IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ARMS, CARTRIDGES, AND CANNON, AND IN AN IMPROVED METHOD OF FIXING THE BAYONETS OF FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of Chancery Lane, in the County
'of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ARMS, CARTRIDGES, AND CANNON, AND IN AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF FIXING THE BAYONETS OF FIRE-ARMS."-A communi-
'cation from abroad by Hiram Berdan, of New York City, in the
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th December 1864.
02
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS. CARTRIDGES, AND CANNON, AND IN
IMPROVED: METHOD OF FIXING THE BAYONETS OF FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to the construction of the counter-
bore or cartridge receiving chamber of a gun or cannon, and also to the con-
struction of the cartridge to be used in connection with the said counter-bore;
the second part relates to the construction of the breech-closing mechanism;
the third part relates to the construction of cartridges; the fourth part
relates to 'improvements in the arrangement of bayonets and their fastenings;

page_text: the fifth part relates to the construction of the sight mechanism of fire-arms.
In the ordinary construction of breech-loading fire-arms the rear portion of
the rifled bore terminates in an enlarged smooth cylindrical chamber called
the counter-bore. The ammunition or cartridge is inserted into the counter;
bore, which extends from the rear extremity of the barrel up to the junction
with it of the grooved or rifled bore; the front end of the counter-bore is
usually contracted into a smooth cylindrical incline or shoulder. In guns of
this character it is common to employ what is known as fixed ammunition, to
wit, a cartridge having a metallic shell loaded with powder and ball; some-
times however a paper cartridge is used. The cartridge is inserted into the
counter-bore, the length of which should be such that, if an elongated ball is
employed, the front end of the ball will reach or nearly reach the incline, and
the point of the ball will be directed towards the centre of the rifled bore.
In external form the balls are cylindrical, and they are necessarily made of
larger diameter than the rifled bore, so that when fired the balls will wholly
fill up the rifled grooves. When the enlarged ball is driven forward by the
iguition of the powder into the rifled bore the surface of the ball must neces-
sarily be compressed or channelled so as to exactly fit or correspond to the
form of the rifle; the resistance of the ball when thus suddenly subjected to
compression is enormous; the duration and degree of this resistance will in
balls of ofa given size be proportionate to the surface length of the ball; another
objection to these arms is that the balls must be composed of very soft metal,
so that their compression into the rified bore may be effected with the least
resistance. The harder the metal of the balls the greater will be their resis-
tance when they are driven against the incline or shoulder of the counter-bore
and compressed into the grooves of the rifled bore. In muzzle-loading rifled
guns it is common to cover the exterior of the ball with a patch, which serves
to reduce the resistance of the ball, and also prevents the leading of the bore
when soft metal balls are used; but in the ordinary breech loading guns it is
impossible to employ a patch because the surface of the ball must be com-
pressed or channelled so as to fit into and fill the rifled grooves. Another
objection to the ordinary breech-loading rifled fire-arms is the difficulty of
simultaneously firing more than one ball; when it is attempted to use more
than one ball in such arms the necessary softness of the metal composing the
balls is such that by the resistance occasioned by compressing them into the
grooves, by the force of the gas arising from the ignition of the powder,
the balls are upset and forced one into the other, and their distinctive shape
is thus lost; they emerge from the gun in the form of a disproportionate plug,
and their accuracy of flight is destroyed. In addition to this by the upsetting

page_text: and jamming together of the balls the interior of the rimed bore of the gun
becomes badly leaded.
The nature of this Invention consists in grooving or rifling the interior
surface of the charge chamber. or counter-bore with grooves, which corre-
spond to and unite with those of the barrel, and have the same twist as the
grooves of the barrel. The barrel of the gun is made of the usual materials,
and in the usual manner, the bore being, say, of a sexagonal or other suitable
form, with rifled grooves which extend and are continued within and
parallel with the inner surface of the incline or shoulder leading to the en-
larged counter-bore or chamber, as also within that chamber; a recess at the
rear of the counter-bore receives the cylindrical cap of the cartridge. This
improvement is not confined to any particular species of grooving or feather-
ing, nor to any particular degree of twist thereof, nor to any particular size
or species of breech-loading guns. This improvement may be employed in
connection with almost every known species of rifled grooving or feathering,
and it may be employed in all kinds and in all sizes of breech-loading guns.
In connection with the rifling of the counter-bore I employ a novel species of
fixed ammunition; I make use of a cartridge, the shell or case of which is so
made or prepared that the exterior will correspond with the shape of the
interior of the rifled counter-bore and snugly fit therein; the exterior of the
cartridge case has therefore the same twist as the grooves of the counter-bore.
The interior of the cartridge case corresponds very closelyin formand size to that
of the rifled bore of the barrel; the cartridge case thus made receives and holds
one or more balls, either rounded or elongated, which have had their surfaces pre-
viously prepared to correspond with and exactly fit into the rifled grooves of the
bore of the gun. When a cartridge of this kind is inserted into the rifled counter-
bore,the exterior of the cartridge case following the twist of the rifled grooves
will carry and hold the ball or balls in exact line with the rifled grooves of the
bore, and when the powder is exploded the prepared balls will pass through
the rifled grooves of the bore with comparatively little resistance, having been
accurately fitted to the grooves beforehand. I prepare the balls by using a
section of a rifled barrel as a die or mould, through which I force the metal
by means of a suitable plunger. The exact fitting of the balls into the rifled
grooves of the gun is thus secured. I also prepare the cartridge shells by
using a section of the counter-bore as a die, with a plunger of the form and
size of the rifled bore. The exterior of the elongated balls may be covered
with patches before the balls are placed within the cartridge shells. When
the balls are to be thus covered the die by which they are to be prepared must
be made smaller than the bore of the gun to allow for the thickness of the

page_text: patch. When thus covered the possibility of leading the barrel is prevented,
and the friction of the ball in the barrel is much reduced, and much greater
accuracy is obtained, in consequence of the fact that the surface of the patch
is not worn off so fast as the surface of the ball would be if the latter were
in direct contact with the grooves of the bore; a better fit between the ball
and the bore of the gun is thus maintained. The shells of the cartridge
may be composed of metal or fibrous substance, or both combined, or any
other suitable material that can be pressed, cast, or made into the form
described may be employed.
In comparison with the ordinary breech-loading guns, the use of these
improvements present many important and striking advantages. Guns made
as I have described, with a rifled counter-bore, will offer but little resistance
to the passage of the balls through the rifled guns. The balls having been
hardened, and accurately fitted to the rifled grooves beforehand, will undergo
no compression or channelling, hence their range, penetration, and accuracy,
with a given degree of recoil, will far exceed that of the crdinary breech-
loading guns.
By the use of these improvements I am enabled to reduce the friction or
resistance encountered by the ball in passing through the gun, and I am
therefore enabled to use a large charge of powder or a quicker burning quality
of powder without increasing the force of the recoil. The more powder
burned the more gas is produced, and the greater is the velocity imparted to
the ball when the ball leaves the muzzle of the gun. In the use of the
ordinary breech loading fire-arms the resistance of the ball, due to its sudden
compression into the rifled grooves, is so great, owing to the nature of the
surfaces in contact, that much less velocity is imparted to the ball during
its passage through the barrel than is obtained by the use of these improve.
ments. In this gun the ball is not checked by any resistance of compression,
but starts with the commencement of the ignition, or as soon as sufficient
gas pressure is generated to overcome the inertia of the ball, and the ball is
driven with increasing velocity by the increasing volume of gas as ignition
proceeds
These improvements thus enable me to make use of a much heavier
projectile in proportion to its diameter than is desirable to use in the ordinary
breech-loading rifled guns. I thereby obtain greater momentum for these
projectiles with less air resistance than is practicable in the use of the ordinary
breech-loading guns.
This Invention greatly facilitates the employment of cartridges containing
a series of balls which may be simultaneously discharged. Two kinds of

page_text: ammunition may be used in connection with this gun, viz., single ball
cartridges for long range firing, or three-balled cartridge for short range or
volley firing. All breech-loading fire-arms at present in use are I believe
limited practically to single balls. When it is attempted to use three balls,
for example, in such arms, the sudden force of the gas acting on the rear
ball,and the resistance of the forward ball,produces a compression or oblitera-
tion of the form of the central ball, indeed the contact surfaces of all the
balls are destroyed, and they are jammed together in that form of the plug as
before stated; but in these improvements, the balls having been all previously
hardened, fitted, and prepared for the rifled bore, when the cartridge is
inserted the bands on the balls are placed in line with the grooves in the
barrel, and when ignition of the powder takes place the balls pass from the
gun with so little resistance that the contact surfaces of the ball and gun
cannot be materially affected. When the ordinary cylindrical or smooth
counter-bore is employed it is obvious that all balls cannot receive previous
preparation to fit the grooves of the gun. It is required that the surfaces of
the balls used with the smooth counter-bore shall be compressed into the
rifled grooves of the barrel of the gun after the powder is ignited.
the
Another important advantage of this improvement is, that by the simple
act of introducing the cartridge in to the counter-bore several balls may be
simultaneously and accurately fitted into position in line with the grooves of
gun ready for fitting; thus the flight of the balls will be accurate whether
a single heavy ball for long ranged firing, or two or more lighter balls for
volley firing be used. Any degree of scattering or spread of the balls after
leaving the gun may be allowed by varying the density of the metal com-
posing the balls, and by altering the tightness of their fit within the bore of
the gun.
By the use of these improvements the soldier when in action may readily
change the character of his ammunition to suit the constant varying nature
of his service, using the long or short range cartridges as circunstances may
require. One of the great disadvantages of nearly all fire-arms now used,
whether muzzle or breech loading, is the difficulty of easily regulating the
execution of the arm so as to suit it for short or long range service. Cart-
ridges carrying a single heavy bullet for the longest range of which the gun
is capable are now almost invariably employed in all breech-loading rifled
fire-arms. By the use of this improvement the balls might be divided into
three balls, and all of them fired with sufficient power for any distance which
it is desirable to shoot in volley firing, thus trebling the effect of the same
weight of ammunition.

page_text: These improvements are intended for use in connection with various forms
of breech-closing devices, and the cartridges here described may be discharged
by a blow of the hammer upon any portion of the shell thereof, or by mean8
of a percussion cap, as will be readily understood by all gun makers and
persons skilled in the art.
After the insertion of
In reference to the second part of this Invention, one of the objects of the
improvement is to facilitate the removal of the shell of the cartridge after it
has been exploded in the gun; another object of it is to prevent any injury to
or displacement of the movable breech-latch or breech-closer by or during
the explosion of the cartridge; another object is to completely protect the
working parts and surfaces of the breech mechanism and from the entrance
of dirt. The barrel, which may be of any desired form, either rifled or smooth
bored, is attached in the ordinary manner to the breech-holder, the frout part
of which receives and holds the barrel, and the rear part is intended to fit
into and be attached to the gun stock in the ordinary manner. That portion
of the breech-holder which is immediately behind the breech of the barrel is
cut out, so as to form an open groove or channel through which in the act
of loading the cartridge may be pushed, and by which groove the cartridge
will be guided directly into the breech of the barrel.
the cartridge the breech of the barrel is closed by means of a swinging latch
or closing piece, which consists of a solid block of metal hinged upon one side
of the breech-holder. The sides of the breech-holder are cut out in form
corresponding to that of the form of the latch, so as to permit the latter to
and shut behind the breech of the barrel. The bottom of the groove
before mentioned is deepened or enlarged directly under the latch, so that
in closing the latch will fall a little below the remaining portion of the bottom
of the groove, which bottom will thus constitute a resisting ledge or stop to
support the bottom of the latch and prevent it from being driven back by
the explosion of the cartridge. The sides of the opening in the breech-holder
in which the latch moves will support the sides of the latch during the explo-
sion. Most of the fire-arms in which a swinging latch is used have proved
defective and useless for want of a support upon the upper part of the latch;
I' provide this support, and thus equally protect all the sides of the latch, by
'extending the front part of the latch longitudinally into the form of a strap,
and upon the under side of this strap I form a cavity made just large enough
to receive the stud or stop which rises from the upper surface of the breech-
holder. When the latch is closed the stud enters the cavity and the strap
receives the longitudinal force of the explosion of the cartridge, thus saving the
latch from displacement or injury. The shell of the discharged cartridge is
open

page_text: extracted from the breech by means of a longitudinal sliding ring or
extractor, which is made quite thin and is arranged to stand directly against
the rear of the barrel. In the act of inserting the cartridge, the body of
the latter is passed right through, the ring is such that the body may pass
through it into the barrel, while the head or flange of the cartridge is arrested
by the ring. The latch closes directly against the rear face of the ring,
the edge or opening of which is countersunk, so that the head or flange
of the cartridge will fit into the ring flush with the rear face thereof, and thus
permit the latch to close tight against the rear face of the ring and the head
of the cartridge. The front edge or face of the opening in the ring is also
countersunk to receive the projecting edge of the gas lip, which projects in
the usual manner from the rear of the barrel. When the latch is closed,
the ring, and with it the head of the cartridge, are pressed firmly up against
the rear of the barrel. The ring is attached and supported at its lowest
part upon a longitudinal slide, which moves in a corresponding groove in
the lower part of the breech-holder. This slide is jointed to or may be made
solid with a second slide made directly under the first slide. The second slide
moves between guides on the under part of the breech-holder.
rear portion of this slide is cylindrical, and supported by passing through
a ring or bracket guide upon the breech-holder. Between the guide and
the head of the slide is a spiral spring, the action of which is to press the
slide forward. On the upper end of the breech-holder there is a finger
cavity deep enough to allow the finger to be well introduced against the
front upper surface of the ring, and in order to remove the cartridge shell
it is simply necessary to open the latch and push back the ring with the
finger. The flange of the cartridge shell being retained within the ring, the
cartridge will be withdrawn by the backward movement of the ring, as
described. When the ring is released, the spiral spring will by self-action
push forward the second slide, and thus carry the ring to its place against the
rear of the barrel.
The
They are
I do not claim broadly the use of a sliding shell extractor.
usually made to push on one side of the cartridge shell only, or in the form
of a fork, so that they act unevenly upon the flange of the shell, and render
its extraction difficult. The use of a complete ring causes the force used in
withdrawing the cartridge to be very equally applied to the flange, and
renders the removal of the shell very easy.
In most of the breech-loading guns the slide or device which carries the
cartridge extractor is operated by means of a lever, trigger, or other device
which projects through the breech-holder to the outside thereof to a point

page_text: where it can be operated. This adds expense and complication to the fire-
arm, and makes an opening for the weather to enter, which is wholly obviated
in this improvement by the peculiar construction of the cartridge extractor.
In ordinary breech-loading fire-arms no cover or protection is afforded to the
joints between the breech closer and adjacent parts. The result is, that when
the arm is exposed in wet weather or is accidentally dropped upon the ground,
the said joints and all the operating parts or surfaces appertaining to the breech
mechanism are liable to become fouled or obstructed by rust, sand, or dirt;
and when a channel is employed to guide the cartridge its surfaces are also
exposed to the weather, sand, and dirt, as described, and much foul matter is
thus likely to be carried forward into the gun by the act of inserting the cart-
ridge. I protect all the above parts and obviate the above objections by
extending from the rear part of the latch a projecting cover made of a form
to correspond with the external shape of the upper surface of the breech-
holder. The flanges and strap before described are also to be regarded as
continuations or parts of the projecting cover attached to or extending from
the breech-closer or latch, and so as to cover and protect the parts as herein-
before described, by which means those parts are always maintained in a clean
and effective condition, ready for instant use, and there is no liability to carry
dirt forward by the cartridge into the barrel. The latch is fastened down in
close position by means of a pivoted spring catch of an elbow form, which
catch is arranged under the nipple plug. This catch is so arranged that by a
slight upward pressure it unlocks and allows the latch to rise or open, thereby
unlocking and opening the latch by one movement. The lower extremity or
lap of the latch engages with a ledge upon the breech loader.
The construction of that portion of the catch which is below the nipple plug
of the gun, and against which the pressure of the finger is applied to unlock
the catch, is very peculiar and is important. This catel is made dish-shaped
and has an aperture through it. Now in case any foreign matter should be-
come accidentally interposed between the nipple plug and the catch, the said
matter, when upward pressure is applied to the catch, will be forced out
through the aperture, thus always insuring the free operation of the catch.
In guns in which percussion nipples are not employed the latch may be pro-
vided with a suitable lateral projection or finger piece in lieu of the nipple
plug for lifting the latch, and the catch may be applied substantially as
described underneath said objection or finger piece.
The third part of my Invention relates to cartridges which are more
especially intended for use in connection with breech-loading rifled fire-arins,
although my Invention is equally applicable to cartridges used in all kinds of

page_text: fire-arms and cannon. In the use of breech-loading fire-arms and cannon it is a
matter of the highest importance to have the cartridge case made exactly to
fit and conform to the shape of the counter-bore or charge chamber of the arm.
If the cartridge fits exactly, the ball or balls will, when inserted, be held in
line with the bore of the gun, and its flight through it will be easier and
ultimately more accurate than if imperfectly fitted. My improved cartridges
have their cases made either wholly of paper or of some textile fabric or
pliable material, or partly of both. I prefer to make them of paper in the
manner I will now describe. I first cover the paper of which the body of the
case or shell is inade with paste or other adhesive material, to cause the
folds thereof to adhere together. I then roll the pasted paper upon a round
mandrel of about the size of the counter-bore of the fire-arm for which it is
intended. I then divide the cylinder thus made into suitable sections of the
proper lengths for cartridge cases. These cases are now withdrawn from the
maudril and compressed into the exact shape of the said counter-bore or
charge chamber. In order to effect the compression I provide a movable
plunger or die-holder, which is moved longitudinally by means of a rack and
pinion. The plunger moves through an eye or guide attached to a suitable
frame or support.
At the upper end of the plunger I insert a mandrel,
which exactly corresponds in form with the shape of the bore of the fire-arm,
this mandrel is provided with rifled feathers to correspond with the rifled bore
of the gun. Supported in a suitable eye or holder, attached to the upper part
of the support, is secured a nut or die which is of the exact form and size of
the interior of the counter-bore in which it is to be used. Having placed the
paper cylinder upon the mandrel, I cause the latter to rise by means of the
rack and pinion, and thus with immense force compress the paper section
between the mandrel and the nut or die, so that when the paper section has
passed entirely through the die it will have assumed the exact form of the
counter-bore of the gun. The enormous pressure thus given to the paper
condenses and solidifies its substance, causing it to become very hard and
rigid, while at the same time insuring accuracy of fit in the counter-bore.
The metallic head or cap is to be next applied, which is made in the ordinary
manner of making metallic cartridges. I, however, make the body part. near
the edge quite thin, so that it is bent inwards to grasp the paper body of the
cartridge; the metal body of the cap will retain its shape. The metal cap is
placed upon the paper body while it is still upon the mandrel, a follower is
then made to descend and drive the mandrel, cap, and paper section or body
towards the die before mentioned. The upper part of this die is furnished
with a recess of sufficient size to admit the cap. The bottom of the recess is

page_text: made to incline towards the mandrel, and its depth is less than the length of
the cap, so that when the cap and paper section are pressed downwards by the
follower the cap will enter the recess and its thin edge will strike against the
inclined bottom of the recess and be deflected inwards towards the paper, into
which it will enter. The firmness with which the cap and the paper section
will be combined will depend upon the pressure applied to the follower, which
can be regulated at pleasure. This apparatus, however, forms no part of
the present Invention. The shell so made I now saturate with hot tallow,
which not only lubricates the shell but renders the cartridge weatherproof,
and prevents the gases arising from the powder entering the pores of the
shell and destroying it. The paper case is now charged with fulminate
powder and ball (one or more) in any convenient manner. Both the exterior
and interior of the cartridge case will have the same twist as the counter-
bore; the ball or balls used in such cartridges are to be previously rifled or
prepared, on their exterior surfaces, to fit the bore of the gun, and also the
interior of the cartridge case, which is identical with the bore of the
gun. Ι
prepare the balls for these cartridges by forcing them with a suitable punch
through a die or nut which exactly corresponds with the bore of the gun.
When it is desirable to prepare smooth cylindrical cartridges, I remove the
former mandrel and substitute a smooth mandrel of the required shape.
I also substitute a smooth die or nut for the rifled one before mentioned.
Smooth cartridges can then be made with the same facility and in the
same manner as before described.
The fourth part of this Invention relates to fixing bayonets, and is intended
principally for use in connection with breech-loading fire-arms in which the
ramrod is not generally required except for cleaning the gun. The object of
the improvement is to cover or protect the projection of the clasp ring by
which the bayonet is locked upon the gun, also to produce a better and more
uniform appearance in the finish of the gun, also to assist the better balancing
of the gun in fixing or in bayonet exercise. The muzzle of the gun, the
bayonet, the fastening ring, the bayonet stop on the barrel, and the fastening
slot in the bayonet handle are all constructed inthe usual manner. The bayonet
is also applied to,fastened,ard removed from the gun in the usual manuer, the
only material difference being in the position the bayonet occupies when
fastened upon the gun. According to my improvement the blade of the
bayonet stands in the same plane as the ramrod of the gun, while the shank
of the bayonet blade is in close juxtaposition to the top of the ramrod. In
ordinary the bayonet shank stands on one side of the gun, and forms an ugly
angular projection, which is besides the cause of serious difficulty in the use

page_text: of the arm, as it forms a ledge against which the sword or bayonet of an
adversary may catch, and so bring the force of a blow on the holder of the
gun. By my arrangement the position of the bayonet blade being directly
over and in line with the ramrod covers and protects the heel forming the
ledge from such blows, which will glance off the gun. The projection of the
fastening ring is also liable, by contact with tree branches, brush, and other
such objects, to become turned or unlocked, and so loosening the bayonet and
causing it to be lost. Bayonets fastened as in ordinary are apt to be lost
while marines are fighting across the rails or gunwales of ships bythe catching
and unlocking of the ring before mentioned, whereas such cannot take place
according to my arrangements by reason of the covering or protection given
to the projecting stem or part of the bayonet and to its shank by the position
of the blade standing in line with and in close proximity to the ramrod.
This arrangement also permits the finer locking together of the guns when
stacked. These improvements may be used in connection with other than
the ordinary methods of fastening, but which I prefer.
The fifth part of this Invention relates to improvements in the construction
of the sights of guns. The sight is hinged in the usual manner to a bed
piece, which is secured upon the barrel in the ordinary position, and has the
usual sight slide moving upon the sight bar. The sight slide is provided with
the usual sight notch at the top for taking aim, but in lieu of the notch a
vertical line or other mark to indicate the centre of the slide may be used. In
addition to the sight slide it is common to provide a peak hole when very
accurate firing is to be attempted. The peak hole, as generally arranged, is a
perforation in a small disc mounted on a separate standard at a point behind
the sight slide before mentioned. My improvement consists in placing the
peak hole in the sight slide in combination with the sight notch in the said
slide. I am thus enabled to dispense with the extra standard and disc before
referred to,therebyimparting a new and improved function to the sight slide.
Another improvement in the sight slides consists in forming lips upon the
edges of the sight slide, so that when the hinged bar is turned down the lips
will grasp between them the edges of the bed piece, and thus prevent all
lateral displacement or bending of the sight bar by accidental contact with
extraneous objects. The usual sight ball may be arranged within the front
sight for accurate firing, and the usual sight bead may be placed above the
front sight thimble for ordinary firing to be used with the notch in the slide.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd June 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Clark, 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 FIRE-ARMS,
CARTRIDGES, AND CANNON, AND IN AN IMPROVED METHOD OF FIXING THE BAYONETS
OF FIRE-ARMS," a communication to me from abroad by Hiram Berdan, of New
York City, in the United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularlydescribe 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 William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the 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 Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The first part of these improvements relates to the construction of the
counter-bore or cartridge receiving chamber of the gun or cannon, and also
to the construction of the cartridge to be used in connection with the said
counter-bore.
The second part of these improvements relates to the construction of the
breech-closing mechanism.

page_text: The third part of these improvements relates to the construction of
cartridges.
The fourth part of these improvements relates to improvements in the
arrangement of bayonets and their fastenings.
The fifth part of these improvements relates to the construction of the
sight mechanism of fire-arms.
Part first of these improvements is illustrated in the Drawings by Figures 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Figs. 1 and 2 are side sectional elevations of gun
barrels showing this improvement; Fig. 3 is a side sectional elevation similar
to Fig. 1, but showing the cartridge placed within the barrel; Fig. 4 is an
elevation of the breech or rear of the barrel shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an
elevation of the muzzle of the same barrel; Fig. 6 is a side elevation, in
part sectional, of the cartridge; Figs. 7 and 8 are elevations of balls
used in the cartridge. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts.
In the construction of the barrels of the ordinary breech-loading fire-arms
the rear portion of the rifled bore terminates in an enlarged smooth cylindrical
chamber called the counter-bore. The ammunition or cartridge is inserted
into the counter bore, which extends from the rear extremity of the barrel up
to the junction with it of the grooved or rifled bore. As the counter-bore
is larger in diameter than the rifled bore, the front end of the counter-bore
is usually contracted into a smooth cylindrical incline or shoulder.
In guns of this character it is common to employ what is known as fixed
ammunition, to wit, a cartridge having a metallic shell loaded with powder
and ball; sometimes, however, a paper cartridge is used.
The cartridge is inserted into the counter-bore, the length of which should
be such that if an elongated ball is employed the front end of the ball will
reach or nearly reach the incline, and the point of the ball will be directed
towards the centre of the rifled bore. In external form the balls are
cylindrical, and they are necessarily made of larger diameter than the rifled
bore of the gun, so that when fired the balls will wholly fill up the rifled
grooves. When the enlarged ball is driven forward by the ignition of the
powder into the rifled bore, the surface of the ball must necessarily be com-
pressed or channelled so as to exactly fit or correspond to the form of the
rifled bore. The resistance of the ball when thus suddenly subjected to
compression is enormous, the duration and degree of this resistance will
in balls of a given size be proportionate to the surface length of the balls.
Another objection to these arms is that the balls must be composed of very
soft metal, so that their compression into the rifled bore may be effected with

page_text: the least resistance. The harder the metal of the balls the greater will be
their resistance when they driven against the incline or shoulder of the
counter-bore and compressed into the grooves of the rifled bore. In muzzle-
loading rifled guns it is common to cover the exterior of the ball with a patch,
which serves to reduce the resistance of the ball and also prevents the leading
of the bore when soft metal balls are used; but in the ordinary breech-loading
guns it is impossible to employ a patch, because the surface of the ball
must be compressed or channelled so as to fit into and fill the rifled grooves.
Another objection to the ordinary breech-loading rifled fire-arins is the
difficulty of simultaneously firing more than one ball. When it is attempted
to use more than one ball in such arms, the necessary softness of the metal
composing the balls is such that by the resistance occasioned by compressing
them into the grooves, and by the force of the gas arising from the ignition
of the powder, the balls are upset and forced one into the other, and their
distinctive shape is thus lost; they emerge from the gun in the form of a
disproportionate plug, and their accuracy of flight is destroyed. In addition
to this, by the upsetting and jamming together of the balls the interior of the
rifled bore of the gun becomes badly leaded. The nature of this Invention
consists in grooving or rifling the interior surface of the charge chamber or
counter-bore with grooves which correspond to and unite with those of the
barrel, and have the same twist as the grooves of the barrel.
Referring to the Drawings, A represents the barrel of the gun, made as
shown in Fig. 1 or as in Fig. 2, in the usual manner and of the usual
materials. a is the bore of the gun, which is made of sexagonal or other suitable
form, with grooves b as shown, which extend or are continued within and
parallel with the inner surface of the incline c and counter-bore or charge
chamber d, substantially as shown. A recess e at the rear of the counter-bore
This
receives the cylindrical cap of the cartridge B, as shown in Fig. 2.
improvement is not confined to any particular species ofgrooving or feathering,
nor to any particular degree of twist thereof, nor to any particular, size or
species of breech-loading guns. This improvement may be employed in
connection with almost every known species of rifled grooving or feathering,
and it may be employed in all kinds and in all sizes of breech-loading guns.
In connection with the rifling of the counter-bore I employ a novel species of
fixed ammunition. I make use of a cartridge B, the shell or case of which
is so made or prepared that its exterior will correspond with the shape of the
interior of the rifled counter-bore and snugly fit therein. The exterior of the
cartridge case therefore has the same twist as the grooves of the counter-bore.
The interior form of the cartridge B also corresponds with its exterior. The

page_text: interior of the cartridge case corresponds in form and size very closely to that
of the rifled bore of the barrel. The cartridge case thus made receives and
holds one or more balls, either rounded or elongated, which have had their
surfaces previously prepared to correspond with and exactly fit into the rifled
grooves of the bore of the gun. When a cartridge of this kind is inserted
into the rifled counter-bore, the exterior of the cartridge case following the
twist of the rifled grooves will carry and hold the ball or balls in exact line
with the rifled grooves of the bore, and when the powder is exploded the
prepared balls will pass through the rifled grooves of the bore with compara-
tively little resistance, having been accurately fitted to the grooves beforehand.
I prepare the balls by using a section of a rifled barrel as a die or mould,
through which I force the metal by means of a suitable plunger. The exact
fitting of the balls into the rifled grooves of the gun is thus secured. I also
prepare the cartridge shells by using a section of the counter-bore as a die,
with a plunger of the form and size of the rifled bore. The exterior of the
elongated balls may be covered with patches, as shown at /, before the balls
are placed within the cartridge shells. When the balls are to be thus
covered the die by which they are to be prepared must be made smaller than
the bore of the gun, to allow for the thickness of the patch. When thus
covered the possibility of leading the barrel is prevented, and the friction of
the ball in the barrel is much reduced, and much greater accuracy is obtained,
in consequence of the fact the surface of the patch is not worn off as fast as
the surface of the ball would be if the latter were in direct contact with the
grooves of the bore; a better fit between the ball and the bore of the gun is
thus maintained.
The shells of the cartridge may be composed of metal or fibrous substance,
or both combined, or any other suitable material that can be pressed, cast, or
nade into the form described may be employed. In comparison with the
ordinary breech-loading guns the use of my improvements present many
important and striking advantages.
Guns made as I have described with a rifled counter-bore will offer but
little resistance to the passage of the balls through the rifled guns. The balls
having been hardened and accurately fitted to the rifled grooves beforehand
will undergo no compression or channelling; hence their range, penetration,
and accuracy with a given degree of recoil will far exceed that of the ordinary
breech-loading guns. By the use of these improvements I am enabled to
reduce the friction or resistance encountered by the ball in passing through
the
gun, and I am therefore enabled to use a larger charge of powder, or a
quicker burning quality of powder, without increasing the force of the recoil.

page_text: The more powder burned the more gas is produced, and the greater is the
velocity imparted to the ball when the ball leaves the muzzle of the groove.
In the use of the ordinary breech-loading fire-arms the resistance of the ball,
due to its sudden compression into the rifled grooves, is so great, owing to the
nature of the surfaces in contact, that much less velocity is imparted to the
ball during its passage through the barrel than is obtained by the use of these
improvements. In this gun the ball is not checked by auy resistance of
compression, but starts with the commencement of ignition, or as soon as
sufficient gas pressure is generated to overcome the inertia of the ball, and the
ball is driven with increasing velocity by the increasing volume of gas
as ignition proceeds. These improvements thus enable me to make use of
a much heavier projectile in proportion to its diameter than it is desirable
to use in the ordinary breech-loading rifled guns, and thereby I obtain greater
momentum for my projectiles with less air resistance than is practicable in
the use of the ordinary breech-loading guns.
This Invention greatly facilitates the employment of cartridges containing
a series of balls which may be simultaneously discharged. Two kinds of
ammunition may be used in connection with this gun, namely, single-ball
cartridges (as shown in Fig. 6) for long range firing, or three-balled cartridges
(as shown in Fig. 3) for short range or volley firing. All rifled breech-
loading fire-arms at present in use, so far as I am informed, are limited
to a single ball. When it is attempted to use three balls, for example, in such
arms, the sudden force of the gas acting upon the rear ball and the resistance of
the forward ball produces a compression or obliteration of the form of the
central ball; indeed the contact surfaces of all the balls are destroyed, and they
are jammed together in the form of a plug as before stated. But in this
improvement the balls having been all previously hardened, fitted, and pre-
pared for the rifled bore, when the cartridge is inserted the bands on the
balls are placed in line with the grooves of the barrel, and when ignition of
the powder takes place the balls pass from the gun with so little resistance
that the contact surfaces of the ball and gun cannot be materially affected.
When the ordinary cylindrical or smooth counter-bore is employed it is
obvious that the balls cannot receive previous preparation to fit the grooves of
the gun.
It is required that the surfaces of the balls used with the smooth
counter-bore should be compressed into the rifled grooves of the barrel of the
gun after the powder is ignited. Another important advantage of this
improvement is that by the simple act of introducing the cartridge into the
counter-bore several balls may be simultaneously and accurately fitted into
position in line with the grooves of the gun ready for firing; thus the flight

page_text: of the balls will be accurate, whether a single heavy ball for long range firing
be used, or two or more lighter balls for short range or volley firing be em-
ployed. Any degree of scattering or spread of the balls after leaving the
gun may be allowed by varying the density of the metal composing the balls,
and by altering the tightness of their fit within the bore of the gun. By the
use of these improvements the soldier when in action may r. adily change the
character of his ammunition to suit the constantly varying nature of his
service, using the long or short range cartridges as circumstances require.
One of the great disadvantages of nearly all fire-arms now used, whether
muzzle or breech loaders, is the difficulty of easily regulating the execution of
the arm so as to suit it for short or long range service. Cartridges carrying
a single heavy bullet for the longest range of which the gun is capable are
now almost invariably employed in all breech-loading rifled fire-arms. By
the use of this improvement these balls might be divided into three balls,
and all of them fired with sufficient power for any distance which it is desirable
to shoot in volley firing, thus trebling the effect of the same weight of ainmu-
nition; these improvements are intended for use in connection with various
forms of breech-closing devices, and the cartridges here described may be
discharged by a blow of the hammer upon any portion of the shell thereof, or
by means of a percussion cap, as will be readily understood by all gun
makers and persons skilled in the art.
Part second of these improvements is illustrated in the Drawings by Figs.
numbered 9, 10, 11, 10x and 11*, of which Fig. 9 is a plan view of this part
of the improvements showing the breech-latch open; Fig. 10 is a side
sectional elevation showing the breech-latch closed; Fig. 11 is a cross
sectional elevation through the line, the breech-latch being open; Figs.
10 and 11* show the mode of fastening the latch D. One of the objects
of this improvement is to facilitate the removal of the shell of the cartridge
after it has been exploded in the gun; auother object of this improvement
is to prevent any injury to or displacement of the movable breech-latch
or breech-closer by or during the explosion of the cartridge; another object
of this improvement is to completely protect the working parts and surfaces of
the breech mechanism from the weather and from the entrance of dirt. The
Drawing represents only a portion of a breech-loading gun. The lock, stock,
and such portions as are not here represented are to be constructed according
to any of the known methods commonly practised by persons skilled in the art.
A is the barrel, which may be of any desired form. either rifled or smooth-
bore. The barrel is attached in the ordinary manner to the breech-holder B',

page_text: The sides of the
the front part of which receives and holds the barrel, and the rear part is
intended to fit into and be attached to the gun stock in the common manner.
That portion of the breech-holder B' which is immediately behind the breech
of the barrel is cut out so as to form an open groove or channel C¹, through
which in the act of loading, the cartridge may be pushed, and by which groove
the cartridge will be guided directly into the breech of the barrel A¹. After
the insertion of the cartridge the breech of the barrel is closed by means of
a swinging latch D¹ which consists of a solid block of metal of the form
shown hinged upon one side of the breech-holder at a¹.
breech-holder B₁ are cut out in form corresponding to the form of the
latch D¹, so as to permit the latter to open and shut behind the breech
of the barrel, as shown in the Drawings. Fig. 10 indicates the position of
the latch D¹ when closed, and Figs. 9 and 11 the position when opened.
The bottom of the groove C directly under the latch D' is deepened or
enlarged, so that the latch in closing will fall a little below the remaining
portion of the bottom of the groove, as shown at b, which bottom will thus
constitute a resisting ledge or stop to support the bottom of the latch D', and
prevent it from being driveu back by the explosion of the cartridge. The
sides of the opening of the breech-holder B', in which the latch moves, will
support the sides of the latch during the explosion. Most of the fire-arms in
which a swinging latch is used have proved defective and useless for want of
a support upon the upper part of the latch; I provide this support and thus
equally protect all the sides of the latch D¹ by extending the front part of the
latch longitudinally into the form of a strap E, and upon the under side of
this strap I form a cavity C¹, made just large enough to receive the stud or
stop F', which rises from the upper surface of the breech-holder B¹, as shown.
When the latch 1)' is closed, the stud F¹ enters the cavity C, and the strap E
receives the longitudinal force of the explosion of the cartridge, thus saving
the latch D from all displacement or injury. The shell of the discharged
cartridge is extracted from the breech by means of a longitudinally sliding
ring or extractor G', which is made quite thin, and is arranged to stand
directly against the rear of the barrel, as shown in the Drawing. In the act
of inserting the cartridge the body of the latter is passed right through the
ring G. The diameter of the ring is such that while the body of the cart-
ridge may pass through it into the barrel A¹, the head or flange of the cart-
ridge is arrested by the edges of the ring. The red lines indicate the position
of the cartridge flange within the ring G¹. The latch D closes directly
against the rear face of the ring G¹, the edge or opening of which is counter-

page_text: sunk, so that the head or flange of the cartridge will fit into the ring flush
with the rear face thereof, and thus permit the latch to close tight against the
rear face of the ring, and against the head of the cartridge. The front face
or edge of the opening in the ring G¹ is also countersunk to receive the pro-
jecting edge of the gas lip d, which projects in the usual manner from the
rear of the barrel A¹. When the latch 1 is closed, the ring G', and with it
the head of the cartridge, are pressed firmly up against the rear of the barrel.
The ring G¹ is attached and supported at its lowest part upon a longitudinal
slide H¹, which moves in a corresponding groove l' in the lower part of the
breech-holder B', as shown. The slide H' is joined to or may be made solid
with another slide H2, arranged directly under the slide H', as shown. The
slide H³ moves between ears or guides e², e², on the under part of the breech-
holder B. The rear portion of the slide H2 is cylindrical, and is guided and
supported by passing through a ring guide f¹, as shown, arranged upon the
slide H. Between the guide f and the head of the slide is a spiral spring h,
the action of which is to press the slide forward in direction of the arrow. On
the upper end of the breech-holder B¹ there is a finger cavity ³, deep enough
to allow the finger to be well introduced against the front upper surface of
the ring G, and in order to remove the cartridge shell it is simply necessary
to open the latch D' and push back the ring G¹ with the finger. The head
or flange of the cartridge shell being retained within the ring, the cartridge
will be withdrawn by the backward movement of the ring, as described.
When the ring is relieved, the spring will by self-action push forward the
slide H3, and thus carry the ring G¹ to its place against the rear of the barrel.
I do not claim broadly the use of a sliding shell extractor; they are usually
made to push upon one side of the cartridge shell only, or in the form of a
fork, so that the act unevenly upon the flange of the shell and render its
extraction difficult. The use of a complete ring causes the force used in
withdrawing the cartridge to be very equally applied to the flange of the shell
and renders the removal of the shell very easy. In most of the breech-loading
guns the slide or device which carries the cartridge extractor is operated by
means of a lever, trigger, or other device, which projects through the breech-
holder to the outside thereof to a point where it can be operated. This adds
expense and complication to the fire-arm aud makes an opening for the
weather to enter, which it will be observed is wholly obviated in these im-
provements by the peculiar construction of the cartridge extractor or ring G.
In ordinary breech-loading fire-arms no cover or protection is affor led to the
joints between the breech-closer and adjacent parts, the result is that when

page_text: the arm is exposed in wet weather or is accidentally dropped upon the ground,
the said joints and all the operating parts and surfaces connected with or
pertaining to the breech mechanism are liable to become fouled or obstructed
by rust, sand, or dirt, and when a channel is employed to guide the cartridge,
its surfaces are also exposed to the weather, sand, and dirt as described, and
much foul matter is thus likely to be carried forward into the gun by the act
of inserting the cartridge.
I protect all of the above parts and obviate the above objections by extending
from the rear part of the latch D¹ a projecting cover 1', made of the form to
correspond with the external shape of the upper surface of the breech-
holder B', substantially as shown. The flanges e, e', and the strap E' before
described are also to be regarded as continuations or parts of the protecting
cover attached to or extending in any suitable manner or direction from the
breech-closer or latch D', so as to cover and protect the cartridge channel
and the surfaces or joints of the parts adjacent to and pertaining to the breech-
loading or operating mechanism. By the use of these covers those parts of
the gun which come into play during the act of loading and withdrawing
the cartridge shell are always maintained in a clean and effective condition,
ready for instant use, and there is no liability of the carrying forward of
dirt into the barrel by the act of inserting the cartridge. The latch D¹ is
fastened down in closed position by means of a pivoted spring catch J' of
elbow form as shown, which catch is arranged under the nipple plug K¹.
The catch is so arranged that by a slight upward pressure upon it it unlocks
and allows the latch D' to rise or open, thereby unlocking and opening the
latch D by one movement. The lower extremity or lip of the catch J'
engages with a ledge m' upon the breech-holder as shown. The construction
of that portion of the catch J¹ which is below the nipple plug of the gun,
and against which the pressure of the finger is applied to unlock the catch, is
very peculiar and is important. It will be observed that the catch J¹ is
made dish-shaped, and that it has an aperture through it indicated by n¹; now
in case any foreign matter,mud or dirt,should become accidentally interposed
between the nipple plug K' and the catch J¹, the said matter, mud or dirt,
will, when upward pressure is applied to the catch J', be by such pressure
caused to exude or be forced out from between the catch and the nipple
through the aperture, and thus the free operation of the catch J¹ will
always be secured against the introduction of casual obstructions. In guns
in which percussion nipples are not employed the latch may be provided with
a suitable lateral projection or finger piece in lieu of the nipple plug K' for

page_text: lifting or raising the latch, and the catch J¹ may be applied substantially in
the manner described underneath the said projection or finger piece.
Part third of these improvements is illustrated in the Drawings by Figs. 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Figs. 12 and 13 are side elevations,
in part sectional, of the complete cartridges; Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional
elevation of a portion of the cartridge case and metallic head showing the
appearance of the parts when combined; Fig. 15 is an end or cross sectional
elevation of the cartridge case; Fig. 16 is an elevation of the cylinder upon
which the material composing the cartridge case is rolled preparatory to
compression, Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 20 are parts of the mechanism or
devices used in compressing the cartridge case or shell, and in attaching the
metallic head or cap.
The cartridges to be herein-after described are more especially intended
for use in connection with breech-loading rifled fire-arms, although this
Invention is equally applicable to cartridges used in all kinds of fire-arms and
cannon. In the use of breech-loading fire-arms and cannon it is a matter of
the highest importance to have the cartridge case made exactly to fit and con-
form to the shape of the counter-bore or charge receiving chamber of the arm.
If the cartridge fits exactly into and conforms precisely to the shape of the
counter-bore, then the ball or balls will, on the insertion of the cartridge, be
likely to be directed or pointed and held in line with the bore of the gun, and
the flight of the balls through the gun will be easier and more accurate.
But if the cartridge case fits loosely into the counter-bore of the arm, or
fails to conform accurately to the shape of the counter-bore, then the balls
when discharged will be driven with greater force against one of the sides of
the bore of the gun than the other, and the ball will consequently be com-
pressed more upon one side than the other, its flight will consequently be
rendered inaccurate, its friction or resistance in passing through the counter-
bore and barrel will be greatly increased, and there will be liability of the
breaking or bursting of the cartridge case. These improved cartridges have
their cases A2 made either wholly of paper or of some textile fabric or
pliable material, or the said cases may be composed partly of paper and partly
of some textile fabric or pliable material. I prefer to make them of paper,
in the manner which I will now proceed fully to describe. I first cover the
paper of which the body of the case or shell is made with paste or other
suitable adhesive material, in order to cause the folds of paper to adhere
together. I then roll the pasted paper A³ upon a round mandril B³, of
about the intended size of the counter-bore of the fire-arm in which the

page_text: cartridge is to be used. I then divide the cylinder of paper thus made into
suitable sections A³ of the proper lengths for cartridge cases, and withdraw all
of the sections from the cylinder B2. The paper sections A³ are now ready to
be compressed into the exact shape of the counter-bore or charge chamber of
the fire-arm in which the cartridges are to be used. In order to effect this
compression provide a movable plunger or die-holder C2, which is moved
longitudinally by means of a rack and pinion (a², 62, see Fig. 18). The
plunger moves through an eye ², attached to the frame or support d², as
shown. At the upper end of the plunger 2 I insert a mandril D², which
exactly corresponds in form to the shape of the bore of the fire-arm. In the
illustration here presented the exterior of the mandril is provided with rifled
feathers to correspond with the rifled bore of an ordinary rifled gun.
Supported in a suitable eye or holder e³, attached to the upper part of the
support d², I secure a nut or die e2, which is of the exact form and size of the
interior of the counter-bore or charge chamber of the gun in which the
cartridge is to be used. Having placed the paper cylinder A" upon the
mandril D2, I cause the latter to rise by means of the rack and pinion, and I
thus, with immense force, compress the paper section between the mandril D2
and the nut or die E2, so that when the paper section has passed entirely
through the die E2 it will have assumed the exact form of the counter-bore
of the gun. The enormous pressure thus given to the paper condenses and
solidifies its substance and causes it to become very hard and rigid, while
it ensures accuracy of fit in the counter-bore or charge chamber of the gun.
The next operation is to attach the metallic head or cap F2 which is to
close one end of the paper section or cylinder. This head or cap may be
made much in the same manner as the ordinary metallic cartridges or caps
are made. I, however, make the body part of the cap F2, near the edge f",
quite thin, in order that when the edge f2 is bent inward so as to grasp the
paper body of the cartridge, the body of the cap F2 will not be bent or
thrown out of its cylindrical shape.
The cap F2 thus prepared is now placed upon the upper end of the paper
case or section A³ while it still remains upon the mandril D2, see Fig. 18,
and a follower G2 is then made to descend and drive downward the mandril,
cap, and paper section towards the die E2. It will be observed that the upper
end of the die is furnished with a recess g² of sufficient size to admit the
cap F2. The bottom of this recess, it will also be observed, is made to incline
inward towards the mandrel D2. The depth of the recess is purposely made
less than the length of the cap F2. When, therefore, the cap and paper

page_text: section are pressed down by the follower G2, the cap will enter the recess, and
its thin edge f2 will strike against the inclined bottom of the recess, and will
be deflected inward towards the paper, into which it will enter, as shown in
the enlarged Figs. 14 and 20. The firmness with which the cap and the
paper section will be combined will depend upon the pressure applied to the
follower G2, which may be regulated at pleasure.
The shell thus made I now saturate with hot tallow, which not only
lubricates the shell but renders the cartridge weatherproof, and prevents the
gases arising from the powder from entering the pores of the shell, and thus
destroying it. The paper case A2 is then charged with fulminate powder and
ball in any convenient manner. A single ball, as in Fig. 13, or more than
one ball, may be employed, as in Fig. 12.
Both the exterior and the interior of the cartridge case made as described
with have the same rifled twist as the counter-bore or charge chainber of the
gun in which the cartridge is to be employed.
;
The balls used in such cartridges are to be previously rifled or prepared
upon their exterior surface to fit the bore of the gun, and also to fit the
interior of the cartridge case, which is intended to be exactly similar in form
and size to the interior of the bore of the gun. I prepare the balls for these
cartridges by forcing them with a suitable punch through a die or nut which
exactly corresponds to the shape and size of the bore of the gun.
Whenever it is desirable to prepare smooth cylindrical cartridges, I remove
the mandril D2 and substitute a smooth mandril of the required size. I also
remove the rifled nut or die E2 (by loosening the screw h) and substitute a
smooth nut or die of the required form. Smooth cartridges may be thus
made with the same facility and in the same manner as those herein-before
described.
Part fourth of these improvements is illustrated in the Drawings by
Figures 21, 22, 25, and 24. Fig. 21 is a side elevation of a breech-loading
musket showing my improved arrangement of the bayonet; Fig. 22 is an
enlarged side elevation of the muzzle of a gun with this improvement attached,
and the bayonet fastened in position; Fig. 23 is a similar elevation showing
the bayonet in its unfastened position ready for removal; Fig. 24 is a trans-
verse section of the musket taken on the line a of Fig. 23.
This improvement is intended principally for use in connection with breech-
loading fire-arms in which the ramrod is not generally required except for
cleaning the gun.
The object of the improvement is to cover or protect the projection of

page_text: the clasp ring by which the bayonet is locked upon the gun, also to produce
a better and more uniform appearance in the finish of the gun, also to assist
the better balancing of the gun in firing or in bayonet exercise The muzzle
of the gun barrel A4, the bayonet B³, the fastening ring C³, the bayonet stop
13 on the barrel, and the fastening slot E3 in the bayonet handle are all con-
structed in the usual manner well known to gunsmiths, and require no further
description. The bayonet is also applied to, fastening upon, and removed
from the gun in the usual manner. The only material difference between a
gun provided with this improvement and the ordinary gun is in the position
which the bayonet occupies when it is fixed or fastened upon the gun. In
this improvement it will be observed that the blade of the bayonet stands on
the same plane as the ramrod F3 ofthe gun, and the shank a³ of the bayonet
blade is in close juxtaposition to the top of the ramrod. By the common
arrangement of the bayonet the shauk of its blade stands upon one side of
the gun, so that the shank forms an angular projection from the side of
the
gun and forms an ugly shoulder, which not only gives a bad appearance
to the finish of the gun, but is also the cause of serious difficulties in the use
of the arm. For example, in battle the said heel a³ forms a shoulder or
ledge against which the sword or bayonet of an adversary nay catch, and so
bring the force of the blow upon the bolder of the gun.
But in this improvement the position of the bayonet blade directly over
aud in line with the ramrod so covers or protects the heel a³ that such blow
as I have described will glance off harmless from the gun. The projection C
of the fastening ring C³ is also liable, by contact with tree branches, bush,
and other objects, to catch upon such objects and become turned or unlocked,
thereby loosening the bayonet and causing it to be lost.
In marine engagements, when soldiers drill or fight with their guns across
the rail of the vessel, or in fence fighting, the bayonets as commonly arranged
are apt to become detached, from the gun and lost overboard in consequence
of the catching and unlocking of the ring C³ as before described.
But in the use of this improvement nothing of this kind can take place,
owing to the covering or protection given to the projection C and the bayo-
net shank by means of the arrangement of the blade of the bayonet to
stand in line with the ramrod as shown.
This improvement also permits the finer locking together of the guns when
stacked, as the space between the shank and the bayonet and the top of the
ramrod is closed by the latter leaving an eye or open place between the end
of the ramrod and the barrel, into which the points of the bayonets may enter

page_text: and thus form a firm stack. This improvement may be applied in connection
with nearly all kinds of bayonet fastenings, although I prefer to use the im-
provement in connection with the ordinary method of fastening.
The fifth part of this Invention relates to an improvement in the construc-
tion of the sights used upen guns. This part of the Invention is illustrated in
Figs. 25, 26, and 27, of which Fig. 25 is a side elevation of an ordinary gun,
showing the position of the sight when not erected for use; Fig. 26 is a plan
view of the same parts; Fig 27 is an elevation showing the sight when
erected.
The sight bar A5 is hinged in the usual manner to a bed piece B4, which is
secured to the barrel of the gun in the ordinary position and manner. C³ is
the usual sight slide, which moves upon the sight bar as in ordinary fire-arms.
The sight slide C5 is provided with the usual sight notch as at the top for
taking aim; but in lieu of the notch a vertical line or other mark to indicate
the centre of the slide may be employed. In addition to the sight slide it is
common to provide what is known as a peak hole when very accurate firing is
to be accomplished. The peak hole, as generally arranged, is a perforation in
a small disk, which is mounted upon a separate standard, attached at some
convenient point upon the gun in rear of the sight slide before described. This
improvement consists in placing the peak hole in the sight slide in combina-
tion with the sight notch in said slide. I am thus enabled to dispense with
the extra standard and the disc heretofore required when the peak hole is used,
and I impart a new and improved function to the sight slide. In carrying
out this improvement I provide the central part of the slide C5 with an
aperture or peak hole D5, which may be arranged as shown, or in any other
suitable and convenient manner.
Another improvement in the sight slide C5 consists in forming lips E5, E³,
upon the edges of the sight slide C5, so that when the hinged bar A5 is turned
down, the lips E5, E5, will grasp between them the edges of the bed piece B,
and thus all lateral displacement or bending of the sight bar A will be pre-
vented by accidental contact of the gun with extraneous objects. The usual
sight ball may be arranged within the front sight for accurate firing, and the
usual sight bead may be placed above the front side thimble, as shewn in
Fig. 22, 23, and 24, for ordinary firing to be used with a notch in the slide.
Having described the nature of this Inveution, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
-
The rifling or grooving of the counter-bore or cartridge chamber of breech-
loading fire-arms substantially as herein shown and described.

page_text: I also claim the employment in combination with a rifled or grooved
counter-bore, in breech-loading fire-arms, of a cartridge having its exterior
. surface made to correspond with the grooving or rifling of the counter-bore,
and its interior made to correspond with the size and form of the bore of the
gun, substantially as herein shown and described.
I also claim the setting and holding of two or more oblong or rounded balls
(which have their surfaces prepared to correspond with the grooves or rifling
of the bore) into line with the grooves or rifling of the bore by the act of
inserting the cartridge, substantially as herein shown and described.
I also claim as an improved article of manufacture a cartridge having its
case or shell made substantially as herein shown and described, and carrying
one or more prepared balls, as set forth.
I also claim the employment of a complete sliding ring to receive the head
of the cartridge and assist the removal of the shell thereof, substantially in
the manner herein shown aud described.
I also claim the construction of the cartridge extractor G¹, so that it may
be readily operated without the employment of any additional or externally
projecting device, substantially as herein shown and described.
I also claim the combination of the cartridge extractor or ring G¹ with
the barrel A¹ and the latch D', substantially in the manner herein shown and
described.
I also claim, in combination with the latch D', the forward extension E¹
substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and descrihed.
I also claim the combination of a protecting cover with the latch or
breech-closer, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
I also claim the combination of the spring catch J with the breech-
latch D¹, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and
described. The combination of the latch J', substantially in the manner
herein described, for the purpose set forth. A cartridge case composed of a
shell of compressed paper or other compressed fabric and paper, substantially
as herein shown and described.
I also claim the saturation of the shell and the cartridge with hot tallow,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
I also claim the attachment of the metallic cap or head to the paper or
other shell, by forcing the edge of the cap into the shell, substantially as
herein shown and described.
I also claim the placing of the bayonet blade and shank upon the under
side of the barrel in combination with the ramrod, substantially as and for
the purpose herein shown and described.

page_text: I also claim the peak hole in the sight slide in combination with the sight
notch, line, or other mark in the slide, substantially as and for the purpose
herein shown and described.
I also claim the construction of the sight slide with lips E5, E5, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)