18th & 19th Century Magazine Self Primers.

 Magazine Self Primers.

                                   

  A ratchet assisted magazine self primer by John Connel c.1745

John Connel is not listed as an Irish gunmaker by any of the recognised authorities and therefore research is ongoing. Although operating on differing systems both the inventions below have the same purpose in mind i.e.,that of reducing the loading time. The frizzen seen here is also the powder hopper. The ratchet mechanism operating the closure thereby isolating the charge in the hopper from the charged pan prior to ignition.

                   Ratchet assisted magazine self primer showing rectangular dispensing aperture
                               

                                     John Connel to magazine self primer lockplate c.1745

19th Century Magazine self primer.

                           This magazine self primer manufactured by Dublin gunmaker 
                Thomas Pattison ( 1799-1811), who claims to be the inventor of this system.

A safety feature added to this invention is the sprung loaded cap in the event of a spark igniting the whole hopper. This aperture also used for loading.

An example of the above can also be seen in "The Price Guide to Antique Guns & Pistols by Peter Hawkins. Published by Antique Collectors Club. 1973. Page 123. This cited example having been manufactured by Dublin gunmaker Robert Tomlinson. (1783-1805). It is possible that Tomlinson
trained Pattison. If not,  some other form of business association may have existed?

Oliver Wheeler, is also listed as a maker of this type of mechanism. "12 shots with one loading" Fin's Leinster Journal 22/8/1787*. This statements can be misleading as it infers that the gun is firing 12 times with only one loading but in fact the barrel still had to be loaded with powder and ball but the "priming hopper" gave 12 dispenses of priming powder to the pan.

Our sincere appreciation to both collectors of the above items for photography and permission to publish.

                                                    As stated John Connel not listed.

                                    Oliver Wheeler, Robert Tomlinson & Thomas Pattison

 originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 

Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.

Vol.11. No 1.

                                                     Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk