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by John Wedeward
© 1990, John Wedeward
All Rights Reserved
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 Manual
Edwards, William B. Civil War Guns. Harrisburg, Pa.: The
Stackpole Co., 1958.
Lewis, Berkeley. Small Arms and Ammunition in the United
States Service. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution,
1956.
Phillips, Stanely. Bullets Used in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Laurel, Md.: Wilson's Specialty co., 1971.
Scott, H. L Military Dictionary. N.Y.: Van Nostrand and
Co., 1864
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