How To Roll Paper Cartridges For Civil War Reenacting

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of rolling paper cartridges for Civil War reenactments. Whether you're preparing for a battle reenactment or simply interested in historical accuracy, mastering this skill is essential. You'll learn the supplies needed and step-by-step instructions to create your own cartridges efficiently.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you start rolling cartridges, ensure you have all the necessary materials:

• Newsprint paper
• Powder flask containing 60 grains of 3F black powder
• A dowel (approximately 9 inches long with a half-inch diameter)
• Pre-cut blocks of wood (2x6 with 5 5/8 inch holes drilled in them for guiding paper cutting)
• Scissors

Practical Tips

• Make sure your work area is clean and safe, as you'll be handling black powder.
• Cut enough paper circles in advance to streamline the rolling process.

Step 2: Prepare the Paper

Using the wooden block as a guide, cut out multiple circles of newsprint paper. Here’s how:

1. Place the block on your work surface.
2. Trace around the block with a pencil to create the circle shape.
3. Cut out the circles, ensuring they are uniform in size for consistency.

Step 3: Roll the Cartridge

Now that you have your paper circles ready, follow these steps to roll a cartridge:

1. Take a paper circle and position it on the work surface.
2. Place the dowel at the bottom of the paper, leaving about a half-inch gap.
3. Roll the paper around the dowel to form a tube.
4. Once rolled, twist the end to secure it.
5. Insert the twisted end into the concave hole of the dowel to help maintain the shape.
6. Carefully pull the dowel out, leaving you with a rolled cartridge.

Step 4: Fill the Cartridge with Gunpowder

Filling your cartridge with gunpowder is crucial. Follow these steps:

1. Open the valve on your powder flask.
2. Cover the end with your finger and turn it upside down.
3. Release the valve to dispense 60 grains of gunpowder into the cartridge.
4. Repeat this process until you have filled several cartridges.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Ensure the valve is fully closed after filling to prevent spillage.
• Avoid overfilling the cartridge, as this can lead to issues when firing.

Step 5: Seal the Cartridge

To secure the powder within the cartridge, flatten the bottom where the gunpowder is located and fold the paper:

1. Pinch the bottom flat where the powder is.
2. Fold the paper over at a 90-degree angle.
3. Fold it again in the opposite direction.
4. Fold down the tip to seal it. Optionally, you can trim any excess paper for a neater appearance.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully rolled your own paper cartridges for Civil War reenactments. Remember to prepare a sufficient number of cartridges for your events, as you'll likely need many. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment. Happy reenacting!