Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1889-Accepted, 6th July,
1889
COMPLETE STECH
Improvements in Repeating Small Arms.
I, LEON COLLINET, president of the Board of Administration of the Manufacture
Liégeoise d'Armes à feu, of 52 Rue Vert Bois, Liége in the Kingdom of Belgium 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 new repeating gun in the principal features of its movable breech block belongs
to the class of bolt guns; the bolt moving rectilinearly in the direction of the axis of
the barrel. The magazine is placed in the centre of the arm in front of the trigger
guard.
At
To
The closing of the breech is axial and is effected in a plane perpendicular to that
of the axis of the barrel. The locking is by two lateral projections symmetrically
placed upon the working handle. These projections find abutments in two corre-
sponding mortises within the walls of the body. These abutments are diametrically
opposite and situate in a plane at right angles to that of the axis of the barrel.
the intersection of the planes the re-action of the charge is concentrated.
facilitate the description of the general movements of the mechanism and the functions
of each of the pieces constituting the moving breech block and the magazine it is
necessary to examine separately each of the parts which together perform successively
the movements for opening and closing the breech for the percussion, for the
extraction and for the ejection of the empty case and those of the apparatus and the
magazine for repetition.
Description of the sheets and figures representing the several parts of the arm.
Sheet No. 1. Figure 1 external view of the gun after firing.
Figure 2 plan view of the gun after firing.
Sheet No. 2. Figure 1 longitudinal section of the breech mechanism along the axis
of the barrel.
Figure 2 external view of the breech box.
Figure 3 plan of the top of the box.
Figure 4 longitudinal section of the breech box along the axis of the barrel on the
line G-CH Fig. 3.
Figure 5 view of the underside of the breech box.
Figure 6 horizontal section of the breech box along the axis of the barrel on the
line A B of Fig. 2.
Figure 7 transverse section of the breech box on CD (Figures 4 & 6.
Figure 8 transverse section of the breech box on E F (Figure 4).
Sheot No. 3. Figure 1 external view of the bolt.
Figure 2 longitudinal section of the bolt along the axis of the barrel.
Figure 3 underside view of the bolt.
Figure 4 transverse section of the bolt on CD (Figure 1.
Figure 5 transverse section of the bolt on EF (Figure 1).
Figure 6 view of the front face of the bolt.
Figure 7 view of the right side of the striker.
Figure 8 plan of the striker.
Figure 9 plan and side view of the link.
Figure 10 right side of the working handle.
Figure 11 left side of the working handle.
Figure 12 back view of the working handle.
Figure 13 transverse section of the working handle along the axis of the barrel.
Figure 14 face and plan views of the main spring.
Figure 15 face and plan view of the sear.

page_text: The breech box (sheet 2, Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) is a solid piece screwed on
to the barrel. It is traversed longitudinally by the passage for the bolt which
works in grooves cut within the walls of this box, in which also two semicircular
mortises are formed on opposite sides (Figure 4, letter A). These are intended to
receive the lateral projections of the working handle (sheet 3, Figures 10, 11 and 12,
letter A) and thus serve for securing the breech.
Figures 7 of sheet 2 shows in section the two side grooves (letter A) which serve
to guide the bolt.
At the front of the breech box there is a screwed socket (sheet 2 Figure 4, letter B)
to receive the breech end of the barrel, upon which a screw thread is cut.
At the top of the breech box (sheet 2, Figure 3, letter A) there is an opening to
let out the empty cases and for the insertion of the box containing five cartridges.
Behind the opening mentioned above is the bridge piece (Figures 2, 3, and 4,
sheet 2) which connects the two sides of the breech box. Behind this the upper
part of the box is opened for the passage of the body of the bolt. In the upper side
of the right face of the box will be seen a notch D (Figures 2 and 3 sheet 2) into this
the arm of the working handle (sheet 3, Figure 12, letter B) enters when the breech
is closed.
The breech box terminates in rear in a tail piece E (Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6,
sheet 2) pierced with a hole which receives the tail screw of the breech box
traversing the grip of the mounting and screwing into the trigger guard (letter A
sheet 2, Figure 1).
In front of the hole F for the tail screw of the breech box (Figure 3, shoet 2)
is the cavity to receive the bolt stop (Figure 10 sheet 4) against which the projection A
on the underside of the bolt (Figures 1 and 2, sheet 3) comes in the backward
movement of the bolt either when firing shot by shot or when firing from the magazine.
The stop at the same time allows the bolt to come out of the breach box when required
for cleaning.
The stop which arrests the backward motion of the holt serves also to change the
working of the arm from firing from the magazine to firing shot by shot.
It is composed
1. Of a turn button (Figure 11, sheet 4) having a press piece which projects from
the tail of the breech box almost underneath the safety bolt. The turn button is
furnished at its inner end with a projection A placed out of the centre.
2. Of a flat link (Figure 12, sheet 4) pierced with an oval hole in which the
projection A of the turn button engages, and this turns vertically upon its axis
when the press piece is acted upon by the finger.
3. Of a locking pie: (Figure 10, sheet 4) embedded in the bottom of the breech

page_text: box which moves upon its axis A and by the action of the link is compelled to
rise and fall according as the link advances or recedes upon the inclined plane which
the under part of the two sides of this piece presents. To this end the link is
made in the form of a T and the two branches engage in the recesses B of the
bolt stop (Figure 10, sheet 4).
When the bolt stop is raised at the forward end the gun is arranged for intermittent
firing.
When it is raised at the back the gun is arranged for firing from the magazine.
When it is at the dead point it gives free passage to the bolt which comes out of
the breech box in taking the mechanism apart.
If the bolt stop is placed in such a way that the gun is arranged to fire from
the magazine all the cartridges from the magazine are used up without interruption,
but by arranging the gun for intermittent firing four cartridges can be left in
reserve in the magazine and firing shot by shot can be carried on by inserting a
cartridge each time into the bolt channel.
Underneath the breech box will be found grooves which extend to the interior of
its two sides and into these the sides of the magazine are inserted (Figures 2 and 4,
sheet 4, letter A) also there will be seen a cross piece H (Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6,
sheet 2) carrying a projection J which the extractor (Figure 17, sheet 3) strikes at
the point A in the backward movement of the bolt to eject the empty case.
Near the two ends of this cross piece are the two tenons K cut out of the metal
of the sides of the box and against these the two parts B of the working handle
(Figures 10 and 11, sheet 3) rest in the last period of the circular movement of
the handle, giving a leverage the effect of which is to force out the cartridge case for
a distance of about three millimetres to facilitate the extraction.
The breech box (Figures 4. 5 and 6 sheet 2) has on the underside of its front socket
at the point La double semi-circular hook intended to lay hold of the attachment
hooks B. of the magazine (Figures 1 and 3 sheet 4).
It
The movable bolt (Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 and 6 sheet 3) contains all the mechanism
for the percussion for the extraction and for the ejection of the cartridge cases.
effects the opening and closing of the breech and it introduces the cartridges into
the chamber.
The stem B of the bolt (figure 1 sheet 3) has projecting from it on the underside
two longitudinal projections which have between them a groove D in which the
extractor is lodged.
The circular opening E (figures 1 and 2 sheet 3) is formed transversely in the body F
of the bolt. This opening is intended to receive the axis C of the working handle
(Figures 11. 12 and 13. sheet 3). Under the action of the handle the axis describes
a circular movement in its recess and this movement causes those of the striker
of the spring and of the extractor also as will be described further on at the same
time it locks the bolt against the breech of the barrel.
Two other semi-circular openings adjacent the one to the other G and H (figures 1
and 2 sheet 3) are formed in the sides of the lower part of the body of the bolt, they
are intended to receive the trunnions of the sear and of the safety bolt (figures 15
and 16 sheet 3. letter A).
The breech bolt is traversod by a passage for the striker and its body F (figure 2
sheet 3) is hollowed out to receive the main spring, the sear, the safety bolt and also
the rear end of the striker carrying the heel piece A. (figure 7 sheet 3) and the link
(figure 9 sheet 3).
Within the body of the bolt will be seen opposite grooves K K intended for the
lodgment of the limbs of the safety bolt (figure 16 sheet 3) and two other opposite
grooves L in which engage the tenons B of the striker (figures 7 and 8 sheet 3) to
guide the striker.
The hole M formed in the longitudinal projections on the underside of the stem of
the bolt (figures 1 and 2 sheet 3) is intended to receive the screw B serving as the
axis for the extractor (figure 17 sheet 3).
Above and to one side of the circular opening E (figures 1 and 2 sheet 3) there is

page_text: upon the right side of the body of the bolt a recess N to receive the arm of the
working handle and to limit the course of this handle.
The body of the bolt is somewhat of the form of a parallelopiped of which the
upper face is slightly rounded on the angles and towards the back whilst the stem
takes that of a cylinder of which the under part is furnished with two long longi-
tudinal projections strengthening this part of the bolt and lodging the extractor as is
seen in Figures 4 and 5. sheet 3.
The striker (Figures 7 and 8, sheet 3) is a stem carrying at its hinder end a heel
piece A the sides of which are each furnished with a tenon Centering the groove B
of the safety bolt (Figure 16, sheet 3) to prevent the working of the striker so long
as the safety bolt is placed in contact with the underside of the breech box.
In front of the heel A of the striker is seen an enlargement D (Figure 7) in which
is formed a seat for the link.
Two guide tenons B B above the heel of the striker project into the small grooves L
of the bolt (Figure 4, sheet 3) to guide the course of the striker.
In front, the enlargement D is cut to an incline to engage with the recess D formed
in the circumference of the axis of the working bandle (Figures 12 and 13, sheet 3).
The said handle in describing its backward circular movement presses upon the incline
in front of the enlargement D and compels the striker to retire to compress the main
spring, as will be afterwards described.
The striker is flattened at the part E to pass into the opening E of the working
handle (Figure 12, sheet 3).
The striker is prolonged to a point and has two cylindrical enlargements F and G
to guide it in the passage within the holt.
At the base of the heel A of the striker Figure 7 is a notch H which receives
the nose of the sear (Figure 15, letter B, sheet 3) when the main spring is
compressed.
The link (Figure 9, sheet 3) is furnished with a pivot A which engages in the
hole J in the striker (Figure 7) and terminates in a knuckle B (Figure 9. sheet 3)
which engages with the hook A of the upper branch of the main spring (Figure 14,
sheet 3).
The scar (Figure 15, sheet 3) carries near the middle two trunnions A A upon
which it pivots in the holes H H in the sides of the bolt (Figures 1 and 2, sheet 3).
It also has at one of its extremities a nose B which enters into the notch II of the
heel A of the striker (Figure 7, sheet 3) when the spring is compressed, as has been
specified above. The other extremity Ú of the scar is rounded and it is upon this
part that the trigger acts to turn the sear and thus disengage the nose B from
the notch H of the striker to set this free to advance under the influence of the
main spring.
The main spring has two branches (Figure 14, sheet 3); the upper branch is
furnished with a hook A to engage with the rounded end B of the link (Figure 9,
sheet 3).
There will be seen on the upper sido and near to the knuckle of the spring, a
rounded projection B upon which acts the tooth F of the hand lever (Figure 13
sheet 3) to cause the bending of the spring. The sides of the knuckle of the spring
are spread out exteriorally to facilitate the play of the two branches and to prevent
them rubbing against the interior walls of the bolt in which the spring is lodged.
The lower branch C is rounded at its extremity which is in contact with the branch C
of the sear (Figure 15 sheet 3).
The hand lever (Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13 sheet 3) is the most important piece
of all the mechanisin. It is this which originates all the movements of the moveable
breech.
It has a circular movement imparted to it upon its axis, this movement extends
for about one eighth of a revolution.
It is by this circular movement of the handle that the closing of the breech is
effected by pressing the bolt against the base of the cartridge and the rear face of the
breech of the barrel.

page_text: The handle is furnished with two lateral projections A (Figures 10, 11 and 12)
cut in segments about one third of the circle. By the movement of one eighth of a
revolution of the axis of the handle the segments are caused to enter into the semi-
circular mortises A (Figure 4, Sheet 2) cut in the inner walls of the breech box
where they find their abutments.
The supporting surfaces of the two segments are about 63 millimetres square made
up as follows-
Width 3.5 millimetres, Length 9 millimetres, say 31.5 for each segment and 63 milli-
metres for the two.
The axis of the working handle is cut away at E (Figure 12) to give passage to
the flattened part E (Figures 7 and 8, Sheet 3) as has been specified above. It is
cut away besides on the circumference where there are two recesses G and H with an
intermediate tooth F (Figure 13 Sheet 3) which presses upon the eminence B of the
main spring (Figure 14, Sheet 3) to compress it, as has been described above.
The circular movement of the working handle causes the retreat of the bolt so as
first to disengage the cartridge case from the walls of the chamber against which it
has been strongly pressed by the explosion of the charge. The case is thus forced
back for a distance of about three inillimetres and this considerably facilitates the
extraction. It is the convex surfaces of the two segments of the axis at the point B
(Figure 10 and 11) which by pressing upon the two lateral tenons K (Figures 4, 5
and 6, sheet 2) give the leverage which results in forcing back the bolt and
consequently in the disengagement of the cartridge as has been described above.
The grip and the arm of the handle are inclined to the right and also rearward
to (1) allow the passage of the visual ray above the breech box and the bolt (2)
to facilitate tho forward and back movement for closing and opening the breech.
The safety bolt (Figure 16, sheet 3) is a piece with two limbs each terminating in
a trunnion A which engages in a hollow H in the sides of the bolt (Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet 3).
It carries two looks B (Figure 16 sheet 3) into which enter the projections C
of the heel piece A of the striker (Figures 7 and 8 sheet 3) preventing the
movement of the striker, and thus placing the mechanism of the percussion out
of action.
For this it is sufficient to press down the finger piece of the safety bolt until it
comes into contact with the bottom of the breech box.
The safety bolt is also provided on the underside of the finger piece where the
two branches separate with a projection D which enters into the bottom of the breech
box at the point M (Figures 3, 4 and 5 sheet 2) to prevent the displacement of the
striker if gas should enter the interior of the bolt.
The heel A of the striker (Figure 7) finds a solid support against the back of the
finger piece (see Figure 16) and when the striker is violently forced back in con-
sequence of an escape of gas, the projection of the finger piece descends automatically
into the bottom of the breech box and this locks the safety bolt fast.
The oxtractor (Figure 17 sheet 3) is a solid rod of tempered steel rocking upon
the screw pivot B situate about midway between its two extremities and engaging in
the hole M in the bolt (Figures 1 and 2, sheet 3).
At its front end the extractor is furnished with a hook C which passes under the
flange of the base of the cartridge and serves to withdraw the empty cartridge case
out of the chamber.
Its hinder end D rests at the point N (Figure 2, sheet 3) against the body of the bolt.
The extractor has a shoulder at A (Figure 17) which by striking at the point J
of the cross piece N (Figures 3. 5 and 6 sheet 2) causes the ejection of the
empty case.

page_text: It is composed of the following parts
1. The right side (Figures 1 and 2, sheet 4) forming a single piece with the
trigger guard.
2. The left side (Figures 3 and 4, sheet 4).
The two sides meet together longitudinally on the centre line and are connected
by the aid of four dowels fixed at the point C. D. E and F on the right side.
3. The cartridge elevating lever Figure 5, sheet 4).
This lever has at its hinder end a socket A with a hole which the pivot dowel C
enters, and on this the lever works.
Near the centre of the elevating lever which forms an inclined plane, there are two
lateral branches B B (Figure 5 sheet 4) between which the rounded end of the
bullet enters for a short distance in order that the lever may guide the lowest cartridge
in the cartridge box to the entrance into the chamber, and at the same time may give
passage to the hook of the extractor. The elevating lever terminates in a rounded
finger C. which enters the cartridge box and raises the cartridges.
4. The spring of the elevating lever which has two branches (Figure 6, sheet 4).
The knuckle of the spring enters semicircular lodgment G provided in the sides of
the magazine where the spring is held.
The rounded extremity A of the upper branch of the spring engages with a rounded
notch D made underneath the socket A of the elevating lever.
The stop lever of the cartridge box (Figure 7, sheet 4) consists of a curved lever A
let into the wall of the magazine and pivotting upon an axis C.
The head of this lever is formed into a claw A. A. which enters and remains above
the two sides of the cartridge box and in part above the base of the cartridge: it is
held in place by the constant pressure of the two branch spring (Figure 8 sheet 4) of
which one abuts against the wall of the magazine and the other against the tail of the
lever.
The tail or small arm of the movable lever terminates in a roughened finger-piece B
Figure 7 sheet 4 which projects within the trigger guard.
On pressing with the finger against this finger-piece the lever compresses the spring,
and the long arm of the levor with its double claw is drawn back so as to free the sides
of the cartridge box and the top of the base of the cartridge case. Then the cartridge
box with the cartridges can escape from the magazine by the opening at the top of the
breech box under the influence of the magazine elevator.
But if no pressure be exerted upon the finger piece the claws of the lever rest in
their normal position and retain the cartridge box and the cartridges in the interior
of the magazine until the movements of the bolt oblige them to present themselves
in succession in the channel of the breech box facing the chamber of the barrel.
The trigger (Figure 9, sheet 4) is mounted upon the dowel D (Figure 1, sheet 4)
it has no spring and receives the pressure of the finger directly to cause the shot to be
fired and transmits it without any intermediate part to, the rounded extremity of the
sear.
The inner faces of the two sides of the magazine are arranged conformably to the
shape of the cartridge box which they contain. The cartridges and the cartridge box
when in place are moved solely by the upward movement imparted to them by the
elevating lever.
Thus it is not possible that the cartridges should move in any other way, and they
cannot pass back into the interior of the magazine.
The cartridge box (Figure 13 sheet 4) is similar to that of the Mannlicher gun,
except that it has no stop hook at the hinder part.
As soon as the magazine is empty the box falls by its own weight and comes out of
the magazine by the opening which is made in front of the trigger guard and at the
bottom of the magazine.
It should be remarked that the parts of the bolt can be put together and taken apart
by hand without the use of any tool, and that this mechanism does not contain any
screw or pin or coiled spring.

page_text: The complete mechanism of the magazine gun comprises the following pieces already
described
18. The connecting link (Figure 12, sheet 4).
In all eighteen pieces each of which has such dimensions that its strength is three
times greater than is necessary to resist the strains which will come upon it.
MOVEMENTS OF THE PARTS OF THE BREEON MECHANISM AND REPEATING APPARATUS.
The mechanism of the gun being open a cartridge box containing five cartridges is
introduced into the opening at the top of the breech box, and it is pushed down into
the magazine until the double claw of the stop lover catches upon the top of the
cartridge box. By this means the elevating lever is forced down and its spring is
compressed.
The base of the upper cartridge in the box is then in front of the hook of the
extractor and of the front face of the bolt, on pushing this forward the cartridge is
thrust out of the box and introduced into the chamber.
The gun is then ready for firing.
After the firing of the charge the working handle A. (Figure 1 sheet 2) is seized
with the right hand and drawn back by a direct pull the handle then makes a
circular movement about its axis of about one-eighth of a turn. By this movement
the tooth F on the axis (Figure 13 sheet 3, seen also at Figure 1 and sheet 2) is
brought to bear upon the projection B of the main spring (Figure 14 sheet 3)
and so the main spring (Figure 14 sheet 3) is partly compressed and the compression
is completed by the retreat of the striker brought about by the two sides of the recess D
(Figure 12) which bear upon the enlargement D of the striker, which is bevelled off
in front (see Figure 7, sheet 3). The striker then moves back a distance of about eight
millimetros then the main spring is compressed, and the nose B of the sear
(Figure 15, sheet 3) engages with the notch H in the heel A of the striker.
By the same movement the two raised segments A at the two ends of the axis of
the working handle have been made to quit their lodgment in the mortises A within
the breech box, and the axis by pressing against the two tenons K placed in front of
it has compelled the bolt to move back about three millimetres taking with it the
extractor and forcing out the cartridge case the same distance.
The bolt is then free and when drawn back, by the hand can follow in its rear-
ward movement the grooves within the breech box which guide it in a rectilinear
course. The extractor, which it takes with it draws out the empty cartridge case until
the point A on the extractor strikes against the tranverse bar H within the breech
box at the point J, and then a violent movement is produced which effects the
ejection of the empty cartridge case out of the channel A of the breech box and
throws it over towards the muzzle of the gun.
The gun is then open and the percussion mechanism is ready to again operate.

page_text: The bolt in its retreat leaves the opening in the magazine free. The carrying lever
under the influence of its spring immediately acts upon the four cartridges remaining
in the magazine, and the upper cartridge presents its base before the face of the bolt,
on pushing this forward the front of the hook of the extractor bears against the base
of the cartridge and thrusts it into the chamber, as soon as the cartridge is in place
the hook of the extractor passes under the flange and the face of the bolt is then in
contact with the base of the cartridge.
The arm is now again loaded and ready for firing.
All that is necessary is to press the finger upon the trigger to fire another shot.
The same rectilinear movements to and fro are repeated until the five cartridges in
the box are expended and then this falls out of the magazine by its own weight,
passing by the opening at the bottom of the magazine.
A new box with five cartridges is then inserted into the opening of the breach box
and the firing is continued in the same manner.
TAKING APART AND PUTTING TOGETHER OF THE MECHANISM.
After having put the breech stop at its dead point the bolt is drawn out of the
breech box.
To take the bolt apart it is necessary that the main spring should be released and
that the striker should have made its forward movement.
The safety bolt is then taken out by turning it a quarter round on its trunnions,
then the scar is removed and successively the spring, the striker, the working handlo
and the extractor.
To put together the parts of the bolt mechanism the parts are assembled in the
reverse order.
To take the repeating apparatus apart it is necessary first to remove the screw from
the end of the breech box then to take out the magazine, taking hold of it by the
trigger guard.
Then it is necessary to take off the left side of the magazine which exposes tho
interior of the box from which the elevating lever and its spring are then takon.
Then the stop lever is taken out, and finally the trigger.
In putting together the parts of the repeating apparatus they are taken in the
reverse order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The arm above described and represented by the annexed drawings constituting a
military repeating rifle and especially the pieces named below, their position, their
action and combined movements as well as their forms and the special arrangements
which characterise them.
1. The breech box.
2. The bolt comprising the appliances for opening and closing the breech for the
percussion, for the extraction and for the ejection of the cartridge case; in combination
with the breech box, the whole as above described.
3. The safety mechanism, in combination with the striker and the breech box.
4. The bolt stop, in combination with the bolt and the breech box.
5. The tenons K, situate in the inner sides of the breech box acting in combination
with the axis of the working handle to start the cartridge case before its extraction for
a distance of about three millimetres by means of the circular movement of the handle
as above described.
6. The circular movement of the working handle in combination with the striker,
the spring and the extractor as above described.
7. The double hook of the breech box engaging the front of the magazine.
8. The mode of attaching the magazine to the breech box by fitting the one in the
other as above described.
9. The fixed magazine made in two principal parts meeting in the centre and

page_text: connected by fixed dowels, also the elevating lever and its two limbed springs, their
mode of action and the arrangements of the inner sides of the magazine, the
combination of these elements to carry the cartridges in succession: vertically in
front of the hook of the extractor and the face of the bolt; the special form of the
elevating lever the same serving as a continuous guide to the cartridges in their
upward course by means of its two branches between which the head of the bullet is
guided as above described.
10. The arrangement of the double hook stop apparatus engaging the top of the
cartridge box and the lower end of which projects into the trigger guard to receive
the pressure of the finger when it is desired to remove the cartridge box from the
magazine before the box is completely empty as above described.
11. The mounting the trigger upon a dowel fixed over the trigger guard in the
right side of the magazine as above described.
12. The arrangement of the elevating lever which after the delivery of the last
cartridge from the box serves to support the cartridges in firing shot by shot.
Dated this 17th day of January 1889.
C
CART MAEL & Co.,
Agents.