ACTH >N.
The entire breech mechanism consists of but three pieces, viz.,—the breech bolt. locking bolt and finger lever. The breech bolt is a straight bolt which slides horizontally backward and forward, the sides and top of receiver form ing a path for the same, insuring correct motion. The breech bolt is further laterally guided by a rib on the top which fits in a corresponding groove in the top of the receiver. As the barrel is chambered to admit the head of the cartridge and also the front end of the breech bolt, the bolt coming up solidly not only covers the cartridge completely but is itself supported by the barrel. The locking bolt sliding in vertical grooves cut in the sides of the receiver, as will be seen in Figure 6, fits squarely up into the breech bolt. A section of the receiver is directly behind the locking bolt, supporting it solidly, It will be observed that not only is the breech bolt of this rifle securely locked, but that further its position is correct and exact. As the finger lever operates both the breech bolt and locking bolt directly, all connecting links and other weak pieces liable to be broken are thus avoided and there is no lost motion and waste of power. The throwing of the lever is short and easy. The carrier in
this arm is to be noted for its simplicity and positive action. As may be seen from the illustrations there is a projection on the lower side of the carrier, which is acted against by the cam on the lever, in such a manner that as the lever is thrown down and a cartridge enters the carrier, the carrier is slightly raised and partially closes the entrance from the magazine. No matter how short the first cartridge may be, the head of the following one will strike against the front of the carrier and cannot enter the action until the lever is again closed. In consequence cartridges with round bullets can be used and the action will pass cartridges varying in length from the empty shell as a minimum up to the full size cartridge as a maximum. Cartridges are often found in which by some accident the bullets have been seated too far in the shell or have been driven down to this position during transportation. Such anananition causes no difficulty in a Marlin repeater. The carrier is raised and lowered by the action of the finger lever against an automatic rocker pivoted near its rear end.