Improvements in Breech-loading Ordnance.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech-loading Ordnance.
I, ALFRED LONGSDON of 9 New Broad Street in the City of London Civil Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me from abroad
by the firm of Fried. Krupp of Essen in the Empire of Germany Cast Steel Manu-
facturers) to be as follows:-
This invention refers to improvements in breech-loading ordnance.
Firstly. To apparatus whereby the gun is cocked upon the opening of the breech.
Secondly. To means whereby safety from discharge is ensured so long as the breech
is not closed.
Thirdly. To the mode of and means described for holding the cocking lever by
means of the trigger plate.
Fourthly. To means for effecting the discharge either by pulling the firing bar, or
automatically upon the closing of the breech.
Fifthly. To the arrangement of the extracting mechanism whereby the same may be
readily withdrawn from the breech-block tube.
Sixthly. To a safety device whereby security is ensured against accidental dis-
charge.
The closing mechanism for the breech of ordnance herein referred to is of the type
known as the so called "Krupp horizontal breech block."
The breech block or wedge is hereinafter called the breech block. The cover or
locking plate is hereinafter called the cover plate and is situate at the end of the
breech block, being secured thereto by screws and forming a casing for containing
the actions hereinafter described. The breech block screw or breech locking device is
shouldered at one end and fits into and has a bearing in the block while at its
outer end it passes through and has a bearing in the cover and is provided with a
handle.
The cocking lever is fulcrummed about its centre in a recess formed in the breech
block and the left arm is formed with a nose which takes into a groove in a striker
which is provided with an expansile spring. The right arm of the cocking lever is
at its end formed with an inclined edge and the outer thread of the screw is formed
with an inclined notch whereby a partial revolution of the screw will move one end
of the cocking lever and cause the striker spring to become compressed.
The trigger or discharging plate, hereinafter called the trigger plate, is hinged to
the cover plate and there is a spring between the cover and the trigger plate which
presses the trigger plate inwards. The inner surface of the trigger plate has a pro-
jection which when the cocking lever is in the cocked position, enters a recess therein,
that is, enters between the projections of the cocking lever.
On the shaft or interior cylinder of the screw there is a partially circumferential
collar and when the screw receives a partial turn preparatory to opening the breech,
the collar is brought at the back of the hinged trigger plate which is thus fixed.
The trigger plate has an extension at right angles thereto and which projects
through the cover plate and there is an oval slot formed in the extension having its
major axis at an inclined angle with the side of the cover plate. Passing through
the oval slot there is a discharging bar which is jointed at its upper end by a pin to
the outside of the cover plate and the lower end is formed into a loop to which a cord
may be attached, so that on the bar being pulled backwards the said bar acts between
the inclined edge of the slot and the cover plate and draws the hinged trigger plate
with its projection from the cocking lever.
In an extension of the boss of the handle I provide means whereby the discharge

page_text: may be caused to take place simultaneously with the completion of the closing of the
breech. In the extension aforesaid and parallel with the axis of the screw I form a
dovetail groove into which I fit a slide and there is a thumb screw whereby the slide
may be fixed in any required position in the groove. On the inner end of the slide
nearest the cover plate there is an inclined tooth which when the slide is projected
until its end nearly touches the cover and is fixed by the thumb screw, the tooth will
on a partial rotation of the handle be brought against a projecting part on the plate
extension and cause the piece of ordnance to be discharged.
The safety appliance consists of a shaft which passes through the cover plate and
in the interior carries a half cylindrical head. Upon the front of the trigger plate
there is a projection and when the head is turned the trigger plate can be moved
backwards and the gun discharged but when in position the trigger plate cannot move
and therefore the gun cannot be discharged. The outer end of the shaft which
projects through the cover plate is formed square and fitted with a lever and handle
and the lever is retained in position by a spring which is screwed to the outside of
the cover plate.
The extractor is so constructed that it may be taken out of the breech without the
aid of special appliances and for this purpose slides are provided which are located in
dovetail grooves on both the upper and under surfaces of the breech block, and can
slide towards the cover and these slides are secured in position by a pin inserted
vertically from above. Upon the backward and forward movements of the breech
block the noses of the extractor move along the slides and the extractor is thus
securely retained in its position in the gun.
When it is wished to remove the extractor the breech block is opened and drawn so
far out of the breech that the catches touch the noses of the extractor. The operator
then draws out the pin pushes the upper and lower slides against the cover and presses
the extractor against the front of the breech block.
The extractor then enters with its noses in the spaces produced by the withdrawal
of the slides in the block and allows the whole extractor with its bulged part to pass
out of the gun, and the breech block with the extractor, can be drawn out of the breech
and the extractor lifted off the block.
The action of the mechanism is as follows: Supposing the piece of ordnance to have
been discharged the breech is then to be opened. To effect this the operator turns the
handle towards the left, the inclined notch in the thread of the screw will act on and
force forward one end of the cocking lever and cause the nose to press on and force
down the striker compressing its spring while the projection will force back and pass
behind the other projection on the trigger plate and the spring will then return the
trigger plate and hold the striker in its back position.
During the revolution of the handle after one projection has passed behind the
other the partially circumferential collar of the screw comes into position behind the end
of the trigger plate and prevents accidental discharge so long as the breech is open.
The breech block now can be withdrawn from the slot in the gun and as mentioned
before upon the backward movement of the block the noses of the extractor move
along the slides. At the end of the backward movement of the block the catches
strike against the noses, the extractor turns on its pivot and the two arms of the
extractor lying under the projecting rim of the cartridge case pull and throw the
latter out of the gun tube.
The breech block can now be drawn out of the hole. A new cartridge is inserted
in the gun, the block is pushed forward and the handle turned half a revolution to
the right.
By turning the handle in this way the partial threads of the breech block screw
engage in the recesses formed for their reception in the rear face of the breech slot in
the gun and the collar of the screw is removed from its position behind the end of the
trigger plate.
The gun can now be fired provided that the safety device is in position i.e. so as not
to stop any motion of the trigger plate. For firing the gun, the firing bar is pulled
backwards by a cord or otherwise and the trigger plate will be swung on its pivot, the

page_text: projection will leave the lever free and the expansile force of the spring will cause
the striker to go forwards and discharge the cartridge.
It is sometimes desirable especially in cases where rapidity of firing is essential that
the charge should be fired as soon as the breech block is closed.
To effect the discharge in this manner the handle is turned a little round towards
the left and the gunner or operator draws the slide so far out of the groove that its
nose strikes or comes near to the cover plate and he then fixes the said slide in position
by means of the thumb screw.
When thus set if the gunner thereupon turns the handle round towards the right
that is to say, if he closes the breech after pushing home the block the nose of the
slide will come before the nose of the trigger plate and will press the latter away from
the cover and consequently the projection from the nose of the cocking lever, and the
discharge will take place.
If the gun after the closing of the breech shall remain secured against firing the
handle must be turned to the left so that the safety device is in the required
position.
Dated this with of a 1000
BREWER & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Breech-loading Ordnance.
I, ALFRED LONGSDON of 9 New Broad Street in the City of London Civil Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me from abroad
by the firm of Fried. Krupp of Essen in the Empire of Germany, Cast Steel Manu-
facturer) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention refers to improvements in breech loading ordnance.
Firstly. To apparatus whereby the gun is cocked upon the opening of the breech.
Secondly. To means whereby safety from discharge is ensured so long as the breech
is not closed.
Thirdly. To the mode of and means described for holding the cocking lever by
means of the trigger plate.
Fourthly. To means for effecting the discharge either by pulling the firing bar or
automatically upon the closing of the breech.
Fifthly. To the arrangement of the extracting mechanism whereby the same may
be readily withdrawn from the breech block tube.
Sixthly. To a safety device whereby security is ensured against accidental dis-
charge.
The invention will be best understood by describing same with reference to the
accompanying drawings which represent so much of a breech loading piece of
ordnance, with the before mentioned arrangements applied thereto as will be necessary
to explain the invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the breech end of a piece of ordnance constructed
according to this invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation showing the breech block in position.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken centrally through the breech block
and breech.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section also taken centrally and partially through the breech
block.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of a part of the breech block as shown at Figure 4
illustrating the parts when in position after the discharge of the piece of ordnance.
Figure 5 is a section through the line x. y of Figure 5 showing the connection
between the cocking lever and the breech block screw.
Figure 6 shows in section transversely of Figure 1 the safety device detached.

page_text: Figure 7 is a detached diagram view, taken parallel to Figure 1 showing the con-
nection of the breech block screw, the discharge trigger and the safety device.
Figure 8 is a section through line ¹y of Figure 4, and Figure 9 shows in vertical
section and plan, a portion of the breech block with the pin p.
The closing mechanism for the breech of ordnance herein referred to is of the type
known as the so called "Krupp" horizontal breech block.
A is the breech block or wedge hereinafter called breech block; B is a cover or
locking plate hereinafter called the cover plate situate at the end of the breech block A,
being secured thereto by screws and forming a casing for containing the actions
'hereinafter described. is the breech block screw or breech locking device, it being
shouldered at one end and fitting into and having a bearing in the block A while at
its quter end it passes through and has a bearing in the cover B and is provided with
a handle D.
H is a cocking lever fulcrummed about its centre in a recess formed in the breech
block A and the left arm is formed with a nose e which takes into a groove in a
striker F which is provided with an expansile spring G.
The right arm of the cocking lever H is at its end formed with an inclined edge
see Figure 5ª and the outer thread a of the screw C is formed with an inclined notch
whereby a partial revolution of the screw will move one end of the lever H and
cause the striker spring G to become compressed.
J is a trigger or discharging plate hereinafter called the trigger plate hinged at h
to the cover plate B and there is a spring K between the cover and the trigger plate
which presses the plate J inwards. The inner surface of the plate J has a projection g
which when the cocking lever H is in the cocked position as at Figure 4 enters
a recess therein, that is, enters between the projections and d of the cocking
lever.
On the shaft or interior cylinder of the screw (there is a partially circumferential
collar b, Figures 1, 4 and 7, and when the screw receives a partial turn preparatory to
opening the breech, the collar is brought at the back of the hinged plate J which
is thus fixed.
The plate J has an extension J' at right angles thereto and which projects through
the cover plate B see Figures 1 and 4 and there is an oval slot formed in the
extension having it major axis at an inclined angle with the side of the cover
plate B. Passing through the oval slot there is a discharging bark which is jointed
at its upper end by a pin to the outside of the cover plate B and the lower end is
formed into a loop to which a cord may be attached, so that on the bark being pulled
backwards the said bark acts between the inclined edge of the slot and the cover
plate B and draws the plate J with its projection g from the cocking lever.
In an extension of the boss of the handle D I provide means whereby the discharge
may be caused to take place simultaneously with the completion of the closing of the
breech. In the extension aforesaid and parallel with the axis of the screw C 1 form
a dovetail groove into which I fit a slide 1; m is a thumb screw whereby the slide /
may be fixed in any required position in the groove. On the inner end of the slide
nearest the cover plate B there is an inclined tooth n which when the slide is pro-
jected until its end nearly touches the cover B and is fixed by the thumb screw, the
tooth n will on a partial rotation of the handle D be brought against a projecting
part on the plate extension J and cause the piece of ordnance to be discharged.
i
The safety appliance Figures 1, 6 and 7 consists of a shaft Figure 6, which passes
through the cover plate B and in the interior carries a half cylindrical head t*. Upon
the front of the trigger plate J there is a projection Figure 7 and when the head tx is
turned as shown in the left hand view Figure 6 and also Figure 7 the plate J can be
moved backwards and the gun discharged but when in position as shown on the right
hand position of Figure 6 the trigger plate J cannot move and therefore the gun
cannot be discharged. The outer end of the shaft r which projects through the cover
plate B is formed square and fitted with a levert and handle t' and the lever is
retained in position by a spring u Fig. 1 which is screwed to the outside of the cover
plate B.

page_text: The extractor is so constructed that it may be taken out of the breech without the
aid of special appliances, and for this purpose slides q are provided which are located
in dovetail grooves on both the upper and under surfaces of the breech block and can
slide towards the cover and these slides are secured in position by a pin p inserted
vertically from above, Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9.
Upon the backward and forward movements of the breech block the noses ss of the
extractor move along the slides qq and the extractor is thus securely retained in its
position in the gun.
When it is wished to remove the extractor the breech block is opened and drawn so
far out of the breech that the catches w, w touch the noses s s of the extractor. The
operator then draws out the pin p pushes the upper and lower slides against the cover B
and presses the extractor against the front of the breech block.
The extractor then enters with its noses s s in the spaces produced by the with-
drawal of the slides in the block and allows the whole extractor with its bulged part o
to pass out of the gun and the breech block with the extractor can be drawn out of the
breech and the extractor lifted off the block.
The action of the mechanism is as follows:-Supposing the piece of ordnance to
have been discharged the breech is then to be opened. To effect this the operator
turns the handle D towards the left and the cocking mechanism being in the position
shown at Figures 5 and 5* the inclined notch in the thread a of the screw C will act
on and force forward the end d of the cocking lover H and cause the nose e to press
on and force down the striker F compressing the spring G while the projection f will
force back and pass behind the projection 9 on the trigger plate J and the spring K
will then return the trigger plate to the position shown at Figure 4 and the striker Fis
held in its back position.
9
During the revolution of the handle D after the projection has passed behind the
projection the partially circumferential collar b of the screw (comes into position
behind the end c of the trigger plate J and prevents accidental discharge so long as
the breech is open.
The breech block now can be withdrawn from the slot in the gun and as mentioned
before, upon the backward movement of the block the noses ss of the extractor move
along the slides q q. At the end of the backward movement of the block the
catches w, w strike against the noses s the extractor turns on its pivot or bulged
part o and the two arins of the extractor lying under the projecting rim of the cartridge
case puli and throw the latter out of the gun tube.
The breech block can now be drawn out of the hole. A new cartridge is inserted
in the gun, the block pushed forward and the handle D turned half a revolution to
the right.
By turning the handle in this way the partial threads of the breech block screw ()
engage in the recesses formed for their reception in the rear face of the breech slot
in the gun and the collar B of the screw Cis removed from its position behind the
end e of the trigger plate J.
The gun can now be fired provided that the safety device is in the position shown
in the left hand view Figure 6-i.e. so as not to stop any motion of the trigger plate.
For firing the gun the firing bark is then pulled backwards by a cord or otherwise
and the trigger plate J will be swung on its pivot h the projection g will leave the
lever H free and the expansile force of the spring G will cause the striker to go
for wards and discharge the cartridge and the parts will again be in the position shown
at Figures 5 and 5" It is sometimes desirable especially in cases where rapidity
of firing is essential that the charge should be fired as soon as the breech block
is closed.
To effect the discharge in this manner the handle D is turned a little round
towards the left and the gunner or operator draws the slide 7 so far out of the groove
that its nose strikes or comes near to the cover plate B and he then fixes the said slide
in position by means of the thumb screw m. When thus set if the gunner thereupon
turns the handle round towards the right that is to say if he closes the breech alter
pushing home the block the nose n of the slide will come before the nose of the

page_text: trigger plate J¹ and presses the latter away from the cover B and consequently
the projection g from the nose f of the cocking lever and the discharge will take
place.
If the gun after the closing of the breech shall remain secured against firing the
handle Figures 1 and 6 (left) must be turned to the left so that the safety device is
in the position Figure 6 (right).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim
as the aforesaid improvements in breech loading ordnance is :-
:
First The mode and means described for cocking the gun by the opening of the
breech block through the revolution of the screw or locking device C acting on the
cocking lever H in combination with the trigger plate J and parts connected there-
with all substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
:
Second The mode and means described for locking the striker by the collar of
the screw C coming behind the end c of the trigger plate J whereby accidental or other
discharge is prevented so long as the breech is open all substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Third: The mode and means described for holding the cocking lever H by the
trigger plate J in combination with the firing mechanism composed of the extension
plate Jand the firing bar arranged and acting substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fourth: The mode and means described and shown for effecting the discharge of
the piece of ordnance by the action of the handle D immediately the breech is closed
substantially as set forth.
Fifth The combination with the locking handle D of the slide and thumb
screw m the nose n together with the trigger plate extension J', the projection i and
parts operated thereby all substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Sixth The safety device shown at Figures 1, 6 and 7 constructed and acting
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
Seventh The extractor mechanism constructed substantially as and for purposes set
forth.
Eighth The extractor mechanism composed of slides 7 9 upon the upper and
under block surface whereby the shifting of the slides enables the breech block with
the extractor to be removed from or inserted in the wedge tube of the piece of
ordnance all substantially as herein before described and illustrated with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Ninth The general arrangement and combination of parts of breech loading
mechanism in the so called "Krupp" horizontal closure for breech loading ordnance
as adapted for the use of metal cartridges all substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of August 1890.
Dated this 12th day of August 1890.
A. LONGSDON.
By Brewer & Son,
33, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.