Alan, it certainly does! The military took lots of care on these cartridges to make them very robust. They often remained in storage for months or years and had to survive repeated handling and long term jostling in cartridge pouches and saddle bags and still remain intact. That is why there are so many layers of paper and so tightly wrapped. Thanks!
Mean Gene, I agree. It is complicated and they are tedious to make. Keep in mind that these cartridges had to have a long shelf life, and stand up to the rigors of careless soldiers and being jostled around in cartridge boxes or saddle bags for days, or weeks while on active campaign. They had to be tough to last. I don't see these as being a convenience for modern, casual shooters. However, for those who would like period correct rounds for living history or displays, or simply for the gratification of doing it the way they did back in the day, this might be a fun project.
Would be something a Dragoon re-enactor would be interested in. Imagine doing that on horseback. Very talented Americans, and I am proud of them. Got a new member on the Black Powder rifle and Pistol page, New to to the hobby, I asked him to check out your website.
Great video,. Mark. Is there any documentation of soldiers (On the plains or in the Civil War) actually reloading their revolvers during a fight? It takes a long time and you could be under fire the whole time. I imagine that the Dragoon revolvers were issued in pairs and carried in pommel holsters. I have read that many Confederates would carry multiple pistols, to preclude having to reload. Thanks
I've read very few. Most fights were fast and violent with no real chance or need to quickly reload. The image of the CS troopers with multiple revolvers is mostly a myth. There was a sever shortage or revolvers in the CS Army. Many Cavalry troopers had none. I think some irregular troops, such as Quatrells men or other may have had multiples, but not in the regular army.
William, For some reason few of the reproduction revolver makers have accurately scaled the loading area on their revolvers. The Model 1851 .36s and the Cold Dragoons seem OK. But Pietta, Uberti and the now defunct ASM made the loading areas too small on their Model 1860 Armys. Perhaps they thought that everyone was going to use round balls only. Same for the Uberti Walkers. The old ASM Walkers are built correctly and will take a conical bullet.
Mark Hubbs thank you for the reply! Despite the non original features of replicas, I’m happy they’re available. With my revolvers, I often load with the cylinder out of the frame on a loading fixture. I’m about to try Kaido’s bullets in my 12” barreled steel framed colt army. I found a 1980’s ASM Walker. It is un-fired and in good condition. However, the cylinder and barrel are not blued. I think original walkers had blues barrels and un-blued cylinders. I’m considering buying it and am glad to see the loading area is the right size.
OMG! I like to shoot! Not make paper cartridges! Think I will just continue to shoot my Black-powder revolvers with measured loose powder from a flask and loose ball and felt wonder wads!
Authentic paper cartridges, of any kind, are just another layer of the historic aspect of a reproduction 19th century firearm. They will not necessarily provide more convenience. :)
Fascinating, Mark! Sure makes you appreciate modern cartidges!
Alan, it certainly does! The military took lots of care on these cartridges to make them very robust. They often remained in storage for months or years and had to survive repeated handling and long term jostling in cartridge pouches and saddle bags and still remain intact. That is why there are so many layers of paper and so tightly wrapped. Thanks!
Wow, seems like a really complicated system, but it's great history, thanks for another great video.
Mean Gene, I agree. It is complicated and they are tedious to make. Keep in mind that these cartridges had to have a long shelf life, and stand up to the rigors of careless soldiers and being jostled around in cartridge boxes or saddle bags for days, or weeks while on active campaign. They had to be tough to last. I don't see these as being a convenience for modern, casual shooters. However, for those who would like period correct rounds for living history or displays, or simply for the gratification of doing it the way they did back in the day, this might be a fun project.
nicely done, informative, and easy to follow along LIKED - see you in the field, on the march, or around the camp fire pards.
Would be something a Dragoon re-enactor would be interested in. Imagine doing that on horseback. Very talented Americans, and I am proud of them. Got a new member on the Black Powder rifle and Pistol page, New to to the hobby, I asked him to check out your website.
Great video,. Mark. Is there any documentation of soldiers (On the plains or in the Civil War) actually reloading their revolvers during a fight? It takes a long time and you could be under fire the whole time. I imagine that the Dragoon revolvers were issued in pairs and carried in pommel holsters. I have read that many Confederates would carry multiple pistols, to preclude having to reload. Thanks
I've read very few. Most fights were fast and violent with no real chance or need to quickly reload. The image of the CS troopers with multiple revolvers is mostly a myth. There was a sever shortage or revolvers in the CS Army. Many Cavalry troopers had none. I think some irregular troops, such as Quatrells men or other may have had multiples, but not in the regular army.
Great video! I love to see how it was done in the day. Why do the reproduction revolvers not have a large enough loading area?
William, For some reason few of the reproduction revolver makers have accurately scaled the loading area on their revolvers. The Model 1851 .36s and the Cold Dragoons seem OK. But Pietta, Uberti and the now defunct ASM made the loading areas too small on their Model 1860 Armys. Perhaps they thought that everyone was going to use round balls only. Same for the Uberti Walkers. The old ASM Walkers are built correctly and will take a conical bullet.
Mark Hubbs thank you for the reply! Despite the non original features of replicas, I’m happy they’re available. With my revolvers, I often load with the cylinder out of the frame on a loading fixture. I’m about to try Kaido’s bullets in my 12” barreled steel framed colt army. I found a 1980’s ASM Walker. It is un-fired and in good condition. However, the cylinder and barrel are not blued. I think original walkers had blues barrels and un-blued cylinders. I’m considering buying it and am glad to see the loading area is the right size.
awesome vid thank you
OMG! I like to shoot! Not make paper cartridges! Think I will just continue to shoot my Black-powder revolvers with measured loose powder from a flask and loose ball and felt wonder wads!
Authentic paper cartridges, of any kind, are just another layer of the historic aspect of a reproduction 19th century firearm. They will not necessarily provide more convenience. :)