7” N° 4795.—A.D. 1894 3 getter in n Graydon’s Improvements wn Charging Explosive Shells. the mould and repeated over and over again along the strip until a saucisson of sufficient length according to the diameter about which it is to be coiled, has been formed. The saucissons thus formed and filled are then coiled upon the firing spindle 9 which is a tube having formed upon it a broad Archimedean screw-blade corresponding in external diameter to the bore of the shell and extending the whole length of the spindle and of sufficient strength to withstand the effect of the inertia of the portion of the charge which it is to support, the blade being preferably perforated to allow of the instantaneous generation and propagation of the gases 10 throughout the mass of the charge when fired. The saucissons are coiled between the convolutions of the screw in superposed layers, the cut ends of the several lengths of the saucisson being sealed, and the whole space between the convolutions of the screw-blade and the bore of the shell being filled up with the coils of explosive, which are supported against displacement under impact, by the screw15 blade virtually dividing up the length of the charge into independently-supported sections, although the explosive coils are continuous from end to end of the charge. The firing spindleis a tube occupying the longitudinal axis of the shell and is perforated to give passage to the flame and ensure the instantaneous explosion of the whole mass of the charge. The firing spindle is fixed in the base of the shell, 20 the base being secured to the body of the shell by the usual means. The explosion of the shell may be produced by an electric, time, or percussive contact fuse in the usual way. Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what [ 25 claim is :— An explosive charge for shells prepared in the form of saucissons whereof the envelope is a strip of fabric previously impregnated with nitric acid, as described, wound spirally in superposed layers about the firing spindle and between the convolutions of a screw-blade formed thereon whereby the charge is supported and 30 maintained in position in the shell, as specified. Dated this 29th day of November 1894. A. M.& 53, Chancery London: WM. CLARK, Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents. Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Darling& Son, Ltd.—1895 PO-106 (3-23-48) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UNITED STATES ‘ PATENT OFF ICE geese sense