IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED OR AFFIXED THERETO
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Gazzam Butler, Lieutenant of Ordnance,
Fortress Monroe, in the United States of America, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED
OR AFFIXED THERETO."
Sealed the 8th November 1872, and dated the 17th May 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Gazzam Butler at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 17th May 1872.
I, JOHN GAZZAM BUTLER, Lieutenant of Ordnance, Fortress Monroe,
in the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE
APPLIED OR AFFIXED THERETO," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvement in projectiles for rifled guns of
all calibres, and provides a superior projectile in each of the three
principal classes of projectiles, namely, the expanding (muzzle-loading),
the stud (muzzle-loading), and the compressing (breech-loading). In
cach of these classes my Invention provides a rotating device identical

page_text: in principle and method of action, and differing only in this, that in the
expanding and compressing projectile this device is generally continuous,
encircling the projectile in the form of a double-lipped ring or band,
consisting of lead or other metal, or other suitable material which would
answer the same purpose, while in the stud projectile the same device is
broken by spaces corresponding to the number and width of the lands.
My Invention consists in applying to the main body of projectiles by
any suitable mode of attachment, either a continuous circular band or
segments of such a band constituting studs, having a hinder slit which
divides to a certain distance the said band, segments, or studs into an
upper and lower lip. An even and rapid distribution of the gas of dis-
charge is thus ensured about the rotating device, the upper lip is
expanded evenly into the grooves of the gun, while the lower lip of each
band, or segment, or stud is pressed down upon the projectile by the
same force.
Thus, the more violent the pressure or force of discharge
the more firmly will the rotating device hug the body of the projectile,
hence, stripping is effectually avoided. The lower lip moreover serves
as a perfect "gas check," preventing the entrance of gas between itself
and the projectile, which is an additional guard against stripping, as well
as breaking of the projectile.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Gazzam Butler in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th November 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
GAZZAM BUTLER, Lieutenant of Ordnance, Fortress Monroe, in the
United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of May, 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 John Gazzam Butler, Her special
licence that I, the said John Gazzam Butler, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Gazzam Butler,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter

page_text: 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 "In-
PROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED OR AFFIXED
THERETO," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Gazzam Butler, 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 John Gazzam Butler, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
-
My Invention relates to improvements in projectiles for rifled guns of
all calibres, and provides a superior projectile in each of the three
principal classes of projectiles, namely, the expanding (muzzle-loading),
the stud (muzzle-loading), and the compressing (breech-loading). In
each of these classes my Invention provides a rotating device identical
in principle and method of action, and differing only in this, that in the
expanding and compressing projectile this device is generally continuous,
encircling the projectile in the form of a double-lipped ring or band,
5 while in the stud projectile the same device is broken by spaces corre-
sponding to the number and width of the lands.
My Invention consists in constructing the bodies of projectiles, and in
applying to them by any suitable mode of attachment, either a con-
tinuous circular band, or segments of such a band constituting studs,
having a posterior slit which divides to a certain distance the said band,
segments, or studs into an upper and lower lip. An even and rapid dis-
tribution of the gas of discharge is thus ensured about the rotating
device, the upper lip is expanded evenly into the grooves of the gun,
while the lower lip of each band, segment, or stud is pressed down upon
5 the projectile by the same force. Thus, the more violent the pressure or
force of discharge the more firmly will the rotating device hug the body
of the projectile, hence stripping is effectually avoided. The lower lip

page_text: moreover serves as a perfect "gas check," preventing the entrance of
gas between itself and the projectile, which is an additional guard against
stripping, as well as breaking of the projectile.
In order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I proceed to
describe it by the aid of the Drawings annexed, in which corresponding
letters denote corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2, a rear view of one of my
expanding projectiles with my double-lipped ring, partly in section,
screwed and keyed upon it.
Figure 3 is a projectile with my double-lipped ring differently 1
attached.
Figure 4 shows a projectile with my expanding device attached in the
form of segments, one of which is shown in section; Figure 5 is a rear
view of this projectile.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a compressing (breech-loading) pro- 1
jectile with my double-lipped ring and front bearing segments partly in
section; Figure 7 is a rear view of this projectile.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of my double-lipped or expanding stud
projectile with one stud in section, and a stud and part of projectile in
perspective, Figure 9 being a rear view thereof.
2
Referring to Figure 1, A indicates the body of the projectile, and B
my double-lipped band applied thereto. A male screw thread is cut
upon the projectile, and a corresponding female screw thread on the
inner surface of the annular band. E is the annular slit, groove, or
channel between the two lips of the band, and may be cast or cut in as 2
may be preferred. The band being screwed upon the body of the pro-
jectile, metallic keys k, k, Figure 2, are inserted into holes or slots in
the end of the projectile, as shown at ¹ (Figure 1), for the purpose of
preventing the band from turning or slipping on the projectile, the
occurrence of which would diminish the effect of the "twist."
3
In Figure 3 the band is shewn attached by being cast upon the pro-
jectile, or in large calibres it is easier to place the band in the mould,
and cast the projectile upon it. D, D, and G are offsets from the
beveled shoulder F, the same forming a series of connected cells, or one
groove of varying depth around the projectile, to which the band con- 3

page_text: forms, thus ensuring its firm attachment to the projectile, and preventing
the independent motion of the band; O is the upper, and P, the lower
lip of the annular band; E is the opening between the lips, designed to
receive the powder gas, which is instantly and evenly distributed around
said opening or annular groove; S, T, is a beveled junction, straight or
curved, of the band and projectile.
The material of the double-lipped band may be any ductile and tough
metal, but in practice a proportion of copper 25 and tin 1 has been
found to give excellent results.
The practical operation of this projectile is as follows:-The projectile
being loaded without respect to the grooving of the gun, and the gun
discharged, the powder gas is quickly and evenly distributed around the
annular channel E, and the upper lip O is evenly and uniformly ex-
panded into the grooves of the gun, whereby the desired rotation is
communicated to the projectile. While however the upper lip is freely
expanded into the rifling of the gun, and performs its duty of com-
municating the twist of said rifling to the projectile, the lower lip P is
pressed upon the body of the projectile with an intensity proportionate to
the force of discharge, and thus stripping is rendered impossible except
through gross defects of material or workmanship. The beveled sur-
face S, T, is an additional precaution against the breaking of the
projectile, the lower lip P serving as a "gas check," being a chief pre-
ventive in this respect, as has been explained. Suppose the upper lip
to be distended by the discharge, the material of the band folds or upsets
to some extent upon itself, and what pressure obtains upon S, T, being
normal to it, it is better able to withstand without giving way. More-
over the angle at S is very strong, and in pressures of great violence the
softer metal of the band would ride up on the beveled surface S, T, rather
than break the projectile.
In Figure 4 I divide my double-lipped annular band into segments.
A front series of these segments may also be arranged, each front seg-
ment being placed opposite one of the intervals separating the rear
segments. The Drawing represents my double-lipped band applied in
front. The gun being discharged, the gas which escapes through
windage" is utilized in the expansion of the front band or segments;.
the projectile is thus centred, and rotated front as well as rear. The
respective duties of the upper and lower lips are the same as before
66

page_text: explained, but in this case it is necessary to secure the segments by
dovetails and undercuts, a method of attachment which I find it con-
venient to employ, but do not claim to have invented. The most
convenient way to manufacture these projectiles is probably to prepare
the segments first, pack the groove or opening E with sand, place them
in position in the mould, and then cast the projectile. This is an
expanding projectile suited only to a many grooved gun. As will be
seen in the Drawing the projectile tapers from its full diameter near
the base to the bottom of the grooves in the front band.
In Figure 6 my "compressing" or breech-loading projectile is shewn.
The double-lipped annular band B is here seen to exceed the projectile
very slightly in diameter. The object of this is to approximately
"centre" the projectile in the chamber of the gun, which is of course
somewhat larger than the bore. This band is also some distance from
the base of the projectile, a position in which it is guarded in a measure
from damage in transportation or rough handling, as, the projectile
falling upon its base the band would be uninjured. On the front end
of this projectile beveled segments M are secured by undercuts, and
rise above the surface of the shot just sufficiently to fit tightly in the
bore of the gun, and take a faint impression of the rifling as the pro-
jectile is forced through it. These segments should be of brass or bronze,
and are preferred to a continuous band as being more easily applied than
a band of brass, and as allowing a desirable amount of windage. A
simple bearing band of lead, common to breech-loading projectiles, is
still more easily applied, though susceptible to damage in handling.
The operation of this projectile is as follows:-Being loaded in the
chamber it is pushed forward until the front bearing or centreing seg-
ments M stop against the shoulder formed by the rifling of the bore,
then insert the cartridge as usual. The gun being fired, the first effect
of the discharge is to expand the upper lip against the walls of the
chamber, thus centreing the projectile (the front end of which is already
centred by jambing slightly in the bore) at once, and before it enters
the rifled part of the bore. The projectile is thus started true, and as
the base of the projectile passes from the chamber into the bore of the
gun, the upper lip is compressed by the lesser diameter of the rifling,
and a fair impression of the same taken upon it, by which the rotation of
the projectile is effected. As the projectile is forced through the bore
all injurious strains are avoided, as there is a yielding and elastic cushion

page_text: Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention,
and its application to the three great classes of rifle projectiles, I declare
that I claim,—
Firstly. The construction of projectiles or the bodies of projectiles with
apertures, recesses, or spaces for the reception of double-lipped rings,
bands, or segments, as described and shewn.
Secondly. The split, slitted, or double-lipped annular band B applied to
a projectile, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Thirdly. The split, slitted, or double-lipped annular band B attached to
the projectile by means of the screw threads X and the metallic keys K,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourthly. The split, slitted, or double-lipped segments B', substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Fifthly. The split, slitted, or double-lipped studs B", substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
And, Sixthly. I claim the beviled segments G on breech-loading pro-
jectiles, substantially as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Gazzam Butler, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, One thou-
sand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witnesses,
WILLIAM ADAMS,
EDWARD J. M°ELROY.
JOHN GAZZAM BUTLER, (L.S.)
Lieut. of Ord.,
U. S. Army.