Improvements in Military and Sporting Ammunition.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1892
Compiere specification Left, 4th Feb., 1903 Accepted, 11th Mar.. 1893
Compiere Specification Lell, Tu ***)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Military and Sporting Ammunition.
JACQUES ANTOINE CREUZÉ DE LATOUCHE of 55 Rue de Verneuil, Paris,
rance, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
llows:-
My present invention comprises various improvements upon the system of
artridges and charges described in Letters Patent of Great Britain numbered 7193
nd dated April 25, 1891.
The present invention comprises:
1st, certain improvements in the methods of attaching any form of obturator,
vad or projectile to the body of the charge;
2nd, various arrangements whereby the initial surfaces of inflammation and the
luration of combustion of the various elements of the charge can be regulated and
controlled;
3rd, simplified constructions of the body of the cartridge.
The meaning of the words "cartridge" and "charge
as follows:
as herein used, is defined
Cartridge. Ammunition in which the projectile is attached to the powder charge
or its receptacle, the whole forming a single body.
Charge. The powder charge of a cartridge together with the accessories, that
may be attached to it (such as the obturator, primer, wad etc.) but separated from
the projectile.
For guns not provided with fixed obturators, such as the general class of quick
firing guns, 1 close the base of the chamber by means of an obturator which may
or may not be attached to the base of the cartridge or charge.
In the annexed drawing,
Fig. 1 shows one method of attaching an obturator to the charge or cartridge.
The obturator, which is known, consists of a head 2 which is provided with a
flange to engage with the extractors of the gun and of a dished plate 3 which is
the obturator proper. On firing the gun, the plate is forced to the rear, until its
edge bears against the chamber of the gun, thereby cutting off all escape of gas.
As in a great many cases the screw threaded cup or connecting device described
in my aforesaid Patent, for uniting the various elements of the charge has to
disappear on explosion, I have been led to form the same either of very thin
sheet metal of any known kind or of an alloy which is fusible at a high
temperature.
In order that the said cup or device may have sufficient resistance which will
prevent it from being deformed, I compress either within or around the same,
according to whether the said device is to constitute a male or a female screw,
an explosive similar to or different from the one forming the body of the charge;
this can be effected by moulding the explosive at a high pressure upon or around
the screw-threads, the bottom of the device being connected by brazing, rivetting,
screwing or otherwise, either to the obturator or to the projectile; the only
remaining operation to be performed is to screw the body of the cartridge onto
the said device, in order to form a complete cartridge.
This process can be applied to projectiles made of lead surrounded or not with
jackets, such as those which are usually made for portable fire-arms. The device
is thus formed by drawing the metal behind the bullet or it is formed on an exten-
sion of the jacket.
After having formed the cup and after having compressed the consolidating

page_text: explosive material within the same, the whole is screwed into a hole formed in
the front end of the cartridge. The thin sheet-metal which is entirely embodied
in the explosive, disappears on firing, this being particularly essential as regards
precision of firing which would be completely destroyed if the cylindrical walls of the
device were carried along, even only partially, behind the projectile. The uniting
device for the obturator and the cartridge body.might remain after firing, without
any appreciable disadvantage.
The explosive within or around the uniting device is generally in the shape of
an annulus, thereby enabling the igniting charge to be easily lodged, when the
annulus is within the uniting device.
In the said Fig. 1, I have shown a cartridge fitted with an obturator and a
projectile, in accordance with my improvements.
to.
1 is the body of the cartridge. 2 & 3 represent the obturator already referred
4 is the screw-threaded cup or device made of thin sheet-metal, provided
with a strengthening annulus 5 made of compressed explosive. The parts are con-
nected together by rivetting at 7, leaving a hollow space in the head 2 for the
reception of a primer. The space 6 within the annulus 5 receives the igniting
charge, if necessary. The cup or device 8 for connecting the projectile to the
cartridge is provided with an annulus 9 made of an explosive. The butt fuse 10
acts at the same time as a means for connecting the cup 8 to the projectile 11.
Although in principle I prefer to employ the herein before described obturator,
as shown in Fig. 1, the means of connecting the obturator with the cartridge
body, by this device as hereinbefore stated, can be likewise applied to any other
arrangement of obturator.
The
Fig. 2 shows my improved method of connecting a bullet for small arms to a
cartridge body. 1 is the cartridge body formed of moulded explosive.
bullet 2 which may be of hardened lead, is surrounded by a jacket 3 the extension
of which is bent over and crimped at 4, as shown in the drawing, so as to render
the said extension gas-tight; the screw-threaded portion is internally strengthened
by the. insertion of compressed explosive 5. The so prepared bullet is screwed
into the cartridge 1, as herein before explained.
In the case of a projectile made of hard metal, the connecting device can be
brazed directly upon the bottom of the projectile or it can be held by the head
of the butt fuse if one is used, or fixed by any other method. The explosive is
compressed within the screw-threaded cup, and the whole is screwed to the cartridge
body, as in the former instance.
I will next describe the various improvements relating to the regulation of the
initial surface of ignition and of the rate of combustion in charges or cartridges
..constructed according to my aforementioned Patent.
According to one arrangement, the charge is made up of one or more concentric
cylinders, cones or polygonal prisms which may or may not be formed or moulded
of the same type of explosive. In them I form fire-channels or vents, perpen-
dicular or inclined to the axis, which traverse one or more of the elements.
These channels can be straight or curved.
Fig. 3 & 4 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 is an inner cylinder,
and 2 an outer cylinder. 3 are the fire-channels or vents.
According to another arrangement, the charge is made up of concentric cylinders,
cones, or polygonal prisms, which may or may not be formed or moulded of the
same class of explosive. The inner one is bored axially and between the contact
surface of adjacent layers are formed longitudinal fire-channels of any convenient
sectional shape; they may be made on the interior or exterior surface of each
element and may be parallel to the axis of the charge or may wind in the form
of a helix of uniform or variable pitch. These fire-channels communicate with
the axial bore by vents, such as described in the preceding paragraph.
Fig. 5 & 6 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 is an inner cylinder
and 2 an outer cylinder. 3 is the axial bore, 4 are the longitudinal channels,
and 5 are the vents.

page_text: According to another arrangement, I form on the internal and external surfaces
each concentric element, grooves of any shape whatever, crossing each other, so
to cause the said elements to break up into regular grains on explosion of the
arge; these grooves may be for instance longitudinal and circular, or helicoidal ;
sufficiently deep, they form fire-channels to facilitate the quick ignition of the
arge.. The cavity of the inner element of the envelope may be filled with a
uick burning or violent explosive, to break up the grains before ignition.
Fig. 7 & 8 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 is an inner cylinder and
an outer cylinder. 3 is the axial bore and 4 are the grooves.
According to another arrangement, the radial channels can be made so as to
ivide each concentric element into grains connected by their angles or by small
eserves of explosive. The grains detached when cutting out the channels can be
sed to form the internal charge of the central cavity. A charge made on this
rinciple can be formed of one or more concentric elements.
Fig. 9 & 10 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 are the radial
hannels.
According to another arrangement, with explosives presenting the form of leaves
or sheets, I only agglutinate part of the spiral surfaces forming each element,
eaving the others simply in contact, or I simply roll the sheets forming the internal
elements.
According to another arrangement, the inner part of the charge can be arranged
in the shape of flat grains or strips placed within the jacket, as is usual for
cartridges made for portable small arms.
According to another arrangement, the inner part of the charge can be arranged
in the shape of thin disks which may or may not be bored and the diameter of
which is equal to the inner diameter of the jacket; the said disks are superimposed
in the latter.
Fig. 11 is a cross section of a cartridge built up in accordance with this arrange-
inent. 1 is the outer jacket of the cartridge; it is provided with longitudinal
fire-channels 2, and within the said jacket are contained superimposed washers or
disks 3 which may have a central fire-channel 4.
According to another arrangement, the inner part of the charge might likewise
be formed of bands or flat strips so connected as to constitute one or more bundles
occupying the whole or part of the height of the jacket.
According to another arrangement, the explosive might be moulded or rolled in
the shape of solid or longitudinally perforated cylinders or prisms, the said
cylinders or prisms being arranged in one or more bundles within the jacket.
Fig. 12 is a cross section showing an arrangement formed of an outer body 1
made of an explosive, in which are arranged longitudinally bored cylinders 2. By
this arrangement, large longitudinal spaces are provided for facilitating ignition
and combustion. In the said figure, the explosive is supposed to be the same for
all elements.
At the left of Fig. 12, the outer body 1 is shown as being cylindrical; at the
right of the said figure, it is shown as being hexagonal. I prefer this latter shape
which enables space to be saved when stowing the cartridges. This arrangement
gives large initial surfaces of ignition.
Fig. 13 is a cross section showing another arrangement which is similar to the
one shown in the preceding figure, except that the internal portion of the charge
The angles of the prisms can be
is formed of longitudinally bored prisms 1.
rounded off as shown in the figure, for facilitating the circulation of the flame.
This arrangement enables the cartridge to possess great density.
In the said Fig. 13, the prisms 1 and the envelope
built up from different classes of explosives.
are supposed to have been
According to another arrangement, the explosive can also be moulded or rolle l
5 so as to constitute the inner charge by means of rods which can either be roun
polygonal, solid or hollow, each of these rods being wound in a helix the spirals o
which touch each other. The first helix is equal in its external diameter to the

page_text: internal diameter of the envelope or jacket in which it is placed; the second helix,
which may be wound in an opposite direction, has for its external diameter, the
inner diameter of the first one which surrounds it, and so on.
Fig. 14 is a section showing an arrangement of this kind in which the charge is
constituted by an envelope containing one helix 2 wound in one direction and
another one 3 placed inside and wound in an opposite direction to the first one.
In constituting a cartridge sufficiently rigid for carrying the projectile or for
acting as a rammer, I have in my former Patent described the employment of a
jacket or casing made of an explosive and produced by moulding or rolling; in
certain cases, the same result may be accomplished in perhaps a more simple &
more economical manner with powders or explosives obtained in the shape of flat
strips, cylinders, prisms, cones etc.
These elements can be easily grouped around a rigid rammer which may or may
not have a central chamber, and which may or may not be formed of a substance
which will disappear on explosion. When such grouping has been effected, the
said elements can be maintained around the rammer by means of ligatures and if
necessary, also by a thin envelope of suitable material, which may entirely or
partially cover the ends of the so constituted packing. The ends of the rammer
can be provided with screw-threads or with any other mode of attachment, for con-
necting the same either to the obturator, to the wad or to the projectile, if necessary.
With powders obtained in the form of sheets or slabs, I can proceed in a different
manner. From the sheets or plates I can punch out disks which may or may not
have fire-channels, the said channels constituting means of spreading the fire
throughout the mass, when the disks are piled one on the top of the other, the
rammer passing through a central hole in each. Finally, the same powders can be
rolled without agglutination around the rammer and simply held by means of
ligatures. In one or the other case, they are or can be protected by any suitable
envelope.
The central rammer can be of any shape in cross section and can have
fire-channels in the whole or part of its height. It receives the igniting
charge and it can also receive a part of the exploding charge, if required.
In case the rammer is not intended to disappear, on explosion, it can be con-
nected to the wad so as to be carried along with the same, when the explosion
takes place. The rammer can be replaced by rigid rods placed between the
various elements of the charge; it may however be suppressed as well as the
rods, when the elements of the charge are of such a nature as to be capable,
when assembled together of forming a sufficiently resisting and undeformable
arrangement to stand transporting and insure the projectile in its position of
firing. In all cases, the completed cartridge is or can be protected against
atmospheric influences by a coating of collodion or any other suitable material.
Fig. 15, 16, 17 & 18 show various methods of building up cartridges in
accordance with the general principles hereinbefore described.
In Fig. 15, the central rammer is constituted by a cylindrical tube 1 made either
of celluloid, thin metal or other suitable material, having fire-channels 2 on a
certain part of its height. The lower end of the rammer is screw-threaded and
engages a cup or connecting device 3 secured to the obturator 4, as previously
described with reference to Fig. 1. In this case, the connecting device 3 is
strengthened by an outer annulus 5 made of an explosive. The upper end of the
rammer 1 is screw-threaded internally for receiving a wad 6 which may be of any
suitable kind. If the rammer is a solid rod, the screw thread at its upper end will
be external instead of being internal.
The cartridge proper is formed in accordance with either one of the hereinbefore
described methods. At the upper part of Fig. 15, the rammer forms the center of
a bundle of strips 7 made of an explosive, the same being held around the rammer
by means of ligatures 8 and an outer envelope 9.
Another method of building up a cartridge is shown in the lower part of Fig. 15,
in which the charge is constituted by superimposed disks 10 made of an explosive,

page_text: and provided with fire-channels 11 by means of which the igniting action can be
distributed throughout the mass.
Fig. 16 shows a method of connecting a cartridge to the base of a projectile
when a rammer 1 is employed; the said rammer is connected to the obturator
at its lower end, in accordance with any of the hereinbefore described methods
or in any other suitable way. Its upper end is screwed over a connecting cup 2
which is formed of such material as will disappear on explosion, and the flange 3
of which is gripped between the head of the butt fuse 4 and the projectile 5
This connecting piece 2 can be provided or not with a strengthening annulus 6
made of an explosive. In this figure, the rammer has a relatively large diameter
and is or can be filled with an explosive in the shape of grains 7.
Fig. 17 is a cross section showing another method of building up a cartridge
with a rammer. In this arrangement, the rammer 1 is externally grooved and
around the same are grouped hollow cylinders 2 made of an explosive and held by
means of ligatures and a thin envelope 3.
Lastly in Fig. 18, which is a cross section, I have shown a method of building
up a cartridge in which the rammer of the foregoing arrangements is suppressed
and replaced by rigid rods 1, 2, 3 located in the elements of the charge; the
said charge is constituted, as in the foregoing arrangements, by hollow cylinders 4,
grouped so as to form bundles, the same being held by ligatures and an outer
envelope 5.
Dated this 5th day of Julv 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Military and Sporting Ammunition.
I, JACQUES ANTOINE CREUZÉ DE LATOUCHE of 55 Rue de Verneuil, Paris,
France, 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 present invention comprises various improvements upon the system of
cartridges and charges described in Letters Patent of Great Britain numbered 7193
and dated April 25 1891.
The present invention comprises:
1st, certain improvements in the methods of attaching any form of obturator, wad
or projectile to the body of the charge;
2nd, various arrangements whereby the initial surfaces of inflammation and the
duration of combustion of the various elements of the charge can be regulated and
controlled;
3rd, simplified constructions of the body of the charge or cartridge.
15
The meaning of the words "cartridge" and "charge as herein used, is defined
as follows:
Cartridge. Ammunition in which the projectile is attached to the powder charge
or its receptacle, the whole forming a single body.
Charge. The powder charge of a cartridge together with the accessories that
may be attached to it, (such as the obturator, primer, wad, etc.) but separated from
the projectile.
For guns not provided with fixed obturators, such as the general class of quick-
firing guns, I close the base of the chamber by means of an obturator which may
or may not he attached to the base of the cartridge or charge.
In the annexed drawing, Fig. 1 shows one method of attaching an obturator to
the charge or cartridge. The obturator, which is known, consists of a head 2
which is provided with a flange to engage with the extractors of the gun, and of a
dished plate 3 which is the obturator proper. On firing the gun, the plate is forced

page_text: to the rear until its edge bears against the chamber of the gun, thereby cutting off
all escape of gas. As in a great number of cases, the screw-threaded cup or con-
necting device, described in my aforesaid Patent, for uniting the various elements
of the charge has to disappear on explosion, I have been led to form the same
either of very thin sheet metal of any known kind or of an alloy which is fusible at
a high temperature.
In order that the said cup or device may have sufficient resistance which will
prevent it from being deformed, I compress either within or around the same,
according to whether the said device is to constitute a male or a female screw, an
explosive similar to or different from the one forming the body of the charge; this
can be effected by moulding the explosive at a high pressure upon or around the
screw-threads, the bottom of the device being connected by brazing, rivetting,
screwing or otherwise, either to the obturator or to the projectile; the only
remaining operation to be performed is to screw the body of the charge onto the
said device, in order to form a complete cartridge.
This process can be applied to projectiles made of lead, surrounded or not with
jackets, such as those which are usually made for portable fire-arms. The device
is thus formed by drawing the metal behind the bullet or it is formed of an
extension of the jacket.
After having formed the cup and after having compressed the consolidating
explosive material within the same, the whole is screwed into a hole formed in the
front end of the charge. The thin sheet-metal which is entirely embodied in the
explosive disappears on firing, this being particularly essential as regards precision
of firing which would be completely destroyed if the cylindrical walls of the device
were carried along, even only partially, behind the projectile. The uniting device
for the obturator and the body of the charge might remain after firing, without any
appreciable disadvantage.
The explosive within or around the uniting device is generally in the shape of an
annulus, thereby enabling the igniting charge to be easily lodged, when the annulus
is within the uniting device.
In the said Figure 1, I have shown a cartridge fitted with an obturator, and a
projectile, in accordance with my improvements.
I is the body of the charge. 2 & 3 represent the obturator already referred to.
4 is the screw-threaded cup or device made of thin sheet-metal, provided with a
strengthening annulus 5 made of compresseu explosive. The parts are connected
together by rivetting at 7, leaving a hollow space in the head 2 for the reception of
a primer. The space 6 within the annulus 5 receives the igniting charge, if
necessary. The cup or device 8 for connecting the projectile to the charge is
provided with an annulus 9 made of an explosive. The butt fuse 10 acts at the
same time as a means for connecting the cup 8 to the projectile 11.
Although in principle I prefer to employ the hereinbefore described obturator, as
shown in Fig. 1, the means of connecting the obturator with the body of the
charge by this device as hereinbefore stated, can likewise be applied to any other
arrangement of obturator.
Fig. 2 shows my improved method of connecting a bullet for small arms to the
charge. 1 is the body of the charge, formed of moulded explosive. The bullet 2
which may be of hardened lead, is surrounded by a jacket 3, the extension of
which is bent over. and crimped at 4, as shown in the drawing, so as to render the
said extension gas-tight; the screw-threaded portion is internally strengthened by
the insertion of compressed explosive 5. The so prepared bullet is screwed into
the charge 1, as hereinbefore explained.
In the case of a projectile made of hard metal, the connecting device can be
brazed directly upon the bottom of the projectile or it can be held by the head of
the butt fuse if one is used, or fixed by any other method. The explosive is com-
pressed within the screw-threaded cup, and the whole is screwed to the charge, as in
the former instance.
I will next describe the various improvements relating to the regulation of the

page_text: initial surface of ignition and of the rate of combustion in charges or cartridges
constructed according to my afore mentioned Patent.
According to one arrangement, the charge is made up of one or more concentric
cylinders, or cones or polygonal prisms, which may or may not be formed or
moulded of the same type of explosive. In them I form fire-channels or vents,
perpendicular or inclined to the axis, which traverse one or more of the elements.
These channels can be straight or curved.
Fig. 3 & 4 show an arrangement of this kind, in which 1 is an inner cylinder,
and 2 an outer cylinder. 3 are the fire-channels or vents.
According to another arrangement, the charge is made up of concentric cylinders,
cones, or polygonal prisms, which may or may not be formed or moulded of the
same class of explosive. The inner one is bored axially and between the contact
surfaces of adjacent layers are formed longitudinal fire-channels of any convenient
sectional shape; they may be made on the interior or exterior surface of each
element, and may be parallel to the axis of the charge or may wind in the form of
a belix of uniform or variable pitch. These fire-channels communicate with the
axial bore by vents, such as described in the preceding paragraph.
Fig. 5 & 6 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 is an inner cylinder
and 2 an outer cylinder. 3 is the axial bore, 4 are the longitudinal channels, and
5 are the vents.
According to another arrangement, I form on the internal and external surfaces
of each concentric element, grooves of any shape whatever, crossing each other, so
as to cause the said elements to break up into regular grains on explosion of
the charge; these grooves may be for instance longitudinal and circular, or
helicoidal; if sufficiently deep, they form fire-channels to facilitate the quick
ignition of the charge. The cavity of the inner element of the envelopes may
be filled with a quick burning or violent explosive, to break up the grains before
ignition.
Fig. 7 & 8 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 is an inner cylinder and
2 an outer cylinder. 3 is the axial bore, and 4 are the grooves.
According to another arrangement, the radial channels can be made so as to
divide each concentric element into grains connected by their angles or by small
reserves of explosive. The grains detached, when cutting out the channels, can be
used to form the internal charge of the central cavity. A charge made on this
principle can be formed of one or more concentric elements.
Fig. 9 & 10 show an arrangement of this kind in which 1 are radial channels.
According to another arrangement, with explosives presenting the form of
leaves or sheets, I only agglutinate part of the spiral surfaces forming each
element leaving the others simply in contact, or I simply roll the sheets fortning the
internal elements.
as to
According to another arrangement, the sheet can be drawn whilst in the plastic
state, between fluted rollers or be pressed between corrugated plates, so
present, when dry, a corrugated surface. It may then be coiled and inserted into
the jacket, or formed into cylinders, cones or prisms. These are inserted one within
the other or alternately with smooth surfaced cylinders, cones or prisms. These
different arrangements give free access to the flame on the entire surface of each
of these elements.
Fig. 11 shows a corrugated sheet before being coiled or formed into cylinders,
cones or prisms.
Fig. 12 is a cross section of a charge formed of a corrugated cylinder or cone 1,
inserted into another one 2 prepared in the same manner and inserted in the jacket 3,
also made of an explosive.
Fig. 13 is a cross section of a charge made up of alternate smooth and corrugated
cylinders or cones 1, 1, 1, & 2, 2, 2 contained in the jacket 3.
According to another arrangement, the inner part of the charges can be arranged
in the shape of flat grains or strips placed within the jacket, as is usual for
cartridges made for portable small arms.

page_text: According to another arrangement, the inner part of the charge can be arranged
in the shape of thin disks, which may or may not be bored, and the diameter of
which is equal to the inner diameter of the jacket; the said disks are superimposed
in the latter.
Fig. 14 is a cross section of a cartridge built up in accordance with this arrange-
ment. 1 is the outer jacket of the cartridge; it is provided with longitudinal
fire-channels 2, and within the said jacket are contained superimposed washers or
disks 3 which may have a central fire-channel 4.
According to another arrangement, the inner part of the charge might likewise
be formed of bands or flat strips, so connected as to constitute one or more bundles
occupying the whole or part of the height of the jacket.
According to another arrangement, the explosive might be moulded or rolled
in the shape of solid or longitudinally perforated cylinders or prisms, the said
cylinders or prisms being arranged in one or more bundles within the jacket.
Fig. 15 is a cross section showing an arrangement formed of an outer body 1
inade of an explosive, in which are arranged longitudinally bored cylinders 2. By
means of this arrangement, large longitudinal spaces are provided for facilitating
ignition and combustion. In the said figure, the explosive is supposed to be the
same for all the elements.
At the left of Fig. 15, the outer body 1 is shown as being cylindrical; at the
right of the said figure, it is shown as being hexagonal. I prefer this latter shape
which enables space to be saved when stowing the cartridges. This arrangement
gives large initial surfaces of ignition.
Fig. 16 is a cross section showing another arrangement which is similar to the
one shown in the preceding figure, except that the internal portion of the charge is
formed of longitudinally bored prisms 1. The angles of the prisms can be rounded
off, as shown in the figure, for facilitating the circulation of the flame. This
arrangement enables the cartridge to possess great density.
In the said Fig. 16, the prisms 1 and the envelope 2 are supposed to have been
built up from different classes of explosives.
According to another arrangement, the explosive can also be moulded or rolled,
so as to constitute the inner charge by means of rods which can either be round,
polygonal solid or hollow, each of these rods being wound in a helix, the spirals of
which touch each other. The first helix is equal in its external diameter to the
internal diameter of the envelope or jacket in which it is placed; the second belix,
which may be wound in an opposite direction, has for its external diameter the inner
diameter of the first one, which surrounds it, & so on.
Fig. 17 is a cross section showing an arrangement of this kind, in which the
charge is constituted by an envelope 1 containing one helix 2 wound in one
direction and another one 3 placed inside and wound in an opposite direction to the
first one.
In constituting a cartridge sufficiently rigid for carrying the projectile or for
acting as a rammer,, I have in my former Patent described the employment of a
jacket or casing made of an explosive, and produced by moulding or rolling; in
certain cases, the same result may be accomplished in perhaps a more simple and
more economical manner with powders or explosives obtained in the shape of flat
strips, cylinders, prisms, cones, etc.
These elements can be easily grouped around a rigid rammer which may or may
not have a central chamber, and which may or may not be formed of a substance
which will disappear on explosion, but which is generally composed of an explosive
forming part of the propelling charge. When such grouping has been effected,
the said elements can be maintained around the rammer by means of ligatures and,
if necessary, also by a thin envelope of suitable material, which may entirely or
partially cover the ends of the so constituted packing. The ends of the rammer
can be provided with screw-threads or with any other mode of attachment for
connecting the same either to the obturator, to the wad or to the projectile, if
necessary. With powders obtained in the form of sheets or slabs, I can proceed in

page_text: a different manner. From the sheets or plates I can punch out disks which may.or
may not have fire-channels, the said channels constituting means of spreading the
fire throughout the mass, when the disks are piled one on the top of the other, the
rammer passing through a central hole in each. Finally, the same powders, can
be rolled without agglutination around the rammer and simply held by means
of ligatures. In one or the other case, they are or can be protected by any suitable
envelope.
The central rammer can be of any shape in cross section and can have fire-
channels in the whole or part of the height. It receives the igniting charge and it
can also receive a part of the exploding charge, if required. In case the rammer
is not intended to disappear on explosion, it can be connected to the wad so as to be
carried along with the same when explosion takes place. The rammer can be
replaced by rigid rods placed between the various elements of the charge; it may
however be suppressed as well as the rods, when the elements of the charge are of
such a nature as to be capable, when assembled together, of forming a sufficiently
resisting and undeformable arrangement to stand transporting and insure the pro-
jectile in its position of firing. In all cases, the completed cartridge is or can be
protected against atmospheric influences by a coating of collodion or any other
suitable material.
Fig. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23 show various methods of building up cartridges in
accordance with the general principles hereinbefore described.
In Fig. 18, the central rammer is constituted by a cylindrical tube 1 made either
of celluloid, thin metal or other suitable material, having fire-channels 2 on a
certain part of its height. The lower end of the rammer is screw-threaded and
engages a cup or connecting device 3 secured to the obturator 4, as previously
described with reference to Fig. 1. In this case, the connecting device 3 is
strengthened by an outer annulus 5 made of an explosive. The upper end of the
rammer 1 is screw-threaded internally for receiving a wad 6 which may be of any
suitable kind. If the rammer is a solid rod, the screw-thread at its upper end will
be external, instead of being internal.
The charge is formed in accordance with either one of the herein before described
methods. At the upper part of Fig. 18, the rammer forms the center of a bundle
of strips 7 made of an explosive, the same being held around the rammer by means
of ligatures 8 and an outer envelope 9.
Another method of building up a charge is shown in the lower part of Fig. 18,
in which the charge is constituted by superimposed disks 10 made of an explosive
and provided with fire-channels 11 by means of which the igniting action can be
distributed throughout the mass.
In Fig. 19, the construction of the charge itself differs from the one shown in
Fig. 18. The charge in the said Figure 19 is or can be formed in two different ways;
at the lower part of the figure, the charge is formed of disks 7 having concentric
grooves and slipped over the rammer 1, whilst at the upper part of the figure, the
grooved disks are separated by plain disks 8.
In Fig. 20, the charge is formed of alternate plain & corrugated cylinders, 1, 1, 1,
2, 2, 2 surrounding the rammer 3.
Figure 21 shows a method of connecting a charge to the base of a projectile,
when a rammer 1 is employed; the said rammer is connected to the obturator at its
lower end, in accordance with any of the hereinbefore described methods or in any
other suitable way. Its upper end is screwed over a connecting cup 2 which is
formed of such material as will disappear on explosion, and the flange 3 of which
is gripped between the head of the butt fuse 4 and the projectile 5. This con-
necting piece 2 can be provided or not with a strengthening annulus 6 made of an
explosive. In this figure, the rammer has a relatively large diameter and is or can
be filled with an explosive in the shape of grains 7.
Fig. 22 is a cross section showing another method of building up a cartridge
with a rammer.
In this arrangement, the rammer is externally grooved and around
B

page_text: the same are grouped hollow cylinders 2 made of an explosive and held by means
of ligatures and a thin envelope 3.
Lastly in Fig. 23, which is a cross section, I have shown a method of building
up a cartridge in which the rammer of the foregoing arrangements is suppressed.
and replaced by rigid rods 1, 2, 3 located in the elements of the charge; the
said charge is constituted, as in the foregoing arrangements, by hollow cylinders 4,
grouped so as to form bundles, the same being held by ligatures and an outer
envelope 5.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The bereinbefore described connecting device, made of an easily fusible metal,
so as to be consumed on explosion, substantially as described.
2. A connecting device for attaching a bullet 2 to a cartridge body 1, substantially
as described and illustrated in Fig. 2.
3. Strengthening the connecting device by an outer or an inner annulus made
of compressed explosive, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 1, 2, 18, 19
& 21.
4. The combination, in a charge, of two or more concentric cylinders, prisms or
cones 1, 2 made of the same or of a different class of explosive and having
channels 3, at, between or about the contact surfaces of adjacent parts, substantially
as described and shown in Figures 3, 4 and Figs. 5, 6.
5. A charge composed of one or more concentric cylinders, prisins or conez, 12,
of the same or of a different class of explosive, so grooved, channelled or per-
forated, as to form lines of weakness for causing a systematic fragmentation of the
charge, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 7, 8 & Fig. 9 & 10.
6. A. charge composed of one or more corrugated cylinders 1, 2 arranged
concentrically with a jacket 3, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 12.
7. A charge composed of one or more corrugated sheets 2, 2, 2, and plain
cylinders 1, 1, 1, arranged alternately within a concentric jacket 3, substantially
as described and shown in Fig. 13.
8. The combination, in a charge, of a jacket 1 made of an explosive substance,
with superimposed washers or disks 3 of the same or of a different kind of explosive,
channels 2 being formed for the purpose of controlling the ignition and combustion
of the charge, substantially as described & shown in Fig. 14.
9. The combination, in a charge, of a jacket 1, made of an explosive substance,
with cylindrical or prismatical grains 2 of the same or of a different kind of
explosive, channels being formed for the purpose of controlling the ignition and
combustion of the charge, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 15 & 16.
10. A charge formed of one or more coils 2, 3 surrounded or not with a jacket 1,
substantially as described and shown in Fig. 17.
11. A stem 1 located within a charge and acting both as a rammer and to impart
strength and rigidity to the said charge, substantially as described and shown in
Fig. 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22.
12. The modification in which the rammer 1 of Figures 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22 is
replaced by a series of rigid rods 1, 2, 3, substantially as described and shown in
Figure 23.
13. The combination, in a charge, of a stem 1, serving the purpose pointed out
in Claim 11, with a series of superimposed disks 10 made of an explosive, sub-
stantially as described and shown in Fig. 18.
14. The combination, in a charge, of a stem 1 serving the purpose pointed out
in Claim 11, with a series of strips held by means of ligatures 8, and an outer
envelope 9, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 18.
15. A charge composed of disks 7 having concentric grooves, superimposed upon
each other or separated by plain disks 8, substantially as described and shown
in Fig. 19.

page_text: 16. A charge composed of alternate plain and corrugated cylinders, 1, 1, 1,
& 2, 2, 2, placed concentrically around a central rammer 3, substantially as
described and shown in Fig. 20.
17. The combination, in a charge, of a stem 1, serving the purpose pointed
out in Claim 11, with a cylinder made of an explosive, surrounding the stem,
and with grains 7, placed inside the latter, substantially as described and shown
in Fig. 21.
18. The combination, in a charge, of a grooved stem, 1, serving the purpose
pointed out in Claim 11, with a group of hollow cylinders or prisms 2 made of an
explosive and held by means of ligatures and an outer envelope, 3, substantially as
described and shown in Figures 22.
DL: 4th do of February 1893
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.