US45469A - Improvement in cartridge-boxes - Google Patents

Description

Cartridge B0X.

Patented Dec. 20, 1864.

MPETERS, FHOTLITHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERASTUS BLAKESLEE, OF PLYMOUTH, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-BOXES.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, EaAs'rUs BLAIrEsLEE, of Plymouth, Litchfield county, and State ot' Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cartridge-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be an exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tothe letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the combination of one or more metal tubes containing cartridges, with a spring-top cartridgeboX and side-pouch for pistolcartridges.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation, as follows Figurel represents a perspective view of the cartrid ge-box complet-e Fig. 2, a sectional view of a tube, with the elastic bottom. Figs. 3 and 4. show a tube with springs attached to a Wire.

A represents the cartridge boX, made of wood or metal and covered with leather, and is about one foot in length and three by two inches square.

B is a strap, by which the box is suspended over the shoulder. The one end of this strap is attached at the fiont side ofthe box by a loop and eye, B, and the other end by a hook, (i. and eye D, at tlte lower side of the box. This strap can be shortened or lengthened at pleasure, to suit the size of the person, by Inoving the hook E to an upper or lower hole. G is-the seit-shutting lid at top, connected with the box A by a spring-hinge, F, to keep the lid always shut and prevent the accidental loss of ammunition. The lid is also secured by a tongue and button, H H.

J is a pouch at the front side of the box, secured by a tongue and button, K K, inY tended to contain pistol-cartridges.

L L are long tubes, made of tin or any suitable material (one or more in number) to suit the length and size ofthe box. Each otl these tubes are lled with seven cartridges-more or less in number. The tubes tit closely in corresponding chambers in the box, and a tube isv drawn out of the box whenever the be-arm is to be loaded. They are admirably adapted for loading carbines such as the Spencer Carbine.

In case I use a single tube, L, I attach a wire, O, inclosed on the outside of the tube L, as shown at Figs. 3 and 4, with a spiral spring, l?, at top, and a fla-t steel spring, R, at the bottom, and I reverse the tube so that the open end is below.

The cartridges are. first inserted in the wooden chambers ot' the cartridge-box. I then shove the movable metal tube over the cartridges, when I desire a charge of eartridges, and by means of the lower spring, R, I withdraw all the cartridges ot one .chamber and drop them ont of the tube L into the piece or fire-arm. When the wire O is up, as at Fig. 3, the spring R hangs fiat against the side of the tube L, and the tube L can be thrust down over the cartridges; but when the wire O is pressed down from the top, as shown at Fig. 4, the iiat spring R at the bottom bends outward underneath the lower cartridge, and a small hook or catch holds the spiral spring P to its place, and thus the whole charge ot' seven cartridges can be withdrawn at once.

M M are small elastic buttons, made of india-rubber and fitted in the bottom of each tube, to prevent the cartridges from being jarred or injured by friction or concussion when the tubes are charged with the cartridges. A loop, N, is fastened by rivets to the back ofthe cartridge-box near the lower end, by which the box is secured to the saberbelt of the soldier.

This tubular cartridge-box is very light, easily carried, and very convenient for loading various kinds of fire-arms, and the ammunition is well protected and preserved.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of one or more movable metal tubes, each containing two or more cartridges, with a spring-top cartridge-box and side pouch, as herein described and for the purposes set forth.

.ERASTUS BLAKESLEE. 4 Witnesses:

I. FRANKLIN REIGART, J oHN S. HoLLINGsHEAD.

Images