IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Mauser, Manufacturer of Fire-arms, of Oberndorf
a/ Neckar, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Paul Mauser at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd August 1881.
PAUL MAUSER, Manufacturer of Fire-arms, of Oberndorf a/ Neckar, in the
Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS."
The Invention relates to those breech-loading fire-arms which are known
under the name." Mauser," but it may be used also on guns of other but similar
construction.
The Invention embraces certain arrangements and contrivances for improving
the firing devices and those for safety, and further different constructed cartridge
case ejectors.
The firing-bolt, with its appendages in guns of former pattern was not substantial
enough, the nut uniting the bolt to the small lock was liable to become loose, and
it was possible for the safety device to fail, and to get rid of the empty cartridge
cases it was necessary to turn the gun on one side after each discharge. All these
inconveniences are remedied by the present Invention.
The firing-bolt is made stouter in its central part, fitting with its smaller
cylindrical hind part snugly in a corresponding hole in the small lock. The tran-
sition of the thicker to the thinner part is not an abrupt one, but is strengthened
by a conical shoulder.
The nut unites these parts firmly, being prevented from becoming loose by a
nose sliding in a longitudinal groove of the breech piece. Besides, the safety pin
is kept in close contact with the nut by a cylindrical spring wound round this pin,
which forces the head of the pin into a corresponding recess of the nut. The small
lock has a nose which slides also in the above mentioned groove of the breech-
piece, and which engages with the trigger-catch. In this way a proper guide for

page_text: the firing-bolt and the small lock is secured. Even when the whole lock (the small-
lock, the chamber, and the breech block) is removed from the breech-piece the nut
cannot be unscrewed, except when the safety pin is pressed so much forward as to
leave the recess of the nut. When the weapon is cocked the thumbpiece of the
safety-device is turned from the left to the right. It becomes now impossible to
fire the gun or to open the breech, the half-round part of the safety pin engaging
and locking the chamber in such way that the latter becomes stationary in any
direction.
To eject the empty cartridge cases the latter receive automatically a short blow,
which makes the cartridge case jump from the breech piece.
This object is accomplished by different constructions. The spring which carries
the trigger carries also the trigger catch.
The latter possesses an elongation lying beneath the breech-piece, and an
upturned nose on the end of it which enters through a corresponding hole the
inside of the breech piece just where the cartridge case is lying when the extractor
has drawn it from the barrel. The trigger-catch protrudes a little above the inner
surface of the breech-piece, and works in a longitudinal groove of the chamber, but
is struck at the end of the groove when the breech is opened. This sudden blow
to the catch is transferred to the nose of its elongation and forces very effectively
the empty cartridge case out of the breech piece.
Where economy in the cost of manufacturing the fire-arm is desirable a simpler
construction may be used. The extractor is made to strike a pin or a screw just
when the whole lock is carried back. Then its front part, the hook, being in
contact with the empty cartridge case receives hereby also a short blow, which
makes the empty cartridge case jump out of the breech piece.
The pin or screw may be arranged and attached to the breech-piece in different
ways, so that it can be brought out of the way in case the whole lock shall be
removed entirely from the breech piece.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Paul Mauser in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd February
1882.
PAUL MAUSER, Manufacturer of Fire-arms, of Oberndorf a/ Neckar, in the
Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS."
The Invention is intended more particularly for that class of breech loading fire
arms manufactured by me, and which are known by the name of "Mauser," but it
may be used also with breech loading fire arms of other construction having a
general similarity in character.
The improvements relate to the means for cocking and firing, to a safety device,
and to means for ejecting the cases of exploded cartridges.
The firing bolt with its appendages in guns of former pattern was not substantial
enough; the nut uniting the bolt to the small lock was liable to become loose, and
it was possible for the safety device to fail, and to get rid of the empty cartridge
cases it was necessary to turn the gun on one side after each discharge. All these
inconveniences are remidied by the present Invention.
The accompanying Drawings represent what I consider the best means of
carrying out the Invention. The Drawings represent the novel parts with so
much of the ordinary parts as will serve to show their relation thereto.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the breech of the improved fire arm;
Figure 2 is a cross section thereof on the line X, Y, in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan
view of a portion of the breech mechanism detached; Figure 4 is a side view
of another portion thereof; Figure 5 is a plan view thereof partly in section;
Figures 6 and 7 are cross sections through the breech piece and through a certain
adjustable part of the side which performs important functions, such sections being
taken on the line P, Q, in Figures 4 and 5 respectively; Figure 6 shows the parts
arranged to throw out the cartridge cases, and Figure 7 shows the parts placed out
of action; Figures 8 to 11 represent a slight modification of the means for expelling
the cartridge case after it has been fired; Figure 8 is a side view; Figure 9 is a
plan partly in section; Figures 10 and 11 are cross sections; Figure 10 shows the
parts adjusted for throwing out the cartridge case, and Figure 11 shows the parts
placed out of action; Figures 12 to 15 are corresponding views representing still
another modification of the cartridge extractor.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever they occur.
The firing bolt A is made more stout than usual in its central part. The small
cylindrical part a at the rear is fitted closely in a corresponding hole in the small
lock or stout locking piece B. The shoulder 6 where the thick part of A unites with
the thin portion is conical, and the hole in the small lock B is correspondingly
formed..
A stout nut C unites the firing pin A and the small lock B. It is formed with a
nose or projection p, which when the gun is worked slides in a longitudinal groove e
in the interior of the breech piece E. The locking piece or small lock B has also a
nose or projection n sliding in the same groove e, and serving as a stop to engage
with the trigger catch H, and holding the firing pin in the locked or retracted
position until the latter is depressed by pulling the trigger, as will be understood.
By means of these two noses or projections p and n a reliable guide is obtained
for preventing the turning of the parts B, C, and the nut C is prevented from
working loose or unscrewing in the use of the gun.
I will now describe my safety device.
I employ what I term a safety pin. The main body or head of this pin is
marked D. and a flat thumb niece by which it may be turned is marked l

page_text: This safety pin lies near the firing pin A and parallel with it. A portion of its
cylindrical shaft is cut away, and a spiral spring d forces the safety pin against and
into a recess provided on top of the nut Ĉ. A portion of the head D is also cut
away, as indicated in Figure 2.
•
It will be understood that after a cartridge has been introduced into the barrel,
and secured by moving forward and partially rotating the bolt S, F, in the ordinary
manner, the firing pin A and its intermediate attachments B, C, D, are left behind,
ready to effect the discharge of the cartridge on their being suddenly released and
thrown forward by the main spiral spring wound round the cylindrical portion of
the firing pin A. This is effected by disengaging the trigger catch H from the nose
or projection n. The trigger catch is pressed upward by the spring J, on which
it is pivotted, and it remains engaged with the nose or projection n until it is
depressed by the pulling of the trigger, as will be obvious.
When it is desired to retain the improved fire arm in a loaded and cocked
condition, but without risk of its being fired accidentally, the safety pin D is turned
partially round by means of its thumb piece d³, so that the half round part of the
pin engages with the chambered piece S. In this position of the parts the firing
pin is held permanently back, notwithstanding that the trigger may be caused to
withdraw the catch H from the nose or projection n. The firing pin A and its
attachments cannot move forward, because the safety pin engages firmly at its end
with the chambered piece S and prevents any motion.
Before the arm can be fired the safety pin must be again turned back into the
'position shown in Figures 1 and 2, so that the cut away portion of the pin D will
be presented towards the chambered piece S, and the remaining half round portion
of the pin will be out of engagement therewith.
The safety pin also serves an important use in keeping the nut C in place when
the whole lock is removed from the breech piece E for cleaning or repairs. The
safety pin is kept in close contact with the nut C by the force of the spiral spring d
wound around the body of the pin. This forces the head D into a corresponding
recess in the nut C, and prevents the nut C from being turned relatively to the
other parts so long as the safety pin remains in that position. Whenever it is
required to unscrew the nut C from the firing pin A, the safety pin D must be
pressed in so as to compress the spiral spring d and move the head out of the recess
in C, then the latter may be turned at will by any suitable tool.
The Invention relieves the firing pin A. from undue friction, and the spiral spring
driving it may be lighter than those usually employed.
On the opening of the breech I withdraw and throw out the cartridge shell in
the following manner :-
Referring to Figure 1, G is a long arm made in one piece with the trigger
catch H, and having its forward end turned up sharply as indicated by g.
It is mounted on the spring J by the pivot 2, on which it can turn a little. The
trigger catch H works in one hole in the breech piece E, and the upturned nose g
in another hole considerably forward thereof. The latter is beneath the position
where the withdrawn shell will lie after it has been withdrawn from the barrel by
the pulling back of the chambered piece S and its attachments.
The trigger catch H works in a longitudinal groove t on the underside of the
chambered piece S, and is unaffected by the withdrawing of the latter until near
the end of its rearward motion. It is struck by the end of the groove t
when the breech is fully opened. The sudden blow thereby received causes it to
turn on the pivot z, thereby raising the forward nose g smartly and causing it
to strike upward through its aperture and throw out the shell lying above it.
The modifications shown in the succeeding Figures may for some reasons be
preferred.
•
Referring to the Figures 4, 5,.6, and 7, the extractor f is caused to throw out
the cartridge case by the concussion induced by striking the stop or projection h
when the breech is fully opened. The stop or projection h is arranged on one end
of a slightly curved piece h³, attached to the outside of the breech piece E by means

page_text: of a screw On the free end of this piece h¹ is a stop or projection h extending
inward through a slot, as shown. When this piece h¹ with its stop or projection h
is depressed into the position shown in Figures 4 and 6, the stop h will meet the
extractor and induce the desired concussion with the effect of throwing out the
cartridge case. When on the contrary the piece h¹ with its projection or stop h is
raised it has no effect, and the cartridge case or the unfired cartridge may be with-.
drawn without being thrown out of the piece.
A slight modification of this construction is shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15.
Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11, show how a simple screw pin h may be made to act in a
corresponding manner. When this pin is screwed in, as shown in Figures 9 and 10,
the point of the screw stands in the path of the extractor f and produces the
desired shock. When on the contrary the screw h is turned so as to partially
withdraw it, as indicated in Figure 11, the point of the screw is out of the path of
the extractor fand the cartridge or cartridge case will not be thrown out.
Whenever it is desired to remove the lock entirely from the breech piece, the
stop & must be moved out of the way.
It will be evident that modifications may be made in the forms and proportions
of many of the details without departing from the nature of the Invention.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and several modes in
which the same may be carried into effect, I would have it understood that what
I claim is,-
First. The locking piece or small lock B in combination with the firing pin A
having the conical shoulder b, and with the nut C arranged for joint operation, as
herein specified.
Second. The nut C formed with the nose p in combination with the breech
piece E having the groove e, and with the locking piece B and firing pin A having
the shoulders b, as herein specified.
Third. The safety pin D with its thumb piece d² capable of being partially
revolved and having a portion of its body cut away as indicated and combined and
arranged, as shown relatively to the bolt S and firing pin A and its attachments, as
herein specified.
Fourth. The safety pin D and operating spring & in combination with the firing
pin A, the locking piece or small lock B, and with the nut C, recessed to receive a
portion of the safety pin, as herein specified.
Fifth. The nose or projection n of the small lock B in combination with the nose
or projection p of the nut C, and with the breech piece E having the groove e, as
shown and described and for the purposes explained.
Sixth. The nut C recessed as shown to receive the safety pin D, and in com-
bination with such pin and with its impelling spring d and with the locking
piece B and bolt S, arranged to serve as and for the purposes herein specified.
Seventh. In combination with the bolt S having the groove t, the lever g, G, H,
turning on the pivot & in the spring J, discharging the gun by the action of the
trigger and throwing out the shell by the action of the bolt, as herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Paul Mauser, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty third day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand night hundred and nights Lea
PAUL MAUSER. (L.S.)