Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1888
Specification Accepted, 24th Feb., 1888
We, ALBRECHT EDWARD BARTHEL, of New York in the United States of America.
Engineer, at present residing at No. 34 Deich Strasse Hamburg, Germany, and
JOHANN CHRISTOPH JULIUS MÖLLER of No. 34 Deich Strasse, Hamburg, Germany,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following stateinent :-
Our invention relates to improvements in the construction of projectiles for small
arms and ordnance.
The modern weapons all suffer from the faulty principles of construction which are
in direct opposition to the laws of nature in so far as the ballistic capacity of the
present projectiles do not fulfil the tactical requirements.
If the projectiles were so constructed that they would exactly retain their flight or
trajectory without mechanical obstructions and deviations so as to strike the target
with the point or tip at a right angle, an enormously increased action would be achieved,
compared with the results hitherto attained.
Our invention consequently consists of a novel construction of projectile for
ordnance and also for small arms, the projectiles constructed on our improved system
combining all the advantages of the old round bullets with those of the modern.
pointed projectiles the main feature being the bullet head and shaft.
The choice of the various forms of projectile as represented in the accompanying
drawings is based on the fact, that a thrown or projected body, which does
not have its centre of gravity in the first or foremost third part of its lengtli will
always have the tendency to offer its larger surface to resisting the air and it has.
been proved to be a totally fallacious theory, that free moving bodies present their
smallest section to the resistance offered. On the other hand it ought to be stated
that free moving bodies, the centre of gravity of which is not contained in the first
or foremost third part of their length, will always have the tendency to offer their
largest surface to the resisting air or fluid. If, therefore, care be taken that the centre
of gravity is concentrated in the first foremost half of the projectile, the tendency of
the same to turn over, is absolutely precluded, so that the longitudinal axis of the
projectile will always form the tangents of the trajectory.
Now according to our invention, the projectiles are so made that the tip has the
form of a hemisphere, the remaining portion of the forward part of the projectile being
cylindrical and serving to guide the projectile in the barrel, whilst the rear part or stem
is of conical or cylindrical form and of less diameter than the foremost part of the
projectile and serves to guide the projectile in its flight. The projectiles are preferably
so made that their length is equal to from one and a half to three times the diameter

page_text: of the bore, id, est, the calibre, and in consequence of this construction of the centre
of gravity being located in the first third foremost part of the length of the projectile,
no conical pendelling occurs and the double curved trajectory, which occurs with the
present projectiles, is avoided.
The hemispherical form of the head of the projectile offers the advantage, in com-
parison with the other customary forms, that a surface of like size will contain the
largest quantity of material and that the hemispherical form offers a perfectly equable
resistance to the air. The hemispherically formed head enables the artillery projectiles
to make the "rolling shot" so important in tactical respect and combines, when
employed against armour plating, the principles of penetration and concussion. Trials
have proved, that under like conditions in comparison with other projectiles and rifled
barrels, the weapon requires less elevation in order to reach the same target when
barrels with sinooth bore and our improved projectile are employed. The employment
of smooth bores has also the advantage that the barrels are subjected to considerably
less wear and tear, do not heat so rapidly or readily and carry a great deal further,
while a considerable portion of the force of the powder charge is consumed by the
enormous friction between the projectile and the rifling in the present weapons.
The introduction of our projectile for field artillery would enable the ordinary
calibre to be reduced and the fortress and marine guns could be made considerably
lighter. Our projectile offers like advantages when employed in small arms and
especially as the weight of the said projectile, in comparison with those at present in
use, is considerably reduced in consequence of the stem or rear part being smaller
or lighter than the head or foremost part, and in this way the soldier will be enabled
to carry more ammunition without increasing his load. Our projectiles are especially
suited for smooth bore, but will act in rifled bores with much more accuracy than any
of the sharp pointed projectiles.
In order to reduce the length of the cartridge, the ordinary lubricating wad and
also the paper or other wad placed above the powder can be perforated and pushed
onto the stem of the projectile thus saving in the length of the cartridge a distance
equal to the thickness of the said wad or wads.
The mistake made in all the well known long projectiles is, that the centre of gravity
lies to the rear of the longitudinal centre of the same and for this reason the bore is
provided with spiral rifling so as to cause the projectile to rotate around its
longitudinal axis and thus prevent the same from rotating on its transverse axis
which would render the trajectory uncertain and shorter.
The projectile, however, only rotates so long in the barrel as the same is clean,
when the same, however, leaves the barrel, it has the tendency to overthrow and
thus makes a pendelling movement which produces a double curvation (deviation) of the
trajectory and thus renders the aiming more difficult, decreases the safety of hitting
the mark, so that the projectile will strike the target with its base and eventually
turn over.
The enormous faults of rifled barrels and their pointed projectiles set in rotation by
the rifling have become generally known through the special literature.
All attempts hitherto made to overcome these difficulties were directed to enlarging
or decreasing the dimensions of ordnance and small arms and have proved fruitless
while the main part of the weapon, that is, the projectile, has been only dabbled with
and emperically treated.
All free moving bodies consequently also projectiles have the tendency to offer
their largest surface to the resisting fluid and this law of nature has been falsely
applied with the ordinary elongated projectiles which produced the monomania that
long range and accuracy in firing could only be attained when pointed projectiles
are fired from rifled barrels and therefore accounts for the faults in modern weapons.
Projectiles for weapons however coincide with the laws of nature only when fired from
smooth bores withont rotation and will only then have a normal trajectory and strike
the target at a right angle when the centre of gravity is towards the point or forward
end so that the larger surface of the projectile lies to the rear of the centre of gravity
and when these conditions are fulfilled the projectile will follow the given direction in

page_text: the same manner as a ship follows the movement of the rudder or helm. This is
proved by the action of the bolt and arrow which however cannot for many reasons
be employed in fire-arms and ordnance and therefore a metallic substitute for the
ancient bow and arrow must be so constructed that the centre of gravity is as far as
possible in advance of the longitudinal centre, id. est, nearer the point than the base,
and the surface of the projectile proportionately larger to the rear of the centre of
gravity than towards the point so that all tendency to overturn is avoided.
Such bolt and arrow projectiles can be made in various forms and of any
appropriate material but for war purposes that form of projectile is the simplest most
correct in principle and tactically useful which in ordnance combine the advantages of
the old round with the modern pointed and elongated projectiles but avoids all their
disadvantages and whereby the system can also be employed in projectiles for small
arins. These tactical and technical requirements can be fulfilled by employing a
combination of ball, conoid or ellipsoid and cylinder and a metallic bolt and arrow
projectile produced irrespective of the material of which the same is made and the
special purpose to which it is to be applied.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown a number of projectiles on our
improved system for muzzle or breech loading ordnance and small arms.
Figures 1 and 1ª represent in vertical and cross section one of our improved
projectiles (3) breech loading ordnance 13ths calibre in length and consists of the
spherical head and hollow conoid (or as shown in dotted lines, ellipsoid) with cylindrical
basis as stem, said hollow space serving to receive the blasting charge and for guiding
the projectile in the bore and in the air.
The walls of the shaft can be single or double, smooth or with bursting grooves or
can be composed of rings or segments according to requirements.
In ordnance of smaller calibre any suitable fuse can be employed; for ordnance of
larger calibre no fuse is requisite and is therefore omitted in the drawing.
In order to decrease the friction between the projectile and the bore the larger
circumference of the same can be polished, provided with zine or soft copper packing
or with a mantle of a firm and elastic material as represented in Figures 2 and 2º,
which show the projectile in elevation and the packing in section and also in cross
section.
In muzzle loading ordnance this mantle serves to take up the play and centres the
projectile without its coming in contact with the walls of the bore and also serves to
clean the bore from the residue of the previous shot.
The two crevices between the halves of the expanded mantle serve as conduit for
projectiles with time fuses. As soon as the projectile leaves the bore the two halves of
the mantle fall to the earth and the projectile flies forward. In order to prevent
repetition we wish it to be understood that the foregoing respecting the hollow space,
the fuse, packing and mantle refers to the other projectiles described further on in this
specification.
Figures 3 and 3 represent a projectile of 24 calibres in length and of like section
with the above. The head consists of spheroid, cylinder and interiorly partially
hollow spherical zone, the stem in form of a hollow conoid or ellipsoid (Figures 1 and 2)
with cylindrical basis in which a screwed charging opening is shown.
Figures 4 and 4ª represent a projectile for breech loading ordnance 13ths calibre long
and of like section with the foregoing.
In order to give the projectile a safe guide in the bore the stem is provided with
metallic straight or spiral wings similar to that of an arrow.
Figures 5 and 5 represent a projectile for muzzle and breech loaders of like
dimensions as in Figure 4. In order to give this projectile a safe guide in the bore
the same is provided with a mantle of celluloid, papier maché or pasteboard.
Figures 6, 6 represent a projectile for breechloading ordnance with straight
or curved guide wings which latter however can be omitted as the cylindrical
part of the head of the projectile is of sufficient length to give the same the correct
position in the bore. For muzzle loaders the guide wings are omitted and a mantle
as mentioned with reference to Figure 5 employed.

page_text: Figures 7 and 8 represent similar projectiles but with the head in the form of an
ellipsoid and the stem in that of a conoid or ellipsoid; Figure 14 represents a similar
projectile with conical stem and guide wings or instead of wings a suitable mantle can
be used. Figure 9 represents a double projectile for 8 millimetre, Figure 11 a like
projectile for 11 millimetre bore. The same can be employed for producing a
schrapnel like action for rapid firing but the said projectile can also be used singly.
Figure 10 is a two calibre long projectile with hollow stem for 8 millimetre bore,
the stem being filled out with an incombustible cork or wood stopper so that the form
of the stem is not destroyed by the force of the powder gases or the same can be of
solid metal.
Figure 12 is a like projectile to that shown in Figure 10 and Figure 13 a like
projectile for rifled barrels with collars or flanges which enter the grooves of the
rifling to cause the desired rotation of the projectile. Figures 15 and 16 represent
projectiles of one and a half and two calibres in length for 8 millimetres bore.
Figure 17 is a projectile with expanding mantle for breech loading fire arms, Figure 18
a projectile with friction rings for rifled breech loading arms.
Figure 19 is a projectile with bullet like point a and conical stem the lubricating
wad e and driving felt or board wad d being perforated and pushed onto the stem 6 of
the projectile. The projectiles as represented in the accompanying drawing are
constructed according to the laws of nature and calculated to be used in smooth bore
weapons but the same can be fired from rifled arins with much greater accuracy than
the ordinary pointed projectiles for the reason that their centro of gravity always
lays in front of the centre of their longitudinal axis, they rotate around their
longitudinal axis, retain their normal trajectory and strike the target at a right angle.
The characteristic features of our invention are:
1. The construction of the projectile so that the rear part resembles the bush of hair
or other matter generally attached to the projectile employed in air and other
similar guns or the shaft of the arrow both forms operating in the same manner as the
hair bush of the one kind and the arrow feathers of the other kind of projectile
and the rear part of the same serving to receive an explosive charge when used in
ordnance.
2. That both kinds of projectile combine all the advantageous action of the old round
with those of the modern pointed projectiles without possessing the disadvantages of
the same and are therefore capable of filling all tactical and technical requireinents
and also those of the finance administration so that a system of ordnance and small
arm can be adopted which will not be affected by any change of fashion or idea and
which can be used with the existing war material with a minimum of trouble and
expense and within a very short time.
3. That a proportionately large surface of the projectile is located to the rear of
the centre of gravity of the same so that the said projectile is prevented from offering
its larger surface to the resisting air or other fluid and is compelled to retain its
normal trajectory with the tip or head continuously kept forward.
4. Great simplicity and cheapness in producing and manipulating the weapons and
ammunition for war purposes.
5. That it is possible to attain the desired effect with field, fortress, coast and naval
artillery with lighter ordnance while the mass of the projectile necessary for attaining
certain purposes and for acting on the object aimed at can be fired from guns of
smaller calibre.
6. That a rolling or bounding shot can be fired when the object to be attacked is not
in sight whilst with the present projectiles. such shot is lost as soon as the projectile
touches the ground or does not strike the object direct.
7. That after the bursting of the shaft of the projectile a powerful after action
ensues as the head of the projectile will be driven forward in the line of fire by the
new impulse received from the explosive charge.
8. That when our improved projectile is employed against armour plating it exercises
a high penetrating force and heavy concussion.
9. That our improved so-called bolt and arrow projectile can be employed in fire

page_text: arms of all kinds from a saloon gun or pistol to the monster ordnance and be adopted
to all kinds of projectile.
10. That the longitudinal axis of the projectile always form the tangents of the
trajectory which ensures the longest range produced by the raising action of the air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
--
1. Projectiles with hemispherical head and the centre of gravity in the first foremost
third part of their length and a stem of less diameter than the head, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing specification.
2. The construction of projectiles of all kinds whereby the centre of gravity is
arranged preferably in the first foremost third part of the length of the said projectile
so that the longitudinal axis of the same will form the tangents of a trajectory and a
double curving of the same and also all tendency to turn over be avoided,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing specification.
3. The hemispherical formation of the head of the projectile whereby the resistance
of the air acts alike over the entire surface so as to permit the tactically important
rolling shot combined with the principles of penetration and concussion,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing specification and shown
in the accompanying drawings.
4. The construction of the hemispherically formed head of the projectile with the
centre of gravity in the first third part of its length so that the said projectile.is
compelled to strike the target at a right angle, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawing.
5. The construction of the hemispherically formed head of the projectile with the
centre of gravity in the first third part of its length, or any mere modification of the
same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth in the foregoing specification and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
1000