IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING AND WORKING ORDNANCE ON THE MONCRIEPP' SYSTEM
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Moncrieff, of Culfargie, in the County
of Perth, Scotland, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING
AND WORKING ORDNANCE ON THE MONCRIEPP' SYSTEM."
Scaled the 2nd July 1869, and dated the 10th March 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Moncrieff
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 10th March 1869.
I, ALEXANDER MONCRIEFF, of Culfargic, in the County of Perth,
Scotland, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING AND WORKING ORDNANCE ON THE 'MONCRIEPP
SYSTEM," to be as follows:-
My improvements have reference to the system of mounting and
working ordnance, now known as the "Moncrieff system," for which
Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date 4th June 1866,
No. 1548.
One of my present improvements consists in so arranging the counter-
weights connected to the elevators that the gun on sinking down after

page_text: firing can pass below the counterweight, so as to be more accessible for
loading and more under cover. For this purpose I construct the
counterweight with an opening through which the muzzle of the gun
passes, or the counterweight may be constructed of separate parts
between which the gun passes.
Another improvement consists in providing near that part of the
moveable structure to which the muzzle of the gun comes when in
loading position appliances such as holders, grapples, or a trough or
box, in or upon which the projectiles for the gun may be placed, so that
on the sinking down of the gun into loading position the projectile is at
the same time-raised to about the level of the muzzle of the gun so as to
facilitate loading.
Another improvement consists in attaching the counterweight to the
lower part of the elevators by means of a chain, rope, band, or rod,
whereby the counterweight may be arranged below the platform, the
chain or rope being, by preference, caused to pass from the clevators
to the counterweight over rollers or antifriction surfaces so arranged as
to cause the combined vertical and horizontal motion of the elevators
to impart only a vertical motion to the counterweight.
Another improvement consists in employing in place of or in com-
bination with counterweights cylinders containing air, steam, water, oil, or
other fluids by the compression or raising of which fluids the momentum
of the recoil is absorbed and stored up, so as to be available for raising
the gun into firing position again. For this purpose such cylinders
may be arranged in either a vertical, inclined, or horizontal position, either
below or on a level with or above the platform, and a piston and piston rod
or plunger in such cylinders may be connected either directly or through
the intervention of chains, rods, links, ropes, or bands (passing over
rollers for changing the direction of motion if necessary) to the lower
part of the elevators. Or if such cylinders are arranged horizontally on
the platform the piston rod may be connected by a cross head to side
bars. working in guides, to which side bars the elevators are connected
by links carried on pins situated at the sides thereof. Or again the
cylinders may be arranged in an inclined position and the piston rod be
connected to the upper part of the elevators, whether working on fixed
or moveable fulcra, or whether the carriage is supported by clevators,
slides, or guides and rails, the cylinder being made either to turn on

page_text: trunnions to adjust itself to the motion of the elevators, or the piston
rod ends may be made to work in slots in the elevators.
Another improvement consists in substituting for the arrangement of
elevators and counterweights or cylinders, above described, for absorbing
the recoil an arrangement of wheels or elevators running upon a plat-
form, the motion of such wheels being made either to raise a weight.
connected thereto or to compress or extend a spring or other elastic
power.
Another improvement for lighter guns is to use a strap of wire rope,
iron, or other material made to pass round the rolling surface of the
elevators instead of a rack on the platform to prevent lateral slip.
Another improvement is to substitute for the force of gravity acting
as a counterweight the raising or sinking of a vessel in water or other
fluid, in which case the raising or sinking of the vessel referred to would
supply the required force for absorbing the recoil. Where this could
be applied on board ships or otherwise the gun carriage would be
supported either on a fixed or moving fulcrum, or on inclined slides,
rails, or guides.
Another improvement consists in providing flat or nearly flat racers
for the "Moncrieff" platform to run upon, and constructing the wheels
or trucks of the latter without flanges, and either applying the power
for traversing directly to the trucks, or by means of a rack and pinion.
Another improvement consists in fixing a bollard on the rear end of
the platform, acting in combination with a hook or other holding con-
trivance on the upper end of the clevators, so that by passing a rope or
chain from the former to the latter the upward motion of the elevators
can be controlled in place of or in addition to the before-described
appliances.
Another improvement consists in substituting for the curved rack on
the elevators heretofore employed the following arrangements:-Near
that part of the elevators to which the counterweight is suspended are
attached pins, projections, studs, or other fixtures by which the counter-
weight may be supported, and the gun held in the loading position, or
in any intermediate position between that and the firing position. These
pins, projections, studs, or other fixtures to be connected to the pawling
and friction apparatus, whereby the motion of the gun is checked and
regulated.

page_text: Another improvement consists in giving the "Moncrieff" platform
wheels for lateral motion, the axles of these wheels being either at right
angles to the slides or parallel to them, or attached to a frame on which
the platform will traverse.
Another of my improvements consists in placing the friction brake
apparatus for checking the release of the stored up momentum loose
upon the spindle, to which rotary motion is imparted by the "running up
(either by a curved rack on the elevators in gear with a pinion on the
spindle or otherwise), and causing the brake wheel or drum to revolve
with such spindle in one direction by means of one or more pawls
carried by the former in gear with a ratchet wheel on the latter, so
that the upward motion of the gun is regulated by the brake lever alone
instead of by two separate levers as at present.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Moncrieff in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 10th September 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, ALEXANDER
MONCRIEFF, of Calfargie, in the County of Perth, Scotland, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Tenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Moncrieff, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Moncrieff, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Moncrieff,
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,
excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING AND WORKING ORDNANCE ON THE MONCRIEPP
SYSTEM," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander
Moncrieff, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
.

page_text: under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe 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 Alexander Moncrieff, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
My improvements have reference to the system of mounting and
working ordnance now known as the "Moncrieff" system, for which
Letters Patent were granted to me, bearing date the 4th June 1866,
No. 1548..
One of my present improvements consists in so arranging the
counterweights connected to the clevators that the gun on sinking down
after firing can pass below the counterweight so as to be more accessible
for loading: and more under cover. For this purpose I construct the
counterweight with an opening through which the muzzle of the gun
passes, or the counterweight may be constructed of separate parts
between which the gun passes..
Another improvement consists in providing near that part of the
moveable structure to which the muzle of the gun comes when in
loading position appliances, such as holders, grappels, or a trough or box
in or upon which the projectiles for the gun may be placed, so that on
the sinking down of the gun into the loading position the projectile is at
the same time raised to about the level of the muzzle of the gun so as to
facilitate loading.
Another improvement consists in attaching the counterweight to the
lower part of the elevators by means of a chain, rope, band, or rod,
whereby the counterweight may be arranged below the platform, the
chain or rope being by preference caused to pass from the elevators to
the counterweight over rollers or antifriction surfaces so arranged as to
cause the combined vertical and horizontal motion of the clevators to
impart only a vertical motion to the counterweight.
Another improvement consists in employing in place of or in

page_text: combination with counterweights cylinders containing air, steam, water,
oil, or other fluids, by the compression or raising of which fluids the
momentum of the recoil is absorbed and stored up so as to be available
for raising the gun into firing position again. For this purpose such
cylinders may be arranged in either a vertical, inclined, or horizontal
position, either below or on the level with or above the platform, and a
piston and piston rod or plunger in such cylinders may be connected
either directly or through the intervention of chains, rods, links, ropes,
or bands (passing over rollers for changing the direction of motion if
necessary) to the lower part of the elevators. Or if such cylinders are
arranged horizontally on the platform the piston rod may be connected
by a cross head to side bars working in guides, to which side bars the
elevators are connected by links carried on pins situated at the sides
thereof. Or again the cylinders may be arranged in an inclined or
vertical position, and the piston rod be connected to the upper part of
the elevators, whether working on fixed or moveable fulcra, or whether
the carriage is supported by elevators, slides, or guides and rails, the
cylinder being made either to turn on trunnions to adjust itself to the
motion of the elevators, or the piston rod ends may be made to work in
slots, or to bear against the carriage by means of antifriction rollers in
the elevators.
Another improvement consists in substituting for the arrangement of
elevators and counterweights or cylinders above described for absorbing
the recoil an arrangement of wheels or elevators running upon a plat-
form, the motion of such wheels being made either to raise a weight
connected thereto by ropes, chains, or rods, or to compress or extend a
spring or other elastic power.
Another improvement for lighter guns is to use a strap of wire rope,
iron, or other material made to pass round the rolling surface of the
elevators, instead of a rack on the platform to prevent lateral slip.
Another improvement is to substitute for the force of gravity acting
as a counterweight the raising or sinking of a vessel in water or other
fluid, in which case the raising or sinking of the vessel referred to would
supply the required force for absorbing the recoil. Where this could
be applied on board ships or otherwise the gun carriage would be
supported either on a fixed or moving fulcrum, or on inclined slides, rails,
or guides.
Another improvement consists in providing flat or nearly flat racers

page_text: for the "Moncrieff" platform to run upon, and constructing the wheels
or trucks of the latter without flanges, and either applying the power for
traversing directly to the trucks, or by means of a rack and pinion.
Another improvement consists in fixing a bollard on the rear end of
the platform, acting in combination with a hook or other holding con-
trivance on the upper end of the elevators, so that by passing a rope or
chain from the former to the latter the upward motion of the elevators
can be controlled, in place of or in addition to the before-described
appliances.
Another improvement consists in substituting for the curved rack on
the elevators heretofore employed the following arrangements:-Near
that part of the clevators to which the counterweight is suspended are
attached pins, projections, studs, or other fixtures by which the counter-
weight may be supported, and the gun held in the loading position, or in
any intermediate position between that and the firing position. These
pins, projections, studs, or other fixtures to be connected to the pawling
and friction apparatus, whereby the motion of the gun is checked and
regulated.
Another improvement consists in giving the "Moncrieff" platform
wheels for lateral motion, the axles of these wheels being either at right
angles to the slides or parallel to them, or attached to a frame on which
the platform will traverse.
Another of my improvements consists in placing the friction brake
apparatus for checking the release of the stored up momentum loose
upon the spindle, to which rotary motion is imparted by the "running
up" (either by a curved rack on the elevators in gear with a pinion on
the spindle or otherwise), and causing the brake wheel or drum to
revolve with such spindle in one direction by means of one or more
pawls carried by the former in gear with a ratchet wheel on the latter,
so that the upward motion of the gun is regulated by the brake lever
alone, instead of by two separate levers as at present.
Having thus set forth the nature of my several improvements I will
now proceed more particularly to describe the manner of performing the
same, for which purpose I shall refer to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a gun carriage constructed according
to my custom having my first described improvement applied thereto.

page_text: the counterweight A fixed to the elevators B having a groove a in the
upper part, through which groove the muzzle of the gun C passes in
descending, as indicated, so that the counterweight can rise up suffi-
ciently high to be out of the way when the gun is in loading position.
Only so much of the gun carriage is shewn in this as also in all the other
Figures as is required to explain my improvement.
.
Figure 2 shews the same arrangement as the foregoing, with the
addition of a trough or box D hinged to the counterweight A, into
which is placed the projectile E, so that by the recoil this is raised to
the mouth of the gun ready for insertion, as indicated.
Figure 3 shews an arrangement in which the counterweight A, in
place of being fixed to the elevators B, is connected thereto by means
of the rope, cord, or chain F passing over the pulleys or rollers G and H
carried by the gun platform I, by which arrangement the counterweight
may be. situated at any convenient distance below the ground line or
deck J, the weight being made to rise vertically by the descent of the
elevators, and to raise the latter by its vertical descent. In place of
suspending the counterweight, as described, it may also be suspended
directly from the elevators, as indicated at Figure 34, the rope or chain F
being drawn over the guide roller G when the gun begins its descent.
Figure 4 shews a side elevation and Figure 5 shews a plan of arrange-
ment in which, in place of the counterweight, a cylinder K is employed
containing air, steam, water, oil, or other fluid or gas, by the compression
of which (if clastic fluids or gases are employed), or by the raising whereof
(if non-compressible fluids are used) the momentum of the recoil is
stored up and utilized for raising the gun into firing position. For this
purpose the clevators B are connected by the connecting rods L to the
crosshead M of the piston rod of the cylinder, in such manner that on
the recoil of the gun the motion of the elevators forces back the piston,
and either compresses the elastic fluid or gas contained behind it in the
cylinder, or forces the non-elastic fluid through an aperture in the end
of the cylinder and up a stand pipe or into an "accumulator," similar
to those employed with hydraulic cranes, the pressure of which fluid in
the stand pipe or accumulator reacts upon the piston and forces it
forward again when it is desired to raise the gun into firing position.
The controlling of the motion of the gun is effected, as in my previous
arrangements, by means of a friction brake and pawling mechanism, and
if necessary by contracting the exit orifices for the fluid so as to check

page_text: its flow. The crosshead M is guided in its motion by sliding between
guides on the platform I. It will be evident that if requisite a coun-
terweight constructed as in the previous arrangements may be employed
in addition to the action of the fluid or gases in the cylinder K.
Figure 6 shows a modification of this arrangement in which the gun
carriage N, in place of being mounted upon rolling elevators, is carried
by bars or links O working on fixed fulcra on the platform I, on which
they turn so as to allow of the gun descending into the position indicated
in red lines. The compression or raising of the gas or fluid in the
cylinder K is effected by causing the end of the piston rod to bear by
means of an antifriction roller against the under surface of the car-
riage N, which in descending consequently forces down the piston in
the cylinder. In order to increase such compressing action at the
commencement of the downward motion of the gun an incline n is
formed on the under side of the carriage N to act on the antifriction
roller. The raising of the gun is effected by the upward pressure of the
piston rod against the under surface of the carriage. In this arrange-
ment the controlling action is obtained by forming quadrant racks P on
the platform, in gear with which are pinions Q on the carriage fixed on
the same shaft as the friction brake mechanism, to be hereafter described.
In the arrangement shewn at Figure 7 the gun carriage N is caused
by the recoil to slide down the inclined guides R, the piston rod of the
cylinder K being connected at S to a guide on the under side of the
carriage, so as directly to cause the gun carriage to rise up the slides by
the reaction of the compressed fluid or gas in the cylinder. In each of
the three last modifications, if steam is used as the elastic fluid, I prefer
to provide means for allowing the steam to be passed back from the
cylinder K into the boiler during the first part of the recoil, until the
force of the latter is equal to the pressure of the steam, after which I
cause the remainder of the steam in the cylinder to escape in order to
effect the full depression of the gun. In the event of the steam pressure
being too small, or when a sufficiently large sized cylinder would be
inconvenient, air or other permanent elastic gases may be pumped into
the cylinder in place of steam.
Figure 8 shows an arrangement in which the elevators B, constructed
in the form of wheels, aro connected at 6 by means of ropes or chains T,
passing over guide pullies U to the back ends of strong spiral springs V

page_text: contained inside casings W fixed to the gun platform I, so that the
force of the recoil is absorbed and stored up by the compression of the
springs V.
Figure 9 shews an arrangement applicable for lighter guns, in which
in place of guiding the clevators by means of racks on the gun platform
into which gear teeta. or studs on the elevators, as heretofore, the
guiding of the elevators B is effected by means of two straps or bands of
wire, rope, or other suitable material X, Y, to each clevator of which X
is connected at x to the platform, and at x to the upper end of the
elevator, while Y is connected at y to the platform and at y¹ to the
elevator, so that on the descent of the-gun the straps X are unrolled.
from and those Y are rolled upon the curved surfaces of the elevators,
while on the rising of the gun the reverse action takes place.
Figure 10 shows an arrangement sinrilar to that at Figure 3, the heavy
counterweight of that arrangement being, however, replaced by a hollow
vessel A, open at the lower end, and immersed in water, mercury, or
other fluid in the well c, the force of the recoil being absorbed and stored
up by the raising of the vessel, and with it the body of fluid contained
therein more or less out of the fluid in the well. Or this arrange-
ment may be reversed by making the vessel A hollow and closed
at its lower end, and causing it to be depressed into the fluid by the force
of the recoil, the buoyancy of the vessel effecting the raising of the gun
into firing position.
These arrangements for absorbing the recoil, as indeed also those
described at Figures 3 and 8, might be applied to the arrangement of
inclined slides described at Figure 7, the rope or chain being for this
purpose passed over a guide pulley at the upper end of the slides, and
connected to the front of the gun carriage N. They might also be
rendered applicable to the arrangement shown at Figure 6, by sub-
stituting for the piston rod of that arrangement a rod, to the lower end
of which the rope or chain to the counterweight or spring is connected.
In Figure 11 the platform I is provided with wheels d, e, by means of
which it can be traversed laterally. For this purpose either the wheels
or the trucks f may be arranged to be raised or lowered by a screw cam
or lever action when the one or the other requires to be brought into
action, or the platform may be raised by screw jacks or otherwise, and
the wheels be placed underneath the same only when required for use.

page_text: The trucks fare made without flanges, and run upon flat racers, the
power for traversing being applied either directly to the trucks or by a
rack fixed on the ground or decks, in gear with which is a pinion
carried by the platform, and rotated either by a winch handle or other
convenient power.
Figure 12 shows a mode of controlling the upward motion of the gun
by means of a rope or chain g connected by a hook or otherwise to the
upper end of the elevators B, and passed round a bollard h at the rear
end of the platform.
on the
on the
Figures 13 and 14 show respectively a side and end elevation of an
arrangement wherein the motion of the gun is controlled by means of
two racks i working in guides on either side of the platform, to which
racks the clevators are connected by links j turning on pins
sides of the elevators, while the racks are in gear with pinions
same shaft m as the friction brake apparatus n, to be presently described.
By this arrangement it will be seen that as the gun descends the racks
are drawn back in their guides by the links j, causing the pinions and
friction brake to rotate freely, but such motion of the gun may be
controlled or stopped at will at any point of the ascent of the gun by
the application of the friction brake n, the forward motion of the
elevators being resisted by the pressure of the links j against the pins k.
In order to insure a uniform action of the controlling mechanism on
each side of the elevators the shaft m passes across the platform, so as
to carry both pinions 1, 1, and thus to control their motion by one and
the same brako apparatus; and in order to place the shaft m low enough
to allow of this arrangement the racks i, i, are placed in an inverted
position, as indicated at Figure 13.
.
Figures 15 and 16 show respectively a front view and a cross section
of the before-mentioned friction brake mechanism, but which is equally
applicable to all other arrangements of gun carriages working on my
system. On the shaft m carrying the pinions before mentioned is fixed
a ratchet wheel o, loose upon the boss o' of which are the discs or
checks p, p, connected to each other and to the rim n, and constituting
the brake drum, round which passes the brake strap q, actuated by the
lever r turning on a fulcrum at 8. The rim of the brake drum carries
pawls t, t, which take into the teeth of the ratchet wheel o, whereby the
shaft m, and with it the ratchet wheel o, are-free to revolve in the

page_text: direction of the arrow on the descent of the gun, but their rotation
in the contrary direction may at any time be controlled and stopped
by the action of the pawls on the application of the brake strap. In
order to allow of the gun being lowered or raised by manual power
when not in action, a lever u with a socket to receive a bar for purchase
may be connected loosely to the end of the shaft m, and having a pawl
or catch, which is made to catch into the notches in the notched
disc w fixed on the shaft..
Having thus described the nature of my several improvements, and in
what manner they are to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
I do not limit myself to the precise details of the various arrangements
shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, as these may be
variously modified without departing from the nature of my Invention;
but what I claim under the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,
First. Constructing the counterweight when fixed to the clevators
with a groove or opening, through which the muzzle of the gun can
pass, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. Connecting to the elevators or to the counterweight a trough,
box, or other contrivance for holding the projectile of the gun, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. Attaching the counterweight to the elevators by means of a
chain, rope, band, rods, or links, which may or may not be made to pass
over antifriction or guide rollers, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. Absorbing and storing up the force of the recoil by the com-
pression of elastic fluids or gases, or by the raising or forcing of
non-elastic fluids in such manner that the stored up force is afterwards
expended in raising the gun into firing position.
Fifth. The use in place of or in combination with counterweights of
cylinders containing air, steam, water, oil, or other fluids or gases, by
the compression or raising of which the momentum of the recoil is
absorbed and stored up, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. Arranging cylinders containing air, steam, water, oil, or other
fluid or gas in combination with gun carriages supported upon moving
fulcra or rolling clevators, substantially as described.

page_text: Sixteenth. Constructing the friction brake and pawling mechanism
for controlling the motion of the gun, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, 'the said Alexander Moncrieff, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
JNO. MILLARD.
A. MONCRIEFF. (L.s.).

page_text: En the Matter of Letters Patent granted to ALEXANDER MON-
CRIEFF, of Culfargie, in the County of Perth, Scotland, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING AND WORKING ORDNANCE
ON THE 'MONCRIEFF' SYSTEM," bearing date at Westminster, the
Tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-nine, No. 739.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION as proposed to
be entered by the said Alexander Moncrieff, pursuant to the Statutes
in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent,
under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Tenth day of March One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, did give and grant to me, the said
Alexander Moncrieff, my executors, administrators, and assigns, the solo
privilege of making, using, exercising, and vending the said Invention

page_text: for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING AND WORKING ORDNANCE ON THE MONCRIEPP'
SYSTEM," within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, for and during the term of fourteen
years thence next ensuing.
And whereas in pursuance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent
contained, I the said Alexander Moncrieff, did, within six calendar
months next after the date of the said Letters Patent, cause a Speci-
fication in writing, under my hand and scal, purporting to describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, to be duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office.
And whereas since the filing of the said Specification, I, the said
Alexander Moncrieff, have discovered that parts of the said Invention as
described and claimed in the said Specification may be objected to on
the ground that they were not new, or that the description thereof is not
sufficiently precise, and in consequence thereof I hereby disclaim and
alter parts of the said Specification and claiming clauses in manner
following, that is to say :-
In page 6 of the Queen's Printers' copy of the final Specification I
omit the sentence beginning with the words "another improvement" in
line 22 and ending with the words "clastic power" in line 27. I also
omit the sentences beginning with the words "another improvement"
in line 38, of page 6, and ending with the word "appliances" in line 9 of
page 7. I also omit the sentence beginning with the words "another
improvement" in line 19 of page 7, and ending with the words "will
traverse" in line 22 of page 7. I also omit in page 9 the sentence
beginning with the words "In each of" in line 25, and ending with the
words "depression of the gun" in line 31. Also in the latter part of
line 31 of page 9 I omit the word "steam," and in line 31 of page 9
I omit the words "in place of steam." Further I omit the sentence
beginning with the words "Figure 8 shews" in line 35 of page 9, and
ending with the words "springs V" in line 3 of page 10. In lines 24
and 25 of page 10 I omit the words "as indeed also those described at
Figures 3 and 8." Also I omit the sentences beginning with the words
"In Figure 11" in line 32 of page 10, and ending with the words "of
the platform" in line 9 of page 11. At the end of the fourth claiming
clause, after the words "into firing position" in line 28 of page 12, I
I omit the ninth
insert the words "substantially as described. "

page_text: claiming clause, lines 8, 9, and 10, of page 13, and for the word "Tenth"
at the beginning of line 11 of page 13 I substitute the word "Ninth,"
also for the word "Eleventh" at the beginning of line 14 of page 13 I
substitute the word "Tenth," and I omit the last word "or" of line 14
and the first word "depressing" of line 15 in page 13; I also omit
the twelfth and thirteenth claiming clauses, lines 18 to 24 inclusive, of
page 13. At the beginning of line 25 of page 13 for the word
Fourteenth" I substitute the word "Eleventh." I omit the fifteenth
claiming clause, lines 30 and 31, of page 13, and at the beginning of
line 1 of page 14 for the word "Sixteenth" I substitute the word
"Twelfth." I also desire it to be understood that the Figures marked
8, 11, and 12, on the Sheet of Drawings annexed to the said Specification
are to be considered as excised, and the said Specification when
disclaimed, altered, and amended, will read as follows:-
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MONCRIEFF, of Culfargic, in the County of Perth, Scotland, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
Her special licenco that I, the said Alcxander Moncries,
and grant unto me, the said Alexander Moncrieff
my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Moncrieff, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agreo 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 MOUNTING AND WORKING ORDNANCE ON THE 'MONCRIEFF'
SYSTEM," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander
Moncrieff, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly
describe 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 Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Moncrieff, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say :-
My improvements have reference to the system of mounting and
working ordnance now known as the "Moncrieff" system for which
Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date the 4th June 1866,
No. 1548.
One of my present improvements consists in so arranging the counter-
weights connected to the clevators that the gun on sinking down after
firing can pass below the counterweight so as to be more accessible for
loading and more under cover. For this purpose I construct the
counterweight with an opening, through which the muzzle of the gun
passes, or the counterweight may be constructed of separate parts
between which the gun passes.
Another improvement consists in providing near that part of the
moveable structure to which the muzzle of the gun comes, when in
loading position, appliances such as holders, grapples, or a trough or box,
in or upon which the projectiles for the gun may be placed, so that on
the sinking down of the gun into the loading position the projectile is at
the same time raised to about the level of the muzzle of the gun so as
to facilitate loading.
Another improvement consists in attaching the counterweight to the
lower part of the elevators by means of a chain, rope, band, or rod,
whereby the counterweight may be arranged below the platform, the
chain or rope being by preference caused to pass from the clevators to
the counterweight over rollers or anti-friction surfaces so arranged as to
cause the combined vertical and horizontal motion of the clevators to
impart only a vertical motion to the counterweight.
Another improvement consists in employing in place of or in com-
bination with counterweights cylinders containing air, steam, water, oil,
or other fluids by the compression or raising of which fluids the
momentum of the recoil is absorbed and stored up so as to be available
for raising the gun into firing position again. For this purpose such
cylinders may be arranged in either a vertical, inclined, or horizontal
position, either below or on the level with or above the platform and a

page_text: piston and piston rod or plunger in such cylinders may be connected
either directly or through the intervention of chains, rods, links, ropes,
or bands (passing over rollers for changing the direction of motion if
necessary) to the lower part of the elevators. Or if such cylinders are
arranged horizontally on the platform, the piston rod may be connected
by a cross head to side bars working in guides, to which side bars the
elevators are connected by links carried on pins situated at the sides
thereof. Or again the cylinders may be arranged in an inclined or
vertical position, and the piston rod bo connected to the upper part of
the elevators whether working on fixed or moveable fulcra, or whether
the carriage is supported by clevators, slides, or guides, and rails, the
cylinder being made either to turn on trunnions to adjust itself to the
motion of tho elevators, or the piston rod ends may be made to work in
slots, or to bear against the carriage by means of anti-friction rollers in
the elevators.
Another improvement for lighter guns is to use a strap of wire rope,
iron, or other material, made to pass round the rolling surface of
the clevators, instead of a rack on the platform to prevent lateral
slip..
Another improvement is to substitute for the force of gravity acting
as a counterweight the raising or sinking of a vessel in water or other
fluid, in which case the raising or sinking of the vessel referred to
would supply the required force for absorbing the recoil. Where this
could be applied on board ships or otherwise the gun carriage would be
supported either on a fixed or moving fulcrum, or on inclined slides,
rails, or guides.
Another improvement consists in substituting for the curved rack on
the clevators heretofore employed the following arrangements:-Near
that part of the elevators to which the counterweight is suspended are
attached pins, projections, studs, or other fixtures by which the counter-
weight may be supported, and the gun held in the loading position or in
any intermediate position between that and the firing position. These
pins, projections, studs, or other fixtures to be connected to the pawling
and friction apparatus whereby the motion of the gun is checked and
regulated.
Another of my imnmawramento concists in placing the friction linalen

page_text: upon the spindle to which rotary motion is imparted by the "running
up" (either by a curved rack on the elevators in gear with a pinion on
the spindle or otherwise), and causing the brake wheel or drum to
revolve with such spindle in one direction by means of one or more
pawls carried by the former in gear with a ratchet wheel on the latter,
so that the upward motion of the gun is regulated by the brake lever
alone, instead of by two separate levers as at present.
Having thus set forth the nature of my several improvements, I will
now proceed more particularly to describe the manner of performing
the same, for which purpose I shall refer to the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings.
Figure 1 shews a side elevation of a gun carriage constructed
according to my system, having my first-described improvement applied
thereto, the counterweight A fixed to the elevators B having a groove a
in the upper part, through which groove the muzzle of the gun C
passes in descending, as indicated, so that the counterweight can rise
up sufficiently high to be out of the way when the gun is in loading
position. Only so much of the gun carriage is shewn in this, as also
in all the other Figures, as is required to explain my improvement.
Figure 2 shews the same arrangement as the foregoing with the
addition of a trough or box D hinged to the counterweight A into
which is placed the projectile E, so that by the recoil this is raised
'to the mouth of the gun ready for insertion, as indicated.
Figure 3 shews an arrangement in which the counterweight A in place
of being fixed to the elevators B is connected thereto by means of the
rope, cord, or chain F passing over the pulleys or rollers G and II
carried by the gun platform I, by which arrangement the counter-
weight may be situated at any convenient distance below the ground
line or deck J, the weight being made to rise vertically by the descent
of the clevators, and to raise the latter by its vertical descent.
In place of suspending the counterweight as described, it may also
be suspended directly from the clevators, as indicated at Fig. 3^, the
rope or chain F being drawn over the guide roller G when the gun
begins its descent.
Figure 4 shews a side elevation, and Figure 5 shews a plan of arrange-
cant in which in place of the counterweight a aulindor K is amploved

page_text: containing air, steam, water, oil, or other fluid, or gas, by the compression
of which (if clastic fluids or gases are employed) or by the raising
whereof (if non-compressible fluids are used) the momentum of the
recoil is stored up and utilized for raising the gun into firing position. For
this purpose the elevators B are connected by the connecting rods L to
the cross head M of the piston rod of the cylinder in such manner that
on the recoil of the gun the motion of the elevators forces back the piston
and either compresses the elastic fluid or gas contained behind it in the
cylinder, or forces the non-elastic fluid through an aperture in the end
of the cylinder, and up a stand pipe or into an "accumulator" similar
to those employed with hydraulic cranes, the pressure of which fluid in
the stand-pipe or accumulator reacts upon the piston and forces it forward
again when it is desired to raise the gun into firing position. The con-
trolling of the motion of the gun is effected as in my previous arrange-
ments by means of a friction brake and pawling mechanism, and if
necessary by contracting the exit orifices for the fluid, so as to check its
flow. The cross head M is guided in its motion by sliding between
guides on the platform I. It will be evident that if requisite a counter-
weight constructed, as in the previous arrangements may be employed
in addition to the action of the fluid or gases in the cylinder K.
Figure 6 shews a modification of this arrangement, in which the gun
carriage N in place of being mounted upon rolling elevators is carried
by bars or links O working on fixed fulcra on the platform I, on which
they turn so as to allow of the gun descending into the position
indicated in red lines. The compression or raising of the gas or fluid in
the cylinder K is effected by causing the end of the piston rod to bear
by means of an antifriction roller against the under surface of the
carriage N, which in descending consequently forces down the piston in
the cylinder. In order to increase such compressing action at the
commencement of the downward motion of the gun, an incline n is
formed on the under side of the carriage N to act on the antifriction
roller.
The raising of the gun is effected by the upward pressure of the piston
rod against the under surface of the carriage. In this arrangement the
controlling action is obtained by forming quadrant racks P on the
platform, in gear with which are pinions Q on the carriage fixed on
the same shaft as the friction brake mechanism to be hereafter
docaribed

page_text: In the arrangement shewn at Figure 7, the gun carriage N is caused
by the recoil to slide down the inclined guides R, the piston rod of the
cylinder K being connected at S to a guide on the under side of the
carriage, so as directly to cause the gun carriage to rise up the slides by
the reaction of the compressed fluid or gas in the cylinder. In the
event of the pressure being too small, or when a sufficiently large sized
cylinder would be inconvenient, air or other permanent elastic gases may
be pumped into the cylinder.
Figure 9 shews an arrangement applicable for lighter guns, in which
in place of guiding the elevators by means of racks on the gun plat-
form into which gear teeth or studs on the elevators, as heretofore, the
guiding of the elevators B is effected by means of two straps or bands of
wire rope or other suitable material X, Y, to each elevator of which X
is connected at x to the platform, and at x¹ to the upper end of the
clevator; while Y is connected at y to the platform, and at y¹ to the
elevator, so that on the descent of the gun the straps X are unrolled
from, and those Y are rolled upon, the curved surfaces of the elevators,
while on the rising of the gun the reverse action takes place.
Figure 10 shews an arrangement similar to that at Figure 3, the
heavy counterweight of that arrangement being however replaced by a
hollow vessel A open at the lower end, and immersed in water, mercury,
or other fluid in the well c, the force of the recoil being absorbed and
stored up by the raising of the vessel, and with it the body of fluid
contained therein more or less out of the fluid in the well. Or this
arrangement may be reversed by making the vessel A hollow and closed
at its lower end, and causing it to be depressed into the fluid by the
force of the recoil, the buoyancy of the vessel effecting the raising of the
gun into firing position. These arrangements for absorbing the recoil
might be applied to the arrangement of inclined slides, described at
Figure 7, the rope or chain being for this purpose passed over a guide
pulley at the upper end of the slides, and connected to the front of the
gun carriage N. They might also be rendered applicable to the arrange-
ment, shewn at Figure 6, by substituting for the piston rod of that
arrangement a rod, to the lower end of which the rope or chain to the
counterweight or spring is connected.
Figures 13 and 11 show respectively a side and end elevation of an
arrangement wherein the motion of the gun is controlled by means of
two racks i working in guides on either side of the platform, to which

page_text: racks the elevators are connected by links ; turning on pins & on the
sides of the clevators, while the racks are in gear with pinions / on the
same shaft m as the friction brake apparatus to be presently described.
By this arrangement it will be seen that as the gun descends the racks
are drawn back in their guides by the links j, causing the pinions > and
friction brake to rotate freely, but such motion of the gun may be
controlled or stopped at will at any point of the ascent of the gun by
the application of the friction brake n, the forward motion of the
clevators being resisted by the pressure of the links ; against the pins k.
In order to insure a uniform action of the controlling mechanism on cach
side of the clevators, the shaft m passes across the platform so as to
carry both pinions 1, 1, and thus to control their motion by one and the
same brake apparatus; and in order to place the shaft m low enough to
allow of this arrangement, the racks i, i, are placed in an inverted
position as indicated at Figure 13.
tho
A
Figures 15 and 16 shew respectively a front view and a cross section
of the before mentioned friction brake mechanism, but which is equally
applicable to all other arrangements of gun carriages working on my
system. On the shaft m carrying the pinions before mentioned is fixed
a ratchet wheel o, loose upon the boss o' of which are the discs or
checks p, p, connected to each other and to the rim 12, and constituting
the brake drum round which passes the brake strap q actuated by the
lever turning on a fulcrum at 8. The rim n of the brake drum carries
pawls t, t, which take into teeth of the ratchet wheel o, whereby the
shaft m and with it the ratchet wheel o arc free to revolve in the
direction of the arrow on the descent of the gun; but their rotation in
the contrary direction may at any time be controlled and stopped by the
action of the pawls on the application of the brake strap. In order to
allow of the gun being lowered or raised by manual power when not in
action, a lever with a socket to receive a bar for purchase may be
connected loosely to the end of the shaft m, and having a pawl or
catch which is made to catch into the notches in the notched disc to
fixed on the shaft.
Having thus described the nature of my several improvements and in
what manner they are to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
I do not limit myself to the precise details of the various arrangements
shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, as these may be
variously modified without departing from the nature of my Invention;

page_text: but what I claim under the herein-betore in part recited Letters
Patent is,―
First. Constructing the counterweight when fixed to the elevators
with a groove or opening through which the muzzle of the gun can pass,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. Connecting to the elevators or to the counterweight, a trough,
box, or other contrivance for holding the projectile of the gun, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. Attaching the counterweight to the clevators by means of a
chain, rope, band, rods, or links, which may or may not be made to pass
over antifriction or guide rollers, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. Absorbing and storing up the force of the recoil by the
compression of clastic fluids or gases, or by the raising or forcing of
non-clastic fluids in such manner that the stored up force is afterwards
expended in raising the gun into firing position, substantially as 1
described.
Fifth. The use in place of or in combination with counterweights of
cylinders containing air, steam, water, oil, or other fluids or gases, by
the compression or raising of which the momentum of the recoil is
absorbed and stored up, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. Arranging cylinders containing air, steam, water, oil, or other
fluid or gas in combination with gun carriages supported upon moving
fulcra or rolling elevators, substantially as described.
.
Seventh. Arranging such cylinders containing fluids or gases as above
described in combination with gun carriages supported on fixed fulcra 2
or links or levers turning in fixed bearings on the gun platform, sub-
stantially as described.
Eighth. Arranging such cylinders containing fluids or gases as above
described in combination with gun carriages supported upon inclined
slides, guides, or rails, substantially as described.
Ninth. The use of straps or bands for guiding the motion of the
elevators, substantially as described with reference to Figure 9 of the
Drawings.
Tenth. Absorbing and storing up the recoil by the raising of vessels
in water or other fluid, substantially as described, whether the gun
2
1
6

page_text: carriage be supported on fixed or moving fulcra,, or on inclined slides,
guides, or rails..
Eleventh. Controlling the motion of the elevators by means of pins,
studs, or projections fixed thereto, connected by links and sliding racks
or equivalent contrivances to the friction brake apparatus, substantially
as described with reference to Figures 13 and 14 of the Drawings.
Twelfth. Constructing the friction brake and pawling mechanism for
controlling the motion of the gun, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 15 and 16 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Moncrieff, have here-
unto set my hand and scal, this Eighth day of September, in'
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
ninc.
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-named Alexander
Moncrieff, of Culfargie, in the County of Perth, Scotland, to file in the
Great Scal Patent Office, together with the Specification to which the samo
relates, the above-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.