Year: 1897

page_text: I, MARIE GASTON MATURIE, of West Lodge, Lower Mall, Hammersmith, in
the County of Middlesex, Captain of Reserve, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in sporting guns, and is designed to
obviate the difficulties that have arisen since the introduction of the new powders
whereby the internal ballistics of fire arms have been completely changed, so
that even the best types of sporting guns are liable to be burst, while their pivot
lever locks frequently behave in an unsatisfactory manner and after the lapse of
a very short time, no longer offer the absolute rigidity required, not to speak of
the liability of the hooking loops being broken or unsoldered.
According to my present invention I employ a double barrel and breech frames
formed from one single piece of soft steel. I also employ a drop-bolt locking
mechanism for each barrel, the breech frames being separated by a partition or
wall integral with them and the barrels. The said drop-bolt locking mechanism
is of the drop-bolt lock type, but I have applied certain pieces thereto and trans-
formed other parts thereof, so that this lock may serve for use in a double
barrelled gun.
In connection with this drop bolt locking mechanism I employ a single
operating lever serving to actuate both the locking bolts at the same time; for
which purpose the said lever is provided with two pairs of forks, between which
the bolts are situated and which carries a central arm serving to actuate a slotted
rod connected to the extractor. The latter is so constructed that it serves for
both barrels, and operates in a rectilinear direction the aforesaid slotted con-
necting rod allowing a certain amount of lost motion in order that the extractor
may not commence to act until the bolts have been sufficiently lowered, so as to
clear the entrance to the chambers. The extractor is provided with a spiral
return-spring, which automatically replaces it in its recess.
In connection with the drop-bolts I employ springs which serve to elevate the
bolts to the level of the lower edge of the barrel into a position which they serve
to guide the cartridges into the barrel. This action of the springs also turns
the operating lever and the central arm sufficiently to allow the movement of the
slotted connecting rod necessary to enable the extractor to return into its recess
under the action of its spring.
When, the operating lever is turned in one direction it causes a pair of pivotted
levers or
stops" to turn and engage with the firing pins drawing back the latter
When the stops have been
and compressing spiral springs which surround them.

page_text: turned to a sufficient extent they are engaged by sears and retained in position,
until pressure is exerted upon the triggers for the purpose of firing.
At the same time the operating lever has depressed the breech bolts.
During this time the central arm has been performing lost motion in the slot
of the extractor connecting rod.
When however the bolts have been depressed the continued movement of the
operating lever draws out the extractor with the empty cartridge cases.
After
the release of the operating lever the bolts are raised slightly by their springs as
described, and the extractor resumes its inoperative position so as not to interfere
with the insertion of the cartridges.
The breech is closed in by completely returning the operating lever to its
original position.
The extractor is guided partly by the aforesaid partition wall, and partly by
means of a spring piston or plunger working in a recess between the barrels.
An index finger is mounted on the axis of the operating lever and of the
pivotted stops to indicate when the gun is cocked.
The barrels may either be parallel or may converge slightly as may be desired.
Dated this 4th day of November 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, MARIE GASTON MATURIE, of West Lodge, Lower Mall, Hammersmith, in
the County of Middlesex, Captain of Reserve, 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:-
With the new powders, the internal balistics of fire aims are entirely changed,
so that, in the case of sporting rifles, barrels of Damascus or other mixed metals
are now liable to crack, only steel being capable of withstanding these powders.
In addition to this, the pivotal methods of closing hitherto employed, are no
longer of sufficient strength. In fact the loops for attaching the barrels are
frequently torn out, or else the locking bolts yield or allow play, thereby destroy-
ing the efficiency of the closing and allowing the barrels to gape or open in the
rear thus producing in firing violent shocks of the barrels against the fastening,
which shocks, after a short time, are liable to cause accidents.
In order to obviate all these defects, I have devised a sporting rifle in which the
closing is effected by means of blocks which possess all the required strength, and
of which the breech chambers intended for the reception of these blocks are
formed, as well as the two barrels, from a single piece of soft steel. I have been
led to adopt this method of forming my breech chambers owing to the impossi-
bility of screwing these chambers upon two barrels arranged side by side as is
done with a single barrel. My form of chamber presents further special features
which are suitable for the description of fire arm in question.
The breech block with which provide my sporting rifles is of the kind termed
"falling block," but I have applied certain parts to the mechanism and trans-
formed others to adapt this method of closing to a double rifle.
In short, my double rifle constitutes a novel fire-arm, in respect of which I
make the present application for Letters Patent.

page_text: My invention will be readily understood from the following description reference
being had to the accompanying drawing which is given by way of example, and
in which:
Figure 1 represents separately, in elevation, my breech chamber forming one
piece with the barrels, the whole being formed of a single piece of soft steel.
Figure 2 is a corresponding plan view.
Figure 3 is a section through the rifle on the axis of the left hand barrel, it
being assumed that both barrels have been discharged.
Figure 4 is a section through the rifle on the portion between the barrels, the
mechanism being actuated by the operating lever and the extractor having partly
quitted its recess.
Figure 5 is a detail view of a key serving to fix the movable stock of the fire-
arm behind the breech chambers; another and similar key serving as a safety
device.
Figure 6 represents an end view of the head of the operating lever.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the extractor.
Figure 8 represents one of the sears.
Figure 9 is a detail view of the tail piece of the breech intended for the recep-
tion of the stock and for fixing behind the breech chambers.
Figure 10 is a part view of the rifle as seen from the right hand.
Figure 11 is a corresponding plan view.
Figure 12 shows detail views of a tumbler, in side and front elevation
respectively.
Figure 13 shews a modified form of rifle and is a section on the axis of the
left hand barrel, the mechanism occupying the position which it assumes after
the discharge.
Figure 14 shews the same mechanism in the position which it assumes when
the rifle is open.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of a tumbler.
Figure 16 is a side elevation of the head of the operating lever, and
Figure 17 is a rear view of the breech chambers, the tail-piece of the breech,
the stock and also the mechanism being omitted.
In the various figures, similar letters of reference designate corresponding
parts.
This improved double-barrellel sporting rifle comprises the following prin- *
cipal parts.
A A¹ the barrels.
B B the barrel chambers.
C a removable breech tail-piece.
D the stock.
E E the two breech blocks.
F the single operating lever for both discharges.
G the two tumblers.
H the two firing-pins.
I an extractor.
J a rod connecting the extractor and the operating lever.
K K the two triggers.
L the two sears.
M the two indicators.
N the cylindrical key fixing the tail piece of the breech and the stock to the
rifle.
N the cylindrical safety key.
O the metal plate closing the chambers at their lower portion.
P the wooden front piece.
The two discharges are identical.
The breech chambers B B¹, in order to adapt them for a double-barrelled
rifle in which the barrels are arranged side by side, comprises lateral cheeks a a¹

page_text: Figures 1 and 2, the right-hand cheek a merely being a continuation of the
outer edge of the right-hand barrel A whilst the left-hand cheek a¹ is a continua-
tion of the outer edge of the left-hand barrel A¹ Between these two cheeks is
provided a central partition 6 Figure 4 which is a continuation of the part between
the two barrels, extending to the rear part c which joins this partition to the two
cheeks a a¹.
This partition 6 Figure 4 only descends a certain depth but it is sufficient to
resist the longitudinal effort tending, at the moment of the discharge, to separate
the barrels from the bearing part e, which effort is transmitted to the part c by
the right hand block when the right-hand barrel is discharged, and by the left
hand block when the left hand barrel is discharged, so that this central partition
serves alternately for resisting the right and the left hand discharges in con-
tinuation with the cheek belonging to the barrel which is being discharged.
This partition also fulfils another office, it serves as a guide, by means of its
lower edge c¹, to the extractor I. Finally it guides the eye of the shooter by
prolonging the portion between the two barrels as far as the back of the breech
chambers.
Behind, the breech chambers unite and form a kind of socket d Figures 10, 11
and 17 which comprises a bearing part e intended to receive the tenon h for retain-
ing upon these chambers the stock of the rifle and the tail piece of the breech
(Figure 9) which is fixed by means of a key N one half of the circumference of
which is removed; this key passes through the two cheeks of the breech chambers
and enters a notch g formed for this purpose in the said tenon h of the tail-piece
of the breech which tenon is engaged in the rear socket d of the chambers.
Upon the tenon h are pivoted upon each side the indicator M, Figures 3, 4, 13
and 14 shewing whether the rifle is charged, the sear L and the triggers K K¹.
All these parts, together with the tail-piece C are rigidly connected with the
wooden stock D and are withdrawn with this stock from the socket d of the
breech chambers when the rifle is separated into two parts, for convenience of
transport, for example. The stock D is fixed to the tail-piece of the breech I by
means of a screw Figures 11 and 17 in the usual manner.
The breech blocks E E¹ Figures 3, 4, 13 and 14 jointed upon the axis j serve
to stop the cartridges during firing and support the whole shock of the recoil
which is transmitted by them to the axis and to the bearing part c at the rear of
the chambers. These blocks are also retained in their closed position at their
lower portion by means of the arms & Figures 3, 13 and 16 of the operating
lever which form points of support in combination with the axis / engaged in
the cheeks of the chambers. The blocks are pierced in the longitudinal direction
with a passage m for the firing pin H and its spiral spring n; these blocks are
recessed on their upper portion in order to facilitate the introduction and
extraction of the cartridges.
As the operating lever Facts for both blocks, it comprises two pairs of arms k,
in addition, it is provided adjacent to its joint with a bearing part o which
serves to cock the tumbler G. Finally this same lever comprises a slot p
(Figure 6) in which engages the connecting rod J which operates the extractor İ.
This operating lever is loose upon its axis l.
The tumblers G are passed loose upon the axis ; and they comprise a cocking
notch Figures 12 and 15 for the noses of the sears L; a nose t for acting upon
the indicators M; a small projection u for cocking; an arm which engages
in a slot formed in the firing pin H in order to draw it back when it is desired to
compress the spring n; finally a notch which acts as a safety device by its
combination with a stop key N¹ which is cut away upon half its circumference
(see Figures and 14.)
The extractor I serves for both barrels; in front, it has the appearance shewn
in Figure 7. At the lower portion it is formed with a recess in which is jointed,
upon a pin, the connecting rod J which is provided at its other extremity with
the cross-piece z Figures 4, 13 and 14. At its upper portion, the extractor com-

page_text: prises a groove I in which engages the lower edge of the central partition
which separates the two breech chambers.
The extractor I is provided at its rear portion with a guide rod 2 engaged in a
recess 3 (Figures 3 and 17) formed between the two barrels, upon which rod is
passed the spiral counter spring 4 which is maintained in position by a nut 5
forming at the same time a piston guide.
The sears L pivoted at 6 upon the tenon h of the breech tail piece C and their
springs 7 Figures 3, 8 13 and 14, bear against a part 8 formed for that purpose
in the tail-piece of the breech. These sears are formed with a portion 9 bent
at right angles (Figure 8) which bears upon the triggers K K¹.
The triggers K K are pivoted at 10 upon the breech tail piece, and their
nose 11 bears upon the tail pieces of the sears.
The indicators M are pivoted at 12 Figures 3 and 4 upon the tenon h of the
breech tail-piece; they are formed with a nose 13 which projects beyond the
chambers when the rifle is cocked and they comprise a counter spring 14 which
serves to draw them back automatically when the discharge has taken place.
OPERATION OF THE MECHANISM.
If we assume both barrels to have been discharged (Figure 3), by causing the
operating lever F to swing forward, its cocking part o will strike against the
projection u of the tumblers G and force these tumblers to swing back. As the
arms of these tumblers are engaged in the firing pins H, they effect the drawing
back of these latter and the compression of the spiral springs n upon a plug 15
screwed into the passage.
When the tumblers have been swung back suffi-
ciently, the notches r strike against the noses s of the sears L which retain them
and also the firing pins H until the triggers K K' are pressed in order to produce
the discharge.
The nosest press against the indicators M and cause them to project behind
the chambers.
Whilst the notches r of the tumblers are engaging with the noses s of the sears,
the arms of the operating lever F strike against the projections 16 which are at
the rear of the blocks and force these latter to turn, as shewn in Figure 4.
During this movement, the middle arms (Figure 6) of the operating lever,
after remaining inoperative in order to allow time for the blocks to un-cover the
entrance to the chambers, strike against the cross-piece z of the connecting rod J,
thereby forcing the extractor I to leave its recess in a straight line and extract
the cartridges from the chambers.
This extractor is guided during its displacement by its rear rod 2 and by the
central partition c¹ of the chambers; its displacement is therefore absolutely
rectilinear, which is the only motion adapted for the extraction of ordinary sport-
ing cartridges having but a small flange, any danger of failure of the extractor
being obviated.
During the travel of the extractor, the block continues to descend and reach
the position indicated by dotted lines (Figure 4).
The empty cases being ejected, the operating lever F held by the right hand
is of course released in order to seize the fresh cartridges; the firing and closing
parts being compressed slightly in excess, this release allows the operating lever
to return somewhat, and also the blocks, under the action of the firing springs n
and the extractor I re-enters its recess under the action of its spiral spring 4.
In this manner, in order to re-charge the rifle, the new cartridges may be pressed
into the chambers without its being necessary to force back the extractor. The
rifle is then closed in the manner illustrated in Figure 3, by bringing back the
operating lever completely against the lower guard 17.
If it is desired to utilise the safety device, it is only necessary to turn the
key N¹ by means of its part 18 in such a manner that the full portion of its rod
may engage in the notch of the tumbler G; the reverse position of the key
releases the tumblers.

page_text: In the modification illustrated in Figures 13 to 17, the rear projection 16 of
the block is omitted and these latter are depressed merely by the arms of the
tumblers G.
In addition to this, the operating lever F comprises a central eye 19 of oblong
form through which passes the axis of the tumblers which serves as a bearing
point for the lever and blocks. In this arrangement, the lever is jointed at 20
upon a supplementary axis so that in causing this lever to swing it becomes
excentric, and at a given moment its cocking part o escapes from the projection u
of the tumblers and passes freely into a recess 21 (see Figure 15) formed in these
latter. In this manner the tractive effort of the lever is able to act upon the
connecting rod J of the extractor I independently of the other parts of the
mechanism.
The rifle may be made in all calibres.
The barrels may either be parallel or convergent as hitherto.
The forms, details, accessories and dimensions may of course be modified with-
out in any way affecting the principle of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim in a sporting gun having fixed barrels, is :-
66
1. The combination of breech chambers B B¹, provided with a double
barrel A A¹, the whole being formed from a single piece of soft steel, with a
falling block" mechanism, the two breech chambers B B₁ being constituted
by two lateral cheeks a a¹ combined with a central partition b serving alternately
as a cheek for the right and left hand barrels, in combination with the cheek
special to the barrel which is being discharged, the two breech chambers thus
formed uniting in their rear portion so as to form a socket d presenting an
internal bearing part e against which the tenon h of the breech tail-piece bears,
such tenon being intended to fix the removable stock D against the chambers,
the whole substantially as described and represented and for the purpose
specified.
2. In the description of fire-arm above claimed, the combination of a single
operating lever F with two breech blocks E E', this lever being intended to cause
the two blocks to operate simultaneously and comprising for this purpose two
pairs of forks k between which the blocks are arranged, the two middle arms of
the forks being in addition intended to operate a connecting rod J attached to a
rectilinear extractor I, as described above and represented in the accompanying
drawing.
3. In the description of fire-arm above claimed, the combination of a "falling
block" mechanism and of an operating lever with a rectilinear extractor I
acting by means of a connecting rod J which pulls upon it under the action of
the operating lever, this connecting rod being provided with a cross-piece z at its
rear which cross piece is not at first operatively acted upon by the operating levers
in such a manner that the extractor does not begin to leave its recess until the
blocks are sufficiently depressed to un-cover the entrance to the chambers this
extractor being provided with a spiral counter-spring 4 which replaces. it auto-
matically in its recess when the blocks have ascended slightly, as described above
and claimed.
4. In the description of fire-arm above claimed, the safety device consisting
of a cylindrical key N¹ one part of the circumference of which has been removed
and of which the remaining portion is arranged in combination with the
tumblers G so as to lock them when so desired, as described above and repre-
sented in the accompanying drawing.
5. The modification of the rifle above described, in which the operating lever F
comprises an oblong, eye 19 and a supplementary axis 20 in combination with
a recess 21 formed in the tumblers G, in such a manner that the cocking bearing
part o of the lever becomes excentric so as to escape, after having cocked the

page_text: tumblers, from their projections u, in order that this lever may be rendered
momentarily independent so as to act upon the connecting rod J of the extractor I,
as described above and represented in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of July 1898
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.