I've got a copy of "The History of the Colt Revolver" by Haven & Belden, a large volume on Colt revolvers from 1836 to 1940.
On page 415 there is an article on "The New Colt Cartridge Pack", a two piece item that consisted of a ring (rubber?) and a wooden plug. Six rds were placed in a loading block, the ring put around them and the plug inserted to hold them in place. A neat looking device. It could also be loaded without use of the loading block as per a modern speed loader.
In use, the rds were started in the chambers, pushing with the ring, the wood plug dropping off to the rear. Done.
Patented in 1889, the US Navy adopted it shortly thereafter and a large number were ordered . Must have seemed revolutionary at the time! It made it possible to load a revolver even in the dark without fumbling single rds from a drop pouch.
In the movie "Lawrence of Arabia", Peter O'Toole is seen ejecting fired cases from his Webley MK VI, his hand automatically going to the bandoleer across his chest - empty! It would have made a lot of sense to have had some of the British speed loaders which were in existence at the time.
Thinking of an Officer on a trench raid armed with a revolver, these would have been a life saver!
A wag on another forum said that it was likely the user pocketed the speed loader after use as opposed to dropping it in the mud. Yeah, right .... fighting for your life and under great stress, you're going to care what happens to a speed loader or magazine?
I suggested he give his head a shake.
Are modern soldiers taught to retain magazines during a firefight? I'm willing to bet that when the bullets are flying both ways, most aren't even counting rds, but firing to lock back.