CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SELF-ADJUSTING CASES FOR HOLDING AND CARRYING CARTRIDGES OF VARIOUS SIZES OR GUAGES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CARTRIDGE CARRIERS NOW IN пер
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Septimus Cockings, Civil Engineer, of Ann
Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, for the Invention of.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SELF-ADJUSTING CASES FOR
HOLDING AND CARRYING CARTRIDGES OF VARIOUS SIZES OR GUAGES, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CARTRIDGE CARRIERS NOW IN
пер
"
Sealed the 29th November 1859, and dated the 31st May 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Septimus Cockings
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 31st May 1859.
I, JAMES SEPTIMUS COCKINGS, Civil Engineer, of Ann Street, Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of my said Inven-
tion for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SELF-ADJUSTING CASES
POR HOLDING AND CARRYING CARTRIDGES OF VARIOUS SIZES OR GUAGES, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CARTRIDGE CARRIERS NOW IN USE,"
to be as follows (that is to say) :-
My improvements, in the first place, refer to a cartridge carrier, protected
under the Designs Act of the 6th and 7th Victoria, dated November 30th,
1858, wherein the proprietor, Alfred Perry, described that the back plate of
his cartridge carrier was composed of two curved surfaces produced by cutting
out two pieces of tin and soldering them together to produce the desired
shape, which shape was intended both in its horizontal and vertical section to

page_text: fit the human body. This was done with a view that the weight of the cart-
ridge when placed in the case should be as near the person of the wearer as it
was possible for them to be. And my improvements consist in stamping or raising
the back plate of such cartridge carriers, as well as the front and top metal
portions, whereby additional compactness, strength, exactness, and-facility of
construction are obtained. The cartridges in this description of case have
always been applied in a vertical position. But this improvement of forming
the bases of cartridge carriers to fit the side or body of the wearer I also apply
to cartridge cases or carriers so constructed that the cartridges are intended
to lie horizontally resting one on the other, in one, two, or more tiers, such
cartridges being supported by being pressed against the back or body plate by
a suitable spring or springs, but for which purpose I have found springs made
of india-rubber to answer well. The object of these springs is not only to
prevent the cartridges falling about, but also that cartridges of various sizes
or guages in their diameter may be placed and held securely in one case or
carrier, the spring or springs bearing on the circumference of the cartridge,
but exerting no force on the ends or lengthway of the cartridges. The springs
I purpose holding in by raised curved plates, which may be readily removed
or applied when fresh springs may be necessary, and the parting piece or base
for the spring or springs to rest on I purpose also moulding or raising from
metal or other suitable material, as also the ends.
And, lastly, my improvements consist in applying to cartridge carriers in
general an elastic strap, or partly elastic and partly non-elastic, such as a
combination of india-rubber with leather or other suitable material, such india-
rubber being covered with braid or wove into a web, as most desired. Straps
thus made I purpose applying to the front flap of cartridge cases or carriers,
for the purpose of holding the flap front or top down, so as to prevent snow or
rain penetrating to the interior of the case; and in some cases I combine the
leather and elastic together with metal plates, so as to do away with the.
necessity of uniting them by stitching.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Septimus Cockings in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 30th November 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
SEPTIMUS COCKINGS, Civil Engineer, of Ann Street, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Septimus Cockings, Her special license that I, the said James
Septimus Cockings, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Septimus Cockings, my executors, administrators, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SELF-ADJUSTING CASES
FOR HOLDING AND CARRYING CARTRIDGES OF VARIOUS SIZES OR GUAGES, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CARTRIDGE CARRIERS NOW IN USE,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Septimus
Cockings, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Septimus Cockings, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement (that is to say) :-
My Invention has for its object the simplifying of the construction of certain
parts of cartridge carriers or cartouche boxes, whether required for military,
sporting, or rifleman's purposes; likewise the providing of means not only for
preventing the cartridges loosely shaking about in their boxes or cases, but
also to so place them that they may be thoroughly protected from the weather,
so as to ensure their being dry, as also to be readily taken out or allowed to
fall into the hands when required.
The use of breech-loading guns for sporting or birding purposes is becoming
general, and as all breech-loading guns are charged from or with cartridges,
it is evident that the cartridge carrier or case to the modern sportsman is as
essential as the powder flask and shot belt were to the sportsman of the old
school, or, I may add, of the flint-lock period; for the preference given to the
use of cartridges, even for muzzle loading, has been greatly on the increase of
late years. And for military purposes, perhaps, no part of a soldier's equip
ment has received less attention, as to their construction and ease of carrying,

page_text: than the cartouche box; compactness, and keeping the weight close to the
body, to prevent weariness to the soldier on the march or in action, seems
never to have been studied; and to avoid these objections and meet the
general requirements is the object of my improvements. But as my Invention
will be best understood by referring to the Drawings hereunto annexed, I will
proceed to describe the same, reference being made to the various figures and
letters piorked thereon
lotters piorked thereon
:
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of the tin or body part of a cartridge
carrier, registered for its shape by a Mr. Alfred Perry. The manner in which
the said Alfred Perry constructed these bodies was by cutting them out of. tin
and soldering them together, which process is tedious and uncertain; and my
improvements consist in forming the back marked A, B, C, from one piece of
sheet tin or other metal transversely curved to fit the waist, while the angular
lower part is intended to fit over the hip. A front view of this part is exhibited
at Fig. 2, partly broken. away for convenience of space; and Fig. 3 is a top
view of the same. I also purpose making the angle pieces D, D, D, (which
also partake of the same curve as exhibited at Figure 3,) by stainping them
from three pieces of metal, and soldering them together, as here shown; these
parts, with the back A, B, and C, are united to the ends, also of sheet tin.or
metal, as at E, E. The top of the parts marked D, D,. D, are varied in their
width according to the size cartridge they are intended to carry, and are
perforated on the top for receiving the cartridge, which is here shown in
dotted lines marked F, F; and it will be seen from this Figure, and the
position of the cartridge, which rests on that part of the back plate from B to C;
that the weight of the cartridge, whether ball or shot, will rest on the hip of
the wearer. The dotted line G, G, Figure 2, represents the sectional line of
the back plate A, B, C, of Figure 1. In the foregoing description, cartridges
are intended. to be placed in the carrier in a nearly vertical position, and it is
somewhat essential that each carrier shall be made to suit each particular
sized cartridge, which varying with the different bore of guns, and which being
Bumerous among sportsmen, renders them somewhat objectionable to the
manufacturer on account of the heavy stock which is necessary to be kept;
this I avoid, to a certain extent, in my arrangements, as exhibited at Fig. 4,
which represents a cartridge carrier with a front flap elevated, so that the
position of the cartridges may be seen, which are intended in this case to lie
horizontally, and to be held steady in their position by flaps of india-rubber
marked H, I, J, and J; these flaps of of india-rubber are held down by angle

page_text: plates marked K, L, and M, secured to the ends and middle parting piece;.
and these pieces may be formed of tin, or papier-machie, or moulded from pulp,
and japanned with the case before the india-rubber flaps are applied; or they.
may be formed or moulded from gutta percha or other suitable material. The
top of the end pieces, as also the parting piece, I prefer to curve around, as,
exhibited at Fig. 5, which is a vertical section of Figure 4 taken through the
dotted lines O, O, the dotted circles representing the position of the cartridges,
as also the position of the flap I when no cartridges are in the case; but as,
the cartridges are passed down, as at P, P, &c., Figure 4, the india-rubber.
flap will be out in a line or plane with the cartridges, according to its size, and
pressing against them; and in this view I have exhibited an elastic tab for
fastening down the front flap. Q, Q, is a strong ring of india-rubber, or a
ring formed of india-rubber cord, covered or braided over with any suitable
thread, and united at the ends, and secured to the leather tab by an eyelet
(as here shown), or by stitching, and the ring on the lower sile is secured to
the flap by a piece of leather, as at S, first secured to the ring and then to the
flap by being stitched through, as here shown, or otherwise secured. This is
an important though simple improvement, and applicable to all cartridge
carriers that have a lifting flap, such as would be necessary in finishing the
body described at Figure 1. When the flap is down, the ring may be
stretched until the tab is pulled over or below the stud T, when the con-
tracting force of the india-rubber ring will hold or pull the flap down secure
over the front, the tab R affording facility with the aid of the finger and
thumb to engage or disengage this with great ease and quickness.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section of Figures 4 and 5 taken through the dotted
lines U, U. In this view it is seen that the back plate is slightly angled for
the purpose of better fitting the body, but which may be made straight or
slightly curved. The leather of the ends and back is shown in section
marked V, V, and in the front marked W, W, not in section. The ends and.
the parting piece in the middle is represented hollow, as if made from tin; and
the position of the india-rubber flaps, when in and out of use, as also the
cartridges represented in Figure 4, are likewise represented marked with the
same letter in this Figure, with the india-rubber flaps H and I bearing ou
them, while the right-hand compartment is left empty. Before departing
from this description, I will observe that the ends or parting piece or pieces
(according to the size of the case desired to be made) being required bulky; to
give the angle to the india-rubber, they may be used for holding caps or other
conveniences, or by a slight extension may be so constructed as to be adapted
for. holding two or more cigars in each part. This description of cartridge

page_text: carrier may be fitted with suitable loops for securing it to. a belt around the
waist, or by suitably connecting a strap to the ends, so that it may be worn
over the shoulder.
Figs. 7 and 8 represent a front and end view of another description of
cartridge carrier, also for cartridges that are intended to lie in a horizontal
position, and principally designed for the use of the military or rifle corps, and
and may be either worn by being suspended to a strap passed over the shoulder,
or by a broad belt to the waist, for which latter mode the cartridge carrier
here shown is designed; it consists of a tin or other suitable body, covered
with leather, the top or cover piece being allowed to overhang the ends, and is
united at the back by passing down between the back of the body and a strong
japanned plate, and secured by rivets, as shown at Figure 7. The back
plate a¹, a', is united to the body by soldering in connection with two narrow
strips the width of the thickness of the belt, as this forms the loop for the belt
to pass through, and which loop is marked b', 6', the back leather being
brought up between the plate a', and the body may be secured in like manner,
the dotted lines c³, c¹, representing the stitching by which the leather of the
end and back is united. The front vertical angles I prefer slightly rounding,
which brings the joint of the front leather and the end together at d¹, d¹, the
dotted lines on either side representing the stitching by which the two are
united; this is not altogether essential, for some description of leather may be
blocked to the shape desired, thereby avoiding the necessity of stitching at
that part.
The case, as seen at Figure 8, is drawn longer than is required for the
lengthway of a cartridge, and this is done, as will be hereafter exhibited, for
the purpose of using the extra space at the ends for other convenient purposes,
either for a canteen or for holding cigars, spare caps, or other requisites, and
be made for holding any desired number of cartridges, preferring that a
certain portion shall be laid free in the bottom, and that the reserve shall be.
placed in a portable tin or other case, which drops down on the inside, and
will rest on the loose cartridges, and prevent them shaking about'; and to
ensure this object I prefer fitting the portable cases with a strong tube. of
india-rubber on the top, as also an elastic seat at the bottom, for the purpose
that when put in its place and the cover brought over and secured as here
exhibited, or by an elastic tab, if preferred, the india-rubber tube at the top
will form a spring that will tend to press the inner case with the reserve
cartridges down on the cartridges at the bottom, which will prevent them
shaking about, which is essential to the cavalry soldier as also to the rifleman.
The bottom of this cartridge carrier is fitted with a metallic curved mouth,

page_text: having a semicircular mouth-piece with a projecting flange on one side, and
this mouth-piece is fitted with centres on which it works. The size of this
piece is a little larger than the diameter of the cartridge within, which may
be the regulation or other size as may be desired, so that when ready for use
the cartridge will lie in the hollow of this part, and by applying the hand or
fingers to the projecting flange, as at e¹ (Figure 7), and turning it back to f,
will thereby invert the semicircular mouth-piece, and thereby allow the
cartridge that it before contained to fall into the hand, at the same time its
position in the case will prevent the other from falling out; but when freed
the flange will return again from f' to e¹ by means of a suitable spring, when
another cartridge will be pressed down into the semicircular part, to be
received in like manner into the hand when required, until all in this part are
withdrawn, when a fresh supply may be taken from the reserve case and
placed into the bottom for use. This metallic mouth I have represented as
being fitted with projecting ends, which are brought up and united to the ends
of the case by screws, as at g', g', but which may be done in any other con-
venient way.
Fig. 9 is a detached longitudinal view of the mouth-piece or part that
partially revolves; and Fig. 10 is a section of the same, taken through the
dotted lines, h¹, the screws k¹, k, forming the axis on which it revolves, by
first screwing through the ends of the metal mouth marked m', m'. The
sunken part at the ends of Figure 9, marked n¹, n¹, is for an india-rubber or
other spring to wrap around, by which I purpose holding this part in its
position when closed, but a snuffer or other kind of spring may be used for
this purpose.
Fig. 11 represents a vertical section of Figure 8 taken through the dotted
lines p', p', again showing the slot 61, 6, the tin of the body and the leather
covering with ten cartridges loose in the bottom, and three tens lying in three
separate compartments of the portable inner case, showing the india-rubber at
the top and bottom compressed, the whole resting on the cartridges in the
bottom of the carrier, with one lying in the hollow of the semicircular
(partially) revolving mouth, and represented as if falling there by its gravi-
tation, which it would naturally do, but to avoid confusion the two above is
not represented down resting on it. This lower cartridge will fall out into the
hand of the user by. turning this part around by the flange e¹ till it is back
to f, as before described; and although in this section I have exhibited
capacity or provision for forty cartridges, nevertheless the internal case and
bottom part may be made smaller or larger as may be required, or one portion

page_text: of the portable case may be used for holding percussion caps or other little
requisites required with the use of fire-arms.
Fig. 12 is a detached end view of the inner or portable case, the dotted
lines representing the divisions, and the circle 71, 7, à tube of india-rubber,
which forms a handle for removing it, as well as a spring for preventing it
shaking about. This tube is shown in a collapsed state at Figure 11.
Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken through the dotted lines s¹,.s¹,
Figures 8 and 11; representing the position of the cartridges in the reserve or
portable case; and the ends I have represented as of wood, but they may be
of cork, gutta percha, or other suitable material, or of tin. The darkened
circles represent receptacles for cigars, or one end may be used for cigars or
other purposes, and the other for a small tin or other canteen, and in this.
view I am enabled to show the front corners removed off, and the leather with
which it is covered united at the front corners.marked tt, tt. The back
is curved backward at the ends to fit the body, and the belt by which the
carrier is intended to be held to the body is here represented broken off for
convenience of space, marked u³, u¹.
Having thus given a general description of my improvements in the
construction of cartridge carriers, I wish it understood that I do not purpose
confining myself to the exact shape or proportion of the parts or details here
represented, as the whole may be varied as may be required to suit the taste of
the wearer, or the size and quantity of cartridges desired to be held; but
what I claim and wish protected by these my in part recited Letters Patent
is,
Firstly, the making of the backs of cartridge carriers, as described in
Figures 1, 2, and 3, of one piece of tin or other suitable material; as also the
forming the angle parts marked D, D, D, in Figure 1; also of one piece of
metal giving form to them by the process of stamping.
Secondly, the application to cartridge carriers applicable for carrying.
cartridges of various sizes, as described and exhibited at Figures 4, 5, and 6,
of the india-rubber flaps marked H, I, I, and J, without regard to the manner
in which the said flaps are held or secured, as they may be applied in various
ways.
Thirdly, the forming of this description of cartridge carriers that the com-
partments for holding the cartridges shall be formed of a slight angle with
each other in their horizontal section for the purpose of better adapting them
to the body of the wearer.
Fourthly, the application to the flaps of cartridge carriers of an elastic tas,

page_text: as described and exhibited at Q, R, S, Figure 4, without confining myself to
the form or manner of connecting the parts of the tab as there exhibited, nor
to the description of cartridge carrier to which they may be applied.
Lastly, I claim the general description of cartridge carrier as exhibited as
exhibited at Figures 7 and 8, the cartridges being placed in a horizontal
position, and the back curved both vertically and transversely to suit the body
of the wearer, whether such carriers be made of leather without the metallic
body or with a metallic body, and finished by japanning or otherwise, or
whether the metallic mouth m³, m³, is applied on the outside or inside, or
stamped with the ends rounded off, instead of being angular, as here shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Septimus Cockings, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
15 Witness,
JAMES SEPTIMUS COCKINGS, C.E. (L.S.)
WILLIAM LOACH,
Clerk to the Patentee.