IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Richardson Fanshawe, of Arthur
Street, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Chemist and
Manufacturing Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FIRE-ARMS."
Sealed the 1st September 1858, and dated the 16th March 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Richardson
Fanshawe at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 16th March 1853.
I, HENRY RICHARDSON FANSHAWE, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS" to be as
follows:-
My Improvements consist in the substitution of the electric or
electro galvanic fluid as a means of ignition to the powder or other
explosive compounds employed in fire-arms, in place of the present
percussion cap, flint, or match.
In guns I adapt the barrel to a hollow stock, and in field-pieces
& pieces of ordnance, as mortars, bombs, &c., I provide a convenient

page_text: receptacle in the carriage of such piece, and in both cases galvanic
plates are fitted therein to form the battery required. Instead of a
lock I have a tube, which must taper downwards, and on the larger
end of this tube must be placed a flange. This tube must penetrate
through the end of the barrel, by a small aperture made through its
end, and running parallel to the same (& serves in the place of the
present touch-hole); through the centre of this tube must pass a wire,
on the narrow end of the small tube, and projects a short distance
therefrom; the tube must be lined with a thin film of gutta-percha, or
other non-conducting substance, at a distance from the flange of the
tube; the wire must be provided with a plate, & between the flange
of the one and the plate of the other must be a spring. The trigger
will act upon the flange of the tube, and force it into the charge or
cartridge, the wire being gradually brought up to the point of igni-
tion, i. c. the small end of such tube already inserted in the hollow
stock. There is another mode of applying the conductor, which would
be by insulating pointed wire in some non-conducting substance, and
hermetically scaling the opening in the breech of a gun or field-piece;
the conducting wire would communicate to this fixed point the fluid
which would by such means fuse or ignite to the charge.
-
For these arms it will be desirable to use the powder envelopped in
waterproof cases.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 2
filed by the said Henry Richardson Fanshawe, in the Great Seal
Patent Office, on the 16th September 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
ENRY RICHARDSON FANSHAWE, of Arthur Street, Old Kent Road, in
the County of Surrey, Chemist and Manufacturing Agent, send 3
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-

page_text: teenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Henry Richardson Fanshawe, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her special licence that I, the
said Henry Richardson Fanshawe, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Richardson Fanshawe,
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 FIRE-ARMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Henry Richardson Fanshawe, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Richardson Fanshawe, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:
My improvements consist in the substitution of the electric or
electro galvanic fluid as a means of ignition to the power or other
explosive compounds employed, in fire-arms in place of the present
percussion cap, flint, or match. In guns I adapt the barrel to a hol-
low stock, and in field-pieces and pieces of ordnance, as mortars,
bombs, &c., I provide a convenient receptacle in the carriage of such
piece, and in both cases galvanic plates are fitted therein to form the
battery required. Instead of a lock I have a firing tube or needle,
which should taper towards its point, on the larger part of which
must be placed a flange. This tube should penetrate through the end
of the breech of the barrel by a small aperture made through it, and
running parallel to the same (to serve in place of the present touch-
hole). This tube or needle carries a wire at its point or narrow end;
the tube or needle must be lined or coated with a thin film of gutta

page_text: percha or other non-conducting substance. At a short distance from
the flange of the tube the wire must for action be brought in contact
with a plate, and between the flange and tho plate must be a spring.
The trigger will act upon the flange of the tube or needle, and force it
into the charge or cartridge, the wire being gradually brought up to 5
the point of ignition, that is, the small end of such tube or needle
already inserted in the breech in the hollow stock. There is another
mode of applying the conductor, which is by insulating a pointed wire
in the same non-conducting substances, and hermetically sealing
the opening in the breech of the gun or field-piece; the conducting
wire would communicate to this fixed point the fluid, which would by
such means ignite the charge. For these arms it will be desirable to
use the powder enveloped in waterproof cases (of suitable construc-
tion as hereafter described).
And in order to the better exemplification of my said Invention, I
have annexed to these Presents sheets of drawings illustrative thereof,
which I now proceed to describe.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, exhibits one arrangement of the firing tube or needle, on
which the trigger aforesaid acts, as hereafter described, whereby a
point is forced into a cartridge of the peculiar construction (shewn at
Fig. 6,) and hereafter described. In this Fig. A, denotes the stem of
the point made of brass, or other metal of the same or greater hard-
ness; A', the point made of platina, or other incorrodible metal, secured
to the stem by being tapped therein, or by hard solder; b, the flange on
which the trigger acts, as hereafter described; c, the helical or spiral
spring which surrounds the stem A, and presses at one end against the
flange b, and at the other against the metallic washer d, having in
front thereof a vulcanized india-rubber or oiled leather washer e.
These should be convexo-concave in form, so as to properly close the
concave aperture at the opening of the breech towards the stock.
Fig. 2, exhibits the method No. 2, in which I proceed to carry out
my Invention by adapting to the breech of the ordinary barrel of a
musket, caunon, or other fire-arm a fixed point a, of a non-conducting

page_text: substance, such as Wedgewood's ware, round the extreme end of
which I lay in a fine groove a platina wire b, of from No. 30, to 34,
wire, according to the description and size of the arm, connected by
another and stouter wire c, of the same material, joined to a copper
wire d, of sufficient diameter to carry the current of electricity required;
the same being in connection with one of the poles of the battery by
passing through the breech e, to the said battery. The platina wire b,
is carried over the end of the fixed point a, to a groove on the other
side thereof, and terminates at the breech e, (which is the opposite
poles) so as to complete the circuit when in action. In this gun powder
and shot or ball may be used loose, but the ramrod must in that case
be concaved at the end (as shewn at Fig. 7, and hereafter described),
so as not to injure the fixed point in the interior of the barrel.
Fig. 8, exhibits an external view and transverse section, and Fig. 3 A,
a longitudinal section of No. 3, firing tube or needle, which, passing
through the breech, and being charged either negative or positive from
the battery, ignites the charge by contact at the most profitable point
of ignition, viz., that nearest to the shot or projectile, and causes its
discharge; the breech being charged with electric fluid from one
pole, and the tube or needle from the other. This needle is thus
constructed Within a brass tube a, is a brass wire a', insulated by
being coated with cotton and shelac e, e, and proceeding from one pole
of the battery, and extending to the platina wire b, (red line,) secured
to the said brass wire by soldering with hard solder, the said platina
wire being laid against a piece of talc d, and open to view, as repre-
sented at red line, Fig. 3. On the other side of this is another shorter
piece of talc d*, and there are two slips of platina c, c, soldered with
hard solder to the brass tube, such slips being protectors to the tale
and wire and for completion of circuit. f, is the flange actuated by
the trigger, and g, the helical or spiral spring (not shewn in the
transverse section and Fig. 3A).
Fig. 4, exhibits a modification of the above; the outer tube being
marked a, the flange for trigger f, and the helical or spiral spring g.
In this case the platina wire, shewn by the red line, passes between a
slip of platina brought to an acute angle or nearly so, and there are

page_text: no pieces of tale inserted, as in the former case.
The other arrange-
ments in this case are the same as in Figs. 3 and 3A. Another modifi-
cation of this may be constructed by inserting the platina wire between
Wedgewood ware or other non-conducting substance.
Fig. 5, exhibits No. 5, form of firing tube or needle. This has a
perforating sheath of tube A, outside the igniting needle a, with flanges
for the double trigger, shewn at Figs. 11 and 11A; the flange on the
outer needle being marked h, and that on the inner needle f. i, is a
washer against the end of the tube A, and receiving the pressure of the
spring. And there is another helical or spiral spring g, which extends
to the end of the perforating tube A. The other arrangements of the
igniting needle a, are the same as Fig. 3A. This arrangement ensures
greater certainty in firing large pieces of ordnance and other fire-arms
where large and stout cartridges are employed, as the outer points of
perforating tube will readily break the cover or end of such cartridge,
and allow the ignition of the powder to take place at the most pro-
fitable point, as aforesaid.
The same lock arrangement is applicable to all these shapes, except
Fig. 5, in which case a lock, such as shown in Figs. 11 and 11A, and
hereafter described, is required; and in the case of two-barrelled guns
a duplicate lock will be required; and this may either be regulated
upon the common trigger principle, or a key (as Fig. 12,) upon a
square point in the centre of the two, acting upon a lever, may be made
to serve the purpose, which key can at any time be removed, and so
render the piece, if loaded, perfectly free from danger from accidental
discharge.
Fig. 6, exhibits the cartridge herein-before mentioned, suitable for use
with No. 1, needle. A, is the external view; B, the longitudinal sec-
tion thereof. a, is the powder compartment; and b, the shot compart-
ment; c, is a disc of copper or other suitable metal, with a bridge d,
secured thereon by sealing-wax, or other suitable non-conductor; to
this is soldered at e, and f, a thin platina wire, shewn by red line. This
copper disc c, has a toothed or jagged edge h, projecting outside the
cartridge for firing same. The felt g, is made of hair felt.
Fig. 7, is the ramrod herein-before mentioned, suitable for use with

page_text: No. 2, needle. It is hollowed at the head a, or larger end, forming a
cup, which will fall over point No. 2, without injury thereto.
Fig. 8, (longitudinal section,) and 9, (top plan.) exhibit the mode
of carrying out this Invention in large or small guns. I begin by
forming a chamber or battery cell, by hollowing out the stock of the
gun a, (or the carriage of a piece of ordnance,) and coating the same
with insoluble cement. In this I place the frame b, (see Fig. 8,) con-
taining the positive plate C, made zigzag, of platinized silver. On each
side and one end is the negative plate d. From the positive plate c,
at c, proceeds the positive wire to the metallic plate f*, in the breech
of the gun, which plate is in contact with the positive wire. In order
to put the gun in action, and fire it by means of the battery, I com-
municate the electric fluid to the wire a', at the end of the firing tube
or needle d, which I effect by the motion of trigger D, which acts upon
the said firing tube or needle, at the flange f, pushing forward the firing
tube or needle, which draws forward the wire a', and, from the curivi-
linear shape thereof, and the plate f*, brings them into contact, thereby
forming the complete circuit conveying the electric fluid to fire the
charge. m, is a valve of vulcanized india-rubber, with a small brass
clip and screw for the discharge of any hydrogen which may generate
in battery. The lock arrangement consists of a frame of iron h
having two cross plates h¹, h², with orifices in the centre for the passage
of the firing tube or needle; and there is an orifice for the same purpose
in the front of this frame, facing the orifice in the breech of the gun.
Any of the firing tubes or needles before described may be used in this
lock arrangement, excepting No. 5; and the action will be this, that
when the needle has been pushed forward, and fired the charge, as
aforesaid, it will be brought back to the position shewn in the drawing,
by the helical or spiral spring g, which works free in the orifices of h',
and h, and the front of the frame, but abuts and acts against the
broech c. k, the barrel of the gun.
Fig. 11, exhibits in longitudinal section, and in Fig. 11A, top view of
the lock arrangement, fitted with a compound trigger, and adapted to
the use of No. 5, firing tube or needle. The parts which remain the
same as in the former lock arrangement, are marked with the same

page_text: figures, and need no further comment; the difference between the
two consisting in the firing tube or needle being of different construc-
tion, viz.. the construction termed No. 3, and shewn at Fig. 5, which
having been described, and the parts being marked with the same
letters as in said Fig. 5, will need no special reference.
It also differs
in respect to the trigger, which is a compound lever, the same as the
former trigger as regards the part D, but having jointed thereto a
horizontal lever D', to which is jointed an upright lever or second
trigger D, having its fulcrum at x. When the trigger D, is acted
upon, it impels forward the second trigger D, by the intervention of D',
and D. itself follows it. D, acts upon the flange h, of the firing tube
or needle A, and causes it to move forward into the breech of the gun,
and perforate the cartridge; and after this igniting tube a, is pushed
forward by D, acting on the flange f, in the usual way. In order to
insure the tube A, being pushed forward before u, is pushed forward,
and thus allow A, suflicient time to properly perforate and enter the
cartridge, the spring j, is made considerably weaker than the spring g,
and the return of both A, and a, will be in the same proportion.
Fig. 10, is an external side view of the fixed point or firing needle
herein-before referred to, with its mechanism. In this, Fig. D, denotes
the trigger which acts against the flange E, on the tube F, through
which passes the insulated positive wire d, connected with the fixed
point, as shewn at Fig. 2, and herein-before described. G, G, are
guides, formed on the plate II, fixed on the side or other convenient
part of the gun. The tube F, is insulated from the spiral spring, from
the framework and trigger. The trigger, being acted on, pushes forward
the tube F, to the end of the breech, and completes the circuit by
coming in contact with that negative pole; the negative wire I, having
supplied F, at the moment of contact.
Fig. 10A, exhibits a top view of a duplicate arrangement for a
double-barrelled gun of this fixed point; and as the same letters are
marked on the same parts as in Fig. 10, it will be unnecessary to make
further comment.
Having thus described the said Invention, with reference to the
said drawings, I would remark that, with regard to keeping up the

page_text: supply of electric fluid for the purposes aforesaid, I prefer to use,
in the said battery, feathery asbestos and dilute sulphuric acid,
made one part acid and four parts water, taking care that these and
the other materials used in the construction and working of the battery
shall be as pure as can be procured, my object being to keep the
battery efficiently at work without a fresh supply as long as may be,
and to defer the destruction of the materials to as great a distance
of time as possible. I secure the cover of the battery to prevent the
escape of the asbestos paste, and occasionally open the small vulcanized
india-rubber tube (), which acts as a valve for the discharge of any
hydrogen which is formed during the electrical action; and where the
zinc is pure and well amalgamated with mercury, and the sulphuric
acid is free from impurities, the quantity of gas generated is very small,
being only generated at the instant of each discharge of the piece.
The wires being adjusted, and complete circuit of battery ensured,
I, if the No. 2, point is employed, place the cartridge or loose powder
in at the mouth of the gun barrel, and proceed with the ball or shots
in the usual manner. But I prefer, in all cases, loading at the breech,
as this plan is most conveniently worked with the American, Prussian,
and other guns, so loaded. After placing the charge, whether loose or
cartridge, or a hollow shot, such as Norton's patent elongating ball,
I cause the explosion of the same by forming a complete electrical
current to meet at the nearest point of the powder next or in contact
with the ball or shots. Where the point No. 1, is employed, the
cartridge No. 6, must be also, or the complete circuit will not be formed.
As the point No. 1, is charged with one pole, the indented edge of the
metal disc contained in the cartridge No. 6, forms through its contact
with the barrel the next or opposite pole, the moment of contact
between the point No. 1, and the frame in the interior of the cartridge,
and forming part of the metal disc, the fine platina (or other substance
similar) is fired, and ignition of the powder takes place at the point
most desirable, namely, in front of the powder charge. Where No. 2,
or fixed point, is used, we have the complete circuit formed within the
point itself, and do not require to electrize the charge, as in No. 1.
The same remark applies to the various forms, as the points Nos. 3, 4, 5,
and 6.

page_text: In carrying out this principle in large guns, or for submarine
operations, a larger amount of battery action will be required, as the
point of ignition will lay a much greater distance from the plate than
in the case of small arms.
The advantages of this Invention are its safety from accidental
discharges, with the precision of the Prussian needle gun, there being
no danger such as exists in the percussion cartridge employed therein,
whereas I use the waterproof cartridge herein-before described, whereby
I can ignite under water with great facility, and keep up a constant
volley of shots from the sanie pieco (by loading at the breech), as a
constant stream of balls could be thrown above or below water line.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manuer the same is to be performed, I further declare that I wish it
to be understood that my Invention is not dependent on the use of the
precise materials or letails of constretion herein-before described,
as any mere equivalent may be adopted with the same effect. But what
I claim is the improvements in fire-arms of the nature and character
herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Richardson Fanshawe,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-three.
(Signed) II. R. FANSHAWE (1.9.)
Signed and scaled in my presence,
F. W. CAMPIN,
Patent Agent, Strand.