IMPROVEMENTS IN GUNS, GUN CARRIAGES, AND PROJECTILES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE AND UBE OF MATERIALS EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Clark, of No. 42, Hunter Street, Brunswick
Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GUNS, GUN CARRIAGES, AND PROJECTILES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE AND
UBE OF MATERIALS EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION."
Sealed the 7th March 1865, and dated the 12th September 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th September 1864.
I. GEORGE CLARK, of No. 42. Hunter Street. Brunswick Square, in the County
of Middlesex. do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GUNS, GUN CARRIAGES, AND PROJECTILES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE AND
USE OF MATERIALS EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the following improvements. some of which,
herein-after mentioned and numbered 1, 2, 3. 4. 5, 6, 7, 8 respectively, have
been described in the Provisional Specification of my Invention of "Improve-
ments in the Construction of Guns and Projectiles and Gun Carriages, and
in the Manufacture and Use of Materials employed in their Construction,"
No. 625, bearing date the 12th March 1864. As Letters Patent for the
same were not completed, and the Provisional Specification thereof has not
been published. I include the said last-mentioned improvements as parts of
my present Invention.

page_text: 1. The object of my first improvement is to provide for breech-loading
ordnance an effective breech closer, which shall resist and prevent the escape
of gas evolved by the explosion of the powder charge, and at the same time
be easily removed and replaced for loading and discharging the piece. This
object I effect by forming a slot immediately behind the breech end of the
bore, and fitting into the slot a breech closer. which revolves on a hinge at
the side of the gun, and is readily lifted and lowered as the breech end of the
bore is required to be opened or closed for loading or unloading the gun.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed illustrate this im-
provement.
(a) is the tube; (b) the bore of the gun; (c) is the breech closer, which
in the longitudinal section, Fig. 1, is shewn closed by the screw (d), and in
the longitudinal section, Fig. 2, open, being drawn back by the reverse action
of the breech screw by means of a disc revolving on a pivot at the rear of the
breech closer, from which the screw in turning releases itself. When the gun
has to be loaded, the breech closer being drawn back from the end of the
bore is turned up on one side, as shewn in Fig. 3, revolving on the hinge or
pin (e), on which it slides to and fro as it is pressed home against the breech
end of the bore or withdrawn by the action of the screw (d). A boss () is
forged on the side of the gun to receive the hinge pin (e). To facilitate the
lifting of the breech closer the projecting arm (g) may be of such a weight as
to nearly counterbalance the weight of the breech closer.
In the Drawings this improvement is represented as applied to an
Armstrong breech-loader, and it will obviate the difficulty experienced in
lifting the vent pieces of heavy guns of that description, but the plan is appli-
cable to other breech-loading guns.
2. My second improvement is a breech-loading gun and carriage both
divided into two parts, and constructed on the plan illustrated by Figs. 5, 6,
7. 8. 9. 10 of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
(a) is the breech end of the gun, which is a separate and distinct piece
from the muzzle end (b), and is supported upon its own carriage (). which
revolves on a pivot or turntable, so that the entire breech end can be turned
round a quarter circle, and its muzzle be presented, as shewn in Fig. 8. for
loading without running in or turning round the muzzle end (b). which in
loading the gun remains stationary on its carriage (#). resting on its support
(h), and remaining in the embrasure or port hole whilst the breech end of
the gun is loaded. In order to connect and disconnect the breech and
muzzle parts (a and b) they are provided at their extremities where they
meet with a male screw, over which the hooped band (c) is screwed to and

page_text: fro by means of spokes or handles, as the breech end has to be opened or
closed. The hoop band (c) covers the joint (m) between the breech and the
muzzle ends, and being screwed over them connects the two parts securely;
(d) is the bore of the breech end; (e). the bore of the muzzle end; (i), a
staple and bolt serving to fasten the two carriages of the breech and muzzle
ends of the gun together, and form them into one carriage. The means of
elevation and depression will be provided between the carriages (k) and the
platform (1). This mode of constructing breech-loading guns will admit of the
brecch end, which has chiefly to bear the strain of firing, being made of great
strength, and also of manufacturing the tube of the chase with more precision
and solidity than if the gun were all in one piece.
3. My third improvement in guns is a removable and interchangeable
breech cylinder applicable to breech-loading guns of any description; it
may, in fact, be regarded as the breech end of the gun. This cylinder may be
made of iron, steel, or coper. Its length will be determined by the length
occupied by the ammunition it is to hold; its internal diameter will be that of
the bore of the gun; its external diameter will be regulated by the thickness
of the metal of which it is made. This breech cylinder will contain the
powder charge only, or the powder charge and the projectile, as may be found
most expedient. It will be a removable and separate piece, a short tube
closed at one end (forming its breech) and open at the other end to receive
the ammunition; into it, when taken out of the gun, the charge will be
introduced in the same manner as the charge in the cartridge holders of
breech-loading fowling pieces; but it will be an essential part of the structure of
the gun, being made to slide and fit into a recess at the breech end of the gun.
It will abut with the open end of its tube against the breech end of the tube
of the chase, so that it will when in place be a continuation of the bore, and
form the powder chamber. This removable breech chamber will effectually
prevent the escape of gas. The joint (between it and the tube of the chase),
by which alone gas could find an issue at the breech, will be in advance of the
ammunition, and will be closed by a steel or copper ring, against which the
open end of the breech cylinder will be tightly pressed by the action of a
breech-closing screw or wedge, which will also close the joint behind the
cylinder in an effectual way. For dispatch and facility in loading, two or more
breech cylinders may be used for a gun, one, containing its charge, being
ready to be inserted in the gun the moment the one last fired is withdrawn.
Rapidity of firing, facility of cleaning, and prevention of fouling at the breech
will by this plan be secured.
4. My fourth improvement has for its object the construction of ordnance

page_text: in the following manner:-I form a tube of metal of the intended length of
the tube of the gun.
This tube is bored to the calibre of the gun parallel
from end to end, except a certain length at the breech end, which is slightly
conical, becoming gradually narrower towards the end than the bore. Into
this conical end a close-fitting plug of steel or other metal is forced from the
muzzle end. This plug may be prolonged, projecting outwards beyond the
breech end of the tube, and secured by a screw nut. Externally the tube
tapers gradually, becoming smaller from the breech to the muzzle end, and a
screw is formed on it outside at the breech end, on to which a block of metal
forming the breech of the gun is screwed up (in close contact with a copper
or steel disc), covering the end of the tube and the steel plug in it. Outside
and over the tube longitudinally rings of metal, two or three inches more or
less in thickness, and of a depth regulated by the calibre of the gun, and
bored or moulded to fit over the taper of the tube, are successively passed and
accurately fitted by pressure one against the other, the first ring at the breech
end bearing on the breech block before mentioned. In some cases thin rings
of soft metal, india-rubber, or other compressible material are inserted and
tightly compressed between the metal rings. The object of making the metal
rings thin is to be enabled to manipulate the metal of which they are formed,
so as to impart to every ring the greatest possible hardness. toughness, and
homogeneity of structure and strength. For this purpose it may be found in
practice that rings of only an inch or half an inch in thickness may be most
advantageously employed, especially if the rings be of steel or copper. For
manufacturing rings of cast steel I adopt the following plan:-I employ as a
mould a strong circular iron or steel box of the diameter of the rings in their
rough state, and I place this box on a strong foundation, so that the bottom of
the box with its foundation may serve as an anvil. From its centre a round
bar of iron or steel, less in diameter than the intended bore of the rings, rises
perpendicular. This round bar forms the core for the central hole of the
rings. Over the box mould is suspended and attached to a steam hammer or
hydraulic press a circular mass of iron or steel fitting exactly into the box
mould, and having a hole in its centre fitting closely to the aforesaid core bar.
Into the mould thus formed and arranged cast steel in a state of fusion is
poured from the crucible in any quantity required to produce the requisite
thickness of rings. The hydraulic press and the steam hammer are then set
to work, both or either, and the cast steel is compressed and hammered or
subjected to only one of those operations. The metal thus treated will
acquire great toughness and tenacity. The rings may be heated in a furnace
and again hammered in the mould box or rolled. Wrought iron and steel or

page_text: copper rings previously heated to the proper temperature may be moulded
and manipulated in the mould box under the steam hammer or hydraulic
press in the same way. The rings in their rough state may be annealed and
re-hammered, or compressed, or rolled until they are brought to the right
degree of texture and uniformity of density. The rings are finished in the
lathe by turning the bore and the periphery, as well as the sides, to the proper
dimensions and a close fit; but for the sides of the rings 1 prefer that they
should be hammered or rolled to the exact thickness and fit required, so as to
render it unnecessary to reduce them on the sides with a tool. The rings
when finished are fitted and brought up tight against each other over the tube
of the bore, to which they form a jacket, either by screwing or forcing them
into their places successively by means of hydraulic pressure; but I prefer
the latter mode, except for the end ring at the muzzle, which should be some-
what thicker than the other rings, and be screwed or shrunk on at the end
of the muzzle.
The internal tube and breech end of the gun being constructed and
strengthened in the way above described, the gun is to be finished by covering
those parts with hoops or longitudinal bars of metal in such way as may
be calculated to impart to the built-up structure the greatest strength of
resistance to the tension caused by firing the gun.
Fig. 11 is a Drawing of this improvement.
(a), the tube; (b), the breech plug; (c), the breech end; (d), breech
hoop; (e), steel rings; (), outer hoops.
5. My fifth improvement is a mode of producing the rifling of projectiles
by covering hard metal with a coating of a fusible or plastic metal or other
material, in which rifling with grooves or belts is formed by casting or
moulding or otherwise affixing such fusible or plastic metal or material on the
surface of the hard metal. The mode of proceeding is as follows:-The hard
metal body of the projectile is cast or forged of the required form and dimen-
sions, being the whole or part of its length somewhat less in diameter than
the bore of the gun into which the projectile when finished is intended to fit.
The diminution of diameter is intended to allow the space required for the
thickness of fusible or plastic material with which the hard metal is to be
coated. It the coating consists of a fusible material, which if applied in a
fluid state will set and harden, the hard metal body or core of the projectile
is placed inside and in the centre of a mould in which the required rifling is
formed, leaving the space for the determined thickness of the coating, and
into this space the fluid material is poured. If requisite the hard metal may
receive a coating of some suitable material as a flux or medium of cohesion
I

page_text: between the hard metal and the fused material. If the coating is to consist
of a metal or other material susceptible of compression, or of a plastic material
which after a time sets and hardens, the hard metal body is covered with a
certain thickness of such compressible or plastic material, and in that state is
forced by pressure through a mould or swage or into a dic in which the
rifling is formed. The outer coating will take the rifling, and if of a nature
to require it, will be allowed time to harden. I consider lead and zinc or
copper, or compounds of those and other metals, papier mache, cement,
gelatinous and bituminous substances or compositions may be used for the
outer coating to projectiles in any of the manners above mentioned and
referred to, but I do not confine myself to those materials or compounds.
The particular improvement of this part of my Invention consists not in
coating projectiles with fusible or plastic materials, which has long been prac-
tised, but in forming the rifling on such fusible or plastic coating of projectiles
on any of the plans herein-before described or otherwise.
6. My sixth improvement relates to the form of the head of projectiles, as
shewn by the following Diagram.

page_text: gravity in the composition of the projectiles, its equilibrium may be regulated
accurately.
8. The object of my eighth improvement is to prevent rifled projectiles
when loaded in a gun at the breech from slipping forward when the gun is
depressed, that object is effected by fixing a thin ring or slight projections of
soft metal at the rear end of the projectile, or slightly enlarging the ribs or
belts of compressible or plastic material close to the rear end. This will offer
so little resistance to the explosive force that it will absorb a hardly appre-
ciable part of the propelling power, but it will be sufficient to retain the
projectile in the gun and prevents its sliding out or receding from the charge.
9. My ninth improvement consists in constructing cannon composed of an
internal wrought-iron or steel tube, covered and strengthened externally with
a coating of copper, or brass, or gun metal. To carry this improvement into
effect, the internal tube is placed in a mould, and copper, brass, or gun metal
in a state of fusion is cast over and round it. The outer surface of the tube
may be previously coated with a suitable flux to act as solder and cause
intimate cohesion and metallic combination between the surfaces of the
wrought iron or steel and the fused metal.
10. My tenth improvement relates to breech-loading fire-arms; it consists
in the adaptation to the construction of breech-loaders of two principles not
hitherto applied for that purpose. One principle is a moveable breech-piece
constituting the ammunition chamber, formed of a tube open at both ends, one
end fitting into the rear end of the barrel, the other into a moveable breech
end or closer. The other principle is an arrangement of split tubes of thin
elastic metal one within the other, fitted into each other and into the inside of
the moveable breech tube, and forming expansible springs for the purpose of
preventing the escape of ignited gas at the joints of the breech-piece when the
powder charge is exploded. These two principles require to be described as
distinct parts of this improvement, but in their combined application and con-
struction they form the ammunition chamber. The breech-piece is a tube
open at both ends, equal in length or nearly so to the length of the cartridge,
powder and ball included. The forward end of this tube is attached to the
rear or cut-off end of the barrel by a hinge at their top sides respectively.
both of which at and a little beyond the line of junction are made square at
the top, so as to afford a seat for the hinge and for its play in opening and
closing the breech-piece. To the hinge is attached a stop to prevent the
breech-piece falling back horizontally on the barrel and to maintain it in a
vertical position for loading. The rear end of the breech-piece is closed by
La moveable breech end, which is set in motion to close or liberate the breech

page_text: tube by a bolt and spring connected with the lock or some action provided
for the purpose. The barrel being held in its seat by a breech frame screwed
to the barrel and securely fastened to the stock in any approved mode, an
opening is made in the bottom part of the frame and through the stock,
close to the rear end of the barrel. so that when the breech tube is open and
standing in a vertical position its lower end will be immediately over the
opening in the frame, and consequently the residuum of the exploded cartridge
last fired will fall through the opening: the next cartridge with its bullet at
the head serving to push out any particles which may remain in the ammu-
nition chamber. Every cartride as loaded will act as a ramrod to expel any
remnant of the last. The expansible tubes of thin elastic metal, the second
part of this improvement, are placed inside, and form a lining closely fitted
into the breech tubo above described. They may be two or more in number,
but I consider two sufficient. Each of these thin metal tubes is slit from end
to end, and one is fitted over the other with the slit on opposite sides breaking
joint, the entire length of the breech-piece, and protruding beyond it, so as
completely to cover and extend beyond the joints at both ends of the breech-
piece when closed. The result of this arrangement will be that the breech-
piece being closed when the charge explodes, the thin metal tubes will expand,
and pressing closely to each other and against the rear end of the bore of the
barrel and the inside of the breech closer will act as valves, which will effec-
tually prevent the passage of ignited gas. In order to fix the slit tubes in the
breech-piece and secure them from slipping. I propose to make the bore of
the latter slightly conical, and the outside of the former tapered to fit into the
conical bore, and to fasten the tubes together with rivets or screws. The
inner tube will form the bore of the breech-piece, which may be the same as
the bore of the barrel, or larger, according as the bullet is on the non-
expanding or expanding principle.
11. My eleventh improvement consists in the formation of cartridges as
follows: Round the rear end of the bullet I make a circular cut about to
an inch from the end, and of sufficient depth to receive the edge of a copper or
other soft metal case or ring of a cartridge. By compression I force the
top end of the cartridge case or ring into the circular cut on the bullet, so as
to fasten the one to the other sufliciently to be safely manipulated, but with
so slight a hold that when the charge explodes the bullet will separate readily
from the copper case or ring, which will remain in the breech chamber.
The charge of powder may be filled into the case before or after the case is
fastened to the bullet. On the latter plan the rear end of the case must be
open, and closed after the powder is introduced. The first plan is to be pre-

page_text: ferred. I especially propose to apply this mode of making cartridges to the
use of gun cotton as the charge, and for self-igniting cartridges I intend to
place a patch of fulminate at the rear end of the cartridge case.
12. The object of my twelfth improvement is to provide a piercer lo per-
forate the rear end of a self-igniting cartridge holding the fulminate. This
I effect by fitting into a hole, inside and through the breech closer and its
bolt or shank, a stout pin with a sharp point, which by the action of a spring
and an excentric lever may be made to project inside the breech closer and
pierce the rear end of the cartridge, or be withdrawn, so that the breech
chamber may be closed without firing the charge.
I intend to apply to ordnance or small arms respectively all or any parts of
the aforesaid Invention susceptible of such application.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th March 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
CLARK, of 42, Hunter Street, Brunswick Square, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said George Clark, Her special licence that I, the said George
Clark. my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said George Clark, 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 GUNS, GUN CARRIAGES, AND PROJECTILES, AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND USE OF MATERIALS EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Clark, 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 Seal Patent Office within six

page_text: calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Clark. do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My Invention consists in sundry improvements in the construction of and
in the adaptation of the parts of great guns, gun carriages, small arms, and
projectiles, and in the manufacture, application. or use of the materials em-
ployed in the construction of great guns. gun carriages, small arms, and
projectiles, or some of the parts thereof; such improvements being arranged
and described in numerical order under the following heads respectively.
1st. The object of my first improvement is to provide for breech-loading
ordnance or great guns an effective breech closer, which shall resist and
prevent the escape of gas evolved by the explosion of the powder charge, and
at the same time be easily closed and fastened and opened for loading and
discharging the gun. This object I effect by forming a slot in the solid breech
of the gun immediately behind the ammunition chamber at the breech end of
the bore, and fitting into the slot a breech closer made of iron or steel or
copper, or partly of either metal, and which opens or closes by means of a
hinge sliding on a pin, and is readily lifted out of the slot or lowered into it by
being turned up or down on its hinge, according as the chamber at the breech
end of the bore is required to be opened or closed for loading or firing the
gun.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed illustrate this improve-
ment. (a) is the tube; (b), the bore of the gun; (c) is the breech closer,
which in the longitudinal section, Fig. 1, is shewn closed and fastened by the
screw (d), and in the longitudinal section, Fig. 2, is shewn open, having
been drawn back by sliding along the hinge pin and by the reverse action
of the breech screw by means of a stud at the forward end of the screw
turning in a circular slot or in a revolving disc at the rear of the breech closer,
from which slot or disc the screw in turning releases itself when the breech
closer has been withdrawn from the gun. When the gun has to be loaded. the
breech closer being drawn back from and out of the end of the bore is turned
up and opened on one side (as shewn in Fig. 3), revolving with its hinge
pin (e), on which it slides to and fro as it is pressed home against or
withdrawn from the breech end of the bore by the action of the screw (d).
A boss () is forged on the side of the gun to receive the hinge pin (c). To
facilitate the lifting of the breech closer the projecting arm or handle (g) may

page_text: be of such a weight as to nearly counterbalance the weight of the breech
closer.
In the Drawings this improvement is represented as applied to an
Armstrong breech-loader. It will obviate the difficulty experiend in lifting
the vent pieces of heavy guns of that description, but the plan is applicable to
other breech-loading guns.
2nd. My second improvement is a breech-loading gun and carriage, both
divided into two parts and constructed on the plan illustrated by Figs. 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 of the Drawings hereunto annexed. (a) is the breech end of the
gun, comprising the ammunition chamber, and is a separate and distinct piece
from the barrel or tube, which forms the chase and muzzle end (b). The
breech (d) is supported upon its carriage (), which revolves on a pivot or
turntable, so that the entire breech part of the gun can be turned
round a part of a circle, and its muzzle be presented as shewn in Fig. 8,
for loading without running or turning round the chase and muzzle
tube or barrel (b), which in loading the gun remains stationary on its
carriage (9). resting on its support (4), and remaining in the embrasure or
port whilst the breech part of the gun is loaded. In order to connect and
disconnect and fasten or unfasten the breech and the chase or muzzle parts
(a & b), they are each provided externally round their extremities where they
meet with a male screw, over which a female screw in a hooped band (c) is
screwed. This hooped band is worked to and fro by means of spokes or
handles as the breech chainber has to be opened or closed. The hooped band
when the gun is ready to be fired covers the joint (m) between the breech
chamber (a) and the lube or barrel (b), and being screwed over them both,
connects the two parts together. In addition to or without the hooped band.
the breech chamber and the barrel may be fastened together by other con-
trivances, such as a pin or bolt fitting into an eye on each. () is the bore of
the breech part: (e). the bore of the chase and muzzle part: (i) is a staple
and bolt serving to fasten together the carriages of the two parts of the gun.
and form the two carriages into one carriage. The means of elevation and
depression in working the gun will be provided between the carriage (k) and
the platform (). This mode of constructing breech-loading guns will admit
of the breech chamber, which has chiefly to bear the strain of firing, being
made of great strength, and also of manufacturing the tube of the chase and
muzzle or barrel with more precision and solidity than if the gun were all in
one piece.
3rd. My third improvement in guns is a removeable and interchangeable
breech cylinder forming the charge or ammunition chamber, applicable to

page_text: breech-loading guns of various descriptions; it may, in fact, be regarded as
the breech end of the gun. This cylinder may be made wholly or partly of
iron, steel, or copper. Its length will be determined by the length to be oc-
cupied by the ammunition it is intended to hold; its internal diameter will be
that of the bore of the gun; its external diameter will be regulated by the thick-
ness of the metal of which it is made. This cylinder may contain the powder
charge only, or the powder charge and the projectile, as may be found most
expedient. It will be a removeable and separate piece: a tube closed at one
end (forming its breech) and open at the other end to receive the ammunition.
Into it, when taken out of the gun, the charge will he introduced in the same
manner as the charge in the cartridge holder of a breech-loading fowling-
piece but this breech tube or cylinder when in its place will form an essential
part of the structure of the gun. being made to slide and fit into a recess at
the breech end of the barrel. The forward or open end of this breech tube
will abut against the face of the recess inside the barrel, and a flange at the
rear or closed end of the breech tube will abut against the breech end of the
harrel, so that the bore of the breech tuhe or chamber when in place will be
a continuation of the bore of the barrel, and form the ammunition chamber.
This removeable breech chamber will effectually prevent the escape of gas.
The joint (between it and the tube of the barrel), by which alone gas could
find an issue at the breech, will be in advance of the ammunition, and will be
closed by a steel or copper ring (overlapping both tubes). which will expand
with the explosion of the charge, and forming a self-acting valve will effectually
close the joint between the breech and the barrel tubes. A steel or copper
ring may also be applied between the ends of the two tubes to be tightly
pressed by the action of a breech closing screw or wedge. For dispatch and
facility in loading. two or more breech cylinders may be used for a gun; one.
containing its charge. being always ready to be inserted in the gun the moment
the one last fired has been withdrawn. A vent at the rear end of the breech
cylinder will correspond in position and communicate with a vent in the breech
closer, which when the gun is loaded will be pressed home and held in
position by a breech screw or wedge. Rapidity of firing. facility of cleaning.
and prevention of fouling at the breech will by this plan be secured.
4th. My fourth improvement has for its object the construction of ordnance
in the following manner:- form a tube of metal of the intended length of
the tube of the gun: this tube is bored to the desired calibre parallel from
end to end except a certain length at the breech end, which is slightly conical.
becoming gradually narrower towards the breech end than the bore. Into
this conical end a close-fitting plug of steel or other metal is forced from the

page_text: muzzle end; this plug is prolonged beyond the breech end of the tube, pro-
jecting outwards, and is secured against the breech end by a screw nut.
Externally the tube tapers slightly and gradually from the breech to the
muzzle end, and a screw is formed on it outside at the breech end, on to
which and over the plug nut a block of metal forming the breech of the gun
is screwed up in close contact with the plug nut, covering and fitting closely
against the rear end of the tube and the plug nut. Outside and over the
tube longitudinally rings or discs of metal, two or three inches more or less in
thickness, and of a depth or diameter regulated by the calibre of the gun, and
bored or moulded to fit each in its place over the taper of the tube. are succes-
sively passed and accurately fitted and closed by pressure one against and
upon the other. the first ring at the breech end bearing on the breech block
before mentioned. In some cases thin rings of india-rubber or other com-
pressible material. or when the aforesaid discs are of iron or steel. thin rings
of copper are inserted and tightly compressed between the metal rings. The
object of making the metal rings or discs thin is to be able to manipulate
the metal of which they are formed so as to impart to every ring or disc
the greatest possible hardness, toughness. and homogeneity of structure and
strength. For this purpose it may be found in practice that rings of only an
inch or half an inch in thickness may be most advantageously employed,
especially if the rings be of steel or copper.
For manufacturing rings of cast steel I adopt the following plan:- employ
as a mould a strong circular iron box, of which the diameter is that of the
rings or discs in their rough state, and I place this box on a strong foundation,
so that the bottom of the box. with its foundation. may serve as an anvil.
From its centre a round bar of iron. less in diameter than the intended bore
of the smallest of the rings, rises perpendicular; over this round bar. which
forms a core for the central hole of the rings. is suspended and attached to a
steam hammer or hydraulic press a circular mass of iron or steel fitting
exactly into the box mould. and having a hole in its centre fitting closely
over the aforesaid core bar. Into the mould thus formed and arranged cast
steel in a state of fusion is poured from the crucible in any quantity required
to produce the requisite thickness of a ring or disc; the hydraulic press and
the steam hammer are then set to work, both or either, as the one or the
other or both may be applied. and the cast steel is compressed and hammered
or subjected to only one of those processes: the metal thus treated will
acquire great toughness and tenacity. The rings may be heated in a furnace.
and again hammered in the mould box or rolled between cylinders. Wrought-
iron and steel or copper rings or discs heated to the proper température may

page_text: be moulded and manipulated in the mould box under the steam hammer or
hydraulic press in the same way. The rings in their rough state may be
annealed and re-hammered or compressed or rolled until they are brought to
the right degree of density. The rings or discs are finished in the lathe by
turning the bore and the periphery as well as the sides of each one to the
proper dimensions and exact fit: but as to the sides of the rings or discs, 1
prefer that they should be hammered or rolled to the exact thickness and fit
required, so as to render it unnecessary to reduce them on the sides with
a tool.
The rings, when finished, are fitted and brought up tight against each
other over the tube of the hore. to which they form a jacket, either by forcing
them into their places successively by means of hydraulic or other pressure.
as before mentioned. or by screwing them over and on to the tube: but I
prefer the former mode. except for the end ring at the muzzle. which shouid
be somewhat thicker and larger in diameter than the other rings. and he
screwed or shrunk on at the end of the muzzle.
The internal tube and breech end of the gun being constructed, and the
former covered and strengthened with its jacket of metal rings or discs in the
way above described, the gun is to be finished by covering these parts with
hoops or longitudinal bars of metal in such way as may be calculated to
impart to the built-up structure the greatest strength of resistance to the
longitudinal tension caused by firing the gun. Fig. 11 is a Drawing of this
improvement: (a). the tube: (b). the breech plug: (c). the plug nut: (),
the breech: (e, c.) metal rings or discs: (/. 1.) outer hoops.
5th. My fifth improvement is a mode of producing the rifling of elongated
projectiles by covering hard metal with a coating of fusible or plastic metal
or other material in which rifling with grooves or belts is formed by casting
or moulding or otherwise affixing such fusible or plastic or material on the
surface of the hard metal. The mode of proceeding is as follows:-The hard
metal body of the projectile is cast or forged of the required form and dimen-
sions. being somewhat less in diameter, the whole or part of its length. than
the bore of the gun into which the projectile when finished is intended to fil.
The diminuition of diameter of the projectile is intended to allow the space
required for the thickness of fusible or plastic metal or material with which
the hard metal is intended to be coated. If the coating consists of fusible
metal or other material, which if applied in a fluid state will set and harden,
the hard metal body or core of the projectile is placed inside and in the centre
of a mould, in which the moulding of the required rifling is formed, leaving a
space (between the hard metal core of the projectile and the mould) corre-

page_text: sponding to the determined thickness of the coating, and into this space the
fluid metal or other material is poured. If requisite the hard metal may
previously receive a coating of some suitable material as a flux or medium of
cohesion between the hard metal and fluid material. If the coating is to
consist of a metal or other material susceptible of compression, or of a plastic
material which when applied in a soft state after a time sets and hardens,
the hard metal body is covered with a certain thickness of such compressible
or plastic metal or other material, and whilst the coating is in a compressible
state is forced by pressure through a swage or into a die or mould in which
the rifling is formed, when the outer coating will take the rifling, and if the
material require it will be allowed time to harden. I consider lead, zinc, or
copper, or compounds of those and other metals, paper, papier mache, and
gelatinous and bituminous substances or compositions may be used for the outer
coating to projectiles in one or other of the manners above mentioned and
referred to, but I do not confine myself to those materials or compounds.
The peculiar improvement of this part of my Invention consists, not in
coating projectiles with fusible or plastic material, which has long been
practised, but in forming the rifling of such fusible or plastic coating of pro-
jectiles on any of the plans herein-before described or otherwise.
6th. My sixth improvement relates to the form of the head of projectiles, as
shewn by the following Diagram. (a) is a projecting rim
round the front of the projectile leaving a hollow space in
which and below the rim is a conical or spherical head (b).
This form of head is calculated to perforate and crush
iron plates. The edge of the rim will penetrate by cutting
its way into the plate, and the conical or spherical head
will crush in the core cut out by the rim. In order to
prevent rotardation of the flight of the projectile by the
action of the air in the hollow space I propose covering the
front with a false head (c) of a conical form. on the plan of my Invention for
which I obtained Her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent, No. 1516, dated the
27th June 1863. The false head will aid the projectile in piercing through the
air, and being of a fragile nature will be crushed by impact without any material
absorption of the projectile force.
7th. My seventh improvement is a mode of regulating the weight and pre-
ponderance of elongated projectiles, by a combination of metals or other
materials of different specific gravity cast or moulded one on or over or into
.

page_text: another, or otherwise combined with ench other so as to give to the projectile
any required length without too much increasing its weight, and at the same
time imparting to the combined body cohesion and solidity. By varying the pro-
portion and position of metals or other materials of different specific gravity in
the composition of the projectile, its equilibrium may be regulated accordingly.
Fig. 12 is an example of a projectile mad of different metals. (a) is a solid
iron or steel cylinder cast or wrought; (b) is a lead coating (which may be
copper, brass, tin, pewter, or any other soft metal) cast into a recess forined
on a part of the outside of the hard metal cylinder. On this lead or other
soft metal coating the rifling is formed by casting in a mould or by com-
pression through a swage. By regulating properly the position and thickness
of the lead coating, the specific gravity of that metal being greater than that of
iron or steel, the exact preponderance of the projectile is maintained in such a
way as to insure its regularity of rotation and accuracy of flight, without the
necessity of a cup at the rear end to counterbalance the diminished weight of
the spherical or conical head.
8th. The object of my eighth improvement is to prevent rifled projectiles
when loaded in a gun at the breech from slipping forward when the gun is de-
pressed, that object is effected by fixing a thin ring or slight projections of soft
metal at the rear end of the projectile, or slightly enlarging the ribs or belts of
compressible or plastic material forming the rifling of rifled projectiles close to
the rear end. This mode of retaining the projectile until the gun is fired
will offer so little resistance to the explosive force that it will absorb a hardly
appreciable part of the propelling power, but it will be sufficient to retain
the projectile in the gun and prevent it sliding out or receding from the
powder charge.
9th. My ninth improvement consists in constructing cannon composed of an
internal wrought-iron or steel tube covered and strengthened externally with
a coating of copper, brass, or gun metal. To carry this improvement into
effect the internal tube is placed in a mould, and the copper, brass, or gun
metal in a state of fusion is cast over and round it. The outer surface of the
tube may be previously coated with a suitable flux to act as solder and cause
intimate cohesion and metallic combination between the surfaces of the
wrought-iron or steel tube and the fused metal.
10th. My tenth improvement relates to breech-loading small arms. It consists
essentially in the adaptation to the construction of breech-loaders of two prin-
ciples not hitherto applied for that purpose. One principle is a moveable breech,
constituting the ammunition chamber, which is formed of a tube open at both
ends, one end fitting into or against the rear end of the barrel, the other end

page_text: into a moveable breech closer or against a solid breech.
The other principle
is an arrangement of a split inbe or split tubes of thin elastic metal. one alone
or one within the other, fitted and secured inside the moveable breech tube.
and forming an expansible spring for the purpose of preventing the escape of
ignited gas at the joints of the breech-piece when the powder charge is
exploded. These two principles require to be described as distinct parts of
this improvement, but in their combined application to the construction of the
breech-piece the two parts form the ammunition chamber; but the open
tube chamber may be used without the split metal valve. and some other plan
to prevent the escape of gas may be applied. The breech chamber or tube.
open at both ends. will be equal in length or nearly so in the length of the
charge or of the cartridge (powder and ball included). The forward end of this
tube may be attached to the rear or cut-off end of the barrel by a hinge at
the top side of each respectively. To the hinge is attached a stop to prevent
the breech-piece falling back horizontally on the barrel, and to maintain it in
a vertical position for loading: or the breech tube may turn on pivots at the
The
sides with an arrangement to keep it in a vertical position when open.
rear end of the breech tube may be closed by a moveable closer made to
advance and recede. and which may be set in motion to close and fasten or to
open and liberate the breech tube by a bolt and spring connected with the
lock or an eccentric lever or some other action provided for the purpose.
This moveable breech closer may be in the form of a cap, covering the
rear end of the breech tube. or of a plunger with a conical end entering
into the rear end of the breech tube; or a solid and immoveable breech,
connected with and forming part of the breech frame, may serve to close
the rear end of the breech chamber. The barrel is held in its seat by a
breech frame screwed or otherwise fastened or forged on to the barrel and
securely fitted and fastened to the stock in any approved mode. An opening
is made in the bottom part of the frame and through the stock near to the
rear end of the barrel, and so placed that when the breech tube is open and
standing in a vertical position its lower end will be immediately over the
opening in the frame and stock. and consequently will admit of the cartridge
case or the residuum of the exploded cartridge last fired falling through the
opening. The next cartridge with its bullet at the head will serve to push
ont the spent cartridge case or any particles which may remain in the breech
tube forming the ammunition chamber. Every cartridge as loaded will thus
act as a ramrod to expel any remnant of the last.
The expansible tubes of thin elastic metal, the second part of this improve-
ment, are placed inside and form a lining closely fitted into the breech tube

page_text: above described. They may be two or more in number, or only one may be
used, but I consider two the most suitable. Each of these thin metal tubes
may be slit from end to end or at one or both ends only, and when more than
one tube is used one is fitted over the other with the slit on opposite sides
breaking joint. Each slit tube may cover the entire length of the inside of
the breech chamber, or one or more may be fitted in at each end of the
chamber, and in any case will protrude slightly beyond the tube at one or both
ends. according as the joint at one or both ends of the breech chamber
require to be closed. The result of this arrangement will be (the breech
chamber being closed), that when the charge explodes the thin metal tubes or
tubes will expand, and the projecting ends pressing closely over and against
the joint between the forward end of the chamber and the rear end of the
barrel, or between the rear end of the chamber and the breech closer, will act
as a valve or valves which will effectually prevent the passage of ignited gas.
In order to fit the slit tubes in the breech chamber and secure them from
slipping. propose to make the bore of the latter slightly conical, and the
outside of the former tapered to fit into the conical bore, and to fasten the
tubes together and to the chamber with rivets or screws. The inner valve
tube will form the bore of the breech chamber, which may be the same as the
bore of the barrel. or a little larger, according us the bullet is of soft or hard
metal, or on the compression or expansion principle. If a cartridge case
be used, the diameter of the chamber will be determined by the diameter of
the case.
Figs. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17 of the Drawings hereunto annexed illustrate this
improvement. These Drawings do not indicate dimensions, being intended
only to explain the principles of construction which form the objects of my
Invention. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal vertical section. and No. 14 a transverse
section of a moveable breech tube or ammunition chamber, and the parts of
the gun connected with it, on an exaggerated scale, in order to shew the
details more distinctly. The former Figure (13) represents the plan of
closing the breech end of the moveable breech tube or munition chamber
against a solid and fixed breech. (a) is the stock: (b) is the barrel: (c) is
the breech frame: (d) is the breech; (e) is the breech tube or ammunition
chamber. The chamber is shewn in outline in the vertical position it will
take when open and ready for the insertion of the cartridge in loading. ()
is the hinge to the chamber: () is the bolt to lock the chamber: () is a
sliding plate, serving to cover the hole in the stock, and also by means of the
stud (which may be moved to and fro) to act on the bolt (g) with which the
plate is connected, so as to fasten and unfasten the bolt as required: (i) is the

page_text: cartridge case; () is the metal lining of the cartridge; (f) is the powder
charge; (m) is the solid end of the cartridge: (n) is the fulminate to
produce ignition; (o) is a guide stud on the cartridge case. This stud sliding
in a groove in the chamber keeps the cartridge in position, so as to bring the
rear end of the cartridge flush with the rear end of the chamber. (p) is the
bullet; (g) is a cartridge piercer or hammer; (r) is a shaft to the cartridge
piercer or hammer, which may be acted upon by the ordinary gun lock or any
other suitable movement. The shaft carries an arm, so placed that in its
motion forward, when the gun is fired, it will close the bolt (g). and hold it
securely in position. (s) is the opening in the breech frame and stock, through
which the spent cartridge case or residuum of the cartridge last fired will fall
to the ground when the breech is in a vertical position, as shown in outline.
The cartridge case is here supposed to be made of paper with metal lining;
it may be made entirely of metal. Fig. 14 serves to shew. in cross section,
the disposition of the different parts of the breech tube containing a cartridge,
the same letters denoting the same parts as in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 represents
the ammunition chamber, closed at the rear end, with a breech closer in the
form of a cap, which covers the rear end. and is attached to a shaft, to which
a two-and-fro motion for closing and opening the breech tube is communicated
by means of an eccentric worked by a lever or handle on the side of the stock.
The ordinary lock and trigger or any other suitable action connected with the
shaft may be employed. (a) is the barrel; (b) is the breech frame; (c) is
the breech tube or ammunition chamber open and in position to receive the
charge () is the elastic split metal tube lining, forming a gas valve to cover
and close the joints; (e) is the breech-closing cap and shaft: () is the
eccentric acting on the breech-closer shaft; (g) is the lever or handle to the
eccentric. Fig. 16 represents the same plan as Fig. 15, with the breech tube
or ammunition chamber closed. Fig. 17 represents another arrangement,
whereby the rear end of the breech tube or ammunition chamber is closed by
means of a plunger (e) with a conical end fitting into the former. In
Figs. 15, 16. 17, an eccentric is shewn to close and open the rear end of the
breech tube, but the required movement may be effected by the action of the
gun lock or various other modes. I claim no particular kind of action for
closing and opening the breech tube. In the Drawings. Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
the cartridge is supposed to carry its own priming on the self-igniting principle,
but the charge may be exploded by means of a nipple and vent on the side or
top of the chamber and a hammer striking a capsule in the nsual way
employed with the Enfield rifle and sporting guns.

page_text: 11th. My eleventh improvement consists in the formation of cartridges for
breech-loading fire-arms as follows: Round the rear end of the bullet I make
a circular cut or indentation, about to an inch from the rear end, and of
sufficient depth to receive the edge of a copper or other metal or paper
cartridge case. By compression or other means force the edge of the
cartridge case into the circular cm or indentation on the bullet, so as to fasten
the one to the other sufliciently to be safely manipulated without separating.
but with so slight a hold on each other that when the charge explodes the
bullet will separate readily from the cartridge ense, which will remain in the
breech chamber. The charge of powder may be filled into the case before or
after the case is fastened to the bullet. On the latter plan the rear end of the
case will be left open, and closed after the powder is introduced. The first
plan is preferable. I especially propose to apply this plan to making cartridges
on the self-igniting principle with gun cotton as the charge, and a patch of
fulminate at the rear end of the cartridge case. I propose using the forward
end of the cartridge case as a valve to prevent the escape of ignited gas by
making it (the forward end) protrude beyond the ammunition chamber into
the barrel, so as to cover the joint between the moveable breech tube or
chamber and the barrel. An example of this arrangement is shewn in Fig. 13
of the Drawings, in which the bevilled front end of the cartridge case (i)
covers the joint in the way just described. I fill the space in the cartridge
between the head of the bullet and the front end of the cartridge case with
grease. wax. or any other lubricating substance.
12th. My twelfth improvement is a mode of exploding a cartridge carrying
its own ignition. It consists in fitting into a hole perforated through any
moveable breech closer, or through a solid fixed breech, a pin attached to a
bolt or shank, which, by the action of a spring bolt or an eccentric lever, or
any other suitable action, may cause the pin to pierce or strike the rear end
of the cartridge, and by the reverse action of such spring. bolt, or other action
to withdraw the pin at pleasure after firing the charge, so that the breech
chamber. if loaded, may be closed without firing the charge.
I intend to apply to ordnance or small arms respectively all or any of the
improvements, or parts thereof, comprised in my aforesaid Invention which may
be applicable to one or the other.
Having thus described my said Invention, and various modes of carrying
into effect the improvements which constitute the several parts thereof. I wish
to explain that. I do not claim all the different modes of manufacturing and
applying the detailed parts of such improvements herein-before described as

page_text: being of my Invention: what I do claim as my Invention under the heads of
the said improvements, numbered from 1 to 12 respectively, is-
1. A breech closer, for breech-loading cannon, attached to and moving on
a hinge, and fitting into a slot. in the manner herein-before described under
the head of improvement No. 1, and shewn in the Drawings Figs. 1, 2. 3. 4.
2. The mode of constructing breech-loading cannon by dividing the breech
and the barrel into two separate parts, each on its own carriage. as herein-
before described under the head of improvement No. 2, and shewn in the
Drawings Fig. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
3. The use of a removeable and interchangeable ammunition chamber for
breech-loading cannon fitted into a recess at the breech end of the barrel, in
the manner herein-before described under the head of improvement No. 3.
4. The mode of constructing cannon comprising the conical breech-closing
plug and nut, the steel rings or bands forming a jacket to the barrel, and the
general arrangement as herein-before described under the head of improve-
ment No. 4, and shewn in the Drawings Fig. 11.
5. The mode of manufacturing steel or iron rings, and the apparatus for
manufacturing the same, as herein-before described under the head of improve-
ment No. 4.
6. The mode of forming rifling on hard metal projectiles in soft metal. or
any fusible or plastic material, as herein-before described under the head of
improvement No. 5.
7. The form of the head of projectiles for perforating iron plates, as herein-
before described under the head of improvement No. 6. and shewn in the
Diagram.
8. Regulating and apportioning the weight and preponderance of projectiles
by combining together in their construction metals and other materials of
different specific gravities. as herein-before described under the head of
improvement No. 7, of which an example is given in the Drawings Fig. 12.
9. The mode of preventing projectiles in breech-loading guns from slipping
forward, as herein-before described under the head of improvement No. 8.
10. The construction and strengthening of cannon by casting copper, brass.
or gun metal over a wrought-iron or steel tube, as hercin-before described
under the head of improvement No. 9.
11. The formation, application, and use of a tube open at both ends as a
moveable ammunition chamber adapted for breech-loading fire-arms, as herein-
before described under the head of improvement No. 10, and shewn in the
Drawings. Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16. & 17.
12. The formation of a self-acting valve to prevent the escape through

page_text: joints of breech-loading guns of ignited gas from the explosion of the powder
charge by means of the use and application of a tube or tubes of split
metal inside the ammunition chamber and barrel of the gun, as herein-before
described under the head of improvement No. 10.
13. The mode of constructing cartridges herein-before described under the
head of improvement No. 11.
14. The use of the forward end of a cartridge case to act as a valve to
prevent the escape of ignited gas through the joints of a moveable breech of
fire-arms, by means of the expansion of such forward end from the explosive
force of the charge. as described under the head of improvement No. II.
15. The application and use of tallow, wax, or any other lubricating
substance introduced in the space at the front end of a cartridge between the
head of the bullet and the front end of the case.
16. The arrangement of a cartridge piercer passing through the bolt which
fastens or closes the ammunition chamber of any breech-loading fire-arm, or
through the breech of any fire-arin. for the purpose of igniting the charge. as
herein-before described under the head of improvement No. 12.
In witness whereof. I. the said George Clark. have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of March. in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.