IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING CANNON AND AMMUNITION THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt of Sutton in the County of Surrey for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING CANNON AND AMMUNITION
THEREFOR" communicated to him from abroad by Roswell Sabine Ripley of
Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America temporarily residing at
St Etienne France formerly an Officer of Artillery
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1883.
SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECHI
LOADING CANNON AND AMMUNITION THEREFOR" [communicated to him from abroad
by Roswell Sabine Ripley of Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
temporarily residing at St Etienne France formerly an Officer of Artillery]
This Invention relates to improvements in breech loading cannon and ammunition
therefor.
The improvements are illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
In the breech loading cannon to which the invention refers, the projectile and
cartridge with metallic base containing the charge of powder (as shown in the
drawing Figure 2) are inserted in the bore of the cannon from the breech and
pushed home to their seats-The breech is then closed by a quoin or wedge.
The gun is reinforced by projections of metal on each side reaching from the
breech, several calibres in length, say four or more, towards the muzzle as shown in
the drawings Figures 1, 2 and 3 marked a. These projections are to be of sufficient
size and strength to compensate for any loss of strength in the walls of the cannon
from cutting the mortice in which the quoin or wedge forming the breech block is
inserted.
The breech block which is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6 marked b is of a plane
surface on the side next the muzzle which is perpendicular to the axis of the
cannon. The upper and lower surfaces are also plane, the upper surface being
slightly inclined to the lower. The surface of the breech block next the breech is
•

page_text: the surface of a very elongated cone and the surfaces are so joined that the solid
forms a wedge of which the front surface is parallel to the face of the muzzle, and
perpendicular to the contiguous surfaces of the breech block, while the lower surface
is parallel to the axis of the cannon and also to the axis of the trunnions. The
upper plane surface and the rear conical surfaces both taper slightly from the side
of insertion forming the wedge as shown in the drawing.
The breech block extends from the side of insertion to within about one fourth
of a calibre of the outer surface of the projection on the opposite side of the cannon,
and the surface of the broech block at this end is plain, parallel to the axis of the
cannon and perpendicular to the lower surface of the breech block. On the side
of insertion it is so arranged by means of a mortice, that it is provided with a
bandle as shown in the drawing Figures 1 and 3.marked c. The lower surface of
the breech block is provided with a rack shown in Figures 2 and 3 marked & so
that it shall gear with a pinion, Figures 1, 2 and 3, marked e. The pinion is fixed
on an axle supported by projections shown in Figures 1 and 2 marked f. This
axle extends to the breech of the cannon and is there terminated in a bar of square
section to which a crank can be attached. By turning this crank the pinion will
move the breech block so that it will open and shut the breech of the cannon.
The upper surface of the breech block is provided with a channel of slight depth
running parallel to and about two thirds of its length.
In this channel Figure 3 marked g is inserted the end of a set screw, Figures 1
and 3 marked the object of which is to prevent the inadvertant withdrawal of
the breech block further than is necessary for the insertion or extraction of the
ammunition.
The projection of metal on the side of the cannon opposite the insertion of the
breech block has a slot cut therein parallel to the axis of the piece, and of a depth
and width to expose the end of the breech block. This slot is provided with an
eccentric roller with a vertical axis and this roller with a lever handle which when
closed is parallel and close to the exterior surface of the cannon Figures 2 and 3
marked. The object of this eccontric roller is to commence the movement of
the breech block should it become jammed by the force of the explosion or other
cause.
The breech block is perforated with a hole of small size enlarged at the end
next the breech of the cannon to carry a small rod, if necessary. This perforation
is placed so that when the breech block is closed it shall coincide with the axis of
the cannon, Figures 2 and 6 marked k.
The cartridge is shown in Figure 2 marked m, and its mouth and base on an
enlarged scale are shown in Figures 7 and 8. It has a strong metallic base
preferably of bronze. The cylinder may be either of metal or strong card board.
It is provided with a strong interior tube of steel or iron of a diameter of about
one sixth of the cartridge extending from the base of the cartridge its whole length
to the mouth of the cartridge and base of the projectile, and this tube is perforated
throughout its length with holes of a size to permit the free passage of flame,
Figures 2, 7 and 8 marked T. The tube is firmly fixed in the base of the
cartridge, and the ignition of the cartridge which it is desirablo should be as
nearly simultaneous throughout its length as possible, and at the extremity of the
tube next the projectile may be effected by different means.
1. By firing a small cartridge placed in the base of tube, which is strengthened
at that point for the purpose, as provided for in the patent granted to (Lieu"-Col'.
W. Hope and R. S Ripley 1880. N° 2923.) The flame of the ignition of this
smaller cartridge being projected along the tube will penetrate to the powder in
the main cartridge through the holes with which the tube is perforated as
described in the specification of the patent mentioned above
2nd By firing a small cartridge placed at the mouth of the tube next the
projectile of sufficient strength to overcome by its explosion the equilibrium of the
projectile and at the same time send a powerful flamo along the tube to the base
of the cartridge. The small cartridge at the mouth of the tube may be ignited

page_text: by means of a rod preferably of steel extending along the axis of the cartridge
and interior tube supported in its position by means of guides so constructed as
to permit as much open space in the interior of the tube as possible. Figure 7
marked o. The small cartridge placed at the mouth of the tube next the projectilo.
is provided with a fulminating capsule so that it shall be ignited by a blow from
the end of the rod extending along the tube. The subsidiary cartridge is shown
in Figure 7 marked p.
It being very necessary that the ignition of the powder in the principal
cartridge should be simultaneous throughout its length, this may be provided for
by arranging the holes in the interior tube through which the ignition is communi-
cated in such manner that the holes shall be largest and in greatest number at the
end of the tube furthest from the first point of ignition whether at the base or
mouth of the tube. The tubo may also be enveloped with different thicknesses of
paper the greatest thickness being next the first point of ignition and gradually
diminishing to the end furthest therefrom.
3rd The rod which extends from the base to the mouth of the cartridge may be
so arranged that along its length it shall be provided with protuberances Figure 9
marked vvv &. so that upon being smartly struck upon its end these protuberances
shall simultaneously abrade upon several different points provided with capsules
of fulminate or match composition, Figure 9 marked x, x, x, and produce ignition
at all such points at once. These capsules may be arranged upon one or more rods,
parallel to the axis of the tube so that the points of abrasion shall remain
relatively fixed when the rod is moved by percussion. The capsules should be
provided with sufficient match composition to fill the whole of the interior tube
with a strong flame so as to fire the principal cartridge simultaneously along its
entire length. When this method is used or that mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, the rod, with its accessorios may be so arranged that they shall be
inserted in the interior tube of the principal cartridge after the piece is loaded and
before the breech is closed.
For striking the rod by means of which ignition is communicated a mortice may
be made in the wall of the cannon near the breech and under the breech block, to
contain a box supporting a hammer Figure 6 marked 8, or any other arrangement
of lock suitable for the purpose, When the gun is loaded a smart pull of the
lanyard Figure 6 marked t, will cause the hammer to strike the rod extending
through the breech block and give the impetus to the rod in the interior of the
tube by which the cartridge is fired. The hammer is so balanced that upon the
relaxation of the lanyard it will fall by its own weight into its receptacle.
The cartridge may be extracted by means of an instrument as shown in
Figure 5. The breech of the cannon being open, the instrument is inserted in the
bore and attached by its claws to the base of the cartridge by inserting them in the
holes formed to receive them (as shown by the back end view, of a cartridge at
Figure 4) and slightly turning the instrument. When the empty cartridge can be
withdrawn. In case of difficulty power for extraction is provided by means of
the bar marked and the screw marked c¹.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Sydney Pitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th December
1883.
"
SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH
LOADING CANNON AND AMMUNITION THEREFOR [communicated to him from abroad
by Roswell Sabino Ripley of Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
temporarily residing at St Etienne France formerly an Officer of Artillery]
This invention relates to improvements in breech loading cannon and ammunition
therefor.
The improvements are illustrated in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In the breech loading cannon to which the invention refers the projectile and
cartridge with metallic base containing the charge of powder (as shown in tho
Drawing Figure 2) are inserted in the bore of the cannon from the breech and
pushed home to their seats. The breech is then closed by a quoin or wedge.
The gun is reinforced by projections of metal on each side reaching from the
breech several calibres in length say four or more towards the muzzle as shown in
the Drawings Figures 1. 2 and 3 marked a. These projections are to be of
sufficient size and strength to compensate for any loss of strength in the walls of
the cannon from cutting the mortice in which the quoin or wedge forming the
breech block is inserted.
The breech block which is shown in Figures 1. 2. 3 and 6 marked b is of a plane
surface on the side next the muzzle which is perpendicular to the axis of the
cannon the upper and lower surfaces are also plane, the upper surface being
slightly inclined to the lower. The surface of the breech block next the breech is
the surface of a very elongated cone and the surfaces are so joined that the solid
forms a wedge of which the front surface is parallel to the face of the muzzle and
perpendicular to the contiguous surfaces of the breech block while the lower
surfaco is parallel to the axis of the cannon and also to the axis of the trunnions.
The upper plane surface and the rear conical surfaces both taper slightly from the
side of insertion forming the wedge as shown in the Drawing.
The breech block extends from the side of insertion to within about ono fourth
of a calibre of the outer surface of the projection on the opposite side of the
cannon and the surface of the breech block at this end is plane, parallel to tho axis
of the cannon and perpendicular to the lower surface of the breech block. On the
side of insertion it is so arranged by means of a mortice that it is provided with
a handle as shown in the Drawing Figures 1 and 3 marked c. The lower surface
of the breech block is provided with a rack shown in Figures 2 and 3 marked d
so that it shall gear with a pinion Figures 1. 2 and 3 marked c. The pinion is
fixed on an axle supported by projections shown in Figures 1 and 2 marked f
This axle extends to the breech of the cannon and is there terminated in a bar of
square section to which a crank can be attached. By turning this crank the
pinion will move the breech block so that it will open and shut the breech of the
cannon. The upper surface of the breech block is provided with a channel of
slight depth running parallel to and about two thirds of its length. In this
channel Figure 3 marked g is inserted the end of a set screw Figures 1 and 3
Inarked the object of which is to prevent the inadvertent withdrawal of the
breech block further than is necessary for the insertion or extraction of the
ammunition.
The projection of metal on the side of the cannon opposite the insertion of the
breech block has a slot cut therein parallel to the axis of the piece and of a depth

page_text: and width to expose the end of the breech block. This slot is provided with an
eccentric roller with a vertical axis and this roller with a lever handle which when
closed is parallel and close to the exterior surface of the cannon Figures 2 and 3
marked. The object of this eccentric roller is to commence the movement of
the breech block should it become jammed by the force of the explosion or other
cause,
The breech block is perforated with a hole of small size enlarged at the end
next the breech of the cannon to carry a small rod if necessary. This perforation
is placed so that when the breech block is closed it shall coincide with the axis of
the cannon Figures 2 and 6 marked k.
The cartridge is shown in Figure 2 marked m and its mouth and base on an
enlarged scale are shown in Figures 7 and 8. It has a strong metallic base
preferably of steel. The cylinder may be either of metal or strong cardboard. It
is provided with a strong interior tube of steel or iron of a diameter of about one
sixth of the cartridge extending from the base of the cartridge its whole length
to the mouth of the cartridge and base of the projectile and this tube is perforated
throughout its length with holes of a size to permit the free passage of flame
Figures 2. 7. and 8 marked r. The tube is firmly fixed in the base of the cartridge
and the ignition of the cartridge which it is desirable should be as nearly simul-
taneous throughout its length as possible and at the extremity of the tube next
the projectile may be effected by different means.
1. By firing a small cartridge placed in the base of tube which is strengthened
at that point for the purpose as provided for in the Patent granted to Lieutenant
Colonel W. Hopo and R. S. Ripley in the year 1880 N° 2923. The flame of the
ignition of this smaller cartridge being projected along the tube will penetrate to
the powder in the main cartridge through the holes with which the tube is
perforated as described in the specification of the Patent mentioned above.
2. By firing a small cartridge placed at the mouth of the tube next the projectile
of sufficient strength to overcome by its explosion the equilibrium of the projectile
and at the same time send a powerful flame along the tube to the base of the
cartridge. The small cartridge at the mouth of the tube may be ignited by means
of a rod preferably of steel extending along the axis of the cartridge and interior
tube supported in its position by means of guides so constructed as to permit as
much open space in the interior of the tube as possible Figure 7 marked o. The
small cartridge placed at the mouth of the tube next the projectile is provided
with a fulminating capsule so that it shall be ignited by a blow from the end of
the rod extending along the tube. The subsidiary cartridge is shown in Figure 7
marked p.
It being very necessary that the ignition of the powder in the principal cartridge
should be simultaneous throughout its length this may be provided for by arranging
the holes in the interior tube through which the ignition is communicated in such
manner that the holes shall be largest and in greatest number at the end of the
tube furthest from the first point of ignition whether at the base or mouth of the
tube. The tube may also be enveloped with different thicknesses of paper the
greatest thickness being next the first point of ignition and gradually diminishing
to the end furthest therefrom.
3. The rod which extends from the base to the mouth of the cartridge may be
so arranged that along its length it shall be provided with protuberances Figures 9
marked v. v. v. so that upon being smartly struck upon its end these protuberances
shall simultaneously abrade upon several different points provided with capsules
of fulminate or match composition Figure 9 marked x. x. x. and produce ignition
at all such points at once. These capsules may be arranged upon one or more rods
parallel to the axis of the tube so that the points of abrasion shall remain relatively
fixed when the rod is moved by percussion. The capsules should be provided with
sufficient match composition to fill the whole of the interior tubo with a strong
flame so as to fire the principal cartridge simultaneously along its entire length.
When this method is used or that mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the rod

page_text: with its accessories may be so arranged that they shall be inserted in the interior
tube of the principal cartridge after the piece is loaded and before the breech
is closed.
'
For striking the rod by means of which ignition is communicated a mortice may
be made in the wall of the cannon near the breech and under the breech block to
contain a box supporting a hammer Figure 6 marked 8 or any other arrangement
of lock suitable for the purpose. When the gun is loaded a smart pull of the
lanyard Figure 6 marked t will cause the hammer to strike the rod extending
through the breech block and give the impetus to the rod in the interior of the
tube by which the cartridge is fired. The hammer is so balanced that upon the
relaxation of the lanyard it will fall by its own weight into its receptacle.
The cartridge may be extracted by means of an instrument as shown in Figure 5.
The breech of the cannon-being open the instrument is inserted in the bore and
attached by its claws to the base of the cartridge by inserting them in the. holes
formed to receive them (as shewn by the back end view of a cartridge at Figure 4)
and slightly turning the instrument when the empty cartridge can be withdrawn.
In case of difficulty power for extraction is provided by means of the bar marked
and the screw marked z¹.
Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the manner of
performing the same I would have it understood that I claim :-
First The method of closing the breech of the cannon substantially as described.
Second-The different methods of igniting an elongated cartridge substantially
ns described.
In witness whereof I the said Sydney Pitt have hereunto set my hand and-
seal this fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand oight
hundred and eighty three.