Improvements in Explosive Projectiles or Shells, and in Fuses therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
[Communicated from abroad by THE JUSTIN PROJECTILE Co., of Syracuse,
New York, United States of America.]
Improvements in Explosive Projectiles or Shells, and in Fuses
therefor.
I, DAVID YOUNG, Patent Agent, of the Firm of D. Young & Co., of
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., 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:-
This invention relates to shells or projectiles arranged to carry an explosive
charge and embodies a construction for the same comprising a shell casing and a
relatively movable charge carrier for the explosive material which latter is
designed to be exploded either on impact with a body or upon the expiration of a
definite period after the shell has left the gun.
I will describe a shell embodying my improvement and then point out the novel
features in a claim.
In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a
shell embodying my improvement there being no charge represented. Figure 2 is
a longitudinal section of certain parts. Figure 3 is a similar section, on an
enlarged scale, of certain parts in the rear portion of the shell. Figure 4 is a side
view of the carrier or chamber containing the explosive charge. Figure 5 is a
rear view of the rear end of the shell. Figure 6 is a view of the front side of a
fuse plate comprised in the shell. Figure 7 is a front view of the main section of
the fuse plate. Figure 8 is a front view of the other section of the fuse plate.
Figure 9 is a side view of the base or base-block of the carrier for the explosive
charge. Figure 10 is a front view of the latter. Figure 11 is a rear view of the
main or body section of the explosive carrier.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A designates the casing of the shell. It is mainly of cylindrical form, but the
forward end is pointed. Interiorly, it has a cylindric cavity a and in advance of
this a conoidal cavity a', the latter being, at its greatest diameter, smaller than the
cylindric portion a, so as to form a shoulder a². In the forward extremity of the
conoidal portion a¹ is a recess a³ which may be of cylindrical form, with a rounded
inner end. At the rear end it is provided with a removable base block or plug A',
which, as here shown, is provided on the forward side with a screw threaded boss a
for engaging with a screw thread formed interiorly in the rear end of the casing A.
A gas tight joint may be advantageously produced by forming a circular groove
in the forward side of the flange or main portion of the base-block A, and intro-
ducing therein a copper wire of such size that, when seated, it will project slightly
beyond the face. The fitting of the base-block into place will compress the wire
so as to make a tight joint. The shell and base-block will preferably be made of
steel. I may furnish the casing with any suitable soft metal ring as for taking the
lands of the rifling.
B designates a chamber or carrier for the explosive charge. In the present
instance its body is shown as comprising a hollow cylindrical section b made of
wood or other light material, and wound with wire b. White wood may ad van-
tageously be used for the body, and the wire may be of steel. At the rear end,

page_text: this section fits in a rabbit & formed exteriorly of the forward end of a base-block
or plug 63, which may advantageously be made of hard maple wood. At the
forward end it is similarly fitted in an exterior rabbit formed in a ring 64, which
may advantageously be made of hard maple wood.
A convenient way of securing the section b to the base 63 is by means of a
bayonet joint. I have, therefore, shown the section b as provided with a number
of inwardly extending radial pins 7 and the rabbit of the base as provided with
L shaped grooves 6, as may be seen by reference to Figures 9, 10, and 11.
The forward end of the section ↳ of the carrier may be conveniently securel to
the ring by radially extending dowel pins and glue.
The base-block 6, as here shown, is provided with a flexible packing ring 6, of
leather or like material, fitted at the inner edge within a rabbit formed exteriorly
in the rear portion of the base block and secured there by a metal ring 6, the litter
being fastened by screws . The outer edge of the ring is projected against the
interior of the cavity a in the casing A.
The ring has attached to its forward side a packing ring b", which may be
made of leather or like material, whose edges project outwardly against the interior
of the cavity a in the casing A. This ring 68 is secured in place by a ring 6, which
may be made of metal and may be fastened by screws 610.
In the forward side of the ring &, and near its interior surface, is a rabbit in
which fits the rear edge of a conoidal shell or dome 61, which may be made of
wood or other light material. When made of wood, there will preferably be
outside of it a shell of metal 2, such, for instance, as copper. This shell may be
secured in place by having its rear edge turued outwardly like a flange, and
extended between the packing ring and the ring . Then the screws
retain it in place.
will
To the forward end of the dome or shell 611 is secured a shaft or rod 13, having
at the forward extremity an enlarged head 6, which may be of conoidal form.
Rearwards of this is a neck portion 615, and in this neck portion is a transverse
pin 61. The purpose of this shaft 613 and its appurtenances is to co-act with the
recess a³ of the casing A.
Before going further, it may conduce to a clear understanding of my improve-
ment for me to explain that, in the present example of my invention the carrier B
is to remain in contact with the base A¹ of the casing, A, until the shell is
arrested in its flight, and that then the carrier is intended to move forwardly
within the casing. The pin will prevent the carrier from any considerable
movement away from the base A' of the casing A, until the flight of the shell is
arrested. This feature may be entirely omitted with my present improvement,
if desired.
I may add that when the shell begins its flight, it is desirable that the rotary
motion of the casing, derived from the rifling of, a gun from which the shell is
projected, shall not too suddenly be transmitted to the carrier and hence that the
carrier is fitted within the casing so is to provide for a relative rotary motion of
the casing around it. To facilitate this relative rotary movement, the base of the
carrier is adapted to act as a pivot. As here shown, it is convexed, and the
forward end of the base A' of the easing A, is concaved, to form a seat for it.
The reverse of this construction, or indeed, any other suitable construction may be
adopted.
C designates a chamber attached to the base bluck & of the carrier B. It is
internally cylindric, and is closed at the rear end, but open at the forward end.
It is also, in the present instance, cylindric externally. I have shown it as
provided with a flange c. whereby it is secured in position in the base block of
the carrier B, this base block being male in two sections so as to permit the
introduction of the chamber with its flange in place. The two sections, when
made of wood, may have the grain of the wood reversed, and may he glued
together. The chamber C will be secured in the base block while the latter is
being constructed, and it will be retained by the screws which secure the packing

page_text: ring 6 in place, because these screws serve to fasten together the two sections of
the base block.
Extending through the wall of the chamber C, from end to end, is a passage of,
and this communicates with an annular passage a in the forward side of the base
block A of the casing A. This annular passage al is in communication with a
passage a extending to it through the base block A¹ of the casing A. At the
rear, this chamber C has a rearwardly extending circular rib e, which extends
into a similarly shaped groove a20, formed in the forward side of the base block A';
but this groove may be so much larger than the rib that the latter does not touch
it at any point. This combination of rib and groove lessens the passage of gases
from the annular passage a.
To the forward end of the chamber C is secured a gun barrel D, the connection
being, as here shown, by means of an externally screw threaded boss on the latter,
engaging with a screw thread in the former. This gun barrel contains a chamber d
for gun powder and a chamber d¹ for a ball which is to be projected from the gun
barrel upon the explosion of the gun powder.
Beyond the gun barrel D is a chamber E for high explosive material. This
may be cylindrical in form and is closed at the outer end. A convenient way of
connecting this chamber E with the gun barrel is to form an externally screw
threaded boss on the latter and engage this with a screw thread in the former.
With the passage c¹ of the chamber C communicates a passage or channel d
formed in the gun barrel D; said passage or channel d2 being formed to com-
municate with the powder chamber d of the gun barrel.
In the rear of the base A' of the casing A is a fuse plate F, shown as composed
of two sections, 1 and 2. Both sections are circular in form. The rear or main
section 1, consists essentially of a flat dise with a rim at the circumference on the
forward side, and a number of holes " extending through it from front to rear..
The outer section 2 consists of a disc shaped plate which is provided with a
rearwardly projecting rim or circular flange fix that extends into a recess formed
in the front of the minin section 1 of the plate. Rotary motion of the section 2, is
prevented by means of a pin f1 extending from the main section 1, into a hole in
the rear of the section 2. This fuse plate fits in a recess formed in the rear of the
base A of the casing A. In the forward side of the section 1 of the plate is an
annular groovef that engages with an annular rib formed on said base A¹.
This groove is bounded by the rim of the main section of the plate F and the
circumference of the section 2 of such plate. The plate F has a central hole f
through both its sections, and a circular recess f" rearwards of said hole.
circular recess fits a plate G, and from this plate extends a serew bolt 9 through
the hole of both sections of the plate F and into a tapped hole in the base
block A of the casing A. The engagement of the bolt with the base block of the
casing secures the plate G in place, and the latter secures in place both sections of
the plate F. The bolt. G may be screwed into place by means of a forked screw
driver inserted in recesses g¹.
To make the joint between the plate F and the base block A¹ of the casing A
gas-tight, I may use any suitable packing in the joint, as, for instance, a mixture of
powdered asbestos and tallow, and this packing will be arranged between the rib 20
and the annular groove, as well as around the rim f at the outside of the groove.
Between the central or main portion of the plate F and the opposite portion of the
base block A', I preferably introduce a packing material such, for instance, as a
sheet of paper. This has a hole through the centre for the passage of the
bolt g and another hole near the circumference, corresponding to the passage all in
the base block A'. The purpose of this packing is to form a tight joint precluding
the passage of gases. Its yielding character compensates for the expansion of the
metal parts, due to heating.
In the forward side of the section 2 of the plate F is an annular groove f¹ which
communicates at one point, with the passage a" in the base A' of the easing A, and
hence communicates indirectly with the powder chamber d of the gun barrel D.

page_text: This groove f is not a complete annulus, but will be crossed by a bridge or
partition f10, so that the composition contained in it will not burn both ways.
Moreover this bridge renders it possible to cut off the passage all by turning the
plate F so that the bridge will be opposite said passage. Thus, it will be possible
to render the shell incapable of being exploded by means of the passages all,
and d².
a¹0
, c₁₂
The exterior of the plate F is shown as marked with a scale, and in the present
instance the scale is so arranged that the zero mark of this scale is adjacent to the
bridge, so that the operator, by adjusting the plate, rotarily so that the zero
mark will occupy a certain relation to a fixed mark on the base block A¹, may
adjust the bridge f10 so that it will close the passage a". Holes are formed in
the section 2 of the plate F. They extend from the rear to the annular groove f
and correspond in number and spacing with the holes in the main section 1 of
said plate, so that when the two sections of the plate are locked together these
holes of the section 2 of the plate will be in line with the holes of the
section 1 of the said plate. By these two sets of holes f, f, communication is
established between the annular groove f' and the rear of the plate F.
The object of making the plate F in two sections is so that the holes of the
two sections may be separately filled. All of the holes f2 of the section 2 of
the plate F, excepting only one, are sealed by discs of paraffine, and this one
which is left unsealed is the one near the partition f10 and hence near the zero
mark of the scale. Any suitable fuse composition is placed in the annular
groove fl.
The holes of the main section 1 of the plate F, excepting the one near the
zero mark of the scale, are filled with any suitable fuse composition.
On the firing of the gun containing the shell, fire will pass through the empty
hole in the main section 1 of the plate F, near the zero mark of the scale, and
through the corresponding hole f2 in the other section 2 of the plate F, to the fuse
composition in the annular groove f1. The fuse composition in the other holes f
will be ignited and will burn through to the paraffine in the opposite holes fand
go out.
When the fuse composition in the annular groove reaches the holes f
which were filled with paraffine, it will melt the paraffine and in this way clear a
vent for the escape of gases. In due time a flame will pass from it through the
passage a to the annular passage a¹º. By rotating the plate F and securing it in
different positions after rotation, the empty hole ", near the zero mark of the
scale, may be moved different distances from the passage all, so as to give a
different timing for the discharge of the shell. Of course, this may be discharged
for one timing, and if the artillerist changes his mind as to the best time for
discharging the shell, the plate can be changed to a new position without detriment
to any parts of the shell.
The annular passage a10 is provided because of the rotary motion between the
casing and the carrier. Preferably there will be a priming charge in this passage,
so as to provide a circular sheet of flame, some parts of which will enter the
passage c. The latter, near the aunular passage a will preferably be primed.
A flame from the priming will pass through the passages c¹, d² to the powder
chamber d of the gun barrel D. Thus the charge in the gun barrel will be
discharged, and the ball will be projected from the gun barrel into the charge of
high explosive in chamber E. The latter will be exploded and the main charge
in the carrier B will be exploded.
I not only afford provision for the firing of the explosion of the shell by a time
fuse in the manner described, but I also provide for exploding it in the impact of
the shell against any object. The means for producing this operation I will now
describe.
In the chamber C is a bammer H, which preferably will be of such shape and
size as to leave spaces between it and said chamber in order that the air shall not
interfere with its movement. It may be mainly of cylindrical form, with flattened

page_text: portions, to afford these spaces. It is longitudinally grooved on one side to fit a
rib e, extending lengthwise of the interior of the chamber C. During the loading
of the shell, the hammer is held in a position wherein its rear end will be short
distance forward of the rear end of the chamber C. The means shown for holding
it in this position consists of a soft copper wire w passing transversely through it.
and through the walls of the chamber C.
The hammer is intended, upon the impact of the shell against any object, to
move forward and discharge the powder in the powder chamber d of the gun-
harrel D. As here shown, the hammer will strike a pin I working in a fulminate-
chamber I. Normally this pin I is held in position by a small wire ; extending
transversely through the pin I and through the walls of the chamber I. When
the hammer H strikes the pin I, the wire 0 will be sheared off so as to permit of
the forward movement of the pin I. The fulminate chamber opens into a second
chamber J, which may contain a delay action composition. A passage d³ extending
from the chamber J into the powder chamber d of the gun barrel D.
As here shown, the chamber J is of cylindrical form and externally threaded to
fit into and engage with a recess in the rear of the gun barrel, and the chamber I'
is provided at the-forward end with an externally serew threaded boss that engages.
with the interior of the rear part of the chamber J.
It will be seen that rearwards of the gun barrel the chamber J is provided with
the transverse passages j, whence the gases will pass into the chamber C; the
purpose of these passages being merely that of vents.
K designates a screw which is fitted into a recess in the base block A¹ of the
ensing A and extends through the rear of the chamber C. This screw is held
against turning by the bolt g which clamps it within its recess in the base A' of
the casing A. Any other mode of providing the base block A' with a screw will
suffice. This screw has a thread reverse in pitch from the pitch of the rifling..
In the present instance it has a square thread of the kind known as a left hand
thread. During the assembling of the parts of the shell, the screw K is turned
so as to engage a screw thread formed in a recess in the rear portion of the
hammer H. The turning of the screw, after it has engaged with the hammer,.
will draw the hammer rearwards into contact with the rear of the chamber C..
Thus it will shear off the wire w. Then the only means for holding the hammer
will be the screw K.
When the shell is fired, the rotary motion imparted by the rifling to the casing.
will turn the screw K relatively to the hammer H, the latter being locked by the
rib against rotation, independently of the carrier B, and the latter being
prevented by inertia from beginning its rotation as soon as that of the casing
commences. This rotation of the screw K disengages the hammer H, for the
latter is free to move forward in the chamber C as the screw rotates. In the
present instance about two rotations of the casing will release the hammer.
The hammer H being thus freed, it can move forward and fulfil its function on
the impact of the shell with any object.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a shell the combination of a casing constituting the body of a shell, a
carrier for an explosive charge fitted to the casing so as to provide for relative
rotary motion between the two parts, a detonator arranged in said carrier, and a
bammer, which will normally be inoperative, for exploding the detonator, but
which will be rendered operative by rotary motion caused by the rifling of
a gun.
2. In a shell the combination of a casing, a carrier for an explosive charge fitted
to the casing so as to provide for relative rotary motion between the two parts, a
detonator arranged in said carrier, a bammer fitted to the carrier for exploding the

page_text: detonator, and means appurtenant to the casing which will normally hold the hammer
in a position in which it will be incapable of exploding the detonator, but which
will release the hammer when the relative rotary motion between the shell and the
carrier begins.
3. In a shell the combination of a casing, a carrier for a explosive charge fitted
to the casing, so as to provide for relative rotary motion between the two parts, a
detonator arranged in the said carrier, a hammer fitted to the carrier for operating
the detonator, and a screw thread forming an appurtenance of the casing, engaging
with the hammer and having a pitch the reverse of that of the rifling of the gun in
which the shell is to be used.
4. In a shell the combination of a casing, a carrier for a explosive charge, fitted
to the casing, so as to provide for relative rotary motion between the two parts, a
detonator arranged in said carrier, a hammer fitted to the carrier for exploding the
detonator, and a screw fastened to the base of the casing extending into a screw
threaded recess in the hammer, said screw having a pitch the reverse of the rifling
of the gun from which the shell is to be fired.
5. In a shell the combination with a casing having a base block provided with a
screw K and a screw g for holding said screw K in place; of an explosive carrier
fitted to the casing so as to provide for relative rotation between the two, and
having a hammer H for engaging with the said screw K.
6. In a shell the combination of a casing, a carrier for an explosive charge fitted
to the casing so as to provide for relative rotary motion between the two parts, a
base block a recess in the rear side of said base block, and a fuse plate fitting such
recess, the said fuse plate and the said recess being constructed so that the one
shall have a tongue and the other a groove for packing, which will be located
intermediately of it and the tongue.
7. A fuse plate for a shell made in two parts, one part having a firing hole and
independent vent holes, and the other part having holes which communicates with
the holes in the first mentioned part, one of said parts being revoluable relatively
to the other, substantially as specified.
8. In a shell the combination of a base block having a recess and a two-part
fuse plate fitting in said recess, and having an annular groove or recess in the
forward side and a number of holes leading from said groove or recess to the rear
of said fuse plate.
9. The combination with a shell having a single passage a", of a two-part fuse
plate having in its forward side an annular groove or recess communicating with
the said passage a" and a bridge or partition crossing said annular groove or recess,
one part of said fuse plate being rotarily adjustable relatively to the shell, so as to
locate its bridge or partition at different distances from said passage.
10. The combination with a shell having a single passage a", of a two-part fuse
plate having in its forward side an annular groove or recess adapted to communicate
with the said passage all and a bridge or partition crossing said annular groove or
recess and made of such size as to be capable of closing said passage a", one part
of said fuse plate being rotarily adjustable relatively to the shell, so that its
bridge or partition may be brought behind or to one side of the said passage a".
11. In a shell the combination with a casing having a base block provided with
a passage a and an annular passage al of an explosive carrier fitted to said
casing, to provide for relative rotary movement between said parts, and having a
passage c' communicating opposite the passage al of the casing.
12. In a shell the combination of a casing having an annular groove a20 and a
relatively movable carrier for an explosive charge having a circular rib c
extending into said annular groove a².
13. In a shell the combination with a casing and an explosive carrier having a
base block made in two parts, a detonator having a chamber C provided with a
flange c which fits between the two parts of the base block in said carrier.
14. In a shell the combination of a chamber, a hammer, a wire for temporarily

page_text: holding the hammer in position and a screw for engaging the hammer and detaching
it from the wire.
15. In combination with a shell a firing device consisting of a chamber J
provided with vents, a chamber I engaging with said chamber J, a firing pin I
and a wire for temporarily holding the firing pin.
Dated this 1st day of December 1896.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.