IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES AND PROJECTILES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Krutzsch, of Chamber Street, Goodman's
Fields, E., Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES
AND PROJECTILES."
Sealed the 28th August 1860, and dated the 1st March 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. left by the said William Krutzsch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st March 1860.
I, WILLIAM KRUTZSCH, of Chamber Street, Goodman's Fields, E., Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS.IN
CARTRIDGES AND PROJECTILES," to be as follows:-
These improvements relate to a novel description of cartridge or case for
holding the charge, whether for small arms or ordnance; also to the mode of
combining therewith a projectile; and to a novel mode of combining metal
small shot for use in small arms.
I employ instead of paper or metallic tubes or cases for holding a charge of
powder, wooden cylinders bored up to the requisite extent internally and turned
at one end to suit the bullet or shot, and at the other end to suit the character
of the chamber or breech of the gun from which the charge is intended to be
fired, and whether such arm or piece be loaded at the muzzle or at the
breech.

page_text: For sporting purposes with small arms, I make a novel description of bullet
by combining a number of small metal shots with a mixture of soap, and com-
press them by means of moulds into the requisite shape for the purpose of
forming a solid mass whilst they remain in the bore of the piece, or until after
they are projected therefrom, when the soap mixture admits of the dis-
integration of the mass without injury to the form of the individual shots, so
that whilst a greater flight is obtained, due to the form and compactness,
the advantage of the full charge of shot is also obtained.
Bullets so formed are attached to the cartridges constructed according to
this Invention, and the ordinary elongated or other form of bullet may be attached
to either end of the cartridge or be discharged from either end thereof.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Krutzsch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st September 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
KRUTZSCH, of Chamber Street, Goodman's Fields, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Krutzsch, Her special licence that I, the said William
Krutzsch, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Krutzsch, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
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
CARTRIDGES AND PROJECTILES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
'said William Krutzsch, 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 perforined, and cause the same to bo 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 William Krutzsch; do hereby declaro tho
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per:

page_text: formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and accompanying Drawing: :-
These improvements relate to a novel description of cartridge or case for
holding the charge, whether for small arms or ordnance; also to the mode of
combining therewith a projectile; and to a novel mode of combining metal
small shot for use in small arms.
I employ instead of paper or metallic tubes or cases for holding a charge of
powder, wooden cylinders bored up to the requisite extent internally, and
turned at one end to suit the bullet or shot, and at the other end to suit the
character of the chamber or breech of the gun from which the charge is
intended to be fired, and whether such arm or piece be loaded at the muzzle
or at the breech.
For sporting purposes with small arms, I make a novel description of bullet
by combining a number of small metal shots with a mixture of soap, and com
press them by means of moulds into the shape for the purpose of forming a
solid mass whilst they remain in the bore of the piece, or until after they are
projected therefrom, when the soap mixture admits of the disintegration of the
mass without injury to the form of the individual shots, so that whilst a greater
flight is obtained, due to the form and compactness, the advanage of the full
charge of shot is also obtained.
Bullets so formed are attached to the cartridges constructed according to
this Invention, and the ordinary elongated or other form of bullet may
be attached to either end of the cartridge or be discharged from either end
.thereof.
Instead of taking (as is usual in the manufacture of ball cartridge) a stiff
piece of paper which is to form the powder case, and rolling the same tightly
round a "mandril," then rolling on an "envelope" of paper tightly on to the
stiff paper and mandril," and by means of a "former" adapting the paper to
the hollow at the base of the "mandril," which cavity is to receive the point of
the bullet, and when the bullet is in its proper position, rolling an "outer
envelope of paper tightly round, enclosing the bullet and powder case, and
after having withdrawn the "mandril," filling the said powder case with a
quantity of powder according to the size and description of the arm and
projectile used, and securing the chargo in the usual manner, I materially
shorten the time thus involved by such a series of manipulative processes, and
am enabled to obtain other advantages peculiar to cartridges formed according
to this Invention as herein described and set forth:
In constructing cartridges according to my Invention, when such cartridges
are intended to be discharged from muzzle-loading pieces, I prefer to proceed as

page_text: follows: I take a small cylinder of wood, and bore the same internally to an
extent sufficient to receive the necessary charge of powder, leaving the external
cylindrical shell as thin as is possibly consistent with the purposes for which
the cartridge is intended, the one end of such cylinder being turned so as to
form a shoulder piece suited to the cavity left at the base of the bullet; (and
which cavity is usually fitted with a conical wood plug), and after the powder
case has been filled with the charge I secure the same in the containing case
or cartridge by means of a cap of paper pasted or glued round the end of the
cylindrical case, or any other suitable material may be used for this purpose
which is sufficient to confine the powder in the cartridge formed according to
my Invention, and will also allow of such confining cap being readily burst by
the explosion of the percussion cap placed on the nipple so as to ensure the
ignition of the powder. The shoulder piece, already referred to, at the other
extremity of the cartridge is of a suitably tapered form to produce the necessary
expansion of the bullet in its passage through the barrel of the piece, the
cavity in the base of the ball being so formed as to allow of the tapered
shoulder piece fitting accurately into the same, whilst sufficient distance is left
between it and the bullet to enable it to be driven further into the bullet, by
which it will be expanded. I prefer, after having turned out the enclosing
case or cartridge to the required form, to insert a small cup-piece of paper,
leather, or thin metal in the base of the same previous to filling in the powder,
by which means the explosive force is uniformly distributed.
In adapting my Invention to muzzle-loading sporting pieces. I somewhat
modify the form of the case or cartridge for containing the powder; first,
instead of forming the conical projection and shoulder at the end which
receives the bullet, I shape the end of such cartridges, when they are intended
for sporting purposes, into a sort of cup-form; secondly, I employ a conglo-
merated bullet to be used in connection with such cartridges, or they may be
used with other descriptions of cartridges, or alone, composed of a number of
small shots intermixed with a composition of soap, to which is added a portion
of glue (or some other equivalent mixture, which will not thoroughly set or
harden); such composition, together with the shots, is then compressed by
means of moulds to any required form of bullet, the object being to obtain a
solid mass, which will admit of ready disintegration when discharged from the
piece. The bullet thus made is placed in the cavity made to receive it at the
end of the cartridge; but I do not confine myself to this method of forming
the ends of such cartridges, or to the proportions, nor to the exact manner
above described, as modifications thereof may be made.
For breech-loading pieces the form of the cartridge proper or powder-con-

page_text: taining case remains the same as that already described for muzzle-loading
pieces; but in order to provide for the ignition of the powder contained in the
cartridge, when such cartridges so formed are intended to be discharged from
that variety of piece known as the "needle-gun," I place the fulminating
mixture in the base of the paper or other cup (which I have before described as
being applied to the interior of the cartridge at the solid end thereof), in such
manner, that when the piece is discharged the needle is caused to pierce the
detonating or fulminating cap, causing the ignition of the powder and conse.
quent discharge of the projectile.
For the purposes of ordnance I prefer to make the cartridges themselves
similar to those employed for small arms; and I would here distinctly wish it
to be understood that my Invention, whether applied to ordnance or small
arins, is equally adapted to any variety of either, of such pieces. And I would
also wish it to be distinctly understood that cartridges constructed according
to my Invention may be combined with any variety of bullet or projectile
either for ordnance or small arms.
:
I may also, in order to suit some description of pieces of ordnance, or
certain varieties of fire-arms, reverse the position of the bullet or projectile
with respect to the powder case or cartridge; that is to say, for instance,. I
may place the solid end of the cartridge next to the "breech," the bullet or
projectile being attached to the other end of the cartridge, which I suitably
form for that purpose. The solid end of such cartridges being provided with
a suitable slot, groove, hole, or perforation to allow of means of exploding the
detonating cap (placed in the interior of the cartridge, as already herein pre-
viously described), and thus igniting the powder and discharging the projectile;
the cartridge or powder case in this description of breech-loading pieco
remaining in the breech or chamber, and being withdrawn therefrom previous
to firing the next shot.
After having formed my improved cartridge, as herein-before described, I
prefer to cover the exterior surface of the same with any suitable waterproof
.varnish.
}
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have shewn several views illus
trating some of the modes or methods of constructing and applying my
improved cartridges, as herein-before described and set forth.
Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved cartridge or powder case; Figure 2
is a corresponding view of the cartridge shewn in Figure 1, but having a
conical rifle bullet attached to; the end thereof; Figure 3 is an elevational
section, shewing the manner in which I prefer to construct and adapt niy
improved cartridges for use in that description of breech-loading piece known

page_text: .
as the "needle gun;" Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line A, B,
(Figure 3); and Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line C, D;
(Figure 3); Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of one of my improved car-
tridges with a conical rifle bullet attached thereto, and adapted for use in
muzzle-loading pieces; Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a cartridge or
powder case, identical with that shewn in Figure 6, and also intended for a
muzzle-loading piece, but is shewn as fitted at the solid end thereof with the
small cup of paper, leather, or thin metal, and which I have herein-before pre-
viously described as being applied for the purpose of distributing the explosive
force of the contained powder when the piece is discharged.
In these several views, a is the cartridge or powder case, made of wood and
formed as herein-before described; b, the tapered shoulder piece, forming part
of and being in-one with the cartridge or case, and adapted in the manner
herein-before described to allow of the conical bullet c being attached thereto;
but the form of this shoulder piece or the shape of the solid end of the car-
tridge or case may otherwise be modified to suit any projectile which it may be
intended to use in conjunction with my improved cartridge. d is the cylin-
drical powder case of the cartridge (turned out to the form shewn), con-
taining the powder ; f is the solid end of such case, formed as shewn, and
into which (Figures 3 and 7) is fitted the cup piece g, either of paper, leather,
or thin metal, or any other suitable material; h, (Figures 3 and 5), is the
small cap applied to the cup piece 9, as herein-before previously described,
when it is intended to adapt my improved cartridge to the "needle-guns;"
is the cap of paper, leather, or thin metal, which is secured round the base
of the cylindrical case, and employed for confining the charge in the same.
Figure 8 is an elevational view, and Figure 9 a sectional elevation, shewing
the bullet as attached to the opposite extremity of the cartridge to that shewn
in the previous illustrations, and intended to be applied to a description of
breech-loading "needle-gun." When cartridges constructed according to my
Invention are intended to be thus applied, I form a slot or perforation k in
the solid end thereof, that is to say, in the end next the breech, through which
slot or perforation the needle enters, which strikes the fulminating cap, the
explosion of which causes the ignition of the powder and discharge of the
bullet at the farther end of the cartridge, the cartridge itself remaining in
the chamber of the piece after the discharge, and having to be withdrawn
therefrom previous to firing the next shot.
Figures 10 to 14 illustrate that portion of my Invention which relates to
the method of so combining a number of small shots for use in small arms
with a suitable composition or mixture, in order by compressing the same by

page_text: means of moulds to obtain a solid mass, which shall remain so until after it is
discharged from the piece, when the mass is disintegrated without injury to the
form of the individual shots. It will be seen on reference to these several
Figures that I modify the form of the solid end of the cartridge, and shape
the same so as to enable it the better to receive the particular description of
bullet to which this part of my Invention refers. In these Figures the same
letters of reference are employed to denote like or corresponding parts of each.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of a cartridge adapted to receive the
conglomerated bullet c', and shewing the same attached to the cupped extre-
mity of the cartridge. formed to receive it, the cartridge being otherwiso
similar to that shewn at Figure 3, and intended also to be used in a breech-
loading "needle gun."
Figure 11 is a horizontal section taken on the line A', B', Figure 10.
Figure 12 is an external elevational view of Figure 10.
Figures 13 and 14 are corresponding views to Figures 10 and 12, but
shewing the cartridge of a slightly increased diameter, and instead of attaching
the form of bullet shewn in the three previous illustrations, I have here
substituted as a modification thereof a spherical form (c) of such conglome-
rated bullet, the cartridge itself being otherwise similar to that shewn in
Figure 7, and intended also to be used in a breech-loading piece.
Having now described my Invention of " Improvements in Cartridges and
Projectiles," and illustrated the same in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
what I claim is,-
First, the construction of cartridge cases or charge holders of wood, turned
and otherwise shaped, as herein described, according to the purpose and to
the form or description of arm from which it has to be discharged.
Second, the formation of bullets from small shot in combination with soap
alone or soap combined with glue or its equivalent, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Krutzsch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty.
Witness,
JAMES STEVENSON,
19, Salisbury St., W.C.
WILLIAM KRUTZSCH. (LS.)