Improvements in Automatic Machine Guns
Year: 1886

page_text: I BETHEL BURTON, Officer of Oastler Palmer & Co., Market Street Bermondsey,
S.E. London, Mechancial Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Improvements in Automatic Machine Guns:-My invention relates to that class
of Gun, known as "Automatic Machine Gun, Actuated by its own recoil" and it
particularly relates to a new class of Automatic Machine Guns having two or more
barrels and where the recoil of the exploded charge of one loads and fires the other.
and vice versa, and where more than one pair of barrels are used, each pair will
work independently of the other, should any one pair break down.
The important features of my present invention are; firstly: All the movements
of the actions and barrels, are positive and not dependent on auxiliary springs to
perform their different functions.
:
Secondly I use any number of barrels required, and the recoil of one barrel from
the exploded charge opens the breech, ejects the spent shell, and brings a loaded
cartridge in front of the bolt, ready to be shoved into the barrel, it also pushes the
other bolt and barrel forward, together with the cartridge, closes the breech and
fires the charge, the explosion of which closes the breach of the other action; and
so on firing alternately, first one, and then the other; thus as many actions,
and barrels as may be required, may be constructed side by side in pairs, so that
in case any one of the actions, or barrels are disabled the others can continue
firing.
Thirdly By firing the same number of charges through two or more barrels that
is required to be fired where only one barrel is used, I obtain thereby the minimum
heating of the barrels thus avoiding the necessity of using a water jacket round
the barrels, although a water jacket may be used if desired.
Fourthly: The force of the recoil from the exploded charge, is regulated, and
controlled by means of a valve placed by preference in the rear communication
between the cylinders.
:
Fifthly The discharged barrels are brought forward by means of a balance lever
pivoted at its centre, to the frame, and at either end, to the barrels, so that when
one barrel recedes, the other barrel advances, and vice versa.

page_text: Sixthly To delay the opening of the breech for a certain period of time I make
use of a self-acting brace, which permits the bolt and barrel to travel together for a
certain distance, and when the brace is released from the arm of frame F. the bolt
travels back by the force from the unescaped gases; the force exerted by those
gases upon the bolt is utilized for the purpose of operating the companion action
and barrel, by means of the action of the pistons in the cylinders. I do not confine
myself to this particular system, whereby the barrel and bolt is kept together for
a certain distance, the same may be accomplished by other distinct methods
which I sometimes use; One of those methods consists of a solid clutch on the
bolt, which engages in a flange on the barrel, and are made to engage and dis-
engage by means of a cam hereinafter described; another method consists of a
lever pivoted to the bolt, which is thrown in and out of gear, by a cam action, also
hereinafter described.
The cartridges are supplied to the gun by an upright hopper such as is in
general use on Machine guns from which the cartridges drop into a revolving feed
or pannier, by which they are conveyed in front of the bolt, and by which the
spent shell is carried off when extracted and thrown out through an opening in
the side or bottom of the frame of the Gun. This pannier is revolved by the
reciprocating motion of the bolt. I wish it to be understood that I do not claim
the pannier, actuated by the bolt as my invention except in combination with my
invention, nor do I confine myself to this particular feed, as any other suitable feed
may be used.
My present invention moreover comprises various improvements hereinafter
described applicable to other guns.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown different methods, or modifications
of an Automatic Machine gun, designed to operate in accordance with the general
plan of my present invention, in which Fig. 1. is a longitudinal vertical section of
my breech action, frame, and barrel. The front part of the frame and barrel of all
the longitudinal views and plans are broken off for convenience.
Fig. 2. is a top plan view of the same the top plate removed to show the several
parts.
Fig. 3. is a cross vertical section through a
Fig. 4. is a vertical cross section through
hopper box.
shewing the hopper and box.
. shewing the rear end of the
Fig. 5. is a side view of the barrel and the britchen frame.
Fig. 6. is a rear end view of the gun, showing the steering and starting handles
and the double action fastener for keeping the handles in place.
Fig. 7. is a longitudinal vertical section shewing one form or modification of
said gun.
Fig. 8. is a plan view of the same with the top plate removed to show the action
and barrels.
Fig. 9. is a certical cross section through x-x figure 7, showing the revolving
pannier and the hopper placed in the hopper box.
Fig. 10. is a top plan view of the frame the hopper and hopper-box, the valve
lever, and the firing lever, and the rear of the barrels.
Fig. 11. is a longitudinal vertical section with the rear end of the frame removed
for convenience showing another form or modification of said gun.
Fig. 12. is a top plan view of the same.
Letters alike indicate parts alike throughout the several illustrations.
A indicates a metal frame of the usual type of Machine Guns. B B the barrels,
CC the bolt, D D are the cylinders. D' is the rear connection between the two
cylinders, with the valve d therein. D2 is the front connection between the
cylinders. E E. are pistons in the cylinders D D. EE are the piston rods
secured to the end of the bolts. F F the britchen frame attached to the ends of
the barrel B B which work in ways a² f¹. G G are the starting rods. G¹ G'are
the steering and starting handles figs. 1 & 2. HH are bell crank braces for
supporting the bolts C C in the britchen frames against the base of the cartridge

page_text: in the barrel during a portion of the travel of the bolt.
I is rod which passes
through the frame A. It is a handle for operating the rod I, by which the firing
of the gun can be started or stopped, J is a double ended fastener for retaining the
steering and starting handles G₁ G¹ in place. K is a balance lever pivoted to the
frame A by a pin . L the hopper-box. L' the hopper. A'A' are the openings
in the sides of the frame through which the cartridges are ejected, having a folding
or sliding door. A² is a folding or sliding door in the bottom of the frame A for
a similar purpose. (figs. 7-9 and 11.) O is a cam formed in the barrel engaging
a pin in the cross bar of the frame A for the purpose of giving a reciprocating
rotary motion to the barrel, N is a clutch on the end of the bolt C which engages
a flange N on the end of the barrel. G2 is a rod attached to the rear end of the
bolt C which slides in a grooved way in the inside of the frame A. G³ is a knob
or handle which passes through the frame A and is secured to the rod G2, the
handle G³ reciprocates in a slot in the side of the frame A. M, figure 11 is another
form of clutch designed to operate in conjunction with the balance lever K
figure 12. The frame A is constructed in the usual way; grooved ways a² a² are
made in the bottom of the frame A and other ways are made in the top
plates of the frame A. There is attached to the barrel a britchen frame F, from
which an arm having a step f extends, and in the frame A a grooved way is made
for the arm to slide in, the britchen frame F, with the barrel B is placed in the
frame A, sufficient space being left for the brichen frame, and arm to recoil back
the distance required. In the britchen frame a dovetail way a. is made, and on
the frame A, a corresponding dovetail a. is made, the bolt C is made to work in
those dovetails, in the bolt is placed the usual firing pin and helical spring, thero
is also an extractor c¹ of a peculiar construction pivoted in the bolt, and a cocking
lever, and a sear . To the end of the bolt C a piston rod E' is attached on
which there is a piston E. In the rear of the frame a pair of cylinders D D are
placed having connections D₁, and D³, the piston E works in the cylinder D, and
the mouth of each cylinder is provided with a stuffing box through which the
piston rod works. In the connection D' a valve d' is placed having an arm d² by
which it is turned, the cylinders are filled with air or a suitable fluid matter in
the rear of the pistons, I prefer to leave the cylinders empty in front of the
pistons in case tho packing of the pistons E E might leak, and cause jamming,
whereas now the fluid or air, can pass from one cylinder to the other. The
revolving panniers are placed in a frame P, and made fast to the frame A; the
frame F is cut away in the manner shown in Figure 1, to admit the end of
the extractor c, and the cocking lever e² to lift; the end of the extractor C³, and
both ends of lever are made with rollers so they will move freely.
the rear end of the bolt C which projects downwards a bell crank lever shaped
support His pivoted, the end of the support H rests in a step in the arm of
the britchen; from this brace a pair of arms extend laterally out over the
frame A, these arms are provided with rollers. On the frame A in the path of the
travel of the support H, the cams a¹ a¹ are formed so that when the recoil takes
place the rollers on the arms of the support H mount up the cams a¹ a¹, and
lift the end of the support out of the step f, the bolt C is thereby released from
the britchen F, by which time the bullet has reached near the muzzle of the barrel
the gases in the barrel acting on the bolt forces it back, and ejects the spent
cartridge. When the cartridge shell is withdrawn within a short distance of the
rear of the pannier, the roller end of the extractor c¹ strikes the cam c³ on the
depressson made on the top of the frame A, and lowers the lever end of
the extractor thus lifting its hooked end clear off the cartridge, a spring under the
extractor presses the hook end down. To prevent the cartridge shells from passing
behind the pannier I make the hole in the pannier frame slightly narrower than
the head of the cartridges, and make the bolt to correspond; the cocking lever c²
strikes the cam c³ as the bolt C receeds pressing the upper arm of the lever c²
down, and the lower arm in the mortice made in the firing pin is pressed back,
To

page_text: b
forcing with it the firing pin, and compressing the helical spring in the bolt, the
sear, than engages in the head of the firing-pin, and holds the helical spring
compressed. The firing rod I, has flats made thereon that when brought opposite
the sear do not come in contact with the scar, but by turning the handle I' a short
distance, the rod I, presses the lower arm of the sear back and releases the firing
pin which is driven forward by the spring to fire the charge, by operating the
handle the gun may be fired or not as required; the bolt C, piston rod E³, and
cylinders D, are in a direct line, when the recoil takes place the bolt and piston is
forced back pressing the fluid in one cylinder through the connection D¹ into the
adjoining cylinder, forcing its piston with the bolt forward and closing the breech.
The upper arm of the support strikes against a pin or projection on the frame A
forcing the end of the brace H down into the stop on the arm of the britchen;
To avoid hammering the ends of the bolts CC against the ends of the barrels B B,
I provide a balance lever K which is pivoted to the frame A at k, a trunnion on
either end of the lever K enters a groove made in the top of the barrel; and as
one barrel recoils back the other is forced forward by the lever K, and vice versa.
The panniers feed which convey the loaded cartridges from the hopper L' are made
to turn one to the right, and the other to the left, and are constructed and operated
on the principle patented in Great Britain by J. D. Greene, dated 18th June 1875,
No. 2241, and requires no description. To prepare the gun to fire, the hopper L
is placed in the hopper box L, and filled with cartridges, the handles G' are released
from the fastener J, the handle G₁ on the starting rod G is pulled back, and with
it the forward bolt, and barrel, and a loaded cartridge, is brought in place which
the bolt thrusts into the barrel, the handle G₁ and fastener J are then put back in
place in the position shown in Figures 6; a friction spring prevents the fastener
from moving the handle I, is then turned into the firing position, the gun will
then go on firing as long as the hoppers are kept supplied with cartridges; first
one barrel, and action, then the other; the recoil from one charge loading and
firing the other keeping up a reciprocating motion throughout; the excess of the
recoil is taken up by the act of operating the several parts of the actions, but
should that not be enough, I provide the valve d in the connection D¹ which when
turned by the handle so as to partially close the opening, the fluid or air the
cylinders are charged with is prevented from rushing through freely, and thereby
the desired speed is obtained at which the gun is required to fire. In order to
fill the cylinders with fluid, I prefer to insert it through an opening made down
through the valve into the cylinders the hole stopped by a screw plug d, if air is
used a proper valve will be required, or indeed the common atmosphere in the
cylinders may answer the purpose. In order to exclude dirt or dust entering the
frame A, and clogging the action, I provide folding or sliding doors at A' which are
closed when the gun is not in use.
In the modification of my invention illustrated in Fig. 7 to 10, the frame A is
constructed similar to the frame described in which the panniers are securely
fastened, dovetail ways a a, are made on the under side of the top plate of the
frame A in which the bolts CC reciprocate. On the front end of the bolt Ca
solid clutch N is formed, on the end of the barrels B, a flange N¹ is made, a gap is
made in this flange N₁ to admit the clutch N to pass through in order to engage
with the flange N, on the barrels B B cams 0 0 are made, and in the cross bar of
the frame A in which the barrels B B reciprocate studs o o are placed which are
provided with friction rollers, when one bolt is driven forward by the recoil of the
other it pushes the barrel before it which with the cam Q, and pin o imparts a hori-
zontal rotary motion to the barrel clutching it to the bolt; the recoil of the barrel
reverses the action of the cams 0 0, causing the flange N¹ to release from the
clutch N, when the barrel and bolt has travelled a certain distance back the bolt is
then released from the barrel and recoils back in ways a a in the underside of the
frame A, and forces the piston rod and piston through the cylinder pressing the air
or fluid before it through the connection D¹ and into the adjoining cylinder, forcing

page_text: the piston therein forward, performing the functions illustrated in figures 1 to 6,
and as before described. The under side of the top of the frame A is cut away
forming a groove for a short distance to admit the rear end of the extractor c¹, and
the upper end of the cocking lever c² to lift, when the bolt C is forward the end of
this groove forms a cain e³, which the upper arm of the cocking lever strikes as
the bolt recedes forcing back and cocking the firing pin, when it is caught by the
hook on the sear ¹. The rear end of the extractor c¹ strikes the cam c³ and is
thus lowered and lifts the hooked end up clear off the rim of the cartridge, the
hook of extractor is kept pressed down by a spring under it's rear end. In all
other respects the gun is similar to that hereinbefore set forth. Another modifi-
cation of my invention is illustrated in Figs 11 and 12, and is constructed as
follows: the frame A, and the action is similar to the frame and action hereinbefore
set forth; in this modification the barrels are made to slide freely back and forth
in the cross bar of the frame A in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and are
supplied with the balance lever K attached to the frame and barrels in the manner
before set forth and shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In the front end of the bolt Ca
lever M is pivoted; on one end of this lever a hook is formed and a spring m is
secured to the frame to keep the hook end of the lever M pressed down in place;
the other end of the lever M extends up and into a groove formed in the plate A,
the rear end of this groove has an incline or cam m². On the end of the barrels a
flange N¹ is formed in which the hook on the lever M clutches; When the recoil
takes place the barrel and bolt travels back together for a short distance, when the
roller end of the lever M. strikes the cam m¹ causing it to lower, and the hook end
of the lever M to rise, freeing the bolt from the barrel and allowing it to recoil, and
act in conjunction with the adjoining bolt, piston, and cylinder, in the manner and
as hereinbefore set forth. When the barrel recoils a short distance it is released
from the bolt C, and is stopped by a collar 61 which strikes the cross bar of the
frame A as in the preceding gun, the balance lever K. forces the adjoining barrel
forward so that there is a reciprocating motion of the barrels kept up with the
other parts of the actions, I do not, however, confine myself to the use of two or
more barrels placed side by side a number of barrels may be put together in a
circle and fired consecutively until all the barrels contained in the circle have been
fired, two circles of barrels constituting the set instead of two single barrels as set
forth. Each circle of barrels may be revolved by a pawl and ratchet motion or by
the action of cams in the manner before referred to for revolving the panniers or
by some other similar or suitable device.
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. The combination of the barrels B B with the balance lever K, pivoted to the
frame A, by the pin k, and to the barrels by the trunnions on either end of the
lever K, working in the groove b, substantially as and for the purpose set forth..
2. The combination of the barrels B B, the lever K, the britchen frame F F,
arms ff, bell crank supports H H, bolts CC, and guide ways a a, the cams a¹ a³,
frame A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The roller ended extractor c' e, in the bolts CC, in combination with the
cams 33, as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The Automatic brace supports H H with the rollers on its arms, the locking
arms the stops i i, and cams a¹ a substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
5. The combination of the frame A having the pannier frame P securely fast
therein, and provided with ways a a² and f¹f, in which the frames F F, and
arms ff, perform a short reciprocating motion with the barrels, B B, and lever K,
independent of the other parts of the action before and after the bolt; is freed
from the barrel by the automatic action of the supports H H, all substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 1. 6. The dovetail ways a a,. on the frame A, and F F, (corresponding with the
dovetailed cc on the bolt C C) which serve as supports and guides for the bolts CC,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. In an Automatic machine gun the application of double cylinders D D, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. The construction of tlie cylinders D D, having a connection D', at the rear end
with or without the valve d', and a connection D³, or its equivalent in the front
end of the cylinders. The cylinders having pistons E E, and piston-rods E' E', the
mouth of the cylinders closed by a stuffing box, gland, or other suitable device,
through which the piston rods reciprocate the pistons fitted in the cylinders with
or, without a packing, the cylinders firmly secured in the frame A, and in a direct
line with the thrusts of the bolts C C in combination with said bolts substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
9: The combination of the barrels B B, the lever K, the bolts CC, piston rods
E! E pistons E E, and cylinders D D; and the connecting cylinder D'; and valve d',
with or without the connection D2, or its equivalent, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth:
10. The valve d provided with the feed communication into the cylinder, the
conimunication closed by a screw plug d, or other suitable means, with the handle d²,
as and for the purpose set forth,
11. The firing rod and handle I and 1' substantially, as and for the purpose set
forth.
12. The starting rods G G, the starting and steering handles G₁ G₁, the fastener J,
for the handles G G, and the friction spring j2 constructed, arranged and secured in
the frame A, in conibination with the bolts CC, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
13. The action arrangement in an Automatic Machine Gun, in combination with
the panniers working in pairs, one feeding to the right, the other to the left, con-
veying the cartridges from a double hopper L' in front of the bolts CC, and
conveying away the spent shells when withdrawn from the barrels expelling them
from the gun through the openings A' A¹ or A2 A2 in the frame A in the manner
set forth.
14. An Automatic Machine Gun consisting of the parts constructed and com-
bined substantially as described with reference to figures 1 to 6 of the drawings
and operating as hereinbefore set forth.
15. The box L, constructed with the view of forming a support for the hopper L',
and to close the opening down into the panniers by means of the lid of said box
when, the gun is not in use, the box firmly secured to the top of the frame A as set
forth.
16. The modifications of my improved gun substantially as set forth with
-reference to figures 7 to 10 of the drawings whereby the barrels B B, are clutched
fast to the bolts C C, during a certain distance of the recoil; to give time for the
bullet to reach near the muzzle of the barrel, and release at a given point so as to
allow the pent gases to force the bolts CC, and barrels B B back and forward, the
barrels rotated by the action of the cams 0 0, and studs o o, as illustrated in
figures 7 and 8, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
17. An Automatic Machine gun consisting of the parts constructed and com-
bined substantially as illustrated and described with reference to figures 7 to 10, of
the drawings, and operating as hereinbefore set forth.
18: The modification of my improved gun, substantially as set forth, with
reference to Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings, wherein I employ levers M M,
pivoted to the bolts C C, slots in the top of the frame A, and cams m² m² on the
rear ends of the slots the spring mm, the flanges N1 N₁ on the barrels, the
hooks on the levers M M, firmly pressed down in place by the springs mm, a
balance lover K pivoted at k, to the frame A, and to the barrels B B, by the
trunnionsbb :

page_text: 19. An Automatic Machine gun wherein as one action, and barrel recedes, caused
by the explosion of the powder charge producing recoil, the adjoining action and
barrel advances, and vice versa, whereby every part in the gun subject to motion
performs its necessary functions, the excess of recoil when not overcome by friction
of the several parts, is taken up by means of the valve d', in the cylinder connec-
tion D', operated for that purpose by the handle d² as illustrated in the several
views substantially as set forth and as described.
20. In an automatic machine gun the combination of two or more barrels and
actions substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
21. The starting rod G2, handle g³, and bolt C, reciprocating in the frame A as
set forth.
22. In an Automatic Machine Gun the combination consisting of the parts
constructed substantially as set forth with reference to Figs. 11 and 12, and 7 to 10
of the drawings as and for the purpose set forth.
23. The combination of the bolts C C, the cocking levers c² ² with the cams c³ ³
on the frame A as and for the purpose set forth.
24. In an automatic Machine Gun the means by which the cartridge case is freed
from the bolt and extractor and prevented from passing behind the pannier when
extracted from the barrel, substantially as set forth.
Dated the 22nd day of March 1886
BETHEL BURTON.