US1472126A

US1472126A - Machine gun

Info

Publication number: US1472126A
Application number: US244047A
Authority: US
Inventors: John T Kewish
Original assignee: JOHN C GARAND
Current assignee: JOHN C GARAND
Priority date: 1918-07-09
Filing date: 1918-07-09
Publication date: 1923-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1940-10-30

Description

MACHINE GUN J. T. KEWISH Filed July 9, 1918 Oct. 30 1923.

g E (I l 0d. so, 192s.

J. T. KEWISH MACHINEv GUN Filed July 9. 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sm 8% uw. mm

Oct. 30 1923.

` J. T. KEwlsH MACHINE GUN Filed July 9. i918 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 30 1923.

J. T. KEwlsH MACHINE GUN Filed July 9, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /MW BY ATTORNEY@ atented *lili so a'. :a:

a. a., or .ai

ASSIGNOE 0F @NE-FOURTH TU J0 C.

Application med July 9, 191B. Serial Elfo. Qdd?.

To all 'whom it muy concern:

Be it known that li, donn T Kawisn, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, a State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ma chine Guns, of which the following is a specication.

rIhis invention relates to an improved machine gun o the type adapted to be carried on and tired from the shoulder of the user.

Certain objects and advantages of my invention are as follows: y

First, as the principal object, to dispense with the recoil and gas operated mechanism as heretofore em loyed in automatic and machine ns, an to provide a light, sim le and relia le machine gun comprising a ew parts of simple construction which are easy to assemble and operate, and so designed and arranged that the power for actuating the automatic parts is taken from the primer of the cartridge when said cartridge is fired. Secondly, to provide a simple and reliable automatic mechanism which can be depended on to fire either single shots or by machine action as desired, independently of the skili of the operator.

ther objects oi my invention are: to provide an automatitl gun mechanism capable of machine action` in which the power actuating the automatic parts is derived from the primer of the cartridge, but in which means are provided to prevent the primer from coming completely out of the cartridge when fired; to provide a gun mechanism capable of machine action in `which means are provided for securely locking the cartridge in the barrel of the gun; o provide a movable actuator piece through the movement of which and from its transmitted energy the gun is automatically unloaded and loaded; to provide an automatic movable breech mechanism which shall be spring-actuated in the closing direction,` the weight of the movable breech parts being so proportioned to the stiffness and length of the spring that the rearward movement of the mechanism will store suiiicient energy in the spring to reload the gun, return the mechanism to firing position and to lire the cartridge; to provide an automatic gun mechanism ca able of machine action which may be relia ly used for sharp-shooting purposes; to provide an automatic gun mechanism capable of machine action in which a ring pin carried by the breech mechanism is held in mounted or cocked position after 4the breech mechanism is in tiring position; to provide an automatic gun mechanism capable of machine action, in which the breech block is securely locked when the mechanism is in ring position; to provide an automatic gun mechanism capable of machine action in which the breech block is securely locked when the mechanism is in tiring position and in which a firing pin carried by the breech is held in mounted or cocked position after the breech block is locked; to provide an automatic gun mechanism capable oi' either single shot or machine fire, in which the trigger mechanism is so arranged that when firing single shot the trigger must be let go after firing and pulled anew for each shot before the gun can fire; to rovide an automatic gun mechanism capable of veither single shot or machine ire in which the trigger mechanism can be positively and surely disabled as to machine action; to provide an automatic gun mechanism capable of either single shot or machine lire, in which machine action is obtained by holding the trigger in a di'erent position from that in which it is when the piece is tired in single shot action; to provide novel means for mounting the sights: to provide a novel extractor mechanism; and to provide improved means for discharging the gas out of the line of sight.

A further object of my invention resides in the particular arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, and the invention will readily be understood from a description of this drawing.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, parts being, however, in elevation, of the portion of .a gun according to my invention extending forward from a transverse plane through loo horizontal' section.

Fig 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

mFig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1

Fig. 61s a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing the operating mechanisms of the piece in the positions occupied when a fresh cartridge is being inserted. It also shows the ma azine in position.

ig. 8 is a detailed view of the trigger mechanism and also shown the arrangement employed for holding the magazine in position.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of a bolt employed for holding the Itrigger mechanism, and also the stock, in position. It is the final bolt employed in assembling the piece.

Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the receiver in longitudinal section.

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the stock bracket.

Fig. 12 is a detail longitudinal sectional view through the rear end of the cartridge chamber and forward end of the breech mechanism of my showing the relation of the parts immeiiintely after the'firing of the cartridge and illustrating the amount .of movement permitted the primer in the cartridge. This view also illustrates my gun as used with a special form of primer having` relatively thick and long side walls.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken on a line parallel to and immediately below the line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of the casing or receiver in which the automatic parts of my gun are mounted. l

Fig. 15 is a view of my rear sight as it appears when looking from the rear or right hand side of Figs. 7 and 14.

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of my gun showing parts appearing also in Figs. 1 and 7.

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the forf ward end of the actuator of my gun.

Fig. 18 is a side View of the actuator shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a rear view of said actuator, taken from the right of Fig, 18.

taken when looking from the rear of the gun.

In my improved machine gun, the power which actuates it is derived from the primer of the cartridge. The gas pressure generated in the cartridge moves the' primer back a short distance, thus transmitting power to a tappet or movable part which in turn transmits the movement or energy to an acn tuator. The actuator then moves back in the receiver of the gun, and operates first to unlock the bolt, moving some distance in doing this before the same is fully unlocked. This allows time for the gas to escape from the barrel before the bolt is Withdrawn, and provides a margin of safety against backfire, and in case a bullet lodges in the barrel. As the actuator continues to move backwards, it carries the bolt and its lock with it, the bolt lock travelling on guideways in the receiver. The cartridge is extracted by an extractor carried on the bolt, and is ejected from the receiver by contact with an ejector situated in the receiver in such way as to be moved in and out of position by a cam on the bolt. This movement backwards of the actuator, with its connected parts, compresses the `main operating spring in the rear end of the receiver. After being compressed to its utmost this spring sends forward again the Q actuator, with its connected parts, expanding itself until held back against the head of the firing pin, when said firing pin is detained on a pawl pivoted in the receiver, from. whence the firing pin mounts on to a catch on the actuator. Said pawl is then lifted from the firing pin by a cam on the actuator which operates as the actuator moves forward by the impetus received from the spring. The

yspring thus being freed again pushes the actuator ahead with the firing pin cocked on the catch on the actuator, forcing the cartridge into the barrel by the bolt which i the actuator pushes ahead. After the cartridge is in its place in the barrel, and the bolt in its most forward position, the actuator continuesl to move forward a short distance in forcing the bolt lock down into position on the end of the bolt, and in front of the guideways in the receiver, by the action of cam surfaces, the bolt lockbeing held securely in place against the front of the guideways in the receiver. The gun is now ready to fire again, and the firing pin is sent forward to strike the primer by the same spring which brought the whole breechblock ahead, it being pressed against the head of the firing pin when this pin was as desired.

The single shot and machine action are both controlled by a single trigger and associated mechanism, the one action or the other being determined by the position tol` which the trigger may be pulled when firing, the machine action occurring when the trigger is in its rearmost position. When firing single shots,lthe trigger is positively held from being pulled back to the machine iire position by a stop, which can be moved out oi the way when desired. In single shot firing. e pivoted'catch on the trigger mechanism engages the catch on the actuator to pall the latter down and reiease the diving pin. These two catches are so arranged that the trigger must be let go after ring and puiled anew for each shot before f the gun can fire. tf'onsequently, there is a marked line between shots fired by pulling the trigger each time and the machine action. The user can make no mistake.l and reliable single shot tiring can obtained without special skill or training. The single re trigger arrangement, in combination with the bolt and lock therefor also ensures perfect aim and Steady fire, as the cartridge must be locked securely in firing position before the cocked iirin pin can be let go. However, after each ischarge the gun is automatically set for the next shot and the speed is determined by the will of the user within wide limits, and so long as there is a cartridge in the magazine.

When it is desired to utilize the machine action, the stop previously mentioned is displaced from the path o the trigger in its rearward motion and the trigger is held in a position further back than the one in which it is fixed for firing single shots.

i When held in such position, the catch of the trigger mechanism is drawn down out of the way of the catch onA the actuator, but the latter catch is automatically tripped to release the tiring pin as the actuator goes home to its forward position by a cam member which is elevated by the trigger.

Suitable means are rovided also for cock ing the gun into position for the first shot and for securely locking the mechanism of the gun in a safety position. from which it cannot be fired. I )rovide also an improved arrangement for dissipating the gas and bending downwards the flash at the mouth of the gun, as well as a novel arrangement for mounting the sights. My invention will be more completely understood and further advantages will appear from the following detail descriptioni Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 des-v ignates the mock bracket secured to a stock 3 of an approved pattern by bolts 2, 4 and 5. 6 esi ates the receiver which is secured to t e stock bracket by a horizontal T slot and lu joint 7 at the rear end and by a slot andug connection 8 at the front end. In mounting the stock bracket on the receiver, the stock bracket is brought into engagement with the receiver so that the T slot 7 in the receiver engages the lu 9 on the stock bracket2 and so that the ug and slot 8 are 'in ltion; then by turning the bolt 10 (see 9) the yreceiver and stock bracket are locked firmly in position. The barrel 11 is secured to the receiver by the screw-thread connection as shown. The magazine is indicated at 12 and may be of any approved type adapted to automatically supply cartridges 13 in position to be engaged one at a time by the bolt l5 on its forward movement and pushed into position in the barrel.

The mechanism for taking energy or power from the primer and for automatically operating the piece comprises an actuator 14 mounted to a slide in guideways formed in the receiver as shown clearly in Fig. 4. This actuator has considerable mass. and as will later explain operates to Store up sulicent energy when the cartridge is tired to carry the mechanism through a complete cycle of operations. The bolt 15 is mounted free to slide in the slot 16 cut in the actuator 14 (see Fig. 4) and has mounted on it and carries with it in its movement the extractor 17. The spindle 18 has a threaded connection at 19 with the actuator and extends into the bolt and maintains the bolt in position, free, however, to slide a certain amount on this spindle. 20 designates a tappet mounted in the forward end of the bolt in front of the spindle. This tappet is provided with a slot 21 adapted to receive a lug 22 on the extractor 17. The slot 21 is of such a length that the tappet can move forward until it is firmly pressed against the primer by the spindle 18, and thereafter when the cartridge is fired can move rearwardly with respect to the bolt a sufiicient distance to store enough energy in the actuator and associated arts to operate the various mechanisms. referably the tappet is not permitted to move far enough to allow the primer to come out of the cartridge before the tappet is brought to rest, and I have demonstrated that suicient energy can be stored up in this way to actuate the piece without allowing the primer to come out. 'After the tazppet has moved the limited distance and has been brought to rest by lug 22 on the extractor 17. the actuator 14 and the spindle 18 continue to movey rearwardly so that the cam surface 23 on the actuator comes in contact with the cam surface 24 on the lock 25 (see Fig. 7), this lock keeping holt 15 fixed for an instant after the cartridge isl fired. The contact of these two cam surfaces operates to move the lock upwardly kinto the 'position shown in Fig. 7. When the lock is thus raised it rises above the shoulders 26 on the guideways and is then free to move rearwardly with the actuator. The lock 25 has a T slot engagement at 2 8 with the rear end of the bolt and carries the bolt rearwardly in order to extract and eject the cartridge. The extractor 17 as above explained has a lug 22 and this extends through a slot in the bolt as clearly shown in Fig. 2, so that the extractor is forced to move with the bolt.

It will be seen that the firing pin is also thrown rearwardly by the primer at the same time as the actuator. The actuator, firing pin, and associated parts, on their back movement compress the spring 29 and store suilicient energy in this spring so that the spring returns the movable parts to {iring positlon, overcoming their friction, inserting a cartridge, locking the bolt to hold the cartridge firmly, and driving home 'the firing pin. I find that it is necessary, for good results, that the reciprocating parts which receive energy from the primer should have a certain minimum weight in order that Vthey may accumulate sufficient energy to carry out the operations of ejecting the cartridge and inserting a fresh one and to overcome the friction of the parts in passing through a cycle of operations. Also the spring must be capable of storing sufficient energy to return the reciprocating parts from their rearmost position to the tiring position, to insert the'fresh cartridge and to drive the pin home in firing. I have found by experiment that good results are obtained when the actuator, pin and parts rigidly attached thereto weigh about one and three fourths pounds, and the spring is of spring wire (.070 inches diameter) coiled into a helix about twelve' inches long when uncompressed.

The small spring 30 is employed as a cushion to insure the actuator coming to a stop when the cushion spring reaches the rear end 31 of the receiver. After the lock has been raised .the actuator continues to move rearwardly compressing the spring 29, and when it moves rearwardly sufficiently far, the rear end of the cartridge case strikes the point 32 of the ejector 33, and is thrown sharply to one side and out of the piece through the opening 200 in the receiver. It will be noted that 1n the position shown in Fig. 2, the point 32 of the ejector is out of line with the rear end of the cartridge. In order to bring the point 32 in contact with the rear end of the cartridge case, a cam surf face 34 fixed on the bolt is provided, and this 5 cam surface engages the corner 35 of the ej ecing pin in cocked position.

tor and tilts the ejector sufficiently to bring the point 32 in contact with the em'py car- Y -cartridge has been ejected, the actuator moves back until stopped by the cushion spring 30 engaging the rear wall 31. The actuator and associated parts carried therewith then move forward' until the head 37 of the firing pin engages the pawl 38, the rear end of which is normally held down so as to engage the head 37 as it moves forward. The pawl 38 stops the forward movement of the ring pin. The actuator continues to move forward until the cam surface 39 on the actuator engages'the cam surface 40 on the pawl so as to lift it out of engagement with the head of the firing pin. While the pawl 38 is de-` taining the head 37 of the firing pin, the catch 41 rises until its shoulder 42 engages the head of the firing pin and holds the fir- This catch 41 is pivoted at 43 on the actuator and is actuated by a spring 44, so that it normally assumes a position to engage the head of the firing pin. Thel bolt as it moves forward picks up the cartridge which has been moved in front of it by the spring 12 of the magazine and pushes it into the chamber of the barrel. As the actuator moves forward the lock 25 comes in contact with the cam surface 45 formed on the top wall of the receiver 6 which operates by engaging the surface 46 of the lock to push the lock bodily down enough to disengage the rear face 47 of the lock with the shoulder 48 on the actuator 14. Thereafter, as the actuator moves forward, the cam surface 49 on the actuator engages the cam surface 50 on the lock and forces the lock down into locked position, against the front of the shoulders 26, that is to say, in the position shown in Fig. 1. The surface 45 operates to prevent the lock moving forward and also brings the actuator to a stop. The mechanism now is in cocked and firing position.

It will be seen that, when the parts are in cocked position, only the firing pin is mounted and hence there is a minimum of jar on discharge both in single shot and machine firing. vMy gun is consequently adapted for any use to which a hand rifle may be put, such as sharpshooting, etc.

lThe trigger mechanism consists of the trigger 51v pivoted at 52 to the bracket 53.

The bracket is held in fixed position in the receiver by the bolt 5 above referred to, and the bolt 10 in Fig. 9. The forward end 54 of the trigger 51 engages the rear end of the lever 55 pivoted at 56 o-n the bracket 53. The rocking lever 55 is slotted and carries the catch 57 pivoted thereon at 58. A stop 59 for the trigger is provided in order that engages the notch 68 in the magazine-so as` the piece may be set to fire automatically or to fire single shots. The stop is set by a .trip lever 60 and operates as I will later explain. When the trigger 51 is pulled, the catch 57 is pulled down compressing the spring 61 andthe hook 62 on the catch 57 engages the hook 63 on the catch 41 and releases the firing pinl which fires the cartridge and thus completes the cycle of operations when the piece is used to fire single shots. It will be seen, however, from Fig. 7 that, when catch 51 is in cooking position and the trigger is pulled back, catch 57 cannot make operative engagement with hook 63, so that the trigger must be released after each shot before another can be fired.

When it is desired to operate the piece automatically, the stop 59 is set in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 by an appropriate change in the positionl of cam member 60. Then when the trigger 51 is drawn back, it is free to move far enough to bring the cam 64 on the rocking lever 55 into position to engage the corner 65 ofthe catch 41, and automatically trips this catch as it moves forward. This surface 64 is so positioned that it trips the catch 41 slightly before the actuator comes to rest on its forward movement. When the parts are in this position the catch 57 is inoperative, being held down out of the way of the catch 41. The operation of the mechanism when used automatically is the same as when used to fire single shots, except as modified by the operation of -cam surface 64.

The trigger 66 operates the pawl 67 which to hold it in operative position. When it is desired to remove an exhausted magazine and insert a new one, the trigger 66 is moved forward bringing the paw 67 out of the notch 68 so that the change of magazines can easily be made. The pawl 67 is normally held in engagement with the notch 68 by the pressure of the spring 61. safety sear is shown at 69 and is pivoted by pin 70 on the receiver. When the handle of this safety sear is thrown forward from the position shown in Fig. 1, the Sear engages the firing pin, locks the actuator by reason of its cylindrical portion 69' contacting with the arcuate surface 14.-B (Figs. 1 and 18) on the actuator, and operates as a lock to prevent the accidental firing of the piece. It also may be used to cock the firing pin since when it is thrown into safety position the shoulder 71 engages the head of the firing pin and forces it into cocked posi- Vtion as will be apparent from Fig. 1.

In order to position the first cartridge and to put the operating mechanism into cocked position, a hand-operated bolt 72 is provided and mounted to slide in the groove 73 on the receiver. A pawl 74 is mounted on this bolt and is positioned by a spring 75 so as to normally lock the bolt in forward position. When the bolt 72 is pulled back, the pawl 74 automatically releases and then swings far enough through the slot in the receiver to engage the notch 76 in the actuator, and thus allow the actuator to be moved back compressing the sprin and in This bolt 72 is made long` to allow for closing the slot 8O to keep dirt out.

Also the actuator is made long enough to normally close the opening in the receiver. through which the shell is ejected for the same purpose.

As is well known, difliculty has been experienced in sighting automatic rifles owing to the flash and expansion of the hot gases at the end of the barrel. This difiioulty has been partly cured bv placing a sleeve at the end of the barrel of the general type shown at 81. I have found that the action oi' such sleeves is greatly improved if the outer end is deflected downwardly as indicated at 82. rIhis arrangement discharges the gases in a stream which has time to cool and spread before reaching the line of sight.

It will be seen that member 81 carries the front sight` and I find that this arrangement enables me to place the front sight in the most advantageous position as regards use and at 'the same time to set the sight accurately with a minimum of trouble. In order to hold the sleeve or choke 81 securely and at same time insure that the sight shall not be turned out of line as might be the case if member 81 were secured by a thread' ed joint, I attach member 81 tothe end of the barrel by a dovetail and pin connection, the pin being shown at 83. Moreover, to assist in adjusting the front sight 84, I form a dovetail connection shown at 85 between the sight and the standard 86, so that the sight can be readily adjlisted transversely of the gun.

It will be seen that the deta'ining nawl 38 is mounted on the pin or bolt 87 (Fig. 3) and I find that this pin comes in the best position for mounting the rear sight 88 so that I can utilize said pin for both purposes. Moreover, by placing the rear sight as iust indicated, I arrange it to co-operate with the receiver to excellent advantage.

As shown in Figs. 1, 7, 10, and 14. I cut the rear ends of the upstanding ribs or shoulders 89 to produce a downwardly and rearwardly sloping bevel 90. The sight 88 can be folded down between shoulders 89, and I have provided outwardly projecting ears 91 on the adjustable head 92 of the sight, said ears having edges arranged to engage the notches 99 on bevels 90. The height of-this sight can thus be adjusted up to nine hundred yards by engaging the ears with the respective notches. If higher ranges than nine hundred yards are required, the sight is swung upwardly and forwardly somewhat beyond the ninety degree position and ranges above nine hundred yards obtained by adjusting head 92 as indicated, by graduations on one of the legs of the sight. I provide also a pawl 93 on head 92 which is for en ging notches on one of the legs to hold t e head in vertically adjusted po.

sition. It will be seen that head 92 folds between the shoulders 89, only ears 91 projecting, so that pawl 93 is protected and the sight is not exposed to damage. Moreover, I provide a thumb-bolt 94 with associated spring for normally holding pawl 93 in engaging position,

members

93 and 94 being so mounted in recesses in the side of head 92 as not to interfere with turning the sight down between shoulders 89. A bridge piece is provided between the outer ends of the legs and on said bridge piece is an outstanding lug 95 in which is a notch form-ing part of the battle sight. Immediately below said notch is a peephole 96 Which is used for careful shooting when the sight as a whole is folded back. A peep-hole 97 is provided in head 92 for use when the sight is elevated. The spring 98, one end of which controls the detaining pawl 38 and the other end of which controis the safety member, is used also to maintain the si ht either folded or raised as desired. For t is purpose the rear end of s'aid spring is cut to form three lingers, the centre one 98b of which contacts with the detaining pa-wl, and the other two 98--98 of which contact with the hubs on the inner ends of the legs of the rear sight.

It will be seen that my principle of operating by power derived from movement of the primer is applicable to many types and sizes of `gun using any desired form of cartridge, so long as a. primer is used.l Moreover, it will be understood that the power taken from the plrimer must be properly proportioned to t e mechanism of the particular gun. It will be seen also, that the amount of power derivable from a given primer depends upon its length and diameter. My experiments have shown that the primers of the standard cartridges for small arms in use in the United States are so proportioned as to work my preferred mechanism herein described in a highly satisfactory manner. However, I contemplate using this principle on cartridges of various kinds and with mechanism requiring more power in proportion to the cartrid than is the case. with that shown and described herein. I also contemplate using ower from the prime-r for performing certa-1n functions in connection with the magazine, which are not possible with the form of magazine shown herein. Finally, it is advisable with certa-in types of gun to obtain a longer impulse than can be obtained with standard primers now in use. For these reasons, I

have designeda special primer 30() as illustrated in Fig. 12 in association with my improved breech mechanism. This rimer has its side walls 301 made relative y long in proportion to its diameter as compared to the standard U. S. small arms primer.

Moreover, the side walls 301 of my primer are made thicker than the head of the primer, so that the primer can move out of the cartridge a greater distance without danger of collapsing.

It will be understood that I have shown a standard form of a. magazine in connection with my own improvements and said magazine is adapted to contain two rows or banks of cartridges of which only one appears in the drawing.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described herein the preferred embodiment of my invention, nevertheless I do not wish t0 be limited thereto, since many changes may be made in the forni. and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Moreover, parts of my invention may be 100 bination, a bolt for holding the rear end 1 of a cartridge to be fired, an actuator hav ing a limited movement with respect to said bolt, a firing pin carried with and having a. limited movement with respect to said actuator, means for urging said pin forward, 1

means for retracting said pin with respect to said actuator, means carried on* said actuatorv for retaining said pin in retracted position, and means whereby said firing pin may be released from said retaining means.

2. A' self-loading gun comprising, in combination, a bolt for holding the rear end of a cartridge to be fired, an actuator having a limited movement with respect to said bolt, a firing pin carried with and having a limited movement with respect to said actuator, means for urging said pin forward, means for retracting said pin with respect to said actuator, means carried on said actuator for retaining said pin in retracted position, and means whereby said firing pin may be released from said retaining means either in single shot or rapid firing sequence, as desired.

3. In ardevice of the class described in combination, a casing, an actuating block slidably mounted in said casing, a bolt mounted in said block for hold' a cartridge to be tired, said bolt and block being capa le of a restricted relative movement, a spindle fixed to said block and pro' within said bolt, a firing pin mounte within said spindle, said pin and block being thrown rearwardly by the motion of the primer, a spring for returning said block and bolt, means for cocking said pin including a catch mounted on said block, and trigger mechanism adapted to release said catch. y

4. In a device of the class described in combination, a casing, an actuating block slidably mounted in said casing, a bolt for holding a cartridge to be fired mounted in said block, said bolt and block being capable 0f a restricted relative movement, a spindle fixed to said block and projectin within said bolt, a firing pin mounted wit in said spindle, said pin and block being thrown rearwardly by' the motion of the primer when the cartridge is fired, a spring for returning said block and bolt, means for cocking said pin including a catch mounted on said block, and trigger mechanism adapted to release said catch, said trigger mechanism comprising two releasing means, one operating only after being reset, and the other operating upon contact with the catch.

5. In a device of the class described in combination, a casing, an actuating block slidably mounted in said casing, a bolt for holding a cartridge to be fired mounted in said block, said bolt and block being capable of a restricted relative movement, a spindle fixed to said block and projecting within said bolt, a firing pin mounted within said spindle, a tappet piece surrounding the forward end of said pin within said bolt and having a limited rearward movement therein upon the firing of the cartridge whereby said block and pin are accelerated in a rearward direction, a spring for returning said block and bolt, means for cooking said pin including a catch mounted on said block, and

trigger mechanism adapted to release said catch.

8. In a device of the class described in combination, a casing, an actuating block slidably mounted in said casing, a bolt for holding a cartridge 'to be fired mounted in said block, said bolt and block being capable of a restricted relative movement, a

' spindle fixed to said block and projecting within said bolt, a firing pin mounted within said spindle, said pin and block being thrown rearwardly by the motion of the primer, a spring for returning said block and bolt. means for cocking said pin including a catch mounted on said block, trigger mechanism adapted to release said catch, and a locking member for holding said bolt momentarily stationary after the firing of the cartrid e.

7. In a evice of the class described in combination, a casing, an actuating block slidably mounted in said casing, a bolt for holding a cartridge to be fired mounted in said block, said bolt and block being capable of a restricted relative movement, a spindle fixed to said block and projectin within said bolt, a firing pin mounted wit in said spindle, said pin and block being thrown rearwardly by the motion of the primer, a spring for returnin said block and bolt, means for cooking said pin including a catch mounted on said block, trigger mechanism adapted to release said catch, and a locking member carried by said block for holding said bolt momentarily stationary after the firing of the cartridge.

8. In a gun, in combination, a breech mechanism comprising a reciprocatory actuator, a firing pin mounted on and having a limited movement relatively to said actuator, a catch acting to hold said firing pin when in cocked position, said catch being pivoted intermediate its ends to said actuator, and trigger meanswhereby said catch may be operated to release said tiring pin, said trigger means includin a pivoted catch for coJoperating with said first mentioned catch on one side of its pivot point and a cam for co-operating with said first mentioned catch on the other side of its pivot point to release said tiring pin.

9. An automatic gun mechanism comprising in combination, a bolt for holding the cartridge firmly in firing position, said bolt leaving the primer free to move, a movable actuator, a firing pin carried on and movable relatively to said actuator and a lock for said bolt, said lock being free to move relatively to said bolt transversely of the barrel when said bolt is in locked position and being operated by the movement of said actuator.

10. An automatic gun mechanism comprising in combination, a reciprocatory actuator, a bolt for holding the cartridge firmly in firing position, said bolt leaving the primer free to move and being mounted including a reciprocating firing pin havingl a head thereon, a main spring engaging said head for actuating said breech mechanism in the forward direction, and a pawl for engaging said head on the forward travel of the breech mechanism and acting to momentarily detain said pin,4said mechanism having suitable means for retaining said pin cocked in a relatively detained position as it moves forwardly.

p 12. An automatic gun comprising in combination reciprocating breech mechanism including a reciprocating firing pin having a head thereon, a main spring engaging said head for actuating said breech mechanism in the forward direction, and a pawl for engaging said head on the forward travel 'of the breech mechanism and acting to 'momentarily detain said pin, said mechanism having a catch which automatically engages the head of said pin when it isretained by said pawl.

13. An automatic gun comprising in combination a reciprocating breech mechanism including a firing pin, a pivoted member for momentarily detaining said pin on the forward travel of said'mechanism, a rear sight, and common means for mounting said pivoted member and said sight.

14. An automatic gun comprising in combination a reciprocating breech mechanism including a breech block and a firing pin, a main spring for actuating said mechanism on its forward travel, and means for inomentarily detaining said pin during its lorward travel, said spring expanding until stopped by the detention of said pin, then expanding further in putting the breech block into firing position, and expanding ro its furthest position in driving said pin to fire the shot. r

15. In a gun in combination, a reciprocatory breech mechanism, a casing or receiver in which said mechanism is mounted, said receiver having a slot therein, a hand cooking device havingA a pawl adapted to extend through said slot to engage said breech mechanism tol draw the same back, and means whereby said pawl is automatically released from said mechanism.

16. In a gun in combination, a reciprocatory breech mechanism including a bolt and a locking piece therefor, a hand cocking device for said mechanism including a pawl and a receiver or casing for said mechanism, said receiver having a slot for said pawl, an exterior guideway for said device,

v an opening for the ejection of a cartridge,

openings in the bottom for the assembling of the parts of said mechanism, a cam for engaging and bearing down said locking piece, and track guideways on which parts of said mechanism run, said guideways be- .ing so arranged that they become the thrust support for said bolt and locking piece when the bolt is locked in firing position.

17. In a gun in combination, a reciprocaremainder of said mechanism to'force back and mount said pin and simultaneously to hold the remainder of said mechanism ahead.

18. An automatic gun mechanism comvprising in combination, a reciprocatory actuator having a slot, a bolt mounted in said actuator and having a lateral recess opening to said slot, and an extractor mounted in said slot and having a lug extending into said recess.

:19. An automatic gun mechanism comprising in combination, a reciprocatory actuator having a slot therein a hollow bolt mounted on said actuator and having a lateral aperture opening into said slot, a tappet piece within' said bolt and having a recess and an extractor mounted in the slot in said actuator and havin a lug extending through the aperture 1n said bolt and into said recess to limit the movement of said tappet piece.

20. In a gun in combination, an automatic breech mechanism comprising a reciprocatory actuator receiving its energy from the discharge of the cartridge, a bolt and locking piece associated with said actuator, and reciprocating therewith, and a receiver o r casing for said mechanism, said receiver having guideways for said mechanism, said guideways being so arranged with respect to said mechanism and said locking piece being automatically l so actuated .that said guideways become the thrust support for said bolt and locking piece when the bolt is locked in tiring position.

21. An automatic gun comprising a receiver, a transverse pin thereon, an oscillatory detaining or cocking pawl pivoted on said pin, and a rear sight also pivoted on said pin.

22. In a device of the character described, in combination, an actuating block, a bolt Acarried by said actuator, a spindle fixed to said block and projecting into said bolt, a firing pin mounted within the spindle,`a tappet positioned to contact with the primer and perforatedto permit access of the firing pin to the latter, the tappet being so constructed as to limitthe forwardmovement of the firing pin.

23. In a gun, a receiver or casing provided with a slot adapted for the reception of a pawl carried by a cooking slide, and

,with an exterior guideway for `said slide,

said guideway having an opening, for the ejection of a cartridge shell, and said receiver having openings in the bottom for the assembly of the parts normally held in .the receiver.

24. In a device of the character described,

in combination, an actuator, a bolt carried thereby, a slotted tappet carried by said bolt, and means extending into said slot and governing the movement of the tappet.

25. In a device of the class described, in combination, a bolt for holdin a cartridge to be fired, a firing pin mova 1y monted within the bolt, a spindle carrying the firing pin and projectin into said bolt, and a tappet limiting the orward movement oi the 10 firing pin produced by said spindle and arranged to engage the primer so as y'to be moved rearwardly thereb J 011% T. KEWI'SH.