IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE." - A communication from abroad by
William Armstrong, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
Sealed the 23rd June 1868, and dated the 1st January 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 1st January 1868.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE," to be as follows:-
This Invention which relates to breech-loading ordnance is illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings; Figure 1 showing a longitudinal
section of the breech end of a gun on the line 1, 2, Figure 2, which
is an end view of the same; Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the
gun on the line 3, 4, Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the
breech on the lines 5, 6, 7, 8, Figure 3; Figure 5, a separate
longitudinal section of what I term the charge carrier; Figure 6, a

page_text: transverse section of same on line 9, 10, 11, 12, Figure 5; Figure 7
shows a detached view of what I term an eccentric axis taken on line
13, 14, Figure 8, which is an end view of same; Figure 9 shows
separately in end view a part serving to fix the charge carrier in the
breech; Figure 10, a transverse section on line 15, 16, Figure 9, and
Figure 11, a plan of same; Figure 12 shows a longitudinal section
on line 17, 18, Figure 13, of a part serving for the construction of the
charge carrier; and Figure 13, an end view of same on line 19, 20,
Figure 12. The same letters serve for all these Figures.
The general form of the gun is the same as usual, consequently this
Invention may be adapted to existing guns.
The Invention consists in the peculiar construction of the interior
of the gun, more especially in the arrangement of the first reinforce
and breech which I combine in such manner as to receive one of the
cartridge holders B, Figures 5 and 6, a supply of which is provided
for the gun, it being placed in a space O, O, made in the breech for
its reception. This space, which may be made either above, below, at
the side, or even through the breech, is formed so as to accurately
receive the cartridge chamber, its internal diameter corresponding to
that of the bore of the gun. The breech end of the gun is also bored
through of the same diameter as the barrel to receive an eccentric
axis C, Figures 7 and 8, which together with the wedge D, Figures 9,
10, and 11, serves to press the cartridge chamber up against the second
reinforce; this axis C on being rotated about one-fourth of a turn by
the aid of a hand lever F raises the wedge D and draws back the
pin or striker E about half its extent of transverse, when by a reverse
movement of the hand lever it returns the wedge D to position, which
in bearing against the cartridge chamber obliges the striker to perform
the other half of its traverse rendering it free to act on the percussion
cap G by the aid of spring, H fitted in the end of the eccentric axis C
which closes the breech end of the gun.
Action. In order to manoeuvre the gun three simple and expeditious
motions only are required. 1st, the hand lever F is brought to the
position A, A, Figure 2, which raises the wedge D and forces back the
striker E to the amount of half its traverse. 2ndly, a chamber B
containing a charge is then placed in the cavity O, O, by the aid of
the handle X. 3rdly, the hand lever F is then moved back to the
point M, Figure 2, so as to bring the wedge D up against the cartridge

page_text: chamber and so fix the latter in position in the breech. During this
movement the striker performs the second half of its traverse, and
at the moment the hand lever F is brought to the point M, the striker
is free to escape and strikes against the cap for the purpose of dis-
charging the gun.
Advantages.-1st, there will be no danger of overheating as the
cartridge chainber which is the only part liable to become heated to
a suäicient extent to prevent the gun from being worked is replaced
by a fresh one after each discharge. 2ndly, there will be no appreciable
fouling as the cartridge chamber can be easily cleaned after being
removed from the gun. 3rdly, from the simplicity of the action and
the advantages above-mentioned it follows that a gun may be fired
much oftener in a given time than otherwise. 4thly, in consequence
of the position of the nipple J the flame may be introduced either at
the centre of the charge or as near the projectile as desirable, the
powder in this manner will be entirely consumed, thus obtaining con-
siderable economy as compared with other systems, which either drive
out or burn a great quantity of the powder after it has left the barrel!
5thly, there is a further advantage in possessing a ready means of
rendering the gun useless without injury if desired, which may be
readily effected by withdrawing the pin K and removing the wedge D
together with the eccentric axis C which form the indispensable
portions of the gun.
gun
Mode of Constructing the Cartridge Chamber.-In order to prevent
the accidents which often occur through the unequal expansion of
the several metallic layers of which the barrel of the is composed
after successive discharges, which expansion is much greater in tlie
interior than on the exterior through the difference of heat, and is the
cause of invisible cracks that continually increase until they terminate
in the bursting of the piece, I propose to make the cartridge chamber
of coils of steel on. a core or foundation of iron, as seen in Figures 12
and 13 which I combine in such manner that when the cartridge
chamber is completely formed; the iron portion may be removed by
boring and turning. In order to make the body of the cartridge
chamber in a ready manner consistent with strength, I coil on the iroil
core a sufficient amount of square steel wire a which I then cover witli
a tube of iron b. I place the whole thus prepared in a puddling
furnace, where by hammering it is formed into a compact mass which

page_text: is then bored and turned as before-mentioned. In this manner I
obtain a metal which will safely resist pressure equivalent to 7,500
atmospheres, the external diameter of the cartridge chamber being
double that of the bore of the gun. The destruction of the joints in
breech-loading guns is occasioned by the enormous pressure of the
gases, which is however reduced to a third or fourth part of the original
pressure before they arrive at the joint. In the improved construction of
gun of this Invention as the ball must travel a distance equal to its
whole length before the gases reach the joint between the cartridge
chamber and the barrel, two-thirds or three-fourths of the pressure being
thus expanded on the projectile, and in order to prevent all escape
of gas I propose to place a ring of copper or other metal in the base
of the projectile of the same diameter as that of the interior of
the cartridge chamber. This ring being projected with the ball is
arrested in its flight on reaching the rifling of the barrel which is of
smaller diameter, and it is there held firmly at the junction of the parts
by the pressure of the gases which are thus prevented from escaping
at the joint.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-first
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special licence
that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, 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

page_text: Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE," a communication to me from abroad by
William Armstrong, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, 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 Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described, and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the two Sheets of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention which relates to improvements in breech-loading
ordnance is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 showing
a longitudinal section of the breech end of a gun on the line (D,
Figure 4, with the ball introduced; Figure 2 is a transverse sectic. of
same on line A, B, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the
gun with the charge carrier and ball in position for firing; Figure 4, an
end view of the breech; Figure 5, a separate longitudinal section of the
charge carrier; Figures 6 and 7 show parts for fixing the charge carrier
in position in the brecch; Figure 8 shows a longitudinal section, and
Figure 9, a transverse section on line a, b, Figure 8, of the mode of
constructing the charge chamber, while Figure 10 shows a detail herein-
after referred to. The same letters serve for all these Figures.
The general form of the gun is the same as usual, and the improve-
ments are partly applicable to guns now in use.
The Invention consists in the peculiar construction of the interior of
the gun, more especially of the first reinforce and breech which are
arranged to receive the cartridge holder A, a supply of which is provided
for the gun, it being placed in a space O, O, Figures 1 and 3, made in the
breech for its reception; this space is formed of just sufficient size for the
cartridge chamber to accurately fit therein, the internal diameter of
which corresponds to that of the bore of the gun. The breech end of the

page_text: gun is also bored through to receive an eccentric plug B, which when
the breech is opened for loading serves by means of the crank handle E
to communicate a vertical movement to the wedge H, and a horizontal
movement to the wedge plate K, Figures 1 and 3, the wedge H thus
entering.the.counterpart K leaves: (see Figure 1) sufficient space for the
introduction.of the loaded cartridge holder. The centre of the eccentric
plug is made hollow and provided with a steel point or striker L which
turns with it and cocks the gun in the manner herein-after described.
The two.ends of the striker L are of different diameters, the end intended
to act on the pin which explodes; the cap M being made smaller than
the other. At the point where the different diameters meet is formed a
cam surface, and when the gun is to be cocked the striker is moved
towards the wedge plate above-mentioned, through which its smaller
end passes, the curved cam surface coming in contact with a cam formed
on the wedge plate, the resistance thus opposed repels the striker
together with the spring R, and causes the trigger N to catch in the
tenon O at the larger end of the striker, in this position the cannon is
cocked. By means of the arrangement just described in case of the
trigger escaping before the cartridge holder A is properly fixed by the
wedge and plate the striker would not come into contact with the pin
but would be retained by the cam formed on the wedge plate which
would prevent its passage until the hand lever E is in the position shown
at B, B, Figure 4. The breech as already stated is provided with a
wedge H and wedge plate moving in different directions. The former
moves vertically under the action of the eccentric plug, and the latter
noves horizontally, being governed by the action of the friction roller D
placed at the end next the hand lever E, and running in the groove
formed in that portion of the eccentric plug, see Figures 1, 3, and 10.
The second part of the Invention relates to the construction of the
cartridge holder. To avoid the dilatation of the metal and to obtain a
cartridge holder combining strength and lightness, it is proposed to
construct cylinders of steel and iron, Figures 8 and 9 combined in such
manner that when the cartridge holder is completed the iron portion is
removed by turning.
The improved cartridge holder is made by rolling flat steel wires of a
peculiar quality around a cylinder or core, two-thirds of the length of
which are of iron, and the remainder of steel, see Figure 8, over the
coating of steel wire is placed, a covering or tube of iron of the same

page_text: length as the cylinder, and when thus prepared the roll is placed in a
puddling furnace and hammered into a solid mass which is finished by
turning or boring out the iron part of the cylinder as already stated,
an opening being afterwards formed in the breech end of the cartridge
for the passage of the needle or striker. The wires or strips above-
mentioned are to be made of steel capable of resisting a tension of
about eighty tons per inch, which owing to the mode of construction
adopted will afford five times the resistance obtained in guns on any
known system.
To obviate the effect of cutting, and the action of the gases on the
joints, it is proposed to make the interior of the second reinforce as seen
in Figures 1 and 3, the mouth of which is hollowed out of conical form
to receive the steel ring G, with which the cartridge holder is provided,
the dilatation of the gases will cause the ring to press on the inner
surface of this reinforce and prevent their escape, and the consequent
deterioration of the gun. The cartridge like those now in use is formed
of a cardboard case and as strong as possible, having the form and
diameter of the inside of the cartridge holder. In the centre is placed
a zinc tube z, Figure 3, of suitable length closed at the outer end by
a small disc of the same metal corresponding to the end of the cartridge
chamber. The centre of this disc is bored, and the disc itself is soldered
to the tube which is thus supported in the centre of the cartridge. In
order to complete the arrangement a piece of cartridge paper, cut out in
the form of a star may be glued over the disc in order to prevent
its becoming detached from the cartridge. At the further end of the
tube thus placed is screwed a percussion cap and a steel wire pin or
striker is placed in the tube, one of its ends passing through the opening
formed in the cartridge holder and serving to explode the cap when
the trigger is pressed. The needle consists of a round steel wire of
about the hundredth part of the diameter of the cartridge holder. One
of its extremities is made to screw into a small zinc washer v, Figure 3,
and to project about one-fifth of an inch through it to prevent the
opposite end from coming in contact with the percussion cap. The
needle is made of sufficient length to strike against the percussion
cap when driven forward by the striker which will give it sufficient
impulsion to force the screw thread of the zinc washer. The washer
still remaining between the cartridge holder and the striker will close
the opening bored in the breech of the former, and while deadening

page_text: the shock caused by their contact will at the same time prevent the
deterioration of the needle bore by the escape of gases.
The cannon above described is worked in the following manner :-
1st, the hand lever E is placed in the position indicated by the letters
A, A, Figure 4, which raises the wedge H and draws back the wedge
plate K and the striker L, until the trigger N catches in the tenon O.
2ndly, the projectile is placed in the cannon by means of an apparatus
termed a carrier V, V, Figures 1 and 2. 3rdly, after placing the needle
in the breech of the cartridge holder this latter is placed in the
opening O¹, O¹. 4thly, the hand lever E is placed in the position
shown at B, B, Figure 4, which lowers the wedge H and brings
forward the wedge plate K to its former position pushing the cartridge
holder A into the conical opening formed, as already described, in the
end of the barrel where it is thus definitely and firmly fixed. The
above four movements having been performed the cannon is pointed
and the trigger cord or chain being pulled the tenon O is disengaged,
the striker L escapes and drives forward the pin against the percussion
cap M, which explodes the cartridge either in the centre of the
powder or as near the projectile as may be wished. 5thly, if after
placing the loaded cartridge holder in the arm it is not desired to fire,
a wedge attached to the trigger chain or cord may be placed in the
opening in order to prevent the escape of the striker. In this state
the cannon may be moved from place to place without danger.
Advantages of the Improved System.--1st, removal of the obstacles
generally formed by the heating of the arm as the cartridge holder which
is the only part susceptible of heating to such an extent as to prevent
the working of the gun is constantly changed. 2ndly, removal of the
injuries caused by fouling as the only deposit of any importance is
formed in the cartridge holder which may be cleaned separately and
without any difficulty. 3rdly, by means of the simple mode of working
and the advantages above enumerated it will be possible to fire in a
given time a larger number of shots than with the ordinary arms.
4thly, the opening formed in the breech of the cartridge holder being
closed by the needle, the striker, and the end of the cartridge, the
Invention has the immense advantage of avoiding the destruction of
the vent which in the ordinary systems is deteriorated, more or less,
at each explosion of the powder. 5thly, owing to the arrangements of
the cartridge and its holder the needle may be made to explode the

page_text: cartridge at any given point, the powder being thus entirely exploded
will produce a much greater effect, producing an economy of powder
and a greater force of projection than have hitherto been obtained by
the ordinary arms which burn and throw out of the cannon a large
portion of powder, which in this improved system is rendered available.
6thly, by the form and diameter given to the cartridge, which fits
hermetically into the cartridge holder, the useless compression of air
is also avoided, which without aiding to any extent the projection of
the shot increases by its enormous pressure the caloric developed by
the dilatation of the gases, and is in almost all cases the cause of
explosion or bursting of the arm. 7thly, the Invention also offers the
advantage of being able to withdraw by means of a suitable screw b, b,
Figure 4, key F, which fixes the eccentric in the arm, whence it may
be removed and replaced when desired.
It may be advisable on account of the important changes made by
the improved system in the construction of artillery to compose the
charge of two or three different qualities of powder in layers placed
in the following order: At the bottom of the cartridge would be placed
on-third of the quickest burning kind of powder, over that, one-third
of a rather slower kind, the cartridge being filled up with the slowest
kind of powder, in the centre of which the percussion cap would be
exploded. The slowest powder thus taking fire the first would begin
to set the projectile in movement and the shot being thus gradually
and uniformly driven out of the gun by the gradual dilatation of the
gases would undoubtedly obtain a longer range. By this process it
will of course become necessary to lessen the thickness of the breech
and increase that of the mouth of the cannon, which in the improved
system need only present the same amount of resistance from one
end to the other.
Sheet 2 of the Drawings represents a similar arrangement of the
breech-loading ordnance of the Invention. Figure 11 shows a longi-
tudinal vertical section of a gun taken on the line 1, 2, Figure 12, which
is a view of the breech end of the same; Figure 13 is horizontal section
Figure 14 is a part sectional
of the gun on the line 3, 4, Figure 11;
end view of the breech taken on the lines 5, 6, 7, 8, Figures 11.
and 13; Figure 15 is a separate side view of the cartridge carrier, and
Figure 16 a transverse section of same taken on line 9, 10, 11, 12,
Figure 15; Figure 17 shows a longitudinal section of the eccentric

page_text: pivot on line 13, 14, Figure 18, which is an end view of the same;
Figure 19 shows separately an end view of the wedge serving to fix
the cartridge carrier in the breech; Figure 20, transverse section on
line 15, 16, Figure 19; and Figure 21 a plan of same; Figure 22
shows a longitudinal section on line 17, 18, Figure 23, the part from
which the cartridge carrier is formed; lastly, Figure 23 is a transverse
section of said part on the line 19, 20, Figure 22. The same letters
of reference apply to all these Figures.
In this arrangement the same principle is adopted as in the foregoing;
the details of construction alone being varied. The cartridge and ball
are also both contained within the charge carrier. The cartridge
carrier A' is placed, as before, in a space made in the first reinforce
at the breech end of the barrel, but in this case it is held in place
and firmly secured by means of a single wedge H' sliding up and down
on an inclined plane a, b, by the aid of the eccentric pivot B'. The
striker acts directly on the cap which is placed on a steel nipple J
screwed in the rear end of the charge carrier. The nipple may be so
arranged as to explode the powder at any part of the charge. The
nipple J, as also the zinc tube Z, Figure 3, may melt under the action
of the heat developed in the interior of the charge chamber at the
moment of the explosion. Instead of using the cone.G, Figure 3, for
preventing the destruction of the joints occasioned by the enormous
pressure of the gases (which is however reduced to a third or fourth part
of the original pressure before they arrive at the joint in the improved
construction of gun of this Invention) as the ball must travel a
distance equal to its whole length before the gases reach the joint
between the cartridge chamber and the barrel; -two-thirds or three-fourths
of the pressure being thus expended on the projectile. And in order
to prevent all escape of gas I propose to place a ring of. copper or other
metal in the base of the projectile of the same diameter as that of the
interior of the cartridge chamber. This ring being projected with
the ball is arrested in its flight on reaching the rifling of the barrel,
which is of smaller diameter, and it is there held firmly at the junction
of the parts by the pressure of the gases which are thus prevented from
escaping at the. joint.
In order to manoeuvre the gun three simple and expeditious motions
only are required. 1st, the hand lever F is brought to the position A, A,
Figure 12, which raises the wedge H' and forces back the striker L

page_text: to the amount of half its traverse. 2ndly, the cartridge chamber A¹
containing charge is then placed in the cavity O, O, by the aid of
the handles X. 3rdly, the hand lever F is then moved back to the
point B, B, Figure 12, so as to bring the wedge H' up against the
cartridge chamber and so fix the latter in position in the breech.
During this movement the striker performs the second half of its
traverse, and at the moment the hand lever F is brought to the
point B, B, the striker is free to escape and strikes against the cap for
the purpose of discharging the gun.
In order to make the body of the cartridge chamber in a ready
manner, consistent with strength, instead of using flat wire or strips
I coil on the iron core a sufficient amount of square steel wire c, as
represented in Figures 20 and 23, which I then cover with a tube of
iron d. I place the whole thus prepared in a puddling furnace, where
by hammering it is formed into a compact mass, which is then bored
and turned as before mentioned.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to
be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. I claim the cavity O, O, made in the first reinforce, arranged in
the manner shown and for the purpose described.
2ndly. I claim constructing the cartridge carrier A, Figures 8 and 9,
of iron or steel flat wires or strips.
3rdly. I claim the cone G, Figure 3, as and for the purpose' described.
4thly. I claim the tube z of zinc or other cheap material, striking
pin and washer v, combined and arranged substantially in the manner
shown and described.
5thly. I claim the wedge H', wedge plate K, Figures 1, 3, 6, and 7,
as also the wedge H', Figures 11, 13, 19, 20, and 21, for fixing the
charge chamber in the cavity O, O, all in the manner described.
6thly. I claim the eccentric pivot B for operating wedge H¹ and
wedge plate K, all in the manner shown and described.
7thly. I claim the eccentric pivot B' for acting on wedge H¹.
8thly. I claim the strikers L, L'.
9thly. I claim the hand levers E, F.

page_text: 10thly. I claim the carrier V, Figures 1 and 2, wherewith the charge
is placed in position, all as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.