IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE to bo
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM BROWN of N° 34 Wellington Road Edgbaston Birmingham, Major
1st Volunteer Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE to bo as
follows:-
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My invention is one by which cannon can be constructed so as to be loaded at
the breech-And not only is my invention applicable to new cannon but it may
be applied to any muzzle-loading cannon so as to convert it into a breech-loader.
My invention consists of a rising and falling block, which is placed at a sufficient
and safe distance from the breech (see "a" in drawing) by which the bore of the
cannon is blocked.
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The sides of the block "a" have cog indentations for the cogs of wheels "cc"
to work in-The cog wheels "cc" are moved by two front cog-wheels “d” and “e”
working on the same spindles as cogs "cc" such spindles being suspended by
brackets or stays from the under side of the cannon- -Cog wheels "d" and "e"
are set in motion by a small windlass, or wheel, fixed on either of the spindles
running through wheels "c-c" and "d" and "c."
The bore of the cannon at "f" being larger than the bore at "g" a gas-check,
or the flange of a cartridge, may be put in.;—a groove being mado into bore “g”
for its reception
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Block "a is locked, when the bore of the cannon is closed, by a pin through
the breech of the cannon, such pin being worked by a lever hinged to the breech
of the cannon, and having a spring under the handle of such lover.
The appliances of the gun carriage must be so affixed that the apparatus I have
described will work clear of them.
A breech-loading cannon constructed according to the above description may be
made a central fire by having a plunger (with a spring) to work through the
block "a" and a cylinder, in which the hammer action must be placed, to bo
inserted in bore "f"-Such cylinder being locked in its place by a cross-bar at
the front, and the bar turned into two wedge shaped hooks on the front of the
Drine 321

page_text: cannon-Or such cylinder may be made to slide through a ring hinged to the
side of the cannon-If desired the cannon may be fired from an ordinary touch-
holo.
If a cartridge with a flange is used, no other gas-check would be required.
If thought desirable a box to contain lubricating materials may be formed in
the head of block "a" with perforations to the corners of the block.
In cannon of very large bore I may alter the sliding block "a" as follows, viz
to shorten it so that it will not entirely run through the top part of the cannon-
also to have a bar, cogged on each side, in prolongation of such sliding block, for
the cog wheels "c, o to work in-In which case the cog-wheels "c, c" must be
placed a sufficient distance below the cannon to allow the sliding block to fall
so that the top of it shall be below the bore of the cannon at "g."

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1. Is a longitudinal section of a gun fitted with my appliances for raising
and lowering the block-Figure 2. An elevation of the breech end with two
wheels "d" and "e"-Figure 3. An elevation of the breech end with four wheels,
namely, wheels "d" and "c" and the intermediate wheels “d," "d," and "e,” “c."
Figure 4. a section through the breech. Figure 5. Telescopic action of the cylinder.
Referring to these drawings "a." is the rising and falling block by which the
bore of the gun is stopped.
The sides of this block "a." are toothed to engage with the teeth upon a pair of
pinions "c." and "c" which pinions aro driven by two toothed wheels "d." and "e."
hung upon the same spindles as the pinions "c" and "c." such spindles being
suspended by brackets or stays from the under side of the gun-The toothed
wheels "d." and "e." are actuated by a winch handle, or wheel, fixed on either of
the spindles upon which the pinions and toothed wheels are hung, see figure 2.
In guns of great calibre requiring large blocks 1 use four toothed wheels, namely,
the wheels "d" and "e." and two others "d" "d." and "e." "e." placed between
thom the winch handle or wheel being fixed on one of the intermediate wheels-
The four being of equal diameter the turning of the winch or wheel will drive
simultaneously in the same direction the wheels "d." and "e." and the auxiliary
wheels see figure 3.-This arrangement will give increased power and avoid the
inconvenience of employing wheels of larger diameter.
The bore of the gun at "f" being larger than the bore at "g." a gas check or
the flange of a cartridge may be inserted, a groove being mado in the bore "g" for
its reception.
The block "a." is locked, when the bore of tho gun is closed by a pin "h."
through the breech of the gun, such pin being worked by a lever (i figure 2.)
pinned to the breech of the gun with a spring under the handle to keep it in
place,

page_text: A breech loading gun constructed according to the above description may be
made a central fire by having a plunger "." Figure 4. (with a spring) to work
through the block "a" and a telescopic cylinder (in which the hammer action must
be placed) and which is to be inserted in the bore "f" such cylinder may be locked
in its place by a cross bar at the breech end and the bar turned into two wedge
shaped hooks on the breech of the gun-Tho cylinder is made to slide into and out
of bore "f" through a ring hinged to the side of the breech of the gun and locked
by catches or springs or by a cross bar as before stated.
If required the gun may be fired from an ordinary touch hole.
When a cartridge with a flange is used no other gas check would be necessary.
I have not specified any cartridge extractor-I would suggest that the base of the
cartridge should be so made as to allow of its being drawn out.
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A box to contain lubricating materials may be formed in the head of block "a"
(see figure 4.) with perforations to the corners of the block.
In cannon of very large bore I alter the sliding block "a" by shortening it so
that it will not entirely run through the top of the gun but will be received in a
sinking in the upper surface of the bore as shown in dotted lines Figure 3. 1 can
also employ a bar toothed on each side, in prolongation of the sliding block for the
pinions "c" and "c." to work in-in which case the pinions "c." and "c." must be
placed a sufficient distance below the body of the gun to allow the sliding.block to
fall so that the top of it shall be below the bore of, the gun at “g.”
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my. said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First The construction and arrangement of a sliding block for breech loading
ordnance, which block is toothed on its sides to engago with the teeth of a pair of
pinions driven by toothed wheels worked by a winch as herein described and
illustrated.
Second-The combination of the telescopic cylinder with the bammer action
inside the bore for the purpose of acting on the plunger in the block "a." and so
exploding the cap of the cartridge, and the arrangement of the cross bar and its
parts in rear of the gun and the catches or springs to prevent the cylinder being
displaced by the recoil of the hammer.
Third-The hanging of the cylinder ring to. the side of the breech of the gun
and the sliding or telescoping of the cylinder through such ring and the locking of
such cylinder by side catches or prings or by a cross bar.
Fourth-The adaptation of the special form of pin action for locking the sliding
block.
Fifth-The shortening of the block "a" in ordnance of large calibre in manner
shown in dotted lines in figure 3.
Sixth-I claim the bar (toothed on each side) in prolongation of the sliding
block whereby the depth of the block may be reduced.
D
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