When did this loading with cornmeal and or wads start? Cornmeal or some filler has been around for a pretty good while but even that wasnt called for in the original cap and ball revolvers was it? Way back when , I think they used candle wax over the balls or did they?The use of wads is a fairly modern procedure in loading isn't it? Before Wonder Wads came on the market were any other brand or kind of wads used?
From what I have read cornmeal and wads is all a modern day thing. The directions that came with Sam Colts revolvers said nothing about filters, wads , or lube over balls. I have never read anything during the CW or the gunfighting days of using wads, lube , etc. I feel it has more to do with lawsuits and chain firing. Chain fires come from the cap end not the ball end. I shoot just ball over powder and never had a chain fire. Use the right caps and chain fires should not be a problem. Just my own thoughts. Now watch, tomorrow I will go out and fire one round and the other five will follow.