Improvements in or Connected with Repeating or Magazine Fire Arms, also Capable of being Employed as Ordinary Breech Loaders or as Machine Guns.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in or Connected with Repeating or Magazine Fire
Arms, also Capable of being Employed as Ordinary Breech
Loaders or as Machine Guns.
I LOUIS MARIE RENÉ DAUDETEAU of Vannes Marbihan in the Republic of
France 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 :-
In fire arms according to this Invention the Cartridge magazine may be arranged
in the butt or under the barrel or there may be a magazine in the butt combined with
a magazine under the barrel and the repeating mechanism can be thrown out of action
so as to enable the fire arm to be used as an ordinary breech loader. Means are also
provided according to this Invention for accelerating the firing without using the
magazine and for combining the fire arm with a stand or support and cartridge
hopper so as to enable it to be used as a machine gun.
An important feature of this invention consists in the manner in which the breech
is closed by means of an operating device hereinafter described which is placed at the
right hand side of the weapon being easily operated for the purposes of charging
and firing. This device partakes of a rectilinear alternating motion for opening and
closing the breech and serves also for extra rapid firing, in the sense of being capable
of being arranged in such manner that it will act on the sear without requiring the
rifleman to press upon the trigger which may nevertheless be used when using the
weapon as an ordinary or as a repeating rifle. These manifold functions of the said
operating device necessitate the employment of two special levers riz.: one for
adjusting the rifle for the ordinary repeating action the other for extra rapid firing as
hereinafter explained.
Though the lever of the repeating action is at the command of the rifleman it may
if required be so arranged as not to act upon the repeating mechanism except when
the rifleman affixes the bayonet to the muzzle end of the rifle which movement in
practice generally precedes the repeating firing and is effected upon a special word of
cominand.
Firearms constructed according to this invention are also distinguished by the
simplicity of the parts their strength or solidity and their small number by the nature
of the rifling of its barrel by the perfect and accurate closing of its breech by the
arrangement of the trigger and sear, by the manner in which the imagazine mechanism
is arranged, by the arrangement and mode of fixing the sword bayonet; by the
facility afforded for using the firearm as a machine-gun by means of accessories
hereinafter described by its small weight its convenient shape and other advantages of
construction hereinafter set forth.

page_text: And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several figures on the
annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating corresponding
parts in all the corresponding figures.
Figures 1 and 2 represent respectively a side elevation and a plan of the improved
repeating rifle with the magazine in the fore end or under the barrel.
Figures 1 and 2 are similar views representing the improved repeating rifle with
the magazine in the butt.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are longitudinal sections of the breech of the type wherein the
magazine is in the fore end showing the breech open, the breech closed before firing
and the breech closed after firing respectively.
Figures 3 4 5 shew similar views on a like scalo of the type with the magazine
in the butt with this exception that figure 4" shews the position of the parts when the
breech is about to be closed.
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are transverse sections on the lines 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
respectively in the figures 4 and 5.
Figures 6* 7 8 9 and 10 are likewise transverse sections on the lines, 1-2, 3-4,
5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 of figures 3* 4° 5*.
Figures 11 and 12 are longitudinal and transverse sections respectively of the stock
of the type with the magazine in the butt.
Figures 13 and 14 represent in elevation and horizontal section respectively the
operating device of the rifle with the magazine in the butt.
Figures 15 and 16 show in detail the tube and the rod with hooks of the type with
the magazine in the butt.
Figures 17 to 22 relate to the sword bayonet.
Lastly: The figures 23 to 36 show some detached parts or details and combinations
hereinafter referred to.
Those parts that are common to the two types are described once only and like
parts are indicated by like letters of reference. For the sake of greater simplicity
each part is separately described with the indication of slight differences which may
exist for each of the types. Their operation is set forth for ordinary firing for
repeat" firing and for extra quick firing. This is followed by a description of the
accessories of the weapon and the method of converting it into a machine gun.
66
The barrel is preferably made of puddled cast steel and rifled at any suitable pitch
throughout its length. The depth of the rifling varies on the length thus at the part
next the chamber which assumes the shape of a truncated cone the depth of the rifle-
grooves is nil, it proceeds increasing for about a third of the length of the barrel.
From that point forward the depth of the grooves is constant up to the muzzle-end.
The rifle-grooves in number preferably four or six arc, near the chamber, wider than
the lands between them, being equal to the lands towards the middle of the length
and narrower towards the muzzle. They consequently contract from the chamber to
the muzzle independently of the pitch and depth of the rifling.
Breech box. The breech box A consists of a solid piece of steel perforated with
a cylindrical hole for the reception of the movable breech piece and is provided on
the left side with a groove a (figures 23, 7 and 9) for the reception of the pro-
jection e fig. 6. of the cylinder C and near the mouth of the chamber with a recess a¹
(figures 3 and 6) in which this projection is supported at the moment of closing the
breech. On the right hand side there is a recess a² (figures 1, 2, 6 and 7) for
receiving the shoulder or projection c¹ of the cylinder in such manner that the latter
is equally supported at the right side and the left. The breech box is pierced at its
lower part by two mortises the one in front for the motion of the trough or cartridge
elevator which oscillates or may have a spring and which raises the cartridges
supplied by the magazine; the other mortise at the back for the movement of the
tumbler B. These two mortises are separated by the piece f (figures 3, 4 and 5).
The top of the breech box is provided with an opening at the right side at an angle
of 45° (figure 8) to allow the movement of the shoulder and has an extension A¹ of
its side at the left which covers the cylinder so that the latter may not be pushed up

page_text: out of its place when the tumbler is cocked. In front of the extension A¹ there is a
vent for the escape of gases which may obtain access to the mechanism on the
accidental bursting of a cartridge case. At the outside on the right hand side of
the breech box there is a tongue ? working in a dovetailed or undercut groove in the
hereinafter described operating device M (figs. 7, 8 & 9) and guiding it in its to-and
fro or sliding movement. Under this groove or tongue a narrow slot is provided for
the passage of an arm g³ the use of which will be hereinafter set forth.
In a fire arm with the magazine in the butt the lower part of the breech box
comprises a plate Pa Fig. 3a with a diagonal groove pa for receiving the head of a
rod K with hooks hereinafter described. This groove instead of being on the breech
box may be on the cartridge magazine tube. The plate Pa also carries at the inner
side the entire trigger-mechanism. The breech box is fixed to the stock of the
weapon by a scrow V which engages with the tail of the breech box and screws
into the trigger guard plate or in guns with the magazine in the stock screws into
a transverse screw fig. a previously inserted into the stock above the magazine. To
prevent all rearward vibration a supplementary heel or projection S may be provided
(figure 5) and in this case the screw V may be dispensed with and the breech-piece
be attached to the stock by simply turning down of the barrel by means of a hook s
(figure 3). In the rifle with the magazine under the barrel the breech box comprises
underneath, the plate P upon which is mounted the trigger mechanism and the
repeating" key or lever p. The breech box and trigger guard plate are united by
the screw V screwing into the plate and by a transverse pin v. In this manner it is
rendered easy to take the weapon to pieces and the same may be very rapidly
examined. It has to be observed that in this weapon the stock is made in two pieces
the fore end in one piece and the butt in another. The breech box entirely of metal
may be surrounded by a closely fitting covering which leaves only that opening
uncovered by which the cartridges are ejected and by which the magazine is
charged.
<
Moveable breech piece: The moveable breech piece consists (figures 3, 23 and 23*)
of a cylinder C made of steel provided with a projection or shoulder c¹ and a projection c
which serve to support it against the recoil; of a lateral cartridge extractor or ejector e
and a longitudinal slot in the said cylinder engaging with a tappet or projection o
on the cartridge elevator (fig. 3). On the shoulder c there is a manipulating stud
or handle d of cylindrical or other suitable shape which handle serves (as hereinafter
explained) to turn the cylinder and consequently to open or close the breech.
"
This cylinder is pierced by a central cylindrical hole containing a striking pin t
(figs. 4 & 5) having a head T which in turn carries two pins t'fig. 23. The pint' working
in the groove a in the breech box (figs. 2, and 6 to 9) prevents the striking pin from
rotating on its own axis and the pin t prevents it from shifting relatively to the
cylinder until by a complete revolution of the latter it is brought opposite a corre-
sponding hole or recess in the end of the cylinder (fig. 4) formed with a small helical
incline.
The striking pin is retained in the cylinder by a screw which engages with the
flat part of the stem and limits its movement or which may retain a screwed piece on
the stein or a bayonet joint figs. 5 a and 10 may be employed with the same object.
The striking pin is free in the recess provided for it or it may be subject to the action
of a light spring and its relatively small point projects at the centre of the hollow c²
formed at the end of the cylinder fig. 23.
The operating device or slide M is placed at the right hand side of the weapon,
(figures 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14) being mounted so as to be free to slide upon the
dovetailed tongue 7 in the groove in the breech box. This device is provided with a
handle M which is grasped by the right hand for operating it and is provided with
helicoidal inclines and m, which may or may not be connected at their ends
and between which engages the stud d on the cylinder. These inclines slightly
overlap. The helicoidal incline m¹ terininates in a notch n, figure 13, which admits
of a further movement of the lever so that the latter may by means of a pro-
jection m fig. 9, act upon the arm g³ of the sear G which projects through the side

page_text: of the breech box. The manipulating handle M' may instead of projecting at the
right side of the weapon project at its left; to this end it is carried by an arm
encircling the stock above or below the breech box.
The trigger mechanism (figures 3, 4, 5, 9, 24 and 25) consists in a tumbler or
hammer B, a sear G and a loose sear G¹.
b
The tumbler B has its centre pin 6 placed as low as practicable so as to increase
the force of the blow whilst facilitating the cocking by the passage of the cylinder O
upon the face of the tumbler fig. 3. It is shaped to the outline shown in the
drawings and the main spring R acts through a roller, swivel, or by any other con-
venient means. This hammer or tumbler has a face which strikes the head T of the
firing pin and a vent or notch with which the nose of the sear engages.
The scar G is mounted on the pivot 7 and brought into position by the sear
spring in its rear portion it is subjected to the action of the trigger D placed
under a guard of the usual construction. This sear carries an arm ³ passing through
the side of the breech box and against the upper or the lower part whereof butts
the spur m² of the manipulating device when the latter makes its supplementary
movement.
22
The loose sear G¹ is mounted on the pivot of the main sear G; it carries a projec-
tion engaging with the tumbler at "full cock" it participates in every movement
which tends to lower the front portion of the scar by reason of a stud g which, as
the case may he is placed on the sear G (in a rifle with the magazine in the butt) or
on the sear G (in the rifle having the magazine under the barrel); but on the
other hand it may be lowered by itself without communicating motion to the
sear G from which it is independent. When the hammer B is placed at "full
cock it lowers the moveable sear G¹ until the projection becomes engaged with
the bend in the tumbler; the sear G and its arm ³ do not move being retained
by the support they obtain from the operating device M or in any other manner.
Whilst the operating bar M or other similar piece is in contact with the arm g³ it is
impossible to release the tumbler by means of the trigger D or by the said arm g³.
At the moment when this contact ceases, that is to say when a notch provided on
the part M (figure 13) is brought over the arm g³, the sear G is capable of being
moved by the trigger D and of depressing the sear G¹ so as to disengage the tumbler.
This movement is made coincident with the complete closing of the moveable breech
pieco and thus it is ensured that the arm shall not be prematurely discharged.
21
The cartridge magazine is placed either under the barrel or in the butt of the rifle
or both. When under the barrel (figure 3) it consists of a cylindrical tube or chamber E
in the fore end lined if desired with a metal tube either throughout its entire length
or upon part of the same. The cartridges are introduced into this magazine through
the breech when open or from the end of the fore end which in this case has a screw
stopper or any other means for closing it.
The magazine arranged in the butt (figure 3) consists of a metal tube E a extending
from below the breech to a chamber F in the stock (figures 11 and 12) closed by a lid E
at the right hand side of the weapon. This chamber is provided with a spring F¹ formed
of steel plates the ends whereof slide in grooves which guide and limit their motion.
To compress this spring it is sufficient to seize it with the fingers and to draw it back-
wards towards the point where it is attached it then engages with a catch perpen-
dicular to it. This catch (figure 12) is arranged in such a manner that the act of
closing the lid H causes a lever h to oscillate and act on the catch in such a manner
as to set the spring free to expand. The lid is attached by a hinge at h¹ and is held
closed by the spring hook or catch 2. It carries an open work metallic partition h³
forming a kind of compartment open at its lower part when the lid closed. The
chamber F, being open cartridges are introduced ball foremost through the open
chamber into the tube Ea which is filled. The chamber F is then filled care being
taken to compress the spring F¹ of the same, and lastly the chamber in the lid H is
filled. The lid being closed it automatically disengages the spring F¹ which presses
upon the cartridges in the chamber forcing them to present themselves successively at
the mouth of the tube Ea; the cartridges in the compartment in the lid descend by.

page_text: their own weight to the lower aperture thereof and present themselves at the entrance
of the tube. To avoid simultaneous introduction of two balls into the tube E a
(which might occur owing to the inclined position of the cartridges (figure 11) a small
spring flap is provided at the mouth of the tube. This spring flap or shutter rises
and falls automatically each time a cartridge is drawn off.
Propelling mechanism: In a fire arm having the magazine under the barrel the
propelling mechanism consists simply of a coiled spring Q figs. 3, 4 & 5 bearing against
the end of the magazine and acting by expansion upon a moveable piece which
pushes out the cartridges. The introduction of the latter into the magazine compresses
the spring which is thus put under tension. The last cartridge which is inserted is
retained by a spring catch n the operation whereof is hereinafter described.
In the rifle having its magazine in the butt the propelling mechanism consists of a
<< ring" a moveable rod and retaining hooks. The said "ring" is composed of a thin
plate U (figures 13 and 14) firmly connected with the operating device M. and placed
in a narrow channel (figures 7 and 10) provided between the plate Pa and the
stock. It presents a notch the opening of which is placed in line with a hooked
spring ¹ figure 13 or of a pivoted spring hook U'a figure 13 a mounted on the said
piece U. In the first case the opening is normally open, in the second case it is closed.
This opening is opened or closed by means of the "repeating lever" as will borein-
after be seen and alternately engages with or is disengaged from the hook rod K. The
rod K is made of steel figures 15 and 16 and moves in a channel which is paralled to
the tube Ea extending from the butt to beneath the breech box; it is provided with
spring hooks (or hooks without springs) and is fitted with a stud which projects
through the oblique slot pa figs. 3a & 8a in the plate Pa. When the stud is engaged
with the ring or plate U the rod becomes as it were one piece with this part so that
the operating device M. imparts to it an alternating reciprocal movement.
this movement the rod K propels the cartridges placed in the tube and causes the
same to advance from one hook to another until they have all been brought suc-
cessively under the moveable breech piece where the elevator O raises them and places
them in a line with the chamber of the barrel. This rod K slides at each end in a
guide ensuring its regular working.
In
The retaining hooks j are situated upon the other side of the tube a little behind
those of the rod K they are formed by flexible plates fixed upon the tube E a and
projecting into the interior of the latter through openings in the walls or sides. These
hooks j serve to retain the cartridges brought forward by the rod K which in returning
is prevented from carrying the cartridges back with it. The cartridges are thus fed
or caused to advance at each forward motion of the rod K. After the cartridges
contained in the tube come those cartridges which were placed in the chamber Fin
the butt and in its lid, which are pulled one by one by the hook at the end of the rod.
The feed hooks k may be fixed or rigid instead of being spring hooks, in this case
the magazine tube is somewhat oval in shape and the retaining hooks are fixed on a
flexible plate extending from one end of the tube to the other of the tube and they tend
constantly to press the cartridges against the rod which carries the hooks. When the
latter is moving forward it carries the cartridges with it in this case bending the
flexible plate but when it is returning its hooks being in the form of ratchet teeth,
press the bases of the cartridges against the flexible plate which prevents them from
slipping back and presses them against the hooks on the rod. This modification has
the advantage of dispensing with all loose or movable pieces on the rod and of
employing only one large flexible retaining plate or spring.
In a fire arm having the magazine under the barrel the rod with hooks may be
used as a propelling device in substitution for the coiled spring, in this case the
cartridges are introduced at the end of the magazine and brought upon the elevator
trough by the flange with the cap to the rear.
The cartridge elevator serves as an intermediary or carrier between the magazine,
wherever the same may be provided and the breech chamber of the barrel. It consists
of a lever arm O hollow on its upper side and hinged at o under the movable breech
piece and a counterspring o¹ tends constantly to raise it. According to whether the

page_text: arm is provided with a magazine under the barrel or in the butt or both the arrange-
ment of the said elevator will be varied. In the first case the elevator is provided
with two tappets o² o³ figs. 4 & which act in conjunction with the groove and
the projection con the cylinder respectively, the function of the one being to raise the
elevator when the breech is being opened and of the other to depress it when the
breech is closed.
In the second case the elevator is mounted on a frame O a swinging on o a in front
of the breech box and moving therewith (Figures 3 a 4 a and a) to allow of the
passage of the cartridge fed forward by the propelling mechanism. When the breech
is open the trough and its frame rise (Figure 41a) and present the cartridge to the
cylinder which pushes it into the breech chamber.
In the third case the elevator carries at the front portion a shoot or hollow arm
similar to that at the rear it is mounted upon a central spring in such a manner that it
may receive the cartridges brought up either from the front or from the rear and raise
the same parallel to the axis as in the second case.
•
The repeating lever is the means whereby the operation of the mechanism for pro-
pelling the cartridges contained in the magazine is either suspended or re-established.
In a fire arm having its magazine under the barrel this lever or key is in the form
of a camp fig. 3 arranged transversely under a hinged stop n' and is turned by means
of a small lever provided either at the right hand side or the left of the lock. When
this cam presents its longest radius to the stop or catch n the latter cannot descend
and the cartridges are retained in the tube E, when on the other hand the cam
presents its shortest radius the stop is depressed (see the dotted lines Figure 3) by the
action of the elevator descending when the breech is being closed and one cartridge is
enabled to pass on to the elevator.
In a fire arm having the magazine in the butt the repeating key or lever or cam p
nets on a spring stop p¹ fig. 3a which it causes to move from the position shown in the
figure 3 a to that shown in figure 4a. In the former position this stop has no effect
upon a hooked spring a fig. 13 or upon the pivotted spring hook a Fig. 13 a of the
ring or plate U when the latter is pulled back. In the second position it presses
upon the hooked spring or upon the heel of the pivotted spring hook and throws
them out of action. In this manner it controls the action of the ring er plate U
on the rod K of the propelling mechanism.
In order to avoid too great facility for the use of the repeating mechanism and
consequent waste of ammunition under the excitement of an attack the lever p'may
be combined with or rendered dependent on the movement of the ramrod of the
weapon or a special rod if there is no ramrod to the weapon and thus the action of
said lever is combined with the longitudinal displacement of the said ramrod or other
rod produced by the act of attaching the bayonet to the muzzle of the rifle which
operation can not be effected except upon a special word of command nor without
being noticed by the commanding officer or person directing the firing. The
connection between the ramrod and the lever may be carried into effect as hereinafter
described or in any suitable manner. The ramrod I (fig. 5a) or a similar rod extends
to the stop p and is provided with a notch i into which a shoulder or projection upon
the said stop engages when the rod is pushed back either by hand or automatically by
the act of fixing the bayonet. This ramrod or other rod when not pushed back resists
the movement of the stop p and consequently blocks the repeating action.
The key or lever p may be omitted the stop p being caused to bear (figure 26)
against the end of the rod I which by longitudinal pressure can be caused to pass into
an oblique hole or recess provided on the stop and raise the same so as to bring the
repeating mechanism into action. The rod may be provided with a groove to retain
it in engagement with the stop; in that case the rod will require to be forcibly
pulled for the purpose of disengaging the stop and to disconnect the repetition.
The stop p¹ may be arranged to slide on the trigger guard plate (figure 27) a
counter spring p² pushing it towards the rod or ramrod I until the latter being moved
towards the butt end carries it into the position suitable for the repeating
action.

page_text: According to another arrangement the stop p² is made free to oscillate (Figure 28)
and is placed between a spring and the ramrod or other rod 1. The spring sets the
stop for non-repeating action and the ramrod places it into the position suitable
for repeating action.
In all the arrangements as in those which would be corrollaries thereof the
ramrod or other rod 1 may be drawn back by a spring and be provided with a
shoulder (Figure 19) which prevents it from accidentally dropping out without
impeding its complete backward movement. Externally the ramrod is provided with
a head upon which bears the hilt of the sword bayonet when placed upon the end
of the barrel.
When the magazine is under the barrel the ramrod may likewise act upon the
repeating key or lever so as to disengage the same and to allow of its
movement.
The ramrod or other rod I may be in a single piece and act directly or it
may be
in two parts the one capable of removal the other fixed to the gun. These two pieces
may be placed in a line or be connected by a lover.
Independently of the means provided for adapting the rifle for firing single
shots and for making it a repeating rifle by means of the lever ? just described a
still more rapid fire may be obtained by dispensing with the action of the finger
upon the trigger and substituting therefor a longer movement of the operating
device M.
To this end a key or lever L called the "quick fire lever" is provided upon the
right hand side of the weapon in front of the said operating device. This lever L
oscillating on the point a (figures 1, 2, 6, 18 and 14). is provided with a recess or flat
part figs. 13 & 14 which when the lever is put in line with the operating device M
allows the latter an additional movement to the extent of a few millimetres.
extra motion is sufficient to allow the spur m² to meet the arm of the sear causing
it to release the striker as hereinabove described.
This
This lever is retained in any of its positions shown in the drawings by a small
projecting stud with which it engages. A fire arm thus constructed is adapted for
firing single shots, for repeating and for extra rapid firing.
Its operation in each of these cases is next hereinafter described.
To use the arm as an ordinary breech loader the pin or lever p is placed in the
position shown in full lines in Figures 3 & 3a, which has the effect in the rifle
having the magazine under the barrel of rendering the pawl n' immovable this
preventing the cartridges in the magazine from passing on to the elevator and in the
rifle which has the magazine in the butt prevents the ring or plate U from operating
the movable rod K which feeds the cartridges forward. The key L is also so placed
as to reduce the stroke of the operating lever by about five millimetres and compel
the rifleman to use the trigger for firing this being the normal position of the said
lever see dotted lines fig. 3.
These precautions being taken the rifleman grasps the handle M and draws it back
so as to open the breech by pulling the cylinder C. by means of the stud d engaged
between the inclines mm² of the lever M. He then places a cartridge in the chamber
and pushes the handle M' forward so as to effect the closing, lastly he fires by acting
upon the trigger D, withdraws the handle backward for ejecting the cartridge case
puts in a fresh cartridge and repeats the operations.
In order to use the repeating action the lever p is placed is the position shown by
dotted lines in Figure 3 and in full lines in Figure 4 and the lever L in the position
indicated for single shot firing. Under these conditions the cartridges from the
magazine under the barrel are freed by lowering the stop n' and the first cartridge
bears upon the end of the elevator O. In the rifle having the magazine in the butt
this position of the lever allows the ring or plate U to engage the movable rod K. It
is to be remembered that this effect can only be produced when the bayonet is fixed
upon the end of the barrel as herein before described. This done the rifleman simply
pulls the trigger and works the handle M' for the purpose of bringing a fresh
cartridge into the breech chamber and for closing the same.

page_text: For extra rapid firing the lever L is moved forward into a horizontal position so
as to allow the operating device M to make an additional movement of 5 millimetres
or say about in. and to cause the projection or spur m² to act upon the arm g³ of
the sear so as to set free the tumbler B which automatically strikes the head of the
firing pin. This method of firing may be employed with or without the repeating
action.
The movement of closing the breech discharges the firearm and the action may
be as rapid as desired particularly when the repeating action is employed.
The security presented by this rifle whilst firing is twofold.
(1) It results from the arrangement of the striking pin t the inclined surface of
the head T of which can not engage with the corresponding inclined surface of the
cylinder C except when the breech is absolutely closed.
(2) It also results from the arrangement of the trigger mechanisin with reference
to the operating lever. In fact the trigger mechanism can not be acted upon except
whilst the army of the sear is in line with the recess provided upon the stem of
the operating lever and this recess presents itself to the arm g³ only when the breech
is completely closed.
Accesories of the rifle. The accessories of the rifle comprise au accelerator for
firing and a sword-bayonet.
The firing accelerator is used when the magazines are exhausted and the rifleman has
not the time to refill the same. It consists in a box containing cartridges which is attached
upon the right hand side of the weapon close to the breechi. It is very readily
attached by the rifleman who simply takes the cartridges that are presented under
his right hand instead of having to lose time in taking them from his belt. By this
means the firing may be continued with a rapidity which though not as great as that
due to the repeating action is considerably greater than that of ordinary firing.
The said box is of rectangular shape (Figures 29 and 30) made of leather, thin
metal, wood paper or the like and its sides may be perforated so as to reduce its
weight. It is provided with an aperture e¹ and a lateral groove. Within it are a
fixed incline plane e³, a movable plate constantly pushed towards the aperture e¹
by a spring and provided with a stud es projecting through the lateral slot. The box
is filled by pushing back the plate e by means of the stud es and introducing the
cartridges ball end foremost through the aperture e¹. To attach the box to the
weapon a metal plate or attachment is provided on the lock and furnished with two
mortises to which correspond two hooks provided upon that face of the box which
is opposite to the slot. One of the mortises carries a spring suitable for retaining
the accelerator in position. This manner of attachment is merely given as an example
and may evidently be modified in various ways. The charged box being put into
place firing is effected in the following manner. The rifleman opens the breech and
taking hold of the cartridge which projects through the aperture of the box by about
one centimetre he draws it towards himself and has only a minimum of movement to
make in order to introduce it into the chamber the mouth of which is contiguous to
the box he then fires opens the breech and reloads as before.
The sword-bayonet Figures 17 and 18 employed in combination with this arm is
made with a steel blade of quadrangular section which is screwed into the hilt. This blade
as well as all the metal parts of the hilt is nickel plated and enters the sheath in any
position. The hilt or handle (Figures 19 to 22) consists of a flat metal body C¹
covered on each side by a plate of ebony or other suitable material and furnished
with a hole ca crosspiece (guard) ca recess c² and crosspiece and ring for the passage
of the barrel and a movable ring a³ (shown detached in fig. 22) placed below the
guard. This movable ring carries a projection to an arm and a notch into which
enters the end of a spring which constantly tends to place the projection into line
with the recess ². Lasily on the barrel (figure 1) are provided a projection * and
a pin g'.
Thus constructed the sword bayonet is fixed as follows:-The end of the barrel
engages in the ring of the guard the pressure exerted in inserting it, causes the
projection acting on the inclined face of the projection t³ to turn the movable ring d³

page_text: which allows it to pass and immediately returns into its place so as to engage with
the pin and retain the bayonet in position. At the same time the pin g passes into
the hole in the handle which has for its effect to prevent rotation of the sword-
bayonet upon the barrel.
To take off the sword-bayonet a finger is pressed upon the arm &³ disengaging the
projection . The catch is displaced by the rotation of the movable ring and the
sword-bayonet can then be detached from the barrel.
Conversion of the rifle into a machine gun. By means of a stand a hopper and
a box easily carried upon the knapsack or otherwise, the rifle can very rapidly or in
a few minutes be converted into a machine gun. The stand (figure 31) is formed by
a tripod with iron shod legs carrying a disc or head D¹ having a central hole fitted
with a socket. Into this socket passes a rod connected to a metal joint carrying at a
right angle and at its upper end a wooden stock or bed D2 which serves to receive
the rifle and its fittings. The forward end of the stock is provided with a band d¹ for
supporting the barrel and its rear-end with a support or hook d³ which receives the
butt of the weapon and presents a bearing for the butt end. A set screw fixes the
rifle at the requisite angle of elevation which it is desired to maintain a back sight and
a fore-sight are placed upon the left of the stock which also receives in two recessos
provided for that purpose the legs of the cartridge distributing mechanism.
The feed mechanism figures 32, 33, 34 and 35 consists of a kind of box furnished
with legsff serving to attach it to the stock D and in it moves a cylinder V₁ of
the same diameter as that of the cylinder C of the rifle. This cylinder (Figure 34)
carries at a projection with a recess which fits exactly upon a projection y on the
head of the breech piece of the rifle (figure 3) when the hopper is in position it hence
follows that when thus connected both cylinders (V and VI) participate in the same
movements. The cylinder V₁ carries a shoulder 2 pierced with an aperture for the
ejector and extends forward in the shape of a thick knife like plato V which
becomes thinner and narrower towards the point. A stop screw (figure 33) limits
the rearward motion of the cylinder. Underneath the cylinder there is a large hole
in the form or shape of a cartridge and which corresponds exactly with the aperture
of the rifle. Lastly a plate S intermittently closing the hole moves under the
cylinder (figures 32 and 35) oscillating on a pivot s and held closed by a spring s³..
The cartridge box Figures 32 and 33 is in front of the feed mechanism. Cartridges
are put into it by hand and in sufficient quantity (say about 50 at a time).
Operation of the machine gun arrangement. The rifle having been put into
position the adjustment is tested by working the same empty, cartridges are placed
in the box and the firing may be commenced the operator kneeling by the butt end.
To work the gun under these conditions the two following movements have to be
executed.
1. The handle M of the operating device M is pulled back. In this movement the
cylinder V of the hopper is moved and as a cartridge is lying at this moment on the
plate $1 the extractor of this cylinder draws the cartridge backwards. In this
backward movement the cylinder V also pushes back the plate S1 by pressing on the
projecting part so as to widen the opening through which the cartridge passes
dropping directly into the breech which is open at this moment. At the same time the
plate V uncovers the upper orifice and allows another cartridge to descend from the
hopper on to the plate ST in readiness to be laid hold of by the extractor hook v³ of
the cylinder V
2. The operating device M¹ is now pushed forward. By this movement the breech
of the rifle is closed the cartridge is pushed into the barrel and the hopper cylinder V'
is carried forward, the knife slides in the bottom of the box or hopper between
the cartridges separating the cartridge on the plate S¹ from those in the hopper. The
hook then engages with the flange of this cartridge and draws it back in the next
operation. By acting as herein before directed with reference to ordinary firing or
extra rapid fire the gun may be discharged slowly or with very great rapidity.
In place of this feeding mechanism a device illustrated in Figure 36 may be
employed being especially designed for guns with the magazine in the stock. This
B

page_text: device is composed of a shoot C² for the reception of the cartridges and a plate m³
provided with an eye y at the upper edge and with a projection y at the lower edge.
An opening indicated by dotted lines in the drawing is formed opposite the shoot for
the passage of the Cartridges.
This shoot is attached to the gun by removing the lid or cover H of the chamber F
in the butt (Fig. 12) and causing the projection y² to engage with the recess for the
catch the plate m² covering the opening of the chamber and the eye y³ being
secured by the pin of the hinge h¹. The cartridges then simply drop one by one
into the tube E and are pushed forward as usual, the shoot C being duly supplied
with Cartridges by an assistant.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In repeating and other fire arms the special arrangement of an operating device
or slide M provided with a handle M inclined surfaces m and m³ a spur or pro-
jection m² and a notch said device sliding on the right hand side of the arm and
having a to and fro motion for the purpose of effecting the opening and closing of the
breech in the manner and for the purpose hereinabove indicated with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2. In repeating and other fire arms the arrangement of the operating device M
having a to and fro motion in combination with the rotating cylinder C carrying a
stud d working in a breech box A provided with a groove a an upper oblique slot and
recess a² for obtaining rapid and certain closing of the breech in the manner setforth
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
3. In repeating and other fire arms the arrangement of the operating device M
having a to and fro motion in combination with a trigger mechanism consisting of a
tumbler or hammer B a sear G having an arm ga loose sear G¹ and a trigger D the
said mechanism being arranged and operating in the manner and for the purpose
setforth with reference to the figures 3. 4. 5. 9. 24 and 25 of the accompanying
drawings.
4. In repeating firearms the arrangement of the operating device M having a to
and fro movement in combination with a "ring" or plate U and a hook rod K for
feeding forward the cartridges coming from the magazine in the manner and for the
purpose set forth with reference to the figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the drawings
hereto annexed.
5. In repeating fire arins the arrangement of the operating device M having a to
and fro movement in combination with the "ring" or plate U the hook rod K and an
elevator O for presenting the cartridges to the chamber of the barrel in the manner
and for the purpose indicated with reference to Figures 14. 15. and 16, 3º 4ª 5ª, 13 of
the accompanying drawings.
6. In repeating fire arms the arrangement of the operating device M having a to
and fro movement of the "ring" or plate U and the hook rod K in its several
modifications in combination with the chamber F provided with a lid H with a
compartment and with or without a spring flap f in the manner and for the purpose
setforth with reference to the figures 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. and 16 of the accompanying
drawings.
7. In repeating firearms the arrangement of the operating device having a to and
fro motion in combination with the mechanism for propelling the cartridges and the
lever P for the repeating action, acting. with a stop (in the firearm having the
magazine under the barrel) or p¹ (in a firearm with the magazine in the butt) for
the purpose of enabling the firearm to be used either as an ordinary breech loader or
as a repeating gun in the manner and for the purpose setforth with reference to
figures 3. 4. 5. 13, and 14 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In repeating fire arms the arrangement of the operating device M having a to
and fro motion in combination with the lever L or "extra rapid fire lever" which
gives to the device M a supplementary length of movement after the breech is closed

page_text: with the object of causing the said device to operate by its projection m³ upon the
army of the trigger in combination or not with the repeating action in the manner
and for the purpose indicated with reference to Figures 1. 2. 6. 13 and 14 of the
accompanying drawings.
9. In repeating firearms the arrangement of the operating device M having a to
and fro motion, of the ring U and of the repeating lever p in combination with the
ramrod I, or a similar rod in its various modifications producing the disengagement of
said lever by acting directly upon the stop p¹ when the bayonet is fixed in the
manner, and for the purpose setforth with reference to Figures 5, 19. 26. 27 and 28 of
accompanying drawings.
10. In combination with repeating and other firearms the arrangement and addition
of a fire accelerating device consisting of a box containing a number of cartridges
upon which presses a spring plate e so that the cartridges may pass out one by one
with the base foremost through the aperture e¹ and by reason of an inclined plane e³
said box being fixed by means of hooks or the like on the right hand side of the arm
in close proximity to the chamber of the barrel and operating in the manner setforth
with reference to Figures 29 and 30 of the accompanying drawings so as to enable
the firearm to be discharged with rapidity after the exhaustion of the magazine
substantially as hereinbefore described.
11. In combination with repeating and other firearms a sword bayonet the hilt of
which has a movable ring as provided with a catch and a stud or finger piece 6³ the
said ring engaging with a projection on the end of the barrel under the influence of
a counter spring mounted and operating under the plates covering the handle G¹
which presents a hole c³ for the reception of a pin g* the whole arranged and operating
in the manner setforth with reference to Figures 17 to 22 of the accompanying
drawings.
12. A repeating fire arm having a magazine in the butt and comprising in its
general arrangement a breech box A a rotating cylinder Ca propelling mechanism
(spring stop n clevator O &c.) a trigger mechanism G G a repeater lever p and
an extra rapid fire lever L the whole arranged and operating in the manner and for
the purpose setforth with reference to the figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying
drawings.
- 13. A repeating rifle having a magazine in the butt and a magazine under the
barrel and comprising in its general arrangement a breech box A a rotating cylinder ()
two sets of mechanism for propelling the cartridges a trigger mechanism G¹ G¹ two
repeating levers p p and a lever L for extra rapid firing the whole formed by the
combination of the two types hereinbefore claimed and operating in the manner
setforth.
14. The arrangement for the employment of the improved fire arm herein before
described or other repeating firearms as machine guns by means of a cartridge box a
hopper and a tripod stand D having a stock D³ in the manner and for the purpose
setforth with reference to figures 31 and 35 of the accompanying drawings.
15. The arrangement for the employment of the improved fire arm hereinbefore
described or other repeating fire arms as a machine gun by means of an apparatus
placed on the chamber F of the butt and acting in combination with the mechanism
for propelling the cartridges and of a tripod stand D' having a stock D³ in the manner
and for the purpose setforth with reference to the Figures 31 to 36 of the accompanying
drawings.
1
A 1000