IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING GUNS, AND IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Wightwick Rendel, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING GUNS, AND IN
THE ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.”
Sealed the 15th November 1878, and dated the 7th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Wightwick Rendel
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th June 1878.
GEORGE WIGHTWICK RENDEL, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MOUNTING GUNS, AND IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS IN CON-
NECTION THEREWITH."
"
The object of this Invention is to mount guns en barbette," in such manner and
with such mechanical appliances that they may be easily and rapidly worked by a
small number of men, who remain protected by a high parapet from all but vertical
fire. The parapet is made everywhere of a height exceeding that of a man, and
the gun and its carriage are mounted upon a pivotting platform, which is suffi-
ciently elevated to enable the gun to fire freely over the parapet. The pivot is so
placed that when the gun is run out it is immediately beneath its centre of gravity,
the gun platform can therefore be moved with ease around the pivot when the gun
is in this position, as it is at all times when motion about the pivot is required; for,
according to this system, the gun is loaded as well as fired when run out along the
platform.
The loading of the gun is effected by means of a mechanical rammer worked by
a crank handle, or in other convenient manner. This rammer is parallel to and
under cover of the parapet; it is inclined upwards, and works in such a direction
that when the gun has been suitably placed the head of the rammer is able to enter
the muzzle and to pass up the bore.
The cartridge and the projectile are brought from the service magazine to the
gun by a trolley running along rails laid close against the parapet; they are

page_text: arranged in their proper relative positions in a tube, which is closed at the ends by
slides or covers. This tube having been placed upon the trolley, the trolley is run
along the railway until it is landed upon a carriage running upon a transverse line
of rails. The carriage with the loaded trolley upon it is then traversed a short
distance, which brings the carriage and the projectile into position to enter the
gun; the slides or covers are then withdrawn from the ends of the tube, and the
rammer being set in motion the charge is forced home. The gun being thus loaded
the muzzle is elevated ready for firing, and the platform is rotated until the gun is
brought to bear upon the object to be fired at.
The man aiming may stand upon the gun platform, in which case he will be for
the most part protected by the gun in front of him, or even this amount of
exposure may be avoided by the use of reflecting sights.
After firing, the gun is allowed at once to run out along the inclined platform, it
is then turned, and its muzzle is depressed until the bore is aligned with the
rammer, when it is ready to be again loaded.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Wightwick Rendel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th December 1878.
GEORGE WIGHTWICK RENDEL, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MOUNTING GUNS, AND IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS IN CON-
NECTION THEREWITH.”
"
The object of this Invention is to mount guns en barbette," in such manner and
with such mechanical appliances that they may be easily and rapidly worked by a
small number of men who remain protected by a high parapet from all but vertical,
fire. The parapet is made everywhere of a height exceeding that of a man, and
the gun and its carriage are mounted upon a pivotting platform, which is suffi-
ciently elevated to enable the gun to fire freely over the parapet. The pivot is so
placed that when the gun is run out it is immediately beneath its centre of gravity,
the gun platform can therefore be moved with ease around the pivot when the gun
is in this position, as it is at all times when motion about the pivot is required; for,
according to this system, the gun is loaded as well as fired when run out along the
platform.
The loading of the gun is effected by means of a mechanical rammer worked by
a crank handle, or in other convenient manner. This rammer is parallel to and
under cover of the parapet; it is inclined upwards, and works in such a direction
that when the gun has been suitably placed the head of the rammer is able to enter
the muzzle, and to pass up the bore.
The cartridge and the projectile are brought from the service magazine to the
gun by a trolley running along rails laid close against the parapet; they are
arranged in their proper relative positions in a tube, which is closed at the ends by

page_text: In place of a straight stiff rammer I may, if desirable to economise space, or for
other reasons, employ a flexible or jointed rammer, such as that described in my
Patent, dated 17th December 1872, No. 3826.
On Sheet 2 of the Drawings my Invention is represented in a somewhat different
form, and one which admits of the men employed in loading being protected from
vertical as well as direct fire. Figure 3 is an elevation and Figure 4 is a plan..
The loading apparatus is enclosed in a loading chamber, which is open only in
front. The rammer is arranged in the manner already described, and it may be
identical in form; the Drawing however indicates the substitution of a chain and
barrel for the rack and pinion as a means for communicating motion to the ram-
rod. o is a lever mounted upon an axis carried by the uprights or supports p, p.
It is intended to raise the charge to the muzzle of the gun ready for the ramrod to
force it home. The lever o supports the tray q by means of trunnions q¹, q¹, with
which the tray is provided. By rocking upon its axis the lever o is able to take
the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3, and whilst it is in this
position the charge is by any convenient means placed in the tray q. This having
been done the lever is made to assume the position shown in full lines, which brings
the charge into position to be rammed home.
As the lever o rises lugs q, q, upon the tray q come against studs projecting
from the crutch r, upon which the muzzle of the gun is brought to rest preparatory
to loading. By this means the tray is caused to tip in such a way as to bring the
charge into the true alignment. The lever o carries a counterpoise at o², and by a
winch 8 and a chain s¹ this end of the lever is raised during the time occupied in
aiming and firing the gun, and during this interval also the charge is put into the
loading tray, so that when the gun comes to the loading position all is in readiness,
and it only remains to release the winch, and the charge is at once carried up to
the muzzle. The counterpoise coming to the ground may stop the lever o in the
proper place, or counterstops on the tray on the opposite side of the trunnions
to q, q, limiting the range of the tray, will, in connection with the stops q, q¹¹,
arrest the lever at the proper height. tis a hand barrow with a shot upon it, being
brought forward to be deposited in the loading tray q. In place of providing the
lever o with a counterpoise by which its movement to raise the charge is rendered
automatic, this movement may be produced directly by means of the winch; this
would however involve some loss of time.
I usually make the rammer head in a form to act as a sponge, also to clean the
bore, but Figures 5 and 6 show to a larger scale a means which I adopt to avoid the
necessity for sponging the gun. Figure 5 is a plan and Figure 6 is a front eleva-
tion. u is the muzzle of the gun and is a swivelling pipe connected with the
box v¹. This pipe is fitted with a stop-cock and nozzle, and by its means the
gunner throws a jet of water up the bore of the gun before loading. Water is laid
on to the box from the little accumulator w, the load of which is lifted after
every round or so by any convenient means, and the accumulator is at the same
time supplied with water from a bucket. The accumulator may conveniently be of
a size to hold water sufficient for two or three rounds.
Figure 7 on Sheet 3 shows another modification, according to which the rammer
and shot lifter are combined into one apparatus, which in the Figure is seen in
elevation. x is a lever, capable of rocking upon a fulcrum at ¹. The lever is
counterpoised and moved by a winch and chain in the manner already described
in respect to the lever o in the preceding Figures. The fore end of the lever x
forms the loading tray; it receives the charge when the fore end of the lever is
depressed, and by moving it upon its fulcrum raises the charge to the muzzle.
As the Drawing indicates the ramrod is actuated by means of a chain and barrel,
so applied as to leave the lever x free to rock. A cratch supports the muzzle of
the gun when in the loading position, and serves also to stop the end of the lever x
accurately in the position for loading. Such a crutch is represented in the
Drawing, but it may be dispensed with if preferred, the gun being brought down to

page_text: a stop upon the carriage, and projections upon the lever x coming against the
muzzle of the gun when the charge is raised to the muzzle.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The combipation, substantially as described, of a gun mounted "en bar-
bette" upon an elevated platform firing over a parapet giving protection from hori-
zontal fire, and a loading apparatus within the battery and under cover adapted to
force the charge up the bore of the gun when the muzzle is depressed.
Second. Also, as a further element in the said combination, the position of the
pivot, such that the centre of gravity of the gun and carriage. when the gun is run
out for firing or for loading is over the pivot, by which the turning of the gun
about the pivot is facilitated.
Third. The method of carrying out my Invention represented upon Sheet 1 of the
annexed Drawings.
Fourth. The method of carrying out my Invention represented upon Sheet 2 of
the annexed Drawings.
Fifth. The method of carrying out my Invention represented upon Sheet 3 of the
annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Wightwick Rendel, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
01 W DENDEL
CW. R
RENDEL
(L.S.)