US Martial Pistols 1836 and 1842

[cositrike]

looking for information on original paper cartridges for the above pistols. Did they use cartridges? If so does anyone have one, or a photo of one.
thank you

 

[Stantheman86]

They used a choked ball cartridge with a ball of usually about .49-50, it depended on the time period, with about 35 grains of "fine pistol powder ". I make them for my .54 Pedersoli Harper's Ferry

Cartridges for pistols varied depending on who made them and when. These pistols were used up through the Mexican War to the Civil War

 

[Stantheman86]

They would look like this

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Hey Stantheman86, that pistol looks familiar.

When I owned it, I too made some original style cartridges for it:

OP, at least for the M1842 Aston pistols, the pommel holsters used by the cavalry each had a small pouch that held five of these paper cartridges. You can get off a surprisingly good rate of fire on account it’s so much easier to ram down these cartridges in such short a barrel. I also found accuracy to be very acceptable using them.

Stan has himself a fantastic pistol. I’m not afraid to say I miss it!

 

[Stantheman86]

Hey Stantheman86, that pistol looks familiar.

When I owned it, I too made some original style cartridges for it:

View attachment 176983

OP, at least for the M1842 Aston pistols, the pommel holsters used by the cavalry each had a small pouch that held five of these paper cartridges. You can get off a surprisingly good rate of fire on account it’s so much easier to ram down these cartridges in such short a barrel. I also found accuracy to be very acceptable using them.

Stan has himself a fantastic pistol. I’m not afraid to say I miss it!

They almost need the paper cartridges to be used as they were supposed to be used, they can hit a silhouette at 50 yards, no problem.

Lube the ball end and you can shoot them all day

I haven't had it out in forever, I made a little rig for it with a holster and a cartridge box but haven't used it yet

 

[cositrike]

View attachment 176862

They would look like this

Thank you

 

[cositrike]

Hey Stantheman86, that pistol looks familiar.

When I owned it, I too made some original style cartridges for it:

View attachment 176983

OP, at least for the M1842 Aston pistols, the pommel holsters used by the cavalry each had a small pouch that held five of these paper cartridges. You can get off a surprisingly good rate of fire on account it’s so much easier to ram down these cartridges in such short a barrel. I also found accuracy to be very acceptable using them.

Stan has himself a fantastic pistol. I’m not afraid to say I miss it!

Thank you

 

[cositrike]

They used a choked ball cartridge with a ball of usually about .49-50, it depended on the time period, with about 35 grains of "fine pistol powder ". I make them for my .54 Pedersoli Harper's Ferry

Cartridges for pistols varied depending on who made them and when. These pistols were used up through the Mexican War to the Civil War

Do you have a pattern for the paper, or at least dimensions. Thanks

 

[Red Owl]

Never thought about it. These were n0ot combustible? That is, you tore open the end, poured out the powder, then wadded the paper then rammed the ball?
Were those pistols rifled or smooth bore?

 

[Stantheman86]

Never thought about it. These were n0ot combustible? That is, you tore open the end, poured out the powder, then wadded the paper then rammed the ball?
Were those pistols rifled or smooth bore?

They were like musket cartridges , the pistols are .54 Smoothbore

 

[Stantheman86]

Do you have a pattern for the paper, or at least dimensions. Thanks

I kinda just made my own size, I use .490 round balls or I found a bunch of Hornady. 495 and .500 balls on clearance

If I can find the template I made I'll take pics and give dimensions

 

[cositrike]

I kinda just made my own size, I use .490 round balls or I found a bunch of Hornady. 495 and .500 balls on clearance

If I can find the template I made I'll take pics and give dimensions

Thank you I’d appreciate that.