MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND LOADING OF AMMUNITION FOR FIRE ARMS
Year: 1887

page_text: RICHARD PAULSON of Boon Hills, Langwith, in the County of Nottingham,
Engineer and Inventor do hereby declaro the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND LOADING OF AMMUNITION FOR FIRE ARMS to be
as follows:-
In constructing cartridges according to this Invention, I may make the shell in the
usual way, but instead of using brass or such like metal, I prefer to make them of
Aluminium pure, or in combination with any other suitable metal, such as nickle, thus
producing a lighter or more durable cartridge-Instead of having the base or rim
somewhat larger, as now used it may be made smaller, having a rim or groove for
extracting it; this base may be made to screw, or be otherwise fitted into the end of
the shell and usually contains the cap; it can thus be readily removed for reloading
or recapping I prefer instead of making the shell smooth as heretofore, to make it
with slight spiral or other shaped grooves, which expand at the instant of firing and
thus not only lessen the shock, but also provent the splitting of the cartridge case.
1 may charge the cartridge as heretofore with Gunpowder or other explosivo, or
instead of doing this, I may so use or combine them, so that when first ignited the
charge shall burn comparatively slowly, but afterwards, with gradual but greatly
increased force. I may do this by using the same kind of explosive but of two
qualities, one slow and the other quick burning, or the slow burning portions may be
ordinary gunpowder, or cocoa powder and the quickly exploding portions that known
as E. C. powder, wood powder, or even guncotton may thus be used with safty, in
using the latter, I prefer to stamp, or cut it out, in the shape of wads, so placed as
not to become ignited until the rest of the charge is partly consumed and the shot
moving rapidly up the barrel. To prevent any possibility of accident I may place
between the quick and slow burning portions, a wad, perforated at the edges or in
the middle, so that the first portion must be thoroughly ignited before the Hame can
reach the second portion.
To prevent part of the explosive charge being forced past the projectile, I may
instead of the ordinary cardbord wads, use washers, or wads, of metal, of any required
thickness, or hardness, I may place them as heretofore, or these wads may be placed
in the centre of the thick lubricating wad, they may be made with concave, or convex,
surfaces, or so placed together as to contain the lubricating material between them,
their edges may be milled if required, so as to take the rifling botter, I prefer to use
as lubricant, blacklead or plumbago, or a compound of blacklead and wax.

page_text: The bullet or projectile may be made as usual, or instead of which, I may make it
of two or more parts and different metals, for instance, I may press, mould or stamp
the outer portion into the shape required, leaving it hollow and fill the interior with
lead or leaden compound, this outer portion may be made of steel, zinc, or other metal,
simply as a hollow cone, or it may be first stamped out into the same shape and
manner, as in making ordinary gun-caps and then closed up by pressure into the
shape required, the end or edges, instead of simply and closely meeting, may be made
to lap-over at right angles, the hollow being filled up with lead as herebefore
mentioned. I may also if desired, divide the base of the bullet into sections, so that
on striking any object, they will expand, or become detached from the point, thin
sheet metal may be placed between the divided base of the bullet. The point of these
bullets may be covered with a steel cap, or be made hollow to receive the usual copper
tube, or the perforation may extend completely through the bullet, but be made smaller
or more contracted at the base. For shells of larger dimensions, as used for machine,
revolving cannons, or other guns and such as explode by percussion on striking, I
may in the loading of both and also the propelling charge, follow out the same system
as herebefore described as applied to cartridges for small arms, and in order to ensure
perfect safty in handling, at the same time almost absolute certainty of exploding on
striking, I take advantage of the rotary impulse given to the projectilo at the moment
of discharge by the rifling as follows; Into either end of such shell I screw a hollow
cylinder of metal, in the forward part I place one or more detonaters, or percussion
caps, which communicate with the explosive charge, inside the hollow cylinder
aforresaid, I place a plunger, or striker, having projections on its upper surface which
correspond with the position of the percussion caps, this plunger or striker, I prefer
to make with a pin passing through it, in such a manner as to slide or work tightly
in an inclined groove in the outer hollow cylinder, a second straight slot is cut into
the said hollow cylinder, both these slots communicate at their lower point and a spring
clip, or catch, is placed at their junction, before being fired the projections on the
plunger, are so placed, that, they do not press upon, or come in contact with
the percussion caps and the pin fitting tightly into the inclined grooves, prevents the
plunger being readily moved, but on being fired, the sharp onward twist given to the
projectile, causes the aforesaid plunger, or striker, to be driven back down the inclined
grooves, thus imparting a slight turn to it until brought up by the bottom of the hollow
cylinder, where it remains at rest until the shell is checked by any obstacle in its
flight, such check instantly causes the plunger to be projected sharply forward and
explode the percussion caps, the aforesaid spring clip preventing the pin passing up
the inclined groove, but allowing it to slide easily up the straight groove, at the same
time the projections are brought on a line with the percussion caps; I may also use
a safety pin, bolt or nut, to lock the plunger securely in its place, this pin or nut may
be removed before loading, or be made so thin as to break short off when the shell
is fired.
I may coat over the base of the cartridge and cap with waterproof varnish and also
the joints between the bullet and cartridge. I may also cover the inside of the
cartridge, or shell with thin paper, or other substance, and thus prevent the explosive
coming in contact with the metal, this paper may also be made to cover the openings
leading into the chamber containing the percussion cap. Instead of turning over the
rim to fasten the bullet, I prefer to do so by slight depressions pressed into the
cartridge case. Instead of using a slip of paper to wrap the bullet in, I may force it
into a thin cylinder of paper, or other substance, to take the rifling, turning over the
base as heretofore.
These improved cartridges may be fired by electricity, instead of using the ordinary
percussion cap. The whole of the aforesaid improvements may be imbodied, or
combined, in one cartridge and projectile, or be used separately as desired, for either
breech or muzzle loading weapons.
F

page_text: で
Improvements in the Construction and Loading of Ammunition
for Firearms.
RICHARD PAULSON, of Boon Hills, Langwith, in the County of Nottingham,
Engineer and Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
In constructing cartridges according to this Invention, I may make the shell in
the usual way, but instead of using brass or such like metal, I may make the cases of
Aluminium pure, or in combination with any other suitable alloy or metal and thus
produce a lighter or more durable cartridge case. Instead of having the base or rim
somewhat larger, as now used, it may be made smaller, having a groove for extracting
it, this base usually contains the cap.
I prefer instead of making the shell smooth as heretofore, to make it with slight
spiral, or other shaped grooves, which expand at the instant of firing, and thus not
only lessen the shock, but also prevent the splitting of the cartridge case.
I may charge the cartridge as heretofore with Gunpowder, or other explosive, or
instead of doing this I may so use and combine them, so that when first ignited the
charge shall burn comparatively slowly, but afterwards with gradual but greatly
increased force. I may do this by using the same kind of explosive, but of two
qualities, one slow and the other quick burning, or the slow burning portion may be
ordinary gunpowder or cocoa powder, and the quickly exploding portion that known
as E. C. powder, wood powder, or even guncotton may be used with safety, in using
the latter, I prefer to stamp or cut it out in the shape of wads, so placed as not to
become ignited until the rest of the charge is partly consumed and the shot moving
rapidly up the barrel.
To prevent any possibility of accident, I may place between the quick and slow-
burning portions, a wad, perforated at the edges, or in the middle, so that the first
portion must be thoroughly ignited before the flame can reach the second portion.
To prevent part of the explosive charge being forced past the projectile, I may
instead of using the ordinary cardboard wads, use washers, or wads of metal, of any
required thickness, or hardness, I may place them as heretofore, or these wads may
be placed in the centre of the thick lubricating wad, they may be made with concave,
or convex surfaces, or so placed together as to contain the lubricating material between
them, their edges may be milled if required so as to take the rifling better.
I prefer to use as lubricant, blacklead, or plumbago, or a compound of blacklead
and wax.
The bullet or projectile may be made as usual, or instead of which, I may make it
of two or more parts and different metals, for instance, I may press, mould, or stamp
the outer portion into the shape required, leaving it hollow and fill the interior with
lead or leaden compound, this outer portion may be made of steel, zinc, or other metal,
simply as a hollow cone, or it may be first stamped out into the same shape and in the
same manner, as in making ordinary gun caps and then closed up by pressure into the
shape required, the ends or sides, instead of simply closely meeting, may be made
to lap over at right angles, the hollow being filled up with lead as herebefore
mentioned. I may also if desired, divide the base of the bullet into sections, so that
on striking any object, they will expand, or become detached from the point; thin
metal may be placed between the devided parts of the bullet. The point of these
bullets may be covered with a steel cap, or be made hollow to receive the usual copper

page_text: tube, or the perforation may extend completely through the bullet, but be made smaller
or more contracted at the base. For shells of larger dimensions and as used for
machine guns revolving cannons, or other guns and such as explode by percussion on
striking, I may in the loading of both such and also the propelling charge, follow
out the same system as herebefore described as applied to cartridges for small-arms
and in order to insure perfect safty in handling, at the same time almost absolute
certainty of exploding on striking, I take advantage of the rotary impulse given to the
projectile at the moment of discharge by the rifling as follows;-Into either end of the
shell I screw a hollow cylinder of metal, in the forward part of which I place one or
more detonaters, or percussion caps, which communicate with the explosive charge
inside the hollow cylinder aforesaid I place a plunger, or striker, having projections
on its upper surface, which correspond with the positions of the percussion caps, this
plunger or striker, I prefer to make with a pin passing through it in such a manner
as to slide or work tightly in the inclined grooves in the outer hollow cylinder, a
second streight slot is cut into the said hollow cylinder, both these slots communicate
at their lower point and a spring clip, or catch is placed at their junction; before
being fired the projections on the plunger, are so placed, that they do not press upon,
or come in contact with the percussion caps and the pin fitting tightly into the
inclined grooves prevents the plunger being readily moved; but on being fired, the
sharp onward twist given to the projectile causes the aforesaid plunger, or striker,
to be driven back down the inclined grooves, thus imparting a slight turn to it until
brought up by the bottom of the hollow cylinder, where it remains at rest until the shell
is checked by any obstacle in its flight, such check instantly causes the plunger to
be projected sharply forward and explode the percussion caps, the aforesaid spring
clip preventing the pin passing up the inclined groove but allowing it to slide casily
up the streight groove, at the same time the projections are brought on a line with the
percussion caps; I may also make a safty pin, bolt or nut, to lock the plunger securely
in its place, this pin or nut may be removed before loading or be made so thin as to
break short off when the shell is fired.
I may coat over the base of the cartridge and cap with waterproof varnish and also
the joints between the bullet and cartridge, I may also cover the inside of the cartridge,
or shell with thin paper, or other substance and thus prevent the explosive coming
in contact with the metal; This paper may also be made to cover the openings leading
into the chamber containing the percussion cap-Instead of turning over the rim to
.fasten the bullet, I prefer to do so by means of slight depressions pressed into the
cartridge case Instead of using a slip of paper to wrap the bullet in, I may force
it into a cylinder of paper or other substance to take the rifling turning over the
base as heretofore. Theso improved cartridges may be fired by electricity, instead
of using the ordinary percussion cap-The whole of the aforesaid improvements
may be imbodied, or combined in one cartridge and projectile or be used separately
as desired for either breech or muzzle loading weapons.
In order that the said invention may be more fully understood, I now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the two sheets of drawings annexed.
Figs. 1, and 2, shew in vertical section the application of my invention to a military
and sporting cartridge. In Fig. 1. the base is made somwhat smaller at A. but I
may use the ordinary solid case instead if desired, B. shews the corrugations which
expand as the cartridge is fired. C. is a thin wad of metal or any suitable substance,
placed so as to divide the guncotton wad D. from the charge, placed behind it in the
corrugated portion, this wad C. serves to prevent the second and more powerful
explosive being ignited too quickly, but instead of using it, I may if desired coat the
second charge D. over with any non-combustible compound to answer the purpose
mentioned, I may instead of using a guncotton wad, use instead, any suitable explosive in
combination with the first portion of the explosive charge, such as chlorate-of-potash,
which under heat generates oxygen gas and produces more perfect combustion. E is
another wad placed as shewn and above which I may place the concave metal
wads F. the lubricating material may be placed between these metal wads, or above
them, I prefer to make these wads with concave or-convex surfaces, so that when

page_text: placed together as shewn, or back to back, the force of the explosion will cause them
to expand and thus enter the grooving or rifling of the barrel, the edges of these wads
may be milled or split as shewn in Fig. 3, F being the front view and F" sectional
views.
In Fig. 2, I may use the same system of loading as previously described as applied
to Fig. 1. but instead of using the wads F. I may use washers as shewn in Fig. 4.
and prefer to place them as shown in Fig. 2. F³, or I may use two or more of such
washers, placed one above the other, on each side, or in the middle of the lubricating
wad G. these washers may be made concave or convex as previously shewn in Fig. 3.
To prevent the contact between the explosive charge and the metal case I may line
the same with paper. I may also place paper, or other substances, inside the cap, or
over the perforation leading from the cap into the interior of the cartridge, I thus
prevent any risk, or danger, by keeping the explosive, especially E. C. Wood or
Cocoa powder, from actual contact with the fulminate contained in the cap H. or I
may do this by first placing a small qauntity of ordinary black powder, or other
slow explosive in the cartridge case, so as to fill or cover the cap chamber, then load
as heretofore described.
In making the bullet, or projectile, I may either make it hard by means of any
suitable alloy as Zink, combined with lead, or I may make it of two or more metals,
the outer in the form of a hard coat, and the interior lead or a leaden compound.
In making this outer coat, I prefer to first stamp it out in the shape shewn in
Figs. and 5', it is then by means of suitable tools, as in making ordinary guncaps,
closed up by pressure into the required shape and the interior filled up with lead, or
a leaden compound; In filling it up with the former, I find that if the hard portion
or cover be placed in a die and a sharp blow struck, or considerable pressure brought
to bear on the lead, it will cause the two metals to unite and combine, producing
perfect, but hard coated bullet, I may also make a perforation extending a considerable
way down, or entirely through the said projectile, I' and I Figs. 1 and 2.-The base
of this bullet or projectile mabe be split, or divided, as shewn in Fig. 53, thus dividing
the bullet into four sections, with the exception of the point as shewn by the dotted
line K. Fig. 1. On being fired the bullet would thus be caused to expand; on
striking any object the wound inflicted would thus be very effective or should it miss
the object, on striking the ground the base expanding, or part of it becoming detached,
would retard the bullets flight and so render it less dangerous.
a
For sporting purposes I prefer to close this outer case of the projectile from the
point, instead of the base, as shewn in Fig. 2. L. and instead of filling it with lead,
fill it with shot, or any suitable leaden compound, thus when fired, the air entering
the hollow point L' would cause the outer case to open and expand and drop behind
the charge, which would be projected forward with considerable force; But should it
be required to use this kind of projectile as a bullet, I may place a thin cap, or
thimble, over the point and opening, L' and thus prevent it expanding. Or instead
of stamping.it out first into the shape Fig. 5¹ I may make it like Fig. 5 and close
the base with a metal or other wad, after filling it with shot; then on being dis-
charged, the air entering the opening in the point would force out the wad and shot
out at the rear- -Instead of using a slip of paper to wrap the base of the bullet, I
prefer to use a cylinder of paper, or metal, into which the bullet is forced, or if
metal, coiled round it if desired and the ends turned over as heretofore, this plan is
found not only to cause it to take the rifling better, but if metal is used, to prevent
fouling in a great measure, especially if used in combination with my improved metal
washers or wads.
I may fasten the projectile into the cartridge case by means of slight depressions
made at the time of loading, instead of turning over the ends. I may also make the
cartridge waterproof by coating it, the cap and all the joints with varnish or other
composition.
I entend to apply any or all of the aforesaid improvements to any size, or class, of
weapon, either muzzle, or breech loading-Where explosive shells are used especially
if required to explode by percussion on impact & to insure perfect safty in handling

page_text: at the same time almost absolute certainty of exploding on striking, I take advantage
of the rotary impulse given to the projectile at the moment of discharge as follows.
Into such shell as shewn in Fig. 6, I screw a hollow cylinder of metal, in the
forward part of which I place, one or more detonaters, or percussion caps, which
communicate with the explosive charge at M. inside of the cylinder N. I place a.
striker O. having projections on its upper surface to correspond with the position of
the percussion caps, this striker has a pin Q passing through it, which slides tightly
in the inclined groove P. in the cylinder N. but loosely in the straight slot P¹ where
these slots meet I place a spring clip R. which prevents the pin returning when
forced down the inclined slot P. a safty screw S. may, be used to aid in retaining the
striker O. in the required position and so that the projections do not press upon the
percussions caps, this safty screw may be removed as far as the dotted line S2 and then
broken off or otherwise removed just before loading, which being done and the
arm, fired, the sharp onward twist given to the projectile causes the said plunger O.
to be driven sharply back down the inclined groove P. until past the spring catch R.
where it remains at rest until the shell is checked in its flight by any obstacle, such
check instantly causes the plunger O. to be projected sharply forward against the
percussion caps the strikers T. being brought in a line and opposite them by the slight
twist, or turn, given to it as it passes down the inclined groove P. An outer cover or
case U is placed over the cylinder N. to prevent any of the explosive from the shell
entering and blocking the action of the plunger. 1 sometimes coat the bullet, or
projectile, even for small arms with copper, or nickel, by means of an electric current
or battery.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is,
1st. A corrugated cartridge case of Aluminium or alloy, having the base made
smaller substantially as described.
2nd. Divideing the explosive charge into two portions and of different explosive
power by means of a metal or other wad substantially as described.
3rd. The manner of loading and combining the explosive charge, so that a much
more powerful explosive can be safely used substantially as described.
4th. A hard coated bullet having a hollow or perforated point, with or without the
base divided into sections substantially as described.
5th. The means adopted and manner of coating a bullet with sheet metal, stamped
or pressed into the required shape substantially as described.
6th. A nickel plated bullet, with a hollow point, or copper plated substantially as
described.
7th. A projectile for concentrating the charge in shot guns or rifles for sporting
purposes substantially as described.
8th. The method of constructing as shot concentrator with or without the cap for
converting it so that it can be used as a bullet substantially as described.
9th. Wrapping the bullet or projectile with a metal coating, or paper cylinder, to
take the rifling and prevent fouling substantially as described.
10th. Expanding concave or convex wads or washers for either breech or muzzle
loading weapons substantially as described.
11th. The construction of an explosive safty shell in which the rotary motion
imparted by the rifling causes a striker or plunger to be brought into position ready
for exploding the shell on impact substantially as described.
12th. Rendering a cartridge waterproof by coating it with varnish substantially as
described.
Dated this Fourth day of October A.D. 1887.