IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES
Year: 1884

page_text: I THOMAS WEBSTER RAMMELL, of-the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, to be as follows:-
.
In gunnery, where single projectiles are employed, it is the practise to make the
projectile of calibre equal as nearly as may be to the bore of the barrel of the gun.
The area for pressure against the projectile is thus the area of its base, which is
equal to the area of the bore; and the area presented for resistance, whether at
the head or base, in the flight of the projectile, is also equal to the area of the
bore and base. Under this arrangement it is found that projectiles exceeding
two, or at most three, diameters in length cannot be employed, and this limitation
of length gives to the projectile a form unfavourable for flight, and presenting an
unnecessarily large area for resistance.
With rifled guns the rotatory. motion is entirely communicated to the projectiles
within the length of the barrel. The twist through the grooves or depressions for
the purpose occasions great resistance, and reduces the initial velocity of the.
projectile on leaving the barrel. This method gives also a too sudden and an
insufficient rotation, and a rotation constantly diminishing as the projectile
advances.
My Invention consists in so arranging the respective parts that the projectile
may be of less diameter than the bore of the gun and still have the whole or
nearly the whole force of the charge brought to bear against it; and in giving
to the projectile a form better adapted for flight, and offering a less area for
resistance in its passage through the air, and on its striking the object aimed at,
by increasing the proportion of its length to. its diameter: and also in effecting
the rotation of the projectile, whether wholly or in part, and whether it be of the
same or of less diameter than the bore of the gun, by utilizing the resistance of
the air for the purpose, much as it is utilized by the feathering of an arrow; the
result being a quicker, a more gradual, and a better sustained rotation than is
produced at present.
For the first part of my Invention I make use of one or more separate pieces in
connection with the projectile, and particularly of an intermediate piece which
I term a force-piece. This piece, which is made to fit the barrel, is introduced
between the base of the projectile and the charge, and is intended to receive the

page_text: whole, or nearly the whole, force of the charge, and to transmit to the projectile
so much of this force as it does. not itself absorb, being by far the larger portion
of the whole force. The projectile may be of any less diameter than the bore of
the gun desired. Its base is fitted concentrically to the force-piece, and it is
supported about the head by an annular neck-piece, which also fits the barrel and
holds the projectile in true line. The force-piece is attached to the base of the
projectile by a wire or ring or screw connection of known and limited strength,
and the neck-piece is divided into segments, both pieces in such manner that on
the discharge of the projectile. they are at once separated from it by the atmospheric
resistance encountered. A better form is thus given to the projectile both for
flight and for the development of its striking energy. For example, if with a gun
of 12 inches bore it be desired to reduce the area of the projectile by one-half,
I make it in diameter, say, 8 inches, and, retaining the same mass, increase its
length, say, from 24 diameters to 5 diameters, thus bringing the mass to bear upon
half the area of resistance only. To this projectile rotation may be given by
rifling as at present, or it may be communicated with greater effect in the manner
to be described under the second head of my Invention.
Under this, I form and present surfaces to produce the rotation of the projectile
by the atmospheric resistance met with in its flight, and I make the annular space
between the projectile and the bore available for the purpose, preferring to use
that portion of it which would be otherwise occupied by the neck-piece. This
piece I dispense with, and in its place cast or form here upon the projectile, pieces
in the shape of the thread of a screw, and in such manner that they shall not only
produce the rotation desired, but serve to hold the projectile in true position in
the barrel. These pieces may be of any number, length, substance, and pitch.
The projectiles may be, used either with. rifled or with smooth-bore guns and
with charges either of gunpowder, gun-cotton, or compressed-air; and in air or
water.
こ

page_text: I THOMAS WEBSTER RAMMELL, of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to, be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
In gunnery, where single projectiles are employed, it is the practise to make the
projectile of calibre equal as nearly as may be to the bore of the barrel of the gun.
The area for pressure against the projectile is thus the area of its base, which is
equal to the area of the bore; and the area presented for resistance, whether at
the head or base, in the flight of the projectile, is also equal to the area of the
bore and base. Under this arrangement it is found that projectiles exceeding
two or at most three diameters in length cannot be employed, and this limitation
of length gives to the projectile a form unfavourable for flight, and presenting an
unnecessarily large area for resistance.
With rifled guns the rotatory motion is entirely communicated to the projectile
within the length of the barrel. The twist through the grooves or depressions
for the purpose occasions great resistance, and reduces the initial velocity of the
projectile on leaving the: barrel. This method gives also a too sudden and an
insufficient. rotation, and a rotation constantly diminishing as the projectile.
advances.
My invention consists in so arranging the respective parts that the projectile may
be of less diameter than the bore of the gun, and still have the whole, or nearly
the whole, force of the charge brought to bear against it; and in giving to the
projectile à form better adapted for flight, and offering a less area for resistance in
its passage through the air, and on its striking the object aimed at, by increasing
the proportion of its length to its diameter; and also in effecting the rotation of
the projectile, whether wholly or in part, and whether it be of the same, or of less,
diameter than the bore of the gun, by utilizing the resistance of the air for the
purpose, much as it is utilized by the feathering of an arrow; the result being
a quicker, a more gradual, and a better sustained rotation, than is produced at
present.
For the first part of my Invention I make use of one or more separate pieces in.
connection with the projectile, and particularly of an intermediate piece, which
I term a force-piece. This piece, which is made to fit the barrel, is introduced
between the base of the projectile and the charge, and is intended to receive the
whole, or nearly the whole, force of the charge, and to transmit to the projectile so
much of this force as it does not itself absorb, being by far the larger portion of
the whole force. The projectile may be of any less diameter than the bore of the
gun desired. Its base is fitted concentrically to the fore-piece, and it is supported
about the head by an annular neck-piece, which also fits the barrel, and holds the
projectile in true line. The force-piece is attached to the base of the projectile by
a wire, or ring, or screw connection of known and limited strength, and the neck-

page_text: piece is divided into segments; both pieces in such manner that on the discharge
of the projectile they are at once separated from it by the atmospheric resistance
encountered. A better form is thus given. to the projectile both for flight, and for
the development of its striking energy. For example, if with a gun of 12 inches
bore, it be desired to reduce the area of the projectile by one-half, I make it in
diameter, say, 8 inches, and retaining the same mass, increase its length from, say,
2 diameters to 5 diameters, thus bringing the mass to bear upon one-half the area
of resistance only.
In the accompanying drawing, figures.1, and 2, represent a barrel and projectile
as now used, the projectile a, b, fitting the barrel, and being of the mean solid
length of 2 diameters. Figures 3, and 4, show my improved projectile a, b, in
this instance reduced to half the area of the barrel, and increased in length from
2 to 4 diameters of the barrel; the same mass being retained. The force-piece is
shown in figure 4, at c, c', and also, under various forms, at c, c', in figures 6, 6º,
6b, and 6°; it is of the full diameter of the bore, and of strength to receive the full
force of the shock; though in figure 62, a portion of the shock is thrown on the
base of the projectile, an arrangement I do not prefer. I prefer to make the force-
piece of steel on account of its great strength, but to avoid wear on the barrel,
I coat this metal with copper, or surround it. with a ring of softer metal. In
figures 6, and 6, an annular wad d, d', is shown, of papier-maché, compressed-jute;
asbestos, or some other yielding material, which is lubricated, and serves at once
as a gas-check, and to cleanse the barrel. There are many ways of attaching the.
force-piece to the projectile, but I prefer a screw attachment, whether at the centre,
or at the periphery of the projectile, as shown at e, e', &c, in figures 4, 6, 6º, 6b,
and 6°. A pad ff, of yielding material, is introduced between the base of the
projectile and the force-piece, which compressing from the shock of the discharge,
allows of the screw threads being cut through, and of the two pieces being discon-
nected, the male and female being made of different hardness for the purpose.
In figures 9, and 10, the application is shown, on the full scale, to a smooth-
bore musket, the former representing the present bullet, the latter my improved
bullet reduced to half the area of the bore. In the remaining figures greater
reductions of area are shown; figures 14, and 15, being to one-fourth the area of
the bore, and 17, and 18, to one sixth, with proportionate elongation. The latter
form is especially suitable for torpedo warfare, a hollow steel projectile being
charged with compressed gun-cotton, and ejected with compressed-air. The pro-
portion may be reduced even to the javelin form.
To this projectile rotation may be given by rifling, at at present, or it may be
communicated with greater effect in the manner to be described under the second
head of my Invention.
Under this I form and present surfaces to produce the rotation of the projectile
by the atmospheric resistance met with in its flight, making the annular space
between the projectile and the bore available for the purpose, and preferring to use
that portion of it which would be otherwise occupied by the neck-piece. This
piece I dispense with, and in its place cast or form here upon the projectile pieces
in the shape of the thread of a screw, and in such manner that they shall not only
produce the rotation desired, but serve to hold the projectile in true position in
the barrel. These pieces may be of any number, length, substance, and pitch.
These projecting pieces, or ribs, are shown at g, g, g, &c, figures 4, 5, and 7, and
they may either form part of the substance of the projectile, or be attached to it
as in figure 7. I prefer to make them in length equal to about one diameter of
the bore, and to set them at a pitch of about one in ten, but the proportions will
vary with the weight and diameter of the projectile.
The projectiles may be used either with rifled or with smooth-bore guns, though
they are mainly intended for the latter; and with charges either of gunpowder, or
gun-cotton, or of compressed-air; and in air, or water.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
(1) The arrangement, for smooth-bore guns, of a projectile of less diameter than
the bore, and. of proportionately increased length for the mass employed, as
described;
(2) in combination with an attached and separating piece at its base, fitting
the bore as described; and intended to receive, and to transmit to the reduced
projectile the force of the charge, as described;
(3). and also in combination with an arrangement of spiral ribs or blades around
the head or body of the reduced projectile, at their periphery fitting the bore, as
described, and of sufficient number, length, depth, and pitch, to produce a proper
rotation of the projectile, during flight, by the resisting surfaces they present, as
described.

page_text: I THOMAS WEBSTER RAMMELL, of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, to be as follows:-
In gunnery, where single projectiles are employed, it is the practise to make the
projectile of calibre equal as nearly as may be to the bore of the barrel of the gun.
The area for pressure against the projectile is thus the area of its base, which is
equal to the area of the bore; and the area presented for resistance, whether at
the head or base, in the flight of the projectile, is also equal to the area of the
bore and base. Under this arrangement it is found that projectiles exceeding
two, or at most three, diameters in length cannot be employed, and this limitation
of length gives to the projectile a form unfavourable for fliglit, and presenting an
unnecessarily large area for resistance.
With rifled guns the rotatory motion is entirely communicated to the projectiles
within the length of the barrel. The twist through the grooves or depressions for
the purpose occasions great resistance, and reduces the initial velocity of the
projectile on leaving the barrel. This method gives also a too sudden and an
insufficient rotation, and a rotation constantly diminishing as the projectile
advances.
My Invention consists in so arranging the respective parts that the projectile
may be of less diameter than the bore of the gun and still have the whole or
nearly the whole force of the charge brought to bear against it; and in giving
to the projectile a form better adapted for flight, and offering a less area for
resistance in its passage through the air, and on its striking the object aimed at,
by increasing the proportion of its length to its diameter: and also in effecting
the rotation of the projectile, whether wholly or in part, and whether it be of the
same or of less diameter than the bore of the gun, by utilizing the resistance of
the air for the purpose, much as it is utilized by the feathering of an arrow; the
result being a quicker, a more gradual, and a better sustained rotation than is
produced at present.
For the first part of my Invention I make use of one or more separate pieces in
connection with the projectile, and particularly of an intermediate piece which
I term a force-piece. This piece, which is made to fit the barrel, is introduced
between the base of the projectile and the charge, and is intended to receive the

page_text: whole, or nearly the whole, force of the charge, and to transmit to the projectile
so much of this force as it does not itself absorb, being by far the larger portion
of the whole force. The projectile may be of any less diameter than the bore of
the gun desired. Its base is fitted concentrically to the force-piece, and it is
supported about the head by an annular neck-piece, which also fits the barrel and
holds the projectile in true line. The force-piece is attached to the base of the
projectile by a wire or ring or screw connection of known and limited strength,
and the neck-piece is divided into segments, both pieces in such manner that on
the discharge of the projectile they are at once separated from it by the atmospheric
resistance encountered. A better form is thus given to the projectile both for
flight and for the development of its striking energy. For example, if with a gun
of 12 inches bore it be desired to reduce the area of the projectile by one-half,
I make it in diameter, say, 8 inches, and, retaining the same mass, increase its
length, say, from 2 diameters to 5 diameters, thus bringing the mass to bear upon
half the area of resistance only. To this projectile rotation may be given by
rifling as at present, or it may be communicated with greater effect in the manner
to be described under the second head of my Invention.
Under this, I form and present surfaces to produce the rotation of the projectile
by the atmospheric resistance met with in its flight, and I make the annular space
between the projectile and the bore available for the purpose, preferring to use
that portion of it which would be otherwise occupied by the neck-piece. This
piece I dispense with, and in its place cast or form here upon the projectile, pieces
in the shape of the thread of a screw, and in such manner that they shall not only
produce the rotation desired, but serve to hold the projectile in true position in
the barrel. These pieces may be of any number, length, substance, and pitch.
The projectiles may be used either with rifled or with smooth-bore guns; and
with charges either of gunpowder, gun-cotton, or compressed-air; and in air or
water.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I THOMAS WEBSTER RAMMELL, of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
In gunnery, where single projectiles are employed, it is the practise to make the
projectile of calibre equal as nearly as may be to the bore of the barrel of the gun.
The area for pressure against the projectile is thus the area of its base, which is
equal to the area of the bore; and the area presented for resistance, whether at
the head or base, in the flight of the projectile, is also equal to the area of the
bore and base. Under this arrangement it is found that projectiles exceeding
two or at most three diameters in length cannot be employed, and this limitation
of length gives to the projectile a form unfavourable for flight, and presenting an
unnecessarily large area for resistance.
With rifled guns the rotatory motion is entirely communicated to the projectile
within the length of the barrel. The twist through the grooves or depressions
for the purpose occasions great resistance, and reduces the initial velocity of the
projectile on leaving the barrel. This method gives also a too sudden and an
insufficient rotation, and a rotation constantly diminishing as the projectile
advances.
My invention consists in so arranging the respective parts that the projectile may
be of less diameter than the bore of the gun, and still have the whole, or nearly
the whole, force of the charge brought to bear against it; and in giving to the
projectile a form better adapted for flight, and offering a less area for resistance in
its passage through the air, and on its striking the object aimed at, by increasing
the proportion of its length to its diameter; and also in effecting the rotation of
the projectile, whether wholly or in part, and whether it be of the same, or of less,
diameter than the bore of the gun, by utilizing the resistance of the air for the
purpose, much as it is utilized by the feathering of an arrow; the result being
a quicker, a more gradual, and a better sustained rotation, than is produced at
present.
For the first part of my Invention I make use of one or more separate pieces in
connection with the projectile, and particularly of an intermediate piece, which
I term a force-piece. This piece, which is made to fit the barrel, is introduced
between the base of the projectile and the charge, and is intended to receive the
whole, or nearly the whole, force of the charge, and to transmit to the projectile so
much of this force as it does not itself absorb, being by far the larger portion of
the whole force. The projectile may be of any less diameter than the bore of the
gun desired. Its base is fitted concentrically to the fore-piece, and it is supported
about the head by an annular neck-piece, which also fits the barrel, and holds the
projectile in true line. The force-piece is attached to the base of the projectile by
a wire, or ring, or screw connection of known and limited strength, and the neck

page_text: piece is divided into segments; both picces in such manner that on the discharge
of the projectile they are at once separated fromo it by the atmospheric resistance
encountered. A better form is thus given to the projectile both for flight, and for
the development of its striking energy. For example, if with a gun of 12 inches
bore, it be desired to reduce the area of the projectile by one-half, I inake it in
diameter, say, 8 inches, and retaining the same mass, increase its length from, say,
2 diameters to 5 diameters, thus bringing the mass to bear upon one-half the area
of resistance only.
In the accompanying drawing, figures 1, and 2, represent a barrel and projectile
as now used, the projectile a, b, fitting the barrel, and being of the mean solid
length of 2 diameters., Figures 3, and 4, show my improved projectile a, b, in
this instance reduced to balf the area of the barrel, and increased in length from
.2 to 4 diameters of the barrel, the same mass being retained. The force-piece is
shown in figure 4, at c; c', and also, under various forms, at c, c', in figures 6, 6º,
6b, and 6°; it is of the full diameter of the bore, and of strength to receive the full
force of the shock; though in figure 6º, a portion of the shock is thrown on the
base of the projectile, an arrangement I do not prefer. I prefer to make the force-
piece of steel on account of its great strength, but to avoid wear on the barrel,
I coat this metal with copper, or surround it with a ring of softer metal. In
figures 6, and 6ª, an annular wad d, d', is shown, of papier-mnaché, compressed-jute,
asbestos, or some other yielding material, which is lubricated, and serves at once
as a gas-check, and to cleanse the barrel. There are many ways of attaching the
force-piece to the projectile, but I prefer a screw attachment, whether at the centre,
or at the periphery of the projectile, as shown at e, e', &c, in figures 4, 6, 6º, 6¹,
and 6c. A pad ff', of yielding material, is introduced between the base of the
projectile and the force-piece, which compressing from the shock of the discharge,
allows of the screw threads being cut through, and of the two pieces being discon-
nected, the male and female being made of different hardness for the purpose.
In figures 9, and 10, the application is shown, on the full scale, to a smooth-
bore musket, the former representing the present bullet, the latter my improved
bullet reduced to half the area of the bore. In the remaining figures greater
reductions of area are shown; figures 14, and 15, being to one-fourth the area of
the bore, and 17, and 18, to one sixth, with proportionate elongation. The latter
form is especially suitable for torpedo warfare, a hollow steel projectile being
charged with compressed gun-cotton, and ejected with compressed-air. The pro-
portion may be reduced even to the javelin form.
To this projectile rotation may be given by rifling, at at present, or it may bo
communicated with greater effect in the manner to be described under the second
head of my Invention.
Under this I form and present surfaces to produce the rotation of the projectile
by the atmospheric resistance met with in its flight, making the annular space
between the projectile and the bore available for the purpose, and preferring to use
that portion of it which would be otherwise occupied by the neck-piece. This
piece I dispense with, and in its place cast or form here upon the projectile pieces
in the shape of the thread of a screw, and in such manner that they shall not only
produce, the rotation desired, but serve to hold the projectile in true position in
the barrel. These pieces may be of any number, length, substance, and pitch.
These projecting picces, or ribs, are shown at g, g, g, &c, figures 4, 5, and 7, and
they may either form part of the substance of the projectile, or be attached to it
as in figure 7. I prefer to make them in length equal to about one diameter of
the bore, and to set them at a pitch of about one in ten, but the proportions will
vary with the weight and diameter of the projectile.
The projectiles may be used either with rifled or with smooth-bore guns, though
they are mainly intended for the latter; and with charges either of gunpowder, or
gun-cotton, or of compressed-air; and in air, or water,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
(1) The arrangement, for smooth-bore guns, of a projectile of less diameter than
the bore, and of proportionately increased length for the mass employed, as
described;
"
(2) in combination with an attached and separating piece at its base, fitting
the bore as described, and intended to receive, and to transmit to the reduced
projectile the force of the charge, as described;
(3) and also in combination with an arrangement of spiral ribs or blades around
the head or body of the reduced projectile, at their periphery fitting the bore, as
described, and of sufficient number, length, depth, and pitch, to produce a proper
rotation of the projectile, during flight, by the resisting surfaces they present, as
described.