Quote:
Originally Posted by Patbar
Murph, you will perhaps think that my question is a bit silly (I don't know much about cartridge reloading), but can your tool reload Benet primed cartridges ?
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Patbar,
The Military's first reloadable cartridge was based on the Gill patent anvil primer of 1879. That primer was pressed into an outside primed case. See photo's. Frankford Arsenal issued tin's of 500 primers! That were likely shipped initially in 1882 with the reloading hand and bench tools to the outposts, Forts, training facilities, etc. Throughout the U.S. That was the direct instruction from the Chief of Army Ordnance. To train in the use of these tools and basically put them to use.
That was the first reloadable "military" primed case and it was "outside" primed and based on the "Boxer" pocket design. A single flash hole that allowed an easy removal of the spent primer from the outside primed case. Using a punch from inside the case.
The late 1886 Chief of Ordnance letter basically says it all and "confirms" the early issuance of
"bench" and hand loading tools with in depth instructions on how to use them. So, that was the beginning for the Military. 1882. See photo of cut out from 1886 Chief of Ordnance letter. Rock solid proof of early issuance of
"Bench" and hand loading tools "prior" to 1886.
What is often mistaken by researchers is the later surviving manuals that describe the newer model bench tools and date them to 1898-1907. Those are "improved", updated, and refurbished models. They are identical to the earlier tools only often have very slight improvements to designs that include new caliber holders, different punch that actually fits and functions in the early design, and very slight design feature changes that strengthen weaknesses to the earlier tools. Often they are actually the same early tools that saw very simple refurbishing and re-inspection like my tool. Pop out the busted part, side in the new improved part, and call it a new tool. That’s the U.S. Military!
See photo's.
Murph