"musket wadding"

[hobowonkanobe]

Pretty sure this topic has been covered before, but, I cldnt find it, so...
this is a term you hear alot in movies or come across in historical writings and fiction.
Is this what it sounds like as a wad of paper, leather or regional fiber simply stuffed on top of the charge and or on top of the shot?
*post edit* I am researching other (aka faster) ways to load my Howdah and am curious as to what options are out there, both contemporary and historical

 

[tenngun]

Just like today people fed their guns different stuff. Wads made of tow, old blanket, paper, and old saddle stuffing-felt was used.
Cartridges were being used at least by 1660, and were common by 1690, so wads were common made out of rag paper. So some one saying 'musket wads' by middle eighteenth century may well have been crumpled paper. However most paper was rag paper back then.
A howdah was a private arm, so making it a quick reload wasn't a goal. Someone who could afford one could afford two. Four quick shots would be at hand. Some howdah a were four barreled.
Any smooth bore can be loaded with a cartridge almost as fast as a fusil or musket

 

[Artificer]

Paper cartridges were still extremely popular in the military, during the time period your Howdah pistol was in its zenith. The paper wrapper was often referred to as the wadding. They sure load faster than separate powder, wadding and ball. You may be able to find a ball size that is a good fit in your Howdah pistol bore with the paper wrapped around it - for the best accuracy with this method.

Gus

 

[hobowonkanobe]

Thank you, gents.
the paper being cloth was a factor I hadnt thought of, thanks again for the heads up on that

 

[Artificer]

Well, linen paper is not exactly cloth. You can still get different kinds of linen paper from the Copy Places and printers, though.

Gus

 

[tenngun]

It wasn't quite cloth, or money is printed on rag paper.
True parchment and vellum are sheep skins, but what's sold in stationary stores today under those names are closer. Wood pulp was being used early. Paper was a lot more expensive then then now. This is why books were still very expensive. By 1750- 1800 pulp paper was becoming more common and cheaper. By 1830s dime pulp books were becoming common. Thus tabloids are still 'pulp'. And rags still used for papers.