Fire-arm for Firing Single Shots, and Automatic Continuous Fire.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Fire-arm for Firing Single Shots, and Automatic Continuous Fire.
I, ADOLF, BARON Odkolek von AUGEZD, of 1 Opernring 8, Vienna, Imperial
and Royal Cavalry Instructor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows: -
This invention relates to a firearm which is suitable for firing single shots,
and also for automatic continuous firing (a succession of shots). This fire-arm is
composed of a rigid breech piece which hears direct against the breech casing
and of a locking piece coupled thereto, on which acts a piston which communicates
with a gas passage branching off from the barrel. The opening and closing of
the breech takes place after firing, as soon as the powder gases have been allowed,
by a corresponding forward movement of the projectile in the barrel to pass into
the said gas passage and to impel the piston to the rear so that the latter. by its
impact, produces an unlocking of the breech-piece, whereupon the breech is
opened by the direct gas pressure in the barrel, that is to say by recoil, whilst a
spring is cocked which subsequently produces the closing of the breech, the
loading and the firing.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a fire-arm constructed in accordance
with this invention. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section, of the
gun with the breech closed.
Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a longitudinal elevation and a plan, both partly
in section, with the breech open. Fig. 4 is a cross section through the breech
casing and the cartridge-supplying device. Fig. 5 is a cross section through the
breech casing on the line A, B, of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the trigger for
continuous firing. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the barrel with the gas passage
partly in section. Fig. 8 is a cross section of the barrel with the device for cooling
the same. Fig. 9 illustrates a construction of the piston which serves for unlock-
ing the breech, and also the gas passage.
The breech block, which is adapted to move in a longitudinal passage a in the
breech casing b, consists of a rigid breech block which, when the breech is
closed, bears with its rear end (that is downwardly inclined with relation to the
axis of the barrel) directly upon breech cheeks ee (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) arranged
laterally in the breech casing, which is closed at the top. These cheeks are
separated by a longitudinal slot d. A downwardly directed extension f of the
breech piston engages in a longitudinal groove in the locking piece 9 which is
moveable in a passage h in the casing parallel to the longitudinal passage a and
which piece overlaps or locks with its head i the rear end of the breech block
(Fig. 1). Upon the head of the locking piece there acts a spring which is
provided in the passage and which bears against the shoulder piece k inserted
transversely through the breech casing. In the breech block there is mounted.
so as to be freely moveable, the firing pin the rear portion m of which (Figs. 1
and 2) extends down into a slot formed through the rear end of the breech block
and engages in the locking piece g. so that when the device is unlocked, the firing
pin is drawn back, and when the breech is locked, firing takes place at the same

page_text: time. The unlocking of the breech is effected by means of a piston o which is
pushed into the channel from the direction of the head of the casing and which
acts upon the locking piece g. This piston is subjected to the pressure of a
springFig. 1 and its front end is made of hollow cylindrical shape and is
adapted to move on a fixed part which contains the end of a gas passage q
(Figs. 1 and 7) that branches off from the bore of the gun. In the firing-off
position the breech parts assume the position shown in Fig. 1. When the pro-
jectile has passed beyond the point where the gas passage q branches off, the
piston o is propelled backwards by the pressure of the gases that enter the
passage so that it gives a blow upon the locking piece g and compresses or
cocks the spring n. The movement of the piston o is very short and is limited by
the collar which is situated close against the end of the breech casing (Fig. 7).
As will be seen from the construction given by way of example in Fig. 9, the
front end of the piston o can bear direct against the rear end of the gas passage,
in which case the spring n can be omitted. In this arrangement it is advisable
to form the front end of the piston with a recess. The impact of the piston o
serves to move the locking piece backward and to unlock the breech. At the
same time by the striking of the end of the locking piece against the projec-
tion of the breech block. the latter is lifted out of its bearing position and is
kept in its raised position by means of the shoulder of the locking piece which
slides under the shoulders of the breech block. In consequence of the gas
pressure or recoil acting upon the breech block this is thrown backward (that is
to say, is opened) with simultaneous cocking of the spring 1. and the empty case
is ejected in the usual manner through the aperture (Fig. 3) of the breech
casing. When the breech block has completed its rearward movement, which is
limited by the elastic buffer, then by the snapping into gear of the trigger
lever (which is pivotted in the breech casing and is subjected to the pressure of
a spring) in front of the shoulder of the locking piece g, the opened breech
piece being thus held fast (Fig. 2). On releasing the trigger lever in the locking
piece becomes free and it, together with the breech piece are shot forward by
the force of the cocked spring j. At the same time a cartridge is inserted into
the breech chamber from the cartridge supplying device which is arranged on the
left-hand side on the breech casing: the breech is locked and the shot is fired,
whereupon the breech in opening is at once again arrested by the trigger lever.
When the trigger lever is kept out of gear and the cartridges are continuously
supplied an automatic continuous fire is given.
In firing single shots, the disengagement of the trigger lever is effected by
means of trigger 1 which is pivotted to the hand guard y fixed to the casing and
which by means of a joint piece 2 pivotied thereto and subjected to spring
pressure, acts upon the trigger lever win such a manner that as soon as the
trigger lever is released by the trigger, the joint piece 2 will be caused to snap
out of engagement with the trigger lever, so that the latter is released and the
rapidly-opening breech can be arrested. When the pressure ceases upon the
trigger the latter is forced back by the pressure of the trigger spring 3, and the
joint piece 2 sliding past the trigger lever we engages again below the same, where-
upon the next shot can be fired.
The permanent disengagement of the trigger lever for the purpose of giving
continuous fire is effected by means of a lever 5 (Figs. 1 and 6) which is pivotted
on the outside of the casing on the bolt 4 of the trigger lever and whose pin 6
catches under the trigger lever when the rear end of the lever 5 is pressed down
by the thumb, of the hand which holds the pistol butt z. The pistol butt ≈ serves
also as a cocking piece or for opening the breech by hand. For this purpose it is
connected with a bar 7 which is moveable in grooves in the casing and which is
kent by means of a locking lever S in the normal position (Fig. 1) in the casing,
and carries a proiection 9 which, when the breech is closed, comes in front of a
projection 10 of the locking piece.. For the purpose of opening the breech the
pistol butt is grasped in the hand, the locking lever 8 is disengaged by the

page_text: pressure of the thumb, and the pistol butt is moved backwards into the position
indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 whereby it carries with it the locking piece
and the breech piece. As soon as the shoulder of the locking piece has snapped
into engagement behind the trigger lever w, the butt can be moved back idly into
its initial position. The feeding of the cartridges may be effected in any known
way, for example, by means of removable magazine frames or by means of
cartridge belts. The feeding of the cartridges is preferably effected as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 by means of a belt 11 which carries the cartridges and which in
firing, whilst the gun is kept hearing against the shoulder, is drawn by the left
hand through the slot 12 of a belt guide 13. In this case always the foremost
cartridge which comes in front of the charging aperture of the breech casing is
engaged by the breech block in closing, and is inserted into the cartridge chamber
of the gun in the manner which is usual in repeating fire-arms. The cooling of
the barrel is effected as follows: After a number of shots, a liquid cooling agent
is injected through a side hole of the barrel into the interior of the latter at the
point which is exposed to the greatest heat. For this purpose there is provided at
a short distance from the cartridge chamber a hole 14 (Figs. 7 and 8) in the barrel
which is situated eccentrically to a screw-threaded hole 15 that is larger but
does not extend into the interior of the barrel. In this hole there is screwed an
eccentrically bored plug 16 which is provided with a handle and on which there is
fixed a watertight elastic ball 17, that contains the cooling liquid. When shooting
the plug 16 is turned so that the hole through the said plug is closed. When the
cooling liquid is to be injected, the plug is turned by means of the handle in such
a manner as to cause the hole of 16 to coincide with 14 whereupon by pressing
the ball the liquid is forced into the interior of the barrel. Obviously the ball
may be replaced by a pump.
Dated this 21st day of November 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, ADOLF, BARON ÜDKOLEK VON AUGEZD, of 1 Opernring 8, Vienna, Austria,
Imperial and Royal Cavalry Instructor 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 a firearm which is suitable for firing single shots,
and also for automatic continuous firing a succession of shots. This fire-arm is
composed of a rigid breech piece which bears direct against the breech casing
and of a locking piece coupled thereto, on which acts a piston which communicates.
with a gas passage branching off from the barrel. The opening and closing of
the breech takes place after firing, as soon as the powder gases have been allowed,
by a corresponding forward movement of the projectile in the barrel to pass into
the said gas passage and to impel the piston to the rear so that the latter by its
impact, produces an unlocking of the breech-piece, whereupon the breech is
opened by the direct gas pressure in the barrel, that is to say by recoil whilst a
spring is cocked which subsequently produces the closing of the breech; the
loading and the firing.
The drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification illustrate a fire-arm

page_text: constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation,
partly in section, of the gun with the breech closed.
Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a longitudinal elevation and a plan, both partly
in section, with the breech open. Fig. 4 is a cross scetion through the breech
casing and the cartridge-supplying device. Fig. 5 is a cross section through the
breech casing on the line A, B, of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the trigger for
continuous firing. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the barrel with the gas passage
partly in section. Fig. 8 is a cross section of the barrel with the device for cooling
the same. Fig. 9 illustrates a construction of the piston which serves for unlock-
ing the breech, and also the gas passage.
and
The breech-piece, which is adapted to move in a longitudinal passage a in the
breech casing b, consists of a rigid breech block e, which, when the breech is
closed, bears with its rear end (which is downwardly inclined with relation to the
axis of the barrel) directly upon breech cheeks ee (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) arranged
laterally in the breech casing, which is closed at the top. These cheeks are
separated by a longitudinal slot d. A downwardly directed extension f of the
breech block engages in a longitudinal groove in the locking piece g which is
moveable in a passage h in the casing parallel to the longitudinal passage
which piece overlaps or locks with its head the rear end of the breech block
(Fig. 1). Upon the head of the locking piece there acts a spring which is
provided in the passage a and which bears against the shoulder piece k inserted
transversely through the breech casing. In the breech block there is fitted freely
moveable, the firing pin 7, the rear portion m of which (Figs. 1 and 2) extends
down into a slot formed through the rear end of the breech block and engages in
the locking piece g, so that when the device is unlocked the firing pin 7 is drawn
back, and when the breech is locked, firing takes place at the same time. The
unlocking of the breech is effected by means of a piston o which is pushed into
the channel from the direction of the head of the casing and which acts upon
the locking piece g. This piston is subjected to the pressure of a spring n Fig. 1
and its front end is made of hollow cylindrical shape fitted to slide on a stationary
part at the end of a gas passage 7 (Figs. 1 and 7) that branches off from the
bore of the gun. In the firing position, the breech parts are in the position
shown in Fig. 1. When the projectile has passed beyond the point where the gas
passage branches off, the piston o is propelled backwards by the pressure of the
gases that enter the passage g so that it gives a blow upon the locking piece gand
compresses or cocks the spring n. The movement of the piston is very short
and is limited by the collar which is situated close against end of the breech
casing (Fig. 7). As will be seen from the construction given by way of example
in Fig. 9, the front end of the piston o can bear direct against the rear end of the
gas passage q, in which case the spring can be omitted. In this arrangement it
is advisable to form the front end r of the piston with a recess. The impact of the
piston o serves to move the locking piece g backward and to unlock the breech.
At the same time by the striking of the end of the locking piece against the
projection f, the breech block is raised and is kept raised by the shoulder t of the
locking piece which slides under the shoulders of the breech block.
In conse-
quence of the gas pressure or recoil acting upon the breech block this is thrown
backward (that is to say, is opened) with simultaneous cocking of the spring j)
and the empty case is ejected in the usual manner through the aperture u (Fig. 3)
of the breech casing. When the breech block has completed its rearward move-
ment, which is limited by the spring buffer v, then by the engagement of the
trigger lever w (which is pivotted in the breech casing and is subjected to the
pressure of a spring) in front of the shoulder of the locking piece g, this piece
is held back (Fig. 2). On releasing the trigger lever w, the locking piece g
becomes free and it, together with the breech block is shot forward by the force
of the cocked spring j. At the same time a cartridge is inserted into the breech
chamber from the cartridge supplying device which is arranged on the left-
hand side of the breech casing; the breech is locked and the shot is fired, where-
RE:

page_text: upon the breech in opening is at once again arrested by the trigger lever. When
the trigger lever is kept out of gear and the cartridges are continuously supplied
an automatic continuous fire is given.
In firing single shots, the disengagement of the trigger lever wo is effected
by means of a trigger 1 which is pivotted to the hand guard y fixed to the casing
and which by means of a piece 2 jointed thereto and subjected to spring pressure,
acts upon the trigger lever w in such a manner that as soon as the trigger lever
is released by the trigger, the piece 2 is caused to snap out of engagement with
the trigger lever, so that the latter is released and the rapidly-opening breech is
arrested. When the pressure ceases upon the trigger, it is forced forwards by the
pressure of the spring 3 and the piece 2 sliding past the trigger lever we engages
again below it, whereupon another shot can be fired.
The permanent disengagement of the trigger lever for the purpose of giving
continuous fire is effected by means of a lever 5 (Figs. 1 and 6) which is pivotted
on the outside of the casing on the pivot pin 4 of the trigger lever and has a
pin 6 under the trigger lever which raises its front end when the rear end of the
lever 5 is pressed down by the thumb of the hand which holds the pistol butt 2.
The pistol butt serves also as a cocking piece or for opening the breech by hand.
For this purpose it is connected with a bar 7 which is moveable in grooves in
the casing and which is kept by means of a locking lever 8 in the normal position
(Fig. 1) in the casing, and carries a projection 9 which, when the breech is closed
comes in front of a projection 10 of the locking piece g. For the purpose of
opening the breech, the pistol butt is grasped by the hand, the locking lever 8
is disengaged by the pressure of the thumb, and the pistol butt is moved back
into the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 carrying with it the locking
piece and the breech piece. As soon as the shoulder of the locking piece y has
snapped into engagement behind the trigger lever , the butt z can be moved
back idly into its initial position. The feeding of the cartridges may be effected
in any known way, for example, by means of removeable magazine frames or by
means of cartridge belts. The feeding of the cartridges is preferably effected as
shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 by means of a belt 11 which carries the cartridges and
which in firing, whilst the gun is kept bearing against the shoulder, is drawn
by the left hand through the slot 12 of a belt guide 13. In this case always the
foremost cartridge which comes in front of the charging aperture of the breech
casing is engaged by the breech block in closing and is inserted into the charge
chamber of the gun in the manner which is usual in repeating firearms. The
cooling of the barrel is effected as follows:-
After a number of shots, a liquid cooling agent is injected through a side hole
into the barrel at the point which is exposed to the greatest heat. For this purpose
there is provided at a short distance from the charge chamber a hole 14 (Figs. 7-
and 8) in the barrel which is situated eccentrically to a larger screw-threaded
hole 15 which does not extend into the interior of the barrel. In this hole there
is screwed an eccentrically bored plug 16 which is provided with a handle and on
which there is fixed a watertight clastic ball 17, containing the cooling liquid.
When shooting, the plug 16 is turned so that the hole through the plug is
closed. When the cooling liquid is to be injected, the plug is turned by means
of the handle to such a position that the hole of 16 coincides with the hole 14
whereupon by pressing the ball, liquid is forced into the interior of the barrel.
Obviously for the ball may be substituted a pump.
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
I claim is:-
1. A hand firearm for single shots and for giving automatic continuous fire,
comprising a breech block c connected by a shoulder f with a locking piece g
having a head behind the breech block and a piston which acts upon the
front end of the locking piece and is acted on by the powder gas coming by a

page_text: passage from the barrel, so that its impact upon the locking piece produces the
unlocking of the breech block which is opened by the gas pressure in the barrel
and a spring is cocked, which causes the closing of the breech, the insertion of a
cartridge into the loading chamber and the firing of the gun.
2. In a hand firearm of the kind above referred io, a device for firing single
shots, comprising a trigger with a pivotted piece 2 acting on the rear end of
the trigger lever w, the front end of which when the breech is opened engages
in front of a shoulder of the locking piece and holds it back until the trigger
is released, when the piece 2 leaves the trigger lever free and ready for again
holding the locking piece g.
3. For the purpose of permanently disengaging the trigger lever w to allow
continuous fire, a press lever 5 pivotted outside the breech casing and having a
pin 6 arranged to act upon the rear end of the trigger lever.
4. For the purpose of opening the breech by hand, a butt and bar 7 movable
in the breech casing, a locking pawl 8 engaged by pressure and a shoulder 9
which when the cocking piece is pushed back engages the shoulder 10 of the
locking piece to push it back together with the breech piece.
5. For feeding cartridges a belt carrying the cartridges drawn by hand through
the slot 12 of a belt guide 13 arranged on the left-hand side of the breech casing,
during the shooting, so arranged that always the lowest cartridge enters the
charging aperture and is pushed into the charge chamber in the closing move-
ment of the breech piece.
6. For cooling the barrel a hole 14 closed by partial rotation of an eccentrically
bored plug to which there is attached a water-tight ball containing the cooling
liquid so that on turning the plug and compressing the ball, cooling liquid is
injected into the barrel
7. For the purpose of unlocking the breech by means of a blow the piston o
having a recessed front end bearing directly against the end of the gas passage q.
Dated this 24th day of May 1900.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.