Year: 1850

page_text: MELVILLE AND CALLOW'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, the
said ALEXANDER MELVILLE, of No. 50, Baker Street, Portman Square,
Gentleman, in the County of Middlesex, and EDWARD CALLOW, of
Park Road, Stockwell, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain,
bearing date at Westminster, the Sixth day of October, in the
fourteenth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto us, the said
Alexander Melville and Edward Callow, our exors, adñiors, and
assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole priviledge and authority,
that we, the said Alexander Melville and Edward Callow, our
exors, adñiors, and assigns, and such others as we, the said
Alexander Melville and Edward Callow, our exors, admors, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of

page_text: Berwick upon Tweed, and in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
MUSKETS, CANNON, AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS, AND IN EXPLOSIVE COMPOSITIONS
AND INSTRUMENTS;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso, requiring that we, the said Alexander Melville and Edward
Callow, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by
an instrument in writing under our hands and seals (or one of us),
to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will
more fully and at large appear.
in
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Alexander Melville, do hereby declare the nature of our said In-
vention to be duly ascertained and described in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the four Sheets of Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters of reference inarked thereon
(that is to say):
Our Invention relates, first, to improvements in muskets, cannon,
and other fire-arms; secondly, to improvements in explosive com-
pounds, the expansive force of which is applicable for throwing
projectiles in conjunction with the fire-arms herein-after described,
and also for blasting and other purposes; thirdly, to improvements
in shells and other explosive instruments. The principal object of our
improvements in muskets and in cannon is to facilitate the loading
of such instruments.

page_text: tudinal vertical section of the same, with the breech a, a, in position
for loading. The moving breech a of the gun (is shewn separately
at Figures 7 and 8, Sheet B,) in which the bore 6 terminates, is
mounted on a pin c, on which it revolves or moves. The part a, as
will be seen by reference to the several Figures, is accurately fitted
within the part d, d, which constitutes the external part of the
breech. This consists of the two cheeks embracing the part a, which,
with the nose e for the reception of the barrel f, and the tail picce
g, are forged in one piece. In addition to the pin c, the back piece
h serves also as an abuttment for the recoil of the breech a. The
barrel, it will be observed, is screwed into the nose piece e, the rake
of the screw being such that one half turn of the barrel causes
sufficient traverse of the barrel to withdraw it from contact with
the breech a, as seen at Figure 6. The union of the Barrel f, and
breech a, is effected in such manner as to sure the exact
coincidence of the bore. For this purpose the face of the breech
a has a recess i, forming a conical projection k around the bore
b. The recess i receives the end of the barrel, which has a conical
concavity in the end, to receive the conical projection k. The sur-
rounding surface of a is fitted to the inside of the nose piece c, at
an inclination to admit of a perfect junction therewith. I, is the
hammer fitted to and moving on the pin c as a fulcrum, a recess
being formed in the under side of the breech a, for its reception.
This hammer as here represented fires the charge by the direct act
of percussion, which we prefer in firing our improved explosive
compound or powder, although it may be fired by the percussion
cap, as herein-after described. The hammer is acted on by a spring
m, somewhat in the ordinary manner, and is retained and released
at the half and full cock as usual by the trigger n. The trigger n
in this instance is mounted on a pin o, supported by two projections
P, p, from the moveable breech a, so that the spring g, which acts
upon it to hold the hammer, also tends to depress the back end of
the breech, thereby causing it to revolve on the pin c, when the breech
a is released. The external breech is fitted and fixed to the stock
in the ordinary manner, but the barrell f is so attached by its straps

page_text: ,, that sufficient freedom for rotation is permitted. In order to
limit the rise of the breech a, a stop is provided at s, which comes
in contract with the fixed part of the breech as seen at Figure 6, the
breech a having sufficient inclination for the purpose required.
A thumb piece t is provided for rotating the barrel, which thumb
piece is thrown alternately on either side, as seen by the dotted
lines Figure 3 and 4, as the breech is to be released or secured.
The action of this gun is as follows: In lowering the gun
from the shoulder after firing, the thumb of the left hand is applied
to the thumb picce t, and the barrel forced round about half a turn;
this causes the barrel to recede from the recess in the brecch a,
whereby the breech is released when the action of the trigger spring
7 throws up the breech a to the position shewn in Figure 6. It
will be observed that the hammer 1, whose relative position with the
breech after firing is represented by dotted lines in Figure 3, does
not alter that position during the rising of the breech, it being retained
by contact with a stop u on the stock. The breech a is thus raised
clear of the hammer, when the cartridge may be inserted and pushed
to the bottom of the bore by the finger. By the retention of the
haimmer on the stop u, the trigger, by the movement of the breech,
assumes the position of half cock with reference to the haminer, as
indicated at Figure 6. The charge having been inserted in the bore
b, the breech is depressed by the right hand, to assume the direct
line of the barrel, which is at the same time by the thumb of the
left hand caused to perform the retrogade movement; by which
the end thereof re-enters the recess i, and effectually secures the
breech in the firing position. By the depression of the brecch
the hammer and trigger. are brought to the position of half cock,
represented at Figure 3: The hammer is subsequently raised to the
full cock, in order to discharge as in ordinary, and represented at
Figure 2. In using our explosive compounds or powders in muskets
we prefer to explode it by the act of percussion, for which purpose
a needle v is affixed to the haminer by means of a binding screw w ;
this needle v enters the barrel by an opening a. The length of the
needle v is adjusted so that the hammer is arrested by the stop u

page_text: at the moment of contact of the needle with a steel pin y, so as to
prevent the force of the hammer taking effect on the needle point
except by the intervention of the powder between its point and the
pin y, adjusted for the purpose.
In order the better to insure the explosion of the powder we
mould the charge of a form terminating in a point similar to the
form of the barrel, by which means only a small portion of the
powder intervenes between the needle and the pin y, on which the
needle takes immediate effect with the entire force of the haminer..
Figure 9, Sheet B, represents ball cartridges formed according to
our Invention, the one containing a conical, and the other a spherical
bullet. The bullets are simply attached by paper or other suitable
envelope enclosing a charge of powder moulded to the form.
proper
Figure 10, represents a detached view of our improved musket
breech adapted for firing by means of a percussion cap. The
hammer is represented mounted on the pin c, as before, but this may
be modified, and the ordinary hammer action substituted. In this
case a spring 'a' is applied to raise the breech, which should be of
sufficient strength to overcome the hammer spring, and also to throw
up the breech a, which, when released, carry's up the hammer to half
cock. The trigger n is in this instance on a stationary fulcrum,
and retains the hammer so raised on the readjustment of the brecch
to the barrel after loading. The percussion cap is then applied to
the nipple b, which is exploded in the ordinary manner by the fall
of the hammer I, from full cock as well understood. A portion of
the covering of the powder must be removed as usual, in firing by
means of the cap. In case of firing by means of the percussion cap,
it is not necessary that the bore b should terminate in a point, or
that the powder should be moulded in the form before mentioned.
Figure 11, represents a side elevation, Figure 12, an under side
plan, and Figure 13, end view of a modification of our improved
breech-loading musket, in, which the necessity for moving the
barrel is dispensed with. The whole of the breech is constructed_
as before described, with the exception of the apparatus for locking
the moving part a. In this instance the barrel is secured per-.

page_text: without the projecting end that
There is no such recess in this
manently to the breech, and is
is received into the recess i.
arrangement, the inclined end of the moving part a being simply
well fitted to the inclined end of the barrel. A hoop is accurately
fitted to the exterior of the breech so as to slide thereon. It has
-two lugs e, el, attached by pin joints to the arms f, f. These
arms are affixed to a short shaft g' mounted in bearings on the
under side of the breech. A hand level h¹ is affixed to shaft g¹,
by the movement of which to the position shewn in dotted lines
slides the hoop d along the barrel, and discloses the junction of
the moving breech a with the barrel, leaving it free to be acted on
as described with reference to the other Figures. On readjusting
the moveable breech after loading, the hoop d' is again slided up
to position which retains the breech, and ensures the coincidence
of the bore b with the bore of the barrel, and at the same time
covers and encloses the junction of the breech with the barrel. The
action of the lock and other parts are the same as have been
before described with reference to the other Figures, and thereforc
do not require recapitulation. In firing by percussive force direct
on the charge we sometimes arrange the needle detached from the
hamnier, as represented at Figure 14, Sheet B; here the needle is
shewn inserted from the top of the breech, and is fixed in a small
piston and rod a kept permanently elevated by a spring b¹, the
upper part or rod of the piston being projected through a cap c
that encloses the whole. The hammer of the gun is caused to act
on the top of the rod a, as before described, or as in the ordinary
gun, so as to strike the top of the rod, thus forcing the needle in
rapid contact with the charge. The motion of the needle is confined
by the hammer coming in contact with the cap c, or being otherwise
restricted in its motion. On raising the hammer from contact with
the rod a, the spring again forces it up to its original position in
readinness for a repetition of the stroke. These arrangements are
also applicable to other firc-arms.
The foregoing improvements in muskets are equally applicable
to the use of ordinary gunpowder, the only necessary difference in

page_text: their arrangements is that a greater length of bore is required in
the breech for the increased bulk of the powder. Our improvements
in cannon have reference also to arrangements whereby the loading
is effected at the breech, and also to enable the entire working of
the gun by the men without dismounting from the carriage. These
guns are equally applicable for naval or military purposes.
Figure 15, represents our improved gun, with so much of the
carriage as necessary to explain the improvements. Figure 16, is
a longitudinal vertical section of the same; Figure 17, a plan of the
carriage; Figure 18, an end view of Figure 15; and Figure 19, a
transverse vertical section at the line 1, 2; and Figures 20 and 21,
some of the parts detached. This gun a, a, has the bore cut through
the breech, as seen in the section Figure 16, to allow the traverse
A transverse opening is
of a plug b, which is fitted to the bore c.
cut in the breech rather larger than the bore, into which a plug e
is fitted. These plugs 6 and e may, where the guns are of small
calibre, be moved by hand; but in large guns the gearing will be
necessary. This gearing consists of a rack f, for the movement of
the plug b, which is attached thereto, the rack f taking into a
pinion f¹ on a cross shaft g, with hand wheel h, by communicating
motion to which the plug b is introduced or withdrawn to or from
the bore. The cross shaft g is mounted on bearings i, i, attached
to the end of the gun, and the rack is received in a channel cut in
the upper part of the bore at the breech. The cross plug is caused
to traverse by a screw k, furnished with a hand wheel, and mounted
in a frame / secured to the gun. The screw k is fitted to the plug
e, and which, according to the direction of motion, inserts or with-
draws the plug e. This plug is slightly tapered, so that a perfect
fit is secured when forced home. The action of loading is this:-
The cross plug e is first withdrawn to the position represented in
the section Figure 19, where it is clear of the bore; the plug bis
then withdrawn by the wheel and rack until it passes behind the
transverse opening d. The charge in the form of a cartridge is then
inserted at the open side of d, and placed in the line of the bore.
The plug bis then returned to its position, carrying with it the

page_text: charge until the plug passes the opening d. The cross plug is now
returned and forced up to its place. In order to ensure contact of
the plugs b and e, the plug bis drawn back on the plug e. This
movement must be very slight, as the charge should be as near as
possible in contact with the plug b. Firing the charge may then
be effected by percussion as described with reference to Figure 14,
Sheet B, a hammer or other suitable instrument being used to effect
the blow, or a percussion tube may be employed, as well under-
stood.
Our improvements in gun carriages consist in so mounting the
gun, so that the bed or lower framework may remain stationary,
and, in the case of ships guns, be fixed to the deck. The side
frames in, in, which support the trunions, are mounted on a dove-
tail metal slide, better seen in the cross section Figure 19; these
frames m, m, are connected by a stay n, and have also cross bars
0, 0¹, at the lower part, which are securely fixed thereto. Longi-
tudinal bars of iron p, p, are fixed to the frame 2, 9 which bars
support helical springs r, r, r, r. A cross bar & is fixed to the
frame q, to take the end thrust of the fore springs. The object of
the springs is to receive the shock consequent on the recoil of the
gun, so as to allow of the necessary motion in the gun, at the same
time permitting the fixing of its carriage. Stops t, t, are provided
for terminating the recoil in the event of its overcoming the entire
resistance of the springs. In order to break the return of the gun
by the force of the springs ", ?, r, ", short springs u, u, are introduced
to break the blow. Instead of the helical springs here represented,
buffer springs similar to those used for railway carriages may be
adopted. In pointing the gun, instead of moving the whole gun
carriage as usual, we mount the frame 7 on a lower platform v, v,
connected with the ammunition waggon, or the platforin v may be
the deck of a ship, in such manner that the whole upper carriage
may revolve about a centre: (see under side plan, Figure 20.) For
this purpose a toothed ring w, is firmly secured to the frame 9, 9, by
its flange. This ring is provided with an internal flange, which is
accurately fitted with an inner ring a, separately shewn at

page_text: Figure 21. The inner ring is securely bolted by its flange to the
platforin v. The two rings are so fitted that sufficient freedom is
permitted to turn one within the other, yet at the same time hold
the two frames q and securely together. An endless screw y,
with its shaft, is fitted to the platform v, v, furnished with a hand
wheel z, by coininunicating motion to which the upper carriage will
be caused to move about its centre, thereby pointing the gun in any
required direction. A quadrant of teeth on the periphery of the
ring w will be sufficient for the purposes required. By the appli-
cation of these arrangements to artillery, the elevation when once
attained will not be disturbed in varying the direction of the gun,
as the platform being first brought to a horizontal position, the gun
will maintain the same clevation when pointed in any direction;
whereas, by the ordinary arrangements, noving the whole gun
carriage for the purpose of pointing, the elevation is constantly
disturbed. The elevating screw for this gun has its supporting
frame connected with the side frames m, m, by horizontal bars e¹, ¹,
which cause the screw to participate in the recoil of the gun.
Figures 22, 23, and 24, represent a modification of the gun last
herein described, in which the bore terminates in the cross plug e;
Figure 22, is a transverse section, Figures 23, a longitudinal
section, and Figures 24, a front elevation of the breech. In this.
case the external form of the breech is modified to dispose the
metal to advantage, and the cross plug enlarged to permit the
formation of the bore within the plug, and at the same time render
it of sufficient strength to resist the explosive force of the the charge
introduced. The depth of bore b in the plug e must be sufficient
to contain the entire charge, which is introduced by traversing the
plug as before described to the position shewn in dotted lines.
The charge is then inserted and the plug returned to position,
the charge is fired as before mentioned. In this case the plug e
should be of considerable taper, in order that any unequal expansion.
of the plug and the surrounding breech will not set the plug fast.
Fig. 25, represents a side elevation of another of our
improved breech-loading guns; Figure 26, a vertical longitudinal

page_text: section; Figure 27, a plan; Figure 28, an end view; Figure 29, a
cross section on the line 3, 3, Figure 27; and Figure 30, a cross
section of the same on the line 44. This gun previously to being
bored has a cylindrical concavity bored from the breech end of the
gun, eccentric to and of a diameter considerably larger than the
bore of the gun, as seen in the cross sections. This cavity is
accurately filled with a plug a, a, which intersects the bore of the
gun at its horizontal diameter. This plug having been so fitted,
the bore of the gun is cut quite through, removing that portion of
the plug crossing the bore. A plug b is fitted to the back end of
the bore, and is secured in its place by a semi-circular piece c,
inserted in a recess cut in the body of the metal sufficiently strong
to resist the back force of the charge. A traversing screw d and
hand wheel is mounted on the frame e, by which the plug a is
traversed the distance required for the purposes of loading. The
loading is effected through an opening f in the top of the gun, of
the exact width of the bore, and of sufficient length to receive the
charge. In loading this gun it is simply necessary to withdraw the
plug a clear of the opening f, when the charge may be placed in the
gun by hand; the plug is then returned to its position, in which it
is forced hard up by the traversing screw, and being a good fit the
whole will be rendered sufficiently tight to confine the explosive
material, and control its expansive force to produce its entire effect
on the projectile to be thrown from the gun. Although we have
represented the plug in this case of a cylindrical form as being of
ready construction, it may be rendered equally applicable of a
rectangular or other form in its cross section.
Figure 31, represents another of our improved breech-loading
guns in side elevation; while Figures 32 and 33, represent trans-
verse and longitudinal vertical sections of the same.
This gun
breech is constructed and arranged somewhat like an ordinary
plug tap, having a rotary plug, which is alternately turned at
different angles, to receive the charge and discharge the same.
A conical opening is bored through the breech, into which the
plug a is accurately fitted and ground. The plug is secured-in

page_text: position by a screw nut c, and plate b, brought close up to the
plug. In order to prevent the expansion of the plug setting
it tight, we introduce on one half of the circumference of
the plug seating a paching d, d, of wood or some other sufficiently
resisting material, to withstand the force of the explosion, and at
the same time yielding enough to maintain the necessary freedom
of motion in the plug. A gland e, e, is introduced to compress the
packing, if required; suitable stops are provided to restrict the
rotation of the plug to the proper limit, which will also shew that
the bore in the plug is in exact coincidence with the bore of the
gun; this must be always observed before firing. A hand lever f
is represented as the means of moving the plug; other arrangements
may, however, be readily adapted for the purpose. The action is
simply this: the plug a is turned to the position shewn in
Figure 32, when the charge is inserted through a hole in the top of
the gun, the depth of bore in the plug a is sufficient to contain the
entire charge, which is then turned back to coincide with the bore
of the gun, and may then be fired immediately. In manufacturing
these improved breech-loading guns we prefer, when practicable,
that they should be made of wrought iron, well faggotted together,
in order to render them as light as possible consistent with strength;
but in all cases that the plugs and other parts immediately affected,
or having to resist the explosion, should be so found.
Figure 34, represents a longitudinal vertical section, and Figure 35,
a plan of a musket, constructed on the principle of the gun lastly
herein described, which will not require any particular description;
any existing difference being simply such as to adapt the breech for
insertion in the stock to which it is fitted. For the purpose of
firing we apply the nipple for the reception of the percussion cap
on the top of the breech, from which a passage is bored to the
bottom of the bore in the plug in such position that it is in coin-
cidence simultaneously with the junction of the bore. The needle
represented in Figure 14, Sheet C, may also be applied to this gun,
taking care that the effect of the spring is sufficient to withdraw the
needle entirely from the plug;.or, instead of this, the needle hammer

page_text: may be arranged, as first described, to strike through from below,
when the plug'a is in a position for firing.
The second part of our Invention relates to improvements in ex.
plosive compounds, or improved gunpowder, which is adapted either
for the purposes of blasting rock, or occasioning other disruption, and
also to act on projectiles. We do not confine ourselves to the precise
proportion of the materials under-mentioned, as they may be varied
but we beleive the quantities given to be attended with the most
beneficial result. These explosive compounds consist of the following
combinations, in which the several parts are determined by weight.
Compound No. 1, consists of two parts of chlorate or oxymuriate
of potash, and one part of orpiment or red sulphuret of arsenic.
Compound No., 2, five parts of chlorate of potash, one part of
prussiate or ferrocyanate of potash, and two parts of orpiment.
Compound No. 3, one part of chlorate of potash, and one part of
prussiate of potash. In the manipulation of either of these com-
pounds the materials must be thoroughly comminuted by means of
grinding mills, edge runners, or other bruising or grinding surfaces,
care being taken that the whole are so treated separately. In order
to test and ensure the necessary reduction. of the particles, the
matters are severally passed by hand through hair scives of the
required fineness, and the larger particles rejected for further reduc-
tion. It must be observed that the finer the particles of the coin-
pound the more perfect will be the combustion, and the more active
in effect. Having passed the whole of the materials through the
necessary seive, they are then mixed intimately together in the
desired proportion by placing them in a seive together, in which
they are mixed, and at the same time again passed through the
scive. To insure perfect combination this may be repeated two or
three times. During this operation great care must be observed,
as, the mixture being of a detonating character, all tendency to
percussive force taking effect on it must be avoided. When the
compounds are thus intimately mixed, they may then be damped
sufficiently for the purpose of moulding or granulation, according
as the compound may be prepared in grain or in a solid state.

page_text: Figure 37, Sheet B, respresents a section and plan of a mould for a
mining cartridge; and Figure 38, vertical and cross sections of the
cartridge. The mould consists simply of a tube a, a, with a pro-
jection on the interior, which, when the charge is moulded
therein, produces a vertical cavity for the insertion of the fuse.
The charge is removed from the mould, and inserted in the ordinary
cartridge case, as shown at Figure 37, to which the fuse is applied
in the usual manner.
Figure 38, represents a plan and section of moulds for musket
charges, in which, as also the mining cartridges, the compounds
are moulded in a damp state, and which become of a solid through
friable substance, in which state the moulded masses are made
up into cartridges as described. Instead of forming the whole
of the charge for mining cartridges in a solid state, the case
may be charged with the compound in a powder, and the case
stopped at the top in the usual manner, or a solid piece of the com-
pound may be used and placed at top for that purpose. The
moulded compounds are allowed to dry slowly, and when thoroughly
dry are ready for use; while in the damp state their combustion
will be slow and without explosion. These compounds may be
mixed with other ingredients, as for instance where it is necessary
to weaken the mixture, and extend its force over a greater surface
as practised in inining operations or for other objects. The pro-
portions and materials given will, if properly carried out, result in
the perfect combustion of the whole, and will be attended, we believe,
with the best effect.
Our improvements in explosive instruments are represented at
Figures 39, 40, 41, and 42, which is several views of an improved
shell arranged to explode at the moment of striking. This shell,
which is filled with the materials before mentioned, or other
explosive compound, is furnished with three or more wings a, a, a,
which are represented collapsed at Figure 39, and as when inserted
in the gun; while Figure 40, represents the wings extended in the
act of flight, their purpose being to guide the missile so as to
inpinge on the nose. The wings are hinged at equal points b, b, b, of

page_text: the circumference at the rear, as seen in end view at Figure 41, and
collapsed to the form of the shell as represented at Figures 39 and
42. In order to explode the contents of the shell, the nose may
either be supplied with a percussion cap c, having a communication
to the interior, or with a rod d, as shown at Figure 40, which enters
the shell; and by breaking a globule containing a fulminating
material, or by the percussive force and small intervening portion
of the detonating contents of the shell, the whole will be exploded;
the wings a, a, a, guiding the shell in its flight, & ensure its
striking the desired object (if well directed) on the nose, thereby
ensuring the desired result.
Another explosive instrument is represented at Figures 43 and 44,
Sheet B, which consists of an arrow formed of a metal or other tube,
and loaded with our improved compounds, the object of which is to
discover an ambush, or to produce a light at any required spot within
range of bow shot, without the position of the discharge being dis-
covered. This arrow at the moment of contact with any object will
be exploded, and produce a light of greater or less duration, accord-
ing to the charge, and thereby exhibit the actions of the enemy. The
arrow, like the shell, is exploded on striking by means of a cap c, or
by the percussive force of the rod f, on a portion of the contents.
Figure 45, represents a side view of a cannon shot; Figure 46, an
end view, and Figure 47, a longitudinal section of the same; the
improvement of which consists in the application of a belt b, of lead
or other soft metal, to a hard metal shot a. The lead is cast in a
recess formed in the shot, by which it is firmly secured, the surface
of the lead being of greater diameter than the hard metal of the
shot. The bore of the gun for throwing this shot is to be rifled
similar to the ordinary rifle, by which the shot on being projected
will receive a rotary motion, as well understood. This improvement
is also applicable to shells and other like instruments.
Having described our Invention we would have it understood,
that we are aware some of the materials mentioned as component
parts of our improved explosive compounds have before been
similarly employed. We, therefore, do not claim such, except in the
combinations described; and that we claim as our Invention,-

page_text: First, the arrangement and construction of muskets, cannon, or
other fire-arms, whereby the loading is effected at the breech as
described and represented in the Drawings, or any mere modification
thereof, and also the arrangement of the gun lock represented in
Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Sheet A.
We also claim, secondly, the mode of mounting cannon described
and represented in Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, Sheet C.
Thirdly, we claim as our improvements in explosive compounds
the several combinations herein-before set forth.
Fourthly, we claim the application of wings in the manner
described to shells and other instruments.
Fifthly, we claim the application of a soft metal belt to shot for
the purpose described.
Sixthly, we claim the arrow represented at Figures 43 and 44,
furnished as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-