US625326A - dbsggs - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 23, IBQQ.

d. C. TASKER.

RECUiL OPERATED GUN.

Application filed him. 1'7. 159B.\

7 Sheets-Sheet 1.

LNG Model.

Patented may 23, 18955.

TASKER.

w. H. mamas @av. 12.

RECUQL OPERATED GUY.

(Application filed mar. 17, 189B.)

7 Sheets5heei 2.

Witnesses No. 625,326. Patented May 23, I899. w. H. BRIGGS at v. c. TASKER.

R'rICDIL OPERATED GUN.

Applicmion filed Mar. 17 189B 7 Sheets8heet 3.

Model.)

I/Witnesses No. 625,326. Patented May 23. I899. w. H. amass & v. c. TASKER.

REGOIL GPEHATED GUN.

(Application filed Mar. 17, 189B 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

qwi'bmeoocs g7} 2/2 m l f b u Warn) d Mtented may 23, i899. BQEEQS (i J. B. TASKER BESS. SPERATED GUN.

{Application filed ma 17, 1899.;

7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

.1 and N0. 625,326. Patented ma 22., R8959. w. H. mamas & v. c. TASKER.

BECGIL OPERATED GUN.

(Application filed Mar. 17, 1898.) (980 Model.)

it 1H. A .A

@Hcmwggg Pmmea m 23, I899. 4. v. 'EAQKER.

mam. ss msman mm.

[Application fled Mar. 17, 1898.)

7 Shsets-5heei 7.

QXMMM as will enable others skilled in the art to which for operating the same, in means for operthe breech-block and extractor by hand, if

rear portion of the opposite represents a side elevation, partly in section,

Fig. 6 represents a UNITED STATES; PATENT @FFECE.

WILLIAM HALE DRIGGS AND VERNON "TRICT OF COLUMBIA; SAID TASKER *GUNl'tNl AMMUNITION COMPANY,

(J. TASK EH, OF \VASIIINGTON, DIS ASSIGNOR TO THE DRIGGS-SEABU RY OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

RECON-OPERATED GUN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,326, dated May 23, 1899.

Application filed March 17, 1898- To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM IIALE DRIGGS and VERNON C. TASKER, citizens of the'United States, residing'at \Vashingtou, 5 in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Ordnance; and we do hereby (lec'lare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in rapid-fire guns; and it consists, principally, in improved breech mechanism and means ating the breech-block and extractorsemi-automatieally or through the energy stored up in a spring or on the recoil of the gun, and also in means for independently operating desired, and also in other novel details of c0nstruction and combinations and arrangements of parts, that will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same letters throughout the several views- Figure 1 represents a side elevation ot'fite of the gun from the trnnniotrs' to the breech, the mount being shown in sec'-' 'tion and parts being broken away. Fig. 2 represents a plan view ofthe structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a sideelevation side of the breech of the gun from that shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away Fig. 4 represents a central vertical section through the recoil-cylinder and contiguous parts of the gun and mount. Fig. 5

of the forward end of the sighting-arm,parts being broken away, and illustrates the manner of connecting the sightingarm to the gun and shows details of the'firin'g mechanism. detail view, partlyin section, along the line 4 6 of Fig. 7, of the rocking'slide and other parts of the gun-mount, the gun itself being removed and parts being brokenaway'. Fig. 7 representsa double see- Serlal No. 674.226. (No model.)

tion, the right half of said figure beingalongso the line 7 'i'aud tlieleft sid ing along the line '7 7 of stances e of the figure be Fig., 6, in both inlooking in the direction of the arrows. I

Fig. 8 represents a detail view along the line. 8 8 of Fig. 7, but showing a modified form'of the balancing-supports for the trunnions of the rocking slide. through the breech of the gun along the broken line 9 direction of the arrows.- a rear view of the breech in section, along the broken line 10 10 of Fig. 9 9 11 of Fig. said figure, the breech-block, however, being shown in the open posit sent-s a similar view to that 1 from the gun, and illustrates the location and operation of the extractors. resents a front view of mg section through the breech-block along Fig. 14 is a perspective vievi of the tiringshatt as detached from the gun. represents a perspective view of the block ag detached from the gun. 'represents a perspective view of the operating shaft and the arms carried thereby. Fig: 17 represents a rear view Mom of the 80 extractors detached from the gun. represents a side elevation'of one of tractors as engaging a cartridge-case. Fig. 19 represents a tors.

Fig. 9 represents a section 9 of Fig. 10 and looking in the Fig. 10 represents 60 of the gun, partly Fig. ll represents a section along th'eline l0 and looking to the left in the ion. Fig. 12 represhown in'Fig. 1, except that the breech-block is removed Fig. 13 repthe firing-pin, show-' adjacent parts of the the line 13 13 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 breeelr Fig. 16 breech- Fig. 18 the explan view of one of the extrac- Fig. 21in a perspeefor automaticon counter-re- Fig. 22 is a section on the line 22 22 of Fig. 23 repre- Fig. 24 is a plan View ring mechanism, and Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the trigger and parts con- 7 tiguous thereto as detached from the gun.

Fig. 20 represents a section on the line -85 20 20 of Fig. 9 and illustrates the action of the cam fox-automatically opening the breech-1 block on counter-recoil. tive view of the pivoted cam ally openingthe breech-block coil. Fig. 10, looking to the left. sents a section on the line 23 23 of Figs. 9 and 10 and looking down. of part of the sighting-arm and illustrates de-. tails of'the fi A represents the body of the gun, which is screwed or otherwise secured into the band B, provided withdovetail guides band with the U -shaped downwardly-projecting portion B. These guides I) slide in gnideways c in the .rocking slide 0, which rocking slide is provided with trunnions 0, supported on the yoke F of the mount F and inclosed by the.

usual cap-squares D.

In order to lessen the friction of the rocking slide on its trunnions, and also throw the center of suspension of the rocking slide at about the axis of the trunnions instead of at the base thereof; the trunnions are recessed, 4 as at c, (see Figs. 3, .of the rocking slide,

7, and 8,) and the weight gun, and connected parts is suspended on the supporting-pins E, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, or E, asshown in Fig. 8. These supporting-pins may be screwed in and locked by the set-screw e as. shown'in Figs. 3 and-7, the yoke F being slotted, as at pins,

f, and'the pin E being providedwith holes e for capstan-bars, whereby the pin E may be adjusted for wear either on the pin or on the trunnions, andthe weight of the gun or a large portion thereof may be supported on these or instead of this mode of adjustment the mode of adjustment shown in Fig. 8 may be adopted, wherethe pin ,E is recessed at e to receive the spindle a, passing through the cup-springs e. These springs should be so ad'- justedas to take theeutire weight or nearly the'entire weight of the gun, and thus relieve the pressure on the base of the trnnnions.

.By arranging the spindle and cup-springs as shown in Fig. 8 the pin E maybe removed and the spindle, with the cup-springs, may be withdrawn from its recess for cleaning, repair,- or other purposes, the gun and rocking slide being oi course first lifted from the mount. By this arrangement of central support for .the trunnions the gun is supported on' a line at right angles to orintersecting the axis of the bore, and thus thetendency of the gun or rocking slide to roll back on its trunnion-seat and produce the error known as jump is in a large measure, if not wholly, avoided.

It will be seen that the pins For E, which should be made of resilient material, preferwill spring back when the gun is fired, causing the shock of recoil to-be taken on-the'rear portion of the trimnion-seat, as is ordinarily the case.

- By having the lower side of the trunnions provided with a recess 0', as shown'in Figs. 3, 7, and 8, the liability of dust,dirt, grease, snow, or other foreignnnattcr to accumulate in the recess or ab ut the trunnion-support is obviated.

a U-shapcd down are prcjection (3, closed recoil-cylinder 'G passes,

base it" en a in in D b b v which piston is 13, fast, to the band tween it and the rockingslide g any accident due to the partsylie ng out of in front and perforated ate, with the socket a in front of the perforation c In through this perforation 0" the piston-rod H of the which piston-rod is held in place by a nut H, having a spherical the socket c, and thus allowing suflicient freedom of motionof the piston-rod I-I about its front bearing. This piston-rod H is preferably reduced at its rear end and is provided with screw threads 71?, (see Fig. 4,) over which screws the normally held between the cylinder-head G and the spring I.

Both ends of the recoil-cylinder are pro-- vided with suitable stuifing-box-es G, and the interiorof the recoil-cylinder is provided with a tapered groove g, to allow the passage of the fluid from one sideof the piston to the other as the gun recoils. The spring I should piston H be normally under tension and strong enough to return the gunto the initial position on counter-recoil. The forwardend of.the re-v coil cylinder' is preferably-tapened, as at g and g, to pass freely into the U-shapcd pro jection 0 should the parts be out of shoement somewhat, while the rear portion of the cylinder G is provided witha spherical rib g, engaging in the correspondingannular recess 12 at..the rear end of the U shaped projection I5, whereby the piston is held and centered in position, whilefet the same time s'ufiicient freedoin'ofniotion or the too cylinder about the front bearing of the'piston-rod is provided for. By this construction of the reeoil'cylinderand-connections beand gun-mount alinement is avoided,

with a lug or pin secured under tension, by means of which spring the breech is closed antomatically'after counter-recoil, as will be fully described. This spring L is connected,-

- The downward projection 13: is provided b towhich thespri'ng L is by means-of the turnbuckle L, ,to'the. lug or pin n on the handlever N, secured to the rock-shaft M, by means of-whic'h; thebreecli mechanism is operated. By means of this hereinafter more.

turnbuckle L' the tension of the spring L may be adjusted as required, which tension should be suliicient to always close the breech after it has been opened, but at the same time-not excessive enough to- -prevent the easy open ing of the breech by the hand-lever N when desired, this'hand-lever acting againstthe tension of said'epring.

The opening of the breech is normally effected automatically by .will hereinafter be described; but it 15 ,fre-

the mechanism that quently desirable, especially in drillingto open the breech by hand, and with the hereindescribed mechanism this' also may be done when desired.

- K represents lhebreech-block, which slides in its chamber in rear of the powder-chamher of thegnn. in rear of the gun is provided with the ribs This breech-block chamber a, one on each side, inclined at the rear, as at 40 in front of the rounded shoulder a, which rib and shoulder are set at a small angle, preferably about three degrees, with a line at right angles to the axis of the bore, so as to wedge the breech-block home when it is raised. to the closed position.

-lhc sides of the breech-block are provided with the straight ribs 7 and 7;", with the surfaces 7t" and 7; adapted to register with those of therib a and incline (L2, while the rear face of the block is rounded at its outer edges to register with the rounded shoulder a. The top of the breech-block is recessed, as at 7;, which recess slopes forward and downward, as at M, so that-it will receive the projectile or cartridge-ease, and the rim of the latter will be wedged down this incline 75 during the first stages of. raising the breech-block after the fixed ammunition has been putin thegnn.

,' '1he rear-of the gun terminates in the U- shaped rib A ,.roundcd outward and downward, so asto admit the free passage-of the projectile into the here from the rear when the breech-block is in the open position, as shown in Fig. 11. The frontportion of the breech-block is provided with the T-shaped central chamber K, the wider upper portion of which I is partly shut in by the ribs it, against which the cam-faces m of the camhead M? of the operating -arm M engage. The operating-arm is rigidly attached to the rock-shaft M. The upper'side of the head M is rounded, as at 172*, and engages the upper wall of the chamber K. Thus the surfaces m cam the breech-block upward into the closed position, while the cam-su riaces m cam the breech-block downward toward the open position. The 'forward portion 7.2 of the cam-face k is concentric with the axis of the rock-shaft M, allowing extra movement ofthe cain head M after the block is in the highest'position to lock the same. By reference to FigQll it will be seen that the arm M" will act on the breech-block as-a short lever-arm when beginning to raise the block, thus starting the block slowly with great power, and that the .leverarm increases with corresponding increase of speed until the block is in nearly the highest position, the iinal act of wedging the block into the tightlyclosed position being eil'ected by the powerful cainming effect of the cam M on the camsuri'acc as shown in Fig. 9, whilein opening'the breech-block the slow but powerful starting client is seen red by the cam-surfaces, and then the block is moved rapidly down- Wvard by the lever-arm, supplemented by the weight of the block and the parts moving therewith, until the block is arrested by striking the upper surface of the arm N near its pivot as shown in Fig. 11, when the said arm reaches the lower limit of its travel. 'lheposition of the'rock-shaft normally below and in front o'f the breech-block, together with the ad vantages of operation just described, makes it possible'to use a shortand light operatingarm, on which the block is supported from beneath instead of the longheavy arm and binding support most common in the art. Moreover, great ease and convenience of manipulation are secured, and the parts referred to are placed in a position clear'of the loading apparatus and of the rim of the cartridge case and protected against the enemys projectiles and also againstsand, dirt, rain, &c

"lhebreech-block is provided with a recess for the firing-pin terminating in the pin-hole 7;, through which the point of the firing-pin is projected when the gun is fired.

The extractors R consist of the vertical plates R, bent at right angles at R and terminating in the engaging rib R which are curved, as at r, to engage in front ofthe rim' .2 of the cartridge-case Z, while the backs of these ribs 1;- are rounded somewhat, as at r, to form a pivot for the extractor duringvthe operation of starting the cartridge-ease to the rear after the gun has been fired. The lower portion of the extractor is provided with two oppositelydisposed lugs R' and R, which project into the curved recess A inv the wall of the breeeh-block chamberand the groove K in the side of the breech-block, respectively.

The lug R is flattened, as at R, on the side opposite to the rib R to lock the breech-block in the open position, as will be hereinafter described. The lug R travels in the camgroove K in the side of the breech-"block, which cam-groove has the operating portion is, adapted to move the heelof the extractor forward as the breech is opened and rearward as the breech is closed, and also the large portion k open to the front, which permits the breech-block to bewithdrawn-from its seat without beingimpeded by the lugs of the extractors. N ear the upperend of this cam portion 70 of the groove K the lower wall of this groove terminates in the fiat shoulderk adapted to engagebeneath the fiat'surface r of the lug R when the extractor is in the rear-. ward position and the breech-blockis inlthe open position. moved down by the rotation of the rock-shaft M the lug R of the extractor is cammed for-.

ward in the groove K of the breech-block, while the lug R" moves forward in the groove A in the wall of the breech-block chamber. When the breech-blockreaches the lower or open position, as indicated in Fig. I], the lug R will have passed out of the groove k into the recess 75, and the'plane face 1' will be above and will engage the shoulder 73, thus preventing the breech-block from moving upward until theJextract-or has been moved for ward far eno gh to release the engagement of the plane shrface r and theshoulder it, I

The loading of the gunwill automatically trip the extractor out of engagement with the shoulder 7J8, because as the cartridge-case is shoved home the rim of the cartridgecase will engage the rib R and will push the ex tractor forward fromthe position shown in full lines in Fig. 12 toward that shown in dot- Thus as the breech-blockfis ted lines in said figure, and the breech-block will then be free to be moved upward in the closed position either by hand or by the automatic attachment that will herein be de scribed.

It will be obvious that the breech may be opened and closed and the extractors operated by means of the hand-lever N; but the breech is preferably opened by means of the automatic attachment that will now be described and closed by means of the spring L. a

The automatic breech-opening mechanism includes two perforated arms attached to or integral with the rearward-projecting arm 0 of the rocking slide, between which arms 0 the cam-plate Q is pivoted, as at g". This cam-plate is normally pressed inward by the spring Q? engaging in a. recess 0 in the web 0'', spanning the upper portion of the arms 0 The inward travel of the pivoted cam-plate is limited by the lug g which engages beneath the lower face of the W'ebc, while this lug terminates in two arms qh'between which the bell-crank'lever Q is'pivoted, having the short arm q, adapted to engage the log 0 and thus by a motion of this-bell-crank lever from the'position shown in full lines to; that shown in dotted lines in Fig. the cam-plate swung backward from the engaging position to the position in which it will be out Of engagement with the operating mechanism,

when all the parts engaged in opening the breech may be'operated entirely by hand.

. Thus the automatic breech-opening mechan- 33 ment as desired.

and certai-ti inclined faces ism may be thrown into and out of engageis provided with a cam Q q to g, which will be hereinafter more'fully described.

The rock-shaft M has an arm P, provided the cam Q "The oameplate and opens the breech automatically on coun-- ter' rccoilL. This operation is as follows: The lug p is normally either in front'of or in engagenient with the inclined face q ofthe camgun is fired and recoils this lug 1) moves to the rear with the gun, sliding up the inclined face q and wedging the cam.- plate Q; outward against the action of thespring Q As soon as the lug ppasses beyond the end q of the inclined face q the camlate t) springs inward again to the normal pos ti'on, (shown in full lines in Fig. 20,)and as the gun "moves forward on counter-recoil 6 no to the en srgy stored up in the spring I the'lug p movesdown the curved face 1 of the cam Q, causing. the arm P to revolve the rock-shaft M far enough to open the breech-block. When the lug 1) has reached the lower part if of the cam .Q', the breech-block is in the open position and the lug P moves out of engagement with the cam and would slide upward and press gun is the cam-surface Q5 until it, jumps ov-sr the slfoulder r along the rear face q were it not for the fact that the extractor locks the As soon when the breech to release the breeclrblock, which may be done either by hand or automaticallyiby the insertion of a new cartridge-case, as in loading the gun, the breech-block is released, and

the spring L, acting on the lever-arm'N; rotates the ro ck-sha'ft M, moving the. breechblock up to the closed position. At the same time the lug p returns to the initial position relative to the cam-face q'. Thus it will-be seen that when the gun is fired it recoils and the breech-block is opened on counter-recoil and locked-in the open position until the reloaded or until the breech-block is purposely released, when the breechis automatically close Moreover, it will be obvious that the operation of the cam Q'takes place wholly on counter-recoil and that this operation is not affected by the distance through which the gun recoils, provided the recoil be sufficient to carry the lug p from one side of the cam Q to the other side thereof. It will also be evident that the automatic arrangement'does not interfere with the operatioumf the breech mechanism by hand, if desired. I

In order to provide adequate rigidity to the rear end of thea'rrn C near the camplate Q, and also to still further prevent the. error known as jumpf the breech ofthe' gun may be provided with dovetail guides a, sliding in guideways 0 in the arm G of the rocking slide, as shown in Figs'.10 and20. Thus the object of the additional-rear bearing is principally to increase the leverage of the bearing-surfaces that prevent jump. Theshort sliding connection between the sleeve B and rocking slide 0 obviously permits more freedom of motion in a vertical plane than in this construction, where the guide isp'ractt cally withthe same necessary clearance between sliding surfaces there should-be only aboutone-fourth as much jump possible. Thus the error due to weanto yielding of the parts on recoil, or to lack of .truenes's in the sliding contact between the gun and the rocking slide is reduced by increasing the distance apart of the hearingsurfaces between the gun and the rocking slide.

In order-to provide for the ready removal ofipth'ebree'ch-block from the gun for any purp s A, p rojccting beneath the breech of the gun, which hook is provided with the Hpsu no jecting laterally therefrom; These lips a eugage beneath correspouding lugs nPand 17,

made four times as long. Therefore the rocbshaft M is journa'ledin the hook projectinginward from the end plate 'n' and the lower side of the arm P, as shown in Fig; 16, which lugs 01. and b -pass out of engagement with the lower face'of the lips (IF-when the breech-block is raised slightly beyond the closed position, but. engage the block is fully or partly closed, and thus if the breech-block is closed and raised slightly beyond the closed position these lugs otha'nd 1''" may be swung clear of the lips (1 the rock-shaft may be lifted out said lips a" i of the hooks A and then the breech-block, rocl-z shaf t, &c., may be thrown out of engagement with the gun and removed and a fresh breech-block, rock-shaft, &c., inserted orsub- .5 stitntion may be made, as may be desired.

. ,l It will be seen that the meansforoperating 'the breech-block wh'etherautoinatically or by hand,for locking the breech-block in the open position, for operating the extractors, and in to general the means. for operating the breech mechanism, which have herein been described, arein no sense limited to any spe- 1 oific form of firingmechanisni, audit is our purpose to apply any suitableordesired form g'of firing 'mechanismvto the invention already. .described. We have shown, however, a preferred form of firing mechanism, in which T '-represent's a'sliding trigger-plate mounted in guides beneath the rib c of the sightingarm C and terminating in a trigger t, which trigger may be provided with a suitable guard, (not shown,)-if desired." This sliding triggerplate T is provided near its forward end with a recess, terminating in the lug t,-in which recessand the recess 0 of the rib 0 the springT' is mounted. This spring normally presses forward the plate T, which plate is provided with a lug i", adapted to engage the arm V on the shaft V, as shown in Figs. :22 3c and 25.

The firing mechanism is operated from the shaft -V in a manner that will hereinafter be described. The sliding plate T has secured g thereto a resilient plate T terminating on a 3 hook 15 which hook normally engages thelu 0 (see Figs. 5, 22, and 24,) secured-to or integral with the arm 0 When the, lug p is raised to the highest position, which takes place only when the breech-block is closed 4c and locked, the last part of its travel during the time the cam M moves along the face 75 1 will cause it to press up beneath this resilient plate T until the hook i is released from onv gagemcnt with the lug c, and thus the plate T may be drawn to the rear only when the breech is in the closed and locked position,

thus affo'rdingan automatic means for preventing the gun from being fired by the firing mechanism when the. breech-block is in any 150- ;but'the fully closed and locked position.

The shaft vV is pivoted in a chamber (t across the breechof-the gun and is provided I with the cooking and firing toe V This too .when inserted or removed slides ina suitab'lef groove af (see Fig. 12) in the breech of the .gun,.which groove at its central portion is .-widened to allow the toe V? to rotate through the desired angle. One end of the shaft V is inclosed by the coil-spring V the ends of do which s 'n-ing engage in the recess 1) in the arm V and in a suitable recess in the body of the gun. The spring is normally under tension, tending to rotate the shaft V so as to cause. the toe-V to project forward into the vertical groove a in the path of the arm 10 of the cocking-lever W, which is pivoted at w in the breech-block. Thus the toe V sition for cocking the firing mechanism.

norm ally holds the cocking-lever in the cooked position, as shown in Fig; 9,.ortendsto engage the sear as the breech-block is returned to the closed position, as shown in Figs-11. As the plate T is drawn to the rear,'as in fir-, ing the gun, the shoulder t pulls the toe V out of engagement with the cocking-lever NV and allows the spring-operated firing-pin to fire the gun; After the gun ,isfired the spring T will return the sliding plateTto theinitial position, while the spring V will throw ,the toe V forward agaimwhich toe will be. pressed backward into its recess a asthe armd/V of the cocking-lever XV passes in'openingthe breech-block and will spring forwand again tothe position shown in Fig. 11 as the breechblock is opened, being then in a suitablepo- 5 The firing-pin X is operated by the spring X, bearing against the head 00 of the firingpin and also against the bushing X screwed into the rear of the breech-block 'lhishead a: is slotted, as at m, to permit the passage of the head past the pins Y,- which pins are mounted in the breechblock, near its forward face, and project slightly into the cavity for the firing-pin. These pins Y maybe secured in the breech-block in any convenient way, but are preferably provided with enlarged heads, screw-threaded, as at y, and screwed into the breech-block, as shown in Fig. 11.

The cocking-lever V is in the form ofa bell-crank lover, the short arm w of which engages the cooking and releasing toe V while the upper and longer arm 10 engages in an elongated recess 01: in the firing-pin X. The base of the firing-pin is provided with an opening :0 in front -of the rearpiece ac for cocking by hand, as with a hook or-lanyardor in any other convenient way. I

. also through a slot in the lower sid'e'of the buShingX and the front face of this arm is ,curved forward slightly, so as, to project into the cavity for the firingpin and to take up the rearward pressure of the spring X 'while the firing-pin is in the forward position. Thus in this position the spring X would press against the arm :0 of the cocking-lever instead of against the bushing X and would cause the sear to press rearward agai'nstthe firing-pin, removing the point of the firingpin from the'face ofthe breecli-block'after the gun had been fired. The inertia of the 'firing-pin and connected partswouldbe suffio'ient to'carry the firing-pinforward to thc firing position; but as soon as the head a: of the firing-pin passes the innerends-of-the pins Y the driving cifect of the spring X would be removed from the head of the firing- 'pin, while about the same time therearward pressure of the firing-spring IX- would be shifted from 'the bushing X to the arm 10 andthe effect of the spring will be changed from that tendency to push the firing-pin forward to a tendency to move the firing-pin backward or in a reverse direction, and thus purpose the arm this may the fragile point of the firing-pin will be withdrawn within the inside of the protecting-face of the breech-block before the breech-block can be moved downward. Thusitwill be seen that the firing mechanism is automatically protected against premature discharges, and the point of the firing-pin is protected against possible accidents in opening and closing the breech and also against accidentally striking the primer while the cartridge-case is in the gun. a

For convenience in transportation, manipulation, &c., we preferably make the sightin g-arm Cdetachable from the rearward-projecting arm (3 of the rocking slide. For this is provided with wedgeshaped dovetailed ribs a engaging beneath the ribs 0 of the arm 0*, while the lockingspringyc is "provided with .a notch c and thumb-lug 0. I The notch c engages ina suitable catch in the arm 0, (see Fig. 23,) and thus the ribs 0 and c and this catch and spring hold the armO in firm engagement with the arm 0'.

When it is desired to detach the arm C readily be done by pressing on the thumb-lug c and drawing the arm to the rear. I

It will be obvious that various modifications may be made in the herein-described apparatus, which could be used without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what 'we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a rapid-fire breech-loading gun, the combination with a breech-block, of a. springconstrained arm operating the same, a nonrecoiling cam pivoted parallel to the axis'of-z the bore and carried by the gun-mount and l engaging said arm, a spiting normally pressing said cam toward the gun, and a bellcrank'leverfor throwing said cam into and out of engagement, substantially as described.

2. In a rapid-fire breech-loading gun, the combination with a breech-block, of a springconstraine'd'arm operating the same, a .nonrecoiling cam pivoted parallel to the axes of the bore and carried by the gun-mount and engaging said arm'\ in opening the breech on" counter-recoil, a spring normally pressing said cam toward the gun, means for throwing said cam into and'out of engagement when desired, and means for closing the breech when desired, substantially as described.

In a rapid-fire breech-loading gun, the combination with a breech-block, of a springconstrained arm operating the same, a nonrecoiling cam pivoted parallel to the axis of the bore and carried by the gun-mount and engaging said arm in opening the breech on counter-recoil, a spring normally pressing said cam toward the gun, means for throwing said cam into and out of engagement when desired, means for holding the breech-block in the open position, and means For closing the breech when desired, substantially as described.

4. In a rapid-fire breech-loading gun, 'thfe combination of a 'bree'chblock, a spring-constrained ar'm operating the. same, 'a non-recoiling cam pivoted parallel to the axis ofthe bore and engaging said arm for opening the breech-block by energy of recoil, a spring normally pressing said-cam toward the gun, means for throwing said cam into and out of engagement when desired, means for locking the breech-block in the open position, means for releasing the breech-block whe desired, and means operated by said sp'r "rig-constrained arm for closing said breech-block, substantially as described.

5. In abreech-loading gun, the combination with a breech-block of a pivoted yielding cam and spring-controlled arm regulatedby said cam and operated by the energy of the recoil of the gun for operating the breech-block, a bell-crank lever for throwing said cam into and out of operation, means for locking the breech-block in the open position, and means substantially as described.

G. In abreech-loading gun, the combination with a breech-block of a pivoted yielding cam, and spring-controlled arm regulated by said cam'and operated by the energy of therecoil of the gun for operating the breech-block, a bell-crank lever for throwing said cam into and out ofoperatio'n, automatic means for locking the breech-block in the open position, and means. for releasing the breech-block when desired, substantially as described.

.9 for releasing the breech-block when desired,

7. Inabreech-loadinggun,thecombination with a sliding breech-block provided with a TI -shaped cam-groove in the forward and bwer po'itjon'thereofv for the operating-arm and cam-grooves in the sides for the, extractors, arock-sliaft journaled inor on the gun,

and provided with a T-shaped operating-arm and cam, means for rotating said rock-shaft to the open and then to the closed position, and extractors having lugs projecting into said side grooves-and operated by the motion of said breech-block; substantially as described.

8. In abrcech-loading gun the combination with a sliding breech-block provided with a T-shaped cam groove in the forward and lower portion thereof for the operating-arm and cam-grooves in the sidesfor the extractors, a rock-shaft journaled in or on the gun, and provided with T-shaped operating-arm and cam, means operated by stored-up energy of the recoil of the gun for rotating said rock.- shaft to the open position, means for automatically closing the breech, and extractors having lugs projecting into side grooves and operated by the motion of said breech-block to withdraw the empty cartridge-case, to hold the breech-block in the open position, and to automatically release the breech-block when tors, a rock-shaft and provided with a T-sha-ped operating-arm ,9. In a-breech-loadinggun, the combination with a sliding breccl1-block provided with a T-shaped cam-groove in the forward and lower portion thereof for the operating-arm and cam-grooves in the sides for the extractors, a'rock-shaft journaled in or on the gun, and provided with a T-shaped operating-arm and cam,i neansoperated by the stored'up energy of recoil of the gun for rotating said rock-shaft to theopen position, on counterrecoil, means for automatically closing the breech and extractors having lugs projecting into said side grooves and operated by the motion of said breech-block to withdraw the emptycartridge-case and to lock the breechblock in the open position, substantially as described.

v10. ,In a breech-loading gun, the combination with a sliding breech-block provided with a T shaped cam-groove in the forward and lower portion thereof for the operating-arm and cam-grooves in the sides for the extracjournaled in or on the gun,

a the breech-block in the open position, and to automatically release the breech-block when the gun is reloaded with fixed ammunition,

substantially as described.

"11. In a breech-loading gun, the combination with asliding breech-block provided with a T-shaped cam-groove in the forward and lower portion thereof for the operating-arm and cam-grooves in thesides for the extrac- 'ters, a rock-shaftjournaled ih or on the gun,

and provided with a T shaped operating-arm and cam, means operated by stored-up energy of the recoil ofv the gun for rotating said rockshatt to the open and then to the closed position on counter-recoil, and extractors engaging in said side grooves and operated by the motion of said breech-block to' withdraw the empty cartridge-case, to hold the breech-block in theopen position, and to automatically re lease the breech-block when the gun is reloaded with fixed ammunition, substantially as described.

- 12. In a device for automatically opening and closing the breech, the combination with the operating rock shaft, and automatic means for-rotatiugthe seine to close the breech, of anal-m secured tosaid rock-shaft,

a lug onsaid arm, and a pivoted cam yieldingly mounted on the rocking slide and engaging said lug on counter-recoil and a bellcrank lever for throwingsaid cam into and out of engagement with said lug, substantially as described.

13. In a device for opening and closing the breech either by hand or automatically, the combination with the operating rock-shaft,

and automatic means for rotating the same to open and to close the breech, of a handlever and an arm bothsecured to said rockshaft, a lug on said arm, and a pivotedcam yieldingly nounted on the rocking slide and engaging said lug on "counter-recoil andja bell-crank lever for throwing said cam into and out of engagement'with said l'ug,'substantially as described. p

14; In a device for opening an'd closiug the breech automatically, the combination with the operating-shaft, and automatic means forrotating the same to open and to close the breech, of an arm secured to said.rock-shaft a lug on said arm, and'a pivoted cam yieldingly mounted on the rocking slide and engaging said lug on counter-recoil, means for locking the breech-block in the/open position, and for releasing same when desired, and a bell-crank lever forthrowingsaid cam-into.

tially as described.

15. In a device for opening and breech either by hand or automatically, the combination with the operatingrock-shaft, and automatic means for rotating the same to close the breech, of a handdover-and an and out of engagement with said lug, substanarm secured to said rock-shaft, a lug on said 9S arm, and a pivoted cam yieldingly mounted on the rocking slide and engaging said lug'on counter-recoil, means for locking the breech"- block in the open position, and for releasing closing the the same when desired, and a bell-crank'l'e ver for throwing said cam int'o'and out of engagement with said lug, substantially as described.

16, In adevice for opening and closing the breech -automatically, the

on the rocking slide and engaging said lugon counter-recoil, means for locking the breechblock in the open position, means operated by combination with the operating rock-shaft,and automatic means the insertion of the fixed ammunition for the release of the breech-block, and abell-crank lever for throwing said cam intoand out of engagement with said lug,'substantially as described. e

17. An improved cartridge-case extractor for use in guns of the character desc1-ib'ed,comprising a plate curved in front to roll along a face of the gun and thus give a decreasing leverage, and bent at right angles to form an engaging face, with two lugs on the heel of the extractor to engagein grooves inthe breechblock and described.

18. An improved cartridge-case extractor for use in guns of the character dcscrlbcdeomprising a flat plate R curved in front as ategun respectively, substantially as and bent-over at right angles as at R to form an engaging face, with twolugs Rand R on the heel of the extractor to engage lngtllfi grooves in the breech-block and gun respectively, one of said lugs being flattened along one side thereof, substantially as and for the purposes described.

19. An improved cartridge-case extractor for nsein guns of the character described ,com-

' gaging. in the breech-block being flattened on the lower or heel side thereof, substantially as andforthe purpose described.

20.. Animproved cartridge-case extractor for use in guns of the character described, comprising a plate bent over at right angles to form anengaging face, with two lugs on the heel of the extractorto engage in grooves in the breech-block and gun respectively, and the front edge of the extractor being curved to engage against a face on the gun and secure a rolling cont-act and an increasing velocity of ejection, substantially as described.

21. The. combination in a breech-loading gun,'of a gun-body having a vertical wall transverse to and to rear of the powder-chamher, and'a pivot-groove for the extractor, of a sliding breech-block and extractor operating cam-grooves in-the walls of said breech-block, with a bearing shoulder provided in the groove in the breech-block, of a cartridge-case extractor mounted between the gun-walls and the breech-block and having oppositely-disposed lugs or projections projecting into said grooves, the lug or, projection engaging in the groove in the breech-block being flattened on one side to engage saidbearing shoulder, and the said extractor havinga curved front face beayi n g against the wall of the gun transverse to the powder-chamber and thus providing a continuously decreasing-leverage arm in ejecting the empty cartridge-case, substantially as described.

22. In a breech-loadinfl gun, the combination with a sliding breech-block and a firingpin mounted therein, a spring incl'osing and normally pressing forward on said pin, a bellcrank cockingdever or sear also mounted in 'thebreech-block and engaging said firing-pin, arock-shaft-journaled transversely in the gun and provided with a cocking-toe engaging said sear, a spring normally holding said cockingtoe in the engaging position, an arm on said rock-shaft, and means for operating said arm and thus tripping said cocking-toe and releasing the sear and firing-pin, when desired, substantially as described.

I 23. Ina breech-loading gun, the combina-. tion with a breechblock, of a firing pin mounted in said breech-block and provided with a slotted head and an elongated slot near the end opposite said head, pins or lugs projecting from the breech-block in the line of the forward travel of the slotted head and adapted to pass into the slots in the head as the latternears the end of its forward stroke, a spiral spring normally pressingon the rear projecting into said clon gated slot and engaging the rear portion of said spring when the firing-pin nears the limit of its forward travel, substantially as described. K

24. In a breech-loading gun, the combination with a breech-block, of a firing-pin mounted in said, breech-blockand provided with a slotted head and an elongated slot near the end opposite said head, or lugs projecting from the breech-block in the line of the forward travel of the slotted head and adapted to pass into the slots in the head' as the latter nears the'end of its forward stroke, a spring normally pressing on the rear ot'said head but engaging against said pins when the head passes the same, and a pivoted lever or sear projecting into said elongated slot and engaging the rear portion of saidspring when the firing-pin nears thelimit of its forwardtravel,

a cocking-toe engaging said sear, and means for operating said cocking-toe, as described. g

25. The tiringand safety attachment for use in gun'sof the character described, comprising a sliding trigger-plate, a trigger on said plate, aspring normally pressing said plate forward, firing mechanism operated by the rearward motion of said plate, a resilient hook conn ected and normally holding said plate against backward motion, and an arm automatically operated by the breech mechanism for trip; ping said hook and releasing said plate when the breech is closed,substantiall y as described 26. In a rapid-fire gun provided with'a lug on the side of the gun-body near the breech, the combination with a trunnion-band-prosubstantially vided with a hollow U -shaped downward pro-' jection with dovetail. ribs projecting from the sides of the trunnion-band,a tru nnioned rocking. slide provided with. guideways for said dovetail ribs, and a rear projection with a guideway therein engaging said lug near the breech and also with ahollow U shaped downward projection closed at the front, a recoilcylinder mounted in the U -shaped projection from the trunnion-band and projecting into the U -shaped projection from the rocking slide, a piston in said cylinder, and a pistonrod sccu red to said rockingslide,substan tially as described.

27. In a rapid-fire gun of the character described, a trunnion-band provided \vith al1ol-' low U shaped downward projection with dovetail ribs projecting from the sides of the trunnion-band, a trunnioned rocking slide provided with guideways for said dovetail ribs, and also with a hollow U-shaped downward projection closed at the front, a tapering recoil-cylinder mounted in the U-shaped projection from the trunnion-band and projecting into the U-shaped projection from the rocking slide, a piston in said cylinder, and a piston-rod secured to said rocking slide, substantially as described. I

28. In a rapid-fire gun of the character desee,

scribed, e triinnien-band previde with ahollaw U-shapefl downward projection with dovetail ribs p'l'ojeei-iug EIQPJ the sides of the trunniomhand, a trunnioned. rocking slide provided with guidevmys for said dovetailed ribs, anti also with e hollow ifi-sliziped downward projeciioii closed as the front, tapering recoil-cylinder mounted in a socket-bearing in the Usl1eped pmjection fi'exn the trunni0n-' band projecting into the U-shaped projeetion from the rocking slide, e'piston in said cylinfier,and a piston-rod secured to said rocking slide, siibstemielly as described.

29. In breech-loading gun with breech mechanism epemted by a rock-shaft, a journelbeering for said rock-shaft, consisting of H100 attached x3e orintegral with the gun and, teperefl legs on saifi hook edapted is eneoi-i'espendingiips 0n the rock-shaft and WILLIAM HALE BRIGGS. VERNON C. .TASKER.

Witnesses:

FRANK D. BLACKISTONE, J. STEPHEN Gmsm.

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