FIG. 1.--SINGLE BARREL GARDNER MACHINE GUN.

FIG. 1.--SINGLE BARREL GARDNER MACHINE GUN.

The mechanism by which the various functions of loading, firing, and extracting are performed is contained in a rectangular gun metal case, varying in dimensions with the number of barrels in the arm. In the single barrel gun the size of this case is 14 inches in length, 5½ inches in depth, and 2½ inches in width. The top of the box is hinged, so that easy access can be had to the mechanism, which consists of a lock, the cartridge carrier, and the devices for actuating them. In the multiple barrel guns, the frames which, with the transverse bar at the end, hold the barrels in place, form the sides of the mechanism chamber, in the front end of which the barrels are screwed. The mechanism is actuated by a cam shaft worked by a hand crank on one side of the chamber. By this means the locks are driven backward and forward, the latter motion forcing the cartridges into place, and the former withdrawing the empty cartridge case after firing. The extractor hook pivoted to the lock plunger rises, as the lock advances, over the rim of the case, but is rigid as the lock is withdrawn, so that the action is a positive one. The cartridges, which are contained in a suitable frame attached to the forward part of the breech chamber, pass through openings in the top plate of the latter, an efficient distribution being secured by means of a valve having a transverse motion. Each cartridge as it falls is brought into the axis of the barrel and the plunger, while the advance motion of the lock forces them into position. In the five-barrel gun illustrated by Fig. 3 the cartridge feeder contains 100 cartridges, in five Vertical rows of 20 cartridges each, and these are kept supplied, when firing, from supplementary holders. Fig. 1 shows the portable rest manufactured by the Gardner Gun Company. It consists of two wrought iron tubes, placed at right angles to each other; the front bar can be easily unlocked, and placed in line with the trail bar, from which project two arms, each provided with a screw that serves for the lateral adjustment of the gun. These screws are so arranged as to allow for an oscillating motion of the gun through any distance up to 15 deg. The tripod mounting, used for naval as well as land purposes, is shown in Fig. 2, which illustrates the two barrel gun complete. The five barrel gun, Fig. 3, is shown mounted on a similar tripod. The length of this weapon over all is 53.5 inches, the barrels (Henry system) are 33 inches long, with seven grooves of a uniform twist of one turn in 22 inches.

Fig. 2.--TWO BARREL GARDNER GUN.

Fig. 2.--TWO BARREL GARDNER GUN.

Gardener's five barrel gun in the course of one of the trials fired 16,754 rounds with only 24 jams, and in rapid firing reached a maximum of 330 shots in 30 seconds. The two barrel gun fired 6,929 rounds without any jam; the last 3,000 being in 11 minutes 39 seconds, without any cleaning or oiling.--Engineering.

Fig. 3.--FIVE BARREL GARDNER GUN.

Fig. 3.--FIVE BARREL GARDNER GUN.