Year: 1885

page_text: I, THORSTEN NORDENFELT of N° 53 Parliament Street in the City of Westminster
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a machine gun in which the breech is secured
for firing by a transversely sliding breech block and in which the loading and the
extraction of the empty cartridge case is effected automatically during the recoil.
The barrel of the gun is carried in a cradle or frame in which it can slide
longitudinally.
Around the barrel there is a coiled spring which is compressed when the barrel
in recoil slides in the cradle.
.
The recoil may be further controlled by an hydraulic compressor where the
dimensions of the gun are such as to render this necessary.
The cradle carries an arm in which is a guide slot and a roller on a stud fixed to
the transverse breech block is received into the slot.
The form of the slot is such that during the recoil the breech block is drawn
down and the breech is opened.
A second piece or block acts in conjunction with the transversely sliding breech
block in opening and closing the breech; this piece is carried by parts which can
slide longitudinally of the barrel, it acts as an extractor, and has flanges on its two
sides and these overlap the flange of the cartridge when this is in the barrel.
After the breech block has been withdrawn as already described leaving the
extractor piece unsupported the latter is caused to travel to the rear at a more
rapid pace than the barrel is moving in recoil; this is effected in the following
manner :-
On a stud or axis on the barrel a lever is mounted, at its longer end there is a
pin which enters a cam slot in the parts which carry the extractor piece. During
recoil the shorter end of the lever comes against a fixed stop on the cradle, this
causes the lever to turn about its stud or axis and its longer end then imparts the
requisite movement to the extractor piece. The cartridge case is thus withdrawn
from the barrel and when it is free it falls away.
At the same time that the cartridge case is withdrawn from the barrel the same
extractor piece by other hooks upon it draws a live cartridge rearwards out of a
stationary magazine or hopper carried by the cradle above the barrel.

page_text: After the extraction of the old cartridge case and as soon as the bullet end of
the live cartridge gets clear of the upper surface of the barrel the cartridge falls
with its base flange between the flanges of the extractor piece and with the nose of
its projectile resting in position to enter the barrel. The recoil being now
expended the spring causes the return of the barrel, and the movements which
now take place are the reverse of those which occur in opening the breech. The
new cartridge is thus thrust into the barrel and the breech is closed behind it.
There is a sliding door at the back of the magazine or hopper controlled by an
incline it closes behind the cartridge as it passes out and opens to permit the
return of the extractor piece.
The breech block carries the lock which is cocked whilst the loading operations
are in progress. The gun is fired by pulling a trigger by hand or if considered
desirable the firing may be caused automatically as the forward movement of the
barrel after recoil is completed.
For the purpose of loading independently of the recoil the arm with the cam slot
operating the breech block can be unlocked from the cradle and used simply as a
lever in opening and closing the breech.

page_text: An Improved Machine Gun.
I THORSTEN NORDENFELT of N° 53 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 perforined to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention has for its object a machine gun in which the breech is secured
for firing by a transversely sliding breech block and in which the loading and the
extraction of the empty cartridge case is effected automatically during the recoil.
The barrel of the gun is carried in a cradle or frame in which it can slide
longitudinally.
Around the barrel there is a coiled spring which is compressed when the barrel
in recoil slides in the cradle.
The recoil may be further controlled by an hydraulic compressor where the
dimensions of the gum are such as to render this necessary;
The cradle carries an arm in which is a guide slot and a roller on a stud fixed to
the transverse breech block is received into the slot.
The form of the slot is such that during the recoil the breech block is drawn
down and the breech is opened.
A second piece or block acts in conjunction with the transversely sliding breech
block in opening and closing the breech; this piece is carried by parts which can
slide longitudinally of the barrel, it acts as an extractor, and has flanges on its
two sides and these overlap the flange of the cartridge when this is in the barrel.
After the breech block has been withdrawn as already described leaving the
extractor piece unsupported the latter is caused to travel to the rear at a more
rapid pace than the barrel is moving in recoil; this is effected in the following
Inanner-
On a stud or axis on the barrel a lever is mounted, at its longer end there is a
pin which enters a cam slot in the parts which carry the extractor piece. During
recoil the shorter end of the lever comes against a fixed stop on the cradle, this
causes the lever to turn about its stud or axis and its longer end then imparts the
requisite movement to the extractor piece. The cartridge case is thus withdrawn
from the barrel and when it is free it falls away.
At the same time that the cartridge case is withdrawn from the barrel the same
extractor piece by other hooks upon it draws a live cartridge rearwards out of a
stationary magazine or hopper carried by the cradle above the barrel.
After the extraction of the old cartridge case and as soon as the bullet end of
the live cartridge gets clear of the upper surface of the barrel the cartridge falls
with its base flange between the flanges of the extractor piece and with the nose
of its projectile resting in position to enter the barrel. The recoil being now
expended the spring causes the return of the barrel, and the movements which now
take place are the reverse of those which occur in opening the breech. The new
cartridge is thus thrust into the barrel and the breech is closed behind it.
The breech block carries the lock which is cocked in opening the breech. The
gun is fired by pulling a trigger by hand or if considered desirable the firing may

page_text: De caused automaticany as
completed.
TUT WRIT CL
For the purpose of loading independently of the recoil the arm with the cam
slot operating the breech lock can be unlocked from the cradle and used simply
as a lover in opening and closing the breech.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section and with parts removed of a machine
gun constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the parts represented in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cradle in which the barrel moves longitudinally
when the recoil takes place.
Figure 4 is a plan of the cradle, and
Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a jacket which is screwed on at the rear end of
the barrel and in which there is a transverse passage to receive the breech closing
mechanism.
Figure 7 is a plan of the jacket, and.
Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the fore part of the divided breech block, namely,
that part which immediately supports the base of the cartridge and with it there
is also shown the guides which are fixed upon this part of the breech block and
which control its movement as it recedes from the breech end of the barrel, thereby
opening the breech to admit another cartridge. The Figure also shows a plate
with a cam groove in it which is attached to one of the guides and serves in
imparting the requisite movement to this portion of the breech block.
Figure 10 is a plan of the part shown in Figure 9, and
Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the hinder part of the breech block which is
drawn downwards as well as carried to the rear when the breech of the gun opens.
Figure 13 is a plan of this part, and
Figure 14 is a longitudinal and vertical section taken upon the centre line.
A, A, is the barrel of the gun-B is the cradle, it has trunnions B' upon it. The
trunnions are carried in bearings on a forked standard which can turn to bring
the gun to hear. C is a coiled spring surrounding the barrel and abutting in
front upon the ring A' screwed upon it-in rear this spring abuts upon a ring B
fixed within the cradle, When the gun recoils the spring is compressed between
the collar A and the ring abutment B-D is the jacket fitted on to the breech
end of the barrel and screwed firmly upon it. The two parts of the divided block
which closes the breech end of the barrel are received into a vertical passage
through the rear part of the jacket D-E is the fore part of this divided breech
lock, it moves rearwards when the breech of the gun opens and leaves the breech
end of the barrel for a sufficient distance to enable a cartridge to enter and pass
into the barrel in front of it-F is the rear part of the divided breech block; it
partakes of the movement of the barrel in recoil, and is also during the first part
of the recoil drawn downwards free of the part E until this part can retire-Fis
a roller carried upon the part F-G is an arm fixed to the cradle B at G-1 is a
lever baving its fulcrum at 1' upon the jacket, and at [ it carries a roller entering
a guide slot in the plate E which is fixed to the guides E2 which support and
control the part E-K is a pin fixed to the cradle. When the gun recoils the
lever comes against this pin and the pin entering the fork at its lower end
imparts a movement to the lever through an angle of 120 degrees or thereabout.
During this movement of the lever I the roller traverses from end to end of a
slot in the plate E¹ and by so doing imparts a motion to the part. E causing it to
5

page_text: retire from the breech end of the barrel. E³ E³ are extracting hooks upon the
part E and by these, when this part of the divided breech block retires the case of
the cartridge last fired is withdrawn from the barrel. E E are similar hooks
which at the same time withdraw a cartridge out of the magazine and take it back
to a position from which it falls down in front of the entrance to the barrel ready
to be thrust into it when the part E advances to close the breech. E³ is a guide
in connection with the extractor, it controls the cartridge during its fall and ensures
that its flange shall pass down behind the extracting hooks E3. L is the magazine,
it is mounted upon the cradle, the cartridges within it are shown in the drawing.
E is a striker or firing pin contained in a recess in the part E; it is carried by a
spring E which however yields and allows it to come forward when it is struck
by the hammer-M is the hammer, it has its fulerum at M₁ within the rear
part of the breech block-N is a spring contained in the same cavity with
the hammer M and pressing on the rear part of it. O is a bar passing trans-
versely through the part of the breech block, it has a projection upon its
underside which passes in front of a corresponding projection on the head of the
haminer M when in the cocking operation the hammer is forced back. O¹ is
a spring which operating behind the bar 0 causes a stop upon it to pass in
front of the hammer. P is a handle fixed against the side of the jacket, it
terminates in a grip; it also contains a bar P connected with a trigger by
which at pleasure this bar can be drawn back against the resistance of a light
spring tending to throw it forward. The bar Pi has an incline upon its end
which works against another incline on the end of the bar O, hence when the
bar P is drawn back by the trigger, the bar is displaced to a sufficient distance
to release the hammer M. The hammer then falls upon the firing pin E, this
strikes the priming of the cartridge and the gun is fired. Or if in the use of the
gun the trigger he held back continually the bar 0 remains displaced in such a
position that the hammer M. is not affected by it; then the gun continues to fire
automatically until the cartridges in the magazine are exhausted. Q is an arm on
the jacket D, this recoils with the gun and it carries back with it a piston rod R
to which it is attached. The piston rod R enters the cylinder of a hydraulic
compresser which is fixed to the cradle beneath the barrel of the gun; the rod
carries a piston within the cylinder and when the gun recoils a small passage
capable of regulation permits liquid, which the cylinder contains, to pass on one
side of the piston to the other. This hydraulic compresser serves to moderate the
movements of the gun and to prevent them taking place with too great rapidity.
In guns of small calibre this hydraulic compresser may in some cases be dispensed
with.
The operation of the gun is then as follows:-
There being a cartridge in the barrel and the breech being closed, the movement
of the bar rearward caused by pulling the trigger, displaces the bar O and
liberates the hammer M; this is then thrown forward by the spring N against
the firing pin E-The blow explodes the priming of the cartridge and the shot is
fired. The recoil then takes place, the roller F¹ passes along the slot in the
part G, and so during the earlier part of the recoil the hinder part F of the divided
breech block is drawn downwards. As the part F descends taking the hammer
with it, an incline M on the hammer rubs against a shoulder D³ on the part E and
so the hammer is forced back to the cocked position and the bar being moved
by its spring, catches and retains it. By the time this is accomplished the part F
has passed from behind the part E and the lever I also has come up to the stop K.
During the remainder of the recoil the lever I moves around its centre I¹ and it
forces the slotted plate E' and with it the part. E to the rear. At first the
movement is slow whilst the loosening of the cartridge case from the barrel is
performed by the extracting hooks E3; the movement then becomes more rapid
and the cartridge case is drawn completely out of the barrel to a position such that
it can fall freely away. At the same time the feeding hooks E will draw the
lower cartridge from the magazine, the little flap L' opening to allow the cartridge

page_text: :
to pass out and then closing down to prevent the cartridge above when it falls,
from becoming displaced. When the nose of a new cartridge passes behind the
rear end of the barrel it drops down into a position to enter it and is supported by
a rest * on the part behind the divided breech block. During the recoil,
which is now complete, the spring has been compressed and the recoil having
expended itself the spring re-acts and the barrel advances through the cradle. The
lever I is still engaged with the stop K, and as its fulcrum I passes forward the
lever has a rapid angular motion imparted to it; it acts as before by means of the
'roller I upon the slotted plate E¹ but the motion now is in the reverse direction
and as a consequence the part E is drawn up and closes the end of the barrel
before the lever I leaves the stud K-At this time the roller F' is at the bottom of
the incline in the slot in the part G, and during the remainder of the forward
notion of the barrel it ascends this incline and so the part F of the breech block
is caused again to assume the position in which it is shown in Figure 1. Here (if
the trigger is not held back) the parts remain at rest until the trigger is again
pulled and another shot fired, but if the trigger he continuously pressed then the
hammer M, when forced back to the cocked position during recoil, is not caught
and retained, and immediately the part F of the breech block at the end of the
return motion rises again the hammer falls on to the firing pin E and this results
in another shot being immediately fired, and so the gun will go on firing shot after
shot until the cartridges are exhausted, or until the trigger is liberated.
Just before the part E closes against the end of the barrel the feeding hooks E*
have to pass over the flange of the bottom cartridge in the magazine; to admit of
this one of the feeding hooks is not rigidly attached to the part E but is carried
by a stem entering a hole bored in the part E: a spiral spring presses the stem
inwards and holds it whilst the hook withdraws a cartridge froni the magazine, as
already described, but the spring is able to yield and so permits the hook E
passing to the front of the flange of the cartridge when the breech plate closes up
to the end of the barrel.
The gun is directed and aimed by means of a shoulder piece or crutch which is
carried upon the rear end of the bar or lever G.
By withdrawing a bolt G the arm G can be released so as to be free to turn
about the joint pin G and then the block F can be operated by hand.
I would remark that I am aware of the patent granted to William Arthur,
Captain R.N. N° 939 in the year 1885 and that I make no claim to the invention
to which the patent relates.
I am also acquainted with the patent granted to Hiram Stevens Maxim on the 8th day
of July 1885, No. 8281-and I make no claim to any matter which the said Specification
describes.
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 machine gun with a breech block contained in a transverse guide passage
in rear of the barrel which breech block is withdrawn along the guide passage
during the recoil of the barrel by a connection with the cradle or frame and in liko
manner is automatically replaced by the return of the barrel brought about by a
spring compressed during the recoil.
2. A machine gun with a transverse guide passage in rear of the barrel and a
divided breech block one part of which is withdrawn during the earlier part of
recoil of the barrel by a connection with the cradle or frame whilst the other part
being thus set free receives in like manner during the later part of the recoil a
rearward motion extracting the case of the fired cartridge and making room for a
new cartridge to enter the barrel.
3. A machine gun the barrel of which is contained in a cradle or frame mounted
on trunnions carried in bearings; the barrel sliding longitudinally in the said
cradle or frame and being surrounded by a coiled spring which is compressed

page_text: during the recoil and afterwards brings the gun forward again to the firing
position.
4. A machine gun having the breech closed by a part with extracting hooks
upon it which after firing travels rearwards and withdraws the cartridge case
from the barrel; such breech closing part also having other hooks upon it which
simultaneously draw a cartridge from a magazine to a position from whence it falls
on to a shelf formed on the breech of the gun at the rear of the barrel ready to be
thrust into it by the breech closing part when the same returns and closes the
breech.
5. A machine gun substantially as described and represented by the annexed
drawings.

page_text: I, THORSTEN NORDENFELT of No 53 Parliament Street in the City of Westminster
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a machine gun in which the breech is secured
for firing by a transversely sliding breech block and in which the loading and the
extraction of the empty cartridge case is effected automatically during the recoil.
The barrel of the gun is carried in a cradle or frame in which it can slide
longitudinally.
Around the barrel there is a coiled spring which is compressed when the barrel
in recoil slides in the cradle.
The recoil may be further controlled by an hydraulic compressor where the
dimensions of the gun are such as to render this necessary.
The cradle carries an arm in which is a guide slot and a roller on a stud fixed to
the transverse breech block is received into the slot.
The form of the slot is such that during the recoil the breech block is drawn
down and the breech is opened.
A second piece or block acts in conjunction with the transversely sliding breech
block in opening and closing the breech; this piece is carried by parts which can
slide longitudinally of the barrel, it acts as an extractor, and has flanges on its two
sides and these overlap the flange of the cartridge when this is in the barrel.
After the breech block has been withdrawn as already described leaving the
extractor piece unsupported the latter is caused to travel to the rear at a more
rapid pace than the barrel is moving in recoil; this is effected in the following
manner-
On a stud or axis on the barrel a lever is mounted, at its longer end there is a
pin which enters a cam slot in the parts which carry the extractor piece. During
recoil the shorter end of the lever comes against a fixed stop on the cradle, this
causes the lever to turn about its stud or axis and its longer end then imparts the
requisite movement to the extractor piece. The cartridge case is thus withdrawn
from the barrel and when it is free it falls away.
At the same time that the cartridge case is withdrawn from the barrel the same
extractor piece by other hooks upon it draws a live cartridge rearwards out of a
stationary magazine or hopper carried by the cradle above the barrel.

page_text: After the extraction of the old cartridge case and as soon as the bullet end of
the live cartridge gets clear of the upper surface of the barrel the cartridge falls
with its base flange between the flanges of the extractor piece and with the nose of
its projectile resting in position to enter the barrel. The recoil being now
expended the spring causes the return of the barrel, and the movements which
now take place are the reverse of those which occur in opening the breech. The
new cartridge is thus thrust into the barrel and the breech is closed behind it.
There is a sliding door at the back of the magazine or hopper controlled by an
incline it closes behind the cartridge as it passes out and opens to permit the
return of the extractor piece.
The breech block carries the lock which is cocked whilst the loading operations
are in progress. The gun is fired by pulling a trigger by hand or if considered
desirable the firing may be caused automatically as the forward movement of the
barrel after recoil is completed.
For the purpose of loading independently of the recoil the arm with the cam slot
operating the breech block can be unlocked from the cradle and used simply as a
lever in opening and closing the breech.

page_text: I THORSTEN NORDENFELT of N° 53 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 :-
This invention has for its object a machine gun in which the breech is secured
for firing by a transversely sliding breech block and in which the loading and the
extraction of the empty cartridge case is effected automatically during the recoil.
The barrel of the gun is carried in a cradle or frame in which it can slide
longitudinally.
Around the barrel there is a coiled spring which is compressed when the barrel
in recoil slides in the cradle.
The recoil may be further controlled by an bydraulic compressor where the
dimensions of the gun are such as to render this necessary.
The cradle carries an arm in which is a guide slot and a roller on a stud fixed to
the transverse breech block is received into the slot.
The form of the slot is such that during the recoil the breech block is drawn
down and the breech is opened.
A second piece or block acts in conjunction with the transversely sliding breech
block in opening and closing the breech; this piece is carried by parts which can
slide longitudinally of the barrel, it acts as an extractor, and has flanges on its
two sides and these overlap the flange of the cartridge when this is in the barrel.
After the breech block has been withdrawn as already described leaving the
extractor piece unsupported the latter is caused to travel to the rear at a more
rapid pace than the barrel is moving in recoil; this is effected in the following:
manner :-
On a stud or axis on the barrel a lever is mounted, at its longer end there is a
pin which enters a cam slot in the parts which carry the extractor piece. During.
recoil the shorter end of the lever comes against a fixed stop on the cradle, this
causes the lever to turn about its stud or axis and its longer end then imparts the
requisite movement to the extractor piece. The cartridge case is thus withdrawn
from the barrel and when it is free it falls away.
At the same time that the cartridge case is withdrawn from the barrel the same
extractor piece by other hooks upon it draws a live cartridge rearwards out of a
stationary magazine or hopper carried by the cradle above the barrel.
After the extraction of the old cartridge case and as soon as the bullet end of
the live cartridge gets clear of the upper surface of the barrel the cartridge falls
with its base flange between the flanges of the extractor piece and with the nose
of its projectile resting in position to enter the barrel. The recoil being now
expended the spring causes the return of the barrel, and the movements which now
take place are the reverse of those which occur in opening the breech. The new
cartridge is thus thrust into the barrel and the breech is closed behind it.
The breech block carries the lock which is cocked in opening the breech. The
gun is fired by pulling a trigger by hand or if considered desirable the firing may

page_text: be caused automatically as the forward movement of the barrel after recoil is
completed.
For the purpose of loading independently of the recoil the arm with the cam
slot operating the breech block can be unlocked from the cradle and used simply
as a lever in opening and closing the breech.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section and with parts removed of a machine
gun constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the parts represented in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cradle in which the barrel moves longitudinally
when the recoil takes place..
Figure 4 is a plan of the cradle, and
Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a jacket which is screwed on at the rear end of
the barrel and in which there is a transverse passage to receive the breech closing
mechanism.
Figure 7 is a plan of the jacket, and
Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the fore part of the divided breech block, namely,.
that part which immediately supports the base of the cartridge and with it there
is also shown the guides which are fixed upon this part of the breech block and
which control its movement as it recedes from the breech end of the barrel, thereby
opening the breech to admit another cartridge. The Figure also shows a plate
with a cam groove in it which is attached to one of the guides and serves in
imparting the requisite movement to this portion of the breech block.
Figure 10 is a plan of the part shown in Figure 9, and
Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the hinder part of the breech block which is
drawn downwards as well as carried to the rear when the breech of the gun opens.
Figure 13 is a plan of this part, and
Figure 14 is a longitudinal and vertical section taken upon the centre line.
A, A, is the barrel of the gun-B is the cradle, it has trunnions B' upon it. The
trunnions are carried in bearings on a forked standard which can turn to bring
the gun to bear, C is a coiled spring surrounding the barrel and abutting in
front upon a ring A' screwed upon it-in rear this spring abuts upon a ring B'
fixed within the cradle. When the gun recoils the spring C is compressed between
the collar A¹ and the ring abutment B3-D is the jacket fitted on to the breech
end of the barrel and screwed firmly upon it. The two parts of the divided block
which closes the breech end of the barrel are received into a vertical passage
through the rear part of the jacket D-E is the fore part of this divided breech
block, it moves rearwards when the breech of the gun opens and leaves the breech
end of the barrel for a sufficient distance to enable a cartridge to enter and pass
into the barrel in front of it-F is the rear part of the divided breech block; it
partakes of the movement of the barrel in recoil, and is also during the first part
of the recoil drawn downwards free of the part E until this part can retire-Fª¹ is
a roller carried upon the part F-G is an arm fixed to the cradle B at G¹-I is a
lever having its fulcrum at 1' upon the jacket, and at I³ it carries a roller entering
a guide slot in the plate E' which is fixed to the guides E³ which support and
control the part E-K is a pin fixed to the cradle. When the gun recoils the
lever I comes against this pin and the pin entering the fork at its lower end
imparts a movement to the lever through an angle of 120 degrees or thereabout.
During this movement of the lever I the roller 12 traverses from end to end of a
slot in the plate El and by so doing imparts a motion to the part E causing it to

page_text: retire from the breech end of the barrel. E³ E³ are extracting hooks upon the
part E and by these, when this part of the divided breech block retires the case of
the cartridge last fired is withdrawn from the barrel. E E are similar hooks
which at the same time withdraw a cartridge out of the magazine and take it back
to a position from which it falls down in front of the entrance to the barrel ready
to be thrust into it when the part E advances to close the breech. E3* is a guide
in connection with the extractor, it controls the cartridge during its fall and, ensures
that its flange shall pass down behind the extracting hooks E³. L is the magazine,
it is mounted upon the cradle, the cartridges within it are shown in the drawing.
E is a striker or firing pin contained in a recess in the part E; it is carried by a
spring E which however yields and allows it to come forward when it is struck
by the hammer-M is the hammer, it has its fulcrum at M within the rear
part of the breech block-N is a spring contained in the same cavity with
the hammer M and pressing on the rear part of it. O is a bar passing trans-
versely through the part of the breech block, it has a projection upon its
underside which passes in front of a corresponding projection on the head of the
hammer M when in the cocking operation the hammer is forced back. O¹ is
a spring which operating behind the bar O causes a stop upon it to pass in
front of the hammer. P is a handle fixed against the side of the jacket, it
terminates in a grip; it also contains a bar P' connected with a trigger by
which at pleasure this bar can be drawn back against the resistance of a light
spring tending to throw it forward. The bar P₁ has an incline upon its end
which works against another incline on the end of the bar O, hence when the
bar P¹ is drawn back by the trigger, the bar O is displaced to a sufficient distance
to release the hammer M. The hammer then falls upon the firing pin E³, this
strikes the priming of the cartridge and the gun is fired. Or if in the use of tho
gun the trigger be held back continually the bar O remains displaced in such a
position that the hammer M is not affected by it; then the gun continues to fire
automatically until the cartridges in the magazine are exhausted. Q is an arm on
the jacket D, this recoils with the gun and it carries back with it a piston rod R
to which it is attached. The piston rod R enters the cylinder of a hydraulic
compresser which is fixed to the cradle beneath the barrel of the gun; the rod
carries a piston within the cylinder and when the gun recoils a small passage
capable of regulation permits liquid, which the cylinder contains, to pass on one
side of the piston to the other. This hydraulic compresser serves to moderate the
movements of the gun and to prevent them taking place with too great rapidity.
In guns of small calibre this hydraulic compresser may in some cases be dispense:1
with.
The operation of the gun is then as follows:-
There being a cartridge in the barrel and the breech being closed, the movement
of the bar P rearward caused by pulling the trigger, displaces the bar O and
liberates the hammer M; this is then thrown forward by the spring N against
the firing pin E-The blow explodes the priming of the cartridge and the shot is
fired. The recoil then takes place, the roller F passes along the slot in the
part G, and so during the earlier part of the recoil the hinder part F of the divided
breech block is drawn downwards. As the part F descends taking the hammer
with it, an incline M³ on the hammer rubs against a shoulder D³ on the part E and
so the hammer is forced back to the cocked position and the bar O being moved.
by its spring, catches and retains it. By the time this is accomplished the part F
has passed from behind the part E and the lever I also has come up to the stop K.
During the remainder of the recoil the lever I moves around its centre I' and it
forces the slotted plate E¹ and with it the part E to the rear. At first the
movement is slow whilst the loosening of the cartridge case from the barrel is
performed by the extracting hooks Es; the movement then becomes more rapid
and the cartridge case is drawn completely out of the barrel to a position such that
it can fall freely away. At the same time the feeding hooks E will draw the
lower cartridge from the magazine, the little flap L' opening to allow the cartridge

page_text: to pass out and then closing down to prevent the cartridge above when it falls,
from becoming displaced. When the nose of a new cartridge passes behind the
rear end of the barrel it drops down into a position to enter it and is supported by
a rest D⚫ on the part D behind the divided breech block. During the recoil,
which is now complete, the spring C has been compressed and the recoil having
expended itself the spring re-acts and the barrel advances through the cradle. The
lever I is still engaged with the stop K, and as its fulcrum 11 passes forward the
lever has a rapid angular motion imparted to it; it acts as before by means of the
roller 1' upon the slotted plate E¹ but the motion now is in the reverse direction
and as a consequence the part E is drawn up and closes the end of the barrel
before the lever I leaves the stud K-At this time the roller F' is at the bottom of
the incline in the slot in the part G, and during the remainder of the forward
motion of the barrel it ascends this incline and so the part F of the breech block
is caused again to assume the position in which it is shown in Figure 1. Here (if
the trigger is not held back) the parts remain at rest until the trigger is again
pulled and another shot fired, but if the trigger be continuously pressed then the
hammer M, when forced back to the cocked position during recoil, is not caught
and retained, and immediately the part F of the breech block at the end of the
return motion rises again the hammer falls on to the firing pin E³ and this results
in another shot being immediately fired, and so the gun will go on firing shot after
shot until the cartridges are exhausted, or until the trigger is liberated.
Just before the part E closes against the end of the barrel the feeding hooks E*
have to pass over the flange of the bottom cartridge in the magazine; to admit of
this one of the feeding hooks is not rigidly attached to the part E but is carried
by a stem entering a hole bored in the part E; a spiral spring presses the stem
inwards and holds it whilst the hook withdraws a cartridge from the magazine, as
already described, but the spring is able to yield and so permits the hook E
passing to the front of the flange of the cartridge when the breech plate closes up
to the end of the barrel.
The gun is directed and aimed by means of a shoulder piece or crutch which is
carried upon the rear end of the bar or lever G.
By withdrawing a bolt G* the arm G can be released so as to be free to turn
about the joint pin G¹ and then the block F can be operated by hand.
I would remark that I am aware of the patent granted to William Arthur,
Captain R.N. N° 939 in the year 1885 and that I make no claim to the invention
to which the patent relates.
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 machine gun with a breech block contained in a transverse guide passage
in rear of the barrel which breech block is withdrawn along the guide passage
during the recoil of the barrel by a connection with the cradle or frame and in like
manner is automatically replaced by the return of the barrel brought about by a
spring compressed during the recoil.
2. A machine gun with a transverse guide passage in rear of the barrel and a
divided breech block one part of which is withdrawn during the earlier part of
recoil of the barrel by a connection with the cradle or frame whilst the other part
being thus set free receives in like manner during the later part of the recoil a
rearward motion extracting the case of the fired cartridge and making room for a
new cartridge to enter the barrel.
3. A machine gun the barrel of which is contained in a cradle or frame mounted
on trunnions carried in bearings; the barrel sliding longitudinally in the said
cradle or frame and being surrounded by a coiled spring which is compressed
during the recoil and afterwards brings the gun forward again to the firing
position,
-

page_text: 4. A machine gun having the breech closed by a part with extracting hooks
upon it which after firing travels rearwards and withdraws the cartridge case
from the barrel; such breech closing part also having other hooks upon it which
simultaneously draw a cartridge from a magazine to a position from whence it falls
on to a shelf formed on the breech of the gun at the rear of the barrel ready to be
thrust into it by the breech closing part when the same returns and closes the
breech.
5. A machine gun substantially as described and represented by the annexed
drawings.