Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder firearm whose cylinder (100) includes a plurality of chambers (108). The cylinder (100) includes a channel (101) associated with each of its chambers (108) and opening out into said chamber ahead of any cartridge contained therein, with the other end of each channel receiving a piston (111), which piston presses against the frame of the gun when fired, thereby causing the cylinder to move forwardly by reaction and thus suppressing the operating clearance provided between the cylinder and the barrel and thus providing good sealing at the front of each chamber when fired. The invention is particularly applicable to revolvers.

Abstract: The improved mortar has a sealing means that provides a double seal to the firing pin so that hot ignition gases from the mortar tube are prevented from damaging the firing mechanism. The improved mortar also has an improved base plate, the improvement in the base plate being an even number of radial ridges that extend radially from the base plate and are arranged in equal angles at the center. Every other radial ridge is forked and the branches of the forked radial ridges are parallel to the adjacent non-forked radial ridges.

Abstract: An obturator ring for location between a sliding wedge-type breech block and a base ring in the barrel of a cannon to provide a seal and allow satisfactory closing movement of the obturator ring. The ring comprises an angle section with a radial flank having a disc lining on the external side facing the breech, the flank which is parallel to the axis of the bore of the barrel having on the external side a cylindrical lining. The linings are deformable, incompressible and capable of being forced over their widths against the base ring or the wedge insert by the flanks which deform under gas pressure. The linings are interconnected in the corner cross section of the obturator ring via a number of connecting rod-like members disposed in bores through the obturator ring; the flanks are joined through a rounded corner portion which allows flexure to effect through the tips of the flanks. The linings provide a large sealing surface of which the minimum width is greater than one-half of the length.

Abstract: A pivoting or swivable projectile or shell loading chamber for high angle-firing weapons, especially for mortars, which is constructed so as to be barrel-shaped at its lower end and which support itself on the base plate of the mortar, and which can be swung with its upper end outwardly of a position extending coaxially with the weapon firing tube. The upper separating location between the firing tube and the pivoting projectile loading chamber is sealed through a gas pressure-controlled sealing ring. A locking lever is arranged in the upper region of the pivoting projectile loading chamber, which is in operative connection with locking components on the framework of the mortar and with trigger parts of the mortar, and wherein the opening angle of the pivoting projectile loading chamber is restricted by a stop.

Abstract: An improved sealing system for use in a sliding seal. The seal has a sliding member with first and second L-shaped seals and an annular opening. One L-shaped seal serves to seal junction of the annular opening with the sliding member and the second seal serves to seal the sliding member to the bore.

Abstract: A gun breech mechanism has a barrel formed with a backwardly open shell chamber, a breech block displaceable into a position rearwardly closing the chamber, and a seal ring between the block and the barrel and having an inner face exposed in the chamber and an outer face lying against the block and barrel. A passage opens at the outer seal-ring face for detecting thereat a gas pressure in excess of a predetermined superatmospheric pressure and a device is provided for generating an alarm signal when such excess pressure is detected. A guide bore formed in the block has an end into which the passage opens and an indicating element having an end exposed at the bore end and slidable in the bore between an inner position with its element end close to the passage and an outer position spaced therefrom. Thus pressurized gas can flow through the passage from the outer seal-ring face to the bore. A spring urges the indicating element inward toward the bore end, that is into the inner position.

Abstract: A breech mechanism having a breech block and an obturator for an automatic weapon for firing with a high firing frequency and high gas pressure without inhibiting the safety of the weapon against jamming or misfiring.The obturator is pivotally mounted about a first axis which is normal with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel to pivot about an axis of 90.degree. from a closed firing position to an open loading position and vice-versa. A pair of control cams are operatively connected via a pair of projecting pins to said obturator in said breech aperture. The breech block has a pair of laterally projecting pins which are adapted to slidingly guide the control cams during their pivotal movement. A pair of biasing members are pivotally connected at one of their ends to opposite walls of the breech aperture and at their other ends to the pair of control cams so as to bias the obturator either into the closed firing position or the open loading position.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an obturator system used in large caliber weap, such as cannons, for the purpose of preventing high pressure and temperature gases from propellant charges to escape rearward through the breech. The sealing system consists of a spindle having a mushroom shaped head integral with a shaft portion, a metallic seal ring, and a disc spring. The shaft of the spindle passes through the breechblock such that the conical wedging surface of the mushroom head contacts the interior conical surface of the seal ring. The external conical surface of the metallic seal ring contacts the chamber gas check seat, and the base of the seal ring contacts the top surface of the disc spring which in turn rests against the front face of the breechblock.

Abstract: A sliding breech block suitable for rapid, semi-automatic operation of a bag charge gun comprises two interlinked portions mutually engageable in two dispositions at a stepped interface one of the portions being drivable in a transverse guideway by gun runout via a crank and a shaft, and the other portion being guidable by rollers engaged in cam tracks to follow a semi-arcuate path aligned at one end with the gun barrel axis and at the other with the guideway axis.

Abstract: Sealing system for a sliding wedge type breech block of a barrel weapon, particularly one which employs cartridge free ammunition. An actuating member having a rear end adapted to be driven is disposed in the breech block, and an axially movable pressure bolt having an impacting surface is engaged and driven by the actuating member. A sealing means including a sealing member is provided between the actuating member and the breech block for separating the pressure bolt area from the actuating member. The sealing member is generally of disc shape, having a circular cylinder flange attached to its rim and a central support hub with an end surface functioning as a stop for the impacting surface of the pressure bolt. The circular cylindrical flange of the sealing member is disposed against the inside of a circular cylindrical recess in the forward end of the breech block, and the disc has an outer annular end surface for pressing against a transverse sealing surface at the rear end of the barrel.

Abstract: A system for sealing a wedge-type breech mechanism for a weapon firing caseless ammunition using a clamping stud in the external drive and enclosed in a recess provided in a wedge which axially presses a sealing ring against the sealing surface of a chamber wherein gear actuated clamping studs press a sealing ring against its sealing surface by a radially displaceable segment.

Abstract: A liquid investment seal is provided for the firing chamber of a gun, which seal is renewed at the commencement of each firing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a propellant charge igniter having a striker element with a rearward cylindrical shank portion extending through the bottom piece of the propellant charge igniter, a forward headpiece following the shank portion and having an enlarged outer diameter with respect to the shank portion, the striker element resting on an annular shoulder formed in the bottom piece and being provided with an annular, separable collar held by means of a counter member extending over the headpiece.

Abstract: A ring closure arrangement for the breechblocks of large-caliber barreled weapons; including a closure seal ring having an angled profile in a longitudinal axial section thereof, with the seal ring being prestressed at a closed breechblock position for sealing the end of the barrel against the breechblock. A recess is formed in the breechblock, the seal ring being axially displaceable within the recess; and actuating means being located in the breechblock for imparting axial movement to and pressing the seal ring against the end of the barrel.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus in the field of Terradynamics, e. g. projectile penetration into soils and rocks, employing "open chamber" firing systems using "Trounds" (triangular rounds of ammunition). Included are salvo firings of small calibre projectiles for "shock wave" interaction drilling application of residual gun gases to actuate drill heads and/or reamers; a continuous self-contained feed system for feeding ammunition to be fired and removing and storing the used cases; remote self contained powering of the ammunition feed and storage by recoil of the gun, residual gun gases, electrical batteries, and/or combinations thereof; absorption of excess residual gun gas in an ambient environment of over 5000 psi external to the gun; and automatic clearing of the gun barrels from mud and or debris when embedded in a high pressure drilling mud external to a gun drill.

Abstract: An L-shaped seal, for a gun firing caseless ammunition, is captured in and to the chamber of the gun, and is preseated against the surface of the bolt by plastic deformation effected as the gun bolt is rammed into the chamber.

Abstract: A tubular firearm in which a striker is guided in the bore of a bottom section of the cartridge chamber housing while the bottom section has a longitudinal bore therein with a chamber for receiving and storing a viscous fluid. A striker is reciprocable in the longitudinal bore and is provided with recess means while means, for instance a cam, is operatively connected to the striker for moving the same from a starting position to a striking position. The arrangement is such that when the striker occupies its starting position, the recess means are located within the region of the chamber adapted to receive and store viscous fluid. According to an embodiment of the invention, the striker is connected with an impact member through a joint having three degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A weapon having a tiltable cartridge chamber with sealing rings at opposite ends of the cartridge chamber for sealing engagement with the weapon barrel and with a head. A clamping lever is tiltably mounted on the chamber and is connected to the sealing rings for movement of the sealing rings to and from sealing position. A compensating mechanism is interposed between the lever and the sealing rings so that when one sealing ring seats, movement of the lever can continue and advance the other ring into seated position.

Abstract: A muzzle-expellable gun cartridge comprises a case including a side wall pted to fit the gun chamber and having an open front end and a transverse rear base, a projectile releasably mounted in the front end, a main propellant charge within the case in the front of the base, an auxiliary propellant charge located behind the base for propelling the case through the barrel after propulsion of the projectile therefrom, a primary charge for initiating the two propellant charges, and means for providing spaces between the case and the chamber and for venting part of the propellant gases to these spaces between the case and the chamber to collapse the case side wall and facilitate expulsion of the case, comprising an annular series of external longitudinal flutes and intermediate ribs formed in the side wall with aperture flaps in the flutes for venting the gases through the side wall into the flutes.

Abstract: A cartridge receiving drum construction for providing gas-tight closure of a separation interstice between a gun barrel and cartridge receiving drum which is rotatably mounted in a housing of the gun adjacent the loading end of the barrel, comprising a drum having a plurality of through bores defining projectile guideways for receiving a cartridge which are alignable with the gun barrel. The end of the drum adjacent the gun barrel defines a front surface with a circular groove therein concentrically arranged around each projectile guideway. An elastic seal capable of withstanding a very high temperature is arranged in the groove and a plurality of relatively small diameter bores extend inwardly from the inner end of the groove and are connected laterally into a similar small diameter bore into the guideway at a spaced location from the front face of the drum barrel.

Abstract: A firearm, particularly a compact weapon for firing caseless ammunition, comprises a support having a handle and a firing trigger adjacent the handle connected to a firing mechanism in the butt preferably for firing caseless ammunition. A plurality of barrels are arranged in parallel relationship on the support and a magazine is rotatably mounted on the support between the support and the butt which is pivoted at the end of the support. The magazine includes a plurality of radially spaced circumferentially extending rows of cartridge receiving bores which are aligned with the respective barrels and adapted to be indexed into association with each barrel. The magazine includes means for sealing the bores during the firing of the cartridge and for permitting the passage of the pressure gases to a control bore having a control piston therein which is movable by the combustion gases to index the magazine during each firing.