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The 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
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Company E Inc's: |
Making Reproduction Paper Cartridges
Materials Required:In order for a re-enactor to accurately portray and participate at a Civil War Event as an infantryman, he must have "rounds" or cartridges for his rifled musket. The re-enactor has the option of purchasing pre- made paper cartridges from a Sutler, or making his own. Making your own may take some time, but it is a lot less expensive than purchasing them.
The following provides the "how to" make "blank rounds" that only simulate the appearance of .58 caliber cartridges that would contain a Minie ball. WE ONLY USE BLANK ROUNDS.
OFF-WHITE Lightweight parcel wrapping paper or blank newsprint
PAPER (available from art & grocery stores). Note: Grocery bag
paper is too heavy.
THREAD Heavy, natural colored cotton or linen.
BLACK Grade FF (available from gun stores). Note: DO NOT use
POWDER modern "smokeless" powder.TOOLS Cutting tool (scissors or sharp knife) and straight edge.
PENCIL Sharp wooden pencil.FORMER Made from a wooden dowel about 8 inches long, able to fit
down the barrel easily, but not loosely, with one flat end,
and a rounded end shaped like a bullet.
MEASURER A device (available from gun stores) able to measure at
least 60 grains of black powder.FUNNEL Made of plastic, copper, or other non-sparking material with
a tip smaller than the rifle caliber.
GLUE White glue (Sobo brand recommended).TISSUE Facial tissue or toilet paper to simulate bullet (Minie Ball).
TEMPLATE Made from durable material such as wood, plastic, tin, or
heavy cardboard and cut to the following dimension.
Template not to scale
Safely Rules To Be Followed When Making Cartridges
DO NOT SMOKE or ALLOW ANYONE TO SMOKE IN THE ROOM
WHILE WORKING WITH BLACK POWDER!
DO NOT WORK NEAR OPEN FLAMES OR OTHER HEAT SOURCES!
DO NOT OVERLOAD CARTRIDGES WITH BLACK POWDER!
DO NOT USE MODERN "SMOKELESS" POWDER, IT WILL BLOW
YOUR RIFLE APART IN YOUR FACE!
DO STORE CANS OF POWDER AND FINISHED CARTRIDGES
PROPERLY, THEY ARE EXPLOSIVE!
DO USE NON-SPARKING TOOLS MADE OF WOOD, COPPER , PLASTIC!
DO USE GRADE FF BLACK POWDER!
DO FILL CARTRIDGES WITH 65 GRAINS OF BLACK POWDER!
Procedure To Make Blank Cartridges:
1 - Using the trapezoid template as a guide, mark the shape onto the paper with a pencil.
2 - With cutting tool, cut paper into trapezoidal pieces - one piece for every cartridge you plan to
make. Suggestion, you should be able to make several pieces at a time by stacking sheets of
paper and cutting carefully.
3 - Place the trapezoid piece of paper you have cut onto your work surface with the sloping edge
away from you, and place the former on top of the paper with the rounded end to your left with the
tip about 1/2" from the left edge of the paper.
4 - Roll the paper tightly around the former. Note: The paper must remain tightly wrapped.
5 - Loop thread around the roll of paper at the tip of the former and pull tightly to cinch the paper
around the tip. Note: It my be necessary to twist the paper into the proper shape.
6 - Tie a knot in the thread to hold the paper cinched. Cut thread leading to the spool leaving about
1/4 inch of thread on the cartridge.
7 - Fold the paper forward of the thread back over the thread and the tip of the former.
8 - Withdraw the former. Suggestion, make all the cylinders you plan to create before proceeding to
the next step..9 - With the flat end of the former, stuff a wad of tissue into the cylinder, filling the tied-off end, to
simulate the size of a Minie ball bullet.
REMEMBER THE SAFETY RULES WHEN WORKING WITH BLACK POWDER
10 - Using the funnel and measurer, pour 60 grains of powder into the upturned open end of the
cylinders. Be sure the powder settles evenly across the diameter of the cylinder. Suggestion,
fill all the cylinders you have made before proceeding to the next step.
11 - Flatten the portion of the cylinder behind the powder charge, and crease the folds firmly,
the flat projecting paper is called the tail.
Top and Side view12 - Fold the paper over 90 degrees to the long axis of the cartridge, and firmly crease all the
fold lines.
Side and Top view13 - Fold the two edges of the tail together so they meet down the middle of the tail , and firmly
crease the fold lines.
Back14 - Fold the tail back over the cartridge opposite the direction folded in step #12, and firmly
crease the fold.
Side view15 - Bend and crease the tail down the side of the cartridge.
Side viewThe following procedures are to be used for those who wish to make "blank rounds" that do not simulate the appearance of .58 caliber cartridges containing a Minie ball.
Note: These "rounds" are easier to make and are acceptable at all events where the public is unable to see the difference.
Template not to scale1 - Cut and roll paper as stated in steps 1, 2, 3, and 4, but with the exception of placing the flat end
of the former to your left with the tip about 3/8" from the left edge of the paper using the above
template.2 - A little at a time, fold the 3/8" extension of paper onto the end of the of the former, and glue into
place. Use as little glue as necessary to ensure the end is fully sealed with paper and glue.
3 - When glue begins to set, withdraw former. Do not allow paper to become glued to former.
4 - Allow glue to dry. Suggestion, make all the cylinders you plan to fill before proceeding to
the next step.5 - Using the funnel and measurer, pour 65 grains of powder into the upturned open end of the
cylinders. Be sure the powder settles evenly across the diameter of the cylinder. Suggestion,
fill all the cylinders you have made before proceeding to the next step.6 - Follow steps 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 to complete making the cartridge.
