IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE- ARMS AND IN AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME."
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jacob Snider, junior, of the Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-
ARMS AND IN AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jacob Snider at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
January 1865.
I, JACOB SNIDER, junior, of the Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND IN AMMUNITION FOR THE SAME," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention consists of a combination of parts con-
stituting a new system or method for manipulating fire-arms when loaded
at the breech, as hereafter described.
I make an opening at the rear end of the barrel to receive the breech piece,
or this opening may be in a shoe, into which the barrel is screwed or other-
wise joined. The breech piece which occupies this opening is attached to the
barrel or shoe by a hinge affixed to its upper portion. A portion of this
hinge may be formed either solid to the shoe at that part into which the barre!
is screwed or attached, or otherwise encompass the portion surrounding the
charge chamber, so as to form a covering and admit of space within it for the
movement of a draw cartridge, and which is placed and moves in a slot or
{Price-8ds]
Job 75

page_text: groove formed therein. This draw cartridge is operated by means of a cog
or ratchet on it, acted upon by a corresponding cog or ratchet on the movable
part of the hinge which is attached to the breech piece, so that after a charge
has been fired the expended cartridge case will be withdrawn from the charge
chamber by the action of lifting or opening the breech piece, causing the cog
or ratchet on the hinge to act on that of the draw cartridge, and forcing the
latter against the head or rim of the cartridge case, and thus withdraw it.
When the arm is charged (as it is intended to be with a central fire
cartridge) and the breech piece shut into place for firing, I lock and retain the
same in place by means of my Invention for locking the breeches of fire-
arms as described in my Provisional Specification, dated 5th November 1864,
No. 2741.
The second part of my Invention consists of another method of operating
a draw cartridge, but having the breech hinged to the shoe or barrel as
previously arranged, and in addition in a sufficiently strong manner to resist
the increased force of the explosion which will now by this 2nd part of my
Invention cause the breech piece to bear with more force upon the hinged
portion thereof. I now cut away a portion of the under part of the breech
piece nearest to the charge chamber, so that in putting the cartridge case
containing the charge in place for firing, the breech piece when closed will cover
over and form an open chamber or covering to a portion of the cartridge
case, and thus after discharge, the breech being lifted, one half of the outer
side surface of the cartridge case is exposed to view, and the case readily
withdrawn by the finger or thrown out. Connected with this movement, and
to force the withdrawal of the cartridge case, I put into the inner part of
the breech piece which forms the covering to the top of the cartridge case a
small spring latch, which, as the breech is shut down, embraces the rim of
the cartridge case and assists to give it its exact position for firing while in
opening the breech it will cause the cartridge case to be displaced from the
chamber. The lower part of the breech piece has a projection solid to it on
its front face for nearly half the circumference on its lower portion, and which
projection or lip enters a cavity in the shoe when the breech piece is shut and
assists to lock the forward portion of the breech piece. In the process of
manipulating this 2nd part of my Invention 1 lock the breech fast for firing
in the manner described in my Provisional Specification dated 5th November
1864, No. 2741.
The third part of my Invention consists in having a solid breech piece
hinged either in the manner before described, and necessitating a curved
surface at its rear end, or by hinging it to the side of the shoe or barrel, and

page_text: having both a rear and forward vertical face, as patented by Francois Eugene
Schneider and myself 21 June 1862, No. 1828, or by having at its rear face
or end a slightly inclined or angular surface, and the adjustment of which
latter in opening and shutting is regulated by a spiral motion or otherwise in
the hinging apparatus or device. In this the 3rd part of my Invention I
cut on the solid face of the breech piece which is nearest in contact with the
charge chamber, when the same is in place for firing, an annular groove having
two convex surfaces, the inner of which is conical and elevated above the
vertical breech face, so that when in place for firing it partially projects into
the charge chamber.
In this my 3rd improvement I dispense with any cartridge case either of
metal or paper which has to be withdrawn after discharge of the charge, and
for the purpose of securing flexion to close the breech joint on explosion of
the charge I place in the rear of the charge chamber formed in the barrel or
shoe of the gun, and not on the breech piece, an improved form of annular
valve or gas check which on the explosion of the charge is driven back into
and against the annular groove in the breech piece, and thus on explosion
seals the breech joint against the escape of gas, and also assists to retain the
breech piece in place during explosion. Whatever form may be given to the
rear end of the breech piece in the application of this the 3rd part of my
Invention, and whether the breech piece be hinged on to the top portion of the
barrel or shoe and the breech piece, or at the side, as already described, I use
the same process for locking the breech in place as described in my Pro-
visional Specification dated 5th November 1864, No. 2741.
The arrangement last described as the 3rd part of my Invention is adapted
for the use of a cartridge case made simply of paper, or of skin or animal
membrane, and the projecting coned part of the breech piece bears through it
the fire communication from the nipple, or the needle, or piston to ignite the
charge, as hereafter referred to as another part of my Invention. When the
projecting cone on the breech face is pressed home against the rear of the
cartridge by the closing of the breech piece there is a small annular space
left between the face of the breech piece and the charge. the atmospheric
air in which space on explosion combining with the gases will prevent any
lodgement of fire, paper, or debris in the chamber of the gun. I also claim
as a part of my Invention, in conjunction with the last-named arrangement,
the application of a needle to function at an angle oblique to the axis of the
bore to be acted upon by the dog or hammer of the lock in the manner of a
piston and regulated by a spring, and which needle on being made to function
shall pierce a cartridge carrying its own fulminate or igniting medium in such

page_text: manner as I shall hereafter more fully describe as another part of my
Invention in conjunction with such a cartridge as herein named. and also
specially applicable to this system of loading at the breech.
The fourth part of my Invention consists of a new method of constructing
cartridges to carry their own ignition, and in a manner to dispense with
metallic or other cartridge cases which necessitate withdrawal after the
explosion of the charge, as follows:-Into an ordinary paper cartridge case or
one made of skin or animal membrane, or of any other material calculated
for or intended to be exploded, consumed, or driven from the chamber or
barrel of the gun by the explosion of the powder charge, I place in a suitable
covering or capsule, of a conoidal or other convenient form, fulminating
material, which covering or capsule on being pierced with the needle already
described, will cause ignition of the charge. This capsule containing the
fulminate protect from the danger of accidental explosion when in the
cartridge by enveloping or covering the said capsule containing the fulminate
with a small portion of gun cotton or other suitable material which will not
leave deposit or debris in the gun after explosion, but which will entirely
protect the capsule containing the fulminate from risk of accidental explosion
by any ordinary pressure or blow externally upon the cartridge, or by reason
of any friction or otherwise caused by the grains of powder surrounding it.
The fifth part of my Invention consists in the adaptation and application of
the description of cartridge last herein named, and the manner of igniting the
same, also to other systems of breech-loading arms than those of my Invention
as herein described, that is to say, in such systems as that known as "W. Mont
Storm's," "Murcott's." Mackenzie's," and any others wherein the charge
chamber is in the solid breech of the gun, and also in the system known
as "Lefaucheux," and others, as those of "Merrill's," "Richards," or
other similar systems where the recoil bearing surface is either in contact with
the powder charge or cartridge case containing the same, and in all other
systems where the charge has heretofore been ignited by the ordinary means
of a cap containing fulminate and the fire communicated through a nipple
and opening into the charge chamber, to all which systems I claim as my
Invention the application of a piston or needle to pierce or percuss the
fulminate or igniting medium placed in a cartridge or powder charge in the
manner of my Invention herein-before described.
I claim the application of the same in the manner herein described as my
Invention of an improvement upon all such systems as herein named as have
hitherto ignited the powder charge by means of an ordinary cap and nipple,
and in addition to which I add in further combination, as a portion of this my

page_text: present Invention, I make a small annular cavity in the base of the charge
chamber or on the face of the recoil bearing surface, be it a bolt or otherwise,
contiguous to the rear of the powder charge or cartridge containing it, so that
the air in said cavity will cause all debris or fire paper to be expelled in the
same manner as herein-before described under the 3rd part of my Invention.
the application of the cartridge of my Invention as herein set forth being
expressly intended to obviate entirely and dispense with the use of any sort of
cartridge case which requires to be retracted or withdrawn from the gun after
the charge has been fired.
In addition to the foregoing application of the cartridge, and its use as
herein named. I claim as my Invention the application of a needle moving at
an oblique angle. as described. or piston to pierce or percuss the fulminate
contained in the cartridge, as herein set forth, as applicable to the transfor-
mation of all fire-arms heretofore made upon the various systems in use
ignited by an ordinary cap' upon a nipple.
I am aware that igniting a powder charge by means of piercing a fulminate
placed therein or in a cartridge case containing the powder charge, and which
case is retracted after firing the charge, is not new; but what I claim as the
distinctive characteristic feature of my present Invention or application of the
cartridge herein claimed as the 4th part of my present Invention is, that I do
not place the fulminate or igniting medium in the forward part of the charge
nor in contact with the bullet, so that the needle or puncturer has to traverse
the entire powder charge in a manner similar to what is known as the
"Prussian needle gun;" nor do I require the needle to traverse or function
on a line parallel to the axis of the bore; nor do I have more than one simple
spring connected with it; but I make it so that it acts at an oblique, angle to
the axis of the bore, and that it requires no more length than what is required
in the distance usually occupied in an ordinary small arm from the head of
the nipple to the seat of the fire chamber, and to enter but a slight distance
therein, so that it pierces the fulminate in the seat of the cartridge or through
the side of the cartridge near its seat. This arrangement constituting, as I
claim, the novelty and advantages of my Invention as herein set forth under
the 4th and 5th parts of my Invention, and as rendering the application of
the same peculiarly adaptable to the transforming of all systems heretofore
having the charge ignited by means of a cap containing fulminate, and placed
on a nipple, and the fire flash communicated to the charge by a percussive
blow of the dog or hammer.
!
The sixth part of my Invention consists in attaching to the muzzle of fire-
arms a range and rotation muzzle especially applicable to breech-loading arms

page_text: i
which are not rifled (but which however can be applied with advantage to
rifled breech-loading arms), all as hereafter described. This muzzle consists of
a short cylinder of steel or other metal which enters a cavity cut in the bore of
the gun to such a depth as sufficiently to sustain it in place with the aid of a
shouldering cap or rim covering over the end of the muzzle. and being held by
screws let in from the external part of the cylinder into a portion of the
external part of the barrel near the muzzle. This cylinder for ordinary shoulder
arms need not be more than inch to 1 inches long, and the inner portion or
calibre of which in its widest diameter is precisely equal to the calibre of the
piece to which it is attached. but on its inner surface or bore there are several
elevations or very narrow lands iapering rather acutely from the end which
joins to the bore of the gun. These lands have a spiral form of a rather acute
twist, or the angle of which is regulated as experience may dictate for the size
of bore and length of barrel to which it may be attached. The object of this
muzzle is partially as a substitute for rifling, and to impart rotary velocity to a
bullet when fired from a smooth-bore breech-loading gun, and also to give a
momentary check to a projectile when fired out of a smooth-bore breech-loading
gun, so that as the tendency of the bullet is, under the impulsive action of the
explosion of the powder charge, to jump ahead of the gases, particularly in such
a smooth bore gun, these elevations or lands on this added muzzle will not
only impart rotation, especially to a bullet, as hereafter described, but will
momentarily check the projectile until it receives the fullest force from the
expanded gases joined to the impulsative action, and thus cause the projectile to
have a velocity of translation which it otherwise would not attain. I deem
such a rotation and range muzzle eminently useful in aiding to avoid the
necessity of at all rifling such military and other weapons, as for cavalry service
and all others where a longer range than 200 or 300 yards is not necessitated.
and if a properly constructed bullet be used, such as I shall describe herein, this
rotation muzzle will start the bullet on its rotation in a manner to cause its
action against the atmosphere to maintain the velocity of rotation of the bullet
Throughout the trajectory.
The seventh part of my Invention consists of a lead or other plastic metal
bullet of a cylindro-conoidal form as follows:-The base is vertical or at right
angles to the axis of the bore, but having a cavity in the base sufficient to
cause the centre of gravity of the bullet to be forward of its centre of lengih.
The annular rim of the base for about a quarter of an inch forward on its
periphery or side is perfectly cylindrical, and fills entirely the bore of the gun
snugly, but not too tight, when the bullet is covered with its greased paper
patch and introduced at the breech end. From the forward point end down

page_text: to within the afore-named quarter of an inch of its base I cut spiral grooves
coincident, as regards the spiral and its inclination or angle, to the clevations in
the interior of the rotation muzzle, but without any regard to whether these
grooves on the bullet take the lands in the muzzle on the bullet's exit from the
gun, but simply that in the bullet's passage over said lands in the muzzle the
spiral which the lands will cut into the bullet shall be precisely coincident or
parallel to those which are already upon the coned portion and also a portion
of the parallel sides of the bullet. The grooves which form upon the bullet
commence at its extreme forward point and taper off to nothing at the line
towards the base where the entire periphery or external circumference is
preserved intact, and these grooves are so shaped as that the inner surface of
them in the bullet's velocity of translation, after having received an impetus
of rotation from the lands in the muzzle, will so impinge upon the atmosphere
us to increase or maintain its velocity of rotation. The bullet grooves thus
formed, as also those which may become impressed upon it in passing out of
the muzzle, will leave the bullet in a state to have no edges of resistance on
its side which will tend to diminish its rotation by friction against the
atmosphere.
The eighth part of my Invention consists of a new method of rifling the
barrels of guns, especially breech-loading fire-arms, in the manner herein
described. I form lands raised upon the surface of the bore of the gun, preferring
always to employ an equal number of lands, such lands commencing from a
point immediately in front of the forward end of the charge chamber are
continued to such distance towards the muzzle as experience may dictate, be
this point situate at one-half the length of the barrel or otherwise, more or
less, from which point to the muzzle of the barrel omit a portion or an
alternate portion of the lands, so that of the lands at the breech or forward end
of the charge chamber only one-half in number, or a greater or lesser portion,
will be continued to the muzzle, and the remainder continued only to the point
before ascertained or determined.
I wish it to be understood with reference to this part of my Invention that
I do not claim the forming of lands raised upon the surface of the interior
of the barrel, but what I do claim, and in what this part of my Invention
consists is, the discontinuing or omitting of a portion of lands, alternately or
otherwise, from a certain point in the barrel to the muzzle for the purpose
of obtaining an improved range and a lower trajectory.
The ninth part of my Invention consists of a device for functioning a piston
or needle where the same may be placed horizontal and directly parallel to the
axis of the bore, and acting through a solid vertical faced hinged breech piece

page_text: or otherwise. In the centre of the breech piece I put a concealed piston
sustained in position within either face of the breech piece by a concealed
spiral spring acting against a shoulder on the needle or piston in one way and
a headless screw at the other end, through which headless screw the opposite
end of the piston is accessible or near to the surface of the breech piece; then
through the breech plug or tail piece of the gun 1 place and function a second
piston in a similar manner; the rear end or head of this latter piston projects
a slight distance beyond the rear of the breech plug and under the tang. In
order to discharge the piece by means of the forward needle or piston acting
upon the fulminate which ignites the charge, I percuss or strike the rear piston
by means of a hammer or dog. formed entirely solid to the tumbler of the lock,
and thus dispense with any external lump or piece on the breech or barrel
through which to pass a needle or piston acted upon by the ordinary hammer
or dog of the lock, which ordinary hammer or dog 1 dispense with, retaining
only a thumb-piece to the lock sufficient to bring it to full cock, so the piece
be discharged by a trigger in the ordinary way.
I do not claim either a piston or needle placed simply longitudinal and central
to the axis of the piece as at all new or of my Invention, neither do I claim a
hammer as described, solid to the tumbler of the lock and functioned as herein
described as being new and of my Invention, but what I do claim as new and
of my Invention is, the combination and application of a needle or piston
placed in the hinged breech as described and acted upon by another piston and
the tumbler of the lock as herein set forth, and further as especially appli-
cable to breech-loading arms where the breech piece is hinged and has
one or both surfaces vertical, and applicable more especially to the system of
such vertical faced breech as in the system of breech-loading arms patented by
Francois Engene Schneider and myself, June 21st, 1862, No. 1828.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letiers Patent, filed
by the said Jacob Snider in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st July 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JACOB
SNIDER, junior, of the Straud, in the County of Middlesex, Merchant, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth

page_text: year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Jacob Snider, junior, Iler special licence that I, the
said Jacob Snider, junior, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Jacob Snider, junior, 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 AND IN AMMUNITION FOR
BAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Jacob Snider,
junior, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing 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 Sea!
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
THE
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jacob Snider, junior, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
The first part of my Invention consists of a combination of parts con-
stituting a new system or method for manipulating fire-arms when loaded at
the breech, as hereafter described. Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is
a longitudinal section, and Figure 4 a plan of so much of a breech-loading fire-
arm as will be suflicient to illustrate one method of carrying this part of my
Invention into effect.. I make an opening at the rear end of the barrel to receive
the breech piece c, or this opening may be in a shoe into which the barrel is
screwed or otherwise joined. The breech piece which occupies this opening
is attached to the barrel or shoe by a hinge e affixed to its upper portion; a
portion of this hinge may be formed either solid to the shoe at that part into
which the barrel is screwed or attached, or otherwise encompass the portion sur-
rounding the charge chamber so as to form a covering and admit of space within
it for the movement of a draw cartridge g, and which is placed and moves in a
slot or groove formed therein. This draw cartridge is operated by means of a
cog or ratchet a on it acted upon by a corresponding cog or ratchet bon the
movable part of the hinge e which is attached to the breech piece c
so that
after a charge has been fired the expended cartridge case will be withdrawn
from the charge chamber d by the action of lifting or opening the breech
piece c, causing the cog or ratchet bon the hinge e to act on the ratchet of

page_text: the draw cartridge, and forcing the latter against the head or rim of the
cartridge case, and thus withdraw it.
Figure 2 is a vertical section through the line x, y, of Figure 1. and Figure 3.
a similar view through the line 2, 2. When the arm is charged (as it is
intended to be with a central fire cartridge) and the breech piece shut into
place for firing, 1 lock and retain the same in place by means of my Invention
for locking the breech of fire-arms as described in the Specification of my
Patent, dated 5th November 1864, No. 2741.
Figure 5 shows in longitudinal, Figure 6 in vertical section, and Figure 7
in plan, the second part of my Invention, consisting in another method of
operating a draw cartridge g, but having the breech c hinged to the shoe or
barrel, as previously arranged, and in addition in a sufliciently strong
manner to resist the increased force of the explosion, which will now by this
part of my Invention cause the breech piece to bear with more force upon
the hinged portion thereof. I now cut away a portion of the under part of
the breech piece, as shown at h, Figure 5, nearest to the charge chamber, so
that in putting the cartridge case i containing the charge in place for firing,
the breech piece c when closed will cover over and form an open chamber or
covering, as shown at k, Figure 5, to a portion of the cartridge case i, and
thus after discharge the breech being litted, one-half of the outer side surface
of the cartridge case is exposed to view, and the case is readily withdrawn by
the finger or thrown out. Connected with this movement; and to force the
withdrawal of the cartridge case, I put into the inner part of the breech piece
which forms the covering to the top of the cartridge case small spring
latch I, which as the breech is shut down embraces the rim of the cartridge
case, and assists to give it its exact position for firing, while in opening the
breech it will cause the cartridge case to be displaced from the chamber.
The lower part of the breech piece has a projection m solid to it on its front
face for nearly half the circumference on its lower portion, and which pro-
jection or lip enters a cavity n in the shoe when the breech piece is shut, and
assists to lock the forward portion of the breech piece. In the process of
manipulating this second part of my Invention, I lock the breech fast for
firing in the manner herein-before described in the Specification of my Patent
dated 5th November 1864, No. 2741.
The third part of my Invention consists in having a solid breech piece hinged
either in the manner before described, and necessitating a curved surface
at its rear end, as at Figures 8, 9, and 10, or by hinging it to the side of the
shoe or barrel, and having both a rear and forward vertical face, as patented
by Francois Eugene Schneider and myself, June 21, 1862, No. 1828, or by

page_text: having at its rear face or end a slightly inclined or angular surface, as at
Figures 11 and 12, and the adjustment of which latter in opening and shutting
is regulated by a spiral motion or otherwise in the hinging apparatus, as
shown in plan at Figure 12. In this, the third part of my Invention, I cut
on a solid face of the breech piece c which is nearest in contact with the
charge chamber d, when the same is in place for firing, an annular groove o
having two convex surfaces, the inner of which is conical and elevated above
the vertical breech face, so that when in place for firing it partially projects
into the charge chamber, as shown at Figures 8, 10, 11, and 12.
In this my improvement I dispense with any cartridge case either of metal
or paper which has to be withdrawn after discharge of the charge, and for
the purpose of securing flexion to close the breech joint on explosion of the
charge, I place in the rear of the charge chamber formed in the barrel or
shoe of the gun, and not in the breech piece, an improved form of annular
valve or gas check p. which on the explosion of the charge is driven back into
and against the annular groove in the breech piece, and thus on explosion
seals the breech joint against the escape of gas, and also assists to retain the
breech piece in place during explosion. Whatever form may be given to the
rear end of the breech piece in the application of this part of my Invention,
and whether the breech piece be hinged on the top portion of the barrel or
shoe and the breech piece, or at the side, as already described, I use the same
process for locking the breech in place as already herein described in the
Specification of my Patent, dated 5 November 1864. No. 2741.
The arrangement last described as the third part of my Invention is adapted
for the use of a cartridge case made simply of paper, or of skin or animal
membrane, and the projecting coned part of the breech piece bears through it
the fire communication from the nipple or the needle or piston to ignite the
charge, as hereafter referred to as another part of my Invention. When the
projecting cone on the breech face is pressed home against the rear of the
cartridge by the closing of the breech piece there is a small annular space q
left between the face of the breech piece and the charge, the atmospheric air
in which space on explosion combining with the gases will prevent any
lodgment of fire. paper, or debris in the chamber of the gun. Sometimes in
conjunction with the last-named arrangement I use a needle working at an
angle oblique to the axis of the bore to be acted upon by the dog or hammer
of the lock in the manner of a piston, and regulated by a spring, and which
needle on being made to function shall pierce a cartridge carrying its own
fulminate or igniting medium in such manner as I shall hereafter more fully
describe as another part of my Invention in conjunction with such a cartridge

page_text: as herein named, and also specially applicable to this system of loading at the
breech.
The fourth part of my Invention consists of a new method of constructing
cartridges to carry their own ignition, and in a manner to dispense with
metallic or other cartridge cases which necessitate withdrawal after the
explosion of the charge, as follows:-Into an ordinary paper cartridge case, or
one made of skin or animal membrane, or of any other material calculated
for or intended to be exploded, consumed, or driven from the chamber or
barrel of the gun by the explosion of the powder charge, I place in a suitable
covering or capsule, of a conoidal or other convenient form, fulminating
material, which covering or capsule on being pierced with the needle or struck,
as already described, will cause ignition of the charge. This capsule con-
taining the fulminate I protect from the danger or accidental explosion when
in the cartridge by enveloping or covering the said capsule containing the
fulminate with a small portion of "gun cotton" or other suitable material which
will not leave deposit or debris in the gun after explosion, but which will entirely
protect the capsule containing the fulminate from risk of accidental explosion
by any ordinary pressure or blow externally upon the cartridge or by reason
of any friction or otherwise caused by the grains of powder surrounding it.
The fifth part of my Invention consists in the adaptation and application of
the description of cartridge last described, and the method of igniting the
same, to other systems of breech-loading arms than those of my Invention as
herein described, that is to say, in such systems as those known as "W. Mont
Storm's," "Murcott's," "Mackenzie's," and any others wherein the charge
chamber is in the solid breech of the gun, and also in the system known as
"Lefaucheux," and others, as those of "Merrill's." "Richards'," or other
similar systems where the recoil bearing surface is either in contact with the
powder charge or cartridge case containing the same, and in all other systems
where the charge has heretofore been ignited by the ordinary means of a cap
containing fulminate and the fire communicated through a nipple and opening
into the charge chamber, to all which systems I claim as my Invention the
application of a piston or needle to pierce or percuss the fulminate or igniting
medium placed in a cartridge or powder charge in the manner of my Inven-
tion herein-before described.
I claim the application of the same in the manner herein described
as my Invention of an improvement upon all such systems as herein named
as have hitherto ignited the powder charge by means of an ordinary cap
and nipple, and in addition to which I add in further combination, as a
portion of this my present Invention, a small annular cavity in the base of

page_text: the charge chamber or on the face of the recoil bearing surface, be it a bolt
or otherwise, contiguous to the rear of the powder charge or cartridge
containing it, so that the air in said cavity will cause all debris or fire
paper to be expelled in the same manner as herein-before described under
the third part of my Invention, the application of the cartridge of my
Invention as herein set forth being expressly intended to obviate entirely and
dispense with the use of any sort of cartridge case which requires to be
retracted or withdrawn from the gun after the charge has been fired.
In addition to the foregoing application of the cartridge, and its use as
herein named. I claim as my Invention the application of a needle moving at
an oblique angle, as described, or piston to pierce or percuss the fulminate
contained in the cartridge, as herein set forth, as applicable to the transforma-
tion of all fire-arms heretofore made upon the various systems in use ignited
by an ordinary cap upon a nipple.
I am aware that igniting a powder charge by means of piercing a fulminate
placed therein or in a cartridge case containing the powder charge, and which
case is retracted after firing the charge, is not new; but what I claim as the
distinctive characteristic feature of this part of my present Invention or
application. of the cartridge herein claimed as the fourth part of my present.
Invention is, that I do not place the fulminate or igniting medium in the
forward part of the charge nor in contact with the bullet, so that the needle
or puncturer has to traverse the entire powder charge in a manner similar to
what is known as the "Prussian needle gun;" nor do I require the needle to
traverse or function on a line parallel to the axis of the bore; nor do I have
more than one simple spring connected with it; but I make it so that it acts
at an oblique angle to the axis of the bore, so that it pierces the fulminate in
the seat of the cartridge or through the side of the cartridge near its seat.
This arrangement and combination of cartridge, piston, and recoil bearing
surface constituting, as I claim, the novelty and advantages of my Invention,
as herein set forth under the fourth and fifth parts of my said Invention, and
as rendering the application of the same peculiarly adaptable to the trans-
forming of all systems heretofore having the charge ignited by means of a cap
containing fulminate, and placed on a nipple, and the fire flash communicated
to the charge by a percussive blow of the dog or hammer.
The sixth part of my Invention consists in attaching to the muzzle of
fire-arms a range and rotation muzzle especially applicable to breech-loading
arms which are not rifled (but which, however, can be applied with advantage
to rifled breech-loading arms), all as hereafter described. This muzzle is
shewn at Figures 13 and 14; it consists of a short cylinder of steel or other

page_text: metal r, which enters a cavity cut in the bore of the gun to such a depth as
sufficiently to sustain it in place with the aid of a shouldering cap or rim s,
covering over the end of the muzzle t, and being held by screws let in from
the external part of the cylinder into a portion of the external part of the
barrel near the muzzle. This cylinder for ordinary shoulder arms need not
be more than 1 inch to 1 inches long, and the inner portion or calibre of
which in its widest diameter is precisely equal to the calibre of the piece to
which it is attached, but on its inner surface or bore there are several eleva-
tions or very narrow lands tapering rather acutely from the end which joins to
the bore of the gun. These lands have a spiral form of a rather acute twist,
or the angle of which is regulated as experience may dictate for the size of
bore and length of barrel to which it may be attached. The object of this
muzzle is partially as a substitute for rifling, and to impart rotary velocity
to a bullet when fired from a smooth bore breech-loading gun, and also to
give a momentary check to a projectile when fired out of a smooth bore
breech-loading gun, so that as the tendency of the bullet is, under the
impulsive action of the explosion of the powder charge, to jump ahead of
the gases, particularly in such a smooth bore gun, these elevations or lands
on this added muzzle will not only impart rotation, especially to a bullet
as hereafter described, but will momentarily check the projectile until it
receives the fullest force from the expanded gases joined to the impulsative
action, and thus cause the projectile to have a velocity of translation which
it otherwise would not attain. I deem such a rotation and range muzzle
eminently useful in aiding to avoid the necessity of at all rifling such
military and other weapons, as for cavalry service and all others where a
longer range than 200 or 300 yards is not necessitated, and if a properly
constructed bullet be used, such as I shall describe herein, this rotation
muzzle will start the bullet on its rotation in a manner to cause its action
against the atmosphere to maintain the velocity of rotation of the bullet
throughout the trajectory.
The seventh part of my Invention consists of a lead or other plastic metal
bullet of a cylindro-conoidal form, as shown at Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18.
The base is vertical or at right angles to the axis of the bore, but having a
cavity in the base sufficient to cause the centre of gravity of the bullet to be
forward of its centre of length. The annular rim w of the base, for about a
quarter of an inch forward on its periphery or side is perfectly cylindrical, and
fills entirely the bore of the gun snugly, but not too tight, when the bullet is
covered with its greased paper patch and introduced at the breech end. From
the forward point end down to within the afore-named quarter of an inch of

page_text: its base I cut spiral grooves a coincident, as regards the spiral and its inclina-
tion or angle, to the elevations in the interior of the rotation fuzzle, but
without any regard to whether these grooves on the bullet take the lands in
the muzzle on the bullet's exit from the gun, but simply that in the bullet's
passage over said lands in the muzzle the spiral which the lands will cut into
the bullet shall be precisely coincident or parallel to those which are already
upon the coned portion, and also a portion of the parallel sides of the bullet.
The grooves which I form upon the bullet commence at its extreme forward
point and taper off to nothing at the line towards the base where the entire
periphery or external circumference is preserved intact, and these grooves are
so shaped as that the inner surface of them in the bullet's velocity of trans-
lation, after having received an impetus of rotation from the lands in the
muzzle, will so impinge upon the atmosphere as to increase or maintain its
velocity of rotation. The bullet's grooves thus formed, as, also, those which
may become impressed upon it in passing out of the muzzle, will leave the
bullet in a state to have no edges of resistance on its side which will tend to
diminish its rotation by friction against the atmosphere.
The eighth part of my Invention consists of a new method of rifling the
barrels of guns, especially breech-loading fire-arms, in the manner herein
described. I form lands raised upon the surface of the bore of the gun,
preferring always to employ an equal number of lands, such lands commencing
from a point immediately in front of the forward end of the charge chamber,
are continued to such distance towards the muzzle as experience may dictate,
be this point situate at one-half the length of the barrel or otherwise, more or
less, from which point to the muzzle of the barrel I omit a portion or an
alternate portion of the lands, so that of the lands at the breech or forward
end of the charge chamber only one half in number, or a greater or less
portion, will be continued to the muzzle, and the remainder continued only
to the point before ascertained or determined.
I wish it to be understood with reference to this part of my Invention that
I do not claim the forming of lands raised upon the surface of the interior of
the barrel, but what I do claim, and in what this part of my Invention
consists is, the discontinuing or omitting of a portion of lands, alternately or
otherwise, from a certain point in the barrel to the muzzle, for the purpose of
obtaining an improved range and a lower trajectory.
The ninth part of my Invention consists of a device for functioning a piston
or needle where the same may be placed horizontal and directly parallel to
the axis of the bore, and acting through a solid vertical faced hinged breech-
piece or otherwise. Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22 are views of this arrangement.

page_text: In the centre of the breech piece I put a concealed piston 1, as in
Figures 18, 20, and 22, or a needle 2, as in Figure 21, sustained in position
within either face of the breech piece by a concealed spiral spring 3
acting against a shoulder 4 on the needle or piston in one way, and a headless
screw 5 at the other end, through which headless screw the opposite end of
the piston is accessible, or near to the surface of the breech piece; then
through the breech plug or tail piece 6 of the gun I place and function a
second piston 7 in a similar manner; the rear end or head of this latter piston
projects a slight distance beyond the rear of the breech plug and under the tang.
In order to discharge the piece by means of the forward needle or piston
acting upon the fulminate which ignites the charge, I percuss or strike the
rear piston by means of a hammer or dog 8, formed entirely solid to the
tumbler 9 of the lock, and thus dispense with any external lump or piece on
the breech or barrel through which to pass a needle or piston acted upon by
the ordinary hammer or dog of the lock, which ordinary hammer or dog I
dispense with, retaining only a thumb-piece 10 to the lock sufficient to bring it
to full cock, so that the piece be discharged by a trigger in the ordinary way.
I do not claim either a piston or needle placed simply longitudinal and central
to the axis of the piece as at all new or of my Invention, neither do I claim a
hammer, as described, solid to the tumbler of the lock and functioned, as herein
described, as being new and of my Invention, but what I do claim as new and
of my Invention is, the combination and application of a needle or piston placed
in the hinged breech as described, and acted upon by another piston and the
tumbler of the lock as herein set forth, and further as especially applicable to
breech-loading arms where the breech piece is hinged and has one or both
surfaces vertical, and applicable more especially to the system of such vertical
faced breech as in the system of breech-loading arms patented by Francois
Eugene Schneider and myself, 21 June 1862, No. 1828.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my "Improve-
ments" in Fire-arms, and in Ammunition for the same,"
First, the improvements as herein-before described and illustrated at
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the method or methods of operating the draw cartridge in breech-
loading arms, as herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 5, 6, and 7
of the accompanying Drawings:
Third, the construction of the breech piece in breech-loading fire-arms,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 8, 9, 10,
11, and 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
1

page_text: Fourth, the construction of cartridges to carry their own ignition, as herein-
before described in the fourth part of my Invention.
Fifth, the method or methods herein-before described of adapting or
applying cartridges constructed as herein-before described to all breech-
loading arms.
Sixth, the construction and application of range and rotation muzzles,
substantially in manner and for the purposes herein-before described and
illustrated at Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh, the construction of bullets or projectiles, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated at Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the accom-
panying Drawings.
Eighth, rifling the barrels of fire-arms as herein-before described under the
eighth part of my Invention.
Ninth, the method of operating or communicating motion to a piston or
needle when placed parallel or nearly so with the axis of the bore of the gun,
substantially in manner herein-before described and illustrated at Figures 19,
20, 21, and 22 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I. the said Jacob Snider, junior, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
EDwD. G. BREWER.
89, Chancery Lane, W.C.
JACOB SNIDER, JUN. (L.s.)