Improvements in Elongated Rifle Bullets and Projectiles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elongated Rifle Bullets and Projectiles.
1, THOMAS LEECH, of the Police Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, in the Colony
of Queensland, Constable in the Queensland Police Force, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to elongated bullets and projectiles which are used with
small arms and large rifled guns.
Its objects are first to diminish the sectional area of a bullet or projectile, and
hence lessen the resistance encountered from the atmosphere, and secondly to remove
the condensed air from the apex, or front of the bullet or projectile, to the base where
it increases the velocity.
My improvements in elongated rifle bullets and projectiles are simple, and consist
in making in the bullet or projectile a hole, which may be cylindrical or otherwise,
extending along the greater axis of the bullet or projectile from the apex to the base,
and in making a deep concave occupying the entire base of the missile.
In a bullet used with the Martini rifle, I make the hole of about one-eighth of an
inch in diameter, and the entire base concave to a depth of about one-fourth of
an inch.
When my bullet is fired from a Martini rifle, the resistance encountered by the
bullet from the atmosphere is reduced and the condensed air is removed from the
apex of the bullet, through the hole in its longer axis, into the concave behind,
where it expands and removes the vacuum which exists behind a solid projectile
when moving at a high velocity. The condensed air thus displaced from the apex
of the missile, exerts its pressure in the concave base, and reproduces, in this manner,
some of the energy which in an ordinary elongated rifle bullet is taken up in
crushing its way through the atmosphere.
"
The result is that when my bullet is fired from the Martini rifle, the trajectory of
that arm is flattened to a very striking extent. Thus, the elevation for 600 (six
hundred) yards being, instead of the registered 600 (six hundred) on the back sight,
only that for 250 (two hundred and fifty) yards.. Again, the "dangerous spaces
with the ordinary Martini bullet for four, five and six hundred yards are 110 (one
hundred and ten), 85 (eighty five), and 65 (sixty five) yards respectively (see
Regulations for Musketry, 1887, page 85), whereas with a Martini rifle and my
bullet they extend to 400 (four hundred), 500 (five hundred), and 600 (six hundred)
yards, or in other words, it sweeps the ground within the height of an infantry
soldier, for a distance a little over 600 (six hundred) yards. At longer ranges than
600 (six hundred) yards it greatly increases the distances of the "dangerous zones.'
In projectiles for large guns, the hole extending from the apex to base is of course
made larger, and the concave at the base deeper, in proportion to the size of the
projectile.
The advantages to be derived from my invention are, First, a flatter trajectory;
Secondly, a longer range; and Thirdly, an increase in velocity and penetration.
Dated 15th day of January 1890.
TORATT

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elongated Rifle Bullets and Projectiles.
I, THOMAS LEECH, of the Police Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, in the Colony
of Queensland, Constable in the Queensland Police Force, 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 :-
This invention relates to elongated bullets and projectiles which are used with
small arms and large rifled guns.
".
"
Its objects are, First to diminish the sectional area of a bullet or projectile, and
hence lessen the resistance encountered from the atmosphere, and Second, to remove
the compressed air from the apex or front of the bullet or projectile to the base,
where it expands filling the vacuum and doing work as a propelling agent.
My improvements in elongated rifle bullets and projectiles are very simple, and
consist in making in the bullet or projectile a hole, which may be cylindrical or
otherwise, and of from 1 to 2 of the diameter of the projectile, and extending through
the longer axis of the bullet or projectile from the apex to the base, and in making
a deep concave occupying nearly the entire base of the missile.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation.
Figure 2 a longitudinal central section.
Figure 3 a plan, and
Figure 4 a plan of the under side of a projectile, constructed according to my
invention. :
Figure 5 is a side elevation, and
Figure 6 a plan of the wad which I prefer to fit into the concaved base of the
projectile in order to prevent the escape of any gas from the barrel.
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic central section of a projectile constructed according to
my invention illustrating the movement of the currents of air caused by my bullet
travelling rapidly through the atmosphere, whilst
Figure 8 is a similar view illustrating the air currents caused by an ordinary
bullet.
A represents the cylindrical or other hole which, as above mentioned, I form
through the longer axis of the bullet or projectile from the apex to the base,
whilst B represents the concave which occupies nearly the entire area of said base,
and C represents the washer which is fitted into said concave.
In a bullet used with the Martini rifle, I make the hole varying from one-twentieth
to one-tenth of an inch in diameter, that is, from 1 to 2 of the diameter of said
bullet, and I make nearly the whole base concave to a depth of about one-fourth of
an inch. The wad which I prefer to use so as to prevent any escape of gas in the
barrel when the charge is ignited consists of a piece of well tanned leather shaped to
fit into the concave base of the bullet. I also slightly increase the charge; thus
instead of using an 85-grain charge with a 480-grain bullet, I use a 110-grain charge
to one of my bullets weighing 480 grains.
When my improved bullet is fired from a Martini rifle the resistance encountered
by the bullet from the atmosphere is reduced, and the compressed air is removed from
the apex of the bullet through the hole in its axis into the concave behind, where it
expands and fills the vacuum which exists behind a solid projectile when moving at
a high velocity. The compressed air thus displaced from the apex of the missile
exerts its pressure in the concave base and thus utilises some of the energy which in
an ordinary elongated rifle bullet is lost in crushing its way through the atmosphere,
as will be well understood on reference to Figures 7 and 8.
I round off the shoulder formed at D, as shown, in order to allow a free discharge
for the air passing through the bullet, as will be well understood.
The result of the above described construction of bullet is that the trajectory of the

page_text: rifle is flattened to a very noticeable extent. The ordinary elevation for 100 yards
in the Martini rifle for instance, being sufficient for 500 yards, at which range a
head-and-shoulders figure can be hit by aiming at it.
Also the elevation for
600 yards being, instead of the registered 600 on the back sight, only that for about
250 yards.
Again, the "dangerous spaces" with the ordinary Martini bullet for four, five,
and six hundred yards are 110 85, and 65 yards respectively (see Regulations for
Musketry, 1887, page 85) whereas with a Martini rifle and my improved bullet they
extend to 400, 500, and 600 yards, or in other words, it sweeps the ground within
the height of an infantry soldier for a distance a little over 600 yards. At longer
ranges than 600 yards it greatly increases the widths of the "dangerous spaces."
In projectiles for large guns the hole extending from the apex to the base of the
projectile is of course made larger, and the concave at the base deeper in proportion
to the size of the projectile.
The advantages to be derived from my invention are, First, a flatter trajectory;
Second, a longer range; and Third, an increase in velocity and penetration.
I am aware that projectiles have heretofore been constructed with passages
through them, but in a different manner and for different purposes, to those above
described; I therefore make no broad claim to such passages per se.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is:
First. Elongated bullets and projectiles for rifled small arms and large rifled guns
having passages through them from the apex to the base of from 1 to 2 of their
diameters, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in my
drawings.
Second. Elongated bullets and projectiles for rifled small arms and large rifled
guns having passages through them from the apex to the base of from 1 to 2 of
their diameters, and a deep concave at the base, the shoulder between said passage
and said concave being rounded off (as at D) substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and illustrated in my drawings.
Dated this Fifth day of December One thousand eight hundred and ninety.
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, London, S.W., Agent for the Applicant.