IMPROVEMENTS IN COM- PRESSED OR LIQUEFIED AIR OR GAS CARTRIDGES AND FIRE-ARMS AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Giffard, of Rue de la Pépinière, No. 12, at
Paris, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COM-
PRESSED OR LIQUEFIED AIR OR GAS CARTRIDGES AND FIRE-ARMS AND IN
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
"
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd January 1872.
I, PAUL GIFFARD, of Rue de la Pépinière, No. 12, at Paris, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPRESSED OR LIQUEFIED AIR OR GAS CARTRIDGES AND FIRE-
ARMS AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows :―

page_text: One part of these improvements consists in the construction and use
of a cartridge containing compressed air or gas or liquefied gas. This
cartridge consists of a cylindrical shell of metal closed at one end, and
provided at the other end with a valve opening inwards. The valve is a
disc of metal made with a projecting rim, which seats upon a caoutchouc
ring inserted into an annular recess formed in the base of the cartridge.
A spiral spring within the cartridge presses the valve against its seat,
and the valve is guided by projecting ribs bearing against the internal
cylindrical surface of the cartridge so that it seats fairly on the caout-
chouc ring, and thereby tightly-closes. the mouth of the cartridge. It is
preferred that the caoutchouc ring should be hard on the side on which
the valve seats, and soft on the side which bears on the bottom of the
recess in the cartridge. Several such cartridges are simultaneously
charged with compressed air or gas by placing them in a cavity at the
end of a compressing syringe. The air or gas compressed by the action
of the piston of the syringe opens the valves of the cartridges, and a
portion of the fluid enters each, the valves closing against its issue.
The cavity in which the cartridges are placed to be charged is provided
with a safety valve, which opens when the pressure reaches the desired

page_text: opening when the piston moves in the one direction to admit fluid to the
syringe, and closing when the piston moves in the opposite direction to
compress the fluid. The pistons may be moved either by hand or by
cranks on a revolving shaft.
Instead of employing cartridges such as I have described I construct
weapons with a tubular reservoir for compressed air or gases, forming a
second barrel lying under the discharging barrel. The front end of this
tubular reservoir is fitted with a valve opening inwards, like that which
I have described with reference to the cartridge. The reservoir is
charged by a syringe screwed on to it at the front end, and after the
reservoir is charged the syringe is removed and a cap screwed on in its
place. At the other end the reservoir communicates with the barrel by
a passage fitted with a valve, which is opened by the pressure of a sliding
bolt forced against it by the action of the lock. The amount of this
action is governed by an adjustable screw stop, which permits the dog of
the lock to advance more or less, and thereby to open the valve of the
reservoir to a greater or less extent. Thus as the pressure of fluid in the
reservoir becomes diminished by successive discharges, the stop can be
adjusted so as to permit the issue of a larger volume of the compressed

page_text: DPECIFICATION pursuance of
filed by the said Paul Giffard in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th June 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PAUL
GIFFARD, of Rue de la Pépinière, No. 12, at Paris, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Paul Giffard, Her special licence that I,
the said Paul Giffard, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Paul Giffard, 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 COMPRESSED OR LIQUEFIED AIR
OR GAS CARTRIDGES AND FIRE-ARMS AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Paul Giffard, my exe-
cutors 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 calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Paul Giffard, 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 thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that
is to say:-
My Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for com-
pressing air or gas or liquefving gas, and applying compressed air or gas

page_text: One part of these improvements consists in the construction and use
of a cartridge containing compressed air or gas or liquefied gas. This
cartridge consists of a cylindrical shell of metal closed at one end, and
provided at the other end with a valve opening inwards. The valve is a
disc of metal made with a projecting rim, which seats upon a caoutchouc
ring inserted into an annular recess formed in the base of the cartridge.
A spiral spring within the cartridge presses the valve against its scat,
and the valve is guided by projecting ribs bearing against the internal
cylindrical surface of the cartridge, so that it seats fairly on the caout-
chouc ring, and thereby tightly closes the mouth of the cartridge. It is
preferred that the caoutchouc ring should be hard on the side on which
the valve seats, and soft on the side which bears in the bottom of the
recess in the cartridge. Several such cartridges are simultaneously
charged with compressed air or gas by placing them in a cavity at the
end of a compressing syringe. The air or gas compressed by the action
of the piston of the syringe opens the valves of the cartridges, and a
portion of the fluid enters each, the valves closing against the issue.
The cavity in which the cartridges are placed to be charged is provided
with a safety valve, which opens when the pressure reaches the desired

page_text: Giffard's impts. in Compressea Air or Gas Caririages and Fire-arms.
pressed forward by a strong spring. In front of the dog there is a
sliding bolt passing through the back part of the breech piece into the
cartridge cavity.
For discharging the weapon the trigger is pulled in the ordinary way,
and the dog being released is pressed forward by the spring, and pushes
the sliding bolt against the valve of the cartridge. The cartridge itself
being larger than the bore of the barrel bears against the ribs of the
conical grooved mouthpiece, and therefore the forward moving of the
sliding bolt opens the valve of the cartridge and permits the escape of
O the compressed fluid from it. The fluid escaping by the space in the
breech cavity round the cartridge and along the grooves in the conical
mouthpiece, presses on the projectile and propels it along the barrel.
The form and action of the lock may be varied to suit different
weapons.
In some cases, instead of pressing forward a bolt against the valve of
the cartridge, I insert the cartridge with its valve forwards, and cause
the discharge of the lock to push the cartridge forward against a pin or
bolt fixed to the barrel, thereby opening the valve.
In some cases, as for air canes, the dog of the lock may be suppressed,
and the sliding bolt, urged forward by a spring, may be drawn back by
the action of the hand on a button, and held back by the trigger
catching a collar on the bolt.
For revolvers the lock mechanism may be made not only to discharge
the cartridge, but also to move round the successive chambers in the
manner usually employed for weapons of that kind; and in like manner
for mitrailleuses the lock mechanism may be made to act successively on
the several charged chambers.
For charging cartridges such as I have described above, I employ
either a simple compressing syringe supplied with air or gas at ordinary
pressure, or I employ several of such syringes working together, one of
them receiving its supply of compressed air or gas from another, and so
being fed with air or gas at a high pressure, which pressure is increased
by its action. The pistons of the compressing syringes are by preference
packed in the manner described in the Specification of a Patent granted
to me on the 31st July 1871, No. 2011, the packing consisting of a free
elastic ring retained within a groove of the piston, and acting as a valve,

page_text: opening when the piston moves in the one direction to admit fluid to the
syringe, and closing when the piston moves in the opposite direction to
compress the fluid. The pistons may be moved either by hand or by
cranks on a revolving shaft.
Instead of employing cartridges such as I have described, I construct
weapons with a tubular reservoir for compressed air or gases, forming a
second barrel lying under the discharging barrel. The front end of this
tubular rescrvoir is fitted with a valve opening inwards, like that which
I have described with reference to the cartridge. The reservoir is
charged by a syring screwed on to it at the front end, and after the
reservoir is charged the syringe is removed and a cap screwed on in its
place. At the other end the reservoir communicates with the barrel by
a passage fitted with a valve, which is opened by the pressure of a sliding
bolt forced against it by the action of the lock. The amount of this
action is governed by an adjustable screw stop, which permits the dog of
the lock to advance more or less, and thereby to open the valve of the
reservoir to a greater or less extent. Thus as the pressure of fluid in the
reservoir becomes diminished by successive discharges, the stop can be
adjusted so as to permit the issue of a larger volume of the compressed
fluid
compressed air or gas or liquefied gas. It consists of a cylinder or casing
of metal A. for containing the compressed air or gas or liquefied gas. It
is closed at one end, and has screwed or otherwise firmly fixed into its
other end a base B provided with the closing device, which permits both
the introduction of the air or gas into the cartridge and its discharge
therefrom on firing. For this purpose the base B carries a caoutchouc
ring C, fitting accurately between the annular projection B¹ and the side
of the casing A, upon which ring seats the valve D, consisting of a metal
disc, which is guided in the casing by wings D', and is pressed by the
spring I against the caoutchouc ring. The latter is by preference made
hard on the side against which the valve seats, and half hard on the side
fitting against the base, so as there to effect a hermetic closure. In
forcing air into the cartridge the valve opens and allows the air to pass
in, and the pressure of the confined air then keeps the valve close down
on its seat. This base B has a conical or tapering hole H, into which

page_text: when the cartridge is charged, is fitted hermetically the nozzle of the
air-compressing pump. These cartridges may be made of various dimen-
sions, and they can be divided into several separate compartments by
means of metal partitions.
Fig. 2 shews one construction of my improved fire-arms for using the
before-described cartridge. The cartridge A is enclosed in a chamber a
of larger diameter than the cartridge. The escape end 6 is situated
farthest away from the projectile, and the compressed air, on issuing
from the cartridge, has to pass along the annular space between the
cartridge and the chamber in order to act upon the projectile. The
barrel c screws into the breech piece, and is hinge jointed thereto by the
piece hinged at d. For introducing the cartridge and the projectile the
barrel is unscrewed by being turned once round, and is then lowered. A
metal grid or ribbed piece g is fitted into the brecch end of the barrel
against which the end of the cartridge bears when its valve is forced
open by the firing pin p, while the grooves in the picce g allow the
compressed air to pass to the projectile.
The lock of the gun consists of a hammer h sliding against the inclined
plane k, and actuated by the spring 1. The trigger m is made to catch
into the notches of the hammer by the spring n. On pressing the
trigger the hammer is released and is thrown forward against the firing
pin p, which forces open the valve of the cartridge. The whole of the
mechanism is enclosed in the wood breech piece as in ordinary fire-arms.
For military fire-arms I substitute in place of the lock described the
ordinary form of lock shewn at Fig. 3. The plate o carries a finger q,
which strikes against the firing pin p.
For revolvers I employ a lock with repeating action on the firing pin,
the cartridges being placed in separate chambers in a revolving breech
piece; the same arrangement is also employed for mitrailleuses, with
the use of a helical spring. For ordnance I employ an arrangement
similar to that of the gun above described. The cartridge is in this case
placed with its escape end facing the projectile, and the firing pin is
made to strike against the closed end of the cartridge, so as to push it
slightly forward against a pin r (Fig. 4) fixed to the perforated breech
piece, which may be hinged so that it can be turned aside, as indicated
by the dotted lines ¹, so as to expose the barrel c for charging and
cleansing.

page_text: Fig. 5 shews an arrangement of air canes for use with my cartridges.
The cartridge A is placed in a chamber similar to that above described,
forming a continuation of the barrel c, provided with the grid g. The
pin p is thrown forward by the helical spring s. The detent is formed of
a collar on the pin p, held by a trigger as shewn. The end of the cane
unscrews at x, so as to allow the spring to be drawn into the cocked
position. By then pressing on the trigger the catch is withdrawn from
the collar, and the pin p is caused to strike against the valve of the
cartridge. The characteristic points of the above-described arrangements
-of firo-arms are the position of the cartridge, the use of the grid or ribbed
piece, and the arrangements of the locks for opening the cartridges.
Fig. 6 shews the apparatus for charging the cartridges singly by hand.
It consists of a barrel E closed at the end by a picce I screwed in and
soldered, having a conical nozzle F with a small passage which fits
hermitically into the hole in the base of the cartridge. A casing G for
holding the cartridge on the nozzle while being charged is screwed on to
the latter. The barrel E has a piston constructed according to an
Invention for which I have already obtained Letters Patent on the 31st
July 1871, No. 2011. It consists of a leather ring working between
guides B, B. Four small apertures m allow the air to pass through the
piston during the up stroke of the piston; during the down stroke the
ring is pressed against the upper guide, closing the apertures m and
forming a tight packing by being pressed against the surface of the
barrel. The piston rod slides through a guide D, and is worked by a
handle L up and down in the barrel so as to force the air or gas into the
cartridge, and this action is continued until the required degree of com-
pression of the air or gas is attained. This apparatus may be employed
for the liquefaction of all gases capable of being liquefied by compression
up to a pressure of 400 atmospheres.
Figures 7 and 8 show the construction of a larger apparatus for
charging the cartridges with compressed air or gas or liquefied gas. The
pump barrel 6 fixed on a framing a is formed of a bored steel tube, and
is provided with guides for the crosshead of the piston rod h, which is
actuated through the connecting rod d by the crank on a shaft
carrying a fly wheel v. The piston rod passes through a stuffing box g
provided with a leather or india-rubber ring fitting closely on the piston
rod, and capable of moving to and fro between the collars n, n. Behind
this stuffing box a branch pipe is fixed on the pump barrel provided with a

page_text: cock, through which the gas to be compressed enters the pump barrel.
The end of the barrel is closed by a disc ground to fit tightly into the
bore of the barrel, and enclosed in a casing in which a small passage
extends outward and upward to the delivery of the compressed air or
gas. The fly wheel is provided with a handle for working the machine
by hand, or it may be worked by a treddle, or if the machine is worked
by a motive power engine the shaft is provided with a pulley and strap
for this purpose. The piston rod may be made of adjustable length by
means of two screws with right and left handed threads.
The air or gas may be previously compressed to a certain extent before
its introduction into the machine through the cock k, the stuffing box
preventing any outward escape. This machine may also be worked in a
vertical position with or without toothed gearing, and it may be provided
with two separate compressing pump barrels and pistons, in one of which
the preliminary compression of the air or gas is effected, and from which
the air or gas passes through the cock into the second pump, where
the final compression is effected, the volumes of the two pump barrels
being made in the proportion of one to ten; the final compression
obtained in the second pump would be about ten times that obtained in
the first pump. In order to obtain more readily the liquefaction of
gases the pump barrel and receivers are by preference surrounded by a
refrigerating mixture, so as to reduce the gases to the lowest possible
temperature.
Fig. 9 shews a section of part of a machine for charging several of the
before-described cartridges at one time. On the end of the compressing
pump C is screwed a strong tube or chamber A, in which are placed the
cartridges to be charged. A disc of semi-hardened caoutchouc B placed
against the small aperture through which the pump C communicates
with the chamber A serves as a valve for retaining the gas or air forced
into the latter. The cartridges being introduced into the chamber A, its
outer end is closed by a small moveable piston L, which is held in
its place against the pressure by the inclined plane on the pin R, pressed
downwards by the spring V. When the pressure in the chamber has
been raised to the required degree, the piston L being forced outwards
will push up the pin R, and the surplus compressed air will escape from
the chamber A through the hole left open by the piston L and through
the apertures S, S. The pressure of the spring V on the pin R is regu-
lated by the screw M. All the cartridges having been charged at equal

page_text: pressure by the above means the chamber A is unscrewed from the
pump and the cartridges are removed.
Fig. 10 shews a construction of firc-arms wherein a considerable
volume of compressed air or gas or liquefied gas may be stored up, and
which may fire a number of rounds without requiring to be re-charged.
The gun is provided with a tube A serving as a reservoir for compressed
air or gas or liquefied gas, above which is the barrel C of the gun. A
cock c, provided with a latch or trigger d for opening the same, serves
for the introduction of the projectile into the breech end of the barrel.
The means for closing the reservoir are the same as in the before-
described cartridges. They consist of the screwed plug f, carrying the
caoutchouc ring, and the valve 9, pressed against the caoutchouc ring by
the spring h. The back end of the reservoir is closed by a breech
piece k, containing the firing pin p, which is struck by the hammer q,
actuated by the spring 7; the trigger m acts upon the hammer by means of
the small spring n. The back end of the reservoir is also provided with
closing device similar to that of the cartridges. The plug carrying the
valve seat screwed into the reservoir is provided with an external screw
thread, by which it is screwed on to the air-compressing machine while
the reservoir is being charged. In order to regulate the opening of the
valve to the exact extent required for admitting more or less of the com-
pressed air into the barrel of the gun, an inclined stop " is provided,
which is adjusted upwards or downwards by the screw t, whereby the
hammer may either be entirely prevented from striking the firing pin, or
may be allowed to give it more or less motion. By means of this
construction of fire-arms two hundred consecutive rounds may be fired
under any desired pressure without recharging.
These fire-arms may also contain a charging pump, shewn at Fig. 11,
consisting of a brass tube a provided with the valve arrangement b
similar to that of the cartridges, and with a piston c of the before-
described construction, the rod d of which is provided with a handle g for
charging by hand, held on by a spring latch. This pump is secured on
the reservoir A by means of the steel screw collar k, which screws into
the reservoir, a caoutchouc washer being fitted upon the tube a to insure
an air-tight joint under any pressure.
This improved fire-arm may be constructed of variously modified
forms. It may be applied on a large scale as a mitrailleuse, in which

page_text: case the lock is replaced by a revolving lock with helical or band
spring.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do
not limit myself to the precise construction of valves, pistons, and other
details of the fire-arms and apparatus shewn on the Drawings, as these
may be variously modified without departing from the nature of my
Invention; but I claim,-
First. The construction and use of cartridges for compressed air or
gas or liquefied gas, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1.
Second. The construction of fire-arms adapted for the use of such
aforesaid compressed air or gas or liquefied gas cartridges, substantially
as described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 inclusive of the Drawings.
Third. The construction and use of apparatus for charging such
aforesaid cartridges with compressed air or gas or liquefied gas, sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 inclusive of the
Drawings.
Fourth. The construction of fire-arms with a reservoir for compressed
air or gas or liquefied gas placed parallel to the barrel, and the means
for charging the same, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 10 and 11 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Paul Giffard, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUD,
Civil Engineer,
PAUL GIFFARD. (L.S.)
Boulevard de Strasbourg, No. 23,
à Paris.