July 3,j 1923.

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1,461,013

H. D. HODGE
RIM FIRE AMMUNITI ON

Filed July 15 , 1920

14

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f4,

1,461,013

Patented July 3, 1923.

*y UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

HOWARD D. HODGE, v01?', NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 GEORGE RAMSEY, OF NEW
`

YORK, N. Y.

RIM-FIRE AMMUNITION.
i Application filed July 13, 1920.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HOWARD D. Hoven, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident
of the city of New York, in the county of
5 New York, State of New York, have in
ventedv certain new and useful Improve
ments in Rim-Fire Ammunition, of which
the following is a specification.
This invention relates broadly to ammu
10 nition and more specifically to rim lire cai'

Serial No. 395,898.

Figure l is a section through a rim iirc

shell illustrating one form of reinforcement
in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is an end View of the reinforcing
cup illustrated in Figure l and showing the

55

Hash-conveying grooves.
Figure 3 is a perspective View of the same

(il)

type of reinforcing cup.

Figure 4 illustrates a blank from which
the reinforcing cups may be formed.

Figure 5 is a view showing a modification

.
' The principal object of the present inven having a series~of openings through which
`tion is to provide reinforcements for a rim the priming is adapted to fire directly into
~
re or similar cartridge to permit use of the powder chamber.
trdges.

15 such cartridges with high pressure powder

65

Figure 6 illustrates the preferred method

of securing the cup in position in a shell.

Figure 7 illustrates a cup of the type
Another object of the present invention

in existing weapons of standard types. _

is to provide reinforcements for n_stand

shown in Figure 5 secured by the method

ard rim re cartridge, without changing the illustrated in Figure 6.

20 compressibility of the rim carrying the

The rim fire type of shell is particularly

priming whereby the cartridge may be used adapted for cartridges of small diameter or
with powder having high ballistic efiiciency, caliber for the reason that the heads of such

75

, and, which use is impossible under present shells are so small as to render the adoption

and use of separate center fire primers inex

A further object of the present invention pedient and expensive. In small calibers the
is to provide reinforcement for a rim fire powder space is small and it is therefore
cartridge to obviate bursting of the rim un desirable that powder of high ballistic etti
der high powder pressures, and whereinthe ciency be used in'this type of ammunition

conditions and methods of construction..

25

where any considerable range is desired.

ness of the rim to the striker or firing pin Experience has shown that where powder

y reinforcement does not affect the sensitive

of the ordinary firearm.

'

pressures in rim fire cartridges have been

increased beyond that attained by black

powder the rims burst under such powder
with a pressure sustaining member adapted pressure long prior to the attaining of pres
to prevent excessive pressure from reaching sures that would be most effective and eiii
the duc-tile portion of the rim carrying the cient. Copper is commonly utilized as the
A still further object of the present 1n

_ vention is to provide a rim fire cartridge

35

priming.

most satisfactory material for rim fire car

90

A still further andL more specific obJect tridges for two reasons-:first:l the easily
of the present invention is to provide a> pres controlled ductility of the copper enables
sure sustaining cup adapted to be seated in
the head of a rim re cartridge to prevent
excessive powder pressure reaching _ the
. priming rim, and also to efficiently direct

40

the maker to select his method so that the

firing pin or striker will crush the primer

rim without severing the crushed portion
from the surrounding metal. Second: be

95

the'flame from the priming composition into cause other metals have been found to cause
_ the powder charge.

deterioration in the most commonly used

Other and further objects of the present and most satisfactory priming' compositions,

invention will in part be obvious and will in namely, those using fulminate of mercury as
part be pointed out hereinafter in the speci one of the constituent ingredients. At
fication by reference to the accompanying tempts to reinforce rim fire cartridges have
5

drawings forming a part of the specifica

heretofore. been made by thickening the

tion and wherein like parts are represented metal. This led to misfires due to the tend
by like characters throughoutthe several ency of the thicker metal to flow the ful-_
figures thereof. `

100

minate priming inwardly without detonat

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'1,461,013

ing the same when the rim was struck by the

tiring pin, and also due to the fact that theI
lirearxns in use are equippedwith liring
mechanism `capable of crushing, without
cuttingvor breaking, the sensitive soft rim

against the head of this shell in such 'man

ner that the priming composition is con
fined between the'walls of the rim #l and the

side wall of the reinforcing cup 5' so that

when the striker or iii-ing pin compresses the
in common use, but. not capable of crushing rim there 'is no possibility of the priming
the. hea-vier rim.

The same troubles have

70

composition breaking away from the rim

been encountered. by use of stronger metals

and thereby causing a mislire, As shown in -

nate of mercury.

ing opening 6 from which leads a plurality

of radial liring grooves 7 so that `when the

such as brass-and as previously set forth:L Figures l, 2 and 3, the reinforcing cup com
and furthermore brass is one of the metals prises a substantially cylindrical walled cup 75
which causes rapid deterioration of fulmi having the head thereof provided with a lir
,

The present invention overcomes the fore

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25

35

40

50

55

going di'tliculties by leaving the sensitiveness priming is exploded the flame and incandes
of the priming Vrim entirely undisturbed cent gases travel through the grooves -and
and by providing means to prevent the ex tiring opening into the powder chamber S
cessive powder pressure from reaching the within thel reinforcing cup 5. By this con
weaksensitive rim. This invention is pref struction the flame of the priming is direct
erably carried out by providing the base of ed to the center of one end of the powder
the standard rim fire shell with an interior chamber .along the longitudinal axis thereof
pressure cup constructed to permit the prim so that all the advantages of a center fire
ing to fire the powder charge and to receive cartridge are secured by this rim lire shell.
Aand support the gas pressures developed' by The reinforcing' cup may be formed from
the burning powder and prevent such pres a blank 9, such as is illustrated in Figure
sures from reaching the rim. In practice el, in such manner as to provide the cup `with
the pressure receiving members may be a plurality of spring segments l0 which tend
formed of suitable cups` preferably copper, to tightly' grip the interior wall'of the shell
which are inserted in the shells, after the l. The preferred method of securing the
rimis` filled with priming composition and retaining cup within the shell is illustrated
which are maintained in position by slightly in Figures G and T and comprises an en
distorting the reinforcing cup to expand a largement, as at 12, formed on the retaining
very slight port-ion thereof1 under the shoul cup and adapted vto engage the shoulder 14
This enlargement
der of the primer rim. This construction adjacent the firing rim

90

96

obviates any possibility of the reinforcing may

compressible
be conveniently
memberformed
l5, such'as
by providing
a paid ot 100
cup leaving the shell when the shell is fired.
The reinforcing cup andthe shell are pref suitable rubber mounted upon the end of a
erably -formed by drawing the cup from a suitable plunger 1G, preferably metal, which
sheet of .metal so as to provide spring seg may be used in seating the reinforcing cups*
ments on the side of the cup, which spring in the shells. 7 hen such a device is inserted
segments exert an outward pressure against in the cup, with the shells seated on a Hrm
the inside wall of the shell when the cup is in anvil, pressure on the plunger 16 will cause

105

position. It has been found in practice with

central fire cartridges that .the opening lead
ing from the primer to the powder _chamber
may be so proportioned, and in practice is,
as to be large enough to permit the?lame
from the primer to penetrate and suitably

11()

the compressible member 16 to expand lat

erally thereby slightly stretching the rein

forcing cup suliiciently to expand the same
under the shoulder 14 as lspecified the shell
heilig retained in- a suitable holder, not

shown,.during this operation.> lVhe're such

ignite the powder charge at the same time interlocking constructions are provided be
to be sm all enough to prevent the combustion tween the reinforcing cup and the shell it
gas pressure from bursting the primer cup. may be desirable to form reinforcing cups
I desire to utilize this principle in connec with continuous side walls, as shown in~ Fig
tion with my ~invention so that-the openings ure 5. and thereby omitting the spring seg
leading from the primeiwwill be su'liciently ments. As a modification of the liring open
large to insure efficient >operation of the ings a series of small holes 17 may be pro
priming at the same time be sufficiently small vided infthe _reinforcing cup and leading
to> prevent the passage of sufficient gas pres fromthe priming directly to the powder
sure to unduly increase back pressure in the chamber 8.v4 ln allcasesit is desirable that
priming rim during the normal firing of the tiring openings be so proportioned in size

the cartridge.
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85

115

120

as to enablethe priming to effectively ignite

Referring now to the drawings the stand the powder charge but.4 at the saine time be
ard rim fire shell 1 is provided with the usual sufficiently small to prevent excessive back

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composition priming Q which is secured by pressure acting upon the firing rim, as has
adhesion with the walls of the firingwrim 4. been previously specified. It is'to be noted
The reinforcing cupe lits the interior of that the high pressure in the 'powder cham
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the standard rim lire shell l and is seated ber to reach the rim must be transmitted

130

1,461,013

through the small openings and through forced tightly into said priming retaining

the annular chamber which was filled by rim by the force of the powder gases.
65
4. In a rim re cartridge, a shell adapted
gas has passed into the priming chamber to to form a suitable powder chamber, a prim
increase the pressure therein up to the burst ing retaining rim of relatively soft thin ma

the priming composition. Before sufficient

ing point of the rim the projectile has left terial, a priming composition within said

10

the muzzle of the gun and the gas in the cup

is released to atmosphere.
Realizing that my invention may be em
bodied in structures other than the specific
construction herein disclosed, it, is my desire

i that the said disclosed construction be con

15

sidered merely as illustrative and not in

the limiting sense.
Having thus described my invention whatl
I claim is:
l. In a rim fire cartridge, a shell adapted
to form a- suitable powder chamber, a prim

rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted with 70

in the head of said shell and having a por

tion extending within said rim sufficiently

to interlock said cup with said shell and
allow sufHcient space for the priming, said
cup being provided with small flame open 75

ings to permit the priming material to fire

the powder charge within the shell when
the priming is ignited.
5. In a rim fire cartridge, a shell adapted
to form a suitable powder chamber, a prim 80

ing retaining rim of relatively soft thin ma

ing retaining` rim of relatively soft thin terial, a priming composition within said

20

25

material, a priming composition within said

rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted within
the head of said shell and having a portion
extending within said rim sufficiently to in
terlock said cup with said shell, said- cup
being provided with flame openings to per
mit the priming material to fire the powder
charge within the shell when the priming is

rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted with

in the head of said shell and having a con
vex beaded portion formed to comprise a 85

small rim extending within said priming

retaining rim sufficiently to interlock said

cup with said shell, said cup being provided

with flame openings to permit the priming
material to fire the powder charge within
ignited, and said openings being sufficiently the shell when the priming is ignited, said

90

small to retard the backward flow of gas convex beaded portion being constructed to

pressure from the burning powder, there

be forced tightly into said priming retain

by preventing excessive powder pressures ing rim by the force of the powder gases.
from reaching the rim of the shell.

6. In a rim fire cartridge, a shell adapted 96

2. In a rim fire cartridge, a shell adapted to form a suitable powder chamber, a prim
,to form a suitable powder chamber, a prim ing retaining' rim of relatively soft thin ma

ing retaining rim of relatively soft thin ma terial, a priming composition within said
terial, a priming composition within said rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted within
rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted within the head of said shell and having a por
the head. of said shell and having a por tion formed to comprise a small rim extend

40

45

tion formed to comprise a small rim ex ing within said priming retaining rim suf'
tending within said priming retaining rim ficiently to interlock said cup with said
sufficiently to interlock said cup with said _shell and allow sufficient space for the prim
shell, said cup being provided with flame ing, said cup being provided with small
openings to permit the priming material to flame openings to permit the priming ma

100

105

fire the powder charge within the shell when terial to fire the powder charge within the
the priming is ignited; and said openings shell when the priming is ignited..
being sufficiently small to retard the back
7. In a rim fire cartridge` a shell adapted
ward flow of gas pressure from the burn

to form a suitable powder' chamber, a prim

ing powder, thereby preventing excessive ing retaining rim of relatively soft thin ma

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powder pressures from reaching the rim of' terial, a priming composition within said

50~

the shell.
rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted within
3. In a rim fire cartridge, a shell adapted the head of said shell and having a convex
to form a suitable powder chamber, a prim beaded portion formed to comprise a small 115

ing retaining rim of relatively soft thin ma rim extending within said priming retain
terial, a priming composition within said ing rim sufficiently to interlock said cup with

rim, and a re-inforcing cup mounted with

in the head of said shell and having a con

said shell and allow sufficient space for the

priming, said cup being provided with

vex beaded portion extending within said small flame openings to permit the priming
rim sufficiently to interlock said cup with material to fire the powder charge within
said shell` said cup being provided with the shell when the priming is ignited. said
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flame openings to permit the priming ma convex beaded portion being constructed to
terial to fire the powder charge within the be forced tightly into said priming retain
shell when the priming is ignited, said con ing rim by the force of the powder gases.
vex beaded portion being constructed to be
HOWARD D. HODGE.

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