Shells for Fire-arms.
Year: 1885

page_text: Shells for Fire-arms.
I GEORGE FREDERICK SIMONDS, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States of
America, Saw Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW PROJECTILES OR SHELLS FOR
FIRE ARMS" to be as follows:-
. My improvements relate to shells for fire-arms and are equally applicable to
shells for large or heavy ordnance, and to those used in machine guns or other
arms of small calibre. The said invention is designed to produce hollow projectiles
of greater strength for any given dimensions than those heretofore made, and also
to facilitate and cheapen their manufacture.
In the specification of former Letters Patent granted to me June 9 A.D. 1885
No 7028 I have described a peculiar method of, and machinery for, manufacturing
metal articles which are circular in transverse section. According to my present
invention I adapt the method therein described to the production of my improved
shells, that is to say, I use dies arranged in pairs and moved to-and-fro so as to
impart to any article placed between them a rolling motion, by virtue of which
and the pressure on the dies it acquires an external shape or configuration
corresponding in longitudinal section with the section of the finishing ends of the
said dies.
By my invention I am enabled to produce hollow projectiles of any required
calibre and weight consisting of a single piece or mass of metal, instead of having
to make them in two or more parts united by screw threads or otherwise.
In practising my said invention I provide dies with their forming or working
surfaces, so shaped as to impart to a piece of metal placed between them the
required external form of the projectile. I then take a metal tube or hollow
cylinder of any required length and diameter and place the same between the
said dies which act thereon as above described.
An important feature of my invention is that in forming the pointed or conical
ends of these hollow projectiles the metal by being reduced in diameter is
compressed and condensed whereby the strength and penetrative capacity of the
projectile is greatly increased,
In the manufacture of shells designed for the penetration of armour plates of
ships and for similar purposes I take a metal cylinder which is made tubular or .

page_text: hollow through a portion of its length, that is to say, it is a hollow cylinder with
one solid or closed end. This solid part is to form the pointed or conical end of
the shell; and when this cylinder is subjected to the action of the aforesaid dies
the metal at this solid end, by being reduced from the cylindrical to the conical
form, is subjected to great compression or condensation. The point or nose of the
projectile is thus made of a strength which will ensure its capability of penetration
of the strongest armour against which it may be directed. The rear end or base of
the projectile is turned inward and compressed by the same dies.
These hollow projectiles formed in one piece and with solid ends compressed
and condensed, however they may be produced, are an important feature of my
invention.
I can produce shells of any desired pattern or configuration, such for instance as
those used with the well known Whitworth, Nordenfeldt, Gardner or Hotckiss
guns or others.
In the manufacture of the said shells I form around the same the grooves or
channels for the reception of copper or other rings, and otherwise finish their
exterior surfaces.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Hollow Projectiles or
Shells for Fire-arms.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK SIMONDS, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States of
America do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the 2
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My invention relates to hollow projectiles or shells for ordnance and also for
machine-guns or other fire-arms.
The said invention is designed to produce hollow projectiles or shells of greater 3
strength for any given dimensions than those heretofore made and also to facilitate
and cheapen their manufacture.
In the specification of former Letters Patent, dated June 9th A.D, 1885,
No 7028, and also in the specification of Letters Patent dated November 24th

page_text: A.D. 1885, N° 14,426, I have described a peculiar method of, and machinery or
apparatus for, manufacturing netal articles which are circular in transverse section
and are not of uniform diameter throughout their length.
According to my present invention, I utilize the method described in the said
specifications for the production of my improved hollow projectiles or shells, that
is to say, I use dies which are arranged in pairs and subjected to pressure, and
which are moved to and fro so as to impart to any article placed between them
a rolling motion, by virtue of which, and of the pressure on the dies, it acquires
an external shape or configuration corresponding in longitudinal section with
the transverse section of the forming surfaces at the finishing ends of the dies.
By my invention, I am enabled to produce hollow projectiles of any required.
calibre and weight consisting of a single piece or mass of metal, instead of having
to make them in two or more parts united by screw-threads or otherwise. In
some instances, however, I make my projectiles in two or more parts as herein-
after set forth.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a blank from which a hollow projectile is to be
made according to my present invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section of the said projectile.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section of a similar projectile with a solid base
and an aperture at its apex for the fuse.
Figure 4 is an external view of another blank from which a hollow projectile is
to be made.
Figure 5 is an end view of the said blank.
Figure 6 shews the said blank in longitudinal central section.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a projectile made from the said blank.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal central section of the said projectile.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal central section of a modified form of the said
projectile.
Figures 10, 11, and 12 are longitudinal central sections of shrapnel-shells made
according to my present invention.
In practising my said invention, I employ dies with their forming or working
surfaces so shaped as to impart to a heated piece of metal subjected to rolling and
pressure between them, the required external form of the projectile.
In making a projectile such as that shown in Figure 2, I take a tube or hollow
cylinder of steel, as shewn at a, Figure 1, of any required length and diameter and
place the same between the said dies, which act thereon as above described.
The working surfaces of the dies are, in some instances, so shaped that they will
close the shell completely at its apex and only partially at its base, leaving an
aperture in the base for the fuse, as shewn in Figure 2. In other instances, the
working surfaces of the said dies are so shaped that they will completely close the
shell at its base, but will leave an aperture for the fuse at its apex, as shewn in
Figure 3.
An important feature of my invention is that, in forming the pointed or conical
ends 6 of my hollow projectiles, the metal, by being reduced in diameter, is
compressed and condensed and the strength and penetrative capacity of the
projectile are thus greatly increased.
In the manufacture of shells designed for the penetration of armour-plates of
ships and for similar purposes, I take a steel cylinder c (Figures 4, 5 and 6) which
is tubular or hollow through a portion only of its length, and has a solid part
at c¹, which is to form the pointed or conical end of the shell. By the action of
the aforesaid dies, during the rolling of the projectile between them, the metal
at c¹, by being reduced from the cylindrical to the conical form, is subjected to
great compression and condensation. The point or nose b is thus made of great
strength and, when properly hardened or tempered, will give to the projectile such
a penetrative quality as will reuder it highly serviceable for use against armour-
plated structures,

page_text: The rear end or base of the projectile is turned inward and compressed by the
same dies.
"
I can produce shells of any desired pattern or configuration, such, for instance,
as those used with the well-known "Gardner," Hotchkiss," "Nordenfelt," or
"Whitworth" guns, or other weapons.
In Figures 10 and 11, I have shewn shrapnel-shells made according to my
present invention; the bodies of these shells are made in two parts d, d', which
are united by screw-threads at d. In the manufacture of such projectiles, two
pairs of dies are required, one pair for ahaping the part d and the other pair for
shaping the part d, the pointed or conical end b whereof is compressed and
condensed in the rolling of the same between the dies as above set forth.
Figure 12 shows a shrapnel-shell made from a single piece of metal according to
my present invention.
In the manufacture of my improved shells, I form around the same the grooves
or channels for the reception of copper or other rings, and otherwise finish their
exterior surfaces, as may be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. A hollow projectile or shell manufactured by rolling a hollow cylinder or
tube between dies such as are herein referred to, and having a pointed or conical
end the metal of which is subjected to compression and condensation during the
manufacture of the shell as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Second. An improved hollow projectile or shell substantially as described with
reference to either of the forms or modifications shewn in the accompanying
drawing.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.