Improvements in Automatic Repeating Fire Arms.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 14th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 21st Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Repeating Fire Arms.
I, PAUL DARCHE of 13 Rue Tronchet Paris in the Republic of France
Inspector of Bridges and Roads do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The firearm forming the object of the present invention is an automatic repeater
and enables the force of the recoil to be utilised for working the breech as
hereinafter explained being also capable of being loaded by hand when required.
The movement of the cartridge elevator or device employed for elevating the
cartridges from the magazine into the chamber can be arrested or suspended by
means of stops. This elevator is rigidly connected with the stops of the movable
breech block and of the trigger so that the action is locked until the breech
is completely closed. A safety stop blocks the movement of the striker in
case the closing of the breech is imperfectly performed. The barrel and the
fixed breech together with the movable breech partake of the movement
resulting from the recoil and are thereby caused to compress a spring or springs
which subsequently actuate the breech mechanism and deaden the shock of the
ecoil upon the shoulder. When acting as a repeater the barrel and the fixed
breech or chamber return to their original position before the return of the movable
breech block or bolt takes place so as to form an opening for the ejection of the
empty cartridge case and the introduction of a fresh cartridge. When the fire arm
is not used as a repeater the same opening is formed but the return of the movable
breech is effected by unlocking. the special stop or catch by acting upon a thumb
piece or projection which like the projection connected with the cartridge elevator
is situated on the right hand side of the firearm.
I will first describe the invention as applied to a rifle.
The barrel may be of any ordinary or suitable construction and forms no part of
the present invention. The fixed breech or guide in which the bolt or breech.
block slides is attached to the barrel and is provided with two side plates or cheeks
presenting notches or recesses capable of engaging with locking levers or stops
carried by the movable part or breech bolt. Tongues or projections on the rear
end of the fixed breech or part attached to the barrel engage with corresponding
projections on the movable breech. The arrangement enables, the locking levers to
act properly and prevents the plates on the fixed breech from springing outwards
under the pressure of the said levers.
The movable breech or bolt closes the breech chamber and is secured by means
of the two locking levers which are placed in recesses in the sides of the bolt.
This bolt or breech block is perforated with a longitudinal central passage for the
reception of the striker and is also provided with an extractor, a safety stop for
the striker (in case the breech is imperfectly closed) and a lever for working the
action by hand. The tail of the movable breech is provided with a notch herein-
after described.
The locking levers oscillate upon their axes in the movable breech and are
provided at their lower part with a small cylindrical extension or projection by
means of which they are automatically released at the end of the recoil movement.
These levers are recessed at the centre for the passage of the head of the striker.
The extractor is retained in the upper part of the movable breech by means of
a plate secured at one end by a screw and at the other end by a hook. The said
plate also forms a bearing for the locking levers and when removed the latter can.
be removed or placed in nosition.

page_text: A hand lever is employed for opening the breech for the purpose of introducing
the cartridges by hand into the barrel or for removing any cartridge that has not
been discharged. By drawing back this lever the breech being closed, the lever is
caused to move upon a stud or pin situated under the movable breech and two
inclined slots provided in the lever engage with the lower projections on the locking
levers and cause the latter to move inwards and escape from the notches in the
fixed breech.
Under these conditions the movable breech is enabled to retire or move back and
engages with a stop controlled by the elevator by means of the notch in the tail
plate at the same time drawing back or cocking the striker. When the elevator is
focked as hereinafter explained the breech remains open and a cartridge is enabled
to be introduced into the beech chamber after which the chamber is closed and
the bolt is locked by means of the thumb piece releasing the bolt or stop engaging
with the said bolt.
In case it is necessary to remove an unexploded cartridge from the barrel after the
striker has been cocked it is necessary in order to open the gun to first place the
striker on the safety notch so as to place it in such a manner as to present the notch
in its head opposite to the projection on a safety bolt provided for the purpose of
retaining it in case the breech is not closed.
The striker also serves to eject the empty cartridge cases. Its movement is
about ths of an inch longer than is necessary for striking. At its rear extremity
it is provided with a small projection by which it can be placed on the safety notch
by causing it to describe about half a revolution upon its axis. In this safety
position the notch in the head allows the safety stop carried by the bolt or movable
breech to pass.
In any other position the striker cannot pass the safety stop unless
the latter is depressed by the complete closing of the breech. The striker is also
provided with a shoulder enabling it to engage with the nose of the sear.
The safety stop or bolt herein before referred to vibrates upon a horizontal axis
and is acted on by a spring which causes it to tend to rise and stop the forward
movement of the striker except when the breech is closed and the safety bolt is
lowered by placing the hand lever in the normal position. This bolt is connected
to the said lever by a projection which engages with an inclined slot formed in the
said lever.
The movable breech is subjected to the action of a counter spring having a
bearing in the rear end of the breech box or case. The said box or case supports
the lower parts of the mechanism (such as the elevator, magazine, trigger guard,
trigger and sear) and moreover sustains the excess of the force of the recoil which
is not absorbed by the springs being attached to the stock of the rifle and ensures
the rigidity of all the parts. The breech box is covered with an upper box or
cover protecting the parts of the breech and acting as a guide for the barrel and
movable breech.
The said cover is provided with an opening for the introduction and ejection of
the cartridges and with a lateral slot or opening for the play of the hand lever.
The breech box is connected to the stock by a screw passing through the tang of
the breech box and by a screw which likewise serves to secure the trigger guard
plate carrying the trigger guard.
The breech box is further provided with inclines hereinbefore referred to for
acting on the locking levers a stop for the elevator, the thumb piece or projecting
for working the stop of the bolt or movable breech, an aperture for the introduction
of the cartridges when loading by hand provided with a door closed by a spring an
opening for the projection on the under side of the front end of the elevator acting
as a stop for the cartridge and an aperture for the nose of the seat.
At the front
extremity it is provided with a screw thread engaging with the magazine.
This magazine is in the form of a tube and contains a number of cartridges which
are introduced through the aforesaid orifice in the side of the breech box and
compress a suitable spring by which they are subsequently pushed out onto the
elevator as hereinafter described. It also acts as a guide for a helical spring
A

page_text: acting on a ring attached to the barrel and serving to move the latter forwards
after the recoil. The ring compresses the spring during the recoil and slides
upon the magazine being rigidly fixed by a dovetail to the underside of the
barrel.
The cartridge elevator is arranged in the breech box in a line with the
magazine and vibrates upon a pin being acted on by a spring which tends to
elevate it being coiled at one extremity around a pin forming the axis of the
trigger. The elevator is provided with two inclines acted on by the bolt or
moveable breech which slides over them in its forward movement and forces down
the elevator into its normal position. The elevator acts upon a stop connected to
the thumb piece and oscillating upon the pin or axis of the elevator by the
intervention of a bent lever or arm situated under an arm or lever connected to
the elevator so that as the elevator ascends it lowers the said stop and frees the
movable breech or bolt.
The movable breech is then at liberty to be acted upon by the recoil spring
situated at the rear of the breech box (which spring was compressed in the rearward
movement of the breech bolt) precisely at the moment when the elevator has
pushed up a cartridge to the level of the breech chamber. This action whereby
the breech is closed automatically and precisely at the proper time is of great
importance.
The aforesaid lever arm connected with the elevator is provided with a notch
which engages with a projection on the trigger when the latter is pulled and
prevents the elevator from working (even when the breech is open) until the
trigger has returned to its normal position. This interlocking of the elevator,
of the bolt or movable breech, and the trigger constitutes an important part of
the invention and regulates the action with great precision by enabling the shooter
to load by band under any conditions with the same precision as in the case of
an ordinary breech loading rifle. A spring constantly tends to force up the stop into
engagement with the movable breech."
The stop for holding the elevator out of action is provided with a screw capable
of being actuated by an external lever. By acting on this lever the inner extremity
of the stop screw can be caused to engage with a recess in the elevator so as to lock
the latter.
The elevator when raised constitutes in itself a stop for the cartridges as indicated
by the dotted lines by means of a heel or projection which projects in front of the
magazine. The spring or door closing the orifice through which the cartridges are
introduced is provided with a projection which acts as a stop for the cartridge which
has passed from the magazine onto the elevator.
The sear is connected to the trigger by a pin and works in an opening in the breech
box so as to project above the bottom of the latter and engage with the shoulder of
the striker. A spring acting upon the said pin causes the nose of the sear to tend
to project into the path of the striker which can be cocked by hand by overcoming
the pressure of this spring.
The action of the breech mechanism is as follows:-When loading by hand the
first operation consists in locking the elevator by means of the elevator stop
hereinbefore described after which the breech is opened by means of drawing back
the breech bolt by the aid of the hand lever until it is engaged by the breech bolt
stop. Under the action of the hand lever the barrel moves back with the movable
breech and towards the end of the movement the locking levers coming in contact
with the inclines ou the breech box are forced inwards and disengaged from the
notches in the part of the breech attached to the barrel which together with the
barrel is then pushed forwards by the action of the spring placed under the barrel.
The breech being now open the movable breech or bolt being retained by the catch
a cartridge is introduced into the breech chamber through the opening in the upper
part of the breech box. In case a cartridge has been previously fired off the empty
case drawn out by the extractor is ejected by the striker which may continue its
forward movement for about ths of an inch.

page_text: In all cases where a fresh cartridge is introduced the projection of the breech bolt
stop is acted upon so as to liberate the bolt which under the influence of the spring
compressed in drawing back the bolt is suddenly forced forwards.
The locking levers are caused to engage with the recesses in the fixed breech by
the automatic action of the hand lever when the holt comes in contact with the
barrel.
This lever which, at the moment when the projection of the breech bolt stop is
acted upon, is in the retracted position is thrown over by the shock resuiting from
the sudden stoppage of the movement of the breech block on coming in contact with
the barrel. In this movement the inclined slots in the hand lever force out the
Hocking levers and another slot acts upon the tail of the stop engaging with the
Under these conditions no
striker and compies-es the spring acting on this stop.
backward movement is possible, the beech is completely closed the striker is free-
to move and the lever connected with the elevator presents its notch in front of the
arm on the trigger. In case the breech has not been completely closed owing to an
incomplete movement of the locking levers for example the striker stop is not
completely lowered by the hand lever and the stiker is consequently locked thus
affording absolute safety from premature explosions. The outward movement of
the locking levers may be assisted by small springs supplementing the action of the
land lever.
Assuming that the breech is completely closed it is simply necessary to act upon
the trigger in order to lower the nose of the sear and liberate the striker which is
immediately driven forwards by the action of a main spring and explodes the
cartridge.
In order to discharge a fresh cartridge the movements hereinbefore described are
simply repeated. These movements may be summed up as follows vict. (1) opening
the breech (2) inserting a cartridge into the barrel (3) pressing down the projection
of the breech bolt stop and (4) firing.
Repeating action. In this case it must be assumed that the magazine has been
filled through the lateral opening herein before described and that one cartridge has
been placed in the bariel. The elevator is freed by unscrewing the elevator stop
and the firing is commenced.
The opening of the breech and ejection of the case take place precisely in the
same way as when loading by hand with the difference that in the present case the
force of the recoil or reaction due to the explosion of the cartridge causes the breech
to open in place of the force produced by acting upon the hand lever. The elevator
being free and carrying a cartridge immediately ascends after the barrel has
returned to its place. When the elevator has ascended sufficiently to place the
fresh cartridge on a level with the breech chamber the breech block or bolt being
released by the movement of the elevator (which acts automatically upon the breech
bolt stop) springs forward and pushes the cartridge into the barrel at the same time
forcing down the elevator by sliding over the inclined sides on the latter and closing
the breech. By means of these arrangements a series of shots can be fired in rapid
succession simply by repeatedly pressing the trigger until the magazine is
exhausted.
As the breech does not open until after the recoil has taken place and when the
barrel is moving forwards there is no pressure of gas in the barrel when this opening
takes place so that there is no fear of any escape liable to clog up the mechanism
or interfere with the shooting.
It should also be observed that the rapidity with which the empty case is ejected
in great measure prevents the latter froin transmitting the heat of the explosion to
the barrel.
On the other hand a portion of the force of the recoil being absorbed and
stored up in the springs the effect of the shock of the recoil upon the shoulder is
almost nil.
It is evident that this automatic repeating arrangement may be combined with
tire arms of any calibre and of any size and that the invention may be applied to

page_text: the pieces of artillery of small calibre known as quick firing guns thereby enabling
them to act as machine guns. The invention may in particular be applied to
sporting or shot guns by means of a few modifications in the details as hereinafter
explained being rendered necessary by the form of the cartridges.
In this modification the fixed breech and the movable breech or breech bolt are
constructed in the same way as in the military gun or rifle and act in the same
manner but the extractor situated at the upper part of the movable breech is
replaced by two hooks arranged at the side and the empty case is ejected by the
succeeding cartridge which being elevated by the elevator pushes up the empty
case and throws it out of the breech. The lateral opening for the introduction of
the cartridges into the magazine is dispensed with the magazine being charged at
the front end and with this object is provided with an internal tube containing a
spring by which the cartridges are pushed out.
This tube is screwed to the magazine and is removed in order to introduce the
cartridges.
The cartridges slide onto the elevator as in the arrangement hereinbefore
described but the stop for holding the elevator out of action is dispensed with
the elevator being locked by a lateral rocking motion of the trigger guard which
is pivotted upon a vertical pin carrying a lever arm provided with a pin or bolt
capable of engaging with a corresponding hole in the elevator. The same move-
ment of the trigger guard places a projection under the sear locking the latter
and preventing the gun from going off. The cartridges in the elevator bear
against a spring stop acted upon by a spring which tends to maintain it in the
vertical position after it has been depressed by the breech bolt in closing the
breech. Another stop acting upon the cartridges in the magazine in place of
being attached to the elevator forms an independent piece carried by a spring
and which is depressed automatically by the elevator so as to allow one cartridge
to pass at a time onto the latter.
The breech bolt stop is actuated directly by the elevator the thumb piece or
external projection being dispensed with. In this case the stop is subjected to
the action of a spring which constantly tends to cause it to engage with the
movable breech or breech bolt whilst the elevator in ascending tends on the
contrary to lower it so as to disengage the said bolt.
The action of the breech mechanism according to this modification is the same
as with the arrangement firstly herein before described.
Dated this 13th day of June 1893.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Repeating Fire Arms.
I, PAUL DARCHE of 13 Rue Tronchet Paris, in the Republic of France
Inspector of Bridges and Roads, 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 :-
The firearm forming the object of the present invention is provided with an
automatic repeating action and enables the force of the recoil to be utilised for
working the breech mechanism as hereinafter explained being also provided with
means for suspending the repeating action and enabling the arm to be loaded by
hand if required. The cartridge elevator or device employed for elevating or
pushing up the cartridges from the magazine into the chamber automatically can
be thrown out of action by means of a stop when the loading is to be performed by
hand. This elevator is connected with stops acting on the breech bolt or moveable

page_text: breech and on the trigger so that the action is locked automatically by the action
of the elevator until the breech chamber is completely closed. A safety stop also
blocks the movement of the striker in case the closing of the breech is imperfectly
performed. When the repeating action is used the barrel and the part of the
breech attached thereto together with the breech bolt simultaneously move longi-
tudinally backwards relatively to the stock under the impulse resulting from the
recoil and are thereby caused to compress springs which deaden the shock of
the recoil upon the shoulder and at the same time store up power sufficient to
actuate the breech mechanism for firing the next shot. The barrel and the
breech chamber return to their original position before the return of the movable
"breech block or bolt takes place so as to form an opening or interval for the
ejection of the empty cartridge case and the introduction of a fresh cartridge
after which the breech bolt is automatically released and caused to close the
.breech. When the fire arm is not used as a repeater the same opening is formed
but the return of the bolt to close the breech is effected by unlocking by hand
a stop or catch by acting upon a thumb piece or projection which like the
projection connected with the cartridge elevator is situated on the right hand
side of the firearm.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer
to the several figures on the annexed sheet of drawings the same letters of
.reference indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in vertical longitudinal
section an automatic repeating rifle constructed according to this invention
the parts being represented in the position which they occupy when the breech
is closed.
Figure 2 is a corresponding view in horizontal section the section being taken
in the plane of the axis of the barrel.
Figures 1 and 2ª are similar views to Figures 1 and
parts in the positions which they occupy when the breech is open.
but represent the
Figure 3 illustrates the breech mechanism in transverse section the section
being taken on the line 1-2 Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 4* illustrate in vertical and horizontal section respectively the
box or case containing the breech mechanism the sections being taken through the
axis of the barrel.
Figure 4B represents the said box in horizontal section taken on the line 3-4
Figure 4 and Figure 4B represents a section taken through the axis of the cartridge
elevator. Figures 4° and 4" represent the breech box in transverse section on the
lines 5-6 and 7-8 Figure 4 respectively.
Figures 5, 5 and 5B represent a part of the breech attached to and sliding longi-
tudinally with the barrel of the rifle, in side elevation (viewed from the left hand)
in longitudinal section and in plan respectively.
Figure 5 consists of three views of the said part of the breech in sections taken
on the lines 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 Figure 5 respectively.
Figures 6 and 6 represent the movable breech in longitudinal section and in
plan respectively.
Figures 6, and 6° represent this breech in transverse sections taken on the
lines 15-16 and 17-18 Figure 6 respectively.
Figure 7 consists of two views illustrating in elevation and in plan the hand
lever for working the moveable breech.
Figure 8 represents one of the cams or locking levers employed with the moveable
breech, in elevation, in plan and in profile.
Figure 9 represents the striker in elevation and in plan.
Figure 10 represents a gun for sporting purposes or shot gun in vertical
longitudinal section constructed according to this invention the breech being in the
open position.
Figure 11 represents the breech mechanism of this gun in horizontal section

page_text: taken on the line 15-16 Figure 10 and Figure 12 represents the mechanism in
transverse section taken on the line 17-18 Figure 10.
Figure 13 consists of three views representing in side elevation, plan and end'
elevation respectively the moveable breech as arranged for employment in the
shot gun.
I will first describe the construction of the rifle as illustrated in Figures 1 to 9.
The barrel represented at A may be of any ordinary or suitable construction:
and forms no part of the present invention. This barrel is screwed or rigidly.
connected to a breech piece B (Figures 1, 2 and 5) screwed to the barrel at band'
provided with two side plates or cheeks and Figures 2 and 5° presenting
notches capable of engaging with locking levers D hereinafter described carried
by a longitudinally, sliding bolt or moveable breech C. These side plates 6' 6* are
each provided at their extremities with a tongue or projection y engaging with.
corresponding projections or hooks 2, Figure 2, on the moveable breech C. This
arrangement enables the moveable breech C to be rigidly retained in position by
the locking levers D and prevents the side plates from springing outwards
under the pressure of the said levers.
The moveable breech C Figures 1, 2, 6, 6A, 6B, and 6c closes the breech chamber
of the barrel A and is retained in the closed position by means of the two levers D
placed in recesses c c Figure 6 in the side of the moveable breech which is
perforated with a longitudinal central passage in which works a firing pin P and
carries the projections or hooks z hereinbefore referred to engaging with the pro--
jections on the part B forming an extension of the barrel (Figure 2). This
moveable breech is also provided with an extractor e a safety stops for the firing
pin (acting in case the breech is imperfectly closed) and a hand lever L. The
tail c of the moveable breech is provided with a notch e³ Figures 1 and 6 acting in.
connection with the cartridge elevator as hereinafter described.
The locking levers D Figures 1 and 8 oscillate upon their axes d in the
moveable breech and are provided at their lower part with a small cylindrical
extension or projection d' by means of which they are automatically released at
the end of the recoil movement and disengaged from the notches in the plates 61 6
by the action of two inclined planes f and f³ in the breech box Figure 4.
These levers are recessed at d Figure 8 for the passage of the head of the firing
pin P.
The extractor e is retained in the upper part of the moveable breech by means.
of a plate el Figure 6 secured at one end by a screw e and at the other end by a.
hook. The plate e also forms a bearing for the levers D and when removed the
latter can be placed in position.
The hand lever L Figures 1, 2 and 7 is employed for opening the breech for the
purpose of loading by hand or for removing any cartridge that has not been.
discharged. In drawing back this lever the breech being closed the lever is-
caused to rock upon its axis or pin / situated under the moveable breech Figures 1,
2, 6 and 7 and two inclined slots provided in the lever as represented in
Figure 7 and engaging with the projections d' on the locking levers D¹ cause the
latter to move inwards and escape from the notches a in the plates 61 62 attached to-
the barrel.
Under these conditions the moveable breech C is enabled to be moved away
from the breech chamber by means of the lever L until the stop i engages with
the notch c³ in the tail plate c the firing pin P being drawn back and cocked at the
same time by a notch p' on the said pin engaging with a sear J. When the-
elevator H is locked or put out of action as hereinafter explained the breech
remains open as indicated in Figures 1 and 24 and a cartridge is enabled to be
introduced by hand into the breech which can then be closed by acting on the
thumb piece or projection ¹ so as to disengage the bolt or catch i Figure 1^ from
the notch in the moveable breech.
In case it is necessary to remove an unexploded cartridge from the barrel after
the firing pin P has been cocked it is necessary in order to open the breech to first.

page_text: place the firing pin on the safety notch in such a manner as to present the notch ph
(Figure 9) in its head opposite to a projection on a safety bolts provided for
the purpose of retaining the firing pin in case the breech is not completely closed.
The firing pin P Figures 1, 2 and also serves to eject the empty cartridge
cases. Its movement is about th of an inch longer than is necessary for striking.
At its ear extremity it is provided with a small projection p by which it can be
placed on the safety notch by causing it to describe about half a revolution upon
its axis. In this safety position the notch pin the head allows the safety stop s
carried by the bolt or moveable breech C to pass. In any other position the firing
pin P cannot pass the safety stops unless the latter is depressed by the complete
closing of the breech. The striker is also provided with a notch p² enabling it to
engage with the nose of the sear J¹ as represented in Figure 1.
The safety bolts hereinbefore referred to vibrates upon a horizontal axis s¹
Figures 1 and 6 and is acted on by a spring r which causes it to tend to rise and
stop the forward movement of the firing pin P except when the breech is properly
closed and the safety bolt is lowered by placing the hand lever L in the normal
position. This bolts is connected to the said lever L by a projection s² which
engages with an eccentric slot 1 Figures 1 and 7 formed in the said lever.
The moveable breech is subjected to the action of a spring R having a bearing
in the rear end of the breech box or case F. The said box or case Figures 1, 2
and 4, supports the lower parts of the mechanism (clevator, magazine, trigger
guard, trigger and sear) and moreover sustains the excess of the force of the recoil
which is not absorbed by the springs being attached to the stock G of the rifle and
ensures the rigidity of all the parts. The top of the breech box is closed by a
cover F protecting the parts of the breech and acting as a guide for the barrel
and moveable breech when sliding longitudinally backwards under the action of
the recoil and of the working of the breech mechanism. The cover F¹ is provided
with an opening f for the introduction and ejection of the cartridges and with a
lateral slot or opening f' for the play of the hand lever L. The breech box is
connected to the stock G by a screw v (Fig. 1) passing through the tang of the
breech box and by a screw v¹ which likewise serves to secure the trigger guard
plate carrying the trigger guard S.
The breech box is further provided with inclines f³ ³ herein before referred to,
a stop for the elevator, the thumb piece or projection i for working the stop i of
the bolt or moveable breech, an aperture for the introduction of the cartridges
provided with a door closed by a spring R' an opening m for the projection ¹ on
the elevator H and another aperture m³ for the nose of the sear Ji. At its front
extremity it is provided with a screw thread engaging with the magazine I.
This magazine is in the form of a tube Figure 1 and contains a number of
cartridges which are introduced through the aforesaid orifice in the side of the
breech box and compress a suitable spring by which they are subsequently pushed
out onto the elevator H as hereinafter described. It also carries a helical spring R
and a ring M serving to move the barrel forwards after the recoil. The ring M
compresses the spring R' during the recoil and slides upon the magazine being
rigidly fixed by a dovetail in the underside of the barrel A.
The cartridge elevator H of simple shape is arranged in the breech box in a line
with the magazine being hinged upon a pin 2 (Fig. 4B) and acted on by a
spring H which tends to elevate it, the said spring being arranged on the rat trap
principle and coiled upon a pin ; forming the axis of the trigger J. The elevator
is provided with two inclines acted on by the bolt or moveable breech C which
slides over them in its forward movement and forces down the elevator into its
depressed or normal position. The elevator acts upon the stop i connected to the
thumb piece ¹ and oscillating upon the pin 2, Figure 2, by the intervention of a
bent lever situated under the arm ³ so that as the elevator ascends it lowers the
said stop and frees the breech C.
The moveable breech is then at liberty to be acted upon the spring R precisely
at the moment when the elevator H has pushed up a cartridge to the level of the

page_text: breech chamber. This action whereby the breech is closed automatically and
precisely at the proper time without any delay or premature movement is of great
importance.
The arm of the elevator H is provided with a notch which engages with
the trigger J when the latter is pulled and prevents the elevator from working
(even when the breech is open) unless the shooter has allowed the trigger to
resume its normal position. This interlocking of the elevator of the bolt or
moveable breech and the trigger constitutes an important part of the invention and
regulates the action with great precision by enabling the shooter to load by hand
under any conditions with the same precision as in the case of an ordinary breech
loading-rifle. A spring (Fig. 1) constantly tends to force up the stop i of the
moveable breech.
The stop of the elevator H is provided with a quick threaded screw capable
of being actuated by a roughened projection or lever m². By rotating this lever
the inner extremity of the stop screw can be caused to engage with a recess in
the elevator so as to lock the latter and suspend the automatic supply of cartridges
but when unscrewed enables the repeating action to be resumed.
The elevator when raised constitutes in itself a stop for the cartridges in the
magazine as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 14 by means of a heel or
projection which projects in front of the magazine. The spring door R' of the
orifice through which the cartridges are introduced is provided with a projection ²
Figure 4B which acts as a stop for the cartridge which has passed from the
magazine on to the elevator.
The trigger J Figure 1 presents no features of novelty except with regard to
the projection hereinbefore referred to which engages with the notch in the
lever connected to the elevator H and locks the latter until the trigger is
released.
The sear J is connected to the trigger by a pin and works in an opening m¹
(Fig. 4) in the breech box so as to project above the bottom of the latter and
engage with the shoulder p³ of the striker firing pin P. A spring acting upon the
pin by which the sear is connected to the trigger causes the nose of the sear to
tend to project into the path of the firing pin which in order to be cocked by hand
requires to overcome the pressure of the spring.
The action of this breech mechanism is as follows: When loading by hand the
magazine being filled with cartridges or not the first operation consists in rendering
the elevator H immovable by screwing in the stop h after which the breech is
opened by drawing back the moveable breech C by the aid of the hand lever L
(Figure 2) until it is engaged by the stop i springing into a notch o³ (Figure 1).
Under the action of the lever L the barrel A moves back with the moveable
breech C and towards the end of the movement the locking levers D coming in
contact with the inclines ff are forced inwards and disengaged from the notches
in the part B of the breech attached to the barrel which together with the latter
is then pushed forwards by the action of the spring R'. The breech being now
open the moveable breech or bolt being retained by the stop a cartridge is
introduced into the breech chamber through the opening f in the upper part or
cover F of the box F.
In case a cartridge has been previously fired off the empty case drawn out by
the extractor e is ejected by the striker which may continue its forward movement
for about ths of an inch there being nothing to prevent the case from turning
over. In all cases when a fresh cartridge is introduced the projection of the
stop i is acted upon so as to liberate the bolt C which under the influence of the
spring R compressed in the preceding operation is suddenly forced forwards.
The levers D are caused to engage with the recesses in the fixed breech B by
the inertia of the hand lever L when the bolt comes in contact with the barrel.
In fact the lever L, which at the moment when the projection of the stop is
acted upon is in the retracted position moves forwards spontaneously owing to the
shock resulting from the sudden stoppage of the movement of the breech block by
13

page_text: the barrel.+In this movement the inclined' slots in the lever L force out the
levers D and the slot acts upon the tail of the stop or bolts so as to depress
the latter and compress the spring r. Under these conditions no backward
movement is possible, the breech is completely closed the firing pin P is free
to move and the lever h³ connected with the elevator H presents its notch'h' in
front of the arm on the trigger J. In case the breech has not been completely
closed owing to an incomplete movement of the locking levers for example the stop
or bolt is not completely lowered by the lever L and the firing pin P is
consequently locked thus affording absolute safety to the shooter. The outward
movement of the levers D may be assisted by small springs supplementing the
action of the lever L.
Assuming that the breech is completely closed it is simply necessary to act upon
the trigger J in the usual manner in order to lower the nose of the sear J and
liberate the firing pin P which is inmediately driven forwards by the action of a
main spring u and explodes the cartridge. In order to discharge a fresh cartridge
the movements hereinbefore described are simply repeated. These movements may
be summed up as follows vizt. (1) opening the breech (2) inserting a cartridge into
the breech chamber (3) pressing down the projection of the stop of the moveable
breech and (4) firing.
Repeating action. In this case it must be assumed that the magazine has been
filled through the opening provided with a door R' and that one cartridge has
been placed in the breech chamber. The elevator H is simply freed by unscrewing
the stop h and the firing is commenced.
The opening of the breech and ejection of the case take place in the same way
as when loading by hand with the difference that in the present case the force of
the recoil or reaction due to the explosion of the cartridge causes the breech to
open in place of the force produced by acting upon the lever L. The elevator
being free and carrying a cartridge immediately ascends (dotted lines Fig. 1)
when the barrel has returned to its place. When the elevator has ascended
sufficiently to place the fresh cartridge on a level with the breech chamber the
moveable breech C being released by the movement of the elevator (which acts
automatically upon the stop i by the intervention of the arm ³ and projection)
springs forward and pushes the cartridge into the barrel at the same time forcing
down the elevator H by sliding over the inclines on the latter. The breech is
closed at the same time and the arm is ready for firing.
By means of these arrangements a series of shots can be fired in rapid succession
simply by repeatedly pressing the trigger until the magazine is exhausted.
As the breech does not open until after the recoil has taken place and when the
barrel is moving forwards there is no pressure of gas in the barrel when this
opening takes place so that there is neither any fear of any escape liable to clog
up the mechanism nor any waste of gas capable of interfering with the ballistic
conditions of the shooting.
It should also be observed that the rapidity with which the empty cartridge case
is ejected in great measure prevents the latter from transmitting to the barrel the
heat which in other firearms is allowed time to penetrate into the metal of the
barrel so that with the same cartridges and at the same rate of firing the heating
of the breech of a rifle constructed according to this invention is considerably less
than in firearms of ordinary construction.
On the other hand a portion of the force of the recoil being absorbed and stored
up in the springs is subsequently transmitted to the shoulder in the form of a
gradual pressure so that the effect of the shock of the recoil is almost nil. This
reduction of the recoil is of considerable importance in weapons constructed for use
by cavalry and arranged to be fired with one hand.
It is evident that this automatic repeating arrangement may be combined with
fire arms of any calibre and of any size and that the principles of its construction
may be applied to pieces of artillery of small calibre known as quick firing guns
thereby enabling them to act as machine guns. The invention may in particular

page_text: be applied to sporting or shot guns by means of a few modifications in the details.
which are rendered necessary by the form of the cartridges.
The arrangement of the fire arm as constructed for sporting purposes is based
upon the same principles and will be readily understood by means of the following
description with reference to Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the annexed drawings.
In this modification the part B attached to the barrel and the moveable breech C
are constructed in the same way as in the military gun or rifle hereinbefore.
described and act in the same manner but the extractor e situated at the upper part.
of the movable breech C is replaced by two hooks n n arranged at the side
(Figure 13) and the ejection is effected by means of the fresh cartridge which
being elevated by the elevator H pushes up the empty case as it is being brought
into line with the barrel and throws it out of the breech. The lateral opening for
the introduction of the cartridges into the magazine is dispensed with the magazine
being charged at the front end and with this object is provided with an internal
tube containing a spring by which the cartridges are pushed out. This tube is.
screwed to the magazine and is removed in order to introduce the cartridges.
As in the arrangement hereinbefore described the cartridges slide on to the
elevator but the latter is not provided with a stop for holding it out of action or
rather this stop is replaced by a rocking motion (dotted lines Figure 11) of the
trigger guard. With this object the said guard is pivotted upon a pin t carrying
a lever arm provided at the extremity with a pin or bolt k¹ capable of engaging
with a corresponding hole in the elevator. The same lateral rocking movement of
the trigger guard places a projection under the sear, locking the latter and
preventing the gun from going off. The cartridges in the elevator bear against a.
stop performing the same functions as the stop on the door of the lateral opening
in the preceding arrangement. This projection is placed upon a pin or axis o and
is acted upon by a spring which tends to maintain it in the vertical position after
it has been depressed in closing the moveable breech. The stop / acting upon
the cartridges in the magazine in place of being attached to the elevator H forms
an independent piece carried by a spring and which is depressed automatically by
the elevator so as to allow one cartridge to pass on to the latter.
The bolt stop i
of the moveable breech is simply actuated by the elevator H the thumb piece or
projection being dispensed with.
21
In this case the stop is subjected to the action.
of the spring which constantly tends to cause it to engage with the moveable
breech whilst the elevator in ascending tends on the contrary to lower it so as to
disengage the said breech.
The action of the mechanism in this modification is the same as with the
arrangement firstly hereinbefore described.
Having r
'now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In repeating fire arms and with a view to the utilization of the force of the
recoil the combination of a moveable breech sliding longitudinally in a breech box
and a fixed breech or part attached to the barrel likewise capable of sliding in the
said breech box with a spring having its bearing at the end of the said box and
another spring having its bearing on the magazine; the first spring serving to push
forward the moveable breech and the second spring serving to push forward the
barrel and part of the breech attached thereto into their normal position the said
springs being compressed by the action of the recoil and the second spring acting
in advance of the first so as to afford time for ejecting the empty case and placing
a fresh cartridge in front of the breech chamber substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. In repeating fire arms obtaining an automatic action under the influence of
the recoil by the arrangement of the moveable breech sliding longitudinally in the
breech box and subjected to the action of a spring in combination with a stop.
worked by a projecting knob for locking the said moveable breech and an

page_text: •
oscillating cartridge elevator for placing a fresh cartridge in position and at the
same time disengaging the stop of the moveable breech which by the act of
returning to the closed position depresses the cartridge elevator all substantially
as herein before described.
3. In repeating fire arms the special arrangement of the moveable breech C,
comprising two levers D engaging with corresponding notches x, in the part B of
the breech attached to the barrel A, for obtaining a positive or absolute closing of
the breech chamber and for actuating the barrel and part B, attached thereto,
under the influence of the recoil, the said levers being automatically released by
inclines provided in the breech box F for the purpose of separating the
moveable breech C from the barrel A which returns under the influence of
the spring R³ to its original position, and opens the breech so as to allow of the
ejection of the empty cartridge case and the introduction of a fresh cartridge
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
4. In repeating fire arms the special arrangement of the moveable breech C,
comprising locking levers D in combination with a lever L for opening the
breech when loading by hand and with a safety bolts locking the firing pin P, in
case the breech has been imperfectly closed substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. In repeating fire arms, the special arrangement of the cartridge elevator H
and its combination with the stop of the moveable breech C, and with the
trigger J, for disengaging the said stop and releasing the moveable breech on the
one hand and for locking the trigger on the other hand until the moveable breech
has returned to the closed position substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. In repeating fire arms the special arrangement and attachment of the
extractor e, upon the moveable breech in combination with the firing pin P, acting
as an ejector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
7. In repeating fire arms, the special arrangement of the cartridge elevator H
and its combination with a screw elevator stop h for enabling the action of the said
elevator to be suspended when loading by hand and for bringing it into action
again when the fire arm is used as a repeater substantially as herein before
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. The general arrangement of the repeating fire arm represented in Figures 1
to 9 of the annexed drawings and comprising the barrel A a part B attached
thereto a moveable breech C with locking levers D firing pin P and hand lever L,
a cartridge elevator H stops h and i, bolts, recoil springs R and R' a magazine I,
a trigger J. Ja breech box F. and a cover F1, the said fire arm utilizing the force
of the recoil to open the breech for the ejection of the empty case, and the intro-
duction of a fresh cartridge, being capable of being loaded by hand when the
cartridge elevator is locked by the stop and of being used as a repeater when the
elevator is released, all actuated arranged and operating in the manner substantially
as herein before set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. The general arrangement of the modification illustrated in Figures 10 to 13,
constituting a fire arm for use as a sporting or shot gun and comprising a barrel A
a part B attached thereto a moveable breech C with locking levers D and firing
pin P. a cartridge elevator H stops h and r, recoil springs R and R³, a magazine I,
a trigger J J', a breech box F and a cover F, all actuated arranged and operating
in the manner substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 14th dor of March 1801
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
Agents.