AN IMPROVED BREACH- LOADING ORDNANCE
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Fischer Alexander Wilson, of Abingdon Street,
Westminster, London, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED BREACH-
LOADING ORDNANCE."
Sealed the 26th May 1865, and dated the 1st December 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Fischer Alexander
Wilson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st December 1864.
I, FISCHER ALEXANDER WILSON, of Abingdon Street, Westminster, London,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
BREACH-LOADING ORDNANCE," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of an engine contrived to project shot and shell,
from one to many in number, delivered singly, or in rounds of quick
succession. Each such piece of ordnance to act separately and apart, or in
combined number for co-operative effect, to be loaded at the breach by means
of a double cylinder, one rotating within the other; and which supply the
necessary charges of ammunition by means of compartments or chambers
contained in the inner cylinder; the object of which contrivance being that
each piece shall be capable of maintaining a stream of shot constantly in the
air.
The minuter particulars of the Invention are as follows:--
1. That which serves for a gun barrel is a tube open at both ends, balanced
by trunions resting on a fork and swivel, and which swivel works in a fixed
socket in a manner which enables the said tube or barrel to be pointed in any
direction, right or left, and to be raised or depressed at pleasure. A duplicate

page_text: barrel, to supply its place when heated, to be carried in reserve with each
engine.
2. This said tube or barrel, horizontally levelled, is attachable and detach-
able at will by means of screws to a disk which is surrounded with a deep
collar or rim projecting from its reverse or breachward side; and which disk
remains stationary, and independent of the rotary motion. In perpendicular
line above the centre of this rimmed disk, and near the extreme circle of
periphery, is a round orifice or shot-hole, of the exact dimensions of the bore
of the open tube or barrel aforesaid, the rearward extremity of which is firmly
fixed so as to coincide with the said shot hole before mentioned.
3. Next, with one end inserted into said cap, and fitting so as to revolve
smoothly within its rim, is one of the cylinders already mentioned, namely,
the external one, which is permanently so disposed as to be in horizontal line
with the levelled tube or barrel; and which external and revolving cylinder is
open at its breachward extremity but closed with a plate at the opposite end,
which is supported by and revolves within the aforesaid cap.
In this closing
plate are a given number of shot holes (suppose ten) disposed in circular range
and equidistant from each other, and which one and all are concentric and
commensurate with the one single shot hole in the disk or plate, which, with
its surrounding collar or rim forms the cap aforesaid, and coincide likewise
with the bore of the tube or barrel, when the latter is affixed thereto; and
which holes, when the cylinder is made to revolve on its axis (or spindle
passing through centre of the cap), come alternately each into juxtaposition
with the said single shot hole in the cap and correspondent bore of the barrel
when thereto attached. In which order it will be seen, that thus with hole to
hole, and hole to bore, a free and clear passage of light and air alternately
opened throughout the whole length of this united series of cylinders, cap and
barrel, from breach to muzzle; that is, when the breach is disengaged from
connection with the rest, and that is after the discharge of every round,
thereby affording convenient means of spunging the barrel from the rear.
4. Held apart from the cap and encircling the middle of this external and
revolving cylinder is a passive hoop or waistband, within whose circle, con-
centric with the rim of the cap, the cylinder rolls, while the said encircling
and supporting band is stationarily fixed in its quiescent position by two tubular
arms or braces, each of which is fixed at their middle to each side of the said
band, and with an interval of space between it and the cap, are at one end
just as firmly attached to the latter, while the other end of those tubular
braces extend to the breachward extremity of the cylinder, but everywhere so
free from compressing contact with it, that while these braces bind the whole

page_text: of the fixed and passive parts, the rotary action of the cylinder is left
perfectly unimpeded.
5. On the top centre or summit of the said stationary waistband round the
revolving cylinder in question, a hammer, actuated by a strong spring, is
thereto attached, and which hammer whenever it is raised is so directed as to
fall posteriorly from its base, thereby intended by its percussionary force to
ignite the priming applied through a succession of small holes or upper vents,
that give access to the inner cylinder when in place, and which inner cylinder
contains, as aforesaid, the charge or charges adapted to the purpose of this
piece, and which upper vents are in direct lines with the shot holes in the
cylinder and cap, and of the bore of the barrel described.
6. To lift said hammer a notched collar embracing in fixed connection the
whole circumference of the said external and revolving cylinder, and moving
as part and parcel with it, raises in its progress the said hammer to a fall after
fall by means of its alternate notches, corresponding in number and line with
the shot holes on one side, or upper vents or touch holes on the other, as
described.
7. The touch holes or upper vents are protected from accidental collision
by small round plates or lozenges, swivelled each on a pin proper to every
respective bole; and each of which holes is alternately covered and uncovered
as it comes round in turn under fall of the hammer, and this by means of two
projecting points of impingement affixed to the stationary band.
8. The inner cylinder which constitutes the nominal breach, consists of a
separate and distinct cylindrical block composing various compartments or
chambers, or shot holes, as aforesaid, and which are bored or cast in the solid,
and in corresponding number with the closing plate of the external cylinder.
The said inuer cylinder of each piece being made to fit exactly within the said
revolving external cylinder, is firmly secured when so inserted by means of
projecting nuts on the inner one, and corresponding notches in the external
one, thereby holding them in such a manner one within the other that they
rotate together; and this chambered breach, called the inner cylinder, is
further secured in its place of action by a transverse plate or bar, which
attaches to the external surface of breach in rear and locks the whole in
connection by a screw or lineh pin, affixed for that purpose to the breachward
extremities of the two braces or tubular arms that hold, as aforesaid, the fixed
band which encircles the outward revolving cylinder in fast connection with
the cap and barrel. On the inner face of this tranverse bar or plate two small
cog wheels are attached, that work up on the spindle on which the cylinders
rotate, and are driven by force of an external handle acting through a hole in

page_text: the said transverse bar, like the barrel described, the chambered breach is
supplemented by a duplicate in reserve, the one replacing the other while it
is being reloaded, so that neither of necessity are ever over-heated.
9. Such breach-loading ordnance when not stationary on walls, ships, bows
of boats, and such like, are to be mounted on wheeled carriages, resembling
the fire-engine in shape, and propelled by horses like light artellery, for service
in the field, in manner of "flying batteries." These pieces, when so mounted,
being rendered moveable and separable from their carriages by the accessory
appliance of rails, connecting slides, swivels, bolts, springs, and such like as
may be found best conducive to efficiency.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st June 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FISCHER
ALEXANDER WILSON, of Abingdon Street, Westminster, London, send
greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said Fischer
Alexander Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, 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, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Iм-
PROVED BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, my executors or administrators, by an in-
strument 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is.

page_text: to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained' in and by thei
following statement thereof, that is to say:―
This Invention consists of a piece of ordnance to be loaded at the breech by
means of a double cylinder, one within the other, and which carries the charges
of ammunition in compartments or chambers contained in the inner cylinder.
The minuter particulars of the Invention are as follows:―
That which serves for a gun barrel is a tube open at both ends, balanced on
trunnions resting on a fork, and swivel and which swivel works in a fixed socket
in a manner which enables the said tube or barrel to be pointed in any
direction right or left, and to be raised or depressed at pleasure. A duplicate
barrel is carried in reserve with each engine to be used when the first becomes
heated. This said tube or barrel is attachable and detachable at will to a disc
which is surrounded with a deep collar or rim projecting from its reverse or
breechward side. In this rimmed disc is a round orifice of the exact dimensions
of the bore of the barrel, the rearward extremity of which is firmly fixed so as
to coincide with the said orifice. One of the cylinders already mentioned
namely, the external one, is at one end inserted into the said cap and is fitted so
as to revolve smoothly within its rim. This external and revolving cylinder is
open at its breechward extremity but closed with a plate at the opposite
end which is supported by and revolves within the aforesaid cap. In this
closing plate are a number of orifices or shot holes disposed in a circle and
equidistant from each other, and these as the cylinder revolves come up
in succession to correspond with the one orifice in the disc or plate of the cap.
Encircling the middle of this external and revolving cylinder is a hoop or
waistband, within which the cylinder revolves; the said encircling and supporting
band is carried by two arms or braces, each of which is fixed at its middle to
one side of the said band; at one end the arms or braces are attached to the
cap, whilst at the other end they extend to the breechward extremity of the
cylinder. Acting at the summit of the revolving cylinder there is a hammer
actuated by a strong spring, and this hammer is caused to explode the priming
applied through a succession of small holes or upper vents that give access to
the charges contained in the inner cylinder when in place. To lift the hammer
there is a notched collar embracing the external and revolving cylinder; and
moving as part and parcel with it, it has notches corresponding in number and
line with the chambers in the inner cylinder. The touch holes or upper vents'
are protected by small round plates or lozenges, swivelled each on a pin, so
that each hole is uncovered as it comes round in turn under the hammer and
then again covered. This is done by means of two projecting points affixed to'
the stationary band. The inner cylinder is a block having formed in it com-

page_text: partments or chambers, as aforesaid, and which are bored or cast in the solid.
The said inner cylinder is made to fit exactly within the revolving external
cylinder, and is firmly secured when so inserted by means of projecting studs
on the inner cylinder entering corresponding notches in the external one,
thereby holding them in such a manner one within the other that they rotate
together, and this chambered breech is further secured in its place of action by
a transverse plate or bar carried for that purpose by the breechward extremities
of the two braces or arms that as before-mentioned hold the fixed band which
encircles the outward revolving cylinder. On the inner face of this transverse
bar or plate are wheels for turning the cylinders; they are driven by an ex-
ternal handle acting through a hole in said transverse bar. Like the barrel
described, the chambered breech is supplemented by a duplicate in reserve, the
one replacing the other while it is being reloaded, so that neither of necessity.
are ever overheated. Such breech-loading ordnance when not stationary on
walls, ships, bows of boats, and such like, are to be mounted on wheeled
carriages and propelled by horses, like light artillery for service in the field in
manner of flying batteries.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view of a gun or piece of ordnance constructed according
to my Invention, together with the fork or standard by which the same is
supported; Figure 2 shews on a much larger scale a plan of the same;
Figure 3 is a vertical section, and Figure 4 a back view of the same parts.
These Figures 2, 3, and 4, are drawn about one-half the size that it is
convenient to construct the piece of ordnance. a is the barrel with trunnions a¹
on a ring, which may either be fixed to the exterior of the barrel or made to
fit the same in such manner that the barrel may be able to slide lengthways
in the said ring; in this latter case, a spring should be applied to control the
recoil of the piece of ordnance. b is the fork which receives the trunnions, it
has a stem 6 entering a fixed socket, in which it is able to turn so that the
piece may be inclined to either side, and it can be elevated or depressed to any
desired extent by rocking on its trunnions a. d is a disc with a socket d¹,
formed upon it and corresponding with a hole through the disc; into this
socket the rear end of the barrel fits and is secured it may be by having a
. coarse screw thread cut in the parts, but more conveniently by studs a³, on the
barrel entering L form grooves cut within the socket; this construction

page_text: admits of the barrel being readily changed and the spare one substituted
should it become heated by rapid firing in action. d is a deep rim or collar
projecting from the rearward side of the disc d. e is the external cylinder
having at its front a plate e', in which are a number of openings ranged round
in a circle, and each of a size corresponding with the bore of the barrel; this
cylinder e fits truly into the rim or collar d, and so as to be able to revolve
freely therein. f is a hoop or waist band which encircles the cylinder e, and
holds it closely up to the disc d; it is made in two parts held together by
bolts and nuts on each side as is shewn. 9, 9, are two arms or braces which
carry the hoopf; at the front they are held in lugs d³ on the disc d, through
which they pass and receive nuts beyond. 9', 9', 9, 93, are tubes which fit
on the arms or braces and serve to hold the hoop f in its place, nuts g³ at the
rear of each arm or brace forcing forward the tubes till they nip the hoop
between them, and the tubes 9 being then secured on the bolts by set pins
not shewn in the Drawing. h is the hammer, it is jointed at h¹ to a standard
d' on the disc d, and a spring i, presses constantly on the top of the hammer.
is a notched collar fixed to the cylinder e, and as this cylinder rotates, the
projecting parts of the collar act in succession on the bammer and raise it, and
each time a projection passes from beneath the hammer the hammer falls and
strikes a fulminating priming, which in loading the piece is placed in the
recesses formed for it at the upper ends of the outer vents or touch holes
the cylinder e, and so fires the charge in the corresponding chamber of the
inner cylinder; k, k, are covers for the vents e³, they turn on centres k³, and
each cover has two projections and upon it. As the cylinder revolves,
the projection first comes in contact with a stud f', on the hoop f, and the
cover is then moved from over the vent, then as the cylinder travels on and
after the hammer has fallen and fired the charge, the other projection comes
against the stud f' on the hoop and the cover is replaced. is the inner
cylinder, a front view of which is shewn in Figure 5; it has a series of charge
chambers bored in it as is shewn. are projections on the exterior of this
cylinder, and these serve to secure the inner to the outer cylinder by locking
into L form notches cut for them inside the outer cylinder e at its rear end;
this cylinder is furnished with an axis, which at the front passes through a
hole at the centre of the disc d; a star wheel m is fixed on the axis P³. n is
a cross bar; it turns on one of the arms or braces g, and it turns down so as
to lock over the other arm or brace, and also over the axis as is shewn, and
so assists in keeping the cylinders in their places. o is a turnbutton on one
of the arms or braces g to secure the cross bar in its place. p is an axis
carried by the cross bar; on this axis a handle is applied, or if a longer
in

page_text: handle to obtain a greater leverage, a pinion may be mounted on the axis p,
and this may be made to gear with another pinion on a separate axis, also on
the cross bar o, but not shewn, to which the handle may be applied. p¹ is a
locking wheel on the axis p; it locks the star wheel m whilst the charges are
fired and only fires it when the pin p³ comes round and takes into one of the
notches in the star wheel to turn it and the cylinders to bring up the next
charge into position for firing. It will be seen that in the end of cross bar n,
where it rotates on the arm or brace 9, a slotted hole is formed; this is to
admit of the cross bar moving endwise sufficiently to clear the star wheel m
from the locking wheel p¹. In working the piece when it has been properly
aligned with the object, the handle p is turned and the rotation of the handle
is continued, if necessary, until all the chambers in the inner cylinder have
been fired out. Whilst this is being done, after each shot is fired one of the
men in charge of the gun renews the priming of the vents before they are
again covered as the rotation of the cylinder continues. When all the
charges are fired out the cross bar n is thrown back and the inner cylinder 7,
is withdrawn, its axis being used as a handle. A loaded cylinder is then
substituted for the one withdrawn and the cross bar n is replaced. The
empty cylinder is then reloaded with suitable cartridges so as to be ready to be
replaced by the time the other is fired out.
What I claim is the general arrangement and combination of the parts of
breech-loading ordnance as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this First day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
A WIT CON
Г.А
SON. (..)