US2882635A

US2882635A - Tubular combined cartridge container and magazine unit

Info

Publication number: US2882635A
Application number: US629354A
Authority: US
Inventors: John L Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-12-19
Filing date: 1956-12-19
Publication date: 1959-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1976-04-21

Description

April 21., 1959 JI L.

HVILL 2,882,635

TUBULAR COMBINED CARTRIDGE CONTAINER AND MAGAZINE UNIT Filed Dec. 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

A Trap/45% J. L. HILL April 21, 1959 TUBULAR COMBINED CARTRIDGE CONTAINER AND MAGAZINE UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. do/m L. H/// BY Z l ATTORNEK United States Patent OfiFice 2,882,635 Patented Apr. 21, 1959 TUBULAR COMBINED CARTRIDGE CONTAINER AND MAGAZINE UNIT John L. Hill, Houston, Tex.

Application December 19, 1956, Serial No. 629,354

8 Claims. (CI. 4217) This invention relates to improvements in automatic, semi-automatic and manually operable guns and refers more particularly to improved magazine and ejecting means for such guns.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined cartridge container and magazine for guns of the character described. One of the features of my invention resides in the provision of a cartridge container, which, when installed on and connected with the gun, serves also as the magazine for the gun. Another feature is that the cartridge container contains the cartridges under pressure of a biased feeding means, the container being provided with an end closure which, when the container is installed on the gun, is displaced by cooperating parts on the gun to establish communication between the container and the breech mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gun and cartridge container assembly in which the gun is provided with means operable on movement of the container into association with the gun to open the feed end of the container to establish communication between the container and the breech mechanism of the gun.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gun and magazine assembly of the character described which is especially suitable for use in combination with gun actions of the type disclosed in my Patent Number 2,624,241, issued January 6, 1953.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a gun and magazine assembly in which the gun is readily convertible to a single cartridge loading even while the magazine is still in place on the gun.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gun of the automatic, semi-automatic and manually operable type in which unfired cartridges or spent casings are ejected from the gun body through a passageway so located as to prevent such cartridges from striking the arms, face or neck of the operator, and to make continuous firing of the gun possible even though it may be wrapped in a blanket, held under a raincoat or other outer coat, or operated in any other place of concealment which in ordinary guns might result in jamming of the firing mechanism.

A feature of my invention in this respect resides in the provision of a gun equipped with a pistol type hand grip, the hand grip being provided therein with a cartridge passageway adapted to receive the cartridges or casings from the ejector mechanism. In the preferred form of my invention the ejected cartridges or casings travel lengthwise through the hand grip and are discharged through a suitable outlet at the butt end thereof. When the gun is held in the normal firing position the ejected cartridges or casings fall directly toward the ground and are prevented from flying laterally or upwardly. The point of discharge is below the hands and arms of the operator, thus minimizing, if not entirely eliminating, the danger of injury to the operator or to bystanders.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved manual ejector, cocking and firing means for guns provided with an ejector passageway of the character described above.

Other and further objects of the invention together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a gun embodying the features of my invention, parts being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the rear portion of the gun and showing a combined cartridge container and magazine according to the invention installed thereon, parts of the latter being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 6 is a view taken generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the combined cartridge container and magazine prior,to removal of the end closure therefor, the view being taken along the line 77 of Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the combined cartridge container and magazine, showing schematically the fashion in which the end closure is removed as the container is moved into installed position on the gun, and also showing the rear portion of the gun body.

Referring now to the drawings, the gun of the present invention includes a barrel 10, an elongate receiver or gun body 11 extending rearwardly of the barrel and a pistol type hand grip 12, the latter being secured to and depending from the underside of the receiver. The barrel 10 is connected with the receiver in any convenient fashion; the rearward end 10a of the barrel extends into a chamber block 13 in the receiver (see Fig. 6) and is bored to provide a chamber 1% for cartridges.

The rearward portion of the receiver is of essentially hollow, rectangular construction, having a top wall 14, bottom wall 15, and spaced parallel side walls 16. The open rearward end of the receiver is closed by a closure plate 17. Preferably this plate is connected with the receiver by means of outwardly turned flanges 14a and 15a on the top and bottom walls of the receiver which engage within corresponding guideways formed in the closure plate so that the plate can be removed by sliding it laterally from the receiver. On the upper margin of the plate is an extension 1712' having a discontinuous lip 17b spaced above top wall 14, the purpose of which will be later described. Spaced triangular retainer plates 17c complete the construction of the end closure 17.

Contained within receiver 11 is a bolt block 18 of generally rectangular cross section. This block is dimensioned to slidably fit within the hollow interior of the receiver so that it is longitudinally reciprocable within the receiver. The bolt block is continuously urged toward the barrel end of the receiver by a resilient firing and recoil mechanism best shown in Fig. 6. The recoil mechanism includes a cylindrical bore 19 extending centrally into the block from the rear end of the block and open at the rearward end. A sleeve 20 telescopically fits within the bore 19, the rear :end of the sleeve abutting the inside of the closure plate 17. A pin 20a is secured to the rear end wall of the sleeve, this pin being received in a corresponding aperture in the end plate which serves to center the sleeve in the receiver closure. A helical compression spring 21 is contained Within sleeve 20, abutting at one end against the rear end Wall of the sleeve and extending out the other end of the sleeve and Within bore 19 to bear against a radial flange 22a on a spring centering rod 22. Flange 22a bears against the forward end of the bore 19.

It should be noted that in both Figs. 1 and 6 the bolt block 18 is shown in the cocked or retracted position, the block being engaged by a sear 23 which, as will later be described in more detail, is operable by the trigger lever 24. The sear engages a shoulder 25 formed on the underside of the block, a slot 25a extending from the shoulder to the forward end of the block. In the illustrated condition, the force of the spring 21 is resisted by engagement of the sear with the shoulder 25.

Projecting forwardly of the forward end of the bolt block 18 is the bolt 26. As shown in the drawing the bolt can be formed integrally with the block or, alternatively, it may be a separate part threaded into a suitable aperture into the block. The upper surface of the bolt is grooved as at 27 to accommodate passage of a stationary ejector lug 28 upon reciprocation of the bolt block. The groove 27 in the bolt continues into the block as at 27a. The ejector lug is attached to the top wall 14 of the receiver and as will be evident from Fig. 6, serves to trip the cartridge casing from the bolt after extraction from the barrel chamber, as will hereinafter he described. A firing pin 29 is provided in the forward end of the bolt. Beneath the bolt and adjacent its forward end is an extractor 30 attached at its rear end to the bolt block by an inset screw 31. The extractor has' sufficient resiliency to spring out at its forward end and engage, by means of a barb thereon, the rim of the cartridge casing prior to extraction of the cartridge from the chamber.

Supported in the forward portion of the receiver and adjacent the cartridge chamber is a cylindrical transfer disk 32 whose construction and manner of operation is set forth in detail in my Patent Number 2,624,241 referred to earlier herein. Transfer disk 32 is provided in its top surface with a recessed groove or trough adapted to receive a single cartridge 33. Preferably this groove is of slightly greater depth than the diameter of the cartridge, and is provided along its bottom with a coterminous supplemental depression 32a, the purpose of which will later be explained. Spaced above the top of the transfer disk and supported in part on the chamber block 13 is a sliding loading gate 34 (best seen in Figs. and 6) which can be opened to provide access to the transfer disk for insertion of a single cartridge. The loading gate 34 is generally T-shaped in plan, having a flat stern 34a which slidably rests on the base of an elongate recess 35 formed on the top of the chamber block 13. Superimposed on the top of the loading gate and serving to confine it in the recess is a top cover piece 36 which consists of an extension portion 36a which is substantially equal in width to the stern 34a of the loading gate and which overlies the full length of the recess 35, and an inverted channel shaped section forming vertically disposed side plates 36b and a top cover portion 36c spanning the side plates and overlying the transfer disk 32. The side plates 36b are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the side Walls 16 of the receiver, the former having flat lower edges which abut and rest upon the upper edges of the latter. The entire top piece 36 is secured to the chamber block 13 by means of machine screws 37 which are received through the side plates and in tapped holes in the chamber block. It will be understood, of course, that the sides of the chamber block are flattened to correspond with the side plates, and that the leading edges of the side plates can be contoured to merge smoothly with the tapered portion of the block as illustrated.

Providedin the top cover portion 360 is a loading 4 aperture 38 which is of a size to receive therethrough a single cartridge. The aperture 38 is provided with an ogive curve 38a at one end which serves to insure that the cartridges can be inserted only when the bullet portion of the cartridge is at the same end of the aperture as the curve 38a. The orientation of the aperture is such that the cartridge can be inserted only when it 1s properly positioned for subsequent operation of the transfer disk 32 later to be described.

Normally the loading aperture is closed by means of the cross bar portion of the T-shaped loading gate 34 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The stem of the loading gate (the gate is preferably formed of spring steel sheet) can be slightly bent so as to create a tight friction fit which will maintain the gate in the closed position. Below the gate is positioned a bafile or cartridge guide 39 which serves to direct cartridges downwardly into the slot or groove in the transfer disk 32. The upper edge of the baffle is spaced below the underside of the top cover portion 360 so as to provide a slot through which the loading gate can move. The baffle is secured at its opposite ends, by soldering or otherwise, to the inside surfaces of the side plates 35b.

Movement of the loading gate through open aperture 38 is accomplished by pressing forwardly toward the barrel on the thumb piece 40 which may be a horizontal cross bar affixed to the upper end of a post or pin 41 Whose lower end is firmly secured to the loading gate. The pin is received through top cover portion 360 in an elongate slot 42 having a length sufficient to permit the aperture closure portion of the loading gate to completely clear the aperture 38 when open.

In other than single cartridge loading the cartridges 33 are supplied to the transfer disk from an elongate tube-like container and magazine generally indicated at 43'. The cartridges are preferably contained within the interior of the container in side by side relationship. Pressure on the cartridges urging them toward the transfer disk is supplied by a compression spring 44 and a follower 45 having a cylindrical extension 45:: received within the spring. The spring is not of the usual rectangular or oblong type which completely fills the container, but is a helical spring circular in cross section. To provide a guide for the spring the top center of the magazine is provided with a raised longitudinal rib 43a, the upper-portion of the spring being confined within the concave underside of the rib. The rib also serves to prevent attachment of the magazine with the gun except in the fashion illustrated in the drawings.

It will be understood that the cartridge container with cartridges therein is furnished apart from the basic gun structure. Fig. 1 shows the gun without the cartridge container in place thereon, and Fig. 6 illustrates the condition when the container is installed. The container is supplied to the user with the cartridges preloaded and one end of the container closed by means of a sliding closure plate 43b, best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The other end is, of course, preferably permanently closed. As will be noted the closure plate is a flat piece of a plan conforming to the end cross section of the container. The plate is attached to the container by means of reversely bent flanges 43c on its opposite sides which define grooves or guideways which slidably engage with outturned flanges 43d formed on the ends of the side walls of the container. To remove the end closure for the container it is necessary only to exert an upward force on the bottom of the end closure as illustrated by the arrows in Fig. 8, which will slide the end closure toward the broken line position and free it completely from the container. In my invention the removal of the end closure is accomplished as the magazine is installed on the gun, as will presently be described.

It will be noted from Fig. 7 that at that end of the container 43 on which is mounted the'sliding closure 4311, the open spring channel formed by rib 43a is closed by a tab 43s, thus to maintain the spring and follower mechanism within the container once all cartridges have been dispensed. A downturned fillet 43 is also provided at the mouth of the container, this fillet preventing insertion of the cartridges in the container in any position other than one in which they will be delivered in proper orientation to the cartridge transfer disk 32.

In its installed or connected relationship with the gun body, the forward end of the container 43 is received between two parallel members 46 which are extensions of the side plates 36:: of the top cover piece 36 previously described. These plates are so spaced that the cartridge container can be inserted between them and moved downwardly from the broken line position illustrated in Fig. 6. In the broken line position, the rearward end of the container 43 has been preliminarily engaged under the lip 17b on extension 17a. The rib 43a is received in the gap between the discontinuous portions of the rib. As the cartridge container is moved downwardly from the broken line position of Fig. 6, the lower edges of the reversely bent flanges 430 on the cartridge closure plate are engaged by the upper edges of the members 46. As pressure is continued, the flanges 43d on the container move into corresponding vertical grooves 49 (see Fig. 1) formed in the extensions. Thus, as downward movement of the cartridge container continues, the end closure 43b is held stationary, and when the container reaches the full down position the end closure will be completely disengaged.

As the container reaches the full down position it is locked in this position by a latching means which in the preferred embodiment includes a latch member 50 having a beveled upper face. The latch member is pivoted, through an arm 51 and pin 52, to the cover portion 350 of the cover piece near the rearward edge thereof. The rearward edge of the cover piece lies in the path of the container closure 43b so that it assists in displacing the closure from the container during installations as above described. The latching member is continually urged into the latching position by a leaf spring 55. It will be evident that the latch member is capable of being displaced as the container is moved into its down position, and when this down position has been reached, will return again to the illustrated position wherein a portion of the latch 50 overlies and engages the top of the container.

It will be understood that the cartridge container 43 can be constructed of any suitable material. I prefer, however, a light weight plastic having suflicient rigidity that it will remain locked on the gun once installed. Normal manufacturing tolerances in the formation of grooves 49 and lip 17b will permit enough freedom of movement of the container to accomplish installation as described above.

Returning now to the transfer disk 32 and its associated operating mechanism, it should be noted that in principle the disk is the same as that disclosed in my aforesaid Patent Number 2,624,241. The disk is supported for rotation about a vertical axis by means of a depending stub shaft 56 which is received in a suitable vertical bore in the chamber block 13. The transfer disk is oscillatable between two positions 90 apart, one position being that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, where the cartridge groove is transverse to the axis of the barrel, and the other position being one in which the groove is aligned with the cartridge chamber b. Rotation of the disk is limited to 90 by means of a stop pin 57 which projects into an arcuate slot 58 (Fig. 2) on the lower edge of the disk, whose length is equivalent to the 90 permissible rotation of the disk.

Rotation of the disk from the position of Fig. 6 to the position in which the cartridge slot is aligned with the chamber is accomplished by means of a disk actuator extension 59 which is secured to the bolt block 18 and which extends forwardly therefrom adjacent and parallel to one side wall of the receiver (Figs. 1 and 2). At the free end of the disk actuator extension there is provided an upwardly extending lug 59a which is arranged to engage within a recess 60 in the lower edge of the disk. As the block moves forward the actuator lug 59a enters this recess and applies a turning force to the disk which continues until the actuator is forward of the transverse center plane of the disk. Once past this point further rotative movement of the disk is accomplished through the over center mechanism detailed in Fig. 3 and later to be described. Forwardly of the transfer disk, an open path for the actuator is provided in the form of a longitudinal groove 61 in chamber block 13 (Fig. 1).

As is shown in Fig. 3, the over-center mechanism comprises a pin 62 extending laterally through the stub shaft 56, the pin being provided with a yoke 63. Pivotally connected with this yoke is a thrust link 64. The link is located within a recess 65 formed in the bottom of the center block. A coiled compression spring 66 encircles the link, tending at all times to apply a thrust to yoke 63. As the actuator extension lug 59a rotates the disk and its stub shaft counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3, the yoke link and spring mechanism will move through dead center, and after movement through dead center the latter mechanism will continue the movement of the disk toward the other extreme. As mentioned previously, the degree of rotation of the disk is governed by the stop pin 57 and slot 58. The link 64 is guided by a necked portion 65a of recess 65 through which it slidably extends, the free end of the link being located within a small chamber 65b of a size sufficient to permit the displacement necessary for operation.

While rotation of the transfer disk into firing position has been described, it will be understood that reverse rotation into cartridge receiving position is accomplished in much the same manner. Here the disk actuator extension lug 59a is drawn rearwardly past the disk, again engaging in the recess 60 and rotating the disk sufficiently to move the over-center mechanism to the point where it will again insure return of the transfer disk to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6.

It will, of course, be understood that I have explained only in a general way the details of the transfer disk and actuating mechanism. For a more detailed explanation reference may be made to my previous Patent Number 2,624,241.

Manual cocking of the bolt block 18 can be accomplished through rearward pressure applied to the finger extension 67 on cocking push rod 68. This push rod is housed within a tube 69 located to one side of and beneath the barrel 10. The forward end of the tube is supported on a barrel mounting 70 and the rearward end is carried by a similar mounting 71 extending from that portion of the barrel immediately adjacent the forward end of the receiver. The push rod 68 is aligned with the forward end of the transfer disk actuating extension 59 and moves in the same groove 61 in the chamber block in which the extension moves. Normally, the push rod is urged into the forward position illustrated by means of a spring 72 encircling the push rod and within the tube. However, by pulling rearwardly on the finger extension 67 the push rod can be brought into engagement with the end of the actuating extension 59 and as pressure continues to be applied, the extension together with the attached bolt 18 will be moved rearwardly into the receiver until it is engaged by sear 23. A continuous slot 69a is provided in the underside of the tube 69 (as shown in Fig. 2), thus permitting the necessary movement of the finger extension and plunger in the tube.

As has previously been noted, one of the features of my invention resides in the point of discharge from the gun of unfired cartridges or spent casings. This feature will now be described. Returning again to Fig. 6, it will be observed that the hand grip 12 of the gun is positioned so that its upper end lies below the space opened up between the bolt block 18 and transfer disk 32 as the bolt block is. moved into its retracted position. The hand grip. is constructed so that it is provided with a hollow central portion forming a passageway 74 which communicates at its upper end with the. interior of the space in the receiver previously mentioned. The hand grip may be of the type having a rigid metal frame 75 which includes the trigger guard 76. On either side of the frame contoured hand grip side portions 77 are secured by any suitable means such as screws 78 (see Fig. 1). The passageway 74 communicates with an opening at the butt end of the hand grip, this opening being of sufiicient size to permit passageway therethrough of whole cartridges which may not have been fired or of spent casings.

In order not to impede the free movement of the cartridges from the receiver to the passageway in the hand grip, I have devised the sear actuating mechanism detailed in Figs. 4 and 6. It will be noted that the sear 23 forms the rear portion of a lever 79 contained in a suitable recess in the hand grip frame. Lever 79 is pivoted to the frame by a pin 80 and a coil spring 81 serves to continually urge the sear into the upper or bolt engaging position. Forwardly of the pin 80 the lever is provided with an offset extension 79a which is curved to lie closely adjacent one side of the passageway 74. The free end of the extension makes lapping contact with another arcuate extension 81a carried. by a lever 81 pinned at 82 to the handle frame above the trigger guard. This lever is likewise contained within a suitable recess in the frame. Connected with the sec ond lever and operable to rotate it about pin 82 is the trigger 24.

The operation of the invention will be described in sequence, beginning with the condition of the gun and gun action as illustrated in Fig. 1. In this condition the bolt block is in the cocked or retracted position with the sear engaging the bolt block as previously described.

To begin with, a cartridge container 43 equipped With the end closure 43b and preloaded with cartridges 33 is positioned on the top of the receiver with its rearward end engaged with the lip 17:) on extension 17a and with its forward end slightly above the rear edge of cover portion 35c. This is the position illustrated by the broken lines in Fig. 6. The forward end of the cartridge container is then moved downwardly so that the end closure is engaged by the side plates 46 with the container moving downward therebetween. As movement of the container downwardly continues, the end closure plate will be removed, and when in the full down position the container will be engaged by the latch 50. Removal of the end plate establishes communication from the container to the transfer disk, and immediately upon installation of the magazine the cartridges will be moved into the position illustrated in Fig. 6. The gun is now ready for firing.

Upon squeezing of the trigger the

levers

81a and 7% cause the sear 23 to depress, disengaging it from the shoulder 25 in the bolt block 18. Under the influence of the firing spring 21 the bolt block will be moved forwardly. As the forward lug 59a of the disk actuator 59 strikes in the disk recess 60, the disk will be set in rotary motion, thus bringing the cartridge slot in the disk into alignment with the chamber b prior to the time that the bolt 26 arrives in the slot. As forward movement continues the bolt engages the cartridge, forcing it from the slot into the chamber. The extractor moves through the supplemental depression 32a, and the cartridge behind the one in the disk groove is cammed out of the way of the bolt by the forward lip,32b of the groove. Since the extractor barb leads the firing pin of the bolt, the cartridge will be forced into the chamber by the extractor and there is no danger of premature firing. However, once the cartridge is firmly lodged into the chamber, the extractor springs around the rim of the cartridge and the fiing pin contacts the cartridge dettr nator.

Upon firing of the cartridge the explosive force causes the bolt block to be thrust rearwardly, the empty cartridge case being extracted from the barrel due to engagement of the extractor barb with the rim of the cartridge. The bolt and cartridge case slide back through the transfer disk slot and thence rearwardly to a position where the ejector 28 engages the top of the cartridge and trips it downwardly. Since the ejector 28 is positioned above the passageway 74 in the hand grip 12, the cartridge case is tripped directly thereinto and is directed through the passageway to the butt end of the hand grip where it falls free of the gun. After the cartridge case has passed the transfer disk in its rearward travel, the lug 59a on the disk actuator again trips the disk 32 through its rotation, placing the disk in its initial position to receive another cartridge from the magazine.

So long as the trigger is squeezed, the gun will continue to fire in automatic fashion. Once released, however, the trigger permits the sear to again rise to its lo'cking position whereupon during the next succeeding retraction the bolt will be engaged and further firing prevented until the trigger is again squeezed.

When the cartridge container has been completely emptied of cartridges, it can be quickly removed and either thrown away or saved for reloading. Another container can be installed on the gun immediately, the same procedure as previously described being carried out.

In case single shot action of the gun is desired, access to the transfer disk slot can be obtained through opening of the loading gate 34. The plate is opened by merely forcing back on the thumb piece 38 to slide the gate free of the aperture 38 to expose the cartridge slot in the transfer disk. The cartridge then can be manually introduced through the opening thus created, and after introduction the cover plate can again be closed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a gun assembly, a gun body having a cartridge inlet and breech mechanism, a tubular combined cartridge container and magazine unit for installation on said gun body, a removable end closure at one end of said unit, means on said gun body operable to connect said unit with said gun with said one end adjacent said cartridge inlet, and means carried by the gun body and operable, upon movement of said unit into connected position, to forcibly remove said end closure thereby to establish communication between the interior of said unit and said cartridge inlet.

2. A gun assembly as in claim 1 wherein said closure comprises an element slidably connected with said unit for removal in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the unit.

3. In a gun assembly, a gun body having a cartridge inlet and breech mechanism, a tubular combined cartridge container and magazine unit for installation on said gun body and normally sealed at both ends, means on the gun body for receiving and connecting said unit thereto with one end of said unit adjacent said cartridge inlet, and means also on the gun body operable, upon 2,ssa,ess

installment of the unit, to engage and open said one end of the unit to establish communication between the interior of said unit and said cartridge inlet.

4. In a gun assembly, a gun body having a cartridge inlet and a breech mechanism, a tubular combined cartridge container and magazine for installation on said gun body and normally sealed at both ends, means on the gun body for receiving and connecting said unit thereto with one end of said unit adjacent said cartridge inlet, a plurality of cartridges in said unit, resilient means within said unit urging said cartridges toward said one end, and means also on the gun body operable, upon installment of the unit, to engage and open said one end of said unit to establish communication between the interior of the unit and said cartridge inlet.

5. In a gun assembly, a gun body equipped with a barrel, a lateral extension on said body, a transverse lip carried by said extension and spaced from the body, a tubular combined cartridge container and magazine unit capable of being positioned relative said gun body with one end loosely engaged by said lip and the other end spaced away from said body, said lip being constructed and arranged to permit swinging movement of said other end toward the gun body while still holding said one end in close association with the body, a removable closure on said other end of said unit, closure engaging means on the body operable to engage said closure and remove same as said unit is swung toward the body, said gun body being provided with a cartridge inlet oriented to form a continuation of the interior of said unit when said unit reaches its final position on the body, and manually releasable latching means operable to latch said other end to the gun body in the final position.

6. A gun assembly as in claim wherein said removable closure is slidably connected with said other end for displacement in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the unit, said closure engaging means providing surfaces lying in the path of the gun confronting edge of said closure whereby said surfaces engage and hold said closure stationary while said unit is being swung toward the body.

7. In a gun assembly, a gun body equipped with a barrel, a lateral extension on said body, a transverse lip carried by said extension and spaced from the body, a tubular combined cartridge container and magazine unit capable of being positioned relative said gun body with one end of said unit loosely engaged by said lip and the other end spaced away from said body, said lip being constructed and arranged to permit swinging movement of said other end toward the gun body while still holding said one end in close association with the body, a removable closure on said other end of said unit, a plurality of cartridges in said unit, resilient means within said unit urging said cartridges toward said closure, closure engaging means on the body operable to engage said closure and remove same as said unit is swung toward the body, said gun body being provided with a cartridge inlet oriented to form a continuation of the interior of said unit when said unit reaches its final position on the body, and manually releasable latching means operable to latch the other end to the gun body in the final position.

8. In a gun assembly, a gun body having thereon a pair of spaced parallel and laterally extending plate members, means adjacent said plate members forming a cartridge inlet for the gun, a combined cartridge container and magazine unit of tubular construction, the Width of said unit in one direction being only slightly less than the distance between said plates, one end of said unit being open and having laterally extending flanges on opposite sides thereof, a closure element for said one end having guideways at its opposite edges adapted to slidably surround said flanges whereby said closure element is disconnectable from said unit by impelling it in a direction parallel to said flanges, said plate members being provided with flange-receiving grooves in Which the flanges of said unit are slidably received as said unit is inserted between said plate members, the outermost edges of said plate members around said grooves arranged to engage one edge of said closure element and hold same stationary while said unit is inserted between said plate members thereby to disconnect said closure element from said unit and establish communication between the interior of said unit and said cartridge inlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,275,213 Wise Mar. 3, 1942 2,479,770 Olson Aug. 23, 1949 2,659,173 Capito Nov. 17, 1953 2,711,041 Harvey June 21, 1955 2,758,403 Hill Aug. 14, 1956 2,773,325 Hill Dec. 11, 1956 2,780,881 Crittendon et al Feb. 12, 1957