Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1886.
Complete Left, 18th Mar., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 3rd May, 1887.
I, LUIGI ARMANNI, of Langdon Park Road, Highgate, Middlesex, Engineer, do'
hereby the nature of the said Invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to magazine machine
guns and other fire arms, the Invention being applicable to that class of such fire arms
in which the explosion of the cartridge charge is rendered effective in automatically
actuating the operative parts of the fire arm so as to fulfil their required functions in
proper order and so that attention need only be paid to the trigger or other equivalent
controlling device.
The Invention consists essentially in carrying this system of operation into effect in
an improved manner and by improved arrangements of the operative mechanism of
the fire arm, in accordance with which the explosion of the said charge is caused at
the time of the explosion being effected to simultaneously cause the forward propulsion
of the bullet or projectile and a rearward movement for a greater or less extent of the
cartridge case, and at such time and by such movement of the cartridge case to cause
a motion of the said operative parts which will be effective in setting the firing pin
back into operative position in which it is automatically caught, in ejecting a
previously fired cartridge case, and in releasing the magazine or so acting as that the
next cartridge can be brought into firing position, and will also be effective, at such
time aforesaid and until the projectile has left the barrel and the pressure in the latter
is relieved, in locking the magazine or in so acting as to prevent the opening of the
breech end of the barrel or the bringing forward of a fresh cartridge into position, the
actuation of the said operative parts for returning the cartridge case to such a position
as that such latter purpose may be effected and for effecting such purpose in carrying
round the magazine or otherwise shifting the fresh cartridge into firing position and
for returning the cartridge ejector to its inoperative position being automatically
caused, at such time as the said pressure has ceased.
The Invention may be carried into effect by various arrangements of the operative

page_text: parts. In an advantageous modification, 1 adapt a rotating magazine of a sufficient
width to carry one or more radiating rows of cartridges arranged in adjacent chambers.
If such magazine contains but one such radial row of cartridges it will be only
necessary to provide for a rotating movement of the magazine, but if it contains more
than one such row of cartridges the said radial rows may be helically disposed or may
he repeated side by side, and I then also provide for a gradual or other lateral
movement of the magazine, the object being to bring the successive cartridges
successively into firing position.
The magazine may be contained within a surrounding case, within which latter and
centrally of the surrounding magazine the said operative parts are arranged. On or
to the side or sides of such magazine there are formed or attached notched rings with
their respective notches disposed in opposite directions inwards towards the said
operative parts the notches of each ring being equal in number to the number of the
cartridges in a radial row thereof.
The barrel occupies a fixed position in relation to the said case, and may be
surrounded with a water chamber to keep it from becoming unduly heated upon rapid
and long continued firing, and in line with it a reciprocating bolt is arranged being
guided in its movements by front and rear parts forming parts of or attachments to
the said case.
The forward end of the bolt is adapted with a firing pin and with the operating
spring thereof, and its rear end also contains a spring by which it is kept normally
pressed forward so as to maintain the cartridge to be fired in firing position, and the
ejector out of operative position. The bolt is connected with the said ejector by means
of levers in such a manner as that the rearward movement of the bolt, caused as
aforesaid by and at the time of the explosion of the charge, causes the forward
movement of the ejector, and simultaneously ejects a previously discharged cartridge
case, while the magazine is held as aforesaid by the rearward movement of the
cartridge case which has actuated the parts. The ejector is formed with a pivotted
extension to accommodate the direction it is required to take in ejecting the said
cartridge case.
"
The said rearward movement of the bolt also carries back the firing pin and
compresses its spring and sets its tumbler into operative position for the next firing,
in which position it is caught by double sears acted upon by a spring or springs, one
of these sears is connected with a trigger so that the firing can be effected and
controlled as desired, and the other is automatically actuated by the operation of a
reciprocating guided connection hereinafter referred to, the combined action being
such that so long as the trigger scar is held the other sear is automatically operated.
The said rearward movement of the bolt also by means of an extension on one of
the levers actuating the ejector and actuating the reciprocating guided connection
releases from operative position the means for causing the desired movements of the
magazine and for arresting it in firing position, causing a retaining catch engaged
with one of the said notched rings to be withdrawn therefrom ready to fall into the
next notch when the magazine has been advanced, and causing another catch to be
removed from, one of the notches in its ring and to be carried back into such a
position as to fall into the next notch, into which it is caused to fall by a connected
spring, the said catches being actuated by the reciprocating guided connection herein-
before referred to. These operations are simultaneously effected and at the time
aforesaid that is when the projectile has left the barrel, and the explosive force therein
is lessened, (and as the breech end of the barrel is not opened by such movement
there is no loss of the explosive force nor fouling of the parts) and then the forward
movement of the bolt is automatically caused by its spring, this is effective in carrying
forward the bolt and discharged cartridge case thus unlocking the magazine, and in
withdrawing the ejector, but does not operate the firing pin nor its controlling devices,
nor the magazine, the said parts controlling the movement of which latter are then
immediately actuated by a connecting spring actuating the said reciprocating guided
connection, and cause the magazine to be advanced and locked in the new position as
required.

page_text: The connection between the bolt and the said ejector may be such as that the
rearward movement of the said bolt shall cause the withdrawal of the said previously
fired cartridge case.
More than one barrel may be used if the magazine is fitted with more than one
lateral row of cartridges, and in such case the arrangement of the said operative parts.
will require to be modified accordingly.
The rearward movement of the bolt in being actuated as aforesaid is gently arrested
by a spring or by equivalent means which will prevent any too sudden shock to the
connected parts or to the stop against which the bolt is borne.
Dated this 18th day of June 1886
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Applicable to Magazine Machine Guns and
other Fire Arms.
I, LUIGI ARMANNI, formerly of Langdon Park Road, Highgate, but now of
Richmond Road, Dalston, Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said 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 certain improvements in or applicable to magazine
machine guns and other fire arms, the Invention being applicable to that class of such
fire arms in which the explosion of the cartridge charge is rendered effective in
automatically actuating the operative parts of the fire arm, which are required to
fulfil their respective functions in proper order, and in which attention need only
be paid to the trigger or other equivalent device which controls the action of
such parts.
The Invention consists, essentially, in carrying this system of operation into effect
in an improved manner and by improved arrangements of the operative mechanism of
the fire arm, in accordance with which the explosion of the said charge is caused at
the time of the explosion being effected to simultaneously cause the forward propulsion
of the bullet or projectile and a rearward movement for a greater or less extent of the
cartridge case into a chamber from which the gas cannot escape, and at such time and
by such movement of the cartridge case to cause a motion of the said operative parts
which will be effective in setting the firing pin back into the position in which it is

page_text: ready to strike and in which position it is automatically caught, in ejecting a
previously fired cartridge case, and in so acting upon the operative mechanism of the
magazine as to place the same in position ready to bring the next cartridge into firing.
position, and will also be effective, at such time aforesaid and until the projectile las
left the barrel and the pressure in the latter is relieved,-in. locking the magazine or:
in so acting as to prevent the opening of the breech end of the barrel or firing
chamber, and the operation of the said mechanism in bringing forward a fresh
cartridge into position, the actuation of the said bolt and connected parts for returning
the cartridge case to such a position. in the firing chamber as-that such latter purpose:
may be effected, and for effecting such purpose in carrying round the magazine
otherwise shifting the fresh cartridge into firing position, and "for returning the
cartridge ejector to its inoperative position being automatically caused as hereinafter
described at such time as the said. pressure has ceased.
or
On the accompanying, drawings, Fig. 1, represents a sectional side elevation of a
machine gun constructed in accordance with the present improvements, showing the
position of the parts at the moment the explosion of the charge is about taking place.
Fig. 2, represents a like view, showing the position of the parts immediately after
the explosion.
Fig. 3, represents a transverse sectional elevation of Fig. 1.
On the accompanying drawings, 1, represents a rotating magazine of a sufficient
width to carry one or more rows of cartridges, 2, arranged in adjacent chambers, 3,
radiating like the spokes of a wheel. If such magazine contains but one such radial
row of cartridges it will be only necessary to provide for a rotating movement of the
magazine, as hereinafter described, but if it contains more than one such row of
cartridges, the said radial rows may be helically disposed or may be arranged side by
side, and it would then also be necessary to provide for a gradual lateral movement
of the magazine, or for a lateral movement thereof at the end of each complete
revolution, the object being to bring the successive cartridges successively into firing
position.
The magazine is contained within a surrounding case, 4, within which latter and
centrally of the surrounding magazine the said operative parts are arranged. On or
to the side or sides of such magazine there are formed or attached notched rings, 5, 6,
with their respective notches, 7, 8, disposed in opposite directions inwards towards
the said operative parts, the notches of each ring being equal in number to the
number of the cartridges in a radial row thereof.
The
The barrel, 9, is merely used for its ordinary purposes of confining the propulsive
gases and guiding the projectile, and when in use occupies a fixed position in relation
to the case, 4, and may be removably screwed thereto, and may be surrounded with
a water chamber, 10, to keep it from becoming unduly heated upon rapid and long
continued firing. In line with the barrel a reciprocating bolt, 11, is arranged, and is
guided in its movements in a front chamber, 12, from which the exploded gases
cannot escape and by a rear part, 13, forming parts of or attachments to the case, 4.
The forward end of the bolt is adapted with a firing pin, 14, and with the operating
spring, 15, thereof, and its rear end also contains a spring, 16, by which it is kept
normally pressed forward so as to maintain the cartridge to be fired in firing position,
and the ejector, 17, out of operative position, both as illustrated in Fig. 1.
bolt, 11, is connected with the ejector, 17, by means of levers, 18, 19, the former
being centred at, 20, connected to the bolt at, 21, and to the lever, 19, at, 22, and the
latter being centred at, 23, and engaging in a recess, 24, of the ejector slide, 25,*
contained within a guiding case, 26, in such a manner as that the rearward movement
of the bolt, caused as aforesaid by and at the time of the explosion of the charge, causes
the forward movement of the ejector, and simultaneously ejects a previously discharged
cartridge case, 27, while the magazine, 1, is held as aforesaid by the rearward
movement of the cartridge case which has actuated the parts, vide Fig. 2. The
ejector, 17, is pivoted to the other part, 25, to accommodate the direction it is required.
to take in ejecting the cartridge case, 27.
The said rearward movement of the bolt, 11, also carries back the firing pin, 14,

page_text: and compresses its spring, 15, and sets its tumbler, 28, centred at, 29, into operative
position for the next firing, vide Fig. 2, in which position it is caught by duplicate
sears, 30, 31, centred at, 32, and both under the control of a spring or springs, 33.
The sear, 30, is connected at, 34, with a trigger or other releasing detail, 35, so that
the firing can be effected and controlled as desired, and the other scar, 31, is
automatically actuated by the operation of a reciprocating guided connection, 36,
hereinafter referred to, the combined action of the said parts operating the scars
being such that so long as the trigger sear, 30, is held so as to release the tumbler, 28,
the other sear 31, automatically operated by its spring, 33, and the forward
movement of the connection, 36.
The said rearward movement of the bolt, 11, also, by means of an extension, 37, on
the lever, 19, acting against a projection, 42, on the said guided connection, 36,
carries the latter back from the position indicated in Fig. 1, to the position indicated
in Fig. 2, and so releases from operative position the means, 38, 39, for causing the
forward movement of the magazine and for arresting it in firing position, causing a
retaining catch, 39, engaged with a notch, 8, in the ring, 5, to be withdrawn
therefrom within its guides 40, ready to fall into the next notch when the magazine is
being advanced, and causing another catch, 38, to be removed from one of the
notches, 7, in its ring, 5, and to be carried back into such a position as to fall into the
next notch, into which it is caused to fall by a connected spring, 41; the said
connection, 36, is slotted as at, 43, and is guided in its movements by pins, 44.
The said operations dependent for their actuation upon the rearward movement of
the bolt are simultaneously effected and at the time aforesaid, that is, at the time of
firing and before the projectile has left the barrel, and before the explosive force
therein is lessened, (and as the breech end of the barrel is not opened by such
movement there is no loss of the explosive force nor fouling of the parts,) but when
the projectile has left the barrel and the pressure within the latter is lessened, the
forward movement of the bolt, 11, is automatically caused by its spring, 16, this is
effective in carrying forward the bolt and discharged cartridge case from the position
indicated in Fig. 2, to the position indicated in Fig. 1, thus unlocking the magazine,
and withdrawing the ejector, 17, but this forward movement of the bolt 11, does not
operate the firing pin, 14, nor its controlling devices 15, and, 28, to, 36, nor the
magazine, the said parts, 36, 38, 39, 41, controlling the movement of which latter are
then immediately actuated by a spring, 45, actuating the said connection, 36, and
causing the magazine to be advanced and locked in the new position as required.
The connection between the bolt and the said ejector may be such as that the
rearward movement of the said bolt shall cause the withdrawal of the said previously
fired cartridge case. The ejector may be fitted with a brush, 47, at its end so as to
keep the cartridge chamber clean and free from deposit.
More than one barrel may be used if the magazine is fitted with more than one
lateral row of cartridges, and in such case the arrangement of the said operative parts
will require to be modified accordingly.
The rearward movement of the bolt, 11, in being actuated as aforesaid is or may be
arrested by a spring or by means of a chamber; 46, containing liquid which will
prevent any too sudden shock to the connected parts or to the stop 13, against which
the bolt would be borne. 48, is a handle by which the parts can be actuated by hand,
and, 49, is a cover the opening of which permits of the magazine being refilled with
cartridges.
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 :-
In magazine machine guns and other fire arms of the class hereinbefore referred to:-
1. The hereinbefore described improved method by which the explosion of the
cartridge charge causes a rearward movement of the cartridge case into a chamber
from which the gas cannot escape, and a rearward movement of a rear bolt, and so
effects (substantially in the manner hereinbefore described) the setting back of the
firing pin into position ready for firing, the ejection of a previously fired cartridge

page_text: case, the setting of the magazine feed mechanism into position ready for operation,
and the locking of the magazine, and prevents the operation of such feed mechanism,
and the return movement of any such parts, until the projectile lias left the barrel and
the pressure therein is relieved.
2. The means herein before described for effecting such improved method.
3. The hereinbefore described improved method by which the explosion of the
cartridge charge effects the said operations, and by which when the pressure in the
barrel is relieved, the said cartridge case is returned within the magazine so as to
unlock the latter, and the magazine is advanced so as to bring a fresh cartridge into
firing position, and the cartridge ejector is returned to its inoperative position, all
automatically substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. The means hereinbefore described for effecting such improved method.
5. The application of a rotary magazine formed with radiating chambers for the
cartridges, in combination with the means described for advancing and arresting the
same substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. The connection of the bolt to the ejector substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. The means hereinbefore described of actuating the imagazine feed mechanism so
as to set it in position ready for actuation during the rearward movement of the bolt
effected as aforesaid.
8. The combination of the duplicate sears with the firing pin and its tumbler, and
with a. trigger or releasing device, and with the means described for operating the
one sear when the other is released from the control of such device, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
9. The means hereinbefore described for advancing the magazine after the pressure
in the barrel is relieved and the magazine is unlocked.
Datad his 18th day of Manal 1907
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.