A dual cartridge feeder with alternatively operable sprocket drive and ramming tray assemblies each having a one-way escapement device for effecting two-step cartridge feed responsive to reciprocating motion of a recoiling member of the weapon between recoiled and runout (counter-recoiled) positions.

A dual ammunition feed for automatic weapons includes a positioning device for the ammunition wherein a central positioning sprocket unit interacts with two feed sprocket units in two separate feed casings to allow for loading with two different types of ammunition. The feed casings are tiltable into and out of engagement with the positioning device, the tilting of a particular feed casing into engagement with the positioning device being followed by the simultaneous disengagement of the other feed casing from the positioning device. The tilting of a particular feed casing into engagement further results in the coupling of the engaged feed casing's feed sprocket unit with a reducing transmission driven by an external motor, and in a change in the rotational direction of the central positioning sprocket unit such that the central positioning sprocket unit always rotates in an opposite direction from that of the feed sprocket unit of the particular feed casing which is engaged.

A device for selectively feeding two ammunition cartridge belts to an automatic weapon, such as a rapid firing cannon wherein two cartridge belt feeders are combined at the input of the weapon, comprising a first sprocket wheel engaging the cartridges of one of the belt feeders, a second sprocket wheel engaging the cartridges of the other belt feeder and mounted adjacent to the first sprocket wheel, drive means coupled to the first and second sprocket wheels for selectively turning one of the wheels forwardly toward the weapon and rearwardly away from the weapon, and switching means mounted adjacent to the first and second sprocket wheels for receiving a cartridge from one of the wheels and leading the cartridge toward the breech of the weapon.

An improved double-feed arrangement for introducing munition shells into the breech of an automatic weapon such as a machine gun. The double-feed arrangement includes a housing having two munition belt inlet openings and two munition belt outlet openings respectively equidistantly disposed from the longitudinal axis of the automatic weapon. A pair of hollow transport shafts rotatable in said housing and adapted to be selectively driven by a driving mechanism which can be energized by the recoil of the automatic weapon. A sprocket wheel having a plurality of equidistantly spaced shell receiving seats is mounted on each hollow transport shaft. The sprocket wheels are adapted to normally rotate in mutually opposite directions in a stepwise manner except when a selective switching from one feed to the other feed if effected, whereby a rotational step is imparted on both feeds by the driving mechanism via switching mechanisms to effect a rotation in the same direction. The shell of a first type is then moved from a firing chamber introducing position to a waiting position while the shells of a second type are now stepwise fed into the firing chamber introducing position by the other feed.

For installation in confined areas, an externally driven automatic weapon includes an alternatable dual cartridge supply system having two supply chutes are disposed parallel to an axis of symmetry traversing a cartridge supply rotor and a control roller for the breech block drive. The internal guide surfaces of both chutes are formed by a central guide disposed on the axis of symmetry, with the maximum width of this central guide corresponding to the chord length of a segment of the rotor which is provided with three, symmetrically disposed recesses, so that the introduction of cartridges into the rotor from the linear cartridge chute can take place, for example, directly from the top. The supply of cartridges to the rotor is always effected during any given period of time from only one chute. If cartridges are supplied from the other chute, the direction of rotation of rotor changes so that the cartridges are transported directly from the waiting position of a respective supply star wheel associated with each chute and fixed to the weapon housing, into a recess of the rotor and are transferred by stepwise movement of the rotor to a breech block for further transport into a cartridge chamber. During the continuous supply of cartridges by a further star wheel fixed to the cradle housing to the star wheel fixed to the weapon housing, guide means guide the cartridges in the axial direction within the chutes. To eject cartridge casings, a guide lever associated with the chute not then being used to supply cartridges is pivoted into the associated chute in the lateral rotor region to direct the empty cartridge casings into a casing chute.