Abstract: A drum type cartridge magazine includes a ring-shaped cartridge cover slidably mounted above a base plate having a cartridge exit. A drive assembly is removably attachable to the base plate within the cover and is provided with a wind-up plate which is manipulated to tighten a spring contained therein and which serves to rotate the cover as cartridges are received from the exit. Unique means are provided to automatically limit winding of the spring element and to permit removal of the drive assembly from the balance of the magazine whether or not the spring is under tension.

Abstract: A machine gun includes a feed block removably mounted intermediate a cartridge magazine and the gun receiver and which is provided with self-contained movable flange members adapted to support the lowestmost cartridge being delivered to the feed block yet which flange members yield to the force of the closing gun bolt as the bolt strips the cartridge from its captive position within the feed block and guides it into the chamber. The gun shoulder stock, receiver, receiver cover and feed block are constructed in a manner to facilitate instantaneous field disassembly of these components without the need for any tools while a bolt operating handle is provided which is of the free floating type, i.e. does not reciprocate during continuous firing of the gun.