IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL CARTRIDGES, AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED FOR PROJECTING THE SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SIGNAL CARTRIDGES, AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED FOR PROJECTING THE
SAME." A communication from abroad by Edward Very, Lieutenant in the
Navy of the United States of America, actually resident in Paris.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL CARTRIDGES, AND IN THE MECHANISM EM-
PLOYED FOR PROJECTING THE SAME." [A communication from abroad by Edward
Very, Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States of America, actually resident
in Paris.]
This Invention relates to pyrotechnic signals to be thrown into the air by means
of the explosive force of gunpowder or other similar explosives, and it consists,-
Firstly. In a percussion-capped or primed cartridge shell containing a charge of
gunpowder, over which is placed one or more signal balls, which, on the firing of
the cartridge, are ignited by the aforesaid powder and projected in the air, shewing
their light immediately on leaving the cartridge, and until they are entirely
consumed.
And it consists, Secondly. In the mechanism or pistol for firing my said signal
cartridges, in which the barrel is constructed so as to rotate on a pin placed centrally
under the same in such a manner that the cartridge may be inserted and fired from
either end; at the same time this barrel is susceptible of a slight motion in the
direction of its length under the control of a spring, whilst a spring snap or stop
fastens the barrel automatically when it is returned in a line with the firing
hammer.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th December 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown,
Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue
Laffitte, Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL CARTRIDGES, AND IN THE MECHANISM
EMPLOYED FOR PROJECTING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Edward
Very, Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States of America, actually resident in
Paris.
This Invention relates to pyrotechnic signals to be thrown into the air by means
of the explosive force of gunpowder or other similar explosives, and it consists,-
Firstly. In a percussion-capped or primed cartridge shell containing a charge of
gunpowder, over which I place one or more signal balls, which, on the firing of
the cartridge, are ignited by the aforesaid powder and projected in the air, showing
their light immediately on leaving the cartridge, and until they are entirely
consumed.
And it consists, Secondly. In the mechanism or pistol for firing my said signal
cartridges, in which the barrel is constructed so as to turn on a pin placed centrally
under the same in such a manner that the cartridge may be inserted and fired from
either end; at the same time this barrel is susceptible of a slight motion in the
direction of its length under the control of a spring whilst a spring snap or stop
fastens the barrel automatically when it is returned in a line with the firing
hammer.
In order that these improvements may be clearly understood, I will describe
them in detail conjointly with the two Figures of the annexed Drawing, of which
Figure 1 is a plan of the pistol, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal elevation of the
same in section through A, A, Figure 1; in these Figures both the cartridge and
the pistol are shown full size.
The cartridge, which is shown as being inserted in the pistol, consists of an
ordinary cartridge case 1 capped and provided with a charge of powder 2. Upon
this powder I place an ordinary wad 3, and upon this wad one or more lumps of
signal composition 4, 4, made of the required shape and density, and of such
materials as will cause it to burn with a flame of any desired color. The mouth of
the case is covered with a light and suitable wad or cover 5 to protect the contents
of the cartridge from deterioration.
These signals should be thrown to a height of three hundred feet by means of a
pistol constructed for the purpose.
This arm, which assumes the form of a pistol, is made specially for throwing the
above-mentioned pyrotechnic signals; for this purpose, besides the butt 6, the
battery, the cock 7, and the trigger 8, which are of the usual construction, it consists
of a barrel 9 provided at its lower part with a trunnion 10, which enters into the
wood 11 of the arm, and is retained by a nut 12 inserted in the wood and flush
with the same; this trunnion 10 serves as a pivot for the barrel, and as it is
mounted exactly in the middle of its length the barrel may be turned end for end,
and either of its extremities may be employed for the reception of the cartridge or
for its extraction.
In order to facilitate the adjustment of the position of the barrel loaded for
firing, the seat of the pivot or trunnion 10, as well as that of the nut 12, are
elongated in the wood 11, and a small spring 13 presses a peg 14 against the nut 12,
bringing back the whole system towards the breech end 15 unless the same
pushed forward by an effort acting on the rear of the barrel.
A little vertical steady pin 16 acted upon by a spring prevents any casual or
accidental displacement of the barrel when it is in line for firing.
In this system of signals two colors only are used, generally red and green; other
colors may, however, be used without departing from the spirit of my Invention.

page_text: Each ball represents a digit of any numbered code, or letter of a lettered code'
and they are thrown either simultaneously or in quick succession, so that they are
all seen at once. The time for their combustion is five or more seconds, according
to the state of the atmosphere. As they are directly ignited by the flame of the
gunpowder they show their light from the time they leave the cartridge case and
pistol until they are entirely consumed. By this system the operator has complete
control of the ignition, which is instantaneous.
The signal is made at such a height as to clear all, ordinary obstructions to
vision.
The signal cases may be loaded or unloaded at the will of the operator in order
to make any desired change in the color or the force of the discharge.
Signals may be examined thoroughly, taken apart, and surveyed, and, if found
good, the same parts may be returned to place without loss, change, or damage to
the signal.
The observer sees the whole combination forming a digit or letter at once.
The arrangement of colors, groups, and combinations is entirely at the will of the
operator.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,―
First. A percussion-capped signal cartridge or shell having a charge of gun-
powder, and being provided with one or more signal balls directly ignited by the
flame of the burning gunpowder, and showing their light from the time they leave
the cartridge case and pistol until they are entirely consumed, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
Second. The pyrotechnic signal herein described, consisting of a combustible
material formed into signal masses or stars capable of emitting colored masses of
light when propelled in the air by an explosive charge of gunpowder in connection
with a primed cartridge shell adapted for use in an ordinary fire-arm, as and for the
purposes set forth.
Third. The above-described fire-arm with a barrel pivotting upon the centre of its
length, allowing of its being charged at either end, and of its discharge without
danger, and also allowing of the expulsion at one end of the long cartridge shells
empty by the insertion of a fresh cartridge at the other end.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)