IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward George Moore Donnithorne, of St. Peter's House,
St. Albans, in the County of Hertford, Captain in the Royal Scots Greys,
Second Dragoons, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND
MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED
THEREWITH"
ealed the 17th September 1878, and dated the 18th March 1878
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward George Moore
Donnithorne at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th March
1878.
EDWARD GEORGE MOORE DONNITHORNE, of St. Peter's House, St. Albans, in the
County of Hertford, Captain in the Royal Scots Greys, Second Dragons. "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND IN
PROJECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of breech-loaders,
breech-loading ordnance, projectiles, bore shells, bullets; and consists in abolishing
the obstruction given to the projectile in its passage down the bore in the modern
system of rifling, and in giving the projectile a revolution about a vertical axis
instead of a horizontal, and also of making the axis of revolution the shorter axis
instead of the longer. The faults of obstruction are, that it unnecessarily increases
the strain on the piece, and its consequent cost; and it also reduces the initial
velocity, and thereby the momentum. Revolution about a horizontal axis gives a
much more curved trajectory to the projectile from the natural tendency of all
rotating bodies to move in the direction of the rotation; no body either will revolvo
about its longer axis with anything approaching stability.
The result of this Invention is obtained by giving the projectile a disc shape, or
any form derived from a sphere, flattened at the poles, and the bore of the breech-

page_text: loader, breech-loading ordnance, or rifle is made the same in section as the section
of the projectile, shell, bullet. A perfectly straight groove from breech to muzzle
along either the upper or under surface of the bore is made, and in this a projecting
button on the projectile runs, but without receiving any obstruction. This Inven-
tion is equally applicable to muzzle-loading guns and ordnance. The button and
the groove it moves in is made of any width, about 2 inches from the muzzle, but
varying according to the nature of the piece. This groove is widened on each side
fractionally, so that the edges of the button are out of contact with the edges of the
groove on both sides. On one side the groove is made to close into its original
alignment, the other side still remaining widened, the principle being obtaining
the revolution by friction instead of rifling.
The breech block and breech opening together forin a male and female cone. The
block is furnished above and below with solid projections, which move in corre-
sponding grooves cut in a direction parallel to the bore, allowing the block to be
pushed home; these grooves then run at right angles, or nearly so, to their former
direction, but each with a slight inclination towards the muzzle. A turn of the
lever attached to the block brings theso plugs into the new direction of the groove,
preventing the block being blown out. The inclination of the grooves towards the
muzzle causes the two cones to be jammed, and consequently gas-tight, one cone
being forced up into the other, the inclination producing the same action as a screw.
The breech block is coated, and the breech opening is lined, each with copper, to
render the compression greater.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward George Moore Donnithorne in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 17th September 1878.
EDWARD GEORGE MOORE DONNITHORNE, of Saint Peter's House, St. Albans, in
"IM-
the County of Hertford, Captain in the Royal Scots Greys, Second Dragoons.
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH AND MUZZLE LOADING FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND IN
PROJECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH."
My Invention consists in abolishing the obstruction given to the projectile in its
passage down the bore in the modern system of rifling, and in giving the projectile
a revolution about a vertical axis instead of a horizontal, and also in making the
axis of revolution the shorter instead of the longer. The weapon may be either
breech or. muzzle loading. I give the projectile a disc-like shape, or any form
derived from a sphere flattened at the poles, and the bore of the breech-loader,
breech-loading ordnance, or rifle is made the same in section as the section of the
projectile, shell, or bullet.
A perfectly straight groove from breech to muzzle along either the upper or
under surface of the bore is made, and in this a projecting button on the projectile
runs, but without receiving any obstruction. The button and the groove it moves
in are made of any width.
About two inches from the muzzle, but varying according to the nature of the
piece, this groove is widened on each side fractionally, so that the edges of the
button are out of contact with the edges of the groove on both sides. At some
distance nearer the muzzle (varying according to the amount of angular velocity
required to be given to the projectile), the groove on one side suddenly closes in
again to its original alignment, and presses against the side of the button. On the
other side the groove remains widened up to the muzzle. By the friction consequent
on the pressure of the side of the button upon the side of the groove, a retardation
is produced on that side (as compared with the opposite side where the edge or
side of the stud is out of contact with the side of the groove) producing the re-
quired revolution.
I do not limit myself to placing a single stud upon the projectile as above
described.
In all cases where the necessity exists, studs may be placed on the projectile
above and below, or only on one surface, running in straight grooves cut in the bore
to correspond with them from breech to muzzle, so that the projectile cannot
diverge to the opposite side when reaching the point in the bore where the increased
friction is given on one side, and which I will call the "frictional point." The
studs may be brought to an apex, so as to insure the path of the projectile being an
undeviating straight line in the bore, especially at the frictional point. And these
studs may be square, cylindrical, or oval, or oblong in shape, and this frictional point
may be placed at a distance from the muzzle depending on the nature of the piece,
and the amount of angular velocity required to be given to the projectile.
In all cases when I refer to studs on the projectile, it is to be understood that
they may be according to choice on both the under and upper surfaces, or only on
one, the grooves in which they run being made to correspond. And also the
frictional point may be situated, that is, the increased friction on one side of the
stud may be produced on either side of the groove or grooves, the side being quite
immaterial. I may coat the sides of the studs, if the projectile is composed of iron,
with lead or soft metal, so as to provide a greater amount of friction if necessary.
The direction of rotation will be right or left handed, according 'as the frictional
point is on the right or left hand looking from breech to muzzle.
The widening of the groove or grooves on both sides before .arriving at the
frictional point, is not essential to the Invention; it may be dispensed with, and the
groove or grooves may be widened on one side only from the frictional point to the

page_text: muzzle. In this as in all cases, the bore may be eased on one side to facilitate the
revolution, or on both sides.
I also claim as part of my Invention the production of the revolution about a
vertical axis, by a modification of the position, shape, or number of the studs
(running in corresponding grooves) in either of the following ways.
The central studs may be used, being square in form, running in grooves cut in
the bore so as to ensure the projectile's path being a straight line, and the motion
-without rotation. And two circular studs may be placed on each side of the central
studs, also running in straight grooves, until the frictional point is reached. Here
one groove or grooves (if above and below) may be made to deflect, running towards
the centre, the other grooves being eased off outwards. At this point also the bands
between the two outer grooves and the central grooves are cut away to allow of the
revolution of the projectile produced by the friction of the stud against that side of
the groove that inclines inwards, and the consequent retardation of that side of the
projectile, the revolution being hitherto prevented by the square stud running in the
central groove, which groove is at this point abolished by the removal of the bands
on each side of it. Or the studs and grooves on the opposite side to that on which
the retardation is effected may be dispensed with, and only grooves on one side of
the central used. Or, having square studs as before, the projectile may be furnished
with a small projection on one side, half-moon shaped, or of any other suitable form
running in a groove cut in the side of the bore, which groove, when nearing the
muzzle, is made to fill up very gradually. The groove in which the central stud
runs, determining the position of the projectile up to this point, is here made to
widen, so as to admit of the revolution of the projectile produced by the retardation
of that side on which the projection is, caused by the filling up of the groove, and
the consequent relative acceleration of the other side. Or, a series of shallow
grooves or scores running parallel to one another, and more or less at an anglo with
the direction of the bore, may be cut for the last few inches of the bore from the
frictional point to the muzzle, and only on one side, or above and below, according
to choice, so as to produce a greater amount of friction and consequent retardation
of that side of the projectile. Or, the bore on one side for the last few inches may
have an infinitesimally slight contraction given to it again, both above and below,
or only on one surface. Or, this contraction may assume the form of protuberances
in the bore near the muzzle on one side above and below; these protuberances,
though of minute proportions as regards their verticality or projection, yet sufficient
to retard slightly that side of the projectile. Or, again,-
I may make central studs on the surface of the projectile as before, these studs
being oval or oblong in form, and running in a groove or grooves with their long
diameter loading, the grooves being equal in width to their long diameter, but having
narrow lands raised in the centre of each (if two), the oval studs having slots cut
across their shorter diameters in which the bands run, so as to preserve the position
of the projectile. Then towards the muzzle this band is to be cut away, so as to
allow of the revolution of the projectile, the grooves on one side being slightly
inclined inwards, causing again a retardation of the projectile on this side, the other
side moving relatively faster, and giving the revolution.
The projectile's trajectory will have a curvature in the direction of rotation, and
the sighting I may adjust to allow for this.
For loading at the breech in ordnance I give the breech, which is circular in
section, a slightly conoidal form, and close it with a breech block, which is also
slightly conoidal, and which is hinged to a sliding bar fixed to the side of the breech,
enabling the breech block to be pushed home or withdrawn, and then thrown back,
leaving the breech open and unimpeded.
The block and breech opening together form, therefore, a male and female cone.
The block is furnished above and below, or on each side, with large solid and nearly
square projections, which move in similar grooves cut in the surface of the breech
opening parallel to the bore, allowing the block- to be pushed home or nearly home.
These grooves then terminate in the straight, and run nearly at right angles to

page_text: their former direction, one nearly at right angles downwards, and the other at the
same angle upwards; this angle is not quite square, but its direction is thrown
slightly forward in the direction of the nozzle. The block bar has a lever attached
to it at its base, or it may engage in a moveable ring fixed in the face of the breech,
which ring is actuated by a lever.
In either case it permits the block, by a turn of the lever, to make about a
quarter of a revolution, the solid plugs or projections moving round in the grooves,
and thus becoming embedded, as it were, in the solid metal of the gun, and
immovable.
The new direction of these grooves being thrown slightly forward the block becomes
driven home in the breech, these grooves having a sort of screw action; and it is
thereby made to jam and becomes quite gas-tight, as well as secure.
may, if necessary, make also in the block a series of grooves cut in its circum-
ference, and parallel to each other, each ring becoming a sort of gas-tight
ring.
I also coat the block and line the interior of the breech opening with copper, so
that a tighter fit may be obtained.
I do not limit myself to making the breech block enter from behind; it may also
enter at the side, and the breech opening will be rendered gas-tight in exactly the
same way as before.
The projections on the breech block are the same as in the former case, or plinth-
like in form, or nearly so, and they are on opposite sides above and below. The
projections or plugs enter in the same manner through slots cut in the breech block
chamber, which slots, when the breech block is pushed home, turn downwards and
upwards along the side of the chamber to allow the breech block to be forced home
by a turn of the handle or lever.
The slots in their changed direction have a slight inclination forward, that is,
towards the opposite side, so that as before the block is forced up the chamber until
it jams, making the chamber quite gas-tight. The slots are cut in the thickness
of the metal, on that side on which the block enters, and the projections are conse-
quently quite at the base of the block. The block has an opening cut through it
corresponding in section to the section of the bore at the breech to allow the pro-
jectile being passed through it into its own chamber.
The revolution of the lever through a right angle, more or less, then brings the
opening, which before was in alignment with the bore, into a perpendicular position,
and the solid metal of the block closes up the breech behind the cartridge
chamber.
The metal of the gun is somewhat thickened as a rule on that side where the block
enters. This method obviates the necessity of removing the block from the gun at
all, the charge being passed through it. The sides of the plugs, which come into
contact with the sides of the slots in the changed direction, are of course inclined
to suit the inclination of the slots.
The slot through the block may be dispensed with, and the block partially
removed to permit the loading.
This system of breech-loading is applicable to and may be used with all description
of ordnance and guns, whether using the present elongated projectile, or with the
oval bore that I advocate; and both plans may also be utilized, viz., that in which
the breech block is in line with the bore, and enters from the back of the breech,
or when it is transverse to the bore, and enters from the side in the manner just
described.
And this latter plan is also applicable to and may be used with small arms, vist.,
when the block enters the chamber transversely to the bore, the projectile passing
through a slot in the block, and the block being rendered gas-tight by the method
of the male and female cone.
In small-arms levers may be used for the purpose of raising the hammer, in order
to withdraw the cartridge, the levers being attached to the block.

page_text: In order to explain clearly the nature of my improvements, I refer to the accom
panying Drawings.
In Drawing No. 1 Figure I. represents the piece with the breach block removed;
b, b, is a lever which moves the lever c running in the groove a. At d, d, is the
hinge connecting the breech block e with the bar c. By turning the lever b, b, in
the opposite direction to the hands of a watch the bar c slides along the groove a
in the direction of the muzzle; and Fig. II. represents the bar drawn fully back,|
and the breech opening closed.
Fig. II. represents a longitudinal section with the breech block in position ; 1, 1,
is a section of the female cone; h, k, of the male cone. The gas-tight rings, as
before described, are represented on k, k; h is one of the projections upon the block,
and this projection moves in a groove, as before described. The inclination of the
groove towards the muzzle is represented in this Fig. Thero is a corresponding
projection to h on the opposite side of the breech block, moving in its groove
inclined towards the muzzle in the same way; m is the base of the breech
block.
Fig. VIII. is a section through A, B, in Fig. II., and the section of the bore of
the piece (when there is only a single stud on the projectile) is here shewn.
Fig. VII is a section through C, D, in Fig. II.; f, f, are the projections on the
breech block which run in the grooves in the breech opening as before described,
9,g, representing those parts of the grooves which run nearly at right angles to
their primary directions.
It will be observed that in this position the studs f, f, are not entirely at the end
of their grooves, thus the breech block can be jammed home with the greatest
possible amount of force.
Fig. VI. is merely a back view of the piece when the breech block is removed;
.8 is a section of the bore of the gun.
Fig. IV. is a back view of the breech block in position; n, n, are the two outer
rings of the breech of the gun; o, o, is a movable ring to which the ring " is
attached.
The circumference of the ring o, o, slides within a groove running between the
smaller ring n and the body of the piece; p is a button or protuberance on the
breech block t, t, and the protuberance fits into a corresponding opening in the
movable ring 0, 0.
Thus when the breech block is in position, as in Fig. IV.,
the lever turns the moveable ring and with it the breech block t, t, by means of.
the protuberance p. This moveable ring allows the breech block to be withdrawn
without the lever 7, thus taking some of the weight and consequent strain off the
bar c.
In Drawing No. II. Fig. IX. represents a longitudinal section of the barrel,
the breech being to the left.
The distance b, b, represents the straight part of the groove as before described.
Between b, c, the groove is widened on both sides (though the widening may
be dispensed with as before described, and is not an essential part of my
Invention).
At c is what has been described as "the frictional point;" between c and d the
groove closes in on one side to its original alignment, but not on the other.
Figs. XI. and XII. represent the shape of the projectile.
For simplicity a single button f has been drawn on the shot running in a single
groove b, b, c, d, but as before mentioned the projectile may have a corresponding
button to fon the opposite side so as to be perfectly symmetrical. It may also
have a number of projections as before described running in their grooves.
In Fig. XIII. the breech block enters at the side of the piece. At a, a, is a lever,
by means of which the breech block is jammed home; g, g, is the slot in the breech
block as before described.
: A further description of the Figure is unnecessary as it would be merely repeating
what is said respecting Fig. II. in Drawing No. 1.

page_text: I have also made alterations in the shells for ordnance, thereby adapting then t
my improvements in the mode of rifling.
The outside surface of the shell may have a single button upon it at one pole, or a
button at each pole, or any of the modifications of these buttons that have been
before enumerated.
The shape of the shell is that of a sphere flattened at the poles, or any form
derived from this.
We will for facility of description suppose the equator to lie in a horizontal
plane. The shell is composed of two portions exactly equal and (independently of
the buttons) similar, the equator of the shell bounding the portions, and each
portion is fitted with a hollow vertical tube in the centre closed in the bottom in
the lower half of the disc, and open at both ends in the upper half.
The mouth of the lower one is inserted into the end of the tube in the upper
half, so that the two form one continuous tube through the centre. At the bottomn
of this tube is placed the burster, and a thick perforated plug is then screwed
down upon it. Into the upper portion of the tube above this plug the fuze is
screwed.
The interior space of the diaphragm round about this tube is fitted with
bullets.
Round the circumference of the lower half of the disc are fixed a number of
vertical pins which are inserted into a corresponding number of sockets in the cir-
cumference of the upper half. The two portions are then soldered together firmly.
enough to resist the explosion of the charge.
The action of the shell is as follows:-The ignition of the detonating charge in
the fuze explodes the burster through the perforation in the plug; the cohesion of
the two halves being sufficiently strong to resist the explosion of the charge, but
not the explosion of the burster. The two portions are separated by the action of
the burster which acts upwards against the upper half and downwards against the
lower half. The bullets are therefore freed and continue. on with great velocity
from the existing velocity of the shell, whilst the rotary motion of the shell dis-
tributes them laterally in one horizontal line.
Under the present system they are distributed in a vertical plane, and two-thirds
are wasted by being thrown too high or too low.
The fuze is composed of a thick brass or wood cylinder, closed at the top
by a thick brass plate. The portion of the brass plate immediately above the
hollow of the cylinder is made to revolve, and underneath this revolving portion
is fixed a cup filled with explosive compound, while a channel cut in the thickness
of the brass plate leads from the cup with which it communicates at one end to the
outer circumference of the revolving plate. This channel is filled with meal
powder. The lower end of this cup is closed by a metal plate, and roughened and
coated with detonating composition and perforated. The annular ring round about
this revolving plate is hollow and filled with fuze composition, and is perforated
round its inner periphery with numerous holes close to each other. The ring of
composition does not run completely round, but the circle is severed in one place by
a small block. Round the outer periphery of this annular ring there is a small
groove exposed, and filled with mealed powder, and a small chamber close by the
block just mentioned communicates between the powder in the groove and the fuze
composition in the interior.
When the charge in the gun is fired the mealed powder in the outer groove is
fired, and by it the composition in the interior, which burns round until it reaches
the mouth of the channel in the brass plate, the brass plate being moved round
beforehand to a position according to the elevation of the gun. The mealed powder
in the channel is then ignited by means of the perforations round the annular ring,
and by it the charge on the cup below, and from thence to the burster.
The annular ring has above it marked the degrees & minutes, commencing from
the block in the interior,

page_text: The revolving plate has a small index hand fixed to it, immediately above the
channel, and the plate is moved round by means of a small screw attached to it
until the index hand points to the elevation required. It is then screwed down and
fixed firmly by means of the screw attached to it.
At the bottom of the cylinder portion of the fuze is a small steel ball or hammer,
roughened externally and secured by a cord attached to it, and saturated with an
inflammable composition, which cord passing through a perforated plate that closes
the bottom of the cylinder, and in which this steel ball rosts, is made to pass upwards
in a groove outside and then through the annular ring and the fuze composition
immediately by the block, so that the instant the fuze is fired the cord is severed
by the ignition of the fuze composition burning it through, and the hammer is fired,
and on the shell striking is jerked upwards against the plate at the bottom of the
cup above it, explodes the detonating composition on it, and igniting the fuze by
concussion in this caso, instead of by time, as in the previous case.
Instead of having the hammer below I may have 3 or more hammers placed
horizontally at equal distances apart in the metal of the fuze immediately below
the revolving plate and the interior walls of the cylinder coated with detonating
composition, so that on concussion they will be jerked out against the wall of the
cylinder opposite to them, igniting the detonating composition. In this case the
cord that secures them will be in the interior of the groove in the outer periphery
of the annular ring, and underneath the composition in it. A small cord will be
attached from the outer end of each hammer to this cord, and on the ignition of the
composition in this groove the cord will be consumed, and with it the small cords
which secure the hammers which will then be free.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to
be understood that what I claim as my Invention to be secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The improved method of rendering the breech opening gas-tight by means
of the grooves, the male and female conc, and the copper linings, as above set forth,
and in part further described with reference to Figs. I., II., VIII., VII., VI., IV.
Second. The method of obtaining the revolution of the projectile about a vertical
axis by obtaining a greater amount of friction on one side of the projectile than on
the other side, produced by the pressure of the side of a button upon the side of a
groovo cut in the bore of the piece in which it runs, or produced by any of the
modifications in the number or shape of the buttons or grooves, as herein-before set
forth.
Third. The method of uniting the two portions of the shell by the pins round the
circumference of one half fitting into the corresponding sockets in the other half.
Fourth. The application to shells, of the shape herein-before specified, of my
method (with any of the molifications) of producing revolution about a vertical axis.
whereby the bullets aro distributed in a horizontal instead of a vertical plane.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward George Moore Donnithorne, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.