Improvements in Magazine Rifles and other Small Arms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magazine Rifles and other Small Arms.
I, JAMES FELL, Junior, of 1, Cromwell Terrace, Manor Road, Wallington,
Surrey, Fishmonger and Poulterer, 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 improvements in magazine rifles, guns, pistols, and
other small fire arms and has for its object to provide a simple arrangement which.
will allow the cartridge to be fed into firing position and empty cases ejected in a
rapid and easy manner.
In carrying out my invention the stock is made hollow and preferably consists
of a light metal frame work covered with wood at the sides. This frame work is
divided into a number of chambers, three for convenience, by means of vertical
partitions. These chambers serve to contain the cartridges and communicate with
each other by apertures at the lower ends of the partitions. These cartridges rest
on two sliding plates at the bottom of the chambers which are stepped or formed
with projecting edges so as to engage with the lowest cartridge in each chamber.
Que sliding plate or carrier is employed for the front one, connected to the other
plate by means of a slot and pin which allow of relative motion for a short
distance. A slot is formed in the case of the gun and the front sliding plate is
provided with a pin at each side engaging in this slot which acts as a guile.
The slot is double at the front end, one portion being curved to guide the plate
in its forward motion, and the other straight and in line with the remainder of the
slot, the pin returning along this straight portion.
The plate is furnished with a finger piece which projects at the lower side of the
stock and a long spring is furnished bearing against this piece and adapted to move
the plate into a forward position.
The front end of the rear plate is intended to engage with the lower cartridge
in the front chamber, and to carry it into the breech. The front end of the front
plate at the next operation moves the cartridge into the rear end of the barrel,
ready for firing. At the same time the bottom cartridges in the rear chambers
move forward one chamber at a time so that the cartridges are automatically
supplied, small catches preventing them sliding back.
The striking pin is carried in a pivoted block which is moved up as the cartridges
are placed in position then dropping into place for firing.
When a cartridge is required to load, the finger piece attached to the sliding
plate is pulled down and then released, the remainder of the operation being
performed by the spring.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the rear end of a rifle according to my invention,
Fig. 2 is a similar view of a portion of the apparatus showing the operative
parts in another position, and with the sliding plates shown dotted, and
Fig. 3 is a cross section through the stock.
The stock is formed from the metal frame work A A', A³, A³, and wooded.
ides a.
A lid or cover a' is also provided, hinged at one side which allows the
artridges to be supplied.
The case is divided into three chambers B, B', B' by the partitions & which are
orined with the openings b' at the lower end, allowing the cartridges to pass from
ne chamber to the next.

page_text: The sliding plate C belonging to the chambers B. B¹ is formed in three sections
having projecting edges c which are adapted to engage with the ends of the
cartridges. The plate is thus formed with three sloping surfaces and is also
slightly channelled in cross section as shown in Fig. 3. The lower portion A³ of
the frame is formed with the hole or passage D which serves to receive the
long spring E. This spring bears against the upper end of a finger piece c² fitted
to the front sliding plate C. This plate is connected to C by means of the pin ca
and slot allowing the front plate to be moved a short distance before operating
the rear one. The slot or groove F extends in the casing of the gun from the
front end of the stock to the extremity of the barrel and is furnished with the,
curved portion or loop f. The pins one on each side of the plate C¹ at the front
end, engage in this slot which guides the motion of the plate.
In the forward motion of the plates carrying the cartridges G into the end of
the barrel, the pin c moves in the curved path being guided into this portion of the
slot by means of the spring . In the return movement the pin passes the end
of the slot and returns through the straight portion into the position shown in'
Fig. 1.
A pivoted block H is provided to carry the striking pin h. This block, when
the plates are pulled back drops into the position shown in Fig. 1.
On the passage
of the cartridge into the barrel this block is raised out of the way as shown in
dotted lines in Fig. 2 allowing it to pass into the barrel. The block then drops
into position ready for firing, the end of the plate C¹ supporting it. The trigger
and striking arrangement are similar to those at present in use. The small
plate. J is employed for ejecting purposes, the end or flange of the cartridge
engaging with it as the cartridge is inserted. The sliding plates jare employed
to operate the ejector, the pins c serving to draw back the plates when the finger
piece is pulled to the rear.
When this finger piece is drawn back the plates C C₁ are caused to slide under-
neath the cartridges until the edges c engage with the bottom cartridge in each
chamber.
On releasing the finger piece the plates will be caused to move forward by the
spring and the front cartridge which is in the breech in front of the first chamber
will be carried to the rear end of the barrel. The bottom cartridge in chamber B¹
will at the same time be moved into the breech and the corresponding ones in the
rear chambers moved one chamber to the front, a small stop or catch being
employed to prevent the cartridges falling back on pulling down the finger
piece.
By this apparatus the cartridges can be rapidly supplied to the barrel by a very
simple action enabling shots to be fired in rapid succession. The drawings show
the invention applied to rifles but a similar arrangement can be used for other
fire arms.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) In magazine rifles and other fire arms, the combination with a hollow stock
containing cartridges, of sliding plates furnished with projecting edges adapted to
engage with the bottom cartridges and adapted to carry the front one to the rear
end of the barrel, guides for the said plates and a finger piece by which it can be
operated, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2.) In magazine rifles and other fire arms, the combination with a hollow stock
divided into chambers each containing cartridges, of sliding plates beneath the said
chambers having projecting edges adapted to engage with the bottom cartridges
guides for the said plates, a spring adapted to carry them to the front and a finger
piece for withdrawing them, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(3.) In magazine rifles and other fire arms, the combination with a hollow stock

page_text: divided into a number of chambers communicating with each other at the lower
ends, of sliding plates adapted to engage with the bottom cartridges, a spring or
finger piece operating the said plates and a looped slot or groove in the case
serving as a guide for the front of the plate, substantially as aud for the purposes
specified.
(4.) In magazine rifles and other fire arms, the combination with a hollow stock,.
carrying a number of cartridges and divided into chambers, sliding plates adapted
to engage with the bottom cartridges and means for operating the said plates, of
slots or grooves in the case serving as a guide for the front plate formed with a
loop or curved portion at the front, and a spring guiding pins on the front plate
into this curved path permitting them to return through the straight portion,.
substantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.
(5.) In magazine rifles and other fire arms the combination with a hollow stock
divided into chambers for the reception of cartridges, sliding plates adapted to.
engage with the bottom cartridges, means for operating the said plates and a slot
or groove serving as a guide, of a hinge block carrying the striking pin adapted to
be raised by the cartridge on moving into the end of the barrel and then to drop.
into firing position, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(6.) In an improved magazine rifle, the combination of a hollow stock, divided
into chambers by the partitions b communicating at the lower ends and furnished
with the stops 63 a hinged cover a' the sliding plates C C¹ connected together and
means for operating the same, the slot or groove F with loop fand spring f1
adapted to receive the pin or projection on the front plate and a hinged block H
carrying the striking pin, substantially as described and shown in the accompanying
drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 28th day of March 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant..