AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CHARGING BREECH-LOADING CARTRIDGES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Titus Lucretius Bissel at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd May
. 1868.
I, TITUS LUCRETIUS BISSELL, of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina,
North America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CHARGING BREECH-LOADING CARTRIDGES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to an apparatus designed for the purpose of charging
and turning over the edge of cartridges or cases, such as are used with breech-
loading fire-arms, which apparatus is constructed as follows:-To à frame of
suitable form I connect a hollow fixed tube, in which the cartridge or case to
be charged is placed through an opening formed in the front or side thereof.
Inside the upper part of this tube is a second-hollow tube (capable of sliding
vertically therein) to the upper end of which is attached a reservoir, which is
divided in the centre, so as to contain powder in one side and shot in the other.
Between the reservoir and the last-named tube, and in connection with both
is a chamber (also divided in the centre) and having two "lever chargers," as
used in ordinary shot belts or pouches to measure the quantity of the charge
admitted at a time. To the same frame I also attach a small vertical si indle
capable of being revolved by a winch handle, and carrying a hollow inverted
cup for turning over the edge or muzzle of the cartridge case, the case itself
being supported at the back by a semi-cylindrical piece-fixed to the frame, and
resting at the bottom on a moveable socket attached to a lever, by means of
which it may be pressed gradually upwards against the revolving cup, by

page_text: which means the closure of the muzzle of the cartridge case is effected in a
very much, more regular and efficient manner than has heretofore been
accomplished.
In charging a cartridge case with this apparatus, the reservoirs having been
previously filled respectively with powder and shot, the case is first placed in
the lower part of the fixed tube through the opening above-named, the "lever
charger "connected with the powder division of the reservoir is then pressed, and
the charge of powder descends through the inner hollow tube into the cartridge
case, a wadding is then inserted in the mouth of the case.. The inner tube
(with the reservoir attached) is then caused to descend and press the wadding
home on to the powder, and upon withdrawing the hand the tube is raised by
means of a spiral or other spring connected thereto. The other lever is then
operated upon admitting the charge of shot, another wadding is then inserted
and pressed down as before. The cartridge case thus charged is then removed
from the tube and placed on the socket before described, and by means of the
lever raised (with more or less pressure as required) up to the inverted cup,.
which at the same time is caused to revolve by turning the winch handle.
This will have the effect of turning over and inward the muzzle of the
cartridge case upon the second wadding, and thus the contents of the case
are effectually secured without damaging the exterior form of the cartridge.