Improvements in the Breech Mechanism of Guns.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 5th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Breech Mechanism of Guns.
We, Sir W. G. ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH & COMPANY, LIMITED, Manufacturing
Engineers, ALBERT GEORGE HADCOCK, late R.A., and STEPHEN MAGUIRE MURRAY,
Engineer, all of Elswick Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the breech mechanism of quick firing, or other
guns (especially those which have the De Bange or a kindred system of obtura-
tion) in which the divided breech screw, after being turned for unlocking, is
swung clear of the opening of the gun, and its object is to enable the angle of
the obturator pad, and the amount of the material of the breech screw and gun
cut away in the interruption of the thread, to be reduced to a minimum.
For this purpose the carrier arm is pivotted to the end of a second arm, whose
other end is pivotted to the gun. A projection on or fixed to the carrier arm,
engages with a recess in the gun, in such a way that during the first portion
of the swinging out of the breech block, the carrier arm and second arm turn
together about the pivot on the gun so long as the projection is in engagement
with the recess, but afterwards, when the projection is clear of the recess, the
carrier arm turns about the end of the second arm.
The angle through which the second arm can turn, is limited by its tail
end coming against the gun, or lugs may be provided on the gun having
elongated holes to receive the ends of the pivot pin connecting the two arms.
Dated this 18th day of May 1899.
SIR W. G. ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH & Co., LIMITED.
improvements in
We, Sir W. G. ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH & COMPANY, LIMITED, Manufacturing
Engineers, ALBERT GEORGE HADCOCK, late R.A., and STEPHEN MAGUIRE MURRAY,
Engineer, all of Elswick Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 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:-
This invention relates to the breech mechanism of quick firing, or other
guns (especially those which have the De Bange or a kindred system of obtura-

page_text: tion) in which the divided breech screw after being turned for unlocking, is
swung clear of the opening of the gun and its object is to enable the angle of
the obturator pad, and the amount of the material of the breech screw and gun
cut away in the interruption of the thread, to be reduced to a minimum.
For this purpose the carrier arm is pivotted to the end of a second arm, whose,
other end is pivotted to the gun. A projection on or fixed to the carrier arm,
engages with a recess in the gun, in such a way that during the first portion
of the swinging out of the breech block, the carrier arm and second arm turn
together about the pivot on the gun so long as the projection is in engagement
with the recess, but afterwards, when the projection is clear of the recess, the
carrier arm turns about the end of the second arm.
The angle through which the second arm can turn, is limited by its tail
end coming against the gun, or lugs may be provided on the gun having
elongated holes to receive the ends of the pivot pin connecting the two arms.
The drawings show four ways of carrying out the invention.
Figures 1, 1, 1, and 1, are longitudinal sections of the gun with the breech
closed, and Figures 2, 2, 2, and 2, are similar views with the breech open.
Figures 3ª, 3º, 3º and 3, are rear elevations of the gun with the breech mechanism
removed. Figures 42, 4, 4, and 4d, are horizontal sections of the rear of the
gun with the breech mechanism removed. Figures 5ª, 5, 5° and 54, are rear :
elevations of the carrier arm c. Figures 6, 6, 6 and 6d, are plans of the
carrier arm e. Figures 7, 7, 7" and 74, are elevations of the pin f. Figures 8*,
8, 8 and 8 are plans of the pin f. Figures 93, 9b and 9º, and 10%, 10% and 10%,
are respectively elevations and plans of the second arm h.
a is the gun, having fixed to it lugs b, between which the carrier arm e works.
is the breech block pivotted' to the carrier arm.
c is the handle pivotted to the carrier arm by which the breech is opened and
closed. The mechanism by which this is done forms no part of the present
invention and is not shown in the drawings. It may be of any of the usual
types.
f is the pin forming the pivot of the carrier arm.
In Figures 1 to 10 the carrier arm is pivotted to a second arm A, pivotted
to lugs on the gun, the carrier arm during the first part of its motion turning
about the forward pivot and afterward about the rearward one. The carrier arm e
is at first prevented from turning about the pivot f by the projection, which
engages with a recess in the gun. The motion about the pivot his limited
by the tail end of the arm h coming against the side of the gun. In this case
the lugs on the gun, between which the carrier arm works, are dispensed
with.
Figures 1 to 10b show an arrangement similar to that last described; but
there is only a singlalug b, and the pin f extends above and below the carrier
arm, its ends working in the elongated holes be in the lugs b, and so limit the
motion about the pivot h¹.
Figures 1 to 10 show an arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 1b
to 10; but in this case the projection c¹ on the carrier arm and the recess kin
the gun are dispensed with, the carrier arm being prevented from turning about
its pivot during the first part of its motion by the peculiar form of the pin f
and holes b, the movement of the pin being controlled by the action of the
Jug on a projection on the arm c.
Figures 1 to 8d resemble the previous figures; but the arm his dispensed
with, the pin f, working in blocks g, free to slide in the slots 12 in the lugs b.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. Pivotting the carrier arm to a second arm which is pivotted to the gun
substantially as described.

page_text: 2. A lug or lugs fixed to the gun and having in it or them a slot or slots at
right angles to the gun and to receive the pivot of the carrier arm substantially
as described.
3. Breech mechanisms for guns, substantially as described and illustrated in