AND apparatus
Year: 1873

page_text: DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said Thorsten Nordenfelt as such Assignee, as aforesaid,
pursuant to the Statute in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS in the Specification filed in accordance with a proviso contained in
the said Letters Patent several clerical errors have been found: And whereas I am
advised that certain of the claims are too wide or relate to matters which the
Specification has not sufficiently described:
I therefor for these reasons desire to disclaim and alter the said Specification,
and I do hereby disclaim and alter the same by correcting the spelling of the
word "videlicet" at page 4, line 22, of the Specification as it is printed by Her
Majesty's Printers.
Also by inserting at page 5, line 7, after the wordes "cases away" (which should
form the end of the paragraph), the words "The spreading apparatus. This."
"
Also on the same page by inserting at line 17, after the word "The," the word
cartridge," and after the word "box" the words "or magazine."
Also on page 8, at line 7, by striking out after the words "the latter" the full
stop and the word "The," and inserting in place the word "the."

page_text: 66
"TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN HENRY
"JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
"send greeting. WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
"Her Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our
"Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty sixth year
" of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
"the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license, that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
"time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, 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 "A NEW OR IMPROVED BATTERY
"GUN," a communication to me from abroad by Helge Palmerantz, Civil Engineer,
"Johan Théodor Winborg, Manufacturer, both of Stockholm, and Eric Unge, of
Motala, in the Kingdom of Sweden, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
" in writing under my hand and seal, 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 John Henry Johnson, 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
"
64
"
84

page_text: The former consists of,
"The barrels, ten different ones all lying in the same plane, and parallel to each
"other in the front part of the frame in which the weapon reposes.
"The firing mechanism is enclosed in the gun box, which is moveable to and fro
"on guides, and is perforated with cylindrical holes in which are to be found the.
" breech pins with their self-locking extractors, and with percussion needles, the
"percussion hammers or cogs, and the spiral springs. Behind and beneath
"the turned down and swelled front part of the gun box are fixed the driving
plate and the bolt plate, to which latter the stoppers are united. On two arms
applied on the back piece of the frame rests the trigger comb, which bends and
"releases the spiral springs. All these parts are combined with each other by
means of a crank, which catches in the bolt plate and in the driving plate.
"
"The Feeding Apparatus.-By means of a feeding arm the movement of the.
gun box is conveyed to the carrier block, whose object is to bring cartridges to
"the rear ends of the barrels, and after the discharge to carry the exploded shells
or cases away.
"The Spreading Apparatus.-This serves to spread the projectiles automatically
on the shooting plane in the form of a fan. This consists of an arm moveable
"around a centre, and combined both with the bent lever which is moved by the
gunner to and fro, and so as to put in motion the whole mechanism, and also
"with the slide on the back pieces of the frame.
"The pointing instrument is mounted on the support, and is combined with the
"slide which encloses the ball of the elevation screw, which can be moved in u
"horizontal direction by another screw at right angles to the first-named screw.
"The cartridge box or magazine has a particular chamber for each barrel, and is
placed immediately above the carrier block. The chambers in which the
cartridges are piled up have a form corresponding to the longitudinal section
"of the cartridges.
«
66
"The power and motion required for operating the weapon are furnished by the
" gunner in moving the bent lever to and fro with his right band, and for each
complete movement a volley is discharged. The feeding goes on uninterruptedly
"without any other interference by hand than the changing of the box for each
"two hundred and fifty shot or more.
"The support of the battery gun must vary in condition according to the use
"for which it is intended. For service in the field a carriage most suitable.
"The whole arm with limber is to be drawn by two horses, and the serving is
"accomplished by only one man.
"
"And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same; and for that purpose shall refer
"to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of
"reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
66
Figure 1 is a plan of the gun as seen from above, partly broken through above
"the mechanism and with the magazine removed.

page_text: Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line A, B, in Figure 1, and
"with the magazine attached.
"
"
Figure 3 represents the feeding apparatus.
Figure 4, the pointing instrument.
"And Figure 5, the magazine detached.
"
Figures 1, 2, and 3 are drawn to a scale of one-fifth of their full size, and
Figures 4 and 5 to a scale of one-tenth. The gun or weapon itself can be placed
" in any position as it rests in a frame (1), which can be moved in a vertical plane
"round its two horizontal gudgeons (2) mounted on a vertical two-armed stand (3),
"which is itself moveable in a horizontal plane on a pivot in the turn-table (4)
"fastened to the carriage or main support.
"
"The Barrels-The frame 1 has three cross pieces, and the barrels are inserted
" in front (to a number of ten in the Drawing), all lying in the same plane and
parallel to each other. The butt ends of the barrels are screwed into the metallic
"centre cross piece (5), and the muzzles rest in the front cross piece (6), which, as
"well as the centre cross piece, is firmly attached to the frame by means of keys
" or wedges (7) strongly united to the end cross piece (8) on which is fixed the
spreading apparatus, the trigger comb, and the moving mechanism; consequently
"these parts can without difficulty be removed.
"
"The firing mechanism is enclosed in the gun box 9, which in this gun is of cast
"iron. This is moveable to and fro on guides 10 and perforated with cylindrical
"holes answering in number to the barrels directly facing them and running in
"the same direction. In the front part of the holes an equal number of tubular
"breech pins 11 are fastened, each provided on the inside with a percussion
"needle (12), and on the outside with a self-locking extractor (13). The extractors
are inserted in grooves in the breech pins where they are free to move a little to
" and fro, and together with the breech pins are screwed in the holes in the gun
" box.
"
"
"
66
"In Figure 1 four of the breech pins are removed in order to shew plainly the
"carrier block (14), one breech pin is also seen in section. The percussion
" hammers or cocks (15) are situate behind the breech pins, and between these
" and the rear end cross pieces (16) of the gun box are disposed the spiral main
springs (17). Each cock has a sloping tenon or projection (18) running each in
its separate straight groove in the bottom of the gun box. Behind and on the
"front part (19) of the gun box, which is made thicker and stronger, there is a
"secured the driving plate 20 for causing the forward and backward motion of the
gun box. Under the above-mentioned thicker and stronger part 19 is fitted the
"bolt plate 21 moveable around a centre pivot, and connected in such a manner
"with the locking bolts or stoppers 22 that these when worked by the bolt plate
may simultaneously receive a longitudinal motion transversely to the gun. The
gun box being in its forward or advanced position, the bolts or stoppers engage
"in holes made in the sides of the frame (as shown in Figure 1) so as to lock the
gun box whilst in that position, and receive the recoil on firing the gun.
"On two arms 23 attached to the inner side of the end cross piece 8 the trigger
"comb 24 rests, capable of a slight lateral movement in guiding cross grooves on
"the arins 23. The object of the trigger comb is to compress the spiral springs
"when the gun box is moved forward, and afterwards to release them when the
"successive firing of the barrels is to take place. This is effected by the trigger
"comb, which is formed with vertical teeth 25 bevelled or inclined on their left
"sides and differing in length, but equal in number to the cocks. The trigger
"comb is further provided with a sloping projecting arm 26, and by the short
"lever 27 and the spring 28 it is forced towards the left side of the frame. In
"this position the teeth partly and successively cover the grooves traversed by
"the projections 18 of the hammers or cocks 15. Hence it follows that the cocks
"become stationary during the advancing motion of the gun box and operate on
"the spiral springs by compressing them. The gun box having been advanced,
" and the locking bolts or stoppers 22 having been simultaneously protruded, the

page_text: trigger 29 combined with the moving mechanism acts on the sloping projecting
arm 26 of the trigger comb, thereby thrusting it to the right side and successively
"releasing the several cocks or hammers. Moreover, the trigger comb is provided
"with a protruding and accessible arm (30), by means of which, when thrust to
"the right, it can easily be held by the action of the catch 31 in a closed or
inoperative condition.
1
"The parts of the mechanism already described are connected with each other
by means of the lever arm 32 moveable through the shaft 33 and provided at its
"front end with a protruding tooth 34 and anti-friction roller 35, the former
"catching in the corresponding notch of the bolt plate and the latter running in
"the slot in the driving plate 20, thus communicating to both plates their
respective movements.
"The Feeding Apparatus, Figure 3.-Through the medium of the feeding
"arm 36 which is connected with the carrier block 14 by means of a hook 37
"formed on or attached to the latter, the movement of the gun box is conveyed to
"the carrier block moving on guides, the object of which is to supply cartridges
"to the breech ends of the barrels at each volley after the discharge of the shots,
"and to remove from the extractors the exploded cartridge casos and carry them
away. For this purpose the carrier block is supplied with troughs or recesses 38
corresponding in number to the barrels, and having grooves for the extractors
"therein. The troughs are during the charging so placed that all the breech pins
may enter them simultaneously (Figure 1 shows partly the appearance of the
"carrier block from above, likewise its position on the discharge of the shots
"exactly opposite to the breech ends of the barrels).
"
"
"
86
After firing, and when the gun box and the breech pins have moved backwards,
"the carrier block receives by means of the feeding arm a left-hand motion, so as
"to bring the troughs at the completion of the operation under the orifices 39 on
"the lid or cover 40, and free from the cartridge cases or shells which have
"escaped by that movement. To carry out this operation the feeding arm 36 has
a forked notch 41, in which the antifriction roller 42 placed on the gun box
engages as it moves back, so that in its backward and forward motion it will
cause the arm 36, by reason of the oblique position of the fork to the direction
"of motion of the antifriction roller, to move by turns to the right and to the left.
"In cleaning the gun or in dismounting it, the carrier block can be readily
" removed.
"
"
66
"The Spreading or Dispersing Apparatus.-On the bent part of the bent lever 44
" is a rising tenon or pin 43 connecting it with the spreading or dispersing
apparatus, the object of which is to spread or disperse the projectiles in the plane
"of fire in the form of a fan. This is accomplished by means of the spreading
"crank 45 moveable around the centre 46, and having a groove in its bent end 50,
so shaped as to give periodically to the spreading crank 45 (by the pin 43 in the
"bent lever (44) running in the groove) a uniform and angular movement. This
"movement is transmitted to the main frame by the connecting rod 47, one end
"of which is united to the slide 48, whilst the other end is provided with a
turning joint and an attachment screw (49), so as to be moveable in the straight
part of the spreading crank 45. The end piece of the main frame has a guide 50,
"which works in the said slide 48; and as this slide is immoveably fastened to the
elevating screw 51, the frame consequently must partake of the motion which
causes the spreading of the projectiles on the discharge of the shots. By moving
"the attachment screw (49) to varied distances from the centre 46, the spreading
angle may be most accurately regulated, and in the centre position the gun
"remains stationary.
"
E
46
"The whole mechanism just described is put in motion when the bent lever 44,
"attached to the same shaft as the crank (32) is moved backwards and forwards
"by the gunner.
"The pointing or aiming instrument, Figure 4, is mounted on the carriage or
support and attached to the slide (48), so as to leave room in its spherical socket:

page_text: "
(which is supplied with a wedge 52) for the reception of the ball (53) on the
"elevation screw. The nut or casing (54) of the elevation screw may be moved
" in a horizontal direction by a second screw (55) in a direction at right angles to
"the first-named screw, and the side motion thereby caused in the gun may bé
entirely regulated by the adjusting screw (56). By this arrangement the
adjustment is easy and certain, and the trajectory of each volley may, without
"loss of time or any particular adjustment, be changed in its position in the plane
" of fire, in addition to which the pointing instrument, by the aid of the adjusting
"screws, may be used in the spreading of the projectiles.
"E
"The magazine, Figure 5, has its place on the lid immediately above the carrier
"block, and consists of an obliquely cut parallelopiped box with a separate
"chamber (57) for each barrel. The chambers in which the cartridges are piled
up can be closed by means of a moveable bottom common to them all, and having
rectangular holes therein.
11
"
"When the magazine is applied the bottom pushes itself, leaving the orifices (58)
"of the chambers free, so that the cartridges may unobstructedly fall down
through the said orifices in the lid into the chambers of the carrier block.
Every chamber has a slit made in it for the observation of the consumption of
cartridges during the firing, and each chamber corresponds in form to the
longitudinal section of the cartridges, and is provided with a rabbet for the
flange of the cartridges. When the magazine is to be loaded this rabbet conducts
"the cartridges, so that they arrange themselves systematically on each other
"when falling through into the chamber. The lever arm 59 provided with an
" eccentric serves to keep the magazine in its proper place.
"
86
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"In order to establish a continuous feeding a different construction of the
magazine can be used, but a special apparatus will then be required, videlicet, a
"conductor of the cartridges (see Figure 6). In this case the magazine may be
similarly constructed to that before described, but much smaller, and with the
"chambers lying close together, and provided with a sliding bar instead of the
"moveable bottom.
"
st
"The conductor of the cartridges resembles the magazine before described, but
"it is open at both ends, and the chambers slope together at the upper end, where
they are enclosed within a rim. When charging, the conductor of the cartridges
" is fastened in the same manner as before described in reference to the fastening
"of the magazine, and the magazine now described is placed within the rim of the
"conductor of the cartridges, whereupon the sliding bar is withdrawn and the
"cartridges fall down to be supplied by others as soon as fired by changing the
" magazine for another charged with fresh cartridges. Should it not be desired
" to make use of the magazine for loading, this operation may be accomplished by
spreading the cartridges on the openings in the lid which is moveable on its
joint.
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"The gun is supplied with a protecting plate under the mechanism, and with
" openings for lubrication so placed as to allow of its being lubricated while in
"action. The fore and back sights are placed in the middle of the gun or at its
IF side.
#t
"The carriage or support of the battery gun will vary in form according to the
use for which it is intended, whether for land or sea service.
"
For field service, the gun carriage is the most suitable support, and should be
" of iron, and provided on its trail with a seat on which the gunner sits astride.
"For the protection of the gunner, who by reason of his position presents but a
very small surface exposed to fire, this battery gun may be provided with a
"shield or screen. The recoil is counteracted by the shape of the trail and by
"the weight of the gunner sitting thereon.
86
"
"The operation of this battery gun is as follows:-The power and motion
required for operating the gun are furnished by the gunner, who by moving the
"bent lever to and fro with his right hand causes a volley to be discharged at each
"double motion.

page_text: "
Figure 1 shows the position of each of the different parts of the battery gun
"relatively to the others at the moment when the first shot is discharged; the
"lever is then in the act of advancing, and on continuing its forward movement
"the remaining shots are successively discharged, the rapidity of the discharge
depending on the movement of the lever. During the discharge the spreading
apparatus acts so as to communicate to the projectiles a radial direction. The
"spreading crank is compelled by the tenon or pin on the lever to turn from right·
"to left. The slide, on the contrary, by reason of its fixed position, cannot by the
connecting rod be moved from its place, but the frame with the parts attached
"to it is moved, hence the barrels must partake of the motion moving from left to
right.
"By the time the whole of the barrels have been discharged, the lever will have
"reached its most forward position, and when it is brought back again to that
represented in Figure 1, the gun is restored to its original position, and the
"firing mechanism is stationary. By continuing the retrograde movement of the
"lever the locking bolts or stoppers are drawn in, and the gun box, the breech
"pins, and the extractors attached to it are brought backwards, causing the
exploded cartridge cases to be extracted.
"While the lever is drawn backwards the carrier block moves to the left, and
"the spent cases are set free from the extractors and fall down through the
"openings in the carrier block; when the latter has accomplished its movement
"it is ready to receive the cartridges required for another volley. These
"cartridges fall from the chambers of the magazine through the orifices in-
"the lid.
"When the lever is in its most backward position all the projections of the
"percussion hammers are then behind the teeth of the trigger comb. If the lever
"be caused to advance the carrier block moves to the right in such a manner as to
cause its chambers supplied with fresh cartridges to come immediately opposite
"to the breech ends of the barrels, and the gun box moves forward, thereby com-
pressing the main springs and loading the barrels, into which the cartridges are
"introduced by the action of the breech pins.
"In the manner just described the gun is again made ready for firing, which
"operation may be commenced by the further advancement of the lever and
brought about in the manner above described.
16
The
"The peculiarities and advantages of this gun are as follows, videlicet:-
"The mechanism is simple, consisting of strong parts well protected; the move-
"ments are chiefly caused by levers communicating but little rapidity to the
"moveable parts as distinguished from the revolving systems in general use.
"mechanism consequently suffers but little from the action of dust or rain, and is
"not injured by the residuum of gunpowder, but should any dirt accumulate, the
" injurious effect will not be important owing to the slow movements of the axis
" and pivots.
"
"Every part is directly accessible for cleaning and lubrication, while the
mechanism is in consequence of its simple construction easily managed, taken to
"pieces, and put together again.
"The barrels, breech pins, needles, extractors, and springs may all be exchanged
" for others without the necessity for taking the whole to pieces.
"The barrels are independent of each other, so that should one or more of them
get out of order the remaining ones may without any interruption to the firing
"be supplied; moreover, being independent of the mechanism they may easily be
"cleaned and exchanged for others.
"The magazines are devoid of loose weights, springs, and weakening grooves;
"consequently they are strong and not liable to get out of order, and may without
"inconvenience be conveyed ready charged.
"The system admits of the use of cartridges of different lengths, provided the
magazine and carrier block are made to correspond.
"The feeding proceeds uninterruptedly without any other exchange by hand

page_text: "
"
being requisite than the changing of the magazine for each two hundred and
"fiftieth shot or more. The cartridges moreover during the feeding process have
more time to escape than in the revolving systems now in use, since more orifices
are used, and the feeding apparatus is stationary during the introduction of the
cartridges, which on entering the barrels are not pressed by others lying above
them, and thus the otherwise common inconvenience of the suspending and
"squeezing of the cartridges is entirely removed.
"
68
"
"
"The rarely occuring change of magazines, which is easily effected however in
a few seconds, renders the firing less dependent on a practised and careful
service.
"The spent cartridge cases are removed with certainty after each discharge, but
even supposing that the cases from some reason or other should remain in one or
more of the barrels, the firing of the others is not thereby hindered.
"Hanging fire,' when using ammunition of an inferior quality, does not cause.
"any inconvenience, as the breech pins remain closed sufficiently long.
"
.
"The closeness of the breech pins is complete, and the recoil is received by the
heavy gun box, thereby preventing its affecting the firing mechanism.
"The firing mechanism may instantly be shut or locked so as to prevent the
"percussion hammers from acting, and the men may thus be exercised, although
"the cartridges may be loaded with ball without any danger of their exploding,
"and without any useless compression of the springs.
&
"The main springs are uniform, and but slightly compressed relatively to their
length, thus tending to increase their durability.
"Both the firing and the spreading of the projectiles is effected automatically,
" and either shot after shot may be fired or volley on volley, and the spreading
" operation may be augmented or diminished at pleasure, or be effected by hand
" with the pointing instrument.
"
"The vertical and horizontal aim with the pointing instrument may be accom-
plished by the gunner by hand and during the firing.
"
Rapidity of the discharge, now amounting to ten shots a second, may on an
average be reckoned at five hundred a minute, and can be increased to a greater
"extent than by any hitherto known system.
"
"The loading can be done by hand should the magazine be wanting, and the
rapidity of the discharge is even then equal to that of the French mitrailleuses.
"The serving is effected by one man, whose sitting posture presents only a very
"small exposed surface, which may be still more diminished by employing a screen
" or shield.
"The weight of the gun differs somewhat according to the varying thickness of
"the material and the lengths of the barrels, but in any case the gun may be
"carried by the men alone, if necessary, over the roughest ground, and even on the
"field of battle.
Finally, the gun can be instantly dismounted by removing the carrier block,
"which is easily accessible, and is necessary for the use of the gun, and cannot
"readily be replaced. The gun may easily be lifted from its carriage by knocking
" out the wedge in front of the ball on the elevating screw.
绪
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
"Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
" effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
" and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
"recited Letters Patent is,―
"
Firstly. The peculiar construction and arrangement of battery gun, substantially
as herein described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
"
Secondly. The general construction, arrangement, and mode of using the
"feeding apparatus, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by the
Drawings annexed.
- $
Thirdly. The general combination and arrangement of mechanism for actuating

page_text: "
or working the gun by lever movements, substantially as herein before described
"and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
"
Fourthly. The peculiar construction and arrangement of the driving plate, with
"its groove or slot so shaped as to produce a reciprocating movement with short
"intervals of repose, and imparting to the gun box, with its breech pins and
"extractors, a varied speed and power during different parts of the movement,
"substantially as herein-before described.
"
"
Fifthly. The general construction, arrangement, and mode of operating the bolt
plate and the stoppers connected therewith, substantially in the manner and for
"the purpose herein-before described.
"
Sixthly. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of the gun
"box and barrels, in conjunction or not with an end piece common to all the springs,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
st
"
S
65
Seventhly. The trigger comb, with its peculiar movement and mode of closing,
provided with teeth so shaped as to impart a successive firing of the shots, either
singly or two or more at a time, substantially as herein-before described.
"
Eighthly. The peculiar spreading apparatus or mechanism so constructed as to
cause an automatic and uniform distribution of the projectiles, substantially in
"the manner herein-before described,
It
"Ninthly. The spreading crank with its peculiarly shaped grooves, arranged and
operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described
"and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
"Tenthly. The pointing or aiming instrument, with its peculiar nut or casing and
"regulating screws, when arranged and caused to operate substantially as and for
"the purpose herein-before described.
"Eleventhly. The peculiar construction of magazine, with its rabbets and with
"chambers separated by intervening spaces, or with chambers disposed close to each
other, substantially as herein-before described."
In witness whereof, I, the said Thorsten Nordenfelt, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the within named Thorsten Nordenfelt, as
Assignee of the said Letters Patent, to file in the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents for Inventions, with the Specification to which the same relates, the within
written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
Dated this 12th day of January 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"A NEW OR IMPROVED BATTERY GUN." -A communication from abroad
by Helge Palmerantz, Civil Engineer, Johan Théodor Winborg,
Manufacturer, both of Stockholm, and Eric Unge, of Motala, in
the Kingdom of Sweden.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th May 1873.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED BATTERY GUN," a communication to
me from abroad by Helge Palmcrantz, Civil Engineer, Johan Théodor
Winborg, Manufacturer, both of Stockholm, and Eric Unge, of Motala,
in the Kingdom of Sweden, to be as follows:—
This battery gun consists of a fire-arm destined to be used in war, and
is alike serviceable by land and on water.

page_text: The construction of this fire-arm is quite new and independent, and is
not on the revolving system; it operates quickly and with certainty, and
its qualities surpass by far every kind of fire-arm hitherto known.
The barrels, 10 different ones, all lying in the same plane, and
parallel to each other in the front part of the frame in which the weapon
reposes.
1
The firing mechanism is enclosed in the gun box, which is moveable to
and fro on guides, and is perforated with cylindrical holes, in which aro
to be found the breech pins with their self-locking extractors and with
percussion needles, the percussion hammers or cogs, and the spiral
springs. Behind and beneath the turned down and swelled front part 1
of the gun box are fixed the driving plate and the bolt plate, to which
latter the stoppers are united. On two arms applied on the back picco
of the frame rests the trigger comb, which bends and releases the spiral
springs. All these parts are combined with each other by means of a
crank which catches in the bolt plate and in the driving plate.
The Feeding Apparatus.-By means of a feeding arm the movement
of the gun box is conveyed to the carrier block, whose object is to bring
cartridges to the rear ends of the barrels, and after the discharge to
carry the exploded shells away.
2
The spreading apparatus serves to spread the projectiles automatically 2
on the shooting plane in the form of a fan. This consists of an arm
moveable around a centre, and combined both with the bent lever, which,
moved by the gunner to and fro, and so as to put in motion the whole
mechanism, and also with the slide on the back pieces of the frame.
The pointing instrument is mounted on the support, and is combined 3
with the slide, which encloses the ball of the elevation screw,
which can
be moved in a horizontal direction by another screw at right angles to
the first-named screw.
The box has a particular chamber for each barrel, and is placed
immediately above the carrier block. The chambers in which the 3

page_text: cartridges are piled up have a form corresponding to the longitudinal
section of the cartridges.
The power and motion required for operating the weapon are furnished
by the gunner in moving the bent lever to and fro with his right hand,
and for each accomplished turn a volley is discharged. The feeding goes
on uninterruptedly without any other interference by hand than the
changing of the box for each 250 shot, or more.
The support of the battery gun
the use for which it is intended.
most suitable.
must vary in condition according to
For service in the field a carriage is
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th November 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the 36th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license
that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, 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 "A NEW OR IMPROVED BATTERY
GUN," a communication to me from abroad by Helge Palmerantz, Civil
Engineer, Johan Théodor Winborg, Manufacturer, both of Stockholm,
and Eric Unge, of Motala, in the Kingdom of Sweden, upon the condition

page_text: (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 5
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, 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, reference being had to the accompanying ]
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
The said Invention consists of an improved form and arrangement of
mitrailleuse or repeating battery gun with improved firing mechanism,
feeding apparatus, spreading apparatus for dispersing the shot, an
improved pointing instrument and charge box.
This battery gun consists of a fire-arm destined to be used in war, and
which is alike serviceable by land and on water.
The construction of this [fire-arm is quite new and independent, and is
not on the revolving system; it operates quickly and with certainty,
and its qualities surpass by far every kind of fire-arm hitherto known.

page_text: of the frame rests the trigger comb, which bends and releases the spiral
springs. All these parts are combined with each other by means of a
crank, which catches in the bolt plate and in the driving plate.
The Feeding Apparatus.-By means of a feeding arm the movement
5 of the gun box is conveyed to the carrier block, whose object is to bring
cartridges to the rear ends of the barrels, and after the discharge to carry
the exploded shells or cases away serves to spread the projectiles
automatically on the shooting plane in the form of a fan. This consists
of an arm moveable around a centre, and combined both with the bent
O lever which is moved by the gunner to and fro, and so as to put in
motion the whole mechanism, and also with the slide on the back pieces
of the frame.
The pointing instrument is mounted on the support, and is combined
with the slide which encloses the ball of the elevation screw which can
be moved in a horizontal direction by another screw at right angles to
the first-named screw.
The box has a particular chamber for each barrel; and is placed
immediately above the carrier block. The chambers in which the
cartridges are piled up have a form corresponding to the longitudinal
section of the cartridges.
The
power and motion required for operating the weapon are furnished
by the gunner in moving the bent lever to and fro with his right hand,
and for each complete movement a volley is discharged. The feeding
goes on uninterruptedly without any other interference by hand than
the changing of the box for cach two hundred and fifty shot, or more.
The support of the battery gun must vary in condition according to
the use for which it is intended. For service in the field a carriage is
most suitable.
The whole arm, with limber, is to be drawn by two horses, and the
serving is accomplished by only one man.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that
purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of
Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts
in all the corresponding Figures, .

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan of the gun as seen from above, partly broken
through above the mechanism, and with the magazine removed.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line A, B, in
Figure 1, and with the magazine attached.
Figure 3 represents the feeding apparatus.
Figure 4, the pointing instrument.
And Figure 5, the magazine detached.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 are drawn to a scale of one-fifth of their full size,
and Figures 4 and 5 to a scale of one-tenth. The gun or weapon itself
can be placed in any position as it rests in a frame (1), which can be
moved in a vertical plane round its two horizontal gudgeons (2) mounted
on a vertical two-armed stand (3) which is itself moveable in a horizontal
plane on a pivot in the turn-table (4) fastened to the carriage or main
support.
The Barrels. The frame 1 has three cross pieces, and the barrels are 1
inserted in front (to the number of ten in the Drawing), all lying in the
same plane, and parallel to each other. The butt ends of the barrels are
screwed into the metallic centre cross piece (5), and the muzzles rest in
the front cross piece (6) which, as well as the centre cross piece, is firmly
attached to the frame by means of keys or wedges (7) strongly united 2
to the end cross piece (8), on which is fixed the spreading apparatus, tho
trigger comb, and the moving mechanism; consequently these parts
can without. difficulty be removed.
The firing mechanism is enclosed in the gun box 9, which in this
gun is of cast iron. This is moveable to and fro on guides 10, and 2
perforated with cylindrical holes answering in number to the barrels,
directly facing them and running in the same direction. In the front
part of the holes an equal number of tubular breech pins 11 are
fastened, each provided on the inside with a percussion needle (12), and
on the outside with a self-locking extractor (13). The extractors are
inserted in grooves in the breech pins, where they are free to move a
little to and fro, and together with the breech pins are screwed in the
holes in the gun box.
In Figure 1 four of the breech pins are removed, in order to shew
plainly the carrier block (14); one breech pin is also seen in section.
The percussion hammers or cocks (15) are situatė behind the breech

page_text: pins, and between these and the rear end cross pieces (16) of the gun box
are disposed the spiral main springs (17). Each cock has a sloping
tenon or projection (18), running each in its separate straight groove in
the bottom of the gun box. Behind and on the front part 19 of the
gun box, which is made thicker and stronger, there is secured the
driving plate 20 for causing the forward and backward motion of the
gun box. Under the above-mentioned thicker and stronger part 19 is
fitted the bolt plate 21 moveable around a centre pivot, and connected
in such a manner with the locking bolts or stoppers 22, that these
when worked by the bolt plate may simultaneously receive a longi-
tudinal motion transversely to the gun. The gun box being in its
forward or advanced position, the bolts or stoppers engage in holes made
in the sides of the frame (as shown in Figure 1), so as to lock the gun
box whilst in that position, and receive the recoil on firing the gun.
On two arms 23 attached to the inner side of the end cross piece 8
the trigger comb 24 rests, capable of a slight lateral movement in
guiding cross grooves on the arms 23. The object of the trigger comb
is to compress the spiral springs when the gun box is moved forward,
and afterwards to release them when the successive firing of the barrels
is to take place. This is effected by the trigger comb, which is formed
with vertical teeth 25 bevelled or inclined on their left sides, and
differing in length, but equal in number to the cocks. The trigger
comb is further provided with a sloping projecting arm 26, and by the
short lever 27 and the spring 28 it is forced towards the left side of
the frame. In this position the teeth partly and successively cover the
grooves traversed by the projections 18 of the hammers or cocks 15.
Henco it follows that the cocks become stationary during the advancing
motion of the gun box, and operate on the spiral springs by compressing
them. The gun box having been advanced, and the locking bolts or
stoppers 22 having been simultaneously protruded, the trigger 29
combined with the moving mechanism acts on the sloping projecting
arm 26 of the trigger comb, thereby thrusting it to the right side, and
successively releasing the several cocks or hammers. Moreover, the
trigger comb is provided with a protruding and accessible arm (30), by
mcans of which, when thrust to the right, it can easily be held by the
action of the catch 31 in a closed or inoperative condition.
The parts of the mechanism already described are connected with each
other by means of the lever arm 32 moveable through the shaft 33,

page_text: and provided at its front end with a protruding tooth 34 and anti-
friction roller 35, the former catching in the corresponding notch of
the bolt plate, and the latter running in the slot in the driving plate 20,
thus communicating to both plates their respective movements.
The feeding apparatus (Figure 3).-Through the medium of the feeding 5
arm 36, which is connected with the carrier block 14 by means of a
hook 37 formed on or attached to the latter. The movement of the
gun box is conveyed to the carrier block, moving on guides, the object
of which is to supply cartridges to the breech ends of the barrels at each
volley after the discharge of the shots, and to remove by the extractors 1
the exploded cartridge cases and carry them away. For this purpose,
the carrier block is supplied with troughs or recesses 38, corresponding
in number to the barrels, and having grooves for the extractors therein.
The troughs are during the charging so placed that all the breech pins
may enter them simultaneously (Figure 1 shows partly the appearance
.of the carrier block from above, likewise its position on the discharge of
the shots, exactly opposite to the breech ends of the barrels).
After firing, and when the gun box and the breech pins have moved
backwards, the carrier block receives by means of the feeding arm a
left-hand motion, so as to bring the troughs at the completion of the
operation under the orifices 39 on the lid or cover 40, and free from
the cartridge cases or shells which have escaped by that movement. To
carry out this operation, the feeding arm 36 has a forked notch 41,
in which the antifriction roller 42 placed on the gun box engages as it
moves back, so that in its backward and forward motion it will cause the
arm 36, by reason of the oblique position of the fork to the direction of
motion of the antifriction roller, to move by turns to the right and to
the left.
In cleaning the gun or in dismounting it, the carrier block can be
readily removed.
The spreading or dispersing apparatus on the bent part of the bent
lever 44 is a rising tenon or pin 43 connecting it with the spreading
or dispersing apparatus, the object of which is to spread or disperse the
projectiles in the plane of fire in the form of a fan. This is accomplished
by means of the spreading crank 45 moveable around the centre 46
and having a groove in its bent end 50 shaped as to give periodically to
the spreading crank 45 (by the pin 43 in the bent lever (44) running

page_text: in the groove) a uniform and angular movement. This movement is
transmitted to the main frame by the connecting rod 47, one end of
which is united to the slide 48 whilst the other end is provided with a
turning joint and an attachment screw (49) so as to be moveable in the
straight part of the spreading crank 45. The end piece of the main
frame has a guide 50 which works in the said slide 48; and as this
slide is immoveably fastened to the elevating screw 51 the frame
consequently must partake of the motion which causes the spreading of
the projectiles on the discharge of the shots. By moving the attach-
ment screw (49) to varied distances from the centre 46 the spreading anglo
may be most accurately regulated, and in the centre position the gun
remains stationary.
The whole mechanism just described is put in motion, when the bent
lever 44 attached to the same shaft as the crank (32) is moved
backwards and forwards by the gunner.
The pointing or aiming instrument, Figure 4, is mounted on the
carriage or support and attached to the slide (48) so as to leave room in
its spherical socket (which is supplied with a wedge 52 for the reception
of the ball (53) on the elevation screw. The nut or casing (54) of tho
elevation screw may be moved in a horizontal direction by a second
and
screw (55) in a direction at right angles to the first-named screw,
the side motion thereby caused in the gun may be entirely regulated by
the adjusting screw (56). By this arrangement the adjustment is easy
and certain, and the trajectory of each volley may, without loss of time
or any particular adjustment, be changed in its position in the plane of
fire, in addition to which the pointing instrument, by the aid of the
adjusting screws, may be used in the spreading of the projectiles.
The magazine, Figure 5, has its place on the lid immediately above
the carrier block, and consists of an obliquely cut parallelopiped box
with a separate chamber (57) for cach barrel. The chambers in which
the cartridges are piled up can be closed by means of a moveable bottom,
common to them all, and having rectangular holes therein.
When the magazine is applied the bottom pushes itself leaving the
orifices (58) of the chambers free, so that the cartridges may unob-
structedly fall down through the said orifices in the lid into the chambers
of the carrier block. Every chamber has a slit made in it for the
observation of the consumption of cartridges during the firing, and each

page_text: be provided with a shield or screen. The recoil is counteracted by the
shape of the trail, and by the weight of the gunner sitting thereon.
The operation of this battery gun is as follows:-The power and
motion required for operating the gun are furnished by the gunner, who
by moving the bent lever to and fro with his right hand causes a volley
to be discharged at each double motion.
-
Figure 1 shews the position of each of the different parts of the
battery gun relatively to the others at the moment when the first shot is
discharged. The lever is then in the act of advancing, and on con-
tinuing its forward movement the remaining shots are successively
discharged, the rapidity of the discharge depending on the movement of
the lever. During the dischargo the spreading apparatus acts so as to
communicate to the projectiles a radial direction. The spreading crank
is compelled by the tenon or pin on the lever to turn from right to left.
The slide, on the contrary, by reason of its fixed position, cannot by the
connecting rod be moved from its place, but the frame with the parts
attached to it is moved, hence the barrels must partake of the motion
moving from left to right.
By the time the whole of the barrels have been discharged the lever
will have reached its most forward position, and when it is brought back
again to that represented in Figure 1, the gun is restored to its original
position, and the firing mechanism is stationary. By continuing the
retrograde movement of the lever the locking bolts or stoppers are drawn
in, and the gun box, the breech pins, and the extractors attached to
it are brought backwards, causing the exploded cartridge cases to be
extracted.
While the lever is drawn backwards the carrier block moves to the
left, and the spent cases are set free from the extractors, and fall down
through the openings in the carrier block; when the latter has accom-
plished its movement it is ready to receive the cartridges required for
another volley. These cartridges fall from the chambers of the magazine
through the orifices in the lid.
When the lever is in its most backward position all the projections of
the percussion hammers are then behind the teeth of the trigger comb.
If the lever be caused to advance, the carrier block moves to the right

page_text: in such a manner as to cause its chambers, supplied with fresh cart-
ridges, to come immediately opposite to the breech ends of the barrels,
and the gun box moves forward, thereby compressing the main springs
and loading the barrels, into which the cartridges are introduced by the
action of the breech pins.
In the manner just described the gun is again made ready for firing,
which operation may be commenced by the further advancement of the
lever, and brought about in the manner above.described.
The peculiarities and advantages of this gun arc as follows,
videlicet :-
The mechanism is simple, consisting of strong parts well protected;
the movements are chiefly caused by levers, communicating but little
rapidity to the moveable parts as distinguished from the revolving
systems in general use. The mechanism consequently suffers but little.
from the action of dust or rain, and is not injured by the residium of
gunpowder; but should any dirt accumulate the injurious effect will
not be important, owing to the slow movements of the axis and pivots.
Every part is directly accessible for cleaning and lubrication, while
the mechanism is, in consequence of its simple construction, easily
managed, taken to pieces, and put together again.
The barrels, breech pins, needles, extractors, and springs may all be.
exchanged for others without the necessity for taking the whole to
pieces.
The barrels are independent of each other, so that should one or moro
of them get out of order the remaining ones may, without any inter-
ruption to the firing, be supplied; moreover, being independent of the
mechanism, they may easily be cleaned and exchanged for others.
The magazines are devoid of loose weights, springs, and weakening
grooves; consequently they are strong and not liable to get out of order,
and may without inconvenience be conveyed ready charged.
The system admits of the use of cartridges of different lengths, pro-
vided the magazine and carrier block are made to correspond.
The feeding proceeds uninterruptedly without any other exchange by
hand being requisite than the changing of the magazine for each two
hundred and fiftieth shot or more. The cartridges moreover during the

page_text: than barrels, whereby a greater number of cartridges can be stored,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Twelfth day of
November One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.