IMPROVE- MENTS IN ORDNANCE
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Page, of Middle Scotland Yard, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ORDNANCE."
Sealed the 26th October 1855, and dated the 27th April 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Page at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
April 1855.
I, THOMAS PAGE, of Middle Scotland Yard, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in forming in the loading chamber of the gun, or the
loading chamber and part of the gun, two or more touch-holes instead of the
single one, as usual, such touch-holes being arranged so as to facilitate the firing
and explosion of the whole charge of powder. These touch-holes may be
formed either by simply boring through the metal of the chamber or gun, or
they may be screwed into the same as separate tubes. In the latter case I
prefer that they should be composed of platinum, steel, or other hard metal.
The touch-holes may be connected by means of a channel or channels intended
to receive loose gunpowder, for the purpose of communicating the fire to them
simultaneously from the ordinary fuse or match; or the powder may be fired at]
each touch-hole simultaneously by the percussion of a lock hammer, or by
needles, or other means.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Page in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th October 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
PAGE, of Middle Scotland Yard, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs.and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Page, Her special license that I, the said Thomas Page, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I; the said Thomas
Page, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Page, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Thomas Page, do hereby declare the
nature of my. said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the 'following
statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of "Improvements in Ordnance" consists in forming in the
loading chamber of the gun, or the loading chamber and part of the gun, two
or more touch-holes, instead of the single one, as usual; such touch-holes being
arranged so as to facilitate the firing and explosion of the whole charge of
powder. These touch-holes may be formed either by simply boring through the
metal of the chamber or gun, or they may be screwed into the same as separate
tubes. In the latter, case I prefer that they should be composed of platinum,
steel, or other hard metal.
The touch-holes may be connected by means of a channel or channels

page_text: intended to receive loose gunpowder, for the purpose of communicating the fire
to them simultaneously from the ordinary fuse or match; or the powder may be
fired at each touch-hole simultaneously by the percussion of lock hammers, or
by needles, or other means.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to refer
to certain modes by which it may be carried into effect, as illustrated by the
Figures or Diagrams in the accompanying Drawing.
Fig. 1 represents the manner in which the gun may be fired simply by a
channel communicating with two or more touch-holes; A, A, being the touch-
holes, and B the channel, in the centre of which, B, the powder may be
ignited. Fig. 2 is a-plan or horizontal view of the ordinary mode of firing by
friction tubes, with the arms at the end of the lanyard adapted to two touch-
holes, which arms will be increased according to the number of touch-holes.
For three or more touch-holes a cross bar may be used in place of an 'in-
creased number of arms C. Figs. 3 and 4 are plan and side elevation of the
ordinary mode of firing by the percussion of a lock hammer adapted to two
touch-holes. For this purpose, the lock is made with a double hammer B, B,
to strike over each touch-hole. If three or more touch-holes are used, the
number of hammers will be increased in proportion, and will be worked from
one common centre.
The Diagrams above referred to represent adaptations of my Invention to
the most simple and ordinary modes of firing; but my Invention has reference
also to the use of needles, percussion caps, electric wires through or in touch-
holes, or in other means of firing which require two or more touch-holes.
I would here remark, that as the more complete explosion of the entire
charge of powder is the object of my Invention, and that this would be
attained in proportion to the increased number of points from which the charge
is fired, it follows that that mode of ignition is preferable which secures a
certain and immediate explosion with the least escape at the touch-hole or
vent. For this reason, firing with locks, with caps and nipples adapted to the
number of touch-holes, is that mode which I prefer, as being instantaneous in
its action, and as allowing a very small opening for the escape at the touch-
hole or vent.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I would remark that I do not mean or intend to
confine myself to the number or position of the touch-holes represented in the
Drawing, nor to the modes of firing described above, otherwise than as
adapted and applied to two or more touch-holes; but what I claim as of

page_text: my Invention is, the construction of ordnance with two or more touch-holes,
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Page, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
50, Chancery Lane.
THO. PAGE. (L.S.)