IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Mauser of Oberndorf a/Neckar in the Kingdom of
Württemberg, Empire of Germany, Manufacturer of fire-arms for an invention
of IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING FIRE-ARMS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Paul Mauser at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th May 1882.
PAUL MAUSER of Oberndorf a/ Neckar in the Kingdom of Württemberg,
IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING
Empire of Germany, Manufacturer of fire-arms
FIRE-ARMS
The invention relates to those breech loading fire-arms, which are known under
the name of the "Mauser-gun" and which may be used as repeaters or as single
shooters, and it comprises improvements of these arms particularly when constructed
according to the plans described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
Paul Mauser dated March 25. 1881 No 1343.
The arrangement to fix the carrier in its extreme positions temporarily, or as
long as the gun is used as a single-shooter, is effected in the following way. The
carrier possesses on its left side an indentation into which fits a projection of the
spring, which fastened to the side of the case, formerly bore with mere friction
against the carrier. The projection enters the indentation when the carrier is
down, and fits under the carrier when it is raised. In both positions the spring
and consequently the carrier also may be fixed by shifting the sliding block down.
By this motion a chamfered nose of the block overlaps, and bears against the
correspondingly chamfered end of the spring, keeping the latter immovable. The
formerly used offset, provided on the inside of the breech case is dispensed with.
It must be remarked, that it is preferable to fix the carrier only when it is in its
highest position and when the chamber or lock is opened, that is to say when the
gun has to work as a single-loader. Then the slide block attains its lower
position and the top portion of it is out of reach of the shoulders of the
shell-extractor.

page_text: As the expelling of the shells is performed to advantage by the extractor
striking at the end of its back motion the top portion of the slide-block, and as it
is desirable to transfer this quality of the repeating state of the gun to the latter
when it is converted into a single-shooter, that is when the slide-block is down, a
stop meets the shoulders of the extractor in this position of the slide-block. This
stop is formed of the head of a spring fastened to the outside of the case and
serving also to stop the lever which actuates the slide block. By the back ward
motion of the lever which causes the slide-block to rise, the head of the spring is
again removed out of reach of the shoulders of the extractor. By these means the
fired cartridge-shell receives when the chamber is opened and whether the gun is
in the state of a repeater or of a single-shooter, a short sharp jerk which expels it.
The efficiency of this expelling device led to the division of the extractor which
performs simultaneously the duty of an extractor and of an expeller, into two
separate organs one of which is the expeller, the other the extractor. The latter
is made short, of peculiar construction and placed upon the moveable head of the
chamber, (or cylindrical breech-block), on any suitable place of its circumference,
preferably a little to the right side from the top, so that the guide-bar of the
chamber in any position will overlap it. The expeller sliding in that grove which
formerly was occupied by the old extractor, fits with its head into a suitable recess
of the head of the chamber preventing it thereby from turning, and serves with
its other suitably recessed end as guide for a set screw, screwed into the small
lock, keeping the latter in its position. By these means the guide-cheeks of
the breech-case formerly required and which are inconvenient are rendered
unnecessary.
The middle part of the expeller is milled in such way as to form two shoulders
which actuate the sliding block and also compel the device to perform its duty as
expeller when the gun is set as a repeater; or which shoulders work as the
expeller only in combination with the head of the above mentioned spring, which
stops the slide-block lever, when the gun is set as a single-shooter.
These improvements of the extracting and expelling devices may be used in
combination with a sliding block as above described or with one which fixes the
carrier in its high position by means of the formerly used offset, provided on the
inside of the breech case.
It may be mentioned that it was a difficult task to fasten the side-spring, which
stops the slide-block lever, to the case, and to give it at the same time sufficient
elasticity. This difficulty may be overcome in two ways. In one the blade,
screwed to the case is situated one-sided on the end of the spring, the spring itself
being doubled up. In the other the end of the spring is bent to one side to form
a blade of which one half is thicker than the spring, so that the fastening screw
presses only upon this thicker portion, leaving the spring free to work under the
head of the screw.
The main object of the invention is to simplify and strengthen the single
devices; to prevent the bearer of a fire-arm constructed according to this
invention from making any mistake when he converts the repeater into a
single-shooter and vice-versa, and to give him confidence in his weapon.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Paul Mauser in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd November
1882.
PAUL MAUSER of Oberndorf a/ Neckar in the Kingdom of Württemberg,
Empire of Germany Manufacturer of Fire-Arins IMPROVEMENTS IN REPEATING
FIRE ARMS
"
"
The object of the Invention is to provide simpler and more reliable means for
fixing and releasing the carrier; for extracting and expelling the fired cartridge
shells, and for improving in general repeating fire-arms, especially those which are
convertible from single-shooters into repeaters and vice versa.
The invention relates in particular to those repeating fire-arms which are known
under the name of the "Mauser gun" in which the cartridge magazine is situated
beneath and along the barrel and which may be used as repeaters or as single-
shooters and it comprises improvements of these arms particularly when constructed
according to the plans described in the specification of Letters Patent granted to
Paul Mauser, dated March 25. 1881 No. 1343.
In the accompanying drawings similar letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts.
Figures 1 and 3 are vertical longitudinal sections of the breech-piece (the
chamber c h and small-lock f being removed) showing the carrier b free to work,
and the same in its raised position and fixed. Figures 2 and 4 are respective
vertical cross sections of Figures 1 and 3. Figure 5 is a horizontal longitudinal
section through the axis of the carrier b. Figure 6 shows the slide block i in three
different positions. Figure 7 is a side view of the case c, showing the lever s and
the spring s Figure 8 is a cross-section of Figure 7. Figures 9 and 10 are
horizontal longitudinal sections of Figure 7 with the lever s in its extreme positions.
Figure 11 shows three different views of the carrier b. Figure 12 shows three
different views of the spring e. Figure 13 shows three different views of the
spring s. Figure 14 shows three different views of the springs Figure 15 shows
three different views of the extractor o. Figures 16 and 17 are vertical longi-
tudinal sections of a breech-piece furnished with separate extractor o and ejector j,
and showing the slide-block in its highest and its lowest positions. Figure 18
is a top view of the closed chamber ch, the rear end of which is drawn in section
in order to show the firing-bolt fb. Figure 19 shows three cross-sections of
Figure 18 taken on the lines O P, L M, I K. Figure 20 is a side view of the
whole breech-piece with chamber ch opened. Figure 21 shows a separate side
view and section of the spring s¹. Figure 22 shows a side view of the chamber ch
partly in section. Figure 23 shows two vertical cross-sections on the lines G H,
EF of the Figure 22.
Figures 1 to 15 comprise a modification of those devices described in the
specification of Letters Patent No. 1343 hereinbefore referred to which throw the
carrier bin and out of action and fix it in its extreme positions. The offset x
formerly employed is dispensed with. The block i slides up and down in a square
recess of the carrier band is actuated by a pin or stud v' on the shorter arm of
the lever 8 which turns round a pin g. The pin v₁ of the arm v works through
a circular slot in the case c and along a transverse slot of the block i, which is held
in position through being fitted between the case c and the carrier b. Therefore
the block participates in the movements of the carrier b when the latter is in
action, as shown in Figure 1. The block i is raised and its top k is struck by the

page_text: shoulders p and q of the extractor o when the chamber ch is opened or closed,
as was described in detail in the specification of the said former Letters Patent.
This rocking motion of the block i causes again a rising and falling of the
carrier b.
To retain the carrier bin its lower position the projection of the spring e
enters and remains in a groove b₁ in the side of the carrier b until the blow, given
to the top by the shoulder q in opening the chamber ch, sets the carrier b free
again and raises it.
When the block i by means of the lever 8 is depressed the carrier b is conse-
quently raised, (which should be done only when the chamber ch is opened) the
top is out of reach of the shoulders P and and the gun becomes a single-shooter.
To fix the carrier b effectually in this position a chamfered or inclined nose x of
the block is brought to bear against the correspondingly shaped end of the
spring e (see Figure 5) preventing this end of the spring e moving. The carrier b
resting upon the projection n is now unable to pass it and must keep its position
until by raising the block i the gun is made to work again as a repeater.
To retain the lever 8 in its extreme position and prevent it from being moved
accidentally the suitably notched spring s¹ (the end of which is turned up) is
screwed to the case c. A square head 8 at the front end of the spring 8¹ enters
through a corresponding hole the groove of the case c being guided by the sides
of this hole and serving at the same time as a stop for the lever s and as stop for
the shoulders and p of the extractor o. When the block is raised the head
of the spring s is drawn back (Figure 10) so as not to obstruct the groove l. The
empty cartridge-shell is ejected by the extractor o by receiving a blow, when the
shoulder strikes the top Figure 10. This will be the case also when the block i
is down and the head 8 of the spring s¹ protrudes into the groove l.
k
Should it be desired to remove the chamber ch with the lock fout of the case c
it can be done only when the chamber is opened and the lever s stands in the
position shown at Figure 1, and in the following manner. The lever 8 is moved
forward a little, keeping the head s" of the spring s¹ clear of the groove 1, and at
the same time the chamber ch is pulled back." At the moment the top frees the
shoulder q bearing against it, the shoulder q will catch the head of the spring s
preventing it from entering the groove l, and slide beside it out of the case. The
inserting of the chamber ch is not difficult as the chamfered or inclined head of the
extractor presses back by itself the head of the spring s².
Figures 16 to 23 show the block i constructed substantially as described in the
specification of the said former Letters Patent in combination again with the
offset of the case c. The spring e and the carrier b are also like the corre-
sponding parts in the just mentioned Letters Patent. But the extractor which
formerly performed also the duty of a shell expeller, is altered and its action
confined strictly to the extraction of the shell. It is made (Figures 18, 22, 23)
very short and of a peculiar shape and is mounted in recesses suitably provided
upon the head ch¹ of the chamber c h. It is provided with two feet of and oll
of which the first one o¹ is square in its cross-section (Figure 23) oval in its
plan and undercut in front; the other foot o" is dovetailed and square on the
rear end. This extractor o is fitted with a certain amount of play in a
vertical direction, but fits snugly sideways. In regard to the position of the
extractor it must be remarked, that when the chamber ch is closed it may be
on top, or at the side of the head e h¹, but it is preferred to place it near the top
and a little to the right hand side (see Figure 23, which shows it to the left hand
side, as the section is seen from the front). In this position the guide-bar ch¹
of the chamber will stand over and opposite to the extractor o.
of a fired cartridge is required to be extracted and the hand knob is turned
upward, the chamber moves a little backward leaving the hook of the extractor o
clinched tightly to the rim of the cartridge-shell. The foot o' forced into its undercut
seat, fastens the extractor o rigidly to the lead ch¹. The chamber ch turned into
its upright position, draws back the extractor together with the shell, which, once
When the shell

page_text: started, is now easily fully drawn back by the backward motion of the chamber ch
until the chamber is fully open. As the guide-bar ch¹ of the chamber ch in all
positions lies above the extractor o, the latter cannot be lost by accident. When
the chamber ch is nearly fully drawn back with a jerk, the expeller j will give a
sharp eccentric push to the cartridge shell from behind and expel it. The expeller j
finds its seat in the groove of the case c which was used formerly to receive the
extractor. The front extremity of it is bent inward, and chamfered (Figure 18).
To keep the expeller j connected with the chamber ch two springing wings,
extending from the front end j¹ partly encircle the neck of the chamber head ch¹
(Figure 19) having a little play in an axial direction. This neck is formed by an
annular groove square in section turned in the head ch¹ near to its front end. The
extremity of the expeller j being fitted into a suitable recess of the front part of
the head ch³, prevents the latter from turning round. The centre part of the
expeller is milled as shown in the second view of Figure 19, the ends of the so
forined recess serving as the hereinbefore described shoulders q, p, to actuate the
carrier b. by striking the top of the block i. The end of the expeller j, possesses
a groove, as shown in the section O P of Figure 19 which slides over a set screw,
screwed into the small-lock f. This screw bearing upon a flat portion of the firing-
bolt fb prevents at the same time the firing bolt fb from turning loose in the
bolt-nut. By means of this screw of the groovel and of the case c partly encircling
the ejector j, the latter is guided effectually and kept in close contact with the
chamber ch and the small-lock f even when they are fully drawn back. It is further
possible by this arrangement to remove the guide-cheeks of the tail-piece c¹ of the
case c formerly employed which, projecting above the wood of the gun-stock's neck
hindered the free and comfortable handling of the arm. Formerly these guide-
cheeks were necessary to prevent the small lock f from turning accidentally, but
now the expeller j serves this purpose perfectly.
The spring 8' fixing the lever 8 in its different positions may preferably be
constructed in a modified way as shown in Figure 13. Instead of being turned up
on that end where it is fastened to the case c by a screw, it is formed of a single
plate (Figures 20, 21) provided on the rear end with a flat extension which is drilled
to allow the fastening screw to pass. The extension is in its upper half thicker
than in its lower and also thicker than the greater portion of the straight part of
the spring, and in the forward corner cut away from the spring itself, so that the
fastening to the case by the screw is performed only by the head of the screw
pressing the thicker portion of the extension to the case c. This construction gives
to the springs a good elasticity makes it simple and leaves the structure of its
material sound.
When the lever 8 has shifted down the block i which can be done only after the
chamber is opened and the carrier has attained its raised position, the
repeating-gun is converted into a single-shooter. The block i rests with its lower
extremity against the offset x and keeps the carrier b fixed in its raised position,
so that it cannot be depressed during the operation of loading with single
cartridges.
To expel the shells under this condition the shoulder 7 of the expeller j must
strike against a stop, and this stop is now formed (the top & being removed from
the groove 7) by the square head of the spring & protruding into the milled
groove of the expeller j, as represented in Figures 17 and 19 in the section L M.
The head & therefore takes the place of the top k and performs in regard to the
expeller j its functions, giving by the expeller-head j¹ to the bottom of the extracted
shell the necessary eccentric blow.
By this arrangement the block i cannot be raised, when the chamber is closed
as the head 8 is in the way, but only, when it is opened; therefore the bearer of
the arm cannot make any mistake. He can convert the single-shooter into a
repeater, and the repeater into a single shooter only when the chamber is opened.
This is a point of great importance, as it gives him confidence in his arm, and

page_text: compels him to use it as a single-shooter from the moment he sees no cartridge
upon the carrier.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the mode in which
the same may be carried into effect I would have it understood that what I
claim is
First. The chamfered or inclined nose x of the block i in combination with the
correspondingly shaped end of the spring e,-and the projection n of the spring e
in combination with the carrier b and its groove b¹ for the purposes explained and
as shown and described.
Second. The spring 8' with one end, which is turned up, screwed to the case c,
with the other formed in a head s protruding through a hole in the case c into
the groove in combination with the lever s and the extractor o as shown and
described and for the purposes explained.
Third. The lever 8 with the pins vandy and thumb piece u in combination
with the spring a bead 8" and with the block i, working as described and for the
purposes explained.
Fourth. The extractor o with its feet o¹ o¹¹ mounted upon the suitably recessed
head ch of the chamber ch, constructed and working as shown and described
Fifth. The expeller j shaped and constructed and arranged substantially as
described and shown in the drawings.
Sixth. The expeller j in combination with the head ch and the set screw of
the small-lock f and with the top of the block or with the head of the
springs for actuating the carrier b, expelling the fired cartridge-shells, and
steadying the small-lock f, or in some cases for performing the two latter operations
only substantially as shown and described.
Seventh. The shell-expeller ; as claimed in the foregoing two claims working
in the groove of the case c as shown and described.
Eighth. The lever s with the pins and g and thumb-piece u in combination
with the spring s¹, head s¹¹, block i and offset x, working as described and for the
purposes explained.
Ninth. The spring 8 with its recessess to keep the lever 8 in its different
positions and with the head s to actuate the expeller j, screwed to the case c by
means of the peculiarly shaped extension, substantially as herein shown and
described, and for the purpose explained.
Tenth. In a repenting breech-loading fire-arm which is capable of being
converted into a single-shooter the construction of the whole breech piece composed
of the case c, chamber ch, carrier b, small-lock ƒ with firing bolt fb and intermediate
devices substantially as shown in the figures 1 to 15 and as herein described and
for the purposes explained.
Eleventh. In a repeating breech-loading fire-arm which is capable of being
converted into a single-shooter the construction of the whole breech-piece composed
of the case c chamber ch, carrier b, small lock f with firing-bolt f, b, and inter-
mediate devices substantially as shown in the figures 16 to 23 and as herein
described and for the purposes explained.
In Witness whereof I the said Paul Mauser have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Twenty first day of October in the year of Our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty Two.