Improvements in Quick-firing Guns.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 4th May, 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Quick-firing Guns.
I, ANDREAS RADOVANOVIC, of Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of breech-mechanism for quick-firing guns in
which the opening and closing of the breech-block the securing or locking of the
same when closed, and the cocking of the firing-pin are all effected by means of
a lever (hereinafter called the breech lever) rotatably mounted on the breech-
block.
According to this invention the breech-lever, which may either be a simple
lever or consist of two similar levers connected together and arranged on opposite
sides of the breech-block, is adapted to engage, when the breech-block is closed, in
lateral recesses in the side walls of the hole in which the breech-block works, for
the purpose of securing or locking the closed breech-block in position. The
breech-lever is provided with means which, in co-operation with the trigger-lever,
prevent premature firing. Furthermore, the breech-lever operates in one direc-
tion, a firing pin which has a bayonet joint connection with its holder support,
and engages a tooth or projection on the cocking-piece of the trigger, so that the
trigger and the firing-pin are jointly operated by the firing-pin spring.
Breech-mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention is represented
in the accompanying drawings.
In these drawings,
Figs. 1 and 2 are sections taken in planes at right angles to each other through
the rear end of a gun, the breech-block being shown closed;
Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views to Fig. I but showing the breech-block in its
closed and open positions respectively and in elevation;
Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the recesses in the side walls of the hole in
which the breech-block works;
Fig. 6 is an underside view of the rear end of the gun with the breech-block
closed;
Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive represent details of the firing mechanism;
Fig. 11 represents a modified arrangement for connecting the cocking-piece to
the firing-pin holder.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the breech-lever.
The breech-lever A (which can, as hereinbefore, stated be either a simple lever,
or, consist of two similar connected levers as shown in Fig. 12) engages by means
of its locking parts a' a² (hereinafter called bolts) when the breech-block is closed,
in corresponding recesses a¹x, a²x (Fig. 5) formed in the side walls of the hole in
which the breech-block works whereby the breech-block is then held fast in its
closed position.
By rotating the lever A towards the right hand i.e., in the direction indicated
by the dotted arrow in Fig. 1, the bolts a¹ and a² are brought out of engagement
with the recesses a¹x and ax and the breech-block can be drawn into the position
shown in Fig. 4. In closing the breech, the breech-block is first of all pushed in
and then the breech-lever is turned towards the left hand and is thereby caused to
lock the breech-block in position.
During the turning of the breech-lever towards the right hand, the firing-pin Z
is pushed back until a tooth on the cocking-piece R engages a projection =² of

page_text: the firing-pin, the pushing back of the firing-pin being effected by a projection a
which is located on the shaft a³ of the breech-lever and engages with a tooth ' on
the firing-pin (Figs. 1 and 8)..
The firing-pin is guided by a spring holder S with which it is connected in
bayonet-fashion by a projection 23 (Figs. 8 and 9), which engages in grooves s¹, s², s³,
the striking-spring S₁ which is inserted in the firing-pin Z and the holder S,
keeping by its pressure, these two parts connected together. The projection is
engaged with the holder S by first inserting it into the groove s', from which it is
taken by a short turn along the grooves and into the groove s, in which it
remains, the firing-pin being thus secured.
The fastening of the firing-pin Z in the breech-block is effected by means of the
projection on the cocking-piece R, engaging either with a single projection s on
the holder S as shown in Fig. 8 or with two projections s¹ on the holder as shown
in Fig. 11.
as a
On inserting the complete firing-pin, with the spring holder and the spring,
whole, into the breech-block, the spring holder if of the form shown in Fig. 8, is
first of all so inserted that the projections thereon passes the projection on the
cocking-piece R; if, however, the holder be of the form represented in Fig. 11,
the holder, together with the projections thereon, is passed through the projection
or arm; the connection with the cocking-piece is then in either case, effected by
rotating the holder through about 90°.
The pressure exerted by the firing-pin spring S₁ upon the holder always tends
to force the projection or arm 2 of the cocking-piece R backwards and con-
sequently the tooth towards or against the firing-pin, so that on the cocking
of the firing-pin the tooth of the cocking-piece Enaps down in front of the
projection of the firing-pin immediately it has been passed by the said
projection.
The herein before described construction of the firing-pin and its connections
possesses the advantage that the firing-pin, its spring, and its holder, can be taken
out of the breech-block, or changed, as a whole and with a single grasp; it also
involves the further advantage that only a single spring, and that the firing-pin
spring, is necessary for operating the firing-pin, the cocking-piece, and the
trigger-lever.
The cocking-piece R is placed with its bore 73 loose on the shaft h of the
trigger-lever H (see Figs. 7 and 10) and it is provided with an abutment which
engages with a corresponding abutment on the shaft in such a manner that the
tooth clears the projection 2 of the cocked firing-pin, and the latter springs
forward, as soon as the shaft his turned in the proper direction by the trigger-
lever.
thereon pass
The trigger-lever H can be rotated for the purpose of liberating the firing-pin,
only when the breech block is closed; for only then can a nose
under a suitably formed projection a' on the breech-lever A..
The extraction of the cartridge is effected by means of an ordinary extractor p
(Figs. 3 and 4), which is rotatably mounted on a pin p'. During the opening of
the breech, a projection k on the breech-block strikes against a nose p² on the
extractor and rotates the latter, whereby its arm p³ removes the cartridge from
the charge chamber. The nose p2 also serves to limit the downward movement of
the breech-block.
The breech-block can be completely taken out of the gun after, removing the
extractor.

page_text: I, ANDREAS RADOVANOVIC, of Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria, 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:-
This invention relates to that class of breech-mechanism for quick-firing guns
in which the opening and closing of the breech-block, the screwing. or locking of
the same when closed, and the cocking of the firing-pin are all effected by means
of a lever (hereinafter called the breech-lever") rotatably mounted on the
breech-block.
According to this invention the breech-lever, which may either be a simple
lever or consist of two similar levers connected together and arranged on opposite
sides of the breech-block, is adapted to engage, when the breech-block is closed in
lateral recesses in the side walls of the hole in which the breech-block works, for
the purpose of securing or locking the closed breech-block in position. The
breech-lever is provided with means which, in co-operation with the trigger-
lever, prevent premature firing. Furthermore, the breech-lever operates in one
direction, a firing-pin which has a bayonet-joint connection with its holder and
engages a tooth or projection on the cocking-piece of the trigger, so that the
trigger and the firing-pin are jointly operated by the firing pin spring.
Breech-mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention is represented
in the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification.
In these drawings,
Figs. 1 and 2 are sections taken in planes at right angles to each other through
the rear end of a gun, the breech-block being shown closed;
Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views to Fig. 1 showing the breech-block in its closed
and open positions respectively and in elevation;
Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the recesses in the side walls of the hole in
which the breech-block works;
Fig. 6 is an underside view of the rear end of the gun with the breech-block
closed;
Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive represent details of the firing-mechanism;
Fig. 11 represents a modified arrangement for connecting the cocking-piece to
the firing-pin holder.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the breech-lever.
The breech-lever A (which can, as herein before stated, be either a simple lever,
or, consist of two similar connected levers as shown in Fig. 12) engages by means
of its locking parts a' a" (hereinafter called bolts) when the breech-block is closed,
in corresponding recesses a¹x, a2x (Fig. 5) formed in the side walls of the hole in
which the breech-block works whereby the breech-block is then held fast in its
closed position. By rotating the lever A towards the right hand i.e., in the direc-
tion indicated by the dotted arrow in Fig. 1, the bolts a and a² are brought out of
engagement with the recesses alx and a2x and the breech-block can be drawn into
the position shown in Fig. 4. In closing the breech, the breech-block is first of all,
pushed in and then the breech-lever is turned towards the left-hand and is thereby
caused to lock the breech-block in position.
During the turning of the breech-lever towards the right hand, the firing-pin Z
is pushed back until a tooth on the cocking-piece R (Figs. 1 and 8) engages a
projection of the firing-pin, the pushing back of the firing-pin being effected by
a projection a which is located on the shaft a³ of the breech-lever and engages
with a tooth on the firing-pin.
The firing-pin is guided by a spring holder S with which it is connected in

page_text: bayonet-fashion by a projection 23 (Figs. 8 and 9), which engages in grooves s¹, s³, s³,
the striking-spring S₁ which is inserted in the firing-pin Z and the holder S
keeping by its pressure these two parts connected together. The projection is
engaged with the holder S by first inserting it into the groove s', from which it is
taken by a short turn along the groove and into the grooves, in which it
remains, the firing-pin Z being thus secured.
The fastening of the firing pin in the breech-block is effected by means of the
projection on the cocking-piece R, engaging either with a single projection s* on
the holder S as shown in Fig. 8 or with two projections son the holder as shown
in Fig. 11.
On inserting the complete firing-pin, the spring holder and the spring, as a
whole, into the breech-block, the spring holder, if of the form shown in Fig. 8 is
first of all so inserted that the projection s thereon passes the projection on the
cocking-piece R; if, however, the holder be of the form represented in Fig. 11,
the holder, together with the projections s' thereon, is passed through the projection
or arm the connexion with the cocking-piece is then, in either case, effected by
rotating the holder through about 90°.
The pressure exerted by the firing-pin spring S₁ upon the holder always tends
to force the projection or arm of the cocking-piece R backwards and con-
sequently the tooth towards or against the firing-pin, so that on the cocking
of the firing-pin, the tooth of the cocking-piece snaps down in front of the
projection of the firing-pin immediately it has been passed by the said
projection.
The hereinbefore described constraction of the firing-pin and its connexions
possesses the advantage that the firing-pin, its spring, and its holder, can be taken
out of the breech-block, or changed, as a whole and with a single grasp; it also
involves the further advantage that only a single spring, and that the firing-pin
spring, is necessary for operating the firing-pin, the cocking-piece, and the trigger-
lever.
The cocking-piece R is placed with its bore loose on the shaft of the
trigger-lever H (see Figs. 7 and 10) and it is provided with an abutment 4
which engages with a corresponding abutment h² on the shaft in such a manner
that the tooth clears the projection of the cocked firing-pin, and the latter
springs forward, as soon as the shaft h¹ is turned in the proper direction by the
trigger-lever.
The trigger-lever H can be rotated for the purpose of liberating the firing-
pin, only when the breech block is closed; for only then can a nose h³ thereon
pass under a suitably formed projertion at on the breech-lever A.
The extraction of the cartridge is effected by means of an ordinary extractor p
(Figs. 3 and 4), which is rotatally mounted on a pin p'. During the opening of
the breech, a projection on the breech-block strikes against a shoulder p2 on the
extractor and rotates the latter whereby its arm p³ removes the cartridge from the
charge chamber. The shoulder also serves to limit the downward movement of
the breech-block.
The breech-block can be completely taken out of the gun after removing the
extractor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in, what mauner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a quick-firing gun, breech mechanism in which a breech-lever A, located
on one or on both sides of the breech block, locks this block in its closed position
by means of bolts a' and a², which engage in corresponding recesses in one or in
each of the side walls of the hole in which the breech-block works, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. In a quick-firing gun, firing-mechanism in which a firing-pin Z is connected in
bayonet-fashion with a holder S provided with one or more projections s* which,

page_text: during the insertion of the firing-pin into the breech-closing device K, is or are
brought by means of rotation into engagement with a projection or arm of the
cocking-piece which is operated by the same spring that operates the firing-pin,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. My improved breech-block operating and locking mechanism constructed,
arranged, and operating as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in
the drawings herein referred to.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the improved firing-
mechanism for quick-firing guns, hereinbefore described with reference to and
shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive of the drawings herein referred to or modified
actording to Fig. 11.
Dated this 4th day of May 1896.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.