Paper musket cartridges in 1820-1850

[Wahkahchim]

Greetings all....I am studying the use of paper cartridges with smoothbores 1820-1850. Did civilians use these with surplus military muskets? Did the military continue to use paper cartridges and roundball in smoothbore muskets during this time? And did civilians use paper cartridges with trade muskets? If so, did they use the British thread-tied cartridge or the French fold-and-glue cartridge? And finally, are there any original musket cartridges still in existence and on display anywhere? Any recommendations? Thanks.

[Tsalagidave]

The remains of US military ammunition boxes have been recovered from archaeological sites of retail stores in 1850s era San Francisco. That documents it to the 1840-50s. Since much of the populous relied on local militias for any type of emergency/military response right up to the 1900s, I'd be surprised if the answer is "no". The people who did militia service represented a large demographic that manufacturers and arsenals looking to liquidate older stores could make a lot of money off.  I wish I had researched the pre 1840s topic more and would love to see what others have found in their research.

The various militia publications give the specs on making cartridges so it is not like only a few people would know how to do this.

-Dave

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Jes GOOGLIT!!

http://www.cartridgetubes.com/uploads/authenticcartridges.pdf



There's more from reenacting sites.  I have experimented with making ML shotgun cartridges for both shot and roundball. No pictures but PM me if you want a copy of my write-up.

[Hangtown Frye]

In Worman and Garivaglia's "Firearms of the American West Vol. I" they quote a fur trader who notes that during some expected Indian troubles at a fur trading post they laid out a number of muskets, with "plenty of cartridges" on a table ready for action.  Thus civilians most assuredly used cartridges for smoothbores, though not for rifles.

Cheers!

Gordon

[Tsalagidave]

I have experimented in making paper cartridges for a rifle but there is a significant difference between the paper and a good patched ball.  My conclusion is that it has the potential to speed up the loading process for a while and I might lay aside a few to pick up the rate of fire if they were minie balls but you are definitely sacrificing accuracy. An interesting note is that the paper is not as forgiving as a greased or spit patch. It became a real pain in the end after the 1st or 2nd  shot to slam those home and I actually broke one of my rammers.

-Dave

[kurt250]

i would like to input a few items that i have done with paper cartridges.carts. for the brown bess musket was of various types. army units made them during there wintering periods. the biggest difference between the army and the navy carts was the navy dipped theres into beeswax. this was to keep the powder dry which was a real problem aboard ships of those days. after the revolution the british military went to a standard waxed cartridge as the navy used. they were made in woolrich england at the armory there and shipped all over the empire in tarred wooden barrels. this policy created a standard cartridge made to tight military standards that cut out lots of loss of powder and cartridges due to poor construction . many of these cartridges were copied buy trade and musket owners. they are easy to make and work fine. were many people make the mistake in making them they use to large of a ball. it must be small enough to fit down the barrel after several shots have fowled it. also you tear of the cartridge end with your teeth, prime your flash pan (with your hammer on half cock) pour the powder down the barrel, then shove the cartridge with the ball down the barrel to serve as wadding.the use of buck and ball was very common for any use fighting indians. the beeswax also makes the ramming home of the ball and wadding easier. kurt250

[Tsalagidave]

Good stuff Kurt.  I did not know about  the ammunition barrels. Do you know when did the British military switch to wooden ammunition boxes?

-Dave

[JimBob]

Good stuff Kurt.  I did not know about  the ammunition barrels. Do you know when did the British military switch to wooden ammunition boxes?

-Dave

Hawes's book on production of rifle ammunition at Woolwich Arsenal printed in 1859 has a section on "Ammunition Barrels".Any container for Snider cartridges I have seen pictures of were boxes.So it would appear the switch from barrels to boxes occured with the adoption of the Snyder circa 1866-67.They were not large barrels,the stave length is listed as being 15 inches.

A definite date for the changeover would be listed in the British Army "Book of Changes".