T. Crosby
The pouches on Cowans have drilled blocks, indicative of paper cartridges for muskets. I don't know how well a pre patched ball works wrapped in paper, I guess its doable though. Perhaps the cloth patch was gathered up and tied off on ball top?
best kw
A patch was not used with the paper loads used with military muskets. Paper cartridge torn, powder poured down barrel, paper on top then ball or no paper. My thoughts were; if the ball came with a premeasured load wrapped in paper what is a horn needed for, priming or would a bit of the main charge be saved to prime OR did they self prime?
Then again were are talking the model 1803-19, .54cal and it was rifled with a patch box to carry precut patches. So wooden blocks would not be needed. I wonder what WAS in the bag/box. Balls/screw/wiper/tow/flints/pick/flint tool?
?
Should probably started a separate thread on this but we've come this far.
Tim
From:
Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States by Friedrich Wilhelm von
Steuben
VI. Handle- Cartridge! One motion.
Bring your right hand short round to your pouch, flapping it hard, seize the cartridge, and bring it with a quick motion to your mouth, bite the top off down to the powder, covering it instantly with your thumb, and bring the hand as low as the chin, with the elbow down.
VII. Prime! One motion.
Shake the powder into the pan, and covering the cartridge again, place the three last fingers behind the hammer, with the elbow up.
VIII. Shut- Pan! Two motions
1st. Shut your pan briskly, bringing down the elbow to the butt of the firelock, holding the cartridge fast in your hand.
2d. Turn the piece nimbly round before you to the loading position, with the lock to the front, and the muzzle at the height of the chin, bringing the right hand up under the muzzle; both feet being kept fast in this motion.
IX. Charge with Cartridge! Two motions.
1st. Turn up your hand and put the cartridge into the muzzle, shaking the powder into the barrel.
2d. Turning the stock a little towards you, place your right hand closed, with a quick and strong motion, upon the butt of the rammer, the thumb upwards, and the elbow down.
X. Draw- Rammer! Two motions.
1st. Draw your rammer with a quick motion half-out, seizing it instantly at the muzzle back-handed.
2d. Draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it into the muzzle.
XI. Ram down- Cartridge! One motion
Ram the cartridge well down the barrel, and instantly recovering and seizing the rammer back-handed by the middle, draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it as far as the lower pipe, placing at the same time the edge of the hand on the butt-end of the rammer, with the fingers extended
