IMPROVE. MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS AND IN PRO- JECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street, in
the City of London, E.C., Patent Agent, for the Invention of IMPROVE.
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS AND IN PRO-
JECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH."-A communication from abroad by John
'Webster Cochran, of New York.
Sealed the 1st May 1860, and dated the 4th November 1850.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald
Brooman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th November 1859.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet. Street, in the City of
London, E. C., Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS,
AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH," (a. communication from abroad by John
Webster Cochran, of New York,) to be as follows:-.
According to the first part of this Invention the gun is bored throughout, and
counter-bored from, the rear to receive a hollow breech-piece and solid sliding
breech pin or plunger. The front portion of the plunger, which enters the
rear portion of the bore of the arm, is turned sufficiently small to enable the
[Price 8d.]

page_text: thickness of the shell of an accelerating cartridge to be received between it
and the bore of the gun. The rear portion of the plunger is made cylindrical
and somewhat larger than the front portion, and fitted snugly but easily into
a centrally and cylindrically bored chamber in the breech-piece; between the
portion of this plunger which fits the bore of the gun, and the portion which
fits the bore of the breech-piece there is a collar which fits into the cylindrical
front portion of the counter-bore of the gun. This collar is not however
indispensable, as the cylindrical portion of the counter-bore may be made of
the same size as the cylindrical bore of the breech-piece, provided it is suffi-
ciently larger than the bore of the gun to permit of the formation of the
accelerating chamber, which will be presently described. Within the bore of
the breech-piece, and in rear of the pin, a spring of the conical volute kind is
placed, which is the only kind that can be made practicable for the purpose.
This spring being of very great strength, and so applied as to prevent its
expansion laterally, so that it will yield only with great force, and that slowly,
to the force of the explosion of the charge of powder on the front end of the
plunger. The front portion of the breech-piece is fitted snugly but easily
within a cylindrical portion of the counter-bore, and the rear portion of the
said breech-piece is fitted to turn freely in a ring or circular frame which is
hinged to a slide which works in a groove in one side of the gun and is worked
by a rack and pinion, or any other suitable contrivance, to permit the ring to
be moved back far enough to withdraw the breech-piece longitudinally from
the gun before moving it aside to permit of the introduction of the projectile
and the principal cartridge through the open breech of the gun. The breech-
piece may be secured in its place in the gun by being screwed in with a
complete screw thread, or it may be constructed with lugs which are capable
of passing through suitable recesses formed in the sides of a bushing which is
screwed into the open rear of the gun. In front of this bushing a recess is
provided all round the counter-bore of the gun to permit the breech-piece to
be turned to bring the rear faces of the lugs, which are made inclined so as to
have a screw-like character) into contact with the correspondently inclined
front face of the bushing, for the purpose of forcing up the valve-like front end
of the breech-piece close up to the seat that is formed for. it between the
counter-bore. The bushing may not be indispensable, as the portion of the
gun which the bushing forms may be made of the solid metal, but the bushing
being screwed in allows it to be adjusted to make the joint perfectly, tight,
and to compensate for any wear.
The before-mentioned accelerating chamber is formed between the exterior

page_text: of the plunger of the breech and the interior of the front and smaller portion
of the counter-bore of the gun. This chamber may be charged with loose
powder, but as this mode of charging might be liable to some objections, I
place the charge of powder for the said chamber in an accelerating cartridge.
The shell of this cartridge is made in the form of a cap to fit over the front
end of the plunger of the breech, but the whole of the charge is contained in
an annular chamber formed round its. rear, of such shape as to fill the
accelerating chamber. Two or more accelerating chambers may be provided
in the same gun. The accelerating cartridge is put on over the front end of
the plunger while the breech-piece and plunger are out of the gun; this being
done, and the projectile and principal cartridge having been put into the
chamber, the breech-piece is swung into the gun and secured, and on the
priming being applied to the vent all is ready for firing. When the ordinary
cartridge explodes the force so suddenly developed is exerted partly on the
projectile and partly on the plunger, and drives back the plunger upon the
volute spring, which slowly yields and is compressed, thereby easing the
starting of the ball and preventing the sudden and violent strain to which
the breech and chamber of other guns, whether breech or muzzle loading, arc
subject at the instant of the explosion of the charge. The force of the
explosion acting on the head of the accelerating cartridge causes the latter
cartridge to recede along with the plunger, and when they have receded so far
that the head of the accelerating cartridge and face of the plunger have passed
beyond the bore the fire enters the accelerating chamber and destroying the
thin fusible metal of which the front part of the chamber of the accelerating
cartridge is composed, ignites the charge within, and causes the ball to derive
another imfact from the explosion. Before the projectile leaves the gun the
pressure of the gas is so far reduced that the volute spring is allowed to react
upon the plunger and drive the latter forward, and hence the force expended
in driving the plunger back is not lost, but all given out upon the projectile.
The shell of the accelerating cartridge being made of soft metal constitutes
a very effective packing to prevent gas passing by the collar or shoulder of the
plunger, as the shell is driven back against the collar and shoulder, and caused
to expand outwardly against the sides of the chamber, which is effected by
the force of the explosion of its own charge and by that of the charge in the
ordinary cartridge.
The plunger besides forming an elastic cushion, as before described, acts as
a safety valve in case of the charge in the accelerating chamber becoming
accidentally ignited, for the force of the explosion acting upon the front of the

page_text: collar or corresponding shoulder drives back the plunger until the fire reaches
the principal cartridge which discharges the gun, instead of exploding or
bursting it.
To provide for the lubrication of all parts of the gun I propose to introduce
to an interior cavity formed in the breech-piece every time the gun is loaded,
or as often as may be desirable, a small quantity of water, but not sufficient to
interfere with the operation of the plunger and spring. When the plunger is
driven back a small quantity of this water is caused to pass between it and
the sides of the breech-piece into the accelerating chamber and into the bore,
thereby not only affecting lubrication of the parts, but extinguishing any
sparks that may be left by the explosion. The water thus introduced also con-
stitutes a packing between the breech-piece and plunger to prevent any gases
getting into the chambers.
The plunger and spring may be applied to muzzle-loading guns, and a
similar accelerating chamber may be provided in such guns, but such .chamber,
owing to the difficulty or impossibility of introducing a cartridge, must be
loaded with loose powder by a suitable opening provided for the purpose.
The improvements also consist in the application to the exterior of pro-
jectiles for rifled ordnance of a shirt or case formed of soft metal, which is
caused to expand by the admission to its interior of the gases produced by the
explosion of the gunpowder, and to enter the rifled grooves of the gun in order
to impart to the projectile a rotary motion. The shirt or case and the pro-
jectile to which it is applied are so constructed that the passages for the gas
to expand the shirt or case are formed between the projectile and the shirt or
case, having entrances provided in the shirt itself for the admission of the
gases (without perforating the projectile. The shirt or case is so constructed
that it can be detached from the projectile, and thus in a great measure be
prevented from being bruised in transportation. To attach a shirt to the
body of a projectile previous to its introduction into a gun the, open front
end of the shirt is placed against the rear end of the body, with the projections
that are formed on the shirt opposite recesses made on the body of the shot;
the shirt is then slipped directly forward on the shot to that part where the
conoidal form commences.
The manner of fitting the shirt to the body of the shot or shell may be con-
siderably modified, as, for instance, the body may be simply corrugated or
grooved longitudinally, and the shirt may have one or more longitudinal
projections to enter the grooves or corrugations formed in the body, to prevent
its turning, and have a pin inserted through one side of it into the body to

page_text: hold it longitudinally, but in any case the passages by which the gas arrives at
the interior of the shirt are formed in the shirt itself, and in that part which
is between the shirt and the projectile, without making any perforation in the
body of the projectile. This shirt is applicable to projectiles for either breech
or muzzle-loading rifled ordnance, and may be made of lead, brass, or any
metal composition that is capable of stretching or of expansion.
The Invention also consists in forming what the Inventor calls an
"expansive shot," which is composed of a metal cup formed of wrought iron,
cast into the shot or shell; wire (by preference copper) is then wound round a
recess formed to receive it, which recess is formed in such manner that the wire
cannot get off the back end of the cap at the base of the shot. A moveable
ring or collar is fitted to the forward part of the shot at the base of the cone
in such manner that it cannot fall off whilst being handled, but when the
shot is forced down the bore this ring will be driven farther on the shot, so that
when the explosion takes place it will enter the rifle grooves in the bore of
the gun.
The Invention also consists in the construction of a spherical percussion
shell in such manner that in whatever part of its circumference the ball may
strike after its discharge from the gun it will explode. It consists in placing
within the shell of a flexible tube surrounding a hollow ball capsule formed of
glass or other fragile material in which the combustible material is enclosed.
This tube also contains a spring or springs on each side of the hollow ball, so
arranged as to prevent the fracture of the said ball capsule or the ignition of
its contents by any slight percussion that may be produced in the transportation
of the shell, but when the shell strikes any object at which it is discharged the
force of the concussion explodes it. The Inventor also forms an expansive
shot by making a double case or jacket of thin sheets of tin, brass, or other
malleable metal, the outside being covered or wound round with wire cloth or
with wire. This double case is filled with powder, gun cotton, or some other
highly explosive material, and the core is then screwed on to the shot. When
the carge of the gun is exploded the fire that passes over and around the
shot will ignite the expanding charge entering through holes formed in the
outside plate of the double jacket, which will cause the jacket to expand and
fill the bore and grooves of the gun, thereby imparting to the shot a rifle action.
The screw which holds the jacket to the back end of the shot will also prevent
the casing from turning on the shot. The jacket can be charged and trans-
ported detached from the shot; or several hollow rings or bands can be charged,
as before described, and placed round the shot or shell, and this equally applies

page_text: to spherical shot and shell. The Inventor prefers to ignite the bursting charge
in the conical shell in a similar manner to that described for the spherical.
Another method of forming an expansive shot according to this Invention is
by forming holes in the base or rear of the shot to permit the gases or force
of the discharge to pass under the outside casing or shirt, which is made of
thin sheet brass, tin, or other suitable material wound round with wire.
Instead of using an igniting ball, as before described, for bursting a shell,
the Inventor sometimes adopts the following arrangement:-A core or tube is
placed at or about the centre of the space or cavity that contains the charge
of powder or other explosive composition, one end of which is attached to the
screwed stop plug, while the other contains the nipple or priming; a helical
or other spring or springs is or are placed in this tube, to which a plunger is
attached. This spring or springs prevent the plunger coming in contact with
the nipple or priming, until the shell is discharged from a gun and meets with
some obstruction, which causes the explosion. A stem or rod passes through
the spring, and resting against the screwed stop plug prevents any action on
the spring when the shell is discharged from the gun.
PECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th May 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, E.C., Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND OTHER FIRE

page_text: ARMS, AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH." (a communication from abroad
by John Webster Cochran, of New York), upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
The first part of this Invention, though it may be wholly or in part appli-
cable to ordnance and small arms of all kinds, either breech-loading or muzzle-
loading is more particularly designed for breech-loading ordnance, and will
be best understood by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 are central longitudinal sections at right angles to each
other of a breech-loading cannon constructed according to this Invention;
Figure 3 is a side view of the movable breech-piece; Figure 4 is a rear view
of the gun with the breech-piece removed; and Figure 5 is a side view of
what the Inventor calls the "plunger" of the breech, together with a section
of what he calls an "accelerating cartridge." Similar letters of reference
refer to like parts in all the before-named Figures.
A is the gun which is bored throughout and counterbored from the rear to
receive a hollow breech-piece B, and solid sliding breech pin or plunger C.
The front portion of the plunger C, which enters the rear portion of the bore
e, c, of the arm is turned sufficiently small to enable the thickness of the shell
of an accelerating cartridge D*, Figure 5, to be received between it and the
bore of the gun. The rear portion of the plunger C is made cylindrical and
somewhat larger than the front portion, and fitted snugly but easily into a
centrally and cylindrically bored chamber in the breech-piece B. Between
the portion of this plunger, which fits the bore of the gun, and the portion
which fits the bore of the breech-piece there is a collar a, which fits into the
cylindrical front portion b, b, of the counter-bore of the gun. This collar a is
not, however, indispensable, as the cylindrical portion b, b, of the counter-bore
may be made of the same size as the cylindrical bore of the breech-piece B,
provided it is so much larger than the bore of the gun that the accelerating

page_text: chamber c, c, can be formed. Within the bore of the breech-piece B, and in
rear of the pin C, a spring D of the conical volute kind is placed, which is
the only kind that can be made practicable for the purpose. This spring
being of very great strength, and so applied as to prevent its expansion
laterally, it will yield only to great force, and that slowly to the force of the
explosion of the charge of powder on the front end of the plunger. The front
portion of the breech-piece B is fitted snugly but easily within a cylindrical
portion d, d, of the counter-bore in rear of the part b, b, and the rear portion
of the said breech-picce is fitted to turn freely in a ring or circular frame E,
which is hinged by a hinge to a slide F, which works in a groove in one
side of the gun, and is worked by a rack and pinion or any other suitable
contrivance to permit the ring E to be moved back far enough to withdraw
the breach-piece longitudinally from the gun before moving it aside, as shown
in Figure 2, and in dotted lines in Figure 1, to permit of the introduction of
the projectile and the principal cartridge through the open breech of the gun.
The breech-piece may be secured in its place in the gun by being screwed in
with a complete screw thread, or it may be constructed as shewn with two
lugs g, g, which are capable of passing through suitable recesses h, h, Figure 4,
in the sides of a bushing G, which is screwed into the open rear of the gun.
In front of this bushing a recess i, i, is provided all round the counter-bore of
the bore to permit the breech-piece to be turned to bring the rear faces of the
lugs g, g, (which are made inclined so as to have a screw-like character) into
contact with the corresponding inclined front face of the bushing, for the
purpose of forcing the valve-like front end of the breech-piece B close up to
the seat i, i, that is formed for it between the portions b, b, and d, d, of the
counter-bore. The bushing G may not be indispensable, as the portion of the
gun which the bushing forms may be made of the solid metal, but the
bushing being screwed in allows it to be adjusted to make the joint at i, 1,
perfectly tight and to compensate for any wear at the said joint. The before
mentioned accelerating chamber c, c, is formed between the exterior of the
plunger C of the breech and the interior of the front and smaller portion b, b,
of the counter-bore of the gun, as shewn in Figure 1, where the spring D is
shewn in its normal condition, and the plunger in its most forward position.
This chamber may be charged with loose powder, but as this mode of charging
might be liable to some objections, the charge of powder is placed for the said
chamber in an accelerating cartridge D*, which is represented in Figure 5.
The shell of this cartridge is made in the form of a cap to fit over the front
end of the plunger of the breech, but the whole of the charge is contained

page_text: in an annular chamber k, k, formed round its rear, of such shape as to
fill the accelerating chamber c, c; two or more accelerating chambers may be
provided in the same gun. The manner in which the gun is
loaded, and the action and effects which take place in firing, are as follows:-
The breech-piece being turned to bring its lugs g, 9, opposite the recesses
h, h, the slide F is run back far enough to permit the frame E with the
breech-piece and plunger to be swung aside out of the way of the bore to
permit the introduction thereinto of the projectile (shot or shell) H, and the
principal cartridge I into the chamber of the gun. This projectile and
cartridge may be of any known or suitable construction. The accelerating
cartridge D is put on over the front end of the plunger C, while the breech-
piece and plunger are out of the gun; this being done, and the projectile and
principal cartridge having been put into the chamber, the breech-piece is swung
back again, run into the gun, and secured, and on the priming being applied
to the vent 1, which communicates with the cartridge I, all is ready for firing.
When the ordinary cartridge I explodes, the force so suddenly developed is
exerted partly on the projectile and partly on the plunger C, and drives back
the plunger upon the volute spring D, which slowly yields, and is compressed,
thereby easing the starting of the ball, and preventing the sudden and violent
strain to which the breech and chamber of other guns, whether breech or
muzzle-loading are subject at the instant of the explosion of the charge. The
force of the explosion acting on the head of the accelerating cartridge causes
the latter cartridge to recede along with the plunger, and when they have
receded so far that the head of the accelerating cartridge D*, and face of the
plunger haye passed beyond the bore e, e, the fire enters the accelerating
chamber, and destroying the thin fusible metal, of which the front part of the
chamber of the accelerating cartridge is composed, ignites the charge within
the said chamber, and causes the ball to derive another impact from the explo-
sion. Before the projectile leaves the gun the pressure of the gas is so far
reduced that the volute spring D is allowed to react upon the plunger and
drive the latter forward, and hence the force expended in driving the plunger
back is not lost, but all given out upon the projectile. The shell of the accele-
rating cartridge being made of soft metal constitutes a very effective packing
to prevent gas passing by the collar a or corresponding shoulder of the plunger,
as the shell is driven back against the collar and shoulder, and caused to
expand outwardly against the sides of the chamber c, c, which is effected by
the force of the explosion of its own charge, and by that of the charge in the
ordinary cartridge I. The plunger C, besides forming an elastic cushion, as

page_text: before described, acts as a safety valve, in case of the charge in the accele-
rating chamber becoming accidentally ignited, for the force of the explosion
acting upon the front of the collar a or corresponding shoulder drives back the
plunger until the fire reaches the principal cartridge which discharges the gun
instead of exploding or bursting it. To provide for the lubrication of all parts
of the gun, a small quantity of water is introduced into an interior cavity m, m,
formed in the breech-piece every time the gun is loaded, or as often as may be
desirable. When the plunger is driven back a small quantity of this water is
caused to pass between it and the sides of the breech-piece into the accelerat-
ing chamber and into the bore e, e, thereby not only effecting lubrication of
the parts, but extinguishing any sparks that may be left by the explosion.
The water thus introduced also constitutes a packing between the breech-piece
and plunger to prevent any gases getting into the chamber m, m. The plunger
C and spring D may be applied to muzzle-loading guns, and a similar accele-
rating chamber c, c, may be provided in such guns, but such chamber, owing
to the difficulty or impossibility of introducing a cartridge must be loaded with
loose powder by a suitable opening provided for the purpose.
The improvements also consist in the application to the exterior of a pro-
jectile for rifled ordnance of a shirt or case of soft metal to be expanded by the
admission to its interior of the gases produced by the explosion of the gun-
powder when the gun is fired, and thereby caused to enter the rifled grooves
of the gun, and so to receive and give to the projectile a rotary motion. This
improvement consists in so constructing the shirt or case and the projectile
to which it is applied, and so combining them, that the passages for the gas
to expand the shirt or case are formed between the projectile and the shirt
or case, and with their entrances in the shirt or case itself without perforating
and thereby weakening the projectile, and so that the shirt or case may be
carried separate from the projectile, and thereby in a great measure be
prevented from being bruised or otherwise injured in transportation, but
may be put on instantaneously by the gunner preparatory to the insertion
of the projectile in the gun. Figure 6 is an external longitudinal view
of a shirt with my improvement complete; Figure 7 is a rear view of the
same; Figure 8 shows a longitudinal view of the same, partly in section;
Figure 9 is a transverse section of the shirt or outside case of the shot;
Figure 10 is a rear view of the body of the shot without the shirt or case;
and Figure 11 is a transverse section of the shot complete. Similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts in the several just mentioned Figures. A
is the body of the projectile, and B is the shirt which is applied to make it com-

page_text: plete. The projectile shewn is of what is commonly known as cylindro-conoidal
form, but may be of other partly cylindrical form. The shirt B extends from
the breech or rear end to where the point commences, and covers the breech
or rear of the body A. The part of the body A which receives the shell con-
tains two or more longitudinal grooves a, a, and the projecting portions b, b.
between these grooves having a cylindrical exterior are formed into portions
of a screw thread, as shown at c, c, Figure 8. The interior of the shell is
formed with longitudinal grooves d. d, to correspond with the projecting
portions b, b, of the body, and with longitudinal projections e, e, to correspond
with the grooves a, a, of the body, and the said projections e, e, are formed
into portions of a screw thread, as shown at j. j. Figure 8, to correspond with
the portions c, c, of the screw thread on the body. In the breech of the
shirt. there are a number of apertures h, h, which range with the grooves d, d.
The casting of which the shell B is composed may have its cylindrical exterior
of a size to fit easily the bore of the piece from which it is to be fired; but it
is shown small enough to receive a covering of wire i¹, i¹, which is wound
tightly upon it. In the transportation of these projectiles the bodies A and
shirts B are packed separately, in order to prevent injury to one another, for
owing to the great weight of the projectiles, the shirts might be liable to
become damaged in carrying a number of projectiles together with their shirts
on. To attach the shirt to the body preparatory to the introduction of the
projectile. into the gun, the open front end of the shirt is placed against the
rear end of the body, with the projections e, e, of the shirt opposite to the
recesses a, a, of the body, and the recesses d, d, of the shirt opposite to the
projections b, b, of the body, and the shirt is slipped directly forward on to the
body till its breech g arrives near the breech or rear end of the body, and is
then turned to bring its screw thread j. i, into the screw thread c, c, of the
body. It is only necessary to turn the shirt in this manner a little way to
bring its breech close up to the breech of the body, so that it may remain
upon the body while the projectile is fired. In the firing of the projectile the
gases produced from the powder pass through the apertures h, h, of the shirt
into the passages shown in Figure 11, which are formed by the combination
of the recesses a, a, and b, b, and by the expansive force of the gases act upon
the whole length of the shirt which constitutes the entire bearing surface of
the projectile, and so causes the shirt to be expanded or stretched in such
a manner as to make it fit tightly to the bore of the gun and enter the grooves,
and thus not only prevent windage, but cause the projectile to have a rotary
motion imparted to it by passing along the grooves. The manner of fitting

page_text: the shirt to the body of the shell may be considerably modified, as, for instance,
the body may be simply corrugated or grooved longitudinally, and the shirt
may have one or more longitudinal projections to enter the grooves or
corrugations of the body to prevent it turning, and have a pin inserted through
one side of it into the body to confine it longitudinally to the body; but in any
case, the passages by which the gas arrives at the interior of the shirt are
made with their entrances in the shirt, and with the portion that is not in the
shirt itself between the shirt and body of the projectile, and without any
perforation of the body of the projectile. This part of the Invention is
applicable to projectiles for either breech or muzzle-loading rifled ordnance.
The shirt may be made of lead, brass, or any composition metal that is capable
of expansion.
The Invention also consists in forming what the Inventor calls an ex-
pansive shot or shell," which is composed of a metal cup formed of wrought
iron cast into the shot or shell; wire (by preference, copper,) is then wound
round a recess formed to receive it, which recess is formed in such manner
that the wire cannot get off the back end of the cup at the base of the
shot. A movable ring or collar is fitted to the forward part of the shot at
the base of the cone, in such manner that it cannot fall off whilst being
handled, but when the shot is forced down the bore this ring will be driven
farther on the shot, so that when the explosion takes place it will enter the
rifle grooves in the bore of the gun. Figure 12 is a view of this "expansive
shot or shell," partly in section. A is the body of the shot; B is the iron or
other metal cup cast on to the rear end of the shot; a, a, is a band of copper
or other wire wound round the metal cup B; e, e, e, e, are slits formed in the
back part of the cup, in order to allow the copper band to expand at the time
of the explosion; b is a wire ring or band of metal placed on the base of the
cone in a conical groove c; D is a socket ramrod employed for forcing the
shot home. The wire ring b is forced on the conical groove c as the shot
descends the bore of the gun, and when the explosion takes place the ring b,
as well as the wire bands a, a, are caused to expand, by which means a soft
metal presses against the bore of the gun during the passage of the shot
through it.
Another method of forming an expansive shot or shell, according to this
Invention, is by forming holes in the base or rear of the shot to permit the
gases or force of the discharge to pass under the outside casing or shirt, which
is made of thin sheet brass, tin, or other suitable material wound round with
wire. Figure 13 is a longitudinal section; Figure 14 a section through the

page_text: line x, y, of Figure 1; and Figure 15 a back view of an expansive shot or
shell constructed in a somewhat modified form to that before described with
reference to Figure 12. A is the body of the shot or shell; B is the outside
casing; C, C, are the openings or passages for the gas; D is the main opening
at the rear of the shot from which the openings C, C, radiate; E is the
hollow part of the shell to receive the charge, and F is the percussion arrange-
ment for igniting the charge; copper wire is preferred for the outside casing,
but iron wire with a copper coating can be employed. For breech-loading
cannon only a few turns of wire are taken at the rear end of the shot sufficient
to give it a full and firm bearing in the gun.
The Inventor also forms an expansive shot or shell by making a double case
or jacket of thin sheets of tin, brass, or other metal, the outside being covered
or wound round with wire cloth or with wire. This double case is filled with
powder, gun-cotton, or some other highly explosive material, and the core is
then screwed on to the shot. When the charge of the gun is exploded, the
fire that pases over and around the shot will ignite the expanding charge,
entering through holes formed in the outside plate of the double jacket, which
will cause the jacket to expand, and fill the bore and grooves of the gun,
thereby imparting to the shot a rifle action. The screw which holds the
jacket to the back end of the shot will also prevent the casing from turning.
The jacket can be charged and transported detached from the shot, or several
hollow rings and bands can be charged, as before described, and placed round
the shot or shell.
Figure 16 is a longitudinal section of this other arrangement for an
expansive shot or shell. A is the body of the shot or shell; a, a', are inside
b is a
and outside casings, connected at each end with a close fitting ring a²;
but or end piece, formed of wrought iron or other suitable material; this end
piece is formed with a screw c which screws on to the body A, and prevents
the end piece leaving the body of the shot after the discharge takes place;
d, d, is the space containing the expanding charge, which consists of gun-
powder, gun cotton, or other explosive substance, and this substance may be
either solid or liquid. In some cases the space marked d, d, contains oil,
water, or any kind of lubricating material, which, when the discharge of the
gun takes place, is forced out, and consequently lubricates the grooves or bore
of the gun. B is the space for containing powder or other explosive material
for bursting the projectile in case it is used as a shell.
The Invention also consists in the construction of a spherical percussion
shell in such manner that, in whatever part of its circumference the shell

page_text: strikes after its discharge from the gun, it will explode. It consists in placing
within the shell a flexible tube surrounding a hollow ball capsule formed of
glass or other fragile material in which the combustible material is enclosed.
This tube also contains a spring or springs on each side of the hollow ball, so
arranged as to prevent the fracture of the said ball capsule, or the ignition of
its contents by any slight percussion that may be produced in the transporta-
tion of the shell, but when the shell strikes any object at which it is discharged,
the force of the concussion explodes it.
Figures 17 and 18 are views in section, at right angles to one another, of a
percussion shell constructed in the manner just described. A is the body of
the shell, having an aperture formed in it (shown in the Drawing closed-by
a screw plug b) for the introduction of the charge; B is a tube formed of
indian-rubber or other flexible material, which is made of such a thickness
that it will not easily yield to external pressure. This tube extends from side
to side of the shell, and is somewhat smaller in external diameter than the
plug b; C is a hollow ball capsule or pellet, containing powder or other ful-
minating substance; this capsule is made of glass or other fragile material,
and fits snugly within the tube B; D, D, are helical springs, one on each side
of the capsule; E is the space for containing the charge for exploding the
shell; and F is a wooden sabot against which the shell rests when in the gun.
The tube B and springs D, D, form a sufficient protection to the capsule C⚫to
prevent its ignition whilst being handled, or during transportation, but so soon
as the shell strikes an object, on being discharged from a gun, the springs
D, D, yield, the concussion breaks, the capsule explodes the charge, and bursts
the shell.
Although this mode of igniting the charge has been described with refer-
ence to spherical shells, yet it is equally applicable to shells of other shapes.
Figure 19 shows in section a spherical shot or shell, having a hollow ring or
band formed round it; the said ring contains gunpowder, gun cotton, or other
highly explosive material. a is the body of the shot or shell; b is the hollow
band or ring; c is a screw plug for closing the fuse hole; e is the hollow part
of the shell for containing powder to burst the charge; d, d, is the wooden
sabot. This shell can be burst, as in the former case, with the glass capsule.
Figure 20 is a view in section of a shell similar to the one just described,
with the addition of a kind of flanged cup marked i, i, which, when the
explosion takes place, will be expanded, and tend to guide the shot or shell
down the bore of the gun. In this case the sabot marked d in the former
figure can be dispensed with.

page_text: Instead of using an igniting ball, as before described, for bursting a shell,
the Inventor sometimes adopts the following arrangement:-A core or tube is
placed at or about the centre of the space or cavity that contains the charge of
powder or other explosive composition, one end of which is attached to the
screwed stop plug, while the other contains the nipple or priming; a helical or
other spring or springs is or are placed in this tube, to which a plunger is
attached. The spring prevents the plunger coming in contact with the nipple
or priming until the shell is discharged from a gun, and meets with some
obstruction, which causes the explosion. A stem or rod passes through the
spring, and resting against the screwed stop plug prevents any action on the
spring when the shell is discharged from the gun.
Figure 21 is a longitudinal section of a shot or shell, in this case shown
conical, illustrating the manner in which the charge is ignited, as has just been
described. a is the shot; b is the expanding case; c is the cavity for the
charge; d is the drop or plunger attached to a spiral wire spring contained
in a case or tube i, i, and connected to the screwed plug f; p is a rod passing
through the spring h, and connected to the plug and plunger d; e is the
nipple, carrying a percussion cap. The plug p passing through the spring and
resting against the screw plug f, prevents any action on the spring h, when the
shell is discharged from the gun, but so soon as the point of the shell meets
with an obstruction the plunger d is forced against the nipple e, and the
explosion takes place.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not claim the appli-
cation of an elastic cushion to the breech of a gun, nor do I claim the
employment of accelerating chambers, so applied to fire-arms that the charges
contained therein are fired after the ball has been started; but what I claim
and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,
First, the employment in cannons and other fire-arms of an elastic cushion
composed of a plunger and a conical volute spring combined and applied to
the breech, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
Second, the construction and application to cannons and other fire-arms of
one or more accelerating chambers in combination with a plunger or elastic
cushion, in order that the charge or charges in the accelerating chamber
or chambers may be fired by the driving back of the plunger or cushion, and
that the said plunger or cushion may serve as a safety valve to the accelerating
chambers, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Third, the combination of a plunger or elastic cushion with a hollow breech-
piece, in order that the cavity in the breech-piece may be capable of con-
taining water which is ejected by the action of the plunger or cushion, in such
manner as to lubricate the plunger and the bore of the gun, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the combination of a movable breech-piece containing the plunger
or elastic cushion with a ring or circular frame hinged to a slide, which works
longitudinally to the gun, the whole constructed and operating substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth, the combination with the breech-piece of an adjustable screwed bush-
ing, fitted to the gun, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described.
Sixth, the combination, arrangement, and method of action of the plunger,
accelerating chamber, volute spring, movable breech-piece, ring, or frame, and
slide, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventh, the construction and combination of the body of the projectile, with
its shirt or case of soft metal, in such manner that the passages for the gases
are formed partly in the body of the projectile, and partly in the shirt or case
with their entrances in the shirt or case, without perforating the body of the
projectile, and that the shirt can be carried separately from the body and
slipped on when required for use, as herein-before described and illustrated at
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eighth, the employment of copper or other wire wound round the rear end
or cup part of the shot, in which cup part slits are formed in combination with
a copper or other metal ring or wire round the base of the conical part of the
shot, the whole acting in the manner herein-before described with reference to
Figure 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninth, the construction of an expansive shot or shell by forming holes in
the base or rear end of the shot, through which the gases generated by the
explosion pass to the outside casing, which is thereby caused to expand, as
herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 13, 14, and 15 of the accom-
panying Drawings.
Tenth, the forming of a double case or jacket for shot or shell of thin sheets
of metal wound round with wire, the said case being filled with some highly
explosive material, which is ignited and caused to expand in the manner
herein-before described with reference to Figure 16 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Eleventh, the employment of a hollow ball capsule, held at or about the

page_text: centre of a flexible tube by a spring or springs, in such manner that in what-
ever part of the circumference the shell may strike after its discharge from a
gun the ball capsule will break and cause the explosion of the shell, as herein-
before described with reference to Figures 17 and 18 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Twelfth, the forming of a hollow ring or band round a spherical shot or
shell for holding gunpowder, gun-cotton, or other explosive material, which is
caused to explode, and thereby expand the outer surface of the shot or shell
in the manner herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 19 and 20 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Thirteenth, the construction of a percussion shell, in the manner herein-
before described and illustrated at Figure 21 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of May, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty.
R. A. BROOMAN. (L.S.)