Improvements in Breech-loading Ordnance

13,137. Tasker, V. C. June 11. Ordnance breech mechanism. - Relates to improvements upon the invention described in Specification No. 21,276, A.D. 1902. Fig. 1 shows a horizontal section with the breech - screw locked, Fig. 2 an end view, Fig. 4 a vertical section with the breech-screw unlccked, and Fig. 12 an inside view of the breech-screw carrier. The breech-screw carrier C has an inwardly-projecting spindle C', C having its exterior, which receives the breech-screw B, eccentric to the gun axis, and its interior, which receives the casing K of the firing-mechanism, concentric to the gun axis. When the lever L, which is pivoted to the carrier C, is swung outwards, it acts through the bevel gearing B and rotates the breech-screw into unlocked position, bringing the eccentric opening B in its face out of line with the hammer D and the cartridge primer, and thus making it impossible to discharge the gun until the breechscrew is again in locked position. When the breech-screw is unlocked, a projecting piece B upon it comes against a stop C'‹ on the carrier C and thus prevents further rotation, while backward movement is prevented by a spring catch N, which is pivoted at C to the carrier and acts as soon as the carrier begins to move away from the gun breech. A modified spring catch is arranged to act as a strut against the end of the breechscrew to prevent it from rotating. A pawl Z, having a heavy part Z and a spring Z , locks the operating-lever L to the carrier, the heavy part acting at the instant the recoil is checked, and thus preventing the lever L from accidentally swinging open. The firing-mechanism in the casing K is described in the above-quoted Specification. The arm P' on the firing-spindle P is operated by a pallet S , carried on a shaft S, which is rotated by the hinged lever U. The casing K of the firing- mechanism connects the breech-screw B to the carrier C by a bayonet joint, and is itself prevented from rotating into unlocked position by the spring pin R. This arrangement enables the breech mechanism to be taken to pieces by hand.