Mauser-werke Oberndorf Gmbh

Helmut Reudelsterz

Gerd Kellner

Roland Bertiller

Friedhelm Kersting

A weapons system (10) with at least one barrel (12) is provided, wherein the barrel is arranged on a weapon carrier (14) which is mounted by trunnions (16) between cradle supports (18), and its elevation is adjustable. A separate ammunition container (26, 28), which is connected to the corresponding barrel (12) by an ammunition feed canal (22, 24), is associated with the barrel (12). The ammunition feed canal (22, 24) has a rigid first canal partial section (36, 44) and a rigid second canal partial section (38, 46), which are connected to one another via arc-shaped connection end sections (40, 42; 48, 50). The connection end sections (40, 42; 48, 50) are provided at the corresponding trunnion (16) such that the connection between the barrel (12) and the associated ammunition container (26, 28), and consequently excellent ammunition feed, are guaranteed in any desired elevation position.

Weapons system with at least one barrel

An insert for a weapon barrel for facilitating the firing of a small caliber ammunition comprises a tubular member having a bore defining a distinct caliber with one end having an exterior surface ending in a raised shoulder forming an abutment for a compensating bushing positioned on the exterior surface and abutting the shoulder. A sleeve is positioned on the exterior surface alongside and abutting against the bushing. This end of the insert carries a first locking mechanism for locking the sleeve radially in the barrel. This includes a tapered spreader sleeve which engages with a tapered exterior surface of the sleeve positioned on the insert adjacent the compensating bushing. The spreader sleeve is urged into bearing engagement with the tapered surface of the other sleeve by means of a knot threaded over the insert and advanced toward the spreader sleeve. A safety key is insertable through an opening in the sleeve and it engages in a longitudinal slot formed on the insert. The opposite end of the insert includes a collet which bears against a raised annular portion of the insert which forms a stop. The collet carries a plurality of damping elements over which a thrust collar having a taper is positioned and the clamping elements are urged by one or more clamping screws to engage this end tightly against the conical portion of the cartridge chamber of the weapon barrel. A spreader sleeve at this end is advantageously threaded over a collar formation of the collet at its outer end, and the collet itself is advantageously threadably engaged on the insert.

Insert for reducing the caliber of a weapon

An arrangement for gastightly sealing the gap between the cartridge chamber and the bottom of an insert which is received in a gun barrel 1 to be able to fire cartridges of a smaller caliber. The gastightness is obtained substantially by providing that the neck of the subcaliber cartridge case inserted in the cartridge chamber protrudes into the bottom of the barrel insert and that the outer surface of the neck snugly fits the cylindrical surface of the insert.

Gastight seal of a gun barrel

The improved gun barrel insert is provided in tank-borne guns, field howitzers and the like. It makes possible the use of small caliber and thus less expensive ammunition having ballistic properties of the substituted larger caliber ammunition, while maintaining the opening, closing and igniting mechanisms provided for the larger caliber firing as well as the geometry and weight of the larger caliber cartridges. True combat conditions with a correct observation of shooting regulations can thereby be simulated to a very large extent and a high accuracy in hitting targets from shooting stands or moving bases can be obtained. The provided insert accommodates both a smaller-caliber cartridge and the igniting mechanism therefor. The insert is designed as a slightly tapering rotational symmetrical adapter conformable to the cartridge chamber of the larger caliber weapon. The conical front end of the adapter bears against the mating rear portion of the barrel insert proper. Axially the adapter is held in position by the breech block without any modification.

Growing community of inventors

Oberndorf, Germany

Helmut Reudelsterz