Improvements in or relating to Projectiles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Projectiles.
I, ANDREW FYFE, of The Shrubbery, Hayes, in the County of Middlesex,
M.D. Fellow of the College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, 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:-
This invention relates to projectiles, for all arms, such as large guns, rifles
and the like; the objects being:-First. To impel the projectiles.in a new and
improved manner. Second. To adapt them to any suitable explosive. Third. To
cause them to move through the air or other fluid, with the least possible
tendency to deviate from the straight path.
The accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings illustrates the method of
carrying out my invention.
Figures 1. and 2. represent a section at A. A. and an end view-with the
washer 7. removed-respectively of one modification; and Figures 3. and 4. a
section at B. B. and an end view respectively of another modification of my
projectile, each illustration showing the projectile to be adapted for gunpowder,
although I do not by any means limit myself to same, for such a purpose, the
chief feature of my invention, being the carrying of the impelling explosive, by
the projectile.
In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or
like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out my invention, according to the modification as illustrated by
Figures 1. and 2.; 5. is the shell, preferably made of steel, while 6. are a series
of longitudinal grooves which are intended to grip the air, thus causing the
projectile to keep in the desired path. 7. is a metal washer for the purpose of
keeping the pressure of the gas or other fluid from passing the aforesaid grooves,
while 8. is the cartridge filled with gunpowder or with other suitable explosive
material, and exploded by a percussion cap or detonator in the usual fashion.
9. is a loose metal disc which moves to the other end of the cylinder when the
explosive is consumed and is used to close the end of the projectile when it is
in motion, thus keeping any side wind from acting upon its interior. 10. is a
separate chamber for containing any suitable high explosive such as dynamite,
preferably exploded by means of a suitable fuse inserted at 11. acting when
the projectile strikes.
According to my second modification as illustrated by Figures 3. and 4.; 5. is
the shell with a solid head, while 12. is a lead coating of such a diameter as
to take the various impressions of the rifles or spiral grooves in the bore of the
gun, thus causing it to rotate as it moves. The projectiles may also be made
to rotate by the usual means, that is to say by using studs or projections on
them, fitting into spiral grooves in the barrel of the gun.
The projectiles are used in the following manner :-Each projectile is inserted
into the gun in the usual fashion, the rear portion carrying the percussion cap
or detonator being placed suitably so as to receive the stroke of the trigger.
When the gunpowder, or other suitable explosive is ignited, the pressure of the
gases acting on the projectile and the gun impels along and out of the barrel
with great force, the projectile, which at the same time carries the explosive
along with it, the amount of explosive material and the quickness with which
it ignites being so proportioned, that the energy is as nearly as possible wholly
imparted to the projectile, when it leaves the muzzle of the gun.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
(1) In projectiles, the construction and arrangement of parts for carrying the
ignited impelling explosive, such as gunpowder, or other like explosive, substan-
tially as described.
(2) In projectiles, the combination and arrangement of parts for keeping them
from deviating from the straight path, by means of longitudinal grooves, with
reference to Figures 1. and 2., as hereinbefore described.
(3) In projectiles, the combination and arrangements of parts for keeping them
from deviating from the straight path, with reference to Figures 3. and 4., as
hereinbefore described.
(4) In projectiles, the combination and arrangement of parts, whereby an
explosive is carried by the projectile and ignited when its motion is arrested,
as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 10th day of August 1801
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
Applicant's Agents.