Improvements in Breech Loading Ordnance and their Mountings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1997-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1847
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech Loading Ordnance and their Mountings.
We, DOUGLAS VICKERS, a Managing Director of Vickers Sons & Co. Ltd.,
and ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON, late Lieut. R.N. Superintendent of Ordnance
Department and GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM, Engineer, all of River Don Works,
Sheffield in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
Our invention relates to breech loading guns and their mountings, and consists in
improvements in the lock mechanism, the charge support and the obturating
arrangements at the breech, in the spring for advancing the gun to firing position,
in the attachment of the trunnions to the mounting and in the arrangement of the
elevating gear, the object which we have in view being to insure safety and to
render the parts more simple and compact than in guns and mountings as they are
now arranged. We adapt the lock mechanism to operate preferably with the
breech opening and closing mechanism described in a previous Specification
No. 9780 of 1895. according to which the carrier of the breech plug is provided
with a horizontally sliding bar moved to and fro in the opening and closing of
the breech.
In and on this sliding bar we form grooves and inclines so that when the bar
moves in the direction for opening the breech, it causes the firing hammer to move
away from the tube or primer and also causes descent of a vertically sliding plate,
through a hole of which the nose of the hammer passes when it fires; thus the
head of the tube or primer is exposed and then the farther movement of the sliding
plate causes an extractor to eject the tube or primer.
The hammer is arranged so that it can be employed as a percussion striker,
or to make electric contact and when it is used for percussion firing, the trigger
releasing it is so arranged that it can be pulled from either side or from the rear of
the gun.
We fit
For supporting the charge when it is to be introduced into the breech.
on the breech a carrier for the charge which is caused to slide along the face of the
breech by the movement of the plug carrier or of the lever as the breech is opened,
the connection which effects this sliding movement being so arranged that it does
not begin until the plug is cut of the way leaving the breech quite clear, and then
the movement of the charge carrier is so guided laterally and vertically as to bring
the charge into a position central with respect to the bore and to support the charge
carrier during the loading of the gun.
In order to employ the known De Bangr's obturator in connection with a breech
plug that has no longitudinal movement on its carrier. We make the mouth of the
large chamber where the obturator is to fit, slightly conical, and we make the screw
of the breech plug as short as possible and pivot the plug carrier with the centre of
the pivot as far forward as possible towards the transverse plane occupied by the
obturator, so that, when the breech plug is unlocked, and its carrier swung
back, the circumference of the obturator is free to leave the slightly conical
seating, and in the reverse movement for closing the breech, the obturator is free
to seat itself.

page_text: The space, in which is situated the helical spring employed for advancing the
gun into firing position, is usually so limited as not to allow the spring to be of
such length as is desirable. In order to provide for a longer spring, without
occupying more space longitudinally, we make the spring double, the one helix
within a tube the other outside of the tube, this tube being made at its one end
with an inwardly projecting flange against which the front end of the inner spring
abuts, and at its other end with an outwardly projecting flange against which the
rear end of the outer spring abuts. Thus when recoil takes place both springs are
compressed and operate as if they constituted a single spring of length equivalent
to the sum of their lengths.
In order to provide for readily mounting and dismounting the gun we make
each of the trunnion bearings in the form of a cap, which is passed through
the side of the carriage on to the trunnion, a screw thread being formed on
the outer surface of the cap cylinders, and a corresponding thread in the side
of the carriage, the pitch of the screw being such that a partial turn suffices to
withdraw the cap sufficiently to allow the gun to be passed in, or taken out of
its place.
For elevating the gun we fix on the cradle a toothed segment rack concentric
with the trunnions, its teeth projecting laterally from the cradle, and on the
carriage we mount a pinion which gears with this segment rack.
On the spindle of the pinion is fixed a worm wheel with which gears a worm
that can be turned by hand, thus causing the pinion to rotate in either direction,
raising or lowering the breech of the gun.
Dated this 16th day of May 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech Loading Ordnance and their Mountings.
We, DOUGLAS VICKERS, a Managing Director of Vickers Sons & Co. Limited,
and ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON, late Lieut. R.N. Superintendent of Ordnance
Department, and GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM, Engineer, all of River Don Works,
Sheffield, in the County of York, 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 :-
Our invention relates to breech loading guns and their mountings and consists,
in improvements in the lock mechanism, in the charge support, in the springs
for advancing the gun to firing position, in the attachment of the trunnion to the
mounting and in the arrangement of the elevating gear, the object which we have
in view being to ensure safety and to render the parts more simple and compact
than in guns and mountings as they are now arranged.
We shall describe our invention referring to the accompanying drawings in the
several figures of which similar letters denote corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the firing gear according to our invention.
Figure 2 is a section on line 1. 1. and Figure 3 is a plan. Figure 34 is a
section on line 2. 2 of Figure 2 and Figure 3B is a section on line 3. 3. of
Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 shew a modification of the firing gear shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 34 and 3B. Figure 4 is a rear elevation, Figure 5 is a section on
line 4. 4 and Figure 6 is a plan.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 shew a charge support according to our invention. Figure 7

page_text: is a rear elevation of a gun and mechanism with a charge support, shewing the
breech closed and the charge support down. Figure 8 is a rear elevation shewing
the breech open and the charge support in position for loading. Figure 9 is a plan
of the lever and the charge support.
Figure 10 is a section shewing the springs for advancing the gun into firing
position, according to our invention.
Figures 11 and 12 show the attachment of the trunnions to the mounting
according to our invention. Figure 11 is a side elevation and Figure 12 is an
end view.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 shew an arrangement of the elevating gear according to
our invention. Figure 13 is a side elevation. Figure 14 is an end view, and
Figure 15 is a plan.
In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the construction is as follows:-In and on the sliding bar
of a breech mechanism, preferably of the type described in a previous Specification
No. 9780 of 1895, is formed groove A of varying depth, also an inclined
groove A¹. B is a firing hammer pivotted to a slide C by an axis pin D, and having
a toe B engaging in the groove A. A projection B2 on the hammer B engages
with a firing spring C³ of any suitable form, another projection B' on the hammer B
engages with the trigger E when the hammer is cocked for percussion firing. A
handle F is fitted to the hammer B for cocking it. A pin B is fitted and suitably
insulated in the boss B of the hammer B. This pin B forms an electric contact
for electric firing, and a striker for percussion firing, and passes through a hole in
the slide C. The slide C is retained and guided in a nut G and when in the firing
position covers the head of a tube or primer. The nut G is carried on the end of
the obturating bolt G' and is fitted to it by interrupted rings. In the front of this
nut G is a hole G2 through which the pin of the hammer passes to reach the tabe
or primer. A guide for the slide C is formed by jaws G and G projecting
downwards from the nut G, and so arranged as to allow the boss C² formed on the
slide C to move vertically between thein. An extractor for ejecting the empty
tube or primer is carried in the nut G and consists of two levers H and H' carried
on a pin H2 fitted in bosses provided on the nut G. Around this pin H² is a torsion
spring H which actuates the lever H its one end being connected to the nut G and
the other to the lever H. The lever H has on it a projection H³ which engages
with the extractor lever H¹ and is so arranged that on the lever H being forced out
it brings the extractor lever H' with it, but is free to return to its original
position without it. The torsion spring H keeps the lever H in a suitable position.
This bolt
On the slide C is a boss C which contains the retaining bolt C.
enters and fits the groove A¹ the incline of which is so arranged that on the
horizontal bar being moved it gives the necessary vertical motion to the slide C
and also serves to retain it in the locked position. In the boss C² and round the
bolt C is a helical spring C³, to enable the retaining bolt C to be withdrawn from
the groove A¹ when necessary for detaching the firing gear. The spring C³ which
actuates the hammer is carried in a recess cut in the slide C. The trigger E for
holding the hammer B in cocked position for percussion firing, is pivoted to the
end of the retaining bolt C and is actuated by a double lever cam El which allows
the trigger to be released from either side or the rear of the gun.
A suitable insulated contact piece is carried in the nut B which is screwed to
the boss on the hammer B and makes an electric contact with the firing pin B*.
The action is as follows:-
On the first movement of the sliding bar of the breech mechanism, in unlocking
the breech plug, the hammer B is caused to move away from the tube or primer,
by means of the toe B' being forced outwards by the varying depth of the groove A;
thus breaking the electric circuit between the firing pin B and the tube, and
On the continued move-
preventing the piu B' from striking the percussion tube.
ment of the sliding bar, the toe is brought out of the groove A, and rides on the
face of the bar, thus ensuring safety whilst the breech mechanism is unlocked.
At the same time the slide is moved vertically away from the tube or primer

page_text: leaving its end uncovered by means of the retaining bolt C being actuated by
the groove A¹. This vertical movement of the slide C causes the projection C¹ to
engage with the extractor lever H which in turn forces the lever H₁ backward,
thereby ejecting the tube or primer.
On withdrawing the retaining bolt C from the groove A' in the sliding bar, the
slide C can be moved vertically downwards and the lock worked without moving
the sliding bar of the breech.
To cock the hammer B, for percussion firing, it is drawn rearwards by hand
until it is caught by the trigger E, which can be released from either side or rear
of the gun.
In Figures 4, 5 and 6 shewing a modification, instead of the swinging hammer B
pivoted on the slide C we use a central hammer C. This hammer C is suitably
insulated in a tube C8, which works inside a boss C formed on the slide C. The
hammer is held against an electric tube by means of the helical spring which
also gives it the percussive force when a percussion tube is used, and is placed
around the tube C8 and held in position by the screwed cap C10 at one end, and a
collar C formed on the tube C8 at the other. The firing pin C has a head C formed
on its end bearing against the insulated collar C" of the tube C³. On the end of
the tube C is placed a suitable handle C3 which is kept in place by the nuts C
and C. The head C of the tube C has a toe C, projecting through and
working in a slot in the side of the boss C. The projection C works against an
inclined ledge C7 formed on the nut G, it also forms a sear for engaging with
trigger E when cocked for percussion firing. The trigger E2 is the ordinary form
of spring trigger and is carried in a projecting boss C18 from the side of the boss Cº.
A suitable electric contact is carried in the nut B screwed on a boss provided on
the nut G. The connection between the contact and the firing pin is made on the
head C of the pin C'.
The retaining bolt C is formed on the outer end in the shape of a ring or loop
for withdrawing purposes.
The action is as follows:-
On the first movement of the sliding bar of the breech mechanism in unlocking
the breech plug, the head C12 of the needle C7 is caused to move away from the
tube or primer by means of the toe C₁ riding up the inclined ledge C of the
nut G, thus breaking the electric circuit between the firing head C2 and the tube,
and preventing the head C" from striking the percussion tube. On the continued
movement of the sliding bar, the toe C continues to ride on the ledge C" thus
ensuring safety while the breech mechanism is unlocked. The movement down-
wards of the slide and action of the extractor is the same as that described in
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 34 and 3B.
To cock the head C12 for percussion firing it is drawn rearwards by hand until it
is retained by the trigger E³.
In Figures 7, 8, and 9 the construction is as follows:-
A charge support K is retained against the breech face of the gun by two or
more studs L and L' passing through slots K' and K2 formed in the support K and
having nuts or collars on the outside. The slots K and K2 are of such a form-
that as the breech is opened they allow the support K to be moved across the
breech face of the gun by the toe M' of the lever, which, at a given time, engages
with a pin K on the end of the support K. The sliding motion of the support K
is so arranged that it does not begin until the breech plug is swung out of the way,
leaving the breech quite clear and the support K is so guided by the pins L and Li
in the slots K and K as to bring the charge support into the loading position as
shewn in Figure 8.
In Figure 10, the construction is as follows:-
A helical spring N has one end bearing against the end O' of a case O in which
it is contained, the other end bears against the outwardly projecting flange O³ of
an inner tube O' which is placed inside the spring N.

page_text: N' is a helical spring which is inside of the tube 01 and has one end bearing
against the inwardly projecting flange 03 of the tube 01; its other end bears
against a disc P which is free to slide inside the case O. Through the centre of
the spring N extends a tube P one end of which passes through a hole in the end O
of the case O, and is secured to a projection P from the gun, by a bolt P' screwed"
into the tube P. The other end of the tube P is secured to the sliding disc P by
a bolt Pl
The action is as follows:-
During recoil of the gun the tube P3 is drawn partly out of the case through the
hole in the end O' of the case O an amount equal to the length of recoil. This
causes the plate P to slide inside the case O and compresses the spring N' which
again compresses the spring N by pulling on the tube O' whose inward flange Os
bears against N' and whose outward flange O' bears against N. Thus each of the
springs is compressed an amount equal to about half the recoil of the gun.
In Figures 11 and 12 the construction is as follows:-
A cylindrical cap Q is placed in a recess in the carriage R and fits on the
trunnion of the cradle. Screw threads or projections Q and Qformed on the
outer circumference of the cap Q engage in corresponding threads or inclined
grooves R and R' formed in the carriage.
A slot Q is made partly across the face of the cap of a suitable depth from the
outer to inner circumference. A projection Q or other suitable means is pravidel
on the outer end of the cap Q by means of which it may be turned in the
carriage R.
R is a horizontal slot in the carriage to allow the trunnions to be drawn to the
rear, clear of the carriage.
The action is as follows:-
To place the gun or cradle in position in the caps Q they are turned by Q until
the slots Q and R³ correspond. In which position the cap Q projects partly out
from the side of the carriage so as to allow of the entrance of the trunnions into
the caps Q through the slots Q. The caps Q on being turned back are moved
into the carriage R and on to the trunnions of the cradle by the movement of the
projections Q' and Q in the grooves R-R and the slot Q is thus moved to the
position as shewn in Figure 11, thus securing the trunnions in place. The caps Q
may be locked in position by any suitable means.
In Figures 13, 14, and 15, the construction is as follows :--
A toothed segment rack S is fixed to the cradle concentric with the trunnions,
the teeth S' of the rack S projecting laterally. On a suitable bracket Ti
projecting from the carriage T is mounted a pinion U which gears with the rack S.
On the shaft U1 of the pinion U is a worm wheel W connected to the shaft U1
by a friction clutch.
A worm W gearing with the wheel W is operated by a hand wheel or handle T..
The action is as follows:-
On turning the hand wheel T the worm W₁ causes the wheel W to revolve,
which in turn causes the pinion teeth to move the rack S of the cradle T up or
down, thus elevating or depressing the breech of the gun.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. Firing gear for a breech loading gun, constructed and operating as described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 34 and 38.
2. The modified form of firing gear described with reference to Figures 4, 5,
and 6.
3. The charge support sliding across the breech of the gun constructed and
operating, as described with reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9.
4. The double recoil spring arranged as described with reference to Figure 10.

page_text: 5. The trunnion caps, constructed and operating as described with reference t
Figures 11 and 12.
6. The elevating gear as described with reference to Figures 13, 14, and 15.
Dated this 15th day of February 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.