Improvements in and Apparatus for Working Rapid Firing Guns or Ordnance.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 12th Aug., 1889—Accepted, 14th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Working Rapid Firing Guns
or Ordnance.
We, JOHN ROGERSON of Croxdale Hall in the County of Durham Steel Manufacturer
and ALEXANDER DOWNIE of the Ashes House Stanhope in the County of Durham
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates more particularly to the class of guns described in the.
Specification of our Patent No. 4115 dated 18th March 1887 in which recoil
cylinders are used. One or more of the said cylinders may be used, their central
axis being placed either in a horizontal line with the centre of the gun or under-
neath the gun. The said recoil cylinder or cylinders have hollow piston rods
containing springs which are compressed by the recoil after firing the gun, and on the
return of the said springs to their normal condition they automatically run out the
gun to the firing position."
'
The breech block is on the sliding wedge principle and it may work in either a
vertical or horizontal position to suit circumstances. The firing may be done by
means of a hammer actuated by a lanyard in the ordinary way or by means of a
pistol handle arrangement attached to the shoulder-piece of the gun, in cases where
the elevating and training is carried out by that means, or to a suitable. position on
the non-recoiling portion of the carriage where the training and elevating is
performed by means of wheels racks or screws. The firing pin is hold in a state of
rest and safety by means of a comparatively weak spring pressing the point away
from the cartridge. When the firing pin is struck by the hammer, the resistance of
the spring is overcome and the cartridge is exploded, the said spring returning both
the firing pin and the hammer to their normal positions.
The pistol handle arrangement is carried out as follows: It is obvious that as
the gun recoils, the pistol handle could not be held by the gunner, if the said handle
were attached to the gun. It is therefore fixed to and forms part of the shoulder-
piece which is secured by a snap catch to the rocking slide in which the gun recoils,
from which the whole can, when necessary, be detached in a moment. The firing
arrangement resembles a complete pistol, in the barrel of which, a piston with a pro-
jecting arm is made to work freely in a groove cut in the barrel for a certain distance
from the muzzle towards the breech, the piston rod being allowed to work through
the breech. A spiral spring is placed outside the piston rod but inside the barrel.
By forcing the piston towards the breech, the spring is compressed. A notch is
cut in the piston rod to take the trigger which holds the piston ready for firing.
Upon the end of the spindle of the firing hammer is a lever which serves also as
a head to the spindle. When the gunner is ready to fire, he pulls the trigger which
releases the piston, the force of the spiral spring causing the projecting arm to strike
the lever and firing hammer spindle and the said hammer being connected to the said
spindle is thus driven against the firing pin and explodes the cartridge. The piston
may be stopped a certain distance short of making a complete stroke, as the momentum
given to the ham:ner will be sufficient to strike the required blow without the
projecting arm accompanying the lever the whole distance. The reverse operation
takes place after the gun is fired, the lever on striking the hammer recoiling with
the gun coming into contact with the projecting arm on the piston compressing the
spring and automatically cocking the gun upon each recoil.
Should it be desirable to throw the pistol handle firing gear out of action for the
purpose of firing by the lanyard only provision is made to revolve the piston à
quarter of a revolution or thereabouts, thus compressing the spring slightly when

page_text: the projecting arm is housed in a short slot, securing it instantly by a snap catch,
when firing can be carried on by the Lanyard at pleasure.
The breech block is operated by means of a combined lever and spindle, preferably
made in one piece. Upon the said spindle, for a certain distance, we form a series
of teeth, a corresponding series being also cut in the short lever which fits into the
breech-block, a certain amount of lost motion is purposely allowed between the long
and short lever movements, with the two-fold purpose of moving a lever, which
locks the breech-block in the firing position, and of giving a certain amount of blow
on the short lever, thereby the more easily moving the breech-block from the
firing position.
The extraction is performed by means of an extractor made in the form of a three-
armed lever, two of the said arms being used to catch hold of the cartridge rim at or
about the centre line, the third arm being formed at an angle of about 38 degrees
with the other arms.
A groove is cut in the breech-block and into this the tail end
of the said lever is carried. The said groove runs parallel until the breech is partly
opened, then a very fine inclination comes into play, which acting on the tail-end,
moves the extractor, loosening the cartridge case. The groove is again carried in a
parallel direction, until the breech is fully open, when the tail-end engages with a
sudden angle, which has the effect of jerking the cartridge-case right out of the
chamber clear of the Gun.
The description so far relates to the means employed in manipulating the Gun by
hand but by the simple addition of another lever attached to the spindle that works
the breech block we can open the breech of the gun automatically. The said lever is
secured to the spindle by a continuation of the series of the before mentioned teeth.
A connecting rod is attached to this lever, one end passing in line with and under
the gun working in a bearing forming part of the gun and also in a second bearing
forming a part of the carriage or non-recoiling part of the gun. The end of connecting
rod nearest the muzzle of
has a «
collar"
When the Gun in the act of
firing reaches a certain distance of its recoil say 2 inches or thereabouts tlie collar
comes into contact with the fixed bearing on the non recoiling portion which has the
effect of undoing the aforesaid locking lever opening the breech and extracting the
empty cartridge case the gun returning to the firing position with the breech open
ready to receive the next cartridge when the breech is closed by hand.
•
gun
upon it.
We may use the recoil to both open and close the breech by utilizing the whole of
the parts above mentioned. We provide a bearing forming part of the gun and also
a pair of lugs to carry a stop catch. There is a lever vibrating on the same axis as
the extractor and by means of a Gib head it can come into contact with the head of
the cartridge. The other end of this lever is placed in contact with the said stop
catch and when the cartridge is placed in the chamber of the gun and the rim strikes
the gib head it has the effect of knocking off the stop catch and releasing the
connecting rod allowing a spring to drag the Breech block into the firing position.
The said spring has one end secured to the carriage and does not recoil and the other
end is secured to the crosshead which answers to the "collar on the connecting rod
which does recoil.
"
Supposing the breech to be closed and the gun fired, it recoils until the said rod
reaches a point at which it is stopped from recoiling and consequently acting on the
lever opens the Breech about the time that the aforesaid stop catch secures the
connecting rod in this position.
The gun on its return extends the aforesaid spring, thus storing up power which is
held by the stop catch until required to close the breech.
A handle is provided for opening the breech. It is secured to the head of the
spindle which acts on the breech block and in working the gun automatically it is
turned upside down and placed on its seat again when owing to its being of a suitable
clutch form on its face it can be held by a snap catch provided for securing the said
handle in position while the recoil of the gun does the work that the handle would do
if the gun were not working automatically. The said catch prevents it from swinging

page_text: round during recoil-A lever is secured to the spindle and is used to detach the
locking arrangement which can also be done by the clutch lever
Dated the 11th day of October 1888.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.;
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Working Rapid Firing Guns
or Ordnance.
We, JOHN ROGERSON of Croxdale Hall in the County of Durham, Steel Manufacturer
and ALEXANDER DOWNIE of the Ashes House Stanhope in the County of Durham,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates more particularly to the class of guns described in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent No. 4115 granted to us and dated 18th March 1887 in which
recoil cylinders are used. One or more of the said cylinders may be used their central
axis being placed either in a horizontal line with the centre of the gun or underneath
the gun. The said recoil cylinder or cylinders have hollow piston rods containing
springs which are compressed by the recoil after firing the gun and on the return of
the said springs to their normal condition they automatically run out the gun to the
firing position.
Figures 1. 2 and 3 are respectively a part elevation, a plan and a rear view of a
gun, constructed and arranged to work by hand.
Figure 4 is a section and plan of the breech block showing the groove for working
the extractor.
The breech block is arranged on the sliding wedge principle and it may work in
either a vertical or in a horizontal direction as may be most convenient to suit
circumstances, being represented as working horizontally in the arrangements
illustrated. The firing may be effected by means of a hammer actuated by a lanyard
in the ordinary way, or by means of a pistol handle arrangement attached to the
shoulder piece of the gun, or to any suitable non-recoiling portion of the carriage
where the training and elevating is performed by means of wheels, racks or screws.
The firing pin is held in a state of rest and safety with its point away from the
cartridge by means of a comparatively weak spring. When the firing pin is struck
by the hammer the resistance of the spring is overcome and the cartridge is exploded
the said spring. returning both the firing pin and the hammer to their normal
positions.
The pistol handled arrangement as illustrated by Figures 1. 2 and 3 is as follows :-
The pistol handle 1 is fixed to and forms part of the shoulder piece 2 (shown more clearly
in figure 10 which is an elevation of an automatic gun showing the general arrangement
of the paris) secured by a snap catch a of any suitable construction to the rocking
slide in which the gun recoils and from which it can be readily detached when
necessary. The firing arrangement somewhat resembles a complete pistol, in the
barrel of which works a hollow piston 3 shown in dotted lines in the drawing having
an arm or projection 4 free to slide in a groove 5 cut in the barrel for a certain
distance from the muzzle towards the breech end. A spiral spring 6 is placed within
the hollow piston inside the barrel. By forcing the piston towards the breech the
spring 6 can be compressed "by hand" by means of the handle X but the spring
is intended to be compressed by the gun in recoil as will be hereinafter explained
except when first the gun is fired. A notch 7 is cut in the side of the hollow piston
to take the trigger 8 which holds the piston ready for firing.
Upon the end of the spindle 10 of the firing hammer 9 is a lever or a cam K which
serves also as a head to the spindle. When the gunner is ready to fire he pulls the
trigger 8 which releases the piston 3 the force of the spiral spring 6 causing the arm

page_text: or projection 4 to strike the lever K which by being connected with the spindle 10
and the hammer 9, causes the hammer to be driven against the firing pin and thus
explodes the cartridge. The piston 3 may be stopped a certain distance short of
making a complete stroke as the momentum given to the hammer will be sufficient
to strike the required Blow without the projection accompanying the lever K the
whole distance. The reverse operation takes place after the gun is fired the lever K
on the spindle of the striking hammer recoiling with the gun and coming into contact
with the projection 4 on the piston thereby compressing the spring 6 and automatically
cocking, the gun at each recoil. Both the gun and the firing mechanism recoil
together for about half of the whole distance of recoil, at which point the spring 6
having received the desired amount of compression the hammer 9 is released and falls
and at the same point bringing the lever Kinto the position which it is required to
take in order that when the gun is run out into position for firing the lever K may
be in readiness to receive the impact of the arm 4 when next the pistol is operated to
fire the gun. The fall of the hammer 9 allows the empty cartridge case to be ejected.
This is effected by arranging the axis of the pistol piston at an angle with the axis of
the gun as indicated in the plan Figure 2.
To throw the pistol handle firing gear out of action for the purpose of firing by the
lanyard, a notch or short slot 13 is made in the pistol barrel at an angle to and
communicating with the slot 5 so that by slightly compressing the spring 6 and
turning the arm 4 into the slot 13 by rotating the piston 3 by means of the handle X
the piston 3 will be held out of action the arm 4 being caused to assume a position
in which it will be out of the line of travel of the cam K and therefore neither
capable of being operated, upon the recoil of the gun, to compress the spring 6 nor
capable of touching the lever K if the spring were otherwise compressed and
afterwards released and the firing can then be effected by the lanyard in the
usual way.
The breech block 17 is operated by means of a combined lever H and spindle 14
preferably made in one piece. On this spindle a series of teeth 15 Figure 2 is formed
corresponding to a similar series of teeth 16 cut in a short lever c which fits into
the breech block a certain amount of play being allowed between the two series of
teeth for the purposes of moving a lever P which locks the breech block in the firing
position and of giving a certain amount of blow on the short lever c to effect the
starting of the breech block from its closed position.
On the underside of the lever H is a projection 18 which engages the short lever P
to which is attached a locking bolt Q for locking the breech in its closed position a
sufficient movement of the lever H being allowed after the breech is closed for the
projection 18 to strike the lever P, so as to move the bolt Qinto its locked position
a similar movement of the lever H in the reverse direction effecting the unlocking
of the breech before it commences to open it. The locking bolt is forced into the
locked position by a spring S. The unlocking is done by the projection 18 on the
lever striking the lever P so as to move the bolt Q into the unlocked position.
Figures 5 6, 7 and S are respectively a part elevation, a horizontal section, &
transverse section and a rear view of a gun constructed and arranged to work so
that the breech may be opened and closed automatically. Fig. 5 illustrates an
arrangement in which the breech is opened automatically and closed by hand.
The pistol handle arrangement illustrated in Figures 5. 6 and 8 is somewhat
different to that shewn by Figures 1. 2 and 3 the trigger rod 11 in the former case
being substituted for the piston 3 and projecting arm 4. With reference now to
Figures 5. 5 6 7 and 8, on the hammer spindle 10 is a spiral spring 12 one end
of which is secured to the gun and the other end to the spindle. On the end of the
spindle next the shoulder piece is the cam K (Figures 5. 54 6 and 7). The sear L
shown in dotted lines in figure 5 engages with the boss of the cam K and retains the
hammer 9 in the cocked position until released by pulling the lanyard or the
trigger 8..
J
By the act of opening the breech block 17 by means of the lever H or by the
automatic arrangement hereinafter described a projecting arm M on the spindle 14

page_text: comes in contact with an arm 9 figure 5 on the hammer spindle 10 so as to rotate
the spindle 10 and move the hammer 9 to the cocked position in which position it is
held by the sear L'engaging with the boss of the cam K. To fire the gun the sear L
is released either by pulling the trigger 8 or by a lanyard as herein before
described.
'
Figure 9 illustrates a modification of the means for effecting the opening of the
breech consisting of an elliptical shaped toothed wheel or segment a gearing with
teeth e on the breech block 17 by means of which the greatest power is exerted at
the commencement of the opening, the power decreasing and the speed in the
opening increasing towards the finish of the opening of the breech whereby a blow
or jerk is caused which will eject the cartridge case from the chamber clear of
the gun.
The extraction of the spent cartridge is performed by means of a three armed
lever, two of the said arms 19 (Figures 1. 2. 5. 6 and 7 being used to catch hold of
the cartridge rim at or about the centre line; the third arm 20 being formed at an
angle of about 38: degrees with the arms 19 and engaging in a groove 21 in the
breech block. This groove runs parallel for some distance as at 21" figure 4 so as
not to actuate the lever until the breech is partly opened, then a very fine inclination 2.1"
in the groove comes into action on the tail end of the lever arm 20 thereby loosening
or partially withdrawing the cartridge case. The arm 20 then travels in a parallel
portion 21 of the groove 21 until the breech is fully open when the tail end of
said arm comes suddenly into contact with an angle 21 in the groove which has
the effect of jerking the cartridge case out of the chamber clear of the gun.
By the employment of a lever 22. fig. 5 attached to the spindle 14 that works
the breech block the breech of the gun can be opened automatically as hereinafter
described..
A connecting rod 23 is attached to this lever one end passing in line with and
under the gun working in a bearing 24 forming part of the gun and also in a second
bearing 25 forming a part of the carriage or non-recoiling part of the gun. The
end of the connecting rod 23 nearest the muzzle of the gun has a arm 26* upon it.
When the gun after firing has recoiled for a certain distance (say 2 inches or there-
abouts) this collar comes into contact with the fixed bearing 25 on the non-recoiling
portion, this has the effect by means of the lever 22 and spindlo 14 of undoing the
aforesaid locking lever and opening the breech and extracting the empty cartridge
case the gun returning to the firing position with the breech open ready to receive
the next cartridge, when the breech is closed by hand.
We may use the recoil to both open and close the breech, and in that case the gun
recoiling for a certain distance carries with it the connecting rod 23, an arm or cross-
head 26 on which compresses a spring 31 shown in dot and pick lines in Figure 6,
and in dotted lines in Figure 54. The said spring 31 has one end secured to the
carriage and does not recoil and the other end is secured to the crosshead which
does recoil..
A stop catch 28 is hinged to a bearing 27 forming part of the gun and engages
with a projection 28° on the rod 23. There is a lever 29 Figures 54, 6 and 7 vibrating
on the same axis as the extractor 19. 20 and by means of a gib head 30 it can come
into contact with the head of the cartridge. The other end of this lever 29 is placed
in contact with the said projection 28" of the stop catch 28 and when the cartridge
is placed in the chamber of the gun, and the rim strikes the gib head it has the effect
of knocking off the stop catch and releasing the connecting rod 23 and allowing the
spring 31 to draw the breech block into the firing position.
Supposing the breech to be closed and the gun fired, the rod 23 is carried with the
gun in its recoil until the crosshead 26 reaches the stop 25, whereupon the breech
block 17 operates as hereinbefore described. On the return of the gun the stop
catch 28 engaging with the projection. 28 the rod 23 is caused to move with the
gun and extend the spring 31; thus storing up power which is released by the action
of the lever 29 on the catch arm 28 when it is required to close the breech.

page_text: In working the gun automatically the handle H is turned upside down and replaced
on its seat with the clutch teeth upwards (fig. 5A) and in this position a projection Y
on the handle engages with a groove Z on the gun and retains the handle in position
so as to prevent it from swinging round during the recoil. A snap catch 32 is
provided for securing the said handle in position upon the spindle 14. A lever 33 is
secured to the spindle 14 and is used to act upon the lever Q so as to unlock the breech
block 17.
The handle H can be used to open the breech the first time, then the handle is
turned upside down and held out of action as aforesaid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns and ordnance, the pistol arrangement
of firing mechanism in combination with the hammer or striker of the gun, the said
mechanism being set in firing position by the recoil of the gun and being released by
hand, by means of a trigger substantially as hereinbefore described more particularly
with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination with the striker or hammer of the gun of the barrel 2 containing
the piston 3 with its pin or projection 4 working in a slot 5 in the barrel spring 6
and trigger & the whole being constructed and arranged to operate, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
3. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns and ordnance, firing mechanism,
consisting of the striker or hammer 9 operated by a spring attached to its spindle 10,
a cam on the said spindle and a sear L engaging the said cam substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbofore described with reference to Figure 5, 6 and 8 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns and ordnance mechanism for opening
and closing the breech consisting of a combined lever and spindle having a series of
teeth or projections engaging a corresponding series of teeth on a lever carried by
the breech block an amount of play between the two series of teeth being provided to
permit of the lever being moved after the breech is closed for the purpose of operating
a locking device, and to permit of the lever being moved to effect the unlocking of
the breech block before it commences to open the breech substantially as hereinbefore
described.
5. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns and ordnance, effecting the opening
and closing of the breech by means of an elliptical shaped toothed segment or pinion
gearing with teeth on the breech block whereby the greatest power is exerted in
commencing to open and in finally closing the breech, and the speed with which the
breech opens increases from the commencement until it is fully open substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns and ordnance, means for extracting
the spent cartridge cases by the opening of the breech, consisting of a three armed
lever, two of which arms engage the rim of the cartridge case whilst the other arm
traverses a groove or slot in the breech block having an inclined surface therein
which by acting on the arm, effects the partial withdrawal of the cartridge case, the
final extraction thereof being effected by the arm coming into contact with a sudden
projection or angle in the slot or groove when the breech is fully open, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
7. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns or ordnance the combination of
levers and connecting rods for effecting the opening of the breech and extracting the
cartridge by the recoil of the gun substantially as herein before described with reference
to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In apparatus for working rapid firing guns and ordnance, the combination of.
levers and catches for automatically effecting by the recoil of the gun the opening of

page_text: the breech, extracting the cartridge case and then closing the breech, after a fresh
charge has been inserted substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figures 5 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting improvements in rapid
firing guns and ordnance, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
At 1000
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.