13,570. Whiting, W. J. June 13. Breech actions, sliding breechblock.-Fig. 3 is a side elevation of an automatic pistol with the breech-slide in the rearward position ; Fig. 4 is an horizontal section showing the breech closed and the barrel in plan; Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sections showing the parts in the closed and open positions respectively ; Fig. 12 is an horizontal section showing the stop for putting the breech-slide actuating-lever out of action. The barrel 30 is locked to the breech-slide 40 by means of a projection 31 on the top of the barrel chamber engaging in the aperture 48 in the forward part of the top of the breech-slide 40. Unlocking is effected by the barrel being made to move downwardly and rearwardly during the recoil by means of oblique ribs 33 upon the sides of the barrel engaging with corresponding grooves in the side walls of the body. Another part of the invention consists in the means for connecting the breech-slide with the swinging lever 71, which is actuated by the return spring 70. The connexion consists of a loose pin 80, Fig. 4, which is pushed through a hole 83 in the side wall of the breech slide 40 to engage the end in a recess 84 in the loading rib or breech-block of the slide. The lever 71 engages in a groove 81 of the pin 80. A stop device for the lever 71 is shown in Fig. 12 in the operative position, and consists of a pushpiece 90 with a notch 94 into which the lever 71 normally enters in the forward position ; if, bowever, the slide is drawn back a short distance to bring the lever 71 out of the notch 94, the pushpiece can be pushed in and then blocks the lever 71 as shown in Fig. 12. The connexion between the breech-slide and the lever can then be broken by pushing the slide forward to disengage the lever from the groove of the pin 80, which can then be withdrawn. The means for preventing "double shots" consists of a vertical pin shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, engaging the lever 65 connecting the trigger to the sear. When the barrel is depressed to unlock it from the slide, the pin is depressed and lowers the lever 65 so that connexion is broken and cannot be restored until the breech is again closed and locked. The breechslide is held in the open position, after the firing of the last cartridge in the magazine, by a projection 105 of the lever 100, Fig. 6, which is lifted about the pivot at its forward end by the magazine follower engaging the ear 108 of the lever 100. The breech-slide is then retained by the projection 105, which in the normal depressed position of the limb 100 is in line with a longitudinal recess of the breech-block. The projection 105 also acts as a cartridge ejector. The lever 100 can be raised or depressed by an external push-piece 107.