US2437548A

US2437548A - Telescopic firearm

Info

Publication number: US2437548A
Application number: US540928A
Authority: US
Inventors: Patchett George William
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-03-13
Filing date: 1944-06-19
Publication date: 1948-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1965-03-09
Also published as: FR918172A; BE461808A; NL72887C; GB581820A

Description

March 9, 1948- G. w. PATCHETT TELESCOPIC FIREARM 4 Filed June 19, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l Attorneys March 9, 1948. (5. w. PATCHETT TELESCOPIC FIREARM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1944 A ttorneya March 9, 1948.

i G. w. PATCHETT TELESCOPIC FIREARM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l v nventor I /k 'i U Filed June 19, 1944 A ttbrney- -Marcl 1 9, 1948. G. w. PATCHETT 2,437,548

TELESCOPIC FIREARM Filed June 19, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A tlorney Patented Mar. 9, 1948 OFFICE TELESCOPIC FIREARM George William Patchett,0higwell, England Application June 19, 1944, Serial No. 540,928 In Great Britain March 13, 1944 16 Claims. (CI. 42-72) V This invention relates to improvements in firearms and has for its object the manufacture of a weapon carrying a butt and bayonet and wherein its overall length when required can be greatly reduced. The arrangement proposed becomes possible by having the butt and bayonet fold and by forming the supporting members of the gun mechanism 'as tubular entities, one of which can telescope within the other. The gain in space achieved in such arrangement is of a high order, since in one form of the device suitable for modern warfare the extended length of the firearm and accessories is 33 inches long, whilst in its telescoped andfolded condition the overall length is under 13 inches.

. A further object of the invention is to maintain locked rigidity and alignment when the firearm is in its operative or. extended condition, as well as to lock the interengaging partswhen in its folded condition.

A further object is to provide means for an immediate release at will of the firearm from its telescoped state and have same in a condition for use, a recoil spring being inter alia employed for such purpose.

The invention consists in a new or improved telescopic firearm having in combination "two main tubular intertelescopic members of differing diameters and of completely circular cross section arranged coaxially, said tubularmembers carrying or supporting the entire operative components 'of the firearm, said members being capable or intentional release and of relative axial movement to telescope and be interlocked in either condition by a sear operatively conditioned by a fire selection lever, Release of said telesc'oped members is achieved by the manual movement of said fire selection member and extension to an operative condition under resilient means, said telescopic -members being temporarily held in said extended position bythe bolt recoil spring, and then interlocked by insertion of ammunition magazine.

The said tubular members comprise a main or outer member carrying the trigger gear hand stock and the barrel; and an inner tubular member carrying a support for the barrel breech and within the compass of longitudinal axial length of the firearm in a telescoped condition, and being secured and locked in position, both in their folded and operative condition. secured at its muzzle end to a nose ring on the outer tubular member and is supported by a flanged and co-engaging'ring provided upon the inner tubular slidingmember when in theextended condition; said latter ring moving forward over a part of the length of the barrel when the firearm is telescoped. r r

In orderthat the invention may be more fully understood, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings wherein there is illustrated a preferred formof the invention such as is applicable to an automatic firearm andwherein:

Fig. l is alongitudinal part sectional elevation of the weapon in its extended and operational condition, v i

Fig. 2 is a plan of the device shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation of the weaponin its shortened condition and with the butt in its iolded'condition,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3,.showing the fire selector device in the safe position when the telescopic parts are interlocked bythe sear,

Fig. 5 is a detail of thefolding bayonet locking device, 7

Fig. 6 is a detail of magazine mouth locking device for the outer and inner tubular members,

Fig.7 is a top plan view and Fig. 8 is a transverse seotion, showing additional means of locking the firearm in the extended condition,

Fig. 9'is a detail side elevation, partly in section of the modification illustrated in Fig. 4, with the telescopic members extended, and Fig. 10 is a detail plan view illustrating the modified slot.

Referring to the drawings and to Figs. 1, 2, 3 land 4 the supporting casing of the firearm is formed as two concentric tubular elements, the

, main tubular element I being external to the the bolt with associated parts including the bolt inner, element 2. adapted on removal of the locking device to slide These tubular elements are relatively and telescope axially one within the other. The external tubular part I carries the hand grip stock A and trigger and trigger mechanism B, the forward barrel support C, and the bracket clip D fast with the forward end of tubular element 1 for bayonet F. The forward part ofthe tubular element I is perf-oratedas at 3 to provide air cooling of the barrel 4, has a locking key slot 5 with an enlargement 6'towards the end of its rearward length, also the forward barrel supportC and bayonet bracket D thereon'carry and protect the forward sight 1. The rear of the The barrel is tubular element I is cut obliquely as shown at 8, Fig. 2 and is provided with an axial slot 9 which is aligned with a like slot 9a of the inner tubular element 2, this said axial slot accommodating the bolt cocking handle l0. These slots 9 and 9a in the two tubular elements remain in mutual axial alignment and become coincident at the overlap when the weapon is in its operative condition.

The inner tubular element 2,,see Figs, 1 and 3, carries the endcap l l detachably secured in position in a known manner by a bayonet joint. Said:

ing the sear plates and assembly, thereby eliminating the sear from the path of travel of the bolt 16, which latter is then free to move under the urge of the spring l8. According to the setting of the fire selection lever 32 the said sear returns to operative position to re-arrest the bolt 16 in single shot firing or is withheld in automatic fire, and in the case of the latter operation tubular element also carries fixed pivot pins l3, one on either side, upon which are hinged. the: b'i-.- Y

furcated ends of the main lever armsoithe folding butt E. The said tubular element 2also carries at its forward end a supporting collarldzfoh barrel breech, and which also limits. the axial.

I standard type with looking and locating means of a known character. The mouth of the magazine G when the latter is positioned within the coincident slots acts as a locking device keeping the tubular members in relative position in their extended and operative condition, and is further described hereafter. The ejector slot 22- is of conventional and known design positioned adjacent'the breech. When, however, the weapon is in a telescoped condition and the magazine removed, both these openings otherwise coincident in the tubes l and 2 are closed, thus obscuring these apertures and preventing the admission of dust, dirt or sand.

The trigger mechanism B is similar to that described in application for Letters Patent Serial No. 512,004, filed Nov. 27, 1943, which has now matured into Patent No. 2,432,486, relating to trigger. gear for automatic firearms wherein. the

sear 23 is pivoted on pin 23a, between two plates 24 (only the rear. one of which is shown), the plate assembly being moved. about pin 23a. by the. trigger 25 when pulled engaging the roller 24a.

Movement of the sear plates 24 is under loading of the spring plunger 26 hinged on pin 21 fast between the plates 24. The tail 23b of sear 23 is slotted and a T-headed sear locking crank lever 28 engages the tail 23b under springloading of plunger 29. The crank lever 28 is mounted on pivot pin 30, its lower arm 28a engaging or otherwise the firing selector arm 3| fast. on pin 3Ia, said pin protruding externally. of the trigger box, see Fig. 4, and being fitted with an outer selector lever 32, capable of being moved in oneof three positions, i. e. automatic or continuous fire 'markedas A, semi-automatic or single round firselector arm 3i for thesafe position (as shownv in'Figs. 1 and 3) at which position the sear 23 is locked and the weapon inoperative;

The sear 23in th semi-automatic and safe. conditions of fire enters the slots 40- and. M

formed respectively in the tubularelements vI and face-of the bolt It as shown and arresting its movement. If the firearm is set for singleshot firing i. e. B, Fig. 4, and-thetrigger 25 is pulled,

the trigger shoulder engages the roller 24a pivotthe-recoilv of thecartridge case is communicated to the bolt l6 which compresses the spring l8, the latter returning the bolt and striking in to act as an abutment and firing device respectively fora-succeeding round presented from the mouth of themagazine and fed into the breach 45 of the barrel' i in the known manner. A further detent lfi is cut in the bolt IS, with whichthe" sear engages in the telescoped condition, see Fig. 3. When the magazine is removed and the firearm is compacted by telescoping against the loading of the spring l8, the bolt l6 engages the breech face of the barrel 4 and if then the selector lever 32 be set to safe, the sear which passes through-slot 40 in tubular element I, slot 42' in the tubular element 2; is locked in the bolt detent 46. As'previously stated the inner tubular member 2 is provided at its forward extremity with a supporting collar 14, adapted when the firearm is extended'to engage upon a thickened part I5' at the breech" 45 of the barrel 4. The said collar [4 is flanged at Ma, said flange engaging a corresponding flange I5a formed on the. thickened part ofthe barrel 4'. Whilst these flanged partsengageunder the loading of the recoil spring IS the bolt. I6 is still in engagement with the face. of. the barrel breech 45,.but theinner, tubular elementis. in its extended. and operativecondition. If now the cartridge magazine is. inserted andthebolt cocking lever It] be pulled rearward through slots 9. and 9a,,the. bolt. is withdrawn until its front face detent501isengaged1by the sear 23, when the firearm is potentially ready for operation.

If reference. is madetoFig. 6 it. will be. seen that the outer tubular member I is. provided with a rectangular mouth 2! intowhich the ammunition magazine .0: is positioned and locked. in the usuaLwaybycatch 4-9 v In the. entry of the car'- tridgemagazineieed. orifice G1 into the interior of the breechspace H, the sides of the magazine G= closely engage the magazine. opening. 2a.in the wall. of tubular: element 2v thereby lockingboth tubular elements I and 2- into a fixedrelative position.

Angular. motion of tubular element l in relation to element 2. while the latterelement is in the forward: position is prevented by the. bolt cocking leve H3 sliding within: the axial slot 9 and Thesliding tubular member 2 carriesat its rear the locking cap I I, and: the. fixed pivotpins. [3 upon which thebifurcated ends. of the hinged butt E are designed to hinge. This type of, foldingbutt is-substantially as described in the specification of my copending application. for. Letters Patent Serial. No.. 52'3,569,.'fi1ed Feb. 23,. 1944 whichhas-now matured into Patent No. 2,424,944. Thesaidbutt, howevenfor. the. purposes of the present-invention has .upon its upper member. 5| a catch 52 engaging a notch 53for-medin theend cap It... The capv is. capable, under pressure, of axial movement due to a clearance 54" between the lockingcatch 55. and catch slot '56. The tubular. strut member. 51.. of saidiolding built is hinged at itsend. near.v the; cap. to av hinge pin Slant/he strut terminal 58 being shaped to embrace a ber 5-1 is provided with a spring loaded plunger filljagainst which is adapted to press the bent over end GI of'a'pressed steel butt plate 62 said butt plate'BZ is hinged to the strut member 51 by pin 63; the plunger 60 being recessed to allow said pin to cross its path without interference. Said pin 63, however, acts as a limiting stop to movementof the plunger 50. The butt plate hinging cumin-63 is adapted to engage the main butt leverarm, as shown in'Fig. 1 by flange E4 engaging thecross piece 5Ia of the compound sided lever-arm 5I. Fitted to the butt plate 62 is a headed button 65 mounted upon spring 56, said button 65 being adapted when the butt is folded toaster the hole 6 in slot 5 of outertubular element I, see Fig. 2 The said butt is folded pulling back' -thebutt plate 62 and nesting the strut member 51 within the sides of the main lever arms 5I-. This disengages the strut terminal 58 from-the shoulder 59 of the cap II allowing said cap II to be then pressedin, thereby freeing the catch52- from the slot 53. The butt plate 62 pivotingon pin 63 and partially urged by plunger 60 folds down on the nested butt members 5i and 51 and the member El impinging on the inner head of button 65 compresses the spring A 66 causingthe button'to protrude through the hole in thebutt plate 62. The arm BI is then given arcuate movement about the pivot I3 until the butt in its folded condition comes to rest as shown in Fig. 3, the button 65 entering the hole 6 and then being pushed to the forward end of the slot 5, in which position the butt assembly is securely locked against accidental release.

When the locked telescoped condition of the firearm is released by releasing the sear 23, the spring I8 causes the tube 2 and the folded butt assembly to move *rearwards in relation to the tube I, the button 65 sliding in the slot 5. The firearm is now fully extended and, when locked by the insertion of the magazine, is ready for use with-the butt still folded. If, however, the butt is required, the tubular members I and 2 are paitiallytelescoped with the magazine removed,

untilthe sear, abutting against the rear end of the slot 4! of the tube 2, arrests further movement, at which point the button 65 is in alignment with the enlargement 6 of the slot 5, and byarcuate movement of the butt assembly about thepivots I3, the said button 65 is withdrawn. The tubular-members are then allowed to assume their fully extended condition and the butt assembly is free, by further arcuate movement about-pivot pin I3, to be hinged rearward until the catch-52 snaps into position of engagement with notch 53. By gripping the knurled faces of the lugs -62a-of the butt plate 62 a rearward and downward m-otion is imparted until the terminal 58 ofthe strut 51 engages the shoulder 59 on the cap II, and the turned over extremity 64 of the butt plate 62 contacts the cross piece am when aoatch BZb'by engaging the end of members 5| securely locks the butt assembly in its position for use.

" "The bayonet F is mounted at thev forward end of the tube I upon the ear bracket D in a mannersimilar to that shown in my copending application; Ser. No. 540,693, filed June 16, 1944, the said bayonet being hinged upon a pin III supported insaid ears and formed with a haft II, within which is disposed a spring loaded plunger ll-having an external knurled headlli. To place the-bayonet in operative position it is hinged outwards and upwards about pivot Ill until the plunger engages the circular perforation I4 aligned as a vent-hole in thebarrel muzzlesupport or nose ring C. In this condition it is securely locked and has the shear resistance of the pivot pin I0 and the plunger 72. The bayonet F is displaced for folding by disengaging the plunger I2- from hole 74, hinging the bayonet downward arcuate about its pivot pin I0 and placing same below theouter casing I and pressing its grooves I5 into the clip I6 mounted-0n said tubular element I and causing its pointed end to enter the protector sheath 1! adjacent the trigger guard 18, see Fig. 4. The clip I6 locks the bayonet in its folded condition.

Assuming the firearm to have been completely assembled and ready for use with the bolt uncooked and the selector lever at the continuous fire position it is telescoped to shorten its length in the following manner:-

The ammunition magazine G is removed leaving the tubular elements I and 2 free to slide one within the other: after the trigger has been pulled to disengage the sear from tube 2 the butt assembly is collapsed and folded forward allowing the button 65 to enter the hole 6 in the key slot 5 in tubular element I. When the bolt is in engagement with the face of breech 35 i, e. in the uncocked position, the sear 23 is in engagement with the indent 46 of the bolt through the opening 4!) of tube I and 4| of tube 2. The trig er is 'depressed to withdraw the sear from opening 4| and by pressure exerted upon the end cap II or by holding the cap I I against the operators body and drawing by means of the pistol stock the outer tubular member I backwards against the loading of the recoil spring I8 the tube 2 is telescoped into tube I'. After movement has started the trigger is released and the sear is riding on the under surface of'tube 2, towards the opening 42 in the said tube. -When the limit of telescopic movement is reached the openings 40 and 42 and the indent l6 ofthe bolt become coincident and the sear now engages the indent 46 through the opening 42. The selector lever 32 is now set at safe preventing further movement of the sear thereby locking the firearm in the telescoped condition.

The bayonet F is now folded and locked in position as previously described.

To extend the weapon, the selector lever is moved to position A releasing the sear when the recoil spring I8 moves theinner tubular member 2 rearward until the breech ring flange I Ia engages the breech flange I5a. of the barrel 4. The butt and bayonet can then beunfolded and locked into position by operations respectively as above described, if desired; by insertion of the magazine the tubular members I and 2 are then interlocked and the firearm is ready for use after the bolt has been cocked.

If there be great haste to use the firearm the butt and bayonet can remain in a folded condition after the parts I and 2 are extended and the magazine inserted.

Again the :bayonet clip 16 may be brought nearer the'sheath 'II so that the operator with his thumb about the trigger guard 18 can open the clip 16, release the bayonet F and with an upward jerk cause the bayonet to pivot and align itself with the weapon, the plunger I2 automatically entering the aperture I I in the barrel nose ring 0.

I It will be observed that when the firearmis in its collapsed condition for transport or parachute delivery to ground troops the side apertures such 7 as, the ejection slot 22 and magazine mouth 2I are closed by the bolt I6 and tube 2.- 7

The firearm made according to this invention is a complete entity without looseparts, or parts that can be unintentionally displaced or lost and its light weight and compactness are invaluable qualities for arming air borne troops or commandos. Thus taking a firearm of this class having an operative length of 33" with bayonet and butt extended its overall length with folded bayonet is 25 and 16 with the butt folded. When the firearm is telescoped and inoperative its length is only 13".

Rigidity of the weapon when operatively extended arises from the fact that there is a mean length of of bearing surface between the concentric tubular members, the length lost between the members I and 2 alone in the telescopic condition being 3%.

Whilst the above preferred form of the invention has been described in relation to a known type of firearm, there is no limitation thereby implied. Weapons suitable for single shot firing 'or automatic firing with a safe locked position of the sear can equally be made telescopic according to the present invention.

When the magazine G is removed from the socket 2I the tubular elements I and 2 are free to telescope. Partial accidental telescoping may occur during change of magazines and, if the spring I8 is in its extended and therefore weakest condition, it may not be strong enough to return the tubes I and 2 to the position of coincidence of the magazine socket ZI on the outer tubular element I, with the magazine opening 2a in the wall of tubular element 2, thereby obstructing entrance of the fresh magazine.

To eliminate this latter possibility a cranked lever 80* (see Fig. '7) may be mounted on a pivot 8| on the forward side of the magazine socket 2I. At one end of the lever is a semi-circular catch 82 adapted to enter a convenient ventilating hole 3 of the tubular element I. At the other end of lever 80 is a thumb-plate 83 by which angular movement can be imparted to the cranked lever against a spring plunger assembly 84 also mounted on the forward side of the magazine socket.

If the firearm is in its telescoped condition the catch 82 bears on the tubular element 2.

If the firearm is extended, as before described, under infieunce of spring I8, the catch 82 urged by the spring plunger 84 engages the forward end of the tubular element 2, locking the two tubular elements in this condition with the magazine socket 2I and the magazine opening 2a in alignment. When telescoping the firearm the thumbplate 83 is depressed, thereby disengaging catch 82 from the tubular element 2. I

If the firearm is in the extended condition and the folded butt is required, it is necessary to partially telescope the firearm to release it. To overcome such necessity the enlargement 6, see Fig. 1, may be situated at the extreme rear end of the slot 5, as illustrated at Go in Figs. 9 and 10 so that when the firearm is in the extended condition the button 65 will be in alignment with the'enlargement. When the firearm is still extended the butt is held in in its folded condition when not required by a catch 85 (Fig. 4) mounted on -the outer tubular element I engaging a slot 85 formed in the flange 84 of the butt plate 62.

When the butt is required the butt plate is gripped by the ends of the pivot pin 63 and lifted to impart arcuate movement to the butt assembly about pivot I3. Since the catch 85 engaging the slot 86 restrains the butt plate 62 at the end remote from pivot pin 63, relative angular movement also occurs between the butt plate 62 and the butt members 5| and 51 about pivot pin 63. As the distance between catch and pin 63 increased due to radial motion about pivot I3, the catch is disengaged from the slot 86 allowing the butt to be opened in the manner 'before described.

The end cap II on the inner tubular element 2 is secured by a bayonet catch held in position by pressure of the spring I8. To remove the cap it is pressed inwards and rotated and then released. The capability of being pressed is also used to enable the catch 5'2 of the butt assembly to engage the notch 53, after which the cap is locked by the terminal 58 of the strut 51 engaging the shoulder 59.

When the firearm is extended and the butt is not in use the cap is not locked and if the weapon is uncooked and the spring I8 at its weakest there is a danger of the cap becoming accidentally freed should'it be pressed against the body of the user or foul any other obstruction. This is prevented by forming cams or ears 81 (Figs. 2 and 4) on the butt members 5I'. When the butt is folded these cams or ears are adjacent the inner rim of the cap I I arresting any inward motion and therefore maintaining the cap in a locked condition. If the butt is unfolded, the cams or cars 81 rotating with the member 5|, leave the cap II free to move so as to engage catch 52 with notch 53.

I claim:

1. A telescopic firearm comprising a stock section carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, a butt section including a tubular member forming a breech block race, and a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular member of the butt section being related telescopically to the tubular member fixed to the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the firearm or extended to place the parts thereof in operative position, said trigger mechanism including a sear operative to hold said butt section extended relatively to said stock section.

2. A telescopic firearm comprising a stock section carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, a butt section including a tubular member forming a breech block race, a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular'member of the butt section being related telescopically to the tubular member fixed to the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the firearm or extended to place the parts in operative position, and a spring acting to extend said butt section relatively to said stock section, said trigger mechanism including a sear constituting means to hold said butt section in telescoped relation with said stock section.

3. A telescopic firearm comprising a stock section carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, a butt sectionincluding a tubular member forming a breech block race, a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular member of the butt section being related telescopically to the tubular member of the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the-firearm or ex:-

tended to place'the'parts in operative position,

v the stock section, said'triggermechanism including a sear operative to hold the butt section in telescoped relation with the stock section and to release the butt section to permit said spring to extend the butt section and to hold it extended relatively to the stock section.

4. A telescopic firearm comprising a stock 560! tion carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, a butt section including a tubular member forming a breech block race, a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular member of the butt section being related telescopically to the tubular member fixed to the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the firearm or extended-to place the parts in operative position, said trigger mechanism including a sear and fireselection means for settingsaid sear for single shot firing and. for safe condition respectively, and said sear being operative when set'for single shot firing condition to releasably hold said butt section extended relatively to said stock section and for releasing the breech block, and operative whenset for safe condition to lock said butt section in telescoped relation with said stock section and lock the breech block in closed position.

' 1 5. A telescopic firearm comprising a stock section carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extendinglongitudinally thereof, a butt section including a tubular member forming a breech block race, a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular member of the butt section being related telescopically to the tubular member fixed to the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the firearm or extended to place the parts thereof in operative position, and said tubular members having telescoped portions provided with apertures which register when said butt section and stock section are relatively extended, and an ammunition magazine insertable into said registering apertures and operative to lock said sections in extended relation.

6 A telescopic firearm comprising a stock section carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, a butt section including a tubular member forming a breech block race, a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular member of the butt section being related telescopically to the tubular member fixed to the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the firearm or extended to place the parts thereof in operative position, said tubular members having telescoped portions provided with apertures which register when said butt section and stock section are relatively extended, an ammunition magazine insertable into said registering apertures, and a detent cooperative with said tubular members to hold them in the relative position in which said apertures register.

7. A telescopic firearm comprising a stock section carrying trigger mechanism, a tubular member fixed to the stock section, and a barrel carried by said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof, a butt section including a tubular member forming a breech block race,'a breech block in said tubular member of the butt section, the tubular member of the butt section being related telescopically to'the tubular member fixed to the stock section to enable said sections to be relatively telescoped to shorten the firearm or extended to place the parts thereof in operative position, a butt pivoted on said tubular member carried by the butt section to fold onto said tubular member fixed to the stock section, and means on the tubular member fixed to the stock section for holding said butt in folded position thereon while said butt section and stock section are in relatively telescoped and extended relations.

8. A telescopic firearm comprising stock and butt sections carrying respectively telescopically connected tubular members for lengthening and shortening the firearm, the butt section embodying a butt pivoted on the tubular member carried by the butt section to fold thereon and carrying a headed projection, and the tubular member carried by the stock section being provided with a longitudinal slot having an enlargement therein to receive said projection and permit movement thereof while said sections are relatively telescoped or extended and thereby hold the butt in folded relation with the tubular member carried by the stock section, said projection being disengageable from said slot through said enlarge'ment to permit unfolding of the butt from the tubular member carried by the stock section.

9. A telescopic firearm according to claim 8, wherein said enlargement in said slot is located between the ends thereof, and said projection disengageable from said slot through said enlargement while the tubular members carried by said stock and butt sections are partially telescoped.

10. A telescopic firearm according to claim 8, wherein said enlargement is located at the rear end of said slot, and said projection is disengageable from said slot through said enlargement while said butt section is in extended relation with said stock section.

11. A telescopic firearm according to claim 8, wherein said enlargement is located at the rear end of said slot, and said projection is disengageable from said slot through said enlargement while said butt section is in extended relation with said stock section, and wherein said butt comprises an element pivoted at one end to said tubular member carried by said butt section, a strut element pivotally connected at one end to the first said element adjacent its pivoted end, and a member pivotally connected to the outer end of said strut element and detachably engage,- =able with the outer end of the first said element whereby the said member is foldable beneath the first-mentioned element when the butt is folded onto said tubular member carried by the stock section and said member carries said projection, and including a catch on said tubular member carried by said stock section engageable with the free end of last said member while said stock and butt sections are relatively extended to retain said butt elements in folded relation with said tubular member carried by said stock section, said element pivotally connected to the outer end of said strut element being releasable from said catch by movement of the pivotally connected ends of said elements in a direction away from said tubular member carried by said stock section.

12. A firearm comprising a casing having a breechblock mounted therein, a recoil spring for operatingsaid breechblock,--a cap mounted mova'barrel :surroundedby said tubularmember and supported therein remote irom the breech end, a-r-colla-r on the breech end of-the -,barr el,- and a tubular .member fixed to the stock section and enclosing the barrel, and a-butt section includin 'a second tubular member mounted telescopically within the first-mentioned tubular member for movement relatively thereto ,into telescoped position to shorten the firearm-and into extended position to lengthen the firearm and place the parts thereof in operative position, said second tubular member having a breech block :reciprocable therein, and a :recoil spring interposed between the breech block and-said second tubular member and actingl'toextendthe. latter relatively ,tothe :first-mentioned tubular member, said sec- .ond tubular member having a collar on its for- -.ward endcooperable with'the collar onfthe barrel :to limit the 1 extension of said second .tubular member.

14.. A telescopic firearm comprising outer and inner telescopic sections, a barrel and trigger mechanism fixed to-said outer section, abreech block ,reciprocable in'saidinner section, and means associated with said trigger mechanism to latch said telescopic sections in telescopedrelation.

15. Atelescopic firearm comprising outer-and inner telescopic sections, a; barrel and tri er mechanism fixed to said outer section, a breech blockreciprocable in said inner section, said trigger ,mechanism including a-se'ar andsaid breech block having a detent engageable by=said sear when the sections are in telescoped relation to latch said sections in said relation.

16. A telescopic firearm as set forth in claim 15 including a fire selection member .-assoc,iated with said sear and movable into a position to lock saidsear in engagement with said .detent in :the breech block,

GEORGE WILLIAM PATCHETT.

REFERENCES CITED Therfollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 580,925 Browning Apr. 20,1897 1,096,861 'Redfield May 19, 1914 1,315,215 Davidson Septp9, 1919 1,759,277 Revelli May 20, 1930 2,072,197 Bergmann Mar.2, 1937 2,330,637 Spagnola Sept. 28,1943