“E. L. Nelson, war veteran, now a city detective has invented a new device which loads a six shooter in between two and three seconds. Det. Nelson reports keen interest in his invention from fellow police officers. JUN 12 1927”
No. William H. Bell is credited with the invention in 1879; although it’s quite possible that others “invented” the revolver loader without any knowledge of his. The text describes Detective Nelson as “war veteran” and I presume it to mean WWI. I’m sure any American combat veteran of that war would have seen the half-moon clips used for loading Colt and Smith & Wesson .45 ACP revolvers. From there it would then be a natural progression to create what we think of as the speedloader. It’s very possible numerous others have “invented” them independently over the years.
Eddie
June 24, 2020 11:29 am
I agree with you. This was something that several people came up with independently.
That’s the guy that invented the speedloader?
No. William H. Bell is credited with the invention in 1879; although it’s quite possible that others “invented” the revolver loader without any knowledge of his. The text describes Detective Nelson as “war veteran” and I presume it to mean WWI. I’m sure any American combat veteran of that war would have seen the half-moon clips used for loading Colt and Smith & Wesson .45 ACP revolvers. From there it would then be a natural progression to create what we think of as the speedloader. It’s very possible numerous others have “invented” them independently over the years.
I agree with you. This was something that several people came up with independently.
Very cool!