IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMMON AND SHRAPNELL SHELLS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTILES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Hadfield, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
Steel Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF COMMON AND SHRAPNELL SHELLS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTILES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Hadfield at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1877.
ROBERT HADFIELD, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Steel Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMMON AND SHRAPNELL SHELLS AND
OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTILES."
This Invention has for its object an improved method of manufacturing common
and Shrapnell shells, and other similar projectiles by casting the same in steel.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I take a mould or moulds of
any suitable shape and size, and which may be made either of sand or metal, or
partly in metal and partly in sand, or of any other suitable composition, and I then
run molten steel of any suitable quality therein, and I afterwards temper and anneal
the casting to any desired degree.
One of the principal advantages of this improved method of casting common and
Shrapnell shells and other similar projectiles in steel is, that by so doing they can
be made not only thinner and lighter, but also of greater length than when made or
cast in any other metal, owing to the superior strength possessed by steel over cast
iron.
Another great advantage is that owing to such increased thinness and length
much larger charges of bullets and other materials may be safely inserted in such
projectiles, thus considerably enhancing their destructive capacity. At the same
time increased steadiness and accuracy is imparted to the flight of the projectile,
resulting from its increased length, while it is both lighter and stronger than those
hitherto in use. When desired I also cast such projectiles of a suitable and conve-
nient formation for the reception of rotating studs. Or, preferably, I cast the ends
thereof of any suitable form for the purpose of being rotated by their own gas
checks.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Hadfield in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th April
1878.
"
ROBERT HADFIELD, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Steel Manufacturer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMMON AND SHRAPNELL SHELLS AND
OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTILES."
This Invention has for its object an improved method of manufacturing common
and Shrapnell shells and other similar projectiles by casting the same in steel.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I take a mould or moulds of
any suitable shape and size, and which may be made either of sand or metal, or
partly in metal and partly in sand, or of any other suitable composition, and I then
run molten steel of any suitable quality therein, and I afterwards temper and anneal
the casting to any desired degree.
One of the principal advantages of this improved method of casting common and
Shrapnell shells and other similar projectiles in steel is, that by so doing they can
be made not only thinner and lighter, but also of greater length than when made
or cast in any other metal, owing to the superior strength possessed by steel over
cast iron.
Another great advantage is that owing to such increased thinness and length
much larger charges of bullets and other materials may be safely inserted in such
projectiles, thus considerably enhancing their destructive capacity. At the same
time increased steadiness and accuracy is imparted to the flight of the projectile
resulting from its increased length, while it is both lighter and stronger than those
hitherto in use. When desired I also cast such projectiles of a suitable and conve-
nient formation for the reception of rotating studs. Or, preferably, I cast the ends
thereof of any suitable form for the purpose of being rotated by their own gas
checks.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I
claim and desire to secure by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
is, the improved method of manufacturing common and Shrapnell shells and other
similar projectiles by casting the same in steel, substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Hadfield, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.