Metcalfe Patent Cartridge Block Attachment

"Pea-Body Martinti Rifle, Metcalfe Patent Cartridge Block Attachment."

What does this attachment do , was it used the Zulu War.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
But i don't know what it does.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Looks like it holds extra cartridges

Thanks LH. Or could it be an additional ammuntion feeder.

Doub't it. The MH was a single shot breechloader.

I think its just a place to put cartridges, like the americans did with there carbines in ww2.





Cheers

That's what we thought. Would have been easier to get the ammo from a pouch, or just put a handfull of rounds on the ground.

Hi john,
Correct, this deviice is neither a ammunition feeder or a clip, it is merely a cartridge holder.
Placed on the right side of the breach of the MH, as dislayed, it faciltates faster loading, with the right hand. Modern day applications of this sees similar "holders" on the belts of hunters or on the stocks of the weapons (mostly shot guns) used by special forces around the world.

regards

barry

Hi All .
I'd certainly say that it never took any part in the zulu war !.
Cheers 90th.

Its classed as a speed loader, which brings the ammo close to the right of the action, not a new concept and still used today in practical shotgun competition for spedy loading.

The war office trialled various options, approved was the Enfield quick loader in 1882, and it was Manufactured on the Martini Enfield Mk1 Pattern A, It was a steel magazine which clipped on the side of the action in a special bracket when needed. It held eight rounds and was expected to be kept in the valise until required. The theory was sound and some were supplied to the Victorian Government of Australia circa 1883 for fitting on MKIII Rifles, and whilst the loader has been lost in time, so rifles carry the bracket..or scars of it still.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The War office trialled various speed loaders, some ingenious, some overly complicated. The most ingenious was that of Captain C Greville Hartson in 1887 a self feeding magazine which tipped the round onto the block, fed it in and extracted it. I've inspected and photographed this device and its a Jam-tastic idea..... the Enfield Spool loader, the warry and the Owen Jones magazine all trialled but never reaching full issue.

Looks a bit odd stuck on the side. Never see one until John got me searching..