IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINE AND OTHER GUNS
Year: 1885

page_text: .
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of 57P Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINE AND OTHER GUNS " to be as follows:-
My invention relates chiefly to automatic guns of that class wherein the breech-
block is arranged to recoil or slide backwards or away from the barrel, wlien a
cartridge is fired, and thereby effect the operations necessary in loading and firing
the gun. And my said invention comprises various improvements as hereinafter
set forth.
In applying my improvements to a gun provided with a belt for supplying
cartridges thereto, I prefer to arrange the gun so that when fired it will recoil a
short distance in a casing or support and thus cause the partial rotation of a crank
connected with the breech-block, in a similar manner to that described in the
specification of former Letters Patent dated 29th January, 1885, No 1307.
The gun is made with a frame formed of two side plates which are firmly
connected by cross-bars. The said frame is fitted to slide to and fro in the casing.
The crank-shaft is carried in bearings in the said side plates and projects through
slots in the sides of the casing. On one end of the said shaft is fixed an arm
which is designed to strike against a point of resistance, when the gun recoils, so
that the said arm and the crank-shaft will be partially rotated in one direction.
A spring is provided for storing energy during the recoil and then reacting to
effect the return movement of the crank, the breech-block and other parts. The
breech-block is fitted to slide between suitable guides on the side plates. It is also
guided by a cross-piece formed on or secured to the cover or top of the casing. The
said breech-block is made with a slot, to receive the crank-pin. This slot is open at
its lower end and is curved for a short distance from its upper end so that the crank
will drive the breech block home before completing its forward movement and,
during the latter part of its forward movement, will not act upon the said block.
The hammer, sears and mainspring are arranged somewhat similarly to those
described in the said former specification.
The cartridge-belt is fed or moved intermittently through a passage formed in
the casing, above the barrel, by a slide carrying pawls as described in the said
former specification, but the means which I adopt according to one form or
modification of my present invention for operating the said slide are as follows
viz:-Two arins or levers are connected by a rod or shaft passing through a lug in

page_text: the casing.
One of these arms or levers is slotted to receive a pin or stud
projecting upward from the said slide. The other arm or lever extends between
two shoulders or projections on a bar secured to the side plate of the gun, or to an
extension of the said side plates, so that, when the gun recoils in the casing, the
said levers and slide will be moved in one direction, and, in the return movement
of the gun, the said levers and slide will be moved in the opposite direction.
Suitable retaining pawls are provided to act in combination with the operating
pawls.
The side plates of the gun are dovetailed to a block in which the barrel is
firmly secured. The barrel provided with a water-chamber, which is kept
water-tight by a stuffing-box at each end. These stuffing-boxes are of peculiar
construction, that is to say, each stuffing box has a recess for the packing, into
which recess is fitted a kind of piston. These pistons at each extremity fit closely
around the barrel; each piston is preferably made with a cavity which surrounds
the barrel and communicates with the interior of the water chamber by perfora-
tions in the said piston. Between these pistons a spiral spring is placed upon the
barrel so that equal pressure will be exerted by the said spring upon the packing
in each stuffing-box. To more effectually ensure this equality of pressure, I
make the barrel of the same external diameter at the muzzle as at the breech
end thereof.
I provide the following means for drawing the cartridges out of the belt and
bringing them into position to be thrust into the barrel, that is to say, a block or
carrier is fitted to slide up and down upon the forward end of the breech-block.
This carrier works in a groove or channel formed in the block in which the barrel
is fixed. Two levers are pivotted to the breech-block, one on each side thereof.
The free ends of these levers enter slots in two lugs or projections formed on the
said carrier. A pin or projection is fixed in, or formed on, each web of the crank.
These pins or projections, near the termination of each forward movement of the
crank, act upon the said levers and thereby cause the upward movement of the
said carrier. This carrier in each backward movement of the breech-block, is
depressed by a spring attached to the cover or top of the casing, which spring is
arranged to act upon the top of the carrier when the breech-block moves back-
ward. The carrier is grooved or channelled to receive the flanges of the cartridges,
and is provided with a spring, which when the said carrier is at the top of its
stroke, engages with the flange of a cartridge in the feed-belt. When the breech-
block is moved backward, the said cartridge is drawn out of the feed-belt by the
carrier and the empty cartridge case is simultaneously extracted from the barrel-
chamber. The empty cartridge case drops out through the bottom of the casing as
soon as it is extracted. The cartridge drawn out of the belt is held by the sides
of the groove or channel in the carrier and by the aforesaid spring which engages
with its flange. As soon as the said cartridge has been moved backward a
sufficient distance to be clear of the barrel, the spring attached to the top of the
casing depresses the sliding block or carrier and thus brings the said cartridge into
position to be thrust into the barrel. The breech-block then moves forward and
effects the loading of the gun, and the aforesaid pins or projections on the crank
act upon the levers and raise the said carrier so that it will engage with the flange
of another cartridge in the belt, which has been fed forward by the means above
described.
This carrier, which holds the cartridges and lowers them into position to be
thrust into the barrel, is an important feature of my present invention. Its
construction and the means employed for operating it will be varied according to
the construction of the gun to which it is applied.
In applying my improvements to a gun which is adapted to be supplied with
cartridges by means of a hopper or magazine, I proceed as follows, that is to say,
I make the carrier in two parts which are fitted to slide up and down in guides on
the sides of the casing. The said carrier is arranged beneath the hopper or
magazine, and each part of the said carrier is provided with an anti-friction roller

page_text: for the purpose hereinafter specified. The breech-block is arranged to slide to and
fro between suitable guides and is slotted as above described to receive the crank-
pin. Two extractors are attached to the breech-block, one on each side thereof in
such a manner that the breech-block will move backward a short distance before it
commences to extract the empty cartridge case. The said extractors are preferably
fitted to slide in dovetail grooves in the breech-block and provided with shoulders
to engage with shoulders on the breech-block. The breech-block is preferably.
hollowed out at the top and is designed to support the column of cartridges in the
hopper or magazine, after it has thrust into the barrel the cartridge lowered by the
carrier, as hereinafter described.
.
'
When the gun is ready for firing, the carrier is held in its highest position by
the crank, the aforesaid anti-friction rollers resting upon the webs of the said
crank. The said carrier also rests upon two bars which are fitted to slide to and fro
in suitable guides on the sides of the casing. These bars are acted upon by springs
which tend to press them forward so that a shoulder on each of the said bars is
beneath the corresponding vertical part of the carrier. The said bars are bent
upward at their rear ends, so that, when a cartridge has been fired and the crank
partially rotated, the said crank will strike the upwardly projecting parts of the
bars and move the said bars backward, thereby releasing the carrier, which then
descends by gravity and lowers the succeeding cartridge into position to be thrust
into the barrel. The crank and sliding bars are so arranged that the said crank
will not move the bars backward until the breech-block is clear of the cartridge
above it..
The crank is made with notches or recesses, so that, when the crank and breech-
block have reached the termination of their rearward movement, the upwardly
projecting parts of the bars will enter the said notches or recesses. By these means
I provide for preventing the return movement of the crank and breech-block until
the cartridge is in line with the barrel. The vertical parts of the carrier are made
with inclined planes, which, when the said cartridge is lowered into line with the
barrel, act upon the said sliding bars and move the same backward, thereby
releasing the crank.
When the said cartridge is thrust into the barrel, by the breech-block in its
forward movement, the column of cartridges in the hopper rests upon the breech-
block until the carrier is raised by the crank.
I sometimes make an opening in the casing of the gun at its rear end to
facilitate the cleaning of the barrel, the inspection of the bore or the extraction of
part of a broken cartridge case by hand when necessary.
.
When I make guns with two barrels I prefer to construct them in such a
manner that, when the breech-block corresponding with one barrel reaches its
rearmost position it will pull the trigger corresponding with the other barrel. The
two barrels will thus be fired at regular intervals.
When a vertical hopper or magazine is employed, I provide for supplying the
same with cartridges as follows, that is to say I make a box or frame with say five
rows or series of apertures to receive the cartridges; I prefer to make twenty
apertures in each series. And I provide a holder having grooves or channels to
receive the heads or flanges of the cartridges. This holder is provided with a
spring catch for retaining the cartridges therein and is designed to hold say ten
cartridges. The said box or frame is recessed or channelled so that the said holder
can be readily moved along in contact therewith in such a manner as to engage
with the flanges of the cartridges in one half of one of the said rows or series.
The said holder is then lifted together with the said cartridges, and one end of the
said holder is placed in a slot in the top of the hopper or magazine, and the spring
catch is withdrawn, either automatically or otherwise, so as to permit the cartridges
to fall into the hopper or magazine.
When the gun is heavier behind the trunnions than in front thereof, I arrange a
spring lever beneath the same. This device preferably consists of a coiled spring
attached at one end to an adjustable rod or shaft and carrying at the other end

page_text: a lever or arm provided with an anti-friction roller which bears against the under-
side of the frame or casing of the gun. To provide for regulating the tension of
the said spring, I prefer to form or fix a collar on the said shaft, which collar. is
provided with a hole to receive a screw hereinafter described, and I make a series
of perforations in the top part of the cone-mounting or in the stand or carriage
upon which the gun is mounted. The said perforations are screw-threaded so that
a set-screw can be inserted in either of them and will project into the hole in the
said collar. The spring is tightened when necessary by rotating the said shaft, and
the said screw is then inserted in one or other of the said perforations.
When a cone-mounting is used, I prefer to make the upper part thereof with
a stem which fits into the lower part thereof, and which is made with a conical
part near its upper end. A block is fitted in a recess or cavity in the lower part
of the mounting and is adjustable by means of a set-screw so that it can be made
to press against the conical part of the said stem and thus hold the two parts of
the mounting firmly together. By making the stem with the said conical part,
I ensure that, when the said set-screw is tightened, the adjacent horizontal surfaces
of the said mounting will be drawn forcibly together.

page_text: I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of 57 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates chiefly to automatic guns, that is to say, guns wherein the
operations necessary in loading and firing are automatically performed with force
created or developed by the explosion in the barrel.
My said invention comprises various improvements hereinafter set forth, some of
which are applicable to machine guns or other fire-arms in which the above named
operations are performed by hand.
In the specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 29th January
A.D. 1885, No 1307, I have described a gun wherein the force created by the
explosion in the barrel imparts reciprocating motion to the breech-block through
the medium of a crank-shaft. This gun is constructed in such a manner that, when
the said gun is fired, a sliding frame carrying the barrel, the crank-shaft, the
breech-block and other parts of the breech-mechanism will recoil in an outer frame
or support; and so that, during the recoil, the relative positions of the crank-
shaft, the breech-block and the barrel will remain unchanged for a short time,
after which the crank-shaft will be rotated or partially rotated, and the breech-
block drawn back by the striking of an arm or lever fixed or formed on the
crank-shaft against a shoulder or projection on the said outer frame or support.
One object of my present invention is to improve the construction and increase the
efficiency of such guns.
An important feature of my present invention is the employment of a sliding
cartridge-carrier in combination with the breech-block and an intermittently
moved feed-belt or a vertical hopper or feeder or other suitable magazine. This
carrier is preferably so arranged that, after each discharge, it will extract the
empty cartridge-shell from the barrel, and transfer a fresh cartridge from the said
feed-belt, hopper or magazine into position to be thrust into the barrel in the
forward or return movement of the breech-block, as hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and
Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal central section, of an automatic gun constructed
according to my present invention.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same, partly in horizontal section on the line x, x,
Figure 1, the top or cover of the outer frame being removed.
Figure 4 is & transverse section on the line x, x¹, Figure 2, some of the parts
being removed.

page_text: being removed.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal central section,
Figure 7 a side elevation,
Figure 8 a plan
Figure 8 an end elevation, and
Figure 9 a transverse section, showing the breech-block detached.
Figure 10 is a rear elevation,
Figure 11 a vertical central section.
Figure 12 a horizontal section on the line z, z, Figure 11, and
Figure 13 a side elevation, shewing the cartridge-carrier detached.
Figure 14 is a vertical longitudinal central section, illustrating a modification of
my invention.
Figure 15 is a front elevation,
Figure 16 a vertical central section,
Figure 17 a rear elevation, and
Figure 18 a horizontal section, of the carrier shown in Figure 14.
Figure 19 shows, in plan and side elevation, a lever or catch hereinafter
described.
Figures 20 and 21 are side elevations, partly in vertical section, showing other
modifications of my said invention.
Figure 22 is a vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 23 a plan, partly in horizontal section, shewing another modification of
my invention.
Figure 24 is a vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 25 a plan, partly in horizontal section, shewing a further modification of
my said invention.
Figure 25 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, shewing a further.
modification of my invention.
Figure 26 is a side elevation, and
Figure 27 a vertical longitudinal central section, shewing another automatic gun
constructed according to my present invention.
Figure 28 is a transverse section on the line ³, x³, Figure 27, some of the parts
being removed.
Figures 29 and 30 are side elevations, partly in vertical section, shewing details
of construction.
Figure 31 is a side elevation, and
Figure 32 a plan, of the breech-block detached.
Figure 33 is a side elevation, partly in vertical central section, and
Figure 34 a horizontal section on the line x, x1, Figure 33, both drawn to a
reduced scale, showing a modification of the gun shown in Figures 26 and 27.
Figure 35 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, also drawn to a reduced
scale, showing details of construction.
Figure 36 is a side elevation, partly in vertical central section, drawn to a
reduced scale, showing a cone-mounting for the gun.
Figure 37 is a side elevation, also drawn to a reduced scale, of part of the said
mounting.
Figure 38 is a side elevation, also drawn to a reduced scale, of another part
thereof.
Figure 39 is a plan
Figure 40 a transverse section, and
Figure 41 a longitudinal section of a cartridge-box hereinafter described.
Figure 41 is a transverse section of another cartridge-box hereinafter described.
Figure 42 is a front elevation, and
Figure 43 a longitudinal central section of a device hereinafter described for
transferring the cartridges from the said box to a vertical hopper or feeder.
Figure 44 is a section on the line y, y, Figure 42.

page_text: Figure 45 is a vertical section, illustrating the manner of applying the said
device to the hopper or feeder.
A indicates a strong metal frame, which is provided with trunnions A¹, whereby
it can be supported in or upon a suitable carriage or mounting. The said frame is
also provided with handles As to facilitate the aiming or pointing of the gun. B is
the barrel, which is firmly secured in a block B¹. Two plates B2, B³ are dovetailed
to the block B¹, one on each side thereof. These plates are connected, near their
rear ends, by a cross-bar B and, in combination with the said cross-bar and the
block B¹, form the inner frame which carries the barrel, the crank-shaft and the
breech-mechanism. The barrel B is fitted in a guide A³ forming part of the outer
frame A, and slides to and fro with the said inner frame. The barrel, therefore,
assists in supporting the said inner frame, and in guiding the same in its to-and-fro
movement.
B is a spring for diminishing the shock produced by the recoil of the inner
frame and parts carried thereby, so that the outer frame, to which the trunnions
are attached, will not be materially affected by such recoil, and for effecting the
return movement of the said inner frame. This spring is attached, at its rear end,
to the block B¹ and is provided, at its forward end, with a nut B**. An adjusting
screw A is passed through a hole in the forward end of the frame A and screwed
into the nut B**. By turning this screw in one or the other direction, the tension
of the spring B✶ can be regulated as required.
C is the breech-block, which is formed with a slot C¹, and is provided with
cross-pieces C². These cross-pieces are fitted to slide in grooves or channels B in
the side plates B2, B3, and thus assist in guiding the breech-block in its to-and-fro
movement. The said block is also guided, in its to-and-fro movement, by a
guide A formed on, or secured to, the cover or top of the frame A, and provided
with a groove or channel A5 in which the upper part of the block C is fitted to
slide.
D is the crank-shaft which is carried in bearings B6 formed on the side plates B², B³
and fitted to slide in slots A in the sides of the frame A. These bearings assist
in supporting the inner frame and guiding the same in its to-and-fro movement.
The crank-pin D¹ works in the slot C in the breech-block C.
On one end of the shaft D is fixed an arm or lever .D³, which operates, in the
manner described in the said former specification, in combination with a spring A'
firmly attached to the frame A.
The shaft D is, moreover, provided with a crank-handle D³ whereby the said
shaft can be rotated by hand, when necessary, and which operates, in a manner
similar to that described in the said former specification, in combination with
stops AB, fixed, or formed, on the frame A.
E is a spring for storing energy during the recoil and subsequently reacting to
effect the return movement of the crank-shaft, the breech-block, and other parts.
This spring is arranged witbin a casing E¹ secured to the frame A. One end of the
said spring is secured to the crank-shaft D and the other end thereof to the pin or
stud E fixed in the casing E¹. The casing E' is elongated as shewn to permit the
backward movement of the spring E with the inner frame, but, as one end of the
said spring is attached to the frame A, the said spring will be slightly wound up
or compressed in the recoil of the inner frame, and, by its reaction, will assist in
effecting the forward or return movement of the said inner frame.
F is the firing pin, which is fitted to slide between guides F* on the breech-block,
and is formed with a notch F1 and with a rib or projection F2. G is the hammer,
which is carried by, and pivotted to, the breech-block C, and is made with an
arm G¹ which extends upward into the notch FT of the firing pin. H is a lever or
sear also carried by, and pivotted to, the breech-block and adapted to engage with
a shoulder G³ on the hammer G. H¹ is a spring which is fitted upon a pin H2
fixed in the breech-block C, and which acts upon the hammer G and sear H. These
parts are arranged to operate in a similar manner to that described in the said
former specification.

page_text: C³ is a lever or sear, which is carried by, and pivotted to, the breech-block C
and is acted upon by a spring C*. This sear bears, at its free end, upon the crank-
pin D¹, when in the position shewn. It is made with a shoulder to engage with
the projection F2 on the firing pin, when the latter is in its cocked position. The
release of the firing pin from this sear is effected by the crank-pin D¹ when, but
not until, the breech is closed, substantially as described in the said former
specification.
I is a trigger and I a sliding bar connected therewith and provided with a
projection I, which, when the trigger is pulled, acts upon a pin or stud H³ fixed in
the sear H and thus disengages the said sear from the hammer G. The sliding
bar I¹ is connected with the trigger I by means of a rod I3 which is screwed into
an arm or projection I' on the bar I and is coupled to the trigger by a pin-joint.
I is a spring, which is placed upon the rod 13, and which tends to push the bar I'
forward. The trigger I is pivotted at 16 to the frame A and is provided with a
safety catch at 17 substantially similar to that described in the said former
specification.
To provide for facilitating the cleaning or inspection of the barrel or bore, or the
extraction by hand, when necessary, of part of a broken cartridge-shell, the
trigger I is made with a hole I8, and a hole J is formed in the frame A. A plate
or valve J¹ is fitted to slide up and down in suitable guides within the frame A.
This valve is made with a hollow or tubular lug or projection J³, in which is
inserted a spring J³ placed upon a rod J' fixed in the frame A. The said valve is,
moreover, provided with a stud or projection J". The spring J³, under normal
conditions, holds the valve J¹ in position to close the hole J; but, by means of the
said projection J5, the valve can be pus ed down by hand to open the said hole.
K is a belt of cartridges, which is to be fed or moved intermittently through a
chamber or passage K¹ secured in the frame A above the barrel, for the purpose of
supplying the gun with ammunition. The intermittent movement of this cartridge-
belt is effected by means of a slide K2 carrying pawls K³ and operating, as described
in the said former specification, in combination with retaining pawls K' pivotted
to the chamber K¹.
The gun shewn in Figures 1 to 5 is provided with the following means for
operating the slide K2, that is to say -L, L¹ are two arms or levers which are
fixed on a rod or shaft L* fitted to turn freely in a lug K³ formed on, or attached
to, the chamber K¹. The arm L¹ is made with a slot L' and the slide K' is
provided with a stud or projection K which extends upward into the said slot.
The end of the arm or lever L is situated between two shoulders or projections B7, B8
on the bar B, which is secured to, or forms an extension of, the side plate B³.
These shoulders or projections, in the to-and-fro movement of the inner frame, act
alternately upon the arm L, thereby imparting reciprocating motion to the slide K³.
The said projections are so arranged relatively to the lever L that no movement
will be imparted to the said slide while the cartridges are being drawn out of
the belt.
The cartridge-carrier which I use in the gun shewn in Figures 1 to 5 affords
very simple and efficient means for drawing the cartridges out of the feed-belt K,
and bringing them into position to be thrust into the barrel, and also for extracting
the empty cartridge-shells from the barrel. The said carrier has four distinct
movements, viz :-A backward movement with the breech-block whereby the said
carrier draws a cartridge from the feed-belt, and, at the same, time extracts the
empty cartridge-shell from the barrel; a downward movement whereby it lowers
the cartridge thus drawn from the belt into position to be thrust into the barrel; a
forward movement, with the breech-block, whereby it thrusts the said cartridge
into the barrel; and an upward movement whereby the said carrier is caused to
engage with another cartridge in the feed-belt, without disengaging itself from the
flange of the cartridge in the barrel.
M indicates the said carrier, which is fitted to slide up and down upon
the forward end of the breech-block C, the said block being made with ribs or

page_text: projections C which fit into grooves or channels M₁ in the said carrier. Grooves
or channels M are formed in the carrier M to enable the same to engage with the
heads or flanges of the cartridges as hereinafter set forth. These grooves are
clearly shown in Figure 12, in which I have shewn a cartridge in position in the
grooves M². The carrier M works in grooves or channels K³ in the chamber K¹
and in grooves or channels B10 in the block B¹.
N, N, are two levers pivotted at N¹, N¹ to the breech-block C, one on each side
thereof. The forward ends of these levers enter slots M³ formed in lugs.or pro-
jections M on the carrier M. A stud or projection D is fixed or formed on each
web of the crank-shaft D. These studs or projections are designed to act upon the
levers N as hereinafter described, to effect the upward movement of the carrier M.
A spring M³ is attached to the cover or top of the frame A. This spring effects
the downward movement of the carrier M as hereinafter described. A spring M6
is so arranged within the carrier M that, when the said carrier is moved from its
lowest to its highest position, the said spring will yield and pass over the flange of
the cartridge in the barrel and will engage with the flange of a cartridge in the
belt K as shewn in Figure 2, and thus hold the said cartridge in position in the
carrier.
As the upward movement imparted to the carrier M by the studs or projec-
tions D is very rapid, it is desirable to provide for arresting its movement at the
proper time without injury to any of the parts. For this purpose, a plate or
projection N is fixed or formed on the cover or top of the frame A, and the
carrier M is provided with projections M7, Ms. When the carrier reaches the top
of its stroke or movement, its upper extremity strikes the plate or projection N³,
the projection M' strikes the forward cross-piece C2 of the breech-block, and the
projection M8 strikes the under surface of the block B¹, which block extends down
at each side of the frame A nearly to the bottom thereof.
The carrier M is formed with an aperture M10 through which the point of the
firing pin F has to pass in order to strike the priming of a cartridge in the barrel.
By arranging the parts in this manner, I provide for preventing the firing of the
gun until the crank is in position to resist the force of the explosion, that is to
say, until the crank is on, or slightly above, its forward dead centre"; as the
raising of the carrier M and the release of the firing pin are both effected by the
crank-shaft, and the firing pin, therefore, cannot enter the hole M in the said
carrier until the crank-shaft is on, or slightly above, its forward "dead centre."
"
P is a water-chamber which is firmly secured to the frame A and surrounds the
barrel B throughout, or nearly throughout, its length, and in which the said barrel
is free to slide to and fro. This chamber is kept water-tight at its ends by means
of the stuffing-boxes P1, P². These stuffing-boxes are constructed and arranged as
described in the said former specification, that is to say, each stuffing-box has a
recess P³ for the packing, into which recess is fitted an annular piston Pt. These
pistons, at each of their extremities, fit closely around the barrel, but each piston
is made with an intermediate cavity P³. This cavity extends around the barrel
and preferably communicates with the interior of the water-chamber P through
perforations formed in one end of the piston. A spiral spring P surrounds the
barrel B between the pistons P4. This spring exerts equal pressure upon the two
pistons and, consequently, upon the packing in the stuffing-boxes.
The frame A has an aperture A³ in its underside, through which the empty
cartridge-shells fall when extracted. A plate or shutter Q is provided for closing
this aperture, which plate or shutter is provided with a projection Q. When the
breech-block moves backward, it comes in contact with the said projection and
pushes back the said plate. The plate Q is also provided with a projection Q²
whereby it can be readily closed by hand. If desired, a spring is combined with
this plate to keep the same in its closed position except when acted upon by the
breech-block as above described.
The operation of the gun above described is as follows, that is to say:-When a
cartridge is exploded in the barrel, the inner frame and parts carried thereby recoil

page_text: in the outer frame A, the bearings Be sliding in the slots A in the frame A, and the
barrel B sliding in the guide A³ and in the stuffing-boxes P1, P2. When the said
inner frame has recoiled a short distance, the arm D' strikes the spring A' and the
said arm and the crank-shaft D are thereby rotated in the direction indicated by
the arrow in Figure 1, until the crank-pin D¹ reaches the position indicated by the
dotted lines at D* in Figure 2. The breech-block C and the sliding carrier Mare
thus moved backward. In this backward movement, a cartridge is drawn out of
the feed-belt K by the carrier M, which simultaneously extracts the empty cartridge-
shell from the barrel. The breech-block, in its backward movement, draws back
the plate or shutter Q so that the empty cartridge-shell extracted by the carrier M
falls through the aperture AP. The cartridge drawn out of the belt K is held or
supported in the grooves or channels M2 by the spring Mº. As soon as the said
cartridge has been moved backward a sufficient distance to be clear of the barrel,
the spring M acts upon the top of the carrier M and moves the same downward,
thereby bringing the said cartridge into position to be thrust into the barrel. The
spring E is partially wound up or compressed by the recoil of the inner frame. It
is further wound up or compressed by the partial rotation of the crank-shaft D.
The said spring, by its reaction, assists the spring B* in effecting the forward or
return movement of the said inner frame; the spring E also effects the return
movement of the crank-shaft and parts connected therewith. In this return move-
ment, the cartridge held by the carrier M is thrust into the barrel. When the
crank-shaft D has nearly completed its return movement and has driven the breech-
block home, the studs or projections D, acting upon the levers N, raise the carrier M
to its highest position. In this upward movement, the said carrier engages with
the flange of another cartridge in the belt K, which cartridge has been fed forward
into position above the barrel, by the means hereinbefore described, during the
to-and-fro movement of the inner frame. It will thus be seen that the flange of a
cartridge remains in the grooves M of the carrier M from the moment when the
carrier is moved upward by the levers N, until the said cartridge has been lowered,
thrust into the barrel, and exploded, and the empty shell has been extracted. The
said shell then falls freely from the said carrier through the opening A' as above
stated.
The firing pin is cocked in the backward movement of the crank-shaft D in the
manner described in the said former specification.
The slot C¹ in the breech-block being formed in a similar manner to that
described in the said former specification with reference to Figure 13 of the
drawings accompanying the said specification, the crank-pin D₁, in its return
movement, drives the breech-block home before it arrives at the concentric, or
nearly concentric, portion of the slot. Therefore, during the latter part of its
forward or return movement, the said crank-pin will not act upon the said block,
but will travel freely in the said slot. I thus provide for utilizing the power of
the spring E, after the breech-block is driven home, solely for raising the carrier M
and for effecting the release of the firing pin F from the sear OS in the manner
described in the said former specification.
I sometimes provide in the manner hereinafter set forth for imparting a positive
motion to the carrier M, that is to say:-I provide the said carrier with two
lateral projections M, Figures 14 to 18, and I form or fix on the interior of each
side of the frame A a cam-plate or projection A10 shaped as shown. When the
inner frame recoils, the projections M move backward over the cam-plates A¹º
and, when the crank is partially rotated as hereinbefore described, the said pro-
jections slide along the upper surfaces of the cam-plates A10; the carrier M is
thus held up while a cartridge is being drawn out of the feed-belt K. When the
said projections arrive at the downwardly curved parts of the cam-plates, the
carrier is moved down by the spring M. In the return movement of the crank,
the projections M" slide along the undersides of the cam-plates A10 until the
carrier is raised by the crank as hereinbeforo described. The inclined surfaces A¹¹
of the cam-plates, by their action upon the carrier, ensure the lowering of the

page_text: cartridge in the carrier into position in line with the barrel before the oarrier
moves forward to thrust the said cartridge into the barrel; and the under surfaces
of the cam-plates guide the carrier and prevent the rising of the same in its
forward movement. I thus provide for preventing the striking of the vertical
face of the barrel by the bullet when a cartridge is being thrust into the barrel.
I sometimes form cam-plates or projections on the side plates B2, B³, as well as
on the frame A. In Figure 20, a cam-plate A10 is formed, or fixed, on each side
of the frame A, and a cam-plate B is formed, or fixed, on each of the side
plates B2, B3. In this case, two projections M", M12 are formed on each side of.
the carrier; the projection M" engages with the cam-plate A10 and the pro-
jection M with the cam-plate B. The cam-plate A10 must, in this case, be
longer than the space through which the inner frame moves in its recoil. The
cam-plate B must be of such length and so arranged relatively to the cam-
plate A that the projection M12 will engage with the cam-plate B¹¹ before the
projection M" leaves the cam-plate A10, and vice versa.
In some instances, I substitute for the spring M³, a block A, Figure 21, formed
on, or attached to, the top or cover of the frame A, and having a curved or
inclined surface A¹³ whereby the carrier, in its backward movement, is depressed.
In the modifications of my invention shown in Figures 14 and 21, the pro-
jections D are made in the form of cams, which are so arranged that they will
commence to lift the carrier M when their parts D³ come in contact with the
levers N, and will raise the said carrier to its highest position without concussion.
I prefer to provide means whereby the inner frame, after each recoil, will be
held back until the cartridge drawn out of the feed-belt by the carrier is in
position to be thrust into the barrel, and will then be released to permit its return
movement. In Figures 14 and 19 I have shewn means for accomplishing this
result. A is a forked lever pivotted at A15 to the frame A and supported upon
a spring A6 secured to the said frame. The free end of the said lever is bent
upward as shewn, and the said lever is provided with a catch A having an
inclined upper surface. When the inner frame recoils, the cross-bar B*, acting
upon the inclined upper surface of the catch A", depresses the lever A1 and
compresses the spring A¹. As soon as the said frame has reached the termination
of its rearward movement, the lever A¹ is raised by the reaction of the spring A16,
so that the catch A" engages with the shoulder B12 of the cross-bar B. The free
end of the lever A" then projects upward into the path of the breech-block. The
said block is formed with a groove or channel C* in its underside, so that it will
pass over the end of the lever A1, in its backward movement, until the cartridge
drawn out of the belt is in position to be thrust into the barrel. The said block
then strikes the end of the lever A1 and depresses the said lever, thereby releasing
the inner frame from the catch A17.
I sometimes attach a spring A18 to the frame A, as shewn in Figure 17; this
spring bears against one side of the carrier M, and holds the same firmly in place.
If desired, the said carrier is formed with notches, into one or the other of which
the end of the said spring will enter when the carrier is at the top or at the
bottom of its stroke or movement.
In Figures 14 to 18, I have illustrated a slight modification of my cartridge-
carrier, which consists in substituting for the spring M° shewn in Figures 10 to 13,
a sliding piece M¹³ and a spring M₁ which tends to push the same forward. The
sliding piece M³ is made with projections M15 which are curved or inclined so that,
when the carrier is moved upward, the piece M13 will be pushed back by the
heads or flanges of the cartridges in the barrel and feed-belt. The said projections
are, moreover, so relatively arranged that the head or flange of a cartridge will.
fit between them.
The cartridge-carrier herein described is, as above stated, an important feature
of my present invention. Its construction will be modified and the means employed
for operating it varied according to the construction of the gun to which it is
annliad

page_text: I sometimes adapt the said carrier for use in a gun wherein the feed-belt is arranged
to be moved intermittently through a passage or chamber beneath the barrel. Or
I arrange the said carrier to slide horizontally instead of vertically so that it will
transfer the cartridges into the barrel from a belt or magazine at either side of
the same. Moreover, in some instances, I dispense with the feed-belt and combine
the said carrier with some other suitable magazine, either above or beneath, or at
one side of, the barrel.
In Figures 22 to 25°, I have illustrated the application of my said cartridge-
carrier to a gun wherein a spring. toggle-joint is used in combination with the
breech-block, as described in the specification of former Letters Patent. granted to
me and dated 26th May, A.D. 1884, N° 8242. In Figures 22 and 23, the inner
frame and parts carried thereby are shewn detached. The crank-shaft D serves as
one of the links of the toggle-joint. The forward link D of the said toggle-joint.
is provided with a projection or stud D', which engages with a hook F³ on the
rear end of the firing pin F, so that the said firing pin will be cocked during the
rearward movement of the breech-block. The firing pin is made with an arm or
extension F having a shoulder F. It is also provided with a shoulder F. In
combination with the said firing pin, I'employ two levers or sears H' and H³. The
lever or sear H* is acted upon by a spring H whereby it is caused to engage with
the shoulder F5 when the firing pin is cocked; this lever or sear holds the firing
pin in its cocked position until the carrier M rises and disengages the said scar from
the shoulder F. The lever or sear H³ is acted upon by a spring H' whereby it is
caused to engage with the shoulder F when the firing pin is cocked; this lever or
sear holds the firing pin in its cocked position until the said sear is disengaged
from the shoulder Fe by means of a trigger and sliding bar similar to those above
described.
In Figure 22, B¹³ is a tube arranged beneath the barrel B in such a position
that the empty cartridge-shells will be thrust into the said tube by the carrier M
in its forward movement. The said tube is extended forward to any desired
distance from the breech-end of the barrel, and serves to conduct the said cartridge-
shells forward so that, when they fall from the end of the tube, they will not be
liable to impede the movements of the gunner. A spring M16, bent at its upper
and free end as shewn, is attached to the carrier M to support the empty cartridge-
shell therein until it is thrust into the said tube. A spring B¹ is attached to the
underside of the tube B¹³ and projects upward through a slot therein. This spring
holds each empty shell as it is thrust into the tube by the carrier, until the said shell
is pushed forward in the said tube by the insertion of another empty shell therein.
Figures 24, 25 and 25ª illustrate another method or manner of applying my
cartridge-carrier to a gun wherein a spring toggle-joint is arranged in combination
with the breech-block. In this modification of my invention, the forward link Dº
of the toggle-joint is bifurcated and the two parts thereof fit one against each side
of the breech-block C. The gun is provided with a firing pin F, hammer G and
sear H, and a sear C³ all arranged somewhat similarly to those in the gun shewn
in Figures 1 to 5. The hammer G and sear C³ are operated by the forward
link De of the toggle-joint in substantially the same manner as they are operated
by the crank-pin in the gun shewn in Figures 1 to 5.
In Figures 25 and 25 I have shewn a modified arrangement of mechanism for
operating the sliding-carrier. D8, D9 are arms or levers fixed. or formed on the
link D one on each side of the breech-block. A lever N2 is pivotted to the
breech-block which lever has two arms N³, N*; the arm N* is forked to permit it
to engage with the carrier M, and is provided with a stud or projection Ñ³. The
arm N³ is adapted to be acted upon by the lever D8 and the stud or projection N
by the lever D9 as hereinafter set forth. The free end of the arm N₁ fits between
two projections M1, M18 on the carrier M. When the toggle-joint is bent or folded
by the recoil of the breech-block, the arm D' acting upon the stud or projection No
moves the carrier M down at the proper time to lower a cartridge into position
to be thrust into the barrel. In the latter part of the forward movement of the

page_text: breech-block, the lever D³, acting upon the arm N³, raises the carrier M so that it
engages with another cartridge in the feed-belt. If desired, cam-plates may be
fixed, or formed, on the frame A and projections on the carrier M as above
described to ensure a positive motion of the said carrier.
In Figures 26 to 32, I have illustrated the application of my cartridge-carrier
to a gun provided with a vertical hopper, feeder, or magazine, In this modification
of my invention, I make the sliding carrier in two parts M, M*. These parts are
formed on, or secured to, vertical bars R fitted to slide up and down between
guides R¹ on the side plates B2, B³. The said carrier is arranged beneath the
hopper or magazine S, and is designed to lower the cartridges therefrom in the
manner bereinafter specified.
Two hooked rods or extractors a are fitted in dovetail grooves b in the breech-
block C, one on each side thereof. These rods or extractors are bent, as shown,
so that they extend outward at right angles to the breech-block and then forward
and project slightly beyond the forward end of the breech-block. Their forward
extremities are hooked to enable them to engage with the flanges of the cartridges.
The breech-block is made with projections C7, which, when the said block has
moved a short distance backward, strike the shoulders a¹ of the extractors a, so
that the said block, in its continued rearward movement, will effect the extraction
of the empty cartridge-shell. By this arrangement I provide for delaying the
extraction of the empty shell until the pressure in the barrel has somewhat
diminished. The breech-block is preferably hollowed out slightly at the top as
indicated by the dotted line at c, Figure 31, to form a seat for the lowerinost
cartridge in the hopper S.
The parts M, M* of the carrier are provided with antifriction rollers M³, which,
when the crank is on its forward "dead centre," rest upon the webs of the crank-
shaft. When the gun is ready for firing, the parts M, M* are also supported, by
means of the bars R, upon the projections T¹ of two horizontal bars T, as shewn in
Figure 29. The bars T are fitted to slide to and fro in grooves or channels T* in
the side plates B2, B3, and are acted upon. by springs 12, which tend to push them
forward. They are provided, at their rear ends, with upwardly projecting arms T³,
so that, when a cartridge has been fired and the crank-shaft D partially rotated as
hereinbefore described, the webs of the crank will strike the said arms T³ and
move the bars T backward, thereby releasing the bars R of the carrier. The said
carrier then falls by reason of its weight and that of the cartridges resting upon it,
and thus lowers a fresh cartridge into position to be thrust into the barrel. The
crank and the arms T3 of the sliding bars T are so relatively arranged that the
said crank will not move the bars backward until it has nearly terminated its
rearward movement and the breech-block is clear of the cartridge in the carrier.
The webs of the crank-shaft D are made with notches or recesses D10, so that,
when the crank and the breech-block have terminated their rearward movement,
the arms T3, after having been moved backward by the crank as above described,
will be caused, by the reaction of the springs T3, to enter the said notches or
recesses. The return movement of the crank is thus prevented until the cartridge
lowered by the carrier is in position to be thrust into the barrel. The vertical
bars R of the carrier are made with inclined planes or surfaces R2 which, when the
carrier has lowered a cartridge into position to be thrust into the barrel, act upon
the projections T¹ of the sliding bars T and move the said bars backward into the
position shewn in Figure 30, thereby releasing the crank from the armus T³. The
return movement of the crank is effected by means of a spring which is wound up
or compressed during the rearward movement of the crank as herein before described.
If desired, however, it may be effected in any other convenient manner. The breech-
block, in its forward movement, thrusts the cartridge lowered by the carrier into
the barrel, the column of cartridges in the hopper then rests upon the breech-block,
the lowermost cartridge seating itself in the groove c. In the return movement
of the crank, the webs thereof come in contact with the rollers M³, as shown in

page_text: •
dotted lines in Figure 30, and thereby raise the carrier so that it engages with the
lowermost cartridge in the said column.
U is a spring which is arranged between the inner and outer frames to diminish
the shock produced by the recoil of the said inner frame and parts carried thereby;
as above described with reference to the spring B*.
The gun is provided with bandles A2 for facilitating the aiming or pointing of
the gun and for enabling the same to be held in position while firing. With guns
of small size, this arrangement of handles and springs is sufficient for the purpose,
but, with heavy guns, some more efficient means are required. In Figures 33
and 34, I have shewn, drawn to a reduced scale, a heavy gun of the class described
with reference to Figures 26 and 27, that is to say, provided with a vertical hopper
or feeder S for supplying the gun with ammunition. This gun is provided with
a shoulder-piece or crutch V which is firmly secured to the outer frame A.
A chamber V is formed in the rear end of the frame A and contains glycerine or
other suitable liquid. The interior of this chamber is slightly taper, that is to say,
it is rather larger at its rear end than at its forward end. A piston V² is inserted
in the said chamber. This piston is of such diameter that it fits the smaller part
of the chamber. It has two rods V³, V* which extend through, and work in, cup-
leathers at the ends of the said chamber. The piston-rod V is screwed firmly into
the rear end of the inner frame. When the said inner frame recoils, the liquid in
the chamber V¹ is forced through the space between the piston and the sides of the
said chamber, but, as this space is very small, considerable resistance is offered to
the recoil of the said inner frame. This resistance, by reason of the taper form of
the said chamber, diminishes as the said frame moves backward. The shock
produced by the recoil is, by these means, greatly diminished. To further diminish
such shock, volute springs W, which act as buffers or cushions, are placed between
the rear ends of the inuer and outer frames. The springs W also serve to effect,
or assist in effecting, the return movement of the inner frame and parts carried
thereby.
Any other suitable buffer or cushion may, with more or less advantage, be
substituted for the devices above described, for the purpose of diminishing the
shock produced by the recoil. By these means a gunner can handle comparatively
heavy guns with facility and without danger or inconvenience arising from
concussion due to the recoil.
To provide for storing energy developed by the recoil and subsequently utilizing
the same to effect the return movement of the parts, I sometimes combine, with
the crank-shaft D, the following devices, that is to say :-I fix on the said shaft a
lever or cam a* which is connected by a chain 6* with a similar lever or cam c*
formed on, or attached to, a disc d* fixed upon a shaft e*. This shaft is fixed in,
or formed on, a block g*, which is firmly attached to the inner frame and works
in a slot h* in the outer frame A; the said shaft is connected with the crank-
shaft D by a link or bar e**. Another lever or cam i* is formed on, or attached
to, the disc d, and is connected by a chain k* with a spiral spring *. This spring
is attached, at its rear end, to a screw-threaded rod m* provided with a nut n
for the purpose bereinafter specified. The spring * tends to hold the parts in the
positions shown in the drawing. The recoil of the inner frame and parts carried
thereby tends to slacken the chain * and spring *, so that the latter slightly con-
tracts and pulls the chain backward. In the return movement of the said frame
and parts carried thereby, the said chain is pulled forward and the spring thus
expanded, that is to say, the spring * is slackened during the recoil and tightened
during the return movement of the inner frame. I thus provide for diminishing the
resistance to the movement of the crank during the commencement of its partial
rotation.
The levers or cams a*, c*, i* are so constructed and arranged that the most advan
tageous results will be obtained with respect to leverage between the crank-shaft D
and spring 7*, substantially as described in the said former specification Nº 1307.

page_text: By turning the nut n* in one direction, the tension of the spring 1* can be
diminished, when necessary, to permit the gun to be readily worked by hand.
When a cone-mounting is used for supporting the gun, I prefer to construct the
said mounting as shown in Figures 36 and 37, in which is the lower part or
base of the said mounting, and h is the upper or swivelling part thereof. The
part h is made with a central stem h¹, which fits into the base g, and which has a
conical part 2 near its upper end. A block i is fitted to slide in a recess or
cavity g¹ formed in the part g2 of the base g. This block is prevented from
rotating by the screw j, the extremity of which enters a slot i¹ in the said block
so that the latter is free to move endwise. The said block is formed with an
inclined surface which fits the conical part h³ of the stem h'. A set-screw / is
screwed into the part g2 of the base g so that its extremity bears against the
block. By turning this set-screw in one direction, the block i can be pressed
against, and held in contact with, the conical part 2 of the stem h¹. By these
means, I provide for uniting or connecting the two parts of the mounting in such a
manner that the upper part h can turn freely in or upon the base g. Moreover,
by these means, I provide for forcibly drawing together the adjacent horizontal
surfaces of the parts g and h. By turning the set-screw k in the reverse direction,
the block i is released so that the upper part h can be removed from the base g.
When the portion of the gun behind the trunnions is heavier than the portion
thereof in front of the same, I provide a device for supporting the rear end of the
gun. For this purpose, I sometimes use a spring lever consisting of a coiled
spring which is attached, at one end, to an adjustable rod or shaft m carried in
bearings in the upper part h of the mounting, and which has, at its other end,
a lever or arm n provided with an anti-friction roller n¹. When the gun is in
place upon the mounting, this roller bears against the underside of the frame A
of the gun.
This
To provide for regulating the tension of the spring 7, I form or fix a collar m¹
on the shaft m, which collar has a series of holes m². A screw o is inserted in one
side of the upper part h of the mounting, and is designed to enter one or other of
the holes in the said collar and thus prevent the rotation of the shaft m.
shaft m is made with a square end m³ on which a lever or handle is to be fitted,
whereby, when the screw o is withdrawn from the collar m', the said shaft can be
rotated in either direction to regulate the tension of the spring 1. The said shaft
must be adjusted so that one or other of the holes m² coincides with the screw o,
which is then screwed home, so that its extremity enters the said hole. The part h
is made with a peripheral groove or channel h³ which is T-shaped in transverse
section. p, p are two screw-bolts, the heads of which are inserted in the groove h³:
Upon these bolts are secured, by means of the nuts p¹ two arms q. A stop g³ is,
moreover, provided upon the base g between the said arms. The arms q can be
adjusted to, and secured in, any desired position, either in contact with the said
stop so that rotation of the part h will be prevented, or at any suitable distance
from the said stop, so that the part h can be rotated more or less in either direction
upon the base g.
I sometimes provide for the filling of a vertical hopper or feeder on a gun with
cartridges as hereinafter set forth that is to say; I make a cartridge-box
Figures 39, 40 and 41, with two or more rows or series of apertures r' into which
the cartridges are inserted as shown; I prefer that there should be either ten or
twenty of these apertures in each row Moreover, I provide a cartridge-holder 8,
Figures 42 to 44, having grooves or channels s¹ formed therein to enable it to
engage with the heads or flanges of the cartridges. This holder is provided with a
spring catch t for preventing the falling of the cartridges from the said holder
when it is held in a vertical position. The said holder is designed to contain say
ten cartridges. The box or frame r is recessed or channelled as at 2 so that the
said holder can be readily moved along in contact therewith. (as indicated by
dotted lines at 8 Figure 40) in such a manner that it will engage with the flanges
of the cartridges in one or other of the said rows or series.

page_text: .box r.
In filling the hopper or feeder of a gun, the said holder is caused to engage with.
the cartridges in one half or the whole of either of the said rows and is then lifted
together with the said cartridges to disengage or withdraw the latter from the
The holder 8 is then held in a vertical position and the part s³ thereof is
inserted in a slot S¹ in the top of the hopper.or feeder S as shewn in Figure 45.
The spring catch t is then withdrawn, either automatically by the act of placing
the holder in the slot, or otherwise, so as to permit' the cartridges to fall into the
said hopper or feeder.
In Figure 41 I have shown a double box r, that is to say, a box which is
adapted to receive cartridges at both sides of the same. By this means I effect
considerable economy with respect to the space occupied by the cartridges, and
the size of the box to enable it to contain any given quantity of cartridges. This
box is provided with two hinged lids or covers 3, and with rope handles to
facilitate its transport. The said handles are preferably arranged within recesses
in the ends of the box to economize space in the stowage of such boxes or board
ship or elsewhere.
My cartridge-holder is either constructed as above described to engage with a
single row of cartridges, or it is constructed in such a manner that it will simul-
taneously engage with two or more rows of cartridges. The last described
arrangement is advantageous for use with guns having two or more barrels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I claim
First. A sliding cartridge-carrier which holds the cartridges by their heads or.
flanges and which, after each discharge, simultaneously draws a cartridge from
a feed-belt or magazine and extracts the empty cartridge-shell from the barrel,
then places the said cartridge in line with, and thrusts it into, the barrel, and
then engages with another cartridge in the said feed-belt or magazine, as above
specified.
Second. The combination, with the breech-block and a cartridge-carrier fitted
to slide up and down thereon, of levers carried by, and pivotted to, the said block
and engaging with slotted lugs on the said carrier, and studs or projections on the
crank-shaft, all substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Third. The combination, with the said cartridge-carrier, of the means or devices
for depressing the said carrier in its rearward movement, substantially as, and for
the purpose, set forth.
Fourth. In a sliding cartridge-carrier for the purposes above specified, the
employment of a device consisting of a spring or a sliding piece combined with
a spring, which device yields to permit its engagement with a cartridge in the feed-
belt or magazine and then holds the cartridge in position in the grooves of the said
carrier, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The improved cartridge-carrier consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to either of the modifications
shown in Figure 2 and in Figures 10 to 13, or in Figures 14 to. 18 of the
drawings for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination of parts (comprising the crank-shaft provided with the
studs or projections D', the breech-block, the firing pin and the cartridge-carrier,
substantially as described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings,) whereby
I provide for preventing the firing of the gun until the crank is in position to
support the breech-block against the force of the explosion, as above specified.
Seventh. The combination, with the outer frame or support and the inner sliding
frame, of the spring B* and means for regulating its tension, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Eighth. The combination of parts (comprising the levers L, L', fixed on the rod
or shaft L; the bar B° formed on, or attached to, the inner frame and provided
with the lugs or projections B7, B8, and the pin or stud K on the slide K²,

page_text: substantially as set forth,) whereby I provide for imparting reciprocating motion
to the said slide, as, and for the purpose, specified.
Ninth. The improvements relating to the provision in the outer frame of means
for facilitating the cleaning and inspection of the bore, substantially as, and for
the purpose, set forth...
+
'
Tenth. The combination of the breech-block, the outer frame having the aperture>
in its under-side, and the plate or shutter, substantially as described, so that the>
said block,, in its rearward movement, will draw back the said plate or shutter,..
as, and for the purpose,.specified.
Eleventh. The provision of means for imparting positive motion to the cartridge
carrier, substantially as described with reference to Figure 14 or to Figure 20, or
to Figure 21 of the drawings for the purposes specified.
I 1
Twelfth. The employment of cams or cam-like projections on the crank-shaft.
for raising the cartridge-carrier, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 14 and 21 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Thirteenth. The provision of means, (substantially as described with reference to
Figures 14 and 19 of the drawings,) for preventing the return movement of the
inner frame until the cartridge in the carrier is in line with the barrel, substantially
as, and for the purpose, set forth.
.:
Fourteenth. The modification of my invention by which I adapt and apply my
cartridge-carrier to a gun wherein a spring toggle-joint is combined with the
breech-block, substantially as described with reference to Figures 22 and 23, or to'
Figures 24, 25 and 25ª of the drawings.
Fifteenth. The. provision of means for effecting the operation of the cartridge-
carrier by, or through the medium of, the forward link of the toggle-joint,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 25 and 25% of the drawings.
Sixteenth. The combination of parts (comprising the cartridge-carrier provided
with the spring M16, and the tube arranged beneath the barrel, substantially as
described with reference to Figure 22 of the drawings) whereby I provide for
conducting the empty cartridge-shells to any desired distance in front of the
carrier and ejecting the same, as, and for the purpose, specified.
Seventeenth. The combination, with the breech-block and a hopper or feeder
above the same, of a cartridge-carrier, constructed and arranged to operate
substantially as described with reference to Figures 26 to 30 of the drawings; for
the purpose specified.
Eighteenth. The combination of parts (comprising the breech-block, the crank-
shaft, the carrier M, M* provided with the vertical bars R, the sliding bars T
provided with the projections T', and the springs T2, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 26 to 30 of the drawings), whereby I provide for
holding up the said carrier until the breech-block has moved back clear of the
cartridge resting on the said carrier, and then releasing the same, as, and for the
purpose, specified.
Nineteenth. The means substantially as described with reference to Figures 26
to 30 of the drawings, whereby, after a cartridge has been exploded in the barrel,
the crank-shaft is held back (until the carrier has lowered the succeeding
cartridge into position to be thrust into the barrel) and is then released, as above
specified.
Twentieth. The combination of the extractors a having shoulders a¹ and fitted
to slide in dovetail grooves in the breech-block, and the projection C on the said
block, substantially as described with reference to Figures 31 and 32 of the
drawings, for the purpose specified.
Twenty first. The outer frame or support mounted on trunnions and having at
its rear end a shoulder-piece or crutch, and the inner sliding frame or part
carrying the barrel and breech-mechanism, arranged in combination with each
other and with one or more hydraulic or other buffers or cushions placed between
them, for the purposes above specified.

page_text: Twenty second. The modification of my invention which consists in arranging
one or more dash-pots or hydraulic buffers between the rear ends of the inner and
outer frames, substantially as described with reference to figures 33 and 34 of the
drawings for the purpose specified.
Twenty third. The means, substantially as described with reference to Figure 35
of the drawings, whereby the spring for effecting the forward movement of the
crank-shaft is slackened during the recoil and tightened in the forward movement
of the inner frame, as above specified.
Twenty fourth. The combination, with the spring *, of means for diminishing
its tension to permit or facilitate the operation of the gun by hand, substantially
as described with reference to Figure 35 of the drawings.
Twenty fifth. A cone-mounting consisting essentially of two parts constructed
and united as described, the base or lower part having an adjustable block fitted
to slide therein and bear against a conical piece on the upper part, substantially as,
and for the purposes, set forth.
Twenty sixth. The combination, with the said cone-mounting, of the arms q, and
the stop g³, substantially as described with reference to Figures 36 and 37 of the
drawings, for the purpose specified.
Twenty seventh. The combination, with a gun and its mounting, of the spring 7,
the lever or arm n, the shaft m and means for regulating the tension of the said
said spring, substantially as described with reference to Figures 36 to 38 of the
drawings for the purpose specified.
Twenty eighth. A cartridge-box designed to contain one or more rows of
cartridges and recessed or channelled as above described to permit the lifting or
withdrawal of the said cartridges therefrom by means of a grooved cartridge-
holder, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Twenty ninth. A cartridge-holder formed with grooves and provided with one
or more spring catches substantially as described with reference to Figures 42 to
45 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Thirtieth. The improved automatic gun consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to either of the forms or
modifications shewn in the accompanying drawings and operating as above set
forth.