Improvements in Shells or Projectiles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar.. 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shells or Projectiles.
I, ELIAS MATTISON JOHNSON of Spuyten Duyvil, New York, in the County
and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has relation to shells or projectiles. In the accompanying
drawing the figure represents a central longitudinal sectional view of a shell
constructed in accordance with my invention.
In the said drawing the reference numeral 1 designates the head or penetrating
portion of the shell formed with a conoidal point 2. The rear end of this head is
formed with a central screw threaded recess with which engages the correspondingly
threaded hub 3, of the rear section 4. This rear section is preferably made
of a tougher and softer metal than the head, and gaskets or washers 5 may be
interposed between it and the head. Formed in this rear section is a bursting or
explosion chamber 6, which contains the charge and may be provided with a charge
opening closed by means of a plug 7. A hole 8, is formed in this plug to receive
a fuse.
If the head of a shell constructed in accordance with my invention should become
cracked, by striking an armour plate or other object, it would not affect the
explosion, as the said cracks would not communicate with the bursting chamber, as
is the case in the ordinary shells where the walls of the bursting chamber are
practically a part of the penetrating portion of the shell. In case the said rear
section should become detached or broken off from the head, it would not be
rendered useless, as it is complete in itself and could be exploded without being
secured to the head.
I do not limit myself to the particular manner of connecting the head and rear
portion, as other means could be employed for such purpose without departing from
the invention.
The plug 7 may be dispensed with, if desired, and the fuse opening be made in.
either end of the rear section, which opening may also be used for inserting
the charge.
The gasket or washer is made of copper, leather or other suitable material and
serves to take up the sudden shock caused by the projectile striking a hard substance
and thus prevent the rear section from cracking."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. As an improved article an explosive shell, comprising the solid pointed head
and the separable rear portion attached thereto having a bursting chamber formed
therein, completely enclosed by the walls thereof and provided with a fuse
opening.
2. As an improved article, an explosive shell comprising the solid pointed bead,
having a screw threaded recess in its rear, and the separable rear portion formed
with a screw threaded hub engaging with said recess and a bursting chamber
completely enclosed by the walls of said section and provided with a fuse opening,
substantially as described.

page_text: 3. In an explosive shell, the combination with the solid pointed head, having a
screw threaded recess on its rear, of the separable section having a screw threaded
hub engaging with said recess, a bursting chamber completely enclosed by the
walls of said section and a fuse opening, and the yielding gaskets interposed between
said head and section, substantially as described.
4. As an improved article, an explosive shell, comprising the solid pointed head
of hard metal and the separable rear section of a softer and tougher metal attached
thereto and formed with a bursting chamber completely enclosed by the walls
thereof and provided with a fuse opening, substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.