IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING SMALL-ARMS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to François Jules Manceaux, of Paris, France, Gun
Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES
FOR BREECH-LOADING SMALL-ARMS."
Scaled the 18th February 1873, and dated the 24th December 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said François Jules Manceaux
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 24th December 1872.
I, FRANÇOIS JULES MANCEAUX, of Paris, France, Gun Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING SMALL-ARMS," to be as follows:-
It has often been perceived that in the cartridges arranged for breech-
loading fire-arms with central inflammation, the caps of which are intro-
duced through the exterior into the chamber rivetted to the centre of the
metallic case, the gases fulminate and from the charge frequently
leak round the cap and penetrate into the closing mechanism of the
breech and percussion, and consequently affect them injuriously in their

page_text: action. It has also been perceived that the cap remaining apparent
upon the base of the metallic case is exposed to receive in the
movements necessary for the closing of the arm shocks and blows which
may suddenly produce its ignition before the closing is complete, and
there follows from this state of things an imminent danger to the firer.
Moreover it has been proved that this projection of the cap at the
exterior and upon the base of the metallic case renders this cartridge
susceptible of becoming inflamed at the least shock, or in consequence
of a fall in general carriage or from the hand of the soldier.
Convinced as I am by these considerations that no arm with central
inflammation can be considered as proper for service in war if its
mechanism remains accessible to the gases of the charge to their con-
densation to the oxidation which they engender, an oxidation which
rigourously requires after each fire the complete dismounting and entire
cleaning of the mechanism of the arm.
Convinced also am I that the use of the arm for warlike purposes
ought to be freed from all these servitudes and from all these dangers,
and that they ought to remain constantly in a condition to act however
prolonged may have been the firing.
Considering lastly that the adoption of the metallic cartridge for, the
service of war has considerably augmented the cost of the munitions,
and that it is of the greatest importance to reduce the considerable
expenses necessitated to instruct troops, that the same metallic casc
may be utilized several times by replacing merely the expended charge
of powder, the fulminate and projectile.
I have for the purpose of avoiding the inconveniences and dangers
pointed out above, and in order to realize a considerable economy in the
cost of the munitions constructed the cartridge which will be described
presently as being appropriated to the calibre of 11 millimetre.
This cartridge is composed of a metal case with a conically formed a
base; this case from a diameter of 0.0155 at its base is reduced at 0.008
from the bottom to a diameter of 0.0145; this metal case is prolonged
at this latter diameter in a height of 0.047 in order to terminate in a
narrower portion forming a neck, the diameter of which is 0.0122; the
base of this case rests upon a rounded bottom with a rim or edge pro-
jection 0-002, and produced. by stamping in a matrix; the bottom of

page_text: this metal case the thickness of which is 0.001 is stamped out and
conformed so as to form a circular fold which forms a chamber 0-006 in
depth, from the centre of which projects about 0.003 a conical anvil, the
summit of which is terminated by a plane surface of about onc mille-
metro in diameter circumscribed by a circular empty space. The
metallic case, its bottom, its rim, the chamber and the conical anvil
above-mentioned, are all stamped from one and the same plate of metal
by means of successive passes in the matrices and under stampers of the
form.
I
The above chamber is intended for the lodgment of a cap in the form
of a (lentille) and the anvil the summit of which is terminated by a planc
table forms a support to receive the shock from the needle which strikes
the cap. At the bottom of the circular fold which forms the little
chamber there has been pierced three holes in order to serve as a com-
munication to the tongue of fire produced by the detonation of the
fulminate of the capsule with the charge of powder lodged in the interior
of the cartridge case. The entrance of the said chamber is threaded
circularly for a height of 0.0025. In order to close the said chamber at
thic rear I screw in the nut, which is there screw threaded, a plug of
copper 0·0025 thick equally screw threaded in all its height. This plug
is formed at its centre with a hollow hole of 0.004 in diameter,
and 0.002 in depth, which reduces thus to its centre the thickness of
the plug to 0.0003. Two parallel slits are made upon the exterior edges
of the plug in order to give the means of screwing and thus plug at will.
For the purpose of maintaining the chamber and the anvil at the
contre of the metal casc, tho Inventor has introduced in the interior and
at the bottom of the case a base of copper embossed of 0.0006 in thick-
ness, the bottom of which bears in the circular fold of the bottom of the
metal case, and the edges of which adhere at a height of 0·007 to the
conical partition of the base of the cartridge. This base is driven to
the bottom of the metal case under the pressure of a beam by a stamper
of the same form as the chamber, and the conical anvil descending into
its centre. The support of this stamper is formed by a matrix, which
has the same outline, and forms its counterpart. The case being thus
prepared, the cap is introduced into the chamber, and the plug is screwed
above the capsule into its nut. The capsule is found thus enclosed in
the interior of the cartridge, and renders it absolutely inaccessible to
dampness and shock.

page_text: In central-fire cartridges in which the cap is brought to the chamber
by an opening made externally in the centre of the base of the metal
cartridge, the cap can be solidly fixed in this chamber, and in order to
hold itself during carriage, and while in the hands of the soldiers, ought
to be introduced forcibly, and exert pressure against the sides of the t
chamber. On the other hand, in the system abovo described, the cap
cnclosed in the chamber of the cartridge ought to remain free without
any adherence or pressure against the partitions, in order that it may
obey, without any resistance, the shock of the piercer which is trans-
mitted across the thickness of the screwed plug. After the fire and the 1
cap is ignited, the latter, when the plug is unscrewed, ought to disengage
from the chamber and fall freely.
This screwed plug forms a sort of breech to the cartridge which inter-
cepts all the gases of the charge, and thus frees the mechanism of the
movable breech and the percussion from all condensation of the gas from 1
the charge, from all dirtying which hinders the action of the arm, and
from all oxidation which is their consequence.
It follows from this arrangement that the firing of the arm can be
continued indefinitely, however long it may be.
By means of the screwed plug above described, which covers and encloses 2
the cap in the chamber, this cap is found inaccessible, either with block
arms or with bolt arms, from all shocks or counterblows other than that of
the piercer, which ought to penetrate 0·0025 in the narrow hole formed
in the centre of the said plug.
It is evident that in carriage neither shock nor fall can affect the caps 2
so as to cause their explosion.
In this system of internal fire cartridge the piercer penetrates to the
bottom of the roughening formed behind the plug of the chamber, and
its shock reaches across the partition of 0.0003 which forms the bottom
of this plug to the bottom of the cap, the fulminate of which is pushed 3
against the table of the anvil above described, with which the piercer is
held concentric.
The plug being susceptible of screwing or unscrewing by means of a
screw, or the blade of a twin screw, permits of withdrawing the used cap
after each blow, and replacing it with another. By this combination 3
the remaking of this cap is rendered as easy and as economical as possible,

page_text: since it consists only in the replacing, (capable of being performed by any
one,) of a cap and a screwed plug of little value, it being proved also by
experience that after each discharge the metal case withdraws from the
chamber of the barrel without any alteration in form or any rupture of
its parts.
The double result of the internal inflammation is, first, the suppression
of all danger and all dirtying of the mechanism of the arm; secondly,
the economical remaking of the cartridge being obtained by the com-
bination above described.
The barrel chamber is shaped according to the cartridge.
It may be observed that the conical base of the cartridge is reproduced
in the chamber in order to facilitate its extraction by the extraction
organs drawn by the retreat of the movable breech.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said François Jules Manceaux in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th June 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANÇOIS
JULES MANCEAUX, of Paris, France, Gun Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said François Jules Manceaux, Her special
licence that I, the said François Jules Manccaux, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said François
Jules Manccaux, 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 Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING
SMALL-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said François
Jules Manceaux, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in

page_text: 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 François Jules Manceaux, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say :—
It has often been noticed in cartridges made for central-fire breech-
loading arms in which the caps are introduced from the exterior into a
chamber formed in the centre of a metallic case, that the gases from the
discharge leak round the cap and penetrating into the breech and lock
mechanism affect them injuriously. It has also been perceived that the
fact of the cap remaining apparent upon the base of the cartridge is a
source of much risk, since the cap is always liable to receive blows
which may produce the sudden ignition of the cartridge. And for
similar reasons the effect of a fall of the cartridge to the ground from
whatever cause is always to be dreaded.
For the purpose of avoiding these inconveniences I have constructed
a cartridge which forms the object of my present Invention, in which all
the conditions of safety and perfect obturation are fulfilled, and which is
so solidly constructed as to be capable of use over and over again for a
great number of times.
My Invention will be well understood from the following description
thereof, and by reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the cartridge case; Figures 2 and 3
respectively a section and plan of its base; Figures 4 and 5 respectively
a section and plan of the nut or plug hereafter mentioned; Figure 6, a
longitudinal section of the cartridge case with the fulminate and plug
complete; Figure 7, a view of the bottom of the cartridge case; and
Figure 8, a section of the chamber of an arm, shewing the complete
cartridge therein.
The cartridge is composed of a metal case A with a conically formed
base a, as shown at Figure 1. This case as seen in the Drawing is of a

page_text: slightly larger diameter at its base than at the middle portion b, while
its upper portion c is of a still smaller diameter. The base of the
cartridge rests upon a rounded bottom with a rim or projection d
projecting slightly outwards. The bottom of this metal case is so
stamped out as to form a circular cap chamber f, at the top of which
and projecting downwards is a conical anvil terminated by a flat
surface surrounded by an empty space. The metal case, its base, its
rim, the cap chamber, and the conical anvil are all stamped from the
same piece of metal in the manner which will be described presently.
The chamber is intended for the reception of a cap p (shown at
Figure 6), and the anvil 7 receives the blow of the needle or striker
when the discharge is effected. At the bottom of the circular fold
which forms the cap chamber f, are three or more little holes j, through
which the flame produced by the detonation of the fulminate in the cap
passes to the charge of powder.
The entrance to the chamber f is screw threaded, as shown at
i, i, Figure 1, for a certain distance, and it is closed by means of a plug
or nut correspondingly screw threaded in all its height. This plug is
preferably formed with a hollow m (see Figures 4 and 5) at its centre so
as to reduce its thickness at the middle. Slits o are formed upon the
exterior of the plug in order to enable it to be screwed into or
unscrewed from the cap chamber at pleasure. In order to maintain the
chamber and anvil firmly in the case I sometimes introduce into the
case behind the chamber fa support of copper 2 (see Figures 2 and 3),
the lower side of which rests upon the circular fold of the chamber, and
the bent edges of which come down through the space left between the
cap chamber and the side of the case to rest upon the bottom. The
metal cartridge case being thus prepared, the cap is introduced into
the chamber and the plug / screwed into its place (see Figure 6).
The cap thus firmly enclosed in its chamber is completely inaccessible to
damp, and is entirely removed from liability to detonate accidentally
from any sudden shock or fall.
And while in ordinary central-fire cartridges in which the cap is
introduced to the chamber through an opening in the base of the
cartridge case, it has to be jambed firmly against the sides of its
chamber in order that it may not fall out again. In my system the
cap may remain quite freely in its position so as to offer no resistance to
the blow of the striker when the latter has penetrated through the

page_text: lesser thickness of the screwed plug %, and so that after the discharge
the empty cap will at once fall out of the chamber on the plug being
unscrewed. The screw plug forms also a sort of breech as it were to the
cartridge, which prevents the escape of the gases of the discharge into
the breech mechanism of the arm, so as to prevent it from so soon
becoming dirty, and therefore enabling firing of the arm to be continued
longer without the necessity of cleaning it.
I proceed to describe with reference to Figures 9 to 35 of the accom-
panying Drawings the manner in which I form the metal case with its
chamber and anvil above described.
I cut from a plate of metal, preferably brass, of sufficient thickness
(say about ths of an inch) pieces of about 1 inch in diameter (sec
Figures 9 and 10). These pieces so cut are retempered and are put on a
matrix, shown at Figure 25, the surface of which is slightly hollowed
out and in the centre of which is a hole. The part which the surface of
the matrix does not cover is submitted to the pressure of a stamp which
causes a projection to be produced upon the lower side of the piece of
metal, as seen at Figure 11. The piece of metal thus prepared is again
tempered and submitted to the pressure of a stamp in a matrix shown
in Figure 26 which flattens and spreads it out to a larger diameter
and a less thickness at the edges while the same thickness is preserved
at the centre (see Figures 12 and 13). After being again tempered the
piece of metal is stamped in a hollow matrix, Figure 27, which raises its
edges and forms it into a cup form (see Figure 14). The cup thus
formed is drawn out cylindrically in a series of six matrices (see
Figure 28) under six stampers corresponding to them which give at
each passage under a matrix a decreasing thickness to the circular sides
of the drawn out case, as seen at Figures 15 to 20. The sixth and
last pass produces a hollow cylinder or case with an exterior diameter
of about ths inch, a length of about 21ths inches, and a thickness
at the bottom of about a barc ½ of an inch. The walls of this
cylinder or casc decrease in thickness from the bottom upwards.
Thus prepared the case is cut to a length of about 27ths inches.
It is then introduced into a cylinder of tempered steel having at
the top a circular recess from which the solid bottom of the drawn
out case projects (see Figure 29). The case A is held in this cylinder B
by a pin or support C and is submitted to the pressure of a plunger D
which forms a head on the bottom of the metal case.
The case is

page_text: then placed in another and similar matrix (see Figure 30) in which it
receives a pressure from a plunger which spreads out its head in a larger
diameter so as to form a solid circular rim d projecting somewhat from
the diameter of the case (sec Figure 21. After this operation the
solid bottom of the case is pierced upon a lathe with a cylindrical hol-
lowing, at the bottom of which a central projection forming the anvil
is preserved by means of the form given to the drill or plunger by which
the hollowing is produced (see Figures 22, 31, and 32). The end of the
metal case is then narrowed on a mandril to a slightly smaller diameter
in a matrix so as to form a sort of conc of junction with the rest of the
cylinder a neck for the purpose of holding the cylindrical part of the
projectile (see Figure 23). The body of the case after this operation is
in a slightly conical form decreasing slightly in diameter and in the
thickness of the sides from the rim at the bottom up to the neck for
holding the projectile.
The cap chamber formed in the bottom of the case is then pierced
with three or more holes as before explained to allow the passage of the
flame from the fulminate to the powder in the interior of the cartridge
case.
Figure 24 shows the cartridge complete.
According to my Invention I also produce metallic cartridge cases
similar to the above by another method of manufacture which I proceed
to describe. Instead of cutting pieces of metal which I afterwards
stamp and draw out as in the process just described, I take a cylinder
of metal of about ths of an inch in diameter (see Figure 33),
and cut it into lengths of about 1th inches (see Figure 34),
In the centre of these pieces I pierce a blind hole about 7ths
of an inch in diameter and about "ths of an inch in depth. The
cylinder thus pierced forms a circular case with a solid bottom
about of an inch in thickness (see Figure 35, and is put on a
mandril of the form of the hole with which it has been pierced and
drawn out by a series of matrices the diameters of which decrease
gradually and slightly. When it has reached the proper length for a
cartridge case it is submitted to the other processes already described for
the formation of the cap chamber, the rim, &c.
I have shown the bottom of the case as solid, with no space left
between the cap chamber and the inner side of the case in the latter
Figures and this form on account of its greater strength is no doubt

page_text: preferable in many instances, but the form of base shown in Figures 1
and 6 in which a space is left between the cap chamber may evidently
be equally well produced by the method above described by making
slight alterations in the shape of the matrices and plungers.
I sometimes dispense with the use of the screw plug k, Figures 1, 4,
and 6, for I have found that by the above method of forming the
cartridge cases the anvil is so solid within the cap chamber that upon
the cap being fitted thereon with its sides tightly pressed against the
sides of the chamber it fits with such precision in the centre and holds
its place so well that the obturation is perfect. But at the same
time the use of the plug will always give increased security and
strength.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. The arrangement of cartridge as described and shown with
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. Closing the cap chambers of cartridges by means of a
scrowed plug as described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
And Thirdly. Constructing metal cases for cartridges by stamping them
from one picce of metal as described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said François Jules Manceaux, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of Junc,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.