Improvements in Packing Ammunition for "Field Service," and Boxes therefor.
Year: 1894

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Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1895-Accepted, 8th June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Packing Ammunition for "Field Service," and
Boxes therefor.
We, WILLIAM JOHN HOLT, C.B., Colonel commanding 2nd Regimental
District, Stoughton Barracks, Guildford, in the County of Surrey, and JOHN
DAVIS, Lieut.-Colonel commanding 3rd Battalion Queen's Royal West Surrey
Regiment, of Bifrons, Farnborough, in the County of Hants, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to an improved method of constructing and packing
ammunition boxes for. "Field Service"; whereby the ammunition is rendered
readily accessible and other conveniences are secured..
In carrying out our invention, we employ a box constructed by preference of
wood and having a central partition; the depth of the box corresponding with
that of the packets in which the ammunition is put up. Each compartment is by
preference furnished with a metallic lining, and in the outer face of this lining is
formed a hand-hole fitted with an air-tight lid. Access is thus separately had to
each of the compartments into which the box is divided. Covering that portion.
of the inner casing in which the hand-hole is situated is arranged a taper panel;
or a circular lid.sliding or fitted in the outer face. or covering board of the box..
When two such. ammunition boxes are carried by a mule, the same being
arranged one on each side of the saddle, face outwards, four soldiers may obtain
their supplies of ammunition simultaneously, each from one of the four com™
partments into which the two boxes are divided. The lids may. then be replaced
in the hand-holes and secured;. the ammunition remaining in the boxes being then
protected against injury by exposure, as under.the original conditions.. A further.
advantage attending this mode of distribution is that the loads; on the opposite
sides of the pack-saddle are subjected to equal. diminution, until the whole of the
ammunition is withdrawn ; the operation being moreover effected without removing,
either box or disturbing its position, upon the saddle. It will also be observed
that besides contributing to expedition in use-a primary consideration for service
in the Field an important economy is effected, inasmuch as the boxes, instead of
being deranged. upon the soldered joint being torn apart, are opened and closed
without. injury and may be repeatedly filled..

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Packing Ammunition for "Field Service," and
Boxes therefor.
We, WILLIAM JOHN HOLT, C.B., Colonel commanding 2nd Regimental
District, Stoughton Barracks, Guildford, in the County of Surrey, and JOHN
DAVIS, Lieut.-Colouel commanding 3rd Battalion Queen's Royal West Surrey
Regiment, of Bifrons, Farnborough, in the County of Hants, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved method of constructing and packing
ammunition boxes for "Field Service"; whereby the ammunition is rendered
readily accessible and other conveniences are secured.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating our
improved construction of ammunition box. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof, with one of
the taper panels partly removed. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a
modified construction, in which a circular lid takes the place of the taper panel;
Fig. 4 being a plan thereof, with one of the circular lids removed.
According to one mode of carrying out our invention, we employ a box A,
constructed by preference of wood, and having a central partition B, whereby the
box is divided into two compartments; the depth of the box corresponding with
that of the packets in which the ammunition is put up. Each compartment is
furnished with a metallic lining a, and in the outer face of this lining is formed a
hand-hole a¹, fitted with an air-tight lid a², which latter is provided with a
handle a capable of being closed down upon the upper surface of the said lid.
Access may thus be had separately to each compartment of the box. The outer
face or covering board A¹ is furnished with a taper panel A2; the said panel
covering that portion of the box A and lining a in which the hand-hole a¹ is
situated. This panel is provided at one end with tongues b b which, on completing
the closing of the box, enter rebates c c in the covering board A'. At the other
end of the panel rebates d d' are formed into which the tongues e e' on the covering
board engage. A pin f passing through the panel and entering a hole in the
box A serves to secure the panel in its closed position; the loss of the said pin
being prevented by means of a cord or wire g to which it is attached. h is a loop
or pull for use in releasing the taper panel A³ after the withdrawal of the pin f.
So soon as the tongues and rebates are disengaged, the taper panel becomes free;
access being thereby afforded to the air-tight lid and hand-hole.
According to another mode of construction (illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4), instead
of the taper panel, we may employ a circular lid Ax, for protecting the hand-
hole a'. This circular lid is retained in its closed position by means of a tongue b
(on one side) which, on closing the lid, engages in a recess c* in the covering
board A'; a removable pin fx being passed through the opposite side of the lid
and inserted in a hole in the covering board. The pin is retained in place
and secured against loss by means of the wire g*. On pulling back the wire g*,
the pin may be withdrawn from the hole f¹, and the lid can then be released by
the act of pulling the loop h.
CC are attaching cords for securing the box to the pack-saddle.
Two ammunition boxes constructed in either of the modes herein described are
disposed one on each side of a mule or other beast of burden, and secured to the
pack-saddle in any convenient manner.
When two such ammunition boxes are carried by a mule, the same being
arranged one on each side of the saddle, face outwards, four soldiers may obtain
their supplies of ammunition simultaneously, each from one of the four com-

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partments into which the two boxes are divided. The air-tight lids a' may then
be replaced in the hand-holes a' and the taper panel A³, or the circular lid A* (as
the case may be), secured; the ammunition remaining in the boxes being thus
protected against injury by exposure as under the system at present in use.
further advantage attending our improved mode of distribution is that the loads
on the opposite sides of the pack-saddle are subjected to equal diminution until
the whole of the ammunition is withdrawn; the operation being, moreover,
effected without removing either box, or disturbing its position upon the saddle.
It will also be observed that, besides contributing to expedition in use-a primary
consideration for service in the Field--an important economy is effected, inasmuch
as the boxes, instead of being deranged, upon the soldered joint being torn apart,
are opened and closed without injury, and may be repeatedly refilled.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :-
1. The improved ammunition box constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved ammunition box constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
3. An ammunition box divided into two compartments, each lined with metal
and provided with an air-tight lid fitted in the metal lining, and covered by a panel
fitted in the outer face of the box, substantially as herein described.
"
4. The improved method of packing ammunition for "Field Service
substantially as herein described, and whereby, without unloading the ammuni-
tion boxes from the pack-saddle, supplies may be drawn simultaneously from
four compartments.
Dated the 30th day of Anvil 1005