US1719147A

US1719147A - Magazine feed mechanism for machine guns

Info

Publication number: US1719147A
Application number: US219239A
Authority: US
Inventors: George H Tansley
Original assignee: Colts Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Colts Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1927-09-13
Filing date: 1927-09-13
Publication date: 1929-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1946-07-02

Description

' July 2, 1929. G.'H. TANSLEY MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed Sept 1 192'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 71 5172'02" Fearge H Tana g7 mi'i'arngr July 2, 1929. e. TANSLEY MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed p 192'? s Shets-Sheet 2 July 2, 19-29. G. H. TANSLEY MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHiNE GUNS Filed Sept. 13, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet W m E W E l m m. D E E .1 51% 1 1 5 1 w n W 0 a 9 3 I Z m M in u n o n o o o w o w o o w o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o A o 0 0 m a Q. o m s 9 w a 7 Ill Patented July 2, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. TANSLEY, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLTS PATENT FIRE ARMTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A COR- PORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS.

Application. filed September 13, 1927. Serial No. 219,239.

The general object of the inventionis to provide a feed box or magazine mechanism for a machine gun simple in construction, reliable in action. so constructed that the feed box portion thereof can be easily and quickly applied to or removed from the gun, and so located that the top of the gun remains un- ()lHl I'llCh-d.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a. magazine feed mechanism having the feed box or magazine locatedentirely at one side of the gun, the feed box nevertheless being adapted to be attached to or removed from the gun with a minimum of effort onthe part of the gunner.

Another specific: object of the invention is to provide certain improved details of construction for the feed box and the parts diciated therewith.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved magazine supporting bracket and improved means for connectin the box or ma gazinc therewith.

A further specific object of the invention is 1 to provide a feed mechanism of this type so constructed that the feed box or magazine thereof can be used without change upon either a gun having a feed from left to right. or upon a gun having a feed from right to left.

Further objects of the invention will be a pp-arrmt from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the embodiment of theinvention which I now deem preferable but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed defining or limiting the scope of the invention. the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

F in. 1 is a perspective View showing the magazine and the magazine supporting bracket separated from each other and also showing a fragment of the gun in order to make clear the relationship between the gun and the bracket.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the magazine with the top cover thereof removed.

Fig. 3 is a rear side view of the magazine witb the covcr'in place.

Fig. 4 is a right end view of the magazine.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views of parts gflthe magazine for advancing the cartridge Fig 8 is a plan view of the magazine supporting bracket.

Fig. 9 is a rear side view of the magazine supporting bracket.

Fig. I is a right end View of the magazine supporting bracket.

Fig. 11 is a rear side view of the entire feed mechanism together with a fragmentary showing the gun with which the feed mechanism is used.

Fig. 12 is a View similar to F ig..11 but showing the magazine in section and also showing the forward end of the cartridge belt advanced into the feedchannel of the gun.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the feed mechanism arranged for use with a gun feeding from right to left instead of from left to right. i

A magazine embodying the invention includes a-box.1 which is preferably rectanguiar in shape as clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

The width of the box is slightly in-excess of the length of the cartridges'to be used and the depth and length of the box are so determined as to accommodate a cartridge feed belt of the desired length. As illustrated the box has front and

rear side walls

2 and 3, left and right end walls 4 and 5, and a bottom 6. The several said walls of the box may be formed'of sheet metal and may be joined in any usual or preferred way. The box is provided with a top cover 7 which is preferably hinged to one of the end walls as indicated at 8. A latch 9 is provided for holding the cover. in closedposition. As shown the latch 9 comprises a strip of spring metal provided with a hole adapted to receive a stud 1O carri-ed by the corresponding end wall of the box. A suitablehandle is provided for the magazine, this handle preferably being a leather strap 11 connected to the cover 7 of the box by means of apertured

brackets

12, 12. Although the magazine is preferably reversible as will be presently made clear I will first describe it as primarily intended for a gun adapted to feed the cartridge belt from left to right.

- The right end wall of the box is provided with a horizontal opening which connects with a-short channel 13, which is horizontal or substantially horizontal. This guide channel the belt at the right hand end of the said channel. I have shown a metallic belt of the disintegrating type but the invention is not limited to use with such a belt.

Preferably in order to facilitate the entrance of the belt A into the guide channel 13 I provide a roller means extending transversely across the box. Preferably there are two separate rollers 16,-16 which-are mounted upon a transverse pivot rod 17 carried by the two

box walls

2 and 3. The two rollers 16,

16 are separated by'means of an element 18 which is rigidly secured to the pin 17. It will be apparent that the

rollers

16, 16 will support 'the belt immediately prior to its entrance into the guide channel and will reduce to a minimum the resistance to belt movement.

In Figs. 1, 8, 9 and 10 I have shown a bracket adapted to be attached to the gun for the purpose of supporting the feed box or magazine proper. This bracket is represented as an entirety by 19 and it preferably includes a receiving portion adapted to receive and partly enclose the lower parts of the magazine proper, and a supporting portion adapted to be connected directly with the gun. The said receiving portion has elements at the front and rear which form guide means for the magazine as will presently appear. Preferably the said receiving means is formed of sheet metal and has a bottom wall 20, front and

rear side walls

21 and 22 and a right end wall 23. The relationship between the magazine and the receiver is such that at least the lower portion of the magazine box may enter the receiver with a relatively close fit. The supporting portion of the bracket 19 is connected with the receiving portion at the right end thereof and comprises

supports

24, 24 adapted to directly engage the gun. Preferably each support 24 includes upper and

lower arms

24 and 24". Each arm 24 is provided with a hole adapted to receive a pin forming a permanent part of the gun and each of the arms 2-4 is provided with a notch into which the side plates of the gun fit.

-lVhen the pin is entered in the holes in the arms 24*, 24 and the lower edge of the side late is entered in the notches in the arms 24", 24 the entire supporting bracket is rigidly connected with the gun.

Cooperating means are provided on the magazine and on the receiving portion of the .when the latch 30 is released.

bracket respectively for guiding the magazine into its operative position with respect to the bracket and with respect to the gun. I do not necessarily limit myself as to the exact direction of movement of the magazine into its said operative position butI prefer to move it in a downward direction. It is not essential, however, that the magazine be moved vertically downward and I in fact prefer to move it in a combined downward and inward direction. When the receiver is formed with front and rear walls such as 21 and 22 these walls can be conveniently utilized as the guiding means for the magazine. As shown the said walls are provided respectively with

slots

25 and 26 which are inclined downward and inward. The magazine is provided at its front and rear sides with

lugs

27 and 28 adapted respectively to enter the said

slots

25 and 26 and to guide the magazine to its proper operative position with respect to the bracket and to the gun. WV hen the

slots

25 and 26 are inclined the

lugs

27 and 28 are similarly inclined.

'At least-one of the lugs, as for instance the forward lug 27, is provided with a notch 29 adapted to be engaged by a latch 30 on the receiver for holding the magazine in place. The latch 30 is preferably pivoted to the front Wall 21 of the receiver by means of a pivot pin 31 carried by a suitable pivot bracket. A spring 32 tends to move the latch into its operative position. The latch is extended at its upper end to form a fingerpiece 33 handle by means of which the latch can be moved in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, to release it from the notch 29 in the lug 27. The position of the finger-piece 33 is such that it can be conveniently reached by the fingers of the gunner when his hand is extended under the handle 11 to remove the magazine from the gun. Thus it is possible for the gunner to release the latch and remove the magazine by a single motion and without shifting the position of his hand.

Preferably a spring is interposed between the magazine and the bracket for slightly raising the magazine away from the bracket This spring facilitates the removal of the magazine as it enables the gunner to first release the latch and then lift the magazine and avoids the necessity for simultaneously pressing upon the finger-piece 33 and applying upward pressure to the handle 11. It will be understood that while the spring makes it possible for the gunner to first press the finger-piece and then lift the magazine he can nevertheless do this Without any shifting of the position of his hand. Preferably the spring is carried by the bracket, .that is, by the receiving portion thereof. I have shown a flat spring 34 secured directly to the bottom wall 20 of the receiver.

The un illustrated in the drawings is substantia ly the same as that shown in the Browning patent for automatic machine gun, No. 1,293,021dated Feb- 4, 1919 but it is to be understood that the. invention is not li-m ited tousewith this particular gun As illustrated the gun comprises a breech casing and a'barrel 36. The breech casing comprises

side plates

37 and 38, one of' which at its lower edge enters the notches in the bracket arms 24 24 as already described. The breech casing is provided with the usual cover 39 adapted to be raised to provide access to the feed'mechanism of the gun. The gun has 'the usual transverse feed slide 40, the slide being provided with a spring pressed pawl 41 which engages the successive cartridges to give the feed belt a step by step movement fro'mleft to right as the gun is fired. Apivoted pawl 42 is provided to prevent any movement of the belt in the reverse direction. This'p'awl pivoted on a longitudinal pinaa which pin extends into the openings. in the

u porting arins

24, 24 to hold the supporting hracketl'as already de;

scribed. j v v 5 I When the magazine is moved to its operative position as 6 already described the feed channel 13 is brought. into alignment 'with and close proximity to the feedchannel of the gunas clearly shown in-Fig. 11'. It will be noted that the foremost cartridge of the A belt is adjacentthe entrance to the feed channel of the gun but is not actually within the said feedchannel. In order to advance the forward end of the belt far, enough into the feed channel to enable the cartridges to be engaged by the feed mechanism of' the gun I provide a suitable actuating device on the magazine itself. The belt advancing means is located adjacent the guide channel 13 and is preferably arranged to engage the belt at the top thereof. As will presently appear the part of the said means whiclractually engages the-belt is so constructed and mounted that it can move beyond the end of the guide channel of the magazine and into the feed channel of the gun.

The belt advancing means includes a pawl 44 which is mounted to move horizontally or substantially horizontally. The top wall 14 of the guide channel is provided with a notch 45 through which the pawl 44 can extend so as to engage the feed belt at the forward end thereof. For supporting and actuating the pawl 44 I provide a slide member 46 which is preferably U-shaped in form having two-

legs

46 and 46" which extend respectively along the cuter sides of the two

box walls

2 and 3 and having. a connecting portion 46 which extends across the outer end ofthe box. The two

legs

46 and 46 of the member 46 are guidcd by means of

straps

47, 47 secured to the box walls. The said

legs

46 and 46", are connected at their right hand ends by means of a rod 48 on whichthe pawl 44 is pivoted. A suitable spring means is provided for mov ing the sliding member 46 and the pawl 44 in the direction opposite to the direction of belt movement. For this purpose I have shown

flat springs

49, 49 which are preferably attached to the portion 46 of the sliding memberand which engage the end wall 4 of the box for this purpose.

When the magazine is first placed upon the gun'the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 11. The gunner then manually engages t-he portion 46 of the sliding member 46. and pushes it toward the right thusmoving the said member and also the pawl 44 to the positions shown in Fig. 12. This movement of the pawl carries the foremost cartridge of the belt into the feed channelof the gun, the said foremost cartridge being engaged by the pawl 42 of the gun which serves to prevent any possible backward movement of the belt. The sliding member and the pawl are automatically returned by the

springs

49, 49 as already described. It' will be observed that a single motion of the belt advancing means carries the forward end of the belt far enough into the feed channel of the gun to permit it tobe engaged by thegun mechanism. I accomplish this result by constructing and mounting the pawl 4'4 so that it can move beyond the end of the guide. With the front end of the cartridge belt entered in the feed channel of the gun as shown in Fig. 12 further advancement of the belt is efl'ected'by the feed mechanism of the gun in the usual way. It will be understood that as firing proceeds the belt is drawn out of the magazine.

A; spring 50 is provided for pressing the pawl 44 downward and thus holding it in engagement with the cartridge belt. In or der to limit the downward movement of the pawl I preferably provide a suitable stop as illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 to 7 Mount-ed upon the pivot rod 48 is a sleeve 51 which is held against turning by means of a pin 52 entering a notch in the leg 46 of the sliding member as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The sleeve 51 carries a tooth 53 which fits an arcuate recess 54 in the front edge port-ion of the pawl 44. The recess 54 is large enough to permit the necessary freedom of movement of the pawl 44 but the lower edge of the recess engages the tooth 53 to limit the downward movement of the pawl.

Preferably in addition to the bodily movable pawl 44 I provide a second pawl 55 which is connected with the magazine for movement about a fixed axis at 56. A spring 57 is provided which presses the pawl 55' upward through a notch 58 in the bottom wall 15 of the guide channel 13 and into engagement with the belt. This pawl 55 serves to prevent any accidental movement of the belt backward into the magazine'such as might possibly occur if the pawl 44 were moved to its termined by test. however, that almost any arrangement of the belt in the magazine will provide satisfactory operation.

I have thus far described the entire maga- Z1118, mechanism as intended for use with a gun adapted forfeeding from left to right. I prefer, however, to construct the magazine itself so that, without any changes whatsoever, it may be used either with a gun feeding from left to right or with a gun feeding from right'to left.

For a gun .feeding from ht to left the supporting bracket may be su stantially the same as that already described but preferably the latch for engaging the magazine is located at the opposite side as indicated by dot-anddash lines in Fig. 10. The latch is represented at 30. and the finger-piece thereof is represented at 33*. .In order to be adapted for reversible use the magazine itself is provided with a second notch 29. in the lug 28. With this single change the magazine is adapted for reversible use.

In Fig. 13 I have shown a gun adapted to feed from right to left and I have shown a magazine feed mechanism connected therewith. The construction and operation is exactly the same as already described except for the reversals of positions and a repetition of the description is unnecessary.

v lVhat I claim is:

1. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a. cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one side of the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided at one end with a belt guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in operative position with respect to the gun, and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed belt through the said guide chanel and into the said feed channel.

2. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one side of the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided at one end and above the botom thereof with a belt guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in operative position with respect to the gun, and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into the said feed channel.

3. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one side of the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine comprising in combination a rectangular box adapted to contain a' cartridge feed belt' and provided at one end and between the top and bottom thereof with a belt guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in operative position with respect to the un,and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed belt through the saidguide channel and into the said feed channel.

4. Thecombination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the gun entirely at one side thereof, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided at one end and above the bottom thereof with a guide channel for the belt normally'registering with the said feed channel of the gun, cooperating means associated with the gun and the box respectively for guiding the box' into its final operative position With respect to the gun, and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the cartridge feed belt through the guide channel of the box and into the feed channel of the gun.

5. For an automatic machine gun having a transw-n'se feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one side of the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine con'iprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided atone end with a substantially horizontal belt guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in operative position, and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into the said feed channel, the said means being located above the feed channel and engaging the belt at the top thereof.

6. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be attached to the gun, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided with a substantially horizontal belt guide ma e? channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in operative position, and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed-belt through the said guide channel and into the said feed channel, the portion of the said means which directly engages the belt being movable beyond the end of the said guide channel and into the feed channel of thegun.

7. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed'channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be attached to the gun, the said magazine comprising in combination abox adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided with a substantially horizontal belt guide channel positioned to registerwith the said feed channel of the gun when the magaz neis in operative position, and means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the. end of a cartridge feed belt throu h the said guide channel and into the -;said

Feed channel, -the portion of the said means which directly engages the belt being movable beyond the end of the said guide channeland into the-feedchannel of the gun, and a pawl carriedjby-the box adjacent-the guide channel in position to engage-the belt advancing means, the. said pawl servin ,to prevent any backward movement of theibelt through the guide channeland into thebox 8. For an automatic machine gun havinga transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adaptedv to be located entirely at one side of the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine j comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided at, one end with a substantially horizontalbelt guide channel positioned to. register with the said feed. channel of the gun. when the mag azinc 1s in operative position, a manually op-.

erable substantially horizontally movable slide member having two legs extending respectively along the front and rear. sides of the box.and a belt engaging pawl carried by the said legs and located between the legs adj acent the guide channel, the said pawl servin g as means for advancing the end of the cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into.- the said feed channel. I

9. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel theretlirough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one sideof the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed beltand provided at one end' with a substantially horizontal belt. guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in operative position, a substantially horizontally movable U-shaped slide member having two legs extending respectively along the front and rear sides of thebox and having a connecting portion extending across the end of the box opposite the guide channel and adapted to be manually engaged, and a belt engaging pawl carried by the said legs and located between the legs adjacent the guide channel, the said pawl serving as means for advancing the end of the cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into the said feed channel.

I 10. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one side of the gun and to be attached thereto, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided at one end with a substantially horizontal belt guide channel, positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magathe front and rear sides of the box and having a: connecting, portion extending across the end of the box opposite the guide channel and adapted to be manually engaged, a :belt'em {gaginglpawl carried by the said legs and 10- at the side opposite that engaged by the said advancing the end of the cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into the said feed ohannel, and 'a spring means located between the said connectingportion and the box for! moving the sliding member and the pa'wl-in'the direction opposite-to the direction of belt movement.

11. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a magazine supporting bracket carried by the gun at one side thereof, a cartridge magazine box normally detachablv mounted on the said bracket andlocated-entirely at the said side of the gun, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided atone end with a guide channel for the belt normally registering with the said teed channel ot the gun cooperating means associated withthe bracket and the box respectively for guidingithe box into its final operative. position with respect to the gumand means carried bythe box-and movable relatively thereto for advancing, the cartridge feed belt through the guide channel of the box and into the-feedchannel of the gun.

12.- The combination with an automatic machinegamhaving a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt of a '55 1 'box' and into the feed channel of the gun,

' the box into its final operative position with respect to the gun, and a releasable latch for holding thebox in the said perative position, the said latch being positioned to be released by the operators hand while engaging y the magazine to lift it.

13. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a magazine supporting bracket carried by the i gun atone side thereof, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the said bracket and located entirely at the said side of the gun the said box being adapted to contain a ()fllftl'ldgQfBQd belt and beingprovided at one endwith a guide channelfor the belt i normally registering with the said feed chanfoffthe gun, means'carried by the box and movable relativelythereto for'advancing the artridge feed belt through the guide channel I 0: of thebox an d intothe feed channel of the gun, cooperatmg means associated with the bracket and the box respectively for. guiding the 'box downward into its final operativepoposition with respect to the gun, and a spring interpo'sedbetween the bracket and the box for slightly elevating the box out of the latch engaging position when the latch is released.

v 14. The combination with an automatic I machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a magazine supporting bracket carried by the gun at one side thereof and provided with front and rear side walls having downward extend slots therein, a cartridge magazine box normally. detachably mounted on the said bracket and adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, the said box being provided with i a guide channel for the belt normally register- Iingwith the said feed channel of the .gun, means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the cartridge feed belt through the guide channel of thg anc ""lugs carried by the box at the front and rear thereof respectively for entering the said slots and thereby guiding the box into its final operative position with respect to the gun. I, 15.. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel 1 'therethr'ough for a cartridge belt,- of a magaz'ine.supportingbracket carried by the gun at one jsidethereof and provided at the front es and rear respectively with guiding means ition with respect to thegun, a latch for 35 holding the box in its lowermost operative and provided at having downward and upward inclined slots therein, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the said bracket and adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, the said box being provided with a guide channel for the belt normally registering with the said feed channel of the gun, means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the cartridge feed belt through the guide channel of the box and into the feed channel of the gun, and lugs carried by the box at the front and rear thereof respectively for entering the said slots and thereby guiding the boxinto its final operative position with respect to the gun.

.16. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a magazine supporting bracket carriedby the gun at one side thereof and provided at the front and rear respectively with guiding means having downward extending'slots therein, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounte'don the said braeketand adapted to containa said box being provided with a, guide channel for thebeltnorma'lly registering with the said feed channel of the gun, means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the cartridge feed belt throughthe guide channel of the box and into the feed channel of the .gun, lugs carried by the box at the front and rear thereof respectively for entering the saids'lots a'ndthereby guiding the box into its final operativeposition with respect to the gun, and a latch on the bracket adapted to engage one of the said lugs to hold the box in the said operative position.

17 The combination with an automatic machine gunhaving a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a magazine supporting bracket carried by the gun at one side thereof, the said bracket having a supporting portion provided with a hold to receive the pawl pivot pin of the gun and having a notch to receive the lower edge of one side plate of the gunbreech casing, and a cartridge magazine boxnormally detachably mounted on the said bracket and located entirely at the said side of the gun.

18. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a reversible cartridge magazine adapted to be attached to the gun in either of two relatively reversed positions, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt one end with a belt guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gun when the magazine is in either of the said positions with respect to the gun, means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into the said feed channel, and

cartridge feed beltthe means carried by the magazine and adapted to cooperate with means carried by the gun for locking the magazine in place in either of its relatively reversed positions.

19. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a reversible cartridge magazine adapted to be located entirely at one side of the gun or entirely at the other side thereof and to be attached thereto, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and provided at one end with a belt guide channel positioned to register with the said feed channel of the gunwhen the magazine is in operative position with respect to the gun at either side thereof, means carried by the box and movable relatively thereto for advancing the end of a cartridge feed belt through the said guide channel and into the said -feed channel, and means carried by the magazine and adapted to cooperate with means carried by the gun for locking the magazine in place in either of its relatively reversed positions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, 1927.

GEORGE H. TANSLEY.