A. V. P. M. BERTHIER.

FIREARM.

1,666,866.

APPLICATION FILED MAY28,1917.

Patented Jan. 25,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. nw
v ,

j Invert/iov:

RMBerzzg/Qer,
awgz
k

A. V. P. M. BERTHIER,
FIREARM.

1,366, 8 6 o0

A DI H w A U o N

n.. E D um A Y 2 om m

D..mDm2
s

H
wwwmi
_.

l/iIrnf!v4.
_
,
.,

00

nQ_.
Tu
Mm
u
25,
E
H

1.T,Wa.1,

stre

ar

ANDR vraertn rAUL MARIE Bnncnnrnn, or NEUILLY-snR-SEINE, VFRANCE,

AssrGNOn 'ro UNr'rnn srArns MACnrNE GUN COMPANY, or BOSTON, MASSA?
cnnsnfr'rs, A CORPORATION or MASSACHUSETTS.
FIREARM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- messes.

Patented Jan. 25,1921.

Application inea may 2s, 1er?.v serial No. 171,373.

ing mechanism of a machine gun, and show

I' To Vall whom 'it 'may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDRVIRGILE FAUL ing _one illustrative embodiment of my in

,
MAnin Bnn'rninn, a citizen of the Republic vention applied thereto; _
of France, and aV resident of Neuilly-sur
Seine,l in the French Republic, (whose post
oitiee address is 15bis Rue d `Orlans, Neuilly

55

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of said embodi

ment of my invention;

'

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on line

sur-Seine, France,_)A have invented an lm

provement in Firearms, of _which the fol
lowing description, in connection vwith the
accompanying drawings, is -a specification,

4-1 of Fig. 3;

like parts.

parte 0n1ne6~6of Fs.- 1 ;v

60

Fig. 5 shows the breech block and lextrac

tor;

Fig. 6__ is a _sectional detail of the breech

like characters on the drawings representing block', firing pin, gas piston and connecting
'

'

65

This invention relates to fluid operated , l Fig. 7 is _a detail ot the means for retain

apparatus and has for its object more par

15 ticularly to provide means whereby the Huid

low or pressure may be controlled or vari

ably adjusted as circumstances may require.

ing the cylinder 154e in place;

Fig. 8 shows vaiurther illustrative embodi

ment of my_invention;

Fig. 9 shows a further illustrative embodi

it is a well known `tact that the efficiency ment of my invention in which the radial
of fluid operated apparatus varies and may passages in the cylinder 154 are _arranged in
be seriously affected -by changes ot condi Vdifferent transverse planes or substantially
_
_ _
tions. Thus it has been found that the oper in a helical line or plane;
Fig. 10 shows a key which may be used
ation of gas operatedfrearms, such as ma
chine guns, is appreciably aected by to rotate the cylinder 154; andl

changes in climatic conditions and Achanges

of altitude, particularly the latter. lt is

Fig. 11 shows _said key in use.

._

My inventionis herein conveniently shown

applied to. the machine gun `of my Patent

No. 1,083,872 of January 6, 1914, but it will
atedY increases, the eiiiciency ot the gun de-v be apparent that myV invention is equally
creases in proportion, and if the change applicable to Vanyother gas operatedma~
from a lcwerto a higher altitude is sutli~ chine gun. e Only somuch ot the mechanism
ciently great the gas pressure which served and vstructure ot thel gun and its mode of
for
etlicient operation .of the gun at the operation will be described herein as is nec

found, tor example, that as the altitude at

which a gas operated machine gun is oper
30

lower altitude will no _longer SuiCe, the

80

85

essary to an .understanding o1" the -`present

speed of operationot the gun, torve'xample, invention, being understood that the said
falling o5 to such a degree as vgreatly to structure, mechanism and mode of Operation
impair its ,eiectiveness My invention, by are fully described in my patentabovere

rendering the Vgasflow orpressure adjustable terred _'to, to which reference is made for a
moredetailed description thereof. '_

overcomes this detect. _

75

90

_ln the embodiment yofthe invention herein

shown,_a portion of the `gases generated by
the. explosion pask @from the ha@ .2, Fig.. 2,
of the barrel@ throughapassage Ltinto a
gSCllamber or cylinder 6 iny which l_is/van
actuating member to be operated _by _said
understood that the invention in its true gases, said member herein .consisting ,cfa
piston _8 having a reduced head 1() o_? d1
_The objects andaims of the invention willi

bestbe understood from the following de

scription, _taken'in connection with the ac
companying drawings,'o't several forms or
embodiments ot' the invention shown _and de
scribed for illustrative purposes, it 'being
45

scope is definitely set forth by the claims.

ameter to fit closely within the fore part 12 100

of the cylinder 6 when said piston> is in its '
_ Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical, sec
ticnalelevation of thebreechl portion of a >'forward position. VvT he passage 4 is provided
machine gun containing the operating mech partly in lthe wall _of the barrel and partly
in a suitable part or yblock 14; which may be
anism;
'
_
n the drawings:

50

95

_ ~

Fig. Q_-is a longitudinal, vertical section secured to the ' barrel or formed inte ral
through the barrel and part of the operat therewith. _ The rear portion of the piston 10

105

1,366,863

is bored at 16 to receive a helical spring 18

which bears at its front or right end, refer

abutment 70 of the main body of the breech

block, which latter is adapted to swing about

ring to Fig. 1, against the bottom of said said pivot 66, while the head 64 moves in a
suitable guide provided in the casing 28 and

bore, and at its rear end against a part of

the frame 20 of the gun. A pin 22 screw
threaded into the frame at 24 extends into
the bore 16 of the piston and for a certain
distance within the spring 18, to serve as a

10

has no vertical movement, all as fully eX

plained in my patent above referred to. The

two parallel plates 34, 34 extending down`

wardly from the breech block are connected

guide for the latter when the piston is driven at their rear lower ends by a transverse wall
forward by its spring.
'
with which a projection 74 on the piston
The breech block 26 is reciprocated within 72,
10 cooperates torassist in the forward 1nove~

the frame 28 by the piston 10 and is suitably ment of the breech block by the piston.
guided withinY said frame,'all as fully eX Rearward movement of the breech block is
plained in my patent above referred to. To
15 reciprocate the breech block, the piston 10 is effected by a shoulder 76 which coperates
with a downwardly projecting abutment 78
L provided near its rear end, Fig. 1, with an on the breech block, through an elastic buffer
upwardly projecting plate 30 having upon 80. The breech block is provided upon its
each side near its upper end a laterally pro under side with an inclined cam surface 82
jecting nipple 32. The plate 30 extends up
20 wardly between two parallel plates 34, 34 forward of the abutment 78 and upon its
upper surface with a projection 84, the func
extending downwardly from the cylindrical tions
of which will be hereinafter more fully
vportion 36 of the breech block and each pro
vided with a slot 38, each of said slots be~
25

30

35

40

described.

75

80

85

'

The trigger mechanism consists of a re

cessed sear 86 which is adapted to oscillate
upon a pin 88 and whose rear arm is pro 90
vided with a plate 90 acted upon by a spiral

ing adapted to be engaged by one of the nip

ples 32, see Fig. 5. The opening of said
slots 38, both vertically and horizontally, is
somewhat greater than the height and width spring 92. This sear engages a tooth 94 on
of said nipples 32, and from eazh of said the under side of the piston in the case of
slots there extends downwardly in an in

individual tiring. A second sear 96 pivoted

clined direction to the front edge of each of at 98 carries the trigger 100 and is acted
the plates 34, a guide groove 40, the lower upon at its rearend by a spring 102. This
edges 42 of said grooves starting from the scar 96 carries between the point where it is
lower edges of the slots 38, 38, but the upper acted upon by the spring 102 and its pivot
edges 44 of said grooves 40 starting slightly 98, a reinforcement 104, having a recess to
below the upper edges of said slots 38, 38, receive
one end of a spring 106, the other
thus leaving a shoulder 46, 46, adapted to be' ond of which is received in a recess pro
engaged by said nipples 32, it being under vided in a catch 108, which is adapted to
stood that the guide grooves 40, 40 are of a swing about a pivot pin 110. This sear 96
width to allow tree passage along them of cooperates with a tooth 112 situated back
said nipples 32, when the latter are in the of the tooth 94' upon the under side of the
lower ends of the slots 38.

The tiring pin 48 is mounted for sliding

movement in a suit-able chamber 50 provided
45

70

in the breech block 26, and when projected

forwardly its front end 52 projects sun"i~
ciently from an opening 54 in the front end
of the breech block to explode the cartridge
'that is in the cartridge chamber of the gun,
a shoulder 56 upon the tiring pin cooperan

piston 10.

100

105

The cartridges are contained in a maga

eine 114 which is inserted from above into

a bearing` sleeve 116, the cartridges being

pressed downwardly by a fan-shaped spring

110

` 118 acting upon a -l'ollower120 and arepre

sented successively one by onein the path of '

movement of the breech block 26. F or a full

description of the construction of the maga

zine and its operation, reference may be had

50

ing with a shoulder 58 of the breechblock to

55

limit the forward movement of the firing to my patent above referred to. A more de
pin in the latter. Movement of the ring tailed description thereof is not deemed nec
pin 48 in the breech block is effected by the essary herein for the understanding of the
piston 10 by means of the plate 30 which is prese -t invention.
.

loosely einbrared between two abutments 60

A cartridge extractor 124 is mounted on
and 62 extending downwardly from the fir thebreech block by means of a pin 1264 120
ing pin l48 into the space between the two which engages'in a curved recess 128 in the
>plates 34, 34 through a longitudinal opening breech block in such manner that the breech

60

firing pin chamber 50 of the'breech block be

tween said plates 34, 84.

or slot provided in the lower wall of the

The head 64 of the breech block is pivoted

block can ascend and descend independently

of the cartridge eXtractor which is guided
during its entire course in a longitudinal

115

125

groove of the breech casing. A reinforce

pin
to the
66 main
and isbody
guided
of the
laterally
breechthrough
block bythe ment 130upon the extractor engages a recess
65 two cheeks 68, 68 which embrace the front 132 1n they right side of the breech block and
serves to take up the pull in withdrawing

130

1,366,863
the cartridge case. This extractor is con
structed and operated as described in the
patent above referred to, to which reference
is made for a moredetailed description.
VThe gunrmay be provided with a sliding

cocking handle 122, suitable cooling means,

V10

pin 66, suiiiciently to vrelease the nipples 32

from engagement with the shoulders '46, 46
at the upper end of the slots 40, the forward

end of the breech block having driven the

cartridge home into the cartridge chamber

70

142 and the front end of said breech bloclr

shooting sta-y, etc., all of which may be of being against and closing the entrance lto the
the construction and'mode of operation de cartridge chamber and the projection 84 be
scribed in my patent above-referred to and ing in vertical alinem'ent with correspond
ingly shaped recess 144, in the frame28.
need not be herein more fully described.
The gun is adapted for individual firing rl`he firing pin 48, which was carried for~

as well as for automatic firing, and for this ward with the breech block, has maintained
purpose is provided with Va rotary ley 134 its rearward position therein, but in the con

provided with shoulders 186, 136. When tinued forward movement of the piston 10,

this key is4 turned into the position shown after the breech block has reached the limit
in Fig. 1, one ofthe shoulders 186 engages of its forward movement as described, the
the scar 86 and presses it downwardly so as nipples 82 slide along within the inclined
i to hold it out of engagement with the tooth slots 40' provided as described inthe plates

94; 1n this condition, therefore, only the 34, 34 of -the breech block, carrying the firing
sear 96 controls the piston by its engagement p_in 48 forward with them by their engage
_with the tooth 112 and the gun is adjusted inent with the abutment 60 projecting down
for automatic tiring. With the rotary lkey wardly from said firing pin. ln their move-v
134 turned so that neither of the shoulders ment along' the slots 40, said nipples 32, irst
186,- 186 is in engagement with the Sear 86, by their engagement with the upper inclined
the piston is controlled by the engagement edges 44 of said slots 40 further raise the

80

85

90

of both `sears with their respective teeth 94 rear end ofthe breech block firmly to seat
and 112 and the gun is adjusted for individ >the projection 84 within the/recess 144 of the
ual firing.

'

trame,- tlius l'oclrin'gthe breech block against

. l

assuming that the gun is adjusted for rearward movement, and then project the
30 individual firing, pressure of the finger on front end 52 of the ring pin through the 95
the trigger 100 causes the front end of the sear opening 54 in theifront end of the breech
` 96 to swing downwardly and the catch 108 block and into contact with the primer of the
to lift the rear end 90 of the Sear 86 thus cartridge, thus exploding the latter. A part
disengaging the sear 86 from the hook 94 of ofy the explosion gases passes from the bore 2
35 the piston. The spring 18 moves the piston through the' passage 4 (Fig. 2) into the fore 100
forward until the tooth 112 engages the sear> part 12 of the cylinder 6 and thus'drives the
96 which is still in its path of movement. piston 10 to the rear against the action of
Continued pressure on the trigger, however, the spring 18 into the position- shown in Fig.
disengages the sear96 from the hoo'k 112 1, when the sear 8,6 snaps upwardly in front
A40' and the piston l10 is driven forward to its of the tooth 94 and holds the piston in its 105
full extent by the spring 18. Furthermore, rearward position, the gases escaping from
as >the Sear 96 releases therlioolr 112, or im the cylinder 6 through the openings 146.
mediately thereafter, the catch 108 releases, The triggerfbeing released, the sear 96 is
in thevcontinued backward movement of 1the A returned to its normal position by the spring
45 trigger 100, the rearv fend 90fof the, sear 86, 102 _andengages in' front of the tooth 112.
so that the scar 8_6 is 'now free to rise into its 1n this' rearward movement of the pistonv 10,
original position under the action of` its the nipples 32 carried thereby move rear

lspring 92, and is thus prepared to recngage ' wardly along the slots 40, thus withdrawing
the tooth 94 on the piston when the latter isV the firing pin 48 into the breech block and

returned to its initial position upon theV iir-Y by their engagement with the lower inclined

ing of the cartridge.

._ As the piston is `driven forward, as de

115

. edges 42 of said slots lowering the rear end

of the breech b_locl'r abont'the pivot 66 to dis

scribed, by the spring 18, the projection 74 engage the projection 84 on said block fromv

by its engagement withfthe part 72 of the ' the _recess 144 of the frame, and the buffer
breech block and the nipples 32 by their en 80 on the projection6 of theV piston then 120
gagement with the shoulders 46, 46 on said engages the abutment 7 8 on the breechblock
breech block (Fig. 5) carry the breech block andV carries the latter back to its rearward '
1, the projection 74
26 forward in a rectilinear directionl until position shown in
the inclined plane 8201i lthe lower side of engaging behind the part 72 of said breech

60

the breech block just in front of the abut

ment 78meets the end 138 of the stationary
part 140 of the breech cylinder bearing.
Hereupon, the inclined plane 82 slidingup

block >and the nipples 32 behind the shoul

125

ders 46, 46 at the upper ends ofthe 'slots 40,

ready to carry the'breech block forwardV

again when the trigger is again pulled, an

onto' `said part 140 raises the rear _end ofthe other cartridge Vhaving meanwhile-`> been
breech block by turningit abot the pivot or Vbinught into> position by the's'pringv118 to

130

4,

1,366,863

be engaged by the forward end of the breech hold or lock the cylinder 154 in place when

block in the latters neXt forward movement.

In this rearward movement also of the pis
ton, the cartridge extractor extracts the eX
Oi

any one of the passages 158 to 170 are in

register with the passage 172, said meansherein comprising a spring pressed pin 176

ploded shell which is ejected by the ejector, the head of which is adapted to engage
as fully described in my earlier patent above notches 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190 and 192
referred to.

70

. corresponding to the passages 158 to 170,

As already stated, to adjust the gun for respectively, and disposed in such manner
automatic firing, the rotary key 134 is about the periphery lof the head 174 that

turned into a position wherein one of the when the pin 17 6 is in engagement with one 75
.shoulders 186 thereon engages the sear 86 of said notches the corresponding radial
and presses it downwardly so as to prevent passage in the cylinder 154 is in register with

it from engaging with the piece 94. It the passage 172. The pin 176 is guided for
the trigger be now pulled back, the sear 96 longitudinal movement in the block 14 and
: by which the piston is now controlled will is provided with a collar 194 between which
be disengaged from the tooth 112 of the pis and the base of the opening-in which said
ton, and the piston will continue to recipro pin is mounted> there isinserted the helical
cate and the above described movement of spring 196 that tends to press the pin out
the mechanism will be repeated as long as the wardly to cause its head to engage any one
. pressure on the trigger continues, or as long of the notches 180 to 182 when said notch 85
as there are cartridges in the magazine. is brought into register with lthe head of

TWhen the last cartridge is ejected,'the piston said pin by rotation of the cylinder 154.

comes to restin its forward position and the To rotate the cylinder 154 it is only neces

mechanism is then cocked again by the aid of sary to press the pin 176 inwardly against
the cocking handle 122, which is slidingly the action of the spring 196 to disengage the

mounted on the underside of the frame (Fig. head of the pin from that notch in the
1) and is provided with a projection 148 periphery of the cylinder head 174 with
adapted to engage a projection 150 on said

which it is in engagement.

90

Vpiston 10, so that by pushing the handle 122

The invention contemplates means for
backwardly the piston will be returned to its rotating the cylinder 154 when adjustment
rearward position and then held by the scar, - of the gas pressure is desired, said means

35

all as -fully described in my patent above being useful at all times but particularly
' when the cylinder has become heated by the
In Figs. 2, 8 and 4 is shown means for firing of the arm. Said means is prefer
adjusting or varying the flow or pressure ably adapted also to release the pin 176 from
of the operating gases for the piston 10, locking engagement with the cylinder head
said means herein comprising throttling 174, to render rotation of the cylinder pos

4O

prise an adjustable member, which in that veniently consist of a key substantially as

illustrative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. Referring
shown in said figures consists of a cylinder to said figures, in the illustrative form of

95

referred to.

means.

Said throttling means may Vcom

154 fitted for rotary movement in a trans

45

100

sible and to that end said means may con

105

the key shown herein, the latter comprises

verse cylindrical opening 152 provided in the a cylindrical stem or shank 170a having a
block 14. Said cylinder is> provided with a transverse piece 173 to act as a handle and
central bore 156, open to atmosphere at both

a bit 175.

In use the end 177 of the stem 110

ends, which may be the right end referring 170i is inserted in the central bore 156 of

to Fig. 4. With this central bore 156 of the

cylinder 154 there communicate a plurality
>oi? passages extending radially from said cen
tral bore 156 to the periphery of the cylin
der 154. These radial passages are located
in the same transverse plane of the cylinder
154 and are of different diameters. Here
in seven such radial passages 158, 160, 162,
55 164, 166, 168 and 170 are provided, but it
will be apparent that this number may be
varied as umay be desirable. A passage 172
leads from the passage 4 to the cylindrical
60

the cylinder 154 at the flanged end of the

latter, and theend of the bit 175 of said key
is applied to the outer end yof the blockin

pin 176 so that, by pushing the end 177,0

the key stem 17()EL home into the bore 156
of the cylinder, the bit `175 of the key will
push the pin 176 out of engagement _with
that notch of the cylinder head 174 with
which it is in engagement, as shown in Fig.
11. rl`he bit 175 of the key being now in en

115

120

gagementwith the notch vacated by the pin

176, by turning the key the cyllnder 154

opening 152 in which is fitted the cylinder can be turned until the next following notch
154, and by rotating said cylinder the outer in the head of said cylinder comes into
end of any one of the radial passages 158 .to alinement with the pin 176, whereupon the
170 may be caused to register with _said latter will engage said notch under the
passage 172. The cylinder 154 is provided action of its spring 196 and arrest further
with afianged head 174 by which it may be rotation of said cylinder. In this way the
readily rotated. Means are provided to cylinder 1,54 can be turned step by step to

125

130

1,366,363
bring any one of its radial passages 158 to

170 into alinement with the passage 172.

A passage 179 will preferably be provided

in the block 14, said passage being in axial
alinement with the passage 172, see Fig. 2,
This passage 179 facilitates the boring of the

The smaller the amount ofthe gases that

is allowed to exhaust through the passage
172, the greater will the amount ot the gases
be that penetrate into the cylinder 6 from
the barrel and the greaterv therefore will be
the force exerted byV said gases upon the
piston 10. `As the altitude at which the gun
Yused increasesthe greater must the gas
pressure be in ordereffectively to operate
the gun, and therefore while at sea level the

passage 172, the boring tool beinginserted

through the passage 179, the cylinder 154
having been previously withdrawn, and the
passage 172 being then readily bored in
alinement with said passage 179. rhe'pas cylinder _164 will be adjusted kwith the pas
sage 179 also greatly facilitates cleaning of sage 170 in alinementwith the passage 17 2,

70

75

said passage 172 and ot the radial passages it will be found that as the altitude increases
158 to 1700i the cylinder 154, for by turn one of the passages 168 to 158 of less di

is ing said cylinder said radial passages may

be successively brought into registerv with

said passage 179, and any suitable cleaning

20

ameter according to the altitude attained,

should

be

used.

'

'

lt will thus be seen that my invention is

tool may then be passed through said pas particularly valuable in machine guns
'

"
s
sage 179 and the radial passage in register mounted on aeroplanes. '
85
@ther
conditions
may
also
effect
the
gas
therewith to clean the latter.
Y
pressure,
for
vexample
changes
of
climate
or
Accidental withdrawal of the cylinder 154
from the block 14 is prevented by a spring variations in the quality of the ammunition
but all variations in the> gas pressure
pressed pin 198 mounted for sliding move used,
whether caused by the conditions enumer- Y

ment in a bore 200 and having its outer end

normally maintainedby -the action of its

spring V199 in engagement with an annular,
groove 201 provided on the periphery of the
cylinder 154. The pin 198 is provided with

ated or any others may be quickly remedied 90'

by the use of my invention and that gas Y

pressure secured or maintained as is leest-

suited for the effective operation of the gun.

In Fig.s8, a modified construction is

a tinger piece 202 projecting outwardly shown.
Here the radial passages 158'to170
through a slot in the wall of` the block 14, by

which the pin 198 may be pushed outwardly

to withdraw its end from engagement with
the groove 201 ott the cylinder 154, thus en
abling the latter to be removed for cleaning
35 or Jfor any other purpose. That portion ot
the wall of the block 14'tlirough- which the

V95

in` the cylinder 154V are replaced byv pe

ripheral grooves 203, 204, 205, 206 and 208,
which by rotation of the cylinder -154 may
each be brought into >alinement with a pas-

sage 210 extending from said passage 4

transversely of said cylinder 154 in the same

100

plane as said grooves 203 to 208

inger piece 202 projects will preferably bel transverse
and
opening
into vthe atmosphere at 212.
countersunlr to protect said nnger piece from

Said passage 210 intersects the cylinder 154

substantially
to the width of' said passage. 105
lt will be seen from the above-described
40
1n
all
other
respects,
the construction may
construction that at each discharge ot' the
be
the
same
as
that
shown
in Figs. 2 to 4.
gun a certain amount o'l the gases generated
It
will
be
seen
that
the
shallowest
groove in A
by the explosion passes from the bore 2 of
the- barrel through the passage 4 into _the the cylinder 154 is the groove 203 and the 110
deepest the groove 208,` and` it will be ap
45 front endg'12 ot the cylinder to drive the
that the shallower the groove that _is
pistonlO rearwardly, a certain part of said parent
brought
into coincidence with the passage
gases being exhausted into the atmosphere
through the passage 172, that one of the 210 the less -will be the exhaust and the
assages 158 to 170 which is in register there greater will be the-gas pressure in the cyl 115
'
with, and the axial opening or bore 15601i inder 12, and viceversa.
ln Fig. 9 is shown a construction in which
the cylinder 154. By varying the amount ot
the gas thus exhausted, which is herein et the radial passages 158 to 170 are disposed
ected by bringing the radial passages 158 in different planes or substantially in va
to 170 of different diameter into coincidence helical line or plane in the cylinder 154, and 120
`the latter has screw-threaded engagement
55 with the passage 172, the amount kof the
gases entering the cylinder 6 through the at 181 with the screwfthreaded inner wall of
` accidental contact in the use of the gun.

passage 4 will also be varied.

60

'

the cylindrical opening 152. the pitch of the

Y It will thus be seen that this invention screwrthreads and that of the helical line
which the radial passages 158 and 17 0 are
provides means whereby the gas pressure in
disposed
being thesame. Allhen the cylin-Y
for operating the apparatus or gun may-be
controlled or adjusted as desired. The pres der 154 is screwed entirely home, none of

125

sure may be lvaried or adjusted to preserve the radial passages158 to 170 coincides with
the same gas pressureV and therefore the same the passage 152, the -latter being thus Vclosed ,
etfectivenessof operation at whatever alti by the Wall of the cylinder 154, but by un- '

675 tude the gun is used.

screwing the cylinder said radial passages 139

6,

1,366,863

may be brought successively to coincide tion, means actuated by the explosion gases

15

with said passage to vary the gas pressure, to operate the firearm; conducting passages
said radial passages being of course of dif to conduct the gases from the bore ofthe
ferent diameter as in the construction pre lirearm to said actuating means and to the
viously described, herein seven radial pas atmosphere; and a gas pressure controlling
sages are .provided With corresponding member adapted to coperate with one of
notches upon the periphery of the head 174 said conducting passages and provided With
to be engaged by the pin 176 and hold the a plurality of radial passages of different
cylinder in adjusted position, and also the diameter disposed in different transverse
axial bore 156 in said cylinder into Which planes, said controlling member being ro
the helically arranged radial passages open. tatable and movable axially t9 cause any one
In this construction, the pin 198 and annu of its passages to coperate with said con
lar groove 201 may be omitted, as the screw ducting passage.
a
threaded engagement of the cylinder with
3. In a gas operated firearm, in combina
the block 14, in conjunction With the en tion, means actuated by the explosion gases
gagement of the locking pin 176 With the of the firearm toloperate the latter; a cas se

notches in the fianged head 174 of the cyl~ ing; gas passages leading from the bore
inder prevent accidental Withdrawal of the or the firearm to said actuating means and>
latter.

20

to the atmosphere; a gas pressure controlling

The gun may be used with the cylinder rotary member provided With a plurality of
154 screwed home, that is to say with the passages of different diameter disposed in a

passage 172 closed Where conditions War

rant it.

substantiallyhelical line in said member,

said rotary member having screw-threaded

It Will be apparent that in the construc connection with said casing, by means of a
tion shown in Fig. 9, the radial passages in screw-thread of substantially the same pitch
the cylinder 154 could be replaced by the as that of the helical line in which the pas
peripheral passages or grooves shown in sages are disposed in said member, so that

Fig. 8, said peripheral grooves being how

30

85

90

by rotation of said member any one ofthe

ever disposed in a helical line around the _passages therein may be caused to coper~

periphery of said cylinder.

ate with said conducting passages; and

he gas or pressure controlling means means to lock said rotary member in adjust

embodying my invention is simple in con

struction and operation.

35

ed position.

'

There are no

4. ln a gas-operated firearm, in combina

parts to get out of order, and the cylinder tion, means actuated by the explosion gases

154 is easily and quickly removable, and of the firearm tovoperate the latter; a cas
ing; gas passages leading from the bore of
sible for cleaning. The cylinder is as easily the firearm to said actuating means and to
and quicklyl replaced and there is practi the atmosphere; a gas pressure controlling
cally no chance of its being accidentally rotaryV member provided with av plurality
displaced after it has been adjusted in the of radial passages of different diameter dis
position desired.
posed in a substantially helical line in said
It Will be apparent that While the inven member, said rotary member having screw~
tion has herein been described as embodied threaded connection with said casing, by
inthe details illustrated, the invention is means of a screw~thread of substantially the
When removed the parts are readily acces

40

50

55

60

100

105

not to be considered as circumscribed or same pitch as that of the vhelical line in 110
limited to these details, or any of them, since which the radial passages are disposed in
they may be variously modified Within the said member, so that by rotation of said
true scope of the invention which is defi member any one of the radial passages
nitely set forth by the claims.
therein may be caused to coperate with
Claims.
said conducting passages; and means to lock 115
1. In a gas-operated firearm, in combi said rotary member in adjusted position.
nation, means actuated by the explosion
5. In a gas-operated firearm, in combina
gases to operate the firearm; conducting pas tion,
a gas cylinder; a piston contained in
sages to conduct the gases from the bore of said cylinder
and adapted to be actuated
the firearm to said actuating means and to by the explosion gases from the bore of the
theatmosphere; and a gas pressure control firearm; a passage leading fromV said bore 120
ling member adapted to coperate with one to said cylinder; means, including an ad

of said conducting passages and provided justable rotary cylinder provided with a
with a plurality of passages of different plurality of passages of different diameter
diameter disposedv in different _transverse disposed in a substantially helical line in 125
planes, said controlling member being rota said
rotary cylinder, for varying the amount
table and movable axially to cause any one of explosion gases acting upon said piston,of its passages to coperate with said con said rotary cylinder being also movable
ducting passage.
2. In a gas-operated firearm, in combina

axially to cause any one of its passages to

coperate with the passage leading from the

130

1,366,863
bore of the rearm to the gas cylinder; and sages in the latter out of cooperation with
means to lock said rotary cylinder in ad said conducting passage and bring another

justed position.

6. ln a gas-operated firearm, in combina`

tion, a gas cylinder; a piston contained in
said cylinder and adapted to be actuated by
the explosion gases `from the bore of the
iirearm; a passage leading from said bore
to said cylinder; means, including an ad

into cooperation therewith.

9. ln a gas-operated firearm, in combina

tion, means actuated by the explosion gases
of the firearm to operate the latter; a con 55

ducting passage leading from the bore of

the firearm to lsaid operating means; a ro

tary cylinder provided With a plurality of

justable rotary cylinder provided with a passages of different diameter, each of

plurality ofV radial passages er' dierent

diameter disposed in a substantially helical
line in said rotary cylinder, for varying the
amount of explosion gases acting upon said
piston, said rotary cylinder being also mov

which can be caused to cooperate with said 60

able axially to cause any one of' its radial

passages to coperate with the passage lead

ever one of the passages in said cylinder 65

conducting passage by rotation ot said cyl

inder; a locking pin automatically to en
gage a notch in the periphery of said rotary
cylinder and lock the latter in place, when

is in position to cooperate with said con

ing from the bore of the firearm to the gas ducting passage; and means tor first dis
cylinder; and lmeans to lock said rotary engaging said pin from the peripheral
groove of said cylinder and then rotating
cylinder in adjusted position. '
7. In a gas-operated firearm, in combina the latter to cause another passage therein
tion, means actuated by the explosion gases to cooperate with said conductive passage.
l0. ln a gas-operated firearm, in combi
of the firearm to operate the latter; ad
justable means to vary the amountof the nation, operating means adapted to be ac
explosion gases acting upon said operating tuated by pressure ot' the explosion gases
means; means to retain said adjustable to operate the firearm; and means, compris~
means in adjusted position; and a com ing a member provided with a plurality of
bined releasing and adjusting key, separate gas passages disposed in different trans
from the firearm and constructed and ar verse planes, said member being adjustable
ranged to be applied to said adjustable to render said passages selectively operative

25

30

means and when applied thereto to engage to vary the gas pressure acting on said fire 80
' and release said retaining means and en

gage said adjustable means so that it can be

adjusted by said key.

35

45

arm operating means.

1l. ln a gas-operated firearm, in combi

nation, means actuated by the explosion
gases to operate the firearm; gas passages

8.1m a gas-operated firearm, in combina

tion, means actuated by the explosion gases to conduct the gases from the bore of the
of the rearm to operate the latter; a con firearm to said actuating means and to the
ducting passage leading from the bore of atmosphere; and a gas pressure controlling
the firearm to said operating means; a ro member adapted to coperate with one of
tary cylinder provided with a plurality of said gas passages and provided with a plu
passages Vor different diameter, each of rality of passages of different diameter dis
which can 'be caused to ooperate with said posed in different transverse planes, said

conducting passage by rotation oi said cyl

controlling member being adjustable selec

inder; means to lock said cylinder in ad

tively to cause any one of its passages to co

justed position; and means separate from operate With said gas passage.
In testimony whereof l have signed my
said firearm and constructed and arranged
to be applied to said cylinder for first re
leasing said locking means and then turn

ing said cylinderto bring one of the pas

name to this specification.

ANDR VlRGlLE PAUL MARIE BERTI-HER.

85

90