PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS RELATING TO Machine-Guns and Automatic Breech-Mechanism W. R. Li 7S K E. 4- HASELTINE, LAKE & CO., Chartered Patent Agents, 45, SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS. And 61-62, CHANCERY LANE, LiOfiDOj4. ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.o (t Gift of FRANCIS P. GARYAN YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARYfor Inventions RELATING TO MACHINE = GUNS AND AUTOMATIC BREECH = MECHANISM By W. R. LAKE. HASELTINE, LAKE & CO., (Jfyartei'ed Patent Agents, 45. SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS. And 61-62 Chancery Lane, IiONDON.<&$ PATENTS INVENTIONS RELATING TO MACHINE-GUNS AND AUTOMATIC BREECH-MECHANISM.INDEX. ‘ <3>.'iVCOj PAGE Introduction 3 Different Types of Machine-Guns Known Before the Introduction of the Automatic Gun 5 Ideas of Early Inventors 7 List No. 1, Machine-Gun Patents 9 Abstract of Specifications Contained in List No. 1 ... 20 General Description of the Mechanism of Automatic Guns 44 List No. 2, Maxim Gun Patents 48 Various Features and Modifications of the Automatic Mechanism 60 Abstract of Maxim Gun Specifications Contained in List No. 2 52 Abstract of Specifications of Patents of Various Automatic Guns ... ... 87 Machine-Guns in the British, or Other Services 105-gs- PA TENTS FOR Invention# relating to MaeBine-diun# AND AUTOMATIC BREECH-MECHANISM. ♦ ♦ ♦ gintvoimvtion. , , ♦ The history of fire-arms since the commencement of the present century may be traced in the annals of the Patent Office, which form a very interesting record of the work of inventors in various Countries. During this period, and especially during the latter half of it, fire-arms of all classes have been brought to a high state of efficiency by successive improvements in their design and manufacture, and by the general advance in knowledge on all points involved in the theory and practice of their construction and use. Among the results arising from the continual progress along this path of invention, perhaps the most remarkable has been the intro- duction of the machine-gun, which has already become an essential part of the armament of Great Britain and other nations, but, which, although its value has now been amply demonstrated, is probably not yet fully appreciated. This weapon, which exists under various forms, is the outcome of the work of many successive inventors; every part of its structure and mechanism has been the subject of numerous inventions and improvements as may be seen by reference to the Specifications of Patents that have been granted therefor, and notwithstanding its acknowledged present efficiency, its further improvement still forms one of the favourite objects of a numerous class of inventors and manufacturers. B4 A modern non-automatic machine-gun is one which is loaded and fired by the movement of a handle or lever, and which can thereby be caused to discharge a continuous stream of projectiles as long as it is supplied with ammunition. It may have one barrel or a pair or series of barrels, rifled, and, usually, of a calibre suitable for small-arms ammuni- tion. Its mechanism comprises a compact combination of devices for performing the various necessary operations by power applied to the handle or lever, the cycle of operations being repeated as long as the movement of the handle or lever is continued. It has usually a light non-recoil mounting which is provided with convenient means for elevating and training the gun during its working, and which carries a shield for protecting the gunners.DIFFERENT TYPES OF MACHINE-GUNS KNOWN BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OP THE AUTOMATIC G-TT UST _ Whatever may be the particular construction or arrangement of the mechanism of a machine-gun, the chief parts or elements are the following, viz., the breech-stopper with the mechanism for moving it to open and close the breech, the feed-meclianism, the firing-mechanism and the extracting and ejecting devices, all of which, in a non-automatic gun, are operated from a rotating shaft or other* part carrying the handle to which the external force is applied. In some machine-guns the breech-stopper is a rod or bolt arranged to slide longitudinally, like a piston or plunger, behind the barrel, for opening and closing the breech. The connection between the rotating shaft and the breech-bolt or plunger is usually such that, in each revolution of the shaft, the breech is opened and closed and one complete cycle of operations is performed by the mechanism. The bolt or plunger must move away from the breech a sufficient distance to permit a cartridge to be inserted in the loading position, i.e., between the forward face of the bolt and the end of the barrel, and it must then move forward to push the cartridge into the barrel. There are many different arrangements of this part of the mechanism. In some of the guns there are plungers attached to racks which are moved to and fro by cams on a rotating shaft extending transversely across the gun-frame behind a series of barrels which rotate around a central longitudinal axis so as to bring all of the barrels successively to the firing position. In others there are cranks on a transverse shaft which engage directly with the breech-bolts or plungers and move them longitudinally to and fro behind a pair or row of fixed barrels. Other guns have a series of plungers or breech-plugs arranged to revolve with the barrels around a central longitudinal axis with their ends bearing against a stationary cam which causes each plunger to move to and fro at the proper moments relatively to the barrels. In other guns the plungers are moved by a reciprocating lever projecting from the side of the gun. There are also various kinds of feed-mechanism all having for their object to supply the cartridges rapidly and safely to the loading position from which they are pushed by the breech-bolts, plugs, or plungers, into6 the barrels. In many of the guns, the cartridges are first placed in a vertical column above the breech of each barrel and the action of gravity is utilised to assist the movement of the cartridges down this column ; * at the bottom of the column they are delivered to a horizontal slide which has a reciprocating transverse movement whereby it takes the bottom cartridge from the vertical column and places it in the loading position or in a position from which it is transferred thereto. Other guns are pro- vided with a feed-belt having transverse clips in which the cartridges are carried successively into a position from which they are taken by suitable devices to be inserted into the barrels. In other guns the cartridges are placed in a revolving cylinder or drum arranged over the breech and are conducted therefrom to the loading position. In others the cartridges are delivered in cases or packages.to mechanism which takes them therefrom and places them in guides through which they are conducted to the loading position. The firing-mechanism usually consists of a pin or rod enclosed in, or otherwise carried by, the breech-bolt or plunger, in combination with devices for cocking it while the breech is opening, and for releasing it when the breech is closed, so that it is driven forward by a spring to strike the cartridge at the moment when the bolt is locked to the barrel. The extractor is usually a claw, or a pair of claws, each claw being formed or fixed on the end of an elastic bar, or otherwise attached to the forward end of the breech-bolt or plunger in such a manner that, as the plunger pushes a cartridge into the barrel, the claw will pass over and engage with the rim of the cartridge, so that when the plunger next recedes from the barrel the spent cartridge or empty case follows it into the space behind the same, whence it is ejected through an aperture in the frame. All of the operations take place with such rapidity that only a small fraction of a second is occupied by each one of them. A cartridge enters the gun, is placed in the loading position, pushed therefrom into the barrel and fired, the empty case being then extracted and ejected from the gun, and these operations follow each other many times in a second, so that the gun discharges a continuous stream of bullets which can be concentrated within a small area, or, by movements of the gun about a vertical axis, can be widely distributed. * Note.—It is considered by many authorities that the dependence upon gravity is detri- mental to the proper action of the feed, and that the cartridge should be moved “ positively ” throughout the entire distance by the feed-mechanism.7 IDEAS OF EARLY INVENTORS. Although the introduction of the modern machine-gun is of com- paratively recent date, many of the elements or features of construction above set forth are found, in somewhat crude forms, in the specifications of patents granted about, and soon after, the beginning of the present century. Some of the earliest of these specifications describe repeating or rapid-firing weapons, i.e., either revolving or multi-barrel guns with breech-mechanism, designed for discharging a great number of pro- jectiles in volleys, or in rapid succession. It does not appear that these early efforts were greatly encouraged, or that they led to any immediate result. It is easy to understand why some of them did not succeed, though in many instances the inventions described are substantially similar to devices employed in various modern examples of this class of fire-arms. It is probable that, as in other instances, the pioneers in this field of invention failed because they were in advance of their time. It certainly would appear to have been difficult, if not impossible, for them to have realized their objects or to have adequately carried out their ideas with the ammunition which they had to use, to say nothing of difficulties existing by reason of the primitive methods of manufacture and the materials and tools then available. It appears, from a perusal of the patent specifications, that in mahy instances inventors relied, for the attainment of their object, upon a multiplicity of barrels rather than upon rapidly acting breech- mechanism. Many of the specifications relate to “ batteries ” or battery guns, i.e., guns with series of barrels fixed in a frame and individually or collectively combined with a trigger or other simple device, whereby they may be fired in the same manner as ordinary small-arms or cannon. In fact many of these weapons amount to very little more than rows, tiers or bundles of fixed barrels without any special new contrivances for loading and firing them simultaneously or in rapid succession. Nevertheless, we find a few early instances of descriptions of guns with series of chambers in combination with a barrel as in a modern revolver-pistol, and about the middle of the century there are instances of fire-arms approximating to what we now term machine-guns, that is, guns in which all of the operations involved in the loading and firing are performed by the simple turning of a handle. In 1718 a patent was granted to James Puckle for a gun with a single barrel and rotating chamber-pieces, the latter being interchangeable,8 inserted when charged and removed after firing. The patentee states that the gun is adapted for “ shooting square bullets against Turks ” and “ round bullets against Christians.” In 1814 a patent was granted to J. Thomson, whose specification describes a gun with a series of chambers which turn upon a horizontal axis at right angles to the barrel, and which may be consecutively moved by apparatus actuated by a cock. In 1818 a patent was granted to E. H. Collier for an invention of a gun provided with a chambered cylinder forming a revolving breech-piece actuated by a spring and lock. In 1837 a patent was granted to M. Poole for ordnance in which a chambered cylinder revolves about a horizontal axis. And in the same year a patent was granted to W. Cole for a piece of ordnance having a star-like series of barrels arranged to revolve about an axis either vertically or horizontally. Soon after the middle of this century, patents for inventions of this class became more frequent and, as will be seen in the following lists, and abstracts have since then been greatly multiplied. For convenience of reference, the information to be found in the subsequent pages is arranged under the following headings, viz.: List No. 1. British Patents granted during the latter half of the present century for inventions relating to machine or battery guns, including those for automatic guns. Abstracts of specifications of machine and battery guns, contained in List No. 1 (not including those of automatic guns). List No. 2. British Patents granted to Mr. Hiram S. Maxim for inventions relating to automatic guns. Abstract of specifications of Maxim guns contained in List No. 2. Abstract of specifications of patents granted to various inventors (other than Mr. Maxim) for improvements relating to automatic guns.9 LIST No. 1. Biitteb patents GRANTED DURING THE LATTER HALF OF TH E PRESENT CENTURY, FOE INVENTIONS RELATING TO MACHINE OR BATTERY QUNS, Including those for Automatic Guns. F. S. Thomas ... H. Clarke A. Bain Sir J. S. Lillie... S. A. Goddard J. A. Reynolds Sir J. S. Lillie.. Sir C. Shaw ... 1854. No. 479... A new rifle carriage. No. 958... Improvements in fire-arms and ordnance. No. 1404 ... Improvements in fire-arms and apparatus connected therewith. No. 1599 ... Improvements in fire-arms. 1855. No. 17 ... A new or improved fire-arm, a portion of which is applicable to ordnance, No. 1304 ... Improved machinery for discharging volleys of shot. No. 2952 ... Improvements in Guns, &c. 1858. No. 217 ... Improvements in constructing movable or field batteries. 1861. A. Sax... ... No. 923 ... Improvements in ordnance and pro- jectiles. M, Scott ... ... No. 1285 ... Improvements in ordnance. Castay & de Riviere (communicationfrom) No. 1560 ... Improvements inbatteries,breech-loading ordnance and projectiles. 1862. Billinghurst & Requa .. No. 3469 ... An improved portable battery. 1863. Sir J. S. Lillie ... No. 1985 ... An improved revolving battery. 1865. R. J. Gatling... ... No. 790... Improvements in fire-arms,10 W. Ager W. B. Robins........... F. J. Manceaux E. Farrington... Chistophe & Montigny P. J. J. Noel (communication from) H. G. P. Meade Cranmer & Moffat (communication from) F. J. Manceaux R. J. Gatling (communication from) C. W. Harrison T. E. Mulock G. 0. Kinne (communication from) L. W. Broadwell H. H. Bigg ... L. W. Broadwell (communication from) A. H. Townsend (communication from) J. P. Taylor (communication from) J. Trawniczek (oommunicaition from) L. W. Broadwell (communication from) 1866. No. 152 ... Improvements in revolving breecli-load- ing guns. 1867. No. 67 ... Improvements in fire-arms and ord- nance, &c. No. 962... Improvements in fire-arms, &c. ~ No. 8241 ... An improved tubular cannon. No. 3553 ... An improved tubular cannon, &c. 1868. No. 450 ... Improvements in breech-loading ord- nance, &c. No. 1024 ... Improvements in fire-arms, &c. No. 3164 ... Improvements in breech-loading volley- firing guns. 1869. No. 893 ... Improvements in fire-arms, &c. No. 3341 ... An improved revolving battery gun. 1870. No. 2317 ... Improvements in fire-arms, &c. No. 2342 ... Improvements in apparatus for mounting and working fire-arm barrels. No. 2463 ... An improved mode of operating the ... . Gatling Gun, &c. No. 2474 ... Improvements in apparatus for feeding revolving guns, Ac. No. 3119 ... Improvements in the construction of mitrailleuses or machine-guns. 1871. No. 250 ... Improvements in mitrailleuses or multiple guns. No. 1428 ... An improved battery gun. No. 1686 ... Improvements in the construction of battery guns. No. 2865 ... Improvements in apparatus for feeding revolving guns. No. 3274 ... Improvements in apparatus for loading mitrailleuses, &c,11 1872. W. A. Miles (communication from) No. 762 ... Vine, Brown & Skinner No. 2010 ... Baranoffsky & Broad well (communication from) No. 8186 .. An improved battery gun. Improvements in fire-arms. Improvements in breech-loading and other machine-guns, &c. 1873. J. P. Taylor (communication from) No. 1549 ... Improvements in repeating ordnance, &c. Palmcrantz, Winborg & Unge (communication from) J. P. Taylor (communication from) No. 1739 . No. 2811 . A new or improved battery gun. ... Improvements in battery guns, &c. 1874. Humbert & Joy W. B. Farwell... J. J. Duke ■ No. 1400 . No. 3113 . No. 3987 . .. Improvements in automatic repeating fire-arms, &c. Improvements in machine-guns. ,.. Improved sound alarm apparatus, &c. 1875. W. B. Farwell M. M. Franzini P. Stevens (communication from) J. P. Taylor (communication from) No. 2126 . No. 2831 . No. 3172 No. 3472 .. An improved machine-gun. ,.. An improved field battery. ... An improved mitrailleur. ... Improvements in battery guns. 1876. W. Gardner (communication from) F. L. Bailey (communication from) M. M. Franzini No. 881 No. 1703 , No. 1986 ... Improvements in machine or battery guns. ... Improvements in machine-guns. ... Improvements in field batteries, &c. 1877. F. L. Bailey H. Defty ... Patchell & Kierman ... No. 685 . No. 3766 . No. 4396 . Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improvements in machine-guns. 1878. De Witt, C., Farrington (communication from) W. Gardner ... (communication from) B. B. Hotchkiss (communication from) T. Nordenfelt ... No. 1935 . No. 2735 . No. 3017 . No. 3678 .. Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improvements in machine-guns. ... Improvements in revolving cannons. ... Improvements in battery guns. C12 J. Watkins ... ... No. 4373 ... Improvements in the means of procuring rotating military guns, and other intermediate anti-frictional roller bearings. M. Coloney (communicationfrom) No. 5062 ... Improvements in breech-loading, and magazine fire-arms, and in cart- ridges therefor. M. Coloney (communicationfrom) No. 5063 ... Improvements in machine-guns and caissons therefor. 1879. P. Gay & H. Guenot... No. 197 ... J. F. Trotter ... ... No. 497 ... E. G. Parkhurst (communication from) No. 1317 ... F. E. Schultze (communication from) No. 1573 .. De Witt C. Farrington (communicationfrom) No. 3838 ... W. B. Farwell & S. G. Clark (communicationfrom) No. 3469 ... B. B. Hotchkiss ... No. 4454 ... T. Itobottom........ No. 4722 ... E. G. Parkhurst (communicationfrom) No. 5161 ... Improvements in breech-loading fire- arms. Improvements in machine or battery guns. Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in and relating to machine- guns. Improvements in and relating to machine- guns. Certain new and useful improvements in guns, cartridges, and projectiles. Improvements in revolving cannon and other guns. Improvements in machine-guns, and a special cartridge for the same. Improvements in machine-guns. 1880. P. Thaine G. Pace A. Martin E. G. Parkhurst E. G. Parkhurst (communication from) G. Pace T. Nordenfelt... No. 224... Carriage for machine-guns. No. 1504 ... Improvements in or connected with the construction and working of mul- titubular fire-arms. No. 1581 ... Improvements in repeating pistols, and other small arms, and in ammunition for the same. No. 2172 ... Improvements in stands or supports for machine-guns. No. 2956 ... An improved method of and means for preventing excessive or inj urious heat- ing of the barrels of machine-guns. No. 4378 ... Improvements in or connected with the construction and working of multi- tubular fire-arms. No. 4523 ... Improvements in breech-loading me- chanism for fire-arms.IB T. Nordenfelt . No. 4991 . W. Gardner ... No. 5384 . J. McLean & M. Coloney (communication from) No. 5459 W. Tranter No. 303 F. Lobel No. 1185 T. Nordenfelt ... No. 1488 T. Nordenfelt... No. 3164 Gatling Gun Company (conlmunication from) No. 4211 A. Dardelle ... No. 5017 J. G. Accles ... No. 5436 T. Nordenfelt ... No. 5538 J. H. McLean (communication from) No. 5613 0. Jones No. 491 F. B. W. Roberts and B. T. Moore No. 4019 A. Noble No. 4831 T. Nordenfelt... No. 4899 W. Gardner (communication from) No. 5556 H. S. Maxim ... No. 3178 H. S. Maxim ... No. 3493 G. V. Fosbery No. 3902 R. Morris No. 4846 0. Jones No. 4942 Improvements in battery or machine- guns. Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in machine-guns. 1881. . Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improvements in machine-guns. . Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in macliiD e-guns and and other fire-arms. . A cartridge feeder for machine-guns. A new or improved fire-arm. . Improvements in machine-guns and in feeders for the same, and for other uses. . Improvements in breech-loading fire-arms and their carriages. ,. Improvements in fire-arms aud in magazines and cartridges therefor. 1882. .. Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improvements in fire-arms and in cartridges for the same. .. . Improvements in machine-guns and gun carriages. Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improvements in breech-loading guns. 1883. .. Improvements in and relating to mechan- ism for facilitating the action of magazine rifles and other fire-arms. Improvements in machine or battery guns and in cartridges for the same, and other fire-arms. Improvements in magazine or repeating fire-arms and in cartridge boxes or carriers suitable for being used with the same. Improvements in fittings for ordnance to suit them for drill and practice with miniature projectiles. .. Improvements in magazine rifles and other guns.14 H. IS. Maxim ... No. 606 .. H. S. Maxim ... No, 3844 . 0. Edwards ... No. 4734 . T. Nordenfelt ... H. S. Maxim,... No. 6115 . No. 8153 . H. S. Maxim ... No. 8242 . C. B. Scott (communication from) No. 8550 . T. Nordenfelt ... H. S. Maxim ... No. 8809 .. No. 9407 .. H. S. Maxim ... No. 13118. Maxim & Symonds ... No. 13762. Simpson & McEvoy ... No. 16908. W. Arthur H. S. Maxim ... No. 939 No. 1307 H. A. Schlund No. 2937 H. S. Maxim ... No. 5199 The American Electric Arms and Ammunition Company. (communication from) 0. Jones No. 6805 No. 8236 H. S. Maxim ... No. 8281 Worrell & Podger T. Nordenfelt ... T. Nordenfelt ... A. Noble No. 9859 No. 11172 No. 11217 No. 12730 T. Nordenfelt ... T. S. Heffer ... No. 13053 No. 13059 H. S. Maxim ... No, 14047 1884. Improvements in and relating to machine-guns and other fire-arms .. Improvements in and relating to machine or battery guns. .. Improvements in battery or machine- guns. Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in and relating to breech- loading and other guns. .. Improvements in magazine or repeating rifles and other guns. Improvements in machine or magazine guns. .. Improvements in machine-guns. .. Improved feed apparatus for machine or battery guns or other fire-arms. .. Improvements in and relating to machine and other guns. .. An improved method of and apparatus for adjusting, pointing or training cannon. .. Appliances to be used in connection with the sights of guns and ordnance. 1885. Improvements in repeating fire-arms. Improvements in and , relating to machine or battery guns and other fire-arms. Improvements in breech-loading fire- arms. Improvements relating to means for preventing the fouling or jamming of cartridges in machine or battery guns. Improvements in electric guns. Improvements in and relating to machine- guns. Improvements in machine and other guns. Improvements in machine-guns. An improved machine-gun. An improved maqhine-gun. Improvements in carriages or mountings for quick-firing guns. Improvements relating to machine-guns. Improvements in fire-arms and in cart- ridges. Improvements in machine and other guns and pistols, and in projectiles therefor.15 R. H. Armit ... ... No. 14482 , J. P. Pieri ........ No. 14548 . C. H. Palmer (communication from) No. 15767 Improvements in machine or battery guns. An improvement in the bore of cannon and machine-guns. Improvements in repeating fire-arms. 1886. T. Nordenfelt ... No. 511 H, Pieper. No. 2167 H. S, Maxim ... No. 2581 Maitland and others ... W. A’Court Granville No. 2792 Birkin No. 3395 J. W. Petty No. 3750 B. Barton No. 4008 L. F. Bruce No. 6009 H. S. Maxim ... No. 7354 L. F. Bruce No. 7659 L. Arman ni No. 8131 J. Formby No. 8306 T. Nordenfelt... No. 12374 A. G. Spilsbury No. 12379 T. Nordenfelt... No. 12792 H. S. Maxim No. 13083 H. S. Maxim ... No. 13534 L. F. Bruce ... ... No. 14050 H. S. Maxim ... ... No. 15734 R. Morris ... No. 15966 T. Nordenfelt... ... No. 16785 Improvements relating to machine-guns. Improvements in fire-arms with movable cartridge chambers. Improvements in and relating to machine and other guns. Automatic breech-mechanism. Improvements in machine and other guns and carriages for same with the object of making them automatic. Improvements in machine and other guns. Improvements in automatic machine- guns. Cartridge chargers for machine-gun feeders. Improvements in and relating to auto- matic and other guns or fire-arms. Cartridge feeding devices for machine- guns. Improvements in or applicable to maga- zine machine guns and other fire- arms. Improvements in the construction of machine-guns. An improved extractor, &c. An improvement in machine-guns. Improvements in machine-guns and in mountings therefor. Improvements relating to machine-guns and other fire-arms and to apparatus to be used in the manufacture thereof. Improvements relating to cartridges, projectiles, and fuses, to means for regulating the action of such fuses, and to apparatus for use in the manufacture of said projectiles. Improvements in cartridge feeders for machine-guns. Improvements in and relating to ma- chine and other guns. Improvements in magazine fire-arms. Improvements in automatic or self load- ing machine-guns. 1887. J. Sturgeon ... ... No. 55 ... Improvements in and appertaining to machine-guns.16 W. Lorenz (communication from) W. Lorenz A. Nobel (communication from) H. S. Maxim ... C. F. Wood ... T. Nordenfelt... J. Bowden J. O’Kelly ... C. F. Wood ......... J. A. Norton ... J. B. G. A. Canet G. Stuart T. Nordenfelt... T. Nordenfelt... H. S. Maxim ... J. G. Accles ... H. W. Jeffryes L. M. B. Daudeteau ... G. B. Satterlee G. A. Farini ... R. S. Lawrence Clair & Clair ... R. Morris C. Holmstrom & P. Nordenfelt ... F. Nouailhac-Pioch ... No. 922 Mechanism or appliances employed in combination with guns or fire-arms and their cartridges for utilizing the force of the explosion gases for performing cocking and other opera- tions after firing. No. 1739 ... Improvements in breech-loading guns, &c. No. 3674 ... No. 4778 ... No. 10369 ... No. 11403 ... No. 13469 ... No. 14916 ... No. 15954 ... Improved means for compensating for the recoil of guns. Improvements in and relating to quick- firing guns and other fire-arms. Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in machine-guns. An improved machine-gun. Adapting fire-arms for using miniature ammunition. Improvements in machine-guns. 1888. No. 174 . No. 2075 .. No. 6808 No. 7791 . No. 8235 ., No. 8428 . No. 9455 . No. 11018 . No. 11421 . No. 12113 . No. 12334 . Improvements in machine-guns. Improved carriage for quick-firing guns. A machine for filling the feeders of Gatling Guns. Improvements in automatic guns. Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in and relating to quick- firing guns, &c. Improvements in macliine-guns. Automatic action for machine-guns. Improvements in or connected with re- peating or magazine fire-arms, also capable of being employed as ordi- nary breech-loaders or as machine- guns. Improvements in machine and quick- firing guns. Improvements in magazine rifles, and in machine-guns formed therefrom. 1889. No. 251 ... Improvements in explosive projectiles, and in the means for throwing, pro- pelling, or delivering explosive projectiles. No. 3268 ... Improvements applied to fire-arms. No. 4039 ... Improvements in breech appliances, and cartridges for adapting fire-arms for miniature ammunition. No. 4349 . . Improvements in quick-firing guns. No. 5219 .. . Improvements in apparatus for the removal and deposition of excavated material, can be used as an engine of war.17 R. Morris ... No. 5485 ... Improvements in appliances for adapt- ing fire-arms for practice with min- iature ammunition. E. S. Higgins .. ... No. 7915 ... . Improvements in and relating to ma- chine-guns, and other fire-arms. H. Andrews ... ... No. 7927 ... Improvements relating to apparatus for adapting fire-arms for using min- iature ammunition. J. P. Lee ... No. 8117 .. . Improvements in and relating to maga- zine or repeating fire-arms. P. Giffard ... No. 11050 .. Improvements in and relating to guns. D. Dudley ... No. 11736 .. . Improved method of, and apparatus for compressing air and other fluids for use in guns, and for other purposes. E. R. von Skoda ... No. 20297 .. . Improvements in machine-guns. 1890. 0. W. Bergman No. 483 ... Improvements in and relating to breech- loading small-arms and machine- guns. L. F. Bruce No. 2228 ... An improved cartridge feeding device for machine-guns. H. S. Maxim No- 4471 ... Improvements relating to the pointing, training, or laying of guns, &c. R. Morris No. 5973 ... A breech-piece for adapting fire-arms for practice with miniature am- munition. H. S. Maxim No. 6585 ... Improvements relating to automatic- guns. H. S. Maxim ... No. 6591 ... Improvements relating to automatic- guns. E. G. Garland No. 9375 ... Improvements in machine-guns. R. Morris No. 9813 ... . An appliance for adapting quick firing, and machine-guns to be used with miniature ammunition. E. R. Yon Skoda No. 10048 .. . Improvements in machine-guns. G. F. Whitmore No. 18878 ... No. 146^9 :. . An attachment to the feed box of the Maxim gun to enable the same to fire Martini-Henry rifle blank ammunition. W. T. Unge A. Odkolek, Freiherr . Improvements relating to the loading and firing of repeating rifles and other fire-arms, and to mechanism therefor. von Augezd... No. 16939 .. . Improvements in machine-guns. 0. W. Bergman No. 17857 .. . Improvements in breech-loading fire- arms. Noble andBrankston... No. 18892 .. . Improvements in carriages or mountings for quick-firing guns.18 Timmis & Walenn J. A. Norton .. 0. W. Bergman Noble andBrankston... J. G. Accles ... Acland Silverman & Orman H. S. Maxim ... W. D. Forbes... 0. Jones 0. Ricci F. Mannlicher A. Odkolek, Freiherr von Augezd... Maxim and Silverman 0. Jones F. M. Garland F. M. Garland M. H. Durst ... 0. Jones 0. Jones C. Ricci 1\ Darche Norton & Richards 1891. No. 2341 ... No. 2572 ... No. 13504 ... No. 16089 ... No. 17885 ... Improvements in the means for pre- venting undue heating in fire-arms when they are fired. Improvements in the feed apparatus of of machine guns. Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in mountings for quick- firing guns, &c. Improvements in the feed mechanism of machine-guns. No. 19227 ... Improvements relating to the filling or charging of feed belts or bands for supplying guns with cartridges, and to apparatus therefor. No. 22859 ... Improvements in and relating to breech- loading fire-arms. 1892. No. 633 ... No. 2624 ... No. 2904 ... No. 6787 ... Improvements in fire-arms. Improvements relating to machine-guns and to feed mechanism therefor. Improvements in mechanism for auto- matic guns. Improvements in automatic fire- arms. No. 7137 No. 7156 No. 12206 No. 13974 No. 13975 No. 20774 No. 21651 Improvements in machine-guns. Improvements in automatic guns. Improvements relating to the feeding of cartridges to machine-guns, and to apparatus therefor. Improvement in machine-guns. Improvements in ammunition belts for machine-guns. Improvements connected with fire-arms using rimless cartridges. Improvements relating to machine- guns, and to cartridge feed-mechanism therefor. 1893. No. 5949... Improvements relating to machine-guns and to cartridge feed mechanism therefor. No. 7003 ... Automatic guns. No. 11692 ... Improvements in automatic repeating fire-arms. No. 14722 ... Improvements in apparatus for sup- plying cartridges to machine-guns.19 F. W. Prince 0. Jones F. W. Prince T. Bergmann No. 14749 ... Improvements in or relating to machine- guns. No. 16361 ... Improvements relating to machine-guns and to cartridge feeding mechanism therefor. No. 16685 ... Improvements in machine-guns. No. 25089 ... Improvements in breech-loading fire- arms. 1894. 0. Jones 0. Jones G. Raschein . . 0. W. Bergman M. Yamanouchi ... Browning & Browning Maxim and Silverman H. T. Ashton ... H. S. Maxim ... No. 591 ... No. 5539 ... No. 7838 ... No. 11435 ... No, 11959 ... No. 12857 ... No. 16260 ... No. 18829 ... No. 20627 ... Improvements in the feed mechanism of machine-guns. Improvements relating to machine- guns, &c. Improvements in small arms and machine-guns. Improvements in automatic machine- guns. Improvements in automatic guns. Improvements in machine-guns and other breech-loading fire-arms. Improvements in and relating to automatic and machine-guns, &c. A duplex automatic gun. Improvements in and relating to auto- matic guns. 1895. McKnight ... ... No. 6266 ... Improvements in machine-guns. Colt Manufacturing Co. (communicationfrom) No. 14436 ... Improvements in breech-loading fire- arms. C. Meyer (communicationfrom) No. 17056... Improved safety breech-block, &c. A. G. Dougherty and others ........... No. 18508 ... Improvements in machine-guns. M. F. Smith and others (communication from) No. 19346 ... Improvements in machine-guns. The Specifications of the above Patents are accessible at the Patent Office Library, and, in most instances, they clearly and fully set forth and explain the objects and methods of the patentees. It is not possible, in a small book, to give more than a brief summary of the contents of such Specifications; those wishing to fully ascertain and understand the extent and importance of the successive improvements whereby the modern machine-gun has been developed from early forms of fire-arms must consult the Specifications themselves. But the following abstract of the inventions and improvements set forth in the Specifications of patents preceding the introduction of the Maxim gun will afford a general know- ledge of the subject which may be useful as an aid to further investigation. D20 abstract of Specifications OF BATTERY AND MACHINE GUNS, Contained in List No. 1. Not including those of Automatic Guns. 1854. F. S. THOMAS. No. 479. A New Rifle Carriage. The carriage supports tiers of barrels which are loaded at the breech, their ends being closed by blocks behind which there are India-rubber pads. H. CLARKE. No. 958. Improvements in Fire-Arms and Ordnance. A battery with moving barrels. The barrels are fixed in a frame. In the rear is a revolving cylinder on a horizontal axis arranged in com- bination with breech-pieces moved by turning the handle of the cylinder. The gun may be fired by electricity or otherwise. A. BAIN, No. 1404. Improvements in Fire-arms and Apparatus connected therewith. A gun with a transversely sliding breech-piece containing a series of charge-chambers, with suitable apparatus for loading and priming. Sir J. S. LILLIE. No. 1599. Improvements in Fire-Arms. Barrels mounted in tiers in a carriage. A revolving chambered breech-piece is connected with each barrel. By turning a handle all the charges may be fired simultaneously.21 1855. S. A. GODDARD. No. 17. A New or Improved Fire-arm, a portion of which is applicable to Ordnance. Barrels are arranged in rows or tiers on a carriage with suitable means for loading and discharging. J. A. REYNOLDS. No. 1304. Improved Machinery for discharging volleys of shot. There is a row of fixed barrels and a cylinder containing charge- chambers. The barrels are rapidly loaded and discharged by turning a handle. Sir J. S. LILLIE. No. 2952. Improvements in Guns, &c. Cams connected with screws or worm-wheels on shafts are sub- stituted for triggers for discharging guns which have a revolving breech. 1858. Sir C. SHAW. No. 217. Improvements in constructing Movable or Field Batteries—Carriage Batteries. The carriage has compartments for ammunition and a row or rows of barrels. Revolver breech-chambers may be used. 1861. A. SAX. No. 923. Improvements in Ordnance and Projectiles. Several cannon are mounted on a frame. They have a common sighting apparatus so that the fire may be concentrated on one point. Hollow projectiles are used. M. SCOTT. No. 1285. Improvements in Ordnance. Pieces of ordnance are connected in a frame; they are moved by means of hydraulic cylinders and plungers.22 CAST AY and da RIVIERE (oommunication from). No. 1550. Improve- ments in Batteries, Breech-loading Ordnance and Projectiles (Provisipnal Protection only). A battery is constructed of iron plates to run upon rails. Breech- loading guns are employed. These guns have transversely sliding breech- blocks. The projectiles have chains and wings to give them rotation. 1862. BILLINGHURST & REQUA. No. 3469. An Improved Portable Battery. The battery consists of a series of breech-loading barrels mounted in a frame so that they diverge. The cartridges are supplied by self-acting feeding apparatus. 1863. Sir J. S. LILLIE. No. 1985. An Improved Revolving Battery. A cylinder is formed of any required number of gun barrels, muzzle or breech-loading. The barrels are rotated about a central shaft by a winch, which also actuates percussion apparatus. A shot chamber or cylinder may be attached to each barrel. 1865. R. J. GATLING. No. 790. Improvements in Fire-Arms. The “ Gatling ” Gun. This gun has a series of barrels arranged to revolve about a central shaft secured in a suitable frame or carriage. The barrels are enclosed in a cylinder in the ends of which they are secured. This cylinder is turned about the central shaft, which is operated by means of a crank or handle. At the rear of the barrels is a chambered cylindrical piece or cartridge-carrier, and behind that is the lock-cylinder, in which is arranged the firing, extracting and other mechanism. By turning the handle the barrels are brought successively23 into the firing position; each barrel, as it arrives at this position, has a cartridge pushed into it from the carrier, and is fired, the empty case being then extracted and ejected. The mechanism of the “ Gatling ” Gun has been considerably modified since its first appearance, and particularly by the recent substitution of new feed-mechanism patented by Mr. George Accles in 1891 which distinguishes the “Accles” gun from the original “Gatling” Gun. In the working of the gun with this improved feed the cartridges are placed in corrugated holders in card boxes or cases, which are presented to the feed-mechanism one after another while the gun is working The feed-mechanism takes the holders containing the cartridges from the cases and the holders carry the cartridges forward to devices, whereby they are delivered to the barrels. The main spindle of the gun is geared with a clutch-spindle, and the latter is geared by intermediate wheels, with feed-wheels that take the cartridges from the holders and deliver them to a rotating receiver behind the barrels, from which receiver they are pushed forward into the barrels. The feed-wheels have teeth, and the spaces between the teeth form recesses which receive the cartridges and carry them forward. In combination with the feed-wheels there are surfaces forming the entrance to a guide-passage in which the cartridges lie parallel to the axis of the barrels, and along which they travel. And there is a lever which is depressed by the first cartridge and thereby caused to operate a clutch and start the mechanism. While the cartridges are moving along the guide-passage to the receiver, the empty cases or boxes are discharged through a vertical passage by the aid of a spring-piston, and the holders pass downward. 1866. WILSON AGER. No. 152. Improvements in Revolving Breech-Loading Guns. This patent was granted for a gun which somewhat resembles a modern revolver pistol enlarged and mounted on wheels. The cartridges are inserted in steel carriers which are placed in a feeding hopper whence they drop into revolving chambers. Each carrier, as it comes into position, is secured by a wedge and discharged by a hammer. 1867. W. B. ROBINS. No. 67. Improvements in Fire-Arms and Ordnance, &c., (Provisional Protection only). The Specification describes an arrangement whereby each discharge causes the barrel to turn slightly about a vertical axis so as to produce a “ moving action.” A recoil-brake is employed.24 F. J. MANCEAUX. No. 982. Improvements in Fire-Arms and in Apparatus for charging the same. Battery Guns. Twenty-one barrels are arranged in three tiers of seven each ; they are closed by a hinged breech-piece which is locked by a hinged cross-bar. The vents are connected and the whole are fired by a slow match. The barrels are loaded by a movable frame and ram-rods. E. FARRINGTON. No. 3241. An Improved Tubular Cannon. The gun has a cylindrical metal case with a hexagonal bore con- taining a hexagonal group of barrels. It has a screw breech-bolt. Or it may have a hinged block secured by a screw at the back. The powder and balls are contained in separate receptacles which are inserted in a metal ring having hexagonal chambers. This ring is inserted between the barrels and the breech-bolt; the charges are fired in these chambers. CHRISTOPHE & MONTIGNY. No. 3553. An Improved Tubular Cannon for Firing Volleys or Charges of Grapesbot. The gun has a number of barrels enclosed in a cylindrical casing. At the rear of the casing are two slides between which the striking appa- ratus is operated by screw-mechanism which gives it a reciprocating motion. The striking apparatus comprises a block or plate containing as many chambers as there are barrels, each containing a spring and plunger. The plungers drive forward the firing pins for discharging the cartridges. A plate, moved by a rack and pinion, actuates the plungers to fire the cartridges successively. A perforated plate is used for inserting the cartridges into the firing position and removing the spent cartridges. The gun may be modified by arranging the barrels in a row or rows. 1868. P. J. J. NOEL. No. 450. Improvements in Breech-Loading Ordnance, Projectiles and Cartridges. A breech-loading cannon with a number of chambers for firing grape or canister rapidly. There is a rotating breech-piece bored with the said chambers and arranged to charge the same simultaneously. They may be fired simultaneously or successively.25 H. G. P. MEADE. No. 1024. Improvements in Fire-arms and in cartridges, projectiles and torpedoes. The patent is classed under the head of battery guns in the Patent Office indices. The specification includes a large amount of subject matter, but beyond stating that two or more guns may be mounted on oue carriage, it contains very little that is especially applicable to such guns. CRANMER & MOFFAT (communication from). No. 3164. Improvements in Breech-loading Volley-Firing Guns. Breech-loading battery gun, etc. The gun has fixed barrels and a chambered cylinder. It is loaded automatically by gravitation with loose ammunition and discharges volleys of balls, slugs, or case-shot by the explosion of one cap. The barrels are cooled by water. 1869. F. J. MANCEAUX. No. 893. Improvements in Fire-arms and in Apparatus for Charging the same. Improvements on former patent No. 962, ’67. R. J. GATLING. No. 3341. (Communication from). An Improved Revolving Battery Gun. Improvement on former patent No. 790, ’65. 1870. C. W. HARRISON. No. 2317. Improvements in Fire arms and in Projectiles to be used therewith. * A compound fire-arm in which “the barrel fits within the projectile ” (protection not allowed). T. E. MULOCK. No. 2342. Improvements in Apparatus for Mounting and Working a combination of Fire-arm Barrels. A battery-gun having a number of barrels in line, each having a breech- loading action. The barrels are fixed on tables and so arranged as to produce a divergent fire. A spindle, carrying levers or tappets, is so arranged under the breech-actions that by actuating a lever or wheel the barrels can be fired and the spent cartridges extracted, either singly or simultaneously.26 O. O. KINNE. No. 2463. An Improved Mode of Operating the Gatling Gun, and other Guns of a like Character. The object of the invention is to give the “Gatling” and other like guns a reciprocating movement in the plane of their axes while in the act of discharging projectiles. L. W. BROADWELL. No. 2474. Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Revolving Guns or Mitrailleuses with Cartridges; applicable to the Gatling Gun. The apparatus consists of a circular revolving cartridge-holder with partitions for keeping the cartridges in separate columns as they travel towards an opening through which they pass to the barrels. H. H. BIGG. No. 3119. (Provisional protection only.) Improvements in the construction of Mitrailleuses or Machine-Guns. The barrels are arranged in three sets or bundles. The central set has no lateral motion, but the two outer sets must be capable of such motion about a vertical centre as to cause a divergence of the barrels, and thereby spread the projectiles. Thp lateral movements are given to them by a handle through the agency of a right and left hand screw. 1871. Li. W. BROADWELL (communication from). No. 250. Improvements in Mitrailleuses or Multiple Guns. The gun has a series of rotating barrels within a frame and so arranged that they remain stationary during the discharge, the feeding, firing and extracting operations being effected automatically, as well as the rotation of the barrels, by the mechanism. The barrels are carried by a central shaft. The breech-block has an inclined face against which the cartridge- bases bear so as to be thereby pushed into the barrels.. A transverse shaft actuated by a crank-handle carries a worm which' moves pins on a driving wheel to rotate the barrels. A. H. TOWNSEND (communication from). No. 1428. An Improved Battery Gun. At the breech end is a chambered breech-piece with its front surface convex or curved to conform to the arc of a circle; the barrels are arranged in tiers or rows, one above another, in combination therewith, so27 that their breech ends fit the convex face of the breech-piece, aDd both the breech ends and muzzle ends lie in arcs of circles. There are three or more breech-pieces. When one has been discharged, it is replaced by another. They are discharged by means of percussion caps. J. P. TAYLOR (communication from). No. 1686. Improvements in the Construction of Battery Guns. Magazine guns adapted to fire from a large number of barrels simultaneously or successively. A breech-plate extending down to the magazine is slotted to permit the rotation of a chambered breech-piece which receives the cartridges from the magazine and carries them into the firing position. An extension of the plate contains the firing mechanism. The breech-piece is revolved and the firing mechanism worked by means of a lever and shaft. The spent cartridges are ejected from the breech-piece by rods operated by the firing lever, through the agency of suitable devices. J. TRAWNICZEK (communication from). No. 2865. (Provisional protection only.) Improvements in Apparatus for Feeding Revolving Guns with Cartridges. Battery Guns. Several cartridge-cases are united, forming a prismatic apparatus arranged to be pushed diagonally across the gun. If arranged in a circle, it is especially suitable for the Gatling gun. The boxes or cases are V-shaped and arranged parallel to each other alternately back and front. L. W. BROADWELL (communication from.) No. 3274. (Provisional protection only.) Improvements in Apparatus for containing Car- tridges and facilitating the Loading of Mitrailleuses, &c. No description of any improvements in the guns themselves. 1872. W. A. MILES (communication from). No. 762. An Improved Battery Gun. Sliding barrels are mounted on a carriage and connected with rotary cams or other devices for moving them to-and-fro. In their backward movement the barrels close over cartridges which have dropped behind them. When moved quite back, they stop, and the cartridges are fired. They then move forward and the spent cartridges drop down from them. E28 VINE, BROWN and SKINNER. No. 2010. (Provisional protection only.) Improvements in Fire-arms. A Battery Gun. The gun has a series of barrels which may be fired in succession. Series of charges are placed in chambers around the axis of a cylinder ;— a vertical axis, which has a step-by-step movement to deliver the cartridges successively to a revolving feeding plate. A lever actuated by a tappet on the main driving shaft pushes the charge into the barrel and fires it. The extractor is operated by a tappet on the said driving shaft. BARANOVSKY and BROADWELL (communication from). No. 3186. Improvements in Breech-loading and other Machine-Guns and Mitrailleuses, and Cartridge Cases, &c. In some instances the breech is provided with slots of different shape, so that cartridges enter by one slot to be pushed into the charge-chamber, and, when withdrawn, the empty cases will fall through the other slot. The breech-bolt carries the striker or firing-pin which is held back by a sear till the moment of firing. A claw on the bolt extracts the spent cart- ridges as the bolt is drawn back. 1873. J. P. TAYLOR (communication from). No. 1549. Improvements in Repeating Ordnance, and in Cartridges therefor. Improvements on prior patent No. 1686, ’71. The gun has a cluster of barrels with a slight horizontal divergence. PALMCRANTZ, WINBORG and UNGE (communication from). No. 1739 A New or Improved Battery-Gun. (The “ Nordenfelt ” Gun.) The gun has ten barrels in one plane. The firing mechanism is enclosed in a gun-box which is movable to and fro, and which carries the breech-pins or plungers, the extractors and the percussion-needles and hammers, the springs of which are released by means of a trigger comb. A carrier-block conveys the cartridges to the rear end of the barrels and carries away the spent cartridges. The mechanism is operated by a bent lever provided with a handle at the side of the gun. J. P. TAYLOR (communication from). No. 2811. Improvements in Battery Guns or Repeating Ordnance. The barrels are arranged eliptically with a slight divergence. They are screwed into a breech-plate at the forward end of a short cylinder, the rear end of which is perforated to correspond with the breech plate. A29 second cylinder turns upon the first, and there are apertures whereby, in one position of the outer cylinder, access may be had to the inner cylinder. The latter forms a breech-chamber for the reception of a charging block which has cartridge-chambers. A third cylinder derives a longitudinal motion from the rotation of the outer cylinder and carries the plungers. The firing pins extend through the plungers. The extractors are rods carried by the plungers. The charging blocks are automatically filled from a magazine. 1874. HUMBERT & JOY. No. 1400. Improvements in Automatic Repeating Fire-arms, Guns for Frightening Birds, and for other purposes. The gun has a series of barrels with the usual devices for the use of caps and a series of hammers actuated by springs governed by a float, fan or pendulum. W. B. FAR WELL. No. 3133. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The barrels are mounted side by side on a frame. In line with each barrel is a cylindrical breech-closer containing a firing needle. The breech- closers are connected with a longitudinally sliding frame actuated by toothed segments on a rock-shaft which is vibrated by means of a crank or cam on a rotating shaft. Behind the breech-closers are spring firing hammers which are controlled by a sliding plate. The extractors are plates under the breech-closers and connected to a traverse bar. The magazine is a transversely sliding frame. J. J. DUKE. No. 3987. Improved Sound Alarm Apparatus for Scaring or Frightening Birds (capable of use as a Battery Gun). The gun has a series of barrels provided with nipples and hammers, controlled by clockwork, or discharged by pulling or severing a cord. 1875. W. B. FARWELL. No. 2126. An Improved Machine-Gun. Improvements on prior patent No. 3133, ’74. The loading and firing mechanism is entirely within the cylindrical breech-chambers. The specification describes many improvements or modifications.30 M. M. FRANZINI. No. 2831. An Improved Construction or Arrangement of Field Battery. Within the carriage is a frame carrying a series of barrels on an axis. The barrels are capable of adjustment horizontally or vertically by a handle. There is a hinged breech-closer provided with spring-plungers or strikers, actuated by a hammer The breech-closer is operated by a lever. P. STEVENS (communication from). No. 3172. An Improved Mitrailleur. The gun has a metal cylinder containing a number of barrels. In the upper part of the cylinder is an opening for a cartridge-chest, which is a block provided with wings for supporting it. The rear end of the chest is closed by the breech-block, which is capable of sliding longitudinally. The breech-block carries the firing-pins. At the rear of the breech- block is a metal disc through which the pins project. The disc is attached to a spindle provided with a crank and handle. The spindle is free to rotate within the breech-block, but moves with it longitudinally. Behind the breech-block is the percussion-chamber, in which there is an inclined plate or cam mounted on the spindle, so that, in rotating, it actuates the strikers successively, and in one revolution of the spindle all of the cartridges will be discharged. J. P. TAYLOR (communication from). No. 3472. Improvements in Battery Guns. The barrels are arranged side by side. The breech-mechanism is arranged in a frame extending rearwardly from the block in which the barrels are secured. Eccentrics are fixed upon a countershaft for operating the plungers which carry devices for effecting the loading, firing, and extracting. 1876. W. GARDNER (a communication from). No. 881. Improvements in Machine or. Battery Guns. This specification describes one form of the well-known “ Gardner ” gun hereinabove referred to. There may be two or any convenient number of barrels. Behind the barrels is a horizontal plate grooved to receive the cartridges. At the bottom of each groove is a slot or aperture. This slot is widened at its rear end and so formed that when a cartridge is placed in the groove, previous to being pushed into the barrel, it cannot fall through the slot, but the ex- tracted empty cases will fall through the same.81 There are crank discs provided with pins which work in vertical slots in the rear ends of the plungers which are thereby moved to and fro to open and close the breech, push the cartridges into the barrels, and operate the extractors. The cranks or cams are also arranged in com- bination with levers for actuating the cocking and firing devices. The crank-discs are formed with a recess or notch in the periphery, and the said levers are so arranged that, as the cranks rotate, the extremities of the levers enter the said notches, and are, by the advancing edge thereof, depressed to cock the firing pins. Each lever is held down by the plain portion of the disc’s periphery until the entering cartridge has been pushed home in the corresponding barrel when it will be released by the continued movement of the cam and allow the spring to drive forward the firing- pin."" F. L. BAILEY, (communication from). No. 1703, Improvements in Machine-Guns. The barrels move longitudinally in a revolving frame which is actuated by a crank or handle, and is supported on trunnions, the movement of the barrels being governed by a fixed guide. Each barrel, when brought into the firing position by the turning of the crank or handle, will move backward to enclose a cartridge carried by a belt which is moved by the revolving frame, and each barrel, after firing, will move forward and uncover the spent cart- ridges, leaving the same in the belt. With each barrel is combined a spring-actuated hammer; the hammers are cocked and released by spiral cams on the revolving frame. M. M. FRANZINI. No. 1986 (Provisional Protection only). Improve- ments in Field Batteries and in Appliances and Apparatus connected therewith, and in Projectiles and Cartridges. Improvements on prior Patent No. 2831, ’75. • 1877. F. L. BAILEY. (Provisional Protection only). No. 685. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The specification describes a gun with a barrel or barrels mounted on trunnions, the loading, firing, and extracting being effected by turning a crank-handle. The breech-block slides endwise, and is operated through the ageney of a rack and pinion. *ln the original “ Gardner ” Gun the cartridges descend by gravity in the vertical feed bar, but by recent improvements by the late Mr. J. A. Norton of the Gardner Gun Company, they are moved along the feed bar by an endless travelling belt.82 H. DEFTY. No. 3766. Improvements in Maohine-Guns. The gun has a chambered drum or segment which carries radially projecting series of barrels, and rotates in a vertical direction upon a hollow shaft. The said shaft is provided with hammers which actuate the firing pins in such a manner that each row of barrels is discharged as it comes to the firing position. The hammers are arranged in combination with devices connected With the drum so that as the latter rotates and each row of barrels advances toward the firing position, the hammers will be drawn back and will then be actuated to strike the firing pins, the row of barrels then moving away as the next row advances. Each row of barrels is reloaded while the cylinder is rotating. The interior of the shaft is provided with extracting mechanism. PATCHELL & KIERNAN. No. 4366 (Provisional Protection only). Improvements in Machine-Guns. The barrels are fixed side by side on a frame. Each barrel has a breech-piece carrying a firing-pin. The breech-pieces are moved to and fro by a horizontal bar to open and close the breeches. A cartridge magazine is placed above the breech. There is a loading handle and a firing handle. 1878. DE WITT C. FARRINGTON (communication from). No. 1935. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The specification describes a gun with a group of barrels, which are shifted as one after another becomes hot, and the barrels are supported in such a manner as to compensate for longitudinal extension due to high temperature in rapid firing. The cartridges are first placed in a holder, from which they are transferred to a feed-tube or hopper. In combina- tion with the feed-tube is a carrier which conducts the cartridges to the barrels. As soon as the last cartridge has passed from it, the case is replaced by a fresh one. The carrier is arranged to work properly in combination with mechanism for placing the cartridges in line with the barrels, and for inserting them therein, and firing them and extracting the spent cartridges. Motion is imparted to the mechanism by a handle connected thereto by suitable gearing. W. GARDNER (communication from). No. 2735. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The invention relates to further improvements in guns, such as those described in No. 881, ’76. The specification describes breech-mechanism33 operated by a crank-handle at the side. The drawings show a single- barrel gun. The breech-pin, or plunger, the firing devices, the mainspring, and some other parts are similar to those in the specification of No. 881, and are operated by a cam that works like a crank-pin in a vertical groove in the rear end of the plunger. A sliding plate moves transversely across the breech for receiving the cartridges from the vertical feeder, placing them in line with the barrel, and ejecting the spent cartridges. The plate has a longitudinal rib on the side of the slide which receives the lower cartridge of the vertical column of cartridges as they descend. There is also an adjustable partition arranged parallel to the rib; this partition and the rib form, between them, a receptacle for the successive cartridges as they descend behind the barrel. The partition forms a guide for the cartridges as they are pushed into the barrel; it is held up by a spring which yields to allow the partition to be depressed by the plunger so that the extracted spent cartridges can pass freely away. The sliding plate is operated by a cam at the side of the plunger-cam through the agency of a rod which has in it an oblique slot that engages with a pin or stud on the slide. B. B. HOTCHKISS (communication from). No. 3017. Improvements in Revolving Cannons. The gun has a revolving series of barrels operated by a crank-handle on a transverse shaft. Each barrel, as it comes to its lowest position, is arrested and fired. The heads of the cartridges in the barrels slide against an inclined plane which forces them into the proper position for firing. The firing pin is drawn back against the pressure of its spring by a cam on the said shaft. The extractor is a hook with which the cartridge-rims are caused to engage by the turning of the barrels. The gun is mounted on a universal pivot. Revolving cannons of large size have the mechanism so constructed that a single revolution is given to the main shaft by two or more revolutions of the crank-handle. T. NORDENFELT (communication from Palmcrantz). No. 3678. Im- provements in Battery-Guns. The specification of this patent describes further improvements in the “ Nordenfelt ” gun. Two or more barrels are mounted in a trunnioned frame. At the rear of the barrels is a transversely moving carrier-block having in it a number of grooves, corresponding with the number of barrels, for the reception of the cartridges from a vertical hopper, from which grooves the cartridges, after being brought into line with the barrels, are pushed into the latter. The block has a longitudinal to and fro movement,34 whereby pins or plungers projecting from it are caused to push the cartridges from the grooves into the barrels. Within each pin or plunger is a striker which is driven forward by a spring-actuated hammer. Each plunger has an extractor or pair of extractors in the form of a spring- hook. The mechanism is actuated by a handle or lever. J. WATKINS. No. 4373. Improvements in the Means of Procuring Rotating Military Guns, and other Intermediate Anti-Frictional Roller- Bearings. The specification describes a series of barrels arranged about a central shaft or axis around which the barrels revolve, and which itself may be a gun. Each barrel is provided with chambers for receiving a charge either at the breech or muzzle and, by the rotation of the barrels, each chamber is brought into the sighting and firing positions. M. COLONEY (communication from). No. 5062. Improvements in Breech- loading and Magazine Fire-arms, and in Cartridges therefor. The gun has a transversely reciprocating breech-slide, which has two chambers so arranged that one will be in line with the bore while the other is being charged. A firing-pin is actuated by a spring and trigger in such a manner that the force of the discharge will recock the gun. M. COLONEY (communication from). No. 5063. Improvements in Machine-Guns, and in Caissons therefor. A battery gun is provided with a horizontal series of barrels and a reciprocating breech-slide having two series of charge-chambers, one series being in the firing position while the other is in the loading position. The barrels can be loaded by hand. Pins are arranged in line with the barrels for taking up the recoil and effecting the cocking of the firing-pins. The barrels may be discharged in rapid succession by pulling a lanyard. 1879. GAY & GUENOT. No. 197. Improvements in Breech-loading Fire-arms. The invention relates to carbines, pistols, military and sporting guns and guns mounted on carriages to form field batteries or mitrailleuses. Mechanism is arranged to carry the projectiles forward from the stock or rear end of the gun and comprises a chain put in movement by pulling the trigger. Or the ball-carrier may consist of cylindrical chambers united35 by links to form an endless chain which passes over a drum. The latter is mounted on a boss made hollow for the passage of the firing needle. The drum is geared with a ratchet apparatus connected with the trigger. The obturator is connected with, and operated by, the trigger. TROTTER. No. 497. Improvements in Machine or Battery Guns. The invention relates to improvements on Bailey’s patent No. 1703, ’76. E. G. PARKHURST (communication from). No. 1317. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The invention relates to a machine-gun with one or more barrels loaded and fired by mechanism at the breech, actuated by turning a crank. A modified “ Gardner ” gun. F. E. SCHULTZE (communication from). No. 1573. Improvements in and relating to Machine-Guns. The invention relates to machine-guns and means for supplying them with ammunition. A rifle, or machine-gun, battery is formed of several small guns, the barrels being isolated from each other and arranged to be fired succes- sively. The guns may be discharged continuously in one direction, or while being moved laterally. There is a magazine divided into chambers so as to permit each cartridge to pass into the gun at the proper moment. The magazine permits the cartridges to slide freely down in each com- partment whenever the bottom cartridge is removed to be placed in the gun. Spring-hammers are seated in sliding ways and provided with devices in combination with a shooting-bar, which is operated to fire the guns successively. The shooting-bar is actuated by a hand-lever, through the agency of suitable gearing. DEWITT C. FARRINGTON (communication from). No. 3338. Improve- ments in and relating to Machine-Guns. Improvements on prior patent, No. 1935, ’78. A cartridge-carrying wheel is arranged in cdlnbination with a feed- table which receives the cartridges directly from the hopper and allows them to be transferred to the wheel by a reciprocating finger. Cam- mechanism is used to lock the carrier-wheel in position for firing and unlock it to bring forward a fresh cartridge. More especially designed for slow firing and heavy charges. F36 FARWELL & CLARKE (communication from). No. 3469. Certain New and Useful Improvements in Guns, Cartridges and Projeotiles. The invention comprises breech-loading battery-guns, in which cartridges are placed in a hopper and automatically brought into proper position in the breech of the gun and exploded, the shells being ejected in regular succession. The barrel is formed on, or attached to, the breech-frame. The breech-block is moved by a carriage longitudinally from and to the breech, to open and close the same, and there is a vertically movable locking piece. The feed-apparatus consists of a hopper, or magazine, and devices comprising a feed-jaw which supports the cartridges in the magazine until the latter is retracted, when sufficient space is left for a cartridge to drop in front of the jaw and be thereby pushed sideways into the breech. After the feed-jaw has advanced and placed a cartridge in front of the breech-block, the latter moves forward and drives the cartridge home, and the locking-slide then moves up behind the block. A suitable extractor is provided by forming in the carriage a recess which receives the cartridge- flange. Each spent cartridge, as it is extracted, is ejected by the next entering cartridge. The locking-slide releases the hammer to fire the cartridges. The mechanism is operated by a hand-lever through the agency of a cam and toothed pinions. HOTCHKISS. No. 4454. Improvements in Revolving Cannon and other Guns. Elevating mechanism is arranged under the gun. The rotation of the hand-wheel or crank effects the loading, the revolving of the barrels, the extraction, and the cocking. The firing is effected by means of a trigger carried by a “ pistol grip.” ROBOTTOM. No. 4722. Improvements in Machine-Guns and a Special Cartridge for same. (Provisional only.) A number of rifle barrels arranged in a plane parallel to each other, and made bell-mouthed to receive the conical end of a pivotted cartridge chamber or breech-piece. The barrels can be adjusted to diverge or to concentrate their fire. E. G. PARKHURST (communication from). No. 5161. Improvements in Machine-Guns. A machine-gun with one or more barrels loaded and fired by mechanism at the breech, which mechanism is operated by a crank. Improvements on No. 1317.37 1880. THAINE (communication from NORDENFELT). No. 224. Portable Field Carriage for Machine-Guns. PACE. No. 1504. Improvements in or connected with the Construction and Working of Multitubular Fire-arms. The barrels are arranged parallel to each other in a rectangular, circular, or other series, and are supported in the front end of a frame or case, into which the cartridges are supplied from a magazine. The mechanism may be worked by means of an endless chain and crank- shaft operated by a handle. The cranks are arranged to move a series of rods carrying guide-plates which are provided with cams and other devices. In the forward movement of the rods the cams succes- sively raise the cartridge-receivers in the case to receive the cartridges from the magazine. The cams, in their forward movement, cause the backward movement of the striking needles, and then the rammers push the cart- ridges from the bottom of the magazine into the receivers and expel the spent cartridges. In the receding movement of the rods, catches engage with the hammers and cock them ; they are then released from the catches, and are driven forward by their springs to discharge the cartridges. MARTIN. No. 1531. Improvements in Repeating Pistols and other Small Arms, and in Ammunition for the same. The invention relates to repeating small arms and portable mitrail- leuses and ammunition for same. The specification describes small arms with barrels arranged in two vertical rows of four each, formed all in one block, which is hinged to a breech-plate. The barrels turn down on the hinge to open the breech and receive the cartridges, and are closed and locked by a lever. As the barrels descend, an extractor throws out the empty cartridge-cases. The strikers are actuated by means of teeth around a vertical axis, which is operated by a trigger. Each tooth in moving pushes back a striker and then releases it to be driven forward by a spring and fire the cartridge. Although machine-guns are referred to, very little is said about this class of weapons in the specification. E. G. PARKHURST (communication from). No. 2956. An Improved Method of and Means for Preventing Excessive or Injurious Heating of the Barrels of Machine-Guns. The barrels are surrounded with a casing containing water, and provided with apertures closed by covers for the admission and delivery of the water and for the escape of steam.38 PACE. No. 4378. Improvements in or conneoted with the Construction and working of Multitubular Fire-arms (Machine-Guns). Parallel barrels are mounted in a cartridge-receiver, which revolves with them. The barrels and receiver rotate about a shaft that passes centrally through the receiver. This shaft, behind the receiver, has a bevel-wheel through which an intermittent motion is imparted to the barrels and receiver from a vertical shaft geared with the said central shaft and provided with a suitable handle. The gearing is so arranged that the revolving barrels pause during the firing of the cartridges. The receiver supports a revolving magazine fitted with slides, which carry the cartridges to be supplied to the receiver. The magazine has in it a slot through which the cartridges pass singly to the receiver, and when one slide is exhausted another slide is brought over the slot. Each cartridge, as it falls into the receiver, is pushed by a cam into the firing position, and after it has been fired the empty case is withdrawn by one of a series of extractors. T. NORDENFELT (communication from PALMCRANTZ). No. 4523. Improvements in Breech-loading Mechanism for Fire-arms. The breech-block is movable about a horizontal axis and is turned by a hand-lever. A wedge is provided for holding the block when the breech is closed, this wedge being moved by an arm extending from the axis. If the lever is pulled backward, the wedge slides down and the hammer is cocked. Then the wedge and block rotate around the axis and the extractor first loosens and then throws out the spent cartridge. The gun may have one barrel or two or more barrels. T. NORDENFELT. No. 4991. Improvements in Battery or Machine-Guns. The gun has two or more barrels in a horizontal plane or in an arc. They are secured to a frame which slides in an outer or trunnion frame. A strong spring between the two frames at the rear end is compressed in the recoil. There are also other springs at the sides of the barrels. The cartridges are “ fed ” through apertures in the cover of the breech-case on to a plate which moves to allow them to fall into recesses opposite the ends of the barrels. The plungers push the cartridges from these recesses into the barrels. The breech-block is moved transversely by a hand-lever, and, in its to and fro movement, the loading, cocking, firing, and extracting are effected.89 W. GARDNER. No. 5384. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The specification describes improvements on patents No. 881, ’76, and No. 2735, ’78. The barrels are arranged side by side. Five barrels are shewn on the gun. Behind each barrel is a plunger operated by a crank as before. One important feature is the feed-mechanism. The breech-case-cover has apertures through which the cartridges pass from the vertical feeder to a transversely sliding plate or slide behind the barrels. Below the slide is a bed-plate having as many grooves as there are barrels, which grooves are formed with slots through which the spent cartridges pass away as before described. Another important feature is the positive action of the extractors which are hooked bars arranged in combination with devices that allow the hooks to pass freely forward over the cartridge-rims but hold the said hooks firmly in engagement therewith during the extraction of the cartridges. The extraction is facilitated by devices which provide for the consecutive movements of the extractors. McLEAN & COLONEY (communication from). No. 5459. Improvements in Machine-Guns. A machine-gun with barrels arranged horizontally side by side and with cartridge-magazines alongside the barrels. To the rear of the barrels is a tranversely reciprocating slide having two horizontal rows of charge- chambers for taking the cartridges from the magazines to their position behind the barrels. The slide is moved through the agency of a rock- shaft, by a hand lever. The said shaft has on it eccentrics which operate a second rock-shaft, having arms connected with the firing-pins, for drawing them into the firing position wherein they engage with triggers. The triggers are pressed up to the firing-pins by springs. They are so arranged that the forward movement of a firing-pin will cause the withdrawal of the trigger from the next pin in the series. The gun can be left loaded to be fired at any time, or can be fired immediately after loading. 1881. TRANTER. No. 303. Improvements in Machine-Guns. A machine-gun with barrels side by side, chambers at the rear being furnished with appliances for closing, loading, and discharging the gun, and for extracting and ejecting the spent cartridges. The barrels and breech-chambers are mounted upon a horizontal frame capable of lateral40 movement on a support which permits the training of the barrels. The breech ends of the barrels are closed by sliding tubular bolts containing the strikers, which are controlled and cocked by guide-ribs and sliding triggers. The tubular bolts are connected so that they move simultaneously. The mechanism is actuated by a hand lever. LOBEL. No. 1185. Improvements in Machine-Guns. A machine-gun with barrels side by side and arranged horizontally in one or two lines. The barrels slightly diverge at the muzzles and can be moved in any direction. At the rear of the barrels is a steel plate having holes corresponding with the bores, and behind this steel plate is a swinging plate. A frame filled with cartridges is inserted between the two plates and secured by the latter so as to form part of the breech end of the barrels. The cartridges are exploded by means of conical projections in a plate which is driven forward by a spring when released by the handle. The cartridges’are inserted and the spent cartridges removed by hand. T. NORDENFELT. No. 1488. Improvements in Machine-Guns. Improvements on prior Patent, No. 499180. T. NORDENFELT. No. 3164. Improvements in Machine-Guns and other Fire-Arms. Improvements on prior Patent, No. 452880. GATLING GUN COMPANY (communication from). No. 4211. A Cartridge Feeder for Machine-Guns. The Specification describes Cartridge Feeding Apparatus for Machine and other Guns. The cartridges are “fed” to the barrels by vibrating vertical hoppers, into which the cartridges are slipped from paper boxes. At the lower part of the hopper they are delivered to a roller which delivers them to the breech-mechanism. A. DARDELLE. No. 5017. A New or Improved Fire-arm. A machine-gun which can be fired when stationary or moving, especially applicable for cavalry. Barrels in two separate series, each series having separate charging mechanism. When stationary, the driving-shaft is operated by handles. During movement, the firing is effected by power derived from the front wheels of the carriage by means of chains.41 J. G. ACCLES. No. 5436. Improvements in Machine-Guns and in Feeders for the same, and for other uses. The feeder may be applied to guns of the “Gatling” type. It is constructed with a frame of two circular side plates, connected by a cen- tral boss. The cartridges lie between the side plates. The frame is covered to form a drum, but at the underside is an opening for the delivery of the cartridges. The side plates have spiral ribs for guiding the cart- ridges. There is a rotating propeller which moves the cartridges along the spiral guides to the delivery point. NORDENFELT. No. 5538. Improvements in Breech-loading Fire-arms and their Carriages. Especially for Single-barrel Guns. A breech-bolt inserted longitudinally behind the powder-chamber is provided with a handle at its rear end. The bolt is screw-threaded so that a quarter-turn will open or close the breech and it carries a spring-firing pin. The spring is compressed in cocking by means of helical grooves in a sleeve or tube surrounding the breech-bolt. There is an automatic trigger which is cocked in moving the bolt to open the breech, and is released by the turning of the handle after the breech is closed. The bolt is provided with a pair of extracting hooks. A feed-case is arranged above the mechanism. As the bolt is drawn fully back the feeder is oscillated and allows a cartridge to drop in front of the bolt, which is then moved forward by the handle. J. H. McLEAN (communication from). No. 5613. Improvements in Fire- arms and in Magazines and Cartridges therefor. A gun with many-chambered revolving cylinders, or with barrels loaded from an automatic magazine, and having an extractor connected by gearing with the loading plunger. Also a machine-gun wherein the barrels are arranged in a horizonal row. A revolving cylinder is arranged within the breech- frame, and operated by means of a transverse shaft carrying pinions which gear with racks on the plungers. For revolving the cylinder a spring- retracted trigger is used. A dog on the cocking arm engages with ratchet- teeth on the cylinder so that the latter is revolved in cocking. The barrels may be fired simultaneously by mechanism similar to that described in No. 5459, ’80, or otherwise. There are numerous devices and modifications of the mechanism.42 1882. O. JONES. No. 491. Improvements in Machine-Guns. A machine-gun, with a series of fixed barrels in a straight row with loading and extracting devices which move longitudinally to and fro at the rear of the barrels. ROBERTS & MOORE. No. 4019 (Provisional protection only). Improve- ments in Fire-arms and in Cartridges for the same. Relates to arrangements for discharging guns such as the “ Gatling ” and “ Nordenfelt,” and to cartridges ignited by electricity. The cartridges are discharged by means of an electric current produced by a generator in the stand of the gun. A. NOBLE. No. 4831. Improvements in Machine-Guns and Gun- Carriages. Single-barrelled machine-gun and carriage, and means for taking up recoil. Guns intended to throw projectiles with great velocity. In rear of the ordinary trunnions are other trunnions carrying eccentrics. The eccentrics are connected by a lever-frame which serves as the operating handle. The breech-block is attached to the eccentric straps. The breech-block has a grooved lip which engages with the cartridge- flange. After firing, the movement of the eccentric, by the handle, first causes the block to slightly recede and draw back the empty cartridge-case ; then, by the continued movement of the handle, the block and other parts are moved upward to open the breech ; the cartridge-case can then be removed and a fresh cartridge inserted by hand. The gun is cocked as the breech is closed. It is fired by means of a lanyard. The carriage is fitted with a recoil-press and a spring for returning the gun after recoil. T. NORDENFELT. No. 4899. Improvements in Machine-Guns. Machine-guns with barrels arranged side by side in a horizontal plane in a rectangular frame. A block which carries the plungers, firing pins and springs, has a sliding movement backwards and forwards. This movement is imparted to it by the action lever, the end of which carries a roller that works in a cam-slot in the block. The forward end of the block has devices which48 move the cartridge-receiver to feed the gun. The firing pins are carried by the block and arranged in combination with a trigger-comb. The lever locks the breech at the moment when it moves the trigger-comb for firing. The lever also works the spreading apparatus. W. GARDNER (communication from). No. 5556. Improvements in This Invention relates to quick-firing guns. The breech-bolt, in moving backward and forward, operates a pivotted cartridge-feeder which delivers the cartridges into a position from which they are pushed into the barrel by the bolt which, after firing, with- draws the spent cartridges by means of a suitable extractor. E. A. MONFORT. No. 125. Breech-loading Fire-arms Fired by The specification describes apparatus which can be applied to mitrailleuses. In addition to the above cited Patents there are others comprising inventions more or less remotely connected with the subject under consideration, but not of sufficient importance to be included herein. Breech-Loading Guns. 1883. Electricity. G44 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MECHANISM OF AUTOMATIC GUNS The specifications of the above Patents describe breech-mechanism which is, in some instances, termed, and which is, to a certain extent, automatic; that is to say, the loading, cocking, feeding, firing and extracting are effected mechanically by motion derived from an externally operated crank-shaft or lever, instead of being separately performed by hand. But in none of these specifications is there any example of what is now understood as an automatic gun. In fact no specification of a gun of this kind existed before 1883, when Mr. Hiram S. Maxim obtained a Patent for mechanism for automatically working guns by energy derived from the recoil, this Patent being the first of a long series of Patents for improve- ments whereby the automatic method or principle is extended and applied to guns of various classes. The automatic method of working is applicable to small arms as well as to other classes of guns, but the typical “ Maxim ” gun is a machine- gun. In all cases a “ Maxim ” gun is distinguished from other machine- guns by the fact that, after firing the first shot, it continues to work by force generated in, and by, the gun itself. Although adaptable to different forms and arrangements of breech- mechanism, the “Maxim ” principle essentially consists in the utilization, by the aid of elastic resistance, of force created by one discharge of a gun for performing, after each discharge, the cycle of operations that follow in the interval between that and the next discharge; that is to say, in an automatic or “ Maxim ” gun the pressure created in the barrel by each discharge moves the breech-mechanism against the resistance of a spring or elastic cushion, which by its reaction causes the mechanism to perform or complete the required cycle of operations. In the form under which it is most widely known, the automatic or “ Maxim ” gun, with its mounting, may be considered as consisting of two main parts, viz., the fixed or non-recoiling part, and the recoiling part the latter being subject to the action of two opposing forces, viz., the backward push due to the pressure in the barrel, and the forward push of springs reacting after their compression in the recoil. The existence of the recoil force must, of course, have been always noticeable in the use of fire-arms and there are notable instances45 of the application of this force for partially working guns. For example, in well known types of artillery recoil-mountings, the gun is arranged to slide or otherwise recoil, relatively to a non-recoiling part of the mounting, against hydraulic or other resistance which more or less gradualty absorbs the force of the recoil and thereby diminishes the destructive effect or shock upon the mounting, the gun being in some instances returned to battery by the reaction of springs. But no part of the recoil energy is utilized in such mountings for working the breech-mechanism. And, not- withstanding the fact of the existence of gun-mountings wherein the recoil force was caused to compress springs which, by their reaction, ran out or returned the gun after the recoil so that each discharge of the gun was followed by a reciprocating movement of the recoiling part, the idea of utilizing this reciprocating movement for working the breech-mechanism of a machine-gun does not appear to have been seriously entertained until it was disclosed by Mr. Maxim in 1883.* The automatic mechanism is capable of considerable variation in respect of its construction and arrangement to adapt it in the most advantageous manner to guns of different natures. In some guns the breech is opened by moving the breech-block longitudinally, in others by moving it transversely, and in some cases the block is a screw-plug, which has to be turned on its axis and moved longitudinally in opening the breech, each form of block requiring a different arrangement of some part or parts of the mechanism. Obviously in some guns the force of the recoil will be much greater than in others ; in some instances it is so great that special provision must be made to avoid injury to the mechanism therefrom, while in other guns this provision will not be necessary. In all cases, the mechanism must be such that each charge fired will have the effect of separating the breech-block from the barrel sufficiently to permit the extraction of the spent cartridge and insertion of a fresh cartridge behind the barrel and at the same time to compress the springs and store therein the energy necessary to enable them, by their reaction, to perform or complete the necessary cycle of operations of the breech-mechanism between two successive discharges. When the gun is working properly, all of the movements are per- formed with almost inconceivable rapidity and the momentum acquired * Perhaps the nearest approximations to the automatic method of working guns found in the Patent Office records are the following, viz.: In 1854 a patent was granted to Henry Bessemer for a cannon in which the reactive force of the discharge drives backward a piston or plunger in the box or barrel of the gun and thereby sets in motion loading and firing apparatus actuated by hydraulic pressure. In 1881 a Patent was granted for the invention of N. B. Clark, of the United States, relating to beavy Ordnance. The specification describes, amongst other features, a sliding breech-block which is automatically opened in the recoil.46 by some of the parts so modifies their effect that it is impossible to fully understand their action from diagrams or drawings showing them in various positions, or otherwise than by careful and continued observation of the gun while working. But, notwithstanding the rapid and apparently violent movements and reversals to which the mechanism is subject its continuous action may be relied upon so long as the supply of ammunition is maintained, and the failure of a cartridge at any time will have no worse result than the momentary stoppage of the working. In some of the guns the entire cycle of operations is performed automatically without any manipulation of a trigger or other part, but in others there is a trigger which must be depressed or held in the firing position so long as it is desired to continue the firing. According to some of the earlier specifications of “ Maxim ” guns the opening of the breech, and the other operations of the mechanism are performed entirely by the reaction of the springs after the recoil. In others the breech is opened, and the spent cartridges are extracted in the recoil, the other operations of the mechanism being effected by the reaction of the springs in the return. In later examples, the breech- mechanism remains inoperative till after the termination of the recoil movement. In some of the guns the barrel is fixed in the frame and the breech is opened by the direct action of the pressure in the barrel upon the breech-bolt immediately after the ignition of the charge, the cartridges having peculiarly- formed cases, and the mechanism being arranged so that the cartridge-case, at the moment of the ignition, is slightly elongated or forced backward without however permitting the escape of the gases while the pressure exists in the barrel. It is obvious that, in this arrangement, the pressure acts on the breech-block through the medium of the cartridge-case ; the latter is therefore pushed out instead of being pulled out by the extractor which only serv.es to hold the base of the cartridge in the proper position and prevent the rebounding of the case during its exit from the gun-barrel. In other instances the barrel and breech-mechanism recoil together, through a slight distance, the barrel being then arrested while the breech-block, continuing its rearward movement, retires therefrom to open the breech, and then, reversing its movement, returns to close the same, the barrel, in the meantime, having returned to its forward position. In some instances the breech-block, at the moment of the ignition ’of the charge, is positively locked to the barrel, and has to be unlocked therefrom by special devices during the first moment of the recoil, while in others the separation of the breech-block from the barrel, and its return thereto, and the closing47 of the breech, take place without the intervention of any special locking and unlocking devices. Some of the specifications describe guns wherein the mechanism is operated by force derived from the action of the gases issuing from the muzzle, or other part of the barrel, and exerted upon pistons or other devices connected with the breech-mechanism. Many of the specifications describe guns wherein the breech- mechanism is carried by a frame to which the barrel is affixed, or which is an extension of the barrel, and this frame, with the barrel and breech-mechanism, constitutes the recoiling part which is fitted to slide endwise in a trunnioned frame that constitutes the non-recoiling part of the mounting. In these examples the breech-mechanism is so arranged that, during the to-and-fro movements of the recoiling part, one element thereof comes into contact with certain devices on the non-recoiling part, and is displaced relatively to the barrel, thereby actuating the mechanism to open and close the breech, and effect the other operations necessary in the working of the gun. A very advantageous form of this mechanism is one wherein the breech-block is moved relatively to the barrel, by a crank. This crank, which forms one link of a toggle-joint, does not at the first moment of the recoil, turn about its axis, but, with its bearings, participates in the back- ward movement of the breech-block and barrel, through a short distance, and then, while the entire mechanism continues its recoil movement, the joint is deflected and the crank turns about its axis to accelerate the back- ward movement of the block, thereby separating the latter from the barrel and opening the breech. In the return movement of the recoiling part, the rotation of the crank is reversed by the reaction of the spring so that it closes the breech and locks the breech-block, holding the latter securely in place at the moment of the discharge. In the recoil, the spent cartridge is extracted and the firing-pin cocked, and in the return, a fresh cartridge is inserted and the sear is operated to release the firing-pin, so that in this class or type of gun the action of the mechanism is due partly to the first effect of the recoil, and partly to the reaction of the springs in the return. The proper timing of the return after the recoil is ensured by the co-operation, with the springs, of devices which positively arrest and reverse the motion of the crank at the precise moment when the breech-block has fully opened the breech, and which cause a sharp rebound or reaction of the crank and so materially assist the springs in driving the parts forward.48 In “ Maxim ” guns wherein the breecli-mechanism is operated by means of a crank, the latter does not rotate continuously in one direction as in the “Gardner,” the “Gatling,” the “Accles” or other machine-guns. In the “Maxim” gun the movement of the crank is oscillatory, i.e., it makes a partial revolution in one direction during the recoil, and then in the reverse direction through the same path in the return of the gun. In some of the examples described the gun has a breech-block which opens and closes the breech by moving vertically across the end of the barrel, being depressed to open the breech against the resistance of a spring coiled on the shaft of the breech-operating lever and raised by the re-action of the said spring. The extractor which is a lever pivotted to the breech- block is operated by a shoulder or projection on the block as the latter descends. The mechanism of these guns is sometimes arranged to open the breech in the recoil, but it is considered better that it should be arranged to effect the opening in the return movement as the action is less violent in the return than in the recoil. Guns of this class are usually termed quick-firing or semi-automatic. “ Maxim ” machine-guns are provided with a water-jacket or chamber around the barrel and in guns with sliding barrels the chamber is kept tight at its ends by stuffing boxes. LIST No. 2. British Patents granted to Mr. H. S. Maxim for inventions relating to automatic guns. No. 3178. June 26, 1883. Improvements in and relating to Mechanism for Facilitating the Action of Magazine-rifles and other Fire-arms. No. 3493. July 16, 1883. Improvements in Machine or Battery Guns and in Cartridges for the Same and other Fire-arms. No. 606. January 3, 1884. Improvements in and relating to Machine- guns and other Fire-arms. No. 3844. February 23, 1884. Improvements in and relating to Machine- or Battery Guns. No. 8153. May 23, 1884. Improvements in and relating to Breech- loading and other Guns. No. 8242. May 26, 1884. Improvements in Magazine or Repeating Rifles and other Guns. No. 9407. May 23, 1884. Improved Feed-apparatus for Machine or Battery-Guns or other Fire-arms. (Originally part of No. 8153.)49 No. 13113. October 2, 1884. Improvements in and relating to Machine and other Guns. No. 13762. October 17, 1884. An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Adjusting, Pointing or Training Cannon. No. 1307. January 29, 1885. Improvements in and relating to Machine or Battery Guns and other Fire-arms. No. 8281. July 8, 1885. Improvements in Machine and other Guns. No. 14047. November 17, 1885. Improvements in Machine and other Guns and Pistols, and in Projectiles therefor. No. 2581. February 22, 1886. Improvements in and relating to Machine and other Guns. No. 7354. June 1, 1886. Improvements in and relating to Automatic and other Guns or Fire-arms. No. 13083. October 13, 1886. Improvements relating to Machine-Guns and other Fire-arms, and to Apparatus to be used in the Manu- facture thereof. No. 13534. October 22, 1886. Improvements relating to Cartridges, &c. No. 15734. December 1, 1886. Improvements in and relating to Machine and other Guns. No. 4778. March 30, 1887. Improvements in and relating to Quick- firing Guns and other Fire-arms. No. 8428. June 8, 1888. Improvements in and relating to Quick- firing Guns and other Fire-arms. No. 4471. March 21, 1890. Improvements relating to the Pointing, Training or Laying of Guns, and to Apparatus therefor. No. 6585. April 29, 1890. Improvements relating to Automatic Guns. No. 6591. April 29, 1890. Improvements relating to Automatic Guns. No. 22859. December 31, 1891. Improvements in and relating to Breech-loading Fire-arms. No. 7156. April 13, 1892. Improvements in Automatic Guns. No. 16260. August 25, 1894. Improvements in and relating to Automatic Guns, &c. No. 20627. October 27, 1894. Improvements in and relating to Automatic Guns. The inventions and improvements included in these British patents have been patented in the United States and in most European Countries.50 VARIOUS FEATURES AND MODIFICATIONS OF THE AUTOMATIC MECHANISM. Mr. Maxim’s inventions and improvements set forth in the Specifications of these Patents are generally applicable to small arms as well as to machine-guns; some of the specifications include mechanism which is more particularly designed for small arms, but which may in some instances be adapted for machine-guns, and other of the specifications describe mechanism especially designed for machine-guns. Moreover there are various different arrangements which may be indicated by reference to peculiar features of construction and operation of the mechanism, for example, the following:— A. Automatic mechanism adapted to guns having a fixed or non-recoiling barrel, and so arranged that, by the direct action of the gaseous pressure in the barrel upon the breech-block, the latter is forced back to open the breech in the recoil. See Nos. 3493, ’83 and 8242, ’84. B. Automatic mechanism arranged to be operated, or assisted, or controlled by the pressure of gas issuing from the muzzle or other part of the barrel. See Nos. 606, ’84 ; 4778, ’87 ; 6585, ’90 and 6591, ’90. C. Automatic mechanism which is indirectly operated by the recoil-pressure, so that it slides "with the barrel to and fro in the recoil and the return, and has additional or subsidiary move- ments for opening and closing the breech, etc. See Nos. 3844, ’84 ; 1307, ’85 ; 8281, ’85 ; 14047, ’85 ; 2581, ’86 ; 13083, ’ 86 ; 15734, ’86 ; 4778, ’87 and 8428, ’88. D. Automatic mechanism in which there is a longitudinally sliding breech-block operated indirectly by the recoil pressure through the agency of a sliding and oscillating crank. See Nos. 1307, ’85; 8281, ’85; 2581, ’86 and 7156, ’92. E. Automatic mechanism so arranged that the breech remains closed during the recoil and is opened after the termination thereof by the reaction of a spring, and other of the operations are performed during the return movement. See Nos. 3178, '83; 2581, ’86 and 7354, ’86.51 F. Mechanism which is partly automatic or semi-automatic, that is to say which performs automatically all the operations except the loading and firing. Guns with this modified arrange- ment of automatic mechanism are now usually classed as quick- firing guns. See Nos. 4778, ’87, 8428, ’88 and 4471, ’90. G. Automatic mechanism in which the breech-block opens and closes the breech by moving transversely across the same. See Nos. 4778, ’87 and 8428, ’88. H. Automatic mechanism in guns with cradle-mountings with or without a shoulder-piece or crutch on the non-recoiling part of the mounting. See Nos. 4778, ’87 and 4471, ’90. I. Automatic mechanism in guns in which the barrel and breech-mechanism are carried by an inner sliding frame, and in which the breech-block and barrel are separated, for opening the breech, by moving in opposite directions. See Nos. 7354, ’86; 13083, ’86 and 15734, ’86. J. Automatic mechanism in which the breech-block is, or consists partly of, a screw-plug with divided or segmental screw- threads. See No. 15734 ’86. K. Automatic or semi-automatic guns in which the recoil is partly controlled by the action of the gas upon a disc or plate arranged in front of the muzzle. See No. 4778, ’87. L. Guns with two or more barrels, and with automatic mechanism so arranged that the discharge of one barrel will operate, or assist in operating, the mechanism of another barrel. See No. 7354, ’86. M. Automatic mechanism in which the principle of inertia is utilized for opening the breech. See No. 8428, ’88. H52 ABSTRACT OF SPECIFICATIONS OF PATENTS FOR “MAXIM” GUNS INCLUDED IN LIST NO. 2. Some of the above specifications, as above stated, and as will be seen by their titles, include examples of both machine-guns and small arms. And although it is obvious that the dimensions and proportions of the parts of the mechanism must be especially adapted to each class of arms to which it is applied, it is obvious that the automatic mechanism of the small arms is not essentially different from that of the machine-guns. In some of the examples referred to, the mechanism could be taken from a rifle and with very slight alteration placed in a suitably constructed frame of a machine-gun. The chief alteration required would be with reference to the feeding devices which, in a machine-gun, should be capable of supplying the cartridges to the barrel automatically, i,e., without any separate manipulation, so long as the working of the gun is continued. There are, however, special forms and arrangements of the mechanism peculiar to the Maxim machine-guns and forming the subject of numerous claims in these patents. The following description abridged from the specifications and accompanied by a few of the illustrations is designed to afford a general idea of the construction and operation of the automatic mechanism in these guns. No. 3178, ’83. Improvements in and Relating to Mechanism for Facilitating the Action of Magazine Rifles and other Fire-arms. The specification of this patent describes mechanism whereby the discharge of each cartridge causes the recoiling part to move relatively to the non-recoiling part of the gun, and it illustrates the working of this mechanism for performing automatically all, or any, of the operations necessary in using the gun. In one of the guns described, the non-recoiling part includes a shoulder- plate at the rear or butt-end of the stock, which plate has a tubular part extending through the stock and enclosing two springs; the said plate also carries other devices arranged in combination with the springs. The recoiling part includes the barrel, the stock and the breech-mechanism which may be the ordinary breech-mechanism of a “ Winchester ” repeating rifle. In the recoil, one spring, acting between the non-recoiling and recoiling parts, is compressed, the two parts at the termination of the recoil being momen-53 tarily locked together; the other spring, which is connected with the operating lever of the breech-mechanism, is also compressed as the said lever remains rigid until the pressure in the barrel is sufficiently diminished to permit the extraction of the cartridge case. Therefore there is no change in the posi- tion of any of the elements of the recoiling part relatively to each other until the termination of the recoil, when the last-named spring overcomes the diminished pressure in the barrel, and, by its expansion, pushes forward the said operating lever to open the breech. Before this spring has fully expanded, it raises a latch, and releases the recoiling part from the non- recoiling part of the gun ; the former, by the action of the first named spring, then moves forward and all the elements of the mechanism return to their normal position. It will be seen therefore that by the expansion of these springs, subsequently to the recoil, the entire action of the breech-mechanism, in each cycle of operations of the same, is effected by the energy stored in the springs in the recoil. In the arrangement above described, the breech is, obviously, not opened by direct pressure acting to separate the breech-block from the barrel. It is opened and closed by movements of the breech-mechanism caused by the reaction of the springs after their compression between the non-recoiling and recoiling parts ; that is to sav, during the recoil the parts of the breech-mechanism do not alter their position relatively to the barrel or to each other, but at the termination of that movement they commence their automatic action. In another of the guns described in the said specification the non- recoiling part comprises the barrel and stock, and some parts of the mechanism and the chief element of the moving or recoiling part is the breech-block ; in opening the breech the said breech-block or bolt is separated from the barrel by the direct action of the gaseous pressure in the barrel upon the end of the breech-bolt against the resistance of a spring- in the stock, which spring, after the recoil, forces the block forward to close the breech, the extraction of the spent cartridge and the cocking of the firing-pin being effected during the recoil. The cartridge-magazine has a feed-wheel by which the cartridges are successively supplied to the barrel, the said wheel being rotated by the breech-block, in its recoil and return, to bring a fresh cartridge into line with the barrel and carry the exlracted empty case away. In another gun described in the same specification the non-recoiling part is a shoulder plate provided with a spring for resisting the recoil and returning the gun after recoil, and with another spring for operating the breech-mechanism. The recoiling part comprises the stock, barrel and54 breech-mechanism. The operations of opening the breech, feeding, extrac- tion, cocking, &c., are performed subsequently to the recoil by the energy stored in the springs. The mechanism above described would not serve efficiently for a machine-gun, not being provided with means for maintaining a continuous supply of cartridges, but by the addition of suitable feed-mechanism and by substituting for the stock a suitable extension of the breech-frame and arranging the said frame to slide with the barrel in an outer trunnioned frame, and without any other change, such automatic rifles would be transformed into automatic machine-guns. No. 3493, ’83. Improvements in Machine or Battery Ouns, and in Cartridges for the same, and other Fire-arms. The specification of this patent particularly describes and claims the automatic working of machine-guns ; the invention, as stated in the specification, being designed to provide guns of this class with feeding, firing, extracting and ejecting devices operated by force developed in the barrel by the discharge of the cartridges therein. The drawings show a gun constructed with a metal frame and a fixed or non-recoiling barrel. The breech-block or plunger is arranged to slide longitudinally in the frame. In the recoil it slides backward to open the breech against the resistance of springs which, after the recoil, pull it for- ward to close the breech. In some instances, a hydraulic brake is provided at the rear of the breech-block to assist in regulating or mitigating the force of the recoil. The cartridges are supplied from any convenient store or magazine by a belt to a feed-wheel along which they are successively pushed to a second feed-wheel by which they are placed in line with the barrel to be pushed into it by the breech-block. Cartridges without a flange or rim at the base are provided for this gun. The breech is opened by the direct pressure of the gas in the barrel upon the base of the cartridge at the moment of discharge, and, of course, the empty case follows the breech-block in the recoil, but the cocking and firing are effected in the return by the energy stored in the springs, the feed-wheels also being actuated by the breech-block in its forward movement. 1884. No. 606, ’84. Improvements in and relating to Machine Guns and other Fire-arms. The invention set forth in the specification relates chiefly to the automatic working of guns by utilising the force of the gas55 issuing from the muzzle. The non-recoiling part comprises the barrel, a frame in which it is fixed, and some of the breech-mechanism. The recoiling part includes the breech-block and its usual adjuncts. This gun affords another example of the indirect opening of the breech by the pressure in the barrel through the agency of the automatic mechanism. The drawings in the specification show various modifications of the invention. In one example the issuing gas at the muzzle of a machine- gun creates a vacuum in a chamber fitted with a piston, the rod of which is connected with a crank behind the barrel; this crank, when turned backward about its axis, opens the breech by drawing back the breech- block against the resistance of a spring, which, after the recoil, pushes the block forward to close the breech. There are two rotative feed-wheels, which are supplied with cartridges by hand or by a belt as above described. In another modification the force of the issuing gas at the muzzle of a machine-gun acts directly upon a sleeve fitted to slide on the barrel near the muzzle and connected by rods and levers to the crank. In other modifications the same principle is applied to a “ Colt,” a “ Winchester,” and other forms of rifles. No. 3844, ’84. Improvements in and relating to Machine or Battery Guns. The mechanism of the guns described in the specification of this patent comprises means for adjusting it with respect to the firing, so that while all of the other operations are effected automatically, the firing may be either automatic or by hand, as desired. In the latter case, the trigger or thumb-piece must be depressed for firing. If it is released the firing ceases. The breech-block is connected by a rod to a crank, the shaft of which carries a fly-wheel that, in the recoil of the breech-block, acquires momentum to be utilised for closing the breech, &c. This specification describes the arrangement of the barrel to slide, relatively to the frame, in the recoil and return movements; that is to say, the barrel is included in the recoiling or sliding part of the gun. The sliding part recoils, relatively to the non-recoiling part of the gun, against the resistance of peculiarly arranged flat springs within the frame at the sides of the barrel, to which they are connected by toggle-arms. In this example of the “ Maxim ” gun there is the peculiarity that the barrel and breech-block move together without changing their relative positions during the first part of the recoil, the movement of the block being then accelerated so that it leaves the barrel and opens the breech, then returns and rejoins the barrel, both moving together until the breech is closed.56 In the working of the mechanism the crank turns first in one, and then in the other, direction, and makes nearly a complete revolution for each complete to-and-fro movement of the barrel and breech-block. The cartridges are supplied to the barrel by means of feed-wheels arranged and operating very similarly to those in Patent No. 606. A pneumatic controlling device is provided by arranging a cylinder around the barrel and forming or fixing a piston on the barrel for forcing air through apertures of variable area in the cylinder in the to-and-fro movement of the barrel. As an alternative arrangement, there is a hydraulic apparatus in which the liquid is forced through apertures in the piston. In another gun described in this specification the breech-mechanism and feed-mechanism are nearly similar to those above described, but the barrel is fixed in the frame. The to-and-fro movement of the breech-block and the rotation of the crank-shaft first in one, and then in the other direction, take place as above described, but the action is not automatic, the crank-shaft being turned by hand. The guns described in this specification are distinguishable from those pre- ceding it, chiefly by the crank-shaft rotating alternately in opposite directions in the successive recoil movements, and by the movement of the barrel and block, first together and then separately from each other, during the recoil and return. Also by the devices for locking and unlocking the barrel and breech-block. There are also novel features relating to the crank- shaft, the sliding barrel, the breech-block, the springs for resisting the recoil, and the cocking and firing mechanism. Also relating to the feed- mechanism, the extracting mechanism, the speed regulating or controlling devices and the water chamber surrounding the barrel. No. 8153, ’84. Improvements in and relating to Breeoh-loading and other Guns. Relates to means for keeping the space around a gun free from smoke. No. 8242, ’84. Improvements in Magazine or Repeating Rifles and other Guns. This invention affords another example of a gun in which the breech is opened directly by the pressure created in the barrel by the firing of the charge therein. It provides for the automatic working of the gun for all of the operations with the exception of the firing for which the trigger must be pulled by hand. One peculiarity of the mechanism is a spring toggle-joint behind, aud connected with, the breech-block. In one arrange-57 ment this toggle-joint, when the breech is closed, has its links very nearly straight, i.e., the axis of the barrel, if produced through the breech-block and the centres of the pins by which the links are connected to the breech-block and to the frame at the rear of the toggle-point, would pass very slightly above the centre of the pin whereby the two links are connected. But the distance of this pin below the axis, though slight, is sufficient to allow one component of the force of the backward pressure after a momentary delay to depress and fold the joint against the resistance of the spring which is coiled upon the last-named pin in such a manner as to tend to keep the toggle-joint straight when the breech is closed and to straighten it and effect the return of the breech-block after the recoil. The extraction and ejection of the spent cartridge, as well as the cocking of the firing pin and the raising of a fresh cartridge into line with the barrel, are effected by the breech-block in its recoil, the cartridge being pushed into the barrel as the block moves forward. In a modification of this mechanism the forward link of the toggle- joint, instead of being connected directly to the breech-block, is connected thereto by a lever which is so formed and arranged that when the breech is closed, the contact of the block with the lever is near the fulcrum of the latter, which therefore offers great resistance to the backward thrust of the block, but as the block recoils, the distance of the point of contact from the fulcrum increases. This link of the toggle-joint is extended into the stock of the rifle and there jointed to the other link, which is acted on by a flat spring that resists the bending or closing of the joint and re-opens it after the recoil. Provision is made whereby the toggle-joint will slightly delay the opening of the breech after the discharge, so that the pressure existing in the barrel will have time to diminish before the first effort of the extractor is exerted upon the spent cartridge, and there will be a diminished liability to the tearing of the rim from the body of the cartridge-case and to an escape of gas at the breech. This toggle-joint mechanism may be com- bined with the ordinary magazine of a repeating rifle or with feed apparatus such as that described in the specification of patent No. 9407, ’84. The gun is, in some instances, provided with an improved cylinder and piston device for regulating the speed of firing by forcing liquid through holes in the piston and a narrow space around the same, which holes are closed more or less as required by the action of a spring. No. 9407, ’84. Improved Feed Apparatus for Machine Guns or other Fire-arms. This feed-apparatus consists essentially of two parts, termed the first feed-wheel or magazine, and the second feed-wheel. The first wheel rotates58 about a vertical axis above the barrel; the second is placed below the first on an axis parallel to the axis of the barrel rearwardly produced. The two wheels are geared together and are intermittently rotated by some part of the breech-mechanism in its to-and-fro movement. The claims include the combination of the two wheels arranged at right angles to each other, and so that, when the wheels are intermittently rotated, the cartridges supplied to the first, will be transferred therefrom to the second, wheel. Also the combination of the said apparatus with a gun in such a manner that the cartridges supplied to the said apparatus will, by the action of the gun, be successively transferred from the second feed- wheel to the device which inserts them in the barrel. Also devices for ensuring the coincidence of the parts in working, various details of con- struction of the apparatus, and the feed-apparatus as a whole. No. 13113, ’84. Improvements in and relating to Machine and other Guns. The specification of this patent provides for taking the pressure for operating the breech-mechanism from an intermediate part of the barrel: also for the lubrication of the gun-barrel, the arrest and diminution of smoke issuing from the muzzle and the diminution of the noise of the discharge. The said specification describes breech-mechanism similar to that described in No. 606, ’84, but instead of being operated by the dynamic action of the gas at the muzzle, the mechanism is operated by the pressure of the gas taken from the barrel at a point slightly in advance of the cart- ridge-chamber by means of a cylinder and piston. The piston is moved by the pressure of the gas through the agency of a liquid in a reservoir attached to the cylinder. The piston is connected by sliding rods or bars with the crank-shaft through suitable connecting links. At each discharge of the gun the gas in the barrel acts on the liquid to drive the piston back- ward, thereby operating the crank and the breech-mechanism to open the breech, extract the spent cartridge, cock the gun and compress or wind up a spring by the reaction of which the loading of the gun and return of the breech-mechanism are effected as described in the former specification above referred to. The lubrication is effected by forcing a small quantity of the said liquid into the barrel at each forward stroke of the piston. Deflecting plates substantially as in No. 8158, ’84, and other means are employed for suppressing smoke. A tubular chamber extending forward beyond the muzzle is employed to diminish the noise.*. I I ! ill mm s 1} Hi?1 is/ no w sr~- 59 No. 13762, ’84. An improved method of and apparatus for adjusting pointing or training Cannon. The specification describes a method and apparatus for adjusting, pointing, or training cannon by the aid of electricity, but contains nothing relating exclusively to automatic guns. 1885. No. 1307, ’85. Improvements in and relating to Machine or Battery Guns and other Fire-arms. The specification of this patent describes various modifications of the automatic mechanism of guns in which the breech is opened indirectly by the pressure in the barrel, which pressure commences to act upon the breech-block after, but not immediately after, the discharge. Amongst other novel features the specification discloses a form of mounting now termed a cradle-mounting, i.e., an inner frame carrying the gun and breech- mechanism, arranged to slide in an outer trunnioned frame in recoiling and running out. There is a crank on a shaft wrhich is carried by the inner frame, but the ends of which extend through longitudinal apertures in the cheeks of the outer frame ; these apertures allow the shaft to move to and fro with the inner frame while the crank rotates about its axis. The crank lies between the cheeks of the inner frame, and the ends of the crank-shaft are supported in, and extend through, bearing-blocks which are fitted to slide to and fro in the longitudinal apertures or slots in the cheeks of the outer frame. At one side of the gun the projecting end of the crank-shaft has on it a radial arm so arranged that, after each dis- charge, it can only move a slight distance rearwardly before it encounters a stop fixed on the outer frame, and by the action of this stop the crank is turned backward about its axis. In this gun the non-recoiling part comprises the outer frame and its adjuncts, and the moving or recoiling part comprises the inner frame, the barrel, and the breech-mechanism, including the aforesaid crank. In the recoil, the crank-shaft moves backward without rotating about its axis until its radial arm comes into contact with the stop on the frame ; the shaft then, while continuing its backward movement, is compelled to turn about its axis by the aforesaid stop acting on the upper end of the arm while the shaft passes below the stop, the crank commencing to turn with a com- paratively gentle movement which is quickly accelerated, so that the crank I60 is flung backward against the resistance of the spring, and then forward by the reactive energy of the spring, in which movements the various operations hereinabove specified are automatically performed. The breech-block, being a part of the mechanism carried by the inner frame, participates, in common with the other parts of the mechanism, in the to-and-fro movements of the said inner frame and barrel. But it obviously must have further movements, otherwise it would not leave, and return to, the barrel, i.e., it would not open and close the breech. These further movements are imparted to it by the crank, which, as above stated, in the recoil of the gun, first moves backward a short distance without altering its position relatively to the breech-block or moving the latter away from the barrel, but when the radial arm of the crank-shaft, encountering the stop on the outer frame, turns the crank about its axis as above described, the breech- block is thereby drawn backward away from the breech, and then, by the reaction of the springs, is driven forward again to close the same. To connect the crank with the breech-block the latter is formed with a vertical curved slot, through which the crank-pin moves as the crank turns first in one, and then in the other, direction about its axis, thereby imparting reciprocating movements to the block in a well-known manner. At the moment of firing, the crank-pin lies horizontally or nearly so in a straight line between the axis of the shaft and the breech end of the barrel, the crank then forming a solid support to the block against the backward thrust upon the block. And it is obvious that while the crank remains in this position the block cannot be driven away from the breech. But as above described, the entire mechanism moves backward with the inner frame and barrel, and as soon as the arm on the crank shaft meets the stop, the crank-pin begins to turn downward in the said slot of the breech-block, and in so moving, the crank-pin presses upon the rear edge of the slot and thereby forces the block backward. As the crank-pin moves down through the slot, it acts on an arm projecting into its path and thereby cocks the firing-pin. In its return movement the crank-pin bears on the front edge of the slot, and thereby pushes the block forward, and on arriving at the top of the slot, the crank-pin releases the firing-pin to fire the gun. ■ The cartridges are supplied to the gun by a belt which is moved inter- mittently accross the gun by a device consisting of pawls carried by a transversely sliding plate ; the latter is actuated by a lever which is pivotted to the top of the frame and is oscillated by the breech-block in its recoil and return movements. The gun is provided with a trigger which can be set to allow the firing, after the first shot, to continue automatically, or can be adjusted so that61 although the action is automatic in other respects, the firing must be performed by hand. In addition to the main novel features above specified, the claims in- clude various improvements in the details of the mechanism. For instance, there are improvements relating to the firing-pin and safety devices and arrangements for permitting either automatic or hand firing, and relating to the cocking of the firing-pin by the crank, and to the extractor; a spring-buffer or cushion placed between the inner and the outer frames and a piston for guiding and supporting the inner frame. There is a peculiarly arranged spring which is coiled or wound up partly by the recoil of the inner frame and partly by the rotation of the crank- shaft, and there are other improvements relating to the spring. A water- case is provided for the sliding barrel, and is furnished with valves, stuffing boxes and other accessories. There are also various improvements re- lating to details of the feed-mechanism, and the provision of pneumatic or other devices for regulating and controlling the speed of firing. No. 8281, ’85. July 8. Improvements in Machine and other Guns. These further improvements consist chiefly in additions to, and altera- tions or modifications of, the mechanism described in No. 1307 of the same year. One important feature of the improvements covered by this patent is the new feed-mechanism wherein there is a sliding cartridge-carrier which is a plate constructed to hold the cartridges by the flange or rim and fitted to move vertically upon the forward face of the breech-block, and which moves backward and forward with the block. The said carrier therefore has four distinct movements whereby, after each discharge, it extracts the spent cartridge from the barrel, takes a fresh cartridge from the belt* places it in position to enter the barrel, pushes it into the same in the forward or return movement of the breech-block, and then engages with the flange of another cartridge in the belt. The cartridge-carrier is operated by levers pivotted to the breech-block and arranged to engage with studs on the crank shaft. It rises, when forward, against the resistance of a spring which effects or assists its depression at the end of the backward movement. Another very important feature is the use of a shoulder-piece or crutch attached to the outer frame in combination with hydraulic or other buffers or cushions between the inner and outer frames of a cradle- mounting. This improvement allows the gunner to fire the gun from his shoulder without suffering from the kick or recoil. The shoulder-piece is62 in such a position that, in firing, the gunner can conveniently keep his shoulder pressed against it while manipulating the trigger and the elevating and training gear. See drawing No. 703486, Dash-pots or hydraulic buffers are arranged between the inner and outer frames to mitigate the violence of the shock in the recoil. The crank-shaft is arranged in combination with novel devices, whereby the firing is prevented until the crank is in position to support the block against the pressure in the barrel due to the discharge. The spring, which is coiled up and uncoiled in the turning of the crank-shaft, is provided with means for regulating its tension. The cartridge-belt is moved inter- mittently through the gun by means of pawls on a slide which receives a transversely reciprocating movement from levers moved to and fro by a bar moving with the inner frame. Provision is made for conveniently inspecting and cleaning the bore of the gun. There are various modifications of the above described arrangements for imparting to the carrier the fourfold movement for the purposes above specified. In one of the guns, the cartridge-carrier has, what is termed, a positive movement by cam-plates on the outer frame, and means are pro- vided for holding back the inner frame after its recoil until the cartridge in the carrier is in line with the barrel. In some instances the sliding'car- tridge-carrier is adapted to a gun wherein the crank forms part of a spring toggle-joint, arranged in combination with the breech-block somewhat as in No. 8242, ’84. The forward link which connects the crank with the breech-block is provided with a projection which engages with the firing- pin for cocking the same. The firing-pin, when cocked, is held by a spring-sear, which, by the rising of the carrier, is caused to release the pin. Provision is made for conducting the empty cartridge-cases away from the carrier and ejecting them in a forward direction through a tube below the barrel. To adapt the improved cartridge-carrier to a gun with a vertical feed the carrier is a kind of shelf or ledge made in two halves projecting trans- versely from vertical bars which slide up and down in grooves in the side-plates below a vertical hopper or magazine, the column of cartridges resting on the carrier which rests on the crank when the latter is in its forward position. The vertical bars rest on projections on horizontally sliding bars, and the carrier is operated partly by gravity and partly by the crank, its weight causing it to move downward to transfer the cartridges from the hopper to the position from which they are thrust into the barrel. Means are provided for holding up the carrier until the breech-block has moved back clear of the cartridge resting on the carrier, and for then63 releasing it; also for holding back the crank-shaft after the discharge of a cartridge, until the carrier has lowered the next cartridge drawn from the feed-belt into line with the barrel. Extractors are connected with the breech-block so that when, but not before, it has moved back a short dis- tance they engage with the cartridge-rim and extract the cartridge. By a peculiar device the spring for effecting the forward or return movement of the crank-shaft is slackened during the recoil and tightened in the return of the inner frame, and in one instance, means are provided for diminishing the tension of the spring to facilitate the operation of the gun by hand. No. 14047, ’85. Improvements in Machine and other Guns and Pistols, and in Projectiles therefor. The specification describes peculiarly constructed projectiles and a device attached to the muzzle of. a gun for dividing the projectiles issuing therefrom into segments that will be scattered or spread in their flight. This specification also describes a gun in which the barrel and breech- mechanism are carried by an inner sliding frame, and the breech-mechanism comprises a crank on a shaft extending across the inner frame and carried in sliding bearings in the outer frame as in No. 1307 of 1885. The mechanism also comprises a cartridge-carrier fitted to slide vertically on the forward end of the breech-block as described in No. 8281, of 1885 ; but this carrier is now provided with teeth forming a rack geared with a pinion which is also geared with another rack ; the latter is moved up and down by arms on the crank-shaft, and thereby rotates the pinion and imparts to the carrier the required vertical movements for transferring the cartridges, as they are drawn from the feed-belt, to the space behind the barrel. The same specification also describes the application of these improve- ments to a magazine-rifle, wherein the barrel and breech-mechanism are carried by an inner frame fitted to slide in an outer frame secured to the stock, the crank-shaft being connected to the breech-block by the crank-pin that works in the slot thereof, as hereinbefore described. A tube below the barrel forms the magazine ; a spring in the tube pushes the cartridges towards the rear end of the tube, at which end is placed the vertically- sliding carrier operated by the rack and pinion gear above described. In the recoil the carrier moves with the breech-block, drawing a cartridge from the magazine and withdrawing the spent cartridge from the barrel. In the return or forward movement of the block the carrier pushes the spent cartridge away over the top of the barrel and thrusts the cartridge, taken from the magazine, into the barrel. The specification also includes other examples of small-arms.64 In another gun described in the same specification the cartridges are supplied from a vertical column by a feed-wheel which is intermittently rotated by the sliding barrel in its recoil and return movements. For this purpose the feed-wheel has around one part of its periphery a zigzag groove into which a spring-pin attached to the barrel projects. The groove is so formed that, as the barrel moves to and fro, the. end of the spring-pin, moving with it in a straight line, acts alternately on the oppositely inclined edges of the groove, and thereby imparts to the feed- wheel the required intermittent movement for bringing the cartridges from the vertical column to the space behind the barrel. When the gun has a sliding barrel, the crank-shaft (which, in the recoil moves backward with the inner frame, barrel and breech-block), also turns about its axis and acts upon the breech-block to move it more rapidly than the barrel, and thereby separate the block .from the barrel and open the breech. In some instances the crank is provided with anti-friction rollers, at the part which works in the slot in the breech-block, to diminish the friction. The same specification also describes a modification of the arrange- ment of the crank of the recoiling breech-mechanism to adapt the same to a gun in which the barrel does not recoil. In this modification there is no inner frame, the only frame required being attached to the stock and having the barrel secured in it. The crank-shaft bearings are in this frame, and the shaft is fitted to oscillate freely therein; these bearings are slightly elongated in the direction of the recoil so that the shaft, by the first effort of the recoil, will be thrust backward in its bearings ; but there is, on the upper side of the shaft, a shoulder which engages with a stop on the bearing, and which therefore cannot move backward, so that the effect of the backward thrust will be to whirl the shaft rapidly around about its axis, and the crank-pin then moving through the slot in the breech-block, acts on the said block as hereinabove described. It will be seen that this device is a modification of the contrivance, consisting of the arm on the crank-shaft and the fixed stop on the outer frame employed in some of the guns hereinbefore described. The cartridge-cases must be capable of a slight elongation at the moment when the crank-shaft is thrust back in its bearings. When the barrel is carried by a recoiling frame within another frame, a spring and cushion are arranged at the rear between the ends of the inner and outer frames to diminish the shock of the recoil and to effect or assist the return of the inner frame.65 The crank-pin moving in the slot in the breech-block strikes the end of a lever, and thereby cocks the firing-pin. In one or more of the guns described in the specifications hereinbefore referred to, the firing-pin is arranged in combination with a sear which, after the pin is cocked, holds it till the crank-pin, at the termination of the return or upward movement of the latter in the slot of the breech-block, strikes the sear, thereby releasing the firing-pin to strike and fire the cartridge. Therefore, in such guns the firing will be continued automatically. But in some of the guns described in No. 14,047 there is a supplementary sear which is controlled by the trigger ; so that, notwithstanding the disengagement of the first-named sear from the firing-pin, the latter will not strike the cartridge unless the trigger is pulled. This supplementary sear is arranged in combination with a small vertical rod carried by the breech- block in such a position that when the trigger is pulled, the rod raises the said sear out of engagement with the firing-pin, and so long as the trigger is held back, the crank-pin, at every return movement of the breech- mechanism, will release the firing-pin. But if the trigger is not pulled back the crank-pin will not release the firing-pin, and the gun will cease firing. In combination with the sears there is a safety device which can be adjusted to prevent or permit their release and the action of the firing-pin. There is also a spring arranged to assist the action of the trigger, so that when the gun is adjusted to be fired by hand, there shall be no failure to release the trigger quickly after firing a shot, thereby preventing the unintentional firing of two or more shots in rapid succession. There are also improvements relating to the feed-belts and their adjuncts. 1886. No. 2581, ’86. Improvements relating to Machine and other Guns. The specification of this patent describes various improvements relating to the adaptation of the automatic method of working to heavy guns. The invention relates chiefly to large guns wherein the barrel and breech-mechanism are carried by an inner frame that slides in an outer non-recoiling frame as above described, and affords the means for protecting the gunners, and the mechanism, against injury by the recoil of the gun. For this purpose the mechanism is so arranged that the breech remains closed during the recoil, and the entire cycle of operations is performed during the return of the recoiling part.66 The effect of momentum in the action of the mechanism has been hereinbefore referred to. In large or heavy guns the momentum of the mass of metal moving in the recoil will be considerable, and the movement will be difficult to regulate, but the regulation or control of the return movement will be comparatively easy, the active force then being the comparatively gentle pressure of the springs. The invention also relates to means for easily and efficiently handling a gun of this class mounted on trunnions and fired from the shoulder. The inner frame recoils in the outer trunnioned frame against the resistance of hydraulic buffers and of a long spiral spring which returns, or runs out, the gun after recoil as in other recoil-mountings. The breech- block, carrying the firing and extracting mechanism, is arranged to slide to and away from the end of the barrel, and is operated by the crank- pin working in the slot of the said block as hereinbefore described. One end of the crank-shaft is arranged in combination with a volute spring, and the said shaft has on it a toothed pinion which is geared with a rack capable of sliding endwise in bearings on the outer frame, except when locked thereto as hereinafter described. In the recoil, the crank-shaft is caused, by devices somewhat similar to those hereinabove described, to turn slightly about its axis to loosen the cartridge-case in the barrel. In the meantime the rack, being in gear with the pinion, and free to slide endwise in its bearings, follows the pinion backward without having any rotative effect thereon. But at the termination of the recoil movement, a pawl pivotted to the frame, drops in front of the rack which is thereby locked to the frame so that it cannot move forward ; therefore the pinion, in the forward or return movement, rolls along the rack rotating the crank about its axis, coiling or winding up the volute spring on the shaft, opening the breech and drawing the spent cartridge from the barrel and a fresh cartridge from the magazine. Just before the termination of the forward or return movement the pawl is actuated by a stud on the barrel to release the rack which, immediately, by the reaction of the volute spring on the pinion is driven sharply forward, the rotation of the crank being reversed to thrust the fresh cartridge into the barrel, close the breech and fire the gun, and the barrel being driven home before the breech is closed. This contrivance appears in various forms or examples; in one example the pawl, pivotted on the outer frame, is, through the agency of a sliding bolt, actuated by a stud projecting from the inner frame through a slot in the outer frame. In the recoil, the crank is first rotated through a small angle, against the resistance of the spring, for the purpose above specified, and the bolt is moved by the stud to depress the pawl and hold it in67 engagement with the rack, thereby. retaining the latter while the gun returns or moves forward. During the return, the pinion rolls forward along the rack and the crank continues to rotate in the same direction, thereby opening the breech and operating the mechanism so that a cart- ridge is taken from the magazine ai^d the empty cartridge-case from the barrel, while, at the same time, the further extension of the spring is effected. At the termination of the forward movement the pawl releases the rack, and the spring, by its reaction, reverses the movement of the crank and drives the breech-block home. In other modifications a strut is pivotted to a cam on the shaft in such a manner that the cam and strut act as a toggle-joint in combination with a stop on the outer frame. When the breech is closed, the toggle- joint is folded in such a position that the cam is turned downward and the strut extends reaiwvardly and rests upon an incline at the end of which is the stop. In the recoil the said strut passes over the incline to the stop, and, by the time the crank-shaft has been turned through about a half revolution, by the devices described in some of the former specifications, the strut engages with the stop ; therefore, when the rotation of the crank- shaft is reversed the strut, in the unfolding or straightening of the toggle- joint, cannot extend backward beyond the stop, and consequently the inner frame and barrel are forced forward or away from the stop, so that the said inner frame and barrel complete their forward movement before the crank has turned back sufficiently to close the breech. The specification describes means whereby the barrel, in its recoil, will compress air for training or otherwise working the gun. It also describes means for working the gun by the aid of electricity. The same specification also describes improvements whereby a gun is provided with mechanism such as that described in the specification of No. 8281, ’85, and with electrical apparatus for operating the same. The inner frame, after recoiling, is retained by a catch, while contact-pieces close the circuit of the electric motor, causing the same to operate the crank and thereby open the breech, extract the spent cartridge, draw a fresh cartridge from the magazine and cock the firing hammer ; then the circuit is interrupted and the inner frame is released from the catch and returns or moves forward by the reaction of the springs. At the termina- tion of the return movement of the inner frame, the circuit is closed by contacts so arranged as to reverse the current through the motor and thereby operate the crank-shaft to close the breech and load and fire the gun or leave it ready for firing. It is obvious that in this case the breech- K68 block cannot be driven home before the barrel has completed its return movement. Another feature included in this specification is the alternate revolu- tions of the crank in opposite directions during the working of the mechanism; that is to say, the crank is arranged to make a complete or nearly complete revolution about its axis and to reverse its direction after each discharge, opening the breech in the first half and closing it in the second half of each revolution, the necessary cycle of operations being performed in each revolution. Other improvements claimed in this specification relate to means for facilitating the elevation and training of a large gun, and to the provision of a crutch or shoulder-piece for a small gun. Also to various improve- ments in the details of the mechanism. No. 7354, ’86. Improvements in and relating to Automatic and other Guns or Fire-arms. One novel feature of these improvements is the operation of the mechanism in such a manner that the breech-block is separated from the barrel by being held back during the return movement of the barrel, or in such a manner that the breech-block and barrel will be separated by moving in opposite directions. The barrel and breech-mechanism are carried by a recoiling frame, and the said mechanism can be operated to separate the breech-block from the barrel without the aid of a crank which, in the guns previously described, is an essential element of the mechanism. The barrel is supplied with cartridges from a hopper arranged above it. In some of the guns described the inner frame and barrel and breech- mechanism recoil together. The breech-block, in its recoil, compresses a spring which, by its reaction, effects the return of the block. The inner frame in recoiling extends a spring arranged below the gun, which spring, in reacting, effects or assists the return of the frame. The breech-block has a pivotted bar or strut which, when the breech is closed, engages with, and is securely held by, a shoulder on the inner frame. In the recoil, the lowermost cartridge in the hopper is pushed back into a chamber above the space into which the cartridges enter previous to being pushed into the barrel. The breech-block-spring is compressed, and the other spring is extended, the hammer is cocked and held by the sear or sears. The pivotted bar is raised out of engagement with the shoulder, and in moving backward is caught by a hooked arm or catch so. that the69 breech-block is held back; that is to say, at the termination of the recoil, the breech-block is disengaged from the inner frame, and held back by a catch while the said frame moves forward. The springs which resist the recoil, re-act very forcibly in the return to force the inner frame and barrel forward, the empty cartridge-case being extracted by holding it back while the barrel moves forward. When the barrel has moved clear of the empty case the latter drops out of the gun through an aperture in the frame as the fresh cartridge drops from the aforesaid chamber into the space behind the barrel. Then the breech-block is released and forced forward by the re-action of the aforesaid spring ; the fresh cartridge is pushed into the barrel, the breech is closed, and the firing pin released to fire the gun. These improvements are particularly described with reference to a gun in which two or more barrels are arranged in a common frame or support. The improvements included in the claims of this specification are very numerous including the following, viz.: A breech-block which is locked to the barrel and recoils therewith being unlocked at the termination of the recoil, and moved forward. Also arrangements, wherein the breech-block and barrel are locked, and recoil together when the arm is discharged, and subsequently unlocked and moved in opposite direction while the empty cartridge-case is extracted, hydraulic or pneumatic or other suitable apparatus being arranged to effect this result, and provision being made for retaining the breech-block as above set forth when it has reached its rear- most position until a cartridge has been placed between it and the barrel, and then automatically releasing it. Also the device on the barrel, whereby, in the recoil, a cartridge will be transferred from the magazine into a position from which, in the return of the barrel, the said cartridge will be brought into line with the barrel. There are also various other improve- ments for ensuring the efficient working of the mechanism in the manner above described. One of the guns shewn and described has five barrels, side by side, in a frame, or one frame may be constructed to carry five guns arranged side by side, and means are provided for starting all of the guns by the movement of a lever or handle. For this purpose there is provided a trigger-rod, which has spiral surfaces arranged to act upon the sears of all of the guns so that by turning this rod, one or any number of the firing-pins will be released. The handle or lever is geared with the trigger-rod at the rear of the frame. In some instances, a feed-wheel, such as that described in No. 3493, ’83 is employed for supplying the cartridges to the barrel, but there is a novel70 feature in respect of the wheel which is arranged to rotate upon the barrel. In one form of the multi-barrel gun, the above described mechanism is so modified that after the starting of the gun, each barrel will be fired by force created by the discharge of one of the other barrels. The same specification includes numerous improvements relating to small arms. It also includes a shell-gun constructed as follows :—It has a recoiling-barrel with a rearward forked extension forming the inner frame. Hydraulic buffers are provided for checking the recoil, and there is a spring for effecting the return of the barrel. The breech-block is fitted to move to and fro in guides, and has attached to it a chamber for the re- ception of the cartridges from a hopper or magazine above the said chamber, so that in the recoil the lowermost cartridge in the magazine will be transferred therefrom to the space between the forward end of the breech-block and the barrel. The breech-block is held to the barrel by transverse shafts or bolts formed with semi-cylindrical portions, the shafts being carried with a capability of rotation in the block and arranged in conjunction with recesses in the said forked extension or frame. These shafts are geared together by pinions. One shaft has on it an arm which, in the recoil, strikes a shoulder on the stationary or non-recoiling frame, and thereby the said bolts are turned on their axis, so that the flat surfaces of their semi-cylindrical portions lie flush with the surface of the forked extension, and the block can then move freely over the same to open the breech. In the return the said bolts are turned so that their flat surfaces intersect the surfaces of the block and forked extension, and their edges project into the recesses in the extension, thereby locking the block to the barrel and closing the breech, and at the same moment the sear is operated to release the hammer and the gun is fired. Means are provided for operat- ing the breech-block and other parts by hand. In some of the guns, hydraulic or pneumatic apparatus is arranged to open the breech as the barrel returns or moves forward, or to store up energy in the recoil for opening the breech in the return. The claims of this specification include, in addition to the above- specified improvements, a gun-mounting, with special provision for pro- tecting the cartridge-belt, and for preventing the turning of the gun about its trunnions, except when pressure is exerted upon the shoulder-piece or crutch. Also means for automatically spreading the projectiles discharged from the barrels.71 No. 13083, ’86. Improvements relating to Machine-Guns and other Fire- arms, and to apparatus to be used in the manufacture thereof. The specification of this patent describes further improvements in automatic guns of the class in which, in the recoil, the breech-block is un- locked, and moves backward as the barrel moves forward. These improvements comprise a breech-block, carried by an extension of the barrel, and arranged to slide in guides in the outer frame. The breech-block is provided with a vertically movable wedge, w’hich, when the breech is closed, engages with shoulders on the barrel, and locks the block thereto, and which is controlled by inclines and switches at the sides of the outer frame so that, in the recoil, anti-friction rollers on the wedge ride upon the inclines, and the said wedge is moved upward to disengage the block from the barrel. A spring which connects the wedge to the block, yields to allow the wedge to rise on the inclines as the block moves backward, and reacts to pull the wedge down to its locking position when the block returns to close the breech. The outer frame has a forward tubular extension which encloses the rear portion of the barrel, and within this tubular extension is a coiled spring surrounding the barrel, and arranged to be compressed in the recoil and to react after the recoil, to move the barrel forward. The barrel has on its underside a rack with w'hich is geared a pinion which also gears with another rack attached to, and extending forward from, the breech- block, under the barrel, so that, as the pinion is rotated by the forward movement of the barrel-rack, it will drive the other rack and the breech- block backward. The pinion-shaft extends through the side of the inner frame, and is provided with a lever, arranged in combination with a stop on the outer frame, so that when the lever engages with the stop, the forward movement of the pinion will be prevented. At the termination of the recoil, the breech-block, by the vertical movement of the wedge, has been unlocked from the barrel, and as the barrel moves forward the breech-block is, by the rack and pinion device, moved backward, the breech being thereby opened and the spent cartridge extracted ; the lowermost cartridge in the magazine then enters the space between the breech-block and the barrel; the lever is disengaged from the stop, the pinion is released, and with the breech-block, is moved forward, the block thrusting the cartridge into the barrel, closing the breech and actuating the sear to release the firing-pin. The locking wedge, in unlocking the breech-block, cocks the firing pin. If desired, the guti can be provided with hydraulic or other buffers or cushions for mitigating the shock of the recoil.72 The same specification describes means for cooling the barrel by the injection of liquid at each discharge. A reservoir of liquid is arranged in connection with the barrel-casing, and means are provided for preventing the flow of liquid when necessary. In some instances a pump is operated by the barrel to force water from the reservoir into the casing. The same specification also provides for regulating the speed of firing by means of a valve, which can be adjusted to increase or diminish the flow of the liquid. The same specification also includes improvements relating to the hardening or tempering of gun-barrels. No. 13534, ’86. Improvements relating to Cartridges, &o. The specification relates almost entirely to cartridges, projectiles and fuses, but it includes an automatic device for causing the recoiling barrel to adjust the time-fuse of a cartridge in the magazine. No. 15734, ’86. Improvements in and relating to Machine and other Guns. These improvements relate to large or heavy guns of the class in which a sliding barrel and breech-block are locked together during the first part of the recoil the block then being unlocked and moving backward from the barrel. The specification describes improved hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic apparatus for moving the breech-block. It also describes means for pre- venting irregularities in the working of the breech-mechanism through variations in the explosive charges, and for regulating the speed of firing, for storing energy during the recoil, for preventing jar or shock in closing the breech, and for otherwise improving the working of the gun. In one gun the barrel has, on its breech-end, an extension or bracket for supporting the breech-block. This block slides to and fro in longitudinal guideways in the recoil and return; it consists of a vertical part or body having a core or pivot-pin projecting forward, and of a screw-plug fitted to rotate upon the core and having, on its periphery, segmental screw-threads arranged to engage with similar threads in the barrel in the usual manner of a screw-breech. The part of the breech-block which slides in the longitudinal guideways is connected with a frame which serves to transfer the cartridges from the hopper to the position from which they drop into the space in front of the block. The screw-plug has an arm which projects radially therefrom into an inclined or spiral guideway in the frame. When the breech-block and73 barrel move backward in the recoil, this guideway acting on the arm, turns the plug upon its core or pivot and thereby unlocks it from the barrel, at the same time winding up a spring which subsequently reacts to lock the block to the barrel. The firing pin is enclosed in the core. There are two hydraulic cylinders attached to the outer frame; one of these cylinders is placed below the barrel and has its piston-rod connected to a bracket thereon. The liquid in this cylinder will, in the recoil, be forced from the rear to the forward side of its piston and will, in the return, be forced from the said cylinder to the other cylinder (the ram or piston of which is connected to the breech-block) so that while the barrel is returning or moving forward, the breech-block continues its backward movement. In some instances the ram is attached to the frame, and the cylinder is con- nected with the breech-block. The piston of the first cylinder is provided with an aperture to permit the liquid, during the recoil, to pass from one to the other side of the piston, and there is a spring-valve which closes the aperture in the return movement. In its recoil, the barrel compresses a spring secured to the underside of the frame, which spring, by its reaction, runs out, or returns, the barrel after the recoil. The breech-block is provided with a hooker catch which, at the end of its backward movement, engages with the end of the frame and retains the breech-block while the cartridge enters the space in front of the block, the said catch then being raised to release the block. In the side of the first-named cylinder there is an aperture or port through which the liquid passes to the second cylinder, and this aperture, is sometimes so shaped as to retard the passage of the liquid and thereby “ cushion ” the barrel at the end of its forward movement. The invention also provides for diminishing the concussion in closing the breech by forming the ram of the second cylinder with a conical end which will enter a contracted part of the end of the said cylinder when the breech-block has nearly terminated its forward movement. For opening or closing the breech by hand, a rod connected with the barrel is arranged in combination with a screw-rod that works through a nut in the rear end of the frame ; by turning this screw-rod the barrel may be drawn back and then released so that it will move forward and drive the breech-block backward, and a cartridge-case can be inserted and pushed into the barrel. Devices are provided for guiding the cartridges from the hopper to the space in front of the breech-block. A trough or cradle is arranged to slide upon longitudinal guide-rods within the frame to assist in supporting the cartridges and facilitate their insertion into the barrel.74 In another of the guns described in the same specification the longitu- dinally moving breech-block, has vertically sliding plates or pieces provided with ribs or projections which enter grooves between similar projections on a rearward extension of the barrel. These vertically sliding pieces have lugs or ears which engage with, and ride upon, inclines on the frame for raising them and unlocking the breech-block from the barrel at ~the com- mencement of the recoil as above set forth. In the return of the breech- block these lugs slide over a switch pivotted to the frame,' and the plates will be thereby held up until the barrel has returned to the firing position ; they will then be disengaged from the switch and will drop and lock the breech-block to the barrel. The firing-pin is carried in the breech-block and is arranged in combination with a slide, which, by the movement of the vertically sliding plates, is actuated to cock the firing pin, the latter being retained in this position until released from the sear by pulling a lanyard. A hand-wheel shaft is connected by bevel gearing with the breech-block for operating the same by hand. Three hydraulic cylinders are arranged below, and attached to, the outer frame. The central cylinder has a piston whose rod extends rear- wardly and is secured to the barrel by means of a projection on the under- side of the same. The piston also has a hollow rod or tube extending forward and making a telescopic joint with an inner tube on which it slides. The two ends of this cylinder are connected by a tube provided with valves which permit the liquid to flow from the rear to the forward end. This connecting tube has a forward extension connected with the inner tube on which the hollow rod of the piston slides. The said inner tube is con- nected with the other two hydraulic cylinders. These two cylinders communicate with air-vessels and have piston-rods which are connected with the breech-block. Hydro-pneumatic buffers arranged at the rear end of the main frame have their rams attached to the barrel, so that tbe air, during the recoil, will be compressed, and during the return, will react to drive the barrel forward. In starting the gun, the breech-block is unlocked from the barrel by hand. In the recoil the sliding plates are raised by the inclined guides to unlock the breech-block from the barrel. The rams or plungers of the buffers compress the air, the pistons in the three cylinders move backward with the barrel and breech-block and a partial vacuum exists in the forward ends of the cylinders. The liquid in the rear of the central cylinder is forced through the connecting tube into the forward end of tbe said cylinder and into the forward end of the outer cylinders, thereby filling the space left by the backward movement of the75 pistons. Then in the return or forward movement of the barrel, the liquid is forced from the forward end of the central cylinder through the forward extension of the connecting tube into the two outer cylinders and so acts upon the pistons thereof as to cause them to continue their backward movement, and compress air in the rear end of the said cylinders, and force it into the air-vessels and cause the breech-block to continue its backward movement while the barrel moves forward. For automatically raising the cartridges into the feeding position, there is provided a chain-elevator passing around a drum fitted to rotate on the barrel, and another drum below the barrel. The drum on the barrel has internal grooves arranged in combination with a projection on the barrel, the said grooves having longitudinal and inclined portions so arranged that the said projection, in the to-and-fro movement of the barrel, will rotate the drum only in the recoil of the latter. In another arrangement described in the same specification, the breech- block consists of two flat pieces or plates, one of which fits against, and closes, the end of the barrel and is provided with extracting devices ; the other plate is V-shaped and slides vertically behind the first plate so as to enter and leave a groove in an extended part of the barrel to lock and unlock the breech-block. The sliding plate is moved upward in the recoil by inclines on the frame, and is forced down by a spring into a groove in the barrel-extension somewhat as in the first arrangement in this specifi- cation. Provision is made for electrical firing by arranging contacts in com- bination with the sliding plate so that the circuit will be closed when tbe breech-block is locked to the barrel. The hydraulic apparatus is very convenient in multi-barrel guns for the purposes above specified. 1887. No. 4778, ’87. Improvements in and relating to Quiok-flring Guns and . other Fire-arms. One object of these improvements is the utilization of the dynamic effect of the gas escaping from the muzzle of the gun for diminishing the shock of the recoil. Another object is the simplification of the automatic mechanism. L76 This specification discloses a type of gun which has since been imitated under various forms or examples of what are now termed quick-firing guns. A quick-firing gun is sometimes termed semi-automatic. The gun is supported in a cradle-mounting, in which it recoils against the resistance of a hydraulic or other brake, and of a spring which runs out, or returns, the gun after recoil. In either the recoil or the return the breech-block is automatically moved to open the breech, extract the spent cartridge, and cock the firing-pin, but the insertion of the cartridges and the firing are effected by hand. In one gun described in the said specification the trunnioned frame has annular portions through which the barrel slides to and fro. The barrel recoils against the resist- ance of a hydraulic brake or press, and of a spring arranged in com- bination therewith below the barrel. The brake-cylinder is bored taper, i.e., its bore is larger at its forward than at its rear end, so that, in the recoil, the liquid in the cylinder will pass from the rear to the forward end through a diminishing annular space between the piston and the cylinder. The breech-block and other parts of the mechanism are arranged in a chambered extension of the barrel, and the block moves vertically across the end of the barrel for opening and closing the breech. For moving it in this manner, a forked lever is fixed on a transverse shaft, which is supported in bearings in the extension of the barrel and below the axis of the same; this lever is connected to the block by a pin, which works in a slot in the block, the slot being so formed that, when the breech is closed, the block rests on the pin, but the latter can move freely in the slot when the lever is turned down to open the breech. On the shaft, and projecting upward therefrom, is an arm or shoulder. At the moment of firing, the block is held up by a strong coiled spring acting on the shaft, and the breech remains closed during the recoil, but at the commencement of the return-movement a pawl pivotted to the outer or non-recoiling frame lies in the path of the arm on the shaft, so that as the returning barrel carries the shaft forward, the lever is subject to the action of the force applied at the axis of the shaft in a forward direction, and the force applied at the arm or shoulder in a backward direction, these forces constituting a couple acting to over- come the resistance of the coiled spring, and turn the shaft about its axis in the direction for moving the lever to depress the breech-block. The firing mechanism comprises a lever pivotted at the top of the block, and extending down through a slot in the firing-pin into a position to be pushed backward by the pin of the breech-block lever, and thereby cock the firing-pin in the descent of the block. The extractor is a lever pivotted to the breech-end of the barrel below the cartridge- chamber, and ha3 a tail extending down below its pivot. The block,77 after being depressed, will remain in engagement with the tail end of the extractor, and will be thereby held down to keep the breech open for the insertion of a fresh cartridge. The cartridge is laid in the concave or dished upper surface of the block, and then pushed endwise into the barrel; as it enters the latter, its flange strikes the claw or upper end of the extractor, and releases the block, which then, by.the reaction of the coiled spring, is raised to close the breech, and in rising, releases the firing- pin from the safety device, so that the gun can be fired by the trigger. The same specification describes the addition of a crutch or shoulder- piece to the non-recoiling part of the mounting so that the gunner can fire the gun from the shoulder without suffering any injurious effect from the recoil. For counteracting or diminishing the shock of the recoil I place in front of the muzzle, a disc or plate on which the escaping gases impinge, the said plate having a central hole for the passage of the bullets. In one of the guns described in this specification, the hydraulic brake- cylinder is attached to the gun, and the brake piston-rod is connected with a lug or bracket on the part of the frame through which the barrel slides, the recuperator-spring being placed between the lug and the cylinder so as to be compressed in the backward movement of the latter. The annular plate or disc is placed in front of the muzzle and attached by short rods to a collar fitted to slide on the barrel, and in combination with a spring which tends to push it backward from the muzzle. A rod extends from the collar to a second piston in the forward part of the hydraulic brake-cylinder. The forward end of the cylinder has a taper recess into which the said piston enters so as to gradually close the passage of the liquid from one to the other side of the piston and prevent violent concussion. As the cylinder is attached to the barrel, and the brake- piston to the non-recoiling frame, it follows that, in the recoil, the liquid in the cylinder exerts pressure on the rear side of the second piston, and forces the same forward, the said piston, by its action on the sliding muzzle attachment, assisting to check or counteract the recoil. 1888. No. 8428, ’88. Improvements in and relating to Quick-firing Guns and other Fire-arms. In the specification of this patent Mr. Maxim describes further im- provements in quick-firing guns chiefly with a view to ensuring a more78 efficient action of tbe automatically operating mechanism in guns wherein the breech-block moves as described in the last specification above referred to, one object being the prevention of the escape of gas at the breech of guns in which large cartridges are used. The trunnioned frame through which the gun or barrel slides is in the form of a cylinder, and the barrel has a slotted or chambered extension or reinforcement for the reception of the breech-block and other parts. The breech-block opens and closes the breech by moving vertically across the same, and is moved up and down by a lever or arm on a trans- verse shaft as hereinabove described ; in opening the breech it cocks the firing pin and causes tbe same to engage with a safety sear which prevents the release of the firing pin before the block returns to its firing position. In one of the guns the outer frame has longitudinal slots or apertures through its sides as in some of the automatic guns hereinabove referred to, and tbe shaft extends through these slots and slides to-and-fro along the same in the recoil and return, and, in the recoil, it encounters the resistance of a spring pawl or stop fixed on the frame, and is thereby caused to turn about its axis. In short, the breech-mechanism is a combination of the sliding and oscillating crank described in some of the earlier specifica- tions with a transversely moving breech-block, parts of the mechanism being reversed, so that it will operate to effect the opening of the breech in the return instead of in the recoil, and being modified to adapt the same to the transversely moving breech-block. The gun is provided with a shoulder-piece on the non-recoiling part of the mounting. The shoulder-piece is pivotted to a frame or crutch on the rear end of a tubular rod secured to the cradle. This shoulder piece is arranged in combination with a spring-controlled lever pivotted in the crutch, and with a rod extending from tbe said lever through the tubular rod, and adjustable into, and out of, engagement with a toothed segment pivotted on tbe stand or lower part of the mounting, i.e. the part in which the cradle trunnions are supported. The gunner, by pressing bis shoulder against tbe shoulder piece, can release the cradle from the toothed segment; then, having given the gun tbe required elevation, he can discontinue the pressure on the shoulder piece, and allow the rod to re-engage with the segment, and thereby retain the gun at the required elevation. To provide for the automatic insertion of cartridges into the charge- chamber the tubular rod of the crutch is provided with a sliding sleeve which, in the recoil, is forced back along the said rod against the resistance of a coiled spring enclosed within the said sleeve. An arm or bracket79 projecting laterally from the sleeve is adapted to receive the base of the cartridge. At the termination of the recoil the sleeve engages with a catch which holds it back till a cartridge, in being placed in front of the bracket, i.e., between it and the barrel, releases the sleeve, which, by the reaction of the spring, then moves forward and pushes the cartridge into the barrel. To facilitate the loading of the gun there is, below the breech, a magazine containing a supply of cartridges, the lower one of which lies upon a spring in the bottom of the magazine. The cartridges are raised by the spring toward the top of the magazine where they are retained by elastic hooks or fingers which permit them to be taken from the magazine, by hand, as they are wanted. Another of -the guns described in the specification now under con- sideration has a hydraulic cylinder arranged, somewhat as above described, with its piston-rod attached to a lug on the breech-end of the sliding barrel. Inside the cylinder are placed two involute springs separated by a perforated diaphragm and arranged to be compressed in the recoil and, then, to react and run the gun out. The breech-block is connected to a crank or lever-arm on a transverse shaft; the outer end of this shaft is provided with a hooked arm arranged to engage, at the termination of the recoil, with the stop-lever or pawl on the frame and cause the lever- arm to open the breech in the return-movement as above described. An ordinary pistol handle, trigger and trigger-guard are provided at the rear end of the frame. In the guns last above described the breech remains closed during the recoil, is opened automatically against the resistance of a coiled spring during the return, and is closed by hand, assisted by the reaction of the spring, after the return. In other of the guns described in the same speci- fication the breech is opened automatically in the recoil, by the movement, due to its inertia, of one part relatively to other parts of the mechanism, the breech being closed by hand after the recoil. In one of the latter class of guns the breech-operating or hand lever at the side of the gun is arranged in combination with a spring-pawl pivotted to the barrel; this pawl is caused, by its spring, to engage with the lever and keep the breech closed till after the gun is fired. The pawl has a heavy arm or mass of metal in such a position that, by the impetus imparted to it in the recoil, it will overcome the resistance of the pawl-spring and release the hand-lever ; the coiled spring then reacts to open the breech and extract the spent cartridge and then a fresh cartridge is inserted and the breech is closed by hand.80 In another gun the principle of inertia is utilized for opening the breech as follows :—the pawl is pivotted to a heavy sliding weight guided in slots along the gun-frame. The crank-shaft extends through these slots and through a slot in the sliding weight so that the latter can move freely to and fro across the axis of the shaft. A spring is connected at one end to the weight, and at the other end to the non-recoiling frame. In the recoil, the spring is distended and the momentum of the sliding weight causes the latter to continue its backward movement until the pawl is thereby caused to impinge upon the arm on the outer end of the shaft and turn the said shaft so that it opens the breech against the resistance of the coiled spring. The distended spring then reacts and returns the weight, the breech being closed by the reaction of the coiled spring as before. By reversing the pawl relatively to the arm on the shaft, the action will be modified so that the opening of the breech will take place during the return. 1890. No. 4471, ’90. Improvements relating to the pointing, training, or laying of guns and to apparatus therefor. The improvements are designed to facilitate the working of quick- firing and other guns. Electrical apparatus is arranged in combination with a shoulder-piece, or with a handle or lever, by moving which in any direction the electrical apparatus will be caused to move the gun in the same direction. The gun is arranged to recoil in a frame or cradle which is supported by its trunnions in a carriage or stand which turns about a vertical pivot. The elevating gear comprises a curved rack pivotted to the stand, and a pinion geared with the rack and with an electric motor. The training gear comprises a stationary horizontal worm or series of teeth on the lower part of the mounting and a worm-wheel and other gearing connected with the electric motor. The said electric motor is attached by a universal joint to the frame or cradle, and has its armature shaft geared by friction-wheels with four spindles, i.e., there are four spindles provided with frictional gear-wheels, arranged around a central driving wheel on the said shaft. One pair of these spindles is connected with the elevating gear and the other pair with the training gear. Applicable to machine and other guns.81 If the gun has a shoulder-piece, the central shaft is connected to a rod which has the shoulder-piece pivotted thereto at its rear *end. The said rod is jointed to a bracket on the cradle in such a manner that it can be moved laterally about the said pivot. The rod, moreover, has on it a sleeve, which, by the pressure of a spring, tends to keep the rod in a central position. But, by pressing the shoulder piece inward, the sleeve is moved to release the rod which can then be moved up or down, or to the right or or left, about the pivot, so as to put the central friction-wheel into gear with either of the other friction-wheels. The gunner, therefore, having started the motor, can, by pressure on the shoulder-piece in the desired direction, move the driving-wheel into contact with a friction-wheel of the elevating, or of the training, mechanism, or of both,and then the motor will move the gun in the same direction. The aforesaid spring, which is at the same time compressed, will, when the pressure is relaxed, return the rod of the shoulder-piece to its central position. The specification describes various modifications of the apparatus. No. 6585 ’90. Improvements relating to Automatic Guns. This specification comprises improvements relating to guns such as those described in the specification of patent No. 606 ’84, in which guns, the breech-mechanism is operated by the force or pressure of the gases escaping from the muzzle; also improvements relating to guns wherein the breech-mechanism is operated partly by the recoil, and partly by the pressure of the gas at the muzzle. The said former specification describes a gun on the muzzle of which is fitted a sliding sleeve connected with the breech-mechanism, and arranged to be driven forward by the dynamic force of the issuing gas, but in the specification now under consideration both the dynamic force, and the expansion of the gas are utilized to effect or assist the backward or recoil movement of the gun or barrel. For this purpose a cylinder or chamber is secured to, and projects for- ward from, the gun frame or cradle. It is arranged in such a position that a concave or cup-shaped piece on the muzzle is enclosed by, and opens into, this cylinder, the said concave piece being arranged in combination with a concave deflector which is placed in front of it and is attached to the forward end of the cylinder by a tubular extension. The said cup-shaped piece and deflector are so arranged relatively to eacn other that there is a slight annular space between them. When the gun is fired the pro- jectile passes through the tubular extension, while the gases from the82 muzzle impinge upon the concave surface of the said deflector, and by their expansion between it and the cup-shaped piece on the muzzle drive the gun or barrel backward in the frame or cradle thus operating the breech- mechanism or storing energy for its operation. The cylinder is open at its forward end, and is preferably provided with side apertures through which the gases can escape freely as the cup or concave piece on the muzzle is forced backward in the cylinder. When the gun is to be used for firing blank cartridges, the deflector tube has its bore or passage made taper. These guns may have breech-mechanism such as that described in No. 1307, ’85; No. 8281, ’85 ; No. 4778, ’87 or No. 8428, ’88. When the gun is to be worked solely by the dynamic force of the gas issuing from the muzzle the barrel is fixed, and the forward concave piece or deflector is movable, and will be driven forward by the force of the discharge to actuate the breech-mechanism. The mechanism hereinafter described with reference to No. 6591 is suitable for this purpose. In some instances, the deflector is formed with extensions projecting into, and sliding in, longitudinal apertures in the cylinder, which extensions are connected by rods to levers forming part of the breech-mechanism. No. 6591, ’90. Improvements relating to Automatic Guns. One of the guns described in the specification of this patent is auto- matic ; it has a barrel fixed in the frame and a breech-block which opens and closes the breech by moving longitudinally in the fraijie. The breech- mechanism is somewhat similar to that in No. 8281, ’85. The barrel has a muzzle-attachment consisting of two cup-shaped pieces substantially such as those above described, one of these cup-shaped pieces being fixed on the muzzle so as to form an enlarged termination of the bore, as above described, and the other, i.e., the deflector, being fitted to work like a piston in the same, and having a tubular neck with an aperture for the passage of the projectile, which neck is screwed into the upwardly bent end of a sliding bar. This bar is arranged below the barrel, and is connected with a rod which slides in the frame below the breech ; it has its rear end jointed to a lever which is pivotted to the side of the frame, the said rod being pressed rearwardly by a long spring. The lever is arranged in com- bination with the breech-block-crank and with mechanism for operating a cartridge-feed-belt in the manner hereinbefore described. The breech-!«-f! A fill ||| 111 If! | 2 5|l| !§$■$ A ^^'n *fj J k . *11$ 111 111 Hill *sgi! lllll ifess83 block, at its forward end, is provided with a vertically moving feed-slide or carrier, which, on its front face, is grooved to receive the cartridge-rims, (see No. 8281, ’85.) The carrier has lateral projections which, in the to- and-fro movements of the block, ride over fixed cams which move it up and down to transfer the cartridges from one position to another. When the gun is fired, the gas issuing from the muzzle drives forward the deflector or piston while the projectile passes through the tube thereof. The said deflector, in its forward movement, through the agency of the sliding bar and rod and lever, turns the crank about its axis to draw back the breech-block, and move the various devices to extract the spent cartridge, draw a fresh cartridge from the feed-belt, and cock the firing- pin, at the same time winding up a coiled spring. Then the aforesaid long spring forces the sliding rod back and turns the lever independently of the crank-shaft. The coiled spring, then re-acting upon the crank-shaft, turns it back thereby inserting a fresh cartridge, closing the breech and either firing the gun or leaving it ready to be fired by hand. The two cup-shaped parts of the muzzle-attachment, as above intimated, may be considered as a cylinder and piston, the cylinder being fixed on the muzzle-end of the barrel, and the piston having a tubular rod secured to the bar which extends below the barrel to the sliding rod in the breech- frame. Means are provided for connecting the said bar and rod in such a manner as to allow their ready disconnection when necessary. Also for adjusting the piston relatively to the cylinder so as to regulate the action of the gaseous pressure upon the piston. Another of the guns described in the same specification is a semi- automatic or quick-firing gun. This gun has a muzzle-attachment consisting of a cylinder and piston as above described and a vertically moving breech- block connected by a slot and pin with an arm or crank on a transverse shaft. Another arm or lever on the transverse shaft is connected by a link or connecting rod to the sliding bar to which the tubular part of the piston is attached, and a long spiral spring is arranged to keep the said bar pressed towards the breech of the gun. When the gun is fired the piston is driven forward or away from the muzzle by the issuing gas, and compresses the said spring while depressing the breech-block to open the breech. The extractor is arranged, as previously described with reference to other guns, to hold the breech-block down while a fresh cartridge is placed behind the barrel; the act of pushing the same into the barrel causes the extractor to release the block which is then closed by the reaction of a coiled spring. M84 1891. No. 22859, ’91. Improvements in and relating to Breech-loading Fire-arms. This patent covers the adaptation of automatic mechanism to rifles of the “ Martini ” type so that such rifles may either be used in the ordinary manner or worked automatically. A small cylinder is attached to the barrel and communicates with the bore a short distance in advance of the cartridge- chamber. A piston extending radially from this cylinder has its outer end arranged in combination with a pivotted lever which is connected with, and automatically actuates, the breech-mechanism. The outer end of the piston is arranged to press against the short arm of the pivotted lever, the long arm of which is connected to a rod extending rearwardly to the ordinary “ Martini- Henry ” action lever. The said piston is pressed inward toward the cylinder’s axis by a spring-rod acting on the said short arm of the pivotted lever. When the gun is fired, the gaseous pressure existing in the small cylinder drives the piston outward, and, through the lever, actuates the mechanism to open the breech, at the same time compressing the spring and extracting the spent cartridge. The extractor holds the breech-block down till, by the insertion of a fresh cart- ridge, the said block is released, the breech being then closed and the piston being caused, by the action of the spring, to re-enter the cylinder. The provision for automatic working does not interfere with the action of the hand-lever for opening and closing the breech in the ordinary manner. 1892. No. 7156, ’92. Improvements in Automatic Guns. The object of this invention is to adapt the automatic mechanism to guns intended for the use of cartridges with the small projectiles and powder charges now adopted in fire-arms. The gun has the barrel and breech-mechanism arranged to slide in the frame or casing, and the breech-block is moved to open and close the breech, through the agency of a crank, the shaft of which projects, at one end, through a long aperture or slot in the side of the frame as, and for, the purpose above described with reference to those guns in which the barrel and breech-mechanism recoil in a cradle. But there is a difference between the present and the earlier forms of this mechanism in respect of the devices for causing the oscillations of the crank in the recoil and85 return of the mechanism. In the present instance the end of the crank- shaft has on it a peculiarly formed lever—that is to say—a lever having a curved arm extending rearwardly from the shaft, and a short arm or tail extending in the opposite direction. The stop is a stud secured to the frame and preferably' provided with an anti-friction roller, arranged at the rear of the said lever in such a position that, before the recoil, it is behind the shaft and in the path of its backward movement, and the curved part of the arm rests on the roller. In the recoil the said curved part of the arm rides over the top of the roller, and the lever is thereby, before the termination of the recoil, turned sharply about its axis far enough to nearly reverse the position of the lever and bring the tail thereof into contact with the lower side of the roller, the point in contact with the roller becoming, for the moment, the fulcrum about which the lever turns while the barrel and breech-mechanism are moved forward and the barrel is driven home, the rotation of the crank being then reversed to close the breech. 1894. No. 16260, ’94. (Maxim and Silverman). Improvements in and relating to Automatic and Machine-Guns and their stands or supports. The invention comprises improvements relating to the recoil-spring, to the cartridge-carrier, and to a muzzle attachment. The spring which was heretofore placed outside the frame is now arranged inside the frame in connection with the crank in such a manner that its efficient action will not be impaired, and the width of the frame will not be increased. The cartridge-carrier is constructed in such a manner as to obviate the difficulty to which it has heretofore been liable, with regard to the jumping up of the spent cartridge in front of the gib of the carrier so that its free exit from the gun is prevented. The muzzle attachment comprises a cylinder attached to the end of the water-jacket surrounding the barrel. The gas issuing from the muzzle impinges against the forward end of the cylinder and thereby acts on the barrel to assist the recoil. The invention also includes improvements relating to the sights, and to a tripod stand. No. 20627 ’94. Improvements in and relating to Automatic Guns. The invention is designed to adapt these guns to work efficiently with cartridges charged with smokeless powder and light projectiles. The86 forward end of the water-jacket has attached to it a cylinder which surrounds the outer end of the barrel. The said cylinder has an annular chamber surrounding the barrel and perforated laterally with gas-exit apertures. The muzzle end of the barrel is reduced in diameter and extends through the said cylinder. This reduced portion of the barrel has lateral orifices through which the gas escapes into an annular space in the forward end of the cylinder : the escaping gas acts upon the end surface of the muzzle as upon a piston, causing, or assisting to cause, the barrel to recoil in the frame or cradle, the gas then passing into the afore- said annular chamber and through the exit apertures. The diminution of pressure in the barrel, just before the projectile leaves it, conduces greatly to accuracy of fire. For controlling the speed of firing, a spring-catch is arranged at the side of the frame forward of the crank-handle. The free extremity of the catch has in it a recess in such a position that a stud on the crank- handle can enter it at the termination of the forward throw of the handle, the said stud acting on an incline on the catch, and thereby momentarily thrusting it aside to allow the stud to enter the recess, the upper side of the latter preventing the return of the handle until in the longitudinal return movement of the mechanism, the said handle moves forward out of the recess, the handle being then free to turn backward. In this manner the return of the breech-mechanism, after the recoil, is retarded and the rapidity of fire diminished.* As might have been expected, the records of the Patent Office afford evidence that the automatic working of guns is a subject interesting to many inventors, and numerous patents, other than those granted to Mr. Maxim, have been obtained since 1883 for improvements in and relating to5 automatic guns. It is no part of the purpose of this work to discuss the relative merits of these different inventions or to express any opinion upon the question of their similarity. Those familiar with this subject can easily compare them and judge for themselves. The following list will afford some idea of the character of the inven- tions forming the subject of such subsequent patents. It is intended to refer chiefly to patents for inventions that are classified as automatic machine-guns, but it includes some that do not strictly belong to this class, and some that relate to small arms. * Since the date of this patent further improvements relating to automatic guns have been protected by Mr. Maxim.87 JUistrari of ^purifications of PATENTS Granted to various Inventors for Improvements relating to AUTOMATIC GUNS. 1884. HAWKER and NEEDHAM. May 21. No. 7995, Improved Apparatus for automatically reloading, repeating, and other breech-loading Fire-arms. The explosion in the barrel drives a part of the base of the cartridge backward, thereby, through the agency of the firing-pin, causing the breech-mechanism to open the breech, cock the gun and extract the empty shell. The trigger is pulled for every shot. The discharge of one cart- ridge stores up energy for extracting the empty cartridge-case and bringing the succeeding cartridge into firing position, and preparing the arm for the next discharge. 1885. W. ARTHUR. January 22. No. 939. Improvements in Repeating Fire-arms. This patent comprises mechanism which works the gun automatically for opening and closing the breech, extracting, loading, and cocking; the trigger may be pulled for every shot. There is a device for locking the barrel to the breech-block in its forward movement, and unlocking the barrel in its rearward movement. G. SHEPHERD. February 17. No. 2214. An Improved Revolving Magazine Fire-arm. This patentee describes a gun with a chamber at the breech-end of the barrel for containing cartridges in radial holes, all of which come successively in line with the barrel, the cartridges being all fired automati- cally. The other operations are not automatic.88 H. A. SCHLUND. March 5. No. 2937. Improvements in Breech-loading Fire-arms. The invention relates to machine-guns and small arms, but no example of a machine gun is shewn. The barrel and breech-bolt slide in a fixed casing. The barrel, in recoiling, compresses a spring which, after the recoil, moves the barrel forward. During this movement of the barrel the breech-bolt is retained by a trigger. Another trigger holds the firing- pin which is carried by the bolt. The bolt is also provided with an extractor. PAULSON. September 9. No. 10664. Improvements in Breech- loading and Repeating Fire-arms. The specification of this Patent describes three distinct forms of automatic fire-arms. The first is a gun with “ Martini” or “Peabody” breech- mechanism arranged in combination with a sliding rod extending from a piston working in a chamber below the barrel; gas from the barrel is admitted through a small orifice to this chamber to move the piston against the pressure of a spring, and by means of an incline on the rod, to effect the opening of the breech, the extraction and the cocking. After the discharge of a cartridge, the breech-block is held open by spring catches till a fresh cartridge is inserted, the pressure of the cartridge freeing the block which then returns to close the breech, its return being controlled by the passage of gas from the piston to the barrel through the aforesaid small orifice. T. NORDENFELDT. September 21. No. 11217. An Improved Machine- Gun. The gun barrel or body is mounted in a trunnioned cradle in which it recoils against the resistance of a spring coiled around the gun. The breech-block is divided into a fore part and a rear part, The fore part closes the breech and the rear part holds the fore part in this position. The rear part of the block projects downward and is provided with a roller which is arranged in combination with a downwardly-inclined slot in a plate below the breech, so that, in the recoil, the roller runs down the incline and the rear part of the block is drawn down to allow the fore part to open the breech. The rear part carries the hammer and cocks it in its descent. The recoil having expended its force, the spring reacts and drives the gun- barrel forward in the cradle, the breech is closed by the fore part of the block, and the rear part rises and actuates the hammer to fire the gun, the operations being then automatically repeated. The cradle has a shoulder-piece or crutch.89 T. S. HEFFER, No. 13059. Improvements in Fire-arms and in Cartridges therefor. The barrel is, in some instances, arranged above a longitudinal bar or tube on which it is mounted in such a manner that in the recoil it can slide thereon against the resistance of a peculiarly-arranged V-shaped spring. This spring is pivotted at its angle to a stationary part of the mounting. Its long arm is connected to a bracket on the gun-barrel, and its short arm is -connected to one arm of a horizontal lever whose other arm is connected to a crank on a vertical spindle which operates the breech- mechanism. The breech-block slides transversely across the end of the barrel. In some instances the mechanism may be actuated by means of a piston in a tube connected with the barrel, or in the base of the cartridge. Or it may be actuated by external power. 1886. A. BURGESS. January 12. No. 496. Improvements in Magazine Fire-arms. This gun has a sliding bolt, which, by the discharge of the cartridge in the barrel, recoils a very slight distance, thereby putting the hammer at half-cock. The gun is worked in other respects by a sliding sleeve on the stock, the said sleeve being released by the breech-bolt in the slight recoil movement thereof. MAITLAND, JONES and Others, dated February 26. No. 2792, Automatic Breech-mechanism for Guns. The guns described by these Patentees have a hinged breech-block actuated by a' rocking-lever which is jointed to the gun and to the mounting. One of the guns is mounted in a cradle. The breech remains closed during the first part of the recoil movement and is then opened by the depression of the breech-block. As it opens, the said block actuates the extractor, and at the same time the cocking is effected by the breech- block lever. The springs are compressed during recoil, and, by their reaction, effect the closing of the breech. It does not appear that the firing is performed automatically. The gun is provided with hydraulic brakes. The firing of the charge causes the gun to recoil relatively to the cradle or support and thereby, through the aforesaid lever, the operation of the breech-block and its adjuncts is effected.90 W. A. G. BIRKIN. March 10. No. 3395. Improvements in Machine and other Guns and Carriages for the same with the object of making them Automatic. The gun slides longitudinally in a trunnioned frame or cradle. It has a breech-block which is mounted on a transverse pin or shaft, and which, to open the breech, in the recoil, turns backward and downward, thereby causing the movements necessary for extracting the empty cartridge-shell, cocking the firing-pin and admitting another cartridge from a feeder above the breech-block. In the return movement, the said cartridge is thrust into the barrel, the breech is closed and the gun is ready for firing. The gun recoils in its frame against the resistance of a spring and of a hydraulic cylinder provided with regulable apertures through which the fluid can pass from one to the other side of the piston for checking or controlling the movements of the gun. BETHEL BURTON. March 22. No. 4008. Improvements in Automatic Machine-Guns. The guns described in this specification have two or more barrels mounted in frames which slide to and fro in an outer non-recoiling frame. The mechanism is so arranged that the recoil of one barrel causes the return of another barrel. JOHN GEORGE HOWARD. March 27. No. 4341. Improvements in Fire-arms. The specification describes a gun having the barrel attached to an inner frame which, with the breech-mechanism, slides in an outer frame. The gun is cocked in the recoil, and the cartridges are inserted and fired by hand ; with this exception, its action is automatic, that is to say, it has mechanism through which the discharge of a cartridge causes the recoil of one portion of the gun relatively to another portion and thereby stores up energy for working the gun and preparing it for the next discharge. L. ARMANNI. June 18. No. 8131. Improvements in or applicable to Magazine Machine-Guns and other Fire-arms. The gun described in the specification of this patent, in its recoil, after the discharge of a cartridge, stores energy, which is utilized in working the gun. The method of extraction is peculiar and necessitates a special form of cartridge. A spring is compressed by the recoil and, in its reaction, operates the mechanism.91 L. ARMANNI. August 18. No. 10587. Improvements in or applicable to Fire-arms. One of the arms described in the specification of this patent is a pistol having a magazine surrounding the barrel, and provided with means for utilizing the force of the gas escaping from the muzzle, to move the barrel forward from a stationary breech against the action of a spring which tends to return and keep it to the breech. Another fire-arm described in the same specification has a fixed barrel and movable breech-block or bolt. The explosion of the charge in the barrel compresses and stores energy in springs, which, by their reaction, effect the extraction, loading, cocking and firing, or some of these operations. T. NORDENFELT, October 7. No. 12792. Improvements in Machine- Guns and in Mountings therefor. The invention relates particularly to machine-guns in which the loading is automatically performed. The barrel slides in a trunnioned cradle. It is surrounded by a coiled spring which is compressed in the recoil against hydraulic resistance. As the barrel recoils, a cartridge conies into position to enter the bore, but instead of being pushed forward, the cartridge remains stationary while the barrel is pushed over it. The breech-block turns downward on pivots or studs to open the breech, and after opening, is held down till after the termination of the recoil. The breech-block carries an extractor, which, as the breech opens, draws out the empty case and then throws it away. The breech-block also carries the the firing-pin which, at the proper time, is struck by a hammer jointed to the cradle. The cartridges are supplied from a hopper on the cradle. PAULSON. November 3. No. 14130. Improvements in Breech-loading and Repeating Fire-arms. The specification describes, amongst other fire-arms, one which has a sliding barrel and a laterally moving hinged breech-piece. By the firing of the charge the barrel is caused to recoil and compress a spring, the reaction of which, after the discharge, causes the barrel to return or move forward. In and by these movements of the barrel the breech is opened, the spent cartridge discharged, and other operations are performed. The drawings show two examples of magazine fire-arms to which the invention is applied. (Amended Specification, No. 14,130*.) N92 H. A. SCHLUND. November 29. No. 15559. Improvements in Breeoh- loading and Magazine Fire-arms. The invention relates to further improvements on No. 2987, ’85. The drawings shew various examples of magazine rifles. The barrel and breech-bolt recoil within a tubular casing against the resistance of a spring which is shewn arranged in line with the axis of the barrel. The bolt is caused to rotate about its axis to lock it to, and free it from, the barrel, and in rotating, it cocks the firing pin which is carried within it. It also com- presses a spring and thereby stores up energy to effect the locking of the bolt. The magazine which forms an integral part of the arm, is below the casing. 1887. W. LORENZ, (communication from). January 20. No. 922. Mechanism or appliances employed in combination with Guns or Fire-arms and their Cartridges for utilizing the force of the explosive Gases for Cocking and other operations after firing. The invention set forth in the specification of this patent consists chiefly in the use of a cartridge fitted with a sliding plug designed to act in combination with a sliding piece and spring in the breech-block so that, when the cartridge is fired, the plug will be driven back and will drive back the sliding-piece in the breech-block, thereby compressing a spring, which, after the recoil, will react to force back the said sliding-piece and thereby cock the striker. The patentee states that his apparatus may be utilized for automatically effecting more than the simple cocking of the arm, but he does not clearly explain what means he will employ for this purpose. W. LORENZ. February 3. No. 1739. Improvements in Breech-loading Guns having Vertically Sliding Breech-blocks. The guns described in the specification of this patent have a vertically sliding breech-block which is opened by the movement of the gun conse- quent upon the firing of the same. That is to say, in one modification of the invention, the opening of the breech is the result of the dropping of the muzzle on firing. In another modification the breech is opened by the recoil. In the latter case the breech-block is connected to a part of the carriage, or mounting so that the movement of the gun, relatively to the mounting, causes the block to leave and open the breech. So the gun mayS3 be said to be automatic to the extent of opening the breech. There is no description of means for closing the breech automatically, or of extracting, cocking, loading, or firing mechanism. W. LORENZ May 21. No. 7443. Improvements in Vertically Breech Closing Mechanism for Guns. The specification describes a gun in which the rising of the breech on firing causes a vertically sliding breech-block to drop and open the breech. C. F. WOOD. July 25. No. 10369. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The specification states that the object of this invention is the prevention of jamming of cartridges in machine-guns such as the “Nordenfelt,” the “Gatling,” the “Hotchkiss,” or others, by providing an automatic cut-off and tester to each barrel. 1888. J. B. G. A. CANET. February 11. No. 2075. Improved Carriage for Quick- firing Guns. The gun is carried by, and slides through, a hydraulic cylinder trunnioned to the frame. The piston is a collar on the gun. During the recoil the liquid passes from the rear to the front of the piston. The diameter of the gun is larger in front than in rear of the piston ; there- fore some of the liquid is displaced ; this passes through a valve to an accumulator cylinder, the piston of which is pressed inward by a spring- surrounding a rod which extends rearwardly to a tube containing a small piston, the rod of which is connected with the breech-operating lever. After the recoil, the gun travels forward more quickly than the accumulator piston, and by the changes due to this relative movement, the opening of the breech is effected. The loading of the gun and closing of the breech are effected by hand. A. C. KOERNER. February 29. No. 3059. Improvements in the breech-mechanism of Rapid Firing and other Guns. The specification describes apparatus for utilizing the recoil of the gun for automatically working the breech. The automatic action, as explained and illustrated by the drawings, does not appear to include more than the opening of the breech and extraction of the cartridge-case.94 T. NORDENFELT. May 28. No. 7791. Improvements in Automatic Guns. The gun has two barrels sliding longitudinally, the recoil of one barrel advancing and firing the other, by means of racks formed on the inner sides of the barrels, and geared with a pinion. Each breech-block has teeth cut upon it, so that during the first part of the recoil, it retreats with the barrel until out of gear with the pinion, whereupon an arm of the axle of the pinion throws it rearward, withdrawing the empty case upon the cartridge- belt, and cocking the firing-pin. The loading of one barrel and the forward movement of its breech-block and barrel are caused by the recoil of the other barrel. The hammer is automatically forced out of bent as the barrel reaches its final forward position, or the gun may be fired by hand. Cartridges are fed to the barrel from a transversely operated belt. The axle of the pinion carries a fly-wheel to complete the movements at the end of the recoil. T. NORDENFELT. June 5. No. 8235. Improvements in Machine-Guns The general construction is similar to that described in No. 7791 of 1888, but the racks on the sides of the barrel are removed, the recoil being received by levers which are connected to the spindle of the toothed wheel between the barrels. This wheel gears with two other wheels, one for each barrel, and each wheel carries an arm for throwing the breech-block rapidly to the rear as the barrel reaches the end of its recoil. H. W. JEFFRYES. July 30. No. 11,018. Automatic Action for Machine- Guns. Guns of the “ Gatling” and “ Gardner ” class are provided with spring- mechanism on the operating shaft, so that a series of shots may be fired automatically. The driving shaft is operated by a spring carried in a drum which is rotated to wind up the spring by a pinion, while a clamp holds the shaft. G. B. SATTERLEE. August 22. No. 12,113. Improvements in Machine and Quick-firing Guns. The specification describes means for locking the actuating mechanism at the moment of discharge, the release being effected by the force of the explosion in the barrel, thus preventing the extraction of a cartridge which has missed fire, or which is hanging fire. When applied to a “Gardner” gun the operating spindle is rotated by a pinion from a toothed wheel, which is acted on by a spring put into tension by turning the spindle by hand. When the wheel turns the said pinion for effecting one cycle of95 movements it rotates another pinion, and the pawl blocks further motion by engaging with a cam. When the gun is fired, the plunger is driven out- wards, and a pivotted lever is operated to cause it to touch a stop, thereby closing an electric circuit, and causing the electro-magnet to attract its armature, thus releasing the driving wheel. The electrical apparatus may be dispensed with, and the pawl raised directly by the lever. 1889. Y. and B. CLAIR, February 23. No. 3288. Improvements Applied to Fire-arms. Small arms and Machine-guns.—The explosion-gases are allowed to pass through an orifice in the barrel into a tube running beneath it to furnish power for operating the loading mechanism. Ordnance.—The explosion gases are allowed to pass from the gun into a cylinder beneath to check and balance the recoil. E. S. HIGGINS. May 11. No. 7915. Improvements in and relating to Machine-guns and other Fire-arms. In the gun shown in this specification the barrel recoils in a cradle carrying with it a shaft on which a toothed segment is keyed. The action of the segment on a non-recoiling rack causes the rotation of the said segment. This rotation first turns the shaft which carries a crank for lowering an abut- ment-block from the rear of the breech-bolt and then retracts the breech- bolt. During this latter movement the extractor draws out the empty cartridge-case, and a sleeve, acted upon by a spring, forces forward the cartridge-case away from the extractor, and thus expels it. The next cartridge from the magazine is delivered by a carrier which is rotated by a pin on the breech-bolt. The abutment-block carries the hammer which cannot, therefore, fire the gun until the breech-bolt is locked. The trigger is operated by an arm which may be set to fire automatically each time the gun runs forward, or it may be turned down and raised each time to fire the gun. When the gun is run out, after recoil, the rack rotates the shaft in the opposite direction, closing the breech and raising the abutment- block. The breech can be opened by hand. A hydraulic cylinder is carried on the cradle, its piston rod being attached to the gun. Compressed air reacts on the liquid, after the recoil, to run the gun out again.96 YON SKODA (Communication from). Deoember 17. No. 20207. Improve- ments in Machine-Guns. The breech-block is hinged at its lower end and supported during the discharge by a pivotted piece ; the force of the discharge causes the breech- block to fall back, carrying the piece down and compressing a spring. The said piece, during its descent, cocks the hammer and puts the breech-block into such a position that a recess in it is in line with the chamber of the gun. The breech-block, during its movement operates a transversely moving cartridge-carrier, which deposits in the recess a cartridge from a hopper or magazine. The reaction of the spring projects the cartridge into the gun and closes the breech. The firing is effected by means of a heavy pendulum which is attached to the trigger by a rod. This rod is made adjustable, so that the rate of firing may be regulated. 1890. O. W. BERGMAN. January 10. No. 483. Improvements in and relating to Breech-loading Small Arms and Machine-Guns. A pivotted block is hinged to an axle around which it is turned by a handle, or by a rack, as the gun recoils on discharge, or by drawing the axle rearwards by means of an external hand-lever. When the said pivotted block is moved on its axis it is withdrawn from behind the breech-block ; a pin fixed on the said breech-block travels in a cam-groove in the pivotted block and thus, as the said pivotted block is raised, the breech-block is draw7n back. During this opening movement of the pivotted block, a spring is compressed, the reaction of the spring causing the closing movement. The cartridges are fed into the gun on a belt by a v7orm, which is rotated by the recoil. A sliding trigger-rod can be used for single shots, or can be adjusted for continuous automatic fire. Instead of the pivotted block oscillating on the axle, it may make complete rotations, the cam-groove being of suitable shape for opening and closing the breech. With this modified construction the gun may be provided with tv7o barrels, the breech-mechanism of which will be operated from a single block. YON SKODA. June 28. No. 10,048. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The recoil of the gun barrel is made to drive a fly-wheel, the stored up energy in which returns the barrel to the firing position, performs the operations of loading and firing, and pumps water into a jacket on97 the barrel for cooling purposes. A link is pivotted by one end to the recoiling barrel and to the fly-wheel, while its other end is connected by a rod to the breech-bolt. The gun is cocked during the recoil and is released on the straightening of the links. The cartridges may be fed from a hopper, or from a band carried on the feed-wheel which is operated from the fly-wheel shaft. W. T. UNGE. September 16. No. 14,639. Improvements relating to the Loading and Firing of Repeating Rifles and other Fire arms and to Mechanism therefor. The powder gases are employed for operating the breech-mechanism. The gas passes from the barrel through apertures into a cylinder, driving out the piston and extending a spring. The subsequent escape of gas from the cylinder allows the piston to return, whereupon its rod opens the breech and puts a spring 'into tension for closing the breech as soon as the empty cartridge-case has been expelled and a fresh cartridge brought into line with the barrel. The invention is shown applied to a bolt-gun and to a revolver. In some guns the powder-gas passes down a pipe and expands a collapsible reservoir, thereby causing a rod to take up a certain position. When the gas escapes from the cylinder, the rod is drawn down by a spring, and the breech-block is thereby drawn down and the breech opened. A. ODKOLEK, FREIHERR VON AUGEZD. October 23. No. 16939. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The powder-gases in the gun-barrel pass through an opening into a cylinder and drive back a piston, the rod of which pushes back a pivotted rod and compresses a spring. A projection on the piston-rod is withdrawn from the breech-locking device, which is hence released, and allows the breech-bolt to move back. During the backward movement the empty cartridge-case is ejected and the cartridge-feeding device operated. The reaction of the spring loads the gun, closes and locks the breech, and finally causes the projection on the piston-rod to fire the gun. The trigger engages with the piston-rod during its backward movement, so that continuous fire can only be maintained so long as the trigger is held back. 1891. O. W. BERGMAN (Communication from). August 10. No. 13504. Improve- ments in Machine-Guns. The gun has a cluster of barrels carried by a disc on a shaft. A fixed sleeve has a cam-groove which engages with projections on the breech-98 bolts, so that during the rotation of the barrels around the sleeve, the bolts are withdrawn to allow the spent cartridges to fall out, and to leave space for fresh cartridges from a belt carried on the feed-wheel, and then the breech-bolts are moved forward to close the breech. Each barrel is made to recoil, and by acting on a cam on the sleeve, imparts an automatic step- by-step motion of rotation to the cluster of barrels. The shaft is, however, connected by a clutch to a pinion and worm, so that the gun may be operated by hand. The firing-hammer is cocked by cam-surfaces on the breech-jackets during rotation, and is released automatically or by hand. NOBLE & BRANKSTON. September 22. No. 16089. Improvements in Mountings for Quick Firing Guns and in Gear for Opening and Closing the Breech of suoh Guns. A spring is coiled around the gun within a hydraulic cylinder through which the gun slides in the recoil and which is supported by trunnions in suitable standards. A piston on the gun is fitted to work in the cylinder and compress the spring, in the recoil. The piston has grooves or notches through which the liquid must pass from one to the other side of the piston in the movement of the latter. The breech is opened and closed by a vertically moving block which is operated by a transverse shaft. At one side of the gun is placed a spring box or case containing a coiled spring. The spring-case is attached to the breech-end of the gun, and, in the recoil, moves with the latter. The spring-case has on it a rack geared with a toothed segment on the transverse shaft. The case recoils with the gun and compresses the spring. A pawl then holds the case while the gun returns to battery, the shaft being thereby turned to open the breech. Then the pawl is tripped by a hand-lever and the case follows the gun forward, and in so doing turns the shaft to close the breech. 1892. C. RICCI. February 15. No. 2904. Improvements in Mechanism for Automatic-Guns. This patent includes various improvements in the guns described in Mr. Maxim’s specifications No. 1807, and No. 8281 of 1885. A carrier-stop is screwed on the breech-block, and is arranged so that, on giving to it a99 quarter turn,the carrier may be lifted out. The main spring which acts on the firing pin, is pivotted to the hand-sear. Side spaces are provided for the firing pin to allow the escape of powder-gases. Projections on the recoil-plates limit the rotation of the crank. The carrier travels around a cam under the guidance of a projection. The back of the gun-casing is hinged to provide access to the works. A pawl on the feed-box is arranged to allow the cartridge-belt to be readily inserted or withdrawn. A special cam, con- nected with a spiral spring on the crank-shaft, allows the barrel to return before the breech-mechanism returns after the recoil. F. MANNLICHER. April 8. No. 6787. Improvements in Automatic Fire-arms. This invention relates to automatic guns, and is shown in the specifica- tion as applied to a magazine rifle. The barrel and breech-bolt recoil together and compress springs. They are locked together during the recoil by a hinged locking bar, the rear end of which enters a recess in the breech-bolt. At the termination of the recoil the bar disconnects the breech-bolt from the barrel. The barrel then remains at rest in its recoiled position, the projection on the locking bar taking against the rear of a rib, while the breech-bolt continues to retire, thereby further compressing the spring and opening the breech. During this opening movement the empty cartridge is extracted, and the return of the breech-bolt, under the action of the spring, drives a fresh cartridge into the barrel and raises the rear end of the locking bar, thereby locking the barrel and breech-bolt together, and causing them both to advance to the forward position. The gun is cocked, during recoil, by a pivotted cocking lever. A safety lever for preventing accidental discharge is provided. A. ODROLEK, FREIHERR YON AUGEZD. April 13. No. 7137 Improvements in Machine-Guns. This patent comprises improvements on the class of guns described in No. 16939 of 1890, in which the powder-gases from the barrel are made to act upon a piston in a cylinder for automatically withdrawing the breech- bolt and firing-pin. The closing of the breech is effected by a piece hinged to the rear end of the breech-bolt, this piece being pressed into engage- ment with projections on the casing by an inclined surface on the piston rod. In the depression of the closing piece, the firing pin begins to move forward in the breech-bolt, but the firing cannot take place until the cart- ridge is pressed home and the breech is fully closed. The cylinder is formed on, or attached to, the barrel of the gun and communicates there- with by a small hole. When the piston-rod is forced back by the powder o100 gases and withdraws the breech-bolt, it at the same time compresses a spring by means of a lever, and this spring effects the return stroke of the piston for closing the breech and firing the cartridge. The piston-rod can also be pulled back by hand. The rear end of the piston-rod abuts on a buffer which bears on the transverse bar, and a butt-shoe attached to the cover of the casing is provided for enabling the gun to be held to the shoulder. The cartridges are carried by a belt wound on the axis of a drum which can be attached to the gun when in use. The belt passes between the breech-bolt and the piston-rod. H. BORCHARDT. December 19. No. 23408. Improvements in Small-arms. The invention relates to a rifle mounted in a frame which is so con- structed that, in the recoil, after firing, the frame retracts the breech-bolt to open the breech. 1893. C. RICCI. April 5. No. 7003. Automatic Guns. The invention relates to rifles and machine guns, and is shown and described as applied to a rifle which has a screw-breech. A machine-gun is formed by mounting one or more rifles on a tripod or carriage, and by providing means for pulling the trigger or triggers at each round. When the gun is discharged, the barrel and receiver recoil in the breech-casing, against the action of a spring, which, however, at once reacts and returns the barrel and receiver to their former positions. During such recoil movement the handle of the breech-bolt is pressed by a cam-surface on the casing and is rotated, thereby unlocking the interrupted screw, whereupon the bolt continues its rearward movement and is caught by a hinged catch. During its rearward movement the breech-bolt pushes the hammer into the cocked position, and withdraws the empty cartridge-case by the extractor, which is provided with a spring. After a cartridge has been placed in the receiver, the catch is depressed, whereupon the spring returns the breech-bolt to its closing position, and gives it, when there, the necessary locking twist. I the catch is held down, the loading automatically follows the discharge.101 PAUL DARCHE3. June 14. No. 11,692. Improvements in Automatic Repeating Fire-Arms. The fire-arm has an automatic repeating action and the force of the recoil is utilized in working the breech-mechanism. Means for suspending the repeating action and enabling the arm to be loaded by hand are provided. The arm has a sliding breech-block, and there is an automatic cartridge elevator which can be thrown out of action by a stop. This elevator is connected with stops acting on the breech-bolt and trigger so that the action is locked automatically until the breech-chamber is com- pletely closed. A safety stop blocks the striker in case the breech should be imperfectly closed. When the repeating action is used the barrel and breech-chamber, with the breech-bolt, move backward relatively to the stock, in the recoil, and thereby compress springs which deaden the shock of recoil, and store .up power sufficient to actuate the breech-mechanism for firing the next shot. The barrel and the breech-chamber return to their original position before the return of the movable breech-block so as to leave space for the ejection of the empty cartridge-case and the introduction of a fresh cartridge, after which the breech-bolt is automatically released and caused to close the breech. F. W. PRINCE] (communication from). August 1. No. 14749. Improve- ments in or relating to Machine-Guns. The invention relates to “ Gatling ” guns, the object being to provide means whereby the gun can be fired with great rapidity either by hand or by power, the power-driving mechanism being arranged out of sight or capable of ready removal, so that it will not be a mark for hostile pro- jectiles. The drawings in the specification shew a gun of the “Gatling'’ type, the central shaft of which is connected with the shaft of an electric- motor. CLAIR FREREZS (communication from). August 21. No. 15833. Improve- ments in Repeating or Magazine Small-arms. The invention relates chiefly to automatic repeating rifles and pistols. The rifles have the magazine in the stock. The pistols have a helical tube which forms the magazine; the said tube extends through the butt. The invention is said to be also applicable to “ Gatling ” and similar guns. H. BORCHARDT. October 6. No. 18774. A New or Improved Magazine Pistol. The specification describes a new form of pistol with a recoiling barrel and automatic toggle-joint mechanism.102 T. BERGMANN. December 30. No. 25,089. “ Improvements in Breeoh- loading Fire-arms. The invention relates to breech loading fire-arms and machine-guns with sliding breech-bolts. It is based upon the principle of inertia, whereby, the locking of the bolt is entirely dispensed with. The breech-bolt instead of being locked in the closed position before, and at the moment of, discharge, is free to recoil but is made of such dimensions as to resist by its inertia the rearward pressure of the gases and ensure such a slow recoil motion of the bolt, that the projectile will have quitted the barrel before an escape of the gases at the breech is possible; the complete recoil of the bolt under the gas-pressure ejects the empty cartridge-case, and recocks the firing mechanism. Amended specification No. 25089.* Patent not granted. 1894. G. RASCHEIN. April 20. No. 7838. Improvements in Small-arms and Machine-Guns In these guns there is a sliding breech-block which is turned about its axis to lock and unlock the block, and there is a magazine below the receiver. The firing-pin extends through the breech-block, and is pro- vided at its rear end with a cross-bar from which extend tubes that are pressed forward by springs. In the recoil, after a discharge, the firing pin carries back the cross-piece and the springs are compressed. After the recoil they react to drive forward the firing-pin, load the gun, and close and lock the breech. The gun is fired by a trigger. A. MIEG. June 8. No. 11139. Improvements in Magazine Small-arms- The invention relates to small arms. The barrel, breech-casing, breech- bolt and magazine constitute the recoiling part of the arm. The breech-bolt is locked by a vertically sliding piece in front of the magazine actuated by means of a lever which is pushed back against the resistance of a flat spring in the butt or stock. During the return movement of the lever, the carrier, through the agency of another lever, withdraws the breech-bolt. A projection on the last named lever, acts to loosen the discharged cartridge. O. W. BERGMAN. June 12. No. 11435. Improvements in Automatic Machine-Guns. The specification describes a gun with a barrel secured to a breech- box which is arranged to slide to and fro in the frame of the mounting against the resistance of a spring, which, after the recoil, reacts to move103 the barrel and breech-box forward. The breech-bolt opens and closes the breech by sliding in the said breech-box; an independent movement for this purpose is imparted to it by means of a longitudinally sliding rack geared with toothed segments on a vertical lever, the outer end of which lever engages in the fork of a vertical arm connected with the breech-bolt. The rack is arranged to slide with the breech-box so that during the first part of the recoil no movement will be imparted to the segment lever, but the rearward movement of the rack being stopped, the continued rearward movement of the breech-box causes the said lever to turn about its axis. The segment lever returns or moves forward in advance of the rack. The percussion mechanism comprises a striker extending through the breech- bolt. The cartridges are supplied to the gun by means of a feed-wheel and belt. The breech bolt is provided with an extractor of the usual kind. The gun can be fired automatically or by hand. MASSUJI YAMANOUCHI. June 20. No. 11959. Improvements in Automatic Guns. The gun or barrel is arranged to slide in a cylindrical frame or cradle against the resistance of a spring which acts upon a piston on the gun to return it after the recoil. The breech-block is a plug with divided screw- threads, the said plug having an arm projecting into an inclined groove in the side of the frame. It moves longitudinally with the gun in the recoil, during which movement it is unlocked by the action of the inclined groove upon its projecting arm; as the gun moves forward, the breech- block is moved further to the rear by the piston of a small cylinder arranged above the main cylinder and connected to the block by a cross bar in which the block is supported so that it can rotate therein. The piston-rod in the small cylinder is surrounded by a spring which acts on the piston to move the breech-block forward. During the recoil, liquid passes from the rear to the forward side of the main piston, and in the return or forward movement, this liquid passes into the small cylinder. The cartridges are supplied from a hopper to the space behind the barrel and in the return of the breech-block are pushed into the latter, the liquid at the same time being forced back into the main cylinder. BROWNING & BROWNING (communication from). July 3. No. 12857. Improvements in Machine-Guns and other Breech-loading Fire-arms. The object of the invention is to provide mechanism to be actuated by the pressure of the gases of explosion before the projectile leaves the barrel. The barrel is secured to the receiver in which a longitudinally sliding breech-piece is provided for opening and closing the breech. The104 said breech-piece is also arranged to swing so that in its forward position its rear end falls in front of abutments which support it against recoil until it is raised therefrom and allowed to slide backward to open the breech. The breech-piece, in recoiling, stretches a spring which, by its reaction after the recoil of the breech-piece, returns it to close the breech before the next discharge. The barrel has a radial aperture whereby the gases resulting from the discharge escape before the projectile leaves the barrel and, in combination with this aperture, there is mechanism connected with the brecch-piece for opening the same. At the rear end of the breech-piece is a hammer which is cocked in the rearward movement and which engages with a trigger at the rear end of the frame. The cartridges are supplied to the gun by a belt or by hand. H. T. ASHTON. October 4. No. 18829. A Duplex Automatic Machine-Gun. The gun has two barrels, one above the other, which recoil against the resistance of a spring or springs whereby they are moved forward after the recoil. The automatic mechanism is so arranged that the reco^ of one barrel will effect the unlocking of its own breech-mechanism, and the extraction of the spent cartridge from its chamber, and the opening of the breech and the loading and the cocking of the firing mechanism of the other barrel. 1895. A. A. McKNIGHT. March 26. No. 6266. Improvements in Machine-Guns. The invention relates to an automatic machine-gun the barrel of which is arranged to slide in a frame or cradle pivotted to a suitable base. The barrel, in recoiling, distends a spring arranged below it, which spring, by its reaction, moves the barrel forward. There is a vertically sliding breech-block which carries the firing pin. When, after a discharge, the barrel commences its recoil-movement it actuates a bell-crank-lever pivotted thereto and connected with the breech-block, causing the said lever to open the breech; the hammer is cocked, the spent cartridge ejected and a fresh cartridge inserted during the recoil, the barrel being then moved forward, the breech closed and the firing pin released for the next discharge. At the rear of the gun there is a cartridge trough or holder from 'which the cartridges pass, one by one, into a position in front of a rammer whereby they are pushed into the barrel, the said rammer being operated by the sliding barrel.105 MACHINE-GUNS THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IN THE BRITISH OR OTHER SERVICES. As above stated, only a few of the guns forming the subject of the Patents herein referred to have become known outside of the Patent Office records. The French mitrailleuse became known at the commencement of the Franco-German War, and great things were predicted of it, but it does not appear to have been used invariably with good results. It is stated in Farrow’s Military Dictionary that this weapon, as actually used in the war, had thirty-seven barrels, weighed about 400 lbs. without the carriage, and could be worked by two men. It was alleged that the barrels could be discharged almost simultaneously and repeatedly reloaded and discharged with great rapidity. The “ Montigny ” Mitrailleur became known to some extent through the reports of Major Fosbery and the special Committee upon the result of the trials of the “ Montigny ” and “ Gatling” Guns. In the meantime the latter was becoming known in the United States services, and according to the above authority, was introduced into Europe in 1867. Since that date it has been greatly improved by subsequent Inventions relating to the feed-mechanism and other parts of the gun. Its general character is familiar to all interested in the subject of Fire-arms. It is a well known example of the type of Machine-Guns in which a series of barrels rotates around a longitudinal axis, and in such relation to the breech-mechanism that each barrel is automatically discharged as it comes into the firing position. It is said to be capable of discharging 1200 shots per minute. It can be worked by two men, one of whom supplies the cartridges to the feed-mechanism, while the other turns the crank and points the gun. The “ Gatling ” construction has been adapted for use as a camel or mule gun, and with its tripod, can be carried on the back of the animal. This form of the gun has five barrels, and is capable of very rapid fire. Another class of Machine-Guns has been made famous under the names of “ Gardner ” and “ Nordenfelt.” Both have been largely used in the United Services of Great Britain. The “Nordenfelt” Machine-Gun is worked by means of a reciprocating lever. The barrels are arranged in a row or tier. The number of barrels varies in different examples of the gun. It is said that the ten-barrel rifle calibre gun can be fired at the rate of 1000 rounds per minute.106 The “Gardner” Gun has been made with five barrels, with two barrels and with one barrel. The two barrelled gun is the one now most commonly used in the services. It is very light and portable and can be carried and worked by two men, one of whom attends to the supply of cartridges, while the other turns the crank in the working of the gun. The mechanism is very simple, and, with ordinary care, not liable to derangement or failure. A modified form of the “ Gardner ” Gun known as the “ Parkhurst ” Gun is manufactured by Messrs. Pratt & Whitney, of Hartford, Conn., U.S.A. The “Hotchkiss ” revolving cannon is another example of a gun with a series of barrels rotating around a longitudinal axis. It is usually provided with five barrels and is operated by a crank or handle at one side of the breech. “ Hotchkiss ” guns have been especially constructed for destroying torpedo boats, the gun being mounted on the rail of a ship and provided with a shoulder-piece for elevating and training it about a pivot. The cartridges may be introduced into the gun singly by hand, but for rapid firing they are contained in cases which are successively inserted into the gun. The “ Lowell ” Gun has been used in the United States and in Russia. It has a series of barrels, each of which may be used in turn until heated and then moved onward to give place to another. It is operated by a handle at the rear of the gun. A four-barrelled gun is said to be capable of discharging about three hundred shots per minute. One man attends to the feed and another turn's the handle and points the gun. The “McLean” Machine-Gun (see McLean & Coloney’s Patent) as manufactured in the United States is, in principle, a magazine rifle with tubular magazines parallel to the barrel and with a chambered sliding- plate for transferring the cartridges from the magazine to the barrel, the cartridges being fired in the chambers. A competitive trial of some of the above-named guns took place at Turin in 1883, particulars of which trial are given in Farrow’s Military Dictionary. Recent wars in various parts of the world have afforded opportunities for testing the capabilities of Machine-Guns in actual service. The successful results obtained with the “ Maxim ” Guns in action on several of these occasions are generally well known. rl hey have fulfilled, if not surpassed, the most sanguine anticipations of those interested in the introduction of this weapon, and have greatly enhanced the reputation of Machine-Guns. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY y