IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL-FIRE BREECH-LOADING CARTRIDGES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Weekes, of Dublin, Ireland, Gun Manu-
facturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL-FIRE BREECH-LOADING CARTRIDGES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Weekes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
* 26th July 1872.
.
I, CHARLES WEEKES, of Dublin, Ireland, Gun Manufacturer, do.
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
ARRANGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL-FIRE BREECH-LOADING CARTRIDGES,"
to be as follows :-
:-
The object of this Invention is so to arrange and construct central-fire
breech-loading cartridges that they may be recapped with great facility
and rapidity, the same cases being readily recharged and, used over and
over again until destroyed. For this purpose, according to one part of
my improvements, I construct the back end or part of the cartridge con-";

page_text: taining or carrying the exploding cap and anvil or nipple separate from
that part of the cartridge case which contains the charge of powder and
shot or ball, and I so arrange and construct the two parts that they may
be readily combined and connected together to form a complete cartridge
ready for use when required.
The back end or part of the cartridge containing the exploding cap
and anvil or nipple I construct of metal or partly of metal, and in so
substantial a manner that it can be used over and over again con-
tinuously, being applied to and combined with successive cases of paper,
metal, or other material as they become worn out and destroyed by
repeated use.
A convenient method of connecting the back end of the cartridge
constructed in accordance with this part of my improvements to the
paper, metal, or other tube or case containing the charge of powder and
shot or ball is by means of a screw, which enters a screw nut or washer
inserted within or forming part of the case; but the method of
attaching or securing the two parts of the cartridge together may be
greatly varied without departing from the nature, of this part of my
improvements.
+
In place of employing a separate anvil for exploding each cap by
means of a separate anvil or anvils inserted therein, as in the Elcy, Daw,,
and other similar cartridges, according to my improvements I arrange
and combine a permanent nipple or anvil with the back end of the
cartridge, which acts as an anvil for exploding each successive cap
placed thercon. This nipple or anvil is so arranged that it can slide to
and fro in a passage formed in the back end of the cartridge, the inner
end passing such a distance into the charge of powder that when the cap
is exploded it will conduct the fire into the middle or front end of the
charge if desired. This sliding nipple is formed with a shoulder or collar
to offer resistance when the cap is struck, and is also so arranged that it.
cannot be removed or withdrawn from the cartridge, and after the cap.
and cartridge has been exploded it can be readily forced outwards so as
to project from the back end in order to remove the exploded. cap. It
may either be tubular or formed with flattened or grooved sides to permit
the fire to pass inwards to explode the charge.
In place of the cartridge being formed in two parts, as previously
described, the sliding nipple or anvil may be applied in accordance with

page_text: my Invention to the cavities and back ends of the Eley, Daw, or other.
similar cartridge case by inserting my improved nipple box and anvil.
therein (such as or similar to that previously described), so that such
cartridge cases are readily adapted to the purposes of my Invention. Or
a metal tube or case for containing the whole charge may be employed,
the nipple or anvil, arranged as previously described being screwed into
one end, so as to be capable of removal and renewal when requisite.
Another part of my improvements consists in indenting the circum-
ference of cartridge cases, in order that when the wad is inserted therein.
it shall be retained in position by the interior projections formed by the
indents (or by pins or by other means), and thus retain it in position so
as to confine the charge and prevent it from getting loose.
1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Weekes in the Great Seal Patent Office on,
the 25th January 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
WEEKES, of Dublin, Ireland, Gun Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Charles Weekes, Her special license that,
I, the said Charles Weekes, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Charles Weekes, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT
AND CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL-FIRE BREECH-LOADING CARTRIDGES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles Weekes, my executors'
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and scals, 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.
:

page_text: which enters a screw nut or washer a¹ inserted within or forming part of
the case; but the method of attaching or securing the two parts of the
cartridge together may be greatly varied without departing from the
nature of this part of my improvements.
Figures 3 and 4 show a similar cartridge, in which the anvil a³ is
combined with the inner part a', the male screw being formed thereon,
upon which the flanged nut a is screwed to secure the turned over or
flanged end of the case 6 of the cartridge between them.
The paper, metal, or other cases 6 are formed with an inner flange
at 6', as shewn at Figures 5 and 6, by which they are firmly secured
between the two parts a, a² (which constitute the separate back end),
and fresh cases being combined with the parts a, a', when required.
In place of employing a separate anvil for exploding each cap by.
means of a separate anvil or anvils inserted therein, as in the Eley, Daw,
and other similar cartridges, according to this part of my improvements
I arrange and combine a permanent nipple or anvil a³ with the back end
of the cartridge, as previously described, which acts as an anvil for
exploding each successive cap placed thereon. This nipple or anvil aª·
is so arranged that it can slide to and fro in a passage formed in the
back end of the cartridge, the inner end passing such a distance into the
charge of powder that when the cap is exploded it will conduct the fire
into the middle or front end of the charge if desired. This sliding nipple
or anvil is formed with a shoulder or collar a³, as shewn at Figure 7, to
offer resistance when the cap is struck, and is also so arranged that it.
cannot be removed or withdrawn from the cartridge, and after the cap
and cartridge has been exploded it can be readily forced outwards so as
to project from the back end of the cartridge in order to remove the
exploded cap ready to receive a fresh one. The anvil a² may either be
tubular or formed with flattened or grooved sides to permit the fire to
pass inwards to explode the charge, as clearly shewn in the Drawing at
Figure 7 and 7*.
In place of the cartridge being formed in two parts, as previously
described, the sliding nipple or anvil may be applied in accordance with
my Invention to the cavities and back ends of the Eley, Daw, or other
similar cartridge case by inserting my improved: nipple box and anvil,
therein (such as or similar to that previously described), so that such
cartridge cases are readily adapted to the purposes of my Invention. Or
+

page_text: '
a metal. tube or case for containing the whole charge, as shown at
Figures 8 and 9 may be employed. The nipple box or capsule with
anvil a combined therewith may be screwed or otherwise secured into
the back end of permanent metallic cases in order to renew them when
desirable, as shewn at Figure 8. A cavity may also be formed in the
back end of permanent oases of this character for receiving my improved
sliding nipple or anvil, as shewn in Figure 9, with anvil a² combined or
secured therein.
Another part of my improvements consists in indenting the circum-
ference of cartridge cases, as shewn at 62, Figure 9, in order that when
the wad is inserted therein it shall be retained in position by the interior
projections formed by the indents (or by other means) and thus retain
it in position so as to confine the charge and prevent it from getting
loose.
For the purpose of recapping my improved cartridge case I arrange
apparatus with a plunger or cap expeller combined therewith, so as to
recap my improved cartridges with great ease and facility. By placing
the empty or exploded cartridge into the tube of the recapper the
exploded cap can be expelled, and a fresh cap can then be placed into
the cavity upon the anvil without removing the cartridge until recapped,
which operation cannot be effected by other capping instruments or
machines.
1
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of
performing or carrying the same into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein-before
described so long as the essential character of my Invention is retained;
but what I claim is,―
First. The arrangement and construction of central-fire breech-loading
cartridges formed with separate disconnecting back ends or parts a, a¹,
capable of being combined with successive cases b, substantially in the
manner herein-before described and shewn in reference to Figures 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Drawing hereunto annexed.
Secondly. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of
central-fire breech-loading cartridge cases having a permanent anvil or
nipple a² formed with a central passage or grooved sides combined with a
separate disconnecting back ends or parts a, a', substantially in the

page_text: manner herein-before described and shewn in the accompanying
Drawing.
4
Thirdly. I claim the arrangement and construction of central-fire
breech-loading cartridges having permanent anvils a' applied to or
combined with metal cases b, substantially in the manner herein-before
described and shewn in reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed. ·
.
Fourthly. I claim the application of a capsule and permanent anvil a³
to the Eley, Daw, and other similar cartridges, substantially in the
manner herein-before described.
Lastly. I claim the method of indenting or forming projections on the
inner surfaces of central-fire breech-loading cartridge cases for the
purpose of retaining the charge therein, substantially as herein-before
described and shewn in reference to Figure 9 of the Drawing hereunto
annexed..
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Weekes, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.