In the manufacturing of
bolt stunners and humane slaughter equipment, Accles & Shelvoke Ltd have a rich history and over the previous 100 years have therefore built a significant standing in the specialist sector of agricultural tools such as
stunning equipment in which they continually innovate. The tools manufactured by Accles & Shelvoke Ltd have been used for many years, and prior to focusing on humane slaughter equipment their roots are in the manufacture of arms and ammunitions; hence Accles & Shelvoke Ltd have nurtured a deep knowledge and understanding of the engineering involved in such tools as bolt stunners. The origins of UK based Accles and Shelvoke date back to the 1860s, the following historic records tells the story behind the company, its proprietors and the development of the
“CASH” and “ACVOKE” specialist cartridge powered tools which today are used in all parts of the World.
The company was initially established under the name of Bennetts Ltd in 1860 and was then joined by Mr J.G Accles in 1913. He was born in Australia in 1850 and was of Northern Irish parents. In 1867 he entered his apprenticeship at the works of the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co in Conne cticut. It was in the USA where he built the foundations of his innovative engineering and product development skills as he received thorough training in the manufacture of small-arms and small-arms ammunition. In 1872 he came to the UK and established a works at Ward End, Birmingham for the production of caps for the .42 Russian “Berdan” cartridges, which were being made in the West Midlands in large quantities at that time. At the end of 1873 he went to China for the Gatling Gun Company, and whilst there he established factories at Canton and Shanghai for the manufacture of small-arms and ammunition. In 1875 he returned to England for the Gatling Gun Company. From 1876 to 1886, he visited most of the countries of the world with the Gatling Gun, and in those countries where this gun was adopted, he established works for its manufacture and also for the ammunition. In this connection he designed and equipped twelve new works in various countries. In 1887 he built and equipped cartridge works near Foochow and also on the island of Formosa for the Chinese Government.
In 1888, Mr Accles formed a company, by the name of Accles Ltd, with works in Perry Barr, Birmingham. This was later changed to Grenfell and Accles Ltd, and again to Accles Ltd. In 1901 the moment came when out of this enterprise arose the firm of Accles and Pollock Ltd in Oldbury, West Midlands UK. Mr Accles severed his active connection with Accles and Pollock Ltd, shortly after its formation and devoted his time to consulting and experimental work in connection with small-arms and ammunition.
For three years he was engaged with Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd, on consulting and experimental work on automatic small-arms, until in 1913 he recommended manufacture at Aston in conjunction with Mr. G.E Shelvoke, as Accles & Shelvoke Ltd. Mr Accles took an active part in that business until ill health compelled him to retire, but he remained as consultant to Accles & Shelvoke until his death in 1939.
The
‘CASH’ pistol is one of Accles & Shelvoke Ltd flag-ship products and is humane slaughter equipment that has had a long and historical product evolution, which has seen the bolt stunner develop as times and technologies have moved forward. Accles and Shelvoke first manufactured the “CASH” pistol around 1913 until production was interrupted by the First World War. In the early 20th Century a gentleman named Christopher Cash (the originator of the well-known name tapes) resided in Coventry UK. Mr Cash had a great compassion for animals and whilst gaining academic Honors at university and being independent of business or profession, he devoted the remainder of his life to the good of his animal friends.
It was whilst travelling on the continent in 1910, he saw a somewhat crude slaughtering instrument which was not very efficient or satisfactory in use, but which suggested to him the idea of a Captive Bolt Pistol, or mechanical Pole-Axe as he preferred to call it. Having no knowledge of engineering or explosive matters, Mr. Cash discussed his idea with Mr. J.G Accles, one of the most well-known men in England as an authority on guns and explosive weapons of different kinds.
After several years of exhaustive experimenting, a weapon for stunning animals, as perfect as humanely possible, was placed on the market and out of compliment to the originator of the idea, Accles & Shelvoke Ltd named their production the “CASH” Captive Bolt Pistol. The Acvoke Cable Spiker was developed in 1952 in cooperation with the Central Electricity Generating Board. The Acvoke Cable Spiker is now used in many industries throughout the world from the electricity industries to the oil and gas industries, and from private contractors to government and military installations. In some countries such as the UK the use of the Acvoke Cable Spiker is now mandatory.During the years of the Second World War, Accles and Shelvoke Ltd carried out considerable work for the aircraft industry, and also a small amount of work for the naval industry, in addition to humane slaughtering equipment. In 1961 Accles & Shelvoke Ltd, was taken over by the Wolseley-Hughes Group. 1980 saw a management buyout from Wolseley Hughes Group. The acquisition of Accles & Shelvoke by ELEY Limited (a subsidiary of IMI plc) took place in June 1993.
Accles & Shelvoke Limited has evolved into a world leader in the manufacture of bolt stunners, humane stunning equipment and captive bolt and cable spikers. With over 80 years of experience, working with veterinarians, meat technologists, large and small meat plants worldwide on the humane side and electrical companies on the Cable Spikers, Accles & Shelvoke Ltd have now developed a legacy alongside a very strong brand presence and market dominance.
