US954799A - Automatic gun. - Google Patents

Description

G. HAMMOND. AUTOMATIO' GUN.

APPLICATION mmnLJu-mw; 190a.

' Patnted Apr. 12,1910. w

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G; HAMMOND.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

v APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

6 SHEETS SHEET 2.

anwntoz G. HAMMOND. AUTOMA'iIO arm. APPLIOATIQH FILED JUNE 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 12,1910! 7 7 I 7 314mm 7 ,6 SHEETS-$111711! 3.

G. EAMMOND.

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G. HAMMOND.

AUTOMATIC GUN. APPLICATION ZILBD JUNE 1-2, 1909.

Patented Apr". 12, 1910.

Maxims-SHEET 5 Snuentoz l/ I M G. HAMMOND. AUTOMATIC GUN.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1909.

954,799, Y Patented Apr.12,1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

- 2 is an enlarged view of GRANT HAMMOND. OF HARTFORD. CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

Specification of Letter P n Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

Application filed Jane 12. 1909. Serial No. 501.835.

1 To all whom it may concern:

to it known that I. GRANT IIAVM'OND, a

citizen of the United States. residing at Ilartt'ord. in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut. have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Automatic Guns. of which the following is a sp eitieation.

ivly invention relates to fire-arms and partieularly to an attachment to the. Springfield rifle or other rifles of like type now in use; in other words. the present invention comprehends and includes a mechanism which is capable of being attached to the guns now in use. as well as to other types of guns hereinafter eonstrueted and which mechanism designed to make such guns automatic in aetiou and to eonvert' the ordinary magazine gnu into an automatic gun wherein the power required for rotating and recipro eating the breeeh-bolt. and retracting the tiring-bolt against the tension of its main spring, is derived from the expansive force of the gases of an exploded charge forcing a sl-idable mechanism forwardly and storing power in a sprin or springs, sufiicient to turn and reciprocate the breech-bolt.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of simple character which is capable of attachment to existing types of magazine guns and which may be applied thereto at-slight expense and with but. little alteration of such guns, whereby the gun may be converted into an automatic gun. when desired.

A further object ofthe invention is'to provide means'whe-reby the automatic at taeluneut may be instantly thrown into or out of connection with the gun-action to speedily convert the gun from a single-firer to automatic, and vice-versa, and to semiautomatic. V

\Vith the above and other objects in' view,

my invention consists .of the parts and the constructions, -ar-rangements and combinations of parts which I will hereinafter describe. and claim. v

In the accompanying drawings fornnng a part of this specification and in whicli,sin'1ilar reference characters indicate like parts in the several views; Figure 1 is a side. elevation of a gun embodyin my invention. Fig. the gun mechanism removed from the stoclc Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the slidable casing 15 and of the .sleeve id'showing the. power and buffer springs and other features in elevation. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig'G is a sectional view of the sliding casing 15 and part of the operating I rod 30. showing the rod in its latched posi- 5 tion. Fig. i' is a detail showing in bottom plan thecam 35. Fig. 8 is a part sectional ..view.and part elevation of the operating rod .21 and its adjuncts. Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a portion of the slidable l casing 15 and its front sleeve, and showing also the gas chamber'and parts of the gun barrel and connections. Fig. 10 is an end view of the block 20. Fig. 11 is an end view of the rod 21. Fig. 12 is an enlarged side elevation showing the rear portion of the gun meehanism in position in the receiver, the stock being removed. Fig. 13 is a side view of the rear end of the receiver showing the wing-cam and cut-out. Fig. 14 is a detail showing the piece 43 in section and in engagement with the coupling bolt. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the trigger mechanism. .Fig. 16 is a side elevation partially in section of the gun mechanism showing the bolt resents details of the bhlt stop. Figs. 19 and 20' are details hereinafter referred to. Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the breech-bolt. and the parts carried thereby. Fig. 22 is a plan view ofFig. 21. Fig. 23 is a bottom plan View showing the plate 50 andpart of the operating rod. Fig. 24 is atop plan view of the same. Fig. 25 is a side elevation of the receiver. Fig. 26 is a cross section of the receiver 011 the line 26-26 of Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is a side elevation of the receiver of slightly modified form. Fig. 28 is a plan view of the block tional view through the receiver and breechment, with the rod 30. Fig. 30 is a side elevation of the gun removed from the stock showing the position of the'parts when the bolt is retracted.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated my invention as attached to the well known Springfield rifle, or U. S. service gun, but it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to this type of guns; that the showing is merely for illustrative retracted. Fig. 17 is a cross sectional View. on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 rep purposes, and that the attachment can be Fig. 29 is a cross sec- 7 bolt, showing the coupling bolt in engage- Ii U applied to any nagazine or other gun with i on the latter. The h s but a slight modification in the ciaetruetion oil th same.

The gun herein hown being well known both as to its construction do not illustrate its; internal arrazurtanent inh'iutietv nor will, cl. attempt to dwcribe its action in detail, but I will only fully show and describe thoac'aalicnt parts; of the same with which my attachment is most inti- Inatelgi connected and which may require some change; to adapt the attachn'ient thereto.

The gun will, of course, include a suitable stot'li, A. barrel ii. breecirbolt', C, extractor, l triggeranechanism, 'l, and the usual adjuncta ot" a gun of this type, and all of which. except as hereii'iatter noted, will he oi. the construction usually found in such guns, and the dtrtaiis of which need not he spmgtiiieally described and shown; but the real invention, namely the attachment its 1 will be do serihet'i in more or it detail that its construotion, operation and ad vintages may be tuil v understotal. lfhe breerh-l'mlt, U. is siidablp mounted in the rec iver, E, and at its forward end it provided with the lugs 01 which alidahly lit: the lon itudinal grooves 'b, which are usually formed along the inner aides of the receiver to accurately guide the laeech-holt. in to; sliding veinent after said bolt has been partially tllliletl--fitl to unlock it, i 'l grooves, Z eonmaeting at their tiarward end with the uaual transverse or earn-grooves r. tu-iiiilt'l the Flltlilltitlb; oi which the lugs. to engage when Said lug are brought into leiggistcr with the eaui'grmivw and the bolt is turnerti about its aria. as .l will lnaeinaflea de *ribe. The breeelrhoit. also has the ussual cam log (I arranged at right .inglcs to the lugs a, and adapted to en gage the wall '6 at the back end of the cutawav portion of the receiver. The rear end of t 1e receiver has a circular pening 1" to admit. the ln'cech-bolt, from which opening radiates .the groove or channel to receive the lug; (I, on the central portion of the lu'eceh-holt. Within the breech-bolt is slidably mounted the firing bolt, F. having the usual projectlng lug on its bottom side })I()jt1t'ifl through a bottom slot in t'he llttfQCll-lJt') t cap I, and operating; in a Suitable guide j in the tail-extension ot the receiver. The ln'eeeh-bolt has the spiral groove t, and cocking cam 103, and the tiring bolt has the naual melting head m, and such other parts as will be usuiall) found in a gun of the type showmbutwhich parts are not of my present invention.

My automatic attachment is tilted to the barrel, ll. of the gun by suitable means as by a tight-fitting sleeve 10. which is formed rigid with a bottom lug, 11. This lug is bored horizontally at 2 wherehythe axis of said bore will be pa write] with that of the gun barrel when the sleeve, 10, in position and operation. I i

compression when and sleeve are also t. which i bored from the sleeve through the upper and until il iutrru'cts the pierced by lmle upper ide of the portion ot the lug bore. .-aid hole. A I ler with a eorre po1uling gas'port', -t-. made through the underside of the barrel and leading into the bore of the latt r. the fJtlS- port in the barrel and the hole in the lug being of such area as to provide for a rapid exhaust or the gaaea of a previoa xploded charge after the bullet propelled Irv said charge has passed the muzzle of the barrel, a i will hereinafter deacribe.

Mounted in the lug ii. is a valve 12 which is shown as of the turning-piug type, said valve having a port in it adapted to regiater with the 5 'a--porl. l. and the port. 3, leading into a gas-chamla-r hereinafter mentioned. The valve has a uilable stem provided with a handle which lies on the outside of the stock; the cs ential object ot the valve is to enable the gases of the exploded charge to lathrottled. and to he admitted to the said gas-chamber in such proportion 'or amount as the firing condition of the gun makes desirable. Thus the valve may be turned to open the gaa-pavsage to its t ull capacity or to open the pasaage'ouly partially; the valve may also be turned to close the "as passage r a entirely. as when the automatic attachment is not in action and the gun is being used as a hani'i-operatedgun. into the bored and tapped lug, ii, is screwed the rear end ol a gas tube, 3, projects a suitable distance forward of the lug and which tube iurrloses a chamber into which the g1: of an exploded charge will rust: (the valve, 12, being then open) under gas-port in the barrel and communication is established between the bore of the barrel and the gas-ehamher of said tube. 'l'he gz-rsdube. lit. is by preference. made of nou-rustahle steel the t'rout end to form relatively thin walls which are expored t'o' ,ItlS-Pl't'filll't' and are designed to be expanded thereby against the walls; ot an ii1('l(l 'ii|g sleeve. 1-]. to town a gas-tight joint and prevent leakage ot gas 1.15

at. t'lllS point. and to form a scraper for any deposit on the wailsot' the Sleeve, 11-. and

which latter sleeve has a (toke sliding lit;

with thointerior gas-tube. l

Thorear end and is screwed into the downwardly extending lug, ll, of the barrel sleeve, '10, as shown in Fig. 9. The rear end of the sleeve. It.

is also threaded and is designed to a row into thosimilariy threaded front end (if-'a 1 5 tubular casing, 15. in 'which is placed the power spring, 16, the chamber of this easing being slightly enlarged at the rear end to receive the bufl'er-spring' ll,the chamber of the casing at this point being .sutiieientty 133 which the bullet uncovers the and may be bored out at of the tube llhis thrmided large to permit the buffer (by which term I will hereinafter designate this part) and a casing, ,18, carried thereby, to be freely slipped into the chamber 'from'the rear. The buffer casing, 18, has a solid front end through which a hole is bored. the hole being of sufficient diameter to slide 'freely over the front end of the flanged sleeve, 19, which compresses the buffer, and th'e opera tion of which sleeve I will hereinafter describe.

A threaded plug, 20, screws into the rear end of the casing, 15, and forms a seat or abutment for the rear end of the buffer. Arranged axially in the casing is a rod, 21, the rear end of which 'slidably fits an opening in the plug. 20, said rod extending substantially the full length of the casing and having a shoulder formed on it at by turning down the rear portion of the rod' The power spring, 16, surrounds the rod, 21, and the reduced end of the rod has a sliding fit through the sleeve, 19, (Fig. 8) which is formed with a centrally located collar, 23, adapted to seat against the inside of the closed front end of the buffer-casing, 18; the sleeve thus has one portion projecting in front of the buffer-casing, and another andi rea'r portion inclosed by this caslng, the

front end of the buffer entering the space between the sleeve and casing and bearing against the collar, 23, ofthe sleeve and which collar thus serves as an abut-merit for the buffer. The rod, 21, also has a collar or flange, 24-, a short" distance back of its front end adapted to seat substantially against the rear face of the lug, 1-1, on the bottom ofthe barrel sleeve, said collar or flange thereby servlng as a stop for the front end of the ower spring, 16. j

As shown in Fig. 8v the rod, 21, is turned down at an intermediate portion to form the shoulder, 20, which serves as a stop against which the front end of the sleeve, 19, strike-s when the gun is fired and the casing, 15, is pulled forwardly, by the expansion of the gases of the exploded charge, said shoulder serving as a stop for limiting the forward movement of the casing and determining the extent of compresslon of the power sprin 16, and also the compression of the' heavie buffer, 17, and which compression 1s effected by the continued forward I-mwem'ent of the casing, 15, while the buffer casing sleeve, 19, is. being held stationary against the stop or shoulder 20 of the rod, 21, before described.- i

The rod, 21, projects beyond the rear face ofthe plug, 20, and is screwed or otherwise fixed to the front end of a piece, 25, having a transverse groove or channel to receive a like lug, 102; formed on the uhder side of the forward end of the receiver,'E, ofthe gun, and which'receiver maybe of the usual'construction. The forshell.

Ward end of the piece. 25, is shown as having a threaded opening to receive the rear threaded end of the rod. 21.'whilc the front end of said piece, 2!, has a squarefaced shoulder, 25, which seats closely against the screw plug, 20. of the sliding casing. 15. The piece. also has a driven pin. 27, which projects slightly past the shoulder, 25 and is adapted to engage in a corresponding recess or slot 27 cut in the rear face of the screw plug 20. to thereby form a locking connection which is useful in unscrewing the plug from the rear end of the casing, 15.

By reference to Figs. 2, 3, 12, 16 and 30 it will be seen that the piece, 25, has fixedly secured to it a rearwardly extending piece, 28, of tubular form and which liesalongside of the receiver and forms a casing over the longitudinal groove or channel, 29, the operating rod, 30, passing through theca'sing, 28,

. and being slidably guided in the same and in the aforesaid grooveor channel, 29, said casing being enlarged or thickened at its rear end, to form a bearing and guide for the coupling pin 1', vertically disposed and provided with a round stem 8, having a head by which it may be manipulated. The upper projecting portion of this pin also serves as a stop for the ejected shells, which are thrown out of the receiver with such force as to be liable to seriously. injure a bystander if the pin, or an equivalent part was not interposed to stop the momentum of the In Fig. 27, the coupling pin r, is carried by a bracket which is screwed or otherwise fixed to the receiver. At the front under side of the receiver is formed a transverse lug 102 which is designed to engage a corresponding groove in the upper surface of the rear end of the end block, 25, which block is rigid with the square-face head 25- and has the pin 27 to engage the screw-plug 20. The block, 25, also has a tubular guide 10 for the operating rod 30. Also, as shown in Fig. 12, the piece, 25, is further held in position by the forward end of the usual-triggerguard plate, F", having a post. F. through. which the screw, 24, passes to thereby secure the magazine, G, of the gun to the receiver; this magazine and trigger-guard plate may be of the form usually found in-guns of the character shown and previously mentioned, and they form no part of my present in vention.

- To the slidab'le casing, 15, forward of the rear end thereof, is screwed or otherwise secured the sleeve portion of a bracket or arm, '32", said bracket. or arm being arranged diagonal to the casing and being bifurcated or forked to admit a longitudinally disposed latch-lever, 33, the front end of which is pivotally mounted on the pin, 34, while the rear end extends-beyond the bracket and hasa beveled rear extremity adapted to be' eni tact with thewalls 60,

gagl'ed hr :1 lug. 15. arranged in its path and se ured to the unyler side of the gun liarrel. 'l lu' latch or lower also has a shoulder or notch. 15. on an intermediate part adapted lo engage the front end of the operating rod,

guided. said rod lying parallel with the har rel and the slnlahle casing, 15, and eonta1nlay; the spiral pring, 31.

Fitted into the rear end of the rod, 30, is a solid rod, 32, winch extends far enough thcreinto to receive a. couple of rivets. The

driving rod, 30, is hollow and is slotted at its rear end sulliciontly to permit; the breechholt to make its full stroke, the aforesaid slot heing formed in the under side of the rod. inside of the rod, ill), the return spring 31 operates, the rear end of the spring contacting with a small bifurcated piece, l3, throu h which the coupling pin. 1', slips. i i-out end'ot the 'rod, 30, has a. solid plug. 39, which is pinned in place.

Slightly forward of the front end of the driving rod, 30, a light tight-fitting sleeve sltl is pinned to the barrel, the bottom of said sleeve projecting downwardly and having a dovc-tailed slot milled in its face and into which slot fits a lug, ll, of corresponding width and shape carrying a sleeve, 42, whose front end is bored out to permit; of the forward end of the casing, 15, reciprocating through it, said sleeve having its rear end bored to a larger diameter; and at a diagonal point from its center the'sleeve is slotted to allow the enlarged rear end of the casing, 15, and the sleeve of the bracket or arm 32 to pass into it, guide for the casing. 15. in the first; part of its operation in unlocking the breech-colt. I also place within the rear end of the hollow rod forward of the frontcnd of the solid rod, 32, a short cylindrical piece, 43., of about the interior diametirr of the rod, 30, and the spring, 31. suitably seats. The rear end of the piece, 43, is slotted to form two parallel forks (Fig. 14-), the slot of the fork ly ing inregistw with a slot; formed in the underside of the rod, 30, and the short; piece, 43, being revented from turning in the bore of the re by means of a screw or pin. 44, the head of which is substantially flush with the outside of thcrod, 30, and the sides of the head lining substantially in sliding con of the slot; in the rod. The lower end of the aforesaid con lingpin, 1'. is ollsctiand carries an upward v extending stem 8, which is arranged. parallel with the pin and is spaced therefrom a suitahl distance, said pin being normally in register with the longitudinal slot in the bottom thereby 'forming a' against the solid forward end of which slidaloly engages gles so as to make the of the operating rod, 30, and the slot; in the rear end of the icce, 43, against the front; end of which t 0 spring, 31, constantly hears, said piece, 43, having the front wall of its slot; provided "with a ant-projection, 45, lrig. 14;) and said couplin pin 1*,- having a cani-surface, 46, to engage t and a notch, 47, to receive the same, when the stem, 8, is pulled upward to cause the pin r thereof to slidabl enter the slot made through the rear one of the cylindrical piece, -13, whereby the partsar'e held firmly in contact by the One side of the rear end of the receiver is formed with a slot, 48, which. extends through the rear end of said receiver, and in the inner wall of this portion of the receiver being formed with a groove or channel. l in which is slidahly mounted a piece,

ceivethe solid rod, 3;. which projects from the rear of the operating hollow rod, 30, and is pinned to the latter to make it substan tially a rigid part of the operating rod. The enlarged portion of the piece, 50, has an inwardly extending flange, 52, which under a shoulder extending longitudinally along the side of'the tail extension of the receiver. The inner face of the trapezoidal piece, 50, is milled to conform to the outer surface of the hreeclrbolt, C, and said face is provided with an inwardly projecting stud, 50, which engages and operates in the spiral groove, Zc, cut in the outer surface of the rear end of the breecl1-holt, and is designed to engage behind a 5 acre shoulder portion, 54, of said groove. reference to Fig. 22, it; Wlll be seen thatt 1e groove, is not of uniform width, but the side wallsnre of unequal anupper end-of'the cave of slightly greater width than the owerend, the width of said groove gradually increasing toward said upper end, for purposes which, and of the will hereinafter state.

The operating lever or handle, 55, for the and the point; of the inclined rear end of the tr ipezoidal plate, 50, lies normally about 1/16 inch in advance of the under part; of the lever or handle, 55, and forms the entering oint of a wedge 01 inclined plane and is a, aptcd to impart .to the lever or handle a powerful initial lifb lug, movement in unlocking the brcecl1-b0lt.

.It; will 'be seen from Flgs. ,12, 22 and 23, that the rear end of the strongly pinned to it. a. piece, 56, which extends under and projects diagonally toward the axis of the firing-bolt, F..which is of the e projection, 45,

pressure of the spring, 31;-

shoulder, 54, 1--

solid rod, 32, has

bree ch boltis rigid therewith, as usual in I the type of gun shown,

construction usually found in the type of gun illustrated, said piece, 56, having a segmental outer end. 57, which substantially incloses about two-thirds of circumference 62. seated in its upper rear face where it contacts with the under side of the tail strap, 63, of the receiver; the forward end of the sear-bar also carries a. spring, 64,

which is designed to contact with the under side of the receiver, the sear-bar beingrecessed to receive this spring. As the searbar is pivoted to the receiver rearward of the spring, 64, it is manifest that the searbar is forced up in the usual manner to cause its sear, 65, to contact with and engage the usual lug, 72, on the under side of the firingholt and thereby hold the piece in cocked position ready for firing. In the underside of the sear-bar is bored a longitudinal hol 37, into which fitted a spiral spring, (08, adapted to operate against the inner ,nd of a pin, 69, slidably mounted in the hole, (37, to thereby normally force the pin rearwardly, until the end wall of a slot, 70, in the pin contacts with a pin or stop, 71, and thereby limitsthe rearward movement. The trigger is pivoted to the tail strap of the rcceivcr, and when it is pulled rearwardly to lower the sear, (35, and release the firingholt. a projection, T2, on the front of the trigger presses down in a notch formed in the upper rear angle of the spring-pressed pin, (39, and thereby rocks the sear-bar about its pivot. T3, tocausc the sear at the rear end of the sear-bar to release the cocked firing-bolt. Simultaneously with the release of the sear. the projection, 72, rides out of contact with the spring-pressed pin, 69, when the spring 6% at the front of the searbar operates to return this bar and its soar to normal position, to again intercept the lug on the tiring-bolt on the return of the bolt and colnplenientary mechanism to locked position. lVhe'n the trigger is released by the finger of the operator, it is forced forward by its own spring, 32, and its front projection. engages and pushes in the springpressed pin, 69, until the projection. 72, escapes by the rear end of the same and enters the notch thereon, when the trigger is again in position to be pulled backward to fire the gun.

. of that portion of the firing-bolt just in ad- In order that the breech-bolt may be held open after the last cartridge has been fired from the magazine, I employ a bolt-stop which is herein shown as being nrthe form of a lever, 80, pivoted to the receiver and having an upper flanged portion, 81, which is designed to project into the path of movement of the breech-bolt when the latter is retracted, or open, to thereby prevent the return or forward movement of the said bolt. The long arm of the lever or -,bolt stop extends down along side the rear wall of the magazine, G, and the free end of said long-arm is adapted to be engaged by a t'ansversely slidable releasing pin, 82, mounted in the gun-stool: and projecting from the gun. beyond the outer side thereof. The bolt-stop is raised into the path of the front end of the'breech-bol't so as to engage the same, by a pin or lug, 83, which is lined to and projects slightly beyond the rear end of the spring-supported magazine floor, said pin or. lug sliding in a vertical groove 'or channel, 84, in the rear wall of the magazine. ll'hen the final cartridge has been 'i'ir cd from the magazine the projecting pin on the floor of the magazine, rides under the arm of the bolt-stop thereby rocking the lever, St), about its pivot. 85, and causing the upper llanged end of the stop to be pro- 9 jccted far enough to afford a stop for the front end of the breech-bolt whereby the bolt remains in its most rearward position and with the magazine wide open for the reception of a new clip of cartridges, and the magazine lioor is free to be depressed to receive the same. The long arm of the bolt-stop or lever is, as before mentioned. designed to be engaged by the spring-pressed pin, 89, which is held in position by a thin casing. ri l. which tightly his a hole bored through the left side of the gun stock; when the magazine floor raises the bolt-stop into its cllectivc position, the long arm of the stop engages and forces the spring-pressed pin outwardly until its outer end is projected beyond the outside of the stock; when I a clip of cartridges is placed in the now empty magazine, the pin pressed inward by the thumb of the left hand thereby rocking the bolt-stop about its pivot and retracting its upper end out of the plane of movement of the breech-bolt, and allowing the bolt to eject the clip, and place a cartridge in the brew-h of the gun. thereby leaving the piecc ready to be lircd by pulling the trigger. Except when the breech-bolt is held open. the spring-pressed pin, 82, is always llush with the side of the stock.

()n the rear end of the receiver l pivolally mount a lever, 87, one. end of which has a. cam-shaped wing, 88. adapted to bear against a flat or shouhlcrcd portion, of the base of the lever, 55, to impart to said. lover a slight initial movement during the first turning portion of the closing operal at its front end and whiz-h lies in a lot. ent

tion of the bolt after said bolt has been moved forward by the before-mentioned closing spring. The wing-cam, S8, is thus designed to move the lever, 55. to cause the breech-bolt to turn on its axis until the inwardly projecting pin, 50. on the trapezoidal-plate, 50. which operates in the cam- ;gr'oove. A, in the breech-bolt, is moved out from behind the square-shoulder, t, at; the bottom of said groove and into register with the main part of groove, thereb v allowing the pin. .70, to ride in contact with the (am-wall of the groove and complete the retation of and lock thebreeeh-boltin its clo ed position.

The lever which carries the. wine-cam, 88,

is pivotall v mounted on the Small rod, 90,

' arranged on theleft-hand side of the receiver and which rod also carries the out-out, L, which is eonnnon to this type of guns and the operation of which is well known. A hole is also bored through the left side of the stock into which is forced the thimble, til. and into this thimble is tilted a spring- PI'GSSQLl pin. 9!, the inner end of \Yliltll restt under the lower end of the lever, ST. which.

carries the wing-cam. 8S. and by holding; this end of the leverwhile the operating hand lever. 55. is beiu moved against the wing-cam in unloeking the breech-bolt. thereby tort-rs thewing ram outward and places the lever. 87, under sulhrient tension to enable it to give the. hand lever the slight initial closing movement above alluded to, and which movement is sutlieient to move the pin. 50, from it looked engagement behind the square-faced shoulder, 54, at the bottom of the (am groove l. in the breeehbolt. f j

The general operation of the gun is as t'olhnvs: \Vhen the trigger-,UO, is pulled back the sear, 115, is depressed releasing the tiring-bolt, \Vllltll strikes the p1iiiiei;.:nnl ignites the powder eharge starting the bullet along the bore. v\Yhen the bullet has passed the port. l. the gases rush through the gastllilllll)tl' oi the tube. 1 1. until the have rearhed its l'orward end, the) then exert pressure upon the sleeve. ll. which incases the gas-tube and whirh is'.-: -re\ved to the main easing. l5. loreing it forward until it is stopped b) the eontatt ()'lf tllt front end ol the eollared bushing. with the smiare-"l'aeed shoulder, formed upon the iringaetainiue' rod. 21. by turning down its rear end to a diameter somewhat maller than the trout end. and over \\'lll('ll the col-' lared sleeve. [5 *l'reel v slides, and the contact of its rear end \\ltl\ the taco oi the serew plug, 2!). which fits into the rear end.

ol' the main easing. 15. whieh ineloses the power spring. 1(3. and butter. 17. \Vhen the aetion as stated has taken place, the spring pressed latch, 33, which is pivoted loim'itudinallv l'li14llll the olid part of the driving-rod leeve. i. the collar. 32''. being threaded internally, and which screws over corresponding thread cut open the main casing. 15. at a po ition approximately three and onehal't' inches: from its rear end. in position to snap up bringing the squarefaced FllOttldtl'. 313. which is formedon the latch in a })():-ll'l(')l] to eontaet with the front end of the driving-rod. 30. The latch is; held in this position until the bullet and gases have left the barrel. on account of the driving-rod sleeve. 37. being made fast to the. main easing by its threaded collar, and the main easing being held in its most forward position by the pressure of the gases in the gas-tube. 1E). and the tube being threaded to the main casing. The bullet and gases having now esraped the power spring.

16. and butter. 1?. which are at their maximum tension deliver their stored energy to the driving-rod. it). by means of the shoulder, I'll on the spring pressed latch, 33, contarting with the square end of the drivingrod. The butter. 1?. delivers it p wer for "about iT/S int-h ol.the baekward stroke of "the main sleeve. 1 until its trout end his let't the shoulder formed on the spring1'etainiir; rod. lllt lliillil power spring" .arting in unison. .\l' tei tlie butler has done its work the main power spring. to. eontinues on with its pressure until at. the last oneeighth llltli of its stroke the Spring pressed.

latrh. 3 is depressed by its. rear ram end ('Uilllllfl in eontart with a ram. I15. whieh i held in position hr the front band of the ig'hl sleeve. or whirl: inaiwbeheld in position in any suit-able manner. The depressing" olflthe l'.-itehtak( s nlare at about one halt ineh t'rozn the end of the eomplete stroke of the drivinga'ol. Fit): the momentum of the dri\in; -'-rod and ln 'eerh-bolt carry the bolt to the end l its stroke. The reason for not delivering power 'to the driving-rod and l)l'('t(ll-l)t)ll to the end of the strokeot'the bolt will hereinafter be stated.

Into the front end of the rod, this preferabl serewed the short hollow rod, 2- having:' the large t-ollar or flange. 2i. \vhieh acts as a stop tor the main power spring: the short front end of the small flanged rod. it. tits into a hole bored in the rear of the barrel sleeve lug. 1'l,to hold it rigid and iarallel \\'-ith the bore of the ig'un' the rearend f the rodJil. tln'eaded'and serews into the retaining bloek whu-h tits ver the lug, 10;". wlueh IS on the front of the rereiver. and whieh is plaeed there to keep the action from l-:i -king out of the stock. The lug s part of the Springfield rifle and has nothing to do with my invention-as I might ta teu the l)l()t'l\' on in anvother desirable manner. mill the receiver lug, F (Fig. for the In tilting on the block I post F down to about one-half of its original height and make the block, 25, of sutiicient thickness to form a rigid fastening for the spi'ingretaining rod, 21. also that its rear face may form a stop to keep the action from kicking out of the stock. The reason for fastening to the receiver is to retain the accuracy of the gun. otherwise I could take the shock of stopping the main casing and adjuncts against the projecting lug. '11, of the barrel sleeve into the front face of which the gas-tul'ie is screwed.

'lhe llanged sleeve, 19, which compresses the butler spring. 17. is made of sutlieient length that when the butter is compressed by the flanged sleeve: 1'. in the last 7 ,8 inch of its stroke. both ends of the flanged sleeve are in contact. one end, the front end. contacting with the shoulder. '30. of the spring-ietaining rod. 2 and the other with the fr nt fa e of the threaded plug, 20. which scr s in the rear end of the main casing.

The main power spring has its rear end in c ntact with the front or solid end of the butter casing. 18. The buffer spring, being of considerably greater power than the main power spring it forces its casing. 18, forward again t the tension of the main power spring until in the forward movement of the main casing and adjuncts the tension of the main power spring becomes high enough to force the butter casing back until its rear end r sts against the front face of the threaded plug, '20. which screws in the main casing, 15. The butter casing now acts to compress the main power spring between its front face and the flange, 24. at the end of the power spring-retaining rod, 21, the butler spring casing now resting against the front face of the square threaded plu 20, which screws into the rear of the main casing: the buffer spring is in operation until the casing. 15. and adjuncts have moved forward to approximately inch of its entire for 'ard stroke. At this posi ion the front end of the tlanged sleeve. 19. contacts with the faced shoulder, '20, of the power springretaining rod, 21, and the continuation of the forward movement of the casing and adjuncts due to the pressure of the gases in the tube. 13, which is screwed into the front end of the main casing, causes the butter spring to be compressed {g of an inch, onto its final compression; at the same time, and in unison. the main power spring is compressed to its. linal compression between the flange, 24, at, the end of the retaining rod, 21, and the front face of the buffer spring casing, 18.

The driving-rod, 30, is coupled to the breech-bolt by the diagonal arm, 56, which pa rtiali surrounds the end of the firing-bolt 1* just in front and resting against the head of the tiring-bolt; the body of the firing-bolt being flattened slightly to permit of the rod, 30, being readily uncoupled from the firingbolt when the said bolt is removed from the receiver.

In the periphery of the breech-bolt C is milled the spiral slot 7c, the lower wall of which, its rear end, is milled ofi at right angles to the axis of the bolt to form the square shoulder, 54, against which the in wardly projecting pin, 50, which is fastened to the trapezoidal shaped piece, 50, which is fastened to the driving-rod and lies normally in the right-hand longitudinal slot in the receiver. rests when the bolt is closed. The rear end of the trapezoidal shaped piece, 50, or cam end rests normally a short distance from the front bottom face of the bolt lever. 5 5, and the rear face of the diagonal arm, .36, which partially surrounds the body of the firing-bolt rests against the front face of the tiring-bolt. cocking head m. The driving-rod, 30. is held in its most forward position by the coupling pin 7', which passes through the large end' of the drivingrod casing, which lies along the side of the receiver and, attached at; its front end to the block at the front of the receiver, being pulled up through the. bifurcated piece, 43, again t which the driving-rod spring, 31, presses. The spring thus pr ssing against the coupling pin at its end and the solid head at its front end holds the rod rigidly forward.

The reason that power is not applied for the full stroke of the bolt is because the cutout leaf L on the left side of the receiver, when turned down, stops the breech-bolt short of its final stroke so that the bolt-head cannot be pulled back far enough to feed in :artridges; in this position it is single-tire with magazine in reserve. It is readily seen that he'latch, 33, by which power is-applied to the driving-rod could not, be depressed for both positions of the bolt as it would be impossible to shift the position of the cam, 35, which is held in position by the front band of the sightsleeve. and which depresses the latch so thatv the drivipg-rod a fter .it has completed its stroke can return to its forward position.

The mechanical arrangement of the buffer spring auditsadjuncts, the flanged sleeve, 19, and casing, 18, is designed to ive a powerful initiatory movementv in unlocking the breech-bolt and starting the empty cartridge from its seat in the breech of the gun after firin After this has taken place not much power is needed; an excess is posi tively disastrous, and the very object of my invention is destroyed, as the bolt stop, 80, and usual safety locking leveir, 100*, and bolt cap 2', are soon crystallized and broken by the shock of stopping under high speed,

and it would be necessary to redesign and make new guns, whereas with the mechanical arrangement as above stated inent successfully changes the guns now made and in use. i

After the energy has been stored and the latch, 33, which contacts with the front end of the driving-rod has snapped to position and the bullet and gases have left the bore.

is hereinbefore mentioned, the main casing. 15, and adjuncts begin moving backm attachward transferring the stored energy to the I driving-rod, The first 1/16 inch morement of the rod, 30, is directed against the head of the firing-bolt to start it. cocking before the rotary motion of the bl'ttChdHJll' 5 is taking place. thus keeping the engaging t lug. 7" of the tiring-bolt out of contact with r the i5 cocking cam, 10 of the bolt. The trapezoidal cam, 50, now, after the drivingrod has moved lf'lti inch, begins turning the breech-bolt upon its axis, the tiring-bolt with its engaging lug, f, being .t'drced backward and the turning of the breech-bolt being in unison it; is apparent that the cocking cam, 1023, ol the breech-bolt and the'engaging lug, f, oi the tiring-bolt do not. contact at all (hiring the unlockingot' the bolt. If. the engaging lug, f", of the firing-boltdid not start in advance of thecocking cam of the l)1't'(?(fll-l)0lt and they were in' actual contact,

ment of the breech-bolt would have to force the tiring-bolt backward against the tension of the usual iltftt'li-lnllt main spring, upa 4.3" cam, and It is essential that the normal position of the cam and lug be preserved to enable them to pcrlform their functions when used as a hand operated gun. The breechbolt turns NJ as is usual with all military guns to unlock. During the lirst 1-5 of rotar) lllt)\'t'li]\ll the lugs m of the bolt-turn on a level plane, the last 45 of turning the lugs l'l(.lt' up cams which are formed in the shoulders I ot' the n-ceivcr back of which the lugs turn, being made to follow therams by a cam of corresponding pitch back of which some part of the bolt lever generallyrides. The object of these cams is to get powerful leverage in starting the empty shell from the breech. \Vhen the bol. is turned to unlocked position,wbichhas taken about; 3/4 of an inch ot longitudinal movement of the driving-rod, all of the great resistance is overcome, consequently not. so much power is now needed. The lmtl'cr-spring, 17,'has now accomplished its primary work and it remains inoperative until the main power spring. H3, has moved the driving-rod and breech-bolt backward, and-the tension of the main power spring is lmverml, whenjust'. bc-

pressing the main powersprin \Vhen the t bolt has reached its most rearward position the empty shell in the meantime having been ejected, the driving-rod moves slightly and the inwardly projecting pin, 50 of the trapezoidal shaped piece, 50, restsagainstthe square shoulder, 5%, formed on the lower wall of the spiral slot in the breech-bolt as is mentioned hereinbefore. This movement allows the front end ofthelug,f, on the tiring bolt to restagainst the end of the breech-bolt. The breech-bolt now begins its return, being forced forward by the sprin I 3t, contained in the driving-rod, 30. A new, shell is forced into the breech by. the breechbolt, and the bolt turned to its locked position ready for tiring y again pulling the The wing-cam exerts its pressure against the base of the handle of the lever and forces it to the right thus turning the breech-bolt until the st'piare. shoulder, 5 on the lower 'wall of the spiral cam A: of the bolt, has moved out of conhmt-with the inwardly projecting pin, .30, of the trapezoidal shaped piece, 50, thus allowing the pin to complete the closing of the bolt. c

llaving thus described my invention what; I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic gun having a reciprocating breeclnbolt, a receiver, ice-acting surl'accs between the bolt and receiver for rotating said bolt,- amechanisnroperated l'orf wardly by the gases of the exploded charge, said bolt being normally uncoupled from the gas operated mechanism whereby it; is devoid oi gas pressure,ctunplementary means intermediate of the bolt-mechanism and gasoperated mw-hanisun 'lor storing the encrgy of the exploded charge, said means including a power spring and a butter -ot'mne uni strength and a reciprmrating casingt inw 'tch said. spring and butter are'contai'nadand means for coupling the bolt-mochanisnrwith the means for storing the power of said charge substantially coordimttcly with thi .exhaustol the gases and 'rermittiug the of which aswing-pressed piece, 92, contacts;

its

ploded charge, a power spring within one lf-a i with a receiver and a breech-bolt, said reof the exploded bolt, of a casing slidably mount-ed parallel with the bolt, a rod passing through the casating rod and an 7 the breech-bolt,

the gas-operated means and actuated thereby portion of said casing, a buffer within another portion ofthe casing. said butler having greater power than said spring, a rod extending through both springs, and a sleeve l surrounding a portion of said rod having a collar on its intermediate portion, said rod ha ring a shoulder a gainstwhich the forward end of the sleeve con acts to thereln limit the forward movement of said sleeve, said spring and buffer adapted to store the energy of said gases for subseq'nrnt use in turning and reciprocating the breech-bolt, an operattaclnnent for fixing it to and an automatically en'- gageable and releasable latch and catch the slidable casing and with't-he receiver and the breech-bolt, said receiver and bolt having co-acting surfaces to permit the turning of the bolt,of a casing slidably mounted parallel with the bolt, a rod passing through the casing, a gas-tube connected with'the forward end of the easing. val.vecontrolled means connecting the gas tube with the interior of the gun-barrel and controlling the amountof gas admitted to said tube, said rod having a shoulder near its forward end and having a shoulder at an intermediate portion, a power spring inclosing the rod having its front end to engage the on the rear portion of the rod having a shoulder between its ends, a casing surrounding said sleeve having a flanged front end to engage said collar, a plug fitting into the rear end of the slidable casing, and a buffer on the rear end of the rod, the collar of said sleeve and the said plug formingstops for opposite ends of the buffer, and the intermediate shoulder of said rod forming a stop for the front end of the sleeve to thereby limit the forward movement of the sleeve. I

6. In an automatic attachment for a gun, the combination with a slidably mounted casing, mounted on the gun parallel with mechanism between said operating rod.

3.-In an automatic gun, the combination cciver and bolt having coacting surfaces to permit the turning of the bolt, means normally disconnected from the breech-bolt and operatedfn a forward direction by the gases charge, a motor actuated by said forward operating means and storing the energy'of the gases, said motor comprising apower-spring, a rod extending through thc'same and having a shoulder on an intermediate portion, a. sleeve embracing the rod and having a collar between its ends, a casing surrounding said sleeve having its front end to contact with the collar thereof and to form a' stop for the rear end of the power spring, and a buffer inclosed by said casing and'having its forward end adapted to contact with said collar, the forward end of the sleeve adapted .to engage the shoulder of said rod to thereby limit theforward movement of the sleeve and the compression of the power spring, and, means automatically coupling t-he' breech-bolt with the motor coordinately with the exhaust of the gases.

4. In an automatic gun, the combination with a receiver and a reciprocating breechbolt, said receiver and bolt having co-acting cam surfaces to permit the turning of the rear end of said casing, said rear end having a greater diameter than the forward end. a rod passing through the casing, the front end of said rod containing a tubular extension provided wit-h a collar, and the intermediate portion of the rod being turned down to form a shoulder, a sleeve slidably mounted on the rod having a collar between its ends, a casing embracing the rear portion of the sleeve having a flanged front end forming a stop for the collar, a power spring confined between the front end of the casing and the collar at the front end of the rod, a buffer within the casing between the collar of the sleeve and said plug, the front end of said sleeve adapted to contact with the-collar on the intermediate portion of said rod and thereby limit the compression of the spring and butter.

' 7 In an automatic gun, the combination with a slidable casing having an enlarged bore at its rear portion, a screw-plug fitting the rear end of said bore, a sleeve secured to the casing and arranged diagonally thereto, a spring motor within the casing comprising two alined springs of unequal power one of said springs serving as a buffer, a sleeve surrounding the rod having a collar at its central portion, said rod having a shoulder forming a stop for the front end of the sleeve, a casing inclosing the rear portion of the sleeve havingza flanged front end engaging said collar, a spring-actuated,operating rodarranged parallel with the casing, a spring-pressed latch carried by the diagonal sleeve having a shoulder behind which the ing, agas tube connected with the forward end of the casing, a breech-bolt mechanism maintained uncoupled from the gas opera-ted leaves the muzzle of.

means until the bullet the gun, a spring-motor normally coupled to to store power for subsequent reciprocation and rotation of the breech-bolt, valve controlled means connecting the gas tube with the interior of the gun barrel and controlling the amount of gas admitted to said tube, and means adapted to vconnect the breechbolt with the motor for retracting said breech-bolt coordinately with the exhaust of the gas and the release of the power of said motor. i

In an automatic gun, the combination -,the barrel thereof, a screw plug fitted in the front end of the operating rod catches when said rod is moved past said shoulder, whereby the rod and slidable sleeve are coupled together, and a fixed cam arranged in the path of movement of the latch and adapted to tri the latter to release the oieratin rod P 1 the la-eeeh-bolt mounted therein, a magasubstantially as described.

u an automatic gun, the combination ha vin a s u'in )ressed floor 1 elevate the lever-flange with a receiver, of a breech-bolt adapted to reciprocate therein, said bolt and receiver having co-acting surfaces operating to permit the bolt to turn, and said bolt having a spirally-arrangtal groove near its rear end with a square-faced shoulder at the base of said groove, a slide-mechanism operated for ardly by the gases of the exploded charge, a compression motor connected to the slidemechanism and adapted to store the energy of said gases for subsequent use in reciprocating and turning the breeclrbolt, an operating rod and an attachment for fixing it to the reech-bolt, a bolt-operating lever, and

a trapezoidal plate carried by the slide mechanism having a pin operating in the groove of the breech-bolt and adapted to engage the square-faced shoulder thereof, said plate having a cam-end to operate under the lever to impart rotation to the breech-bolt.

tl. in a gun of the character described, the breech-bolt having a spirally arranged groove with a square face shoulder at the lower end thereof, in, combination with a gas-operated slide mechanism having a member with :1 lug operating in said groove and adapted to seat against said shoulder and a hand lever connected to the bolt, said member having a cam-portion to opera to under the lever and initially elevate the same sulticiently to unlock the breech-bolt from the receiver.

10. In a gun of the character described, the COll'llJlllilllOl] with the receiver, the magazine, the breechbolt, means for axially turir ing the bolt and means 'for reciprocating said bolt, of a stop for holding the bolt open at the end 0t its rearward movement, said stop com 'irising a cross-Wise extending pivoted member located just in rear ol the ii'iagazine and operated by the magazine floor to project into the horizontal plane of th? bolt and to engage the front end of said be t.

11. In a gun of the character described, the combination of the stock, the receiver,

l l l l l l l l provided with a lug to operate under the lever and thereby above the horizontal plane of the lower side of the breech-bolt.

12. In a gun ol the character described, the combination of the stock, the receiver, zine, means for turning the bolt in the 1'ecciver, means for reciprocating said bolt, and means for holding the breech-bolt in an open retracted position, said means including a lever pivoted at an upper angle so as to move cross-wise of the end of the receiver, said lever having a flange at its upper end adapted to be projected into the range of action of the breech-bolt to engage the front end of the bolt, said magazine having a spring-pressed floor provided Willi a lag to opcrale under the lever and thereby elevate the lever-flange above the, horizontal plane of the lower side of the bl'OQUll-bOlt, and a spring-pressed pin arranged cross- \vise of the stock and projecting from the outer side thereof and having its inner end to operatively engage the free end of the bolt-stop lever.

13. In a gun of the character described, the combination of the receiver, a reciprocating. breech-bolt, means for operating the bolt, :1 magazine having a spring-pressed lloor. said magazine having a vertical groove in its rear wall, and a breech-bolt stop ineluding a pivoted lever arranged crosswise.

of the rear end of the magazine having a flanged upper end, said magazine floor having a lug guided in said groove and adapted to operate under said lever: to elevate its flanged end into the range of action of the front end of the lu-e( -eli-liolt, and a pushpin mounted. in the gun stock and exposed on the outside thereof, for withdrawing the bolt stop out of the range of action of the lireeclibolt.

l-l. In a gun of the character described, the combination of the receiver, the breechbolt, means for reciprocating the bolt, an o crating lever fixed to the breech-bolt, for turning the latter, a spring-pressed caniwing placed under compression by the lever, said bolt; having a s1iirally-arranged groove with a squaredace shoulder at the lower end tl'iereof. a reciprocating member having :1 lug engaging the groove of the brcech-br'ilt and adapted to engage behind' said squaret'acc shoulder, said cam-wing exerting its stored energy upon the bolt lever to impart an initial closing movement to the bolt and to withdraw said lug from engagcn'ient with the square-face shoulder at the lower end of the spiral groove.

15. In a gun of the character described, the combination of the receiver, the breechbolt, means for. reciprocating the bolt, an

0 ieratin lever fixed to the breech-bolt for vor, sald'bolthzwing a spirally arranged groove with a square-face shoulder lower end thereof, a havlng a lug engaging the groove breech-bolt and adapted to at the reciprocating member of the behind engage said square-face shoulder, said cam-wing ex erting its stored energy upon the bolt to Withdraw said 111g from. engagement with the square-face should the spiral groove, sai

er at the lower end of d cam-wing teing of substantially lever form pivotally mounted on the side of the'reeeiver, and a springpressed thimble or sleeve mounted 1n the gain-stock and against which the free lower 15- end of the lever contacts.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presenee'o two witnesses. GRANT HAMMOND. Witnesses: I

T. WALTER FO L R, C. W. FOWLER

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