The Rollin White patented “Speed Loader”

[BMur]

Just cleaning up some research material and I ran into this very early “Patented” Magazine type speed loader patented by none other than Rollin White in 1878.

They weren’t actually called speed loaders back then. I found a police record from the early 1880’s that labeled them “Issued Reloading clips”.

I’m not sure this one was ever actually fabricated. It would be somewhat hazardous to speed load a top break revolver while it’s in the holster.

Murph

 

[Patbar]

It's a rather weird invention...

 

[mikerjf]

Must be the same guy that invented the attachable shift-one-over tube magazine for break-open single-shot shotguns.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Must be the same guy that invented the attachable shift-one-over tube magazine for break-open single-shot shotguns.

No. White was a very inteligent man. He patented the bored through revolver cylinder. Which led to the invention of cartridge revolvers......Search and learn.

 

[BMur]

Speed loaders

Actually,
It’s possible that Rollin White’s patent was the beginning of the development of the hand held speed loader first designed for the top break revolver. Collectors seem to be oblivious to this fact. The first speed loaders were actually for the top breaks. Which made them quiet formidable!

Less than a year later the Bell patent cartridge holder was developed that supports this position.

I believe this was the first type used in the Smith & Wesson Baby Russian for the Police use also double action top breaks in the very early 1880’s. Also used by various police departments with Smith & Wesson top breaks. They were fabricated out of wood initially.

An improvement was then applied to Colts first Swingout cylinder 1889 model DA. See photos. Accompanied by further improvements until modern type speed loaders were developed in the late 1950’s.

Murph

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Spare ammunition, and quick reloads have been a handgun concern from the beginning.

In my own quest while backpacking, I carried a 1911A1 with a spare mag of shotshells in/on the nylon holster. In my supplies I had a 21 round 1911 mag. It was around 14 inches long and very heavy to shoot with, but is was an idea.

You think about police officers in the 50's thru 70's having 6 in the gun and two reloads, either dump pouches or speed loaders, a total of 18 rounds. Now many automatics hold that much per reload! (I have factory Glock mags that hold 33 rounds, that I got for a carbine I never bought!)

As long as we have cartridge guns, we will want more ammo fast!

Ivan

Think of those 7th Cavalry boys with their 40 round of 45-70 and 36 rounds of handgun ammo. Yuck!