IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES FOR FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE, AND IN PREPARATIONS FOR WATERPROOFING THE SAME AND OTHER EXPLOSIVE CHARGES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES FOR FIRE-ARMS AND
ORDNANCE, AND IN PREPARATIONS FOR WATERPROOFING THE SAME AND OTHER
EXPLOSIVE CHARGES."-A communication from abroad by Louis
Thuillard de Froidavilla of Paris France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 14th April 1874.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES FOR FIRE-
ARMS AND ORDNANCE, AND IN PREPARATIONS FOR WATERPROOFING THE SAME AND
OTHER EXPLOSIVE CHARGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of
cartridges for fire-arms and ordnance, and to improved preparations for

page_text: waterproofing the same and other explosive charges used in mining,
on railroads, in civil and military engineering, and in submarine
operations, including sea and land torpedoes, and pyrotechny.
The improvements more particularly apply to military cartridges to
be used instead of metallic cartridges with breech-loading fire-arms.
Cartridges used for this purpose should fulfil certain conditions, viz.,
they should possess sufficient rigidity, be absolutely waterproof, self-
consuming, and leave no residue after firing capable of fouling the
piece.
I am aware that with the object of complying with the above
conditions, cartridges have already been made of gunpowder dipped in
the ordinary collodion of commerce and then moulded in the form of a
cylinder. The ordinary metallic cap, which is liable to oxidation and
to blunt the point of the needle or striker of the fire-arm, besides being
difficult to preserve from the effects of moisture, has also been replaced
by a cap of skin or animal membrane, dipped in collodion to render it
waterproof. Moreover, the ball, powder, and cap have together been
enclosed in gut skin, afterwards dipped in collodion with a similar object.
Cartridges made as above described do not, however, give satisfactory
results, inasmuch as the powder does not attain sufficient solidity to
retain the cartridge in shape while being carried or handled, and the
cartridges are not sufficiently waterproof to admit of their remaining
any length of time in water; moreover, they are not totally consumed
and leave a deposit, which necessitates the frequent cleaning of the fire-
arm, and prevents rapid firing.
The above objections are due to the fact that the collodion, such as
it is found in commerce, does not possess sufficient siccity and imper-
meability. To obviate this is the object of the first and principal
improvement of the present Invention, which consists in the employ-
ment of special preparations of collodion in the manufacture of non-
metallic cartridges.
This collodion is prepared according to three different formulæ, as
hereafter described, in which the proportions of the ingredients are
varied to suit the different degrees of dryness and impermeability
desired.

page_text: In manufacturing cartridges I proceed as follows:-I first put a
charge of powder into a wood or metal case or mould of the same
diameter as the cartridge, so formed at its base as to leave the necessary
space for the cap. I then quickly dip this powder into the collodion
preparation No. 3, which owing to the almost entire absence of castor
oil and to the large proportion of sulphuric acid will instantly cause
a considerable contraction of the powder and also ensure its drying
immediately. By the aid of a mandrel introduced in the mould the
powder is compressed and acquires the hardness of stone. By the use.
of the special composition No. 3 great rapidity is attainable in the
manufacture, it being simply necessary to dip the powder for a moment
in the composition to obtain the effect desired, while the drying is also
quickly effected. The external case of the cartridge is composed, as
heretofore, of gut skin or other animal membrane, in which is placed
the ball, a grease wad, a pasteboard disc separating the wad from the

page_text: powder, which is in the form of a solid cylinder, next the priming or
cap, made of skin or metal, and then the flanged base, by which the
cap is held in contact with the powder, lastly another grease wad
serving to lubricate the striker at each discharge to protect the priming
when carrying or handling the cartridge and, also to lubricate the fire-
arm. All these parts, except the ball and wad, are to be dipped into
the collodion preparation No. 1 (which I term the waterproof prepara-
tion), before being made up into a cartridge, and the latter after being
enclosed in its first case is closed at both ends. The gelatinous matter
serves to securely close the ends and so shrinks in drying as to con-
solidate the cartridge and bind the several parts together. The
cartridge having been dipped in this waterproofing bath, is covered
with another skin, which is similarly treated, thereby imparting all the
necessary solidity. The cartridge is next dipped into the collodion
preparation No. 2, which also possesses waterproofing properties, and
then allowed to dry for some hours, and in order to compensate for any
variations in the diameter, of the cartridge, which may be caused by the
contraction of the skin coverings, and so prevent the slightest shaking
about of the same when in the gun, I pass a string or gut of a com-
bustible nature twice round it about an inch from the base, and then
finally dip the cartridge into the collodion bath No. 3.
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The priming or cap which I use is made of gut skin, parchment, or
other animal membrane, suitably formed with the aid of dies, two or
more thicknesses of the membrane being employed with the fulminate
contained between all, as before in usc. The improvement, however,
consists in dipping a cap so made into the collodion preparation No. 1;
which being very volatile causes the cap to contract and become as firm
as if made of metal. On this cap, which is lodged in a cavity in the
base of the cylinder of powder the flanged base is placed. This base is
also made of intestinal skin in a single piece pressed into form, it being
of such external diameter as to fit exactly the bore of the firc-arm. This
base is also rendered waterproof by the collodion preparation No. 1.
Cartridges prepared in this manner are sufficiently impervious to bear
placing in water for a week or ten days, and capable of being then fired
without danger of miss-fires, besides which they leave no residue in the
barrel, so that as many as 150 shots may be fired without cleaning the
fire-arm.

page_text: These collodionized cases may also be used for all kinds of fireworks
and torpedoes.
The three collodion preparations may also be tinted of a red or other
color, the red color in particular being obtained by a maceration of
the tinctorial and astringent plants henna and orchanet in a suitable
apparatus in equal and sufficient quantitics.
The powder may also be moulded of conical instead of cylindrical
form, the advantage of which is that by gradually increasing the
diameter, from the bullet to the base of the cartridge, it will fit the
bore of the gun more accurately and enable the encircling string or
cord to be dispensed with, as well as the pasteboard wad between the
bullet and the powder.
The cartridge will then consist, 1st., of bullet; 2nd., disc or wad of
grease; 3rd., the powder moulded of conical form and enclosed in a
thin skin; 4th., cap; 5th., a second grease wad attached to the base by
a thin skin to protect the priming from blows, when the cartridge is
carried or handled, and also serving to lubricate the barrel of the fire-
arm; and 6th., of the external case made of a single piece of gut skin.
I may observe that cartridges of this kind will weigh one-third less
than metallic cartridges.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 14th October 1874.
t
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
O seventli year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, admi-

page_text: nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Mel-
ville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 CARTRIDGES FOR FIRE-ARMS AND
ORDNANCE, AND IN PREPARATIONS FOR WATERPROOFING THE SAME AND OTHER
EXPLOSIVE CHARGES," a communication to me from abroad by Louis
Thuillard de Froideville, of Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or
administrators, 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 Alexander Melville Clark, 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 accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say) :—
This Invention relates to the manufacture of cartridges for fire-arms
and ordnance, and to improved preparations for waterproofing the same
and other explosive charges used in mining, on railroads, in civil and
military engineering, and in submarine operations, including sea and
land torpedoes, and pyrotechny.
The improvements more particularly apply to military cartridges to
be used instead of the metallic cartridges now employed with breech-
loading fire-arms. Such cartridges should possess sufficient rigidity, be
absolutely waterproof, self-consuming, and leave no residue after firing
capable of fouling the piece.
I am aware that with the object of complying with the above
conditions, cartridges have already been made of gunpowder dipped in
the ordinary collodion of commerce and then moulded in the form of
a cylinder. The ordinary metallic cap which is liable to oxidation and

page_text: to blunt the point of the needle or striker of the fire-arm, besides being
difficult to preserve from the effects of moisture, has also been replaced
by a cap of skin or animal membrane dipped in collodion to render it
waterproof. Moreover, the bullet, the powder, and the cap havo
together been enclosed in gut skin afterwards dipped in collodion with
a similar object.
Cartridges made as above described do not however give satisfactory
results, inasmuch as the powder does not acquire a sufficient degree of
hardness to retain the cartridge in shape while being carried or handled,
and the cartridges are not sufficiently waterproof to admit of their
remaining any length of time in water; moreover, they are not totally
consumed and leave a deposit, which necessitates the frequent cleaning
of the fire-arm and prevents rapid firing.
The above objections are due to the fact that the collodion, such as
it is found in commerce, does not possess sufficient siccity and imper-
meability. To obviate this is the object of the first and principal
improvement of the present Invention, which consists in the employ-
ment of special preparations of collodion in the manufacture of the
non-metallic cartridges above mentioned.
This collodion is prepared according to three different formulas, as
hereafter described, in which the proportion of the ingredients are
varied to suit the different degrees of dryness and impermeability
desired.

page_text: In manufacturing cartridges I proceed as follows:-I first put a
charge of powder into a wood. or metal tube or mould of the samo
diameter as the cartridge, so formed at its base as to leave the necessary
space for the cap. I then quickly dip this powder into the collodion
preparation No. 3, which, owing to the almost entire absence of castor
oil and to the large proportion of sulphuric ether, will instantly cause
a considerable.contraction of the powder and ensure its drying imme.
diately. By the aid of a mandrel introduced in the mould, the powder
is compressed and acquires the hardness of stone. By the use of this
special composition No. 3 great rapidity of manufacture is attainable,
it being simply necessary to dip the powder for a moment in the com-
position to attain the effect desired, while the drying also is quickly
effected. The external case of the cartridge is composed, as heretofore,
of gut skin or other animal membrane, in which is placed the ball, a
greased wad, a pasteboard disc soparating the wad from the powder, which
is in the form of a solid cylinder, next the priming or cap made of skin or
metal, and then the flanged base by which the cap is held in contact with
the powder; lastly, another grease wad serving to lubricate the striker at
each discharge, to protect the priming when carrying or handling the
cartridge, and to lubricate the fire-arm. All these parts, except the
ball and wad, are to be dipped into the collodion preparation No. 1
(which I term the waterproof preparation), before being made up into
a cartridge, and the latter, after being enclosed in its first case, is closed
at both ends. The gelatinous matter serves to securely close the ends,
and so shrinks in drying as to consolidate the cartridge and bind the
several parts together. The cartridges having been then dipped in this
waterproofing bath it is covered with another skin, which is similarly
treated. The cartridge is next dipped into the collodion preparation
No. 2, which also possesses waterproofing properties, and then allowed
to dry for some hours, and in order to compensate for any variations in
the diameter of the cartridge which may be caused by the contraction

page_text: of the skin coverings, and so prevent the slightest looseness of the same
when in the gun, I pass a string or gut of combustible nature twice
round it, about half an inch from the base, and then finally dip the
cartridge into the collodion bath No. 3.
The priming or cap which I use is made of gut skin, parchment, or
other animal membrane, suitably formed with the aid of dies, two-or
more thicknesses of the membrane being employed with the fulminate
contained between, all as before in use. The improvement herein
consists, however, in dipping a cap so made into the collodion pre-
paration No. 1, which being volatile causes the cap to contract and
become as firm as if made of metal. On this cap, which is lodged in
a cavity in the base of the cylinder of powder, the flanged base is
placed. This base is also made of intestinal skin in a single piece
pressed into form, it being of such external diameter as to fit exactly the
bore of the firc-arm. This baso is also rendered waterproof by the
collodion preparation No. 1.
Cartridges prepared in this manner are sufficiently impervious to bear
placing in water for a week or ten days, and capable of being then
fired without danger of miss-fires, besides which they leave no residues
in the barrel, so that as many as 150 shots may be fired without
cleaning the fire-arm.
These collodionized cases may also be used for all kinds of fireworks
and torpedoes.
The three collodion preparations may also be tinted of a red or other
color, the red color in particular being obtained by macerating the
tinctorial and astringent plants henna and orchanet in a suitable
apparatus in equal and sufficient quantities.
The powder may also be moulded of conical instead of cylindrical
form, the advantage of which is that by gradually increasing the
diameter, from the bullet to the base of the cartridge, it will fit the
bore of the gun more accurately and enable the encircling string or
cord to be dispensed with, as well as the pasteboard wad between the
bullet and the powder.
The cartridge will then consist, 1st., of the bullet; 2nd., of the disc
or wad of grease; 3rd., of the powder moulded of conical form and
enclosed in a thin skin; 4th., the cap; 5th., of a second grease. wad

page_text: .
attached to the base by a thin skin to protect the priming from blows
when the cartridge is carried or handled, and also serving to lubricato
the barrel of the fire-arm; and 6th., of the external case made of a
single piece of gut skin. I may observe that cartridges of this kind
will weigh one-third less than metallic cartridges.
Although I have described the improvements as applied to the
manufacture of military cartridges, it will be understood that I reserve
the right of manufacturing or preparing in a similar manner artillery
cartridges, and all kinds of explosive charges used for military, sporting,
and other purposes, and pyrotechny.
I have before mentioned that the improved cartridges of this Inven-
tion are more especially applicable for military purposes, as a substitute
for metallic cartridges now used for breech-loaders, the cases of which
require to be extracted by mechanical means after firing. It may, how-
ever, be found that the gut skin case or envelope is liable, after the
barrel of the fire-arm has become heated by repeated firing, to shrivel
or contract or split open, and thus expose the powder to direct contact
with the highly heated metal before the breech can be properly closed,
which would be very dangerous. Should such be the case I would
propose while still retaining the three preparations of collodion above
described, to substitute for the gut skin envelope, a metallic case com-
posed preferably of thin copper or tin, which being made of truncated
conical form, is discharged together with the ball, and therefore needs
no extractor. This thin metal case may be made in various ways and
possesses sufficient stiffness to allow of powder in grain being employed
instead of compressed powder, as when a gut skin case is used, although
the latter form of powder may be used.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing shows one of these improved
cartridges provided with a metallic case; Figure 2 is a longitudinal
section of the same, and Figure 3 a rear end view; while Figure 4 shows
views of the case separately. The same reference letters apply to all
these Figures.
a, metallic case of the form shown, in which is first inserted the
ball 6 with the conical end projecting as shown. Upon the ball is then
placed a thin metal or other disc c, the powder in grains d, and wad e
containing the cap or priming f made either of metal or skin, and,
lastly, another wad to cover the cap, after which the end of the

page_text: cartridge is turned down, as shown in Figure 3. The cartridge after
having been thus made is then dipped into the tinted collodion solution
No. 3, as before described. When the cartridges are to be stored for a
length of time the cap should be previously dipped into the collodion
solution No. 2.
Having described the nature of the Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention
to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,
the employment of the three collodion preparations herein-before
specified, as and for the purpose set forth, in the manufacture of
cartridges and other explosive charges of cylindrical or conical form,
of compressed or other powder enclosed either in a case of gut skin or
other similar animal membrane, or in a thin metallic conical case,
whether such collodion preparations be colored or not.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Fourteenth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
Witness,
HARRY SWALES,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)