Improvements in Explosive Projectiles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosive Projectiles.
I, SAMUEL VICTOR DARDIER, of 32 Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in explosive projectiles.
The object of my said invention is to construct an improved explosive projectile
which will exhibit, in exploding, the characteristics of common shell, of shrapnel
shell, and of case shot, and will carry a larger bursting charge than that generally
used in shrapnel shell of the same calibre and weight. The said improved projectile,
for the reason that it possesses the aforesaid characteristics in combination, is
particularly advantageous for use in field or mountain artillery. Moreover a single
type thereof may be used for range-finding, or for shrapnel-firing or for other
purposes, so that the employment of different natures of projectiles for different
duties is rendered unnecessary.
According to one method of carrying my invention into practice I make a
projectile, preferably of cast iron, with a central cavity in which I place the bursting
charge. In the wall of the projectile I form longitudinal holes, either by providing
cores in the pattern, or by boring, or otherwise; the said holes are preferably made
close to the exterior periphery of the projectile. In them I place lead bullets or
other suitable pieces or fragments of metal, and to retain the said pieces or frag-
ments in place I close the ends of the holes by suitable plugs or I run a suitable
filling thereinto, such as sulphur, or rosin. Or I may use both the filling and the
plugs. The said improved projectiles are fitted with suitable fuzes at one end or at
both ends thereof, for the purpose of igniting the bursting charge.
When the bursting charge is ignited, the sides of the projectile, being weakened
by the aforesaid holes, are readily broken up so that they and the bullets contained
in the holes are scattered widely.
As an alternative to the holes, and for a like purpose, I form channels in the wall
of the projectile, in such a manner that one side of each channel opens upon the
exterior periphery of the projectile. The openings thus made are not sufficiently
wide to allow the bullets or equivalent contents of the channels to pass out therefrom,
and the metal between the several channels, and between the channels and the
bursting-charge chamber, is suitably reduced. An explosive projectile thus con-
structed, is readily fractured into small pieces along lines of fracture determined
by the proportions of the channels and the disposition of the metal of the
projectile, by the explosion of the bursting-charge, upon which, said pieces and
the contents of the channels are scattered with uniformity and certainty.
As a further improvement according to my invention I place over the projectile
a thin head or casing of metal preferably arranged to cover the aforesaid openings
or channels, and secured in place by any suitable means, for instance by screws or
by "choking" it into a groove or cannelure. This head or casing diminishes the
resistance to the passage of my improved projectile through the air.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Explosive Projectiles.
I, SAMUEL VICTOR DARDIER, of 32 Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster,
Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in explosive projectiles.
The object of my said invention is to construct an improved explosive projectile
in which the bullets, or the. like, for dispersal on explosion of the bursting charge
are placed in holes or channels which are formed in the wall of the projectile and
are distinct from the central cavity in which the bursting charge is contained.
The said projectile will exhibit, in exploding, the characteristics of common shell,
of shrapnel shell, and of case shot, and will carry a larger bursting charge
than that generally used in shrapnel shell of the same calibre and weight. As it
possesses the aforesaid characteristics in combination, it is particularly advantageous
for use in field or mountain artillery. Moreover a single type thereof may be
used for all the various purposes for which different natures of projectiles have been
hitherto required.
.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of the improved projectile,
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section thereof,
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line X X of Figure 2,
Figure 4 is an elevation of an alternative construction of the improved
projectile,
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line Y Y of Figure 4,
Figure 6 is a longitudinal central section of a further alternative form, and
Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line Z Z of Figure 6.
Like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the body of the projectile, preferably made of cast iron, and provided with
a central cavity A¹ as shown, wherein the bursting charge is placed. In the
example illustrated by Figures 1, 2, and 3, longitudinal holes A2 are formed in the
wall of the projectile, either by providing cores in the pattern or by boring or
otherwise; the said holes are preferably made close to the exterior periphery of
the projectile, to facilitate the breaking up of the same, as hereinafter specified.
In them I place bullets B or other suitable pieces or fragments of metal and to
retain the said pieces or fragments in place 1 close the ends of the holes by suitable
plugs such as C, or I run a suitable filling C' thereinto, such as sulphur or rosin.
may use both the filling and the plugs. When the bursting charge is ignited
the sides of the projectile, being weakened by the aforesaid holes are readily
broken up so that the fragments of the metal of the body and the bullets or other
contents of the holes are scattered widely.
Or
As an alternative to the holes, and for a like purpose, I form channels A³ (see
Figures 4, 5 and 6) in the wall of the projectile in such a manner that one side of
each channel opens upon the exterior periphery of the projectile. The openings
thus made must be sufficiently narrow to prevent the passage therethrough of the
bullets B or equivalent contents of the channels. The metal between the severa
channels, and between the channels and the bursting-charge chamber, is suitabl
reduced so as to weaken the shell at those places.
An explosive projectile thus constructed, is readily fractured into small piece
along lines of fracture determined by the proportions of the channels and th
disposition of the metal of the projectile, when the bursting-charge explodes
upon which, said pieces and the contents of the channels are scattered wit
uniformity and certainty.

page_text: As a further improvement according to my invention, I place over the projectile,
a thin casing of metal D (see Figures 6 and 7) preferably arranged to cover the
aforesaid holes or channels, and secured in place by any suitable means, for
instance by screws or by "choking" it as at D' into a groove or cannelure formed
in the projectile. This head or casing diminishes the resistance to the passage of
my improved projectile through the air.
Suitable fuzes are fitted to the projectiles, for the purpose of igniting the
bursting charge. A fuze E is shown at the point of the projectile, in Figure 6.
It is screwed into place over the forward end of the casing D which is turned
inward as shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :--
.
1. An explosive projectile constructed with longitudinal holes or channels in its
wall, for the purposes specified.
2. An explosive projectile having longitudinal channels or grooves in its wall,
open to the exterior of the projectile and with or without an exterior casing for
the purpose specified.
3. An explosive projectile having balls or fragments contained in longitudinal
holes or channels formed in its wall; for the purposes specified.
4. An explosive projectile substantially as herein before described with reference.
to Figures 1, 2 and 3, Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying
drawings, for the purposes specified.
VAI
RL HIS 128
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.