High speed loading in an antique revolver.

[pitfighter]

Picked up this Prideaux speed loader in the UK.

It's a reproduction, probably from India, but even reproductions seem tough to find now.
Needed an oil bath for a few days bring it back to life. Amazingly efficient little tool.
I shot a video using it, but, cannot upload it here.

Would have been a perfect addition to your Sam Browne tactical belt set up!

US Patent 1,181,034
"Magazine for holding revolver-cartridges and for loading same into revolver-barrels."
Filed by William De Courcy Prideaux, July 20th, 1915









After you've fed your Webley!


Picked up some .455 revolver food, too.


.455 comes in all shapes and sizes:


From my nother post:

[SVT-40]

Neat piece of kit!

I can't imagine trying to you reload using that with a bunch of Zulu warriors charging at you!

[smle-man]

WW1 speedloader !

[pitfighter]

Neat piece of kit!

I can't imagine trying to you reload using that with a bunch of Zulu warriors charging at you!

Hah, I'm a coward so I can't think of anything I'd enjoy less than facing a bunch of Zulu Warriors.
But, after examining this device I didn't think it could possibly work, but I was quite wrong, it's actually very efficient; very fast to load and disengage and actually better than the modern Speed-loader I have for my Smith & Wesson.

I will be firing the Webleys at the range next week (fingers crossed), so I'll film the Prideux in action.

I did shoot a little insta video at: @fairbairn_sykes (edit, I forgot my own page, getting old.)

[sealocan]

Yet another great thread!
I knew it was you pitfighter as soon as I saw the great photos.


It's interesting that you feel these stamped sheet metal devices work better than modern speedloaders.

I tried to look at the video by searching " Instagram
@willian_fairbairn "

But that took me to an Instagram account that I don't think is yours.

Can you put a link to the videos you've shot so far, if that's possible?

Thanks and thanks for another great thread of interesting firearms related cool items!

[pitfighter]

Cheers, Sealocan -
IG is @fairbairn_sykes
"William Fairbairn" is the "nom de plume."

I'm shooting at the range next week I hope, if not I'm on a plane, so I'll hopefully get to try the .455 Webley against some "dangerous and blood thirsty" steel plates!

The Prideux takes a little practice to get set.
I push the "prongs" out about half an inch and then rest in the cartridges, before gently priming - they will all drop out if you're not careful - you just have to figure out a technique and I'm sure there is a better one than mine.

However, you slap the primed loader against the cylinder and it finds the placement easily:
rounded ends guide the bullet home) and simultaneously seats the cartridge 100% into cylinder and disengages with one straight thrust.

A modern speed loader requires a split second to line-up, then a push and twist, to disengage and usually another shake, (or push) to fully seat the cartridges.
(I know competitive revolver shooters were blindingly fast, but they were a different breed.)

It's all fractions of a second, but the Prideux is surprisingly efficient for 100+ years old.

[qmrp2567]

Awesome collection.

[M76]

Noice!

[sealocan]

It's not a big deal but I couldn't get your imgur link above to take me to your video.

Maybe it was removed for being too gun-cool?



I guess he could be me, so if anyone else could post if it works for them that would be helpful.

[pitfighter]

It's not a big deal but I couldn't get your imgur link above to take me to your video.

Nope it's not just you, I haven't been able to get them to work anywhere.

Just pics here for now.