IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Benjamin Berkley Hotchkiss,
Engineer, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 17th November 1876, and dated the 10th June 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Morgan-Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th June 1876.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, and
13, Rue Gaillon, Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Benjamin.
Berkley Hotchkiss, Engineer, of Paris, France.
The metallic cartridges actually in use are, as a general rule, manufactured by
first making a metallic cup or dish; secondly, by drawing it successively to the
required length and diameter; and thirdly, by heading the same; this last operation
is both long and delicate and requires special attention, and yet the bursting of a
cartridge when firing is a common occurrence, such rupture in the great majority of
cases taking place at the head through the metal being injured by the heading
process.
In order to obviate these disadvantages the new cartridge has been designed, in
manufacturing which the difficulties of the heading operation are avoided, and I
will actually describe the same as well as different modes of manufacturing the
same in connection with the 15 Figures of the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a cartridge shell drawn in the usual manner
but not headed, which is made for the purpose of this Invention.
The first operation consists in cutting off the closed end of the shell, by means of
any appropriate tool or apparatus, and thus obtain a tubular shell open at both
extremities, see Figure 2.

page_text: The second operation consists in making at the head end of this tubular shell, an
annular depression or indentation, see Figure 3.
The third operation consists in flattening down together the two truncated cones
forming the indentation, this is effected by means of punches, dies, or any other
appropriate tools, and there is reserved in the centre of the head a cylindrical hole
of the required dimensions for receiving the primer; Figure 4 represents the
cartridge after this operation, and Figure 5 the same with a primer inserted flush
in the head of the cartridge.
Figure 6 and 10 represents a second mode of manufacturing the cartridge, in
which Figure 6 is a shell drawn in the usual way and which is used for the purpose
of the Invention. The first operation consists in forming a hole in the centre of
the head by punching or any other appropriate means, as shewn in Figure 7; the
second operation consists in forming towards the head end an annular indentation
(as above stated), see Figure 8; and the third operation consists in flattening down
the head for the reception of the primer, as shewn in Figure 9, and with the primer
inserted in Figure 10.
Figures 11 to 15 represent a third mode of manufacturing the cartridge; for this
purposo is taken in the first case a piece of ordinary drawn metal tube, Figure 11,
open at both ends; the first operation thereon consists in producing the annular
indentation, see Figure 12; the second operation consists in drawing out this tube
by successive operations, see Figures 13, 14, and 15, so as to produce a shell of the
required length, diameter, and thickness; and the third operation consists in
heading this shell as shewn in Figures 4 and 5, or 9 and 10.
The heading of the new cartridge can be effected as more especially shewn in
Figures 4 and 5, that is to say, with the upper flanch turned down and in contact
throughout its entire surface with the lower flanch, or preferably and more
particularly in the case of cartridges made with relatively thin metal so as not to
allow the contact to take over the entire surface, but reserve a small inner circlo
where an annular cavity exists in consequence of this solution of contact, as shown
in Figures 9 and 10, and in this manner I obtain a deeper and steadier bearing for
the primer, as well as diminish the danger of breaking or cracking the metal at the
fold. The primer can be placed in two different manners, firstly with its head let
in flush with the cartridge head as shewn in Figure 5, or with its head protruding
as shewn in Figure 10; in this latter case it is essential that the diameter of the
primer head should be at least equal to the internal diameter of the cartridge near
its head.
This new cartridge has many advantages over those in ordinary use; amongst
others I will mention the solidity and resistance of its head, the metal of which
it is formed not having been weakened or injured during the progress of manu-
facture; secondly, the original thickness of this metal is but very slightly diminished
if at all; and thirdly, the dangerous point, (that is, the point where the cartridge is
most likely to burst under fire is much further from the head and more advanced
within the chamber of the barrel, and at such place it is effectively supported by
the walls of the chamber, thus precluding all possibility of rupture.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention and the best means that I am
acquainted with for carrying the same into practical operation, I claim,―
Firstly. This new cartridge or mode of forming a cartridge irrespective of the
tools or machinery employed for manufacturing it.
Secondly. The mode of manufacturing it by means of an ordinary drawn shell as
above described, and represented in Figures 1 to 5.
Thirdly. The mode of manufacturing it by means of a similar shell as above
described, and represented in Figures 6 to 10.
Fourthly. The mode of manufacturing it by means of a piece of ordinarily drawn
tube as above described, and represented in Figures 11 to 15, and 4, 5, 9, and 10.
Fifthly. A solid headed cartridge in one piece, exclusive of the primer, in which
the bursting point is carried further within the cartridge as above described.

page_text: And, Sixthly. Reserving an annular cavity between the two surfaces of metal
forming the head as above described, and illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)