Improvements in Machine Guns.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 14th July, 1900
Improvements in Machine Guns.
1, FRANK MILTON GARLAND, of 486, Elm Street, New Haven, County of New
Haven, State of Connecticut, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an automatic machine gun and its object, among
other things, is to simplify and make durable the mechanisms thereof.
The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings
has a barrel and a connected frame which operate in unison and move back-
wardly, compressing a spring after a cartridge is fired. The breech block carry-
ing a spring firing pin moves backwardly with the barrel frame and then,
through intermediate mechanisms, is moved further back along the frame as
the barrel and frame are drawn forwardly. A spring is made tense by the back-
ward movement of the breech block and a catch engages parts connected with
the breech block for holding it back against the force of the spring. The
hammer, sear and hammer spring are borne by the frame and the hammer is
cocked by the movement of the breech block away from the breech. The cart-
ridges at the proper time drop by gravity through the side of the case onto a
transverse feeder that is held normally against the force of a spring by a latch
that is released from a catch by the weight of the cartridge. This feeder swings
transversely on a pivot, carrying the cartridge in front of the breech block, in
line with the barrel. A part of the feeder now engages connections that release
the breech block catch, allowing the block to be thrown forward, and pushing
the cartridge into the breech of the barrel. As the breech block reaches the
limit of its forward movement, the trigger engages a part connected with the
finger pull at the butt of the gun which, if drawn, causes the trigger to disengage
the sear from the hammer, which is thrown forward by the hammer spring.
driving the pin into the primer of the cartridge. The backward movement of
the breech block uncovers the cartridge inlet passage permitting a new cartridge
to drop upon the transverse feeder, and said passage is closed automatically while
the cartridge is being placed in front of the breech block. The used cartridges
are pushed from in front of the breech block by the following cartridge, dropping
upon an inclined shelf and then being discharged through an opening in the
case. The forward movement of the breech block forces back the feeder into
position to receive the next cartridge.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of a gun embodying my
invention. Figure 2 a side elevation, the end of the barrel being broken off
and the mount omitted. Figure 3 an elevation looking toward the butt.
Figure 4 a fragmentary plan of the mechanisms. Figure 5 a side elevation
thereof. Figure 6 a transverse section on the line A, A of Figure 4, looking
toward the front. Figure 7 a transverse section on line B B of Figure 5. look
ing toward the front. Figure 8 is a side elevation of the breech block actuating
mechanism. Figure 9 an edge view of one form of the frame yoke. Figure 10

page_text: a transverse section on substantially, the same plane as that of Figure 6, show-
ing a modified arrangement of transverse feeder catch. Figure 11 a side view
of the transverse feeder shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 a view of the opposite
side thereof. Figure 13 a transverse section of the mechanism with another
form of feeder catch. Figure 14 a side view of this feeder. Figure 15 a frag-
mentary edge view of one form of feeder. Figure 16 a side view of this feeder,
and Figure 17 is an opposite side thereof. Figure 18 a fragmentary view of
the breech block and firing mechanism. Figure 19 a fragmentary plan, show-
ing the valve controlling mechanism. Figure 20 a fragmentary side elevation
of the shoulder piece and butt end of the gun. Figure 21 a fragmentary end
view of the shoulder piece. Figure 22 a view of the cam rod. Figure 23 a
fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the gun and mount, disclosing the
operating spring mechanism. Figure 24 a transverse section of the gun body
and mount on line A-B of Figure 23, and Figure 25 is a detail view of the
tension yoke lever.
The case that encloses the mechanism is octagonal in transverse section being
formed with a trunnion band, 1, and butt plate 2, between which extent the
ribs, 3, (Figures 1, 2,) having undercut grooves within which are fitted the
panels 4. (Figures 6, 7.) These panels are adapted to be drawn out from the
case to permit ready access to the interior thereof.
Trunnions 5, are mounted in the boxes 6, integral with the head yoke 7,
forming part of the cylindrical head 126, which is rotably fitted within the
opening in the mount 8.
Projecting downwardly from the head 126 is the shank 129, which is pivotally
supported at its lower end by the bracket 130.
The mechanism for adjustably elevating or depressing the muzzle of the
barrel, and for locking the gun in any of its adjusted positions, consists of the
nut 10 held within the ears 9, threaded sleeve 11 provided with the hand
wheel 12 and clamp handle 13, lever 132 (Figure 23) pivotally secured upon
the pintle 136, friction block 131, eye bolt 125, the shank of which passes freely
through the shell of the head 126 and is threaded in the lever 132, and tube 14
fastened at its front end to the eye bolt 125 and extending through the threaded
sleeve 11 and provided with a handle 15 upon its rear end, by which the said
tube is rotated. By loosening clamping handle 13, the tube 14 can slide freely
through the sleeve 11 and thus permit a quick elevation or depression of the
barrel muzzle, within the extreme ranges and by turning the sleeve 11, through
the hand wheel 12, a very slight elevation or depression is obtained within a
limited range.
To rotate the gun upon the mount, in a horizontal plane, the tube 14 and the
eye bolt 125 are rotated slightly through the handle 15, which releases the
lever 132 and friction block 131, thereby permitting the gun to be rotated
freely within the mount. After securing the desired position, the handle 15
is again turned which draws friction block 131 against the bore of the mount,
through the lever 132, and thereby locks the parts together.
Any desired sights 16 and 17 are attached to the casing and a suitable shoulder
piece 18, and a hand grip 19, supporting a finger pull 20, are attached to the
butt end thereof. (Figures 1, 2, 3.)
The barrel 23 is loosely supported by the front end of the case and the cross
head 22, (Figures 1, 2,) upon the outer ends of the posts 21.
An arm 24 is fastened to the barrel, and connecting the said arm with the
piston 27 in the cylinder 26, is the rod 25. (Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 19.)
The rear end of cylinder 26 opens into a chamber 28, and the front end into
a chamber 110, and connecting these chambers is the port 30.
Within the chamber 110 is a valve 29, around the stem of which is a spring 31
which tends to force the valve towards the port 30.
When the barrel 23 recoils and the piston moves backwardly in the cylinder.
fluid is forced by the piston from the chamber 28 to the chamber 110, and the

page_text: valve 29 moving against its spring when the fluid is forced in this direction,
opening the port to its full extent and permitting a free flow of fluid there-
through. When the operating spring 36 pulls the barrel forward, fluid flows
back from the chamber 110 to the chamber 28 through the port 30. While
flowing in this direction, the valve 29 tends to move toward the port and restrict
its passage therethrough. The speed of action of the operating spring is con-
trolled by the size of the port, which size is determined by the movement of
the valve toward and away from this port for restricting the size of the passage
therethrough. The rod 32 is arranged to limit this valve movement, and ex-
tends from the fluid chambers through a stuffing box 111 and supporting lugs 112
to the butt of the case, terminating in a tongue 113 (Figure 19) that enters a
mortise 114 in the angle lever 115. (Figure 20).
A stud 116 projects laterally from the lever 115 and lies upon the face of
cam 117 upon rod 118. This cam is arranged to move beneath the said stud,
and thereby oscillates the lever 115 which imparts a longitudinal movement to
rod 32. The position of the end of rod 32 determines the movement of the
valve 29 toward the port, and controls the area of the opening thereof.
The valve 29 is forced toward the port 30 by the flow of fluid from chamber 110
to chamber 28 while the barrel is moved forwardly by the operating spring 36.
The engagement of the stud 116 with the cam 117 holds the rod 32 rigid;
and the pressure of the valve-spring against the end of the rod keeps the said
engagement permanent as the cam is withdrawn.
Rod 118 extends through the shoulder piece bracket 119 into the shoulder
piece 18 and there connects with the lever 121, the lower end of which engages
a stud 122 between the disks 123 mounted upon the stem of the handle 124.
(Figures 20, 21.)
The handle 124 is rotably supported in the shoulder piece, and may be utilized
for elevating or depressing the butt of the gun when the elevating clamps are
loosened, or it may be grasped for rotating the gun upon the mount when the
rotating clamp is loosened. Turning this handle upon its axis, imparts an
oscillating movement to the lever 121 through the eccentric stud 122 and giving
a longitudinal movement to rod 118 and cam 117. The position of the angle
lever 115 depends upon the part of the cam that is beneath the stud 116.
By rotating this handle during the operation of the gun, the size of the open-
ing for the passage of fluid from one chamber to the other may be regulated.
This will determine the flow of fluid and movement of the piston so that the
forward movement of the barrel under the pull of the operating spring and the
rapidity of feeding, loading and firing, which depends upon the speed of forward
movement of the barrel, is positively controlled. With this mechanism the
speed of action of the gun may be regulated very closely so as to permit a rapid
or slow firing of ammunition.
A frame 33 is attached rigidly to the barrel breech and secured to said frame
is a rod 34, (Figure 2, 23,) which is encircled by the operating spring 36, between
the nut 35, and the loose collar 37. The thrust of this spring forces the barrel
forward and to vary the power of this thrust, the position of the collar 37, is
changed along the "rod.
The mechanism for accomplishing this end consists of a yoke lever 38, con-
nected with the loose collar 37 and pivotally secured upon the pintle 127 and
having a depending shank 128, vertically adjusted threaded block 133 carrying
the roll 135, and adjusting screw 134 held within the head 126,
The thrust of the operating spring 36 is resisted by the collar which is held
from movement backwardly by the contact of the yoke shank with the adjustable
roll 135, so that the collar, and consequently the barrel to which it is connected
by the rod, are held forwardly with a force that varies according to the distance
between the collar 37 and nut 35. The point of the contact between the yoke
shank and the roll 135 is varied by changing the vertical position of the roll
through the screw 134.

page_text: As the muzzle of the barrel is depressed, the collar is allowed to move away
from the nut and the tension of the spring is lessened according to the amount
of depression, decreasing the resistance of the spring a desirable result, for the
recoiling force is compelled to lift the barrel in this instance. The effective
force of the spring for causing the barrel to move forwardly again is lessened,
as the weight of the barrel itself assists its forward movement.
If the muzzle of the barrel is elevated, the contact of the yoke shank with
the roll causes the collar to move toward the nut, thereby increasing the tension
of the spring according to the degree of elevation. This stiffens the spring as
the barrel moves more and more into such a position that its weight adds to
the recoiling force and must be lifted by the spring after the recoil.
Movable in a guideway 39, in the frame 33, is the breech block 40, to which
is pivoted the yoke 42, carrying at its rear end the recoil block 41, which when
the breech block is home, is in line with the axis of the barrel and against the
recoil shoulder 43. (Figures 5, 18).
The yoke arms 44 are connected by a rod 45, with the yoke 46, that is pivoted
at its upper end to the frame 33. The yoke 46 is connected by the links 47,
with rocker arms 48, that are secured on the transverse shaft 49, the links 47
and the rocker arms 48, forming a toggle connection between the said shaft and
yoke. (Figures 4, 5, 8).
A spring 50 is wound upon the shaft 49, in such manner as to rotate the shaft
in a direction that will throw the rocker arms forward. One end of this spring
engages a stud 51, projecting from the case and the other end is engaged. with
a disk 52, that is adjustably connected with the said shaft to regulate the ten-
sion of the spring. (Figures 4, 7).
The force of the explosion of a cartridge is transferred from the breech block
to the recoil block and frame 33, so that the frame and the barrel are driven
backwardly. As these parts move backward together and the operating spring 36
is being compressed, the yoke 46 moves backwardly without changing its rela-
tion to the other parts. When the parts are moving in this direction, the
links 47 cause the rocker arms to rotate upwardly and the toggle joints to close
to the position illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 8.
One of the rocker arms is provided with a shoulder 53, (Figure 8) which is
engaged and held by the upper end of a finger 54, upon a shaft 55, when the
rocker arm is up. (Figures, 4, 5, 7.) With the rocker arms held in this posi-
tion, the forward movement of the frame 33 under the pull of the operating
spring 36 causes the yoke 46 to be oscillated to the position illustrated by
dotted lines in Figure 8, and this change of relation of the parts causes the
breech block yoke 42 to be oscillated so that the recoil block is freed from
the recoil shoulder and then, as the recoil block approaches the back end of the
opening 137 in the frame, the breech block is drawn away from the breech so
as to extract the exploded shell and open a passage for the feeding of a new
cartridge. (Figure 8.)
The breech block remains back until the rocker arms are released and the
spring 50 throws the arms forward, which action causes the breech block to be
moved close to the breech of the barrel and the recoil block to drop into posi-
tion in front of the recoil shoulder. (Figure 8.)
The transverse feeder 56 is pivoted upon a stud, 57, fastened to the front end
of the case. This feeder has a shelf 58, extending rearwardly beneath the
opening 59, in the case and through which the cartridges enter the gun.
(Figures 6, 10, 13.) Extending above this shelf is a back 60, terminating in a
flange 61, that obstructs the passage 59, when the feeder is delivering a cartridge.
A spring 62, wound about the stud 57, (Figure 5) throws the feeder toward the
center where the cartridges are presented in line with the breech block and bore
of the barrel.
A wedge 63 on the breech block engaging with the shelf 58 (Figures 6, 10, 13),

page_text: when the breech block moves forward forces the feeder to one side against the
pressure of spring 62 into position to receive a new cartridge.
The entire shelf 58, (Figures 13, 14) or only a portion, as 96, (Figure 10,
11, 12) may be hinged to the feeder. If the entire shelf is hinged, springs 64
(Figures 13, 14) may be employed to hold the inner edge raised so as to engage
with a catch lug 65, secured to the front of the case. (Figures 6, 13, 14). The
weight of a cartridge upon this shelf, is sufficient to depress the inner edge so
as to disengage it from the lug 65, and the feeder is then thrown inward by
the spring 62, and the cartridge which it supports is discharged in front of the
breech block.
In Figures 10, 11 and 12 a hook, 92, projects from the movable part, 96, of
the shelf and is arranged to engage a rigid catch 93. The weight of a cartridge
will depress the movable part 96, of this form of shelf against the tension of
springs 66, and release the engagement of the said hook and catch. In
Figures 15, 16 and 17, the hook 94 is a part of lever 67, pivotally mounted in
ears 138. The end 98, of the lever extends slightly above the immovable shelf
floor 99, so that it will be depressed by the weight of a cartridge for disengag-
ing the hook and catch. In these forms the movable part of the shelf is
depressed by the weight of a cartridge dropping upon the same, which releases
the latch mechanism, and allows the feeder to carry the cartridge into line with
the breech block.
Projecting from the lower end of the feeder is a finger 68, which engages a
finger 69, upon the shaft 55, when the cartridge has been presented in front of
the breech block. (Figures 6, 7, 13.) The engagement of the finger 68 with
the finger 69, rocks shaft 55, so that the finger 54, is withdrawn from the
shoulder 53, and the rocker arms 48, are free to move forward under the impulse
of the coiled spring 50, and throw the breech block home, through the link and
yoke connections above described, loading into the barrel the cartridge which
has been placed in front thereof by the movement of the feeder.
The trigger pull 20 is connected by a rod 70 with a sleeve 71 upon the shaft 55,
having an arm 73, fastened thereto; which sleeve is normally thrust forward
by a spring 72. (Figures 4, 5.)
The trigger 95, (Figure 18) is pivotally supported in an opening formed in
the rod 45, and a spring, 74, thrusts the lower end of the trigger forward, and
the upper rear end downward. The sear 75, is pivoted in a mortise in the
frame 33 and a spring 100, thrusts the rear end 101, toward the trigger and
holds the front end 102 in position to engage the shoulder 103, on the hammer 76
pivoted in the same mortise. The hammer block extends upward between the
arms of the yoke 42, into the path of the breech block 40. The backward move-
ment of the breech block forces back the hammer against the thrust of the
hammer spring 77, until the end 102 of the sear engages the shoulder 103, and
holds the hammer cocked. When the lower end of the trigger is pulled back-
wardly the upper rear end will be lifted so as to raise the end 101, of the sear,
and this causes the other end 102 to be drawn out of engagement with the
shoulder 103, leaving the hammer free to be thrown forward by the spring 77,
striking the firing pin.
The lower end of the trigger in its forward movement with the rod 45, will
engage the arm 75, just as the breech block reaches its extreme forward posi-
tion, and if the trigger pull 20 is drawn back, the trigger will disengage the
sear from the hammer. For continuous firing the finger pull 20 is held in its
backward position, but for intermittent firing the finger pull is drawn backward
for each shot.
The hammer when thrown forward strikes the firing pin 78, in the breech
block, which firing pin is thrust forwardly by a spring 104. In longitudinal
mortises in the upper and lower edges of the breech block are extractor bars 80,
that have fingers 105 at their front ends for grasping the heads of the cartridges

page_text: and drawing the shells out of the barrel when the breech block moves backward
and opens the breech. A lever 81, is pivoted in the breech block, one end enter-
ing a slot 106, in the firing pin, and the other a slot 107 in the upper extractor
bar. A spring 79 holds back a plate 109, and this by engagement by the hook
ends 108, of the extractor bars draws the extractor fingers back with a yielding
pressure permitting them to grasp the head of the cartridges. When the breech
block is in its extreme backward position the rear ends of the extractor bars
engage the recoil shoulder, 43, and are forced forward against the thrust of the
spring 79. This moves the extractor fingers 105, away from the front face of
the breech block, leaving room to admit the rim of a cartridge head between
the fingers and the front of the breech block. As the extractor fingers are
moved forward, the lever, 81, draws back the firing pin so that its point will
not interfere with the passage of the cartridge head between the extractor
fingers and the front wall of the breech block.
After the cartridge head is in position, and as the breech block moves forward,
the spring 79, draws back the extractor bars and the fingers 105 will grasp and
hold rigid the rim of the cartridge head. The return movement of the upper
extractor bar oscillates the lever 81, and the firing pin is thrown forward by
the spring 104, into position to be driven into a primer when the firing pin is
struck by the hammer.
Mounted loosely upon the shaft 32 is a gate 83, which is held in front of the
feed opening 59 by a spring 84, coiled about the said shaft. The normal posi-
tion of said gate is such as to prevent the premature admission of cartridges
onto the transverse feeder. An arm 85 having contact with a portion of the
case, limits the downward movement of the gate, and a wedge 86 having engage-
ment with an inclined surface on the arm 87, upon the breech block, gives the
gate a sufficient movement to permit a cartridge to drop through the opening 59
at a predetermined time onto the transverse feeder. (Figures 4, 6, 7, 10, 13.)
A backward movement is imparted manually to the breech block, through the
crank handle 88. mounted loosely on the shaft 49, pins 89, (dotted in Figure 4),
projecting inwardly therefrom into slots 90, (Figure 5) in the disk 91, upon said
shaft.
When the handle 88 is turned from front to rear the pins 89 will engage the
end walls of the slots 90 and turn the shaft operating the arms 48 and yoke 46,
and withdrawing the breech block from the breech. When the breech block is
thus withdrawn, the handle 88 may be turned from back to front without turn-
ing the shaft, the slots in the disk being long enough for this purpose, and also
long enough to allow the handle when in its forward position to remain sta-
tionary when the shaft turns from front to back as the gun operates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
Claim 1 An automatic machine gun constructed and operating substantially
as specified.
2 In a machine gun, a barrel, a frame attached thereto, a breech block, a
recoil block, a frame yoke connected with the frame, breech, and recoil blocks, a
spring shaft, and a toggle connection between the spring shaft and the frame
yoke, substantially as specified.
3 In a machine gun, a movable barrel, a frame, a breech block, a recoil block
connected therewith and movable backward with the barrel, a frame yoke, a
spring shaft, a toggle connecting between said spring shaft and frame yoke,
a catch for said spring shaft, and mechanisms for releasing the catch, substan-
tially as specified.
4 In a machine gun, a movable barrel, at frame attached thereto, a breech
block and recoil block movable backward with the said barrel, means for mov-

page_text: ing the breech block backward when the barrel and frame move forward, and
a transverse feeder, substantially as specified.
5 In a machine gun, a movable barrel, a frame attached thereto, a breech
block, a recoil block, means for moving the breech block back when the barrel
and frame move forward, means for holding the breech block back, a transverse
feeder for receiving and carrying cartridges into line with the breech block,
and means whereby the movement of the transverse feeder releases the breech
block, substantially as specified.
6-In a machine gun, a movable barrel, a frame attached thereto, a breech
block, a firing pin and extractor fingers borne by the breech block, a hammer.
a sear, and hammer spring carried by the frame, and a trigger borne by a part
connected with the breech block. substantially as specified.
In a machine gun, a case, a barrel, a breech block, a recoil block, a trans-
verse feeder having a shelf, a part of which is fixed and another part loosely
connected therewith, and latch and catch mechanisms connected with said shelf,
substantially as specified.
8-In a machine gun, a movable barrel, a frame attached thereto, a breech
block, a firing pin and extractor fingers borne by the breech block, a hammer,
sear and hammer spring carried by the frame, a trigger borne by a part con-
nected with the breech block, and a lever pivoted to the breech block and engag-
ing the extractor fingers and firing pin, substantially as specified.
9-In a machine gun, a movable barrel, a frame attached thereto, a breech
block, a yoke connected with the breech block, a yoke connected with the frame.
rod connections between the breech block yoke and frame yoke, a spring shaft,
a toggle connection between said spring shaft and frame yoke, and a transverse
feeder pushed outwardly by the backward movement of the breech block and
thrown inwardly by a spring, substantially as specified.
10 In combination with the feeding, loading and firing mechanisms of an
automatic machine gun, a case having a feed passage therethrough formed with
a trunnion band and a butt plate with ribs extending from one to the other.
undercut grooves formed in said ribs. and removable panels fitting and sliding
in said grooves, substantially as. specified.
11 In a machine gun, a mount, a barrel, a spring for effecting the movement
thereof in one direction, and mechanism for regulating the tension of the spring
as the barrel is elevated or depressed, substantially as specified.
12--In a machine gun. a mount, a barrel, a recoil check. and a connection
between the barrel and the mount for varying the tension of said recoil check,
substantially as specified.
13 In a machine gun, a barrel. a cylinder, having a passage from one end
to the other, a piston, a port in said passage, a valve. mechanism for limiting
the movement of said valve in one direction to vary the size of said port, sub-
stantially as specified.
14 In a machine gun, a barrel, a cylinder, a port, a valve arranged to move
toward and from said nort, and adjustable mechanism for restricting the move-
ment thereof in one direction, substantially as specified.
15 In a machine gun, a barrel, a cylinder, a passage passing around the same
from end to end, a piston, a port in said massage, a valve, a rod arranged to
restrict the movement of said valve in one direction. and mechanism for adiust-
ing the said rod which mechanism is operated from the rear end of the gun, suh-
stantially as specified.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.