Improvements in and relating to Machine-guns and other Fire-arms.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL MULTIUALIUN
Improvements in and relating to Machine-guns and other Fire-arms.
I, EDWARD SMITH HIGGINS, of 6 Thorburn Square, Southwark Park Road, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
1
My invention is partly designed to improve the construction and increase the
efficiency of what are now known as automatic guns, that is to say, guns in which
the force of the recoil is utilized for opening the breech, extracting the empty
cartridge-shell and performing other operations necessary in the working of the
My improvements are, however, partly applicable to non-automatic guns
or guns designed to be worked by manual power.
gun.
In my improved fire-arm, the breech is closed by a block arranged to slide
longitudinally to and fro in suitable guides in rear of the barrel. For locking this
breech-block in its closed position and for supporting it against the force of the
explosion in the barrel, I employ a wedge or abutment block. This locking or
abutment block is movable, in either a straight or a curved path, transversely to
the axis of the barrel and is provided with means for withdrawing it to permit the
backward movement of the breech-block and for replacing it after the said breech-
block has been driven home. The said wedge or locking block is supported at its
rear end, when in its operative position, by a frame fixed on the rear end of the
barrel, which frame carries the breech-mechanism.
According to one method of constructing my improved gun, the barrel and the
frame attached thereto for carrying the breech-mechanism are arranged to slide
longitudinally to and fro in an outer frame or cradle supported by trunnions on a
suitable carriage or mounting. To provide for the unlocking of the breech-block
and the opening of the breech, I connect the said breech-block and the locking or
abutment block by means of suitable levers and links with a shaft carried in
suitable bearings in the inner frame. This shaft has fixed thereon a toothed
segment which is geared with a rack firmly attached to or movable in guides upon
the said outer frame or cradle.
0
The recoil of the gun is, counteracted by one or more springs or by means of
hydraulic or pneumatic or hydro-pneumatic apparatus. In some cases, a cylinder
is arranged on the underside of the outer frame or cradle and has combined
therewith a number of air-cells in connection with each other and with the cylinder
at its rear end by suitable ports. There is also a port opening from the cylinder
at its forward end into the air-cells. This port is, however, closed by a check-
valve to which access may be liad through a hole in the outer frame closed by a
suitable plug. The said cells are also provided with holes or passages through
which, they can be initially charged with compressed air; and an adjustable relief-
valve is combined with the said cells. The said cylinder has fitted therein à
A hollow
piston, the rod of which is connected at its rear end with the barrel.
plunger is provided in front of the said piston and has formed in it holes which,
when the said piston and plunger are at the rear extremity of their movement,
will admit air into the said cylinder. An annular chamber is provided at the
rear end of the cylinder and an enlargement or collar on the piston-rod is made to
fit easily into this chamber when the piston is at the rear end of its stroke. The
piston-rod and plunger work in suitable stuffing-boxes at the ends of the cylinder.
The said cylinder is to be filled with oil or other suitable liquid.
When the gun is-fired, the piston and plunger are moved backward with the gun

page_text: in its recoil and the oil is forced from the said cylinder into the air-cells, which
have a capacity greater than that of the cylinder. Near the termination of the
recoil, the enlargement or collar on the piston-rod enters the aforesaid annular
chamber and encloses therein a certain amount of oil, which can only escape
between the said enlargement or collar and the wall of the said chamber, and will,
therefore, offer considerable resistance to the backward motion of the gun, and
thus absorb such of the energy of the recoil as is not required to work the gun.
It will be seen that energy is stored in the compressed air-cells, which is
available for effecting the forward or return movement of the gun. The aforesaid
hollow plunger acts as an air-pump in the forward end of the cylinder for com-
pressing air into the air-cells and thus replacing any loss of air from leakage: the
air enclosed in the forward end of the cylinder, moreover, serves as a cushion until
the pressure attained in this end of the cylinder is equal to that in the cells. Any
excess of air will escape through the aforesaid relief-valve.
The breech-block should be slightly longer than the cartridges to be used in the
gun. The said block is arranged to slide in or between suitable guides in the
inner frame formed with the barrel. The firing-pin is arranged longitudinally in
the centre of the breech-block and is acted upon by a suitable spring. An
ejecting plug or plunger is fitted in the forward end of the breech-block and is
acted upon by a spring for the purpose hereinafter specified. The extractor
consists of a plate or platform which is semicircular or of other suitable form
in transverse section and is arranged beneath the breech-block, being supported
in suitable guides so that it can move longitudinally to and fro. The forward end
of the said plate or platform is provided with an extracting hook to engage with
the Hange of a cartridge in the barrel. At its rear end is a catch adapted to
engage with a shoulder on the underside of the breech-block and acted upon by
a spring which tends to keep it in engagement with the said shoulder. In the
backward movement of the breech-block, the said extractor draws the empty
cartridge-shell out of the barrel, and, as soon as the forward end of the cartridge-
shell is clear of the rear end of the barrel, the aforesaid ejecting plunger, acting
upon the upper edge of the said cartridge-shell, ejects the same from the gun.
Provision is made for the automatic disengagement of the aforesaid catch from
the breech-block after the said block has been moved back the required distance
to effect the extraction, and for the automatic return of the extractor to its fore-
most position, in which position it will serve as a support for the next cartridge,
previous to the thrusting of the latter into the barrel by the breech-block.
The cartridges are fed into the gun from a suitable hopper or magazine arranged
above the same. Beneath this hopper or magazine is arranged in rotate a chamber
or carrier for receiving the lowermost cartridge in the magazine and transferring
it to the space in front of the breech-block when the latter is moved back, whilst
supporting the remaining cartridges in the said magazine. The said feeding
device is rotated by the breech-block, at or near the termination of its recoil or
backward movement, by means of a pin or stud fixed in the said block and moving
in a helical groove in the said feeding device. Or other means are provided for
operating the said device.
In the locking or abutment block is arranged the firing-hammer or striker and an
auxiliary or supplementary firing-pin which, when the breech is closed, coincides
with the aforesaid firing-pin in the breech-block.
An arm is formed or fixed on the aforesaid toothed segment for operating the
breech-mechanism, and this arm has fixed therein two pins or studs one of which
is arranged to work in a circular or segmental slot in the inner frame. This pin
or stud engages with a forked lever fixed upon a short shaft on which is also
fixed a lever for raising and lowering the locking or abutment block. This lever
has a short arm which is provided with a counter-weight. In the downward
movement of the said locking or abutment block, the said lever acts upon the
hammer and cocks the same. A suitable sear is arranged to hold the said hammer
in its cocked position, and a trigger is provided for releasing the said hammer to
fire the gun. The other pin or stud fixed in the arm of the toothed segment is

page_text: connected by means of a link or links with a lever which is pivoted to a bracket
secured to the inner frame. This lever is connected to the breech-block by means
of a link and coupling bolt, the latter being arranged to work in a longitudinal
slot in the side of the said frame. The partial rotation of the said toothed
segment alternately in either direction will, therefore, effect the to-and-fro move-
ment of the breech-block as required. The parts are so arranged that the forward
movement of the breech-block will be nearly terminated before the locking or
abutment block is moved up behind the same.
extractor.
On the main shaft is also fixed a clutch which engages with a detent carried by
a lever connected with another lever for effecting the return movement of the
To prevent injury to the parts, the said detent has a spring mounting
so that the levers and the extractor will not be injuriously affected by any extra
movement of the aforesaid buffer due to differences in the weight of the powder-
charges or in the explosive force of the powder used in the gun.
I sometimes provide a lever whereby the extractor may be operated by hand to
withdraw a live cartridge when necessary, or for other purposes.
The operations of thrusting the fresh cartridge into the barrel and closing and
locking the breech are performed in the return movement of the gun in its outer
frame or support.
For firing the gun. I provide in the inner frame a finger which, when the
locking or abutment block is in its highest position, can act upon the trigger.
The said finger is connected with a lever for operating it, and this lever is pivoted
to the inner frame and is arranged in combination with another lever pivoted to
the outer frame. These levers are so arranged that they can operate in conjunction
with each other, when, but not until, the gun has terminated its forward or
return movement. The firing of the gun cannot, therefore, take place unless the
complete cycle of operations has been performed. Moreover, if the firing-lever
be held back by a catch provided for the purpose, the firing of successive shots will
be effected automatically. A suitable spring is arranged in combination with the
firing-mechanism for effecting the return movement thereof when the firing-lever
is released. By reason of the arrangement of the aforesaid levers and links and
the toothed segment, the extractor will at first move slowly, which is advantageous
in the case of cartridges fitting tightly within the barrel. Suitable levers are
provided for operating the gun by hand to withdraw the charge if necessary and
to effect the initial loading of the gun. One of these levers is connected with the
aforesaid rack and is designed to move the same forward and thus rotate the
toothed segment in the same direction as it is rotated in the recoil when the gun is
operating automatically. If this lever is pivoited to the inner frame, the gun
may be operated by hand but cannot work automatically. Or a lever may be fixed
upon the main shaft for operating the breech-mechanism by hand.
To provide for conveniently withdrawing the locking or abutment block from
the gun, a part of the inner frame is made removable beneath the slot in which
the said block works. This removable part is provided with leather or other
suitable cushions to diminish the shock or concussion produced by the downward
movement of the said block.
To prevent straining of the parts for operating the extractor, the link which
connects the extractor-lever with the detent-lever is provided with a spring joint
which will yield to any pressure in excess of that needed to work the extractor.
The two parts of the said link slide one within the other; they are prevented
from rotating relatively to each other by means of a feather or guide in the one
working in a groove or slot in the other and are held together by a pin or cotter.
The aforesaid extractor or sliding platform is sometimes provided with a tongue
which is acted upon by a spring or other means for operating it and upon which the
cartridges will fall. This tongue will diminish the shock or concussion due to the
falling of the cartridge upon the said platform. Or other suitable means are
used for this purpose. When I employ a tongue as above described, I find it
advantageous to mount it on the same pivot as the catch for connecting the
extractor with the breech-block, and to arrange a suitable spring or springs in

page_text: combination therewith for causing the said catch to engage with the breech-block
and for raising the tongue above the aforesaid platform when it is not held down
by the breech-block.
According to another form or modification of my improved gun, the locking or
abutment block is attached to a lever which is pivoted to the inner frame and
provided with a short arm extending into an oblique slot or groove in a sliding
piece carried between guides in the outer frame and acted upon by a spring;
this lever will, in the to-and-fro movement of the gun, be turned about its pivot
into and out of its locking position.
The feeding of the cartridges from the magazine into the space in front of the
breech-block is effected by means of a slide operated by the breech block in its
to-and-fro movement. This slide is provided with a slot into which a cartridge
from the magazine can fall, and a plate is arranged beneath the said slide for the
said cartridge to rest upon until moved by the slide over the space in front of
the breech-block, the said cartridge will then fall into the said space ready to be
thrust into the barrel by the breech-block in its next forward movement.
The lever for operating the breech-block in the recoil and return movement of
the gun is pivoted to the inner frame and its short arm is provided with a slot
into which projects a pin or stud fixed in a block carried by the outer frame, the
said block being held in place by a spring which permits movement or displace-
ment of the said block, thus giving time for the operation of other parts of the
mechanism and preventing injury to the said parts.
The breech-block has a stud or projection arranged to act upon a lever for
effecting the forward movement of the extractor as soon as the catch of the latter
has been disengaged from the breech-block.
The firing-hammer is pivoted to the inner frame and is acted upon by a spring
attached to the said frame. The sear is carried by and pivoted to a lever, which
is pivoted to the inner frame and is arranged to be acted upon by a spring and
by the locking or abutment block in such a manner that, when the said "block
is moved into its operative position, the said sear will be moved into the required
position for effecting the release of the hammer when the trigger is pulled. The
locking or abutment block is arranged to act upon the said lever either directly
or through the medium of other levers and links.
Other firing-mechanism may, however, be used if desired.
The non-automatic gun is sometimes provided with a hand-lever mounted on, its
main shaft, by which to work it. This handle is adjustable, that is to say, it is
so formed that it can be placed on its shaft in different positions. The trunnions
are, or may be, formed or fixed on the barrel and the gun mounted on a non-
recoiling carriage.
The drawing of a live cartridge from the barrel is sometimes effected by means
of a handle at one side of the breech: this is to give the extra travel of the
extractor or sliding platform and draw the case to a further distance, then to
return the sliding platform.
I sometimes use, either in place of, or in addition to, the buffer above described
a spring or springs or other suitable buffer or cushion between the inner and
outer frames at the rear end thereof.
Morcover other feed-mechanism may if desired, he substituted for that above
described.
My improvements above described are applicable to guns such as are usually
termed quick-firing guns and also to machine-guns.
1
L
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co..
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant,

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Machine-guns and other Fire-arms.
I, EDWARD SMITH HIGGINS, of 6 Thorburn Square, Southwark Park Road, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, 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:-
My invention is parily designed to improve the construction and increase the
efficiency of what are now known as automatic guns, that is to say, guns in which
the force of the recoil is utilized for opening the breech, extracting the empty
cartridge-shell and performing other operations necessary in the working of the
gun. My improvements are, however, partly applicable to guns designed to be
worked by manual power.
In my improved fire-arm, the breech is closed by a block arranged to slide
longitudinally to and fro in suitable guides in rear of the barrel. An important
feature of my said invention is the provision which I make for locking this
breech-block in its closed position and for supporting it against the force of the
explosion in the barrel, by a wedge or abutment block, which is movable, in
either a straight or a curved path, transversely to the axis of the barrel, but which
does not move to and from the barrel with the said breech-block. I provide
suitable means for withdrawing this wedge or locking-block to permit the back-
ward movement of the breech-block, and for replacing the said locking-block after
the said breech-block has been driven home. The said wedge or locking-block is
supported at its rear end, when in its operative position, by a frame fixed on the
rear end of the barrel, which frame carries the breech-mechanism.
Another important feature of my said invention is the combination, with the
breech-block, of a plate or platform which is adapted to engage with the flange
of a cartridge in the barrel, and which is so arranged that it will be moved
backward with the breech-block and will extract the empty cartridge-shell, and
will then return independently of the breech-block and close the aperture through
which the empty shell is ejected, before another cartridge is fed from the
magazine into the loading position in front of the breech-block. I prefer to
arrange this plate or platform beneath the breech-block so that it will serve as
a support for a cartridge in the said loading position.
My said invention, moreover, comprises the combination, with the breech-
block, of an ejecting plunger which is fitted to slide in the said block and which
operates in conjunction with the extractor to throw or eject the empty cartridge-
shells from the gun.
My said invention also comprises other improvements hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan,
Figure 2a side elevation,
Figure a plan. parily in horizontal section, and,
Figure 4 a vertical longitudinal central section, showing one form of my
improved gun.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the liner, r, Figures 2 and 4, drawn to an
enlarged scale, some of the parts being removed.
Figure 6 is an elevation of the right hand side of the gun, drawn to an enlarged
scale, the side of the outer frame being removed.
Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the said gun, also drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure S is a rear elevation partly in section on the line a¹, r. Figure 4,
also drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the said gun, drawn to the same scale as Figures 5
to S, some of the parts being removed, and

page_text: Figure 10 is a similar view to Figure 6, the parts being shown in a different
position.
Figures 11 to 29 are different views, drawn to an enlarged scale, showing
details of construction hereinafter described.
Figure 30 is a side elevation, and
Figure 31 a vertical central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, illustrating
another form or modification of my improved gun.
Figure 32 is a plan the top or cover of the inner frame being removed and
Figure 33 is a side elevation, the side of the outer frame or cradle being
removed and partly in section showing a further modification.
Figure 34 is a transverse section on the line y, y Figures 32 and 33.
Figure 35 is a transverse section on the line ==
Figure 33.
Figure 36 is a side elevation of a portion of the inner frame partly in section,
Figure 37 is a plan thereof also partly in section and
Figure 38 is a plan showing details of construction.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the barrel of the gun, A is a frame formed on, or secured to the barrel and
carrying the breech-mechanism. B is the breech-block; C is the locking or
abutment block: D is the outer frame or cradle; E is the hopper or magazine for
receiving the cartridges; F. F (Figure 4) are cartridges, one of which is shown in
the chamber of the gun and another in the said hopper or magazine.
The barrel A and inner frame A' are arranged to slide longitudinally to and
fro in the outer frame or cradle D, which may be supported by trunnions D' on a
suitable carriage or mounting, not shown in the drawings, or in any other
convenient manner. The barrel and inner frame recoil within the outer frame, and
1 provide improved means hereinafter described for storing energy during the
recoil, and for utilizing such energy for effecting the return movement or running-
oui of the said barrel and inner frame.
The breech-block B is fitted to slide longitudinally to and from the barrel in
suitable guides on the frame A', to open and close the breech. This to-and-fro
movement of the breech-block is effected by means of a crank or lever a, to which
the said breech-block is coupled by means of a link or connecting-rod and a
coupling-bolt. 1, which works in a longitudinal slot 2 in the side of the inner
frame A. The said lever a is fixed upon a shaft a supported in suitable bearings
in a bracket A which is firmly attached to the inner frame A'.
A shaft e is
supported in suitable bearings in the said inner frame A', and has fixed upon it
a toothed segment d, Figure 2, 7, 8 and 9, which is geared with a rack e. This
rack is fitted to slide to and fro in suitable guides in the outer frame D and is
connected as hereinafter described to a hand-lever el pivoted at e² to a bracket
firmly attached to the said outer frame or cradle D, so that the gun may be loaded
or unloaded by hand. The said rack, however, does not slide in its guides during
the automatic working of the gun, and is only made movable to permit the
working of the gun by hand. An arm is formed or fixed on the toothed seg-
ment and is connected by a link * to the lever for operating the breech-block.
This arm has fixed therein two pins or studs d², . The pin or stud
arranged to work in a circular or segmental slot (more clearly shown in Figure
9) in the inner frame A¹. The pin or stud is arranged to operate a lever for
raising and lowering the locking-block C as hereinafter described.
is
To provide for counteracting the recoil of the gun and storing energy during
the recoil to be subsequently utilized for effecting the running-out of the gun, I
employ a hydro-pneumatic buffer or brake and recuperator, comprising a cylinder
f. more clearly shown in Figures 4, 11, 12, 13 and 14, arranged on the underside
of the outer frame or cradle D. The rear end of the cylinder f is connected by
ports with air-cells or chambers g, which are in connection with each other
ihrough suitable air-passages or apertures gl. The forward end of the cylinder f
communicates through a port 2 with the said air-cells g. The port is normally
closed by a check-valve which is loaded by means of a spring A, and to which

page_text: access may be had through a hole in the outer frame or cradle D closed by a
screw-threaded plug . The cells or chambers are, in some instances, also
provided with one or more holes or passages through which they can be initially
charged with compressed air. is an adjustable relief-valve provided with a
spring The cylinder has fitted therein a piston the rod or stem of which
is connected, by means of a nut, with a lug or projection A upon the gun-
barrel A. A hollow plunger k is secured to the front of the said piston j and
has formed in it holes which, when the said piston and plunger k are at the
rear extremity of their movement, will admit air into the cylinder f. is a
nut for securing the said piston firmly in position upon the rod . Annular
chambers f, are provided at the rear end of the cylinder f to receive the said
nut when the piston is at the rear extremity of its movement, the smaller or
reduced portion of the said nut being made to fit easily into the chamber ft.
The piston-rod and plunger k work in suitable stuffing-boxes f at the ends of
the cylinder. The said cylinder f is filled with oil or other suitable liquid, which
can be forced into the air-cells g through the ports f
When the gun is fired, the piston and plunger & will be moved backward with
the gun in its recoil, and will force the oil or other liquid from the cylinder f
into the air-cells g, which have a capacity greater than that of the said cylinder,
and in which the air has been previously subjected to an initial compression.
Near the termination of the recoil, the nut will enter the annular chambers
f³, f and enclose therein a certain amount of the oil or other liquid, so that, the
latter can only escape through the annular space between the said nut and the
wall of the said chambers: considerable resistance is, therefore, offered to the
backward motion of the gun, and such of the energy of the recoil as it, not
required to work the gun, is thus absorbed. It will be seen, moreover, that
energy is stored by the compression of the air in the cells or chambers g. This
energy is available for effecting the forward or return movement of the gun. The
aforesaid hollow plunger k in the forward end of the cylinder f, acts as an air-
pump for forcing air into the air-cells or chambers through the port and
valve, and thus replacing any loss of air from leakage; the air enclosed in the
forward end of the cylinder f. moreover, serves as a cushion until the pressure
attained in this end of the cylinder is equal to that in the said cells or chambers g.
Any excess of air will escape through the aforesaid relief-valve g².
The breech-block B should be slightly longer than the cartridges to be used in
the gun. The said breech-block B is, as above stated, arranged to slide in or
between suitable guides in the inner frame A'. The firing-pin extends longi-
tudinally through the centre of the said breech-block (as more clearly shown in
Figure 17) and is acted upon a suitable spring / mis an ejecting plug or
plunger, which is fitted to slide in the forward end of the breech-block Band is
acted upon by a spring m², for the purpose hereinafter specified. The extractor
consists of a plate or platform which is rough-shaped or of other suitable
form in transverse section, and is arranged beneath the breech-block, being
supported in suitable guides, as more clearly shown in Figure 5, so that it can.
move longitudinally to and fro. The forward end of the said plate or platform »
is. provided with an extracting-hook a adapted to engage with the flange of a
cartridge in the barrel. 2 is a hooked lever or catch pivoted at to the said
plate or platformin and adapted to engage with a shoulder or projection a on
the underside of the breech-block B. is a spring which it attached to an arm
or tongue pivoted to the platform as hereinafter described, and which tends to
keep the said catch in engagement with the said shoulder or projection n'
The said plate or platform is arranged to move backward with the breech-block
B to draw the empty cartridge-shell out of the barrel, and a pin or projection *
(Figure 4) is provided upon the outer frame or cradle D, for automatically dis-
engaging the hooked lever or catch from the projection n on the breech-block,
when the latter has been moved back the required distance to effect the extraction
of the cartridge-shell. The ejecting plunger m is arranged to act upon the upper
edge of the cartridge-shell and to operate in conjunction with the extractor to

page_text: eject the said shell from the gun through the aperture left by the drawing back
of the platform n, as soon as the forward end of the said shell is clear of the rear
end of the barrel.
to
I provide for the automatic return of the combined platform and extractor
its foremost position before the return of the breech-block, so that the said plat-
form will serve as a support for the next cartridge, previous to the thrusting of
the same into the barrel by the breech-block. For this purpose, the said platform
is connected, by means of a link or connecting-rod and a coupling-bolt, to
an arm or lever a mounted upon the shaft a', the said coupling-bolt 6+ working
in a longitudinal slot in the inner frame A', as more clearly shown in
Figures 5, 6 and 10. The said arm or lever a is connected, by means of a link
or connecting-rod 66, with the short arm of a bell-crank-lever mounted loosely
upon a sleeve (more clearly shown in Figures 6, 10, 21, 22 and 23) keyed or
otherwise firmly secured upon the shaft c. A pawl or catch is pivoted at
to the short arm of the said bell-crank-lever and is adapted to engage with
a projection or stop upon the sleeve. The pawl or catch is coupled, by
means of a link or connecting-rod e, to a bent lever 8 (Figures 6 and 10) which
is pivoted at to the long arm of the said bell-crank-lever c², and is acted upon
by a spring, which tends to maintain the pawl or catch e' in such a position as
to ensure its engagement with the projection or stop c".
These parts are so constructed and arranged that, in the recoil of the gun, when
the catch has been disengaged from the breech-block by the pin *, the stop c
will act upon the pawl or catch and thus turn the lever about the shaft e,
thereby moving forward the platform independently of the breech-lock.
To prevent straining of, or injury to the levers and the extractor by any extra
movement of the aforesaid buffer due to differences in the weight of the powder-
charges, or in the explosive force of the powder used in the gun, 1 construct the
link or connecting-rod in two parts, which are connected together by a spring
joint, as shown more clearly in Figures 24 and 25, so that the said link 66 will
yield to any pressure in excess of that required to work the extractor. One of
the said parts is provided with a recess or cavity b, in which a reduced portion 68
and a further reduced portion 78% of the other part are fitted to slide. A taper
key or coitar is passed through holes in the recessed portion and through
a slot in the reduced portion 18*, and a spiral spring is arranged upon
the said portion 4* in the said recess or cavity and bears at one extremity against
the key or cottar 6 and at the other extremity against a shoulder formed by the
reduced portion be
The two parts of the said link or connecting-rod b6 slide freely one within the
other, but are prevented from rotating relatively to each other by the said pin or
coltar. Or I prevent such rotation thereof by making the said reduced portion 68*
square or of other suitable form in transverse section and arranging it to work in a
correspondingly shaped portion of the recess or cavity or by providing a
feather or guide on the one part to work in a groove or slot in the other part; or in
any other convenient manner.
The combined sliding platform and extractor is provided with an arm or tongue
(Figures 4, 15, 16 and 17) which is pivoted at n³ to the said platform, and to
which the aforesaid spring n is attached. When the said platform is returned to
its normal position, and before the return of the breech-block.B. the said tongue n
will rise under the action of the spring and assume the position shown in doited
lines in Figure 17, so that the cartridge delivered from the hopper E will fall
thereon, and again depress the same and cause it to resume its normal position.
The said tongue will, therefore, act as a cushion to diminish the shock or con-
cussion caused by the falling of the cartridge upon the platform n. The said
tongue is forked at its rear end as shown at ", and the catch n for connecting
the extractor with the breech-block is arranged within the forked part of the said
tongue. The tongue is held down in the position shown in Figures 4, 16 and 17
by the breech-block B when the breech is closed.

page_text: Fixed springs may, if desired, be used for steadying the cartridge and for fur-
ther diminishing the shock of its falling upon the platform n.
For feeding the cartridges one by one from the hopper or magazine E into the
gun, I provide a carrier o (more clearly shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5) having a
trough or chamber o' adapted to receive the lowermost cartridge in the magazine E
and to transfer this cartridge to the space in front of the breech-block, when the
latter is at the rear extremity of its movement, whilst supporting the remaining
cartridges in the said magazine. The carrier is arranged to be partially rotated
alternately in either direction by the breech-block B in the to-and-fro movement
of the latter, by means of a pin or stud o² fixed in the said block and working in
a groove or slot in the said carrier o. The said groove or slot extends longi-
tudinally from its forward end to near its rear end, where it extends spirally or
helically around the carrier ». The said pin or stud 2 will, therefore, act to turn
the said carrier in one direction during the latter part of the backward movement
of the breech-block, and thus transfer a cartridge from the magazine into the load-
ing position in front of the breech-block; and the said pin or stud o will, more-
over, act to turn the said carrier in the reverse direction during the first part of
the forward or return movement of the beech block, thus bringing the said carrier
Other suitable
into position to receive another cartridge from the magazine.
means may, however, be provided for operating the said carrier for the purpose
above specified. The said carrier is so constructed that the trough or chamber o¹
is placed eccentrically to its axis so that the axis of the cartridge is not coincident
with that of the said carrier o and it will act therefore positively upon the said
cartridges and will impart acceleration thereto, thus feeding the said cartridges
very rapidly into the loading position. The action of the feed is, therefore, not
entirely dependent upon gravity.
In the locking or abutment block C, is arranged the firing-hammer or striker ?
and an auxiliary or supplementary firing-pin pl which is provided with a spring p³,
as more clearly shown in Figures 4, 19 and 20, and which, when the breech is
closed, coincides with the aforesaid firing-pin in the breech-block B. The firing-
hammer P is pivoted at p³ to the said locking or abutment block C, and is pro-
vided with an extension or tail-piece against which bears one end of a spring
The said hammer is also provided with a projection or tooth p, with which
a suitable sear pi pivoted at p8 to the locking or abutment block is adapted to
engage when the said firing-hammer or striker is cocked, as hereinafter described.
The said sear p is acted upon by the other end of the spring p p is a trigger
for firing the gun; this trigger is bent and extends over the free end of the sear p',
and is operated as hereinafter described to cause the disengagement of the said sear
from the projection p of the firing-hammer p. It is obvious that any other suit-
able spring or springs can be used for acting upon the said firing-hammer and sear.
The raising and lowering of the locking wedge or abutment block C is effected
by the following mechanism, that is to say: the aforesaid pin or stud fixed in
the arm of the toothed segment d, engages with a forked lever 7 (Figure 9)
fixed upon a short shaft q, which is carried in suitable bearings in the inner frame
A', and on which is also fixed a lever q2 (Figures 4, 8 and 10). The short arm of
the said lever q is provided with a counter-weight q³, and the long arm thereof is
provided with a head or cross-piece 7' working in grooves q in the locking or
abutment block C, as shown more clearly in Figures 7, 8, 19 and 20. The said
pin or stud d operates through the medium of the levers q, q to depress and raise
the locking block C in the recoil and return movements of the gun. In moving
the said locking or abutment block C downward, the said head or cross-piece q' of
the lever q, during its movement in the grooves 7, will act upon the extension
or tail-piece p of the firing-hammer or striker p, and cock the said hammer (as
shown in Figure 20), the sear pi will then engage with the projection or stop p
and hold the said hammer in its cocked position. The parts are so arranged that
the forward movement of the breech-block B will be terminated, or nearly ter-
minated before the locking or abutment block C commences to move upward.
For firing the gun, I provide a bent or curved lever r which is fixed upon the

page_text: inner extremity of a spindle r¹ (Figures 2, 7, 28 and 29) supported in suitable bear-
ings in the outer frame or cradle D.
A bell-crank-lever s is pivoted at s¹ to the bracket A2 and is acted upon by a
spring 2, Figure 4. The lower extremity of the trigger p³ is coupled to one arm
of the said bell-crank-lever s so that the said trigger is held up by the said spring:
the other arm of the lever s projects downward behind the bent or curved lever r
so that, when the parts are in the firing position, the said bent lever may be
caused to act upon the levers and thus pull down the trigger p°, thereby dis-
engaging the sear p' from the hammer and firing the gun. A quadrant is
attached to the outer frame D and a hand-lever u (shown more clearly in Figures
7, 28 and 29) is fixed upon the outer extremity of the spindler. By means of
this hand-lever, the firing of the gun may be effected by hand, or the bent lever r
may be set in such a position that the firing of the gun will be automatically
effected at the termination of its forward or return movement. vis a block or
piece which is attached to the lever so that it can slide up and down thereon,
and which is provided with a tooth or catch adapted to enter one or other of
two notches in the said quadrant t. A léver
lever u and is coupled to the sliding block or
necting-rod, and is acted upon by a spring
block or picce v against the quadrant t. By operating the lever so as to com-
press the spring, the sliding block or piece can be raised to disengage the said
tooth or catch from the notch t', and thus permit the turning of the lever wand
spindle about the axis of the said spindle.
is pivoted at 3 to the said hand-
piece by means of a link or con-
which maintains the said sliding
By reason of the above described arrangement of the levers and the said
levers will, in the recoil of the gun, move away from the lever r, which can act
upon the said levers when, but not until the gun has terminated its forward or
return movement. A safety device is thus provided whereby the firing of the gun
is prevented except when the breech is closed and the breech-block locked in its
closed position; that is to say, the firing of the gun can take place only when
the complete cycle of operations has been performed.
It will be seen, moreover, that by the arrangement of the sear p² and trigger p
in the manner above described, a second safety device is provided, as disengage-
ment of the said sear from the hammer by the said trigger is permitted when, but
not until the locking block C has terminated its upward movement.
To provide for opening and closing the breech by hand to effect the loading of
the gun in the first instance, that is to say, to permit the insertion of the first
cartridge in the barrel, the aforesaid rack c is coupled by means of a link or con-
necting rod et (Figures 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9) to a lever e fixed on the pivot c³ of the
hand lever e, as more clearly shown in Figures 26 and 27. A quadrant e is
firmly secured to or formed in one with a bracket attached to the outer frame
D. The said quadrant has two notches e, in one or other of which is adapted to
enter a tooth, catch or projection e upon a sliding block or piece e on the said
lever e. This sliding block is coupled, by a link or connecting-rod el, to a bent
lever el pivoted at 2 to the said hand-lever e¹ and acted upon by a spring ela,
whereby the sliding block or piece is normally held against the quadrant e.
By these means, the rack e may be moved to and fro in its guides and the toothed
segment thus turned in one or the other direction to open or close the breech,
or to withdraw a live cartridge when necessary, or for other purposes.
It is obvious that the rack e may be firmly attached to the outer frame D, pro-
vided other suitable means are employed for operating the gun by manual power.
It is evident, moreover, that I can employ other suitable means for disengaging
the plate or platform n from the breech-block and for effecting its forward or
return movement independently of the breech-block, before a fresh cartridge is
delivered from the hopper or magazine.
If the hand-lever el is pivoted to the inner frame A¹ instead of to the outer
frame or cradle D, the gun 'may be operated by hand but cannot work automati-
cally. Instead of the hand-lever e¹, a suitable lever may, if desired, be fixed

page_text: upon the shaft c as hereinafter described, for operating the breech mechanism by
hand.
To provide for conveniently withdrawing the locking or abutment block C from
the gun when desired, a part of the inner frame A is made removable beneath
the slot in which the said block works. This removable part is provided with
leather or other suitable cushions c¹, to diminish the shock or concussion pro-
duced by the downward movement of the said block.
By reason of the arrangement of the aforesaid levers and links and the toothed
segment, the extractor will at first move slowly to start the empty cartridge-
shell from the barrel, and will then gradually move more rapidly until the said
cartridge shell is ejected by the plunger m. This arrangement is advantageous
in the case of cartridges fitting tightly within the barrel.
The operation of the automatic gun above described is as follows, viz.-In
starting the gun, the hand-lever is first turned about its pivot so as to move
the rack e forward in or between its guides, and thus turn the toothed segment </
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, thereby moving down the
wedge or locking block C, drawing back the breech-block and the platform n, and
effecting the forward or return movement of the said platform; in the latter part
of the rearward movement of the breech-block, the pin or stud of sliding in the
helical part of the groove 3 turns the carrier o about its axis and thus delivers a
cartridge from the magazine upon the said platform n in front of the breech-block.
The hammer is cocked, as above described, in the downward movement of the
said wedge or locking block. The lever e¹ is then turned about its pivot e² so as
io move the rack e backward, thus effecting the forward movement of the breech-
block, and thrusting the said cartridge into the chamber of the gun, and then
effecting the upward movement of the wedge or block C and thus locking the
breech-block in its closed position; the gun is then ready to be fired.
P.
The firing of the gun by hand is effected by moving the hand-lever from its
rearmost or lowermost position into the position indicated in Figures 2 and 28,
thus causing the bent or curved lever r to act upon the levers and thereby pulling
the trigger downward and disengaging the scarp from the hammer The
impact of the said hammer is transmitted through the firing-pin p to the firing-
pin 7, which strikes the primer of the cartridge and thus discharges the gun. The
gun, when fired, recoils in the outer frame or cradle D, and, in its recoil, the
rack e being held stationary by the lever e', the toothed segment d is moved back-
ward relatively to the said rack and is thereby turned with the shaft c about the
axis thereof in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 9. In the turning
of the said toothed segment in this direction, the pin or stud first acts upon the
forked lever q, and, through the medium of the lever q, moves down the wedge
or locking block C, the hammer being cocked in this movement.
The pin or
stud is so arranged that it will commence to act upon the lever a through the
link when, but not until the toothed segment d has moved through an angle
sufficient to withdraw the locking block C from behind the breech-block; the said
toothed segment will then, through the said pin or stud d³, draw back the breech-
block together with the platform n, the catch of which is in engagement with the
said breech-block.. The pin or stud d³, in this movement of the toothed segment <,
moves out of engagement with the forked lever g; the block C cannot, however,
move upwards, the breech-block having by this time been moved into the space
above it. The platform n, in its backward movement, effects the extraction of
the empty cartridge-shell, which, as soon as it has thus been withdrawn from the
chamber of the gun, is ejected by the plunger m through the opening left by the
withdrawal of the platform n. The said platform, when thus drawn back, will
act, through the medium of the links 3, and lever a², upon the lever, thus
causing the same to turn about the shaft c in the reverse direction to that in which
the said shaft is being turned by the toothed segment d, as indicated by the arrows
in Figure 10. The pawl or catch and the stop or projection care thus caused
to approach each other. By the time the breech-block has been moved back far

page_text: enough to permit the disengagement of the catch 2 from the said breech-block
by the pin or projection *, the stop or projection e will come in contact with
the pawl or catch e, as shown in Figure 10, and will, by its action thereon, effect
the forward movement of the platform n, while the breech-block continues its
backward movement. In this continued backward movement, the pin or stud o
acts upon the carrier as above described, thus transferring another cartridge
from the hopper or magazine into the loading position in front of the breech-
block, in which position it rests upon the said platform n.
In the recoil of the gun, the air in the cells or chambers g is compressed. The
reaction or expansion of this air effects the return movement or running out of the
gun. In this return movement, the toothed segment d and shaft c are turned in
the reverse direction to that above referred to, thereby moving forward the breech-
block. In the first part of the forward movement of the breech-block, the pin or
stud acts upon the carrier and turns the same into the required position to
receive another cartridge from the hopper or magazine. The said breech-block
in its forward movement, thrusts the cartridge on the platform n into the chamber
of the gun. In the continued movement of the toothed segment d, the pin or
stud again engages with the forked lever g and raises the wedge or block C
into its locking position behind the breech-block. The upward movement of the
said locking-block terminates simultaneously with the forward or return move-
ment of the gun. If the hand-lever or firing-lever u is secured in the position
shown in Figure 2, the gun will, at the termination of its forward or return move-
ment, be automatically fired by the bent or curved lever r striking the levers and
acting through the same upon the trigger . The operation of the gun may be
arrested when desired by pulling back the said lever u.
If it is desired to withdraw a live cartridge from the barrel, the breech-block is
unlocked and drawn back by hand by means of the lever e as above described,
the pawl or catch et is turned about its pivot by means of the lever cs and is held
out of the path of the stop or projection e, and the platform n is drawn back
(further than it can be by the breech-block) by raising the long arm of the lever c².
Figures 30 and 31 illustrate an application of my improvements to a non-
automatic gun.
In this instance, I dispense with the toothed segment and
rack e, and provide a hand-lever a mounted on the shaft c, by which to work the
said shaft. The trunnions D¹ are, or may be, formed or fixed on the barrel A, and
the gun may be mounted on a non-recoiling carriage. For firing the gun, I
provide a lever *mounted loosely, or adjustable upon the shaft c, that is to say,
it is so arranged that it can be placed in different positions upon the said shaft c
and is provided at or near the handle with a spring catch for locking it in the
position in which it is shown. At the other extremity of the said lever is provided
à bent piece or trigger hinged or jointed at to the said lever. and provided
with a spring for maintaining it normally in its operative position. One arm of
the said bent piece or trigger 3 engages with the sear p' when the lever * is
secured in the position shown in Figure 31. Upon the return of the locking or
abutment block C to the firing position, the lever ? presses against the lower
extremity of the said bent piece or trigger and discharges the gun. The said
gun, moreover, may be discharged by means of the lever 2*, in which case its
position upon the shaft or spindle c is altered so as to prevent the lever q from
operating the bent piece or trigger upon its return movement.
Figures 32 to 38 illustrate a modification wherein the locking or abutment,
block C is attached to a lever C¹ which is pivoted at C2 to the inner frame A¹ and
is provided with a short arm C³ having an antifriction roller C extending into and
arranged to work freely in an oblique slot or groove GI provided in a sliding block
or piece G (more clearly shown in Figure 34 and 38) carried between guides H in
a frame H firmly secured to the outer frame or cradle D and acted upon by a
spring I. II' are screws adapted to form adjustable stops for limiting the travel
of the sliding block or piece G in the frame H¹. The lever C will, in the to and
fro movement of the gun, be turned about its pivot into and out of its locking
position,

page_text: In this form or modification of my improved gun, the feeding of the cartridges F
from the magazine into the space in front of the breech-block B is effected by
means of a transversely moving slide J operated by the breech-block B in its to-
and-fro movement.
For operating the said slide J during the said to-and-fro movement of the breech-
block B I provide a curved or arc-shaped slot J in which is arranged to work
freely an antifriction roller B' mounted upon a pin, stud or screw B2 secured to
the upper part of the breech-block B. A is a top or cover which encloses the said
slide and is provided with suitable guides for directing the transverse move-
ment thereof. The said top or cover A2 is secured to the inner frame A¹ by means
of screws or in any other convenient manner and is provided with a mouth or aper-
ture A³ intended to receive the cartridges from the magazine. The said slide J
is provided moreover with another slot J2 into which a cartridge from the magazine
can fall and a plate J³ is arranged beneath the said slide for the said cartridge to
rest upon until moved by the slide over the space in front of the breech-block, the
said cartridge will then fall into the said space ready to be thrust into the barrel
by the breech-block in its next forward movement.
The lever a for operating the breech-block B in the recoil and return movements
of the gun, is pivoted at a to the inner frame and its short arm is provided with a
slot a into which projects a pin or stud K fixed in a sliding block K' carried
between suitable guides or in a groove L' provided in a bracket L firmly secured
to the outer frame D. The block K' is held in place by a spring K2 which permits
movement or displacement of the said block, thus giving time for the operation
of other parts of the mechanism and preventing injury to the said parts., The
breech block B has a stud or projection 133 arranged to work freely in a slot. A*
provided in one of the walls of the inner frame A¹. The projection or stud B³
acts upon the short arm or one arm of a bell crank lever M pivoted at M to the
inner frame A' for effecting the forward movement of the table and extractor n
as soon as the catch 2 of the latter has been disengaged from the breech block B.
The other area or long arm of the said bell crank lever M is coupled by means of
a suitable link or connecting rod M² to the lever a² one extremity of which is
pivoted at a to the said inner frame A, and the other extremity of which is pro-
vided with a slot a in which engages the stud or projection 6+, or an antifriction.
roller 3 journalled thereon. M³ is a spring which acts upon the long arm of
the bell crank lever M and assists in returning the table n and extractor n¹ to
their normal position. The firing hammer pis pivoted at p³ to the inner frame A¹
and is acted upon by a spring 2 attached to the said frame. The sear is
carried by, and pivoted at 10 to a lever N which is pivoted at N¹ to the outer side
of the inner frame A¹ and to a bracket N2 secured thereto. The said pivot 2,10
passed through an arc-shaped or curved slot O provided in the wall of the inner
frame, the said sear being thus free to swing with the said lever N through a cer-
tain angle. P is a spring which acts upon the sear p² so as to maintain one
extremity thereof in engagement with the shoulder, projection or tooth p on the
firing hammer p and at the same time to move the lever N into such a position that
the other extremity of the said sear will be out of engagement with and at a cer-
tain distance from the extremity of the hooked firing or trigger rod (as shown
more clearly in Figure 36) so that the sear cannot be operated to effect the release
of the firing hammer p until moved into engagement with the said hooked firing
or trigger rod. The sear p is moved into the required position for effecting
the release of the firing hammer in the following manner viz. Qis a bell crank
lever pivoted at Q¹ to the inner frame A' and arranged to work in a slot or aper-
ture provided therein. The long arm or one arm of the said bell-crank-lever Q
extends into the path of the lever C¹ carrying the locking or abutment block C
and the short arm or other arm of the said lever is coupled by means of a link or
connecting rod Q2 to the pivot 10. When the locking or abutment block C is
moved into the proper position for closing the breech its lever C¹ will, bear against
and move the long arm of the said bell-crank lever Q and through the short'arm
of the latter and the link or connecting rod Q² will also move the lever N and

page_text: sear 2 so as to bring the latter into engagement with the hooked firing or trigger
This device ren-
rod when the release of the firing hammer p can be effected.
ders it impossible for the firing hammer to be released until the breech of the gun
is closed and the locking or abutment block C is in its proper position. The lock-
the
ing or abutment block C is arranged in some instances to act directly upon
said lever N. R is a spring forming a buffer between the inner frame A¹ and the
outer frame or cradle D for the purpose of counteracting the recoil of the gun
and storing energy for working the breech mechanism.
Although I have herein before described convenient and advantageous methods
of carrying my said invention into practice it is obvious that I can somewhat fur-
ther modify the construction of my improved gun without departing from the
nature of my said invention. For instance other firing-mechanism may, if
In cases where it is
desired, be substituted for that hereinbefore described.
desired to provide for firing the gun by electricity, I so arrange the electrical con-
nections that the circuit will be interrupted when the locking-block is depressed
to unlock the breech-block, and will be closed through the said block when the
gun is ready for firing.
I sometimes use, in addition to the hydro-pneumatic buffer or brake and
ecuperator above described, a spring or springs or other suitable buffer or cushion
between the inner and outer frames at the rear end thereof, for the purposes of
counteracting the recoil and storing energy for working the breech-mechanism.
Moreover other feed-mechanism may, if desired, be substituted for that above
described.
It may, in some instances, be advantageous to arrange a combined extractor and
plate, such as that herein before described, at the top or side of the breech-block
of a gun, for the purpose of extracting the empty cartridge-shell and opening
the aperture for the ejection of the same, and then closing the said aperture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that I
am aware that automatic guns are already well known; I therefore do not claim
generally or irrespectively of my improvements herein set forth a gun of this kind
or class; but I claim :-
First. In a gun wherein the breech-block moves longitudinally to and fro to
open and close the breech, the combination, with the said breech-block, of a lock-
ing wedge or block so arranged that it will move transversely to the longitudinal
axis of the gun without participating in such to-and-fro movement of the breech-
block, for the purpose above specified.
Second. A plate or platform adapted to engage with the flange of a cartridge in
the barrel of a gun, and arranged to be moved backward with the breech-block
and to return independently thereof, for the purposes above specified.
Third. The combination of a breach-block provided with an ejecting-plunger, a
combined extractor and plate or platform, and a transversely moving locking wedge
or block, substantially as, and for the purposes above specified.
Fourth. The combination, with the sliding plate or platform, of a catch pivoted
thereto and adapted to engage with the breech-block, means for disengaging the
said catch from the breech-block and means for moving forward the said plate
or platform when thus disengaged, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The combination, with the sliding plate or platform, of the spring tongue
pivoted thereto (with or without the fixed springs) for the purpose of diminishing
the shock or concussion caused by the falling of a cartridge thereon, substantially
as described.
Sixth. The combination, with the breech-block, of the ejecting-plunger m fitted
to slide therein and acted upon by the spring m¹ whereby it is caused to operate
in conjunction with the extractor, substantially as herein before described for the
purpose specified.
Seventh. The improved hydro-pneumatic buffer or brake and recuperator,
comprising the piston working in a cylinder connected with air-cells or chambers

page_text: and having combined with it the hollow perforated plunger, substantially as, and
or the purposes, set forth.
Eighth. The combination, with the feed-hopper or magazine, of the carrier
arranged to be partially rotated alternately in either direction by the breech-block
in its to-and-fro movement, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Ninth. The combination, with the breech-block, of the lever a pivoted to the
inner frame and connected with the said block, and the rack e and toothed seg-
ment d for operating the said lever in the recoil and return movements of the
gun, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Tenth. The rack geared with the toothed segment and arranged to slide to and
fro in or between guides on the outer frame and connected with a hand-lever
pivoted to the said frame, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Eleventh. The transversely moving wedge or locking block provided with the
hammer or striker and with a firing-pin arranged to act upon another firing-pin
in the breech-block, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Twelfth. The combination of the firing-hammer and scar carried by the trans-
versely moving wedge or locking block, and the trigger so arranged that the dis-
engagement of the sear from the hammer can be effected by the said trigger when,
but not until the said wedge or block is in its locking position behind the breech-
block, substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Thirteenth. The combination, with the breech-block and the transversely moving
wedge or locking block, of the mechanism comprising the rack, the toothed
segment and the connecting levers and links, for operating the said blocks in the
recoil and return movements of the gun, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Fourteenth. The combination of parts comprising the trigger, the bell-crank-
levers and the adjustable lever, substantially as described, whereby I provide for
permitting the pulling of the trigger automatically or by hand when, but not
until the gun is run out.
Fifteenth. The combination of parts comprising the shaft which operates the
breech-block in the recoil and return movements of the gun, and which is pro-
vided with the stop or projection, the lever mounted upon the said shaft, and the
paw, or catch pivoted to the said lever, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Sixteenth. The rod or link formed in two parts united by a yielding or spring
coupling, for connecting the sliding plate or platform with the lever for operating
the same, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Seventeenth. The provision of suitable means whereby the sear will be moved
into the required position for the trigger to operate thereon, when, but not until
the wedge or abutment block is in its locking position, substantially as, and for
the purpose, specified.
Eighteenth. The improved automatic gun constructed substantially as described
with reference to Figures 1 to 29 or to Figures 32 to 38 of the drawings and
operating as above specified.
Nineteenth. The improved gun constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 30 and 31 of the drawings and operating as above specified.
. 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.