IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF GUNPOWDER FOR USE IN CARTRIDGES OR OTHERWISE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Ambrose Brydges, of the Firm of Brydges and
."
Co., Patent Solicitors, of Berlin, now residing at Cricketfield Road, Clapton,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF GUNPOWDER FOR USE IN CARTRIDGES
OR OTHERWISE." A communication from abroad by Herrmann Mayhofer, of
Kauschen, in the Empire of Germany.
Sealed the 19th July 1878, and dated the 18th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Ambrose Brydges
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1878.
EDWIN AMBROSE BRYDGES, of the Firm of Brydges & Co., Patent Solicitors, of
Berlin, now residing at Cricketfield Road, Clapton, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF GUNPOWDER FOR
USE IN CARTRIDGES OR OTHERWISE." [A communication from abroad by
Herrmann Mayhofer, of Kauschen, in the Empire of Germany.]
The object of this Invention is so to improve the ordinary black gunpowder that
the defects in the same, which are so severely felt, may be avoided.
It is well known that after firing one or two rounds with a charge of ordinary
black powder the grooves in rifled barrels and the interior of the barrels in sporting
guns are so covered with the slimy residue of the powder that the recoil is doubled
and the precision suffers in a high degree.
Many different classes of powder have been invented for the purpose of avoiding
these difficulties, but not one of all the many kinds that have been tested have
proved satisfactory; some were so offensive or explosive that the barrels were
caused to burst, others contained such deleterious chemical ingredients that the
barrels of the guns and tubes of the cannon in which they were used have been
entirely ruined in a comparatively very short space of time.
By means of my said Invention all the disadvantages not only of the black
powder but of all the various so-called improved powders are entirely avoided, and

page_text: a mixture of powder obtained which fulfils every requirement in the most perfect
manner.
The said Invention consists in a novel method of combining the common black
powder with the wood powder known as "Schultze's "powder or powder of a similar
kind after the latter has been especially prepared for this purpose.
In carrying my said Invention into practice, the wood or "Schultze's " or similar
powder is treated in the following manner, that is to say-Two discs are cut out
of parchment, Japanese, or other suitable paper, or other suitable material, either by
hand or by machine; for small arms the diameter shall be about 25 and 30 millimetres
(0.984 inch and 1·181 inch). These discs are then pressed into a cylinder by means of
a rod or piston, so that a paper cup (culotte) is formed. The base or bottom of this
culotte or cup is then perforated with a punch, chisel, or other suitable tool (for small
arms a hole of about 6 millimetres (0·236 inch) is. cut out), and the cylinder is then
placed on a plate with a circular projection which enters the bottom of the cylinder, pre-
vents the powder from falling out, and keeps the edges of the perforated cup in proper
position. Wood or the so-called "Schultze's " powder is now filled into the cylinder
(for small arms about 0.5 grammes) and pressed to the consistency of a piece of hard
wood. This compressing of the powder decreases its volume but increases the
driving or pushing force of the same.
In filling or charging metallic and other cartridges this compressed powder disc
or piece is first placed in the metallic or other shell with the perforated part of the
cup downward towards the anvil or cap, and the black powder, that is, about two-
thirds of the ordinary charge, filled in on the top of the same. The filling of the
cartridge or the charging of the same is then completed in the customary manner..
As soon as the fire from the cap explodes the disc or piece of compressed powder
so much heat is generated that the perfect combustion of the black powder is
rendered absolutely certain, in consequence of which no fowling of the barrel or
parts can take place; the lock or breech mechanism is not in the least degree
injured or fouled, and after even the hardest day's shooting nothing is required but
to wipe out the barrel with a linen rag or piece of tow or wadding so as to remove.
any small dry particles of the paper lining that may remain. The report is
considerably decreased, there is much less smoke, and the recoil is reduced to a
minimum.
The initial velocity can be regulated by placing a perforated disc of parchment,
Japanese cartridge, or other paper or material above the compressed piece or
disc of powder between the two kinds of powder.
The wood, or so-called "Schultze's," or other similar powder can be compressed
without the paper cups described above, but I prefer to use them in order to
prevent the particles of the compressed powder crumbling off.
pro-
For use in the well-known Gatling guns, mitrailleuses, and the like, a disc of
portionate size to the bore is used; for cannon I use either one large disc, or the
wood or so-called "Schultze's" or other similar powder may be compressed into
separate pieces of any required form (for instance, like prismatic powder) and
then mixed with the usual charge, or rather about two-thirds of the usual
charge of powder, whether pebble, prismatic, or otherwise.
This combination of powders possesses all the eminent advantages so long sought
after.
By practising my said Invention a considerable saving in the armament of
the forces of a country may be obtained, soldiers can conveniently carry 20 to
25 per cent. more cartridges, as only two-thirds of the present charge is used,
one-third of the entire powder now required will be saved, and the guns will last
several years longer than at present, as they are neither injured by the effects of
the fouling or from the consequent scouring out in order to get rid of the slimy
residue of the powder which sets in the corners of the grooves in the rifling, thereby
causing a part of the heavy recoil noticed in using the present ammunition, and
where first class barrels are not used a bulging out of the same.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edwin Ambrose Brydges in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th October 1878.
EDWIN AMBROSE BRYDGES, of the Firm of Brydges and Co., Patent Solicitors, of
Berlin, now residing at Cricketfield Road, Clapton, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF GUNPOWDER FOR
USE IN CARTRIDGES OR OTHERWISE." Partly a communication from abroad by
Herrmann May hoefer, of Kauschen, in the Empire of Germany.
The object of this Invention is to obviate the disadvantages heretofore experienced
in the use of the common black gunpowder.
It is well known that after firing one or two rounds with a charge of common
black gunpowder the grooves in rifle barrels and the entire interior surface of the
barrels in sporting guns are so covered with the slimy residue of the powder that
the recoil is doubled, and the precision suffers in a high degree. Moreover, the
fouling is not confined to the barrel, but on the contrary, the mechanism of the
lock becomes so foul that the operation of the various parts of the same is considerbly
retarded. This fouling of the mechanism has been found to completely disable
the lock mechanism in a single campaign, and has been especially observed with
the block systems used by the Turks in the Russo-Turkish war, that is to say,.
"Henry-Martini," "Snyder," "Peabody," and similar rifles, and it is well known
that such fouling causes great injury to the parts of the bolts in bolt guns, whereby,
they are rendered unfit for service in a comparatively short time.
Many different classes of powder have been invented for the purpose of avoiding
these difficulties, but none have hitherto proved satisfactory; some have been so
explosive that the barrels were burst, others contained such doleterious chemical
ingredients that the barrels or tubes of the guns were entirely ruined in a very
short space of time.
Of all these powders the wood powder invented by Major Schultze, and commonly
known as "Schultze" powder, is undoubtedly the best, but even this powder is by no.
means fit for general use; when packed loosely it is excessively hydroscopical, and
is for this reason believed by many to be less safe than the common black
powder. It can by no means be recommended for use in guns of any kinds, as the
powder when used alone is much too explosive, and the barrels are therefore liable,
to be injured.
Many years of study and expensive experiments have led to this Invention,
which provides a composition or combination of powder whereby all the dis-.
advantages not only of the black powder but of all the various other powders are
entirely avoided, and a mixture of powder is obtained which fulfils every requirement
in the most perfect manner.
The said Invention consists in a novel and original method of combining the
ordinary black powder with the powder known as Schultze" powder or powder
of a similar kind after the saine has been specially prepared for this purpose..
In carrying the said Invention into practice I cut from parchment, Japanese, or.
other suitable paper or other material, either by hand or by a suitable machine,
two discs, which, for small arms, are generally about 25 and 30 millimeters
in diameter. These discs are then so pressed into a cylinder by means of a rod or
piston that a paper cup or culotte is formed. The base or bottom of this cup is
then perforated; for small arms a hole of about one quarter of an inch, or 6 milli-
meters in diameter, is made with a punch, chisel, or other suitable tool or machine.'
The said cylinder is now placed on a plate with a circular projection which enters
the bottom of the cylinder, prevents the powder from falling out, and keeps the.
edges of the perforated cup in the proper position. The said cylinder is now filled
with wood or other powder, that is to say, for small arms about 0.5 grammes is.
used; then, by means of a rod or piston, the wood or other suitable powder is
reduced by compression to the consistency of a piece of hard wood. If desired the
:
:

page_text: degree of compression can be decreased, but it has been found that the harder the
said powder is pressed the better fitted it will be for storage. This compressing of
the wood or other suitable powder decreases its volume, but increases the driving
or propelling force of the same. These pieces of compressed powder are used in the
following manner, namely:-A piece or disc of the compressed powder is inserted in a
cartridge case, either of metal or paper, with the perforated bottom of the cup down-
ward, that is to say, towards the anvil or cap, and the black powder is poured or
filled in on the top of the same.
The customary charge of black powder is not necessary; the quantity used should
be about two-thirds of the ordinary charge. The remainder of the filling of the
cartridge is as usual.
As soon as the fire from the cap.explodes the piece or disc of compressed powder
so much heat is generated that the perfect combustion of the black powder is
rendered absolutely certain. In consequence of this perfect combustion of the black
powder no fouling of the barrel or parts can take place, the lock or breech
mechanism is not in the least degree injured or fouled, and after even the hardest
day's shooting nothing is required but to wipe out the barrel with a linen rag or
piece of wadding or tow to remove any small dry particles of paper that may
remain from a paper cartridge or the paper lining metallic cartridge. The report
and the quantity of smoke will be considerably decreased, and the recoil is reduced
to a minimum.
The initial velocity can be regulated by producing a quicker or slower burning
of the black powder. This regulation of the initial velocity can be effected by
placing a thin perforated disc or wad of parchment or other suitable paper or other
material immediately on the top of the compressed powder, that is to say, between
the piece or disc of compressed wood or other suitable powder and the common
black powder. A slower or quicker burning of the black powder will take place,
aecording to the size and number of the perforations in the paper disc.
The so-called "Schultze" or other similar powder can be compressed without using
the aforesaid paper cup, but I have found it more advantageous to use the said
paper cup, which prevents the crumbling away of the particles of the compressed
powder.
For use in guns of large calibre, such as the Gatling gun, or mitrailleuse, or the
like, a disc of proportionate size to the charge must be used; for ordnance, either
one large disc, according to the size of the bore, can be used, or the wood or other
suitable powder may be compressed into separate pieces of any required form (for
instance, like prismatic powder) and then mixed with an ordinary charge of pris-
matic or other powder. These pieces or discs of powder may be made by com-
pressing the aforesaid wood or other suitable powder in the cylinder described by
means of a lever, screw, or other suitable arrangement, or by a single or double-
acting dial press similar to those used for heading metallic cartridges.
This powder compound or combination. possesses all the eminent qualities so
long sought to be obtained.
A very large reduction in the expense of providing an army with really good
ammunition is achieved for the following reasons, namely:-1, one-third of all the
powder now used is saved; 2, the durability of the guns is greatly increased, as they
are neither injured by the effects of the fouling or from their consequent scouring
out to free them from the slimy residue of the black powder which accumulates in
the corners of the grooves, thereby causing a part of the heavy recoil observed in
using the present ammunition, and in many instances the bulging out of the
barrel.
Having thus fully explained the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the use
of special wood powder compressed in the manner above described or to the size or
form of the compressed pieces of powder or discs, or the use of com-
pressed powder in paper cups, neither do I confine myself to the form or
size of the cylinders, or rods, or pistons, or the special construction of the

page_text: lever, screws, dial, or other press for compressing the herein-before mentioned wood
or other powder, but I claim the combination of the aforesaid powders, that is, to
say, the use of compressed wood or other suitable powder, either with or without
paper, silk, or other covering or partial covering, and with or without the per-
forated disc or wad for the better regulation of the combustion in combination
with common black powder of any quality, grain, or kind, and the method of
manufacturing the compressed pieces or discs of powder, as and for the purpose set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin Ambrose Brydges, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
EDWIN AMBROSE BRYDGES. (L.S.)