IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR Charging, TuRNING, AND CAPPING CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH- LOADING FIRE-ARMS.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Barons Northcote, of Finch Villa, Heathfield
Road, Handsworth, Warwickshire, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR Charging, TuRNING, AND CAPPING CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-
LOADING FIRE-ARMS.
Sealed the 16th September 1876, and dated the 17th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Barons Northcote at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th March 1876.
GEORGE BARONS NORTHCOTE, of Finch Villa, Heathfield Road, Handsworth,
Warwickshire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHARGING, TURNING, AND
CAPPING CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for charging and
turning and capping cartridges for breech-loading fire-arms.
The apparatus consists of two moveable canisters for holding powder and shot
respectively, which fasten together and fasten also over two holes in the body or
frame of the apparatus. When not in use the canisters form a compact box for
the apparatus; one canister goes inside the other. Underneath two holes in the
body of the apparatus is a horizontal cylinder with measuring chambers within it
and rotating partially within the body or frame of the apparatus, and with two
apertures in its sides through which the powder and shot enter from the canisters
and escape by an oblique passage into the cartridge case. The body or frame of
apparatus is made to fasten by a thumbscrew to a table. Under the oblique
passage is the recess made to receive the cartridge, and straight over this recess is
mounted a spring rammer for ramming the wads down into the cartridge case.
At the top of the recess for the cartridge a tube is formed, this encircles the mouth
of cartridge and keeps it steady. On the top of this tube, between the mouth of
cartridge and the spring rammer, a horizontal slide is fitted; in the slide are two
holes, one of the size of the wad for cartridge, and this hole comes straight over
the cartridge when the slide is at one end of its movement. A turnover cone is
fitted into the other hole in the slide, and it comes over the cartridge when the
slide is at the other end of its movement. The turnover cone can be revolved by a
rack and pinion. The rack has a handle at one end by which the slide can be
caused to travel endwise as well as motion given to the turnover cone.
The base of the cartridge is supported on a moveable stand. The stand has on
[Price 6d1

page_text: its under side a long vertical peg, which peg fits for its whole length into a vertical
socket in the frame of apparatus. On one side of this socket a slot is cut, and a
pin fixed into the peg of the stand projects through the slot. Thus when the
stand is turned partly round, as herein-after described, it is also raised. On the
edge of upper side of the stand are two or three studs, they are roughed on inner
side and are intended to hold the head of the cartridge steady when it is forced
against them from the opposite side by a hand lever which has its fulcrum on a
projection from the stand. This lever, which works horizontally, has a handle at
one end; the other end is forked so that it can partly encircle the base of the
cartridge.
When the lever is moved in one direction one limb of its forked head presses
the cartridge head against the roughened studs on the stand and so holds it, and
a further motion of the lever causes the stand with the cartridge to rise. The
turnover cone should now be over the cartridge, and the rack is made to work the
turnover at the same time that the end of cartridge is pressed against it. On
moving the hand lever in opposite direction the stand with the cartridge is lowered,
and the other horn or end of the forked head of the lever presses against the other
side of cartridge, thus forcing it, when finished, off the stand.
The horizontal cylinder or measurer is divided vertically in the middle by a
plate, one half being for powder the order for shot. The ends of cylinder are closed
by slides, so that the measuring cavities can easily be adjusted. A handle is fixed
to one end of the cylinder by which it can be partially rotated; there are two
holes, one in each half of cylinder, so placed that when one is under one canister
the other is over the oblique passage, and by moving the handle these positions are
reversed.
For recapping central fire cartridge cases I employ an apparatus which consists
of a stand or plate with two uprights. The first upright has fastened to its top
a small spike for forcing out the old cap, this upright should fit the inside of the
cartridge case. The second upright has at its top a vertical slot, which slot faces
the first upright. In this slot, working on centres, are two levers one above the
other.
The upper lever has at one end a handle fixed to it, and in this lever, between
the handle and the centre on which it works, is a hole or hollow which can be
brought down over the spike on the top of the first upright.
The pressure of the lever on the base of the cartridge forces it down and causes
the spike to expel the exploded cap from the cap chamber, and it is received into
the hole or hollow in the lever.
The lower lever has a head formed as a ring and it encircles the head of the
cartridgo when the same is placed over the first upright, but the ring is of such
a size that it will not allow the enlarged rim of the head of the cartridge to pass
through it and so it can support the cartridge by its rim.
The upper and lower levers are so formed in the parts adjacent to the axes on
which they turn, that when after being pressed upon the head of the cartridge case
the upper lever is raised, it causes the lower lever with the cartridge case to rise
with it for a short distance so that the spike no longer projects into the cap chamber.
A fresh cap can then be placed in the cap chamber, and to press this cap home the
upper lever is again used; but at this operation a filling piece (which may be
jointed to the upper lever) is inserted between the cartridge head and the lever,
consequently the upper lever cannot descend so far as when it is used for expelling
the exploded cap, hence the lower lever which sustains the cartridge head remains
locked in its higher position whilst the cap is pressed home. Thus the two
operations of expelling the spent cap from the cartridge case and substituting a
fresh cap are effected without removing the cartridge from the block or standard
on which it is first placed.
Sometimes I employ a turning over or
apparatus for charging or loading the cases.
a cylindrical body to contain the cartridge.
closing machine separate from the
This turning over machine consists of
This cylinder is divided lengthways

page_text: into two parts which are hinged together on one side. At one end of cylinder, and
fixed to one half of it, is a lump filling up that end of cylinder. Through this lump
in the centre of the cylinder a screw is fitted, and to the end of the screw on the
inside of the cylinder a turning over cone is fastened. To the other end of tho
screw a crank handle is fixed, by which the screw with the cone can be rotated
and screwed backwards and forwards. To one half of the cylinder a clamp is fixed
for fastening it to the table and the other half has a handle fastened into it, or both
halves may have handles fastened to them on the side opposite to the hinge, so
that the two parts of the cylinder can be closed together or opened apart at
pleasure. A thin strap, by preference of flexible sheet metal, is placed inside the
cylinder, one end of it is attached to the edge of one half of cylinder opposite the
hinges, the other end to the similar edge of the other half of the cylinder. The
strap is of such a length and so arranged that a cartridge placed inside the cylinder
is almost surrounded by the strap, and pressure applied to close the two parts
of the cylinder together tightens the strap around the cartridge.
The apparatus is fastened to a table by the clamp, or, if it has two handles it
may be held in the hand; a cartridge is then placed inside the cylinder and the
two halves of cylinder are pressed together, this causes the strap to become tight
around the cartridge. The cone is then rotated and forced up against the end of
cartridge by means of the screw and handle, this turns over the cartridge, the strap
preventing the cartridge from getting away.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Barons Northcote in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
September 1876.
GEORGE BARONS NORTHCOTE, of Finch Villa, Heathfield Road, Handsworth,
Warwickshire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHARGING, TURNING, AND
CAPPING CARTRIDGES FOR BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for charging and
turning and capping cartridges for breach-loading fire-arms.
The apparatus consists of two moveable canisters for holding powder and shot
respectively, which fasten together and fasten also over two holes in the body or
frame of the apparatus. When not in use the canisters form a compact box for the
apparatus; one canister goes inside the other. Underneath two holes in the body
of the apparatus is a horizontal cylinder with measuring chambers within it, and
rotating partially within the body or frame of the apparatus, and with two apertures
in its sides, through which the powder and shot enter from the canisters and escape
by an oblique passage into the cartridge case. The body or frame of apparatus is
made to fasten by a thumbscrew to a table. Under the oblique passage is the recess
made to receive the cartridge, and straight over this recess is mounted a spring
rammer for ramming the wads down into the cartridge caso. At the top of the
recess for the cartridge a tube is formed; this encircles the mouth of cartridge and
keeps it steady. On the top of this tube, between the mouth of cartridge and the
spring rammer, a horizontal slide is fitted; in the slide are two holes, one of the size
of the wad for cartridge, and this hole comes straight over the cartridge when the
slide is at one end of its movement. A turnover cone is fitted into the other hole
in the slide, and it comes over the cartridge when the slide is at the other end of its
movement. The turnover cone can be revolved by a rack and pinion. The rack has
a handle at one end by which the slide can be caused to travel endwise as well as
motion given to the turnover conc.
The base of the cartridge is supported on a moveable stand. This stand has on its
under side a long vertical peg, which peg fits for its whole length into a vertical
socket in the frame of apparatus. On one side of this socket a slot is cut, and a pin

page_text: fixed into the peg of the stand projects through this slot. Thus, when the stand is
turned partly round, as herein-after described, it is also raised. On the edge of
upper side of the stand are two or three studs; they are roughed on inner side, and
are intended to bold the head of the cartridge steady when it is forced against them
from the opposite side by a hand lever, which has its fulcrum on a projection from
the stand. This lever, which works horizontally, has a handle at one end; the other
end is forked so that it can partly encircle the base of the cartridge.
When the lover is moved in one direction one limb of its forked head presses
the cartridge against the roughened studs on the stand, and so holds it; and a
further motion of the lover causes the stand with the cartridge to rise. The turn-
over cone should now be over the cartridge, and the rack is made to work the turn-
over at the same time that the end of cartridge is pressed against it. On moving
the hand lever in opposite direction the stand with the cartridge is lowered, and the
other horn or end of the forked head of the lever presses against the other side of
cartridge, thus forcing it when finished off the stand.
The horizontal cylinder or measurer is divided vertically in the middle by a plate,
one half being for powder, the other for shot. The ends of cylinder are closed by
slides, so that the measuring cavities can easily be adjusted. A handle is fixed to
one end of the cylinder by which it can be partially rotated; there are two holes,
one in each half of cylinder, so placed that when one is under one canister the
other is over the oblique passage, and by moving the handle these positions are
reversed.
In order that this apparatus may be more easily understood, we shall now refer to
the Drawings.
.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus for charging and turning cartridges;
A, A, are the two moveable canisters for holding the powder and shot respectively,
which fasten together by hooks C, Figure 2, and fasten over two holes at D, D, in
body E, E, of apparatus; underneath the two holes at D, D, is a horizontal cylinder
B, B, with measuring chambers shown in section, Figure 3, with handle F attached,
by which it can be partially rotated. This cylinder is divided vertically in the
middle. The ends B1, B¹, slide so that the measuring cavities can easily be adjusted;
they are secured in place by small thumbscrews I, I, Figure 1, and the charges
are marked on a slot just above I, I, there being a mark on the slides B¹, B¹, to corre-
spond. There are two holes, one in each cylinder, shewn, Figure 3, so placed that
when one is under one hole D the other is over an oblique passage G; on moving
the handle F their positions are reversed. Thus, when one cavity is filling from
chamber above it the other cavity is emptying the charge into the oblique gutter G,
the mouth of which can be seen at G, Figure 1, through which the charge is con-
veyed into the cartridge standing in the recess H; straight over this is a spring
rammer K, K, mounted for ramming the wads down into the cartridge cases.
mouth of cartridge is encircled at L, this keeps it steady above the mouth of cart-
ridge; a slide M is fitted into L; a plan and section of this slide is shown, Figures 6
and 7, in which the wad hole N is made to guide the wad into cartridge, and comes
straight over it when the slide is at one end of its movement. A turnover cone O
The
is also fitted into this slide and comes straight over the cartridge when the slide M is
at the other end of its movement. The turnover is caused to revolve by a rack and
pinion P, P, worked by the handle P¹; this rack also causes the slide to travel when
required. A modification of this plan is shewn, Figures 8 and 9, in which the rack
and pinion is done away with, and a lever and handle X, X, is secured to the cone
O, by which it can be partially revolved.
The base of the cartridge is supported on a moveable stand Y, Y, plan of which is
shewn, Figures 4 and 5; it has on its under side a long vertical peg working in a
vertical socket E¹ in the frame E, E, of apparatus. There is a slot Z, the side of
this socket E', and a pin fixed into the peg of the stand Y projecting through it,
thus causing the stand Y to turn partially round and rize up on being moved. On
the back of stand Y studs or a rim is raised up, as shown Y₁ Figures 1, 4, and 5;
these are roughed on the inside to prevent the cartridge revolving when forced

page_text: against them and the turnover cone. The lever X', which is shewn in plan, Figure 5,
fitted to stand Y works horizontally on a screw; the short end of the fork is
roughed, and the other partly encircles the cartridge.
When a cartridge is placed in recess H, H, and the lever X¹ is moved in one
direction, the roughed arın of lever X¹ presses the cartridge head against the rough
stud Y¹ on the stand Y, and so holds it thore. A further notion of the lever X¹
causes the stand Y with the cartridge to rise, owing to the slot Z pressing the mouth
of cartridge against the turnover cone O, which should then be worked, thus turning
over the cartridge. On moving the lever X¹ in the opposite direction, the stand Y
with cartridge is lowered, and the other arm of lever X¹ presses against the other
side of cartridge, and so forces it out finished.
I do not bind myself to the exact details herein described, but claim as my
Invention --
1st. Moveable canisters to pack into a small space.
2nd. Moveable canisters to form a box for holding the machine or part of it.
3rd. The combination of moveable canisters with loading apparatus.
4th. The combination of moveable canisters with loading and turning over
apparatus.
5th. The arrangement for holding and expelling the cartridge.
6th. The arrangement of slide with turning over cone and wad guide in it.
7th. The combination of loading apparatus with the turning over part.
For recapping central fire cartridge cases I employ an apparatus which consists of
a stand or plate with two uprights. The first upright has fastened to its top a
small spike for forcing out the old cap; this upright should fit the inside of the
cartridge case. The second upright has at its top a vertical slot, which slot faces
the first upright. In this slot working on centres are two levers one above the
other.
'The upper lever has at one end a handle fixed to it, and in this lever between the
handle and the centre on which it works is a hole or hollow, which can be brought
down over the spike on the top of the first upright.
The pressure of the lever on the base of the cartridge forces it down and causes
the spike to expel the exploded cap from the cap chamber, and it is received into
the hole or hollow in the lever. This hole can be made to fit the cap so as to hold
When the
it and lift it up with it, or a spring can be placed in it to grip the cap.
nipples stick in old cap they can be conveniently taken out by a pair of tweezers ;
the old cap is pushed through by the next old cap.
The lower lever has a head formed as a ring, and it encircles the head of the
cartridge when the same is placed over the first upright, but the ring is of such a
size that it will not allow the enlarged rim of the head of the cartridge to pass
through it, and so it can support the cartridge by its rim.
The upper and lower levers are so formed in the parts adjacent to the axes on
which they turn that when after being pressed upon the head of the cartridge case
the upper lever is raised, it causes the lower lever with the cartridge case to rise
with it for a short distance, so that the spike no longer projects into the cap
chamber. A fresh cap can then be placed in the cap chamber, and to press this cap
home the upper lever is again used, but at this operation a filling piece (which may
be jointed to the upper lever) is inserted between the cartridge head and the lever,
consequently the upper lever cannot descend so far as when it is used for expelling
the exploded cap; hence the lower lever which sustains the cartridge head remains
locked in its higher position whilst the cap is pressed home. Thus the two
operations of expelling the spent cap from the cartridge case and substituting a
fresh cap are effected without removing the cartridge from the block or standard on
which it is first placed.
Figure 10 shews an elevation, and Figures 11 and 12 are sections of the re-
capping machine. A, A, is the stand; B is an upright fastened to it, with a spike
B for forcing on the old cap. The second upright C, C, is also fastened to stand
and encircles the upright B. At C₁ there is a slot in C, and working in it on two

page_text: centres are two levers D, D, and E, E. The upper lever E, E, has a handle E¹ and
a hole or hollow F in it, which can be brought down over the spike B', which forces
the old cap into it where it is held; or there may be a spring in F to hold it.
Gis
a filling piece hinged in lever E, E. The lower lever D, D, has a head formed as a
ring, which encircles and supports the cartridge by its enlarged rim when the same is
placed over B, B. The levers E, E, and D, D, are so formed in the parts adjacent to
their centres as to work together. In Figures 10 and 11 the lever E, E, is repre-
sented up as high it will go, and D. D, is forced down by it as low as it will go. In
this position a cartridgo is placed over B, B. Figure 12 represents E, E, lowered,
and D is then raised by it, but when E has travelled a little lower D goes with it,
thus allowing the spike B¹ to force the old cap into hole F. Should the thickening
piece G have been placed between E, E, and D, D, neither could have gone lower, as
they would be locked by it. Upon raising E it causes D with the cartridge to rise
a short distance with it, so that the spike B₁ no longer projects into the cap
chamber; a fresh cap can then be placed in cap chamber. The thickening piece
G is now held, as shewn in Figures 10 and 11, and the lever E lowered, but owing
to G it cannot descend so far as when used for expelling the exploded cap; hence the
lever D which supports the cartridge head remains locked in its higher position
whilst the cap is pressed home.
I wish it to be understood I do not bind myself to the exact details herein
describod.
I claim as my Invention :-
The arrangement of the two levers to work together as herein described.
I also claim making the handle of re-capping machines to pick up the old cap
when forced into them.
And I also claim the combination of parts as herein described.
Sometimes I employ a turning over or closing machine separate from the
apparatus for charging or loading the cases. This turning over machine consists of
a cylindrical body to contain the cartridge; this cylinder is divided lengthways into
two parts which are hinged together on one side. At one cnd of cylinder and fixed
to one half of it is a lump filling up that end of cylinder; through this lump in the
centre of the cylinder a screw is fitted, and to the end of the screw on the inside of
the cylinder a turning over cone is fastened. To the other end of the screw a crank
handle is fixed, by which the screw with the cone can be rotated and screwed
backwards and forwards. To one half of the cylinder a clamp is fixed for fastening
it to the table, and the other half has a handle fastened into it, or both halves may
have handles fastened to them on the side opposite to the hinge, so that the two
parts of the cylinder can be closed together or opened apart at pleasure. A thin strap,
by preference of flexible sheet metal, is placed inside the cylinder, one end of it is
attached to the edge of one half of cylinder opposite the hinges, the other end to
the similar edge of the other half of the cylinder; the strap is of such a length and
so arranged that a cartridge placed inside the cylinder is almost surrounded by the
strap; and pressure applied to close the two parts of the cylinder together tightens
the strap around the cartridge.
The apparatus is fastened to a table by the clamp, or if it has two handles it
may be held in the hand; a cartridge is then placed inside the cylinder, and the
two halves of cylinder are pressed together, this causes the strap to become tight
around the cartridge. The cone is then rotated and forced up against the end of
cartridge by means of the screw and handle, this turns over the cartridge, the strap
preventing the cartridge from getting away.
Figures 13 and 14 shews elevations; and Figure 15, section of the turning over
machine. A, A, is the cylindrical body of the machine, which is divided lengthways
into two parts which are hinged together at B; Figures 13 and 15, A' is a lump filling
up one end of cylinder containing the turn-over one C, which is fixed to the end of
screw D, which screws through the lump A¹. The screw D is worked by a crank
and handle D', D¹; A2 is part of the body containing a screw for fixing the machine
to a table. The upper part of body A³ has a handle E fastened to it. Fastened to

page_text: the two edges of A3 and A opposite the hinge is a thin strap F which fits inside
cylinder, and is of such a length that when a cartridge, as N, Figure 14, is placed
inside the machine, the two edges of A and A cannot be made to meet owing to
the strap being tight round the cartridge; the cartridge is thus firmly held whilst
the cone C is forced against its end to close it over by screw and handle D¹ and D;
on releasing the handle E the cartridge is let loose.
A modification of this turnover is shewn Figures 10 and 17 elevation, and
Figure 18 section; A, A, is the cylindrical body with screw A¹ for fixing it
to a table; B is a boss fastened on the end of cylinder A; fitted into this boss B,
and working in it, is the turning-over cone C, which is made to revolve by a crank
handle D¹, D. The cylinder A has a diagonal slot H cut in it for more than half
its circumference. Inside the cylinder A another short cylinder I works; this
cylinder I has a projection which is made to fit and work in the diagonal slot H in
cylinder A; this projection has a lever E with handle E' fitted in it; close to this
projection a slot M, Figure 16 is cut in cylinder I, running lengthways; fastened to
this slot is one end of a thin strap F which fits inside cylinder I, the other end
being brought through the slot at M and secured to lever E by screw X; place a
cartridge N in place inside cylinder I and strap F when the handle E is in the
position shewn; Figure 10, now move the handle E forward; this at once lightens
the strap F round cartridge and holds it firm; on moving E further the cylinder I
moves in the diagonal slot, forcing the end of cartridge N against the cone C, which
should be revolved at the same time by handle D¹.
In this Invention the cartridge cannot be enlarged or bulged as in all other
machines where only the metal rim of cartridge is held.
I claim,―
The arrangement and combination of parts as herein described, though I do not
bind myself to these exact details.
I also claim the Invention for holding a cartridge case when being turned over as
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Barons Northcote, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this the Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
GEORGE BARONS NORTHCOTE. (L.S.)