For those of us that do not shoot muzzle loading black powder guns here is how they work; A rifle is loaded from the muzzle,(the shooty end) 
with a measured charge of black powder. The projectile is then inserted into the muzzle and rammed down tight onto the powder charges with ramrod. If a flintlock is the ignition source, the flashpan is then charged with a small amount of black powder and the rifle is ready to fire. If a percussion lock is the ignition source, then a cap (Small copper cup with a concussion-sensitive mixture) is placed on the nipple and the rifle is ready to fire. Revolvers are loaded the same way as the percussion rifle but the cylinder is loaded one at a time until all 6 are ready to go. Revolvers had built in ramming systems to press the projectile into place in the chamber.
The hunter or sport shooter would usually carry his powder in some kind of container and the bullets and caps in other containers. The soldier had a need for quick loading and firing a large amount of lead in a short time so other means of carrying his ammunition was devised. Cartriges were made of paper. The pre-measured powder charge was placed in the paper, and the projectile was added and the whole thing was wrapped up for easy loading. A soldier would tear open the paper and dump the powdet into the muzzle. The projectile was then unwrapped and rammed on down. This way a soldier, under fire and stress, would not have to fumble with loose powder and a powder measure while ducking incoming bullets and cavalry.
Some rifles were loaded through the breech and the paper cartriges was inserted whole. The paper of some of these cartriges was nitrated so it would be burned up when the rifle was fired. This was the same type used in revolvers. Later on, the powder charge was mixed with a colloidial ingrediant and glued on the back of the bullet making a paper-free combustible cartrige. This is a very short lesson, as there were so many types of these cartriges, but I hope you get the drift.
A lot of melted camp lead found with detectors is from soldiers discarding damaged paper cartriges into the fire. This is like the melted aluminum "Nuggets" we find around modern campfires where folks toss beer cans into the fire and watch them melt.
I found a bunch of pictures of these types of cartriges in an old American Rifleman magazine and though you might like to see them and learn a little more about what those dudes in the south are diggin' up.
[attachment 113794 papercart.1.jpg]
[attachment 113796 papercart.3.jpg]
[attachment 113795 papercart2.jpg]
I found these photos interesting. Very few paper cartriges are in existance because thery were very fragile and the powder and was corrosive to them as well. HH DC
with a measured charge of black powder. The projectile is then inserted into the muzzle and rammed down tight onto the powder charges with ramrod. If a flintlock is the ignition source, the flashpan is then charged with a small amount of black powder and the rifle is ready to fire. If a percussion lock is the ignition source, then a cap (Small copper cup with a concussion-sensitive mixture) is placed on the nipple and the rifle is ready to fire. Revolvers are loaded the same way as the percussion rifle but the cylinder is loaded one at a time until all 6 are ready to go. Revolvers had built in ramming systems to press the projectile into place in the chamber. The hunter or sport shooter would usually carry his powder in some kind of container and the bullets and caps in other containers. The soldier had a need for quick loading and firing a large amount of lead in a short time so other means of carrying his ammunition was devised. Cartriges were made of paper. The pre-measured powder charge was placed in the paper, and the projectile was added and the whole thing was wrapped up for easy loading. A soldier would tear open the paper and dump the powdet into the muzzle. The projectile was then unwrapped and rammed on down. This way a soldier, under fire and stress, would not have to fumble with loose powder and a powder measure while ducking incoming bullets and cavalry.
Some rifles were loaded through the breech and the paper cartriges was inserted whole. The paper of some of these cartriges was nitrated so it would be burned up when the rifle was fired. This was the same type used in revolvers. Later on, the powder charge was mixed with a colloidial ingrediant and glued on the back of the bullet making a paper-free combustible cartrige. This is a very short lesson, as there were so many types of these cartriges, but I hope you get the drift.
A lot of melted camp lead found with detectors is from soldiers discarding damaged paper cartriges into the fire. This is like the melted aluminum "Nuggets" we find around modern campfires where folks toss beer cans into the fire and watch them melt.
I found a bunch of pictures of these types of cartriges in an old American Rifleman magazine and though you might like to see them and learn a little more about what those dudes in the south are diggin' up.
[attachment 113794 papercart.1.jpg]
[attachment 113796 papercart.3.jpg]
[attachment 113795 papercart2.jpg]
I found these photos interesting. Very few paper cartriges are in existance because thery were very fragile and the powder and was corrosive to them as well. HH DC