IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC GUNS
Year: 1885

page_text: I JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN of 169 Fleet Street in the City of London, Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC GUNS" to be as follows:-
This invention relates in general to guns which are adapted for firing electric
cartridges, or. those cartridges containing electric conductors for effecting the
ignition of the powder when an electric discharge is passed through them from the
gun. The particular species of electric gun to which the present invention pertains
is that wherein the cartridge is fired by bringing into contact with it a movable
firing pin or electrode actuated by the pulling of the trigger or by other firing
device. A gun of this character is disclosed in the Specification of Samuel Russell's
Letters Patent No 14008 of 22 October 1884, the particular gun therein shewn
being a shot-gun of the type having an immovable breech-block and barrels that
are broken down to open the breech. The present invention has more particular
reference to rifles, magazine guns and machine guns, where the barrels are
immovable, and the breech-blocks are moved to open the breech.
The generic feature of the present invention consists of a movable electrode
working through or upon a movable part of the gun, which part is movable to
permit the insertion of the cartridge, and acts as a breech-block or stopper, or to
support or lock the breech-block, and the electrode moving with such part but
having itself an independent movement relatively thereto in order to bring it into
contact with the cartridge to close the circuit thereto and fire the gun. The invention
further consists of certain other and specific features, as will be described.
I will first describe this invention as applied to a magazine bolt-gun of the well
known Hotchkiss type. The mechanism of the gun remains unchanged except in
the following respects:-The firing pin or needle is bored through longitudinally,
and in its bore is fitted an electrode or electric conductor, being preferably a copper
pin or wire which is insulated from the firing pin by an intervening tube or sheath
of insulating material. The front end of this electrode extends beyond the front
end of the firing-pin and its rear end is carried to the under side of the cocking-
piece, and is there exposed. The trigger is provided on its rear arm with the

page_text: terminal plate of an electric conductor, which conductor extends thence through
the breech and stock to the battery which is arranged in the stock of the gun.
Thus one pole of the battery is connected with the trigger, and the other pole is
connected, through the metal plates of the gun, with the barrel. When the trigger
is pulled, it not only releases the cocking-piece and permits the main-spring to
shoot the firing-pin forward, but it also makes contact between the electrical
conductor on its rear arm and the exposed rear end of the electrode in the firing-
pin, thus completing the circuit through this electrode to the cartridge, and
consequently firing the cartridge. When the usual trigger-lock is "on," the electric
circuit is broken at two places, namely, between the trigger and the rear of the
electrode, and between the front of the electrode and the cartridge, and the gun is
therefore "safe until this lock is released. It will be observed that in this
construction of gun the electrode is pressed forward by a spring when released by
the trigger, being again retracted manually before the next firing.
The battery is sealed in a cylindrical case, which is placed in a cylindrical hole
or socket bored into the stock of the gun from the butt, and covered when the
butt-plate is applied. The battery is capable of some longitudinal movement in
this socket, and is seated against a spiral spring or other elastic cushion at its front
end. This protects the battery from injury by the recoil of the gun, the shock
being taken up by this spring cushion. The poles of the battery pass out through
its case at the opposite ends thereof, the connection being made at one end through
the said cushion-spring and at the other end through a metal catch or bolt which,
after the battery is inserted, is moved to overhang the socket. The recoil when
the discharge takes place, moves back the gun while the battery remains com-
paratively stationary, thus breaking the connection between the battery and this
metal catch, and interrupting the electric current until the battery is pressed back
by the cushion-spring against said catch again. By this time the marksman will
usually have released the trigger, thus breaking the circuit. This automatic
breaking of the circuit by the recoil is of advantage in preventing the accidental
burning out of the fine platinum wire in the cartridge, which otherwise would
'sometimes occur from the trigger being held too long after the gun was fired.
According to another method of applying this invention to the Hotchkiss bolt
gun, the usual cocking-piece is omitted, and the firing-pin is enclosed within the
bolt and kept pressed back by a spring. The electrode is enclosed within the
firing-pin being insulated therefrom as before, and its rear end projects downward
through the firing-pin and into a recess in the under side of the bolt, being there
exposed. The trigger is altered to a mere simple lever, fulcrumed beneath the
magazine tube, with its upper end projecting into said recess and coming forward
against said exposed rear end of the electrode. This upper end of the trigger is
insulated from its lower portion, and is connected with one pole of the battery, so
that when it is pressed forward it touches the electrode, conducts the current to it,
and presses it forward into contact with the cartridge. When released the electrode
is pressed back by the firing pin-spring. A trigger-lock is provided which when
turned " on _prevents the forward movement of the trigger, and so renders the
gun "safe." It will be observed that in this construction of gun the electrode is
pressed forward by the trigger and retracted by a spring, being the reverse of that
first described.
"
I will now describe this invention as applied to a bolt gun of the Lee type,
wherein the magazine is a removable cup applied beneath the breech. The bolt is
unchanged, but the firing-pin is bored through and fitted with the insulated
electrode as before described, and it is arranged to be pressed backward by its
spring, instead of forward. The rear end of the electrode extends downward to the
bottom of the cocking-piece where it is exposed. The trigger is a simple lever
which normally stands back so far at its upper end that it clears the cocking-piece
as the bolt is slid but when the trigger pulled its upper end rises and encounters
a shoulder formed on the cocking-piece and as it moves forward it moves the
cocking-piece and firing-pin forward bodily until the front of the electrode touches

page_text: the cartridge. When the electrode reaches this position its exposed rear end makes
contact with a stationary insulated button or pin on the top of the stock of the
gun, which button is in eonnection with one pole of the battery, and the circuit is
thus completed.
In the guns already described, the breech-block (or forward end of the bolt) has
a movement in a direction longitudinally of the barrel. This invention however
is equally adapted to those guns in which the breech-block moves laterally or
vertically. The so-called Phoenix" gun is an example of the type having a
laterally-moving breech-block, the block being pivoted at one side, and thrown over
to open the breech. In applying this invention to that gun, the breech-block is
fitted with a short sliding firing-pin, enclosing an insulated electrode with a
retracting spring; the hammer is omitted, and the trigger becomes a mere lever
with its upper end, which touches the exposed rear end of the electrode, insulated,
and connected with the battery.
The Spencer repeating shot-gun is an example of the type of gun having a
vertically-moving breech block to which this invention is applicable. The usual
hammer is removed, and the trigger is made to connect directly with the firing-pin,.
The firing-pin is bored through and fitted with the insulated electrode as before
described, and the rear end of the latter projects beyond the rear of the firing-pin
and makes contact. with a plate or spring in the stock, the latter being connected
to one pole of the battery. When the trigger is pulled it presses the firing-pin
forward until the end of the electrode touches the cartridge and fires the gun,
A trigger lock is provided to prevent the trigger being pulled when the lock is
turned to safety.
This invention can also be applied with advantage to machine guns, of which the
Gatling is a type. Its application to the Gatling gun requires but little change. Each
firing-pin is bored through and fitted with the insulated electrode, which terminates
at the head by which the pin is retracted. The firing-pin spring is not so strong
and the pin is not retracted so far as heretofore. When the firing-pin is released
and permitted to spring forward at the end of the grooved retracting rib, its head
rubs across an insulated metal plate, thus making electrical contact therewith, and
this plate is connected to one pole of the battery. Hence when the firing-pin is
stopped by contact of the front of the electrode with the cartridge, the electric
current passes through the cartridge and explodes it. The electrode is not brought
into connection with the battery until the firing pin is released and flies forward.
In all the various forms of military arms to which this invention may be applied
it is preferable that the safety lock, or other safety device, be not automatic, but
that it be necessary to turn it "on" manually.
It will be understood that any other known source of electric energy may be
used in connection with this invention in lieu of a battery.
This invention is also applicable to many other constructions of guns than those
berein referred to, its application to others requiring only ordinary mechanical skill
to adapt it to their special constructions.

page_text: עגעעUUMI
Improvements in Electric Guns.
I, JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London,
Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication from abroad by the American Electric Arms and.
Ammunition Company, of 15 Cortlandt Street, New York, United States of
America) 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 in general to guns which are adapted for firing electric
cartridges, or those cartridges coutaining electric conductors for effecting the
ignition of the powder when an electric discharge is passed through them from the
gun. The particular species of electric gun to which the present invention pertains
is that wherein the cartridge is fired by bringing into contact with it a movable
firing-pin or electrode, actuated by the pulling of the trigger or by other firing
device. A gun of this character is disclosed in the Specification of British patent
No. 14,008 of 1884, the particular gun therein shown being a shot-gun of the type
having an immovable breech-block and barrels that are broken down to open the
.breech. The present invention has more particular reference to rifles, magazine
guns, and machine guns, where the barrels are immovable, and the breech-blocks
are moved to open the breech.
The generic feature of the present invention consists of a movable electrode
working through or upon a movable part of the gun, which part is movable to
permit the insertion of the cartridge, and acts as a breech-block or stopper, or to
support or lock the breech-block, and the electrode moving with such part but
having itself an independent movement relatively thereto in order to bring it into
contact with the cartridge to close the circuit thereto and fire the gun. The
invention further consists of certain other and specific features, as will be
described.
I will first describe this invention as applied to a magazine bolt-gun of the well-
known Hotchkiss type, referring for that purpose to Figs. 1 to 5 of the accom-
panying drawings. Fig. 1 is a si le elevation of the gun on a reduced scale, with
part of the stock in section, showing the battery; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the
butt and breech, on a larger scale; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the firing-pin,
removed, with the cocking-piece in section; Fig. 4 shows the trigger-lock detached;
and Fig. 5 is an elevation of the butt of the gun, with the butt-plate removed.
Referring first to these figures, let A designate the stock of the gun, B the barrel,
C the breech-portion or receiver, D the bolt, E the movable breech-block, (which
in this gun is known as the bolt-head, being carried with the bolt,) F the firing-
pin, G the cocking-piece, H the main-spring or firing-pin spring, M the magazine
tube, and T the trigger. These parts, and all other parts of the gun, are all of the
construction usual in the well-known Hotchkiss magazine gun, except in the
particulars hereinafter specified.
In the stock of the gun is placed a galvanic battery J, or battery cell, which is
by preference of cylindrical forin so as to fit in a cylindrical socket bored into the

page_text: stock from the butt. The elements are enclosed in a sealed cup or case of insulating
material, and the opposite poles or electrodes emerge from this case preferably at
opposite ends thereof. One pole is connected by a wire a to the magazine-tube M,
or to any other metallic part of the gun, through the medium of which it makes
connection with the barrel or breech-block. The other pole is connected by a
wire b with the trigger. The trigger is T-shaped, the same as in the ordinary
Hotchkiss gun, having a front arm or sear c and a rear-arm or stop d. The latter
is fitted with the insulated electrical contact-piece e, which is connected with the
wire b.
The firing-pin and cocking-piece are somewhat altered, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
The firing-pin F is bored through longitudinally, or is made tubular, and in its
bore is fitted the electrode or electric firing-pin I. This electrode I extends through
the firing-pin F from end to end, projects slightly beyond the front end of the
latter, and is enclosed and isolated from the firing-pin F by an insulating tube or
sheath f. The rear end of this electrode I extends to or communicates electrically
with the under side of the head of the cocking-piece G, where it terminates in a
contact-piece h to make contact with the contact-piece e on the trigger.
The electric cartridge being placed in the barrel, and the bolt D being pushed
forward and its locking handle turned down, as in the usual operation of the
Hotchkiss gun, the gun is ready to be fired. The firing-pin F and cocking piece G
are retracted, and held so by the trigger-sear c while the main-spring H tends to
force them forward. Thus the front end of the electrode I is drawn back out of
contact with the cartridge, and the electrode itself is out of the circuit because of
the break between the contact-pieces e and h. When the trigger is pulled, its
sear c moves downward and frees the cocking-piece, while its rear arm d moves
upward and brings together the contacts e and h; the cocking-piece and firing-pin
are instantly shot forward by the spring H, and the front end of the electrode I
touches the centre of the cartridge. The circuit is thus closed and the cartridge
fired.
When the firing-pin is cocked, as shown in Fig. 2, the circuit is broken in two
places, between the electrode I and the cartridge, and between the contacts h
and e.
Hence it is obvious that if the firing-pin can be locked in this position it
will be impossible for the electric current to pass through the cartridge, and the gun
cannot be fired. This is the "safety" condition of the gun, and is accomplished
by providing a lock for either the firing-pin or the trigger, preferably the latter.
When this lock is turned "on," the trigger cannot be pulled, and the electrode
cannot make contact with the cartridge, until the lock is first turned "off." For
this purpose the usual construction of trigger-lock for the Hotchkiss gun may be
used, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. L is the locking lever which is shown "off" in
full lines in Fig. 1, and "on" in dotted lines, while in Fig. 4 it is shown
on" in
full lines. It is held in either position by the spring k. When the locking lever
is turned up, as shown in Fig. 4, its locking tooth comes against a tooth i on the
trigger and locks the latter; but when it is turned down, it enters a space or
groovej, permitting the trigger to move. Any other convenient way of applying
such a lock may be substituted for the one shown.
The battery J is capable of some longitudinal movement in its socket in the
stock, and is seated against a spiral spring U or other elastic cushion at its front
end. This protects the battery from injury by the recoil of the gun, the shock
being taken up by this spring cushion. The connection with one pole of the
battery is made through the said spring U, and with the other pole it is made
through a metal catch or bolt v which, after the battery is inserted, is moved to
overhang the socket. The recoil when the discharge takes place, moves back the
gun, while the battery remains comparatively stationary, thus breaking the con-
nection between the battery J and this metal catch and interrupting the electric
current until the battery is pressed back by the cushion-spring U against said
catch again. By this time the marksman will usually have released the trigger,
thus finally breaking the circuit. This automatic breaking of the circuit by the

page_text: recoil is of advantage in preventing the accidental burning out of the fine platinum
wire in the cartridge, which otherwise would sometimes occur from the trigger
being held too long after the gun was fired.
It will be observed that in the construction of gun shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the
electrode is pressed forward by a spring when released by the trigger, being again
retracted manually before the next firing.
According to another method of applying this invention to the Hotchkiss bolt
gun, the usual cocking-piece is omitted, and the firing-pin is enclosed within the
bolt and kept pressed back by a spring. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show this construction.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 7 is a transverse section on line 7-7 in
Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a view of the bolt removed, looking in the direction of arrow 8
in Fig. 7.
The electrode I is enclosed within the firing-pin F, being insulated therefrom as
before, and its rear end projects downward through the firing-pin and into a
recess in the under side of the bolt D, being there exposed at h. The trigger T
is altered to a mere simple lever, fulcrumed beneath the magazine-tube M, with the
upper end e projecting into said recess q and coming forward against the exposed
rear end h of the electrode I. This upper end e of the trigger is insulated from its
lower portion, and is connected with one pole of the battery J, so that when it is
pressed forward it touches the electrode I, conducts the electric current to it, and
presses it forward into contact with the cartridge. When released, the electrode
is pressed back by the spring H. The rear portion of the slot q extends one-
quarter around the bolt D, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in order to allow the bolt to
be turned up before being retracted, and in order to allow it to be retracted the
slot is extended forward as shown at q¹. When the bolt is fully retracted the end
of q' strikes the end e of the trigger. To remove the bolt, the trigger must be
pulled and held while the bolt is being withdrawn..
A safety lock is provided, which when turned " on prevents the trigger being
pulled. The lever L (Fig. 1) is fastened to an oscillating bar (Fig. 6) which has
a deep notch to receive the trigger when the latter is pulled. To lock the trigger
this bar is turned through an arc of 100° or more.
"
It will be observed that in this construction of gun the electrode is pressed
forward by the trigger and retracted by a spring, being the reverse of that first
described.
I will now describe this invention as applied to a bolt gun of the Lee type,
wherein the magazine is a removable cup applied beneath the breech. Fig. 9 is a
reduced side elevation of this gun, and Fig. 10 is a longitudinal mid-section on
a larger scale of the breech.
"
The magazine M fits into place beneath the breech, being retained by a catch K.
The breech-block E and bolt D are both in one piece. The firing-pin F is tubular
and is fitted with the insulated electrode I as before described, the rear end of the
latter extending downwardly through the cocking-piece G and terminating at h
on the lower side thereof. The cocking-piece G is, or may be, integral with the
pin F, and the main-spring H is arranged to press backwardly against them,
tending to eject them rearwardly from the bolt D. This ejection is prevented by
a projection m on the cocking-piece entering a bayonet-joint" groove n in the
bolt D. The under side of the cocking-piece has no sear, but is formed with a
rearward shoulder against which the upper arm of the trigger T may press to
push the cocking-piece and firing-pin forward. The trigger is a simple lever
pivoted so far forward that its upper arm normally lies back, as shown, beneath
the cocking-piece, so that the bolt may be freely retracted, but when it is pulled it
rises, and strikes the shoulder r and pushes it forward. When the cocking-piece is
thus pushed forward, its contact h moves over and touches the contact-piece c,
which is shown as being an insulated pin, connected by wire b with the battery J.
This connects the electrode I with the battery, and upon the front end of the
electrode touching the cartridge the gun is fired. The safety lock in use on the
Lee gun may le employed, or any other suitable lock may be provided.

page_text: In the guns already described the breech-block (or forward end of the bolt) has
a movement in a direction longitudinally of the barrel. This invention, however,
is equally adapted to those guns wherein the breech-block moves laterally or
vertically. The so-called "Phoenix" gun is an example of the type having a
laterally-moving breech-block, while the Spencer repeating shot-gun is an example
of the type of gun having a vertically-moving breech-block.
Figs. 11 to 15 show a Spencer repeating shot-gun modified in accordance with
this invention. Fig. 11 is a side elevation on a reduced scale, showing the stock
in section; Fig. 12 is a longitudinal mid-section of the breech-portion of the gun;
Fig. 13 is an elevation of the breech-block, trigger and firing-pin detached; and
Fig. 14 is a diagram of the breech-block, firing-pin and trigger, showing the
vibratory movement of the breech-block and firing-pin.
The construction is the same in most respects as in the ordinary Spencer
repeating shot-gun. The usual hammer is removed; and the trigger T is connected
directly to the firing-pin F. The firing-pin is made tubular and fitted into the
insulated electrode I as before described. The rear end h of the electrode I projects
beyond the rear of the firing-pin F, and passes through a plate or spring & in the
stock, which is connected by wire b to one pole of the battery J. This connection
is near the pivot E¹ of the breech-block, so that as the breech-block vibrates,
the pin h rocks in the hole, as shown in Fig. 15, where the parts are shown in their
three different positions. When the trigger is pulled it presses the firing-pin
forward until the front end of the electrode I touches the cartridge and fires the
gun. The trigger T is made with a spring plate t, the upper portion of which
enters a notch cut in the pin F, as shown in Fig. 15, which is a fragmentary plan
view. The safety lock consists of a lever L and notched bar 2, which when turned
as in Fig. 13 prevents the trigger being pulled.
Fig. 16 is a longitudinal mid-section of the "Phoenix" gun above referred to,
and Fig. 17 is a transverse section thereof on the line 17-17 in Fig. 16.
The breech-block E is pivoted at E¹ (Fig. 17) and turns up and over laterally to
open the breech.
The usual hammer is omitted, the trigger T is a simple lever,
and the breech-block is made deep enough to receive a firing-pin F with its
retracting spring H. In the firing-pin F is the insulated electrode I, as before
described, both its ends projecting beyond the ends of the pin F. The trigger
bears an insulated plate e in connection with the wire b, and when the trigger is
pulled this plate touches the exposed rear end of the electrode and presses the
latter and the firing-pin forward, until the front end of the electrode touches the
electric cartridge and explodes it. The notched bar / forms the trigger-lock.
This invention can also be applied with advantage to machine guns, of which the
Gatling gun is a type. Its application to the Gatling gun requires but little
chauge, as will be evident from an examination of Fig. 18, which is a plan view in
the nature of a development of the working parts of the gun, showing the
cylindrically-disposed barrels and bolts as though they were disposed in a straight
row. Fig. 19 is an enlarged view of a single firing-pin removed.
A battery J, or other source of electricity, is provided, its opposite poles being
connected respectively to the rear barrel-plate (or other metallic part) and to a
contact-spring e. The several bolts (or "locks") D, D, are unchanged, except that
their front ends, or breech-blocks, have a tubular insulation for the passage of the
electrode I. The firing-pins F F are made tubular and fitted with electrodes I, I,
and intervening insulating tubes ff, as clearly shown in Fig. 19. The head of
each pin is in two parts, the outer portion or cap h being connected to the
electrode I, and insulated from the inner portion p. The cap h projects beyond
the head p, so that when it is in contact with the spring e (Fig. 19) the head
clear thereof. The contact-springe is fastened to the stationary cam-ring S, at the
point where the rib R terminates, being insulated from the ring. The operation is
the same as in the ordinary Gatling gun, except that electric cartridges must be
fed into the hopper. As the barrels revolve, each successive bolt engages &
cartridge, thrusts it forward into the barrel, its firing-pin being retracted at the
is

page_text: °
:
same time, and when the firing position is reached, the firing-pin moves beyond
the rib R and flies forward.. In so doing its cap h rubs over the contact spring e,
thus bringing the electrode I into the circuit, and when the front end of the
electrode strikes the cartridge, the current is conducted into the latter and it is
fired. At the next instant the lateral movement of the firing-pin carries its head h
off the side of the spring e, and the current is interrupted. This invention may he
applied to other machine guns in similar or equivalent manner.
An important feature of this invention is that the electrode I is enclosed for
nearly its entire length in the insulating sheath f, which is again enclosed in and
protected by the tubular metal firing-pin F, which latter takes all the strain and is
subjected to all the wear.
In all the various forms of military arms to which this invention may be applied
it is preferable that the safety lock, or other safety device, be not automatic, but
that it be necessary to turn it "on" manually.
It will be understood that any other known source of electric energy may be
used in connection with this invention, in lieu of a battery.
This invention is also applicable to many other constructions of guns than those
herein referred to, its application to others requiring only ordinary mechanical skill
to adapt it to their special constructions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I declare that what I claim is
1. In a breech loading gun having an immovable barrel and a breech block or
other moving part which moves to open the breech, the combination with such
moving part of an insulated electrode mounted therein and moving therewith and
capable of being moved independently thereof to fire the gun and a source of
electric energy connected at its one terminal with the said electrode and at its
opposite terminal with the barrel or breech-block substantially as set forth.
2. In a breech-loading gun having an immovable barrel and a breech-block or
other moving part which moves to open the breech, the combination with such
Imoving part of a metal firing pin mounted therein and moving therewith, and
capable of being moved independently thereof, an electrode enclosed within said
firing pin and projecting beyond the front end thereof, a tubular insulating sheath
interposed between said electrode and firing-pin, and a source of electric energy,
in connection at its one terminal with said electrode, and its opposite terminal in
connection with the barrel or breech-block, substantially as set forth.
3. In a breech-loading gun having an immovable barrel, and a breech-block or
other moving part which moves to open the breech, the combination with such
moving part of an insulated electrode mounted therein and moving therewith, and
capable of being moved independently thereof to fire the gun, a source of electric
energy with its opposite terminals in connection respectively with the barrel or
breech-block and with said electrode, and a normal break in said latter connection,
which is closed upon the forward movement of the electrode, substantially as set
fortb, whereby the electrode is normally out of circuit.
4. In a breech-loading gun, having an immovable barrel and a breech-block or
other moving part which moves to open the breech, the combination with such
moving part of an insulated electrode mounted therein and moving therewith, and
capable of being moved independently thereof to fire the gun, a source of electric
energy with its opposite terminals in connection respectively with the barrel or
breech-block and with said electrode, and a safety lock adapted when applied to
prevent the moving forward of said electrode, substantially as set forth.
5. In a breech-loading gun having an immovable barrel and a breech-block or
other moving part which moves to open the breech, the combination with such
moving part of an insulated electrode mounted therein and moving therewith and
capable of being moved independently thereof to fire the gun, a main-spring
tending to force said electrode forward, a trigger having a sear for holding said

page_text: electrode retracted, and a source of electric energy having its opposite terminals in
connection respectively with said electrode and with the barrel or breech-block,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a breech-loading gun the combination of a bolt adapted to move toward
and from the barrel, an insulated electrode borne thereby, a main-spring tending
to force said electrode forward, a trigger having a sear adapted to engage said
electrode and hold the same retracted, a contact-piece adapted to make contact
with said electrode when the latter is shot forward, and arranged to be out of
contact therewith until the trigger is pulled, and a source of electric energy having
its opposite terminals connected respectively to said contact-piece and to the barrel
of the gun, substantially as set forth, with more especial reference to Figs. 2 to 4 of
the drawings.
7. In a breech-loading gun having immovable barrel and a movable breech-
block, the combination with the breech-block pivoted and arranged to vibrate in a
vertical plane to open and close the breech, of an insulated circuit-closing electrode
mounted in and borne by said breech-block, and moving with the latter, and having
an independent movement therein toward and from the cartridge, a battery-
connection with said electrode adjacent to the pivot of the breech-block, a battery
or equivalent source of electric energy, its opposite terminals joined respectively to
said connection and to the gun-barrel or breech-block, and the trigger connected to
said electrode and adapted when pulled to move said electrode forward into contact
with the cartridge, substantially as set forth, with especial reference to the
construction shown in Figs. 11 to 14.
8. In a breech-loading gun having an immovable barrel and a movable breech-
block, the combination of a movable electrode mounted in said breech-block, and
moving therewith, and having an independent movement of its own toward
and from the cartridge, an electric battery in connection with said electrode and
with the gun-barrel or breech-block, a trigger adapted when pulled to move said
electrode into contact with the cartridge, and a mechanical safety-lock for said
trigger consisting of an oscillating bar 7 arranged close against and in the path of
said trigger, and having a notch which when turned toward the trigger admits the
same, substantially as set forth, with reference to the constructions shown in
Figs. 6, 13 and 16.
9. The improvement in machine guns exemplified in the construction shown in
Figs. 18 and 19, which consists of the combination with the bolts, firing-pins, and
automatic loading and firing mechanism, of an insulated electrode I in each firing-
pin, a contact spring e adapted to make electrical contact with the electrode at the
instant of firing, and a battery or equivalent source of electric energy, with its
opposite terminals connected respectively to the frame or barrels of the gun, and to
3aid contact-spring, substantially as described.