IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND CART- RIDGES FOR THE Same
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon
and Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, South-
ampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND CART-
RIDGES FOR THE Same.”—A communication from abroad by Benjamin
Rusklav Hotchkiss
DOL
Sealed the 4th April 1873, and dated the 17th October 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 17th October 1872.
I, WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-
Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND CART-
RIDGES FOR THE SAME," a communication to him from abroad by Benjamin
Burkley Hotchkiss, of 27, Rue Choiseul, Paris, to be as follows:-
My Invention relates, in the first place, in the use of a block inserted
horizontally and transversely in the breech of the cannon, and which is

page_text: locked by the partial rotation of a handle protruding from one end of
the same. By returning partially this handle the block is freed, and
can be drawn forward a sufficient distance to bring an opening in the
block opposite the bore of the cannon, the said opening being of sufficient
diameter to admit of the passage of the charge from the rear and of the
extraction of the empty shell after firing. For this latter purpose I
make use of an extractor consisting in a metallic strip placed in a slot
made in the upper part of the breech and in the axis of the cannon, and
provided at its inner extremity with a hook, which rides over the rim of
the cartridge. The said extractor is also provided on its under side with
a stud or bowl that enters a slot made in the upper surface of the bolt.
This slot is made parallel with the bolt to within a short distanco of its
extremity, where it assumes an angular direction in such a manner that
the traction of the bolt will when this angular part comes in contact
with the bowl of the extractor, withdraw the latter from the bore of the
gun, and with it the shell of the exploded cartridge. The gun can then
be loaded with a fresh cartridge inserted in the bore through the opening
in the block, and the block being pushed back and the handle partially
rotated to fix the same, the gun is again ready for firing.
My Invention consists, in the second case, in a modification of the
above-mentioned arrangement, in which the block is placed vertically in
the breech of the cannon, and its lower extremity jointed to the upper
extremity of the usual elevating screw in such a manner that the block
is withdrawn from and reinserted in the breech by the elevation or
depression of the gun rotating on its trunnions, and for this purpose it
is adjusted or poised in such a manner that a trifling manual effort is
sufficient for this purpose. For these guns I make use of central-fire
cartridges, which I ignite either by means of a friction fuso or by per-
cussion effected by a lever adapted for that purpose in the sliding breech
block.
My Invention relates, in the third caso, in providing the gun with a
mortice hole in the side of the breech, through which hole I insert tho
cartridge and extract the empty shell, and in the use of a bolt entering
from the rear in the axis of the gun for the purpose of impelling the
cartridge in the bore, extracting the empty shell, and closing the breech.
To this effect the bolt and the part of the breech where it is inserted aro
provided with fractional shoulders, and by this means, after being inserted
in its place and on being partly rotated on its axis, it is solidly secured

page_text: in its place. In this case I make use of a sliding extractor, turned up at
both ends, and sliding in a groove made in the cannon. Its rear end is
located in a circular groove made in the breech bolt, whilst its forward
extremity rides over the rim of the cartridge. For manipulating the
breech bolt I make use of a handle attached to the outer extremity of
the same, and for firing any metallic cartridges I make use of a central
percussion firing pin placed in the axis of the breech bolt, and which is
cocked by the partiall rotation of the bolt. For this purpose the firing
pin projects through the outer extremity of the beech bolt, and is there'
provided with a lever or arm, which by the rotation of the bolt is also
rotated and impelled against an inclined projection in the breech of the
gun; this withdraws the pin and cocks the gun by liberating this lever
from off the said projection in any appropriate manner.
The firing pin
is driven again forward by its spring and ignites the charge.
My Invention relates in the fourth case to the use and construction
of a metallic cartridge for ordnance containing the projectile, the charge,
and the priming, the said cartridge being composed, in the first place, of
a shell in metal, such as common plate iron turned in at one extremity;
and, in the second place, of a metallic disk forming the base or head
united to the turned in part of the base by rivets, screws, bolts, and nuts,
or any other appropriate means, and provided with a gas check either
internal or external, or both internal and external. These cartridges being
intended for centeral firing I provide their above-mentioned metallic
base with apertures or appropriate cavities for receiving the priming and
communcating the explosion of same to the charge.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th April 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
O MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue
Gaillon, Paris, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of October, in the year:

page_text: of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her licirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Morgan-Brown, Her special license
that I, the said William Morgan-Brown, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Morgan-Brown, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any timo 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 BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE AND CARTRIDGES FOR THE SAME," a communication
to me from abroad by Benjamin Burkley Hotchkiss, of 27, Rue Choiseul,
Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Morgan-Brown, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, 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 William Morgan-Brown, 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 thereof, that is to say :—
In order that the first part of my Invention relating to ordnance be
clearly understood, I will proceed to describe the same conjointly with
the thirteen Figures of Sheet 1, hereto annexed.
First Improvement.-Figure 1 to 4, in which Figure 1 is a plan
partially in section, the block being pushed home and the gun ready to
fire; Figure 2 a similar plan, with the block drawn out and the gun in
position for loading at the rear. In these Figures a is the gun; b, the
bore; c, the opening in the breech through which the charge is intro-
duced, and from which the proceeding empty shell is projected; and d,
the block which slides horizontally in a transverse opening made in the
breech; d, a flange answering the purpose of a stop to the block; e, the
extractor; f, the lever serving to fix and to liberate the block; and g
the opening made in the block for the passage of the charge and of the
empty shell. This gun is worked, 1°, by withdrawing the block, as shewn

page_text: in Figure 2; 2°, by introducing the charge. by the opening c; and 3°, by
pushing home the block, as shown in Figure 1. When the gun is closed
the lever assumes a vertical position with the catch f¹ engaged in the
recess of the breech, as shewn by dotted lines, Figure 1. This lever is
turned back in the position shewn at Figure 2 in order to liberate the
block to withdraw the same and to drive it home in the gun, and for this
purpose these motions can be imparted to the block by means of the
lever itself. The withdrawal of the block brings the extractor from the
position indicated at Figure 1 and 3 to that shewn at Figure 2 for the
purpose of extracting the empty shell of the previous charge. The
extractor consists in a metal strip with bevelled edges, see Figure 4, and
which slides in a similarly shaped groove formed in the breech. Its
forward end is provided with a hook e', which rides over the rim of the
cartridge, and on its under face with a pin or stud e², entering the
groove e cut in the upper face of the block; this latter groove assuming
a diagonal direction at its outer extremity imparts to the extractor at the
latter part of the traction of the block the requisite motion for extracting
the empty shell. g¹ is a cavity made in the upper and lateral faces of the
block for the reception of the hook when the said block is withdrawn.
It will be remarked at Figures 1, 2, 5, and 5ª that the recess g is
bevelled on one side of its front face for the purpose of driving the cart-
ridge in the bore of the gun when the block is being pushed home. This
gun is fired either by an ordinary friction fuse, and for this purpose I
make a groove f in the breech or in the breech block for the passage of
a lanyard, or by percussion, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, of which
Figure 5 is a plan partially in section, and Figure 6 a longitudinal
elevation. In either case I make use of central-fire cartridges. In
these two Figures is the firing pin placed within the block, and con-
sisting in a hammer pivoted horizontally on a pin i¹ fixed in the block,
and terminated at one of its extremcities by a firing point 3, which strikes
the end of the cartridge through a small hole made in the front face of
the block, and at the other extremity by an eye, to which the usual
lanyard is attached. The dotted lines represent the position of the
hammer at the time of the percussion. A spring j serves to maintain
he hammer either in contact with the cartridge or at the required
listance from the same for igniting it by percussion.
In order to avoid that the gun may be fired at any other time but
hat when the block is in its proper place and the hammer turned in the

page_text: position indicated at Figure 5, I adapt to the said hammer i a small
projection, which, coming in contact with a corresponding projection f¹
on the lever (shewn in dotted lines, Figure 5), prevents any motion
being imparted to the same so long as the lever ƒ assumes an horizontal
position, as indicated at Figure 6, but which, on the contrary, passes
freely above the said stop f', when the lever assumes a vertical position,
and thus locks the gun.
Second Improvement.-Figures 7 and 8, of which Figure 7 is a longi-
tudinal elevation, and Figure 8 a rear elevation of the gun, the block
being pushed home in both Figures. According to this arrangement
the block dis placed vertically in the gun a, and its lower extremity
jointed to the elevating screw k; and to lock and to liberate the block I
make use of a lever jointed to the breech a, and the projection of
which penetrates in a cavity f of the block when the same is driven
home, see Figure 8. This gun is simply worked by raising and lowering
its breech on the block, which remain stationary, and for this purpose it
is balanced on its trunnions with as much precision as possible. The
clevating screw itself is rotated by means of a pair of bevel wheels 1, 1,
the latter acting as a nut, and both turning in a swinging frame m.
This application is not however limited to the peculiar construction of
elevating screw above described and represented in the Drawings, and if
desirable the breech block can be worked independently of the elevating
screw.
In both the above improvements the block may be shortened by
suppressing the part cross lined in red, Figures 1, 2, 5, and 5. It is
also evident that in this arrangement (the usual gas checks may be
suppressed, since the cartridge itself answers the same purpose, and
consequently the block can slide freely in the breech, its faces being
perfectly parallel.
Third Improvement.-Figures 9 to 12, of which Figure 9, a sectional
plan; Figure 10, a longitudinal elevation, also in section; Figure 11,
a rear elevation; and Figure 12, a transverse section through A, A,
Figure 9, of a central bolt cannon, to which I have adapted my metallic
cartridges. In these Figures a is the cannon; b, the bore; c, the lateral
opening for the introduction of the charge and the ejection of the empty
shell; d, the central bolt; e, the extractor; i, the firing pin; S, the
working lever; and n, 2, 3, the parts serving to arm automatically the
firing pin when the block is driven home.

page_text: With regard to the gun itself it will be observed that since my cart-
ridges act as gas checks the use of special mechanism for tightening up
the block can be dispensed with, and instead of a thread simple parallel
shoulders o divided on the circumference of the block answer every
purpose required.
To work this gun the projectile is first introduced through the
opening c, and then the cartridge with its rim under the hook e' of the
extractor e, the block is then pushed home by means of the lever f, and
a partial rotary motion imparted to the same in order to fix it in the
breech, during which latter motion the extractor remains stationary,
since it is placed in a groove e³ parallel to the axis of the gun, and its
tail e is turned up and penetrates in the circular T shaped groove e³ of
the block, see Figure 10. In order to insert this tail piece the groove is
cut away or opened at one part of the circumference of the block. The
firing pin i is made self-cocking. For this purpose it is provided at the
outer face of the block with an arm n, which during the partial rotation
of the block comes in contact with an inclined plane n', on which it
rises, and on continuing this rotation it is lodged in the nick made in the
bolt ; when in this position the pin is withdrawn sufficiently to firo
the cartridge by pulling the arm out of its nick by means of a lanyard,
in such case the spring producing the requisite sudden forward motion
of the pin. After firing the block dis withdrawn bringing with it the
empty shell by the action of the extractor, and the different parts being
in the position shewn at Figure 9 the ejector p throws the shell out of
the gun.
If desired, a friction fuse may be used in this kind of gun by sup-
pressing the parts i, j, n, n¹, n³, and by making a straight vent hole in
the centre of the bolt.
By the use of my cylindrical and right angle fractional shoulders to
maintain the bolt, all danger of the bolt unscrewing at the moment of
firing is avoided.
SECOND PART.
Metallic Cartridges This improvement consiste in the construction

page_text: In order that this improvement be clearly understood I will proceed
to describe it fully conjointly with the 52 Figures of the second Sheet of
Drawings hereto annexed, of which Figures 1, 2, 3, 29, and 30 represent
isolated shells; Figures 4 to 9, isolated reinforces; Figure 10, the
assemblage of a shell and a reinforce; Figures 11 to 16, isolated bases;
and the other 34 Figures various constructions and assemblages of
cartridges with their priming, as well as detached views of different
primings.
The Shell. I make my shell of metal, preferably iron tinned, the
thickness of which varies according to the diameter of the cartridge. I
roll this sheet iron in the shape of a cylinder by means of appropriate
tools or machinery, and with its end q' turned in at right angles, sec
Figure 1, its scam merely overlapping, see Figure 2, or double lapped,
as at Figure 3, and I prefer making these seam joints tight by means of
solder. I also make use for the same purpose of metallic tubes drawn
with a central opening, as shown in Figures 29 and 30. I also effect the
ejectment of the empty shell by means of the extractor only by placing
the latter in the position indicated in red lines, Figure 9, the spring p
being dispensed with. I have also represented in red lines the position
of the empty shell at the moment the block is drawn out, showing tho
direction imparted to the shell by the pressure of the extractor.
-
The Reinforce. This part consists in a cup, preferably of tinned iron.
Its turned up edge may be tapered, as shown in the Drawing. I adapt
the same to the shell in order that at the part where it is united the cart-
ridge will offer an adequate resistance at the moment of the explosion.
I adapt one or more of these cups to one cartridge, either internally,
or externally, or both.
As above-mentioned, Figures 4, 5, and 6 aro sectional clevations, and
Figures 7, 8, and 9, plans of three different descriptions of reinforces.
Figure 10 represents the internal application of the reinforce, shown at
Figures 4 and 7; Figure 40, the adaptation of an internal and an external
reinforce to one shell; and Figure 41 a similar shell with two internal
reinforces.

page_text: Figures 11, 12, and 13 are sectional elevations, and Figures 14, 15,
and 16 plans of three different kinds of bases, which I make use of for
my metallic cartridges. Figures 11 and 14 represent a flat base with
beveled edges intended to receive as a primer an ordinary rifle cart-
ridge; Figures 12 and 15, a similar base with straight edges; and
Figures 13 and 16, a base with a compressed chamber intended to
receive various kinds of primers with their anvils, as hereafter described.
Modes of Uniting the Metallic Cartridges.-I will actually indicate
different ways of uniting or assembling the above-described parts in order
to constitute a metallic cartridge complete and ready to receive its primer
and charge of powder.
Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, and Figure 18 a plan
of a complete cartridge composed of a shell 9, of an internal reinforcer,
and of a beveled edge base 8, united by means of three rivets & with
countersunk heads. With this arrangement I use as a primer an
ordinary rifle cartridge, which I charge with fine powder in order to
ignite with certainty the coarser powder of the cartridge; and in order
to protect this little cartridge at the moment of the explosion I raise on
the reinforce a small internal flange r¹, which surrounds the same and
consolidates it.
Figure 19 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, and Figure 20 a plan
of a cartridge composed of a shell q, an internal reinforce », and a base 8,
which are screwed together by a thread cut on the outside of the
chamber 8¹ of the base, and which screws into the inner flange r¹ of the
reinforce, tapped for that purpose. The primer used in this arrangement
is of a special nature, and is inserted in the cavity of the base.
Figure 21 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, and Figure 22 a plan
of a cartridge composed of a shell q, of two internal reinforces r, and of
a chambered base 8, united together by three screws u, tapped in the
shell as well as in the two reinforces. The primer in this case is similar
to that of Figure 19, but the edges of its anvil are turned inwards, as
well as those of the chamber in which it is inserted. One of the advan-
tages of this arrangement, as well as of the one precedingly described,
consists in the facility of disconnecting the parts by taking out the
screws and replacing such of the said parts or screws as may have been
damaged by firing or otherwise.

page_text: Figure 23 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, and Figure 24 a plan
of a cartridge composed of a shell q, an external and an internal
reinforce r, r, and a base 8, united by means of three bolts with counter-
sunk licads and three nuts &¹. The chamber of this cartridge may be
provided with a primer such as that shewn at Figure 19, or any such
primer may be completely dispensed with and the firing effected by an
ordinary friction primer, the flame from which will reach the charge of
powder through the small central hole &' of the chamber.
Figure 23 is a partial sectional elevation of a cartridge consisting in a
shell q, one internal and one external reinforce r, and a base 8, con-
taining its primer. In this case I make a round hole in the base, and
form the chamber for the primer by a depression in the shell and the
reinforces.
Figure 25 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, and Figure 26 a plan
of a cartridge with a conical shell q, an external reinforcer, and a base 8,
united by rivets t. This cartridge is cylindrical from its base to the top
of the reinforce, from thence it tapers regularly to its extremity. Its.
form is advantageous, inasmuch as it affords a larger space for the
powder relatively to the diameter of the projectile, and a better com-
bustion; and in this matter I wish it to be understood that the point at
which the cone commences, as well as the angle it forms, may vary
according to circumstances when frictional firing is adopted. I plug
up with wood, cork, or any other appropriate material the priming
chamber 8, thus protecting the cartridge from damp or from accidental
discharge until required for use, when the plug must be withdrawn.
Figure 27 is a sectional longitudinal clevation, and Figure 25 a plan
of a cartridge similar to that represented, Figures 17 and 18, except as
regards its assemblage, which is effected by turning down the edge of
the small cartridge w used as a primer over the inner flange of the
reinforce.
Figure 31 is a sectional longitudinal clevation, and Figure 32 a plan
of a cartridge composed of a drawn shell q and a base 8, united by three
rivets t. According to this arrangement the base of the shell is closed,
and contains a chamber q³ pierced with two small holes, neither of which
coincide with the one made in the chamber 8' of the base. During the
explosion the chamber q³ of the shell is flattened down on the chamber
of the base, and in consequence of this compression it is not possible for

page_text: the gases to pass out at the hole in the chamber of the base. This cart-
ridge can be furnished with its own primer, or it may be fired by means
of an ordinary friction primer adapted to the cannon in the usual
manner.
Figure 31 a sectional elevation, and Figure 32 a plan of another
arrangement for the same purpose, in which I replace the chamber q² of
the shell by a flexible metallic tongue x, fixed at one of its extremities
between the shell and the base, whilst its other extremity, which is free,
cither rests on the chamber 8' of the base covering its central hole, or
may be slightly raised from the same during the explosion of the
fulminate. This little tongue is thrown back, and allows of the free
ignition of the powder in the cartridge, but the explosion of this powder
throws the tongue rapidly back on the chamber, and thus intercepts all
outward passage of the flame.
Figure 33 is a sectional longitudinal elevation, and Figure 34 a plan
of a cartridge consisting in a drawn tube q and a chambered base s¹,
united by throwing over on the base of the shell four (this number may
vary) small lugs y, raised out of the metal of the chamber. This modo
of fastening may also be applied to my reinforces.
Figures 33 and 34ª represent a modification of this arrangement, in
which I countersink the upper face of the central hole in the base of the
shell, and upset or compress in the same a portion of metal borrowed
from the chamber of the base.
Figure 35 is a partial sectional elevation, and Figure 46 a plan of a
cartridge consisting in a shell q, an internal reinforce r, and a chambered
base 8, united by the rivets t. In this arrangement the chambers' is
formed with a tit projecting inwardly, and acting as an anvil; its
upper face is pierced with one or more small holes for the passage of the
flame. An ordinary capsule may be used as a primer in this cartridge.
Figure 36 is a partial sectional elevation, and Figure 46 a plan of a
cartridge consisting in a shell g, an internal reinforce r, and a flat bases,
united by rivets. With this arrangement I also make use of an ordinary
cap, and I form the anvil by means of the central part of the reinforce,
which is turned up in the shape of a hollow tit.
Figure 37 is a partial sectional elevation, and Figure 47 a plan of a
cartridge consisting in a shell q, an internal reinforce r, a chambered

page_text: base 8, and a lining placed between the shell and the base, these parts
being united by screws tapped into the lining, the shell, and the rein-
force. The object of the lining is to bring the bottom of the shell,
which is its weakest point, more forward in the bore of the cannon, and
consequently to diminish the strain at this place. This lining piece may
be made of metal, such as iron, or of any other durable material capable
of resisting the force of the explosion.
Figure 38 is a partial sectional elevation, and Figuro 47 a plan of a
cartridge consisting in a shell 7, an internal reinforce », a chambered
base 8, and a lining assuming the shape of a cup and inserted between
the shell and the reinforce, these four parts being united by screws 1.
Figure 39 is a partial sectional elevation, and Figure 48 a plan of a
cartridge consisting in a shell 9, two internal reinforces r, 1, (the inner
one of which is provided with a chamber), and a base 8, united by
rivets t. The object of this arrangement is to prevent the escape of gases
during the explosion of the cartridge, as it has been explained with
reference to Figures 31 and 32. With the same object in view, the
chamber in the reinforce can be replaced by a tongue, such as described
with reference to Figures 31, 32ª.
Figure 42 is a detached sectional view of the cartridge primer above
described, and represented at Figures 17 and 27.
Figure 43 is a detached sectional elevation of the primer represented
in the Figure 21; Figure 44 is a similar detached view of its anvil; and
Figure 45 a detached section of its cover before being turned down on
the anvil.
I have represented at Figure 23 a cap c* adapted to the extremity of
the cartridge in order to maintain the powder and protect it against
humidity. In certain cases, before applying this cap, I fill the extremity
of the cartridge with grease in order to lubricate the bore of the gun
during the explosion; and if desirable, with the same object in view, I
make a series of small holes in the said cap for tho purpose of dispersing
the said grease in the bore.
As I have before stated, my special construction of cartridges admits
of their component parts being easily separated, with the view of
replacing any of them which may be damaged, or for any other purpose.
I also state that I can, with the different parts of which they are com-

page_text: posed, make up with the said clements different other combinations of
cartridges, which it is superfluous to indicate, augmenting or diminishing
at the same time the numbers of rivets, screws, or bolts employed for
that purpose. Finally, I also state that these kinds of cartridges have
many advantages by reason of their being entirely metallic, and in this
respect they correspond with similar advantages enjoyed by analogous
cartridges for rifles and other small arms.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would
have it understood that what I claim is,―
1st. The special arrangement and construction of cannon, above
described and illustrated in the Figures of Sheet 1 annexed, for the use
of metallic cartridges with automatic extraction.
2nd. The incline cut on one side of the opening g of the block d for
the purpose of driving home the cartridge, as above described.
3rd. The special construction and adaptation of the lever for working
and locking the block, as above described.
4th. The construction, adaptation, and working of the extractor, as
above described.
5th. The general arrangement and construction of the hammer,
together with the safety arrangement for preventing the possibility of
firing the cannon if the different parts are not in their proper position.
6th. The construction and adaptation of the breech block placed ver-
tically, and attached or not to the elevating screw, as described.
7th. The arrangement and construction of parts, Figures 9, 10, 11,
and 12, with reference mainly to the mode of maintaining the central
bolt against the base of the cartridge during the explosion, the automatic
cocking arrangement, the automatic ejection of the shell without the use
of a special spring, and the mode of working the extractor and its con-
nection with the central bolt.
8th. The modes of construction and of uniting my metallic cartridges,
as above described.
9th. Specially the mode of uniting the component parts of my
cartridge, as above described, and illustrated in Figures 33. 34. 33ª

page_text: 10th. The use and adaptation of linings or packing with reference to
Figures 37 and 38. The mode of forming the primer chambers or
cavities either in the base or in the reinforces and the shell.
11th. The safety arrangement illustrated in Figures 31ª and 32*.
12th. The mode, indicated and described, of forming the anvil of a
primer either in the base or in the-reinforce of my metallic cartridges.
13th. The use and adaptation of an ordinary metallic rifle cartridge
as a primer to my cannon cartridge, as above described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.B.)