IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING BULLETS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Davidson, of Woolwich, in the County of
Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING
BULLETS."
Sealed the 10th March 1868, and dated 18th January 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Davidson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 18th January 1868.
I, JAMES DAVIDSON, of Woolwich, in the County of Kent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR
MANUFACTURING BULLETS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improved machinery for facilitating
the manufacture of rifle bullets, and particularly of that known as
the Mitford bullet. The peculiarity of this bullet is that the point
is lightened by being made hollow (and filled or not with a core of
wood), with the view of throwing the centre of gravity more to the
rear, and thus preventing the bullet from "tumbling" in its flight.
The bullets are formed from lengths of round rod lead cut off by a
rotating plate fitted with bushes, into which the end of the rod is fed.

page_text: The lengths are then submitted to punches, which in the case of the
Mitford bullet form conical recesses in their opposite ends, one to
receive the conical plug which is applied to the rear of the bullet,
and the other to be closed upon a pin or core contained in a die which
moulds the forward end or point of the bullet.
I will first describe the machinery for making the Mitford bullet.
The rod of lead to be converted into bullets is coiled around a drum
which turns on an axle that is capable of being drawn out endwise
from its bearings to allow of the easy removal of the empty drum from
the frame in which it is mounted, and of its being replaced by a filled
drum. From this drum the leaden rod is drawn and passed through
guides, one of which is lined with an absorbent of lubrication to
lubricate the rod on its passage to the dies. A vertical projection
formed on a short slide bed is fitted with a fixed steel bush having an
internal diameter just sufficient to allow of the free passage through it
of the end of the rod. In front of this bush revolves a circular plate
fitted with a ring of steel bushes (say twenty in number), which in
conjunction with the fixed bush act as cutters. This circular plate
receives an intermittent motion from a ratchet wheel and pawl or other
driving gear, and it thus presents its several cutters in succession to
the fixed bush. At the moment a bush comes in line with the rod of
lead the rod is advanced and caused to enter that bush; the plate
then receives an axial motion, and thus causes the severance of the
rod of lead.
The gripping and endway traverse motion of the lead is effected by
the operation of a gripping apparatus, which I will now describe.
Mounted on the slide bed before mentioned is a slide, to which a
traverse is given equal to the length of feed required. This slide is
fitted with a fixed jaw, and a crank arm hinged to the slide carries
a corresponding movable jaw. Between these the rod is gripped, and
the slide being then advanced the rod is pushed forward into that bush
(in the plate) which is brought into line. When this is effected the
circular plate receives an axial movement which causes the severance of
the end of the rod and brings another bush into line for the repetition
of the cutting-off operation. The movable jaw is brought into action
by its connection with a slide that carries a punch for forming the
hollow in the end of the severed piece which is to constitute the point
of the bullet. This slide moves on horizontal guides fitted to the side

page_text: of the machine, and it is actuated by means of a socketed oscillating
pusher mounted on the crank pin of a short transverse shaft, which
pusher is fitted in an elongated opening made to receive it in the
slide. Mounted on the side of the machine is a rock lever, the lower
end of which is provided with a segment slot to receive a bowl carried
by the slide. The upper end of this lever is connected by a link rod
that fits on a pin projecting from the crank arm carrying the movable
jaw; as therefore the slide is advanced to bring its punch into action
the lever with the segment slot will be rocked, and its upper end being
thrown back it will first cause the movable jaw to grip the lead, and
then draw forward the slide of the gripping jaws, whereby the rod will
be fed into the bush of the rotating plate as explained. The punch
slide carries also a pin for entering the die plate and locking it in
position before the punch comes into operation. By the rotation of
the circular plate its bushes charged with lead are severally brought
into line with the punch, which then advances and striking the end of
the lead drives it out of the plate into a fixed die, where the punch
forms the required conical recess in the lead. Fitted to this fixed die
so as to slide freely therein is a plunger, which is made fast to the
end of a hollow rod that is free to slide in a fixed guide. Secured by
clamping screws to this hollow rod is a slide which is supported in a
vertical plane in V guides. This slide is recessed to receive a double
cam, the rotation of which gives a traverse motion to the slide, and thus
withdraws the plunger from the fixed die, in order that it may receive
the lead and thrusts it forward to expel the lead when the recess has
been formed in it. This forward thrust of the plunger returns the lead to
the circular plate, and the advance of the locking pin before mentioned
discharges the lead therefrom into a suitable receptacle. To prevent the
lead from adhering either to the receding punch or plunger a forked
guard which spans the bush plate is caused to advance when the
operation is effected. The prongs of this fork are themselves forked,
that they may embrace the one the end of the punch and the other
the plunger. If therefore the lead should adhere to either instrument
the fork will arrest the motion of the lead and discharge it from the
machine.
The bullet in its partially formed state is next to be submitted to
the action of a second machine (somewhat similar in construction to
that first described), in which the hollowed end is converted into a
hollow conical point, and the rear of the bullet is coned out to receive

page_text: the ordinary conical expanding plug. The partially formed bullets are
placed by hand in a circular feeding plate which receives an intermittent
axial motion for the purpose of bringing the partially formed bullets
into line with a fixed die and punch as before. The punch is carried
by a slide, and by its advance it thrusts the lead into the fixed or
moulding die. Fitted to a slide in this die and forming part of the
die is a hollow plunger, which with the die is so shaped as to give
the required shape to the point of the bullet; this hollow plunger is
fixed to a hollow rod, which by means of clamping screws is connected
to a slide (as in the first machine) from which it receives an endway
traverse motion. Within the hollow plunger lics a rod which is intended
to enter the hollow made in the partially formed bullet and act as a
core around which the lead is to be closed by the pressure of the
advancing punch; this core rod is secured to the end of a rod which
lies in the hollow traversing rod, and is screwed into the back centre
of the machine so as to be adjustable endwise. The punch is suitably
shaped to form the recess in the rear of the bullet for the reception
of the conical plug, and as it is advanced it will, as before said, thrust
the lead into the fixed die, where by reason of the shape of the die it
will receive the required conical or other shaped point. At the same
time the lead being pressed round the core rod a cylindrical recess will
be formed in the point of the bullet, thus lightening it to the required
extent at that part. By the forward pressure of the punch the recess
in the rear of the bullet will be at the same time formed. As it is
extremely important that the weight of the bullets should be practically
uniform the following contrivance is adopted :-The fixed die is pierced
with fine radial holes, which when the lead is in excess will allow of a
slight exudation of the lead. This arrangement is also applicable to
the first-described machine. When the moulding is effected the punch
retires, and, the hollow plunger being now advanced the bullet is thrust
out of the fixed die and back into the circular feeding plate, from
whence it is discharged by the locking pin carried by the punch slide.
The forked arrangement before mentioned is provided for stripping the
moulded bullets from the punch and hollow plunger when adhering
thereto. To prevent injury to the hollow point from rough usage the
cylindrical recess will commonly be filled with a plug of wood.
Having described the mode of forming the Mitford bullet I would
remark that a slight change in the fitting of the first-named machine
will enable me (without the use of a second machine) to manufacture

page_text: Thus I use the circular plate
the lengths of lead protruded
the ordinary solid conical pointed bullet.
fitted with steel bushes for cutting off
from the fixed bush, and then by using this plate as a feeding plate I
present the severed lengths of lead to a fixed die suitably shaped to
form the conical point. In combination with this die I use a com-
pressing punch shaped to form the recess in the rear for the reception
of a coned expansive plug, and the thrust of this punch will drive the
lead forward and make it take the shape of the fixed die, while at
the same moment the conical recess is formed in the rear of the bullet.
It now only remains to finish the bullet by forming around it the usual
grooves or cannelures, which facilitate the adherence of the cartridge
case thereto and admit of its carrying lubricating material. These
grooves are formed with great facility by submitting the bullets to a
rolling pressure between a horizontal rotating table fitted with a steel
ring having corresponding grooves and a fixed segment plate similarly
faced. The bullets are conducted by a guide to the rotating table in
an upright position, and when caught in the bite of the rotating table
and fixed segment plate they are rolled round until the canneluring is
completed. The bullets are then discharged into a trough which guides
them into any suitable receptacle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Davidson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 17th July 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
DAVIDSON, of Woolwich, in the County of Kent, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Davidson, Her special licence
that I, the said James Davidson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said James Davidson, 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, excrcis, and

page_text: vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY
FOR MANUFACTURING BULLETS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said James Davidson, 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.
KNOW NOW YE, that I, the said James Davidson, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 Drawing hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say)
This Invention relates to certain improved machinery for facilitating
the manufacture of rifle bullets, and particularly of that kind known
as the Mitford bullet. The peculiarity of this bullet is that the point is
lightened by being made hollow (and filled or not with a core of
wood, with the view of throwing the centre of gravity more to the
rear, and thus preventing the bullet from "tumbling" in its flight.
The bullets are formed from lengths of round rod lead cut off by a
rotating plate fitted with bushes into which the end of the rod is
successively fed. The lengths are then submitted in two distinct
machines to punches to produce the Mitford bullet, which punches
form conical recesses in the opposite ends of the lead, one to receive
the conical plug which is applied to the rear of the bullet for
expanding it laterally and the other to be closed upon a pin or
core contained in a die which moulds the forward end or point of
the bullet.
I will first describe the machinery for making the Mitford bullet.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings the machine for cutting
the lead into lengths and partially moulding the same is shewn in
side elevation at Fig. 1, a portion of the operating parts being in section
the better to explain their action.
In Sheet II., Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same machine, and Fig. 3

page_text: is a section on an enlarged scale of the dies and punches and the parts
in connection therewith.
In Sheet III., Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the machine, and Figures
5, 6, and 7, are partial sectional elevations taken respectively in the
lines 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, of Fig. 2.
The rod of lead to be converted into bullets is coiled around a drum A
mounted in a standard B. This drum turns on an axle C that is capable
of being drawn out endwise from its bearings to allow of the easy
removal of the empty drum from the standard in which it is mounted
and of its being replaced by a filled drum. From this drum the leaden
rod is drawn, as shewn at D, and passed into the machine, in which it
is cut into lengths and partially moulded; E, E, are standards con-
nected together by tie rods and carrying the horizontal frame F
which supports the operating parts of the machine. The leaden rod D
is drawn into the machine through guides D', D³, the latter of which is
lined with some absorbent of lubrication for the purpose of slightly
lubricating the rod before it comes under the operation of the machine.
A traversing gripping apparatus is employed to draw in the lead and
to present the end of the rod to a rotating circular cutter plate by which
it is cut into lengths suitable for forming bullets. The severed ends
are carried round by the cutter plate and brought in succession into
line with a traversing punch and fixed die, by the former of which
one end of the lead is recessed while it is confined within the die pre-
The moulded lead is then
paratory to forming the hollow point.
returned to the cutter plate and ultimately discharged therefrom into
a suitable receptacle ready for the next operation. G is the cutter plate
keyed to a horizontal shaft G', having its bearings in brackets made fast
to the side of the frame F; this shaft carries at its outer end a ratchet
wheel Gs, through which an intermittent axial motion is given to the
circular plate G. The plate G revolves in front of a vertical projection
formed on a short slide bed H, which carries the gripping apparatus above
referred to. Fitted into this vertical projection is a fixed steel bush a,
having an internal diameter just sufficient to allow of the free passage
through it of the end of the leaden rod. The circular plate which
rotates in front of this bush is fitted with a ring of steel bushes b, b,
(say twenty in number), which in conjunction with the fixed bush act
as cutters. This circular plate on receiving motion from the ratchet
wheel G presents its several bushes in succession to the fixed bush a.

page_text: At the moment a bush 6 comes in line with the rod of lead the rod
is advanced and caused to enter that bush, sufficient lead being placed
therein to form a bullet. The plate then receives an axial motion,
and thus causes the severance of the rod of lead.
The gripping and endway traverse motion of the lead is effected by
the operation of the gripping apparatus, which I will now describe.
Mounted on the slide bed H before mentioned is a slide I, to which a
traverse motion is given equal to the length of feed required. This
slide is fitted with a fixed jaw I', and a crank arm I' hinged to the
slide carries or forms a corresponding moveable jaw. Between these
the rod D (which is led into the machine through guides D', D,) is
gripped, and the slide being then advanced the rod is pushed forward
into that bush (in the plate) which is brought into line. When this
is effected the circular plate receives an axial movement which causes
the severance of the end of the rod and brings another bush into line
for the repetition of the cutting-off operation. The moveable jaw I*
is brought into action by its connection with a slide L that carries a
punch c for forming the hollow in the end of the severed piece which
is to constitute the point of the bullet; this slide L moves on horizontal
guides fitted to the side of the machine, as shewn best in the transverse
section, Fig. 5, and it is actuated by means of a socketted oscillating
pusher L' mounted on the crank pin of a short transverse shaft L³; this
shaft L is driven by means of bevil gearing from a longitudinal
shaft M. A spur wheel on the outer end of this shaft gears into a
pinion on the main driving shaft N, which has its bearings in the
standards E, and carries the fast and loose belt pullies and a fly wheel for
steadying the motions of the machine. The oscillating pusher L' is fitted
in an elongated opening made to receive it in the slide L. Motion is
communicated from this slide to the gripping apparatus in the following
manner-Mounted on the side of the machine is a rock lever O, the lower
end of which is provided with a segment slot to receive a stud / carried
by the slide L. The upper end of this lever is coupled by a traversing
screw o with a link rod o' that carries a forked piece, which when
dropped over a pin projecting from the crank arm or moveable jaw I'
connects the slide L with the slide I. As therefore the slide Lis
advanced to bring its punch c into action the lever O with the segment
slot will be rocked, and its upper end being thrown back it will first
cause the moveable jaw to grip the lead, and then draw forward the
slide of the gripping jaws, whereby the rod will be fed into the bush of

page_text: the rotating plate as explained. The form of the punch c and the
manner of fitting it to its slide is best shewn at Fig. 3. It is intended
to form a bell-mouthed recess in the end of the lead, the depth of which
has to be accurately determined, and for this purpose a very nice adjust-
ment of the punch is required. The stem of the punch c is made conical
to fit into a conical hole in a hollow socket c¹. The bottom of this
conical hole is tapped to receive the screwed end of the punch, and the
inner end of the socket is screwed to fit a tapped hole in the slide L. The
outer end of the socket is also screwed to receive a lock nut c. When
the socket of the punch is adjusted in the slide and the lock nut is made
tight the punch will be firmly held in place. To increase or decrease
its advance it will only be necessary to slacken the nut and turn the
socket in its seat, and the desired change may be effected with the
greatest precision. The punch slide carries also a pin d for entering
the die plate and locking it in position before the punch comes into
operation. The steel bushes of the circular plate G are formed (see
Fig. 3) with flanges which drop into recesses in the plate, and they are
secured in position by applying to the plate G a face ring pierced with
holes corresponding to the position and bore of the bushes. It will be
understood that in order to ensure a proper axial motion to the plate G
the teeth of the ratchet wheel G must correspond in number with the
bushes in the plate. The pawl g for driving the wheel G2 is carried by
a rocking frame g¹, which is centred on the shaft G. Jointed to the.
pendent end of this frame is an excentric rod or bar g², which is operated
by an excentric g³ on the end of the shaft M. The rotation therefore
of the excentric will impart (through the pawl and ratchet wheel) the
requisite intermittent axial motion to the plate G. The pawl is weighted
to keep it in contact with the ratchet wheel. By the rotation of the
plate G its bushes charged with lead are severally brought into line with
the punch c, at which time the slide L advances. The pin d will now
enter a bush and lock the plate in position, and the pinch c next
coming up will strike the end of the lead presented to it and drive it out,
of the plate into the fixed die or mould e, Fig. 3, where on the lead being
"brought up" the punch will form the required conical recess in the
rear end of the lead. This die or mould e is formed with an external
shoulder and pressed tight into a socket e', which is itself carried by
a hollow socket e formed with an external shoulder, and fitted into and
fixed by a clamping nut to a projection on the side of the frame F.
This arrangement allows of the die or mould being readily changed to

page_text: suit different sizes of bullet. The socket e and its mould or die e
project beyond the socket es, and lateral openings are made through them
(those in the die being exceedingly fine) to permit of any excess of lead
beyond the regulated amount exuding from the die, and thus ensuring
a uniform weight of bullet. Fitted to the fixed die e so as to slide freely
therein is a plunger f, the end of which forms the head or closed end of
the mould. This plunger fis screwed into a hollow rod P, which slides
freely in a brass lining with which the socket e is provided. The rod P
is made fast by clamping nuts to a slide P', which is shown in section at
Fig. 6, and is supported in a vertical plane in V guides at the side of the
frame F. This slide P¹ is made hollow to receive a double cam P (see
the detached view, Fig. 6*), the rotation of which gives a traverse motion
to the slide. The double cam is keyed to a short transverse shaft P³,
which is driven by bevilled gearing from the longitudinal shaft M. As
therefore the cam is rotated the plunger is withdrawn from the fixed die
in order that it may receive the lead, and thrust forward to expel the
lead therefrom when the recess has been formed in it. This forward
thrust of the plunger returns the lead to the circular plate, and the
advance of the locking pin before mentioned discharges the lead there-
into a suitable receptacle. In order to provide a suitable resistance
to the back thrust put on the plunger during the moulding of the bullet
an adjustable stop rod or back centre P' is fitted into a projection on the
side of the frame F. This back centre is threaded at its ends to receive
clamping nuts, by turning which the back centre may be moved up and
retained in the required position to form an abutment for the rod P
carrying the plunger f, and prevent the plunger yielding to the pressure
of the forward thrust of the punch c upon the lead contained in the die.
To prevent the lead from adhering either to the receding punch cor
plunger fa forked guard or stripper Q is provided. This forked guard
spans the rotating circular plate G, and is caused to advance when the
moulding operation has been effected by the action of a grooved face
cam Q' (see Fig. 7) upon a pin or bowle carried by the forked guard Q.
The prongs of this forked stripper are themselves forked that they
may embrace the one the end of the punch c and the other the plunger f
when it is protruded from the die in the act of transferring the moulded
lead from the die to the rotating plate G. It will now be seen that if
the lead should adhere to either instrument the fork will arrest the
motion of the lead, and retain it in the circular plate. The further
rotation of the plate will bring the lead opposite the pin d, and the

page_text: forward motion of that pin will discharge it from the machine. The
partially formed bullet is next to be submitted to the action of a second
machine (somewhat similar in construction to that first described), in
which the hollowed end is converted into a hollow conical point, and the
rear of the bullet is coned out to receive the ordinary conical expanding
plug.
In Sheet IV. I have shown in partial plan view at Fig. 1 and in
partial side elevation at Fig. 2 so much of the machine used for
completing the moulding of the bullet as will serve to explain its
construction, reference being also had to the enlarged longitudinal
sectional view, Fig. 3, which shows the punch, the die or mould, and
the parts in immediate connection therewith. To avoid unnecessary
repetitions the same letters of reference are used for like parts in this
and in the first moulding machine; the foregoing description will
therefore suffice for explaining the general character of the machine
shewn in Sheet IV. The partially formed bullets are placed by hand
(the hollow end foremost) in the circular feeding plate G which in
this instance is furnished with no steel bushes, but simply with holes
to receive the bullets. An intermittent axial motion is given to the
plate G for the purpose of bringing the partially formed bullets into
line with the fixed die e and punch c as before. The punch is carried
by a slide L and by its advance it thrusts the lead out of the plate G
into the fixed or moulding die e. Fitted to and forming part of the
die is a hollow plunger f which with the die is so shaped as to give
the required shape to the point of the bullet. This hollow plunger
is fixed to a hollow rod P which by means of clamping nuts is connected
to a slide P' (as in the first-described machine) from which it receives
Within
an endway traverse motion through the double cam P*.
the hollow plunger flies a rod f¹ which is intended to enter the
hollow made in the partially formed bullet and act as a core around
which the lead is to be closed by the pressure of the advancing
punch. This core rod is secured to the end of a rod f which lies in
the hollow traversing rod P, and is screwed into the back centre of
the machine so as to be adjustable endwise and thus ensure the requisite
length of insertion of the core rod in the die or mould e.
The punch c
is in this instance suitably shaped to form the recess in the rear of
the bullet for the reception of the conical plug, and as the punch is
advanced it will as before said thrust the lead into the fixed die e,
where by reason of the shape of the die the lead will receive the

page_text: required conical or other shaped point; at the same time the lead
being pressed round the core rod or cylindrical recess will be formed
in the point of the bullet, thus lightening it to the required extent at
that part. By the forward pressure of the punch the recess in the rear
of the bullet will be at the same time formed. As it is extremely
important that the weight of the bullets should be practically uniform
the same contrivance is adopted in this as in the first described machine
(viz., fine radial holes in the fixed die) for discharging the excess of
lead from the die during the moulding or compression of the lead.
When the moulding is effected the punch c retires, and the hollow
plunger being now advanced the bullet is thrust out of the fixed die
and back into the circular feeding plate, from whence it is discharged
by the locking pin d carried by the punch slide L. The forked stripper
arrangement before mentioned is provided for stripping the moulded
bullets from the punch and hollow plunger when adhering thereto.
To prevent injury to the hollow point of the bullet from rough usage
the cylindrical recess will commonly be filled with a plug of wood.
Having described the mode of forming the Mitford bullet I would
remark that a slight change in the fitting of the first-named machine
will enable me (without the use of a second machine) to manufacture
the ordinary solid conical pointed bullet. Thus I use the circular
plate fitted with steel bushes for cutting off the lengths of lead protruded
from the fixed bush, and by this plate serving also as a feeding plate
the severed lengths of lead are presented to a fixed die suitably shaped
like that shewn at Fig. 3, Sheet IV., to form the conical point. In
combination with this die I use the compressing punch c shaped to
form the recess in the rear of the bullet for the reception of a coned
expansion plug, and the thrust of this punch c will drive the lead
forward and make it take the shape of the fixed die, while at the same
moment the conical recess is formed in the rear of the bullet. It
now only remains to finish the bullet by forming around it the usual
grooves or cannelures, which facilitate the adherence of the cartridge
case thereto and admit of its carrying lubricating material. These
grooves may be formed by any well-known or approved canneluring
machine, that which I prefer to employ, from the great facility which
it affords of effecting the operation, being the machine in which the
bullets are submitted to a rolling pressure between a horizontal rotating
table fitted with a steel ring having corresponding grooves and a fixed.
segment plate similarly faced.

page_text: Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of " Improved
Machinery for Manufacturing Bullets," and explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under
the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim, the arrangements
of machinery above described with reference to the Drawings for
manufacturing bullets.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Davidson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight and sixty-eight.
J. DAVIDSON. (L.S.)