The Armory

A Swedish roundlet bullet. The tip unthreads to reveal a pocket for the worm.

Advertising bullets:

• Pittsburgh Bridge Co.
• Old Forester Whiskey
• Old Crow Whiskey
• Turner Looker Co.
• Lemp St. Louis
• Blue Bonnett Whiskey

In 1897 William A. Williamson was granted a U.S. patent for his invention of a corkscrew which is concealed inside a small bottle or bullet shape roundlet. The ends thread together and when unscrewed, a helix pivots at an angle to the base. The two pieces are then screwed back together to form the handle. Advertising plaques were applied to some bottles and bullets. The three bullets on the left and the one on the right in the above photo are the Williamson patent.

In 1900 Ralph W. Jorres was granted a U.S. Patent #657,421 for his version of this corkscrew. Jorres attached the helix to the top of the bottle instead of the base. The three bullets at back right are the Jorres patent.

Oversized Williamson bullets. The bullet on the right is silver.