Improvements in Sporting Guns and other Small Arms.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1893—Accepted, 4th Nov., 1893°
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sporting Guns and other Small Arms.
I, AXEL GUSTAVUS BARON NOLCKEN, of Moisekatz, per Werro Livonia,
Russia, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of single and double
barrelled sporting guns and other small arms comprising the following features.
(a) A revolving cartridge magazine.
(b) A rising and falling breech block with automatic disengagement of a locking
bolt.
(c) An automatic locking device for the firing pin actuated by the cocking
action.
I will describe the said invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figure 1 shews a longitudinal section of the breech of a gun with my improve-
ments applied thereto. Figure 2 shews a cross section, Figures 3 to 15 shew
detached details.
The breech motion is the same as the well known one, wherein the parts are
actuated by an up and down motion of the guard lever D, the inner end or lever
arm E of which controls the articulated elbow pieces or toggles F and G for the
withdrawing and closing of the sliding breech bolt J.
As these parts do not effect the breech closure, this being effected by the
block B the lever and elbow pieces are made lighter than heretofore, and they
are not required to support each other exactly at right angles. The lever arm Ĕ
is divided or forked (Figure 8); it contains shoulders c c serving as supports to the
block B and it has teeth d d (Figures 1, 11,) that actuated the elbow levers k.
The grooves e (Figure 11) of the elbow pieces in which work studs 6 6 on E E
are formed on their upper edge with a circular arc of 20°, whereby it is rendered
possible for the block B to be moved by E, and the jointed links k downward or
upward by means of the lever D before the beginning of the backward motion
of the breech bolt J, or after the termination of the closing motion thereof.
The lower edge is formed with a curve of 10° in order that the magazine
lever H, can be moved after the completed backward motion of the bolt J. The
elbow pieces F and G are pivotted on pins ƒ and g. Pin is simply passed
through J and through a notch in the plug h (Figure 1) so as to fix the latter in J.
Pin g is notched for the passage of the thick part of the firing pin K. (Figure 14).
The firing pin K is of rectangular section at its thick part, and cylindrical at its
thin part (Figure 1). Upon such thin part are mounted the plug and the
helical spring which is confined by the nut i screwed on the end of the pin. After
fixing the pin g and unscrewing the cap L, these combined parts are pushed in
from the rear, and are secured by the pin f. The under surface of the thick part
contains at its middle a groove dying out towards the front with which engages
the rod shaped sear, K' and on each side of this it has grooves of equal depth for
engagement with the double claw or hooks or the automatic locking piece C
(Figures 1, 15). The breech bolt J is formed with a concave curvature
(Figures 1, 3) and has at its front end two hooks for engaging with the cartridge
rim, while at the rear end it has two short ribs of which the lower one, formed of
a V shape, (Figure 2) is intended to slide in the groove of the block B
(Figures 9, 10) while the upper one is guided in a longitudinal groove in the top
of the breech casing (Figures 1, 2). At the rear end of the breech bolt there is
on the left hand side a vertical groove e of a dovetail section, into which, before

page_text: the introduction of the firing pin, K; is inserted from below the angle shaped
safety lock a.
Above this the breech bolt carries a small spring which presses the lock a
downwards in which position: it prevents the firing pin K from advancing
sufficiently to fire the cartridge..
.
The block B (Figures 9, 10) has at the left hand a projection B¹ which pushes
the bolt lock upward, when it is raised 'into the position shewn at Figure 1 when a
will leave the pin K free to strike the cartridge cap
To the block B and the support M of equal width are respectively pivotted on
each side the jointed links k. (Figures 1, 10) having, at their pivots tubular
extensions extending. to the sides of the breech shoe, and they are fixed by pins
passed through them.
The pins at the joint m of these links are riveted (Figures 1; 10, 11, 13). The
right hand elbow piece G is provided with a broad projection n reaching up to the
thin part of the firing pin (Figures 2, 13) which projection, on the opening of
the breech bolt, presses against the shoulder of the thick part of the firing pin and
forces the same so far back that the bolt a can slide down in front of it as
described. The magazine pusher lever H is situated to the left hand. It is loose
on the axis of the lever D'and 'extends past the support M'beyond which it is
cranked at right angles and carries a pusher æ such as is provided in revolvers, the
lever H is pushed upward at the end of the downward motion of lever D'by the
pressure of the latter upon the projection (Figures 1, 12). A strong spring
(Figure 12) presses it down as soon as the pressure of the lever D is withdrawn ;
(this is necessary because the magazine is better charged by rotation in the contrary
direction to the described action). To the right hand (Figure 11) is provided a
strong spring which causes the guard lever D to spring into the steady pin'p and
the spring hook g (Figure 1). The guard lever D has a longitudinal slot for the
passage of the stem c¹ fixed to a weak spring c² which acts upon the locking
device C (Fig. 1). N'N Figure 2 are the wooden side cheeks of the breech shoe
the right hand one being grooved for the reception of the thumb.
The lock of the fire arm may be of any suitable known construction, the con-
struction and action of the automatic locking device C for the firing pin will. be
readily understood from. Figure 1 without further description.
The magazine casing is of cylindrical form (Figures 1, 2, and '5); on the left
hand side it is quite closed, while on the right it has a hinged flap o' which can
be opened as at Figure 2 by pressing simultaneously upon two opposite spring
catches r. It is arranged so that by removing. the pin of the. hinge the flap
can be easily entirely removed in order that the gun may also be used with open
magazine.
In the entire circumference of the magazine casing including the flap, is formed
a groove. for the cartridge rims to slide round in; this groove is however
interrupted at top to the extent required for the breech bolt. J which passes
through a corresponding opening in the rear end wall thereof (Figure 5). At
the centre of such end wall is the pivot s for the axis u and at the side thereof a
slot Z for the passage of the magazine. pusher x; round the pivot and slot is a
circular projection t, cut out at the top, and having a groove in its outer periphery
(Figures 1; 5).
In this groove, and in that of the cylindrical casing the rims of the cartridges R
are made to run. is a shallow groove for the protection of the percussion caps
against pressure and friction. The front end wall contains an opening for the
passage of the cartridge into. the cartridge chamber of the gun, and for the
reception beneath this of: the removeable piece T' of any section; not, circular
introduced from the front, and carrying the pivot for the axis U. of the revolving
cartridge magazine.
This piece T also carries a spring pin with rounded 'end 'below the pivot.
The revolving magazine A consists of a cylindrical "axis U (Figs. 1, 4, 6) with
as many longitudinal grooves u as there are to be cartridge cradles: At the ends

page_text: it has central recesses for fitting on the two pivots, and at the rear end (Fig. 4) it
has inclines (as on revolver drums) while at the front end it has recesses for the
spring pin of T to enter, which pin at the same time acts as brake in pressing
against U. In each groove u is rivetted or soldered a cradle v made of thin sheet
steel, which is open at its outer side (Figs. 1, 4, 7). The rear half is made to
correspond in size to the base rim of the cartridge (Fig. 7) and it only reaches up
to about the middle of the cartridge (Fig. 4). The second half of the cradle
consists of spring strips which are made to embrace the cartridge tightly so as to
keep it in a central position (Figs. 1, 7) being made to hold the cartridge up to a
point beyond its middle. The cartridge is pressed in by hand from the side
through the open flap o¹, and is also removed in the same way. The length of
the cradle v must be somewhat less than that of the cartridge. This cartridge
magazine is introduced through the open flap of the casing, is fitted upon the
pivot s and into the recess formed by the projection t, after which the piece T
with the other pivot is pushed in, and secured by a pin.
The downward movement of the guard lever D through 90° effects the following
operations.
From 10 to 6° the blocks supports c are slid away from the projection of B
(Fig. 1) and the teeth d comes in contact with k (Fig. 1).
From 6° to 20° d press against k whereby the block B will be made to descend
on to the support M.
From 20° to 80° the breech bolt J slides back over the block B with the lower
cartridge hook in the magazine groove u, and draws the empty cartridge case out
of the gun chamber into the magazine. The firing pin K slides back with the
bolt J over the sear K¹ and over the automatic locking device C until it reaches L,
being at the same time forced away from the end of J by the projection n, so that
the locking piece a can drop down.
From 80° to 90° only the pusher lever H is forced upward, thereby causing the
cartridge magazine to be turned round by x, carrying the empty case away and
presenting a fresh cartridge in front of the gun chamber..
On closing the breech, the reverse of the above takes place. First the magazine
pusher is withdrawn, then the breech bolt slides forward, while the striking pin K
is held back by the sear and the automatic locking piece C so as to cock the gun.
After the completion of this motion the further movement of the lever D to its
closing position effects the placing of the block B against the breech bolt so as to
lock this, and raises the safety lock a so as to make the gun ready for firing.
The following are the advantages of this construction.
1. The gun is entirely closed and consequently proof against dust or grit,
rain &c. so that the mechanism cannot get out of order, and the marksman is not
incommoded or endangered by smoke, ejected cartridge cases or by any pin moving
back through the casing.
2. The mechanism works very noiselessly and easily and consequently rapidly.
The motion. for unlocking the breech is rendered easy, the heaviest part of the
work, namely the compressing of the spring of the firing pin being effected on the
locking or return motion.
3. The construction is suitable for larger calibres, and also for cardboard
cartridge cases, as these need not be accurately of the same length.
4. The mechanism can be adapted for all requirements of sporting guns.
5. The gun is well balanced and although its weight is altered in firing, its
centre of gravity remains practically the same.
6. The marksman can use what projectiles he pleases whether steel pointed,
expanding, or even explosive ones.
7. The empty cases are not thrown out and lost.
8. The cartridges lie quite tight in the magazine and cannot shake;
accidental ignition can take place, as the caps are situated in a hollow groove.
9. The magazine is easily charged and discharged.
no
10. Absolute safety is afforded against accidents before the complete closing of

page_text: the breech, that is, before the block B has raised the bolt a, any premature firing
is impossible, and afterwards it is only possible to effect firing after the hand that
grasps the gun has pushed up the spring c² and so disengaged the locking hooks C
from the striker K. The release of the locking hooks does not effect the firing,
and the spring is protected by the broad loop of D against any accidental
pressure.
The construction is also applicable to double barrelled guns. For this purpose
the breech bolts J, whose cartridge hooks must in that case not be situated
vertically over each other but radial to the axis of the magazine must be jointed
together at the rear end so as to form one piece. In that case of course two
pivotted elbow pieces each having the projection n, will suffice. This construction
would be advantageously made to a large extent of aluminium, as it would
otherwise be rather heavy.
It would offer the great advantage of being able first to fire two shots almost
simultaneously in the usual manner, and then two or three more separate shots from
the left hand barrel.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1893.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sporting Guns and other Small Arms.
I, AXEL GUSTAVUS BARON NOLCKEN, of Moisekatz, per Werro, Livonia,
Russia, 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 an improved construction of single and double barrelled
sporting guns and other small arms comprising the following features:
(a) A revolving cartridge magazine.
(b) A rising and falling breech block with automatic disengagement of a locking
bolt.
(c) An automatic locking device for the firing pin actuated by the cocking
action.
I will describe the said invention with reference to the drawings accompanying
my Provisional Specification in which
Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section of the breech of a gun with my improvements
applied thereto. Fig. 2 shews a cross section, Figs. 3 to 15 shew detached details.
The breech motion is the same as the well known one, wherein the parts are
actuated by an up and down motion of the guard lever D, the inner end or lever
arm E of which controls the articulated elbow pieces or toggles F and G for the
withdrawing and closing of the sliding breech bolt J.
As these parts do not effect the breech closure, this being effected by the
block B the lever and elbow pieces are made lighter than heretofore, and they are
not required to support each other exactly at right angles. The lever arm E is
divided or forked (Figure 8); it contains shoulders c c serving as supports to the
block B and it has teeth d d (Figures 1, 11) that actuate the elbow levers k.
The grooves e (Figure 11) of the elbow piece in which work studs bb oh E E are
formed on their upper edge with a circular are of 20°, whereby it is rendered
possible for the block B to be moved by E and the jointed links k downward or
upward by means of the lever D before the beginning of the backward motion of
the breech bolt J or after the termination of the closing motion thereof.
The lower edge is formed with a curve of 10° in order that the magazine
lever H,
e can be moved after the completed backward motion of the bolt J. The
elbow pieces F and G are pivotted on pins fand g.

page_text: Pin is simply passed through J and through a notch in the plug h (Figure 1)
so as to fix the latter in J. Pin g is notched for the passage of the thick part of
the firing pin K (Figure 14). The firing pin K is of rectangular section at its thick
part, and cylindrical at its thin part (Figure 1). Upon such thin part are mounted
the plug and the helical spring which is confined by the nut i screwed on the
end of the pin. After fixing the pin g and unscrewing the cap L, these combined
parts are pushed in from the rear, and are secured by the pin f. The under surface
of the thick part contains at its middle a groove dying out towards the front with
which engages the rod shaped sear, K¹ and on each side of this it has grooves of
equal depth for engagement with the double claw or hooks of the automatic locking
piece C (Figures 1, 15). The breech bolt J is formed with a concave curvature
(Figures 1, 3) and has at its front end two hooks for engaging with the cartridge
rim, while at the rear end it has two short ribs of which the lower one, formed
of a V shape, (Figure 2) is intended to slide in the groove of the block B
(Figures 9, 10) while the upper one is guided in a longitudinal groove in the top of
the breech casing (Figures 1, 2). At the rear end of the breech bolt there is
on the left hand side a vertical groove e of a dovetail section, into which, before
the introduction of the firing pin K is inserted from below the angle shaped safety
lock a.
Above this the breech bolt carries a small spring which presses the lock a
downwards in which position it prevents the firing pin K from advancing
sufficiently to fire the cartridge.
The block B (Figures 9, 10) has at the left hand a projection B¹ which pushes
the bolt lock upward, when it is raised into the position shewn at Fig. 1 when a
will leave the pin K free to strike the cartridge cap.
To the block B and the support M of equal width are respectively pivotted on
each side the jointed links (Figures 1, 10) having at their pivots tubular
extensions extending to the sides of the breech shoe, and they are fixed by pins
passed through them.
The pins at the joint m of these links are rivetted (Figures 1, 10, 11, 13). The
right hand elbow piece G is provided with a broad projection n reaching up to
the thin part of the firing pin (Figures 2, 13) which projection, on the opening of
the breech bolt, presses against the shoulder of the thick part of the firing pin and
forces the same so far back that the bolt a can slide down in front of it as described.
The magazine pusher lever H is situated to the left hand. It is loose on the axis of
the lever D and extends past the support M beyond which it is cranked at right
angles and carries a pusher a such as is provided in revolvers; the lever H is
pushed upward at the end of the downward motion of lever D by the pressure of
the latter upon the projection o (Figures 1, 12). A strong spring (Figure 12)
presses it down as soon as the pressure of the lever D is withdrawn; (this is
necessary because the magazine is better charged by rotation in the contrary
direction to the described action). To the right hand (Figure 11) is provided a
strong spring which causes the guard lever D to spring into the steady pin p and
the spring hook 9 (Figure 1). The guard lever D has a longitudinal slot for the
passage of the stem fixed to a weak spring c which acts upon the locking
device C (Fig. 1-) NN Fig. 2 are the wooden side cheeks of the breech shoe the
right hand oue being grooved for the reception of the thumb.
The lock of the fire arm may be of any suitable known construction; the
construction and action of the automatic locking device C for the firing pin will be
readily understood from Figure 1 without further description.
The magazine casing is of cylindrical form (Figures 1, 2 and 5); on the left
hand side it is quite closed, while on the right it has a hinged flap o' which can be
opened as at Figure 2 by pressing simultaneously upon two opposite spring
catches r. It is arranged so that by removing the pin of the hinge the flap can be
easily entirely removed, in order that the gun may also be used with open
magazine.
In the entire circumference of the magazine casing including the flap, is formed

page_text: a groove for the cartridge rims to slide round in; this groove is however interrupted
at top to the extent required for the breech bolt J which passes through a
corresponding opening in the rear end wall thereof (Figure 5). At the centre of
such end wall is the pivot s for the axis u and at the side thereof a slot Z for the
passage of the magazine pusher a; round the pivot and slot is a circular
projection t, cut out at the top, and having a groove in its outer periphery
(Figures 1, 5).
.
In this groove, and in that of the cylindrical casing the rims of the cartridges R
are made to run. s is a shallow groove for the protection of the percussion caps
against pressure and friction.
.
The front end wall contains an opening for the passage of the cartridge into the
cartridge chamber of the gun, and for the reception beneath this of the removeable
piece T of any section, not circular introduced from the front, and carrying the
pivot for the axis U of the revolving cartridge magazine.
This piece T also carries a spring pin with rounded end below the pivot.
The revolving magazine A consists of a cylindrical axis U (Figs. 1, 4, 6) with as
many longitudinal grooves u as there are to be cartridge cradles. At the ends it
has: central recesses for fitting on the two pivots, and at the rear end (Fig. 4) it
has inclines (as on revolver drums) while at the front end it has recesses for. the
spring pin of T to enter, which pin at the same time acts as brake in pressing
against U. In each groove u is rivetted or soldered a cradle v made of thin sheet
steel, which is open at its outer side (Figs. 1, 4, 7). The rear half is made to
correspond in size to the base rim of the cartridge (Fig. 7) and only reaches up
to about the middle of the cartridge (Fig. 4). The second half of the cradle
consists of spring strips which are made to embrace the cartridge tightly so as to
keep it in a central position (Figs. 1, 7) being made to hold the cartridge up to a
point beyond its middle. The cartridge is pressed in by hand from the side through
the open flap o¹, and is also removed in the same way. The length of the cradle v
must be somewhat less than that of the cartridge. This cartridge magazine is
introduced through the open flap of the casing, is fitted upon the pivot s and into
the recess formed by the projection t, after which the piece T with the other pivot
is pushed in, and secured by a pin.
The downward movement of the guard lever D through 90° effects the following
operations.
From 1° to 6° the blocks supports c are slid away from the projection of B
(Fig. 1) and the teeth comes in contact with k (Fig. 1).
From 6° to 20° d presses against k whereby the block B will be made to descend
on to the support M.
From 20° to 80° the breech bolt J slides back over the block B with the lower
cartridge hook in the magazine groove u, and draws the empty cartridge case out of
the gun chamber into the magazine. The firing pin K slides back with the bolt J
over the sear K¹ and over the automatic locking device C until it reaches L, being
at the same time forced away from the end of J by the projection n so that the
locking piece a can drop down.
From 80° to 90° only the pusher lever H is forced upward, thereby causing the
cartridge magazine to be turned round by a, carrying the empty case away and
presenting a fresh cartridge in front of the gun chamber.
On closing the breech, the reverse of the above takes place. First the magazine
pusher is withdrawn, then the breech bolt slides forward, while the striking
pin K is held back by the sear and the automatic locking piece C so as to cock the
gun.
After the completion of this motion the further movement of the lever D to its
closing position effects the placing of the block B against the breech bolt so as to
lock this, and raises the safety lock a so as to make the gun ready for firing.
The following are the advantages of this construction
1. The gun is entirely closed and consequently proof against dust or grit, rain &c.
so that the mechanism cannot get out of order and the marksman is not

page_text: incommoded or endangered by smoke, ejected cartridge cases or by any pin moving
back through the casing.
2. The mechanism works very noiselessly and easily and consequently rapidly.
The motion for unlocking the breech is rendered easy, the heaviest part of the work
namely the compressing of the spring of the firing pin being effected on the cocking
or return notion.
3. The construction is suitable for larger calibres, and also for cardboard cartridge
cases as these need not be accurately of the same length.
4. The mechanism can be adapted for all requirements of sporting guns.
5. The gun is well balanced and although its weight is altered in firing, its centre
of gravity remains practically the same.
6. The marksman can use what projectiles he pleases whether steel pointed,
expanding, or even explosive ones.
7. The empty cases are not thrown out and lost.
8. The cartridges lie quite tight in the magazine and cannot shake; no
accidental ignition can take place as the caps are situated in a hollow groove.
9. The magazine is easily charged and discharged.
10. Absolute safety is afforded against accidents before the complete closing of
the breech, that is, before the block B has raised the bolt a, any premature firing
is impossible, and afterwards it is only possible to effect firing after the hand that
grasps the gun has pushed up the spring c² and so disengaged the locking hooks C
from the striker K. The release of the locking hooks does not effect the firing,
and the spring c² is protected by the broad loop of D against any accidental
pressure.
For this purpose
The construction is also applicable to double barrelled guns.
the breech bolts J whose cartridge hooks must in that case not be situated vertically
over each other but radial to the axis of the magazine must be jointed together at
the rear end so as to form one piece. In that case of course two pivotted elbow
pieces each having the projection n will suffice. This construction would be
advantageously maile to a large extent of aluminium, as it would otherwise be.
rather heavy.
It would offer the great advantage of being able first to fire two shots almost
simultaneously in the usual manner, and then two or three more separate shots from
the left hand barrel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described revolving sheet steel cartridge magazine with lateral
introduction of the cartridges.
2. The rising and falling breech block B in combination with the safety lock a
automatically controlled thereby, substantially as described.
3. The automatic locking piece C for locking the firing pin in the cocked
position, substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of September 1893.
ABEL & IMKAI,
Agents for the Applicant.