Originally designed for use with the stripped ammunition belts of the Maxim .303-inch and .45-inch gun, there were also used for the .5-inch Vickers Guns.
There was also a leather case that fits the tool, however, whether it was intended to do is not yet determined and it is equally as likely to be for a small pair of wire-cutters or pliers. The leather case shown below is dated 1915 and has a metal loop and leather belt loop on the rear.
Are issued for the repair of .303-in. and .5-in. belts and should be used as instructed below.Remove the damaged strips and eyelets.
If a long strip requires fitting, first join the two faces of the strip by placing an eyelet in the hold of the dished end and inserting the punch of the tool into the unopened end of the eyelet, the opened end to rest upon the die, and gently press the handles together. Reverse the punch and repeat the operation. Keep the strip horizontal, and with the punch of the tool as the centre, move the handles of the tool backward and forward in a circular direction until the head of the eyelet is correctly shaped.
Put the strips into position on the belt, insert the eyelets, and repeat the above operation.
Short strips are fitted in a similar manner except that they do not require to be joined at one end before being placed on the belt.
Care must be taken to press the eyelets as far through the strips as possible before using the tool.
