ACTU
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
[A communication from abroad by COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MANUFACTURING
COMPANY of Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America.]
I, l'HILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents 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:-
This invention relates generally to the class of automatic, breech-loading fire-
arms and more especially to fire-arms of this description in which the several
operations, such as the unlocking and opening of the breech after firing a shot,
the ejection of the empty cartridge shell; the cocking of the hammer, the presenta-
tion and introduction of a new cartridge to the chamber of the barrel and the closing
and locking of the breech, are automatically effected by or through the energy
of the recoil of the breech-block or -bolt carrier, or that part which at the time of
firing the shot closes the breech or rear end of the cartridge chamber of the barrel,
and of the parts connected therewith, after each discharge, or by the pressure of
the gases generated by the explosion of the cartridge. The general object which
has been in view has been first and mainly the production of a fire-arm of this
class which should be not only practical, efficient and perfectly safe in use, but
should also be very simple in construction and therefore much less liable to get out
of order and much less expensive to manufacture than fire-arms of like general
nature but of more complicated construction, such as have been produced or
designed hitherto.
The particular result in view has been the production of an improved automatic,
magazine pistol, and the invention may therefore be said to relate, in a general
It will be readily understood, how-
way, to automatic, breech-loading fire-arms.
ever, especially as this description proceeds, that various features of the invention
which are incidental to the attainment of the particular result aimed at, and
referred to above, are not restricted in their applicability to fire-arms of the
particular class referred to, but are capable of being applied with good results to
fire-arms of other classes. It is therefore to be observed that, while in the accom-
panying drawings the invention is illustrated as embodied in automatic, magazine
pistols, and the various features of the invention are described in their most
approved forms under three general systems, with especial reference to their use in
such pistols, nevertheless, it is not intended thereby to restrict the invention to the
particular constructions shown and described, nor even to the combination of any
of the several features together in a single fire-arm of any description.
In order that the detailed description of the constructions, which have been
chosen to illustrate embodiments of the invention, may be more easily understood
and the relations of the various parts more quickly comprehended, some of the main
features of the invention will now be enumerated, the character of each being
indicated briefly and in a general way. In the first place, the invention resides in

page_text: part in the form and construction of the frame, that is to say, that portion of the
fire-arm which supports the barrel, firing mechanism, etc., the object being in part
to adapt the frame for co-operation with other features of the invention, and in
part to improve the construction thereof, without regard to the special character
of other portions of the fire-arm. The construction of the holder which, in a
magazine fire-arm such as a pistol, receives the cartridges, and is itself inserted
within the frame, has also been improved whereby the cartridges are more securely
held, when the holder is outside of the frame, and whereby the delivery of the
cartridges from the holder to the cartridge chamber of the barrel may be perfectly
regulated and controlled. Devices are provided whereby the delivery of each
cartridge in succession into the cartridge chamber of the frame is so controlled as
to render it practically impossible for any cartridge to get out of position in such
a manner, or to such an extent, as to interfere in any way with the proper insertion
of the cartridge in the barrel. The shell extracting and ejecting devices have also
been improved, so as to ensure the removal of each empty shell in succession with
absolute certainty, and without any possible interference with the feeding of the
next fresh cartridge. The lock mechanism is so constructed, in one form of the
invention, as to dispense altogether with any loose intermediate part between the
trigger and the sear, notwithstanding the location, in a pistol, of the trigger in
front of the grip or handle, which constitutes the magazine, and of the hammer
in rear of the same, and whereby the sear is left free to engage and hold the hammer
at full-cock until the trigger has been released by the finger of the operator and
again pressed, and the safety device, which prevents the effective movement of the
trigger until all parts are in position for the discharge of another cartridge, is
made extremely simple and certain in its action.
The improvements are herein shown and described as applied to automatic,
breech-loading, magazine pistols of three different classes or operating under three
different systems. On Sheets 1-6 of the drawings are shown two forms of a pistol
of that class in which the several operations, such as the unlocking and opening
of the breech after firing a shot, the ejection of the empty cartridge shell, the
cocking of the hammer, the presentation and introduction of a fresh cartridge to
the chamber of the barrel and the closing and locking of the breech, are auto-
matically effected by or through the energy of the recoil of the breech-block or -bolt
carrier, the barrel having a double movement for the purpose of effecting the
locking and unlocking of the said breech-block or -bolt carrier. On Sheets 7 and 8
is shown a form closely resembling the two just referred to, but in which the
operations mentioned are effected by the pressure in the barrel of the gases
generated by the explosion of the cartridge. On Sheets 9-17 are shown two forms
in which the operations mentioned are effected by or through the escape of such
gases from the barrel.
In the drawings, Sheets 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one form of pistol of the first class
or operating under the first system above referred to, and
Figure 1 is a left hand side elevation of the pistol with the breech closed and
the hammer in the full-cock position;
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively front and rear end views of the same;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal central section of the same with the parts in the same
position as in Figure 1, the barrel and some other parts being shown in elevation;
Figure 5 is a partial view similar to Figure 4, but with the hammer lowered
upon the firing pin ;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, but with the barrel and the breech-block
or bolt carrier in their extreme rearward positions;
Figure 7 is a partial view similar to Figure 5, but with the hammer in the
half-cock position ;
Figures 8-17 are detail views of parts to be referred to;
Sheets 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the second form of pistol of the first class or operating
under the first system, above referred to, and

page_text: Figure 18 is a left hand side elevation of such a form of pistol of the class
referred to which is constructed in accordance with the invention;
Figures 19 and 20 are respectively front and rear end views of the same,
Figure 20 being partly broken away;
Figure 21 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the same on a central plane but
with the breech-block or -bolt carrier and some other parts in elevation, the
breech-block or -bolt. carrier being represented in its closed position in both
Figures 18 and 21;
Figures 22 and 23 are sections on the plane indicated by the line - of
Figure 21, looking rearward, showing the parts in different positions;
Figure 24 is a longitudinal section on a horizontal plane, with the barrel in plan
view;
Figure 25 is a view generally similar to Figure 21, but with the breech-block
or -bolt carrier also in vertical longitudinal section and in its extreme rearward
or open position, the sear-latch being shown in the position which it assumes when
pressed by the hand of the operator in grasping the pistol and in which it will
permit the movement of the sear to release the hammer, the trigger itself being
shown in its forward position;
Figures 26, 27 and 28 are detail views of parts to be referred to ;
Sheets 7 and 8 illustrate a form of pistol of the second class, or operating under
the second system above referred to, and
Figure 29 is a right hand side elevation of the pistol with the breech closed and
the hammer down;
Figures 30 and 31 are respectively front and rear end views of the same;
Figure 32 is a longitudinal section on a horizontal plane, with the barrel shown
partly in plan view;
Figure 33 is a longitudinal section on a vertical plane with some of the parts in
side view;
Figures 34, 35, 36 and 37 are detail views of parts to be referred to;
Sheets 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, illustrate one form of pistol of the third class or
operating under the third system above referred to, and
Figure 38 is a right hand side elevation of the magazine pistol, closed, that is to
say, with the parts in position for firing, but with the hammer down;
Figure 39 is a left hand side elevation of the same, but open, that is to say, with
the parts in a position which they assume during action, and with the hammer
cocked, a portion of the frame being broken out to show parts within ;
Figure 40 is a vertical central section of the same, seen from the right, and with
the parts in the positions represented in Figure 39, the cartridge holder being
shown in side elevation, and the position of the cartridge in the receiving chamber
above the magazine being indicated by dotted lines;
Figure 41 is a plan view of the pistol, closed, as seen from above;
Figure 42 is a partial section on the plane indicated by the line - of Figure 38,
illustrating the construction and arrangement of the cartridge holder in relation
to the frame;
Figures 43 and 44 are partial, horizontal sections through the rear of the frame,
illustrating the construction, arrangement and operation of the escapement device
which controls the delivery of cartridges from the holder, the escapement device
being represented in different positions in the two views;
Figure 45 is a transverse section of the plane indicated by the line Y-Y of
Figure 40;
Figure 46 is a detail view in cross section of a slightly different form of the
gas cup from that shown in Figures 40 and 45;
Figure 47 is a view in elevation of the firing mechanism, as seen from the left,
a portion of the frame being also represented in vertical, central section;
Figures 48 and 49 are detail views showing the different positions assumed by
parts of the firing mechanism during operation;

page_text: Figure 50 is a detail plan view, on a somewhat larger scale than Figures 47, 48
and 49, and partly broken out, illustrating the relation of the trigger arm and sear;
Figure 51 is a horizontal section of the pistol in a plane of the axis of the barrel,
the parts being represented in position for firing, with the hammer cocked;
Figures 52, 53 and 54 are partial views similar to Figure 51, illustrating par-
ticularly the operation of the extractor and ejector, and the movement of these parts
during the operation of the pistol ;
Figures 55 and 56 are rear views of the breech-block, illustrating particularly
the construction and operation of the retractor for the firing pin ;
Figure 57 is a detail view illustrating a slightly different form and arrangement
of the firing-pin ;
Figure 58 is a detail plan view of the forward portion of the fixed frame, with
the gas cup in position, and with the filling ring, hereinafter referred to, in place;
Figure 59 is a perspective view of the filling ring shown in Figure 58;
Figure 60 is a detail plan view of the cartridge stop;
Figure 61 is a section on the plane indicated by the line z-z of Figure 60;
Figure 62 is a vertical central section of the forward part of the frame and of
the barrel, illustrating a modification of construction hereinafter referred to;
Sheets 14, 15, 16 and 17, illustrate another form of pistol of the third class or
operating under the third system above referred to, embodying some of the features
of improvement, and
Figure 63 is a view in side elevation of such a magazine pistol, the breech being
closed;
Figure 64 is in general a longitudinal central section of the same, some parts
being shown in elevation and the breech being open;
Figure 65 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section, with the breech
closed;
•
Figure 66 is a top view of the same with the breech open and with some parts
broken away to show others beneath;
Figure 67 is a top view with the breech closed and with parts broken away to show
others beneath;
Figure 68 is a plan view of the connecting piece between the trigger and the
other parts of the hammer releasing devices;
Figure 69 is a detail view, partly in section, illustrating a modification of the
devices for preventing the release of the trigger.
Referring first to the pistol shown on Sheets 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the three
main parts of the pistol are the frame a, the barrel b, which has a limited, double
movement, and the breech-block or -bolt carrier c which slides to and fro under
the influence of the recoil and of the reaction spring. The rear portion of the
frame a forms the receiver and has a seat and suitable guides for the reciprocating
breech-block or -bolt carrier, and below the receiver is the grip or handle a' which
is preferably made integral with the frame, but obviously may be formed separately
and attacked thereto in any suitable manner. Within the grip and extending
through the same upward into the receiver is arranged a seat or chamber for the
reception of the cartridge magazine or holder d, (Figures 4, 6, and 14-17). In
the main, the cartridge magazine d may be made in any usual or suitable manner,
or as more fully described hereinafter, being in effect a sheet metal tube in which
the cartridges are laid one upon another, resting upon a spring follower d¹, by
which they are pressed upward toward the receiver. The holder is conveniently
retained in place within the grip by a spring actuated latch d². The upper end
of the holder is open to permit the escape of the cartridges, the side walls at the
rear of this opening being turned in to form ears d³, (Figures 6-14) which engage
the rim or flange of the topmost cartridge to prevent the escape of the same from
the holder, except when it is pushed forward as hereinafter described.
From the receiver the frame a is extended forward for the attachment thereto
of the barrel b and for the reception and support of the reaction spring. In
its normal position the front end of the barrel may project somewhat beyond the

page_text: extremity of the frame, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4. The top of the
frame a, from end to end, is preferably milled off straight to serve as a guide and
slideway for the breech-block or -belt carrier, as hereinafter more particularly
referred to, and between its edges it is concaved as may be necessary to form a
The barrel is
seat for the barrel when the latter is in its rearmost position.
attached or connected to the frame in such a manner or by such means as to be
capable of limited movement only, but of a double movement within its limits,
that is to say, the barrel is free to move to and fro in the direction of its length
and also to have another movement at the same time, such other movement being,
in the construction represented in the drawings, a bodily movement toward and
front the frame. Obviously the means whereby the barrel is attached or connected to
the frame so as to be capable of such movement may be varied considerably. As
a convenient means to accomplish the desired purpose the barrel is represented as
provided with two lugs, band 62, (Figures 4 and 6) projecting from its under side,
one near the muzzle and the other near the breech, corresponding recesses being
formed in the frame. Links and bare secured in slots in said lugs and
between the walls of said recesses by transverse pivot pins, so that said links
swing freely in the plane of the axis of the barrel. The links are of equal length
and the distance between their points of attachment to the barrel is the same as
that between their points of attachment to the frame; consequently while the
barrel moves rearwardly and forwardly and at the same time toward and from the
frame, the axis of the barrel remains always parallel to its normal position. It
will be evident that the forward link may be dispensed with if the barrel is properly
guided at its forward end in the frame and that the barrel might be otherwise
connected to or supported upon the frame.
The breech-block or -bolt carrier carries the breech-bolt c¹, to close the breech
or rear end of the chamber of the barrel, and is adapted to be engaged by the
barrel to be thereby locked in its closed position, and is also adapted to be engaged
by the reaction spring. Therefore provided the breech-block or -bolt carrier is
adapted to serve these purposes, it is immaterial what the precise form of the same
may be. It is preferred, however, that it shall have, forward of the breech-bolt c¹,
a semi-tubular extension to enclose the top and sides of the barrel b, and
longitudinal ribs and grooves c³ to engage corresponding ribs and grooves a a*,
formed on the frame a, as shown clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 6, so as to be thereby
held to the frame and guided thereon in its reciprocation. Near the forward end
of the breech-block or -bolt carrier is a transverse key which is inserted through
rectangular recesses, cut therefor in the sides of the breech-block or -bolt carrier,
and normally projects slightly at each side of the breech-block or -bolt carrier.
A longitudinal mortise or slot as is cut through the forward part of the frame <
lo receive the key and to permit it to travel freely therein. The rear end of
said slot or mortise a forms an abutment for the key to limit the rearward
movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier and thereby all danger that the
breech-block or -bolt carrier may fly back from the frame is entirely obviated.
The key also forms the bearing through which the reaction spring e acts upon
the breech-block or -bolt carrier to return it to its normal position after it has been
moved rearwardly therefrom by the recoil. This spring is conveniently located in
a chamber 6 formed in the forward extension of the frame and at its rear end
bears against the rear end of said chamber. At its forward end the said spring
may have a piston.e¹ which is provided with a head or flange e to hear against
the key . The rear face of the key is recessed, as at c (see Figures 12 and 13),
to receive the head or flange e2, whereby said piston forms a latch to prevent the
accidental displacement of said key. When it is desired to withdraw said key c³,
to permit the removal of the breech-block or -bolt carrier from the frame, a pin
is inserted through the hole a into the path of said piston el to stop its forward
movement while the forward movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier
is continued, thereby releasing the key from the piston and permitting
it to be withdrawn readily. The piston el is preferably tubular to receive

page_text: a spring e, which bears at its forward end against an internal shoulder e*
and projects rearwardly somewhat beyond the rear end of said piston,
so that when the breech-block or -bolt carrier and the piston move rear-
wardly, compressing the reaction spring e, the end of the spring e³, which is quite
stiff, strikes the solid partition at the end of the chamber and serves as a buffer
or cushion to diminish the shock. In order to permit the inroduction of the
reaction spring e and piston e¹, the forward end of the chamber a is left open
and is closed after the introduction of the spring and piston by a plug as which may
be secured in place by the pin a³ which serves as the pivot for the forward link b
It will be evident that the piston might be dispensed with if desired, the terminal
coil of the spring taking its place as a latch for the key c.
Just forward of the breech-bolt c', the top of the breech-block or -bolt carrier c
is cut away, as at , to permit the ejection of the empty shell after each discharge,
the said opening being directly over the upper end of the cartridge holder d
when the breech-block or -bolt carrier is in its extreme rearward position, and
standing over the rear portion of the barrel when the breech-block or -bolt carrier
is in its extreme forward or closed position. Just forward of the opening the
breech-block or -bolt carrier is provided with one or more recesses to receive
corresponding transverse ribs or projections 65 on the barrel b, the said ribs or
projections being caused to enter and occupy said recesses by the movement in the
transverse or vertical plane which the barrel has at the same time that it is
moved forward in a longitudinal direction by the breech-block or -bolt carrier
during the last of the forward movement of the latter, whereby the breech-block
or bolt carrier is securely locked to the barrel and the breech-bolt is held rigidly
against the end of the barrel, closing the breech. In this closed position therefore,
the breech-block or -bolt carrier c and the barrel bare securely interlocked and
neither one can move independently of the other. When, however, the breech-
block or bolt carrier is moved rearwardly under the influence of the recoil, the
barrel moves for some distance with it, until the rocking movement of the barrel,
heretofore explained, lowers the barrel until it rests upon the frame and thereby
withdraws the ribs from the recesses in the breech-block or -bolt carrier and
releases the breech-block or -bolt carrier from the barrel. The frame prevents
further rearward movement of the barrel, which is left with its breech in proper
position with respect to the cartridge magazine to receive a fresh cartridge after
the empty shell has been withdrawn. The continued rearward movement of the
breech-block or -bolt carrier opens the breech by moving the breech-bolt away
from the barrel until the face of the breech-bolt has passed to the rear of the
cartridge magazine. During the return or forward movement of the breech-block
or bolt carrier the barrel is kept from moving forward with it by the top of the
breech-block or -bolt carrier, which slides over the ribs 65 and prevents the barrel
from rising from the frame, but, as the last of the closing movement brings the
face of the breech-bolt el against the breech of the barrel, the recesses arrive
above the ribs b, permitting the barrel to rise as the ribs enter the recesses and
at the same time to be pushed forward by the breech-block or -bolt carrier, so
that when the breech-block or -bolt carrier and the barrel arrive at their forward
or closed position, they are again securely locked as before. In order to delay
somewhat the unlocking of the barrel and breech-block or -bolt carrier, so as to
insure the exit of the projectile from the muzzle of the barrel and the consequent
relief of the pressure of the powder gases in the barrel before the breech-block
or bolt carrier is unlocked and the breech opened, the links bb are arranged so
that in the closed position of the breech-block or -bolt carrier the centers of the
upper pivots, between the links and the barrel, stand somewhat forward of a
vertical line through the centers of the lower pivots, between the links and the
frame. By this arrangement the barrel moves rearward with the breech-block
or bolt carrier for some distance before it moves downward, the ribs are kept in
the recesses and the unlocking of the breech-block or -bolt carrier from the barrel
is correspondingly, delayed. The device just described is not only simple but

page_text: exceedingly effective for the purpose named, requiring no nice adjustment and not
being injuriously affected by wear, the only effect of which will be to increase
the delay.
↑
As described heretofore, the cartridges are pressed upward from the holder but
are held from escaping therefrom by the ears &. Nevertheless the rim of the top-
most cartridge rises so as to project above the holder as soon as the breech-bolt c¹
has passed to the rear of the holder, the action of the spring follower in the
magazine and of the cartridges upon one another causing the forward end of the
topmost cartridge to be tilted up and directed toward the breech of the barrel.
In the forward or closing movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier, the face
of the breech-bolt el engages the topmost cartridge, the upper edge of which then
lies in the path of the breech-bolt, and pushes it directly from the holder into the
chamber of the barrel, the lug on the under side of the barrel projecting some-
what beyond the rear end thereof and having its upper face inclined rearwardly
and downwardly to serve as a guide for the cartridge.
It will be understood that when the breech is closed and the barrel and breech-
block or bolt carrier are locked together, the lock mechanism can be released by
a pressure upon the trigger to effect the discharge of the cartridge. By the energy
of the recoil the breech-block or -bolt carrier is driven to the rear and in its move-
ment, after it is released from the barrel, it effects the extraction of the empty.
shell from the chamber of the barrel and its ejection from the receiver. For this
purpose an extractor f, of usual construction and acted upon by a spring f', as
usual, is arranged in the breech-bolt e¹ to engage the head or flange of the cartridge
during the closing movement and to extract the shell from the chamber of the
barrel during the opening movement. As the shell is drawn rearwardly by the
extractor, which engages its upper edge, its lower edge strikes two projections g
which are preferably formed on or secured to the sides of the cartridge holder
near the upper rear corners in similar position, as shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17,
so as to be removed therewith. These projections stop the rearward movement of
the lower portion of the shell while its upper edge is still engaged by the extractor
with the result that the shell is snapped out or ejected through the opening
the top of the breech-block or -bolt carrier. The under side of the breech-bolt c¹
is of course provided with grooves (Figure 8) corresponding to the stops or
projections g
in
The breech-bolt el is provided with the usual firing pink and retracting spring kl
and the hammer is pivoted as usual in the frame and is acted upon by the usual
mainspring, the shape and position of the hammer being such that it is struck
and brought to full-cock position by the breech-bolt el in the rearward or opening
movement of the latter. The sear m is pivoted in the frame in front of the hammer
and is normally acted upon by a spring m³ to cause it to engage the hammer and
keep it cocked. The trigger a is pivoted as usual in the frame in front of the
grip al and its rearward movement is transmitted to the sear by a connecting
piece (Figures 4, 5 and 11). The front end of the latter is supported in a
horizontal opening in the front wall of the magazine seat and rests against the
trigger in rear of this the piece is divided into two arms which pass around
the cartridge holder without interfering with the same, and in rear of it are
united by a cross bar ². The rear face of the cross bar n² is beveled and the
spring ³, bent rearwardly at its upper end, bears against the cross bar n², tending
to raise it into the path of the sear m and to yieldingly hold the connecting piece n
and the trigger in their forward positions. Upon the top of the cross bar n² is
a lip or shoulder n adapted to engage the extremity of the sear, so that the rear-
ward movement of the trigger n may be communicated to the sear to cause it to
release the hammer / when the trigger is operated. In order to prevent the release
of the hammer unless the breech is fully closed, a safety piece o is arranged between
the breech-bolt c' and the connecting piece n. The top of the safety piece is
guided in a hole in the frame adjacent to the breech-bolt, and projects into a
recess c¹º in the latter when the breech is fully closed. The lower portion of the

page_text: safety piece o passes through a slot ma in the sear m and is itself slotted, as at o¹,
to straddle the pin upon which the sear is pivoted, so that the longitudinal or
vertical movement of the safety piece is limited by said pin. The length of the
safety piece o is such that when its upper end stands in the recess c¹0 of the breech-
bolt its lower end permits the cross bar n² of the connecting piece n¹ to be raised
by the spring n³ into position to engage the sear m. As soon as the breech-bolt
commences to move rearwardly the inclined forward end of the recess to forces
the safety niece downward, against the pressure of the spring n³, and depresses the
cross bar n² below the end of the sear m, so that even if the trigger is pressed
when the breech-block or -bolt carrier is out of its closed position the sear cannot
be operated thereby, and the sear is at all times, except when the breech is closed
and the trigger is pressed, free to re-engage the hammer as soon as it is cocked,
even though the trigger has not been released. The sear m and safety piece o
also serve to automatically lock the breech-bolt in the frame when the hammer
is brought to half-cock, and to automatically unlock the same when the hammer
is either lowered or raised to full-cock. For this purpose the safety piece has at
its lower end a shoulder o², (see Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10), and the sear m has a
cross bar m below its slot m² which forms a shoulder to co-operate with the
shoulder o2 of the safety piece o. As is well understood, the point or upper end
of the sear m approaches the center upon which the hammer is pivoted more nearly
when the hammer is at half-cock than when it is down or at full-cock, wherefore
the cross bar or shoulder m³, when the hammer is at half-cock, (see Figure 7) is
thrown forward under the shoulder 02 of the safety piece o and prevents the latter
from moving downward. As the breech-bolt c¹ cannot move rearward unless the
safety piece o yields downward, the locking of the safety piece in this manner
holds the breech-bolt in its closed position. When the hammer is raised er
lowered out of the half-cock position it forces the point of the sear forward, thereby
withdrawing the cross bar or shoulder m³ from beneath the shoulder or end o² of
the safety piece o, permitting the latter to be moved downward and the breech-bolt
therefore to be moved rearward. The spring is conveniently formed as the
middle leaf or member of a single spring plate which is trifurcated and whose outer
leaves or members m¹ bear upon the sear. This spring plate may also be secured
to the latch for the cartridge holder and thereby operate the latter without
requiring an additional spring.
The operation of the fire-arm described above will now be readily understood.
A charged cartridge holder is inserted in its seat in the grip of the frame and the
breech block or -bolt carrier is drawn rearward once by hand. This unlocks
the barrel, opens the breech, cocks the hammer and presents a cartridge in front
of the breech-bolt. When the breech-block or -bolt carrier is released, the reaction
spring moves the parts forward and closes and locks the breech after transferring
a cartridge to the barrel, thus placing all parts in position for firing. If now the
trigger is pulled a shot will be fired and the recoil will effect the opening move-
ment, extracting and ejecting the empty shell and storing energy in the reaction
spring for the subsequent movement of the parts in transferring a cartridge to the
barrel and closing and locking the breech. These operations may be repeated so
often as cartridges are supplied. The movements of the parts take place so rapidly
that unless means were provided to prevent, the trigger could not be released before
several shots in succession would be fired, but, as already explained, the trigger
is at each opening movement of the breech disconnected from the sear, thus
releasing the latter and allowing it to re-engage the hammer as soon as the same
is again cocked, even though the trigger has not been released. By reason of the
construction and arrangement of parts explained above, it is possible to make the
frame and the barrel of so light a weight that the breech-block or -bolt carrier may
be of considerable weight, whereby the momentum of the heavy breech-block or
-bolt carrier enables it to continue the opening movement after the pressure of
the gases in the barrel has been released, and after the barrel has been stopped,
and to store energy in the re-action spring.

page_text: In some cases the invention may be embodied in a somewhat different form in
a pistol of the same class, as shown in Sheets 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the main
difference being in the fact that the secondary motion of the barrel for locking
and unlocking the breech-block and -bolt carrier is a partial rotation instead of
a bodily movement toward and from the frame, and in the consequent modifications
of structure. As represented in Sheets 4, 5 and 6, the pistol comprises, substantially
as in the form shown in Sheets 1, 2 and 3, a frame a, a barrel b, a breech-block
or -bolt carrier c, and a grip or handle a' having a seat or chamber for a cartridge
magazine or holder d.
Above the grip and trigger guard the frame is formed as a tubular body a² which
provides a seat for the breech-block or -bolt carrier e, in which the latter is guided
in its reciprocation, and it is extended forward to a point near the muzzle of the
barrel. The latter is connected to the frame at the forward end of the tubular
extension and in such a manner as to be capable of a limited, double movement,
or, more specifically, of a movement in the direction of its length and of a transverse
or partial rotary movement. The barrel does not rest directly upon the frame but
is entered within the tubular breech-block or -bolt carrier c, which slides to and
fro within the tubular extension of the frame and about the barrel, the breech-
block or bolt carrier and barrel being entered together in the frame from the
front end. As a means of connection between the barrel and the frame to permit
of the desired movement of the former, the construction shown in the drawings
(Figures 19, 21, 24 and 25) is preferred which comprises a collar b¹, which is
secured to the forward end of the barrel b, while a bushing a is secured to the
forward end of the tubular extension a² of the frame a. An external shoulder ba
on the collar 6 and an internal shoulder a in the bushing a limit the rearward
movement of the barrel with respect to the frame a. Čam pins 3, projecting
from the collar ¹, enter obliquely disposed cam grooves or slots a' in the
bushing as, so that as the barrel moves rearward it receives at the same time a
partial rotation through the co-operation of the said cam pins and the cam grooves.
For a short distance rearward from their forward ends, the cam grooves are
preferably made straight or parallel with the axis of the barrel, so that the barrel
moves rearward for a short distance before it begins to turn, the object of this
being, as will appear more clearly hereinafter, to retard the unlocking of the
breech somewhat so that the powder gases shall have their full effect upon the
projectile before the breech is opened.
The breech-block or -bolt carrier c comprises the breech-bolt el which fits in the
rear part of the tubular portion or casing a2 of the frame, and a forward, cylindrical
extension, which moves freely and is guided within the casing a2 and is bored out
longitudinally for the reception of the barrel b, being of such length that it
occupies the casing a to within a short distance of its front end. The extension &
is adapted to be engaged by the barrel to lock the breech-bolt in its closed
position, and is also adapted to be engaged by the reaction spring c which is a
coiled spring received between the barrel and the tubular extension 2, the bore of
the latter being of such a diameter as to form a space to receive it. The front end
of the spring rests against the bushing secured in the forward end of the said
extension and through which the barrel slides freely, while its rear end rests
against the collar 64, loosely mounted on the rear portion of the barrel b. Energy
is stored in the spring e by the recoil of the breech-block or -bolt carrier and its
reaction effects the forward or closing movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier
and the barrel. A shoulder is formed on the breech-bolt by reducing its
diameter, to co-operate with a collar a8 at the rear end of the casing a (Figures 21,
24 and 25) and thereby limit the rearward movement of the breech-block or -bolt
carrie and prevent positively its flying further back. The collar is cut away, as
at a, to accommodate a spline formed on the breech-bolt c¹, by which means
the breech-belt is kept from turning upon its axis as it moves to and fro. The
extremity of the breech-bolt is threaded to receive a knob, which limits the
forward movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier and can also be conveniently

page_text: grasped by the fingers so that the breech-block or -bolt carrier can be drawn
rearward for the first operation of the pistol. In front of the breech-block or -bolt c
and within the bore of the breech-block or -bolt carrier (see Figures 22, 23, 24
and 25) are provided one or more annular projections c from which segments are
removed, as at 10, and on the barrel, near its breech, are corresponding annular
projections or ribs b, from which segments are also removed, as at 66. The pro-
jections 65 on the barrel are adapted to move longitudinally through the openings clo
in the ribs and to enter the grooves in the rear of the ribs when the barrel
is partially rotated. As already described, the barrel moves rearwardly for a short
distance with the breech-block or -bolt carrier when the latter begins its rearward
movement, and during the latter part of its longitudinal movement, the barrel
receives a partial rotation through the engagement of the cam pins 63 with the
cam slots in the bushing a. When the barrel and the breech-block or -bolt
carrier are in their extreme forward positions, the projections 65 are in engagement
with the projections of the breech-block or -bolt carrier as shown in Figures 22
and 24, thereby locking the barrel and the breech-block or -bolt carrier together,
but when the rearward movement begins and the barrel is partially rotated, the
breech-block or -bolt carrier is disengaged from the barrel b, as shown in
Figures 23 and 25, and by reason of its momentum continues its rearward move-
ment, while the barrel is brought to rest. During the last of the forward move-
ment of the breech-block or -bolt carrier, the barrel is moved forward with it and
at the same time receives a partial rotation in the opposite direction, whereby the
barrel and the breech-block or -bolt carrier are again locked together. It will be
understood that the portions of the cam grooves or slots a which are parallel with
the axis of the barrel, permit the latter to move rearwardly for a short distance
with the breech-block or -bolt carrier before the breech is unlocked, thereby
delaying the opening of the breech until the powder gases have had their full
effect upon the projectile.
Forward of the breech-bolt c', the breech-block or -bolt carrier is provided in
its upper side with an opening ell, (Figures 21, 22, 23 and 25) through which the
empty shell may be ejected. A block all is secured to the frame a, in front of the
corresponding opening a2 and enters the opening c (shown in Figures 21 and 25).
Its forward end forms an abutment for the collar 6, (Figures 21 and 25) which
supports the rear end of the reaction spring e, and a screw a¹³ projects through
the frame from the under side in line with the end of the block all to form also
an abutment for the collar b, so that the rear end of the reaction spring e, which
rests against the collar b, is in effect supported by the frame «. The screw a¹
projects through an opening 2 in the under side of the breech-block or -bolt
carrier which is widened at its rear end to form a square shoulder 3 on one side,
(see Figure 21). A piece or block 67 is secured to the barrel b to move therewith,
and is adapted to slide in the opening e, partaking both of the rotary and of
the longitudinal movements of the barrel. When the barrel is in its extreme
forward position, with its breech against the face of the breech-bolt el, the front
end of the block 67 is on a line with shoulder 13 so that the barrel may be rotated
to permit its sectional ribs or projections to interlock with the corresponding
sectional ribs or projections of the breech-block or -bolt carrier and so to lock
the barrel and the breech-block or -bolt carrier together, the block moving
laterally into the wide part of the opening 2 in rear of shoulder c¹³. In order that
the barrel may be unlocked from the breech-block or -bolt carrier, it must be
rotated in the opposite direction until the block clears the shoulder 3; if the
breech-block or -bolt carrier is then moved rearwardly, while the barrel is pre-
vented from moving with it, the block will slide in the forward narrow part of
the pening, along the straight part of the side forward of the shoulder 13,
preventing rotation of the barrel until the return or closing movement of the
breech-block or -bolt carrier again brings the shoulder into line with the front
end of block 7.
The cartridges are held from escaping vertically from the magazine or holder d

page_text: by the ears d³, but they are pressed upward by the follower d', so that, as the
breech-bolt c passes to the rear of the magazine or holder, the flange of the upper-
most cartridge is projected upward between the ears 3 into the path of the
breech-bolt, and on the forward or closing movement of the latter the cartridge,
which is then in an inclined position, with the bullet directed toward the open
breech of the barrel, is thrust forward by the breech-bolt into the chamber of the
barrel, all substantially as in the form shown in Sheets 1, 2 and 3. The lower
-side of the breech-bolt is grooved to travel freely over the upper end of the magazine
or holder d, so that the uppermost cartridge can be thereby brought sufficiently
near the axis of the barrel to be inserted into its chamber as already described.
As referred to above; an opening a" is formed in the top of the frame a, in a
position to correspond with the opening in the breech-block or -bolt carrier,
when the latter is in its rearward position, to permit of the ejection of the empty
shell. An extractor f, (Figure 25) of ordinary construction, is carried by the
breech-bolt to engage the cartridge during the last of the forward or closing
movement of the breech-bolt, and to withdraw the shell from the chamber of the
barrel during the rearward or opening movement of the breech-bolt. The ejection
of the shell is effected by the ejector operating in conjunction with the firing pin,
as described hereinafter."
:
In a longitudinal chamber in the breech-bolt is arranged the hammer or
striker, (Figures 24 and 25) the forward part of which forms the firing pin k.
The body of the hammer is hollow and contains the coiled main spring ; the
rear end of the spring is supported by a pin e fixed to the knobs and projecting
into the breech-bolt. The length of the firing pin k is such that its point protrudes
considerably from the face of the breech-bolt el, and, under the pressure of the
spring, serves to eject the shell when the rearward movement of the breech-bolt
and the extractor has withdrawn the same from the barrel, the upper edge of the
head of the shell being held by the extractor.
On its lower side the hammer has a longitudinal rib 12 (Figure 25) which pre-
vents rotation of the hammer, while its front end forms a shoulder with which
the sear m may engage during the forward movement of the breech-bolt to cock
the hammer, a slot being formed through the bottom of the breech-bolt to permit
of such engagement. The sear mis pivoted in the casing of the frame a below
the breech block or -bolt carrier and in the rear of the magazine, the point m' of
the sear, in rear of and above its pivot, being kept yieldingly in the path of the
shoulder by a sear spring m². In rear of the sear m is pivoted a latch o, the
point o' of which is held yieldingly beneath the point m' of the sear m by the sear
spring m², so that the sear cannot be moved to release the hammer unless the latch
is first moved from beneath the sear point. To enable this to be done, the lower
part of the latch projects through a slot in the rear of the grip a' in such a way
that when the pistol is grasped and held in the proper position for firing, the
latch o will be moved so as to release the sear as shown in Figure 25, which repre-
sents the several parts in the positions which they occupy after the latch has been
moved and before the trigger is pulled. The trigger n is pivoted in the casing or
frame in front of the grip a', and between the trigger and the sear is a connecting
piece (Figures 21, 25 and 27) which serves to transmit the rearward movement
of the trigger to the sear m, substantially as in the form shown in Sheets 1, 2 and 3.
The front end of the connecting piece is supported upon a shoulder of the trigger,
and in rear of this the piece is divided into two arms which pass around the
cartridge holder without interfering with the same and are united in rear of
it by a cross bar n³. A spring n³, bent rearwardly at its upper end, bears against
the cross barn², tending to raise it and at the same time to yieldingly hold the
connection piece and the trigger in their forward position. The centre of
the cross bar stands normally in front of a forward projection m³ (Figures 21, 25
and 28) of the sear, so that, as the trigger is pulled and the connecting piece moved
rearwardly, the cross-bar bears against said projection m³ and turns the sear
point m' out of the path of the shoulder on the hammer 7, thereby releasing the

page_text: latter and permitting it to be thrown forward by the spring 1. On its upper side
the cross har is provided with lugs n', one on each side of the projection m³ of the
sear, which, under the action of the spring n³ bear against the under side of the
breech-bolt c. Recesses care formed in the under side of the breech-bolt to
correspond with lugs n', so that when the breech-bolt is in its extreme forward
position, in readiness for firing, the lugs n' will enter the recesses c15 and permit
the cross bar 2 to rise so that it shall engage the projection m³ of the sear when
the trigger is pulled, but when the breech-bolt is in any other than the firing
position, the lugs n, bearing against the breech-bolt, will depress the cross bar
below the plane of the projection m³ so that the movement of the trigger and of
the connecting piece shall have no effect on the sear; wherefore, only when the
parts are in the proper position for firing can the hammer be released to fire a shot by
pulling the trigger. Furthermore, as soon as the rearward movement of the
breech-bolt has begun, the cross bar 2 is depressed and leaves the sear free, so
that under the influence of its spring m² its point m¹ at once returns into the path
of the hammer and is in readiness to engage the shoulder 13 thereof when the
breech-bolt and hammer reach their extreme rearward position, and thereby to
cock the hammer against the stress of the spring as the breech-bolt is returned.
to its forward position by the reaction spring e. By the return of the sear its
projection m³ is moved so as to stand above the cross bar n², and the latter therefore
cannot resume its position in front of the projection m³ until the trigger is released
and the trigger and connecting piece n' move forward together; then the lugs n*
again enter the recesses c¹ and the parts are in readiness for the firing of another
shot. It will be observed that the lugs n in this construction operate as a safety
piece in substantially the same manner as the independent safety-piece of the form
shown in Sheets 1, 2 and 3. These means permit a positive control of the firing
so that the discharge of two or more shots in immediate succession before the trigger
is released, is prevented, and it is necessary, in order to fire a second shot, to release
the trigger and pull it again.
is
The operation of this form of the improved firearm will now be readily under-
stood in view of the foregoing description of the construction, arrangement and
relations of its parts. A cartridge holder fully charged having been inserted
in the seat therefor in the grip, the breech-block or -bolt carrier is once drawn
rearward to the full extent by grasping the knob 8. This movement draws the
barrel rearwardly and effects a partial rotation thereof, thereby releasing the
breech-block or -bolt carrier from the barrel, and opens the breech, a cartridge
being at the same time presented in rear of the barrel. When the knob
released the breech-block or -bolt carrier is returned to its former position by the
spring e, the hammer is cocked, the cartridge is transferred to the barrel, the breech
is closed and the barrel and the breech-block or -bolt carrier are locked together,
thus putting all the parts in position for firing. If the trigger is now pulled, a
shot will be fired and the opening movements of the parts will be effected by the
recoil, during which the empty shell is extracted and ejected, and thereafter the
succeeding operations will be effected as before.
In many respects the form shown in Sheets 7 and 8 resembles that shown in
Sheets 1, 2 and 3, but the several operations of the pistol are effected by or through
the pressure in the barrel of the gases generated by the explosion of the cartridge
and some of the parts of the pistol are modified accordingly. This pistol comprises
a frame a which forms the receiver and has a grip or handle a¹, a barrel 6 fixed
in the frame, and a sliding breech-block or -bolt carrier, the grip or handle a¹
having a seat or chamber for a cartridge magazine or holder d.
The barrel b is secured to the receiver in any usual or suitable manner and
extends forwardly from the same to the desired length. The upper portion of the
frame is provided interiorly with longitudinal ribs and grooves a³ a (Figure 31)
to engage corresponding ribs and grooves c³c of the breech-block or -bolt carrier c,
or of that portion c¹ of it, which may be more properly designated as the breech-

page_text: bolt, the said breech-bolt or breech-block or -bolt carrier being thereby held to the
frame and guided thereon in its reciprocation. On the top of the breech-bolt c¹
is a strong longitudinal rib c to which the portion of the breech-block or -bolt
carrier is secured firmly by means of screws which pass transversely through
said portion and the rib, the top of the rib being increased in width to make
it T-shaped and the slot in the slide being correspondingly shaped to secure a
stronger attachment, if desired. The part slides upon the frame and extends
forwardly so that when the breech-bolt is in closed position the front end of said
part or slide stands over the muzzle of the barrel. In order that the slide may
be accurately guided in its movement its forward portion is extended downward,
preferably in the form of a sleeve which embraces the forward portion of the
barrel, an open space being left between the rear end of said sleeve c and the front
of the frame a, to allow for the longitudinal movement of the sleeve with the slide
and breech-bolt. The slide 5 is bored out or chambered longitudinally, from the
breech-bolt forward, to receive the reaction spring e. This is a strong, closely
coiled spiral spring, in the rear end of which a plug el is secured by being grooved
spirally, as at e², (Figure 36) to permit the spring e to be threaded thereon. The
plug is secured to the forward end of the rib c by means of a rearwardly projecting
tongue on the plug which enters into a corresponding recess in the rib and
by a pin which passes transversely through slide 5 and the tongue
of the plug e. To the front end of the barrel bis secured a collar b¹
by means of a pin 2, and from the collar an arm 63 projects upwardly
into the line of the reaction spring e in the slides_c³ A plug e, (Figure 37) to
which the forward end of the reaction spring may be secured in the same manner
in which the rear end is secured to the plug el, is fixed to the arm 63 by a screw e,
thereby maintaining the reaction spring e in a state of tension. When the breech-
bolt is moved to the rear, either by hand or by the powder gases, the breech is
opened, the hammer is cocked by contact with the rear end of the breech-bolt,
and, through the described connection, the reaction spring e is further distended,
so that, on the release of the breech-bolt, it returns the slide and the breech-bolt
to their forward position and thereby closes the breech. The rear end of the
sleeve and the front of the frame a limit the rearward movement of the sliding
breech-block or -bolt carrier or slide and breech-bolt, and in order to diminish the
shock with which the sleeve strikes the frame there is provided on the barrel in
front of the frame a washer of leather or other suitable material, as a cushion or
buffer. The space between the sleeve and the frame, when the former is in its
forward position, is covered by a shield or cover which is attached to the frame
by screws and extends forward from the frame to the sleeve without interfering
with the movements of the latter. As described heretofore, cartridges are pressed
upward from the holder or magazine d but are held from escaping therefrom by
the ears Nevertheless the rim or flange of the topmost cartridge rises above
the holder as soon as the breech-bolt has passed to the rear of the holder, so that
in the forward or closing movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier the face
of the breech-bolt engages the topmost cartridge, the upper edge of which then lies
in the path of the breech-bolt, and pushes it directly from the holder into the
chamber of the barrel. When the cartridge is exploded the breech-bolt is driven
backward by the powder gases and in its movement it effects the extraction of the.
empty shell from the chamber of the barrel and its ejection from the receiver.
this purpose an extractor f, (Figure 32) of usual construction and acted
upon by a spring f¹, as usual, is arranged in the side of the breech-bolt c¹
to engage the head or flange of the cartridge during the closing movement and to
extract the shell from the chamber of the barrel during the opening movement.
As the shell is drawn rearwardly by the extractor, which engages the flange on
the right hand side, the left hand edge of the flange strikes a projection g, on the
left hand side of the receiver so that the shell is snapped out or ejected through
the opening a formed in the right hand side of the frame a for that purpose.
For
The lock mechanism is substantially the same as that already described with

page_text: reference to Sheets 1, 2 and 3 and need not be further described herein, the parts
shown in the drawings, Sheets 7 and 8, receiving the same letters of reference as
like parts shown in Sheets 1, 2 and 3.
For the better lateral support of the breech-bolt in its closed position, a tongue as
projects from the frame above and in the rear of the barrel and enters a corre-
sponding recess in the face of the breech-bolt c¹ when the latter is in its forward
position. The tongue 8 also assists in the proper introduction of each cartridge
into the barrel, as it guides the bullet end of the cartridge.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the breech-bolt is not
positively locked in the closed position but is yieldingly held in such position by
the reaction spring e and by the pressure of the main spring exerted on the
breech-bolt through the hammer 7. On firing, the breech-bolt yields to the
pressure of the powder gases in the barrel, which pressure forces the cartridge sh 11
and breech-bolt rearward. By this construction it is possible to make the frame
and the barrel of such lightness that the breech-bolt and the breech slide, together
constituting the breech-block or -bolt carrier, as it has been denominated herein,
may be of great strength and weight, and as the inertia of these parts has to be
overcome in opening the breech, their weight serves as a safeguard by retarding
the opening of the breech until the bullet has, passed from the muzzle; the
momentum of the heavy breech-bolt and slide completes the rearward movement,
after the pressure in the barrel has been relieved, ensures the extraction::and
ejection of the cartridge shell, and stores energy in the reaction spring for the
closing movement, without, exposing this spring to the shock which would be
occasioned if the breech-block or -bolt carrier was of lighter weight. The strength
of the movable parts and the fact that the front of the frame serves as a stop to
arrest their rearward movement, ensures the safety of the arm even if the reaction
spring should break. It will be observed also that the mainspring, acting through
the hammer, which is cocked by the rearward movement of the breech-block or
-bolt carrier, co-operates to retard the rearward movement of the breech-block
or bolt carrier, but leaves it free to be moved forward by the reaction spring alone.
The operation of the improved fire-arm will be readily understood from the
foregoing. A filled cartridge holder is inserted in the grip and the breech slide
is drawn rearward once by hand. This opens the breech, cocks the hammer, pre-
sents a cartridge in front of the breech-bolt, and distends the reaction spring.
When the breech slide or breech-block or -bolt carrier is released, the reaction
spring returns it to the forward position and transfers the topmost cartridge from
the holder to the barrel. If now the trigger is pulled and a shot fired the breech is
automatically opened, the hammer is again cocked, the empty shell is extracted
and ejected and a new cartridge is presented, energy being at the same time stored
in the reaction spring to effect the forward movement of the breech-block or -bolt
carrier. These operations are repeated so long as cartridges are supplied. The
automatic opening and closing of the breech and cocking of the hammer follow so
rapidly upon the pulling of the trigger, that several successive shots would be fired
before the trigger could be released by the finger, but, as above explained, the first
of the opening movement releases the sear from the trigger, leaving the sear free
to re-engage the hammer, when it is again cocked; and to retain it in its cocked
position until the trigger is released and again pulled. This ensures perfect control
of the arm.
The principles of the invention, as applied to another form of automatic,
magazine pistol, are illustrated in Sheets 9-13, in which is shown in detail a pistol
of this class in which some of the gases of explosion escape from the barrel through
a vent in rear of the muzzle and act upon mechanism by which the several opera-
tions above referred to are effected. In this pistol the frame, which receives and
supports the various working parts, preferably combines in one piece a grip or
handle a, which is hollowed out to form a magazine chamber a' for the reception
of the cartridge holder hereinafter referred to, and a receiver a², which supports
the barrel. The grip or handle a is recessed as may be necessary to receive and

page_text: a com-
support the firing mechanism, and, near its top, is provided with an abutment a³,
Figures 40, 51, 52; 53 and 54, which unites the side walls of the frame and forms
a solid breech-block, which is integral with the frame and therefore removes
altogether the danger, which, unless otherwise guarded against, exists in the use
of pistols with movable breech-blocks, of injury from the flying backward of the
breech-block in case of the breakage of its connection. The upper part of the
grip and the receiver a² are milled or otherwise hollowed out, from the upper
surface downward, to form two side walls or check pieces a³, between which the
levers hereinafter referred to are received and supported, and to form a seat a³,
Figures 40, 45 and 51, in which the barrel is supported with freedom to slide
longitudinally. The frame is also recessed below the seat to form
municating chamber 6 for the reception of a réaction spring, hereinafter referred
to, being thus divided vertically from the top downward to, but not through, the
under side of the receiver. For convenience in manufacture the receiver a² is
preferably made quite short and an independent extension a is provided to pro-
perly support the barrel and front sight as, as well as to form an abutment a for
the reaction spring, and to stiffen and bind together the two parts of the divided
frame. To support this extension or jacket a', the forward end of the frame or
receiver a² is provided, about the aperture of the barrel seat a³, with a screw
threaded boss a, Figures 40, 51 and 58, upon which the extension or jacket a
is screwed, being locked in position by a screw all, whose head is scated partly in
the top of the receiver and partly in the top of the jacket or extension. In the
construction represented in Figures 40 and 58, this boss a¹ is slotted at top and
bottom to correspond with the recessing of the receiver a² and to permit the intro-
duction of the barrel, as hereinafter described. In order that the receiver may be
practically rigid when all of the parts of the arm are assembled, there are provided
filling pieces to fit in and fill the slots in the boss, or in the extremity of the frame,
and which yet are readily removable to permit the removal of the barrel when
required. These filling pieces are formed as lugs 12 on a ring a, shown clearly
in Figures 58 and 59, which has a seat formed therefor in the rear of the extension
or jacket 7.
The barrel b, in the embodiment of the invention represented in Sheets 9-13 of
the drawings, is arranged to slide longitudinally in the frame, in the seat a
formed for that purpose and in the extension or jacket a', and in order that the
friction on the barrel may be reduced to a minimum, the rear end of the barrel is
made. slightly larger than the body thereof, as at 61, so as to have a close sliding
fit in the seat as, while the forward extremity of the extension or jacket a² is
formed with a narrow annular bearing a, to have a close sliding fit on the reduced
forward portion 2 of the barrel b, while between these two bearings the barrel and
the frame are practically out of contact. On its under side the barrel is provided
with a lug or projection 63, which enters and moves in the spring chamber a", and
receives the pressure of the reaction spring 64. On its upper side the barrel is
provided with a lug or projection 65, which furnishes a point of attachment for the
gas lever, hereinafter referred to. These lugs 63 and 65, in the construction repre-
sented in Figure 40, are integral with the barrel, which necessitates the slotting
of the boss 10 and of the forward extremity of the frame, as already described,
so that the barrel may be introduced into the seat a of the frame from the front.
If for any reason, however, it is undesirable to slot the boss a¹0 and the extremity
of the frame, as stated, the lugs and b may be formed upon a band or ring b
as represented in Figure 62, which may fit closely about the barrel, but yet permit
the barrel to be inserted into it while it is held in the frame, the band or ring
being further secured by a screw, or by any other suitable means. This
modification permits the front extension or jacket to be made integral with the
frame, as shown in Figure 62, the front opening of the barrel seat being closed by
the bushing a, and the spring chamber by a screw plug.
.
At a suitable point, in rear of the muzzle, the barrel is provided with an opening
or bent 68, through which a portion of the gases of explosion may escape to act

page_text: to
upon the mechanism through which the operation of the working parts of
the arm is effected. The escaping gases act upon a gas lever c, shown
in Figures 39, 40 and 41, but instead of being pivoted to the frame, or
any other fixed part, as heretofore, the gas lever in the present case is pivoted
directly to the sliding barrel b, the lug 65 being provided for this purpose, and,
in the construction herein described, provision is made for permitting the required
longitudinal movement of the barrel, by supporting the gas lever by means of a
brace lever c', which is pivoted between the side walls at of the frame as at c², and
is forked at its forward end to embrace the gas lever c, so that, when the arm is
closed, as represented in Figures 38 and 41, both the brace and the gas lever shall
lie down snugly between the walls a' of the frame, in which position the end of the
gas lever overlies the vent 68 of the barrel b. In order that the escaping gases
may act upon the gas lever properly, it is preferred to provide a gas cup 3, which
is supported wholly by the frame, is entirely independent of the barrel b, which
must of necessity move with respect to the gas cup, and is entered by a plug c on
the gas lever c. If the forward end of the frame is slotted from the top downward,
as hereinbefore described, the gas cup is not integral with the frame, but is held
to its seat therein by a pin c, or by other suitable means. The gas cup, as well
as the forward extension or jacket a', may, however, be made integral with the
frame as shown at 6 in Figure 62, in which case the extremity of the frame is not
slotted, the lugs 63 and 65 are secured to the barrel b, after its insertion in the
forward end of the frame, by means of the band or ring 66, as already described,
and the front bearing a is in the form of a bushing attached to the frame, after
the insertion of the barrel. Whether the gas cup be integral with the frame, or
independent thereof, it is formed with a hole c', which registers with the vent 68
of the barrel b, when the latter is at rest in its rearward position, so that, at the
instant of explosion, the gases may impinge upon the gas lever and effect the
desired movement of the parts. The bottom of the gas cup is formed to fit against
the barrel, when the latter is in its normal position, as already described, and
preferably the bottom is reduced in thickness about the hole c', to form a thick
knife edge, which shall operate in the well known manner of a gas check, to
prevent leakage of gases, at the instant of explosion, between the gas cup and the
barrel, the pressure of the gases, between the bottom of the gas cup and the
plug, forcing the thin knife edge down against the barrel. Although this close
fit of the bottom of the gas cup against the barrel is desirable at the instant of
explosion, nevertheless it is equally desirable that immediately thereafter, and as
the barrel commences to move, the gas cup shall be free from the barrel, so as to
reduce the friction on the latter. For this purpose the barrel is reduced in its
external diameter a trifle, a short distance in rear of the vent 68, so as to form a
seat for the gas cup at the instant of explosion, but to provide for clearance between
the barrel and the gas cup after the barrel has moved forward slightly, such
arrangement being represented in Figure 40 at 6º.
The frame having a suitable opening a¹³, Figures 38, 51 to 54 inclusive, primarily
intended for the ejection of the empty shells, but which will also permit the intro-
duction of a loaded cartridge into the cartridge receiving chamber, in rear of the
barrel, when the latter is in its forward position, for insertion into the barrel as the
latter is moved back, it is obvious, that if desired, the arm may be operated manually
to effect the loading and that cartridges may be introduced and fired one at a time
The arm is, however, intended for use as a magazine fire-arm, and for this purpose
the grip or handle a is made hollow to form a magazine chamber. The cartridges
are preferably placed first in a holder d, which is then introduced into the magazine
chamber, through the aperture in the bottom of the grip. The construction and
arrangement of the holder, which it is preferred to employ for this purpose, is
clearly represented in Figures 40 and 42. It comprises a suitable case of sheet
metal, which is adapted to receive the cartridges, one upon another, and is pro-
vided with a spring d' and follower d³, which press the cartridges upward, toward

page_text: the delivery end of the holder. In a suitable bracket d³ upon one side of the
holder is pivoted a lever d', which has at its upper end a finger d³, to project inward
over the cartridges and thereby prevent their escape from the holder when the latter
is outside of the grip handle, while its lower end is in proximity to the lower end
of the holder in convenient position to be operated by a finger of the same hand
which grasps the holder in charging it. A spring de acts upon the lever d*, to
maintain the finger normally in the path of the cartridges, while permitting the
lever to be operated to withdraw the finger, and thereby to permit the feed of the
In order to prevent
cartridges to be regulated, and controlled by other means.
the accidental release of the cartridges, when the holder is out of the arm, a
block is mounted to slide in a slot de, formed in the holder under the lower end
of the lever, so that, when said block is pushed upward under the end of the
lever, the latter will be held positively from movement to release the cartridges,
while, at the same time, the block may be readily pushed from under the end of
the lever to leave it free. The lower end of the lever d is bent outward, or other-
wise formed with an incline or cam surface, for co-operation with the lower
edge of the grip a, so that as the holder is inserted in the grip, the lever d' is
shifted, to withdraw the finger d³ from the path of the cartridges. The inclined
portion of the lever is preferably also provided with a rounded projection d¹º, for
engagement with a corresponding recess in the lower edge of the grip to retain
the holder in place. The lever has sufficient movement, when the holder is in place
in the grip, to permit of the engagement of said projection with the recess and its
disengagement therefrom, by the application of pressure upon the projecting end
of the lever. The block stands in line with the wall of the chamber in the grip,
so that as the holder is introduced, the block is, by the same action, thrust outward
to release the lever d. The upper, left hand, rear corner of the holder is notched
or cut away, as at d for a purpose presently to be described.
The follower d is provided with a dropped shoulder d¹³, for engagement with
the finger d³ of the lever d', which at all times projects at least slightly within the
wall of the case d and into the path of said shoulder, so that the follower is permitted
to rise to the height necessary to place the last cartridge in position in the chamber
above the magazine and yet is prevented from being itself thrown out of the case.
As the cartridges are no longer held by the finger of the lever d', when the
holder is in place in the arm, it becomes necessary to provide an escapement device
of some sort, which shall be operated at the proper times to permit or prevent the
escape of the cartridges from the holder into the cartridge receiving chamber of the
frame. The device which embodies this part of the invention, is represented in
Figures 39, 43 and 44. As there shown, it comprises a rod e which is arranged
to have a limited longitudinal movement in a suitable hole formed therefor along-
side of the barrel seat a³. This rod normally stands in the position represented
in Figure 43, and is provided with a projection or shoulder e¹, which projects into
the notch in the holder d, and therefore stands in the path of the head of the
uppermost cartridge in the holder, and the distance between such projection or
shoulder e and the opposite side of the holder is less than the diameter of the
In rear of the projection or
cartridge head, so that the cartridge cannot escape.
shoulder e, the rode is reduced or formed with a notch e, which, in the forward
movement of the said rod e, is brought into line with the head of the cartridge
and permits it to escape into the cartridge receiving chamber of the frame. It
will of course be understood that the forward end of the uppermost cartridge is
overlaid by the barrel, except when the latter is in its extreme forward position,
and that the function of the escapement device is therefore mainly to hold down
the head end of the cartridge, so that when the cartridge is finally released it shall
move into the cartridge receiving chamber of the frame with its axis substantially
in parallelism with the axis of the barrel. The movement of the escapement device
5 to release the head of the cartridge will therefore take place when the barrel
approaches the limit of its forward movement and after the empty shell has been

page_text: ejected from the chamber. It is preferred therefore to cause the barrel itself to
actuate the escapement rod at the proper time, and for this purpose the rod is pro-
vided with two shoulders or projections for engagement with the barrel or with an
intermediate part, the one, at the end of the forward movement of the barrel, to
release the cartridge, and the other, at the end of the rearward movement of the
barrel, to move the projection e¹ into the path of the head of the next cartridge.
The lost motion between the barrel and the escapement permits the latter to be
stationary, except when movement is required, and reduces the length of move-
ment requisite to effect the desired purpose. Between the barrel and the frame
is disposed a slide plate e, which serves an additional purpose, hereinafter referred
tb, but, as it may be employed also to actuate the escapement, it is used for this
purpose instead of actuating the escapement directly by contact with the projection
on the barrel. This plate or slide has a tongue e, which is arranged to make
contact with either the shoulder e, or the shoulder e, on the rod e, as clearly shown
in Figure 39, and it is itself adapted to be moved in one direction or the other,
near the end of the forward, or the end of the rearward movement of the barrel,
by lugs or projections 10, which are formed on the side of the barrel as clearly
shown in Figures 51, 52, 53 and 54. It will be observed that there is lost motion,
both between the barrel and the plate e³, and between the plate.e and the rod e,
the parts being so 'adjusted and arranged, however, as to give the required
movement to the rod e.
1
The extractor or extractor hook f, is mounted in a groove in the right hand
side of the frame, alongside of the stationary breech-block 3, as shown clearly in
Figures 38, 51, 52, 53 and 54, and is adapted to engage the head of the cartridge,
when 'the barrel is in its rearward position, as shown clearly in Figure 51; the
end of the barrel being recessed and bevelled off, as at 612, to permit of such
engagement. The extractor has a limited longitudinal movement, with respect
to the breech-block so that, as the barrel starts forward, the extractor moves a
short distance with it before it holds the shell, so that it shall be withdrawn from
the barrel, as clearly represented in Figure 52. At the same time, it is caused to
move inward positively to engage the head of the cartridge, having been hitherto
only in position for engagement. For this purpose the extractor is formed with an
incline, or cam surface, f', which engages a cross bar or abutment f, carried by
the frame, the incline being so formed that the extractor is forced inward as it
moves forward. A spring f is arranged to impel the extractor forward, when
such movement is permitted by the forward movement of the barrel, and the rear
end of the extractor is held in place by a screw pin f, which is threaded through
the frame, and enters loosely the hole f in the extractor, in which the spring f³
is seated, the screw pin thus serving as a fulerum for the lateral movement of the
extractor.
The ejector, by which the empty shell is thrown out of the arm after it has been
withdrawn from the barrel, is shown clearly in Figures 39, 40, 51, 52, 53 and 54.
It is constructed with especial reference to the fact that there is but a limited
relative movement, in a longitudinal direction, of the shell and the extractor, and
it is also arranged to co-operate with the extractor and prevent the escape of a
shell therefrom until it has been entirely withdrawn from the barrel. It will be
observed that, as between the ejector and the breech-block, provision is made for
a limited, relative longitudinal movement, and that, as between the barrel and the
ejector, there is also a relative longitudinal movement. In the construction shown,
the ejector derives its movement from the movement of the barrel, and in the
Figures of the drawings referred to, it is shown as a hook g, which is normally
impelled inward by spring action, being itself preferably of spring metal. It is
arranged to slide in a slot al in the left hand side of the frame, and is secured,
by means of a boss g', to the plate e³, hereinbefore referred to, through a slot a",
forward of the slot a The means for actuating the plate e³, having been fully
described already, it will be obvious that the ejector is drawn forward as the barrel
approaches the end of its forward movement, and is moved backward to

page_text: +
its original position as the barrel approaches the end of its rearward
movement. The movement of the ejector is not wholly due, however,
to the movement of the barrel. It will be observed that the ejector
has a heel 2, which, when the barrel is in its rearward position, rests
upon the barrel. It will also be observed that, as soon as the barrel moves forward,
the inclined end g³ rests against an incline as of the frame, which has such a
pitch, that as soon as the ejector is left free to he impelled inward by the action
of its own spring shank, it will cause the ejector to move forward from the position
shown in Figure 51, to the position shown in Figure 52, in which the heel g2 rests
against the body of the empty shell, and the hook gengages the head of the
shell. In this position the ejector holds the shell against the extractor, and in
order that the shell may be held rigidly at this time, so as to prevent with
certainty its escape from the extractor, the parts of the ejector and of
the extractor, between which the shell is held, are concaved to fit the
latter and the ejector is provided wih lugs or cars g, which in this position
underride lugs or ears a¹, on the sides of the slot 16, these lugs a forming an
abutment, which holds the ejector positively from outward movement at this time.
The forward movement of the ejector with the barrel pulls the shell from, the
position shown in Figure 52, toward the relative position shown in
Figure 53, and, as the distance between the ejector and the extractor
is thus diminished, the ejector is impelled inward with sufficient rapidity
to throw the shell outward through the aperture as in the frame. As the forward
movement of the ejector continues, it is moved outwardly by contact with the
incline formed in the wall of the frame between the two slots a16 and a", of the
correspondingly inclined inner side of the ejector. This outward movement of
the ejector is so timed and adjusted, that the ejector is withdrawn from the cart-
ridge receiving chamber in the frame, before the final forward movement of the
barrel and of the rod e, permitting a cartridge to escape from the holder to the
receiving chamber. As the barrel thereafter moves rearward, it underrides
the heel of the ejector, so that as the ejector is moved backward toward the end
of the rearward movement of the barrel,' the lugs thercon ride outside of the
lugs on the frame.
It will be understood that during the rearward movement of the barrel, when a
fresh cartridge has been admitted to the cartridge receiving chamber, the end of
the barrel rides over the front end of the uppermost cartridge left in the holder,
or over the follower, when the magazine is emptied, and keeps it down, the lower
edge of the barrel being suitably chamfered for this purpose, the rear or head end
of the cartridge being held by the escapement device already described. It will
also be evident that some means should be provided to limit the upward movement
of the front end of the cartridge, as it passes from the holder into the empty
cartridge receiving chamber, so that it may be properly directed into the returning
barrel. An effective device for this purpose is shown in Figures 40, 60 and 61.
As there shown, this device comprises a longitudinally slotted plate which is
secured to the breech-block a, covers the cartridge receiving chamber, on the
side. opposite that through which the cartridges enter, and forms a guide for a
sliding block h. The latter has a downward projection. h² to limit the upward
movement of a cartridge, and is also provided with a hook h, to engage a pro-
jection 613 on the top of the barrel b, by which means the block and projection
are drawn forward. with the barrel. In order that the block and projection;- or
finger, may be left at the proper point, a device is provided to disengage the
hook from the barrel, such device comprising an incline h' on the plate h, which
is engaged by a shoulder 5 on the hook h³, to raise the latter and effect its dis-
engagement from the barrel. In the rearward movement of the barrel the block
and finger are carried back by contact with the barrel, a recess being formed
between the breech-block and the barrel, preferably in the barrel, for the reception.
of the projection or finger h².
4. The cartridge is exploded, as usual, by a firing pin, which is mounted in the

page_text: breech-block and transmits the blow of the hammer to the primer of the cartridge.
It is highly desirable that the firing pin be as small and as light as possible and
it is also necessary to provide means for the retraction of the firing pin, after the
explosion of the cartridge, so that its point may not project forwardly from the
breech surface and thereby occasion a premature explosion by the violent contact
therewith of the primer of the cartridge, as the parts of the arm assume position
for firing. The construction and arrangement of the firing pin, and of the means
for retracting the same are shown in Figures 40, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57.
As there represented, the firing pin k is mounted in a suitable seat in the breech-
block a³, having a shoulder k to limit the forward movement thereof. The pin
may be round and held from turning in its seat by a spline 2, as shown in
Figures 55 and 56, or it may be flattened vertically, as shown in Figure 57, and
held from turning by the retractor presently to be described. In the rear face of
the breech-block is formed a guide-way, for the reception of the retractor,
which is formed as a plate with a slot 5, to embrace the rear end of the firing
pin. The firing pin, or the retractor, is provided with a cam surface, whereby the
movement of the retractor in the guide-way causes a rearward movement of the
firing pin. As represented in Figure 40, the pink is notched on its under side
to form a cam or incline 6 for co-operation with the cross bar 7 of the retractor k³,
the said cross bar being preferably bevelled as indicated. As the retractor is free
to move transversely, with respect to the firing pin, to a limited extent, it is evident
that when the retractor is in one extreme position, as indicated in Figure 56, the
firing pin is free to be moved forward by the impact of the hammer, as the re-
tractor is moved to the other extreme position, represented in Figure 55, the cross
bark thereof will act upon the incline or cam of the firing pin, to withdraw
the latter positively into the position represented in Figure 40. The retractor
is actuated, to withdraw the firing pin at the proper time, by some moving part
of the arm.
As represented in Figures 40, 55 and 56, the retractor is arranged
to move vertically and is provided with a lip 8, to be engaged by a lip 8, on the
hub of the brace c', so that as the latter is turned upon its pivot, by the action
of the
lever c,
gas
in its rearward movement, the retractor is lifted and withdraws
the firing pin, while, as the brace re-assumes its closed position, the retractor
descends and leaves the firing pin free. In assembling these parts, the retractor
is first dropped into the guide-way and allowed to fall to the full extent permitted
by said guide-way, in which position the slot fully uncovers the seat for the
firing pin, which is then inserted. Thereafter the brace c' is put in place, care
bein taken that its lip 8 engages the lip of the retractor.
When the pivot pin
of the brace is put in place, the retractor will be held slightly above its lowest
position and the cross bar k² thereof will then engage the forward side of the notch
in the firing pin and will prevent the same from falling out of its seat in the
breech-block.
The limbwork or firing mechanism of the arm remains now to be described.
This comprises a hammer 1, which is pivoted in a suitable recess in the frame, in
rear of the magazine chamber, a main spring ", which is secured in the frame
and co-operates with the hammer, in substantially the usual manner, a tension
screw being arranged to act upon the mainspring, a sear m, which is also
pivoted in the frame in rear of the magazine chamber, and a trigger n, which is
pivoted in the frame in front of the magazine chamber. This mechanism is repre-
sented in an approved form in Figures 40, 47, 48, 49 and 50. The mainspring
bears upon a roller 13 (vide Fig. 49) carried by a pin in the heel of the hammer
the roller being located in a slot in the heel, as indicated in Figures 48 and 49.
The hammer is cocked, in opposition to the pressure of the main spring ", by an
arm or arm which extend downwardly from the hub of the brace c', and engage the
lugs or bosses, which project externally from the sides of the hammer and sup-
port the ends of the pin 14, the said arms straddling the hammer and allowing
it to move between them to strike the firing pin. It will be observed, by an
inspection of Figure 40, that the brace c¹, during the complete movement of the

page_text: gas lever from front to rear position, moves to its extreme position, carrying with
it the hammer, and then retires somewhat from that extreme position, the hammer
being held in its extreme rearward position by the sear, as usual. The gas lever is
thus made to do the work of cocking the hammer during the early part of its
rearward movement, while the work of moving the shell ejector is performed
during the latter part of such rearward movement, whereby the work performed
by the gas lever is distributed over its entire movement and excessive resistance at
any one point avoided. The hammer is provided as usual with a full-cock notch 16
and an undercut half-cock notch 17, and is further provided with the well known
fly which acts in the usual manner to prevent the engagement of the sear with
the half-cock notch during the fall of the hammer. The sear m is pivoted in
proper position with relation to the hammer and is normally pressed into engage-
ment therewith by the usual sear spring m³. As represented in the drawings, the
sear has an arm m² extended below its pivot, which arm is preferably provided
with a lateral projection m³, for co-operation with the trigger arm hereinafter
referred to. The trigger n is pivoted in the frame, in front of the magazine
chamber, and preferably at a point below the line of pressure of the finger of the
operator when firing, a trigger spring n¹, being arranged to press the trigger
normally forward. The trigger has formed in one piece therewith, or secured
rigidly thereto, an arm n², which extends rearwardly toward the sear at one side
of the cartridge chamber, and has at its rear end a lug or projection n³ to corre-
In order that
spond and co-operate with the lug or projection m² of the sear.
the discharge of the arm may be controlled so that but one shot may be fired at a
time, the trigger and sear must be so related and must so co-operate that the
pressure of the finger upon the trigger shall first disengage the sear from the
hammer, to permit the hammer to fall, and shall then release the sear, so that it
shall be free to engage and hold the hammer as soon as it is cocked, it being
further required that the trigger shall be released and again pressed by the finger
before the arm can be fired again. Otherwise, the rapidity of action of the arm
is such that two or more of the cartridges would be fired before the operator could
release the trigger. Accordingly, the arm 3 of the trigger, in its rearward move-
ment, must first disengage the sear from the hammer, and then move clear of the
sear, and, in its forward movement it must pass by the sear, without disturbing it.
In the normal position of the parts, the projection 3 of the trigger arm stands
slightly above the projection m³ of the sear arm, as represented in Figure 47, and
the movement of the rear end of the arm will be downward, as indicated in
Figure 48. Accordingly the lug or projection m³ of the sear arm is formed with
a cam surface, which inclines downward and forward, while the lug or projec-
tion of the trigger arm has a cam surface, which inclines in the opposite
direction, or upward and rearward, hence the downward movement of the rear
end of the trigger arm will cause a rearward movement of the lower end of the
As the movement
sear arm, and will thereby disengage the sear from the hammer.
of the trigger is completed, the rear end of the trigger arm will pass below and
clear of the lower end of the sear arm, thereby immediately leaving the sear free
to be acted upon by its spring m¹², and restored to position to engage and hold the
hammer, as it is brought to full-cock. With the hammer at full-cock and the
trigger in its rearmost position, the lateral projection on the trigger arm stands
below the lateral projection on the sear arm, and in the upward movement of the
trigger arm, as the trigger is released, as indicated in Figure 49 the one projec-
tion will strike the other. Accordingly provision is made whereby the trigger
arm may slip by the sear arm. To this end the trigger arm 2 is made wide
enough to be rigid and unyielding in the plane of its effective movement, that
is, in a vertical plane in the construction shown, and is made thin enough
Furthermore, the pro-
to be yielding and flexible in the transverse plane.
jections m³ and n³ are bevelled or rounded off laterally in opposite directions
whereby, as the trigger is released, the projection on the trigger arm slips
To guard
by the projection on the sear arm, without disturbing the sear.
against the possibility of the slipping of the projection n³ from the projection m³,

page_text: '
.
during the effective movement of the trigger, the cam surface m and n' are
undercut somewhat, so that they may interlock during the effective movement
of the trigger and prevent lateral displacement notwithstanding the lateral
flexibility of the arm n³.
The safety device which prevents the possibility of operating the trigger until
all of the parts of the arm are in position for firing, is operated by the movement
of the barrel, as indicated clearly in Figures 40 and 47. It comprises a spring-
pressed pawl, which is pivoted in the upper end of the trigger n, and projects
into the spring chamber of the frame sufficiently to engage a shoulder a20 of
the frame and thereby prevent movement of the trigger. The pawl, however,- is
arranged to be struck by the lug of the barrel, or by a pin 6 therein, when the
barrel reaches its rearmost position, and to be disengaged thereby from said
shoulder to permit the rearward movement of the trigger. The pivoting of the
trigger at the bottom permits this device to be exceedingly simple in construction,
as well as absolutely certain in operation. The relative position of the centres of
the trigger and pawl and the locking shoulder is such that any pressure upon the
trigger, when the parts are not in position for firing, only makes the engagement
of the pawl with the shoulder more certain.
When the arm is closed, the centres of the pins, which connect the gas lever
with the barrel, the gás lever with the brace, and the brace with the frame, are not
in one straight line, but the pin between the gas lever and the brace lies, slightly
lower than a straight line through the centres of the other two pins, wherefore the
action of the spring 6 will not tend to hold the gas lever down firmly in its seat,
nor prevent its rebounding slightly, when the barrel is thrown-to the rear. When
the hammer is down, however, it' and the main spring will act through the
arms of the brace to hold the gas lever firmly to its seat and prevent rebounding;
but if the arm is not used as an automatic arm, but is manually operated, the
hammer may be at full-cock or at half-cock, when the arm is closed, and in order
to prevent rebounding under such circumstances, it is preferred to provide a device
of the general character of that represented in Figure 40, in which a small
piston co is seated upon a spring ell in a hole in the gas lever c, and slips into a
. recess 12 in the forward side of the lug on the barrel b, when the gas lever
reaches its lowest position, and thereby prevents the rebounding.
The operation of the arm in firing will be readily understood in view of the
foregoing description of the construction and operation of the several parts. Let
it be assumed that the arm is closed, as represented in Figure 38, with the hammer
at full cock and a cartridge in the barrel, as indicated in Figure 51. In this
position of the parts the safety pawl n² is held out of engagement with the co-
operating shoulder, and the trigger is therefore free to be moved. The hammer,
being released by the movement of the trigger, explodes the cartridge and some of
the gases of explosion escape through the vent 68, and throw the gas lever c
violently backward. The brace crises, permitting the end of the gas lever, which
is connected to the barrel, to throw the latter forward against the force of the
spring . During this movement of the barrel the empty shell is extracted and
ejected, and a fresh cartridge is released from the holder, and is held in position.
to be inserted into the barrel. The movement of the brace brings the hammer
to full-cock, in which position it is held by the sear; and at the same time raises
the retractor, and positively withdraws the firing pin. As soon as the barrel
..has completed its forward movement; it is immediately returned by the reaction
spring, and the fresh cartridge, being supported at the rear by the abutment a³,
is caused to enter the barrel. As the barrel reaches its seat the safety pawl n5
is disengaged from the shoulder 20, and the arm is in readiness for a second
discharge.
The form of pistol shown in Sheets 14-17 of the drawings closely resembles the
form shown in Sheets 9-13, already described, being operated in the same way,
and contains some features of the invention. Wherefore it will now be described
in detail.

page_text: The receiver a is represented as having the barrel b and the grip stock or
handle a formed in one piece therewith, but it will be understood that the parts
are so represented for convenience, and that they might be formed separately and
be secured together in any suitable manner. The barrel is provided, sub-
stantially as usual in fire-arms of this class, with a vent or aperture in rear of the
muzzle, as at 61, through which the gases of explosion may act upon the means
for operating the shell extracting and reloading devices, the vent being formed
through a suitable nipple, as 12. The grip stock or handle is disposed substan-
tially at right angles to the receiver, and is shown as arranged to form or
constitute or contain the magazine in which are placed the loaded cartridges,
one upon another, and from which they are fed, one by one, to the cartridge
chamber of the barrel. The grip stock is preferably open at its lower end and
is adapted to receive a cartridge holder d which is provided with a lug d¹ to be
engaged by a catch for the purpose of retaining the holder in place. The
catch is pivoted in the handle and is pressed at one end into engagement with
the cartridge holder by a spring d³ which also serves another purpose to be re-
ferred to hereinafter. The other end of this catch projects slightly beyond
the end of the grip stock in position to be pressed by the finger in order to release
the holder. The holder itself is formed as a flattened tube adapted to receive
within it the cartridges, one upon another. Within the lower portion of the tube
fs placed a feeding spring d and a follower which are adapted to press the
cartridges upwardly. The upper end of the tube is open but is provided with
ears, which are bent inward slightly to engage the uppermost cartridge and
prevent its being forced out of the holder by the spring The upper, forward
corner of the holder is cut away to permit the ejection of a cartridge from the
holder in a generally longitudinal direction toward the cartridge chamber of the
barrel and the ears extend forward only a short distance from the rear of the
holder, so that each cartridge is readily released from the holder by a short forward
movement thereof. The uppermost cartridge is therefore held in the holder with
the upper portion thereof projecting above the walls of the holder and in position
to be engaged by the breech-bolt (hereinafter referred to) in its forward move-
ment, and to be pushed toward and into the barrel. An overhang 3 projects
from the rear of the barrel and is cut away at an incline on its underside to guide
the cartridge properly into the barrel, and the receiver is likewise cut away at an
incline below the cartridge chamber, as at a¹ for the same purpose.
In the construction shown in the drawings the breech-bolt e is arranged in the
receiver and is adapted for longitudinal movement backward and forward in the
receiver in the rear of the open end of the barrel, suitable ways a² being formed
in the sides of the receiver to guide the breech-bolt in its movement. The receiver
is open at its top and at its rear end and is provided at one side with a suitable
aperture ato permit the ejection of the empty cartridge shells. In the upper
side of the barrel, at a suitable distance forward of the cartridge chamber, and
in rear of the muzzle, is formed the aperture or vent through which the gases
of explosion inay escape as soon as the bullet has passed the aperture and before it
has escaped from the barrel. A gas lever is hung between ears on the top of
the barrel in such position that its free end covers the aperture before referred
to, whereby at each discharge the lever c is thrown backward upon its pivot. This
iñovement of the lever c is imparted to the breech-bolt through a connecting
rod which is divided or forked to embrace the rear portion of the lever c, to
which it is secured by a pin and at its rear end is forked to embrace and to he
secured by a pine to a lug which projects upwardly from the breech-bolt e
through the open top of the receiver a. The lever c is returned to its normal
position to cover the aperture and to move the breech-bolt forward by a spring,
which acts upon the lever through a suitable link connection 6 passing under the
heel of the lever; and is suitably supported in a barrel . The latter lies above
the breech-bolt e and space is provided for its reception by recessing or hollowing
But the connecting-rod . The forward end of the spring barrel 67 rests against

page_text: an abutment 68 formed on the upper side of the barrel 6 of the pistol and is held
from lateral displacement by pins 69 which project rearwardly from the face of the
abutment. As the spring 65 is always under tension the spring barrel 67 will,
therefore, be held in position without requiring any additional holding devices,
and may be removed readily when required by pulling it backward to clear it from
the pins 6 and letting it slip forward above the abutment 68 to slacken the tension
on the spring 65 and to permit the disconnection of the links 66. Preferably a
rod having a head or follower 611 to bear upon the spring b is inserted through
the barrel and is connected to the last link of the series. It will be evident
that at each explosion of a cartridge the breech-bolt is moved backward through
the described intermediate devices by the force of the gases of explosion which
escape through the aperture 1 and that it is immediately moved forward again
by the action of the spring b. The breech-bolt in its forward movement feeds a
cartridge from the holder into the cartridge chamber and in its rearward move-
ment, being provided with a cartridge extractor f of usual construction which
engages the head of the cartridge shell in the usual manner, it withdraws the
empty shell from the cartridge chamber. In its rearward movement the shell
strikes an ejector 9 of ordinary construction and is thereby thrown out from the
receiver a through the aperture a³ in the side wall thereof. The breech-bolt e
overlies the hammer and in its rearward movement it cocks the same by direct
contact therewith. The breech-bolt also carries the firing-pin as usual, and as the
same is arranged in the ordinary manner it has not been thought necessary to
illustrate it.
The construction of the breech-bolt and its actuating devices having been
described, and the operation of such devices having been explained, it now remains
to describe the devices for controlling the hammer 7. The hammer is pivoted
as usual in the receiver a and is acted upon by a main spring in an ordinary
manner, the hammer being provided with an anti-friction roller 13 upon which
the main-spring 1 bears and an adjusting screw 12 being set in the handle to bear
upon the mainspring so that the tension thereof may be regulated. The hammer
as usual, is provided with a half-cock notch and a full-cock notch 16 which are
adapted to be engaged by a sear m which is pivotally mounted in the upper
portion of the handle and is pressed upon the hammer to engage the notches
thereof by a suitable spring m₁. Below its pivot the sear m is provided with a
lip or shoulder for engagement with a connecting piece n¹ which transmits the
pressure of the trigger n to the sear m for the purpose of moving the same to
release the hammer 1. As the cartridge holder intervenes between the trigger n
and the hammer and sear m, the connecting piece n', which is substantially
parallel with the receiver, must be so shaped as to offer no obstacle to the intro-
duction of the cartridge holder d. Accordingly the connecting piece is preferably
made in the form of an open loop, as shown in Figure 68, to partly or wholly
embrace or surround the holder, the opening through the loop being sufficiently
large to permit the introduction of the cartridge holder through the same and to
permit the requisite movement of the connecting piece itself. At its forward end
the connecting piece n¹ is formed with a lug n5 against which the trigger n may
bear, and at its rear end it is formed with a lip or shoulder n² for engagement with
the lip or shoulder of the sear m. In accordance with this invention provision
is made whereby the trigger n may be disconnected from the sear m by the fall
of the hammer 7. Accordingly the rear end of the connecting piece n¹ is held
yieldingly against the sear m, the device which is herein shown for this purpose
consisting simply in the rearwardly inclined upper end of the spring d³ herein-
before referred to, against and upon which the rear end of the connecting piece n¹
rests and by which it is held yieldingly upward against the end of the sear m.
Connected with the hammer and preferably pivoted thereon, is a dog or trip
which is arranged to strike the rear end of the connecting piece n¹ at each forward
or downward movement of the hammer and to thrust said connecting piece down-
ward against the pressure of the spring and to disengage it from the sear m,

page_text: The
the lip n of the piece n¹ moving to the rear of the lip m² of the sear.
subsequent engagement of the connecting piece n' with the sear m can be effected
only by releasing the trigger n and permitting the connecting piece n¹ to move
forward and upward. Consequently, although the hammer is instantly recocked
by the discharge which was effected by the first pull of the trigger n, nevertheless
the hammer will be engaged and held by the sear m although the pressure on the
trigger has not been relieved. Therefore, it is impossible that two or more
explosions should follow one another in quick succession before the trigger n could
be released, and it is necessary in order to effect a subsequent discharge to release
the trigger and pull it again.
As a further safeguard against accidental explosions, means are provided to
prevent an effective movement of the trigger until all of the parts of the pistol
are in proper position for the explosion of a cartridge. These means are controlled
by the actuating mechanism of the breech-bolt and operate to prevent either the
release and forward movement of the trigger and the re-engagement of the con-
necting piece with the sear m, in the manner already described, or the rearward
movement of the trigger and connecting piece n¹ by which the sear is normally
disengaged from the hammer. As represented in Figure 65 of the drawings, an
elbow lever o is mounted in a suitable recess formed in the side wall of the
receiver a and a spring o¹ is applied to said lever to cause one arm thereof to
project through the open top of the recess in position to be struck and depressed
by the connecting rod c² as it returns to its position of rest. The other arm of the
elbow lever o stands normally in the path of a projection n* from the trigger n
in position to prevent the forward movement of the trigger, but when the upwardly
projecting arm of the elbow lever o is struck by the connecting rod c³ and depressed
the other arm thereof moves out of the path of the projection on the trigger n
and permits the movement thereof necessary for the re-engagement of the con-
necting piece n' with the sear m. As represented in Figure 69 of the drawings,
the elbow lever is provided with a hook o² which is adapted for engagement with
the front end of the trigger or with a corresponding hook n³ projecting therefrom,
so that when the elbow lever is in the position which it assumes when the breech-
bolt e is thrown back, the trigger is held from the movement necessary to disengage
the sear m from the hammer 1. As soon, however, as the breech-bolt and the
connecting rod have returned to their positions of rest, the elbow lever o is shifted
to release the trigger and to permit the free movement thereof. The hooks upon
the elbow lever o and the trigger n are preferably bevelled so that the re-engage-
ment of the trigger and elbow will be effected automatically as soon as the trigger
is released after it has been pulled.
It will be observed by reference to Figures 64 and 65 of the drawings, that the
hammer when in its rearmost position, rests against a solid portion at of the
frame or upper portion of the grip or handle in rear of the hammer and that
the hammer is extended upward to forin a shoulder, as at 15, to co-operate with a
shoulder or projection e¹ on the underside of the breech-bolt e (indicated clearly by
a dotted line in Figures 64 and 65). The breech-bolt being held from upward
movement by its guides in the receiver a, it is evident that the 'hammer thus
forms a stop to limit the rearward movement of the breech-bolt should the pins
or bearings which support the bolt in closed position break under the shock of
discharge, whereby the bolt will be prevented from flying into the shooter's face.
Referring now to the operation and mode of use of the mechanism already
described, it will be evident in the first place that a cartridge holder, fully charged,
may be readily inserted in the place of an empty holder which has been with-
drawn from the magazine, no movement of the operative parts of the pistol being
required to permit this. It being assumed that the cartridge chamber of the
barrel is empty, it is necessary in the first instance to effect by hand the movement
of the parts necessary to place a cartridge therein. Accordingly, the end of the
gas lever c is grasped by the fingers of one hand, and is drawn upward and back-
ward as far as possible. Through the connecting rod 2 this movement of the
D

page_text: lever causes a rearward movement of the breech-bolt e which cocks the hammer
and permits it to be engaged and held by the sear m, and at the same time it
releases the uppermost cartridge in the holder d and permits it to be pressed
upward slightly so that as the breech-bolt moves forward again under the influence
of the spring 5 the cartridge will be engaged thereby and will be pushed forward
out of the cartridge holder into the cartridge chamber of the barrel, the inclined
overhang and the incline a properly directing the cartridges in its movement.
When the lever e, connecting rod and breech-bolt e have reached the limit of
their forward movement, the several pivotal centers thereof will be in a single
straight line and the breech-bolt will therefore be held firmly in a position to
withstand the recoil of the cartridge when exploded. During the movement of
the breech-bolt both backward and forward, the elbow lever o will be in such
position as to prevent effective movement of the trigger n, as already described,
and it will not be until the breech-bolt has reached its position of rest, and the
connecting rod is resting upon its seat and depressing the elevated arm of the
elbow lever o that the trigger n will be released so that it may be possible to effect
the release of the hammer and the explosion of the cartridge. Upon the pulling
of the trigger when the parts are in proper position, the hammer will be released,
and will strike the firing pin, causing the explosion of the cartridge. As soon as
the bullet passes the aperture the gases of explosion will rush forcibly there-
through and will throw back the lever c, beginning again the cycle of operations
already described. These operations take place so quickly that the operator
might not have time to release the trigger until two or more cartridges were
exploded, but, as already described fully, the trigger is disconnected automatically
from the sear m at each forward movement of the hammer o and therefore when
the hammer is recocked it is engaged and held at full-cock by the sear, which
cannot be again disengaged until the trigger has been released and thereby the
engagement thereof with the sear again permitted.
Although the improvements have been described and shown. herein as applied
to automatic pistols, and although the special object of the invention has been to
improve automatic fire-arms, nevertheless it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to the applications herein described, since many
features of the invention are applicable to hand-operated fire-arms. Nor is it
intended to limit the invention to the precise constructions and arrangements of
parts herein shown and described.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondents, I declare that what I claim is,―
1. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame and a barrel connected to the
frame to have a limited double movement thereon, of a breech-block or -bolt carrier
sliding on said frame, said breech-block or -bolt carrier comprising a breech-bolt
and a forward extension therefrom to cover said barrel and adapted to engage said
barrel, and of shell extracting and shell ejecting devices carried by said breech-
block or bolt carrier and said frame and operated by the movements of said
breech-block or -bolt carrier.
2. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame and a lock mechanism, of a
breech-block or -bolt carrier sliding on said frame and of a safety piece mounted
in the frame to control the lock mechanism and arranged to enter a recess in the
breech-block or -bolt carrier to permit the lock mechanism to be released when
the breech-block or -bolt carrier is in the firing position. -
3. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame, a hammer having a half-cock
notch and a full-cock notch, and a sear engaging said notches and having a
shoulder, of a breech-block or -bolt carrier sliding on the frame and of a safety
piece mounted in the frame and adapted to enter a recess in the breech-block
or -bolt carrier when the hammer is at half-cock and having a shoulder to engage
the shoulder of the sear, so that when the hammer is at half-cock the safety piece

page_text: is held by the sear in engagement with the breech-block or -bolt carrier to prevent
movement thereof.
4. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame and a barrel, of a sliding breech-
bolt, a forward extension or arm attached to the breech-bolt and extending forward
alongside the frame and barrel, said extension or arm having a sleeve surrounding
the barrel, a reaction spring connected to the breech-bolt and the barrel, and
cartridge exploding and shell extracting devices carried with the breech-bolt.
5. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame of a breech-block or -bolt carrier
sliding on said frame and comprising a breech-bolt and a forward extension, and
of a barrel mounted upon the frame within the forward extension and having a
limited movement upon the frame to move with the breech-block or -bolt carrier
for a short distance and to lock and unlock the same.
6. In fire-arms having a frame and a sliding breech-block or -bolt carrier, a
barrel mounted upon the frame to have a limited movement in the direction of its
length and in a transverse direction to lock and unlock the breech-block or -bolt
carrier.
7. In fire-arms having a frame and a sliding breech-block or -bolt carrier, a
barrel adapted to engage the breech-block or -bolt carrier and a link connection
between the barrel and the frame to permit a limited movement of the barrel
longitudinally and toward and from the frame to lock and unlock the breech-block
or bolt carrier.
8. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame, a breech-block or -bolt carrier
sliding in the frame and comprising a breech-bolt and a forward extension from
the breech-bolt, and a barrel having a limited movement within said extension,
the latter having also an opening in front of the breech-bolt, of a cartridge holder
and feeder supported by the frame, so that as the breech-block or -bolt carrier and
barrel move rearward the movement of the barrel is interrupted and a cartridge is
fed into the opening of the breech-block or -bolt carrier in position for insertion
into the barrel and, on the forward movement of the breech-block or -bolt carrier,
is inserted by the breech-bolt in the barrel.
9. In fire-arms, the modification of the invention shown in Sheets 4, 5 and 6
and consisting in the combination with a frame, and a barrel and a breech-block
or -bolt carrier having a common longitudinal movement and a relative longitu-
dinal movement, of a connection between the barrel and the frame to effect a rotary
movement of the barrel relative to the breech-block or -bolt carrier as the common
longitudinal movement takes place, and of means to prevent rotary movement of
the barrel during the relative longitudinal movement of the barrel and the
breech-block or -bolt carrier.
10. In fire-arms, the combination of a frame having a tubular seat, a tubular
breech-block or -bolt carrier mounted movably in the seat and a barrel enclosed
and movable within the tubular breech-block or -bolt carrier, as in the modification
shown in Sheets 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
11. In fire-arms, the combination of a frame having a seat to receive a breech-
block or -bolt carrier which is mounted to slide in the seat, of a barrel mounted
movably in a chamber in the breech-block or -bolt carrier, the breech-block
or -bolt carrier and the barrel having segmental ribs and grooves for engagement
and the barrel and the frame having a cam slot and pin connection, so that as the
breech-block or -bolt carrier is moved rearward, the barrel is moved rearward with
it, and is rotated to release the breech-block or -bolt carrier, and as the breech-
block or -bolt carrier is moved forward, the barrel is moved forward with it and is
rotated to re-engage the breech-block or -bolt carrier, as in the modification shown
in Sheets 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
12. In fire-arms, the combination of a longitudinally movable breech-block
or -bolt carrier, a hammer, a sear, a trigger, and a connecting piece to transmit
pressure from the trigger to the sear, said connecting piece having a lug to bear
upon the breech-block or -bolt carrier to hold the connecting piece out of operative
relation with the sear and to enter a recess in the breech-block or -bolt carrier to

page_text: permit the connecting piece to move into operative relation with the sear, as in
the modification shown in Sheets 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
13. In fire-arms, the combination of a sliding breech-bolt, a hammer cocked
by the movement of the breech-bolt, a sear having a point to engage the hammer,
a trigger to operate the sear, a latch freely movable to engage the sear point and
prevent its release from the hammer and to release said sear point, and a spring
acting upon the latch to hold it normally in engagement with the sear point and
yielding to permit its release, said latch projecting through a slot in the grip or
handle in position to be operated by the pressure of the hand when the grip or
handle is seized for firing, as in the modification shown in Sheets 4, 5 and 6 of
the drawings.
14. In fire-arms, the combination of a sliding breech-bolt, a hammer, a sear
having a rearwardly extending point to engage the hammer and a forward pro-
jection, a trigger, a connecting piece to transmit pressure from the trigger to the
forward projection of the sear, said connecting piece being in operative relation
with the breech-bolt, whereby the end of the connecting piece is moved by the
breech-bolt out of the path of said projection in position to be engaged and held
thereby when the sear returns to normal position after operation, to prevent a
further movement of the sear until the trigger is released and pressed again, as in
the modification shown in Sheets 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings..
15. A cartridge holder for magazine fire-arms, comprising a case to receive the
cartridges, a spring follower to feed the cartridges forward in the case, a lever of
a length substantially equal to that of the case and having a finger at one end ta
engage the cartridges and pivoted to the case at about its middle while its other
end stands free, and a spring to hold the lever with its finger normally in the path
of the cartridges, as shown more particularly in Figures 40 and 42 of the drawings.
16. A cartridge holder such as described in claim 15 and further provided with
a block sliding on the case under the free end of the lever to hold the lever
positively against movement.
17. In fire-arms having a frame, a barrel sliding in the frame, and firing
mechanism including a trigger, a trigger detent standing normally in the path of
the barrel and operated thereby to permit movement of the trigger, as shown more
particularly in Figure 40 of the drawings.
18. In fire-arms, the combination of a frame, a barrel sliding in the frame and
having a vent in rear of the muzzle, a gas lever actuated by the escape of gas
through the vent, and a connection between the lever and the barrel whereby the
barrel is moved by the lever, as in the modification shown in Figure 40 of the
drawings.
19. In fire-arms, the combination of a frame, a barrel sliding in the frame and
having a vent in rear of the muzzle, a gas cup supported by the frame and having
a hole to register with the vent of the barrel when the barrel is in its normal
position, and a gas lever connected to the barrel and having a plug to enter the
gas cup, as in the modification shown in Figure 40 of the drawings.
20. In fire-arms, the combination of a frame, a barrel having a vent in rear of
the muzzle, a gas lever and a brace pivoted to the frame and supporting the gas
lever, said brace having an arm or extension to engage and to cock the hammer
as it swings upon its pivot, as in the modification shown in Figure 40 of the
drawings.
21. In fire-arms having a barrel with a vent in rear of the muzzle, a gas lever
actuated by the escape of gases through the vent, a breech-block and a firing pin, a
second lever connected to the gas lever and engaging and actuating a retractor
formed to engage the firing pin, as in the modification shown in Figure 40 of the
drawings.
22. In fire-arms having a frame with a chamber to receive the cartridges and
means to feed the cartridges into the chamber in position for insertion into the
barrel and a breech-block, the breech-block or the barrel being movable toward
and from the other, a guide plate closing one side of the cartridge receiving

page_text: chamber and having a cartridge stop mounted thereon, said stop being engaged by
the moving part to be brought thereby into the line of the cartridge feed to limit
the movement of each cartridge in succession, as in the modification shown in
Sheets 9-13 of the drawings.
23. In fire-arms having a frame with a cartridge chamber and a breech-block
and a barrel, one of which parts is movable toward and from the other, a cartridge
holder and feeding devices below the chamber and an escapement device located
in proximity to the end of the holder and operated by said movable part and co-
operating with the cartridge holder to prevent or permit the escape of cartridges
therefrom as in the modification shown in Sheets 9-13 of the drawings.
24. In fire-arms having a frame, a sliding barrel and a fixed breech-block, an
extractor formed to engage each cartridge or shell as the barrel moves forward
and sliding longitudinally and moving laterally to a limited extent in the frame,
said extractor having a lateral cam surface or incline to co-operate with an abut-
ment, whereby as the extractor is moved forward with the barrel it is forced
positively inward to engage the cartridge or shell, as in the modification shown in
Sheets 9-13 of the drawings.
25. In fire-arms having a frame with a cartridge receiving chamber, and a
breech-block and a barrel, the one of said parts being movable toward and from
the other to open the cartridge receiving chamber, an ejector, having a relative
movement with respect to the breech-block, whereby as the cartridge chamber is
opened the ejector is permitted to move inward into engagement with the shell,
an extractor carried by the breech-block on the opposite side of the cartridge
receiving chamber, and an abutment carried by the frame to engage the ejector
and hold the same positively from outward movement, whereby the shell is held
for the proper action of the extractor, as in the modification shown in Sheets 9-13
of the drawings.
26. In fire-arms having a frame with a cartridge receiving chamber with a
longitudinally slotted side wall, a fixed breech-block and a barrel sliding in the
frame, a plate disposed within the frame and engaged by projections on the barrel
and an ejector moving in the slot and secured to the plate to be moved therewith,
as in the modification shown in Sheets 9-13 of the drawings.
27. In fire-arms, the combination with a frame having a magazine chamber,
a hammer and a sear, the said hammer and sear being pivotally mounted in rear of
the chamber below the barrel, of a trigger pivoted at a point below the line of
pressure thereon in front of the magazine chamber and having an arm extended
rearwardly and formed with a cam to engage and move the sear, as in the
modification shown in Sheets 9-13 of the drawings.
28. In fire-arms, the combination of a frame or handle, a longitudinally movable
breech-bolt and a hammer mounted in said handle, the said frame or handle having
a solid portion in rear of the hammer against which the hammer may rest in
cocked position, and said hammer having a shoulder to stand, when the hammer
is in cocked position, in the path of the breech-bolt and to prevent rearward move-
ment thereof beyond said shoulder, as in the modification shown in Sheets 14-17
of the drawings.
29. In fire-arms, the combination with a receiver, a barrel having an aperture
in rear of the muzzle, a longitudinally movable breech-bolt in said receiver and
a lever operated by the gases of explosion, of a rod connecting the lever and the
breech-bolt, said connecting rod being recessed or hollowed out on its under side,
a spring and connections to said lever to return said lever and its connected parts
to normal position, and a barrel supporting said spring mounted above the receiver
and received within the recess of the connecting rod, as in the modification shown
in Sheets 14-17 of the drawings.
30. In fire-arms, the combination with the breech mechanism, a hammer, a
sear and a trigger to operate the sear, of a safety device to engage the trigger
positively to prevent effective movement thereof and supported in proximity to the
breech mechanism to be actuated thereby to release the trigger as the breech

page_text: mechanism assumes its normal position, as in the modification shown in Sheets 9-17
of the drawings.
31. In fire-arms, the combination with the breech mechanism, a trigger, a
hammer mechanism, an intermediate piece operated by the trigger to release the
hammer and a device operated by the movement of the hammer as it falls to
positively disengage the intermediate piece from the sear, means to effect a re-
engagement of the connecting piece with the hammer mechanism upon the release
of the trigger, and a device to engage the trigger to prevent the release thereof
and actuated by the breech mechanism to release the trigger, as in the modification
shown in Sheets 14-17 of the drawings.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE.