IMPROVE- MENTS IN PIN CARTRIDGES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PIN CARTRIDGES." -A communication from abroad by Jules
Félix Gévelot, Manufacturer, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
Sealed the 10th August 1866, and dated the 26th February 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th February 1866.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PIN CARTRIDGES," to be as follows :-
Pin cartridges as at present constructed have the great objection of allowing
an escape of gas, the extent of which varies according to the strength of the
charge and the perfection of manufacture of the fire-arm in which it is used.
This escape in some cases where the barrels are badly bored produces an

page_text: effect such as may be seen by reference to Fig. 2 of the Drawing annexeu,
which is an exact representation of a cartridge of large dimensions after it has
been fired in a barrel the charge of which is out of proportion to the size of
the wad of the cartridge, while the aperture is much too deep and large for the
striking pin to lodge therein.
The present Invention of improvements in cartridges relates to means of
hermetically enclosing the gas produced by the explosion. Hitherto the
simplest plan bas been to prepare the part for receiving the pin or striker by
means of a drill driven at a high speed, which by pressing forward the
cartridge bores out the copper or pasteboard forming the breech of the
cartridge until it enters the chamber in which the priming is to be placed;
the diameter of the hole thus made varies from many causes, such as the time
occupied in the operation, the drill not being mounted true, the choking of
the orifice during the cutting by the material to be removed, or even the temper
of the cutter, and in copper cartridges this is more or less objectionable, any
one of these causes being sufficient to produce a missfire. In the next place,
suppose the cartridge to be furnished with a priming and striker, and with a
rather large charge of powder to be fired from a barrel ill formed, as before-
mentioned; Fig. 1 shows the cartridge before and Fig. 2 after the ignition. The
opening made in the copper thimble by the drill for the striker has removed
a substance of copper equal to about half the depth of the thimble, which is
consequently weakened just at the part where it does not bear against the
inside of the barrel opposite the opening made for the striker: On the
ignition of the gases taking place, and through the great pressure exerted in
each direction the copper thimble piece expands and fills up the openings
around it in the barrel, and if the thimble were made of a material less
malleable than copper it would open out when the pin strikes it, but from its
malleability it becomes elongated without breaking, and the weakest part, that
through which the striker passes, being still more expanded, the immediate
effect will be to enlarge the hole receiving the striker, which latter not being
of sufficient diameter to close it affords instant escape for the gas, this under
the great pressure passes out while still in ignition, often carrying with it
particles of copper and pasteboard; besides this there are the gases circu-
lating in the interior all round the expanded thimble piece, which tend to
separate the several parts of the cartridge case. The striker hole in the wad
is also enlarged, and being no longer held together is often driven outwards
by the force it should properly confine.
According to this Invention these objections are obviated by employing a

page_text: steel punch, represented at Fig. 5, in place of the drill before mentioned ;
this punch penetrates the material, closing the end of the cartridge, driving
with it the copper and pasteboard, which are forced in without being detached,
pressing in the materials opposed to it only to an extent equal to the radius
of its circumference, which is the same as that of the striker, and serving to
prepare a place for the latter.
Fig. 3 represents a cartridge of this arrangement furnished with a striker
and priming. At the moment of the expansion of the gas
the part surround-
ing the striker driven in by the punch closes up round it in an exactly similar
manner to the leather packing of hydraulic presses. The pressure takes
effect throughout the length of traverse of the striker in the same manner,
and holds it as if in a vice, see Fig. 4, while in Figs. 1 and 2 there is a wide
opening all round; the effects produced differ to the same extent as when an
equal force is exerted for opening and closing. The expansion previously
described acting on the part of the thimble traversed by the striker, instead
of enlarging the orifice, tends to close by flattening the hollow part driven in
by the punch. This action is so energetic that the material immediately sur-
rounding the striker preserves its funnel shape even under the powerful
effect of the explosion; thus by the old process the gas is discharged from the
cartridge, while by these improvements it is directed inwards. The gases no
longer having any issue do not tear the cartridge case asunder, while the
thimble piece preserves its original form after the explosion of the cartridge.
In order to perfect the results obtained in this manner I improve the con-
struction of the strengthening tube placed within the cartridge case, as in
Figs. 1 and 2, and united to it and to the pasteboard wad of the breech, I fold
the one end of this tube by the aid of considerable pressure in the form of a
lip having an opening at its centre; I paste this end on the wad and also the
tube to the inside of the paper cartridge case; I thus obtain a more perfect
connection between the copper thimble and the pasteboard cylinder, and while
protecting as usual the cartridge case to the extent occupied by the charge of
In this case the
powder I provide a double preventive to the escape of gas.
chamber containing the cap or priming may project beyond the wad so as to
facilitate the adhesion of the return piece of the strengthening tube, as in
Figs. 3 and 4.
These improvements may be applied either separately or in combination to
all kinds of pin cartridges, and I reserve the right of employing any suitable
means for turning inwards the edges of the orifice through which the striker is.
introduced.

page_text: In addition to the above-described means of preventing the escape of the
gases I may employ a leaden thimble piece, which is applied in any suitable
manner, the following giving the best results:-1st, I form a lead thimble as
represented at Fig. 6, which is fitted tight into the space for its reception,
and introduced into the cartridge after being previously fitted with a plug or
wad and priming for closing the end of the cartridge; then by compressing
the inner wad, Fig. 7, the lead is caused to fill up the end of the cartridge.
The socket being thus prepared, I apply the improvements previously described.
2ndly, I may replace the paper-strengthening tube previously described by a
leaden thimble of the same form as seen in Fig. 8, the projecting part a, a,
being especially of importance, which rim is made in the wad of the cartridge,
and against which the inner end of the tube rests. It is also important that
this projection should in depth a little exceed the thickness of the lead or
paper tube. 3rdly, instead of forming this thimble of thin sheet lead only, I
may make it by rolling the lead between two sheets of paper, see Fig. 9,
and then give it the form represented at Fig. 10, afterwards applying it as
before.
The means employed in the manufacture of these improved cartridges are
of the simplest kind; the punch is actuated by any suitable press or other-
wise, the cartridge being pressed throughout its surface at all points so as to
prevent its bursting on the passage of the punch.
The results obtained are, 1st, the hermetic closure of the orifice and the con-
sequent complete prevention of all escape at the striker orifice; 2ndly, all
missfires are prevented; 3rdly, the cartridges are manufactured with great
facility and with great precision, and ensures a constant and moderate
pressure of the striker; 4thly, considerable economy is attained in charging
the cartridges, as the powder may be greatly reduced in amount, since its
whole force is expended on the projectile.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30
23rd August 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark,
my executors, administrators,. and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Clark, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PIN CARTRIDGES," a communication to me from abroad by Jules Félix Gévelot,
Manufacturer, of 29; Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
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 Clark, 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, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
P'in cartridges as at present constructed have the great objection of
allowing an escape of gas, the extent of which varies according to the strength.
of the charge and the perfection of manufacture of the fire-arm in which it is
used. This escape in some cases where the barrels are badly bored produces.
an effect such as may be seen by reference to Figure 2 of the Drawing
annexed, which is an exact representation of a cartridge of large dimensions.
after it has been fired in a barrel the charge of which out of proportion to
the size of the wad of the cartridge, while the aperture is mucli too deep and
large for the striking pin to lodge therein.
The present Invention of improvements in cartridges relates to means of
hermetically enclosing the gases produced by the explosion. Hitherto the
simplest plan has been to prepare the part for receiving the pin or striker by
means of a drill driven at a high speed, which by pressing forward the car-
tridge bores out the copper or pasteboard forming the breech of the cartridge

page_text: until it enters the chamber in which the priming is to be placed ; the
diameter of the hole thus made varies from many causes, such as the time
occupied in the operation, the drill not being mounted true, the choking of
the orifice during the cutting operation by the material to be removed, or even
the temper of the cutter, and in copper cartridges this is more or less objection-
able, any one of these causes being sufficient to produce a missfire. In the
next place, supposing the cartridge to be furnished with a priming and
striker pin and with a rather large charge of powder to be fired from a barrel
ill formed, as before mentioned; Figure 1 shows the cartridge before and
Figure 2 after the ignition. The opening made in the copper cap or thimble
piece by the drill for the passage of the pin or striker has removed a sub-
stance of copper equal to about half the depth of the thimble, which is
consequently weakened just at the part where it does not bear against the
inside of the barrel opposite the opening made for the striker pin. On the
ignition of the gases taking place, and through the great pressure exerted in
each direction, the copper cover or thimble piece expands and fills up the
opening around it in the barrel, and if the thimble piece were made of a
material less malleable than copper it would open out when the pin strikes it,
but from its malleability it becomes elongated without breaking, and the
weakest part, that through which the striker passes, being still more expanded,
the immediate effect will be to enlarge the hole receiving the striker pin,
which latter not being of sufficient diameter to close it affords instant
escape for the gas, this under the great pressure passes out while still in
ignition, often carrying with it particles of copper and pasteboard; besides
this there are the gases circulating in the interior all round the expanded
thimble piece, which tend to separate the several parts of the cartridge
case. The pin or striker hole in the wad is also enlarged, and being no
longer held together is often driven outwards by the force it should properly
confine.
According to this Invention these objections are obviated by employing a
steel punch represented at Figure 5 in place of the drill before mentioned;
this punch penetrates the material, closing the end of the cartridge, driving
with it the copper and pasteboard, which are forced in without being detached,
pressing in the materials opposed to it only to an extent equal to the radius
of its circumference, which is the same as that of the pin or striker, and
serving to prepare a place for the latter.
Figure 8 represents a cartridge of this arrangement furnished with a striker
pin and priming. At the moment of the expansion of the gas the part sur-

page_text: rounding the striker driven in by the punch closes up round it in an exactly
similar manner to the leather packing of hydraulic presses. The pressure
takes effect throughout the length of traverse of the striker in the same
manner, and holds it as if in a vice, see Figure 4, while in Figures 1 and 2
there is a wide opening all round; the effects produced differ to the same
extent as when an equal force is exerted for opening and closing. The expan-
sion previously described acting on the part of the thimble traversed by the
striker, instead of enlarging the orifice, tends to close by flattening the hollow
part driven in by the punch. This action is so energetic that the material
immediately surrounding the striker preserves its funnel shape, even under the
powerful effect of the explosion; thus by the old process the gas is discharged
from the cartridges, while by these improvements it is directed inwards.
The gases no longer having any issue do not tear the cartridge case asunder,
while the thimble or cover piece preserves its original form after the explosion
of the cartridge, see Figure 4.
In order to perfect the results obtained in this manner I improve the con-
struction of the strengthening tube placed within the cartridge case, as in
Figures 1 and 2, and united to it and to the pasteboard wad of the breech, I
fold the one end of this tube by the aid of considerable pressure in the form
of a lip or inner flange having an opening at its centre; I paste this end on
the wad and also the tube to the inside of the paper cartridge case; I thus
obtain a more perfect connection between the copper cover or thimble piece
and the pasteboard cylinder, and while protecting as usual the cartridge case
to the extent occupied by the charge of powder, I provide a double preventive
to the escape of gas. In this case the chamber containing the cap or priming
may project beyond the wad, so as to facilitate the adhesion of the return
piece of the strengthening tube, as in Figures 3 and 4.
These improvements may be applied either separately or in combination to
all kinds of pin cartridges, and I reserve the right of employing any suitable
means of turning in the edges of the orifice through which the striker pin is
introduced.
In addition to the above-described means of preventing the escape of the
gas I may employ a leaden thimble piece, which is applied in any suitable
manner, the following giving the best results:-1st, I form a lead thimble
piece as represented in Figure 6, which is fitted tight into the space for its
reception, and introduced into the cartridge after being previously fitted with
a plug or wad and priming for closing the end of the cartridge; then by com-
pressing the inner wad, Figure 7, the lead is caused to fill up the end of the

page_text: cartridge. The socket being thus prepared I apply the improvements pre-
viously described. 2ndly, I may replace. the paper-strengthening tube
previously deseribed by a leaden thimble piece of the same form as seen in
Figure 8, the projecting part a, a, being of especial importance, which rim is
made in the wad of the cartridge, and against which the inner end of the
thimble piece rests. It is also important that this projection should in depth
a little exceed the thickness of the lead or paper tube. 3rdly, instead of
forming this thimble piece of thin sheet lead only, I may make it by rolling
the lead between two sheets of paper, see Figure 9, and then give it the form
represented at Figure 10, afterwards applying it as before.
The means employed in the manufacture of these improved cartridges are
of the simplest nature; the punch is actuated by any suitable press or otherwise,
the cartridge being pressed throughout its surface at all points, so as to prevent
its bursting on the passage of the punch.
The results obtained are, 1st, the hermetic closure of the orifice and the
consequent complete prevention of all escape at the striker orifice; 2ndly, all
missfires are prevented; 3rdly, the cartridges are manufactured with great
facility and with great precision, ensuring a constant and moderate pressure
of the striker; 4thly, considerable economy is attained in charging the car-
tridges, as the powder may be greatly reduced in amount since its whole forco
is expended on the projectile.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,---
1st, substituting for the action of a drill or other tool generally used for
making the cylindrical opening in pin cartridges for receiving the pins that of
a punch or other tool, which, instead of removing the copper and pasteboard
material, forces it inwards in the form of a cone, thereby preventing the
escape of the gases around the pin in the manner described and represented
at Figures 3 and 4 of the Drawing.
2ndly, I claim constructing the strengthening tube at the rear end of the
cartridge as described and represented in Figures 3 and 4, in order to perfect
the confining of the gases.
Srdly, I claim the use of a lead thimble or strengthening piece arranged
and applied as described and represented in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, or in
other similar manner.
4thly, I claim the application of these improvements either separately or in
combination to all kinds of pin cartridges.

page_text: 5thly, I claim any other means for turning in the edges of the hole receiving
the pin of the cartridge.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of August, in the year of our
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
W. CLARK.
(L.8.)