AN IMPROVED CANISTER SHOT FOR USE WITH SMALL ARMS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JAMES WATSON JOHNS residing at Whitehouse Cramond Bridge near Edin-
burgh do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED CANISTER
SHOT FOR USE WITH SMALL ARMS to be as follows:-
The Invention consists in a light metallic or other shell either cylindrical
conical or spherical in form and composed of two or more segments of such pro-
portions that when put together they form a hollow cone cylinder or sphere. In
the Conical form each segment of the case or shell is turned in at the base so as to
form a bottom, the bottom and top of each segment is pierced or fitted with an eye.
or hole, so placed in each that when put together the four eyes or holes coincide or
run in line, and in this position the shell is ready to be closed for use, and this is
effected, by passing through the four eyes, or holes, which are in the axis of the
shell, or case a small steel wire spindle or rod, the said spindle at the base or lower
end of the shell or case passes through the centre of an ordinary gun felt wad and
is secured to it, the upper end of the spindle protrudes or projects through the
upper end or head of the shell, and it is through the action of this spindle or rod
that the shell is opened during its flight and its contents liberated, as already stated
the spindle which practically bolts or secures the two or more segments of the shell
or case is fixed to the centre of the wad before mentioned, forms a tail to the shell,
and being larger in diameter than the base of the shell it projects all round and by
so doing is powerfully operated on by the resistance of the atmosphere during its
flight and the spindle moving freely thro' the axis of the shell or case, and being
fixed to the wad is withdrawn from the shell, with the result that the segments
being no longer held together, fall asunder, and the charge of shot passes on.
In the Cylindrical form the segments are turned in so as to close the shell at
both ends in order to retain the shot, and are bolted together in the same manner
as is described above.
In the spherical form the two hemisphers or segments being fitted with holes or
eyes as in the first mentioned form are bolted or secured by the spindle as already
described.
Although this specification only deals with the sporting use of the Invention it
must be understood I reserve right to its adaptation to military purposes.

page_text: I, JAMES WATSON JOHNS residing at Whitehouse Cramond Bridge near Edin-
burgh do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED CANISTER
SHOT FOR USE WITH SMALL ARMS and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
: The Invention consists in a light metallic or other shell either cylindrical,
conical, or spherical, in form, and composed of two or more segments of such pro-
portions that when put together they form a hollow cone, cylinder, or sphere. In
.the Conical form each segment of the case or shell is turned in at the base so as to
form a bottom, the bottom and top of each segment is pierced or fitted with an eye
or hole, so placed in each that when put together the eyes or holes coincide or
run in line and in this position the shell or Canister is ready be closed for use
and this is effected by passing through the before mentioned eyes or holes which
are in the axis of the shell, or case, a small wire spindle or rod, the said spindle at
the base or lower end of the shell or case, passes through the centre of an ordinary
gun felt wad and is secured to it, the upper end of the spindle protrudes or projects
through the upper end or head of the shell, and it is through the action of this
spindle or rod that the shell is opened during its flight and its contents liberated,
as already stated the spindle which practically bolts or secures the two or more
segments of the shell or case is fixed to the centre of the wad before mentioned,
forms a tail to the shell, and being larger in diameter than the base of the shell it
projects all round, and by so doing is powerfully operated on by the resistance of
the atmosphere, during its flight, and the spindle moving freely thro' the axis of
the shell or case, and being fixed to the wad is withdrawn from the shell, with the
result that the segments being no longer held together, fall asunder or open and
the charge of shot passes on. Another method of effecting the opening of the shell
is to corrugate its surface with corrugations or flutings parallel to its axis in this
way the wad may be of the some diameter as the shell the air acting upon the wad
along the flutings.
In the Cylindrical form the segments are turned in so as to close the shell at
both ends in order to retain the shot, and are bolted together in the same manner
as is described above.
In the spherical form the two hemisphers or segments being fitted with holes or
eyes as in the first mentioned form are bolted or secured by the spindle as already
described If it is desired to use the shell or canister as a solid shot, loop or turn
over the projecting spindle which will prevent it drawing, and the shell will go up
to the object solid.
Although this specification only deals with the sporting use of the Invention it
must be understood I reserve right to it adaptation to military purposes.
Dugon r

page_text: the Segments together, and regulating or determining the distance from the gun at
which the shell will open, the greater the length of spindle the greater the range
obtained.
Figure 2, Represents the shell placed in the Cartridge case ready for firing, if it
is to be used as a shell the spindle is left free, if to be used as a solid shot turn
over the spindle which will prevent it drawing.
Figure 3, Represents the two segments of the shell.
Figure 4, The spindle with wad attached.
Figure 5, Represents position of shell during its flight and illustrates its
opening, the spindle is seen partly withdrawn by the action or resistance of the
atmosphere.
Having now, particularly described, and ascertained, the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same, is to be performed, I declare, that what
I claim is: Distinct novelty and originality in the following respects-
(1) Its segmental construction.
(2) The means of closing and fixing the segments together.
(3) The means of opening the shell or separating the segments during its flight
by the use of the projecting wad or tail, operated on by the atmosphere.
(4) The double function in being available either as a solid shot or as a shell.