IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO MECHANISM FOR FACILITATING THE ACTION OF MAGAZINE RIFLES AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hiram Stevens Maxim, of Cannon Street, in the City
of London Mechanical Engincor for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO MECHANISM FOR FACILITATING THE ACTION OF MAGAZINE
RIFLES AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hiram Stevens Maxim at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th Juno 1883.
HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM of Cannon Street in the City of London, Mechanical
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO MECHANISM FOR FACILITATING
THE ACTION OF MAGAZINE RIFLES AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS"
My invention relates to mechanism chiefly designed to be applied to fire-arms of
the class usually called repeating or magazine rifles of which the well known
Winchester rifle may be considered a type.
The said invention is designed to utilize the kick or recoil of the rifle or other
arm, for operating the breech loading mechanism, and is constructed in such a
manner that when the arm is discharged, the recoil stores up sufficient energy in
a spring or springs to operate the mechanism for extracting the exploded cartridge
shells, for cocking the arm, for transferring the cartridges from the magazine to the
rear of the barrel forcing them into the barrel and closing the broech.
It is well known that heavy loaded rifles such as are used for military
purposes recoil with great force and often injure the shoulder of the person firing
them,
..
By ny invention I provide a yielding shoulder piece which diminishes the force
of the kick or recoil and at the same time stores up sufficient energy to prepare
the rifle for the next succeeding shot.
In this description I refer inore particularly to a rifle of the Winchester type
but my apparatus will operate equally well on any magazine rifles, or upon other
fire-arms.
In the Winchoster rifle the cartridges are placed in a tube which forms the

page_text: magazine and is placed below and parallel to the barrel. Each cartridge is
transferred separately from the rear end of the magazine to a position in line
with the barrel by a device termed a carrier block which is moved vertically by
means of a lever termed the trigger guard lever which is arranged on a joint below
the breech of the gun. This lever also operates the devices for inserting the
.cartridges into the barrel extracting the empty cartridge cases and cocking the
hammer. In the said Winchester gun and arms of the same class this trigger
guard lever or a similar device is actuated by hand but according to my invention
actuate the said lever automatically by means of my improved apparatus and
thereby effect the object of the said invention as above stated.
The said apparatus comprises a shoulder plate that is to say a plate which is
formed to fit conveniently to the shoulder and is held firmly against the same
when the arm is used. This shoulder-plate is so arranged that in the recoil it will
compress the springs and through their action effect the operation of the breech
mechanism. For this purpose I arrange the said shoulder-plate in combination
with the following devices, that is to say. I fix in the stock of the gun a tube
extending from the rear end to the fore part of the underside of the stock. Tho
shoulder-plate has fixed to it a tubular extension which is fitted to slide in the
said tube and which encloses one spiral spring. The forward end of this spring
bears against the head of a bolt or plunger which extends therefrom through the
said tube and is encircled by the other spiral spring which bears at its rear end
against the end of the aforesaid tubular extension and at its forward end against a
fixed metal piece forming part of the frame of the gun; the said bolt or plunger
extends through this metal piece and is connected by a pin joint to the trigger
guard lever which occupies the same position as in the ordinary Winchester rifle
but which I modify in form so that it serves as a connecting rod between the said
plunger and a short arm which is connected with and actuates those lovers which
move the sliding carrier block and other parts of the mechanism.
The said tube and tubular extension are slotted longitudinally; the head of the
bolt has a short arm which projects through the slots and carries a small rollor.
On the outside of the said tube is fixed a catch or stop, the said catch and the
roller being arranged in combination with a latch pivotted to the shoulder-plate
and a flat spring the purpose of this combination being hereinafter described.
In combination with the trigger and the said trigger guard lever or connecting
rod is arranged a small pin which acts as a safety catch to the trigger and prevents
its being pulled except when the breech is closed.
On discharging the riflo tho recoil will compress the two spiral springs, at the
same time the latch will advance and the flat spring will cause the notch to engago
with the catch both springs being then held in a compressed state while pressure
exists in the barrel. When however the force of the charge has been expended
and the pressure against the breech or carrier block diminished so that the lever is
free to move the force of the back spring will press the bolt forward. This
movement cocks the hammer and throws out the empty cartridge shell. As soon
however as the said roller has advanced nearly to the end of the latch it will have
lifted the latter from the catch when the front spring will move all the parts back
into their normal position. After this movement the rifle is ready for firing again.
At each operation. When the trigger guard or connecting rod is pushed forward
the said safety device engages with and holds the trigger so that it cannot again
be pulled until the said small pin is again pushed up by the trigger guard and
caused to release the trigger.
It will be obvious that a rifle provided with this invention may be fired with
great accuracy and rapidity. As repeating rifles are now made some movement
on the part of the operator is necessary for the transference of each cartridge from
the magazine to the barrel. This movement, though slight, requires time, and
destroys the aim; Moreover a heavy loaded rifle from its robounding force is
another cause operating against accuracy and rapid firing.
With my invention howevor the operator has nothing to do except to pull the

page_text: trigger at each discharge or to press steadily upon the trigger; the contents of the
magazine will be thus rapidly discharged while the yielding plate relieves the
shoulder from the effect of the recoil.
In the arrangement above described it will be obvious that the barrel is acted
upon by the recoil but I provide for adapting my invention to machine of battery
guns and other fire-arms in which the recoil or kick acts on a block or plunger or
series of plungers and does not affect the barrel or barrels. In this modification
of my invention I arrange a spring or series of springs to resist the recoil and to
store up the force exerted thereby and expend it in various operations of foeding,
firing, extracting the empty cartridge shells and otherwise working the gun. In
some instances I arrange the mechanism so that the kick or recoil of one barrel.
shall be utilized for working another barrel of the gun.

page_text: In Figures 1, 2 and 3, A is the stock, B the barrel and C the magazine of a
Winchester rifle with my improved apparatus or mechanism applied thereto.
My improved apparatus comprises a shoulder-plate a, that is to say, a plate
which is formed to fit conveniently to the shoulder and is held firmly against the
same when the rifle is used. This shoulder-plate a is so arranged that the arm,
in its recoil against the said plate, will compress the springs b, c, and, through their
action, effect the operation of the breech-mechanism. For this purpose I arrange
the said shoulder-plate a in combination with the following devices, that is to
say-I fix in the stock A of the gun a tube d extending from the rear end of the
stock to the fore part of the underside thereof. The shoulder-plate a has a
tubular extension a¹ which is fitted to slide in the tube d and which encloses the
rear spiral spring b. The forward end of this spring b bears against the head e¹
of a bolt or plunger e, which extends therefrom through the tube d and is
encircled by the front spiral spring c. This spring bears at its rear end against
the end of the tubular extension a¹ and at its forward eni against a fixed metal
piece forming part of the frame of the gun. The said bolt or plunger e extends
through this metal piece f and is connected by a pin joint at g to the piece h
which occupies the same position as the trigger-guard lever in the ordinary.
Winchester rifle, but which I modify in form so that it serves as a connecting rod
between the bolt or plunger e and a short arm i which is connected with, and
actuates, those levers which move the sliding carrier block and other parts of the
breech-mechanism in the said rifle. As my invention doos not relate to, or include,
any of the parts of the ordinary breech mechanism of a Winchester rifle, I have
not thought it necessary to describe or shew the construction and arrangement of
such parts. The tube d and tubular extension a¹ are slotted longitudinally as
shewn at j. The head e' of the bolt or plunger e has a short arm e which
projects through the slots; and carries a small roller e³. On the outside of tho.
tube d is fixed a catch or stop k, the said catch and the roller e³ being arranged
in combination with a latch pivotted to the shoulder-plate a and with a flat
spring m; the purpose of this combination is hereinafter described.
In combination with the trigger n and the connecting rod h, is arranged a
small pin or rod o which pin or rod acts as a safety catch to the trigger and
prevents its being pulled except when the brecch is closed, as in the ordinary
Winchester rifle.
The
Figure 1 shews the parts of the mechanism in the position which they occupy
previous to discharging the rifle. On discharging the rifle, the recoil of the stock A
against the shoulder-plate a compresses the two spiral springs b o, and at the same
time brings the catch or stop k opposite the notch of the latch 1. The spring m
comes in contact with the inclined forward end of the said latch which is pressed
down thereby so that its notch engages with the catch or stop k. The position.
of the parts of the mechanism after the recoil is shown in Figure 2.
springs b, c are held in a compressed state after the recoil until the force of the
explosion has been expended or exhausted and the pressure against the breech-
bolt is diminished so that the arm or lever i is free to move, as will be readily
understood by referring to a description of the Winchester rifle; the force of the
rear spring b then presses the bolt or plunger e forward. This movement of the
said bolt or plunger performs the same operations as the downward movement of
the trigger-guard lever of a Winchester rifle, that is to say, it withdraws the
breech-bolt, extracts and ejects the empty cartridge case, cocks the hammer p, and
raises another cartridge into position to be thrust into the barrel. The parts then
occupy the position shewn in Figure 3. As soon, however, as the roller e³ has
advanced nearly to the notch of the latch it lifts the latter (which has an inclined
surface) from the catch as shewn in the same figure. The front spring c
then acts against the end of the tubular extension a¹ and moves all the parts of
the apparatus back into the position shewn in Figure 1. After this movement
the rifle is ready for the next discharge.
While the parts are in the positions shewn in Figures 1 and 2, the arm h¹ of the

page_text: connecting rod presses against the small pin o and keeps the same out of engage-
ment with the trigger, but at cach operation, when the connecting rod h is pushed
forward, the said pin being no longer held up, engages with, and holds, the trigger,
which cannot be pulled until the said small pin is again pushed up by the
arm h¹ on the connecting rod. If the safety catch should not engage with the
trigger when the connecting rod h commences to move forward, the trigger is
pushed forward by the projection h³ on the said connecting rod so that the said
catch will engage therewith.
It will be obvious that a rifle provided with my improved mechanism may be
fired with great accuracy and rapidity. With repeating rifles as heretofore con-
structed some movement on the part of the operator is necessary for the transference
of each cartridge from the magazine to the barrel. This movement, though slight,
requires time and destroys the accuracy of the aim; and in any case a heavily
loaded rifle causes a recoil which prevents accuracy of aim and rapid firing.
With my invention, however, the operator has nothing to do except to pull the
trigger at each discharge, or to press steadily upon the trigger, the contents of the
magazine will thus bo rapidly discharged, while the yielding plate relieves
the shoulder from the effect of the recoil.
In the arrangement above described it will be obvious that the barrel participates
in the recoil, but in the modification of my invention shewn in Figures 4 to 16, I
construct the apparatus in such a manner that the breech-bolt and a bolt or
plunger in the stock are caused, by the explosion of each cartridge, to recoil and
compress a spring, thereby cocking the hammer, extracting and ejecting the empty
cartridge-case, and storing energy for bringing another cartridge into position for
firing, and firing the same, or preparing the arm for the next discharge.
In these figures, S indicates the stock and T the barrel of a rifle constructed
according to this modification. U is a chamber formed in the breech, in which
chamber the breech-bolt V.is free to slide and in which other parts of the mechanism
are arranged as hereinafter described. To the front end of this chamber is fixed
the circular magazino W in which a feed-wheel w is arranged to rotate upon a
stud w so as to bring the cartridges (which are placed in compartments w³ of
the said feed-wheel) successively in line with the barrel.
The breech-bolt V slides in guides u within the chamber U and has on its front
lower side a projection or shoulder v having an extension which forms one jaw
of the extractor hereinafter described. The projection is arranged to slide in the
groove w³ at the bottom of the uppermost compartment w³, and thereby hold the
feed-wheel win position whilst each cartridge is forced into the barrel, fired and
withdrawn therefrom.
X, is a connecting rod bearing upon the rear end of the breech-bolt and moving
in guides u² in the chamber U. This connecting rod is shewn detached in Figure 16.
The rear end of the said rod, which extends through the chamber U into the stock S,
is acted upon by a spring S¹. This spring receives and stores the force of the
explosion by means of the recoil of the breech-bolt V. The rear end of the breech-
bolt V has two downwardly projecting extensions v² made with inclined surfaces
against which bear the prongs of the connecting rod X, which is bifurcated as
shewn in Figure 16, to form a space in which the hammer Z may operate.
v is a lever pivotted at v³ to the front end of the breech-bolt V. This lever has a
short arm v* which forms a jaw and acts in combination with the fixed jaw v¹ to
extract the empty cartridge-cases. A rod v³ acted upon by a spring v and sliding
in the breech-bolt V presses against the jaw to hold it in close contact with the
head of the cartridge-case. The long arm of the lever v is inclined at its rear end
so that, when the breech-bolt V recoils, the said arm will come in contact with the
cover u¹ of the chamber U and will be raised thereby, and the jaw will thus be
removed from the cartridge-case to permit the latter to be ejected.
When the breech-bolt recoils, the greater the resistance of the cartridge case to
being drawn from the barrel, the more tightly will the jaw v press upon it, the

page_text: lever v tending to move in the direction in which it is pressed by the rod ³ and
spring vo
The lever Y is pivotted to one end of the stud w¹ upon which the feed-wheel
rotates. This lever has three arms y¹, y², y³. A spring y is secured to the arm y¹
and lies within a slot w' in the said stud w¹. One end of this spring is arranged to
act as an ejector; the other end thereof bears against the part y of the stud w¹ and
rotains the lover Y in its normal position. The arm y² bears against the under
side of the breech-bolt V. When the said bolt recoils, tho projection v thereon
strikes the said arm y" and forces it downwards thereby moving the spring y'
upward sufficiently to throw the cartridge case from the compartment of the feed-
wheel into which it has been previously drawn by the extractor. To permit the
spring y to strike the cartridge caso, the feed wheel wis provided with openings w³
as shewn in Figures 6 and 11.
To prevent the empty cartridge cases being drawn beyond the opening in the
breech of the gun, if from any cause they should adhere to the extractor, I fix to
the end of the stud w¹ two small wings or projections w³, ono of which is shown in
dotted lines in Figure 6. These projections fit into grooves vs, formed in the under-
side of the breech-bolt V as shewn in Figuro 9. When an empty caso is drawn
back by the extractor, the said case strikes against the projections w so that
its further backward movement is prevented.
The partial rotation of the feed-wheel w to bring a fresh cartridge into alignment
with the barrel is caused by the arm y³ and the extension v' of the breech-bolt,
which extension is bevelled to correspond with the inclined surfaces wⓇ of the said
feed-wheel, as shewn in Figure 11. When the breech-bolt in its recoil strikes the
arm y³ to eject a cartridge case, the arm y³ is raised until its bovelled surface y³
(Figure 12) impinges against one of the inclined surfacos w³, and turns the wheel w
far enough for the extension v³ to engage with the said inclinod surface, which
extension, on the next forward movement of the breech-bolt V, turns the said
wheel w so as to bring the next succeeding cartridge into position to be thrust
into the barrel.
is the firing pin which passes through the breech-bolt V and is normally held
out of contact with the cap or priming of the cartridge by a spring v10.
The hammer Z is mounted on a shaft Z' as shewn in Figures 6, 7 and 8, which
shaft has bearings in the sides of the chamber U. One end of the said shaft
projects through one of the said sides, and has a lever Z fixed upon it, (which
lever is also shewn in Figures 4 and 5) for cocking the hammer by hand inde-
pendently of the recoil of the breech-bolt.
The hammer Z is acted upon directly by the main spring 2³ and is made with
the "full cock" notch z and the "half cock" notch z¹. The sear 22 is mounted on
a shaft 23; against the free end of this sear bears a rod or bar & supported at one
end on the shaft Z' which passes through a slot in the said rod. The other end
of this rod is pivotted to the trigger Z. When the trigger is pulled, the rod st
presses upon the sear 2 and forces it out of the notch z, thereby releasing the
hammer, which rises and strikes the firing pin v. A spring bears upon the back
of the sear and tends to hold it in engagement with the notch or s¹.
To set the gun at half cock, the trigger is pulled far enough to release the sear z³
from the notch z and the hammer is allowed to move forward (its too rapid
movement being prevented by means of the lever Z³) until the said sear drops into
the notch ¹, which is of such depth that the sear cannot be forced out of
engagement therewith by the trigger.
In order to prevent the gun from being fired until the breech-bolt is "home,"
that is to say, until it completely closes the breech, I provide a second sear or
safety catch 2 mounted upon the same shaft as the sear and acted upon by a
spring 27. This sear or catch is made with an extension to engage with a notch on
the bottom of the projection, whilst its lower shoulder is adapted to engage with
the notch z in the hammer. When the breech-bolt is "home," the catch 2º is held
out of engagement with the hammer, as shewn in Figure 6, and does not act. If

page_text: the breech-bolt is not "home," the said catch 2 remains in engagement with the
notch and prevents the hammer from being released by the sear z². The lower
shoulder of the catch is slightly above the top of the sear². This arrangement
is of great importance as it enables the sear to always return into the notch z,
in case the hammer has not been released by the catch z, so that, when the
breech-bolt V is forced home, the hammer will not be released to fire the gun.
The sear or catch 2 also enables successive shots to be fired automatically in the
following manner, that is to say, if the trigger is forcibly held out of engagement
with the hammer against the force of the spring 25, which is hereinafter described,
the catch z will serve as the sear. In this case, when the breech-bolt recoils, the
said catch engages with the notch z and holds the hammer Z in the cocked
position until it is released by the projection v² striking the catch and releasing
the hammer, whereby the gun is fired and the breech-bolt V then again recoils and
the above described operations are repeated.
'
As the action of this gun is very rapid, the person using the said gun might not
remove his finger from the trigger in time to permit the sear to engage with
the hammer before the gun has been again loaded. To obviate this difficulty I fix
to the trigger a strong spring 8, as shewn in Figure 7, and upon the end of the
connecting rod X I provide a lug or projection z³. When the breech-bolt recoils,
the said connecting rod is forced back and, as it reaches its rearmost position, the
Faid lug impinges against the spring 28 and presses upon the trigger with an
elastic force sufficient to cause the sear, if not firmly held against such pressure,
to engage with its notch z. The trigger can, however, be held back if it is
required to fire the whole of the cartridges in rapid succession.
A cushion or buffer U of india-rubber or other suitable material is placed at
the rear end of the chamber U to diminish the shock produced by the recoil of the
breech-bolt.
A spring-catch is pivotted in one side of the breech-bolt, as shewn in
Figure 13., so that, when the latter recoils, the said catch will engage in a notch
in one side of the chamber U, and two shots cannot be fired in succession without
disengaging the said catch. In combination with this catch I arrange a lever U³
having a cam-shaped end or excentric. This lever serves for effecting the dis-
engagement of the catch from the notch, and by turning the said lever into the
position shewn in Figure 5, the said excontric will prevent the catch from entering
the notch so that the whole of the cartridges in the magazine can be fired in
succession. To hold the lever U in either of its positions, a pin u* acted upon by
a spring is arranged in the said cam-shaped portion and holes u are formed in one
of the lugs u which carry the said lever. The pin u will enter one of these holes
when the said lever reaches the limit of its movement in either direction. Between
the said holes inclines are formed to enable the pin to move easily from one to the
other of the same..
By this arrangement the gun may be used as a breech-loading fire-arm, a fresh
cartridge being inserted into the magazine for every one fired, so that the magazine
is always full. This is accomplished by setting the lover U in the position shewn
in full lines in Figure 4, so that each time the breech-bolt recoils, the breech is
held open for loading. By pushing the lever into the position shewn in dotted
lines at U³, the breech-bolt can be released, leaving the lever U₁ in the proper
position to enable the catch v1 to engage with its notch at the next recoil.
The gun shewn in the drawings can carry only eight cartridges, but I may, if
desired, enlarge the circular magazine or arrange one or more supplementary
magazinės below the same, so that, as the cartridges are used from the first
magazine, fresh cartridges will be forced into the same from the supplementary
magazine.
This arrangement of magazines is advantageous, as it ensures the first cartridge
put in being first fired and thereby prevents damage to the cartridges by their
remaining too long in the magazine.
1.The operation of this gun is as follows, that is to say:-The breech-bolt V is

page_text: first drawn back by means of the knob 12 thereby compressing the spring S¹ and
cocking the hammer, the lever U2 being turned as shewn in Figure 13 so that the
catch will hold the breech-bolt back. Cartridges are now inserted in the
compartments of the feed-wheel, which can be turned for this purpose by hand.
As soon as the magazine is filled, the spring catch is disengaged from its notch.
The breech-bolt is then pushed forward by the spring S' and forces a cartridge
into the barrel. The trigger is now pulled and the hammer strikes the firing pin
and discharges the gun. The force of the explosion causes the breech-bolt to
recoil and at the same time extract the empty cartridge case, which is ejected in
the manner above described. As soon as the breech-bolt has reached the extremity
of its rearward movement it commences to move forward again (unless prevented
by the catch v1) by reason of the elastic force of the spring S¹, thereby rotating
the feed-wheel as above described and bringing into position another cartridgo,
which is forced into the barrel and can be fired by pulling the trigger. These
operations may be repeated until all the cartridges in the magazine have been
fired.
It will thus be seen that the only part to be performed by the operator is to
pull the trigger to fire the gun, the cartridges being inserted in the barrel, extracted
therefrom, and ejected, and the hammer being cocked by the force of the explosion.
And, if the trigger be forcibly held back, the whole of the cartridges in the
magazine will be fired successively and automatically.
The application of my invention to a fire-arm of the class known as Peabody-
Martini Rifles is illustrated in Figures 17 to 19 of the accompanying drawings.
The breech-block 1, the tumbler 2, trigger 3, and striker 4 are substantially the
same as those heretofore employed in rifles of this type. The lever 5, instead of
being made of sufficient length to be handled, is made very short as shown.
A yielding cap or shoulder-plate 6 is arranged upon the end of the stock and a
socket 7 is screwed, or otherwise secured, to the said shoulder-plate. This socket
is adapted to slide in the hole through which the tang scrow 8 is passed. Within
the said socket I place a comparatively weak spring 9 having upon its front end
a cap 10, which slides within the socket 7 and bears against the end of the tang-
scrow 8. The socket 7 has on its underside, guides 11, in which slides a rod 12
acted upon by a strong spiral spring 13. A rod 14, jointed at 15 in any suitable
manner to enable it to yield slightly, is connected at one end to the rod 12 and at
the other end to the lever 5.
The extractor 16 has on each of its arms a hook 18, as shewn in Figure 19.
When the breech-block is down to permit a cartridge to be inserted or extracted,
these hooks engage with the upper side of the said block and hold it down. Tho
rod 14 does not pass through a slot in the trigger-guard 19, but is bifurcated as
shown in Figure 18 so that it will pass on each side of the said guard.
The operation of this improved gun is as follows, that is to say-To charge tho
gun in the first instance, the plate 6 is pressed towards the stock and moves the
socket 7, the guides 11, and the rod 12. The spring 13 is strong enough to over-
come any ordinary resistance to the movement of the rod 12, and therefore only
acts as a cushion. As the rod 12 is moved forward, and with it the connecting
rod 14, the lever 5 has imparted to it a movement similar to that which its
equivalent receives from the ordinary hand lover of a rifle of this typo. This
movement of the lever 5 cocks the arm, opens the breech, and at the same time
causes the hooks 18 to engage with the breech-block 1 and hold it down, and thus
keep the spring 9 compressed. A cartridge is then inserted in the barrel, and
when the flange of the said cartridge comes into contact with the projections 17
on the extractor and the cartridge is inserted properly in the barrel, the hooks 18
are disengaged from the breech-block. The latter is now raised to close the
breech by the expansion of the spring 9 which moves the stock forward relatively
to the rod 14; the latter consequently acts upon the lever 5.
When the trigger is pulled and the cartridge is fired, the explosion causes the
stock to move back in the cap or plate 6 thus performing the operation which in

page_text: the first instance was performed by hand. The subsequent operations are the
same as above described.
The spring 13 is made so that it will yield slightly when a cartridge is exploded
and thus keep the breech closed until the bullet has left the barrel.
Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I do not claim broadly or irrespectively of the
above described improvements, the utilization of the explosion of the cartridge or
the recoil of the gun, or any part thereof, for effecting the simple operation of
cocking the hammer, as I am aware that this is not new, but I claim ;-
First. A fire-arm which has combined with the other parts thereof, mechanism
whereby the discharge of one cartridge causes the recoil of the gun relatively to a
shoulder-plate or equivalent support and stores up energy to be used for extracting
the empty cartridge case, bringing the next succeeding cartridge into position for
firing, and preparing the arm for the next discharge.
Second. The combination, substantially as set forth, with the shoulder-plate, of
the devices arranged in the gun-stock as shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 3, whereby,
through the medium of the bolt or plunger and the connecting rod, the levers of
the breech-mechanism are operated as, and for, the purposes, specified.
Third. The combination of the arm h¹ of the connecting rod (which also serves
as a trigger-guard), the lever i, and the safety device or catch o arranged substan-
tially as set forth, and operating in the manner, and for the purpose, herein
specified.
Fourth. The improvements relating to the modification of my invention as
illustrated in Figures 4 to 16, which improvements consist in so constructing,
combining and arranging the mechanism set forth in the fifth, sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth claiming clauses that the
explosion of one cartridge will cause the recoil or withdrawal of the breech-bolt
from the barrel and thereby cock the hammer, extract and eject the empty cartridge
case, and store energy for bringing another cartridge into position for firing, and
firing the same or preparing the arm for the next discharge.
- Fifth. The device for extracting the empty cartridge cases, consisting of a jaw
pivotted to the plunger or breech-bolt and actuated by a lever to operato in
combination with a jaw fixed on, or forming part of, the said plunger or breech-
bolt, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination of parts substantially as described comprising the feed-
wheel, the plunger or breech-bolt, the extractor and the lever Y, whereby a
cartridge is pushed from one groove of the said feed-wheel into the barrel and the
empty cartridge case is drawn out of the barrel into the same groove, and ejected
therefrom and the said feed-wheel is partially rotated, as above set forth.
Seventh. The combination, with the cock or hammer, of two scars one of which
is disengaged therefrom by the forward movement of the plunger or breech-bolt,
and the other of which can be disengaged by the pulling of the trigger, all substan-
tially as described with reference to Figure 6 for the purposes specified.
Eighth. In a fire-arm constructed substantially as described with reference to
Figures 4 to 16, the employment of a buffer or elastic cushion for deadening or
diminishing the shock produced by the recoil of the breech-bolt.
Ninth. The spring catch for holding the breech-bolt in its rearmost position,
arranged in combination with the lover and excentric substantially as described
with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 13 and operating as, and for the purposes,
specified.
Tenth. The combination, with the extractor, of the rod v³ and spring vª substan-
tially as described with reference to Figure 6, for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. The combination, with the trigger, of the spring 2 arranged to be
acted upon by the projection on the sliding connecting rod X, substantially as
described with reference to Figure 7 for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The spring S¹ and connecting rod X arranged to act upon the breech-
bolt as, and for. the nurpose, set forth.

page_text: Thirteenth. The wings or projections w³ arranged to enter the grooves v³ and to
operate in combination with the extractor, substantially as, and for the purpose,
set forth.
Fourteenth. The modification of my invention which consists in combining, with
the breech mechanism of a "Peabody-Martini" rifle, mechanism whereby the
discharge of one cartridge will open the breech, cock the arm, and extract the
empty cartridge-case and will store energy for again closing the breech, substan-
tially as described with reference to Figures 17 to 19.
Fifteenth. In a "Peabody-Martini" rifle or similar fire-arm, the extractor 16
provided with the projections 17 and hooks 18 and arranged to be operated
substantially as, and for the purposes, specified.
Sixteenth. The springs 9 and 13 arranged in combination with the cap or
shoulder-plate 6, the socket 7, tho rods 12 and 14, and the lever 5, substantially as,
and for the purpose, specified.
In witness whereof I the said. Hiram Stevens Maxim have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM.
(L.S.)