Im- PROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL-FIRE PERCUSSION CARTRIDGES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL-FIRE PERCUSSION CARTRIDGES."-A communication
from abroad by Jules Félix Gévelot, Manufacturer, of 29, Boulevart St.
Martin. Paris.
Sealed the 29th March 1867, and dated the 8th October 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
October 1866.
WILLIAM CLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRAL-FIRE PERCUSSION CARTRIDGES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in central-fire percussion pin
cartridges.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a central section of an
improved cartridge, while Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 show the various
parts detached.
The cartridge is intended for central-fire breech-loading guns, the striker
being of a slightly rounded or other form, and forming part of the cock, or may
be detachable therefrom; this striker may be disposed-to act in a line with the

page_text: barrel or at a slight inclination thereto, thereby preventing all chance of miss-
fires or escape of gases. The cap for igniting the powder is placed about the
centre of the charge, whereby to ensure a more perfect combustion.
The cartridge is composed of the following parts:-1st, the copper cap or
end piece, Figure 2, having a flange a, a, for closing the vent as usual, and a
semicircular recess b, in which the pin of the cartridge is received; this recess
should be of a diameter at least equal to that of the percussion striker, and of
a depth equal to the extent of motion of the pin. 2ndly, a pasteboard case,
Figure 8, in the one end of which are made slits c, c; this case is carefully
fitted to the copper end cap, the slits facilitating its expansion into the flange a
of the cap, as seen in Figure 1. 3rdly, a bent wire of brass or other metal,
Figure 5, flattened at d for the reception of the cap, being slightly hollowed in
order to maintain it more firmly in position, as seen in the section, Figure 5.
The two ends e, e, of the wire are notched so as to fix it firmly in the paste-
board cylinder or wad placed in the end of the cartridge. 4thly, a pasteboard
cylinder above mentioned, seen in section at Figure 7, the two ends of the
wire e, e, being received in the holes f, g, and the whole then placed in the
socket for its reception; sufficient pressure is then exerted by means of a
punch having a space corresponding to the projecting part of the wired to
force the cylinder and case into the flange a, and so secure them therein; this
pressure at the same time causes the pasteboard of which the cylinder is com-
posed to enter the notches in the wire e and so unite them together. 5thly,
the cap or priming, Figure 4, which is provided with a slit extending almost
the whole depth to facilitate the dispersion of the fire in all directions into the
charge of powder; its external diameter is exactly the same as that of the pin
or striker. 6thly, the pin or striker is made of brass or other wire, Figure 3,
being reduced at the point h, i, in order to enable it to readily penetrate to
the bottom of the cap. In order to place the cap and pin in position, I
employ the same means as described in a previous Patent granted to me, and
dated February 26th, 1866, Number 592, which consists in preparing a
passage for the pin by a set of punches first forcing in the outer copper cap
and expanding it in the manner shown in Figure 1, and then the pasteboard
wad, the punch forcing the copper and pasteboard inwards without removing
any of the material; in this manner the gases on their expansion tend to close
up the wad around the pin, in a similar manner to the packing of hydraulic
presses; the hole having been prepared the cap is then introduced, and after-
wards the pin, which is entered several times in succession in the same
position; in this manner the hole is made to take the exact form of the
pin with any inequalities the latter may possess. 7thly, in order to com-

page_text: plete the cartridge I paste therein a strengthening tube, Figure 6, whereby to
consolidate the connection between the pasteboard wad and the rear end and
prevent the gases from penetrating therein. After the charge has been fired
the pin will be completely imbedded in the cartridge, and in order to withdraw
it, and apply a fresh cap, I use the instrument or pincers represented at
Figure 9; these pincers are provided with nipping parts m, n, which are first
introduced by the band into the cartridge in order to seize the end of the pin,
and then by pushing them forward sufficiently the head can be gripped and
the pin completely drawn out; a new cap may be then introduced and the
pin re-inserted which forces it down on its seat, as before described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th April 1867.
. TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting. ;
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CENTRAL-FIRE PERCUSSION CARTRIDGES," a communication to me
from abroad by Jules Félix Gévelot, Manufacturer, of 29, Boulevart St.
Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Williamı
Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their bands 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 calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the 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 Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to improvements in central-fire percussion pin
cartridges.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a central section of an
improved cartridge, while Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 show the various
parts detached. The same letters apply to all the Figures.
The cartridge is intended for central-fire breech-loading guns, the striker
being of a slightly rounded or other form, and forming part of the cock or
separate therefrom; this striker may be disposed to act in a line with the
bariel, or at a slight inclination thereto, thereby preventing all chance of
missfires or escape of gas. The cap for igniting the powder is placed about
the centre of the charge, whereby to ensure more perfect combustion.
The cartridge is composed of the following parts:-1st, the copper head,
Figure 2, having a flange a, a, filling the cavity in the breech for its reception
as usual, and a semispherical recess b. in which the pin of the cartridge is
received; this recess should be of a diameter at least equal to that of the
percussion striker, and of a depth equal to the extent of motion of the pin.
2ndly, a pasteboard case, Figure 8, in the one end of which are made
slits c, c; this case is carefully fitted to the copper head, the slits facilitating
its expansion into the flange a of the head, as seen in Figure 1. 3rdly, a
bent wire or staple of brass or other metal, Figure 5, flattened at d for
receiving the cap, it being slightly hollowed in order to hold it more firmly in
position, as shown in the section Figure 5. The two ends e, e, of the wire are
serrated, so as to fix it more firmly in the pasteboard wad placed in the end of
the cartridge. 4thly, a pasteboard wad, above mentioned, seen in section at
Figure 7, the two ends of the wire e, e, being received in the holes f, g, of the
same, and the whole then placed in the socket for its reception. Sufficient
pressure is then applied by means of a punch having a space corresponding
to the projecting part of the wired to force the wad and case into the flange a,
and so secure them therein, this pressure at the same time causes the paste-
board of which the wad is composed to enter the notches in the wire e, and
so unite them together. 5thly, the cap or priming, Figure 4, which is split
almost its whole depth to facilitate the dispersion of the flame in all directions
into the charge of powder; its external diameter is exactly the same as that of
the pin or striker. 6thly, the pin or striker is made of brass or other wire,

page_text: e Figure 8, reduced at the point h, i, in order to enable it to reauny
netrate the bottom of the cap. In order to place. the cap and pin in
sition I prepare a passage for the pin by a set of punches, first forcing in
e outer copper cap or head and impressing it in the form shown in Figure 1,
nd then the pasteboard wad; the punch forces the copper and pasteboard
wards without removing any of the material. In this manner the gases on
eir expansion tend to close up the wad around the pin in a similar manner
the packing of hydraulic presses. The hole having been prepared the cap
then introduced, and afterwards the pin, which is entered several times in
uccession in the same position; in this manner the hole is made to take the
xact form of the pin with any inequalities the latter may present. 7thly, in
order to complete the cartridge I paste therein a strengthening tube, Figure 6,
whereby to consolidate the connection between the pasteboard wad and the
rear end and prevent the gases from penetrating therein. After the charge
has been fired the pin will be completely embedded in the cartridge, and in
order to withdraw it and apply a fresh cap I use the instrument or pincers
represented at Figure 9; these pincers are provided with nipping parts m, m,
which are first introduced into the cartridge in order. to seize the point of the
pin, and then by pushing them forward sufficiently the head can be gripped
A new cap may be then introduced and
and the pin completely drawn out.
the pin re-inserted, which is forced down on its seat in the manner before
described.
J
In the cartridge herein-before described the resistance is offered by the
flange on the head which is received in a cavity in the breech, but in some
guns an abutment is provided at the end of the cartridge. Figure 10
shows a section of an improved central-fire cartridge of modified arrange-
ment adapted for such fire-arms. In the head, Figure 11, I introduce a
pasteboard wad rolled of the form shown at Figure 12, which is then
compressed, but leaving a space a, a, Figure 10, at the centre to receive the
striker, Figure 18, it being fitted in the manner described in a Patent granted
to me, and dated February 26th, 1866, Number 592. A four-flanged cap
represented in section at Figure 14, and plan, Figure 15, contains the ful
minate, and is perforated at four points, one only being shown; these holes
are intended for the escape of the flame at the moment the explosion takes
place. In order to prevent the powder contained in the cartridge from
entering these holes and stopping the action of the striker I envelop the cap
in thin paper or skin. The cap is fitted into a metal disc, shown at Figures 10
and 17, which is dropped down on to the wad in the head, where it is fixe
by pressure.
The pasteboard tube, with turned-in end, seen in section

page_text: Figure 18, is then pasted to the bead and metal disc. The small projecting
rim b, b, prevents any play of the cartridge being received in the breech
piece.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st, the manner of fitting and applying the striker with the object of driving
inwards the pasteboard and metal to prevent any escape of gas.
2ndly, I claim the application of the wire staple to form a bearing for the
cap, all in the manner described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
A. M. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)