Improvements
Year: 1895

page_text: Date o Application, 8th July, 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1895
Improvements
I HUGO BORCHARDT, of 62 Königsgrätzerstrasse Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany, Engineer, 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 invention relates to improvements in the construction of projectiles whereby
their efficiency is materially increased.
The capability of piercing thick armour plates of steel or iron with projectiles as
at present constructed (irrespective of the material of which they are formed) can
only be obtained by strictly adhering to the rules and conditions relating to moving
bodies and of two projectiles moving with equal forces (that is to say, the product
of mass multiplied by speed being alike in the two projectiles) the one having the
smaller caliber will pierce through the thicker armour plate. It will be readily
understood that for a certain caliber, an increased weight of the mass can only be
obtained by increasing the length of the projectile, which hitherto could only be;
carried to rather narrow limits in order to ensure the requisite stability of the'
projectile in its flight and to keep its axis within the trajectory tangent so that its
point must always strike home first. In consequence of the limits just mentioned
the length given to projectiles has hitherto been confined practically to 3 or
4 diameters, and in order to increase the efficiency the general tendency has been
to increase the initial velocity. The advantage derived from such practice is
however comparatively very small, as the velocity of the moving projectile.
decreases in direct ratio to its initial velocity, which latter could only be raised
by a large increase in the cost of the arm from which it was to be fired to secure
safety and this could not be carried beyond certain limits.
The present invention enables projectiles having a length equal to 10 to 15 or:
more diameters, that is to say, projectiles having a ratio of mass relatively to the
cross section far beyond anything heretofore known or possible, to be fired with
complete safety to any distance and without having to alter existing weapons.
The efficiency of the projectiles, that is to say, their penetrating power, in relation
to existing projectiles, is thus greatly increased so that with the improved projectile
an armour plate having a thickness equal to five diameters of the projectile has
been pierced.
'
The manner of carrying the invention into effect is illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings, in which the invention is shown applied, by way of examples,
to a small arm cartridge and to an artillery projectile. It may here be mentioned
that the arrangement shown in connection with small projectiles may be adapted to
the largest calibers with much greater effect and facility.
Fig. 1 shows a section of a complete cartridge for infantry use furnished with my
improvements.
Fig. 2 shows the core or bolt of the projectile.
Fig. 3 shows an armour piercing projectile with my invention applied thereto.
By examining the drawings the nature of the present invention will be readily
understood, bearing in mind that the leading idea is to enable projectiles with a
relatively small diameter and the greatest possible weight to be fired safely and to
be got home with the greatest precision. As will be seen the outer form and
construction of the various projectiles hitherto in use may be retained and a core
or bolt a introduced, which is kept in position in the outer shell of the projectile

page_text: by pressing, shrinking or screwing therein in such a manner and to such an extent
that its relative position cannot be affected by the pressure of gases of explosion.
The object is to fire the whole projectile as a single piece till it strikes home, at
which moment the outer shell 6 becomes separated from the core ortbolt a either
by being broken to pieces or by stripping off therefrom, thereby enabling the
latter to penetrate with full energy and pierce the object struck.
It is scarcely necessary to add that the material for the outer shell will depend
on the purpose for which the projectile is to be used, and in some cases special
means will be required for holding or guiding the core or bolt a in its shell b,
which however do not affect the nature of the present invention.
The main purpose of the present invention is to afford means "whereby it is
possible to fire projectiles of any desired length in relation to their diameter, with
the same accuracy and safety as can be done with projectiles of the construction
hitherto in use and thereby materially to increase the penetrating action of the
projectile on armour plates.
Although the drawings show examples of the application of the invention to
only two different forms of projectile, it is not intended to limit its application to
these two kinds but rather to 'illustrate the manner in which it can be adapted
to projectiles of various kinds and diameters.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said-inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim'is':
1. An armour,piercing projectile of any desired form having within the shell or
body ba core or bolt a of steel or other suitable material so connected with the
shell'or body b that they remain connected together till the moment of impact of
the projectile when the shell or body b either breaks up or 'strips off and thereby
sets the core or bolt a free to act with its full life energy and to pierce the object
struck, substantially as herein shown and described.
2. An armour piercing projectile provided with a core or bolt a of steel or other
suitable material and of a length many times greater than its diameter, the said
core or bolt being connected with the shell or body of the projectile in such manner
as to enable the core or holt a to get free of the outer shell or body b at the
moment of impact of the projectile by said shell or body breaking up or stripping
off the core or bolt a and thereby setting the latter free to act with its full
momentum, substantially as herein shown and described.
3. The combination with a projectile of any desired form, of a core or bolt
adapted to be released from the shell or body of the projectile at the moment of
impact, substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 9th day of Tul, 1905
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.