IMPROVE. IN ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS, AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED THERE WITH
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Keene Richards, of Berners Street, Oxford
Street, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE.
IN ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS, AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED
THERE WITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Keene Richards
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th June 1863.
I, ALEXANDER KEENE RICHARDS, of Berners Street, Oxford Street, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS, AND IN PROJECTILES TO BE USED
THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, firstly, in improved methods of constructing guns
and mortars, whereby they may be made as strong as ordinaryordnance, and at
the same time be capable of being taken to pieces in a few minutes, and each
separate part for a six-pounder field gun carried by an infantry or cavalry
soldier, the carriage also being made in sections proportionably light. I
propose so to construct the gum that it may serve the purpose of an ordinary
smooth-bore gun, or it may be rifled, or it may be a smooth-bore carrying a
rotating shot or shell, the gun being either a breech-loader rifled, or smooth-

page_text: bore muzzle-loader with rod. I propose also to apply the latter principle to
any gun at a very trifling cost, without preventing it from being used again as
an ordinary smooth-bore. By these improvements I can make any cast-iron
or brass smooth-bore gun throw a shot or shell with a rotating motion without
rifling the gun or using a projectile which by great friction would injure the
bore of the gun. I propose first to make a tube of some ductile or elastic
metal, say steel, wrought iron,aluminium bronze, or other suitable metal; this
tube should be the full length of the bore of the guu, it may be rifled
or smooth-bored. It should be from one-sixteenth to a quarter of an inch in
thickness or more, according to the size of the gun; and I propose then to
place over and along this tube a series of rings of cast iron, wrought iron,guu
metal, steel, or other suitable metal fitting as perfectly on the tube as it is
possible to make them, but not to be forced on or shrunk by heat or
mechanical pressure, as proposed by Blakely or Palliser. These rings may be
of any suitable thickness according to the size of the gun, and when desired,
especially between the trunnions and the breech, I propose to place a second
or further series of rings over the first, breaking the joints respectively. The
rings should be numbered in order that they may be arranged always in the
same series. On the tube I propose to have a series of projections to hold the
rings and trunnions in place. The trunnions may be made of one or more
parts of a ring, or the whole gun may be placed in a bed, as the gun described
by Mallet in the Arsenal of Neuville, by which the tube in large guns would
be relieved of great strain. If it is desired to make the gun taper from the
trunnions to the muzzle the exterior of the rings can be made larger tapering.
from trunnion to muzzle. To throw a rotating shot from a smooth-bore gun
I adopt the following method:-I fix a rod of steel or wrought iron, having
the proper twist to suit the rifling, in the interior of the gun, passing through
the breech to or beyond the muzzle. This rod may be made hollow or solid,
and the transverse section may be a figure with any number of sides, or
a figure having no sharp edges but a series of curves so as to avoid friction.
This rod is secured by a tap screw to the breech. The rod has a small
chamber at the breech for the introduction of a rod lock in order to communicate
its fire to the charge by one or more apertures through the rod. The shell or
shot and cartridge are made to fit the bore of the gun accurately,
with the cartridge corresponding to the shape of the chamber.
cartridge and projectile is a hole the size and shape of the rod.
of the cartridge is a covering separating the rod from the powder, of such a
character as will admit of fire from a cap of fulminating powder piercing it.
The cartridge and shot are placed on the rod and forced home by a hollow
but not tight,
Through the
The interior

page_text: raminer, the rod lock is adjusted and the charge fired; the shot passing from
the gun around the rod with but little friction, and with the rotary motion
desired. If preferred the rod may be removed in loading (which might be
necessary if the percussion shell was to be used), the cartridge and shot placed
upon it from breech end, and then introduced on the rod without the use of
the rammer. This would be preferable for target practice, as it would give
more accurate work on account of a more correct adjustment, and at the same
time the rod may be oiled, the bore swabbed out and cooled by a current of air
passing directly through it. The main body of the projectile is to be made in
sections of wrought or cast iron, fitting together like staves, each section being
hollow to admit of the bursting charge; they should be fitted together by means
of a ring at top and bottom, and the top would be a steel cone or cap fitting on
the cylinder with points or pins in each section, thereby assisting the rings in
securing it. The bursting charge is to be introduced from the base, and an
iron cap put on covering the whole base of the shell. A time fuse or percus-
sion rod may be introduced in the cone or cap, a brass or composition tube
corresponding to the rod being inserted through the centre; the shell may be
turned true to fit the bore, and each section numbered, so that if taken to
pieces, it may readily be put together. The rings on the tube for bore of gun
may be held in position by projections on the tube, and tie rods or bolts
passing through their partial or entire series, and secured by heads and nuts.
In large guns the rods may only be the length of two rings. The application of
a rod through the bore of a gun has been suggested previously, but it has
been proposed to make grooves therein, the projectiles being furnished with
studs to enter the grooves of such rifled rod, but in my Invention the pro-
jectile is rifled like a Whitworth gun, and passes over the rod with little
friction and no fouling. The carriages may be made of wrought-iron plates
with flanges, so as to be bolted together, the joints being fitted with india-
rubber or gutta percha to render them water-tight, so as to form cheeks and
bed capable of being filled with water or bars of metal, or with wet clay or
sand. By these means the carriage can be taken to pieces and put together
without difficulty in a few minutes.
Mortars may be constructed in the same way as the long guns, and the
rod may be made to project sufficiently beyond the muzzle of the gun to
give the necessary rotary motion to the shell, which would enable the pro-
jectile to be fired with far greater accuracy than by the present method
whereby no rifling is given to the projectile.
The advantages I claim for my Invention or principle are, first, that the
guns may be taken to pieces and carried by infantry or cavalry to points where

page_text: the ordinary gun could not be taken: That it can be put together in a few
minutes, and used against the enemy from a point where they least expect
a fire from artillery: That in case of having to retire the gun can be taken
apart and removed with little trouble by a route which the enemy. could not
follow without they had similar artillery: In case of being closely pursued,
and having to leave the guns without taking them apart, any portion of the
gun being removed, it would render them useless to the enemy.
.
Secondly, that such guns may be made at about the same cost as other
guns of same material.
3rdly, that the principle is applicable to guns of any size.
4thly, that the rod I propose using may be applied to any of the old smooth-
bore cast-iron or brass guns, or to guns which have been rifled, by boring
out the rifles and introducing a tube, if it was desirable to bring them to
same calibre as they were originally.
5thly, I combine all the good effects of both the smooth-bore and the rifle
without having the defects of the latter, for in all systems of rifling yet put
in practice the rifled gun is weaker than a smooth-bore of the same calibre
and metal, because the angles made by the rifling are initials of fractures,
and thereby injure the gun very seriously.
6thly, I am also enabled to give precise direction to the shot when it leaves.
the gun on account of two comparatively unresisting metals coming in contact
without much friction, and no deviation from the course directed, by the giving
of the shot more on side than the other as it passes over its last diameter
from the muzzle. On account of the gun being a smooth-bore there is less
friction, and the weight of projectile not resting entirely on the bottom of bore,
but being supported partly by the rod, I claim that a greater momentum may
be gained with a smaller charge, and consequently with less strain to gun.
There will be no difficulty in regard to fouling or stripping; the rod may be
removed, oiled, or adjusted, the bore properly cleaned and cooled by a
current of air passing through it. In case of accident the rod may be
immediately taken out and a plug put in its place, and the gun, with the
same shot or any shot of same calibre as the gun, used as a smooth-bore.
The principle of building up my gun is different from that of Mons Megat
Edinburgh Castle, or that of Armstrong, Whitworth, Blakely, or Palliser, as
those guns are in one mass when finished. It is an entirely different principle
from Mallet's; his mortar is in sections, but has no thin inner tube. The
thin inner tube has not been used because the theory has been that it will not
stand the strain of a full charge, much less the test which would be required
before its use by Government in the army and navy.
I make, proper

page_text: allowance for the expansion of the metal or metals, and I assume that the
expansion by heat from the explosion of the powder will make the contact
more perfect than the forcing proposed by Blakely or Palliser.
To adapt the principle to a breech-loading gun I place a shackle formed
of two arms, the ends of which are eyed to fit over or on to the trunnions;
the breech end of this shackle is made to correspond to the shape of the gun,
having a female screw tapped therein, into which the breech plug works,
forcing a metal cartridge into the chamber up to the internal tube; in order
to load the gun it is only necessary slightly to unscrew the plug, when the
shackle can be raised and thrown back over the gun to permit of the inser-
tion of the projectile and metal cartridge, after which it is again to be
brought into position and screwed up to the tube.
The cartridge is to be made of copper, aluminium bronze, or some other
soft metal similar to the Maynard cartridge, except that instead of the small
hole at base, there is a tube made of steel or iron running through the
cartridge, with a base nearly the diameter of the cartridge; the tube tapering
is hollow, with a common gun nipple screwed to the base, sunk in below the
face; the charge of slow powder is placed around this tube; the tube is filled
with quick rifle powder, a common cap is placed on the nipple, the cartridge
introduced, and forced home by the screw working through the collar; there
is a rod lock which bursts the cap; the rifle powder acting first from base of
projectile moves it before the slow powder commences burning in the chamber,
and less strain is the result. The projectile is similar to the first described,
except the time fuse or percussion rod is in centre instead of the side, on
account of no hole being through the shell.
I propose, if desired, to construct the body of the carriage in such manner
that it shall sustain the gun without the aid of trunnions. This is accom-
plished by forming two segmental slotson each side of the carriage as far apart
as may be convenient; the gun is inserted into two rings working loose,
haying trunnions thereon, which trunnions pass-through the slots, and are held
in position by means of tightening screws; by these means the gun may be
elevated or depressed as desired,and fixed accordingly. To obviate the effects
of the recoil I propose to apply india-rubber or metal springs, either in the
form of a ring or rings, or a band or other, convenient method behind the
breech, in order that the gun may recoil against the elastic material, and be
brought forward again by the resistance of the rubber; or I propose to adopt
a spiral spring on each side of the gun, a projection from the gun closing the
spring by the recoil; the spring bears against the trunnioned ring which
supports the rear.end of the gun, or against a portion of the carriage; I also

page_text: filed by the said Alexander Keene Richards in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 30th December 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
KEENE RICHARDS, of Berners Street, Oxford Street, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alexander Keene Richards, Her special licence that I, the said
Alexander Keene Richards, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Alexander Keene Richards, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term t!.erein 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 ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
PROJECTILES TO BE USED THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alexander Keene Richards, my executors 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 Alexander Keene Richards, 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 :-
My Invention consist of a new method of constructing guns and mortars
for field service in such manner that they may be taken to pieces or put
together in a few minutes, each piece being of so light a weight that the
sections of a six-pounder may be easily carried off the field by a single infantry
or cavalry soldier. I construct these guns or mortars so that they will be

page_text: equally, as strong as any of the service guns now in use, the principle of the
Invention being applicable to guns or mortars of any size for naval guns'or;
seige purposes.
I construct the guns so that they may be used as muzzle-loaders orbreech-
loaders at pleasure or only as muzzle-loaders. They may be rifled according
to any approved method, or they may be smooth-bored, or a rod may be.
introduced in the smooth-bore for the purpose of giving the projectile.ar
rotary motion. This has been suggested, and I claim no novelty in it.
The carriage is so constructed that it may be also taken to pieces, and
each section is to be made light in proportion to the gun used. The lock-
for firing the gun from the breech is one in which an ordinary percussion.
cap (now used in the army for small arms) is employed, ard I
propose with
this lock to fire the cartridge from the centre or any part of it that may be.
desired, by forcing into the cartridge the point of the lock, which is made of
steel, plated or not with platinum, or of platinum only. This point may have
any number of holes in it for the purpose of the escape of fire when the cap
is exploded. The construction of this lock is new; it it fires the powder from
any point desired; it entirely obviates the difficulty of renewing, the vents,
as no escape of gas can
take place from the vent by the use of this lock, which:
also renders the gun stronger at that point than guns fired by the ordinary
vent; and by the use of the dead plug (hereafter described) when removing..
the lock for firing, the gun is not liable to go off prematurely, as is the case
where the ordinary vent is used by careless gunners. The cartridge is always.
fired with more certainty, the vent is not liable to admit dampness to the
cartridge, when this lock and dead plug are used.
the use of quill tubes in the navy, which are used because the particles of the
friction tube of copper scattered upon deck would cut the gunners' feet; when
this lock is used each exploded cap can be taken from the lock and thrown;
into a waste box close at hand. This lock is applicable to any kindof ordnance;-
it may be applied to the ordinary service iron or. brass guns, at a very trifling.
expence, and without in any way injuring them, in case it should be desired to.
again fire such guns with the old vent. 'The lock is peculiarly well suited
to the Armstrong gun, and it may be used in that gun without rendering
the breech plugs unfit for use in the way they were formerly used. In case
the lock should get out of order the gun may be fired by a portfire, or by a
friction tube used with a plug, described hereafter.
This lock will obviate
My Invention also relates to the construction of a shell or projectile to be
fired from my gun or from any other. This shell is so constructed that it
may be easily taken to pieces in a short time, and put together again without

page_text: risk. The shell may be used with any approved time fuze. The concussion
rod may be arranged to be forced through a thin metallic collar, or the needle
may be arranged with a coiled spring, so that it would go off more easily, for
when the pins are blown out there is nothing to prevent the pin going down
except the spring. What I use for igniting the charge is a composition which
will throw out fire when the needle pierces it, it consists of chlorate of potash,
1 oz.; sulphate of antimony, 1 oz.; sulphur oz., with water sufficientt o
keep it moist; the ordinary detonating powder may however be used.
I will now proceed to describe my Invention with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, in which, at Sheet 1, Fig. 1, I shew a section of a gun
made on my principle; this gun is a breech-loader, but may also be loaded
from the muzzle; Fig. 2 shows an elevation of the same gun; and Fig. 3, a
section through the line A, B, of Fig. 1. a represents an inner tube; b, b
the voussoirs or staves surrounding the tube; these voussoirs are made of
homogeneous metal, iron, or steel, or other strong metal; and c, are rings
enclosing the staves and tubes, these rings extending from end to end of the
gun; d, d, are the trunnions, in two pieces, held together by two rings. I
prefer the tube to be made of homogeneous metal, but it may be made of
any suitable iron, steel, gun metal, or sterro metal. The tube may be bored
out of solid metal, or lap-welded, using two or more sheets welded at opposite
points, so as to break joint. The tube may be electro-plated or coated on the
outside with zinc, in order to prevent corrosion of the inner part of the barrel,
and also ensure the fittings of the outer metal to the tube, and so likewise
may be rifled or smooth-bored, as desired, and is so arranged that it may have
room to expand longitudinally when heated. The rings are to be wrought
iron, steel, cast iron, gun metal, or sterro metal, but I prefer making them of
homogeneous hoop iron rolled round in a coil like ribbou until the proper
thickness is attained, and then brazing them together and coating them with
gun metal by electro-deposition or by the application of molten metal to maké
a more perfect surface, and prevent corrosion. In this way I get all the
strength of each layer of the hoops without the risk of a running fracture of
rings, one over the other breaking joint. In very large guns there may be a
series, and the outer rings may be of cast iron. The voussoirs or staves are
to resist the longitudinal strain, and the rings the tangential or bursting
strain; the difference of dimensions between the staves and rings should
be in accordance with the strength of metal used, the longitudinal strength
of ordinary guns always been excess. The rings and staves are not
intended to grasp the tube with any degree of compression, but are to
have a proper degree of adjustment, so that they may be removed easily.

page_text: The muzzle end of the tube is furnished with a screw thread to receive a
ring (e), having about fourteen cavities cut thereon for the insertion of the
small extremities fof the staves, as shewn in the section, Fig. 3. The staves
have screw threads cut at the breech end for the purpose of screwing on the
breech piece (g), which has a thread cut on its narrow end for the attachment
of the tightening washer screw h. A projection i is formed on two or more
of the staves; these projections enter the trunnions d, d, which are made in
two parts, strengthened and held together by the rings 1, l. The trunnions
are brought to these projections from opposite ends of the staves, and then the
rings are likewise arranged successively, according to the number they are
marked with, so as to form the proper external taper forin of the gun, the last
ring at the muzzle being secured and tightened up by the screw ring m. The
last ring on the staves at the breech end c is screwed on for the purpose of
keeping the rings in position. The breech piece may be made up of staves
and rings, and taken to pieces; (g¹) is a projection on breech piece to prevent
last ring from falling off; n shews the plug of the gun, which should be
made of homogeneous metal, wrought iron faced with copper or platinum;
o, p, is a backing or ring of india-rubber, lead, or copper, or other suitable
substance to lessen the shock of the discharge; the ring is allowed to expand
in the space p'; q shews another ring of india-rubber in the space q¹, which is
intended to prevent any gas escaping from the waste chamber q¹ when the
plug moves back by the shock of the discharge. The tube at its junction with
the plug is made larger by slightly tapering it towards the breech in order
that the plug may not jamb on account of the expansion of the copper, and be
able to be withdrawn easily, and the copper or platinum face is made of a
dished form at the circumference in order that its edges shall fit closely against
the surface of the tube. The rod lock is shewn inserted in the breech of the
gun, and an enlarged view is represented in section at Fig. 4. a is the outer
case or tube, made of steel, iron, or gun metal; containing the hammer or
plunger b, surrounded by the spiral spring c; d is the nipple to receive tho
cap; e is the tapering point of the lock, made of steel plated with platinum,
or steel alone, having an aperture of therein, terminating in two or more
openings at or near g, for the fire to pass through when the cap is discharged;
the spring bears on shoulder in tube at h; the front of the lock is provided
with an arrangement of parts for holding the hammer at half and full cock,
and for releasing it and preventing it from flying back from the nipple at the
moment of discharge; i, i, shew to discs or sides, held together by the inter-
vention of a ring k; l is a piu or stop, working in a slot between the discs;
this pin can be moved by aid of the projecting button m, shewn also in Fig. 5,

page_text: which is a front or partly sectional view of the method; l' is a similar stop, but
it is actuated or pressed upon by the spring n, which continually forces it
against the hammer rod b Now when the rod is drawn out a short distance
to half cock, the stop is pressed by the finger into a hole cut in the rod, so
as to fix or hold the rod in such position; when it is desired to draw the rod
out to full cock, the stop is raised accordingly, and again pressed into another
opening in the rod. And in order to discharge the lock, a ring with cord is
attached to the button m, when, by means of the string or cord, the stop bolt
is withdrawn, and the hammer instantly strikes the percussion cap, and fires
the powder from the platinum point; at this instant the spring forces the lower
stop into a cavity cut under the rod, and prevents its recoil. This lower
stop must be released by the button m before the rod can be again withdrawn.
The tube is discontinued at the part o, and is an open extension to connect
the nipple and point with the tube; this space enables the cap to be placed
and removed, and to prevent the particles of the cap broken off by the
explosion from jamming or interfering with the withdrawal of the lock from
the breech, I protect or enclose the open part o with the small perforated
sliding tube p. The perforations allow of the escape of the gas, which passes
out through the vent 7, shewn in Fig. 1, cut through the plug and one of the
rings. The two projections p¹, p², on the tube serve to secure the sliding tube
from coming off the lock. The portion of the lock containing the bolts and
spring may be enclosed by a protecting outer case to preserve the parts from
dirt and wet. The lock can be carried in a case like a rifle, telescope with
the caps, dead plug, wrench, and extra springs. The plunger of the lock is
prevented from turning by means of steadying pins, or it may be made of an
oval or square section. The friction tube may consist of the lock without the
rod, but with an aperture the side of the ordinary vent in which the friction
tube, is placed. The dead plug is to be introduced in the vent when the lock
is.removed for capping. This plug may be made so that by a rod running
through it it may be made to tighten in the face of the plug; the end of the
dead, plug being a tube, by screwing up. the internal rod, the point of the
tube, becomes enlarged where it enters the copper face. This tube may be
used for firing the gun by Stathan's galvanic fusee, and in this manner the
charge may be fired through its whole longitudinal diameter at the same time.
by having the point of the lock tube to extend the whole length of the charge,
the internal bore of the point being filled with fine quick powder to escape
through the sides of the tapering point from a number of small openings cut
therein. This plan may also be the adopted when the percussion.cap is used.
In adopting the lock to the Armstrong gun it will not be necessary to fill up.

page_text: the old vent, as the lock will block it up. The screw threads for the attach-
ment of the rod lock may be so arrauged as to require only a slight movement
to force it home; it is then screwed in the plug at the rear of the gun, in
order that it may recoil with the plug..
.
Fig. 6, Sheet 2, shews a section of part of a muzzle-loader made on my
principle. In this case the voussiors or staves b, b, are extended in one piece
as shewn, to form a breech, instead of being made in two parts screwed
together, as in the case of the breech-loader. n shews the plug of the gun
backed by a layer of india-rubber p. The rod lock should be provided with a
screw thread near its front end for fixing it in the muzzle-loader.
Fig. 7 shews an elevation of part of a gun made on my principle, with the
breech capable of being suspended by means of the slided jointed bars a,
which work in dovetailed grooves cut in the sides of the gun; the breech is
set in a ring ; this ring is let in between two of the main rings, as shewn in
dotted lines, so that the breech may be unscrewed and detached, when the rods
will be withdrawn, and the joints will then allow of the breech being lowered
down; it is controlled and raised again by means of the hand for small guns,
and by a block and tackle for large oues. The gun may be constructed of
tubes only, instead of tubes, rings, and staves; the principle to be observed is
to make each respective tube meet at a point between its initial of elasticity
and point of rupture, in which case the tubes may be easily separated after
firing, in the same manner as if the gun were made of rings and staves
enclosing the tube. So also a tube may be substituted for the staves to resist
the longitudinal strain. The rings may all be made with an internal recess or
projection thereon corresponding with similar recesses or projections on the
staves or tube, with a projection brazed thereon to prevent the rings from
turning. I prefer to make projections on the rings, since the recesses might
form initials of fracture; small guns may be made without the staves by
having the tube strong enough to cut a thread on it and screw on the breech,
or the breach may be forged on solid. The tubes may be made of homo-
geneous lap-welded metal, or Krupp's steel, and electro-coated with zinc; or
they may be bored out of solid metal, or cast of steel. If cast iron, the inner
tube may be just thick enough to resist fracture by the passage of the projectile.
Mortars on my principle may be constructed by slipping one tube over the
other and bolting them together by a breech piece.
In Sheet 3, Fig. 8 represents a longitudinal section of my improved shell.
a is the conical head of the projectile, into which the screw b is turned, for the
purpose of attaching the middle and rear portions of theishell,consisting of the
cellular spaces cand d radiating from the centre, and shown in the transverse

page_text: .section, Fig. 9, the chambers or cells c. c, being filled with powder, and
those d, d, with slugs, of such form as to fill and fit the cells; e, e, are
ducts or orifices running from the centre of the shell from the hollow
circular space f filled with powder; g is an iron casing, held firmly in
position by its wedge-shaped edges entering a recess in the head and rear of
the shell h, tightened up by the screw and nut i. These cells and rings are of
lead, and are inserted one by one into the shell, the bottom of one forming the
top of the next, the cells containing the powder coming alternately over those
containing the slugs. k is a papier maché external covering, rendered incom-
bustible by tungstic acid and soda. The striking face of the shell is formed
like a punch m, containing a quick fuse n in the bore o, communicating with
powder p; two pins q, q, are inserted to prevent the needle or rod striking the
fulminating powder, and these pins prevent the accidental receding of the
punch-headed needle m into the spaces r, r, formed in the head of the shot.
It will be observed that the rod m³ is continued by a smaller or needle pointed
'rod passing completely down the space f, at the bottom of which, at s, is a
composition previously described, or some other powder capable of being
ignited by the friction of the needle; this is not placed in the shell until it is
ready to be fired, and such is also the case with the powder for blowing out
the pins.
The action of this projectile is as follows:-When it is discharged from a gun
the fuse ignites at the muzzle and speedily reaches the powder in the space o;
the powder exploding forces out the pins q and leaves the punch head, when
the projectile is from 200 to 300 yards from the gun, free to recede at the
moment of striking an object; but in order to prevent the rod from being liable
to recede to any extent by the mere pressure or resistance of the air, I fill in
the space with wax, and cover it with an annular plate of thin zinc t, or tin,
or other thin metal, the wax being also applied to the exterior 11. This wax
also prevents the powder which blows out the pins from discharging the
shell by the flame reaching past the rod. When the projectile strikes, the
punch is driven in through the cover and wax, and the needle rod ignites
the powder, firing and exploding the whole series of cells at once, bursting the
shell and scattering the slugs in all directions.
Fig. 10 shows a modification of the method of controlling the rod. a' is a
hollow plug of lead inserted in the head of the shot; the rod on striking forces
out the lead and recedes, firing the charge as before described.
Fig. 11 is a view, partly in section, of the wheel of a gun carriage; Fig. 12,
a section of the boss; and Fig. 13, a section of the rim. The gun carriage
itself being shown in elevation at Sheet 4, Fig. 14. This gun carriage is so

page_text: made, that the body and wheels may be taken to pieces and put together in a
short space of time; and the separate portions are thus rendered easily port-
able, like the gun itself. The framework ȧ of the carriage is made of angle
iron bolted together where necessary; b, b, are two uprights forming sliding
bearings for the boxes c, c', which are so made as to extend over the edges of
the bearing surfaces of the angle iron, as shewn, in order to retain them in
their bearings; the upper box c serves to contain and support the trunnion of
the gun, the lower box c¹ the axle box of the wheels of the carrriage; d, e, are
alternate layers or sheets of india-rubber and iron, forming springs for the
boxes C, cl; f is a quadrant bar joined at g under the breech portion of the
gun.
This bar extends downwards in the manner shewn, and so that
the teeth cut thereon shall come into gear with a pinion set in bearings i on
the lower frame; k is a shaft turned in bearings, bolted inside the fiame by
means of the handle l; m is a worm at the lower end of the shaft; this worm
gears into a worm wheel on the shaft of the pinion h, and consequently
operates upon the teeth of the quadrant, causing the elevation or depression
of the gun, as desired. The form of trail of the carriage is shown by the part
a¹, shewn detached or broken off, the part a* of the frame a, space not
allowing the whole to be drawn entire.
In Fig. 11, Sheet 3, a, a, represent the form of hollow spokes I adopt in
this Invention; when placed together they are secured by a detaining ring b,b,
on each side of the boss, as shewn in the section, Fig. 12, and the pins 6¹,
and india-rubber tyre or band 62; c is the axle box, formed, by preference,
of Kingston or Babbitts' metal. The felloes g of the wheel have at each inner
extremity a projection d, d, so that, when put together, each pair of these
projections become respectively one spoke, as shown in the Drawing; e is a
coupling pin inserted through the outside of the felloe, obliquely through
the tube and spoke, and finally through the detaining ring f, so as to hold
the parts securely together.
Fig. 13 shews the form (by a section) of the felloe g, grooved out with an
oblong square channel, this is for the purpose of retaining the india-rubber
tyre h, encircling the wheel and holding the coupling pins e firmly down. The
india-rubber tyre, projecting beyond the metallic flanges of the tyre, serves to
deaden the sound of the motion of the carriage, and enables the gun to be
conveyed from place to place without noise and risk of surprise, when it would
be impossible to convey guns on the ordinary carriages. The cartridges for
my guns will be made, by preference, of papier maché, rendered inco:nbustible
by tungstic acid and soda, and are to be fired from the rear by the needle of
the rod lock penetrating through an aperture at the rear of the cartridge,

page_text: protected by a covering of thin waterproof incombustible paper. The
cartridges are waterproof and made so strong that they are not liable to
break up or lose the powder. The carriage for field guns may be made
somewhat similar to the ordinary mountain howitzer carriage, excepting that
the shafts make the trail by elevating and depressing them. The carriage, as
shewn in the Drawing, is for a gun weighing 1 ton 5 cwt., and is arranged
for attaching to limber; it may be either bracket or block trail. The carriage
may be arranged for traversing by a traversing screw, or it may be turned
by a traversing handspike. The plan of my carriage admits of greater
elevation and depression than the ordinary field-gun carriage, which is very
important in mountain service. The caissons or ammunition waggons may
be made in sections, the body being of angle plates.
Fig. 15 shows an elevation, and Fig. 16 a plan view, partly in section, of a
carriage to be used where the guns are very large, and the recoil becomes too
great if the ordinary carriage is used. The carriage is made of boiler plate or
angle iron in sections. The arrangement for elevating and depressing is
peculiarly applicable to very large guns, one man being able to sight, elevate,
and depress the gun himself, and very rapidly, which is very important in a
naval engagement. The height of the carriage will protect the gunners from
the shots of sharpshooters coming through the ports. The gun may be
traversed by any approved method. The Drawings represent the gun with
the trunnion 6, not being fixed to the gun; c represents a cradle in two parts,
placed on the gun and held together by a screw washer d. By this arrange-
ment it will follow that the recoil will not have any strain on the metal of the
gun at the trunnions, but the whole strain will be transferred to the breech.
This arrangement may be applied to any kind of gun, whether a solid cast
gun, or built-up gun, or sectional gun. The Drawing shows a pinion on a
'shaft f, around which is a worm wheel, actuated by the endless screw g,
working in a block h; i is a segmental grooved rack for the pinion to rise
and fall by its rotation." The shaft raises the gun, and the gun lowers
itself by falling with the shaft. This elevating gearing may be fixed within
the tubes, if desired; 6 represents au india-rubber band (of which two are
used); these bands are attached to the front of the gun, and to a staple
fixed on deck, whereby the recoil is lessened.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I would remark in conclusion that I do
not limit myself to the precise details and configuration of parts herein ex-
pressed and shewn, as the same may of course be varied and modified without
in any way departing from the principles on which my Invention is based; but

page_text: I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein in part recited Letters
Patent, the construction of guns and mortars according to the methods.
herein specified, so as to render them available in places where guns of like
calibre, never have been used before. Mallett does not propose in his
mortars to make them in such small portions or sections as to be easily
handled or carried by men, and his mortar has no thin inner tube to pre-
vent the escape of gas between the sections.
I claim not only making my guns in sections, but making them according
to a method never before suggested. I am aware that guns to take to pieces.
after firing, and then to be put together again, have been suggested many
years before Mallet's mortar was built. Mallet's mortar has no thin inner tube.
Palliser's experimental gun, carrying a one-and-a-half pound ball, had an inner
tube, which might be removed, but it was placed in a tube, and not in staves
and rings. Whitworth's inner tube was in sections runing longitudinally.
I claim the general construction of guns, and the method specified herein
of forming the tubes applicable to guns, including this application of Russell's
Patent, of lap-welded tubes, and also the rings as described applicable to my
guns, especially those of homogeneous hoop iron in a coil, braced, or by casting
molten metal over it, or electro-coating the same to resist corrosion.
I claim the construction of the rod lock, substantially as herein specified,
and its application not only to my guns, but to some others to which it may
be found suitable, such as Armstrong's.
I claim the construction of the gun carriage and wheels, substantially as
and for the purposes herein specified.
I claim the construction of shells or projectiles, substantially as described and
illustrated in Sheet 3, Figs. 8, 9, and 10, or any mere modification thereof.
I claim the method of constructing the cartridge, and rendering it incom-
bustible, so as to prevent it from burning in the gun, as described.
I claim the method herein described and shewn, of so constructing a field
gun in sections, that each part may be removed in a few moments, and
carried by one person. Large guns also to be in such sections that any of
them may be removed, and carried by infantry soldiers alone, without the
aid of horses or other power, into positions where guns of other construc-
tion could not possibly be conveyed.
My principal claim is that a thin tube may form the bore of a gun, that it will
resist final fracture on account of its being braced on every side by metal which
will prevent its expanding sufficiently to fracture, that at the time ofits expan-
sion it is met by the metal around it, and prevented from expauding to its ulti-
mate limit of elasticity, or to the point of rupture. In other words I surround

page_text: this thin inner tube which forms the bore (either smooth or rifled) with
ings, tubes, or staves of any suitable material, which will meet and hold
firmly the tube between its initial of elasticity and point of rupture. This
point of meeting will be such that it will allow the outer sections to be
easily removed from the tube. The inner tube being thin, will always be
light enough for one man to carry in small field guns. When the gun is
very large, this tube might be made in sections, and put together with a
sliding joint, not by screws. The different sections of the tube to be kept
in place by pressure from muzzle and breech.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Keene Richards, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
ALEX. PRINCE,
Patent Office,
4, Trafalgar Square,
Charing Cross.
A. KEENE RICHARDS. (L.s.)