Improvements in Small Arms.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Small Arms.
We, CHRISTIAN QVIST, of Skejdeskolen, Kopenhagen, in the Kingdom of
Denmark, First Lieutenant, and ANDERS PETER VALDEMAR ANDERSEN, of
Madvigs Allé, Kopenhagen, First-Lieutenant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
The object of this invention is to construct a fire arm which, while retaining
the usual shape and fulfilling all the requirements of a modern magazine rifle
for field use is entirely automatic in its action or, if circumstances require, can be
used like an ordinary magazine rifle with trigger mechanism. The system may
be used in combination with every kind of pocket magazine and the breech
mechanism may be of any calibre and the cartridges may have notches, that
is to say, be without flanges. The invention is also applicable to sporting
guns.
The principle of the invention is briefly as follows: On discharge the barrel
with the breech block and bolt slides back in a guide frame in the stock during
which movement two springs (the recoil springs) and also a third weaker spring
(the locking spring) are put into tension. In view of the special form of the
magazine opening the top cartridge in the magazine assumes on discharging
such a position that the block can slide unhindered over the magazine. When
barrel, breech block and bolt have arrived at the end of their back travel the
bolt is detained for an instant while the recoil springs return the barrel and
breech block, whereby the mechanism is opened and the empty cartridge case
ejected. As soon as the barrel and breech block have been returned to their
proper position the locking spring will return the bolt, whereby a fresh cartridge
is introduced into the breech, the mechanism closed and the hammer cocked.
The rifle is again ready for firing.
The particular characteristics of the present invention over all previous ones
are principally the three distinctive movements which are independent of each
other:-
1. The joint back travel of barrel, breech block and bolt over the magazine,
2. The joint forward movement of barrel and breech block while the bolt is
held back, and finally
3. The forward movement of the bolt; all for the purpose of obtaining as
uniform a motion as possible, to prevent the several parts being strained and to
obtain a reliable action.
As the barrel and bolt are kept together during their entire back travel, the
further important advantage is obtained by this construction that the powder
gas has time to leave the bore before the mechanism is opened. With most of
the other self-loading and self-cocking arms the hot powder gas pours out into

page_text: the magazine and mechanism to the detriment of the action of the latter, as the
mechanism is opened almost immediately after discharge.
The movement of the several parts is regulated by a specially constructed rod
provided with several studs or projections which alternately hold and release the
respective parts.
In the accompanying drawings an infantry rifle is shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 20
as an example of carrying out the present system.
Fig. 1 shows the rifle ready for firing, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the rifle in the same position without the lock-cover.
Fig. 3 shows partly in section the rifle after discharge, when all the parts have
reached the end of their back travel.
Fig. 4 shows the rifle partly in section, when barrel and breech block have
been returned by the recoil-springs.
Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the recoil springs,
Fig. 6a side elevation of the guide frame,
Fig. 7 a plan of same,
Fig. 8 the rod, and
Fig. 9 to 20 various details and sections.
In Fig. 5a is the barrel, b a weak closely wound spiral spring, attached by
its end to a hook c¹ riveted to the barrel casing e, while its other end is fast to
a pin 2 see Figs. 10 and 11-which in turn is rigidly connected to the barrel
by means of a sleeve a-see Fig. 9. In order to enable this connection a slot
is provided in the lower side of the barrel casing. The pin 2 is provided at its
rear end with a conical point 3 which engages during the back travel the front
end of a stronger spiral spring & situated in front of the stock and resting with
its other end against a projection 2 on the back of the barrel casing.
The rear end of the barrel is screw-threaded and screws into the breech block f.
In order to keep the barrel in position and further to retain the cartridges in the
magazine during the latter part of the back travel, a special barrel retainer e is
provided (see Figs. 1 to 4). It is a flat flexible rod provided with a thicker dove-
tailed extension e¹ (see Fig. 1) which partly engages a notch in the rear of the
barrel and partly in a notch in the front end of the breech block. The rod is
also provided with stud 2 (see Fig. 1), which engages with a notch in the rear
end of the barrel and is held therein by virtue of the flexibility of the rod.
The breech block f may be of cylindrical shape, it is however flattened on its
lower side to correspond with the bottom of the guide frame g. It is externally
provided with grooves (see Fig. 15) which correspond with guide ledges gon
the guide frame g. Internally it is provided with longitudinal and transverse
grooves f, f (see Fig. 4) corresponding with the locking projections h¹, h² (see
Fig. 1) on the movable breech bolt h. Notches fe (see Fig. 2) are further pro-
vided for the ejector with its spring. In the centre of the bottom of the breech
block is an opening for the passage of the cartridges. At the rear a notch f
(see Fig. 1) of T shape is provided for holding a case of cartridges when filling
the magazine. The sides of the opening are provided with guide ledges of various
shapes in accordance with the magazines containing either one or two rows of
cartridges, to prevent accidental exit of the cartridges. A wedge-like projection f
(see Fig. 4) at the front end of the opening serves for pressing down the top
cartridge in the magazine during the back travel of the barrel and breech block
but allows same to assume such a position after the return of the barrel and
breech block that the movable breech holt h can push it into the breech chamber
The breech bolt consists of a sliding bolt h, the grip-piece k, the cock 7 th
firing pin m, the main spring and the extractor o (see Figs. 1 and 2).
Two strong projections h³, 12 (see Fig. 1) are provided at the front end of th
sliding breech bolt, of which the upper one (the left one, when the breech i
opened) is forked for the ejector. Suitable arrangements have been made at th
rear, narrower end of the sliding breech bolt to ensure a rotation of 90° durin
to and fro movement of the grip-piece. The breech bolt is hollow and contain

page_text: the firing pin m, provided with a guide groove m¹ (Fig. 13) for a projection k¹
(Fig. 16) on the grip-piece. It is further provided with a projection m³
(Fig. 13) serving as a rest for a spring to keep the cock in position. The main
spring nabutting with its rear end against a nut inserted in the end of the
breech bolt, surrounds the firing pin m. The cock is fast at the end of the
striking pin. It is provided with a wing (Fig. 12), the front end of which
forms the top bent and which enters a notch (Fig. 16) in the rear of the grip-
piece.
The grip-piece is provided on its right hand side with an operating handle 3.
A spring (Fig. 2) situated in a tube q¹ is fast to it. The front end of the spring
is secured to the ring by means of the stud q2 (Fig. 18) the rear end being fastened
to the operating handle by means of a special hook (Fig. 19) which with its
split and flexible bent portion engages an inclined notch (Fig. 16) of the
operating handle. The grippiece is further provided at either side with a
catch (Fig. 1) for the split projections of the rod u.
The firing pin m (Fig. 13) is with the exception of the above described special
mode of firing and guiding of any suitable construction.
0
The extractor (Fig. 2) is situated on the right hand side of the sliding breech
bolt in such a manner that it does not partake in the rotation of the latter.
The guide frame g (Figs. 6 and 7) surrounds the rear end of the barrel as
well as the breech block and bolt and possesses at its front end a screw-threaded
mouth for the barrel casing. The guide frame is secured to the stock by
means of the magazine- and trigger-plate screws as well as by a special stock
screw. It is provided with an opening for the magazine which corresponds to
the opening in the breech block, and with a trigger block . The guide frame
is of H shaped cross section with two high side faces, which stiffen it considerably,
and provided in the left hand wall with an opening forming a rest for the
recoil-action preventing stop .c. A hole 8 in the centre of the same wall receives
the slide boltz (Fig. 2).
A stop plater closes the rear end of the guide frame (Fig. 17) the lower part
of which is fitted with an outwardly projecting edge engaging with a corre-
sponding opening g in the bottom of the guide frame. The width of this opening
is somewhat larger than the thickness of the stop plate, so that the projection may
pass through it; after it has passed the opening the stop plate is moved back-
wards and is thus secured in its vertical position inclined projections 2 and 3
serving simultaneously for supporting the stop plate at the rear of the latter. A
spring hook extending through a hole in the stop plate is situated on the
latter between the inclined projections and serves for supporting a removable
lock covers (Fig. 14). The rear face 3 of the latter passing along the stop plate
extends downwards into the notch g in such a manner that this notch is com-
pletely filled by it and the stop plate, thus rigidly wedging the latter in its
position. The front of the lock cover possesses hooks s connecting it with the
guide frame by gripping behind a pair of studs on the latter. An opening 2
is arranged on the right hand side for the operating handle.
The trigger mechanism is arranged at the lower side of the guide frame by
means of a pin penetrating the trigger block g³. It consists of a two armed
rod (Fig. 8) a trigger r, a sear spring 2 and a trigger spring. The front end
of the rod u is pressed upwards by the sear spring 2, which rests in two sleeves to
and or on the trigger guard plate and the lower side of the rod respectively.
The rod (Fig. 8) is provided in front with a cocking block and on the sides
with two locking blocks and which project on the rear of the rear edge of the
breech block. The rear of the rod is formed into a bar which is kept in position
by a spring and is divided into two projections u².
The trigger is provided on top with a transverse pin which rests in a notch
in the rod and is also provided with a nose bearing against a corresponding
projection 97 on the trigger tumbler g³ of the guide frame,"

page_text: The trigger spring lies in a cavity in the rod and presses with its rear end
against the tranverse pin 3 of the trigger whereby the trigger is held in its
normal position.
The magazine is of the usual form and can be so arranged that it contains either
one or two rows of cartridges.
The mechanism operates as follows:
The rifle is supposed to be loaded and ready for firing:-
. In pulling the trigger the front part of the rod with the cocking block
and the locking blocks is forced downwards, so that cock and firing pin may travel
forward and so discharge, while the breech block is not prevented any longer
by the locking block from travelling backwards. Simultaneously the rear part
of the rod is forced upward, so that the projections of the rod u reach the height
of the catches of the grip-piece. Directly after the forward movement of the
cock the nose of the trigger leaves the projection of the cocking block, so that
the pressure of the trigger on the front arm of the rod ceases and on releasing
the trigger, the trigger spring returns it to its proper position.
b. After discharge the back pressure of the powder gas causes the joint back
travel of the barrel and breech block with the breech bolt until the breech block
strikes the back plate of the lock cover. Immediately before the end of the
movement the spring of the rod u forces the projections into the catches of the
grip. During this movement the recoil springs and the locking spring are put
in tension.
c. The recoil springs now instantly return barrel and breech block. The
breech block partakes in this movement during the early part of the latter, while
the grip-piece with cock and firing pin are retained by the retaining projections,
whereby the main spring is put in tension and the breech bolt is turned 90°,
so that its locking studs disengage from the transverse notches in the front of
the breech block. As this occurs the bolt is caused to stop, while barrel and
breech block continue their forward movement. The empty cartridge case is
then extracted from the breech chamber by the extractor holding it to the breech
bolt. Shortly before barrel and breech block reach their normal position the
ejector in the left hand wall of the breech block strikes the bottom of the empty
cartridge case, whereby this is thrown out to the right. After the breech block
is returned to its position the magazine spring presses the cartridges so high into
the opening that the breech bolt can grip the top one when moving forward.
d. When the breech block has assumed such a position that the locking blocks
can project behind it the sear spring presses the front aim of the rod upwards,
while the rear arm descends whereby the retaining projections of the rod dis-
engage from the catches on the grip-piece. The cocked locking spring then
moves the bolt forward, the breech bolt pushes the top cartridge into the breech
chamber and when the grip-piece reaches its foremost position the breech bolt
will be turned 90° and its locking projections engage in the transverse notches
and thus lock tightly. During the latter part of the forward movement of the
bolt the cock is retained by the cocked block in a cocked condition and so the
rifle is by these means again ready for firing.
The rear end of the extractor forms the locking spring for the grip-piece during
the movement of the latter in its relation to the bolt.
When the magazine is emptied the mechanism remains open by the feeder
projecting in front of the breech block.
The rifle can be held in a safety condition by pushing back the handle
situated on the left hand side of the guide frame. Thereby a hook is forced
under the front of the rod, so that this can not be moved down.
Finally a special arrangement for preventing the action of the recoil should
the rifle be required for use as an ordinary magazine weapon, may be mentioned
here.
It is a recoil-action preventing stop a (Fig. 20) a U shaped bar, one branch

page_text: of which forms a spring grip a¹, the other, when the stop is in its highest position,
engaging in two corresponding notches in the breech block and guide frame
respectively and thereby rigidly connecting these two parts and so preventing
the action of the recoil. A stud on the spring grip corresponding to the two
recesses on the outer side of the guide frame, is provided for the purpose of lock-
ing the recoil stop in its two positions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we desire to state that
we are aware of Hiram Stevens Maxim's Patent No. 7854, A.D. 1886 and we do
not claim anything described and claimed therein, but we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In an automatic fire-arm the arrangement of barrel, breech-block and breech
bolt jointly travelling back over the magazine on the discharge of the rifle until
stopped by a stop plate, after which the bolt is held, while barrel and breech
block travel the whole distance forward again, thereupon the bolt moving forward
pushing a cartridge into the magazine, as set forth.
2. In an automatic fire-arm the arrangement for preventing the action of the
recoil and for enabling the fire-arm to be used as an ordinary magazine rifle, as
set forth.
3. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described a guide frame g of H shaped
cross section forming a mouth for the attachment of the barrel casing, a bed in
which the breech block travels in narrow guide ledges, and a base with openings
for the recoil-action-preventing stop, for the projections of the trigger mechanism
rod, for the stop plate and for the magazine, all as described and shown.
4. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of two recoil
springs with special fastening devices, one a weak closely wound spiral spring b
which is put in tension by stretching, the other a strong open spiral spring d
put in tension by compression-in recesses in the front stock in such a manner
that the first receives the first and longer effect of the recoil, whereas the second
only acts at the end of the recoil and the commencement of the return movement,
all as shown and described.
5. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of a trigger
mechanism rod u the two parts of which are connected by a hinge with pin and
spring, which rod is provided with a sleeve t for the sear spring, with locking
blocks, cocking block 3, bed for the trigger with spring, and with retaining
projections, all for the purpose of retaining the breech block and cock in
position when the rifle is ready for firing, for enabling the discharge, to retain
the breech bolt after its back travel while barrel and breech block move forwards,
and finally for releasing the breech bolt instantaneously after barrel and breech
block have reached their normal position, substantially as described and shown.
6. In combination with an automatic fire-arm of the class described the trigger
arrangement consisting of a trigger, a rod and a trigger block, characterised by
a transverse pin at the top end of the trigger, which rests in a recess in the
rod, by a nose bearing on a corresponding projection g' on the trigger block g³
of the guide frame, and finally by a trigger spring in a recess in the rod, all
for the purpose to force down the front end of the rod to such an extent that the
cock can move forward, and thereupon to release the rod as the nose of the trigger
slides off the projection of the trigger block, in such a manner that the pressure
on the rod ceases, while the trigger on releasing same is returned to its proper
position by the trigger spring, substantially as described and shown.
7. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of the lock
covers in combination with the stop plate r, the former characterised by a
recess for the operating handle, by two hooks s whereby the cover is held to
the guide frame, and by a rear face provided with a hole for spring hook
the latter characterised by two inclined projections 23 and by a spring hook,
all for the purpose of simultaneously holding lock cover and stop plate in such
;

page_text: a manner that they prevent the further back travel of the recoiling parts, sub-
stantially as described and shown.
8. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of a guide
spring m³ for the cock, placed in the firing pin, for the purpose of obtaining the
correct position of the cock to the firing pin, substantially as described and shown.
9. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of a barrel
retainer e characterised by a dove tailed thickened portion e engaging half in
a notch in the breech block and half in a notch in the barrel, and by a projection
or stud which by reason of the flexibility of the barrel retainer is held in a
hole in the barrel, all for the purpose of securing the relative position of the
barrel to the breech block and for retaining the cartridges in the magazine during
the latter part of the recoil, substantially as described and shown.
10. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of a
U shaped hook in combination with a closely wound extensible spiral spring 4,
characterised by its rear branch being forked and flexible and corresponding in
front with an angular notch in the grip which ensures an easy releasement of
the spring, the latter being situated in a tube in the stock and fastened with its
front end to the ring, substantially as described and shown.
11. In an automatic fire-arm of the class described the arrangement of a
U shaped recoil action preventing stop z characterised by a thin outer branch
with a grip a¹, a stud 2 and an inner stronger branch which, when the recoil-
action-preventing-stop is raised, partly engages in a notch in the breech block
and partly in a notch in the guide frame for the purpose of connecting these two
parts and thereby preventing the action of the recoil, the said recoil-action-
preventing-stop being arrested in its two positions by the stud 3 engaging
respectively in notches in the guide frame, substantially” as described and shown.
12. In combination with recoil springs for an automatic fire arm of the class
described the arrangement of a link fast to a hook on the barrel casing, and
a buffer block 62 on the other end, which block grips with a T shaped slot around
a special recoil sleeve a situated between two annular projections of the barrel,
the rear end of the buffer block being conical for the purpose of engaging the
front end of a stiff recoil spring d, the rear end of which rests against a block c
on the barrel casing, substantially as described and shown.
13. An automatic fire-arm of the kind described having the present improve-
ments applied thereto, substantially as described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings and for the purposes herein before stated.
B. REICHHOLD,
Patent and Technical Office,
24, Luisen Strasse, Berlin, N.W., Germany,
Agent for the Applicants.
THIS TOCH
B. REICHHOLD,
Patent and Technical Office,
24, Luisen Strasse, Berlin, N.W., Germany,
Agent for the Applicants.