K.

KRNKA,
AUTOMATIC FIREARM,
APPLICATION FILED Aug. 8, 1913.
1,166,913. Patented Jan. 4, 1916.
2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.
 K, KRNKA.
AUTOMATIC FIREARM.
APPLICATION FILED Aug. 8, 1913.
Patented Jan. 4, 1916.
2. SHEETS-SHEET 2,
Azg

N
No.|
|----|

No.

||
|

W/7/v A-33A's a //v v A av 7-2 A: ;

* /~~~~
 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
KARI, KRNKA, OF HIRTENBERG, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.
AUTOMATIC FIREARM.
1,166,913. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 4, 1916.
Application filed August 8, 1913. Serial No. 783,691.
To all whom it may concern: . - The two right hand bolt lugs 1, differ from
Be it known that I, KARI, KRNRA, engi the known construction only by the feature
neer, a subject of the Emperor of Austria that the impact surfaces 14 and 15 of the
Hungary, whose post-office address is Hir bolt lugs have different pitches or inclina
tenberg, Empire of Austria-Hungary, have tions. For example, if the screw surface 1460
invented certain new and useful Improve has for instance a pitch of 1 mm. for 60 de
ments in Automatic Firearms, of which the grees; the surface 15 has a pitch of 3 mm. for
following is a specification. - 60, degrees. The manner of locking and
In Letters Patent 1,018,914 granted to me unlocking is effected, however in the present
10 Feb. 27, 1912, I have described a breech case exactly as in the case of the breech 65
mechanism for automatic fire arms in which mechanism described in my aforesaid pat
the head of the rigidly locked breech bolt ent. . . Likewise the manner of operation of
is able to move a short distance to the rear the fire arm is the same. -
and the cartridge case is able to move back The development of a part of the breech
15 for a limited short distance during the shot. bolt sleeve J. (Fig. 2) shows the grooves 18 70
I'or this purpose a small space is provided in which the bolt lugs move forward and
between the rigidly locked breech bolt and also shows, the laterally deflected locking
grooves. The bolt lugs in Fig. 3 are shown
the bolt head. When this space is equal in completely locked position. As shown in
to. for example, 1.2 mm.; then the cartridge Fig. 2, the impact surface 15 fits home, but 75
20 case, as also the bolt head must both move behind the impact surface 14 there is left
back to a distance of 1.2 mm., whereby the a space 2 of 0.8 mm. Since the impact sur
unlocking member 6 is thrown back com face 15 has for 60 degrees such a consider
pulsorily only to a distance of 1.2 mm. The able rise or pitch as 4 mm. it is not able to
further action is done solely by the energy offer a rigid resistance to the force of the 80
25 of the motion. The greater the space be
tween the breech bolt and the bolt head the explosion, and therefore during the shot it
greater will be the momentum imparted to slides into the position shown in Fig. 3. At
the unlocking member. This, however, in this' instant the intermediate space behind
creases the strain on the cartridge case. the surface 14 disappears, so that the locking
30 This invention has for its object to avoid of the breech mechanism is rendered rigid, 85
these drawbacks by providing the necessary because the pitch of the impact surface 14
space for the rearward movement of the bolt has only 1 mm. for 60 degrees, and there
head at another point of the breech mecha fore the front lug is able to offer a complete
nism, thereby attaining an advantageous resistance. The bolt has therefore rotated
ratio of transmission of motion, whereby the together with its lugs through 16 degrees, 90
accompanying impact for the unlocking and the breech bolt sleeve bolt head and bolt
member is prolonged, although the cartridge have been moved back 0.8 mm.
case makes a similar movement and is sub The construction of the unlocking member
jected to less strain. c with its two pairs of oppositely disposed
40 One form of this invention is illustrated and inclined lugs 2, and of the breech bolt 95
by way of example in the accompanying with the helical grooves or guideways 4, are
drawings in which clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and corre
Figure 1 is the breach bolt with its head. spond to the like parts exhibited in my U. S.
Figs. 2 and 3 show a part of the developed patent referred to. * .
The helical grooves 4 are made wider to 100
45 casing in different positions. Fig. 4 shows
the unlocking member with the rotary lugs. ward the rear end in order to provide in an
Fig. 5 shows the breech bolt opened out, and advantageous manner quite an appreciable
Fig. 6 shows the breech mechanism. Figs. amount of play or loose motion for the lugs
7 to 9 show the firearm in longitudinal sec 2. Fig. 3 shows the bolt after it has rotated
50 tion, the breech bolt being shown in its dif through 16 degrees, in consequence of the 10i
ferent positions. Fig. 10 is a sectional view limited rearward movement of 0.8 mm.
taken on the line III of Fig. 7. When therefore the bolt b rotates through
The breech bolt b with head a is formed 16 degrees in the direction of the arrow B
in the usual manner, but without a space be(Fig. 5) the lugs 2 move into the position I it
55 tween the breech bolt and the bolt head. shown in broken lines, because the unlocking
 1,166,913
member (Fig. 4), owing to the arrangement forward so that the cartridge case is forced
of the bars 33 is not able to rotate with home into the chamber. -
them, but is compelled to slide back in the The head a can not execute a rotary move
direction of the arrow A (Fig. 5). The re
sult of the rotation of the bolt through 16 ment in the breech bolt sleeve k being pre
vented from doing so purposely by the ejec 70
degrees is that the lugs as well as the un tor-rod 35. The internal construction of the
locking member have been pushed back to breech bolt b is disclosed in Fig. 5, while the
2.7 mm. because this unlocking member details of the unlocking member 6 are clearly
forms one piece with the lugs. This distance
10 of 2.7 mm. is the result of calculation, be shown in Fig. 4, being moreover also dis
cause the pitch of the lugs 2 and their closed in the U. S. Patent 1,018,914. Fig. 9 75
grooves amounts to 10 mm. for 60 degrees. illustrates the completely unlocked breech
To the 2.7 mm. there must be further added and the guides (helically shaped grooves) of
0.8 mm., because the rotation B of 16 de the unlocking member c are plainly visible.
15 grees has produced a sliding movement of The bolt-lugs 1 contained in these said
the bolt b in the direction of the arrow C to guides have been indicated by dotted lines 80
the extent of 0.8 mm. The compulsory total in Fig. 5, so that the space 2 of the left hand
sliding movement of the unlocking member lugs may be clearly seen. In Fig. 2 the
space 2 of the right hand lugs 1 is shown.
20
is therefore proved to be Thus it follows that the bolt-lugs are shown
2.7+0.8=3.5 mm. in Fig. 7 in the same position in which they 85
whereas the breech bolt sleeve, the bolt head are indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9. The
and the bolt were pushed back only to the unlocking member c is likewise unable to
extent of 0.8 mm. Consequently by this execute a rotary movement as it can only be
25 ratio of transmitting the shock, the mo led along in a straight line in consequence
of the bars 3. The peculiar manner in which
mentum of the unlocking member 6 is more
than quadrupled. The use of this effective the bolt-lugs 1 are lodged in the guides on 90
ratio or transmission thus renders an ex the breech bolt being completely locked is .
tremely small amount of rearward move not only illustrated by Figs. 2 and 9, but
30 ment of the end of the breech bolt sleeve also in Fig. 10. When the cartridge is dis
sufficient. In the present case there is noth charged the members a, b and c of the breech 95
ing to prevent the bolt b and the head a move into the position shown by Fig. 8. The
(Fig. 1) being made in one piece if desired. corresponding position of the bolt-lugs 1 is
The first position of the lugs 2 corresponds shown in Fig. 3. The breech bolt has ro
35 to the position shown in Fig. 2, while the tated through 16 in consequence of the pres
lugs shown in broken lines in Fig. 5 cor sure exerted by the rear end of the cartridge, 100
respond to the position shown in Fig. 3. At this by reason of the co-action between the
the monint illustrated by Fig. 3, the pro lugs 2 and guideways 4, as indicated in Fig.
jectile has left the muzzle of the fire arm, 5, and as a result of which the impact sur
40 because so long as the surface 14 of the lock face 14 has been brought up to an absolute
ing lug is receiving the gas pressure, the un close contact, the said space 2 having dis 105
locking member a cannot effect a further ro appeared. By this means the breech-bolt b
tation of the bolt. For the sake of cer together with the head a have been moved
back 0.8 mm., as is shown by Figs. 3 and 8.
45 tion of however,
tainty, a small dead or loose mo
about 5 mm. is allowed to the four Simultaneously with the above, the unlock
lugs by extending the unlocking grooves by ing member c in Fig. 8 has been thrown 110
rearward 2.7 mm. out of the breech-bolt b as
5 mm. in the rearward direction (Fig. 5). the said unlocking member maintains a rela
When therefore the unlocking member a has tion to the breech-bolt b similar to that of
50 been thrown back through a distance of a screw to its nut, as is disclosed in Figs. 4
2.7+0.8=3.5 mm. and 5... If now the position assumed by the 115
it must still move idly through a farther with unlocking member g in Fig. 7 is compared
distance of 5 mm. before it commences to that the that assumed in Fig. 8 it will be seen
open the breech by reason of its acquired thrown back said unlocking member has been
55 kinetic energy. compulsorily all in all by 3.5
In Iri. - - .
120
The opening and closing of the breech
take place in exactly the same manner as
described in my aforesaid patent.
(2.7+0.8=8.5)
- while the breech-bolt on the other hand has
Fig. 7 illustrates the completely locke only been forced back 0.8 mm., maintaining
breech, the bolt lugs 1 of which together this
with their impact surfaces 14 and 15 assume spaceposition (Fig. 8) immovably for the 125 .
the position which is shown in Fig. 2. The unlocking member 6while,
of a moment, for its part, the
breech bolt sleeve k is rigidly screwed to the back for the distance an in view toof idly
continues
the
run
fact
65 barrel, the head a, the breech bolt b and the that the inner thread of the breech-bolt is
unlocking member c are completely thrust - provided with a back-lash, as indicated in | 130
 1,166,913
Fig. 5. Now while the unlocking member c acter 2. The head is secured against axial
(as per Fig. 8) pursues the distance a the displacement in the breech bolt sleeve
projectile has already left the muzzle of the through the medium of the ejector rod 35,
fire arm. It thus follows that the unlocking as clearly shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.
piece c has obtained a great deal of kinetic The means for closing and locking the 70
energy, and by the force of momentum con breech bolt sleeve following its recoil under.
tinues beyond the distance a while at the gas pressure consists of the accumulator
same time, and in consequence of its rear spring ef which, at one end is coiled about
ward movement beyond , causing the a stud j projecting rearward from the firing
10 breech-bolt to rotate in such a manner that pin head d, the other end of the spring be
the noses of the bolt-lugs 1 (Fig. 9) fit onto ing disposed to bear against the rear wall
the screw surfaces 19 (Fig. 9). The pitch of of the breech casing C, which casing is in
these said screw surfaces is however so great all essential respects a counterpart of that
that the breech-boit b is not held up in its shown in my U. S. patent to which refer
15 movement thereby entering along with its ence has been made. - 80
bolt-lugs 1 into the longitudinal grooves 18 As outlined at the beginning of the speci
and being obliged to completely slide back fication, the salient object of the invention
as is shown by Fig. 9. This Fig. 9 moreover is to shift the recoil space for the bolt head
discloses that the unlocking member c has from its front to another point, in this in
20 still farther moved out of the breech-bolt b in stance to its rear, and this is accomplished, 85
the course of the movement above described first by having the bolt head rigid with the
and in the position now assumed the mem bolt, and secondly by the provision of the
novel arrangement of the lugs 1 and 2, and
bers a, b and c together with their auxiliary the guideways 4, together with the other
parts slide back as a result of which a clos elements
25 ing or accumulator spring e f is compressed cumulatorcoacting therewith, notably the ac 90
in the manner already known in connection eration of which the
spring, arrangement and op
eliminates the necessity
with automatic firearms. By the subsequent of the employment of the spring 23 shown
expansion of the said spring the bolt-lugs 1 and described in my U. S. patent, thereby
of the breech-bolt b (Fig. 9) reassume the
30 position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 9 materially simplifying the construction of 95
as a result of which the position disclosed the breech mechanism, thus measurably in
creasing its wear resisting qualities and
by Fig. 7 is again obtained.
An advantageous simplification of the minimizing its liabiltiy to breakage.
Having now particularly described and 100
breech mechanism is produced when the ascertained
spring ef constitutes the closing spring and and in whatthemanner nature of my said invention
also the firing spring, the firing pin d being formed, I declare thatthewhat same is to be per
I claim is:
able to move freely to and fro in the head a 1. In firearms, in combination,
and in the unlocking member 6 without be casing provided with longitudinallya extend breech
40
ing able to carry the unlocking member with ing grooves having laterally extending lock 105
it, for instance owing to a repulsion (on strik
ing the percussion cap). Consequently in the inga
grooves communicating therewith, and
breech bolt rotatable within said casing
closing of the breech all the parts a b c and
d will be moved forward compulsorily by and provided with front and rear lugs
adapted to engage said locking grooves, said 110
the force of the spring e f until the nose 17 lugs having impact surfaces co-acting with
45 of the firing pin d is caught by the trigger the rear walls of said locking grooves when
Sears as shown in Fig. 6. From this instant
the parts a b and c are caused to move by the firearm is discharged, said impact Sur
faces differing from one another in pitch or
reason of their acquired momentum into inclination.
their closing positions as shown in Fig. 6. 2. In firearms, in combination, -
breech 115
50 After the trigger is pulled, the firing pin d . casing provided with longitudinallya extend
joins the other parts compulsorily. As a
consequence of this simplification the lugs ing grooves having laterally extending lock
16 and annular groove 17 in the breech bolt ing grooves communicating therewith, and a
55
sleeve described in my aforesaid patent may breech
provided
bolt rotatable within said casing and 120
with front and rear lugs adapted
be dispensed with. - to engage said locking grooves, said lugs
The breech bolt b is designed to be actu having impact
ated to impart initial unlocking movement rear walls of saidsurfaces co-acting with the
to the breech bolt sleeve k synchronously firearm is discharged, the grooves
locking
pitch or
when the
inclina 125
60 with the firing of the cartridge, and to this tion of the impact surface of the rear lug
end the head a is provided. The head is being greater than the pitch or inclination
mounted within the forward end of the
breech bolt sleeve and is designed to have a of 3.theInimpact surface of the front lug.
firearms, in combination, a breech
relatively short axial movement independ
65 ently of the breech bolt sleeve, the extent of casing
ing
provided with longitudinally extend
grooves having laterally extending lock 130
this movement being indicated by the char
 4. 1,166,918
ing grooves communicating therewith, and position, said impact surfaces differing from
a breech bolt rotatable within said casing and one another in pitch or inclination.
provided with front and rear lugs adapted In testimony whereof I have signed my
to engage said locking grooves, said lugs name to the foregoing specification in the
5 having impact surfaces co-acting with the presence of two subscribing witnesses.
rear walls of said locking grooves when the
firearm is discharged there being a space be KARL KRNISA.
tween the impact surface of the front lug Witnesses:
and the rear wall of its corresponding lock GUSTAv Wolf F,
10 ing groove when the breech block is in firing AUGUST FUGGER.
Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,
Washington, D. C.