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A
Primer on Cartridge Wrappers
by James E. Thomas
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During
the American Civil War, ammunition manufacturers packaged their
cartridges in a number of ways. The method of simply wrapping the
rounds in plain paper used at government arsenals was sufficient
for the relatively strong "regulation" paper cartridges.
However, the more fragile nature of combustible cartridge cases
developed and used during the war necessitated better packaging
to safeguard the contents. Below are the most commonly encountered
types of cartridge wrappers. A complete study of these wrappers
can be found in Percussion
Ammunition Packets: Union, Confederate & European, 1845-1888.
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Soft
bundled wrapping paper — This method was the most basic.
A number of cartridges wrapped in plain "hardware paper"
and tied. These bundles can be found totally unmarked or with the
contents listed. Of the latter, there were three ways they were
usually marked: hand written in ink; a preprinted label pasted to
the wrapper; the wrapper itself printed. This packing method was
used by U.S. and C.S. arsenals, Colt’s Cartridge Works, Elam
O. Potter, Hazard Powder Company, Johnston & Dow, Burnside Rifle
Manufacturing Company, Samuel Jackson, Eley Brothers and other European
sources.
Paper label covered wooden "lift top" —
A drilled wood block with a removable top. Preprinted labels covered
the entire block sealing the top and bottom. This method of packaging
was patented by E.K. Root in 1859 and was used only by Colt’s
Cartridge Works and only from 1859-1860. Another improvement patented
by Colt in 1859 was the use of a wire or string opener.
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Colt's
Revolving
Holster Pistol
Colt's Cartridge Works
US |
Colt's
Revolving
Holster Pistol
Colt's Cartridge Works
US |
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Paper
label covered "split" wooden block — A drilled
wood block split in two halves. Preprinted labels used to seal the
block, wire openers, packs covered in shellac to waterproof them.
Used only by Colt’s Cartridge Works. Produced from 1860 onward.
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Colt's
Revolving
Belt Pistol
Colt's Cartridge Works
US |
Paper
label covered "drilled" wooden block — A
drilled one-piece wood block. Preprinted labels used to seal the
block. Depending on the maker, some packs were shellaced to waterproof
them. This method was used by Broux’s Hartford Cartridge Manufacturing
Company, Chadwick’s Hartford Cartridge Works, Hazard Powder
Company, Leet & Hall, D.C. Sage, Sturtevant & Company, and
C.S. arsenals.
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Colt's
Army Revolver
D.C. Sage
(Hotchkiss Patent)
US |
Paper
label covered cardboard box — Cardboard box covered
and sealed with a preprinted label. Used by Chadwick’s Hartford
Cartridge Works, Johnston & Dow, Elam O. Potter, D.C. Sage,
Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, William Tibbals, B.C. English,
John Krider, Massachusetts Arms Company, Poultney & Trimble,
and U.S. arsenals.
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.577/.58
for Rifle Musket
Johnson and Dow
US |
Colt's
Army Revolver
St Louis Arsenal
US |
Union
Carbine
John P. Lovell Arms, Co.
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Army
Revolver
Watervliet Arsenal
US |
Cardboard
"matchbox" — Cardboard box with slide out
tray. Preprinted label pasted on the sleeve. Only two companies
used this packing method: Bartholow Cartridge Manufacturing Company
and Merrill Patent Fire Arm Manufacturing Company.
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Merrill's
Patent Carbine
The Merrill Patent Firearm
Manufacturing Company
US |
Tinned
metal container — A tin box or can with a printed label.
Used by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, Broux & Moll and
Eley Brothers.
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Colt's
Navy Revolver
Eley
Skin Cartridges
England |
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All
Photo Publication Rights Reserved
James E. Thomas/Thomas Publications
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