IMPROVE- MENTS IN CARTRIDGES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International Patent
Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CARTRIDGES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
A communication from abroad by Timothy James Powers, of the City,
County, and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 9th April 1867, and dated the 23rd October 1866.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 23rd October 1866, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARTRIDGES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME," and have
petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and
A

page_text: Assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn
Declaration that it has been communicated to me from abroad by Timothy
James Powers, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States
of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings making part of this
Specification :-
My improved machinery for making metallic case cartridges embraces
distinct machinery for performing the following successive processes or stages
in the manufacture.
First, for cutting out and cupping the metallic cases or shells for the
cartridges.
Second, for drawing or elongating the cups in forming the cases or shells.
Third, for forming the bases or projecting the flanges of the cases or shells
to receive the fulminate for exploding the cartridges.
Fourth, for priming the cases or shells with fulminate.
Fifth, for feeding the powder and inserting and securing the bullets ins
the cases or shells.
The first part of my machinery has the following principal elements :-A
punch and die for cutting out the blanks from sheet metal, and a male and
female die for cupping. The cutting punch also operates in combination
with the cutting die or with the female cupping die to hold the edges of
the blanks during the cupping process to prevent the metals being buckled
or crimped. In order to enable the cutting punch thus to operate, a careful
adjustment is required that the pressure upon the blanks may be sufficient
to hold them smooth without preventing their being drawn into the female
cupping die as fast as is necessary, and that the machine may operate on s
different thicknesses of metal. As there are difficulties in the way of
adjusting the punch I provide for the adjustment of dies, they being arranged
upon a table which is adjustable by means of screws in a direction parallel
with the movements of the punch and male cupping die.
The second part of my machinery receives the cups as formed in the first
part of my machinery and again forces them through a die somewhat smaller
than the first, with a punch which is relatively to the die a little larger than
the cupping punch, by which means the cups are drawn or elongated into a
tube having one end closed. This operation is repeated with other and

page_text: smaller dies and punches until the tubes are made of the desired length and
thickness.
The third part of my machinery has for its principal elements a series of
mandrels placed vertically in a revolving table to receive the tubes formed
in the second part of my machinery, a die into which the tubes are
successively inserted, and a heading punch to press upon the tubes and give
form to bases or projecting flanges for holding the fulminate. This operation
completes the forming of the cases or shells ready to receive the charge.
The fourth part of my machinery contains an apparatus for rotating the
cases or shells to be primed on their axes, whereby the fulminate is projected
and packed into the bases or flanges by centrifugal force, and an apparatus
for measuring out and depositing in each case or shell a uniform quantity of
fulminate for priming the same and for depositing the fulminate in the cases
or shells while the same are rotating on their axes or just before their
rotation.
The fifth part of my machinery contains the following principal elements :-
An automatic device for feeding the cases or shells to the machine; an
automatic device for feeding the gunpowder into the cases or shells; automatic
devices for feeding the bullets to the machine, conducting them to the loaded
cases or shells, depositing them therein, and ramming them down upon the
powder; an automatic device for crimping and closing the cases or shells.
around the bullets; an automatic arrangement for conveying the cases or
shells from the shell-feeding device to the powder-feeding or loading device,
thence to the bullet feeding and inserting device, thence to the crimping
device, and finally to the place of their discharge from the machine. The
cartridge shell feeder consists of a continually rotating horizontal disc and
suitable guides by which the shells are fed and conducted one after another
to the intermittently rotating carrier which conveys them to the powder
feeding the bullet, inserting the crimping and discharging devices. This
carrier consists of a horizontal intermittently rotating disc, and has in its
periphery suitable cavities for the reception of the cases or shells. The
powder feeding device consists of a hopper into which the gunpowder is
placed, and an intermittently rotating disc in which are suitable cavities for
receiving the gunpowder in measured quantities from the hopper, and by
which it is deposited in the cases or shells during the intermissions in the
rotation of the carrier. Between the powder hopper and the measuring and
feeding disc there is a device for preventing the communication of fire
resulting from any accidental explosion of the powder which has left the
hopper or of the charged cases or shells in their subsequent treatment to the

page_text: powder in the hopper. The crimping device has a vertical reciprocating
motion so as to slip down over the bullets, and a contractible die which crimps
or contracts the cases or shells around the bullets, and is the main feature
of the device. The vertically reciprocating slide which carries the crimping
device also carries a punch by which the bullets are inserted into the cases or
shells, and are caused to compress the powder therein, and another punch by
which the cartridges when completed are discharged from the machine.
"
My improvement in the fulminating compound for priming cartridges
consists in the admixture of a suitable quantity of starch with the fulminating
materials. And my improved explosive anvils consist of a compound of
starch and gunpowder in suitable proportions to give hardness and firmness
sufficient to receive the blow of the hammer and explode the fulminate.
Figure 1 of the Drawings represent a vertical section of the first part of
my machinery for making the cartridges. A is the frame of the machine, in
form substantially like that of an ordinary punching press; B is a table fitted
to guides a, a, on the front of the frame A, and adjustable vertically by means
of a supporting screw b. On this table the cutting die c and female cupping
die e are supported; these dies for the sake of convenience are made of one
plate of steel, which has a hole e, Figure 4, cut right through it to form the
female cupping die [and the countersinking of this die] a little way from the
cutting die. The bottom of the countersink is made flat for some distance
from its sides, but toward the central hole or die it is rounded downward, as
shown at 7, 7, Figures 4 and 5, to form an easy passage for the metal into
the said die in the cupping operation. The plate of which the dies c and e
are formed is secured firmly to the table B by two plates I and screws m, m;
there is a hole u in the table B under the dies c, e. d is the cutting punch
having its operating portion of the form necessary for cutting out the blanks,
and secured by a nut f into a socket formed for its reception in the lower
part of a slide C which works in suitable vertical guides 9, 9, secured to the
frame A, and which receives a vertical movement from a cam D on a
horizontal rotating shaft E, which works in bearings in the upper part of the
frame A, and which has motion imparted to it by a belt running on a
pulley F which is fast on its rear end, the said cam operating on antifriction
rollers h, h, arranged within the opening or cavity provided in the said slide
for the reception of the cam, and the cam being of such form as to bring the
punch down quickly, then allow it to rest for some time before raising it.
The punch d is made hollow by boring it through longitudinally for the
reception of the male cupping die i, which fits it snugly, but so as to work
easily through it. The exterior of this die is so much smaller than the

page_text: interior of the female die e as to admit the thickness of metal of which the
walls of the shells or cups are to be made. A partly formed shell is shown
in section in outline in Figure 5. The extremity of the said die i is
sufficiently rounded to prevent its cutting or tearing the blank in the cupping
operation. The said die is secured to the lower part of the slide G, which
works vertically between guides j, j, in the slide C and between the said slide
and the plate H, which is secured to the front of the upper part of the
frame A for the purpose of covering the two slides C and G. The slide G is
operated by a crank wrist or excentric pin K secured to the shaft E, and
working in a box l, which is arranged to slide freely in a horizontal slot l
provided in the same slide. The movement of the slide G relatively to that
of C is such that it will cause the die i to be drawn up with its point above
the bottom of the punch & in its upward motion, and in its downward motion
to be forced down through the bottom of said punch a distance somewhat
greater than the intended depth of the shell or cup. The timing of the
movements of the punch d and die e will be berein-after explained in
describing the operation of the machine. n is a steel plate attached to the
plate I, and extending over the dies c, e, to serve as a stripper to strip off
from the punch d the plate v of copper or other metal from which the blanks
are cut. The latter plate, represented in Figures 3 and 4, is fed under the
said plate n, which prevents it from rising with the punch; this stripper has
provided in it a hole n¹ of such size and so arranged that the punch may pass
freely through it without touching, and on the opposite side of said hole n¹ to
that where the plate is fed to the punch and dies there is a narrow slit n² for
the entrance of the gauge or stop p by which the feeding in of the plate is
regulated. The gauge p consists of a straight upright rod working vertically
through holes in the table B and dies c, e, and furnished some distance below
the said table with two tappet collars p¹, p², between which plays a horizontal
tappet arm g attached to a vertical rod q', which is secured to the punch
slide C, and which passes through a hole in the table B. Under this gauge p
there is arranged a fixed rest for controlling the downward movement of the
gauge. The rest is attached to a vertical rod secured to a set screw 7³,
and adjustable in a socket r³ provided below the table B. s is a stripper for
stripping the cupped shells or cases from the male cupping die i after they
have been formed and forced down by the said die, and entirely through the
female die e; this stripper consists of a flat steel slide fitted to slide
horizontally in a dovetailed groove in the top of the table B and under the
dies c, e, and having its inner end hollowed out to fit against one side of the
male cupping die i. The said stripper has applied to it a spring t, which is

page_text: attached to one of the plates I, and which acts against the projection t' on
the top of the stripper to press it inward, the same projection acting also
against the dies c, e, as a stop to prevent the stripper from being forced in
farther than is necessary. The hollowed-out inner end of the strippers is
beveled upward to enable it to be easily pushed aside by the wedge-like
action upon it of the bottom of the shell or case as the latter is forced
downward through the die e and into the opening of the table by the
descent of the punch i in the cupping operation.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-While the cutting punch d is
in its highest position, shown in Figure 4, the die i rises to its highest position
shown in the same Figure, the gauge p at the same time rising up above the
upper surface of the die c; the plate v from which the blanks are to be cut,
and which is of a width slightly greater than the diameter of the blanks, is
then fed forward into the punch from the opposite side of the die c to that in
which the gauge is situated until it is stopped by the gauge, and the revo-
lution of the main shaft brings down the punch which cuts out the blank,
carries it to the bottom of the die c, and then becomes stationary to hold it
there while the die i descends into the die e to produce the cupping operation.
As the die i descends and forces the metal of the blank into the die e it
gradually draws the edges of the blank from under the punch d toward the
centre, as shown in Figure 5, but the pressure of the punch prevents the
blank from crimping or buckling, and insures the formation of the sides of
the shell or case of a uniform thickness all round. The vertical adjustment
of the table B enables the dies to be so set that the punch will hold the
blank with sufficient pressure, but not so firmly as to prevent it from being
drawn into the die e by the action of the die i; and hence the liability to tear
the blank and waste the stock is obviated. The die i descends not only far
enough to withdraw the blank entirely from the punch and the bottom of the
die c or top of the die e, but far enough to carry the case or shell entirely
through the die e, and below the edge of the stripper 2, which having been
pushed aside by the pressure of the lower part of the shell upon its beveled
inner end is now caused by the pressure of the spring t to slip over the edge
of the case or shell, so that when the die i rises the case or shell will be
prevented from rising with it, and so be stripped off from it and caused to
drop through the hole u. The punch and die i rise together, but owing to the
last motion of the tappet arm 9 between the tappet collars p², p³, the gauge p
does not commence to rise with them, but remains supported on the rest r
until after the punch has risen to its full height, and is then lifted by the
action of the arm 9 upon the collar p¹ as the upward movement of the slide G

page_text: and rod a continues. As the punch rises out of the hole in the plate v from
which it has cut a blank the attendant pushes the same plate forward as far
as permitted by the die i, and so brings the thin portion v¹ left beyond the
hole past the gauge p, so that as the latter rises it will rise within the said
hole, and when the die i has been drawn entirely above the plate the latter
will be permitted to move far enough to enable a new blank to be cut, in
which position it is stopped by the edge of the hole last cut coming in contact
with the gauge. As the die i makes its next descent the gauge drops down
to the rest r and entirely below the upper surface of the die c, so that it will
not interfere with the succeeding feeding movement.
Figure 6 is a plan of the second part of my machinery for making
cartridges; Figure 7 is a front elevation thereof; Figure 8 is a slide elevation
of the same.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
these Figures.
A is the bed of the machine consisting of a strong iron table, some one
inch and a half thick, and strengthened by a broad flange or rib of ogee
shape running around the edge on the under side and by stays or rib supports
on the under side of the point where the principal strain comes; this bed with
its supports is cast in one piece. B, B1, B2, B³, is a frame consisting of a
base B, uprights B³, B³, and web B3 which is bolted firmly to the bed A ;
this frame furnishes the support for the main driving shaft D, and the cross
head E with its attachments. B³ is a strong web extending longitudinally
through the centre of the main frame which serves to strengthen the frame,
and also furnishes a support for the shaft W by the box 4. D is the main
driving shaft carrying the driving pulley C, the beveled gear wheel y, and the
crank head D' furnished with its crank pin e. The crank head D¹ is fitted into
an oval opening in the front upright B³, the lower part of which is made to fit
the lower semi-diameter of the crank bead D'. A block 12, the lower surface
of which is made to fit the upper semi-diameter of the head D¹, and the upper
surface is made to fit the upper surface of the before-mentioned oval opening,
and occupies all of said opening above the path of the crank head.
this block 12 is forced firmly into its place it holds the crank head D¹ securely
against upward pressure. The shaft D is also fitted into boxes 3, 8¹. W is an
upright shaft stepped at the bottom on the set screw q, held in the arm g, and
held at the top in the box 4; it receives motion from the main shaft by means
of the beveled gears y and y¹, and communicates it to the horizontal shaft 6
through the beveled gears X, X', placed underneath the bed A and held in
boxes 10, 10'. C is a rotating carrying table or disc held by the bolt or pin
13 on which it rotates; in this table are placed a series of drawing punches
When

page_text: or mandrils b, b. These punches are held in holes made in the carrying
table, and are passed into these holes from the under side of the bed A through
an opening 14 at the front end of the bed, each hole in the carrying table being
brought successively to the opening for the purpose, and a slide or plate 2 being
placed over the opening after the punches are inserted to prevent them from
falling out. The holes in the carrying table are countersunk on the under
side to admit the head 15 of the drawing punches. This carrying table has an
intermittent rotary motion communicated to it by means of the cam Z on the
horizontal shaft 6. On the under side of the carrying table is a series of
studs or pins 5, corresponding in number with the drawing punches b, which
operate in the cam Z. This cam is a cylinder which has a groove cut on its
periphery from one end diagonally to the centre, thence concentrically around
the cylinder about two-thirds of its circumference, thence diagonally from the
centre to the opposite end; it being directly under the studs 5 on one side of
the carrying table C³, with one of the studs standing in the concentric groove
at the centre, the two adjacent studs will stand the one at one end, and the
other at the other end of the cam. Now, by revolving the cam the stud
remains stationary, moving through the concentric groove until it passes into
the diagonal portion of the groove, when it will move towards the end of the
cam, of course rotating the table C¹, at the same time the stud at the opposite
end of the cam passes in through the diagonal groove at that end to the
central concentric groove, which it reaches just as the stud first mentioned
passes out of the cam.
Thus this cam alternately locks and holds stationary
the carrying table, and moves it the distance from the centre of one of the
studs (and of course the punch, it being the same) to another. E is a cross
head, the design of which is to carry and operate the drawing die m; it is
made with an opening at the middle for the purpose of permitting the
pitman f; by which a vertical reciprocating motion is given to it, to operate at
this point instead of at the top or bottom. This cross head thus consists of
two plates or blocks, one E, E, at the top, and a corresponding one at the
bottom, connected by two arms E², E³. The edges of the body, top, and
bottom are beveled, and it is held in place and moved in guides d, beveled to
match the edges of the body. At the lower end of the cross head is a plate K',
about three-fourths of an inch thick, and five by three inches in size; this is
attached to the end of the cross head, and supported at the ends by flanges
K, K, or braces cast on the cross head. In the centre of this plate is a round
hole, and at each end is a square hole to admit the die holders 1, P. Across
the upper end of these die holders are cut grooves, in which is placed the
square nut n, furnished with the set screw o. The die m is placed on the

page_text: projections of the lower ends of the die holders 1, 4, and under the plate K¹;
then by turning down the set screw o against the plate K', the nut n with the
die holders 1, ', are drawn up, which pinches and holds the die m firmly
between the plate K¹ and the projections at the lower ends of the die
holders. F is a stirrup secured to the top of the cross head and held by the
bolt a and pins c; this stirrup is adjustable by means of the set screw 16.
The pitman f is connected with the stirrup F by the pin e', and with the
driving shaft D by the crank pin e. These connections are made to be
tightened up in the usual way; 8, s, are strippers designed to remove the shells
or cases from the punch; they are made to slide in grooves cut in the under
surface of the plate K', and are pressed up to a fixed point determined by the
set screws t, t, by the springs h; these springs are pivotted at j, and their
pressure is regulated by the set screws i, i. The set screw or bolt o has a
hole drilled through it the entire length to permit the case or shell to pass
through it when it leaves the punch, and r is a tube attached to the set
screw and opening into the spout V for conducting away the cases or shells
when completed. It will be observed that a shoulder is made on the drawing
punches at 17; this is for the purpose of cutting off the case or shell to the
desired length between the shoulder and the upper end of the punch. The
die m is made in the ordinary way, it being a plate of steel with a straight
hole made through the centre; then this hole is countersunk about two-thirds
the thickness of the plate, and the angle between the top of the countersink
and the straight hole of the die is left sharp.
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The cups made as heretofore
described, or partly drawn cases or shells are placed on the punches b, the
open ends downward. The machine then being set in motion the rotation of
the carrying table C¹, will bring one of the punches directly under the centre
of the die m, the stud on the under side of the carrying table being now in
the concentric part of the groove in the cam Z the table will remain at rest
while the cross head E brings down the die m over the case or shell on the
punch, forcing the same through the die. The die being of a size that will
barely admit the punch below the shoulder the case or shell will be cut off at
that point; the cross head then rising carries up the die off the punch, and
with it the shell or case, the strippers s, s, stripping the latter from the punch,
and it remains in the interior of the screw bolt o; the table is then again
rotated until another punch is brought under the die, when the operation is
repeated, and the cases or shells as they are successively forced up into the
screw bolt o drive those before them up through the tube r and out into
the spout 17

page_text: The leading peculiarties of this machine are, 1st, the employment of a series
of punches instead of a single punch, as is common; 2nd, placing the punches
pointing upward instead of with the point downward; 3rd, holding the
drawing punch stationary, and moving the die down upon the punch instead
of holding the die stationary and bringing the punch down through the die;
and, 4th, drawing the tubes or cups, cutting them off, and trimming them to
any desired length at one operation, and the great advantages of these features
are obvious. By having the punches standing out free and clear from
obstructions and on end the cups or tubes may be conveniently and rapidly,
and without the least danger to the operator, fed on to them. By using a
series of punches instead of a single one they do not become hot in operating,
and the machine may be run at any speed desired, and without intermission;
whereas, when a single punch is used, it is impossible to run even 30 or 40
strokes per minute without heating the punch and requiring the machine to
be stopped to allow the punch to cool. By setting the punches pointing
upward, placing the shells or cases on them before they pass under the die,
and then bringing the die down on the punch, the movement of the cross head
is reduced about one-half, thus nearly doubling the power of the crank and
reducing the rate of motion, the friction, and the wear in the several parts.
By the peculiar form of the cam Z true and exact intermittent motion of the
rotating table is effected, while the table is at all times locked and held in
the desired position, never being released from the cam.
Figure 9 is a front elevation of the third part of my machinery for making
cartridges; Figure 10 is a side elevation of the same; Figure 11 is a plan
thereof. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in these
Figures.
A is a frame or table which supports the working parts of the machine, and
which consists of a strong heavy bed plate of cast iron, strengthened by a deep
flange or rim B', extending around the entire plate. On the front end of
this table is a strong pillar E crowned by a circular platform C, all cast solid
with the bed A. On this circular platform C, and corresponding with it in
size, is placed a circular carrying table B, which is fixed on a spindle E
passing through it centrally and down through the pillar E and the table A.
On the lower end of the spindle E¹, and beneath the table A, is fixed a
wheel H corresponding in size with the table B; in holes near the periphery
of said table is fixed a series of mandrils c standing point upward, having
heads on the bottom ends to prevent their being drawn upward. They are
introduced into their places from below upward through a hole c' in the plat-
form C and a suitable plate c³, which is removed to admit the mandrils one

page_text: after another as the revolving of the table B brings one hole in it after
another over the hole c' in the platform C, when the plate c' prevents the
mandrels c from falling back through the hole c¹.
Beneath the periphery of
the wheel H is placed a series of studs r corresponding in number and position
with the mandrels c. This table has an intermittent rotary motion which is
given to it by means of the cam I fixed on the shaft M, acting in the series of
studs r. The cam has a groove cut in its periphery, beginning at one end
and extending obliquely over about one quarter of its circumference to its
centre longitudinally, as at 11, then concentrically around its centre about one
half its circumference, as at 13, and then again obliquely around a quarter
of its circumference to the opposite end, as at I. In this groove the studs
work, each in turn passes into the oblique portion I¹ of the groove, and is
drawn round to the centre of the cam, and there remains stationary locked in
the concentric part of the groove I³ until it is brought into the oblique
portion I at the opposite end, when it is carried out of the cam, thus alter-
nately revolving and holding stationary the wheel H and the table B, one of
the studs passing in toward the centre, while another is passing out from
the centre to the opposite end of the cam. The movements of the machine
are given by the main shaft L and driving pulley G, the said shaft being
placed centrally underneath the table A in suitable bearings t, t', shown by
the dotted lines in Figure 10. On this shaft is a gear wheel J which works
into a corresponding gear wheel J' on the shaft M, thus giving motion to the
said cam I. Upon the top of the table A is firmly bolted an upright frame D
cast whole with its base D¹, and strengthened by the web D² on each side;
connected with this frame is a plate or slide K arranged to move up and
down in bevilled ways 9 on its front face. A reciprocating motion is given
to this slide by the pitman k attached to its lower end, and reciprocated by a
crank head y and crank pin y', Figure 10, on shaft L; it is kept tight in its
ways by a gasket or wedge and set screws i. In a wide groove cut into the
O front face of the slide K is arranged a smaller slide or plate to move vertically
in the said groove.
Attached to the smaller slide and pivotted on the pins f
and f, Figure 9, are two arms e, e¹, the lower ends of which d, d', are each
made thick and projecting in front, constructed to hold the half section of a
die which is fixed firmly in dovetail grooves on its inner surface. Upon the
5 front face of the slide K is firmly bolted a strong H-shaped plate b, the body
of which n¹ serves to hold the arms e, e¹, in place, and the lower branches of
which serve as jaws to bring and hold firmly together the lower ends d, d',
of the arms e, e', thus closing the sectional die fixed on the inner faces. On
the front face of the upper end of the frame D is arranged a lock guide g,

page_text: which is a steel block let into a groove cut in the face of the slide K, and is
recessed in front, forming a rib or flange 1, 4, on each edge. The slide to
which the arms e, e¹, are attached by the pins f, f¹, is fitted loosely into a
channel in the face of the main slide K that it may move freely up and down
in it. The top of the arms e, e¹, are turned back, thus forming lugs m, m³,
which when the top of the arms are brought together fit in between the
ribs l,, and by means of which the lower ribj carries the arms and the slide
to which they are attached upward with the upward movement of the slide K.
A portion of the lower ends of the ribs 1, 1, is each cut away to allow the
lugs m, m³, to pass out of the channel formed by the said ribs when the upper
ends are swung outward by the closing together of the lower ends. This
smaller slide is allowed to fall downward (as it does by its own weight when
the slide K moves down) only a certain distance, when its downward motion
is arrested by the lugs m, m³, coming in contact with the lower rib j of the
lock guide g.
C is a wedge-shaped stop or stud fixed in the slide K between
the arms e, e¹, which when the slide K is carried upward forces the lower
ends apart, and, of course, the upper ends together, the projections m, m³,
resting in the notches formed by cutting away a portion of the lower ends of
the ribs,, preventing the arms e, e¹, from moving upward until the said
projections are swung inward out of the said notches, and into the channel
formed by the said ribs. In the centre of the body of the plate b is a heading
tool 2, which consists of a set screw, the said centre of the plate 6 being made
thick to form its nut; the lower end of this heading tool is formed to fit into
a countersink in the top of the die held in the lower ends of the arms e, e¹,
which as before stated is made in two sections.
b
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The cases or shells to be
headed are placed on the mandrils c, the open end downward, and their
lower ends resting on the shoulders c; then by revolving the carrying table B,
by means of the cam I acting on the studs r in the wheel H on the spindle E¹,
the mandrels, one after another, are brought underneath the heading tool z;
the moment one of the mandrels with its case or shell is brought under the
said heading tool the slide K is at the top of its stroke, and the motion of
the carrying table is arrested, while one of the studs r is traversing the con-
centric portion Is of the groove in the cam I. While the mandril is standing
still the slide descends by the downward motion of the crank y, and the
smaller slide which carries the arms e, e¹, descend with it until the lugs m, m³,
reach the ribj of the lock guide 9, when its motion is arrested, the lower ends
of the arms e, e³, holding each its section of a die, having passed down one on
either side of the mandril. The slide K continuing to descend, the jaws of

page_text: the plate 6 swing the lower ends of the arms e, e¹, together, thus forming a
close die, inclosing the mandril with its case or shell, and immediately after
the die is closed the heading tool comes down on the top of the case or
shell and flattens it out into a countersink formed in the top of the die. The
slide then rises, the die remaining closed until the jaws 6 of the plate have
moved away from the lower ends d, d, of the arms e, e, when the wedge-
shaped stop C¹ forces open the die by swinging outward the lower ends of the
arms e, e'. This motion closes together the upper ends of said arms, carrying
the lugs m, m³, out of the notches formed by cutting away the lower ends of
the ribs, , and within the channel of the lock guide q formed by said ribs,
when the two slides then rise together carrying the die above the top of the
mandrel, thus permitting the said mandril to pass on by another movement of
the carrying table B, and the next mandril with its case or shell is brought
under the die. It will be noticed that while the arms e, e¹, swing freely on
their pivot pins f, f', they are in fact at all times locked and subjected to
positive movements; the advantages of this mechanism are obvious. The
cases or shells are fed on to the mandrils by the attendant conveniently and
rapidly; the open die obviates the rapid wear to which the solid die is sub-
jected, also the injury and wasting of cases or shells incident to forcing them
into a solid die are prevented.
The whole arrangement secures great accuracy and certainty in the process
of forming a flanged head on cartridge cases or shells.
Figures 12, 13, and 14 show respectively a top, front, and side view of a
modification of the heading apparatus applied to heading cases or shells in
other forms than with a flange; similar letters indicating like parts in these
Figures. This modification consists in dispensing with the smaller slide above
described, with the arms e, e¹, the punch z, and the lock guard q, and sub-
stituting in their places a solid die fixed in a suitablo socket of the arm 2
attached to the slide K, a heading punch 3 which works in a hole made
longitudinally through the set screw 5, the lower end of which enters the
upper end of the die 4 which works in the nut 4 also attached to the slide K.
This punch is made by packing to move in its place so tightly as not to fall
by its own weight, together with the stud 7 with its set screw 6 bolted firmly
to the upright D near the top. The cases or shells are fed on to the
mandrils c, as in Figure 9, and as each mandril is brought under the die the
case or shell is forced into the die by the latter descending upon it. The set
screw 5 at the same time brings down the heading punch 3 by pressing against
the collar to meet and impress upon the top of the case or shell on the mandril
the desired form for the head. The slide K then rising carries up the die

page_text: with the shell or case in it until the top of the punch 3 strikes against and is
stopped by the set screw 6, when by the die continuing to move upward the
case or shell is forced out of the die. It is intended that this machine may be
adapted to various purposes; for example, the heading of nails, tacks, and rivets.
Figure 15 is a plan of the fourth part of my machinery for making cartridges;
Figure 16 is a side elevation of the same. Similar letters indicate like parts
in both Figures.
A is a bed plate about two feet in length and sixteen inches in width, on each
end of which are upright pillars B1, B2, which support the table or top plate B of
the same length and width on the plate A except at one end; it is extended as
seen at A¹; these plates constitute the frame of the machine, and are made
of iron. C is the main driving shaft having its bearings in the upright B³ and
the pillow block a¹; on this shaft are placed the driving pulley C¹, the pulley E,
the beveled gear c, and the cam m³. M is the carrying wheel supported on
the vertical shaft O, which is stepped at a² on a set screw h² to give it a vertical
adjustment. On the shaft O is also placed the toothed wheel M', which is
actuated by the cam t and receives from it an intermittent rotary motion, each
revolution of the cam t moving it the distance of three of the teeth, and from t
to . The wide lip t of the cam t locks into the deep cuts & in the wheel M'
and holds it at rest during one half of the revolution of the cam t. In the
edge of the carrying wheel M are cells corresponding in number with the
cells in the wheel M². D is a feed wheel let into and level with the face of
the table B, supported on the shaft D¹ which is stepped at a³, on the set
screw h³ to give it a vertical adjustment. This wheel D has a slow rotary
motion by means of the large pulley h¹, which is actuated by the small
pulley h by a belt k. E is a large pulley which gives motion to the shaft E
by means of a belt which passes over the pulley b, 61, on to the pulley E¹.
The pulleys b, 6', are supported on the arm F2. g is a hopper or cup
designed to hold the fulminate pivoted at the centre on the pin i on which it
revolves, this hopper is supported on the swinging platform m which is
attached to the arm d that has a bearing at m¹ in the table B, the lower end
of this arm extending down to and is moved by the cam m³. The hopper g³
has given to it a slow rotary motion by means of the pulley g and a belt g³.
On the platform m is placed an arm l, to which is attached a stirrer A, the
lower end of which extends down to near the bottom of the hopper g² designed
to keep the fulminate stirred up. When the machine is in motion the stirrer
remains stationary while the hopper revolves.
with a gate or slide d³, which moves vertically in guides on the upright d*.
This slide and arm receive a vertical reciprocating motion from the cam j, on
u is an arm which is connected

page_text: the shaft, which is actuated by the gear c, c', the pin in the slide d³ working
in the groove of the cam j; u¹ is a pick up or lifter attached to the arm u
designed to take up the fulminate in successive charges and deposit it in the
cases or shells; 7 is an arm pivotted at r¹ and the other end connected with a
rod², which extends down from the slide d³. By means of this arrangement
and the spring s the slide d³ is forced down after being lifted up by the cam j.
The arm m has a swinging motion communicated to it by means of the
cam m³ acting on the arm d, by which means the hopper is placed underneath
the charger u to allow it, the charger u', to descend into it, and then when
the charger u is raised the hopper swings out of the way and permits the
charger to descend into the case or shell and deposit its fulminate; P is the
spinner, a thin steel disc ground at the edge to fit the head of the case or
shell, this is placed on the surface of the table B, and underneath the carrying
wheel M in such position that each case or shell as it is brought by the
carrying wheel M underneath the charger u¹ the head of the case or shell is
brought in contact with the disc P. A small friction disc, similarly ground,
is placed so that it is pressed by a spring on the opposite side of the head.
A continued rapid rotatory motion is given to the disc P by means of the
larger pulley f and belt, and the pulley f on the shaft fs, on the top of which
the disc P is placed; X, is a rim or guard of thin metal about three-fourths of
an inch in width placed on the table B in a position to correspond with the
outer edge of the feed wheel D, and extends from the point X, following the
circle of the feed wheel D to the point X, and then around to the point X³ on
a circle corresponding with the carrying wheel M, and nearly in contact with
it; W is a guide having the peculiar form represented in the Drawing secured
down upon the table B at W', and at ³ furnishes a bearing for the upper end
of the shaft D¹; this guide serves to conduct the cases or shells into the
conveying wheel M.
The operation of this mechanism is as follows:-The cartridge cases or shells
are placed on the feed wheel with the open ends up, on which they are carried
round between the guard X and the guide W, against the feed wheel M, and
one after another into the cells v, each movement of the wheel M bringing
one of the said cases or shells opposite to the line of cases or shells on the
feed wheel D, between the guard X and the guide W. In these cells the
cases or shells are presented successively underneath the primer u', where the
head or flange is brought in contact with the spinning wheel or disc P, being
pressed against it by a small friction disc on the opposite side, which is
movable laterally and held against the head by a spring. The spinning wheel
P being in rapid motion causes the case or shell to spin or revolve rapidly on

page_text: The
its axis; at the instant that the case or shell commences its spinning the
primer u, charged with the fulminating compound from the reservoir g
descends into the case or shell, and discharges its contents into the centre of
the head of the case or shell, when it is instantly projected and packed into
the annular recess in the head by the centrifugal force generated by the
spinning of the shell. The requisite motion is given to the primer u to
cause it to descend into the reservoir g to take up a charge of priming, and
then descend into the case or shell to deliver such charge by means of the
cam acting on the study, and through it on the slid d³ on the arm u.
manner in which the groove in the cam j is made to give these motions will
be readily seen by the Drawing, commencing at j³, the cam revolving from
left to right will carry the slide d³ downward, until the stud j¹ reaches o³, which
will cause the primmer to descend into the reservoir g³, where it remains while
the cam revolves from 0 to 03; then the stud will slide upward to o, and
immediately descend quickly down the steep incline to o from which point it
rises into the more gradual incline to jo, at which point the cam has performed
an entire revolution. In its descent from o to o the motion of the slide d³ is
aided by the spring s acting on the arm r attached to the rod which brings
the slide down with some force and causes the stud j¹ to strike the bottom
of the groove with a smart concussion, by which the primer is suddenly
arrested in its descent, and its charge of priming is by its own momentum
discharged into the case or shell below it. The vibratory motion given to the
arm m on which the reservoir is placed by means of the cam m³ acting on the
arm m³, carries the said reservoir g' under the primer u³, when the the primer
is raised to its greatest height, where it remains stationary until the primer
descends, takes up the charge of priming, and again rises to permit the reservoir
to swing out from under it. A continuous rotary motion is given to the
reservoir by means of the pulley 9, and its belt g³, and the stirrer dipping
into the reservoir and remaining stationary keeps the fulminating compound
constantly stirred up. After the cases or shells have received their priming
the revolution of the wheel M carries them forward beyond the guard X,
where they are discharged from the cells of the said wheel by means of the
guard W which extends to the inner wall of the cells in a deep groove h,
Figure 16, cut into the edge of the said wheel M, and by this means they are
forced out upon the table where they are removed by the attendant. The
best form for the primer u¹ is, as I consider, that represented in Figure 16;
it consists of a small rod fitted into a socket on the arm u, and held vertical
for adjustment by a set screw. To the lower end is attached a short piece of
tube open at the bottom with its two opposite sides cut away, leaving a small

page_text: to give free ingress to the cartridge cases or shells into the chambers 6 of the
latter. This cartridge case or shell carrier C has its chambers 6 according to
the arrangement in the Drawings formed by round holes, see Figures 17
and 18, in its top opening into semicircular or U-shaped cavities below a
portion forming the bodies of the chambers, and these again enlarged into
similar U-shaped cavities, see dotted lines at z in Figure 17, to receive the
body and head of the cartridge cases or shells which are fed into the
chambers under the round holes in the top of the carrier, and not until
the case or shell by the intermittent revolving motion of the carrier is
conveyed some distance forward along a groove in the table A corresponding
with the lower level of the part A' of the table and channel a, it is made
to enter for a short or partial height, the round hole forming the 'top of
chamber being steadied or guided and held from falling out; in the meantime
it may be by an extension of the rib which forms the outer boundary to the
feed guide t, and which if necessary may be extended further or nearly round
the carrier. After the cartridge case or shell however has been received
within the U-shaped cavities of the chambers, here supposing the chambers
not to be U-shaped through their entire height, and been conveyed by the
earrier C a proper distance past the feeding disc B, the case or shell while
the carrier C is at rest is slightly raised out of the groove in the table A so
as to project into the round hole in the chamber in the top of the carrier to
within a moderate distance of its upper surface or level. This is done by a
lifting rod i operated by levers ; acted upon by a grooved cam k on the
counter shaft e. In thus describing the action on one wheel the same applies
to the remainder, which follow in rapid succession.
.
It will now be necessary to describe the operation of charging with gun
powder each case or shell in succession as it is carried round by the action of
the intermittently revolving carrier, and for a short interval remains at rest
under the proper charging devices. These consist, first, of a hopper D which
should be fed at intervals with only a small quantity of powder to lessen the
violence of an explosion in case of accident. To prevent it being over supplied
at any one time, and to give safe vent in case of an explosion, I cut an
aperture in rear of the hopper, the powder is conveyed from the hopper at
suitable intervals to the extent of a cartridge charge at each delivery from it
by means of an intermittently revolving perforated distributor and measurer E,
which by means of a ratchet wheel or equivalent formation m and pawl n;
levers q, o, fast to a vertical shaft and of a grooved cam p on the counter-
shaft e is made alternately and successively to establish and shut off com-

page_text: º
munication with the hopper, each perforation in the distributor being of the
necessary diameter and depth to contain a "charge," and only remaining
under the delivery aperture of the hopper a sufficient time to be filled, when
by the continued intermittently revolving action of the distributor it is passed
on till it carries over a cartridge case or shell in the carrier C, which it is
timed to meet, and into which it discharges itself. The delivery aperture of
the hopper D or discharging device forming a continuation of the lower
portion of the latter is contracted and fitted with a brass or other suitable
bush q that is made to moderately press down upon and establish a close
junction with the distributor E by means of an india-rubber spring packing r
encircling the bush, and that also serves to give a close or tight character
generally to the communication with the hopper from below, so that if by any
accident any of the charged or loaded cartridges should explode in their after
progress through the machine, and such explosion be extended by the fire
igniting the other charged cases or shells in the rear it will be stopped from
communicating or extending to the powder in the hopper. This close or tight
character too of the hopper at its delivery end serves to prevent powder
during the charging process from being scattered on the distributor and
carried round by it to run to waste and endanger an explosion.
Here it may be observed that in some cases, and when it is desired to
compress the powder into the case or shell, the amount of loose powder dis-
charged each delivery from the hopper is sufficient to not only fill the cartridge
case or shell under the process of being charged, but also the upper portion
of the round hole in the top of the carrier wheel which is not occupied by
the case or shell, so that there will be a surplus of powder that on being
rammed down in a subsequent process will serve to closely pack and fully
charge the cartridge.
Next in succession is the bullet feeding and loading process. Το
accomplish this the table A is of a raised construction, opposite or nearly
opposite to the cartridge case or shell feeder that is on the other side of the
case or shell carrier C. Mounted on this raised portion of the table, and
flush or nearly so with its surface, is a continuously revolving bullet feeding
disc F driven through belt and pulleys s, s, by or from the shaft of the case
or shell feeder, and arranged to overlap the case or shell carrier on to which
the bullets are fed and conducted in single file, shown in dotted lines in
Figure 20, along a grooved channel or guide t, as in the case of the cartridge
case or shell feeding device, and are delivered or dropped one after another
in succession through a suitable hole or opening in the table outside of the

page_text: bullet feeding disc, as at u in Figure 20, by means of an intermittently
reciprocating slide G, which lying on or over the disc Facts first as a stop to
prevent the bullets being carried too far by the disc, and at proper intervals
to slide upward and convey a bullet lying in a notch or cavity in the edge of
the slide over the delivery aperture in the bullet feeding table; this bullet
feeding or delivery aperture is pitched to lie over the line of travel of the
case or shell chambers b in the carrier C, and at a point when by the
intermitting action of the said carrier the chambers in succession, each
containing a case or shell loosely charged with powder, come and for a short
interval remain at rest under the said bullet delivering aperture. The slide G
having drawn a bullet from off the disc F, and dropped it through the delivery
aperture in the table next or after a suitable pause works inward again to
repeat the operation of taking up a fresh bullet for the next case or shell in
order; this intermittent action of the slide G is or may be effected by means
of a straight and inclined guide v working in a slotted arm w of the slide, and
attached to a vertically reciprocating slide H that works in a standard I, and
is driven by an excentric block or cam attached to a disc b¹ on the driving
shaft c, and working in a slot in an under continuation of the vertical
slide H that may be balanced and steadied by fast and loose racks and pinions
below; or said slide may be otherwise driven. After the bullet has been
dropped by the slide G through the delivery aperture in the table it passes in
it course down to the powder in the case or shell chamber under it into a
divided die J, J', (see more particularly Figures 20 and 21), which serves to
conduct the bullet to the powder loaded case or shell, said die being closed at
first so as to receive and guide the bullet to the case or shell chamber, and to
hold or steady the bullet in a precise central position on the powder in the
chamber containing the case or shell, while the punch or rammer K, which
is connected with the slide E, comes down and rams home the bullet into its
position in the mouth of the case or shell. The said die J, J', is then or
afterwards opened to allow the bullet to pass out or through in the next
intermittent movement forward of the carrier C. Said die J, J', may thus be
operated to act upon each bullet in succession by means of straight and
inclined guides c, c¹, attached to the slide H, and working against or on the
two sides of the die d', d'. The rammer K may be adjustable by means of a
screw and nuts above and below to regulate its action to or on the charge.
To crimp and close the mouths of the cases or shells around the bullets in
completion of the cartridge each carrier chamber containing a case or shell
thus charged with powder and bullet is successively brought at a pausing

page_text: point in the intermittent action of the carrier C under a crimping die or
device, the loaded case or shell with its bullet being slightly raised at this
period in the operation of the machine by a rod e¹ worked by a crooked slide
or bar fi acted upon by the levers j and cam k so as to project the mouths of
the cases or shells above the top surface of the carrier, and at the same time
to serve as a base for the cases or shells to rest upon while being crimped.
Immediately prior to crimping a notched intermittently reciprocating slide P
acted upon by a straight and inclined guide Q attached to the slide H is
projected forward to stay and hold the cases or shells while being crimped to
its place in the carrier, said holding slide afterward drawing back or retiring.
When up to the carrier it forms a close tube of the U-shaped case or
shell chamber in the carrier, either partly or throughout the depth of said
chamber. The crimping device is connected with the reciprocating slide H,
and is vertically adjustable by means of a screw thread on its outer hollow
plunger L and lock nuts g', g', to regulate its action. Within this hollow
plunger L is a contractible die M that slips down over the bullet and
contracts the mouths of the cases or shells upon the bullets; this contractible
die M is also hollow, see Figure 22, and is fitted in such manner by a slot
and screw h¹, for instance, that while it moves down with the outer plunger L
it is free to allow the outer plunger to move furthe downward independently
of it, so as when the enlarged inclined portion of the longitudinally split or
contractible die, illustrated in Figures 22, 23, and 24, comes down upon and
over the bullet or portion of the bullet projecting above the table the outer
plunger L at its bottom or flaring mouth thereof will in its continued descent
press upon and operate to close the enlarged inclined portion of the flexible or
contractible die, and by means of internal projecting lips to the latter contract
the mouths of the cases or shells upon the bullet. Within the contractible
die may be a rod or punch N passing out through the top of the outer plunger,
and adjustible by a nut to regulate its height. The lower end of this
punch is countersunk for the reception of the upper or outer end of the
bullet, which it will serve to centre and hold to its place while the case or
shell is being crimped around it. This internal upper rod or punch N may
be dispensed with, so as in case of an explosion during the crimping process
a free upward vent or escape through the contractible die for the bullet is
provided. When the said rod, however, is used the lifting rod e¹ may be mado
hollow to give a free vent in case of explosion. As soon as the crimping of
the case or shell round the bullet has been effected the outer plunger L will
move upward, and releasing itself from pressure on the contractible die M

page_text: release the latter from its gripe on the case or shell, and continuing upward
carry the contractible die up with it, for in due time a repetition of its action
on the next succeeding loaded case or shell that may come under it. The
cartridge thus finished is next conveyed by the intermittent action of the
carrier C under a discharging plunger O, which coming down in the next
descent of the vertical slide H to which it is attached will press upon the
bullet and expel the cardridge through a hole in the bed or table of the
machine into any suitable receptacle that may be arranged to receive it.
By the machine herein described, apart from feeding the gunpowder to the
hopper, but two manual operations are necessary in the working of it, the one
to feed in the cartridge cases or shells and the other the bullets, with but
little or no risk of an accident to the operatives, and without any excessive
labor, so that children will suffice to attend it, and the machine made to pro-
duce many thousands of finished cartridges in the hour. Numerous modifi-
cations in the details herein described will naturally present themselves to the
mechanic and others, which are deemed unnecessary to describe here, nor yet
to describe the many equivalent devices which may be employed as substitutes
for those I have here illustrated and explained to make clear my Invention, it
being only necessary for me to select one of the many modes of carrying it
into practice, different constructions of cartridge cases or shells, for instance,
or different arrangements of the priming in them requiring of necessity
appropiate changes in the details. Thus also the automatic bullet feeding
apparatus may be dispensed with, and the bullets fed directly into the shells or
cases in the carrier C by hand; so also the case or shell chamber b in the said
carrier may, instead of being round and closed at top, be formed by con-
tinuing the U-shaped cavities throughout the entire thickness of the carrier C
and the case or shell feeding apparatus be arranged to feed the cases or
shells into said chambers on a level with the table A, and so that the upper
ends of the cases or shells be above or on a level with or slightly below the
upper surface of the carrier, and the powder measuring device only dis-
charge each delivery sufficient powder to charge a case or shell irrespective
of compression or hard packing afterward, which may or may not be
done.
The object of my improved fulminating compound for priming cartridges is
to render the fulminate harder and more cohesive, and to prevent its acting
upon or amalgamating with the metal of the cartridge cases or shells, thereby
both weakening the cases or shells and becoming impaired in quality.
The ingredients of the priming compound may be such as are commonly

page_text: used, and may be varied in kind and proportions at the pleasure of the
manufacturer; but to enable others skilled in the art to apply my Invention to
use I will give the formula for the compound which I prefer,-
Fulminate of mercury
Gunpowder
Powdered glass
-
-
sixteen (16) ounces.
sixteen (16) ounces.
-
"
eight
(8) ounces.
Chlorate of potassa
Starch -
-
twelve (12) ounces.
4 one
(1) ounce.
The starch is first mixed with a suitable quantity of boiling water to make
a solution of about the consistency commonly used for starching clothes, say,
about half a pint. The chlorate of potassa finely powdered, and the gun-
powder either powdered or in its usual state, and the powdered glass are put
into the starch and stirred until thoroughly mixed, and the fulminate of
mercury is then introduced and thoroughly stirred in. Enough water is then
added to bring the compound to a suitable consistency for use, which I prefer
to be as thick as will drop from the end of a vertically held wire on which it is
taken up.
In making explosive anvils of starch and gunpowder the following pro-
portions may be used :-
Gunpowder
Starch
-
Boiling water-
-
sixteen (16) ounces.
-
three (3) ounces.
half a pint () pint.
The mixture is to be well stirred, and the gunpowder is dissolved and
thoroughly mixed with the starch. More or less water may be used according
as it is desired to make the mixture more or less fluid. The fulminate com-
pound may be applied to the cartridge or percussion cap in the usual manner,
and when dry the starch gives it a hard bone-like and very cohesive character,
and while it makes the compound adhere principally to the metal it prevents
it from acting on or amalgamating with it. The starch also assists in sus-
pending the fulminate in the compound when it is desired to use it in a
fluid or semi-fluid state, thus assisting greatly in the uniform priming of
cartridges.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be conveniently and
advantageously carried into practice, I claim in the first part of the machinery
for making cartridges,―
First, the combination of the cutting die c, the cutting punch d, the female
cupping die e, and the male cupping die i, with the cam D and the crank k,

page_text: all constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Second, the combination, as described in the machine for cutting out
and cupping cartridge cases or shells of the punch d, dies i, c, e, and ad-
justable table B, the whole operating as and for the purposes herein set
forth.
In the second part of the said machinery I claim,—
First, the series of two or more punches b, with the die m, constructed and
operating substantially as and for the purpose described.
Second, placing the drawing punch 6 with the drawing end up in com-
bination with the die m, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Third, the punch 6, one or more made with the shoulder 17, in combination
with the die m, operating substantially as described.
Fourth, the cam Z, in combination with the rotating table C¹, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Fifth, the die holder 1, with the die m and the nut n, constructed and
arranged substantially as and for the purposes described.
Sixth, the springs h, with the strippers s, s, arranged substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
In the third part of the said machinery I claim,-
First, a sectional die with a mandril c and a heading punch z, one or more,
when the die is made to move and to open and close, substantially as herein
described and for the purposes set forth.
Second, a series of two or more mandrils c with a die sectional or solid
when the mandrils are made to successively present themselves to and be s
enclosed by the die and to a heading punch 2, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Third, the slide K carrying a second slide to which are attached arms e, e',
the jaws b and the lock guard q or its equivalent, all arranged and operated
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth, the mandrils c, one or more with a die, the heading punch 3, and
set screws 5, 6, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
In the fourth part of the said machinery I claim,—
S
First, a primer which descends into a box, reservoir, or vessel, containing 3
the priming in a fluid or semi-fluid state, picks up the requisite quantity of
priming therefrom, and again descends into or over the cartridge cases or
shells to deposit the priming therein, substantially as herein described.

page_text: Second, suddenly arresting the primer in its descent over or into the
cartridge case or shell, substantially as herein specified, for the purpose of
insuring the complete discharge of the priming therefrom.
Third, the combination of a primer, a priming reservoir, and a cartridge
case or shell carrier, operating substantially as herein specified.
Fourth, giving the cartridge cases or shells in a machine for depositing
the priming therein, a rotary motion about their own axis while in the
position in which they receive the priming from the feeder, substantially as
herein specified.
In the fifth part of the said machinery, I claim,-
First, the spring or contractible crimping die or device for closing the
mouths of the cases or shells around the bullet, constructed to operate
substantially as described.
Second, the contractible crimping die or its equivalent in combination with
an intermittent case or shell carrier for operating together, essentially as
herein set forth.
Third, tho combination of an automatic bullet feeder with an automatic
case or shell carrier, substantially as specified.
Fourth, the combination of an automatic case or shell feeder, case or shell,
carrier and bullet feeder, acting together as herein set forth.
Fifth, the combination with an automatic bullet feeder of a bullet take-up
or slide to deposit the bullet over the case or shell.
Sixth, in combination with an automatic bullet feeder a divided or opening
and closing conducting die to guide the bullet to its place in or over the case
or shell, and to hold it while the powder is being rammed, substantially as
specified.
Seventh, providing the powder hopper or space intervening between it and
the powder measurer or distributor with an independent bush and rubber
packing or their equivalents, operating together and in combination with the
distributor, essentially as and for the purpose set forth.
Eightb, the combination of the powder measure or distributor and case or
shell carrier, substantially as herein set forth.
Ninth, griping the case or shell while being crimped by an independent
slide or its equivalent, arranged to close around the case or shell chambers in
the carrier, and afterward to open and retire therefrom essentially as specified.
Tenth, the combination in one machine of an automatic case or shell
carrier, bullet feeder, powder charger, or measurer and distributor, and
crimping device or die, operating together as herein set forth.

page_text: Eleventh, while not claiming irrespective of the mode herein described
raising the case or shell at certain points within its chamber in the carrier,
I do claim in combination with an intermittently rotating carrier provided
with chambers substantially as described, the lifting rod i arranged so as
during a pause in the motion of the carrier to raise the case or shell further
up within its chamber, and then to retreat, essentially as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Twelfth, also elevating the upper end of the case or shell prior to crimping
above the top surface of the carrier, and retaining it there while crimping by
means of an intermittently reciprocating rod e¹ or its equivalent arranged to
operate in connection with the carrier and suitable crimping device, sub-
stantially as specified.
In the improved fulminating compound for priming cartridges, I claim the
admixture of starch with the fulminating materials, substantially as and for
the purpose herein specified.
And for explosive anvils in cartridges I claim the admixture of starch and
gunpowder, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this First day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
GEORGE HASELTINE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.