IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES."-A communication
from abroad by Silas Crispin, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America.
Sealed the 25th September 1863, and dated the 29th July 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th July 1863.
T, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES," to be as follows:-
In that class of breech-loading fire-arms which are opened and closed on a
hinged joint, it is found in practice extremely difficult to effect a secure
packing of the joint, one which will positively prevent the escape of the gases
generated by the explosion of the charge of powder under all circumstances.
It is manifest that where this defect exists, the entire projectile force of tho
explosion cannot be secured, besides which, the residuum of the powder around
the hinged joint, or between the breech and the ordinary metal cup cartridge
(where such is used in breech-loaders) seriously retards, if it does not entirely
prohibit the re-loading of the piece, and thus defeats the main purpose of the
breech-loader, namely, rapid firing.
Now, the present Invention obviates all these objections, and will secure a
perfect packing of the joint in all breech-loaders where it can be used, and
will form a positive check to the cscape of any gas whatever at the joint, and
of course the deposit of any residuum from the explosion of the powder around

page_text: the joint will not take place, and the arm can in consequence be fired any
number of times in rapid succession.
The Invention consists in the combination of thin pieces of sheet metal
with common cartridge paper rolled together like an ordinary cartridge, with
the addition of a thin paper disc or cup, which is pierced in the centre, and
inserted into the bottom of the cartridge.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 29th January 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special license that I, the said
William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, 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 CARTIDGES," being a communication
from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 im-
mediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said William Edward Newton, 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, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
In all fire-arms constituting that class of breech-loaders which depend
solely on the expansion of the cartridge case to pack the opening, incident to

page_text: and inseparable from the moving joint (and thus prevent the escape of the
gases resulting from the explosion of the charge of powder), prior to the
present Invention, it has been the practice to use seamless cartridge cases
only, made in the form of a cup, of metal, rubber, or paper, and of a thick-
ness varying with the character of the particular arm to which they were
adapted. Also in that class of breech-loading small arms which use the
seamless primed metallic cartridge cases, it has been found that when charges
of powder of different weights are used to render these arms adaptable to a
varying service, the explosion of the cartridge so jams the case in the chamber
of the gun, or breaks the cartridge cases, or the residuum of the powder, or
all together so firmly packs the case that it is often extremely difficult (even
by the use of special devices for that purpose) to withdraw the empty case,
consequently the efficiency of the arm is most materially diminished.
The present Invention consists of a metallic cartridge case formed of thin
wrapped sheet metal alone, or thin sheet metal and paper wrapped and alone,
and in each case the metal, or metal and paper being wrapped so as to extend
around the circle at least beyond the point of the starting of the wrapped
metal or metal and paper, so that the lap will permit the necessary expansion
of the cartridge case incidental to the explosion, and still preserve the integrity
of the metallic, or metallic and paper cartridge case, which cartridge case will
thus pack the joint in the arm; or each and all of these varieties of cartridge
cases combined with and supported by an internal or external disc secured to
their bases; or each and all of the foregoing varieties of cartridge cases
combined with a metallic primed cup or cap (both being united securely
together), and constituting a primed metallic cartridge case, and its advantages
are, when made as an unprimed cartridge case that it accurately packs the
joint of the breech-loader, and forms a perfect check for the gases generated
by the ignition of the powder, and can be removed with ease by the fingers
after having been fired; and is extremely simple in its construction, and when
made as a primed cartridge case, and used in that class of breech-loading
small arms in which the seamless primed metallic cartridge case is now used,
it effects a perfect gas check, and can be removed with great case, and thus
render this class of arms perfectly efficient for rapid firing under all descriptions
of service to which they can be applied, and for any number of consecutive
discharges desired.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 represents a piece of thin sheet metal,
which forms the walls and bottom of the cartridge case when made of metal
alone. Figs. 2 and 3 represent pieces of paper to form in the one case
(Fig. 2) a lining, and in the other case (Fig. 3) an envelope, to the thin sheet

page_text: metal when wrapped with paper to form a case. Fig. 4 represents a piece of
paper to cover completely both planes of the thin sheet metal when it is
combined with paper to form a case. Figs. 5, 6, and 7, represent transverse
sections of the wrapped thin sheet metal cartridge case, and the two varieties
of cartridge cases shown in longitudinal sections by Figs. 14, 15, and 16.
Fig. 8 represents in section a paper disc made as herein-after described.
Figs. 9 and 10 represent a metallic disc and cup made in the usual manner.
Fig. 11 represents an elistic disc punched from some highly elastic material,
such as india-rubber. Fig. 12 represents an outside view of a finished
cartridge, whether of metal alone, or wrapped in combination with paper.
Fig. 13 represents a finished cartridge with a flanged disc attached. Figs. 14,
15, 16, and 17, represent longitudinal sections of the wrapped cartridge cases;
No. 14, as made of thin sheet metal alone; No. 15 as made of thin sheet
metal combined with a paper lining; No. 16 as made of thin sheet metal
combined with a paper envelope, and No. 17 as made of thin sheet metal with
paper wrapped in contact with both planes of the thin sheet metal. Figs. 18,
19, and 20, represent longitudinal sections of the cartridge case made from
the sheet metal alone, combined in Fig. 18 with a paper cup or disc, in
Fig. 19 with a metallic cup or disc, and in Fig. 20 with an elastic disc.
Figs. 21, 22, 23, represent longitudinal sections of the cartridge case made
from thin sheet metal rolled with a paper lining, combined in Fig. 21 with a
paper disc or cup, in Fig. 22 with a metallic cup or disc, and in Fig. 23 with
an elastic disc. Figs. 24, 25, and 26, represent longitudinal sections of the
cartridge case made from thin sheet metal rolled with a paper envelope, com-
bined in Fig. 24 with a paper cup or disc, in Fig. 25 with a metal cup or
dise, and in Fig. 26 with an elastic disc. Figs. 27, 28, and 29, represent
longitudinal sections of a cartridge case rolled with paper inside and outside,
combined in Fig. 27 with a paper cup or disc, in Fig. 28 with a metallic cup
or disc, and in Fig. 29 with an elastic disc. Fig. 30 represents thin sheet
metal and paper rolled together to form a cartridge case, the paper terminating
at a, a. Fig. 31 is a cartridge formed to receive a primed cap, and the cup
inserted. Fig. 32 represents an outside view of a finished cartridge, whether
of metal alone (or wrapped in combination with paper), combined with a
metallic primed cap or cup. Fig. 33, a finished primed cap or cup. Fig. 34,
a disc of metal to cover the fulminate. Fig. 35 the metal cap or eup bottom.
Fig. 36, a view of a primed cap or cartridge c.se. Fig. 37 represents a
longitudinal section of the wrapped cartridge case, made of thin sheet metal
alone, combined with a primed cap or cup. Fig. 38, a longitudinal section of
the combined paper and thin metal with a primed metallic cap or cup.

page_text: When it is desired to make cartridges wrapped from thin sheet metal alone
for small arms by machinery adapted to the purpose, or otherwise cut
from thin sheet brass or other suitable metal of about 002 of an inch in
thickness (annealed or not), and of the proper width to make the cartridge, as
long as may be required for the arm in which it is to be used, sheets or strips
of a trapezoidal or rectangular shape, and in length about 3 or more diameters
of the calibre of the bullets to be used, as shown in Fig. 1 of the Drawings.
A cylindrical former of either wood or iron (the latter is preferable) is now
placed on one of the thin sheets of brass or other metal, and is pressed and
rolled until the thin metal is wrapped closely and completely around the
former. The lower or open end of the wrapped metal projects about 6 of a
diameter of the former beyond its end which in shape is made to match the
base of the chamber of the arm for which the cartridge may be designed,
whilst its gauge must be such as to permit the finished cartridge to
fit the chamber neatly. The wrapped thin metal is now crimped over
the end of the former cither by a choking-string, a crimping tool, or the
fingers. After thus compressing the thin metal tightly around the end of the
former, the metal case still on the foriner is now placed in an iron, steel, or
wooden dic, and the former is struck a smart blow on its other end, and
the base of the case receives the form of the die, as in Fig. 12 of the Drawing;
the former is now withdrawn and the case is now completed and ready for the
reception of the powder and ball. When it is desired to make cartridges
wrapped from thin sheet metal with a paper lining, cut from any suitable
paper by machinery or otherwise rectangular or trapezoidal shaped pieces of
the proper width, to make the cartridge as long as may be required for the
arm in which it is to be used, and in length about 3 or more calibres of
the ball to be used, as shown in Fig. 2, cut also from thin sheet metal
trapezoidal or rectangular shaped pieces of the same width as the paper, and
of a length about 3 or more calibres of the ball to be used, increased by
twice the thickness of the paper lining when wrapped around the former.
One of the pieces of paper is now placed on top and in close contact with one
of the pieces of thin sheet metal (cut as above described) so that the edges of
the paper a, b, and 6, 6', exactly register with the edges a, b, and b', b', of the
thin sheet metal. A proper sized cylindrical former is now placed on the
two pieces (metal and paper) so arranged, and they are then rolled together
in precisely the same manner as above described in wrapping thin sheet
metal alone to form a cartridge case. The wrapped cylinder so formed is now
crimped in and finished to form the base of the cartridge case as described
above in the case of the wrapped thin metal alone. To make the cartridge caso

page_text: wrapped from thin sheet metal with a paper envelope the paper and sheet
metal are cut as above described, only the length of the metal should be 3
or more diameters of the calibre of the bullet, and the paper 3 or moro
diameters of this dimension increased by twice the thickness of the metal
when wrapped around the former (see Fig. 3). One of the pieces of thin
sheet metal is now placed on top and in close contact with one of the pieces
of paper so cut, and so that the edges of tho paper c, d, and d, d, exactly
register with the edges a, b, and b, b, of the thin sheet metal. A former is
now placed on the two pieces (paper and metal) so arranged, and they aro
rolled together to form the cartridge case which is finished for the reception
of the charge precisely as above described in making the wrapped thin metal
and paper lined cartridge case. To form the case with the paper completely
enclosing the sheet metal inside and outside, the paper and sheet metal are
cut of the same shapes and dimensions, as in the case of the thin sheet metal,
with a paper envelope, only that the paper is one circumference of the former
greater in length than the sheet metal (see Fig. 4). A common cylindrical
former having one end rounded to match the base of the chamber of the arm
for which the cartridge may be designed, and of a gauge that will permit the
finished cartridge to fit its bore neatly, is placed upon the straight end of the
paper, the round end being kept far enough from the longest side of the paper
to pornit it to project when rolled far enough beyond the former to be crimped
upon it and rolled with it until the former is covered with a single thickness
of paper when the thin metal piece is placed on the paper so that the edge c', c',
of the paper will register with the edge b, b, of the thin metal; the former is
now pressed and rolled forward until both the paper and metal are wrapped
together upon it, and the metal is entirely enveloped in paper. The cylinder
60 formed is crimped and finished as in the cases above described. In all of
the above cases where paper and metal are combined, the paper terminating
on the exterior of the case, an adhesive substance may bo used along the
exterior vertical edge of the paper when wrapped, so as to unite it to the body
of the case.
It is obvious that with either the sheet motal alone or the paper
and metal together (cut of the proper shapes and sizes) that the case can be
formed on a conical or pyramidal former or one having any desired form of
cross section. It is also apparent that all of these cartridge cases described
above can be charged with powder and shot as well as powder and ball, and
thus form a shot cartridge for breech-loading arms, using this kind of ammu-
nition. A paper disc like that shown in section by Fig. 8, or a metal disc or
cup like that shown in Figs. 9 and 10, or an elastic dise like that shown in
Fig. 11
may be inserted in either of the above described varieties of cartridge

page_text: cases, or a flanged disc of suitable metal may be attached to the outside of
the base of either of them (see Fig. 13) either by solder or otherwise. When
an internal disc is to be used it may after having been dipped in some adhesive
substance be inserted and forced to the bottom of the case, or the metal or
paper discs or cups may be inserted before the case is crimped, and while yet
on the former when the crimping of the base will hold it in place, as shown
in Figs. 18 & 19. The external flanged disc is used to adapt my cartridge
to those breech-loaders that now use a cupped flanged metal cartridge.
The paper disc shown in section by Fig. 8 is made as follows:-Moisten
one side of strong paper with paste, gum, or some adhesive material, and roll
the sheet together until it becomes solid, and obtains the diameter of the
former on which the cartridge case is to be made; cut the roll thus formed
transversely into discs of a right thickness, and by the application of pressure
from either a press or punch and die, shape these discs into cups of the form
shown in Fig. 8, perforating them in forming or afterwards, with a small hole
in the centre sufficient to permit the explosion of the charge, but protecting
the hole to prevent the escape of powder with a film of beeswax or tallow.
The metallic disc or cup like Figs. 9 and 10 is made in the ordinary manner;
the elastic disc may be cut by a punch from sheets of rubber or other suitable
elastic material of the proper thickness, and all the discs may be centrally
punched with an opening to admit the flame from the primer to explode the
charge before being inserted in or attached to the case, or afterwards, as may
be found most convenient. The finished cartridge composed of either of the
above kinds of cases charged in the ordinary way will when fired expand by
the uncoiling of the wrapped case, and be forced into direct and absolutely
entire contact with the walls of the chamber of the gun, and the fibres or
molecular particles of the metal will be forced into the crease or seam made
at the junction of the parts of the breech-loader, and thus form a perfect
gas check. Either of the above varieties of cases when charged and used
will be found after discharge, the breech being opened, not to adhere to its
seat in the breech, but will lie loosely in position, and can be removed by the
fingers almost without any resistance for the coil of thin wrapped metal, or
metal and paper, will easily slip or yield to reduce the diameter of the now
empty case. It is manifest that this cartridge can be placed in the arm where
it is to be used as rapidly as any other cartridge known, and it is equally
manifest that no known metal cartridge can be removed with equal rapidity
from the breech loader.
To form a primed cartridge case composed of thin wrapped sheet metal
enclosed within a wrapping of paper (or thin wrapped metal alone), combined

page_text: with a strong primed metallic cap or cup, both being united securely together,
cut from brass or other suitable thin sheet metal, of about 002 of an inch in
thickness, rectangular or trapezoidal pieces, and in length about three and one
half (3) or more diameters of the bore of the gun in which the cartridge is
to be used, and as wide as the cartridge is to be long before the primer is
inserted, as shown in Fig. 1 of the Drawings; then from any suitablo
paper cut of a rectangular or trapezoidal form pieces of a length sufficient to
pass twice or more around the former and about half an inch narrower than
the thin metal piece. Both the metal and paper may be cut by hand or by
any suitable machinery. The paper and thin sheet metal are now rolled
together on a former, so that the metal shall have both an internal and
external lining of paper, the lining terminating at the line a, a, Fig. 30. The
cylinder thus formed is placed in a proper die in a lathe where it is rapidly
rotated, and a proper tool inserted and pressed against the metal portion of
the case below the paper until the thin metal portion is spun out to the
diameter required to receive the cap containing the priming, as shown at the
line.b, b, of Fig. 31. The finished cap charged with a proper fulminate or
percussion powder is now inserted into the enlarged portion of the cylinder, and
while it rests against the shoulder b, b, of the case, the bottom edges are turned
down upon it (as at c, Fig. 32), and the cartridge is ready to receive the charge
of powder and ball, the latter being secured to the cartridge by having a groove
around its base, into which the case is crimped by a choke string or crimping
machine, as shown at the line d, d, Fig. 32. Instead of inserting a prepared
primer like Fig. 33 into the enlarged portion b, b, of the cylinder, Fig. 31, as
above described, the fulminate or percussion powder may be directly inserted
on the exterior of the enlarged portion b, b; a plain disc of metal may then be
inserted, and the lower extremity of the cartridge case may be folded or bent
up against the disc, or the metallic disc may be dispensed with, and the lower
extremity may be bent up so as itself to form the bottom of the completo
primed cartridge.
This improved form of cartridge may be also adapted, if desired, for needle
guns, by inserting the fulminate in the centre of the disc at the bottom of the
cartridge. The primed caps are made heavy, and of a form and diameter to
suit the bottom of the case, to which they are to be securely attached. These
caps are made in the usual manner; a cup (Fig. 35) receives the fulminate,
which is secured by a covering disc like (Fig. 34), when the edges of the cup
(Fig. 85) are slightly crimped upon the edges of the disc to hold it in place.
When thin sheet metal alone is rolled to form the cartridge it is cut of a
length of about 3 or more diameters, and formed into a cylinder, as above

page_text: described, for the metal and paper cartridge; placed in the lathe and tho
proper enlargement of the base spun out, as in the combined paper and metal
cartridge to secure the fulminating discs, when its edges are turned and
pressed upon the disc to hold it in place. It is obvious that either cartridge
may be combined with a cup primer, the form of which is well known, as
shown in Fig. 36, and secure the bottom end of the wrapped metal, as shown
in Fig. 30, whether alone, as in Fig. 37, or enclosed in paper, as in Fig. 38,
to the bottom (c, c, Figs. 37 and 88) of the cup (inside or outside) and fasten
it by solder or otherwise. It is manifest that when fired this primed expanding
cartridge can be at once easily removed from the chamber of the breech-
loader, whilst in the act of firing it will necessarily be expanded into a perfect
contact with the wall of the chamber, and perfectly pack the joint of the
breech-loader, and thus form a perfect gas check. It is obvious that to
coat the cartridge case with any suitable varnish will render it waterproof.
What I claim as new in the above described improvements, and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is,-
1st, the manufacture of thin metal-wrapped cartridge cases, as herein
set forth.
2nd, the forming of cartridge cases of thin metal, combined with a paper
lining or external covering, or both, as above described.
3rd, the forming of cartridge cases made of wrapped thin sheet metal either
alone or combined with paper, in combination with an internal or external
strengthening disc or cup, whether this disc or cup be made of paper, metal, or
an elastic material, as above described.
4th, the combination of a thin wrapped metal and paper cartridge case with
a primer so securely fastened together as to form a primed expanding wrapped
metal and paper cartridge, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)