IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND PROJECTILES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander John Paterson, of Edinburgh, in the
County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND PROJECTILES."
Sealed the 6th August 1867, and dated the 13th February 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander John Paterson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th February 1867.
I, ALEXANDER JOHN PATERSON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS, ORDNANCE, AND PROJECTILES,"
to be as follows, that is to say :---
The first part of this Invention, which relates to improved methods or
means for closing and keeping tight the breech of breech-loading small
arms and ordnance, has for its essential object the producing of a very
closely fitting joint between the breech piece and barrel during the time
of explosion, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the gas.
In carrying out this part of the Invention the arm is arranged to enable
the force of the explosion of the powder itself to assist in keeping the
breech piece close up to the end of the barrel; and the arrangement
consists in forming one or more holes in the breech at or near to the
breech end, through which a part of the force of the explosion acts upon
a lever or levers (or the equivalent of a lever), one end of which is
depressed while the other is elevated, and, in being elevated the short

page_text: end of the lever presses against the rear end of the breech piece, and
so during the time of the explosion the joint between the breech piece
and barrel is kept effectually closed. In the case where a piece of the
barrel is cut away the piece made to fit into the opening is provided with
a fulcrum so that during explosion the breech piece is acted upon in a
manner similar to that previously set forth; thus the parts may be so
contrived that during the time of explosion a larger part of the force of
the powder acts on the rear end of the breech piece than on the fore end,.
thereby keeping the same close against the barrel. With this an ordinary
breech piece, either hollow or solid, may be used, but it is preferred to
have the breech piece in a measure hollow, to contain within itself all
or part of the mechanism for firing the arm, whether a repeating arm or
not; the act of opening the breech to insert the cartridge and the closing
of it performing the other acts through a system of levers and a spring
or springs and a cam or cams, of cocking and extracting the case of the
spent cartridge, or if the arm be of the repeating class this same means
being brought to bear on the cartridge itself forces it forward into the
barrel.
In that part of this Invention which relates more particularly to pro-
jectiles the cartridge is made to contain its own means of ignition in the
following manner:-A tubular passage is provided in the body of the
cartridge, and in the rear of this a hard plug is placed, which at the
instant of firing the arm is sent forward to the inner end of the tube,
where it strikes a detonating powder or cap, from which the fire is com-
municated to the charge. The cartridge is also provided with a spring
at its rear end, which being compressed whilst in the barrel as soon as
the breech is released the compression forces the cartridge case out, and
so the barrel is left free for recharging.
The bullet or shot, which is also applicable to heavy ordnance is, by
preference, made of a shape somewhat triangular or square in section, the
angles are rounded, and the sides hollowed; this shot is propelled through
a twisted or rifled barrel of similar section to the shot, or nearly so, or it
may be inclosed in a jacket of any suitable material which will take into a
grooved gun; or it may be surrounded by a jacket fitting the chase of a
smooth-bore gun, the jacket being detached from the shot itself, so that
on leaving the gun the shot being of less sectional area than the jacket
these separate from each other, and on travelling through the air the
shot is caused to rotate longitudinally by the action of the air upon it.
In constructing heavy ordnance under this Invention an outer jacket
is employed of conical form so that during explosion the force being
transmitted to the breech piece, which is fitted into the jacket, the jacket
is drawn tighter over the body of the gun by reason of the explosive force

page_text: causing it to move a little in a rearward direction. The breech piece
may be screwed up into its place by cams or otherwise, and it is
pre-
ferred to construct the body of the gun of longitudinal pieces or bars,
which are held together by hoops.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Alexauder John Paterson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th August 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, ALEXANDER
JOHN PATERSON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North
Britain, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS
Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the
thirtieth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander John Paterson, Her special
license that I, the said Alexander John Paterson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander John
Paterson, my executors, administrators, or 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
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARM3, ORDNANCE, AND PROJECTILES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander John Paterson, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
**
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander John Paterson, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The first part of my said Invention which relates to improved methods
or means for closing and keeping tight the breech of breech-loading fire-
arms and ordnance has for its essential.object the providing of a very

page_text: closely fitting joint between the breech piece and barrel during the time
of explosion, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the gas.
In carrying out this part of the Invention the arm is arranged to
enable the force of the explosion of the powder itself to assist in keeping
the breech piece close up to the end of the barrel, and this arrangement
consists in forming one or more holes in the barrel at or near the breech
end, through which a part of the force of the explosion acts upon a lever
or levers (or the equivalent of a lever), one end of which is depressed
while the other is elevated, and on being elevated the short end of the
lever presses against the rear end of the breech piece, and so during the
time of explosion the joint between the breech piece and barrel is kept
effectually closed. In another case a piece of the barrel may be cut away
and a piece made to fit into the opening provided with a fulcrum, so
that during explosion the breech piece is acted upon in a manner similar
to that herein previously set forth. Thus, the parts may be so con-
structed that during the time of explosion a larger part of the force of
the powder acts on the rear end of the breech piece than on the fore
end, thereby keeping the same close against the barrel. With this an
ordinary breech piece either hollow or solid may be used, but it is pre-
ferred to have the breech piece in a measure hollow to contain within
itself all or part of the mechanism for firing the arm; the act of opening
the breech to insert the cartridge and the closing of it, performing the
other acts through a system of levers and a spring or springs, and a cam
or cams of cocking and extracting the case of the spent cartridge.
In that part of this Invention which relates more particularly to pro-
jectiles, the cartridge is made to contain its own means of ignition in the
following manner:-A tubular passage is provided in the body of the
cartridge, and in the rear of this a hard plug is placed, which at the
instant of firing the arm is sent forward to the inner end of the tube,
where it strikes a detonating powder or cap from which the fire is com-
municated to the cartridge. The cartridge is also provided with a spring
at its rear end, which being compressed whilst in the barrel, as soon as
the breech is released from the compression, forces the cartridge case
out, and so the barrel is left free for re-charging.
The bullet or shot, which is also applicable to heavy ordnance, is by
preference, made of a shape somewhat triangular or square in section,
the angles are rounded and the sides hollowed; this shot is propelled
through a twisted or rifled barrel of similar section to the shot or nearly
so, or it may be enclosed in a jacket of any suitable material which will
take into a grooved gun, or it may be surrounded by a jacket fitting the
chase of a smooth bore gun, the jacket being detached from the shot
itself, so that on leaving the gun the shot being of less sectional area

page_text: than the jacket these separate from each other, and on travelling through
the air the shot is caused to rotate longitudinally by the action of the
air upon it.
In constructing heavy ordnance under this Invention an outer jacket is
employed of conical form so that during explosion the force being trans-
mitted to the breech piece which is fitted into the jacket the jacket is
drawn tighter over the body of the gun by reason of the explosive force
causing it to move a little in a rearward direction. The breech piece
may be screwed up into its place by cams or otherwise, and it is pre-
ferred to construct the body of the gun of longitudinal pieces or bars
which are held together by hoops.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I
now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner
in or under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into
effect, reference being had, for the sake of more complete elucidation,
to the several Figures upon the two explanatory Sheets of Drawings
which I have hereunto appended, that is to say:-
On Sheet 1, Figure 1, is a longitudinal section of that part of breech-
loading rifle or fowling piece to which the first modification of my
improvements is applied; Figure 2 is a side elevation corresponding to
Figure 1; Figure 3 is a corresponding plan of the under side; and Figure 4
is a transverse section taken on the line a, a, which line is shown on all
the three preceding Figures. A breech piece A moveable on a joint
pin B is shown applied, and in order to render the joint between the
breech block and the barrel as tight as possible at the instant of explosion
so that none of the gas resulting from the explosion may escape through
the joint, but may all or as much as possible be utilized in imparting
what is known as "work" to the shot provision is made for very forcibly
pressing the breech piece A against the rear end of the barrel B' in the
following manner-In the barrel B' at the point a, a cylindrical hole
is bored, into which the piston or plug C is very accurately fitted. As
soon as the arm is fired the pressure of the gas resulting from the
explosion acts upon the plug C, and tends to blow it out. The move-
ment of the plug is at once communicated to the lever D, the .long end
of which is therefore depressed the instant explosion takes place. The
lever D is moveable about the axis of the pin E, which is carried in lugs F
projecting from the rear end of the breech cavity G, whilst therefore the
long end of the lever is depressed the short end is pressed inwards
towards the breech piece or block A, the pressure forces it into contact
with the intermediate piece H, which transmits part of the pressure due
to the explosion to the rear end of the breech piece, and therefore forces
it very firmly against the open end of the barrel, thereby ensuring a very

page_text: tight and effectual joint between the breech block A and the end of the
barrel. The intermediate piece H is tubular and contains the little bolt I
which acts as a retaining catch for the breech piece A, its conical or
pointed end catching into a correspondingly formed recess in the breech
block, being forced therein when the breech piece A is shut down by
means of a spring at its rear end, which, however, yields to allow the
breech piece to be opened or closed; a spiral spring K surrounds the
intermediate piece H, and acts upon the short end of the lever D, always
keeping this lever in a normal position. It is evident that by means of
this arrangement any desired amount of pressure may be brought to
act on the rear of the breech block by merely enlarging or diminishing
the diameter and therefore area of the piston or plug C, and the lengths
of the two arms of the lever D; the form of the lever D and the mode
of fixing it adopted in this first modification is fully apparent from
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, in which the breech block A is long enough to
allow of the introduction of a cartridge without any hollow being formed
in the stock to allow its insertion.
In cases where long cartridges are required the breech piece may be
made longer so as to fill a cavity sufficiently long for their reception, or
a breech block of the ordinary or shorter length may be employed, in
which case the stock is hollowed out on the upper side, as shown at
Figure 5, which is a longitudinal section of the second modification of
this part of my Invention, and of which a transverse section is shown
at Figure 6, taken on the line a, a, Figure 5. It is evident that by
using a lever of the shape shown at D in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 that a
cartridge of greater length than the breech piece A cannot be inserted
into the barrel through the breech on account of the hindrance caused
by the position of the upright or short end of the lever D, therefore to
enable a shorter breech piece to be used, and at the same time to allow
the insertion of any length of cartridge, it is necessary to adopt such a
form of lever as will permit the cartridge to pass it; this is very efficiently
obtained by means of the lever D, shown at Figures 5 and 6, and in
detached plan at Figure 7, on referring to which it will be seen that the
rear end of the lever D is made double or hollow, so that the cartridge
may be inserted between its two jaws or projections e, e; the lever D in
this case is carried by the pin E, supported in the lug F projecting down-
wards from the metal forming the under side of the breech cavity K.
The piston or plug for transmitting the force of the explosion from the
barrel through the lever D, thence to the breech piece is marked with
the same letter of reference C as in the preceding modification, and its
mode of action being precisely similar thereto need not be further
referred to.

page_text: .
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the breech end of a fowling piece
or rifle in which the lever D is not suspended from a lug or lugs as in the
preceding modifications, but a circular seat E is formed on its under side,
which rests in a correspondingly formed recess in the metal on the under
side of the stock, which may be formed in one piece with the breech cavity
or not. The lever D, therefore, in this case is moveable on the seat E
in place of on a pin, as in the preceding arrangements; in other respects
its action is similar to that described of the preceding arrangements,
and therefore need not be herein further referred to.
Figure 9 is a transverse section of the breech end of a small arm in
which the lever D is of a different and much stronger form than the pre-
ceding; it is formed hollow on the upper side to fit the circular shape
of the under side of the barrel, and it is carried in lugs projecting from
the breech cavity B, as in the two first arrangements, by means of the
pin or bolt E; Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line a, a, Figure 9.
In certain cases, such as in the altering of existing arms for the applica-
tion thereto of these 'methods of securing a tight breech joint, or in con-
structing certain new weapons, there may not be room for the adoption
of so long a lever D, as in any of the preceding modifications, a lever then
of shorter length may be adopted as at D2, Figure 11, in which case it
is necessary to use a larger piston or plug C, the action is however similar
to that herein-before set forth.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of a fire-arm constructed with a
hollow breech piece A, in which is contained the mechanism for dis-
charging the cartridge; this section is taken on the line a, a, Figure 13,
and Figure 13 is a transverse section showing the form of the hollow
breech piece A, taken on the line b, b, Figure 12, and Figure 14 is a
section on the inclined line c, c, Figure 13. The breech block as has
herein-before been mentioned is hollow and formed with solid ends as
shown at Figures 12 and 14; the hollow breech block turns on a bolt B
as in the "Snider" and some other kinds of solid breech pieces as shown
at Figures 1 and 2, and in the act of opening the breech to charge the
arm or weapon, the hammer C is raised or cocked into position for firing,
in which position it is held after the breech piece is shut down; this is
effected in the following manner:-The lever of the hammer C is held
upon a pin or bar D, that extends across the narrow part of the hollow
breech piece A, and which bar or shaft is moveable about its axis; over
one part of this bar or shaft D a fine steel wire, or band or piece of
catgut, or other strong and flexible material is wound as shown in red
lines at e, one end of the wire, catgut, or other material being securely
fixed into the shaft D so that the wire, catgut, or other material may not.
slip round thereon; the other end of the wire, catgut, or other material e

page_text: is securely fixed to the bolt or bar B, upon which the breech piece A
turns as it is opened or closed. Now since the bolt or bar B is immov-
able, and the shaft D carrying the hammer is enabled to be rotated in
its bearings within the breech piece, and further since the fixed bar or
bolt and moveable shaft are connected together by a firmly stretched
wire or band, it is evident on inspecting the Drawings that when the
breech piece A is opened the distance between the bolt B and shaft D
is gradually increased until the full extent of opening is reached, there-
fore the wire or band is unwound off the shaft D to an amount corre-
sponding to the difference of the distances of the bolt B and the shaft D
in the two positions of being open and closed; since, therefore the wire
or band cannot slip round on the shaft D the shaft D is rotated through
an angle which varies or is proportioned to its own diameter; the chord
of the segment of rotation being equal to the length of wire or band
unwound, and therefore to the difference of distances herein-before
referred to. The shaft D is provided with a little lever E, which as the
hammer is drawn back is forced between the points of the retaining
catches F and F¹, which detail is shown enlarged at Figure 14, the back
of the lever E being wedge-formed as shown at Figure 12 easily opens the
points of the retaining catches, and directly it passes backwards and
beyond the square shoulders the shoulders close over it, and therefore
retain it and the hammer "cocked," or in position for firing, out of which
position the hammer cannot pass until the catches F and F¹ are opened
to release the lever E. When the cartridge is inserted and the breech
piece shut down the weapon is ready for firing, which is effected by
applying the finger to the trigger G, this sends forward the bolt H, which
passing in between the other ends of the levers F and F' opens them,
and the lever E is instantly released, and the tension of the spring I
(Figure 14) pulls the hammer rapidly against the ignition piece or bolt K,
throwing it against the centre of the cartridge, and consequently causing
its ignition, the release of the lever E, causing the rotation of the shaft D,
and therefore upwinding of the wire or band in readiness for again
cocking the hammer at the next opening of the breech piece.
Figure 15 is a plan of the under side of the preceding arrangement,
showing the lever D applied thereto as in previous modifications for the
purpose of more effectually closing the breech.
Figure 16 is a part longitudinal elevation of the barrel, breech piece,
and trigger, and section of the stock of another modification of my
Invention. Figure, 17 is a transverse section of the same on the line a, a,
(Figures 16 and 18,) and Figure 18 is a horizontal section on the line b, b,
Figure 17. In this modification the breech piece A is hollow, and turns
on the pin B over on to the barrel in the position shown in red lines,
and marked A', Exterior to the breech piece A are the levers B¹, which

page_text: are moveable on a different centre to the breech piece itself, therefore on
opening their unfixed end moves along the outside of the breech piece
until assuming the position shown in red lines at B, Figure 16. The
unfixed ends of these levers are connected by a bar C, Figures 17 and 18,
longitudinal slots being formed in the sides of the breech piece. A, as
shown at Figure 16, to allow the bar to traverse the breech piece when
it is opened or when it is closed. To the bar C a link D is coupled as
shown at Figure 18, this being connected to the hammer E, therefore
as the bar C is pushed back, as herein-before set forth during the action
of opening the breech piece, the hammer E is necessarily pulled back
until the lever I is caught by the detent hooks F and F', which are similar
to those specified in the preceding modification, and illustrated in
enlarged plan at Figure 14ª. On shutting down the breech piece A after
the cartridge is inserted, the bar C comes back to its original position,
and the link I has a slot formed in it to allow the bar C thus to come
back. When it is desired to fire or discharge the arm the trigger K. is
pulled, and the detents F and F are opened, releasing the lever when_
the tension of the spring L pulls the hammer forcibly, so as to strike the
ignition medium of the cartridge as in the preceding modification. In
this arrangement the pin for striking the cartridge is formed in one piece
with the hammer itself, and is shaped to a circle of a radius whose centre
is that of the bar D, and the hole in the breech piece through which it
strikes the cartridge is correspondingly formed as shown at Figure 18;
it may however be arranged to strike on an igniting bolt as in the pre-
ceding modification. The lever for transmitting the force of the explo-
sion for the purpose of securely closing the breech may be used in any
of the modes herein-before set forth, one mode being shown in dotted
lines at Figure 16.
Figure 19 is a horizontal section of the breech part of a fire-arm slightly
different from the preceding, that difference consisting in the construc-
tion of the ignition bolt G, which is separate from the hammer or cocking
lever. The ignition bolt G is formed with a block or lump at its rear,
which slides on a guide bar H, the top end of the lever B is forked as
shown, and so grasps the igniting bolt. The cocking and releasing of
the hammer lever, and therefore the firing of the weapon, are similar to
the preceding arrangement, and therefore need not be herein further
referred to. Figure 20 is a vertical longitudinal section of another of
the modifications of that part of my Invention which relates to hollow
breech pieces, and the placing of the discharging mechanism in the
interior. Figure 21 is a transverse section on the line a, a, Figures 20
and 22; Figure 22 is a side elevation, and Figure 23 a top plan of this
arrangement. A breech piece somewhat similar to that used in the pre-

page_text: ceding modifications is adopted, and there are placed within the guide
bars c, c, between which slides the block B, that carries the igniting bolt.
A spiral spring C forces the igniting bolt forward, and to push back the
block carrying it into the position for firing, levers D, Figure 22 are
employed, connected by a cross bar E, Figures 20 and 21, so that as the
breech piece is opened up into the position shown in red lines at
Figure 22, the striking or igniting bolt, together with the block B which
carries it, are pushed back into the position for firing, being retained
therein when the breech piece is shut down by means of the arm e,
Figure 20, being caught by the detents F and F¹ as in the preceding
modifications. The arm is fired by applying the finger to the trigger,
which in turn opens the detents as herein-before described. Figure 24
is a part sectional elevation of a fire-arm in which the breech piece A
turns on its rear in place of the front end. To enable the mechanism
contained in the interior of the breech, which may be similar to any of
those herein-before described, to be "cocked" the levers B are shortened,
and their centre of action is placed in a position relatively inverse to
that of the three preceding modifications; in this case the levers may be
placed in the interior in lieu of being exterior to the breech piece by
making an opening to let them work through the rear end of the breech
piece. In all the arrangements now specified in which breech pieces are
used that move on their ends in place of their sides, the end opposite
to that on which the breech piece is hinged may be either inclined to
allow them to be shut down into the breech cavity, or they may (as is
preferred) be made of a circular segment, as shown at Figures 16 and 24;
and in connection with all or any of these modifications the retaining
catch shown at f, Figure 18, may be used, or any other kind of retaining
catch that will suffice to hold down breeches of this construction may
be adopted.
Figure 25 is a longitudinal section on the line a, a, Figure 26, of part
of a breech-loading arm, and Figure 26 is a transverse view of the same
on the line b, b, Figure 25. The breech piece A in this arrangement opens
or moves about a side bolt a as in the "Snider" breech piece and some
of the arrangements of my Invention shown in the first five modifications:
in the latter case the act of opening the breech is made to extract the
case of the spent cartridge in the following manner:-The bolt or bar a
on which the breech piece B turns has a spiral groove c formed on it,
and from the breech piece B two parallel guides d extend, in which the
ring e carrying the extractor f is, capable of sliding. The ring e has a
projection in its interior that fits into the spiral groove e, so that as the
breech piece is opened the ring follows the direction imparted to it by
the spiral groove, causing the piece of constituting the extractor to move
rearwards, thereby pulling the cartridge case out of the barrel. The

page_text: first part of the groove e is made straight, so that the extracting action
shall not commence to take place until after the breech piece is raised
above or out of contact with the cartridge case.
I now proceed to that part of my Invention which more particularly
relates to heavy guns, such as field, naval, and fortress ordnance, as well
as to set forth my improvements in projectiles.
On Sheet 2, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 an end elevation,
of a field gun constructed in accordance with the first part of my
Invention. The gun itself, A, in Figure 1, being shown mounted by
trunnions on the limber or carriage B in the ordinary manner, and from
its rear or breech end the lugs C project for the purpose of receiving the
pin D upon which the lever E rests, so that as the gun is discharged the
force of the explosion acting on the piston or plug F is conveyed by means
of the lever E to the rear of the breech piece G, forcibly pressing it against
the breech end of the gun, in the manner herein-before described in
reference to small arms. The end elevation, Figure 2, shows the forin
of the rear end of the lever and the breech piece G; and in charging or
loading the gun the breech piece G is turned round in an upward direction
on the pin H, so that the breech end of the gun may open for the insertion
of the charge, after which the breech piece is again shut down, when
the arm is ready for firing. The action of the lever E being similar to
what has been herein-before described in reference to the first and other
modifications need not be further referred to. The elevation and
depression of the gun is effected by means of the screw a acting upon
the moveable bracket b, as is evident on referring to Figure 1 of the
second Sheet of my Drawings.
Figure 3, Sheet 2, is a longitudinal section, and Figure 4 is a trans-
verse section of a gun constructed in accordance with another part of
my Invention. The barrel or body of the gun is by preference con-
structed of segmental bars a, as shown in transverse section at Figure 4,
and the rear or breech end of the gun being that part at which the
explosive force of a charge acts with the most destructive effect, is
enclosed by a closely accurately fitting jacket B, into which a breech plug
C is firmly secured, as shown at Figure 3. The gun being conical and the
jacket B being also conical the explosion of a charge acts upon the
breech projection D, and at the instant of firing causes the jacket to
be moved very slightly in a rearward direction, so that it is drawn very
tightly over and momentarily strengthens the breech of the gun, and as
soon as the projectile with which the gun is loaded has left the bore the
strain is taken off the breech projectile D, so that the jacket returns to
its normal position and strain. The gun may of course be thus incased
in a jacket for the whole or any part of its length, but when only over

page_text: the breech or rear end of the gun, if the gun be built of segmental bars,
as shown at Figure 4, the part of the gun beyond the jacket may be
strengthened by tubes or rings shrunk over it.
The object I have in view in constructing guns of segmental bars being
to cause the strain to act as much as possible in a similar way to what
they would do in girders.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a casemate or naval gun con-
structed in accordance with another modification of my Invention. In
this arrangement the piston or plug C is employed to firmly close the
joint between the barrel A and the breech piece B in the manner herein-
before described and evident from Figure 5; instead, however, of acting
only upon a plain breech, as in former modifications, in the present case
the joint is constituted of the whole inner surface of the conical jacket C
bearing against or on the correspondingly formed breech end of the gun,
so that as the gun is fired the jacket is firmly pressed over the breech A,
thus rendering the joint between the two effectually tight. When the
projectile has escaped from the bore it is evident that the jacket C at
once returns to its normal state of comparative freedom from strain.
Figure 6 is a transverse section of a four-winged projectile in accord-
ance with this Invention; Figure 7, a corresponding view of a straight-
sided triangular projectile; and Figure 8, a similar section of a hollow-
sided triangular projectile; whilst Figures 9 and 10 are respectively. an
elevation and section of another shaped triangular projectile with the
cartridge a for discharging it shown affixed thereto. These projectiles
may be fixed so as to keep them "end on " from a gun with a rifled or
spiral bore, of which a transverse section suitable for projectiles shown
at Figures 9 and 10 is given at Figure 11, Sheet 2; or in place of firing
them from guns whose bore is rifled similar to the form or section of
the projectiles themselves they may be fired to keep "end on" from
common smooth bore or rifled guns by means of encasing the projectiles
in an easily fitting case to fit a circular or rifled bore, in either instance
the case being of lighter material than the projectiles themselves, the
latter, having greater proportionate inertia, leave or separate from the
case on escaping from the fire-arm, and as soon as their spiral surfaces
come into contact with the atmosphere, travelling through it at a high
velocity, they at once rotate upon their longitudinal axis in accordance
with the spiral contour of their surfaces, and are thus kept "end on."
The projectiles are formed flat, conical, or of other form desired.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and

page_text: therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of fire-arms, sub-
stantially as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Second, the use of a piston or plug and a lever for the purpose of
forcing the breech close against the rear end of the barrel, both in light
and heavy ordnance, substantially as herein-before described, or any
inere modification thereof.
Third, the use and application of hollow breech pieces, and the placing
of the firing mechanism within these, substantially as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the several arrangements and constructions of firing mechanism
placed within the breech, and the modes of effecting the "cocking" of
the same by the act of opening the breech piece, as herein-before
described, or any mere modification thereof.
Fifth, the rise of a hollow exterior jacket in heavy or field ordnance, as
herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Sixth, the forms of rifled bores and projectiles, as herein-before
described; or any mere modification thereof.
Seventh, the use and application of a case to enable projectiles to be
fired from smooth bore or rifled guns, as herein-before described, or any
mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander John Paterson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of July, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
ST. JOHN VINCENT DAY, C.E.,
ALEX. J. PATERSON. (L.S.)
166, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow.