IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUN BARRELS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO ORDRECURS Tups S'IL A INTENS BARS PROVISIONAL SPFIC
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Charles Stiff, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gun Barrel Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUN BARRELS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
ORDRECURS Tups S'IL A INTENS BARS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Charles Stiff at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1881.
WILLIAM CHARLES STIFF, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Barrel Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUN BARRELS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE,
TUBES, SHAFTING, BARS, RODS, PLATES, AND SHEETS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES."
For this purpose, according to one method of working, I take an ingot, bloom, or
billet of iron or steel, which I make of square or any required section, angular or
otherwise, after submitting it to the required heat; I then twist it until the
exterior presents the appearance of a threaded screw, in which state the twisting
will have been found to have extended into the metal.
The bar will also be found to have increased in width whilst its length will have
been diminished, this contraction solidifying the same, and the action of twisting
at the same time also causing an increase in temperature and consolidation of the
metallic particles, which when the bar is afterwards rolled, hammered, or otherwise
condensed will produce greater solidity and superiority in surface and durability.
This twisted bar I again roll or forge so as to form it into an angular, fluted,
indented, or other shaped bar, which may again be twisted in either direction, as
above described, and then rolled, forged, or compressed into the required shape,
when it will be found to possess a beautiful figure extending into the body of the
metal.
If the rod or bar treated as above described is required for gun barrels, ordnance,
or tubes, it may be drilled or punched from the solid before or after the first twist

page_text: is put thereon; or it it may be drilled or punched at any subsequent stage and
then formed into the requisite shape.
When employing some qualities of metal the same may be twisted cold, that is
to say, without previously heating.
By these means I produce a weldless steel or iron barrel or tube, in which the
particles of the metal have been arranged in various directions, and by the
operations herein described I also produce by means of the requisite rolling or other
compressing operations figured tubes, bars, rods, shafts, plates, and sheets of a
highly ornamental character, and in addition to the above the same process also
makes the metal more dense, improves its surface, and thereby greatly adds to its
durability, the same being applicable for a variety of purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Charles Stiff in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th May 1882.
WILLIAM CHARLES STIFF, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Barrel Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUN BARRELS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE,
TUBES, SHAFTING, AXLETREES, SPINDLES, BARS, RODS, PLATES, AND SHEETS FOR
VARIOUS PURPOSES."
For this purpose, according to one method of working, I take an ingot, bloom,
or billet of iron or steel, which by preference I make of approximately square
section with the corners slightly rounded and the sides bulged, or of any other
required section, angular or otherwise, capable when twisted of forming a number
of regular threads around the same.
After carefully submitting it to the required heat from end to end at one
operation, I then twist it until the exterior presents the appearance of a screw
thread, in which state the twisting will have been found to have extended into
the metal. The bar will also be found to have increased in its sectional area, and
when one of square section has been used the diameter of the twisted bar will
approach the diagonal of the original bar, whilst its length will have been
diminished, this contraction solidifying the same, and the action of twisting at the
same time also causing an increase in temperature and consolidation of the metallic
particles, which when the bar is afterwards rolled, hammered, or otherwise
condensed will produce greater solidity and superiority in surface and durability.
In some cases I turn off the threads of the twisted bar before rolling or otherwise
working it, and in the case of gun barrels I roll it to a tapered angular form for a
portion of its length.
This twisted bar for ornamental purposes I also in some cases again roll, forge,
or compress, so as to form it into an angular, fluted, indented, or other shaped bar,
which may again be twisted in either direction, as above described, and then
rolled, forged, or compressed into the required shape, when it will be found to
possess a beautiful figure, extending into the body of the metal produced by the
distortion of the spirals.
If the rod or bar treated as above described is required for gun barrels, ordnance,
or tubes, it may be drilled or punched from the solid before or after the first twist
is put thereon; or it may be drilled or punched at any subsequent stage and then
formed into the requisite shape; or the shape may be formed before it is punched
or drilled. I prefer to drill the bar immediately after the required amount of twist
has been put thereon and the same has become cool.
When employing some qualities of metal the same may be twisted cold, that is
to say, without previously heating.
By the means above described I compress the metal and produce a weldless steel
or iron barrel or tube, in which the particles of the metal have been arranged in
various directions, and by the operations herein described I also produce by means
of the requisito rolling or other compressing operations figured tubes, bars, rods,
shafting, plates, and sheets of a highly ornamental character; and in addition to
the above the same process also makes the metal more dense, improves its surface,
and thereby greatly adds to its durability, the same being applicable for a variety
of purposes.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,―
First. Taking a bar of approximately square or other suitable angular or other

page_text: section and heating the same from end to end at one operation, then twisting the
saine and afterwards rolling, hammering, or otherwise working it, the same having
been treated in a solid state, or having had a hole bored or punched in it at any
desired stage of the process, substantially as herein described and for the purpose
stated.
Second. Taking a bar of approximately square or other suitable angular or other
section and heating the same from end to end at one operation, then twisting the
same, and afterwards rolling, hammering, or otherwise working it, then again
rolling it into an angular, fluted, indented, or other shaped bar, which may be again
twisted and then rolled, forged, or compressed into the required shape, substantially
as herein described and for the purpose stated.
Third. Taking a bar of approximately square or other suitable angular section
and twisting it in a cold state, and then rolling, hammering, or otherwise working
it, the same having been treated in a solid state, or having had a hole bored or
punched in it at any stage of the process, substantially as herein described and for
the purpose stated.
Fourth. Taking a bar of approximately square or other suitable angular section,
then twisting the same in a cold state, and afterwards heating, rolling, hammering,
or otherwise working it, again rolling it into an angular, fluted, indented, or other
shaped bar, which may be again twisted and then heated, rolled, forged, or com-
pressed into the required shape, the same having been treated in the solid state, or
having had a hole bored or punched in it as required at any desired stage of the
process, substantially as herein described and for the purpose stated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Charles Stiff, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.