NEW KINDS OF FIRE-ARMS."
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hale, of Swan Walk, Chelsen, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "NEW
KINDS OF FIRE-ARMS.""
Sealed the 8th September 1858, and dated the 19th April 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hale at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th April 1853.
I, WILLIAM HALE, of Swan Walk, Chelsea, in the County of Mid-
llesex, Engincer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "NEW KINDS OF FIRE-ARMS" to be as follows:-
It consists of a new kind of musket and pistol, and an arrangement
of rods or tubes to effect the purpose of large arms; the purpose of each
of these is to give a desired direction to the flight of bodies which
carry with them their own motive power, as for example, a rocket.
Fig. 1, represents what I term a "Haleon musket," for firing and
directing small self-impelling bodies from the shoulder, and which is
used in a way similar to that in which a common musket is used.

page_text: A, A, represents a plain tube, open at both ends, and of a diameter
sufficient for the body intended to be fired freely to pass through. B, B,
shews the stock, in which is fixed a percussion lock to fire a cap at the
end of the barrel, which ignites the self-impelling body. The parts of the
lock are not shewn, as the lock may be varied according as may be
leemed most convenient. It will be seen, that when the concave part
of the stock at C, is placed against the shoulder, the end of the barrel
D, will pass under the arm, by which arrangement the back fire from
the self-impelling body is prevented from injuring the person who fires
it. It will be seen also, that the arrangement for the sight is the reverse
of that of the common musket or rifle, inasmuch as the fixed point is
placed next the eye, and the moveable one for giving the various eleva-
tions next the end of the barrel. It is shown at E, turned down upon
the stock, as it would be when not in actual use.
There are also two springs within the tube or barrel at D, which are
not shown, for giving a lateral pressure upon the body to retain it
its position until it is fired.
Fig. 2. represents what I term a "Haleon pistol," for firing and
directing the same description of bodies as are fired from the "Haleon
musket," and is used in a way similar to that of a common pistol.
A, A, represents the barrel; and B, the stock or handle. The percussion
lock, as in the case of the "Haleon musket," is fixed to the stock, and
may be of any convenient form. To prevent the back fire from injuring
the hand when fired, the handle is placed above, the barrel, contrary to
the common pistol; there is also a fence or guard at the end of the
barrel, at which the body finally escapes, to protect the hand from the
back fire when the body leaves the barrel. This guard may be made to
turn down over the end of the barrel when not in use; lateral springs
are also fixed to the opposite end of the barrel, for the purpose of
retaining the body, as in the case of the "Haleon musket."
Fig. 8, represents an apparatus for directing similar bodies of a larger
size, which may be ignited in the same manner that field or ship guns
are fired, either by port-fire, or by a percussion lock.
The diagram simply describes the path the body. is intended to take.
showing how it may be directed over the side of a ship, and under the

page_text: water, to a given depth, and finally in a horizontal position, from which
it is left to urge its way. No arrangement, frame, or support for fixing
the curvilinear path is shewn, as that would form no part of my Patent,
and would probably be different according to the circumstances in which
the apparatus might be placed. a, a, a, a, represents the rods or tube
forming the apparatus. In the case of rods, they are kept in their right
and relative position, by means of bands or hoops of iron, shewn by the
dotted lines. I do not confine myself to the particular path shewn by
the diagram, but claim the right of adopting any curve or figure that it
may be desired to describe.
Fig. 4, represents a cross section of the rods and band or hoop for
securing them. The number of rods are shewn there to be four, but in
some cases it may be better to have only three, placed equi-distant from
each other within the circle.
Fig. 5, represents an arrangement of rods, when the direction is
intended to be simply rectilinear; in which the rods are twisted as they
would be by winding them round a cylinder of any given length and
diameter that may be required, so that the friction of the moving body
along the hollow screw path formed by the twisted rods, tends to pro-
duce a rotatory motion, or to facilitate the rotation of a body already in
rotatory motion. This arrangement of winding rods may also be em-
ployed in each of the three cases first above described, wherever the
direction is shewn to be rectilinear, either by itself, or enclosed within a
hollow tube, and the number of rods may vary as may be found
expedient. Two or more barrels may be attached to a single stock
either of the gun or pistol.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in
the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Hale, Her
special licence that I, the said William Hale, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Hale,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"NEW KINDS OF FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Hale, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and scal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Hale, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
drawing, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to
say:
The Invention relates to apparatus or fire-arms for discharging and
giving direction to the flight of rockets or projectiles which carry with
them their own motive power.
Figure 1, is an elevation or side view of one of my new kinds of fire-
arms, which I term a "Haleon musket." A, is a plain barrel or tube
open at both ends, and of a diameter sufficient for the body intended to
be fired freely to pass through. B, is the stock, which is shaped so that
when the curved part b, is placed against the shoulder of the person
using it, the barrel will lie under his arm, and at a considerable distance
below his face and shoulder, and the end a, of the barrel will pass beyond

page_text: him, by which arrangement the back fire or flame from the rocket is
prevented froin striking the face or injuring the person who fires it.
C, is the trigger, and D, is the cock or hammer of the lock for firing
the rocket. These parts are shewn detached and on a larger scale in
Figure 2, which is a side view partly in section, and in Figure 3, which
is an end view of the same. When the trigger C, is pulled, it raises
the upper end of the lever E, which is inclosed within the stock and
turns upon a pin c. The lower end of the lever E, is forked, and enters
a notch on each side of the rod F, which slides in guides f, f, fixed to
the plate G. The other end of the rod F, is connected in a similar
manner to the lever or scar E, which turns upon a pin h, and enters a
notch in the cock or hammer D, which turns upon the pin d, and falls
upon the nipple I. J, is the main spring, fixed at one end to the guide
f, and connected at the other end by a link K, to the cock D. The
cock D, is raised by hand to the position shewn in Figure 2, and the
sear H, is pressed into its notch by the spring i. A percussion cap
is placed on the nipple I, and on pulling the trigger C, the cock or
hammer D, is released, and falls upon the percussion cap. The nipple I,
and the supports for the pin d, of the cock, arc fixed upon the plate G,
which is itself fixed to the stock, and serves to support the barrel.
Figure 4, is a side view, and Figure 5, is an end view of a rocket
suitable for being fired from the Haleon musket. This rocket has no
stick, and is constructed as described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date at Westminster, on or
about the Eleventh day of January, One thousand eight hundred and
forty-four, for my Invention of "Improvements in rockets." This
rocket consists of a hollow tube of iron R, or other suitable material,
having a central aperture r, at one end, surrounded by three diagonal
or tangential apertures 3, 8, 8; the other end of the rocket is closed by a
solid or hollow head. The rocket is loaded with rocket composition as
is well understood.
The fire issues from the central aperture, and also from the three
diagonal or tangential apertures, which cause it to revolve upon its axis
like a rifle bullet when fired. The direction of its motion is thus pre-

page_text: served, and no stick is required. This rocket is slipped into the end a,
of the barrel of the musket, Figure 1; and one end of a short picce of
quick match is inserted into its central or one of its tangential apertures,
while the other end is inserted into the lower opening of the nipple I.
The musket is cocked, and a percussion cap placed on the nipple, and it
is then presented and fired at the mark or object to be hit. The rocket
flies through the barrel A, which gives it the proper direction. In
order to keep the rocket in its proper position when the musket is being
moved or inclined from a horizontal position, a spring L, is fixed at cach
side of the barrel A, so as to grip the rocket with sufficient force to
hold it until it is fired. M, is a sight fixed on the stock B; and N, is
another sight hinged to the stock at n, so that it may be folded down
upon the stock when not in use. This sight N, has a sliding piece p,
with a small ball or knob, which is made to cover the mark when the
eye is applied to the sight M. The sliding piece p, is adjusted according
to the distance of the mark or object to be hit, and the range of the
rockets employed; and it is placed lower when the object is at a consider-
able distance than when it is near. The sight M, is capable of a slight
motion in a direction transverse to the barrel, so that it may be adjusted
to allow for the action of a side wind upon the rocket. The barrel A,
may be cylindrical, or its lower part may be of an angular form as
shown in the section, Figure 9. The angular form is adapted for
firing rockets of different diameters, as shewn by the dotted circles.
Figure 6, is a side view of another of my improved fire-arms, which
I term a "Haleon pistol." A, is the barrel, which is open on the lower
side, and contains three twisted or helical wires Q, Q, Q, which serve
to support and guide the rocket, instead of a complete tube as shewn in
Figure 1. These wires Q, have also a tendency to cause the rocket to
rotate upon its axis, or to facilitate the rotation communicated by its
diagonal or tangential fire. They may be inserted in the barrel of the
musket if desired. B, is the stock or handle, which is shewn in section.
D, is the cock turning on the pin d, and provided with a main spring
J, and link K, as in the lock of the musket. H, is the sear turning
upon a pin h, and having a long tail C, which acts as the trigger: I, is

page_text: the nipple, and i, is the sear spring. L, is one of the springs for
holding the rocket in its place while it is being fired. T, is a shield to
protect the hand from the fire of the rocket. The rocket is placed in
the pistol and fired as before described; but the pistol is held at the
side of the person who fires it, instead of in front, so that the back fire
of the rocket may not strike against him. A cylindrical barrel, or an
angular barrel like that shewn in Figure 9, may be substituted for
that shewn in Figure 6.
In lieu of conveying the fire of the percussion cap to the rocket
by means of a piece of quick match, it may be conveyed through a
small curved metal tube, which may turn upon a joint so as to shift
out of the way while the rocket is slipped into the tube. The con-
struction of the lock may also be varied at pleasure. For example, the
hammer may be a plain rod impelled by a spiral main spring, and
sliding in a direction parallel to the barrel, and striking upon a nipple
placed in a similar position.
Figure 7, is a side view of another of my fire-arms; and Figure 8, is
an edge view of the same. This instrument consists of four wires or
rods U, bent into an S form, and forming a guide for giving direction
to the flight of a rocket. The rocket is introduced at u, and is
supported in its place by a weighted lever V, turning upon a pin v, and
having an aperture at w, for firing the rocket by means of a port-fire,
or by a lock which may be attached to the apparatus. The wires U, are
connected together by small rectangular hoops X, X, and the four wires
are arranged at equal distances, so as to form a square at the straight
parts of the instrument, but are set wider apart in one direction at the
bends, so as to allow the rocket to pass round the curve as shewn at
the upper part of the instrument. A lever or armı Y, carrying a spirit
level and two sights, is mounted on the top of the instrument, and
turns upon a pin y. The arm Y, can be set at different angles by
means of divisions or graduations on the arc Z. When it is in the
position shewn in the drawing, it is parallel with the exit end %, of the
instrument, so that by moving the instrument until the arm Y, is level,
as shown by the spirit level, the rocket will leave the instrument in a

page_text: horizontal direction.
By adjusting the arm Y, to different angles,
more or less elevation may be given to the direction of the rocket,
according to the length of range required. This instrument may be
used for discharging rockets under water, or over a parapet, or in
other cases where it may be required that the rocket should commence
its flight in a different direction from that in which it is when fired.
The wires U, may be bent into any other form which may be required,
and the rocket may be made to pass completely round a circle before
leaving the instrument, if desired.
In place of the wires, a complete tube may be employed, but it
must be widened at the bends as described, with regard to the wires,
which I consider to be generally preferable, especially for discharging
rockets under water. The instrument may be mounted on any con-
venient support.
The level and sight, and the person using the
instrument, may be protected from the fire of the rocket by a shield
of sheet metal fixed on the curved wires.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
what I claim as the Invention intended to be secured by the aforesaid
first-mentioned Letters Patent is,
Firstly, the construction of the fire-arm which I have termed the
"Haleon musket," for firing rockets from the shoulder, in such manner
that the back fire of the rocket may pass at a sufficient distance below
the shoulder and face, as not to cause injury to the person using the
instrument, as herein-before described.
Secondly, the construction of the fire-arm, which I have termed the
"Haleon pistol," for firing rockets from the hand, as herein-before
described.
Thirdly, the constructing fire-arms for giving direction to the flight
of rockets, by means of wires or rods arranged in a spiral or screw
form, so as to produce or facilitate the rotation of the rocket on its
axis, as herein-before described.
Fourthly, the constructing of fire-arms for giving direction to the
flight of rockets, by means of wires or rods or a tube, so arranged that

page_text: the rocket is compelled to pass round one or more curves before
leaving the instrument, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hale, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness, CHARLES COWPER,
20, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London.
W. HALE. (L.S.)