AN IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE BOXES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Erastus Blakeslee, of New Haven, County of New
Haven, State of Connecticut, United States of America, for the Invention
"
Sealed the 25th July 1865, and dated the 28th January 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Erastus Blakeslee at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th January 1865.
I, ERASTUS BLAKESLEE, of New Haven, County of New Haven, State of
Connecticut, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE BOXES FOR BREECH-LOADING
FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an improvement in cartridge boxes designed to
carry the ammunition for the supply of that class of fire-arms which receive
several cartridges into the butt of the stock, thence removed by the mechanism
of the arm singly to the barrel for discharge. This class of arms are charged
in two ways, namely, first, by placing the several cartridges into the chamber
in the stock; and, secondly, placing the several cartridges into a chamber or
tube formed of tin, made independent of the stock, then placing the said tube
within the stock.
My Invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a box for
carrying several cartridges, so that they may together be removed from the
box, and the whole number of cartridges required to charge the arm be at one

page_text: operation inserted into the receiver in the stock instead of a separate operation
for each cartridge, as now practiced.
To enable others to construct my improved cartridge box, I will proceed to
fully describe the same, as illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, in
which Fig. I represents a front side view; Fig. 2 an edge view; Fig. 3 a back
side view; Fig. 4 a section; Fig. 5 a vertical central section through 3-3;
Fig. 4 also shewing the lid, and its peculiarity of binge; Figs. 6, 7, and 8 an
arrangement and construction of tube for taking the several cartridges from
the box when inserted therein independent of a tube as required for the second
class of arms named; the representations in Figs. 4 and 5 being for the first
class named.
I represent my box as hexagonal in form, yet the form is no part of my
Invention. Other forms may be considered better. This form gives the most
economical space for a sufficient number of cartridges for a single soldier's
use. The arms for which my box is designed to supply usually are constructed
to receive seven charged cartridges at one time. My box, thus constructed,
will contain seventy rounds of ammunition.
I first form a block of wood A the proper length, and pierced the whole
length, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, placing a band of metal a around the top as,
denoted in solid black, Fig. 5. I secure the lid or cover B to the block A by
means of a hinge c, as seen in Fig. 5; the said hinge being provided with a
suitable spring d, or otherwise, to force the lid to close, and tend to hold it
down when closed. The lid I form of leather or other suitable material, and
also cover the block with similar material, closing and stitching it around the
block upon the two sides 8, 8. I attach a loop to the lid, by which to secure
it down to the knob C, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. I attach an adjustable
of
strap D to the box, to pass over the shoulder of the wearer, convenient
style of attachment or adjustment. I also in some cases find it convenient
any
to attach a pouch E to the box, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, in which pistol
cartridges may be carried. This completes the box, which may be used for
either the first or second class named.
If for the first class, illustrated in Fig. 5, I form tubes t, t, of tin or other
suitable metal, the proper length to extend to the bottom of the box, and also
out from the blocks sufficiently to allow them to be clasped for withdrawal.
In the bottom of each tube I place a disc n of india-rubber or other suitable
substance, rising in the centre sufficiently to protect the rim of the cartridge
from striking the bottom of the tube with sufficient force to explode. I then
drop the proper number of cartridges (represented as seven) into each tube,
and the box is properly and fully charged. When required to charge the arm,

page_text: draw one of the filled tubes from the box, present the mouth of the tube to
the opening through the butt plate of the arm, allowing the cartridge to slide
from the tube into the chamber of the arm, or insert the tube into the chamber,
and withdrawing it therefrom, leaving the cartridges therein (in the arm),
replacing the tube again in the box.
If for the second class, in which the tube is a part of the arm, but detach-
able therefrom, I attach to such tube F, Fig 6 (represented in section), a
rod I, running its length with a handle L at its butt, and by which the said
rod may be turned. Upon the other extreme, or forward end, I attach a
hook N or other device, which may be turned with the rod as from the position
denoted in Fig. 7 to that denoted in Fig. 8. I place the requisite number of
cartridges in the box, but without the tube, as before, and invert the cart-
ridges, that is, point down. When desired to charge the arm, withdraw the
tube from the arm, set the forward end over the upper cartridge, and press
the tube down to the bottom, then turn the rod and hook N, as seen in
Figs. 6 and 8, against the point of the ball, draw the tube from the box, the
hook N will cause the several cartridges to be drawn out with it, insert the
tube thus charged into the chamber in the stock, return the hook as before
described, and the cartridges are free to be removed from the tube by the
action of the mechanism of the arm. Thus is my box adapted to the two
classes of fire-arms named.
The manner of catching the cartridges so as to retain them in the tube, as
last described, may be different from that described; various mechanical
.contrivances may be introduced to accomplish the same result; therefore I
do not confine myself to any particular mechanism for that purpose:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Erastus Blakeslee in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th July 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ERASTUS
BLAKESLEE, of New Haven, County of New Haven, State of Connecticut,
United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year
of Fler reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Erastus Blakeslee, Her special licence that I, the said
Erastus Blakeslee, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others

page_text: as I, the said Erastus Blakeslee, 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 IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE BOXES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Erastus Blakeslee, 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 Erastus Blakeslee, 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 relates to an improvement in cartridge boxes designed to
carry the ammunition for the supply of that class of fire-arms which receive
several cartridges into the butt of the stock, thence removed by the mechanism
of the arm singly to the barrel for discharge. This class of arms are charged
in two ways; viz., first, by placing the several cartridges into the chamber in
the stock; and, second, by placing the several cartridges into a chamber or
tube formed of tin, made independent of the stock, then placing the said tube
within the stock.
My Invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a box for
carrying several cartridges, so that they may together be removed from the
box, and the whole number of cartridges required to charge the arm be at one
operation inserted into the receiver in the stock, instead of a separate operation
for each cartridge, as now practised.
To enable others to construct my improved cartridge box, I will proceed to
fully describe the same, as illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
which represent in Fig. 1 a front side view; Fig. 2 an edge view; Fig. 3 a
back side view; Fig. 4 a section, cutting through line 2, 2; Fig. 5 a vertical
central section through 3, 3; Fig. 4 also shewing the lid, and its peculiarity
of hinge; and Figs. 6, 7, and 8 an arrangement and construction of tube for
taking the several cartridges from the box when inserted therein independent
of a tube, as required for the second class of arms named; the represen-
tations in Figs. 4 and 5 being for the first class named.

page_text: I represent my box as hexagonal in form, yet the form is no part of my
Invention; other forms may be considered better. This form gives the most
economical space for a sufficient number of cartridges for a single soldier's
use. The arms for which my box is designed to supply usually are constructed
to receive seven charged cartridges at one time. My box, thus constructed,
will contain seventy rounds of ammunition.
I first form a block of wood A the proper length, and pierced the whole
length, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, placing a band of metal a around the top, as
denoted in solid black, Fig. 5. I secure the lid or cover B to the block A by
means of a hinge c, as seen in Fig. 5; the said hinge being provided with a
suitable spring d or otherwise, to force the lid to close, and tend to hold it
down when closed. The lid I form of leather or other suitable material, and
also cover the block with similar material, closing and stitching it around the
block upon the two sides 8, 8. I attach a loop to the lid, by which to secure
it down to the knob C, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. I attach an adjustable
strap D to the box, to pass over the shoulder of the wearer, of any convenient
style of attachment or adjustment. I also in some cases find it convenient to
attach a pouch E to the box, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, in which pistol cart-
ridges may be carried. This completes the box, which may be used for either
the first or second class named.
If for the first class, illustrated in Fig. 5, I form tubes t, t, of tin or other
suitable metal, the proper length to extend to the bottom of the box, and also
out from the block sufficiently to allow them to be clasped for withdrawal.
In the bottom of each tube I place a disc n, of india-rubber or other suitable
substance, rising in the centre sufficiently to protect the rim of the cartridge
from striking the bottom of the tube with sufficient force to explode. I then
drop the proper number of cartridges (represented as seven) into each tube,
and the box is properly and fully charged. When required to charge the
draw one of the filled tubes from the box, present the mouth of the tube
to the opening through the butt plate of the arm, allowing the cartridges to
slide from the tube into the chamber of the arm, or insert the tube into the
chamber, and withdrawing it therefrom, leaving the cartridges therein (in the
arm), replacing the tube again in the box.
arm,
If for the second class, in which the tube is a part of the arm, but detach-
able therefrom, I attach to such tube F, Fig. 6 (represented in section), a
rod I, running its length with a handle L at its butt, and by which the said
rod may be turned. Upon the other extreme, or forward end, I attach a
hook N, or other device, which may be turned with the rod as from the position
denoted in Fig. 7 to that denoted in Fig. 8. I place the requisite number of

page_text: :
cartridges in the box, but without the tube as before, and invert the cartridges,
that is, point down. When desired to charge the arm, withdraw the tube
from the arm, set the forward end over the upper cartridge, and press the
tube down to the bottom, then turn the rod and hook N, as seen in Figs. 6
and 8, against the point of the ball, draw the tube from the box, the book N
will cause the several cartridges to be drawn out with it, insert the tube thus
charged into the chamber in the stock, return the hook as before described,
and the cartridges are free to be removed from the tube by the action of the
mechanism of the arm. Thus is my box adapted to the two classes of fire-arms
named.
The manner of catching the cartridges so as to retain them in the tube, as
last described, may be different from that described; various mechanical con-
trivances may be introduced to accomplish the same result. Therefore I do
not confine myself to any particular mechanism for that purpose.
Having fully set forth and described my Invention, and its adaptation to
the different classes of fire-arms for which it is designed to supply ammunition,
what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,―
Firstly, a cartridge box constructed and arranged in the manner described,
with one or more chambers, when each of the said chambers carry two or
more cartridges, as and for the purpose specified.
Secondly, a cartridge box constructed in the manner described, when
arranged to carry one or more tubes, each tube containing two or more
cartridges, as and for the purpose described.
Thirdly, a tube constructed and arranged substantially as described, so as
to remove cartridges from the box when the cartridges are first placed in the
box independent of the said tube, as and for the purpose specified.
Fourthly, a cartridge box, constructed as described, when the cover to the
same is provided with a spring or self-closing hinge, or its equivalent, sub-
stantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Erastus Blakeslee, have bereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
ERASTUS BLAKESLEE. (L.S.)