Paper Cartridges
1863 Sharps. Lever comes down and the ball goes into the chamber first, then the powder. Close the lever, put on a cap, ready to go. Messy with loose powder. How do you make paper cartridges? What kind of paper? Source? How do you attach the ball to the charge? Glue? Any help or direction greatly appreciated.
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Anybody make paper cartridges or the components for BP guns anymore? 0 -
This link will answer some of your questions
http://www.hackman-adams.com/guns/papermake.htm
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Grumpy Old Man
Don't Feed the Trolls
Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of All Those that Threaten it0 -
Find a wooden dowel approxmately same size as ball, good bond paper(stationary supplies) and Elmers childrens glue, wrap the paper around the dowel, overlap Approx. 1/4 inch, glue the overlap, pull dowel, apply glue to one end of tube, insert the ball, let dry, pour powder charge behind the ball, cut the tube about 1/2 inch longer than powder column,apply glue and fold shut.Loads should set for 24 hours before using. 0 -
I found this posted on "SHOOTERS" a wile back courtesy of "elbStJoeMo" hopefully he won't object to me copying it to you.
112: Making paper cartridges for Civil War Re-enactments
11/11/02-3:55 AM Posted by: elbStJoeMO from Shooters.com
This might help you;
Making Authentic Cartridges
by John Wedeward
To make a cartridge that adheres to the appearance of an original, you first have to start with the correct materials:
1. First is the "former". A dowel rod works well for this purpose. It should be the size of the bore for a rifled musket. A 1 /X" or 5/8" dowel rod may be adjusted to adhere to the proper size by either wrapping tape around it or by sanding it. One end should then be shaped to imitate the minie ball in the cartridge.
2. Common brown wrapping paper is the proper material for making the cartridge tubes. Parcel Post mailing paper works well. Grocery sack paper will not work as it is too thick. This should then be cut into the shape of a trapezoid, measuring 4.12 inches in height, 4.0 inches on the long base, and 2.5 inches on the short base.
3. Almost all cartridges used during the Civil War were tied with flax thread, though cotton thread did see limited use. Flax thread may be obtained at local shoe or leather repair shops.
4. The minie ball can be simulated with either a small cotton ball or just a sheet of wadded up toilet paper.
To actually make a cartridge, first wrap the outer trapezoid paper tightly around the "former", or dowel rod. The paper should extend beyond the end of the dowel rod by about 1/3" to 1/2".
The cartridge tube can be choked in two ways: The original way is by using a choking string and toggle. The other way is by just twisting. The choking string may be "made" by twisting 4 or 5 cartridge threads, approximately 9 inches in length, fastened to the edge of a table, at the right hand of the workman" (1861 Ordinance Manual). The choking string is then given one turn around the projecting end of the cylinder and pulled to "choke" the cylinder between the end of the dowel rod and the end of the cylinder. Fold down the projecting paper inside-out, flat upon the top of the cylinder. Remove the choking string. Finally, place the cartridge thread at the choked end and make two complete turns around the choked "neck" with the string, pull tight, and tie in a single half-hitch (overhand knot). For making an elongated ball cartridge, now cut the thread at this point.
If the tube is to be choked by twisting, do so in a careful clockwise direction. Tie the same as the choking method. Now, using a fingernail or sharp object, separate the flattened, twisted part beyond the choke by dividing the sheets. Next, push up the separated paper, leaving it flat upon the top of the cylinder.
Remove the rolled cartridge cylinder from the dowel rod and insert the substance selected to simulate the projectile and ram this down to produce a fake bullet. Insert the black powder in the open end of the tube. Pinch the empty remaining tube shut between the forefinger and the thumb and shake while squeezing down further on the trapped powder. Fold over the pinched end of the tube and shake again while squeezing down further on the trapped powder. Next, fold over the
pinched end of the tube, pressing down on the powder, and strike or smash this end flat. The side with the "slant" of the trapezoid showing should be up. Holding the extension to the right, fold down the top "third" towards the body, just over to the halfway point. Then fold the bottom "third" up to cover the other part, reducing the pinched tube extension to less than half of its original width. Now, carefully fold this "tail" over the end of the cylinder and fold down along the other side of the tube. It is best to again press this bottom part firmly on a flat surface to sharpen the creases. Also, pinch the "tail" as it begins to lay along the tube so that it will remain flush on the cartridge. The cartridge is now ready to be packaged.
Sources:
1840 Ordinance Manual
1861 Ordinance Manual0 -
Rufe-Snows description is good for muzzle loader minnie loads where in loading, the rear end is bitten off and the powder is dumped first into the barrel so everything gets blown out on firing. In breechloading Sharps, the chamber may foul since paper would be around the charge not in front of it. I have seen some instructions similar to the above but using paper that had been saturated with potassium nitrate and dried. This supposedly ensures combustion of the wrapper.
The front of the breechblock is supposed to act as a cigar cutter to chop off the back of paper cartridges. On the 1863 there is a magazine for Sharps Primes in the lockplate for automatic launching these pellet primers in the path of the hammer as it falls, eliminating the need for manual priming.0 -
You guys are great! Thanks for the help.
v35 - Any idea for a source on the paper you described?
Thanks again.
Bill0 -
v35 made the right call...I've shot 100's of rounds thru my Sharps and never had a Foul using the Potassium Nitrate soaked Paper and Cotton String...I used a very diluted White Paste for gluing my Paper Cartridges though...
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
Haven't done the paper but if I did I would get some potassium or sodium nitrate, mix it in a minimum qty of warm water, soak the paper,dry it naturally between paper towels with some weight on it so it wont curl up. Try Dixie Gun Works for the paper.
If no one will sell you the potassium nitrate, sacrifice some black powder. The sulphur and charcoal will drop out and the potassium nitrate will go into solution.0 -
I've made paper cartridges for my cap and ball revolvers using cigarette rolling papers. No paper residue left after shooting. You might try it in your sharps if they are long enough. Nitrating your own paper shouldn't be too difficult. You can get patasium nitrate (salt peter) from your neighborhood pharmacy. If they inquire as to why you want it I would tell them you are making pickles. Rather than dip the paper into the solution, I would dissolve the saltpeter in water then spray it onto the paper with a squirt bottle.
Woods0 -
Hello "ndbilly"[:)]
Nitrated papers are available from Dixie Gun Works, Inc.
The catalog number is KA0710.
Their website is www.dixiegunworks.com
If you just must make your own nitrated paper --- a major pain --- you can still get potassium nitrate (saltpeter) in some drug stores. You can also get it from "FoxFire" that sells components for making pyrotechnic stuff --- such as colored smoke tubes. BUT---you will be paying big bucks for the "Haz-mat" fee.
Best Regards And A Happy New Year's Day -- at least what is left of it.[:)]0 -
Thanks again to all! Will try Dixie for the paper as I am certain to blow the house apart making my own. 0
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