Improvements in Quick Firing Guns and in Cartridges therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Quick Firing Guns and in Cartridges therefor.
I, ROBERT SOUTHWORTH LAWRENCE of the Langham Hotel, Portland Place, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference more particularly to guns of the kind known as
quick firing guns, and has for object to simplify the construction of the breech
action and firing mechanism of such guns; it also relates to improvements in
cartridges whereby the same may be fired by means of electricity.
In a quick firing gun according to this invention, the breech is closed by a
wedge shaped breech block that is arranged to work in an inclined direction
through the breech by means of a toothed wheel operated by a hand lever at the
rear of the gun, and engaging with a rack on the lower side of the block. The
hand lever is provided with a catch or hook which rides over a spring pawl or
detent when the block has been brought home to close the breech. The catch or
hook thus secures the block from running back until it is raised or otherwise
released by the man in charge. The toothed wheel with the hand lever are situated
at or near the rear of the gun, which forms a protection for them against injury
by the enemy's shot. Within the breech is a cartridge extractor adapted to be
operated by a handle located at the rear of the breech.
The breech block may be provided with the usual firing pin and trigger, but I
prefer to fire the cartridge not by percussion but by electricity. To this end I
provide on the inner face of the block two insulated contact pieces connected by
insulated conductors to two other contact pieces on the lower face of the block.
When the block is in the firing position these last mentioned contact pieces are in
electrical connexion with two insulated contact pieces let into the breech of the gun.
Electrical conductors join the contact pieces in the gun to conductors carried by
the vertical pivot ou which the trunnions are mounted or by other suitable support.
These latter conductors end in rings on the pivot which rings are in rubbing con-
nexion with terminal posts connected to an electro battery or generator. One of
the conductors on the gun is divided and a push or moveable contact piece or circuit
closer is inserted in it. Normally the circuit is broken at the push, and it is only
completed when it is desired to fire the gun.
A cartridge designed to be fired by the electrical arrangement just referred to has
two insulated contact pieces on its base corresponding in position to those on the face
of the breech block. These contact pieces are connected by insulated conductors to a
fuse in the interior of the cartridge. This fuse may be a short length of platinum
wire or it may be of any known and suitable construction adapted to be heated by
electricity to a sufficient temperature to fire the cartridge. When the cartridge is in
the gun
and the breech block is home there is a complete electric circuit only broken
at the push.
A quick firing gun according to this invention may be mounted directly on a
non-recoil carriage or stand or it may be connected to such a carriage through
springs which will allow the gun to recoil slightly while the carriage or stand
remains stationary. An elastic shoulder rest of the usual kind protects the gunner
from shock.
Dated thin 02-d daw of Fahr 1880

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Quick Firing Guns and in Cartridges therefor.
1, ROBERT SOUTHWORTH LAWRENCE of The Langham Hotel, Portland Place, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do, hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention has reference more particularly to guns of the kind known as rapid
firing guns, and has for objects to simplify the construction of the breech-action
and firing mechanism of such guns and to afford protection to the breech block
operating mechanism; it also relates to improvements in the adaptation of cartridges
to be fired by means of electricity.
In a rapid firing gun according to this invention, the breech is closed by a wedge
shaped breech block that is arranged to work in an inclined direction through the
breech by means of a toothed wheel operated by a handle, at the rear of the gun, and
engaging with a rack on the lower side of the block. The handle is provided with a
catch or hook which rides over a spring pawl or stop when the block has been
brought home to close the breech. The catch or hook thus secures the block from
running back until it is raised or otherwise released by the man in charge. The
breech operating gear is so arranged partly within the breech of the gun, with the
handle in the rear, as to be protected from the projectiles of an enemy in front of
the gun. Within the breech is a cartridge extractor adapted to be operated by a
handle at the rear of the gun.
The breech block may be provided with the usual firing pin, and trigger, but I
consider it advantageous to fire the cartridges, not by percussion but by electricity.
To this end I provide on the inner face of the block two insulated contact pieces
connected by insulated conductors to two other contact pieces on the lower face of
the block. When the block is in the firing position these last mentioned contact
pieces are in electrical connection with two insulated contact pieces let into the breech
of the gun. Electrical conductors join the contact pieces in the gun to conductors
carried by the vertical pivot on which the trunnions are mounted. These latter
conductors end in rings on the pivot, which rings are in rubbing connection with
terminal posts connected to an electric battery or generator. This electric battery or
generator may be placed within the stand upon which the gun is mounted, or it
may be secured to the underside of the gun. One of the conductors on the gun is
divided, and a circuit closer such as a push or moveable contact piece is inserted in it.
Normally the circuit is broken at the circuit closer, and it is only completed when
it is desired to fire the gun.
A cartridge designed to be fired by the electrical arrangement just referred to, has
two insulated contact pieces on its base, corresponding in position to those on the face
of the breech block. These contact pieces are connected by insulated conductors to a
fuse in the interior of the cartridge. This fuse may be a short length of platinum
wire, or it may be of any known and suitable construction adapted to be heated by
electricity to a sufficient temperature to fire the cartridge. When the cartridge is in
the gun and the breech block is home there is a complete electric circuit only broken
at the push or circuit closer.
A quick firing gun according to this invention may be mounted directly on a non
recoil carriage or stand, or it may be connected to such a carriage through springs
which will allow the gun to recoil slightly while the carriage or stand remains
stationary. An elastic shoulder rest of the usual kind protects the gunner from
shock.
Referring to the accompanying three sheets of illustrative drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the breech end of a quick firing gun according to this
invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line ab fig. 3, shewing parts in
elevation, and a cartridge ready to be fired.
Wand

page_text: Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line c d fig. 2, showing the base of a cartridge in the
chamber.
Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4, looking in the reverse direction and showing the
breech block in elevation; also the electric contact pieces on its face.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central section through the gun and breech block, shewing
the electric connections from the face of the block to the firing push or trigger and
mainly in elevation a cartridge ready to be fired.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a cartridge case, shewing the electric fuse.
Fig. 8 is an elevation of a gun according to this invention mounted on
recoil carriage or stand, and provided with electric firing appliances.
a non
Fig. 9 is an elevation of a gun according to this invention on a fixed stand with
an elastic mounting.
Fig. 10 is a plan of the same. and
Fig. 11 is a cross section on line A-B, fig. 10.
1 is the breech of a quick firing gun; it is closed by a block 2, which slides in an
opening or way 3 cut for its reception in an inclined position through the breech 1.
Upon this block is a rack 4 into which gears a toothed wheel or pinion 5, (hereinafter
called a pinion) fixed on a shaft 6, having a handle 7 at its extremity. Upon this
handle is a catch 8 which rides over a spring stop 9 (Fig. 3) mounted on the end of
the gun. This stop recedes when the handle is turned forcibly to allow the catch to
pass it, and then immediately returns to its former position. When the breech block
is home the spring stop prevents it jarring back. The limits of the travel of the
block are defined by the screw 10, the point of which takes into a groove 11 in the
block. 13 is an extractor which lies in a groove 12, and is connected by a rod 14 to
a knob or handle 15. The extractor can be drawn back by the rod (it may
be against
the action of a spring), to remove a cartridge or cartridge case from the chamber or
bore of the gun. 16 is an adjustable sight.
Two insulated contact pieces 17, 17, are let into the face of the breech block. They
are connected by conductors 18, 18, to two contact pieces 19, 19, let into the lower
side of the block. Two other insulated contact pieces 20, 20, are fixed in the breech
of the gun immediately under the positions occupied by the pieces 19, 19, when the
the block is home. Conductors 21, 21, lead from the contact pieces 20, 20, to the
rear end of the gun, where a firing trigger or push 22 is inserted in one of the
conductors. These conductors are continued under the barrel of the gun to binding
screws 23, 23 on the pivot (Fig. 8), sufficient slack being left in them to allow of the
gun being elevated and depressed. On the pivot of the gun there are contact
rings 24, 24, connected electrically with the binding posts 23, 23, and in rubbing
contact with fixed terminals 25, 25, joined to the poles of the battery 26.
When the gun is loaded and ready to be fired the gap between the contact
pieces 17, 17, is bridged by the electric fuse in the cartridge 27. This cartridge has
two insulated contact pieces 28, 28, coupled by conductors to a fuse 29, of suitable
material such as platinum wire in the interior of the cartridge.
There is thus a complete circuit (when the circuit closer is in its closed position)
from-one of the contact pieces 17, through one conductor 18, contact piece 19, fixed
contact piece 20, conductor 21, push 22, binding screw 23, ring 24, terminal 25,
the battery 26, and so on back again to the other contact piece 17 through the
contacts 28 and fuse 29.
In Figs. 2 and 6 the circuit wires are shown diagrammatically.
Cartridges for use with this improved rapid firing gun may be constructed with a
projectile containing a bursting charge of high explosive such as dynamite, prepared
in the manner set forth in the specification of my Patent No. 5027 A.D. 1888, or
according to either of the methods described in my application for Patent No. 236
dated 5 January, 1889.
The gun shewn in Fig. 8 is mounted rigidly on its stand, and has no measurable
recoil.
When it is desired to allow a certain amount of recoil the trunnions may be
replaced by slides 30, 30, (Figs. 9, 10 and 11). In these slides there work

page_text: blocks 31, 31, mounted on pins 32, 32, fixed to ears 33, 33, on the stand 34.
From each block 31 there projects a pin 35, having a washer 36 secured to its
end. Between the washer and the slide 30 there is interposed a spring 37. When
the gun is fired the slide 30 moves backwards over the block 31, compressing the
spring 37, which thus modifies the force of the recoil.
There is no transverse strain on the pin 35 whatever may be the elevation of the
gun when it is fired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
.claim is :-
1. In a rapid firing gun a sliding breech block with operating gear for the same
comprising a rack and a toothed wheel or pinion the said operating gear being
arranged at the rear part of the gun in such a manner as to be protected from the
projectiles of an enemy in front of the gun as above set forth.
2. In a rapid firing gun a sliding-breech block provided with means for operating
it and with electrical conductors and contact pieces the said breech block being
arranged to slide in a part of the gun that is furnished with other contact pieces
which are in connection with suitable conductors and with a source of electricity in
such a manner that when the gun is loaded with a suitable projectile and the breech
is closed the said projectile can be discharged by electricity on the closing of the
circuit.
3. In a rapid firing gun adapted to be discharged by electricity, the combination of
a wedge like breech block adapted to be slidden in an inclined opening or way formed
in the breech of the gun and provided with contact pieces and conductors and with
operating gear comprising a rack and a toothed wheel or pinion for operating the said
block, such operating gear being arranged at the rear of part of the gun in such a
manner as to be protected from the projectiles of an enemy in front of the gun as
above set forth.
4. A rapid firing gun with inclined sliding block, operating gear, and electrical
devices, the whole constructed, arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings annexed.
5. A rapid firing gun of the kind herein before described mounted with its electrical
conductors arranged as described with reference to and illustrated in Fig. 8 of the
drawings annexed.
6. A rapid firing gun of the kind hereinbefore described with recoil mount con-
structed arranged and operating substantially as herein before described with reference
to and shewn in figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings annexed.
7. In a cartridge suitable for use in a rapid firing gun, the combination of an
electric fuse within or in communication with the interior of the cartridge, and
electric contact pieces on the exterior of the cartridge substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of February 1889
R. S. LAWRENCE.
W. Lloyd Wise,
Applicant's Agent.