IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING GUNS AND IN THE CARTRIDGES THEREFORE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adonis Nicolas Gavard and Hyppolite Millon, both of
the city of Paris in the republic of France Cartridge Manufacturers for
an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH LOADING GUNS AND IN THE
CARTRIDGES THEREFORE
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Adonis Nicolas Gavard
and Hyppolite Millon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
12th July 1882.
ADONIS NICOLAS GAVARD and HYPPOLITE MILLON both of the city of Paris
in the Republic of France Cartridge Manufacturers IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH
LOADING GUNS AND IN THE CARTRIDGES THEREFOR "
The improvements refer to needle guns and in permanent cartridge cases
therefor into which the powder and shot or ball and priming or fulminating
composition is added.
The object of the improvement is to admit of firing the same gun at short or
long ranges in accordance with the charge of powder or fulminate and the weight
of the projectile both which are regulate to suit the distance to be discharged at.
The cartridge case consists of an elastic metal tube formed of a small sheet of
some rolled metal one of whose ends is chased and set in a cylindrical piece or
muffle. The mouth of the case is open whilst the opposite end set in the breech is
completely closed with the exception of a small hole traversing the cartridge case
for the purpose of the passage of the needle which latter.is enveloped in a small
tube itself formed of a thin sheet of inoxidable or any suitable metal, the object of
this small tube running for a certain length inside the case is to prevent the escape
of gas and fouling of the needle and tube it passes through. This cartridge case
can also be used for firing with gas or paper consuming cartridges, the inflamed
gases compressed inside the elastic tube press the metal sheet of which the tube is
formed against the sides of the cartridge chamber which is consequently completely
closed, and prevents the gun spitting. The small elastic tube (formed like the
tube or cartridge case) which protects the needle receives an external pressure
which prevents waste between the inside of the tube and the needle

page_text: The ball cartridge consists of a hollow ball containing within it the charge of
powder and its priming or fulminate, it is cast in an ordinary mould and the ball
end is closed by a simple plug of paper which closes the ball against the charge of
powder
In order to simplify the dismounting of the gun, at the upper part of the
movable breech is a small jointed catch furnished with a clasp which resting
against a projection at the end of the barrel prevents its coming out. This catch
pivots at will which allows of raising it from the projection.
The movable breech can also be removed by pressing on the catch to liberate the
lower groove of the breech which then comes out freely.
The cartridge case is held to the bolt by means of a screw working in a bayonet
slot in the cartridge case.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Adonis Nicolas Gavard and Hyppolite Millon in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th January 1883.
ADONIS NICOLAS GAVARD and HYPPOLITE MILLON both of the city of Paris
in the Republic of France, Cartridge Manufacturers "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH
LOADING GUNS AND IN THE CARTRIDGES THEREFORE "
The subject of the present invention is a needle gun having a fixed cartridge
case into which the powder and shot or ball are placed, and priming or fulminating
composition added as will be hereafter explained.
The object of the improvement is to admit of firing the same gun at short or
long ranges according to the charge of powder or fulminate, and the weight of the
projectile both of which are regulated according to the distance it is intended the
shot or ball should carry
The invention is applicable to arms of all calibres, for chamber or saloon firing
or for the full range of the arm, without in any way interfering with its mechanism,
the cost of firing being reduced to the simple expense of the powder and shot.
The cartridge case can be used for the Chassepot, Gras or other gun opening and
closing at the breech, whether worked by a bolt or lever.
Fig 1 is a section of a Chassepot rifle, Fig 2 is a plan of the same, Fig 3 a section
of the cartridge case. Fig 4 a plan thereof. Fig 5 shows the breech opening in
communication with the cartridge. Fig 6 shows the opening of the cartridge com-
municating with the shaft of the bolt. Figs 7. 8. 9. and 10 show the construction
of the cartridge case which consists of an elastic metal tube formed of a small
sheet of some rolled metal one of whose ends is chased and set in a piece b.
The mouth is open like the end of the socket of a metal cartridge whilst the
opposite end set in the breech is completely closed with the exception of a small
hole which traverses the cartridge case for the passage of the needle which is
enveloped in a small tube c, itself formed of a thin sheet of inoxidable or any
suitable metal.
The object of the small tube which encases the needle for a certain length inside
the cartridge case is to prevent the escape of gas, and fouling of the needle, and the
hole it passes through, which latter draw backs in the old system render the needle
gun impracticable
This cartridge case can also be used for firing with gas or paper burning
cartridges. The inflamed gases compressed inside the elastic tube press the metal
sheet (of which the tube is composed) against the sides of the cartridge chamber,
which is consequently completely closed, and prevents the gun spitting. The
small elastic tube (formed like the tube a) which protects the needle, receives an
external pressure which prevents waste between the inside of the tube and the
needle.
The ball cartridge consists of a hollow ball containing within it the charge of
powder, and its priming or fulminating composition i. This ball is cast in an
ordinary mould or by any mechanical means, so that it shall contain inside it the
powder and priming which when so placed the ball end is closed merely by a plug
of paper, so that the open end of the ball is closed against the charge contained
inside whether the open end on leaving the mould is plain or notched see Figs 7. 8.
9 and 10.
In order to simplify dismounting the gun for cleaning or otherwise: at the
upper part of the movable breech is a small jointed lever d, furnished with a small
stop piece d¹ which propping against a projection m, at the end of the gun barrel,
keeps the bolt in place.

page_text: This stop piece pivots at will and so allows of raising the lever from the
projection m, and then the movable breech can be removed by pressing on the sear
so as to liberate the lower groove of the breech, which then comes out freely.
The cartridge is held to the bolt as shown in the plan by means of a screw b¹,
working in the bayonet slot b", which allows of this piece being removed when
required
We claim as our invention the cartridge case consisting of the elastic metal
tube a with bayonet adjustment 611 for the screw b' to work therein, the piece b
in which the tube a is set, the small tube c, for the reception of the needle. We
also claim the ball cartridge as herein described for containing the charge, and
priming composition . We claim also the jointed lever d with detent or stop
piece d', for resting on the projection m, as and for the purpose hereinbefore
explained.
In witness whereof We the said Adonis Nicolas Gavard and Hyppolite
Millon have hereunto set our hands and seals this sixth day of January
in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three