(No Model.) 4 sheets-Sheet 1.

J. M. & M S BROWNING,
BREECH LOADING FIREARM,
No. 486,272, Patented Nov. 15, 1892.
(No Model.) W 4 sheets-sheet 2.
J. M. & M. S. BROWNING,
BREECH LOADING FIRE ARM,
No. 486,272. Patented Nov. 15, 1892.

Ps sp.
No. 486,272. Patented Nov. 15, 1892.
 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
JOHN M. BROWNING AND MATTHEW S. BROWNING, OF OGDEN, UTAH TER
RITORY, ASSIGNORS TO THE WINCIESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY.,
OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT,
BREECH - LOADING FREARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,272, dated November 15, 1892.
Application filed June 6, 1892, Serial No. 435,704, (No model.)

To all, whom it may concern. the uppermost cartridge forward of the front 5o
Be it known that we, JOHN MI. BROWNING face of the breech-piece, and so that when
and MATTHEW S. BROWNING, of Ogden, in the the breech-piece is returned it will force the
county of Weber and Territory of Utah, have uppermost cartridge into the cartridge-cham
5 invented a new Improvement in Firearms; ber in the barrel, parts of the invention be
and we do hereby declare the following, when ing applicable to single breech-loaders as Well 55
taken in connection with accompanying draw as to magazine-arms.
ings and the letters of reference marked The invention has for its object to lock the
thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact descrip mechanism of the arm in its closed or normal
Io tion of the same, and which said drawings position and to lock the hammer in a position
Constitute part of this specification, and rep slightly withdrawn from the firing-pin, and 6o
resent, in also to lock the magazine or cartridge-holder
Figure 1, a side view of the arm complete, securely in the receiver; and the invention
but shortened at the front and rear; Fig. 2, a consists in the construction as hereinafter de
I5 top view of the same; Fig. 3, an under side scribed, and particularly recited in the claims.
view of the same; Fig. 4, a longitudinal sec A represents the receiver, within which 65
tional view cutting through the stock, showing the mechanism is arranged, and, as shown,
the receiver in side view; Fig. 5, a longitudinal the receiver is constructed of a width nar
Sectional side view showing the mechanism rower than the width of the stock, and So as
2O in position, the breech-piece closed, and the to be introduced into a mortise prepared for
parts locked; Fig. 6, a side view of the maga it in the stock, the stock being continuous 7o
Zine detached; Fig. 7, a rear view of the same; from butt to fore-end. The barrel is attached
Fig. 8, a Sectional side view, enlarged, show. to the forward end of the receiver and opens
ing the hammer as in the cocked position at its rear end into the receiver in the usual
25 with the breech-piece closed; Fig. 9, a verti manner of breech-loading arms.
cal Section on line acac of Fig. 8, looking for B represents the breech-piece, which is pro- 75
Ward; Fig. 10, a transverse section online y ly vided near its forward end on each side with
of Fig. S; Fig. 11, the same as Fig. 8, but laterally-projecting trunnions C, which are
showing the parts as in the extreme open po adapted to run in corresponding longitudinal
3o Sition. grooves D upon the inside of the receiver,
This invention relates to an improvement in (see Figs. 9 and 11.) so that the forward end 8o
that class of firearms in which the breech of the breech-piece is guided in substantially
piece is arranged to move longitudinally a longitudinal line, while its rear end is free
backward and forward in opening and clos to rise and fall.
35 ing through the instrumentality of a lever E represents the lever below the receiver
forming the trigger-guard, and in which a and which forms the trigger-guard. Its in- 85
hammer is arranged in the receiver at the ner end is constructed with an arm F, which
rear of the breech-piece, adapted to operate extends forward and is hung to the breech
upon a firing-pin which extends through the piece near its rear end by a pivot G.
4o breech-piece, and With special reference to Hrepresents the link or strut, which is hung
that class of magazine-firearms in which the by its rear end upon a pivot I at the rear end 9o
magazine is removable from the arm and of the receiver and extending forward is
adapted to contain several cartridges, one hinged at its forward end to the lever E by a
above another, nearly parallel with each pivot J, the pivots G, I, and J being substan
45 other, and so that the said magazine, with the tially in line with each other when the parts
cartridges, may be introduced into the re are in the closed position, as seen in Fig. 5. 95
ceiver to a position below the breech-piece, When the parts are in the closed position, as
and so that, the breech-piece being open, the seen in Figs. 5 and 8, the rear end of the
column of cartridges will be raised to bring breech-piece abuts against a corresponding

* - is: t? .. . .
 486,272
shoulder K in the receiver, which forms an der Y upon its rear side, and this shoulder Y
abutment to support the breech-piece against of the dog X is adapted to engage a corre
the action of recoil. sponding shoulder Z in the trigger-guard le
In opening the breech-piece the first part ver when the dog is free so to do, as Seen ;
of the downward movement of the trigger in Fig. 5. Such engagement of the dog With
guard lever, as indicated in broken lines, the trigger-guard lever locks the mechanism
Fig. 5, draws down the rear end of the breech of the arm in the closed position and from
piece until it may escape the abutment IK. The which it cannot escape so long as the dog is
link or strut H also turns downward upon its thus engaged. The relation of the dog X to 75
O fixed pivot I, and this downward movement the nose R of the sear S is such that when
of the trigger-guard lever is then continued, the sear is engaged with the hammer, as Seen
which produces the rear movement of the in Fig. 8, the dog is forced out of engagement
breech-piece to its full open position, as seen with the lever E and so that that lever is free
in Fig. 11. In the receiver in rear of the to operate upon the under side of the ham
breech-piece the hammer L is arranged. mer and will ride upon the nose of the Sear,
This hammer is in the form of a sliding spin so that it will be impossible for the dog to en
dle, its forward end adapted to strike the fir gage the lever E unless a special provision is
ing-pin M, which is arranged longitudinally made for it so to do. To permit the dog to
in the breech-piece. The hammer is provided interlock with the lever E, the hammer is con
with a spring N at the rear, which is com structed near its rear end with a notch Cl
pressed as the hammer moves rearward and deeper than the cock-notch Q, as seen in
so that by its reaction it will throw the ham Fig. 5, and this notch a is in such a position
mer forward to impart its blow to the rear with relation to the sear that the said notch
end of the firing-pin. The hammer is ar a may engage the sear when the hammer is go
25 ranged in the grip part of the receiver and slightly withdrawn from the firing-pin, as
therefore stands in a position inclined down seen in Fig. 5, and because this notch d is
Ward and rearward from the breech-piece, as deeper than the cock-notch Q the sear is per
clearly seen in Fig. 5. As here represented, mitted to rise to so much greater extent than
the hammer is provided with a thumb-piece the cock-notch permits it to do that the dog 95
O, by which it may be forced backward by turns rearward so much farther than it would
hand should occasion require; but in the usual do at the cock-notch that it will engage the
working of the arm the rear end of the breech lever E, as seen in Fig. 5. The notch O is
piece drops below the forward part of the preferably undercut, so as to make a hook
hammer, and so that as it moves rearward it engagement with the sear to prevent the sear Od
35 will at the proper time strike a shoulder P on from being withdrawn from that notch by a
the under side of the hammer and so that as direct pull upon the trigger. The hammer is
the breech-piece continues its rear movement therefore locked in a slightly-retracted posi
to the wide-open position it will force the ham tion, and engaging the sear as it does it pre
mer to full-cock, as seen in Fig. 11, where a vents the possible accidental disengagement Io5
notch Q on the hammer will engage the nose R. of the dog from the lever.
of the Sear S, as seen in Fig.11, the sear-spring, In the ordinary use of the arm when the
as shown in Fig. S, forcing the searinto the notch trigger is pulled to release the hammer from
when it is presented thereto. This movement full-cock the hammer flies forward so as to
of the hammer compresses the spring accord strike the firing-pin, and this forward move O
45 ingly. Upon the return of the trigger-guard ment takes the notch a to a position forward of
lever the breech-piece moves forward, and the nose of the sear, as seen in broken lines,
when it reaches its extreme forward or closed Fig. 5, so that when the hammer is in that ex
position the final closing movement of the treme forward position the lever is unlocked
trigger-guard lever will raise the rear end of and ready for operation, the locking of the II5
the breech-piece to bring it forward of the breech-piece in its closed position only being
shoulder K, as seen in Fig. 8. permissible when the hammer is slightly re
In a vertical mortise T through the link or treated. Such retreating of the hammer will be
strut H the trigger U is hung upon a pivot produced by hand, it being impossible when the
W, and when the parts are in the closed posi parts are locked as described to produce the
55 tion, as seen in Fig. 8, the trigger stands di rear movement of the hammer through the
rectly under the tail W of the sear S and so instrumentality of the trigger-guard lever;
that, the hammer being engaged by the nose but when the hammer is in the extreme for
R of the Sear, as seen in Eig. 8, a pull upon ward position, as seen in broken lines, Fig. 8,
the trigger will act upon the tail W of the the arm may be operated the same as if there I 25
sear so as to force the nose R of the sear out were no locking device. To retain the parts
of engagement with the hammer to liberate in their closed position when not thus posi
the hammer, so that it may fly forward to im tively locked, a spring-stud 2 is arranged
part its blow to the firing-pin. transversely in the lever E and so as to pro
From the sear is a downwardly-projecting ject at one side, as seen in Fig. 10, this spring
dog X, which extends through the mortise T stud being adapted to engage the inner sur
in the link H. and is constructed with a shoul face of the receiver when the lever is in the
 486,272 a
closed position and so as to offer a slight re to force the preceding magazine from the re
sistance to the manipulation of the lever, but receiver.
not sufficient to interfere with its operation.
The arrangement of the sear and trigger U-shaped The receiver
opening is constructed
e through its underwith
side,a
with the locking arrangement for the lever (see Figs. 3, 8, and 9,) which corresponds in
may be employed in arms in which a similar position to the magazine when in place, and
lever is used, wherein the lever is hung upon so that, one magazine having been exhausted,
a stationary pivot in the receiver instead of the second magazine with cartridges intro
connected with the receiver by a link-as, for
duced will strike the upper end of the preced 75
O
illustration, the lever of the well-known Win
ing magazine and force it downward through
chester repeating-arm-provided, of course, the pressure
the opening eofinthe
thespring-follower
bottom of thebeing
receiver,
suf
that the reciprocating hammer be employed, ficient to support the cartridges and the maga
and, as a further illustration, in Fig. 8 the zine in their proper position so long as there
link T. may be supposed to be a stationary are any cartridges in the magazine.
part of the receiver with the pivot J, on which To lock the magazine in its place in the re
the lever swings stationary in the receiver, the ceiver and hold it against the upward force
Connection between the lever and the breech produced by the follower upon the cartridges,
piece being such, as is well understood, that a magazine-locking dogfis hung in the re
the forward-swinging movement of the lever ceiver upon a pivotg at the rear of the maga
Will impart a rearward movement to the zine-recess. This dog is provided with a spring
breech-piece, and such rearward movement h, the tendency of which is to force the nose
of the breech-piece will impart a correspond of the dog forward. The tail of the dog above
ing rearward-sliding movement to the ham the pivot is adapted to rest upon a stop or
mer. In such construction the operation of shoulder i in the receiver when the nose of
the trigger, sear, and dog with the correspond the dog is in the forward or locking position,
ing notches of the hammer will be the same and so as to prevent the nose of the dog from
as already described. flying farther forward when the magazine is
The magazine consists of a case composed absent. 95
of a back b with two sides c, distant from The back of the magazine is constructed
each other corresponding to the diameter of with a notch k, and so that as the magazine is
the cartridges and of their heads, a groove forced downward to its place the nose of the
being formed in the sides, so that the heads dog will in due time engage the notch lc of
of the cartridges may lie therein, and the the magazine, as seen in Fig. 8, and lock the IOO
flange of each cartridge stands at the rear of magazine against upward movement, but
35 the flange of the next cartridge above, as seen leave the magazine free to be forced down
in Fig. 6. The two sides are short and the ward, the notch escaping from the dog as the
front end of the magazine open, so that the magazine moves downward when the next
cartridges may project therefrom, as seen in magazine is inserted.
Fig. 6. This magazine itself constitutes the We claim
Subject of an independent application. The 1. In a firearm in which the barrel opens
receiver is adapted for the introduction of into the receiver at the rear, the combination
the magazine into the arm when the breech there with of a longitudinally-reciprocating
piece is in the open position, as seen in Fig. breech-piece arranged in the receiver, the IO
ll, and so that when the breech-piece is in breech-piece provided with trunnions near its
45 that position the magazine may be introduced forward end and upon opposite sides, the re
through the opening in the top into the re ceiver constructed with longitudinal grooves
ceiver and forced down into the receiver upon in which said trunnions may run, the breech
a spring-follower d, as seen in Fig. 11, so as piece at the rear end free to swing up and II5
to depress that follower, but so that the fol down, a lever extending through the bottom
lower may bear against the lower cartridge of the receiver and rearward, an arm of the
in the column with a tendency to raise the lever extending forward and hung to the
column, and so that as the upper cartridge is breech-piece near its rear end, a link hung in
thrown forward out of the magazine the col the receiver at the rear of the breech-piece and
umn will rise to present the next cartridge, so as to swing in a plane parallel with the
55 and so on until all the cartridges are removed. plane of the lever, the link extending forward
The position of the upper cartridge in the and hung to the receiver between the pivot
magazine is, as seen in Fig. 11, so that its up which connects the lever to the breech-piece
per edge stands forward of the front face of and the pivot by which the link is hung to the I 25
the open breech-piece, and so that as the receiver, and the receiver constructed with a
breech-piece next moves forward it will force shoulder at the rear of the breech-piece and
the upper cartridge forward into its place in against which the breech piece will abut
the magazine. when in the closed position, substantially as
The magazine, as will be seen from the fore described, and whereby in the first part of the
going, is of U shape in transverse section, its opening movement of the said lever the rear
open side forward. As one magazine is ex end of the breech-piece will be drawn down
hausted, it becomes necessary to introduce a and away from its abutment on the receiver.
second, and that one magazine may operate 2. In a firearm in which the barrel opens

III. . . . . . .
 486,272
into the receiver at the rear, the combination of the barrel, the breech-piece constructed with
there with of a longitudinally - reciprocating trunnions upon opposite sides at its forward
breech-piece, a lever extending through the end, the receiver constructed with longitudi
bottom of the receiver, an arm at its forward nal grooves in which the said trunnions are
end hung to the rear end of the breech-piece, adapted to run, while the breech-piece at the
a link hung upon a pivot in the receiver and rear is adapted for up-and-down movement,
extending forward, hung to the said lever be the receiver constructed with a shoulder at
tween the pivot which connects the lever with the rear against which the rear end of the
the breech-piece and the pivot by which the breech-piece may abut when in the closed 55
link is hung to the receiver, a hammer ar position, a lever through the bottom of the
ranged in the receiver in rear of the breech receiver, having an arm extending for Ward
piece and adapted to slide longitudinally, the and hung to the breech-piece near its rear
breech-piece being adapted in its rear move end, a link hung at the rear upon a pivot in
ment toforce the hammertoits cocked position, the receiver, the link extending forward, hung
a sear hung to the receiver below the hammer, the to the said lever between the connection of
its nose adapted to engage the cock-notch of lever with the breech-piece and the pivot
the hammer, and a trigger hung in a mortise on which the link is hung, the said link con
in the said link, the tail of the sear adapted to structed with a vertical mortise, a trigger hung
engage the trigger when the parts are in the upon a pivot in said mortise, a longitudinally- 6
closed position, substantially as described. reciprocating hammer above said link, a sear
3. In a firearm in which the barrel opens hung upon a pivot between said link and ham
into the receiver at the rear, the combination mer, its nose adapted to engage the full-cock
there with of a longitudinally - reciprocating notch in the hammer and the tail of the sear
breech-piece, a swinging lever adapted to im adapted to engage the trigger, so that a pull
25 part reciprocating movement to said breech upon the trigger will turn the sear from the
piece, a reciprocating hammer in rear of the full-cock notch, the sear constructed with a
breech-piece, a sear hung in the receiver be downwardly-projecting dog through the mor
low the hammer, its nose adapted to engage tise in the link, the lever and dog constructed
the full-cock notch of the hammer, a trigger with corresponding notches to adapt them to 75
hung below the sear, the tail of the sear engage with each other, and the hammer con
adapted to engage the trigger, so that a pull structed with a notch in rear of and deeper
of the trigger will release the hammer, the than the full-cock notch, the depth of the full
hammer constructed with a notch in rear of cock notch being such as to prevent the dog
the full-cock notch, but deeper than the full from turning into engagement with the lever,
35 cock notch, and the sear constructed with a but the increased depth of the notch at the
downwardly-projecting dog adapted to make rear being such as to permit such engagement
hooked engagement with the lever, the depth between the notch and lever, substantially as
of the full-cock notch being such as to pre described.
vent such engagement of the dog and lever, In testimony whereof we have signed this
40 While the deeper notch will permit the nose specification in the presence of two subscrib
of the sear to rise to such an extent as to ing witnesses.
cause the engagement of the dog with the JOHN M. BROWNING.
lever, substantially as described. MATTHEW S. BROWNING.
4. In a firearm in which the barrel opens Witnesses:
45 into the receiver at the rear, a longitudinal JOHN E. RAMSIDEN,
breech-piece arranged in the receiver in rear R. C. MICEWAN.