US2480074A - Cartridge transfer mechanism for magazine firearms - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 23, 1949.

y. A. BROWNING CARTRIDGE TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR MAGAZINE FIREARMS Filed Oct. 28, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet l 'nvvszvrozm VAL A. Brow/sums Au .23, 1949. v. A. BROWNING CARTRIDGE TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR MAGAZINE FIREARMS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001.. 28, 1944 B 1% .v, w

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CARTRIDGE TRANSFERMECHANISM FOR MAGAZINE FIREARMS Filed Oct. 28, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 23, 1949. v. A. BROWNING 254309074 CARTRIDGE TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR MAGAZINE FIREARMS Filed Oct. 28, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 5 a g I 3 m g A ,,M%2 g s sms Q 3 l 2 g -3- Q. ,5,, I 2 a Miw waifi? Q i T & R

' Q 1: i I i i\\ r 3%) g; m: H 1 4L1 x a I Q s *3 G5 i-S A INVENTOR. g VAL A. BIDWNING Aug. 23, 1949. v. A. BROWNING 2,480,974

CARTRIDGE TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR MAGAZINE FIREARMS Fild Oct. 28, 1944 e Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR VAL A. B/PO wmue W x/6%! /04 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 23, 1949 CARTRIDGE TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR MAGAZINE FIREARMS Val A. Browning, Ggden, Utah, assignor to J. M. & M. S. Browning Company, Ogden, Utah, a

corporation of Utah Application October 28, 1944, Serial No.560,744

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in firearms, and is particularly directed to the mechanism or means for transferring the cartridges or shells to the firing chamber.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my application Serial No. 555,949, filed September 27, 1944, and entitled Firearms.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved arrangement for transferring the successive cartridges from the magazine to the firing chamber and, particularly, to provide an arrangement wherein the magazine may be loaded at all times when the breech block is in breech closing position without the necessity of moving the cartridge carrier out of the way or the necessity of pushing a manual button or other instrumentality of the type usually employed on firearms of this character, and wherein the carrier is simplified and its operation is improved.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

lhe following description will be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar parts, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a firearm embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally longitudinally and vertically through the firearm, with parts of the operating mechanism shown in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a like sectional view, of a still greater enlargement, showing the operating mechanism of the firearm illustrated in Fig. 1 when the same is in firing position, the rear and forward ends of the firearm being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, in which the parts are in a position which they occupy during an intermediate stage in the recoil stroke, and more particularly illustrating the barrel in the position which it occupies toward the end of its recoil stroke and the breech block in a position where it is unlocked from the barrel and is continuing its recoil movement;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but looking at the other side of the firearm and showing the relative positions of the parts when the breech block has almost reached the end of its recoil movement and at which time the carrier is in depressed position, as shown. to receive a new cartridge from the magazine;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the carrier latched in depressed position and the breech block locked in retracted position, a condition which takes place when the firearm has been fired and the magazine is empty, or when the breech block is manually moved to its retracted position while there are no cartridges in the magazine;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but shows the positions which the parts assume while the breech block is moving rearwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the extreme end of its recoil stroke;

Fig. 8 is a view simi ar to F g. '7 illustrating the relative positions of the parts when the breech block is approaching the forward end of its return movement and just prior to the locking of the barrel and breech block;

Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly in cross section, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is an elevational cross sectional view taken on the line Ill-40 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction ofv the arrows;

Fig. 11 is an elevational cross sectional view taken on the line llll of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the construction of the link;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the closure plate I'm, the right hand extractor 56 and the operating handle !9 being shown in phantom;

. Fig. 14 is a top edge view of the closure plate and a portion of the breech block;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a somewhat different arrangementof the. carrier depressing lever on the rear end of the cartridge carrier;

Fig. 16 is aview similar to Fig. 6 but showing the carrier depressing lever illustrated in Fig. 15; and

a Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the carrier.

In the drawings, I have shown for illustrative purposes only, the self-loading, recoil operated firearm illustrated and described in my said copending application, Serial No. 555,949, it being understood that such a showing is by way of example only, it being apparent that the improvements of the present invention may be incorporated in firearms of other types.

Referring to the drawings, the firearm is shown as having a barrel [0, aframe or receiver H, and

a stock I2. The barrel is provided with a barrel extension I3 and a cartridge chamber I4. The barrel extension extends into an opening 39 in the forward end of the receiver. The barrel is further equipped with a barrel guide ring I5 which is slidably mounted on the cylindrical magazine I6. The receiver or frame ;II is provided with the usual ejection opening I! in one side face thereof and a slot I8 extending from the rear edge of said opening to accommodate the operating handle I 9. The magazine I6 is secured-to the front .end of the receiver as at 20 by screw threads or other suitable attaching means.

The receiver has a chamber Blocated behind the magazine and accommodating the forward end of the cartridge carrier I00. This chamber is open at its bottom so as to provide a load.- ing opening through which the cartridges may be inserted into the magazine.

The rear of the receiver is equipped with a threaded extension 2! which serves as a mounting for the inertia member tube 22, which fits within the bore 2-3 of the stock I2. The inertia member tube is closed at its rear end :by a suitable plug 24 whichis provided with an internally threaded opening .25 for accommodating the stock bolt 26, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The stock-bolt 26 extends through a smaller opening 21 in the stock and has an enlarged head 28 abutting the inner end of a larger opening 29 in the stock.

Between the barrel guide ring and the opposed face .of the receiver a recoil spring 30 is provided, together with .one .or more friction rings 32-32 which serve to resist the recoil movement of the barrel and to restore the barrel to firing position following recoil. The friction rings 32732 may be of any suitable construction and are here illustrated as, comprising split collars 33--33 surrounded by suitable-retainer springs 34:73.4. In the firearrn illustrated and as more particularly explained in my said application, Serial No. 555,949, the recoil spring ,30 and the friction rings 32732; are of such construction that they collectively provide sufficient resistance to the recoil movement of thebarrel to stop its rear movement in space within the receiver, that is without theuse ofabutments or the like. against which the barrel may. strike,

W thi h maeae n be It a u ab e mes zine spring 35 is mounted for. advancing theishells in he magaz ne ear dly n th o ve t o l manner a ut mai c oading f t rearm- The forward nd of th ma azine t b t is threaded a at 3 f r ac mirqda ns he mes Zine cap 1 whi h; w th the us a forend 38 helds the bar e n mutate os qaw th erect to th rece erthe opposite side walls of the receiver, at an intermediate point in the height thereof, a pair of opposed grooves 40-40 are provided which constitute slide tracks for the barrel extension and breech block during their reci rocatory recoil and return movements. Laterally projecting flanges 4I-4 I, formed on the lower forward portion of the barrel extension, are slidably mounted in the grooves 4040. The breech block 44 is provided with laterally extending flanges 45-45 which are likewise slldably mounted in the grooves 40-40 in the receiver. The breech block is provided with a centrally disposed vertical recess 46 adapted to accommodate the locking block 41. One of the lateral faces of the recess 46 of the breech block 44 is provided with an arcuate-slot 48 which slidably accommodates a 4 correspondingly shaped arcuate lug 49 on the adjacent face of the locking block,

The forward portion of the breech block is provided with a central opening 49 for accommodating the firing pin 50. The opening 49' is enlarged, as at 5|, and constitutes a seat for the forward end of the firing pin spring 52 which is preferably mounted as shown and which, at its opposite end, abuts the flange 53 formed integral- 1y with the firing pin. The intermediate portion of the firing pin is accommodated in the central slot 54 in the locking block 41, and its rear end is slidably mounted in a suitable opening therefor in the retaining plate 55. The breech block is further provided with suitable extractors 5656 on the opposite sides thereof, of conventional construction.

The barrel extension I3 has a longitudinally extending groove I30 for accommodating the extractor 56 located on the adjacent side of the breech block. At the rear of the barrel extension and at the end of the groove I30 is the ejector l3! which serves in cooperation with the ex.- tractors to eject the spent cartridge. In addition, the barrel extension is provided with the locking opening I32 which is adapted to receive the projecting end of the locking block in such manner as to lock the breech block and the barrel extension in cooperative relationship. The locking opening I32 has a lock-engaging face I33 with which the face I34 on the locking block is adapted to cooperate.

In the bottom of the-breech block there. is a centrally disposed slot 51 which accommodates the locking block latch 58 pivoted to the breech block at 5 9. This latch has an extension 60 bearing upon the compression spring ill mounted in the recess 62 of the breech block. The latch extends toward the rear of the firearm and has a locking end portion 63 adapted to engage the shoulder 04 of the locking block when the loci ing block is moved to unlocked position (see Figure 4).

The lower rear corner of the locking block is pivoted at E5 to a link 66 Which extends rear.- wardly and terminates in a suitable pivot member, such as 61, for pivotal connection to the inertia member 68. As more particularly shown in Fig. 2, the inertia member $58 is slidably mounted in the inertia member tube 22 and also has abutting engagement with the action spring 69. The opposite end of the action spring is seated against the plug 24 which closes the rear end of the inertia member tube 22. The inertia member 63 is further equipped with the rearwardly projecting extension 98 which has sufficient length to abut the plug 24 in the extreme rearward position of the inertia member to form an ultimate stop for the recoil movement of the inertia member and breech block. A cushioning washer or disc I50 is preferably placed on top of the plug 24.

The firing mechanism here illustrated comprises a trigger plate Ill having a central slot 12 and a trigger guard l l. The trigger it! is pivoted on the pin 14 and has an upwardly extending end 15 pivoted at T5 to the counterbalancing link TI. The other end of the link IT is pivoted as at 18 to the upper arm of the sear 7S3 mounted for oscillatory movement around the axis of a pin 89. The pin extends through an opening in the sear and projects on opposite sides thereof and is accommodated in the semi-circular bearings formed in the extensions 8I8I on the upper face of the trigger plate. The lower end of 5 the sear extends downwardly and presents a portion 82 in spaced and opposed relationship to a portion 83 of the trigger. These portions Hand 83, respectively, are provided with recesses, as shown in Fig. 3, in which the opposite ends of a compression coil spring 84 are mounted. The lower arm of the sear is'provided with a hammer-engaging tooth 85 which coacts with the hammer notch 86 on the hammer 81 for holding the hammer. in cocked position. The hammer is pivotallymounted on a pin 88 carried by the lugs 09-89 extending upwardly from the forward portion of the trigger plate. The upper arm of the sear is provided with a tooth or hook 90 for engaging a cooperating tooth SI on'the hammer'in the event that the trigger is held pulled after firing a shot.

Extending through the hammer adjacent its pivot is 'a pin 02 equipped with parallel diametrically disposed holes 93 which accommodate the forward ends of the main spring guide rods 94-44. These rods are each provided with an integral flange 95 adjacent their forward ends to limit their forward movement with respect to the pin 92 and to provide abutments for the forward ends of the main springs 96-436. The pin 80 is likewise provided with parallel diametrically extending holes 91-0! which slidably accommodate the rear ends of the main spring guide rods 9494. The trigger plate may be attached to the receiver by pins I 30 located in longitudinally extending grooves I35 provided in the side faces of the trigger plate and which cooperate with complementary semi-circular grooves provided in the opposed faces of the receiver. V

A'carrier I is also mounted in the lower portion of the receiver and preferably comprises a pair of spaced arms IOIIOI pivoted on the carrier pin I92 which has its opposite ends mounted in the spaced side walls of the receiver. Suitable bushings HIE-42B are provided so as to maintain the carrier in a proper centralized position in the receiver. The forward ends of the arms IQI-IIH of the carrier I00 are connected by means of a cross pin I03 and the rear ends thereof are connected by a cross pin I04. The

carrier arms IflI-IOI are so constructed and arranged that they straddle the upper portion of the firing mechanism and have a sliding and guiding contact with the lugs 30--89 on the forward end of the trigger plate. These lugs guide the carrier in its vertical movements and prevent lateral movement thereof so that the pivot pin I02 is relieved of tortional strains.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 to 8, there is mounted on the rear pin I04, between the arms of the carrier, a pair of locking pawls I05I05 which are adapted, under certain conditions, to engage in the notch I60 of the link 66 for the purpose of locking thebreech block in recoiled position, as shown in Fig. '6. The pawls are spaced apart to provide a central space for accommodating the carrier-depressing lever I06. The locking pawls I05 and the carrier-depressing lever I06 are all pivotally mounted on the pin I04, and the locking pawls are held in operative positions by means of the ends I0'I--I0'I of the coil springs I08I08, respectively. The ends I01 extend into the slots I09 on the outer lateral faces of the pawls, whereby through the depressing action of the springs the pawls are held in operative position and at the same time a downward pressure is exerted on the pin I04. This downward pressure on the pin I04 causes the opposite end of the carrier to be normally urged in an upward direction. The carrier-depressing lever I06 has its upper end extended sufficiently to occupy the space constituting the central slot H0 in the link 66, and for engagement, at the proper moment, with the shoulders or cam faces III and located at the forward and rear ends of the slot IIO. It will be observed from Figs. 5 and 6 that when the breech block is in recoiled position, the upper end of the lever I06 extends into the forward end of the tube 22, and thus movement of the lever is accommodated without increasing the length of the receiver. Further, as shown in Fig. 3, when the parts are in firing position, the upper end of the lever I96 is adjacent the pivot pin I02 and projects into the slot H0 of the link just forwardly of the rear shoulder H8 of the slot. This is of advantage in that the lever will prevent the; breech block and associated parts from accidentally being projected through the forward end of the receiver under the influence of the action spring 69 in case the barrel is removed from the receiver.

The lower end of the carrier-depressing lever IDS is formed to constitute a cam IIZ which in certain positions is adapted to engage and bear upon the upper face H3 of the bearing block II slidably mounted in a groove H5 in the upper face of the trigger plate. Forward movement of the bearing block IId is limited by means of pin H6 and the block is normally urged in contact with the pin by means of the compresion spring I I.

The arrangement of the carrier shown in the embodiment of Figs. 15 to 1'7, inclusive, is generally similar to that just described in arrangement and operation. However, instead of having two separately pivoted locking pawls I05-Iii5, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 15 to 17, inelusive, the carrier depressing lever 105 is provided with an integral tooth I05 which constituts a locking pawl adapted to cooperate with the notch I60 of the link 65. The lever M35 is maintained centrally on the pin H94 by two short sleeves I14. Extending through the lever I06, adjacent the pivot thereof, is a pin I13 which, in length, is slightl less than the distance between the two arms IOI of the carrier so that the pin may swing in the space between those arms and the arms will prevent the pin from moving transversely of the lever. When the breech block is in the recoiled position shown in Fig. 16, the ends I0'I-I01 of the springs "28-408 engage the pin I13 and thereby urge the lever I05 into the locking position shown. When the breech block is in breech closing position, the ends I0? of the spring engage the cross pin I04, as shown in Fig. 15.

As particularly illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 9, inclusive, the inner face of one wall of the receiver, atthe location adjacent the exit of the magazine, is provided with a recess I2I in which is pivotally mounted the carrier lock and cartridge stop member I22. This member may be constructed in the manner illustrated in the drawings, and the pivot I23 therefor extends vertically as shown in Fig. 5. The outer face of the member I22 is provided with a recess I 24 for accommodating the conical compression spring I25 which also bears on the face of the receiver recess and acts to urge the associated end of the carrier lock and cartridge stop member I22 outwardly into the space of the receiver. The forward end of the member I22 constitutes a stop forthe cartridges contained in the magaas e t;

zine and the rear end of the member I22 constitutes a lock for holding the carrier in depressed position under certain conditions. The arrangement, relation, and movements of the carrier and the carrier lock and cartridge stop member I22 are such that when, and only when,the carrier is in the depressed or cartridge receiving position shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 9 and the magazine is empty of cartridges, the rear of the member I22 overlies the adjacent arm I ill of the carrier so that the carrier is locked down. In all other positions of the carrier, the thereof lies in the path of inward movement of the rear end of the member so that that end will bear against the outer face of said arm and thus the member I22 is held in a position where the forward end thereof is in cartridge stop position. It is understood, of course, that when a cartridge is delivered from the magazine onto the carrier, the flange on the rear end of the cartridge wiil force itself between the receiver wall and the member I 22, and thus force the member to the full line position shown in Fig. 9. The forward end of the member 522 is resilient and yieldable whereby it is free to move towards the wall of the receiver during the insertion of cartridges into the magazine and to spring back to cartridge stop position after each cartridge has been so insert ed. In order to manually disengage the member I22 from the carrier when the parts are in the position show in Fig. 6, a button Mil is conveniently presented on the outside of the receiver.

The operation of the firearm will now be described and, as a starting point, it will be assumed that the firearm is in the firing condition shown in Fig. 3, a shell is in the firing chamber, and shells are in the magazine. Upon pulling the trigger, the hammer fi'l is released from the sear I9 so that the hammer is free to swing (under the influence of the main springs 96) from the full line position to the dotted line position show in Fig. 3 thus strikng the firing pin and causing explosion of the shell within the firing chamber. As a resu't of the explosion, the power gases generated act against the forward face of the breech block and cause the barrel, the breech block, the link, and the inertia member to move rapidly rearwardly in recoil. The recoil movement of the barrel causes a corresponding rearward movement of the barrel guide ring l as well as the friction rings 32 and also a compression of the recoil spring 36. As ex lained more full in my said application, Serial No. 555,949, the re istance o the recoil re istance means, including the spring and the fric ion rings, is such that the recoil movement of the barrel will be rapidly decelerated after it has reached its highest recoil veloc t and rearward movement of the barrel is yieldingly terminated in space at a variabe pont depending u on the character and intensity of the charge and then the recoil spring will return the barrel to its forward or normal posit on.

During the initial portion of the decelerating recoil movement of the barrel, the breech block, being connected to the barrel, tends to decelerate therewith while the inertia member tends to continue at its then attained velocity so that the inertia member will exert a rearward pull on the locking block and draw it downwardly out of locking engagement with the barrel extension. Unlocking of the locking block from the barrel starts as soon as the recoil movement of the barrel begins to decelerate, and the unlocking is entirely effected before the barrel has reached its rear-most position. The breech block, link, and inertia member continue their movement to the rear under the influence of their own momentum and against the action of the action spring; Such recoil movement of the breech block will be terminated when the extension 98 of the inertia member engages the cushioning disk I50 on the closing plug 24, whereupon the action spring (the barrel in the meantime having been returned to firing position) will advance the inertia block and breech block to their forward position so that the firearm is again in the condition shown in Fig. 3 ready to be fired.

The rearward movement of the breech block and the simultaneous forward movement of the barrel extension cause an extraction of the spent shell from the firing chamber by virtue of the fact that the flange of the cartridge is engaged by the extractors 56, 56 mounted on the breech block. When the relative movement between the breech block and the barrel extension has progressed to the point where the flange of the cartridge is brought into engagement with the ejector I3I carried on the barrel extension, the spent cartridge is ejected laterally through the ejection opening I'I. During th rearward movement of the link 66, the shoulder III thereof engages the hammer 8'! and pivots the hammer backwardly to its cocked position.

Continuing the description of the operation of the firearm, particularly in connection with the carrier, when the firearm is in firing condition, as shown in Figs-3 and 15, the forward end of the carrier I60 is in an elevated position so that cartridges may be inserted in the magazine. In this position, the springs I08 resiliently maintain the forward portion of the carrier up against the bottom of the breech block. Furthermore, in this position of the carrier and, in fact, in all other positions thereof (except when the carrier is in depressed or cartridge receiving position shown in Figs. 6 and 16) and during the movement of the carrier up and down, the rear end of the carrier lock and cartridge stop member I22 bears against the outside face of the right hand arm IUI of the carrier I60 so that the member I22 is held in cartridge stop position. Upon firing the firearm, the link 66 and associated recoil parts recoil rearwardly as previously described and as the link 66 approaches its rearmost recoil position, the shoulder I I I on the link will engage the upper end of the carrier-depressing lever (see Fig. 5) and rock the same rearwardly so as to cause thecam extension H2 (or II2) on the opposite end thereof to move downwardly in engagement with the upper face II3 of the bearing block II 4. In view of the fact that the cam extension has greater height than the distance between the upper face of the bearing block and the pivot pin I04 when the carrier is in the intermediate position shown in Fig. 4, the continued movement of the carrier-depressing lever will cause the pivot pin I04 to be raised and, consequently, the opposite end of the carrier to be depressed to a position where it may receive a new cartridge from the magazine, as shown in Fig. 5. On continued rearward movement of the link (from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 7), the cam extension rides off of the bearing block II4 whereupon the springs I08 are free to raise the forward end of the carrier to the position shown in Fig. 7. In this position, the cartridge just received from the magazine is held in elevated position by the carrier in alignment with the firing chamber. When the car- .notch H of the link 66 Fig. 6. In the event, however, that the magazine is not empty, the rearmost cartridge therein,

' as soon as the carrier ismoved to depressed position, will be snapped back onto the carrier by the magazine spring 35, and the head of this cartridge will bear against the rear portion of the member I22 thereby camming the member I22 to the full line position shown in Fig. 9, so that the carrier is free to be raised by the springs I08. In this latter operation, there may be, in some instances, a short period during which the carrier is latched down by the member i speed with which the cartridge is fed onto the carrier and other factors. During the return forward movement of the breech block, the carrier is cammed downwardly by the breech block from the full elevated position in Fig. '7 to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 3. Also, as the breech block is approaching its normal forward position, the shoulder H8 provided by the rear end of the slot I I8 in the link 56 will engage 'the upper end of thecarrier-depressing lever III E (or I05) and move the same forwardly and thereby swing the cam extension to the position shown in Fig. 8. During such movement of the cam extension, it will engage and move the bearing block I It backwardly until it clears the same and then the block is snapped forwardly by the spring I.

As previously indicated, when the last cartridge is fired, there being no more in the magazine,

the breech block will be automatically locked in its recoiled position as shown in Figs. 6 and 16. In this position of the parts, the member I22 locks the carrier in depressed position and the locking pawls I05 (or the pawl I05) are disposed in a position where on the underside and adjacent the forward end of the link 66. The locking pawls engage in the notch I60 upon initial forward movement of the breech block and the link. When it is desired to close the firearm, that may be accomplished by manually pushing the button I49 inwardly so as to move the forward end of the member I22 into cartridge stop position and the rear end of the member I22 out of locking relation with the carrier. When the carrier is thus unlocked, the

forward end thereof will move upwardly under the influence of the springs I08 thereby disengaging the pawls I (or the pawl I05) from the whereupon the breech block is free to be moved forwardly by the action spring 69. The action spring, acting through the link 66 and the pawls, assists the carrier springs I08 in raising the forward end of the carrier, and this may also occur when there is a cartridge in the magazine and the cartridge, when expelled therefrom, moves the rear end of the member I22 out of locking relation to the carrier.

It is noted that with the construction described, the barrel has a relatively short recoil stroke and this, together with the relatively short breech block, permits the use of a receiver of minimum length with a consequentreduction in size and weight Of the firearm. This reduction in length also permits the upper rear portion of the receiver to be rounded off to give a new depending upon the they engage the shoulder I60 streamlined appearance to the firearm. The breech block, however, is not of sufficient length to provide a complete closure for the ejection opening II. In order that the ejection opening may be closed when the breech block is in forward position, a closure plate H0 is slidably ounted on the breech block. As shown in Figs. 11, 13 and 14, the breech block, in its right hand side face, has a longitudinally extending dovetailed groove I68 in which is slidably mounted a correspondingly shaped rib III provided on the closure plate. The groove is open at its rear end so that the rib may be inserted thereinto. The groove I88 has a shoulder IE9 at it forward end so as to limit forward movement of the plate with respect to the breech block. The forward end I12 of the plate I'll} is bent inwardly so as to engage the forward end of the breech block and thereby limit the extent to which the plate may move rearwardly with respect to the breech block. The plate is made of thin spring metal so that this forward end may be sprung outwardly a suflicient "distance to permit the rib III to be slipped into the groove I58 and the plate moved forwardly until its end I12 snaps over the forward end of the breech block. The plate is of sufficient length to provide a full length closure for the ejectionopening, and at the same time, by virtue ofits sliding relationship to the breech block, it

maypmove forwardly and rearwardly by engagement with the receiver and the barrel extension, respectively, during the recoil and return movements of the breech block.

As, many changes could be made in the above construction and'many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or'shown in the accompanying "drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim as my invention:

. 1. In a firearm, a receiver, a barrel, a magazine extending forwardly from said receiver and located beneath said barrel, said receiver having a chamber behind the magazine open at its bottom so as to permit insertion of cartridges into the magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds a cartridge thereon in alignment with thebarrel, spring means constantly .urgingthe carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of. cartridge-receiving position at .alltimes exceptwhensaid breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, and means associated with and operated by the breech block for positively moving said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position as the breech block approaches the rear end of its rearward move- ,ment.,

2. In a firearm, a receiver, a barrel, a magazine extending forwardly from said receiver and lothe magazine, a'breechblock mounted for reciproc'ation, a pivoted carrier behind'th'e magazine and mounted Ior movement between a depressed cartridge receivmg'position and an elevated position where it holds a cartridge thereon in ali nment With the barrel, springmeans constantly urging tne carrier towards its elevated position and constructed'and' arrangedto maintain the carrier up out oi cartridge-receiving position at all times except when said breech block issubstantialiy in its rearmost position, and means associated with and operated by the breech block for positively moving said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position as the breech block approaches the rear end of its rearward movement, said breech block, when moving into breech closing position, camming the carrier downwardly to an intermediate position in which said spring means maintains the carrier up against the breech block.

3. In a firearm, a receiver, a barrel, a magazine extending forwardly from said receiver and located beneath said barrel, said receiver having a chamber behind the magazine open at its bottom 50 as to permit insertion of cartridges into the magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds a cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, springs means urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge-receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, and cam means operated by the breech block as it approaches the rear end of its rearward stroke for moving said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position and then immediately releasing the carrier for upward movement by said spring.

4. In a firearm, a receiver, a barrel, a magazine extending forwardly from said'receiver and located beneath said barrel, said receiver having a chamber behind the magazine open at its bottom so as to permit insertion of cartridges into the magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a carrier pivoted between its ends and located behind the magazine and niountedfor movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge-receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, a carrier-depressing lever pivoted on the rear end of said carrier, and means associated with and operated by said breech block for moving said lever in a direction to move said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward stroke and for moving said lever in the opposite direction to an operative position when the breech block approaches the end of its forward stroke.

5. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a carrier pivoted between its ends behind said magazine and mounted for movement between a depressedcar tridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, a link connected to and extending rearwardly from said breech block and arranged to reciprocate therewith, said link having a longitudinally extending slot with shoulders at the opposite ends thereof, a carrier-depressing lever pivoted on the rear end of said carrier and having'an arm extending into said slot, the shoulder at'tne forward end or said'slot being arranged to engage said lever and move the same'in a direction to move the carrier to cartridge receiving position When the breech block approaches the end of its rearward stroke, the shoulder at the rear' end of said slot being arranged to engage said lever to restore the same to operative position' when the breech block approaches the end of its forward stroke and spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged'to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position.

6. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds a cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel,

spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge-receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, a bearing block below and adjacent the rear end of the carrier, a lever pivoted to the rear end of said carrier and having an extension adapted to bear upon said block, a shoulder associated with said breech block arranged to env gage said lever when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward stroke causing the extension to engage said bearing block and thereby move said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position.

7. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine below the barrel, a breech block mounted for reciprocation relative to the barrel, a cartridge carrier for receiving a cartridge from the magazine and transferring it to a position where it may be fed by the advancing breech block into the barrel, spring means urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge-receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, a carrierdepressing lever pivoted on the rear end of said carrier, means movable with the breech block for moving said lever in a direction to depress the carrier when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward movement, a bearing block against'which said lever is arranged to bear when it is so moved, said lever being arranged to ride on of .said bearing block when the carrier has bee'i fully depressed, and means associated with and operated by the breech block for restoring said lever into operative relation with said bearing block as the breech block moves forwardly to breech closing position.

8. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine below the barrel, a breech block mounted for reciprocation relative to the barrel, a cartridge carrier for receiving a cartridge from the magazine and transferring it to a position where it may be fed by the advancing breech block into the barrel, a carrierdepressing lever pivoted on the rear end of said carrier, means movable with the breech block for moving said lever in a direction to depress the carrier when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward movement and for moving the lever in the'opposite direction to restore it ;to operative position when the breech block approaches the end of its forward movement, a slidable bearing block against which said lever is arranged to bear when moved in said first mentioned direction, said lever being arranged to ride off of said bearing block when the carrier has been fully depressed, a spring normally urging said bearing block, into-operative position with respect to said lever, and spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position receiver, a tube extending from the rearend of and opening into said receiver, a link connected to said breech block and'arranged to reciprocate therewith and to move into said tube, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, a carrier-depressing lever pivoted on the rear end of said carrier and having an arm, said link having a shoulder arranged to engage said arm and turn the lever in a direction to move the carrier to cartridge receiving position when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward stroke, said arm of the lever being accommodated by said tube when the breech block is at the rear end of its rearward movement, and spring (means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position.

10. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a link connected to and extending rearwardly from said breech block and arranged to reciprocate therewith, said link having a notch, a carrier pivoted between its ends behind said magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, a carrier-depressing lever pivotally mounted on the rear end of said carrier and arranged to be operated by said link to move the carrier to cartridge receiving position when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward stroke, a locking pawl pivoted On the rear end of said carrier and arranged to cooperate with said notch to lock the breech block in its recoiled position, and spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and holding said pawl in operative position with respect to said notch in said link, said spring means being constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge-receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position.

11. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a link connected to and extending rearwardly from said breech block and arranged to reciprocate therewith, said link having a notch, a carrier pivoted between its ends behind said magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, a carrier-depressing lever mounted on the rear end of said carrier and arranged to be oper- .ated by said link to move the carrier to cartridgereceiving position when the breech block approaches the end of its rearward stroke, a tooth integral with said lever and arranged to cooperate with said notch to lock the breech block in its recoiled position, and spring means constantly urging saidcarrier towards its elevated position, said spring means being constructed and arranged to maintain said carrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all times except when said breech block is substantially in its rearmost position.

12. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all times except when the breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, means associated with said breech block for moving said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position as the breech block moves rearwardly, and a cartridge stop maintained in cartridge stopping position by the carrier in all positions of the latter except when the carrier is in cartridge receiving position, said cartridge stop member being movable'into and out of cartridge-stopping position when said carrier is in cartridge-receiving position.

13. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all times except when the breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, means associated with said breech block for moving said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position as the breech block moves rearwardly, and a combined carrier lock and cartridge stop member maintained by the carrier in cartridge stopping position in all positions of the carrier except when the carrier is in cartridge receiving position, said member, when said carrier is in depressed position, being movable into and out of locking relation to the carrier and respectively out of and into cartridge stopping position.

14. In a firearm, a barrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, spring means constantly urging the carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain the carrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all times except when the breech block is substantially in its rearmost position, means associated with said breech block for moving said carrier downwardly to cartridge receiving position as the breech block moves rearwardly, a combined carrier lock and cartridge stop member pivoted between its ends and resiliently urged out of cartridge stopping position, the rear end of said member overlying said carrier when the latter is in cartridge resee ers ee'iving position and engaging against the side of thee-arrierin 'all other positions of the latter whereby the carrier maintains said member in cartridge stopping position.

15. In a firearm, a barrel, a-:magazine, a breech block mounted -for reciprocation, apivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted iorsmovemerit between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, spring means constantly'urging the-carrier towards its elevated position and constructed and arranged to maintain thecarrier up out of cartridge receiving position at all-times except when the breech block is substantiallyin its rearmost position, means operated by the rearward movement of the breech blockfor moving said carrier downwardlyto cartridge receiving positridge stop member maintained-by the carrier in cartridge stopping position in all positions of the carrier except when the carrier is in depressed position, said member being arranged to lock said carrier in cartridge receiving position and to be movedout of locking relation thereto when the 'cartridgeiis delivered onto the carrier, and means operatively associated with the carrier and breech block for locking the latter in retracted position when said carrier is locked by said member in cartridge receiving position.

16. In a firearm, abarrel, a magazine, a breech block mounted for reciprocation, a pivoted carrier behind the magazine and mounted for movement between a depressed cartridge receiving position and an elevated position where it "holds the cartridge thereon in alignment with the barrel, spring means constantly urging the car- 1 6 "rier towards its elevated position and constructed and-arrangedto maintain the carrier up out of cartridgereceiving position at all times except when the breech blockis substantially-in its rearmost-position, and means operated by the rearward movement of-the breech block for moving said carrierdownwardly to-cartridge receiving position and then immediately releasing the ca rier--for--upward movement under the infiuence of said'spri-ng means, a combined carrier lock and cartridge stop member maintained bythe carrier in -cartridge .-stoppingz position in all positions of the-carrierexcept when the-carrier is in depressed position, said memberl'being adapted to ,lock said carriei in cartridge receiving position and to be -oammedout 01- locked position and into cartridge :stopp'ing position when acartridge is snapped back-ontothecarrier, means operatively associated with the carrier and breech block for lockingthe latter in retracted position when said carrierzisilocked bysaid member in cartridge receivingupositions VAL A. BROWNING.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The-followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

Y UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 5'16;417' Wackermann Mar; '13, 1894 659507 Browning- -0ct:'9, 1900 7985512 Johnson Aug129, 1905 1,043,717 Pesek Nov. 5', 1912 129,527 Swebilius'et a1 Feb. '23; 1915 1363;696 Thompson Dec. "28', 1920 852,411 Henry Apr. 5, 1932 -2;t90',340- Browning Aug. I7, 1937

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