IMPROVEMENTS IN BATTERY GUNS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thorsten Nordenfelt, of 1, St. Swithin's Lane, in the City
of London, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATTERY
GUNS." A communication from abroad by Helge Palmerantz, of Stockholm',
· in the Kingdom of Sweden, Civil Engineer.
Sealed the 11th March 1879, and dated the 17th September 1878
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thorsten Nordenfelt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th September 1878.
THORSTEN NORDENFELT, of 1, St. Swithin's Lane, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATTERY GUNS." [A communication from abroad
by Helge Palmcrantz, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden, Civil Engineer.]
The object of this Invention is to provide improved means by which two or more
barrels of any given calibre can be put together in a frame with a mechanism which
causes these barrels to be loaded with cartridges, and the cartridges to be fired and
extracted by the action of the mechanism when moved by the gunner.
The nature of this Invention is as follows:-
A frame holds the barrels fixed in a horizontal plane, one at the side of the other,
and it also carries the mechanism behind the chamber ends. It is not necessary
that the barrels should be ranged in a straight line; they might be ranged in the arc
of a circle.
The frame hangs upon two trunnions round which it can be turned to give
elevation and depression to the battery gun. The trunnions rest in bearings on a
cross head or bar capable of swivelling on a central vertical pivot, which for naval
or for field purposes may be dropped into a gun carriage or gun bed to allow of
lateral aim being given to the battery gun to the right or left of the gunwale or
field' carriage upon which it is placed.
The frame has three cross pieces, the foremost of which holds the muzzles of the
barrels whilst the breech ends of the barrels are screwed into the middle cross piece.
The rear cross piece is fitted on to the rear end of the frame and held to it by screws
or wedges.
1

page_text: At the breech end of the barrels, and resting upon the frame at both sides, is
what is called a carrier block which has a to-and-fro movement given to it trans-
versely of the frame. The carrier block has cut in it a number of grooves or
openings equal to the number of barrels in the battery gun; into each opening a
cartridge can be dropped and then by a subsequent movement of the carrier block
be brought into a line with the barrels in order that the cartridges may be pushed
forward into them.
Supply of Ammunition.-The ammunition is previously put into a hopper which
can be single or double, and which is placed on the lid of the mechanism above
the carrier block close up to the breech ends of the barrels, and is held into its
position by a clasp on the said lid.
The
The hopper has a channel for cartridges corresponding to each barrel in the battery
gun. The channels are at the side of one another and in the same relation to one
another as to line as the breech ends of the barrels, so that each column of cartridges
has the bullets towards the barrels and the percussion caps towards the rear.
hopper can hold any desired number of cartridges (I prefer 10 for a single and 20
or 30 for a double hopper), and when the hopper is once in position the cartridges
fall of their own weight into the corresponding grooves in the carrier block without
the hopper or cartridges being turned or touched in any way. The hopper can have
open slits towards the rear so that the gunner can always see how much ammunition
he has in the hopper, and so that he can correct, with a spike or nail provided for
this purpose, any cartridges which may not have fallen properly within the hoppers.
The rims of the cartridges are guided by a groove within each channel, the shape of
which groove is decided by the shape of the cartridge case in such a manner that
the groove, by guiding the rim of the cartridge case, forces the cartridge to enter
the mechanism in the desired position.
The single hopper is as above described, and with a sliding lid at the bottom
which prevents the cartridges from falling out when the hopper is carried by. its
handle, but which sliding lid is held back by a catch on the lid when the hopper is
pushed into position so as to leave the channels open and to allow the cartridges to
fall into the carrier block.
The single hopper has to be lifted off when all the cartridges are fired, and replaced
by a loaded hopper.
The double hopper consists of a lower part called cartridge distributor which is
placed empty upon the lid in the manner above described; it is open at both the
upper and the lower ends, and it can be less wide at its upper end as its lower end
is wide enough to enable the cartridges to enter the mechanism in corresponding
positions to the openings in the carrier block and to the chamber ends of the
barrels.
The upper part of the double hopper is called the magazine or the hopper proper;
it contains the desired number of cartridges in the same way as is described for the
single hopper except that instead of the sliding lid the cartridges are held by a bar
which is withdrawn by hand as soon as the magazine is placed in position above the
distributor. When this bar is withdrawn the cartridges fall from each channel
of the magazine into the corresponding openings of the distributor.
As soon as the magazine is emptied it can be at once replaced by a loaded magazine
so that the firing can be absolutely continuous without being interrupted by change
of hoppers, as the gunner fires from the supply of cartridges in the distributor during
the time required for changing magazines.
The lid which covers the mechanism has open holes through which; the cartridges
fall from the hopper into the carrier block, and there are guiders fixed on the lower
side of the lid which hold the cartridges in position while they enter and are moved
by the carrier block. The lid is held to the frame by two hars the ends of which
move round pins so that the lid can be raised in order to lay open the mechanism
which is then free and can be lifted out of the frame.
In rear of the carrier block is a block called a spring box as it carries the springs
by which the hammers are propelled forward and cause the strikers to explode the

page_text: cartridges. This block has given to it a to-and-fro movement in a direction length-
wise of the barrels. Projecting from the forward part of the block are breech pins,
one for each barrel. When the block is moved forwards these push forward the
cartridges which are lying in the carrier block and cause them to enter the breech
ends of the barrels.
7
Within each breech pin or breech block is a striker which is driven forward when
a cartridge in front of it is to be exploded by means of a striking hammer. The
striking hammers move in a line with the strikers and are pressed forwards by springs
carried by the spring box.
The action of the several parts results from a forward and backward movement
being given to a lever.or.firing handle which turns on a pin or. pivot, fixed to the
frame or rear cross piece underneath or within the mechanism proper.
The one end of the firing handle which reaches outside the frame is held by the
gunner, the other end which is bent to the desired angle acts within a cam slot
which is cut into a segmental piece moving round its centre and with teeth or cogs
cut along its circumference, which teeth act upon similar teeth cut into a similar
segmental piece placed in a reverse position at the opposite side of the frame. By the
movement of the firing handle these two segments thus receive a forward and back-
ward motion which is transferred by means of two driving bars or links to a
driving block and thence to the spring box by a single or double set of pins, two of
which are fixed to the driving block and the other two to the spring box.
The Loading. As the driving block is moved forwards and backwards a friction.
roller upon it at the end of each backward and at the beginning of each forward
motion acts upon a bent bar which at one end turns on a fixed centre, and at the other
enters into a groove on lower side of the carrier block and gives to the carrier
block its transverse to-and-fro movement. When the carrier block moves to the
left a layer of cartridges, one for each barrel, falls from the hopper through the lid
into openings cut in the carrier block in such a way that when the carrier block is
again moved to the right these cartridges are moved exactly in a line with the
barrels so that the breech pins which are screwed into the front of the spring box
which acts as a breech block common to all the barrels can push them through the
said openings into the chambers where the breech pins support the whole of the
cartridges until all of them have been fired. The carrier block remains in the same
position until the extractors fixed to the breech pins have again drawn out the
empty cartridge cases also through the said openings, after which, when the firing
handle is near its rearmost position, the carrier block again moves to the left to
fetch a fresh layer of cartridges.
The loading can also be done by hand if required, by simply dropping a layer of
cartridges into the lid and carrier block after each volley has been fired.
The Firing. The above-mentioned breech pins are screwed into the part of the
spring box which acts as breech block in the exact lines of the centre lines of the
barrels, and each breech pin holds within it concentrically (or for rim firing cartridges
along its outside) the striker which is to fire the percussion cap with its point,
which protrudes slightly in front of the breech pin. The rear end of the strikers
which are level with the rear end of the breech pins is acted upon by the striking
hammer, supported by and acted upon by the spiral springs. The hammers with
their spiral springs run within round holes or channels bored out lengthwise in the
spring box, also in a line with the centre lines of the strikers and of the barrels.
The rear ends of the spiral springs are supported by a sliding bar at the rear end
of the spring box, which bar can be lifted by loosing one of the screws holding it,
when all the spiral springs, the hammers and the strikers can be taken out without
opening up the mechanism proper.
Each hole or channel has on its lower side a slit lengthwise, through which
protrudes the heel of a hammer, the one side of which is bevilled to fit and to act
upon studs on a sliding bar which I call the trigger comb.
This trigger comb is a bar placed upon bearings at each side of and within the

page_text: rear part of the frame or on the rear cross piece at right angles to the barrels, and
has a number of studs one for each barrel on its surface.
When the spring box is drawn back by the firing handle, the heels of the
hammers force the trigger comb to one side just enough to allow the heels of the
hammers to slip behind the studs; as soon as the heels have thus passed through
the trigger comb is forced back into its original position by a spring acting by an
angle upon the trigger comb, which prevents the hammers from again passing
forward until the trigger comb is moved.
When the spring box is again moved forwards the hammers are thus held back
and the spiral springs are compressed until after the cartridges are within their
chambers and the breeches are closed; a short lever on the inner end of the firing
handle begins to act upon a vertical knee attached to the trigger comb, and moves
the trigger comb again to the side.
The studs of the trigger comb then pass in front of the hammers, and as the.
studs are of varying width (each stud being slightly wider than the stud on it's
side next to it) one hammer is released at a time the spiral spring presses it
forwards until it gives a blow to its striker and the shots are thus fired one after
the other, which causes less recoil than if they were fired all at the same moment.
When the firing handle again moves backwards the trigger comb is pushed back
by the before-mentioned spring and angle into position for again catching the
hammers for. the next volley. Backsights and foresights are provided on one or
both sides of the barrels, so that the eyes can always be kept in the alignment of
the arm whether the gun is served by one or two gunners.
The Hulf-cock-On the rear cross piece is fixed a catch with a handle to it
which can be moved into such a position that it acts upon a leg or stud fixed to
the trigger comb in such a way that it counteracts the force of the above-
mentioned angle and spring, and thus keeps the trigger comb steady in its position
furthest to one side, when the studs of the trigger comb do not touch the heels of
the hammers which thus pass freely in and out through the trigger comb. Thus
the springs are not compressed and no cartridges can be fired although they can at
this half-cock position be passed through the mechanisin and the chambers and
again extracted without their percussion caps being struck. By again releasing
the hold of the half-cock catch upon the trigger comb the mechanism again is and
remains at full-cock.
The Extraction.-Each breech pin has one or two extractors, each consisting of
the hook (extractor proper) and the spring. The hook is fixed into the breech pin
by a pin round which it moves guided by a slot, the hook protruding sufficiently to:
catch the rim of the cartridge case when the cartridge is within the chamber and
the breech closed. The spring acts with its one end freely on the back of the hook
pressing it inwards, and the other end of the spring fits into a slot near the base of
the breech pin so that the extractor spring is screwed in at the same time as the
breech pin and is held in position by the breech block.
'
After all the barrels have been fired the breech pins draw the extractor hooks
backwards and all the empty cartridge cases are extracted through the openings of:
the carrier block until the rim of the cartridge case passes outside the carrier block,
when the empty case falls through and the release of the empty case further
assisted by the movement to the one side of the carrier block which actually forces
the rim of the empty case away from the extractor hook and prevents the
possibility of jamming.
.
The recoil is of course resisted by the breech pins and by the weight of the entire
spring box, and the two or four pins or bolts which connect the spring box with the.
driving block carry the recoil on to the remainder of the mechanism. In order to
prevent the possibility of any damage from the recoil the links which push the
driving block forwards are brought in a straight line so as to support the driving
block before the cartridges can be fired, and further these links have knees or bends
which enter the sides of the frame before the cartridges are fired, so that the recoil
of the firing is actually resisted by the strength and weight of the entire frame.

page_text: The firing handle can be fixed by a clasp in one position thus giving still further
security against mishaps; in addition to the half-cock a plate can be screwed to the
frame underneath the mechanism in order to prevent too much dust entering the
mechanism. Holes can be provided wherever required for greasing the moving
parts of the mechanism by the use of an oil can.
Resumé of Action.-When a charged hopper is placed in position nothing more
is required than to move the firing handle forwards and backwards as far as it will
go in each direction. If moved rapidly the gun will give a rapid succession of
volleys: If moved more slowly a rapid succession of single shots will be discharged.
When the firing handle is in its most rearward position the carrier block is in its
position to the one side where it receives a fresh layer of cartridges. During the
motion forwards of the firing handle the spring box follows the forward movement
and the following actions of the mechanism take place in succession; the carrier
block moves back into its regular position and thus carries a layer of cartridges each.
in a line with the rear of the corresponding barrel; the studs on the trigger comb
meanwhile retain the heels of the striking hammers so that the spiral springs
become compressed by the forward motion of the spring box; the breech pins push
the cartridges into the chambers and support the bases of the cartridges; the
extractor hooks catch the rims of the cartridges; the bends or knees of the driving
links enter the sides of the frames and act as recoil bolts; the lever or stud on the
inner part of the firing handle then whilst the other parts remain at rest moves
the trigger comb slowly to one side so that the varying width of the studs on the
trigger comb release one hammer after another which is thus sent forward by its
spiral spring until it causes the striker to fire the percussion cap of each cartridge.
During the motion backwards of the firing handle the following actions of the
mechanism take place :-The bends or knees of the driving links which act as recoil
bolts are withdrawn from out of the sides of the frame, the backward movement of
the spring box causes the extractors to extract the empty cartridge cases all at the
saine time until the rims have arrived outside the rear of the openings.in the
carrier block when the side motion of this carrier block pushes the empty case out!
of the hold of the extractor hook and the case falls through the aperture in the
carrier block; the heels of the hammers act upon the studs and push the trigger
comb to the one side enough to allow the heels to pass through, after which the
angle and spring force the trigger comb back into position so that the studs of the
trigger comb are in front of the hammer heels and thus hold them back; when the
spring box is again to move forwards the friction roller on the spring box forces the
bent bar which acts upon the carrier block to the one side so that the apertures in.
the carrier block come directly underneath the channels in the hopper out of which
a fresh layer of cartridges thus drop into the carrier block ready for being moved in
rear of the barrels when the spring box again moves forward.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thorsten Nordenfelt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
March 1879.
THORSTEN NORDENFELT, of 1, St. Swithin's Lane, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATTERY GUNS." A communication from Helge
Palmerantz, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden, Civil Engineer.
The object of this Invention, which is illustrated by Drawings annexed, is to
provide improved means by which two or more barrels of any given calibre can be
put together in a frame with a mechanism which causes these barrels to be loaded
with cartridges and the cartridges to be fired and extracted by the action of the
mechanism when moved by the gunner.
The Drawing Figure 1 is a plan, partly in section, of a battery gun; Figure 2 is
a longitudinal section; Figure 3 is a transverse section; and Figures 4 and 5 show
the ammunition hoppers or holders.
The nature of this Invention is as follows:-
A frame 1 holds the barrels 2 fixed in a horizontal plane one at the side of the
other, and it also carries the mechanism behind the chamber ends. It is not
necessary that the barrels should be, ranged in a straight line, they might be ranged
in the are of a circle.
The frame hangs upon two trunnions 3, round which it can be turned to give
elevation and depression to the battery gun; the trunnions rest in bearings 4 on
a cross head or bar 5 capable of swivelling on a central vertical pivot 6, which for
naval or for field purposes may be dropped into a gun carriage or gun bed to allow
of lateral aim being given to the battery gun to the right or left of the gunwale or
field carriage upon which it is placed.
The frame has three cross pieces, the foremost of which 7 holds the muzzles of
the barrels, whilst the breech ends of the barrels are screwed into the middle cross
piece 8.
The rear cross piece 9 is fitted on to the rear end of the frame and held
to it by screws or wedges 10.
At the breech end of the barrels and resting upon the frame at both sides is what
is called a carrier block 11, which has a to-and-fro movement given to it trans-
versely of the frame. The carrier block has cut in it a number of grooves or
openings equal to the number of barrels in the battery gun; into each opening a
cartridge can be dropped, and then by a subsequent movement of the carrier block
be brought into a line with the barrels in order that the cartridges may be pushed
forward into them.
Supply of Ammunition. The ammunition is previously put into a hopper,
which can be single or double, and which is placed on the lid of the mechanism
above the carrier block close up to the breech ends of the barrels, and is held into
its position by a clasp on the said lid.
The hopper has a channel for cartridges corresponding to each barrel in the
battery gun.
The channels 14 are at the side of one another, and in the same
relation to one another as to line as the breech ends of the barrels, so that each
column of cartridges has the bullets towards the barrels and the percussion caps
towards the rear. The hopper can hold any desired number of cartridges (I prefer
10 for each barrel when a single hopper is used, and 20 or 30 for a double hopper),
and when the hopper is once in position the cartridges fall of their own weight into
the corresponding grooves in the carrier block without the hopper or cartridges
being turned or touched in any way. The hopper can have open slits 15 towards
the rear, so that the gunner can always see how much ammunition he has in the
hopper, and so that he can correct with a spike or nail 16 provided for this purpose
any cartridges which may not have fallen properly within the hoppers. The rims
of the cartridges are guided by a groove 17 within each channel, the shape of
which groove is decided by the shape of the cartridge case in such a manner that
the groove by guiding the rim of the cartridge case forces the cartridge to enter the
mechanism in the desired position.

page_text: The single hopper is as above described, and with a sliding lid at the bottom,
which prevents the cartridges from 'falling out when the hopper is carried by its
handle, but which sliding lid is held back by a catch on the lid when the hopper
is pushed into position, so as to leave the channels open and to allow the cartridges
to fall into the carrier block.
The single hopper has to be lifted off when all the cartridges are fired and
replaced by a loaded hopper. The double hopper consista of a lower part called
cartridge distributor 18, which is placed empty upon the lid in the manner above
described; it is open at both the upper and the lower ends, and it can be less wide
at its upper end, as its lower end is wide enough to enable the cartridges to enter
the mechanism in corresponding positions to the openings in the carrier block and
to the chamber ends of the barrels.
The upper part of the double hopper is called the magazine or the hopper proper 13;
it contains the desired number of cartridges in the same way as is described for the
single hopper, except that instead of the sliding lid the cartridges are held by a
bar 19, which is withdrawn by hand as soon as a magazine is placed in position
above the distributor. When this bar is withdrawn the cartridges fall from each
channel of the magazine into the corresponding openings of the distributor.
As soon as a magazine proper is emptied it can be at once replaced by a loaded
magazine, so that the firing can be absolutely continuous without being interrupted
by change of hoppers as the gunner fires from the supply of cartridges in the
distributor during the time required for changing the magazines.
The lid 12 which covers the mechanism has open boles, through which the
cartridges fall from the hopper into the carrier block 11, and there are guiders
fixed on the lower side of the lid, which hold the cartridges in position while they
enter and are moved by the carrier block; the lid is held to the frame by two
bars 20, the ends of which move round pins, so that the lid can be raised in order
to lay open the mechanisın, which is then free and can be lifted out of the frame.
In rear of the carrier block is a block called a spring box 21, as it carries the
springs 22 by which the hammers 23 are propelled forward and cause the strikers 24
to explode the cartridges 25. This block has given to it a to-and-fro movement in
a direction lengthwise of the barrels. Projecting from the forward part of the block
are breech pins 26, one for each barrel. When the block is moved forwards these
push forward the cartridges which are lying in the carrier block, and cause them
to enter the breech ends of the barrels.
Within each breech pin or breech block is a striker 24, which is driven forward
when a cartridge in front of it is to be exploded by means of a striking hammer 23.
The striking hammers move in a line with the strikers, and are pressed forwards
by springs 22 carried by the spring box 21.
The action of the several parts results from a forward and backward movement
being given to a lever or firing handle 27, which turns on a pin or pivot 28
fixed to the frame or rear cross piece 9 underneath or within the mechanism
proper.
;
The one end 29 of the firing handle 27 which reaches outside the frame is held
by the gunner, the other end 30, which is bent to the desired angle, acts within a
cam slot 31, which is cut into a segmental piece 32 moving round its centre, and
with teeth or cogs cut along its circumference, which teeth act upon similar teeth
'cut into a similar segmental piece 33 placed in a reverse position at the opposite
side of the frame. By the movement of the firing handle 27 these two segments
'thus receive a forward and backward motion, which is transferred by means of two
driving bars or links 34 to a driving block 35, and thence to the spring box 21 by
a single or double set of pins 36, two of which are fixed to the driving block and
'the other two to the spring box.
The Loading. As the driving block is moved forwards and backwards a friction
roller 37 upon it at the end of each backward and at the beginning of each forward
motion acts upon a bent bar 38, which at one end turns on a fixed centre 39, and
at the other enters into a groove on lower side of the carrier block and gives to
"

page_text: the carrier block 11 its transverse to-and-fro movement; when the carrier block
moves to the side a layer of cartridges, one for each barrel, falls from the hopper
through the lid into openings cut in the carrier block in such a way that when the
carrier block returns these cartridges are moved exactly in a line with the barrels,
so that the breech pins which are screwed into the front of the spring box which
acts as a breech block common to all the barrels can push them through the said
openings into the chambers, where the breech pins support the whole of the
cartridges until all of them have been fired; the carrier block remains in the same
position until the extractors 40 fixed to the breech pins have again drawn out the
empty cartridge cases also through the said openings, after which when the firing
handle is near its rearmost position the carrier block again moves to the side to
fetch a fresh layer of cartridges.
The loading can also be done by hand if required by simply dropping a layer of
cartridges into the lid and carrier block after each volley has been fired.
The Firing. The above-mentioned breech pins 26 are screwed into the part of
the spring box 21 which acts as breech block in the exact lines of the centre lines
of the barrels, and each breech pin holds within it concentrically (or for rim firing
cartridges along its outside) the striker 24 which is to fire the percussion cap with
its point, which protrudes slightly in front of the breech pin. The rear end of the
strikers, which are level with the rear end of the breech pins, is acted upon by the
striking hammer 23, supported by and acted upon by the spiral springs 22. The
hammers with their spiral springs run within round holes or channels 41 bored out
lengthwise in the spring box, also in a line with the centre line of the strikers and
of the barrels. The rear ends of the spiral springs are supported by a sliding
bar 42 at the rear end of the spring box, which bar can be lifted by loosening one
of the screws 43 holding it, when all the spiral springs, the hammers, and the strikers
can be taken out without opening up the mechanism proper.
"
Each hole or channel has on its lower side a slit 44 lengthwise, through which
protrudes the heel 45 of the hammer 23, the one side of which is bevilled to fit and
to act upon studs 46 on a sliding bar which I call the trigger comb 47.
This trigger comb is a bar placed upon bearings at each side of and within the
rear part of the frame, or on the rear cross piece at right angles to the barrels, and
has a number of studs, one for each barrel, on its surface.
When the spring box is drawn back by the firing handle the beels 45 of the
hammers 23 force the trigger comb 47 to one side, just enough to allow the heels of
the hammers to slip behind the studs 46. As soon as the heels have thus passed
through, the trigger comb is forced back into its original position by a spring 48
acting by an angle upon the trigger comb, which prevents the hammers from again
passing forward until the trigger comb is moved.
When the spring box is again moved forwards the hammers are thus held back,
and the spiral springs are compressed until after the cartridges are within their
chambers and the breeches are closed; a short lever 49 on the inner end of the firing
handle begins to act upon a vertical knee 50 attached to the trigger comb, and moves
the trigger comb again to the side.
The studs 46 of the trigger comb 47 then pass in front of the hammer heels 36,
and as the studs are of varying width (each stud being slightly wider than the stud
on its side next to it) one hammer 23. is released at a time; the spiral spring 22
presses it forwards until it gives a blow to its striker 24, and the shots are thus fired
one after the other, which causes less recoil than if they were fired all at the same
moment. When the firing handle again moves backwards the trigger comb is
pushed back by the before-mentioned spring and angle into position for again
catching the hammers for the next volley. Back sites 51 and fore sites 52 are
provided on one or both sides of the barrels, so that the eyes can always be kept
in the alignment of the aim, whether the gun is served by one or two gunners.
The Half-cock-On the rear cross piece is fixed a catch with a handle to it,
which can be moved into such a position that it acts upon a leg or stud fixed to the
trigger comb in such a way that it counteracts the force of the above-mentioned

page_text: angle and spring, and thus keeps the trigger comb steady in its position furthest to
one side, when the studs of the trigger comb do not touch the heals of the hammers,
which thus passes freely in and out through the trigger comb. Thus the springs are
not compressed, and no cartridges can be fired, although they can at this half-cock
position be passed through the mechanism and the chambers, and again extracted
without their percussion caps being struck. By again releasing the hold of the
half-cock catch upon the trigger comb the mechanism again is and remains at full
cock.
The Extraction. Each breech pin 26 has one or two extractors 40, each con-
sisting of the hook 40 (extractor proper) and the spring 53. The hook is fixed into
the breech pin by a pin, round which it moves guided by a slot, the hook protruding
sufficiently to catch the rim of the cartridge case when the cartridge is within the
chamber and the breech closed, The spring acts with its one end freely on the back
of the hook, pressing it inwards, and the other end of the spring fits into a slot
near the base of the breech pin, so that the extractor spring is screwed in at the
same time as the breech pin and is held in position by the breech block.
After all the barrels have been fired the breech pins 26 draw the extractor hooks 40
backwards, and all the empty cartridge cases are extracted through the openings of
the carrier block 11 until the rims of the cartridge cases pass outside the carrier
block, when the empty cases fall through, and the release of the empty case, further
assisted by the movement to the one side of the carrier blocks 11, which actually
force the rims of the empty case away from the extractor hooks 40, prevents the
possibility of jamming.
{
The extractors cannot release the cartridge cases which they have begun to with-
draw until the proper time, the grooves in the carrier box in which the extractors
lie being so formed as not to allow premature movement of the extractor.
The recoils resisted by the breech pins 26 and by the weight of the entire spring
box 21, and the two or four pins or bolts 36 which connect the spring box with the
driving block 35 carry the recoil on the remainder of the mechanism. In order
to prevent the possibility of any damage from the recoil the links 34 which push
the driving block forwards are brought in a straight line so as to support the driving
block 35 before the cartridges can be fired, and further these links 34 have knees or
bends 54 which enter the sides of the frame 1 before the cartridges are fired, so
that the recoil of the firing is actually resisted by the strength and weight of the
entire frame.
The firing handle can be fixed by a clasp in one position, thus giving still further
security against nishaps in addition to the half-cock. A plate can be screwed to
the frame underneath the mechanism in order to prevent too much dust entering
the mechanism. Holes can be provided whenever required for greasing the moving
parts of the mechanism by the use of an oil can.
Resume of Action.-When a charged hopper 13 is placed in position nothing
more is required than to move the firing handle 27 forwards and backwards as far
as it will go in each direction. If move rapidly the gun will give a rapid succes..
sion of vollies. If moved more slowly a rapid succession of single shots will be
discharged.
.
When the firing handle 27 is in its most rearward position the carrier block 11 is
in its position to the one side, where it receives a fresh layer of cartridges. During.
the motion forwards of the firing. handle 27 the spring box 21 follows the forward
movement, and the following actions of the mechanisin take place in succession:-
The carrier block 11 moves back into its regular position, and thus carries a layer
of cartridges each in a line with the rear of the corresponding barrel 2, the studs 46
on the trigger comb 47 meanwhile retain the heels 45 of the striking hammers 23,
so that the spiral springs 22 become compressed by the forward motion of the spring
box 21; the breech pins 26 push the cartridges into the chambers and support the
bases of the cartridges; the extractor hooks 40 catch the rims of the cartridges 25;
the bends or knees 54 of the driving links 34 enter the sides of the frames 1 and
act as recoil bolts; the lever or stud 49 on the inner part of the firing handle 27

page_text: then whilst the other parts remain at rest moves the trigger comb 47 slowly to one
side, so that the varying width of the studs on the trigger comb release one hammer
23 after another, which is thus sent forward by its spiral spring 22 until it causes
the striker 24 to fire the percussion cap of each cartridge 25.
During the motion backwards of the firing handle 27 the following actions of the
mechanism take place-The bends or knees 54 of the driving links 34, which act
as recoil blocks, are withdrawn from out of the sides of the frame 1, the backward
movement of the spring box 21 causes the extractors 40 to extract the empty car-
tridge cases all at the same time until the rims have arrived outside the rear of the
openings in the carrier block 11, when the side motion of this carrier block pushes
the empty cases out of the hold of the extractor hook 40, and the case falls through
the apertures in the carrier block 11; the heels of the hammers 23 act upon the
studs 46 and push the trigger comb 47 to the one side enough to allow the heels to
pass through, after which the angle and spring 48-force the trigger comb back into
position, so that the studs of the trigger comb are in front of the hammer heels and
thus hold them back; when the spring box 21 is again to move forwards, the
friction roller 37 on the driving block 35 forces the bent bar 38, which acts upon
the carrier block 11 to the one side, so that the apertures in the carrier block come
directly underneath the channels in the hopper, out of which a fresh layer of car-
tridges thus drop into the carrier block ready for being moved in rear of the barrels
when the spring box again moves forward.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
exact details described, and that the form of the parts may be varied without
departing from the Invention; indeed, as will be readily understood, it is necessary
that the barrels, the breech pins, the extractors, the strikers, and some other parts
should be adapted to the ammunition which the gun is intended to carry, and these
necessray adaptations will be well understood by the gunmaker.
1 would also remark that some of the features of this gun form the subject of a
prior Patent, and are not claimed by me in this Specification or under the Patent to
which this Specification relates, but what I do now claim is,―
First. The method of actuating the spring box with the breech pins and other
parts carried by it by means of a lever handle 27 and arm 30 acting upon a seg-
ment 32 through a cam groove or slot 31 which allows of a pause at a suitable time
in the movement of the segment (and of the spring box and other parts which the
segment actuates), whilst the onward movement of the lever handle continues,
causing the trigger comb to liberate the hammers, and so effecting the discharge of
the cartridges with which the barrels are loaded.
Second. The levers 34 connecting the segments with the spring box formed with
bends or knees 54, which when the breeches are closed by the breech pins engage
with the frame and so transmit to it the recoil on firing.
Third. The arrangement of the extractor 40 and parts connected therewith, such
extractor being mounted so that it inay turn about a pin or centre, being furnished
with a separate spring 53, and being held locked by the groove in the carrier block
until the proper time for the release of the cartridge case.
Fourth. The battery gun, substantially as described and represented in the
annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thorsten Nordenfelt, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
THORSTEN NORDENFELT. (L.s.)