IMPROVEMENTS IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES OR SHELLS FOR FIRE-ARMS OR ORDNANCE
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES OR SHELLS FOR
FIRE-ARMS OR ORDNANCE" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of hollow projectiles or shells in which the
bursting charge is composed of nitro-glycerine, and it consists in a novel con-
struction and arrangement of the parts as hereinafter set forth, the object being to
produce a more effective and otherwise desirable article of this character than is
now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such, matters from the following explanation.
The body of the shell, the breech-plug and the sabot, are of the ordinary form
and construction, except as hereinafter specified.
Disposed within the body of the shell, and resting on the inner end of the plug,
is a cylindrical metallic case, open at each end and provided at its forward end with
cross-bars or braces.
A glass jar provided with a metallic screw-cap is disposed within the case and
within the said jar is an auxiliary glass jar provided with a glass stopper. The
neck of the auxiliary jar passes upwardly through, and is firmly secured to, the cap
of the outer jar, to prevent the contents of said auxiliary jar from coming into
contact with the said cap.
Two stout endless elastic rubber straps are passed longitudinally around the
outer jar, said straps being crossed at the ends of said jar and kept in position
thereon by projections preferably moulded or cast integral with the jar. These
straps are firmly secured to the cross-bars of the metallic case by short non-elastic
straps or wires.
A stout non-elastic auxiliary or safety strap passes around the rear end of the
outer jar, and has its ends secured to the interior of the, metallic case near its
forward end.

page_text: The breech plug is centrally bored to form a chamber in which works a plunger,
provided at its inner end with cross-heads.
A time-fuse-plug of the ordinary or any suitable construction, is inserted in the
outer end of the plug, and connecting said fuse-plug with the said chamber is a
touch-hole.
The plunger is provided with a chamber having at its outer end a plug for
closing said chamber, the plug being provided with a time-fuse, which passes
through the same and communicates with the chambers of the breech plug and
plunger.
The glass jars are designed to contain the ingredients from which the nitro-
glycerine is made or compounded, viz nitric acid, sulphuric acid and glycerine, a
proper proportion of each of said ingredients being used to form nitro-glycerine
when they are mixed. As, for obvious reasons, the nitric acid cannot be mixed
with the glycerine, and should not be brought into contact with the metallic
cap, I place all the nitric acid and one half of the sulphuric acid in the inner or
auxiliary jar, and all the glycerine and one half of the sulphuric acid in the outer
jar, each of the jars being preferably filled and respectively capped and stoppered
or tightly closed.
After the jars have been filled and closed as described the elastic straps are
adjusted on the outer jar, after which the jars are inserted in the metallic case, and
the auxiliary non-elastic strap passed over its rear end and secured to buttons or
studs on the interior of the said case. The other straps are then attached to the
cross-bars, by wires or short non-elastic straps, and the metallic case containing the
jars and straps is inserted in the body of the shell, the breech plug being removed
to permit this to be done.
The fuse-plug, containing a time-fuse constructed and arranged in a suitable
manner, is then inserted in the plug, after which the chamber in said plug is
loaded with a charge of powder, some of which also ordinarily passes into the
touch hole.
The chamber in the plunger is then also loaded with powder, and the fuse-plug
screwed into the outer end of said plunger, after which the plunger is inserted in
the plug chamber on top of its charge, the cross-heads resting on the inner end of
the breech-plug which plug is now inserted or screwed into the body of the shell
and the shell fired from the cannon, rifle or other piece of ordnance in the usual
manner.
When the shell is fired the fuse in the plug is ignited, and in due time as pre-
arranged, communicates fire to the powder, in the plug chamber, which powder
then explodes and forces the cross-head of the plunger against the jars, or shoots
said plunger through said jars, thereby inixing their contents and forming nitro-
glycerine. The flame, sparks or heat from the exploded powder being at the same,
or nearly the same, instant of time brought into contact with the nitro-glycerine
thus formed, the same is thereby exploded bursting the shell in a manner which
will be readily obvious without a more explicit description.
To ensure the explosion of the nitro-glycerine in case the same should not be
ignited by the explosion of the powder in the plug chamber, I make use of the
powder in the chamber of the plunger, and of time-fuse in the plug, closing said
chamber, said fuse being ignited by the explosion of the powder in the plug chamber
and so " timed " as to explode the powder in the plunger chamber, and burst the
plunger when it has penetrated to the upper ends, or nearly so, of the jars, thereby
exploding the nitro-glycerine by the flames, sparks or heat resulting from the
explosion of the powder in the plunger.
The object of the elastic straps, is to enable the inertia of the jars, to be over-
come gradually, and thereby prevent said jars from being broken and their contents
prematurely mixed as the shell is fired from the gun.
The object of the auxiliary or safety strap, is to prevent the jars from being
brought into untimely contact with the plunger heads, and broken, in case the
straps or cross-bars, should accidentally break when the shell is fired.

page_text: The air between the outer end of the outer jar, and the inner end of the breech-
plug, forins a cushion which aids the elastic straps materially in preventing the jars
from coming accidentally in contact with the heads of the plunger, and as an addi-
tional preventive an india-rubber cushion or spring may be interposed between the
plug and the outer jar, if necessary.
According to a modification of my improved shell a time-fuse is employed to
ignite the powder, which forces the plunger through the jars and mixes the ingre-
dients to form the nitro-glycerine; but the shell may be so constructed as to enable
the powder which shoots the plunger through the jars to be exploded by means of
a percussion cap, if desired, without departing from the spirit of my invention.
The shell is fitted with a percussion cap at its point or forward end, the touch
hole, plug chamber, and plunger, being transferred from the plug to the forward
end of the shell, and the jars and metallic case reversed, so as to bring the bottoms
of said jars nearest the forward end of the shell to enable the plunger to break
them more readily than it would if the metallic cap were placed nearest the
plunger.
The percussion cap is placed on an ordinary nipple at the point of the shell, and
over this is placed a cover which is not screwed on but fits loosely in an annular
socket formed in the end of the shell, a cap being screwed on over the cover and
percussion cap.
Projecting from the interior wall of the metallic case near its forward end are
studs, to which the elastic straps are attached by short non-elastic straps or wires;
these studs serving substantially the same purpose as the cross-bars hereinbefore
described; but instead of the studs any other suitable means for securing the straps
may be employed; or the jars may be placed with the metallic cap adjoining the
plunger if desired as before described.
In firing the shell last described the cap over the cover and percussion cap is
taken off before the shell is inserted in the gun, but the cover is left on, its object
being to prevent the flames or heat from the powder with which the shell is
fired from exploding the percussion cap prematurely, or before the shell strikes its
target.
When the said shell strikes the object at which it is fired, and the cap is
exploded, the powder in the plug and plunger chambers, will also be exploded, and
the plunger forced through the jars and their ingredients mixed and exploded in
substantially the same manner as already described.
Instead of using but two jars or receptacles for holding the ingredients of which
the nitro-glycerine is composed, three or more may be employed if desired. The
jars may also be composed of any suitable material which is sufficiently frangible,
and may be capped, stoppered or sealed in any proper manner.
An annular packing or cushion may also be placed between the interior of the
outer jar, and the exterior of the inner jar, if required, to prevent the inner jar
from being broken off at the cap in case the jars are accidentally dropped after
being connected. This packing or cushion may be placed at or near the bottom of
the outer jar, or mid-way of its body, and may be provided with holes or openings
for the passage of the ingredients contained in the outer jar.
The plunger may also be constructed of any desired shape provided it performs
its functions properly; the chamber and plug may also be dispensed with in the
plunger, and the cover omitted if desired.
According to another modification of my improvement the body of the shell is
made in two parts which are screwed together. The base contains an inwardly
opening powder chamber and a time-fuse the latter being constructed and arranged
in a suitable manner to be ignited when the shell is fired in the usual manner.
A spring is disposed in the forward end of the shell, and at the rear of said
spring and resting against it within the body of the shell there are a series of
vessels or hollow discs composed of glass or other frangible material.
Any suitable number of such vessels may be employed, each vessel being loose
in the shell and independently detachable. The vessels are provided with buffers

page_text: or cushions to prevent them from being accidentally broken in handling or firing
the shells, and are each divided by means of partitions into three compartments
to which access is had through perforations. In one of the compartments is placed
the nitric acid, in another the sulphuric acid and in another the glycerine, these
being the ingredients of which the nitro-glycerine is composed as herein before set
forth; but if preferred the vessels may be made without compartments, the ingre-
dients being placed in separate vessels; or sulphuric acid and nitric acid may be
placed in one vessel or compartment, and glycerine and sulphuric acid in another
vessel or compartment in substantially the same manner as already described.
Under no circumstances are all of the ingredients to be placed in the same vessel
or jar or the same compartment of a vessel.
The plunger or shattering device is provided with a shank which is fitted to the
powder chamber and rests on the charge, being held in contact therewith by the
said spring.
This plunger is provided with an annular groove or chamber for receiving an
annular flange on the interior of the base, and also with forwardly projecting
prongs and with perforations.
In the use of this form of the shall and immediately before it is fired from the
gun, the time-fuse is cut so as to explode the powder or charge in any given
number of seconds required. The fuse is ignited in the usual manner when the
shell is fired and in due time fire is communicated to the charge, in the powder
chamber, which charge explodes and violently expels the shank of the plunger
from said chamber, driving said plunger into or through the vessels thereby
shattering them and mixing their contents to form nitro-glycerine in substantially
the same manner as nitro-glycerine is formed when the jars are shattered by the
plunger first described the flame from the powder also igniting and exploding the
nitro-glycerine thus formed.
The plunger is provided with openings for the passage of the air as the plunger
is driven forward through the vessels.
The annular groove or chamber in the plunger also permits the flame and pro-
ducts of combustion from the exploding powder to pass into it before reaching the
ingredients contained in the vessels, thus allowing time for said ingredients to
become thoroughly mixed before the nitro-glycerine formed therefrom is ignited.
It will be understood that the vessels, or their compartments are to be properly
filed with the ingredients of which nitro-glycerine is formed and said vessels or
compartments properly stoppered or sealed up before they are inserted in the shell.
According to another modification the shell is constructed on the same general
principles as those last described but is designed to have its powder charge ignited
by means of a percussion shell instead of a time-fuse. The spring is placed at the
rear end of the main chamber or cavity of the shell and the plunger at the front
end of said chamber, the shank of the plunger being inserted in a chamber formed
in the conoidal portion of the shell, which chamber also contains the powder
charge.
A wire arranged in parallelism with the shank of the plunger has one of its ends
secured in the forward end of the shell, and extends rearward through one of the
holes in the plunger, and when the shell is ready to be fired said wire is bent down
onto the plunger to prevent the plunger from being dashed against the vessels by
the discharge of the gun.
A percussion cap is placed beneath a cover in substantially the same manner as
before described, this cover being removed before the shell is fired, so that when
the shell strikes the target or object at which it is aimed, the cap will be exploded,
and ignite the powder in the powder chamber, causing it to explode and force the
plunger through the vessels, thereby mixing their contents and forming nitro-
glycerine, which is then exploded by the flame from the exploding powder charge
in the powder chamber.
When the plunger is forced forward by the explosion of the powder, the wire
will be unbent or straightened. Several wires may be employed if necessary.

page_text: The improvement, so far as the same relates to the jars or vessels for containing
the ingredients of which the nitro-glycerine is formed, and means for cushioning
or packing the same within the shell to prevent untimely breakage, may be used
without a plunger and powder charge for breaking said jars or vessels, if desired,
by making slight changes in the construction which will readily suggest themselves
without description.
When the plunger and powder charge are not employed the vessels or jars, as
the case may be, are broken and the nitro-glycerine exploded by the shock or
concussion of the shell striking the object against which it is fired, a percussion
cap being used and exploded at approximately the same time, or not as preferred,
but no fuse being required.
If a percussion cap is used without the powder charge or plunger, it should be
connected by a proper hole or opening with the interior of the shell, so that when
it is exploded its fire will be discharged into the nitro-glycerine.
Although I prefer to employ a plunger for breaking the glass vessels, I may
dispense with the use of the saine the explosion of the powder alone being sufficient
to break the vessels so that their contents mix.
I deem it preferable to construct the shell substantially as first described when
it is provided with a time-fuse, and substantially as described in the first modifi-
cation when it is provided with a percussion cap, the details of construction being
varied as circumstances may require without materially departing from the essential
features of the invention.

page_text: or Ordnance.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES OR SHELLS FOR
FIRE-ARMS OR ORDNANCE 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 that class of hollow projectiles or shells in which the
bursting charge is composed of nitro-glycerine, and it consists in a novel construction
and arrangement of the parts as hereinafter set forth, the object being to produce
a more effective and otherwise desirable article of this character than is now in
ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the invention will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the improved shell, a few of the parts being
shewn in elevation.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of some of the parts detached.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section representing a modification of the invention a
few of the parts being shown in elevation.
Figure 4 is a rear-end elevation of the shell shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a rear-end elevation of the parts shown in Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section representing another modification of the
invention a few of the parts being shown in elevation; and
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are views of details of the same.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section representing another modification of the
invention, a few of the parts being shown in elevation.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 H represents the body of the shell, J the breech-plug
and K the sabot, these parts being of the ordinary form and construction, except as
hereinafter specified.
Disposed within the body of the shell and resting on the inner end of the plug J,
as seen in Figure 1, is a cylindrical metallic case L, open at each end and provided
at its forward end with the cross-bars or braces x.
A glass jar M, provided with a metallic screw-cap N, is disposed within the
case L; and disposed within the jar M is an auxiliary glass jar O, provided with a
glass stopper P. The neck m of the jar O passes upwardly through and is firmly
secured to the cap N, to prevent the contents of said jar O from coming into
contact with said cap.
Two stout endless elastic india-rubber straps fare passed longitudinally around
the jar M, said straps being crossed at the ends of said jar, as best seen in Figure 5,
and kept in position thereon by projections i, preferably moulded or cast integral
with the jar. These straps are firmly secured to the cross-bars x of the case L by
short non-clastic straps or wires V.

page_text: A stout non-elastic auxiliary or safety strap Q passes around the rear end of the
jar M, and has its ends secured to the interior of the case L near its forward end,
as shewn at t.
The plug J is centrally bored or chambered, as shown at R, and fitted to work
therein is a plunger S, provided at its front end with the cross-heads h.
A time-fuse plug T of any suitable construction, is inserted in the outer end of
the plug J; and connecting said fuse plug with the chamber R is a touch-hole g.
The plunger S is chambered at ke as shown and is provided at its rear end with a
plug for closing said chamber, the said plug having a time-fuse
which passes
through the same and communicates with the chambers R, k.
The jars M, O are designed to contain the ingredients viz nitric acid, sulphuric
acid and glycerine which, when mixed in proper proportions, form nitro-glycerine.
As, for obvious reasons, the nitric acid cannot be mixed with the glycerine and
should not be brought into contact with the metallic cap N, I place all the nitric
acid and one half of the sulphuric acid in the inner or auxiliary jar O, and all the
glycerine and one half of the sulphuric acid in the outer jar M, each of the jars
being preferably filled and respectively capped and stoppered or tightly closed.
After the jars have been filled and closed as described, the elastic straps fare
adjusted on the jar M, as best seen in Figures 2 and 5, after which the jars are
inserted in the case L and the auxiliary non-elastic strap passed over its rear end
and secured to buttons or studs on the interior of the case at t. The straps fare
then attached to the cross-bars x, by wires or short non-elastic straps V, and the
case L containing the jars and straps is inserted in the body of the shell, the plug J
being removed to permit this to be done.
The fuse-plug T, containing a time-fuse n constructed and arranged in a suitable
manner, is then inserted in the plug J, as shown in Figure 1, after which the
chamber R in said plug is loaded with a charge of powder w, some of which also
ordinarily passes into the hole g.
The chamber k in the plunger S is then also loaded with powder w, and the fuse-
plug 7 screwed into the outer end of said plunger, after which the plunger is inserted
into the chamber R on top of its charge w, the cross-heads h resting on the inner
end of the breech-plug J, which plug is now inserted or screwed into the body of
the shell. The shell is fired from the cannon, rifle or other piece of ordnance in
the usual manner.
When the shell is fired the fuse n is ignited and in due time, as pre-arranged,
communicates fire to the powder w in the chamber R which powder then explodes
and forces the cross-head h of the plunger S against the jars M, O, or shoots said
plunger through said jars, thereby mixing their contents and forming nitro-glycerine.
The flame, sparks or heat from the exploded powder being at the same, or nearly
the same, instant of time brought into contact with the nitro-glycerine thus formed,
the same is thereby exploded, bursting the shell in a manner which will be readily
obvious without a more explicit description.
To ensure the explosion of the nitro-glycerine in case the same should not be
ignited by the explosion of the powder in the chamber R, I make use of the
powder in the chamber k of the plunger S, and of the time-fuse y in the plug 1;
said fuse being ignited by the explosion of the powder in the chamber R, and so
"timed" as to explode the powder in the chamber k and burst the plunger S when
it has penetrated to the upper ends, or nearly so, of the jars MO, thereby exploding
the nitro-glycerine by the flames, sparks or heat resulting from the explosion of the
powder in the plunger.
The object of the elastic straps fis to enable the inertia of the jars MO to be
overcome gradually, and thereby prevent said jars from being broken and their
contents prematurely mixed as the shell is fired from the gun.
The object of the auxiliary or safety strap Q is to prevent the jars M O from
being brought into untimely contact with the plunger heads h and broken, in case
the straps V, or cross-bars x should accidentally break when the shell is fired.

page_text: The air between the outer end of the jar M. and the inner end of the breech-
plug J forms a cushion, which aids the strapsf materially in preventing the jars
from coming accidentally in contact with the beads h of the plunger, and, as an
additional preventive, an india-rubber cushion or spring may be interposed between
the plug J and the jar M if necessary.
In the modification of the improved shell as shown in Figure 1, a time fuse is
employed to ignite the powder which forces the plunger through the jars and mixes
the ingredients to form the nitro-glycerine; but the shell may be so constructed as
to enable the powder which shoots the plunger through the jars to be exploded by
means of a percussion cap, if desired, without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
In Figure 3 the shell shown in Figure 1 is represented as fitted with a percussion
cap u at its point or forward end, the hole g, chamber R, and plunger S, being
transferred from the plug J to the forward end of the shell, and the jars M O, and
case L reversed, so as to bring the bottom of said jars nearest the forward end of
the shell to enable the plunger to break them more readily than it would if the
cap N were placed nearest the plunger.
The percussion cap is placed on an ordinary nipple at the point of the shell, and
over this is placed a cover z, which is not screwed on, but fits loosely in an annular
socket p formed in the end of the shell, a cap y being screwed on over the cover
and percussion cap.
Projecting from the interior wall of the case L, near its forward end (see
Figure 3), are studs j, to which the straps f are attached by short non-elastic straps
or wires these studs serving substantially the same purpose as the bars x, in
Figure 1; but, instead of the studs ; any other suitable means for securing the
straps may be employed; or the jars may be placed with the cap N adjoining the
plunger if desired, the same as shown in Figure 1.
In firing the shell shown in Figure 3, the cap y is taken off before the shell is
inserted in the gun, but the cover z is left on, its object being to prevent the flames
or heat from the powder with which the shell is fired from exploding the percussion
cap u prematurely, or before the shell strikes.
When the shell shown in Figure 3 strikes the object at which it is fired and the
cap u is exploded, the powder in the chambers R, k will also be exploded, whereby
the plunger S will be forced through the jars and their ingredients mixed and
exploded in substantially the same manner as already described with reference to
the shell shown in Figure 1.
Instead of using but two jars or receptacles for holding the ingredients of which
the nitro-glycerine is composed, three or more may be employed, if desired. The
jars may be composed of any suitable material which is sufficiently frangible, and
may be capped, stoppered or sealed in any proper manner.
An annular packing or cushion may also be placed between the interior of the
outer jar M and the exterior of the inner jar O, if required, to prevent the inner jar
from being broken off at the cap N in case the jars are accidentally dropped after
being connected. This packing or cushion may be placed at or near the bottom of
the jar M, or mid-way of its body, and may be provided with holes or openings for
the passage of the ingredients contained in the outer jar.
The plunger may be constructed of any desired shape provided it performs its
functions properly; and the chamber k and plug 7 may also be dispensed with in
the plunger, and the cover or cap z omitted, if desired.
A
In the modification shown in Figure 6 the body A of the shell is made in two
parts which are screwed together at a. The base B, contains an inwardly opening
powder chamber b and a time-fuse c, the latter being constructed and arranged in a
suitable manner to be ignited when the shell is fired in the usual manner.
spring C is disposed in the forward end of the shell, and at the rear of said spring
and resting against it within the body of the shell there are a series of vessels or
hollow discs D, composed of glass or other frangible material.

page_text: Any suitable number of such vessels may be employed, each vessel being loose in
the shell and independently detachable. The vessels are provided with buffers or
cushions d, to prevent them from being accidentally broken in handling or firing
the shells, and are each divided by means of partitions D' into three compartments,
as shown in Figure 8, to which access is had through the perforations D. In one
of the compartments is placed the nitric acid, in another the sulphuric acid and in
another the glycerine, these being the ingredients of which the nitro-glycerine is
composed as hereinbefore set forth; but, if preferred, the vessels D, may be made
without compartments, the ingredients being placed in separate vessels; or sulphuric
acid and nitric acid may be placed in one vessel or compartment, and glycerine and
sulphuric acid in another vessel or compartment in substantially the same manner
as already described for the jars shown in Figure 1; under no circumstances are all
of the ingredients to be placed in the same vessel or jar or in the same compartment
of a vessel.
The plunger or shattering device for the shell represented in Figure 6 is shown
at E in Figure 9, said plunger being provided with a shank E¹, which is fitted to
the powder chamber 6 and rests on the charge b', being held in contact therewith
by the spring C. This plunger is provided with an annular groove or chamber Eu
for receiving an annular flange d' on the interior of the base B, and also with
forwardly projecting prongs e and with perforations e¹.
In the use of this form of the shell and immediately before it is fired from the
gun, the time-fuse c is cut so as to explode the powder or charge b' in any given
number of seconds required. The fuse is ignited in the usual manner when the
shell is fired, and in due time fire is communicated to the charge b' in the chamber b,
which charge explodes and violently expels the shank E¹ of the plunger from said
chamber, driving said plunger into or through the vessels D and thereby shattering
them and mixing their contents to form nitro-glycerine, in substantially the same
manner as nitro-glycerine is formed when the jars M, O are shattered by the
plunger shown in Figure 1, the flame from the powder also igniting and exploding
the nitro-glycerine thus formed.
The plunger is provided with openings e¹ for the passage of the air as the plunger
is driven forward through the vessels D. The annular chamber E" also permits the
flame and products of combustion from the exploding powder to pass into it before
reaching the ingredients contained in the vessels D, thus allowing time for said
ingredients to become thoroughly mixed before the nitro-glycerine formed therefrom
is ignited.
It will be understood that the vessels D, or their compartments, are to be properly
filled with the ingredients of which nitro-glycerine is formed, and said vessels or
compartments properly stoppered or sealed up before they are inserted in the shell.
In Figure 10 a shell is represented which is constructed on the same general
principles as that shown in Figure 6, but is designed to have its powder charge
ignited by means of a percussion cap instead of by a time-fuse, or in substantially
the same manner as the shell shown in Figure 3. The spring C is placed at the
rear end of the main chamber or cavity of the shell (see Figure 10), and the
plunger E at the front end of said chamber, the shank E¹ of the plunger being
inserted in a chamber b formed in the conoidal portion of the shell, which chamber
also contains the powder charge b¹.
A wire H, arranged in parallelism with the shank E' of the plunger, has one of
its ends secured in the forward end of the shell, and extends rearward through one
of the holes e' in the plunger, and when the shell is ready to be fired said wire is
bent down onto the plunger to prevent the plunger from being dashed against the
vessels D by the discharge of the gun.
A percussion cap (not shown) is placed beneath the cover I, in substantially the
same manner as described for the shell represented in Figure 3, this cover being
removed before the shell is fired, so that when the shell strikes the object at which
it is aimed the cap will be exploded and ignite the powder b in the chamber b,
causing the powder to explode and force the plunger E through the vessels D,

page_text: thereby mixing their contents and forming nitro-glycerine, which is then exploded
by the flame from the exploding powder charge in the chamber b.
When the plunger is forced forward by the explosion of the powder, the wire H
will be unbent or straightened. Several wires may be employed if necessary.
The improvements, so far as the same relate to the jars or vessels for containing
the ingredients of which the nitro-glycerine is formed, and means for cushioning
or packing the same within the shell to prevent untimely breakage, may be used
without a plunger and powder charge for breaking said jars or vessels, if desired,
by making slight changes in the construction which will readily suggest themselves
without description.
When the plunger and powder charge are not employed the vessels or jars, as
the case may be, are broken and the nitro-glycerine exploded by the shock or
concussion of the shell striking the object against which it is fired, a percussion cap
being used and exploded at approximately the same time, or not, as preferred, but
no fuse being required.
If a percussion cap is used without the powder charge or plunger, it should be
connected by a proper hole or opening with the interior of the shell, so that when
it is exploded its fire will be discharged into the nitro-glycerine.
Instead of powder any other suitable explosive may be employed; and instead of
being confined in the chamber it may be disposed in any other suitable receptacle
provided the same communicates with a fuse or percussion cap.
The powder when exploded will, without the aid of the plunger, in nearly every
instance, crush the jars, vessels or receptacles in which the acids and glycerine aro
contained, and hence the plunger may be omitted if desired.
A wad 6 is placed in the chamber and rammed down hard on to the powder, so
that when the plunger is not used the powder will not escape before it is exploded
by the fuse or percussion cap. It is also preferable to use the wad when the
plunger is employed, as it prevents the escape of the powder in case the plunger is
thrown from the chamber before the fire from the fuse or cap reaches the powder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed (as communicated
to me by my Foreign Correspondent) I declare that what I claim is
First. In a nitro-glycerine shell, the combination of a body, provided with a
detachable breech-plug or base; suitable frangible jars or vessels for containing
the ingredients of which nitro-glycerine is composed and keeping them properly
separated; a plunger for crushing or breaking said jars or vessels and mixing said
ingredients; means for firing said plunger after the shell has left the Gun and
causing it to break said jars or vessels; and a cylindrical case and elastic straps, or
other means, for cushioning said jars and enabling the inertia of the jars to be
overcome without breaking them prematurely when the shell is fired, substantially
as described.
Second. In a nitro-glycerine shell substantially such as described, the plunger S
provided with the chamber for containing a charge of powder, and fuse-plug 7 for
closing said chamber, in combination with the breech-plug J having the chamber R,
hole 9, and fuse plug T, substantially as set forth.
Third. In a nitro-glycerine shell, the body H, plug J, jars M, O, plunger S, fuse
plug T, case L and elastric straps f, all constructed, combined and arranged to
operate substantially as described.
Fourth. In a nitro-glycerine shell substantially such as described, the jars M, O,
provided with the cap N and stopper P, all constructed, combined and arranged to
operate substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a nitro-glycerine shell substantially such as described, the cylindrical
case, I provided with the braces or cross-bars x, in combination with the jars M, O,
elastic straps f and wires or straps V for attaching said elastic straps to said bars,
substantially as described.

page_text: Sixth. In a nitro-glycerine shell, substantially such as described, the auxiliary
strap Q, in combination with the case L, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
Seventh. In a nitro-glycerine shell, substantially such as described, the
percussion cap u, in combination with the plunger S, jars M, O, case L, straps f,
plug J, and body H having the chamber R and hole g in its forward end, sub-
stantially as described.
Eighth. In a nitro-glycerine shell, the studs ; and straps or wires i, in
combination with the case L, jars M, O, and straps f, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Ninth. In a nitro-glycerine shell, the body A, base B, plunger E, disc D
spring C, fuse c and cushions d, all combined and arranged to operate substantially
as described.
Tenth. In a nitro-glycerine shell, substantially such as described the hollow
disc D provided with the partitions D¹ and openings D¹, in combination with the
cushions d, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. In a nitro-glycerine shell, substantially such as described, the
plunger E provided with the annular groove E" and prongs e, substantially as,
and for the purpose, specified.
Twelfth. In a nitro-glycerine shell, substantially such as described, the com-
bination of the discs D, spring C, plunger E, base B, wire H and body A having a
cover I and a chamber b with a hole g at its forward end, substantially as, and for
the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. In a hollow projectile or shell adapted to be exploded by nitro-
glycerine, the combination of one or more frangible jars, vessels, or receptacles
adapted to contain the ingredients of which nitro-glycerine is composed and keep
them properly separated until said jars are crushed or broken to mix said
ingredients, a plunger or suitable device for crushing or breaking said jars, vessels
or receptacles, said plunger or device being adapted to be fired or actuated by the
explosion of gun-powder or other suitable explosive disposed in the shell or some
part thereof; a cylindrical case and elastic straps, or other suitable means for
cushioning said jars vessels or receptacles and enabling the inertia of the same to
be overcome without breaking said jars, vessels or receptacles prematurely when
the projectile or shell is fired; and a hollow body having a detachable breech-plug
or base, said projectile or shell being provided with a chamber for containing the
gun-powder or other explosive for firing said plunger, and with a hole communi-
cating with said chamber through which the gun powder or explosive may be
ignited by means of a fuse, percussion cap or other suitable means substantially as
described.
means for
Fourteenth. In a hollow projectile or shell the combination of one or more
frangible jars, vessels or receptacles adapted to contain the ingredients of which
nitro-glycerine is composed and keep the same properly separated until said jars,
vessels or receptacles are crushed or broken to mix said ingredients;
cushioning or keeping said jars, vessels or receptacles out of contact with the
breechi or base of the shell when it is fired; and a hollow body having a detachable
breech-plug or base, said projectile or shell being provided with a chamber for
containing gunpowder or other explosive for breaking said jars, vessels or
receptacles and igniting the nitro-glycerine, and with a hole communicating with
said chamber through which said gunpowder or explosive may be ignited by
means of a fuse, or percussion cap, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. In a hollow projectile or shell the combination of a body; a
detachable breech-plug or base for closing said body; a suitable quantity of nitric
acid, glycerine and sulphuric acid; suitable frangible jars, vessels or receptacles for
containing said acids and glycerine and keeping them properly separated until said
jars, vessels or receptacles are purposely broken to mix the contents; means for
cushioning said jars, vessels or receptacles; and a charge of gun powder or other
explosive disposed in a chamber or other suitable receptacle within the projection

page_text: or shell, said chamber or receptacle being connected by a suitable hole or opening
with a fuse or percussion cap, substantially as set forth.
Sixteenth. A hollow projectile or shell containing nitric acid, glycerine and
sulphuric acid properly separated and a charge of gunpowder or other explosive, in
combination with means for exploding the gunpowder or other explosive after the
projectile or shell leaves the gun and for mixing said acids and glycerine to form
nitro-glycerine and igniting the nitro-glycerine to explode the projectile or shell
substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of November 100%
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.