Improvements in Automatic and similar Breech Loading Fire-arms.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Automatic and similar Breech Loading
Fire-arms.
1, HUGH WILLIAM GABBETT-FAIRFAX, of 29 Gillinghain Street, London,
S.W., Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My improvements relate to mechanism which is applicable to various classes of
automatic or partly automatic fire-arms ie. to rifles, pistols and shot-guns as well
as to machine-guns and light ordnance.
The said invention relates generally to fio arms wherein there exists tho
combination of a sliding barrel and breech block so arranged that after the
discharge of a cartridge in the barrel the latter and the breech-block recoil
together against the resistance of springs till the block arives at, and is locked in
its rearmost position, when the bariel is released therefrom and returns or moves
forward by the reaction of the springs to open the bicech and release the block
which then moves forward to close the breech and perform otlier functions herein-
after specified. The breech-frame is strongly constructed with a suitable space
between its sides or cheeks for the reception of the end of the barrel and the
breech mechanism. The barrel extends into and slules in the frame or through a
bearing in the forward end of the frame and its breech end is enlarged and providęd
with a charge chamber in the usual manner.
The said invention comprises the following improvements viz The provision on
the liding breech-block, of a rotative head formed with interrupted or segmental
screw-theads fillets or radial projections to engage with similar threads fillets or
radial projections in the barrel as in the well known Frerch beech. The combina-
tion, with the said block and rotative head of a switch and an inclined surface
aranged in the breech frame or case and operating in such a manner that during
the recoil the rotative locking head will be turned in one direction about its axis
to disengage its screw-threade fillets or radial projections from those in the barrel
and at the termination of the return or forward movement of the block the rotative
head will be rotated by a spring in the opposite direction to lock the breech block
to the barrel. The combination with a laterally projecting am on the sliding
block of a pin or bolt arranged in the fame in connection with a sear in such a
position that at the moment when the block after its return is home against the
breech and not before this moment, the said laterally projecting arm on the block
18 depressed by a sping thereby rotating the locking head to lock the bolt to the
barrel and in some arrangements of my invention at the same moment moving the
sear to release the hamn.er to fire the gun The combination with the breech-
mechanism of a cartridge magazine provided with a feed chain or belt actuated by
the sliding band for raising the cartridges into a position whence they are pushed
into the barrel by an aim or lug on the forward end of the sliding breech block.
The combination with the sliding block and barrel of extracting and ejecting
devices the latter comprising an ejecting level which at the proper moment is
Actuated to jerk or kick the extracted spent cartridge out of the gun and is then
moved back to its normal position as hereinafter described
For a pistol or other small arin I construct the frame of steel or other sunable
metal with provision for the reception of the trigger and hammer and other parts

page_text: of the mechanism. On this frame I fit a plate termed a cover-plate having in it,
slots or apertures through which the hammer and some other parts of the mechanism
can move, Over this plate I place an arched or other suitably shaped cover which
encloses the breech mechanism and is provided with longitudinal ribs to guide the
block in its to-and-fro movements.
For machine guns ond, some other classes of guns it may be necessary of desirable
to modify this construction of the frame.
The breech end of the bariel and the breech block are preferably arranged to
more to and fro on balls or rollers and are formed with flanges or collars at their
ends to keep the said balls or rollers in place. The breech-block body is a strong
metal piece fitted to move freely to and fro in the frame in its recoil and return;
it is bored or chambered to receive a cylindrical piece on the forward end of which
19 formed or fixed the rotative locking head and which is in some instancos grooved
around its periphery to receive balls or rollers forming beatings on which it turns
within the block. The cylindrical piece is provided with a spring or spring,
tending always to turn it on its axis but its turning is prevented except at the
proper moments as herein specified. Through the axis of this cylindrical piece
extends as stein or spindle which has on its forward end a lug or.arm extending
down through a slot in the cover plate into a position to engage with a cartridge
in the magazine and push it into the barrel. The extracting book or claw is also
formed on the end of this stem or spindle. The said stem or spindle is made
hollow or tubular for the reception of the firing pin which has on its rear end a
collar arranged in combination with a light spring to keep its extremity in the
proper position to be struck by the hammer when the breech is closed.
The switch which, as above specified is arranged within the fiame or its cover
in combination with an inclined sun face and the sliding breech block, is a bar with
one horizontal and one inclined edge arranged in the side of the fiame or cover
in such a position relatively to the breech block that a radial arm fixed on the
cylindrical piece and projecting through the side of the body of the block will in
the recoil move along the inclined surface and thereby cause the locking head
during its recoil to turn about its axis to unlock the block from the barrel as
above specified. The recoil terminates and the block 18 released from the bariel at
the moment when a catch or detent engages with the block to hold it back while
the barrel moves forward
The catch or detent is an arin pivoted in the rear end of the frame below the
cover-plate, its free end being somewhat of a hook-shape and adapted to enter a
notch or recess in the underside of the sliding block. A rod under the cover-
plate is arranged in combination with the detent and is so formed that if moved
forward while the block is held back it will, depress the hooked arm and thereby
release the block. The barrel has on it a projection whereby the said rod is
actuated at the proper moment for this purpose, or the rod may have the projection
and the barrel the recess.
As hereinabove specified there 18, in combination with the sliding block and
switch and with the sear, a small pin or rod arranged in the side of the frame in a
vertical or somewhat inclined groove at the forward end of the switch. The
outer end of the radial aim of the breech-block is guided along the switch and
thereby kept from turning downward until it reaches this vertical groove which is
in such a position relatively to the other parts of the mechanism that at the
moment when, but not until, the block is properly home against the breech the said
groove permits the radial aim to move so that the locking head of the breech block
is turned to engage with the barrel, and as the arm moses down in the said groove
it forces downward the small piu against the pressure of a light spring and thereby
depresses the sear to release the hammer.
In adapting my improvements to a small arm I provide the same with n
magazine below the breech and 1 arrange within the magazine a feed belt or
cham which is operated through the agency of mechanism connected with the
sliding banel.

page_text: The magazine is a box or case formed of steel or other suitable metal and
attached to the underside of the frame in any convenient manner.
At ita upper
and lower ends are the rollers over which the feel-belt tiavels, the axes of which
rollers are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun so that the path of move-
ment of the belt 18 transverse to the gun. The upper roller 19 connected by
ratchet wheels with a lover or 18 connected with other suitable mechanism which
18 actuated by the barrel in each of its recoil and return movements in such a
manner as to move the belt sufficiently to bring a fresh cartridge into the loading
position.
The belt is provided with transverse clips for holding the cartridges The upper-
most cartridge in the belt is brought to the loading position at the proper moment
to be pushed out of the chip and to the charge chamber of the barrel by the feeding
lug of the breech block as the latter moves forward after its release from the detent
at the rear end of the frame.
In some instances I use a cncular magazine. For this purpose I construct the
frame with a ring or annular portion arranged transversely to the axis of the gun
and having a cross bar by which the weapon is held. This annular portion forms a
bearing surface for a rotative ring provided with clips or recesses for the cartridges;
or instead of this ing sometimes use a steel band provided with chips. The
rotative ring or band can be operated by ratchet apparatus connected with the
barrel or by other suitable means to bing the cartridges successively into the firing
position.
For machine guns and ordnance I can substitute for the above described
magazine, feed-apparatus of any suitable kind capable of maintaming a continuous
supply according to the requirements of the services in respect of such guns.
In addition to the automatically operated sear above described my improved
weapon may be provided with another seat connected with an ordinary trigger and
so ai ranged that it will engage with the haminer and prevent the firing of the gun
except when the trigger is pulled or held back.
The ejecting devices comprise the aforesaid lever which 13 pivotted at the side of
the frame or cover, between the latter and an outer sido plate or cover.
In one
arrangement the ejecting lever is formed with a cam or cam-like projection and
also with a short arm which is connected by a link to another lever pivotted to
the frame or cover. When the empty cartidge case is withdrawn by the
extractor from the barrel into the proper position for ejection a stud or projection
on the sliding bariel strikes the cain on the ejecting lever and jerks or moves it
sharply across the breech thereby throwing the empty case out of the gun.
Then by another projection on the barrel which engages with a hook o projection
on the end of the second lever the ejecting level is returned to its normal
position.
In some instances I mange the ejector so that the same projection operates one
cam for throwing the ejector across the breech of the barrel and on its for ward
movement strikes a second cam airanged to operate on the first cam and return
the ejector to its position of rest and out of the way of the breech block or of the
loaded cartidge which is being pushed forward by the breech block for insertion
in the chamber of the bariel.

page_text: АЦИИШащо ани ришнаг
Droo0п поди
I, HUGH WILLIAM GABBETT-FAIRFAX, formerly of 29 Gillingham Stroot,'
London, S. E. but now of 107 Lambeth Palace Road, London, S.E. Engineer, do
hereby declare the naturo 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
My improvements relate to mechanism which is applicable to various classes of
automatic or partly automatic fire-arms e to rifles, pistols and shot-guns as well
as to machine-guns and light orduance.
The said invention relates generally to fire-arms wherein there exists the com-
bination of a sliding bariel and breech-block so arranged that after the discharge
of a cattridge in the barrel the latter and the breech-block recoil together against
the resistance of a spring or springs till the block arrives at, and is locked in its
rearmost position, the bariel is then released from the breech-block, and by the
re-action of the springs, returns or moves forward to open the breech and after
assuming its fing position releases the block and permits it to move forward to
close the breech and perform other functions hereinafter specified.
The said invention comprises the following improvements -The provision on
the sliding breech-block, of a rotative head formed with interrupted or segmental
screw-threads, fillets or radial projections to engage with similar threads, fillets or
radial projections in the barrel as in the well known French bieech. The com-
bination, with the said block and rotative head of a switch and an inclined surface
arranged in the ecch-fame on cover of the fire-arm and operating in such a
manner that during the recoil the rotative locking head will be turned in one
duection about its VIN to disengage its screw-threads lillets or segmentál
projections from those in the barrel and at the termination of the return or forward
movement of the block the utative head will be rotated by a spring in the opposite
direction to lock the block to the barrel. The combination with a laterally
projecting arni on the sliding block of a pin o1 bolt arranged on the frame in
connection with a sear in such a position that at the moment when the block has
fully closed the breech and not before this moment, the said laterally projecting
arm on the block 18 depressed by a spring thereby rotating the locking head to
lock the bolt to the bairel and moving the sear to release the hammer to fire the
weapon The combination with the bariel and breech-block of a catch or detent
which acts to retain the block in its rearward position until operated to release said
block as the barrel completes its forward movement. The combination with the
breech-block and bariel of extracting and ejecting devices the latter being actuated
to jerk or kick the extracted cartridge out of the fic-arm and then move back to
its normal position as hereinafter described.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
1
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an automatic pistol constructed in accordance
with my invention. In this figure the parts are shewn in the position they occupy
before the pistol has been fired.
Figure 2 is a similar view but with the parts in the position they occupy after
fing, the barrel being shown just about to complete its forward movement and
release the breech-block
Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 1. 1 of Figure 2.
Figues 4 to 10 are detail views of the breech-block, Figure 4 boing a side

page_text: elevation; Figure 5 another side elevation as seen from the owner
a transverse section on the line 2. 2. of Figuue 5; Figure 7 a front end view;
Figure 8 a transverse section on the line 3. 3 of Figure 5; Figure 9 a side elevation
of the cylindrical portion carrying the rotative head; Figure 10 a side elevation of
the fixed head; and Figure 11 a side elevation of the firing pin.
Figures 12 and 13 are respectively a plan and an underside view of the cover
plate.
Figure 14 18 a longitudinal section of the detachable cover in which are mounted
the ejector and the switch
Figure 15 is a similar view but shows a modification of the switch
n
Figures 16 and 17 are horizontal sectional views shewing the manner in which
the ejector operates.
Figures 18 and 19 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan view shewing
the trigger, the firing sear and the hammer.
Figure 20 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism for actuating the
cartridge inagazine.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the figures.
A is the barrel and A' the spiral spring by which the saul barrel 18 caused to
nssume its firing portion after each discharge. B is the breech-block. C is the
cartridge magazine which in the example illustrated is circular and provided with
clips (Figure 3) to receive the cartridges and is contained within a cylindrical
chamber having a sliding or other door e for enabling the cartridges to be placed
in the chips Dis the hammer and D' its main spring E 18 the firing sear and
F the safety seal. Gie the trigger.
II is a detachable cover which encloses the
breech end of the barrel and the breech-block
The aforesaid breech-block is chambered to receive a rotary cylindrical piece b
having at its forward end the locking head & which rotates with the sand piece b.
This cylindrical piece and the interior of the breech-block may be formed with
grooves for the reception of anti-friction balls & which serve as bearings on which
the cylindrical piece turns within the block. Extending laterally from the said
cylindrical piece is a radial an 8 which projects through a slot & in the breech-
block Immediately in front of the rotative head is a fixed head & which is
connected to the said cylindrical piece b by means of a pin
passing through the
retative head b' and entering a segmental slot formed in a stem 6 on the fixed
head. By these means the fixed head is prevented from becoming detached or
shifting longitudinally without, however, impeding the free rotary movement of the
cylindrical piece b. The fixed and the rotative heads are formed with segmental
projections 60 which are adapted to engage with contesponding grooves in
the barrel; the locking of the breech-blook to the barrel being effected by the said
rotative head partially rotaung and thereby bringing its segmental projections
behind interual segmental projections a in the barrel." is the extractor which is
carried by the breech-block. The aforesaid fixed head is slotted to engage with
the extractor so that any tendency to rotary movement by the fixed head is thus
prevented. is a lug or arm which extends downwardly from the said fixed head
and serves to push the cartridges from the magazine up an melined surface A' into
the cartridge chamber of the barrel cach time the breech-block performs its forward
movoment. is the firing pin having near its front end a shoulder 6 and at its
rear end a collar or head b against which the hammer D strikes to file a cartridge.
The said shoulder 6 18 flattened at 61 and the stem 68 19 formed with a transverse
Blot with which the said Hattened portion & engages when the firing pin is in place,
Near the
whereby the said firing pin 18 prevented from turning about its axis.
rear end of the firing pin is a pin on projection b which engages with a longitudinal
slot the breech-block and limits the extent of the real ward movement of the
firing pin. is a spring which acts upon the radial arın b³ and normally tends to
keep it pressed in a downward duection that is to say in the position represented
in Figures 5 and 6. Instead of arranging this spring as shewn in the drawings it
may be in a spiral form and surround the cylindrical portion b.

page_text: I is a cover plate which supports the breech end of the barrel and the breech-
block, the latter travelling on this plate during its to and fro movements. The said
plate is provided on its under side with a sliding rod or bat i having at its front
end a stump or projection and at its rear end a transverse piece that engages
with a pivoted catch. The aforesaid stump protrudes through a slotted opening
in the said plate and cenpies such a position that it can be acted upon by u
projection a¹ on the underside of the barrel. The said sliding bar is controlled by
asping which keeps the said bar in its rearward position and causes the catch?³
to protinde through the said plate and occupy a position to engage with a notch or
recess in the underside of the breech-block
and
The detachable cover H (see Figures 14 and 15) has formed on its interior an
inclined surface or ledge extending upwardly from a vertical slot to a horizontal
groove. Above the inclined ledge is situated a pivoted switch which is of
tangular shape and normally held by a spring in such a position that its upper
edge constitutes a continuation of the horizontal groove h as shewn in Figure 14.
The said switch is free to move upwardly about its pivot against the tension of the
aforesaid spring but cannot move in the opposite direction. The aforesaid
arm on the cylindrical portion of the breech-block projects into the slot
consequently when the sliding barrel and breech-block recoil together, the said arm
ascends the inclined ledge hand reaches the horizontal groove thereby turning
the rotative head in a duection to unlock the block from the barrel Therefore
when the said block reaches its rear most position, the barrel is able to return without
the block which is held back by the pivoted catch and thus the breech is opened.
Just
prior to the termination of the forward movement of the barrel the projection a
thereon stukes against the stump on the sliding bar whereby the latter is
shifted forward and by acting ou the sand catch disengages it from the breech
block, and allows the latter to advance under the influence of springs B' and
close the breech. During this advance of the block the aforesaid arm & travels
along the horizontal portion of the switch and consequently the rotative head
remains in its unlocked position until the arm arrives over the vertical slot A, that
is to say until the segmental projections on the rotative head have resumed their
proper position to again engage with the internal segments a in the bariel. T'he
said arm theu immediately descends thus vertical alot under the action of
the spring and turns the rotative bead in a direction to again lock the
breech-block to the barrel.
Pivoted at
the safety seat
into the slot
just below the plate I is a lever of which engages at one end with
and carries at its opposite end a pin f' which projects vertically
(see Figure 2).
The spindle of the hammer D is provided with two bents d' d' with which
when the hammer is fully cocked the safety and firing ears respectively engage
under the action of their springs F and E. When the aforesaid aim 68 of the
breech-block descends in the vertical slot it forces down the said pin / thereby
tuning the lever about its pivot and raising the safety sear out of engageineut
with the bent d'. The weapon is then in a condition to be fired when the trigger
is pulled to raise the firing sear E This firing seat E has a finger E (Figure 18)
which rests upon the leaf or extension G' of the trigger so that when the trigger
18 pulled the said extension raises the firing sea to release the hammer, provided
the safety gear has been previously disengaged as above stated.
The cocking of the hammer is effected automatically by the recoil of the
bieech-block but in order to enable the hammer to be cocked by hand an external
arm D is mounted on the spindle d.
Js the ejector which is pivoted in the side of the cover H (see Figures 14
16 and 17) and is connected by a link to a lever having at its free end a cam
or projection against which a shoulder a' on the barrel strikes as the said bairel
assumes its firing position. is a cam having lugs projecting laterally 5
therefrom, one of them being kept abutting against a lug on the ejector J by
a spiral spring'. The barrel has a projection a' ther con which, when the breech-

page_text: block and barrel recoil, strikes against the lug and turns the cam backwardly
against the tension of the spring, without operating the ejector, the aforesaid
spring returning the boss to its original position as soon as the projection a² has
passed. Then on the return movement of the barrel (the breech-block remaining
behind with the cartridge case held by the extractor ) the projection a strikes
the lug and causes the cam to turn forwardly and jerk the ojector forcibly
inward into the position represented in Figure 16 whereby the cartridge case
receives a smart lateral blow that ejects it through the opening H2 in the cover H.
The barrel contioning its for ward movement next bungs its shoulder a' against
the curved projection or cam on the lever whereby the latter is caused to
shift about its pivot and turn the ejector into its original position as shewn in
Figure 17.
The rotary magazine C receives its intermittent rotary movement by a
pivoted lever K (Figures 1, 2 and 20) one end of which carries a spring controlled
driving pawl & engaging with ps on a pin wheel in the magazine. The other
end of the said lever caries an anti-friction roller which projects through a
slot formed in the plate 1. This end of the lever is kopt pressed upwardly into
a recess a in the barrel by a spring 1 so that when the barrel recoils the lever K
will be rocked and its pawl & caused to engage with a fresh pin on the pin-wheel c.
Therefore as the barrel regains its fining position and brings its recess a opposite
the roller k¹ on the lever K the latter will be rocked in the reverse lirection by
the sping forcing the roller into the sad recess a*. The magazine will thus be
revolved one step to bring the next cartridge uppermost just before the breech-
block is released by the removal of the catch as hereinbefore explained.
As the breech-block advances in closing the breech the lug or arm forces the
uppermost cartridge from the magazine up the incline A' into the barrel as already
stated and the weapon is then ready for the next discharge So long as the trigger
is kept pulled the weapon will continue hiring automatically until all the cartridges
in the magazine are spent.
The aforesaid switch may sometimes be constructed as shewn at Figure 15
and the slot instead of being vertical may be inclined as illustrated in this
figure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state that I am
aware that it has before been proposed to employ in automatic fite-arms a breech-
block that is locked and unlocked by means of a rotary movement obtained by
suitably arranged inclines and to such 1 make no claim, except as described with.
reference to my improvements, but what I do claim is
-
1. In an
automatic fire-arm, a breech block constructed and operating
substantially as described with reference to Figures 4 to 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
2. In an automatic fire-arm the combination with the rotative head on the
aforesaid breech-block, of a spring controlled radial arm and a switch and incline
arranged and operating substantially as herembefore described and for the purpose
specified.
3. In an automatic fire-am the combination with the safety sear, of a pivoted
or hinged lever which acts in conjunction with the aforesaid radial arm and can.
only operate after the breech-block has been completely locked to the barrel
substantially as described.
4 In an automatic fic-aim the combination with the spring controlled breech-
block of the pivoted or hinged catch which restrains the forward movement of the
breech-block until actuated by a sliding bar or 1od operated by the battel as the
Intter completes its forward movement substantially as described.
5. The construction of the ejecting mechanism substantially as described with
reference to Figures 14, 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings
6. In an automatic fire-aim the combination with the hammer of a safety sear

page_text: and a firing sear which are constructed and arranged to operate substantially as
described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 18 and 19 of the drawings.
7. In an automatic fire-arm a detachable cover constructed with the aforesaid
incline and switch substantially as described.
8. An automatic fire-arm having its parts coustiucted ai ranged and combined to
operate substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings
Dated this 4th day of August 1806.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.