IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR ORDNANCE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Longsdon of New Broad Street in the City
of London for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR
ORDNANCE Communicated to him from abroad by Alfred Krupp of Essen
in the Empire of Germany Cast Steel Manufacturer
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Longsdon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st February 1883.
ALFRED LONGSDON of New Broad Street in the City of London "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR ORDNANCE (A Communication to mne from abroad
by Alfred Krupp of Essen in the Empire of Germany, Cast Steel Manufacturer).
This invention refers to certain improvements in projectiles for ordnance whereby
flat or concave headed projectiles are combined with concave or ogival points which
are thrown off or crushed when the projectile hits the object aimed at or when the
said projectile touches the surface of the water; the invention also refers to certain
appliances for guiding the projectile in the gun which guiding appliances become
detached after the projectile has left the muzzle all as hereinafter more particularly
described.
It is well known that projectiles of the ordinary ogival shape of head when
striking armour plates at sharp angles will glide off and in many cases break though
the work or vis viva stored up in them would be sufficient for piercing the plate.
It is also known that these pointed projectiles when striking obliquely on the
surface of the water will be diverted from their course and therefore leave the water
after a very short distance. It was ascertained that flat headed projectiles offer
some advantage in both respects. The improvements bereafter described are
destined to bring out the full value of these special qualities.
In the following description the projectiles which are described are particularly
applicable to breech loading orduance yet they are applicable to muzzle loading
ordnance of any construction.
The front surface of the flat headed projectile is formed by preference slightly
concave. The front diameter of the projectile is only by so much smaller than the

page_text: a
calibre of the gun as is required for the sharp chisel-shaped edge not to injure the
bore of the gun during the action of loading. The connection between the front
surface and the centreing collar of the body of the projectile is effected either by
curved line in section of comparatively large radius or by a truncated cone. In the
ordinary shape of projectiles the body of the projectile behind the centreing collar
is slightly reduced in diameter and proceeds cylindrically up to the end. Near the
base the copper band is inserted for imparting rotation to the projectile. In these
new projectiles the body behind the centreing collar is tapered off conically then it
may continue cylindrically the restriction in diameter being rather more sensible
than is the case in ordinary projectiles. For receiving the copper band either the
body of projectile increases again at the respective place by a inore rapid cone or a
separate shoe or ring of steel or other suitable material into which the copper band
is inserted will be fitted on the body. The shoe may be applied hot i.e. shrunk on
to the body of projectile in which case for a further connection it is sufficient
slightly to rivet over the body of projectile or it may be put on cold and then it is
secured against rotation by a dowling pin and by rivetting over the body of pro-
jectile into small concavities cut obliquely into the inner edge of the rear side of
the shoe. When using this shoe the body of projectile may also keep its present
cylindrical shape. If preferred the shoe may be fitted quite loosely on the end of
the projectile and be united to same by a screw in the centre of the bottom or base.
In this case different means for imparting rotation to the projectile may be
employed e, g feather and groove dowling pins of various shapes. The only object
of the screw at the base of the projectile is to allow the projectile to be brought
into the gun in close connection with the shoe. After pushing forward the pro-
jectile into place the screw is withdrawn by a special key then the powder charge
is inserted and the breech closed. When the projectile has left the gun the steel
shoe is stripped off by the resistance of the air and delivered from this impediment
the projectile which is reduced conically towards the rear will pursue its course all
the more regularly and longer.
On board ships owing to the motion or from other causes the projectile after the
screw is removed might separate from the shoe by sliding towards the muzzle. For
this reason hooks are applied to the shoe which with their points fit into corre-
sponding grooves in the body of projectile and thereby unite shoe and projectile.
These hooks work on hinges at their lower ends; in leaving the gun they are forced
asunder by centrifugal action and free the projectile. During the action of loading
they may be kept together by a thin ribbon wound round the lower end of
projectile. Within the gun they guide themselves against the bands of the bore by
the broad rear sides of their free ends.
Especially for guiding long projectiles still better in the gun studs of brass may
be inserted in the body about the middle of the length of the projectile. They are
likewise intended smoothly to pass over the bands of the bore and to be stripped
off when piercing the part-hit.
The shoe, the weight of which no longer contributes to the effect of the
projectile at the place hit, may be kept lighter by making it simply annular. The
disc and the screw at the base which in this case serve for pushing forward the
projectile, are both withdrawn, as soon as the projectile is in its place in the gun,
and the same may be used with each new arrangement of projectile made according
to this invention. Instead of the hooks for uniting body and shoe of projectile
springs of suitable shape, may be preferred especially if the diameter of the body is
less tapered.
The tapering off the body of projectile towards the end has the object of
facilitating the passage of the projectile through the hole which has been formed
on striking the plate or other object. The fixed shoe or body of projectile is
intended to remain behind when the projectile passes the hole, the loose shoe, which
separates from the projectile when leaving the muzzle puts the projectile from the
beginning into the most favorable condition for piercing besides the advantage
which this shape of projectile offers for flight and range.

page_text: In shells the form of the inner cavity must be adapted to the outside shape of
projectile.
These flat headed projectiles which offer the advantage of penetrating into
armour at any angle of impact and of pursuing their course in the water in such a
manner as to hit and pierce the present iron-clad-ships below their armoured part,
will encounter in the air a stronger resistance and therefore experience a greater
loss of velocity than the projectiles with ogival heads used up to now. In order to
obviate this inconvenience the concave faced projectiles are or may be provided
with a separate point or cap which possesses the most favourable ogival shape for
the resistance of the air.
This cap may be made of thin plate, or paper pulp of wood or other suitable
substances. It should be as light as possible at the same time possessing so much
strength as to resist without alteration of shape the shock in the beginning of
the motion and the air acting against it. These caps of metal plate may be
manufactured in two parts. The point itself will be made without a seam out of a
solid piece of plate and the bottom, which is proportionately stronger, is connected
with it by welding, by soldering, by rivets, or by screws according to the special
circumstances of material or dimensions. The caps of metal-plate are or may be
secured to the head of the projectile by a thin screw in the axis of the projectile;
caps of paper-pulp should likewise be made hollow and either in one piece or in
two. In the latter case the bottom should be glued into the point and the
connection of these caps of pulp with the projectile is effected in a similar way.
When points are made of wood they should be made of dry wood without chinks
and they may be solid or hollow according to the size of the projectile. They are
screwed or glued on to the head. The thread of the screws used for fixing the caps
to the projectiles runs so that the inertia of the caps in the beginning of motion
and the friction in the air will not tend to loosen but to tighten the screw.
Between cap and head of projectile a layer of grease may be applied; eventually
the cap may be filled with grease entirely or partly, in order to grease the head of
projectile at the impact.
Such projectiles with caps combine the superiority of pointed ones for flight with
the advantages of flat-headed ones. In touching armour plates or water the cap is
thrown off or crushed and the projectile works entirely as a flat-headed one
without cap.
By increasing the weight of projectile, i.e. by greater length of projectile in the
same calibre, the effect of the gun may be considerably increased, an equal
maximum initial velocity being kept in all cases. In this way the effect for
piercing of smaller calibres may be approached to that of the present larger ones.
The conditions upon which this increase in the effect may be obtained are ;-
heavier powder-charge, greater length of gun, increased twist of rifling, which
always will be progressive. Besides the limit in this direction prescribed by a
certain length and weight of gun which under certain circumstances are not to be
exceeded, there is another limit to be looked for, viz; the strength of the material
of projectiles. The length of projectile most favourable for the purposes of this
Invention is only to be ascertained by experiment or practice.
The stronger the material of the projectiles the greater lengths may be used with
advantage. Best results against armour are obtained by hardened steel projectiles.
The improvements described above may, however, be employed with projectiles of
any quality and material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Longsdon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th July 1883.
ALFRED LONGSDON of New Broad Street in the City of London "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR ORDNANCE" (A communication to me from abroad
by Alfred Krupp of Essen in the Empire of Germany Cast Steel Manufacturer)
This Invention refers to certain improvements in projectiles for ordnance whereby
flat or concave headed projectiles are combined with conical or ogival points which
are thrown off or crushed when the projectile hits the object aimed at or when the
said projectile touches the surface of the water; the Invention also refers to certain
appliances for guiding the projectile in the gun which guiding appliances become
detached after the projectile has left the muzzle all as hereafter more particularly
described.
It is well known that projectiles of the ordinary ogival shape of head, when
striking armour plates at sharp angles will glide off and in many cases break,
though the work or vis viva stored up in them would be sufficient for piercing the
plate. It is also known that these pointed projectiles when striking obliquely on
the surface of the water will be diverted from their course and therefore leave the
water after a very short distance. It was ascertained that flat-headed projectiles
offer some advantage in both the said respects. The improvements hereafter
described are destined to bring out the full value of these special qualities.
In the following description the projectiles which are described are particularly
applicable to breech loading ordnance yet they are also applicable to muzzle loading
ordnance of any construction.
As shown in the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view of one form of
flat-headed projectile and Figure 10 a longitudinal section of another flat headed
projectile in both of which the front surface A, of the flat headed projectile is
formed by preference slightly concave. The front diameter of the projectile is
only by so much smaller than the calibre of the gun as is required for the sharp
chisel-shaped edge not to injure the bore of the gun during the action of loading.
The part from the front surface A and the centreing collar B Figure 1 of the body
of the projectile is effected, by a truncated cone D. Figure 1. Or it may be by a
curved line of rather large radius as shown at C Figure 4 which is a part
sectional view of another form of projectile Figure 4 being a back end view of
same
In the ordinary shape of projectiles the body of the projectile behind the
centreing collar is slightly reduced in diameter and proceeds cylindrically up to the
end as shown at E Figure 1. Near the base the copper band F, Figure 1 is inserted
for imparting rotation to the projectile. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of an
improved form of projectile in which the body behind the centreing collar is
tapered off conically, as shown at G, then it may continue cylindrically as shown
at H the reduction in diameter being sensibly greater than is the case in ordinary
projectiles. For receiving the copper band the body of projectile increases again
at the respective place by a more rapid cone as shown at J Figure 2. Figure 3 is
a longitudinal section and Figure 3ª a back end view. Figure 4 is a part
longitudinal section and Figure 40 a back end view Figure 5 is a part longitudinal
section and Figure 5° a back end view. Figures 6 and 6, 7 and 7, 8 and 8°
9 and 9 and 12 and 12° are respectively longitudinal sections and end views of
the back ends of various forms of projectiles in all of which as well as in Figure 10
a separate shoe, or ring of steel or other suitable material K is placed on the body
of the projectile and in which the copper band F is inserted The shoe K may be
applied hot .e. shrunk on to the body of projectile in which case for a further
connection it is sufficient slightly to rivet over the body of projectile as shown
at Figure 5 or it may be put on cold and then as shown at Figure 4 it is
secured against rotation by a dowling pin and by rivetting over the body of

page_text: projectile into small cavities cut obliquely into the inner edge of the rear side of
the shoe. When using this shoe the body of projectile may also keep its
present cylindrical shape, as shown at E Figure 5. If preferred the shoe may be
fitted quite loosely on the end of the projectile and be united to same by a
screw. Figure 3 in the centre of the bottom or base. In this case different
means for imparting rotation to the projectile may be employed, eg, feather and
groove dowling pins of various shapes as shown at Figures 3, 6, to 10
and 12
The only object of the screw ³ at the base of the projectile is to allow same to
be brought into the gun while in close connection with the shoe. After pushing
forward the projectile into place the screw ³ is withdrawn by a special key; then
the powder-charge is inserted and the breech closed. When the projectile has left
the gun the steel shoe K is stripped off by the resistance of the air and delivered
from this impediment, the projectile which is reduced conically towards the rear
will pursue its course all the more regularly and longer.
On board ships owing to the motion or from other causes, the projectile after the
screw ³ is removed might separate from the shoe by sliding towards the muzzle of
the gun.
For this reason hooks or clamps k³ Figures 9, 10 and 12 are applied to
the shoe which with their points fit into corresponding grooves or recesses in the
body of projectile and thereby unite shoe and projectile. These hooks work on
hinges at their lower ends as shown at Figures 9 and 9ª or are made in the form
of springs as shown at Figures 12 and 12" This latter arrangement is especially
applicable when the body of the projectile is less reduced in diameter at the back
end in leaving the gun the clamps 15 are forced asunder by centrifugal action and
free the projectile. During the action of loading these may be kept together by a
thin cord or ribbon wound round the lower end of projectile. Within the gun'
they guide themselves against the "lands" of the bore by the broad rear sides of
their free ends. Especially for guiding long projectiles still better in the gun
studs L, Figures 10 and 11 of brass may be inserted in the body about the middle
of the length of the projectile Figure 11 being a cross section on line x, y,
Figure 10. They are likewise intended to pass smoothly over the lands of the bore
and to be stripped off when piercing the part hit.
The shoe K, Figure 12, the weight of which no longer contributes to the effect.
of the projectile at the place hit, may be made lighter by making it simply
annular. The disc Figure 12 and the screw at the base which in this case
serve for pushing forward the projectile, are both withdrawn, as soon as the
projectile is in its place in the gun; and the same may be used with each new
arrangement of projectile made according to this Invention.
The tapering of the body of the projectile towards the back end has the object
of facilitating the passage of the projectile through the hole which has been formed
on striking the plate or other object. The steel ring fixed on the body of projectile
is intended to remain behind when the projectile passes through the hole, the loose
shoe, which separates from the projectile when leaving the muzzle puts the
projectile from the beginning into the most favorable condition for piercing,
besides the advantage which this shape of projectile offers for flight and range.
In shells the form M of the inner cavity must be adapted to the outside shape of
projectile as shown in Figures 2. 3 and 10.
These flat headed projectiles which offer the advantage of penetrating into
armour at any angle of impact and of pursuing their course in the water in such a
manner as to hit and pierce the present ironclad ships below their armoured part
would encounter in the air a stronger resistance and therefore experience a greater
loss of velocity than the projectiles with ogival heads used up to now. In order to
obviate this inconvenience the concave faced projectiles are or may be provided
with a separate point or cap which possesses the most favorable ogival shape for
the resistance of the air. This cap may be made of thin sheet metal or papier
maché of wood or other suitable substance It should be as light as possible at
the same time possessing so much strength as to resist without alteration of shape

page_text: the shock in the beginning of the motion and the air acting against it. The
caps N, Figure 2 of metal plate may be manufactured in two parts. The point
itself will be made without a seam out of a solid piece of plate and the bottom,
which is proportionately stronger is connected with it by welding, by soldering, by
rivets or by screws according to the requirements of the material or dimensions.
The caps N of metal plate are or may be secured to the head of the projectile by a
thin screw n¹ Figure 2 in the axis of the projectile: caps, N Figure 3 of papier
maché should likewise be made hollow and either in one piece or in two. In the
latter case the bottom should be glued into the point and the fixing of these caps
of papier maché with the projectile is effected in a similar way. When points as
shown at N Figure 4 are made of wood they should be made of dry wood without
cracks and they may be solid or hollow according to the size of the projectile.
They are screwed or glued on to the head. The thread of the screws n' used for
fixing the caps to the projectile runs so that the inertia of the caps in the
beginning of motion and the friction in the air will not tend to loosen but to
tighten the screw.
Between cap and head of projectile a layer of grease may be applied or the cap
may be filled with grease entirely or partly, in order to grease the head of
projectile at the impart.
Such projectiles with caps combine the superiority of pointed ones for flight
with the advantages of flat headed ones for piercing. In touching armour plates
or water the cap is thrown off or crushed and the projectile works entirely as a
flat headed one without cap.
By increasing the weight of projectile in the same calibre the effect of the gun
may be considerably increased, an equal maximum initial velocity being kept in
all cases.
In this way the effect for piercing of small calibres may be approached
to that of the present larger ones. The conditions upon which this increase in the
effect may be obtained are; heavier powder-charge, greater length of gun, increased
twist of rifling which always will be progressive. Besides the limit in this
direction prescribed by a certain length and weight of gun which under certain
circumstances are not to be exceeded, there is another limit to be looked to viz: the
strength of the material of projectiles. The length of projectile most favorable
for the purposes of this Invention is only to be ascertained by experiment or
practice
The stronger the material of the projectiles the greater length may be used with
advantage. Best results against armour are obtained by hardened steel projectiles.
The improvement described above may however be employed with projectiles of
any quality and material.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim as the Invention communicated
to me.
First: The combination of flat headed projectiles with light conical or ogival
points which are crushed or thrown off respectively on touching the mark or the
water, substantially as set forth.
Second-The mode of guiding the projectile in the bore of the gun by means
of an appliance which separates itself from the projectile as the latter leaves the
gun substantially as set forth
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Longsdon have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.