Improvements in Multicharge Guns.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Multicharge Guns.
I, JAMES RICHARDS HASKELL, Engineer, a citizen of the United States,
residing at Passaic, in the County of Passaic and State of New Jersey, United
States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My present invention relates to multicharge guns made in several transverse
sections, and it consists of certain novel parts and combinations of parts particularly
designated in the claims concluding this Specification, wherein I will specifically
point out the novel features of my present invention, thereby distinguishing
between what is old in the art and the novel features of my invention.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated several different forms of guns
embodying features of my present invention; but my invention is not limited to
the forms there shown, nor is it limited to the total combinations of elements
illustrated in either of said figures, except as designated in the claims.
Fig. 1 of said drawings shows a longitudinal section through one form of my
improved gun, parts being shown in outside view.
Fig. 2 shows a transverse section through Fig. 1 on the line a¹.
Fig. 3 shows a transverse section through Fig. 1 on the line b¹.
Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a gun constructed on substantially
the same general principles as that shown in Fig. 1, parts being shown in outside
view.
Fig. 5 shows a transverse section through Fig. 4 on the line c'.
Fig. 6 shows a transverse section through the line d¹.
Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal section through still another form of gun constructed
upon the same general principles as that shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
Fig. 8 is a detail view of a part of Fig. 7 embodying an improved form of gas-
check.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of a part of Fig. 7 showing a modification of the gas-
check illustrated in Fig. 8.
Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the breech of a breech-loading gun.
Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through another form of gun involved in my
present invention.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in Figs. 14
and 24.
One of the principal objects of my invention is to facilitate the construction of
multicharge guns and it consists, among other things, of making the gun of several
transverse sections, as will be particularly designated in the claims concluding this
Specification. In the drawings which show my invention applied in forms which I
now prefer to employ, the first section is the breech of the gun and contains in itself
the charge chamber, as in an ordinary breech-loading gun. The second section,
and the additional sections, form supplemental charge chambers by their combina-
tion with the muzzle of the primary section and with each succeeding sections, the
gun being made as a whole by uniting the series of sections together one after the
other.
A multicharge gun having separate charge-chambers or pockets set one ahead of
the other on its sides, is old; but the plan bere illustrated of making the gun of
a series of separate sections united one ahead of the other is new. The gun is
made of any suitable metal, and by making it in sections it is possible to obtain a
1 Price 1

page_text: solid casting or forging of which to make the several sections, and the several
castings or forgings are easily handled, turned and bored to form the several
sections composing the gun.
By making these multicharge guns upon this plan, it is possible to make them
much cheaper and of much greater and more uniform strength than it is by making
them of a single piece of metal. Indeed, it would not be possible to make these
guns of the internal form illustrated by the drawings, of a single casting or forging,
and if they could be so made it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get
such casting or forging without flaws that would be fatal to its construction, it
being very much easier to obtain a small casting or forging solid than it is to
obtain a large one; and, moreover, when the gun is made in sections it can be more
readily handled and expeditiously made in the desired shape than it can be when
made of a single piece of metal whether forged or cast. By making the gun in
sections, the several sections can be in process of construction at one time, upon
different lathes, and by different workmen; whereas if the gun be made of one
forging or casting, only one lathe can be used in its construction at the same time,
and not more than one or two workmen can be advantageously employed upon it at
the same time, thus necessitating a long time and great expense to make the gun;
and, moreover, by making the gun in sections, as illustrated, the opening from the
supplemental charge chambers to the bore of the gun, can be made long or short,
wide or narrow, large or small, as may be necessary to insure a free discharge of
the gases from the pocket behind the projectile. Other features of improvement
relate to the details of construction of a gun.
The following is a description of the accompanying drawings which show some
of the forms in which my invention may be advantageously applied. It will be
understood that my invention is not limited to the precise forms herein illustrated
or described, as various modifications may be employed without departing from the
general principle of my invention or the scope of the concluding claims.
I will first describe my invention with relation to the guns shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.& 6.
In the gun illustrated by Fig. 1 of the drawing, A is the breech, containing the
primary charge-chamber. B is the first section containing the first supplemental
charge-chamber C. This charge-chamber or pocket is formed upon the muzzle of
the section A, by boring out or casting the rear end of section B big enough to
form a pocket of the desired size, the sections A and B being united by means
of screw-threads D cut in the two sections in the manner shown. To the
section B, the section E is united and forms the supplemental pocket F,
the same as in the case of section B; and to the section E, the section G is
united, the same as before, forming the supplemental pocket H around the
muzzle of the section E, the muzzle of which section is fitted snugly into
the breech of the preceding section upon a diagonal plane, as shown in the
drawing. In the muzzle of each section are cut three slots, as shown by f, in
Fig. 2, by which three openings are formed leading from the bore of each section to
the supplemental pockets C, F, and H, the supplemental pockets being annular
chambers inclosing the muzzle of each section composing the gun, as shown by H,
Fig. 3. The object of the openings is to admit to the pockets the lame from each
preceding charge and ignite each succeeding charge behind the shot or shell as it
moves forward into the bore of the gun, and to provide ample space for the escape
of the gases from the supplemental chambers to the bore of the gun. The several
supplemental pockets of the gun are charged through priming holes which are
stopped by breech plugs O having interrupted screws, the same as are now in
common use in breech-loading guns. These priming holes are made in one or more
sides of the supplemental chambers, as may be required, and each chamber is fitted
with as many cleaning holes O', which are also fitted with interrupted screw-plugs,
as may be thought necessary to thoroughly clean the pockets.
The same principle of construction as that above described is found in the gun
illustrated by Figs. 4, 5 and 6, but in the gun of Fig. 4 the several sections

page_text: composing it are strengthened by bands I and J shrunk upon the several sections
forming the gun, and in this case the construction of the gun is further modified by
additional interual sections A', B¹, c', and D', upon which the sections A2, B², E³
and G2 are closely fitted or shrunk, the several sections being united by screw-
threads the same as in Fig. 1.
The communication between the several pockets in Fig. 4 and the bore of the
gun is obtained in the same way as in Fig. 1, viz.: by means of slots cut in the
muzzle or forward end of each section, as shown also by f in Fig. 5. To prevent
the escape of gas through the joint between c¹ and E³, a ring Q of steel or some
suitable metal is inserted between the ends of sections B' and c and extended up
above the joint between c¹ and E2, the intention being that the expansion of the gas
in the pocket will force the ring out against the joint tight enough to prevent the
escape of gas from the pocket through the joint between the inner section c¹ and
the outer section E2. This may be inserted between the ends of each internal and
external section so as to effectually close the joints between the two. To prevent
the powder from running out of the chambers c through the openings into the
bore of the gun, collars c² are made around the forward end of each section
at the base of the openings f and bridges f¹. By these means the chambers
can be loaded with the necessary powder without overflowing it into the bore of
the gun.
It will be seen that the rear ends of the supplemental charge chambers are
formed by cutting an annular groove or ring in the breech of the preceding section,
by which a lip g is formed on the inside section at the rear of the chamber. The
forward end of this lip, on its outside, is chamfered off to form a bevelled seat
against the outside section B2, the object of which is to form a gas-tight joint
between the two parts, it being intended that the explosion of the charge shall
force the lip out against its seat, so as to close the joint absolutely. To
accomplish this in the construction shown in Fig. 4, a flange is made on
the internal section out of which the lip g is made, and in the rear side of this
flange pins are inserted to fit in corresponding holes in the external section
to prevent the possibility of the two sections being twisted out of their right
relations.
It will also be seen that the inner tube of the gun, formed by the inner longi-
tudinal sections A', B', c¹ and D', are connected together longitudinally by the
external sections A2, B2, E2 and G2, the gun depending for its longitudinal strength
upon these external sections, a mode of construction that differs from all other
modes of construction used in "built up guns, in which the internal sections
have been composed of one continuous tube upon which the longitudinal strength
of the gun depends.
"
I have stated that in the construction of this gun the openings or slots f cut in
the muzzle ends of the sections thereof, by which bridges or sections of solid metal
are left between the openings, may be omitted, the openings being made in the
form of a ring as shown by S, Fig. 4, but I prefer to make the gun with the
bridges at the end of the muzzle so as to form a continuous bore for the projectile,
the lands of the rifling being cut on the bridges between the openings f, as shown
in Fig. 5. By adopting this mode of construction, there is no unnecessary space
left to be filled with air or gas, and moreover the openings f may be made from
thirty to fifty per cent. larger in area than the bore of the gun, which becomes
necessary to equalize the pressure due to the change in direction of the gas pressure
from the pocket to the bore of the gun through the openings f.
The following is a description of the structure shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. This
gun is built on the same general plan as is the gun shown in Fig. 4. It differs
from it, however, in some of its details. A is the forward end of the breech
section screwed into the sleeve B³, surrounded by shrunk strengthening bands B*
and B. A is an interior tube, preferably of steel, having on its front end a pro-
jection or lip R. The rear end of the interior section A is bevelled to fit the lip R,

page_text: as shown. B is a connecting section at one end screwed into the section B³ and at
the opposite end screwed into a similar section E³. The interior lining B' of the
section B is provided at its forward end with a lip R, like that fashioned on the
end of A. The rear end of B¹ projects rearwardly, forming a lip which corre-
sponds with the bevelled forward end of the section A2, forming a lip T. The
lips R, R and T form gas-checks, preventing the escape of gas past these joints.
The joint between the sleeve B3 and the section A2 and the joint between the
sleeve B³ and the section B, exposed to the pressure of gas in the charge-chamber,
are provided with gas-checks, shown in Figs. 8 and 9 in detail. That part of the
sleeve B³ and section A2 where the joint occurs is bored out to form an annular
chamber with a contracted mouth. In this annular chamber is set a metal ring P,
preferably of steel, grooved to form concentric lips. When the gas expands against
these lips it wedges them tight against the opposite surfaces on which they bear,
making a close joint and preventing the escape of gas. Fig. 9 shows a modified
form of the annular chamber between the parts B³ and B. In this case the ring Q,
which is substantially like the ring P, is set in an annular chamber between the
parts B³ and B, such chamber being provided with a lip Q₁ to more securely hold
the ring in its position. The same idea is involved in all these gas-checks, which
is to expose to the force of the expanding gases a thinner section of metal which
will, to a greater or less extent, yield under the strain and be driven tight against
the part on which it rests, thereby effectually closing the joint and rendering it
gas-tight, so that little or no gas will escape past it at the time of explosion.
In all the figures I have shown the breech plug with such a lip for the same
purpose.
When a gun is made, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, with a large difference in
diameter at different parts of the same piece, whether cast or forged, there will be
a strain developed during the process of cooling, due to unequal cooling of the
different parts, which will weaken, to a greater or less extent, the structure.
By having the castings or forgings made of cylinders of more or less equal
diameter, whether hollow or solid, the cooling is more uniform and a stronger
structure is thus made.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, these show a modified form of multicharge gun,
also embodying the general features of my present invention: The bore of the gun
is shown by A and the several sections composing it by B B and the supplemental
charge-chambers by cc. The breech-section, shown by Fig. 14, is made upon an
enlarged scale, the better to illustrate the several parts of the breech fittings.
These sections are united together by screws, as shown, or by any other means now
well known in the arts for uniting two or more sections of metal. The breech-
pin D of each supplemental charge-chamber may be made and operated the same
as the pin of the main breech, and all the breech-pins or stops may be fitted with
my improved gas-check fully described in an application for a Patent filed on even
date herewith. In this gun the supplemental charge-chambers are set on a line
diagonal with the bore of the gun and are placed alternately on opposite sides
along the length.
In the foregoing Specification I have incidentally referred to a few of the
modifications which may be adopted in the practice of my invention, but I have not
endeavoured to specify all the modifications which may be employed, the object of
this Specification being to instruct persons, skilled in the art, to practice my
invention in forms at present preferred, and to enable them to understand its
nature; and I desire it to be distinctly understood that the mention by me of a few
modifications, is in no way intended to exclude others not referred to, but which
are within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Many of the details and combinations illustrated and above described, are not
essential to my several inventions, broadly considered. All this will be indicated in
the concluding claims, as the omission of an element, or the omission of reference to
the particular features of elements mentioned, are intended to be formal declarations

page_text: of the fact that the omitted elements or features are not essential parts of the
invention therein covered.
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 I
claim is
1. A multicharge gun, consisting of a breech section, combined with one or more
supplemental sections, one or more of said supplemental sections to be provided
with one or more independent charge-chambers charged with any suitable explosive
and opening into the bore of the gun, and discharging its or their load behind the
advancing projectile subsequent to the explosion of the breech charge.
2. A multicharge gun, consisting of a breech section, combined with one or more
supplemental sections constructed to unite with the breech section and form an
annular pocket or charge-chamber suitable for receiving, confining and sustaining
a charge of any suitable explosive about the muzzle or forward end thereof, and
opening into the bore of the gun behind the projectile after the explosion of the
primary charge.
3. A multicharge gun, consisting of a series of sections united longitudinally to
the breech of each section, succeeding the breech section, forming an annular
charge-chamber upon and around the muzzle of the breech, and each succeeding
section, said charge-chamber being made suitable to receive, confine and sustain a
charge of any suitable explosive and opening into the bore of the gun.
4. A multicharge gun, consisting of two or more separately formed cylindrical
sections screwed together longitudinally, each of said sections being made inde-
pendent of all the rest and one or more of them being provided with separate,
independent charge-chambers suitable to receive, confine and sustain a charge of
any suitable explosive to discharge successively from the several chambers into the
bore of the gun when the several sections are united.
5. A multicharge gun, consisting of a succession of sections united together
longitudinally upon central longitudinal sections, forming the internal wall and
bore of the gun, said several parts being fitted, and where it may be necessary,
shrunk together to unite the whole in a solid structure.
6. In a multicharge gun, consisting of several sections, one or more of which
contains one or more supplemental charge-chambers, a band of some suitable metal,
shrunk upon the section over the charge-chamber.
7. In a multicharge gun, consisting of a series of sections, the combination of
charge-chambers and a gas-check ring interposed between the joints of the
sections.
8. In a multicharge gun, consisting of a series of sections, the combination of
charge-chambers and a gas-check consisting of a thinner section of metal at the
joints of the sections.
9. In a multicharge gun, consisting of a series of sections, the combination of
charge-chambers and a gas-check consisting of a separate ring set in a groove
between the joints of the sections.
10. In a multicharge gun, consisting of a series of sections, the combination of
charge-chambers and a gas-check consisting of a separate ring forming opposing
lips, set in a groove with contracted mouth between the joints of the sections.
11. In a multicharge gun, consisting of two or more separate sections joined
together to form the gun, a bevelled or under-lapping joint between the several
sections by which the expansion due to the explosion and heat of the charge, has
the effect of tightening the joint between the sections.
12. In a multicharge gun, suitable for firing explosives composed of two or more
sections united longitudinally and containing supplemental charge-chambers for
receiving, sustaining and confining any suitable explosive, opening into the bore of
the gun, a channel or opening leading from the supplemental explosive chamber to
the bore of the gun, equal to or greater in area than the bore of the gun.
13. A multicharge gun, suitable for firing explosives, consisting of a series of

page_text: supplemental sections and charge-chambers, said explosive chambers being the
result of the form and union of the several sections.
14. A multicharge gun, consisting of a series of supplemental sections containing
charge-chambers, to receive, confine and sustain a suitable explosive, as set forth,
the several sections being united by screw-threads cut in the several sections at
their points of union.
15. A multicharge gun, consisting of a series of external and internal sections,
the internal sections being held together longitudinally by the longitudinal union of
the external sections, the gun depending for its tensile strength upon the union
of the external sections.
16. In a multicharge gun, in which the supplemental charge-chamber is formed
around the muzzle and in the breech of the several sections, a collar or flange by
which the powder or other explosive is prevented from over-flowing into the bore
of the gun.
17. A multicharge gun, consisting of the combination of a plurality of separate
sections united together longitudinally to form the gun, fitted with supplemental
charge-chambers suitable for containing and firing explosives, and arranged to
discharge successively into the bore of the gun at different points upon the
advancing projectile.
18. In a multicharge gun, the combination of a plurality of sections assembled
longitudinally, each section being substantially uniform in cross-section, so as to
cool uniformly when cast or forged, one or more of said sections to be provided
with one or more independent charge-chambers, charged with any suitable explosive,
and opening into the bore of the gun and discharging its or their load behind the
advancing projectile.
Dated the 11th day of October 1899
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.