Abstract: A weapon system for urban combat incorporating an automatic gun having a short recoil, a feed system with gun driven box magazines of different capacities, a detachable link-belt feed, spring buffered barrel and bolt recoil absorbing arrangement, and simplified fire control.

Abstract: A seal is proposed between the drum (2) having a plurality of cartridge chambers (3) and a weapon barrel (1) of a drum cannon, wherein the seal comprises at least one elastically pretensioned obturation ring (4). Each cartridge chamber (3) has an obturation ring (4) for drum-side integration, while one obturation ring (4) suffices for barrel-side integration. The obturation is integrated between the two and is pressed against the face (9) of the weapon barrel (1) or the face of the cartridge chamber (3) that is aligned with the bore axis of the weapon barrel (1) such that immediate sealing occurs even at low gas pressures.

Abstract: A seal is proposed between the drum (2) having a plurality of cartridge chambers (3) and a weapon barrel (1) of a drum cannon, wherein the seal comprises at least one elastically pretensioned obturation ring (4). Each cartridge chamber (3) has an obturation ring (4) for drum-side integration, while one obturation ring (4) suffices for barrel-side integration. The obturation is integrated between the two and is pressed against the face (9) of the weapon barrel (1) or the face of the cartridge chamber (3) that is aligned with the bore axis of the weapon barrel (1) such that immediate sealing occurs even at low gas pressures.

Abstract: A module housing is adapted to be inserted into an operating position in the trigger group receiving area of a firearm. The module housing includes at least one pin receiver defined by two openings formed in the module housing, one on each lateral side of the housing. A module pin is received in the pin receiver and at least one trigger group component is mounted or supported for rotation on the module pin. The pin receiver is located on the module housing so as to align with a pin receptacle of the firearm when the module housing is in the operating position. By locating the pin receiver in the module housing so as to align with a corresponding pin receptacle of the firearm when the module housing is in the operating position, the trigger group module and the trigger group components housed in the module housing may be readily supported by the OEM pin receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to the operation method of automatics of manual fire-arms and to the design of automatic revolver based on this method.

Abstract: A slide action pistol including a frame; a barrel supported on said frame and having a bore on an axis of the barrel; a handgrip portion of the frame provided with a cavity therein for receiving a magazine; a firing assembly including a trigger, hammer and firing pin arranged in operative relationship; and, a slide having one end engaged with the barrel and an opposite end pivotally connected to the handgrip portion, the slide arranged to pivot upwardly and rearwardly when the pistol is fired.

Abstract: A slide action pistol including a frame; a barrel supported on said frame and having a bore on an axis of the barrel; a handgrip portion of the frame provided with a cavity therein for receiving a magazine; a firing assembly including a trigger, hammer and firing pin arranged in operative relationship; and, a slide having one end engaged with the barrel and an opposite end pivotally connected to the handgrip portion, the slide arranged to pivot upwardly and rearwardly when the pistol is fired.

Abstract: Semiautomatic pistol which is small enough to be carried in a pocket or otherwise concealed on the body of a person, and caseless ammunition for use in the pistol. The pistol has a grip adapted to be held in the hand of a shooter, a barrel extending in a forward direction from the grip, a closed chamber at the rear of the barrel, means for firing a caseless cartridge in the chamber with the entire cartridge being discharged through the barrel, and means responsive to the firing of the cartridge for opening the chamber and loading another cartridge into the chamber. The caseless cartridge consists of a hollow projectile filled with gunpowder, and a primer for igniting the powder. The primer is mounted directly to the projectile, and there is no casing or other material to ejected from the chamber before another round is loaded.

Abstract: Contactless data transfer devices are provided as an interface for the digital data transfer between a missile and a launcher in which the missile is accomodated.

Abstract: An automatic revolver has a body, a barrel arranged in the body and having an inner passage provided with a thread-like formation, an ammunition-containing element from which a bullet is displaced into the barrel, the barrel being turnable relative to the body so that when a bullet passes through the barrel and rotates in one direction, the barrels is rotated by a reactive moment in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A safety and arming device interconnecting a bomb with a target detector ures safe mine laying deployment thereof through a detonation explosive train that is armed in delayed response to payout of a lanyard under enablement control exercised by a hydrodynamic piston in response to water impact during such deployment.

Abstract: Ejection device for a firearm having an automatic or manual cycle, wherein the firearm includes a frame (1), a barrel (2) mounted on this frame (1) and which is equipped with a firing chamber (3) and movable elements (4) which can be moved backward in relation to the firearm (1) during recoil, and wherein the movable elements (4) include an extractor (9) for carrying along a casing (10) during recoil and an element (8) to close the chamber (3). The ejection device also contains an ejector (11) mounted in the closing element (8). The ejection device includes an ejection lever (16) mounted in a pivoting manner around a transverse axis (17) on the frame (1) at the back of the chamber (3), and including a guiding element (18) provided with a passage (19) for a casing (10). The ejection lever (16) tilts between a lower position whereat the entry of the its passage (19) is situated in the ejection trajectory of the case (10) as the movable elements (4) return forward and a higher position.

Abstract: A GATLING type multi-barrel weapon includes a revolving assembly with sliding loading and firing chambers that are in axial alignment with the barrels of the weapon. Each chamber is able to move between an open and a closed position following a translational to-and-fro movement in parallel to the rotational axis of the revolving assembly, the two positions being at a distance from one another such as to define a loading space that extends axially for a distance corresponding to the length of a munition. When the chamber is in its open position, supports retain a munition received in the loading space, the supports being formed of two supports respectively provided on the front end face of each chamber and on a ring mounted sliding on the rear part of the barrel. The weapon notably allows plastic-cased telescoped munitions having a polygonal cross section to be fired.

Abstract: Enclosed is a self-powered telescoped ammunition revolver gun, including a frame which mounts a revolver cylinder having circumferentially spaced chambers and a cylindrical exterior surface on which is formed at least two U-shaped open cam channels, each having forward facing open entrance and exit ends spaced apart by the same angular distance as the chambers. First and second elongated drive cylinders extend forward from the frame on separate axes disposed outboard of the revolver cylinder and circumferentially spaced apart by their same angular distance as the chambers. Each drive cylinder mounts a spring loaded operating rod having a gas piston at its forward end and an exposed cam driver/follower proximate its rear end for successively engaging the U-shaped open cam channels to rotate the revolver cylinder and drive the gun as the rod reciprocates linearly in its drive cylinder.

Abstract: A release and arming mechanism for an ordnance device having an arming block, a pair of opposed jaws pivotally mounted to the arming block, and a solenoid that, when energized, holds the jaws in a closed position around an arming wire. A release lanyard connectable to the ordnance device is clipped to the jaws in such a manner as to hold the jaws in the closed position until such time as the ordnance device is launched. A spring may be placed between the jaws below their pivot points to force the jaws open upon disconnection of the release lanyard.

Abstract: A light armor piercing weapon, which is hand carried by a single man, is provided for firing or launching armor piercing rocket propelled projectiles. A propellent pack is worn or carried by the soldier along with a launching rifle. Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine is provided as a propellent and inhibited red fuming nitric acid, Type IIIa, is provided as an oxidant in a combustion chamber in the rifle. The explosive combination of the propellent and oxidant propels the projectile out of a smooth bore barrel and simultaneously ignites the solid propellent in the projectile. The projectile is provided with a disposable sabot which seals the projectile within the smooth bore. The projectile is provided from a spiral drum magazine which is gear driven by a mechanical coupling with a reciprocating breech block within the rifle. The reciprocating breech block in turn is gear driven by a gas driven piston communicated with the barrel.

Abstract: A dual feed light machine gun comprises a barrel, a receiver, a cartridge lt feed mechanism assembly provided on top of the receiver, a magazine socket positioned at the bottom side of the receiver and essentially opposite the cartridge belt feed mechanism assembly. The machine gun includes a slide assembly having a slide which is essentially formed of an elongated, horizontal, rectangular frame with an integral bolt housing at the top near the rear end thereof and a gas piston attached at its front end. The bolt housing houses a bolt which has a head portion with upper and lower projections adapted, respectively, to drive a cartridge from either a belt or a magazine into the breech of the gun.

Abstract: A medium caliber automatic firearm with a high firing rate including a star drum which revolves in indexed fashion and which is in line with and driven by a cylinder star wheel, whose rotation is synchronized with that of the star drum, is mounted to the side of and is parallel to the star drum. A stripper is mounted between the star wheel and the star drum in order to separate cartridges from links at a point where the ammunition belt comes out of the star wheel while allowing the links to be evacuated from the firearm. A mechanism is also included which introduces the cartridges into successive chambers of the cylinder, the cartridges being lined up with the chambers by a star drum as the latter rotates.

Abstract: An arming device and a related method of operation are provided which selectively allow a munition to be discharged in a safe or an armed condition upon interaction with release and arming wires connected to the munition. The device includes a housing within which a munition discharge control assembly is contained that senses the discharge of the munition and then selectively ejects the arming wire from the arming device and releases the release wire from the arming device. The discharge control assembly includes release and arming mechanisms, which are rotatably disposed within the housing, and a release and arming control sub-assembly that selectively regulates the respective rotations of the release and arming mechanisms and the arming of the munition. The release mechanism retains the release wire, while the arming mechanism retains the arming wire.

Abstract: An electrically controllable "Pyrofuze" pin device for ordnance device acation which functionally replaces the mechanical barrier and arming wire or other rigid and removable means used to provide ordnance device activation. The device includes a "Pyrofuze" pin, a connecting ignitor transfer charge, and ignitor, and electrical terminals to provide power from an external power supply, and a weatherproof housing. When electrically activated the "Pyrofuze" pin is reduced to molten by-products which functionally eliminate the mechanical barrier and permits the activation of the ordnance device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a safety device positioned on a charge releasable from a carrier that, firstly prevents the untimely activation of the charge when this charge is hooked on beneath the carrier and, secondly, makes it possible to know whether any attempt at activation has been made beforehand, in doing so through the display of a position of a sensor of the carrier, forming part of the safety device. The safety device is deployed by means of a cable connected to the carrier. At the moment of release, the cable provided with a knob uses a driving system to drive a sensor which is itself locked by a locking system enabling the display of the position of the sensor and thus releasing the driving system permitting the activation of the charge.

Abstract: The barrel of an automatic hand weapon is held stationary in a weapon housing in which an axially symmetrical bore is formed perpendicularly to the barrel axis, a cylinder-shaped cartridge chamber housing being disposed within said bore and being adapted to be successively moved by positive intermittent rotary movement in the same direction about its axis of rotation into a firing position and a loading position. In order to permit improved matching with the ammunition, especially with an uncased cartridge and to permit, if necessary, the provision of an obturator at the projectile-side end of the cartridge chamber and optionally to increase the firing cadence, two cartridge chambers are formed in the cylinder-shaped cartridge chamber housing, said cartridge chambers being mutually disposed centrosymmetrically relative to the roational axis of the cartridge chamber housing.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns the field of charges releasable from an aircraft to which they are fixed and, particularly, the keel beam safety device that prevents the activation of the charge when it is hooked on beneath the aircraft. A mechanical safety device for the keel beam consists in using the driving force of a sensor that is rotationally free in a support, by means of cable going into said sensor, one end of which is fixed to an aircraft and the other end to means for activating a fuse for the firing of a charge. To this cable, there is fixed a ball which, when a tensile force is exerted on the cable, comes into contact with the sensor and draws it, after the unlocking of the holding system, through a sufficient tensile force exerted on the cable, into contact with the aircraft when the charge is fixed beneath the aircraft, thus preventing any additional movement of the cable. When the charge is released, the cable can be pulled freely and enables the charge to be activated.

Abstract: An arming unit is used on an aircraft to control the arming of a store (20) containing explosive on its release from the aircraft so that the store is not armed until after its release and after it has travelled a predetermined distance away from the aircraft. Such an arming unit comprises a pivoted hook (12) for engaging and retaining the ring or loop (26) on the end of an arming wire attached to an arming pin on the store (20), the hook being biased into closed position, an inter-connection (16) between the hook (12) and a spring loaded plunger (4) having an extending portion constituting a sensor for engaging the upper surface of a store (20) to be released, the inter-connection (16) serving to open the hook (12) as a result of downward movement of the plunger (4) on release of the store (20), and a lock (22, 46) for holding the hook (12) in its closed position and thus preventing operation of the inter-connection (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for locking and unlocking a safety for subammunition bodies is part of and mounted in a subammunition container secured to a carrier such as an aircraft body. The subammunition container is permanently attached to the carrier and not intended to be dropped. One section of the device includes a housing (3) containing a release mechanism (4), a computer (5) and a power source (6). The housing (3) is secured inside the carrier (1) at the bottom side thereof. Another section of the device includes the safety device (14) or (25) and the setting or operating mechanism (9). The safety device and the operating mechanism are mounted in the container (2) for the subammunition. The safety device includes a pin (8) that can be moved by a solenoid between two positions. A loop (7) at one end of a rope pull (18) loops around the pin (8) which holds the loop in a first position with a smaller force and in a second position with a larger force.

Abstract: A system for wire-free arming of a bomb releasably carried by an aircraft mb rack includes an emitter circuit mounted on the bomb rack, and an electrical power generator circuit, a detector circuit, and an arming circuit mounted on the bomb. The emitter circuit on the bomb rack is activated when the aircraft pilot releases the bomb. The emitter circuit emits a predetermined transmission of electromagnetic energy, such as an infrared pulse train or a pulsed magnetic field, in the direction of the bomb through the airspace between the aircraft bomb rack and bomb. The electrical power generator circuit on the bomb is activated by release of the bomb for generating electrical power as the released bomb separates from the aircraft bomb rack and producing an output power signal after release of the bomb from the bomb rack.

Abstract: Apparatus for stowing and deploying stores from air and marine craft (FIG. 2) in which the stores 28 are stowed on a modular stowage structure, such as pallets 32, with releasable locking devices 10 securing the pallets to the craft. Further releasable locking devices 29 and restraining means 30 are arranged to secure the stores to cradles 14 on respective associated pallets. The pallets and cradles are adapted to permit, upon release of the respective further releasable locking devices 29, movement by the effect of gravity of the stores to effect deployment of the stores. The stowage structure may be mounted on a ramp on the deck of the craft or the pitch of the vessel may be adjusted to effect deployment. The structure may be releasably slung beneath a sub-surface craft and provided with a fiberglass casing to make it floatable.

Abstract: A motion translating device for receiving a force input from one direction nd translating it mechanically by combined linear and rotational components into a resultant motion is a different direction. The apparatus consists of a slotted frame member having a base for mounting to another object such as an airborne weapon and a pair of separated, parallel and vertical walls extending upwards from the base. A slotted slide member is movably contained between the two walls so that when a generally horizontal force is applied to one end of that member by way of a cable connected between that other object and said one end of the slide member, the slide member is caused to move forward thru the frame member while simultaneously its opposite end is caused to rotate upwards away from the frame member.

Abstract: To effectively recover and stow hardware items from air launched missiles, a housing containing a rotor is mounted on the launching aircraft. The housing has a suitable opening and recess so that a lanyard can connect such hardware items as the missile air inlet cover to the rotor. The rotor has a spring therein under high tension sufficient to retract the missile cover into the housing recess in a short period of time. The spring powered rotor is activated by movement of the missile away from the aircraft but can be manually reloaded and the attachment point of the cover to the rotor manually reset, as desired.

Abstract: A self-powered, belt-fed automatic gun for firing cylindrical, telescoped ammunition is described. Mounted in receiver portions of the gun, to which a barrel is connected, are a shell chamber, a chamber carrier assembly, a shell rammer assembly and shell feeding and casing ejecting assembly. The shell rammer and chamber carrier assemblies are mounted in the receiver for axial reciprocating movement, the chamber being interconnected with the carrier assembly so that recoil movement of the carrier assembly moves the chamber laterally from a firing position to a loading position, counterrecoil movement of the carrier assembly causing the chamber to move back to the firing position. Responsive to chamber movement from the firing position to the loading position a shell is moved into a feed position rearwardly adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A charge releasable from a carrier, such as a charge having to be activated at the moment of release, is provided with an activating device with a safety system to prevent its untimely activation. The triggering means are activated by means of the activating device comprising a cable connected to the carrier. At the moment of release, the cable controls the activating device which initiates the triggering means by means of an internal mechanical link. All the elements are placed inside the charge. Moreover, the activating device constitutes a safety device to prevent the activation of the charge so long as it is not released.

Abstract: An automatic gas-operated forward recoiling combat shotgun has a reciprocally movable barrel which includes a bore and a revolving magazine which defines a circumaxially spaced series of firing chambers. In firing position one of the firing chambers is coaxially aligned with and forms a rearward extension of the bore. A cam acutated indexing mechanism sequentially positions each of the firing chambers in firing position in response to reciprocal movement of the barrel. A manually reciprocally movable foregrip functions to cock the shotgun firing mechanism and also cooperates with the trigger mechanism to release the magazine when the forearm is operated while the trigger held in a firing position. A cocking trigger enables silent cocking or uncocking of the firing mechanism. The casing of each shell forms a seal between an associated firing chamber and the barrel when the weapon is fired.

Abstract: A safety clip (20) for an ordnance munitions device (10) is fabricated from a wire of resilient material. The clip includes a straight leg (22) having a free locking end (24), an attachment loop (26) carrying a pull ring (27), a back portion (28) having at least one spring element (32), and a closed loop (30) at the terminal end of the back portion (28) for receiving the free locking end (24) of the straight leg (22). The free end (24) extends beyond and through the closed loop (30), and may be extracted from the closed loop (30) essentially by means of a straight, axial pulling force of predetermined magnitude exerted on the pull ring.

Abstract: A firearm comprises a housing, a barrel extending in a first direction, a chamber structure, a trigger and firing means, wherein the chamber structure is constituted by a chamber member, which is separated from the barrel and is movable in the housing in a second direction, which is transverse to the barrel axis, and an actuating mechanism is provided for reciprocating said chamber member in said second direction between a firing position and a loading position. The actuating mechanism comprises a slider, which is movable in said first direction from an initial position to a stand-by position, said slider is adapted to be releasably locked in either of its said positions and comprises a cam opening, which has a can face that extends over the width that is traversed by the chamber member, and cooperates with an actuating pin, which is coupled to the chamber member for a movement in said second direction and extends in a third direction, which is transverse to said first and second directions.

Abstract: A device for retaining or releasing a wire for arming projectile fuses is provided, including a hook which retains the ring of the arming wire when the electromagnet acts, against the return action of a spring, through the mobile armature connected to the lever oscillating about the shaft. A catch pivoting about said shaft may engage by its end, a bearing face of said hook so as to maintain this latter in a position retaining said ring. A finger is carried by said lever and abuts against said catch, in the direction which frees this latter from the bearing face of the hook, when the lever is returned by said spring in the case of inaction of the electromagnet. A spring maintains the catch in contact with said finger.

Abstract: A rapid rate of fire, multiple barrel gun employing triangularly shaped cartridges that are fed and ejected transversely to the barrels of the gun. Each barrel has its own separate feed and ejection system, that are driven in common in a synchronized but out-of-phase relationship to successively fire from the different barrels. During each cycle of feed, the cartriges are successively accelerated, then moved at constant speed, then decelerated, and monentarily stopped during firing. The common drive mechanism transfers energy from the feed being decelerated to a different feed being accelerated to more efficiently drive the plural feed and ejection mechanisms at high speed.

Abstract: A device for retaining and releasing a wire ensuring the arming of bomb fuses comprising a practically rectilinear lever pivoting on a fixed pin and ensuring the kinematic connection between a finger and retaining the ring of the arming wire by a pivot pin, a snap hook of the device by means of a roller of the lever and the tripping mechanism of the bomb tripping means by another roller of the lever opposite a retractable element of said mechanism.

Abstract: An arming trigger unit having a retractable member for selectively retaining or releasing an arming wire of a store which retractable member is, after having been released, retained in its release position by a safety member. Further, such safety member engages a ring portion of the arming wire such that ejection of the ring portion is assisted when the arming wire is released. Such safety member is movable out of the position at which it retains the retractable member to permit a subsequent arming wire to be retained by the retractable member. A method of maintaining an actuating member for a store in a selected position to release an unarmed store by moving a safety member into a position whereat said actuating member is retained in such selected position. Further, the method of installing a store with respect to an aircraft by releasing a safety member to permit an actuating member to captively retain an arming wire.

Abstract: A modular device for loading cartridges on board aircraft is provided equipped with pyrotechnique cartridges with electric detonator, formed from a combination of elements of small volume and low weight comprising a case means enclosing cartridges whose bases carry firing detonators and are fixed to a support plate with interposition, between the support plate and an insulating plate, a printed circuit comprising resilient zones on which are fixed the studs for firing said detonators.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing an airborne charge (1) from being armed prior to being dropped, said charge being armed by a draw wire (4) connected to the aircraft applying traction to an arming cable (3) connected to the charge. The safety device comprises a clamping assembly (2) through which the arming cable (2) passes freely while the clamping assembly is open and is clamped thereto when the clamping assembly is closed. The clamping assembly (2) comprises first and second parts (5, 7) which are movable relative to each other in the traction direction (T) of the draw wire (4), with said first part (5) being a "fixed" part which is fixed to the charge by threshold releasable fixing means (6a, 6b) sensitive to traction in said traction direction (T), and said second part (7) being slidably mounted to move relative to the charge in said traction direction (T), and being connected to the draw wire (4).

Abstract: An AIRBOC chaff deployment apparatus comprising a canister with a wind flap ttached externally to the canister and connected to a drogue chute that is housed inside the canister. The drogue chute is situated atop a main chute that is atop a release mechanism, which is atop a fuze and that is atop a chaft payload, all of which is housed inside the canister. When the AIRBOC is dropped from a plane, the wind flap extends, pulling out the drogue chute. The drogue chute in turn activates the release mechanism which frees the drogue chute to pull out the main chute to which the drogue chute is connected. The deployment of the main chute causes a force greater than 40 lbs to be applied to the release mechanism, resulting in the chaff payload being released from the canister and the fuze being activated, consequently detonating the released chaff payload.

Abstract: In combination with an actuable means which is adapted to be actuated by the unlocking of an initiation means connected thereto. A velocity sensitive safety link means for connecting a lanyard to said initiation means.

Abstract: A two-barrel revolver-type firearm comprising two fixed barrels to be fired alternately, which are equipped with igniting systems and drives of their own, independent of each other. A drum with an odd number of chambers alternately aligns a chamber with each barrel for alternate firing of cartridges through the two barrels.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for the gun barrels of firearms, in particular automatic firearms and high-performance machine cannons. The arrangement includes radially outwardly directed cooling pasageways between the individual projectile chambers provided in the drum in the region of the end portion of the gun barrel axially adjoining the drum, and which are connected with a main passageway in the hollow-bored longitudinal barrel axis for the central cooling medium infeed. Connected to the nozzles of the radially directed passageways, which nozzles extend essentially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the drum, closure members are interposed in the radial cooling passageways which automatically open and close in dependence upon the drum position and only during firing, whereby the outlet openings of the nozzles positioned in the axial end surface of the drum and, during rotation of the drum, will presently openly communicate for a short period of time with the associated end portion of the gun barrel.

Abstract: A stores arming trigger unit for use in airborne launching of stores and including improved means for selection of armed or unarmed launch modes. Such improved means consists of an axially shiftable elongated shaft which is normally biased into a safe launch position, but which shaft is selectively actuatable to move into a live launch position by actuation of a movable plunger of a solenoid.

Abstract: A stowage pack containing a lanyard is disclosed for use on military airct to provide for arming and safe release of bombs and mines (stores) and for opening of stabilizing and drag fins.The stowage pack is connected with a shackle on board the aircraft and packages a non-magnetic lanyard which is connected at its opposite ends, respective, to the pack and to the store. Once the store is released from the shackle and falls away from the aircraft, the lanyard pulls pins to arm the store or open fins or a parachute compartment. After the store falls farther, it breaks the lanyard at a weak section near the pack and they fall away together, leaving only the pack connected with the aircraft shackle.

Abstract: A shoulder arm, especially a rifle, having a barrel, a recess, which is perpendicular to the axis of the barrel, formed in a member which is fixedly connected with the barrel, and a roller-shaped breech member coaxially arranged in the recess and capable of being swivelled about its longitudinal axis for loading. The breech member contains a firing chamber which, in the firing position of the breech member, is in alignment with the barrel and is closed to the rear. The shoulder arm also has an arrangement for swivelling the breech member out of the firing position and into a loading position, in which the firing chamber is accessible for the introduction of a cartridge. The recess is designed in the form of a cylindrical hole, whose wall serves to mount the roller-shaped breech member and to directly close the firing chamber when it is located in the firing position.

Abstract: A revolver includes a mechanism for automatically cocking the hammer and indexing the cylinder after each shot by utilizing gas pressure generated after cartridge ignition. The barrel includes a gas cylinder open at the rearward end and extending forwardly of the frame. The frame includes a longitudinally extending bore aligned with the gas cylinder. A displaceable member is fitted within the gas cylinder and the frame bore and is biased to a forward position by a biasing member such as a spring. An opening in the barrel provides communication between the bore of the barrel and the gas cylinder so that increased gas pressure caused by cartridge ignition acts on the displaceable member to move it rearwardly. The displaceable member contacts the hammer to urge the hammer to a cocked position and also index the cylinder, thus readying the revolver automatically for the next shot.

Abstract: A housing is provided, the housing including a grip portion having an aperture therein to receive the fingers of a hand and a frontal breech-enclosing portion disposed forwardly of the grip portion. A breech is mounted in the frontal housing portion. A barrel is mounted forwardly of the breech, the breech and barrel being aligned with the approximate vertical center of the aperture of the gripping portion. A hammer is mounted behind the breech. A thumb actuated trigger assembly is provided, the trigger assembly including a thumb trigger mounted above and behind the aperture and a trigger linkage adapted to mechanically actuate the hammer upon depression of the thumb trigger. The alignment of the breech and barrel with the approximate center of the gripping fingers effectively places the force of the recoil in alignment with the bone structure of the arm, thereby reducing the pivoting which can be caused by recoil in conventional handguns.

Abstract: A handgun which combines the reliability of a revolver and the convenience of an automatic wherein said handgun is provided with a barrel which moves forwardly in response to the firing of a cartridge. Said forward movement and the reverse thereof being responsible for the indexing of a cylinder-like cartridge carrier by means of indexing levers operatively connected between said barrel and said cartridge carrier and the cocking of the lockwork of the handgun.