IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of
of'
Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES." - Ar
communication from abroad by Oliver Fisher Winchester, of the:
City and County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, United States:
of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said. Edward Thomas
Hughes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his ;
Petition, on the 22nd June 1868.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son,
5 Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES,"
a communication to me from abroad by Oliver Fisher Winchester, of

page_text: the City and County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, United States
of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in metallic cartridges, and
especially those designed for repeating or magazine arms, the object
being threefold,-
First. To produce a cartridge that shall be less liable to accidental
explosion, both in handling and also in the magazine of the gun.
Second. To so strengthen the base or head as to prevent the breaking
or pulling off of the flange or head.
And, third. To produce a central-fire cartridge so constructed as to
act as a cushion for the purpose of releiving the breech pin more or less
from the sudden shock or strain caused by the explosion of the charge.
In order that this Invention may be clearly understood I have annexed
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, on which Fig. 1 is a side view of
the cartridge complete; Fig. 2, a longitudinal central section of the
shell; Fig. 3, a modification of the same; Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the three
parts of which the cartridge is composed shewn detached; and Figs. 7
and 8 other modifications of the same.
The copper case or tube A is constructed in the usual manner prior
to having the flange formed thercon, and a small recess or depression
is formed externally in the centre of the base, as shewn in Fig. 4, n
representing the recess. A shorter tube or cap B, having a corresponding
recess a in the centre of its head or base, is then constructed as shewn
in Fig. 6, this cap B being of sufficient size to fit over the rear end
of the case A. The recess is preferably formed, as seen at a, for the
purpose of making the shell thinner at that point in order to more
easily explode the cartridge, as heretofore shewn, yet it is not essential
that the recess is so formed as the metal may be left to its full thick-
ness, as seen in Fig. 3. A circular disc of rubber, felt, or other soft
and elastic material is next constructed of a diameter corresponding
with the case A, as represented in Fig. 5. This disc has a small hole at
its centre, and this hole should be slightly less in size than the cup
or recess in the base of the cases A and B. The fulminate is then
placed in the recess n on the outside of the base of the case A, the disc
or cushion-6 dropped into the cap B, and the latter slipped over the basc
of the case A, and then the cases thus united are subjected to a com-

page_text: pression that shall reduce them in diameter at the rear until the exterior
of the cap B shall be of a size uniform with the case A, as shewn in
Fig. 1. In drawing up the shell it should be of less diameter at the
open end than at the base or head, as denoted in the several Drawings.
It will be seen that with a cartridge case thus constructed there is no
possibility of exploding it except by driving in the base of the cup or
recess in the head of the cap B until it impinges against the fulminate e
and thus ignites it by compression between the two cases A and B, the
inner one serving as an anvil to resist the blow of the hammer or
firing bolt. Perforations are made through the inner shell A in such
relative position to the recess n that upon the explosion of the fulminate
fire will communicate with the powder within the shell. It will also be
apparent that if by any means particles of the fulminate should get
located at any other point than the recess on the base of the case it will
not be accidentally ignited, as the soft disc 6 intervening between the
two metallic surfaces will prevent the latter from coming in contact.
This feature not only renders the cartridge more safe to handle and
transport, but especially fits it for use in a magazine arm in which the
cartridges are placed lengthwise, and where the point of the ball in one
necessarily presses against the base of another. By making the point
of the ball flat and of a diameter slightly larger than the recess 'a in
the cap B. it will be seen that any concussion produced by a sudden
jar or shock of the gun and its magazine will expend its force on the
rubber disc or cushion b, and hence will not affect the fulminate. It
will be further apparent that with the addition of the cap or re-
enforce B the head of the cartridge will be so strengthened as to obviate
entirely all danger of rupture and consequent escape of the gas at that
point, a difficulty of frequent occurrence with the ordinary single case,
in which the case is greatly weakened and frequently cracked by the
crushing down of the head to form the flange, therefore a rim-fire
cartridge may be re-enforced in like manner by placing the fulminate
at the edge of the inner shell, making the cushion 6 of less diameter
than the shell, as seen in Fig. 7, and communicating at that point from
the fulminate to the powder within the shell; or, as sccn in Fig. 8, the
inner shell may be inade of dome form or curved at the angles so as to
still further strengthen the shell at that point. By this method of
construction the inuer case A is not thus weakened as no flange is
formed thereon, and the metal is consequently left of its full thickness

page_text: and strength at that point. By inserting the cushion or disc 6 between
the cases, as described, it will receive the force of the explosion of the
charge, and by means of its elasticity will thus relieve the breech pin
somewhat from the sudden shock and strain that would otherwise be
exerted upon it, and hence would be less liable to injure the arm. In
using this cartridge the hammer strikes the centre with sufficient force
to drive the metal of the cap hard against the fulminate in the recess,
and so that by the blow thus given to explode the fulminate in the
As it is desirable that the base of the cap B should be as strong
as possible, if the metal be left the full thickness for this purpose the
blow required may be greater than could be given by the hammer of all
central fire-arms, and a danger might exist of forcing the metal so as
perforate and thus permit the escape of the gas from the fulminate.
To avoid this I reduce the metal to form the recess a, as seen in
Figs. 3 and 6.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 21st December 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents,
123, Chancery Lane, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, Her special
licence that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Thomas
Hughes, 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 "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES," a communication to me from abroad

page_text: by Oliver Fisher Winchester, of the City and County of New Haven,
State of Connecticut, United States of Anicrica, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, 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 immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, 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 accompanying
Sheet of Drawings (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to improvements in metallic cartridges, and
especially those designed for repeating or magazine arms, the object
being threefold,-
First. To produce a cartridge that shall be less liable to accidental
explosion, both in handling and also in the magazine of the gun.
Second. To so strengthen the base or head as to prevent the breaking
or pulling off of the flange or head.
And, third. To produce a central-fire cartridge so constructed as to
act as a cushion for the purpose of relieving the breech pin more or less
from the sudden shock or strain caused by the explosion of the charge.
In order that this Invention may be clearly understood I have annexed
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, on which Fig. 1 is a side view of
the cartridge complete; Fig. 2, a longitudinal central section of the
shell; Fig. 3, a modification of the same; Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the three
parts of which the cartridge is composed shewn detached; and Figs. 7
and 8 other modifications of the same.
The copper case or tube A. is constructed in the usual manner prior
to having the flange formed thereon, and a small recess or depression is
formed externally in the centre of the base, as shown in Fig. 4, n
representing the recess. A shorter tube or cap B, having a corresponding
recess a in the centre of its head or base, is then constructed as shewn in
Fig. 6, this cap B being of sufficient size to fit over the rear end of the

page_text: of
case A. The recess is preferably formed, as seen at a, for the purpose
making the shell thinner at that point in order to more easily explodo
the cartridge, as hercin-after shewn, yet it is essential that the recess
is so formed as the metal may be left to its full thickness, as 'scen in
Fig. 3. A circular disc of rubber, felt, or other soft and elastic material
is next constructed of a diameter corresponding with the case A, as
represented in Fig. 5. This disc has a small hole at its centre, and this
hole should be slightly less in size than the cup or recess in the base of
the cases A and B. The fulminate is then placed in the recess ≫ on the
outside of the base of the case A, the disc or cushion 6 dropped into
the cap B, and the latter slipped over the base of the case A, and then
the cases thus united are subjected to a compression that shall reduce
them in diameter at the rear until the exterior of the cap B shall be of
a size uniform with the case A, as shewn in Fig. 1. In drawing up the
shell it should be of less diameter at the open end than at the base or head,
as denoted in the several Drawings. It will be seen that with a cartridge
case thus constructed there is no possibility of exploding it except by
. driving in the base of the cup or recess in the head of the cap B until it
impinges against the fulminate e and thus ignites it by compression
between the two cases A and B, the inner one serving as an anvil to resist
the blow of the hammer or firing bolt. Perforations are made through
the inner shell A in such relative position to the recess n that upon the
explosion of the fulminate fire will communicate with the powder within
the shell. It will also be apparent that if by any means particles of the
fulminate should get located at any other point than the recess on the
base of the case it will not be accidentally ignited, as the soft disc b
interveni gbetween the two metallic surfaces will prevent the latter
from coming in contact. This feature not only renders the cartridge
more safe to handle and transport, but especially fits it for use in a
magazine arm in which the cartridges are placed lengthwise, and where
the point of the ball in one necessarily presses against the base of
another. By making the point of the ball flat and of a diameter
slightly larger than the recess a in the cap B it will be seen that any
concussion produced by a sudden jar or shock of the gun and its
magazine will expend its force on the rubber disc or cushion b, and
hence will not affect the fulminate. It will be further apparent that
with the addition of the cap or re-enforce B the hicad of the cartridge
will be so strengthened as to obviate entirely all danger of rupture

page_text: and consequent escape of the gas at that point, a difficulty of frequent
occurrence with the ordinary single case, in which the case is greatly
weakened and frequently cracked by the crushing down of the head to
form the flange, therefore a rim-fire cartridge may be re-enforced in like
manner by placing the fulminate at the edge of the inner shell, making
the cushion 6 of less diameter than the shell, as seen in Fig. 7, and
communicating at that point from the fulminate to the powder within
the shell; or, as seen in Fig. 8, the inner shell may be made of dome
form or curved at the angles, so as to still further strengthen the shell
at that point. By this method of construction the inner case A is not
thus weakened, as no flange is formed thereon, and the metal is con-
sequently left of its full thickness and strength at that point. By
inserting the cushion or disc b between the cases, as described, it will
receive the force of the explosion of the charge, and by nicans of its
elasticity will thus relieve the brecch pin somewhat from the sudden
shock and strain that would otherwise be exerted upon it, and lience
would be less liable to injure the arm. In using this cartridge the
hammer strikes the centre with sufficient force to drive the metal of
the cap hard against the fulminate in the recess, and so that by the
blow thus given to explode the fulminate in the recess. As it is
desirable that the base of the cap B should be as strong as possible,
if the metal be left the full thickness for this purpose the blow required
may be greater than could be given by the hammer of all central fire-
arms, and a danger might exist of forcing the metal so as to perforate,
and thus permit the escape of the gas from the fulminate. To avoid this
I reduce the metal to form the recess a, as seen in Figs. 3 and 6.
Having thus described the Invention, what I claim and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is,-
First. The cartridge case re-enforced by the application thereto of a
cap B, substantially in the manner herein set forth.
Second. The cap A provided with the chamber n, and combined with
the cap B, so as to form a chamber for the fulminate between the base
of the shell and the base of the cap B, substantially as set forth.
Third. Forming a cushion between the base of the case A. and shell 13
by the introduction of a suitable material between the two, whether for
ceutral or rim fire.

page_text: Fourth. Strengthening the base of the shell A by curving at the angles
when the said shell is further re-enforced by the cap B.
Fifth. Forming a recess a in the cap B in a position corresponding
to the recess in the shell A, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and sixty-
eight.