Repeater

Abstract

The present invention relates to a repeating rifle (1), in particular a repeating rifle designed as a straight-pull repeater, comprising a fore-end (2) and a bolt handle (5), wherein the repeating rifle can be operated either with the fore-end or with the bolt handle, and wherein switching between operation with the fore-end and operation with the bolt handle is effected without tools by means of at least one operating handle (13) arranged on or in the repeating rifle. The at least one operating handle has a two-stage switching mechanism with a first switching state and a second switching state, wherein the repeating rifle can be operated with the fore-end in the first switching state and with the bolt handle in the second switching state.

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a repeating rifle, in particular a repeating rifle, which is designed as a straight-pull repeater, comprising a fore-end and a bolt handle. State of the art and its disadvantages

[0002] With the invention of cartridge-loaded ammunition, handguns (pistols and revolvers) and rifles, also known as handguns (rifles and shotguns), transitioned from their historical era of muzzle-loading to breech-loading. This triggered an avalanche of technological developments that resulted in both multi-loaders with their associated cartridge magazines and a nearly endless variety of bolt action guns.

[0003] The basic function of rifle bolts is to mechanically and securely close the barrel, which is open at the rear for loading, during firing. Along with bolts for semi- and fully automatic weapons, which utilize the inertia of the locking elements, rigid locking bolts were and remain the most common locking technology for rifles for civilian, law enforcement, and sporting use. These bolts are typically operated manually.

[0004] For rifles designed for ball ammunition, which are referred to as rifles (versus shotguns for shotguns), the bayonet-like, manually rotating cylinder bolt has become established. This not only securely locks the barrel (albeit often indirectly via the barrel-supporting receiver), but also, with its linear movement component, serves to eject the spent cartridge case and feed a new cartridge from the cartridge magazine. This process is called repeating, and consequently, the corresponding rifles for ball ammunition are called repeating rifles, and the corresponding design for shotgun ammunition is called repeating shotguns.

[0005] For manual handling of the (rotating) cylinder lock "bolt action" - also called the chamber - it is provided with a bolt rod running transversely to the cylinder axis - which coincides with the barrel axis - the free end of which carries an easily operable grip ball - as is also common in millions of cases when handling machine (elements).

[0006] When handling this design, according to, for example, AT 2715 B and US 398,063 A, the so-called shooting hand, which grasps the rifle stock at its pistol grip (formerly called the buttstock) located between the buttstock and fore-end, must release the grip, grasp the grip ball, manipulate it to reload, and then grasp the pistol grip again and (carefully) place the trigger finger on the trigger. This is time-consuming and often too slow for rapid follow-up shots—such as those required in driven hunts, tracking, or biathlon shooting.

[0007] For this reason, designs that omitted the manual rotational movement component were conceived quite early on, for example, according to CH 1613 A, CH 7667 A, AT 71 620 B, and DE 106 939 A. The kinematics of the bolt head, guided in a helical groove, are similar to those of a historical drill. Significantly, even in these older publications, the term "straight-pull bolt" is used, which has given its name to the "straight-pull repeaters" that were only fully developed in recent decades and are now offered by almost all major hunting rifle manufacturers. This design with a "linear bolt" ("pull / push action" or "straight pull"), as it is known in expert circles, has also firmly established itself among sports shooters and snipers.

[0008] However, this design – like all bolt-action rifles – also suffers from the disadvantage that rapid reloading requires the aforementioned, time-consuming switching from the pistol grip to the bolt handle ball and vice versa. This is further complicated by the fact that buttstocks are increasingly being designed as so-called thumbhole stocks. The stock hole functions as a thumbhole, which allows for a relaxed grip, but is ergonomically inconvenient when reloading due to the need to thread the thumb in and out.

[0009] This disadvantage is circumvented by another design, particularly popular in the USA, the so-called pump-action pump-action rifle. This is established as a rifle – for example, according to EP 0 692 696 B1 – or a shotgun – for example, according to GB 756 769 A – and is ideal for rapid, consecutive shots, usually fired while standing. Both hands can remain on the rifle during the reloading process, and the rifle does not have to be removed from the (free) firing position. For reloading, the leading hand moves the fore-end back and forth parallel to the barrel, thereby driving the linear bolt via a rod.

[0010] The main disadvantage of this design is the need to raise the weapon for repeating when firing a follow-up shot while hunting or shooting in a hide, or when shooting prone, so that the fore-end can be oscillated linearly with the leading hand.

[0011] In order to avoid having to carry a bolt-action rifle with a bolt handle and thumbhole stock for stand hunting and a pump-action rifle for driven and battue hunts, but rather to enable the hunter to use a weapon with familiar stance and trigger pull characteristics for both types of hunting, an attempt was made to build on the then highly successful straight-pull repeater model R93 from the manufacturer Blaser according to DE 43 05 700 C1 with a connecting rod-like retrofit kit according to the documents DE 200 00 158 U1 and DE 201 00 014 U1 to enable the straight-pull repeater to be used as a pump-action rifle when needed. While the approach was well-intentioned, it failed miserably – apart from the aesthetics that take some getting used to – primarily due to the significant disadvantage that the attachment had to be mounted by the hunter – usually outdoors – and that the necessary accessories had to be carried.

[0012] In addition to the bolt-action repeater and the pump-action pump-action rifle, there is also the lever-action rifle, colloquially known as the Winchester rifle. However, this rifle was not able to prevail over the other two designs and was particularly useful in the Wild West when it was necessary to repeat the rifle one-handed while on horseback.

[0013] The disadvantages described seem to be overcome with a semi-automatic rifle, according to, for example, US 7,467,581 B2. However, these are ethically frowned upon for hunting and legally prohibited in some countries, or - at least in Germany - their magazine capacity is limited to just two cartridges. This reduces their suitability for driven hunts, for which high-capacity magazines are specially offered for repeating rifles. Furthermore, this design does not come close to the shooting accuracy of repeating rifles, so it is not suitable for long-distance shots with a supported weapon from a hide. There are two technical reasons for this: Firstly, with (semi-)automatic weapons, after the shot is fired and before the projectile has left the barrel, the bolt mechanism is in motion, and the vibration of this mechanism affects the entire weapon. Secondly, in the majority of self-loading rifles, the so-calledIn gas-operated loaders, the energy required for the self-loading process is dissipated via a cross-bore in the barrel. Since this bore is located not far from the muzzle, like the . Figures 2 and 8 As shown in figures 1 to 11 of document US 7,467,581 B2, the device used for gas discharge and the self-loading process hinders the free oscillation of the barrel, which is essential for high shooting accuracy.

[0014] Another reason against a (semi-automatic) self-loading rifle is its dependence on ammunition loads and weapon accessories, such as muzzle brakes and silencers—now approved for hunting. And, last but not least, its unreliability in the case of so-called "misfires": If a cartridge fails to fire, there's no reloading. These disadvantages are foreign to a repeating rifle and unacceptable for dangerous applications—such as tracking! Similarly, this is precisely why, among handguns, the self-loading pistol will not be able to replace the revolver, which is immune to loading malfunctions.

[0015] US 2,422,532 A, GB 132,889 A, US 2019 / 0212081 A1 and US 2,832,165 A disclose repeating rifles that can be operated either with the fore-end or with the bolt handle. Aim of the invention

[0016] The aim of the invention is to overcome the described disadvantages of the prior art and to create a repeating rifle, in particular a repeating rifle, which is versatile and ergonomically operated. Brief description of the invention

[0017] This object is achieved according to the invention by a repeating rifle according to claim 1.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0019] The invention enables the shooter to operate one and the same repeating rifle, depending on the specific situation, using the repeating mechanism that is more advantageous in that situation, particularly from an ergonomic point of view.

[0020] According to the invention, switching between operation with the fore-end and operation with the bolt handle takes place tool-free by means of at least one operating handle arranged on or in the repeating rifle. Switching between the two operating modes is thus very quick and easy for the shooter. It is particularly advantageous if an operating handle is attached to both sides (for left- and right-handed shooters) on or in the fore-end or receiver of the repeating rifle. The specific design of the operating handle can be based on the design that has been tried and tested millions of times and is used, for example, in switches on hand drills that switch from clockwise to counterclockwise rotation. In particular, the at least one operating handle can be designed as a push button switch, toggle switch, rocker switch, rotary switch or pendulum switch.

[0021] The at least one operating handle has a two-stage switching mechanism with a first switching state and a second switching state (in its end positions determined by the stop). The switching mechanism can be completely or partially concealed by the fore-end. Thus, in the first switching state (i.e., in one position of the operating handle), the straight-pull repeating rifle can be operated as a fore-end repeating rifle, while in the second switching state (i.e., in the other position of the operating handle), operation is via the bolt handle, with an axially fixed fore-end.

[0022] Further preferred embodiments of the repeating rifle according to the invention emerge from the dependent claims. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] Further features, details and advantages of the invention - which may also be relevant to the invention in combinations not explicitly mentioned - are explained in more detail using the following exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0024] They show in detail: Fig. 1: a perspective bottom view of a straight-pull repeating rifle with the bolt closed, showing the buttstock, fore-end and receiver into which a magazine and trigger assembly are inserted; Fig. 2: as Fig. 1 , but with the bolt open and without the fore-end with longitudinal guide, the slide located thereon, the operating handle designed as a sliding switch and the lateral operating rods; Fig. 3: as Fig. 2 , but without slide with slide switch in operating mode by means of bolt handle; Fig. 4: as Fig. 3 , but from the opposite perspective; Fig. 5: as Fig. 4with separately shown slide switch; Fig. 6: as Fig. 4 , but operated as a pump-action rifle with closed bolt; Fig. 7: as Fig. 6 , but with slide; Fig. 8: as Fig. 7 , but with fore-end; Fig. 9: Detail of Fig. 2 , but with a pendulum switch hinged to the slide as a fork-shaped swivel bolt, without (insertable) cartridge magazine and without right operating rod when locking the slide with longitudinal guide to the bolt handle operating mode; and Fig. 10: as Fig. 9 , with the slide unlocked by the longitudinal guide and the slide locked with the operating rod(s) in the fore-end operating mode.

[0025] In Fig. 11 shows a repeating rifle according to a first embodiment of the invention, whose linear bolt (with the bolt head positioned in the firing direction) allows operation as a straight-pull repeating rifle. For this purpose, the bolt, which is longitudinally guided in a housing 4 located between the fore-end 2 and the buttstock 3, is provided with a bolt handle 5, at the free end of which a grip ball is attached for comfortable repeating. A cartridge magazine 6 and a trigger assembly 7 are inserted into the housing 4, and a barrel 8 is arranged on its front end.

[0026] The fore-end 2 is penetrated transversely to the barrel axis by an axially movable and rotationally fixed actuating handle 13, designed as a slide switch 13. Its two faces are mirror-symmetrically opposed and can be operated as push buttons (with left and right end positions). These allow the repeating rifle 1 to be switched between the two operating modes "repeating via bolt handle" and "repeating via fore-end."

[0027] In Fig. 2the fore-end 2 is removed, revealing a longitudinal guide 9 designed as a square rod 9 parallel to the barrel and attached to the front of the housing 4, with a largely mirror-symmetrical slide 10 mounted thereon in an axially displaceable and rotationally fixed manner. For this purpose, the slide 10 is provided with a preferably square longitudinal opening 18. Perpendicular to this, this has a shaft-like transverse opening 19 for the rotationally fixed longitudinal guide of the slide switch 13. The slide 10 is provided on both its side surfaces with mirror-symmetrical guide grooves 11 (or longitudinal openings) for two actuating rods 12 (preferably of rectangular cross-section), which are axially fixedly coupled to the linear bolt. Alternatively, the at least one actuating rod 12 can be guided longitudinally only in the housing 4 or both in the housing 4 and in or on the slide 10.

[0028] The fore-end 2 and the slide 10 form a mechanically rigidly connected assembly!

[0029] Fig. 3 With the slide 10 removed, the figure shows the polygonally profiled longitudinal guide 9, the aforementioned square bar. It is preferably arranged as a cantilever arm, fixed to the housing 4 below the barrel 8 (which is also fixed to the housing 4) and essentially parallel to it. Since the slide-fore-end assembly 2, 10 is arranged thereon (longitudinally movable) and is not in mechanical contact with the barrel 8, the barrel can swing freely, promoting shooting precision.

[0030] The straight pull lock, not shown here, is guided longitudinally in the housing 4 and is axially fixedly coupled to at least one of the two actuating rods 12 - preferably in a form-fitting manner.

[0031] Fig. 3 to Fig. 6reveal the compact and user-friendly switching mechanism, whose slide switch 13 can be activated by pressing a button on its left or right front side either (towards Fig. 4 ) with the square rod 9 or the operating rod(s) 12 (according Fig. 6 ) comes into action. For this purpose, the latter is / are 12 after Fig. 5 provided with at least one gap-like cutout 14, and the square bar 9 with a vertical transverse groove 15.

[0032] In order to achieve a latch-like form fit, the slide switch 13 is Fig. 5 provided with a cuboid-shaped locking projection 16 which, on its side facing away from the square bar 9, merges into a groove-like locking recess 17 which terminates with a frontal cross-section in the outline of the locking projection 16.

[0033] The locking projection 16 is offset on its side facing the square bar 9. From here, the slide switch 13 has a flat cross-section, which Fig. 1 protrudes transversely from the fore-end 2 in the manner of a push button. This shape of the slide switch 13 provides locking lugs 20, 21 on both sides of the locking projection 16 in both directions of movement for the axial locking of the slide 10 and thus of the fore-end 2 (see Fig. 5 ).

[0034] For operation with bolt handle 5 according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 steps forward Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the groove-side locking nose 20 of the locking projection 16 with the vertical transverse groove 15 of the square bar 9 in and with its opposite locking lug 21 from the gap-side cutout 14 of the operating rod(s) 12 except Engagement. As a result, the slide 10 with the fore-end 2 attached to it is axially locked on its longitudinal guide 9 and thus the fore-end 2 is axially fixed to the housing 4. When the bolt handle 5 is actuated, the two actuating rods 12 slide unhindered in the guide grooves 11 of the slide 10 (or laterally past it) and thereby move through Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the groove-like bolt recess(es) 17.

[0035] After moving the slide switch 13 to the opposite end position by ergonomically comfortable pressing of its front side protruding from the fore-end 2 (see Fig. 1 ) it is exactly the other way round: In this position of the slide switch 13, Fig. 6 now its groove-side locking nose 20 from its vertical transverse groove 15 except and its locking lug 21 on the gap side engages with at least one of the two operating rods 12 in Engagement (with the gap 14). This creates a positive axial connection between the slide 10 and the actuating rod(s) 12 and releases it from the square rod 9. Thus, the rifle 1 can now be operated as a pump-action rifle, with the fore-end 2 driving the linear bolt (in the same direction) and the bolt handle 5 attached to it moving back and forth with it uselessly. This is not mechanically or ergonomically problematic, but it can be removed for aesthetic reasons.

[0036] Fig. 7 shows this operating mode with the shutter closed with the slide 10 and Fig. 8with the attached fore-end 2 in its forward end position. The resulting hand-width "gap" between the fore-end 2 and the receiver 4 is accepted by the market, even if it is concealed here and there with U-shaped fore-end extensions projecting backwards. The present invention counteracts this inherently in the presumably predominantly used operating mode with bolt handle 5: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the slide 10 is in its rear end position, locked by the slide switch 13 with the longitudinal guide 9, with the fore-end 2 merging neatly into the housing 4.

[0037] The design of the slide switch 13 with its locking lugs 20, 21 on both sides and the aligned arrangement of the corresponding and according to Fig. 5The gap 14 and groove 15, arranged transversely to the barrel axis, allow switching between the two described operating modes only when the bolt is fully open. This switching logic has three advantages: 1. There is no cartridge in the barrel, so no accidental discharge can occur when switching. 2. When the weapon 1 is loaded and possibly even ready to fire, the slide switch 13 is automatically secured against movement, so that the selected operating mode cannot be accidentally changed. 3. The two switching positions are clearly visible to the shooter, making them easy to learn and, after some practice, the weapon 1 can be intuitively controlled. For this purpose, it seems sensible to allow the front of the slide switch 13 to protrude on the bolt handle side when operating with the bolt handle 5.

[0038] The slide switch 13 is Fig. 5- as mentioned - offset at the groove-side locking lug 20 and extends from there with its flat cross-section to its front face. This cross-sectional profile enables easy assembly with the bolt open through the entire rifle 1. The sliding switch 13 first passes through a corresponding shaft in the fore-end 2, then penetrates the transverse opening 19 of the slide 13 with the same cross-section, before emerging with its front face from a shaft of smaller cross-section in the fore-end 2. This end position is mechanically elegantly formed by the stop of the groove-side locking lug 20 on the groove base of the vertical transverse groove 15 and thus ensures the maximum form-fit connection between the longitudinal guide 9 and the sliding switch 13 and thus with the slide 10 and consequently also with the fore-end 2 attached to it.

[0039] In both end positions, the slide switch 13 is secured by a spring catch and can be pushed out of the fore-end 2 from the side when the bolt is open – for example, using a screwdriver blade. The fore-end slide assembly 2, 10 can then be removed in the firing direction – e.g., for cleaning the weapon.

[0040] As an alternative to the locking lugs 20, 21, a round pin can be arranged on at least one of the two end faces of the locking projection 16, the axis of which extends in the direction of movement of the slide switch 13. One of these pins engages in a corresponding transverse bore of the square rod 9, and the other engages in a through-bore of the actuating rod(s) 12, which can be economically produced as a punched hole.

[0041] Nevertheless, at least one raised shape (e.g. folded sheet metal tab) arranged on the sheet metal strip(s) 12 and which can be produced economically by forming can engage or disengage in a form-fitting manner with a corresponding recess of the locking projection 16.

[0042] In another embodiment—not illustrated graphically here—the slide switch 13 described above is designed as an axially fixed and rotatable switching shaft. This is axially fixed and rotatably mounted in a transverse bore—in a similar position to the transverse opening 19—of the slide 10 and, when the bolt is open, corresponds to recesses in the actuating rod(s) 12 and the square rod 9 that are congruent transversely to the barrel axis—preferably semicircular-cylindrical, but also prismatic or V-shaped. For this purpose, the lower side surfaces 22 of said rods 12 and the lower side surface 23 of the square rod 9 constructively form a plane in which (or in a plane parallel to) the axis of said switching shaft lies.This is designed as a circular cylinder that can be manually rotated (from the outside using a rotating handle(s)): While the two half-shaft cross-sections in the area of the actuating rods 12 are congruent when viewed axially, the half-shaft corresponding to the square rod 9 is rotated 180° relative to those two of the actuating rods 12. Thus, in the repeating rifle mode, with the drive via the bolt handle 5, the selector shaft is aligned with the square 9 with its central half-shaft. in and the half-shaft pair of the operating rod pair 12 except Engagement: As a result, the slide 10 is axially locked on its longitudinal guide 9 and thus the fore-end 2 is axially fixed to the housing 4. When the bolt handle 5 is actuated, the two actuating rods 12 slide unhindered along the guide grooves 11 of the slide 10 and past their half-wave cross-sections.

[0043] After rotating the switching shaft by 180°, the situation is exactly the opposite: In this angular position, the switching shaft is now engaged with the two actuating rods 12 and is disengaged from the square rod 9. This creates a positive axial connection between the slide 10 and the actuating rods 12 and releases them from the square rod 9. Thus, the rifle 1 can now be operated as a pump-action rifle, with the fore-end 2 driving the linear bolt (in the same direction) and the bolt handle attached to it moving uselessly back and forth with it.

[0044] The described design of the switching shaft, as well as the positions of the corresponding square and actuating rod(s) 9, 12, allow switching between the two described operating modes only when the shutter is fully open. This has the same three advantages as mentioned above: 1. There is no cartridge in the barrel, preventing an accidental discharge during the trigger shift. 2. When weapon 1 is loaded and possibly even ready to fire, the trigger shaft is automatically secured against rotation, preventing the selected operating mode from being accidentally changed. 3. The two trigger shift positions are clearly visible to the shooter, making them easy to learn, and with some practice, weapon 1 can be intuitively controlled.

[0045] In a second embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 the slide switch 13 or the switching shaft or a pivoting mechanism are arranged inside the weapon so that they are not visible from the outside and cannot be misused and can be switched manually, for example after removal of the cartridge magazine 6 through the then free magazine slot.

[0046] With the swivel mechanism designed in this way, Fig. 9A mirror-symmetrical and fork-shaped pivot bolt 24 (which can be regarded as a pendulum switch 13), which can be economically manufactured as a stamped and bent part, is guided with its two bolt flanks 26 on bearing pins 28 arranged on both sides and also mirror-symmetrically on the slide 10, pivotable about the pin axis transversely to the repeating rifle 1. For this purpose, the two flanks 26 are provided with two bearing bores 29 with the same axis.

[0047] At its free end, each of the two flanks 26 has a gap 33, 34 in the circumferential direction on both sides, whereby one can engage or disengage with, for example, a sheet metal tab 35 of the actuating rod(s) 12 and the other with a projection or a recess of the buttstock-housing-barrel-longitudinal guide assembly 3, 4, 8, 9. Fig. 9a locking bolt 30 projecting transversely from the square bar 9 in a mirror-symmetrical manner on both sides, both ends of which engage laterally with the two gaps 33 of the pivot bolt 24, wherein the rear flanks of the gaps 33 preferably abut the rear circumferential surfaces of the locking bolts 30 and the slide 10 (including the fore-end 2) preferably abuts the housing 4 in the shooter's direction. As a result, the slide 10, preferably designed as a square tube, is axially fixed to the buttstock-housing-barrel-square bar assembly 3, 4, 8, 9, and thus also the fore-end 2, which is fixedly attached to it or, if necessary, formed integrally with it. This provides the operating mode with a bolt handle 5. When repeating, both operating rods 12, which are axially fixed and mirror-symmetrically coupled to the bolt - only the left one is shown so that the swivel bolt 24 is visible - oscillate through their shafts 32.In this case, the sheet metal tabs 35, which are bent inwards in a mirror-symmetrical manner from both actuating rods 12 (and formed from their undersides 22), pass unhindered over the undersides of both locking flanks 26.

[0048] When the bolt is open, the two ends of the locking bolt 30 - which can be designed as welded studs (mirror-symmetrically welded on the square bar 9) - with their two corresponding gaps 33 and the two metal tabs 35 with their two corresponding gaps 34 in the bolt flank 26 are mirror-symmetrically opposite each other. In this position, the swivel bolt 24, which can be operated as a pendulum switch 13, can be used to switch between the two operating modes manually and without tools. To do this, an operating finger reaches through the open magazine shaft 31 to Fig. 9and engages under a handling lip 25, which is arranged on a locking bridge 27 connecting both locking flanks 26. By finger pressure on the underside of the handling lip 25, the pendulum switch 13 jumps from its angular position into Fig. 9 to its other end position according to the Fig. 10 . This brings the two into Fig. 9 with the two locking bolt ends 30 engaged gaps 33 synchronously disengaged and the gaps 34 go to Fig. 10 synchronously establishes a positive connection (in the direction of movement of the slide 10) with the two mirror-symmetrical sheet metal tabs 35 of the two operating rods 12. This results in the operating mode as a pump-action rifle with the following force flow: Fore-end 2 → slide 10 → bearing pin 28 → bearing bores 29 → bolt flanks 26 → gaps 34 → sheet metal tabs 35 → operating rods 12 → bolt.

[0049] To switch to the previous operating mode with bolt handle 5, with the bolt open and the cartridge magazine 6 removed, the swivel bolt 24 must be pressed back into its original end position by finger pressure on the bolt bridge 27 through the magazine well 31, in which the two gaps 33 of the two flanks 26 again synchronously engage the two bolt pin ends 30.

[0050] The pivot bolt 24 snaps into both end positions, where it remains securely in place. This is achieved by a latch consisting of at least one latch pin 38 arranged transversely on the slide 10, on whose outer surface a ball rests, which is acted upon by a latch compression spring 37. All latch elements are arranged in a respective and preferably congruent opening 36 in the bolt flanks 26, which is covered inwardly by the slide 10 and outwardly by the respective actuating rod 12. They are thus securely housed in a sandwich-like manner in the bolt flank(s) 26 between the actuating rod(s) 12 and the side surface(s) of the slide 10.

[0051] The pendulum switch 24 is mechanically understood as a single-armed lever with a pivot axis around the axis of its bearing pins 28. To operate it, the bolt bridge 27 is pressed or the operating lip 25 is pulled (up). Ergonomically, it may be advantageous if the switch 13, 24 can only be operated by pressure. To achieve this, the pendulum switch 24 would have to become a rocker switch 13. This is achieved by extending at least one bolt flank 26 in the firing direction, creating a two-armed lever, both ends of which could be operated by manual pressure through the fore-end 2.

[0052] Another design, not shown graphically here, includes a Swivel mechanism,whose axis of rotation extends essentially parallel to the barrel axis and which is rotatably mounted axially fixed on the slide 10 or fore-end 2. The end of the pivoting mechanism accessible through the magazine well has a claw coupling designed as a rocker switch, which in one of its angular end positions engages or disengages with the housing-barrel longitudinal guide assembly 4, 8, 9 and in its other angular end position engages or disengages with the bolt operating rod(s) assembly 12.

[0053] The above-described embodiments can be continued in numerous variations. Common to all of them, in order to fulfill the inventive objective, is the mechanical function that, on the buttstock-receiver-barrel longitudinal guide assembly 3, 4, 8, 9, both the fore-end slide assembly 2, 10 and the bolt operating rod(s) assembly 12 are guided essentially parallel to the barrel axis and independently of one another. According to the invention, the first assembly can be coupled to the second assembly without the use of tools, so that the third assembly can then be repeated by means of the bolt handle 5. or the second can be coupled to the third assembly without tools, so that the repeating rifle 1 can be repeated using the fore-end 2.

[0054] In another embodiment, also not graphically illustrated here, the fore-end 2 is decoupled from the slide 10 and guided separately for axial movement on the longitudinal guide 9. Both elements are positively coupled via a reversing gear, so that they move axially in opposite directions. This design takes aesthetic considerations into account when operated as a pump-action rifle, since when the bolt is closed—i.e., when the weapon is ready to fire—the fore-end 2 merges flush and seamlessly into the receiver 4.

[0055] Another embodiment, also not shown graphically, includes the so-called "bullpup" design. This is a short rifle design in which the classic buttstock 2 is omitted and replaced by the receiver 4 with an ergonomically designed shoulder rest. The subject matter of the invention is predestined for this short design because reloading – via the fore-end 2 or bolt handle 5 – takes place ergonomically comfortably in the front area of the weapon 1 using the operating rod(s) 12, while the operating rod(s) 12 ensure the other weapon functions – e.g., loading via the bolt movement and cocking the lock – in the receiver 4, like a transfer rail.

[0056] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawings, including design details, arrangements and process sequences, can be relevant to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 Repeating rifle 2 Fore-end 3 Buttstock 4 Receiver 5 Bolt handle 6 Cartridge magazine 7 Trigger assembly 8 Barrel 9 Longitudinal guide / square rod 10 Slide 11 Guide grooves 12 Operating rod(s) 13 Operating handle / slide switch 14 Gap-like cutout (in operating rod(s) 12) 15 Vertical transverse groove (in square rod 9) 16 (Cuboid) bolt projection 17 (Groove-like) bolt recess 18 Longitudinal opening (in slide 10) 19 Transverse opening in (slide 10) 20 Groove-side bolt lug 21 Gap-side bolt lug 22 Lower side surface(s) (on operating rod(s) 12) 23 Lower side surface (on square rod 9) 24Pendulum switch / swing bolt 25Handling lip (on swing bolt 24) 26Latch flanks 27Latch bridge 28Bearing pin (on slide 10) 29Bearing bore (in flanks 26) 30Latch bolt (in longitudinal guide 9) 31Magazine shaft 32Shaft (for operating rod(s) 12) 33Gap (for locking bolt 30) 34Gap (for sheet metal tab 35) 35Sheet metal tab (of the operating rods 12) 36Breakthrough (inLock flank(s) 26) 37Catch spring (in opening 36) 38Catch pin (on slide 10)

Claims

1. Repeating firearm (1), in particular repeating rifle, which is configured as a straight-pull bolt action rifle, comprising a forestock (2) and a bolt handle (5), wherein the repeating firearm (1) is selectively operable either with the forestock (2) or with the bolt handle (5), and wherein a switching between the operation with the forestock (2) and the operation with the bolt handle (5) takes place in a toolless manner by way of at least one actuating handle (13; 24) arranged on or in the repeating firearm (1), characterized in that the at least one actuating handle (13) has a two-stage switching mechanism with a first switching state and a second switching state, wherein the repeating firearm (1) is operable in the first switching state with the forestock (2) and in the second switching state with the bolt handle (5).

2. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the actuation of the actuating handle (13) in the first switching state establishes a positive engagement substantially in the direction of the barrel axis between an assembly comprising the forestock (2) and a slide (10) and an assembly comprising a buttstock (3), a housing (4), a barrel (8), and a longitudinal guide (9) and, in the second switching state, establishes a positive engagement between the assembly comprising the forestock (2) and the slide (10) and an assembly comprising one or more actuating bars (12) with a breechblock coupled thereto in an axially-fixed manner.

3. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one actuating handle (13; 24) is arranged on or in an assembly comprising the forestock (2) and a slide (10).

4. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating handle (13) has or moves locking contours (16, 20, 21), which during a first switching movement come into engagement with a housing (4), a barrel (8), or a longitudinal guide (9) and come out of engagement with one or more actuating bars (12) or a breechblock, and which during a second switching movement come out of engagement with the housing (4), the barrel (8), or the longitudinal guide (9) and come into engagement with the actuating bar(s) (12) or the breechblock.

5. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the switching mechanism comprises: - a sliding switch (13), a rocker switch, a toggle switch, a pendulum switch (24), or a rotary switch; - a longitudinal guide (9), a barrel (8), or a housing (4); - a slide (10) or a forestock (2); and - at least one actuating bar (12).

6. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the switching mechanism comprises: - a switching shaft, a longitudinal guide (9), a barrel (8), or a housing (4); - a slide (10) or a forestock (2); and - at least one actuating bar (12).

7. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the longitudinal guide (9) is stationarily attached to the housing (4) as a cantilever substantially in parallel to the barrel and the slide (10) with the forestock (2) attached thereto is arranged on said longitudinal guide (9) so as to be axially displaceable.

8. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a slide (10) is drivable in opposite directions with the forestock (2).

9. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, 5 and 7, characterized in that the actuating handle (13) is configured as a pivot latch (24), which is of substantially mirror-symmetrical and fork-like configuration and comprises two latch flanks (26), which come into or out of engagement synchronously with two actuating bars (12) or synchronously with two latching bolts (30).

10. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that the pivot latch (24) has a latch bridge (27) connecting both latch flanks (26), on which latch bridge (27) a handling lip (25) is preferably arranged, such that the pivot latch (24) is manually and toollessly operable for switching between the operation with the bolt handle (5) and the operation with the forestock (2).

11. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that when the cartridge magazine (6) is removed, the pivot latch (24) is manually and toollessly operable through the magazine well (31) for switching between the operation with the bolt handle (5) and the operation with the forestock (2).

12. Repeating firearm (1) in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the two latch flanks (26) of the pivot latch (24) is extended beyond its pivot axis in the firing direction with the formation of a two-armed lever, both ends of which are operable through the forestock (2) by mechanical application of pressure for switching between the operation with the bolt handle (5) and the operation with the forestock (2).

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