IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTOUCH BOXES OR CARTRIDGE HOLDERS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Clayton Mewburn at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th December 1878. A communication
from abroad by Jules Louis Bernard Massip, of Bordeaux, France.
JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent and Consulting Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTOUCH BOXES OR
CARTRIDGE HOLDERS." [A communication from abroad by Jules Louis Bernard
Massip, of Bordeaux, France]
This Invention has reference to cartouch boxes or cartridge holders for sporting
or military purposes.
An essential feature of the Invention is that the cartridges are placed in radiating
cells of a cylindrical box which can turn freely on its axis. This box turns in an
outer case concentric with and of the same form as the box, and provided with an
opening through which the sportsman or soldier can withdraw the cartridges singly,
the cartridges being brought opposite the said opening by the rotation (of the cell
box.
I will describe first one modification of the improved cartouch box or cartridge
holder suitable for sporting purposes and then several modifications suitable for
military purposes.
The cell box (I am now describing the modification for sporting purposes) forms a
sort of skeleton composed of tubes or sheaths of the required size for the cartridges
to be fitted therein. These tubes are arranged in sets of three (more or less), but
in two different directions. Some, which are radial, are fixed by soldering or other-
wise to an inner cylinder or nave. The spaces left between the sets of radial. tubes
are utilized to receive transverse tubes which are fixed together by soldering or
otherwise. The ends of the nave are slightly hollowed near the middle and their
centres are formed with small holes for the passage of a spindle which serves as the
axis for the cell box. The outer case, which may be made of leather, is composed
of two semi-circular parts, one of which overlaps the other and is hinged thereto
so that by being opened out the cell box can be removed. The two semi-circular
parts are connected by means of a strap and buckle. The spindle before described

page_text: passes through the sides of the outer case and has a head fixed to one end, while
the other end is screw-threaded to receive a screw, button, or a pin may be used.
Washers keep the head and button at the required distance apart to allow the box
to turn in the outer case without rubbing against its sides. In the periphery of the
outer case is an opening closed by a lid which has a small button to engage in a
The
hole formed in the end of the strap which carries the buckle before named.
lid is also formed with a flange at one side to cover an opening through which the
cartridges in the transverse cells can be removed. From the arrangement above
described the sportsman can readily remove the cell box from the outer case in
order to fill it with cartridges. To withdraw the cartridges while shooting the
lid is raised and both the radial and transverse cells are thereby uncovered.
I will now describe a modification suitable for military purposes. The box is
formed of a circular metal band pierced with holes arranged quincuncially, and to
which are fixed, by soldering or otherwise, the tubes for receiving the cartridges.
To the band are fixed two metal cheeks which have holes in the centre through
which the spindle which serves as the axis for the cell box passes.
This spindle
The outer case,
has a head and screw button as in the previous modification.
which may be of tin or other metal, is formed of a circular band and two cheeks,
one only of which is soldered or fixed to the band, the other being free and forming
a cap to allow the case to be opened when it is wished to remove the cell box. The
band is formed with an opening fitted with a lid which slides between flanges on
the cheeks. A jointed finger or small abutment can be fitted to the band of the
outer case near the opening, so that by pressing against one of the projecting
cartridges or against the edge of one of the cells it may prevent the box turning
too freely and shaking in the case. For cavalry this cartridge holder may be
attached to the shoulder belt, but for infantry it is preferable to attach it to the
waist belt by buckles or otherwise.
cap
In another modification suitable for military purposes the cartridge holder is con-
structed generally the same as that last described, but in order to reduce the weight
as much as possible two of the four metal cheeks are dispensed with, the cell box is
opened at one side and on the other it is fixed to the cheek which forms the of
the outer case. A spindle is employed as before, but in order to make good the
support which it formed, to the cell box in the centre of the cheek now dispensed
with, circular grooves are made in the cheek of the outer case which act as guides
to the edges of the box. A small disc applied against the cheek holds the spindle in
place.
In both the modifications last described the tubes which form the cells are conical
at their inner ends so as to hold the cartridge and leave its base projecting beyond
the band. This projection is necessary to facilitate the taking hold of the cartridge
by the soldier, and for this purpose an annular space of about 1/th of an inch is left
between the box and the outer case.
In order to lighten the cartridge holder the cell tubes and the cheeks of the outer
case may be of open work metal. The length of the cell tubes may also be
diminished or the cells may be simple holes in the band.
The weight may be still further diminished by entirely or partially substituting
for the metal a lighter but strong material, such as hardened caoutchouc, ebonite, or
compressed pasteboard. The outer case may be made of very thin metal covered
with leather, cloth, or other impermeable material.