Projectile for firearms

Sept 17, 1935.

2,014,367

D. A. BREEGLE

PROJECTILE FOR FIREARMS

Filed March 27, 1933

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Patented Sept. 17, 1935

2,014,367

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,014,367 PROJECTILE FOR FIREARMS Daniel A. Breegle, Hunkers, Pa. Application March 27, 1933, Serial No. 663,033 7 Claims. (Cl. 102—32)

My invention has to do with the projectiles of non-globular, or elongated form for fire-arms, which, on flight from the gun-barrel will be rotated on the longitudinal axis thereof without the employment of any rifling in the barrel itself which, accordingly is smooth bore, the projectile itself having wings or vanes which by contact with the air, in flight therethrough, will positively impart the desired rotation thereto.

An object of my invention is to utilize to the maximum, the force or propelling power of the explosion in the gun, and thus increase range and to secure, to the maximum, accuracy of flight to the target or object and maximum of striking and destructive force of the projectile. In particular, my object is to supply such a projectile for shooting large game or for hunting purposes, and to utilize, in that connection, the commonly used paper-wrapped shells with which round balls are employed. Having reference to that particular object, I will describe my invention in an embodiment for that purpose. However, my invention consists in whatever is described by or is included within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, of a loaded shell, embodying my invention, for use in a gun for shooting big game;

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2—2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the projectile.

Describing now in detail what is shown in the drawing, the shell 10, is a paper-covered one of the” type commonly used with a round ball, and with a powder charge 11, but instead of a round ball, the projectile i 2, is of elongated form, cylindrical at the back, and tapering forward, conically, to a point, and having upon its exterior a series of spiral ribs or vanes 13, that extend from the front end rearward entirely to the flat base or rear end. Said ribs or vanes may be either right or left, and each has an abrupt face upon which air pressure acts to rotate the projectile on its longitudinal axis in its flight from the gun, and preferably a somewhat inclined face that to offer no resistance to rotation, recedes circumferentially from the outer edge of one abrupt airpressure receiving face, to the bottom of the next abrupt face.

The slug or projectile 12, reaches from the forward end of the powder or explosive charge, to the open end of the shell, and the space between its rear end and the charge and between it and the interior of the shell is closed or filled by a cylindrical wrapper or jacket 14, of some soft or spongy fibrous material, such as felt, which is open at its front end, which reaches to the front end of the shell, and between which and the forward 5 tapering portion of the projectile is an open space. The jacket so to speak, is cup-shaped. Said jacket seals the charge 11, and the gun-barrel after explosion, so that no gases can escape, until the · projectile and jacket leave the gun muzzle, and 10 thereby full propelling effect of the gases is assured; it constitutes a protecting cushion between projectile and barrel, that prevents injury to the barrel walls from the vane edges, and prevents projectile retarding effect which would come from 15 contact of the projectile with the barrel walls, and on emergence from the muzzle, it is promptly stripped off from the projectile by air-pressure upon its open forward end, leaving full access of air to the vanes or rifling on the projectile. The 20 expansion of the forward open end of the jacket due to air-pressure there-against in its passage through the gun barrel, prevents forward escape of the gases, and thus assures maximum propelling pressure on the projectile so long as it is in 25 the gun barrel.

Preferably the jacket has one or more longitudinal slits 15, from its open end rearward, to facilitate its outward expansion under internal air-pressure, and its quick stripping from the 30 projectile after leaving the muzzle.

The projectile may be made of lead, copper, steel, or any other desired metal, or of any desired metal capped with another metal. The gun may be suy desired gage, be full-choke or cylin- 35 drical bore shot guns, and fitted for any use with which my invention is available.

The projectile body or rear part, is cylindrical from base to about midlength, and is of uniform weight and the forward half or portion tapers 40 from midlength to the point or nose. With these proportions and weight distribution, the air-pressure on its vanes, in flight, keeps it accurately end on, with minimum air-resistance, so that its nose strikes the object or target “fair and square” and 45 the maximum effect of the shock or blow is secured, and it does not “go into a drop” nor glide or tumble after leaving the gun barrel, and objects, such as twigs or branches of trees or bushes do not deflect its course, as, screw-like, it cuts or 50 bores its way through them. Its front end being free from wadding or other substance in the front end of the shell, its onward travel is not hindered, or obstructed from any such cause. Its screw-like or drilling action causes it to cut or ⁶⁵

2,014,36?

tear a larger hole In the object hit, and to pepetrate farther and not glance on Impact. ,

The point or nose may be of any desired type and the number and extent of the air-pressure 5 vanes may be varied, these matters being dependent upon the particular uses for which the projectile is designed or put.

Projectiles embodying my invention may be easily manufactured. They can be pressed out 10 cold by dies or heat molded, or cast. Compared with the ordinary, or so-called pumpkin ball, cost is reduced, because less metal is required.

The felt wrapper or jacket may be made in strip form of suitable length compared with the 15 length of the projectile and wrapped or folded over the slug, but, of course, leaving the point open.

With the jacket-forming felt in strip or sheet form, the projectile or slug can be applied thereto 20 with its flat base at the center and then the two pushed into the paper wrapped shell by pushing against the slug or projectile which will result in folding the portion of the strip or sheet of felt forward of the base over the sides of the shell 25 or projectile, the jacket thus conforming or fitting neatly around the slug sides and against the interior wall of the shell.