AN IMPROVED BATTERY GUN
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED BATTERY GUN.”—A communication from abroad by
Alfred Hodge Townsend, of Georgetown, Clear Creek County,.
Territory of Colorado, United States of America.
Sealed the 5th September 1871, and dated the 27th May 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th May 1871.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED BATTERY GUN," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object to furnish an improved battery gun.
which shall be so constructed as to throw a multitude of balls at a
single discharge, which can be discharged with great rapidity, and
which shall be simple in construction, effective in operation, and
conveniently manipulated; and it consists in the construction and com-
A

page_text: explained.
The breech piece is curved lengthwise so as to conform to the arc
of a circle, the face being the convex side. Perpendicularly it is
straight so that a line drawn across and between any two points in
the face at right angles to the length will be a straight line. The
breech piece consists of two sections, each formed with chambers so
that the balls will radiate or diverge horizontally therefrom on straight
lines drawn from the centre of the circle, of which the curve of the
breech piece is an arc. The sharper the curve of the breech piece
or the greater the number of degrees the arc it represents is mado
to contain in proportion to its length and the less the radius of the
circle the greater will be the divergence of the balls from the chambers.
The chambers of the breech piece are diagonally arranged one above
another in tiers lengthwise in either section, so as to divide the length
of the face of the section between the centre of the outermost chamber
of the lower tier and the centre of the innermost chamber of the
upper tier into as many equal parts less one as there are chambers
in the section. Any number of chambers may be so arranged in
tiers one above the other, the effect being to divide the spaces between
chambers in a tier of either section into as many equal parts as
there are tiers in the section, therefore the greater the number of
chambers in tiers the more minute will be the division of the balls,
that is to say, the less will be the space horizontally between the balls
at any distance. The angle of divergence of the balls from the said
outermost chamber of the lower tier and the innermost chamber of the
upper tier of either section includes the divergement of the balls from
all the chambers of that section, and the balls from the other chambers
divide the angle at any distance into as many equal parts, less one, as
there are chambers in the section. The barrels are diagonally arranged
one above another in tiers, so that at the breech end the bores will
exactly coincide with the chambers of the breech piece. The centre
of the bore of each barrel as well as of the corresponding chamber in
the breech piece will be on a straight line drawn from the centre of the
circle. The breech end of the barrels has a plate over the same, both
being curved so as to conform to the concave side of the arc, of which
the face of the breech piece is the convex side, and the muzzle end
of the barrels is curved so as to conform to the arc of a circle of the

page_text: same number of degrees as the breech end. The relative positions
perpendicularly of the barrels is not altered because of their divergence,
the divergence of the diagonal rows of barrels in the two sections being
uniform and equal. The balls will strike diagonally in rows conforming
to the diagonal rows of the chambers of the two sections of the breech
piece, and the rows and spaces between the balls will be prolonged
horizontally according to the distance, the greater the distance the more
the prolongation. The spaces between the balls perpendicularly will,
however, remain equal, the same as in the chamber of the breech
piece at any distance. Near the bottom of the breech chambers are
small tubes or holes which connect the chambers of each section in such
a way that the discharge of the cartridge in the innermost chamber of
the upper tier of either section explodes others until all in the section
are exploded. A tongue is cut upon the upper and lower edges of the
breech piece, the front side of which tongue forms a part of the face of
the said breech piece. These tongues fit into grooves at the upper and
lower edges of the breech end of the barrels. The tongues and grooves
form the same arc of the same circle, the front sides of the tongues and
the sides of the grooves next the breech end of the barrels forming the
same arc of the same circle made by the face of the breech piece and
the face of the plate over the ends of the barrels, so that the breech
piece led by the tongues in the grooves will slide back and forth freely
across the face of the said plate so as to be removed at either side of the
gun. A spring projects a small pin through the plate which forms
the upper groove into the tongue when the chambers of the breech.
piece coincide with the bores of the barrels, so that the breech piece is
immovable until by raising the spring with the thumb or otherwise
the pin is withdrawn. The pin passes into a nick cut in the ends of the
upper tongues, and so rises of itself as the breech piece passes into.
the slide.
The number of breech pieces supplied to each gun will be not less
than three, and may be as many more as can be carried. They will all
be alike, a handle being provided at each end to facilitate the handling.
When one breech piece is discharged it will be taken from the gun for
reloading, and another put in the slide, and so the loading and firing can
be carried on until the barrels require to be cooled. An advantage
derived from removing the breech piece is that the barrels cool by the
circulation of air through them. The breech piece may be discharged
2

page_text: breech piece, so as to communicate one with the one and the other with
the other of the first or innermost chambers of the upper tiers of the two
sections, whence the fire is communicated to the other chambers, as
before mentioned. The caps may be exploded by two locks fixed in the
back of the breech piece, and the two sections may be fired together or
one at a time.
The breech piece may consist of two parts, a front and rear plate, the
tongues before mentioned being cut on the upper and lower edge of
the front plate. Both plates will be curved so as to conform to the arc
of a given circle; the back side of the front plate being concave fitting
exactly to the front side of the back plate which is convex. The arc
will be made to contain the required number of degrees in proportion to
its length. Holes are made directly through the front plate from the
face on lines perpendicular to the face at designated points to form
cartridge chambers, like holes for the same purpose being made at
corresponding points in the front side of the back plate. The holes in
each plate must exactly correspond when the plates are joined. Small
grooves are cut between these holes in the back side of the front plate
and front side of the back plate, in such a way that the grooves in the
one plate will fit the grooves in the other plate when the plates are
joined. The grooves are cut so that the holes will be larger next the
chambers from which the fire is communicated. When the plates are
joined the fire communications between the chambers are complete.
The plates will be joined, the front or convex side of the back plate to
the back or concave side of the front plate, and fastened together by
screws or tap bolts through the back into the front plate. The barrels
are divided into two sections, one on each side of a central line, and they
are arranged obliquely thereto in opposite directions in tiers and rows like
the chambers of the breech piece. The barrels rest upon a plate of the
width from side to side of the under side of the two sections of barrels.
A plate is fitted over the muzzle end of the barrels and over the front
edge of the barrel plate and fastened by screws in the edge of the said
plate and the edge of a plate fitted upon the top end across the muzzle
end of the barrels (or of the muzzle end of the gun). The plate over
the muzzle end of the barrels is bored with holes to correspond with
the bores of the barrels so as to allow the free exit of the balls, and it
will extend down in the middle over the edge of the barrel plate, so

page_text: that the space between the sections cannot be seen. A plate with holes
made to correspond with the chambers of the breech piece and the bores
of the barrels (so as to allow the free passage of the balls) is fitted over
the breech end of the barrels, as before mentioned, and fastened by
screws in the ends of the barrels. This plate extends down so as to
cover the aperture between the sections of barrels, the heads of the
screws being countersunk so as not to hinder the working of the breech
piece in the slide. This plate does not go to the bottom of either
groove, but goes up to the top of the shoulders of the barrels of the
upper tiers and down to the under edge of the shoulders of the lower
tiers, resting on the edge of the barrel plate at the side of the groove

page_text: and lengthwise of the barrel plate on the under side which tend to
hold it level with the platform, the space between the barrel plate and
platform being enough to permit of a due elevation or depression of
the gun. The barrel plate moves freely back and forth over the ends
of the springs as the gun is elevated or depressed. The platform rests
on a strong shoulder placed on the axletree, the two latter being con-
nected solidly together, while the platform is fastened to the cheeks
of the gun forward of the axletree by strong screws. Forward of the
axletree the platform rests upon the cheeks or upper part of the stock
extended for this purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 25th November 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark,
Her special licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Alexander Melville Clarke, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time 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 "AN IMPROVED BATTERY GUN," a communication
to me from abroad by Alfred Hodge Townsend, of Georgetown, Clear
Creek County, Territory of Colorado, United States of America, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville
Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, 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, reference being had to the Sheet of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thercon (that is to say) :-
This Invention has for its object to furnish an improved gun which
shall be so constructed as to throw a multitude of balls at a single
discharge, which can be discharged with great rapidity, and which shall
be simple in construction, effective in operation, and conveniently
manipulated; and it consists in the construction and combination of the
various parts of the gun as herein-after more fully described.
The following description and annexed Drawings illustrate a specimen
gun. It will be understood that the dimensions stated may be varied
according to circumstances :—
Figure 1 is a side view of the improved gun partly in section through
the line x, x, Figure 2; Figure 2 is a top view of the same; Figure 3 is
a rear view of the same; Figure 4 is a detail view of the rear ends of
the barrels showing their diagonal arrangement; Figure 5 is a detail
sectional view of the breech piece taken through the line y, y, Figure 1.
The breech piece A, B, is curved lengthwise so as to conform to the
are of a circle, the face being the convex side; perpendicularly it is
straight, so that a line drawn across and between any two points in the
face at right angles to the length will be a straight line. The balls
radiate or diverge horizontally from the chambers on straight lines
drawn from the centre of the circle, of which the curve of the breech
piece A, B, is an arc. The sharper the curve of the breech piece or the
greater the number of degrees the arc it represents is made to contain in
proportion to its length and the less the radius of the circle the greater
will be the divergence of the balls. The chambers a³, b', of the breech
piece A, B, are diagonally arranged one above another in tiers in either
section, so as to divide the length of the face of the section between the
centre of the 10th chamber of the 1st tier and the centre of the 1st

page_text: chamber of the 5th tier into as many equal parts, less one, as there are
chambers in the section, as indicated by the vertical lines in Figure 4.
In such division the 10th chamber of the 2nd tier is the 1st part, the
10th chamber of the 3rd tier the 2nd part, the 10th chamber of the 4th
tier the 3rd part, the 10th chamber of the 5th tier the 4th part, the 9th
chamber of the 1st tier the 5th part, the 9th chamber of the 2nd tier
the 6th part, and so on.
The red lines drawn diagonally and vertically
in Figure 4 serve to illustrate the manner of the division. An indefinite
number of chambers may be arranged above the 1st five tiers in the
same way, thereby increasing the width, but not necessarily the length.
of the breech piece, and to which this principle of division will apply.
The effect of such increase of tiers of chambers above is to divide
the spaces between chambers in the 1st tiers of either section into
as many equal parts as there are tiers in the section. For example,
the space in length of the face of the breech piece A, B, between the
1st chamber of the 1st tier and the 1st chamber of the 5th tier of either
section is divided into four equal parts by the 1st chambers of the
2nd, 3rd, and 4th tiers of the particular section. Thus if there are four
tiers added above the first tier the spaces will be divided into five
equal parts; if there are nine tiers added the division will be into
ten equal parts. In such division in the case of five tiers the 10th
chamber of the 2nd tier is the first part, the 10th chamber of the
3rd tier the 2nd part, the 10th chamber of the 4th tier the 3rd part,
the 10th chamber of the 5th tier the 4th part, the 9th chamber of the
1st tier the 5th part, and so on. And no matter what number of
chambers in tiers are so added above the first tier the balls will diverge
horizontally as they fly according to the curve of the breech piece, each
obeying the law of its particular barrel. But the divergence of the
balls from the 10th chamber of the first tier and the 1st chamber of
the 5th tier of either section will be divided at any distance into as many
equal parts, less one, as there are balls from the section. Therefore the
arc of the breech piece A, B, containing a given number of degrees, the
greater the number of chambers in tiers added above the 1st tier the
more minute will be the division, that is, the less the spaces horizontally
between the balls at any distance. This rule applies to any arc. The
angle of divergence of the balls from the 10th chamber of the 1st tier,
and the 1st chamber of the 5th tier of either section, includes the
divergements of the balls from all the chambers of that section, and the
balls from the other chambers divide the angle at any distance into as

page_text: many equal parts, less one, as there are chambers in the section. In
such division the ball from the 10th chamber of the 2nd tier is the 1st
part, that from the 10th chamber of the 3rd tier is the 2nd part, that
from the 10th chamber of the 4th tier is the 3rd, that from the 10th
chamber of the 5th tier the 4th part, that from the 9th chamber of the
1st tier the 5th part, that from the 9th chamber of the 2nd tier the 6th
part, and so on. The angle of divergence of the balls from the 10th
chambers of the 1st tier of the two sections includes the divergements
of the balls from all the chambers of both sections of the breech pieco
at any distance. The divergence of the balls from the 1st and 10th
chambers of each tier of either section is 00/200 of this main angle. The
divergence of the balls from the 1st chambers of the 5th tiers of the
two sections is 10/206, and that of the balls from the 10th chamber of the
1st tier and the 1st chamber of the 5th tier of either section 8/203 of
this main angle at any distance. The length of the arc in the face of
the breech piece A, B, from centre to centre of the 10th chambers
of the 1st tiers of the two sections is 20.6 inches if made to contain
1° 51' 10.83" the radius of the circle will be 52.938 feet, and the
divergence of the balls from the 10th chambers of the 1st tiers of the
two sections will be 97.283 feet in a thousand yards, that of the balls
from the 1st chambers of the 5th tiers of the two sections will be 4.722
feet, that of the balls from the 10th chamber of the 1st tier, and the 1st
chamber of the 5th tier of either section will be 46-280 feet, and that of
the balls from the 1st and 10th chambers of each tier of either section
will be 42-498 feet. The breech end of the barrels C and the plate D
over the same is curved so as to conform to the concave side of the arc,
of which the face of the breech piece A, B, is the convex side, and the
muzzle end of the barrels C is curved so as to conform to the arc of a
circle of the same number of degrees as the breech end. The barrels C
are diagonally arranged one above another in tiers, as shown in Figure 4,
so that at the breech end the bores will exactly fit the chambers of
the breech piece A, B. The centre of the bore of each barrel C as well
as of the corresponding chamber in the breech piece A, B, will be on a
straight line drawn from the centre of the circle. The divergence of
the bores of the 10th barrels of the 1st tiers of the two sections will
be 9728 of an inch at the muzzle, that of the bores of the 1st barrels
of the 5th tiers of the two sections will be 0472 of an inch, that of the
bores of the 10th barrel of the 1st tier and the 1st barrel of the 5th
tier of either section will be 4628 of an inch, and that of the bores of

page_text: the 1st and 10th barrels of each tier of either section will be *4250 of
an inch. The divergence between the barrels C in the tiers of cither
section is distributed as follows:-That of the 9th and 10th barrels of
the 1st tiers is the 1st part, that of the same barrels of the 2nd tiers is
the 2nd part, that of the same barrels of the 3rd tiers is the 3rd part,
that of the same barrels of the 4th tiers is the 4th part, that of the
same barrels of the 5th tiers is the 5th part, that of the 8th and 9th
barrels of the 1st tiers the 6th part, and so on. The front edge of the
barrel plate E forms the same arc as the muzzle end of the barrels C,
and the breech edge of said barrel plate E forms the same arc as the
breech end of the barrels. The spaces between the barrels C in the two
tiers at the front.edge will then be 0472 of an inch, at the breech edge
they will all come together on right lines drawn from the centre of the
circle to which the arc of the face of the breech piece A, B, belongs,
with the exception stated. Perpendicularly the face of the muzzle ends
of the barrels is straight, so that a line drawn across and between any
two points in the face at right angles to the length of the tiers will be a
straight line. Perpendicularly the face of the breech end of the barrel C
is straight, so that a line drawn across and between any two points in
the said face at right angles to the length of the tiers will be a straight
line. The balls will strike diagonally in rows conforming to the diagonal
rows of the chamber of the two sections of the breech piece. The balls
from the 1st section will strike in rows thus.

page_text: 30
the 10th chamber of the 1st tier of the 2nd section, the next on the
left from the same chamber of the 2nd tier, the next from the same
chamber of the 3rd tier, the next from the same chamber of the 4th
tier, the next from the same chamber of the 5th tier, the next from
the 9th chamber of the 1st tier, the next from the same chamber
of the 2nd tier, and so on. The spaces between the balls perpendicu-
larly will remain equal, the same as in the chambers of the breech
piece, at any distance. The height of the arc of 20.6 inches is 0849
of an inch, length of chord 20.5998 inches, line of the arc 20.5969
inches, versed line 3333 of an inch. The length of the breech piece
A, B, in the face at the upper edge is 20% inches, at the lower edge
21 inches, the width exclusive of the tongues 5½ inches, and the
thickness 3 inches. It is divided into two parts or sections A and B of
50 cartridge chambers a², 6¹, each. The chambers a', b', are diagonally
arranged one above another in tiers lengthwise of the face, so that the
sections dividing downwards make an aperture of 2.6 inches from centre
to centre of the 1st chambers of the 1st tiers of the two sections. The
space between the chambers a¹, b¹, from centre to centre in length of
the face is one inch; diagonally it is 1.0198 inches; the chambers are
2 inches in depth, and of the size for a ball cartridge 30/100 inch calibre.
The thickness of the metal in the back of the breech piece from the
bottom of the chambers a¹, 61, is ¾ of an inch at the edges, from centre
of nearest chambers it is %, of an inch. One half an inch from the
bottom of the chambers a¹, b', small tubes or holes F (the least diameter
of which is 05 of an inch) connect the chambers of each section in
such a way that the discharge of the cartridge in the 1st chamber of
the 5th tier of either section explodes others that explode others until
all in the section are exploded. The lines drawn from chamber to
chamber, commencing with the 1st chamber of the 5th tier of either
section in Figure 5, illustrate this. A tongue is cut upon the upper and
lower edges of the breech piece A, B, ½, an inch wide and 3 of an inch
in depth, the front side of which tongues form a part of the face of the
said breech piece. These tongues fit into grooves at the upper and
lower edges of the breech end of the barrels C. The lips or back side
of these grooves is 4 of an inch thick. The tongues and grooves form
the same arc of the same circle; the front sides of the tongues and the
sides of the grooves next the breech end of the barrels form the same
arc of the same circle made by the face of the breech piece and the face
of the plate D over the ends of the barrels, so that the breech piece led

page_text: by the tongues in the grooves will slide back and forth freely across
the face of the plate D so as to be removed at either side of the gun.
A spring G projects a small pin through the plate H, which forms the
upper groove into the tongue when the chambers a', 6', of the breech
piece A, B, are in conjunction with the bores of the barrels C, so that
the breech piece is immovable until by raising the spring G with the
thumb or otherwise the pin is withdrawn. The pin passes into a nick
cut in the ends of the upper tongues, and so rises of itself as the breech
piece passes into the slide. The number of breech pieces to each gun
will be not less than three, and may be as many more as can be carried,
they will all be alike. A handle is provided at each end to facilitate the
handling. When one breech piece is discharged it will be taken from
the gun for reloading and another put in the slide, and so the loading
and firing can be carried on until the barrels require to be cooled. An
advantage from removing the breech piece is that the barrels cool by the
circulation of air through them. The cartridge will or may be paper,
with ball included, and may be put in the chambers 6', a¹, with the
fingers. The paper will be of such character as to permit the easy
explosion of the powder. The ball will be long and pointed. The breech
piece is discharged by percussion caps exploded upon two nipples I fixed
in the back of the breech piece A, B, so as to communicate one with
one, the other with the other of the 1st chambers of the 5th tiers of
the two sections. The two sections can be fired together, or one at a
time; the caps are exploded by two locks J fixed in the back of the
breech piece A, B. The discharge will not be instantaneous in either
section, so there can be no recoil to the gun. For all practical pur-
poses the discharge will be or may be considered instantaneous. The
chambers a¹, b', of the breech piece are arranged in tiers lengthwise, and
in rows diagonally across the face. The tiers are numbered upward,
commencing with the lower tiers, and the rows from the middle toward
each end. The figures at each end of the Drawing, Figure 4, number
the tiers, those at the bottom number the rows. The section at the left
as you face the gun is number 1, the other number 2.
The breech piece A, B, may be constructed as follows:-Two plates
are prepared. One B for the front 1¾ inches thick, the other A for the a
back 1 inches thick, both of the proper length and width. The two
sides of the front plate B and the front side of the back plate A are
made planes, and a tongue is cut on the upper and lower edge of the

page_text: front plate B; the front side of the tonges will form a part of the face.
Both plates A, B, will be curved so as to conform to the arc of a given
circle, the back side of the front plate B being concave, fitting exactly
to the front side of the back plate A which is convex. The arc will be
made to contain the required number of degrees in proportion to its
length. Holes b₁ will be made directly through the front plate B from
the face on lines perpendicular to the face at designated points for
cartridge chambers. Like holes a¹ for the same purpose will be made at
designated points to the depth of half an inch in the front side of the
back plate A. The holes 6', a³, in each plate must exactly correspond
when the plates are joined. (The holes b', a¹, could be made before
curving the plates, in which case they should be made perpendicular to
the face of each plate.) Small grooves F are cut between the holes b¹, a',
in the back side of the front plate B and front side of the back plate A,
in such a way that the grooves in one plate will fit the grooves in the
other plate when the plates are joined. The grooves F will be cut so
that the holes will be larger next the chambers from which the fire is
communicated (see Figures 1 and 5). The lines therein from chamber to
chamber indicate the manner in which the grooves will be cut. When
the plates are joined the fire communications between the chambers are
complete. The plates will be joined, the front or convex side of the
back plate to the back or concave side of the front plate, and fastened
together by screws or tap bolts through the back into the front plate.
The barrels C, 100 in number, will be 30 inches long and one inch square.
Bores will be 30/100 inches calibre and rifled. The diagonal arrangement of
the barrels C at the breech end will be the same as that of the chambers
of the breech piece A, B, and so that the bores of the barrels will fit
the chambers. The barrels C are divided into two sections of 50 barrels
each, and they are numbered in tiers and rows like the chambers of the
breech piece, as shown in Figure 4. The sections are also numbered
the same as the sections of the breech piece. The barrels C rest upon a
plate E (of steel, iron, brass, or bronze) of the width, from side to side,
of the under side of the two sections of barrels; because of the divergence
of the barrels C the plate E will be wider at the front than at the breech
end. This plate E will be 6 of an inch thick, and the two sides made
planes. The front edge of the plate E will be even with the muzzle
end of the barrels C and circular, so as to conform thereto. A plate K
• 1 of an inch thick will be fitted over the muzzle end of the barrels C
and over the front edge of the barrel plate D, and fastened by screws in

page_text: the edge of the said plate D, and the edge of a plate L fitted upon the
top end across the muzzle end of the barrels C (or of the muzzle end of
tho gun).
This last plate L will be 5 of an inch thick and 2 inches
wide, the upper back edge of the plate L will be cut (or bevelled) off.
The plate K over the muzzle end of the barrels will be bored with
holes to correspond with the bores of the barrels C, so as to allow
the free exit of the balls, and it will extend down in the middle
over the edge of the barrel plate so that the aperture between the
sections cannot be seen. A plate D 1 of an inch thick with holes made
to correspond with the chambers of the breech piece A, B, and the bores
of the barrels.C so as to allow the free passage of the balls will be fitted
over the breech end of the barrels C and fastened by screws in the ends
of the 5th and 1st tiers of barrels. This plate D will extend down so
as to cover the aperture between the sections of barrels. The heads
of the screw will be countersunk so as not to hinder the working of the
breech piece in the slide. This plate does not go to the bottom of either
groove, it goes up to the top of the shoulders of the barrels of the 5th
tiers and down to the under edge of the shoulders of the 1st tiers, resting
on the edge of the barrel plate at the side of the groove below. A
shoulder c will be formed at the breech end on the upper side of each
barrel of the 5th tiers and on the under side of each barrel of the
1st tiers, inches long and % of an inch thick; it will be made solid
with and a part of the barrel. On the shoulders c of the upper barrels
a plate H 5 inches wide is fastened by screw or tap bolts into the
shoulders of alternate barrels. In length it extends across the upper
tiers and the front edge fits over the shoulders c of the barrels C. The
front edge of the plate H is bevelled off. The back edge projects beyond
the plate Dover the breech end of the barrels 9 of an inch and forms the
upper groove for the tongue of the breech piece A, B. This plate H is ³ of
an inch thick at the projecting side and ½ an inch at the other. The
plate E upon which the barrels C rest (or the barrel plate) is cut at
the breech end, so as to receive the shoulders of the barrels of the 1st
tiers, it then projects 9 of an inch beyond the plate over the ends of
the barrels and forms the under groove. The barrels of the 1st tiers are
fastened to the barrel plate E by screws or tap bolts from beneath,
through the plate, and into the shoulders at the breech end of each
barrel; they are also held at the muzzle by dowel pins in the middle of
the under side, 2 inches from the muzzle, which fit in holes in the
barrel plate. The pins are ½ of an inch in diameter, and are inserted
0

page_text: in the barrel and plate each th of an inch; the holes are one-eighth of
an inch in depth. The barrels of the 1st tiers above are held in place by
like dowel pins in the under side of each 2 inches from the muzzle and
breech ends, which fit holes in the top sides of the barrels below. The
pins in the barrels of the 2nd, 4th, and 5th tiers will be 6 of an inch
from the inside edge of the barrels in which they are inserted, and the
corresponding holes will be 4 of an inch from the inner edge (or side)
of the barrels in which they are made. These dowel pins and screws
in the shoulders of the barrels of the 1st tiers, the plates on top and
across the barrels at the breech and muzzle, and the plates over the
muzzle and breech end will hold the barrels firmly in their places. At
the breech end the diagonal aperture between the 1st barrels, 1st tiers,
is 1.6 inches; between the 1st barrels, 2nd tiers, is 1.2 inches; between
the 1st barrels, 3rd tiers, is 8 of an inch; between the 1st barrels, 4th
tiers, is 4 of an inch, and the divergence for 1 of an inch.
The gun in all its parts may or will be constructed of steel, iron, brass,
bronze, or copper, or other suitable metal or metals, and wood. The
parts of the gun required to be of wood will be of oak or other suitable
wood.
The barrel plate E rests upon the wooden platform N, with which it
is connected by means of two hinges O arranged crosswise of the
plate E, each hinge being 4 inches in length, and the axis of each
being in the under side of the plate. The hinges O are attached to the
plate E and platform N by screws, and will be of sufficient strength to
bear up the barrels breech piece and plate. The hinges O allow of the
elevation or depression of the muzzle of the gun. The springs P in the
middle and lengthwise of the plate E on the under side tend to
The hinges O
hold the barrel plate E level with the platform N.
are 14 inches from the muzzle and 16 inches from the breech end
of the barrels. This will tend to prevent the gun from turning over
on the muzzle face, but it throws an increased weight upon the spring
at the breech side of the hinges O. This spring P will therefore be
that much stronger to maintain the level. The springs P assist also
in elevating or depressing the muzzle of the gun; they are attached to
the platform N by screws, and may be conveniently made together or
with a shoulder common to both. They will be each 2 inches wide and
7 inches in length. The space between plate E and platform N will

page_text: be, an inch or enough to permit a due elevation or depression of the
gun. The plate E moves freely back and forth over the ends of the
springs P as the gun is elevated or depressed. The wooden platform N
will be 22 inches in length, and of the same width as that part of the
plate E directly above it. The hinges O are in the middle, crosswise of
the platform N, and at each side. The platform N will be not less
than two inches thick, and will be made of oak or other solid firm wood.
It rests between the wheels on a strong shoulder Q placed upon the
axletree R. The shoulder Q and axletree R are connected solidly
together by large screws, and the platform N is fastened to the cheeks of
the gun forward of the axletree by strong screws. The axletree R and
shoulder Q will be of the best oak or other suitable wood, and will be
8 inches in height by 5 inches thick; the width between the wheels S
will be 3 feet 4 inches, and the height of the wheels 3 feet. Forward
of the axletree the platform rests upon the cheeks or upper part
of the stock, extended 6 inches for this purpose, the braces or
chambered pieces of wood at each side next the axletree will extend
6 inches against the axletree on each side, and four inches against the
stock or cheeks. The stock or cheeks will be fixed to the axletree by
a tenon 2 inches thick and 4 inches deep, inserted in a mortise in the
axletree to fit. The stock will be 5 inches in height
the cheeks; at the trail end, 3 in height by 2½, wide. The trail T will
strike the ground on a level with the wheels S two feet forward of the
back side of the breech piece A, B. The gun will be directed by sights U
at the centre of the top plates L, H, at the muzzle and breech ends
of the gun. The spring G which holds the breech piece A, B, in the
slide will be placed at right angles to the length of the breech piece, and
will be fastened to the front or vertical side of the plate H.
by 4 wide next
In taking aim the gunner will raise or bear down the gun on the
springs, as may be required, with the hands. The locks J at the back
side of the breech piece A, B, explain themselves. The hammers are
moved by springs and strike the nipples so as to explode the caps. The
hammers are thrown down by pressing on the spring at the outside of
each lock. This spring projects through the plate a small pin, so as to
come behind the tumbler when the hammer is raised, and so holds it full ;
cock until withdrawn by pressing upon the spring. The breech pieces
and ammunition will be carried separately in a light cart drawn by one
horse or three men. This will be the tender.

page_text: Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. A breech piece formed of two pieces A, B, with perforations a¹, b',
and converging apertures F at their joint or junction, as and for the
purpose specified.
2ndly. A tongued breech piece A, B, grooved plates H, E, and
detachable spring G combined, as and for the purpose specified.
3rdly. The arrangement of the barrels O in two divisions, one on each
side of a central line, and obliquely thereto in opposite directions, as and
for the purpose specified.
4thly. The independent sectional barrels C, the perforated plates D, K,
and the bottom plate E combined, constructed, and put together as
described.
5thly. The arrangement of spring P and hinges O beneath the barrels,
as and for the purpose specified.
6thly. The arrangement of the piece N with respect to the shoulder Q,
as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of
November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-one.
Witness,
W. G. E. SwINNOCK,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)