Improvements in and connected with Breech Mechanism for Quick Firing Breech Loading Guns.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Breech Mechanism for Quick
Firing Breech Loading Guns.
I HENRI SOHNEIDER of Le Creusot (Saône et Loire) in the Republic
of France Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with the breech mechanism
of quick firing breech-loading guns in which an improved shutter is employed
hinged to the gun and internally screwed or tapped as hereinafter described.
The objects of this invention are to increase the speed in which the opening
and closing of the breech may be effected to reduce the number of parts employed
for effecting these movements and to permit of the quick removal or dismounting of
the said mechanism without employing the ordinary tools.
The breech loading mechanisin and parts connected therewith include a breech
block tapped or provided with a screw thread as hereinafter described, no internally,
screwed shutter at the rear of the breech covering and protecting the mechanism,
a land operated lever for working the mechanism, a rack, and spring bolt for
engaging therewith, an extractor operated as hereinafter described by its axle, and
a spring striker, with a spring tumbler.
The screw tapped breech block is carried by the shutter being screwed therein,
the pitch of the screw on the said shutter corresponding to that formed in the
breech chamber of the gun the screw threads both on the breech block aud in the
breech chamber being broken or interrupted through two quarters of the circum-
ference for example, above and below the horizontal axis of the gun so that the
breech block may be disengaged from the breech chamber by imparting a quarter
turn to the said block. The forms and dimensious of the sectors which are tapped
aud of those which aro recessed are such as to dispense with the need of drawing
the block backwards for removing it from the breech of the gun as when once
the screw threaded portions have been released from each other the block is
drawn back by the shutter by causing the latter to turn on its axis as hereinafter
described.
The hand lever turns on a binge pin on which is formed a rib or fillet for
engaging in a recess in the sbutter when the lever is moved on its hinges. A pin
or stud on the underside of the lever engages in a slot or groove formed on the rack
which takes into teeth provided on the rear of the breech block.
The extractor consists of a forked part the arms of which constitute extracting
claws which catch the rim of the cartridge case about the level of the axis of the
gun. By swinging back the arms of the said forked part on its axle the detachment
and then the expulsion of the cartridgo case is obtained. For securing this result
the said axle of the extractor is provided with a curved piece or lever on which
is caused to bear at the right time an incline or helical portion of a cylindrical
part formed in one or working with the hinge pin on which the lever and shutter
turn.
The striking or firing device is arranged in a hollowed part at or about the

page_text: centre of the breech block and consists of a striking pin with a coiled spring and
a hollow piece which slides without turning on the said striking pin. This hollow
piece is provided externally with a screw thread of a lengthoued or extended pitch
and engages in the hollow part formed in the breech block and correspondingly
tapped. A key passing through both the shutter and the striking piu prevents the
latter from turning round so that while the disengaging or releasing of the breech
block from the breech chamber is taking place the hollow tapped piece is displaced
rearwardly and causes the striking pin to recede a suitable distance. At the end
of the movement the tumbler is caused by its spring to cugage against a shoulder
formed on the rear end of the striking pin and so prevents it falling back. A heel
or catch on the tumbler is in engagement in a slot so formed on the shutter
that the tumbler can only be caused to move for liberating the striking pin
when the breech block is completely closed. When the closing of the breech
block takes place as the said block is being rotated to engage in the breech
chamber, the hollow tapped piece resumes its forward position in the block com-
pressing the spring surrounding the striker pin, the said pin being still retained by
the tumbler.
A ring is provided at the rear of the striker pin which may be drawn back
for recocking the striking device in case of misfire, dispensing with the necessity
of reworking the whole mechanism. The gun is fired by releasing a detent from
the tumbler by means of a lever and operating cord attached thereto.
The breech block is opened or closed by a single movement of the operating lever
on its vertical axis in a horizontal plane parallel to the main axis of the gun.
After firing has taken place the breech is opened by turning the hand lever from
left to right. The stud of the said lever engages in the slot on the rack and so
effects the releasing of the breech block which latter in turning round causes the
striker pin to recede leaving its spring in a relaxed state. At the end of the
movement the tumbler engages with the shoulder of the striking piu and so holds
it in a cocked position. As the releasing of the block is accomplished the rib
formed on the hinge pin comes against the side of the recess in the shutter so
engaging the shutter which turns back with the lever until a heel or projection comes
in contact with the side of the breech end of the gun and the breech block is then
completely opened.
When the releasing of the breech block is accomplished and as the shutter begins
to swing back the bolt on the said shutter is caused by its spring to engage in the
rack and so cause the breech block to be immovable in the shutter and when the
breech block is almost removed from the guu the incline of the cylindrical part
formed on the hinge pin bears on the end of the shaft which operates the extractor,
causing the latter to move backwards and eject the cartridge caso rearwardly.
The breech is closed by turning the hand lever from right to left. The said
lever engages the mechanism in its return movement since its stud is always in the
slot formed in the rack and the latter is rendered immovable in the shutter by
means of the bolt. When the shutter meets the face of the breech of the gun a
projecting piece on the said face engages with the spring bolt and froes the latter
from the rack, but the said rack being still moved by the lever causes the breech
block to engage in the barrel and during the movement the hollow tapped piece
the striking pin compresses the spring of the said pin which is now cocked and
ready for firing.
on
The closing of the breech block drives the fresh cartridge into the breech
chamber the rim of the cartridge case engaging the extractor claws. The gun
is then fired by releasing the detent from the tumbler by. means of a cord or
the like.
The closing device may be provided with a safety block operating by inertia if
required, for preventing the immediate opening of the breech in the case of the
guu hanging fire.
I have described the screw threads in the breech chamber and breech block of
the gun as formed in quarter sections, but in certain cases, for instance in large.

page_text: ordnance, it will be found advantageous to form the sections as a sixth or an eighth
part of the circumference of the barrel and the breech block of the gun.
Dated this 6th day of March 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in and connected with Breech Mechanism for Quick
Firing Breech Loading Guns.
I HENRI SCHNEIDER of Le Creusot (Saône et Loire) in the Republic of France
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with the breech
mechanism of quick firing breech loading guns in which an improved shutter is
employed hinged to the gun and internally screwed or tapped as hereinafter
described.
The objects of this invention are to increase the speed in which the opening and
closing of the breech may be effected, to reduce the number of parts employed for
effecting these movements, and to permit of the quick removal or dismounting of
the said mechanism without employing the ordinary tools.
I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
Figures 1, 2 and 3 shew in end elevation horizontal section and longitudinal
vertical section respectively the breech end of a gun with the firing mechanism
constructed according to my invention in its uncocked position. Figures 1 2 and 3
are similar views shewing the breech block disengaged but still in the breech
chamber and
Figure 1 is a cross section of the breech block and chamber on the
line 1-2 Figure 2^.
Figure 4 shows in horizontal section the breech block withdrawn.
Figures 5 and 6 shew in end elevation and plan the shutter which carries the
breech block detached and
Figures 7 and 8 shew in vertical section the striker uncocked and cocked
respectively.
The breech loading mechanism and parts connected therewith comprise a breech
block A tapped or provided with a screw thrend, an internally screwed shutter or
carrier B connected to the breech block, at the rear of the breech, a band operated
lever for working the mechanism, a rack D and spring bolt for engaging
therewith, an extractor F a spring striker G and a scar or tumbler H. The screw
tapped breech block A is supported by the shutter or carrier B the said breech
block being screwed therein, the pitch of the screw thread in the said shutter
corresponding to that formed in the breech chamber of the gun the screw threads
both on the main body of the breech block and in the breech chamber being
broken or interrupted through two quarters of the circumference for example so
that the breech block may be disengaged from the breech chamber by imparting
only a partial rotation to the said block, as when ouce the screw threaded portions
have been relensed from each other the block is drawn back by the shutter or
carrier by causing the latter to turn on its axis as hereinafter described.
The hand lever C is fast on a hiuge pin I on which is formed a rib or fillet J for
engaging the shutter by coming in contact against the shoulder J' when the lever
is moved in the direction to open the breech. A projection or stud K on the under

page_text: side of the lever engages in a lot L formed on a rack D the teeth of which rack
take into teeth D provided on the rear of the breech block so that when the
lever is operated a partial rotation is imparted by the rack to the breech block.
The extractor F consists of a forked part the arms of which constitute extracting
claws which engage the rim of the cartridge case about the level of the axis
of the gun. By swinging back, the, extractor F on its axis M the partial
withdrawal of the cartridge case from the breech chamber is elected so that the
expulsion of the cartridge case can be effected with ease. For securing this result
a curved arm or lever N is provided on the spindle M of the extractor on which
arm or levor is caused to.bear at the right time an incline surface y on a sleeve O
fast on the hinge pin I of the shutter or carrier B.
The firing device consists of a striking rod G a coiled spring and a hollew
screw which can slide without turning on the said. striking rod. The thread of
this hollow scrow is of a lengthened or quick pitch and engages in a corresponding
female screw thread formed in the breech block. A key pussing through a boss
on the shutter or carrier B aud through the striking rod G prevents the latter from
turning round so that while the disengaging or releasing of the breech block from
the breech chamber is taking place the hollow screw is caused to turn in the
internal screw thread in,the breech block aud thereby be moved rearwardly together
with the striking rod into position for cocking. At the end of the rearward
movement of the striking rod a scar or tumbler H is caused by a spring to engage
against a shoulder formed on the rear end of the striking rod and so prevent it falling
back, a heel or catch on the said sear or tumbler engaging in a slot su formed on
the shutter that the scar or tumbler can only be caused to move for liberating the
striking rod when the breech block is completely closed, in which position a tail on
the sear or tumbler is engaged by a spring arm or lever S as shown in Figure 3.
When closing the breech block the said block is partially rotated thereby causing
the threads thereon to engage in the threads in the breech chamber and at the same time
the hollow screw is caused to resume its forward position in the breach block
thereby compressing the spring 9 surrounding a portion of the striker rod G the
said rod being still retained by the sear or tumbler in its cocked position as shown
in Figure 3. The striker rod is provided at the rear end with a ring R by means
of which the said rod can be drawn back for re-cocking in case of misfire thereby
dispensing with the necessity of reworking the whole mechanism. The gun is fired
by releasing the sear or tumbler H from the shoulder g of the striker G, which
release is effected by the arm S by means of a lever S₁ and operating cord attached
thereto (Figure 1).
The breech block is opened or closed by a single movement of the operating
lover C.
After firing has taken place the breech is opened by turning the hand lever C
from left to right, whereupon the stud K on the said lever C by engaging in a
slot L in the rack D effects through the said rack a partial rotation of the breech
block so as to disengage it from the screw thread in the breech chamber the striker
rud at the same time being caused to recede leaving its spring g in a relaxed state.
At the end of this partial rotation of the breech block the sear or tumbler H
engages with the shoulder g' of the striking rod G. and so holds it in a cocked
position. By the time the breech block is released from the thread in the breech
chamber the rib J formed on the hinge pin comes against the shoulder. J in the
shutter or carrier B so engaging the said shutter as to cause it by the further
movement of the lever to turn back until a heel or projectiou T on the shutter
comes in contact with the side of the breech end of the gun the breech block being
then completely withdrawn from the breech chamber as shewn in Figure 4.
When the breech block bas been set free from the breech chainber and the
shutter begins to swing back, a bolt X carried by the said shutter is caused by, a
spring to engage with the rack D and so hold, the breech block immovable in the
shutter and when the breech block is almost removed from the breech chamber an
incline y on a sleeve O carried on the hinge pin I bears on, an arm N-on the shaft M

page_text: which carries the oxtractor and causes the latter to move backwards and eject
the cartridge case.
The breech is closed by turning the hand lever C from right to left, the stud K
being always engaged in the slot L formed in the rack D and as the latter is
rendered immovable in the shutter by means of the bolt X the breech block cannot
turn in the shutter until the shutter meets the face of the breech end of the gun
whereupon a projecting piece Z on the said face engages with the spring bolt X and
frees the latter from the rack D so that by the continued movement of the lever the
said rack is caused to slide in the shutter and give to the breech block a partial
rotation causing it to engage in the screw thread in the breech chamber. By this
partial rotation of the breech block the hollow screw is caused to screw into the
breech block and compress the spring g of the striking rod G which is now cocked
and the spring arm S is engaged with the tail on the sear or tumbler ready
for firing.
The closing of the breech block drives the freshly inserted cartridge into the
breech chamber the rim of the cartridge caso engaging the extractor claws. The
gun is fired by releasing the arm S from the tail of the sear or tumbler H by
means of a cord or the like attached to the lever arm S'.
When the striker is cocked the tumbler H is engaged by the lug in the circular
groove which it enters at y' (Figure 5) at the cominencement of the releasing of
the breech block. The spring h¹ of the sear or tumbler H acting on a stud h'
bearing on an inclined surface on the shutter B tends to turn the sear or tumbler
on a fulcrum (Figures 7 and 8) to release the striker G, but is prevented from
doing so except when the lug h on the scar or tumbler H is opposite the opening y
(Figure 5) of the circular groove in the shutter, and the lever arm S' is pulled,
that is, the gun can only be fired when the breech block is fully closed.
The closing device may be provided with a safety block operating by inertia if
required for preventing the immediate opening of the breech in the case of the gun
hanging fire.
I have described the screw threads in the breeoh chamber and breech block of
the gun as formed in quarter sections, but in certain cases for instance in large
ordnance it will be found advantageous to form the sections as a sixth or an eighth
part of the circumference of the barrel and the breech block of the gun.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is.
1. In quick firing guns the combination of a screw breech block with discontinuous
screw threads, a hinged shutter or carrier for the breech block, teeth on the breech
block gearing with a rack carried by the shutter, and an operating lever; the
whole being arranged so that by a single movement or partial rotation of the lever
in ove direction the breech block can be released and withdrawn from the breech
chamber and by a single movement or partial rotation of the lever in the reverse
direction the breech block can be inserted and retained in the breech chamber
substantially as herein before described.
2. In breech closing and opening mechanism for breech loading guns the
combination with an interrupted internal screw thread in the breech chamber of
the gun, of a breech block having a corresponding interrupted external screw
thread, whereby by a partial rotation of the breech block it may be secured in the
breech chamber, an internal screw thread in the breech block of quicker pitch
than the external screw thread, a hollow screw fitting the internal screw thread,
and caused by the partial rotation of the breech block to act on the striker rod to
move the latter into position to be engaged by a sear or tumbler to retain the
striker in its cocked position, substantially as heroin before described.
3. In breech closing and opening mechanism of breech loading guns the
combination with a breech chamber having an interrupted screw thrend, and a
breech block having a corresponding interrupted screw thread to engage therowith,

page_text: of teeth on the breech block, a rack in gear with the teeth, fitted to slide in a
hinged shutter or breech block carrier, a lever for opening and closing the shutter
and sliding the rack, and a spring bolt for preventing the movement of the rack
when the breech block is not in position for engaging with the screw thread in the
breech chamber the whole being arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The combination with the subject matter of the last preceding claim, of a
projection on the breech end of the gun or its equivalent for disengaging the spring
bolt from the rack when the breech block is in position to engage with the screw
thread in the breech chamber substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination with the breech closing and opening mechanism hereinhefore
described of a cartridge extractor operated by an incline or helical surface carried
by the hinge pin of the shutter or breech block carrior, to withdraw the cartridge
substantially as herein before described.
6. The combination with the breech closing and opening mechanism herein before
described of the striker rod G spring g and scar or tumbler H the whole being
constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described.
7. The combination with the subject matter of the last preceding claim, of the
curved slot in the shutter or breech carrier, in which a lug on the sear or tumbler
engages to prevent the uncocking of the striker, except when the breech block is
engaged with the screw thread in the breech chamber substantially as hereinbefore
described.
8. The combination of parts constituting the improvements in connection with
the breech closing and opening mechanism of breech loading guns substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of November 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.