cartridge magazine to be rotated
by hand when necessary in order to recharge or refill it with Cartridges.
An adjustable stop or device is also provided by means of which the backward
movement of the breech block is so limited as to prevent it from operating the
repeating action and thus enables the gun to be loaded by hand in the ordinary
manner if required. This stop or device when placed in another position enables the
breech block to be completely drawn out or removed.

page_text: In order to prevent the Cartridges from getting displaced or flying out of the
chamber when elevated into the chamber before the breech or opening of the barrel
the binder end of the opening in the chamber is contracted and the forward end is
provided with a slide or cover.
To facilitate cocking the hammer the parts are so arranged that after striking the
firing pin under the action of the mainspring the hammer rebounds or springs back
to a certain extent. The trigger pin is arranged in front of the hammer so as to
enable a longer spring to be employed without extending the spring unnecessarily
into the stock. The hammer can be secured at half cock and when in this position it
is impossible to move the breech block. The fore and back sights are removeable and
are preferably connected with the barrel by means of sleeves or collars slipped over
the barrel the parts being so arranged as to admit of being taken off and replaced
accurately in the same position and of being effectually secured against any accidental
displacement.
The barrel is encased in wood nearly to the muzzle sufficient space or play being
allowed between the barrel and the case to enable the barrel to expand freely when
heated and to twist under the strain of the ball. This case or sheath may be made in
two pieces joined together or may be composed of one piece having a suitable
longitudinal hole or cavity and serving as a support for the back sight. This sheath
or case is secured in position so as to prevent it from shifting on the barrel by suitable
means such as screws or keys at the breech end of the barrel being fixed at the
muzzle end by the collar of the fore sight. This sheath or case also serves to protect
the hand from the heat of the barrel.
Dated this 13th day of Fahruary 1888
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London,
Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Repeating Fire Arms.
1. HENRI PIEPER of Liege in the Kingdom of Belgium Gun Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in what manner the sanie is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention relates to repeating fire arms with a horizontally sliding breech
block or bolt which when drawn back to open the breech ejects the empty cases and
also operates the repeating action and cocks the hammer or tumbler. When moved
forwards the breech block or bolt pushes a fresh cartridge into the barrel and then
closes the breech. The present improvements relate to the construction and arrange-
ment of various parts of the gun as hereinafter described and in particular to the
repeating action and arrangements for stopping the same, also to an arrangement
which provides against the accidental ejection of a cartridge from the chamber in
using the repeating action and to the attachment of the magazine, the breech closing
and locking action, further to an arrangement whereby the barrel is encased in a
wood case extending nearly to the muzzle and to the arrangement of the sights
and other accessory details hereinafter described.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in longitudinal section the
mechanism of a gun constructed according to this invention the breech being
closed and figure 1 is a similar view showing the breech open.
Figures 2 and 3 represent transverse sections on the line 1-2 figure 1 showing
different positions of the mechanism.
Figures 4 to 7 illustrate details of the repeating mechanism.
Figure 8 illustrates a detail of the device for stopping the repeating action.
Figure 9 illustrates the arrangement for fixing the magazine in position.
Figures 10 and 11 represent in side elevation (partly in section) and in plan
respectively the arrangement for retaining the cartridges and figures 12 to 17
illustrate details and modifications of the fore end or wood casing of the barrel and
the arrangement of the sight as hereinafter explained.
A figures 1 and 2 is the upper part and B the lower part of the breech box which

page_text: may be constructed either in one piece or with the lower or magazine part B remov-
able as hereinafter explained. Cis a sliding breech bolt of cylindrical form throughout
and provided with a handle C2 and segments of a projecting screw thread or helix
capable of engaging with corresponding segments in the breech box.
A cylindrical projection or stud A' projects from the underside of the latter forming
A coiled or helical
a pivot on which a ferrule or sleeve D may turn or oscillate.
spring F on a pin F' figure 1" screwed into the pivot A¹ constantly tends to push up
the ferrule D which is provided on the right hand with an extension or arm D₁
(figures 2 and 3) working in a recess in the side of the breech box. On the front side
of the ferrule I there is a hollow cylindrical projection or arm D2 which forms a
socket in which works a small loose catch or pin D3 made hollow for the reception of
a coiled helical spring D5 which bears against the side of the ferrule D and constantly
tends to push the end D of the pin D3 against a ratchet wheel or disc E2 shewn
detached in figure 5. This disc is fast on an inclined spindle E¹ working in bearings
in the lower part of the breech box and carrying a cartridge carrier or arm E
figures 4. 6 and 7. The breech bolt is provided on one side with a small pin or
stud figure 2 which works in a longitudinal groove or slot in the side of the box.
When the bolt is drawn back the stud C¹ comes in contact with the upper end of the
arm D and thereby imparts a partial rotary motion to the ferrule D causing its
arm D² to rock or oscillate to the right hand side. The end D' of the pin D² is
thereby caused to act as a pawl on a tooth of the ratchet wheel or disc E2 and rotate
this wheel to the extent of one tooth the spindle E' and propeiler arm E being also
caused to partake of the same movement. The rotary movement of D D' is but a
partial one. When is drawn back D D is rotated so as to turn E by one tooth,
when C is moved forward, D D is turned back to engage with the next tooth.
D does not move vertically when turned the function of spring F is to raise D D¹
after having been depressed by means of lever G. The cartridges are piled or laid
side by side in the magazine chamber around the spindle E' and when the spindle is
rotated by means of the ratchet wheel the whole series of cartridges is propelled in a
circular direction around the chamber to an extent equal to the diameter of a cartridge.
This has the effect of causing the uppermost cartridge to slide into the breech box
coming against two stops or guides K K presenting a properly shaped face to guide
the cartridge into said box figures 6 and 7. One stop or guide K is provided at the
forward and one at the rear end of the magazine chamber and the width of the carrier
arm E is less than the distance between the said guides so that it can pass between
them without hindrance.
As indicated in figure 5 the ratchet disc E³ is provided with a tooth. (1) that is
larger than the others which has the effect of causing the carrier arm E to stop
automatically when the sixth and last cartridge in the magazine chamber has been
pushed out (figure 7) the end or pawl D slipping over the tooth 1 without acting on
the spindle as it fails to encounter a recess or notch in which it can be received.
When in this position figure 7 the carrier arm acts as a support for cartridges which
may be introduced by hand.
In closing the breech the bolt acts by means of a projection or pin similar to the pin
or projection C upon the arm D' so as to move the latter back and the end D* of the
pin D³ slips over one tooth of the wheel or disc E2 and engages with the next recess
or notch between the teeth.
As indicated in figures 2 and 3 the ferrule D is connected with a lever G pivotted
to the arm by means of a screw threaded pin G. The vertical shank of the
lever G is of cylindrical form and this part passes through a hole in a lug A³ in the
box and projects externally so as to admit of being pressed vertically inwards by hand
against the stress of the spring F.
When the lever G is pressed downwards with the thumb it draws the ferrule D down
with it and moves the arm D'out of the path of the projection C¹. The bolt C can then be
drawn completely out of the gun. Said hole is also conical being contracted towards the
upper part so that the lever G can be rocked or caused to oscillate within said hole the
narrower end of the latter forming the fulcrumm for the lever. By moving the lever

page_text: forwards and backwards on this fulcrum the ferrule D is oscillated also and the
repeating action can thus be operated by hand when the sliding bolt is removed from
the gun.
In order to enable the gun to be used with or without the repeating action at will a
sinall lever H is led into the breech box A. between the lugs A to such a depth that
its lower part of cylindrical form lies closely against the upper side of the bolt. This
lever is pivoted on a pin H' figures 1 and 1* and can be moved through about half a
circle by means of a handle E. The lower cylindrical part is provided at its circum-
ference with three grooves jj' figures 2 and 3 and a projection P is provided on the
upper side of the cartridge extractor carried by the bolt which when the bolt is drawn
back slides in one or the other of these grooves according to the position of the lever H.
The grooves are of different lengths. In the position indicated in Figure 3. the
groove coincides with the projection P¹ and this groove is of such length as to admit
of the bolt acting on the arm D' in the backward motion. In the position indicated
in Figure 2 the groovej coincides with the projection P₁ the said groove not being
long enough to allow the projection C₁ to act upon the arm D¹ but yet is long enough
to allow the breech chamber to be opened sufficiently for the introduction of a
cartridge. By moving the lever handle H through an angle of 90° so as to place it
in a vertical position the groove j2 is brought into position. This groove extends the
whole length of the cylindrical surface of the lever and being thus caused to coincide
with the projection P the bolt can now be completely drawn away from the breech
box after the lever G has been depressed.
In order to enable the lever H to be fixed in any one of its three positions the pin H¹
is prolonged in the rear where it is provided with a head H³ formed with two lateral
projections. The part of the pin passing through the lever is provided. with a
projection H which fits into a corresponding recess in H but cannot enter this recess
except when H is in the position indicated in figure 1, that is to say, is vertical. The
lug A on the breech box is provided with a groove a³ for the passage of the
projection B. The head H³ fits into an angular groove in the upper side of the breech
box as indicated in Figure 8. The hinder end of the pin is also somewhat bent away
from the handle H of the lever H so that the head H³ is pressed against the inclined
surface of the groove.
The dimensions of the magazine B correspond. with the thickness of the stock at
that part of the gun. The magazine can be attached to the stock without screws
and other like means as indicated in Figures 7 and 9.
To this end the case is
provided with a plate A on each side and both plates A are connected by a web
or wall A in front of and behind the magazine. In each of these walls there is
formed a semi-circular groove A to in the inner face and the magazine is provided
at the sides of both ends with a corresponding rib or tongue B³.
The magazine is put in place by bringing the ends of the tongues B2 in front of
the ends of the grooves the magazine is then rotated whereby the ribs are caused
to enter into and with the grooves.
In order to compensate for the inequality in the diameter of the different parts
of the cartridges and cause them to be properly presented at the breech chamber
the spindle E of the cartridge carrier is situated centrally with respect to the
magazine at the rear end only the front end being elevated. The forward ends
of the cartridges are similarly raised being supported on an eccentric guide rib B¹,
figure 1. As indicated in Figure 6 the uppermost cartridge is pushed up vertically
in order to elevate it to the level of the breech and enable the bolt to push it
forwards into the barrel.
In order to prevent the cartridge from being thrown out by the action of the bolt
the opening in the upper part of the breech shoe above the magazine chamber is
contracted at AB, Figure 1, so as to oppose the passage of the flange on the
cartridge Figures 1 and 1. The front part of the opening is provided with a
sliding plate Q, Figures 10 and 11. This enables the breech shoe over the maga-
zine chamber to be made shorter than usual and at the same time enables the

page_text: opening at the upper part to be extended forwards as far as the barrel. As it is
very seldom (in case of a miss fire for example) necessary to remove a cartridge
case with the ball attached from the breech chamber or breech shoe the sliding
plate can he kept over the opening being of course arranged so as not to interfere
with the ejection of the empty cases but in case of a miss fire for example the
plate is slidden away from the opening. The ejector P acts by pulling back the
case when the bolt is drawn back until it comes in contact with a projection N,
figure 1º, which causes the case to rise and tip over so as to fly out of the breech
chamber or shoe.
S is
The act of drawing back the bolt cocks the hammer or tumbler R figure 1".
the main spring and T the trigger lever. When the tumbler is cocked a nose on
the trigger lever or sear J engages with a notch R³ in the lower part of the boss
of the tumbler. The main spring being released by pressing on the trigger this
operates the tumbler in the usual manner. A moment before the latter has completed
its forward movement the spring S comes in. contact with projections ss, which
prevent it from continuing to act upon the tumbler which completes its stroke
solely by the action of the impétus it has received. The pressure of the spring
on the lower arm of the trigger lever causes the nose of the trigger lever or
sear J to act on an incline R' on the boss of the hammer or tumbler and
cause the hammer or tumbler to spring back until the sear engages with a
notch R². When the bolt is drawn back the rear end y first acts upon
the comb of the tumbler and the continued retraction of the bolt cocks the
tumbler completely when the part y on the bolt bears upon the comb of the
tumbler. The tumbler is combined with a safety device consisting of a lever U
pivotted on a pin behind the tumbler and acted on by a spring UT. By pressing
on the projecting part or thumb piece U2 of the lever U the lower part U³ of the
latter is brought under the tumbler and locks it (Figure 1). In this position the
tumbler prevents the bolt from being retracted the party being unable to push
the tumbler backwards. As indicated in the drawing the trigger pin is situated
considerably in advance of the tumbler and the notches R2 R3 are arranged on the
front side of the boss at the lower part. This arrangement enables the main spring S
to be made longer than usual without cutting away the wood. This part of the
invention is applicable to other fire arms.
The barrel is encased in wood M nearly to the muzzle (as indicated in Figures 12,
13, 14, 16 and 17). The object of this arrangement is to obtain greater certainty
of aim and to protect the hand from contact with the heated barrel. In fire arms as
heretofore constructed the lower side of the barrel is rigidly connected to the fore end
and is thereby restrained from yielding either to the torsion resulting from the
passage of the ball along the rifling or to the expansion arising from the heating.
The barrel consequently tends to arch or bend upwards at the middle. In the
case of repeating fire arms provided with fore ends as heretofore constructed this
has the effect of causing the precision of the weapon to gradually decrease after
about 10 shots have been fired in rapid succession. After about 20 shots the
barrel is elongated to the extent of about 1 millimetre and is correspondingly bent;
after about 50 shots the amount of deflection is doubled and the balls fly lower and lower.
In order to allow the barrel freedom of movement in the desired direction the fore end,
according to this invention is made to encase the barrel nearly to the muzzle, and
sufficient span or play is provided between the barrel and the wood to obtain the
desired freedom of motion. This fore end serves also to support or receive the back
sight W and the fore sight Y is fixed on a tube X which slipped over the muzzle
end and is removably connected to the fore end.
The fore end is preferably made in one piece of wood with the central part bored
out for the reception of the barrel the back sight being attached by a hoop or ring
embracing the barrel.
.
The fore end M in the example illustrated in the drawing is made in one piece
bored out for the reception of the barrel being slipped on over the muzzle end of the

page_text: latter and being bevelled at the end so as to engage with a correspondingly undercut
shoulder L formed on the breech end of the barrel as indicated in figures 12 and 15.
The bore or hollow in the fore end is of such dimensions as to allow the barrel
freedom of motion in all directions and not interfere with the torsion resulting from
the passage of the ball along the rifling or the expansion or elongation resulting from
the heat generated. The back sight Wis inserted in a hollow or recess in the fore
end by means of a sleeve or tube V figure 12 and 14° presenting projections and
recesses V2 at the rear end which when the parts are placed in position by sliding
the fore end with the sleeve or tube V attached over the barrel fit in or on corresponding
recesses and projections L formed on the outside of the barrel. Figure 12 illustrates
a method by which a further connection is obtained between the fore end and the
barrel by means of a screw I screwed into the shoulder or enlargement L³. The
back sight W is prevented from slipping longitudinally by means of a small screw V¹
engaging with a hole in the upper side of the barrel.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate in elevation partly in section and in plan respectively
a modified arrangement according to which the sleeve or tube V is removeably secured
to the barrel by means of a locking pin U₁ (shown in the transverse section and
details Figure 17") provided with a square U for the reception of a key by which it
can be rotated. The pin U¹ is cut away or recessed on one side as indicated at U2
and is introduced from one side through an eye or projection V3 formed on the under-
side of the tube V of the backsight and projecting into the wood of the fore end. The
upper side of the pin engages with a recess or notch in the lower side of the barrel
into which it is accurately fitted so that the back sight is invariably maintained truly
in the same position relatively to the gun barrel. The barrel is released by rotating
the pin by means of a key through an angle of 180 degrees whereby the recess U
is placed opposite the barrel which can then be drawn out of the fore end without
meeting with any resistance from the pin.
The fore sight Y is fixed on a sleeve or tube X Figures 12 and 13 slipped over
the muzzle end of the barrel being provided with notches or recesses engaging with
projections X on the barrel as indicated in Figure 12. The rear end of the tube X
is provided with a hollow enlargement X which embraces the end of the wood sheath
or fore end M. The sleeve or tube X also carries on its underside a tongue or
feather X employed in affixing the bayonet, and is retained in position on the barrel
end by means of two nuts PP the outer nut P1 being formed with a cylindrical
projection for the reception of the ring of the guard or bow of the hilt of the sword
bayonet.
According to the modified arrangement illustrated in Figures 15 and 17° the
nuts PP are dispensed with, the tube X being fixed on the muzzle end of the barrel
by means of a bolt Z sliding in the tongue or feather X being above referred to, said
bolt being retained by a screw pin Z engaging in a groove Z³ in its underside.
When the bolt is in the position indicated in Figure 17° it engages with a transverse
groove or recess in the underside of the barrel and the tube X is thereby firmly fixed
in position but when the bolt is pushed in to the extent permitted by the screw
pin Z coming in contact with the end of the groove a recess in the form of an
arc of a circle in the upper side of the bolt is presented beneath the barrel and enables
the tube to be removed. The bolt is accurately fitted into the recess in the barrel so
that the foresight is always rigidly fixed in the same position relatively to the
barrel.
The fore end or casing M and the enlargement X³ may be of circular form in place
of the elliptical form represented in the drawing.
In order to remove the said fore end or casing the nuts PP" are removed in the
first place (Figure 12) or the bolt Z is pushed in (Figures 15 and 17°) and the tube X
is drawn off the barrel. The fore end can then be slipped off the barrel after the other
connecting devices (screw V₁ or lock pin U¹) have been released.
The barrel being completely encased in this fore end the hand is well protected
from the heat of the barrel which heat is a serious inconvenience in rapid fire,

page_text: In case it be preferred to permanently attach the back sight to the barrel the
fore end may be divided longitudinally into two parts one of which covers the under-
side whilst the other covers the upper side of the barrel. These parts meet with a
butt joint and are connected at the rear end by engaging with a
recess in the
shoulder, at the middle by the strap or loop of the supporting ring and at the muzzle
end by the sleeve or tube carrying the fore sight or by a ring specially provided for
the purpose. In this case also the wood casing is arranged to leave the barrel free
to partake of all movements resulting from twisting or expansion and contraction.
The improved fore end or wood casing and arrangements connected therewith may
be employed in combination with other description of firearms.
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. A repeating firearm in which the sliding breech bolt operates the ratchet
toothed disc or wheel of the cartridge carrier by means of a catch action com-
posed of a sleeve or ferule D pivoted on a pin fixed to the casing of the breech action
the said sleeve or ferule D being operated by means of an arm or projection D
situated in the path of a projection or stud on the sliding bolt and transmitting
motion to the said toothed disc by means of a spring catch or pawl D substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. In combination with the arm D¹ the lever G by means of which the piece D is
enabled to be displaced in a vertical direction and also to be oscillated horizontally as
and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
3. In repeating firearms of the class hereinbefore described in combination with
the sliding breech bolt the adjustable stop consisting of a moveable lever H. provided
with grooves jj for limiting the movement of the bolt and a groovej for enabling
the bolt to be removed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
4. In repeating firearms in combination with a chamber A a sliding plate or cover
capable of being slidden over the front end of the opening for the purpose of preventing
the cartridges from being accidentally thrown out of the opening substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. In repeating firearms in combination with the inclined arrangement of the carrier
axis the excentric guide for the front or ball ends of the cartridges in the magazine
whereby the cartridges are enabled to be pushed up vertically and presented in a
suitable position at the breech without the aid of springs substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. In repeating firearms attaching the magazine underneath the chamber to the
walls A connecting laterally projecting plates A by means of grooves and tongues
as and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
7. The hammer or tumbler action described consisting in the combination of the
stops ss for the mainspring S and the inclined surface Rand notch R on the boss the
lower branch of the main spring being arranged to force the sear against the said
inclined surface and cause the hammer or tumbler to spring back after striking
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
8. The arrangement for locking or securing the hammer or tumber at half cock by
means of the combination of a spring U₁ and a pivotted stop lever U capable of being
pushed under, the back of the tumbler by means of a projection U2 substantially as
hereinbefore described .and.illustrated in Figures 1 and 1ª of the accompanying
drawings.
9. The fore end or wood sheath loosely encasing the barrel on all sides nearly to

page_text: the muzzle end the said sheath being made in one piece or divided longitudinally
substantially as herein before described with reference to the drawings.
10. The arrangements for connecting the wood sheath or fore end to the barrel
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 12 and 15 of the
accompanying drawings.
11. The arrangements for removeably connecting the back and fore sights to the
barrel substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 12, 15, 17"
and 17 of the accompanying drawings.