An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feed through pin (12) which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate (32). A C-shaped mandrel (48) extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case (101) and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals (14) with the battery case comprising the other terminal. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the end cap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the end cap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.