Improvements in and relating to Magazine or Repeating Fire-arms.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1889 ·
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Magazine or Repeating Fire-arms.
I, JAMES PARIS LEE, of Ilion, New York, United States of America, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to magazine or repeating fire-arms.
The main object of my.said invention is to so construct a magazine that it will contain
two vertical rows or columns of cartridges, the feeding of which from the magazine into
the chamber of the gun will be effected alternately from either of the said rows or columns,
that is to say, the breech-bolt in one forward movement will feed a cartridge from one row
or column into the chamber of the gun and in its next forward movement will' feed
a cartridge from the other row or column into the said chamber. By so constructing
the magazine, dispense with the necessity for making the upper part of 'the same
taper in transverse section for the purpose of displacing the cartridges from the two
rows or columns and bringing them one by one into the centre of the said magazine
in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis of the gun. Such lateral move-
ment or displacement of the cartridges is not required in my improved magazine, as
the uppermost cartridge, whether appertaining to one or the other of the two rows
or columns, will occupy such a position that the breech-bolt in its forward 'movement
will strike the flange or base of the said cartridge.
My improved magazine is constructed with the sides parallel, and, when made
removable or detachable, is provided at its upper end with lips or flanges so formed
that the uppermost cartridge will be held down by one of the said lips and by the
opposing cartridge in the other column, the width of the space between the last
named cartridge and the said lip or flange being less than the diameter of a
cartridge.
The follower or platform which supports the cartridges is so formed that on
column of cartridges will occupy a more elevated position in the magazine than the
other column thereof, the longitudinal axis of each of the said cartridges in one
column being level with the contiguous parts of the two adjacent cartridges in the
other column. The cartridges will, therefore, be packed very closely, thus economising
space and minimising the width of the magazine, and at the same time per hitting
the feeding of the cartridges alternately from either column. Moreover, by the
formation of the follower in the manner hereinafter described, I ensure that the
spring shill bar equally on both columns an that the cartridges shall always be
arranged in the same order in the magazine, that is to say, the lowermost cartridge
will always be on the same side of the magazine.
The cartridges in my improved magazine are not arranged in a zig-zag column,
but in two distinct columns. the force of the spring being transmittel through the
follower directly to both columns and not through the cartridges in one column to
those in the other column, as in some magazines heretofore devised.
When the magazine is full of cartridges, the space between the lip or flange on
one side and the opposing cartridge is, as above stated, of such width that the upper-
most cartridge cannot be forced between them by the spring; the cartridges will
therefore be held in place in the magazine and cannot be pushed upward therein by
the spring until the uppermost cartridge is fed into the chamber of the gun by the
breech-bolt. Each cartridge as it arrives uppermost in the magazine will, however,
still occupy such a position that its axis is in the same vertical plane as the axes of
the cartridges below it in the same column.
When the uppermost cartridge in either column is thrust forward by the breech-
bolt, it will, in entering the chamber of the gun, come in contact with the side of

page_text: such chamber and thus be moved into line with the bore of the gun. In this move-
ment the spring will be slightly compressed and the uppermost cartridge disengaged
from between the lip or flange at the top of one side of the magazine and the adjacent
cartridge in the other side of the magazine. The remaining cartridges in the magazine
will then be raised by the spring, until, their motion is arrested by the other lip or
flange. In the next forward movement of the breech bolt, the uppermost cartridge
in the other column.will be inserted into the barrel in the manner above described.
The breech-bolt thus acts alternately upon the cartridges in either column until the
whole of the cartridges chave been transferred ifrom the magazine into the barrel;
the necessity for previously conducting the cartridges to the centre of -the magazine
is thus obviated..
In using flanged cartridges, care must be taken that the magazine is so
constructed, that when loaded the head or flange of seadh cartridge therein will be
forward of, that of the cartridge next below it,in, either column. This result
maybe accomplished by making, the rear end of the amagazine with a suitable
inclination.
It may be, advantageous in some cases to cut away a portion of the lips or flanges.
so as to form notches at a suitable. distance. trom, the rear end of the magazine to
Regmit the release of, the uppermost cartridge from the magazine, when, in the
feeding of the said cartridge into the, barrel, its head or flange arrives at the said
notch..
Ribs or depressions may, if necessary, be provided in the sides or walls of the
magazine for guiding the follower in its up and down movement..
I sometimes make the magazine with only one lip or flangesa, partiof, the shoe or
body of the gun being utilized, in place of the other lip or flange fore-holding down
the cartridges in the magazine. Or, if the magazine is fixed, can, dispense with the
lips or flanges.
By my improvements, aim enabled to make the month of the magazine.considerably
wider than the greatest diameter of the cartridge, therefore the magazine can be very
readily filled with cartridges, the columns of cartridges being simply pressedidown by
eachgartridge as it is inserted, until the latter springs into its place. alloreover, by
the, construction of the magazine in the manner above described, Lailapt it, foreholding
a large number of cartridges.
2.
The first cartridge inserted ing my magazine at any time, will fall to the lower side
of the follower, therefore the lowerinpst cartridge will always occupy the same position
in the magazine relatively to the said follower:
A suitable, cut-offis-sometimes provided to permit the use of the gunnassa single
loader whilst agresorve of icartridges is contained in the magazine.
:
It is obvious that my invention is applicable, tosmachine and other guns provided
with a breech-bolt capable of longitudinal to-and-fro movement, the magazine,.being
arranged either above or below the gun..
Dated this al 5th days off Movz.11 880
.!
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION!
Improvements in and relating to Magazine or Repeating Fire-arms.
I JAMES, PARIS LEE, of Ilion, New York, United States of America,, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed 'to, 'be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to magazine.or repeating fire-arms.
↑
"The main object of my sail invention is to so construct the magazine that the
feeding of the cartridges therefrom into the chamber of the gun will be effected

page_text: alternately, from either of two rows or columns without previous. lateral movement or
displacement of the cartridges from either side of the magazine to the centre, thereof,.
that is to say, the breech-bolt. in one forward-movement. will feed a cartridge, from
one.row or column into the chamber of the gun and in its next forward movement
will feed a cartridge from the other row, or column-into the said chamber, the longi-
tudinal axes of the cartridges in: each. columns remaining in the same vertical plane
until the said cartridges are thus transferred from the magazine.
By constructing the magazine in this manner, L-dispense with the necessity for
making the upper part of the same taper in-transverse section as heretofore practised.
for the purpose of ensuring. displacement of the cartridges, from the sides to the
centre of the magazine so as to bring them one by one into the same vertical plane
as the longitudinal axis of the gun. Such lateral movement or displacement of the
cartridges is not required in my improved magazine, as the uppermost cartridge;
whether appertaining to one or other of the two rows or columns, will occupy such a
position that the breech-bolt in its forward movement will strike the flange or base-of
the said cartridge.
My improved magazine is constructed with the sides parallel,, and, when inade
removable or detachable, is provided at its upper end with inwardly, projecting lips or
flanges so formed that the uppermost cartridge in one column will be held down by
the corresponding. lip or flange and by the opposing cartridge in the other- column,
the space between the last named cartridge and the said lip or flange being too sma!!
to permit the passage of the uppermost cartridge between them except when the
cartridges are depressed as bereinafter described. In my cartridge-magazines-as
heretofore constructed; I make the mouth of the magazine contracted or with inwardly
projecting lips or flanges, the space between which is narrower than the base of the
cartridge but in my improved. magazine herein described I can make the mouth
wider than the cartridge at any part of its length. I thus facilitate the filling. or
charging of the magazine.
The follower or platform is so-formed that, whilst acting. equally upon both rows
or columns of cartridges, it will support one column in a more elevated position than.
the other column, each cartridge in one column lying partially within the recess
between the two adjacent cartridges in, the other column. The cartridges will there-
fore be packed very closely, thus economising space and minimising the width of the
magazine, and at the same time permitting the feeding of the cartridges alternately
from either column. Moreover, by the formation of the follower in the manner
herein described; I ensure that the cartridges shall always be arranged in the same
order in the magazine, that is to say, the lowermost cartridge will always be on the.
same side of the magazine..
In the accompanying.drawings
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Eigure 2-a side elevation of a-portion of a Lee rifle with my improved magazine
attached thereto.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal central section showing one of my improved
magazines detached.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line,, Bigure 3.
Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the said magazine..
Figure 6 is a transverse section through the shoe or body of a-gun provided with
a modified form of my improved magazine.
Eigure 7 is a side elevation of the follower detached.
Like letters.indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings..
A is the shoe or body of the gun, B the barrel and C the breech-boli.
is the box or case of the magazine, is the follower or platform; c-is the spring.
for elevating the cartridges in the said magazine.
It will be seen that, as above stated, the side walls of the box or case a are vertical
and parallel to each other, and that the cartridges are arranged side. by, side-in-two
distinct vertical columns, each cartridge being in contact with the cartridges next above.

page_text: and below it'in the same column. That is to say, the cartridges in my improved
magazine are not arranged in a zig-zag column so that the force of the spring has to
be transmitted through the cartridges in one column to those in the other column, but
in two distinct columns, the force of the spring being transmitted through the follower
directly to both of the said columns. By this arrangement, the raising of the
cartridges by the spring is greatly facilitated, the friction between the cartridges and
the walls of the magazine being much less than in cases where the cartridges are
arranged in a zig-zag column or where the elevating force is applied through the
cartridges in one column to those in the other column.
The box or case a, when made readily removable or detachable from the gun, is
preferably formed with two lips or flanges a¹, a² for retaining the cartridges in
the magazine until they are fed therefrom into the chamber of the gun by the breech-
bolt..
The follower is made with one side thereof higher than the other side, as shown
more clearly by dotted lines in Figures 4 and 5, so that the spring c will exert equal
force upon both columns of cartridges, whilst each cartridge in one column will, as
above mentioned, lie partly within the recess between the two adjacent cartridges in
the other column, the longitudinal axis of each cartridge in one column being level
with the contiguous parts of the two adjacent cartridges in the other column. The
said follower b is preferably provided at its rear end with a lip or flange extending
across the lower part of the same.
al
1,1
When the magazine is full of cartridges, the space between the lip or flange u¹ and
the cartridge d is of such width that the uppermost cartridge d' cannot pass between
them, the line of contact of the cartridge d with the cartridge d being slightly below
plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the cartridge d and through the
edge of the lip or flange a¹; the cartridges will therefore be held in place in the
magazine and cannot be pushed upward therein by the spring e until the uppermost
cartridge is fed into the chamber of the gun by the breech-bolt. Each cartridge in
the magazine will, however, until thus transferred from the magazine, continue to
occupy such a position that its axis is in the same vertical plane as the axes of the
cartridges below it in the same column, that is to say, there will be no lateral
displacement of the cartridges towards the centre of the magazine as they are
elevated therein.
The magazine is formed with a groove or depression 3 at the top of its rear end
so that the breech-bolt will, in its forward movement, engage with the uppermost
cartridge in the inagazine. When the uppermost cartridge is fed into the chamber
of the gun the remaining cartridges will be elevated by the spring until their motion
is arrested by the lip or flange a. In the next forward movement of the breech-
bolt, the cartridge d'will be inserted into the barrel, in the manier' above described.
The breech-bolt thus acts first upon a cartridge in one column and then 'upon a cart-
ridge in the other column until the whole of the cartridges have been transferred
from the magazine into the barrel; the necessity for previously conducting the
cartridges to the centre of the magazine is thus obviated.
When a
cartridge is pushed forward by the breech-bolt, it will in entering the
chamber of the gun come in contact with the side of the said chamber and thus be
moved into line with the bore of the gun. In this movement, the spring e will be
slightly compressed and the said cartridge disengaged from between the adjacent
cartridge in the other column and the lip or flange a or a² as the case may be.
When the magazine is designed to contain flanged cartridges, care must be taken
that it is so constructed that, when loaded, the head or flange of each cartridge therein
will be forward of that of the cartridge below it in either column. This result
may be accomplished by making the rear end of the magazine with a suitable
inclination.
.
It may be advantageous in some cases to cut away a portion of the lips or
Hanges a¹, a so as to form notches at a suitable distance from the rear end of the
magazine to permit the release of the uppermost cartridge when in the feeding of the

page_text: said cartridge into the barrel, its 'head'ror flange arrives at the said notch Or
the greater portion of each 'lip or flange may, if desired, be cut away, a portion
thereof at either end of the magazine being left for the purpose of retaining the
cartridges therein.
Ribs or depressions may, if necessary, be provided in the sides or walls of the
magazine for guiding the follower in its up-and-down movement.
'I sometimes make the magazine with only one'lip or flingea, as shown in Figure 6,
the part-e of the shoe..or .body.A.of.the.gun. being utilized in place of another lip
or flange for holding-down-the cartridges in the magazine. Or the said magazine,.
if fixed in the gun, may be made without lips or flanges, the cartridges being inserted
into the magazine through the shoe or body of the gun, and being retained in the
magazine by the parts or shoulders of the said shoe or body projecting over the
mouth of the magazine.
By my improvements, I am enabled, as above stated, to make the mouth of the
magazine considerably wider than the base of the cartridge, therefore the magazine
can be very readily filled, the column of cartridges being simply pressed down by
each cartridge as it is inserted until the latter springs into its place. Moreover, by
the construction of the magazine in the manner above described, I adapt it for holding
a larger number of cartridges than magazines of the same size as heretofore
constructed to contain a zig-zag column of cartridges.
The first cartridge inserted in my magazine at any time will fall to the lower side
of the follower therefore the lowermost cartridge will always occupy the same
position in the magazine relatively to the said follower.
It is obvious that my invention is applicable to machine and other guns in which
the breech bolt is arranged to move longitudinally to and fro, the magazine being
arranged either above or below the gun as may be most convenient.
By dispensing with the whole or a portion of one or both of the aforesaid. lips or
flanges, I am enabled to combine with my magazine an ordinary cut-off for retaining
a reserve of cartridges therein while the gun is used as a "single loader."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that I do
not claim generally or irrespectively of my improvements herein described a maga-
zine so constructed that it will contain two vertical rows or columns of cartridges,
as I am aware that the construction of a magazine in this manner has already been
suggested; but I am not aware that a magazine has ever been devised in which the
cartridges, without being previously brought to a central position in the magazine,
can be fed into the chamber of the gun by the breech-bolt from either of two rows.
or columns alternately as herein before described; nor am I aware that a magazine
has ever been devised which has a mouth wider throughout its length than the cart.
ridge, but which will nevertheless retain in it two vertical rows or columns of
cartridges as hereinbefore described, and I claim :-
First A magazine adapted to contain two rows or columns of cartridges and so
constructed that, when it is applied to a fire-arm, the cartridges, without being brought
to a central position in the said magazine, may be fed into the barrel by the breech-
bolt alternately from either of the said rows or columns.
Second A magazine adapted to contain two rows or columns of cartridges and
provided with lips or flanges so that, whilst the mouth of the magazine throughout
its entire length is of greater width than the cartridge, the two rows or columns of
cartridges will he securely retained therein, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third The modification of my invention wherein the magazine is made with
a single lip or flange or without lips or flanges and the cartridges are retained in
the magazine by a shoulder or shoulders in the shoe or body of the gun, substantially
as described.

page_text: Fourth-The improved cartridge-magazine constructed substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying drawing, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1889.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.