Improvements in Ammunition for Guns.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1894 Accepted, 26th Jan., 1895
[Communicated from abroad by JEAN BAPTISTE GUSTAVE Adolphe Canet,
of 87, Avenue Henri-Martin, Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineer.]
Improvements in Ammunition for Guns.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in ammunition for quick-firing or
other guns.
Heretofore the ammunition for guns has consisted of two very distinct classes.
The first is commonly termed fixed ammunition and comprises various kinds in
which the projectile and the explosive charge are united in a cartridge analogous
to those used in small arms. The projectile is at the time of its manufacture
secured to the cartridge case by grooving it into the neck of the case which is
properly formed to afford the necessary resistance. This operation of inserting the
projectile into the case cannot advantageously be performed by hand, therefore
special machines are provided for forcing the end of the case upon the base of the
projectile and the force exerted thereby must be sufficiently powerful to ensure the
rigidity of the cartridges in the handling or transport of the same.
When this class of ammunition is employed, the loading of the gun is a simple
operation, that is to say, the projectile, powder and igniter or detonator are
introduced at the same time and by a single operation into the barrel or bore of
the gun.
The cartridges are prepared beforehand in the arsenals or factories and thence
transported, in their complete form, to the place where they are to be used.
In the ammunition of the second category which is sometimes termed loose or
separate ammunition the projectiles and the explosive charges remain separate
during the handling and the charging, the powder being contained in a case of
metal or other material or even in a bag of asbestos cloth, or any suitable
combustible material, or the like. The loading of the gun consists of two
operations, that is to say, first the projectile and then the charge is introduced into
the gun, the two elements consequently remaining quite distinct from each other.
These two kinds or classes which comprise all the types of ammunition hitherto
known have each their peculiar advantages and disadvantages so that either kind
is selected for use in preference to the other according to the particular circum-
stances in each case.
The first, considered relatively to the second, affords a considerable saving of
time by reason of the loading being simplified and reduced to a single operation.
But it has the disadvantage of necessitating complicated forms of boxes or chests
and apparatus for its transport, of rendering the several manipulations less easy,
and of favouring the deterioration of the cartridge cases, the necks of which
sometimes finally become so much enlarged as to release the bases of the projectiles
and thus permit the accidental separation of the two constitutive elements of the
cartridges..
The improved ammunition which I have devised and which constitutes a third
class of ammunition very distinct from the two preceding kinds combines the
advantages of the two aforesaid kinds without the disadvantages or inconveniences
of either of them.

page_text: One of the important features of the said invention consists in the employment,
for quick-firing guns such as ship, coast, siege and other guns but principally for field
guns, of ammunition (including in this term the projectile and the explosive charge in
a metallic or combustible case) which up to the moment when it is taken from the chest
to carry it to the gun is in two parts completely separate from each other, namely
one part consisting of the projectile and the other part consisting of the case
containing the explosive charge and igniter. These two parts at, but not until,
the moment when they are to be used are united to form a cartridge. By reason
of the peculiar devices with which they are provided, their union can be very
rapidly effected by hand and as fast as they are required they can be united and
distributed from the chest by one attendant. For field guns this work may be
effected while the chest is being taken to the gun in action.
This improved ammunition affords the following advantages, viz. :
(1) Easy transport and convenience in the manipulation of the ammunition, and
a more convenient arrangement of the chests or caissons, by reason of the small
dimensions of each of the separate constitutive parts.
(2) Absolute certainty that the cases will not be deteriorated during the
transport by the tossing about of a heavy projectile at the extremity of the
cartridge case.
(3) Simplification in the manufacture of the cartridge cases chiefly because of
the neck being no longer required to be secured upon the base of the projectile
except for a short time during which it is not subjected to the danger of
displacement.
These advantages, the importance of which is very great, are combined with the
advantage of the simple manner of loading with complete cartridges as in ordinary
fixed ammunition.
Another important feature of this invention consists in the means devised for
effecting a rapid and sure union of the cartridge case and projectile.
The various devices are represented in the drawings accompanying this
Specification. The bases of the projectiles are shown in side elevation with in
most cases a small portion in section and the necks of the cartridge cases are
shown half in elevation and half in longitudinal central section.
Figures 1 and 2 represent a very simple arrangement to be employed when the
dimensions of the projectile P permit of the same. The base of the shell at its
part ef is formed slightly taper or conical to correspond with the slightly tapered
or coned part a g of the neck of the case D.
While being handled, the powder is held in the case by a cover w, Figure 2, the
part ag consequently remaining empty till the moment when the projectile is
inserted therein.
In
Figures 3 and 4, and Figures 5 and 6 represent modifications in which the lip or
neck of the case and the base of the projectile are in order to augment the adhesion
striated or grooved either in the immediate vicinity of the band d as in Figures 3
and 4 or near the rear edge of the projectile as in Figures 5 and 6. The grooves
or striations may be provided either in the projectile or in the case or in both.
order to permit the small grooves of the case to "bite" more easily in certain
instances I fix upon the base of the projectile a band c¹ of soft metal, Figure 5.
The union of the projectile and case is in this example effected by pushing the
projectile into the neck of the case. The grooves ensure the stability of the
connection.
Figures 7 and 8 and Figures 9 and 10, represent modifications in which the
grooves have the importance of an actual screw-thread.
In Figures 7 and 8 the spiral thread e is provided on the interior surface of the
neck of the case while the spiral groove is provided in the base of the projectile.
In Figures 9 and 10, on the contrary, the spiral thread e is formed on the projectile
and the spiral groove fin the inner surface of the case.
In Figure 11 the spiral or screw-thread is replaced by a series of small
projections upon the base of the projectile which are adapted to engage a spiral

page_text: groove formed in the case.
It is obvious that in this example again I may reverse
the arrangement, that is to say, the helicoidal or spiral groove may be on the projectile
and the small projections may be formed on the interior surface of the neck of the
case. The union is effected by imparting to the case a simple turning movement
relatively to the projectile. The grooves fand the fillets or projections e, which in
the preceding figures are helicoidal may be separate fillets in planes normal to the
common axis of the projectile and case as represented in Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16,
or isolated projections arranged in planes normal to the axis as in Figure 12. The
lip is then divided into sections by slits parallel to the axis so as to permit a
temporary expansion thereof. In these instances the projectile is simply sunk into
the case, the lips of the latter separating in order to enable the ribs or projections e
and grooves to fit together; but no turning movement is necessary.
Figures 17 and 18 represent a particular instance of the preceding arrangements.
There are no continuous projections but isolated segments e either helicoidal or
normal to the axis of the projectile.
There are therefore two distinct methods of connecting the two parts of the
ammunition, ciz.
(1) The projectile has segments or parts of helicoidal or annular projections e
and the case has correspouding grooves for vice versa, these parts being united by
forcing the projections into the corresponding grooves or cavities by a simple
longitudinal movement of the projectile relatively to the case.
(2) Both the shell and the case have segments or elements of helicoidal or annular
projections e, for example those on the case corresponding with free spaces left
between the elements or parts on the projectile. The union is then effected as with
a breech screw in its nut. The projectile is sunk into the case, the elements of the
projections e passing into the corresponding empty spaces and a slight turning
movement being then given to the case. The firm connection of the parts is then
ensured.
Figures 19 and 20 illustrate another particular instance of the second method,
both the base of the projectile and the neck of the case being in this instance
shown in side elevation, the grooves fff are composed of two parts or elements,
one part being parallel to the common axis and one flf at a right angle
thereto. They may be completely cut in the lip or neck of the case or they may be
produced by embossing the metal. The connection of the two parts is effected as
with a bayonet joint; it is clear that the grooves may be provided in the neck of
the case, as shown, or in the base of the projectile.
In Figure 21 there is a single projection e and a single groove both being at a
right angle to the common axis. Moreover the neck of the case is rendered elastic
by means of a series of longitudinal slits.
In Figure 22 the neck of the case is also slit longitudinally and the strips thus
formed tend by their elasticity to become separated from each other. The intro-
duction of the projectile into the case is thus rendered extremely easy. The sub-
sequent fixing is effected by means of a ring m which will bring the neck to the
dimensions necessary for effectually securing the parts together. This ring m is
itself held in place by screwing, or in any other manner.
Figure 22 shows the ring m unscrewed.
In Figure 23 the ring m remains at the extremity of the case, that is to say, it
does not slide longitudinally on the case and the tightening is effected by simply
turning it about its axis. For this purpose, in addition to the longitudinal slits k, l,
the collar is provided with notches n, n. The ring m presents the form shown in
Figure 24 so that when a turning movement is imparted to it the inwardly projecting
parts o pass from the cavities n n Figure 24 on to the full parts of the neck, and
consequently tighten the lips of the case upon the projectile with a pressure which
may be graduated at will.
In certain instances as in Figures 25 and 26 the ring m which is formed of
elastic metal is split, and its two extremities have two similar teeth or hooks p p
which may engage with each other when necessary. The neck of the case presents

page_text: longitudinal slits which enable it to expand to a certain extent. When the
projectile has been placed in the case it is sufficient to clamp the elastic ring so
that its two hooks p p engage with each other, the secure connection of the parts
being thereby ensured.
Figure 27 represents a modification in which a projection e is provided on the
inner surface of the neck and a groove f, in the projectile, the neck of the case
being split longitudinally. The fastening is effected by means of a band or cable g
passed round the case, its two extremities being united by any suitable means.
Figure 28 which illustrates an arrangement like that of Figure 3, shows that
instead of providing grooves, striations, bosses or the like in the base of the
projectile the same may be formed in a prolongation of the band d.
Figure 29 illustrates a modification of the preceding arrangements wherein the
lips of the case are not divided into sections and are therefore not extensible or
expansible. They have projections r arranged to firmly engage with an elastic
rings divided or split at tu which ring forms a spring and yields as it is com-
pressed in effecting the union of the projectile and case and expands again when
the latter has been pushed home.
Finally in Figure 30 the base of the projectile has one or more projecting
pieces e cut to a point, the neck of the case is split longitudinally at kl and at the
end of these slits are cavities r in which the projecting pieces are located when
the projectile is pushed home and which invariably ensure the proper union of the
parts.
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. Ammunition consisting of parts provided with devices which permit the said
parts to be kept separate from each other in an efficient condition till required for
use and then to be readily made up by hand into a cartridge by simply pressing or
twisting the two parts together, as above specified.
2. The means or devices for readily uniting the two parts of the ammunition,
substantially as set forth with reference to either of the forms or modifications
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. A cartridge wherein the case and projectile are united in the manner and by
the means berein set forth with reference to either of the herein described forms,
or any mere modification of the same, for the purposes specified.
Dated this 13th day of December 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.