US2749641A - Falling block single shot breech action - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1956 w. J. HAUCK 2,749,641

FALLING BLOCK smcua SHOT BREECH ACTION Filed Aug. 14, 195] 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I i A g 28/ I I 1N VENTOR ATTORNEYS;

June 12, 1956 w. J. HAUCK FALLING BLOCK smcu: SHOT BREECH ACTION R w E m m m Kw m e M Y s fl h H m t W 1.. a w 3 B L m Y B l 5 9 l 4 l A. u A w l H v June 12, 1956 w. J. HAUCK 2,749,641

FALLING BLOCK SINGLE SHOT BREECH ACTION Filed Aug. 14, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet s IN VEN TOR.

w/z. aux J. //A UCK FALLING BLQCK SINGLE SHOT BREECH ACTION Wilbur J. Hauck, West Arlington, Vt.

Application August 14, 1951, Serial No. 241,827

2 Claims. (Cl. 42-23) The invention relates to a novel and improved falling block single shot breech action in which a new type of connecting link joins the cocking lever, hammer and lower tang to move the breech block up and down, firmly locking the breech block in the up position and retracting the hammer on its downward movement to hold the hammer back until it again contacts the sear in its upward stroke to cock the hammer.

Further, the falling block action operation which derives from the construction and arrangement of the new connecting link in cooperation with the cocking lever, hammer and lower tang is combined with a very tightly secured butt stock secured to the receiver by a long, stiff, tight-fitting through bolt instead of the usual tangs, and with'a dense wood forearm of the single shot rifle held securely to the breech action by a strong light metal forecnd hanger at the front of the receiver, and extending forward under the rifle barrel to provide a bedded forearm in which the rifle barrel is free floating.

The combination of new falling block action with the free floating barrel, and stiff bolt secured butt stock provides outstanding accuracy and complete safety in target and Varmint shooting using modern high intensity cartridges (breech pressures of 50,000 pounds per square inch and higher). In target shooting under match conditions minimum target groups of diameter under 0.40 inch at 100 yards and under 0.90 inch at 200 yards are attained; these performances, as far as is known, have never been surpassed using a single shot rifle.

The single shot, falling block, cocking lever breech action of the invention employs a modified U-shaped link, wherein the upward faces of the U are shaped in square or rectangular fashion (instead of Y triangular fashion). The lower face of the Y is short and approximately at the median plane between the two upper parallel plane faces of the Y, which planes extend in the opposite direction to the lower face. Thus the link presents two upwardly extending parallel faces or wings, having the same dimensions and which are separated by a distance greater than the thickness of the single lower downward extending face of the link. The link in face view presents a substantially rectangular projected shape, the upper edges of the rectangle being rounded at the corners.

The hammer is joined within the two upward extending faces or cars of the new link by means of a hammer link pin which extends through a centrally located pin opening in the upper portions of the two extending ears of the link and through a centrally located pin opening at the base of the triangular shaped main portion of the hammer.

At the base of the new link, the lever is joined to the link by a lever link pin extending through the single lower portion of the link, this link pin opening being forward of the hammer link pin opening and eccentric thereto.

The above described link-hammer-lever arrangement and construction provides a new mode of operation, which combines an unusualy short and very fast hammer fall with outstanding accuracy in target shooting and complete Patented June 12, 1956 safety in firing modern high intensity cartridges. At the first opening movement of the finger lever, both hammer and firing pin are retracted before the breech block moves down. The link holds the hammer down with the action open, so that it will not close, even partially, during the loading and unloading operation, to provide an important safety advantage in the operation of the rifle.

It was quite surprising that the new link connected to the large triangular dog leg hammer at the lower triangle base with the hammer pin, permitted extreme accuracy of the hammer thrust against the firing pin, since from the usual experience with the hammer element in a falling block arrangement, a hammer thrust is expected to make the firing pin catch at its lower base along the lower downward extending surface of the firing pin chamber housing, to thereby obtain misfires on repeated firing, using the falling breech action of the prior art in which the new connecting link is absent. The inventive falling block action completely obviates this defect in the falling block action, and permits remarkable uniformity in firing accuracy upon repeated shooting, which is due for the most part to the tightness and smoothness in mechanical operation of the new falling block action in the single shot rifle.

An object of the present invention is the construction of a newfalling block single shot breech action in which a new connecting link joins the cocking lever, hammer and lower tang to move the breech block up and down, locking the block in the up position and retracting the hammer on its downward movement to hold the hammer back until it again contacts the sear in its upward stroke cocking the hammer.

A further object of the present invention is the construction and mechanical cooperation of a new modified U-shaped link in lateral view, having two parallel upward and extending faces of square shape and a single downward extending face parallel to the two upward parallel branches, the two upward faces provided with a hammer link pin extending through each of said faces, the single downward extending face provided with a lever link pin extending through a link pin opening in said downward face which is forward of the hammer link pin opening and eccentric thereto.

A further object of the invention is directed to the single shot rifle construction combining the new falling block single shot breech action with a tightly secured butt stock secured to the receiver by a stiff tight fitting through bolt and a rifle forearm secured to the breech action by a strong light metal fore-end hanger at the front of the receiver extending forward under the rifle barrel providing a bedded free floating forearm of superior accuracy in target and Varmint shooting.

Other and further objects of the present invention will appear from the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood that such more detailed explanation is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation.

In connection with that more detailed description, there is shown in:

Figure 1, a lateral cross-sectional view of the single shot rifle and the unlocking of the bolt and withdrawal of the firing pin, illustrating the position of the link which keeps the hammer away from the firing pin.

Figure 2, a lateral cross-sectionul view of the single shot rifle and the breech block in the raised position, in which the new block hammer, link and firing pin arrangement of the falling block action is so arranged to illustrate the lower corner of the link resting on the upper part of the tang shoulders, thus holding the block up.

Figure 3, a lateral cross-sectional view of the single shot rifle and the position of the link in the downward movement of the block which is stopped by the upper part of the tang shoulder to show the lowest position of the lever with the extraction of the case.

Fig. 4, a front view of the novel U-shaped link.

Fig. 5, a side view of the novel U-shaped link.

Fig. 6, a side view of the breech block.

Fig. 7, a cross-sectional view of the breech block along the lines 7--7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8, a bottom view of tang 16.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the construction and mode of operation of the new falling breech action in the single shot rifle is shown. In these figures, the barrel 1 engages with the receiver 4 and floats freely in a dense wood forearm, which is suspended and free floating but being secured to a light metal fore-end hanger 2. The fore-end hanger is preferably fabricated from light strong aluminum alloy such as Duralumin, and is so arranged that pressure may be applied to the hanger or to the forearm as the case may be. However, the floating barrel bedded in the forearm is preferred for greater accuracy in shooting with the single shot rifle. The receiver 4 is secured to the fore-end hanger 2 with a fore-end hanger bolt 5. The breech action is provided with an extractor 6 secured in the breech action with extractor pin 7. Breech block 8 which moves up and down by the action of link 12 actuated by lever link pin 13 in lever 15 and upper link pin 11 in hammer 10, is located in a firing position with no movement up or down of said breech block by the engagement of the link 12 with the knob 22 at the forward end of the lower tang. The lever 15 moves forward on the first movement of the down stroke, and the link 12 passes over the front of the lower tang 16; this forward movement retracts the hammer 10 placing it in cocked position, and places the link 12 in locked position, to enable the firing pin 9 to come back from the primer of the shell.

Hammer 10 is constructed as a triangular shaped element with a lower protruding and laterally extending dog leg portion 28, this latter portion engaging the bottom of mainspring 14, said mainspring located in the spring housing containing the gas port 23. The sear 1911 on scar and trigger member 19 is connected to the sliding breech action by trigger pin 18, and by sear spring 26, and the trigger portion extends through a hollow provided in tang 16. The trigger portion extending through the tang is so constructed and arranged as to be enclosed within the projecting contour portions at the rear end of the lever, which portions move flush against the tang. The tang 16 is connected to the butt stock with a tang bolt 27.

In Figure 1, the withdrawal of the firing pin 9, and the unlocking of the bolt is shown wherein the link portion contacting the tang 16 has moved downward away from the tang shoulder knobs 22 on the tang shoulder 17 to keep hammer 10 away from firing pin 9.

In Figure 2, the operation of the falling block breech action is shown wherein the link 12 rests at its lower corner upon the upper part of the tang shoulder knobs 22, to thereby hold the block up. Hammer 10 is shown in contact position with firing pin 9, and the block is in the up position.

In Figure 3, the lowest downward movement of lever 15 is shown whereby link 12 moves straight down to place the block in its lower stop position and to provide the holding engagement of the hammer tang knob 24 at the rearward base peripheral portion of hammer 10 with tang shoulder.v In this position of the falling breech action, the uppermost rearward extending projection 25 of the extractor 6 engages the upper forward corner portion of the breech block.

Figs. 4 and will illustrate in detail the U-shaped link 12, having two upwardly extending arms or faces 30 which have the same dimensions and contain hammer link pin openings 31 therein. The base 32, of the U- shaped link, is extended downward and is approximately at the median plane between the two upper faces or arms.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the construction of breech block 8, showing the general outline of the block in side view. When the action is assembled, link pin 11 (Fig. l) fits through hole 31:: to pivotally attach the hammer and link to the block. Figure 6 shows the spring housing 34 and a recess 33 in the back side of the block. This recessed section of the block is to form a stop for the downward motion of the block, permitting it to rest on tang knobs 22 as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 8 illustrates a bottom view of tang member 16 showing tang knobs 22, tang shoulder 17, tang bolts 27 and an opening for the trigger.

The rifle may be chambered and fitted for any of the conventional cartridges sizes, and it is preferred to machine the breech block elements from chrome-molybdenum steel, heat treated to give a tensile strength of about 160,000 pounds. It is preferred to use a through bolt of cold rolled steel, and the remaining parts may be heat treated tool steel.

The free floating barrel permits ready adaptation to be made in manipulation of hand pressure for operating the single shot rifle.

The rifle construction is readily adapted to large magnum belted cases with an ample margin of safety.

The extractor is powerful, and is readily adapted for rimmed or rimless cases. The lower tang is preferably provided with two knobs 22 at its forward position on the tang shoulder, these knobs for the locking engagement of the lower rear portion of the link, and for the sliding movement of the link below the tang upon opening the lever. The lever 15 is pivoted downward from its forwardly placed lever-receiver link pin 21 (main lever link pin) and engages the link 12 with lever link pin 13 to retract the hammer 10.

Lever 15, through its connection with the link by lever link pin 13 and through the connection of the link with the hammer and block by pin 11, actuates the breech action. Pin 11, which fits through holes in the block, hammer and upward arms of the link, is the only pivotal connection between the block and the hammer and the link. Pin 13 is the only connection between the lever and link. Before the lever is moved downward from its position in Fig. 2, it is first pushed forward on pin 21 so that the rear lower portion of the link can slide over the knobs 22 on the shoulder of the tang. After the lower link section has passed the tang knobs the lever can be lowered to its position in Fig. 3; however, on the upward stroke of the lever it must again slide forward on pin 21 in order that the link can slide past knobs 22. On the upward stroke of the lever the block and hammer are raised until the hammer tang knob 24 contacts sear 19a. This position is best illustrated in Fig. 1. Continued raising of the lever forces the lever to slide forward enough to permit the lower rear portion of the link to pass knobs 22, forces the block up to firing position, and causes the hammer to rotate enough on pin 11, while the hammer tang is held by the sear, to cock the hammer and compress mainspring 14. Now the action is fired when the hammer is released by pulling on sear and trigger member 10, thus permitting hammer tang 24 to pass sear 19a. The force of the mainspring rotates the hammer and thus forces the firing pin to strike the shell.

Having thus disclosed the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A falling block single shot breech action comprising a breech block, a sear, a cocking lever, a triangular shaped hammer with a forward dog leg projection, a mainspring into which said forward projection of the hammer engages, a lower tang member provided with a forward shoulder portion and provided with knob protuberances at said forward shoulder portion, and a link member connecting the cocking lever with the breech block and hammer, said link member having two parallel spaced upwardly extending arms of equal dimensions and a single, relatively short downwardly extending arm integral therewith, said hammer being pivotally attached between the upwardly extending arms of the link and the downwardly extending arm of the link being pivotally attached to the cocking lever, whereby on movement of the cocking lever up and down the rear lower portion of the link cooperates with the knob protuberances on the tang to (1) retract the hammer on the downward stroke of the lever, (2) lock the breech block in up position when the cocking lever has completed its stroke and (3) hold the hammer back until said hammer contacts the sear in the upward stroke of the lever, said cooperation between the link and knob protuberances being permitted by a pin and slot connection of the forward end of the cooking lever to the frame of the gun.

2. A falling block single shot breech action comprising a breech block, a cooking lever, a triangular shaped hammer with a forward dog leg projection, a main spring into which said forward projection of the hammer engages, a sear and trigger mounted on a trigger pin and pressing against a trigger spring, said sear provided with means to engage the said hammer in blocking position, a lower tang member having a forward shoulder portion and provided with knob protuberances at said shoulder portion, and a link member connecting the cocking lever with the breech block and hammer, said link member having two parallel spaced upwardly extending arms of equal dimensions and a single, relatively short downwardly extending arm integral therewith, said hammer being pivotally attached between the upwardly extending arms of the link and the downwardly extending arm of the link being pivotally attached to the cocking lever, whereby on movement of the cocking lever up and down the rear lower portion of the link cooperates with the knob protuberances on the tang to .(1) retract the hammer on the downward stroke of the lever, (2) look the breech block in up position when the cocking lever has completed its stroke and (3) hold the hammer back until said hammer contacts the sear in the upward stroke of the lever, said cooperation between the link and knob protuberances being permitted by a pin and slot connection of the forward end of the cocking lever to the frame of the gun.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 298,982 Kaul May 20, 1884 306,391 Farrow Oct. 14, 1884 381,821 Aughenbaugh et a1 Apr. 24, 1888 435,334 Tonks Aug. 26, 1890 972,076 Goyette Oct. 4, 1910 1,325,400 Hochstein Dec. 16, 1919 1,448,297 Hedrick Mar. 13, 1923 2,289,098 Buhmiller July 7, 1942 2,388,149 Humeston Oct. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 180,487 Great Britain June 1, 1922

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