[blackpowder bob]

OK, got the paper cartridges down pat. Now I want to move on to making linen cartridges for the Sharps. Googled for a week now, and still can't find any info on how to make these. Anyone have any info or a site that tells how these were made? No luck with the NSSA site. Can't register and unable to get a reply from the webmaster for the site.

[4v50 Gary]

I've read that waterglass is used as an adhesive and won't leave a residue. Never tried it myself. I would make paper cartridges with Zig-zag papers instead.

[BHP FAN]

Zig Zags are actually a little thin. Bugler or Top, doubled, side by side work really well in my .54 ''paper cutter''....

[Publius1688]

It looks like the linen was heavily starched:

LINEN CARTRIDGE - Combustible cartridges, usually for Civil War breechloading longarms such as the Sharps and Starr carbines and rifles. The powder was contained in a starched linen sack with a nitrated paper base, which was fastened to me bottom of the lead bullet.

[blackpowder bob]

For my paper cartridges I use onion paper soaked in potassium nitrate. Seal the seam and end with water glass. I get 12 or 13 cartridges per sheet.

[Tommygunn]

I've heard of waterglass, but I don't know what it is. Where can it be bought? Or must it be made?

[wittzo]

From what I've read here, you can make waterglass by dissolving a quantity of smokeless gunpowder (not blackpowder) in acetone. I can't remember what compound from the water has the mojo or how much of what..I reckon keep mixing in powder until it's not dark, then add acetone until it's clear again..Any excess acetone will evaporate off, leaving the adhesive. And keep it in a tightly sealed bottle so the acetone won't evaporate during storage. I do know that acetone will soften or eat through most plastics really quick, so use a glass bottle with a paper and wax seal.

[blackpowder bob]

Water glass is a sodium silicate solution. Got mine at a gun show. It doesn't have any smell to it. Never tried to make some. I read somewhere that the dealers that took in the cash for klunkers were suppose to drain the oil, fill with sodium silicate and run the engine till it seized up.

[Oyeboten]

'Waterglass' was also used to 'Fireproof' Wood or othe combustables...so...hmmmm...

'Sodium Silicate' -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_silicate


'Collodion' would probably be very good also, for Water-proofing and as an adhesive for Linnen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collodion


Anyway...there are many kinds and weights of 'Linen'...the lightest being very light and thin indeed...I'd expect un-bleached, and thinnest, would be what one would wish to find.