Abstract: The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages.

Abstract: Damping apparatus for use with firearms are described herein. An example firearm described herein includes a barrel assembly mounted in a frame of the firearm. A damper apparatus is axially disposed between a breech assembly and a portion of the frame of the firearm opposite a muzzle end of the barrel assembly, wherein the damper apparatus is operatively coupled to the barrel assembly and slidably receives a firing pin guide.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of lifting a stool-like device onto the recoil slide rails of a howitzer, sliding the device on the recoil slide rails of the howitzer until the device is centered under the breechblock of the howitzer, receiving and holding the breechblock on top of the device while permitting passage of the spindle through a hole in the device, and removing the spindle from the carrier without the breechblock dropping out of the carrier and causing bodily harm. After the spindle is removed, the breechblock can also be removed by raising the carrier and sliding the device out from under it.

Abstract: A stool-like device for safely removing the spindle and the breechblock from the carrier of a howitzer. The device comprises a frame; rollers connected to the frame for sliding the bottom of the frame on the recoil slide rails of a howitzer until the frame is centered under the breechblock of the howitzer; and plates connected to the frame for receiving and holding the breechblock while permitting passage of the spindle through holes in the plates so that the spindle can be safely removed from the carrier of the howitzer without the breechblock dropping out of the carrier and causing bodily harm. After the spindle is removed, the breechblock can also be removed by raising the carrier and sliding the device out from under it.

Abstract: A rotatable breech gun including a breech assembly, a breech housing, and a gun barrel. The breech assembly has a breech bore formed therein that receives ammunition loaded through an end thereof. The breech housing has at least one side member oriented parallel to the breech bore. The breech assembly is rotatably mounted in the breech housing. The gun barrel has a gun bore extending therethrough. The gun barrel is operably connected to the breech housing such that the gun bore is aligned with the breech bore when the breech assembly is rotated in position within the breech housing. The breech assembly and the breech housing further include corresponding mating structures proximate at least one end of the breech bore such that forces generated by ignition of ammunition in the breech bore are transmitted to both the breech assembly and the at least one side member of the breech housing.

Abstract: A manual breechblock opening device that actuates a breechblock lever to open a wedge breechblock of a gun against an elastic return force includes a manual control member, a drivetrain and a holder. The manual control member is disposed within reach of an operator. The drivetrain includes a rotating output shaft coupled to the breechblock lever and a rotating input shaft coupled to the output shaft and coupleable to the manual control member. Actuating the manual control member rotates the drivetrain in a first rotational direction and causes the output shaft to engage the breechblock lever and to open the wedge breechblock. The blocking member is coupled to and disposed to prevent the rotation of the drivetrain in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: The break action cannon invention disclosed herein enables weaponization and integration of complex fire control systems concurrent with projectile loading operations in a gun system such that superior firing cycle and efficient power and thermal management are achieved. A barrel is detachably shifted and tipped at an angle to accept a projectile while breech operations and other firing preparations proceed unencumbered.

Abstract: An industrial gun which has an autofire mechanism which automatically pulls its own trigger in response to continued movement of a breech closing handle in the closing direction and the method of use of such a gun.

Abstract: A primer feed mechanism for automatically feeding unfired primers to, and extracting fired primers from, an artillery piece. A magazine having a rotatable cylindrical drum carrying a plurality of primer cartridges is detachably mounted adjacent the breach block of an artillery piece. A user actuable release handle controls movement of a reciprocable mounted camplate. Movement of the camplate in one direction indexes the rotatable drum to align a fresh primer cartridge with the firing chamber of the artillery piece. Such movement of the camplate also drives a rearwardly positioned bolt toward the breach block of the artillery piece thereby driving the unfired primer cartridge into the firing chamber. Movement of the camplate in the opposite direction causes the bolt to extract the fired primer cartridge from the firing chamber and back into the magazine drum.

Abstract: A weapons system including a mortar and a vehicle. The vehicle has a body including a side wall having an opening and a region constructed for receiving the mortar. The mortar includes a dividable tube having a lower tube section and a mechanism for pivotally mounting the lower tube section for movement about an essentially horizontal axis to a loading position in which it is aligned with the opening in the side wall for breech loading of the mortar. A mounting device is connected with the vehicle for mounting the mortar for movement between a traveling position in which the mortar is positioned to travel with the vehicle and a firing position in which the mortar is positioned to fire a projectile. The traveling position is delimited by the region provided in the side wall for receiving the mortar and the firing position is located on the ground in the vicinity of the vehicle.

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: A breech/receiver assembly for automatic cannon incorporates a rotating chamber and a recoil and counterrecoil buffer integrated within the breech. The breech, including the buffer means, recoils with the barrel and because the mass of the buffer is added to the breech and barrel, recoil forces transferred to trunions mounting the breech/receiver assembly are significantly reduced. The configuration of the breech/receiver assembly, including the rotating chamber and integrated recoil/counterrecoil buffer, enables a shorter receiver, thereby enabling a vehicle-mounted cannon utilizing the breech/receiver assembly of the present invention to elevate to high angles while still maintaining a relatively low gun silhouette.

Abstract: An improved auto-fire assembly for an industrial gun of 8 gauge or larger which releases the trigger of the gun in response to the breech block of the gun being fully placed in closed breeching position.The mechanism presented provides a trip arm to be contacted by the industrial gun operating lever, with the trip arm on a shaft rotatably mounted on the stop bracket limiting breech opening. The resultant simplified structure enables easy modification of existing lanyard operated guns to include autofire capability.

Abstract: A cartridge chamber housing and a breech block for a cartridge with side-mounted primer, in which the chamber housing has a firing pin and a spring-biased slidable firing pin interrupter which is in firing-prevent position and prevents firing pin actuation except when the breech block is closed and locked, and which is moved to firing-enable position by the closure and locking of the breech block, whereby the firing pin may be actuated after such closure and locking of the breech block. The cartridge is fully chambered and extracted by and as a function of closure and opening of the breech block.

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.