Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 19th May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 8th July, 1887.
し
[Communicated from abroad by LA SOCIÉTÉ L. JOALLAND ET CIE. (Societé
Industrielle et du Petit Armement), of 1, Rue Madame Lafayette, Havre,
France.]
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to fire arms, and ammunition therefor.
The said invention comprises several arrangements of movable heads or blocks
applicable to various systems of fire armis, which blocks have for their object to
obviate the escape of gas at the rear of the cartridge, no matter whether the cartridge
possesses a metallic or non-metallic bottom for effecting the obturation of the gases.
It also comprises special projectiles containing charges, and capable of being fired
in a gun having a movable head or block as hereinafter described.
It further comprises an inoffensive cartridge with or without a base designed to
effect the obturation of the gases.
The said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the figures of which
are hereinafter referred to.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 A is the movable head or breech block of a gun,
adapted to fire a cartridge having a metallic base. At the moment of firing, this
movable head is applied against the breech of the barrel, and it is brought backwards
in the direction of the axis of the barrel, when it is required to remove the base of the
cartridge to recharge the gun.
The figures represent the rear parts of guns, in cach of which the closing of the
breech is effected by means of a bolt or block which is displaced in the direction of
the axis of the barrel, or in an approximate direction, to open or to close the breech.
The heavy gun of the French army is shown in this case.

page_text: The movable head A is suitably fixed to the bolt V, in order to participate in the
motions thereof. B is the obturating case which is maintained in the cavity in the
movable head A through the medium of the striker M; D is a spring of steel, india-
rubber or other suitable material, for enabling the pressure of the obturating case B
upon the extremity of the barrel C to be regulated, in order to prevent, if necessary,
the gases from escaping.
The edge of the obturating case B enters a cavity formed in the rear part of the
barrel. A portion of the barrel can likewise enter the case B. This obturating case
can be applied upon the barrel, but in this case the obturation is a little less perfect
than otherwise. When the fulminate of the cartridge is in the shoulder (as in Flobert
or other similar cartridges) the striker M Figures 1 and 2 is provided with one or
more laterally projecting teeth O, arranged to strike the fulminate upon the edge of
the shoulder. When the fulminate is at the centre of the cartridges, as in the central
percussion cartridges, the striker M, Figures 3 and 4, has a central projection part I
arranged to strike the said fulminate.
The obturator case B can likewise be formed integral with the movable head A, but
in this case it is more difficult to regulato its application upon the breech C of the
barrel, to obtain the obturation of the gases, which frequently escape, in firing
cartridges having metallic bottoms, if the bottoms burst or if there is too much play
between the said bottoms and the barrel. The hammer P, at the moment of firing,
strikes upon the striker M Figure 1, or upon the movable head A in which the
striker M is fixed, Figure 3, to explode the fulminate. After the firing the cartridge
base is removed, either by hand or by means of an extractor T, Figure 1, actuated
from the side of the gun and similar to those which exist upon some Flobert
carabines, or by any other suitable means.
In Figures 5 and 6 the obturating case B is fixed upon the breech of the barrel.
The spring D behind the said case serves to press it against the movable head. The
striker M, Figure 6, is fixed in the movable head, which receives the blow of the
striker P. In Figure 5 the striker M is independent of the movable head, and it
receives directly the blow of the hammer P. When the striker M is fixed upon the
movable head, Figures 3 to 6, the blow of the hammer P upon the movable head
causes the flexure of the spring D, and consequently the ignition of the fulminate by
the teeth of the striker M.
From the above it will be seen that when the firing takes place the gases can
never pass into the eye of the rifleman, as frequently occurs with fire arms now
in use.
The general arrangements herein before described for obtaining the obturation of
the gases are applicable to any systems of fire arms, in which a small to and fro
motion of the movable head or of the barrel itself is effected in the direction of the
axis of the barrel of the gun, or in an approximate direction, in order to disengage
the obturating case B.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 show the application of the improvements to a gun whose breech
block oscillates upon a transverse axis which is placed in front of the opening of the
breech.
In Figure 7 the breech block V carrying the movable head A oscillates upon the
pivot placed upon the axis of the barrel.
In Figure 9 the breech block V oscillates upon the axis X placed below that
of the barrel. In each of the figures 7, 8, 9, 10 the motion of translation of the
movable head A is effected by means of an excentric E, which is mounted in the breech
block V and works in the groove G. The excentric E is operated through the
medium of the lever L, upon which the rifleman acts to open or close the breech as
follows:-
The opening of the breech, Figures 9 and 10 takes place by pushing the lever L
upward, as indicated by the dotted line Figure 7, to remove the obturator case B
from the barrel C, so that the breech block V can be lifted. The closing of the breech
is effected by lowering the breech block, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, so as to place

page_text: it in the axis of the barrel, and then pushing the lever L, Figure 10, downwards, to
apply the obturator case B upon the barrel C. As shown in Figures 7 and 9 the
obturating case B enters the rear of the barrel.
The arrangements described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 can likewise be
applied. As shown in Figure 7, the striker M is fixed upon the movable head A,
which receives the blow from the hammer P. In Figure 9 the striker M is shown as
fixed upon a piece N, which extends slightly beyond the rear of the movable head A,
so as to receive the blow from the hammer P, Figure 7.
Qis a bolt the shank of which is surrounded by a spiral spring. This shank
penetrates a nut R fixed to the rear of the movable head. The extremity of the shank
of the bolt is made with a small head, so that it cannot leave the nut R under the
action of the spiral spring.
The said bolt Q serves as a brake to maintain the lever L, for actuating the
excentric, in its two positions, above and below. This brake is not indispensable for
ensuring the operation of the breech V, but it facilitates the same.
Cartridges which have a base of metal or other material require the said base to be
removed after the discharge of the cartridge, to allow the gun to be loaded again.
This inconvenience is generally compensated for by the advantage which is obtained
by the presence of the base in preventing the escape of the gases.
The cost of the base being comparatively high, it is sometimes dispensed with in
several special cartridges hereinafter described, and thus a considerable saving in the
cost of manufacture is effected, without interfering with the perfect obturation of the
gases at the moment of firing.
In Figure 11 I show a projectile of lead or other suitable metal, containing a
fulminating charge in a cavity J formed at the rear. For the purpose of obviating
the decomposition of the charge, which often results from its contact with the metal
of the projectile, when the ammunition has to remain a long time in reserve, I cover
the surface of the said cavity J with a layer of tin or copper or with a sheet of tin
or paper; I likewise insert a small washer O of zinc, iron, copper or the like at the
bottom of the cavity J, between the charge and the projectile, to obviate missing fire,
when the metal of which the projectile is composed has not resistance enough to
ensure the inflammation of the fulminate by the blow of the percussion pin. The
fulminating charge can likewise be enclosed in a casing of copper or other suitable
metal, forming a capsule P, Figures 12 and 13, which is maintained in the cavity J
by means of a setting.
H, H Figures 14 and 15 indicate recesses in the rear part of the projectile, having
for their object to diminish the friction of the projectile in the barrel. The ammunition
described above can be fired in a gun having a smooth bore, when the object is near
and no great precision is required; but when it is necessary to have great precision,
this projectile must be fired from a rifled gun. In each case a chamber is provided
in the barrel, to provide sufficient resistance to the blow of the percussion pin. For
this it is sufficient for the exterior diameter of the cartridge to be a little larger than
the diameter of the bore of the barrel.
I have observed, in firing, that the ammunition represented in Figures 11, 12, 13,
14, 15 of the drawing requires a great portion of the power of the fulminate forming
the charge to produce the initial movement of the projectile, owing to the great
friction between the exterior of the projectile and the barrel.
This great friction is due to the fact that the body of the projectile expands through
a great portion of its total length, which is forced into the rifle grooves or into
contact with the smooth bore of the gun by the action of the gas generated by the
explosion.
To remedy this serious inconvenience I diminish the length of the projectile, and
form it with a shoulder b, Figures 31, 32, 33, at the rear part, in order to offer only
the desired resistance for enabling the blow of the percussion pin to cause the
inflammation of the fulminate composing the charge.
The diameter of this shoulder bis equal to the diameter of the barrel plus the depth

page_text: of the rifle-grooves; or it can, likewise, be either a little smaller or a little larger, and
located in a chamber at the end of the barrel.
The body C of the projectile is cylindrical for the major part of its length, or
slightly conical, in order that its introduction into the bore shall be easy. The
maximum diameter of the cartridge body is at most only equal to that of the bore.
From what has been stated it will be understood that the projectile is sufficiently
well guided, and that the shoulder b penetrates into the rifle grooves of the barrel,
thereby offering the desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin upon the
fulminate. An example of the application, of the preceding statements is as
follows:-
The length of the shoulder 6 which has given excellent result, is equal to about one
millimeter on a projectle of seven millimeters india meter and eight millimeters in length.
The length of the shoulder can be augmented or diminished a little, in order that
its resistance is in proportion with the degree of sensitiveness of the fulminate.
The shoulder b in Figures 31, 32, 33 can be replaced by a conical formation of the
rear part of the body, the said conical part being arranged in such a manner that its
large diameter shall be at the rear of the projectile, as represented in Figures 34, 35.
In these Figures the cone is shown as being formed upon a great part of the length of
the body of the projectile, and it can, if desired, extend over the entire length of the
projectile, as shewn in Figure 36.
In each case the fore part of the projectile enters, easily, into the bore of the gun
barrel, and the rear part, which is of a slightly greater diameter than the bore,
forms a stop, and offers the desired resistance to the blow of the hammer upon the
fulminate.
The diameter of the rear part of the projectile must be such that it is retained in
the same position as the projectiles represented in Figures 31, 32, 33, the bottoms b
of which bear upon the bottom of the chamber of the gun. The result of this is that
the conical part of the projectile body is equivalent to the shoulders of the cartridges
represented in Figures 31, 32, 33.
The projectile can morcover be of any form, I show in Figures 31, 32, 33, 34,
35, 36 some of the arrangements which have given excellent result, for the fore part,
as well as for the rear part forming the stop.
The projectiles represented in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 likewise give good results,
provided that the exterior diameter of the body is a little larger than the interior
diameter of the bore, and that the projectile is forced almost entirely into the riflo
grooves at the moment of loading the gun, so as to leave outside the grooves, or the
bore of the gun, a small length of the rear part of the projectile designed to form a
shoulder.
The same result can be obtained through the medium of a conical projectile, similar
to those which are represented in Figures 34, 35, 36.
The employment of a conical cartridge permits it, in this case, to be more easily
forced into the gun barrel at the moment of loading, leaving at the rear of the grooves
the desired length to form a stop.
The projectiles shewn in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and those in Figures 34, 35, 36
can likewise be entirely forced into the rifle grooves at the moment of loading the
gun, by suitably constructing the part of the bore where the projectile is located, to
obtain the desired resistance to the blow of the hammer upon the fulminate.
The forcing of the projectile into the gun bore is effected through the medium of
the pressure exerted by the percussion pin upon the fulminate.
All the projectiles which have been described can be manufactured of lead, zinc
copper or of an alloy of several suitable metals, and the charge of the projectile
is placed at the rear at X in the manner explained with reference to Figures 11,
12, 13, 14, 15.
•
The inflammation of the fulminate F is produced by the blow of a percussion pin,
replacing the central part I of the striker M Figures 1 to 10, and the obturation of
the gases is effected by means of any one of the previously described arrangements.

page_text: The gases disperse around the pin S, Figures 16 and 17, and cannot escape, in
consequence of the obturation produced by the pressure of the obturating case B upon
the barrel C. As the india rubber washer 1) prevents the gases from escaping around
the obturating case B and around the striker M of Figure 17 the result is that the
obturation of the gases is complete.
The preceding arrangements permit the firing to be effected with safety, and it is
sufficient to replace from time to time the washer D.
Although the replacement of the washer D is not expensive and can be done
rapidly, I have devised an obturator which can be very easily constructed, and which
gives an excellent result.
U, Figures 18, 19 is a tubular obturator of copper, iron, steel or other suitable
material fixed upon the movable head A. S is the firing pin fixed at the centre of
the said obturator U. When the movable head A is projected forward by the blow
of the hammer P, Figure 18, or by that of the hammer P, Figure 19; the blow of
the percussion pin S upon the fulminate F of the cartridge produces the inflammation
of this fulminate. The obturation of the gases is obtained by the application of the
obturator U against the barrel. This application results from the pressure exerted by
the gas in the interior of the tubular part of the said obturator. A perfect obturation
is thus obtained which permits a considerable number of shots to be fired with the
same obturator U.
It is not necessary to clean the said obturator until its cavity is nearly filled with
dirt.
Although the obturator U can be employed alone, to realize the perfect obturation
of the gases, I connect it to the obturating case B, previously described, in order to
obtain a greater security in the fire arms which are often employed, in case the said
obturator U should be damaged by accident or become worn.
Figures 20, 21, 22 illustrate the combined arrangements of the two obturators.
They are applied upon a carabine, the breech of which is lifted above the barrel in
order to enable the cartridge to be introduced into the chamber.
The obturator U can likewise be combined with the obturating cases, Figures 5
and 6. The obturation of the gases, as set forth, either by the obturator case B, the
obturator U, or by the two combined, can be combined with any system of breech
closing device, provided that the movable head which carries these obturating devices
on the barrel itself can be sufficiently displaced in the direction of the axis of the
gun bore, or in an approximate direction, in order to disengage the said obturators
from their seats to permit fresh cartridges to be introduced into the gun.
To obviate the necessity for too frequently cleaning the bore of a rifled gun, the
barrel is rifled for a portion of its length only adjacent to the breech, as heretofore, but
instead of forming the rifle-grooves in the barrel itself I place a rifled tube T, in the
rear part of the barrel of a gun having a smooth bore, as shown in Figure 20. The
said rifled portion can thus be very rapidly cleaned by means of a brush which is
introduced if necessary through the breech. The diameter of the smooth portion of
the gun bore must in this case be at least equal to the diameter of the bore from the
bottoms of the rifle grooves, and preferably a little larger, in order that a great
number of shots can be fired without its being necessary to clean this part of the gun.
The length of the rifled tube and also the pitch of the grooves vary with the charge
of the cartridge and the diameter of the projectile. I obtain a very satisfactory result
with a rifled tube of 80 millimeters in length for a ball of 6 millimeters in diameter,
and a charge of fulminate equivalent to that of a Flobert cartridge for a saloon carabine.
This reduced length of the rifled tube permits, moreover, the employment of a relatively
small charge of fulminate, and of obtaining at the same time great precision.
When the gun which fires the ammunition described in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
is of small calibre, such as for instance the same as that of Flobert carabines, and
when the quantity of fulminate is nearly equal to that of a cartridge of the same
fire-arm, the described ammunition is dangerous. From this results that this fire arm
must not be confided to a person having had little practice in firing guns. To remedy

page_text: this inconvenience, that is to say to permit persons and young people who have little
practice to shoot without serious danger, I have devised a kind of ammunition which
gives excellent results as regards precision, and which can even be fired against any
part of the person protected by clothing.
In Figure 23 K indicates a shell of small relative density, and composed of thin
lead or other suitable metal, paper or pasteboard compressed to a small thickness.
D, a cover of zinc or other suitable metal. This cover has a flange which reposes upon
the body of the shell to prevent the gases of the charge from penetrating into the interior
of the said shell. The external diameter of the flange of the cover D is a little
smaller than that of the gun bore. The cover D receives a capsule 0 of fulminate in
its central part. The said capsule O is maintained at the centre of the cover by means
of a washer R of pasteboard, cork, wood or any other suitable material, preferably of
little density. The whole is kept in place by means of a base C of lead, zinc,
compressed paper or pasteboard, or any other suitable material, which base is pressed
upon the body of the cartridge and around the capsule O. A small washer of paper
is pasted upon the rear of the base to cover the fulminate and protect it from damp.
At the moment of firing the percussion pin explodes the fulminato by a blow.
The gases then. apply the base and the cover Dupon the body or shell K of the
cartridge, and all the pieces which form the projectile are projected forward. The
firing of this projectile gives an excellent result with a rifled gun, but it can likewise
take place with a gun having a smooth bore.
In every case there is a chamber in which the flange of the base is located, to offer
the desired assistance to the blow of the percussion pin upon the fulminate. It is
sufficient, in order to obtain this result, that the diameter of the flange is a little larger
than that of the bore. This cartridge can be fired in a gun provided with one of any
of the arrangements previously described.
Figure 24 represents a cartridge similar to that which is represented in Figure 23,
but the base C entirely covers the fulminate instead of leaving a central opening. In
this case the percussion pin traverses the base before reaching the fulminate.
The base remains in the barrel after the firing, and serves to produce the
obturation of the gases, by being applied by the pressure of the gases against the
barrel, and against the part of the movable head which serves as a guide to
the percussion pin. The base C is carried rearward with the movable head and it has
to be detached by hand or by means of a suitably arranged device.
The various obturators which I have described permit likewise, either when
employed singly or combined, any cartridge to be fired whether or not it possesses a
metallic or non-metallic base designed to effect the obturation of the gases, whatever
be the importance of the charge and its composition, which charge can simply be
composed of fulminate or of fulminate and powder.
The casing for containing the charge can also be made of a combustible material
which does not leave any residue in the bore.
Figure 25 represents an inoffensive cartridge K of paper, pasteboard, cork, or other
material preferably of small density, provided with a base C of lead or other suitable
material pressed around the rear of the cartridge, and having for its object to maintain
this part at an invariable diameter, in order that it shall always be possible to cause it
to enter the chamber of the gun. The flange of the base C enters the rifle grooves of
the gun.
The said cartridge is provided, if required, with a lead head T Figure 26 having for
its object to equilibrate it better in firing.
The cartridges Figures 25, 26, as well as those in Figures 23, 24 can likewise be
fired in a gun having a smooth bore. In this case the exterior diameter of the
shoulder B of the base C must be a little larger than that of the bore, to offer the
desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin upon the fulminate O forming
the charge of the cartridge.
Figure 27 represents a cartridge having a metallic shell K of very small thickness,
of lead or other suitable material, strengthened by paper. The interior of this shell is

page_text: filled with a material M of relatively small density, such as paper, pasteboard, cork or
wood compressed or not. The fulminate O composing the charge of the cartridge is
place in a cavity formed at the rear of the projectile.
In Figure 28 the shell of the projectile is composed, like that in Figure 27 of
two parts K and L, but the interior of the said shell is not entirely filled with the
material M. The fulminate O is likewise placed in a cavity which is at the rear
of the material M.
Figure 29 is a modification of 25. The shell K and the counter-shell L are
constructed with the same materials as the cartridge, Figure 27. The fulminate O is
enclosed in the front part of the metallic casing.
Figure 37 represents an inoffensive cartridge which is a modification of that which
is represented in Figure 28. K is a metal shell of small thickness, and M a material
of relatively small density, such as paper, pasteboard, cork or wood, compressed, or
not, placed at the fore part of the cartridge, O is the fulminate composing the charge
and placed in a cavity formed at the rear of the material M; b is a shoulder adapted
to fit into a chamber provided at the rear of the fire-arm, this shoulder having for its
object to offer the desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin. The cartridge
enters the gun bore either by an impulse imparted to it by hand, or when the breech
is closed, by means of the pressure exerted by the percussion pin upon the fulminate.
Figure 30 shows a double cartridge. K is a case for the powder charge C composed
of material of small density, such as compressed paper or pasteboard or wood; O is
the fulminate fixed at the bottom of the cavity of the charge C upon the case K. The
powder is maintained in its cavity by a washer R of combustible material. This
washer is fixed upon the powder by bending the rear extremity of the case K;
D is a
case of paper, pasteboard or other suitable material of little resistance fixed to the
case K; PP are the shot enclosed in the case D; S is a washer of small resistance
covering the shot. The shoulder B is placed near the middle of the length of the
cartridge, in order that the part of the said case placed at the rear of this shoulder
can penetrate into the interior of the tubular obturator U Figures 18, 19, 20, 21.
The percussion pin then traverses the washer R. and the powder charge when the
breech is closed, and it reaches very nearly to the fulminate O upon which it acts at
the moment of firing, to explode the powder charge. The whole of this cartridge is
projected forward by the gases of the charge, and as the washer R is destroyed by the
same gases nothing remains in the barrel after the firing. The cartridge Figure 30
can be fired in a gun having a smooth bore or a rifled bore, provided with any of the
obturators hereinbefore described, employed singly or in combination.
DL: Oost
1 100
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE DIBUIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-arms and in Ammunition therefor.
I WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex 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 fire arms, and ammunition therefor.
The said invention comprises several arrangements of movable heads or breech
blocks applicable to various systems of fire arms, which blocks have for their object to
obviate the escape of gas at the rear of the cartridge no matter whether the cartridge
possesses a metallic or non-metallic bottom for effecting the obturation of the gases."
It also comprises special projectiles containing charges capable of being fixed in a
gun having a movable head or block as hereinafter described.
It further comprises an inoffensive or blank cartridge with or without bases
designed to effect the obturation of the gases.
The said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the figures of which
are hereinafter referred to.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, A is the movable head or breech block of a gun
adapted to fire a cartridge having a metallic base. At the moment of firing, this
movable head is applied against the breech of the barrel and it is brought backwards
in the direction of the axis of the barrel when it is required to remove the base of the
cartridge to recharge the gun.
The figures represent the rear parts of guns, in which the closing of the breech is
effected by means of a bolt or block which is displaced in the direction of the axis of
the barrel or in an approximate direction, to open or to close the breech. The heavy
gun of the French army is shown in this case.
The movable head A is suitably fixed to the bolt V, in order to participate in the
motions thereof. B is the obturating case which is maintained in the cavity in the
movable head A through the medium of the striker M; D is a spring of steel, india
rubber or other suitable material, for enabling the pressure of the obturating case B
upon the extremity of the barrel C to be regulated, in order to prevent if necessary
the gases from escaping.
The edge of the obturating case B enters a cavity formed in the rear part of the
barrel. A portion of the barrel can likewise enter the case B. This obturating case
can be applied upon the barrel, but in this case the obturation is a little less perfect
than otherwise. When the fulminate of the cartridge is in the shoulder (as in Flobert
or other similar cartridges) the striker M (Figures 1 and 2) is provided with one or
more lateral projecting teeth O arranged to strike the fulminate upon the edge of the
shoulder. When the fulminate is at the centre of the cartridges as in the central

page_text: percussion cartridges, the striker M, Figures 3 and 4, has a central projecting part I
arranged to strike the said fulminate.
The obturative case B can likewise be formed integral with the movable head A,
but in this case it is more difficult to regulate its application upon the breech C of the
barrel to obtain the obturation of the gases, which frequently escape in firing
cartridges having metallic bottoms if the bottoms burst or if there is too much play
between the said bottoms and the barrel. The hammer P, at the moment of firing,
strikes upon the striker M, Figure 1, or upon the movable head A in which the
striker M is fixed, Figure 3, to explode the fulminate. After the firing, the cartridge
base is removed either by hand or by means of an extractor T, Figure 1 actuated
from the side of the gun and similar to those which exist upon some Folbert carabines,
or by any other suitable means.
In Figures 5 and 6 the obturating case B is fixed upon the breech of the barrel.
The spring D behind the said case serves to press it against the movable head. The
striker M Figure 6 is fixed in the movable head which receives the blow of the
striker P. In Fig. 5 the striker M is independent of the movable head, and it
receives directly the blow of the hammer P. When the striker M is fixed upon the
movable head, Figures 3 to 6, the blow of the hammer P upon the movable head
causes the flexure of the spring D and consequently the ignition of the fulminate by
the teeth of the striker M.
From the above it will be seen that when the firing takes place the gases can never
pass into the eye of the rifle-man as frequently occurs with fire arms now in use.
The general arrangements heroinbefore described for obtaining the obturation of
the gases are applicable to any systems of fire arms in which a small to-and-fro
motion of the movable head or of the barrel itself is effected in the direction of the
axis of the barrel of the gun or in an approximate direction, in order to disengage the
obturating case B.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 show the application of the improvements to a gun whose
breech block oscillates upon a transverse axis which is placed in front of the opening
of the breech.
In Figure 7 the breech block V carrying the movable head A oscillates upon the
pivot placed upon the axis of the barrel.
In Figure 9 the breech block V oscillates upon the axis ✗ placed below that of the
barrel. In each of the Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 the motion of translation of the movable
head A is effected by means of an excentric E which is mounted in the breech block V,
and works in the groove G. The excentric E is operated through the medium of the
lever L upon which the rifleman acts to open or close the breech as follows:-
The opening of the breech, Figures 9 and 10 takes place by pushing the lever L
upward as indicated by the dotted line Figure 7, to remove the obturator case B from
the barrel C, so that the breech block V can be lifted. The closing of the breech is
effected by lowering the breech block as shown in Figures 7 and 8 so as to place it in
the axis of the barrel and then pushing the lever L Figure 10 downwards, to apply
the obturator case B upon the barrel C. As shown in Figures 7 and 9 the obturating
case B enters the rear of the barrel.
The arrangements described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 can likewise be
applied. As shown in Figure 7 the striker M is fixed upon the movable head A which
receives the blow from the hammer P. In Figure 9 the striker M is shown as fixed
upon a piece N which extends slightly beyond the rear of the movable head A, so as
to receive the blow from the hammer P Figure 7.
Qis a bolt the shank of which is surrounded by a spiral spring. This shank
penetrates a nut R fixed to the rear of the movable head. The extremity of the shank
of the bolt Q is made with a small head so that it cannot leave the nut R under the
action of the spiral spring. The said bolt Q serves as a brake to maintain the lever L
for actuating the excentric in its two positions above and below. This brake is not
indispensable for ensuring the operation of the breech V, but it facilitates the same.
Cartridges which have a base of metal or other material require the said base to be
removed after the discharge of the cartridge to allow the gun to be loaded again.
B

page_text: This inconvenience is generally compensated for by the advantage which is obtained
by the presence of the base in preventing the escape of the gases.
The cost of the base being comparatively high it is sometimes dispensed with in
several cartridges hereinafter described, and thus a considerable saving in the cost of
manufacture is effected without interfering with the perfect obturation of the gases at
the moment of firing.
In Figure 11 I show a projectile of lead or other suitable metal, containing a
fulminating chargo in a cavity J formed at the rear. For the purpose of obviating
the decomposition of the charge which often results from its contact with the metal of
the projectile when the ammunition has to remain a long time in reserve, I cover tho
surface of the said cavity J with a layer of tin or copper or with a sheet of tin or
paper. I likewise insert a small washer O of zinc, iron, copper, or the like at the
bottom of the cavity J between the charge and the projectile, to obviate missing fire
when the metal of which the projectile is composed has not resistance enough to ensure
the inflammation of the fulminate by the blow of the percussion pin. The fulminating
charge can likewise be enclosed in a casing of copper or other suitablo metal, forming
a capsule P, Figures 12 and 13 which is maintained in the cavity J by means of a
setting.
H, H Figures 14 and 15 indicate recesses in the rear part of the projectile having
for their object to diminish the friction of the projectile in the barrel. The ammunition
described above can be fired in a gun having a smooth bore, when the object is near
and no great precision is required; but when it is necessary to have great precision,
this projectile must be fired from a rifled gun. In each case a chamber is provided in
the barrel to provide sufficient resistance to the blow of the percussion pin. For this
it is sufficient for the exterior diameter of the cartridge to be a little larger than the
diameter of the bore of the barrel.
I have observed in firing that the ammunition represented in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
of the drawing requires a great portion of the fulminate forming the charge to
produce the initial movement of the projectile owing to the great friction between the
exterior of the projectile and the barrel.
This great friction is due to the fact that the body of the projectile expands through
a great portion of its total length which is forced into the rifle grooves or into contact
with the smooth bore of the gun by the action of the gas generated by the
explosion.
To remedy this serious inconvenience I diminish the length of the projectile and
form it with a shoulder 6 Figures 31, 32, 33, at the rear part in order to offer only the
desired resistance for enabling the shock of the percussion pin to cause the inflamation
of the fulminate composing the charge,
The diameter of this shoulder bis equal to the diameter of the barrel plus the depth
of the rifle-grooves, or it can likewise be either a little smaller or a little larger and
located in a chamber at the end of the barrel.
The body C of the projectile is cylindrical for the major part of its length, or
slightly conical, in order that its introduction into the bore shall be casy. The
maximum diameter of the cartridge body is at most only equal to that of the bore.
From what has been stated it will be understood that the projectile is sufficiently
well guided, and that the shoulder 6 penetrates into the rifle grooves of the barrel
thereby offering the desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin upon the
fulminate.
An example of the application of the preceding statements is as follows:-
The length of the shoulder b, which has given excellent results, is equal to about one
millimeter on a projectile of seven millimeters in diameter and eight millimeters in
length.
The length of the shoulder can be augmented or dimineshed a little in order that its
resistance is in proportion with the degree of sensitiveness of the fulminate.
The shoulder in Figures 31, 32, 33, can be replaced by a conical formation of part
of the rear part of the body the said conical part being arranged in such a manner
that its large diameter shall be at the rear of the projectile, as represented in

page_text: Figures 34, 35. In these Figures the cone is shown as being formed upon a great
part of the length of the body of the projectile and it can if desired extend over the
entire length of the projectile as shown in Figure 36.
In each case the fore part of the projectile enters easily into the bore of the gun
barrel, and the rear part which is of a slightly greater diameter than the bore,
forms a stop and offers the desired resistance to the blow of the hammer upon the
fulminate.
The diameter of the rear part of the projectile must be such that it is retained in
the same position as the projectiles represented in Figures 31, 32, 33, the bottoms 6 of
which bear upon the bottom of the chamber of the gun. The result of this is that
the conical part of the projectile body is equivalent to the shoulders of the cartridges
represented in Figures 31, 32, 33.
The projectile can moreover be of any form, I show in Figures 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36
some of the arrangements which have given excellent results, for the forepart as well
as for the rear part forming the stop.
The projectiles represented in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 likewise give good results
provided that the exterior diameter of the body is a little larger than the interior
diameter of the bore and that the projectile is forced almost entirely into the rifle
grooves at the moment of loading the gun, so as to leave outside the grooves or the
bore of the gun a small length of the rear part of the projectile designed to form a
shoulder.
The same result can be obtained through the medium of a conical projectile similar
to those which are represented in Figures 34, 35, 36.
The employment of a conical cartridge permits it in this case to be more easily
forced into the gun barrel at the moment of loading leaving at the rear of the grooves
the desired length to form a stop.
The projectiles shown in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and those in Figures 34, 35, 36
can likewise be entirely forced into the rifle grooves at the moment of loading the
gun, by suitably constructing the part of the bore where the projectile is located, to
obtain the desired resistance to the blow of the hammer upon the fulminate.
The forcing of the projectile into the gun bore is effected through the medium of the
pressure exerted by the percussion pin upon the fulminate.
All the projectiles which have been described can be manufactured of lead, zinc
copper or of an alloy of several suitable metals, and the charge of the projectile is
placed at the rear at X in the manner explained with reference to Figures 11, 12,
13, 14, 15.
The inflamation of the fulminate is produced by the blow of a percussion pin
replacing the central part 1 of the striker M Figures 1 to 10, and the obturation of
the gases is effected by means of any one of the previously described arrangements.
The gases disperse around the pin S, Figures 16 and 17 and cannot escape, in
consequence of the obturation produced by the pressure of the obturating case B upon
the barrel C. As the india rubber washer D prevents the gases from escaping around
the obturating case B and around the striker M. of Figure 17 the result is that the
obturation of the gases is complete.
The preceding arrangements permit the firing to be effected with safety, and it is
sufficient to replace from time to timo the washer D.
Although the replacement of the washer D is not expensive and can be done
rapidly I have devised an obturator which can be very easily constructed and which
gives an excellent result.
U Figures 18, 19, is a tubular obturator of copper, iron, steel or other suitable
material, fixed upon the movable head A. S is the firing pin fixed at the centre of
the said obturator V. When the movable head A is projected forward by the blow
of the hammer P Figure 18 or by that of the hammer P. Figure 19; the blow of
the percussion pin S upon the fulminate F of the cartridge produces the inflamation
of this fulminate. The obturation of the gases is obtained by the application of the
obturator U against the barrel. This application results from the pressure exerted by

page_text: gas
the in the interior of the tubular part of the said obturator. A perfect obturation
is thus obtained which permits a considerable number of shots to be fired with the
same obturator U.
It is not necessary to clean the said obturator until its cavity is nearly filled with
dirt.
Although the obturator U can be employed alone to realize the perfect obturation
of the gases I connect it to the obturating case B previously described, in order to
obtain a greater security in the fire arms which are often employed, in caso the said
obturator U should be damaged by accident or become worn.
Figures 20, 21, 22 illustrate the combined arrangements of the two obturators.
They are applied upon a carabine the breech block of which is lifted above the barrel
in order to enable the cartridge to be introduced into the chamber.
The obturator U can likewise be combined with the obturating cases Figures 5
and 6. The obturation of the gases as set forth, either by the obturator case B, the
obturator U or by the two combined can be combined with any system of breech
closing device, provided that the movable head which carries these obturating devices,
or the barrel itself can be sufficiently displaced in the direction of the axis of the gun
bore, or in an approximate direction, in order to disengage the said obturators from
their seats to permit fresh cartridges to be introduced into the gun.
To obviate the necessity for too frequently cleaning the bore of a rifled gun, the
barrel is rifled for a portion of its length only adjacent to the breech, as heretofore but
' instead of forming the rifle grooves in the barrel itself we place a rifled tube T, in the
rear part of the barrel of a gun having a smooth bore as shown in Figure 20. The
said rifled portion can thus be very rapidly cleaned by means of a brush which is
introduced if necessary through the breech. The diameter of the smooth portion of
the gun bore must in this case be at least equal to the diameter of the bore from the
bottoms of the rifle grooves and preferably a little larger, in order that a great number
of shots can be fired without its being necessary to clean this part of the gun.
The length of the rifled tube and also the pitch of the grooves vary with the charge
of the cartridge and the diameter of the projectile. I obtain a very satisfactory result
with a rifled tube of 80 millimeters in length for a ball of 6 millimeters in diameter,
and a charge of fulminate equivalent to that of a Flobert cartridge for a saloon
carabine. This reduced length of the rifled tube permits moreover the employment
of a relatively small charge of fulminate and of obtaining at the same time great
precision.
When the gun which fires the ammunition described in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
is of small calibre, such as for instance the same as that of Flobert carabines, and
when the quantity of fulminate is nearly equal to that of a cartridge of the same fire
arm, the described ammunition is dangerous. From this it results that this fire arm
must not be confided to a person having had little practice in firing guns. To remedy
this inconvenience, that is to say to permit persons and young people who have little
practice to shoot without serious danger, I have devised a kind of ammunition which
give excellent results as regards precision and which can even be fired against any
part of the person protected by clothing.
In Figure 23 K indicates a sheet of small relative density and composed of thin
lead or other suitable metal paper or paste board compressed to a small thickness.
Da cover of zinc or other suitable metal. This cover has a flange which reposes upon
the body of the shell to prevent the gases of the charge from penetrating into the
interior of the said shell. The external diameter of the flange of the cover D is a
little smaller than that of the gun bore. The cover D receives a capsule O of fulminate
in its central part. The said capsule O is maintained at the centre of the cover by
means of a washer R of pasteboard, cork wood or any other suitable material, prefer-
ably of little density. The whole is kept in place by means of a base C of lead, zinc,
compressed paper or pasteboard or any other suitable material, which base is pressed
upon the body of the cartridge and around the capsule O. A small washer of paper
is pasted upon the rear of the base to cover the fulminate and protect it from damp.

page_text: At the moment of firing the percussion pin S explodes the fulminate by a blow.
The gases then apply the base C and the cover D upon the body or shell K of the
cartridge and all the pieces which form the projectile are projected forward. The
firing of this projectile gives an excellent result with a rifled gun, but it can likewise
take place with a gun having a smooth bore.
In every case there is a chamber in which the flange of the base is located to offer
the desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin upon the fulminate. It is
sufficient, in order to obtain this result that the diameter of the flange is a little larger
than that of the bore. This cartridge can be fired in a gun provided with one of any
of the arrangements previously described.
Figure 24 represents a cartridge similar to that which is represented in Figure 23,
but the base C entirely covers the fulminate instead of leaving a central oponing. In
this case the percussion pin traverses the base before reaching the fulminate.
The hase (remains in the barrel after the firing and serves to produce the obtura-
tion of the gases, by being applied by the pressure of the gases against the barrel, and
against the part of the movable head which serves as a guide to the percussion pin.
The base is carried rearward with the movable head and it has to be detached by
hand or by means of a suitably arranged device.
The various obturators which I have described permit likewise, either when employed
singly or combined, any cartridge to be fired whether or not it possesses a metallic or
non metallic base designed to effect the obturation of the gases, whatever be the
importance of the charge and its composition, which charge can simply be composed
of fulininate or of fulminate and powder.
The casing for containing the charge can also be made of a combustible material
which does not leave any residue in the bore.
Figure 25 represents an inoffensive cartridge K of paper, paste-board, cork or other
material preferably of small density, provided with a base of lead or other suitablo
material pressed around the rear of the cartridge and having for its object to maintain
this part at an invariable diameter, in order that it shall always be possible to cause it
to enter the chamber of the gun. The flange of the base C enters the rifle grooves of
the gun.
The said cartridge is provided, if required, with a lead head T, Figure 26 having
for its object to equilibrate it better in firing.
The cartridges Figures 25, 26 as well as those in Figures 23, 24 can likewise be
fired in a gun having a smooth bore. In this case the exterior diameter of the
shoulder B of the base C must be a little larger than that of the hore, to offer the
desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin upon the fulminate O forming the
charge of the cartridge. Fig. 27 represents a cartridge having a metallic shell K of
very small thickness, of lead or other suitable material, and a counter shell L
strengthened by paper. The interior of this shell is filled with a material M of
relatively small density, such as paper, pasteboard, cork or wood compressed or not.
The fulminate O composing the charge of the cartridge is placed in a cavity formed
at the rear of the projectile.
In Figure 28 the shell of the projectile is composed like that in Figure 27 of two
parts K and L, but the interior of the said shell is not entirely filled with the material M.
The fulminate O is likewise placed in a cavity which is at the rear of the material M.
Figure 29 is a modification of 25. The shell K and the counter shell L are con-
structed with the same materials as the cartridge Figure 27. This double casing is
placed at the rear of the cartridge and consequently at the rear of the solid part M
which forms a body of the cartridge. The fulminate O is enclosed in the front part
of the metallic casing placed at the rear of the cartridge.
Figure 37 represents an inoffensive cartridge which is a modification of that which
is represented in Figure 28. K is a metal shell of small thickness, and M a material
of relatively small density, such as paper, pasteboard, cork, or wood, compressed or not,
placed at the fore part of the cartridge. O is the fulminate composing the charge and
placed in a cavity formed at the rear of the material M; b is a shoulder adapted to fit

page_text: into a chamber provided at the rear of the fire arm, this shoulder having for its object
to offer the desired resistance to the blow of the percussion pin. The cartridge enters
the gun bore either by an impulse imparted to it by hand; or, when the brocch is
closed, by means of the pressure exerted by the percussion pin upon the fulminate.
The cartridges Figures 27, 28, 29, 37 are very light they are inoffensive, and they
can be fired by children. The cartridges Figures 23, 24, 25, 26, are likewise inoffensive,
and they can be fired by people with little practice in shooting with fire arms.
The
cartridges 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 are dangerous when they possess a small diameter, and
they must then be fired only by persons being in the habit of using fire arms. All
these cartridges can be fired in a gun having a smooth bore or a rifled bore possessing
or not possessing a tube similar to T in Figure 20, and provided with one of any of
the obturating systems hereinbefore described.
Figure 30 shows a double cartridge. K is a case for the powder charge C composed
of material of small density, such as compressed paper or pasteboard, or wood; O is
the fulminate fixed at the bottom of the cavity of the charge C upon the case K. The
powder is maintained in its cavity by a washer R of combustible material. This
washer is fixed upon the powder by bending the rear extremity of the case K; D is a
case of paper, pasteboard or other suitable material of little resistance fixed to the
case KPP are the shot enclosed in the case D; S is a washer of small resistance
covering the shot. The shoulder B is placed near the middle of the length of the
cartridge; in order that the part of the said case placed at the rear of this shoulder
can penetrate into the exterior of the tubular obturator U, Figures 18, 19, 20, 21.
The percussion pin then traverses the washer R and the powder charge C when the
breech is closed, and it reaches very nearly to the fulminate O upon which it acts at
the moment of firing to explode the powder charge. The whole of this cartridge is
projected forward by the gases of the charge and as the washer R is destroyed by the
same gases, nothing remains in the barrel after the firing. The cartridge Figure 30
can be fired in a gun having a smooth bore or a rifled bore, provided with any of the
obturators herein before described, employed singly or in combination.
The shoulder b of all the cartridges described has for its object to offer tho desired
resistance to the shock of the percussion pin upon the fulminate. The said shoulder is
placed in a chamber arranged at the rear of the gun barrel and it enters the rifles of
the gun barrel when the latter is rifled.
I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the formns set forth and to
the proportions shown in the drawing as these may be varied without departing from
the nature of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what mannor the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The obturating system applied to the closing of the breech of a gun (firing
a cartridge carrying or not carrying a metallic or non-metallic bottom and remaining
or not remaining in the barrel after firing consisting of an obturating case resting
upon spring, combined with a percussion hammer or an independent percussion pin;
this obturating case, carried either by the breech-block or by the barrel, boing
applied in the first instance, against the barrel of the gun, and, in the second
instance, against the breech closing block owing to the sufficient displacement either
of the gun barrel or of the closing block in the direction of the gun barrel axis, or in
an approximate direction to enable the breech to be opened or closed, which system
is reprosented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 17 of the accompanying
drawing.
Second. The obturating system applied to the closing of the breech of a gun
(firing a cartridge carrying or not carrying a metallic or non-metallic bottom which
remains in the gun barrel after the firing) consisting of an obturator of tubular form,
entering the interior of a chamber formed at the rear part of the barrel, combined
with a percussion pin fixed in an unvarying manner to the said obturator, so that

page_text: when the firing takes place the percussion pin and the tubular obturator experience a
small forward displacement by reason of the shock of the hammer upon the block
carrying these parts, in order to permit the pin to cause the inflamination of the
fulminate; the penetration of this obturator into the gun barrel being obtained by the
sufficient displacement of the barrel or the breech closing block in the direction of
the barrel axis or in an approximate direction, in order to permit the breech to be
opened or closed, this system being represented in Figures 18 and 19 of the
accompanying drawing.
Third. The combination in a gun of two obturating systems hereinbefore set forth,
and represented in Figures 20, 21, 22 of the drawing.
Fourth. The actunting mechanism of the breech closing block, consisting of a
circular eccentric with or without a brake, applicable when the whole of the breech
closing block oscillates upon a transverse or longitudinal axis and combined with the
obturating systems herein before described, employed alone or combined, the whole
as represented in Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22 of the accompanying drawing for
a transverse axis.
Fifth. The metallic cartridges carrying at the rear the fulminate composing the
charge and represented in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and also in Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 22
where they are placed in the chamber of the gun, these cartridges which can be fired
in a smooth or rifled gun having for their chief object to replace the various cartridges
which are actually utilized in fire arms of small calibre, called saloon fire arms.
Sixth. The cartridge represented in Figures 31, 32, 33 possessing a stopping
shoulder placed at the rear of the cartridge and having for its object to offer the
desired resistance to the shock of the percussion pin upon the fulminate.
•
Seventh. The cartridge represented in Figures 34, 35 possessing a conical part at
the rear of the cartridge body, and that in Figure 36 whose cone extends over the
entire length of the cartridge body, in which the conical part is designed to fulfil the
same object as the shoulder of the cartridges in Figures 31, 32, 33, that is to say to
offer the desired resistance to the shock of the percussion pin upon the fulminate.
Eighth. The forcing at the moment of charging the fire arm of the cartridges
represented in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 34, 35, 36 of the drawing, whether the
forcing is partial or whether it is total, in order that in each case the resistance of the
cartridge presents the desired resistance to the shock of the percussion pin upon
the fulminate.
Ninth. The hollow inoffensive cartridge having a thin metallic wall, and flattening
on striking the object, the said cartridge carrying at the rear the fulminate composing
the charge and being represented in Figure 23 and also in Figure 24 in a slight
modification and adapted to be fired in a gun having a smooth bore or having a
rifled bore.
Tenth. The inoffensive cartridge full of material of small density, provided with a
metallic bottom having a projecting shoulder designed to ensure the invariableness of
the diameter of the cartridge in this portion, in order that it can always be fired in a
gun having a smooth or a rifled bore, the fulminate composing the charge being at
the rear of the bottom; the cartridge being represented in Figure 25, and also in
Figure 26 with the adjunction of a metallic part covering the fore part of the projectilo
cartridge, with the object of equilibrating it better.
Eleventh. The inoffensive cartridges having a very thin metallic case strengthened
by paper and filled with a material of small density and carrying at the rear the
fulminate composing the charge, the said cartridge being represented in Figure 27 and
also in Figure 28 where the material of small resistance does not entirely fill the
cavity of the metallic casing, and being capable of being fired in a gun having a
smooth or a rifled bore.
Twelfth. The inoffensive cartridge full of material of small density provided at the
rear with a very thin metallic casing strengthened by paper and carrying the
fulminate composing the charge the said cartridge being represented in Figure 29, and
capable of being fired in a gun having a smooth or rifled bore.

page_text: Thirteenth. The inoffensive cartridge represented in Figure 28 having a metallic
casing at the interior fore part full of material of relatively small density and capable
of being fired in guns provided with the breech obturating system hereinbefore
described.
Fourteenth. The cartridge whose casing for the powder charge is at the rear of the
stopping shoulder designed to ensure the inflammation of the fulmiinate, and is
adapted to enter the interior of the tubular obturator herein before described and
represented in Figures 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 30.
Fifteenth. The rifled tube of relatively small length, provided at the rear of a
barrel of a gun having a smooth bore, the external diameter of whose rifles is a little
smaller or at most equal to .the diameter of the smooth part of the barrel borc, for
the purpose of facilitating the cleaning of the fire arm, and at the same time ensuring
the precision of firing, which rifled tube can moreover be employed with any one of the
cartridges represented in the annexed drawing or with any other projectile suitably
arranged for firing from rifled guns.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.