Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
1, JOSEF LAUMANN, of Vienna, No. VIII Kaiserstrasse No. 80, in the Empire
of Austro-Hungary, Gummaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in repeating small arms, and has more
particular reference to improvements upon the invention which forms the subject
of my application for Letters Patent No. 3790 March 10th, 1890.
The particular parts of the arm to which the present invention relates are:
the cartridge magazine, the cartridge feeder, the magazine detent, the breech
bolt and the. trigger mechanism, the firing mechanism, the breech,holt safety
locking mechanism, the safety mechanism, the cover plate, and the butt or
stock of the arm.
The Cartridge Magazine. The sides of the magazine are strengthened by the
formation thereon of outwardly projecting ridges. I form a central vertical slot
down each side. These two slots are opposite to each other, and are formed
in the described position for the purpose of imparting the necessary resilience to
the sides. Both the top and bottom edges of the latter are turned over
inwardly in the well known manner, leaving the magazine open at top, bottom,
and back.
The Cartridge Feeder.-This consists of two levers, their two pivots, and
two actuating springs. The larger lever has two arms of different length,―
the longer one curved and meeting the shorter one at approximately a right angle.
The said longer arm extends backward past the trigger axis, and has its pivot
in the chamber of the breech mechanism near the rear extremity of the arm.
The actuating spring is of a V shape and is held fast in a block behind the
magazine chamber. The above mentioned shorter lever is pivoted to the front
extremity of the longer one in a transverse groove.
Its operating spring has its base in the top of the longer arm and bearing against
the under side of the shorter one.
As the cartridges are lifted they are severally kept in an oblique position by
the yielding of the shorter lever, the strength of its spring being adjusted
accordingly. At the same time, the nose of the shorter arm has a tendency to
tip up the bullet end of the last cartridge.
A modified form of lever consists of a doubly upwardly bent or serpentine
arm, baving its pivot within the front of the under part of the magazine chamber,
and its operating spring underneath it. If preferred the end nearest the cartridges
may be straight and be fitted with a subsidiary cartridge tilting lever.
When
doubly bent lever is used the operative end of it is bent or rounded in
such a shape that in every position of the lowest cartridge in the magazine the
said operative end shall press fairly and evenly under about the middle of the
cartridge and slide smoothly under it as it presses it upwards. The exact contour
of the above mentioned rounded end is always modified according to the shape
and size of the cartridges used.
According to a further modification, which is especially applicable to infantry
rifles pivot a Z shape lever about centrally to the principal one, and in a
parallel plane. The operative and heavier nose of this second lever is shaped
and rounded off according to the contour of the bullet.
As the principal lever rises one shoulder of the Z shaped lever is pressed
against the magazine chamber, with the results that its operative end is moved

page_text: upwards in such a way that the bullet end of the cartridge is tipped upwards, so
as to easily enter the barrel. Two of the above mentioned Z slaped levers one
on either side of the principal one may be used.
These would together completely close the charge hole of the empty magazine
chamber.
The Magazine Detent.-1 provide a lever inside the magazine chamber and
having its pivot in the bottom thereof; it therefore stands vertically in front of
the magazine. Suitable thumb pieces are provided by which it can be operated
from the outside, the pin of which thumb pieces may form the axis of the detent.
A suitable returning spring is fitted to its lower end. The operative nose of the
detent is bevelled, and projects inwards towards the front of the magazine so that
as the latter is pressed down into the chamber the projecting ridge of it will
engage with the bevel to force the detent back and lock the magazine by itself
being locked by the returning bevel.
The Breech Bolt and Trigger Mechanism.-This part of my invention relates to
the communication between the trigger and the breech bolt, and the means for
cocking the trigger. The breech bolt is fitted with a locking bar to prevent its
being blown back by the explosion. This locking bar is pivotted to its side
and when in operation engages in a suitable notch cut in the breech cylinder.
I form two studs upon the said locking bolt adapted to engage respectively two
circular recesses in the edges of the trigger near its top.
The stud in front of the trigger is a round one and is placed nearly close to
the bottom edge of the locking bar, about half way along. The second stud is
also more or less round and is also placed close to the bottom edge against the
operative nose of the bar. The upper end of the trigger works between these
studs, engaging first one and then the other by the respective recesses above men-
tioned. As soon as the trigger is pulled the front recess which almost surrounds
the front stud slides smoothly over the periphery thereof thereby forcing the
locking bar into its notch. On the other hand when the trigger is pushed forward
to uncock the arm, the recess in the back elge of the trigger engages the back
stud, and riding smoothly thereunder lifts the locking bar out of the notch and
completes the uncocking. To assist in cocking I provide a light spring say of
a V shape in front of the trigger arranged so that. its resilience shall be opposed
to the strength of the sear. As soon as the latter is lifted a little the said light
spring becomes operative.
A modification of this part of my invention is as follows: a lever is pivotted
within the chamber of the breech mechanism in front of the trigger and extends
backwards far enough to engage with a suitable bevelled surface on the side
thereof. The sear presses this lever down instead of contacting directly with the
shoulders or bevels on the trigger. The under side of the lever is of suitable
contour to correspond with the bevels and shoulders on the trigger side. When
the trigger is cocked a convex part of the lever will be resting in a corresponding
concave on the trigger side, a shoulder or projection entering a corresponding notch
in the lever whereby the trigger is locked. The sear may be dispensed with and a
V shaped spring of suitable strength be fitted so as to be operative in a downward
direction on the top of the lever. There may be a shoulder at each edge of the
trigger so that it can be locked in either of its terminal positions by engagement
of the respective shoulder in the above mentioned notch.
The Firing Mechanism.-I make use of the well known spring-actuated central
firing pin within the bolt, but the external projection of the firing lever, which
projection was formerly absolutely necessary to enable the finger to operate the
mechanism, may now be dispensed with; the lever being operated by the trigger
through the locking bar.
The improved firing lever is pivotted behind the trigger and is fitted with a
returning spring. This returning spring is preferably a spiral one operating
between the handle of the pistol and the lever behind the pivot of the lever. The
front end of the said lever terminates in an upward extension adapted both in

page_text: respect of length and position to be engaged by the lower end of the locking bar
as the latter is being pulled down into its notch.
The continuation of the pull on the trigger tends to release a second upward
extension, or firing pin detent, on the said lever from a downward projection from
the firing pin. By the time the locking bar is down to the bottom of its notch
the detent is withdrawn from before the firing pin projection, the said pin being
then left free to act subject however to operation of the safety mechanism.
According to a modification of this part of my invention the detent is pivotted
to the firing lever so that it always comes down in a truly vertical line. The lever
is also continued downwards beneath the pivot into a horn or extension formed on
the inner side of the handle of the arm through which its nose projects for as far
as may be necessary to be engaged by the finger, if this method of contact be
preferred. The horn above mentioned will also serve as a guard for the external
projection of the firing lever.
The Breech Bolt Safety Mechanism. According to this part of my invention
I provide for the firing pin being locked by mechanism additional to the previously
mentioned devices for pulling the locking bar down into its notch. A spring bar
lies along one side of the breech bolt, and normally within its periphery. Its rear
end is made fast to the rear end of the said bolt. The operative nose of the said
spring bar is bent at a right angle with it, and passes through a hole made for
that purpose in the side of the breech bolt extending thereinto far enough to stand
in front of a stud of the firing pin. There is provided a bevelled surface or incline
upon the rear face of the locking bar which is moreover adapted in respect of
position and contour to engage behind the angle of the spring bar at the moment
As the locking
that the back stud on the locking bar engages the firing lever.
bar is pulled to the bottom of the notch, or in other words as the breech bolt is
pulled into firing position the stud on the rear face of the locking bar is pulled
downwards behind the angle of the spring bar with the result that the stud on the
firing pin is released at the same time that the before mentioned firing pin detent
is released from the detent on the lever.
The Safety Locking Mechanism.-The objects of this part of my invention are
to lock the breech bolt, the firing lever, and the trigger when cocked, to lock the
breech bolt, the trigger, and the firing lever when the arm is loaded and cocked ;
and to lock the firing lever, the trigger, and bolt, after the arm has been fired, or
is unloaded. I provide a horizontal bolt the rear end of which projects through
an arc-shaped slot in the end plate of the arm where it is made fast to a lever
pivotted upon the said end plate. There projects upwards from the rear end of
the firing lever, and behind its pivot, a small pin, the function of which is to
establish at will. a communication between the pivotted lever on the end of the arm
and the firing lever. This is effected by making the said pin project above the
handle and forming an eccentricity upon the lower edge of the lever so that when
the right-hand end of the lever is turned downwards the firing lever will be locked
through the said pin.
The Cover Plate.-Both side edges are chamferred so as to adapt them to
fit into the grooves prepared for them in the side chamber of the breech
mechanism.
A plate is fixed with one screw only which serves as the trigger axis. Its
internal conformation adapts it to guide the motion of the trigger, and it also
has a semi-circular notch of the same contour as the adjacent part of the breech
bolt whereby the rear part of the arm is fully clothed against the penetration
of dust.
Dated this 18th day of February 1891
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
I, JOSEF LAUMANN, of Vienna, No. VIII Kaiserstrasse No. 80, in the Empire
of Austro-Hungary, Gunmaker, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in repeating small arms, and has more
particular reference to improvements upon the invention for which I have obtained
Letters Patent March 10th 1890, No. 3790.
The particular parts of the arm to which the present invention applies are:-
1. The cartridge magazine.
2. The cartridge feeder.
3. The magazine detent.
4. The breech bolt and trigger mechanism.
5. The firing mechanism.
6. The breech bolt safety locking mechanism.
7. The safety mechanism.
8. The cover plate.
It is by the mutual co-operation of the above subsidiary improvements that
the general object of the invention is attained, and I do hereby declare that the
following is a full clear and exact description of the invention, and one which
will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to carry it into practical
effect, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a sectional longitudinal elevation shewing the breech bolt cocked and
ready for loading the top cartridge into the barrel:
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a cartridge magazine :
Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same magazine:
Fig. 4 is a sectional plau taken on the line A-B of Figs. 1, 2, and 3:
Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the magazine detent :
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the cartridge feeder:
Fig. 7 is a sectional longitudinal elevation of a modification of my invention,
according to which the firing lever is actuated by the trigger, instead of by the
finger through a special lever:
Fig. 8 is an end elevation of Fig. 7 :
Fig. 9 is a plan of, and Fig. 10 an inverted plan of, the breech-bolt and its
locking bar:
Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line C-D of Fig. 9:
Fig. 12 is an elevation of the operative end of the breech-bolt locking bar:
Figs. 13 and 14 are side elevations respectively of the outer and inner faces of
the cover plate :
Fig. 15 is a sectional longitudinal elevation of a pistol cocked and ready for
loading. It illustrates modified forms of the cartridge lifter, of the connection
between the sear spring and trigger, and of the firing mechanism:
Fig. 16 is a detail side elevation of the scar spring and lever device illustrated in
Fig. 15:
Fig. 17 is an inverted plan of the sear spring lever:
Fig. 18 is a plan of the sear spring:
Fig. 19 is a sectional longitudinal elevation of the front portion of a pistol :
Fig. 20 is a detail side elevation of the firing lever illustrated in Fig. 15:
Fig. 21 is a detail sectional longitudinal elevation illustrating a modified form of
sear spring and lever:
Fig. 22 is a detail side elevation of the cartridge feeder illustrated in Fig. 15:
Fig. 23 is a detail side elevation of the locking bolt:

page_text: Fig. 24 is a detail illustrating a modification of the connection between the
lifter and lifter spring illustrated in Fig. 15.
I. THE CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE.
The sides of the
This part of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
magazine are strengthened by the formation thereon of outwardly projecting
ridges a. a is a slot in each side. The two slots are opposite each other, and are
formed in the described position for the purpose of imparting the necessary resilience
to the sides. Both the top and bottom edges of the latter are bent over inwardly
in the well known manner, leaving the magazine open at both top and bottom, as
usual, and in addition thereto, at the back, at a².
G
II. THE CARTRIDGE FEEDER.
This part of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. It consists of a
spring-actuated lever, a spring-actuated finger, their two pivots or fulcra, and two
actuating springs. The lever has two arms b, b, of different lengths; the longer
one being cranked as shewn. The shorter arm extends backwards past the
trigger-axis. is its fulcrum, in the chamber of the breech mechanism, near the
rear extremity of the arm; and d, the actuating spring, of a V shape, held fast
in a block behind the magazine chamber. A transverse groove is cut in one
side of the longer arm 1, close to the end, leaving only a shoulder . e² is the
spring actuated finger. It is pivotted by one end in this groove, so as to work
in the same plane as the lever, is the actuating spring of the said finger.
It is made fast to, or has its base in, the longer portion of the arm, and its
nose bears against the underside of the finger so that the latter is always being
pushed up towards the shoulder or stop e upon the nose of the arm . The
finger is shewn in Fig. 1 as depressed under the pressure of the cartridges.
These are kept steady in their position by the inwardly bent top ends of the
magazine. They are, however, being lifted up by the finger 2 backed up by the
strength of the spring d. As the cartridges are being lifted, they are severally
kept in an oblique position by the yielding of the finger e as it presses the cartridges
upwards, the strength of the spring being adjusted accordingly. At the same
time the nose of the arm has a tendency to tip up the bullet end of the last
cartridge.
Referring to Fig. 7, the cartridge feeder therein illustrated is identical with that
described in the Specification of my said former Letters Patent March 10th 1890,
No. 3790.
K is the lever; kits pivot; kits actuating spring, and a stud on the top of
the spring to facilitate the contact between it and the underside of the lever. is
the spring-actuated finger adapted to work in a plane above, and vertical to, the
rear portion of the lever K.
According to the construction of feeder illustrated in Figs. 15 and 22, the front
part of the feeding lever, the position of its fulcrum and its actuating spring and
stud on the top of the latter are identical with those illustrated in Fig. 7 and
described therewith. They are, therefore, marked with the same reference letters.
The modification which differentiates it from the one so illustrated and described,
consists in forming the top or operative edge of the rear half of the lever, in the
shape of an arch, or convex, in virtue of which shape it is adapted to discharge
the functions of both lever and finger. The arch in question is struck from such
a centre below the lever that no matter whereabouts in the magazine the bottom
cartridge may be, the said operative edge presses exactly against the middle
third of the underside of the said cartridge, and slides smoothly along the said side
as it lifts it, the particular point of the edge which bears against the cartridge
constantly shifting towards the nose of the lever, the nearer the cartridge is lifted
to the barrel. The Figure 15 shews the bottom. cartridge at the top of its lift,

page_text: and ready to be pushed into the barrel by the next forward motion of the breech-
bolt H. The radius of the arch above mentioned, as well as the contour of the
same, may be varied from that illustrated, if necessary to better adapt it to any
particular cartridge. The spring may be placed underneath the lever being
thereby adapted to push upwards as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 15, or the lever may
be extended past the fulcrum, and the spring be placed above the extension kor
short arm of the lever, and press the said extension downwards, as illustrated in
Fig. 24.
A further modified form of cartridge feeder is illustrated in Fig. 19. Kis the
lever, its pivot and 4, its actuating spring. The lever, its actuating spring,
the stud on the top of the latter, and the position of the pivot are the same as
those illustrated in Fig. 15 and described therewith. The modification now under
description is especially adapted for long cartridges, e.g., such as are used in
infantry rifles. K2 is an S shaped lever having its fulcrum upon the lever K
at about which it moves easily. The operative surfaces of the lever K2 are the
shoulder on its shorter and lighter arm, and the convex edge of its longer and
heavier arm. The full lines of the figure shew the feeder as supporting the last
cartridge in the loading position, while the dotted lines show it as depressed under
the weight of the column of cartridges in the full magazine. As the feeder is
raised by the spring, the shoulder & contacts with the opposite internal surface
of the top of the front part of the magazine chamber, and slides forward over the
same, but at the same time, and pari passu, raises the convex edge and moves it
at once upwards and forwards, so that the bullet ends of the respective cartridges
are headed for the bore of the barrel the nearer they get opposite it, with the
result that the nose of the top bullet will, as it were, look into the bore.
I may
use two levers K², counterparts of each other, both being on the same pivot, one
on each side of the lever K'. This latter combination completely closes the
ahanging hole of the omnty meansing chamber
The object of this part of my invention is to prevent the charged magazine being
accidentally lifted by the feeder, but, at the same time, to permit of the arm being
unloaded, whenever it may be required to unload it. It and its operation are
illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
is the detent lever, having its fulcrum upon a pin which is fixed at a point
in front of the magazine chamber. The lever itself is situated to the right hand
side of the chamber, but in front of the magazine in the chamber. is a push
piece connected to and projecting from the bottom of the lever out through the
right hand side of the magazine chamber. is a stud upon the inside face of the
top end of the lever. The left hand end of this stud is bevelled downwards towards
the left hand, producing a decline as illustrated in Fig. 5. The under face of
the stud is a horizontal plane, and it is this portion of the device which is the
detent. is a returning spring adapted to hold the said detent directly over the
stop you the front of the magazine when the latter is in the magazine chamber.
The stop g' is a projecting corrugation stamped in the front of the magazine, and
extends from the bottom to nearly the top thereof.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows. When a
magazine is
pushed into the magazine chamber from the top, the bottom of the stop 9 engages
the decline, and pushes the stud f3 and detent lever to the right hand side
about the pivot pin As the magazine is being pushed down into the chamber,
the side of the stop keeps the detent back until it has passed it, when the returning
spring g locks the detent above the stop.
To unload the arm, i.e., to remove a charged magazine from the magazine
chamber, the push piece is pressed inwards, with the result that the detent is
moved away from over the stop g, whereupon the feeder will throw the magazinė
out of the chamber.

page_text: The magazine chamber is itself of the usual construction, as far as regards its
being open at the top to receive a charged magazine and at the bottom to allow
of an empty one to drop out.
The magazine detent illustrated in Figs. 7, 15 and 19 is the same as that
illustrated and described in my Letters Patent above mentioned, viz. No. 3790,
ALL
1000
TY. THE BREECH-BOLT AND TRIGGER MECHANISM.
This part of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 1, 7 and 15, and consists in
(a.) The connection between the trigger and the breech bolt, and,
(.) The means for cocking the trigger.
I is the breech bolt 1, the trigger; its fulcrum; J the locking bar;
and its pivot. These five parts are all present in the said former Letters
Patent.
The improvement in the connection between the trigger and the breech-bolt
consists of a combination of two studs j, j on the locking bar J, adapted to engage,
respectively, with two circular recesses in the edges of the trigger. is a round
stud upon the locking bar. It is shewn as placed close to the bottom edge, about
half way along. is a second stud. It is shewn as placed also close to the bottom
edge, but close to the operative, nose of the bar. The upper end of the trigger
works between these studs, engaging first one and then the other by one of the
recesses next described. is a circular recess in the front edge of the trigger.
As soon as the latter is pulled, the top of the recess engages the stud j, and as
the bar is moved forward with the breech-bolt, the said recess, in virtue of its
concavity. which slides smoothly over the periphery of the sind j, forces the
locking bar down into the notch in the underside of the standing breech.
This is the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the trigger
eye is pushed forward to uncock the arm, the circular recess, in the back
edge of the trigger, engages the round edge of the stud j' and, riding smoothly
thereunder, lifts the bar out of the notch, retracts the breech-bolt, and
completes the uncocking. This is the position illustrated by the full lines in
Fig. 1.
The improved means for cocking the trigger are illustrated in Fig. 1 only,
and consist in the combination with the latter of a light spring i.
In an arm
constructed as described in my said former Patent the uncocking was done by
pushing the trigger forward against the power of its sear spring . According
to my present invention, the spring is introduced between the front edge of the
trigger and the ledge or bearing surface it. As soon as the sear spring is lifted
a little, the spring becomes operative and completes the uncocking.
According to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, the sear spring m
holds the trigger in either the cocked or the firing position by pressing upon the
front or the rear side, respectively, of a convex shoulder a³ shewn in dotted lines.
This construction is the same as that described and illustrated in my said former
Letters Patent.
Now, according to my present invention, interpose a lever between the sear
spring and the trigger, and provide for the substitution of a V spring.in front of
the trigger for the sear spring behind it.
Referring to Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18, m¹ is the rear spring. Its rear end is
rigidly held in a suitable seating-indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 15-by a
pin m; and m is the lever pivotted at m² a point in front of the trigger and within
the chamber of the breech-mechanism. The nose m³ of the sear spring is adapted,
in respect of its shape, to bring the strength of the spring to bear upon the hump
back of the lever near its axis m², as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. m² is a
convex contour on the bottom edge of the lever, extending from its nose and
terminating in a notch m³. is a concave on the right hand side of the trigger 1,
and terminating rearwards. in a sharp shoulder i, the counterpart in contour of the
.

page_text: ՎԵՂ ԿԱՆ ՆՍ
of the sear spring, and lock the trigger in the firing position, as shewn by the
dotted lines of Fig. 21.
Referring to Fig. 21, L is the V sear spring. A suitable notch is cut in the top
of the chamber of the breech mechanisin, and a shoulder is formed upon the
top edge of the lever m. It is between these two points, notch and shoulder,
that the spring exerts its energy, always tending to force the lever downwards.
The notch and shoulder above mentioned may be replaced by suitable equivalents,
provided that the resilience of the spring is always bearing the lever downwards.
The co-operation of the lever and trigger illustrated in Fig. 21 is identical with
that described with reference to Figs. 15 to 18.
V. THE FIRING MECHANISM.
This part of my invention is illustrated in Fig. 7; and a modification in Figs. 15
and 20.
Referring to Figs. 1, 9 and 10, in which the firing mechanism of my said previous
Patent is introduced for the sake of accentuating the difference between the
invention described therein, and the present invention; O is the firing pin; and
o, its actuating spring. When the breech-bolt is pulled forward, the projection o
on the firing pin is engaged by the automatic detent o² connected to the firing
lever so that the spring o will be compressed. There is a projection of on the
front of the exposed portion of the firing lever, and a corresponding slot of in
the trigger-eye, so that when the latter is pulled, the finger in the said eye
presses upon the said projection of of the firing lever, and, moving it about its
fulcrum n causes it to disengage the detent o from the projection o¹. p' is the
returning spring of the firing lever, conveniently arranged around the pin p³.
Now, according to my present invention in respect of the firing mechanism, the
projection of the firing lever external to the handle of the pistol, which projection
was, according to the said previous Patent, absolutely necessary for the finger to
operate the mechanism, can now be dispensed with, if desired, and the mechanism
operated by the trigger through the locking bar. This new firing mechanism is
illustrated in Fig. 7. P is the new firing lever having its fulcrum at p p being
its returning spring. It is represented as a spiral one operating in a downward
direction between the handle of the arm and the lever P, and behind the pivot p.
I do not confine myself to this type of spring, but may use any kind adapted to
effect the desiderated purpose. The front end of the lever terminates in an upward
extension adapted both in respect of height and position, to be engaged by the
lower end of the locking bar J as the latter is being pulled down. Fig. 7 shows
this engagement as just beginning. The continuation of the pull on the trigger
will begin to release the detent o from the projection o.. By the time that the
locking bar J is down to the bottom of its notch, the detent o is withdrawn from
before the projection of and the firing pin o is free to act, subject however to the
operation of the safety mechanism described in the next section.
The modified form of firing lever illustrated in Figs. 15 and 20 shows how some
of the distinctive features of the firing mechanism of my said former Letters
Patent and of that illustrated in Fig. 7 and described therewith, may be
advantageously combined.
P is the firing lever, with fulcrum p, returning spring p' and projecting pin pas
in Fig. 7. The lever is continued downwards within and close to the front of the
-handle of the pistol and has a finger piece p³ projecting through an extension or

page_text: It
rojection on the front of the handle. is the automatic firing pin detent.
on the top of an arm which is pivotted to the firing lever at o', with the
The firing
dvantage that the rement of the detent is practically vortical
ever is actuated by the finger in the trigger-eye pressing the finger piece p' as the
lot o in the trigger-eye is pulled over it; i.e., in the way described with reference
o the firing mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. The function of the projection p
s two-fold; it serves as a guard for the projecting portion of the lower arm of
he firing lever, and also as a guide to gripping the handle in the proper place
or holding it in the proper position, which it does by keeping the middle,
hird, and fourth fingers beneath it, and out of the way of the index or firing.
lever is actuated by the finger in the trigger-eye pressing the finger piece p as the
slot in the trigger-eye is pulled over it; i.e., in the way described with reference
to the firing mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. The function of tlie projection p
is two-fold; it serves as a guard for the projecting portion of the lower arm of
the firing lever, and also as a guide to gripping the handle in the proper place
or holding it in the proper position, which it does by keeping the middle,
hird, and fourth fingers beneath it, and out of the way of the index or firing.
finger.
VI. THE BREECH-BOLT SAFETY MECHANISM.
In my former Letters. Patent already referred to, the only provision for
preventing premature firing; ie, for preventing the release of the firing pin before
the full engagement of the locking bar J in the notch in the bottom of the
standing breech, was the stud and recess connection between the trigger and the
locking bar.
Now, according to this part of my present invention, I provide an additional or
safety mechanism, which will keep the firing pin locked until the locking bar of the
breech bolt is down to the bottom of the notch in the standing breech. It is
illustrated in Figs. 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
bar.
Q is a spring bar. It lies normally within the periphery of the breech-bolt. Its
rear end is made fast to the rear end of the breech-bolt, as by a screw entering
the head of the breech-bolt closing screw y' through the returned end of the spring
The operative nose q' of the said spring bar is bent at a right angle with it,
and passes through a hole made for that purpose in the side of the breech-bolt,
extending thereinto far enough to stand in front of a stud on the firing pin. s is
a bevelled stud or incline upon the rear face of the locking bar. It is bevelled on
one side as shewn in Fig. 12, and is adapted in respect of position and contour to
engage behind the angle q at the moment that the locking bar engages with the
projection 2- -see Fig. 7. As the locking bar J is pulled to the bottom of the notch
(releasing the detent o² pari passu), or, in other words, as the breech-bolt is pushed
into firing position, the studs is pulled downwards behind the angle g³, with the
result that the stud is released from the nose at the same moment in which the
proiection o¹ is released from the detent.
This part of my invention, which is illustrated in Figs. 1, 7, 8, 15 and 23, is an
improvement upon the safety mechanism described in my said former Letters
Patent, although its objects are the same, viz. :—
(a.) To lock the breech bolt, firing lever, and trigger when cocked, i.e., when
the parts are in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 (full lines) and 15.
(.) To lock the breech-bolt, trigger, and firing lever when the arm is
loaded i.e., when the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 7; and
(c.) To lock the firing lever, trigger and breech bolt after the arm has been
fired, or when the magazine is empty.
It relates however only to the external portion of the mechanism, and not to
the internal locking bolt R and its operative end, which, together with
the notches, are the same as in my said former Letters Patent in respect
both of position and operation. The bolt R lies in a horizontal position in an
Its outer end is made
arc-shaped slot in the end plate of the arm.
fast to the lever which has its fulcrum upon a screw pin
plate. is the operative nose of the lever is the
which enters the end
operative nose of the
B

page_text: locking bolt and is a lateral extension of its front end. are two notches in
the periphery of the lever, corresponding with its two terminal positions. p is a
pin fast upon the rear end of the firing lever and projecting upwards through the
handle of the arm.
The operation of the mechanism is as follows. When the lever is in the
position illustrated in Figs. 1, 7, 8, and 15, it is in the unlocked position, conse-
quently, the firing lever may be pulled, or the trigger be cocked or uncocked.
If, however, the lever be moved by pressing the left hand, or chequered,
portion of it upwards, its nose q will be brought down immediately in front of the
pin 3, and as the motion of this is circular about the pin as a centre, the
firing lever will be locked. The same motion of the lever will bring the nose
of the locking lever either immediately in front of, or immediately behind the
trigger 1, according to its then position, thereby locking it.
VIII. THE COVER PLATE.
This part of my invention is represented in Figs. 13 and 14.
T, T are the adjacent portions of the left hand side plates of the arm.
t is the
detachable cover plate. The side edges of the plate t are chamfered, and the
corresponding side edges of the plates T, T, are grooved to receive the said
chamfered edges, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 13. The plate t is fixed
to the arm by a single screw, the shank of which, passing through the hole t¹,
serves as the fulcrum of the trigger I. The inner face of the plate t presses
against the trigger, and so far, assists in keeping the several members of the
breech-mechanism in their respective positions. The rearward extension 2 is bent
inwards at right angles with the plate t, and is concaved on its edge as shewn at t³,
Figs. 8 and 14, to correspond with the contour of the breech-bolt, for the purpose
of closing the breech chamber against the entrance of dust.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a cartridge magazine, the combination with the sides thereof of an open
back, strengthening ribs, and vertical slots adapted to impart resilience to the said
sides and a vertical stop on the front of the magazine as set forth with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
2. A cartridge feeder consisting of a cranked lever having its arms of unequal
length, its fulcrum in the chamber of the breech mechanism behind the magazine
chamber, a finger pivotted upon the nose of the longer arm, and two actuating
springs, as set forth.
.
3. A cartridge feeder consisting of a lever pivotted near the front of the
magazine chamber, an actuating spring operating between the bottom of the
magazine chamber and the underside of the lever near the pivot of the latter,
the top or operative edge of the rear half of the lever being arch-shaped or convex,
as set forth.
4. A cartridge feeder consisting of a lever having its fulcrum near the front of
the magazine chamber, an actuating spring operating between the chamber and the
short arm of the lever, and adapted to press the said short arm downwards,
the top or operative edge of the rear half of the long arm of the lever being arch-
shaped or convex, as set forth.
5. A cartridge feeder consisting of a lever pivotted near the front of the
magazine chamber, an actuating spring operating between the bottom of the
magazine chamber and the underside of the lever near the pivot of the latter,
the top or operative edge of the rear half of the lever being arch-shaped or
convex, and an.. S-shaped lever having its fulcrum in the said lever, the lighter
half of such S-shaped lever adapted to engage with the adjacent surface of the

page_text: magazine chamber thereby raising the heavier end and causing to engage ava
the bullet of the bottom cartridge, as set forth.
6. The combination with a cartridge magazine and a magazine chamber, of a
detent lever having its fulcrum upon the inside front face of the said chamber, a
detent upon the top of the said lever adapted in respect of position to be engaged
and pushed to one side by a stop in the front of the cartridge magazine, a
returning spring adapted to yield when the detent is so pushed to one side, and
a push-piece connected to the bottom end of the said lever and adapted in virtue
of its projection through the side of the arm to be pressed inwards for the purpose
of disengaging the said detent from the said stop, as set forth.
7. The combination with the breech-bolt and trigger, of a locking bar pivotted
upon the bolt, a stud carried by the said bar and adapted by its engagement with
one end of a firing lever to counteract the normal action of the spring of the said
lever and to disengage a detent carried by said firing lever from the firing pin
as the continued motion of the trigger forces the said locking bar down into its
notch in the starding breech, as set forth.
8. The combination of sear spring, lever interposed between the sear spring and
the trigger and depressed by the sear, a convex contour upon the lower edge of
the said lever extending from its nose backwards, a concave upon the back of the
said trigger adapted to receive the said convex contour in the cocked position, a
shoulder on the same side of the trigger as the said concave, and a notch in the
lower edge of the said lever adapted, in respect of position, to embrace the said
shoulder in the firing position, as set forth.
9. The combination of trigger, V-shaped sear spring within the chamber of the
breech mechanism and in front of the trigger, a lever interposed between the said
sear spring and trigger, a convex contour upon the lower edge of the said lever
extending from its nose backwards, a concave upon the back of the said trigger
adapted to receive the said convex contour in the cocked position, a shoulder on
the same side of the trigger as the said concave, and a notch in the lower edge
of, the said lever adapted, in respect of position, to embrace the said shoulder in
the firing position, as set forth.
10. The combination of a projection upon the underside of the firing pin with
an automatic detent upon the top of an arm pivotted to the firing lever and adapted
to engage the said projection, as set forth.
11. The combination with the handle of a pistol, of an extension on the front
part thereof adapted in respect of its position to serve as a guard on both sides of
the finger piece on the end of the firing lever, and as a guide to gripping the
handle in the proper place, as set forth.
12. The combination of a spring bar upon the breech-bolt and normally locking
a stud upon the firing pin, with an incline upon the locking bar adapted, at the
moment in which the breech-boit is pulled into firing position, to disengage the
said spring bar from the said stud upon the firing pin, as set forth.
13. The combination of firing lever, a pin projecting up from the rear end of
said lever through the handle of the arm, a lever having its fulcrum upon the
rear end of the arm and adapted by its motion thereabout to lock or release the
firing-lever, and a spiral returning spring about the said pin, as set forth.
14. The combination of lever having its fulcrum on the rear end of the arın,
locking bolt fast thereto, arch-shaped slot in the end plate of the arm, and a pro-
jection from the firing lever within reach of the operative nose of the said lever,
as set forth.
15. The combination with the side plates the opposite side edges of which are
grooved, of a detachable cover plate adapted, by being chamfered along its side
edges, to slide in the grooved edges of the said side plates, to be held in place by
the screw which provides the fulcrum of the trigger, and, by having a rearward
extension concaved on its inner edge, to completely close up the rear part of the
chamber of the breech mechanism, as set forth.

page_text: 16. The general construction, combination and arrangement of the several and
respective parts together forming my improvements in repeating small arms
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated this 18th day of November 1891.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.