446 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
crank (r), capable of being clamped in the slib where required. The 
outer end of the crank is secured to a horizontal traversing block of 
brass (q). The block (q) is fastened to the head of the elevating 
screw, and has a mortice along its interior face, in which slides a pro¬ 
jecting tenon on the back of the rear transom of gun-frame. 
When, therefore, the handle (n) is moved, together with its arm ( o ), 
the pin (p) acts on the eccentric (2?), and so upon the crank (r), which 
would cause the block ( q ) to slide along the projecting tenon upon rear 
transom of gun-frame. The block, however, is immoveable laterally, 
being secured to the elevating screw; consequently the gun-frame 
moves instead, and lateral dispersion is effected. 
By clamping the tenon of the crank (r) at different distances along 
the groove of eccentric, the angle of dispersion can be regulated as 
desired. 
The carrier is supplied with cartridges by a magazine in the shape 
of a parallelopiped box having ten vertical divisions, each of which 
holds 25 cartridges. Grooves are cut in the sides of the divisions at 
the rear, for the projecting part of the base of the cartridge to slide 
in. The magazine has a moveable bottom, with ten rectangular holes, 
through which the cartridges drop on to the carrier ten at a time. 
Action. 
The action of the mechanism is as follows, supposing the discharge 
to have been just completed, the lock closing the breech end of the 
barrels, and being still secured in its place by the two bolts {//) :— 
1. The handle (w) begins to move to the rear; the projection of 
arm ( l ) traverses the concentric part of cam ( g ), and the lock remains 
steady. The pin (p) of bent arm ( o ) travels along the curve of 
eccentric (E), and the gun-frame therefore moves from left to right 
until it gains its normal position (as before firing), when the circular 
part of eccentric groove is reached by p. 
The spring (i), acting on detent, drives it from right to left* 
2. As the movement continues, the arm ( l ), by means of tenon ( T), 
acts on the closing cam ( e ) and withdraws the bolts (ff) } leaving the 
lock free. 
3. At the moment these bolts are withdrawn, the projection (P) 
engages in the eccentric part of director, and the lock begins to move 
back, drawing with it the plungers which extract the cartridge-cases. 
4. When the plungers have quite left the barrels, the projection 
on lock bears against the forked arm (<?) and so pushes the carrier to 
the left. At the same time, the tenons of the locks begin to press 
against the teeth of the detent, carrying the latter to the right. 
The empty cartridge-cases fall to the ground. The tenons of the 
cocks pass behind and bite in the teeth of detent, which is driven to 
the left by the spring ( i ). 
The handle (n) is now as far back as possible, and the lock in its 
furthest position from the barrels. 
