IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY GUNS AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of 57d Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY GUNS AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machine or battery guns and other fire-arms of that class
wherein the operations necessary in working the gun are automatically performed,
the required force being developed by the explosion of the gunpowder or other
explosive material employed.
Heretofore I have so constructed guns of this class as to utilize the recoil of the
breech-block, or of the barrel and breech-block, or of the whole gun for effecting
these operations. According to one part of my present invention I provide for
performing the said operations in the following manner, that is to say:-I arrange
the gun in a frame or support so that it is free to slide to and fro therein and will
recoil a short distance at each discharge; and I so construct the gun that the
recoil thereof will cause the partial rotation of a crank or lever connected with the
breech-block, and the said breech-block and parts connected therewith will thereby
be caused to continue their backward movement independently of the barrel and
body of the gun.
When my improvements are applied to a rifle, I prefer to arrange the said rifle to
slide upon or between two side bars firmly connected to a shoulder-plate, and to
provide suitable means for partially rotating the crank or lever at the proper time.
In making a machine or battery gun according to my present invention, I firmly
attach a suitable frame to the rear end of the barrel, which frame carries the
breech-mechanism. The breech-block is connected with a crank either by means
of a connecting-rod or by a slotted head formed or fixed on the breech-block to
receive the crank-pin. The gun, thus complete in itself so far as its action is
concerned, is mounted on a suitable carriage or support. I prefer to arrange it to
slide to and fro between two bars or rods which are connected at their rear-ends
by a cross-bar, and the front ends of which are fitted upon trunnions formed on a
ring or block, which I will hereinafter term the trunnion ring, and in which the
barrel is fitted to slide. The trunnions are held either in a rigid support or in a
swivel, so that they are free to rotate therein..
When the gun is fired, it recoils a short distance, but the side bars, being attached
to the trunnions, do not participate in this recoil. These bars are slotted to permit
the backward movement of the crank-shaft.

page_text: The crank-shaft is so arranged that, when the breech-block is driven home, the
crank is slightly above its forward "dead centre." The breech-block is therefore
firmly held against the breech-end of the barrel and cannot recoil or move backward
independently of the body and barrel of the gun, until the crank is partially
rotated as hereinafter described. I provide suitable means whereby this rotation
of the crank will be automatically effected by the recoil of the gun. For this
purpose I prefer to construct the crank-shaft and other parts as follows, viz :-
I make the crank-shaft of such length that it projects at one end from the frame of
the gun, and I provide it, at this end, with an arm, which, when the gun recoils,
comes in contact with a stationary point of resistance, such as a shoulder or
projection on one of the side bars. The crank is thus rotated through an angle of
about 180°, by the momentum of the whole gun in its recoil, and thereby causes
the extraction of the empty cartridge shell from the barrel, the cocking of the
hammer, and the loading and firing of the gun. It also causes a fresh cartridge to
be drawn out of a belt into a feed-wheel similar to that described in the specifi-
cation of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 3rd January, A.D. 1884,
N° 606.
I provide the gun with two devices which serve as sears. The release or
disengagement of one of these devices is effected by the crank and that of the
other by hand. The device operated by the crank serves for the automatic
firing of the gun, and also as a safety device to prevent the firing of the gun
before the crank is in its proper position to resist the force of the explosion, that is
to say, before the crank is on, or nearly cn, its forward dead centre. This device
is constructed as follows, viz:-A bar or rod is fixed in the breech-block, and the
striker or firing pin has a shoulder formed at its rear end to engage with this bar.
When in its cocked position, the firing pin is acted upon by a spring which holds it
in engagement with the said bar, so that the firing pin cannot be released to fire
the gun until it is disengaged from the said bar by the raising of its rear end by
the crank.
The other of the said devices comprises a lever pivotted to the head of the
breech-block and arranged to be actuated by pulling a trigger by hand. This
trigger is sometimes combined with a pistol butt or grip and is so arranged that it
can be adjusted and held in either of two positions, in one of which it will not act
upon the said lever, and in the other of which it will hold the same out of engage-
ment with the hammer and thus permit the gun to operate automatically so long
as the supply of ammunition is maintained, the crank, every time it reaches its
firing position, releasing the firing pin from the aforesaid bar.
After the explosion has caused the recoil of the gun and brought the projecting
arm on the crank shaft against the stationary point of resistance, the said shaft is,
as above explained, partially rotated. A suitable spring is provided for moving the
said shaft, the breech-block and parts connected therewith back into their firing
positions relatively to the barrel and body of the gun. A spiral spring is preferably
employed for this purpose. This spring is attached at one end to a stationary part
of the carriage or support; its other end is coupled to a chain which is attached to
a cam on the crank-shaft so that when the said shaft is rotated by the recoil of the
gun as above described, the chain is wound upon the cam and the spring is thus
extended. The spring then reacts to rotate the said crank in the opposite direction.
The said spring also tends to move the whole gun back to its firing position.
I usually fix on the crank shaft a crank handle for operating the gun by hand.
If desired, the aforesaid projecting arm is formed solidly with this crank handle.
The two side bars, instead of being secured at their ends to the trunnions, may
be attached to any stationary part of the carriage or support. The cross-bar,
which connects the rear ends of these bars, is furnished with a buffer or cushion
to partially absorb or diminish the shock resulting from the recoil of the gun, and
react to move or assist in moving the gun back to its firing position. I prefer to
make the gun with a cylindrical projection fitting into a corresponding recess
or cavity in the said cross-bar, in which recess the buffer is placed. This projection

page_text: serves to hold the gun in position in the frame or support. The breech-block and
parts connected therewith are provided with means for guiding them in their to-
aud-fro movement.
The feeding device, which I prefer to employ in this gun, is constructed as
follows, vizit is provided with one feed-wheel similar to that described in the
said former specification. This feed-wheel brings the loaded cartridges into line
with the barrel and removes the empty shells. Instead of using a second wheel
for carrying a belt containing cartridges, as described in the said former specifi-
cation, I employ a belt which is intermittently moved forward in front of the
feed-wheel by means of pawls, an extractor or hooked rod being provided which
draws the. cartridges out of the belt and leaves them in the grooves of the feed-
wheel substantially in the manner described in the said former Specification.
In each backward motion of the breech-block and parts connected therewith, the
hooked rod draws one cartridge from the belt and leaves it in one of the grooves
of the feed-wheel, and the feed-wheel is partially rotated to bring a fresh cartridge
into position to be thrust into the barrel. The pawls operate on the belt con-
taining the cartridges in a manner similar to that in which an ordinary pawl
operates upon a ratchet-wheel, so that, at each discharge, after the hooked rod
pulls one cartridge out of the belt, the pawls push another cartridge into the
proper position to be drawn out of the belt into the feed-wheel by the said hooked
rod, at the next discharge. In this form of gun, I prefer to arrange the feed-wheel
above the centre of the barrel, to fill the said wheel from the belt at its upper side,
and to attach the hooked rod to the breech-block. The pawls that feed or draw
the belt of cartridges into the gun are operated by any convenient means.
example, they are connected to the breech-block or to the slotted head thereof by
suitable gearing. The feed-wheel is rotated by a projection on the breech-block
as heretofore. I do not, however, limit myself to the employment of any par-
ticular form of feeding mechanism, as I may use any means suitable for the purpose,
for instance, in some cases, I place a few cartridges in a box or chamber directly
over the feed-wheel so that they will drop therein by gravity. This arrangement
answers well for the larger forms of guns, say of a calibre of one inch or more.
For
A gun constructed as above described can be made very light and of great
strength, and may, if desired, be made so that it can be very readily taken to pieces
and put together again. For this purpose I sometimes so construct the gun that
it is only necessary to remove a few pins or rods to permit the parts to be quickly
taken apart. For instance the cross-bar connecting the side bars is secured by
two pins, so that, when these pins are removed, the said cross-bar can be taken
out. The rear end and the top of the case or frame containing the breech-
mechanism are made with hinges, and, when they are opened, the whole of the
breech-mechanism can be withdrawn. The rod or shaft carrying the feed-wheel
s, moreover, so made and fitted that it can be easily removed and the feed-wheel
ifted out. This rod is, in some cases, attached to the said cross-bar so that it will
be removed therewith.
The speed of firing is regulated by a cataract arranged on the outside of the
ase or frame to operate in combination with the crank-handle; or it may be
egulated in the manner described in my former specification No 3844, of A.D. 1884.
he gun is moreover, provided with a lever similar to that described in the said
Specification for starting the cartridge-shell from the barrel at the proper time.
I sometimes provide the gun with a water-chamber around the barrel.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machine or Battery Guns
and other Fire-arms.
I HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of 57° Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY GUNS AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS,"
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 that class of guns for which numerous patents
have already been granted to me and which are now well known as automatic
guns, and it more particularly relates to automatic guns wherein a force created by
the explosion in the barrel imparts reciprocating motion to the breech-block
through the medium of a crank-shaft.
My present improvements are chiefly applicable to guns of the type commonly
known as "machine-guns," but they are also applicable to other fire-arms.
An important feature of my present invention is the construction of the gun 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 such 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. I thus provide for delaying the opening of the breech to permit the
pressure of the gases in the cartridge-shell to somewhat diminish before the said
cartridge-shell is extracted, and to prevent, in a great measure, the escape of the
gases from the breech; and also provide for utilizing the momentum of the said
inner frame and parts carried thereby, in their recoil, to effect some of the
operations necessary in working the gun and to store energy in one or more
springs, which, by their reaction, will effect the remainder of such operations, as
hereinafter set forth.
My said invention, moreover, comprises various improvements hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown different forms or modifications of
a machine gun made according to my present invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation,
Figure
a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line x, x, Figure 1, and
Figure 3 a vertical longitudinal central section shewing one form or modification
of the said gun.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line ³, 1, Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a plan showing details of construction.
Figures 6 to 11 illustrate further details of construction.
Figure 12 is a side elevation,
Figure 13 a vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 14 a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line x2, x, Figure 13,
showing another form or modification of the said gun.

page_text: modification of my invention.
Figure 17 is a transverse section, and
Figure 18 a vertical section on the line, z, Figure 17, showing another
modification of my invention.
Figure 19 is a transverse section, and
Figure 20 a vertical longitudinal central section showing a further modification
of my said invention.
Figures 17 to 20 are drawn to an enlarged scale, and Figures 12 to 16 are drawn
to a reduced scale.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A indicates a strong metal frame. B is the barrel which is firmly secured in the
forward end of the said frame. C is the breech-block, and D is the crank-shaft,
which, together with other parts of the breech-mechanism, are carried by the
frame A. The breech-block C'has a head C¹ formed integrally therewith, or rigidly
attached thereto. A bar C is firmly secured to the said head, which is cut away
as shown to form a slot or opening C³ to receive the crank-pin D¹. The crauk-
shaft D is thus coupled to, or connected with, the breech-block in such a manner
that, when the said crank-shaft is partially rotated alternately in either direction
as hereinafter described, it will impart reciprocating motion to the said block. The
frame A carrying the barrel B and the breech-mechanism is fitted to slide to and
fro in an outer frame or support consisting of two side bars or plates E, E¹,
connected, at their rear ends, by a cross-bar E, and fitted, at their forward ends,
upon the trunnions E³ formed on the ring or annular block E, which I will herein-
after term the "trunnion ring." The gun is to be held by the said trunnions in
suitable bearings either in a rigid support, or in a swivel.
The crank-shaft D is carried in bearings A¹ in the frame A, which bearings
extend through slots E5 in the side bars E, E', and assist in supporting and guiding
the said frame. The slots E³ are long enough to permit the recoil of the frame A
in the outer frame as hereinafter specified. The said crank shaft is so arranged
that, when the gun is ready for firing, the crank-pin D is on its forward "dead
centre," or slightly above the same; the breech-block is, therefore, firmly held
against the breech-end of the barrel, and cannot recoil or move backwards to open
the breech until the crank is partially rotated as hereinafter described.
D2 is an arm or lever fixed or formed on the crank-shaft D. E is a shoulder or
projection fixed or formed on the side bar E, and constituting a point of resistance
to the backward movement of the arm or lever D³, so that, in the recoil of the
frame A and the parts carried thereby, the arm or lever D will strike the
shoulder E, and the crank will thereby be rotated through an angle of about 180°
in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 3. By these means
I provide for utilizing the momentum of the frame A and the parts carried thereby,
in their recoil, to effect the operations of extracting the empty cartridge-shell,
feeding or supplying the gun with ammunition, cocking the firing pin or striker,
and storing energy in springs which, by their reaction, effect the loading and firing
of the gun, or prepare the arm for the next discharge, all as hereinafter set forth.
The shoulder or projection E° is, moreover, so situated relatively to the arm or
lever D (when the parts are in the position shown in Figures 1 to 3) that the
inner frame and parts carried thereby will recoil a short distance before the arm or
lever strikes the said shoulder or projection. During such part of the recoil, the
relative positions of the crank-shaft, the breech-block and the barrel remain
unchanged. Therefore the opening of the breech will be delayed for the purposes
above specified. The said shoulder or projection E is preferably male with a
convex or curved surface as shown, so that, in the recoil of the inner frame and
parts carried thereby, the arm D2 will first come in contact with the said shoulder
or projection at, or near, the top thereof, and the leverage, at the commencement.
of the rotation of the crank, will be very considerable, but, as the rotation of the

page_text: crank is continued, the point of contact between the arm or lever D² and the
shoulder or projection E, will approach the centre of the crank-shaft, and
the leverage will decrease, until the said arm or lever is no longer acted upon by
the said shoulder or projection. In some instances, I make the said shoulder or
projection with a straight or flat surface and the arm or lever D³ with a convex or
curved surface for the purpose specified.
The head. C of the breech-block is provided, at its lower end, with a cross-
bar C, which is fitted to slide to and fro in grooves or channels a in the lower
part of the frame A. A guide-bar C is, moreover, secured to the breech-block C
and fitted to slide to and fro in a guiding aperture or hole a¹ in the frame A. By
these means the breech-block is effectually guided in its to-and-fro movement.
I provide the gun with two devices whereby the firing pin will be retained in
its cocked position; these devices are so arranged that the release of the firing pin
from one of the said devices will be automatically effected by the crank-pin, and the
other of the said devices can be adjusted either so that the release of the firing pin
therefrom will be automatically effected, by means of a sliding bar or rod connected
with the trigger, when the breech-block has completed its forward movement, or
so that the firing pin will be held in its cccked position until the trigger is pulled.
But, in either case, the firing pin cannot be released until the breech is closed.
One of these devices is constructed as follows, that is to say:-A shoulder or
projection C is provided upon the head C, of the breech-block, and a shoulder F
is formed on the striker or firing pin F near its rear end to engage with the said
projection C. A spring C7 is secured to the breech-block C and is adapted to bear
upon the firing pin F when the latter is cocked, and thus hold it in engagement
with the projection Co. When the crank-pin, in its return movement, reaches the
top of the slot C³, it raises the rear end of the firing pin and compresses the
spring C, thereby releasing the firing pin from the projection C. This device
serves as a safety catch to prevent the firing of the gun before the crank is in its
proper position to resist the force of the explosion, that is to say, before the crank-
pin arrives at its forward "dead centre."
The other of the said devices is constructed as follows, that is to
say: -G is a
· lever or hammer carried by, and pivotted to, the head C¹ of the breech-block, and
having an arm G¹ which extends upward into a notch F¹ in the firing pin F. The
hammer G is, moreover, provided with an arm G2, which extends downward into
the path of the crank-pin D¹, so that the firing pin will be cocked by the said
crank-pin (when the crank is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in
Figures 1 and 3) in a manner similar to that described in the specification of
former Letters Patent dated 3rd January, A.D. 1884, N° 606. H is a lever or sear
which is also carried by, and pivotted to, the head C¹ and is adapted to engage
with a shoulder Gs on the haminer G. H' is the main-spring, which is fitted upon
a pin or stud H2 fixed in the breech-block C. This spring acts upon the hammer G
to drive the firing-pin forward; and also upon the lever or sear H to cause the
same to engage with the hammer G when the firing pin is cocked.
I is a trigger
and a sliding bar or rod connected therewith. This bar has, at its forward end,
a projection or arm 12, which extends in front of the lever or sear H. The trigger I
is pivotted at I³ to the cross-bar E' and is provided with a vertical arm or
extension I, which is acted upon by a spring I* which tends to push it away from
the said cross-bar. I' is a pistol-butt or handle to be grasped by the band, when
the trigger is to be pulled to fire the gun. i, are two catch-levers, which are
pivotted upon a pin or rod i fixed in the cross-bar Eª and which are acted upon
by a spring through the medium of a pin or block it. The said pin and the
spring are fitted in a recess or cavity in the cross-bar E2, and will tend to hold
the said catch-levers in either a horizontal or a vertical position according to the
adjustment of the said levers. These catch-levers are adapted to be moved into,
or out of, engagement with the extension I of the trigger I, that is to say, they
can be adjusted so that the trigger will be held by one or the other of the said
catch-levers in either of two positions. When both the levers i, i¹, are in a vertical

page_text: position, the spring I* pushes the trigger I and sliding bar I forward so that, in
the forward movement of the breech-block, the lever or sear H will not strike the
arm I, consequently the firing pin will not be released. The release of the firing
pin can, however, be effected by hand by pulling the trigger when, but not unti¹,
the breech is closed. If the trigger is pushed forward and the lever ¹ is turned
down into a horizontal position, the trigger will be so held that it cannot be pulled,
and the lever I will not touch the arm I in the forward movement of the breech-
block, therefore the gun cannot be fired. If, however, the lever is moved into
its vertical position and the lever i is turned down into a horizontal position, the
extension of the said trigger will, when the trigger is pulled to fire the gun, raise
the lever and pass under the hook thereof, the said lever will then be forced
down by the spring into engagement with the said extension 1. The trigger
and the bar will thus be held back, as shown in the drawing, so that, in cach
forward movement of the breech-block, the lever H will strike the arm I², whereby
it will be disengaged from the hammer G, and the gun will be fired; therefore,
after once starting the gun by pulling the trigger, it will continue to work auto-
matically so long as the supply of ammunition is maintained.
J is a coiled spring which is secured, by one end, to the crank-shaf D and, by
the other end, to a casing J' fitted to rotate upon the said shaft. This casing is
formed or provided with a projection J' which bears against a pin or stud J³ fixed
in the side bar E¹. When the frame A and parts carried thereby recoil or move
backward, the projection J2 is prevented from moving backward therewith by the
pin or stud J; therefore the casing J1 is caused to partially rotate on the shaft D
and slightly wind up the spring J, which will subsequently react to effect, or assist
in effecting, the return movement of the frame A. When the crank-shaft D is
partially rotated by the striking of the arm D2 against the shoulder E6 as above
described, the pin or stud J³ prevents the rotation of the casing J with the said
shaft, consequently the coiling or winding up of the spring J is continued during
the backward movement of the crank and breech-block, and the said spring will
subsequently react to effect the return movement of the said crank and breech-
block and parts connected therewith.
I usually fix on the crank-shaft D a crank-handle D³ for operating the breech-
mechanism by hand. In some cases, this crank-handle and the arm D' are formed
in one piece. An elastic or spring stop or buffer A2 is secured to the side bar E so
that, when the breech-block reaches the end of its rearward movement, the crank-
bandle D³ will strike the said stop or buffer and the violence of the shock caused
by the recoil or backward movement of the breech-block and parts connected
therewith will thus be diminished, and the said buffer, by its reaction, will assist
in effecting the return movement of the crank.
The cross-bar E should be furnished with a buffer or cushion to partially absorb
or diminish the shock resulting from the recoil of the frame A and parts carried
thereby, and then react to effect, or assist in effecting, their return movement. For
this purpose I prefer to employ the following device, that is to say, I provide the
frame A with a piston or plunger K which is fitted to slide in a cylinder K¹ fixed
or formed on the said cross-bar, and I place a spring K in the said cylinder to
serve as a buffer or cushion. The said cylinder and piston assist in supporting the
rear end of the frame A, and in guiding the said frame in its to-and-fro movement.
For feeding or supplying the gun with ammunition, I employ a cartridge band
or belt L similar to that described in the specification of former Letters Patent
dated 16th July A.D. 1883, No 3493, but the said belt, instead of being passed over
a feed-wheel, as described in the said formner specification, is arranged to be
intermittently moved, by the mechanism hereinafter described, through a tubular
chamber or casing M secured in the side bars E, E, above the barrel B. The said
chamber or casing is made bell-mouthed as at M¹ to facilitate the entrance of the
cartridges therein. A bar or plate is fitted to slide to and fro in suitable guides
in the said chamber or casing. Two pawls are carried by, and pivotted to, the
sliding bar in such a manner that they will be held, by gravity or otherwise, in

page_text: engagement with one or other of the cartridges in the belt L.
m is a double-armed
Jever, which is pivotted at m¹ to the top or cover of the frame A. The long arm of
this lever extends over the cover of the said frame and is formed with a slot m²,
and a pin or stud 12 fixed in the sliding bar 7 projects through this slot. This slot
is long enough to permit the recoil of the lever m with the frame A. The short
arm of the said lever extends under the cover of the frame A; it is forked at its
extremity and engages with a lever n pivotted at n¹ to the cover. The lever is
formed with a slot n², and the upper end of the bar C2 of the breech-block projects
into this slot. The said slot is so shaped that, in the to-and-fro movement of the
block, the lever n will be caused to oscillate upon or about its pivot n¹, and thus
impart the required reciprocating motion to the sliding bar and pawls through
the lever m. Two retaining pawls 13 are pivotted to the chamber or casing M and
are acted upon by springs which tend to hold them in engagement with the
cartridges in the belt L. The chamber or casing M is provided with ribs or
projections M² for guiding the cartridges and retaining them in a horizontal
position while they are moving through the said chamber or casing.
N is a feed-wheel formed with longitudinal grooves or channels N¹ and provided
with two series of teeth N2, N3, having inclined faces and designed to be acted
upon by a projection C on the breech-block C (in the to-and-fro movement of the
latter) as described in the said former specification No 606, for the purpose of
imparting intermittent rotary motion to the wheel N. The said wheel is fitted to
rotate upon a shaft N* carried in suitable bearings in the frame A and cross-bar E³,
and is arranged to operate in combination with the cartridge band or belt Las
hereinafter set forth. The shaft N¹ passes through a hole in the bar C² and assists
in guiding the breech-block in its to-and-fro movement.
I provide the following means for retaining the shaft N in place and for
permitting its ready removal when necessary, that is to say, O is a catch-lever
which is pivotted at O¹ to the frame A, as more clearly shown in Figure 8, and
which is acted upon by a spring 02 whereby, when the shaft N' is in the position
shown, the said lever is held in engagement with a notch N³ in the said shaft. To
enable the shaft N to be withdrawn from the gun it is only necessary to partially
rotate the said shaft in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 8, and thus
lift the catch out of engagement with the notch.
When the said shaft is removed,
the feed-wheel can he readily lifted out. The said shaft is pointed at its forward
extremity to facilitate its insertion into the gun.
P is an extractor or hooked rod connected at its rear end with the bar C2 of the
breech-block. The forward end or hook of this extractor is adapted to engage with
the flanges of the cartridges in the belt L as they are successively moved into line
with the said extractor, so that, when the breech-block recoils or moves backward,
the said extractor will draw a cartridge out of the said belt into the uppermost
groove of the feed-wheel N. The hooked rod P is held in engagement with the
Hange of the said cartridge by the head of the pivot-pin ml, until the said rod is
moved backward sufficiently to be clear of the said head. It will then come in
contact with an inclined surface a* on the frame A, whereby it will be raised out
of engagement with the flange of the cartridge, so that the said cartridge will be
left in the uppermost groove of the feed-wheel N. A. spring No is, if necessary,
attached to the cover of the frame A so that it will bear upon a cartridge when
thus drawn into the said groove, and will retain the same in position therein.
P¹ is another extractor or hooked rod, which is forked and has a slot p formed
in each of its arms or prongs. Through the slots p is passed a pin or bolt p² fixed
in the breech-block, therefore the said block will recoil or move backward a short
distance before the extractor commences to act, as described in the specification of
former Letters Patent dated 23rd February, A.D. 1884, No 3844. The said
extractor is, moreover, provided with projections p² (Figures 3 and 9) against
which bear springs p³, whereby it is supported with a capability of yielding to
permit its hook to pass under the flange of a cartridge when the breech-block is
moved forward. These projections p² also serve another purpose, viz:--in the

page_text: recoil or backward movement of the breech-block, they strike against fixed inclined
surfaces p formed on the frame A, so that the extractor is depressed at the- proper
time to disengage it from the flange of the empty cartridge-shell, and thus leave
the said shell in the lowermost groove of the feed-wheel N. The empty cartridge-
shells, after they are withdrawn from the barrel, are carried around by the feed-
wheel N until they are ejected or fall therefrom through openings at A³ in the
frame A and side bar E¹.
Qis a lever pivotted at q to the frame A, beneath the barrel B, for starting the
empty cartridge-shells from the barrel as described in the said former specification
N° 3844. The upper arm of this lever is forked and arranged to form part of the
seating for the flange of a cartridge in the barrel. The lower arm of the said lever
extends downward so that, during the recoi! of the frame A, it will strike against
a rod or bar Q extending through slots A' in the frame A, and fixed in the side-
bars E, E, and the lever Q will thus be turned on its pivot and will act very
advantageously to start the cartridge-shell from the barrel.
The
The gun shown in Figures 1 to 5 is provided with a device arranged to operate
in combination with the crank-handle D³ for the purpose of regulating or controlling
the speed of firing. This device has a cylinder or chamber R containing glycerine
and water or other liquid, in which chamber is fitted a perforated piston 7.
perforations or holes through this piston are closed (when the gun is ready for
firing) by a collar or flange on the piston rod 2, the piston being mounted loosely
on the said rod and held against the said collar by a light spring. The chamber R
is connected with the piston-rod 2 by a flexible tube 4, and is made slightly conical
or taper at 75. A spring is arranged within the chamber R and tends to push
the piston-rod 2 upward. The piston-rod 22, when the gun is ready for firing,.
bears against the underside of the crank-handle D³, as shown in Figure 1. When
the crank is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in this Figure, the
spring moves the piston-rod upward, thereby compressing the spring 73 and
uncovering the holes in the piston ; the piston is then moved upward by the
springs, the liquid passing freely through it. In the latter part of the
return movement of the crank, the crank-handle D³ comes against the piston-rod 72
and depresses the same, thereby first compressing the spring and closing the
holes in the piston r and then moving the said piston downward in the chamber R;
but this movement will be very slow, as the liquid can only pass between the
piston and the sides of the chamber. The said chamber is screw-threaded and is
held between two clamps which form part of a bracket R¹ secured to the side
bar E, and which are correspondingly screw-threaded internally so that the said
chamber is capable of vertical adjustment in the said bracket; the said clamps can
be drawn together by means of a screw R², to firmly secure the said device in any
position to which it may be adjusted. By moving the said chamber up or down
in the bracket R¹, the taper or conical part of the chamber R is raised or lowered
relatively to the piston when the gun is ready for firing. In this manner the
speed of firing is regulated by increasing or diminishing the space for the passage
of liquid between the piston and the chamber.
S is a water-chamber, which is secured, at its rear end, to the frame A, and, at
its forward end, to the barrel, and which is fitted to slide in the trunnion ring E*,
so that it will move to and fro with the barrel B and frame A. To permit the
escape of steam from this chamber and prevent the escape of water therefrom, in
whatever position the gun inay be placed, I provide, near each end of the said
chamber, a valve s which is fitted upon a seating in a valve-box s¹ screwed into the
said chamber. This valve is provided with a spindle 82, on which is placed a
spring s, and which extends through a central hole in an adjusting screw 8 fitted
in the valve-box 8¹. The said valve-box communicates with the chamber S through
an aperture or passages, which, under normal conditions, is closed by the valve s.
The springs can be more or less compressed by means of the adjusting screw 8',
so that it will exert any desired pressure upon the valve 8. When the gun is in
use in such a position that one end of the chamber S is more elevated than the

page_text: other end thereof, the screw s* at the higher end is slightly turned back or unscrewed
to permit the corresponding valve to be opened by a lower pressure than that
required to open the valve at the lower end of the chamber. The steam will thus
be permitted to escape at the higher end of the chamber, whilst the escape of the
water from the said chamber will be prevented. When the gun is used in such a
position that the chamber S is level, the screws 8 can be adjusted to permit the
escape of steam through either or both of the valves s.
The operation of the gun illustrated in Figures 1 to 11 is as follows, that is to
sayThe parts are shown in Figures 1 to 3 in the positions which they occupy
when the trigger has been pulled to fire the gun and the cartridge in the barrel is
about to explode. The explosion of the said cartridge causes the frame A and the
parts carried thereby to recoil in the outer frame; when the frame A has moved
back ward a short distance, the arm or lever D² strikes the shoulder or projection Eº,
whereby the crank is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 1
and 3, thus drawing back the breech-block and cocking the firing pin; moreover,
in the recoil of the said frame, the lever Q strikes the pin or rod Q¹ and is thereby
caused to start the empty cartridge-shell from the barrel; the spring K' is com-
pressed; and the spring J is slightly wound up as above described. In the
backward movement of the breech-block, the hooked rod P draws a cartridge out
of the belt Linto the uppermost groove N¹ of the feed-wheel N, and the extractor P¹
simultaneously withdraws the empty cartridge-shell from the barrel into the
lowermost groove of the said feed-wheel. Moreover the projection C³ acts upon
one of the teeth N2 and partially rotates the said feed-wheel as described in the
said former specification N° 606, and the levers n and m are operated by the
bar C2 and thus caused to move the sliding bar and pawls backward so that
the said pawls will engage with a fresh cartridge in the belt L. The crank-
handle D3 then strikes the spring stop or buffer A2 and the movement of the
crank is arrested.
Energy is stored in the springs J and K2 by the recoil of the frame A and parts
carried thereby and, in the spring J, also by the partial rotation of the crank-shaft
as above described. These springs, by their reaction, effect the return movement of
the several parts. In the return movement of the breech-block, the projection C³
acts upon one of the teeth N³ and partially rotates the feed-wheel N so as to bring
a fresh cartridge in line with the barrel. The said cartridge is then thrust into
the barrel by the breech-block. The levers n and m are operated by the bar C²
and thus caused to move the sliding bar and pawls forward and thereby bring
a fresh cartridge in the belt L into line with the booked rod P, the hook of which
passes over and engages with the flange of the said cartridge. When the crank-
pin D arrives at the top of the slot C³, it raises the firing pin at its rear end and
disengages the same from the shoulder C. If the trigger I and sliding bar I¹ are
held in the position shown, the lever or sear H will strike the arm or projection I²
on the said bar and thus be disengaged from the hammer G, which will then drive
the firing pin forward and fire the gun; the gun will, therefore, continue to work
automatically so long as the supply of ammunition is maintained, or until the
trigger I and sliding bar I are otherwise adjusted. If the catch-levers i, ¹, are
both placed vertically, the sear H will not strike the arm I² of the sliding bar 1',
and, therefore, will not be disengaged from the hammer G; the trigger will then
have to be pulled to fire the gun. If it is desired to prevent the firing of the gun,
the catch lever is so adjusted that it will hold the trigger I and sliding bar I' in
their forward position as above described.
The crank-handle D³ comes in contact with the piston-rod 2 of the regulating
device before the return movement of the crauk is completed, and more or less
resistance is offered by the said device to the rotation of the crank during the
remainder of its return movement, according to the position of the chamber R in
the bracket R¹. Therefore the speed of firing, when the gun is working auto-
matically, can, as above stated, be varied by adjusting the said chamber.

page_text: can use other means than those above described for supplying cartridges to the
feed-wheel N. For instance, in some cases, I place a few cartridges in a box or
hopper directly over the said feed-wheel so that they will drop therein by gravity.
This arrangement is especially advantageous for large guns, say of a calibre of one
inch or more.
In the modification of my invention illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the outer
frame of the gun is closed at the top and bottom by plates Es, Es, and the inner
frame A consists of two side plates rigidly attached to the block A³, in which the
barrel is firmly secured. The chamber S, instead of being secured to the frame A
as hereinbefore described, is secured to the trunnion ring E, and the barrel Bis
fitted to slide to and fro in the said chamber. To ensure tightness of the joints
between the barrel and the said chamber, I provide, at the ends of the said chainber,
stufling-boxes S¹, in which pistons S2, S³ are fitted to slide. These pistons are
caused to press upon the packing in the stuffing-boxes by a spring S* placed upon
the barrel between the said pistons. The said pistons fit the barrel at each of their
extremities, but each piston is made with an intermediate recess or cavity which
extends around the barrel, and the pistons are perforated to permit the water con-
tained in the chamber S to enter the said recesses. In this manner I provide for
diminishing the friction between the said pistons and the barrel. It will be readily
understood that, as I employ one spring to act upon both pistons, the pressure on
the packing in the two stuffing-boxes will be equal, or approximately so.
effectually ensure this equality of pressure, I sometimes make the barrel of the same
diameter at both ends, that is to say, at those parts thereof which work in the two
stuffing-boxes.
To more
The point of resistance E consists of a spring secured in any suitable manner to
the side bar E.
A spiral spring J is employed for effecting the return movement of the breech-
block and other parts. This spring is attached, at one end, to the side bar E¹, and,
at the other end, to a chain J5, which is attached to a cam Jo fixed on the crank-
shaft D. It is evident that the force exerted by the spring will diminish during
the forward or return movement of the crank and breech-block, as the said spring
will contract in effecting this movement. Therefore the power available for
effecting the release of the firing pin would be comparatively small unless some
provision were made for increasing such power. To accomplish this result, I make
the cam Je of the shape shown by dotted lines in Figure 12, or of a shape approxi-
mating thereto, so that the leverage will be very small at the commencement of the
return movement of the crank and breech-block, but will gradually increase during
such return movement, and will be greatest at the moment when the said spring
has to effect the release of the firing pin.
A stop A is firmly secured to the side bar E in such a position that the crank-
handle D³ will strike the said stop in the forward movement of the crank, and thus
arrest such movement, and prevent too violent impact of the crank-pin against the
top of the slot C³.
I provide the following means for regulating or controlling the speed of firing,
that is to say I fit a perforated piston c upon the end of the guide-bar C in such
a manner that it is free to slide a short distance to and fro thereon. A collar c* is
fixed or formed on the guide-bar C5, which collar will close the perforations or holes
in the piston c, when the said guide-bar is moved forward, but will uncover the
said holes when the said bar is moved backward. The piston c and guide-bar C5
are arranged to work in a cylinder or chamber attached to the block A³ and
formed with holes c². The said cylinder is, moreover, provided with a series of
perforations c³ near its front end. A screw-cap c is fitted upon this end of the
cylinder, and is adjustable thereon so that it can be made to cover or close one or
more of the perforations c³; a spring c³ is inserted between the screw-cap c* and
the end of the cylinder to prevent the unscrewing of the said cap by the
vibration of the gun.

page_text: The operation of this regulating device is as follows, viz:-When the breech-
block is moved backward, air enters the front end of the cylinder c¹ through the
holes cand the perforations in the piston c and also through such of the holes c³ as
are uncovered. When the breech-block moves forward, the perforations in the
piston are closed by the collar c*, consequently the air in front of the piston escapes
through the holes c² and through such of the perforations c³ as are uncovered. But,
after the piston has moved forward sufficiently to cover the holes c³, the air in front
of the said piston has to be forced through such of the perforations c³ as are
uncovered, or, if all these perforations are covered, between the piston c and the
cylinder c¹. Therefore the speed of firing can be increased or diminished by
screwing up or unscrewing the cap c', and thus regulating the area of the escape
apertures.
The head C of the breech-block C is provided with a cross-piece C' at its lower
end, and is fitted to slide between ribs or projections a' on the bottom plate E³,
which ribs or projections assist in guiding the breech-block in its to-and-fro
movement.
The means for operating the sliding bar are somewhat modified, and comprise
a bell-crank-lever m³ pivotted to lugs or brackets m' fixed or formed on the side
bar E. One arm of this bell-crank-lever is formed with a slot m³ through which
extends the pin or stud 12 of the sliding bar . The other arm of the said lever is
coupled, by means of a link mo, to the block A³, which, as above stated, forms part
of the frame A; therefore reciprocating motion will be imparted to the sliding
bar by the said frame when the gun is in operation.
I prefer to make the upper portion of the slot C³, and the surface d of the crank-
pin D concentric with the crank-shaft as shown, so that the opening of the breech
will be delayed for a short time after the crank has commenced its backward
rotation. Moreover, by reason of this form of construction, the breech-block will
be driven home before the crank arrives at its forward dead centre;" the force of
the spring J, during the remainder of the forward movement of the crank, will,
therefore, be utilized solely for effecting the release of the firing pin from the
shoulder C. This arrangement is advantageous when the speed of firing is required
to be slow, because, in such case, the crank-pin travels very slowly during the
latter part of its forward movement, by reason of the resistance offered thereto by
the regulating device.
To obviate any liability of the crank-pin D¹ to become jammed in the slot C³ or
impeded in its downward movement therein, I sometimes make the curved part of
the said slot slightly eccentric, that is to say, the said curve is struck from a centre
situated a short distance below, and slightly to the rear of, the centre of the crank-
shaft; therefore, as soon as the crank-pin D has cominenced to move downward,
the surface & thereof will move, or have a tendency to move, away from the forward
edge of the slot C³:
According to another modification of my Invention illustrated in Figures 15
and 16, I provide in the following manner for increasing the leverage between the
spring J and the crank-shaft D, that is to say:-1 mount the spring J on a short-
shaft T fitted to rotate in bearings in the side bar E¹ and in the casing J which is
attached thereto. T¹ is an arm fixed or formed on the shaft T and having a pin or
stud T2 fixed in its free end. T³ is a chain attached, at one end, to the said pin or
stud, and passed around a roller T fitted to rotate upon the shaft T. The other
end of the chain T³ is attached to a cam Ja somewhat similar to that shewn in
Figures 12 and 14, which cam is fixed on the crank-shaft D, or on a stud T
secured in the end thereof. To is a casing secured to the side bar E¹ to enclose the
mechanism..
I do not confine myself to the employment of the means above described for
intermittently rotating the feed-wheel N, as other means may be used for this
purpose; for instance, I sometimes employ a ratchet and pawl device, such as that
shewn in Figures 17 and 18, in which U is a ratchet-wheel fixed or formed on the
rear end of the feed-wheel N; V is a pawl carried by, and pivotted to, a plate W

page_text: of the
fitted to slide up and down between guides w formed on a plate W secured to the
part A of the frame A. This pawl has three arms v, v³, v². A spring V1 is
attached, at one end, to the plate W and, at the other end, to the arm
pawl V. Y is a bent lever pivotted upon a pin or stud y fixed in the frame A.
Both arms of this lever are forked. The long arm of the said lever engage with a
pin or rod y¹ fitted in lugs y fixed or formed on the plate W. The short arın of
the said lever projects into the path of an arm Y¹ attached to the crank-shaft D and
provided with a roller y³, which is fitted to rotate upon a pin or stud y' fixed in
the said arm, and is adapted to enter the forked end of the short arm of the lever Y
as shown in full lines in Figure 17 and in dotted lines in Figure 18. By these
means, in the return movement of the crank and breech-block, the arm Y₁, acting
upon the lever Y, depresses the plate W and pawl V, so that the arm v of the said
pawl acts upon one tooth of the ratchet-wheel U and turns the said wheel until
another tooth comes against the arm vl of the said pawl, whereby the movement of
the said wheel is arrested. When the crank and breech-block recoil or move
backward, the arm Y¹, acting upon the lever Y, raises the plate W into the position
shewn in Figure 17, so that the arm v of the pawl V engages with another tooth
of the ratchet-wheel.
In Figures 19 and 20, I have shewn a slight modification of the arrangement
shewn in Figures 17 and 18. In this modification, the sliding plate W. extends on
both sides of the shaft N' and is slotted or cut out as shewn to permit its up and
down movement. The said plate is, moreover, acted upon by two springs V1
attached, at one end, to the said plate and, at the other end, to the fixed plate WI.
The ratchet-wheel U is, in this case, arranged between the plate W and the part A5
of the frame A. The pawl V is provided with a spring V2 which presses against a
pin or stud V³ fixed in the plate W. This plate is provided with two pro-
jections w; two arms Y¹ are secured to the crank-shaft D in such a manner that,
in the backward movement of the crank and breech-block, the said arms act upon
the projections and move the plate W down into the position indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 20, thereby expanding the springs V₁ and causing the
pawl V to partially rotate the ratchet-wheel U, as above described; and, in the
return movement of the crank and breech-block, the springs V₁ react and raise the
plate W.
In my improved gun, I prefer to arrange the feed-wheel above the centre of the
barrel, and to fill the said wheel from the belt at its upper side; but the said wheel
and belt may,
if desired, be otherwise arranged.
I sometimes use two feed-wheels for supplying the gun with ammunition from a
suitable box or magazine either directly or by means of a cartridge belt, as
described in the said former Specification No 3493.
A gun constructed as herein described can be made very light and of great
strength, and may, if desired, be so made that it can be very readily taken to
pieces and put together again. For this purpose I connect the top and bottom of
the frame A to the sides thereof by pins or rods as at a³, a³, and secure the cross
bar E in the side bars E, E¹ by two pins E7. Moreover the feed-wheel is secured
in place by the removable rod or shaft N as above described. Therefore it is only
necessary to withdraw the said shaft and the said pins or rods to permit the parts
of the gun to be detached from each other.
When my improvements are applied to a rifle, I prefer to arrange the said rifle
to slide upon or between two side bars firmly connected to a shoulder-plate to form an
outer frame or support, and I provide suitable means whereby the recoil of the
said rifle in its outer frame or support will cause the partial rotation of the crank-
shaft at the proper time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
many of the improvements herein described are advantageously applicable to
guns designed to be operated by hand, I, therefore, do not limit myself to the
that

page_text: application of such improvements to automatic guns, and I declare that what
I claim is
First. A gun wherein a crank-shaft is so arranged in combination with the
breech-block and other parts that, at each discharge of the gun, the said crank-
shaft will recoil a short distance with the said block and the barrel, without
opening the breech, and will then be rotated, or partially rotated, for the purposes
above specified.
Second. The employment, substantially as set forth, of an inner frame carrying
the crank-shaft, the barrel and the breech-mechanism, and arranged to slide to and
fro in an outer frame or support provided with a shoulder or projection, so that, in
the recoil of the said inner frame and parts carried thereby, the arm or lever on
the crank-shaft will strike the said shoulder or projection, for the purposes
specified.
Third. The modification of my invention which consists in so forming the
shoulder or projection on the outer frame or support and the arm or lever on the
crank-shaft that the point of contact between them will change during the rotation
of the crank, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fourth. The employment, for retaining the firing pin in its cocked position, of
two devices so arranged that the release of the firing pin from one device is auto-
matically effected by the crank-pin, and the other device can be adjusted either
so that the release of the firing pin therefrom will be effected automatically at the
termination of the forward movement of the breech-block, or so that the firing pin
will be held in its cocked position until the trigger is pulled, substantially as set
forth.
Fifth. The combination, with the outer frame or support and the inner sliding
frame, of the piston or plunger K, the cylinder K¹ and the spring K³, substantially
as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Sixth. The combination of parts comprising the crank-shaft D, the notched firing
pin F, the hammer G, the lever or sear H and the spring H¹, substantially as above
described, whereby I provide for cocking the gun in the downward movement of
the crank-pin.
Seventh. The combination of parts, substantially as set forth, comprising the
hammer G and the lever or sear H, both carried by, and pivotted to, the breech-
block, the sliding bar I', the trigger I, and means for holding the same in either of
two positions, whereby the gun can be adjusted so that it will be fired auto-
matically or by hand, or so that the firing thereof will be prevented, as above
specified.
Eighth. The combination, with the extractor, of the supporting springs p³,
and the inclined surfaces p, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Ninth. The employment of a sliding bar carrying a pawl or pawls, and means
for operating the said bar in combination with retaining pawls for the purpose of
feeding a belt of cartridges through the gun, as above specified.
Tenth. The combination of parts comprising the spring J, the casing J¹ provided
with the projection J2, and the pin or stud Ja fixed in the side bar E', whereby the
coiling or winding up of the said spring is first partially effected by the recoil of
the inner frame, and is then continued or completed by the rotation of the crank-
shaft, as above set forth.
Eleventh. The combination of parts comprising the crank-shaft, the spring, the
chain, and the cam, substantially as described with reference to Figures 12, 13
and 14, or to Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings whereby I provide for increasing
the leverage between the said spring and the crank-shaft, substantially as, and for
the purpose, set forth.
Twelfth. The combination, with the barrel and the water-chamber surrounding
the same, of valves acted upon by springs, and means for regulating the tension of
the said springs, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination of parts comprising the stuffing-boxes, the pistons
fitted therein, and the spring acting upon the said pistons, whereby I provide for

page_text: ensuring tightness of the joints between the said barrel and water-chamber and for
equalizing the pressure on the packing in the said stuffing-boxes, as above
specified.
Fourteenth. The combination, with the trigger and the sliding bar connected
therewith, of the catch-levers i, i, acted upon by the spring and pin *, sub-
stantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifteenth. The combination, with the feed-wheel-shaft, of a spring-catch secured
to the frame A and adapted to enter a notch in the said shaft, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Sixteenth. The improved device constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1, 2 and 11 of the drawings for regulating the speed of firing,
as above set forth.
Seventeenth. The combination, with the breech-block, of the guide-bar C³
fitted to slide to and fro in a hole in the frame A, as, and for the purpose,
specified.
Eighteenth. The combination, with the said guide-bar, of a perforated piston
capable of a slight axial movement thereon and fitted to slide to and fro in a
chamber provided with apertures for the ingress and egress of air, and means for
covering one or more of the said apertures, substantially as, and for the purpose,
set forth.
Nineteenth. The improved automatic gun consisting of the parts constructed
and combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 11 or to
Figures 12 to 14 of the drawings and operating as above specified.
Twentieth. The modification of my invention wherein I employ a pawl and
ratchet device for intermittently rotating the feed-wheel, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 17 and 18 or to Figures 19 and 20 of the drawings.
Dated this 20th dow of Ontahan 100%