US1837512A

US1837512A - Repeating firearm

Info

Publication number: US1837512A
Application number: US257451A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles A Young; George E Peters
Original assignee: GEORGE E PETERS
Current assignee: GEORGE E PETERS
Priority date: 1928-02-27
Filing date: 1928-02-27
Publication date: 1931-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 1948-12-22

Description

Dec. 22, 1931. c. A. YOUNG ET AL REPEATING FIREARM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1928 C. A. YOUNG ET AL REPEATING FIREARM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1928 Llll IV I! Dec. 22, 1931.

. fw hi ma Dec. 22, 1931. c. A. YOUNG ET AL REPEAT ING FIREARM Filed Feb. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 22, 1931. c. A. YOUNG ET AL REPEATING FIREARM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 2 7, 1928 |li Il itilll 0* mm mw mm 2 M w aw wwwx Dec. 22, 1931. c. A. YOUNG ET AL 1,837,512

REPEATING FIREARM Filed Feb. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Eco. 22, lQEl 9;..6, BY (J ADMZNISTBATOR,

ZEZHGFIELB, ALT) EDGAR E. EETERS REP EATING FIREARI'IE Application filed February 517, 1928.

5 and improved shell control.

The present construction embodies a longitudinally split breech block, the sections of which are laterally expanded into engagement with abutment shoulders upon the inw terior walls of the receiver housing when the breech block is in its home position. This affords recoil resistance substantially in dead center relation with the shell and minimizes the material the top of the receiver, thus facilitating better alignment of the receiver top with the barrel. The gun is made inherently safe by arranging the parts in such a manner that the hammer and firing mechanism can in no way come in contact with the primer of the cartridge until the breech block of the gun is locked in its home position. The firing pin is located between the halves of the breech block and is of somewhat less length. It is partially supported by the breech block and partially supported by a portion of the actuating mechanism for the breech block herein termed the action plate.

The function of the action plate is to. withdraw the firing pin from its iiring position, retract the hammer back, col apse and expand the breech block at the proper times, provide a support for the secondary shell stop which is also the connector of the action of the gun to the actuating bar on the fore grip. lhe action plate has the additional function of operating a rocking lever to release the pri mary shell detent and positively'actuating the sear into engaging position. It also supplies an abutment for the recoil lock of the gun.

The hammer necessarily enters between the separated rear portions of the breech block to engage the firing pin which it may do only when the breech block is loclred in its final position. The hammer thus locks the breech block sections against disengagement from the abutment shoulders of the receiver and thus acts as a safety device to prevent the gun breech being blown open by the recoil. l1." other positions of adjustment the retracted Serial 1J0. 257,451.

side sections of the breech lock extend in the path of the hammer and so prevent its operative engagement with the firing pin.

construction involves two safety features, to wit: the gun cannot be fired prematurely because the hammer cannot engage in the firing pin until the breech block is locked in home position, and that after the hammerhas been released the breech block cannot be collapsed until the hammer is withdrawn from between the two halves of the breech block. This without the aid of other safety devices makes the gun inherently safe. During one reloading operation the ham mer is retractec to an extreme position to permit full movement of the operative parts. Afterwards it is allowed to return to an n tel-mediate cocked position from which it falls through shorter range upon release, thus affording quick action and an easy trigger pull. The scar is positively actuated into engagement with the hammer bolt and is locked in such engagement until the reloading mechanism is fully returned to its normal position. The positive actuation of the sear l urcs engagement of the hammer although the parts may be clogged with burned powder or dirt and thus prevent accidental discharge as the gun is closed. Safety means provided to temporarily lock the gun against discharge after the operating parts are returned to normal position which safety device is automatically released by the subsequent retraction of the reloading mech-' sin or opening of the gun, thereby preventing a balk. To prevent a partially released shell from being re-engaged by the magazine stop upon recoil, the forward or primary magazine stop is controlled by the reloading mechanism, and is locked in retrac 3d or inoperative position while the gun is closed is released only after the breech block has effected a predetermined initial rearward movement. The action slide, associated with the expansible breech block normally travels in unison therewith, but is capable of limited movement independent thereof, by which the breech block is spread and tl e firing pin positively retracted. The action bar controlledby the fore grip is detachably engageable With such action slide at any point in its range of movement, the thumb latch for the action bar being onefunctional and acting as a second shell stop.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction, as Well as the means and mode of operation of repeating firearms, whereby they Will not only be cheapened in construction, but Will be more efi'icient in use, positive in operation, uniform in action, easily operated and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide increased safety of operation by doubly locking the breech block in its home posi tion against recoil, and to provide a iurtlier sa'fetylocl; for the hammer action which will prevent discharge or the arm, but w ich safety device will be automaticall released by the actuation of the reloading mechanism.

A further object 01 the invention is to pro vioe a spring actuated hammer or impeller which is so positioned when cocked that it falls through but a limited range of movement, thereby insuring quick response and also aifording an easy trigger pull.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for positively effecting the in-- tereng'agement of the sear and hammer and for thereafter locking such engaged parts against until the operating mechanism has been fully l eturned to its normal or closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of breech block and actuating means therefor, by which the breech block is laterally expanded into locking engagement With the receiver at the forward l mit 0 its movement, and contracted at the initial rearward movement of the reloading mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for controlling; the release o shells or cartridges from the magazine. which shells through inertia of the shell and recoil of the magazine have a tendency to return to the magazine during rapid fire of the gun. To prevent the detention of such a returned shell the primary magazine detent stop is locked in its inoperative position until the gun is opened and'the initial shell of he series is removed whereupon the d'etent is temporarily released for detention of the succeeding shell within the magazine until the gun is a gain fully closed.

A further object of the invention is to provide increased strength and durability of the operating parts and to render the parts ofthe mechanism easily accessible for cleaning;- and replacement and to provide a compact arrangement having minimum number of operatin parts.

A further object of the invention is to give positive hammer control and ati'ord a positive means for securing the ejection the empty cartridge from the chambe of rel and replacing it with a loaned cartrii go from th magazine of the gun, and to control the various dot as and sai Cv dental objects in vienas \vill appear in the specification, tie invention consists of the features of construction, e and combinations thereof and the 1 operation, or their equivalents, as here'aa'iter described and set forth in the claims.

not neces v the only form or? e of the inv 1011., Fig. 1 a side view (it the assembled trate the relati e rangement and 1' ilens of the exterior-i visible parts. a bottom View of the 1 assembled snowing CXLBY'IOJ and release features i A by A: .0 1 my E1011 Oi the fore gii and action i .l l I reeeiai gun sti eti 0. nd A: 3.10 so tional viev s thr he assemlned one its) . "l are bottom plan views showine the be block and actio' .ioe 'n closed tions respectivel Figs. 11 spective V1G\.'S oi: the breech from opposite sides. Fig. is do of the pin. Fig". 1% is a bottom plan view of e breech block. F s. l and if;

per ctive views of the a ion 1 n ormai M and 18 ar hook end of the ac l by ii acters of reference throughout views.

The invention is illa a talze-down, pump type i A may he either a shotgun or i itle. lustrated is especially oesigned for shotgun for tra ishootiio' purposes equallyapplicable l o the so.

poses.

It wi l accommodate Ell lengths oi shells from s, augesire illustrated and all lo safely utilized in such sliel and dillerent lengths r mingled Without aiie in t is opt C) the gun. The gun may 3e ma -e with equal facility to accommodate cartridges of various gauge or caliber.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the stock, 2 the receiver and 3 the barrel ofthe gun. Beneath the barrel 3 is located the magazine l upon which is mounted the fore grip5 to which is attached the reciprocating action bar 6 projecting rearwardly into the receiver 2. The receiver is provided with a lateral opening 7 through which the spent shell cases are ejected, and is further provided in its bottom with an access opening partially closed by a swinging carrier, through which opening loaded cartridges may be introduced into the magazine The present invention pertains primarily to the mechanism contained within the receiver 2.

Mounted within the receiver 2 for fore and aft reciprocatory movement at the top of the receiver, and in axial alignment with the barrel'3 is a longitudinally split breech block comprising the lateral sections 88, which are interconnected at their forward ends for relative swinging movement toward and from each other. To afford a self-contained pivotal connection, the sections 88 of the breech block are each formed with a semi-circular stud 9 adjacent to its forward end registering with the like stud of the other section. These registering semi-circular studs 9 are surrounded by an annular groove in which is removably seated a ring block 11 which fits snugly within the annular groove 11 and has a forward fiat face portion which registers with the terminal face of the breech block as sembly. The top of this ring has two square studs 10 which fit in a groove in the top of the receiver and prevent the ring block from turning out of position.

The adjacent faces of the semi-circular pivot studs 9 and forward portions of the block sections 8 have sufiicient angular clearance to permit limited oscillatory movement of the breech bloclr sections 8-S by which their rearward ends are comparatively widely separated. The interior walls of the receiver 2 are provided with vertical inwardly projecting shoulders 12 into overlapping relation with which the rearward ends of the breech block sections 8 are projected by the elongated eye or slot 14. Below the firing pin 13 the breech block sections 8 are provided on their inner faces with inclined or beveled cam faces 15 and projecting from the under side of each of the breech block sections 8 is a short stud 16. The breech block sections 8 are recessed or cut away as at 17 merely to reduce weight.

The breech block 8 is provided with the usual extractor hooks 18 and 19 overhanging its forward end for engagement with the rim of the cartridge and engaging in the usual grooved guide ways in the inner walls of the receiver 2. The breech block 8 is retracted to and fro in unison with a reciprocatory action plate 20 which is capable of a limited movement in either direction independent of the breech block 8 by which the breech block is contracted preparatory to its rearward movement and is expanded into engagement with the shoulders 12 at the limit of its forward movement. This action slide 20 beneath the breech block reciprocates in guide ways in the inner faces of the receiver walls and is detachably engaged with the reciprocatory action bar 6 for movement in unison with the fore grip 5. The action plate 20 is provided with a duo-functional depressible detent 21 having a dependent finger 22 normally projecting into the path of the shells within the magazine land serving as a secondary shell stop controlling its movement out of the magazine as the breech block moves rearwardly. The detent 21 is also provided with a laterally extending finger having a beveled head 23 for engagement with the hoolr'shaped extremity 24 of the action bar 6. The detent 21 is held in its operative position withthe cam head 23 in alignment'with the action bar 6 and the depending finger 22 infoverhanging relation with the magazine 4 by means of a spring 26 against the tension of which the detent 21 is movable upwardly about its pivotal connec tion 27. By introducing the finger through the open bottom of the receiver 2 and pressing upwardly upon the depending fingers 22 i the beveled head 24 of the; detentis raised out of engagement with the action bar 6 thus uncoupling the action bar and plate 20 when it is desired to take down the gun or disconnect the barrel from the stock and receiver. Likewise the detent 21 is actuated against the tension of the spring 26 topermit the introduction of shells through the bottom of the receiver into the magazine 4. vThe reciprocating plate 20 has, side flanges 28 which ride within the corresponding grooved ways in the side walls of the receiver 2. The action plate 20 is further provided with two inclined cain slots 29 into which project the dependent studs 16 carried by the relatively movable sections of the split breech block 8. Upon the rearward movement of the fore grip 5 and with it the reciprocatory action plate 20 the latter will move independently of the breech iloclr 8 to the extent of the cam slots 29. During this rearward independent movement the block to move rearwardly within the receiver housing 2 in unison with the further movement of the action plate 20. Upon the return or forwardmovement of the fore grip 5 and with it the action plate the breech block :will more in unison therewith until it reaches its forward or home position in which the rear end of the breech block is in registry with the abutment shoulders 12 on the sides of the housing 2. The action plate 29 continues its forward movement after the breech block has come to restduring which the angularly disposed cam slots of the action plate move the studs 16 outwardly thereby spreading the breech block into overlapping engageiment with the abutment shoulders 12. This spreading action ofthe breech block is further assisted by a V shaped cam head 30 proecting intermediate the sections of the split breech block 8 and engaging the cam faces '1 ;15 to positively move the breech block sections into interlocking engagement with receiver housing and so hold them during the firing operation; Projected from the top of the cam head 39 is a stud 31 engaging in the elongated slot 14 of the firing pin 13, and

acting upon the relative retractive movement of the action plate 20 to also retract the firing pin 13 in relation with the breech block 8. Upon return movement of the parts'the stud 31 stands at the forward end of the slot 14, thus leaving the firing pin 13 free for forward reciprocatory movement under the influence of the hammer. V

The action mechanism including the spring i actuated hammer, the sear, trigger and safety devices are mounted upon a removable frame block 33 detachably secured in the rear lower portion of the receiver housing. This frame block is shouldered at 34 at its forward end to engage over the lugs projecting from the inner faces of the housing wall and is secured at its rearward end by a screw projecting through the opening 35 and engaging with the end wall of the housin 2. This frame block 33 includes parallel upstanding spaced flanges consisting of forward portions 36 and rearward portions 37. Between the forward portions 36 of such upstanding flanges is pivoted at 38 the swinging hammer 39 actuated by a helical spring 4O. This spring 40 surrounds a reciprocatory stem 41 pivoted at 42 to the hammer'39 and extending at its rearward end through a collar 43 having lateral studs 44 engaging the upstanding :rear portion 37 of the flanges, The actuating spring 40 abuts upon the collar 43 at its rear end and upon the head 42 of the reciprocatory stem 41 at its forward en d. It'is placed under compression by the rearward swinging movement of the hammer 39 which is held in such retracted position by the engagementof a head 45 upon the rear end of the stem 41 47 which is pivoted to the frame block 33 15 provided at its rear end with an upwardly extending finger 48 projecting beneath the sear 46, which upon retraction of thetrigger 47 lifts the sear out of engagement with the detent head 45 of theplunger stem 41 there- I by releasing the hammer 39. Upon its releasethe hammer 39 impelled forwardly by the spring 40 enters between the laterallyspread rear ends of the breech block 8 and engages the rear extremity of the reciprocatory firing pin 13. If the breech block is not fully home and locked in its advanced position by the spreading of its rear end into overlapping engagement with the abutment shoulders 12,

the hammer upon its release will merely engage the terininal face of the breech'block 8 which then extends into the path of the ham 7' mer until fully separated and V the hammer cannot engage the firing pin. This will effectually prevent premature discharge of the gun.

During the firing operation notonly is the breech block locked against rearward moveshoulders 12, but to prevent the gun being opened whilein firing condition or tooquickly in event of a hang fire, the action plate 2 0 is also positively locked by meansof stop arms 49 pivoted at 50 to the rearwardup wardly pro ecting portions 37 of the standing flanges upon the frame member 33. These stop arms 49 are normally pressed upwardly V by a spring 52 coiled about and havingitsend engaged with the trunnion stud 38 of the swinging hammer 39. As the hammer 39 is retracted to its cocked position and there beyond by the travel of theaction plate 20 and breech block 8 the spring 52 is placed under tension to raise the stop arms 49. However, the arms 49 will not engage the rear end of the plate 20 under theinfiuence of the tension spring 52 until the action plate 20 and breech block are returned totheir extreme forward. position. As the hammer falls under the influence of the spring 40 upon disengagement of the detent 46 the tension of the spring 52 is released and thereupon the stop arms 49 are automatically depressed out of engagement with the rear end of the action' plate 20 by the expansion of a spring 54, interposed between the sear 45 and a rearwardly extencL I mg arm 55 of the stop arms 49. The spring 54has a duofunct1o-nal purposeof pressing 10,0 ment by its engagement with the abutment i the sear 46 into engagement with the detent head 45 and also elevating the rear end 55 of the stop arms 49 whenever the hammer falls and releases the tension of the spring 52. It will be understood that the tension of the spring 52 is suflicient when the hammer is raised or cocked to overcome the resistance of the spring 54. The spring 52 thus contributes its influence in holding the sear 46 in engagement with the detent head 45 so long as the hammer is retracted, by holding the stop arms 49 in elevated position, and so placing the spring 54 under increased tension. On the magazine tube 4 between a shoulder on the'tube and a shoulder within the fore grip 5 is an expansion spring of short length exerting pressure rearwardly and tending to force the action plate against the stop arms 49. If the hammer falls and the shell in the chamber fails to explode the tension of this expansion spring would be suflicient to make the frictional contact between the arms 49 and plate 20 greater than spring 54 could overcometherefore the gun could not be opened until fore grip is pushed forward releasing stop arms 49. The explosion of the cartridge in the chamber of the barrel causes a recoil of the whole gun backwards and the inertia of the fore grip automatically compresses the expansion spring thereby releasing the arms 49. In case of hang fire the shooter has to push the fore grip forwardly to release the stop arms 49 and as this takes time it prevents the opening of the gun until after the shell has exploded.

The sear 46 is'provided at one side with a beveled shoulder 57 engageable beneath a shoulder 58 upon a safety detent arm 59 pivoted at 60. The lower end of this arm 59 projects beyond the frame block 33 in the rear of the trigger guard and is manually movable to shift the stop shoulder 58 into and out of overhanging relation with the shoulder 57 of the sear. \Vhen so engaged with such shoulder 57 the detent locks the sear in its depressed position and in engagement with the head 45. This prevents the disengagement of the sear and release of the hammer even though the trigger be pulled, until the safety latch has been disengaged. Of course, the safety latch may be released by manual manipulation of the lower projecting end 61. Means is provided, however, for releasing the safety detent 59 automatically upon the opening of the gun. In the event that one tried to discharge the gun with the detent engaged, the hammer and trigger would both be locked and therewould be no action of the mechanism whatever. This in trapshooting is not a misiire, but a balk. Such balk does not entitle the shooter to another shot and his failure is counted against him on his score. However, if the hammer falls and the firing pin imprint is impressed upon the shell without exploding it such failure is termed a misfire and is not counted upon the score against the shooter. In the event of a balk or misfire, whichever the failure may be, the natural'and logical thing for the shooter is to open the gun and eject the unczipioded shell, replacing it with another shell rem the magazine preparatory to another shot. In the present case this reloading operation involving the reciprocation of the fore grip 5, the breech'block and action plate serve to automatically disenthe safety detent 59, the upper endof which extends forwardly in overhanging relaticn with the rear arm of the stop arm 59 and into the path of the action plate 20.

' At the rear extremity of its stroke, the action plate 20 engaging with such forwardly ext-emhng extremities of thedetent 59 oscilll lates such detent rearwardly, thus disengagmg the stop shoulders 58 and 57 and the gun ready for firing.

As before stated the release of the hammer 89 relaxes the tension of the spring 52 and permits the stop arm 49 to be depressed out of engagement with the rear ends of the action plate 20 by the reaction of. the spring 54. In order to unlock this plate and open the gun when the hammer has not been released, there is provided at the rear end of the arm 55 of the stop arms 49 a dependent L shaped stem 62 pivoted at 63 to the arm 55 the lower end of which projects beyond th frame member 33 adjacent tothe extremiti s 61 of the safety latch. By pressing upon the protruding headof this release stem 62, the arms 55-49 may be oscillated about their pivotal connection against the tension of the spring 52 to disengage them from the rear end of the action plate 20 whereupon the plate 20 and with it the breech block extractor hooks i8 and 19 engaging the rim of the shell the breech block 8 may be retracted.

Upon retraction of the breech block, extractor hooks l8 and 19 engaging the rim of t 1.8 shell pull the shell from the barrel of the gun and, as the breech block continues to move rearwardly, it uncovers an ejector arm 64 mounted in the side wall of the housing 2 and spring actuated inwardly to impel the discharged shell laterally through the opening 7 of the housing. During the retractive movement of the action plate 20 the hammer 39 is engaged by an in clined cam face 89a upon the lower rear side of the cam head 30 carried by the action plate which serves to depress the hammer 39 rearwardly and downwardly to an extreme position shown by dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 6 in which the hammer is depressed below the plane of operation of the plate 20. lhe ham- TQGI IlS thus moved beyond its normal'cocked position shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 8. While the spring 54 will normally project the stop shoulder of the sear 46 into the path of the detent head 45 upon the hammer plunger 4 iii) lizo

vent a positive and secure engagement of the sear and hammer stem. To prevent any acci dental discharge and to insure the positive engagement of the sear there is provided upon the side of the mounting member 33 a rocking lever 65 pivoted at 66. The rear end of the sear 46 is extended laterally at d6 into the path of the rear end of the rocking lever 65. The forward end 68 of the lever 65 is moved into and out of engagement with a shell stop 69 by the oscillation of the lever.

Forwardly of its pivotal connection 66 the lever 65 is provided with a laterally projecting flange or lip 67, which engages in a groove or guide way in the inner face of one of the dependent flanges 28 of the action plate 20 as the latter moves rearwardly. By such en agement of the action plate with the flange or lip 67, the lever 65 is oscillated,

thereby depressing its rearward end and raising its forward end 68. The depressed rearward end of the rocking lever 65 engages the lateral extension l? of the sear L positively pressing the sear into locking engagement with the detent head 45. The same movement of the lever 65 raises its forward end 68 from behind the spring pressed primary shell stop 69 to which position it shall have been previouslymoved by the trigger action in raising the sear at the prior dischargeof the gun. As the action plate completes its rearward movement and returns forwardly it rides over the top margin of the rearward arm of the lever thus I holding the latter against movement and maintaining the sear in positively locked engagement with the hammer stem until the breech block and action plate have approached their normal home positions.

After the action plate 20 has reached the limit of its stroke the locking lever 65 is free to rise in unison with the movement of the sear d6 under influence of the trigger 47. Consequently as the sear is raised by the trigger the rocking lever is oscillated.

There are two shell stops or detents. One of these as before described, is he dependent finger 22 carried by the action plate 20. There is in addition a stop lever 69 lying within a slotted recess in the side wall of the pendent linger 22 and has an inturned nose I or enlargement which is projected into the within the magazine e by path of the shel s the oscillation of a lever under influence of a spring interposed between the lever and the side of the receiver. This stop arm 69 is projected upwardly at its forward end into succeeding shell. It will be understood that the shells or cartridges within the magazine 4.- are pressed rearwardly by a spring plunger In the forward end of the magazine as is isual. i l hen the gun is discharged the recarries the gun rearwardly while the i of the shells or cartridges retards the nent of the shells, thereby causing em in effect to move forwardly in the agazine l away from the detent finger 22. f the primary detent lever 69 was normally positioned in the path of the cartridges upon such forward movement of the shells or cartridges within the magazine 4, the rearmost would be engaged and held in its advanced position by the inturned nose of the detent lever However, by maintaining such detent in a retracted or inoperative position and out of the path of the shells at' the time of discharge, such shells are free to retu n rearwardly into engagement with the detent linger 22, after having been projected forwardly in the magazine by the recoil. As the sear is raised to release thehammer 39 the rock lever 651s also raised at its rear end, thereby depressing the forwardly eX- tending linger 68 which normally lies above the rear endof the shell stop lever 69. Vhen depressed by the rocking of the lever 65 the linger 68 passes behind the rear end of the shell stop lever 69. This engagement of the, linger 68 of the rocking lever 65 with the rear end of the lever 69 serves to hold such lever 69 temporarily in inoperative posltion with its forward nose out otthe path of the shells after the action plate starts rearward.

ly. Thus, at the time of discharge the detent allows the shells free movement in the magazine under the influence of the recoil and after vards they return with the rearmost shell in engagement with the stop fin ger 22. As the breech block 8 and action plate 20 move rearwardly the rearm-ost shell resting against the finger 22 will follow the action plate under the influence of the magazine plunger spring out of the magazine and on to the carrier '71, as shown by dotted lines in Fi 4e. At the same time the movement of the action plate 20 by its engagement with the rocking lever (ielevates the finger 68 out of engagement with the shell stop lever allowin the forward end of such sto) lover to return into the path of the shells in time to prevent the escape of the next succeeding shell from the magazine. At the lmer in) :ted beneath the raised finme ime the released rear end of the stop.

ger 68 of the rocking lever 65 thus providmg an additional safety lock to prevent oscillation of the lever 65 and release of the sear 46. The swinging carrier 71 is pivoted to the frame member at 72 which happens to be concentric with the pivotal connection 66 of the rocl'lng member on the opposite side of such frame member. There is no connection, however, between the rocking memher and the swinging carrier. The forward portion of the swinging carrier is bifurcated to afford two concave fingers upon which the shell is received from the magazine. Each succeeding shell follows the detent finger 22 rearwardly as the action plate and breech block are retracted until arrested by the forward end of the frame member 33 and stop arms which at such time are in their depressed positions as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. The rearwardl 1 extending arm 73 of the swinging carrier 71 carries at its extremity a pivoted cam dog is: normally projecting into the path of travel of the reciprocatory action plate 20. The carrier 71 is normally held depressed with its rearwardly extending arm 73 elevated by a spring 75 coiled about the pivotal stud 7 with one arm engaging the frame member 33 while the other arm extends rearwardly beneath the pivoted cam dog 74. The dog 7% is eccentrically )ivoted to the ar1n 73. This s rin 75 is duo-functional in that it yieldingly holds the carrier in depressed position and it simultaneously holds such cam dog in its forw :d position as shown in Fig. 5. As the action plate 20 approaches the rear limit of its stroke it engages the cam dog 74, and presses such dog rearwardly and downwardly about the pivotal connection with the carrier arm 73, against the tension of the spring 75. This movement is idle. However, as the action plate 20 begins its forward stroke a dependent lug 76 upon said plate engages the top of the cam do 7a which has been projected in front OI said lug by the reaction of the spring 75 as the plate 20 reached the rear limit of its movement. The engagement of said lug 'Z 6 with the cam dog tends to throw the dog forwardly to its original position relative to the arm 73 and at the same time depress the dog 74 and with it the arm 73 out of the path of travel of the action plate 20. This is effected without any material increase of tension of the spring 75. During retraction of the breech block this spring is compressed to its maximum degree by the eccentric action of the dog 74. As the dog 74 returns about its pivotal connection which otherwise would relieve the spring tension, the arm 73 is correspondingly depressed thereby maintaining the spring under substantially even tension. This tends to make the action easy as there is no spring resistance to the movement of the carrier to be overcome during the forward stroke. The

depression of the cam dog 74 by the dependent lug -76 upon the action plate operates the swinging carrier about its pivotal point thereby elevating the forward end of the carrier. In it upward movement the carrier 71 raises vi escaped from the magazine, presenting the shell in an upwardly inclined position as shown in Fig. i, with'the butt of the shell in ovalapping relation with the forward face of the breech block 8. As the breech block advances it pushes the elevated shell oil the carrier into the chamber of the gun barrel 3. As the shell enters the chamber of the barrel the dependent lug 76 of the action plate passes beyond the cam dog 74 allowing the dog to rise behind the action plate and the swinging carrier to descend to normal position under influence of the spur 45. Upon completion of the forward movement of the'breech block the shell is seated in the chamber of the barrel and the b eech block and action plate are locked in their home positions as before described. As the breecn block and action plate travel forv the hammer 39 under influence of springs ed and follows until detent head strikes the shoulder on scar 46 where it arrested in the normal cocked position. The scar d6 is still held immovable bythe overhanging rear end of the rocking arm Vhen the breech block reaches, its home position the action slide is permitted a limited forward independent movement during which cam slots 2 29 acting upon the studs 16 tend to force breech block halves apart into housing 2. This is assisted by the cam head 30 operating against the beveled or inclined cam faces 15 on the inner sides of rdi firing pin. Just before the action plate 20 reaches its extreme forward position the breech block is fully seated in every respect and the pin can come in contact with the primer, also cam surface 69a strikes magazine stop 69 forcing it out of the path of any case in the magazine, and also unlatching rocking lever so'that spring 5% is all that holds the sear 46 in engagement with detent head The gun is then ready for firing, which the cycle of operation is again repeated.

lnsteao of engaging the hammer 39 in its extreme position of ustment shown by dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 6, the hammer is allowed to follow the breech block and action plate in their return movement until arrested in its cocked position as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 8. From this position it has but a short range of movement into engagement with the firing pin as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. This enables quick action of the hammer in engaging the firing pin and minimizes the lapse of time between the pulling f the trigger and the instant of the hamn it the shell'which has the magazine 4 the mer blow. Moreover, this minimizes the Spring tension upon the engagement of the detent head and the stop shoulder of the sear 46. If the hammer was engaged in its extreme position of adjustment the high tension of the spring would tend to resist the disengagement of the sear and detent head 45, thereby making the trigger pull hard.

Assuming the gun to be assembled with the hammer down in fired position, an empty case in the chamber of the barrel and no loaded cases or shells in the magazine of the gun. To insert a loaded case or shell into case or shell is thrust against swinging carrier 71 pushing the latter, upwardly within the receiver with the gun closed. As the shell enters the receiver it will contact with secondary shell detent 21 which will be pushed upwardly against the tension of the spring 26 about its pivotal connection27. This opens a path into the magazine l of the gun into which the shell can be pushed. After its insertion into the magazine 4:, the detent 21 will. drop behind the head of case or shell under tension of.

the spring 26 and retain the case in the magazine. The operatlon of the gun to replace the spent case in the chamber of the barrel with the loaded shell is. secured by pulling the fore grip 5 rearwardly. which in turn transmits motion to receiver mechanism through action bar.

Before opening the gun the breech block .is positioned with its two halves expanded at the rear end into recesses in the sides of the receiver, with the rear end of each half overlapping the abutment shoulders 12 in the sides of the receiver. 1t is prevented from collapsing by studs 16 in the bottom of the breech block whichengage with the plate 20 and by the V shaped cam head 30 and the hammer 39, which at such time will project between the sections 8.

. lVhen the fore grip is pulled rearwardly cam head stud 31 engaging rear end of firing pin slot 14: pushes firing pin 18 rear wardly. The rear end of the firing pm 13 engages hammer 39 pushing it rearwardly out of slot between halves of breech block 88.

Simultaneously cam surface 69a moves away from primary stop 69 leaving it free to project into the path of heads of shells coming from magazine. This, however, it cannot do immediately because the rear end of the stop isyet held in position by the end 68 of rock inglever 65. As fore grip pushes the action plate 20 rearwardly the forward ends of cam slots 29 engage the breech block studs 16 and collapse breech block 88 so that it is free to travel rearwardly. The action plate 20 and breech block 8--8 will now ravel in unison rearwardly pressing hammer 39 back against the. tension of its spring, which is placed under compression as the hammer 3O swings rearward and is held in a retracted position by the engagement of the head e15 with the stop shoulder of the pivoted sear As action slide 20 moves rearwardly a lateral projecting tlange or lip 67 engages in a groove guide way upon the inner face of one of the dependent guide flanges 28 of action plate 20. This engagement raises the forward end and depresses the rear end of rocking lever thereby forcing the sear l6 positively into engagement with the detent head 45. As the forward end of rock ing lever 65 is raised it releases the primary case stop 69 which is spring actuated into the path of the end 68 of the rocking lever 65' and locks it in its elevated position. An extension from action plate 20 rides on the rear end from the pivot of rocking lever 65 thereby making an additional safety precaution.

The shell stop 69 is held out of the path of the shells in the magazine until the gun has been opened an appreciable distance since the inertia of the shells in the magazine tube tends to hold them stationary while the whole gun is traveling back with the recoil. This in effect is the same as if the shells traveled forward in the magazine tube. At the same time the inertia of the fore grip tends to unlatch the gun by relieving the rearward pressure on the arms l9 thereby releasing the action. Shooters cannot control this action and it not desirable to control it because the quicker the sequence of operations necessary to reload the gun can be effected the quicker the next shot is obtainable. Therefore, when the trigger is pulled the sear forces the rocking lever behind the primary shell stop and it is not released until after the gun is cocked on the rearward motion of the action slide. This gives time for the shell coming from the magazine to engage the secondary stop 21 and follow the action slide 20 while the primary stop 69 catches the next shell and prevents the gun from jamming. Upon return of the action slide the primary stop 69 is pushed out of the path of the rear-most shell in the magazine and it is permitted to fall against stop 21. By permitting the hammer to follow the breech block a portion of its way forward it reduces the length of time required for the hammer tostrike the firing pin and arranges the leverage so that the springs impelling the hammer start it without lag.

The sequences of operations as given are accomplished automatically as indicated with each shot tired from the gun and as many shots may be fired consecutively as the capacity of the magazine permits. The speed with which they may be fired depends entirely on the shooter.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described, possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its forms, proportions, and arrangement of parts, without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention is described in langauge more or less specific as to structural features it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into efiect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In arepeating fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver, of a laterally expansible reciprocating breech block, abutment shoulders upon the inner walls of the receiver with which the breech blocks effects overlapping engagement when expanded, and actuating means for reciprocating the breech block operating to contract the block out of engagement with said shoulders at the beginning of its rearward movement and effecting the expansion of the block into engagement with such shoulders at the limit of its forward movement.

2. In a repeating fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver, of a laterally expansible reciprocating breech block, abutment shoulders upon the inner walls of the receiver with which the breech block effects overlapping engagement when expanded, said breech block being longitudinally split in a vertical direction to alford two relatively adjustable lateral sections, actuating means for the breech block and means for relatively moving the sections out of and into overlapping relation with the abutment shoulders preparatory to its rearward movement and upon completion of its forward movement respectively.

3. In a repeating fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver, of a laterally expansible reciprocatory breech block, abutmentshoulders upon the inner walls of the receiver with which the breech block efiects overlapping engagement when expanded, said breech block comprising two longitudinal sections pivotally interconnected at their forward ends for limited oscillatory movement in lateral directions into and out of overlapping relation with the abutment shoulders, means for reciprocating the breech block, and means for contracting and expanding the block out of and into abutting relation with the shoulders preparatory to its rearward movement and upon completion of its forward movement. 1

4. In a repeating fire arm, the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver of a reciprocating breech block longitudinally divided into two relatively adjustable sections, a reciprocating action plate moving in unison with the breech block but capable of a limited movement in opposite directions in- 5. In a repeating fire arm the combinat1on with a stock a barrel and a receiver of abutment shoulders upon the inner side walls of the receiver, a reciprocatory breech block capable of lateral expansion and contraction into and out of abutting relation with said shoulders, a reciprocating action plate moving in unison with the breech block and capable of a limited additional movement independent thereof, means for reciprocating the breech block and action plate and means whereby the relative independent movement of the action plate effects the lateral contraction and expansion ofthe breech block into and out of engagement with said shoulder.

6. In a repeating fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver, of a longitudinally divided breech block, a firing pin accessible intermediate the sections of the divided block when separated, a hammer engageable with the firing pin when said block is separated, the block extending into the path of the hammer to prevent engagementwith the firing pin when the block is contracted, and means for expanding and contracting said block.

7 In a repeating fire arm, the combination with a stock, a barrel and receiver, of

a reciprocating breech block, a firing pin car-' ried thereby, a hammer'for engagement with said firing pin, said block having a recess into which the hammer enters for engage-i ment with said firing pin, said recess being closed to the hammer action until ready for firing, and means for locking the breech block in engagement with the receiver and simultaneously opening said access recess.

8. In a repeating fire arm, a stock, a barrel and a receiver, a longitudinally split reciprocatory breech block in the receiver, a firing pin enclosed between the sections of said breech block, a hammer entering between the sections of said block when separated into engagement with the firing pin, and means for opening and closing the breech block whereby the hammer will be excluded from access tothe firing pin when the block isclosed.

the rear of the block for engagement with the firing pin, means for reciprocating the breech block, and means for opening and closing the access opening in said block in BOT accordance with the movement of the block whereby the recess will be opened and the firing pin accessible to the hammer only when the block is in its home position.

10. In a fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver of a laterally expansible and contractible reciprocatory breeclrblock, a firing pin enclosed therein, a hammer entering a recess on the breech block for engagement with the firing pin when the block is spread, stop shoulders on the receiver, with which the block has abu ting engagement when spread, and means for spreading said expansible block to engage it with said shoulders and open the recess for the entrance of the hammer and for contract ing the block to disengage it from the receiver and close the recess to exclude the hammer.

11. In a fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and a receiver, of a reciprocatory breech block, longitudinally divided in a vertical plane into two relatively adjustable sections, substantially semi-cylindrical studs formed on the respective sections and in registry with each other, said block sections being recessed about said studs, a collar seated in said recesses and surrounding the studs to hold said relative movable sections in pivotally adjustable relation, means for reciprocating the breechblock, and means for expanding the breech block into locking-engagement with the receiver at the completion of its forward movement and for contracting the breech block preparatory toits rearward movement.

12. In a fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and of firing mechanism including a reciprocatory' breech block, longitudinally divided in a vertical plane into two relatively movable sections, a firing pin of 1 less length than the dividedbreech block enclosed therebetween, the extremities of the breech 7 block sections projecting into the path of the hammer beyond the extremity of the firing pin when said divided block is contracted, means for reciprocating the breech block and means for shifting the breech block sections laterally out of the path of the hammer when in its firing position'to permit the entrance of the hammer therebetween into engagement with the firing pin.

13. In a fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and of firing mechanism including a reciprocatory breechblock, longitu'dinally divided ifna verticalplane into two relatively adjustable sections, a reciprocatory action: plate common to the breech block sec tions, and capable of limitedto and fro motion independent of the breech block, actuating means for the action plate and cam means operatively connecting the plate and breech block sections whereby the movement of the action plate relative'to the breech block serves to spread and retract the relatively adjustable sections of the divided block.

14. In afirearm the combination with a stock, a barrel and of firing mechanism including reciprocatory breech block, a reciprocatory firing] pin within the breech block, a reciprocatory action plate capable of limited to and fro motion independent of the breech block, an operative connection'betwecn the action plate and firing pi-n whereby the independent movement of the action plate effects the retraction of the firing pin, said pin being capable of operative movement under influence of the hammer independent of the action plate when the action plate and breech block are in their firing positions.

15. In a repeating fire arm, the combination-with a stock, a barrel and firing mechanism including a reciprocatory breech block, a hammer and a scar of a manually operable safety'locl: for preventing the release of the hammer and means for disengaging the safety lock upon reciprocation of the breech block.

16. In a fire arm the combination with a stock and barrel of firing mechanism including a hammer andca reciprocating breech block, means for actuating the breechblock, a manually engaged safety lock for said hammer for preventing its release, and means for automatically disengaging the safety lock by the operation of the breech block reciprocating means.

17. In a repeating'fire arm,cthe combination with a stock, a barrel and firingmechanism including a reciprocatory breech block, a hammer and a sear, and a magazine for shells, of a shell stop, a rocking'lever the rear end of which has operative engagement with the sear and the forward end of which has operative engagement with the shell stop, said lever being oscillated upon the rearward movement of the breech block to lock the sear in its engagement with the hammer and to so hold it until the breech block approaches its firing position during its return movement, and to simultaneously permit the shell. stop to move into operative position to arrest the escape'of shells from the magazine by the movement of the forward end ofsaid rocking lever. V

18. In a repeating firearm, the combination with a stock, a barrel and firing mechanism including a reciprocating breech block, a hammer and a'sear, of. manually operated means for locking the sear inengagement with the hammer, said locking meansrbeing held. in operative engagement with the sear during the to and fro movement of the breech block and automatically released only as the breech block approaches its forward limit of its movement.

19. In a repeating fire arm, the combination with a stock, a barrel and firing mechanism including a reciprocating breech block, a hammer and a scar, a locking arm into the path of which the sear projects, means for rocking said arm upon the rearward movement of the breech block to positively move the sear into engagement with the hammer, said locking arm being held in its operated position until the breech block approaches the limit of its return movement.

20. In a repeating fire arm, the combination with a stock, a barrel, a magazine and firing mechanism, of a reciprocatory breech block, a reciprocatory action bar for moving the breech block to and fro, a latch member for detachably coupling the action bar with the breech block, a primary shell detent and a secondary shell detent for arresting the shell when released from the magazine by the withdrawal of the primary detent, said secondary detent being fixedly connected with such latch member for which the second detent forms a finger trip for disengaging the latch member from the action bar.

21. In a fire arm of the character described, the combination with a stock, a barrel and firing mechanism including a reciprocatory breech block, a locking member for holding the breech in firing position, a trigger and a sear, and a spring common to the sear and breech block locking member tending to hold the sear in hammer-holding position and acting to disengage the breechblock holding member upon release of the hammer.

22. In a fire arm the combination with a stock, a barrel and firing mechanism of a' 23. In a fire arm the combination with a I stock, a barrel and firing mechanism, of a safety lock for preventing discharge of the fire arm, manually operable means for disengaging the safety lock by the opening of the fire arm, said manual and automatic release means belng independently operable.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands.

7 CHARLES A. YOUNG.

GEORGE E. PETERS. GEORGE E. PETERS, Administrator of the Estate of Edgar E.

Peters, Deceased.