Breechblock

Breechblock

A breechblock (or "breech block") is the part of the firearm action that closes the breech of a weapon (whether small arms or artillery) at the moment of firing.

Most modern small firearms use a rotating breechblock, better known as a bolt, first used in manually operated bolt action weapons, but later operated by the power of the cartridge in automatic weapons. Some variations of non-rotating breechblocks include:

*Blowback - in which the breechblock is closed by a powerful spring. A variation of this is the "Delayed blowback" found in many weapons from Heckler & Koch
*Tipping breechblocks - both self-actuating (AG-42 Ljungman is one example) and manually operated by a lever (Peabody action) or other means (Krag-Petersson)
*Falling block (Sharps rifle)
*Rolling block (Remington)
*Side-hinged breechblock (Snider-Enfield)
*Front-hinged breechblock (Springfield)
*Screw breechblock (Ferguson rifle)
*Rotating crank (Kammerlader)
*Revolver (Colt revolving rifle)

In artillery the forces are much greater, but similar methods are used. The Welin breech block uses an interrupted screw and is used on weapons with calibres from about 4 inches up to 16 inches or more. Other systems use horizontal or vertical sliding block.

The "Latched breechblock" hasn't existed historically, but is a possible breechblock. The principle of the "latched breechblock" is that the breech is closed by putting a cap, and a cap is locked by latch.

ee also

*

External links

* [http://riv.co.nz/rnza/hist/ord/breech.htm Breech Mechanisms in artillery]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Breechblock — Breech block, n. The movable piece which closes the breech of a breech loading firearm, and resists the backward force of the discharge. It is withdrawn for the insertion of a cartridge, and closed again before the gun is fired. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • breechblock — [brēch′bläk΄] n. the block in a breech loading gun which when closed receives the force of the combustion of the charge …   English World dictionary

  • breechblock — noun Date: 1881 the block in breech loading firearms that closes the rear of the barrel against the force of the charge and prevents gases from escaping …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • breechblock — /breech blok /, n. Ordn. a movable piece of metal for closing the breech in certain firearms. Also, breech block. [1880 85; BREECH + BLOCK] * * * …   Universalium

  • breechblock — noun The metal block that closes the breech of a breech loading gun after insertion of the cartridge …   Wiktionary

  • breechblock — n. metal part that closes the rear end of the barrel of a firearm …   English contemporary dictionary

  • breechblock — noun a metal block which closes the aperture at the breech of a rifle or gun barrel …   English new terms dictionary

  • breechblock — breech•block [[t]ˈbritʃˌblɒk[/t]] n. mil a movable piece of metal for closing the breech in certain firearms • Etymology: 1880–85 …   From formal English to slang

  • breechblock — /ˈbritʃblɒk/ (say breechblok) noun a movable piece of metal which closes the breech end of the barrel in certain firearms …  

  • breechblock — noun a metal block in breech loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing • Syn: ↑breech closer • Hypernyms: ↑blockage, ↑block, ↑closure, ↑occlusion, ↑stop, ↑stoppage …   Useful english dictionary

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