IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC CARTRIDGE SHELLS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC CARTRIDGE SHELLS." A communication from
abroad by Charles D. Leet and Henry A. Chapin, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
United States of America.
Sealed the 6th October 1877, and dated the 18th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC CARTRIDGE SHELLS."
A communication from abroad by Charles D. Leet and Henry A. Chaplin, of
Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America.
In the manufacture of metallic cartridge shells copper was formerly used almost
exclusively on account of its freedom from liability to corrode, but the inelasticity
of that metal frequently causes the shell when fired to permanently expand, stick
in the gun, and femporarily disable it. To obviate this difficulty brass cartridge
shells have been generally used of late years, but this composition is so liable to
become impaired and destroyed by the action of the chemicals with which it is
loaded that vast quantities of cartridges so constructed have been annually con-
demned by the governments for which they were made.
The object of this Invention is to remedy all these evils by the production of a
shell which shall combine the strength and elasticity of brass with the non-corrosive
properties of copper, so that the cartridges will keep for any length of time in any
climate without deterioration, and when fired will cause no trouble or inconvenience
from the sticking of the shells in the gun. To this end the Invention consists in a
metallic cartridge shell composed of an exterior body of brass and a rolled interior
lining of copper, substantially as I will now proceed to set forth.
In carrying out this Invention in practice the outer shell may be rolled and
drawn, and the inner shell or lining also rolled and drawn, and the two combined
in any suitable manner to form a cartridge shell having the qualities above
D
031

page_text: described; but it is recommended that the copper and brass be first united in the
ingots or thick sheets by soldering, sweating, fusion, or other suitable means, and
then rolled down so as to form a uniform sheet of double metal, having a strong
body of brass on one side and a light plating of rolled copper on the other side;
and that the blanks be then cut out, cupped, and drawn, so as to leave the rolled
copper face ou the inside of the shell.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
October 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown,
Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue
Laffitte, Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC CARTRIDGE
SHELLS. A communication from abroad by Charles D. Leet and Henry A. Chapin,
of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America.
In the manufacture of metallic cartridge shells copper was formerly used almost
exclusively on account of its freedom from liability to corrole, but the inelasticity
of that metal frequently causes the shell when fired to permanently expand, stick
in the gun, and temporarily disable it. To obviate this difficulty brass cartridge
shells have been generally used of late years, but this composition is so liable to
become impaired and destroyed by the action of the chemicals with which it is
loaded that vast quantities of cartridges so constructed have been annually con-
demned by the governments for which they were made.
The object of this Invention is to remedy all these evils by the production of a
shell which shall combine the strength and elasticity of brass with the non-corrosive
properties of copper, so that the cartridges will keep for any length of time in any
climate without deterioration, and when fired will cause no trouble or inconvenience
from the sticking of the shells in the gun. To this end the Invention consists in a
metallic cartridge shell composed of an exterior body of brass and a rolled interior
lining of copper, substantially as we will now proceed to set forth.
In carrying out this Invention in practice the outer shell may be rolled and
drawn, and the inner shell or lining also rolled and drawn, and the two combined
in any suitable manner to form a cartridge shell having the qualities above
described; but we recommend that the copper and brass be first united in the
ingots or thick sheets by soldering, sweating, fusion, or other suitable means, and
then rolled down, so as to form an uniform sheet of double metal having a strong
body of brass on one side and a light plating of rolled copper on the other side;
und that the blanks be then cut out, cupped, and drawn, so as to leave the rolled
copper face on the inside of the shell.
In the Drawing accompanying and forming part of this Specification the sectional
lined portion A represents the brass body of the shell, and the heavy inner line B
the lining of copper.
1
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is, a metallic cartridge shell having an exterior body of brass and a
rolled or drawn interior lining of copper, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.