[Roundsworth]

I have the 1882 and 1901 BGI catalogs. Occasionally, the illustrations are not quite the same as the product in hand. This could be due to an improvement. When BGI improved something, they went up to the next number, or added a letter to denote things like wood handle types or brass/plated components. If you look at my photos, you can see the seperate base wad in the shell. If you go up from the base wad, along the sides, you can see the paper hull. The paper hull should not be that long! I see what you mean about the slots. Maybe they allow a tool to reach in to help start a pleated crimp. Aside from my catalog illustration, the tool on E-Bay is the only one I have seen. The 1912 BGI catalog is available in reprints. When I get it, I will have all the years available (in reprints, that is). I do a lot of speculating and guessing with my collection. So far, all the BGI stuff I have is marked, unless it is the budget priced Eureka line.

Hmmm...after looking at the illustration again, I can see where maybe the body of the hull is attached to the base, on the order of Kynoch's Patent (sort of!)