[Chubbo]

Hi,
Does anyone out there know where I can find reproduction paper cartridge packs, for 1860 Army Colt pistols? I used to see them at gun shows, but not lately. I am going to buld a presintation case for my 1860 Army, fluted cyl. pistol. I have all the assessories & tools, including a detatchable stock, for this project, but would like to find a pack of the paper cartridges, they were called skins, I believe. Can anyone help me to find one?

Chubbo

[Nick96]

I knew such things were commonly available for rifles of the period - but not pistols. Metallic cartridges were available at about that time - and there were several companies around that were converting the 1852 & 1860 Colt & 1858 Remington C&B revolvers to use metallic cartridges.

Also, fluted cylinders for the 1860 Colt were rare. A few short barreled models were produced - but most were of the long barrel, smooth cylinder variety.

Perhaps this should be moved to the Black Powder Forum for more expert opinion.

[RON in PA]

Try Dixie Gun Works.

[Jim K]

Cartridges were made with the powder charge enclosed in foil as well as skin. Dixie has a book on making them, and I have made them using nitrated cigarette paper (not durable, but good enough for an afternoon at the range). I get funny looks from the "powder flask and round ball" types, as most have no idea what a cartridge looks like or that they were even used.

I have seen dummy cartridge packets (some without powder, some just empty) for display purposes, but can't find a source right now. They turn up at gun shows from time to time and at places that specialize in black powder revolver shooting and collecting.

An original unopened cartridge package will run around $200-350, so I assume that is not an option.

Jim

[Chubbo]

Thanks Jim,
You are right about the price of an origonal pack. I would even settle for one of the dummy packs. I used to see them at the gun shows, but now that I want to find one, I no longer see them.
About the instructions on how to make them, I don't want to shoot them, but only want to put them in the presentation case I am going to build. Most of the cases that I have seen, have them in the case. There are several pictures of cases, shown in the Colt Book by R L Wilson.
I guess I will have to keep looking at the gun shows, although, gun shows are getting fewer here in the Columbus, Ohio area. Columbus, and the state of Ohio is doing all they can to stop gun shows. I am almost ashamed to say that I am from Ohio.
Chubbo