IMPROVEMENTS IN GUNNERY AND PROJECTILES (WITH POUCH FOR THE LATTER), WHICH ARE ADAPTED FOR MUSKETS, RIFLES, PISTOLS, AND HEAVY CANNON, FOR FIELD PIECES, OR FORTS, BATTERIES, SHIPS OF WAR, AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1853

page_text: No. 36, Howland Street, St. Pancras, Gentleman, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GUNNERY AND PROJECTILES (WITH POUCH
FOR THE LATTER), WHICH ARE ADAPTED FOR MUSKETS, RIFLES, PISTOLS,
AND HEAVY CANNON, FOR FIELD PIECES, OR FORTS, BATTERIES, SHIPS OF
WAR, AND OTHER VESSELS."
Sealed the 27th August 1853, and dated the 8th March 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John James
Alexander Maccarthy at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th March 1858.
I, JOHN JAMES ALEXANDER MACCARTHY, of 36, Howland Street, St.
Pancras, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GUNNERY AND PROJECTILES (WITH POUCH FOR
THE LATTER), WHICH ARE ADAPTED FOR MUSKETS, RIPLES, PISTOLS, AND
HEAVY CANNON, FOR FIELD PIECES, OR FORTS, BATTERIES, SHIPS OF WAR,
AND OTHER VESSELS," the main feature of which is the loading of fire-
arms at the breech, and dispensing with the percussion caps, to be as
follows:-

page_text: The musket or rifle gun consists of a barrel, stock, trigger, and cock.
The barrel is of the usual tubular form, but the bore is larger at the
bottom, and secured by irons to the stock. At the lower end of the
barrel is a charge chamber, open at the top; at the inside of the
bottom there is an inclined plane. The chamber is fixed on a spindle
bolt or screw, running through the barrel. When the charge is placerl
in the chamber, is pressed down with the finger, and secured by a
sliding cylindrical shield, drawn by a spring, which covers the
chamber, and moves up and down, as may be required, for loading
or discharging the gun. The cock and trigger is fixed in the usual
way. The end of the cock is pointed, and is of suflicient length to
come in contact with the touch hole, which is perforated through the
shield and chamber. The mode of discharging the gun
is similar to
that now adopted, by first cocking and then pulling the trigger, which
dispenses with the percussion cap. In the musket proposed to be
used in the service, the bayonet is always attached, whether fixed or
unfixed, which relieves the soldier from carrying the same in a sheath
and belt.
a bolt or
The mode of constructing the cannon is by the formation of it into
two compartments; the short one at the head being converted into a
charge chamber, and the other part forms the barrel. They are united
by a powerful hinge-tooth lock or screw, and secured by
other fastening. The touch-hole is in the usual place. At the top or
side of the barrel there is a cock spring with a pointed end, which drops
into the touch-hole. The mole of firing is by raising the spring, and
placing a moveable wedge underneath, to which is attached a chain,
for the gunner to stand at a distance; and, on withdrawing the wedge,
the cock spring is forced down, and the concussion causes the discharge
of the cannon. When heavy guns are required, either for ships of
war, or fixed on forts, batteries, or other stations, there is a powerful
spring employed to prevent the recoil. The ammunition is formed by
powder and shot being placed in one case, the ends being spherical.
The pouch for containing the ammunition is composed of sheet steel,
with compartments to receive the charges. It can be shifted to any
part of the body.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John James Alexander Maccarthy, in the Great
Seal Patent Office, on the Sth September 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN JAMES ALEXANDER MACCARTHY, of 36, Howland Street, Saint
Paneras, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said John James Alexander Maccarthy, Her special
Licence that I, the said John James Alexander Maccarthy, my ex-
ecutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
James Alexander Maccarthy, my executors, administrators, and assigns.
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and a
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and law-
fully 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 GUNNERY AND PROJECTILES (WITH POUCH),
WHICH ARE ADAPTED FOR MUSKETS, RIFLES, PISTOLS, AND HEAVY CANNON,
FOR FIELD PIECES, OR FORTS, BATTERIES, SHIPS OF WAR, AND OTHER VESSELS,"
upon the [condition (amongst others) that I, the said John James
Alexander Maccarthy, 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John James Alexander Maccarthy,
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 (that is to say):
The first part of my said Invention has reference to a new and
improved mode of constructing muskets, with a view to render the

page_text: charging or loading of the same more simple and effective than the
modes hitherto practised in the construction of muskets which are to
be loaded at the breech thereof; and further, my Invention consists in
attaching the bayonet permanently to the musket, so as to dispense
with the use of a sheath and belt for carrying the same, as also the
necessity of fixing or unfixing the same, as usually practised. And as
regards rifles and pistols, my Invention consists in a new and improved
mode of constructing the breech thereof, by adapting thereto a charge
chamber of new and peculiar construction.
The second part of my said Invention has reference to a new and
improved mode of constructing cannon, and consists in adapting thereto
a removeable charge chamber, whereby the necessity for loading the
piece at the mouth, and ramming the charge, is entirely dispensed with,
and the sponging and cleansing of the bore of the gun after firing is
rendered more simple and effective than the modes hitherto employed.
Another improvement in cannon consists in the use of and application
thereto of a powerful spring to prevent or counteract the recoil of the
gun after firing the same; and further, in an improved mode of dis-
charging or firing the same. And, as regards that part of my said
Invention which has reference to projectiles, it consists in a new mode
of constructing the same. And lastly, my Invention consists in a new
and improved mode of constructing pouches intended to contain ammu-
nition, with a view to render the same more convenient and easy of
access. And, in order to explain my said Invention as completely as
possible, I will proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted
with for carrying my said Invention into practical effect, reference
being had to the illustrative sheets of drawings hereunto annexed, and
orming part of this my said Specification, and to the numeral figures
and letters of reference marked thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At Sheet 1, Figure 1, exhibits a side elevation of a musket,
constructed according to my said Invention, and as it would appear
when ready for use for firing, the bayonet being exhibited unfixed or
drawn back for that purpose. Figure 2, exhibits the bayonet fixed or

page_text: drawn out, and the breech of the musket uncovered for the purpose of
introducing the charge into the chamber of the gun. Figure 3, is a
top plan view of the breech and charge chamber. Figures 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, exhibit different views of detached portions of the musket,
drawn full size to enable the construction thereof to be more readily
understood and explained. Figure 12, is front elevation of a pouch,
constructed according to my said Invention, and as applied to a belt.
Figure 13, is a transverse and vertical section thereof, taken through
the line A, B, at Fig. 12. Figure 14, is a longitudinal and vertical
At each of the
section, taken through the line C, D, at Figure 13.
foregoing Figures I employ similar letters of reference to denote cor-
responding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at each
of the Figures respectively.
At Figures 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, A, A, marks the barrel of the
gun, which should be bored true throughout its entire length; B, a
breech piece, also bored true: one end of this piece has a screw
formed therein, into which the barrel A, screws for connecting it
thereto, and the other and opposite end of the breech piece B, is formed
solid, and is securely fixed to the stock C, of the gun, which is fitted
with a cock D, and trigger E, such as are used in guns known and
distinguished as needle guns. At Figures 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, F, marks a
hollow cylindrical-shaped piece of metal, which I denominate a charge
chamber, one end whereof is solid; G, is a semicircular-shaped piece,
screwed to the piece F, (as at Figures 5, and 6): the piece G, is
formed with a projection at a, for the purpose of connecting the charge
chamber to the breech piece B, of the gun, which may be effected by
constructing such said piece in the manner exhibited at Figures 3, and 4,
where b, marks a slot to receive the part a, of the charge chamber; c, a
pin or screw hole for connecting the parts B, and F, together; d, a touch-
hole, corresponding with the touch-hole formed in the charge chamber,
shewn at Figures 3, and 5. At Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, H, marks a
sliding piece, which I call a shield, the same being employed to cover
he charge chamber when the gun is in use: the piece II, has a groove
formed therein, which passes over a feather e, (shewn at Figure 9,)
which is screwed to the barrel A, for the purpose of bringing the touch-
hole in the shield immediately over the touch-hole in the breech piece B,

page_text: and charge chamber F. At Figures 1, 2, 10, 11, 1, marks a bayonet,
the part, whereof is formed cylindrical, and fits easily over the barrel A,
to which it is connected in the manner exhibited at Figures 10, and 11,
where I is a steel spring, one end whereof is securely fixed to the part f
and the other and opposite end thereof has a pin h, securely fixed thereto,
the end whereof is formed flat and presses against a flat filed on the
barrel, as at, Figure 10, to ensure the fixing and unfixing of the
bayonet, for which purpose holes are formed in the barrel at i, (Fi-
gure 10,) into which the pin h, takes by the pressure of the spring y,
thereon, as the bayonet is slided upon the barrel, by taking hold of the
button k, which must be lifted when it is required to disengage the
pin from one or other of the holes i, i. K, is a stop piece, securely
fixed into the barrel to prevent the bayonet from being withdrawn
therefrom. I, is a sling made of gutta percha or vulcanized india-
rubber, which will be found more convenient than the leather slings
hitherto employed.
In using a musket thus constructed, the cock D, is raised, and the
shield II, slided towards the mouth of the gun, by which the chamber F,
will be uncovered, and by turning the gun sideways will fall by its
gravity out of the breech piece; the ammunition is then placed in the
charge chamber, which is pressed into the breech piece, or by turning
the gun on its side in the opposite direction, and the shield is brought
close against the shoulder 2, of the breech piece, by which the touch
holes in the shield, the breech piece, and the charge chamber will be
brought opposite to each other, and by pulling the trigger, the needle 1,
will enter the touch-hole, and discharge the contents of the chamber F.
And I would remark that, although the drawing exhibits my Invention
as applied to a needle gun, I do not intend to limit or confine myself to
this description of gun, as it will appear evident to any practical man
that the same principle of construction may be applied to guns and
pistols in which percussion caps are used. And as regards the con-
struction of the pouch, exhibited at Figures 12, 13, 14, it is as follows:-
Instead of making the top a, or cover of the pouch, to hinge or open
from the front thereof, as hitherto practised, I connect the said top or
cover to one end of the case b, of the pouch, as exhibited in section at 3
Figure 14, by which it is rendered more casy of access.

page_text: Having now described the nature of this first part of my said Inven-
tion, I claim the constructing of muskets, rifles, and pistols in the
manner herein-before particularly described, set forth, and represented at
Figures 1, to 11, inclusive, of Sheet 1, of the illustrative drawings here-
unto annexed.
The construction of the cannon exhibited at Sheet 2, is as follows:-
Figure 1, exhibits a longitudinal and vertical section thereof, taken
through about the middle. Figure 2, is an end elevation of the cannon
at A, Figure 1. Figure 3, is an end elevation of the cannon at B,
Figure 1. Figure 4, is an end view of the head of the cannon, shewing
the mode of introducing the charge. Figure 5, is a transverse and
vertical section taken through the line A, B, at Figure 4. At each of
the foregoing Figures I employ similar letters of reference to denote cor-
responding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at each
of the Figures respectively.
A, A, marks the carriage, mounted upon wheels B, and axles C, in
the usual way. D, is the bore of the gun, which extends throughout
the entire length thereof, same being bored perfectly true, in the manner
usually practised. It will be seen, upon referring to Figures 1, and 5,
that the head of the gun is formed enlarged, into which a piece or charge
chamber E, fits, and is connected to the head of the gun by a pin at a,
upon which it turns as a hinge, for charging or loading the gun, as ex-
hibited at Figure 5. A chamber or recess b, is formed in the piece E,
to receive the charge; and there is a touch-hole c, formed in the piece
E, which communicates with the chamber b; and there is another and
similar touch-hole formed in the head of the gun, through which a
metal point or pin d, passes, as herein-after described. The piece E,
is securely connected to the head of the gun by a strong pin F,
passed through holes e, formed through the head of the gun and
piece E, as shewn, so that when these parts are in the position
exhibited at Figure 1, the touch-holes c, and c', will come opposite to
each other. And I would remark, that the shouldered part 1, of the
bead of the gun should be turned true, as also the edge f, of the piece
E; and there should be a little play in the hole through which the pin
a, passes, to allow the surfaces I, and f, to come into close contact

page_text: when the pin F, is inserted; and further, if necessary, a washer o
india-rubber, or other suitable elastic material, may be introduce
between the surfaces 1, and f. And I would further remark, tha
great care should be taken to make the pin F, of the very best iron
or of steel; the strength of the same should also be proved befor
attaching it to the gun. G, marks a powerful steel spring, composer
of plates of tempered steel, in the manner usually practised in the con
struction of springs: one end of this spring encircles the axle c, (as at
Figure 1,) and the other and opposite end of said spring is connected
by wedge pins g, to strong eye bolts h, securely fixed to the deck of a
vessel, if used on board ship; or, if on land, the bolts may be secured to
the masonry or timber of the fort or battery. The mode of discharging
or firing the cannon is as follows:-II, is a steel spring, one end whereof
is securely fixed to the outside of the cannon, and to the opposite end
of said spring a point or pin d, is jointed, and there is a piece of metal
i, fixed to the spring II; the piece i, takes into a hole formed in the
cannon, as exhibited at Figure 1; and the point d, is held in the re-
quired position by passing a steel pin through one or other of the holes
in the piece i. And supposing the gun to be ready for firing, the same
may be effected by the gunner attaching a chain to the pin which
passes through the piece i, so that, after the gun has been elevated in the
ordinary manner to the required position for striking the object to be
fired at, the gunner retires to a convenient distance, and, pulling the
chain, suddenly allows the point d, to strike and enter into the charge,
by which the projectile will be discharged, in a similar manner to that
before described with reference to the musket exhibited at Sheet 1; or,
instead of using the parts H, d, i, the gun may be fired in the usual
way and as the gun recoils after firing, the axle C, coming into
contact with the spring G, will meet with resistance sufficient to coun-
teract the recoil. And in this manner and by these means I effect my
improvements in cannon.
Having now described the nature of this second part of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be and may be per-
formed, I claim the constructing of cannon in the manner herein-before
particularly described, and represented at Sheet 2, of the illustrative s
drawings hereunto annexed, and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: And we further claim the use and application to cannon of the
shield H, and breech piece F, exhibited at Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, of
Sheet 1; and when this is the case, the parts E, d, H, i, at Sheet 2,
may be dispensed with. And as regards that part of my said Invention
which has reference to improvements in projectiles, it is as follows:-
At Sheet 1, Fig. 15, is a transverse and vertical section thereof, taken
through about the middle. A, A, marks a case or cartridge formed
of cardboard in a mould; and into said case a leaden bullet B, is
placed; and next to this, gunpowder at C; and finally, fulminating
powder at D. And I would here remark, that the main feature in this
part of my said Invention consists in making this end of the case or
cartridge with a recess at E, to admit of such part being placed upon
a nipple G, screwed into the solid end of the chamber F, as exhibited
at Fig. 16, in order that, after the needle or point d, has entered the
cartridge in the act of firing, it may strike the part E, thereof, which
is between it and the nipple, and thereby ensure the discharge of the
contents of the cartridge. And lastly, I claim, as of my invention of
improvements in projectiles, the mode of construction herein-before
particularly described, set forth, and represented at Figs. 15, and 16,
of Sheet 1, of the illustrative drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John James Alexander Maccarthy,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of Sep-
tember, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-three.
Witness, ALEX. PRINCE, Patent Agent,
4, Trafalgar Square, London.
J. MACCARTHY. (L.S.)