Le Loup
32 Cal.
Would they have used paper cartridges as this was the method used in their muskets?Oh no, didn't say they didn't, just that I don't see how they could when the pistols were in holsters, hanging over the withers of a horse, muzzle down. ! However, in this case, it could be easily proved one way or the other, by loading such horse pistols (good article in the American Rifleman about Washington's pair of matching horse pistols) with loose ball and wad, putting them in replica horse-holsters, and going for a ride. I don't have horses anymore, or a pair of large caliber, smooth-bore pistols, or horse-holsters that were commonly used, but I bet there's someone out there that does, and could perform the deed. The results, and conclusions would be most interesting.
Keith.