(No Model.) 7 sheets-Sheet 1.

H. S. MAXIM.
AUTOMATIC GUN.
No. 447,524, Patented Mar. 3, 1891.

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H. S. MAXIM.
AUTOMATIC GUN.
No. 447,524. Patented Mar. 3, 1891,

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H. S. MAXIM.
AUTOMATIC GUN,
Patented Mar. 3, 1891.
(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet, 5.
H. S. MAXIM.
AUTOMATIC GUN,
No. 447 524, Patented Mar. 3, 1891.

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AUTOMATIC CUN.
No. 447,524, Patented Mar. 3, 1891,

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H. S. MAXIM.
AUTOMATIC GUN.
No. 447,524, Patented Mar, 3. 1891,

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 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
IIIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.
AUTOMATIC GUN.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,524, dated March 3, 891.
Application filed June 10, 1890. Serial No. 354,930. (No model.) Patented in England October 13, 1886, No. 13.083; in Belgium
October 15, 1887, No. 79,005 in Italy November 26, 1887, No. 22,500 in France December 14, 1887, No. 185,64l; in Austria
Hungary April 21, 1888, No. 34,166, and in Germany August 24, 1888, No. 44,208,
To all who, it may concern. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal central sec
Beit known that I, HIRAM STEVENSMAXIM, tion showing, another modification thereof.
a citizen of the United States, and a resident Fig. 8 is a rear elevation, and Fig. 9 is a
of London, England, have invented certain transverse section, showing details of Con
new and useful Improvements in Automatic struction. Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal
Guns, (for which I have obtained patents in central section illustrating another modifica 55.
the following countries: in Great Britain, No. tion of my said invention. Fig. 11 is a verti
13,083, dated October 13, 1886; in France, No. cal longitudinal section; Fig. 12, an end ele
185,641, dated December 14, 1887; in Bel vation showing details of construction. Fig.
gium, No. 79,005, dated October 15, 1887; in 13 is a vertical longitudinal central section
Germany, No. 44,208, dated August 24, 18SS; illustrating a further modification of my said
in Austria-Hungary, No. 34,166, dated April invention. Fig. 14 is a transverse section on
21, 1888, and in Italy, No. 22,500, dated No the line ac' ac', Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a longi
vember 26, 1887) of which the following is a tudinal section of the gun shown in Fig. 1 in
specification, reference being had to the ac
I5. companying position on its frame. - parts
ding
drawings. Like numerals indicate correspon
My present invention relates to means for throughout the drawings.
cooling the barrel of a gun by means of water. Referring to the figures, 1 is a casing which
or other suitable liquid contained in a reser is firmly attached to the gun-frame 2 and
voir arranged above, below, or at one side of which surrounds the barrel 3.
the barrel and injected at intervals into a 4 is a tube which is fixed upon the barrel o
suitable casing around the same. For this and slides there with in the said frame. A
purpose I combine with the said casing and pipe or passage 5 extends from the casing 1
reservoir means whereby at each discharge to a reservoir 6, Figs. 4 and 7, and is provided
25 of the gun communication will be established with a valve.7. The reservoir 6 is designed
between the said reservoir and casing by the to contain water or other suitable liquid for 75
pulling of the trigger or by the movement of cooling the barrel, and is formed in the gun
the barrel or other part of the gun or in any carriage or mounting, as shown, although
other convenient manner, so that a small without departure from the invention a sepa
quantity of the water or other liquid may rate and similarly-connected reservoir may
flow under the action of gravity into the be employed. The valve 7 consists of a rod
said casing or may beforced therein by means or spindle having a conical end and extend
Of compressed air or by means of a pump, ing through a stuffing-box 8. The said valve
the piston of which consists of an enlarge 7 is connected in any suitable manner with a
35 ment of the barrel, or which is provided with part of the gun that has a definite movement
a separate piston connected with the barrel relatively to the otherparts at each discharge
or other moving part of the gun. of the gun, as hereinafter described, so that
Figures 1 and 2 show in sectional eleva it will be opened and closed by the movement
tion a gun-barrel provided with means, here of such part...
inafter described, for cooling the same while The reservoir (, Figs. 4 and 7, has a pipe),
the gun is in use for firing. Fig. 3 is a trans extending from the top to or nearly to the
verse section on the line ac ac, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 bottom thereof.
is a side elevation, partly in vertical central The tube 4 is made with an elongated slot
section, showing apparatus for cooling the 10, so that there will always be an opening
barrel while the gun is in use for firing. Fig. for the flow of the water or other liquid from
5 is a vertical central section of part of the the pipe or passage 5 into the said tube, not
said apparatus, drawn to an enlarged scale. withstanding the to-and-fro movement of the
Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal central sec barrel. To provide for effectually cooling the
tion showing a modification of my invention. rear part of the barrel, this tube is made to
 :1 Wr
447,524
extend to the breech end thereof and is
closed at its forward end by a ring or annet
lar piece 11, having a small aperture 12 above
the barrel, and also, if desired, at each side
thereof. Therefore thé water which enters,
the tube 4 must flow around the breech end or passage 5 will be automatically established .
of the barrel before it can escape from the
said tube into the main portion of the casing
1. I prefer, moreover, to provide at suitable
intervals along the barrel3 and casing 1 par
titions formed of annular pieces 13, which di
vide the said.casing into compartments, leav
ing apertures 14 above or at one or both sides
of the barrel to permit the flow of the water
is said
or other liquid from one to another of the
compartments. These partitions are ad
vantageously constructed, as shown in Figs.
8 and 9-that is to say, a ring or annular
piece 15, adapted to fit closely around the
barrel, is attached by means of distance
pieces 17 to another ring or annular piece 16,
designed to be secured in the casing1, and of
such internal diameter that when secured in
the said casing it will not touch the barrel.
. . . 25 The distance-pieces 17 keep the said two
rings or annular pieces apart and permit the
passage of the water or other liquid between
them. By means of the above-described par
titions the flow of the liquid from the rear to
f's
pressure therein is attained, the valve 19 per
mitting the entrance of the air, but prevent
ing escape thereof. 7o
. I prefer to provide means whereby commu
nication between the reservoir 6 and the pipe
in the act of placing the gun upon its mount
ing. For this purpose I employ a device such 75
as that shown in Figs. 4 and 5,in which 22 is.
a hollow cylinder screwed into the upper end
of the reservoir 6. 23 is a piston fitted to slida .
up and down in the said cylinder and formed
or provided with an extension or stem 24, 8o
which is fitted to slide in an aperture or pas
sage 25, whereby communication is estab
lished between the said cylinder 22 and the
reservoir 6. . .
26 is another piston also fitted to slide up 85.
and down in the cylinder 22 above the piston
23. An india-rubber valve 27 is inserted ia
the upper end of the said cylinder and is y
firmly secured therein by means of a screw
cap 28. The upper surface of the piston 26 9o
forms a seat for the valve 27, and a spring 29
is arranged between the pistons 23-26 and
tends to press the piston 26 upward against
the valve 27 and to press the piston 23 down
ward 95
30 is a hollow stem which is screwed into. .

- 30 the forward end of the casingll is impeded or a socket 31, firmly attached to the gun-frame
. retarded. Suitable apertures, are formed in and having the passage 5 formed therein. .
the forward end of the casing 1 above the This socket is adapted to fit upon a casing 32,
barrel for the escape of the water from the 'forming a part of the gun-mounting and sur-Ico
said casing. . . . - - rounding the cylinder 22, . . The pistons 2326
35 The reservoir 6 is to be partially filled with have small holesof3334 formedthrough
thereinto per
water or other suitable liquid, and air is then mit the passage the water the said
: to be pumped or forced therein until it is com pistons. The stem or extension 24 is, more
pressed to such an extent that by its expan over, cut away at 35 in such manner as to Io5
sion it will force the liquid out of the reser. form a passage for the liquids from the res
40 voir through the pipe.9 into the casing 1 when ervoir 6 into the cylinder 22. . . .
the valve 7 is opened. . Therefore when the In the act of placing the gun on its mount-- :
trigger is pulled to fire the gun a small quan ing the hollow. stem 30, which is perforated
A.
tity of water will be injected into the casing at its lower end, is pushed through the valve O
1 and will pass through the said casing from 27 and depresses the piston 26, thus allowing
end to end, thereby effectually cooling the
45 barrel the liquid to pass freely from the reservoir 6
while the gun is in use for firing. . . into the passage 5. When the valve 27 is
closed, the pressure in the cylinder 22 will be
uidToand
provide for the introduction of the liq
the compressed air into the reservoir equal to the pressure in the reseryoir 6. II.5.
6 insertin the side of the said reservoir a Therefore the piston 23 will remain at the
So. socket or hollow plug 18, provided with a valve lower end of its stroke. When, however, the . .
9,which opensinward, and which is held upon valve 27 is opened, as above described, water
its seat by a spring 20. The said socket is, will flow from the cylinder 22 into the casing
... moreover, provided with a screw-cap or plug around the barrel more rapidly than it cari
21 for tightly closing the sane. To charge flow from the reservoir 6 through the hole 33.
the reservoir 6the screw-cap or plug 21 is first, Consequently the pressure above the piston.
removed, and the nozzle of a supply-pipe is 23 will be diminished and the said piston will
screwed into the said socket 18 until its ex rise, thereby compressing the spring 29 and
tremity comes in contact with the outer end partially closing or contracting the passage 125
of the valve 19 and pushes the said valve
60 away from its seat. The desired quantity of 25. As the pressure above the piston 23 in
creases, the spring 29 by its reaction moves
water is then introduced into the said reser the said piston downward, thereby again
yoir through this supply-pipe. The said pipe opening the passage 25. The above-described
is then removed from the socket 18, and the device therefore constitutes a reducing-valve,
spring 20 by its reaction closes the valve 19. whereby the flow of water is accurately regu
Another pipe is then connected with the said lated or controlled, as required. . . . . .
socket 18, and air is pumped or, otherwise The reservoir may be of various designs, ac-.
forced into the reservoir 6 until the required cording to the character of the gun-mounting.
a w w
 447,524 V
8.
In Fig. 7, for example, it is in the form of an
elongated cylinder forming part of a tripod
ormaypassage 51, the flow of liquid through which
be regulated by means of a rod of plun
frame or mounting for the gun. ger 52, which is curved at its forward end, as
If a reservoir of cooling-liquid independent shown, (or may be inclined, if desired.) and
of the gun be employed, the connection will which works in a stuffing-box 53 at the rear
be made to it through the nozzle 70, Fig. 15. end of the said pipe or passage 5). This rod
On the other hand, if the support for the gun or plunger is acted upon by a spring 54, which
be itself or contain the reservoir, as in Figs. tends to pull it outward. It is connected by 75
4, 5, and 7, the frame of the gun 2 is securely means of a rod or bar 55 with a lever 56, piv
O, connected with the socket 31 of Fig. 5 by the oted at 57 to the rear end of the frame 2, a
trunnions 71. One of them is hollow and pin or stad 58 being fixed in one arm of the
forms a part or continuation of the passage 5, said lever and working in a slot 59 in the said
the joints about the trunnions being closed rod or bar 55. The other arm of the said le
by a packing 72, held in place by a stout spi ver 50 is coupled to a screw-threaded rod 60,
ral spring 73, contained in a chamber in the extending through the rear end of the frame
casting forming the upper part of the socket 2 and provided with an adjusting-nut 61.
and closed by a screw-cap 74. , • By turning this nut in one or the other direc
In some instances I provide means where tion the position of the forward end of the
by the opening or openings for the passage plunger 52 relatively to the part 62 of the
o of the water may be increased or diminished passage 51 may be altered, so as to increase
at will to regulate the speed of firing, as here or diminish the opening for the flow of liquid .
in after described. from one to the other end of the cylinder 36.
In Figs.10, 11, and 12 I have shown a pump The plunger 46 is provided with a perfo
and devices whereby the same will be oper rated piston 48, held against a flange or collar
25 ated in the to-and-fro movement of the barrel 49 on the plunger 46 by means of a spring 50.
to draw liquid from a tank or reservoir and The forward part of the cylinder 36 is of
force it into the casing 1 around the barrel. considerably greater diameter than the pis
The breech end of the barrel 3 is fitted into a ton 48. The rear part of the said cylinder is, 95
cylinder 36 at the rear of the casing 1, and a however, of such diameter that the piston will
piston-ring or packing-ring 37 is fitted in a fit and slide therein. -
groove in the said barrel. The cylinder 36 is The operation of the device above described
connected with the said tank or reservoir by is as follows-that is to say, assuming the -CO
means of a pipe or passage 38, provided with parts to be in the firing position, as shown,
a check-valve 39, and with the casing 1 by and the whole of the available space in the
means of a pipe or passage 40, provided with cylinder 36 and passage 51 to be filled or nearly
a check-valve 41. A sliding rod 42 is so ar filled with liquid, in the recoil the plunger 46
ranged, in Combination with the valve 39, that will be partially withdrawn from the said cyl
when the barrel after its recoil returns to the inder, and more liquid will thus be drawn into Io5
firing position a projection thereon (shown the said cylinder from the tank or reservoir.
in dotted lines in Fig. 10 and marked 64) will As soon as the piston 48 reaches the smaller
push forward the said sliding rod 42 and open part of the cylinder 36 the liquid behind the
the valve 39. The barrel in its recoil will piston will flow through the passage 51 into
draw liquid from the tank or reservoir through the space in front of the said piston; or should o
the said valve into the cylinder 36 and will the said passage be nearly closed by the
45 in its forward or return movement deliver plunger 52 the spring 50 will be compressed
the said liquid through the valve 41 into the and the liquid will flow through the perfo
casing 1. rated piston 48. In the forward or return
To provide for regulating the speed of fir movement of the barrel the plunger 46 will II5.
ing, I sometimes make the valve 41 with a be forced into the cylinder 36. The holes in
So screw-threaded spindle 43, extending through the piston 48 will be closed by the flange of
a stuffing-box 44 and provided with a screw collar 49, so that while the said ; piston is in
nut 45, by turning which in one or the other the smaller part of the cylinder the liquid in
direction the lift of the said valve may bein front of the piston must flow through the pas- I2O
creased or diminished and the velocity of the sage 51 into the space behind the piston. The -
55 forward or return movement of the barrel velocity of the forward or return movement . .
thus regulated. of the barrel, and consequently the speed of
In the modification of my invention shown firing, will therefore depend upon the extent
in Figs. 13 and 14 a plunger 46 is fixed in a of opening of the part 62 of the said passage. I 25
bracket 47, formed on or attached to the barThe plunger 46, as it is pushed into the cyl
rel 3 and extending downward therefrom. inder 36, displaces some of the liquid there
This plunger worksina cylinder 36, connectedfrom and forces the same into the casing 1 for
with the water tank or reservoir by means ofthe purpose of cooling the barrel, as above
a pipe or passage 38, provided with a check specified. .. - I3o
valve 39, and with the casing 1 by means of It will be seen from the foregoing descrip
a pipe or passage 40, provided with a check tion that the speed of firing can be very ac- i.
valve 41. The two ends of the said cylinder curately regulated or determined by adjust
are, moreover, connected by means of a pipe ing the nut 61. m
 4 . . . . .. . . 447,524.
The general form of the gun or casing is vided with an inlet and an outlet, of a reser
illustrated in Fig. 15. To the trigger 67 in voir of liquid communicating there with, and a
this gun is pivoted a rod 69, which passes for valve for controlling the flow of liquid from 5:
ward through the rear wall of the gun-pas the reservoir to the chamber surrounding the
5 ing. The end of said rod is provided with a barrel connecting or engaging with the trig
i suitable head 68, which is normally thrown ger, whereby said valve will be opened by the
..forward by a spiral spring 63, surrounding movement of the trigger in discharging the
the rod 69. To, this rod or any equivalent gun, as set forth. . :
therefor the valve mechanism 7, Figs, 1 and 5. The coumbination, in a gun, with a cham
to 6, is or may be connected and the necessary ber or casing surrounding the barrel, of an
movement imparted thereto by the move air-tight reservoir containing a cooling fluid
ments of the trigger. and compressed air, a passage of communica- .
... Having now particularly described and as tion between the reservoir and the said cham- 6:
certained the nature of my invention and in ber, a valve contained therein, and connec:
I5 what manner the same is to be performed, I tion between the same and the trigger or-l
declare that what I claim is equivalent; moving part pf the gun, as set,
1. In a machine-gun, the combination, with forth.
6. The combination, with a gun having a 7c
... - the barrel, the breech mechanism, and a part chamber or casing surrounding the barreland
movable by or in the operation of the gun,
20 of a casing or chamber surrounding the bar. provided with an inlet port or passage, of a
reland provided with an inlet and an outlet, reservoir containing a cooling fluid and a self
w as o /
a reservoir of water or cooling liquid connect closing or automatic outlet-valve for said res
ing with the said chamber, and a valve inter ervoir, adapted to be freed and held open by 7
mediate to the reservoir and chamber for con the inlet-port of the casing around the barrel
25 trolling the communication between the same, when the said casing and reservoir are brought
said valve being connected with and con into communication, as set forth.
trolled by the said movable part, as set forth. 7. In a gun, the combination, with a cham
2. In a machine-gun, the combination, with ber or casing surrounding the barrel, of a res- 8c
the barrel, the breech mechanism, and a part ervoir containing a cooling fluid, means for
30 movable by or in the operation of the gun, of opening and closing communication between
- a casing or chamber surrounding the barrel the reservoir and the casing, and an auto
and provided with an inlet and an outlet, a res matic reducing-valve for regulating the flow .
ervoir of water or cooling liquid under press of liquid when such communication is estab- 85
ure connecting with the said chamber, and a lished, as set forth. . . . .. .
8. The combination, with a gun-barrel, a
35 valve intermediate to the reservoir and cham chamber or casing surrounding the same, and
... ber for controlling the communication be
tween the same, said valve being connected a hollow perforated stem forming the inlet,
. . with and controlled by the said movable part, port for such chamber, of a reservoir for con- 9c
as set forth. - T taining a cooling liquid, an india-rubber valve
. .
4o ber3. orThecasing
combination, in a gun, with a cham
surrounding the barreland pro
seat surrounding the outlet of such reservoir,
and a spring-impelled valve for closing the
vided with an inlet and an outlet, of a reser outlet and adapted to be forced off its seat and
voir or receptacle containing water or cooling opened by the tubular stem when the gun and 95
w
reservoir are associated, in the manther de
liquid and formed or attached to the gun car scribed.
45 riage or mounting and connected with the -
In testimony whereof I have herennto
chamber, and a valve for controlling or effect signed
ing the flow of water from said reservoir into my name in the presence of two sub
the chamber, surrounding the barrel and de scribing witnesses.
pendent for operation upon the movement of a HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM.
so part of the gun, as set forth. . . . . . Witnesses: . . . . . . . .
4. The combination, in a gun, with a cham DAVID YOUNG,
ber or casing surrounding the barreland pro A. E. Nixon,