Improvements in Apparatus or Devices to Enable All the Chambers of Revolvers or like Fire-arms to be Simultaneously Loaded with Cartridges.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus or Devices to Enable All the Chambers
of Revolvers or like Fire-arms to be Simultaneously Loaded
with Cartridges.
I, ARTHUR JOHN WATSON of The Junior United Service Club, Charles
Street in the County of Middlesex but now at Dalhousie, Punjaub in the Empire
of India, Major, Suffolk Regiment do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient apparatus or
devices by means of which all the chambers of revolvers or like fire-arms can be
simultaneously loaded with cartridges.
· The apparatus or device constructed according to this invention consists of a
cylinder or holder (which for the sake of lightness may be made of aluminium)
containing chambers in number and relative position corresponding to the number
of chambers in the revolver and of a diameter slightly larger than that of the base
rim of the cartridges with which the revolver is to be loaded. The bottom of the
cylinder has between the chambers a hollow corresponding to the rack at the base
of the cylinder of the revolver.
On its
A corer is fitted to the cylinder or holder so that it can be rotated and this
cover is provided with a projection or means by which it can be turned.
underside the said cover is provided with segmental projections corresponding with
the chambers in the cylinder or holder the upper part of the curved edges of these
projections corresponding to the body of the cartridges and the parts of the edges
next the cover are reduced or under-cut to receive the rims of the cartridges.
The device may be provided with an outer cylinder or box into which the afore-
said cylinder or bolder is inserted and the ends of the bullets can rest on the
bottom of this cylinder or box. The said cylinders or holder and box can be held
together by a bayonet-joint or other suitable fastening and the whole device may
be enclosed in a suitable pouch which may be attached to a belt or carried in any
convenient way. To charge the device with cartridges the cover is partly rotated
in one direction and the cartridges are placed one in each of the chambers
therefor base down. Then the cover is partly rotated in the reverse direction.
and so the rims of the cartridges will be received by the under-cut grooves in the
projections carried by the cover. The holder containing the cartridges is then
secured in the box.
To load the revolver the holder is removed from the box and the ends of the
bullets of the cartridges are simultaneously inserted into the chambers of the
revolver. The cover is then partly rotated so as to release the cartridges, by
removing the projections on the inside of the cover from the rims of the
cartridges which cartridges simultaneously enter the several chambers of the
revolver.
space
between
In place of arranging the device as described it may consist of a longi-
tudinally grooved cylinder or block (which may be of light wood ebonite, xylonite
metal or other material) of slightly smaller diameter than the
the rims of the cartridges when in the chambers of the revolver. The curvature
of the grooves in the block is of a radius slightly longer than the radius of the
cartridge rims.
To one end of the block is fixed a thin disc (which may be of metal) of a size
to cover the caps of the cartridges when they are in position round the block.
To this disc is attached (preferably by a cord) one end of a strip, which may be

page_text: of thin metal, and to the other end of this strip another piece of cord (or a ring)
may be secured. The cartridges are placed around the grooved block with their
bases resting on the disc. The strip is then passed tightly round the cartridges
and the end is secured in any suitable way for instance by solder if the strip be of
metal or the bands may be prepared by being soldered so as to form rings which
can be placed round the cartridges and secured by the cord.
One two or more groups of such series of cartridges so combined may be put
into one package. To load the revolver a series of cartridges combined as afore-
said is taken and the ends of the bullets are introduced into the chambers of the
revolver. The strip is then removed and the cartridges are released and fall into
the said chambers of the revolver.
Dated this 13th day of March 1893.
J. H. JOHNSON & CO.,
47, Lincoln's Inu Fields, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus or Devices to Enable All the Chambers
of Revolvers or like Fire-arms to be Simultaneously Loaded
with Cartridges.
I, ARTHUR JOHN WATSON of The Junior United Service Club, Charles Street
in the County of Middlesex, but now at Dalhousie, Punjaub in the Empire of
India Major Suffolk Regiment 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide simple and efficient apparatus or
devices by means of which all the chambers of revolvers or like fire arms can be
simultaneously loaded with cartridges. The apparatus or device constructed
according to this invention consists of a cylinder or holder (which for the sake of
lightness may be made of aluminium) containing chambers in number and relative
position corresponding to the number of chambers in the revolver and of a diameter
slightly larger than that of the base rim of the cartridges with which the revolver
is to be loaded. The bottom of the cylinder has between the chambers a hollow
corresponding to the rack at the base of the cylinder of the revolver.
A cover is fitted to the cylinder or holder so that it can be rotated and this
cover is provided with a projection or means by which it can be turned. On its
underside the said cover is provided with segmental projections corresponding with
the chambers in the cylinder or holder the upper part of the curved edges of these
projections corresponding to the body of the cartridges and the parts of the edges
next the cover are reduced or undercut to receive the rims of the cartridges.
The device may be provided with an outer cylinder or box into which the aforesaid
cylinder or holder is inserted and the ends of the bullets can rest on the bottom of
this cylinder or box. The said cylinder or holder and box can be held together by a
bayonet joint or other suitable fastening and the whole device may be enclosed in
a suitable pouch which may be attached to a belt or carried in any convenient
way. To charge the device with cartridges the cover is partly rotated in one
direction and the cartridges are placed one in each of the chambers therefor base
down. Then the cover is partly rotated in the reverse direction and so the rims of
the cartridges will be received by the undercut grooves in the projections carried
by the cover. The holder containing the cartridges is then secured in the box.
To load the revolver the holder is removed from the box and the ends of the bullets
of the cartridges are simultaneously inserted into the chambers of the revolver.
The cover is then partly rotated so as to relcase the cartridges by removing the
projections on the inside of the cover from the rims of the cartridges which
cartridges simultaneou-ly enter the several chambers of the revolver. In place of

page_text: arranging the device as described it may consist of a longitudinally grooved
cylinder or block (which may be of light wood, ebonite, xylonite, metal or other
material) of slightly smaller diameter than the space between the rims of the
cartridges when in the chambers of the revolver. The curvature of the grooves in
the block is of a radius slightly longer than the radius of the cartridge rims. To
one end of the block is fixed a thin disc (which may be of metal) of a size to cover
the caps of the cartridges when they are in position round the block. To this
disc is attached (preferably by a cord) one end of a strip, which may be of thin
metal and to the other end of this strip another piece of cord or a ring may be
secured. The cartridges are placed around the grooved block with their bases
resting on the disc. The strip is then passed tightly round the cartridges and the
end is secured in any suitable way for instance by solder if the strip be of metal or
the bands may be prepared by being soldered so as to form rings which can be
placed round the cartridges and secured by the cord. One two or more groups of
such series of cartridges so combined may be put into one package. To load the
revolver a series of cartridges combined as aforesaid is taken and the ends of the
bullets are introduced into the chambers of the revolver. The solder or other
fastening is then broken and the cartridges are released and fall into the said
chambers of the revolver.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the
several figures of the accompanying drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed according to my invention for
simultaneously loading with cartridges all the chambers of a six chambered revolver
the cartridge retaining and releasing devices being shewn in their unlocked or
disengaging position.
Figure 2 is an end view of the device a portion being broken away to shew more
clearly the cartridge retaining and releasing projections.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device shewn enclosed in an outer casing and
charged with cartridges ready for being inserted into the chambers of the revolver.
Figure 4 is an end view of the same (part being broken away to shew the afore-
said projections) the outer case being removed and
Figure 5 shews in perspective a pouch in which the device may be enclosed and
carried on a belt ready for use.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modification which is simpler and cheaper and
which consequently when the cartridges are released therefrom, may be thrown
away. Figure 7 is a transverse section of the same and Figure 8 is an end view
corresponding to Figure 6.
Referring to Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4. A is a metal cylinder or holder having
holes or recesses a therein corresponding in number and position to the number and
position of the chambers in the cylinder of the revolver to be loaded. The holes
or recesses a are of slightly greater diameter than the rims of the cartridges so
as to admit of the said cartridges being readily inserted therein rim foremost. To
one end of the cylinder A is secured by a stud or bolt b a plate B which constitutes,
or forms, a bottom to the holes, or recesses, a. The stud or bolt is fast on the
plate B and passes through a hole in the centre of the cylinder A and is secured by
the nut c which enters the recess in the opposite end of the cylinder, the bolt b
forming an axis on which the plate B can turn. On that side of the plate B which
is adjacent to the end of the cylinder A are segmental projections done for each
hole a in the cylinder A which projections d enter and can slide in recesses e in the
end of the cylinder A. These projections are undercut as shewn by dotted lines
The plate B
at d so as to engage the rims of the cartridges as shewn in Figure 4.
is provided on its outer side with a projection C by means of which the said plate
can be turned on its stud or axis b. To charge the device with cartridges the
plate B, is turned so as to bring the projections d against the ends of the recesses e
in the cylinder A as shewn in Figure 1 a cartridge is then placed in each of the

page_text: holes or recesses a the cartridges being inserted base foremost. The bases of the
cartridges then rest on the plate B and by turning the plate B, in the direction of
the arrow in Figure 1 by means of the projection C the segmental projections d
will engage the rims of the cartridges and retain them in position in the holes or
recesses a as shewn in Figures 3 and 4.
To load the revolver with the cartridges contained in the cylinder or holder the
moses or bullet ends of the cartridges are inserted in the respective chambers of the
revolver and the plate B of the holder is turned, by means of the projection C, in
the reverse direction to that indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 thereby disengaging
the projections d from the rims of cartridges which cartridges will then simul-
taneously enter their respective chambers and thus fully load the revolver, ready for
firing. The cylinder or bolder A when charged with cartridges, may be enclosed
in an outer case until required for use as shewn in Figure 3 the said case D having
bayonet slots (one of which is shewn at f) in the side to engage with studs or
projections 9 on the cylinder. When in position in this outer case the ends of
the bullets rest on the interior of the bottom of the said case which bottom may be
covered with leather or other soft material as shewn at h. To cause the studs g
to engage with the bayonet slots f the cylinder or holder is turned in the
case D by means of the projection the horizontal portion of the bayonet slots
extending from the vertical portions thereof in the direction in which it is
necessary to turn the plate B to release the projections d from the rims of the
cartridges so that should the cartridges be released from the projections & by the
act of fixing the cylinder in the case D the said projections will again engage
the rims of the cartridges when turning the cylinder or holder in the direction to
remove it from the case so that on removing the cylinder or holder from the case
the cartridges will be removed with it, but the horizontal parts of the slots may
be omitted if desired. For convenience of carrying the charged cylinder or holder
a pouch such as shewn in Figure 5 may be provided for the cylinder or holder such
pouch having a loop E or other convenient means by which to connect it to a waist
belt or in other suitable position. Each pouch may have the case D secured
therein by rivets or otherwise and to prevent the cylinder or holder from being
lost it may be attached to the pouch by means of a chain G or a wire, cord, or the
like, one end of the said chain, or the like, being connected to the projection C or
other convenient part of the apparatus and the other end being connected to the
bottom or other convenient part of the pouch so that when the cartridges are
released from the holder and passed into the chambers of the revolver the cylinder
or holder although it may be allowed to fall from the hand will remain connected
to the pouch. The arrangement illustrated in Figures 6. 7 and 8 shews a simple
and inexpensive loading device which may be thrown away when the cartridges
have been released and passed into the revolver. This loading device consists of a
block H preferably of light material (such for example as wood or ebonite) and
having recesses a for the reception of the cartridge. These recesses incline or are
tapered as shewn in Figure 7 the body of each cartridge having a bearing at one
end of the recess and the edge of the rim of each cartridge having a bearing
at the opposite end of the recess so that the cartridges when secured to the holder
are parallel or approximately parallel with each other. To one end of the
block H is fixed a thin disc of metal or other suitable material I against which
the bases of the cartridges bear when they are placed in position in the recesses a.
The cartridges are held in position in the recesses a by a strip or band K (preferably
of thin metal) which may be passed over or around the cartridges when they are
placed in position in the recesses a with their bases on the disc 1. One end of the
strip or band K is connected by a cord or its equivalent to the disc I and to the
other end is secured a loop or ring L or an additional length of the strip or band K
is left projecting and the two ends are connected together (by solder if the strip be
metal). The ends of this strip or band may be connected together after being
passed round the cartridge or they may be previously connected to form an endle
band or ring to be slipped onto the cartridges after they are placed in position in

page_text: the recesses a and be secured to the disc I by the cord i as shewn in Figure 6. To
load the revolver the noses or bullet ends of the cartridges secured in the holder
are introduced into the chambers of the revolver and then the strip or band is
detached by pulling the ring or loop L or the part left projecting whereupon the
cartridges being released will enter the chambers of the revolver the whole of the
chambers being thus simultaneously loaded ready for firing.
My improved quick loading devices hereinbefore described are essentially
suitable for the use of mounted soldiers as the chamber and barrel of the revolver
when open can be conveniently held by the bridle hand without interfering with the
reins, and the loading device be manipulated with the other hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for loading the chambers of revolvers or like fire arms the.
combination with a cylinder or holder having chambers or recesses for the reception
of cartridges corresponding in number to the number of chambers in the revolver
or the like to be loaded of a plate or cover secured to one end of the cylinder or
holder and having under-cut projections thereon to engage the rims of the cartridges.
when in position in the holder and means for partially rotating the cover plate to.
cause the projections to engage or disengage with the rims of the cartridges.
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The combination with the subject matter of the preceding claim of the case D.
having slots therein to engage with studs on the cylinder or holder substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the apparatus or
device for simultaneously loading all the chambers of a revolver or like fire arm
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a device for simultaneously loading all the chambers of a revolver or like.
fire arm the combination of recessed or fluted block H the flutes or recesses a being
inclined towards the axis from one end to the opposite end, a flange of thin metal
or the like fixed to one end of the block on which flange the bases of the cartridges
bear when placed in position in the flutes or recesses, a band passed round the
cartridges to hold them in position in the flutes or recesses and means for readily
removing the said band to release the cartridges and allow them to enter the
chambers of the revolver substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 13th day of December 1893.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.Ć., Agents.