Cartridge Packs

[newshirt]

I'd like to make a cartridge pack with 10 rolled cartridges in it (5 on top, 5 on bottom). I understand that I'll need a wooden folding box to hold the cartridges while wrapping paper around them. But the instructions on this web site are unclear (see link below).

The document below describes using 1" x 4" pine wood. But those dimensions seem incorrect (or perhaps I am misinterpreting them). My cartridges are about 2.5" long. Five cartridges are about 3.25" wide. They don't fit in a 1" x 4" box.

Any suggestions? What are yall's dimensions?

http://www.33wis.com/articles/pdf/Ma...ge%20Packs.pdf

--ray

[August77]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Ray,

I don't believe they are telling you to make a box that is 1" x 4" in dimension, rather that is the size wood they are suggesting to use, i.e. don't use a 2" x 2" or a 2" x 4". Use the pieces of 1" x 4" to construct the 'U' shape box to the dimensions you need.

So using your dimensions, I would cut a 1" x 4" board in three pieces 2.5" long (probably 3" if you're putting the caps in too). One of those pieces I would cut down to 3.25" wide (3/4" off the 4" side) to use as the base. With the base laying flat, stand the two sides up and fire a couple drywall screws in to hold everything in place. Nothing pretty, but gets the job done.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Hallo!

If you make the "rails" or sides out of 1 X 4 stock, cut 2 5/8th's long by
1 3/16th high set on a base board 2 7/8th's inches apart you should be set.


Another method I used to use was rather than a "rail" system, I used a solid block of wood cut to a rectangle 2.6 inches wide by 1.15 high by 2.9 inches long. A large "lag bolt" screw screwed into the end would serve as a handle.
The wrapping paper would then be wrapped around the block like a Christmas present leaving the one end open by pulling out the block. Then the cartridges and cap roll to be inserted before the end was closed and the bundle tied with twine.

I found easier with a block than with a rail jig.

Curt

[Silas]

Re: Cartridge Packs

http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/links.htm#N_17_

[Dreamer42]

Re: Cartridge Packs

I echo what Curt advises. I tried the rail system and found it difficult to "juggle" the whole afair before I could finally wrap the pack together. The single block as he mentions is faster and leaves a very snug package. Also, if you're looking for labels, PM me and I'll send you some labels and easy steps you are welcome to use. They are mostly deep south arsenals, not Richmond, since our unit portrays mostly Western theater. Good luck!

- Jay Reid
Dreamer42
9th Texas
BGR 07
Winter Outpost 08
Piney Woods 09 ???
Winter Outpost 09 See ya there!

[Dutchman Dick]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Check out this link:
http://www.lazyjacks.org.uk/cartrdge.htm
Hope this helps!

[newshirt]

Re: Cartridge Packs

BTW, I found a page containing 25 scanned images of cartridge labels.

http://usss.warhawkhobbies.com/lables.htm

[lukegilly13]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Just a question out of curiosity....are both of these methods reflective or how they were made in the period or are we talking modern techinques here?

[hta1970]

Re: Cartridge Packs

I believe Patrick Reardons method is very close to the original way they were made. They can also be found in the Watchdog Publication "Making Cartidges."

As for the labels, for look at originals see "Percussion Ammuniton Packages: Union Confederate & European" by Malloy, Thomas and White for a good look at them. It also mentions that the vast majority of federal cartridge packages were unmarked during the war. Labels seem to appear early and late in the war only. Confederate seem to have used them throughout the war, some paper labels and some stenciled labels.

[mattifatti]

Re: Cartridge Packs

I am sure this varied by contractor but should your bundles resemble nicely wrapped presents or should they look like tied up pillows?

[newshirt]

Re: Cartridge Packs

I am sure this varied by contractor but should your bundles resemble nicely wrapped presents or should they look like tied up pillows?

Here's a link to an actual confederate bundle.

http://www.horsesoldier.com/catalog/m15425.JPEG

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Cartridge Packs

I am sure this varied by contractor but should your bundles resemble nicely wrapped presents or should they look like tied up pillows?
__________________
Matt Kraybill

Hi,

I have wondered the same thing. The originals that I have seen are fairly nice, and have a very crisp shape. The Richmond Depot (58 caliber) and Columbus Depot (69 caliber) packs have a better looking shape than the ones made at Augusta (69 caliber). However, this might just be from the age and how each one of these packs were stored over the last 145 years. On the Federal side, I have only seen one original pack (that I can remmeber). It was from the St. Louis Arsenal (58 caliber), and it was very well contructed. I would be interested in reading what others have to say on this subject.

Andrew

[mturk64]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Andrew's post raises a very interesting question--at least to me. That is, while we tend to think of the ball going on the top of the cartridge, so that it looks more like a modern round, the attached picture clearly shows the ball at the bottom of the cartridge. There seems not to be a neat conical shape at the top.

What is the correct (or more common) assembly of a round?

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Hallo!

"I am sure this varied by contractor but should your bundles resemble nicely wrapped presents or should they look like tied up pillows?"

Presents wrapped by me, or the professionals at the malls?

Seriously, surviving original arsenal bundles are "neat" but not "perfect," IMHO reflecting the skill and time of the bundler as well as often a century plus of "handling."

"What is the correct (or more common) assembly of a round?"

I would suggest using the SEARCH function that includes previous discussions of cartridge-making as well as including Period instructions on how it was done.

In brief and to over-generalize...

A "Minie" cartridge has the ball's nose at the choked end of the cartridge tube with the powder cylinder resting against its base.
An "Enfield" cartridge is different, having the ball's base at the choked end of the cartridge and its nose against the powder cylinder pointing toward the tail.

Curt

[hta1970]

Re: Cartridge Packs

Marc,

The following comes from Rules to be observed in the Laboratories of C.S. Arsenals and Ordnance Depots" (ISBN 1-57747-095-8. Thomas Publications, USA, 2002. www.thomaspublications.com).
they can be found http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firea...artridge09.htm

It should answer any questions you have about the British Enfield cartridge in the Confederate service.

For the marking of British ammunition packages see: http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firea...artridge08.htm

C.S. Central Laboratory, (Ordn.)

Macon, Ga., Feb. 9, 1864.

[CIRCULAR]

It has been recently ordered by the Chief of Ordnance that the only pattern of cartridge to be hereafter used with muzzle loading rifled small arms shall be that known as the English pattern of Enfield cartridge.
It is important that the troops should be taught to load this cartridge properly - the following instructions upon the subject are therefore published - Ordnance Officers on field service will endeavour to secure their observance, and to correct any irregularities which they may notice.
1. - If the powder end of the cartridge has been "pinched" or folded straighten out the folded portion of the paper - if it has been twisted (as is the case with the cartridges made in England) untwist the end with the finger and thumb.
2. - Tear off the part of the paper at the powder end beyond the stiff inside cylinder, taking advantage of leverage upon the edge of this stiff cylinder, and tearing off as close as possible to the edge.
3. - Pour the powder from the end of the cartridge thus opened into the barrel of the gun, taking care not to lose or scatter any of the powder - Hold the barrel vertically, so that but few grains may remain adherent to the inside surface.
4. - Invert the cartridge, and insert the lubricated end into the muzzle of the piece (without tearing off any of the paper from the ball).
5. - Press the bullet end of the cartridge down into the barrel until the top of the cylindrical portion of the ball is just flush with the muzzle taking care that the axis of the bullet coincides with that of the barrel, and that the cartridge is pressed directly down - not twisted.
6. - Break off the empty powder cylinder from the bullet, taking advantage of leverage against the edge of the muzzle, and being careful not to twist or pull the bullet out of its place.
7. - Ram the ball steadily down, using no more pressure than is necessary, and avoid twisting the ramrod. Settle the bullet in its place by one or two light taps.
8. - Cap the gun, which is then ready to be discharged.
In case of the gun becoming excessively foul, so as to prevent easy loading in the proper way, as above detailed, the paper of the cartridge may be torn off from the bullet, and the latter loaded naked. As the lubricant is upon the outside of the paper and not upon the bullet this practice is not to be recommended unless it be rendered necessary by the cause mentioned.

J. W. Mallet, Maj.
Supt. C.S. Laboratories

Approved:
J. Gorgas, Col.
Chief of Ordnance
Richmond, Va., Feb. 15, 1864.