US2354025A

US2354025A - Firearm

Info

Publication number: US2354025A
Application number: US451591A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin H Johnson
Original assignee: Kilgore Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Kilgore Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1942-07-20
Filing date: 1942-07-20
Publication date: 1944-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 1961-07-18

Description

July 18, l944. E. H. JOHNSON FIRE-ARM 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed July 20 In vsurax EDWIN H. .roHNsoM y @M v WM July 18, 1944. E H. JoHNsoN 2,354,025

FIREARM Filed -July 2o, 1942 4 sheets-sheet `2 1'5 Dw/N HJoHNsoN,

UMM YM.;

A rToRNEVS July 18, 1944.

E. H. JOHNSON FIREARM Filed lJuly 2o, 1942 4 sheets-sheet s luvsN-ron EDWIN H JHNsoN.

A rrannevs E. H. JOHNSON 2,354,025

l FIREARM July 18, 1944.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 20, 1942 Patented `July 18, 1944 UNITED FIREARM Edwin H. Johnson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Kilgore Mfg. Company, Tipp City, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 20, 1942, Serial No. 451,591

(Cl. Ll21) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to rearms adapted for discharging flares for use in signaling or lighting purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide a firearm that is constructed and arranged to receive a signal or illuminating flare through the muzzle or the breech of the firearm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firearm having a short smooth-bore barrel adapted to receive a signal or illuminating flare through the muzzle or through the breech thereof, which flare is constructed and arranged in a manner that it forms an auxiliary or detachable barrel extending beyond the barrel of the rearm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rearm constructed and arranged to receive a flare through the muzzle or breech thereof, the operating mechanisms of the rearm being so arranged that they can be operated with one hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firearm adapted to receive Xed ammunition either through the muzzle or the breech thereof. Another object of the invention is to provide a combination muzzle loaded and breech loaded rearm constructed and arranged for one hand operation when being used with either muzzle loaded or breech loaded fixed ammunition.

Another object of'the invention is to provide a combination muzzle loaded and breech loaded rearm having a single mechanism for retaining muzzle loaded ammunition within the barrel of the firearm and for ejecting breech loaded ammunition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination muzzle loaded and breech loaded firearm for discharging signal or illuminating flares that is constructed and arranged for convenient operation with a heavy gloved hand, such as aviators gloves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a low pressure rearm for discharging signal flares that is constructed and arranged to be used selectively as a muzzle loaded rearm or a breech loaded firearm without interfering with the functions of either type of rearm.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings and from the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the iirearm of this invention showing a breech loaded flare therein.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the rearm showing extraction of a breech loaded hare.

Figure Bis an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the mechanism of Figure 1 showing the extracting mechanism.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 but showing the extracting mechanism in position when ejecting a breech loaded flare.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-'sectional View of the firearm showing a muzzle loaded iiare being inserted into the barrel, with the flare in crosssection.

Fgure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of Figure 5 showing the latch for retaining the muzzle loaded are within the barrel.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to vFigure 6 showing the latch mechanism released from a muzzle loaded flare so that the same can pass outwardly through the muzzle.

Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the rearm taken along line 8-8 of Figure 5. Figure 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view similar to Figure 8 showing the flare releasing mechanism in position for releasing a muzzle loaded flare.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the latchextractor mechanism as viewed upwardly from the bottom thereof and taken along line llll0 of Figure 6.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a mount for the firearm of this invention and shows the barrel of the rearm positioned within the mount.

Figure 12 is an elevational view of the manner of preparing the rearm for receiving a muzzle loaded flare.

Figure 13 is an elevational view showing the manner in which the flare is picked up through the muzzle of the rearm.

Figure 14 shows the firing position of the irearm with a muzzle loaded ilare therein.

Figure 15 is an elevational view of a iirearm l showing the manner of operation for discharging a muzzle loaded are.

Figure 16 is an elevational view of the rearm showing the manner of breaking the breech of the firearm in order to place a breech loaded l flare therein.

Figure 17 is an elevational view showing the 4manner of loading a breech loaded nare.

Figure 18 is an elevational view showing the manner of operation of the firearm for closing the breech thereof with a flare therein using only one hand.

Figure 19 is an elevational view showing the firing position of the firearm with a breech loaded nare therein.

y ofthe iatch' l1.

Figure 24 is an elevational view showing theY closing of the breech of the firearm with a gloved hand. v

Figure 25 is an elevational View showing removal of the firearm from the mount by means of a gloved hand. Y

The firearm of this invention consists of a` frame I having a chamber II within which the firing mechanism is placed, and a handle I2. A smooth-bore barrel I3A is pivoted upon an extension I5 ofthe frame I6. The barrel I3 is open at both ends' thereof and when in firing position the rear end of the barrel I3 is closed by a breech wall I6. A latch member I'I is pivoted upon the barrel I3 by means of a pivot pin I8 extending through ears I9 and cooperates with a strike 26 for securing the barrel I3 in ring position with the rear end thereof in engagement with the breech wall I6. A spring 2I urges the latch I'I downwardly to hold the same `in engagement with the strike 20.

A stop 22 controls the downward movement The rear end of the latch I'I isr provided with an upwardly inclined extension 23 that is disposed at a substantial angle to the wall of the breech of the firearm so that a gloved hand. can readily release ythe latch I1 from the strike and so that the hand operating the firearm can readily reach the latch I'I to release lthe same when the bare hand is used for operating the firearm. y

The firing mechanism of the firearm consists of a hammer 24 constructed from a pair of side members 25 pivoted upon a cross pivot pin 26 and spaced at their lower ends upon the cross pivot pin 26 by means of a sleeve 21. The members 25 are secured at their upper ends by means -of `a bridge 28. lA firing pin 29 extends Athrough the hammer24 and has the rear end thereof extending from the hammer 24 lto provide La locating pin 30 for one end of a spring 3|. The

opposite end of the spring 3| engages a cap 32 that closes the chamber II. In order -to operate vthe hammer 24 a dog 33 is pivoted between the travel of an angular face 5I] provided on the hammer supporting members 25 so that the hammer 24 cannot be moved rearwardly as long as the safety latch 48 is extended outwardly `(as shown in Figure 1).

To fire a projectile placed within the barrel I3 the trigger 39 is pulled rearwardly (as shown in Figure 1) and at the same time the safety latch 48 is squeezed inwardly so that the face 49 of the safety latch is moved out of the path of travel of the face on the hammer supporting members 25. The trigger cam 4I engages the dog cam 36 and forces the same upwardly and rearwardly against the compression of the spring '3| until the ends of the two cams meet, at which time the dog cam '36 will snap over the trigger cam 4I to release the hammer 24.

The firearm of this invention isadapted for discharging signal or illuminating flares of relatively large diameter. Therefore, the rearm 'can be `referred to as -a low pressure rearm as compared to a high pressure firearm of ythe type wherein a high speed projectile is discharged therefrom. There are two types of signal or illuminating flares that are in current use. One of the iiares is adapted for breech loading and the other is adapted for muzzle loadi-ng. In Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the firearm is shown as used'in combination with a breech loaded flare, whilev in Figures `5 to 10 inclusive the rearm isy used in combination with a muzzle loaded flare. v

It is necessary to provide some means for retaining a muzzle loaded nare within the barrel of the firearm until-after the flare has been discharged, after which the flare cartridge can be released from the muzzle. 'Also, some means must be provided for extracting la breech loaded ty-pe of flare after the same Vhas been discharged. In this invention the rearm is constructed and arranged with a single mechanism that produces both functions, namely, retaining va muzzle loaded arewithin the barrel of the firearm and subactuating cam 36 on the opposite end. A stop 31 is provided between the iside `members 25 of the hammer 24 against which the dog stop 35` rests when the firing mechanism is in released position, and is retained against this stop 31 by means of a spring 38.

trigger 39 is 'pivotedto 'the frame by 'a fpivot pin 4I] and has a'cam 4I thereon adapted to en slot 45 through Awhich the trigger extends irito ,the chamber II.`

The opposite end -46 of the spring 42 encir'cles alpin 47 and eng'agesasafety latch 48 pivoted upon the pin 4II'I. Thesaf'ety latch 48 'has a forwardly extending face 49 placed inthe Apath-of f sequently releasing the same as well as extracting a breech loaded type of fflare'. f

The 'mechanism for accomplishing both functions in 'this combination muzzle loaded and breech loaded firearm consists of a latch-extractor 5I thatl is slidably disposed betweena pair of ears 52 Iand 53 extending downwardly from the barrel I3. The latch extractor 5I has van upwardly `extending earf54 which .passes through la slot 55 provided in the barrel I3 adjacent the breech wall I6. This ear 54 provides `meansfor engaging a muzzle loadedflare to retain thesame within 'the barrel and forextracting a breech loaded flare from the barrel in a manner to be hereinafter described. The forward. end of` the latch-extractor '5I lis provided with a downwardly extending ear v56 which` is vadapted to be engaged by a tongue 51 provided onV the extension I5 of .the frame I0 when 'the barrel I3 is pivoted upon the pin I4. j A pin 5B extends between the ears 52 'and 53 andvis in engagement with the lower face of the latch-extractor 5I `so that the cooperation of the vpin 58 with Vthe face 59 fprovides Va fulcrum for of the latch-extractor f5 I.

Thepin 62 isiprovided with a l'smalldiameter portion 63 and a large diameter portion 64 slidable respectively in the ears 52 and 53.v The pin 62 carries

buttons

66 and 61 on opposite ends thereof for sliding the pin. transversely withrespect to the barrel I3 so that either the small diameter portion 63 or the large diameter portion 64 will engage the latch-extractor 5I.

When the small diameter portion 63 of the pin 62 is adjacent the latch-extractor 5I the torsion spring 60 urges the latch-extractor against the small diameter portion 63 so that the extending arm 54 will enter the interior of the barrel I3. When the 'large diameter portion 54 engages the latch-extractor 5I the extending ear 54 thereof is disposed with the upper face in iiush relationship to the inner surface of the barrel I3.

1 The barrel I3 may be placed within a suitable mount if it should be desirable to support the firearm rigidly when discharging a projectile therefrom. A mount can be provided in any suitable wall of a craft or vehicle so that the projectile can be discharged within the interior ofthe craft or vehicle and the liare will be discharged outwardlyr thereof. Such a mount is shown in Figure ll wherein a wall 68 of a craft or vehicle is provided with a sleeve 69 having a bore 1I) adapted to receive the barrel I3 of the firearm. The barrel I3 of the firearm'is provided with a plurality of protrusions 1I spaced radially about the same which is adapted to enter slots 12 provided in the amount 69. The slots 12 terminate in a series of annular slots 13 disposed at a slight angle transversely of the bore I0 so that the cooperation of the slots 13 and the protrusions 1I form a bayonet type connection for the rearm.

A latch 14 is slidably mounted upon the barrel I3 and is retained in position by means of a confining wall 15. A compression spring 16 is contained within the latch 14 and has one end there- 'of held stationary by means of a stud 11. The spring 16 therefore urges the latch forwardly with respect to the forward end of the barrel i3. `This latch is adapted to' engage a slot 18 provided in the end wall of the mount 69 to prevent the firearm from rotating in the mount when in firing position.

The firearm just described is particularly adaptable for use in discharging signal ares from aircraft, or water craft, or for signaling between troops. The flares discharged from the firearm can be either of the signal variety or can be ordinary illuminating flares. The firearm is constructed in -a rather substantial manner so that considerable mass is employed whereby the recoil of discharge of a projectile willbe substantially absorbed by the mass of the firearm. The barrel of the firearm is substantially shorter than the flares adapted `for use therein. The walls of the flares therefore are constructed with sufflcient strength that they will serve as an auxiliaryd or detachable barrel for the iirearm which can be removed from the firearm as soon as the projectile has been discharged from the cartridge casing of the flare. The walls of the flare do not distort when the propelling charge provided therein is exploded so that the cartridge casing can be readily removed either through the muz- 1zlefof the rfirearm or through the breech thereof. A fljare ofthe signal or illuminating type satisfactory for use in the firearm of this invention is disclosed in the patent to L. L. Driggs, Jr. et al., y15km-1,947,834, patented Feb. A29, 1934. f fg The flare disclosed therein, and shown in Figure 5....is ada ted. tote loaded into, a firearm lthrough the muzzle end thereof. The flare consists of acartridge casing of suicient strength to withstand without distortion the expansion of the gases of a propelling charge 8| provided in the base 82 of the cartridge casing. The base 82 is provided with an annular groove 83 that is adapted to be engaged by the latchejector 5I of the iirearm (as shown in Figure 6). The forward end of the cartridge casing 80 is provided with a detachable wall 84 that is removed upon expelling the shell 85 provided Within the cartridge casing 80. A firing cap 86 is provided in the base 82 and is adapted to set olf or explode the propelling charge 8l. The propelling charge 8| forces the shell 85 from the cartridge casing 88 and'thus from the firearm itself, the cartridge casing 80 remaining in the firearm after the shell 85 has been discharged therefrom.

The cartridge casing 80 therefore provides a detachable auxiliary .barrel that extends a substantial distance beyondthe permanent barrel of the firearm, andis capable of performing this function because the wall of the auxiliary barrel 8U is of sufcent strength to withstand the explosion of the propelling charge without distorting to thereby permit the auxiliary barrel to be slidably discharged from the permanent barrel when released by the latch-extractor 5 I.

The shell 85 includes a delayed action fuse 81 provided in the base thereof and an igniting charge 88 adapted to ignite the iiare 88. The igniting charge 88 also provides a propelling charge to expel the iiare 80 and the parachute 90 attached thereto from the shell 85 after a predetermined time as determined by the delayed action fuse 81. 9| closes the end of the shell 85.

The cartridge casing and the shell contained therein is more fully disclosed and described in the aforementioned patent and is only representative of the type of flare or projectile that is adapted for use in the firearm of this invention.

Figures 5 to 10 inclusive disclose the firearm of this invention as used in combination with a muzzle loaded flare as just described.

Figures 12 to 15 inclusive disclose the manual manipulation of the firearm of this invention for loading, firing and unloading a muzzle loaded projectile as just described, which operation may be performed by the use of only one hand. l

When the rearm of this invention is used in combination with muzzle loaded iiares, or cartridge casings, the cartridge casing 80, or flare. previously described is preferably Aplaced in a rack 92 which can be mounted upon any suitable wall of a craft. The iiares 80 are disposed in the rack 92 with the annular groove 83 in the uppermostposition so that it will be the first` portion to enter the barrel I3 of the firearm when placed upon the cartridge casing or flare 83. Preparatory to picking up a flare or cartridge casing through the muzzle of the barrel I3 the button 61 on the pin 62 is pressed with the index finger (as shown in Figure 12) to move the small portion 63 of the pin 62 adjacent the latch-ejector 5I, thereby permitting the ear 54 to enter the interior of the barrel I3. The muzzle of the barrel I3 is then forced down upon the cartridge casing 80 (as shown in Figure 13) until the groove 8 3 in the cartridge casing 89 is engaged by the latch-extractor 5I (as shown in Figure 6). The firearm can then be discharged in conventional manner (as shown in Figure 14) or it can be A suitable detachable end wall I .breech loaded fixed ammunition.

placed within the mountr (shown inA Figure V'1.1)- to discharge the are therethrough; Y

After the firearm has been discharged the butassignee..

tonl is pressed bythe thumbof the handfh'old'- d f As long as the firearm is tofbe used `with muzzle loaded flares there iis -no particular need for As shown VVin Figure 21; theV .firearm .is .being mounted within a mountsuch .as that disclosed in Figure 11-by amotion'that consists of va' com# bined forward *and 4vrotating motion to.l bayonet thelbarrel I3 within-the mount and.A to lock the l same thereto byfmeans of the'latch4 'If-l. .To'open the breech of the rearmthe portion of the gloved hand between the .thumb andindex 'finger` is forced under the latch I'I wherebyitv is moved upwardlyland the frame of the. gun willpivot downwardly about thepivot pin I4. toopen the breech ofthe barrel I3. breech 'loadedt'ypeof flare can then be .inserted through'the breech ofthe barrel I3 (as shown in Figurev 23) after operating the latch I.1 since this is merely to 1oerV mitopening of the breech of vthe firearm..

. Figures 1 to4=inclusive show the vsame iirearm for use in combination with a breech loaded type of xed ammunition or are",.while Figures 16 to 20 inclusive disclose the manual manipulation of the firearm `when using breech loaded am@` munition for operatingithe firearm by the use of onlyv one hand.l l

`The breechv loaded-type `oi' fixed 'ammunition or flare 93 is provided with' an a'nnularly extending 'rim S4' (shownvin Figure 1) that is adapted to seat Within yan annular groove 95. provided 1 in the end Wall of the barrel I3 adjacent the breech Wall Iii-.sV 'I'he filare 93 is thus retained inthe annular groove `95 between the barrel I3 and the'breech wall I6 asisconventional with .'In'vorder to use thebreech loaded ares19`3 they are preferably retained within a rack 96 thatmaybesecured to any craft-upon which therearm isto .be carried. When the rearm f is to be 'loaded the'latch I is forced. upwardly with vthe thumb of the hand (shown in` Figure 16) thereby. tilting the barrel (shown in Figure. 17). A ilare 93 can thenzbe in- I 3 forwardly munition. Theconstruction. and arrangement-of sert'edV through the breech of the barrel I 3.by

'moving the barrel upwardly over a flare (shown inFigure 1'7). After the liare 'is removed from `the rack- 9&1,` bysliding the same therefrom, the

firearm is then given aquick upwardly rotating motion vso -thatgthe breech yof the firearm will close and the latch I'I will move overjthe strike ZDand'engage the rear face thereof to lock the breech,fthi s kmotion being shown in Figure 18. 'v IThe rearmcan then be manipulated in conyention'al manner to discharge the shell from the cartridge casing (shown in Figure 19).

After the shell has been discharged from. the cartridge casing the latch I'I is then released with `thethumb (shown inFigure 16) to break the breech ofthe gun. At this .time the tongue 51 uponjthe extension I5 engages the downwardly extending portion 56 yof the latch 'extractor 5I to move the 'same rearwardly (asshown in Figure 4'). The upwardly extending ear'll engages the rim `94 of the arecasing 93 to extract the flare casing through thebreech of the'barrel I3.' The iirearmcan then be turned upside dovvn, that is,

with the vbreech pointing downwardly (as'shown i which theframe of the rearm'iiis closed. in.con ventional manner (as shown in` Figure 24). After firing the flare thebreech. of thefirearm. canbe opened in thesame' mannerasshown in Figure22.

whereupon the latch extractor 5I will extract the flare sufficientlyfar .to permitgrasping.there.

of between the thumbandxngers of .theagloved hand for removal of .the spenti'lare. The rearm can then 4be removed from .the mount.. (as shown in Figure 25)..upon releasing the .latch 'Mfrom engagement with the mount. n i'. j

From the foregoing..description-it willrreadily be understood thatlthefirea'rmofthis `invention is 'capableof operation by theuuse of only onev hand;` Alsogthatthe firearm canzbe used either as a muzzle loaded device oras-abreech loaded device without `interfering with they operation. of the rearmwhen-'used with either breech loaded ormuzzle loaded iixedVv ammunition.. -It is also readily'apparent that 'a' singlei mechanism pro?l duces the doublefunctiono'f retaining a muzzle loadedxed ammunition `within. the barrel of,` the..

firearm and releases the samev therefrom as well as extracting a breech .loaded type of fixed ;am-l

thek firearm. of this invention .considerablyawidens Y the useV of the rearmsince itcanbe used-with either muzzle loaded or breech loaded fixedy amfmunition regardless fof .which is being carried' at the particulartime and is readily interchange; able for use with Veither type ofv ammunition with? out making arv single alteration in the construction of the firearm. There is nol shifting overfof `con.-

structions of the rearm'whenl used with .either ammunition but itis always available for either use. l

. It is also readily apparent thatftnefappiieant has provided a rearinwhereinaparticular type I of' ammunition, suchasqthat wherein.the-,Walls in Figure 2o) so that the iiare easingsa will drop f through the breech of the firearm.V

When the iirearm Afisused under? c'etainj Y cumstances, s-uch as `upon aircraft, yitlma'y be that'it is desiredto firethefirearm without removing vgloves from the hand thati'soperatingth rearm. Under such circumstances it4 'mayalso be desirable to place the rearm in amount'such as that disclosed in Figure 11 topermfit its' operatonmore readily with a gloved hand.

r'have suflicient strength to resist deformationby the expelling charge. therein,fisusableiforjeasy discharge of the fammunitionfafteriiring thereof,

and which ammunition provides` anauxiliary. .or 1

detachablebarrel 'for vfthe` firearm 'regardless of whether the.` ammunition is of the/muzzle loaded or breech loaded-'variety 1 r 1 While the constructionfand'arrangement disclosed herein f shows a .preferred vformA of thewine `vention, yet fit is tobeunde'rstod that theiconstruction of theV device'canbe modilied'substanitially without Adeparting/from the'spiritof the -in- Vennen, and' that au suc-ri modifications as fan Atended to beincludedhereirnv. i Having thus fully described'myfinvention whatl I'claim as new and desireA to secure byLetters Patent is: Y* y 1; A firearm ,for discharging fixed ammunition havinga barrel constructedand' arranged to r`' ceive interchangeably muzzle loaded-or breech loadedv xed ammunition; a ybreech wall for- 'said barrel movable relative thereto to permit extraction of breech loaded ammunition, and means for retaining muzzle loaded xed ammunition Within said barrel against said breech Wall when iiring the same and releasing said ammunition when spent and for extracting breech loaded fixed ammunition.

2. A firearm for discharging signal ares having a barrel constructed and arranged to receive interchangeably muzzle loaded or breech loaded xed ammunition, and a single mechanism for retaining and releasing muzzle lo-aded ammunition for discharge through the muzzle and for extracting breech loaded ammunition.

3. A rearm adapted to receive interchangeably breech loaded or muzzle loaded niixed ammunition through breech or muzzle thereof Which consists of a frame adapted to be hand grasped, a permanent barrel pivoted to said frame constructed and arranged to receive iixed ammunition by muzzle loading and to pivot upon said frame to receive fixed ammunition by breech loading, latch means engaging either fixed ammunition when in said barrel, and means for latching said barrel in closed position upon said frame, both of said latch means being so disposed upon the firearm that operation of both latch means can be accomplished by the fingers of the hand grasping the frame.

4. A firearm having a barrel for interchangeably receiving muzzle loaded or breech loaded fixed ammunition loaded through the muzzle or breech thereof, a single mechanism for engaging either xed ammunition in said bore, and independent means for selectively actuating said mechanism to release muzzle loaded ammunition or extract breech loaded ammunition.

5. A firearm adapted to receive xed ammunition interchangeably through the muzzle or breech thereof which consists of a frame, a smooth-bore cartridge holder, means pivotally mounting said holder upon said frame, a latch-extractor extending into said bore to retain muzzle loaded ammunition therein and extract breech loaded ammunition therefrom, separate and independently operable means for actuating said latch-extractor to release muzzle loaded ammunition and extract breech loaded ammunition, and means for latching said cartridge holder in firing position upon said frame,

6. A iirearm adapted to receive fixed ammunition interchangeably through the muzzle or breech thereof which consists of a frame, a smooth-bore cartridge holder, means pivotally mounting said holder upon said frame, a latch-extractor extending into said bore to retain muzzle loaded ammunition therein and extract breech loaded ammunition therefrom, means movable separately from said latch-extractor for actuating said latchextractor to release muzzle loaded ammunition and extract breech loaded ammunition, and

means for latching said cartridge holder in firing position upon said frame, said separately movable means and said cartridge holder latching means being positioned upon the rearm for operation thereof by the ngers of one hand of a person operating the same.

'7. In a combination muzzle loaded or breech loaded firearm, a frame, a barrel, means pivoting said barrel on said frame, means for latching said barrel in closed position upon said frame, a latchextractor slidably disposed adjacent said barrel having means extending into said barrel to engage xed ammunition placed therein, means urging said latch-extractor into said barrel to engage fixed ammunition loaded therein through the muzzle of said barrel, means to disengage said latch-extractor from engagement with muzzie-loaded ixed ammunition and means for sliding said latch-extractor longitudinally of said barrel to engage fixed ammunition loaded through the breech of said barrel to extract the breech loaded ammunition from said barrel.

8. A firearm comprising a frame having a breech wall, a barrel disposed adjacent said breech wall for providing a cartridge chamber constructed and arranged to receive breech loaded or muzzle loaded xed ammunition, means pivotally mounting said barrel upon said frame, means for locking said barrel adjacent said breech Wall, extracting means slidably mounted adjacent said barrel movable longitudinally thereof for extracting fixed ammunition therefrom loaded through the breech of said barrel, and means for causing said extracting means to move transversely of said barrel for urging a part of said extracting means into said barrel to engage and retain xed ammunition therein loaded through the muzzle thereof and for releasing said extracting means from the muzzle loaded ammunition.

9. A rearm comprising a frame having a breech wall, a barrel disposed adjacent said breech wall for providing a cartridge chamber constructed and arranged to receive breech loaded or muzzle loaded fixed ammunition, means pivotally mounting said barrel upon said frame, means for locking said barrel adjacent said breech Wall, extracting means slidably mounted adjacent said barrel movable longitudinally thereof for extracting xed ammunition therefrom loaded through the breech of said barrel, means for causing said extracting means to move transversely of said barrel for urging a part of said extracting means into said barrel to engage and retain fixed ammunition therein loaded through the muzzle thereof, and means for moving said extracting means transversely of said barrel to release the muzzle loaded fixed ammunition so that the same can slide forwardly through the muzzle of said barrel.

EDWIN H. JOHNSON.