Civil War Paper Cartridges

On another forum a link was given to a military manual about loading of arms. In it for the Colt Navy it states the paper cartridge is torn open and poured out and then the paper is discarded. It then states the ball is then rammed home.

I've not once come across anything that stated anything other than the whole paper cartridge was loaded as one unit and these all came with a conical and not a ball.

The various paper cartridges that were used all stated they came with a conical and none stated a ball.
http://www.geojohn.org/BlackPowder/bps2Mobile.html

So what gives? This appears to be an 1861 manual.

I have read this before, and believe it was written in modern times. He mentions using Cream of Wheat, not sure that was around in the 1860's by that name.

I would think that procedure would be difficult while astride a horse and/or on a day with wind. Using the terminology of the time the projectile was often called a ball regardless of its shape.

Hmmm... Guess I need to read it more thoroughly as I just scrolled down to the revolver loading portion. I did see along the top something about 1861 though.

I had wondered about the projectile being called a ball as well, much as they do with modern FMJ these days.

In my earlier haste I copied the wrong link.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140530064404/http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/books/carbine.cfm

Oops!

I would hazard a guess that this was written before the war. I'd be pouring in the powder followed asap by stuffing that ball, paper and all, into the cylinder.

I have to question the source of this "manual", it has far too many errors.

first-
"XLII.--The pistol should be worn on the left side, in front of the sabre-hook. "

when, if ever, was a pistol worn on the left side? it was always worn on the right hip so that it would not interfere with the sword.

second , the paper, skin, or foil cartridges for revovlers were always designed to be rammed directly into the cylinder chamber. I cannot imagine anyone writing a "real" manual saying otherwise.

yhs
shunka

I found it rather peculiar as well, but I'm not well versed enough to claim it bogus.

And the pistol was always worn on the right and used in the left as the sword was used in the strong hand, no? I didn't even pay much attention there as I was focused on the cartridges.

Now the paper cartridges that I'm more familiar with were the ones used during the war. As was pointed out this well could have been prior. Maybe they were torn and dumped prior. I just don't know. Maybe the paper used wasn't very combustible.

The instructions reading " tear off the base, pourthe powder in, then tearoffthe rest of the paper" would be correct for loading a "front stuffer" musket, even a rifled musket using mini-balls.

However All of the historic paper cartridges for revovlers involve stuffing the entire thing in the chamber, which is how they were designed.

I am rather involved lately on the homefront, else I would try to trace back any of the references. I have a feeling that webiste died due to incorrectness, which is why it canonlybe found in the wayback machine....

yhs
shunka

I've just found this thread and thought I would chime in.

Early revolver cartridges were indeed the tear and pour variety. In fact that was the most common variety made during the Civil War. Almost all of these used a conical ball instead of round ball.

Colt introduced combustible or consumable cartridge from the Colt Cartridge Works in the early 1850s and other makers also came up with their own patent versions. It was not until 1861 the Army began buying these patented cartridges in any numbers, and the US arsenal slowly began to change from the old style cartridges to the newer combustible styles.

Here is a video I did on how to make those early .44 US Army cartridges.
How to make Colt Dragoon Cartridges

Great videos, I really like the round ball one. :thumbsup: :hatsoff: