US2436175A

US2436175A - Automatic firearm

Info

Publication number: US2436175A
Application number: US444227A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest C Neal
Original assignee: ERNEST C NEAL
Current assignee: ERNEST C NEAL
Priority date: 1942-05-23
Filing date: 1942-05-23
Publication date: 1948-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 1965-02-17

Description

Feb. 17, 1948. E. c. NEAL Au'rouxuc FIREARM Filed May 23, 1942 10 sheds-sheet 1 lnvezzzbr 15-12252 6. JiaZ Feb. 17, 1948. E. c. NEAL AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed May 25, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 & NH A MQN m mm :m

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Feb. 17, 1948. E. c. NEAL AUTOIATIC- FIREARM Filed May 23, 1942 10 Shee ts-Sheet 3 ANN NAN

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Feb. 17, 1948. E, Q NEAL 2,436,175

AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed llay 23, 1942' 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 17, 1948. NEAL 2,436,175

AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed May 23, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 l "202 J96 J95 mixes/67%! Feb. 17, 1948. E. c. NEAL 'w'rounxc FIREARM Filed May 23, 1942' 0 Sheets-Sheet 7 Feb. 17,1948, E. c. NEAL 2,436,175

AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed May 23, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Feb. 17, 1948. Q NEAL AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed May 23, 1942 ZABJ 7 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 I'IIWWWITINIIIQA -llff kw wwl RN mmw N RNUNW mm w S 5. a 9 R fl N ////I///// I Jr A I "l/ h r// \N RN A91 if: 11 a \w WW 1 so I} -l1l11l1 wk m Wm w i 1 1i 1| hm 1 Rm m %m R RN Mafi WW QMW Feb. 17, 1948. E. c. NEAL AUTOMATIC FIREARM 10 Sheets-Sheet 10' Filed May 23, 1942 l wmu mou llllllll ||4J||||m Patented Feb. 17, 1948 AUTOMATIC FIREARM Ernest 0. Neal, Chicago, Ill, assig'nor, by mesne assignments, to hinileli' and Elmer Brandell,

Chicago, Ill.

Application May 23,

17 Claims. 1

This invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to automatic or semi-automatic recoil operated firearms.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a. firearm having a firing power and destructive'eflect that is much greater than that of known weapons of comparable size and weight.

A further object is the provision of a firearm having a greatly increased target coverage whereby accurate aiming is not essential to hitting 'a target and even relatively small and rapidly moving targets are more likely to be hit without accurate aiming.

A further object is the provision of an automatic or semi-automatic recoil operated firearm having a destructive effect and target coverage corresponding to that of firing heavy buckshot from a shot gun while combining therewith the accuracy, range and pattern control of a. cartridge or single projectile type of weapon.

A further object is to provide a firearm and firing mechanism therefor which may be incorporated into the form of a relatively light arm, such as a side arm or a rifie, and which may be utilized equally well in a much heavier type of weapon, such as aheavy caliber anti-tank or antiaircraft sun.

A still further object is the provision of a firearm that is adapted for either sporting, militaryor police use, and which is more efiective in all of these fields than known weapons of like size and type.

Still another object is the provision of a multibarreled firearm'in which a plurality of individual cartridges or shells are simultaneously fired, thereby providing for increased firing power and target coverage while maintaining accuracy in range and pattern control.

A further object is the provision of such multibarreled firearm which provides for automatically discharging fired cartridge shells and auto matically reloading the plurality of barrels during a number of successive firings of the weapon.

A further object is the provision of a multibarreled firearm in which a single firing pin head, a single breech block and a single firing hammer provide for ejecting used cartridge shells, reloading the barrels, and firing all of the barrels simultaneously.

A further object is the provision or a firearm in which a plurality of readily refillable magazine tubes each adapted to contain a plurality of cartridges are positioned in the base or the weapon in parallelism with the firing axis or the weapon.

1942, Serial No. 444,227

and provision is made for automatically reloading the firearm from the magazine tubes.

A still further object is the provision of an improved hand grip and support for a revolver or side arm type of firearm.

Still another object is the provision of novel mechanism for efiecting the automatic or semiautomatic operation of a multi-barreled firearm.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

The drawings illustrate one selected form of the invention. which for purposes of descriptionis shown as being of the side arm or revolver'type,

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4a and shows the firing pin head in firing position with respect to the receiver head and gun barrels; v

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line i-S of Fig. 4a and shows the firing pin head in the after-firing position;

Fig. '7 is a transverse section taken on the line Iv-l of Fig. 4a and shows the-arrangement of the breech block within the jacket of the firearm.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4b and shows the arrangement of the magazine tubes and hammer block within the weapon;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4b and also shows the magazine tubes and hammer block;

block;

14 is a perspective view of the breech Fig. is a perspective view of the sliding hammer block; t

Fig. 16 is a vertical section corresponding gen. erally to Fig. 4:: but showing a portion of the gun mechanism in one of the after-firing positions;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section corresponding to parts of Figs. 4a" and 4b and showing a portion of the gun mechanism in still another after-firing position: g

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the extractor and ejector mecha-, nism and the spring clips for supporting the cartridges at the forward end of the magazine tubes and on the firing pin head, the view being taken substantially vertically with respect to the uppermost barrel and magazine tube;"

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken at right angles to Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken on the line 20-20 Of F18. 18;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken on the line 2l2i of Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the ejector bars and cartridge supporting clips in position on the forward end of a magazine tube;

I 4 V trated. A trigger it extends downwardly into the opening of the trigger guard ll and is adapted to be engaged by the forefinger of the person firing the gun while the hand of the firer grips around the hand grip It, as indicated by dashed lines in Fig. l. A-manually operable lever I! also extends'outwardly of the jacket l0 through a slot 20 and is slidable within the slot to provide for manually loading and unloading the weapon,

as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The jacket It extends a substantial distance rearwardly of the hand grip i8 to provide a magazine chamber in the rear portion of the weapon,

strap or plate member which is secured to the jacket ill by screws 28 and is provided at its lower end with a hook-shaped portion 21 adapted to engage around and provide a rest for Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the extractor bar;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the ejector bar;

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the cartridge pushing and supporting clips carried by the firing pin head; I

Fig. 26 is a detail sectional view showing a por-- tion of the gun mechanism with the parts in firing position, the section being taken along the line of 28-26 in Fig. 28; a

Fig. 2'? is a detail sectional mechanism of Fig. 26 in its rear-most position after firing of the weapon:

Fig. 28 is a transversesectional view taken on the line 28-28 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a top-plan view of the saddle assem bly showing the trigger mechanism;

Fig. 30 is a detail view of the support magazine assembly; I

Fig.3l is an elevational view of the forward end of the magazine support shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 32-82 of Fig. 30;

Fig. 33 is a detail view, partly in section, of the removable tubes and and support forming a part of the magazine assembly;

Fig. 34 is a detail view of 'a portion of the trigger mechanism;

Fig. 35 is a detail view of a portion of the trigger mechanism illustrated in Fig. 34; and

. Fig. 36 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a typical target pattern for the plurality of projectiles fired by the firearm and shows the manner in which the projectiles disperse to cover a target of desired area at a desired range. Referring to the drawings, the illustrated firearm comprises a cylindrical shell or jacket l0 providing a support for a plurality of barrels Ii. As indicated in Fig. 2, the weapon is shown as having five barrels ll arranged in a circle concentric with the longitudinal axis of the jacket I0 and equally spaced around this circle. Front and rear sights l2 and it are secured to the top' portion of the jacket to provide for accurate aiming of the firearm when desired, and a saddle i4 is removably attached to the underside of the jacket by means of screws II.

The saddle 14 carries a hand grip l6 and a trigger guard ll'which'may be integrally connected with the hand grip and saddle as illusview showing the as indicated at 28, and engages the forearm of the operator at a substantial distance in rear of the wrist, as is also illustrated by dashed lines in Fig. 1. 4

The arm rest thus engages the firer's arm at a relatively rigid or-stiif portion thereof and assists in supporting and steadying the firearm against downward movement and lateral waveropposlteto the arm support. The hand grip 29 for the is adapted to be grasped by the other hand of thefirer of the weapon, as is also indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1, and together with the The firearm of the present invention is of the automatic or semi-automatic recoil operated type,-and to provide for this action the plurality of barrels I I are slidably supported in the Jacket Ill for limited longitudinal movement therein. Referring to Figs. 4a and 10, a barrel supporting spool 35, comprising a pair of spaced circular supporting members 36 and 3'! and a hollow tubular portion 38, is inserted within the forward portion of the jacket 10 and provides a bearing for slidably supporting the plurality of barrels II. The supporting member 36 of the spool is externally threaded. as indicated at 39, and this threaded portion is adapted to engage .an internally threaded portion provided at the forward end of the gun jacket I II, as shown in Fig. 4a. The supporting spool 35 is maintained in fixed positioning within the jacket ID by screws 40 which extend through the jacket I0 and thread into the The barrels ii are externally threaded at their inner ends. as indicated at II in Fig. 1, and are screwed into a receiver head 48. Figs. 4. 11, and

12, which provides a unitaryrigid supporting assembly for the plurality of barrels. The receiver head 48 is slidably received within the gun jacket II in rear of the supporting member 81 of spool II, and the entire barrel assembly. including the plurality of barrels II and the head 48, are adapted to move rearwardly under recoil action when the weapon is fired. A centrally positioned stem member 41 extends forwardly of the receiver head 48 and is slidably received within the hollow tubular portion 88 of the spool member 85.

A spring 48, Fig. 4, is also mounted within the hollow portion 88 of the spool and is connected at one end to the forward end of the stem member 41. as indicated at 48. The opposite end of spring 48 is connected to an eyebolt 80 which extends through a nipple threaded into the spool portion 88 and is threadably received within a cap nut provided on the exterior side of the nipple- The spring 88 opposes rearward movement of the receiver head and barrel assembly and provides for return of the assembly to the firing position shown inv Fig. da'after the rearward movement thereof under recoil action. The eyebolt 58 and nut 52 provide for adjusting the tension of spring 48, and this tension is so adjusted that the receiver head and barrel assembly will move rearwardly at a high velocity when the gun is fired, but will be returned under action of the spring 48 when the assembly has reached the end of its recoil movement. 7

The movement of the receiver head 48 and barrel assembly in the rearward and forward direction is positively limited by a stop pin 53 which is mounted in 8. lug 88 provided on the spool member 81 and is received within a slot 55 provided in the stem member 41 of the receiver head. The stop pin 58 passes through an opening 58 provided in the hollow member 38 of the spool 85, and a suitable opening (not shown) is provided in the jacket I. to permit insertion and removal of the stop pin .upon assembly and disassembly of the gun.

A friction brake is also provided to assist in slowing down the receiver head and barrel assembly and in bringing the assembly to a stop at the end of its rearward and return movements. As shown in Figs. 1, 6, 16, 17, and 29, this brake comprises a dog 80 piv'otally mounted in the saddle H, as indicated at 6|, and pressed against the underside of the receiver head 48 by a spring 82. To provide for frictional engagement of the dog 80 with the receiver head 48 throughout the entire extent of its movement, the receiver head is provided with a forwardly extending arm 8 3 against which the dog presses, as clearly indicated in Fig. 16.

An upstanding lug 84 is also provided on the dog 60 and is adapted to be received within a notch 65- provided in the receiver head 48 when the head is at its forward or firing position, for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. The lug and notch 85 are provided with cooperating inclined surfaces, as shown. to effect camming of the lug out of the notch when the gun is fired and the receiver head moves rearwardly under recoil action. A notch or groove 88 is also provided in the lower portion of the spool member 81 for slidably receiving the forwardly extending arm 83 of the receiver head.

A firing pin head I8, best shown in Fig. 13, is mounted within the jacket II in rear of the rerear portion of the receiver head 48.. The firing pin head is releasably locked within the receiver.

head at the time that the firearm is fired by means we pair of diametrically opposed locking lugs 12 which are provided on the firing pin head and engage behind locking flanges-l8 provided on the receiver head. The locking flanges I! are spaced apart at their adjacent ends to provide notches or openings 1 forming gates through which the locking lugs 12 are adapted to pass when the head 10 is rotated to align the lugs with the notches. Locking of the firing pin head within the receiver head is effected by rotating the head I0 through a predetermined angle, approximately 36 in the illustrated embodiment, to engage the locking lugs 12 behind the flanges 18 as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing, and unlocking is eflected by rotating the firing pin head in the opposite direction tmalign the lugs 12 with the notches 14 as showfifn Fig. 6.

A plurality of firing pins 15, one for each of the barrels I I, are mounted on the firing pin head 10 and are so positioned that when the head II has been rotated to its predetermined locked position within the receiver head, each of the firing pins is in direct alignment with one of the gun barrels, as is also clearly shown in Fig. 5. The firing pins I5 are slidably mounted in sleeves I8 threaded into recesses provided in solid portions of the head In and, as shown in Fig. 4a, comprise a pin portion ll, an enlarged portion 18, and a head 19. Coil'springs adapted to be compressed between the bottom of the recesses in the head 10 and the enlarged portions ll of the pins provide for normally maintaining the head portions I9 of the pins in an outwardly extended position with respect to the rear face of the firing pin head. Upon firing of the weapon the heads 19 are driven inwardly against the force of the springs 80 to strike the pin portions 11 against the firing caps of cartridges received in the barrels ii. The inner ends of the barrels ll extend substantially fiush with the inner face of the receiver head recess II to receive the cartridges, and with the firing pin head in firing position. solid metal portions of the head are positioned behind each of the cartridge shells, as illustrated in Figs. 4a and 5 of the drawings.

A relatively heavy breach block is positioned within the gun jacket ill in rear of the firing pin head Ill and is operatively connected to the firing pin head by means of a pin 88 which is carried by the breech block and extends through a pair of spirally shaped cam slots 81 provided in a stem 88 extending rearwardly from the firing pin head. The stem 88 is slidably received within a central bore 88 provided in the breech block 85 and the bore 88 provides a bearing for rotatably and slidably mounting the firing pin head on the breech block. The breech block is mounted for sliding movement within the jacket II, but is prevented from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the fire arm by means of a pair of keys secured to the jacket ill and slidably received within elongated grooves or slots 8| provided in the outer surface of the breech block. An elongated stem 82 extends rearwardly of the breech block 85 and is adapted to compress a coil spring 83 positioned adjacent the rear porli tion of the weapon. The spring 88 provides for 7 returning the breech block to itsforward firing position after the block has reached a predetermined limit ofrearwardmovement.

When the weapon is fired. the recoil action causes the receiver head and the barrel assembly to move rearwardly at a high velocity and the receiver head carries the firing pin head which is locked therein rearwardly with it. This rearward movement of the receiver and firin pin heads is transmitted to the breech block 05 and causes the breech block to also travel rearwardly at a high veldcity, the pin 05 carried by the breech block being positioned at this time ad- Jacent the forward ends or the spiral cam slots 01 provided in the firing head stem 00. when the receiver head/ and barrel assembly have reached the limit of their rearward movement,

as determined by the stop pin and the length of the slot 55, these parts come to a momentary stop but the breech block continues tO-move rearwardly due to the momentumstored therein by the recoil action of the gun.

As the breech block continues its rearward :movement the pin 06 moves along the cam slots 81 and causes the firing pin head 10 to rotate within the receiver head in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figs. 5, 6. and 13; The relative length and curvature of the cam slots 01 is such that when the pin 05 has reached the rearward end of the slots the firing pin head will have been rotated through an angle sufilcient to bring the locking lugs 12 into alinement with the slots or openings 14 in the locking. flanges of the receiver head, as shown in Fig. '8. At this time the parts are in the relative positioning illustrated in Fig. 16.

As the breech block continues to move still further rearwardly due-to its momentum it-now pulls the firing pin head with it, the locking lugs 12 passing through the slot 14 and the firing pin head being withdrawn from the recess of the receiver head. The breech block and firing pin head thereafter move as a unit until the head 10 has been again inserted within the receiver head as will be hereinafter described. As soon as the firing pin head has been freed from its locking engagement with the receiver head. the spring 08 causes the receiver head and barrel assembly to return to their normal forward position illustrated in Fig. 4a.

A means is provided for extracting the used cartridge shells from the barrels of the gun-and for ejecting the used shells from the weapon during the rearward movement of the breech block and firing pin head. The rearward movement of the breech biockand firing pin head under the recoil action of the weapon is also utilized to efiect the picking up of a fresh cartridge for each of the gun barrels from the magazine positioned in the rear portion of the gun.

To effect the extraction of. the used cartridge shells from the gun barrels, a plurality of extractor bars'95, one for each barrel, are slidably mounted in grooves 06 provided on the outer surface of the breech block 05 and extend forwardly over the outer cylindrical surface of the firing pin head. A downwardly extending nose or hook 91 is provided on the forward end of each of the extractor bars and is adapted to engage against the forward side of the conventional head which is provided at the base of the. car.- tridge shell as is clearlyshown in Figs. 4, 16. and. 17. A downwardly extending lug 00 is also pro adapted to be received within a circular groove or slot 50 (see Fig. 13) provided in the outer cylindrical surface of the firing pin head. The extractor bars 05 are thus locked to the firing pin head and move rearwardly and forwardly with movement of the head.

Thus asthe breech block and firing pin head travel rearwardly due to the recoil action of the gun the extractor bars likewise move rearwardly and cause the'used cartridge shell to be extracted from the gun barrels as indicated in Fig. 16. During the rotation of the firing pin head to effect unlocking thereof from the receiver head the lugs 00 of the extractor bars slide within the circular slots 99 of the firing pin head. The extractor bars 95 are more particularly illustrated in Fig. 23 and as shown therein are provided with outwardly inclined toe portions I00 which cooperate with inclined portions of the breech block grooves 98 (see Fig. 14) to maintain the extractor bars in proper positioning within the breech block grooves.

The breech block and the firing pin head 10 are also each provided with a plurality of openings I05 and I06, respectively, which extend throughout the length of the breech block and firing pin head. there being one opening I05 and I00 for each of the gun barrels II. The openings I05 in the breech block are positioned in direct alinement with the gun barrels II, and the openings I06 in the firing pin head are so positioned that each of these openings will also be in direct alinement with the gun barrels as well as with the openings I05 of the breech block when the head 10 has been rotated to its unlocked position illustrated in Fig. 6. A plurality of magazine tubes I01, one for each of the gun barrels II, are supported on the rear portion of the weapon and are arranged in direct alinement with the gun barrels as well as the openings I05 in the breech block and the openings I06 in the firing pin head when the latter has been rotated to its unlocked position of Fig. 6. The magazine tubes I01 are adapted to extend through the openings I05 in the breech block and into the opening I05 in the firing pin head when the block and head move rearwardly under the recoil action, and the openings I05 and I06 are of a size to permit the entry of the tubes I01 therein.

As more particularly shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 22, a-pair ofejector bar-s IIO are secured to each of the magazine tubes I01 and extend a predetermined distance into the openings I05 of the breech block 85. During the rearward movement of the breech block and firing pin head the ejector barsv IIO pass through the openings I06 of the head 10 and engage against the bottom of the empty cartridge shells at an edge thereof opposite to the point where the head of the shell is engaged by the hooked nose 01 of the extractor bars 95. At the time of the engagement of the ejector-s IIO with the cartridge shells,;the shells have been entirely withdrawn from the gun barrels and as the extractor bars continue to move rearwardly with the firing pin head the shells are caused to swing outwardly with respect to the axis of the weapon and to be ejected through suitable ejection openings III provide in the outer jacket I0 of the gun. This opeiation of the gun in ejecting the used cartridge shells is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 17. The portion of the saddle I4 which underlies the ejection openings III for the two lower barrels of the weapon is provided with openings II2, correvided on each of the extractor bars 05; and is. 15 spending to the openings III. as shown inFig. 5,

to permit ejection of the used shells from the lower barrels. i

The fresh cartridge to be picked up by the firing pin head for loading into each gun barrel is supported at the forward end of the magazine tubes I! by means of a pair of spring clips IIB (see Fig. 22) whi h are arranged in planes substantially at righ angles to the ejector bars H0 and comprise extensions of the tubes I0'I. The spring clips II are arcuate in transverse crosssection to engage around the sides of the fresh cartridges and are provided with openings adjacent the end of the tube I01 into which spring members III; secured to the clips II5 are adapted 22, which engage against the bottom of the cartridge shell after the cartridge has been received within the clips H5. The spring members III;

are readily sprung outwardly however, by the.

fresh cartridge as it is moved forwardly from within the magazine tube III! to permit the bottom of the cartridge to slide past the shoulders I I'l.

To provide for picking up the fresh cartridges and loading them into the gun barrels a pair of spring clip members I aresecured within each of the openings I06 ofthe firing pin head I0 and are adapted to engage in rear of and around the bottom bead on the cartridge to support the cartridge adjacent the forward face of the head 10 and load the cartridge into the barrels upon return forward movement of the firing pin head. As best shown in Figs. 18 and 21, the pushing and supporting clips I20 are arranged substantially at right angles to the spring clips H5 and are adapted to pass between theeiector bars H0 and the clips H5. Referring to Figs. 18 and each of the clips I20 comprises a head portion I2I which is secured to the firing pin head 70 within the openings I08 by means of a spring portion I22 normally urging the head I2I inwardly toward the axis of the opening. Each of the head portions" I2I is provided with bead engaging portions I23 which engage in rear of and around the cartridge head, as above described and shown inFig. 18, to clamp the cartridge between the oppositely disposed spring clips I20 under action of the spring portions I22.

The clips I20 are mounted within grooves I24 provided in the firing pin head adjacentthe openings I06 (see Fig. 13). and during the rearward movement of the head 10, the resilient clips are adapted to be sprung to an out-of-the-way position within these grooves by engagement of the fresh cartridges with the spring portions I22 of the clips, thereby permitting the clips to slide past a fresh cartridge supported within the clip members "5- of the magazine tubes I01. Suitable recesses I25 are also provided in the head I0 for receiving the head portions-IN of the clips. As soon as the head" has moved sufficiently far in a rearward direction to clear the rear of the fresh cartridges, the clips I20 spring inwardly again under action of the springs I22 to clamp the bead of the cartridge within the clip portions I23, as above described. A fresh cartridge is thus supported on the forward face of the firing pin head in direct alinement with each of the gun barrels II. Inward movement of the clips I20 under action of the springs I22 during rearward travel of the firing pin head prior to the engagement of the clips with the fresh cartridges, is limited by a flanged shoulder I20 provided on each of the head portions I 2| of the clips and cooperating with a corresponding shoulder provided on the firing pin head adjacent the recesses I25.

The rearward travel of the breech block 85 and firing pin head 10 is definitely limited by fixed stop I80, Figs. 4b and 17, secured to the outer jacket I0 and v ainst which the rearward face of the breech block engages. The spring 98, which is compressed during the rearward movement of the block and head, provides for slowing down these parts, and cushions the force with which the block strikes at stop I80. The stop I is so positioned'that the clips I 20 on the head 10 will have passed completely over the fresh cartridges and engaged the bead at the rear ends thereof before the block and head are brought to a complete stop. Fig. 1'1 illustrates the relative positioning of the parts at the instant that the breech block and firing pin head have been brought to rest by the stop I00, and the clips I20 on the firing pin head have picked up the fresh cartridge from the magazine tube I0I.

As soon as the rearward movement of the block and'head has been arrested by the stops I80 and a fresh cartridge has been picked up by each of the pairs of spring clips I20, the spring 93 provides for returning the breech block and firing pin head to the forward firing position. The forward movement of the breech block 85, under action of the compression spring 83, is transmitted to the firing pin head III by means of a coil spring I and-the engagement of the pin 86 with the sides of the cam slots 0! provided in the stem 08 of the firing pin head. The spring I35 is compressed between a cup-shaped member I36 threaded into the rear end of the stem 88 and the end of the hollow bore 88 provided in the breech block 88, as clearly shown in Figs. 16 and 17. A headless screw I81 threads into "the end of the bore 88 and is received within the coils of the spring I35 to properly position the spring within the bore. As the head I0 carry-- ing the fresh cartridges thereon moves forwardly,

the ends of the ejector bars IIO are flexed downwardly by the passage of the cartridges thereover. To assist in this action the bars IIO are made from a springmaterlal and are joined to the tubes I01 by portions of reduced thickness as indicated at I38 in Figs. 18 and 24.

After the firing-pin head I0 and breech block 85 have moved forwardly a distance sufiicient to load the cartridges into the gun barrels and insert the head I0 within the recess II of the receiver head 48, the forward movement of thehead I0 is arrested and continued movement of the breech block under action of the spring 93 causes the pin 86 to move forwardly in the cam Ill) slots 81 to rotate the firing pin head to its locked position of Fig. 5 in which-the locking lugs I2 are engaged behind the flanges 13 of the receiver head. The spring 138 permits the relative movement between the breech block and the firing pin head necessary to eflectthe locking rotation of the firing pin head by forward movement of the breech block.

The openings Win the firing pin head I0 are maintained in proper alinement with the magazine tubes I01 and the gun barrels II during the rearward and forward movement of the head by a latchin means which is carried by the breechblock 85 and locks the head I0 against rotation during its rearward and forward travel. Referring to Figs. '26 and 27, this means comprises a latching lever I08 pivotally mounted -in the breech block 85 at "I and having forwardly and the stem 66.

rearwardly extending arms I42 and I43 operable within a slot I44 provided in'the breech block. The arm I42 carries a latching finger I46 which is adapted to move into a slot I46, see Fig. 13. provided on the end of the stem member 68 of the firing pin head 16 after the breech block has moved rearwardly with respect to the head 16, a distance sufficient for eifecting unlock. ing rotation of the firing pin head. The an ular arrangement of the slot I46 on stem 66 is such that when the firing pin head 16 has been rotated to its unlocked position by movement of the breech block relative to the head, in which position the openings I66 of the head are in allnement with the barrels II and magazine tubes I61 and the lugs 12 are-in alinement with the opening 14, the slot I46 will be in a proper angular position to receive the latching finger I46. A spring I41 positioned within a recess provided in the breech block and compressed against the end of the leverarm I43 provides for resiliently urging the latching finger I46 in a downward direction to eil'ect its engagement with the slot I46 and the stem member 66.

The lever arm I42 normally rides on the top of the stem member 66, as shown in Fig. 26, and maintains the latching finger I46 in a raised position against the action of the spring I41. The head 16 is thus free to rotate under action of the pin 66 in the slots 61 as the breech block moves rearwardly relative to-the head upon firing of the weapon. As soon as the relative movement between the breech block and firing pin head is sufficient, however, to free the firing pin head from the receiver head and aiine the openings I66 with the gun barrels and magazine tubes,

the finger I46 drops into the slot I46 under action of spring I41 and the head and block thereafter move together as a unit in the manner hereinabove described with the head locked against further rotation by the lever I46. The downward travel of the latching finger I46 into locking engagement with the slot I46 is limited by engagement of the lever arm I43 with the jacket I6 of the weapon, as shown in Fig. 21. which illustrates the parts after the head and block have been locked together by the latching lever.

Upon return movement of the breech block and firing pin head in a forward direction under action of the spring 63 the latch I46 is released from engagement with the slot I46. to permit locking rotation of the firing pin head, by means of a stationary cam I46 which is fixedly secured to the jacket I6 of the gun. As shown in 21g. 26, which illustrates the parts in the firing position of the weapon, the cam I46 engages the end of lever arm I43 and cams it downwardly against the action of spring I41 to move the latching finger I46 to its raised position in which the lever arm I42 rides on the outer surface of The positioning of the cam I66 is such that it engages the lever arm I43 and effects unlatching of the lever I46 at the instant when the firing pin head has been fully inserted within the receiver head and is readyto be rotated into locking engagement with the receiver head upon further forward movement of the breechblock.

The magazine tubes I61 are rigidly mounted in the rear portion of the weapon by means of a supporting spool I66, Figs. 4b and 36. comprising a hollow central tube I66 and three spaced I6 by means of screws I66 which extend through the Jacket and thread into the supporting members I61, I66, and I66. The supporting member I61 is positioned at the forward end of the central tube I66 and provides the stop I36 which limits the rearward movement of the breechblock 66, as described above. The spring 66, which is compressed by the rearward movement of the breechblock and provides for returning the breechblock and firing pin head to the forward firing position after a reloading operation, is positioned within the hollow interior of the tube I66, as shown in Fig. 4b, and is compressed between a block "I slidably mounted within the tube I66 and a fixed block I62 which is threaded into the tube at the rear end thereof. The rearwardly extending stem member 62 of the breechblock is'slidably received within the forward end of the tube I66 and is provided with a reduced portion I63 which fits within a recess provided in the sliding block I6 I Each of the members I61, I66. and I66 are provided with alined openings I66 through which the magazine tubes I61 extend. The tubes I61 are press-fitted into the openings I66 or are otherwise secured to the members I61, I66, and I66 so as to be rigidly supported by the spool I66 in proper spaced position within therear portion of the weapon. Additional openings I66 may also be provided in the member I61, I 66, and I66 to decrease the weight of the supporting spool.

Each of the magazine tubes I 61 is adapted to receive and support a plurality of cartridges arranged in end-to-end relationship. as shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. In the illustrated embodiment nine cartridges are adapted to be supported by each of the magazine tubes. To provide for successively feeding the cartridges forwardly to the spring members I I6 where they are adapted to be picked up by the firing pin head during the reloading operation hereinabove described, a plurality of tubes I 16 are rigidly supported in an end plate "I, Figs. 4b and 33, and are adapted to be telescopically received within the fixed tubes I61 as shown in' Figs. 4a and 41). A coil spring I12 is positioned within each of the tubes I16 and is adapted to be compressed between the end plate "I and a plunger I13 slidably mounted within each of the tubes, The plungers I13 are adapted to engage against the bottom of the rearmost cartridges, supported within the mesazine tubes I61 when the tubes I16 are inserted supporting members I61, I66, I66 adapted to fit within the jacket I6 of the gun and engage the within the tubes I61 and provided for urging the cartridges in the forward feeding direction under action of the springs I12.

Each of the springs I12 and plungers I16 thus provide for successively feeding a fresh cartridge to the spring fingers II6 mounted at the forward end of each of the tubes I61 each time that a cartridge formerly supported within these fingers is removed by the firing pin head. The cartridge is prevented from being pushed out of the spring fingers I I6 until it is picked up by the clips I26 of the firing pin head by means of oflset shoulder portions I14, Fig. 22, which are provided on the spring members I I6 and engage the forward edge 'ofthe bead on the cartridge shell. To provide forassuring that the'last cartridge will be advanced into proper positioning within fingers II6 the plungers I13 are mounted within the ends of auxiliary sleeves I16 which are slidably received within the tubes I16 and provide for extending the plungers outwardly beyond the normal ends inner wall thereof. The 69001 I66 is 119m." of the tubes I16 as clearly shown in Fig. 83. A

. 13 pin "8 limits outward movement of the sleeve III. A latch I'II normally provides for attaching the end plate III to the Jacket I8, and a knob I18 provided on the endplate facilitates the removal and insertion of the inner tubes I'I8 during refilling of the magazine.

arm I88 of the trigger. An upstanding lug I9'I The plurality of barrels are simultaneously fired by means of a sliding hammer which engages the rear face of the breech block 85 and forces the breech block against the plurality of firing pins I mounted in the firing pin head I8. Referring to Figs. 4b, 8, 9, 15, and 29 the hammer comprises a block I88 which is slidably mounted in a longitudinally extending guideway I8I provided in the saddle member I4. The hammer block I88 is maintained in its guideway by outwardly extending feet or flanges I82 on the block which slide within grooves I83 provided on the saddle III. The upper surface of the hammer block is provided with suitable grooves I88, Figs. 8. 9 and 15, which permit the block to slide freelybeneath the two lowermost magazine tubes I81. The forward supporting member I51 Of the magazine spool I55 is also cut away at its lower edge, as clearly shown in Figs. and 31, to permit the block I88 to slide thereunder.

The block I88 is urged in a forward direction by means of a coil spring I85 which is compressed between the hammer block and the supporting member I59 provided onthe spool I55 at the rear end of the weapon. The spring I85 is mounted within a tube I88 supported by the spool members I58 and I59 and has its forward end received within a suitable recess provided in the rear portion of the hammer block I88. A rod I8'I threaded into the hammer block extends rearwardly from the block and provides a guide for the spring during sliding movement of the hammer block.

The hammer I88 is normally latched in a rearward firing position as illustrated in Figs. 4b and 17 by means of a trip lever I88 having a rearwardly extending arm I89 adapted to engage the forward end of the hammer block adjacent the lower side thereof and lock the block in the rearward position. In this position of the hammer the spring I85 is highly compressed, whereby the hammer block is moved forwardly at high velocity upon release of the latch I89 and strikes the breech block 85 with a sharp blow. This in turn causes the breech block to strike a sharp blow against the firing pins I5 carried by the head 18,

thereby to fire simultaneously the plurality of barrels I I.

The trip lever I88 ispivctally mounted on the saddle I8 as indicated at I98, Figs. 4b. 1'? and 29, and is adapted to be moved about this pivot by the trigger I8 to release the latching arm I89 from en agement with'the forward face of the hammer block I88. For this purpose the trip lever is operatively connected to the trigger by. means of a pin I 9I which is carried by the trigger and extends into slotted openings I92 provided in forwardly extending forked arms I98 of the lever I88, Figs. 4a, l6,' 17 and 29. The trigger I8 is pivotally mounted on the saddle id as indicated at I98 and the slotted openings I92 of the lever I88 are so arranged that the pin I9I oi' the trigger engages the tops of the openings and swings the forwardly extending portion of the trip level upwardly upon rearward movement of the trigger finger. The rearwardly extending latch finger I88 is therebyv caused to move downwardly to release the sliding hammer block I88.

The trigger I8 is normally maintained in the forward position illustrated by means of a spring is also provided on the trigger and provides for positively returning the trigger to its forward position immediately after firing of the firearm, thereby to assure that the latching arm I89 will be in proper position to lock the hammer block I88 in its retracted position upon return movement of the hammer block. The hammer block is returned to its rearward firing position by the rearward movement of the breech block under recoil action of the firearm, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 17. The slotted openings I92 in the trip lever I88 are enlarged as illustrated, to permit the latching arm I89 of the lever to move downwardly during return movement of the hammer block although the trigger I8 has been returned to its forward position. A spring I98 interposed between the trigger I8 and the lever I88 provides for urging the latch arm I89 upwardly when the trigger is in its forward position. The arm I89 thus moves upwardly under action of spring I98 to lock the hammer I88 as soon as the hammer block has been moved to its rearward position by the breech block 88.

The upstanding lug I9'I on the trigger is operated to return the trigger I8 to its normal forward position by means of a downwardly extending lug or rib I99 provided on the breech block 85. With the parts in the firing position illustrated in Fig. 4a the lug I98 is in front of the trigger lug I91 and a space is provided beneath the breech block to provide for upward and forward movement of the trigger lug I91 upon rearward pull on the trigger finger to effect firing of the firearm. Immediately after firing of the weapon, however, a tapered cam surface I99 on the rearward side of the lug I99 engages the trigger lug I91 and causes the trigger to be returned to its forward position.

The trigger lug I91 together with a pair of arms 288 which are pivotally connected to the saddle I as indicated at MI and which are pivotally connected to a pin 282 rigidly carried by the trigger arm I98 also provide for maintaining the trigger in its forward position until the breech block 85 and firing pin head III are again in firing position. For this purpose a downwardly and longitudinally extending rib 283 is provided on the under side of the breech block and is adapted to engage the trigger lug I91 to prevent upward and forward movement of the lug as illustrated in Fig. 16. A spring pressed plunger 205, Figs. 34 and 35, having a notch 288 and a head 281 is also mounted in each of the arms 288. The pin 282 is provided with a flat side 288 adapted to engage the under side of the plunger 285 when the plunger is extended as illustrated in Fig. 34 to prevent movement of the trigger about its pivot I98 during engagement of the surface 288 with the Plunger 285.

The head 28! of the plunger 285 is adapted to be engaged by the face 2) of lug I99 on the breech block 85. Therefore, as the breech block moves forwardly it moves the plunger 285 inwardly against the action of the plunger spring 288 and as the breech block moves rearwardly it disengages the head 281 and permits the plunger to be extended by the spring 289. The notch 288 is so positioned that it overlies the pin 292 when the plunger 285 is moved inwardly by engagement of the breech block with the plunger head 281 as illustrated in Fig. 35. The position of the notch 288 is also such that it overlies the pin 282 only when the parts of the firearm are in firing position.- The pin 202 is thus free to turn within the notch 206 when the firearm parts are in firing position. but the trigger I8 is restrained against rearward movement when the notch 209 moves out of alignment with the pin 202.

The arms 200 also provide for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the breech block 85 and the firing pin head 10 upon return movement of the block and head to prevent premature firing and also to provide for striking the firing pins iii a sharp blow upon engagement of the hammer block I80 with the breech block. For this purpose the rearward portions of the arms 200 and the plungers 205 carried by said arms extend upwardly on each side of the rib 203 of the breech block when the trigger I9 is in its forward position and are adapted to engage the forward face 2I0 of the lug I99 on the breech block Since the trigger I8 is returned to its forward position, by the cam surface I99 on lug I99, im-

mediately after firing of the weapon the arms 200 provide a positive stop for the breech block upon its forward movement under action of spring 08. Return of the notch 200 into alignment with the pin 202 and release of the trigger I8 by the plunger 205 are accomplished upon the return of the breech block to the position shown in Fig. 4a as the face 2I0 of the lug I99 engages the plunger 205 and returns it to the position shown in Fig. 35. Upon rearward pull on the trigger finger to fire the weapon, however, the arm I96 and pin 202 move the arms 200 downwardly to permit the breech block to strike the firing pins upon engagement of the breech block by the firing hammer.

A safety lock is also provided to prevent accidental firing of the loaded firearm. This lock comprises a plunger 2 I 5 which is slidably mounted in the saddle I4 and is keyed to the saddle to prevent rotation thereof. The plunger 2I5 is of generally circular cross-section but is provided with a notched-out or cut away portion 2I8. The plunger is arranged beneath the rearwardly extending end of the hammer latching arm I89 and is provided with outwardly extending finger en-- gaging portions 2 I I, Fig. 8. So long as the notched portion 2I8 of the plunger lies beneath the latch I89, the latch is free to be released by movement of the trigger I8. When, however. the circular portion of the plunger 2I5 is moved beneath the latch arm I89 by pressing against one of the finger portions 2 I I, the trip lever I88 and trigger I9 are locked against movement to release the latching arm I89.

The firearm, as thus described, operates as follows: The plurality of barrels II are mounted in the jacket I0 for limited sliding movement under recoil action. A receiver head is locked to the barrels for limited unitary movement therewith and provides for receiving a firing pin head mounted for both rotary and longitudinal sliding movement. The firing pin head contains a firing pin for each barrel of the weapon, and when in firing position, is locked within the receiver head with the firing pins in operative positioning with respect to the barrels. A relatively heavy breech block is slidably mounted in rear of the firing pin head and is operatively connected to the firing pin head by means of a pin and a spirally-shaped cam slot. The rearward movement of the receiver head and firing pin head during recoil also imparts a rearward motion to the breech block. After the barrels and receiver head have reached the limit of their rearward recoil movement, the breech block continues its rearward movement due to the momentum imparted'therein and effects controiled'rotation ofthe firing pin head within the receiver rirlgby means of the aforementioned Pin and spiral connection between. the breech block and the firing pin head. This rotation of the firing pin head provides for unlocking the head from the receiver head and also provides for aligning an opening of predetermined size with each of the gun barrels.

After the firing pin head has been released from the receiver head. the plurality of barrels and the receiver head are returned as a unit to the normal forward position by means of a spring. and simultaneously therewith, the breech block continues to travel rearwardly due to its momentum and pulls the firing pin head in a rearward direction therewith. During this rearward movement of the breech block, a plurality of extractors carried by the breech block provide for withdrawing the used cartridge shells from the barrels and cooperate with fixed electors to elect the used shells through suitable openings provided in the outer jacket of the weapon. A fixed stop limits the rearward movement of the breech block and firing pin head, and at this point the head picks up a fresh cartridge for eachof the barrels of the weapon from magazine tubes arranged in direct alinement with the gun barrels; these fresh cartridges passing through the above mentioned openings in the head and being supported on the head at the forward face thereof.

The firing pin head and breech block are then moved forwardly :by means of a compression spring and load the fresh cartridges into the respective barrels. Upon continued forward movement of the breech block under action of the compression spring, the pin and cam slot connection causes the firing pin head to rotate in a direction opposite to that of when the gun is fired and eflects relocking of the head within the receiver head. The degree of rotation of the firing pin head is such that solid metal is positioned behind each of the cartridge shells and the firing pins are moved to operative positioning with respect to the cartridges as above described.

A firing hammer is slidably mounted in the weapon in rear of the breech block, and is normally urged in a forward direction by a relatively strong compression spring. This hammer is moved rearwardly by the rearward movement of the breech block during reloading and is locked in a rearward position by means of a trigger controlled latch. After the firing pin head has been returned to its normal forward position and has been locked within the receiver head, the trigger can be operated to release the hammer latch and permit the hammer to be moved forwardly at -a relatively high velocity by means of its com-- a small spacing between the breech block and the firing pin head and thus prevent premature firing of the cartridges. Upon operation of the trigger this stop means is released from its engagement with the breech block to permit the breech block to be forced forwardly against the block for engaging the firing pin head after it has been rotated to the released position with respect to the receiver head to prevent rotation of the firing pin head during its rearward and forward movement. This locking means is automatically released when the firing pin head is returned to its forward position withinthe receiver head to provide for the locking rotation of the firing pin head. Suitable keys mounted on the Jacket of the weapon also cooperate with slotted keyways provided in the breech block to prevent rotation of the breech block during its rearward and forward sliding movement.

The magazine comprises a plurality of tubes. one for each barrel, which are fixedly secured within the weapon in alinement with the barrels and are adapted to each receive a plurality of cartridges in end to end relation therein. A second set of tubes attached to a common end plate member are telescopically received within the first mentioned tubes and provide for closing themagazine at the rear or butt end of the weapon. The second mentioned tubes and the end plate member are readily removed as a unit to provide for reloading the magazine. A compressible spring is mounted in each of the re movable tubes and provides for successively advancing the cartridges to a forward position where they are picked up by the firing pin head during its reloading movement.

To provide for initial loading of the weapon after one supply of cartridges contained in the magazine has been completely used and a fresh supply has been inserted in the magazine, a hand operated member is attached to the breech block and extends laterally outwardly of the weapon through a suitable longitudinal slot and provides for manually pulling the breech block and firing pin head rearwardiy in a manner similar to the rearward movement of these parts under the automatic recoil action. The head thus picks up a fresh cartridge for each of the barrels, and these cartridges are loaded into the barrels by action of the compression spring in the manner hereinabove described in connection with the automatic operation. The hand operated member also provides for unloading a loaded firearm, if desired, the extractors and electors operating in the same manner as with automatic recoil operation. A friction brake means is also provided in the weapon adjacent the receiver ring and operates upon the receiver ring to cushion the forward return movement of the barrels and ring after recoil operation, and also to lock the ring in its forward position during handloading -or unloading by engagement of the above described lug 64 with the notch 85 of the ring.

A recoil operated firearm is thus provided which may be made relatively light in weight, which is positive in action, and which has a firing power and destructive eflect much greater than other firearms of comparable size and weight.'

The plurality of simultaneously fired projectiles provide greatly increased target coverage while the barrels it provide close control over the target pattern. Fig. 36 diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which the'barrels control the proiectiles to give a desired pattern at a desired range.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a revolver or side arm type of firetending entirely therethrough, there being one principles of operation thereof, may be incorporated within a weapon of any desired type. Thus the exact mechanism illustrated could be utilized in a rifle adapted to be fired from the shoulder. In like manner, the disclosed mechaanism or slight modifications thereof could be incorporated in an' anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapon or any other gun of desired size and type.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without tie parting from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A firearm comprising a barrel, a rotatably and slidably mounted firing pin head, said head being rovided with a longitudinal opening extending entirely therethrough, said opening being of a size permitting passage of a cartridge therethrough, magazine means for holding a plurality of cartridges and supporting a cartridge substantially in alignment with said barrel and in a position to be received through said opening, recoil operated means for efiecting rotary and sliding movement of the firing pin head, and means on said head in operative relation with said recoil operated means for loading cartridges received through said opening into said barrel under action of said recoil means, said head having a firing pin arranged therein in operative relation with a cartridge loaded into said barrel, said recoil operated means providing for rotating the firing pin head to move said opening into alignment with said barrel and a cartridge supported by said magazine means during loading and to move the opening out of alignment with said barrel after loading thereof.

2. A firearm comprising a plurality of barrels, a firing pin head common to all of said barrels, said firing pin head having a plurality of longitudinal openings extending entirely therethrough, there being one opening for each barrel and of such size as to permit passage of a cartridge therethrough, magazine means for supporting cartridges in position to be received through each of said openings, recoil operated means for actuating said firing pin head to eflect loading of said barrels from said magazine means, and means on said head in operative relation with said recoil'operated means for loading cartridges received through said openings into each of said barrels under operation of said recoil means, said head having a plurality of firing pins arranged therein in operative relation respectively with cartridges loaded into said barrels.

'3. A firearm comprising a plurality of barrels, a rotatably and slidably mounted firing pin head common to all of said barrels, said firing pin head having a plurality of longitudinal openings exopening for each barrel and of such size as to permit passage of a cartridge therethrough, magazine means for supporting cartridges in position to be received through each of said openings, recoil operated means for actuating said firing pin head to effect loading of said barrels from said magazine means, means on said head for loading cartridges received through said openings into each of said barrels under operation of said recoil means, a firing pin for each barrel mounted in said head between said openings, said recoil operated means providing for rotating said firing pins into alignment with said barrels after loada'rm, the mechanism as disclosed, and the basic 1 ing of the barrels and for rotating said openings swam , having a plurality of longitudinal openings extending entirely therethrough, there being one opening for each barrel and of such size as to permit passage of a cartridge therethrough, magazine means for supporting cartridges in position to be received through each of said openings, recoil operated means for actuating said firing pin head to eil'ect loading of said barrels from said magazine means, means on said head for loading cartridges received through said openings into each of said barrels under operation of said recoil means, a firing pin for each barrel mounted in said head between said openings, said recoil operated means providing for rotating'said firing to permit passage oi crrtridges therethrough, the openings in said bree h block being arranged in substantial alignment with the barrels, magazine means for supporting cartridges in substantial alignment with each of the barrels and said openings in the breech block. means for returning the breech block and firing pin head to a, forward firing position alter rearward movement under said recoil action, means on said firing pin head o. g .-barrels after loading thereof by the firing pin pins into alignment with said barrels after loading or the barrels and for rotating said openings into substantial alignment with the barrels upon firing of the firearm, a slidably mounted breech block arranged rearwardly of said firing pin head and adapted to strike each or said firing pins to eifect substantially simultaneous firing of said barrels, and trigger controlled means for moving said breech block into striking engagement with the firing pins.

5. A firearm comprising a, plurality of barrels, a rotatably and slidably mounted firing pin head common to all of said barrels, said firing pin head having a plurality of firing pins arranged therein in operative relation with said barrels, respectively, a slidably mounted breech block arranged in rear of said firing pin head, said firing pin head and breech block being adapted to move rearwardly under recoil action of the firearm, said breech block and said firing pin head each having a plurality of longitudinal openings extending entirely therethrough, there being one opening for each barrel and of such size to permit passage of cartridges therethrough, the openings in said breech block being arranged in substantial alignment with the barrels, magazine means for supporting cartridges in substantial alignment with each of the barrels and said openings in the breech block, means for returning the breech block and firing pin head to a forward firing position after rearward movement under said recoil action. means on said firing pin head in operative relation ,with said last mentioned means for loading cartridges from said magazine means in operative relation with said last mentioned means for loading cartridges from said magazine means into each of the barrels upon said return movement of the firing pin head, a firing pin for each barrel mounted in said head between said openings, means interconnecting the breech block and firing pin head for rotating the openings in the head into substantial alignment with the barrels and the openings in the breech block upon rearward movement of the breech block and for rotating said firing pins into alignment with the head, and means including a slidable hammer block engageable with the breech block for causing the breech block to strike against said firing pins to eifect substantially simultaneous firing of said barrels.

7. -A firearm comprising a barrel, a rotatably and slidably mounted firing pin head, a slidably mounted breech block arranged in rear of said firing pin head, said firing pin head and breech block being adapted to move rearwardly under recoil action of the firearm, said breech block and said firing pin head each having a longituinto each of the barrels upon said return movement of the firing pin head, and means interconnecting the breech block and firing pin head for rotating the openings in the head into substantial alignment with the barrels and the openings in the breech block upon rearward movement ofthe breech block and for rotating the openings in the firing pin head out of alignment with the barrels after loading thereof by the firing pin head.

6. A firearm com rising a plurality of barrels, a rotatably and slidably mounted firing pin head common to all of said barrels, a, slidably mounted breech block arranged in rear of said firing pin head, said firing pin head and breech block being adapted to move rearwardly under recoil action of the firearm, said breech block and said firing pin head each having a plurality of longitudinal openings extending entirely therethrough, there being one opening for each barrel and of such size dinal opening extending entirely therethrough, said openings being of a size permitting passage of a cartridge therethrough and the opening in said breech block being arranged in substantial alignment with said barrel, m'agazine means for holding a plurality of cartridges and supporting a cartridge in substantial alignment with the barrel and said opening in the breech block, means for returning the breech block and firing pin head to a forward firing position after rearward movement under said recoil action, means on said firing pin head in operative relation with said last mentioned means for loading a cartridge from said magazine means into said barrel upon said return movement of the firing pin head, said firing pin head having a firing pin therein arranged in operative relation with a cartridge loaded into said barrel, means for rotating said opening in the head into and out of alignment with said barrel and the opening in said breech block, and latch means cooperating between said breech block and said firing pin head for maintaining the opening in said firing pin head in substantial alignment with the opening in said breech block during said loading operation.

8. A firearm comprising a barrel. 9, rotatably and slidably mounted firing pin head, a slidably mounted breech block arranged in rear of said firing pin head, said firing pin head and breech of a cartridge therethrough and the opening in said breech block being arranged in substantial alignment with said barrel, magazine means for holding a plurality of cartridges and supporting a cartridge in substantial alignment with the .barrel and said opening in the breech block,

means for returning the breech block and firing pin head to a forward firing position after real:-