(No Model.) 3 sheets-Sheet 1.

J. M., BROWNING.
BOX. MAGAZINE FIREAR M.
No. 549,345, Patented Nov. 5, 1895,

7 N.
2.6%/ RN
 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

Patented Nov. 5, 1895,

?,±()
(No Model.) 3 sheets-Sheet 3.
J. M. BROWNING.
BOX MAGAZINE FIREARM, ga
No. 549,345, Patented Nov. 5, 1895.

ANDREW B.GRAHAM. Photo-Tho...washington, D.c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,345, dated November 5, 1895.
Application filed November 19, 1894, Serial No. 529,259, (No model.)
. . To all, whom it may concern: My invention relates to an improvement in
Beit known that I, JOHN M. BROWNING, of that class of magazine breech-loading fire
Ogden, in the county of Weber and Territory arms which have boxinstead of tubular mag
of Utah, have invented a new Improvement azines, the object being to produce a conven 55
in Box-Magazine Breech-Loading Guns; and ient, Safe, and effective arm, constructed with
I do hereby declare the following, when taken particular reference to having a compact, nar
in connection with the accompanying draw row frame.
ings and the letters of reference marked With these ends in view my invention con
thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact descrip sists in a box-magazine breech-loading fire
O tion of the same, and which said drawings arm, a link located to the rear of the finger
constitute part of this specification, and rep lever and having articulate connection with
resent, in the same and the frame of the arm, whereby
Figure 1, a broken view, partly in side ele the finger-lever has only to straddle the box
Vation and partly in Vertical longitudinal sec magazine. 65
tion, of one form of a gun constructed in ac Myinvention further consists in such a fire
cordance with my invention, the parts of the arm when provided with a link located to the
gun being shown in the positions due to them. rear of its finger-lever, having articulate con
when the gun is closed; Fig. 2, a broken de nection. With the same and with the frame of
tached plan view of the frame of the gun with the arm and coacting with a recoil-block which 7 O
the breech-bolt removed and showing the sta locks the breech-bolt in its closed position.
tionary and flexible members of the two-part My invention further consists in such an
box-magazine and the recoil-block and the arm when provided with a firing-pin having
pivotal dog mounted therein; Fig. 3, a de a beveled Operating-head at its rear end, and
tached plan view of the finger-lever; Fig. 4, with a recoil-blockfor locking the breech-bolt 75
25 a view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing in its closed position, and having a notch
the parts in the positions due to them when formed in its upper end for the reception of
the gun is open; Fig. 5, a detached View in the said beveled head of the firing-pin.
side elevation of the breech-bolt; Fig. 6, a My invention further consists in such an
detached reverse plan view thereof; Fig. 7, a arm when provided with a recoil-block for
detached View of the breech-bolt in front ele locking the breech-bolt in its closed position,
vation; Fig. 8, a detached plan view of the and constructed at its lower end with a clear
recoil-block; Fig. 9, a view thereof in side ance space adapting it to fit over a link by
elevation; Fig. 10, a front view thereof; Fig. which the said block is operated, and which
11, a detached view in side elevation of the is located to the rear of the finger-lever of the 85
35 link employed to connect the finger-lever arm and is articulated with the same and with
with the lower tang of the frame; Fig. 12, a the frame.
plan view thereof; Fig. 13, a plan view of My invention further consists in such an
the carrier-arm; Fig. 14, a view in side ele arm when having certain details of construc
vation of the equalizing - lever; Fig. 15, a tion and combinations of parts, as will be here
view in side elevation of the stationary for inafter described, and pointed out in the
Ward member of the box-magazine; Fig. 16, claims.
a view thereof in rear elevation; Fig. 17, a In carrying out my invention I employ a
view thereof in vertical section on the line pivotal hook or link A for connecting the
C, b of Fig. 15; Fig. 18, a plan view of the finger-lever B with the lower tang C of the 95
45 stirrup by means of which the said part of frame C, but located to the rear of the said
the magazine is secured in place; Fig. 19, a lever instead of forward of the same, as has
perspective view of one form which the flexi been done in some cases heretofore, the rear
ble rear member of the magazine may have; end of the said link or hook being connected
Fig. 20, a perspective view of a modified form by a pin A' to the said tang C, while its for Od
thereof; Fig. 21, a plan view of the said modi ward end has an elongated opening a formed
fied form. in it to receive a pin A, mounted in the finger
 2 549,845
lever, which is thus connected with the link. gins to raise the recoil-block into its closed
The said tang C is constructed with a slot C position. It is to be noted, also, that by lo
to receive the link when the same is in its cating the trigger in the link A, I effectually
closed position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the guard against the accidental firing of the arm.
drawings. The link itself has formed in it a through the medium of the trigger, which,
central longitudinal slot A, Figs. 1, 4, 11, and being carried by the link, is only in position
12, to receive the trigger D, which it carries, to act upon the sear and thus release the
the said trigger engaging, when the link is in hammer when the breech-bolt and recoil 75
its closed position, with a searD', projecting block are in their closed positions.
O downward into the slot C before mentioned, The upper end of the recoil-block is con
controlled by a sear-spring D* and engaging structed with a central vertical notch EP,
with notches formed in the usual manner in which receives the beveled operating-head I,
the hammer D, which has an antifriction located at the rear end of the firing-pin I",
roller D engaged by the hammer-spring D, as mounted in the usual manner in the breech
clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The forward bolt, the said operating-head having a bev
end of the link is furnished with an integrally eled face I, which engages with the upper
formed hook or beak A' extending upward end of the hammer D, when the breech-bolt
and rearward and adapted to take into an is thrown open and throws the hammer back
opening E, Figs. 1, 4, 9, and 10, formed to re into its fully-cocked position, as indicated in
ceive it in the vertically-movable recoil-block Fig. 4. Ordinarily in this class of guns the
E". The said recoil-block is arranged verti breech-bolt itself engages with the hammer
cally in the frame and constructed upon its and throws the same backinto its fully-cocked
opposite edges with vertically-arranged longi position, but under my present invention the
tudinal guide-ribs e e, which take into grooves same office is performed by the firing-pin,
c c, formed to receive them in the opposite which is thereto provided with a beveled Op
walls of the frame, and offsetting from the erating-head, as described. The rear face of
chamber C, formed therein to receive the two the recoil-block is cut away, as at E, to clear
part box-lmagazine, comprising the parts F the sear D' and the hammer D, while its ex 95
and F, and the arms B'B', Fig. 3, produced treme lower end is cut away so as to form the
3O by bifurcating the forward end of the finger clearance space at E, Fig. 10, to adapt it
lever B to adapt the same to embrace the two to fit down over and embrace the forward
part box-magazine. end of the link A when the same is in its
It will be noticed by referring to Fig. 2 of closed position. The downward movement IOC
the drawings that the frame is very narrow. of the recoil-block is limited by the engage
35 I am enabled to make it so by locating the ment of the upper end of the cut E with the
link A to the rear of the finger-lever, thus hammer.
dispensing with the use of a bifurcated piv For maintaining the link and finger-lever
otal base-plate or link located in front of the in their closed positions the former is pro
lever, in which case the frame must be adapt vided at its lower end with a spring-pressed
4 O edin width to receive not only the box-maga friction-pin A, which, when the link and
zine, but also the arms formed by bifurcating lever are in the said positions, takes into a
the forward end of the finger-lever and the notch B°, formed in the lever, as shown in
arms of the bifurcated base-plate. Fig. 1. A vertically-arranged elbow-lever J O
The breech bolt H has the opposite faces is mounted on a horizontal pin J in a ver
45 of its forward end recessed, as at H' H', to tical slot J, formed in an arm E, which pro
receive the extreme inner ends of the arms jects forward from the recoil-block, with
B. B' of the finger-lever, the said arms being which the said elbow-lever moves up and
connected with the block by means of a hori down. A spring J, mounted in the said arm II5
Zontal pin H. at a point below the pin J", on which the le
The breech-bolt H has formed in the lower ver is hung, impinges against the same and
face of its extreme rear end a large transverse exerts a constant effort to throW the lower
notch G, adapted to receive the upper end of end thereof forward against the closed rear
the recoil-block. wall of the flexible rear member or part; F of
The extractor T and the ejector U, mounted the two-part magazine, whereby the Said part
55 in the breech-bolt, may be of any approved is retained in place. The said lower end of
construction and arrangement. the said lever rides up and down upon the
I may mention here that the opening a, said rear wall of the said part F", the open
formed in the link A to receive the pin A, forward edge whereof opens directly into the I 25
which connects the same with the finger-le open rear end of the main part F of the maga
ver B, is sufficiently elongated to allow of the zine. For the purpose of coupling the two
lost motion required to permit the recoil-block parts of the magazine together so as to pre
to be drawn down sufficiently, through the vent the flexible part from being longitudi
medium of the finger-lever, to clear the nally displaced the sides thereof are fur
breech-bolt before the same begins its rear nished with two corresponding lugs ff, which
ward movement, and on the other hand to take into corresponding notches f'f'', formed
permit the breech-bolt to be moved forward in the rear edges of the sides of the Station
into its closed position before the lever be ary part F, before mentioned. The sidewise
 549,345 - 3

displacement of the flexible part F is pre shown in Figs. 20 and 21 of the drawings.
Vented, as Will be understood, by the engage This pack Fis made of sheet metal bent into
lment of the outer faces of its sides with the box-like form and made so as to have flexi
inner faces of the arms B'B' of the finger ble sides, which are inwardly upset to form
lever B, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be un longitudinal ribs ff, between which and the
derstood that sufficient clearance is secured rear wall of the pack there is just enough
for the insertion and removal of the part F. space for the heads of the cartridges. The
by pressing back the elbow-lever J against lower ends of the sides of the pack are turned 75
the tension of its spring J. inward to form retaining-fingersff to pre
O My object in making the box-magazine in vent the cartridges from escaping through
two parts, as described, is to secure elastic the lower end of the pack, while the upper
inclosure for the heads of the cartridges, ends of the said sides are bent inward to form.
which I do by making the part F of the maga retaining-fingersff", which prevent the car
Zine of sheet metal sufficiently light to be tridges from escaping from the upper end of
elastic, its sides pinching the heads of the the pack. It is designed that this pack shall
cartridges enough to hold them against dis be supplied in duplicate to the gun and filled
placement, but yielding readily to allow them prior to being introduced thereinto. When
to be introduced into the magizine and fed in the gun, it operates in substantially the
Out of the same one by one in the operation same manner as the flexible part F before
of the gun. It will be noted that the char referred to, and is held in place by means of
acter of the connection between the fixed and a projection f', formed upon its rear Wall, in
flexible parts of the magazine in no wise in position to be engaged by the notched lower
terferes With the flexure of the latter. end of the elbow-lever J. (Shown in Fig. 9.)
It will be seen by reference to Fig. 19 of the The stationary member F of the box-maga
25 drawings that the upper forward corners of Zine is formed for the most part from a single
the part F of the magazine are bent slightly piece of sheet metal and has the upper por
in Ward to form retaining-fingers f°. The up tion of its forward end closed by means of a
per rear corners of the sides of the stationary head-block IK inserted into it and secured in 95
part F of the magazine are correspondingly place by rivetsk k.
cut away to form clearance spaces ff, lo A horizontally-arranged stirrup I, a detail
cated at points directly in front of the in view of which is shown by Fig. 18, is em
wardly-turned retaining-fingers f of the ployed for supporting the part F of the box
flexible part of the magazine. By forming magazine in place in the frame, the middle ICO
the clearance spaces if f as described the portion of the forward end of the said part
35 heads of the cartridges are permitted to being inserted between the arms LL" of the
emerge from the magazine as soon as the stirrup and the magazine being brazed on to
breech-bolt has pushed them forward far the said arms, the extreme rear ends of which
enough to clear them from the fingers f*. receive screwsL*L*, mounted in the side walls IO5
Inclined guideways if f', located below the of the frame, which is thereto furnished with
clearance spaces ff just described and ex screw-holes c' c', as shown in Fig. 2. The said
tending forward beyond the same, are formed part F of the box-magazine is thus Supported
opposite each other by cutting away the in in place within the frame by means of the
ner faces of the side walls of the stationary said screws LL° through the medium of the IC)
portion of the magazine. These guideways stirrup. Circular openings LL, formed in
45 have the function of gradually elevating the the arms of the stirup, and corresponding
cartridges through their heads as they are openings F, formed in the opposite walls of
moved forward after their emergence into the the box-magazine, are made to lighten the
clearance spaces ff and from their confine gun, but of course the formation of these II5
ment between the fingers f of the part F. openings is optional. A hollow projection L",
It will be understood, of course, that the in depending from the forward end of the stir
clination of the guideways is pitched, so as rup and furnished with a toel, which enters
to cause the right presentation of the car the forward end of the magazine, is provided
tridges to the breech-block G and the bore of for bridging the space between the said end
the gun-barrel Q. of the magazine and the frame, the exterior
55 When the gun is in condition for operation, surface of the said arm being thereto curved.
the flexible part of the box-magazine is not The feeding mechanism of the arm com
disturbed, more than to be sprung, when the prises a carrier M, located within the box
magazine is being filled with cartridges, which magazine and pivotally secured at its rear I 25
are introduced in any approved manner; but end to a pivotal carrier-arm N, the upwardly
I may, if desired, construct the flexible part curved forward end of which receives a hori
of the magazine so that it will have the ad Zontalpin O, passing through the forward end
ditional function of a pack, which will bein of the stirrup and also through the side walls
troduced into the gun filled with cartridges of the frame, the said forward end of the car
and removed therefrom empty of cartridges rier-arm having a shoulder 7, engaged by one
as often as required. I thus convert the end of a bowed spring P, located Within a
flexible part of the magazine into what may chamber P', formed to receive it at a point di
term a “skeleton pack,” one form of which is rectly under the butt-end of the gun-barrel
 4. 549,845

Q. In order to preserve the carrier in sub breech-bolt, a finger-lever connected with the
stantially-horizontal position during its up bolt for operating the same, a vertically mov
ward movement in the box-magazine, I pro able recoil-block coacting with the breech
vide the feeding mechanism with what I shall bolt to lock the same in its closed position,
term an “equalizing-lever’ R, which is lo and a link located to the rear of the finger
cated in a long slot N', extending nearly lever, having articulate connection therewith
throughout the length of the center of the and with the frame, and constructed at its
carrier-arm N, in which the said lever is forward end with a hook which takes into the 75
mounted upon a pivot r. The rear end of this recoil-block, whereby the same is operated by
IO lever engages with the lowerface of the carrier the link, substantially as described.
near the rear end thereof in front of its pivotal 3. In a box-magazine breech-loading gun,
point, while the forward end of the lever is the combination with the frame and the box
shaped to form a cam R', which coacts with a magazine thereof, of a breech-bolt, a finger
horizontal pin R, mounted in the stirrup L. lever embracing the box-magazine and con
The said cam is shaped so that as the equaliz nected with the breech-bolt for operating the
ing-lever is lifted with the carrier-arm it will latter, a recoil-block for locking the breech
be brought into contact with the said pin R bolt in its closed position, a link located at
and thus move the lever as required for main the rear of the finger-lever, having articulate
taining the carrier in the right position of in connection there with and with the frame, and
clination throughout its upward movement in coacting with the lower end of the recoil-block
the box-magazine. At its extreme rear end for opening and closing the same, a trigger
the carrier is formed with a stop M', which en carried by the said link, a sear mounted in
gages with the upper face of the extreme rear the frame and operated upon by the trigger
end of the carrier-arm at the point in', Fig. when the link is in its closed position, and a
25 13, and prevents the carrier from being un hammer mounted in the frame, and operated
duly elevated. Under the construction de upon by the sear, the rear face of the recoil
scribed the spring P will lift the carrier-arm, block being adapted to clear the hammer and
which in turn will lift the carrier, while, the sear, substantially as described. 95
equalizing-lever Will maintain the carrier in 4. In a box-magazine breech-loading gun,
the right position of inclination to suitably the combination with the frame thereof, of a
present the bolts of the cartridges to the bore breech-bolt, a firing-pin mounted in the said
of the gun-barrel and the heads of the car bolt and provided at its rear end with a beveled
tridges to the breech-bolt. operating-head, a recoil-block for locking the do
It is apparent that in carrying out my in said bolt in its closed position, and having a
35 vention. Some changes in the construction and notch formed in its upper end for the recep
arrangement of parts may be made, and, fur tion of the beveled head of the firing-pin,
thermore, that the parts are not necessarily means for operating the said block, and a ham
limited to use in the particular combination mer which co-acts with the said head, and
herein shown and described, but might be used which is thrown into its fully cocked position
in other guns of the same class. Again, the thereby during the opening movement of the
equalizing-lever might be used for insuring breech-bolt, substantially as described.
the uniform elevation of the carrier of a gun 5. In a box-magazine breech-loading gun,
having a different breech-bolt and a different the combination with the frame and the box IIo
recoil-block, &c. I would therefore have it magazine thereof, of a breech-bolt, a finger
45 understood that I do not limit myself to the lever connected with the bolt for operating
exact construction herein shown and de the same, a recoil-block for coacting with the
scribed, but hold myself at liberty to make bolt to lock the same in its closed position,
such changes and alterations as fairly fall and constructed at its lower end with an II5
within the spirit and scope of my invention. opening and with a clearance space located
Having fully described my invention, what below the same; and a link located at the rear
I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters of the said lever, having articulate connec
Patent, is tion with the same and with the frame, and
1. In a box-magazine breech-loading gun, constructed at its forward end With a hook
the combination. With the frame and the box which takes into the said opening for raising
55 magazine thereof, of a breech-bolt, a finger and lowering the recoil-block, the clearance
lever embracing the box-magazine, and con space of which adapts it to fit down over the
nected with the said bolt for operating the link when the same is in its closed position,
same, a recoil-block to coact with the breech substantially as described. I 25
bolt for locking the same in its closed posi 6. In a box-magazine breech-loading gun,
tion, and a link located to the rear of the fin the combination with a breech-bolt, of a verti
ger-lever, having articulate connection there cally movable recoil-block co-operating there
with and with the frame, and coacting with with, and a box magazine, open at its rear
the lower end of the recoil-block for raising end which is kept normally closed by the said
and lowering the same, substantially as de block, substantially as described.
65 scribed. 7. Abox magazine for a breech-loading gun,
2. In a box-magazine breech-loading gun, having its opposite side walls internally cut
the combination with the frame thereof, of a away at the upper portion of its rear end to
 549,345 5

form guide-ways for the heads of the car of the cartridges emerge into the clearance
tridges to ride upon as they emerge from the spaces formed by cutting away the forward
magazine, Substantially as set forth. part of the magazine, Substantially as de 35
8. In a breech-loading magazine gun, the scribed.
combination with the frame thereof, of a two 11. In a box-magazine, breech-loading gun,
part magazine of which the rear part, which the combination with the frame thereof, of an
receives the heads of the cartridges is flexible, independently formed box magazine located
and a vertically movable recoil-block having within a chamber formed in the said frame,
sliding connection with the rear wall of the a stirrup secured to the forward end of the
O rear part of the magazine for holding the said
box-magazine, and supporting the same in
part in right relation to the forward part of the frame, a carrier located in the box-maga
the magazine, Substantially as described. zine, a carrier-arm having the carrier pivoted
9. In a breech-loading magazine gun, the to its rear end, pivotally mounted at its for 45
combination with the frame thereof, of a two ward end in the said stirrup, and bifurcated
part magazine of which the rear part, which between its two ends; an equalizing lever
receives the heads of the cartridges, is flexible, pivotally mounted in the carrier-arm between
a vertically movable recoil-block, and a the two members formed by bifurcating the
spring-pressed elbow-lever mounted in the same, engaging at its rear end with the car
said recoil-block and having sliding connec
tion with the rear wall of the flexible rear arier, and constructed at its forward end with
cam which co-acts with a pin mounted in
part of the magazine for holding the said part the stirrup at a point therein forward of the
in place, substantially as described. pivot on which the carrier-arm is hung, and
10. In a breech-loading magazine gun, the a spring extending forward of the stirrup, and 55
combination with the frame thereof, of a two engaging at its rear end with the carrier-arm,
part magazine, the main forward part of which substantially as described.
is permanently secured within the said frame, In testimony whereof I have signed this
and has the upper corners of its rear end cut specification in the presence of two subscrib
away to form clearance spaces, and of which ing witnesses.
the rear part, which receives the heads of the JOHN M. BROWNING.
3O cartridges, is made flexible, and constructed Witnesses:
at its upper end with two inwardly turned E. A. ENSIGN,
retaining fingers, from under which the heads JOHN E. RAMSDEN.