CASH Special
Accles & Shelvoke Ltd · Pistol · In Production · 1913
Also known as: Cash Special Stunner, Accles & Shelvoke CASH Special, CASH Special 22R
Overview
The CASH Special is a cartridge-powered penetrating captive bolt stunning pistol made by Accles & Shelvoke for the humane pre-slaughter stunning of livestock. Introduced in 1913 and pistol-shaped for one-handed use, it drives a retained (captive) steel bolt forward when a blank .22 or .25 caliber cartridge is fired, delivering a concussive blow to the animal's skull to render it instantly unconscious. Colour-coded cartridges of differing propellant charges let the operator match bolt energy to animal size, and an automatic bolt return re-seats the bolt after each shot. It requires two positive actions to fire as a safety measure and remains one of the most widely used humane stunning tools in abattoirs worldwide.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2800 g (98.8 oz) |
| Action Type | Breech Loading |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 55 m/s (180 fps) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Captive Bolt Blank · primary — also known as .22 blank, .22 stunning cartridge, 5.6mm captive bolt blank
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Breech Loaded Cartridge
- Safety mechanisms: Two Action Firing Sequence, Captive Bolt Retention
- Features: Captive Bolt, Automatic Bolt Return, Pistol Grip, Fast Loading Action, Interchangeable Cartridge Loads
Variants
- CASH Special XL - Extended Bolt
- CASH Special .25 - Heavy Duty
Service history
Operators
- Meat processing and slaughter industry
Production
Production years: 1913-present
In continuous production for over a century; used daily by thousands of meat processors worldwide
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Notes
A captive bolt stunner is not a conventional firearm: the bolt is retained within the tool and no free projectile is discharged. The .22 caliber CASH Special uses colour-coded blanks (brown 1gr, pink 1.25gr, purple 2.5gr, green 3gr, red 4gr, black 4.5gr); the .25 caliber version uses a bored-out chamber and heavier charges for larger animals. A 2020 barrel revision was introduced to accelerate the bolt and protect the bolt head. Product weight approx 2.8 kg.
Background
The CASH (Cash & Company / Accles & Shelvoke) captive bolt principle replaced the poleaxe and other crude methods, becoming a founding standard of humane slaughter and is referenced in EU welfare regulation EC 1099/2009.