IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGAZINE OR REPEATING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake
"
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings London for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGAZINE OR REPEATING FIRE-ARMS communicated to
him from abroad by The Larsen Rifle Company of Liége in the Kingdom of
Belgium
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGAZINE OR REPEATING
FIRE ARMS [A communication to him from abroad by The Larsen Rifle Company
of Liége in the Kingdom of Belgium.]
This invention relates to magazine fire arms and consists essentially in arranging
a 'cartridge magazine of novel construction in combination with an automatic
propeller and an automatic elevator applicable to breech loading guns. The action
of the various pieces depends upon the motion imparted to the bolt which opens
the breech and charges the weapon.
. According to the said invention the cartridge magazine is situated inside the
stock of the gun, and may be provided with one or more chambers as desired, or it
may be a single chamber arranged in a cavity formed in the stock of the gun and
capable of being taken out when desired.
The adaptation of either of the above arrangements depends upon the kind of
cartridge which it is intended to use. The first is the best when it is desired to
transform the repeating rifles of "Berdan," "Jarman" and others, as in the
cartridges used for these rifles the end of the cases near the bullet is rounded and
the other end by the side of the said bullet, is thinned out. The second arrange-
ment is preferable when "Mauser's " cartridges are used, as these cartridges are
nearly cylindrical and the top of the cases near the bullet of the same is provided
with a projection. If it were intended to transform the "Mauser" rifle into a
repeating rifle, this last arrangement would be a suitable one to use.
When the magazine is provided with: several compartments they are formed by

page_text: partitions, preferably metal plates, located in the stock of the gun and maintained
by pins, this arrangement constitutes a box the sides of which are formed of two
metal plates which are parallel and joined together at the bottom, and at the rear,
by means of metal bands the width between which corresponds to the diameter of
the cartridge cases. Recesses in the said bands serve to hold the flanges of the
superposed cartridges, which arrive in their proper place in consequence of their
weight, and serve especially to prevent the said cartridges from moving. Each
chamber is closed on the top by a lid provided with hinges.
The partitions extend to the top of the magazine and keep the sides of the same
apart but they do not reach down to the bottom, in order to allow' sufficient room
for the free passage of the cartridge which rests upon the movable propeller. Pius
which pass through the side walls of the magazine serve to guide both the propeller
in its to and fro movement and the cartridges which it supports in their forward
motion.
The cartridges are superposed in each chamber, the bullet being placed in front
in such a manner that each cartridge places itself in its turn upon the propeller or
feeder.
When a single chamber is used it is flat and has an irregular quadrangular form.
It is closed at the top by means of a lid which is provided with hinges and
rounded off level with the top of the stock of the gun.
The said lid is fixed by means of a cylindrical projection which enters a corre-
sponding notch cut out of the wall, opposite that to which the hinge is attached.
The underside of this lid is provided with a circular projection which has for its
object to push in the box any cartridge which has not entered into its proper
place.
The
The lid being opened the cartridges are introduced in the box one by one.
thickness of the box is not much greater than the diameter of the flange of the
cartridge. All dimensions are such that when the box contains only one cartridge,
this cartridge is not capable of turning round whatever may be the position of the
said box.
The two sides of the magazine are provided inside with vertical grooves in
order to guide the cartridges as they are introduced. Similar grooves are formed
horizontally in the sides of the chamber, to allow free passage for the said
cartridges when they are pushed forward by the propeller. The front wall of the
chamber is opened by means of a sliding door. This door is closed so long as the
above described box is not located in the stock of the gun. When the said box is
put in its place, a projection abuts against a fixed piece which raises the door
sufficiently to allow the passage of the lower cartridge and the propeller.
10
To the said front wall of the chamber are adapted two prolongations; level
with the lid, one in front and one in the rear; they are both about one centimetre
wide.
'At the rear of the bottom of the said chamber is fixed a stop piece, which is
located in a groove formed in the end of the. propeller, and which prevents the
lower cartridge from falling too low when the said propeller is pushed forward.
The box is maintained fixed in the stock by means of a knob forming the.extremity
of a short spring the other extremity of which is soldered at the bottom and on
the outside of the box. When the box is forced into the stock of..the gun, the
said knob is slightly and laterally displaced and penetrates into a cavity, formed in
the trigger guard subsequently returning to its first position. When it is desired
to withdraw the said box, the knob is first pressed laterally in order to bring it
upon a level with the said cavity, it is afterwards pressed upwards and the box is
drawn out by means of its lid.
-
J
Several movable chambers may be provided if desired so that as one is emptied
of cartridges another chamber ready charged may be substituted for it.
ن.
I sometimes construct the movable chamber. in such a manner that it can be
supplied with double the number of cartridges, by coupling the said chamber with
a second chamber parallel to the first and separated from the, same by a vertical

page_text: partition which is provided at its lower part with a plate oscillating upon an axis
situated above the space required for the free passage of the propeller when
carrying a cartridge. The outside wall of the second compartment of this coupled
chamber is rounded at the bottom in order that the weight of the cartridges may
cause the hinge to oscillate and ensure the arrival upon the propeller of the
cartridges contained in the supplementary compartment of the movable chamber
subsequent upon the forwarding of the cartridges contained in the first com-
partment out of the magazine and towards the breech of the weapon.
In front of the movable chamber or chambers, if several are used, a metal and
rectangular tube is arranged (in a similar manner to that of the magazine
herein before described) which permits the passage of the propeller and of the
cartridge which the same carries. This tube is divided into fixed chambers by
means of cross bars which act as vertical partitions in the chambers of the
hereinbefore described magazine. The shape of these cross bars is such as to allow
the cartridges to pass whilst guiding the same in their movement. The automatic
propeller which extends throughout the whole length of the stock is divided into
sections corresponding to the chambers in the magazine or in a tube which is
substituted for the said magazine, according to the kind of cartridges used. The
width of the said propeller or feeder is less than that of the base of the magazine,
and the said feeder is formed of several pieces which are either rigid or jointed
together in order to adapt themselves to the shape of the stock.
Each division of the propeller is, when the latter is at rest, situated below a
partition of the magazine or tube, and forms a projection which is inclined in the
direction of the bottom plate.
The front end of the propeller is attached to the breech bolt, so that as the latter
is moved the propeller moves with it. In its forward movement the propeller
carries the cartridges forward with it, whereas on its return towards the breech
plate the breech bolt carries the propeller only back to its normal position which
it occupies after having passed underneath the cartridges left in each chamber.
The cartridges after having been carried forward, cannot move back again, as in
consequence of the weight of the bullets the flanges of the case rise up and impinge
against the partition.
The return of the propeller is facilitated by means of the inclined planes
arranged at the rear of the said projections,
The elevator for raising the cartridges from the magazine to the breech is
composed of a spoon and a regulator forming an integral part with a lever fixed to
the trigger guard.
The spoon which is fixed by means of two screws is prolonged to the first
compartment of the tube in which the propeller slides.
A square notch is cut in this prolongation which notch corresponds with the
position occupied by the bottom of the charged cartridge in the cavity of the
spoon which has the shape of a trough. A vertical projection having the shape of
a triangular prism holds the cartridge in its forward movement. The lever is
caused to oscillate its backward movement by a lateral part of the propeller and
the hammer which forms an integral part with the lever rises and pushes the
cartridge. When this cartridge has been further raised by the elevator, the same
is kept back by a projection at an angle of 45° formed at the base of a
spring fixed to the box facing a square projection a little to the rear of the
same.
The cartridge is pushed by the bolt towards the breech, being guided by cavities
formed in each side of the box, on either side of the aperture made in the bottom
of the same and in the direction of the barrel.
A key is provided which may be used, when desired, to stop the mechanism of
the elevator and of the propeller in order to be able to charge the weapon in the
ordinary manner, if the cartridges of the magazine are exhausted or, if it is
intended to preserve the same. This key is arranged upon the right side of the

page_text: weapon and a flat knob or a knob of any other shape is used to actuate the same.
The key rod which passes through the weapon is terminated by a circular button.
This button moves a cavity in the same manner as a bolt when it is raised, the
movement from the bolt is communicated to the whole of the mechanism, when the
said button is lowered the mechanism receives no further movement from the said
bolt. This invention is applicable to breech loaders, or guns which are operated
by means of a bolt, or guns having several barrels, providing that the propeller
may be subjected to an alternate movement over a course as long as the cartridge.
I may effect any modification to this invention which is required in order to adapt
the same to any kind of fire arms.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Patent Office on the 18th January
1884.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGAZINE OR REPEATING
FIRE-ARMS -A communication to me from abroad by the Larsen Rifle Company,
of Liège, in the Kingdom of Belgium
"
This invention relates to magazine or repeating fire arms and comprises the
arrangement of a cartridge magazine of a novel construction in combination with
an automatic propeller and an automatic elevator applicable to breech loading
guns.
The action of the different devices depends upon the motion imparted to the
mechanism which opens the breech and charges the weapon and may therefore be
said to be automatic
In order to describe the said Invention clearly and precisely I shall refer to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figures 1, 2 and 3 relate to a cartridge magazine with one or more compart-
ments formed or fixed in the stock of the gun which compartments open at the top
independently of each other
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the stock of a gun in which is formed,
according to my invention, a magazine composed of three compartments
t
Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same on the line A B in Figure 1 and
Figure 3 is a plan of the covers or lids of the various compartments
Figures 4 to 10 relate to a magazine formed with a movable chamber and
two fixed chambers arranged in a tube forming a continuation of the said movable
chamber
. Figure 4 is a vertical central section of the stock of a gun in which are arranged
the said chamber and the tube with two compartments
Figure 5 is a plan of the cover or lid of the movable box or chamber and
Figure 6 is a transverse section of the same on the line C D Figure 5
Figure 7 is a horizontal section on the line E, F Figure 4
Figure 8 is a front elevation of the movable box or chamber, and
Figure 9 is a plan of the same
Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line G, H of the pieces which divide the
tube into two chambers.
Figure 11 is a vertical section of a double box or chamber which may be
substituted for the box shewn in the preceding figures.
Figure 12 is a plan of a piece which is placed at the end of the propelling or
feeding device.
Figure 13 is a plan of the spoon shewn in section in Figure 4
Figure 14 is a plan of the regulator shewn in Figure 4
Figure 15 is a section of a spring shewn also in Figure 4
Figures 16 and 17 shew, in section and plan, the key which enables the gun to be
used either with or without the cartridges contained in the magazine.
The cartridge magazine is situated inside the stock of the gun. It may be
provided with one or more fixed chambers as desired, or it may be a single
chamber arranged in a cavity formed in the stock of the gun and capable of being
taken out when desired. The adoption of either of the above arrangements
depends upon the kind of cartridge which it is intended to use. The first is the
best when it is desired to convert into repeating rifles the Berdan, Jarman, and

page_text: other arms where the end of the cartridge opposite the bullet is rounded and the
other end next said bullet is thinned out. The second arrangement is preferable
when Mauser's cartridges are used, as these cartridges are nearly cylindrical and
the end of the cases opposite the bullet is provided with a projection or flat ring.
If it is desired to convert the Mauser rifle into a repeating rifle for use with
German cartridges the latter arrangement is employed.
Figures 1 and 2 shew the construction of a gun in the stock of which a magazine
with the compartments is arranged. These compartments are formed by means of
the partitions c, c¹, cl, cl, that is to say, metal plates located in the stock of the
gun and held by the pins r. This arrangement constitutes a box the side walls of
which are formed of two parallel metal plates joined at the bottom and at the rear
by means of metal bands the width of which corresponds with the diameter of the
cartridge cases.
The recesses e, e¹, e", (Figure 2) serve to receive the flanges of the superposed
cartridges which fall by their own weight into their proper place and the said
recesses prevent the cartridges from turning Each chamber is closed on the top
by a lid or cover provided with hinges (Figure 3). The cartridges are introduced
at the top.
In the example shewn in the drawing the compartments when filled contain
respectively three, five, and seven cartridges, altogether- fifteen, but the number of
compartments and of the cartridges they will contain may be varied according to
the construction of the cartridge and that of the stock of the gun. The partitions
c¹, c, c extend from the top of the magazine, and keep the side walls of the
same apart but they do not extend to the bottom so that a passage is left for the
cartridge which rests upon the movable propeller P (Figure 1). The pins g, g¹
which pass through the side walls of the magazine serve to guide the propeller in
its to-and-fro movement and also the cartridges which it supports in their forward
motion.
The cartridges are superposed in each chamber the bullet being placed in front
in such a manner that such cartridge comes in its turn into position upon the pro-
peller or feeder. The said cartridges are moved out of the magazine in the order
indicated by the numbers.
Figure 4 shews an arrangement in which the magazine is formed of a removable
box B and a fixed tube both located in the stock of the gun. The movable box or
chamber is flat and has an irregular quadrangular form It is closed at the top by
means of a lid or cover provided with hinges G (Figures 5 and 6) and rounded off
flush with the top of the stock of the gun
The said lid or cover is fixed by means of a cylindrical projection h, h which
enters a corresponding notch in the wall opposite that to which the hinge is
attached. The underside of this lid is provided with a projection i in the form of
an are of a circle which has for its object to push into the box any cartridge which
has. not entered it properly. The lid being opened, the cartridges are introduced
into the box one by one, with the bullet in front, and fall to the bottom in such a
manner as to be superposed..
The thickness of the box is not much greater than the diameter of the flange of
the cartridge. All dimensions are such that when the box contains only one
cartridge' this cartridge is not capable of turning round whatever may be the
position of the said box.
The two side walls p, q, p¹ q¹ (Figure 7) are provided inside with vertical
grooves extending the whole height of the chamber for guiding the cartridges as
they are introduced. Similar grooves are formed along the bottom of the chamber
to permit the passage of the said cartridges when they are pushed forward by the
propeller. The front wall of the chamber (Figure 8) is opened by means of a
sliding cover which is closed as long as the said box is not located in the stock of
the gun.
When the said box is put in its place, a projection b, b on the slide abuts
against the fixed piece c which raises the cover sufficiently to permit the passage of
the lower cartridge and of the propeller P which has been introduced between the

page_text: said cover and the bottom of the box. To the said front wall of the chamber are
fitted two extensions ; at the level and in the direction of the lid, one in front
and one in the rear, and both about one centimetre long.
Figure 9 shews the bottom of the said box, which
open at A near the front for
about a quarter of its length to permit the box to be set in its place when the
propeller P is pushed forward. The ends of the said propeller enters the space A.
At the rear of the said bottom is fixed a stop piece d (Figure 4) which is located in
a groove formed in the end of the propeller and which prevents the lower cartridge
from falling too low when the said propeller is pushed forward. The box is
maintained fixed in the stock by means of the knob y (Figure 9) forming the
extremity of a short spring the other extremity H of which is soldered to the
bottom on the outside of the box. When the box is forced into the stock of the gun,
the said knob is slightly displaced laterally and enters a cavity formed in the
trigger guard piece, subsequently returning to its first position. When it is desired
to withdraw the said box, the knob y is first pressed laterally in order to bring it
into proper position relatively to the said cavity, it is then pressed upwards and
the box is drawn out by means of its lid
The movable chamber B provided with cartridges may be replaced when empty
if desired by chambers similarly constructed and supplied with cartridges
A modification in the construction of the movable chamber permits it to be
supplied with double the number of cartridges by duplicating the said chamber or
adding another chamber B¹ thereto as shewn in Figure 11 separated from the first
chamber by a vertical partition I carrying at its lower part a plate J adapted to
oscillate upon an axis situated above the space for the passage of the propeller when
carrying a cartridge. The outside wall K of the second compartment of this double
chamber is rounded at the bottom in order that the weight of the cartridges may
cause the plate J to oscillate and ensure the arrival upon the propeller of the-
cartridges contained in the supplementary compartment of the movable chamber,
after the cartridges contained in the first compartment have been pushed out of the
magazine towards the breech.
In front of the movable chamber or chambers, if more than one are used, a
metal tube M M¹ with rectangular walls is arranged in a similar manner to that of
the magazine above described, to permit the passage of the propeller and of the
cartridges carried thereby. This tube is divided into fixed chambers by means of
cross bars c, c², c¹¹ which serve the purpose of the vertical partitions in the above
described magazine.. Figure 10 shews the shape which I give to these cross bars
to permit the cartridges to pass whilst guiding the same in their movement.
The automatic propeller P is in the form of a carrier which travels in the stock
a distance equal to the whole length of the trigger guard. It is divided into
sections corresponding to the chambers in the magazine or in the tube which is
substituted for the said magazine according to the kind of cartridges used. The
width of the said propeller or feeder is slightly less than that of the base of the
magazine and the said feeder is formed of several pieces which are either rigid or
articulated in order to adapt themselves to the shape of the stock. In Figure 1
the said carrier is shewn articulated at a, a¹, all and in Figure 4 articulated
only at f.
Each division of the propelier, when the latter is at rest is situated below a
partition of the magazine or tube and has a vertical projection 8 81 or 811 which is
inclined towards the bottom plate. The part 0 of the propeller which is nearest
to the breech (Figure 4) is shewn in plan in Figure 12. Its summit d is rounded
and it is located in a notch cut in the bottom of the breech-bolt which it follows,
when the same is moved horizontally, taking with it the carrier of the propeller
and the cartridges placed thereon and held by the vertical projections 8, 81, 811
during the movement of the propeller towards the breech. In its forward move-
ment, therefore, the propeller carries the cartridges forward with it, whereas on
the return of the breech-bolt towards the breech-plate the propeller is moved back
to its normal position, the said propeller passing beneath the cartridges remaining

page_text: in each chamber. The cartridges after having been carried forward cannot move
back again because by reason of the weight of the bullet the flanges of the cases
rise and impinge against the partition.
The return of the propeller is facilitated by means of the inclined planes at the
rear of the said projections s, s¹, 811 its movement in either direction is controlled
by the breech-bolt and is guided by the pins g, g'.. The forward movement of the
propeller, the rear part or-parts of which slide upon the bottom of the magazine or
magazines, carries the cartridges successively towards the elevator in the order
indicated by the numbers.
In the first arrangement herein before described the weapon can contain nineteen
cartridges and in the second only ten.
•
The breech-bolt shown in the Figures by way of example is a Mauser bolt but it
will be readily understood that my invention is applicable to all breech-bolts and
can be adapted generally to all breech-loading guns which are provided with a bolt
having a to-and-fro movement..
The propeller being one of the most important features of this invention it is
necessary to remark that the same contains no spring, that all the pieces belonging
to it are solid and that they do not easily get out of order. The latter advantage
is of special importance in view of the application of this invention to weapons
used in warfare.
The elevator for raising the cartridges from the magazine to the breech is com-
posed of a spoon C with a bent handle or rod, as shewn in plan in Figure 13, and
of a regulator R (Figures 4 and 14) formed integrally with the lever Land fixed to
the trigger-guard. The spoon is fixed by means of two screws, its handle or rod
is straight and extends to the first compartment of the tube in which the propeller
slides. A square notch x is cut in this extension of the handle, which notch
corresponds with the position occupied by the bottom of the cartridge in the cavity
of the spoon, which has the shape of a gutter. A vertical projection in the form
of a triangular prism holds the cartridge by its flange in its forward movement.
The lever is caused to oscillate by the action of the lateral part n of the propeller
in its backward movement; and the hammer R, which is formed integrally with
the lever; rises and pushes the cartridge. When this cartridge has been further
raised by the elevator, it is kept back by a guard at the base of the spring m
(Figures 4 and 15). This spring is fixed to the box in front a little to the rear of
the square notch a.
The cartridge is subsequently pushed, by the action of the breech-bolt, towards
the breech, being guided by two helicoidal cavities formed in each side wall of the
box, on either side of the aperture in the bottom of the same, and in the direction
of the barrel, the said cartridge is subsequently placed in the breech in position to
be fired.
Figures 16 and 17 shew a key F which may be used, when desired to render
the mechanism of the elevator and propeller inoperative, so that the weapon may
be charged in the ordinary manner, whether the cartridges from the magazine have
been used or it is intended to reserve the same. This key F as shewn in Figure 4;
is arranged upon the right hand side of the weapon; a fat or otherwise shaped
knob is used to actuate the same. The rod T which passes through the weapon,
is terminated on the left hand side of the breech bolt by a semi-circular cam S
which receives a corresponding notch S₁ of the front piece of the propeller. This
cam moves into a cavity in the same manner as a bolt; when it is raised, the
movement of the breech bolt is communicated to the whole of the mechanism, that
is to say to the elevator and propeller; when the said cam is depressed the
inechanism receives no further movement from the breech bolt. This invention is
independent of any particular kind of weapon and is applicable to all fire-arms,"
whether breech loaders, or guns which are operated by means of a bolt, or guns
having several barrels, providing that one of the parts of the nieclianism has an
alternate movement as long as the cartridge. I may modify the invention in order
to adapt the same to any kind of fire-arm.

page_text: Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim
First The arrangement of a repeating fire-arm comprising a cartridge magazine
situated in the stock, with a propeller for carrying the cartridges towards an
apparatus called an elevator which raises the same to the breech, substantially as
described.
Second The arrangement above described, of a magazine having one or more
fixed chambers, or a single movable chamber with one or two compartments, and a
chamber divided into one or more fixed compartments, the said magazine opening
at the top, and being constructed in such a manner that the cartridges are arranged
therein in one or more superposed groups and can descend regularly and
automatically onto the propeller.
Third. The propeller either rigid or articulated, and having an alternative
movement without the use of any springs, arranged so that when it advances it
carries the cartridges successively out of the magazine, and when it retrogrades to
seize a fresh cartridge it cannot carry back with it any of the cartridges already
brought to the elevator, as set forth.
Fourth. The articulated piece at the end of the propeller next the barrel actuated
by the breech bolt or other suitable part of the arm, and transmitting its move-
ment to the propeller and to the cartridges which it carries as set forth.
Fifth. The clevator actuated by the side of the last section of the propeller and
operating without the medium of any springs.
Sixth. The succession and simultaneity of the different movements producing
the continuous and automatic charging, until the magazine is emptied, by the
successive removal of all the cartridges, caused by operating the bolt, lever, knob,
or other suitable part of the arm to which this invention is applied
Seventh The key for stopping the automatic charging and permitting the
introduction of the cartridges in the ordinary manner.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four
W RUB LAKE
(L.S.)