US1528101A - Fixed ammunition for muzzle-loading guns - Google Patents

Description

Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,101 G. c. DAVISON ET AL FIXED AMMUNITION FOR MUZZLE LOADING GUNS Uriini Filed Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

iszaiei UNETEB STATES earner QEQFEQEQ GREGORY C. DAVTSON AND CECIL P. CAULKINS, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, AS- SIGINORS, BY MIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO AMERICAN ORDNANCE CORPORATION, OF

NE YO K,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FIXED AMMUNITION FOR MUZZLE-LOADING GUNS.

Application filed September 23, 1919, Serial No. 325,657. Renewed May 26, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GREGORY C. DAVISON and CECIL P. CAULmNs, both citizens of the United States, residin at New London, in the county of New ndon and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fixed Ammunition for Muzzle-Loading Guns, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to ammunition for muzzle loading guns and is particularly concerned with ammunition for line throwing guns, which are adapted to throw a line from a stranded vessel to the shore, or vice versa, or from one vessel to another for life saving or other salvaging purposes,

In our copending application, Serial Numher 297,130, filed May 14,1919, we have disclosed a fixed waterproof ammumtion for muzzle loading guns wherein the cartridge case leaves the gun simultaneously with the projectile. The characteristics of this ammunition are particularly valuable in the simplicity and rapidity of loading, the ease of dry storing, and the fact that the e ection orremoval of the cartridge case subsequent to firing and the dificulties incident thereto are avoided.

Thepresent invention is directed to certain improvements in the construction of ammunition of the general type set out in the above named application, whereby the manufacture is simplified and the action upon firing improved. Other features of the invention, having to do with simplified shipment and storage, will also appear from the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the ammunition embodying the features of our invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged axial sectional view, partly in elevation, of the cartridge case and the base of the projectile shown in Fi re 1; and

igure 3 is a face view of the rear end of the cartridge case.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that-the projectile 1 is in the nature of a preferably cast metal, such,

body of metal, for example, as cast iron or steel, provided with a threaded socket 2 in its forward end. The head of the projectile l is preferably tapered toward the forward end as clearly shown in Figure 1. The threaded end of a stem 3 is screwed into the threaded socket 2. The stem 3, which is preferably formed of steel, wrought iron, or the like, terminates at its forward end in an eye 4, to which a line 5 ma be attached in any con venient manner. bviously while the stem 3 is thereby securely attached to the forward end of the projectile, removal and replacement thereof can be readily accomplished should the stem become twisted or broken and the projectile desired for subsequent use.

The base of the projectile 1 is provided with a screw threaded socket 6 into which is screwed the forward threaded shank 7 of a stem 8. A cartridge case 9, somewhat smaller in diameter than the projectile 1, as shown, is carried by this stem.

This cartridge case 9, which is drawn 0r spun of copper or other suitable material, comprises a tubular body portion 10, having an end wall 11 formed integral therewith. A flange 12 formed upon the stem 8 near its forward end has a suitable washer 13 resting thereagainst and the end wall 11 of the cartridge case, which has a central opening to receive the shank 7 is securely clamped between the washer 13 and a nut 14 threaded upon the shank 7 of the stem 8. The cartridge case is thus clamped in place upon the stem 8 entirely independently of the projectile 1. The cartridge case isthus carried upon the projectile 1 entirely by way of the threading of the shank 7 in the socket 6. The cartridge case 9 may thus be conveniently removed from the projectile should such removal be found deslrable.

The rear end of the cartridge case 9 is closed by means of a cap 15. This cap has a central opening with an inwardly turned fiange 17 which is soldered to the rear end of the stem 8. It also has a rim 16 to take over the rear end of the case 9, as shown, when the other end of the case is' properly clamped against the shoulder 12. This cap is made of a material thinner 'or weaker than the case 9, and may be further or otherwise weakened for a purpose to be pointed out presently. The entire cartridge case, loaded as will be described, is waterproofed by means 'of japanning or varnishing or treatment with shellac, white lead, or some other suitable protective substance capable of insuring a moisture proof enclosure.

The rear end of the stem 8 is enlarged and provided with a chamber 18 for the reception of a suitable primer 19. Communication between the primer 19 and the propelling charge 20, with which the cartridge case 9 is filled, is accomplished through a passage 21 and a cross openin 22 provided in the stem and containing a ooster charge of fine black powder.

The cap 15 of the cartridge case may be weakened by the provisionfiof a series of scorings or knife cuts 23 (Figure 3),the knife cuts being closed bythe varnish, shellac, white lead, or other material with which the case is treated.

Upon operation of the gun the firing pin cooperates with the primer 19, igniting the cap, the flame being carried through the passage 21 and openin 22 by the booster charge to the propelling c large 20 in the cartridge case. Upon ignition of the propelling charge, the cap 15, being the weakest part of the cartridge case, breaks first, and the gases blow out rearwardly and then forwardly into the annular space between the cartridge case and the inner wall of the barrel of the piece. A gunfor which this ammunition is adapted is illustrated in our copending application, Serial Number 297,129, liled May 14, 19-19. As the pressure builds up the case 9 is ruptured, longitudinally, and transversely as indicated by the dotand-dash line in Figure 2. The counter effect of the pressure which has reached the annular space around the case prevents the case from expanding against and adhering to the wall of the barrel and the result is that the cylindrical part of the casing merely crumples up. The end wall 11 is blown forwardly against the base of the projectile, as shown in Figure 2, forming a gas check. The stem 8, of course, leaves the gun with the projectile 1 and the cap 15 separates from the stem and crumples up with the case 9. All parts are propelled from the gun simultaneously with the projectile by the action of the expanding powder gas. The above described action has been secured by experiment, although variation might be ex pected. The important fact always remains, however, that the gun is cleared in each case.

' The ammunition is fixed, moisture proof,

easy of assembly, and easy of shipment and storage, the ca,rtrid e cases, projectiles andstems being shipp and stored separately if desired.

We claim:

1. Fixed ammunition comprising a projectile, a rearwardly extending stem on said projectile, a cartrid e case, means inde endent of said projecti e for clamping sai cartridge case upon said stem, said cartridge case carrying a propelling charge, and a primer carried by said stem for igniting said propelling charge.

2. Fixed ammunition comprising a )rojectile, a rearwardly extending stem on said projectile, a cartridge case comprsing an integral cylindrical wall and an end wall clamped to the forward end of said stem and acap closing the open end of said case, said cap being weaker than said cylindrical and end walls.

3. Fixed ammunition comprising a projectile, a cartridge case comprising an integral cylindrical wall and an end wall, a propelling charge in' said cartridge case, a primer for igniting said charge, means for detachably securing said cartridge case to the projectile, said cartridge case being sealed independently of the projectile, and means for closing the open end of said cartridge case, said means being sufliciently weak to cause the exploding charge to blow out rearwardly whereby said cartridge case will leave the gun simultaneously with said projectile.

4. Ammunition comprising a projectile, a

rearwardly extending stem having a shank threaded in the base of said projectile, said stem having a flange near the forward end thereof, a clamping nut threaded upon ,said shank between said flange and said projectile, and a cartridge case having its end wall clamped between said flange and said nut whereby said case is attached to said stem independently of said projectile.

5.;Ammunition comprising a projectile. a rearwardly extending stem attached to said projectile, a cartridge case having a cylindrical Wall and an end wall mounted concentrically upon said stem, said end wall being clamped to said stem independently of the projectile, and a cap secured to the rear end of said stem and closing said eartridge case.

In witness whereof we hereunto subscribe our names this 29 day of August, 1919.

GREGORY C. DAVISON. CECIL P. CAULKINS

Images