Improvements in Magazine Fire-arms.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLEIN DE PLETO
[Communicated from abroad by THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, of
New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.]
Improvements in Magazine Fire-arms.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification, and in which :-
Figure 1, represents a side view of the arın, the stock and forward portions broken
away for convenience of illustration.
Figure 2, top view of the same.
Figure 3, a longitudinal section showing side view of the breech-piece and
carrier.
Figure 3ª, detached sectional view showing side view of the dog to illustrate its
engagement and disengagement with the sliding bar.
Figure 4, the same as Fig. 3, showing the breech-piece closed, but the carrier
dropped from the interlocking position.
Figure 5, longitudinal section cutting through the carrier, showing side view of
the lock mechanism and of the breech-piece, and the breech-piece as approaching its
extreme rear position.
Figure 6, side view representing the parts in the same position as in Figure 4,
showing a side view of the carrier.
Figure 7, the same as Figure 6, showing the breech-piece in its extreme rear
position and the carrier in its down position to receive a cartridge from the
magazine.
Figure 8, transverse section on line x-x of Figure 3.
This invention relates to an improvement in that class of magazine fire-arms in
which the breech-piece is arranged to move longitudinally backward and forward in
opening and closing the breech-piece, and in which the carrier is arranged below the
breech-piece, adapted to rise and fall to take a cartridge from the magazine, present
it forward of the front face of the open breech-piece, so that forward movement of
the breech-piece will force the cartridge from the carrier into the barrel, and the
carrier return for a second cartridge.
In the more general construction of this class of arms, the breech-piece is locked
by mechanism independent of the carrier.
The object of this invention is to adapt the carrier to serve also as the locking
device to hold the breech-piece against recoil, and the invention consists, principally,
in combining with a longitudinally movable breech-piece, a carrier arranged below
the breech-piece and so as to move up and down in the receiver, adapted in its down
position to receive a cartridge from the magazine, and in its up position to engage a
shoulder on the breech-piece, as a brace to resist recoil, and the intermediate position of
the carrier being such, that the cartridge which the carrier shall receive from the
magazine will be presented forward of the open breech-piece, so that the next forward
movement of the breech-piece will force the cartridge from the carrier into the
barrel, and as more fully hereinafter described.
A, represents the receiver, to the forward end of which the barrel B, is secured,
and below the barrel is the magazine C, both arranged to open into the receiver
at the rear, the magazine provided with the usual magazine spring, not shown,
operating to successively force the cartridges in the magazine rearward when free
so to do.

page_text: The receiver is constructed with a side opening, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, for the
escape of the exploded shells, or cartridge if it be not exploded.
D, represents the breech-piece, which is arranged in the receiver to slide longi-
tudinally backward. and forward, so as to close the breech in, its forward position, and
in the rear position to open the breech for the insertion of a fresh cartridge, as usual
in this class of arms.
The breech-piece is guided, in the receiver by means of ribs E E, on opposite
sides of the breech-piece, working in corresponding longitudinal grooves in the
receiver as seen in Fig. 8. F; represents the carrier, which, as illustrated, is hung
upon a pivot G, at the rear, and so as to swing up and down in the receiver, and
beneath the breech-piece, as from the closed position seen in Fig. 3, to the wide open
position, seen in Fig. 7, and return. The breech-piece is constructed with a
shoulder H, upon its under side, and near its forward end, and the forward end of
the carrier is constructed with a corresponding surface I, adapted to bear against the
shoulder H, of the breech-piece, when the parts are in the normal or closed position,
as seen in Fig. 3, the bearing points thus formed between the breech-piece and the
carrier are substantially in line with the pivot on which the carrier is hung, and so
that the carrier forms a strong locking brace against the breech-piece when in its
closed position, and so as to resist recoil.
To unlock the breech-piece so that it may be opened, the carrier is forced down-
ward from its breech-supporting position, so far that the shoulder of the breech-piece
may escape and pass over the carrier, when the rear movement of the breech-piece
may be made, and as the breech-piece is again brought to the closed position, the
carrier is returned.
The best mechanism for operating the carrier and breech-piece, is by means of a
handle J, arranged forward of the receiver, and so as to slide longitudinally, the
handle being provided with a bar K. extending longitudinally rearward through the
forward end of the receiver, and working in a groove upon the inside of the receiver,
as seen in Fig. 8.
The carrier F, is constructed with a groove L, on its side next the bar K, as seen
in Figs. 6 and 7; this groove L, is substantially parallel with the plane of the upper
side of the carrier, and at its forward end is curved downward, as at M, Figs. 6 and 7,
and at its rear end the groove has an upward turn N, as also seen in the same figures.
The bar K, is provided with a stud O, which works in the said groove, and so that in
the longitudinal movement of the carrier, the said stud will work from end to end of
this. groove, and impart a movement to the carrier corresponding to the shape of the
groove.
As represented in Fig. 3, the carrier is in the up or locked position, and in which
position the stud O, of the bar K, stands in the lower end of the downwardly curved
portion M, of the groove in the carrier, which serves to hold the carrier in the up or
locking position; now if the bar K, be moved rearward, the stud O, acts upon that
curved portion M, of the groove in the carrier, as a cam, and operates to force the
carrier down to the position seen in Fig. 4, and also seen in broken lines Fig. 7; this
brings the stud O, into the straight portion of the groove L, and at this time the
carrier is dropped so far below the breech-piece as to permit the breech-piece to
escape the carrier, and the groove L, then stands in a direct longitudinal, position,
that is, substantially parallel, with the path, of movement of the breech-piece, and as
seen in Figs. 4 and 5.
The bar K continuing, its. rear, movement,, the stud,O reaches the upturned portion N,
of the groove, when the carrier practically escapes the control of the bar K, and at
this point, the shoulder H, of the breech-piece will strike a, corresponding, point on
the carrier, as seen in Fig. 7, and force the carrier to its down, position, the upturned
portion N, of the groove dropping onto the stud 0; this brings the carrier to its
extreme down position, as seen in Fig. 7, where it is adapted to receive a cartridge
from the magazine.
Immediately after the carrier has escaped from its locking of, the breech-piece, the
breech-piece is forced rearward, and so that it may throw the carrier down, as before

page_text: described, and so that the cartridge may pass from the magazine onto the carrier, and
forward of the breech piece. Now the forward movement of the bar K, commences,
and during the first part of such movement the stud O acts in the upturned portion N,
of the carrier groove as a cam, and forces the carrier from the extreme down position
of Figure 7, into the level or intermediate position seen in Fig. 6, the stud O, being
represented in broken lines as just entering the rear end of the straight portion of
the groove in the carrier; this movement will bring the cartridge into a position
forward of the front face of the breech-piece, then the forward movement of the
breech-piece commences moving with the bar K, and the stud O travels through the
straight part of the groove L, as the breech-piece moves forward, so that the carrier
rests, while the breech-piece is so moving forward, and until the breech-piece has
reached its extreme forward or closed position, as seen in Fig. 4, then the stud O,
passes into the downwardly curved portion M, of the groove, and operates therein as
a cam to raise the carrier into the locking position, as seen in Fig. 3.
To operate the breech-piece, a vertically swinging-dog P, is hung to the breech-
piece, upon a pivot R, see Fig. 7, and 3"; this dog works in the same plane as the
bar K; the rear end of the bar K, is constructed with a nose S, upon its upper side,
which normally stands below the dog, and near its pivot, as seen in Fig. 3. The dog
is now in the raised position, as seen in Fig. 3ª, it working beneath a longitudinal
rib T, in the side of the receiver, the rib having a recess U at its forward end, into
which the dog may rise and stand, as seen in Fig. 3ª when the breech-piece is in the
closed position. As the bar K, is forced rearward to produce the first downward or
unlocking movement of the carrier, it moves rearward from the position seen in
broken lines Fig. 3ª to that shown in full lines same figure, without engagement with
the dog, and when the bar K, has reached this position, the carrier has been thrown
down out of engagement with the breech-piece; at this point the dog is constructed
with a notch V, corresponding to the nose S, of the bar K, and so that the dog may
then drop upon the bar, and so as to escape the recess U in the rib T. The nose W,
of the dog stands in rear of the rear end of the bar K, and so as to now be engaged
by that rear end, as seen in Fig. 3"; from this point the rear movement of the bar K,
will, because of its connection with the dog P, cause the breech-piece to move rear-
ward with it, to the extreme open position, the rib T, serving to hold the dog and
bar in engagement through such rear movement, and this engagement of the dog and
bar continues until on the return of the bar K, tbe breech-piece reaches its fully
closed position, and the dog arrives at the recess U in the rib, so that it may escape
from its engagement with the bar K, and permit the completing of the forward
movement of the bar K, to bring the carrier into the locking position, as before
described.
The breech-piece is provided with the usual firing-pin, as represented in broken
lines Fig. 7, which may be struck by the hammer, arranged in the usual manner for
this class of fire-arms, but it is preferred to arrange the lock mechanism in the carrier
itself. This arrangement of the lock mechanism is represented in Figs. 4 and 5. The
carrier is constructed with a vertical longitudinal recess a, forming a lock chamber,
the hammer b, is hung in this recess, upon a transverse pivot c, and so that when the
carrier is in the locking position, as seen in Fig. 4, the nose of the hammer may
strike the firing-pin, and stand in rear of the breech-piece.
In the recess a, of the carrier, the main-spring d, is arranged to operate upon the
hammer, in the usual manner of operating main-springs in other constructions
of locks.
The sear e, is also hung in the carrier, upon a transverse pivot f, and adapted to
engage a locking notch g, on the hammer, in the usual manner, as seen in Fig. 5, the
trigger h, is hung in the receiver, upon a pivot i, below the carrier.
The unlocking movement of the carrier, as seen in Fig. 1, leaves the hammer
still against the rear end of the breech-piece, and so that as the breech-piece is
moved rearward, it operates against the face of the hammer, forcing the hammer
rearward into its cocked position, as from the position in Fig. 4, to that seen in
Fig. 5, where the hammer will be engaged by the sear e, as seen in Fig. 5. Then

page_text: as the breech-piece returns, and the carrier is brought to the locked position, the
hammer remains in the cocked position, from which it may be disengaged by the
usual pull of the trigger, or the hammer may be operated by hand for release or
cocking, as usual in locks of this class.
The breech-piece is provided with the usual cartridge retractor, not necessary to be
particularly described, the extracting devices being arranged with reference to the
position of the discharge opening through the receiver, in the usual manner for
arranging such extracting devices. This opening may be a side opening as shown,
or any of the usual constructions.
a
While preferring the longitudinal sliding handle and its connecting bar as
means for operating the breech-piece and carrier, it will be understood that any
of the known mechanisms for operating the breech-piece and carrier may be
substituted therefor.
The advantages of arranging the lock mechanism in the carrier, whereby the simple
removal of the carrier will take the entire lock mechanism from the arm, are too
apparent to require to be particularly set forth.
The magazine is charged, when the parts are in the closed or normal position,
through the under side of the receiver, and the receiver is provided with a spring-
latch n, Fig. 8, to engage the rear end of the cartridges as they are successively
passed into the magazine, a common arrangement, not necessary to be particularly
described.
The under side of the carrier is recessed, as seen in Fig. 8, so as to form a chute
to properly conduct the cartridges into the magazine.
Other known forms of carrier may be substituted for that shown, the essential
feature of the carrier being that it shall first receive an unlocking movement to
disengage the breech-piece, and that in rising after it has received the cartridge
from the magazine, it shall come to a position to present the cartridge in line
with the barrel, and after the forward movement of the breech-piece has transferred
the cartridge from the carrier, the carrier will receive a final upward breech-locking
movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
---
First. In a magazine fire-arm in which the magazine is arranged beneath the
barrel, and both the barrel and magazine open into the receiver at the rear, the com-
bination therewith of a longitudinally movable breech-piece, a carrier arranged below
the breech-piece, the breech-piece constructed with a shoulder, and the carrier with
a corresponding bearing surface, with mechanism substantially such as described to
impart to the carrier an up and down movement, and so as to bring the said bearing
surface of the carrier against the said shoulder of the breech-piece when the
breech-piece is in its forward or closed position.
Second. In a magazine fire-arm in which the magazine is arranged below the
barrel, and both barrel and magazine opening into the receiver at the rear, the com-
bination therewith of a longitudinally movable breech-piece, a carrier hung at the rear,
and extending forward below the breech-piece so as to swing in a vertical plane, the
breech-piece constructed with a shoulder, and the carrier with a corresponding bearing
surface adapted to engage said shoulder on the breech-piece when the breech-piece is in
the closed position, mechanism substantially such as described, to impart a downward
swinging movement to the carrier to disengage the breech-piece, and then force the
breech-piece to its rear position and bring the carrier to its extreme down position
to receive a cartridge from the magazine, the said mechanism operating to return
the carrier to a position below the path of the breech-piece to bring the cartridge
thereon into line with the barrel forward of the front face of the breech-piece and
there rest while the breech-piece moves forward to force the cartridge into the
barrel, and finally to raise the carrier into the locking position after the breech-
piece shall have reached its extreme forward position, substantially as described.

page_text: Third. In a magazine fire-arm substantially such as described, the combination
therewith of a longitudinally movable breech-piece D, a dog P, hung to said breech-
piece and so as to swing in a vertical plane, the receiver constructed with a rib T,
beneath which said dog may move in the forward and back travel of the breech-
piece, the said rib constructed with a recess U, corresponding to the extreme forward
position of said dog, a carrier F, hung at the rear below the breech-piece, and so as
to swing in a vertical plane, the carrier constructed with a longitudinal groove L, on
its side, curved downward at the forward end, and turned upward at the rear end,
the breech-piece constructed with a shoulder and the carrier with a corresponding
surface adapted to engage said shoulder of the breech-piece when the breech-piece
is in the said forward position, a longitudinally sliding bar K, working through the
forward end of the receiver, and provided with a handle forward of the receiver,
the said bar provided with a stud adapted to work in said groove, and also adapted
to engage said dog after the carrier shall have been forced out of its locking position,
and so as to impart rear and forward movement to the breech-piece and disengaged
from said dog when in the forward movement the breech-piece reaches its closed.
position, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a magazine fire-arm substantially such as described, the combination of
a longitudinally movable breech-piece, a carrier hung at the rear below the breech-
piece and so as to swing in a vertical plane, the carrier constructed with a longi-
tudinal groove in its side, the said groove turned downward at its forward end and
upward at its rear end, the breech-piece constructed with a shoulder and the carrier
with a corresponding bearing-surface adapted to engage said shoulder on the breech-
piece when the carrier is in the closed position, a longitudinally sliding bar
working through the forward end of the receiver, and provided with a handle
forward of the receiver, the bar also provided with a stud adapted to work
in said groove of the carrier, and mechanism substantially such as described
between the breech-piece and the said bar, whereby the said bar will engage the
breech-piece when the carrier has been dropped to unlock the breech-piece and to
escape from the connection with the breech-piece when the breech-piece has reached
its extreme forward position, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a magazine fire-arm substantially such as described, the combination of
a longitudinally movable breech-piece, a carrier hung below the breech-piece and so
as to swing in a vertical plane, the carrier constructed with a recess forming a lock
chamber, with the hammer and lock mechanism arranged in the said chamber of
the carrier, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of November 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.