IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLI- CABLE TO SMALL ARMS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Perceval Moses Parsons, of Blackheath, in the County
of Kent, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLI-
CABLE TO SMALL ARMS."
Sealed the 10th May 1864, and dated the 17th November 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Perceval Moses Parsons
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th November 1863.
I, PERCEVAL MOSES PARSONS, of Blackheath, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for " IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE, PARTS OF WHICH
ARE APPLICABLE TO SMALL ARMS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates, firstly, to guns which are built up of wrought-iron or
steel tubes, rings, or hoops, and its object is to ensure a more perfect union
and combination of the parts by which their longitudinal as well as their
circumferential strength will be imparted to the inner tube and contribute to
the strength of the gun generally, and so that the strains thrown on the metal
of the various parts, especially those formed of cast iron, may be fairly
and equally distributed. In order to effect these objects, I form the tubes
with shoulders, and I employ screws in connection therewith, by the united
action of which a sufficient portion of each tube is embraced at both ends and

page_text: confined longitudinally as well as circumferentially by the one surrounding it.
And in the case of cast-iron guns lined with wrought-iron or steel tubes, I
form a screw thread on the whole or part or parts of the wrought-iron or
steel lining tubes, and screw them into the outer cast-iron casing provided
with corresponding female screws, and I so arrange the form and dimensions of
the cast-iron casing at the breech and reinforce, that the area of its transverse
section will be as nearly as possible the same throughout a sufficient length
thereof, and when a breech screw is used behind the lining tube, I increase
the external diameter of the metal around it sufficiently to ensure the area of
its cross section being fully equal to the area of the largest part of the
reinforce, so that the extension due to the longitudinal strain may be distri-
buted over a sufficient length and not strain the metal surrounding the breech
screw or any other part injuriously; and when the lining tube is built up of
several layers I arrange it so that the inner tube only shall be confined
longitudinally between the breech or other screw used to secure the tube and
the other end of the recess made in the cast-iron gun, in order that the
expansion of the inner tube may not act with too great force on the screw and
the cast-iron casing confining it; and I apply lining tubes of wrought iron or
steel to mortars and secure them therein and confine them longitudinally by
screws, and I construct the lining tubes and secure them in the mortars in the
manner herein-before described as applied to guns.
For the purpose of
expanding the rings or tubes in the process of manufacturing ordnance,
whether the same are screwed or simply shrunk. on to the inner tube in a
more simple, cleanly, and certain way than by heating them in a furnace, I
immerse them in baths of heated water, oil, or other suitable liquids or melted
metals or alloys, according to the temperature necessary to produce the
amount of expansion required.
My Invention relates, secondly, to guns which are loaded at the breech.
In order to effect this object I employ a sphere or so much of a sphere as is
necessary for the purpose, having an aperture through it corresponding to the
bore of the gun. The sphere occupies a chamber formed in the breech of the
gun, and is carried on centres or pivots by the breech screw behind it. The
sphere is made to turn on its centres or pivots by a pinion or similar con-
trivance, and the breech screw is used to draw back and force up the sphere
as required, in order to open and close the breech. The joint at the breech is
made gas-tight by means of a tube or ring of steel or other suitable material,
which is fitted into the interior of the gun and partly extends into a suitable
recess made in the sphere or other breech plug, so that the pressure caused
by the discharge will expand it and cause its exterior surface to be forced

page_text: against the interior of the gun and the sides of the recess in the breech sphere
or other breech plug, and thus make good the joint. The ring may in some
cases be closed at the end next the plug and form a cup, and may be attached
to the plug or made in one with it; and this arrangement may also be
employed to make the breech of muzzle-loading guns gas-tight when the same
is closed by a plug or screw.
My Invention relates, thirdly, to a new method of rifling guns, which is
also applicable to small arms, and consists in the peculiar form given to the
grooves, which is thus produced, viz., the figure of each groove in cross section
is described by two arcs of circles which form the two sides of the groove, and
the centres from which the arcs are struck are placed at any convenient points
on a line passing through the centre of the bore at right angles to a line
drawn from that centre to the centre or bottom of the groove, or one side only
of the groove may be thus formed and the other side may be of any other
suitable form.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Perceval Moses Parsons in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th May 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PERCEVAL
MOSES PARSONS, of Blackheath, in the County of Kent, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth 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 successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Perceval Moses Parsons, Her special licence that I, the said Perceval
Moses Parsons, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Perceval Moses Parsons, my 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 tho United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE, PARTS OF
WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO SMALL ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Perceval Moses Parsons, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and

page_text: seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 Perceval Moses Parsons, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
4
My Invention relates, firstly, to guns which are built up of wrought-iron or
steel tubes, rings, or hoops, and its object is to ensure a more perfect union
and combination of the parts, by which their longitudinal as well as their cir-
cumferential strength will be imparted to the inner tube, and contribute to
the strength of the gun generally, and so that the strain thrown on the metal
of the various parts, especially those formed of cast iron, when used in combi-
nation, may be fairly and equally distributed. In order to effect these objects
I form the tubes with shoulders, and I employ screws in connection therewith,
by the united action of which a sufficient portion of each tube is embraced at
both ends, and confined longitudinally as well as circumferentially by the one
surrounding it.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 a cross section at A, A, (Fig. 1)
of a gun built up entirely of wrought-iron or steel tubes, rings, or hoops, made
according to this part of my Invention. It is composed of a tube a, a, made
of wrought iron or steel, which forms the bore of the piece. This tube is
turned on the outside to different diameters, so as to form shoulders s, s, 8, at
various parts of its length, and its breech end is closed by a plug f screwed
into its interior. Another tube b, b, accurately bored and provided with
shoulders t, t, t, on its interior to correspond to the shoulders 8, 8, 8, formed
on the exterior of the inner tube a, a, and also furnished with shoulders
v, v, v, on its exterior is then forced or shrunk on to it from the muzzle end
until the shoulders t, t, t, abut against the shoulders 8, 8, 8, formed on the
inner tube. The plug 9 is then screwed into the breech end of the tube b, b,
so as to bear against the end of the inner tube a, a. Another tube c, c, fur-
nished with shoulders w, w, w, on its interior, is then in like manner shrunk
or forced on to the tube b, b, until the shoulders w, w, w, abut against the
shoulders v, v, v, formed on it, and the breech sorew h is screwed into the
breech end of the tube c, c, so as to bear against the end of the tube b, b, and
this process is repeated until sufficient thickness to provide the requisite longi-
tudinal strength is obtained; after which other tubes or hoops without
the shoulders or screws may be forced or shrunk on to contribute further

page_text: transverse strength if required. Thus in the Drawing shewn Figs. 1 and 2
a series of tubes or rings d, d, d, are added; the tube or ring e carrying the
trunnions is shewn screwed on to the tube c, c, but it may be attached in any
other suitable manner:
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 a cross section at A, A, (Fig. 3)
of a gun which has its interior portion built up of wrought-iron or steel tubes,
rings, or hoops, in combination with an outer casing of cast iron, according to
this part of my Invention. a, a, is the inner tube, made of wrought iron or
steel, which forms the bore of the piece. This tube is turned on the outside
so as to form the shoulder 8, and its breech end is closed by a plug f. Another
tube b, b, accurately bored, and provided with a shoulder on its interior to
correspond to the shoulders formed on the exterior of the inner tube a, a, is
then forced or shrunk on to it from the muzzle end until the shoulder t abuts
against the shoulder s formed on the inner tube. The plug 9 is then screwed
into the breech end of the tube b, b, so as to bear against the end of the inner
tube a, a.
In like manner another tube may be added, as shewn at c; c,
Figs. 7 and 8, and more if required, which will depend upon the size of the
gun. These built up lining tubes are secured in the cast-iron body of the
gun according to my Invention, for which Letters Patent were granted me on
the 5th of June 1862 (No. 1699). It will be seen that the effect of this
arrangement will be to impart to the inner tube the longitudinal strength of
those surrounding it, for the inner tube being confined or enclosed longi-
tudinally by reason of the shoulder at one end, combined with the screw at
the other, of the tube surrounding it, and that tube by the next surrounding
it in like manner, any extension or strain to which the inner tube may be
subjected must also be participated in by the outer tube or tubes, and they
will thus impart their longitudinal as well as their circumferential strength to
and exert their resistance in combination with the inner tube. And I would
have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exact arrangements
shewn in the Drawing for accomplishing this object, as screws in combination
with suitable shoulders may be applied in a great variety of ways so as to
envelope the inner tube, or a sufficient portion thereof, longitudinally at both
ends, and effect the object intended and herein-before described. And I also
wish it to be understood that I lay no claim to the use of shoulders by
themselves.
In the case of cast-iron guns lined with wrought-iron or steel tubes, rings,
or hoops, I form a screw thread on the whole or part or parts of the wrought-
iron or steel lining tubes, rings, or hoops, and screw them into the outer cast-
iron casing provided with corresponding female screws.

page_text: Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 6 a cross section at A, A, (Fig. 5)
of a gun, in which the lining tube has a screw thread cut on a portion of its
length. a, a, and b, b, are the lining tubes inserted in the cast-iron casing e, e;
the front end of the inner tube a, a, has a screw cut on it at d, and is screwed
into the cast-iron casing e, e, provided with a corresponding female screw;
the tube a, a, is screwed up until its end abuts fairly against the end of the
recess in the cast-iron casing at 1. The tube is otherwise built up in the
manner herein-before described, or in any other suitable way; and is further
secured in its place by the breech screw h, as described in the Specification of
my Patent dated the 5th of June 1862.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 8 a cross section at A, A, (Fig. 7)
of another modification, in which the outer tube c, c, has a screw thread cut
on its whole length, and is screwed into the cast-iron casing e, e, having a cor-
responding female screw cut on its interior. In this arrangement the screw
on the outer tube c, c, secures it sufficiently to the cast-iron casing, and there-
fore the breech screw employed in the other arrangements screwed into the
cast-iron casing is omitted; but, if desired, a breech screw may be used in
combination with it behind the tubes, as before. In order that the herein-
before described methods of construction may be carried out in the most
efficient manner, I so arrange the form and dimensions of the cast-iron casing
at the breech and reinforce that the area of its transverse section will be as
nearly as possible the same throughout the length between the breech screw h
and the shoulder k, (Figs. 3 and 5,) and when a breech screw is used behind
the lining tube I increase the external diameter of the metal around it, as
shewn at i, (Figs. 3 and 5,) sufficiently to ensure the area of the cross section
of the metal around the breech screw being fully equal to the area of that of the
largest part of the reinforce between the breech screw h and shoulder k, so
that the extension due to the longitudinal strain may be distributed over a
sufficient length, and not strain the metal surrounding the breech screw or
any other part injuriously. When the lining tube is built up of several layers
I arrange it so that the inner tube only shall be confined longitudinally
between the breech screw used to secure the tube and the other end of the
recess made in the cast-iron gun, in order that the expansion of the inner
tube from heat may not act with too great force on the screw and the cast-
iron casing confining it. Thus, in Figs. 3 and 5, the inner tube a, a, is alone
confined longitudinally between the breech screw h and the shoulder or end of
the recess 7, while a small space is left between the end of the outer layer of
the lining tube b, b, and the end of the recess at k, k, and it has thus room
to expand freely, so that the expansion from heat of the inner tube alone pro-

page_text: duces a longitudinal strain on the cast-iron gun or casing, and its transverse
area being small in comparison to that of the cast-iron casing, it is not able
to produce a greater strain than the cast iron is well able to bear; whereas
if the outer layers of the lining tube were also confined longitudinally, and the
cast-iron casing had to resist the expansion of the whole thickness of the
In the above
lining tube, it would run great risk of being over strained.
arrangements, which are adapted for muzzle-loading guns, the breech end of
the inner tube is closed by a plug screwed into it, but it may, if preferred,
be made with a solid end; and should the gun be intended for a breech-
loader, such modifications can be made as the particular arrangement of
breech-loading renders necessary.
I apply lining tubes of wrought iron or steel to mortars and secure them
therein, and confine them longitudinally by screws, and I construct the lining
tubes and secure them in the mortars, in the manner herein-before described,
as applied to guns. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 10 a cross
section at A, A, (Fig. 9) of a mortar constructed according to my Invention.
The lining tube is built up of two tubes a, a, and b, b, each provided with a
shoulder at s, and closed at their rear ends by plugs ƒ and g screwed into them
(or the inner tube may, if preferred, be made with a solid end), and is held
in its place in the mortar e, e, by the hollow screw h screwed into its muzzle
end. It may also, if required, have a screw thread cut on its exterior, and be
screwed into the body of the mortar provided with a corresponding female
screw, as herein-before described and shewn at Fig. 7, as applied to guns.
I would wish it to be understood, as regards the part of my Invention last
described, that I lay no claim to the use of steel or wrought-iron tubes
inserted in a cast-iron gun, nor do I claim as my Invention building up guns
of tubes or hoops screwed into one another; but I claim screwing the wrought-
iron or steel lining tubes into cast-iron guns, or into an outer casing of cast-
iron, arranging the dimensions of the cast-iron casing at the breech and
reinforce and increasing the diameter of that part surrounding the breech
screw, so as to equalize the strain, and when the lining tube is built up of
several tubes confining the inner tube only longitudinally by the cast-iron gun
or casing, as herein-before described; and I claim lining cast-iron mortars
with wrought-iron or steel tubes, constructed and secured therein, as herein-
before described. For the purpose of expanding the rings or tubes in the
process of manufacturing orduance, whether the same are screwed or simply
shrunk on to the inner tube in a more simple, cleanly, and certain than
way
by heating them in a furnace, I immerse them in baths of heated water, oil,
or other suitable liquids, or molten metals or alloys, according to the tem-

page_text: perature necessary to produce the amount of expansion required. The liquids
or metals are placed in iron or other suitable vessels, and heated or melted
over a slow fire, and the tubes or rings may be immersed therein by any well-
known means. When sufficiently heated they are withdrawn and placed on
the tube prepared to receive them and allowed to cool. In general I consider
that oil of a common or coarse description will answer the purpose, as it
requires a temperature above 600 degrees Farenheit to boil it, and this
temperature will in general be sufficient to expand the tubes or hoops
sufficiently.
My Invention relates, secondly, to guns which are loaded at the breech.
In order to effect this object I employ a sphere, or so much of a sphere as is
necessary for the purpose, having an aperture through it corresponding to the
bore of the gun. The sphere occupies a chamber formed in the breech of the
gun, and is carried on centres or pivots by the breech screw behind it. The
sphere is made to turn on its centres or pivots by a pinion or similar con-
trivance, and the breech screw is used to draw back and force up the sphere,
as required, in order to open and close the breech.
.
..Fig. 11 is an horizontal section; Fig. 12 a longitudinal section; Fig. 13 a
cross section at A, A, (Figs. 11 and 12); and Fig. 14 an end view of the
breech portion of a gun constructed according to this part of my Invention.
s is the sphere with the aperture a through it corresponding to the bore of the
gun enclosed in a chamber d made in the breech of the gun g, and carried by
centres or pivots c in lugs formed on the breech screw 6 behind it. The
breech screw b is made hollow to correspond to the aperture a in the sphere s,
and projects beyond the breech of the gun, and is provided with Jugs m, m,
one of which carries the spindle o, and with it the pinion p, which taking into
suitable teeth t formed on the top of the spheres, when actuated by the
lever n turns it upon its axis. The breech screw is turned down at e, so as
to form a seat or axis, upon which the ring f carrying the handles h, h, and
blocks i, i, turns, and to which it is secured by the keys k, k, an annular groove
made around the seat or axis'e allowing the necessary play to the keys k, k,
when the ring f is turned by means of the handles h, h. The operation is as
follows, viz. In order to charge the piece the ring f is made to perform a
partial revolution on its seat or axis e by turning the handles h, h, to the left
hand from the position shewn by the dotted lines 9, 9, (Fig. 14), to that
indicated by the full lines, when the blocks i, i, come in contact with and
strike with a momentum the lugs m, m, formed on the breech screw, which
partially disengages it, and the motion being continued the breech screw b,
.carrying the spheres, is unscrewed, until the sphere s is clear of the tube or

page_text: ring r, which will be herein-after described. The sphere is then turned a
quarter turn upon its axis (a stop w arresting its further motion) by giving to
the lever n, which actuates the pinion p a sufficient number of revolutions,
when the aperture a in the sphere will be brought in a line with the bore.
The charge can then be introduced through the hollow breech screw b, and
the aperture in the sphere into the chamber of the bore, and then an equal
number of turns the reverse way of the lever n brings the aperture a through
the sphere at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bore, and a reverse
motion of the ring f screws up the breech screw and forces home the sphere
to the position shewn in Figs. 11 and 12, when the gun is ready to be dis-
charged. In order to guard against accident from a premature discharge of
the piece, when the sphere is in any other than the proper position for
receiving the force of the explosion, a longitudinal dovetailed groove is made on
the top of the gun at the breech, in which is inserted a tail piece x of similar
form, through which the hole v for the vent is drilled; the tail piece x is bent
down at its rear end, and takes into an annular groove y made in the
periphery of the projecting part of the breech screw b, by which when the
breech screw is unscrewed by the motion of the ring f, the tail piece x will
be drawn back, and the hole for the vent made through it will not cor-
respond to the hole made through the gun, and thus the vent will be closed.
The joint at the breech is made gas-tight by means of a tube or ring r of steel
or other suitable material, which is fitted or, if preferred, screwed into the
interior of the gun g, and partly extends into a suitable recess made in the
sphere s or other breech plug, so that the pressure caused by the discharge
will expand it, and cause its exterior surface to be forced against the interior
of the gun g, and the side of the recess in the breech sphere s or other breech
plug, and thus make good the joint. The ring r may in some cases be closed
at the end next the sphere or plugs and form a cup, and may be attached to
the plug or made in one with it, as shewn in Fig. 15, when sufficient
clearance will have to be allowed in the breech chamber for the ring to turn
in conjunction with the sphere; and this arrangement may also be employed
to make the breech of muzzle-loading guns gas-tight, when the same is closed
by a plug or screw, as shewn at r, r, (Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 7). In some cases
the apparatus, herein-before described, for unscrewing and screwing up the
breech screw at each discharge may be omitted, and the sphere is then simply
turned on its axis.by a pinion or endless screw or other similar contrivance to
open and close the breech, in which case it may be either carried by the
breech screw in the manner herein-before described, or mounted on centres or
pivots in the sides of the chamber, and the arrangement for keeping the joint

page_text: gas-tight, described in the Specification of my Patent of March 28th 1861
(No. 773), or any other suitable means provided; and I would have it under-
stood that I do not lay claim to the use of a sphere with an aperture through
it to close the breech end of ordnance, that being part of the said Invention ;
but I claim, as my present Invention, the improvements in its application,
which consist in mounting the sphere on axes or pivots in the breech screw,
and the employment of a pinion, endless screw, or other similar contrivance to
actuate the same, and the arrangement for making the joint gas-tight, herein-
before described.
My Invention relates, thirdly, to a new method of rifling guns, which is also
applicable to small arms, and consists in the peculiar form given to the
grooves, which is thus produced, viz. :-The figure of each groove in cross
section is described by two arcs of circles, which form the two sides of the
groove, and the centres from which the arcs are struck are placed at any
convenient points on a line passing through the centre of the bore at right
angles to a line drawn from that centre to the centre or bottom of the groove;
or one side only of the groove may be thus formed, and the other side may
be of any other suitable form. Fig. 16 is a cross section of the bore of a
gun rifled according to my Invention. is the original circle of the bore;
d, e, f, is one of the grooves, which is composed of two arcs of circles d, e,
struck from the centre c, and e, f, struck from the centre g, and the centres g
and c are situate upon a line 9; a, c, passing through the centre of the bore a
at right angles to a line a, e, drawn from that centre to the centre or the bottom
of the groove e; or the driving side only of the groove may be thus formed,
and the other side may be of any other suitable form. I claim under this
part of my Invention the peculiar form of rifle grooves, whether for ordnance
or small arms, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Perceval Moses Parsons, 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.
Witness,
THS. J. HANDFORD.
P. M. PARSONS. (L.B.)