Primer for Cannon. (open access)

Primer for Cannon.

Patent for a new and improved primer for cannons. This design corrects the loosening of primers in their vent-holes by way of "a spring combined with the priming tube, which spring expands to the size of the vent" (para. 3). This eliminates blowouts and premature breakage.
Date: September 14, 1880
Creator: Rodman, John Black
System: The Portal to Texas History
Pendant for Stem-Winding Watches. (open access)

Pendant for Stem-Winding Watches.

Patent for a "pendant for a watch which can be turned in every direction and can be screwed into the watch-case" (lines 8-10), including instructions and illustrations.
Date: March 23, 1880
Creator: Rossetti, John Theodore
System: The Portal to Texas History