Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 31st May, 1887.
I FREDERICK WILLIAM SMITH 61 Wool Exchange Coleman Street in the City
of London Chartered Accountant 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 :-
The exploding charges which are in use at the present time for the purpose of
imitating the rifle charge of the enemy at military and other manoeuvres are constructed
in the following manner-
The explosive-cases or cartridges are formed of india-rubber hose or piping of
suitable lengths and diameter. In one end of the hull is placed the quickmatch, it is
then filled with gun-powder and the other end is secured and closed up by string
being tightly bound round it.
In order to connect the gunpowder contained in the hull with the explosive
substance of the quickmatch, the latter is fitted with a cut thereby exposing the
explosive matter.
Exploding-charges prepared in this manner possess the disadvantage of the
gunpowder becoming easily damped through the outer influence of the weather and
consequently do not produce the intended effect at the time of their use. In addition
to this they are very expensive to produce.
By applying the invention hereinafter described these disadvantages are removed.
The improvements in constructing exploding charges or cartridges are as follows.
Instead of using india-rubber to form the case or hull it is intended that they shall
be made of tin or any other metal found most expedient for their construction. The
cases of the exploding charges are made of the shape shown in the drawings attached
hereto but any shape found necessary for carrying the invention into operation inay
be used. The cases are fitted or provided with openings at either end so that the
quickmatch may pass into and through them continously. The quickmatch is
secured in its proper place by the ends of the case being fastened in such a manner
that it (the quickmatch) is firmly nipped by the metal, which is done by tongs or

page_text: pinches specially adapted for the
perfectly air-tight and damp proof.
purpose. The cases are by these means made
The tongs or pinches employed for this object are made with some projecting or
serrated teeth. An opening is also left in one side of the case for the purpose of
filling it with gunpowder or any other explosive material, after which it is thoroughly
closed and pressed quite flat."
In order to explode the charge
is pierced through with a sharp instrument (awl)
at those places where the exploding-case is intended to be attached.
The end case has one of its openings left unclosed in order that the fusee may
pass into the same.
Exploding-charges prepared in the way here-in-before described also possess the
advantage that they cause a report when being discharged.
Figures 1 and 2 represent side elevations and plans respectively of a portion of a
ready made exploding charge of which K, K, are the exploding cases which are fitted
or provided with three openings a, b, and c, a and b are the openings through which
the quickmatch passes and c, is the opening left for filling the case or hull K. dis
the quickmatch which passes through the openings a and b, and which is secured in
its proper place by the ends a and being fastened in such a manner that it (the
quickmatch) is firmly nipped by the metal, which is done by tongs or pinchers
specially adapted for the purpose.
Figure 3. represents a single exploding case K made of metal instead of india-
rubber.
Figure 4. represents a cross section of the same exploding case K.
Figure 5. represents an elevation of the tongs or pinchers Z, ƒƒ indicating the
projecting or serrated teeth.
Figure 6. represents a half-side view of the upper portion or jaw of the tongs or
pinchers Z.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
1. The construction of exploding charges to represent rifle charge of the enemy
which distingush themselves.
2. The making of exploding cases or cartridges in metal of any form or shape.
3. The arrangement by which one or more metallic explosion cases or cartridges
being strung or threaded on a quickmatch are made continuous or otherwise.
4. The way or manner of fastening the explosion cases on the quickmatch and also
of making them air tight and damp proof by means of pressing and pinching the
throats or openings of these cases by tongs or pinchers specially adapted for the
purpose.
5. The arrangement whereby the cases are more easily and expeditiously filled and
closed.
6. The construction of tongs or pinchers with serrated teeth specially adapted for
the purpose of closing the openings a, b and c shewn on the drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1887
FRED. WM. SMITH.