Historical question about cap and ball

[Scattered Thumbs]

Sorry about the derailment all.

Don't be sorry. I've found this thread very good read.

But reality and fantasy should be kept apart. Thank God for St. George's interventions to keep reality in check.

[Bruce W Sims]

I'm either about to be part of the problem....or part of the solution.....

Seems much is made of Frontier Folk making their own balls or bullets and then along
comes the cartridge bullet in handy form. Like the OP I would interested to know
when folks moved away from using bullet molds. For instance, I never hear anything
about the late JB Hickok making his own balls or conicals. I also know that I was
surprised to find an add for balls in a Sears catalog (1920?).

Would pouring molds still be time-appropriate for say the 1870-s?

Would they be balls or conicals? Thoughts?  Opinions?

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[llanerosolitario]

conicals were much used by the military.

some revolvers, like the  first  ADAMS Double action revolvers, were specially  designed for conicals, which could be pushed by hand pressure on the chambers. The system of course failed, specially for mounted troops,  and they have to put a rammer in the following Beaumont revolvers. But it shows that the british and other armies appreciated the stopping power of conicals when facing enemies in the colonies.

some armies specified conicals as the adopted ammunition, including weight.

Most  combustible cartridge boxes supplied by Federal manufactures  for the 1860 army issue revolver  during the Civil War were conicals, based on surviving examples of the period.

in short, conicals were much used, probably as muchs as balls, by civilians, , and they were probably more used than balls by the military, because of  their obvious greater stopping power.  

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Good read !
I would dare say most hand guns going west was likely cap and ball.
But I would also say .
The West was Won with a SHOTGUN !
Rooster

[Jake C]

Good read !
I would dare say most hand guns going west was likely cap and ball.
But I would also say .
The West was Won with a SHOTGUN !
Rooster

I agree with that. The 'ol Double Barrel isn't flashy or elegant like a single action revolver or a lever-action rifle, but most folks had one and they were darned effective.

[Coffinmaker]

SHOTGUNS!!  Oh my YES!!  During my extended foray into the close combat of South East Asia, it was discovered a Pump Shotgun was THE weapon in the bushes.  Then it go close and personal, our adversaries were of the "Spray and Pray" heavy weight of shot mind set.  At under 60 yards a 12 Gauge loaded with 00 buckshot was super lethal.  Plowed right through jungle growth.  As soon as the Shotguns started to bark, those in the little pointy hats immediately withdrew to a more tenable range.

Plus.  When enough period photographs of the westward migration in this country are perused, THE most commonly seen weapon is the Shotgun.  Defend your homestead, hunt game, dispatch domestics (animals yo), you name it, the Shotgun was king.  Close and personal, Me, armed with a Shotgun, you gonna lose!!

Coffinmaker

[St. George]

True dat...

I carried an Ithaca Model 37 back then - a most effective thing it was.

Followed me home, it did.

Scouts Out!