IMPROVEMENTS IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH BREECH LOADING ORDNANCE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Longsdon, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City
of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH
BREECH LOADING ORDNANCE." A communication from abroad by Alfred
Krupp, of Essen, in the Empire of Germany, Cast Steel Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Longsdon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd January 1879.
ALFRED LONGSDON, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH BREECH LOADING ORDNANCE." (A communi-
cation from abroad by Alfred Krupp, of Essen, in the Empire of Germany, Cast
Steel Manufacturer.)
This Invention' refers to and is in connection with breech loading ordnance, and
is carried into effect by forming at or near the breech end of the piece an enlarged
chamber to receive the powder charge; this chamber is reduced in size at the rear
end towards the breech, and at the forward end it is reduced to that of the bore of
the piece of ordnance. The Invention, as before described, has the advantage that
the powder chamber may be enlarged to a considerable degree without necessitating
a stronger breech piece, or, when using the original breech piece, without weakening
it. The Invention is applicable generally to breech loading ordnance, no matter
what system of breech piece or gas check is employed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred. Longsdon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st July
1879.
ALFRED LONGSDON, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH BREECH LOADING ORDNANCE." (A. communi-
cation from abroad by Alfred Krupp, of Essen, in the Empire of Germany, Cast
Steel Manufacturer.)
This Invention refers to and is in connection with breech loading ordnance, and
is carried into effect by forming at or near the breech end of the piece an enlarged
chamber to receive the powder charge; this chamber is reduced in size at the rear
end towards the breech, and at the forward end it is reduced to that of the bore of
the piece of ordnance. The Invention, as before described, has the advantage that
the powder chamber may be enlarged to a considerable degree without necessitating
a stronger breech piece, or, when using the original breech piece, without weakening it.
The Invention is applicable generally to breech loading ordnance, no matter what
system of breech piece or gas check is employed.
The accompanying Drawing is a view in longitudinal section of so much of a
breech loading piece of ordnance as will be necessary to illustrate the manner in
which this Invention is carried into effect. A is the opening for the closing wedge
or breech piece; B is the fore part of the bore; and C is the enlarged powder
chamber, which may be of the form shown, the breech end E of which is reduced in
size as shown. The other or fore end of the powder chamber is reduced to the
bore B of the gun as shown.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as the aforesaid improvements in or
in connection with breech loading ordnance,-
An enlarged powder chamber Ċ reduced in size at breech end E, substantially as
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Longsdon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and seventy nine.