Improvements in Machine Guns.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1890
Improvements in Machine Guns.
Communicated by EMIL RITTER VON SKODA, of Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria,
Manufacturer.
1, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of No. 40 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer, and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to a machine gun provided with a pivoted breech closing
mechanism and with devices of such a kind, that all operations required for firing
automatically are effected by the recoil, the speed of firing being capable of any
desired adjustment with relation to the number of shots to be fired per minute.
An essential feature of this machine gun is a pivoted breech closing mechanism, the
breech block of which serves to receive the percussion lock whilst the safe closure is
effected by a closing or breech block support that bears against the breech block.
The pivots or axes of the breech block and of the breech block support are arranged
in such a manner that at the moment at which the projectile leaves the barrel of the
gun, the breech is opened by the recoil, and the lock in the breech block is cocked.
The closing of the breech is caused by a spring, the putting in compression of which
during the opening of the breech stores. up as much power as is necessary for
automatically closing the breech.
•
In order to prevent the too rapid opening and closing of the breech, the breech
block or the breech-block support-is combined with a quick-pitched screw spindle
and nut in such a manner that when the breech is opened the spindle is pushed
backward in its longitudinal direction, and is pushed forward during the closing by the
spring that effects the closing, the nut which is pressed against a fixed support, being
forced to rotate, whereby a braking of the movement of the breech is caused.
"
Firing is effected, after the breech is closed, by a projection which is connected by
an arrangement of rods with a pendulum that is caused to oscillate at the opening of
the breech, and at its backward oscillation releases the firing mechanism.
The increasing or the diminishing of the speed of firing is effected by altering the
duration of oscillation of the pendulum by lengthening or shortening the latter, or by
altering the length of the rod connecting the projection with the pendulum and thus
increasing or diminishing the space between the projection and the firing mechanism,
that is to say, the distance of oscillation of the pendulum. A cartridge carrier is
provided for supplying cartridges from a magazine arranged at the side of the breech.
This cartridge carrier is capable of rotation about pins and is actuated by the
movement of the breech block, and when the breech is open, always brings a cartridge
up on to a beak or nose of the breech block, whereupon the cartridge when the breech
is being closed, is pushed into the loading chamber.
The supply of cartridges is effected by means of a removable magazine frame which
is filled by means of a cartridge- packing-frame.
Since all the operations are effected automatically, a continuous fire can be
maintained with a continuous supply of cartridges.
The firing can be stopped instantaneously and begun again, and separate shots can
be fired at any desired intervals.
The annexed drawing illustrates a machine gun constructed according to this
invention;
Fig. 1 being an elevation partiy in section.
Fig. 2 a view of the open breech;
Fig. 3 an external elevation of the casing with the magazine and cartridge
Sorcier:

page_text: Fig. 4 a plan of the open breech with the magazine;
Fig. 5 a section through the casing on the line of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 shows the breech-block in front and side elevation.
Fig. 7. is a detail belonging to Fig; 1;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge-carrier.
The main component parts of the breech closing mechanism are:-The barrel A ;
the breech casing B; the breech block C with the hammer lock; the breech block
support D; the device E for braking and automatically closing the breech; the
device for automatically firing and regulating the speed of firing; the magazine G;
the cartridge carrier H; and the mounting I with elevating screw.
In Fig. the parts of the breech mechanism are shown in the positions they occupy.
when at rest. To begin firing, the breech is opened. For this purpose the handle e
on the end of the case e¹ which contains the mechanism for automatically closing the
breech, is rotated in a forward direction along the screw thread-shaped end e² of the
By this means the spindle d to the movement of which, as hereinafter
described, resistance by braking is opposed, moves back together with the closing
support connected with it.
case e¹.
By this last inentioned operation, the coiled spring 3 Fig. 1, which bears against a
disc on the spindle, is put in compression and so much power is thereby stored up as
is necessary for the automatic closure of the whole breech.
During the downward movement of the breech block support D, which is capable
of rotation about and which said downward movement after the first shot is
repeated automatically, the forward end of the breech block support presses upon the
arm c of the hammer c¹ (Fig. 6) whereby the latter is cocked (Fig. 2). The breech
block support also presses upon the projection e² of the breech block whereby the
latter is turned quite back.
During the closing of the breech the cartridge, which has passed out of the
magazine on to the nose c³ of the breech block, is pushed into the barrel, the closure
of the breech being effected before the first shot is fired, by the spring e³ (which is
in compression) as soon as the handle e on the end of the case el is rotated
backwards.
During the operation just described, the breech-block support D) is raised, and as it
engages with the under or rear side of the breech block C, (Fig. 2), the latter is also
raised and is closed.
For firing the first shot, the pendulum F (Fig. 1) which is connected by an
adjustable rod with the trigger f is caused to oscillate by hand. The trigger f¹
when forced by the pendulum F against the arm of the hammer lock, disengages
the rod from the notch cof the hammer c¹ and the latter, being actuated by the main
spring c (Fig. 6), fires the cartridge.
The surfaces of the breech block have at the point of contact an axis of curvature
which, when the breech is closed, lies lower than the centre of the axis of rotation of
the breech block support; now when the first shot has been fired, the recoil, at the
moment at which the projectile leaves the barrel, throws back the breech block C with
the support D, and effects at the same time the cocking of the hammer, the extraction
of the empty cartridge case and the supplying of a cartridge from out of the magazine
on to the carrier-nose..
Simultaneously therewith, the projection of the breech block C striking against
the trigger throws back the pendulum F which is connected with the trigger by an
adjustable rod f.
The oscillation of the pendulum F is limited in a forward direction by the trigger ¹
striking against the rod ct of the hammer lock, and in a rearward direction by the
casing e; and the oscillatory impulses of the pendulum are increased by means of a
spring interposed between the points of impact of the projections and the
trigger, and also by means of a spring pin, piece or projection farranged on the
weight of the pendulum F.
The speed of firing, which may be at the rate of 400 shots or more per minute, may
be increased or diminished by adjusting the position of weight on the penduluın F

page_text: so as to alter the duration of oscillation, or by adjusting the rod so as to alter the
distance of oscillation.
In the throwing back of the breech block C with the support 1) effected by the
recoil, the spindle d is pushed back, thereby compressing the coiled spring e that
bears against the collar or shoulder of this spindle, so that immediately after the
cessation of the action of the recoil, the spindle d is thereby pushed forward and the
breech is closed.
In order that the opening and closing shall not take place too quickly, the spindle d
is formed with a quick multiple screw thread upon which works a nut c. This
nut is inserted in a part of the breech casing B and the casing e' in such a manner
that the said nut is capable of rotation during the rectilinear movement of the spindle;
the supporting surface of the nut, corresponding to the respective direction of
movement of the spindle, taking to a partial extent the pressure of the breech
block C, or the pressure of the coiled spring, whilst the friction produced by the
rotation of the nut acts in the manner of a brake upon the movements of the breech
mechanism.
In order to obviate a too violent impact of the breech block against the mouth of
the loading chamber, during the closing of the breech, there is provided on the breech
casing a spring 6 Fig. 2 (and shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1), from which a pin
projects through the wall of the casing, so that the nose of the breech block rubs
along this pin.
In order that the to and fro movement of the spindle , during the automatic
operation of the fire arm, shall remain without influence on the handle e of the spindle,
which handle is capable of rotation at the end of the casing e¹, the nut which
connects the handle e with the spindle, is movable in a casing that forms one piece
with the handle e.
The extraction of the cases of the fired cartridges is effected, on the opening of the
breech, by means of a spring cartridge extractor c³ (Fig. 6) arranged at the side of
the breech block.
At the closing, a fresh cartridge is inserted, so that when the rod ct is again dis-
engaged from the notch c" of the hammer c¹ by the pendulum on its forward oscillation,
a shot is again fired. Consequently with a continuous supply of cartridges, au
uninterrupted fire which is effected automatically can be given.
In the fire arm illustrated in the drawing the cartridges are guided in parallel order
in the magazine G (Fig. 2) which forms a frame, and have the tendency by the action
of their weight, to move towards the outlet of the magazine.
This magazine is removably mounted upon a small box be in which the carrier H
Fig. 8 moves; the magazine allows of replenishment during the automatic firing.
The magazine is either, as shewn in Fig. 2 inclined towards the barrel, or in order
to render the fire arın also capable of firing from armour turrets or cupolas, and
armour casemates, the magazine is bent back, and arranged so that variously curved
or bent magazine insertion parts can be inserted for filling the magazine, or the
magazine may also be composed of parts inovably jointed together.
The carrier is pivotally mounted on two pins at the side of the breech casing B.
and two projections 1, 2, of which one, is of the nature of a spring, project
alternately into the interior of the breech casing.
When the breech is closed (Fig. 5), the carrier H is forced outwards by the breech
block C that lies next the projection, and thus renders it possible for a cartridge
passing out of the magazine G to lean against the breech block C. If the breech be
now opened, the breech block C, sliding past the spring projection presses against
the latter, whilst it moves away from the front projection of the carrier.
The spring projection causes the carrier H to press the cartridge against the
breech block C until the nose 3 of the breech block has assumed the proper position,
whereupon the cartridge passes on to the nose. The cartridge during this operation
is grasped by the nose c³ of the breech block, and by the carrier H (Fig. 4) in such a
manner that lateral passing out is rendered impossible during the introduction into the
loading chamber.

page_text: In order to guide the cartridge with security into the loading chamber the carrier H
is formed with a surface ³ inclined upwardly towards the opening of the loading
chamber, which surface, when the carrier operates, passes in between the nose c³ of
the breech block and the rear end of the barrel (Fig. 2).
In the position shewn in Fig. 4, where the supply or feed of a cartridge has been
already completed, the carrier H blocks up the magazine by taking up a position
under the pile of cartridges.
After the breech is closed and the carrier H has been moved back into the position
shewn in Fig. 5 a fresh cartridge comes into the path of the carrier.
The replenishing of the magazine which can take place during firing, is effected by
means of cartridge containers of frame-shape and of a form corresponding to that of
the magazine. Such a frame shaped cartridge container intended for replenishing the
magazine is provided at its lower part with a spring, from which a small projection
projects into the opening of the frane, whereby the cartridges are secured against
falling out below, whilst for a similar purpose the rim or edge at the other end of the
frame is of the nature of a spring and is bent slightly inwards.
To replenish the magazine, the frame is placed upon the upper opening g of the
magazine (Fig. 2), a nose g¹ pressing aside the spring nose on the superposed frame,
so that the cartridges can roll down into the magazine. This machine gun when
employed in the open is mounted on a standard in which the fork-shaped head is
fixed so as to be capable of rotation; in the latter the breech casing B is movable
about the pin, and can be adjusted by means of an adjusting spindle i to any desired
angle of elevation or depression.
The stroke of the pendulum can be regulated in accordance with these angles by the
lengthening or the shortening of the adjustable rod f.
When the machine gun is employed in fortified walls, the forked head I is mounted,
not in the standard, but in a special mounting which is inserted into and fixed in
corresponding cheeks of the armour.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. B.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machine Guns.
Communicated by EMIL RITTER VON SKODA, of Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria,
Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and l'atent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
i
This invention relates to a machine gun provided with a pivoted breech closing
mechanism and with devices of such a kind, that all operations required for firing
automatically are effected by the recoil, the speed of firing being capable of
any desired adjustment with relation to the number of shots to be fired per
minute.
An essential feature of this machine gun is a pivoted breech closing mechanism,
the breech block of which serves to receive the percussion lock whilst the safe closure
is effected by a closing or breech block support that bears against the breech block.
The pivots or axes of the breech block and of the breech block support are arranged
in such a manner that at the moment at which the projectile leaves the barrel of the
gun, the breech is opened by the recoil; and the lock in the breech block is
cocked.
The closing of the breech is caused by a spring, the putting in compression of which
during the opening of the breech; stores up as much power as is neccessary for
automatically closing the breech.

page_text: In order to prevent the two rapid opening and closing of the breech, the breech
mechanism or more especially the breech block support is combined with. a quick
pitched screw spindle and nut in such a manner that when the breech is opened the
spindle is pushed backward in its longitudinal direction, and is pushed forwards
during the closing by the spring that effects the closing. The nut which is pressed
against a fixed support, is thus forced to rotate, whereby the movement of the breech
is braked or moderated.
Firing is effected, after the breech is closed, by a trigger which is connected by a
link with a pendulum that is caused to oscillate at the opening of the breech, and at
its backward oscillation releases the firing mechanism.
The speed of firing is increased or decreased by altering the period of oscillation
of the pendulum. This is done by lengthening or shortening it, or by altering the
length of the link connecting the trigger with the pendulum, and thus increasing or
diminishing the space between the trigger and the sear of the percussion lock that is
to say, the length of oscillation of the pendulum.
.
A cartridge carrier is provided for supplying cartridges from a magazine arranged
at the side of the shoe. This cartridge-carrier is capable of rotation about journals
and is actuated by the movement of the breech block.
When the breech is open
it always brings a cartridge on to a nose or spoon of the breech block, where-
upon the cartridge when the breech is being closed, is pushed into the loading
chamber.
The supply of cartridges is effected by means of a removable magazine fra:ne
which is filled by means of cartridge packing-frames.
Since all the operations are effected automatically, a continuous fire can be
maintained with a continuous supply of cartridges.
The firing can be stopped instantaneously and begun again, and separate shots can'
be fired at any desired intervals.
The drawing filed with the Provisional Specification illustrates a machine gun
constructed according to this invention ;
Fig. 1 being an elevation partly in section,
Fig. 2 a view of the open breech,
Fig. 3 an external elevation of the shoe with the magazine and cartridge carrier.
Fig. 4 a plan of the open breech with the magazine.
Fig. 5 a section through the shoe on the line
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 shows the breech-block in front and side elevation.
Fig. 7 is a detail belonging to Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge-carrier.
The main component parts of the gun are:-The barrel A; the shoe B; the
breech block with the hammer lock; the breech block support D; the device E
for braking and automatically closing the breech; the device F for automatically
firing and regulating the speed of firing; the magazine G; the cartridge carrier H;
and the mounting I with elevating screw.
In, Fig. 1 the parts of the breech mechanism are shown in the positions they
occupy when at rest. To commence firing, the breech is opened.
For this purpose the handle e on the end of the case e¹ which contains the
mechanism for automatically closing the breech, is rotated in an upward direction
along the helical path forming the end of the case c¹. By this means the
spindled to the movement of which, as hereinafter described, resistance by braking
is opposed, travels back together with the breech block support D connected
with it.
By this last mentioned operation, the coiled spring (Fig. 1) which bears
against a disc on the spindle, is put in compression and sufficient power is thereby
stored up for the automatic closure of the breech.
During the downward movement of the breech block support D, which is
capable of rotation about a pin d', and which said downward movement is repeated
automatically after the first shot, the forward end of the breech block support

page_text: presses upon the arm c of the hammer c¹ (Fig. 6), whereby the latter is cocked
(Fig. 2).
The breech block support also presses upon a projection c² of the breech block
whereby the latter is wholly tumbled rearward.
During the closing of the breech the cartridge, which has passed out of the
magazine on to the nose or spoon of the breech block, is pushed into the barrel,
the closure of the breech being effected before the first shot is fired, by the spring e
(which is in compression) as soon as the handle on the end of the case el is
returned to its foriner position.
During the operation just described, the breech block support. D) is raised, and
as it engages with the under or rear side of the breech block C (Fig. 2) the
latter is also raised and the breech is closed.
For firing the first shot, the pendulum F (Fig. 1) which is connected by an
adjustable link f with the trigger f', is caused to oscilliate by hand. The trigger f¹,
when forced by the pendulum F against tho sear arm c of the hammer lock,
disengages the sear from the notch of the hammer and the latter, being
actuated by the main spring c (Fig. 6) fires the cartridge.
The breech block C and breech block support D are, when the breech is closed.
in contact with each other on a surface whose axis of curvature is lower than the
axis of rotation of the breech block support. Now when the first shot has been
fired, the recoil, at the moment at which the projectile leaves the barrel, throws
back the breech block C with the support D and effects at the same time the
cocking of the hammer, the extraction of the empty cartridge case, and the supplying
of a cartridge from out of the magazine on to the carrier-nose or spoon.
Simultaneously therewith, the projection of the breech block C striking against
the trigger f, throws back the pendulum F which is connected with the trigger
by the adjustable link f.
The oscillation of the pendulum F is limited in a forward direction by the
trigger striking against the sear arın ct of the hammer lock, and in a rearward
direction by the casing e. The oscillatory impulses of the pendulum are increased
by means of a spring f interposed between the points of impact of the pro-
jection and the trigger fl and also by means of a spring buffer arranged
on the weight of the pendulum F.
The speed of firing, which may be at the rate of 400 shots or more per minute,
may be increased or diminished by adjusting the position of the weight on the
pendulum F so as to alter the period of oscillation, or by adjusting the link ƒ
so as to alter the length of oscillation.
During the throwing back of the breech block and the support D by the
recoil, the spindle & is pushed back, thereby compressing the coiled spring that
bears against the collar or shoulder of this spindle, so that immediately after the
cessation of the action of the recoil, the spindle d is pushed forward and the breech is
closed.
In order that the opening and closing shall not take place too quickly, the
spindle is formed with a quick multiple screw thread upon which works a nut e'.
This nut is inserted in a part of the shoe B and the casing e¹ in such a manner that
the said nut is capable of rotation during the rectilinear movement of the spindle.
The hearing surface of the nut, corresponding to the direction of movement of the
spindle for the time being, takes to a partial extent the pressure of the breech block C
or the pressure of the coiled spring, and the friction produced by the rotation
of the nut acts in the manner of a brake upon the movements of the breech
mechanism.
In order to obviate a too violent impact of the breech block against the breech
end of the barrel, during the closing of the breech, there is provided on the shoe
a spring Fig. 2 (and shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) from which a pin projects
し
through the side of the shoe so that the nose of the breeeh block runs along
this pin.

page_text: In order that the to and fro movement of the spindle d during the automatic
operation of the fire arin, shall remain without influence on the handle e of the
spindle, which handle is capable of rotation at the end of the casing e', the nut
which connects the handle e with the spindle is movable in a casing that forms one
piece with the handle e.
The extraction of the fired cartridge case is effected on the opening of the breech,
by means of a spring cartridge extractor (Fig. 6) arranged at the side of the
breech block.
On the closure of the breech a fresh cartridge is inserted in the barrel so that
when the sear is again disengaged from the notch of the hammer c¹ by the
pendulum on its forward oscillation, a shot is again fired. Consequently, with a
continuous supply of cartridges, an uninterrupted rapid fire which is effected
automatically, can be given.
In the firearm illustrated in the drawing the cartridges are guided in parallel
order in the magazine G (Fig. 2) which forms a frame. They have a tendency, by
the action of gravity to move towards the outlet of the magazine.
This magazine is removably mounted upon a small box 12 in which the carrier H,
Fig. 8, moves. The magazine is capable of replenishment during the automatic
firing. The magazine by preference inclined towards the barrel as shown in
Fig. 2. When the firm arm is to be mounted in armoured turrets or cupolas, or
armoured casemates, the magazine may advantageously be bent back, and arranged
so that variously curved or bent cartridge receptacles can be employed for filling it;
or the magazine may be constructed of parts movably jointed together.
The carrier H is mounted on two journals at the side of the shoe B, and two
projections, of which one is of the nature of a spring, project alternately
into the interior of the shoe.
When the breech is closed (Fig. 5), the carrier H is forced outwards by the
breech block C lying next the projection and thus renders it possible for a cartridge
which is ready to pass out of the magazine G to hear against the breech block Č.
If the breech be now opened, the breech block C sliding past the spring-projection
presses against the latter, whilst it moves away from the front projection of the
carrier.
The spring projection causes the carrier H to press the cartridge against the
breech block C until the nose or spoon c³ of the breech block has assumed the proper
position, whereupon the cartridge passes on to the nose. The cartridge, during this
operation, is grasped by the nose or spoon 3 of the breech block and by the carrier H
(Fig. 4) in such a manner that lateral deviation is rendered impossible during its
introduction into the loading chamber.
In order to guide the cartridge with security into the loading chamber the
carrier H is further formed with a surface inclined upwardly towards the opening
of the loading chamber, which surface, when the carrier operates, passes in between
the nose c of the breech block and the rear end of the barrel (Fig. 2).
In the position shown in Fig. 4, where the supply or feed of a cartridge has been
already completed, the carrier H blocks up the magazine by taking up a position
under the pile of cartridges.
After the breech is closed and the carrier H has been moved back into the
position shown in Fig. 5, a fresh cartridge comes into the path of the carrier.
The replenishing of the magazine which can take. place during firing, is effected
by means of framed cartridge containers of a form oorresponding to that of the
magazine.
Such a frame shaped cartridge container intended for replenishing the magazine
is provided at its lower part with a spring, from which a small projection projects
into the opening of the frame, whereby the cartridges are secured against falling
out below, whilst for a similar purpose the rim or edge at the other end of the
frame is of the nature of a spring and is bent slightly inwards.
To replenish the magazine, the frame is placed upon the upper opening g of the

page_text: magazine (Fig. 2) a nose g¹ pressing aside the spring nose on the superposed frame,
so that the cartridges can roll down into the magazine.
This machine gun when employed in the open, is mounted on a standard in which
the fork-shaped head I is fixed so as to be capable of rotation. The shoe B is
movable about the pin i in the fork I and can be adjusted by means of an adjusting
spindle to any desired angle of elevation or depression.
The stroke of the pendulum can be regulated in accordance with these angles, by
lengthening or shortening the adjustable link.
When the machine gun is employed in fortifications the forked head I is mounted,
not in the standard, but in a special mounting which is inserted into and fixed in
corresponding cheeks of the armour.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a machine gun, breech mechanism comprising a pivoted breech block C
and a pivoted breech block support D, which parts, when the breech is closed, are
in contact with each other on a surface, whose axis of curvature is lower than the
axis of the pivot pin d of the breech block support I), the said breech block C being
pivoted below the prolongation of the axis of the barrel, in consequence of which
arrangement the breech is opened by the recoil produced by the firing.
2. In a machine gun with breech mechanism of the kind referred to in claim 1,
the arrangement of the percussion lock in the breech block C, the said lock being
cocked by the pressure exerted by the front end of the depressed breech block
support D upon the arm c of the hammer c¹ when the breech block turns
backwards.
3. In a machine gun with breech mechanism of the kind referred to in claim 1,
the arrangement of a cartridge nose or spoon c3 on the breech block C in such a
manner that the nose or spoon shall, when the breech is open, be in an attitude
suitable for the reception of the cartridge passing out of the magazine.
4. In a machine gun with breech mechanism of the kind referred to in claim 1,
a cartridge carrier H mounted on journals h h outside the shoe and having alternately
arranged projections which project into the interior o of the shoe and an upper
portion which takes up a position under the opening of the magazine, the arrangement
being such that the breech block C in its rearward and forward movement acts first
upon the lower spring projection and then upon the projection situated above
the axis of rotation, whereby the cartridge carrier is caused to oscillate, the said
cartridge carrier H blocking up the magazine whilst a cartridge is being brought
upon the nose or spoon c³.
5. In a machine gun in which the opening of the breech is effected by the recoil
resulting from the discharge, a spindle d connected with the breech mechanism, the
said spindle being capable of longitudinal movement and being provided with screw
threads of quick pitch, in combination with a nut et capable of rotation but not of
axial movement, and with a spring which bears against the spindle the arrangement
being such that on opening the breech, the spindle is moved rearwards and the spring
is compressed, after which this compressed spring causes a return movement of the
spindle and effects the closing of the breech, the movements of the spindle being
retarded or braked by the nut e*.
6. In a machine gun in which the opening of the breech is effected by the recoil
resulting from the discharge, and which is provided with the arrangement referred to
in claim for automatically closing the breech, the freely rotary handle e on the
spindle in combination with the screw surface e of the spring casing e¹, for the
purpose of enabling the breech to be opened by hand.
7. In a machine gun in which the opening of the breech and the cocking of
the lock are effected by the recoil resulting from the discharge, a pendulum F
connected by means of an adjustable link with the trigger, which operates the

page_text: cocked striker, the said pendulum receiving an impulse from the breech block after
each discharge so that with a continuous supply of cartridges an automatically effected
continuous fire is rendered possible, the speed of which can be regulated by
lengthening or shortening the pendulum and by altering the distance through which
it oscillates.
8. The construction of machine guns as hereinabove described and illustrated.