IMPROVEMENTS IN ARROW-SHAPED PROJECTILES AND IN GUNS FOR DISCHARGING THE SAME
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Snell, of No. 16, Clement's. Inn,. Strand,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ARROW-SHAPED PROJECTILES AND IN GUNS FOR DISCHARGING THE SAME."-A
communication from abroad. by Ferdinand Leitenberger, of Reichstadt,
Bohemia, retired Captain in the Austrian Army..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Snell, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
June 1863.
I, WILLIAM SNELL, of No. 16, Clement's Inn, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ARROW-SHAPED PROJECTILES AND IN GUNS FOR DISCHARGING THE SAME,"
being a communication to me from abroad by Ferdinand Leitenberger, of
Reichstadt, Bohemia, retired Captain in the Austrian Army, to be as
follows:-
The Invention consists of an arrangement of solid or hollow shot, shell, or
other projectiles of an arrow-like form, the shot or shell occupying the part
corresponding with the head of the arrow, and the shaft consisting of a steel
or iron rod, and the whole being fired from a smooth-bored gun.
The breech of the gun is pierced and is fitted with a collar piece or false
breech, through which the shaft of the arrow shot passes air-tight. Smooth-
bored guns are readily converted into arrow guns, and several kinds of known'
breech-loading cannons may be employed with advantage for the same pur-

page_text: pose. Lastly, the arrow gun may be transformed in a few seconds so as to be
used with ordinary projectiles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Snell in the Great Seal Patent Office 'on the 19th
December 1863. .
.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I; WILLIAM
SNELL, of No. 16, Clement's Inn, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty- (year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Snell, Her special licence that I, the said William Snell,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or. such others as I, the said
William Snell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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
ARROW-SHAPED PROJECTILES AND IN GUNS FOR DISCHARGING THE SAME," a com-
munication to me from abroad by Ferdinand Leitenberger, of Reichstadt,
Bohemia, retired Captain in the Austrian Army, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Snell, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Snell, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-,
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
These arrow guns surpass all other kinds of ordnance and projectiles
actually existing with regard to the surety of their aim, the extent of their
range, and the power of percussion produced by them,-
1st, because these arrow shots are discharged and carried without rotation

page_text: around the longitudinal axis, the whole power of the gun is therefore exercised
on the progressive, and not at the same time in giving a rotatory motion .to
the projectile, as is the case with rifle guns.
2dly, because a charge of powder proportionally larger may be employed
for the smooth chamber of the arrow gun, than for a rifle gun of equal
caliber.
•
3dly, the power of percussion of arrow shots is therefore greater than
that of the usual pointed missiles, and with a gun of proper caliber the
thickest armour of steel-clad ships may therefore be more easily pierced by.
these new arrow shots.
4th, the bearing and range of the arrow guns are consequently always more,
extensive than those of the rifle guns, not only because the arrows can be
made sharper at the head than the longitudinal projectiles, but also because
the arrow keep always equally inclined with its head to the tangent of the
shooting plan, the resistance of the air being therefore as slight as possible....
5th, the arrow shot will always hit the mark with its head, consequently;
the simplest kind of fusee may be used without fear of its missing fire.
6th, owing to the absence of rotation there is no deviation with the arrow
projectile, therefore it hits the mark exactly without any lateral derivation.
7th, the pointing of this gun is very plain, as there is no derivation to be.
taken into account.
.. 8th, the exactness of the aim, if the projectiles are properly adjusted, can.
be carried so far as to make the hitting of the mark an absolute certainty.
9th, the durability of the arrow gun is superior to that of the rifle gun;
owing to the absence of grooves or protuberances within the gun.
10th, besides several other advantages not mentioned, there is one specially
worthy of consideration, namely, that the arrow gun can be transformed in
a few seconds into a smooth-bored cannon, from which all ordinary projectiles.
may be discharged.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SYSTEM.
This is nothing more than that of the arrow, as known from times imme-
morial, with a head fixed to a long rod, and which is discharged from a cannon:
bored through the breech in such a manner that the arrow rod or shaft passes:

page_text: Gun for discharging arrow-shaped projectiles.-Thé guns of this system:
are the same as the usual smooth-bored guns as regards their arrangements.
and the strength and thickness of the metal, with this difference only that
their breech is also bored through like the barrel of the gun, but to a
smaller diameter. As an absolute rule for 'arrow guns of all calibers it is
to be observed that the difference between the diameter of the barrel's bore.
and that of the bore of the breech must be sufficient to form, inside of
the barrel, a shoulder (Fig. B, A, (a) against which the cartridge or the
artificial breech previously put in may rest firmly. The width and shape of
the bore holes made in the breech of the gun are, to be coincident with the
conformation of the transversal section of the arrow rods to be discharged;
for this reason all smooth-bored cannons actually in use can be trans-
formed into arrow guns by merely making the proper bore hole through
the cannons' breech to receive the shaft of the arrow. 'When' the exact:
position of the centre of gravity of these new projectiles has been found,
and the shape, thickness, weight, and length of all the single parts of the
arrow established in the most exact proportions between themselves in, such a
manner that during the whole flight of the projectile no oscillation of the
arrow-rod will take place, then the gun breech is to be bored right through
coincidentally to the transversal section of the arrow rod (Fig. A, (6), and the
orifices of the bore afterwards widened out conically (Fig. A, (c). All the
arrow rods must pass through the breech holes easily and with a little play,
because for warlike arms too much exactness in fitting is found impracticable;
but as the gases will always penetrate into the small space thus left around
the arrow-rod, the bore in the breech must not be of great length in a straight
line because, according to the practical experience of the Inventor, the opposite
movement of the outpouring gases in one direction and of the arrow rod
pushing forward in the other produces such an extraordinary pressure that
even rods made of the very best steel are torn asunder. If the bore were
hollowed out conically so as to leave a sharp edge only the whole resistance
would be removed, but this is also impracticable because the metal thus
weakened would soon become damaged by the gases. By using my so-called
artificial breeches or sabots the inconvenience above referred to is entirely
avoided, and by simply changing the same everything is immediately put in
order again.
REMARKS.
For field pieces, and such as are destined to throw successively various
projectiles, and especially for trial -guns, with which all kinds and forms of
arrow shafts are to be tried, I usually make a bore hole in the gun breech

page_text: (Fig. B, (a), of such diameter as to form inside of the barrel (Fig. B, (a), and
in proportion to its caliber, a shoulder of a greater or lesser strength. The
bore of the gun is then continued towards the breech, so as to allow room for
the introduction of an artificial breech (Fig. B, (d) of a strength proportionate
to the required charge of gunpowder, and which artificial breech is continued
backwards in the shape of a socket (Fig. B, (f) through the breech bore. This
artificial breech, which can be easily removed and changed, receives now for
itself and the socket-like prolongation the bore with the conical widening
in the hind part as above described corresponding with the arrow shaft to be
used; but in order to secure hermetically the closing of the artificial breech;
I put on the socket (Fig. B, (9) between the artificial breech and the shoulder
inside of the barrel of the gun, an elastic ring of copper, lead, leather, or felt.
To keep the artificial breech in its place a screw thread (Fig. B, (h) is cut
on tho end of the socket to receive a nut (Fig. B, (i); I then screw the breech
firmly to the gun barrel, and in this way all kinds of arrow-bolts can be readily
discharged. By a solid artificial breech, that is, one which is not bored
through, the gun will be close like, the usual smooth-bored guns, and in this
manner my arrow guns assume immediately all the properties of ordinary
artillery. Now, as these arrow-guns are adapted to throw and shoot not
only arrows but also round and oblong projectiles of all kinds, solid and
hollow, and as the barrel may also be slightly rifled so as to allow smooth
arrow bolts to fly without rotation, and to cause oblong projectiles to follow a
rotatory movement, this new piece of artillery may be justly called a universal
gun (projecting all kinds of missiles), such as did not exist heretofore.
:
THE ARROW-SHAPED PROJECTILE.
Fig. C shows the arrow shell, and Fig. D the arrow ball (actual size), such
as I use to throw from my cast-steel gun. These arrow projectiles consist of
two different parts, the head or arrow ball and the shaft or rod. On the arrow
shell (Fig. C, (k) the screw thread of the orifice is arranged as required by the
fusees used in the Austrian artillery. The thickness and all the other dimen-
sions of the shell are drawn of the natural size, and this Figure will therefore
be sufficient to show how the projectiles of any other caliber are to be made:
The button or thick end of the arrow shafts (Figs. C, D, (1) must be made
red-hot before casting around it the melted iron to form the head, as otherwise
the iron cools too quickly and becomes brittle and consequently less durable.
My arrow rods or shafts are made either of steel, or of good wiry Styrian iron;
and in order to prevent their being torn asunder I make them conical towards

page_text: the head of the arrow for a short distance, according to the charge or the
length of the cartridge (Fig. C, D, (m). The conicality is made more or
less according to the nature of the projectife, and this form of the arrow rod
has proved on trial preferable to all others. In making the arrow projectiles
for guns very great attention must be given to the fastening of the shaft or rod
to the arrow head, as well as to the solidity of the rods, because the arrow
heads receive the shock caused by the explosion of the gunpowder, while the
end of the rod is, as it were, in a state of repose. My arrow rods have
exactly the same length as the bore of my guns, so that at the instant when
the arrow head heaves the mouth of the cannon the orifice in the gun breech
is entirely thrown open.
.
And, finally, I affix to the pointed extremity of the arrow rod a small hook
(Fig. C, D, (n) in order to facilitate the charging of the gua. An iron rod,
having at its end a loop corresponding to the hook on the arrow rod, is intro-
duced through the breech into the gun barrel in order to seize the said hook,
and draw the arrow red back through the breech. But in order to close
entirely the interior of the gun, I fix on each arrow rod a disc. of tin
(Fig. C, D, (), having a segment-like bent, which becomes straight by the
shock of the powder, and thereby not only closes the chamber entirely, but at
the same time cleans its walls after the foregoing discharge. These tin discs
must be firmly fastened to the arrows heads, otherwise the violent pressure of
the air during the flight of the projectile would push them backward along
the arrow rods, as they present a larger diameter than the balls themselves,
owing to their baving been straightened by the shock of the explosion, there-
fore if these dises should glide back on the arrow-rod and take an oblique
position they would, like the helm in a vessel, quite alter the direction of the
arrow-ball; but by regulating the gliding back obliquely of these dises, it
would be possible to make bow shots to the right or left, and thus these
arrows will have resolved the problem, heretofore deemed impossible, of
shooting round a corner. In order to fix these tin discs as firmly as possible
to the arrow-ball they must be first driven upon the rods and soldered thereto;
furthermore I drive thereupon a bot iron ring (Fig. C, D, (a), and apply
screws also in case of need. With regard to the more perfect cleaning of the
chamber walls from the. products. of the discharge, I introduce into the
guiding surfaces of the discs several small rings (Fig. C, D, (9), and in order
that the pressure of the air may act with less power against the projecting
surface of the straightened disc, I give to the extreme interior edge of the
dise (Fig. C, D, (2) a peculiarly oblique form.

page_text: As to practical experience about arrow guns, and arrow shot used with
the same, there is none; except what is derived from trials made by the
Inventor, wherefrom to draw exact conclusions concerning the exact position
of the centre of gravity of the said projectiles. The common arrow and cross-
bow, however, furnish exact and reliable data. After serious and continued.
investigations made into the position of the centre of gravity of bolts of the
cross-bow, it was found that their flight was always true and without any
noticeable oscillation, even when their centres of gravity were found to vary
from one-third to one-sixth of their whole length from the head; I therefore
think that I may take for certain that my arrow projectiles, under the same
conditions, will always have the same flight with the head in advance, such
having been the case in all the trials made by the Inventor to the present
moment. But on the one. hand the arrow balls ought to receive the best.
external form to enable them to pierce the air with the greatest ease, and on
the other the interior of the gun should be arranged in a manner to suit
best the kind of projectile used, whether as round shots, or as shells or
shrapnells, and after having found the proper arrow ball for the caliber in
question, it will be time to proceed to the arrangement of the arrow rod or
shaft, so that the centre of gravity may be in the most favorable position:
'
There are so many means of forming the arrow shafts that I shall indicate
here only one: or: two; namely, iron tubes, which may be filled with powder;'
conically-bored iron tubes; shorter tubes of various thickness; united together!
in several lengths; arrow. rods, composed of iron pipes, cane,, whalebone;
wood, &c. also 'solid iron rods, terminating in flat: or conical heads, or in the
shape of a fish-tail, and the like. It is not indispensable that the transverse
section of the arrow-rods should.. be. always: circular, it may be oval, elliptic,
sword-like, or of any other shape most favorable to exact flight, but of course:
the bore made in the breech must be exactly of the same form, the section of
the arrow rod. As to the length of the latter, I think the bore of the cannon
barrel will always be the most appropriate, but if longer arrow rods be needed,
that may be made of iron rods, conical, fish-tail like, or taper.. By using
arrow rods shorter than the bore of the gun barrel the range of the shot. will!
be diminished, especially if the .rods are thick. Every inch taken off from a
thick arrow-rod alters the range of the shot, and, if elevation is employed,"
the range of projection also, it follows, that with the arrow gun very peculiar.
curved projections may be obtained. It is worthy of remark here, that
the arrow gun would be the best engine throw safety lines to ships in

page_text: distress by attaching the lines to long and thick arrow rods, and using feeble
charges.
1. The range of my arrows may be still increased by making use of the
pressure created by the gases generated in long artificial breeches, with
cylindrically turned arrow rods, these rods being turned smaller from a certain
point, so as to annul suddenly the hold or pressure at the very moment when
the tension of the gases has not yet attained sufficient power to tear asunder
the arrow rod,. by allowing the gases to escape around the thinner parts of
the arrow rod, so that the arrow may start without incumbrance out of the
cannon, like a stone thrown by a sling.
Perfect surety of aim with these projectiles will be attained as soon as the
right proportions between all their parts are ascertained, and the exact position
of the centre of gravity settled; yet it will always form a principal condition
that these projectiles, should receive a perfect guidance in the interior of the
gun chamber, which must be arranged accordingly. The means for attaining
this aim are these:-The smallest possible play, longer guiding surfaces,
improved tin discs, and an exact guidance of the rods in the bore. hole of the
breech.
But in order to give perfect direction to my iron balls, notwithstanding the
play allowed them, I apply to them, according to their caliber, from 3 to 6
wave-like projections, disposed like the nipples of pointed balls used with the
cannon's rayes, and so as to touch the inner walls of the gun. The inner
edges of these projections may be made quite sharp, so that the Foulness
from the gunpowder will give no difficulty after having been already much
lessened by the discs of the preceding discharge. These projections or nipples
may also be covered with a thin layer of tin or lead in order to save wear of
the gun chamber, and the same may be applied to all oblong projectiles
thrown from out of smooth-bored guns. I have only to add further that
my arrow projectiles may be advantageously applied to several kinds of breech-
loading guns. If the gun is closed by a wedge, there is only a fork-like
incision to be made, so that the arrow rod may not be jammed when the
wedge is put in its place. As to guns on the Whitworth system, there is but
a simple arrangement to be made whereby the closing screw may be pushed
forward, and afterwards brought into its former place, and they will be equally
fit to throw arrows from their smooth chamber. But if these breech guns were
bored conically and smoothly (without rifling), reducing the bore width towards
the muzzle, and if the arrow balls were encircled by leaden rings of pro-
portionate strength and thickness, so that the arrow shot should be thrown
like rifle projectiles, then this Invention would attain the widest range, the

page_text: strongest percussion, and the greatest certainty of aim in comparison with the
rifled as well as the smooth-bored guns actually in use.
THE ARROW-SHOT CARTRIDGE.
In order to make place for the arrow shaft, every cartridge must have in the
centre a convenient tube. These tubes may be made of tin plate, wood,
pasteboard, or other suitable substance. I make them at, present of papièr
maché. To this tube I tie one end of a piece of woollen stuff previously sown.
fast around an appropriate cylinder, and afterwards I sew up a part of the
same (Fig. E, (p) in such a manner that a curve be formed (Fig. E, (9) in
the fore part, which will just fit the tin disc. This part (Fig. E, (p) being well
tied to the tube, I then ram in the gunpowder, which being done, the other
end is tied up, there being at each end of the tube (Fig. E, (r) a kind of hoop
or ridge to prevent the strings slipping.
What I claim as my Invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,
the arrangement of arrow-shaped projectiles, and of guns bored through the
breech to receive the shafts of the arrow shot in the manner and by the means
herein-above specified, and in any other manner, and by any other means
essentially similar.
I also claim the arrangement by which such guns may be converted so as
to fit them to throw ordinary projectiles.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Snell, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.