IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES, AND IN ALLOYS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES, AND IN ALLOYS TO BE USED IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Léon
Létrange, of Paris, France, Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th March 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES, AND
IN ALLOYS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME." [A communi-
cation from abroad by Léon Létrange, of Paris, France, Manufacturer.]
Military cartridges are ordinarily covered by cases or shells made of brass, which
metal has the serious defect that moisture and air will cause it to undergo changes
when in contact with gunpowder, the latter at the same time losing a portion of its
explosive power, so that an army furnished with cartridges manufactured before-
hand may find itself when on the field of battle provided with unserviceable
ammunition. Furthermore, brass, which by reason of its flexibility is otherwise
well adapted for the manufacture of cartridge-shells, becomes thin, and is elongated
by the pressure acting upon the shells in firing, so that it is necessary that each
shell after being once fired shall be re-formed and re-cut to give to it its original
dimensions. Moreover, the metal will break after the shell has been fired a limited
number of times.
The above stated defects arise from the presence of zinc in the alloy ordinarily
used in the manufacture of cartridge-shells.
According to this Invention I remedy these defects by making cartridge shells
of metal which is not liable to be injuriously affected as above stated, and which,
whilst it is tenacious, elastic, and hard, is also sufficiently malleable for the
purpose. I attain this result by substituting for brass, which, as is well known, is
composed of copper and zinc, an alloy consisting of copper and tin, or of copper and.

page_text: say:-
nickel, or of copper together with both these metals. Ordinary gun-metal containing
from eight (8) to twelve (12) per cent. of tin has nearly all the requisite properties,
but is not sufficiently homogeneous. In cooling after fusion this metal has a
tendency to crystallize, and the tin is liable to separate from the copper through
eliquation. Moreover, this metal is but slightly malleable, and cracks and breaks
in being rolled or when treated in the annealing furnace. According to this
Invention I produce the desired malleability in the manner hereinafter set forth,
using the processes and apparatus applied in the manufacture of alloys, that is to
-I melt the necessary copper, and add thereto previously prepared alloy, con-
sisting of copper and tin in equal proportions, and I also add phosphuret of copper,
which I incorporate by energetically stirring the whole. The said phosphuret may
be introduced either into the copper or into the previously prepared alloy of copper
and tin, or into the final alloy (the proportion being such as is requisite for de-
oxidation), and in such manner that only from one to three ten thousandth parts
(10000-10000) thereof will remain. The phosphorus so introduced into the alloy
frees the same from any oxygen it might contain, imparts to it a remarkable
limpidity or clearness, prevents eliquation of the tin during cooling, and enables me
to produce a homogeneous and malleable but very hard and tenacious alloy.
The process of making an alloy of copper and nickel is the same as that above
described for alloying copper and tin, and the same remark applies in respect to the
alloy of copper with tin and nickel.
The proportion of the metals in the alloy may be varied, either to render the
same more malleable for facilitating the manufacture of shells, or to render it more
capable of resisting oxidation and the effects of firing.
Iron, manganese, tungsten, or any other well known metal may be introduced
into the said alloy or bronze for imparting thereto hardness or tenacity.
Cartridge shells may also be manufactured of pure nickel in cases in which the
high price of this metal has not to be considered.
The capability for resistance or strength of the shell may be further increased by
a slight hardening of the tube.
Cartridge shells manufactured as above described resist the effect of firing much
better than brass shells, and do not become elongated. They may serve for an almost
indefinite number of times, but in all cases will serve for three or four more times
than ordinary shells.
Cartridge shells made of bronze or alloy, as above specified, when of the same
thickness as those commonly used, are capable of enduring more numerous and
severe trials of firing, and can consequently be used a greater number of times than
those made of brass. Moreover, they will carry an increased charge of powder,
they allowing the ball to be projected a greater distance, or they may for the same
strength be of less thickness than brass ones. These bronze-cartridges are to be
manufactured by the same processes as brass ones, but the machinery should be
more powerful by reason of the hardness of the metal; or the same machines may
be employed by effecting three operations instead of two. This Invention is not
only applicable to cartridges for military purposes, but to all others. It may be
employed for cartridges to be used with revolvers, rifles, machine guns, or ordnance,
or for the powder-tubes of shrapnell-shot and the like.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th September 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. “IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES, AND
IN ALLOYS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME." A communication
from abroad by Léon Létrange, of Paris, France, Manufacturer.
Military cartridges are ordinarily provided with cases or shells made of brass,
which metal has the serious defect that moisture and air will cause it to undergo
changes when in contact with gunpowder, the latter at the same time losing a
portion of its explosive power, so that an army furnished with cartridges manu-
factured prior to the commencement of a campaign may find itself when on the
field of battle provided with unserviceable ammunition. Furthermore, brass, which
by reason of its flexibility is well adapted for the manufacture of cartridge-shells,
becomes thin and is elongated by the pressure acting upon the shells in firing, so
that it is necessary that each shell after being once fired shall be re-formed and re-
cut to give to it its original dimensions. Moreover, the metal will break after the
shell has been fired a limited number of times.
The above stated defects arise from the presence of zinc in the alloy ordinarily
used in the manufacture of cartridge shells.
According to this Invention I obviate these defects by making cartridge shells
of metal which is not liable to be injuriously affected, as above stated, and which,
whilst it is tenacious, elastic, and hard, is also sufficiently malleable for the
purpose.
I attain this result by substituting for brass, which, as is well known, is
composed of copper and zinc, an alloy consisting of copper and tin, or of copper
and nickel, or of copper together with both of these metals. Ordinary gun-metal
containing from eight to twelve per cent. of tin has nearly all the requisite
properties, but is not sufficiently homogeneous. In cooling after fusion this metal
has a tendency to crystallize, and the tin is liable to separate from the copper
through eliquation. Moreover, this metal is but slightly malleable, and it cracks
and breaks in being rolled, or when treated in the annealing furnace. According
to this Invention I produce the desired malleability in the manner hereinafter set
forth, using the processes and apparatus usually employed in the manufacture of
ordinary alloys, that is to say :-I melt the necessary quantity of copper, and add
thereto a previously prepared alloy consisting of copper and tin in equal propor-
tions, and I also add phosphuret of copper, which I incorporate by energetically
stirring the whole. The said phosphuret may be introduced either into the copper
or into the previously prepared alloy of copper and tin, or into the final alloy (the
proportion being such as is requisite for de-oxidation), and in such manner that
only from one to three ten thousandth (10000 to 1890) parts thereof will remain.
The phosphorus so introduced into the alloy frees the same from any oxygen it
might contain, imparts to it a remarkable limplidity or clearness, prevents eliqua-
tion of the tin during cooling, and enables me to produce a homogeneous and
malleable but very hard and tenacious alloy.
The process of making an alloy of copper and nickel is the same as that above
described for alloying copper and tin, and the same remark applies in respect to the
alloy of copper with both tin and nickel.
The proportion of the metals in the alloy may be varied, either to render the
same more malleable for facilitating the manufacture of shells, or to render it more
capable of resisting oxidation and the effects of firing.

page_text: Iron, manganese, tungsten, or any other well known metal may be introduced
into the said alloy or bronze for imparting thereto hardness or tenacity.
Cartridge-shells may also be manufactured of pure nickel in cases in which the
high price of this metal has not to be considered.
The capability for resistance or strength of the shell may be further increased by
a slight hardening of the tube.
Cartridge-shells manufactured as above described resist the effect of firing much
better than brass shells, and do not become. elongated. They will serve an almost
indefinite number of times, but in all cases will serve for three or four more times
than ordinary shells. My improved cartridge-shells when made of the same
thickness as those ordinarily used are capable of enduring more numerous and
severe trials of firing, and can consequently be used a greater number of times than
those made of brass. Moreover, they will carry an increased charge of powder,
thus allowing the ball to be projected a greater distance; or when it is desired that
they should have the same strength only as the ordinary brass shells they may be 1
made of less thickness than the latter.
.
These bronze cartridge-shells may be manufactured in the same manner as brass
shells, but the machinery should be more powerful by reason of the hardness of the
metal; or the same machines may be employed by effecting three operations upon
the metal instead of two.
This Invention is not only applicable to cartridges for military purposes, but to
all others. It may be employed for cartridges to be used with revolvers, rifles,
machine-guns, or ordnance, or for the powder tubes of shrapnell-shot and the like.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. The method of preparing the bronze for the purpose of rendering the same
malleable, as above set forth.
Second. The manufacture of cartridge shells or cases of malleable bronze, con-
Bisting of copper and tin, or copper and nickel, or copper, tin, and nickle, as above
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of September, in the year of our