doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hoffs patent cartridge magazine circa 1893

The subject magazine is embossed;" Hoffs patent march 27 1893." The magazine is sized to hold 100,12G cartridges.It is/was a quality coach hide product.At some time in the past the shell dividers were removed and the interior relined.I have tried to locate the patent via the internet but have drawn a blank.Has any one any info on the subject patent or the maker?

Roy,

I can not find any such patent either.

Pete

Roy, it is not an American patent since they were issued weekly and the closest 1893 date is March 28. No patents were issued in the U.S. on March 27, 1893.

I do not see Hoffs or Hoff in the Alphabetical Index to the British Small Arms Patents, and I see no Small Arms British patents issued on March 27, 1893. This does not 100% mean that it is not a British patent, but more likely it is from another country.

That leaves us with is it a Canadian Patent ? Or patent from elsewhere ? If the Hoffs marking is not extremely clear on the magazine, could it be another marking ? Like maybe Huffs, or even something like Ross's ?

Here's an interesting ebay item. Could Hoff Manufacturing relate to your item ? http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-US-1942-Dated-R-M-Co-Cartridge-Belt-w-Hoff-Mfg-First-Aid-Pouch-1918-Pouch-/190800076296?_trksid=m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D11%26pmod%3D140903799746%26ps%3D50

Or could the leather case patent 244129 of aug. 16, 1881 of Augustus and Henry Hoff relate to your item ? http://www.google.com/patents/US244129?printsec=drawing&dq=patent:244129&ei=sDQqUbm3BsKviAKZ4IEI#v=onepage&q&f=false

Daryl,
Many thanks for your interest and research.The construction of the magazine conforms with the method of manufacture described in Augustus Hoffs U.S Patent 244129 0f May 31 1881.The magazine lid is secured by a keyed lock,there being no leather strap as mentioned as an option in the patent specification.The magazine lid is fitted with a strong leather handle for ease of carrying.The bottom exterior of the magazine is fitted with two hard wood skids so as to minimise the contact of the formed leather exterior with moisture/mud. This old Magazine has served me well on visits to a duck blind.