Year: 1886

page_text: I THORSTEN NORDENFELT of 53 Parliament Street in the City of Westminster
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is improved mechanism applicable more especially to
guns of the quick firing class.
In these improved guns the breech is closed by a block sliding transversely along
guides on the gun. This breech block carries within it a striker for firing the
cartridges and a spring which projects this striker forward. The hinder limb of
this spring is arranged to arrest the rearward movement of the striker in case from
any cause it should be driven backward when the charge is fired. The breech
block also contains a trigger lever to retain the striker in position for firing and
there is a spring in connection with this trigger lever. The trigger lever is on an
axis which projects rearwards from the breech block and carries a finger. In the
back part of the breech block there is a cam groove and behind the groove a block
receives a back plate or cover which may be held in place by interlocking grooves
and lugs. The gun is closed in behind the breech block by an end piece of gun
metal or other material which is secured to the gun by means of dovetails or
otherwise it is so formed as to aid in passing the cartridge into the bore of the
barrel and to guide the cartridge case away from the gunner when after firing it is
ejected from the barrel. This end piece carries the bearing for an horizontal axis
on which is a lever handle for working the gun. This axis carries a crank arm
within the breech block and on the arm is a roller entering the cam groove in the
block. The back plate of the block is slotted to allow the axis to pass. On the end
piece of the gun there is also a trigger and a sight and other fixtures which it may
be convenient to provide. The crank arm also has upon it a projection with an
inclined end engaging with the striker and these parts are so formed that when the
hand lever is turned and the crank arm with it the projection on the crank arm
operates to draw back the striker until it is caught and retained by the trigger
lever contained in the breech block. The movement of the crank arm also causes
the breech block to descend or move transversely and opens the breech of the
barrel to receive a cartridge. As the breech opens the breech block operates to
withdraw the case of the fired cartridge from the barrel. It has for this purpose a
lip upon it on one side engaging with the flange of the cartridge case and as the
guides for the breech block are somewhat inclined the breech block in its movement
CD

page_text: along the guides retires from the breech face and it brings the cartridge case back
for a short distance out of the barrel. The final ejection of the case is effected by
an ejector on the other side of the breech block. This ejector is a lever lodged in
a recess in the breech block but mounted on a pin fixed in the gun. At one end
this lever also has a lip upon it standing in front of the cartridge flange and at
the other end a projection bearing against an inclined guide face upon the breech
block. The lip on the ejector when the breech block descends follows the rearward
movement of the lip on the block whilst remaining in front of the cartridge flange
but as the breech block reaches the end of its travel shoulders upon the breech
block and the ejector come in contact and the ejector is thereby driven rapidly
rearwards and by its lip it throws the cartridge case clear of the gun.
In closing the breech after a new cartridge has been inserted the hand lever is
moved in the opposite direction and the breech block is brought into position to
close the breech of the gun behind the cartridge. The breech block is inclined at
its upper part so that in rising it aids in forcing the cartridge home to its place.
When the breech is securely closed the finger on the axis of the trigger lever which
the breech block carries comes within reach of the trigger upon the end piece of
the gun and the hand lever also is in such a position that the trigger is within
easy reach of the hand operating the lever then by pressing the trigger the gun is
fired.
The gun is worked by the aid of a shoulder piece which is applied to a pin or
stem provided for the purpose upon the end piece at the breech end of the gun or
it can be worked by a shoulder piece for traversing and by wheel gear or screw
gear for elevating and depressing or again by such gear for traversing as well as for
elevating and depressing.
In guns of large size the lever handle may be so placed as to be conveniently
operated by a man who attends only to the loading whilst another man aims
and fires,
Amongst the advantages of the construction above described are the following
1. All projections upon the breech of the gun itself can be avoided and it can be
kept cylindrical at the breech end.
2. The distance from the breech face to the end of the gun is reduced and the
gun is arranged to be worked with a comparatively short stroke of the hand lever
in consequence the gun can be worked more rapidly.
3. The mechanism is strong easy and inexpensive to construct and durable and
can be easily taken to pieces and remounted without special tools.
In some cases I vary the construction by applying the hand lever upon a ring
encircling the breech of the gun and I then give motion to the parts by turning
the ring around the gun by the aid of the band lever. The ring carries a roller
operating in the cam groove of the block and it also has grooves in it for working
the extractor and the instrument for withdrawing the striker as also for control-
ling the trigger. Or the cam groove may be on the ring and the pin and roller upon
the block.
1000
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, THORSTEN NORDENFELT of 58 Parliament Street in the City of Westminster
Civil 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:-
---
The object of my invention is improved mechanism applicable more especially
to guns of the quick firing class.
In these improved guns the breech is closed by a block sliding transversely along
guides on the gun. This breech block carries within it a striker for firing the
cartridges and a spring which projects this striker forward. The hinder limb
of this spring is arranged to arrest the rearward movement of the striker in case
from any cause it should be driven backward when the charge is fired. The breech
block also contains a trigger lever to retain the striker in position for firing and
there is a spring in connection with this trigger lever. The trigger lever is on an
axis which projects rearwards from the breech block and carries a finger. In the
back part of the breech block there is a cam groove and behind the groove a block
receives a back plate or cover which may be held in place by interlocking grooves
and lugs. The gun is closed in behind the breech block by an end piece of gun
metal or other material which is secured to the gun by means of dovetails or
otherwise, it is so formed as to aid in passing the cartridge into the bore of the
barrel and to guide the cartridge case away from the gunner when after firing
it is ejected from the barrel. This end piece carries the bearing for an horizontal
axis on which is a lever bandle for working the gun. This axis carries a crank
arm within the breech block and on the arm is a roller entering the cam groove in
the block. The back plate of the block is slotted to allow the axis to pass. On
the end piece of the gun there is also a trigger and a sight and other fixtures
which it may be convenient to provide. The crank arm also has upon it
a projection with an inclined end engaging with the striker and these parts are
so formed that when the hand lever is turned and the crank arm with it the
projection on the crank arm operates to draw back the striker until it is caught
and retained by the trigger lever contained in the breech block. The movement
of the crank arm also causes the breech block to descend or move transversely and
opens the breech of the barrel to receive a cartridge.
The ejection of the case is effected by an ejector. This ejector is a lever lodged
in a recess in the breech block but mounted on a pin fixed in the gun. It has lips
upon it standing in front of the cartridge flange. As the breech block reaches the
end of its travel shoulders upon the breech block and the ejector come in contact
and the ejector is thereby driven rapidly rearwards and by its lips it throws the
cartridge case clear of the gun.
In closing the breech after a new cartridge has been inserted the hand lever
is moved in the opposite direction and the breech block is brought into position
to close the breech of the gun behind the cartridge. The breech block is inclined
at its upper part so that in rising it aids in forcing the cartridge home to its place.
When the breech is securely closed the finger on the axis of the trigger lever which

page_text: -
.
the breech block carries comes within reach of the trigger upon the end piece
of the gun and the hand lever also is in such a position that the trigger is within
easy reach of the hand operating the lever then by pressing the trigger the gun
is fired.
The gun is worked by the aid of a shoulder piece which is applied to a pin or
stem provided for the purpose upon the end piece at the breech end of the gun,
or it can be worked by a shoulder piece for traversing and by wheel gear or screw
gear for elevating and depressing; or again by such gear for traversing as well as
for elevating and depressing.
In guns of large size the lever handle may be so placed as to be conveniently
operated by a man who attends only to the loading whilst another man aims
and fires.
Amongst the advantages of the construction above described are the following ==
1. All projections upon the breech of the gun itself can be avoided and it can
be kept cylindrical at the breech end.
2. The distance from the breech face to the end of the gun is reduced and the
gun is arranged to be worked with a comparatively short stroke of the band lever;
in consequence the gun can be worked more rapidly.
3. The mechanism is strong easy and inexpensive to construct and durable and
can be easily taken to pieces and remounted without special tools.
In some cases I vary the construction by applying the hand lever upon a ring
encircling the breech of the gun and I then give motion to the parts by turning
the ring around the gun by the aid of the band lever. The ring carries a roller
operating in the cam groove of the block and it also has grooves in it for working
the extractor and the instrument for withdrawing the striker as also for controlling
the trigger. Or the cam groove may be on the ring and the pin and roller upon
the block.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a part sectional elevation of the rear end of the barrel and breech
block with the breech closed the parts are in the position they occupy after firing.
Figure 2 is a similar section but with the breech open. Figure 8 is a rear elevation
of the parts illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a part sectional elevation, the
breech block being shown in side view, and the barrel and ejector spindle in section
the end piece of the gun removed. Figure 5 is a back view and Figure 6 a plan
of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a face view of the breech block. Figure 8 is a rear
elevation of the same. Figures 9 and 9* are sections of the breech block taken
on the line 1. 2. in. Figures 7 and 8 and shew the reverse sides. Figure 10 is an
underside view of the breech block. Figure 11 is a section on the line 3. 4. in
Figure 10. Figure 12 is a section taken on the line 5. 6. in Figure 8. Figure 13
is a back view of the plate which carries the firing spring at the rear of the breech
block. Figure 14 is an underside view of the same and Figure 15 a section on the
line 7. 8. in Figure 13. Figure 16 is a back view of the cover plate at the roar
of the breech block and Figures 17 and 17* are sections of the same taken on tho
lines 9. 10 and 11. 12 in Figure 16. Figure 18 is a back view of the end piece
which closes the gun behind the breech block. Figure 19 is a side view and
Figure 20 a plan of the same. Figures 21, 21*, 21** and 21*** are respectively
sections on the lines 13. 14-15. 16-17. 18 and 19. 20 in Figure 19 and show the
bushed hole in which the hand lever spindle turns and also the form of the recesses
for the trigger lever and trigger-Figures 22, 23 and 24 are respectively front
side views and plan of the hand lever for working the mechanism. Figures 25
and 25* shew the pin which retains the band lever in its place leaving it free
to turn. Figures 26 and 27 show the action lever, in face and side views
respectively, this lever carries a roller which moves the breech block and also

page_text: a pin or projection for cocking. Figures 28 and 29 are end and side views
respectively of the trigger lever. Figures 30 and 31 are respectively side and
front views of the trigger and Figures 32 and 33 similar views of the trigger
spring. Figures 34, 35 and 36 show respectively the firing pin in elevation, back
view and plan and Figures 37, 38 and 39 the front side and plan views of the
firing spring.
Figure 40 is a rear elevation of the ejector Figure 41 is a transverse section
and Figure 42 is a plan of the same.
Figures 43, 44 and 45 show a modification in which the gun is worked by means
of a ring encircling it, on which a lever handle is provided.
Figure 48 is a rear elevation of the gun Figure 44 is a longitudinal and
vertical section of the breech part and Figure 45 is a longitudinal and horizontal
section of the same.
I will describe first the gun illustrated by the Figures 1 to 42.
In Figures 1, 2 and 3 a is the breech end of the barrel in which is the chamber
to receive the cartridge. b is the breech block and 6° is its rear cover. bx is a plate
fixed within the breech block it carries the firing spring. c is the end piece which
closes the gun behind the breech block. d is the hand lever for working the gun.
e is the action lever which is fast on the same axis with the hand lever. fis the
firing pin. g is the firing spring or the spring which throws the firing pin forward.
h is the trigger lever, it serves to retain the firing pin when it is forced back and
the spring g is compressed. i is the trigger which serves to move the trigger lever
to release the firing pin so causing the priming of the cartridge to be exploded and
the shot to be fired. is the ejector.
The breech block is shown in detail by the Figures 4 to 17.
61 is a cam groove in the rear of the block which receives into it a stud upon the
action lever by which, when the action lever is moved, the breech block is raised
and lowered. 63 is the aperture in the breech block in which the firing pin works.
63 are the projections or shoulders upon the breech block which operate the ejector.
6 are the grooves in the sides of the breech block which receive the guiding
projections along which the breech block slides in opening and closing the breech.
66 is the aperture to receive the axis of the trigger lever. be is the recess in the
plate b* into which the rear end of the firing spring is fitted. 67 is an opening
in the plate b* to receive an arm or finger projecting forward from the action
6º of
lever to operate upon the firing pin. 68 are projections upon the rear cover.
the breech block and 6° are corresponding grooves upon the breech block itself
which interlock the one with the other and serve to retain the cover of the breech
block in its place. 61° is a recess in the cover 60 to pass the axis of the hand
lever. 611 is an incline on the breech block which. serves to drive the cartridge
and the ejector home when the breech is closed. 612 61 are the recesses for the
ejector.
Figures 18 to 21 represent the end piece of the gun. c care dovetails serving
to secure this piece to the rear face of the part a. is the bushed passage to receive
the spindle of the hand lever. 3 is a passage to receive the axis of the trigger and
to allow it to operate with the trigger lever as described. c' is an arm projecting
rearwards to receive a shoulder piece, by the aid of which the gun is aimed. The
gun is pivotted near its centre of gravity upon a suitable support as is usual in
machine guns. c is a guide which aids the gunner in placing the cartridge into
the barrel and which also, when the cartridge case ejected after firing, directs it a
little to one side and clear of the gunner.
The hand lever with its spindle or axis is shown by the Figures 22 to 24; the
d' is a
axis at its inner end is squared at d¹ to receive upon it the action lever.
garter groove to receive the locking pin shown by the Figures 25 and 25*. The
action lever is shown by the Figures 26 and 27.
el is the projection upon the action lever which enters the cam groove in the
rear of the breech block and e³ is the finger upon the action lever which operates

page_text: upon the firing pin. The finger draws the firing pin rearwards by the operation of
an incline e** upon this finger upon a corresponding incline on the firing pin.
This movement of the firing pin in opening the breech takes place before the
breech block commences to move.
The trigger lever is shown by Figures 28 and 29. When the firing pin is drawn
back the arm h¹ of this lever is caused by the spring shown by Figures 32 and 33
to drop into a recess in the firing pin and so to retain it. The firing pin remains
so held until by the pressure of the trigger against the arm h³ of the trigger lever
the trigger lever is displaced and the firing pin left free.
Figures 30 and 31 show the trigger which is carried by the end piece of the gun.
is the outer arm which is pressed with the hand in order to fire the gun, and
is the shorter arm which then presses upon the arm h¹ of the trigger lever.
It will be seen that it is only when the breech is securely closed that the arm i³
of the trigger lever is in a position to reach the corresponding arm of the trigger
lever.
Figures 34, 35 36 and show the firing pin. f¹ is the incline against which the
finger e operates. f is a feather to prevent the firing pin turning in its recess.
fis the recess into which the end of the trigger lever drops. f* is the nose which
strikes the priming of the cartridge. f is a groove for the escape of air. The
spring which operates behind the firing pin is shown by the Figures 37, 38 and 39.
The rear end of the firing spring is dovetailed at g¹ to fit the recess 66 in which the
spring is held.
The ejector is shown by the Figures 40 to 42, it consists of an axis k¹ which is
received into a bearing at the rear end of the barrel and this axis has two arms k
with lips x entering the chamber of the gun and projecting in front of the flange
of the cartridge. On the arms k³ there are also projections and with these, as
the breech is opened, the shoulders 63 on the breech come into contact; they drive
the arms k rearwards withdrawing the cartridge case from the barrel, at first
slowly but afterwards (in consequence of the form given to the parts) more rapidly,
until finally they impart sufficient velocity to the cartridge case to carry it out free
of the gun.
The operation of the several parts may be shortly recapitulated as follows:-
When after firing the hand lever d is moved the action lever e which it carries
with it operates first by means of the finger e to draw back the firing pin g until
it is caught by the trigger lever h. Then by the further movement of the action
lever the projection e¹ is carried along the cam groove b¹ in rear of the breech
block and the breech block is thereby caused to descend, as the breech block
descends, it operates upon the ejector k, and withdraws from the barrel the case of the
cartridge last fired in the manner already explained. The gunner then after placing
a new cartridge in the bore of the gun moves the handle d in the reverse direction
and raises the breech block. If the cartridge be not home when the breech block
commences to rise the incline 611 upon the upper part of the breech block drives
the cartridge and also the ejector k to their places. When the breech block is
raised to its highest position the arm h³ on the trigger lever is in reach of the
corresponding arm on the trigger and then on pulling the trigger the firing pin
is liberated, the spring throws it forward and the shot is fired.
In the modification shown by the Figures 43. 44. and 45. o is the breech end
of the barrel and p is the transversely sliding breech block by which the barrel is
closed in rear as before. pl is the rear cover of the breech block. q is a jointed
ring encircling the barrel o at its rear end, this ring carries a handler by the
movement of which around the gun the breech block and other parts receive their
movenients. The breech block is provided with an arm p² and in this arm and
along the front face of the breech block a cam groove px is formed. A roller or
projection mounted upon the ring q is contained in this groove and when the
ring is turned about the barrel imparts to the breech block the necessary movement
for opening and closing the breech.

page_text: 8 is the firing pin contained within the breech block and t is the firing spring
behind it. u is a wedge piece for operating upon the firing pin, it has a radial
movement imparted to it as follows:-
In opening the breech during the first part of the movement of the ring q, the
breech block does not move, but the piece u the outer end of which engages with a
cam groove in the ring, is thrust upwards or inwards and it wedges back the firing
pin and so the firing spring is compressed until the spring bolt v, being thrown
upwards by its spring vl, engages with the firing pin and holds it fast. The further
movement of the ring q and the lever handle then causes the breech block to be
withdrawn; it also causes the ejector w (which is similar to that in the gun
previously described) to be operated, the tail w¹ on the axis of the ejector engaging
with a cam groove in the ring g suitably formed to give the requisite motion. The
movement of the ring 9 and lever handler in the opposite direction after a
cartridge has been placed in the bore, raises the breech block behind this cartridge,
thrusting the cartridge and the ejector home to their places, as in the gun previously
described. During this movement also the wedge piece u is drawn back.
x is the trigger carried upon the ring 9 when the breech is closed and the ring 9.
home to its place the nose 1 of this trigger enters a recess in the lower end of
the spring bolt and then by pulling the trigger this bolt can be drawn out.
When the firing pin is thus liberated the cartridge is fired. This can only take
place when the breech is securely closed, because the head x of the trigger is so
formed as to bear against a surface formed upon the gun which controls the trigger;
it can only be moved in the way required to fire the gun when a recess in this
surface is beneath the head of the trigger.
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. A gun provided with a breech block moving in a transverse direction and
actuated by a lever handle on an axis parallel with the bore of the gun and
carrying an action lever on which is a roller or projection engaging with a cam
groove in the rear face of the breech block substantially as described.
2. In a gun having a transversely moving breech block actuated by a handle on
an axis parallel to the bore of the gun and an action lever fixed upon this axis
providing a finger upon the action lever operating to draw back the firing pin to
the cocked position substantially as described.
3. A machine gun substantially as described in respect to the Figures 1 to 42.
4. A machine gun having a transversely moving breech block operated by a
handle on a ring surrounding the barrel of the gun and having a projection
engaging with a cam groove in the breech block substantially as described.
5. A machine gun substantially as described in respect to Figures 43 to 45.
11
1000