Improvements in Breech Loading and Discharge Actuated Firearms.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 1st Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 1st Nov., 1898-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1899
Improvements in Breech Loading and Discharge Actuated
Firearms.
I, SAMUEL NEAL MCCLEAN, a Citizen of the United States of America, residing
at 304, West Washington Street, Washington, in the County of Washington, in
the State of Iowa, Physician, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in breech loading and discharge actuated
firearms, or automatic and semi-automatic firearms. My object is to produce a
strong, light, cheap, simple, durable, accurate, and easily manufactured discharge
actuated firearm, to provide certain improvements in controlling and utilizing
the force of the discharge to operate the arm and to provide certain details of
improvement in connection with the construction operation and combination of
the operating parts of the arm. A generic object of my invention is associated
with the fact that the frame of the gun is the basis of its accuracy, especially
for long range shooting, and that the manner in which the frame sustains the
strain at the instant of firing is intimately related to both the accuracy and dura-
bility of the arm. In accordance with this principle I have devised a weapon
in which the strain of the discharge shall be received in the line of greatest
strength, resisted with the shearing, crushing, and elastic strength of the metal,
distributed equally on every part of the arm, limited to the least possible area
and that the plan of the operating parts shall not cut away and destroy the
strength and symmetry of the frame. A farther generic object of the invention
is associated with the fact that the merits of a mechanical construction resides
primarily and largely, in the mechanical movements out of which the construc-
tion is built, and, as few and simple movements are usually associated with few
and simple parts, I have devised a weapon in which the movements involved in
handling the ammunition shall form the basis of the gun's construc-
involved in
movements
passing the ammunition
tion, and that the
combination of
through the arm, and in the construction, action and
the operating parts, shall be the most direct, simple, and positive attainable.
A farther generic object is that the weapon shall catch and utilize any such
quantity of the force of the discharge as the powerful, safe and easy operation
of the arm may require, and that the initial, intermediate and terminal action of

page_text: the discharge actuating force shall be controlled to either increase, prolong or
diminish the actuating force, in such manner as the construction, action and
safety of the operating parts shall require, and to provide a system of acting and
co-acting cams and cam guides to govern positively the action and combination of
the operating parts. Finally, there are certain details of improvement in the
operating parts of the invention, which are more fully set forth in the accom-
panying drawings and specification, and, inasmuch as the invention defined and
set forth in the several improvements described in the specification and drawings
is of such a nature that several modifications of the same may be made without
in the least departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to
the precise form shown and described.
In the accompanying drawings which are hereby made a part of this speci-
fication,
Fig. 1 is a broken, central, lonitudinal, sectional view of the receiver and
barrel, showing the right side wall of the stock broken away and removed; the
operating parts being shown in elevation in their forward position, or position
of rest.
Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the receiver, stock and magazine of the
firearm showing an end view of the slide D taken on the line a-a.
Fig. 3 is a front end view of the breech bolt.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the breech bolt looking up into its under side as
shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the bolt locking guide F³.
Fig. 5 is a broken detail of the handle P showing the trigger lock K in section,
the lug K³, spring K¹ and notches K³, K, K³, K6.
Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view of the side wall of the magazine taken on
the lines a-x, of Fig. 1, showing the trigger J, sear M, in first and second posi-
tions of rest or position for single firing and single loading.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal central section of the barrel and receiver, showing the
operating parts in elevation in their second or rear position and the right hand
side of the stock wall broken away and removed.
Fig. 8 is a detail side view and an end view of the shell extractor and its
spring tension.
Fig. 9 is an end view of the breech bolt in elevation.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the breech bolt showing the bottom side of the bolt
as illustrated in Fig. 7.
Fig. 11 is a rear end view of the breech bolt showing the latch F3 and the
broken side view of the bolt showing the latch F3 in section and its manner of
engagement with the slide D.
Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the tail piece of the magazine H showing the
groove P2 of Fig. 7 in which the handle P is guided and the cartridge lifter O,
pin 05, groove H6 in which it is guided and the spring O*.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a modified form of the cartridge lifter O.
Fig. 14 is a side and end view of the cartridge feed and ejecting device R.
Fig. 15 is a view of the trigger J and sear S on the lines y-y Figure 1
showing the trigger arm J¹ and sear S in first and third positions, or for single
firing and automatic firing.
Fig. 16 is a plan view of the slide D and sear S.
Fig. 17 is a broken central sectional view of the barrel, fore stock, part of the
magazine, tube E and cylinder T, showing the left half of the said parts removed
and showing the operating parts in elevation.
Fig. 18 is an end view of the cylinder T.
Fig. 19 is a front end view of the barrel.
Fig. 20 is a central sectional view of the gas chamber, gas cylinder and piston
head.
Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the sear M.
Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the rear end of the breech bolt.
Fio 23 is a sido olevation showing a rantion of the maconins

page_text: Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the specification
and for convenience of description the different parts of the same piece and of
intimately co-related pieces have been designated by the same reference letter,
the exponent above the letter being changed to indicate the particular feature of
the part to which the letter is applied.
The receiver may be of any required form to adapt it to the bolt action with
which it is intended to be used, but for the purpose of attaining certain manu-
facturing and military advantages, I have invented a certain type of receiver in
which the barrel may be integrally formed with the receiver or fixedly attached
to the same in the usual manner. The receiver which I have invented is formed
to have a certain specific relation to the bolt action and cartridge feed device,
and is formed to sustain the strain of the discharge in the line of greatest
strength, to limit it to a small area immediately behind the barrel and to afford
a certain relation of the bolt action and receiver, in which the walls of the
receiver are given extraordinary strength and thickness at the point of greatest
strain, without increasing the outside diameter of the receiver or materially
decreasing the strength of the breech bolt. Such a receiver may be turned from
a round bar of metal and is provided with the usual bolt chamber having an
opening on its upper side to permit the insertion and removal of the cartridges
and on its under side an opening to permit the movement and action of the
operating device. That part of the bolt chamber in front of the locking lugs is
bevelled or funnel shaped, to afford additional thickness and strength of the
receiver walls at their point of greatest strain. Immediately at the end of the
cartridge chamber the receiver is formed with a straight or shouldered part to
afford a bearing for the extreme forward end of the bolt and it is also cut out to
afford a path of movement for the extractor at the end of the bolt chamber see
Fig. 7. The bolt action in order to conform to this construction is formed with
a companion bevelled or funnel shaped forward end.
The barrel B is formed with a funnel shaped opening at the end of the bore
of the barrel to afford certain advantages in utilizing the gases of discharge to
operate the arm see B₁ Fig. 20.
The weapon is formed to be actuated either by hand or by the discharge and
is provided with a gas actuating chamber denoted by the reference
letter C Fig. 20. This chamber is preferably located at or near the
forward end of the barrel. It may be integrally formed with the barrel
but I prefer to form the chamber separately and it is illustrated in
Figure 20 as being screwed on to the forward end of the barrel. This chamber
is preferably formed in front of and at one side of the bore of the barrel and is
constructed to afford a certain yielding and sufficient operating pressure of the
gases of discharge within the chamber. This result is obtained by forming the
end of the barrel in a funnel shape and by forming the chamber to have a cer-
tain constantly increasing diameter. The anterior wall of the chamber is pre-
ferably formed on an arc of a circle and contains an opening in line with the
bore of the barrel. This opening ( forms a continuation of the barrel and its
bore is of such a size as to permit the passage of the projectile. This part of the
gas chamber is designated by the reference letter and may have any required
length to afford the required operating pressure of the gases within the chamber,
and the pressure of the gas within the chamber may be controlled as desired by
either reducing or increasing the length of this part of the gas chamber or by
increasing or diminishing the size of its bore. This chamber is connected with
the operating parts to actuate the same, and as illustrated in Fig. 20, I have
shown connected with it a cylinder tube E.
The weapon is automatically operated by means of the discharge actuated
slide 1 Figs. 17, 18, 20, 1 and 7. This slide has a forward end Fig. 20 form-
ing a cylinder which is movable in the said tube E and the rearward end of the
slide is connected with the bolt action to control its reciprocating locking and firing
action. This operating slide is actuated by the gases of discharge and by the

page_text: resistance of the coiled spring E', preferably located in the tube E. The
cylinder head De on the end of the slide D is preferably formed of a movable and
an immovable part. The movable part or head is formed with a chamber in
which the end of the slide D has a certain limited movement to afford an air
pressure for the purpose of preventing the escape of the actuating gas past the
end of the slide D. This air chamber D in the piston head is provided with
openings D¹ which connect with an air chamber surrounding the piston head and
on the outer side of which air chamber the piston head is formed thin and yield-
ing, to afford an air cushion in checking the passage of the gas past the cylinder
head. This part of the cylinder head is preferably formed of a thin band of
elastic material D, Fig. 20, on the outer side of which is located a band of
yielding substance D13, Fig. 20, to afford a yielding pressure of the cylinder head
against the tube in which it is reciprocated. The air chamber D° in the cylinder
head D is provided with a spring D to exert a yielding pressure or tension
between the end of the slide D and the cylinder head. The air chamber D³ is
provided with an opening 17 which passes through the cylinder head D6 and in
which is located a valve D8, which valve is set to close the chamber in an advance
movement of the head D upon the end of the slide D and to open it by a
reverse movement of the slide, thus affording an air pressure within the
chamber 19 to operate as a gas check. The operating slide D is also provided
with a cylinder T movably carried by the said slide and having its respective
ends champered or beveled to engage with the cylinders E2 and E, Fig. 17,
located in the path of its terminal, forward and rearward movement.
The
operating slide is also provided with a sear which engages with the said movable
cylinder T to lock and release it. This sear S is tripped either by the finger or
by the terminal movement of the slide D. The tube is provided on its under
side with an opening E, Fig. 20, to afford an exit for the gas at or near the
terminal part of the movement of the end of the slide D. This opening may be
opened and closed by a slide attached to and movable on the tube E and having
a thumb piece by which it is operated to either partially or entirely open or close
the tube. It is denoted by the reference letter E³, Fig. 20.
The bolt action may have any required form to adapt it to the type of breech
bolt locking action with which it is intended to be used. The preferred form of
the bolt action is that of a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt. It has a body
part, a bolt head, and the usual locking lugs, the bolt head is preferably inte-
grally formed with the body part of the bolt and is provided with the usual lock-
ing lugs which are bevelled or champered to form a companion bevel to the bevelled
shape of the forward end of the bolt chamber, thus affording additional thickness
and stiffness of the side walls of the receiver at their point of greatest strain, and
the locking lugs A' of the receiver are formed with a double cam, the initial part of
the cam face of the lug on both its front and rear sides having an increased pitch
to afford an increased movement of the bolt to both seat and extract the car-
tridge. The body part of the bolt is provided with a cam guide F which par-
tially encircles the bolt and is preferably located on the inner side of the body,
part of the bolt. This guide 15 is provided at its rear end with a diagonal
part to afford a certain latched relation of the bolt and operating slide, and an
additional diagonal or bevelled part f¹ is provided at the rear end of the guide F5
to afford an additional engagement of the operating slide with the bolt. This
bevelled part is illustrated in Figs. 1, 7, 10, and 11, and the rear end wall of
the bolt is provided with a cam lug F10, Fig. 11, which is located in the path
of the operating slide and lifts the slide into engagement with the bevelled part
of the bolt . The bolt is also provided with a latch which is preferably
attached to the rear end of the bolt, as illustrated in Fig. 11, and has a lug Fa
which projects into the path of the operating slide, and a companion lug F
which is located to be engaged by a lug on the upper side and rear end of the
magazine wall, indicated by the reference letter H, Figs. 1 and 7. The neck
of the breech bolt is provided with a groove or shoulder part F Figs. 7 and 10

page_text: to engage with the magazine feed and ejecting device R, as hereinafter set forth.
The forward end of the bolt is provided with an extractor seat which has a
bevelled flange to afford a certain latched relation of the breech bolt and
extractor; it is denoted by the reference letter F2, Figs. 4, 3, 1, 7, 9, and 10;
and this extractor seat is cut out at a point beyond the working path of the
extractor's movement, to afford a convenient method of assembling and disas-
sembling the extractor. The body part of the breech bolt is cut out to permit
the magazine to project up into the receiver and to allow the rotating movement
of the breech bolt without interfering with the magazine and to permit the action
of the operating slide.
The rear part of the operating slide D is formed double to permit its arms,
illustrated in Fig. 16, to be reciprocated on either side of the cartridge maga-
zine. The rear end of the slide D projects up into the breech bolt and is denoted
by the reference letter D', Figs. 2, and 16. This part D has a cylindrical shape
to conform to the shape of the chamber formed in the body part of the breech
bolt in which the part D¹ is reciprocated. The forward part of this part D¹ is
chamfered or bevelled to form a companion to the bevel f, and on its under side
is provided with a bevelled part to engage with its companion shoulder F10
Fig. 11. The upper end of the part D is provided with a pin D³, Figs. 1, 7,
and 22 This pin D2 has a bevelled side to engage with the diagonal part of the
guide 15 and afford a certain latched relation of the slide D with the breech
bolt. The groove F is formed with a straight part at its forward end to afford
a terminal firing movement of the slide D after the locking movement of the
bolt is complete.
The cartridge magazine H is preferably integrally formed from a single piece
of material and contains a chamber for the reception, retention and release of the
cartridges. This chamber conforms in a general way to the shape of the car-
tridges and has on its upper side projecting wings or arms H, Figs. 1, 2,
and 7. These magazine wings project up into the receiver and their upper ends
converge to exert a yielding and retaining tension against the topmost cartridge
in the magazine. They are sufficiently distant from each other to allow the
under lug on the breech bolt to be reciprocated between the wings of the maga-
zine, and rise up into the receiver far enough to allow the cartridge to be readily
pushed by the breech bolt from the magazine into the bore of the barrel.
For the purpose of attaining a certain advantageous cartridge feeding action
in passing the cartridges from the magazine into the barrel, I have interposed
between the magazine and bolt action a cartridge feeding slide, which controls
both the cartridge feeding and ejecting action of the arm. This cartridge
feeding slide is denoted by the reference letter R, Figs. 7 and 14. It is reci-
procated in guide grooves H2, Fig. 2, which are located in the side walls of the
magazine. It has a forward end ! formed to engage with the rear end of the
cartridge, and a projection or lug R2 which engages with the groove F of the
breech bolt. This lug is provided with a spring R which also engages with the
breech bolt to exert a yielding tension from the breech bolt against the cartridge
feeding slide. The forward end of the cartridge feed is bevelled to form a com-
panion, bevel with the forward end of the breech bolt, and its under side is
bevelled to cause the cartridge to be advanced up into a position in front of the
cartridge feeding slide when the slide is in its rearward position and when the
cartridge rises to the topmost part of the magazine.
The cartridges are elevated in the magazine by the cartridge levers O and O¹,
Fig. 7. These levers are spring actuated and are pivotally supported in the
handle. The rear side of the magazine frame H is slotted to permit the lifting
movement of the levers 0 and O¹ and to allow the rearward movement of the
handle to depress and withdraw the levers after the magazine is empty.
shoulder H, Fig. 7, is provided on the inner side of the magazine wall, and is
located in the path of the rearward movement of the levers O and 0¹, to cause
these levers to be depressed by the rearward movement of the handle. In
The

page_text: Fig. 13 I have shown a modification of the cartridge lifter, in which the function
of the lever O is performed by the lever 02, which is actuated by the spring 0³
to maintain a parallel position of the cartridges. The lever O is actuated by the
spring which is supported on the pivot 05, and is adjusted to exert a yielding
tension between the lever O and the track H of Figs. 12 and 7, in which the pin 0³
on which the lever O is supported, is guided. The lever O is provided with an
arm which projects into the path of the sear M and engages with the lug M³
of that sear to control the loading action by means of the terminal movement of
the lever 0.
The handle P is provided to afford a means of operating the weapon by hand.
This handle has a reciprocating movement on the under side of the stock and is
guided in a path or groove which is formed in the tail piece of the magazine.
This groove is illustrated in a transverse section in Fig. 12, and is designated
by the reference letter H5. In the side wall of this groove H5 a guide groove Ho
is provided which controls the reciprocating movement of the handle by means
of the lugs P2 and P3. The body part of the handle P¹ conforms to the shape
of the hand, and forms a trigger guard P6 and has a forward projecting arm
which forms a magazine cover or door. For the purpose of allowing the handle
to be withdrawn independently of the cartridge lifting lever 0, I have provided
in the handle a dog L which is pivotally attached to the handle, it is spring
actuated, and has a thumb piece and an engaging end which can be swung into
engagement with the lever 0, at will, or when the magazine is empty to open the
magazine by the rearward movement of the handle and close it by its advance,
movement.
The handle P is connected with the operating slide by an arm which pro-
jects into the path of and engages with the slide to reciprocate it.
This arm P
is preferably hinged to the handle P and has a lug P which projects into the
path of the lug D10 of the slide D, This arm is provided with a pin or lug P7
which projects into the guide H¹¹
The pull of the trigger controls the single firing, loading, and automatic firing
action of the weapon. The initial part of the trigger's movement controls the
single firing action; its intermediate or second movement controls the loading
action; and its terminal or final movement controls or permits the automatic
action. These several movements of the trigger are governed by the trigger cut
off, designated by the reference letter K. The weapon is discharged by the force
of the terminal movement of the actuating spring E, exerted through the slide 1),
and the firing action is controlled by the engagement of the trigger with the
slide D to stop and release its terminal movement. The trigger is pivotally
supported against the side walls of the magazine, and in its preferred form does
not partake of the handle's movement. It has an arm J, Figs. 1, 7, and 15.
This arm is provided with cam lugs J2 and J³; these lugs are located in the
path of the terminal movement of the lug S¹ on the sear S. The lower lug Ja
is bevelled across its upper anterior corner, as illustrated in Fig. 15; and its
upper lug J3 is bevelled across its anterior lower corner, transversely, as also
illustrated in Fig. 15. These lugs are located a sufficient distance from each
other to permit both the initial and secondary movements of the trigger to
bring the lug J2 into the path of the lug S¹ and its terminal movement to bring
the cam face of the lug J³ into the path of the lug S, of the sear S, as here-
inafter set forth.
The trigger J is spring actuated and is provided with an arm J which pro-
jects into the path of the sear M. This arm J is provided with a lug J5 which
also engages with the sear M. The sear M is pivotally supported against the
side wall of the magazine, and is actuated by the spring M. Its forward end M³,
Figs. 1 and 21, is bevelled or cam shaped, to allow the sear M to be disengaged
from the trigger by the terminal movement of the cartridge lifter, as herein-
before stated.
The trigger cut off K is formed on an arc of a circle which corresponds to

page_text: the shape of the trigger guard or handle; it is actuated by a spring K¹ which
is fixedly attached to the handle P, and is movable in a chamber also formed on
an arc of a circle in the cut off K. This cut off K is provided with a lug K²
and the handle P is provided with a series of companion notches K³ K+, K³, Ko,
to lock the trigger against action and stop it in any one of the three parts of its
movement, as hereinafter set forth.
The extractor is movably retained in combination with the breech bolt and does
not partake of the bolt's rotation; it enters into a semi-latched condition with
the breech bolt and cartridge when advancing the same, and a locked condition
with the same parts when withdrawing the cartridge. It is spring actuated and
denoted by the reference letter G and its preferred form is illustrated in Figs. 1,
7, and 8. The breech bolt is preferably formed to carry the extractor in advance
of the locking lugs of the bolt, although it may be formed to be carried behind.
the locking lugs of the bolt. The extractor seat in the bolt, as before stated, is
formed with a beveled flange to permit a limited latching movement of the
extractor, and the extractor has a latching end to engage with the flange or
groove of the cartridge, and is preferably integrally formed with a collar part,
which has a companion bevel to engage with the cartridge seat in the bolt head.
This collar part of the extractor partially encircles the bolt to cause the extractor
to pull from the center line of the bolt and to permit the rotating movement of
the bolt. The rear side of the collar part is cut out to permit the latching
movement of the extractor and the spring GI by which the extractor is actuated
is preferably carried by the extractor and formed to exert a yielding tension
between the extractor and bolt head, and the bolt head is provided with a notch
or depression to afford a semi-latched engagement of the extractor with the bolt
head.
A firing pin D³, illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7, is preferably a spring retracted
plunger which is retracted by the spring D; it has a lug integrally formed with
it, against which the force of the spring is exerted to withdraw its striking point
from the cartridge, and the chamber in the bolt head is cut out to permit the
firing pin to be assembled at a point beyond its working path of movement. It is
apparent, however, that the firing pin may be either a loose plunger or it may
be integrally formed on the front side of the part D' of the operating slide D,
as illustrated in the broken section of the same parts in Fig. 2.
For the purpose of affording a convenient and rapid method of disassembling
the breech bolt I have devised a hinged and locked relation of the receiver and
magazine in which one member of the hinge is either fixedly or integrally formed
with the receiver and the other member of the hinge is integrally formed with
the magazine and when pivotally connected they permit a sufficient movement to
allow the operating slide to be depressed out of the path of the bolt and the bolt
action either withdrawn or inserted. The receiver and magazine are locked
together by means of a rotating lock or latch N which is preferably located in
the magazine or frame wall in front of the rear end of the receiver and engages
with the receiver to lock and release it. This lock or latch N is illustrated in
Figures 1 and 7. It has a thumb piece externally located and a latching end
which projects into the receiver. The hinged relation of the magazine and
receiver is illustrated in Figure 1 and denoted by the reference letter H³.
The trigger cut-off X which engages with the cartridges to retain the topmost
cartridge in the magazine out of the path of the magazine feed device is illus-
trated in Figure 23 and is pivotally attached to the side walls of the magazine.
It has a latching arm which is provided with a beveled cam lug on its inner side
denoted by the reference letter X'. The side wall of the magazine contains a
bevelled opening into the magazine at a point in line with the required position
of the topmost cartridge. This opening is formed in the path of the movement
of the lug X and this arm of the magazine cut-off is preferably formed to exert
a vielding tension against the side wall of the magazine and to cause the lug X'
to drop into the opening X2 and engage the cartridge to cut out the magazine.

page_text: The upper arm of the magazine cut-off is formed to project out at the upper side
of the receiver and is provided with a thumb-piece by means of which the maga-
zine cut-off is swung on its pivot and operated. The lug X₁ is formed to engage
with a depression or beveled notch X3 in the side wall of the magazine H to afford
a semi-latched condition of the cut-off in its lower position, and the thumb-
piece is formed to rise prominently into view when the magazine is cut out of
action and this construction may be reversed.
The operation is as follows:
Supposing the parts to be in their firing position or position of rest as. illus-
trated in Figure 1. the weapon is discharged by a pull of the trigger which
effects the release of the operating slide and discharges the weapon by the force
of the terminal movement of the operating slide effected by means of the
actuating spring.
The weapon may be then operated to be recharged either by the pull of the
handle or by the force of the actuating gas. The operation of the gas actuating
device is as follows: When the bullet has traversed the bore of the barrel and
passes into the funnel shaped opening at the end of the barrel the actuating gas
is allowed to escape past the end and sides of the projectile and to be guided
into the actuating chamber, thus allowing the gas to escape gradually and in a
small quantity into the gas actuating chamber and permitting the initial pres-
sure of the gas in the chamber to be gradual and yielding, the funnel-shaped end
of the barrel permits a constantly increasing quantity of gas to escape around
the projectile into the gas actuating chamber, thus causing a constant increase
of the gas pressure within the chamber to start the operating movement of the
arm by means of a yielding pressure. The funnel-shaped opening in the end
of the barrel may have any required length to either increase or continue the
pressure of the operating gases within the actuating chamber and to afford any
required intensity of the gas pressure. It is apparent that the forward end of
the projectile by passing into the opening C2 in the gas chamber will partially
or entirely close this opening and by so doing can be made to prevent the escape
of the gas from the chamber and to cause any required increase in the operating
pressure of the gases within the chamber. The pressure of the gas within the
chamber may be continued for any required length of time by forming the part
of the gas chamber C2 to have any required length and the gas pressure may be
either increased or diminished by increasing or diminishing the size of the bore
in the part C2. It is also apparent that the gas actuating chamber itself may
have any required size to catch either a larger or smaller quantity of the gas and
may have an increasing diameter to afford a diminished or yielding pressure of
the gases within the chamber. Finally it is thus apparent that the operating
pressure of the gases within the chamber may be controlled to start the pressure
gradually, to continue it for any required length of time, and to cause the pres-
sure within the chamber to have any required amount of operating force, and to
either accelerate or diminish this force. The pressure of the gas chamber against
the operating parts may be controlled at the will of the operator by means of
the slide or valve E5 of Figure 20. This valve may be operated by hand to
either partially or entirely open or close the opening E into the cylinder E, thus
permitting the gas to escape freely from the cylinder near the terminal part of the
movement of the actuating slide.
The form of utilizing the force of the gas is through the medium of a recipro-
cating slide and a reacting spring. Supposing the piston-head or end of
the slide D to be in the forward end of the gas tube E as illustrated in Figure 20.
The force of the gas operating against the end of the piston or slide causes it to
traverse the tube E and its rear end D2 to traverse the cam track F5 in the breech
bolt, bringing the pin D into the rear part of the cam F³, causing its beveled
the bevelled side
side
at the rear end of the
engage with
rear end of the slide D into engage-
groove F5 and bringing the
ment with the cam shoulder F10 on the rear end wall of the breech bolt, the
to

page_text: cam action of which shoulder causes the part D¹ to rise into engagement with
the beveled face f¹ and depresses the latch F and allows it to re-engage with
the part D as illustrated in Figure 11, thus causing the operating slide to assume
a locked or latched engagement with the breech bolt by means of the cam lug F10
and the cam shoulder f¹ also the diagonal relation of the pin D2 with the track
in which it is reciprocated. The initial part of the rearward movement of the
operating slide causes the breech bolt to rotate and brings its locking lugs into
the space between the locking lugs of the receiver A', and the locking lug on the
under side of the bolt is at this time brought into its path of movement between
the wings H¹ of the magazine H. The farther movement of the slide D carries
the breech bolt back in the receiver to a point sufficiently distant from the end
of the barrel to permit the cartridge in the magazine to rise up into engagement
with the wings H¹ of the magazine, bringing its rear end into the path of the
breech bolt and its forward end into the path of the bore of the barrel. The
reverse movement of the bolt is accomplished by the force of the spring El
exerted against the forward end of the slide D and the action of this spring
causes the slide D to advance the breech bolt in a direct line until its locking
lugs F¹ have reached a point opposite the cam part of their companion lugs A¹ on
the side walls of the receiver, at which time the lug F7 of the latch Fo Fig. 11
has engaged with the lug H10 of the magazine, Figure 7 and 1, and caused the
lug F8 on the latch to be swung out of engagement with the operating slide D,
thus releasing the slide D and permitting it to traverse the cam part of the
guide F5 and causing the locking lugs on the breech bolt F¹ to traverse the cam
face of the locking lugs on the receiver A¹, and turn the bolt to its locked
position firmly scating the cartridge in its chamber. The locking lugs on the
receiver have a double cam face on either side which causes the initial part of
the rotating movement of the breech bolt to advance the cartridge more rapidly
and the terminal part of its rotating movement to seat it with great power. The
operating slide controls both the reciprocating and locking movement of the bolt,
the locking movement being effected by the cam F5 and the reciprocating move-
ment being controlled by the cam F on the rear end of the bolt and the latch Fo
and the locking action of the bolt is timed by the tripping of this latch.
The cam guide F5 in the breech bolt has a straight part at its forward end to
permit a terminal firing movement of the operating slide after the locking action
of the bolt is complete, thus making it impossible to discharge the arm in any
other than the full locked position of the bolt. For the purpose of checking the
terminal movement of the operating slide by means of an air cushion the cylin-
der T Fig. 17 is formed to have a slight movement on the slide D. The rear
end of this cylinder is engaged by the scar S and is held in engagement with
it by the force of the spring T¹. The beveled ends of this cylinder T by coming
in contact with the cylinders E³ and E³ cause the terminal movement of the
slide D to be stopped on an air cushion in both its advance and rear movements,
and the beveled shape of the cylinder T causes the air pressure to check it by
an increasing resistance. The rear end of the sear S being in engagement with
the lug J of the trigger J, the discharge of the arm is effected by the pull of
this trigger. It is also apparent that, by forming the part S¹ integral with the
slide D, the arm J₁ of the trigger J could be given a direct engagement with
the operating slide D and the weapon discharged by the direct action or pull of
the trigger without any intermediate sear.
For the purpose of controlling the loading action, I have provided an auxiliary
sear M; this sear engages with the operating slide D in its rearmost position and
is released by a pull of the trigger to control the single loading action of the
weapon. The trigger movement is divided into three parts, its initial movement
controls the single magazine firing of the weapon and operates to both discharge
and recharge the weapon with each successive pull of the trigger. The middle
or second movement of the trigger controls the single loading and single firing
action of the weapon either from the magazine or single from the hand when the

page_text: magazine is cut out of action, and the terminal or third movement of the trigger
controls the automatic action to continuously discharge the arm until the maga-
zine is empty. These three movements of the trigger are controlled by the
trigger cut-off K, which may be grasped by the finger and readily and easily
moved from one to another of its engaging notches, and when the lug K2 of the
trigger cut-off is moved into the notch K it swings the cut-off against the rear
side of the trigger and locks the weapon out of action. When moved into the
next notch K it permits a sufficient movement of the trigger to swing the for-
ward end of the sear S out of engagement with the cylinder T, and permits the
operating slide to be driven against the end of the firing pin, illustrated in
Figures 4 and 7, and discharges the weapon. When the trigger cut-off is moved
back a notch into K4 it permits the second or double movement of the trigger
which discharges the weapon by its initial movement and by its second move-
ment swings the end of the sear M against the cam face of the lug H,-see
Figure 6, and the action of this cam face swings the sear M out of engagement
with the trigger and permits the force of the spring M¹ to swing its rear end up
into the path of the lug F9 and retain the breech bolt in its rear position until
the cartridge being placed in the receiver and the trigger released, it re-engages
with the sear M and disengages it from the breech bolt thus permitting the force
of the operating slide to advance the cartridge into the barrel and lock the bolt
against it. When the trigger is again released and the beveled face J2 re-engages
with the sear S, the cam lug J2 springs past tlie lug S' and engages with it as
illustrated in Figure 15 at which time the second pull of the trigger operates
to discharge the arm.
The third action of the trigger is permitted by moving the trigger cut-off K
back until the lug K2 rests in the notch K³, thus permitting a complete or third
step in the pull of the trigger, in which the initial part of the trigger move-
ment discharges the arm and the terminal part of the trigger's movement brings
the cam faced lug J3 into the path of the movement of the lug S₁ of the sear S
and the engagement of the lug J5 on the arm J with the sear M retains that
sear permanently out of action and permits the primary sear S to be continu-
ously tripped by the cam faced lug J³ until the magazine is empty at which
time the upward movement of the cartridge lifting lever O in the magazine
brings the arm 06 of Figure 13 into engagement with the cam lug or end M³ of
the sear M, shown in Figures 21 and 7, the action of the lug 06 against the
beveled end M³ of the sear M causes the sear M to be disengaged from the
trigger and permits it to re-engage with the breech-bolt, thus locking the breech
bolt in its rear position by means of the engagement of the cartridge lifting
lever with the sear, to allow the magazine to be refilled with cartridges, at
which time the release of the trigger permits it to again engage with the sear M
and disengage it from the breech bolt, swinging the lug J again into the path
of the sear S and continuously tripping it with each successive discharge until
the magazine is empty.
It is also apparent that, when the sear S and the lug S¹ are integrally formed
with the operating slide D, the weapon will be automatically discharged by the
reciprocating movement of the slide D without the necessity for either the inter-
mediate sear S or the lug J3 on the trigger and that the weapon will be auto-
matically discharged by simply retaining the lug J2 out of the path of the lug S¹.
It is also apparent that the trigger action may control the loading action of the
weapon without the necessity for the intermediate sear M by simply forming
the sear M integrally with the arm J of the trigger J, and when so formed the
initial part of the trigger's movement will operate to release the slide D and
the terminal part of the trigger's movement will operate to engage and control
the bolt in its rear or loading position, the trigger cut-off K being moved as here-
inbefore described to permit and control the initial and terminal movement of
the trigger.
In regard to the bolt locking or latching action of the slide D with the breech

page_text: bolt and with the receiver, it is apparent that the beveled face of the lug f¹ and
the diagonal part of the groove F³ causes the operating slide D to exert a for-
ward pressure and a locking pressure on the breech bolt during the initial part
of the unlatching movement of the slide D from the breech bolt and during the
initial part of the locking action of the breech bolt with the receiver, also that
the same parts exert a latching pressure between the breech bolt and operating
slide at the terminal part of the unlocking movement of the breech bolt and at
the beginning of its rearward movement. It is farther apparent that the pitch
of the cam fand the cam F10 may be made steep enough to afford any required
pressure of the operating slide to terminate the advance movement of the breech
bolt at a fixed point and to bring the locking lugs of the breech bolt and the
locking lugs of the receiver into positive engagement at a fixed point in both
the locking and unlocking action of the operating slide. The locking lug F8 of
the bolt timing latch F may be beveled on its anterior side as illustrated in
Figure 11 to afford a cam pressure of the latch against the operating slide during
the terminal part of the unlocking action of the operating slide with the breech
bolt and to continue this pressure during the initial part of the locking action
of the breech bolt with the receiver.
The operation of the gas checking piston head is as follows: When the movable
part of the piston head is actuated by the gases of discharge to operate the
slide D the rearward movement of the piston head against the end of the slide
causes an air pressure within the piston head and against the thin side walls of
the piston head, causing them to be adjusted closely against the side walls of the
tube and to automatically prevent the escape of any of the operating gas past
the piston head. This air pressure is relieved at the terminal part of the move-
ment of the slide D by the relief of the gas pressure against the end of the
cylinder assisted by the force of the spring D₁0 and by the inertia of the terminal
movement of the slide 1, the movable part of the piston head being checked
slightly in advance of the terminal movement of the slide D. This action per-
mits the air chamber within the tube to be opened by the valve D8 and the reverse
or return movement of the piston head to be accomplished without friction against
the side walls of the tube.
The cartridges are elevated in the magazine through the medium of a spring
pressed lever and an auxiliary spring pressed lever. In Figure 7 these levers
are shown as supported on a common pivot which is fixedly attached to and
carried with the handle P, while in Figures 1, 12 and 13 a modification is shown
in which the auxiliary lever is pivoted to the forward end of the primary lever
and forms a cartridge shelf to maintain the required position of the cartridges.
In Figures 1, 12 this lever is shown to be movably guided in the grooves H
and the dog or latch L is pivotally supported in the handle to be moved by pres-
sure of the thumb into engagement with the lever O and cause it to be guided
with the handle and withdrawn from the magazine. The rearward movement of
the lever O when in its upward position brings it into engagement with the
shoulder H8, illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 7, and the inclined shape of
this shoulder causes the rearward movement of the handle to depress the lever
in the magazine, bringing it down out of the magazine, and withdrawing the
magazine door from over the magazine, thus opening the magazine for the pur-
pose of refilling it and permitting it to be closed by advancing the handle again
to its forward position.
The weapon may be operated by reciprocating the handle through the medium
of an arm which projects into the path of the slide D and engages with it to
reciprocate it. The handle may be guided in its reciprocating movements by
the lugs P2 and 13 which are guided in the grooves H6 illustrated in Figures 7
and 12.
The shell extractor is either inserted or removed from the breech bolt by turn-
ing it to a point opposite the cut out part of the bolt. In its preferred form
the extractor is constructed to be carried vertically over the cartridge and to

page_text: maintain this position during the reciprocating movement of the bolt by means
of the latched engagement of its spring with the bolt head. This spring may
have a sufficient tension to maintain any required firmness in the engagement
between the extractor and the breech bolt, and the tension of the spring is suffi-
ciently yielding to permit the beveled extremity of the extractor to engage with
the groove of the cartridge. The engagement of the extractor with the groove B³
in the end of the receiver prevents the extractor from rotating with the bolt.
The cam shape of the beveled flange F causes the extractor to maintain a locked
engagement with the cartridge in withdrawing it, and a yielding engagement
in advancing it, and permits a sufficient swinging movement of the extractor, to
allow it to engage with the flange or groove of the cartridge.
The firing pin may be integrally formed with the slide D as illustrated in
Figure 3 and when so formed it will be impossible to discharge the arm by any
other than the terminal locking action of the bolt. The preferred form of the
firing pin which is illustrated in Figure 4, may be assembled or disassembled by
turning its retaining lug to a point opposite the cut out part in the bolt head
through which it may be withdrawn. The spring D4 is preferably formed to
have its projecting forward end engaged fixedly with the bolt head and its rear
end engaged with the firing pin, to retain it in its working path of movement
and to cause a slight tension in turning the firing pin to permit its removal from
the bolt head.
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 is:-
1. In a firearm a gas actuating or gas catching chamber attached at or near the
end of the barrel, the said chamber having a body part and a forward projection
forming a continuation of the bore of the barrel to afford any required operating
pressure of the gases within the chamber.
2. In a firearm a gas actuating chamber, attached at the end of the barrel,
perforated to permit the free passage of the projectile and having a bell-shaped
opening or funnel-shaped opening into the bore of the barrel.
3. In a firearm a gas actuating chamber attached at one side and in front of
the end of the bore of the barrel and having a conical or funnel-shaped opening
into the bore of the barrel, the front side of the chamber formed on an are of
a circle and having an opening in line with the bore of the barrel to permit the
free passage of the projectile.
4. In a firearm a gas actuating chamber formed at one side and in front of the
bore of the barrel, the said chamber having an opening to permit the free pas-
sage of the projectile and forming an extension of the barrel to cause a sufficient
pressure of the actuating gas within the chamber.
5. In a firearm a gas actuating chamber attached in front of and at one side
of the bore of the barrel, the front side of the chamber formed on an arc of a
circle and having an opening to permit the free passage of the projectile and to
form a sufficient extension of the bore of the barrel to cause an operating pres-
sure of the actuating gas within the chamber, connection between the said
chamber and the operating parts.
6. In a firearm, a gas chamber attached in front of the end of the bore of the
barrel and having a funnel-shaped opening into the same, its anterior side formed
on an arc of a circle and perforated to permit the free passage of the projectile,
a gas cylinder connecting with the said chamber, and a slide movable in the said
cylinder and connected to the bolt action.
7. In a firearm, a gas chamber attached in front of the end of the bore of the
barrel and the barrel having a funnel shaped opening into the chamber, the said
chamber formed on an arc of a circle and perforated to permit the free passage
ot the projectile, forming a continuation of the bore of the barrel, the chamber
having a sufficient and constantly increasing diameter to afford a certain yielding

page_text: and sufficient pressure of the actuating gas, a tube connecting with the said
chamber and an operating slide forming a piston movable in the said tube and
connected to the bolt action.
8. In a firearm, a gas cylinder connected with the bore of the barrel and an
operating slide movable in the said cylinder, connected with the bolt action and
forming a piston head composed of a movable part and an immovable part, the
movable part causing an air pressure within the piston to produce a gas check.
9. In a gas operated firearm, a gas cylinder and a slide movable in the said
cylinder and connected with the bolt action and having a piston head formed of
a movable part and an immovable part containing an air chamber and an opening
into the same in which is located a conical valve to afford a gas check by means
of an air pressure within the cylinder.
10. In a gas operated firearm, the combination of a cylinder and a piston
movable within the same, the said piston formed of a movable part and an
immovable part and containing an air chamber, the sides of which are formed
to yield against the cylinder to afford a gas check caused by an air pressure within
the cylinder, a spring located within the chamber in the cylinder, and a valve to
open and close the chamber in the cylinder, connection between the said cylinder
and the operating parts.
11. In a firearm, a gas chamber attached in front of the bore of the barrel,
formed on an arc of a circle perforated to permit the free passage of the pro-
jectile and having a constantly increasing diameter, a gas cylinder connected
with the said chamber, a slide having a piston head and movable in said cylinder
and connected with the bolt action.
12. In a firearm, a reciprocating breech bolt having a spiral cam guide which
has a diagonal part at its rear end, and locking lugs on the forward end of the
bolt, a receiver having companion locking lugs and a discharge actuating slide
engaging with the said bolt guide, a latch carried by the bolt and engaging with
the said slide and with the receiver to lock and release the slide.
13. In a firearm, a gas actuated slide, a spring to resist the movement of the
said slide, a breech bolt connected to the said slide, a sear carried by the said
slide, and a trigger engaging the sear to discharge the weapon by the terminal
movement of the slide.
14. In a firearm, a discharge actuated slide, a spring to resist the movement of
said slide, a piston carried by said slide, a cylinder in the path of said piston to
afford an air cushion in checking the terminal movement of the slide and con-
nection between the said slide and the bolt action.
15. In a firearm, a discharge actuated slide, a spring to resist the movement of
the said slide, a piston carried by and movable on said slide, a sear carried by
said slide and engaging the said piston, a cylinder located in the path of the
said piston to afford an air cushion in checking the terminal movement of the
slide and the said sear releasing the slide from the piston to permit a terminal
firing action of the slide and the said slide connected with the bolt action.
16. In a firearm, a reciprocating breech bolt having a groove formed to receive
and retain in fixed relation with the bolt a shell extractor, and the bolt cut
out to permit the shell extractor to be assembled at a point other than its work-
ing path of movement, and a shell extractor engaging with the said bolt.
17. In a firearm, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having a groove
formed to receive, retain and release a shell extractor, the said groove cut out to
permit the extractor to be assembled at a point beyond its working path of
movement, and a shell extractor forming a segment of a collar and a spring
carried by the extractor.
18. In a firearm, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having an extractor
seat forming a groove partially encircling the neck of the bolt, the said groove
cut out to permit the extractor to be assembled at a point beyond its working
path of movement, the anterior side of the extractor seat having a bevelled flange,
à shell extractor having a collar part forming a segment of a circle and the

page_text: anterior side of the collar being bevelled to fit movably under its companion
bevel in the extractor seat about the bolt, and a spring to exert a tension on the
extractor.
19. In a firearm, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having an extractor
seat formed with a beveled flanged bearing, an extractor having a companion
beveled bearing and a spring carried by the said extractor and exerting a yield-
ing tension against the bolt head and a depression in the bolt head and engaging
the spring to afford a semi-latched condition of the extractor with the bolt.
20. In a firearm, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having an extractor
seat partially encircling the bolt and formed with a bevelled flange, the said
seat cut out to permit the extractor to be assembled at a point beyond its work-
ing path of movement, a shell extractor having a collar part and a companion
bevel to movably retain it in combination with the bolt, a spring carried by the
extractor and exerting a yielding tension between the bolt and the extractor, a
latching depression in the bolt head engaging the said spring and a receiver
having a groove engaging the extractor at the limit of its forward movement and
preventing it from rotating and governing its latching engagement with the bolt.
21. In a firearm, a receiver formed integrally with the barrel having a guiding
path for the bolt and locking lugs near the forward end of the receiver, the for-
ward end of the chamber in the receiver being beveled and having a conical
shape to afford additional thickness and strength of the receiver walls, and a
breech bolt movable in the said receiver and having locking lugs which are pro-
vided with a companion bevel to afford additional strength to the bolt action.
22. In a firearm, a receiver having a guide way for the breech bolt and a lug
or shoulder against which the bolt is locked, a breech bolt movable in the said
guide way and having a companion locking shoulder, a cartridge magazine
having cartridge retaining wings which project up into the receiver to yieldingly
retain the cartridge, and the breech bolt movable between said wings to push the
cartridge from the magazine into the barrel.
23. In a firearm a receiver having a guide way for a reciprocating and rotat-
ing bolt and cam locking lugs, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having
companion locking lugs, a cartridge magazine having cartridge retaining wings
which project up into the receiver, the locking lugs of the bolt movable between
the wings of the magazine, and the body part of the bolt cut away to permit a
rotating, locking action of the bolt.
24. In a firearm a receiver having a guide way for a reciprocating and rotating
breech bolt and locking lugs, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having
companion locking lugs and a body part of the bolt provided with a cam track, a
cartridge magazine having cartridge retaining wings extending up into the
receiver, the locking lug of the breech bolt movable between said wings, and
the body part of the bolt cut out to permit a rotating, locking action of the bolt,
and an actuating slide engaging with the cam guide in the breech bolt, and a
spring actuated lifter located in the magazine.
25. In a firearm a receiver having a guide way for a reciprocating and rotat-
ing breech bolt and locking lugs, a reciprocating and rotating breech bolt having
companion locking lugs and a body part of the bolt provided with a cam track, &
cartridge magazine having cartridge retaining wings extending up into the
receiver, the locking lug of the breech bolt movable between said wings, and the
body part of the bolt cut out to permit a rotating, locking action of the bolt, and
an actuating slide engaging with the cam guide in the breech bolt, a spring
actuated lifter located in the magazine, and a firing pin.
26. In a firearm, a firing action comprising a discharge actuated slide, a spring
to resist the movement of said slide, a reciprocating breech bolt operated by said
slide, a sear engaging said slide, a trigger engaging the said sear and an auxiliary
sear engaging the slide and engaged by the trigger to control both the loading and
firing action by the pull of the trigger. a
27. In a fire arm, a trigger action comprising a trigger, a primary sear, an

page_text: auxiliary sear, and a trigger cut off engaging the trigger, the trigger cut off
permitting a limited movement of the trigger to release the primary sear and an
additional movement of the trigger to release the auxiliary sear.
28. In a firearm, a trigger action comprising a primary sear, an auxiliary sear
and a trigger cut off engaging with the trigger, the cut off permitting a limited
movement of the trigger to control the single firing action, an additional move-
ment of the trigger to control the loading action and a terminal movement of
the trigger to control the automatic action.
29. In a firearm, a trigger action comprising a primary sear an
auxiliary sear and a
trigger cut off engaging with the trigger, the
cut off permitting a
limited movement of the trigger to control the
single firing action, an additional movement of the trigger to control
the loading action and a terminal movement of the trigger to control the auto-
matic action, a cartridge magazine, a spring pressed cartridge lifter in the maga-
zine, a reciprocating breech bolt, a sear engaging the breech bolt at the terminal
part of its rearward movement and located in the path of the movement of the
said cartridge lifter and engaged by it to control the engagement of the sear with
the breech bolt.
30. In a firearm, a reciprocating breech bolt, a receiver carrying the bolt, a
cartridge magazine, a cartridge lifter carried by the magazine, a sear engaging
the breech bolt at the terminal part of its rearward movement and located in the
path of the movement of the cartridge lifter and engaged by the lifter to govern
its engagement with the bolt, and a trigger engaging the said sear to release it
from the bolt.
31. In a firearm, a cartridge magazine, a cartridge lifter movable in the maga-
zine, a spring to exert a yielding tension against the lifter, a handle movable in
a guide way located in said magazine, and the said lifter pivoted to the said
handle.
32. In a firearm, a cartridge magazine having a guide way or groove, a slid-
ing handle movable in the said guide way, a cartridge lifter pivotally supported
and movable in the said guide way, a spring carried by the cartridge lifter and
exerting a yielding tension against it, the forward end of the said guide way
being beveled or flared and the said handle carrying a pawl which engages with
the said lifter to depress the lifter by reciprocating the handle.
33. In a firearm, a receiver, a reciprocating breech bolt, a discharge actuated
slide, a spring resisting the movement of the slide, a stock frame having a guide
way, a reciprocating handle movable in the said guide and engaging with the said
slide operatively connected.
34. In a firearm, a cartridge magazine integrally formed with a guard strap
or tail piece and a guide way located in the said guard strap, a sliding door for
the magazine movable in the said guide way.
35. In a firearm, a receiver, a reciprocating breech bolt movable in the receiver,
a cartridge magazine, an actuating handle connected with the breech bolt and a
connecting medium between the magazine and the breech bolt to push the car-
tridges from the magazine into the barrel.
36. In a firearm, a cartridge feed device comprising a reciprocating breech
bolt, a cartridge magazine, a cartridge lifter movable in the magazine, and a
connecting medium between the magazine and the bolt to push the cartridges
from the magazine into the barrel.
37. In a firearm, a reciprocating breech bolt, a shell extractor carried by the
breech bolt, a cartridge magazine, a connecting medium between the magazine
and breech bolt carried with the bolt and having a limited movement to cause
the terminal movement of the bolt to eject the shell.
38. In a firearm, a receiver, a breech bolt carried by the receiver, a cartridge
magazine having a guide groove, a cartridge feed and cartridge ejector movable
in the said guide to feed and eject the cartridges.
39. In a firearm a reciprocating breech bolt having a groove or seat, a car-

page_text: tridge ejector engaging with the said groove, and a spring exerting a yielding
tension against the ejector, the said ejector having a limited movement to permit
the terminal movement of the bolt to eject the shell.
40. In a firearm, a barrel and receiver having a bracket which forms one
member of a hinge, a stock frame having a companion member for the hinge, a
reciprocating breech bolt carried by said receiver, a discharge actuated slide
engaging the breech bolt, a pawl or latch engaging with the receiver to lock it
against the frame and the said slide depressible out of the path of the bolt to
permit the bolt to be quickly disassembled.
41. In a firearm a receiver, a reciprocating breech bolt having a bolt locking
cam and a latching cam, a bolt latch carried by the bolt and an operating slide
engaging said cams to govern and time the reciprocating latching and locking
action of the bolt.
42. In a firearm, a receiver for the breech bolt, a breech bolt having a bolt
.locking cam guide and a latching cam, a latch carried by the bolt and provided
with a latching lug, the said lug having a cam face and an actuating slide engag
ing with the said breech bolt and with the said cams and bolt latch to govern
and time the latching action of the slide with the breech bolt and the locking
action of the bolt with the receiver.
43. In a firearm, a receiver, a reciprocating breech bolt movable in the receiver,
a discharge actuating slide engaging with the breech bolt to reciprocate and lock
it and a trigger engaging the slide to control the loading and firing action of
the arm.
44. In a discharge actuated firearm a gas cylinder having an opening in its
side wall, a discharge actuated slide movable in said cylinder and connected to
the operating parts, a slide or valve adapted to open and close the said opening
to govern at will the operating force of the actuating gas.
45. In a firearm a gas actuating chamber attached at or near the end of the
harrel, the said chamber having a body part and a forward projection forming a
.continuation of the bore of the barrel, the said projection formed to have a suffi-
cient length and the bore or opening in the said projection being sufficiently
larger than the projectile to afford any required pressure of the gases within the
chamber and to continue it for any required length of time.
Dated this 21st day of Octahan 1000
SAMUEL NEAL MCCLEAN.
By George Barker,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
Agent for Applicant,