Improvements in Machine Guns.
Year: 1896

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c., Act, 1883), as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 11th day of March 1897.
Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Machine Guns.
A communication from abroad by LAURENCE VINCENT BENET, a citizen of the
United States of America, and HENRI ALBERT MERCIE, a citizen of the
Republic of France, residing respectively at No. 11 Rue Chardin, and at
No. 21 Rue Royale, in the City of Paris, France, Inventors.
We, THE HOTCHKISS ORDNANCE COMPANY, LIMITED, of 49 Parliament
Street, in the City of Westminster, England, 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 improvements in that class of guns, in which a portion
of the gas developed by the explosion of the powder charge, is utilized for
operating the breech action and feed mechanism of the arm; and more particularly
to that class in which a motor piston in perpetual engagement with a power
accumulator is operated by the gases resulting from the explosion. It is evident,
however, that the mechanism about to be described may be applied in whole or in
part to guns operated by any well known mechanical means.
The object of our invention is to produce a simple and efficient mechanism
whereby, when a certain part thereof is given a reciprocating motion by the action
of the powder gas and a spring, or other mechanical means, all the operations of
loading, firing, extracting, ejecting and cocking are automatically performed and
in proper sequence, and to provide also means whereby the rate of fire may be
controlled; or the action of the gun interrupted; and to so form all parts of the
mechanism that the same may be dismounted or assembled without the use of
tools.
To attain these ends our invention consists in the manner of securing the barrel
and cylinder to the chamber or receiver; in the manner of stowing the inain spring
or power accumulator; in the construction of the abutments of the locking dog,
which locks the breech bolt, when closed; in the structural features and com-
binations of various elements of the self-contained removable cartridge feed
mechanism; in means by which the motor piston automatically imparts a positive
forward movement to the feed mechanism; in means for automatically locking
back the motor piston when the cartridge strip is exhausted; in various structural
features and methods of mounting the pistol grip, the trigger, the cocking handle
and its guard, the sear, the extractor, the ejector; in means for controlling the

page_text: rapidity of fire; and in the structural features and combinations of various other
co-operative parts, as hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate our invention-
Figure 1 is a side, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the gun;
Figure 3 is a side, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the receiver;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal, and Figure 6 is a horizontal section of the receiver.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through the barrel and cylinder, and Figure & is
a plan view of the same.
Figure 9 is an end view of Figure 7 looking in the direction indicated by the
arrow 9, showing the barrel and collar with the cylinder removed.
Figure 10 is a rear view of the barrel in Figure 7, showing the breech where it
abuts against the breech-block.
Figure 11 is a cross section of the cylinder on line 11-11 of Figure 7.
Figures 12 and 13 are, respectively rear and front elevations of the gun.
5
Figures 14, 15 and 16 are cross sections on the lines 14-14, 15-15, and 16-16, 1
of Figure 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Figure 17 is a similar view, with the section of piston omitted, on the line 17-17
of Figure 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow, and
Figure 18 is a cross section on the line 18-18 of Figure 5 looking in the
direction indicated by the arrow.
Figure 19 is a side elevation, and Figure 20 is a plan view of the piston.
Figures 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are cross sections on the lines 21-21, 22-22,
23-23, 24-24, 25-25 and 26-26 of Figure 19, looking in the direction
indicated by the arrows.
Figure 27 is a front elevation of the piston.
Figure 28 is a side, Figure 29 a plan, Figure 30 a front and Figure 31 a rear
view of the sear.
Figure 32 is a detail view in perspective of the front cam portion of the
piston.
Figure 33 is a similar view of the cocking handle.
Figure 34 is a similar view of the rear cam portion of the piston showing the
sear, and
Figure 35 is a similar view of the sear.
Figure 36 is a similar view of the trigger.
Figure 37 is a detail perspective view with parts broken away, of that part of
the receiver in which is seated the removable feed mechanism.
Figure 38 is a detail perspective view of the removable feed mechanism.
Figure 39 is a similar view of the feed mechanism split key.
Figure 40 is a detail perspective view of the feed gear.
Figure 41 is a similar view of the piston locking lever operated by the feed
strip.
Figure 42 is a similar view of the feed mechanism shaft.
Figures 43, 44, and 45 are side, front, and plan views of the feed box and
guide.
Figures 46 and 47 are sectional views of the feed box on the lines 46--46
and 47-47 of Figure 44, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.
Figure 48 is a horizontal section through the feed mechanism and box on the
line 48-48 of Figure 3.
Figure 49 is a detail perspective view of the front portion of the breech-block,
with a portion of the extractor broken away.
Figure 50 is a similar view of a portion of the extractor.
Figure 51 is a similar rear view of the breech-block showing the manner of
locking the extractor.
Figure 52 is a detail view in perspective showing manner of uniting the block
with its nose-piece.
Figure 53 is a similar view of the breech-block taken from the opposite side of
Figure 51, showing the groove for operating the ejector.
A

page_text: Figure 54 shows detail perspective views of the ejector.
Figure 55 is a view of the forward end of the breech-bolt showing the operation
of ejecting the empty shell.
Figure 56 is a bottom view, and Figure 57 a longitudinal sectional view of a
portion of the cylinder, showing the valve.
Figures 58 and 59 are sectional views on the lines 58-58, and 59-59
respectively, of the two preceding figures.
Figure 60 is a side, and Figure 61 a plan view of a modified way of securing
together the barrel, collar, cylinder and receiver.
Figures 62 and 63 are cross sections on the lines 62-62 and 63-63 of the two
preceding figures.
Figures 64 and 65 are plan and side views of the elastic feed strip.
Figure 66 is a section of the same on the line 66-66 of Figure 64.
Figures 67 and 68 are plan and side views of the flexible feed strip, and
Figure 69 is a section of the same on the line 69-69 of Figure 67.
In all the figures like letters denote like parts.
We shall first describe our mechanism in detail, and later on explain the general
working of the gun.
In the drawings our invention is shown as applied to a rifled calibre machine
gun, but it is evident that the same devices may be applied to guns of larger
calibre.
A, Figure 1, is the receiver which contains the operative mechanism of the gun,
which may be a single forging or casting of metal, and which bears at its forward
end the trunnions A¹ A', or other device for supporting the gun on its carriage.
In the front end of the receiver is screwed or otherwise attached the barrel B,
which is rifled and chambered in the usual manner. We generally make this
barrel greater in thickness than is usual in small arms of like calibre, in order that
it may better resist the heat developed by rapid firing, and that it may be as free as
possible from vibrations. Towards the muzzle end of the barrel is secured, by
shrinkage, or otherwise, the collar B', on which we sometimes mount the fore-
sight B, and which serves as a support for the forward end of the cylinder C
Through the cylinder, collar, and barrel is formed the canal C₁ bringing the
bore in communication with the cylinder and which may be circular or of
other form in cross-section. To the rear of the collar a port C is formed
through the walls of the cylinder, and when this port is unmasked by the movement
of the piston D to the rear, any gas passing from the bore of the gun into the
cylinder, will exhaust into the open air. As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the
barrel is screwed into the receiver at its rearward end, and the cylinder into
the collar at its forward end; a key B³ is driven through a slot in the receiver and
hearing in keyways in the barrel and the cylinder locks the whole together. In
the cylinder C is lodged the piston D, which has a longitudinal reciprocating
motion under the influence of the gas drawn from the barrel acting on its forward
end and the main spring E.
Beginning at the front end of the piston we find a cylindrical head or guide D'
which receives the pressure of the gas drawn from the barrel, and which serves to
guide the piston in the cylinder. To the rear of this is formed the annular
groove D, which acts as a gas check and which may or may not contain a spring
or other packing. It will be observed that the interior diameter of the cylinder is
essentially that of the piston up to the point C³ which is slightly to the rear of
the extreme rearward position of the piston; to the rear of this point the interior
diameter of the cylinder is increased in order to give a sufficiency of clearance to
reduce friction. To the rear of the groove D2 the piston is provided with four or
more grooves D3, D3, which provide for any accumulation of powder residue which
may work its way to the rear of the piston head.
Under the piston is formed the tang D (Figure 32) which takes the thrust of
he main spring E and provides a seat for the cocking handle F (Figure 33).
This is a single piece of 1 shaped metal, the lower portion of which is curved to

page_text: fit the fingers of the man operating the gun, and is provided with the keyf' and
the hook-shaped portions f which fit into corresponding recesses d d in the
tang D and with the upward projection f which registers with a recess d³ in the
body of the piston. The object of this key, hook and projection is to hold
the handle firmly against any longitudinal effort, and to permit shipping it 5
vertically into its seat. The cocking handle F has a longitudinal motion in a
cylindrical chamber A2 in the receiver A which contains the main spring E, and
its finger-grip projects through a longitudinal bottom slot A³ in the chamber in
which it is supported by two lateral guides ff along the narrow forward portion
of the slot extending from a to a', but can be withdrawn through the wider portion
of the slot extending rearward from a¹. To the rear the cocking handle F
(Figures 5 and 33) is provided with the cylindrical recess f³, which affords a seat
for the end of the main spring E. Thus it is evident that when the main spring
is in place it will prevent the cocking handle from falling out of its seat. Hence
if the cocking handle be in place it can only be dismounted by first removing the
main spring and then withdrawing the piston to the rear.
A downward projecting guard A (Figures 1, 3, 5 and 37) extends entirely around
the slot A³ enclosing the finger grip to protect the hand of the gunner.
Still further to the rear of the piston D is lodged the sear G which serves to hold
the piston to the rear when engaged with the trigger. The sear G, Figures 28, 29,
30, 31 and 35, consists of a single piece of steel provided with the cocking
notch G and the bearings 9 g, which fit into corresponding recesses in the
piston (Figure 34) and resist the thrust of the latter. To the front the sear is
provided with the axes g g which fit in bearings d in the piston, and the
bearings g g are concentric with these axes; it is therefore evident that the sear
may be swung about its axis and out of its seat. To provide for the complete
removal of the sear, the axes g₁ are flattened along the surfaces 92, 92, and a
corresponding opening d is made to their seat in the piston. When swung
sufficiently to the front the flattened portion of the axis registers with this opening
and the sear may be removed from the piston.
In the lower part of the receiver (Figures 5 and 36) is mounted the trigger H,
which consists of a single piece of steel provided with the finger piece h.
A cylindrical aperture is pierced through the body of the trigger to permit the
passage of the main spring, as shown in Figure 5. The trigger is seated in a
recess D having on each side an upper rearward seat d' worked in the receiver
(see Figure 5) which is so formed that the trigger is held between its projecting
bearings which enter said seats d and the opposite surfaces d of the recess D³
which are concentric with said bearings. The recess D is enlarged downward
from the trigger bearings seat d towards the rear, so that the trigger may
revolve about its pivot on its bearings 2 until the rear surface of the trigger
strikes the rear surface d' of the trigger recess; in this position the trigger is
disengaged from the front surface ds of the recess and may be withdrawn from
its seat after the removal of the main spring. On the upper surface of the trigger
is formed the cocking notch H¹ which enters the guide groove D in the lower
surface of the piston to the rear of the sear G (Figure 34) and engages with the
sear G when the piston is in its rearward position. The pistol grip I (Figure 5)
consists of a single casting comprising the grip 1 and the trigger guard 12, and
is secured to the receiver A by the hooks ii. Between the trigger H and the
pistol grip is located the spiral spring G2 having one extremity seated in a
recess located in the trigger to the rear of the finger piece h and the other
extremity held by the stud on the front of the pistol grip; so that the spring G
tends to press the trigger to the front. It is thus seen that when the pistol
grip is in place the trigger H cannot be sufficiently revolved to the rear to
become disengaged, as its movement is limited by the finger piece / striking the
surface on the pistol grip.
The shoulder piece (Figure 5) consists of a single casting comprising in one
the abutment J for the main spring the shoulder piece proper J2 and the oover J³

page_text: for the mechanism. On the inner side of the main spring abutment J' is formed
the study which supports the rear end of the main spring E. The inner surface
serves as a stop for the piston in case it is thrown violently to the rear by the
action of the powder gas, and the abutment projecting downward over the rear
end of the pistol grip I, prevents the grip from being unhooked by being withdrawn
to the rear. The shoulder piece is secured to the receiver A by means of the
lugs at its front end, which engage in corresponding recesses a in the receiver
(Figure 1), and the pin J which passes through the ears A on the rear of the
receiver and shoulder piece, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5. The pin J* is
provided (Figures 3 and 6) with a spring handle J terminating in a button J,
and the pin carries a small stud ja which engages in an annular slot a³ in the
receiver. Under the button J is a small lug or projection, which engages in a
corresponding recess a in the side of the receiver. To remove the pin J it is
grasped by the button J and the lug sprung out of its recess a when the
handle J may be turned 180° to the rear, freeing the stud ; and the pin may now
be withdrawn.
The breech block L (Figures 5, 6, 49, 51, 52 and 53) is seated in guides in the
upper part of the receiver A in line with the axis of the bore. Its general form is
cylindrical but to the rear it is partially squared and flared to form two guides L' L'
which fit in grooves a a, in the receiver (Figure 18). The breech block is bored
axially to form a chamber for the firing pin M and a longitudinal groove I is worked
in the bottom of this chamber to receive the guide lug m of the firing pin (Figures 14,
15 and 16). The firing pin chamber is counter bored to the front to receive the nose
piece L² which is secured by means of two or more lugs on its stem which engage
in corresponding grooves in the counter bore. Slots the width of the above lugs
lead to the grooves in such manner that if the nose piece be given half a turn the lugs
will register with the slots and the nose piece may be withdrawn. The nose piece is
pierced with a passage for the firing pin and on its front face is provided with the
lip and the lug which hold the flange of the cartridge against the spring of the
extractor. Between the lip and the lug just mentioned, a slot is formed to permit
the ejector to pass behind the head of the cartridge.
18
To the rear of the breech block L (Figure 5) is journalled the locking dog L³,
on the rivet which passes through dog and breech block. This rivets fits the
breech block very loosely in order that the pressure of the cartridge on the breech
block may be delivered directly to the dog on its head and not through the rivet.
The movement of the locking dog about its pivot is limited by its upper face (o
coming into contact with the overhanging under face of the breech block, as
shown in Figure 51. In Figure 5 the locking dog is shown in the position of the
breech closed and in this position it transfers the pressure of the cartridge to the two
small abutments A seated in the receiver (Figures 5 and 17), against which bears
the rear end of the dog, the surface of which is cut concentrically with the rivet l.
To unlock the dog and open the breech it is necessary to raise the former until
the faces and 10 are in contact, when the rear end 12 of the dog will be clear of
the abutments A*.
The firing pin M located in the chamber in the forward part of the breech block L
is provided with a lug m which travels in a longitudinal groove in the bottom of
the chamber. The rear end of the firing pin projects into a vertical slot or
chamber L formed in the rear of the breech block L above the piston D, and is
provided with a downwardly projecting toe m¹.
The breech block L and firing pin M are brought into engagement with the
piston D in the following way, see Figure 5. Above the emplacement of the
sear G the piston D is provided with two tangs D and Ds which project up into
the slot L of the breech block L and have a limited longitudinal play between
the front and rear abutments 13 14 of the slot L, and between which engages the
downward projecting toe m¹ of the firing pin M. When the piston D moves to
the rear, the tang D of the piston striking the toe m' of the firing pin M with-
draws it. As the piston D continues its rearward motion withdrawing with it the

page_text: firing pin M, the lifting cam L located on the upper face of the piston D to the
rear of the tang D, passing under the downward projection on the locking dog,
raises it, until it finally rests upon the lifting cam L' constituting a forward
extension of the cam L, in which position the rear end 12 of the dog has cleared
the abutments A. The cams L L are shewn in Figs. 19 and 20 but wrongly
marked L in Fig. 19. As the piston D continues to the rear the heel D' on the
rear of the tang D strikes the rear abutment 4 of the slot L withdrawing the
breech block, and opening the breech, while the rear end of the dog L³ rests
upon the guide surfaces a (Figure 6), formed in the rear end of the receiver A from
which it is prevented from swinging into the locked position, except when in line
with its abutments A³.
The closing of the breech is effected by the forward movement of the piston D
in the following way: On the. rear end of the piston D is an upward and forward
curved locking cam D, the front face of the cam having an inwardly beveled
cam face. When the piston moves forward to close the breech, the cam
face of the locking cam D come in contact with rear end 112 of the dog, and
as the latter cannot descend on account of its bearing on the guides a a¹, the
breech block is pushed to the front and the breech closed. When the breech is
closed further movement of the breech block L is impossible, and the locking
dog I is in line with its abutments A, and no longer held up by the guides a a
The piston D continuing its movement, the cam d¹² forces the locking dog L³
downward into engagement with its abutments A, whereupon the grooved in the
upper face of the rear end 112 of the locking dog registers with the lower cam
face of the locking cam D", and the locking cam " entering the groove d¹³,
prevents any unlocking of the dog. Continuing. the forward motion of the piston,
the tang D forces forward the firing pin M, which strikes the primer and explodes
the cartridge.
Guides working in groove a' in the rear of the receiver (Figure 5) hold the
piston D securely against the effort necessary to manoeuvre the locking dog.
The extractor N consists of a single steel shank N (Figures 49 and 50) the front
end of which is divided into two branches an each of which is provided with a hook
to grasp the flange of the cartridge. The extractor is seated in a groove in the
right side of the breech block L which seat is continued through the nose piece L,
as shown at 7 Figure 52, so that the nose piece L2 cannot be turned when the
extractor is in place. The extractor is held in place by the hooks n' n', which engage
under recesses 18 in the breech block by just the distance between the branching
hooks of the extractor nn, and the front face of the nose piece L2. Hence to
dismount the extractor it is only necessary to push it to the rear, when the hooks n¹ n
will be freed from their seats. This cannot be done when the breech block is in the
gun, as the rear end n of the extructor bears against the head of the locking
dog I Fig. 51 when the latter is mounted in the receiver. Whon, however, the
breech block is removed from the gun, the dog L may be turned vertically
downward, when the end of the extractor will register with the recess in
the head of the dog. In this position the extractor may be pushed to the rear
and dismounted. The extractor is divided into the two branches nn in order that
the recesses bb (Figure 10) in the funnel-shaped extension B of the chamber
made in the rear of the barrel to permit the passage of the extractor, may not
he sufficiently wide to permit the bullet of a cartridge to engage therein and cause
a jam.
On the left side of the receiver (Figures 3, 4, 6 and 37), is formed the housing A
for the ejector 0, which has a longitudinal opening a for the introduction of the
latter. A bearing as is drilled vertically through the housing to receive the ejector
trunnions o, and a passage a" is slotted into this hole. The ejector O (Figures 6, 54
and 55) consists of a single piece of steel provided with trunnions oo. These
trunnions are flattened in the direction of the length of the ejector, as shown in
Figures 6, 54 and 55, in such a manner that the breech block being removed from the
receiver (Figure 6) the ejector arm 0' may be passed through the opening a¹ and the

page_text: flattened portion of the trunnions o slipped through the passage a" and the trunnions
engaged in the bearing a". If the ejector be now turned until parallel to the axis
of the gun, the trunnions can no longer be withdrawn through the passage a", and
the ejector is in place.
The ejector being mounted in its housing the inner lug o' on its arm O' engages in
a longitudinal guide groove in the breech block L; and assuming the ejector to
be in its position with reference to the breech block at the moment of ejection as
shown in Figure 55, its toe o² has entered into the seat in the nose piece L' and
is in line with the head of the cartridge as held by the extractor. The ejector is
positively held in this position as the inner Ing o' of the arm O' bears against the side
of the breech block at the forward end L of the guide groove 120 and the outer
lug on the same arm against the ejector housing A Fig. 5. As the breech
block moves forward to close the breech, the inclined surface of the bottom of the
slot in the nose piece strikes the toe of of the ejector, raising the latter; at this
moment the groove 720 in the side of the breech block comes in line with the inner lug o
and the latter enters the groove as the toe o² rides up on the side of the breech
block. Hence, as the block moves forward to push a cartridge into the chamber, the.
ejector is withdrawn from action. As the breech opens to extract an empty cartridge
case, the ejector is inoperative until the inclined surface at the head of the groove
strikes the inner lug o on the ejector arm O', causing the ejector to pivot about its
trunnions and forcing the toe o to follow the slot and bringing the toe in line with
the head of the cartridge. Striking the toe, the cartridge is knocked free from the
extractor and ejected through the aperture L' in the receiver (Figure 37).
The feed mechanism (Figures 14, 15, 16, 38 to 48) is contained in the box P, which
affords bearing and housing within the case P¹ for the operative parts, and guides on
the feed table P for the feed strips or bands.
Through bearings in the lower part P of the feed box pussas the shaft P on
which is mounted the sleeve pa having integral therewith the feed wheel P and the
cam pinion P. The sleeve p with its feed wheel and pinion revolves in chambers p
of the case P, which keep it from longitudinal motion along the shaft, and the
upper portion of the feed wheel P5 projects through the slot p of the feed table P.
On the head of the shaft P is mounted an arm P carrying at its extremity the pawl
proper p which extends through a slot in the side of the casing P' and engages a
ratchet P on the face of the cam pinion P. These ratchet teeth, of which there are
two for every one of the cam pinion, are so disposed that when in engagement with
the pawl they permit of the revolution of the pinion forward but not to the rear.
. The arm P also serves to lock the end of the feed shaft. P from longitudinal
motion in. one direction, in the following way:
The feed shaft P is reduced in diameter at p near its head for a distance
corresponding to the thickness of the arm P and an aperture p³ of this same
diameter is bored part way through the pawl-arm on one side connecting with a
counter bore from the other side of enlarged size to admit for a short distance
the full diameter of the feed shaft head, as shown in Figures 42 and 48.
passage of the width of the reduced portion p' of the feed shaft, leads into this
shaft bearing pp and is formed concentrically with the pawl p. Hence, when
the neck p of the shaft is in the aperture, the pawl may be revolved about itself
and freed from the shaft, but when the head of the shaft enters the counter bore p
this is not possible. The head of the shaft P is held in the counter bore, by the
tension of the pawl spring P bearing against the collar p" on the shaft P and
which is lodged in the cylindrical chamber p" in the case P'. On the head of the
paw! a handle P is formed, and this permits withdrawing the pawl from engage-
ment with the ratchet teeth when desired.
Immediately to the rear of the breech, and below the path of the breech block
(see Figure 37) a chamber is worked in the receiver A into which the feed box P
with its contained mechanism fits. On inserting the feed box into its seat, it is
secured to the receiver A by means of the projecting guides p P, on the food
table which fit into corresponding mortices p' cut through the receiver. When

page_text: the
thus placed the feed table P2 projects through and beyond the aperture in
receiver A and the feed box is held in place by means of the split key P³ which
fits into a dove-tail slot in the lower side of the box, and abuts against the side of
the receiver (see Figures 4 13, 14, 15 and 39). This key is provided with the
handle by means of which it may be withdrawn from its seat.
The mechanism in the case P₁ of the feed box now rests in the following
position. The end of the feed shaft carrying the pawl spring P' rests in a
recess a of the receiver, and its end abutting against the end of the recess, motion
to the left is prevented. To the right the head of the shaft engages in a recess al
of the receiver which is of such length as to permit of sufficient movement of the
shaft to the right against the tension of the pawl spring P to release the pawl p
from the ratchet P but not enough to permit the shaft head to be freed from the
counter bore p³, and finally the cam pinion. Pe lies in the slot al directly in the
path of the cam Q on the piston D (see Figures 5-16, 37 and 48) which by its
engagement with the cam pinion Pe imparts to it a positive forward motion, thus
rotating the feed wheel P' which feeds the cartridge bands to the breech, as herein-
after described.
Referring to Figure 48 which shows the piston D in its forward position (breech
closed) it will be observed that the teeth of the cam pinion Pe fall in the open
space to the rear of the cam Q, and pawl p being drawn out of engagement
with the ratchet P8 the pinion is free to turn in either direction. In this position
the feed strip may be engaged or withdrawn from engagement with the feed wheel P
as hereinafter described. As the piston D moves to the rear, the cam will
engage between two teeth of the pinion P, the pointed end q¹ of the cam
bringing the pinion into position if it is not exactly in line. The pinion will then
be positively held as shown in Figure 16. While thus held the operations of
extracting and ejecting the empty cartridge case will be performed. When these
operations are completed the piston continuing its rearward movement, as the
forward end 2 of the cam Q withdraws from between the teeth of the pinion P
the cam Q located at this point on the piston D strikes the inner tooth of the
pinion causing the latter to revolve through an arc equal to about one half of the
pitch of the teeth and continuing the motion the teeth arrive in line with the open
space q3 on the piston, and in this position the pinion P is again free to revolve and
the feed strips may be engaged or disengaged from the feed wheel, the pawl being
disengaged, as already described. The gun is now cocked and the breech block
open. As the piston moves forward to close the breech and fire the gun, the bevel
face g of the cam Q strikes the tooth considered above, causing the pinion to revolve
the remainder of the pitch of the teeth, and the following tooth strikes the
face 9, of the cam Q. At this moment the breech block strikes a cartridge in
the feed strip and loads it in the chamber as hereinafter described, and
during this motion the pinion is positively held by a tooth engaging on either
side of the cam Q, as shown in Figure 16. It will thus be seen that when the
piston is in either of its extreme positions to the front or rear, and the pawl
withdrawn, the pinion P is free to turn in either direction; that while the
breech block is either forcing a cartridge into the chamber or extracting it,
the pinion is positively held; and that immediately after the ejection and before the
breeech block strikes a fresh cartridge, the pinion revolves through an arc equal
to the pitch of its teeth through the action of the cams Q and the bevel face
cam Q.
of
On the piston D moving forward, see Figure 48, the pinion P is prevented from
rotating backward by following the cam Q' instead of the bevel face of the cam Q
by the ratchet P8, in which the first of the two teeth corresponding to each tooth of
the pinion is so placed that it engages with the pawl p as soon as the pinion teeth
are in position to receive the point g of the cam Q between them, when the cam Q
begins a rearward motion and the second ratchet tooth engages as soon as the pinion
tooth has been revolved by the cam Q at the conclusion of the rearward motion of
the cam Q.

page_text: To keep the breech open when a feed strip has been exhausted-we provide the
lock R (Figures 38, 41 and 48) which consists of a lever formed of a single piece
of steel loosely threaded upon the feed shaft P within the chamber p2 of the feed
case, having one arm projecting through a slot rl in the feed table P in the wake
of the passage of the feed strip, in which position is held by the lock spring
Figure 14 which engages in the seat Figure 48 in its lower arm Figures 38
& 41 and bears against the spring box, as shown in Figure 14. When in this
position the toe on the arm r is in the wake of the locking lug R' (Figure 32)
on the piston D, and when the latter is in its extreme rearward position, slightly to
the rear of the position in which the sear and trigger engage, the toe drops in
front of the Ing R and prevents the forward movement of the piston. It follows
that when the feed strip is pushed into place over the feed table P2 the lever armr
is depressed and the toe removed from engagement with the locking lug R.
Hence, when the feed strip is in place the lock is inoperative, but when the strip is.
exhausted the lever is released and the toe holds the piston to the rear, thus obviating:
the necessity of re-cocking the gun for each fresh strip.
The feed strip S (Figures 64, 65 and 66) consists of a narrow sheet of brass, tin,
or other elastic material and may be of any convenient length, containing in general
from twenty to fifty cartridges. Longitudinal ribs s s are formed to give it stiffness;
three rows of clips are formed as shown, to hold the cartridges. The front
row of clips s embraces the cartridges at the neck from the right, the middle row s²
holds the bodies of the cartridges from the left, and the rear row 3 holds the
cartridges near the heads from the right. Small projections & are thrown up in
line with the cartridge heads and prevent withdrawal of the cartridges to the rear..
The openings S' formed in the strip when the clips are thrown up are so formed
that the front sides are spaced to the pitch of the feed wheel P's, the teeth of
which engage therein as shown in Figure 15. Also the rear edges of the clips s²
are rounded as shown at s to aid in raising the head of the cartridge to the level
of the chamber. To the rear, the strip is cut away at se to permit the lever arm r of
the lock R (Figure 15) to rise when the last cartridge in the strip is in the loading
position.
The abutments is formed on the front of each strip to engage the feed wheel on
the introduction of the strip into the feed table and the tails on the rear to
accomplish its ejection.
The feed box, Figure 38, is grooved at p to receive the edges of the feed strip,
and also, provides a guide pe which guides the bullet of the cartridge, and a
guide p" which guides the head of the cartridge. The guides ple and p are so
placed with reference to the guides pls that the bullet and cartridge head guide the
band into the latter; that is, the cartridge is firmly held by the guides p p before
the band reaches the entrance to the guides p¹. In the receiver of the gun above
the feed table P is formed the tongue A', Figure 37, which passes under each
cartridge and over the band as the band is fed into the gun. This piece serves to
lift the cartridge out of the clip and guiding it up the incline p" on the feed table
(Figures 46 and 47) brings it to the loading level. The cartridge is stopped by
the abutment As on the receiver against which it is held elastically in line by its
clip 2 as the strip advances under the influence of the feed wheel.
The general action of the gun is as follows:
Assuming the breech block to be closed as shown in Figure 5. To load, the
clip strip S is engaged in the guides pl ple p17 of the feed box and pushed firmly
home; the abutment s' of the strip strikes the feed wheel P³ causing the latter to
revolve in engagement with the opening S of the clip until the first cartridge
strikes the side of the breech block L; at this moment the pawl p engages with one
of the teeth of the ratchet P and the cartridge is held between the breech block and
a tooth of the feed wheel P. Grasping the cocking handle the piston is drawn to
the rear and the cam Q engages between two teeth of the pinion P and holds it
firmly in place; the tang D bearing against the toe m' of the firing pin M withdraws
the latter, when. the cam L strikes the projection 15 on the locking dog L³ raising
B

page_text: the latter, which now, rests on the cam bearing L. The tang D now strikes the
abutment of the breech block, withdrawing the latter, the dog now being
supported by the guides a¹0 (Figure 6): the breech block is now withdrawn and a
tooth of the feed pinion P is struck by the cam Q on the piston, causing the pinion
to revolve and bringing the. first cartridge .partially in line with the chamber; the
pawl p now engages a second tooth in the ratchet Ps and prevents the feed pinion
from turning backwards. The sear Gnow engages with the trigger notch H and
the gun is cocked. In the meantime the feed strip S has ridden over the lever r of
the lock R, depressing, the former and withdrawing, the toe from the line
with the locking. lug R¹. If the, trigger, be pulled, freeing the cocking notch H'
from the sear G, the main spring. E, acting on the tang will throw the piston to
the front. The cam face d of the locking piece D bearing,, on the r ar end
of the dog, will move the breech block-forward,..as the dog,cannot descend on
account of the guides: a. The bevel face. q of the cam. Q now strikes a tooth
on the feed pinion Pe causing the latter to revolve and forcing the feed strip.further
into the receiver. The tongue :A' passing under the first cartridge lifts it partially.
from the clip and it is pressed firmly. against the abutment .A, the. bullet riding
up thesincline.p. (Figures 46 and 47). The lip on the nose piece L2 now strikes
the head of the cartridge, forcing it out of the clip, the head of the cartridge riding
over the roundings of the clip and the cartridge. is forced into the chamber.
When fully home the breech block is stopped by striking the entrance of the
chamber, and the surface. 1 of the locking dog is in line with the, abutments A.
The.cam d now forces; the dog into place and the breech is locked. The tang, DB
now strikes the firing pin, and fires the cartridge. When the bullet has passed the
entrance of the canai C' the powder gas passes into the cylinder and acting on
When the breech was
the head D of the piston D, drives, the latter to the rear.
closed the hooks n n of the extractor N-were-sprung. over the flange of the cartridge
and the latter was held between the extractor the lug and the lip on the nose
piece. As the piston moves to the rear, the empty.cartridge case is withdrawn
from the chamber, and when the breech is fully open the inclined face at the head
of the ejector guide slot 120 strikes the inner lug o on the ejector, causing the toe o² on
the latter to come.in.wake of cartridge head. The head being struck by the ejector
the cartridge is forced out of the grasp of the extractor, and is ejected through the
opening L on the opposite side of the gun. If the trigger be released it will engage
with the sear and the gun will be ready for.another shot. If the trigger be held back
the spring will immediately return the piston.and fire will continue until the feed
strip is exhausted. When, the last cartridge is in the loading; position the lever r on
the feed flock R will spring up through the slot in the fed table P' and the
openings on the loading strip S and the toe engaging with the locking lug R
will hold the breech open. A new strip may now be introduced and pushed home
until the first cartridge brings up against the abutment A8 on the receiver when the
locking lever will again be depressed, and fire may again be resumed. If it be
required to withdraw a partially expended feed strip, the pawl is released from the
ratchet by pulling, the handle, and the strip pulled out. This may be done with
either the breech open or closed.
The safety bolt K (Figures 1, 2, 34 and. 5) consists of .a. shaft.K' which traverses
the receiver, one half of which is slotted away (see Figure 5) to permit the passage
of the piston,, when firing; and the piston 1) is cut away on its lower side from the
point to the rear, to permit. itt to ride over the safety lock shaft K wben the
fatter is in its unlocked position with its slotted portion :uppermost, as shown
in Figure 5. When the piston is in its rearward position, the sear G being in
engagement with the cocking spur H! of the trigger H Fig. 36 but wrongly
marked G and G. in Fig. 5, the safety bolt registers with the recess d" in the piston
If the bolt be now turned to the .safety position at an angle of 180° it acts as ar
eccentric cam entering the recess. d" and withdrawing the piston towards the rea
and releasing the cocking.notch and sear from the strain; and when the pisto
is in its forward position, as after firing, if the slotted shaft K' be again turned to the

page_text: motion.
position of safety it will fall in the path of the piston and prevent its rearward
As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, 'the safety bolt K is fitted with the
spring handle K2 to the end of which is secured the button K' under which is a
small stud' k, which registers with the corresponding recesses as in the side of the
receiver in the two positions of "fire"
movement by the stops a' and as. The flexibility of the handle K2 will, however,
and safety," the bolt is limited in its
permit the stud k to be sprung over these stops and the handle brought: to: an
essentially vertical position; i in which position the stud becomes free from its seat
and the bolt may be withdrawn' from its seat similarly to the locking pin of the
shoulder piece. The stud 2 is shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 but not lettered.
To dismount the gun, proceed as follows: Pull out the key securing the feed box,
withdraw the latter; press out the head of the feed shaft, swing the pawl about
itself and remove, pull. out the feed shaft; remove the pawl spring, drop out the
feed, pinion; drop out the lock and lock spring; spring the safety lock over the
stop turn to a vertical position and withdraw; turn the shoulder piece locking
pin J through 180° and withdraw; remove the shoulder piece; withdraw the main
spring; pull out the pistol grip to the rear and remove. Swing the trigger. to its
extreme rearward position and remove it and its spring; pull the cocking handle
to the rear, when it will drop out; pull out the piston and with it the breech block;
turn the locking dog until at right angles to the breech block and press on hooks
of extractor when the latter will spring out of place; give half a turn to nose
piece and withdraw; drop out firing pin; swing out ejector and remove. Withdraw
the barrel locking key B³ and screw out cylinder and barrel. Mount in reverse.
order.
In order to regulate the rate of fire of the gun, we provide a valve which controls
the point at which the exhaust of the powder gas is applied in the cylinder C. thereby
regulating the violence with which the piston is thrown to the rear, and consequently
the rate of fire.
In Figures 56 to 59 we show one form of valve for regulating size of exhaust
port, as well as its distance from the inlet port, which consists of a
slipped over the cylinder C and provided with a port a corresponding to the exhaust
simple sleeve X
port C. By suitable means such as the milled head X' this sleeve may either be
moved longitudinally along the cylinder or revolved around it, thereby varying the
area of the exhaust port and its distance from the inlet canal. Graduations
corresponding to the resulting rates of fire may be provided for this device. We do
not limit ourselves to any particular form or construction of valve, the essence of
this part of our invention consisting in controlling the point in the expansion of gas
in the gas chamber at which the exhaust takes place, by regulating the distance
between the cylinder inlet and exhaust ports by any suitable device.
While we have shown the extractor as divided in order to lie in the narrow
grooves in the funnel-shaped extension B of the barrel, it is obvious that the
cartridge lip and Ing of the breech bult may be divided in the same manner; the
essence of this part of our invention consisting in making the grooves within
the funnel of such width that it will be impossible for the ullet to jam therein, and
in providing the funnel to guide the cartridge into the chamber, however badly the
cartridge may be presented.
In Figures 5 and 6 we have shown one way of securing the barrel and cylinder
to the receiver A. In Figures 60 to 63 we show another and preferable way of
locking the barrel and cylinder in place by replacing the screw threads on the
barrel B and cylinder with longitudinal cylinder and barrel splines, which
register with longitudinal grooves in the collar B₁ and receiver; respectively,
and by substituting for the key a simple wedge. By this arrangement barrel and
ylinder may be slipped longitudinally into place and secured by the wedge. The
pline Fig. 60 is wrongly marked on Fig. 63.
In place of the elastic cartridge strip S, shown in Figures 64-66, we may
mploy a flexible band, as shown in Figures 67-69, which consists of a series of
inks T, jointed together by hooks and eyes t, t', formed in the links.

page_text: Each link has formed upon it the clips 2 and 3 which hold the cartridge at the
neck and near the head, respectively, and the bearing t, t, which prevents the
cartridge from being withdrawn to the rear. The clip 3 is rounded at t to raise
the head of the cartridge when it is forced into the chamber by the breech block.
The bearings T are formed to engage with the teeth of the feed wheel P and are 5
spaced to the pitch of this latter. The tongue te is formed on the first clip of each
band to facilitate the introduction of the latter into the feed.
It is evident that many features of our invention are capable of employment and
can be used in guns of different construction and mode of operation from the gun
shown in our drawings, neither do we limit ourselves to their use in such combination
alone, but-
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. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, and the
breech boit, of a reciprocating rod located within the receiver, means on the rod to
engage with the breech bolt, a coiled motor spring located within the receiver in a
longitudinal chamber substantially as described parallel and coilateral with the rod
having an abutment in the rear of said chamber and in continuous engagement with
said rod and means for withdrawing the rod against the stress of the spring,
substantially as described.
2. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver and the breech
bolt, of a reciprocating rod located within the receiver, means on the rod to engage
the breech bolt, a coiled motor spring located within the receiver in a longitudinal
chamber substantially as described parallel and collateral with the rod and abutting
against the rear of said chamber, an abutment on the rod for the forward end of
said spring, and a cocking device on said rod having a finger grip passing through
a slot in the bottom of the receiver, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, a reciprocating rod located within the receiver and means on the rod to
engage the breech bolt; of a coiled motor spring located within the receiver in a
chamber parallel with the rod and having a rear abutment therein, an abutment on
the rod in the path of the forward end of said spring, a detachable cocking device
between said abutment and spring and having a seat forming a bearing for the
forward end of said spring, whereby the cocking device is held in engagement with
the abutment, a finger grip on said cocking device, and a slot in the bottom of said
receiver through which said finger grip projects, substantially as described and for
the purpose stated.
4. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, a reciprocating rod located within the receiver and means on the rod to
engage the breech bolt, of a coiled motor spring located within the receiver in a
chamber parallel with the rod and having a removable rear abutment secured to the
receiver by a removable pin, an abutment on the rod in the path of the forward end
of said spring, a detachable cocking device between said abutment, and spring
having a cat forming a bearing for the forward end of said spring, whereby the
cocking device is held in engagement with said abutment, a finger grip on said
cocking device, and a slot of varying width in the bottom of said receiver, through
which said finger grip projects and through the rear part of which the cocking devic
may be dismounted, when the spring is withdrawn, substantially as described and fo
the purpose stated.
5. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the receiver A having th
finger grip slot A3 of unequal width, of the rod D having the recess d³ and th
tang D, the cocking device F. having the key, the hooks, the slot guides
the main-spring seat and the finger grip, the main spring E, the main sprin
rear abutment J secured to the receiver by the locking pin J and the finger gri
guard A, substantially as described and for the purpose stated.

page_text: 6. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, a reciprocating rod located in the receiver, means on the rod to
engage the breech bolt, and means for imparting a reciprocating movement to
the rod; of a sear on the rod, a trigger having upper rearward extending pivot
bearings and a front face curved concentric with said bearings mounted in a chainber
in the receiver having an upper rearward seat for said trigger bearings, a forward
curve concentric with said bearings, and a rearward and downward extension from
said bearings, and a trigger spring interposed between the rear of said trigger and
the receiver, substantially as described.
7. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the breech
bolt, a reciprocating rod located within the receiver, means on the rod to engage the
breech bolt, and a coiled motor spring located within a chamber in the receiver
parallel and in continuous engagement with the rod; of a sear on the rod, and a
trigger mounted in the receiver which registers with and engages with the sear in a
predetermined position of the rod, and having a central aperture through which
passes the main spring, substantially as described.
8. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, a reciprocating rod located within the receiver, means on the rod to
engage the breech bolt, and a coiled motor spring located within a chamber in the
receiver parallel and in continuous engagement with the rod; of a sear on the rod,
a trigger shaped and pivoted as described mounted in a chamber in the receiver
shaped as described and having a central aperture through which passes the main
spring, and a trigger spring interposed between the rear of said trigger and the
receiver, substantially as described and for the purpose stated.
9. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the receiver A having the
trigger recess D shaped as described; of the rod D having the guide groove D', the
removable sear G having the cocking notch G', bearings g and flattened axles g
seated in the recesses of the rod D, the trigger H shaped as described and
having the cocking lug H', the bearings h, the trigger spring seat and the trigger
finger piece h, the pistol grip I, hooking on the receiver, the trigger spring stud i on
the pistol grip, the trigger spring G2 between the trigger and the pistol grip, the main
spring rear abutment J' secured to the receiver by the locking pin J and holding
the pistol grip in place, and the main spring E passing through the aperture ' in the
trigger and located between the bearing D' on the rod D and the rear abutment J',
substantially as described.
10. In a breech loading gun, the combination of the receiver A having the finger
grip slot A of unequal width and the trigger recess D, the rod D having the trigger
guide groove De, the tang D' on the rod D, the removable sear G having the cocking
notch G' and seated in the rod D, the cocking device F engaging with the tang D' ou
the rod D and having the main spring seat as described, and having the finger
grip projecting through the slot A³, the trigger H having the cocking notch H',
j
the main spring aperture ', sear spring seat and trigger finger piece h, said trigger
seated in the recess D' as described, the pistol grip I hooking on to the receiver and
baving the trigger spring stud i, the trigger spring G2 between the trigger and the
pistol grip, the main spring rear abutment J secured to the receiver by the locking
pin J and holding the pistol grip in place, the main spring E passing through the
aperture in the trigger and located between the cocking device F and the rear
abutment J', and the finger grip guard A', substantially as described and for the
purpose stated.
11. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver open at
its rear and having the ears A10, the breech bolt, means for reciprocating the breech
bolt, and a trigger having a finger piece; of the pistol grip I having a slot through
which projects the trigger finger piece and which engages and closes the bottom of
the receiver, and the housing consisting of the shoulder piece J having the abutment J¹
which closes the rear of the receiver, the cover Js which engages and closes the top of
the receiver, and the shoulder piece proper J and the locking pin J' which secures
the housing to the receiver, substantially as described.

page_text: 12. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun breech and the breech
block, of an extractor having a bifurcated end which enters corresponding recesses
in the gun breech, substantially as described.
13. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun breech and the breech
block; of an extractor having a bifurcated end which enters corresponding recesses
in the gun breech, a seat in the breech block to receive the ejector, and means to
secure the ejector in its seat, substantially as described.
14. In a breech loading gun, the combination with 'the gun breech and the breech
block having the locking grooves 12 13 13, of the removable nose piece L² having the
firing pin passage, the cartridge lip and lug which enter corresponding 'seats
in the gun breech, and the lugs on its stem which engage the grooves in the
counter bore of the breech block, substantially as described.
15. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun breech, of the breech
block having the locking grooves 12 13 13, extractor seat 16 and extractor hook
seats 8, the removable nose piece L' having the firing pin passage, the cartridge.
lip and lug which enter corresponding seats in the gun breech, the extractor
seat and the lugs on its stem which engage the grooves in the counter
bore of the breech block, the bifurcated extractor N having the locking.hooks n' n'
which engage the hook seats 18 in the breech block, and the locking dog L³ pivoted
to the rear of the breech block and having the recess which registers with the end
of the extractor shank when the breech block is removed and the dog turned down,
substantially as described.
16. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver having a
cartridge feed box chamber and the breech bolt; of a detachable cartridge feed box,
cartridge feed mechanism contained therein, means on the feed box for engaging
with the feed box chamber in the receiver, means for securing the feed box to the
receiver, and means in the receiver to actuate the feed mechanism and the breech
bolt; substantially, as described.
17. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver having
a cartridge feed box chamber, a cartridge feed box containing feed mechanism, a
reciprocating rod located within the receiver, means on the rod to operate 'the' feed
mechanism in the feed box and means to reciprocate the rod, substantially as
described.
18. In a cartridge feed box having a rotating feed wheel mounted in the box, of a
ratchet attached to said feed wheel and a spring pawl such as described and shewn
mounted on the box which engages with said ratchet to prevent the rotation of the
feed wheel in one direction, substantially as described.
19. In a cartridge feed box having the guide table P slotted at p for the feed
wheel, the shaft P mounted in bearings in the box below the table and having the
collar, the sleeve mounted freely on the shaft and carrying the feed wheel P
and the cam pinion Pe which rotate with the sleeve; of the ratchet P8 on the cam
pinion P6, the pawl arm P' secured to the head of the shaft, the pawl secured to
the arm P. and engaging with the ratchet P8 on the cam pinion P, and the
spring P located between the shaft collar p" and bearings in the box, substantially
as described.
pawl
20. In a cartridge feed box, the combination of the shaft mounted 'therein and
having the neck p', the freely rotating sleeve mounted thereon and the feed wheel
and cam pinion, a ratchet on the sleeve and a pawl-arm carrying a pawl which
engages with the ratchet of the pawl arm having a bore on one side of the diamete
.of.the.neck of the shaft and on the other a concentric counter boré of the diameter o
the head of the shaft, and an entrance slot to said bore of the width of the neck
..of the shaft, substantially as described.
21. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver having
+a cartridge feed box chamber, a reciprocating rod located in the receiver and
..means for reciprocating the rod, of a cartridge feed box, means on the feed box for
engaging with the. feed box chamber in the receiver, a feed wheel and cam
pinion Pe mounted in the box, suitable connections between the feed wheel and the

page_text: cam pinion, a longitudinal and pointed cam Q on the rod which engages with
the cam pinion Pe in the course of the traverse of the rod to revolve and steady the-
pinion, and a deflecting cam Q on the rod which also engages the pinion to
revolve it, substantially as described and for the purpose stated.
22. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, of the receiver A
having a chamber in rear of the gun breech to receive a cartridge feed box, the
breech block L, the rod D located in the receiver and having the longitudinal
cam.Q pointed at each end and the deflecting cum Q1, means on the rod to engage
with the breech block, the main spring E located in the receiver in a chamber
parallel with the rod D and in perpetual engagement therewith, the feed box P
consisting of the slotted feed table P' having the guides p p which engage in
mortices p in the receiver chamber and the case P₁, the feed strip groove, ps,..
cartridge and head guides pl p17 and inclined guide p, the shaft P mounted in
bearings in the box having the collar pl and abutting in recesses in the receiver,.
the. sleeve mounted on the shaft and carrying the feed wheel P³, the pinion Pe
also mounted on the sleeve and projecting into the path of the cams Q and Qon
the rod, the ratchet P on the cam pinion P, the pawl arm P' carrying the pawl p
and secured to the head of the shaft P as described, the pawl spring P³ located
between the shaft collar and bearing in the case, the cartridge tongue A' and.
cartridge abutment A both located in the receiver above the feel table and means.
for withdrawing the rod D against the stress of the main spring, substantially as
described.
23. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, means to reciprocate the bolt and to operate a cartridge feeding device, of
a locking device adapted to be automatically actuated upon the exhaustion of the feed
strip to lock the bolt when open, and suitable engaging mechanism between the
breech bolt and the lock, substantially as described.
24. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, a reciprocating rod, a lug on the rod, means on the rod to engage the
breech bolt, and means to reciprocate the rod, of a cartridge feed box having a feedi
table slotted in the path of the feed strip, a shaft mounted in the box, a lever-
pivoted on the shaft consisting of an upper arm normally projecting through the
slot and a lower arm carrying a lug normally in engagement with the lug on the
rod, a spring interposed between the lower arm and the box which holds the lever
in its normal position, substantially as described.
25. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, and a removable feed box containing the cartridge strip feed mechanism ;
of a lock mounted in the feed box, and suitable engaging mechanisin between the
breech bolt and the lock to automatically lock the breech bolt upon the exhaustion
of the feed strip when the breech is open, substantially as described.
26. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the
breech bolt, the reciprocating rod, means on the rod to engage the breech bolt,
and means to reciprocate the rod; of a safety lock and means to bring said
safety lock into the path of the rod when the breech is closed, substantially as
described.
27. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, the receiver, the-
breech bolt, the reciprocating rod, means on the rod to engage the breech bolt,.
and means to reciprocate the rod; of a safety lock, and means to engage the safety
lock with the rod when the breech is opened, substantially as described.
28. In a breech loading gun of the class described, the combination with the.
receiver. A, having the recesses a a and the stops a' as, of the rod D having the-
locking recess and its under part cut away rearwards at do, and the safety
lock K mounted in the receiver in the path of the rod and consisting of the slotted
shaft K having the shaft stud k², the handle K, the button K³ and the stud k,
substantially as described.
29. In a breech loading gun in which the loading and firing mechanism is.
controlled by the expansive power of the gases developed during the combustion.

page_text: of the explosive, the method of regulating the rate of fire of the gun, which consists
in controlling the point in the expansion of the gas at which the exhaust is applied,
substantially as described.
30. In a breech loading gun in which the loading and firing mechanism is
controlled by the expansive power of the gares developed during the combustion
of the explosive, the combination with the gun and the gas chamber, having an
inlet port and an exhaust port, of means for varying the distance between the inlet
and exhaust ports of the cylinder, substantially as described.
31. In a breech loading gun in which the loading and firing mechanism is
controlled by the expansive power of the gases developed during the combustion of
the explosive, the combination with the gun and the gas chamber having an inlet
and exhaust port, of means for varying the distance between the inlet and exhaust
ports of the cylinder and for also varying the size of the exhaust port, substantially
as described.
32. In a breech loading gun in which the loading and firing mechanism is
controlled by the expansive power of the gases developed during the combustion of
the explosive, the combination with the cylinder having an exhaust port, of a valve
substantially as described.
33. In a breech loading gun in which the loading and firing mechanism is
controlled by the expansive power of the gases developed during the combustion of
the explosive, the combination with the cylinder having an inlet and exhaust port,
of the sleeve X mounted on the cylinder over the exhaust port, substantially as
described.
34. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun and the cartridge
feed mechanism, of a feed strip having a cam-shaped clip which both holds the
cartridge to the strip and guides it into the loading position, substantially as
described.
35. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun and cartridge feed
mechanism, of a receiver having a cartridge abutment in the feed chamber recess,
and a feed strip having a clip which both holds the cartridge to the strip and forms
a guide in conjunction with the cartridge abutment in the receiver to direct
the cartridge into the cartridge chamber in the gun barrel, substantially as
described.
36. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun, a cartridge feeding
device, a breech bolt, mechanism which operates both the feed mechanism and
the breech block, a lock which locks the operating mechanism when the breech is
open, of a feed strip which disengages said lock when inserted and frees it when
exhausted, substantially as described.
37. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun having a cartridge
feed mechanism as described, of a feed strip having a forward abutment which
throws said feed mechanism into engagement with said strip, substantially as
described.
38. The feed strip S adapted to engage the feed mechanism as described, and
having the abutment s', the longitudinal stiffening ribs s, the cam openings S, the
cartridge body clips ss2, the rounded bearing cartridge clip s³, the cartridge head
stop and the cut away portion se, substantially as described and for the purpose
stated.
39. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun barrel and a suitable
breech closing device, of the chamber in the barrel having a funnel shaped
extension B', substantially as described and for the purpose stated.
40. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun barrel a breech bolt,
a funnel shaped
and a fork headed extractor of a chamber in the barrel having
extension B recessed to receive the extractor, and the head of the breech bolt,
substantially as described.
41. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun barrel the breech
bolt and an extractor, of a chamber in the barrel having a funnel shaped extension B
provided with recesses to receive the extractor and bolt head and having ribs dividing

page_text: said recesses longitudinally which serve as guides for the bullets substantially as
described.
42. In a breech loading gun, the combination with the gun barrel the breech
bolt, and an extractor of a chamber in the barrel having a funnel shaped extension B
having recesses to receive the extractor and bolt head, said recesses being of less
width than the diameter of the point of the bullet, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
43. In a breech loading gun of the class described, the combination with the gun
harrel having the splines, the cylinder having the splines z, the collar having the
grooves, the receiver having the grooves and key-way and the wedge 8,
substantially as described.
Dated this Tenth day of March 1906
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents..