IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Townshend Griffin, of Market Drayton, in the County of
Salop, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES."
"3.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Townshend Griffin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th January 1878.
TOWNSHEND GRIFFIN, of Market Drayton, in the County of Salop, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES."
My Invention relates to the projectiles employed as ammunition for fire-arms
and guns, and has for its principal object to render elongated projectiles capable of
being fired from smooth-bore guns, or of being fired with a suitable degree of
precision without being caused to rotate upon their axes during their flight.
The typical projectile, constructed in accordance with the first part of my In-
vention, has a cylindrical body or head formed with a flat or concave front, and a
tail or rearward continuation, consisting of vanes or leaves radiating from the axis
of the cylinder to the circumference thereof or thereabouts.
A form of projectile which I now consider to be suitable, and which I have
tested as a projectile for arms of 577 bore, is formed and proportioned somewhat
as follows: The head of the projectile is in the form of a solid cylinder. The tail
or rearward continuation consists of four leaves meeting at the axial line of the
cylindrical head, and radiating therefrom, the outer edges of the said leaves extending
to the full diameter of the cylindrical head. The length of the said head is about
equal to the diameter, the said continuation being about one and a half times the
length of the head. In other words, such a projectile may be described as being a
cylinder two and a half diameters in length, having four shaped recesses extending
about half way from the rearward end.
Although I have been thus explicit in describing the proportions of the projectile
which I have tested, I must not be understood to confine myself to such proportions,
nor to the cylindrical form of the head, nor to the number of the said leaves or

page_text: vanes, nor to the extension of the outer edges of the said leaves or vanes to the full
diameter of the head. I prefer to make the said leaves or vanes as thin as is con-
sistent with sufficient strength, and to keep the centre of gravity well forward of
the centre of the length of the projectile.
In some cases I fix plates of metal or of tinned iron or of sheet metal in position
to constitute the said leaves or vanes by the operation of casting the head. When
forming part of a cartridge I prefer that the powder shall fill the spaces between
the said leaves or vanes, but if found to be suitable in any case the projectile may
be used with a sabot. The projectile so formed may be fired from a smooth-bore
gun or from a rifle, but in the latter case the projectile is not intended to engage
with the rifle grooves.
In some cases, and especially in the formation of shell projectiles, the rearward
portion may consist of a hollow prism, or of a hollow part having three or more
flat sides.
A second part of my Invention has for its object to obtain a greater amount of
. useful effect from the explosive material employed. To this end I form a collar or
projecting band extending around or partly around the projectile, either alone or in
conjunction with a groove or depression in the surface of the projectile. The
said collar is formed of lead or of the comparatively soft metal or alloy of which
the projectile is formed, or with which it is coated or jacketed. This form of pro-
jectile is designed to be fired from a gun having a chambered breech. The forward
end of the projectile would enter the barrel of the gun, the breech end being
enlarged in bore to clear the said collar or band.
When the explosive material is fired the said collar or band is forced against the
shoulder at the entrance to the barrel part, which shoulder detains the projectile.
until the pressure of the gases is sufficient to shear off the said collar or band, or to
press it into the said groove.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Townshend Griffin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th July
1878.
TOWNSHEND GRIFFIN, of Market Drayton, in the County of Salop, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES."
My Invention relates to the projectiles employed as ammunition for fire-arms and
guns, and has for its principal object to render elongated projectiles capable of
being fired from smooth-bore guns, or of being fired with a suitable degree of
precision without being caused to rotate upon their axes during their flight.
The typical projectile constructed, in accordance with the first part of my In-
vention, has a cylindrical body or head formed with a flat or recessed front, and a
tail or rearward continuation, consisting of vanes or leaves radiating from the axis
of the cylinder to the circumference thereof or thereabouts.
In some cases, and especially in the formation of shell projectiles, the rearward
portion may consist of a hollow prism, or of a hollow part having three or more flat
sides.
A second part of my Invention has for its object to obtain a greater amount of
useful effect from the explosive material employed. To this end I form a collar or
projecting band extending around or partly around the projectile, either alone or in
conjunction with a groove or depression in the surface of the projectile. The said
collar is formed of lead or of the comparatively soft metal or alloy of which the
projectile is formed, or with which it is coated or jacketed. This form of projectile
is designed to be fired from a gun having a chambered breech. The forward end
of the projectile would enter the barrel of the gun, the breech end being enlarged
in bore to clear the said collar or band.
When the explosive material is fired the said collar or band is forced against the
shoulder at the entrance to the barrel part, which shoulder detains the projectile
until the pressure of the gases is sufficient to shear off the said collar or band, or
to press it into the said groove.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, I have appended hereunto
a Sheet of Drawings made about double the linear dimensions of the examples
selected for illustration.
Referring to the said Drawings,
Fig. 1 represents an end and side view of a projectile of proportions which I now
consider to be suitable, and which I have tested at various ranges. The said pro-
jectile is adapted for arms of 577 bore. The head of the projectile is in the form
of a solid cylinder a, having a flat front or forward end. The tail or rearward
projection consists of four leaves or vanes which meet at the axial line of the cylin-
drical head, and radiate therefrom. The outer edges of these leaves, by preference,
extend to the full diameter of the head a.
In the example the length of the head is about equal to the diameter, and the
length of the tail is about one and a half times the length of the head. I prefer to make
the leaves or vanes b as thin as is consistent with the obtainment of sufficient strength.
I prefer in all cases to so proportion the projectile as that the centre of gravity
shall be well forward of the centre of the length of the projectile. In the example
the centre of gravity is indicated by the round dot near the letter a.
It will be seen that the centre of gravity is within the head, and is therefore well
forward of the centre of the length of the projectile.
When the projectile forms a part of a cartridge, I prefer that the explosive sub-
stance shall occupy the spaces between the leaves b, as there is less liability for
the leaves to be "upset," or otherwise damaged.
If preferred for any reason, or if considered to be more suitable in any case, a
sabot may be used to keep the explosive substance out of the said spaces.
Although I have been explicit in describing the proportions of the projectile

page_text: portions.
Figs. 2 to 8 illustrate some of the variations which may be made in the proportions
of the leaves and heads, and also slight variations in the forms of the rear end of
the head.
In Fig. 2 the head and tail are about equal in length.
In Fig. 3 the rear end of the head is semi-globular.
:
In Fig. 4 the head and tail are about equal in length, but the head is propor-
tionately larger than in Fig. 1.
In Fig. 5 the tail is about half the length of the head. Such a protectile is not
suitable for long ranges.
In Fig. 6 the tail is about twice the length of the head.
the leaves as tapering in thickness.
This Fig. also represents
In Fig. 7 the length of the head is equal to about half the diameter.
In Fig. 8 the head is equal in length to two diameters.
Modifications may be made in the form of the leaves, as, for example, they may
be thicker at the base than at the edges.
In all the examples herein-before referred to the leaves are supposed to be cast
or formed with the same metal as the head, and in one piece therewith.
Fig. 9 illustrates another method of formation. In this example the leaves are
made of plates of sheet metal or of tinned iron, which are placed in position within
the mould before the metal is run in, the head being then cast upon the leaves, thus
securing them to the head.
•
Although I consider four leaves or vanes to be the most suitable number, I do
not confiné myself to this number.
Fig. 10 is a rear end view of a projectile having three leaves.
Fig. 11 illustrates two forms of recessed fronts, which may be used in any of the
examples in lieu of the flat front.
In some cases, and especially in the formation of shell projectiles, the rearward
portion may consist of a hollow prism or of a hollow part having three or more flat
sides.
Fig. 12 represents a hollow projectile having a prismoidal tail, and Fig. 13 repre-
sents a cross section of a hollow projectile having a rearward continuation, having
four flat sides.
The form of the interior space may be varied according to the size of the pro-
jectile, or to the requirements of each case.
'
In all of the examples the projectiles are supposed to be adapted for one calibre of
fire-arm; but it will be understood that the diameters of the projectiles will vary
according to the calibre of the arm, and that in this way the projectiles will be
equally adapted for use in connection with ordnance or heavy guns.
Projectiles formed as indicated may be fired from a smooth-bore fire-arm or gun
or from a rifle or a rifled gun, but in the latter cases the projectile is not intended
to engage with the rifle grooves.
The second part of my Invention is illustrated by Fig. 14, which represents a
portion of a shot c in position within the breech end of a gun or fire-arm repre-
sented in section. The projectile is provided with a collar d, and is formed with a
groove behind the said collar.
The form of the said collar may be varied, and, if not considered to be necessary,
the said groove inay be dispensed with.
In the case of large projectiles formed of hard metal the collar may be formed of
soft metal or formed on a jacket of soft metal, and be applied to the projectile.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
methods for carrying the same into effect, I would have it to be understood that I
claim,―
First. The projectiles formed substantially as set forth and indicated herein-before,
and in and by the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Secondly. Projectiles formed with flat or recessed fronts, and formed or provided
with four leaves or vanes, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Thirdly. Projectiles formed with flat or recessed fronts, and formed or provided
with leaves or vanes, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Fourthly. The shells or hollow projectiles formed substantially as set forth and
indicated.
And, lastly. The application to projectiles or the formation of projectiles with a
collar of soft metal, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Townshend Griffin, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
TOWNSHEND GRIFFIN. (L.N.)