IM- PROVEMENTS IN SHOT OR PROJECTILES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE 33 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Philippe Pieri, Retired Officer of the French
Imperial Army, and William Smith, Consulting Engineer, both of
19, Salisbury Street, Strand, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SHOT OR PROJECTILES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE
33
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Philippe Pieri and
William Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 27th November 1874.
We, PHILIPPE PIERI, Retired Officer of the French Imperial Army,
and WILLIAM SMITH, Consulting Engineer, both of 19, Salisbury
Street, Strand, London, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOT OR PROJECTILES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION
AND MODE OF MOUNTING ORDNANCE FOR DISCHARGING SUCH PROJECTILES," to be
as follows:-
The first part of our Invention relates to the cylindrical pointed shot
or projectile which has its body made up of, say, three portions in the

page_text: length thereof of cast steel tempered to a suitable degree of hardness,
or they may be formed of hard chilled cast-iron. And when the parts
are combined together the portions are separated by two discs, each
composed of layers of paper or cardboard combined together under great
pressure. The longitudinal axis of the projectile is bored or formed to
receive a cylindrical headed pin, which head is recessed into the base
portion, whilst the point of the screwed pin has fitted upon it a screwed
conical nut, which forms the point of the projectile. The steel pin
by which these 5 portions of the projectile are secured together is
hardened to such a degree of brittleness that upon its striking a hard
object against which it is fired it becomes fractured and in turn fractures
the several body pieces of the projectile and disintegrates or breaks up
the whole mass; but this action can be modified by the degree of temper
of the several body picces composing the projectile and the pin itself.
The two compressed paper or cardboard discs or washers interposed
between the three metallic portions are each of larger diameter, so as
to correspond with the depth of the "rayon" or spiral rifled grooving,
whilst the projectile itself truly fits the bore of the gun; the two rings
of compressed paper, by reason of their distance apart, ensure accuracy
of flight, and also the cleaning out the rifle groves from any deposit
left from the previous discharge.
The cartridge cases for containing the charge are composed of metal
tubes surrounded by an envelope of caoutchouc or other elastic or
suitable material, at the base of which and embedded therein is a
metallic disc of a diameter larger than the chamber, and which cartridge
at its solid base also contains (recessed through the centre of the disc)
a thimble piece for containing the detonating charge and means of firing
it by percussion.
The front end of the metallic tube of the cartridge is fitted over and
upon the base of the projectile, and shoulders up to and against the back
portion or projection of the second compressed paper (or cardboard)
ring or washer, and so secures and holds the projectile and cartridge
together.
The screwed nut is of suitable shape to form the cylindro-conidal
point of the projectile, whilst the cylindrical or cheese head of the bolt
is recessed into the rear or base portion, so as to be flush therewith.
We construct, as the second part of our Invention, our improved
light breech-loading artillery or mountain guns without trunnions, and

page_text: in two parts or portions longitudinally, which are securely screwed
together. The breech-piece containing the mechanism having a pecu-
liarly formed chamber and fittings, it having on the upper side a longi-
tudinal slot or opening for the admission of the combined cartridge and
3 projectile, and on the under side a slot (of lesser length than the opening
on the upper side) intended for the purpose of receiving a long stud.or
projection formed at one end of the longitudinal bearer bar or upper
carriage, the other or fore end of which bearer has on its upper face a
crutch, fork, or saddle piece for carrying the gun, and it is sufficiently
in advance of the breech to support and hold the gun firmly; there
being a projecting collar or ring formed upon the gun of suitable
diameter to form a shoulder against the crutch, fork, or saddle piece.
The lower portion of the fore end of the longitudinal bearer or upper
carriage has a circular termination, in the centre of which is formed an
eye for receiving a bearing pin or axis; or a pin or stud may be formed
on cach side thereof, so as to support the gun between two side cheeks
which are secured to the gun carriage mounted upon the wheel axles.
The circular projection at the fore end of the bearing bar (which in
reality forms the immediate bearer or upper carriage of the gun) con-
tinues uniformly and truly in contact with the main axle or a ring there-
upon, whatever the vertical clevation or depression of the gun may be,
and the two horizontal centres or axes of support thus remain equi-
distant from each other. The two cheek plates are firmly bolted through
the main carriage and form the bearing and support at their upper
portion for the longitudinal bearing bar or upper carriage, whilst at the
lower portion they rest upon the main axle of the wheel. The elevating
screw is applied in the usual way, and is connected to or with and
operates upon the breech end of the longitudinal bearing bar or upper
carriage.
The bore of the gun is rifled from the muzzle backward throughout
the greater portion of its length, and it has its chamber in the rear
bored out of two diameters, each larger than the other and the inner
diameter of the bore. The front or foremost portion of this chamber
being of a diameter sufficiently large to admit the paper rings or washers
being pushed forward thereinto, whilst the rear or second portion is still
larger for the purpose of receiving the enveloped cartridge case con-
taining the explosive charce whilst the base wino with its washer like

page_text: projects around and closes the breech end of the chamber when the
combined projectile and cartridge are together forced forward ready
to be discharged.
The mechanism of the gun, which is wholly contained within the
detachable (by unscrewing) breech-piece of the gun, consists of a main
cylindrical block bored along its axis and capable of being bodily moved
forward and withdrawn (or drawn back after firing), and when it is
moved forward and secured it firmly closes the breech of the gun until
the discharge has taken place, as it holds the base ring of the cartridge
throughout its whole diameter up to its place and work, and only permits
of the point of the piercing rod or striking pin projecting therefrom and
violently striking the percussion cap by reason of the release of the
spring surrounding it, and all which are contained within the longi-
tudinal bore of the main cylindrical block, which in turn is held up to
its proper place and released therefrom by the partial rotation of a heli-
coidal cam piece; to which motion is given by means of a double arm
"handle piece" connected therewith, and which, when the breech is
closed, forms the only outward projection therefrom. The release of the
spring of the piercer or discharging pin is effected by the action of a
detent.
The extraction of the cartridge is effected upon the withdrawal of the
cylindrical sliding breech block by means of a combined spring-catch
extractor acting upon the upper portion, whilst the lower portion of the
cartridge base is brought in contact with or against a fixed projecting
pin, which does not move with the block but along which the block
slides at the lower part of its front end, where a slot is formed for that
purpose.
When the cylindrical breech block is withdrawn to its full extent, and
the discharged cartridge or case has its fore end raised, it may be readily
disengaged and extracted, and when the breech is thus opened and the
projectile with its cartridge can be inserted with the point of the pro-
jectile entered into the chamber formed at the rear of the rifled bore,
and the cylindrical breech block is then forced forward and secured by
the turning of the projecting arms or handles, and the gun is again
ready to be discharged, this being effected by the release of the detent,
which retains the percussive piercer or discharging pin, at the proper
moment for firing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Philippe Pieri and William Smith in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 27th May 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, PHILIPPE
PIERI, Retired Officer of the French Imperial Army, and WILLIAM
SMITH, Consulting Engineer, both of 19, Salisbury Street, Strand,
London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in
the thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Philippe Pieri and William
Smith, Her special licence that we, the said Philippe Pieri and William
Smith, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
we, the said Philippe Pieri and William Smith, our executors, admi-
nistrators, 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 SHOT OR
PROJECTILES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF MOUNTING ORDNANCE FOR
DISCHARGING SUCH PROJECTILES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
the said Philippe Pieri and William Smith, our executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under our, 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.
we,
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Philippe Pieri and William Smith,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The first part of our Invention relates to the cylindrical pointed shot
or projectile, which has its body made up of say three portions in the

page_text: •
length thereof of cast steel of a suitable degree of hardness, or they
may be formed of hard chilled cast iron, and when the parts are com-
bined together the portions are separated by, say, two discs, cach composed
of layers of paper or cardboard, and which may by preference be com-
bined together under great pressure. The longitudinal axis of the
projectile is bored or may be formed to receive a cylindrical headed pin,
which head should be recessed into the base portion, whilst the point of
the screwed pin has fitted upon it a screwed conical nut, which forms
the point of the projectile. The steel pin by which these, say, 5 portions
of the projectile are secured together is hardened to such a degree of
brittleness that upon its striking any hard object against which it is
fired it becomes fractured, and in turn fractures the several body picces
of the projectile and disintegrates or breaks up the whole mass; but this
action can be modified by the degree of temper or hardness of the several
body pieces composing the projectile and of the pin itself. The two,
where there are only two compressed paper or cardboard discs or washers
interposed between the three metallic portions, arc each of larger
diameter so as to correspond with the depth of the "rayon" or spiral
rifled grooving, whilst the projectile itself truly fits the bore of the gun.
The two (or more) discs, washers, or rings of compressed paper by reason
of their distance apart insure accuracy of flight, and they also affect the
cleaning out the rifle grooves or the removal of any deposit left from the
previous discharge.
The cartridge cases for containing the charge, and into the open end
of which the projectile is inserted, are each composed of a metal tube
surrounded by an envelope of caoutchouc or other elastic or suitable
material, at the base of which and embedded therein is a metallic disc
of a diameter larger than the chamber, and which cartridge at its solid
base also contains (recessed through the centre of the disc) a thimble
piece for containing the detonating charge and the means of firing it by
percussion.
The front end or mouth' of the metallic tube of the cartridge is by
preference fitted over and upon the base of the projectile, and shouldered
up to and against the back portion or projection of the second or rear
disc washer or ring of compressed paper (or cardboard), and so secures
and holds the projectile and cartridge together.
The screwed nut is of suitable shape to form the cylindero-conoidal

page_text: point of the projectile, whilst the cylindrical or cheese head of the bolt
is recessed into the rear or base portion so as to be flush therewith.
We construct, as the second part of our Invention, improved light
breech-loading artillery or mountain guns without trunnions, and form
the gun proper in two parts or portions longitudinally, which are securely
screwed together, as described herein. The breech portion containing
the whole of the mechanism has a peculiarly formed chamber and
fittings, it having on the upper side thereof a longitudinal slot or opening
for the admission of the combined cartridge and projectile, and on the
under side a slot (of lesser length and breadth than the opening on the
upper side) intended for the purpose of receiving a long stud or pro-
jection formed at one end of the longitudinal bearer bar or upper carriage
piece, the other or fore end of which bearer has on its upper face a
crutch, fork, or saddle piece for carrying the gun, and it is disposed
sufficiently in advance of the breech to support and hold the gun firmly.
There is a projecting collar or ring formed upon the exterior of the gun
of suitable diameter to form a shoulder, within and against which the
crutch, fork, or saddle piece takes and rests firmly. The lower portion
of the fore end of the longitudinal bearer or upper carriage has a circular
termination or joint (or hinge piece), in the centre of which is formed
an eye for receiving a bearing pin or axis, or a pin or stud may be formed
on each side thereof so as to support the gun between two side cheeks,
which are secured to the gun carriage proper, which is mounted upon
the wheel axles. The circular projection or joint at the fore end of the
3 bearing bar (which in reality forms the immediate bearer or upper
carriage of the gun) contains uniformly and truly in contact with the
main axle (or a ring thereupon) whatever the vertical elevation or
depression of the gun may be, and the two horizontal centres or axes of
support thus remain equidistant from each other. Two cheek plates
should be firmly bolted through the main carriage and form the bearing
and support at their upper portion for the longitudinal bearing bar (or
upper carriage), whilst at the lower portion they may rest upon the main
axle of the wheel carriage. An elevating screw is applied in the usual
way, and it may be connected to or with and operate upon the breech
5 end of the longitudinal bearing bar or the upper carriage piece.
The bore of the gun is rifled from the muzzle backward throughout
the greater portion of its length, and it has its chamber in the rear
bored out of several diameters, each larger than the other and the inner

page_text: diameter of the bore. The front or foremost portion of this chamber is
of a diameter sufficiently large to admit of the paper rings or washers
being pushed forward thereinto, whilst the rear or second portion is still
larger for the purpose of receiving the enveloped cartridge case con-
taining the explosive charge, whilst the base ring or disc (with its
washer-like projection) is still larger than the exterior of the cartridge
body, and it projects around and closes the breech end of the chamber
when the combined projectile and cartridge are together forced forward
ready to be discharged.
The mechanism of the gun is wholly contained within the detachable
(by unscrewing) breech piece of the gun, and it consists of a main
cylindrical breech block, bored along its axis and capable of being bodily
moved forward and withdrawn (or drawn back after firing), and when it
is moved forward and secured, it firmly closes the breech of the gun
until the discharge has taken place, as it holds the base ring or end disc
of the cartridge circumferentially throughout its whole diameter up to
its place and work, only permitting the point of the piercing rod (or the
striking pin projecting therefrom) violently striking the percussion cap
by reason of the release of the spring surrounding it. All these parts
are contained within the longitudinal bore of the main cylindrical block,
which in turn is held up to its proper place and released therefrom by
the partial rotation of a helicoidal cam piece, to which motion is given
by means of a double arm or "handle piece" connected therewith; this
when the breech is closed forms the only outward projection therefrom,
except the button on the outer end of the piercer. The release of the
spring of the piercer (or discharging pin) is effected by the action of a
detent on its being pulled or withdrawn by a line or lanyard.
The extraction of the discharged cartridge is effected upon the with-
drawal of the cylindrical sliding breech block by means of a combined
spring catch extractor acting upon the upper portion, whilst the lower
portion of the cartridge base is (when withdrawn) brought in contact with
or against a fixed projecting pin, which does not move with the block
throughout its whole movement, but along which the block slides at the
lower part of its front end, whero a slot is formed therein for that
purpose.
.
When the cylindrical brecch block is withdrawn to its full extent and
the discharged cartridge or case has its fore end raised in the manner
described, it may be readily disengaged and extracted; and when the

page_text: breech is thus opened and the projectile (with its cartridge) can be inserted,
with the point of the projectile entered into the chamber formed in
the rear of the rifled bore, and the cylindrical breech block is then forced
forward and secured by the turning of the projecting arms or handles, the
gun is again ready to be discharged; this is effected by the release of
the detent, which retains the percussive piercer (or discharging pin) at
the proper moment for firing, by pulling the lanyard or line in the
usual way.
In the accompanying 3 Sheets of Drawings we have shewn views of
the improved projectile with its cartridge, and also of the breech-loading
gun as constructed and arranged as a light mountain gun; and inter-
spersed throughout the 2 larger Sheets will be found the details of every
portion of the gun and its breech mechanism drawn to an enlarged
scale, so that any one acquainted with the construction and working of
ordnance will readily understand every detail of the mechanism relating
to the present Invention.
Of course various modifications may be made in the proportionings
generally, and in some instances also in the shape and configuration of
some of the parts, as for instance the fore end of the longitudinal bearer
or upper carriage bar, instead of having a hinged strap piece, may be
formed as a crutch or fork only, and at the lower part of this bearer or
upper carriage bar the mode of connecting it with and mounting it upon
the gun carriage proper may be varied, and its outer end, instead of ter-
minating (as it has been shown, immediately behind the square stud
piece) may be prolonged, and form a crutch or fork semicircular for the
lower portion of the breech to rest in; and in various other ways such
mere modifications may be introduced without in any manner inter-
fering with our several claims- to originality and novelty in connection
with the arrangement and construction of ordnance of the kind or
description to which our present Invention relates.
In Sheet 1 we have shewn views of the improved shot or projectiles,
and also two views of a light mountain gun constructed in accordance
with our present Invention.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a section of the improved shot or projectile;
Figure 2 shews a section of a cartridge case adapted thereto; and
Figure 3 is an external view of Figures 1 and 2 combined together, the

page_text: cartridge case having been charged, and the shot or projectile fitted into
the mouth thereof, and combined therewith.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a light mountain gun, the carriage
thereof being drawn in section; Figure 5 is an end view of the gun and
carriage complete, the gun being shewn as it would be after it has been
discharged, and before the breech is finally opened.
Sheets 2 and 3 are devoted to details, drawn to an enlarged scale, and
such details relate to the construction of the gun and the mode of
mounting and of working it, and also to the construction and mode of
combining the parts of the shot or projectile.
In Sheet 2 Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the breech
portion of such a gun, such as is shewn to a smaller scale in Figures 2
and 3 in Sheet 1. In this view the longitudinal bearer or upper carriage
bar (with a fork or crutch piece at its fore end, and the square stud at
its after end) is shewn with the pin or stud removed, by means of which
pin or stud it is mounted and attached to the carriage proper, and by
the movement upon which stud in the arc of a circle the elevation or
depression takes place (or the angular movement is given) from the said
stud as a centre. In this view the breech block is shewn "home," or
in the position it would be (longitudinally) when the cartridge is in its
place and the gun ready to be discharged, whilst the lever handles
employed for closing the breech are there shown out of their strictly
correct position for the purpose of shewing the mechanism thereof in
this view; and it must be understood, for the purpose of making the
arrangement and disposition of the several parts, and the action of the
apparatus clear, that there being no cartridge and projectile shewn
within the chamber the cartridge extractor is not shewn in the position
it would be in when grasping the button head or base disc of the cart-
ridge, whilst the striker or percussion pin is drawn back and held against
the striker spring (which is under compression) by reason of the detent
shewn in the upper part of the handle taking into the projection provided
for the purpose, and which upon the lanyard being pulled would be
released by the detent, and so free the striker and allow of the striking
spring acting, and by its percussive action discharging the cap within
the button head or disc of the cartridge case, and so exploding the charge
contained within the cartridge.
Figure 7 is a plan view of Figure 6, the clip piece and crutch of the
longitudinal bearer or upper carriage bar being removed. The openings

page_text: for receiving the projectile and for withdrawing the cartridge case after
it has been exploded (and the breech block pulled back) are both shewn.
The opening (of smaller size) on the under side of the gun is shewn
dotted in. In this view, as in Figure 6, the cross handle for opening or
closing the brecch block (and otherwise acting upon the mechanism
thereof) is shewn out of its correct position to the extent of 90°; for if
the gun was charged ready for firing the cross or arm picces would really
be horizontal instead of vertical.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the breech piece and the cham-
bered end of the barrel portion, which has besides the projecting rings
or enlargements at its back, and an external screw for enabling it to be
screwed into the internal screw cut within the fore part of the breech
portion of the gun. Three sectional views are taken transversely through
the breech, viz., at A-B, C-D, and E-F, as shewn respectively by
Figures 9, 10, and 11.
In Sheets 3 the details of the further portions of the mechanism and
of the projectile, &c., are shewn.
..
Figures 12 and 13 are detached views of the longitudinal bearer or
upper carriage, in which there is a hinged clip for grasping the back end
of the muzzle between the rings or collars thereon, whilst the square-stud
or projection at the tail end of the bearer bar takes into the opening
provided for that purpose in the under side of the breech, so that the
breech and muzzle portions of the gun (which are securely attached by
screwing) are still further combined and held together when mounted
by this means.
Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17 .are views of moveable portions of the
mechanism fitted within the breech, and on reference to the separate
details the mode of combining them together, as also of their action in
relation to one another, will be readily understood. Within the hollow
axis of Figure 14 the striker pin with its surrounding spring is fitted,
and is caused to traverse, longitudinally when either hauled back by the
movement of the cam acting on the outer end thereof or when it is
released by the withdrawing of the detent through the pulling of the
lanyard when firing. Figure 18 is the pin referred to with its sur-
rounding spiral spring.
Figures 19, 20, and 21 are views relating to the cross handle or arm
11

page_text: axial central opening of which the outer end of the striker pin projects
to the extent of its motion and the compression of its spring.
Figures 22 and 23 are views of the knob or button fitted at or on to
the outer end of the striker pin.
Figures 24 and 25 are views of the cartridge extractor fitted within
and on to the upper side of the movable breech block; Figures 26 and
27 are views of the piece fitted and working in and at the under side of
the movable breech block (at the front end thereof) for the purpose of
canting the mouth of the discharged cartridge case upward in aid of the
action of the extractor, Figures 24 and 25.
Figures 28, 29, 30, and 31 are details of the detent fitted within the
upper arm of Figure 19.
Figures 32 and 33 are views of the double face cam piece for producing
the longitudinal motion of the breech block by the half turn given to the
handles, and so permitting of the engagement and disengagement of the
movable parts, Figure 33 being the cam piece, and Figure 32 shewing
the relation with the other or corresponding portion into which it fits.
Figures 34, 35, 36, and 37 relate to the portions of the firing apparatus
for acting upon the striking rod or pin fitted within the rear end of the
breech, and operated upon by the withdrawing of the detent.
Figure 38 is an enlarged view of the projectile (which is here shewn
partly in section) having the charged cartridge fitted thereon, this Figure
being an enlargement of the details shewn on a smaller scale in Figures 1,
2, and 3, Sheet 1, where the projectile and the cartridge are shewn
suitable for the mountain gun, Figures 4 and 5.
Having illustrated the two parts or portions of our present Invention
by a series of views drawn to scale, and correspondingly arranged so as
to illustrate the relations of the several parts one to the other, and to
enable them to be easily assembled and combined together, so that the
whole may work harmoniously, we have not thought it necessary to
encumber the several views with letters of reference on the several parts
or portions thereof, as 'any mechanic conversant with such instruments
and apparatus will readily understand them, and their combination and
action.
The barrel of the gun herein-before described may be smooth bored.

page_text: according to our Invention they must be rifled, but the form of rifling
may be varied according to the form and character of the projectile or
the notions of the artillerist, but in every case where it is rifled it should
be so rifled up to a transverse line within the chamber of the barrel and
sufficiently far back to enable the conoidal nose of the projectile to enter
the rifling when the projectile is entered or placed in position within the
chamber, the "chambering out" of the barrel being, as herein-before
stated, of several diameters, so that the front or foremost portion of the
chamber beyond where the cartridge case is received contains the paper
rings or washers, which are of a diameter equal to that of the bottom of
the rifle grooving, and along which grooving they traverse and form ribs,
by means of which axial rotation of the projectile is produced.
We are aware that various arrangements and combinations of the
parts of compound shot or projectiles have heretofore been made for the
purpose of taking advantage of the rifled grooving of the barrel for
producing a rotary movement or motion (axially) of the projectile, and
also for guiding and steering it during its passage along the bore of the
gun.
We are also aware that cartridge cases have been employed for use in
) small arms in which the metal tube and disc are covered with elastic
and waterproof material as an envelope, and we do not intend to make
any claim for or in respect thereof.
We are also aware of the various contrivances and mechanical arrange-
ments which have heretofore been introduced for breech-loading artillery,
3 and for the opening and closing of the breeches of guns by mechanical
means, and of the forms and arrangements of mechanical extractors for
extracting the cartridge cases, which have been employed principally in
small arms; but we wish it to be understood that what we claim in
relation to our present Invention is,―
) First. The shot or projectile for artillery herein described.
5
Secondly. The mode of constructing shot or projectiles for artillery,
together with the use or employment of the several materials, and their
arrangement and disposition in the manner and for the purposes herein
set forth.
Thirdly. The mode or method of constructing and working the breech
portion of artillery, and the contained mechanism thereof, as herein

page_text: Fourthly. The construction and mode of mounting ordnance herein
set forth, and as illustrated in the accompanying Sheets of Drawings.
Fifthly. The mode or method herein described of constructing,
arranging, and working the moveable breech block and its mechanism
for ordnance as herein described and set forth, and as illustrated in the
accompanying three Sheets of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Smith, on behalf of
Philippe Pieri and myself, have hereunto set my hand and scal,
this Twenty-sixth day of May One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five.
Witness,
H. H. M. SMITH,
18, Salisbury Street,
Strand.
WILLIAM SMITH. (L.S.)