Improvements in Rapid Firing Breech Loading Cannon.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1886.
Specification Accepted, 25th Mar., 1887.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rapid Firing Breech Loading Cannon.
I, CARL CHRISTIAN ENGSTRÖM, Commodore, Royal Swedish Navy, of the City of
Stockholm in the Kingdom of Sweden 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:—
The breech loading mechanism is applied to a gun formed with two upper and two
lower cars at the rear end of the gun and is constructed as follows
And in order that this Invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying sheets, of which sheet 1 represents
general views, sheets 2 and 5 details of the parts of the sanie mechanism sheets 3 and 4
when con-
some variations in the same details. Sheets 6 and 7 show the whole gun
structed according to the modified arrangement described with reference to sheet 5,
Fig. 27 being a side view, Fig. 28 a plan, Fig. 29 a side view with section through
line Bẞ on Fig. 28, these Figs. 27 and 28 show the right side of the breech block A.
with the loose parts therefor, and also the right of the locking piece B; S is a large
abutment on the block A for supporting the cocking slide Hand for keeping the
trigger L at a suitable distance sideways from the block A. Fig. 30 is a vertical
longitudinal section. In Fig. 27 is a cavity or groove in the inner side of the handle
in which the cocking arm enters.
じ
The letters refer to like parts in all the Figures. The breech-block A. and parts
relating thereto are shewn in sheet 1, in end view in Figure 1, and in side view in
Figure 2, with closed mechanism in Figure 2 in part plan and in Figure 3 in open
position. It is hinged by a bolt C to the two aforesaid lower cars Cand C² on the
guu and has a face for forming joint with the rear end of the gun. This hinge or
block bolt C is united with a cam E Figures 1, 2 and 3 on sheet 1 and constructed

page_text: for engagement with two cogs or united with a slotted arm for engagement with a
single cog sheet 3 Figures 15. 16. 17. and 18.
The breech block Bolt C has a key in the part which is embraced by the block so
that the block A is connected with the bolt and will follow its movements.
The block
bolt C is inserted in the block from the right side, when the block is in its lower
position and the key on the bolt passes through a recess in the right lower ear of the
gun. The breech lock, or the bolt can only be taken out in the lower position. In
all other positions of the breech block, the end of the lug on the bolt is stopped by the
car (2.
A short
When the block A is raised or in closed position it is held by a locking piece B,
hinged to the upper ears on the gun by a locking piece bolt D, with a key or
feather passing through the locking piece so that the locking piece follows the
movements of its bolt. This bolt D can be inserted and taken out in all positions of
the locking piece B. The locking piece bolt 1) is united and fixed with a handle
lever at the right end of the bolt. This handle or lever is constructed with
two cogs in the case that the cam E on the breech block bolt is arranged
for engagement with two cogs q'y' or with a single cog 7, if the same bolt is pro-
vided with a slotted arm, sheet & Figures 17 and 18 for engagement with only one
cog. By moving the hand lever F upwards, the cogs will first pass a space in the
air until the locking piece B has released the upper end of the breech block A,
when the first cog will engage with the breech block cam E and move the breech
piece backwards, and finally fully open the mechanism as shown in sheet 1 Figure 3.
When the mechanism is to be closed the hand lever is lowered and the closed position
is shown in Sheet 1. Figure 2 from the side and in Figure 1 in end view.
time before the engagement begins or after it has finished, the first cog as shown
by dotted lines Sheet 1 Figure 3 will pass over a circular surface on the breech block
cam E with its centre in the axis of the locking piece in the middle to secure the
engagement so that the locking piece B will, in due time release or catch the upper
end of the breech block A. For further securing this it is shown on Sheet 1 Figure 2
at W and E and at VD Figure 5 that additional surfaces with the same centre
exist between a part of the breech block cam E and the hand lever F.
For
moderating the shock when opening is finished the breech piece is constructed with
two stop pieces aa which stop the downward movement of the breech piece against a
packing on the under side of the gun. As the arms of the cog on the hand
lever when the mechanism is open, are outside of the breech block cam E this cam
with its bolt cannot be taken out, even in this position, of the breech block. For
holding the locking piece bolt D in position there is on its left end a locking piece P
sheet Figures 1 and 1 fork-shaped for acting on a larger surface than if a stop in
the form of a pin were used and this is secured by a strap.
Referring to Sheet 2, the firing and cocking parts of the gun are four vizt.
The striker or firing pin I. Figure 11.
The slide H Figures 9 and 14.
The main or striker-spring K Figure 12 and the trigger L Figures 7, 12, 18
and 14.
The striker 1 slides in a recess in the breech block A and in the axis of the gun.
It is provided with a stop piece e and a cross head with an arm in the direction of
the gun which arm slides in a recess in the right side of the breech block A. When
the striker is to be inserted, this cross head is held either to the left or upwards
(depending on if the securing of the striker I in the breech block A is to be made by
turning a half or a quarter of a circle). When the cross head d is in this position the
striker I is inserted. The stop piece e passes then through a slot in the breech
block A and when the longitudinal arm of the crosshead d touches the rear plane of
the block, it is turned to the right, so that the longitudinal arm will enter in a recess,
and thus in this manner hold the crosshead horizontally.
The slide H has a cocking arm, and a crosshead h, which latter communicates
with the crosshead of the striker. The slide H is moved in a slot on the right side of

page_text: the breech piece and this slot so formed in section that the slide can only be inserted
and taken out backwards and when the striker I is removed. The cocking arm is
in the closed position of the mechanism, enclosed in the recess in the locking
piece B so that, when this piece is moved upwards, the slide moves backwards and,
when the locking piece is lowered, the slide is pushed forwards.
The main or striker-spring K may branch upwards, either right up to the striker's
rear end or, as in sheet 1 Figure I going to the right, or forkshaped as in Figure 4.
In these two last instances the striker can be taken out or inserted without taking
away the spring. The lower branch of the spring is always forkshaped with two arms
going to the two extractors M and pressing them against the rear end of the gun for
well securing the catching of the cartridge.
For fixing the spring to the block, it is provided with a pin clasped by the spring
and forming with its ends two small trunnions. These trunnions Figure 12
Sheet 2 rest in a corresponding recess on the inner side planes of the stop pieces a a.
By lifting the spring upwards, the trunnions i can slide over a cam so that the
spring K is loosened. For working this by hand, an arm k¹ on the main-spring K
Figure 2 sheet 1 or a circular shaped piece on the upper end of the spring, sheet II.
Figure 12 can be employed for either inserting a finger under or through and thus
remove the spring K.
The trigger sheet 2 Figure 7 moves on an axis e fixed on the right side of the
breech block A. For connecting the trigger with this axis e it is held in such a
vertical position that the firing-lever o on the trigger I touches the right lower car of
the gun, Sheet 1 Figure 2 shown in its lowest position in dotted lines, and in this
position the two heels in the trigger's axis hole can glide in a slot so that it touches
the side of the breech block, after which the firing lever on the trigger is raised
and the heels can freely move in a turned gutter on the axis.
The trigger has a stop piece k for holding the striker I in its cocked position. This
stop piece rests against the longitudinal arm of the crosshead of the striker 1.
Further the trigger is provided with a cocking arm / which, by being moved back-
wards will be lowered until the stop piece is in its recess on the longitudinal arm of
the crosshead d of the striker I and an arm m which, by being pushed forward,
releases the striker I. The trigger L has a heel a nearest the rear end of the gun.
When the gun is cocked and the stop piece is lowered into its recess, this heel is
lifted up and its under surface can slide on the round surface on the lower and right
ear of the gun and which surface has its centre in the axis of the breech block
holt C. Also, when the breech block A moves the trigger is locked and consequently
the striker 1.
For holding the hand lever Flocked, (which is only necessary when elevating or
depressing the gun) this lever I has a spring-latch G shown in three modifications viz.
Sheet 2 Figures 6 and 8 and Sheet 5 Figures 23, 24, 25 and 26. All these three spring
latches G can be regulated for either firing by the trigger by a finger or for automatic
discharge when the mechanism is closed. It is common to all that they, by the latch-
spring N tend to come under the lug see Figures 6 and 8 on the right and upper
ear D of the gun, and have their axes on a bolts on sheet 2 Figures 6 and 8, and on
sheet 5 Figures 23, 25 and 26 secured to the hand lever F and from which they are
prevented from going by the locking piece B against the right side of which they slide
under the rotating mechanism. For faking them away for shifting the spring or other
purposes, the hand lever must be moved to the right. The difference between them
consists more especially in the regulation for the automatic discharge.
Referring to the sheet 2 Figure 6 the spring latch G is in the stop position at y and
in the position X, in which the latch can pass free for the stop piece of the ear, if
this is regulated by the regulating screw R. If automatic discharging is required this
screw R is unscrewed so that the latch G can be pushed down to the position Z and
the regulating screw R is afterwards screwed in a hole so that the latch is in one piece
with the hand lever F. When the mechanism is closed the lug engages with a
corresponding lug u on the trigger and occasions discharge.

page_text: The spring latch G sheet 2 Figure 8 has a bolt 0, which, in ordinary occasions, for
firing by the trigger, permits the latch Gi to take the positions X or Y but when
automatic firing is wanted, it is screwed tight up and then when the mechanism is
closed by its end, meets the arm m Figure 7 Sheet 2 of the trigger and occasions
discharge see Figure 13, Sheet 2. To prevent the loosening of the screw from the
shocks during the discharge it is flat in that place, whereon the under arm of the
latch-spring fakes.
The spring-latch G sheet 5 Figures 23, 24, 25 and 26 and also shown in figures 27
and 28 on sheet 6, Figure 24 being enlarged sections, is provided with a bolt without
threads. The shifting from ordinary to automatic firing is effected by giving this
bolt half a turn by hand and the part of the bolt on which the lower arm of the latch
spring N rests is planed flat on two opposite sides see Figures 24 and 24. In
consequence of this bolt O being planed flat and the part to left of the bolt being
circular it follows that the bolt, is prevented from being shaken out by the discharge
or other concussion. in either position X or Y. When it is necessary to withdraw the
bolt it is only turned a quarter of a turn from either the position X or Y and then the
arm of the spring slides on a circular surface under which the bolt is taken out. The
end of the bolt has a tapered planed end for easy insertion past the spring N which
after insertion is turned to either position X. or Y and held in any of these positions by
the planed surfaces in contact with the spring N. When automatic discharging is
required, the bolt is turned in the position shown in Figure 26 sheet 5 and it will be
seen that by lowering the handle-lever a circular surface will meet the arm l'on the
trigger so that, in this case, the trigger needs only one arm. In the same position of
the bolt, the latch has been stopped by the bolt, in the position X.
Shifting from automatic to ordinary firing by a finger on the trigger, it is only
necessary to turn the bolt O half a turn to the right, the latch is then released and
can take position by being pushed by the spring either as at Y or X by lowering the
arm of the latch G. For limiting the turning of the bolt it is provided with two
butt-ends taking hold against heels on the handle lever F as shown at Figure 24'.
Figure 23 shows a section of the latch, in position X for automatic discharge,
Figure 25 a plan of the same, Figure 26 shows the position of all the parts, after
automatic discharge and it is shown, by dotted lines, that, when the bolt O is given
half a turn, it cannot reach the arm of the trigger. Figure 24 is as already stated
enlarged sections and through the bolt O and hand lever F to more clearly describe
the details.
Although only one extractor is necessary when the ammunition is good, the gun is
provided with two M. M. (one on the right and the other on the left of the breech end
of the gun). Sheet 1, Figure 1, shows them in end view and sheet 2 Figures 10 and 12
in side view. They can be moved on their trunnions to a limited extent so that
they can take their position either along the breech piece A or nearly vertically against
the same. The lower arm of the main or striker spring K is forkshaped in two
branches, one going to each extractor as has already been stated. The spring tends,
when the breech piece is upward, to force the points of the extractors between the
Hange of the cartridge M² and the rear end of the gun. Each extractor with the
spring K is also independent of the other. By first movement of the breech piece A
backwards, see shect 2 Figure 10, the extractors catch the flange of the cartridge M'
and by continuing the motion of the breech piece A the cartridge is pulled out of the
bore and this extracting continues until that the extractors are nearly at right angles
with the plane end of the breech piece A after which the extractors AL M are stopped
by their stop pieces m² and thereafter throw out the cartridge.
When the cartridge
has left the extractors the springs tend to push the extractors in their place. In order
that no straining or hend shall occur between the extractors and the flange of the
cartridge, the extractors are here constructed with special projecting parts at their
inner side near the points, sheet 1 Figure 1 so that it is only these projecting pieces
which are in contact with the cartridge, and permit of the extractors in other parts
being made strong and the points rounded,

page_text: The action of the mechanism for loading and firing is as follows:-
Supposing the mechanism closed as seen in Figures 1 and 2 sheet I.
The right hand clasps round the hand-lever F and the spring-latch G is lowered
with the thumb so much that it clears for the stoppiece t and thereafter the hand lever F
is brought upwards to the position shown sheet 2 Figure 12 whilst this movement is
made the slide H and consequently the striker I is slided so much backwards that the
trigger's stop piece & see Figure 7 sheet 2 can be pushed down into its recess on the
crosshead for stopping the striker I in cocking position. The movement is continued
upwards until the hand lever is in the position shown in Figure 14 sheet 2. During
this movement the heel in the locking picce B moves on the arm of the slide H and
holds it stationary-The cam on the handlever F pushes the trigger's arm / backwards
so that the trigger's stoppiece k is brought down into its recess, in the crosshead of
striker I The cam then moves on the arm so that the trigger stays in the same
position. The catch on the trigger L is moved upwards so that its under slightly
concave surface then slides on the rounded surface of the under and right lug of
the gun.
In this position as shown in Figure 14 sheet 2 which is the same as shown on sheet 1
Fig. 3 with dotted lines the first cog on the hand-lever has engaged with the breech
block cam E and the locking piece B has released the end of the breech block A.
Continuing the motion upwards with the handle, the breech piece A is brought back
and finally downwards as shown in full lines in Figure 3 sheet 1 having by this last
movement extracied and thrown out the cartridge M' backwards by means of the
extractors M M. The catch n of the trigger L has slided on the lug and locked the
trigger Land striker I in the cocked position.
For closing the mechanism the opposite movements are made by the hand lever F.
It is seen on Figure 14 Sheet 2, chat, when the breech block is upwards-against
the rear end of the gun, all the cocking movements are adjusted and when the handle
lever F is again lowered into position see Figure 12 the slide H and the trigger L
begin to be released, but although the trigger can now be moved, the slide H hinders
the striker I from reaching the cartridge M' until the last moment of the locking
piece B has fully embraced the upper end of the breech block A. Hereafter the firing
is made by a finger on the trigger.
By regulating the spring latch G for automatic firing as before described, the
rapidity of the firing depends more on the quickness of inserting the cartridge then
upon the mechanism which is moved by giving a pumping motion to the hand lever F.
In guns of a certain calibre the following alternative can be applied to some of the
above details of the mechanism.
Sheet 3, Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 shew another connection between the; breech
block and the locking-piece B. Here the hand lever F is constructed with a single
arm with only one cog ¹ which is made to engage with slotted arm or cam E fixed on
the breech block bolt C.
On the same sheet Figures 16 and 17 is another alternative construction of the
spring latch G which is for taking under a stop piece on the breech piece A and
moved horizontally on the upper side of the hand lever F. When this latch G is to
be inserted into its place it is placed in the position w Figure 16 and in this position
the latch G is pushed down with its axis into its hole in the hand-lever F. By
turning the latch in the position Y two heels on the axis (shewn also in cross
section at Figure 16) take hold on the under part of the hand-lever F' for holding
the latch G to the hand-lever F. A knob fixed on the latch G has during this move-
ment to the position Y begun to press against the spring. In this position Y of the
latch, the regulating screw R is screwed into an oval hole, which allows of the latch
moving to the position X or the position when the latch can clear the stop-piece t and
the position Y is the stopped position for holding the hand-lever F as shewn in
Figure 17. The firing is in this case effected by moving the trigger from the
position X-Y to Z.
When automatic firing is required, the regulating screw R
is unscrewed and the latch brought to the position Z and the regulating screw R is

page_text: again screwed into a hole so that the latch G is fixed in this position. By lowering
the hand-lever F when closing the mechanism; the lug U meets an arm on the
trigger and releases the striker.
Sheet 4 shews in Figures 19, 20, 22 and 22" another arrangement for stopping
the hand-lever F in its position for firing. The stopping piece is here a slide Q
taking hold under a stop-piece on the right and upper lug D2 of the gun. This
slide Q is moved by a spring-latch G. This spring-latch G is in mounting the
mechanism, first connected with the hand-lever F by holding this latch G in the
position after that the axis of the latch G is brought into its hole in the hand
lever F. In this position the slide Q is sunk down so that its four holding heels
can be pushed into their respective slots on the sides of the hand lever F and at the
same time the slide Q grasps a trunnion fixed in the latch. By moving the latch to
position X it moves the slide Q forward until the point only just clears the stop piece.
On moving the latch to the position X-Y, the slide Q takes hold under the stop-
piece and in the position X. Y. Z the top slide has gone further forward so that a
heel on its left side has pushed the arm on the trigger I so that detonation follows.
The regulating screw R shewn in plan at Figure 19 and at Figure 20 in vertical
section, is regulated for automatic firing here corresponding to the positions from X
to X. Y. Z of the latch, which by its spring N always tends to bring the slide forward.
Figure 20 shows in section the slide when drawn back. Altering from automatic
to ordinary firing is effected by placing one finger on the trigger Land by turning
the regulating screw R. half a turn as shewn at Figure 22 and 22" and it will be
seen that the slide Q is by this brought forward so that the latch can take the position
from X to X-Y.
As
When the slide is to be taken away the regulating screw R is unscrewed.
the automatic firing is here executed after that the slide Q is under the stop piece, it,
can be so arranged that the end and the breech block A have a cam surface, against
the locking piece Band with its centre in a point a little under the axis of the
locking piece bolt D, as shewn in Figure 20, samo sheet.
In some cases when the cartridges are for some reasons extracted straight out, a
heel can be applied on the under side of the locking piece bolt D which heel d³
sheet 4 Figure 20 will give more force for moving the breech block A backward, that
is to facilitate the extraction.
For simplicity in manufacture a lugg Figure 21. Sheet may be applied on the
slide Q for pushing the arm of the trigger I back and consequently the stop piece k
down into its recess on the cross head d on the striker I. But in this case the length
of stroke of the slide H must be proportionately longer than as before described for
the reason that the slido H must move backwards even when the stop piece k is brought
down.
And 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 is :—
First The combination of a hinged breech block such as A and a hinged locking
piece B, connected by arms on a hand lever F fixed on the locking piece bolt I)
and engaging with cogs in a cam E fixed on the breech block bolt Cand arranged
as shewn on Sheet 1, Figures 1, 2 and 3 and on Sheet 3 Figures 15, 17 and 18.
Second-The construction of the connecting parts with circular surfaces E W
Sheet 1 Figure 2 and V, D Figure 5 which have their centre in the centre of the
locking piece B or surfaces with the same centre point at the first engagement of the
cog sheet I Figure 3 both with the object of holding the breech piece immovable
when the locking piece is either to leave the end of the breech piece and the first cog
to make its engagement or when the mechanism is to be closed, to hold the breech
pieco quiescent until the locking piece has fully caught the end of the breech piece.
Third-
The combination of the pieces for cocking and firing viz: the side H, the
striker I the main or striker spring K and the trigger L working as above described
and shewn on Sheet 2 Figures 12 and 14.

page_text: Fourth-The means for stopping the hand-lever, when the mechanism is closed,
either by a spring latch G such as shewn on Sheet 2 Figures 6 and 8 on Sheet 5
Figures 23, 25 and 26, or on Sheet 3 Figures 16 and 18 or by a slide with a spring
latch such as shewn in Sheet 4 Figures 19, 20.
Fifth The combination of the spring latch G to be regulated for automatic
firing, when the mechanism is closed, with either a regulating screw, Sheet 2.
Figure 6 or an automatic screw Sheet 2 Figure 8 and Figure 13 or bolt O Sheet 5,
Figures 23, 24, 25 and 26.
Sixth-The striker-spring and its trunnions so arranged that it can be taken away
or inserted in its place by hand as shewn on Sheet 1 Figures 1 and 2 Sheet 2
Figure 12 in combination with the extractors so that the same spring with its lower
forkshaped ends first presses the extractors against the rear end of the gun and then
extracts and throws the cartridge out of the gun and lastly pushes the extractors
in their place in a recess in the breech-piece Sheet 2 Figure 10.
Seventh: The improved construction of breech loading mechanism substantially as
described.
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