AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF ROUND SPRING CARTRIDGE Box FOR REVOLVERS AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pierre Jullien Quinsac, of Paris, Department of
the Seine, Captain 6th Regiment of Chasseurs à Cheval, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF ROUND SPRING CARTRIDGE Box
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pierre Jullien Quinsac
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th June 1873.
I, PIERRE JULLIEN QUINSAC, of Paris, Department of the Seine,
Captain 6th Regiment of Chasseurs à Cheval, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF ROUND SPRING
CARTRIDGE BOX FOR REVOLVERS AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My Invention comprises an improved cartridge box for guns or fire-
arms generally, and also an improved cartridge box particularly suitable
for holding cartridges for revolvers.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF MY CYLINDRICAL CARTRIDGE Box FOR GUNS.
This cartridge box is divided into two very distinct parts, the interior
part or mechanism and the sheath or casing. Each of these two parts
is itself divisible into sections and subdivisions.
The subdivisions of the casing of the cartridge box arc,―
1°. A cylindrical sheath A, see Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
Sheet of Drawing.
7
2º. A first cylindrical lid or cover B and B₁ at each end of the
cylinder A, its top being slightly bulging at the edges, and the base of
which receives an iron ring D fixed by four rivets, and in these rings 1
are set a double sliding handle, also of iron, which makes the cartridge
box portable. This handle receives the two swivels placed at each end
of the strap of the cartridge box.
The interior part or mechanism subdivides as follows:-
1º. A solid wheel a (Fig. 3) made of wood or other suitable material 1
which is placed transversely in the sheath or cylinder A and divides it
into two equal parts in the direction of its length.
2°. An iron or steel shaft E serving as longitudinal axle to the
cartridge box; it passes through the solid wheel.
Two wooden carrying wheels F perforated in the centre with a conical 2
cylinder by which they sit on the shaft E; they are cach intended to
receive 10 cartridges or a number proportioned to the diameter given to
them.
All the interior mechanism of this cartridge box and the cartridges
themselves are contained and protected from air, damp, and water, by 2
the cylindrically shaped casing or sheath A of strong leather blackened
on the outside. The two ends of this cylinder are each closed by two
lids which entering the one into the other form a complete obstruction,
1º, the lid B in the lid C; 2°, the lid B¹ in the lid Ơ¹.
The cylinder A divides into three parts, the middle part a which is 3
rendered solid by the wooden wheel 6 placed transversely within the
cylinder and in the vertical axis of the part a which is at the same time
that of the entire cylinder. This wheel is fixed and contributes
largely to the strength of the cartridge box. The two other parts c, d,

page_text: of the cylinder A placed the one at the right and the other to the left of
the middle part a have at their end a sloping cut or notch e and e¹ which
correspond with others of equal size made in each of the four covers of
the cartridge box. These notches are intended to facilitate the grasping
or handling of the cartridge. The iron or steel shaft E, upon which
pivot the wooden cartridge carrying wheels F, traverses the cylinder A
longitudinally; it is fixed and held by the wheel b, through which it
passes. The shaft E takes in its length sometimes a cylindrical,
and at others a square shape; when it passes through the wheel b
it takes this latter form. In its passage through the carrying wheels F
it is at the same time of cylindrical and of square form; it takes
this latter in the upper part of these wheels, that is to say, in the
portion which pierced with ten cylindro-conical holes I of a diameter
and length proportioned to those of the cartridge receives in these
perforations the ten cartridges carried by each of the wheels. This
shape has been given to the shaft E in order to cause the action of the
spiral spring G also placed in the same part of the carrying wheels as
the cartridges, and in the centre of these latter as herein-after described.
When the shaft E passes through the base of the wheels F it is
cylindrical in order that these wheels may turn, the shaft E being given
to them as axle or pivot. The two extremities of the shaft E are
cylindrical, and are screw tapped. This screw thread is intended to
receive a nut H of screw-headed shape which comes on to an iron
washer itself let into the inner circle which forms the concave cone of
the second covers of the cartridge box.
These explanations show that the shaft E is in a word the pivot pin of
my cartridge box, inasmuch as connecting all its parts it permits each
to contribute according to its destination in the composition of the
mechanism of the said cartridge box.
The upper orifice of the cylinder is placed at the upper part of the
wheels, that is to say, upon that side or face of the said wheels which
faces the opening of the cylindrical enveloping sheath. The cone
receives the small box G¹ containing the spiral spring G, termed "watch
spring." This box is formed of a first outer cylinder, and a second inner
cylinder perforates the first. The two cylinders are formed by the aid
of sheets of very thin metal of any kind, and the space between them is
closed at the lower and upper parts by a plate of the same metal cut out

page_text: for this purpose and soldered on these two sides of the cylinder. Within
the box or compartment thus formed is lodged the above mentioned
spiral spring.
In the inner cylinder is set a rod bored and forming square. Upon
the main outer surface of the circumference of this box are soldered two
metal rods i, which when the small box is placed in the cone of the
wheel F come into two notches made in the wood of the wheel at the
desired spot and according to the required dimensions. These rods once
entered into the notches the small box becomes of one piece with the
carrying wheel, and as this latter is turned the spring expands or
contracts according to the direction in which the carrying wheel is made
to revolve.
An iron plate in which four screw holes are pierced and countersunk,
and in the centre of which is a hole through which passes the shaft E,
covers the upper face of the carrying wheels, that upon which are made
the conical holes or cells which receive the cartridges. That side of the
lower face of the carrying wheels which touches the fixed wheel when
these wheels are set upon the shaft is also covered by a plate pierced with
four countersunk screw holes, and in the centre with a hole which gives
passage to the central shaft. These two plates are each fixed on the
carrying wheel my means of four screws. These wheels being set on
the shaft E and the cartridges placed in their respective conical
cylinders which form their cells, there remains but to cover the openings
of the cylinder or sheath which forms the main body of the cartridge
box, and that by the aid of the lids first shaped, to which are fixed the
iron rings, upon which is fitted the double slide handle of the cartridge
box. For this operation it is only necessary to present the said lid or
cover facing the opening of the sheath, so that the screw-threaded end
of the shaft E comes in front of the central hole of the said lid, which
hole is of a size suitable for the passage of the shaft, taking care to
act so that the iron rod K, which acts as a butting piece against
the stop placed on the carrying wheels between two of the cells
of the cartridges comes opposite the space which separates any
two cartridges. This rod prevents complete expansion or unbending of
the spring.
A notch is made in the plane part of the lids or covers B and B at
their top, consequently it starts from their circumference and
gocs towards
the centre in contracting. This notch descends to the side of the lids,

page_text: and is so placed that a cartridge will present itself in their centre, and
its extension along the side of the covers will permit the cartridge to be
easily taken.
Once the first cartridge taken the action upon the carrying wheel F
of the spring G will cause a second cartridge to come at once and take
the place of the first taken from the orifice of the lid and the centre of
its notch.
It will be readily understood that the carrying wheel under the rotary
action of the spring would carry the cartridge out of the notch, and
under the closed part of the cover, if the cartridges did not themselves
abut in turn, as they are successively removed from the cartridge box
against the butting piece carried by the inner ring, which is fixed on
the top of the truncated and concave cone placed in the centre of the
cover.
The object of the second covers or lids C and C¹ is to completely pro-
tect the cartridges from water and damp air; they move more or less
easily according to the pressure brought upon them by means of the
screw-headed nut H. A simple movement of the hand makes them turn
to the right or to the left to expose the notch in the lower lids B and B',
and permit the taking of the cartridge, or to close the cartridge box. In
the first case the notch M of the upper lids C and C¹ comes exactly over
the notch N of the lower lids B and B¹, leaving exposed the cartridges
contained in the cartridge box. In the second case the notch M will
no longer correspond with that N of the lids B and B¹, and this will con-
situte the complete closing of the cartridge box. The double slide of
the handle of the cartridge box permits moving this latter in every
direction indifferently, the effect of which is that the ten cartridges on
one of the sides of the cartridge box being used the opposite side is easily
brought within reach of the hand without being obliged to pass the
shoulder strap or brace from one shoulder to the other, all that is
required for this purpose being a simple come-and-go movement of the
swivels placed at each end of the shoulder strap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE ACCOMPANYING SHEET OF
DRAWING RELATING TO THE CYLINDRICAL CARTRIDGE BOX.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a cylindrical cartridge box embodying my
Invention.
"
2, side view of same, the lids or covers B and B' being removed.

page_text: 3, cylindrical sheath A, the lids or covers B, B¹, C, C', being
I removed, as well as the carrying wheels. The shaft E is shown
in its entire length in dotted lines, and its two screw-threaded
ends are visible in the notches e and e¹; the solid fixed wheel a
is also shown in dotted lines.
1°. Of a metal casing of a spherical form very much flattened at the 25
two poles.
2º. Within this casing is enclosed a small box containing a spiral
spring termed "watch spring."
3°. On the outer circumference forming the sides of the said small
box are placed the conical cylinders forming cells for the cartridges 30
held in the cartridge box, which in the Drawing are 12 in number.

page_text: 4°. Of a screw which uniting the lid and the cartridge box serves at
the same time as axle and pivot to the mechanism of the said cartridge
box.
It will be seen that upon the circumference forming the sides of
the cartridge there is made a notch of a rounded form. This notch is
a half circle described in the circumference of the casing of the cartridge
box, and the centre of this semicircle is placed on the said circum-
ference. A piece of the same metal as the cartridge box is fixed to the
centre of one of the flattened sides of this latter by a screw, which, as
above stated, serves as axle for the entire mechanical arrangement.
This piece or fastening moves from right to left, coming down on the
remainder of the circumference for opening the cartridge box, and that
in pivoting on the screw or axle.
To close this cartridge box all that is reqiured is a simple movement
from left to right of this piece.
Between any two cells is soldered a brass or other metal rod of a
button-hole shape, intended to form a stop notch against a piece fixed
and soldered on the two inner sides of the metal casing forming the
cartridge box. This rod or stop acting as obstacle prevents the complete
distension of the spring.
All the pieces composing this cartridge box for revolvers are made of
any one kind of metal.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
RELATING TO THE REVOLVER CARTRIDGE BOX.
Fig. 10, upper face of the revolver cartridge box, its opening being
closed by the cover or piece applied to it by a screw.
"
وو
"
11, cartridge box open and showing a cartridge at the orifice, and
in the axis of its opening.
12, section of cartridge box, that is to say, with half its metal
casing removed, as well as its lid or cover.
13, lower face of cartridge box, the opening of this latter being
closed by the lid or shifting piece.
» 16, side view of cartridge box open and empty.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Pierre Jullien Quinsac in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th December 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PIERRE
JULLIEN QUINSAC, of Paris, Department of the Seine, Captain 6th
Regiment of Chasseurs à Cheval, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Pierre Jullien Quinsac, Her special licence
that I, the said Pierre Jullien Quinsac, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Pierre Jullien Quinsac, my
executors, administrators, and 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 Invention for "AN IMPROVED
SYSTEM OF ROUND SPRING CARTRIDGE BOX FOR REVOLVERS AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Pierre Jullien
Quinsac, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
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 Pierre Jullien Quinsac, 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 :-
I believe I may affirm that the new cartridge box, termed cylindrical,
for gun cartridges, herein-after described, combines the various qualities
required in the numerous parts of military equipment, generally but
principally in the "cartridge box," namely, strength as regards wear,
and simplicity as well in its use as in its manufacture, two advantages
which it unites and which evidently will give it preference over the

page_text: various systems of cartridge box hitherto adopted. As to that for
revolver cartridges, the mechanism of which is however based upon the
same principle as that of the gun cartridge box, it is beyond dispute
unique of its kind, that is to say, that hitherto the only generally known
cartridge box for revolvers was that in form of a leather bag, stiff or
supple, the use of which was very limited by reason of its shape, bulk,
and the material of which it was made, and which rendered its use
disagreable and inconvenient. On the contrary my improved cartridge
box, the casing of which is of metal and of a cylindrical and flat form,
is strong and very portable by reason of its shape and restricted bulk.

page_text: cylinder and in the vertical axis of the part a, which is at the same time
is fixed and contributes
The outside of the part a
that of the entire cylinder. This wheel b
largely to the strength of the cartridge box.
is formed entirely of the hair side of the leather ("fleur du cuir”).
The two other parts c, d, of the cylinder A, placed the one at the right
and the other to the left of the middle part a, have at their end a sloping
cut or notch e and e¹, which correspond with others of equal size made
in each of the four covers of the cartridge box. These notches are
intended to facilitate the grasping or handling of the cartridge. The
iron or steel shaft E upon which pivot the wooden cartridge carrying
wheels F traverses the cylinder A longitudinally. It is fixed and held
by the wheel & through which it passes. The shaft E takes in its length
sometimes a cylindrical and at others a square shape, where it passes
through the wheel 6 it takes this latter form. In its passage through
the carrying wheels F it is at the same time of cylindrical and of square
form; it takes this latter in the upper part of these wheels, that is to
say, in the portion which pierced with ten cylindro-conical holes I of a
diameter and length proportioned to those of the cartridge, receives in
these perforations the ten cartridges carried by each of the wheels.
This shape has been given to the shaft E in order to cause the action of
the spiral spring G, also placed in the same part of the carrying wheels
as the cartridges, and in the centre of these latter as herein-after
described. When the shaft E passes through the base of the wheels F
it is cylindrical in order that these wheels may turn, the shaft E being
given to them as axle or pivot. The two extremities of the shaft E are
cylindrical and are screw tapped. This screw thread is intended to
receive a nut H of screw headed shape, which comes on to an iron
washer, itself let into the inner circle which forms the concave conc
of the second covers of the cartridge box.
t
These explanations show that the shaft E is in a word the pivot pin
of my cartridge box, inasmuch as connecting all its parts it permits
each to contribute according to its destination in the composition of the
mechanism of the said cartridge box.
The carrying wheels F are of wood pierced in their centre by a
cylindro-conical hole. Their diameter is about 3 inches (0.072) and
the height of the regular cylinder about 2 inches (0.054).
The upper orifice of this cylinder is placed at the upper part of the
wheels, that is to say, upon that side or face of the said wheels which

page_text: faces the opening of the cylindrical enveloping sheath. The cone
receives the small box G¹ containing the spiral spring G termed "watch
spring." This box is formed of a first outer cylinder of about an inch
in diameter (0.024), and about 1/2 an inch (0.010) in height, and a
second inner cylinder perforates the first, it is of the same height and its
diameter is about 1, an inch (0.010). The two cylinders are formed by
the aid of sheets of very thin metal of any kind, and the space between
them is closed at the lower and upper parts by a plate of the same metal
cut out for this purpose and soldered on these two sides of the cylinder.
Within the box or compartment thus formed is lodged the above-
mentioned spiral spring.
25
In the inner cylinder which is open worked is set a rod of about 1 1
inches (0.030) long, bored and forming square, having about % of an
inch (0.007) on its outer sides, and about 1% of an inch (0.005) on its
inner sides. Upon the main outer surface of the circumference of this
box are soldered two metal rods i of a length of ¼ of an inch (0·005),
which when the small box is placed in the cone of the wheel F come
into two notches made in the wood of the wheel at the desired spot, and
according to the required dimensions. These rods once entered into
the notches the small box becomes of one piece with the carrying wheel
and as this latter is turned the spring expands or contracts according
to the direction in which the carrying wheel is made to revolve.
An iron plate in which four screw holes are pierced and countersunk,
and in the centre of which is a hole of about ½ of an inch (0.008) in
diameter through which passes the shaft E, covers the upper face of the
carrying wheels that upon which are made the conical holes or cells
which receive the cartridges. This plate has a diameter of about
2 inches (0.043) by a thickness of 25 of an inch (0.001). That side
of the lower face of the carrying wheels which touches the fixed wheel
when these wheels are set on the shaft is also covered by a plate pierced
with four countersunk screw holes, and in the centre with a hole of
about 2 of an inch (0.006) which gives passage to the central shaft.
These two plates are each fixed on the carrying wheel by means of four
screws. These wheels being set on the shaft E and the cartridges
placed in their respective conical cylinders which form their cells there
remains but to cover the openings of the cylinder or sheath which forms
the main body of the cartridge box, and that by the aid of the first
shaped lids to which are fixed the iron rings upon which is fitted the

page_text: double slide handle of the cartridge box. For this operation it is only
necessary to present the said lid or cover facing the opening of the
sheath, so that the screw threaded end of the shaft E comes in front of
the central hole of the said lid, which hole is of a size suitable for the
passage of the shaft, taking care to act so that the iron rod K, which
is about 3, of an inch (0.017) in length, and acts as a butting piece
against the stop placed on the carrying wheels between two of the
cells of the cartridges comes opposite the space which separates any
two cartridges. This rod prevents complete expansion or unbending of
the spring.
A notch is made in the plane part of the lids or covers B and B¹ at
their top, consequently it starts from the circumference and goes towards
the centre in contracting; its length is about 1 inches (0034), its
greatest. breadth about 1½ inches (0.03), and its smallest about an
inch (0.021). This notch descends to the side of the lids, that is to
say, upon the casing of the cylinder which forms them, preserving
as breadth the greatest breadth above mentioned, that is to say,
1½ inches (0.03), and that for a space of about an inch (0.025) in
depth. Thus the notch made in the covers or lids is so placed that a
cartridge will present itself in their centre, and its extension along the
side of the covers will permit the cartridge to be easily taken.
Once the first cartridge taken the action upon the carrying wheel F of
the spring G which will expand, producing thereby a rotary motion in the
opposite direction to that followed in charging the carrying wheels with
cartridges, will cause a second cartridge to come at once and take the place
of the first taken from the orifice of the lid and the centre of its notch.
It will be readily understood that the carrying wheel under the rotary
action of the spring would carry the cartridge out of the notch and
under the closed part of the cover if the cartridges did not themselves
abut in turn as they are successively removed from the cartridge box
against the butting piece carried by the inner ring which is fixed on the
top of the trunncated and concave cone placed in the centre of the
cover.
The object of the second covers or lids C and C¹ is to completely pro-
tect the cartridges from water and damp air; they move more or less
easily according to the pressure brought upon them by means of the
screw-headed nut H. A simple movement of the hand makes them turn to

page_text: the right or to the left to expose the notch in the lower lids B and B¹
and permit the taking of the cartridge or to close the cartridge box.
In the first case the notch M of the upper lids C and C¹ comes exactly
over the notch N of the lower lids B and B', leaving exposed the cartridges
contained in the cartridge box; in the second case the notch M will no
longer correspond with that N of the lids B and B', and this will con-
stitute the complete closing of the cartridge box. The double slide of
the handle of the cartridge box permits moving this latter in every
direction indifferently, the effect of which is that the ten cartridges on
one of the sides of the cartridge box being used the opposite side is
casily brought within reach of the hand without being obliged to pass
the shoulder strap or brace from one shoulder to the other, all that is
required for this purpose being a simple come-and-go movement of the
swivels placed at each end of the shoulder strap.

page_text: 4°. Of a screw, which uniting the lid and the cartridge box serves at
the same time as axle and pivot to the mechanism of the said cartridge
box.
The specimen of revolver cartridge box shown on the Drawing has a
diameter of about 3 inches (0.07), its thickness is about 1, an inch
(0.013). Upon the circumference forming its sides is made a notch of
a rounded form; this notch is a half circle of about an inch (0.023) in
diameter, described in the circumference of the casing of the cartridge
box, and the centre of this semicircle is placed on the said circum-
ference. A return piece of the same metal as the cartridge box is fixed to
the centre of one of the flattened sides of this latter by a screw, which,
as above stated, serves as axle for the entire mechanical arrangement.
This piece or fastening moves from right to left, coming down on the
remainder of the circumference for opening the cartridge box, and that
in pivoting on the screw or axle.
To close the cartridge box all that is required is a simple movement
from left to right of the return picce.
Between any two cells is soldered a brass or other metal rod of about
325 of an inch (0.003) in diameter, of a button-hole shape, intended to
form a stop notch against a return piece fixed and soldered on the two
inner sides of the metal casing forming the cartridge box. This rod or
stop acting as obstacle prevents the complete distension of the spring.
All the picces composing this cartridge box for revolvers are made of
any suitable kind of metal; and I would here observe that the dimensions
herein given are only such as I have adopted in the samples shown, and
that I do not in any way limit myself thereto.
The cylindrical cartridge box may be used in the army, indifferently
either for cavalry or infantry. In commerce it will certainly be classed
amongst the useful articles for hunting or travelling. The same applies
to the revolver cartridge box.
Further, by giving to this latter a greater diameter, so that it may
contain 18 or 24 cartridges, it may serve as a receptacle for cartridges,
very convenient and practical for the use of cavalry and other officers.
SUMMARY.

page_text: cartridge box and revolver cartridge box; that is to say, the action of a
spiral spring, termed "watch spring" ("ressort de montre"), acting
rotatively in the various directions desired upon a wheel of wood, metal,
or any suitable material, wholly or partially hollowed, this wheel being
intended to carry upon one or more of its sides conical or other cylinders,
which will receive as many cartridges as may be desired, whether for
guns, revolvers, or other fire-arms.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Jullien Quinsac, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
JEAN BAPTISTE GIRARD.
A. VEYRAT.
PIERRE J. QUINSAC. (L.S.)