IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES AND CART- RIDGES FOR ORDNANCE AND SMALL-ARMS, AND IN GUNS TO BE USED WITH SUCH PROJECTILES AND CARTRIDGES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Defty, of Middlesbrough, in the County of York-
Engineer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES AND CART-
RIDGES FOR ORDNANCE AND SMALL-ARMS, AND IN GUNS TO BE USED WITH SUCH
PROJECTILES AND CARTRIDGES.”
Sealed the 5th April 1878, and dated the 10th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Defty at the Office of
+
the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th October 1877.
HENRY DEFTY, of Middlesbrough, in the County of York, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROJECTILES AND CARTRIDGES FOR ORDNANCE AND SMALL-ARMS, AND IN
GUNS TO BE USED WITH SUCH PROJECTILES AND CARTRIDGES."
My said Invention is chiefly designed to increase the efficiency of ordnance and
small-arms by a novel formation of the shot or projectiles used with the same, and
is applicable to the construction of explosive or non-explosive projectiles for ordnance
or artillery of large or small calibre, and also to bullets or projectiles for breech-
loading carbines and similar small-arms.
The most important novel feature of this part of the said Invention is, the con-
struction of the projectiles in the form of a tubular or annular cylinder, with its
front or that portion which strikes the object fired at bevelled so that it presents a
circular gouge-like edge, or a hollow punch, and will have a very great piercing or
penetrating effect.
The effect of the projectile will be greatly increased by tubular form, which
greatly diminishes the area of surface for the air to exercise its resistance upon as
the projectile is passing from one point to another. Moreover by the tubular form
of the shot the metal thereof is disposed in the most advantageous manner to ensure
the penetration of the object aimed at or struck thereby, and at the same time to
prevent the crushing or fracturing of the projectile.

page_text: When my improved tubular projectiles are used in carbines or similar fire-arms,
the rear of the cartridge is provided with a recess or cavity in which I place the
fulminate or detonating material, which thus serves instead of the usual cap. When
the fulminate is placed in the said recess it is covered or coated with a suitable
protective material. These shot or projectiles may be made of any desired dimen-
sions, and either of steel or iron, with the front or punching edge properly tempered
or hardened.
When these improved annular shot or projectiles are used in an ordinary gun I
place at the rear of the shot a disc or plate which closes its rear end and forms a
base, against which the charge of powder acts when the gun is fired. This disc will
be separated and fall away from the projectiles when the latter leave the bore of the
gun. To facilitate its separation and prevent its clinging to the projectile, as it
might possibly do for a short distance, I form through the sides of the latter small
rents or holes, through which the air will enter and accelerate the separation and
detachment of the said disc.
But according to another part of my Invention I improve the guns or fire-arms
with which these tubular or annular projectiles are to be used, by providing within
the bore thereof a central bar or rod, either solid or tubular, which extends from the
breech to the muzzle, or nearly so. The tubular or annular shot or projectile when
placed in the gun surrounds the said rod or bar and occupies the annular space
between the same and the surface of the bore.
The said rod may be secured in the breech of the gun by passing it through a
hole therein, and securing it by a key or collar behind the breech, or by means of
screw nuts or other suitable fastenings.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Defty in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th April
1878.
<
HENRY DEFTY, of Middlesbrough, in the County of York, Engineer. IMPROVE
MENTS IN PROJECTILES AND CARTRIDGES FOR ORDNANCE AND SMALL-ARMS, AND IN
GUNS TO BE USED WITH SUCH PROJECTILES AND CARTRIDGES."
My said Invention is chiefly designed to increase the efficiency of ordnance and
small-arms by a novel formation of the shot or projectiles used with the same, and
is applicable to the construction of explosive or non-explosive projectiles for ordnance
or artillery of large or small calibre, and also to bullets or projectiles for breech-
loading carbines and similar small-arms.
The most important novel feature of this part of the said Invention is the con-
struction of the projectiles in the form of a tubular or annular cylinder, which
in some instances has its front or striking end bevelled so that it presents a
circular gouge-like edge, and will have a very great piercing or penetrating
effect.
But the said Invention also relates to improvements in cartridges and also in guns
or fire-arms, to adapt them for more advantageous use with my improved projectiles,
all as herein-after described.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of one of my improved shots or projectiles ;
Figure 2 is a front end view; and Figure 3 is a rear end view of the same.
Figure 3a is a longitudinal section of a modified form of this projectile.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal central section of a gun showing one of the said pro-
jectiles therein.
Figure 5 is a similar longitudinal section of another gun and projectile constructed
according to my Invention.
Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 5.
Figure 7 shews front and edge views of a disc or button used with my improved
projectile, as herein-after described.
Figure 7a is a side view of another projectile constructed according to my
Invention.
Figures 7b, 7c, shew front and edge views of a disc or button to be used in com-
bination with the said projectile, as herein-after set forth.
Figure 8 is an external side view of an explosive shell or projectile.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal central section.
Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line y, y, Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a
rear end view of the said projectile.
Figures 12 and 13 are a longitudinal section and rear end view of a similar
projectile of slightly modified construction.
Figure 14 is a side view, and Figure 15 a rear end view of one of my cart-
ridge shells.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
a is the hollow or annular shot or projectile which may have its front or pene-
trating edge square, as shewn in Figure 1, or may have the said edge bevelled, as
in Figure 3a. I prefer that the diameter of these projectiles should be slightly
larger at the cutting or penetrating end than at any other part to prevent friction
or binding of the projectile in its passage through a hole made by it in a metal
plate. bis a disc or button which is placed against the rear of the said projectile
when the same is in the gun, as shewn in Figure 4, or against a shoulder in the
cavity of the projectile, as in Figure 3a; c, c, are small rents or slots through the
sides at the rear end of the projectile; d is a central tube or bar extending through
the gun, and secured at the breech thereof by a cottar e, or by other suitable means;
f shews the chamber filled with powder behind the projectile in the gun.
In Figures 7ª, 7b, and 7° I have shewn a modification of my Invention, whereby

page_text: the desired twist or rotation is imparted to the projectile by means of the disc or
button used at the rear of the same. a, a', are bands or hoops of lead placed in
grooves around the projectile, and projecting beyond its surface to fill the rifle
grooves of the gun barrel. The said projectile is formed with grooves or recesses a
in its rear; and the disc b is formed with small wings or studs 61, to project into
the grooves a², and also into the rifling in the gun barrel; the said disc thereby has
imparted to it an axial rotation or twist, which it communicates to the projectile
before dropping from the same.
In the cartridge shown in Figures 14 and 15 g is a recess or cavity which is filled
with the fulminating or detonating substance instead of having a cap inserted
therein.
In the explosive projectiles or shells h, shewn in Figures 8 to 13, i, i, are small
recesses which I term "inverts;” j is the powder space or chamber; k, k, are the
charging holes or vents.
The annular or tubular projectile constructed as above described is termed the
Defty punch, shot, or projectile; it is designed to act as a punch, or in a similar
manner, for cutting, penetrating, or piercing armour plates of ships and other metal
plates, or other structures against which it may be directed.
The effect obtained with these projectiles will be much greater than that obtained
with ordinary projectiles by reason of their tubular form, which greatly diminishes
the area of surface for the air to exercise its resistance upon, as the projectile is
passing from one point to another. Moreover, by the tubular form of the shot the
metal thereof is disposed in the most advantageous manner to ensure the penetration
of the object aimed at or struck thereby, and at the same time to prevent the
crushing or fracturing of the projectile.
When my improved tubular projectiles are used in carbines or similar fire-arms,
the rear of the cartridge is provided with the recess or cavity g, wherein I place the
fulminate or detonating material, which thus serves instead of the usual cap; when
the fulminate is placed in the said recess it is covered or coated with a suitable pro-
tective material.
These tubular shots or projectiles may be made of any desired dimensions, and
either of steel or iron, with the front or punching edge properly tempered or
hardened.
When these improved annular shots or projectiles are used in an ordinary gun I
place at the rear or in the cavity of the shot the disc plate or button b, which closes
its rear end and forms a base against which the charge of powder acts when the
gun is fired. This disc or button 6 will be separated and fall away from the pro-
jectile when the latter leaves the bore of the gun. To facilitate its separation and
prevent its clinging to the projectile, as it might possibly do for a short distance, I
form through the sides of the latter the small vents or holes through which the air
will enter and accelerate the separation and detachment of the said disc. The afore-
said projectiles, by reason of their great weight, in proportion to their area of end
surface, and by having a slight amount of draught, that is to say, by being eased or
slightly diminished in diameter behind their front or penetrating edge will have
great penetrating force, and will pass through any hole made by them without
friction on their after surface; moreover the displacement of the metal consequent
upon the passage of the projectile into or through the same will in no case cause
swelling or increase of thickness of the surrounding portions of the metal as with
other projectiles.
But according to another part of my Invention I improve the guns or fire-arms
with which these tubular or annular projectiles are to be used by providing within
the bore thereof the central bar or rod d, as shewn in Figure 5, either solid or
tubular, and which extends from the breech to the muzzle, or nearly so. The
tubular or annular shot or projectile a when placed in the gun surrounds the said
rod or bar and occupies the annular space between the same and the surface of the
bore.
The said rod or tube d may be secured in the breech of the gun by passing it

page_text: through a hole therein, and securing it by a key, cotter, or screw behind the breech,
as shewn, or by means of screw nuts or other suitable fastenings.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. A hollow or annular shot or projectile formed with a cutting or punching
end, as above set forth.
Second. The use, in combination with the said projectiles, of a disc or button,
with or without the small vents or holes in the base of the projectile, as above set
forth, and as shewn in Figures 4 and 7, or as in the modification of my Invention
illustrated in Figures 3ª, 78, 7b 7°, and for the purposes specified.
Third. The gun or fire-arm, provided with a central bar or tube, placed and
secured in the same as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In combination with my improved projectile the cartridge with the cavity
or recess in its base for the reception of the fulminating or detonating substance as
a substitute for an ordinary percussion cap, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Defty have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
.
HENRY DEFTY. (L.S.)