IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF 'BATTERY GUNS.
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of
Harris and Mills, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF 'BATTERY GUNS.'"-A communication from
abroad by James Patton Taylor, of Elizabethton, in the County of
Contax and State of Tannosses Unital States of A manice
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph
Barnard Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 27th June 1871.
" "
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and
Mills, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BATTERY GUNS,' a communication
to me from abroad by James Patton Taylor, of Elizabethton, in the
County of Carter, and State of Tennessee, United States of America, to
be as follows:
-
The subject of this Invention is a magazine gun adapted to deliver
fire from a large number of barrels either simultaneously or successively,

page_text: as desired, and to maintain suça üre for a lengthened period with great
rapidity.
The gun is constructed with a stationary framework of requisite
strength, consisting of a breech plate extending from the breech of the
gun proper downward to the level of the magazines, and slotted to
permit the rotation of a many chambered breech piece, which receives
the cartridges from the magazines and carries them up into position
for firing; an extension behind the upper part of the breech plate to
contain and guide the firing mechanism; a cradle, which receives the
magazines and guides the rammers or feeders by which cartridges are
forwarded to the breech-piece chambers; and a brace which connects
the said cradle and the breech extension, and affords a bearing for a
compound shaft, through which the chambered breech piece is revolved
and the simultaneous firing mechanism is worked. The barrels are
connected to the slotted breech plate and are enclosed within a casing.
This entire framework may rest in front by trunnions on a bracket
pivotted vertically in the axle of the gun carriage and be supported at
back by the elevating screw on the "trail," or the gun may be mounted
in any other suitable manner.
The Invention further relates to a magazine box made in cylindrical
form, preferably of wood, with any desirable number of magazines bored
therein. This box is provided with sheet metal caps to avoid the spill-
ing of the cartridges, said caps being arranged to be taken off after the
box is in position. It is also furnished with handles of any convenient
form to facilitate lifting it or conveying it from place to place. It may,
if preferred, be made of sheet metal tubes secured between suitable
heads.
The Invention further relates to a feeding apparatus by which the
cartridges are ejected from the magazine box. The said feeding
apparatus consists of a number of rods, one for each magazine, mounted.
in a suitable head, which may be pressed forward by a spring of any
proper construction, preferably of spiral form. The rods are pointed
with rubber or other elastic material to prevent concussion against the
cartridges. As a substitute for this automatic feeding apparatus having
a constant spring pressure it is proposed in some cases to cause the
feeding apparatus to press the cartridges forward at the proper instant
to fill the chambers in the revolving breech piece and to relieve them
from pressure at other times.

page_text: The Invention further relates to a many chambered breech piece
arranged to revolve within the slotted breech plate and made up of a
number of sections or clusters of chambers, each cluster containing.
chambers corresponding in number and position to the magazine and to
the barrels of the guns.
The Invention further relates to mechanism employed for revolving,
the aforesaid breech piece. This consists of a lever which in its upward
motion engages automatically with the breech picce and is released
therefrom in its descent by appropriately arranged mechanism. This
lever also operates the simultaneous firing devices.
The Invention further relates to devices for locking the breech piece.
and releasing the same when it is to revolve. These cause a catch to
engage with a notch in cach of the above-named sections or clusters
of the breech piece when in proper position for firing, and relcase it
therefrom after discharge, and are operated from the firing lever above
mentioned.
The Invention further relates to mechanism by which the aforesaid
lever may be made in its return motion to actuate the firing devices
when it is desired to discharge the whole number of barrels simul-
tancously, and further, to the particular construction of the simultaneous
firing devices. These comprise a compound cam shaft, turned by said
lever, a second lever which is retracted by the partial rotation of the
shaft, and a circular head against which presses a balanced spring; by a
further rotation of the shaft the spring is allowed to act, forcing the.
head in contact with a set of plungers corresponding in number and
position to the chambers of the charged cluster in rear of the barrels,
which simultaneously fire the cartridges.
The Invention further relates to devices by which the barrels may,
when desired, be discharged successively. These consist of a crank and
pinion turning a concave gear wheel carrying a number of spring
hammers, which by means of cams or inclines are caused successively
to operate the firing plungers by rotation of the crank, the main spring
being previously thrown out of action.
The Invention further relates to a device for ejecting the exploded
shells from the revolving breech, piece, consisting of a set of rods or pins
operated through the medium of a lever and spring by the same move-
ment of the firing lever which retracts the firing devices for a new
discharge.

page_text: The Invention further consists in constructing a battery gun with a
cluster of barrels secured between suitable heads and encased in a tight
cylinder, so that water may be circulated through the said casing around
and among the barrels for the purpose of keeping them cool.
* The Invention further relates to the use of one or more force pumps
or other appliances for the purpose of injecting water into the casing of
the barrels to cause it to circulate through the same, as before stated.
The Invention further relates to devices for training and for elevating
and depressing the gun. These consist, for elevation, of a vertical screw
bearing by a wheel at its lower end on the "trail" of the gun and
supporting upon its thread the framework which supports the rear of
the gun. The training of the gun may be effected approximately by
means of the trail in common manner, whilst for accurate sighting a
lever is employed, which is fulcrumed at its lower end in the "trail,”
and engages in any one of the notches of a rack fixed to the frame of
the gun; or instead of this arrangement for training a horizontal screw
or a vertical shaft and pinion taking into a segmental rack may be
employed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 27th December 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, BENJAMIN
JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 35, South-
ampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, Her
special licence, that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,

page_text: ,,,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
'BATTERY GUNS,' a communication to me from abroad by James Patton
Taylor, of Elizabethton, in the County of Carter, and State of Tennessee,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, 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 thereof, that is to say :-
The subject of this Invention is a magazine gun adapted to deliver
fire from a large number of barrels either simultaneously or successively
as desired, and to maintain such fire for a lengthened period with great
rapidity.
The gun is constructed with a stationary framework of requisite
strength consisting of a breech plate extending from the breech of the
gun proper downward to the level of the magazines and slotted to
permit the rotation of a many chambered breech piece which receives
the cartridges from the magazines and carries them up into position
for firing; an extension behind the upper part of the breech plate to
contain and guide the firing mechanism; a cradle which receives the
magazines and guides the rammers or feeders by which cartridges are
forwarded to the breech piece chambers; and a brace which connects
the said cradle and the breech extension and affords a bearing for a
compound shaft through which the chambered breech piece is revolved
and the simultaneous firing mechanism is worked. The barrels are
connected to the slotted breech plate, and are enclosed within a casing.
This entire framework may rest in front by trunnions in a bracket
pivotted vertically in the axle of the gun carriage and be supported at
back by the clevating screw on the trail, or the gun may be mounted in
any other suitable manner.

page_text: The Invention further relates to a magazine box made in cylindrical
form, preferably of wood, with any desirable number of magazines bored
'therein. This box is provided with sheet metal caps to avoid the
spilling of the cartridges, said caps being arranged to be taken off after
the box is in position. It is also furnished with handles of any con-
venient form to facilitate lifting it or conveying it from place to place.
It may, if preferred, be made of sheet metal tubes secured between
suitable heads.
The Invention further relates to a feeding apparatus by which the
cartridges are ejected from the magazine box. The said feeding appa-
ratus consists of a number of rods, one for each magazine, mounted in
a suitable head, which may be pressed forward by a spring of any proper
construction, preferably of spiral form. The rods are pointed with
rubber or other clastic material to prevent concussion against the cart-
ridges. As a substitute for this automatic feeding apparatus having a
constant spring pressure it is proposed in some cases to employ a device
which will press the cartridges forward at the proper instant to fill the
chambers in the revolving breech piece and will relieve them from
pressure at other times.
The Invention further relates to a many chambered breech picce
arranged to revolve within the slotted breech plate, and made up of a
number of sections or clusters of chambers, each cluster containing
chambers corresponding in number and position to the magazine and to
the barrels of the guns.
The Invention further relates to mechanism employed for revolving
the aforesaid breech piece. This consists of a lever which in its upward
motion engages automatically with the breech piece, and is released
therefrom in its descent by appropriately arranged mechanism.
The Invention further relates to devices for locking the breech picce
and releasing the same when it is to revolve.
The Invention further relates to mechanism by which the aforesaid
lever may be made in its return motion to actuate the firing devices
when it is desired to discharge the whole number of barrels simul-
taneously, and further to the particular construction of the simultaneous
firing devices.
The Invention further relates to devices by which the barrels may
when desired be discharged successively.

page_text: 5
The Invention further relates to a device for ejecting the exploded
shells from the revolving breech piece.
The Invention further consists in constructing a battery gun with a
cluster of barrels secured between suitable heads and encased in a tight
cylinder so that water may be circulated through the said casing around
and among the barrels for the purpose of keeping them cool.
The Invention further relates to the use of one or more force pumps
or other appliances for the purpose of injecting water into the casing
of the barrels to cause it to circulate through the same, as before stated.
The Invention further relates to devices for training and for clevating
and depressing the gun.
And in order that the Invention may be clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying
Drawings, more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery gun illustrating the
Invention Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same; Figure 3 is a
central longitudinal section thereof on the line x, x, Figures 4 and 5;
Figure 4 is a rear elevation; Figure 5 is a vertical section on the
line y, y, Figures 2 and 3; Figure 6 is a section on the line-z, z,
Figure 3 Figure 7 is a horizontal section on the line w, w, Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a section in the same plane, showing a portion of the
chambered breech piece on a larger scale, and exhibiting also the
preferred form of the chambers and cartridges, and the manner of
countersinking the flanges thereof in the chambers; Figure 9 is an end
view of magazine box; Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the same;
Figure 11 is a face view of a revolving disc employed to operate the
firing devices successively; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a com-
pound shaft herein-after described, employed to communicate rotation
to the breech piece and to operate the firing devices; Figure 13 is a
transverse section of a cap and shaft employed to connect or disconnect
the simultaneous firing apparatus, as hercin-after described; Figure 14 is
a side elevation of the same; Figure 15 is a longitudinal section thereof;
Figure 16. is a section showing one of the firing plungers.
A represents an axle resting on wheels C and supporting a bolster
or bracket B through the medium of a vertical pivot b. The gun may

page_text: rest in the said brackets B by trunnions of common form. The tail D
is made of heavy wrought iron, and is connected at its forward end
directly to the axle A. E is a stationary slotted breech plate of steel
forming a framework for the attachment of the barrels, and for con-
taining and properly covering the chambered breech piece, which is
revolved within the said breech plate as herein-after described; O is a
stationary frame connected by a strong brace O¹ to a plate U, which
by studs U¹ is firmly bolted to the breech plate E. These stationary
parts and their connections may preferably be made of steel to give them
the necessary strength. The barrels G, G, G, of which any suitable
number may be used, are at their butt ends screwed into apertures in
the breech plate E, and at their muzzles are inserted in a plate. or
head F, which is fitted within a cylindrical casing J. This casing may
be cast in brass or other metal of moderate thickness, so as to be quite
light, but somewhat thicker toward the breech than at the muzzle or
forward end. At its rear end it is screwed or otherwise fitted within
an annular flange or recess in the breech plate E. For convenience of
manufacture the front and rear parts of the breech plate E may be cast
or forged separately, and secured together by means of heavy bolts.
F¹ is a rod passed through an aperture in the centre of the front portion
of the breech plate E, within which a lead formed on the rear or butt
end of said rod is countersunk as shown in Figure 3. The forward end
of this rod is passed through an aperture in the centre of the head F,
and having a suitable screw thread cut upon it, receives a nut ƒ¹ which
is screwed down tightly upon the head so as to secure the latter firmly
in position upon the shoulders, which are formed to receive it within
the forward end of the casing J, and on the muzzles of the barrels G.
The joints between the breech plate E, casing J, head F, and barrels G
are all closed water-tight by the aid of india-rubber or other suitable
packing. The barrels may be arranged in any suitable manner in
parallel horizontal planes so as to give them a precisely equal range, but
those on each side of the vertical centre of the cluster have a slight and
slightly increasing divergence horizontally from said vertical centre
toward cach side. In the present illustration the barrels are supposed
to be arranged at their rear ends in concentric circles, but they diverge
forward in horizontal planes to adapt them to cover any desired width
of field at a given range or distance. This divergence should not exceed
10° in the barrels at the extreme sides of the cluster.
This will adapt
them to cover a field of 40 or 50 feet in width at a range of 500 yards,

page_text: the shots from all the barrels being delivered approximately in one
horizontal plane. H, H, are water tanks furnished with pumps I, by
means of which water is injected within the casing J so as to circulate
among and around the barrels, and thus keep them cool during con-
tinuous firing, and avoid the necessity of any cessation of fire for the
purpose of cooling the parts. One or more of these tanks may be
employed, the water being returned to the same one or delivered into
another tank if preferred. The barrels are coated on their external
surfaces with a suitable varnish which will resist the corrosive action
of water. K represents a chambered breech piece revolving within the
slotted breech plate E, which breech plate should be extended at back
sufficiently to cover and close the rear of the chambers in said breech
piece as the latter is revolved. The breech piece K is made up of a
number of sections, each containing a cluster of chambers, there being
four such clusters in the present illustration. The chambers in each
section correspond in number and position to the barrels G, and in
operation cach cluster is brought up in succession to the firing position
by mechanism herein-after described. L is the magazine box, which
may be made of wood or of sheet metal tubes secured between suitable
heads. The magazines 7, whether formed of sheet metal tubes, or by
boring a cylinder of wood are made to correspond in number and position
to the chambers within each of the sections of the breech piece K.
M, M, are caps of sheet metal which are placed over the ends of the
magazine box to confine the cartridges within it, said caps being secured
in position by lugs or by stationary buttons m. The ends of the
magazine box are made slightly concave, as represented in Figure 9,
.so that when the cap is pressed inward, as shown in the lower part of
said Figure, and turned a quarter round; the resilience of the said cap
will cause it to be retained firmly in position over the cartridges.
the upper part of the same Figure the cap is shown in its flat condition
before being thus depressed and secured by the lugs. In the present
illustration cach magazine is made to contain ten cartridges. The
cartridges are fed forward automatically by pusher rods n, one to each
magazine, attached to a plate N which is pressed forward by a spiral
spring N upon the rod n³, on which the plate N slides. The rod n¹
is secured in the stationary framework O which constitutes a guide or
bed for the magazine box, and should be made of steel as it requires
to be of sufficient strength to support the weight of the rear and
operative parts of the gun. Catches o are employed to hold the plate N
At

page_text: and pusher rods n in their retracted position when a depleted magazine
box is to be removed, and a full one to be introduced.
The rotation of the breech piece K is effected by means of a lever P
fulcrummed concentrically to the said breech piece, and furnished near
its fulcrum with two spring pawls p and p¹ which work longitudinally
upon the said lever, and are pressed inwardly towards its fulcrum by
their spring or springs. For this purpose it is preferred to employ two
independent springs of spiral form. These pawls engage respectively
with ratchet teeth q, q', upon shafts Q, Q', the construction of which is
shown in Figures 3 and 12.
The said shafts are mounted between the
plate E and brace O¹, and fit one within the other, so that they may turn
independently. From the form of the teeth q, q', it will be apparent
that the upward motion of the lever will rotate the forward shaft Q,
and impart no rotation to the rear shaft Q', whereas the downward
motion of the lever will rotate the shaft Q' in an opposite direction, and
impart no motion to the forward shaft Q. A. pawl q³ is employed to
prevent the shaft Q₁ turning backward. Any backward motion of the
shaft Q is prevented by the device which locks the revolving breech
piece, as herein-after described.
The rotation of the forward shaft Q is communicated to the brocch
picce K, within which the said shaft is keyed, as illustrated in Figure 6,
or otherwise rigidly secured.
At each upward stroke of the lever one cluster of chambers which has
been charged from the magazine box L is carried away therefrom' and
replaced by another empty cluster, at the same time a cluster which
was previously charged is carried forward into position for firing. A
downward motion of the lever then by the movement imparted to the
shaft Qoperates the simultaneous firing devices through the medium of
the inclined cam surfaces q³, Figure 12, which carries forward the lower
end of a lever R, Figure 3, fulcrummed centrally at r, causing the upper
end of said lever to draw back the rod S. Upon the forward end of said
rod is a head S¹ with perforations to receive plungers t, which plungers
work at their rear ends in the stationary disc or plate U, and at their
forward ends are constructed with shoulders against which the head S¹
is thrown by means of the spiral spring &¹. The forward ends of
the plungers project through perforations in the breech plate E in
suitable positions to act upon the flanges of the cartridges.
forward ends of the plungers are spiral springs located within suitable
Around the

page_text: chambers in the breech plate E, as illustrated in Figure 3, and pressing
backward against the shoulders t¹. The combined force of all the
springs is sufficient to overcome the pressure of the main spring s
so as after the instant of firing to retract the ends of the plungers
within the perforations in the breechi plate, causing their inner ends to
come flush with the inner surface of said plate in order that they may
offer no obstruction to the rotation of the breech piece K.
The sectional view, Figure 8, shows the manner of countersinking
the cartridge flanges within the chambered breech piece K, so as to
cause the rear of said breech piece to work in close contact with the
inner surface of the chamber of the breech plate E. When the lever R
draws back the rod S and is again released the impulse imparted by the
springs to the head S¹, and the momentum of the parts overcomes for
the instant the backward pressure of the springs t². This produces the
necessary percussion upon the cartridge flanges, after which the plungers
are pressed backward, as before stated.
From the above description it will appear that the downward stroke
of the lever P will fire simultaneously all the cartridges in one cluster,
and thus discharge the whole number of barrels at onc instant. If it
be desired instead of this to discharge the barrels successively the simul-
taneous firing mechanism is disconnected by turning the cap & through
which the lever R acts upon the rod S until the longitudinal slot s³ in
said cap is brought into position to receive the upper end of the lever R,
whereby the said lever will be caused in its motion to pass into the said
slot, and thus the drawing back of the rod S is avoided. To lock the
revolving breech piece in proper position for firing a notch / is formed
on the periphery of each cluster or section of the said breech piece.
In these notches engages a catch which is attached to a crescent-
shaped lever K', Figure 4. This lever is fulcrummed at ² and is pressed
inward by the action of a spring ³ to draw the catch into the notch k
as each of the sections comes into horizontal position. Upon the
lever P is a spring catch p² which in the downward motion of the lever
is pressed inward and rides upon the surface of the crescent lever K¹
without imparting any motion to said lever. As the lever P reaches
the downward extremity of its stroke the spring catch p² slips over the
oblique end of the lever K', and as the lever P again ascends the spring
catch p engaging with the said oblique end presses the lever K¹ hori-
zontally outward so as to throw the catch out of lock with the

page_text: revolving breech piece the instant before the rotary movement is to be
imparted to the latter. The spring catch p³ then slips off the end of
the lever K', allowing the catch ¹ to rest upon the periphery of the
revolving breech piece, and when the next section of the said brecch
piece comes up into horizontal position it presses the catch ¹ outward
until the notch / comes opposite the catch, when the latter engages
automatically with the said notch and thereby locks the breech piece
with its upper section or cluster of chambers in proper position for firing.
k* represents a guide, of which one may be employed on each side of the
lever P to cause it to move in a proper path to operate the locking and
releasing devices in the manner above described.
The section or cluster of chambers in the breech piece K. which has
been discharged passes downward into the horizontal position shown in
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, in which position the ejecting devices expel the
exploded shells therefrom. These devices are illustrated in Figure 7.
Y represents a rod carrying a head Y¹ which works within the casing Y
and has attached to it a number of pins or small rods y' corresponding
in number and position to the chambers in each section of the revolving
breech piece. Z represents a lever fulcrummed at 2¹ and acted upon by
a spring tending to retract the head Y' and thereby draw the rods y¹
within the casing. Z' is a rod working within the shafts Q and Q',
Figure 3, and pressed forward by the lower part of the lever R, while
the upper
end of said lever draws back the pin S for the purpose of
retracting the firing devices. It will thus be apparent that the same
motion of the lever R which retracts the firing devices for a new
discharge operates to project the pins y' and by their action to eject the
exploded shells from the chambers of that section of the breech piece
.which was last discharged. A successive or continuous fire may be
produced by means of a pinion v rotated by a crank v², Figure 2, and
gearing with a cogged disc V. Within a cavity in the face of said disc
are a number of spring hammers ², the heads of which are arranged at
distances from the centre of the disc corresponding with the radii of the
successive circles of barrels. The hammers are thus adapted each of
them to act successively on all of the plungers in one of the concentric
.circles. These hammers are actuated by cams or inclines &³, Figure 3,
which as the disc V is rotated cause the said hammers to be retracted,
and when they are suddenly released the resilience of their spring shanks
drives the heads forcibly against the rear ends of the successive plungers t,

page_text: and by this means one barrel in each circle may be fired at a time until
the whole number has been discharged. This successive or continuous
firing mechanism is contained within a suitable casing W constructed to
adapt it to be opened as required for inspection, cleaning, and repairs.
All parts of the gun may be constructed to be readily taken apart,
and the entire structure possesses but little complication in comparison
with the effectiveness of its operation.
The elevation to obtain the necessary range is regulated by a screw X,
Figure 3, bearing through the medium of a wheel x on its lower end
upon the trail D, and supporting upon its thread the framework O in
which the magazine box L is contained, and which supports the rear of
the gun.
The training of the gun may be effected approximately through the
medium of the trail D in common manner. For accurate sighting a
lever D' is provided, said lever being fulcrummed at its lower end in the
trail D, and engaging above in any one of the notches of a rack d¹ which
is permanently fixed to the frame O. The gun is thus turned upon the
vertical pivot b, Figure 3, the wheel x running on the trail D to avoid
too great friction.
Instead of this device it is preferred in some cases to employ for
training the gun a horizontal screw or a vertical shaft carrying at its
lower end a pinion working in a segment rack. This vertical shaft
may be hollow so as to surround the elevating screw, or it may work
concentrically within the elevating screw, the latter being hollow.
By either of these training devices an accurate sight may be obtained,
or the gun may be turned continuously, while a successive discharge of
the barrels is kept up so as to deliver a sweeping fire.
In practice a sufficient number of extra barrels will be kept upon
the field, so that in the event of any derangement occurring new barrels
may be introduced in place of injured ones. This can readily be effected
by removing the nut and head F, screwing out the defective barrel, and
replacing it by a new one.
For artillery service the arm may be made with a smaller number of
rifled barrels of larger calibre adapted for throwing shells, the other
parts being suitably modified.
The operation of the gun is as follows:-The magazines will be
charged at the arsenal by any suitable method. This may be performed

page_text: by automatic machinery provided with a long chambered box with
tubes corresponding in number and position with the magazines in the
boxes L. One of the boxes L is placed by hand within the cradle or
frame O, the pushing devices N, n', having been drawn back for this
purpose. The lugs n on the box fitting in scats prepared therefor in
the cradle act as guides or gauges to determine the correct position of
the box. The pushers are then released from the catches o to permit
them to act upon the cartridges within the magazine box. As each
empty section of the revolving breech piece K comes in position in front
of the magazine box the cartridges are fed forward through apertures
prepared therefor in the slotted breech plate E until one cartridge enters
each of the chambers. The rotary motion being then imparted to the
breech piece by the mechanism herein-before described the newly
charged section is carried up to a horizontal position, and the charged
section which was previously in the last-named position is at the same
time carried upward immediately behind the barrels in position for
firing. As cach charged section is carried away from the magazine box
the next empty section succeeds it, and by covering the front of the
apertures through the slotted breech plate prevents the forward move-
ment of the cartridges or the feed rods until the said chambered section
reaches its proper position, when the whole number of cartridges can
be fed into the chambers simultaneously. This will be understood when
it is remembered that no cartridge can move forward without the whole
number moving at the same time.
The movement of the pushers to feed the cartridges forward may as
before stated be communicated automatically by the spring N' or inter-
mittingly at the proper periods by connection with the lever P or other
moving part of the apparatus.
The lever having reached the upward termination of its stroke,
bringing a charged section into position for firing, as before explained,
is then depressed, when, if the cap 83 is in the position represented in
Figure 3, the downward motion of the lever, acting through the medium
of the cams q¹ and q³ and lever R, will retract the pin S and plunger t
until the lever R escaping from the cam q³ will release the rod S, and
permit the spring s¹ to throw the plungers forward with a sudden
impulse, and effect the discharge through all the barrels of the gun.
This forward movement of the lever which retracts the rod S imparts at
the same time a forward movement to the rod Z', and through the

page_text: medium of the lever Z ejects the exploded shells from the section of the
breech piece which was last before discharged.
The manner of discharging the barrels successively has been already
explained.
>
The training, clevating, and sighting of the gun may be effected in
any common or proper manner. In some cases a sighting bar will be
extended from near the muzzle to the rear part of the slotted breech
plate or backward beyond the breech of the gun if it be desired to
employ the pendulum hausse.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the
mode in which the same is carried into effect, I would have it under-
stood. that what I claim is,-
>
First. The slotted breech plate B constructed and employed as herein
specified.
Second. The stationary cradle or guide frame O for containing the
magazine box L, substantially as described.
Third. The brace O' connecting the frame O with the upper stationary
parts, and affording a bearing for the shaft Q', as explained.
Fourth. The magazine box constructed with any desired number of
magazines, and provided with caps M, substantially as described.
'
Fifth. The feeders N, n, operating in connection with the magazinė
box L, substantially as described.
I
Sixth. The revolving breech piece K constructed with a number of
sections or clusters of chambers, the chambers in each cluster corre-
sponding in number and position with the barrels G with which it is
to be used.
Seventh. The lever P operating through the shaft Q, so as to revolve
the breech piece at one motion, and to be released therefrom on its
return stroke, substantially as described.
Eighth. The lever K' and catch operating to lock the revolving
breech piece, substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination of the lever P and spring catch p² with the
crescent-shaped lever K¹ and catch to release the breech piece when
it is to be revolved, as explained.
Tenth. The shaft Q constructed with cams or ratchets q', q, in com-
bination with the lever P to actuate the simultaneous firing devices,
subs'antially as described.

page_text: Eleventh. The combination of the plungers p, rod S, and head &¹ to
operate simultaneously on the cartridges, as described.
Twelfth. The cap & employed in connection with the lever R and
rod S to cause the said lever to act upon the said rod or disconnect it
therefrom, as described.
Thirteenth. The pinion v, disc V, hammers v³, and cam surfaces v³
"employed to effect a successive discharge of the cartridges, substantially
as described.
Fourteenth. The ejecting devices Y¹, y¹, Z, Z', opening substantially
as described.
Fifteenth. The barrels G in combination with the breech plate E,
casing J, and head F, adapted substantially as herein described to admit
of the circulation of water within the said casing around and among
the barrels.
Sixteenth. The combination of the tanks H, one or more, and pump
or pumps I, with the casing E, F, and barrels G to cause a forced
circulation of water through the said casing, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
Seventeenth. The framework pivotted vertically in front upon the
carriage, and supported at back through the elevating screw on the
trail of said carriage in such a manner as to permit horizontal move-
ment.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of
December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-one.