IMPROVE- MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE--ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES, AS ALSO IN APPA- RATUS FOR REDUCING ORDINARY GUNS TO CONDITION SUITABLE FOR SUCH IM- PROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer & Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE--ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES, AS ALSO IN APPA-
RATUS FOR REDUCING ORDINARY GUNS TO CONDITION SUITABLE FOR SUCH IM-
PROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
PURPOSES," A communication from abroad by Messrs. Hugo Frederic
Forbes, ex-Captain of Engineers. and Jean Francois Felix Challeton,
Civil Engineer, both of Paris.
Sealed the 11th October 1860, and dated the 16th April 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
April 1860.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane. in the County of Middlesex.
Engineer & Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES. AS ALSO IN
APPARATUS FOR REDUCING ORDINARY GUNS TO CONDITION SUITABLE FOR SUCH IM-
PROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, and in
the method and apparatus for reducing the size of old guns, to render them
[Price &11

page_text: suitable for the application of said improvements. This latter is effected by
means of an apparatus represented in Sheet 1.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the machine, the furnace being in
section; Fig. 2 is a plan; and Fig. 3. transverse section in line 1, 2, Fig. 1.
The same letters represent like parts in the three Figures.
.
The machine consists of a furnace C placed between two supports T.
carrying shafts F furnished with pullies H and clips o for gripping each end of
the gun barrel to be twisted or reduced. The heating of the gun barrel is
effected progressively throughout its length. The furnace C and supports T
are supported by a frame B of wood or metal. This machine may be
increased in size so as to reduce as many as a hundred gun barrels per day,
by multiplying the twisting shafts, the number of supports, and increasing the
motive power, which may vary according to circumstances. In the Drawing
the machine is actuated by counterbalance weights P, P'.
This machine is equally applicable for the manufacture of twisted tubes for
steam engine & other purposes; for this purpose the tubes after being drawn are
placed in the machine & subjected to a twisting process. which, by increasing
their thickness, insures their resisting great pressure. The operation commences
by first reducing a suitable length of the breech, so that the difference between
the extreme thicknesses of the metal shall not be too great, and in this
manner proceed from the breech towards the muzzle; it will be understood
that in this it is commenced by diminishing the external diameter of the
breech so as to assimulate it to that of the muzzle end. This diminution
produces under certain conditions a sudden shrinking of the twisted part,
which should be avoided, as it would possibly cause bursting afterwards.
This Invention further consists of breech-loading fire-arms represented in
Sheet 2; Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4, being a vertical section, side elevation, horizontal
section, and plan of gun loading at the breech by means of an eccentric screw
a, which is itself screwed eccentrically to b. Fig. 5 is a back view of a breech
piece showing the eccentric screw a with its eccentric apertures b, which may
be brought in a line with the bore c by a half turn of the screw; Fig. 6,
muzzle of a rifled gun; Fig. 7, interior face view of eccentric screw a, with
holes d for holding grease; Fig. 8, vertical section of eccentric screw a in
position for closing the breech, showing hole for the passage of the cartridge:
Fig. 9, interior face of the rammer e; Fig. 10, section of the same; Fig. 11,
back view of said rammer e, with springs for reacting against the pressure
excited by the hand on the handle of the rammer for fixing the cartridge well
in its place; Fig. 12. side view of the ramrod e: by pushing the handle g. the
head of the ramrod advances, & places the cartridge in the barrel of the cannon;

page_text: Figs. 13, 14, & 15, projectiles and cartridges, with wad for closing the barrel;
Figs. 16 to 40 represent details of infantry carbines. The same letters of
reference indicate the parts of the gun herein-before described, which are
applicable to the carbine, to which the breech piece is attached with the
chamber and screw a; the breech piece is also provided with catches h and
pins for connecting the breech to the rocking piece j, the catches being
formed by a suitable extension of the breech; Figs. 28, 29, & 30 represent
side view, plan, and front view of the rocking piece j, showing the spaces
corresponding to the catches h & pins of the breech; Figs. 30 & 31 show
the application of the part to the butt ; it is fixed to the butt by two screws !
passing through the trigger plate m, also showing the space left in the stock
for the reception of the breech piece; Fig. 32 shows a plan and side view of
cover ramrod formed of two bars, the lower one of which slides in grooves
made in the cartridge box or space in the butt for the introduction of the
cartridge into the breech chamber; the other bar slides on the first mentioned.
being guided therein by a longitudinal groove. This latter bar forms the
ramrod; it is further provided with a box o. containing two spiral springs.
which are fixed to the lower bar. In introducing the cartridge after having
opened the breech the cover is withdrawn, by means of which cover the
cartridge is forced into the chamber. The rammer then returns of itself, and
closes the barrel without danger of injuring the cartridge. Figs. 30, 31, & 32
show the position of the combined cover & ramrod; Figs. 33 & 34 represent
keys furnished with two pins which take into the back end of eccentric screw a
for the purpose of turning it, Fig. 33 being the position when open, showing
the space left to allow of the introduction of the cartridges, & Fig. 34 the
position when closed. In Figs. 30, 31. & 33. the key is shown in position
which is covered by a stop and cover ramrod; Figs. 30 & 33 show it in position
for opening, and Fig. 31 in position for closing the breech.
Fig. 35 shows a side plan, & end views of a stop for closing the opening
made in the rocking piece to lodge the key in; the two leaves are held tightly
between the wood and the rocking piece. from which it results that the key
is fixed to the mounting, and can only rotate on its axis. The stop serves to
limit the recoil of the cover ramrod beyond a certain point; Figs. 36 & 37,
represent a projectile, a cartridge consisting of a cylinder with a tail-piece
of less diameter, the cartridge is attached to the projectile; it is terminated
by a wad, which closes the chamber, and prevents the products of combustion
reaching the inner face of the eccentric screw: Fig. 38 is a side view of a
carbine barrel with the breech-piece suitably arranged: Fig. 39. section of the
butt at the part where the inner face of the rocking piece rests, also showing

page_text: the pin p. This operation is effected by the key, which so places the pin that
whatever the position of the lock plate, the hammer shall not be cocked by
the stop when the breech is open. A spring acts on the pin p, and forces it
10 disengage the plate at the moment when the key is in position for closing
the breech; Fig. 40 represent the pin p in detail, consisting of a small plate
with a pin attached of suitable size.
:
The next part of this Invention relates to muskets to which the system of
breech-loading by the eccentric screw herein described may be applied in several
ways. The following is a different manner to that applied to the infantry
carbine. Figs. 1 & 2 represent the barrel with its breech r, and end view
of same; Fig. 3 is a front view of rocking piece (, suitably shaped to the
form of the butt; Fig. 4, part u, which is applied in front of the same to
cover the opening; it is inserted in a semicircular groove; this groove also
serves for securing the head of the thumb pull or lever z, and to limit its
traverse; Fig. 5, face view of rocking piece with its front plate u; Figs. 7 & 8,
plan and side view of a rocking piece y, being a modification of the foregoing;
Fig. 9, back piece z¹, applied to back end of rocking piece y to cover the
opening; Fig. 10, lock plate near the orifice communicating to barrel, having
a square opening inclined as represented at Fig. 11; Fig. 12, lever z with
its thumb-piece, the stem being square to a. and rounded the remainder
of its length; Fig. 13 shows the connection between the part and the lock
plate and hammer 2, which has groove suitably formed for allowing the
part to act. When it quits the closed position it comes in contact with the
notch in hammer 2, and thus prevents the hammer being cocked, and vice
versa, when the hammer is cocked, the part is forced to remain stationary.
For actuating the part it is held between the forefinger and thumb.
and caused to traverse the length of the groove shown in the Figure;
Figs. 14 & 16 represent the butt and rocking piece similar to those before
described, but with a different form of ramrod 3 without a cover, having two
side plates 4, 4, sliding in grooves. The cartridge chamber is shown un-
covered; Fig. 16, transverse section, full size of the butt. showing face of
rocking piece, also groove in the wood for the traverse of part z. also showing
the inclination of the opening for the lever in the back plate, which is
so arranged as to be available the whole extent of the semicircular groove in
the face of the working piece. The motion of the lever a being regulated by
the lock plate, the handle of lever turns in a contrary direction to the stem;
Fig. 17 represents detail of the ramrod, which consists of two parts 5 screwed
together, and gripping an elastic band intended to act in a contrary direction
for the purpose of forcing the cartridge into the chamber.

page_text: Improvements as applied to pistols. For pistols another arrangement of
mounting is employed, the stock being separate from the butt, and fixed to
the barrel. Figs. 20 & 21 show a military pistol barrel with stock; the
back end of breech-piece has a single pin 6, pierced for the passage of the
screw which connects the pistol to the rocking piece; Figs. 17, 18, 19, & 20,
show the butt of the pistol with rocking piece and arrangement of thumb-
piece; Figs. 22, 23, 24, & 25, represent details of the rocking piece similar
to the one above mentioned; Figs. 26 & 27 represent lock plate, hammer,
and thumb-piece arranged in same manner as for the musket herein-before
described; Fig. 28 represents details of the thumb-piece, also similar to that
above described; Figs. 17 & 18 show details of, 1st, a ramrod differing slightly
from that before described; and, 2ndly, of rocking piece with semicircular
groove; 3rdly, of a lock plate with opening for the play of the thumb-piece;
4thly, of the hammer with opening for said piece; and. 5thly, the thumb-
piece constructed as described.
Projectiles for breech-loading guns.--Figs. 41, 42, & 43, Sheet 2. Fig. 41
represents a cylindro-conical ball of lead with cylindrical hollow d; this space
has a screw thread at the back end to receive a screw b with a large head,
which is applied to the base of the projectile, and prevents the screw from
being driven in by the force of the gas. The conical head is pierced conically
for the insertion of a projecting conical striker c, the base of which rests on
the cap of a percussion cartridge d in the centre, which may be employed in
various systems of loading at the breech. At the moment when the pro-
jectile strikes, the interior charge explodes; it is also suitable with guns of
small calibre to make use of cartridges containing fulminating materials.
Fig. 42 represents a modification of a shell slightly differing from the fore-
going; instead of being closed by a screw, it has a head of metal e held against
the base of the shell by a small inner collar /.
In Fig. 34 the projectile is composed of a cylinder of steel, copper, or other
metal with a base, on which is. placed a leaden tube g; the head of this
cylinder is screwed so as to receive a cap h, also of hard metal. This cap
forces the tube against the base and holds it firmly fixed; the cap h is pierced
conically for receiving the conical head before described.
•

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th October 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Clark, Her special licence that 1, the said William Clark,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS AND IN PROJECTILES, AS ALSO IN APPARATUS FOR REDUCING ORDINARY
GUNS TO CONDITION SUITABLE FOR SUCH IMPROVEMENTS IN FIKE-ARMS, WHICH APPA-
RATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES," a communication from abroad
by Messrs. Hugo Frederic Forbes, ex-Captain of Engineers, & Jean Francois
Felix Challeton, Civil Engineer, both of Paris, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Clark, 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, 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,
reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to improvements in breech-loading fire-arms, and in
the method of and apparatus for reducing the size of old guns to render them
suitable for the application of said improvements. This latter is effected by
means of an apparatus represented in Sheet 1. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal
elevation of the machine, the furnace being in section; Fig. 2, a plan; and

page_text: Fig. 5, a transverse section on line 1, 2, Fig. 1. The same letters represent
like parts in the three Figures.
The machine consists of a furnace C, placed between two supports T.
carrying shafts F, furnished with pullies
and clips O for gripping each end
of the gun barrel to be twisted or reduced. The heating of the gun barrel is
effected progressively throughout its length. The furnace C and supports T
are supported by a frame B of wood or metal. This machine may be increased
in size so as to reduce as many as a hundred guns-barrels per day by multi-
plying the number of twisting shafts and number of supports, and increasing
the motive power, which may vary according to circumstances. In the
Fig. 3, a transverse section on line 1, 2, Fig. 1. The same letters represent
like parts in the three Figures.
The machine consists of a furnace C, placed between two supports T.
carrying shafts F, furnished with pullies
and clips O for gripping each end
The heating of the gun barrel is
The furnace C and supports T
This machine may be increasedl
of the gun barrel to be twisted or reduced.
effected progressively throughout its length.
are supported by a frame B of wood or metal.
in size so as to reduce as many as a hundred guns-barrels per day by multi-
plying the number of twisting shafts and number of supports, and increasing
the motive power, which may vary according to circumstances. In the
Drawing the machine is actuated by counterbalance weights P, P'.
DETAILS OF THE THREE FIGURES.
T, T, supports fixed to frame B by means of bolts; P, P', counterbalance
weights for regulating the twisting; q. q. cords or chains of counterbalance
weights P, P'; m, crank for effecting the twist of the shaft; g, ratchet wheels
to prevent the shaft turning: F. twisting shaft on which is placed the barrel
to be twisted; H, driving pulley; 1. 1, bearings; o, o, clips; C, movable
furnace mounted on wheels for traversing the frame B: D, pulley for cords
q. q. This machine is equally applicable for the manufacture of twisted tubes
for steam engines and other purposes. For this purpose the tubes, after being
drawn, are placed in the machine. and subjected to a twisting process. which
increases their thickness, and insures their resisting the greatest pressure.
The loading of guns at the breech has hitherto been only practicable for those
of small calibre in consequence of the expense of ammunition, but this may be
obviated by reducing the calibre of existing guns by means of the apparatus
herein described. This improvement consists. as seen, in twisting the barrel
when suitably heated, by using either percussion or pressure alternately at the
parts where the twisting may be difficult to effect from being insufficiently heated.
The operation commences by first reducing a suitable length of the breech, so
that the difference between the extreme thicknesses of the metal shall not be too
great, and in this manner proceed from the breech towards the muzzle.
will be understood that in this that the operation is commenced by diminishing
the external diameter of the breech so as to assimilate it to that of the muzzle
end. This dimunition produces, under certain conditions, a sudden shrinking
of the twisted part, which should be avoided, as it would possibly cause
bursting afterwards. As already mentioned. the operation of reducing the
barrel commences from the breech end, which greatly facilitates the success of
the operation; and I may remark that as the substance of the metal becomes
It

page_text: weaker, it is necessary to exercise a suitable pressure or percussion at the
part near where the shrinking takes place, so as to effect the change of
diameter more or less suddenly. For regulating the reduction of the calibre,
a mandril is employed with a hemispherical head. The advantages obtained
by guns treated in this manner are, increased thickness, greater powers of
resistance, and non-liability to burst longitudinally. I claim under this head
of the Invention, 1st, the application of the principle of torsion for reducing
the calibre of existing fire-arms; 2ndly, the application of this principle in
the manufacture of barrels made with longitudinal fibres of a large calibre
to be afterwards twisted and reduced to the required size; 3rdly, the twisting
apparatus herein-before described and represented; 4thly, the application of
this principle and apparatus for the manufacture of twisted tubes for all pur-
poses. It will be seen that in all the guns of the present Invention, the
breech-piece is eccentric and movable, the breech screw being internal, so
that the part of the gun forming the barrel is not injured in any way by
cutting away the metal or otherwise.
2ND PART OF THE INVENTION, "BREECH-LOADING GUNS."
This Invention further relates to breech-loading fire-arms represented in
Sheet 2, Figs. 1, 2, 3. & 4 being a vertical section, side elevation, horizontal
section, and plan of a gun loading at the breech by means of an eccentric
screw a, which is itself screwed eccentrically to b. Fig. 5 is a back view of
a breech-piece, showing the eccentric screw a, with its eccentric aperture b.
which may be brought in a line with the bore c by a half turn of the screw;
Fig. 6, muzzle of a rifle gun; Fig. 7, interior face view of eccentric screw a,
with holes d, for holding grease; Fig. 8, vertical section of eccentric screw a
in position for closing the breech, showing hole for the passage of the car-
tridge; Fig. 9, interior face of the rammer e; Fig. 10, section of the same;
Fig. 11, back view of said rammer, with springs for reacting against the
pressure exerted by the hand on the handle of the rammer for forcing the
cartridge well into its place; Fig. 12, side view of ramrod e; by pushing
the handle g, the head of the ramrod advances, and places the cartridge in the
barrel of the cannon; Figs. 13, 14, & 15, projectiles and cartridges with wad
for closing the barrel; Figs. 16 to 40 represent details of infantry carbines.
The same letters of reference indicate the parts of the gun herein-beforc
described, which are applicable to the carbine to which the breech-piece is
attached with the chamber and screw a. The breech-piece is also provided
with catches and pins i for connecting the breech to the rocking piece j. the
catches
being formed by a suitable extension of the breech.

page_text: Figs. 28. 29. & 30 represent side view, plan, and front view of the rocking
piece j. showing the spaces corresponding to the catches h and pins i of the
breech. Figs. 30 & 31 show the application of the part i to the stock k. It
is fixed to the butt by two screws 1. passing through the trigger plate m, also
showing the space left in the stock for the reception of the breech-piece.
Fig. 32 shows a plan and side view of cover ramrod n. formed of two bars,
the lower one of which slides in grooves made in the cartridge box or space
in the butt for the introduction of the cartridge into the breech chamber: the
other bar slides on the first mentioned, being guided therein by a longitudinal
groove. This latter bar forms the ramrod; it further is provided with a box o.
In intro-
containing two spiral springs, which are fixed to the lower bar.
ducing the cartridge after having opened the breech, the cover is withdrawn.
The rammer
by means of which the cartridge is forced into the chamber.
then returns of itself, and closes the barrel without danger of injuring the
cartridge. Figs. 30, 31, & 32 show the position of the combined cover
ramrod. Figs. 33 & 34 represent keys furnished with two pins, which take
into the back end of eccentric screw a. for the purpose of turning it, Fig. 33
being the position when open, showing the space left to allow of the intro-
duction of the cartridge, & Fig. 34 the position when closed.
In Figs. 30.
31, & 33, the key is shown in position, which is covered by a stop and cover
ramrod. Figs. 30 & 33 shows it in position for opening, and Fig. 31 in position
for closing the breech. Fig. 35 shows a side view, plan, and end view of a stop
for closing the opening made in the rocking piece to lodge the key in. The
two leaves are held tightly between the wood and the rocking piece, from
which it results that the key is fixed to the mounting, and can only rotate on
its axis. The stop serves to limit the recoil of the cover ramrod beyond a
certain point. Figs. 36 & 37 represent a projectile and cartridge consisting
of a cylinder with a tail piece of less diameter. The cartridge is attached to
the projectile; it is terminated by a wad which closes the chamber, and
prevents the products of combustion reaching the inner face of the eccentric
screw. Fig. 38 is a side view of a carbine barrel with the breech-piece
suitably arranged. Fig. 39, section of a butt of a gun at the part where the
inner face of the rocking piece rests. also showing the pin p. This operation
is effected by the key. which so places the pin that whatever the position of
the locking plate the hammer shall not be cocked by the stop when the breech
is open. A spring acts on the pin p, and forces it to disengage the plate at
the moment when the key is in position for closing the breech. Fig. 40
represents the pin p in detail, consisting of a small plate, with a pin attached

page_text: of suitable size. I claim especially the mounting of the rocking piece i, as
detailed, also the cover ramrod n, keystop, and pin p.
The next part of this Invention relates to muskets, to which the system of
breech-loading by the eccentric screw herein described may be applied in
several ways. The following is a totally different arrangement to that applied
in the infantry carbine:-Figs. 1 & 2 represent the barrel q, with its breech-
piece r, and end view of same, there being no other deviation from the
foregoing than hole s for the screw, which is disposed laterally to the eccentric
aperture. Fig. 3 is a front view of rocking piece f. suitably shaped to the
form of the butt, Fig. 4, part u, which is applied in front of the same to cover
the opening; it is inserted in a semicircular groove. This groove also serves
for securing the head of a thumb-pull or lever z, and to limit its traverse.
Fig. 5, face view of rocking piece, with its front plate u. Figs. 7 & 8, plan
and side view of a rocking piece y, being a modification of the foregoing
rocking piece. Fig. 9, back piece z, applied to back end of rocking piece y
to cover the opening. Fig. 10, lock plates near the orifice communicating to
barrel, having a square opening, inclined as represented at Fig. 11. Fig. 12,
lever with its thumb-piece, the stem being square to a'. and rounded
the remainder of its length. Fig. 13 shows the connection between the
part and the lock. plate and hammer 2, which has a groove suitably
formed for allowing the part to act; when it quits the closed position it
comes in contact with the notch of hammer 2, and thus prevents the hammer
being cocked, and "vice versa." When the hammer is cocked the part is
forced to remain stationary; for actuating the part z, it is held between the
forefinger and thumb, and caused to traverse the length of the groove, shown
in the Figure; Figs. 14 & 15 represent the butt and rocking piece, similar
to those before described, but with a different form of ramrod 3. without a
cover, having two sides plates 4, 4, sliding in grooves: the cartridge chamber
is shown uncovered; Fig. 16, transverse section, full size. of the butt, showing
face of rocking piece, also grooved in the wood for the traverse of part z.
also showing the inclination of the opening of the lever in the lock plate,
which is so arranged as to be available the whole extent of the semicircular
groove in the face of the rocking piece. The motion of the lever being
regulated by the lock plate, the handle of said lever turns in a contrary
direction to the stem; Fig. 17 represents details of the ramrod, which consists
of two parts 5 screwed together, and gripping an elastic band, intended to
act in the contrary direction for the purpose of forcing the cartridge into the
chamber.

page_text: Improvements as applied to pistols.-For pistols another arrangement of
mounting and fitting is employed, the stock being separate from the butt and
fixed to the barrel: Figs. 20 & 21 show a military pistol with stock and back
end of breech-piece, it has a single pin 6, pierced for the passage of the large
screw, which connects the pistol to the rocking-piece. Figs. 17, 18, 19, & 20
show the butt of the pistol with rocking-piece and arrangement of thumb
piece; Figs. 22, 23, 24, & 25, represent details of rocking piece similar to
the one above described; Figs. 26 & 27 represent the lock plate, hammer.
and thumb-piece, arranged in same manner as for the musket herein-before
dscribed; Fig. 28 represents details of the thumb-piece, also similar to that
above described; Figs. 17 & 18 show details of, first. a ramrod differing
slightly from those before described; and. 2ndly, of rocking piece with semi-
circular groove; 3rdly, of lock plate, with opening for the play of the thumb-
picce; 4thly, of the hammer with opening for said piece; and 5thly, the
thumb-piece constructed as described.
Projectiles for breech-loading guns.-Figs. 41. 42, 43, Sheet 2. Fig. 41
represents a cylindro-conical ball of lead with cylindrical hollow d: this space
has a screw thread at the back end to receive a screw b with a large head.
which is applied to the base of the projectile, and prevents the screw from
being driven in by the pressure of the gas. The conical head is pierced
conically for the insertion of a projecting conical striker c, the base of which
rests on the cap of the percussion cartridge d in the centre, which may be
employed in various systems of loading at the breech. at the moment when the
projectile strikes the interior charge explodes; it is also suitable with guns
of small calibre to make use of cartridges containing fulminating materials;
Fig. 42, represents a modification of a shell slightly differing from the fore-
going instead of being closed by a screw, it has a head of metal e, held against
the base of the shell by a small inner collar; in Fig. 43, the projectile is
composed of a cylinder of steel, copper, or other material, with a base on
which is placed a leaden tube g; the head of this cylinder is screwed so as to
receive a cap h, also of hard metal; this cap forces the tube against the base
and holds it firmly fixed, the cap his pierced conically for receiving the conical
head before described. 'These projectiles may all be fired with the same kind
of cartridge, are of simple construction & easy of transportation, no danger need
be feared in using them, for nothing less than the percussion resulting from a
charge will explode them, and if they accidentally fall on the ground, their
eads never strike it, being much lighter than ordinary shells the recoil is pro-
ortionately less, which is a great advantage for precision of aim.

page_text: Having described the nature of this Invention and the manner of performing
the same,
I declare that what 1 claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is..
First. the method of twisting ordinary gun barrels in a heated state for the
purpose of reducing their size, as herein-before described.
Secondly, I claim the apparatus herein-before described and represented
for the purpose of effecting the torsion of the barrels aforesaid.
Thirdly, I claim the eccentric screw for closing the breech of fire-arms
loading at the breech as herein-before described, applied either to cannon.
rifles, muskets, or pistols.
Fourthly, the explosive balls herein-before described.
In witness whereof, 1. the said William Clark. have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
W. G. E. SwINNOCK.
53, Chancery Lane.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)