Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 28th Sept., 1888
I PIERRE AMBJORN COMTE DE SPARRE, of 1 Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
Hitherto in the manufacture of cartridges it has been usual to line or strengthen
the part of the case in which the powder is to be contained with another and shorter
tube so as to enable it to better resist the force of the explosion. These auxiliary
or strengthening tubes have never been fixed to the sides of the main or large tube of
the cartridge; they have simply been held in place against the large tube by the pressure
of the compressed paper at the base. This is objectionable because in order to permit
of the cartridges entering the chamber of the gun freely this chamber is made of
slightly larger diameter than the cartridge and the difference in diameter becomes
It follows that
greater as the chamber gradually becomes enlarged through use.
when the explosion takes place the large or main tube of the cartridge having to
support all the pressure of the gases against the wads and the projectiles expands
more rapidly than the small or strengthening tube and is liable to burst near the front
edge of the outer metal base or cup. The gases therefore escape and burn outside
the case.
This objection is still greater when the strengthening tube is of metal because this
tube being then relatively stronger the main tube expands more readily; besides if
the cartridge is accidentally pinched near the end of the inner metal tube this yields
inwards leaving a space between the two tubes into which the powder enters and
bursts the case when the explosion occurs.
Now according to my invention I firmly unite the whole surface of the strengthening
tube to the main or large tube by paste or other suitable material so that the two tubes
may form one very strong and very resisting body. The case is thus not liable to
burst near the outer metal base or cup owing to the separation of the two tubes, even
when the chamber of the gun has become enlarged by wear.
My invention applies to cartridges for both small and large arms.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Cartridges.
I, PIERRE AMBJORN COMTE DE SPARRE of 1 Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, France,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described, and ascertained in and by
the following statement:
Hitherto in the manufacture of cartridges it has been usual to line or strengthen
the part of the case in which the powder is to be contained with another and shorter
tube so as to enable it to better resist the force of the explosion. These auxiliary
or strengthening tubes have never been fixed to the sides of the main or large tube
of the cartridge; they have simply been held in place against the large tube by the
pressure of the compressed paper at the base. This is objectionable because in order
to permit of the cartridges entering the chamber of the gun freely this chamber is
made of slightly larger diameter than the cartridge and the difference in diameter
It follows
becomes greater as the chamber gradually becomes enlarged through use.
that when the explosion takes place the large or main tube of the cartridge having to
support all the pressure of the gases against the wads and the projectiles expands
more rapidly than the small or strengthening tube and is liable to burst near the front
edge of the outer metal base or cup. The gases therefore escape and burn outside the
case. This will be understood on reference to the annexed drawings Figure 1 of
which represents on an enlarged scale a cartridge or ordinary construction charged
with powder and shot, while Figure 2 shows the same cartridge after the explosion
and with the large or main tube burst. a is the main tube, the metal base, e the
lining or strengthening tube held in place by the pressure of the compressed paper
bases; P is the powder, c c c are paper wads, o a felt wad, and D the shot. The
arrows in Figure 2 indicate the way in which the cartridge case generally bursts and
the gases escape.
The objection above referred is still greater when the strengthening tube is of
metal, because this tube being then relatively stronger, the main tube expands
more readily besides if the cartridge is accidentally pinched near the end of
the inner metal tube this yields inwards leaving a space between the two tubes into
which the powder enters and bursts the case when the explosion occurs.
Now according to my invention I firmly unite the whole outer surface of the
strengthening tube e to the main or large tube a by paste or other suitable material
so that the two tubes may form one very strong and very resisting body. The case
is thus not liable to burst near the outer metal base or cup owing to the separation
of the two tubes even when the chamber of the gun has become enlarged by wear.

page_text: My invention applies to cartridges for both small and large arms.
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 1
claim in respect of the manufacture of cartridges is :-
The uniting of the outer surface of the strengthening tube to the main or large
tube of the case by paste or other suitable material as and for the purpose herein before
set forth.