IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR RIFLED ORDNANCE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR RIFLED ORDNANCE." A communi-
cation from abroad by Robert Parker Parrott, of. Cold Spring, in the State of
New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 8th August 1870, and dated the 16th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th February 1876.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR
RIFLED ORDNANCE."
This Invention relates to elongated projectiles for rifled ordnance, having a
packing ring of brass or other soft or pliable metal, to be upset and expanded
laterally, and so driven into the grooves of the gun by the explosion of the charge.
The Invention consists in a novel mode of connecting the packing ring with the
cast iron or body of the projectile by coring or drilling in an interrupted or divided
manner the body to receive and inclose within it separated or distinct portions of
the metal of the ring as the latter is cast upon the shot, such entering portions of
the ring preferably being in the form of prongs or rivets. By this improvement
the ring is firmly held in its place, and the rotation of the projectile secured.
Passages may be left between the ring and the body of the projectile to aid in the
expansion of the ring by the action of the gas, without risk of the rings breaking
or detaching from the projectile.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th August 1876.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR RIFLED
ORDNANCE." A communication from abroad by Robert Parker Parrott, of Cold
Spring, in the State of New York, United States of America.
" and
This Invention relates to elongated projectiles used with rifled ordnance and
having a packing ring of brass or other soft or pliable metal to be "upset
expended laterally, and so driven into the grooves of the gun by the explosion of
the charge.
The Invention consists in a novel mode of connecting the packing ring with the

page_text: cast iron or body of the projectile by coring or drilling in an interrupted or divided
manner the body to receive and enclose within it separated or distinct portions of
the metal of the ring as the latter is cast upon the shot, such entering portions of
the ring preferably being in the form of prongs or rivets. By this improvement the
ring is firmly held in its place, and the rotation of the projectile secured. Passages
may be left between the ring and the body of the projectile to aid in the expansion
of the ring by the action of the gas without risk of the rings breaking or detaching
from the body of the projectile. ---
+
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an elongated
projectile, having the Invention applied, and in which the ring is plain or smooth on
its exterior. Fig. 2 is a view of the base of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal
section. Fig. 4 a side view, and Fig. 5 a base end view of a similar projectile with
the Invention applied, but in which the ring has exterior projections to enter the
grooves of the gun.
The improvements are applicable to both of these forms of projectiles, and pertain
to the manner of attaching the ring to the body of the projectile."
A is the projectile or body thereof, which is of cast iron and has passages a, a,
cored in it extending from the side or face in a backward direction to the base of
the projectile. These passages may be of circular construction in their transverse
section.
The body of the projectile thus prepared has its base part placed in a mould, and the
ring B is cast upon and around an annular reduction of the base portion, so that the
soft metal of the ring flows into the passages a, a, leading from the side or face to
the base of the projectile and thus forming locking or holding prongs b, b, which, if
necessary may be riveted down on the base of the projectile. The number of tliese
prongs or rivets may vary according to the size of the projectile or otherwise as
desired. The ring B is thus so firmly fastened at its forward part to the cast-iron
body A, that openings or passages c, c, may be left between the ring and base portion
of the body of the projectile to allow of the gas in the explosion assisting the ex-
pansion of the ring B to secure its "taking" the grooves without risk of detaching or
breaking the ring. When the ring is formed with projections on its exterior to enter
the grooves of the gun, as in Figures 3, 4, and 5, these openings or passages c, c,
may be dispensed with.
Instead of the passages a, a, extending backwards to the base of the projectile
they may be run inwardly and forwardly, or simply or mainly in an inward
direction towards the longitudinal centre of the projectile, and with or without an
enlargement at their inner ends to receive or form locking projections on the inner
ends of the prongs b, b, of the ring; but it is preferred to construct and arrange the
prongs and cavities or passages in the body of the projectile, as shewn in the
Drawing. When the passages are otherwise arranged however, or made straight,
they might be drilled instead of being cored in the body of the projectile, but it is
preferred to core the said passages, as it is cheaper, simpler, and allows of their
being curved as shewn.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in
Projectiles for Rifled Ordnance," and having explained the manner of carrying the
samme into effect, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I wish it to
be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim, a
projectile with a packing ring at its base end used with rifled ordnance, the body of
the projectile having separated cavities or passages cored or otherwise formed in it,
and the packing ring, which is cast upon it, being made to form fastening prongs
or projections by the running of the molten metal of the ring into the passages
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
H. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)