IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINE GUNS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, THORSTEN NORDENFELT of 53 Parliament Street in the City of Westminster
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINE GUNS" to be as follows :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machine guns, or guns in
which barrels arranged side by side in a frame are fed with cartridges and in which
reciprocating plungers thrust forward the cartridges into the barrels and after firing
withdraw the cartridge cases.
More especially my present invention relates to guns of the class referred to in
the Specification of a former Patent granted to me N° 148881 in which a divided
action block is employed. The rear part of the action block has a lateral movement
imparted to it, it carries the hammers and lock mechanism and has chambers to
receive the plungers at the time when they leave the rear of the barrels and retire
from the fore part of the action block.
In the arrangement described in the Specification of my said former invention
the fore part of the action block is stationary and attached to the frame of the
gun, and the cartridges simply drop from a hopper or magazine above into trough
like recesses formed in this part of the action block.
According to my present invention I make this fore part of the action block
also moveable in a direction to and fro laterally and I call it the cartridge
carrier.
When the plungers have retired from the recesses in the cartridge carrier it
makes a lateral movement and places its trough like recesses beneath the chambers
of the magazine. Cartridges then fall in and the recesses being thus supplied
the cartridge carrier returns and brings these cartridges into a line with the
barrels.
The plungers are now formed in one piece with the cam-plate, the whole
forming what I term the breech block.
The extractors are held in position by the firing pins passing through holes
drilled in lugs on the extractors, the said bolts being drilled in the direction of the
length of extractor; by this means I do away with the small pins usually employed,
at the same time rendering it very simple to replace a broken extractor.
The firing pins are formed with gib heads for the purpose of checking the action
of the powder gas in case of faulty ammunition.

page_text: Instead of placing the trigger comb on the top of the action block, I cut a
slot in the action block and place it immediately above the plungers for guns with
two or three barrels, but for guns having a greater number of barrels, I find it more
convenient to place it on the spring bar underneath the action block, in either case
doing away with the hammer catches and springs, and also the screws for holding
the trigger comb.
The cartridge carrier is made to run upon the centre cross piece and the action
block it receives its motion from inclined studs upon the breech block.
The action of the guns is as follows:-
The backward stroke of the hand lever first carries the action block over to the
left by reason of the tail end of the action lever engaging in a recess in the spring
bar; as the tail end passes out of this recess leaving the action block stationary,
the friction roller on the fore end of action lever acting in the cam withdraws the
breech block and empty cartridge cases, whilst the rear edge of the cam plate
carries the hammers back, compressing the springs and forcing the trigger comb
over to the right, cocks the gun.
Towards the latter part of the rearward stroke an inclined stud upon the right of
the cam plate engaging a corresponding inclined surface on the cartridge carrier,
carries it over to the left beneath the openings in the cover for a fresh supply of
cartridges.
The motion of the lever is now reversed, which takes the cartridge carrier
(actuated by another inclined stud on the cam plate) over to the right, whilst
pushing the plungers forward.
The cartridges now being at rest in the chambers, the tail end of the lever
engages the action block and carries it over to the right and having brought the
hammers in a line with the firing pins, leaves the action block stationary and
moves the trigger comb still further to the right thus releasing the hammers.
In guns having two or three barrels the gun is fired by the end of the trigger
comb being brought to abut against the side of the frame whilst the lever is still
moving the action block over to the right.
To enable me to work live cartridges through the gun without firing them I use
a drill stop which holds the trigger comb in such position that the hainmer heads
pass through the openings between the studs and out again without being retained
by them.
When the trigger comb is above the hammers a hole is drilled in the action
block from the back at right angles to the trigger comb; into this, a bolt (with a
thumb piece that projects above the surface of the action block) is inserted; when
the bolt is pushed forward it enters a notch cut in the rear edge of the trigger
comb and so retains it in safe position; the bolt or drill stop is kept in position by
a small rib on the cover, which closes down either in front or behind the thumb
piece as the drill stop may be in firing or safe position. In guns in which the
trigger comb is underneath the hammers, a bolt is formed on a plate having a
thumb piece, the plate has a similar movement to the last described drill stop, but
the bolt projects downward through the action block into an L slot in the trigger
comb, or I use a drill stop which when set prevents the hand lever being brought so
far back as to cock the hammers.
The hand lever attachment and the spreading appliances are as described in
the Specification of my Patent Nº 4899**.
In guns of large dimensions in order to prevent the cartridges running out
backwards I place studs in the action block just above the breech plug recesses;
when the breech plugs have passed under them, the cartridge carrier moving over
to the left forces them down and keeps them in this position until the advancing
breech plugs lift the studs clear again.
It moves the action block by means of the spring bar and the spring bar is inade
wedge shaped and has a slight lateral motion independent of the action block it is
dovetailed to the rear face of action block and it serves to key up the action

page_text: block immediately before firing and to release it so that it may move freely
immediately afterwards.
The hopper is arranged so that the cartridges although considerably larger at
the base than in front may lie the one on the other each in an horizontal position.
Each of the compartments of the hopper is wider in rear than in front. In front
it confines the ends of the cartridges so that the projectiles rest one upon the
other. The bases of the cartridges on the other hand do not bear vertically the
one on the other for although the width of the compartment will not admit two
cartridges side by side it allows them in rear to assume an oblique arrangement the
bases of the cartridges resting alternately against one and the other side of the
compartment. The axes of the cartridges whilst lying horizontally cross each
other at a small angle the successive cartridges being inclined in opposite directions.
To stop the descent of the cartridges when the hopper is detached two pairs of
scissor like fingers are provided; they are connected with a sliding rod by which
they can be protruded and withdrawn.
The tangent sights are telescopic, the outer case is bored through and slotted to
receive the inner stem, a rack formed upon the inner stein runs in the slot and
passes through to the surface of the outer case. A pinion worked by a hand
wheel engages the rack on inner stem and after withdrawing it engages a rack
upon the outer case, the teeth being so arranged that they are not both in gear at
the same time. A spring on the outer case has a lug which enters a recess in the
bracket and prevents the outer case moving until the inner stem is fully raised,
when the lug enters a recess in the inner stem and permits the outer case to be
worked by the pinion.

page_text: «
I, THORSTEN NORDENFELT of 53 Parliament Street in the City of Westminster
IMPROVEMENTS
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
MACHINE GUNS" and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
IN
This Invention has for its object improvements in machine guns or guns in which
barrels arranged side by side in a frame are fed with cartridges and in which
reciprocating plungers thrust forward the cartridges into the barrels and after firing
withdraw the cartridge cases.
More especially my present invention relates to guns of the class referred to in
the specification of a former Patent granted to me No 148881 in which a divided
action block is employed. The rear part of the action block has a lateral movement
imparted to it, it carries the hammers and lock mechanism and has chambers to
receive the plungers at the time when they leave the rear of the barrels and retire
from the fore part of the action block.
In the arrangement described in the specification of my said former invention
the fore part of the action block is stationary and attached to the frame of the gun,
and the cartridges simply drop from a hopper or magazine above into trough like
recesses formed in this part of the action block.
According to my present invention I make this fore part of the action block also
inoveable in a direction to and fro laterally and I call it the cartridge carrier.
When the plungers have retired from the recesses in the cartridge carrier it
makes a lateral movement and places its trough like recesses beneath the chambers
of the magazine. Cartridges then fall in and the recesses being thus supplied
the cartridge carrier returns and brings these cartridges into a line with the
barrels.
The plungers are now formed in one piece with the cam plate the whole forming
what I term the breech block.
The extractors are held in position by the firing pins passing through holes
drilled in lugs on the extractors, the said holes being drilled in the direction of the
length of extractor; by this means I do away with the small pins usually employed
at the same time rendering it very simple to replace a broken extractor.
The firing pins are formed with gib heads for the purpose of checking the action
of the powder gas in case of faulty ammunition.
Instead of placing the trigger comb on the top of the action block I cut a slot in
the action blick and place it immediately above the plungers for guns with two or
three barrels, but for guns having a greater number of barrels I find it more con-
venient to place it on the spring bar underneath the action block in either case
doing away with the hammer catches and springs, and also the screws for holding
the trigger comb.
The cartridge carrier is made to run upon the centre cross piece and the action
block, it receives its motion from inclined studs upon the breech block.
In order that these guns may be used for drill purposes with line cartridges
without firing them drill stops are provided of novel construction hereinafter
described.

page_text: Guns of large size are provided with stops to prevent the cartridges running
back out of the cartridge carrier when the gun is. inclined to a high angle and in
such guns
I also make use of the spring bar to wedge or key up the action at the
time of firing.
I also construct the hoppers or magazines with the cartridges resting crosswise
the one on the other and with scissor like stops to retain them till required for use.
I also provide a telescopic tangent sight operated by a pinion and racks.
. These improvements are illustrated by Figures I-XXIII of the annexed
drawings.
Figure I is a vertical section on the line A. B. C. D. in Figure II.
Figure II is a plan of a five barrel gun the cover is partly removed.
Figure III is a vertical section on the line E F in Figure II.
Figure IV is a vertical section on the line G. H. in Figure II.
Figure V is a vertical section on the line I K in Figure II.
Figure VI is a vertical section showing the trigger comb placed above the
hammers.
Figure VII is a plan of same.
Figure VIII is a plan showing the action of the tail end of the action lever in
moving the action block and trigger comb when the latter is underneath.
Figure IX is a plan and Figure X a section showing the drill stop for checking
the movement of the band lever.
Figures XI and XII are a vertical and horizontal section showing the drill stop
arrangement when the trigger comb is placed underneath the hammers.
Figures XIII and XIV are a vertical and horizontal section showing drill stop
arrangement when the trigger comb is placed above the hammers.
Figures XV XVI and XVII are different sections of a hopper.
Figures XVIII XIX and XX are different sections of a tangent sight.
Figures XXI, XXII and XXIII are different sections showing studs for preventing
cartridges running out backwards.
a are the barrels held in the centre cross piece 6 by the cover c and inserted
through the front of the frame d. e is the action block resting on the breech
block and together with the spring bar g on the bottom plate h. is the cartridge
carrier resting on the action block and the centre cross piece. j are the extractors
held by the firing pins & passing through holes bored in lugs formed upon them.
7 are the hammers and m is the trigger comb is the action lever with its friction
roller o running in the cam slot in the breech block. r is the hand lever.
The action of the gun is as follows:-
-
The backward stroke of the hand lever r first by means of the tail end n¹ of the
action lever engaging in a recess g₁ in the spring bar carries the action block over
to the left. When this is done the position of the different parts of the mechanism
is as shown in Figure II. As the tail end n¹ passes out of the recess g¹ leaving the
action block stationary the friction roller o on the front end of the action lever
acting in the cam slot p withdraws the breech block f and the extractors bring
with them the empty cartridge cases. At the same time the rear edge fl of the
breech block coming against the lugs carries the haminers back compressing the
springs 8. Also during this movement the trigger comb m is forced over to
the right by the lugs coming against the lugs m¹. When these lugs have passed
each other the spring or, if this is broken the lug f" on the breech block acting
on the lug m¹ on the trigger comb forces the trigger comb back to the left so that
the lugs m' are in front of the lugs and the hammers thus cocked. Towards the
latter part of this rearward stroke an inclined stud fill on the right of the cam
plate of the breech block engaging a corresponding inclined surface on the
cartridge carrier carries this latter over to the left beneath the openings c" in the
cover for a fresh supply of cartridges. While the cartridge carrier is thus going
over to the left the lugs c¹ on the cover see Figure V knock out the empty
cartridge cases.

page_text: The motion of the hand lever is now reversed when another lug fill on the cam
plate of the breech block pressing against another inclined surface on the left of the
cartridge carrier carries this latter over to the right placing the cartridges in line with
the chambers in the barrels into which they are pushed by the advancing plungers.
The cartridges now being at rest in the chambers the continued forward stroke
of the hand lever causes the tail end n¹ of the action lever to engage in the recess g¹
and to press against the spring bar see Figure VIII. The action block is thus
carried over to the right bringing the hammers in line with the firing pins. This
done the tail end n¹ leaves the recess g' and whilst the action block is stationary it
presses against the lug m" on the trigger comb and moves this over to the right
releasing the hammers and firing the shots. In guns having two or three barrels
the gun is fired somewhat differently see Figure VII by the tail end mill of the
trigger comb being brought to abut against the side of the frame & whilst the
action lever is still moving the action block over to the right. t is the trigger
comb spring.
To enable me to work live cartridges through the guns without firing them
I use a drill stop which when set holds the trigger comb in such a position that the
lugs on the hammers pass the lugs m² on the trigger comb without being retained
by them. In this case I do not use the lug f" on the breech block.
In guns in which the trigger comb is underneath the hammers see Figures XI
and XII a bolt u is formed on a plate u' having a thumb piece u" that projects
above the surface of the action block. The bolt u projects downward through the
action block into an L shaped slot m¹111 on the trigger comb. When this bolt is
placed as shown in the figures the trigger comb can move freely but when the
trigger comb is moved to the right and the bolt brought back it keeps the trigger
comb fixed in safe position. The bolt is kept in place by a small rib c¹ on the
cover which closes down either in front or behind the thumb piece u¹¹ according as
the drill stop may be in the firing position or in the safe position..
When the trigger comb is above the hammers see Figures XIII and XIV a bole
is drilled in the action block from the back at right angles to the trigger comb;
into this a bolt x with a thumb piece x that projects above the surface of the
action block is inserted. When the trigger comb is brought over to the right and
the bolt is pushed forward it enters a notch cut in the rear edge of the trigger
comb and so retains it in safe position. The bolt is kept in position by a projection
on the cover as before.
Instead of these drill stops I can use a drill stop see Figures IX and X which
when set prevents the hand lever being brought so far back as to cock the
hammers. The hand lever r is for this purpose provided with a stud ¹ which
strikes against a lug v¹ on the drill stop v when this is in position as indicated by
full lines and this prevents the lugs on the hammers passing the lugs m¹ on the
trigger comb. The lug v₁ on the drill stop itself rests against a lug h¹ on the
underside of the bottom plate h. When the drill stop is set in the position b
indicated by dotted lines the lug ¹ can pass the drill stop freely and the hand lever
makes its full stroke. The drill stop is held in position by a point v" entering
recesses in the bottom plate.
In guns of large dimensions in order to prevent the cartridges from running out
backwards I place studs see Figures XXI XXII and XXIII in the action block
just above the plunger recesses. When the plungers are forward the studs A rest
upon them and when the plungers in retiring have passed under them they drop
down and the cartridge carrier I moving over to the right and bringing cartridges
to the barrels forces them down and keeps them in this position Figure XXII
until the advancing plungers lift them clear again.
In these guns I also move the action block by means of the spring bar which
now is made slightly taper or wedge shaped in plan see Figure VII. This spring
bar has a lateral motion upon the action block to the rear face of which it is dove-
tailed horizontally see Figure VL The spring bar in this arrangement serves to

page_text: Key up the action block during ring and to release
afterwards.
спото
The hoppers see Figures XV XVI and XVII are arranged so that the cartridges
although considerably larger at the base than in front may be the one on the other
each in a horizontal line. Each of the compartments of the hopper is wider in
rear than in front. In front it confines the cartridges so that the projectiles rest
one upon the other. The bases of the cartridges on the contrary do not bear
vertically the one on the other for although the width of the compartment will not
admit of two cartridges side by side it allows them in rear to assume an oblique
arrangement; the bases of the cartridges resting alternately against one and the
other side of the compartment. The axes of the cartridges whilst lying horizontally
cross each other at a small angle the successive cartridges being inclined in opposite
directions. To stop the descent of the cartridges when the hopper is detached two
pairs of scissor like fingers C are provided and connected with a sliding rod D
which with a tail runs in slots E on the fingers and projects through the side of the
hopper. By pulling or pushing this rod the fingers are projected or withdrawn on
account of the inclined shape of the slots E.
Instead of this hopper I may use the usual type.
The tangent sights are telescopic see Figures XVIII XIX and XX. The outer
case F is bored through and slotted to receive the inner stem G. A rack formed
upon the inner stem runs in the slot and passes through to the surface of the outer
case F. A pinion H worked by a hand wheel I engages the rack on the inner
stem and after withdrawing it engages the rack upon the outer case; the teeth
being so arranged that they are not both in gear at the same time. A spring K
on the outer case has a lug L which enters into a notch in the bracket M and
prevents the outer case moving until the inner stem is on the point of being fully
raised when an opposite lug L¹ on the spring K enters a recess G¹ in the inner stem
and permits the outer case to be worked by the pinion. As soon as the case F
commences to rise the teeth upon it pass into gear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. The combination in a machine gun of the transversely moving cartridge
carrier the action block also capable of moving transversely and independently
of the cartridge carrier and the plungers working there with substantially as
described.
Second. The means of attaching the extractors to the plungers by providing
lugs on the extractors projecting into recesses in the plungers and receiving the
firing pins through them substantially as described.
Third. The means for operating the trigger comb in connection with the action
block, consisting of an action lever the end of which in order to drive the action
block enters a notch in a bar or part connected with the said block and when the
motion thereof is complete escapes from the notch and afterwards moves the trigger
comb substantially as described.
Fourth. The arrangement of the trigger comb upon the action block in a slot
in the action block over the plungers with its ends projecting and coming in contact
with the frame during the transverse movement of the action block substantially
as described.
Fifth. The means for operating and locking or keying up the action block for
firing, consisting of a wedge inoveable upon the back of the action block and the
action lever engaging with the wedge and imparting movement to it and thence to
the action block substantially as described.
Sixth. The drill stop consisting of a bolt upon the action block engaging with
a notch in the trigger comb substantially as described.
Seventh. The drill stop consisting of parts h v. v1 v substantially as
described.

page_text: Eighth. The combination with a hopper or magazine in which the bases of the
cartridges form a zig-zag pile bearing alternately against the two sides of scissor
like fingers stopping when required the descent of the cartridges substantially as
described.
Ninth. The telescopic tangent sight consisting of a stem and sheath each with
rack teeth upon it, a pinion operating these racks and a locking spring substantially
as described.
Tenth.—The combination with the action block of cartridge stops substantially
as described.