Rifled Guns and other Tubular Surfaces.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 10th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 14th Dec., 1888
RESERVE C
Ал шproved теслой от али аррагагию 401
Rifled Guns and other Tubular Surfaces.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, Director of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co. Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for surfacing the interior of
tubes, and is chiefly designed for finishing the surface of the grooves and lands in the
hore of a rifled gun.
The said invention affords the means whereby such grooves and lands can be made
very accurate and uniform in size throughout the bore, and can have the metal at the
surface condensed and made very hard and smooth, so that any tendency to erosion
of the metal by the action of the powder will be avoided or diminished. Moreover,
in some instances, I can so finish the surface as to obviate the necessity for the usual
tempering of the bore.
"
For this purpose my said invention is carried into practice as follows, that is to
say I construct a cylindrical head, block or die of steel, the periphery of which is
formed with grooves and projections corresponding in size and direction with the
lands and grooves in the bore of the gun. I harden the said head or block so that,
when moved longitudinally through the bore, it will have a burnishing action on the
surface of the same. If desired the said block may be slightly taper so that it will
exert a wedge-like action in its passage through the bore of the gun.
I attach this block to one end of a rod or bar of suitable length to extend through the
bore of the gun. The other end of the said rod or bar is connected with the piston
or ram of a hydraulic cylinder of sufficient length to allow the piston a stroke equal
to the required endwise movement of the aforesaid block or head. The latter is
inserted in the bore at one end of the gun and then drawn or thrust by the hydraulic
pressure through the rifling to the other end of the same.
The said rod or bar is, in some instances, rigidly connected with the said piston or
ram, the latter being free to turn with the said rod or bar upon or about its axis. In

page_text: other instances, the said rod or bar is so connected' with the piston or ram that it may
be turned upon its axis independently thereof.
I sometimes provide other means for drawing or thrusting the aforesaid block or
head through the bore of a gun for the purpose above specified.
I provide a series of the said blocks of different character and so constructed and pro-
portioned relatively to each other that, after using one of the same, I can replace it
on the bar by another of slightly increased dimensions, and can thus continue the
burnishing, condensing and hardening operation upon the rifled surface until the same
is properly finished. I prefer that the said blocks should be inserted in the breech-
end of the bore so that the direction of movement of the blocks will be the same as
that of a projectile fired from the gun.
In some instances, if desirable, I can use my improved apparatus in an ordinary
rifling-machine.
In applying this invention for finishing the bore of a gun rifled with a varied or
increasing pitch, I construct the head or block in a series of metal plates or layers
arranged upon the rod or bar in the proper relative position to give the required shape
to the block, but free to turn independently thereon so that they can adapt them-
selves to the variations in the pitch or angle of the rifling, while passing through the
gun.
Dated this 10th day of December 1887
.HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Rifled Guns and other Tubular Surfaces.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, Director of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, 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 :-
My Invention relates to an improved method of, and apparatus for, finishing the
surface of the grooves and lands in the bore of a rifled gun.
The said Invention affords the means whereby such grooves and lands can be made
very accurate and uniform in size, and can have the metal at the surface condensed and
made very hard and smooth, so that any tendency to erosion of the metal by the action
of the powder will be avoided or diminished. Moreover, in some instances, I can so
finish the surface as to obviate the necessity for the usual tempering of the bore.
I can, if desired, make the said grooves of one uniform depth and width from end
to end. I prefer, however, to make them slightly and uniformly or continuously
taper, that is to say, to gradually diminish their depth and width from the breech to
the muzzle of the gun, and I also, in some instances, make the bore or surface of the
lands correspondingly taper from breech to muzzle. I thus compensate for the wear
or abrasion of the copper or other metal bands or gas-checks on the projectile as the
latter traverses the bore of the gun, and provide for more effectually obviating
liability to erosion of the metal by the passage of gas between the projectile and the
bore.
I then
In carrying my said Invention into practice I proceed as follows, viz. :-The gun
is first bored parallel and rifled in the usual or other convenient manner.
finish the surface of the grooves and lands by drawing or thrusting through the bore a
peculiarly shaped planisher or burnisher consisting of a head, block or die provided
with rubbing surfaces as hereinafter described. In cases where the grooves are to be
taper, I sometimes pass a cutting tool through the same before planishing or burnishing
the surface.
If the grooves are to be parallel from end to end, I use a cylindrical block, head or
die of steel, the periphery of which is formed with grooves and projections corre-
sponding in size and direction with the lands and grooves in the bore of the gud.
I harden the said .block or head so that, when moved longitudinally through the bore,
it will have a planishing or burnishing action on the surface of the same.
I attach this block or head to one end of a rod or bar of suitable length to extend
through the bore of the gun. The other end of the said rod or bar is connected with
the piston or ram of a hydraulic cylinder of sufficient length to allow the piston a
stroke equal to the required endwise movement of the aforesaid block or head. The

page_text: latter is inserted in the bore at one end of the gun, and is then, by the hydraulic
pressure, forced through the rifling to the other end of the same, or moved alternately
from one end to the other end thereof.
The said rod or bar is, in some instances, rigidly connected with the said piston or
ram, the latter being free to turn with the said rod or bar upon or about its axis while
moving longitudinally, so that the rubbing surfaces will follow the twist of the rifling.
In other instances, the said rod or bar is so connected with the piston or ram that it
will move longitudinally therewith but is free to turn upon its axis independently
thereof.
If desired, the said block or head is made slightly taper so that it will exert a
wedge-like action in its passage through the bore of the gun.
In some instances, I provide a series of these planishers or burnishers of different
character and so constructed and proportioned relatively to each other that, after
using one of the same, I can remove it from the bar and replace it by another of
slightly increased dimensions, and can thus continue the burnishing, condensing and
hardening operation upon the rifled surface until the same is properly finished. Or I
make the rubbing surfaces movable or adjustable towards and away from the axis of
the block or head, and I provide suitable means for automatically or otherwise
effecting the adjustment of the said surfaces during the movement of the planisher or
burnisher through the gun. I prefer that the said planisher or burnisher should be
inserted in the breech end of the gun so that the direction of its movement therein
will be the same as that of a projectile fired therefrom, the said block or head being
detached from the bar to permit the return movement of the latter through the bore,
and being again attached thereto as required.
In applying this Invention for finishing the bore of a gun rifled with a varied or
increasing pitch, I construct the planisher or burnisher of a series of metal plates,
discs or sections formed with the requisite grooves and projections and arranged upon
the rod or bar in the proper relative position to give the required shape to the
planisher or burnisher, but free to turn independently of each other on the said bar so
that they can, while passing through the gun, adapt themselves to the variations in
the pitch or angle of the rifling. The said discs or plates are made of slightly
different diameter so as to impart a taper formation to the planishing or burnishing
tool. This form of my apparatus is also advantageous in the case of a gun rifled with
an unvarying pitch.
To adapt my apparatus for the formation of grooves tapering in width and depth
from the breech-end to the muzzle-end of the gun for the purpose above specified,
I make the block or head with rubbing or operating surfaces which are movable or
adjustable towards and away from the axis thereof, and I provide suitable means for
effecting the adjustment of the said surfaces automatically or otherwise during the
movement of the said block or head through the gun.
For this purpose, according to one form of construction, I arrange in the said block
or head a wheel or circular tool fixed upon a transverse shaft, which is supported in
suitable bearings in the block or head in such a manner that the said circular tool
projects at one side beyond the periphery of the said block or head. The periphery or
edge of the said wheel or circular tool forms the surface for acting on the grooves of
the rifling. This working edge is made with a cap or aperture and is taper, that is to
say, it increases in width from one side or wall of the said cap around to the other
side or wall thereof. It is, moreover, slightly excentric to its shaft, its narrowest part
being nearer to the said shaft than its widest part, the said shaft also has mounted
thereon a worm-wheel geared with a worm fixed upon a longitudinal shaft extending
through the rod or bar to which the said block or head is attached. The said
longitudinal shaft is geared with suitable devices whereby it may be slowly and
continuously rotated during the movement of the block or head through the gun.
The burnisher is, in this case, introduced into the bore of the gun at the muzzle-end
thereof with the narrowest part of the periphery or working edge of the said tool,
and that nearest the shaft, in one of the said grooves. As the said block or head is
moved longitudinally through the gun, the said tool is slowly rotated so that it widens

page_text: and deepens the said groove gradually and uniformly from one to the other end of the
same.
In some instances, I provide the block or head with two or more of the said circular
tools so that the surface of more than one groove can be acted upon in each passage of
the block or head through the gun.
I also provide the block or head with adjustable rubbing surfaces for varying the
diameter of the bore or making it taper for the purpose above specified.
It is evident that, instead of moving the block or head through the gun from the
muzzle to the breech-end thereof, 1 can pass it through the same in the reverse
direction, the direction of rotation of the said disc being also reversed.
In some instances, I provide the aforesaid block or head with rubbing surfaces
which are adjustable by means of wedges or inclined planes for the purpose above
specified.
I can substitute for the hydraulic cylinder above mentioned, other suitable means
for drawing or thrusting the burnisher through the bore of a gun as above
described.
In some instances, if desirable, I can use my improved apparatus in an ordinary
rifling-machine.
During the rubbing or burnishing operation or previously thereto, I apply to the
said burnisher or to the bore of the gun or to both the burnisher and the bore, oil, soap
and water, or other suitable lubricant.
In the accompanying Drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved apparatus, part of the
gun being shown in longitudinal central section.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section of the said apparatus.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the burnishing block or head detached.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the said apparatus applied to a machine for
operating it.
Figure 5 is a side elevation illustrating a modification of the said machine.
Figure 6 is a face view, and
Figure 7 an edge view of one of a series of plates or discs forming a planisher or
burnisher as hereinbefore described.
Figure 8 is a face view showing a modified form of the said plate or disc.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal central section, some of the parts being shown in side
elevation, and
Figure 10 an end elevation, partly in transverse section, illustrating another
modification of my improved apparatus.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal central section, some of the parts being shown in sido
elevation, and
Figure 12 an end elevation, partly in transverse section, illustrating another
modification of my apparatus.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A indicates the gun, A³, A the rifle-grooves in the bore thereof.
In Figures 1 to 3, the burnisher consists of a block or head a formed with grooves a'
and projections a² corresponding with the lands and grooves in the bore of the gun.
The said block or head is fitted upon a stud & formed with a socket ', and is secured
upon the said stud by means of a washer 62 and nut 3, a tube or sleeve of slightly
greater width than the head a, being placed upon the stud between the socket &₁ and
the washer 2, so that, when the nut is tightly screwed upon the said stud, the
head a will be free to rotate thereon. c is a rod or bar which is formed with a head
or collar c fitting loosely into the socket and secured therein by means of a screw-
threaded sleeve c in such a manner that the said block or head a and socket 61,
though free to rotate upon the said rod or bar c, must participate in the end wise or
longitudinal movement thereof. A ring d of copper or other suitable material is fixed
upon the socket and fits the bore of the gun with sufficient accuracy to serve as a
guide for the planisher or burnisher.
In Figure 4, I have shown my apparatus applied to a rifling-machine of well-known

page_text: construction, the rod or bar a being attached to the carriage B of the said machine
and secured in the pinion B' which is geared with the sliding rack 62. The gun A
is supported in suitable standards C, C, so that its longitudinal axis is in line with the
axis of the rod or bar c. The standard C is provided with a bearing (2 fitted therein
and provided with suitable means for rotating it to adjust the gun as may be required
before the introduction of the planisher or burnisher therein. This apparatus for
adjusting the gun forms no part of my present invention and may be of any suitable
construction.
In the modification shown in Figure 5, the rod or bar c is secured to the piston of
a hydraulic cylinder D.
In Figures 6, 7 and 8, I have shown different forms of the plates, dises or sections
of which I employ a series as herein before mentioned in the construction of a
planisher or burnisher to be used for finishing the bore of a gun rifled with a varying
or increasing pitch.
In the modification of my apparatus shown in Figures 9 and 10, the block or
head a is provided with adjustable rubbing or burnishing tools a³, and the rod or
bar e is made hollow or tubular and has passed through it another rod or bar e pro-
vided with a conical part e which forms a seat for the tools a³, and by the movement
or adjustment of which towards or away from the forward end of the bare by suitable
devices provided at the rear end thereof, the said tools may be adjusted to regulate
their action upon the rifled bore of the gun. The head a and socket are, in this
case, formed in one piece. The rod e is guided in the said head by an enlargement e²
of the said rod.
For adjusting the rod or har e, I sometimes provide the same with a screw-thread
at its rear end and fit thereon a nut which is free to rotate but endwise movement of
which is prevented; therefore, by turning the said nut in one or the other direction,
the said rod or bar may be moved longitudinally in the corresponding direction.
An index or indicating device is, if desired, provided for registering the adjustment
of the said rod or bar e and consequently of the burnishing tools a³.
To provide for finishing the bore of rifled guns with grooves gradually increasing
in depth and width from the muzzle to the breech of the gun, I construct the apparatus
substantially as above described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, but I make the
cone e with a more gradual taper than that shown, and I provide for the automatic
adjustment of the rod or bar e, during the movement of the planisher or burnisher,
in such a manner that the tools a³ will be moved outward or permitted to move
inward as required. This automatic adjustment may be effected by means of suitable
differential motion apparatus. The parts of the tools a³ which fit into the grooves are,
moreover, tapered as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 10, so that, as they are forced
outward to burnish the bottom of the deeper and wider parts of the grooves, they will
also burnish the sides thereof.
In the modification shown in Figures 11 and 12 at is a wheel or circular burnishing
tool, such as is hereinbefore referred to, which is fixed upon a transverse shaft q fitted
to rotate in suitable bearings in the head a. This wheel or circular tool is arranged
to be gradually turned upon or about its axis, during the longitudinal movement of
the head a in the bore of the gun, through the medium of gear-wheels q¹, q², by
means of a worm formed or fixed on a central shaft r¹ extending through the hollow
rod or bar c. The wheel or tool at is, as above stated, formed with a gap a* in its
periphery or working edge, which is made slightly excentric to its shaft or in the form
of a spiral or an involute curve. The periphery or working edge of the said tool is,
moreover, taper from the lower side or wall of the said gap a* (when in the position
shown) around to the upper side or wall thereof; therefore, as the said tool is simul-
taneously moved longitudinally through the gun and turned upon or about its axis
its periphery or working edge will at all times fit the taper rifle-groove with sufficient
accuracy to burnish the bottom and sides of the said groove.
Although my invention is chiefly designed for finishing the bore of rifled guns,
it is obviously applicable for finishing other tubular surfaces having a series of
grooves.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that
I am aware that, in the manufacture of the "uchatius" and other smooth-bore guns.
it has been the practice to force steel mandrels of different diameter successively
through the bore for the purpose of enlarging the same throughout its length and
compressing the metal from the interior in such a manner as to produce an initial
tension of the metal at the exterior similar to that obtained in "built up" guns, but
my invention relates solely to the finishing of the surfaces of the lands and grooves
in rifled guns, and is not designed to provide for such enlargement of the bore and
compression of the metal; and I claim:-
First. In the manufacture of a rifled gun, the use of a block or head which has
its periphery formed to fit the rifling and which is caused to move through the gun
and to operate upon the surfaces of the lands and grooves, as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Second. The aforesaid block or head having its periphery formed to correspond
with the rifled bore of a gun and properly constructed to be drawn or forced through
the same and to operate upon the surfaces of the grooves and lands, as, and for the
purposes, above set forth.
Third. The hydraulic cylinder, having its piston or ram connected with the block
or head in such a manner that the latter while moving longitudinally can turn upon
or about its axis to permit its finishing surfaces to follow the twist of the rifling,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings for the
purpose specified.
Fourth. The modification of my invention wherein I make the said block or head
in a series of plates, discs or sections arranged upon the rod or bar in the proper
relative position and capable of turning thereon independently of each other,
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The apparatus provided with rotative or other adjustable finishing surfaces
in combination with means for operating the same, substantially as, and for the
purpose, specified.
Sixth. The finishing of the bore of a rifled gun by means of the apparatus herein
described in such a manner that the grooves are wider and deeper at the breech end
than at the muzzle end of the gun, as above set forth.
Dated this 9th day of October 1888.