Improvements in and applicable to Breech-loading Guns or Ordnance.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 27th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and applicable to Breech-loading Guns or Ordnance.
I, CARL JOHAN MALCOLM AFZELIUS, of 39, Chantry Road, Brixton, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to breech-loading guns or ordnance, and it comprises
improvements in that class of breech mechanism in which a screw-block adapted to
be locked and unlocked by a partial rotation upon its axis is employed. It also
comprises improvements in the method of utilizing the recoil for operating the
breech mechanism of guns.
According to one part of my invention I employ a lever which is hinged or
pivotted to the gun upon the same axis as that upon which the carrier-ring for the
breech-block is hinged. This lever extends into a recess in the breech-block and
carries a pin passing through a cam-slot in the block. On the end of the said pin is
mounted a roller which bears against a face formed in a recess on the outside of the
breech-block in such a manner that, when the said lever is moved upon its axis, the
roller will press against the wall of the recess and thereby cause a partial rotation
of the breech-block. The rearward movement of the block is effected by the
continued rotation of the said lever with pin, the said pin during this movement
pressing against the wall of the cam-slot. The said cam-slot is so shaped as to
allow the free movement of the pin while the breech-block is being drawn back.
The cocking of the firing-pin may be effected by any suitable means, for instance,
it may be directly connected with the pin or the lever hereinbefore referred to in
such a manner that, when the lever is moved upon its pivot, the firing-pin will be
drawn back and then automatically held by means of a suitable catch: or the
firing-pin is held against rotation by the lever or the pin of the said lever, and
provided with a projection which will engage with an inclined surface on the block
to cause a backward movement of the said firing-pin, which can then be secured by
means of a suitable catch.
The extraction of the cartridge cases is advantageously effected by means of an
extractor of the kind described in the Specification filed with my application for
Letters Patent dated June 12th 1890 No. 9113.
My invention also relates to an improved method of utilizing the recoil for
effecting any or all of the operations of a gun.
Heretofore the opening of the breech was performed during the return of the gun
from the position to which it moved under the recoil to its normal position, the
closing of the breech being performed after the gun had returned home to its normal
position by the reaction of a special spring compressed during the recoil.
According to this part of my invention I provide for effecting both the opening
and closing of the breech during the return of the gun in such a manner that I am
enabled to dispense with the special spring which was heretofore employed for
closing the mechanism. For this purpose I may combine with the ordinary buffer
piston a small piston adapted, when the main piston is moved forwards during the
reaction of the spring, to enter a second or smaller cylinder containing liquid and
thereby reduce the speed of the piston to enable the gun to be stopped by a catch
when the breech is opened. When the catch is relieved the said smaller piston
enters an enlarged part of the smaller cylinder and the liquid therein again freely
escapes, and allows the main piston to move at an accelerated speed, to again close
the breech.

page_text: The necessary motion is advantageously imparted to the mechanism by means of
cams which, at the proper times during the return, come into contact with hinged
or pivotted bars or stops attached to the carriage upon which the gun is mounted.
Dated the 27th day of June 1890.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and applicable to Breech-loading Guns or Ordnance.
I, CARL JOHAN MALCOLM AFZELIUS, of 39, Chantry Road, Brixton, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to breech-loading guns or ordnance, and it comprises
improvements in that class of breech-mechanism in which a screw-block, adapted
to be locked to and unlocked from the breech by a partial rotation upon its axis,
is employed.
According to my invention I employ a lever which is hinged or pivotted to the
gun upon the same axis as that upon which the carrier-ring for the breech-block is
hinged. This lever extends into a recess in the breech-block and carries a pin
which engages a cam-slot or cam-groove in the block and is preferably provided
with a roller which bears against the walls of the said cam-slot so that, when the
said lever is moved upon its axis, a partial rotation of the breech-block will take
place to unlock it from the breech. The rearward movement of the block is then
effected by the continued rotation of the said lever. The said cam-slot or groove
is so shaped as to allow the free movement of the pin while the breech-block is
being drawn back.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is an elevation of the breech end of a gun provided with my
improvements; and,
Figure 2 is a sectional plan of the same:
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but with the breech-block and adjacent
parts removed; and,
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but shewing the parts in the position they
occupy when the breech is open :
Figures 5 and 6 are an elevation and plan respectively of the lever which works
in conjunction with the cam-slot or groove:
Figures 7 and 8, 9 and 10, and 11 and 12 are respectively elevations and sectional
plans illustrating different applications of my invention:
Figures 13 to 27 are views hereinafter referred to.
C
dis
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
a indicates the breech of the gun, and the breech-block which is adapted to be
secured in the breech chamber c by a partial rotation in a well known manner.
the carrier through which the breech-block is free to slide, which carrier, as shewn
in Figures 1 and 2, is a ring hinged to the breech. e is the lever (shewn detached
in Figures 5 and 6) by which the breech-block and its connected parts are
operated, the said lever having a boss or sleeve e', by means of which it is hinged
or pivotted on a pin on the breech, and at its free end a pin e² preferably provided
with a roller, which pin engages with the cam-slot or groove g in the breech-
block b, the axes of the said pins f and e² being parallel. 3 is a projection on the
sleeve, which projection, when the block bis locked, enters a recess e in the end of
the said block to prevent the force of the gases, resulting from the discharge of the
gun, from inadvertently turning the said block.

page_text: The lever e is generally arranged to move in a horizontal plane and to engage
with and work in the cam-groove, underneath the block 6, a recess / in the
walls of the chamber c serving to receive the free end of the said lever.
g
:-
The position and the shape of the cam-groove and the course that the pin e² of
the lever è takes, when the said lever is moved on its axis, to effect the various
motions of the breech-block will be understood by reference to Figures 2 and 4.
These motions will also be still further understood by the following description :-
Assume the breech to be closed and locked, as shown in Figure 2, the pin e
with its roller being at the end of the cam-groove g with its centre at the
point 1, indicated in Figure 4; if now the lever is moved, the pin e² at first
moves freely in the cam-groove up to the point 2, the part of the cam-groove
between the points 1 and 2 being concentric with the axis of the lever, so as
to allow the projection 3 on the sleeve of the lever to be disengaged from the
recess in the breech-block. From the point 2 the course of the groove g
diverges from the course of the pin, commencing at a slight angle and twist
which progressively increase, in consequence whereof the further movement of
the pine will act upon the wall of the cam-groove to cause the rotation of
the breech-block to such an extent as to bring the threaded portions thereof
into the unthreaded portions of the breech, and vice versa, by the time that the
pin has arrived at the point 3. During the further rotation of the lever e from
the point 3 to the point 4, the breech-block will be withdrawn from the breech-
chamber, the pin e2, during this movement, travelling in the portion of the
cam-groove concentric with the axis of the block, and during the movement
from the point 4 to the point 5 the said block, when the carrier-ring is hinged,
as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, will be moved together with the said ring to the
position indicated in Figure 4 out of the line of the breech.
In closing the breech the operation is reversed, that is to say, during the
movement from the point 5 to the point 4, the carrier-ring is turned home to
bring the block opposite to the breech-chamber e, during the movement from
the point 4 to the point 3 the block is moved back into the chamber, during
the movement from the point 3 to the point 2 the locking of the breech-block
is effected and during the movement from the point 2 to the point 1 the
projection on the lever is engaged with the recess in the breech-block.
To effect the movement of the hereinbefore described lever many different
devices may be arranged of which in the accompanying drawings I have shewn
some of the principal. In Figures 1 and 2 the power is applied directly to the
lever which is provided with an extension and handle i, and in such cases
generally also a spring-catch is provided which serves to lock it in its closed
position.
In Figures 7 and 8 the movement of the lever is imparted through the medium
of a worm and worm-wheel j', the latter of which is fixed to the axis or spindle
which carries the lever.
In Figures 9 and 10 I have shewn my invention as applied to a gun, the breech-
block of which (after being withdrawn from the breech-chamber) is designed to
be moved laterally out of the line of the breech. In this case all the operations
for unlocking and withdrawing the breech-block into the carrier d are the same as
hereinbefore described, but, in order to effect the lateral movement, I form upon
the lever e an arm k having a pin which extends into a cam-slot k² in a plate k³
secured to the breech of the gun. One part of this slot, as will be noticed by
reference to Figure 10, is concentric with the axis or fulcrum of the lever e, so that,
during the withdrawal of the breech-block, the said slot will have no action upon
the lever by the time, however, that the breech-block is drawn back into the
carrier, the pin k upon the arm k has entered the straight part of the slot ², the
result of which is that the further movement of the lever e, in the same direction in
which it was previously moved, causes the centre of its fulcrum to move to the
point 5, thereby moving the carrier d with the breech-block therein laterally. This
lateral movement can, however, be effected when the breech-block b is withdrawn

page_text: into the carrier d by pulling in a lateral direction the lever e or a handle attached
to the said carrier, the arm k and the plate 3 with its cam-groove 2 being then
unnecessary.
The arrangement illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, shews the application of my
invention to a laterally moving breech-block designed to be operated by hydraulic
or other power.
In this arrangement the rod of the hydraulic or other piston is
provided at one end with a rack 7 engaging with a pinion upon the axis-pin of
the lever e during the first part of the movement of the said piston the said lever
is operated to unlock the breech-block and withdraw it into the carrier as herein-
before described; the further movement of the piston then moves the said carrier
laterally on the return of the gun, the carrier is again first moved laterally until
the breech-block is opposite the breech-chamber, the said block bearing against
the end of the gun, as shewn in Figure 12, preventing the first part of the rearward
movement from rotating the lever e.
:
In order to lock the carrier-ring to the breech-block b and the breech a, as well
as to prevent the block from rotating when being moved in and out of the said
carrier-ring and from being drawn too far through the said ring, I advantageously
provide a catch m in the latter. This catch at one end projects into a circumferential
groove m¹ in the head of the breech-block, one end of which groove m¹ communi-
cates with one end of a longitudinal groove m² having at its other end a recess m³,
as shewn clearly in Figures 13 and 14, which represent respectively an end view
and longitudinal section of the breech-block. The other end of the catch m
projects through the carrier-ring into a recess m¹ in the breech a. The groove m¹
allows the rotation of the block when opening the breech, and the groove m² the
longitudinal withdrawal of the block. When, however, the block is withdrawn, the
said catch m, under the action of a spring which surrounds it, enters the recess m³
so that the outer end of the catch is withdrawn from the recess m in the breech a.
The end of the groove m² adjacent to the recess m³ is inclined so that the catch m
is forced, by the forward movement of the block b, into the recess m¹ when the
carrier-ring is home.
In order to effect the extraction of the cartridge shells, I advantageously
employ an extractor-lever n which is shewn detached in elevation and plan in
Figures 15 and 16 respectively. This lever is pivotted in the breech at n¹ and is
provided with an extension n², against which a rod or bar o (shewn detached in
end elevation and plan in Figures 17 and 18 respectively) is adapted to bear, the
said bar o being designed to slide in guides in the breech a, and to have one end
projecting, so that, during the rotation of the lever e upon its pivot to open the
breech, a cam-surface o' upon the said lever bears against the bar o and thus has
the effect of forcing the said bar o slightly backwards to operate the extractor-lever
sufficiently to start the empty cartridge case, the movement of the extractor-lever
sufficient to draw the cartridge case from the breech, being effected by the
impingement of the lever against the said bar o, as shewn in Figure 4.
When a sliding carrier is used, as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, the bar o is
advantageously worked by a piece p (shewn detached in elevation and plan in
Figures 19 and 20) pivotted in the breech end of the gun and acted upon by a
projection on the carrier at the latter part of its lateral movement.
In order to effect the cocking of the firing-pin, I provide the following arrange-
ment which will be most clearly understood by reference to Figures 13 and 14.
In these figures q indicates the firing-pin proper which is acted upon by a spring g',
and the hammer which is made hollow to contain a spring r, shewn detached in
Figure 21, the said hammer being adapted to be held out of contact with the firing-
pin by means of a spring-catch, shewn detached in clevation and plan in
Figures 22 and 23 respectively. The catch 2 is pivotted by means of trun-
nions, in a recess in the breech-block and adapted, when the breech-block is
home, to be acted upon by a pin 4, Figure 4, in order to release the said hammer
and fire the gun.
8 is a nut having spiral-grooves s¹, and which is shewn detached in rear

page_text: elevation and side sectional elevation in Figures 24 and 25 respectively. The spiral-
grooves of this nut are designed to engage with pins s upon the hammer, and the
said hammer, at one portion thereof, is made oval to fit the recess in which it works
in the breech-block, so as to prevent it turning in the block. The nut s is provided
with an arms extending through the carrier-ring into a recess s in the breech a in
such a manner as to hold the said nut against rotation when the breech-block is
rotated. The result of this arrangement is, that during the rotation of the block,
the said hammer will be drawn back (by reason of the pins 2 turning in and being
acted upon by the grooves s¹) and held by the catch r².
Instead of having the spring 7 to act upon the firing-pin y through the medium
of the hammer r, the said spring may act directly upon the said firing-pin, in which
case the latter is constructed as shewn in Figures 26 and 27 which are respectively
a rear elevation and plan of the same.
It is obvious that breech-mechanism as herein before described, instead of being
adapted for metallic cartridge cases, may be adapted for an ordinary obturator, as
shewn in Figures 8 and 12. It is also evident that the number of screw-segments
on the breech-block is immaterial and that instead of being straight, as shewn in
the accompanying drawings, they may be somewhat winding round the block.
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 breech-loading gun or piece of ordnance having a screw breech-block
adapted to be locked and unlocked by a partial rotation upon its axis, the employ-
ment of a lever, the free end of which engages with and works in a cam-slot or
cam-groove in the breech-block, the said slot or groove being so shaped that the
rotation of the lever upon its axis will partially rotate the breech-block so as to
lock and unlock the same in the breech, substantially in the manner described.
2. In a breech-loading gun or piece of ordnance having a breech-block of the
kind hereinbefore described, the employment of a lever, the free end of which
engages with and works in a cam-slot or cam-groove in the breech-block, the said
slot or groove being so shaped that the rotation of the lever upon its axis
will unlock and withdraw the breech-block from the breech, substantially as
described.
3. In a breech-loading gun or piece of ordnance having a breech block of the
kind hereinbefore described the employment of a lever, the free end of which
engages with and works in a cam-slot or cam-groove in the breech-block, the said
slot or groove being so shaped that the movement of the lever will unlock the
breech-block and withdraw it into the carrier and then cause the movement of the
carrier to carry the said breech-block out of the line of the breech, substantially in
the manner described.
4. In a breech-loading gun or piece of ordnance the combination with a screw-
breech-block adapted to be locked and unlocked by a partial rotation upon its axis,
of a lever, the free end of which engages with and works in a cam-slot or cam-
groove in the breech-block; the said lever being hinged or pivotted upon an axis at
the side of the breech-block but independent of the said breech-block, substantially
as, and for the purpose, set forth.
5. The combination with a breech-block adapted to be operated by a lever in the
manner referred to in the preceding claiming clauses of an extractor-lever
pivotted to the breech and worked by means of a bar sliding in the breech,
substantially as described.
6. The combination with a breech-block adapted to be operated by a lever in
the manner referred to in claiming clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of an arrangement of
firing mechanism, substantially as described and represented in the accompanying
drawings.
7. The manufacture and use of a breech-loading gun or piece of ordnance
provided with means for opening and closing the breech substantially as described

page_text: with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figures 7 and 8, Figures 9 and 10, and
Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 26th day of March 1891.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.