@et 6, 1942.

A. A. DlcKE

2,297,693

AUTOLOADING FIREARM

Filed Nov. 2, 1940

5 Sheets-Sheet 1

Get., 6, 1942.

A. A. DlcKE

2,297,693

AUTOLOADING FIREARM

Filed Nov. 2, 1940

3 Sheets-Sheet 2

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EN
'INVENTOR

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. _Waffe
BY
ATTORNEY

2,297,

Patented Oct. , i942

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,297,693
_

AUToLoAnING FmEAaM '

AllenA. Dicke, Montclair, N. I.

Application Novemberl 2, 1940, Serial No. 363,961
Y 1s claims.

(c1. .lz-_mf

'

for abnormally high pressure and abnormally low

-This invention relates to autoloading ilrearms

whether of the small arms type such as auto

pressure cartridges.

matic pistols, autoloading riiles, sub-machine

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a

guns, or machine guns, or of the larger type gen

erally designated as ordnance, and has for an

_ portion of the receiver and barrel parts of an

object to improve such devices bygassuring thatthe breech closing mechanism will remain fully
closed until the gas pressure has dropped to a

certain predetermined value.

'

Another object is to form the chamber walls 10

other re'arm illustrating the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in vertical cross-section,
ofthe arm shownin Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is Aa cross-section taken on the line 5-5
'of F18. 3;
Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on the line 6-6

relatively thin and surround said chamber with

a relatively thick collar associated with the
breech closing mechanism, so that at the instant
of explosion the chamber will expand againstl the
enclosing collar and hold it in position (whether

part of another ilrearm illustrating th inven

against axial or rotary movement), thereby pre- k

tion;

of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross-'section taken on the line 1-1

of Fig. 4:

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional vi w of a

venting opening 'of the breech mechanism until

"

Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the

arm shown in Fig. 8;

j
Fis. 10 isa cross-sectional view taken on the

the gas pressure has dropped to a certain point.

A more specic object is to provide such a

construction in which the supporting collar is 20 line I0--I0 of Fig. 8; and

' directly connected with the breech block for lon- ,

Fig. 11 illustrates another modication.

Referringto Fig. 1, the numeral il designates

gitudinal movement therewith, said collar and>
the connected breech block being temporarily
thel barrel having a chamber Ha to receive the
held in position against such axial movement.
cartridge i2. It will be noted that a portion lib
Another object is to provide a device in which 25 of said chamber is reduced in outside diameter.
the enclosing collar is normally held against ax
-The barrel Il is shown threaded to the receiver
ial movement but is free to rotate, said collar be
L3 as at llc. In the form shown, the receiver
ing provided with an abutment co-acting with
has a passage I3a which may be either round
an axially movable non-rotatable breech block by
or rectangular in cross-section. within which
means of lugs or interrupted threads thereon, or 30 passage is located for axial movement the breech
equivalent co-acting means, whereby the block is
block I4 having integrally formed therewith a
held in closed position while the gas pressure is
forwardly extending collar lla whichl surrounds
suiliciently high so that the expanded chamber
and fits rather closely upon the expandible por
holds the collar against rotation but that when
tion I Ib of the chamber. The breech bloclrilis
the gas pressure drops and the chamber con 35 biased forwardly by means ot spring i5 bearing

tracts` the collar is rotated through rearward

against
an abutment, such as the closing screw
6.

axial movement of the breech block.

Another object of the invention is to providea

It will be seen that when the cartridge l2 is

device `in which the enclosing collar is normally

fired, by any suitable tiring mechanism not illus
held against axial movement but is free to rotate, 40 trated, the gas pressure will rise rapidly, as
said collar being provided with a rearward ex
shown in Fig. 2, causing the expandible chamber
tension engaging with a rotatable breech bolt so
IIb to expand slightly (possibly .0005 to .002
that rotation and opening of the breech bolt is
inch) , gripping the collar Ha and preventing the
prevented until the gas pressure has dropped to a
opening ofthe breech. This condition continues

certain point.

45 ntil the gas pressure has dropped to a certain

Further objects and advantages of this inven

tion will be apparent from consideration@ of the
specication as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings of possible embodiments of the inven

tion, in which drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional
view of a portion of a firearm illustrating one
form the invention may take;
Fig. 2 shows an explosion gas pressure-time
curve of a normal cartridge and similar curves 55

point as, for example, the value indicated by the

line a-a (Fig. 2). When this point is reached

(point y) the chamber part i Ib contracts, due to

its natural resiliency, and frees the collar Ida,
whereupon the breech block I4 is driven rear
wardly, due to the residual pressure compressing

spring l5.
For convenience in electing the red cartridge
case, the breech block is preferably formed as
shown, i. e., the breech block contains a bolt Il

2,297,698
tridge in the chamber, if any, is extracted by

consisting of a cylindrical head portion |1a

means of any suitable extractor carried by the

bolt 24 (shown in cross-section and indicated

whose forward end bears. against the base of the

cartridge, and a reduced extension I1b, the said
bolt lying in a correspondingly formed bore in

the breech _block i4, its movement being limited

by the numeral 24h in Fig. 5).

as by means kof a cross pin I8 located in the cut

out

I1c.

'

-If the gunis closed-with va cartridge 22 in the

chamber and the 'firing mechanism' (striker or
firing pin) is a'ctuated-the cartridge will be ex

Cl

ploded,:r'esulting in 'a powerful rearward thrust

Itwill be-noted that the closing screw- I6 is

formedwith a forward extension I6a in lineA with.- ...i, 0; against the> Abolt l 24'.-` -However, at' the same4 time;V .~

the ' reduced #chamberf portion '2lb' i's Vslightly ex

the bolt v_portion 11b.` Therefore, as th'e breech
block I4 is driven rearwardly-by the remaining -' ;- .g panded, grasping-.thee'col1ar`12'1"and holding'it
gas pressure acting through bolt head pl1a, the. -, , against rotation." . It' will .-thereforefbe impossible
for the lugsito'move rearwardlyfand the bolt will

Abolt andblock will move back. together until the

fired case has beenwithdrawn from the chamber, ,i . remain in - closedl position. until> 'the- gas pressure
(assisted if necessary by extractor I'ld preferably , has dropped to> a predetermined value,v` such as

carried by the bolt head Ha). vThereafter, bolt f that represented by theline H -in Fig.'2.' When>
Y extension lia, wh'ereas the
this point is' reached, `the~,chambe'r> part 2'Ibcon
l1 is arrested Vby the

tracts, releasing co1lar21. The residual powder

block |14 continues to travelto vthe >end of its

movement (the parts now are in the dotted line

pressure is sufiicient, however, to thrust the bolt

vposition of Fig. l). `At this time, ejectionv of` the '

24 rearwardly; In so doing, the lugs cause rota

v'case by suitableknown means (not shown) is

. effected. ADuring subsequent forward >movement e

>tion through 90 of the collar 21, 29,.,thus locat;

ing the entrance passages 29h vertically, per
mitting the lugs 26, 26a, to pass rearwardly,

of thev breech block i4,-a new cartridgasuch as

.whereby the bolt 2t and its carrying tube 24a

may move rearwardly .the full distance _(some
what greater than the length of the cartridge),

the one indicatedat _2a,.is pushed vforwardlyinto

>thechamber..A 'rhenringmechanismhaving been ,

retracted during the _excursionl of the b_oltrthe

gun has been completely -and-'automatically-re z :while storing energy in.the compression of
' loaded and-upon release of. the firing mechanism,
. _whether automaticallyror >by Aanother-pull offthe
trigger, the arm will again,"A _fire and the cycle be

'

spring

30.

"

'

' Immediately thereafter, the bolt

'

are

pushed forwardly, pushing the next cartridge 22a

f upwardly and forwardly v-into the chamber. In

In the form shown in Figs._.-.3 Ato 7 inclusive,;the ' the form shown, the bullet passes up through the
entrance slot 2,917.'- >When the bolt has almost
numeral 2l represeutsthe barrelv threaded tothe
reached its forward limit of movement, the lugs
receiver >23 as at 2lc. The barrel is `formed with
I a chamber> 2la,.va portionoffwhich 2lb, is reduced, A 26, 26a, pass in> throughthe entrance slots 2lb
until their forward edges strike the helical front
in external- diameter. The lchamber is closed by
surface of the passageA 29a, rotating the collar
.means of a Vbreech block _24 shown as-attached to
21, 29 counterclockwise, as viewed'from the rear.
la tube 24a .slidably mounted in a passage .23a in
thus closing the action,Uy . - .
'
f
the receiver.. V'.l'hisrpassage may be either round
The numeral 3l designates a plunger biased
.or rectangulanas the bolt 24 and tube 24a are 40
upwardly by spring 32 and `bearing normally in
-not adapted to rotate.

25 indicates aliandler sil-dable in a slot 25a` in

the side >of' the receiver.v _This handle may be

used to~;operate._ the action manually when de

a `recess 21a in the collar 21'. It Ywill be v.noted

from Fig.'7, thatthe plunger doesnot- normally`

enter fully within -recess21a but vbears only on

.'sired4 @11d may Y also serve .l the purpose of preventf -io one side thereofso as `tortend to rotate --the collar

`_ingrotation-f_ofthe bolt. -Theforward end of the

'vbolt124 is provided-with lugs 2liv and 26a.

The; reduced-~ expandible portion 2lb of the

chamber. issurrounded by a collar 21 fitting

-.loosely Ythereonand connedY axially between a

shoulderon-the barrel-and the shoulder 28 in the
receiver. Theccllar `21 hasa rearward extension
29 formed with helical passages 29a within which

thelugs 26, 26a, .normally fit, itbeingapparent

_from Fig. 3 that .the front and rear faces of said

Yflugs hav'eamcorresponding helical form. Con

nected with said passages 29a are entrance pas

sages 29b located generally horizontallyisee Figs.

..4.and 6).l

InV the -form shown, the action spring 3,0 is lo

cated in the receiver with its forward end with
in the tube 23a, which spring tends to push the

21 counterclockwise,- as viewed . from 4the rear.

This serves -to take up. any slack which might be

present'rbetween-thehelical faces. of the lugs 24 _

and 26a.-.and':_the .helical passage 29a, .and will

50 also ; serve-to -assure that the collar >21 will be

pressedirmly >`against abutment shoulder. 28.

This construction ' assures minimuml head space
and
The
play.
collar>
-,
214s formed-with. .another
l
- depres

sion 2-1-b slightlymore than .90? from the-depres

sion 21a. When the gun isfopened,whe'therfby'
hand or .as a result of firing; depression 21h

aligns with the plunger Il and'assures that the

collar 21, 29 will be held in proper position~so
60 thaty the entrance openings 29h will be vertically
arranged and in proper alignment with the lugs
2l,

26a.

Any suitable nring mechanism may be em

ployed such as a striker II biased forwardly by
cartridge 22 within the chamber.
It will be noted that the helix angle of the 65 a spring (not shown). The rear end of said
striker is shown as formed with an arm It with
passages 29a and the faces of the lugs 26 and 26a
which is engageable the hook 31 of a scar 99
is so .great that axial movement of the bolt will
biased clockwise by spring 39. The sear is shown
cause rotation of the collar 21, 29. It will there-`
as provided with a pin 38a with which engages
fore be notedthat if the handle 25 is pulled
rearwardly, the lugs 29 and 26a will cause rota 70 a shoulder 49a on a disconnector bar 4I pivotally
connected at 4la with the trigger 4I. Trigger
tion of the collar v21, 29 clockwise, as viewed from
spring 42 serves to rock the trigger clockwise.
the rear, to an extent of 90 in the form shown,
The disconnector bar 49 is shown as having an
at which time the entrance passages 29h align
upwardly extending finger 40h lying in the path
with said lugs, and the bolt may be freely drawn
rearwardly. During this time the unred car-_ 75 of a part of the breech block tube 24a. Aswill

bolt forward tightly against the `head of the

2,297,693
be readily understood, when firing occurs and the

curve of a normal~ cartridge whereas ythe dotted

breech block moves rearwardly, it strikes the
Ilines represent respectively the pressure-time
finger 0b and rocks the disconnector bar 40
curve of low powered and high powered car"
clockwise against the action of spring 40e, thus
tridges. Assuming that the gun in question is
permitting the Sear to spring back into effective
set to"open at a pressure of 1,000 units, when
position even though the shooter continues td.
the normal cartridge is used the opening will
hold the trigger retracted. Therefore, as the
occur afte?'iabout 33 units of time. If, however,
breech block is pushed forwardly the hook 31A
a weak cartridge is used, the gun opens at the
engages with the arm V36 and holds- the -striker
back in position ready >for firing the next car it' peint. r, nemeiy, after abeutrz units of time ami

tridge.'

"

with _a powerful cartridge the gun opens at t'.

'

Operation

namely, after about 39 units of time. As the>

gas pressure when the gun opens is the same ir~

If the magazine, which may be a boxmaga
respective of the power of the cartridge. it is
zine, tubular magazine, cartridge belt, or car
obvious that the same pressure and forcewiii.
tridge drum, is filled with cartridges and- the 15
available to operate the action.
iS zii
handle 25 drawn rearwardly, the collar 21,' 281'- , rectly contraryto the experience withThis
gas cpei-~
will rotate clockwise about 90", releasing the lugs~ ` ated guns which open earlier for high power
26, 26a, and permitting the breech block to be
cartridges and later for low power cartridges,
retracted the full limit of its movement against
the direct opposite of the desired action.
the action of spring 30. Thereupon, by usual 20 Another form illustrative of the invention is
means, the first cartridge in the Vmagazine is
shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, wherein the breech

placed in position for insertion into the chamber.

By releasing handle 25, this cartridgeis pushed

closing mechanism is of the rotary bolt type.

The bolt may be similar to that of any high pow~

forwardly into the chamber. During this move f-erbit action rifle, such as the Springfield model
ment, the lugs 26, 26a pass 'through the now 25
`lsiltwith the exception that the lug facce
vertically disposed entrance passagesA 29h andv 'of
`and- "their -crd-acting abutments~ within the rethereuponl rotate the collar 21, >29about 90
ceiv'er'are of helical conformation, the helix angle

counter clockwise, due to the co-actioriof the

Vhelical> surfaces on the lugs and on the collar 29..

As the bolt reaches its forward limit of move

ment with its face against the head of the car

tridge in the chamber, the plunger 3i snaps into

recess 21a, thus rotating the collar 21, 29 slightly

counter clockwise, assuring that the collar >>21

'l _being slightly greater man> the

angle of repose.

In the forni shown the barrel 2| may be of the

vsaune construction as that shown in Figs. 3v and
4; The chamber supporting collar 51 diiers
'however in that itV does not support the thrust
'of th'e boit~ but has ,extensions 51a and 51h which

co-act with and prevent rotation of the lugs 50

bears firmly against abutment 20 and that the 35 and 56a of the bolt 54 when the collar 51 is held
collar 29 bears firmly against the rear faces of ~ againstrotationjby excessive gas pressure.
The
lugs 26, 26a, thus eliminating play and excessive bolt may be carried, as shown, by a tubular
head space.
`member Bla'within which the action spring 5l
If the trigger is now pulled, the striker I6 is
is'housed. vThe bolt lugs are in
released and the cartridge exploded. This im 40 locatedbetween lugs 53a and normal position
53h, preferably
mediately causes a slight expansion of the thin
- forming an integral part of the receiver 53. A
section 2lb of the chamber, thus holding the col
plunger 3,! actuated byspring 32 _is preferably
lar 21 against rotation, As a result -of which,
4employed' to hold the collar 51 its> desired ro
.lugs 20, 26a cannot move rearwardly and the 46': tatlve position. As in the case ofinthe
form shown,
action remains closed. This condition continues
inFigs. `3 "to 7' inclusive, the plunger preferably
until the gas pressure has dropped to a, predeter
rests within its depressions in such a way as to
mined point, say that represented by line a-a
Veliminate play between the extensions 51a and
in Fig. 2, i. e., at the point y for the normal car-.
51h and the lugs 5l and 56a. Y
tridge represented by the full line curve. At this
'
'
operation
point, the chamber part 2lb contracts, freeing
collar 21 which now rotates about 90 clockwise
Whenilring occurs, the rearward thrust against
under the thrust of the remaining gas pressure,
thev bolt 54 tends to cause rotation of the bolt
thus freeing the breech block for its'rearward
'due' to- the helical vsurfaces on the rear lug faces
excursion, during which extraction and ejection and the cooperating lugs 53a in the receiver.
occur. On its forward excursion, the breech 55 However, rotation is Vprevented by the extensions
block pushes the next cartridge into the cham
51a and 61h ofthe collar 51, which is held in
ber, the bullet thereof in the form shown passing
place by the expansion of the chamber. The
up through-one of the entrance slots 28h. As
breech therefore remains closed until the gas
the breech block reaches its. forward limit of
pressure 'drops to a point where the chamber
60
movement, the collar 21, 20 is again rotated
portion 2lb contracts. freeing the collar 51 and
counter clockwise about 90 to its normal locking
permitting the' action to open. During this'time,
position. This cycle of operation can of course
the collar 51 is rotated about 90. On the rear
be repeated as ions as cartridges are available
ward excursion of the bolt, extraction and ejec
in the magazine.
tion occur -by usual means not shown and on the
In addition to its great simplicity and cheap-_ 65 return stroke, the nextcartridge 22a is pushed
messen advantage ci this construction is that
into the chamber, the bullet thereof being moved
the gun willl reload reliably even in spite of _vari
forwardly `and upwardly through the space be
ations inl/the power of the ammunition used. It
tweenv extensions 51a and 51h which are now
s well known that it is very difficult to load 70
arranged
generally vertically. When the bolt is
:artridges uniformly and that even though this
almost home, the front faces of lugs 56 and 56a
s accomplished the cartridges will, upon long
strike cooperating inclined surfaces 53h on the
ztorage, deteriorate thuscausing unequal gas
` receiver, thus causing rotation of the bolt to its
nessures.
Y Fig. 2 indicates in full line the pressure-time 75 locking position, carrying collar 51 along. The

gun is now ready to be fired again, which cycle

2,297,693'

porting- member, whereby >the breech closing

may be repeated indefinitely as long as ammuni-

tion is available.

member is held closed until after the gas pres

sure has dropped sufciently low to permit con

The dimensions of the reduced chamber sec

traction of the weakened chamber portion.

tion as shown in the drawings are not intended to

be accurate for al1 purposes.` The wall thickness

2. In a firearm, a barrel having a cartridge

receiving chamber formed therein, at least a part '

would be computed according to the power of the

cartridge and the' gas pressure at which opening
_

desired,

.,

of the chamber portion of said barrel being formed _

as a _tube _of _such reduced thickness that the gas

"

,Y

#cartridge-exploded in said-cham;

v'f''expanding' 'the' said reduced

'chamber _portion; -`a="supp`o'rting collar closely sur
rounding saidqdced portion, abreech closing

- `,_As'guns.ofithis type frequently-'a

_
_ nicmdinwsi 10"

times in'duick'. succession. the barrel

rather
high.
temperature.
___
__ ___
_ _-toa
` ycharmer',portion"is
-not
' ` tothe
saine.
'
temperature_.'_
likely to
likewise,"
becomejheafted
_Ha, _f ' ' membenfandvme'an's.'associated with said support

21, or 5_1 _-wi_llalso become heated>` but probably

'

ingmember preventing .opening 'of the breech

closing member while the reduced-chamber por
ft'ion isfei'c'pandedagainst said -supporting collar.

mamme result

- in expansion of the chamber relative _to the collar

to an undesired extentg. To V`overcome this possible 1 _ ' whereby' :the-breech; closing member is held closed
' diiiicult'y, itis proposed tomakefthe supporting ~ ' :until after the gas pressure has dropped suill
collar of a material having.' _ahlgher' thermal co- ` - ` Vciently low` to permit contraction of the weakened
chamber portion and'freeing of said collar.
- , emcient of expansion thany the steel used for the
barrel. For this purpose the >use of certain stain
13.fIn a `firearm, a barrel having a cartridge
high
expansionco_'

receiving chamber' formed> therein, at least a

less steels known to have a
part"v ofthe chamber portion of said barrel being
efllcient is contemplated.
4 _
_ _
_
_
Fig. T11 is> a , cross-section _throughithe ychaxirber " formed as a'tube of such- reduced thickness"thatv
thevgaspressurey of'a cartridge exploded in said
of a gunot any of the illustrated _
_

20'

ing a modified iormff .Instead'of depending _upon

ythe expansionof the chamber _tofg'rip ~the-sup

chamber z is capable of expanding vthi? .said re- '

-duced/chamber portion,.a rotatable supporting

collar closely surrounding said. :reduced portion,

porting _collar ' A(as Ma, 21,

wall 2li may be made considerably thicker and* ' abreech closing member, zand means associated
with said rotatable supporting collar preventing
the supporting collar llzsomewhat thinner. >The
chamber` wa1l'2l:r_is perforated to receive a 30 opening of the breech closing ~member without
rotating said collar, whereby the breech closing
' plunger 2 Iy having its endsformed concentric
with the barrel bore.' When the gun is fired, the
member is held closed until after the gas pres
plunger 2W will be shifted very slightly, its outer
sure has'dropped sufficiently low to permit con
end being -thrust against the collar A21x and hold- ' traction of the weakened chamber portion and

ing it_ against movement until the gas pressure

35

rotation of said _collarr- '

'subsides to a certain value. ' If desired. the

plunger may be formed shouldered as shown with
a washer Ilz of rubber or the like to provide

4. In a firearm, a :barrel having a cartridge

receiving chamber formed therein, .at least a

_' slight resiliency and to assure proper sealing.It vwill be noted -that in the forms shown in

formed as a ltube of such reduced thickness that

Figs. 3 to 10 inclusive, the thrust on the block

24 or bolt 54 can cause rotation of the collar
only through a negative me

chamber is capable of expanding the said -re--

part of the chamber portion of said barrel being

the gas pressure'ofa_cartridgeexploded in said

duced chamber portion-,_ a'rotatable Vsupporting

collar closely surrounding said reduced portion.
a non-rotatable breech closing member, and
helical connecting means, between said breech

'chanicaladvantaga this being due to the fact

that the helixangles are so chosen as to be only 45

closing member and said collar whereby the
> slightly greater than the angle of repose. lI'here

breech closing member is held closed until after

the gas pressure has dropped sufficiently low to

- fore, only-a slight gripping of the collar by the

__
. expansible
chamber will suiiice to prevent opening

of the action;
. ' It is, of course, to be understood that various

50

permit contraction of the weakened chamber

portion androtationof said collar.

5. In a firearm, a barrel having a cartridge

'supplemental devices may be used. such as safety

devices, single shot or automatic-fire firing mech

receiving- chamber formed therein,_at least a

anism, means for holding the action open when

part ofthe chamber portion of said barrel being

the magazine is empty, barrel cooling means, etc.

formed as a tube of such _reduced thickness that

The invention is not intended to be limited to 55 the gas pressure of a cartridgev exploded in said
chamber is capable of expanding the said re
the several forms o! construction shown, which
are to be understood as illustrative only and not
duced chamber portion, a receiver, a rotatable
supporting collar closely surrounding said re
las limiting as various changes in construction and
arrangement may be made, it being intended
duced portion, a rotatable breech closing mem
that the patent shall cover -by suitable expression
ber, and helical connecting means between said
in the appended claims all features of patentable
breech closing member and said receiver, means
connected with the supporting collar for pre
novelty existing in the invention disclosed.
venting rotation of -said breech closing member
I claim:

-l. In a flrearm,_ a barrel having a cartridge

without rotating said vsupporting collar, whereby
65
the breech closing member` is held closed until
~ receiving chamber formed therein, at least a part

of the' chamber: portion >of said barrel being

after the gas pressure has. dropped sufficiently

low to permit contraction of "the weakened
chamber portion and consequent rotation of
the gas pressure of
chamber is capable of expanding the said reduced
said collar and said rotatable ,breech closing
chamber portion, a supporting member closely 70
surrounding said reduced portion, a breech clos
6. The combination according to claim 3 in
ing member, and means associated with said sup
cluding detent means for holding the supporting
porting member preventing opening of the breech
collar in its normal rotative position.
closing memberwhile the reduced chamber por
y'7. The combination according tovclaim 4 in
75
_tion is expanded against said surrounding sup

reduced thickness that

'i'ormed'as atube of asuch
cartridge exploded in saidv

member.

2,297,693
cluding detent means for holding the support

l'l. In a iirearm, a barrel having a cartridge

receiving chamber, at least a portion of the
chamber being of such reduced thickness that

` ing collar in its normal rotative position.

8. The combination according to claim 5 in

cluding detent means for holding the support
ing collar in its normal rotative position.

the gas pressure of a cartridge exploded in said

chamber is capable of expanding the said re

- 9. The combination according to claim 3 ln

duced chamber portion, a supporting member

closely surrounding said reduced portion, said
reduced chamber portion and said surrounding
breech openable position.
10. The combination according to claim 4 in 10 member being normally relatively movable, a
breech closing member, and means so associated
cluding detent means for holding the support
with said supporting member that opening of
ing collar either in its normal position or in
the breech closing member will cause relative
breech openable position.
movement between the surrounding supporting
ll. The combination according to claim 5 in
cluding detent means for holding the supporting 15 member and the reduced chamber portion,
whereby opening of the breech closing member
collar either in its normal position or in breech
is prevented while the reduced chamber portion
openable position.
v
.
is expanded against said supporting member so
12. The combination according to claim 3 in
that the breech closing member is held closed
_ cluding detent means for holding the supporting
collar in its normal rotative position but biased 20 until after the gas pressure has dropped sui
ficieitly low to permit contraction of the
to closed breech position.
weakened chamber portion.
13. The combination according to claim 4 in
18. In a ilrearm,la barrel having a cartridge
cluding detent means for holding the supporting
receiving chamber, at least a portion of the
collar in its normal rotative position but biased
to closed breech position.
>
chamber being of such reduced thickness that
14. The combination according to claim 5 in 25 the gas pressureof a cartridge exploded in said
cluding detent means for holding the support
chamber is capable oi expanding the said re
ing collar in its normal rotative position but
duced chamber portion, a supporting member

cluding detent means for holding the support

ing collar either in its normal position or in the

biased to closed breech position.A

closely surrounding said l`reduced portion, said

'

l5. In a firearm, a barrel having a cartridge

receiving chamber formed therein, at least a

part of the chamber portion of said barrel being
formed as a tube of such reduced thickness that
the gas pressure of a cartridge exploded in said

chamber is capable of expanding the said re

duced chamber portion. a breech vclosing mem
ber formed with a collar closely surrounding
said reduced portion, whereby the breech clos
ing member is held closed until after the gas
pressure has dropped suilciently low to permit

30

reduced chamber portion and said surrounding

-member being normally relatively rotatable, a

breech closing member, and means so associated
with said supporting member Athat opening of
the breech closing member will cause relative

rotation between the surrounding supporting

member and the reduced chamber portion,

whereby opening of the breech closing member
is prevented while the reduced chamber por
tion is expanded against -said supporting member
so that the breech closing member is held closed
40
contraction of the weakened chamber portion \ until after the gas pressure has dropped sui
and freeing of said collar.
iiciently low to permit contraction oi the weak
16. The combination according to claim 1 in t
ened chamber portion.
which the supporting member is made of a
material having alhigher co-eilicient of thermal
ALLEN A. DICKE.
expansion than the material oi' said chamber.