AN IMPROVED REVOLVING BATTERY GUN
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Ohancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED REVOLVING BATTERY GUN."-A communication from
abroad by Richard Jordan Gatling, of Indianapolis, Marion County,
State
Scaled the 1st February 1870, and dated the 19th November 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 19th November 1869.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED REVOLVING BATTERY GUN," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the continuous
acting revolving battery gun for which Letters Patent for the United
Kingdom of Great Britain were granted to the Inventor on the 21st
March 1865, No. 790.

page_text: The object of this Invention is to perfect the apparatus described in
the aforesaid Letters Patent in such manner that more satisfactory
operation, greater strength and durability, and simpler construction will
be obtained.
The Invention consists chiefly in making the "cocking cam" laterally t
adjustable so that the same may while experiments are made with the
gun without firing the same be drawn out so as to not suap the locks,
and that it may also easily be set in to operate the locks when firing
is to be carried on. The cocking cam may also be made longitudinally
adjustable for the purpose of varying thereby the force of the spring
which operates the lock hammer. Some kinds of cartridges are made
of thicker metal than others, and require thereby stronger blows in order
to explode their fulminates. It is therefore very essential that the
blow should be regulated in accordance with the material of which the
cartridges are made.
The Invention consists also in perforating the cascabel plate and the
back diaphragm in the outer casing and in closing the apertures through
both these plates by a removable plug for the purpose of enabling the
removal and re-insertion of either one or more of the locks without
requiring the cascabel plate to be taken off. The repair or inspection
of all parts of the gun is thereby considerably facilitated.
The Invention consists further in enlarging the diameters of the
movable locks at their front ends, so that the said locks will be of
equal diameter throughout their entire lengths, whereby greater strength
and durability is obtained, and in correspondingly increasing the apertures
in the front end of the lock cylinder for the passage of such enlarged
locks.
The Invention also consists in so constructing and arranging the
cartridge shell retractor that the same will be securely held down over
the cartridge head while it is withdrawing the empty cartridge shell to
prevent the same from becoming disengaged before it is discharged from
the barrel.
Finally the Invention consists in the use of convenient devices for
automatically opening the feed box which contains the cartridges as
soon as the same is inserted in the hopper.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1
of which represents a side view on a large scale of this improved battery

page_text: gun; Figure 2 is a plan or top view of the same; Figure 3 is a front
elevation of the same; Figure 4 is a rear elevation partly in section
of the same without the cascabel plate; Figure 5 is a detail longitudinal
section of the cascabel plate, diaphragm, and plug; Figure 6 is a
detail rear end view with the plug; Figure 7 is a detail side view of
the plug lever; Figure 8 is a horizontal section on a smaller scale of
the gun; Figure 9 is a detail front view of the cocking apparatus ;
Figure 10 is an inner side view of the same; Figure 11 is a detail top
view of the same; Figure 12 is a detail face view of the gearing by
which the barrels are revolved; Figure 13 is a detail front end view
of one of the locks; Figure 14 is a side view of the same; Figure 15
is a rear end view of the same; Figure 16 is a longitudinal section of
the same; Figure 17 is an oblique longitudinal section of the same
showing the retractor, the plane of section being indicated by the line x, x,
Figure 13; Figure 18 is a front view of the carrier block, lock cylinder,
hopper, and feed box; and Figures 19, 20, and 21 are detail transverse
sections of the feed box and hopper showing different modes of open-
ing the feed box. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts.
A in the Drawing represents the axial or main shaft of the gun. It
is journaled at the front end in a transverse bar m of the supporting
frame B near its rear end in the partition or diaphragm 6 of the sta-
tionary cylindrical breech case C. The breech case C has at its sides
longitudinal projecting ribs c, c, which rest upon and are supported
by the side bars of the frame B, and which serve to hold the said case
stationary. The frame B has at or near the middle of the gun down-
ward projecting arms d, d, which hold under the gun a horizontal plato
or turntable e, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The plate e is
by a vertical pin or bolt f pivoted to a plate g, which has at its sides the
projecting trunnions h. The trunnions are hung into a suitable gun
carriage. Around the pin f the gun can be swung horizontally and on
the trunnions vertically. The vertical adjustment is produced by a screw
under the breech end of the gun as usually, while a horizontal screw i
hung in arms j that project backward from the plate and fitted
through a nut k serves to adjust the gun horizontal around the pin f.
The trunnions may, if desired, be formed on the frame B, in which case
the horizontal adjustment can only be produced by setting the entire
gun carriage. is the front sight, secured upon the front cross bar m of

page_text: the frame B, and is the rear sight secured upon the case C or upon the
cascabel plate D which is screwed to the same. Upon the shaft A are
mounted two flanges o, p, one in front somewhat behind the bar m and
the other near the middle. In these flanges are secured the barrels E, E.
The barrels are with their rear ends screwed into the rear flange p,
as in Figure 8, while their front ends are fitted loose through apertures
in the front flange o to be merely supported by the same. The flanges
o, p, are firmly secured to the shaft A so that they will revolve with the
same and carry the barrels around with it. There are ten barrels shown
in the Drawings; any other suitable number may however be employed.
Directly in rear of the flange p is mounted upon the shaft A the carrier
block F, which is to receive the cartridges from the feed box. This
block has as many longitudinal grooves q, q, as there are barrels E, one
groove in line with each barrel. The grooves are of suitable form,
preferably as in Figure 18, and should be adapted to the form of car-
tridge employed. The grooves are so set that a cartridge placed into
one of them can by longitudinal motion of a rammer or rod from behind
be conveniently pushed into the barrel pertaining thereto. Directly in
rear of the carrier block F is mounted upon the shaft A the lock
cylinder G, which with its front end is about in line with the case C,
while its length is about half that of the said case. The cylinder G
has as many longitudinal perforations as there are barrels, and the axes
of such perforations are in line with those of the grooves q in F and of
the barrels. The perforations in the cylinder are entirely cylindrical,
that is to say, of equal diameters from end to end, to receive the locks H, H,
which are also of cylindrical form, as indicated in Figure 16. Directly
in rear of the lock cylinder G is screwed upon the shaft A a nut I,
which serves to firmly secure the flange p, carrier F, and cylinder G
together, and which when withdrawn permits their removal from the
shaft. Between the nut I and the diaphragm 6 of the case C is arranged
the stationary cam J by which the locks are longitudinally adjusted
in the cylinder G. This cam is firmly secured in the case O, so that
it will remain stationary with the same, while the shaft A with the
The cam is of
nut I and the other appendages is free to revolve.
annular form and surrounds the nut I, as shown in Figure 8, by which
arrangement considerable room is economized. Between the diaphragm b
and the cascabel plate D is mounted upon the extreme rear end of
the shaft A a worm wheel L whose diameter is not larger than that of
the carrier block F, so that an aperture may be made through the

page_text: diaphragm for reaching the locks. A worm r formed on a transverse.
shaft S that is hung in the rear part of the case C engages in the teeth of
the wheel L, as in Figure 12. By means of a crank t on said shaft S the
same can be readily revolved, and will thereby also revolve the shaft A. and
all the appendages of the same, to wit, the nut I, the cylinder G, block F,
flanges o, p, and barrels E, the latter revolving around and with the
shaft A, but not around their own axes.
The locks H are of the following construction:-Each lock is made
in the form of a cylindrical shell slightly longer than the combined
length of the cylinder G and block F. The front part of this cylinder
is nearly solid, having only a small longitudinal central bore for the
reception of the firing pin u. The rear part of the lock however forms
a cylindrical chamber for the reception of the hammer spring v, as is
clearly shown in Figure 16. The firing pin u is with its rear end dovo-
tailed and firmly secured into a rod to, which is called the lock hammer.
The spring bears with its rear end against a shoulder X of the lock
case H, and with its front end against a shoulder or sleeve y of the
lock hammer, it having therefore the tendency to push the lock hammer
forward, so that the front end of the firing pin will project from the
front end of the lock H, as in Figures 14 and 16. When the lock
hammer is thus pushed forward its shoulder y rests against a front inner
shoulder of the shell H, as shown. From the shoulder y projects
through the side of the shell H and also through the cylinder G a lug a',
which is acted upon by the cocking apparatus as herein-after more
fully described. In order to permit the longitudinal motion of the
lock hammer and firing pin and consequently also that of the lug a
the lock H and cylinder G must both be longitudinally slotted to let
the lug pass backward and forward. Each lock H is therefore longi
tudinally slotted, and the cylinder has as many slots of equal length
as there are locks and barrels. On the rear end of cach lock H. is..a
projecting car 6', which fits into the double inclined or spiral groove or
channel of the stationary cam J, and which as the cylinder G.is revolved
with the locks slides in said inclined or spiral groove and causes the
required reciprocating motion of the locks by which the cartridges aro
forced into the barrels, the breech ends of the latter closed, and the
empty cartridge shells withdrawn. In order to prevent the locks. from
turning in the cylinder G they have each ribs or cars c¹ fitting into and
sliding in longitudinal grooves of the nut I, and other. ribs a fitting into
longitudinal grooves formed at the bottoms of the main grooves of the

page_text: carrier block F. In Figure 18 these latter ribs d' are clearly shown.
The device for withdrawing the empty cartridge shells from the barrels
is best illustrated in Figure 17. It consists of a bar M fitted into a
groove of the lock H parallel with the axis of said lock. This bar has
near its back end an inward projecting slotted ear e', which extends
into and through the lock shell H, and which is pivotted to the same
by a pin f, the said pin passing through the slot as shown. Another
ear g' projects from the front part of the bar M into the lock shell H,
the front edge of the said ear being inclined forward parallel to a
corresponding inclined face of the slot or recess, into which it is fitted.
The slot in the car e' allows the bar M to move slightly forward and
backward. The extracting hook is formed at the front end of the
bar M. When the lock is pushed forward to close the breech end of
the barrel the bar M strikes the collar of the cartridge and is first moved
back, and then owing to the inclined front edge of the hook h' is swung
up and over the said collar, so that the latter is engaged by the hook.
When the lock is moved back again by the cam J the hook draws the
cartridge shell back with it, but the bar M is first drawn forward on
the lock to fit the inclined edge of the ear g' against that of its recess,
as in Figure 17, thereby tho bar M is locked down so that it cannot
spring up to again release the cartridge shell. The latter is thereby
safely withdrawn from the barrel. The slot of the ear e' is therefore of
great importance, as by its means the retractor bar can be locked down
o retain the cartridge shell and again liberated to let the hook /' swing
over the head of the cartridge.
The cocking apparatus is more clearly illustrated in Figures 9, 10,
and 11. It is mainly an inclined or spiral plate N arranged on the inner
side of the breech case C, so that the lug a' when the lock is moved
forward may be arrested by the same, and the spring gradually con-
tracted, and the firing pin drawn back into the lock shell H. When the
lug a passes the end of the stationary plate N it is suddenly released
and the spring with it, causing the latter to expand, and to suddenly
and violently force the firing pin forward against the cartridge to
explode the same. The plate N is stationary on the case C, while the
lugs a revolve with the cylinder G. The plate N will therefore act upon
the firing pins in the several locks successively, and will cause the
successive discharge of the barrels as the same arrive in line with it.
The plate N may be arranged on any suitable part of the cylinder G,
either above, below, or on either side of the shaft A. In the Drawings

page_text: it is represented as being on the side of the cylinder. In order to
permit the lateral adjustment of the cocking plate N the same is
secured to a slide which projects into one of the ribs c, and which
has an aperture to receive the eccentric ; on a vertical arbor r.
The said arbor is fitted vertically into the rib c, as shown. By turning
it the eccentric will draw the slide in or out as may be desired,
drawing thereby also the plate N into or out of gear with the several
lugs a. The arbor can be so operated by hand that the plate N can be
moved into or out of gear as may be desired. Thus exercise of the gun
by recruits is permitted without snapping the locks. The plato N may
also be made longitudinally adjustable for the purpose of compressing
the springs to a greater or less degree, and of consequently regulating
the force with which the firing pin is projected against the cartridge.
A sliding bolt m³ may be arranged on the case C for locking the shaft
and with it the cocking plate N in either one of the desired positions.
In order to allow the removal and insertion of each lock. without
requiring the removal of the cascabel plate there is an aperture n'
through the cascabel plate, and in line with the same a similar
aperture o' through the diaphragm. b. Both these apertures can be
closed by a plug P, which is inserted from behind into the plate D, as.
is clearly shown in Figures 5 and 8. The gear wheel L is made small
enough to permit the arrangement of the said apertures n', o', and
plug P in line with the locks. The plug carries at its front end a sleeve
p', which has a projecting grooved arm a that is fitted into a recess of.
the cam J, the groove in a forming a continuation or completion of the-
A nose
groove in said cam in which the ears 6' of the locks move.
on the plug P locks behind the cascabel plate and holds the plug in
place. When the latter is turned to bring the nose into line with a.
notch &' that enlarges the aperture of the cascabel plate the plug.can
be withdrawn, thereby the apertures n', o', are opened, and cach lock.
as it arrives in line with the same can be withdrawn and reinserted..
The repair and inspection of the locks are thereby facilitated, and the-
gun can be kept in perfect repair while in service without requiring the
removal of the heavier parts. In order to facilitate the removal of
the plug P, that is to say, the turning of the same, a lever Q may be
attached to the end of the plug to form a crank on the same. The lever
is clearly shown in Figure 7. Upon the frame B is secured a curved.
plate R, which covers partly the carrier block F, and which at its outer

page_text: upper end has a hopper S formed on it for the reception of the feed
box T, which is the box containing the cartridges to be fired. The
box T is a sheet metal case of suitable height, its width and length
corresponding with that of the cartridges to be used. At one end this
case has a hinged bottom, which is held closed by a spring hook U,
as in Figure 19, or by a hook on a pivoted lever V that is acted upon
by a spring u', as in Figure 20.
When the case shown in Figures 18 and 19 is inserted into the hopper
an arm V of the spring hook U is moved on an inclined face to¹ of the
hopper, and draws the hook off the bottom A, causing the same to drop
open, as in Figure 18, and to liberate the cartridges W, which will be
taken up by the carrier block F as the grooves of the same are brought
successively under the case T. A lug on the case T strikes against a
nose of the hopper when the case has been inserted sufficiently.
The case shown in Figures 20 and 21 operates in the same manner as
the one afore-mentioned, with the only difference that the arm ¹ on the
lever V is sliding on the incline to¹ to open the bottom and liberate
the cartridges. When a feed box has been emptied it is withdrawn
from the hopper and another one put in its place, the empty one being
readily refilled to be ready for further use.
The operation of the entire apparatus is as follows:-A full box T is
placed into the hopper S, so that its cartridges will be liberated. The
plug P is put and locked into the cascabel plate and diaphragm, so that
its flange S abuts against the face of the cascabel plate. The cocking
plate N is put into gear to act on the lugs a¹, and the shaft S is revolved.
The cartridges are thereby successively fed into the grooves of the carrier
block F. As soon as a groove q has been filled the lock H in line with
it is gradually moved forward by the cam J, and the cartridge pushed
into the barrel E pertaining to and in line with such lock.
When a cartridge has been fully inserted the breech end of the barrel is
closed by the lock H, and then the firing pin is violently thrown forward
by the spring to explode the fulminate in the cartridge and by the
same ignite the charge. While the lock was being pushed forward the
lug a was retained by and moved along on the cocking plate N whereby
the spring was compressed, and the firing pin drawn into the shell H.
At the same time that the lock or shell H closed the breech of the
barrel the lug a' passed the plate N and liberated the firing pin, which
was propelled as stated. While the lock passed forward to close the

page_text: breech of the barrel the hook of the retractor M was slipped over the
head of the cartridge and remained in that position during the operation
of firing. After firing the lock is gradually drawn back by the cam J,
and the hook of M draws the empty cartridge shell back with it.
Another lock, barrel, and cartridge arrive in line with the cocking
plate N and are acted upon as aforesaid.
When a lock is out of order and firing can be ceased, the plug P is
taken out and the shaft A turned until such damaged lock arrives in
line with the apertures n', 'o', when the same can be withdrawn and
repaired and a new lock put into its place. Whenever during the revo-
lution of the shaft A a lock H is quite drawn back a cartridge drops into
the groove q in front of it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 18th May 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my exccutors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term thercin expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"AN IMPROVED REVOLVING BATTERY GUN," a communication to me from
abroad by Richard Jordan Gatling, of Indianapolis, Marion County, State
of Indiana, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one

page_text: of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 three Sheets of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the continuous
acting revolving battery gun for which Letters Patent for the United
Kingdom of Great Britain were granted to the Inventor on the 21st
March 1865, No. 790.
.
The object of this present Invention is to perfect the apparatus
described in the aforesaid Letters Patent in such manner that more
satisfactory operation, greater strength and durability, and simpler
construction will be obtained.
The Invention consists chiefly in making the "cocking cam" laterally
adjustable, so that the same may while experiments are made with the
gun without firing the same be drawn out to not snap the locks, and
that it may also easily be set in to operate the locks when firing is to be
carried on. The cocking cam may also be made longitudinally adjustable
for the purpose of varying thereby the force of the spring which operates
the lock hammer. Some kinds of cartridges are made of thicker metal
than others, and require thereby stronger blows in order to explode their
fulminates. It is therefore very essential that the blow should be regulated
in accordance with the material of which the cartridges are made.
The Invention consists also in perforating the cascabel plate and the
back diaphragm in the outer casing, and in closing the apertures through
both these plates by a removable plug for the purpose of enabling the
removal and reinsertion of either one or more of the locks without
requiring the cascabel plate to be taken off. The repair or inspection of
all parts of the gun is thereby considerably facilitated.
The Invention consists further in enlarging the diameters of the
movable locks at their front ends, so that the said locks will be of equal
diameter throughout their entire lengths, whereby greater strength and

page_text: I
arms d, d, which hold under the gun a horizontal plate or turntable e, as
is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The plate e is by a vertical pin or
bolt fpivoted to a plate 9 which has at its sides the projecting trunnions h.
The trunnions are hung into a suitable gun carriage. Around the pin f
the gun can be swung horizontally, and on the trunnions vertically.
The vertical adjustment is produced by a screw under the breech end of
the gun as usually, while a horizontal screw i hung in arms that project
backward from the plate 9 and fitted through a nut & serves to adjust
the gun horizontally around the pin f. The trunnions may if desired be
formed on the frame B, in which case the horizontal adjustment can
only be produced by setting the entire gun carriage. is the front sight
secured upon the front cross bar m of the frame B, and n is the rear
sight secured upon the case C or upon the cascabel plate D which is
screwed to the same. Upon the shaft A are mounted two flanges o, p,
one in front somewhat behind the bar m, and the other near the middle.
In these flanges are secured the barrels E, E. The barrels are with their
rear ends screwed into the rear flange p, as in Figure 8, while their front
ends are fitted loose through apertures in the front flange o to be merely
supported by the same. The flanges o, p, are firmly secured to the
shaft A, so that they will revolve with the same and carry the barrels
around with it. There are, ten barrels shown in the Drawings; any
other suitable number may however be employed. Directly in rear of
the flange is mounted upon the shaft A the carrier block F which is
to receive the cartridges from the feed box. This block has as many
longitudinal grooves q, q, as there are barrels E, one groove in line with
cach barrel. The grooves are of suitable form, preferably as in Figure 18,
and should be adapted to the form of cartridge employed. The grooves
are so set that a cartridge placed into one of them can by longitudinal
motion of a rammer or rod from behind be conveniently pushed into
the barrel pertaining thereto. Directly in rear of the carrier block Fis
mounted upon the shaft A the lock cylinder G, which with its front end
is about in line with the case C, while its length is about half that of
the said case. The cylinder G has as many longitudinal perforations as
there are barrels, and the axes of such perforations are in line with those
of the grooves q in F and of the barrels. The perforations in the cylinder
are entirely cylindrical, that is to say, of equal diameters from end to
end to receive the locks II, II, which are also of cylindrical form, as
indicated in Figure 16. Directly in rear of the lock cylinder G is
screwed upon the shaft A a nut I which serves to firmly secure the

page_text: flauge p, carrier F, and cylinder G together, and which when with-
drawn permits their removal from the shaft. Between the nut I and
diaphragm b of the case C is arranged the stationary cam J by which the
locks are longitudinally adjusted in the cylinder G. This cam is firmly
secured in the case C so that it will remain stationary with the same,
while the shaft A with the nut I and the other appendages is free to
revolve. The cam is of annular form and surrounds the nut I, as shown
in Figure 8, by which arrangement considerable room is economized.
Between the diaphragm 6 and the cascabel plate D is mounted upon the
extreme rear end of the shaft A a worm wheel L whose diameter is not
larger than that of the carrier block F, so that an aperture may be made
through the diaphragm for reaching the locks. A worm 7 formed on a
transverse shaft s that is hung in the rear part of the case C engages in
the teeth of the wheel L, as in Figure 12. By means of crank t on
said shaft & the same can be readily revolved, and will thereby also
revolve the shaft A and all the appendages of the same, to wit, the nut I,
the cylinder G, block F, flanges o, p, and barrels E, the latter revolving
around and with the shaft A, but not around their own axes.
The locks H are of the following construction:-Each lock is made
in the form of a cylindrical shell slightly longer than the combined
length of the cylinder G and block F. The front part of this cylinder
is nearly solid, having only a small longitudinal central borc for the
reception of the firing pin u. The rear part of the lock however forms a
cylindrical chamber for the reception of the hammer spring v, as is clearly
shown in Figure 16. The firing pin is with its rear end dovetailed
and firmly secured into a rod to which is called the lock hammer. The
spring bears with its rear end against a shoulder r of the lock case H
and with its front end against a shoulder or sleeve y of the lock hammer,
it having therefore the tendency to push the lock hammer forward so
that the front end of the firing pin will project from the front end of
the lock H, as in Figures 14 and 16. When the lock hammer is thus
pushed forward its shoulder y rests against a front inner shoulder = of
the shell H, as shown. From the shoulder y projects through the side of
the shell H and also through the cylinder G a lug a', which is acted
upon by the cocking apparatus as herein-after more fully described. In
order to permit the longitudinal motion of the lock hammer and firing
pin and consequently also that of the lug at the lock H and cylinder G
must both be longitudinally slotted to let the lug pass backward and

page_text: forward. Each lock II is therefore longitudinally slotted, and the
cylinder has as many slots of equal length as there are locks and barrels.
On the rear end of each lock H is a projecting ear b', which fits into the
double inclined or spiral groove or channel of the stationary cam J, and
which as the cylinder G is revolved with the locks slides in said inclined
or spiral groove and causes the required reciprocating motion of the
locks by which the cartridges are forced into the barrels, the breech end
of the latter closed, and the empty cartridge shells withdrawn. In order
to prevent the locks from turning in the cylinder G they have each ribs
or cars c' fitting into and sliding in longitudinal grooves of the nut I
and other ribs & fitting into longitudinal grooves formed at the bottoms
of the main grooves of the carrier block F. In Figure 18 these latter
ribs dare clearly shown. The device for withdrawing the empty
cartridge shells from the barrels is best illustrated in Figure 17. It
consists of a bar M fitted into a groove of the lock H parallel with the
axis of said lock. This bar has near its back end an inward pro-
jecting slotted car e¹ which extends into and through the lock shell H,
and which is pivoted to the same by a pin f¹, the said pin passing
through the slot as shown. Another car g' projects from the front part
of the bar M into the lock shell H, the front edge of the said ear g'
being inclined forward parallel to a corresponding inclined face of the
slot or recess into which it is fitted. The slot in the car e' allows the
bar M to move slightly forward and backward. The extracting hook /'
is formed at the front end of the bar M. When the lock is pushed
forward to close the breech end of the barrel the bar M strikes the
collar of the cartridge and is first moved back, and then owing to the
inclined front edge of the hook h¹ swung up and over the said collar so
that the latter is engaged by the hook. When the lock is moved back
again by the cam J the hook draws the cartridge shell back with it,
but the bar M is first drawn forward on the lock to fit the inclined edge
of the car g' against that of its recess, as in Figure 17, thereby the
bar M is locked down so that it cannot spring up to again release the
cartridge shell. The latter is thereby safely withdrawn from the barrel.
The slot of the car e' is therefore of great importance, as by its means the
retractor bar can be locked down to retain the cartridge shell and again
liberated to let the hook swing over the head of the cartridge.
The kine annamdion
11

page_text: When the
inner side of the breech case C so that the lug a' when the lock is moved
forward may be arrested by the same, and the spring o gradually con-
tracted and the firing pin drawn back into the lock shell H.
lug a passes the end of the stationary plate N it is suddenly released
and the spring with it, causing the latter to expand and to suddenly
and violently force the firing pin forward against the cartridge to explode
the same.
The plate N is stationary on the case C, while the lugs a¹
revolve with the cylinder G. The plate N will therefore act upon the
firing pins in the several locks successively, and will cause the successive
discharge of the barrels as the same arrive in line with it. The plate N
may be arranged on any suitable part of the cylinder G, either above,
below, or on either side of the shaft A. In the Drawings it is represented
as being on the side of the cylinder. In order to permit the lateral
adjustment of the cocking plate N the same is secured to a slide
which projects into one of the ribs a and which has an aperture to receive
the eccentric on a vertical arbor A. The said arbor is fitted vertically
into the rib c as shown. By turning it the eccentric will draw the slido
in or out as may be desired, drawing thereby also the plate N into or
out of gear with the several lugs a¹. The arbor can be so operated by
hand that the plate N can be moved into or out of gear as may be
desired. Thus exercise of the gun by recruits is permitted without
snapping the locks. The plate N may also be made longitudinally
adjustable for the purpose of compressing the springs to a greater or
less degree, and of consequently regulating the force with which the
firing pin is projected against the cartridge. A sliding bolt m¹ may be
arranged on the case C for locking the shaft and with it the cocking
plate N in either one of the desired positions.
In order to allow the removal and insertion of each lock without re-
quiring the removal of the cascabel plate there is an aperture n' through
the cascabel plate, and in line with the same a similar aperture o' through
the diaphragm b. Both these apertures can be closed by a plug P which
is inserted from behind into the plate D, as is clearly shown in Figures 5
and 8. The gear wheel L is made small enough to permit the arrange-
ment of the said apertures n', o', and plug-P in line with the locks. The
plug carries at its front end a sleeve p¹ which has a projecting grooved
arm a that is fitted into a recess of the cam J, the groove in a forming a
continuation or completion of the groove in said cam in which the ears 6'
of the locks move. A nose 7 on the plug P locks behind the cascabel
plate and holds the plug in place. When the latter is turned to bring

page_text: the nose
into line with a notch s¹ that enlarges the aperture n' of the
cascabel plate the plug can be withdrawn, thereby the apertures n', o',
are opened, and each lock as it arrives in line with the same can be with-
drawn and re-inserted. The repair and inspection of the locks are thereby
facilitated, and the gun can be kept in perfect repair while in service
without requiring the removal of the heavier parts. In order to facilitate
the removal of the plug P, that is to say, the turning of the same, a
lever Qmay be attached to the end of the plug to form a crank ou the
same. The lever is clearly shown in Figure 7. Upon the frame B is
secured a curved plate R, which covers partly the carrier block F, and
which at its outer upper end has a hopper S formed on it for the re-
ception of the feed box T, which is the box containing the cartridges to
be fired. The box T is a sheet metal case of suitable height, its width
and length corresponding with that of the cartridges to be used. At one
end this case has a hinged bottom ", which is held closed by a spring
hook U, as in Figure 19, or by a hook on a pivoted lever. V that is acted
on by a spring u³, as in Figure 20.
When the case shown in Figures 18 and 19 is inserted into the hopper
and arm v¹ of the spring hook U is moved on an inclined face to¹ of the
hopper, and draws the hook off the bottom t, causing the same to drop
open, as in Figure 18, and to liberate the cartridges W, which will be
taken up by the carrier block F as the grooves of the same are brought
successively under the case T. A lug ¹ on the case T strikes against a
nose y¹ of the hopper when the case has been inserted sufficiently.
The case shown in Figures 20 and 21 operates in the same manner as
the one afore-mentioned, with the only difference that the arm on the
lever V is sliding on the incline w¹ to open the bottom and liberate the
cartridges. When a feed box has been emptied it is withdrawn from the
hopper and another one put in its place, the empty one being readily
refilled to be ready for further use.
The operation of the entire apparatus is as follows:-A full box T is
placed into the hopper S so that its cartridges will be liberated; the
plug P is put and locked into the cascabel plate and diaphragm so that
its flange sabuts against the face of the cascabel plate. The cocking
plate N is put into gear to act on the lugs a', and the shaft s is revolved,
the cartridges are thereby successively fed into the grooves of the carrier
block F. As soon as a groove q has been filled the lock H in line with
it is gradually moved forward by the cam J and the cartridge pushed

page_text: into the barrel E pertaining to and in line with such lock. When a
cartridge has been fully inserted the breech end of the barrel is closed
by the lock H, and then the firing pin is violently thrown forward by
the spring to explode the fulminate in the cartridge, and by the same
ignite the charge. While the lock was being pushed forward the lug a
was retained by and moved along, on the cocking. plate N, whereby, the
spring was compressed and the firing pin drawn into the shell H. At
the same time that the lock H closed the breech of the barrel the lug a
passed the plate N and liberated the firing pin, which was propelled' as
stated. While the lock passed forward to close the breech of the barrel
the hook h¹ of the retractor M was slipped over the head of the cartridge;
and remained in that position during the operation of firing. After
firing the lock is gradually drawn back by the cam J, and the hook of M
draws the empty cartridge shell back with it. Another lock, barrel, and
cartridge arrive in line with the cocking plate N, and are acted on as
aforesaid. When a lock is out of order and firing can be ceased the
plug P is taken out, and the shaft A turned until such damaged lock
arrives in line with the apertures. n', o', when the same can be withdrawn
and repaired, and a new lock put into its place. Whenever during the
revolution of the shaft A a lock H is quite drawn back a cartridge drops
in the groove q in front of it.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to bo
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The cocking plate or cam N arranged laterally adjustable in the
breech case of the gun, substantially as and for the purpose set forth..
2ndly. The arbor 1, eccentric j', and slide in combination with the
laterally adjustable cocking plate N, all arranged as set forth..
3rdly. The cocking plate N arranged longitudinally, adjustable to.
permit the regulation of the firing spring V, as set forth.
4thly. The cascabel plate D perforated to receive a plug P; by the
removal of which either one or all of the locks H can be taken out
without requiring the removal of the cascabel plate, as specified.
5thly. The diaphragm arranged in the breech case C and perforated
together with the plate D to admit a removable plug P, as specified.
6thly. The gearing L, 1, so placed and formed between the stationary

page_text: plates b, D, and around the revolving shaft A that a plug P can be
conveniently inserted in apertures of both plates, as set forth.
7thly. The plug P having the nose and arranged to be placed into
and locked within the apertures of the plates D, b, substantially as and
for the purpose herein shown and described.
8thly. The locks H made as large in front as they are at their rear
ends, as and for the purpose set forth.
9thly. The lever M having the slotted ear e¹ and pivoted to the lock H
so that it can swing and also slightly move backwards and forward on its
pivot, as specified.
10thly. The ear 9' having the inclined forward edge and arranged on
the lever M to hold the same down while it is withdrawing a cartridge,
as set forth..
11thly. The feed box T provided with the spring hook u to hold its
bottom closed, and to have the same automatically opened as soon as it
is inserted into the hopper, as set forth.
12thly. The lever V acted upon by the spring u¹ and arranged on the
feed box T substantially as herein shown and described, to operate as set
forth.
13thly. The hopper S provided with the inclined face to¹ to open the
feed box as soon as the same is inserted, as set forth.
14thly. The nut I arranged on the shaft A to hold the carrier block F
and cylinder G in place, and to act as guide for the locks, substantially
as specified.
15thly. The carrier block F grooved to receive the cartridges, and
counter grooved to guide the locks, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
W. G. E. SwINNOCK,
53, Chancery Lane.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)