IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY GUNS to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM of 59d Hatton Garden in the County of. Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY GUNS to be as follows:-
"
My Invention relates to machine or battery guns and is chiefly designed to
further improve the construction of guns of the class described in the specification
of my former Letters Patent dated 16th July 1883, No 3493, that is to say machine
or battery guns in which the feeding, firing, extracting and ejecting devices are
operated automatically by force developed by the recoil of the breech block and
parts connected therewith. But by modifying the construction of my improved
gun I can adapt the same to be fired by hand instead of automatically as above
described.
An essential feature of my present invention is the employment of a crank, the
pin of which is connected by a rod to the breech-block, the crank-shaft carrying a
fly-wheel or equivalent device to which momentum is imparted at each discharge,
by force developed by the recoil of the breech-block and parts connected therewith,
so that after the crank has passed its dead centre the momentum of the fly-wheel or
similar device will be utilized for closing the breech and firing the gun.
Another feature of my present invention is the construction and arrangement of
the barrel (when the gun is to operate automatically) in such a manner that the
said barrel participates in the latter portion of the forward movement and the first
portion of the rearward movement of the breech-block for the purposes hereinafter
specified.
My said invention moreover comprises various improvements as hereinafter set
fortli.
My invention may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice in
the following manner that is to say: I provide a strong inetal frame which is
provided with a lid or cover and which may be mounted on any suitable stand or
carriage. In the rear end of the said frame I arrange a crank-shaft which is
carried in suitable bearings, and to the pin of which is coupled one end of a
connecting rod. The other end of this connecting rod is coupled to the breech-block
and the said rod is made of such length that when the breech is closed, the crank
will be either slightly above or below its forward dead centre, so that the recoil of
the breech-block will cause the rotation of the crank-shaft in one direction or the
other.

page_text: The breech-block is carried by two crossheads arranged to slide between suitable
guides, projecting from the sides of the frame. The extractor and the sear are
mounted on the said breech-block, and the firing pin passes through the centre of
the same.
The cock or hammer is pivotted to a bracket or arm extending down-
ward from the breech-block; and is made with a circular part which enters a slot in
the firing pin. The said haminer has, moreover, a curved extension which, when the
breech-block recoils, is acted upon and cocked by a pin or rod fixed in the frame,
and which, at the termination of the forward movement of the breech-block, is acted
upon by a spring also fixed to the frame. The sear consists of a bent lever pivotted
to the breech-block and arranged to be acted upon by a cam fixed on a shaft
capable of being operated by a trigger-arm to disengage the said sear from the
hammer, which is then caused, by the said spring, to push forward the firing pin so
that it will strike the cartridge and discharge the arm.
The barrel is arranged in suitable guides fixed to, or forming part of, the frame,
and is capable of a slight to-and-fro movement therein. In combination with the
said barrel I provide two toggle-arms acted upon by springs in such a manner that
the said springs tend to force the barrel into either of its extreme positions.
A hooked lever is pivotted to the breech-end of the barrel and the rear end or
hook of the said lever is adapted to engage with a shoulder or projection on the
breech-block to lock the latter or secure it to the barrel when the breech is closed
and until the barrel has partially participated in the recoil. The following means
are provided for unlocking the breech-block at the proper moment, that is to say: -
The rear guide for the barrel is fitted with a piece of steel or other suitable material
which forms a shoulder. This shoulder fits into a recess in the front arm of the
said hooked lever and holds the same in the locked position until the barrel has
moved backward a certain distance. The front arm of the said hooked lever is
slotted or bifurcated so that when the barrel has recoiled to the desired extent the
said arm can be depressed to unlock the breech-block, the two parts of the bifurcated
end passing down at the sides of the said shoulder. The unlocking of the breech-
block is automatically effected at the proper time by means of an adjustable arm
fixed to the frame, so that in the rearward movement of the barrel an inclined face
on the hooked lever will come in contact with the said arm, and the hooked lever
will be thus disengaged from the projection on the breech-block.
In order that the remainder of the rearward movement of the barrel, after the
breech-block is unlocked, may serve to impart additional momentum to the breech-
block in its recoil, and in order that the forward movement of the barrel may
commence before the breech is closed and thus prevent too sudden impact of the
breech-block against the barrel, I provide the following devices viz: A lever is
pivotted to the barrel near its rear end. One arm of this lever is arranged to come
in contact with a shoulder or projection on the frame during the rearward movement
of the barrel, at the moment when the breech-block is unlocked. The other arm of
the said lever is then forced by the barrel during the remainder of its rearward
movement, against one end of a sliding rod suitably guided. The other end of this.
rod bears against the forward crosshead of the breech-block. It will therefore be
readily understood that the springs acting upon the aforesaid toggle-arms tend, after
the breech-block is unlocked, to impart additional momentum thereto. Moreover,
before the breech-block in its forward movement comes into contact with the breech-
end of the barrel it will force the aforesaid sliding rod against the lever and thereby
impart motion to the barrel.
A lever is pivotted to the underside of the barrel at its rear end, and one arm of
the said lever is arranged to form part of the seating for the flange of a cartridge
when inserted in the barrel. The other arm of this lever extends downward so
that during the recoil of the barrel the said lever will come in contact with a pin
or rod fixed to the frame and will thus be turned on its pivot so as to start the
cartridge from the barrel.
- In order to avoid any undue strain upon the extractor, I provide the same with
a slot through which passes a pin or bolt fixed in the breech-block, so that when

page_text: the breech-block moves away from the barrel the said pin or bolt will travel freely
in the said slot and the extractor will not be moved with the breech-block until the
aforesaid lever has started the cartridge from the barrel.
The extractor is provided with one or two inclined faces, which, when the breech-
block has recoiled to a certain point, ride up a projection or projections on the frame
and thereby disengage the hook of the extractor from the cartridge-case; and in
order to arrest the rearward movement of the cartridge-case as soon as it is in its
proper position in the groove of the feed-wheel, I provide two fingers which are
fixed to the frame and fit into slots in the breech-block- These fingers are so
arranged that the cartridge-cases, as they are withdrawn from the barrel, will come
in contact with the said fingers and will thus be prevented from moving too far
back.
The arrangement of the feed-wheels and the means for operating them are similar
to those described in the Provisional Specification filed with my petition for Letters
Patent dated 3rd January 1884, No 606, but I employ, if necessary, a spring, one end
of which projects through an aperture in the casing of the second feed-wheel so as to
hold the base of a cartridge firmly in the 'groove of the feed-wheel when the said
cartridge has been drawn from the first feed-wheel into the second feed-wheel. I also
provide means for preventing the feed-wheels from turning when not acted upon by
the projection on the underside of the breech-block. I usually accomplish this result
by means of a pawl pivotted to the frame and acted upon by a spring which holds
it in engagement with one of the toothed wheels for rotating the feed-wheels.
I provide the gun with means whereby the number of shots fired per minute can
be regulated. For this purpose I sometimes fit upon the barrel a piston in, which
the barrel is capable of moving to-and-fro to a slight extent, a collar being fixed
upon the barrel within the said piston. This piston fits into a cylinder, which is
open at one end and closed at the other end. The said cylinder is formed with a
series of perforations or apertures around its circumference; these apertures can be
opened or closed, or the amount of their opening regulated, by means of a ring or
annular piece having apertures corresponding with those in the cylinder. This
annular piece is fitted accurately upon the cylinder and is arranged to be partially
rotated thereon, in either direction, by means of a bent lever pivotted to the said
cylinder. One arm of this lever is suitably connected with the said annular piece,
and to the other arm of the said lever is coupled one end of a connecting rod. The
other end of the said rod is coupled to the aforesaid trigger-arm, so that by adjusting
the said trigger-arm the aforesaid apertures in the cylinder can be either closed or
opened or the extent of their opening can be regulated..
I may, however, employ a suitable dash-pot in place of the said cylinder and
annular piece. In some cases, I combine, with the said trigger-arm, a graduated
plate or quadrant marked with the different speeds of firing. And I then extend
the trigger-arm upward in the form of a pointer.
The shaft carrying the said trigger-arm is sometimes provided with another arm
having a pin or stud projecting downward from its extremity so that it will enter
a recess in the rear cross-head of the breech-block and thereby lock the same firmly
in position and prevent the discharge of the gun before the trigger-arm is pulled.
This locking arm is moreover provided with a projection which, when the said arm
is down, lies in front of the hammer and prevents it from actuating the firing pin.
In order to prevent the cartridges from being thrown upward out of the feed-
wheel when the latter is partially rotated, I provide a plate or flat bar acted upon
by a spring, which tends to hold the said plate or bar over the uppermost groove in
the feed-wheel. The said spring, however, will yield to permit the plate or bar to
be thrust aside by the breech-block as it moves forward.
I arrange a roller in combination with the first feed-wheel to facilitate the
movement of the band or chain of cartridges as it is fed inward by the said wheel.
When my improved gun is to be fired by hand, I construct the breech-mechanism
in a similar manner to that above described, but the barrel is screwed firmly into
the frame and the lever for starting the cartridges from the barrel is dispensed

page_text: with. The feeding mechanism is, moreover, similar to that described. in my said
former Provisional Specification. The to-and-fro movement of the breech-block is
effected by hand by the following nieans, that is to say A pinion is fixed on the
crank shaft and a toothed segment is geared with the said pinion. This segment
is arranged to be partially rotated, first in one direction and then in the other
direction by means of a hand-lever. Each stroke of this lever causes the crank to
turn nearly a complete revolution, and at the end of each stroke of the said lever
the gun is discharged,
On the end of the crank-shaft, opposite to that carrying the pinion, I fix a boss
having a projection which, when the breech is closed, presses against a spring fixed
to the frame. By these means I prevent the too sudden impact of the breech-block
against the barrel.
I sometimes provide my improved gun with a water-chamber surrounding the
barrel, and with means whereby the steam from the said chamber can escape freely
whatever be the position of the gun. For this purpose I fix on one side of the said
chamber a cylinder which communicates at each end with the said chamber by
suitable passages. One of these passages is connected with the forward end of the
chamber by means of a pipe. A piston or cylindrical weight is arranged in the
said cylinder, and is provided at each end with a valve. This piston or weight is
so arranged that when the gun is elevated at either end the said piston or weight
will descend by gravity and close the passage at the other end of the cylinder.
The said cylinder is provided with apertures to permit the escape of the steam
therefrom.
In order that the cartridges may be firmly held in the band or belt by which
they are fed into the gun, and to prevent the folding or creasing of the said band
or belt when a cartridge is withdrawn therefrom, I secure the two parts of the band
together by means of strips or plates of brass of peculiar construction. Between
every two adjacent spaces for the reception of the cartridges, one of these strips or
plates is placed on each side of the band or belt, the two strips or plates being
fastened thereto by eyelets or rivets. These strips or plates are nearly equal
in length to the width of the band or, belt, and are each provided with projections
against which the shoulder of a cartridge bears when the said cartridge is inserted
in the band or belt, so that it cannot be thrust too far into the said band or belt.
These projections also act as springs and maintain a uniform pressure upon the
cartridges; the spaces in the band or belt can therefore be of such size that the
cartridges can be easily inserted therein.
I sometimes make the part of the band or belt that fits the thinner parts of the
cartridges, of greater thickness than the other part so that when the band or belt
of cartridges is lying folded in the box or magazine, the forward ends of the
cartridges will be kept out of contact with each other.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1884.

page_text: I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of 59 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY GUNS" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My invention relates to machine or battery guns, and is chiefly designed to
further improve the construction of automatic guns such as are described in the
specification of my former Letters Patent dated 16th July, 1883, No 3493, that is
to say, the, chief object of my present invention is to provide improved means;
whereby, in working a gun, after starting the same, the operations of feeding,
loading, cocking, firing, extracting and ejecting will be automatically performed, the
required force being developed by the explosion of the gunpowder or other explosive
material employed.
'
Some of my present improvements are; however, applicable to machine or
battery guns to be worked by hand instead of automatically as above described.
A novel feature of my present invention is the employment of a crank-shaft,
which is arranged to be partially rotated in either direction, by the recoil of the
breech-block and parts connected therewith, for the purpose of automatically
working the gun.
I prefer to provide this crank-shaft with a fly-wheel or its equivalent, the
momentum of which will be utilized for closing the breech and firing the gun.
When the gun is to be worked by hand;, the said crank-shaft is provided with a
lever or other suitable means for operating it.
Another important feature of my present invention is the employment of a
sliding barrel, which recoils a short distance with the breech-block and is pushed
forward thereby into its firing position, and which, in its forward movement, will
be automatically locked or secured to the breech-block, and, in its rearward
movement will be automatically unlocked or disconnected therefrom.
My.invention, moreover, comprises the combination, with the breech-block and
the sliding barrel, of means whereby the said barrel, in its rearward movement,
imparts additional momentum to the breech-block, and the latter, in its forward
movement, imparts motion to the barrel before closing the breech.
My said invention further comprises various improvements as hereinafter set
forth.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of my improved automatic
gun, shewing the parts in the positions which they occupy when the gun is ready
for firing.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, partly in horizontál section on the line x, x,
Figure 1:
Figure 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the said gun, shewing the
parts in the positions which they occupy wlien the crank has reached its "dead
centre," after the recoil of the breech-block and parts connected therewith.
Figure 4 is a plan of the same, partly in horizontal section on the line x¹, x¹,
Figure 3, some of the parts being removed.
'
Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line ², ², Figure 1 (looking towards the
muzzle of the gun), with some of the parts removed.
Figure 5a is a section on the line è. Figure 2:

page_text: Figure 6 is a section on the line a³, x³, Figure 1 (looking towards the rear of the
gun), with some of the parts. removed.
Figure 7 is a section on the line x, x¹, Figure 1, looking towards the muzzle of
the gun.
Figure 8 is a.section on the line ³, ³, Figure 3, with the breech-block in its
réarmost position.
Figure 9 is an elevation, with the side of the frame removed, shewing the means. -
for disengaging the extractor from the empty cartridge-cases.
Figure 10 is a plan of part of one of the feed-wheels hereinafter described.
Figure 11 is a plan, drawn to an enlarged scale, shewing part of a belt or hand
which I employ in combination with my improved gun for supplying cartridges
thereto..
Figure 12 is a central vertical longitudinal section of my improved gun adapted
to be worked by hand.
Figure 13 is a plan of the same, partly in section on the line 6, x, Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a side elevation shewing parts of the gearing hereinafter described
for operating the gun.
Figure 15 is a sectional elevation of parts of the said gearing.
Figure 16 is a diagram hereinafter described.
Figure 17 is a sectional elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale, shewing a slight
modification of my invention, and
Figures 18 and 19 are sectional elevations, also drawn to an enlarged scale,
shewing other modifications thereof.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings:
A is a strong metal frame, which is provided with a lid or cover A³, and which
may be mounted on any suitable stand or carriage; B is the barrel, and C the
breech-block. D is a crank-shaft, which is fitted to turn freely in bearings Di
attached to the frame A. E is a connecting rod, one end of which is coupled to the
crank-pin D, and the other end of which is coupled to the breech-block C. This
connecting rod is made of such length that, when the breech is closed, the crank
will be either slightly above, or slightly below, its forward "dead centre";
therefore the recoil of the breech-block will cause the rotation of the crank-shaft in
one direcţion or the other. In Figures 1 and 2, the crank is shewn below its
"dead centre." Its position above this centre, when the breech is closed, being
indicated in Figure 1 by the circle D*. D³ is a heavy piece serving the purpose of
a fly-wheel.
The breech-block C is provided with two cross-heads C¹, C², the extremities of
which are fitted to slide between suitable guides F projecting from the sides of the
frame A,
G is the extractor, and H is a bent lever, which serves as a sear. These two
parts are carried by, and pivotted to, the breech-block. C and are acted upon by
a spring G¹ firmly secured, at its middle point, or nearly so, to the breech-block.
I is the firing pin, which passes longitudinally through the breech-block, and is
acted upon by a spring I*, which tends to drive it forward. J is the cock or
hammer, which is carried by, and pivotted to, a bracket or arm K extending
downward from the breech-block C. The said hammer is made with a convex
part J¹, which fits into a slot I¹ in the firing pin I. The hammer has, moreover,
a curved extension J2 which, when the breech-block recoils, is acted upon by a pin
or rod L fixéd in the frame A, so that the said hammer is cocked during the rear-
ward movement of the breech-block, and is held in this position by the shoulder H*
of the sear
At the termination of the forward movement of the breech-block,
the extension J2 is acted upon by a spring M. firmly secured to the frame A. This
spring assists in driving forward the firing pin.
N is a cam fixed on the shaft O, and formed with a notch N', into which one.
arın H¹ of the sear enters when its other arm H2 is engaged with the hammer J.
P is an arm or lever fixed on the shaft O outside the frame A, and serving as
a trigger for disengaging the sear H from the hammer J, by means of the cam N,

page_text: and thus firing the gun by hand. The said arm or lever also serves for adjusting
the cam N so that the gun will work automatically. For instance, when the said
cam is so adjusted that the end of the arm H¹ of the sear enters the notch N¹ at
the termination of the forward movement of the breech-block, the sear will not be
5 disengaged from the hammer and the gun will merely be prepared for the next
discharge; but, when the said cam is otherwise adjusted, the sear will strike the
same, at the termination of each forward movement of the breech-block, and
thereby be thrown out of engagement with the hammer, and the gun will be fired
and worked automatically so long as the supply of ammunition is maintained.
The barrel B is arranged to slide to and fro in guides or bearings A' forming
part of, or rigidly secured to, the frame A. B', B' are two toggle-arms, which are
acted upon by springs B² secured to the frame A. These springs, by their action
upon the said toggle-arms, tend, when the barrel is moved in either direction, to
drive the same to one or the other extremity of its stroke and to hold it firmly in
this position. Therefore, when the barrel is at the rear end of its stroke, the said
springs act to prevent the premature forward movement thereof when a cartridge is
being inserted therein. Moreover, in the recoil of the barrel, they tend to increase
the additional momentum imparted to the breech-block thereby.
→
Provision is made for automatically locking or securing the barrel B to the
breech-block C and unlocking or disconnecting it therefrom, as follows, viz:-
a hooked lever B³ is pivotted to the breech-end of the barrel. The hook of this
Jever is adapted to engage with a shoulder or projection C³ on the breech-block.
The rear guide or bearing A2 for the barrel B is provided with a shoulder or
projection A³ of steel or other suitable material. When the said hook is engaged
with the projection C³ on the breech-block, the shoulder A³ fits into a recess or
cavity in the forward arm of the lever .B³, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1,.
and holds the said lever in its locked position. The forward arm of the lever B³ is
slotted or bifurcated at its extremity, as shewn in Figure 2, so that, when the
barrel has recoiled a short distance, the said arm can be depressed, as hereinafter
described, to unlock the breech-block, the two sides or jaws of its bifurcated end
passing down at the sides of the shoulder A³.
The unlocking of the breech-block is automatically effected at the proper time.
by means of an arm A' adjustably secured in a slot in the cross-bar A* by the
set-screw a. In the rearward movement of the barrel, when the recessed part of
the lever is clear of the projection A³, the inclined face B* of the lever B³ comes in
contact with the arm A' and is thereby depressed, so that the hook of the said
lever is disengaged from the projection C3 on the breech-block.
The following means are provided whereby, after the barrel is unlocked or
disconnected from the breech-block, it will, by its rearward movement, impart
additional momentum to the said breech-block in its recoil; and whereby the
forward movement of the barrel will be commenced before the breech is closed,
thus preventing a too sudden or violent impact of the breech-block against the
barrel, that is to say :-A lever B5 is pivotted to the barrel B near its rear end, or
to a sleeve fixed thereon, and a shoulder or projection A5 is provided on the
frame A to form an abutment for, or point of resistance, to the said lever. A rod B
is arranged to slide to and fro in a slot in the piece A² and between the guides F.
One end of this rod B6 bears against the forward cross-head C³ of the breech-
block C, and the other end thereof bears against one arm of the lever B. During
the rearward movement of the barrel, at the moment when the breech-block is
unlocked therefrom, the other arm of this lever comes into contact with the
shoulder A³. The said lever then acts, during the remainder of the rearward
movement of the barrel, upon the rod B6 and moves the same backward with
increasing speed. The motion of the barrel B and the action of the springs B²
upon the toggle-arms B', therefore, tend, after the breech-block is unlocked, to
impart additional momentum thereto. Moreover, before the breech-block, in its
forward movement, comes into contact with the breech-end of the barrel, it will

page_text: •
act, through the sliding rod B6, upon the lever B³ and thereby start the barrel
forward and move it in this direction with increasing speed.
The shoulder or projection A° and the forward end of the rod B6 are, by
preference, slightly curved and so arranged, in combination with the lever B³, that,
when the barrel 'B moves backward, the said lever first comes in contact with the
projection A and rod B at the points marked 1 in the diagram, Figure 16, and
then successively at the points 2, 3, 4 and 5, so that the point of application of the
force changes and the leverage gradually decreases during the rearward or the
forward movement of the barrel and breech-block, and the barrel, in its rearward
movement, will commence to act upon the breech-block (to impart additional
momentum thereto) with a slow speed and with considerable leverage, and will
terminate this action with a high speed and with a slight leverage. Moreover the
breech-block in its forward movement, will act in a similar manner upon the
barrel.
"G² is a lever pivotted to the underside of the barrel at its rear end, for starting
the empty cartridge-cases from the barrel. The short arm of this lever is forked
and arranged to form a portion of the seating for the flange of a cartridge in the
barrel. The long arm of the said lever extends downward so that, during the
recoil of the barrel, it will come in contact with a pin or rod G³ fixed in the
frame A, and will be turned on its pivot, thus acting very advantageously to start
the cartridge-case from the barrel.
By using this lever in combination with the extractor G, I am enabled to provide
for the avoidance of any undue strain upon the latter as follows, 'viz-I make the
said extractor with a slot G', through which is passed a pin or bolt C₁ fixed in the
breech-block C, so that, when the said breech-block moves away from the barrel,
the pin or bolt C will travel freely in the slot G and the extractor will not be
moved with the breech-block until the lever G³ has started the cartridge-case from
the barrel.
The extractor G is provided with two inclined projections G³ (most clearly shewn
in Figure 9), which, when the breech-block has recoiled nearly to its rearmost
position, ride up the projections A on the frame A, so that the extractor is raised
and its hook is disengaged from the cartridge-case. In order to arrest the rearward
movement of the cartridge-case at the proper time to leave it in one of the grooves
of the feed-wheel hereinafter described, I provide two fingers A", which are secured
to the frame A. When the breech-block recoils, 'these fingers enter slots therein, as
shown in Figure 8, so that, as a cartridge-case is moved backward with the breech-
block, it strikes against the said fingers, after the extractor has been disengaged
from its flange, and its further rearward movement is thus prevented.
Q, Q are two feed-wheels, which are arranged substantially as described in the
specification of my former Letters Patent dated 3rd January, A.D. 1884, No 606,
so that, when they are in the position shewn in Figure 1, a cartridge drawn from
the uppermost groove of the wheel Q will enter the lowermost groove of the
wheel Q. The said feed-wheels are fixed on the shafts Q2, Q³, upon which are also
fixed the toothed wheels Q, Q. These toothed wheels are geared with each other
by means of the intermediate toothed wheel Q carried by a stud Q7 firmly secured
in the frame A. A hooked rod K¹ is pivotted to the lower end of the bracket K
and is arranged in combination with a supporting spring K2 and a releasing-arm K³.
as described in the said specification. "Qs is a spring secured to the casing Q, which
partially surrounds the feed-wheel Q¹. One end of this spring projects through
an aperture in the said casing so as to hold the cartridges firmly in the lowermost
groove of the feed-wheel Q The feed-wheel. Q₁ is provided with two series of
teeth Q10, Q having inclined faces, and I provide, on the breech-block C, a pro-
jection Chaving corresponding inclined faces, for intermittently rotating the
feed-wheels, substantially as described in the said former specification.
r:
Moreover I provide means for preventing the feed-wheels Q, Q¹ from turning
backwards; when not acted upon by the projection Os, for example, I attach a
MIX
53. o
443

page_text: spring pawl Q¹² to the frame A in such a manner that it will engage with the
toothed wheel Q5 as shewn in Figure 7.
The empty cartridge-cases, after they have been withdrawn from the barrel, are
carried around by the feed-wheel Qi until they are ejected, or fall, therefrom
through the opening As in the frame A.
For the control or regulation of the speed of firing, I provide, in combination
with the barrel, a regulating or controlling device. One form of this regulating or
controlling device is shewn in Figures 1 to 4, in which P* is a hollow piston, which
is fitted to slide to and fro in a cylinder P¹ concentric with the barrel B. B7 is a
collar fixed upon the barrel within the piston P*. The cylinder P¹ is open at its rear
end and closed at its forward end, and the piston P* is provided with an aperture P³
and with one or more apertures P³, through which air can pass to the closed end
of the cylinder, when the piston is moving backward. The cylinder P¹ is formed
with a series of perforations or apertures p around its circumference, and is
provided with an annular piece P' having corresponding perforations or apertures p¹.
This annular piece is fitted accurately upon the cylinder P¹ and is arranged to be
partially rotated thereon in either direction, to regulate the admission of air to the
closed end of the cylinder or its escape therefrom. The adjustment of the annular
piece P is effected by means of a bent lever P³ pivotted to the said cylinder. The
short arm of this lever is suitably connected with the annular piece P₁; the long
arm of the said lever is provided with a pin or projection p which is held between
pins or studs p³ fixed in one end of a connecting rod P. The other end of this
connecting rod is coupled to an arm o on the shaft O carrying the trigger-arm P,
so that, by adjusting the said trigger-arm, the admission of air to, or its escape
from, the cylinder Pi, through the apertures p, p, can be regulated. In some cases,
I combine, with the said trigger-arm, a graduated plate or quadrant P' marked
with the different speeds of firing. And I then extend the trigger-arm upward in
the form of a pointer P8.
When the barrel B moves backward, the collar B7 leaves the aperture P³ open,
and, coming against the rear end of the piston P*, moves the said piston backward,
thereby drawing air into the cylinder through the apertures P³ and P² well as
through the apertures p, p¹. But, when the barrel moves forward, the collar B
closes the aperture P2 and air can only escape from the cylinder by the
apertures p, p¹. It will, therefore, be understood that the barrel can move freely
backward, but the speed of its forward movement will be regulated or controlled
by the extent of opening of the said apertures.
Another form of regulating or controlling device is shewn in Figure 17, in
which is a cylinder arranged above the barrel B and filled with glycerine or
other liquid. The two ends of this cylinder communicate with each other by ports
or passages c, in which a cock d is provided for regulating or controlling the flow
of the liquid from one end of the cylinder to the other. This cock is provided
with an arm or lever d', which is coupled, by the connecting rod P6, to the trigger-
arm P above described. A perforated piston e is placed within this cylinder,
and is fitted to slide a short distance to and fro upon its rod f, which is provided
with a flange or collar f¹ to act as a valve for closing the apertures in the piston.
A spring g is provided for normally pressing the piston e against the said flange f.
To prevent leakage, the said rod is connected to the end of the cylinder by a
tube of india-rubber or other suitable material. The outer end of the rod f is
provided with two shoulders f, fs, between which the projection i on the barrel is
free to slide a short distance to and fro.
When the barrel recoils, the projection i strikes the shoulder f² and the piston-
rod and piston move freely backward, the spring g being slightly compressed and
the apertures in the piston opened, and the liquid, consequently, passing through
the said apertures. When the barrel is moved forward, the projection i strikes the
shoulder f³ and forces the piston-rod and piston forward with greater or less speed

page_text: :
according to the adjustment of the cock d, the apertures in the piston being closed
during this forward movement.
.
}
The plug of the cock d is so made that, when the trigger-arm P is at either
extremity of its stroke; the passages c will be opened to their full extent, the
cam N can, therefore, be adjusted to disengage the sear from the hammer, without
changing the operation of the regulating or controlling device.
The shaft O, carrying the trigger-arm P, is sometimes provided with another
arm O¹ having a pin or stud 03 projecting downward from its extremity, so that, if
desired, it can be made to enter a recess in the rear cross-head C¹ of the breech-
block, to lock the same firmly in position and prevent the discharge of the gun
before the trigger-arm P is pulled. This locking arm is; moreover, provided with a
projection O³ which, when the arm O is in the position shewn in dotted lines in
Figure 1, lies in front of the hammer J and retains it in its cocked position:
To prevent the ejection of the cartridges from the uppermost groove of the feed-
wheel Q, when the latter is partially rotated to feed the cartridges to the barrel,
I provide a plate R which is fixed on a pin or bolt R¹ supported in one of the
guides F and in a lug F' attached to the frame A. A spiral spring R2 is placed
, upon this pin or bolt and secured at one end to the lug F1 and at the other end
to the pin or bolt R¹. This spring tends to hold the plate R over the uppermost
groove in the feed-wheel Q¹, but will yield to permit the said plate to be thrust
aside by the breech-block as it moves forward.
S is a band or belt which I sometimes employ, in combination with the feed-
wheel Q for facilitating the supply of cartridges thereto. This band or belt is
made; as shewn in Figure 11, of two strips of canvas or other suitable material,
which are united at intervals by placing on each side of thein a plate or piece S¹
of brass or other metal nearly equal in length to the width of the said strips, and
having projections S2, and securing the said plates together, with the strips of
canvas between them, by means of eyelets or rivets S³.. When a cartridge c¹ is
inserted in the band or belt, between two pairs of the plates S₁, the shoulder c² of
the cartridge comes against the projections.S2 and the said cartridge is thus
prevented from being, thrust too far through the said band or belt. The pro-
jections S2 also act as springs to maintain a uniform pressure upon the cartridges ;
the latter do not, therefore, require to fit tightly into the spaces in the band or
belt. The plates S, moreover, tend to prevent the curling up of the edges of the
band or belt. A guide roller Q¹³ is provided for facilitating the forward movement
of the belt by the wheel Q.
I sometimes make that part of the band or belt which is to encircle the thinner
parts of the cartridges, of greater thickness than the other part thereof, so that,
when the band or belt, filled with cartridges, is lying folded in a box or magazine,
the forward ends of the cartridges will be kept out of contact with each other.
I do not confine myself to the use of this band or belt; the feed-wheel Q may,
if desired, be supplied with cartridges froin a box placed above it, so that, as the
wheel rotates, the cartridges will fall into the grooves thereof..
The operation of the gun shewn in Figures 1 to 10 is as follows, that is to
sayThe breech-mechanism must be operated by hand, by partially rotating the
crank-shaft D first in one direction and then in the other direction, until a cartridge
is fed into the barrel B. The parts being then in the positions shewn in Figure 1,
the gun is fired by pulling the trigger-arm P backwards, and the barrel and breech-
block and parts connected therewith recoil and rotate the crank-shaft D in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. The barrel moves backward with
the breech-block until its shoulder B8 comes against the collar B. During this
backward movement, it is unlocked or disconnected from the breech-block by the
action of the adjustable arm A on the lever B³, and imparts additional momentum
to the breech-block through the rod, B as above described. In the continued
rearward movement of the parts, the lever G2 is acted upon by the pin or rod G³
and starts the empty cartridge-case from the barrel, and the breech-block draws

page_text: back the extractor G and with it the said cartridge-case, which strikes against the
fingers A' and is left in the uppermost groove of the feed-wheel Q1, the extractor
being disengaged from it by the inclined faces G riding up the projections A.
Simultaneously with the extraction of the empty cartridge-case, the rearward
movement of the breech-block causes the arm K¹ to draw a cartridge from the
uppermost groove of the feed-wheel Qinto the lowermost groove of the feed-
wheel Q. And, during the last part of such rearward movement, the projection C
acts upon one of the teeth Q1 of the wheel Q' and partially rotates the wheels Q, Q¹,
and the hammer J is cocked by the pin or rod L.
The crank-shaft and the fly-wheel or its equivalent are then caused, by the
momentum which they have acquired, to continue their rotary movement and carry
the said crank past its "dead centre," and to move forward the breech-block.
During the first part of the forward movement of the breech-block, the projection C5
acts upon one of the teeth Q10 of the wheel Q₁ and again partially rotates the
wheels Q, Q, so as to bring a fresh cartridge in line with the barrel and also a
fresh cartridge in the wheel Q in line with the lowermost groove of the wheel Q¹
The fresh cartridge is then thrust into the barrel by the breech-block,. which, at
the same time, moves forward the hooked rod K₁ to engage with a fresh cartridge
in the wheel Q. In its forward movement, the cross-head C of the breech-block
strikes the rod B6 and imparts motion to the barrel; the breech-block then comes
into contact with the breech-end of the barrel and is locked or secured thereto by
the hooked lever B³. The firing of the gun is then automatically performed, or
else the gun remains ready for another discharge according to the adjustment of
the cam N as hereinbefore explained.
It will be obvious, that, as the trigger-arm P is connected to the regulating
device, the farther the said arm is pulled backward, the more rapid will be the
firing of the successive shots.
In the gun shewn in Figures 12 to 15, which is designed to be worked by hand,
the breech-mechanism is constructed in a manner substantially similar to that
above described, but the barrel B is screwed firmly into the frame A, as shewn
at B10, and the lever for starting the cartridges from the barrel is dispensed with.
The feeding mechanism is, moreover, similar to that above described. The to-and-
fro movement of the breech-block is effected by the rotation of the crank-shaft D,
first in one direction and then in the other direction, by means of a pinion T fixed
on the crank-shaft D and gearing with a toothed segment U pivotted upon a pin or
stud U* and arranged to be operated by means of a hand-lever U₁ (Figure 14).
This lever fits into a socket U2 formed on the said toothed segment, and a spring
latch U3 is provided in the said socket for retaining the lever therein. Each stroke
of this lever causes the crank to turn nearly a complete revolution in either
direction, and, at the end of each stroke of the said lever, the gun is fired.
To prevent the too sudden or violent impact of the breech-block against the
barrel, I fix on the end of the crank-shaft opposite to that carrying the pinion T, &
boss T having a projection T2, which, when the breech is closed, presses against
a spring T attached to the frame A by bolts or otherwise. The said boss and
spring are covered by a casing T
I sometimes provide my improved gun with a water-chamber B", which surrounds
the barrel as shewn in Figures 12 and 13, and with means for permitting the escape
of the steam from the said chamber, whatever may be the position of the gun,
without permitting the escape of the water. For this purpose, I fix, on one side
of, or above, the chamber B, a cylinder V, which communicates, at each end, with
the said chamber by passages V1, V2. The passage V2 is connected with the forward
end of the chamber B by a pipe V³, A piston or cylindrical weight V* is placed
in the cylinder V, and is provided at its ends with the valves V5, V6. This piston
or weight is so arranged that, when the muzzle of the gun is elevated, the said
weight will descend by gravity and the valve V will close the passage V₁; and, ..
when the muzzle of the gun is depressed, the said weight will fall in the other

page_text: direction so that the valve Ve will close the passage V2. The steam formed in the
chamber B will, therefore, pass into the cylinder V at one or the other end thereof,
according to the position of the gun. The said cylinder is provided with apertures V7
to permit the escape of the steam therefrom.
When I employ a water-chamber as above described, the muzzle-end of the
barrel B is held in a stuffing-box.B12 fixed in the end of the chamber BI1.
The gun shewn in Figures 12 to 15 is provided with a stop W, which can be
adjusted by means of a lever W' either so that it will act upon the scar H at the
moment when the breech is closed and thus release the hammer J and fire the gun;
or so that the breech will be closed without the hammer being released.
•
In some cases, I make the connecting rod E in two parts e¹, e², as shewn in
Figure 18. The part e¹ is fitted to slide within the part c² and a spring k is placed
upon the part e and bears against a fixed collar e³ thereon and against the end of
the part e². By these means, I provide for a yielding pressure being exerted
between the breech-block C and the crank-pin D².
Moreover I sometimes dispense with a fly-wheel or its equivalent, and fix a lever
or crank-handle m on the crank-shaft D outside the frame A to permit the crank-
shaft to be turned by hand, and I provide spring stops or buffers n against which
the said lever or handle will bear, when the crank is in either of its firing positions,
so that the motion of the crank-shaft and other parts will not be too suddenly
arrested. In this case, I attach a spring at one end to the breech-block and at the
other end to the frame A, which spring will serve the purpose of a fly-wheel by
preventing the too rapid recoil of the parts, and effecting, or assisting to effect, the
return movement thereof.
When I use this spring, I, in some cases, dispense with a crank-shaft and
connecting rod, and employ a suitable buffer to receive and deaden the shock
produced by the recoil of the breech-block and parts connected therewith.
I do not limit myself to the employment of the particular means above described
for locking the barrel to the breech-block and unlocking it therefrom, as any other
convenient and efficient means can be used for this purpose.
Figure 19 shews a modification of the locking device above described. In this
modification, the shape of the lever B³ is somewhat different from that shewn in
Figure 1, and the operations of locking and unlocking are effected by the action of
a cross-bar upon the said lever. This cross-bar bears upon the top of the rear arm
of the said lever (to hold it in its closed position) above, or nearly above, the point
at which it engages with the shoulder C³, instead of on the under side of its forward
arm, as shewn in Figure 1, the said lever is thus held much more firmly than in the
arrangement shewn in this figure.
It is obvious that, although I have above described a gun having a single barrel,
my invention may also be applied to guns having two or more barrels. Moreover
I can somewhat vary or modify the construction of my improved gun without
departing from the nature of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. A machine or battery gun wherein a crank-shaft- (with or without a
fly-wheel or its equivalent) is arranged to be rotated in either direction by the
recoil of the breech-block and parts connected therewith, for the purposes above
specified.
Second. The modification of my invention wherein I employ a spiral spring. as
an auxiliary to, the said crank-shaft, for the purposes set forth..
Third. The combination of a sliding barrel with a breech-block in such a manner
that it is locked to the breech-block in its forward movement and is unlocked
therefrom in its rearward movement, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The combination, with the sliding breech-block and the crank-shaft
(with or without the handle m and the buffers n), of the yielding connecting rod

page_text: coupling the said block and crank-shaft, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Fifth. The combination of parts comprising the breech-block and the sliding
barrel participating in a portion of the to-and-fro movement of the said block,
the springs B2 and toggle arms or equivalent devices, the locking lever. B³, the
shoulders or projections A³ and C³, and the adjustable arm A fixed in the
cross-bar A*, all substantially as described and operating for the purposes set
forth.
Sixth. The provision of means whereby the sliding barrel, in its rearward
movement, imparts additional momentum to the breech-block, and whereby the
latter, in its forward movement, imparts motion to the barrel before closing the
breech, for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination, with the sliding barrel and the breech-block, of the
lever B, the fulcrum or point of resistance As, and the rod Bº, so arranged that
the leverage and the point of application of the force change during the movements
of the barrel, as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Eighth. The combination of parts comprising the breech-block, the hammer and
sear. carried thereby and pivotted thereto, the firing pin, and the fixed pin or
rod L, whereby the hammer is cocked during the rearward movement of the
breech-block, as above specified.
Ninth. The combination, with the sear, of the cam N, adjustable by the
trigger-arm P, or otherwise, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Tenth. The employment, in combination with an extractor carried by the
breech-block, of a lever or auxiliary extractor carried by, and pivotted to, the
sliding barrel and arranged to be operated during the recoil by a pin or rod fixed
in the frame, or by equivalent means for the purpose of starting the empty
cartridge-cases from the barrel before they are withdrawn by the extractor.
Eleventh. The combination, with the extractor having the inclined faces, of the
projections A and the fingers A' upon the frame A, substantially as, and for the
purpose, specified.
Twelfth. The improvements relating to the combination, with the sliding barrel,
of a device for regulating the speed of firing, which device is capable of adjust-
ment by the arm or lever used for firing the gun, or otherwise, for the purpose
specified.
Thirteenth. The improved regulating or controlling device constructed sub-
stantially as described with reference to either of the modifications shewn in
Figures 1 and 2 or in Figure 17 of the accompanying drawings and operating as,
and for the purpose, specified.
Fourteenth. The means comprising the shaft O, arm 0¹, and pin or stud O³, for
locking the breech-block and retaining the hammer in its cocked position, as above
described.
Fifteenth. The combination, with the breech-mechanism, of the plate R pivotted
upon the pin or bolt R¹ and acted upon by the spring R², for preventing the ejection
of the cartridges from the feed-wheel Q' when the latter is partially rotated,
substantially as set forth.
Sixteenth. The employment, in combination with my improved gun, of the
peculiarly constructed band or belt consisting of the strips of canvas or other
suitable material united by means of metal plates and eyelets or rivets, sub-
stantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Seventeenth. The improved machine or battery gun consisting of the parts con-
structed and combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 10
of the drawings, or either of the modifications shewn in Figures 17, 18 or 19, and
operating as above set forth.
Eighteenth. The modification of my improved gun substantially as described with
reference to Figures 12 to 15 of the drawings, whereby it is adapted to be worked
by hand, as above set forth.

page_text: Nineteenth. The combination, with the water-chamber. B, of the cylinder V
with its pipes or passages and the piston or weight V₁ with its valves, for per-
mitting the escape of steam from the said chamber while preventing the escape
of water therefrom, substantially as set forth.
".
7/1
*
Date 11
00
1004