Improvements in Compound Bullets.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1899-Accepted, 8th July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Compound Bullets.
I, Captain WILLIAM BERKELEY WALLACE, of the Suffolk Regiment, Officers'
Quarters, Enfield Lock, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In compound bullets composed of a hard metal envelope, and a core of lead or
lead alloy, I enable the bullet to easily open out on striking a soft body, by
cutting the core parallel to the longer axis of the bullet into a number of division's
preferably all of the same size. The dividing surfaces of these divisions radiate
from the longer axis of the bullet as shown at (a b) in Fig. A. In cross section
these dividing surfaces may be straight as shown at (a b) in Fig. A, or curved
in any manner. (ed) in Fig. 3 shews on way in which they may be curved. These
radiating dividing lines may extend from the longer axis of the bullet to the
side of the bullet, as in Figs. A and B, or may be of shorter length as (e f) in
Fig. C; in this case the radiating divisions would only cut the surface of the
core near the nose, as will be seen in Fig. F. The cuts in the core parallel to the
longer axis of the bullet may extend any distance from the nose of the bullet
towards the base or may extend up to the base. They are shown extending
different distances in Figs. 1), E and F. Bullets with leaden cores cut in the
above manner may have their envelopes drawn on over either the nose of the
core or over the base. The envelope should be open at the nose, to permit of
the core more readily opening out. Fig. G shows a longitudinal section of a suit-
able envelope for these split cores; but I do not confine myself to the use of
this particular form of envelope. Cores of lead or lead alloy cut in the above
manner may have a hollow in the nose (such as is usually employed in express
bullets) to further assist them in opening out.
1000
WILLIAM BERKELEY WALLACE, CAP.
Suffolk Regiment.
Improvements in Compou
I, Captain WILLIAM BERKELEY WALLACE, of the Suffolk Regiment, Officers'
Quarters, Enfield Lock, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to bullets (for small arms) of the character known as
compound bullets which are composed of a core or body of lead or lead alloy

page_text: or other suitable material (hereinafter referred to as lead") having a hard
metal or other suitable envelope casing or cover.
To enable this compound bullet to easily open out on striking a soft body
according to this invention the core of lead is cut or divided from the front end
or nose and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bullet-into a number of parts
or divisions advantageously all of the same size but such divisions do not extend
to the base or rear end of the bullet.
The dividing surfaces of these divisions radiate from the longitudinal axis of
the bullet either in straight or curved lines.
And in order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into practice I will proceed to fully describe same with reference to the draw-
ings hereunto annexed:-
Figs. 1 and 2 are side views of bullet cores according to my invention and
Figs. 1 and 2 are cross sections thereof on line a- and y-y respectively.
+
In Figs. 1 and 1^ the dividing lines are straight and divide the core into four
equal sectors see Fig. 1^; while Fig. 2 shows how the dividing lines may be
curved.
These divisions may extend any distance from the nose a towards the base b
for instance two-thirds or three-fourths of the length of the core as shown in
Fig. 1 or only about half the length thereof (or less) as shown in Fig. 2. The
dividing lines should not extend so close up to the base of the core as to render
the divisions liable to break away from each other during manufacture. For this
reason they should not usually be continued closer to the base than 31, of an inch.
The envelope for these cores should be open at the nose or front end to permit
of the split core more readily opening out as may be seen in Figs. 3 and 4 but I
do not confine myself to the exact proportions there given.
The case or envelope may advantageously be made thinner at the point or
nose thereof to facilitate opening out.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a suitable envelope with core removed→
but I do not confine myself to the use of this particular form of envelope.
Cores of lead or lead alloy cut or divided according to my invention may have
a hollow or recess in the nose end (such as is employed in express bullets) to
further assist them in opening out.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a compound bullet (core and envelope)
having a recess c in the nose of the core thereof and Fig. 4 is a top end view
thereof.
These compound bullets may be manufactured as follows:-
-
After cutting off the core blanks from a rope (of lead) same can then be split
(cut) and then coned at the nose end or otherwise shaped as desired or may be
shaped first and then split as aforesaid.
After splitting-the split end (i.e. the nose end) of the core is then swaged or
compressed and put in its casing or envelope (which cover is or may be made of
cupro-nickel, steel, brass, etc.) either from the rear end of said cover which is
turned over or from the front open end (before the latter is comed) which there-
after is then spun or coned in any suitable manner.
Hard lead alloy can if desired be used for forming bullet cores according to this
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what
I claim is:
1. Forming compound bullets from a lead core divided longitudinally into a
number of divisions extending from the nose towards but not up to the base and
a suitable cover or envelope in which said core is enclosed as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.
2. Forming compound bullets from a lead core divided longitudinally into a
number of divisions extending from the nose towards but not up to the base and

page_text: a cover or envelope open at its front end in which said core is enclosed substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
3. A compound bullet composed of a lead core divided longitudinally into a
number of divisions from the nose end towards but not up to the base and an
envelope or cover enclosing such core substantially as and for the purposes here-
inbefore described.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.