Improvements in Machine-Guns.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1906
Complete Specification Left, 6th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
[Communicated from abroad by HENRY OSBORN MOSES of 536 Boston Street West
Lynn Essex County, Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Machine-Guns.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of fire-arms known
as "machine-guns," wherein the loaded cartridges are supplied from a hopper
and forced directly into the breech end of separate barrels and fired from them
iy the needles operated by a rotary apparatus, which apparatus also rotates the
cartridge-receivers or carriers, all of which are worked by a crank-handle, as will
hereinafter be more fully explained and pointed out.
In carrying out the invention, I secure all the working parts to a gun-frame or
stock which is cast or forged in one piece of metal and is made of such dimensions
as will secure the requisite strength for the support of the gun-barrels, as well
as insure the necessary resistance to strain from constant use and field operations.
The frame may also be made of separate parts and properly fastened together.
This frame has at its rear end a strong breech-plate, through which is a center
hole for an interior operating-shaft. Parallel with this breech-plate is a trans-
verse plate, and between these plates is the space for the rotary lock-wheel, which
is fitted to a hollow shaft in which works the operating-shaft above mentioned.
The rotary lock-wheel has within it, at the rear end, a bevelled gear-wheel, and
the interior operating-shaft carries a similar gear-wheel, a third gear-wheel, which
meshes with both these gears, being fastened to a crank-shaft which passes radially
through the breech-plate and has on its outer projecting end an operating-crank.
On the transverse plate is a notched segment, having ratchets or cams on the
The cams rise
side next to the lock-wheel, and notches between the cams.
gradually from the surface of the plate to the notches, and the ends form per-
pendiculars to the plate. These cams co-act with spring-pressed hammers, which
are arranged to move longitudinally in bores in the lock-wheel, and are caused
by rotation of the latter, through the means described, to ride over the cams,
whereby the hammers are retracted until thev reach the high ends of the cams,
when they snap past the same, and through the described notches, to impinge
It is to be understood that
against the firing-needles hereinafter referred to.
there is but a single one of these hammers to operate against all the firing-pins
successively but as I intend to discharge each barrel twice in one complete
cycle of operation of the gun, I provide two hammers at diametrically opposite
sides of the lock-wheel. The lock-wheel carries what I term "lock-blocks," of
segmental form, which are designed to fill in the space between the breech-plate
and transverse plate solidly throughout the area of the gun-barrels, so that during
the firing the recoil will be carried directly back to the strong breech-plate. Ball-

page_text: bearings are interposed between the lock-wheel and the said breech-plate, to
prevent friction in the recoil such as to obstruct turning of the wheel. It will
le understood that by each hammer running over the inclines or cams upon the
notched segment, the barrels are discharged successively.
In the described transverse plate are as many rectangular notches as there are
gun-barrels, and said notches receive the rectangular rear ends of guides for the
plungers, which are rectangular where they slide in the guides, to prevent their
turning when in action.
Another transverse plate is placed farther forward in the gun-frame, and has
a series of circular holes to correspond with the rectangular holes or notches in
the first-described or rear transverse plate, to sustain circular bushings on the ends
of the guides.
There is, in advance of the forward transverse plate, a plate which is cast or
forged solid with the gun-frame and into which are removably secured the breech
ends of the gun-barrels, in exact line with the centers of the rectangular notches
in the rear transverse plate and the circular holes in the forward transverse plate.
The front ends of the gun-barrels are sustained in a front plate of the gun-frame,
which is may he cast or forged solid with it.
That part of the gun-frame extending from the rear end or breech-plate to the
forward transverse plate is a hollow semi-cylinder, that is to say, the shell is
only a half-ring on the under side, forming, from the breech-plate to the trans-
verse plate, one piece of metal, cast or forged whole, and which is continued on
each side to the front plate, of sufficient depth to make the whole frame substantial.
All these parts may be made separate, and securely fastened together. The top
of the gun-frame, from the breech-plate to the transverse plate, is covered by a
removable cap.
For the purpose and convenience of fitting all the various parts of the gun, the
forward and rear transverse plates are made separately from the frame, and are
properly fitted in grooves in the sides of the gun-frame, but may be cast with it.
All the other plates and the sides are made in one piece with the gun-frame.
The plungers are reciprocated in their guides, the hollow shaft carrying between
the transverse plates a cam-wheel whose groove receives and co-acts with pro-
jections on the plungers. On each side of the circular part of the plunger is
secured a metal spring-piece extending forward somewhat beyond the end of the
plunger and having notches just deep enough to catch the bead on the head of
the cartridge, the projecting ends beyond being bevelled inside, to slide readily
over the bead of the cartridge when the plunger is forced forward. The end of
the barrel is slightly recessed, to receive the ends of the extractors. The
extractors are opened by co-action of inside bevels, somewhat back from their ends,
with stationary pins
The interior or main operating-shaft is extended forward through the forward
t:ansverse plate, and carries a small cog-wheel beyond the outer side of the said
transverse plate, which meshes with a similar cog-wheel on the hollow side of
wheel which is journalled on a shaft extending from the forward transverse plate
and through the rear gun-carrying plate, and screwed up by a nut outside of the
said gun-carrying plate. On the periphery of this wheel there is a suitable
number of cogs, placed in groups, opposite to each other, for the purpose of
engaging with the groups of cogs on the ends of the cartridge-receivers.
The cartridge-receivers, which are of a number corresponding with the number
of barrels, convenient number being five, are arranged around the upper side
of the said wheel, and centrally journalled on studs projecting from the forward
transverse plate. Each receiver has five places for cartridges, which are dropped
into it, one at a time, from the cartridge case or hoppers. One end of these
cartridge-receivers is divided into ten equal sections. Five of them, alternately,
have the same number of cogs as there are cogs in the groups on the periphery of
the wheel above described, and which mesh with them. Between these cogged
spaces on the receivers, there are blank spaces having the curvature of the circum-

page_text: ference of the wheel, so that when the wheel is rotating and its cogs not meshed
with the cogs of the receivers, the receivers cannot rotate until the first cog of the
wheel carries the receiver into gear, when it will only rotate the given distance
of the cogs. The time of rest of each receiver is sufficient to allow the cartridge,
by action of the plunger, to be forced into the barrel and fired, and then extracted,
all of which must take place before another movement of the receiver. The said
first cog on the wheel is a lug which extends only half-way of the face of the
periphery, of the wheel, and on each receiver there are five lugs, with which this
lug engages as the wheel rotates. The plungers pass into and through the recesses
of the receivers, to force the cartridges into the barrels. The openings in the
receivers through which the plungers pass have side recesses, to accommodate the
extractors, and stop-pins project into the openings and are accommodated in
grooves in the plungers, said pins acting to prevent the cartridges from being
withdrawn too far when extracted.
It may be well to here state briefly the general operation of the parts of the
machine thus far described.
As the wheel is made to revolve, and as cogs on the same come into mesh with
the cngs on the receiver, the latter is carried around just far enough for the
cartridge, which has been dropped into its top recess, to be brought immediately
in line with the gun-barrel, and then by the action of the grooved cam-wheel,
the plunger immediately forces the cartridge into the chamber of the barrel, and
just so soon as the cartridge is forced home, the lock-bolt or hammer, which had
been forced back against its spring by the cam or incline, is released by reason of
its passing the end of said cam, and the lock-host is thrown with great force
against the firing-needle, and the latter is driven upon the cartridge-cap, and the
cap is exploded. The cam-wheel then withdraws the plunger, and with it the
empty cartridge-shell, into its receiver, and by another revolution of the latter,
the shell is carried to the under side, and drops out by gravity, while another
cartridge is moved to its proper place in rear of the gun-barrel. The extractors
release their hold in the shell when it has been drawn into the receiver, and then
continue backward out of the receiver, in order not to obstruct rotation of the
latter.
The relation of the centers of the main-shaft and of the receiver-actuating wheel
is such that the center of the wheel is a little below and to one side of
the center of the main-shaft. The centers of the several receivers are
all embraced in a circle described about the center of the said wheel.
The center of the main-shaft is the center of the circle embracing
the centers of the corresponding chambers of the receivers alining with
the gun barrels. Thus, when the wheel imparts movement to the several receivers,
it causes them to carry the cartridges received on top downward to their true
positions of alinement with the barrels.
When the gun is used in a vertical position, pointing downward, means are
provided for preventing the empty shells from dropping endwise out of the
receivers and for ejecting them sidewise, as follows: The wheel carries a pair
of disks, each having a cam-projection. Curved levers are pivoted to the ivar
gun-carrying plate, and extend between said plate and the receivers, and at their
inner ends have short divergent arms to co-act with the said cam-projections.
When the exploded shell is withdrawn into the receiver, it is apparent that with
the gun pointing downward, said shell would drop back into the barrel when
released, without some provision to prevent. When the firing takes place, one of
the levers stands clear of the barrel and the alining chamber of the receiver; but
when the empty shell is withdrawn into the receiver, the lever is moved over in
front of it by the action of one of the cam-projections against one of the divergent
aims of the lever. The action of the other cam-projection against the other lever-
arm again moves the lever to one side of the barrel. The cams will be properly
timed to bring about these operations, and it will be seen that they act successively
on the different levers.

page_text: For the purpose of ejecting the empty shells, there are fastened to the rear gun-
carrying plate a number of abutment-fingers, which stand in position to meet
the shells as they are carried around by the receivers, the latter being slotted to
accommodate the fingers. There are preferably two of these abutment-fingers
for each receiver, and they are screwed onto a stud, which stud screws into the
plate.
Referring next to the feed mechanism, I provide a casing, preferably made in two
parts, between which is left a slot, for a purpose to be presently explained, and in
which are also provided grooves for receiving the flange of the cartridge. The
two sections of the casing are fastened at their ends to integral pieces, with grooves
registering with those of the case. The cartridges are stacked in the casing, with
their flanges engaged with the grooves in the casing, and when the case stands
upright, they feed by gravity into the receivers. The hopper or feed-case slides
into the feed-port of the gun, and is held in by means of a spring-catch, which
snaps over a catch on the side of the casing of the feed-port.
On the back of the first-mentioned casing is an apparatus for forcing the
cartridges down when the case is on or near a horizontal line, said apparatus
comprising a notched bar, on which is a sliding box having a bifurcated spring-
controlled pawl. The lower end is to feed down the cartridges. On the said rod
is also another sliding box, having also a spring-controlled pawl, arranged for
convenience transversely to the other pawl. Between these two boxes is a coiled
spring.
Two feed-cases may be made to fit together end to end, where a longer case is
desired, to accommodate a greater number of cartridges in line.
The gun may be suitably mounted to rest upon the deck of a vessel, or the
manner of mountine may be modified to adapt it for application to the rail of a
ship. In this case, the top of the standard is formed with a semi-circular guide-
way, which receives a segmental rack engaged by a worm encased in a suitable
Lox and operated by a handle on its stem. A set-screw entered through the side
of the guide-way is designed to bear against the segment and lock it in different
positions.
A transit bed-plate has trunnions journalled in the top ends of the said segment
and carrying a second segmental rack engaged by another worm, which is
jounalled in suitable supports on the first-mentioned segment, and having a
stem and a handle. A set-screw is provided, to hold the second segment at
different adjustments, said screw being entered through a part of the first segment,
to bear against the second-mentioned segment. A transit-plate is centered on a
conical stud rising from the bed-plate, and may be set at different positions of
rotary adjustment by means of a thumb-nut screwing on a headed bolt which
engages a groove in the bed-plate, said groove being T-shaped in cross-section
Arms rising from the transit-plate have bearings at the top, receiving trunnions
en the gun-frame.
It will be readily understood that by means of the above described mechanism
any adjustment of the gun desired can be had.
The means employed to secure the aim by turning the gun on its trunnions are
of the following description: There is pivotally connected with the gun-supporting
aims just described, a rod which throughout the greater portion of its length is
grooved or slotted to receive a bar serrated along the outer edge to form portions
of screw-threads. Said bar is connected with the rod by radius-links, and is
pressed outward by springs fastened to the bottom of the groove. The outer end
of the rod is enlarged to form a handle or knob, and the end of the serrated bar
extends so that in grasping the rod said bar may be pressed inward. The bar may
be locked in its outer position by means of a set-screw entered through the end
f the rod.
There is pivotally connected with the gun-frame, on its under side, a bushing
in which is journalled an internally screw-threaded sleeve for engagement with
the serrated bar, the rod and bar passing through the sleeve. The sleeve has a

page_text: knurled head, by which to turn it, and thereby distend or contract the connection
between the gun and its support, so as to bring the gun into aiming position.
The rod is so adjustable in the sleeve as to accommodate any position to which the
gun may be tilted, and the interlocking of the serrated bar and the sleeve will
hold the gun against movement in either direction. These parts can be readily
unlocked by pressing in the serrated bar.
Means are employed, as hereafter described, whereby the gun may be caused to
sweep through any angle desired, said means being operated by the crank-handle
bereinbefore referred to as being the means for operating the other parts of the
A train of gearing is suitably mounted on the gun-frame, in connection
with the crank-handle. One of the gears of said train is formed in one side with
a heart-shaped cam-groove, occupied by a roller on the end of a bar fitted to slide
through a guide suitably supported on the gun-frame. This bar is jointed to the
upper end of a lever which is adjustably pivoted to a rigid arm depending from
the gun. Said pendant arm is slotted to receive through it a headed bolt, whose
outer end receives a thumb-nut which has a reduced rounded portion, constituting
the pivot and surrounded by a block or box which fits a slot in the lever and is
longitudinally adjustable therein. It will now be seen that by loosening the
thumb-nut and then moving it lengthwise of the lever, the pivot of the latter a
changed, and may be fixed at any adjustment by tightening the said thumb-nut.
The lower end of the lever is formed as a ball which engages a socket in one.end
cf a curved arm which, at its opposite end, is fastened on the stud on which the
transit-plate is centered, by means of a clamping-nut. This end of the curved
arm being fixed, it will be seen that turning of the crank-handle will have the
effect of swinging the gun horizontally. Adjustment of the pivot of the lever
determines the extent of swing. The heart-shaped cam produces movement first
in one direction and then in the opposite direction, in the slide which transmits
motion to the lever. The lower end of the latter being engaged with a fixed
support, the gun will of necessity be turned by the pressing of the headed bolt
against the sides of the slot formed in the depending rigid arm, which is. a part
of the gun-frame.
Improvements in Machine-Guns.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of firearms known
as "machine-guns," wherein the loaded cartridges are supplied from a hopper
and forced directly into the breech end of separate barrels and fired from them
by the needles operated by a rotary apparatus, which apparatus also rotates the
cartridge-receivers or carriers, all of which are worked by a crank-handle, as will
hereinafter be more fully explained and pointed out.
These improvements are represented by the accompanying drawings, forining
a part of this specification, in which-
Figure 1 is a horizontal longitudinal section.
Figure 2 is a partial vertical longitudinal section.

page_text: Figure 3 is an end view of the lock-block wheel which is seen in section in
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a substantially vertical section through one of the magazines and
one of the cartridge-carriers, showing their co-operative relation.
Figure 5 is an end view of the apparatus for operating the cartridge-carriers or
receivers.
Figure 5 is a detail section on line 5-5 of Figure 5.
Figure 5 shows side and edge views of a portion of one of a certain set of levers
seen in Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a top view of the chamber where the cartridge-carriers are placed,
and a section of the operative mechanism.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section of the cartridge-hoppers, on line of
Figure 8.
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cartridge receivers or carriers.
Figures 9 and 10 show mechanism for forcing the cartridge along the feed case
or hoppers.
Figure 11 is an end and edge view of the plate which supports the guides of the
plungers at one end.
Figure 12 is an enlarged section, showing the position of the lock, plunger,
needle, and extractors.
Figure 13 shows a top view of the same parts.
Figures 14, 15, and 16 are details showing the construction of the cartridge
cerriers or receivers, Figure 14 being a rear-end view, Figure 15 a cross-section,
and Figure 16 a longitudinal section.
Figure 17 is a vertical longitudinal section, showing the breech of a gun-barrel,
the plunger, and a cartridge to be forced by the latter into the barrel.
Figure 18 shows a detail of means for removing the empty shells when the gun
is.in a vertical position.
Figure 19 is a longitudinal section of one of the plungers and appurtenances,
tegether with a number of cross-sectional views taken at points indicated.
Figures 20 and 21 show respectively an elevation and a longitudinal section of
the plunger and needle.
Figure 22 shows the needle detached.
Figures 23 and 24 show respectively an elevation and a longitudinal section of
an aiming apparatus.
Figures 25 and 26 are cross-sections of the same.
Figure 27 is a perspective view of the plunger and its guide.
Figure 28 is a sectionalized side elevation of a feed case or hopper, and feed
mechanism.
Figure 29 is a rear end elevation of said feed-case.
Figure 30 is a front end elevation of the same, with a section of the feed-port
of the gun.
Figure 31 is a cross-section on line 31-31 of Figure 29.
Figure 32 is a top view of the feed-case.
Figure 33-shows two feed-cases fitted together.
Figure 34 shows a top plan view of a transit for supporting the gun.
Figure 35 shows a side elevation of the same, partially broken away, and with
the gun mounted upon it.
Figure 36 shows a front elevation of these parts, represented as broken away at
some places.
Figures 37, 38, 39, 40, and 40" are details of the transit, showing the construction
of the gearing for its several movements.
Figure 41 is a perspective view of the gun mounted on the rail of a ship.
Figure 42 is a perspective view of a gun, showing underneath the traversing
apparatus.
Figures 43, 44, 45, and 40 are the several details, enlarged, of the traversing
apparatus.

page_text: A is the gun frame or stock, in which all the working parts are secured. This
frame is cast or forged in one piece of metal, and is made of such dimensions as
will secure the requisite strength for the support of the gun-barrels, as well as to
insure the necessary resistance to strain from constant use and field operations.
The frame may also be made of separate parts and properly fastened together.
This frame A has at its rear end a strong breech-plate A', through which is a
center hole a for an interior operating-shaft B. Parallel with breech-plate A is
a transverse plate A2, and between these plates is the space for the rotary lock-
block or wheel C, which is fitted to a hollow shaft B, in which works the first
shaft B above mentioned. The wheel C has within it, at the rear end, a bevelled
gear wheel c', and the shaft B carries a similar gear wheel 2, and a third geac
wheel meshes with both the gears and 6, and is fastened to a crank-shaft c
passing radially through the breech-plate and having on its outer projecting end
en operating crank H. On the plate A2 is a notched segment C3 (detailed in
Figure 11), having ratchets or cams c" on the side next to the lock-wheel C and
notches between the cams. The cams crise gradually from the surface of the
plate to the notches c, and the ends from perpendiculars to the plate, and these
cams co-act with spring-pressed hammers, the said hammers being arranged to
move longitudinally in bores in the wheel and caused by rotation of the latter.
through the means described, to ride over the cams, whereby the said hammers
are retracted until they reach the high ends of the cams, when they snap past the
same and through the notches 2, to impinge against the firing-needles g herein-
after referred to. It is to be understood that there is but a single one of these
hammers to operate against all the firing-pins successively; but as I intend to
discharge each barrel twice in one complete cycle of operation of the gun, I have
shown two hammers at diametrically opposite sides of the wheel C. The wheel
carries what I term "lock-blocks", of segmental form, which are designed to
fill in the space between the plates A1 and A2 solidly throughout the area of the
gun-barrels, so that during the firing the recoil will be carried directly back to
the strong breech-plate A. Ball bearings c are interposed between the wheel C
and the said breech-plate, to prevent friction in the recoil, such as to obstruct
turning of the wheel. It will be understood that by each hammer e running over
the inclines c¹ the barrels are discharged successively.
In plate A2 are as many rectangular notches a3 a as there are gun-barrels, and
said notches receive the rectangular rear ends of guides F for the plungers G (see
Figures 19 and 27), which are rectangular where they slide in the guides F, to
prevent their turning when in action. A³ is another transverse plate, placed
farther forward in the gun-frame and having a series of circular holes a³ to
correspond with the rectangular holes or notches a a³ in the plate A3, to sustain
the circular bushings f" on the ends of the guides.
There is in advance of plate A3, a plate A which is cast or forged solid with the
gun-frame A, and into which are removably secured the breech ends of the gun-
barrels, in exact line with the centers of the rectangular notches an in
plate A, and the circular holes in plate A³.
A5 is a front-plate of the gun-frame A, and may be cast or forged solid with it,
and in which the front ends of the gun-barrels are sustained.
That part of the gun-frame A extending from the rear end or breech-plate A
to plate A3 is a hollow semi-cylinder, i.e., the shell is only a half-ring on the under
side, forming from the breech-plate A¹ to plate A, one piece of metal, cast or
forged whole, and which is continued on each side to the front end-plate A of
sufficient depth to make the whole frame substantial. All these parts may be
made separate and securely fastened together. The top of the gun-frame from A'
to A3, is covered by a removable cap.
For the purpose and convenience of fitting all the various parts of the gun, the
plates A and A3 are made separately from the frame, and are properly fitted in
grooves in the sides of the frame A, but may be cast with it. All the other plates
and sides are made in one piece with the frume A.

page_text: The plungers G are reciprocated in their guides F, the hollow shaft B¹ carrying
Eetween the plates A2 and A³ a cam wheel E, whose groove receives and co-acts
with projections 3 on the plungers. On each side of the circular part of the
plunger is secured a metal spring-piece J (see Figures 12, 13, and 17) extending
forward somewhat beyond the end of the plunger and having notches j just deep
enough to catch the bead on the head of the cartridge K (see Figure 12), the
projecting ends beyond being bevelled inside to slide readily over the bead of the
cartridge when the plunger G is forced forward. The end of the barrel is slightly
recessed, as shown at j¹, to receive the ends of the extractors J. The extractors
are onened by co-action of inside bevels j" somewhat back from their ends, with
stationary pins f.
The shaft B hereinbefore referred to is extended forward through the plate A³,
and carries a small cog-wheel b beyond the outer side of the plate A³, which meshes
with a similar cog-wheel d¹ on the hollow side of a wheel D journalled on a shaft d
extending from plate 13 and through plate A and screwed up b- the nut a
outside of plate A+. On the periphery of the wheel 1) there is a suitable number
of cogs, placed in groups, opposite each other, for the purpose of engaging
with the groups of cogs on the ends of the cartridge-receivers I (Figure 5).
The cartridge-receivers (here shown as five in number, corresponding with the
number of barrels) are arranged around the upper side of the wheel D and
centrally journalled on studs projecting from the plate A³. Each receiver has
five places (see Figures 14 to 16) for cartridges, which are dropped into it, one
at a time, from the cartridge-case or hoppers L, as seen in dotted lines (Figure 5).
One end of these cartridge-receivers is divided into ten equal sections. Five of
them, alternately, have the same number of cogs as there are cogs in the groups
en the periphery of the wheel D, and which mesh with them. Between these
cegged spaces on the receivers there are blank spaces 710, having the curvature of
the circumference of wheel D, so that when D is rotating, and its cogs not meshed
with the cogs of the receivers, the receivers cannot rotate until the first cog
of the wheel D carries the receiver into gear, when it will only rotate the given
distance of the cogs. The time of the rest of each receiver is sufficient to allow
the cartridge by action of the plunger to be forced into the barrel and fired and
then extracted, all of which must take place before another movement of the
receiver. The cog is a lug which extends only half-way of the face of the
periphery of wheel D, and on each receiver there are five lugs it, with which ill
engages as wheel D rotates. The plungers G pass into and through the recesses
of the receivers, to force the cartridges into the barrels. The openings in the
receivers through which the plungers pass have side recesses 5 to accommodate
the extractors J, and stop-pins f³ project into the openings and are accommodated
in grooves in the plungers, said pins acting to prevent the cartridges from being
withdrawn too far when extracted.
It may be well to here state briefly the general operation of the parts of the
machine thus far described.
As wheel D is made to revolve, and as cogs on the same come into mesh with
the cogs on the receiver I, the latter is carried around just far enough for the
cartridge, which has been dropped into its top recess, to be brought immediately
in line with the gun-barrel, and then by the action of the cam-wheel E the
plunger G immediately forces the cartridge into the chamber of the barrel, and
just as soon as the cartridge is forced home, the lock-bolt or hammer c, which has
been forced back against its spring by the cam c, is released by reason of its
passing the end of said cam, and the lock-bolt is thrown with great force against
the needle g, and the latter is driven upon the cartridge-cap and the same is
exploded. The cam-wheel E then withdraws the plunger G, and with it the
empty cartridge-shell, into its receiver, and by another revolution of the latter,
the shell is carried to the under side, and drops out oy gravity, while another
cartridge is moved to its proper place in rear of the gun-barrel. The extractors

page_text: release their hold. in the shell when it has been drawn into the receiver, and then
continue backward, out of the receiver, in order not to obstruct rotation of the
latter.
The diagram shown in Figure 8 illustrates the relation of the centers of the
wheel and the main shaft, the former being a little below and to the left of the
center of the latter. The centers of the several receivers are all embraced in a
circle described about the center of the wheel D (designated as dx); and to make
this clear, I have dotted in the circle, and drawn radii in full lines. The center
of the main-shaft (designated as b) is the center of the circle embracing the
centers of the corresponding chambers of the receivers alining with the gun-
barrels, and I have drawn radii in dotted lines, of this circle. Thus when the
wheel D imparts movement to the several receivers, it causes them to carry the
cartridges received on top downward to their true positions of alinement with the
barrels.
When the gun is used in a vertical position, pointing downward, means are pro-
vided for preventing the empty shells from dropping endwise out of the receivers
and for ejecting them sidewise. I have illustrated in Figures 5, 5, 5b, and 6,
and Figures 16 and 18, means for accomplishing the above-stated objects.
Referring first to Figures 5 and 6, it will be observed that the wheel D carries a
pair of disks M and M' having cam-projections m and m'. Curved levers k are
pivoted to the plate A, and extend between said plate and the receivers, and t
their inner ends have short divergent arms to co-act with the cam-
projections m and m'. When the explowed shell is withdrawn into the receiver,
it is apparent that with the gun pointing downward, said shell would drop back
into the barrel when released, without some provision to prevent. When the
firing takes place, the lever k stands clear of the barrel and the alining-chamber
of the receiver, but when the empty shell is withdrawn into the receiver, the lever
is moved over in front of it by the action of the cam-projection m' against the
arm . The action of the cam-projection m against the other lever-arm k again
moves the lever to one side of the barrel. The cams will be properly timed o
bring about these operations, and it will be seen that they act successively on the
different levers.
For the purpose of ejecting the empty shells, there are fastened to the plate A*
number of abutment-fingers m", which stand in position to meet the shells as
they are carried around by the receivers, the latter being slotted, as shown at m
in Figure 16, to accommodate the fingers. There are preferably two of these
abutment-fingers for each receiver, and they are screwed onto a stud m* (see
Figure 18), which stud screws into the plate A+
Referring next to the feed mechanism detailed in Figures 9 and 10 and
Figures 28 to 33, the letter L designates a casing, preferably made in two parts,
between which is left a slot for a purpose to be presently explained, and in
which are also provided grooves for receiving the flange 1 of the cartridge.
The two sections of the case L are fastened at their ends to integral
pieces L' and Lu, with grooves registering with those of the case.
The cartridges K are stacked in the case with their flanges engaged with
the grooves, and when the case stands upright, they feed by gravity into the
receivers. The hopper or feed-case slides into the feed-port 01 of the gun, and
is held in by means of a spring-catch 01 which snaps over a catch on the side
of the casing of the feed-port.
On the back of the case L is an apparatus for forcing the cartridges down when
the case is on or near a horizontal line. In Figures 9 and 10, sheet 2, is shown
enlarged the notched bar W, on which is a sliding box W having bifurcated
spring-controlled pawl w. The lower end is to feed down the cartridges, as in
Figure 28. On the rod W is also another sliding box W", having a spring-
controller pawl arranged in present case for convenience transversely to the
other pawl. Between these two boxes is a coiled sprig x.

page_text: Two feed-cases may be made to fit together end to end, as illustrated in
Figure 33, where a longer case is desired, to accommodate a greater number of
cartridges in line.
The manner of mounting the gun is illustrated in Figures 34 to 41. The base
standard may be in the form shown in Figures 36 and 36, where it is designated,
and it is designed to rest upon any suitable support, as the deck of a vessel, or it.
may be in the form shown in Figure 41, where it is designated 2" and designed
for an application to the rail of a ship. The top of the standard is formed with
a semi-circular guide-way Z, which receives a seginental rack N, engaged by a
worm n encased in a suitable box n and operated by a handle n on its stem o':
A set-screw g entered through the side of the guide-way Z is designed to hear
against the segment and lock it at different positions.
A transit bed-plate N has trunnions N jourualled in the top ends of the
segment N and carrying a segmental rack P engaged by a worm Q journalled in
suitable supports on the segment N and having a stem and handle Q. A set-
screw q is provided, to hold the segment l' at different adjustments, said screw
being entered through a part of the segment N, to hear against the segnent P.
A transit-plate S is centered on a conical stud R rising from the center of the bed-
plate N, and may be set at different positions of rotary adjustment by means of
a thumb-nut a, screwing on a headed bolt a which engages a groove in the
bed-plate P, said groove being T-shaped in cross-section. Arms rising from the
plate S have bearings at the top, receiving trunnions T on the gun-frame A.
It will be readily understood that by means of the above described mechanism
ony adjustment of the gun desired can be had.
The means employed to secure the aim by turning the gun on its trunnions T
are of the following description, reference being had more particularly to
Figures 23, 24, 35, and 41. There is pivotally connected with the gun-supporting
arms, a rod which throughout the greater portion of its length is grooved or
slotted, as shown at U, to receive a bar T serrated along the outer edge to form
portions of screw-threads. Said bar is connected with the rod by radius-links,
and is pressed outward by springs w fastened to the bottom of the groove.
outer end of the rod U is enlarged to form a handle or knob, and the end of the
serrated bar extends so that in grasping the rod said bar may be pressed inward.
The bar may be locked in its outer position by means of a set-screw entered
through the end of the rod.
The
There is pivotally connected with the gun-frame, on 1.s under side, a bushing V,
in which is journalled an internally screw-threaded sleeve V for engagment with
the serrated bar T, the rod and bar passing through the sleeve. The sleeve V
has a knurled head by which to turn it and thereby distend or contract the
connection between the gun and its support, so as to bring the gun into aiming
position. It will be readily seen that the rod is so adjustable in the sleeve as
to accommodate any position to which the gun may be tilted, and the interlocking
of the serrated bar and the sleeve will hold the gun against movement in either
direction. These parts can be readily unlocked by pressing in the bar T
In Figures 42 to 46, I illustrate means whereby the gun may be caused to sweep
through any angle desired, said means operated by the crank-handle H herein-
bu fore referred to as being the means for operating the other parts of the gun. A
train of gearing 2 3 4 5 is suitably mounted on the gun-frame A, in connection
with the crank H, and the gear 5 is formed in one side with a heart-shaped cam-
groove 6 occupied by a roller on the end of a bar 7 fitted to slide through a guide S
suitably supported on the gun-frame. The bar 7 is jointed to the upper end of
a lever 9, which is adjustably pivoted to a rigid arm 13 depending from the gun.
Said pendent arm is slotted, as shown at 14, to receive through it a headed bolt 15,
whose outer end receives a thumb-nut 19 having a reduced rounded portion 17
constituting the pivot and surrounded by a block or box 12, which fits a slot in
the lever 9 and is lougitudinally adjustable therein. It will now be seen that by
loosening the thumb-nut 15 and then moving it lengthwise of the lever, the pivot

page_text: of the latter is changed and may be fixed at any adjustment by tightening the
said thumb-nut. The lower end of the lever is formed as a ball 10 which engages
a socket in one end of a curved arm 11, which at its opposite end is fastened on
the stud R by means of a clamping-nut 22. This end of the curved arm being
fixed, it will be seen that turning of the crank H will have the effect of swinging
the gun horizontally. Adjustment of the pivot or lever 9 determines the exent of
swing. The heart-shaped cam produces movement first in one direction and then
in the opposite direction in the slide 7, which transmits motion to the lever. The
lower end of the latter being engaged with a fixed support, the gun will of
necessity be turned by the pressing of the bolt 15 against the sides of the slot 14,
which is made in part of the gun-frame.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a machine-gun, the combination of a main or driving shaft, a mutilated
gear-wheel journalled eccentrically to said shaft, gearing connecting the shaft
and wheel, rotary cartridge-carriers having mutilated gears to mesh with the
said wheel, and gun-barrels in the arc of a circle concentric with the driving
shaft.
2. In a machine-gun, the combination with a series of barrels arranged circu-
larly, plungers to charge the barrels, and means for advancing and retracting the
plungers, of a series of rotary cartridge-carriers each having a number of
cartridge-holding recesses through which the plungers pass, and means for turning
said carriers successively step-by-step to bring the cartridges in line with the
barrels and the plungers.
3. In a machine-gun, the combination of a driving shaft journalled in the gun-
frame and carrying a bevel-gear at the outer end, a tubular shaft around the
driving-shaft and carrying a bevel-gear in juxta-relation to that on the latter,
an operating crank-shaft carrying a bevel-gear in mesh with the bevel-gears on
the two shafts, charging and firing devices operatively connected with the tubular
shaft, and cartridge-carriers operatively connected with the driving-shaft.
4. In a machine-gun, the combination with a mutilated gear-wheel and means
for continuously turning the same, the said wheel having smooth peripheral
portions at the height of the teeth; of rotary cartridge-carriers arranged in the
arc of a circle around the said wheel and each having a plurality of cog-sections
for engagement with those of the wheel, and concave blank spaces between the
cog-sections for engagement of the high peripheral portions of the wheel for
lecking purposes, substantially as described.
5. In a machine-gun, the combination with the gun-barrel, the rotary cartridge-
receivers, and means for intermittently turning the latter of closures for the
cartridge-holding chambers of the receivers, and means for moving said closures
alternately into and out of closing position, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
6. In a machine-gun, the combination with the gun-barrels, the rotary cartridge-
carriers, and means for intermittently turning the latter of levers interposed
between the carriers and the barrels, and devices connected with the carrier-
turning means for vibrating said levers to close and open communication between
the carriers and the barrels, substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. In a machine-gun, the combination with the gun-barrels, the rotary cartridge-
carriers having mutilated gears, and a mutilated gear-wheel arranged to engage
the carrier-gears: of a set of levers interposed between the carriers and the barrels
and having divergent arms at their inner ends, and cam-disks on the mutilated
gear-wheel and co-acting with said levers to vibrate the same, for the purpose
described.
8. In a machine-gun, the combination of a plunger for charging the barrel;
spring-tongues fastened at one end to said plunger and having catches at the

page_text: opposite end adapted to take over the flange of the cartridge and bevelled on the
outer side, said tongues having inner bevels extending oppositely to the catch-
bevels; and fixed abutments located between the tongues and the plunger for said.
inner beyels to encounter when the plunger is retracted.
9. In a machine-gun, the combination with a suitably formed feed-case or
hopper, of means for feeding the cartridges therein, said means comprising a
ratchet-bar, a pair of slides thereon, pawls on the slides, one to engage the ratchet-
teeth and the other to engage the cartridges, and a spring between the slides.
10. In a machine-gun, the combination with a suitable support, and a gun
frame journalled therein: of an internally screw-threaded sleeve journalled in a
bearing pivotally connected with the gun-frame, and a rod pivotally connected
with the gun-support and having a screw-like section passing through the sleeve
and movable into and out of engagement with the screw-threads thereof.
11. In a machine-gun, the combination with a suitable support and gun-frame
journalled therein of a rod jointed to the support and longitudinally grooved, a
bar fitting said groove and having a screw-cut outer edge, radius-links connecting
said bar with the rod, springs pressing the bar outward, and an internally screw-
threaded sleeve pivotally connected with the gun-frame and embracing the rod
and bar.
12. The combination with the gun-frame mounted to swing horizontally, and
the crank-handle of the firing mechanism of a lever on the gun-frame and
engaged at one end with a fixed support, and .connections between said lever and
the said firing-crank, whereby the lever is moved during the firing, and the gun
thereby caused to swing laterally substantially as described.
13. The combination with the gun-frame mounted to swing horizontally, and
the crank-handle, of the firing mechanism of a lever on the gun frame having an
adjustable pivot and engaged at one end with a fixed support, and connections
between said lever and the said firing-crank, whereby the lever is moved during
the firing and the gun thereby caused to swing laterally, substantially as described.
14. In a machine-gun, the combination with a gun-frame mounted on a transit-
plate, and a crank for operating the firing annaratus of the gun of a fixed arm
extending radially of the transit-frame, a lever engaged with the outer end of
said arm, a slide connected with said lever, and a train of gearing connected with
the operating crank and having associated with it a cam in engagement with the
said slide, for the purpose described.
100%
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.