IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SKIN CARTRIDGES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Gladstone, of No. 2, Ossory Road, Old Kent
Road, in the County of Surrey, Cartridge Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SKIN CARTRIDGES."
Sealed the 10th May 1864, and dated the 14th November 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Gladstone at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th November 1863.
I, HENRY GLADSTONE, of No. 2, Ossory Road, Old Kent Road, in the
County of Surrey, Cartridge Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SKIN CARTRIDGES,"
to be as follows:-
In the ordinary manufacture of skin cartridges the animal skin or membrane
is found liable to decomposition and other deteriorations, I therefore treat
such skin or membrane with a chemical preparation which not only renders it
impervious to moisture, but also prevents its decomposition and other dete-
riorations. I cover the cartridge with a kind of varnish, such, for instance, as
is known by the name of French polish, and further protect it by tying or
winding round it, in such a manner as to form various crossings, a thread of
silk, cotton, or other fibre, which I also prepare chemically, so as to render it
more combustible, it having been found that without such preparation or
treatment the thread is apt sometimes to remain unconsumed by the discharge

page_text: and cause an obstruction in the barrell. For this purpose I impregnate the
fibre with paraffin, stearine, or similar substances, or treat it with an acid or
mixture of acids. As a lubricant I employ a mixture of wax and castor oil,
which is not affected by any climate.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Gladstone in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th May 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
GLADSTONE, of No. 2, Ossory Road, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey,
Cartridge Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of November, 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 saccessors, give and grant unto him, the
said Henry Gladstone, Her special licence that he, the said Henry Gladstone,
his executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as he, the said Henry
Gladstone, his executors, administrators, 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 THE MANUFACTURE
OF SKIN CARTRIDGES," upon the condition (amongst others) that he, the said
Henry Gladstone, his executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under his, 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 Henry Gladstone, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
In the ordinary manufacture of skin cartridges the animal skin or membrane
is found liable to decomposition and other deteriorations, I therefore treat
such skin or membrane with a chemical preparation which not only renders it
impervious to moisture, but also prevents its decomposition and other dete-

page_text: riorations. For which purpose I use one or several of the following substances
in proportions varying according to circumstances, namely, arsenic, alum,
acetate of lead, bichloride of mercury, chloride of sodium, soap, camphor. I
cover the cartridge with a kind of varnish, such, for instance, as is known by
the name of French polish, and further protect it by tying or winding round it,
in such a manner as to form various crossings, a thread of silk, cotton, or
other fibre, which I also prepare chemically, so as to render it more com-
bustible, it having been found that without such preparation or treatment the
thread is apt to remain sometimes unconsumed by the discharge and cause
an obstruction in the barrel. For this purpose I impregnate the fibre with
paraffin, stearin, or similar substances, or treat it with an acid or mixture of
acids. As a lubricant I employ a mixture of wax and castor oil, which is not
affected by any climate.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Gladstone, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Signed and sealed in the
presence of
FRA. GEORGE,
No. 5, Sise Lane, London,
Solicitor.
HENRY GLADSTONE. (L.S.)