Gents -
1. I am looking for any information on the actual material Federal artillery cartridge bags for fixed field ammunition were made of.
I know the Barry, Hunt, French manual states a "woolen" material and the Ordnance manual specifies a few specific types of matierial, "merino" (sp?) being one. BUT, has anyone viewed originals? What were they ACTUALLY made of? What material are they close to that we can acquire today?
I currently am using a thin jean cloth, but understand it is incorrect because of the cotton content.
The limber display at Gettysburg NMP downstairs just looks rediculous. Any thoughts on that? Looks like a fuzzy wool blanket was used to make the bags...?
2. Is there any research that states that the bags were treated with a nitrate (potassium nitrate or saltpeter) to aid in combustion? Or was the whole idea to use wool so as not to burn up?
3. What type of cord was used for attaching bag to sabot? Was it a thin arsenal type string such as used for musket cartridges or was it a thicker hemp cord? Was the bag tied, folded over, tied again? or tied once and foled over?
I purchased projectiles w/ sabots from Paulson Ordnance and some sabots have two rings for tying and some only one... confused... If I remember correctly they weren't matching the sabot diagrams in the manuals...
I'm specifically looking for fixed rounds for a Napoleon.
I haven't been able to find the answers in the manuals and have had no luck finding originals to inspect.
I am working on perfecting our limber display, with the whole right side being a correct "load" of ammunition.
Thanks in advance.
Chris Sedlak
Iron City Guards
(Battery G - 1st PA Light Arty)
1. I am looking for any information on the actual material Federal artillery cartridge bags for fixed field ammunition were made of.
I know the Barry, Hunt, French manual states a "woolen" material and the Ordnance manual specifies a few specific types of matierial, "merino" (sp?) being one. BUT, has anyone viewed originals? What were they ACTUALLY made of? What material are they close to that we can acquire today?
I currently am using a thin jean cloth, but understand it is incorrect because of the cotton content.
The limber display at Gettysburg NMP downstairs just looks rediculous. Any thoughts on that? Looks like a fuzzy wool blanket was used to make the bags...?
2. Is there any research that states that the bags were treated with a nitrate (potassium nitrate or saltpeter) to aid in combustion? Or was the whole idea to use wool so as not to burn up?
3. What type of cord was used for attaching bag to sabot? Was it a thin arsenal type string such as used for musket cartridges or was it a thicker hemp cord? Was the bag tied, folded over, tied again? or tied once and foled over?
I purchased projectiles w/ sabots from Paulson Ordnance and some sabots have two rings for tying and some only one... confused... If I remember correctly they weren't matching the sabot diagrams in the manuals...
I'm specifically looking for fixed rounds for a Napoleon.
I haven't been able to find the answers in the manuals and have had no luck finding originals to inspect.
I am working on perfecting our limber display, with the whole right side being a correct "load" of ammunition.
Thanks in advance.
Chris Sedlak
Iron City Guards
(Battery G - 1st PA Light Arty)
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