Improvements in and relating to Automatic and Machine Guns, and their Stands or Supports.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th June, 1895-Accepted, 27th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Automatic and Machine Guns, and
their Stands or Supports.
We, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, and LOUIS SILVERMAN, both of Crayford
Works, Crayford, in the County of Kent, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates chiefly to improvements in automatic or
"Maxim guns
of that class wherein the breech-mechanism is operated by means of a crank
which is turned in one direction about its axis by the force of the recoil and in
the other direction by the reaction of a spring.
The said invention comprises an improved arrangement of the said spring and
the connection of the same with the crank by means of peculiar devices which
ensure the most advantageous effect of the spring upon the crank and other parts
of the mechanism.
It also comprises an improvement in the cartridge carrier of the feed and
extracting mechanism whereby we prevent the possibility of any obstruction to the
action of the mechanism by an empty cartridge-case after the extraction of the
same from the barrel.
It also comprises improvements in apparatus to be used at the muzzle of the
gun for utilizing the pressure of the gases issuing therefrom after the discharge
for actuating or assisting to actuate the breech-mechanism. It also comprises
improvements relating to the sighting devices of automatic and other guns.
The said invention also comprises improvements in the tripod stand for supporting
the gun.
In various of the Specifications of Patents granted to Mr. Hiram S. Maxim
for and relating to improvements in automatic guns it will be found that the
spring, which resists the backward turning of the crank and which by its reaction
reverses the movement of the said crank after the recoil, is placed outside of the
main frame and is enclosed in a box or case attached to the same. According to
the present invention this spring is now placed inside the said frame. And to
allow this to be done in such a manner as to insure the efficient action of the said
spring without increasing the width of the frame or otherwise causing incon-
venience we employ the following devices:-that is to say, we connect one end of
the spring with an eye or stud fixed inside the frame, the said spring extending
rearwardly therefrom and having its other end connected to a suspended link.
This link is hung in bearings inside the frame near the top or cover thereof, and
has jointed to its lower or free end a bent or elbow lever which connects the said
link to the crank so that the spring acts thereon through the medium of the said
link and lever. In order that the force exerted by the spring on the crank shall
be most effective at the time when the crank is forward and has to perform the
severest part of its work the said lever and crank are constructed and arranged so
that the lever will have two points of contact with the crank, as follows viz. :
On the underside of the crank and at a right angle, or nearly so, to the same it
has a projecting arm in which is formed a notch or recess to receive the elbow of
the bent lever when the crank is in its forward position and at a point near the
junction of this projecting arm with the crank; between the shaft and the crank-
pin, there is a recess or corner in which the outer extremity of the said bent lever

page_text: finds a bearing at the time when the breech is open and the crank is terminating
its backward movement.
The end of the lever which is jointed to the suspended link below the point of
connection of the spring thereto is so formed that the lever cannot drop or turn
downward below a determined angle so that although it has no other support than
that in the link it will not fall below the position in which its elbow can engage
with the recess in the projecting arm of the crank. Moreover this recess is inclined
backwardly as a further safeguard against the elbow becoming accidentally
disengaged therefrom. At the moment of firing and during the first part of the
recoil the elbow of the lever is in the recess in the projecting arm which therefore
pushes back the suspended link and distends the spring. But in this movement
the crank approaches the outer end of the bent lever until the latter comes into
contact with the aforesaid recess or corner while the elbow of the lever at the
same time moves out of contact with the crank, the order or sequence of these
contacts being reversed in the return movement of the crank. The suspended link
is T-shaped, the top or cross bar having its ends adapted to enter holes formed
in small bearing blocks attached to the inside of the cheeks of the frame, one of
these blocks being cut away at one side to facilitate the insertion of the bar of the
link therein.
The cartridge-carrier of these guns is of the class described in the Specification
of Patent No. 8281 of 1885. That is to say, it has four movements viz. a back-
ward movement whereby it withdraws a cartridge from the feed belt and at the
same time extracts a spent cartridge or empty case from the barrel; a downward
movement whereby it carries the fresh cartridge into line with the barrel; and
the empty case into line with the exit aperture; a forward movement whereby it
thrusts the fresh cartridge into the barrel and pushes the spent cartridge or empty
case through the exit aperture below the barrel, and an upward movement to
engage with the next cartridge in the belt while remaining in engagement with the
flange of the cartridge in the barrel.
This carrier is a plate or piece connected with the breech-block in such a manner
that it can slide up and down upon the forward end or face of the block and it
has at its sides undercut grooves for engaging with the flanges of the cartridges.
The carrier has been usually constructed with a cavity behind its front surface or
face in which cavity is fitted a loose plate or "gib" the upper and lower portions
of which project through the face of the carrier being pressed forward by a spring.
The projecting portions, by the pressure of the spring, hold the cartridges firmly
in the carrier while they are being moved down as above described but they are
curved or inclined so that they slip from under the head of the cartridges when
the carrier rises.
With the carrier constructed as above described in the larger classes of guns, a
difficulty has arisen from the fact that when the carrier moves down, the "gib" is
pressed back or inward by the flange of the cartridge which has just been taken
from the feed-belt and the lower surface of the projecting face of the gib is then
exposed and level with the face of the carrier so that when the latter drops the
concussion sometimes causes the empty cartridge case to bounce or jump up in
front of the gib where it remains so that when the carrier moves forward the said
empty case which should then be pushed through the exit aperture has its front
edge jammed against the edge of the said aperture and the working of the gun is
stopped. To obviate this difficulty we now construct the gib as follows i.e. we
form the main portion thereof to fit within the cavity behind the face of the
carrier and to be pressed outward by a spring substantially as heretofore and we
curve or incline the upper edge for the purpose above stated. But the lower part
of the said gib is made separate from the upper part and is pivotted thereto in such
a manner and is so arranged that its lower edge projects beyond the face of the
carrier and forms a shoulder or stop which effectually prevents the rising of the
empty cartridge case above the position in which it has been placed by the carrier
in its descent. At the back of the pivotted part or pawl there is a small spring

page_text: the elastic force of which is sufficient to keep the pawl pressed outward but it yields
to allow the carrier after having carried down the empty case to rise behind the
cartridge in the barrel.
We sometimes make the said stop solid with the gib and in that case the whole
of the gib is pressed inward against the resistance of its spring when the gib rises
behind the cartridge in the barrel.
In the Specification of Patent No. 6585 of 1890 there is described apparatus to
be applied to the muzzle of the gun for utilizing the force or pressure of the gases
issuing therefrom for operating or assisting to operate the breech-mechanism. The
said apparatus has one portion attached to the barrel and another portion attached
to a casing forming part of the frame. But according to my present invention
we simplify tl is apparatus so that we are enabled to dispense with the attachment
of any part of it to the gun barrel."
For this purpose we provide a cylinder which has one end screwed in or otherwise
strongly secured to the forward end of the water-casing or jacket surrounding the
barrel. The forward end of the said cylinder has the usual aperture in line with
the axis of the barrel for the passage of the projectile. The rear portion of the
cylinder has an enlarged annular space or cavity from which extend small holes
through the wall of the cylinder.
The muzzle end of the barrel projects into the said cylinder and the gases
issuing from the muzzle impinge against the forward end of the said cylinder and
thereby force, or assist in forcing, the barrel backward to operate or assist in
operating the breech mechanism as in other automatic guns.
We construct the rear sight for automatic and other guns as follows viz.: We
form the sighting point on the end of a round, square or other bar of steel or
other suitable metal. This bar is adapted to slide vertically through a suitable
socket. One of its edges is provided with fine notches or teeth and the socket is
fitted with a spring catch or point which engages with the teeth or notches of the
bar and holds the said bar in any position to which it may have been adjusted in
the said socket but will not hold it so forcibly as to prevent its easy movement for
further adjustment; that is to say the pressure of the spring is sufficient to
prevent accidental displacement of the bar from concussion or otherwise while
permitting the ready vertical movement of the bar in its socket by hand without
the aid of screws or other mechanical devices.
The fore-sight is a small piece pivotted on the lid or cover of the breech-frame
near the forward end or hinge of the same. When in use the said sight is turned
upward into the sighting position. When not in use it is rendered invisible by
being turned down into a recess or cavity provided for it in the said cover.
We preferably make the water jacket of oval section, and place the long axis of
the oval vertical, and we fix the barrel excentric to the jacket below the centre.
Therefore the greater proportion of the water will lie above the barrel and thus
secure a very efficient cooling action.
Our improved tripod stand or support is made of tubular metal. The back leg
is made with a hinge near the centre so that the same can readily fold up into
small compass and when the leg is extended the two ends butt squarely together at
the hinge. The front legs are furnished with upwardly projecting lugs or fingers
at their upper ends which take the pressure when the stand is extended. In lieu
of the ordinary saddle heretofore used we provide a saddle consisting of a piece of
deather or other like material connected to the back leg at one end and to a pillar
at the other end which pillar can be erected when required for use by inserting
the same in a hole or socket in the back leg. When not in use, the said pillar is
removed from its socket and the saddle can then be folded close against the leg.
The tripod is provided with a locking device for securing the gun when it has
been pointed in the required direction. This locking device comprises a small
sector on the back leg over which is arranged a bar extending from the vertical
pivot on which the gun is turned. On the end of the said bar is a hook-shaped
piece which is arranged to work upon the sector and in combination with the same

page_text: is a cam provided with a lever by means of which the gunner sitting on the seat
can lock or release the gun as required.
Dated this 25th-day of August 1894.
.Improvements in and relating to Automatic and Machine Guns, and
their Stands or Supports.
We, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, and LOUIS SILVERMAN, both of Crayford
Works, Crayford, in the County of Kent, Engineers, 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 :-
"Maxim" guns
This invention relates chiefly to improvements in automatic or
of that class wherein the breech-mechanism is operated by means of a crank
which is turned in one direction about its axis by the force of the recoil and in
the other direction by the reaction of a spring.
The said invention comprises an improved arrangement of the said spring and
the connection of the same with the crank by means which ensure the most
advantageous effect of the spring upon the crank and through the crank upon the
other parts of the mechanism.
.
It also comprises an improvement in the cartridge carrier of the feed and
extracting mechanism whereby we prevent the possibility of any obstruction to
the action of the mechanism by an empty cartridge-case after the extraction of the
same from the barrel.
:
It also comprises improvements in apparatus to be used at the muzzle of the
gun for utilizing the pressure of the gases issuing therefrom after the discharge
for actuating or assisting to actuate the breech-mechanism. It also comprises
improvements relating to the sighting devices of automatic and other guns.
The said invention also comprises improvements in the tripod stand for
supporting the gun.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is partly a side elevation and partly a longitudinal section of a portion
of a gun constructed according to this invention, the working parts of the breech
mechanism being in the position they occupy before firing,
Figure 2 is a plan of the same with a portion of the top plate removed.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 the working parts being however in the
recoiled position.
....Figure 4 is a vertical section of the cartridge carrier of the feed and extracting
mechanism.
Figure 5 is a side view partly in section, and
Figure 6 is a front view of a portion of the said carrier hereinafter described.
Figure 5 shows a slight modification of the piece shown in Figure 5.
Figures 7 and 8 are transverse sections taken on the lines and y y respectively
of Figure 4.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the water-jacket at the muzzle end of the
gun and the attachment thereto for utilizing the pressure of the gases issuing from
the muzzle for assisting to work the breech-mechanism.
Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line z z Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a vertical section taken through the rear sight.
Figure 12 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line a¹, x³, of
Figure 11.

page_text: Sigut.
Figure 14 is a side view.
Figure 15 is a rear view, and
Fi igure 16 is a plan of the crank detached.
Figure 17 is a vertical central longitudinal section of the same.
Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views of two levers forming part of the breech
mechanism and hereinafter described.
Figures 4 to 19 are drawn to a larger scale than Figures 1 to 3.
Figure 20 is a broken side elevation partly in section of the tripod stand drawn
to a reduced scale and showing the mode of mounting the gun thereon.
Figure 20 is a side view of the lower portion of the back leg and saddle.
Figure 21 is a broken front elevation of the stand.
Figures 22 and 23 shew details of the said stand.
Figure 24 is a plan of the saddle.
Like letters denote corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the frame that encloses the mechanism of the gun; B is the barrel; C is
the water jacket; D is the crank; G is the cartridge carrier of the feed and
extracting mechanism; H is the gib in said carrier; and K is the main spring.
In various of the Specifications of Patents granted to Mr. Hiram S. Maxim for
and relating to improvements in automatic guns it will be found that the main
spring which resists the backward turning of the crank and which by its reaction
reverses the movement of the said crank after the recoil, is placed outside of the
main frame and is enclosed in a box or case attached to the said frame.
According to the present invention this spring is now placed inside the said
frame. And to allow this to be done in such a manner as to ensure the efficient
action of the said spring without increasing the width of the frame or otherwise
causing inconvenience we employ the following devices:-that is to say, we connect
one end of the spring K with a hook or eye k fixed inside the frame, the said
spring extending rearwardly therefrom and having its other end connected to a
suspended link M. This link is T-shaped, as shown clearly in Figure 18 the top
or cross bar having its ends adapted to enter holes formed in small bearing
blocks M¹ attached to or formed with the inside of the cheeks of the frame, near
the top or cover thereof, one of these blocks being cut away at one side as shewn
at m Figure 2 to facilitate the insertion of the cross-bar of the link therein. The
link has, jointed to its lower or free end at M², a bent or elbow lever M³ which
connects the said link to the crank so that the spring acts on the crank through
the medium of the said link and lever. On each side of the lever M³ at the elbow,
is a pin M which engages with a notch or recess d formed in an extension or
arm d' of the crank. The crank is double, the two sides being joined by a web
or centre piece D° from which the extensions d' project. In order that the force
exerted by the spring on the crank shall be most effective at the time when the
crank is forward and has to perform the severest part of its work the said
lever M and crank D are constructed and arranged so that the lever will have at
different parts of its movement different points of contact with the crank, as
follows viz. One point of contact is the aforesaid notch d in which the pins M lie
at the commencement of the recoil, the other is a recess or corner d' in which the
outer extremity M of the said bent lever M³ finds a bearing at the time when the
breech is open and the crank is terminating its backward movement.
To guide
the end of the lever into this notch, an extension d³ is formed on the side of the
crank, and to reduce the friction the aforesaid extremity of the lever M³ is
furnished with a roller as shewn.
:
The end of the lever M³ which is jointed to the suspended link below the
point m' of connection of the spring thereto is formed with a projection at M7, see
Figure 19 which engages with the inner part M³, see Figure 18, of the jaw of the
link M so that the lever cannot drop or turn downward below the position shown
in Figure 1; therefore although has no other support than that afforded by the

page_text: link it will not fall into a position in which its pins M* cannot engage with the
recesses d in the projecting arms d' of the crank. Moreover these recesses are
inclined backwardly, as shown, as a further safeguard against accidental escape or
disengagement of the elbow lever therefrom. At the moment of firing and during
the first part of the recoil, the pins M* of the lever M³ are in the recesses in the
extensions d' which therefore push back the suspended link and distend the spring K.
But in this movement, the crank approaches the outer or lower end of the bent
lever M³ until the roller on the latter comes into contact with the aforesaid recess
or corner d while the pins M at the elbow of the lever at the same time move
out of contact with the crank, and the parts at the end of the recoil assume the
position indicated in Figure 3. The order or sequence of these contacts is
reversed in the return movement of the crank.
The cartridge-carrier of these guns is of the class described in the Specification
of Letters Patent No. 8281 of 1885. That is to say, it has four movements viz. a
backward movement whereby it withdraws a cartridge from the feed-belt and at
the same time extracts a spent cartridge or empty case from the barrel; a
downward movement whereby it carries the fresh cartridge into line with the
barrel and the empty case into line with the exit aperture; a forward movement
whereby it thrusts the fresh cartridge into the barrel and pushes the spent
cartridge or empty case through the exit aperture below the barrel; and an
upward movement to engage with the next cartridge in the belt while remaining in
engagement with the flange of the cartridge in the barrel.
This carrier is a plate or piece G connected with the breech-block in such a
manner that it can slide up and down upon the forward end or face of the block O
and it has at its sides grooves G' for engaging with the flanges of the cartridges.
The carrier has been usually beretofore constructed with a cavity behind its front
surface or face in which cavity is fitted a loose plate or "gib" H the upper and
lower portions of which project through the face of the carrier, being pressed
forward by a spring. The projecting portions, by the pressure of the spring, hold
the cartridges firmly in the carrier during the downward movement of the latter as
above described but they are curved or inclined so that they slip from under the
head of the cartridge when the carrier rises.
.66
"
With the carrier constructed as above described, in the larger classes of guns, a
difficulty has arisen from the fact that when the carrier is moving down, the "gib
is liable to be pressed back or inward by the base of the cartridge which has last
been taken from the feed-belt, and the lower part of the projecting face of the
"gib" is then nearly level with the face of the carrier; in this position the
concussion sometimes causes the empty cartridge case to bounce or jump up in front
of the "gib" where it remains so that when the carrier moves forward the said
empty case, which should then be pushed through the exit aperture, has its front
edge jammed against the edge of the said aperture, and the working of the gun is
stopped. To obviate this difficulty we now construct the "gib" H as follows,
i.e. we form the main portion thereof to fit within the cavity G behind the face of
the carrier and to be pressed outward by a spring H' substantially as heretofore
and we curve or incline the upper projecting face H2 for the purpose above stated.
But in the lower part of the said gib we pivot at H³ a catch or stop H* which is
controlled by a spring H. The lower edge of the said catch projects beyond the
face of the carrier and forms a shoulder or stop which effectually prevents the
rising of the empty cartridge case into a position in which it will be out of line
with the exit aperture. The elastic force of the spring H is sufficient to keep the
catch or stop pressed outward while necessary for the purpose specified but it
yields freely to allow the carrier, after it has carried down the empty case, to rise
behind the cartridge in the barrel.
We sometimes make the said stop solid with the "gib" as shown in Figure 5ª
and in that case the whole of the "gib" is pressed inward against the resistance of
its spring H' when the "gib" rises behind the cartridge in the barrel.
For utilizing the force or pressure of the gases issuing from the muzzle of the

page_text: gun for operating or assisting to operate the breech-mechanism when blank or
other cartridges giving an insufficient recoil are used we have heretofore employed
apparatus such as that described in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 6585
of 1890 which has one portion attached to the barrel and another portion attached
to a casing forming part of the frame. According to our present invention we
simplify this apparatus so that we are enabled to dispense with the attachment of
any of it to the gun barrel.
For this purpose we provide a cylinder P Figure 9 which has one end screwed
in or otherwise strongly secured to the forward end of the water-casing or jacket (
surrounding the barrel. The forward end of the said cylinder has the usual
contracted aperture P' in line with the axis of the barrel for the passage of the
projectile. The rear portion of the cylinder has an enlarged annular space or
cavity P from which extend small holes P³ through the wall of the cylinder to
allow the gases to escape.
The muzzle end of the barrel B projects into the cylinder and the gases issuing
from-the muzzle impinge against the forward end of the said cylinder at P* and
thereby force, or assist in forcing, the barrel backward to operate or assist in
operating the breech-mechanism as in other "Maxim" automatic guns.
We preferably make the water-jacket C oval in transverse section, and arrange
it with the major axis of the oval vertical, as shown in Figure 10 and we fix the
barrel B, excentric to the jacket and below the centre of the oval; therefore the
greater proportion of the water will lie above the barrel and will thus have a very
efficient cooling action. The jacket is preferably made of steel.
We construct the rear-sight E for automatic and other guns as follows viz.: We
form the sighting point on the end of a bar E', Figure 11, which is adapted to
slide vertically through a suitable socket E³. We have shown the har U-shaped
in transverse section, though it may have a round or square or other section. The
bar is provided with fine notches or teeth Es and the socket is fitted with a spring
catch or tooth E which engages with the teeth or notches of the bar and holds the
said bar in any position to which it may have been adjusted in the said socket but
will not hold it so forcibly as to prevent its easy movement for further adjustment;
that is to say the pressure of the spring is sufficient to prevent accidental displace-
ment of the bar from concussion or otherwise while permitting the ready vertical
movement of the bar in its socket by hand without the aid of screws or other
mechanical devices.
The fore-sight F is a small piece pivoted on the hinge pin F1 of the lid or cover
of the frame A. When in use, the said sight is turned upward into the sighting
position. When not in use it is rendered invisible from the rear of the gun by
being turned down into a recess or cavity F2 provided for it in the said cover..
F3 is a spring catch adapted to engage with either of two notches F, F formed
in the sight piece and thereby retain the sight in either its raised or lowered
position.
Our improved tripod stand or support has its legs made of tubular metal hinged
together as shown. The back leg S is made with a hinged joint S¹ about midway
between its ends so that the leg can be readily folded up into small compass as
shewn in dotted lines, and when the leg is extended the two ends butt squarely
together at the joint as shewn in full lines. The weight of the gun and gunner
bold the joint tightly closed. The front legs T are furnished with projecting lugs
or fingers T at their upper ends which bear against the forward end of the hind
leg and resist the pressure tending to further open or spread the legs when the
stand is in its proper extended position.
In lieu of the ordinary saddle heretofore used we provide a saddle consisting of
a piece U of leather or other suitable material connected to the back leg at U' and
to a pillar Us which pillar can be erected when required for use by inserting the
same in a hole or socket Us in the back leg. When not in use, the said pillar is
removed from its socket and the saddle can then be folded closely, and strapped,.
against the leg.

page_text: The gun is carried at or near the forward part of its frame by a fork W,
having at its lower end a socket W' which fits upon a vertical pin W³ secured to
the tripod. The rear end of the gun is supported by an adjustable rod W³ which
is pivoted at its lower end to a bar V₁ that extends rearwardly from the aforesaid
socket W¹
The tripod is provided with a locking device for securing the gun when it has
been pointed in any direction. This locking device comprises a small sector V on
the back leg which sector engages with and forms a support for a hook-shaped
piece V secured to the end of the bar V. V is a lever pivoted to the piece V2.
It has a cain surface at V which engages with the sector V. By pressing upon
or releasing the lever V³ the gunner can lock or release the gun as required.
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 we
claim is :-
1. In an automatic gun the spring arranged inside the frame and connected with
the crank in such a manner as to ensure the most efficient action of the mechanism
as above set forth.
2. The indirect connection of the spring with the crank through the medium of
a link and lever suspended from the frame and operating as, and for the purpose,
specified.
3. The combination of the peculiarly constructed crank with the lever supported
in the end of the link in such a manner that although it moves into and out of
engagement with two points of the crank, it cannot, when out of engagement, drop
into a position unsuitable for its re-engagement therewith.
4. The addition to the carrier "gib" of the projecting spring catch or shoulder,
substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.
5. The improvements substantially as set forth relating to the apparatus applied
to the muzzle of the gun for utilizing the force of the gases issuing therefrom.
6. The rear-sight consisting of the vertical bar having fine teeth or serrations
and fitted to slide through a socket provided with a spring-catch arranged to
engage with the said bar substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
7. The fore-sight pivoted on the hinge pin of the lid or cover of the breech
frame and arranged in combination with a recess or cavity in the lid so that the
said fore-sight can be adjusted into or out of the said recess, for the purpose
specified.
8. An automatic gun having its mechanism constructed and arranged substan-
tially as described and shewn in the accompanying drawings, for the purposes set
forth.
9. The water-jacket made oval in transverse section and arranged excentrically
with regard to the barrel as, and for the purpose, specified.
10. A tripod stand having a hinged joint in the back leg substantially as, and
for the purpose, specified.
11. The improved folding tripod stand, constructed substantially as set forth, for
the purposes specified.
12. The use in the same, or a similar stand, of a seat or saddle such as that
hereinabove described.
13. The combination with the tripod stand of a locking device substantially
such as that above described, for the purposes specified.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.