Improvements in Martini Firearms.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Martini Firearms.
I, FREDERIC GREENER, St. Mary's Row, Birmingham, Gunmaker, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My inventions relate to Martini firearms of the ordinary pattern, also to Martini
Francotte or similar firearms, in which patterns the action in its entirety is detach-
able from the shoe or body. My first improvement is in the safety bolt. In the
drawings hereto-annexed; A is my safety bolt, pivotted immediately behind the
rear arm of the tumbler B. It is cut half through to allow the rear arm of
the tumbler to rise when the lever A' is vertical (Fig. I). When the lever A¹ is
inclined, (Fig. II), the rear arm of the tumbler is prevented from rising by the
round part of the safety bolt A. Fig. II shows the tumbler at cock and the safety
on. Fig. I shows the position of the tumbler when the rifle is fired and the safety
off.
The safety bolt is kept in position by means of the small stud C, a slot being
cut in the lever A¹ to allow the necessary movement.
It will be noticed that the safety cannot be put on again till the tumbler is put
into cock.
My second improvement relates to the body or shoe, and is applicable only to
the Martini Francotte or similar system, in which the action is detachable. It
consists of cutting away the shoe at the back of the action, as shown in Fig. 4,
or boring a hole through back of the shoe, in a line with, and in the direction
of the barrel, Fig. 3. The object of this is to enable a person to look through the
barrel when the action is removed. Figures 3 & 4 are sections on the line Y Z
(Fig. 1)..
My third improvements consists of an indicator to show if the arm is in cock
or not; the said indicator to protrude through the top of the block D. I accom-
plish this in two ways.
Firstly By means of a straight piece of steel dovetailed, or otherwise firmly
fixed at one end on to the tumbler spindle, so that it follows each motion of the
tumbler. The other end protrudes through a slot in the block and shows above
the shoe when this tumbler is at cock. E is this indicator. Fig. 2 shows the
tumbler at cock, and the indicator standing above the shoe D¹. Fig. 1 shows the
tumbler released and the indicator down nearly flush with the top of the shoe.
Secondly: By fixing a crank onto the square of the tumbler spindle on which is
pivoted a steel rod which protrudes through a slot in the block D. F is the crank
shown behind the tumber B and G is the rod or indicator. (Figures 1 & 2.)
Fig. 1 shows the tumbler down and the indicator out of sight. Fig. 2 shows the .
tumbler at cock and the indicator showing above the shoe.
It will be seen that these indicators being fixed in each case to the spindle of
the tumbler, follow each of its movements falling & rising.
Dated this 8th day of November 1897.

page_text: Improvements in Martini Firearms,
I, FREDERIC GREENER, St. Mary's Row, Birmingham, Gunmaker, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My inventions; which relate to Martini firearms, of the ordinary pattern, and
also to Martini firearms of the Martini-Francotte pattern, or similar pattern fire-
arm, in which the action in its entirety is detachable from the shoe or body;
are designed to make improvements, firstly in the safety bolt, secondly to the shoe
or body, and, thirdly to the indicator which shows the user when the arm is at
cock.
In the drawings left with my Provisional Specification A is my safety bolt,
pivotted immediately behind the rear arm of the tumbler B, It is cut half
through, the section of the safety spindle presenting the form D, to allow the
rear arm of the tumbler to rise, when the lever A of the tumbler spindle, is
vertical (Fig. 1). When the lever A is inclined (Fig. II) the rear arm of the
tumbler is prevented from rising by the round side of the safety bolt A, and the
gun cannot be fired. Fig. II shows the tumbler at cock and the safety on.
shows the position of the tumbler, when the rifle is fired and safety off.
Fig. I
The safety bolt is kept in position by means of a small stud C, a small groove
or slot being cut in the lever A of the safety, allowing it to move in the arc of
a circle, the required distance in the manner shown in the drawings attached to
the Provisional Specifications. The advantages of this system are that the safety
can be made in one piece, and without a spring the screw C keeping it in its place.
It will also be noticed that the safety cannot be. put on again, when once the
tumbler has fallen, until the arm is put into cock again.
My second improvement consists of cutting away the shoe at the back of the
action as shown in Figure 4, or boring a hole in the back of the shoe, in a line
with, and in the direction of the barrel; Fig. 3.
The object of this is to enable anyone to look through the barrel, when the
action is removed. Figures 3 and 4 are sections on the line Y Z, (Fig. I,) showing
these forms. The action when in its place acts as a gascheck, and prevents any
possibility of escape through the said hole or groove. This hole may be left open
or fitted with a detachable shutter.
My third improvement consists of an indicator to
show, when the gun is at
cock; this indicator protrudes through the top of the block D. This I do by two
distinct methods.
;
Firstly I dovetail or otherwise firmly fix, at one end of the tumbler spindle,
a thin piece of steel, which follows each motion of the tumbler; this piece of steel
protrudes through a slot, conveniently cut in the block of the gun, and shows
above the shoe when the tumbler is at cock. The indicator works smoothly
between the block, and the wall of the shoe. In the drawings attached to my
Provisional Specification, E is the indicator, Fig. 2 shows tumbler at cock, and the
indicator standing above the shoe D'. Fig. I shows the tumbler released and the
indicator down out of sight behind the shoe.
My second method of putting an indicator on a gun or rifle of this pattern,
consists of fixing a crank on to the square of the tumbler spindle on which I pivot.
a steel rod which protrudes through a slot cut in the block D.
+
F is the crank shown behind the tumbler B, and G is the rod or indicator
(Figures I and 2). Fig. I shows the tumbler down and the indicator out of sight.
Fig. 2 shows the tumbler at cock and the indicator above the shoe.

page_text: It will be seen that these indicators being fixed, in each case, to the spindle of
the tumbler follow its movements in each direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
Firstly A tumbler bolting safety, which may be made in one piece, without a
spring, kept in position by a slot in the form of an arc of a circle, and with which
you cannot bolt the tumbler except when the arm is at cock.
Secondly: A hole or groove, at the rear of the shoe, which may be left open or
fitted with a detachable shutter, allowing a clear view through the barrel when the
action is removed. This claim is made in conjunction with arms of the Martini-
Francotte, pattern, or any similar pattern in which the action is detachable, and
which when in its place prevents any escape of gas through the said hole or groove.
Thirdly: An indicator to shew when the arm is at cock, directly fixed on to
the spindle or axis of the tumbler, or pivoted on to a separate crank attached to the
said spindle, as heretofore described; and set forth in the drawings attached to my
Provisional Specification.
-
Dated thin
dow of At 1000