US2557144A - Firing mechanism for automatic firearms - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1951 I w. A. SCHAICH 2,557,144

FIRING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS v Fi1ed Nov. 10, 1948 3 Sheet8-Sheet l In at wucnio; E@hm' Eh Wilbur A June 19, 1951 w. A. SCHAICH 2,557,144

FIRING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS Filed Nov. 10, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 19, 1951 w. A. scHAlcH 12,557,144

Q FIRING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS Filed Nov. 10, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 5 )l 4 w 5 M Z a Patented June 19, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIRING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS Wilbur A. Schaich, Franklin, Mich.

Application November 10, 1948, Serial No. 59,324

15 Claims. v (Cl. 89-132) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a firing mechanism for an automatic firearm, more particularly to a firing mechanism for an automatic firearm having a forwardly moving barrel.

This application is a division of my copending application for Automatic Firearm, Serial No. 621,647, filed October 10, 1945.

Small arms constructed along conventional lines having a fixed barrel, or one that is permitted to recoil slightly, generally utilize a pivotally mounted hammer for striking the firing pin. Such construction has evolved over a period f years and for the type of firearm mentioned has proven entirely satisfactory. In automatic firearms of such conventional construction, the recoil movement of the bolt pivots the hammer rearwardly to the cooked position and such arrangement has presented no unusual problem for solution.

In feeding a cartridge into the chamber of the barrel the bolt of conventional firearms simply scoops off the top cartridge from the magazine, which incidentally is generally fed upwardly in the magazine by a spring-pressed follower, and seats such cartridge in the chamber. When the last cartridge has been fired, a portion of the follower jumps into the path of the bolt to hold such bolt in-the open position. Extraction and ejection of the fired case are handled in a well known manner. Thus most recent prior art firearms utilize proven and established principles which greatly simplify the design thereof.

In a firearm having a forwardly movable barrel however there are several distinctly different departures from conventional design that require a new approach to the solution. Foremost thereof is the problem of providing a hammer which can be readily cocked in a firearm of this type. Inasmuch as there is no reciprocating bolt, the forwardly movable barrel must be utilized for such purpose. In contrast to conventional firearms wherein the bolt is driven rearwardly after discharge of the firearm, the barrel of the firearm of this invention is driven forwardly. Suitable springs are provided to return the barrel rearwardly to the closed battery position at 'the completion of the first movement. This necessitated therefore a substantially difierent construction, arrangement and mounting of the hammer and related elements.

In the course of further development of this invention other novel and unique features were incorporated which relate to ejection of the fired case, feeding of the cartridge and to an improved magazine construction used in combination with other of the above elements. All of these other features being especially adaptable to a firearm having a forwardly movable barrel may of course be utilized with firearms of more conventional construction with but little adaptation.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an improved hammer mechanism for an automatic firearm having a forwardly moving barrel, such mechanism being constructed to receive cocking energy from the movement of the barrel.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved magazine constructed to feed necked-down cartridges into the chamber of a firearm having a barrel movable forwardly with respect to a fixed breech.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pair of cocking rods for an automatic firearm to retain the cartridges in the magazine of the firearm while permitting release of a cartridge therefrom in timed relation with respect to the recoiling barrel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hammer slidable on a pair of cocking rods secured to the movable barrel of an automatic firearm, wherein the barrel is moved forwardly upon the discharge of a cartridge, such cocking rods being also utilized to retain the cartridges in the magazine of the firearm while releasing a cartridge therefrom in timed relation with respect to the barrel movement.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an ejector for an automatic firearm wherein the ejector is mounted on one of a pair of cocking rods.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a firing mechanism for an automatic fire arm having a forwardly movable barrel as disclosed in my copending application for Automatic Firearm, Serial No. 621,647, filed October 10, 1945.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a firearm embodying this invention shown in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a detail top view showing the manner in which the cocking rods retain a cartridge in the magazine of the firearm;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the builtup hammer;

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevational view of the ejector;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the breech block shown secured to the magazine guard and showing the relationship of the firing pin cocking rods, ejector and safety sear plunger;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the breech block showing the arrangement of the various elements on the face thereof; I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of the magazine shown partly in section;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the hammer showing the built-up construction;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of another form of magazine construction;

Fig. 11 is a front view of the locking element;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view of the cartridge locator shown partly in section;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view showing the cartridge locator mounted on the firearm;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section showing the locking means and gas cylinder arrangement;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of a firearm shown in longitudinal section illustrating the alternate form of the firing mechanism;

- Fig. 16 is a rear view of the locking arrange-' ment;

Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view taken alon the line of Fig. 15 but with the stock removed to better show the arrangement of the various elements;

Fig. 18 is a detail view showing the spring seat and stock bolt arrangement;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail front view of the breech block shown in Fig. 15; and

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary view of the operating sleeve showing the arrangement of the locking slots therein.

There is shown in Fig. 1 an automatic firearm embodying this invention. Such firearm includes a tubular receiver Ill having a threaded rear end (not shown) for securing the receiver to a substantially cylindrical breech block l5. A forwardly facing cup-shaped recess l3 having threads I4 therein is provided to accommodate the threaded end of receiver In. A threaded portion I6 is provided about block l5 adjacent the rearwardly facing end of such block by means of which a stock support tube H is secured thereto.

A magazine support I8 surrounds receiver l and breech block l and is secured to such breech block preferably by welding. A magazine 20 is readily inserted into magazine support I8 through an opening 2| provided therein for such purpose. A magazine latch 22 pivots on a transverse pin 23 and secures such magazine in magazine support 3. A cartridge ejection port 24 is provided on top of receiver ID as shown in Fig. 1. A barrel 25 is slidably mounted within tubular receiver Ill and such barrel has a chamber 26 to accommodate a cartridge 21. Barrel 25 also has a rearwardly projecting ramp I2. An operating sleeve (not shown) is slidably mounted on receiver I0 and extends rearwardly to magazine support l8. Such sleeve is provided to actuate the barrel locking member (not shown) for look-- ing or unlocking the barrel with respect to the receiver. The magazine 20 is preferably a double column, box type having a follower 28 (Figs. 7 and 8) reciprocating therein under the bias of a primary follower spring 29. One side wall 30 of the magazine is of substantially planar configuration while the other wall 3| is bent inwardly near the top thereof to form a single column exit passage 32 for cartridges stored within the magazine.

The follower 28 is formed in two parts comprising a primary follower 33 of suitable width to freely reciprocate within the double column portion of magazine 2|] and a secondary follower 34 which is of reduced width permitting it to reciprocate through the top single column portion of the magazine. A secondary follower spring 35 operates between primary follower 33 and secondary follower 34.

The magazine has a desirable feature of having no retaining lips, the cartridge feeding passage 36 being defined by substantially straight vertical wall sections. Because of this arrangement, it is necessary to provide a cartridge retaining latch 31. The latch 31 is pivotally secured to the inwardly bent wall 3| of the magazine by means of a pin 38. The pin in turn is supported between two outwardly projecting ears 39 which are integrally punched out of a reinforcing band. 40 which surrounds the top perimeter of magazine 20 and is suitably secured thereto, as by welding. The cartridge retaining latch 31 comprises an inverted, substantially L-shaped member. The short arm 4| of such member projects across the top of magazine 20 in its normal position and thus retains the cartridges within the magazine when the magazine is handled outside of the gun. The long arm 42 of retaining latch 31 extends downwardly along the side wall 3| of the magazine and is shaped to define a hollow bearing portion 43 by which the latch is mounted on the pin 38. Downwardly from the bearing portion 43 are provided integral outwardly projecting cam portions 44 which cooperate with the wall of the magazine support to move the cartridge retaining latch 31 to an inoperative position when magazine 20 is inserted into the gun. The bottom portion of retaining latch 31 is provided with a slot 45 and a torsion spring 46 is mounted in such slot, surrounding the pin 38 and operating between the side wall 3| of the magazine and the long arm 42 of the retaining latch to pivotally bias the retaining latch in such direction that the short arm 4| thereof will project inside the magazine 20 and thus retain the cartridges therein.

The walls of the central portion of magazine support |8 are shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the top portion of magazine 20.

Such central portion is bulged outwardly to provide clearance for the magazine retaining latch 31 when the magazine is assembled to the gun.

As the loaded magazine is pushed upwardly into the magazine recess of the magazine support, the

bottom edge of such support engages the cam portion 44 of cartridge retaining latch and pivots such latch clockwise thereby moving the short arm 4| to a position outside of the path of the stack of cartridges and permitting the entire stack of cartridges to rise upwardly under the bias of spring pressed follower 28. Since the magazine has no retaining lips, and if the barrel 25 is in its forward position exposing .the magazine exit 32, the entire column of cartridges would be fed upwardly into the receiver l0 and obviously produce a jam. To prevent such occurrence, a cartridge locator H5 is provided to act as a stop for the vertical movement of the top cartridge in the magazine stack, permitting such cartridge to rise only sufliciently high within receiver III that the nose thereof may be engaged by the ramp I2 of barrel 25.

Cartridge locator H5 is pivotally mounted between ears II6 of the magazine support on a transverse pin I I1. A relatively long rearwardly projecting portion II8 of the cartridge locator H5 is suitably shaped to engage the large diameter portion of the top cartridge in magazine 20 when the barrel is in its forward position. The

cartridge locator I I5 is pivoted to its proper position with respect to thetop cartridge by the cooperation of a cam surface II9 on the bottom of cartridge locator I I5 which extends forwardly past pin II 1 with a cam groove I28 which extends longitudinally along the top of barrel 25. Cam groove I20 is shaped to pivot the cartridge locator in a counterclockwise direction as the barrel moves forwardly and to hold the end portion II8 of the cartridge locator at a fixed distance above the top of magazine exit 32 when the barrel is in its extreme forward position. Thus the top cartridge of the magazine stack will be-properly positioned to be picked up by the barrel ramp I2. This feeding mechanism obviously increases the reliability of feeding inasmuch as magazine lips are entirely eliminated and the cartridge is free to ride into the chamber.

If at any time it is desired to remove magazine 20 from the gun while there are still some cartridges remaining therein, such may be accomplished without loss of the remaining cartridges in the magazine. As the magazine is pulled downwardly out of the magazine support, the cam portion 44 of the retaining latch 31 moves out of engagement with the magazine support and accordingly, the retaining latch 31 pivots in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 underthe bias of torsion spring 46 and short arm 4| of the latch moves across the magazine exit 32 to retain the remaining cartridges therein.

It is generally desired that a magazine fed firearm for military use include a device for looking the action in the open position after the firing of the last round from the magazine. This may be readily accomplished in a firearm embodying this invention. A pair of spaced, transversely extending lugs 224 (Fig. 12) are integrally formed on the forward cylindrical portion 225 of magazine support I8. A last round barrel stop 226 is mounted on a rod 221 which is supported by lugs 224. Barrel stop 226 is mounted rearwardly of the rear lug 224 and is rigidly secured to the rod 221 so that pivotal movement of rod 221 will in turn pivot the stop 226 through an ejection slot '(not shown) in receiver I into the path of the barrel when the barrel is in its extreme forward position. To reduce the shock on barrel stop 226, rod 221 has an enlarged shoulder 228 formed thereon adjacent the forward lug 224, and a suitable buffer spring 229 is mounted around rod 221 operating between the shoulder 228, and the forward face of the rear lug 224. The rod 221 is pivotally actuated when the last round has been fired from the magazine by means of an actuator 238, which surrounds a squared forward end portion 23I of rod 221 and has a rod-like extension 232 which projects into engagement with a cam slot 233 provided in the forward portion of cartridge locator II5. A light torsion spring 234 is provided to bias cartridge locator I I in a counterclockwise direction. The bias of spring 234, however, is sufliciently light so as to be readily overcome by the magazinefollower spring 29 when it is urging a cartridge upwardly against the catridge locator I I5. When, however, the last round has been fired from the magazine, the bias ofspring 234 rotates cartridge locator II5 an additional amount until the rear end II8 of the cartridge locator contacts the top of the magazine. This additional rotation of cartridge 10- cator H5 is transmitted through the action of cam slot 233 on actuator 230 to pivot 'the barrel stop 226 into the path of the barrel when the barrel is in its extreme forward position. As the barrel returns from its forward position under the bias of operating spring I68, it strikes barrel stop 226. The impact forces, however, are absorbed by compression of bufler spring 229.

A pair of oppositely spaced, longitudinal holes 41 and 48 (Fig. 6) are provided through breech block I5 to accommodate two cocking rods 49 which will be described in more detail later. The right-hand hole 48, as viewed in Fig. 6, is of larger diameter to accommodate in addition a sleeve-like ejector 50. Thediameter of ejector 59 is selected so that a portion of the periphery of its forward end will pass through a cartridge seating recess 5I provided in the face of breech block I5 and .thus ejector 58 will engage the base of any cartridge seated in such recess. The extreme rear portion of ejector 58 (Figs. 4 and 5) is provided with a radially extending flange 52 which is disposed behind and cooperates with a flange 53 on a firing pin 54 to retain firing pin 54 within a firing pin recess 55 against the bias of a firing pin spring 56. The ejector 58 is in turn retained within breech block I5 by means of a suitable transverse pin (not shown) which cooperates with a longitudinally extending, flat surface 51 (Fig. 4) on the ejector, thereby permitting only limited longitudinal movement of the ejector with respect to the breech block. The length of the ejector is carefully proportioned with respect to the length of the firing pin in a manner that will be more fully described later. A radial extractor recess 58 (Fig. 6) is provided in the face of breech block I5 to receive an extractor 59.

The firing mechanism of this invention is built around a pair of cocking rods 49. These rods are threadably secured to the barrel at their forward ends, and, in all positions of the barrel, the rods extend rearwardly respectively through the cocking rod holes 41 and 48 in the breech block I5 and the bore of the sleeve-like ejector 50, which is slidably mounted in hole 48 in the breech block.

The hammer mechanism for a firearm utilizing a forwardly moving barrel is substantially difierent from that of a conventional firearm. In the conventional firearm, the hammer is cooked by being over-ridden by the bolt in its rearward movement. In a firearm constructed in accordance with this invention, the only major moving element is the barrel and that is moving away from the rear of the breech block which is the necessary location of the hammer mechanism. Two modifications of a suitable hammer mechanism will be described herein which can be utilized interchangeably according to the particular design conditions desired.

A hammer 68 (Figs. 1. and 3) is slidably mounted on the cocking rods 49 rearwardly of breech block I5. The hammer 60 is provided with two parallel, spaced, longitudinally extending, horizontal holes 6| in which the cocking rods are engaged. A transverse slot 62 is cut across the top of hammer 60, extending into both of the holes 6|. A generally rectangular sear 63 is mounted for vertical movement in the slot 62 and in its lowest position, projects into horizontal holes 6|, A depending sear plunger 64 (Fig. 9) is rigidly secured to sear 63. The sear plunger has an enlarged head portion 65 which projects below the base of the hammer 60 and a shank portion 66. Plunger 64 is mounted in a suitable vertical hole 6'! provided in the hammer 60 having a counterbore 68 in its bottom portion which accommodates the head portion 65 of sear plunger 64 in bearing relation. A sear spring 69 is mounted in surrounding relationship to the shank portion 66 of the sear plunger and operates between head portion 65 and the base of counterbore 68 to bias the sear 63 downwardly. In addition, the hammer is provided with a longitudinally extending tail portion 10 which cooperates with a disconnector H of a trigger I2 pivotally mounted within a slot 13 in breech block l5 on a transverse pin 14.

It should be noted that the hammer 60 is so designed that it may be conveniently and economically formed by brazing of stamped and screw machine components. As clearly shown in the exploded view of Fig. 9, the hammer may be produced from two identical plate portions I5, each having two spaced holes 16 therein; two identical hollow cylindrical bushings 11 which, when assembled in the holes 16 of the plate portion 15, define the holes 6| of the assembled hammer; a sear block bushing 18 having a top portion 19 thereof squared ofi for assembly between the plate portions and a cylindrical bottom portion 80, and defining the sear plunger hole 61 and counterbore 68; and finally, a horizontal plate portion 8|, which has a hole 82 to accommodate the bottom cylindrical portion 80 of the bushing 18 and which assembles into suitable slots 83 in the plate portions I5 and defines tail portion 10 of the hammer, These components may be assembled by press fits and then an extremely strong, yet light-weight hammer produced by subjecting the assembly to furnace brazing.

An annular sear notch 84 (Fig. 2) is provided in each of the cocking rods 49. These notches are shaped to permit the sear 63 to drop therein and thus in the battery position of the barrel secure the hammer against forward movement relative to the cocking rods by engagement of the front wall of the sear 63 with a rearwardly facing shoulder 85 defined by the sear notch 84. A rear wall 86 of scar notch 84 is tapered so as to permit sear 63 to be cammed upwardly upon occurrence of forward movement of the cocking rod relative to the hammer. The bottom surface of scar 63 may be similarly angularly inclined as indicated at 81 (Fig. 9) to facilitate such camming action.

An operating spring 88 (Fig. 1) is mounted in surrounding relation on each of the cooking rods 49 and operates between a spring seat Ill (Fig. 18), connected to the rear end of the cocking rods, and the rearwardly facing wall of hammer 69. Spring seat Ill comprises a cupshaped member, having the opening therein disposed to the rear, and having two spaced holes H2 through the base portion thereof to accommodate the cocking rods 49. A transverse pin I I3 is passed through suitable aligned holes in the extreme end of the cocking rods 49 and this pin secures spring seat I to cooking rods 49 against the bias of operating springs 88.

The over-all length of firing pin 54 is carefully proportioned with respect to the over-all length of ejector 50. This proportioning also takes into consideration the longitudinal location of the projecting flange 53 on the firing pin. The arrangement is such that when the ejector is in its battery position, i. e., with the cartridge 21 forcing its forward end flush with the base with cartridge seating recess 5|, the rear end of the firing pin'projects beyond the rear end of the ejector for at least a tenth of an inch. The firin pin is of course pushed rearwardly to such position by the firing pin spring 56 and is retained in such position by the cooperation of the ejector flange 52 with the firing pin flange 53. Thus, in the battery position of the firearm, when the hammer drives forward it will strike the firing pin first and then come to rest against the ejector. The firing pin drives forward by inertia to fire the cartridge. As the action is unlocked and the barrel moved forwardly by the operation of the gases, the cocking rods 49 are likewise moved forwardly, pulling the spring seat Ill forwardly, thereby compressing operating springs 88 against the rear face of the hammer and thus producing a steadily increasing, forwardly directed spring force on the ejector 50. When the rear end of the barrel moves forward sufficiently to clear the forward end of the cartridgecase, which, of course, is retained in cartridge seating recess 5| by the extractor 59, the ejector will move forward and flip the cartridge sharply out of the receiver It].

It should be noted that this ejector arrangement has three very desirable features; first, it requires no separate spring which is in distinct contrast to the conventional spring pressed ejector; secondly, it has available substantially the full force of the compressed operating spring to produce ejection, which thus imparts a very strong ejecting force to the base of the cartridge; finally, it does not require compression of any spring as the cartridge is being seated in battery position, hence reducing the amount of energy required to move the barrel into battery position and facilitating operation of the locking mechanism.

The forward movement of the ejector after ejecting the fired cartridge is limited by engagement of a portion of its front periphery with the rear end of the receiver I0. By cutting back that portion of the ejector which would strike the rear end of receiver In as indicated at 89 (Figs. 4 and 6) the stroke of the ejector may be made as long as desired, which again is in distinct contrast to conventional spring pressed ejector-s which all have the disadvantage of having a very limited stroke, due to the necessary design characteristics of the conventional ejector spring.

The length of the ejector is proportioned to the over-all length of the firing pin so that in the extreme forward position of the ejector, the longitudinal distance from the front face of the hammer to the base of the cartridge seating recess 5| will be slightly greater than the over-all length of the firing pin, thus assuring that at no time after the initial firing pin blow will the point of the firing pin protrude into the cartridge seating recess 5|. This feature, of course, insures that no fresh cartridge will be accidentally fired as it is initially moved by the barrel into its battery position.

When the barrel returns to the battery position, the cocking rods 49 are of course moved rearwardly with the barrel and when the sear notches ll of the cocking rods pass beneath the sear 63, they are engaged thereby, whereupon the hammer is moved rearwardly by the cocking -rods to its battery position maintaining operating springs 88 in a compressed condition. The inertia of .the barrel insures that it will return to battery position. The spring seat III is constructed to strike a stock bolt l9 '(Fig. 18) before form the additional function of cushioning the movement of the barrel as it comes into battery position, thus eliminating a rearward jar which would otherwise be transmitted to the operator's shoulder.

A safety sear 98 is shown'in Fig. 1 which secures the hammer in a cooked position, independently of the condition of the trigger, until both the barrel and operating sleeve have reached their battery positions. A safety sear housing 9I comprising a hollow tubular element is pressed into a hole in stock tube I1 in a position overlying the battery position of hammer 68. A cylindrical sear 92 is slidably mounted within housing 9| and is biased downwardly by a sear spring 93, which operates between sear 92 and a cap 94 threadably secured to the top of housing 9|. Sear 92 is provided with a downwardly depending tooth 95 which engages the top of the front face of hammer 68 to secure the hammer in a cocked position.

Safety sear 98 is moved out of engagement with hammer 68 by rearward movement of a safety sear actuator 96. The actuator 96 comprises a longitudinal slot (not shown) in receiver I8 into a position where it will be moved rearwardly somewhat by the operating sleeve (not shown) as that member approaches its battery position.

The actuator 96 projects rearwardly out of breech block I5 and is provided with an enlarged r flange portion I8I which limits the forward movement of the actuator. The rear end portion I82 of actuator 96 is of small diameter and projects through aligned transverse holes I83 and I84 respectivelyprovided in sear housing 9| and sear 92. A tapering cam portion I85 is provided on actuator 98 intermediate the small diameter end portion I 82 and flange I8I. Thus as actuator 96 is driven rearwardly by the approach of the operating sleeve (not shown) to its battery position, sear 92 is raised out of engagement with hammer 68 by cam portion I85 of the actuator. Thus the action is absolutely safe inasmuch as the operating sleeve has cammed the locking element (not shown) to its locked position prior to operating safety sear actuator 96. A spring I86 biases actuator 96 forwardly.

It should further be noted that a variation of the cyclic rate of full automatic fire of this firearm action may be produced by variation of the length of the bearing portion 91 of safety sear actuator 96. The longer that portion 91 is made the faster will be the cyclic rate in full automatic fire, inasmuch as safety sear 98 is thereby tripped sooner after the locking of the action. A conven'ient way of providing such adjustment is to make the bearing portion 91 of safety sear 98 a separate member secured to flange portion IN by threads (not shown). Thus the effective length of bearing portion 91 may be varied by varying the extent of thread engagement between the portions 91 and I8I of the safety sear.

A selector I81 cooperates with a forwardly and downwardly projecting portion I88 of trigger 12 to selectively permit three conditions of operation of the trigger; first, a safe position in which the trigger cannot be pulled; secondly, a semiautomatic firing position in which the trigger may be pulled a limited amount such that disconnector H can disengage sear 88 to release hammer 88. The forward movement of hammer 68, however, rocks over disconnector H to an inoperative position, in which it is held by the tail portion 18 of the hammer and thus the trigger must be released and pulled again to fire the next shot; thirdly, a full automatic firing position wherein there is sufi'icient pivotal movement of the trigger to bring afixed upstanding projection I89 thereon into engagement with the sear plunger 64 and thus produce the release of sear 63 each time that the hammer returns to its battery position. The firing of the gun in this condition is thus controlled by the safety sear 98. It will be immediately obvious that the action is perfectly safe in such condition inasmuch as the safety sear 98 cannot release hammer 68 until both the barrel and the operating sleeve reach their battery positions.

Cooking rods 49 may be modified in such fashion that such rods may be utilized to retain the cartridges in magazine 28 thereby eliminating the cartridge locator II5. When the barrel is moved forwardly to its open position, the cartridges in the magazine tend to rise upwardly under the bias of the follower spring, but the top cartridge 21 of the stack is retained in proper position to be picked up by the ramp I2 of barrel 25 through the cooperation of the opposed interior edges of the cooking rods 49. The cooking rods in this modification are each provided at their forward ends with a fiat surface I I8 (Fig. 2) which in assembled relationship are vertically and oppositely disposed. These fiat surfaces II8 may conveniently extend from the forward end of the cooking rod rearwardly to the sear notch 84. At any event, the distance between such surfaces is proportioned so as to permit cartridge 21 to pass freely therethrough in a vertical direction. The remaining portion of the cooking rods 49, however, is of such diameter that the space between such rods will not permit a substantial portion of the rear, large diameter end of cartridge 21 to pass upwardly therebetween as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Thus, as thebarrel moves'forwardly and clears the nose of the top cartridge, the cartridge then rises somewhat, but the extent of its vertical movement is limited by the engagement of the rear portion of the cartridge with the large diameter portions of the cooking rods to the rear of the sear notches 84. In this position, however, the top cartridge is sumciently elevated so that its nose is in position to be picked up by ramp I2 of barrel 25. Thus as the barrel returns to battery position, it scoops up the nose of the next cartridge and due to the smaller diameter of the forward end of the cartridge, a substantial portion of the cartridge can enter the chamber at an angle irrespective of the fact .that the rear portion of the cartridge is held down by the cocking rod. When the barrel has moved approximately an inch rearwardly toward its battery position, the large diameter portions of the cocking rods pass off the end of the cartridge and the cartridge is free to move upwardly between fiat surfaces I I and into the barrel by the relative movement of the barrel with respect to it. At the same time, however, the next cartridge is maintained in a depressed position because of the fact that the bottom of the barrel is overlying the forward part of such cartridge.

Referring to Fig. 15 there is shown an automatic rifle embodying a modified form of hammer mechanism and magazine therefor. Such firearm comprises a stock I2I, a fixed breech block member I22 mounted in said stock, a hollow guide sleeve I23 secured at its rear end to the breech member I22, a barrel I24 reciprocatingly mounted within a tube I25 for forward movement with respect to breech block I22, a locking unit I26 (Fig. 14) constructed to lock the barrel to the breech in battery position thereof and to unlock the barrel responsive to the gas pressure developed therein by the discharge of a cartridge, a gas ac tuating mechanism I2'I constructed to move the barrel forwardly after'it has been unlocked from the breech, a modified hammer mechanism I28 for firing a cartridge chambered in the barrel I24 and a magazine I29 for supplying successive cartridges to the action.

Breech block I22 is provided with a forwardly opening, cup-shaped, threaded recess I30 in the forward portion thereof into which the end of tube I25 is threadably secured. The cooperating threads between tube I25 and recess I30 are preferably of the interrupted type, permitting tube I25 to be assembled to breech block I22 by a rotation of 90 degrees or less.

The central portion of the base of recess I30 is countersunk to form a cartridge seating recess I3I. An axial opening I32 is provided through breech block I 22, opening in the center Of the cartridge seating recess I 3| and shaped to accommodate a firing pin I33. Firing pin opening I32 is counterbored at its rear portion, indicated at I34, to accommodate an enlarged head portion I35 of firing pin I33. A retracting spring I36 surrounds the body portion of firing pin I33 and seats between the base of the counterbore I34, and the head I35 of the firing pin. A forwardly opening hold I31 (Fig. 19) is provided in breech block I22 to receive an extractor I38 which resembles a conventional leaf type extractor. Approximately diametrically opposite extractor hole I31, an ejector hole I39 is provided in breech block I22 extending entirely through the breech block. The forward portion of ejector hole I39 is counterbored, and an ejector spring (not shown) and an ejector I49 are mounted in the counterbored portion. Ejector I40 is formed as a hollow tubular member having an axial opening I4I extending therethrough, of the same diameter as the rear portion of the hole I39, for a purpose that will be described later. The firing pin I33, the ejector I40, and the extractor I38 may be all retained within the breech block by means of a single pin I42 which passes transversely through the breech block.

A longitudinally extending slot I43 is provided in the bottom portion of breech block I22 to house the trigger and magazine latch as will be later described. Breech block I22 is also provided with an integral, forwardly projecting portion I44 12 which defines a rectangular opening through which magazine I29 may be inserted.

One form of locking element that may be utilized with this invention to lock the barrel to the receiver is disclosed in Fig. 14. Such locking element I45 has an annular base portion I46 (Fig. 16) which fits freely over a small diameter portion I41 of barrel element I24 and within a rear large diameter portion I48 of a sleeve I49 (Fig. 14). Two diametrically opposed locking projections I50 are integrally provided on the annular portion I46 projecting outwardly through suitable cam slots I5I in barrel sleeve I49 (Fig. 14) and into locking slots I52 in tube I25. Locking slots I52 (Fig. 20) have parallel portions I53 extending forwardly along tube I25 for a distance greater than the desired forward movement of the barrel element I24 and terminating in wider assembly slots I54. The forward end of locking slots I52 are provided with helical locking portions I55 which are peripherally offset with respect to the parallel portion I53 thus defining rearwardly facing locking surfaces I56.

The locking projections I50 are each provided with a helical locking surface I5'I (Fig. 16) which are brought into engagement with the corresponding locking surface I56 of locking slots I52 by rotation of the locking element I45 with respect to the barrel element I24. The cam slots I5I in barrel sleeve I49 accomplish the rotation of the locking element between its locked and un locked positions by engagement with camming surfaces I5'I (Fig. 16) provided on the locking projections I50 0f the locking element I45. Cam slots I5I are shaped to define a forward wide assembly portion I58 (Fig. 14), and a straight, narrow rearwardly extending dwell travel portion 559 which terminates in a helical cam portion I60.

Barrel sleeve I49 is secured against rotation by a key I6I (Fig. 14) inserted through the wall of tube I 25, a bushing I62 and engaging in a longitudinal key slot I63 provided in barrel sleeve I49. Thus barrel sleeve I49 must first be moved forwardly with respect to barrel element I24 by a gas cylinder I64 threadably secured to the forward end of sleeve I49 for a distance determined by the length of dwell travel" portions I59 of cam slots I5I. Then the continued forward movement of barrel sleeve I49 will rotate locking element I45 by engagement of the helical cam portions I in the sleeve with correspondingly shaped cam portions I50 provided on the locking element I45. Further forward movement of barrel sleeve I49 brings its front end into cngagement with a barrel nut I65 threadably secured to barrel element I24. Thus the barrel element I24 is picked up and carried to its extreme forward position by barrel sleeve I49.

The lockingprojections I50 are made sufliciently long so as to project out of the tube I25 and the projecting ends thereof may thus be utilized as a seat for an operating spring I66. Operating spring I66 is thus compressed by forward movement of barrel element I24. The front end turn of spring I66 seats in a slot .I6I in key I6I, thus retaining such key in position. To cushion the impact between barrel sleeve I 49 and nut I65, a spring I68 may be provided operating therebetween. Spring I68 also assists in returning sleeve I49 to its battery position after barrel element I24 is locked. In addition, a buffer ring (not shown) of fibrous or plastic material may accomplished by the helical cam slot portions I69 insleeve I49.

As has been previously mentioned, the magazine I29'is supported within the forwardly projecting portion of breech block I22 and projects into the interior of tube I25 through a slot I1II. Magazine I29 comprises a sheet metal box having a conventionally arranged follower HI and spring I12 therein and is constructed to support a double row stack of necked-down cartridges 21. The top portion and lips of magazine I29 (Fig. are, however, constructed in an entirely unique manner producing very desirable feeding conditions when utilized in conjunction with a forwardly moving barrel action. To facilitate the feeding operation, an integral ramp I13 is provided on the breech end of barrel I24. The function of magazine I29 is to support the top cartridge in such position that barrel ramp I13 will pass under and engage the nose of such top cartridge.

Accordingly, the forward wall of magazine I29 is provided with a cut-away portion I15 at the top of its forward wall to permit entry of the barrel ramp I13 under the nose of the top cartridge.

A single pair of opposed lips I16 are provided on magazine I 29. Such lips are arranged to respectively engage the top right-hand and lefthand cartridges at a region immediately behind their bottle-neck portion I 11. The length of contact of lip I16 with the cartridge 21 is relatively small, preferably on the order of one-quarter of an inch. Lip I16 extends well up on the cartridge so that the first action of ramp I13 on the cartridge is to push such cartridge directly rear wardly, of course exerting an upward bias on the nose of the cartridge simultaneously. To permit such rearward movement of the cartridge out of the magazine, the rear wall of the magazine is provided with a cut-away portion I19 at its extreme top. However, once the cartridge has moved rearwardly about one-quarter of an inch, or a distance equal to the length of engagement of lip I16 with the cartridge, the bottleneck portion I11 of the cartridge 21 then passes rearwardly out from under the lip. The forward portion of the cartridge is of such reduced diameter that the lips I 16, when properly proportioned relative thereto, can no longer retain the cartridge within the magazine and hence the cartridge is immediately free of the magazine and is lying with its nose on the barrel ramp and the barrel advancing toward it. The location of the rear end of magazine slot I16 forwardly of the breech block face permits the necessary rearward movement of the cartridge to free it from lip I16.

Approximately simultaneously with the release of the cartridge by the magazine lip I16, the base of the cartridge strikes the base of the recess I38 of breech block I22 preventing further rearward movement of the cartridge. From that point on, the barrel scoops up the cartridge and seats it in a chamber I89 of the barrel, with a base I8I of the cartridge in engagement with the base of the cartridge seating recess I3I in breech block I22 and depressing ejector I40.

The base of the recess I30 of breech block I22 is cut away to provide a suitable recess I82 to accommodate the barrel ramp I13 in the battery position of the barrel. In addition, suitable longitudinal grooves (not shown) are provided in the barrel to provide clearance for the lips I16 of the magazine which necessarily projects somewhat inside tube I25.

The feeding advantages produced by the combination of this improved design of magazine for a necked-down cartridge cooperating with a forwardly moving barrel action are immediately apparent. With this arrangement the cartridge is completely free from the magazine after about one-quarter inch of movement relative thereto. This is in distinct contrast with conventional actions wherein the cartridge is fed forwardly out of the magazine. In such actions, the bolt must continuously push the large diameter portion of the cartrl e through the magazine lips. Accordingly, the cartridge is retained by the magazine lips for an inch or more of its feeding movement. greatly increased and the energy required for feeding is many times greater than that necessary for the described combination.

Magazine I29 is retained in position with respect to breech block I22 by means of a magazine latch I83 which lies within the longitudinal slot I43 in breech block I22. Latch I83 is pivotally mounted by engagement of a fixed pin I84 in a slot-like hole I85 in the magazine latch I83. In the rearwardly extending portion of magazine latch I83, there is provided a spring seat recess I86. An integral depending projection I81 is provided on magazine latch I83 which projects out of the breech block I22 in position to be engaged by the finger of the operator to permit release of the magazine. A latch portion I88 of magazine latch I 83 engages in a suitable notch I89 on the side of magazine I29. The latch portion I88 is so shamd that when a magazine is being inserted into the magazine recess, the magazine latch I83 will be cammed rearwardly out of the path of the magazine until the notch I89 is aligned therewith.

In Figs. 15 and 17 hammer mechanism I28 is shown which accomplishes its cocking during the return rearward movement of the barrel to battery position. This modification does not require much space rearwardly of the breech block and hence is particularly adaptable to a dropped stock construction.

To communicatethe barrel movement to the hammer mechanism I28, a cocking rod I96 is provided, the forward end ofwhich is threadably secured in the barrel. Cooking rod. I98 is of suitable diameter to freely pass through the aligned holes I39 and MI in breech block I22 and ejector I49 respectively. Thus a single hole through the breech block I22 accommodates both ejector and cocking rod. The length of cocking rod I99 is selected so that the cocking rod remains within ejector hole I4I at the extreme forward position of the barrel. Hence cocking rod I96 serves to maintain the barrel at all times in fixed position with respect to the breech block I22.

Guide sleeve I23 is th-readably secured in the rear portion of the hol I39 in breech block I22 and projects rearwardly behind the breech block. Cooking rod I reciprocates freely within guide sleeve I23. Guide sleeve I23 is provided with a cut-away portion I92 whiclrcomprises substantially the top half of the guide sleeve. On the Thus the possibility of feeding jams is extreme rear end of guide sleeve I23, ther is an enlarged shoulder I93 which serves as a spring seat. A guide rod I94 (Fig. 17) is threadably secured in the rear face of breech block I22 and extends rearwardly with respect to the breech block parallel to guide sleeve I23 and in the same axial plane therewith.

A hammer I95 is arranged to reciprocate on guide sleeve I23 and guide rod I94 by means of longitudinal holes I96 and I91 respectively provided in hammer I95. A hammer spring I99 surrounds guide sleeve I23 and operates between shoulder I93 and the rear face of hammer I95. A vertical cylindrical recess I99 is provided in hammer I95, opening from the bottom thereof and communicating with the horizontal hole I96. A cylindrical sear 299 is reciprocatingly mounted in recess I99 and is biased downwardly by a sear spring 29I which operates between the base of recess I99 of the hammer I95 and the base of a hole 292 provided in the sear. One side of scar 299 is cut away as'indicated at 293 (Fig. 17) and through this portion extends the cut-away portion I92 of guide sleeve I23. A sear tooth 294 (Fig. 17) is defined by the top wall of the cutaway portion I92 of scar 299. A rearwardly facing sear shoulder 295 is provided on cocking rod I99 by a transverse notch 223. Rearwardly of scar shoulder 295, the diameter of cocking rod I99 taperingly increases as indicated at 299 to the maximum diameter of the cocking rod. Sear shoulder 295 is so located on cocking rod I99 that when the barrel is locked in its battery position and the sear toot-h 294 is engaged behind sear shoulder 295, the hammer will be pushed rearwardly a substantial distance away from the breech block, compressing hammer spring I98.

Sear 299 is tripped by upward movement imparted by a trigger 29'! and hence the hammer I95 is released to drive forward under the force of spring I98. Trigger 291 is pivotally mounted at its forward end in the slot I43 in breech block I22 by a fixed transverse pin 298. A portion 299 of the trigger extends forwardly beyond pin 299 and is provided with a spring seat recess 2I9. A spring 2II is mounted between the spring seat recess 2I9 in trigger 291 and the spring seat recess I86 in magazine latch I83. The extent of rotation of trigger 291 about pin 298 is controlled by the angular position of a change lever or selector 2I2 which cooperates with a depending projection 2I3 on the trigger. Change lever 2I2 is substantially the same as selector I91 and need not be further described. Change lever or selector 2I2 extends across slot I43 in breech block I22 and terminates in a suitable operating knob (not shown) exteriorly of breech block I22. Change lever 2I2 may be latched in any of three angular positions by any conventional spring latching means (not shown) and in one position, the safe position, prevents movement of the trigger; in the semi-automatic position, permits limited travel of trigger 291; and in the full automatic position, permits a still greater travel of the trig ger. The limited travel position of change lever 2 I2 is utilized to produce semi-automatic fire of the weapon; A vertical slot 2I4 is cut in the upper face of trigger 291 and in the rear portion of this slot, underlying the cooked position of the sear 299, a disconnector 2 I is pivotally secured to the trigger by means of a fixed pin 2 I 6. The rear wall of slot 2I4 prevents rotation of the disconnector 2I5 in a counterclockwise direction maintaining the disconnector in an upstanding relation. A

'16 suitable torsion spring 2" wound around pin 2I5 biases disconnector 2I5 against the rear wall of slot H4. The disconnector 2I5 can however, be rotated in a clockwise direction against the bias of spring M1, and assume a much lower vertical position.

When the trigger is pulled, the permissible movement of the trigger, as governed by change lever 2I2, is sufiicient to bring the disconnector 2I5 into engagement in the bottom of the sear 299 and to raise the sear 299 suficiently so that sear tooth 294 is lifted out of engagement with sear shoulder 295 on cocking rod I99. The hammer is thus free to be driven forcibly forward by hammer spring I98. In the course of such forward movement, the rear wall of the recess I99 in the hammer I strikes the disconnector 2I5 and rocks it forwardly against the bias of disconnector spring 2I'I. A rearwardly extending tail portion 2 I8 is provided on hammer I95 to maintain disconnector 2I5 in its rocked-over position even when the hammer has come to rest in its extreme forward position in engagement with the rear end of the firing pin I33.

Assuming that the cartridge has been fired by the action of the hammer on the firing pin and rel reaches its extreme forward position, it is returned rapidly rearwardly by compressed operating spring I66. Thus sear shoulder 295 on cocking rod I99 will strike sear tooth 294. Hence the entire hammer and sear assembly will be picked up by the cocking rod I99 and carried rearwardly to the battery position compressing the hammer spring I99. However, if the trigger has remained pulled during all these operations, the disconnector 2I5 will still be in its rockedover position and hence ineffective to raise the sear 299 to again release the hammer. To fire the next shot, it is thus necessary to release the trigger whereupon it is returned to its inoperative position by spring 2 and disconnector 2I5 rotates back to its functioning position under the bias of spring 2 IT.

For the automatic fire, the change lever 2|2 is rotated to its automatic position permitting additional travel of trigger 291. Such additional travel of the trigger is suflicient to bring an integral upstanding projection 2 I 9 provided on the trigger into engagement with the sear 299. The first shot of the automatic firing series is, of course, fired by disconnector 2I5. Thereafter, and as long as the trigger remains pulled, disconnector 2I5 is inoperative with respect to the sear 299 and firing is accomplished by the sear 299 striking the projection 2 I 9 and being cammed up wardly thereby as the hammer moves rearwardly to its battery position. A longitudinal slot 229 is provided in the tail portion 2I8 of hammer I95 to facilitate engagement of projection 2I9 with sear 299. A forward facing surface 22I of projection 2I9 is inclined to provide a cam surface to operate on sear 299. Thus as the hammer approaches its battery position, the sear 299 is cammed upwardly and releases the hammer the instant that the action reaches battery position. Simultaneously, and before the hammer strikes the firing pin, the locking mechanism has of course functioned to lock the barrel to the'breech' block. Thus safety in full automatic operation is assured. The gun will continue firing with the trigger pulled until all cartridges have been fed out of magazine I29.

For convenience in unloading the firearm after a round has been chambered, a safety extension 222 may be provided on trigger 201. Extension 222 projects upwardly from the central portion of the trigger and in the pulled position of the trigger overhangs the tail portion 2 l8- of hammer I95. However, in the relaxed position of trigger 201, a portion of safety extension 222 enters a notch (not shown) in hammer tail 2H! and secures hammer I95 in a cocked position independent of the position of cooking rod I90 due to forward movement of the barrel in opening the action manually.

From the foregoing description it will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art that there is herein disclosed various novel construetions and improvements which are adaptable to firearms of conventional actions as well as firearms embodying a forwardly moving barrel. The unique hammer construction lends itself to rapid and inexpensive fabrication resulting ina unitary member of great strength and yet of light weight.

The ejector arrangement is unique in that no separate spring is required to produce ejection, utilization of the driving spring being made for such purpose. Lastly, the magazine construction is of simple design and positive operation, being suited for use in any firearm adapted to receive a box magazine. Such magazine is, however, particularly effective when employed with the pair of cocking rods herein described.

I claim:

1. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and in battery position having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to the firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly into said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, thereby angularly positioning said barrel relative to said breech member, an ejector movably mounted in said breech member, said ejector comprising a tubular element surrounding said rod-like memher and having a portion thereof arranged to engage the base of a cartridge, and resilient means for biasing said ejector forwardly.

, 2. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly through said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, an ejector movably mounted in said breech member. said ejector comprising a tubular element surrounding said rod-like member and having a portion thereof arranged to engage the base of a cartridge, and a helical spring surrounding said rod-like member rearwardly of said breech member and operating between said rod-like member and said ejector thereby biasing said ejector forwardly and said barrel rearwardly.

3. 'A'firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, .a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and in battery position having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly through said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, a firing pin in said breech member, and a hammer slidably mounted on the portion of said rod-like member projecting rearwardly cut of said breech member. said hammer being constructed and arranged to move forwardly into engagement with said firing pin.

4. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and in battery position having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rodlike member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly through said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, a firing pin in said breech member, a hammer slidably mounted on the portion of saidrod-like member projecting rearwardly out of said breech member, said hammer being constructed and arranged to move forwardly into engagement with said firing pin,

and resilient means operating between said hammer and said rod-like member to bias said hammer forwardly and said barrel rearwardly.

5. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and in battery position having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rodlike member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly into said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, a firing pin in said breech member, a hammer slidably mounted on the portion of said rod-like member projecting rearwardly out of said breech member, said hammer being constructed and arranged to move forwardly into engagement with said firing pin, resilient means operating between said hammer and said rod-like member to bias said hammer forwardly and said barrel rearwardly, and an ejector movably mounted in said breech member, said ejector being constructed and arranged to be engagedby said hammer in its fired position whereby said resilient means biases said ejector forwardly.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 wherein said ejector comprises a tubular element surrounding said rod-like member.

7. In a firearm having a breech member, a firing pin movably mounted in said breech member, an ejector movably mounted in said breech member, and a spring pressed hammer mounted for movement relative to said breech member and arranged to successively engage said firing pin and said ejector, said firing pin being constructed and arranged to be engaged by said hammer prior to engagement of said hammer with said ejector.

8. In a firearm having a breech member, a firing pin movably mounted in said breech member,

resilient means biasing said firing pin to a rear- 19 ward retracted position, an ejector movably mounted in said breech member, means for limiting rearward movement of said ejector relative to said breech member, means interconnecting said ejector and said firing pin to limit rearward movement of said firing pin, and a spring pressed hammer mounted for movement relative to said breech member and arranged to successively engage both said firing pin and said ejector, said firing pin being constructed and arranged to be engaged by said hammer prior to engagement of said hammer with said ejector.

9. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and in battery position having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to the firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly into said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, an ejector movably mounted in said breech member, said ejector comprising a tubular element'surrounding said rod-like member and having a forward portion thereof arranged to engage the base of a cartridge, a firing pin movably mounted in said breech member, resilient means biasing said firing pin to a rearward retracted position, means for limiting rearward movement of said ejector relative to said breech member, means interconnecting said ejector and said firing pin to limit rearward movement of said firing pin, and a spring pressed hammer mounted for movement relative to said breech member and arranged to successively engage both said firing pin and said ejector, said firing .pin being constructed and arranged to be engaged by said hammer prior to engagement of said hammer with said ejector.

10. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly through said breech member, a hammer slidably mounted on said rod-like member rearwardly of said breech member, resilient means for urging said hammer forwardly, a rearwardly facing sear shoulderon said rod-like member located rearwardly of said breech member in the battery position of said barrel, a sear movably mounted in said hammer and engageable with said sear shoulder to retain said hammer in a cocked position on said rod-like member, and trigger means for moving said sear out of engagement with said sear shoulder to release said hammer.

11. In an automatic firearm, a hollow tubular receiver, a breech member secured to the rear portion of said receiver, a barrel slidably supported in said receiver for forward movement relative to said breech member, said breech member having a longitudinal hole therethrough, a tubular guide member secured in the rear portion of said hole and extending rearwardly of said breech member, a spring pressed hammer slidably mounted on said guide member, a cocking rod secured to the chamber end of said barinto said guide member, and means interconnecting said hammer and said cocking rod whereby rearwardmovement of said barrel to battery position moves said hammer to a cocked position.

12. The combination defined inclaim 11 plus a tubular ejector slidably mounted in said longitudinal hole in said breech member and surrounding said cocking rod, and an ejector spring mounted in surrounding relationship to said cocking rod and operating between the front end of said guide member and the rear end of said ejector.

13. The combination defined in claim 11 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a slotlike opening in said guide member, a rearwardly facing shoulder on said cocking rod, and a sear movably mounted in said hammer, said sear having a portion projecting through said slot-like opening in said guide member to lie in the path of rearward movement of said shoulder on said cocking rod.

14. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly through said 'breech member in the battery position of said barrel, a spring seat member slidably mounted on the rear end portion of said rod-like member, means for preventing rearward movement of said spring seat member relative to said rodlike member, a spring surrounding said rod-like member and operating against said spring seat member to bias said barrel rearwardly to battery position, and means on the firearm for stopping the rearward movement of said spring seat member before said barrel reaches its battery position whereby said spring cushions the movement of said barrel into battery position.

15. A firearm of the automatic type comprising a fixed breech member, a barrel arranged to receive a cartridge therein and having its chamber end abutting said breech member, means for supporting said barrel for forward movement relative to said breech member, means for moving said barrel forwardly in response to firing of a cartridge therein, a rod-like member secured to said barrel and projecting rearwardly through said breech member, a hammer slidably mounted on said rod-like member rearwardly of said breech member, a rearwardly facing sear shoulder on said rod-like member located rearwardly of said breech member in the batteryposition of said barrel, 2. sear movably mounted in said hammer and engageable with said sear shoulder to retain said hammer in a cocked position on said rod-like member, a spring seat member slidably mounted on the rear end portion of said rod-like member, means for preventing rearward movement of said spring seat member relative to said rod-like member, a spring surrounding said rod-like member and operating between said hammer and said spring seat member, whereby said hammer is biased forwardly and said barrel biased rearwardly to its battery position, and means on the firearm for stopping the rearward movement of said spring seat member before said barrel reaches its battery position whereby said spring cushions the movement of said barrel into battery position.

WILBUR A. SCHAICH.

(References on following page)

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