$K 7 PRESS SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY . NUMBER 11 Small KTMH Ammunition aemn ^ aHSOl *^NPerkeley R. Lewis FEB 6 1974 i/BRARIti SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS City of Washington 1972 SERIAL PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN I N S T I T U T I O N The emphasis upon publication as a means of diffusing knowledge was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry articulated a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge." This keynote of basic research has been adhered to over the years in the issuance of thousands of titles in serial publications under the Smithsonian imprint, commencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Annals of Flight Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Astrophysics Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology In these series, the Institution publishes original articles and monographs dealing with the research and collections of its several museums and offices and of pro? fessional colleagues at other institutions of learning. These papers report newly acquired facts, synoptic interpretations of data, or original theory in specialized fields. These publications are distributed by mailing lists to libraries, laboratories, and other interested institutions and specialists throughout the world. Individual copies may be obtained from the Smithsonian Institution Press as long as stocks are available. S. DILLON RIPLEY Secertary Smithsonian Institution COVER: Self-winding, breech-loading wheel lock gun with tubular steel cartridge (Augsburg, 1638). Bashford Dean Memorial Collection. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Colonel Berkeley R. Lewis died 21 February 1972. Any inquiries regarding the content of this publication may be directed to Mr. Craddock R. Goins, Division of Military History, National Museum of History and Technology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 Price $1.25 Stock Number 4700-0206 Contents Page Introduction 1 Chapter I: The Pioneers in Metallic Cartridges 3 Chapter 2: Ordnance at the Exposition 9 Chapter 3: Cabinet of Small-arms Ammunition 11 First Drawer: Paper Ammunition (Not Fixed) 12 Second Drawer: Paper Ammunition (Fixed) 13 Third Drawer: Transition and Patent Types (Fixed) 15 Fourth Drawer: Rim Primed and Miscellaneous 17 Fifth Drawer: Foreign and Sporting Cartridges 23 Sixth Drawer: Modification of Charge 24 Seventh Drawer: Modifications in Bullet and Lubricant 28 Eighth Drawer: Anvils and Cap-primed Cases 29 Ninth Drawer: Modification in Caliber (Reductions) 36 Tenth Drawer: Service Ammunition and Stages of Manufacture. . . 38 Chapter 4: Compiler's Comments 40 Service Ammunition, Rifle and Carbine, 1865-1876 40 Performance of Arms and Ammunition, 1865-1875 41 References 44 Glossary 45 Introduction As the hundredth anniversary of the independ? ence of the United States approached, extensive plans were made to celebrate that occasion by an International Exhibition to be held in 1876 in Philadelphia. A major consideration was the de? sire to show the world the technological develop ment which had put this country in the front in many aspects of design and production. The Civil War had provided a tremendous impetus to new inventions and methods in the field of arms and ammunition. T h e United States patent system, the War, and the expanding economy combined to pro? duce a spate of new ideas not achieved elsewhere at any time. T h e military forces of other countries had been interested observers during the Civil War, and thereafter moved rapidly to re-arm their troops with the newly devised breechloaders. The ideas for these, developed in this country, together with the know-how for their mass production, focused attention on the Centennial Exhibition. The big interest was military, but the expanding West assured firearms manufacturers a ready civilian mar? ket for new products. In 1866, all foreign govern? ments realized that they had to change from muzzle loading to breech loading firearms. Having many thousand stands of old muzzle loaders on hand their first immediate preoccupation was to convert these to breechloaders. Literally hundreds of ideas were proposed to make such conversions, usually ac? complished by cutting off a short piece at the breech, screwing on a new breech incorporating some sort of devise for opening and closing it easily and securely. Most of these systems were rather clumsy, not adaptable to multishot capability, and the resulting arms were at once obsolescent because of their large calibers. Some of these designs, how? ever, were very sound and have served for a long and useful duration, e.g., Remington rolling block, Sharps drop block, Peabody, Ballard, Morse. T h e last had features still used in most firearms, such as enclosed cartridge head, rebounding firing pin, and spring loaded hook extractors. In the ten year period 1866 to 1876, inventors had been very active in designing new systems not inhibited by having to start with an old gun. At the beginning of this period there were practically no standardized car? tridges. Paper cartridges with powder and ball had been satisfactory for muzzleloading weapons, but they were fragile and subject to damage from moisture. More seriously, they were not adaptable to breech? loaders, as they provided little or no seal for the joint between breech and barrel. Hence develop? ment of breechloaders and repeaters was directly tied to availability of suitable ammunition. De? signers of effective early breechloaders had to come up with a practical cartridge too. It is still a truism that design of a good weapon must be concurrent with that of its ammunition. The War Department display at the Centennial Exhibition was an important part of the material shown by the Executive Branch. Springfield Armory and the Frankford Arsenal each presented exhibits and actual sections of their shops in which visitors could watch rifles and ammunition being made. The ammunition production line of 19 machines constituted the first public display of automation as we now know it. In the official report on the Exhibition it was stated, " . . no place seemed to arrest more the attention of the people, nor to hold them longer in contemplation, than that occupied by this machinery." a ' T h e Ordnance Department, U.S. Army, at the Interna? tional Exhibition, 1876. 2 January 1877 letter of Lt. Col. S. C. Lyford, Representative of the War Dept. p. V. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 1884. SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY By 1876, design and production of small arms am? munition had been rather well formalized. Fur? ther improvements were to be in detail and in process refinements rather than in major concepts. Smokeless powder, not then available, would later extend the capability of the cartridge, but the me? chanical aspects had been worked out. Earlier breechloaders often used special cartridges not adaptable to any other arm. The field was wide open in the 1860s and many designers and inven? tors sought to devise a cartridge that would combine good ignition with a satisfactory seal at the breech. The National Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts, and Frankford Arsenal at Philadelphia worked in? tensively to these ends, concurrently devising ma? chines for producing the cartridges they needed. The Services constantly sought flatter trajectory, which required smaller calibers with longer cases in order to limit the recoil to acceptable limits. More powder produced the required higher veloc? ity, but the bullet then had to be smaller as the product of these two is involved in the recoil cal? culation. In order to draw the longer cases that were called for by the military requirements, draw? ing and annealing techniques had to be perfected. Often by the time a requirement was met, the Services again raised the performance level specified. Many of the ordnance officers and civilian em? ployees at the arsenal suggested new approaches, most of which they did not bother to patent. Often civilian inventors here and abroad saw and copied these designs and took out patents in their own names. Though the gun design field was nearly pre-empted by civilians, the opposite was true in cartridges. Frankford Arsenal led the world in de? sign and production of small arms ammunition. The Pioneers in Metallic Cartridges T h e term cartridge is used to mean a self-con? tained ammunition for breech-loading arms, with bullet or shot, propellent, and means of ignition conveniently combined in a case, usually metallic, which also serves as obturation for the breech open? ing. The origins of such cartridges are uncertain, as little has been recorded about them, and many of the basic patents, issued abroad, are relatively unknown in the United States. Extensive research on late 19th-century patent litigations left con? siderable doubt about the early cartridge patents, their claims, and especially their capabilities and effectiveness. Erroneous classification of small arms ammunition specimens as dangerous explosives led to the discarding of most of the collections entrusted to public institutions. Consequently little accurate historical information on ammunition development is conveniently available. The only published source on cartridge patents is the excellent digest of American, British, and French cartridge patents compiled in 1878 by Bart- lett and Gallatin of the U.S. Patent Office.2 In all three countries firearms and cartridges are classified separately, and cartridges for specific firearms are often described only in the corresponding firearms patent. The digest included cartridges shown in U.S. firearms patents, but only those listed among cartridge patents in England and France. American inventors apparently sought to protect their ideas by taking out patents abroad, but British and French inventors for some reason seldom bothered with patent protection here. Hence for lack of in? formation we often credit Americans with originat? ing inventions which were already patented abroad. T h e following discussion on early cartridge pat- 2Bartlett and Gallatin, Digest of Cartridge Patents. In? cluded in appendices 1, 2, and 3 of Lewis, "Small Arms and Ammunition in the United States Service." ents is based mainly on the Bartlett and Gallatin Digest, amplified by a study of some of the actual patent papers and contemporary publications con? cerning their implementation. It was common for a design not to actually perform as claimed by the patentee. Sometimes this was the result of a faulty idea, but often it was due to lack of technical pro? ficiency. As communications were often lacking, or at least slow, the ideas from abroad were either un? known or rendered obsolete by contemporary Amer? ican innovations. The knowledge of deep drawing for cartridge cases, however, was probably more advanced in Europe than here in the early days of metallic ammunition, due to the earlier avail? ability of breechloading shotguns, such as the Rob? ert and Le Faucheux. The cartridge (cartouche, cartrage) probably had its beginnings about 1550, when bandoleers were used to carry measured powder charges to speed loading and to avoid handling loose powder in the presence of the burning match. The charges were held in little cases of wood, strung on the ban? doleer (see plate la). Balls and priming powder were carried separately. By 1590 reference was made to ". . . cartrages with which musketeers charge their peeces both with powder and ball at one t ime." 3 In 1620 the army of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden was reported to carry measured powder charges in paper packets, which had the bullets attached.4 Though rifles and pistols continued to be loaded with loose ball predominantly, the use of the paper cartridge for muskets became quite general and persisted as long as muzzle loaders were in service. Early in this period, powder and ball were com? bined in metal cases, but these were really stiff (not 1 Smythe, Certain Discourses. 1 Deane, Deane's Manual. SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY obturating) auxiliary breeches, were not expend? able, and were generally limited to use in expensive custommade weapons (see frontispiece). Fulminates had been known long before their use as a means of igniting charges in firearms. Pepys Diary mentioned the subject under the date of 11 November 1663. The first patent granted for a detonating ignition system (British pat. no. 3032), however, was to the Scottish clergyman and inven? tor Alexander Forsyth, in 1807. The percussion cap was developed shortly thereafter and continued as the favored means of ignition, which, with minor changes and the perfection of self-contained me? tallic cartridges, evolved into the modern primer. An American patent on the percussion cap was granted to Joshua Shaw on 19 June 1822. He claimed in his U.S. patent application to have originated the idea in England in 1814, but the honor is disputed by British gunsmiths Egg, Hawker, and Purdey, and others. Possibly conflicts of these claims with Forsyth's basic patent had precluded a British patent for the percussion cap at that time. A French patent for it was granted to Prelat, a French gunmaker who sketched and described a percussion cap in his 1818 patent claim. The idea had probably emanated from England.5 In any case, Shaw was recognized in the United States as originator of the cap in a practical form and was retained by the Government to install a machine for their making and to assist in their test? ing at Frankford Arsenal. Hall carbines using Shaw's percussion caps had been introduced in 1834, but these caps were procured from commer? cial sources. By 1845 the U.S. Army was manufactur? ing caps on a large scale, having adopted the per? cussion system in 1842. When percussion ignition compositions were suc? cessfully adapted to guns in the early 19th century, the first sound approach to a satisfactory cartridge became feasible. The objectives were to combine all three elements?ignition, powder, and ball? into a unit, which would be sturdy and water re? pellent, and would provide an adequate breech seal. Gun designers, however, pursued the develop? ment of a breech seal, sacrificing the improvement of the internal system. Therefore, throughout the 1860s, otherwise excellent cartridges, employed ex? ternal ignition systems. On 12 September 1812 the Swiss inventor, Jo? hannes Samuel Pauly, obtained a French patent covering a centerfire, breechloading gun which used an obturating cartridge, for which he also re? ceived a British patent (no. 3833, under the name Samuel J. Pauly) in 1814, and another (no. 4026) in 1816. The latter two were novel in using com? pressed air to ignite the fulminate instead of a mechanical striker. Although "improvements" on Pauly's ideas were patented in France between 1816 and 1824, Pauly's invention was the first practical use of the new percussion ignition compounds, by incorporating them with powder and ball into a complete cartridge. The cases were of heavy brass, sealing the breech by a tapered head, like a rubber drain plug. The first of them (1812) used a "patch" of detonating compound or a pellet which was placed in a shallow recess in the head (plate lc). In 1814, he added a short percussion nipple, using a metallic cap (plate Id). His 1816 shot cartridge (plate le) had a brass head equipped with a hollow screw in its forward face. The charge and shot were placed in a paper cylinder having a hard wad in the base. A hole in this wad was perforated by the head screw, through which ignition passed.6 Another big step was the Galy-Cazalat cartridge (French pat. no. 3355 of 1826). A parchment case contained an inside centerfire primer in its base (plate If). An X-ray photograph (plate lg) shows the interior construction. This cartridge lacked only obturation and a means of extraction to be a com? plete cartridge in the modern sense. In 1829, Clement Pottet received French patent number 3930 covering a removable base, with a pocket for fulminate (plate Ih). It was probably derived from the Pauly patent but it also covered a percussion cap on a base nipple, which, with his improvement (French pat. no. 12746 of 1855), evolved into the modern shotgun shell. This last design used a cardboard case and metal head with reinforcing wad inside. The cap screwed into the wad, holding the unit together. An Englishman, G. H. Daw, obtained British patent number 203 in 1861 covering minor improvements in the ignition of the Pottet case. This design has been the guide in construction of shot shells ever since (plate 4e). The British Mark I Snider cartridge of 1867, (plate It) had the Pottet head, which was widely used in Europe during the period 1865-1880. An English patent (no. 6137) was granted to Au- 5Winant, Early Percussion Firearms, p. 48. "Reid, "Pauly, Gun Designer," p. 181. NUMBER 11 gustus Demondion in 1831 for a paper case with a detonating tube protruding from the rear, which was struck by a simple main-spring-hammer com? bination (plate l;).7 Another 1831 English patent (no. 6196), issued to Abraham A. Moser, describes a cartridge having a centerfire cap in its base. It was J. A. Robert's primed case (French pat. no. 8061), however, which eventually was developed into the rimfire by later omitting the composition from the center. This was done by Smith & Wesson, whose patented rimfire cartridge used a cardboard disk in the center of the base, thus restricting the priming composition to the rim. Since the priming is considerably more violent than the powder, mini? mizing the amount of priming used results in better control of the pressure generated in the cartridge. P. Lepage's 1832 French patent (no. 5468) was for a heavy-walled brass case with a centerfire primer on attached nipple (plate 2a). Like Pauly's, the case did not provide a seal by expanding, only a mechanical one at the base. Beringer's 1834 French patent (no. 8829) shows a nipple in a thick metal case, using a percussion cap (plate 2c). This was really a detachable breech, which included an idea for a removable base, and which he later (French patent no. 5545 of 1850) de? veloped into a partly closed metal tube with a metal-covered wad carrying a cap inside the base (plate 2b). In 1834, Danish army ordnance chief Voss intro? duced a breechloader with a metallic cartridge us? ing external ignition (plate 2d). The cartridge, though it had good obturation and was 25 years ahead of several types used during our Civil War, was not included in the exhibition of 1876. Le Faucheux patented a breech action in 1835, with its cartridge. This was a paper case with a thin brass head. A pin entering a small hole at one side of the head struck a percussion cap placed against the opposite interior surface. It was this pinfire cartridge that made the Le Faucheux gun the first good breechloader possible. This first pinfire, how? ever, had no internal reinforcing, just the pin with its cap, (the pin being held in place by a thin wire passing through the head), so that a heavy charge caused failure around the pin hole (plate 2e). T h e final form of the Le Faucheux cartridge was exten? sively used in revolvers by both sides in our Civil Greener, The Gun and its Development, p. 120. War. These types are described in the 1876 col? lection. Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse produced his needle- fire gun and its cartridge in 1827. He first used a round musket ball. After extensive tests, starting in 1836, Prussia ordered 60,000 von Dreyse rifles for field tests in 1841. They were made in secret at von Dreyse's Sommerda plant. The system was standard? ized for all Prussian infantry in 1848 (plate 2/) and remained in use until the Mauser was adopted in 1871.8 The loose-fitting bullet is carried by a pressed paper sabot which takes the rifling. The sabot base has a pocket for fulminate which is fired by the long needle-like firing pin, passing through the powder charge. The von Dreyse needle gun was the first military breechloader using a complete cartridge, which was shown in the 1876 collection. In 1841 John Hanson and W. Golden obtained British patent number 9129 for a charged bullet, with fulminate in a base cavity. It was also designed with a small case attached to a ball, loaded only with fulminate or with both fulminate and powder. The same idea was included by Parisian inventor Flobert in his breechloader French patent (no. 8618) of 1849. This well-known action used the bulleted breech cap, a simple copper case, round ball, and fulminate priming sufficient to send the ball a short distance. This was really just a bullet stuck into a large percussion cap. An example of the Flobert-type cartridge of European origin is shown in plate 2a. It is characterized by absence of a distinct rim at the base, the cartridge not being positively positioned in the chamber by the rim, but only wedged in place by the taper. In 1846, Professor Shonbein, a Swiss, introduced guncotton as a propellant for small arms ammuni? tion, taking out a U.S. patent that year. Extensive experiments to determine safety factors and means for controlling the burning rate were conducted by Baron von Lenk, an Austrian. Some of his cartridges (plate 2h) which used finely braided material to slow burning were tested by the United States Army. These were the first clean burning smokeless cartridges. However an inadvertent double charge would burst the barrel, so they were not adopted. Houllier's French patent (no. 1936) of 1846 was an improvement on the Le Faucheux pinfire, re? inforcing the head, and putting the cap in a re? cessed base washer. Houllier included in his patent "Weygand, "Die Technische Emtwickelung," p. 40. SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY claims copper or brass cases, with pin, rim, or cen? terfire priming. He also used thin copper or brass for the case to provide obturation. Thus just about all the basic requirements of a self-contained car? tridge were patented by 1846, though actual produc? tion was limited by drawing techniques of making larger cases. Chaudun's 1847 patent (no. 3801) for further pin? fire improvements (plate 2i) was specifically de? signed for use in the Le Faucheux and Robert guns. One of his ideas was a hinged trap-door affair in the head to insert the cap, a small flash-hole enter? ing the case from this compartment (plate 2/). Being a British citizen facilitated obtaining a British patent. Thus American inventors sometimes got a Britisher to act as patentee, their agent, or assignee. Sometimes the U.S. patent took longer, so the British one had an earlier date. Another 1847 British patent (no. 11994) was granted to Stephen Taylor for a hollow bullet filled with powder, covered by a perforated cap (plate 2m). It is the same as an 1848 U.S. patent number 5699 issued to Walter Hunt. It is believed that Taylor, who filed the British patent, was an assignee of Hunt's. Lenoir obtained French patent number 4088 in 1849, covering a horizontal inside pinfire cartridge (plate 2k). The pin struck a cap placed against the bullet base, thereby providing a solid anvil against which to hit the primer. This idea was resurrected in the United States about 20 years later in Frank? ford Arsenal experiments on ignition, but was considered impractical. The paper or fibre base did not provide an adequate seal. In 1850, Joseph Needham patented (British pat. no. 14227) a double-barrel hammerless shotgun, us? ing a special needle-fire cartridge (plate 3a). The paper combustible case had two wads in its base enclosing the cap, and reinforced by a zinc anvil. The firing pin entered a hole in the rear of the wad assembly. The unconsumed base was pushed for? ward by the next cartridge and became the top wad. Needham's gun was the first of its class, but the cartridges were expensive, could not be re? loaded, and leaked into the action enough to cause trouble by fouling.9 In 1852 Charles Lancaster of England introduced another hammerless double-barrel shotgun, with a special "gastight" cartridge.10 This was a drawn Greener, op. cit., p. 136 (footnote 7). ?Ibid, p. 139. copper tube with closed base, thickened at the edge to form a rim, and thin in the center. Inside center? fire priming was held in place by a perforated disk, crimped into the rim (plate 3b). This cartridge was not reloadable, hence expensive to use. Another British 1852 patent was that of Robert Adams, which covered a copper shell case, closed with paper and cover, and having the bullet stuck onto it by an integral lead rivet which also posi? tioned a felt wad. This was for a percussion re? volver with its usual external priming. The car? tridge was not loaded into a chamber but was really only a convenient way to carry components, reminiscent of the old matchlock bandoleers (plate 2n). W. W. Marston had an 1852 U.S. patent (no. 8956) for which obturation was provided by means of a leather base washer in a paper case, using ex? ternal priming. These sealed the breech effectively, and the washer, being pushed ahead of the next load, cleaned the bore. The washer, however, was not moisture proof. Marston made a series of pistols, rifles, and muskets, using this type cartridge (plate 2o). The "Volcanic" cartridge used in the well-known repeating firearms made by Smith & Wesson had its origin abroad. Charles Fusnot of Brussels won a first prize at the Belgian Exhibition in 1847 for his self-contained cartridge. A cavity in the base of the bullet held powder, sealed by a small disk carrying the detonating compound. This same idea was patented in France in 1854 (no. 10698) by Gaupillat (plate 3c). Smith & Wesson received an American patent (no. 11496) in 1854, which described a copper case with a metal disk inside, holding the priming com? position which was fired by a central striker. This was intended for use in their Volcanic arms, but never worked properly because of ignition uncer? tainty. Like the Flobert, it had no well-defined flange, just tapered a little under the head, wedging into the chamber when fired. Its pellet of priming inside the head rested on an anvil supported only by the powder. This combination obviously would cause misfires. Writing to the patent examiners in 1860, Oliver Winchester said that he had never been able to make the "improvements" of the Smith & Wesson's 1854 patent work reliably, but had used a hollow ball instead, and engaged Tyler Henry to work up a better cartridge. Smith & Wesson's NUMBER 11 1856 patent (no. 14147) described the "hollow ball" ammunition, as actually used in their Volcanic line of guns (plate Sd-e). It was a loaded ball with a base cavity containing powder and primer. T h e priming, consisting of fulminate on a cork-covered steel disk, formed the base seal.11 The Smith & Wesson 1860 patent (no. 27933) covered a satis? factory rimfire cartridge about as we know it today. It had a straight case and a definite flange for the first time in the United States, though essentially the same as Houllier's 1846 patent. Smith & Wesson used it in the Number 1 (caliber .22) revolvers which they started to manufacture in 1857. A fea? ture peculiar to this cartridge was the perforated- paper base wad, which restricted the priming mix? ture to the rim of the case. T h e example shown in plate 3; is for the caliber .54 old model Ballard carbine, used during the American Civil War. An external characteristic of most cartridges made by Smith & Wesson, or under their patent, is a slightly dished unmarked head. This shape was thought to help distribute the priming composition. Otherwise the bullet and case resembled the familiar caliber .22 cartridge. Maynard's 1856 patent (no. 15141) was for one of the first successful U.S. cartridges using a metallic case and external ignition.12 Tha t illustrated in plate 3/ is the original patent type. Another 1856 U.S. patent (no. 15996) covered George A. Morse's metallic centerfire cartridges. The common version had a rubber disk in the base, surrounding a cap held on a hairpin-shaped anvil which soldered to the case walls. In March 1858 he recorded two other cartridge patents, numbers 20214 (plate $g) and 20727 (plate Si). Though not included in his patent drawings, his caveat filed with them mentioned a centerfire cartridge without the rubber gasket, using only the cap for obtura? tion. Plate Sh shows an intermediate type, with solid head. Thus Morse held the basic U.S. patent on features of the modern centerfire cartridge i.e., flexible metal case, crimped-in bullet, and a primer pocket in the head to receive a percussion cap, it? self sealing the primer opening. His system for a breechloader using his ammunition was adopted by the U.S. Government in September 1858 as the best available method for converting muzzleloaders to breechloaders. Trial rifles and ammunition were 11 Lewis, "The Volcanic Arms." 12 Lewis, "Maynard Arms and Ammo.'' made, and arrangements were begun at Harpers Ferry Armory to convert rifles by the Morse method, but the start of the war and loss of the armory pre? vented completion of the work. His ideas, which included the rebounding firing pin, spring-loaded double-claw extractors, and other features generally found in subsequent rifles, were far ahead of his time.13 Gilbert Smith's 1857 U.S. patent (no. 17702) cov? ered a rubber cartridge case, with external priming. This was used early in the Civil War in the caliber .50 Smith carbines (plate 4a). As usable cartridges were not readily available, inventors of gun mechanisms often had to design their own, usually favoring the gun design by mak? ing a cartridge which nowdays has a weird appear? ance. Their main preoccupation must have been to make the gun design at the expense of cartridge design. Such an unconventional cartridge was covered by H. Genhart's U.S. patent no. 16477, in 1857. It was for a revolver with horizontal wheel-like cylinder, in which the cartridges were loaded from the front and arranged like spokes. T h e cartridge has a metal priming tube protruding from the rear being the only American-patented cartridge of the de? tonator type (plate 4b)?like the Demondion of 1831. The Mahlon J. Gallager and Gladding cartridge (U.S. pat. no. 24730 of 1859) was another odd one, also patented in connection with a gun mechanism? the Schubarth conversion. T h e bulbous case con? tains an internal pinfire arrangement which is struck from the upper surface of the case, using die bottom as an anvil (plate 3c). George P. Foster's 1860 U.S. patent (no. 27791) added a grease-retaining ring to the cartridge used in the Burnside carbine, this being the first to put the grease inside the case (plate Sd). This served a double purpose. Besides helping seal the junction of breechblock and barrel, it put the grease, needed to keep the black powder fouling soft, under cover. Older bullets had been lubricated externally with a rather heavy beeswax-tallow mixture, which picked up all the dirt and sand in the vicinity when carried loose in the soldier's pocket. This is prob? ably the first really long case to have been made out of drawn brass. Evidently it worked well. In 1863 a patent (no. 40978) was granted to Silas 18 Lewis, "Morse Arms and Ammunition." 8 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY Crispin, a U.S. Ordnance officer. It covered a case made of wrapped thin sheet metal, or metal and paper, externally primed. He assigned his patent rights to Thomas Poultney of Baltimore, whose name is better known. Cartridges of this type were used during the Civil War in large number, in Smith, Maynard, Burnside, and Gallager carbines. T h e Burnside version is shown in plate Sf. An 1866 English patent (no. 2711, patentee un? known) mentions a "base recessed for extraction." It seems to be the same idea incorporated in U.S. patent number 123,622 in 1872 (plate 3/) granted to G. H. Dupee. English patent number 2628 of 1865 and U.S. patent number 57269 of 1866 cover J. H. Selwyn's idea for putt ing a centerfire cap in a tapered car? tridge. Plate Sg shows it applied to the Burnside cartridge. Colonel G. M. Boxer's British patent number 167 of 1866 (U.S. pat. no. 91818 of 1869) covers a wrapped case of metal and paper, with a base cup attached to a base disk by a hollow rivet which forms the primer pocket. It was the type adopted by the British in caliber .577 for the Snider arms, being manufactured initially at the Royal Labora? tory at Woolwich, where Colonel Boxer was Super? intendent. This cartridge incorporates several fea? tures of the 1863 Crispin patent (see above). A Snider Mark II cartridge is shown in plate Ah. Hiram Berdan's U.S. patent number 53388 of 1866 describes a metallic cartridge having an out? side centerfire primer recessed into the head. T h e primer pocket is an integral part of the case, the bottom of the pocket being bumped up to form an anvil. This cartridge was featured in the production of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company (UMC) for many years and it is still the principal type used in Europe. Boxer's primer, which carries its anvil in the primer itself, has been the favorite in the United States though the loose anvil requires an extra handling of small metal parts which are sub? ject to loss or can be improperly positioned. Pre? occupation with ease of decapping for reloading ap? pears to have been the explanation of why this country dropped Berdan's superior American in? vention and adopted a foreign one. T h e original Berdan case had its flash hole off center, which made aligning a decapping punch quite difficult. They were later made with center flash hole but as currently produced usually have multiple holes, so the problem still exists of readily punching out the fired primer. Plate 4? shows a Berdan cartridge, that for the caliber .58 converted musket, which is typical of the UMC production of the period 1868? 1880. T h e profusion of ideas in the cartridge field in the years 1855-1875 has never been equaled since. T h e Frankford Arsenal cartridge collection pre? pared for the Centennial Exposition offers a unique coverage of that important period. Besides the great number of designs made and tested at Frank? ford and Springfield it includes the principal types made abroad as well as commercial types, both military and sporting, made in this country. At that time, patents were considered of secondary irrf- portance to getting the job done. But they had im? portant bearings on the story, both as to sources of ideas, and compensation to the holders. Sometimes the Ordnance Department purchased patented car? tridges whose basic idea had originated in Govern? ment shops. Ordnance at the Exposition Participation by the Executive departments of the Government in the Philadelphia Centennial Ex? hibition originated in 1873, when the Centennial committee on classification asked various Govern? ment officials for suggestions regarding the scope and nature of the exhibits. T h e Chief of Ordnance urged that a separate display be made of the na? tion's war materials. This suggestion was forwarded to President Grant with the committee's added thought that there be a collective exhibit of all the Executive departments. The proposal met with ap? proval and an Executive order was issued on 23 January 1874, directing that a Board be appointed on behalf of the several Departments and the Smith? sonian Institution, to prepare, arrange, and display articles pertaining to each. The Ordnance repre? sentative, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel S. C. Lyford, also represented the War Department, and the Pres? ident designated him as chairman. Plate 5 shows the Government exhibition building, still in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. T h e Ordnance display, prepared under the direc? tion of 1st Lieutenant Henry Metcalfe assisted by 1st Lieutenant C. W. Whipple, was arranged ac? cording to the following classifications: (a) cannon and carriages; (b) cannon ammunition; (c) small arms; (d) small-arm ammunition; (e) equipment leatherwork, etc.; (f) machinery; (g) miscellaneous. In connection with the ammunition display, a typi? cal manufacturing line of metallic cartridge ma? chinery (plate 6) was moved from daily use at Frank? ford Arsenal, along with skilled operators, both men and women, and placed in full operation. This demonstration was of great general interest and was the prime attraction in the Government building. This assembly line was in actual cartridge produc? tion during the Exhibition. Visitors received small souvenir boxes (plate 7a) containing a set of pieces showing the stages of manufacture of the standard .45-70 cartridge, with inside cup priming. The box contained a blank, five draw pieces, trimmed case, headed case, and primed case, as well as a primer- cup draw piece, an indented cup, and bullet. T h e souvenir cartridges were made in blank and in ball types (plate 7b), and had a special marking on the head, consisting of the dates 1776-1876, plus the initials USO (United States Ordnance) in mono? gram. Starting in 1877 the Frankford Arsenal regularly used cartridge headstamps to show origin, type, and date of manufacture. Thus, F R 4 77 indicated manufacture at Frankford Arsenal, of a rifle load, in April 1877. The R designating a rifle load was necessary because both rifle and carbine cartridges were then using the same size case, varying only in powder charge and bullet. In later years the letter R indicated "rifle anneal," i.e., hard and springy to facilitate extraction in bolt-action rifles. Softer brass was used for machine guns to minimize case rupture. One of the most interesting machines on display was the loader, which had been designed and built by Jabez H. Gill, Superintendent of small-arms am? munition manufacture at Frankford Arsenal. Com? mon practice of the "plate-loading" process then used, involved several operations. T h e Gill loader performed all the operations on a single machine, with perfect safety. T h e priming, tapering, and other special cartridge machines had also been de? signed by Mr. Gill. The items for the small-arms ammunition display at the Exhibition had been prepared under the di? rection of Captain William Prince at Frankford Arsenal. It included a cabinet with ten drawers of specimens?467 items?as well as several display boards which showed the progressive stages of manu- 10 facture of standard cartridges: die 1-inch Gatling, calibers .45 and .50 rifle, and caliber .45 revolver. Two variant types were included?the caliber .45 rifle cartridge as made by the U.S. Cartridge Com? pany of Lowell, Massachusetts, and the Rodman- Crispin wrapped brass cartridge which had been made experimentally at Frankford Arsenal. Following the 1876 Exhibition, the Frankford cartridge collection was retained at the Arsenal and displayed from time to time. After being shown at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1892-1893 the collection was placed, with other historical ma? terial, in a small museum at Frankford Arsenal. At the beginning of World War II, space was at a premium at the Arsenal, and the basement of SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY building number 40 (now the Post library) which housed the Museum, had to be cleared for other purposes. Colonel George A. Miller, Jr., then in charge of small-arms ammunition manufacture at Frankford, saw the boards and drawers of cartridge specimens piled on push carts, ready to be sent to the scrap yard. Recognizing the historical importance of this material, he had it diverted to one of the Ammunition Department buildings, and arranged to have it checked, re-arranged, and cataloged. The collection was retained in the custody of the Small Arms Ammunition Department until 1958, when it was sent to the Smithsonian Institution by Colonel Berkeley R. Lewis. Cabinet of Small-arms Ammunition Prepared at the Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, the first two drawers of this collection contained combustible cartridges, that is, their cases were made of paper, nitro-cellulose, skin, or other membrane. For use in service, some were loaded intact, others had to be broken apart and the contents loaded separately. With the latter, the enclosing paper was at times discarded, or often used as wadding be? tween powder and ball, or on top of the ball. T h e last procedure was required with the older, round- ball load for the smooth-bore musket. Because of the large clearance between ball and barrel that was needed to permit facile loading when the bore was fouled from shooting, the ball was so loose at the start of an engagement that it would roll right out if the muzzle were depressed. Hence the in? structions were to ram the paper cartridge remains down atop the ball, or for lack of anything else to use a wisp of hay or grass. The third drawer contained transition cartridges, some of paper, others with foil or solid metal cases, provided with external priming. Some of them were the combustible type, with the powder charge en? cased in collodion, membrane, or shellac. The pa? per, compressed powder, and skin of these 100-year- old specimens has become very dry and brittle. When the collection was renovated in 1940, there were only enough intact specimens to fill two of the first three drawers. The specimens were con? solidated and rearranged to occupy the first and third drawers of the series, the second being dis? carded. As the original second drawer has since been lo? cated, the remaining specimens have been restored to their original positions, leaving some spaces blank. Specimens missing from the original display are indicated by an asterisk (*) after the Frankford Arsenal Collection number and are illustrated, wherever possible, by similar examples. T h e com? plete original catalog descriptions of all specimens are given,14 amplified by measurements or other de? tails of available specimens in cases where this would help identification. Bullet diameters, for the most part, are the nominal or bore diameters of the arms involved. Measurements in parenthesis are actual bullet di? ameters, when available. In general, muzzleloaders used bullets somewhat smaller than the bore and breechloaders a little larger. Weights given are specifications from contemporary Ordnance man? uals, with which few specimens will agree exactly, either with these weights or with other specimens from the same lot. U p to five grains variation may be expected. L = length in inches. 11 References to Ordnance Memorandum 14 have been left out and these details incorporated in the descriptions. Those to Frankford Arsenal Ammunition Test numbers have been omitted, as there is no record of these tests. See Metcalfe, Lt. Henry, The Ordnance Department US. Army at the In? ternational Exhibition (Washington, D.C: Government Print? ing Office, 1884). 11 12 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY First Drawer: Paper Ammunition (Not Fixed) No. Name or Arm 1 Round ball for U.S. musket, Ml842. L 2.2 2 Buck (3) & ball, Ml842. L 2.4 3 Buckshot, Ml842. L 2.8 4 Round ball for U.S. rifle, M1841. L 2.6 5* Round ball for U.S. rifle, Ml842. L 2.0 (This was probably a cartridge for the M1819 or Ml827 pistols, which used this load, not regulation after 1834). See plate 22a. 6* Round ball for "Savage" belt pistol (This is evidently a mix-up. There is no known Sav? age pistol of this caliber. T h e round was probably for one of the early flintlock pistols, such as Harpers Ferry or 1808 contract mod? els. Specimen missing. 7* Blank for rifle musket. L 1.2 (about) (No speci? men available for photo.) 8* Elongated ball for U.S. musket, Ml842. L 2.9 (Mefford's subcaliber ball) 9 Elongated ball for Austrian rifle musket (Civil War purchase). L 2.3 10 Elongated ball for Belgian rifle musket (Civil War purchase). L 2.5 11 Elongated ball for U.S. rifle musket. L 2.3 12 Same. L 2.2 13 Elongated ball for Springfield rifle musket, 1863. L 2.5 14 Elongated ball for Springfield and Enfield rifles. L 2.5 15 Same. 16 Same, with William's type I bullet. L 2.4 (A patented bullet with concave zinc washer under a base plug. Expanded and cleaned the bore when fired.) 17 Same, type II. L 2.25 18 Elongated ball for Enfield, English manufac? ture. L 3.0 (Originally listed for Springfield also, but much too small.) Bore (R: rifle) (S: smooth) s s s R s Powder (grains) 110 110 110 75 60 Buiiei Diameter (inches) .69(.65) .69(.65) .31(12 shot) .54(.525) .54(.525) t Weight (grains) 412 550 552 220 220 R R R R R 65 60 50 60 65 60 .50 .577 .57 .57 .57 .568 200 s s R R R R R 60 110 75 70 80 80 60 .58 .69 .71 .70 .69(.685) .69(.685) .58 ? 420 685 765 730 640 480 495 530 565 465 530 NUMBER 11 13 No. Name or Arm 19 Elongated ball for U.S. rifle, Ml841. 20 Same. 21 Elongated ball for Greene's B.L. rifle (Distinct by having bullet reversed in cartridge?base to front apparently. The cartridge was loaded with bullet to the rear however, a loose bullet being inserted ahead. T h e rear bullet acted as a seal and was pushed forward by the next cartridge.) L 2.5 22 Elongated ball for U.S. pistol Ml842. (Use of elongated bullets in pistols prior to the cali? ber .58 Ml855 has not been noted. Round shown is Ml842, with round ball, charge 35 grains.) L 1.55 22ASame, but M1836, with L 1.65 23 Elongated ball for U.S. pistol-carbine, Ml855. L 1.9 24 Elongated ball for Colt's Army revolver, Ml848. L 2.00 (For Dragoon, yellow paper.) 25 Elongated ball for Colt's Navy revolver, Ml851. L 1.6 Bore (R: rifle) (S: smooth) R R R Powder (grains) 60 60 70 JBUU Diameter (inches) .54(525) .52 .54 et Weight (grains) 570 455 410 30 .54(.525) 410 S R R R 55 40 25 15 .54(.525) .58 .44 .36 220 450 260 150 Second Drawer: Paper Ammunition (Fixed) 26* Merrill, for rifle musket, Ml842. L 2.6 27* Merrill, for rifled musketoon. L 2.3 28* Merrill, for Springfield rifle musket. 29* Merrill, for Merrill rifle. L 2.38 30 Merrill, for Merrill carbine. L .64 31 Merrill, for Merrill carbine, U.S. make. L 1.65 32 Sharps, for Sharps rifle, caliber .54. L 1.83 33 Sharps, for Sharps rifle, caliber .45. L 2.9 34 Sharps, for Sharps rifle, caliber .40. 35* Sharps, for Sharps carbine. L 2.375 36 Colt's, for Colt's revolving rifle. L 2.0 37* Colt's, for revolving pistol-carbine. 38 Colt's, for Colt's Army revolver. R R R R R R R R R R R R R 60 50 50 50 40 40 60 70 45 55 45 20 17 .69 .69 .58 .56 .56 .56 .55 .47 .41 .52 .56 .44 .44 720 715 455 425 420 420 465 260 170 450 490 260 205 14 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY Bullet No. Name or Arm 39 Colt's, for Colt's Navy revolver. 40* Savage revolver, Navy. 41* Inserted paper for Springfield rifle musket. ("Inserted paper" the cartridge made under Gardner's Confederate patent at Richmond and Fayetteville. T h e bullet base was incised around the edge, the paper cartridge tube in? serted, then swaged in place. The specimen bearing this number has its bullet enclosed in the paper in the conventional way; how? ever, cartridges have been reported like this, enclosing a Gardner bullet. T h e charge shown is low for a Union cartridge.) 42* Hall's rifle 43* Chadwick's for Mississippi rifle, etc. (Specimen missing?Robert Chadwick of New York City made some combustible case revolver car? tridges as well as for caliber .58 rifle.) 44* Gardiner's shell for Springfield rifle musket. (A hollow, explosive-filled lead bullet, fired by a powder-train fuse in its base.) L 2.1 45* Rebel, inserted paper for Enfield rifle, etc. (This is the usual Gardner's patent cartridge as mentioned under No. 41.) L 2.3 46* Shaler's three-piece sectional bullet. (The three pieces nested together and fired as one with buckshot effect.) L 2.5 Guncotton, paper 47 Johnson 8c Dow's combustible paper for Spring? field rifle. L 2.0 48 Same, for Enfield rifle. L 1.81 49* Same, for Sharps' carbine. L 2.06 50* Same, for Army revolver. L L75 51* Same, for Navy revolver. 52 Linen and paper for Sharps' carbine. L 2.06 53 Same, for Starr's carbine. L 1.96 54 Same, for Union carbine. L 1.63 Powder (grains) 12 10 55 Diameter (inches) .36 .36 .58 Weight (grains) 135 150 475 40 50 60 70 55 60 .54(.525) .54 .58 .577 .58 .58 395 420 450 500 610 500 60 50 25 17 60 50 40 .574 .52 .44 .36 .52 .54 .54 480 445 240 150 450 430 390 NUMBER 11 15 Third Drawer: Transition and Patent Types (Fixed) Bullet No. Name or Arm 55* Hazard, compressed for R.M. 1842 56 Same, for Springfield R.M. L 1.82 57 Same, William's ball. L 1.70 58 Same, for Colt's rifle. L 1.85 59 Same, for U.S. rifle, Ml841. L 2.045 60 Same, for Sharps' carbine. L 1.845 61 Same, Army revolver. L 1.3 62 Same, Navy revolver. L 1.19 63* Hayes' patent for rifle. L 2.5 (Skin, reinforced with crisscrossed thread, and enclosed in pa? per tube with cloth tear strip.) (Figure 63 is cal. .57.) 64 Same, for Army revolver. L 1.1 65 Same, for Navy revolver. L 1.63 (Case marked: Capt. M. Hayes RN patent, skin cartridge, manufactured by Broux & Moll, London.) 66 Hotchkiss compressed for Army revolver. L 1.5 67 Same, for Navy revolver. L 1.4 68 Same, for Requa Battery. (Billinghurst 8c Requa volley gun. Specimen shown is Hazard-type, believed for Hall's carbine, or perhaps Sharps rifle.) 69 Same, for Savage Navy revolver. L 1.42 70* Bartholow's patent, compressed for Ml842 smoothbore musket. No specimen. 71* Same, for RM, Ml842, conical ball. L 1.88 Description Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Collodion varnish Skin wrapped Powder (grains) 70 60 60 55 70 50 25 21 60 Diameter (inches) .69 .577 .57 .57 .54 .52 .44 .36 .54 Weight (grains) 745 490 465 480 450 450 210 140 410 Skin wrapped Skin wrapped Skin wrapped Skin wrapped ? 22 17 22 17 65 .44 .36 .44 .36 .54 205 150 210 150 390 Skin Silk and shellac Silk and shellac 10 65 70 .36 .69 150 500 750 16 No. SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY Bullet Name or Arm 72 Same, for Springfield RM. L 1.75 73* Same, for Army revolver. L 1.34 74* Same, for Navy revolver. L 1.09 75 Smith's rubber case for Smith carbine. L 2.00, case 1.47 76 Poultney's foil for Smith's carbine. L 1.75, case 1.34 (straight seam) 77 Same, diagonal seam. L 2.0, case 1.44 78 "Same, small chamber." (This specimen ap? pears to be the cartridge for Gallager's car? bine. Diagonal seam. L 2.12, case 1.69.) Re? cess in drawer would not fit a normal Smith cartridge. 79 Poultney's foil for Burnside carbine. L 1.87 to 1.90 80 Same, for Maynard's carbine. Straight seam. L 1.69, case 1.19 81 Same, for Gallager's carbine. Straight seam. L 2.12, case 1.69 82 Same, with soldered foil case. L 1.925, case 1.619 83 Jackson's patent, tinned iron case, for Gallager's carbine. L 2.66, case 1.619 84 Gallager's carbine, paper-lined. L 2.02, case 1.692 85 Same, without paper liner. (Has more pointed bullet. Case has rounder base, with smaller diameter concavity.) L 2.087, case 1.692 86 Maynard, for Maynard carbine. (A number were made at Frankford Arsenal in 1860, with 40-grain charge and 343-grain bullet. The cases were tinned. An experimental type was made on special machines in 1865. This had a longer case, with front lubrication.) Description Silk and shellac Silk and shellac Silk and shellac Powder (grains) 65 20 14 Diameter (inches) .58 .44 .36 Weight (grains) 490 260 140 Rubber Foil inside of paper Foil inside of paper Foil inside of paper Brass case Brass case Brass case 40 .50 40 .50(.52) 40 .50(.52) 40 .50 Foil and paper 40 .54(.56) Foil and paper 40 .50(.52) Foil and paper 60 .50(.52) Foil 60 .50 Paper over tin 55 .50(.52) 60 .50 60 .50 40 .50(.52) 380 380 380 380 370 330 440 410 430 435 435 340 NUMBER 11 17 Bullet No. Name or Arm Description 87 Burnside, for Burnside carbine. (Has more Brass case conical vent than usual. Some also made at Frankford in 1860, with 45-grain charge and 400-grain bullet tinned cases.) 88 Berdan sporting, 1865. (Hexagonal paper case Paper; brass to match twist of bore. Hole in head for ex- base ternal ignition.) 89 Guncotton, Austrian (Baron von Lenk's de- Woven velopment. Woven to control burning rate; guncotton stick to assure proper chamber space.) For photo see plate 2h. 90* Same, but without "button." (Small projection Woven on bullet nose.) guncotton 91 Barlow guncotton paper. (Nitrated purple pa- Rolled paper per wrapped to form cartridge.) charge Powder Diameter (grains) (inches) 48 20 28 40 .54(.56) .55 .54 .58 .57 Weight (grains) 380 410 526 540 Fourth Drawer: Rim Primed and Miscellaneous Rather uniform lack of identifying markings or other characteristics on the cartridges of this period requires that detailed measurements of some items be given, in addition to the obvious distinctions evident through photographs, sketches, or verbal descriptions. Even so, a few cannot be distinguished except by dissection or an x-ray photograph. As the extra details will only interest the researcher, they will be condensed as much as possible and given at the end of the description of each cartridge. T h e following code will be used throughout: O over-all length in inches C case length R rim diameter H head diameter N neck diameter, where pertinent M mouth diameter B bullet diameter, at point of greatest size acces? sible In connection with bullet diameter note that the caliber first mentioned in the description is the nominal one, as stated in the original text of the collection catalog. This is presumed to be the bore diameter of the weapon, but in practice this often varied considerably from the measured bore. Many of the specimens have their bullets crimped into the case in such a manner that the largest diameter of the tapering bullet is covered by the case mouth. When possible, the largest part of the bullet has been measured. In other cases, the diameter listed will be at the case mouth or largest exposed di? ameter. Section I: Caliber .50, Service Musket Size No. 92 93 94 95 Description Poultney (Crispin) foil. Brass foil with iron head and separate brass primer pocket in? serted, clinching the reinforcing wad. 0-2.293, C-1.850. [Figure 1.] Poultney (Crispin) foil. Zinc foil with iron head and separate brass pocket inserted, but not clinching the wad. Otherwise like No. 92. [Figure 1A.] Poultney (Crispin) foil. Brass foil with brass base in one piece with impressed pocket. [Figure 2.] Hotchkiss solid head, by Winchester. Primer pocket is pressed up from interior of base, enclosing small anvil of various patterns. Similar cartridges made at Frankford Ar? senal in November 1868. [Figure 3.] 1(92) 4(96) 8(101) 12(105) 1A(93) 2(94) 3(95) tf 0 6(99) 9(102) 7(100) 11(104) 13(106) 14(107) lltrrnn. fff/itifPi Q 17(119) 15(109) 16(118) FKUU8 1-17. NUMBER 11 19 No. Description 96 Hotchkiss solid head reloader. Pocket and Berdan-type return anvil pressed up from solid head. Base rounded at outer edge, square at inner. [Figure 4.] 97 Remington Martin-primed copper Service car? tridge, made in 1872 for the field trials of the Remington rifles then being tested by the Army. These Martin cartridges as made by different plants vary only in minor de? tails. T h e Remington version has the re? entrant fold under the head, smaller primer cavity leaving more open space around the but ton at head end, and larger flat at bul? let nose. Internally, the anvil is a notched copper disk. 0-2.211, C-1.782, R-.670, H-.573, M-.537, B-.493. [Figure 5.] 98 Remington, 1874. Brass case with Berdan- type folded head. Reinforcing cup on bind? er's board wad around pocket. 0-2.211, C-1.782, R-.670, H-.573, M-.539, B-.498. 99 Winchester (Millbank) primer. Thick folded flange. The primer is a flanged percussion cap inserted in a pocket without anvil. The primer is copper. 0-2.279, C-1.779, H-.658. [Figure 6.] 100 United States Cartridge Company. Solid head copper case, inside-primed in a pocket pressed up from solid metal of the base, the walls of the pocket then closed down on the priming, forming an anvil. Cast bul? let. This specimen has the headstamp char? acteristic of the Meigs' patent cartridges? "U.S. Cartridge Co., Lowell, Mass. Pat 'd" plus " JM" in monogram. The last are the initials of Josiah V. Meigs, the patentee, who was superintendent of the U.S. Car? tridge Company plant. [Figure 7.] 101 U.S. Cartridge Company. Solid head brass case, with outside priming, using Farring- ton's patent "improved" primer (slightly dished surface). Shallow primer pocket without anvil; smooth flat head. O-2.240, C-1.764, R-.663. [Figure 8.] 102 U.S. Cartridge Company. Solid head, outside primed, as furnished on order for 2,000,000 of 24 November 1873. Differs from No. 101 in the base being convex and thicker, and the bullet longer, with deeper cannelures. 0-2.358, C-1.776, R-.669. [Figure 9.] No. Description 103 Union Cartridge Company (Martin primed). Tested 2 November 1871. Single-fold rim, with copper-bar anvil. Bullet has rounder ogive than other Martin-type cartridges. 0-2.286, C-1.761, R-.664, H-.560, M-.534, B-.513. [Figure 10.] 104 Berdan, early form, brass, slightly necked case, with folded flange and shallow outside pocket. The burr of the pierced vent forms the anvil. Inside cup reinforce. Typical Berdan head as made by UMC. Flat- nosed bullet, flat .175 diameter. O-2.360, C-1.748, R-.675, H-.565, M-.535, B-.515. [Figure 11.] 105 Union Cartridge Company (Berdan-type), as furnished on order for 2,500,000 of 2 April and 24 November 1873. Reinforcing ring and return nipple anvil of the Berdan sys? tem. Bullet flat, .134 diameter. 0-2.233, C-1.753, R-.652, H-.560, M-.541, B-.510. [Figure 12.] Section II: Miscellaneous Center Primed Musket and Carbine Cartridges No. Description 106 Early form of Berdan patent for .57 caliber. Inserted, thick brass, outside primer pocket, with flash hole and projecting burr off center. Copper case with flat head and flat- nosed bullet, flat .308. 0-1.684, C-1.225, R-.647, B-.600. [Figure 13.] 107 Brass case, Berdan type, caliber .57, with shal? low impressed primer pocket. Burr of vent forms the anvil. Flat-nosed bullet; flat .308. O-1.704, C-1.340, R-.730, H-.648, B-.605. [Figure 14.] 108 Caliber .44, Berdan type, with bottleneck brass case. Impressed shallow primer pocket, closed with primed disk; paper-patched bul? let. 0-2.383, C-1.689, R-.653, H-.517, N-.515, M-.450, B-.443. 109 Berdan type, made by Union Cartridge Com? pany for Russian government. Caliber .42, charge 77 grains black powder, 375-grain bullet, paper patched. Bottleneck brass case with typical UMC Berdan head. O-2.908, C-2.257, R-.632, H-.517, N-.515, M-.450, B-.443. [Figure 15.] 20 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. Description 110 Ward Burton caliber .45, Berdan type, made by Union Cartridge Company. Load 85 grains powder, 400 grain bullet, paper patched. 1872 tests. 0-2.318, C-1.796, R-.755, H-.658, N-.612, M-.481, B-.462. 111 Ernest's caliber .45 rifle, Berdan type, by Union Cartridge Company. Charge 52 grains, bullet 290 grains, paper patched. 1872 tests. Slightly bottlenecked brass case. 0-2.148, R-.639, H-.518, N-.507, M-.482, B-.476. 112 Mead's explosive bullet cartridge, as used in 1874 Gatling gun tests. Service cartridge di? mensions. Mead's patent, 10 December 1872, with fulminate charged capsule (cal. .22 car? tridge less bullet) inserted in nose. Case like No. 104, with four pierced flash holes. 113 Remington cartridge for Navy carbine, Model 1868. Inside-primed with iron cup, indents .264 from base. Readily confused with Frankford Arsenal cup-primed cadet car? tridge, No. 451. 0-1.753, C-1.320, R-.640. H-.559, M-.541, B-.543. 114 United States Cartridge Company, made for Navy. Solid head with Farrington's im? proved primer. Front lubrication (case covers bullet) otherwise Service case. Space in front of bullet filled with lubricant. C-2.235, R-.665, H-.567, M-.538. 115 Winchester solid head, slightly bottlenecked case, with very thick head and rim. Outside primed, with cruciform anvil, large center flash hole. Paper patched bullet. O-2.850, C-2.260, R-.635, H-.518, N-.497, M-.464, B-.442. 116 Morse's arch anvil, made for Navy, 1860. Morse patent No. 20,214 of 1858. The Army Ordnance Department made extensive tests and adopted the Morse system for convert? ing muzzle-loaders to breechloaders. Only a few were so altered, however, before the Civil War delayed further work on modern? izing for several years. The muskets con? verted to use the Morse cartridge at Spring? field were caliber .69, a few rifles also being converted in caliber .54. These last were No. Description never tested but remained at the Armory. The caliber .69 Morse cartridges for the Army were made on contract (Muzzy), but it is likely that the smaller size was made at Frankford Arsenal to familiarize them with making metallic cartridges. There are two unexplained facets of this Morse pro? duction. First, no other mention has ever been noted of Navy interest in Morse. Sec? ond, the common Morse cartridge in collec? tions is the caliber .58 size, tinned, said to have come from a case of them found years ago at Springfield Armory. Tinning was the Frankford practice in 1860, but the car? tridge in the collection and that shown in Ordnance Memorandum 14 is the caliber .54. This has a bronze case, the anvil being of flat stock instead of the round wire found in other Morse cartridges. The thin rim is a flattened fold in contrast to the usual simple rim. It also uses a revolver cap, whereas the Army in using the Morse sys? tem insisted that the standard musket cap be used. No Morse arm has been mentioned that used a caliber .58 cartridge, though it was then the standard United States caliber. 0-1.984, C-1.505, R-.687, H-.578, M-.575, B-.542. 117* Bolt anvil, cap perforating an India-rubber base, like Morse's. (This specimen is now missing from the collection. It may have been the caliber .58 Morse, illustrated, which fits the inlet in this drawer.) 118 Williams' caliber .45 rifle, having his patented bore-cleaning bullet with base plug and zinc washer on its rear. The copper case has an inside disk anvil, crimped into the flange. Superficially it resembles a rim? fire cartridge. 0-1.925, C-1.612, R-.583, H-.503, M-.480, B-.450. [Figure 16.] 119 Spiral-wrapped off-white paper case, with fiber base and outside metal pocket for cap and anvil. Cap and base protected by a metal? lic cover (now missing) that forms the flange. Copper cap in zinc primer pocket. C-2.205, B-.450. [Figure 17.] NUMBER 11 21 Section III: Rimfire Musket and Carbine Cartridges No. Description 120 Caliber .58, for Allen's alteration of Spring? field rifle musket. Rimfire, copper case, with 60 grains of powder and 500-grain bullet having small flat tip. Made at Springfield Armory in 1865 and marked on head ".58 CAL." Small radial marks on the head were made by the fixture which spun the cases to distribute the priming composition in the rim. O-1.705, C-1.208, R-.711, H-.633, M-.622, B-.600. [Figure 18.] 121 Caliber .50, straight case rimfire; made in 1865 at Springfield Armory. Powder 60 grains, bullet 400 grains; head stamped "50 CAL." Three long crimps .500 from case mouth and .224 apart. 0-1.893, C-1.472, R-.642, H-.560, M-.512, B-.520. [Figure 19.] 122 Caliber .50, bottleneck rimfire case, made in May 1866 at Springfield Armory. Charge 65 grains, bullet 480 grains. Marked same as no. 121. O-2.095, C-1.333, R-.658, H-.569, N-.565, M-.538, B-.520. [Figure 20.] 123 Caliber .45 straight rimfire case, made in May 1866 at Springfield; one of Col. Laidley's experiments. Marked "45 CAL." Charge 65 grains, bullet 480 grains. 0-2.939, C-1.829, R-.571, H-.498, M-.475, B-.473. [Figure 21.] 124 Caliber .45, bottle-shaped rimfire case, same series as no. 123. Charge 70 grains, bullet 480 grains. Marked "45 CAL." 0-2.451, C-1.574, R-.619, H-.534, N-.530, M-.488, B-.459. [Figure 22.] 125 Caliber .44 straight rimfire case, same series, experiment no. 2,1865-66. Charge 45 grains, bullet 500 grains. O-2.507, C-1.409, R-.506, H-.453, M-.456, B-.459. No. Description 126 Caliber .44, bottle-shaped rimfire case, same series, experiment no. 4,1865-66. Charge 45 grains, bullet 350 grains. O-2.022, C-1.138, R-.572, H-.518, N-.518, M-.477, B-.475. 127 Similar, experiment no. 5,1865-66. Charge 40 grains, bullet 300 grains. O-1.710, C-1.010, R-.600, H-.518, N-.517, M-.477, B-.475. 128 Similar, experiment no. 6,1865-66. Charge 40 grains, bullet 350 grains. 0-1.712, C-.880, R-.648, H-.565, N-.564, M-.460, B-.470. 129 Same as last, except 300-grain bullet. 0-1.575. 130 Caliber .50 straight rimfire case, same series, no. 8. Charge 55 grains, bullet 500 grains. G-2.159, C-1.238, R-.590, H-.502, M-.527, B-.519. 131 Spencer no. 56, caliber .56-56 rimfire, car? bine cartridge. About 50,000 made at Frank? ford 1865-66. Charge 40 grains, bullet 450 grains. O-1.680, C-.910, R-.629, H-.555, M-.554, B-.550. Note that this cartridge en? try refers to Ordnance Memorandum no. 14 in which a different cartridge is shown for the FA Spencer?one with longer case and most of the bullet covered, resembling the usual .56-50 Spencer. Two specimens marked " F A " are like no. 131, however, and several cartridges said to have been given to W. C. Dodge at Frankford as samples of their manufacture appear to be identical. The caliber .50 carbine (Spencer and oth? ers) cartridge was made experimentally at Springfield Armory in 1865. 132 Spencer .56-50, made by Leet 8c Company, 1865. Tested April 1870. Charge 40 grains, bullet 395 grains. Three crimps, .375 from 18(120) 19(121) 20(122) FIGURES 18-22. 21(123) 22(124) 22 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. 133 134 135 136 Description mouth and .320 apart. 0-1.617, C-1.15, R-.642, H-.550, M-.516, B-.506. Spencer .56-56, made by Smith 8c Wesson, 1865. Charge 40 grains, bullet 440 grains. Small flat on bullet nose, with center bullet band wider than in other makes. 0-1.641, C-.902, R-.646, H-.563, M-.562, B-.546. [I believe this specimen was made by Crit? tenden, Tibballs 8c Co., not by Smith 8c Wesson. The source of error may stem from its being cited under the license and labels of "Smith Sc Wesson patent."] Caliber .52 for Sharps and Hankins rifle, as made by Leet Sc Company, 1865. Charge 55 grains, bullet 460 grains, with round nose, two exposed grooves, and linen patch, se? cured by boss on bullet base. 0-1.754, C-1.154, R-.651, H-.557, M-.554, B-.543. Caliber .44, for Ballard's carbine, made by Smith 8c Wesson in 1865. Charge-25 grains, bullet 205 grains. 0-1.534, C-.969, R-.505, H-.432, B-.440. Note: some of these are "heel" bullets, the reduced part fitting in? side the case mouth, and the larger part being greater in diameter than the case. Caliber .44, for Henry carbine, by New Haven Arms Company, 1864. Headstamp a raised "H." Charge 30 grains, bullet 210 grains. 0-1.374, C-.830, R-.515, H-.443, M-.442, B-.455. Section IV: Pistol Cartridges No. Description 137 Inside cap, bolt anvil, single arch, caliber .44. This is for the French Perrin revolver, which was purchased by the U.S. during the Civil War. The nominal size is 11 mm (.438); case length .59. [Figure 23.] 138 Inside cap, bolt anvil, double arch, caliber .44. This is another French revolver car? tridge, for the 12mm (.450) Rafael, also used in the Civil War. No rim or groove on case. Case length .53. [Figure 24.] 139 Outside cap, solid base, caliber .44. This is F. Alexander Theur's patent for the first alteration of Colt's Army revolver, Model 1860. Front loading was made necessary by the Rollin White patent, controlled by Smith 8c Wesson. Specimen no. 382 is an inside, cup-primed version of this same cartridge. [Figure 25.] 140 Outside cap, center flange, caliber .36. This is for the centerfire Crispin revolver. 141 Outside cap, front flanged, caliber .30, front loading. This revolver cartridge has a primer resembling I. M. Milbank's. [Figure 26.] 142 Outside cap, square-end case, caliber .36, ex? posed nipple. A Martin-primed revolver cartridge now occupies this space. (A car- 23(137) 24(138) 25(139) 26(141) 27(148) FIGURES 23-27. NUMBER 11 23 No. Description tridge which answers this description is for J. V. Meigs' magazine pistol, caliber .36. L-1.535, C-1.393, straight case .438, no rim, with steel-insert head, having a steel nipple.) 143 Teat primed, caliber .44 spheroidal base, front lubricated, front flanged. Made under D. Williamson's 1864 patent, No. 41183. This is for the National caliber .45 front-loading revolver. C-1.520, H-.473. 144 Teat primed, caliber .36, similar, except flat? tened teat. Made by National Arms Com? pany, New York, in 1860. C-1.520, H-.329. 145 Similar, with round teat. C-1.268, H-.330. 146 Cup primed, caliber .40, no flange, concave No. Description base, front lubricated. Made under the Ellis 8c White 1859 patent, No. 24726. For Plant's and other caliber .36 revolvers. C-1.118, H-.413. 147 Similar, but caliber .30, front flanged. C-.930, H-.305. 148 Rim primed, caliber .24, no flange, solid base, front lubricated. An unknown front-loading cartridge, probably made under the Ellis 8c White patent, for the system known as cup priming. C-.900, H-.270. [Figure 27.] 149 Rim primed, caliber .30, center flange, sphe? roidal base. This is the caliber .31 Crispin cartridge. Fifth Drawer: Foreign and Sporting Cartridges No. Description 150 English Boxer Snider, caliber .577; parts and stages of manufacture, showing sealed front cavity in bullet. This is the Mark VII cartridge. 151 Assembled round, from components of No. 150, caliber .577, Mark VII Snider. Case usually identified by a single black band, as is the Mark VI, which has the wooden nose plug of bullet exposed. 152 English Boxer Henry (forerunner of the Mar? tini Henry) caliber .45. Long foil and paper case, with 360-degree cannelure .555 from mouth. Paper-patched 1.283", 480-grain bul? let. This case proved too fragile in Service tests. 0-3.247. 153 Same, foil only; bullet 1.265". 154 English Boxer Henry, caliber .45 (Martini Henry). Bottle-shaped foil case. Charge 85 grains, bullet 484 grains. Tested by Small Arms Caliber Board in 1872, being No. 51 of their report. Cupped wad under bullet. The Mark II cartridge. 155 Similar, shortened, as made by Eley Brothers, for the Martini Henry caliber .45 carbine. The Mark I carbine cartridge. 156 French Chassepot paper cartridge (more often made of paper and silk), caliber .43 (11-mm). Charge 74 grains, bullet 388 grains. The cap is covered by a thin metal disk, in turn No. Description enclosed in the paper base. Used in the Franco-Prussian War of 1872. 157 French mitrailleuse, pasteboard with Pottet- type metal head. About caliber .50. Powder 180 grains, bullet 750 grains. The charge is compressed in six short cylinders. There was also a multiple ball load. 158 Prussian needle gun, M1872; paper; cylinder choked in front of bullet which is egg- shaped and carried in a compressed paper sabot. This sabot contains the cap in its base. Charge 74 grains, bullet 325 grains. O-2.20. 159 Same, but with explosive bullet having a per? cussion element in front. Charge 70 grains, bullet 431 grains, this cartridge has yellow? ish paper and is about .125 longer than the ball round; 0-2.33 from base to tie string. 160 Prussian new metallic; solid base, flange simi? lar to Berdan type, with the powder space extending to the rear of flange. Paper- patched 438-grain bullet with round nose. This is the Ml871 Mauser cartridge. That for Ml871/84 had a flat-nosed bullet. [Fig? ure 28.] 161 Russian, made in Russia; phosphor bronze case (reddish); with Berdan anvil. Charge about 80 grains, bullet about 375 grains, patched. Lubricant at first a disk on bullet base. 0-2.958, C-2.260. 24 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY 28(160) 29(163) 30(164) 31(165) FIGURES 28-31. No. Description 162 Same, by Union Cartridge Company. Brass case, caliber .42. Charge 77 grains, bullet 373 grains, paper-patched, with lubricant disk on base and also dipped. 0-2.978, C-2.256. 163 Austrian "Werndl," copper case; copper an? nular anvil in outside pocket, caliber about .44 (11.36-mm). Charge 65 grains, bullet 318 grains. Fired by Small Arms Caliber Board in 1872, and No. 53 of their report. 0-2.396, C-1.643 (41.34-mm). Head marked "iv 1870 GR." [Figure 29.] 164 Dutch Beaumont rifle musket, caliber .45 (11.4-mm). Solid brass head, pocket cap, and anvil. Anvil has protruding extension through flash hole to use in knocking out the fired cap for repriming. Powder 68 grains, bullet 337 grains, caliber board test No. 31. O-2.407, C-2.004 (50.9-mm), B-.455 (11.6-mm). [Figure 30.] 165 Dutch carbine, caliber .45 (11.4-mm). Brass case with folded head and reinforcing cup; anvil similar to No. 164. Charge 50 grains, bullet 337 grains, with one wide and one thin cannelure. O-2.260, C-1.750 (44.5-mm). [Figure 31.] 166 Swiss, caliber .41, copper cased rimfire car- No. Description tridge, as first used in the Milbank-Amsler conversion of small-bore Swiss muzzle-load? ing rifles, M1863/67. Later used in the bolt- action Vetterli rifle. Charge 60 grains, bullet 312 grains. Caliber Board No. 52. Head marking "T." O-2.200, C-1.498, R-.613, H-.536, N-.512, M-.434, B-.430 (10.9-mm). 167 Berdan sporting, for shot; return pocket and anvil, center flash hole plus four punctures, cap primed. Brass case, without head mark? ing. Made by U.S. Cartridge Company. 168 Eley sporting, for shot. Pocket and anvil, cap primed. Pasteboard, with metal base. No. 12 ( = 12 gauge). 169 Same, but No. 20 ( = 20 gauge). 170 Same, except Le Faucheux (pinfire) priming; No. 10 ( = 10 gauge). 171 Leet sporting, for shot. Pocket and anvil, cap primed. Pasteboard, reinforced with metal? lic foil near metal base. Marked "c. D. LEET, SPRINGFIELD, MASS." 172 Same except pinfire. 173 Same as No. 171, except whole case reinforced with brass foil, plus 7/8-inch cardboard cup at base. 174 Le Faucheux (pinfire) pistol cartridges, three calibers. Sixth Drawer: Modification of Charge Caliber .50 Cartridges During the period when most of these cartridges were being developed, the tendency was toward ever decreasing calibers and higher velocities. Un? der these circumstances, the length of the powder charge became a critical matter. As it was of greatest importance to diminish the length of the powder NUMBER 11 25 column, both to facilitate manufacture and to as? sure uniform ignition, extensive experiments were conducted at Frankford Arsenal. I t had already been established that compressing the powder col? umn would not give satisfactory ignition unless a central hole or some other means was provided to get the flash of the primer to the powder uniformly and rapidly. Tests were made to determine the ef? fect of different degrees and kinds of compression, as well as the best method of perforating the charge. Because dense and light musket powders were found to act differently, two makes, Hazard's (densest and most highly glazed) and Oriental (lightest and dull? est), were selected and prepared. DuPont's rifle powder was tried in one series. It appeared that the depth to which compression penetrated diminished rapidly, hence the final cylinder of powder was densest next to the end where movement had been applied. Three systems of compression were tried, cylin? ders compressed from the rear, from the front, and from both ends. Two ignition systems were com? pared, first a cylindrical hole entirely through the powder, of about 0.25 of-an-inch at its base, and second, a hole extending about nine-tenths of the powder length from the rear. This means of igni? tion, investigated by Ordnance, had also been tried by Colonel G. M. Boxer in his Snider cartridge (see p. 8). T h e exterior of the compressed powder had to conform to that of the cartridge case with enough clearance to allow for manufacturing variables. With this clearance allowance and the hole, enough powder space was wasted so that considerable com? pression was required just to equal the old loose charge. As the two types of powder compressed dif? ferently, adjustment was made in the cavity to equalize density. Charges were diminished by tenths of an inch, from 1.17 inch, the Service length, to 0.87 inch. Oriental powder being that used in the Service cartridge, was used for the first series of tests. Hazard's was used in the second, eliminating from the second series the fourth degree of com? pression, that having been found of no value in the first series. It was found that compressed powder gave more uniform velocities, compression at both ends being preferred. T h e perforated charge was the best. Though some advantage was found with compressed charges, the expected reduction of length did not materialize, as the perforation and clearance used tip most of the space saved. Pressures and velocities both increased with compression, the former at a considerably higher rate. Considering these disad? vantages and the added trouble in loading, the compressed charge idea was dropped. T h e British government, in 1888, used a compressed perforated charge of black powder in its first caliber .303 car? tridge, in an attempt to attain maximum perform? ance in a rather small case. Availability of newly developed smokeless powders made further efforts with black powder futile. Pressure for these tests was determined by the Rodman pressure plug, the breech mechanism being tapped on the upper surface, about in the center, to receive the pressure piston fixture (Figure 32). Each cartridge intended for pressure test had a round opening in its side, temporarily covered with paper. This came opposite the opening of the pres? sure apparatus in the top of the chamber, the car? tridge requiring indexing in loading. With the earlier rimfire cartridges, this opening was made concentrically in the base of the case. Then the piston was in prolongation of the bore to the rear, in a solid housing which replaced the breech mechanism. In this arrangement it was nec? essary to unscrew the breech to load, then screw it up again. This system was very troublesome when using a fixed rest, while taking both pressure and velocity from the same shot. But the most serious objection was that it could not be used with center? fire ammunition. In the sixth drawer, the first four specimens (nos. 175-178) are small bottles of the powder types used, Oriental, Hazard, and DuPont musket powder, and DuPont rifle powder, each protected by a cartridge case. The last five cartridges (nos. 240-244) show "patent" powders submitted by Sleeper and Gomez. Of these, numbers 240-243 vary only in the size of the charge; 15, 20, 25, and 30 grains respectively. The remaining space is taken up by cardboard wads. Number 244 is loaded with Gomez' "iron powder," in 20-grain pills. These were detonating, or very fast powders, placed between rolls of paper strip or with some other sort of arrangement to delay burning. These were tried in Europe but not adopted, as a small overload would burst the gun. In the main series of cartridges (nos. 179-227), the only practical differences that can be observed are the method of priming and the case lengths. There is a perceptible difference in the appearance 26 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY PRESSURE 5, SERVICE GUN mB CARTRIDGE. J/w ctJt/tlitatfflii Of t/vb c%ed*usi*v AuuuW qciMrtV to aw ^ t e i a / a A CHUL acc&yureta&'nb *fWl> />ufat> 2>, AtfttA' 2! a?uO Ct-h/w. au*0 $tu& yUafiJ T' n?ct ?. c/ aae, o/w& 2 ca r**uO ~?t /uwen^ t&L e&ca/a fijf c -fa Qq,uau> incA>)': tfii> -totou, #f 0UJ /U>6O uv OMJO awAiauUfOj to etc Tnadts Z&wc -6y. Co 4/uclaJL afwattiW, a*uL &ur tyuvduL. te rfu 4idt> fif" oAou ftutvnt t/w MCaJw Of &W. CAO /te/uiKb /ttuttb Coit ic ot&rmetL c/ tfW Qats it Ol&ntfreL to Itcahb cut mu jk**ttt ^c4 itcfv **" Aa/wi> id j)a*ifrcLi into wi> Ca*c ~tc fiuvtwh tnu Acrusdlt/ jfuwc jfalfcnq tko^; tnl> C4un*?> u cetvittrtb nt t/w tuurvi 4n*mito; 77U- aan, /eru& WJb /uetmi M cupziiut ZfW -xhuto 2! vnfo ftm CefyiMj fltriLv F -ma4:/t4*p a- aot; //ii &u?> anA Co/ifot cidj, Atrvunf/cti U & evtaz&kv*, 7yutfn*ub a*i?V & Cerr&^isHdtiui C?J~ of &a.usi? &pt*itfu ct /M'tctdf m 77W ?ar>iv Cofyut/. dytiarrtt *f olo akoO Qem, a ma<)(jvu/u of W.000 JwiwUla OvitL ou &ijni fit /2,O00 tfe. ctvta^v /3.OO01&. I P U t R S , PHOTO-UTHOOflAPHCn. WASHINQTON, 0 C FIGURE 32. NUMBER 11 27 of the compressed powder, the dense Hazard pow? der retaining its granular appearance under com? pression, whereas the Oriental powder broke up considerably, with an appreciable proportion re? duced to dust. This, however, is believed to be of only academic interest. Seven different case lengths and seven corresponding powder cylinder lengths (all 70 grains) are involved in numbers 179 to 227, all of them centerfire, inside-primed copper cases, with tinned-iron cup anvil. Thus there are really only seven distinct varieties identifiable as complete rounds, and one of these is the standard Service- length cartridge, varying only in the compressed charge inside. This form of charge can be detected in an x-ray photograph. The tests of compressed powder for the main series were reported on 28 March 1870. The next series of specimens, numbers 228 to 239, are copper rimfire cartridges, loaded with powder having var? ious degrees of compression. These have all been prepared for pressure tests by having a .375-inch hole made in the base, and covered with paper be? fore loading. There are two series of six different case lengths each, varying only in the powder granulation. No. Description 179-182 Loaded with Oriental powder, perforated and compressed from the front. Powder lengths 1.17, 1.07, .97, and .87 inches, and case lengths 1.75, 1.65, 1.55, and 1.45 inches respectively. [Figure 33.] 183-186 Same as last, but compressed from the rear; same lengths. 187-190 Same, but compressed from both ends; same lengths. 191-194 Oriental powder, with conical rear cavity, compressed from front; same lengths. [Figure 34.] No. Description 195-198 Same as last, but compressed from rear cavity, same lengths. 199-202 Same, but compressed from both ends; same lengths. 203-205 Hazard's powder, perforated, and com? pressed from front. Powder lengths 1.17, 1.07, and .97 inches; case lengths 1.75, 1.65, and 1.55 inches, respectively. 206-208 Same, compressed from rear; same lengths. 209-211 Same, compressed from both ends; same lengths. 212-214 Hazard's powder, conical rear cavity, com? pressed from front; same lengths. 215-217 Same as last, but compressed from rear; same lengths. 218-220 Same, but compressed from both ends; same lengths. 221-227 DuPont's rifle powder, compressed from rear, perforated. Powder lengths 1.17, 1.12, 1.07, 1.02, .97, .92, and .87 inches. Corresponding case lengths are: 1.75, 1.70, 1.65, 1.60, 1.55, 1.50, and 1.45 inches. This short series with rifle pow? der was tried for comparison with the others. 228-233 Hazard's FFG powder, 70 grains, com? pressed in the case, varying in the amount solidified from .05, .1, .15, .2, .25, and .3; and in corresponding case lengths of 1.67, 1.57, 1.52, 1.47, and 1.42 inches. 234-239 Same, except FFFG powder; same compres? sion and case lengths. Obviously only the six different case lengths can be dis? tinguished. These last tests were fired on 3 September 1870. 33(179) 34(191) ! 1 , 1 1 11 FIGURES 33-34. 1 1 \ 1 I 1 1 1 28 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. Description 240-243 Sleeper's chlorate powder, 15-, 20-, 25-, and .30-grain charges. 244 Gomez' iron gunpowder, 20-grain pills. Plate 32.s shows the original charge of No. Description three pills (as illustrated from General John Pitman's notes, n.d.) superim? posed upon the empty cartridge case which is in the collection. Seventh Drawer: Modifications in Bullet and Lubricant Specimens numbered 245 through 291 show the details of various experimental bullets and lubrica? tion systems tested in the centerfire caliber .50 Serv? ice cartridge. Numbers 292 through 310 were listed as "vacant" spaces in the original exhibit. Presum? ably, these were left vacant to allow spaces for fu? ture specimens at later exhibits. Many of these bul? lets vary only in the part covered by the case. In order to facilitate identifying cartridges thought to be from this series, the external differences are tabulated before listing the specimens. Case variants Standard 1.760-inch copper cases: nos. 245-247, 250- 253, 255-259, 261-264, 271-273, 275-277, 279-290. Shorter than standard case: 1.725 inch: no. 278; 1.749: no. 246. Longer than standard cases: 1.840: no. 248; 1.850: nos. 267, 274, 276; 1.860: nos. 268, 269; 1.890: no. 291; 1.940: no. 266; 1.960: nos.^249, 251, 254, 260, 265, 270. Primer variants Tinned iron bar anvil: nos. 245-246, 262-264, (In? dents .105" from base). Copper cup anvil: nos. 261, 279, 289-291 (Indenta? tions .2" from head); 274-275, 278, 284-288 (Inden? tations .25" from head); all indents are .21" apart. Tinned iron cup anvil: all others. No. Description 245 Bullet used in most bar anvil ammunition up to 1868. 246 Experimental bullet with cannelure deepened to .04 inch to hold more lubricant. O-2.190, 1867. 247 Experimental bullet with cannelures deep? ened to .045, 1867. 248 Bullet determined by Lt. Stockton's experi? ments. Used in Service from March 1868 to July 1870. 249 Experimental, a disk of lubricant with wad No. Description under the bullet, added to the usual lubrica? tion in the cannelures. 250 Same, without the lubrication in cannelures. 251 Experimental front lubrication case, project? ing on the front of bullet. Space filled with lubricant in addition to that in cannelures. 252 Experimental star patch of banknote paper, covering base and cylindrical surfaces of bullet; lubricant in cannelures. 253 Similar, plus a disk of lubricant at base of bullet. 254 Similar, but the base disk applied outside the patch. 255- Experimental wrapped patch of banknote pa- 257 per instead of star patch. These three corre? spond to numbers 252-254, except for type of patch. 258 Experimental, the diameter of the bullet re-f duced by .005 inch. 259 Experimental, the bullet hardened by addi? tion of one-twelfth tin. (Note: The bullets with extra tin added have retained a clean bright surface, while the others have oxid? ized or darkened perceptibly). 260 Experimental bullet, smooth, with lubricant in disk on base; wrapped patch. 261 Similar, but smooth ellipsoidal bullet nose. 262 Experimental bullet, smooth, hardened with one-twelfth tin, patched and lubricated with wax disks and wads, like the earlier Martini- Henry. 263 Experimental bullet, with two broad can? nelures (Benet) instead of the usual three narrow ones. 264 Same, except lightened by 40 grains by cavity in base. 265 Same, but lengthened to 2i/2 calibers (1.250), the weight preserved at 450 grains by base cavity. 266 Same as last, but hardened by one-twelfth tin. NUMBER II 29 No. Description 267 Like No. 265, except 214 calibers (1.125), 450- grain bullet. 0-2.345. 268 Same, tin added. 269 Like No. 267, except diameter reduced by .01 inch, 450 grains. 270 Same, tin added. 271 Experimental sectional bullet (Farley's); front of bullet dowelled into rear; lubricant be? tween sections. 272 Similar, except rear of bullet dowelled into front. (Neither of these worked well.) 273 Experimental bullet; a conoidal frustum on a reduced conical frustum, flushed with lubri? cant. Bullet 1.0. 274 Similar, 1.1 inches long. 275 Experimental bullet; imitation of Swiss "Fed? eral" bullet, Service weight, lubrication in cannelures. 276 Resembling the Service bullet, but diameter ahead of front cannelure equal to the gen? eral diameter, the reduction to be effected by crimping the case. Used in Service am? munit ion from 21 July 1870. 277 Experimental Roberts bullet; blunt ellipsoi? dal front, broad shallow cannelure, and cav? ity in base. Lubrication in cannelure. 278 Experimental; Dimmick bullet No. 1; frustum of a conoid on frustum of a cone. 279 Same, but No. 2; frustum of a cone on a cylin? der, two cannelures. 280 Same, but No. 3; shallow dished cavity in base. No. Description 281 Experimental; Weeks bullet No. 1; conoidal frustum on cylinder; three bearing rings, lubricated by greased wrapped patch. 282 Same, but No. 2; two bearing rings, lubricated by circular greased patch. 283 Same, but No. 3; smooth bullet. 284 Experimental carbine, reduced from rifle musket, 450 grains to 430 grains, by conoi? dal cavity in base. 285 Same, except reduced to 415 grains. Fired with various charges. 286 Same, but reduced further, to 400 grains. Var? ious charges. 287 Same, reduced to 385 grains. Various charges. 288 Experimental carbine, reduced from 450 to 415 grains by making the front ellipsoidal. Fired with two different charges. 289 Same, but reduced to 430 grains. Fired with two different charges, that of 55 grains being adopted as the standard carbine load, in 1872. 290 Experimental; Hubbell 's adaptation of the Prussian needle-gun bullet and sabot to metallic case. Fired with slight modifica? tions, in three forms. A similar bullet-sabot combination was tried in the .45-70 car? tridge. 291 Experimental gas-check bullet; substantially like the Service, but made with an extension or lap around mouth of case, outside. 292-310 Vacant. Eighth Drawer: Anvils and Cap-primed Cases Section I: Disk and Bar Anvils (Standard 1.750 copper case unless otherwise noted). No. Description 311 Center swell-base; copper disk anvil, two vents; short .969-inch copper case. Charge 40 grains, bullet 450 grains. FA 1865. [Figure 35.] 312 Iron disk anvil, chamfered and crimped into flange; 360-degree ring crimp at base. Anvil has slot vent. Springfield, 1867. C-1.780. [Figure 36.] 313 Broad bar anvil, iron, chamfered and crimped into flange. Same crimp as last. Slot vent. Springfield, 1867. C-1.770. [Figure 37.] No. Description 314 Martin bar anvil, reinforced; tinned iron an? vil with Benton's reinforce, held in place by two indents, .092 inch from base to center, .480 inches between ends of in? dents. Springfield, 1867. O-2.270, C-1.762, R-.668, H-.568, M-.544. (First made at Springfield in 1866, but without the rein? forcing cup.) [Figure 38.] 315 Similar to no. 314, but as made at Frankford for Service use from October 1866 to March 1868. No reinforce. Indents .110 from base and .480 between, and the mark made by crimping tool edge is wider. Bullet 450 grains, with three cannelures. 0-2.262, 35(311) 36(312) 39(315) 43(318) 47(323) 37(313) ^z^ (X) ! I V ' ^V7T7a^TTjm^ 42(317A) 40(316) 41(317) ^^W 44(319) 45(320) 46(322) 48(324) 49(326) 50(330) !k^m> JUaul JUSBNI 51(331) C^> FIGURES 35-51. NUMBER 11 31 No. Description C-1.765, R-.667, H-.565, M-.540. [Figure 39.] 315A Variant, as used in Service. Appears to be a little longer overall than no. 315?2.284 vs 2.262?the latter having the bullet in no. 245, the former that of no. 248. 0-2.284, C-1.785, R-.650, H-.563, M-.542. 316 Copper bar anvil, chamfered ends held by re-entrant fold, seen as ring at base. Spring? field, 1870. C-1.783, R-.659, H-.565, M-.540. [Figure 40.] 317 Copper disk anvil, plain square edges, held in by indents .110 from base and .264 between. Frankford, August 1871. C-1.775, R-.665, H-.564, M-.545. [Figure 41.] 317AThere is a variant of no. 317, in which the disk is beveled towards the rear. Indents are .100 from head and .259 apart. The head shows a pronounced ring opposite the disk chamfer, about .530 in diameter. Frankford, August 1871. C-1.785, R-.658, H-.563, M-.542. [Figure 42.] 318 Copper disk anvil in reinforcing cup, both held by two large stab crimps .125 from base. One of Col. Treadwell's experiments with gas checks. The head has a .125 hole to increase sensitivity over the primer area. C-1.750. [Figure 43.] 319 Copper disk anvil, chamfered, held in by re? entrant fold, seen as ring at base. Frank? ford, October 1871. C-1.757, R-.663, H-.568, M-.544. [Figure 44.] 320 Copper disk anvil, expanding, held in by in? dents .154 from head and .180 between. Head shows ring .360 in diameter. Frank? ford, 1871. C-2.780, R-.664, H-.560, M-.543. [Figure 45.] 321 Copper disk anvil, expanding, held in by knurl all around; has fold underneath. The 360-degree crimp is .155 from base, case re? duced at front. Frankford, October 1871. 322 Copper disk anvil, corrugated, held in by knurl all around, .105 from base, which is corrugated. Frankford, September and Oc? tober 1871 for test and Service. C-1.780, R-.659, H-.565, M-.542. [Figure 46.] 323 Covered base anvil, primed outside of base, priming covered by a flat cap embracing No. Description flange. Case 1.775, reduced at front. Frank? ford, February 1872. [Figure 47.] 324 Needle, or disk and bolt, anvil. Primer in base of bullet. Disk held by fold at head. Bolt is iron and pointed like a firing pin. Disk is brass. Looks like a rimfire cartridge. C-1.768. [Figure 48.] 325 Like last, but bolt squared up in front, like winding arbor. Frankford Arsenal. The first type tried, with a round bolt, simply flat? tened at the end, gave poor ignition. These cartridges can be distinguished from rim- fires by their attraction to a magnet, but they cannot be told from each other by ex? ternal characteristics. 326 Martin primer pocket, made by a complex fold of the head. Short wide copper bar an? vil, held in place by fold of pocket. Head has plain fold (not re-entrant). Inside re? inforcing cup. Springfield?the original Mar? tin primer cartridge. 0-2.234, C-1.739, R-.672, H-.564, M-.542. [Figures 49.] There was trouble with the head of this type cartridge. Tooling slightly out of ad? justment would compress the flange too tightly. Then when fired, the case would fail at the rim, the crimped bullet sometimes pulling the case off the head, dragging it into the rifled part of the bore, and requir? ing considerable work to extract it. T h e same thing could be caused by defective metal. As this sort of defect could not be found in inspection testing short of firing several thousand rounds to find one bad case, the manufacture of this type case for Service use was terminated at Frankford in December 1871. 327 Similar, but without reinforcing cup. Anvil either copper or tinned iron. Springfield, 1869. 0-2.245, C-1.760, R-.667, H-.563, M-.542. 328 Same, except brass case. Sprinefield, 1869. 0-2.261, C-1.740, R-.663, H-.526, M-.548. 329 Same, with re-entrant fold above flange. Cop? per bar anvil, copper case. Springfield, 1870. 0-1.143, C-1.760, R-.657, H-.565, M-.548. 330 Same, but with double-indented copper disk anvil. Made at Frankford for Service 32 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. Description use from November to December 1871. T h e usual Martin-primed .50-70. 0-2.265, C-1.755, R-.653, H-.563, M-.541. Deeper cup than in no. 329, hence appears to have more space around "but ton" at head. Rim tends to be a little thicker than in no. 329-.060 vs .050. [Figure 50.] 331 Martin pocket, single-fold head, reinforced with solder in flange. Frankford, 1872. C-1.739, R-.667, H-.563, M-.544. [Figure 51.] 332 Martin pocket, closed down without anvil. Frankford, 1873. C-1.750, R-.662, H-.574, M-.547. Section II: Cap-primed Cases No. Description Numbers 333 and 334 vacant. 335 Benet narrow pocket saddle anvil, with small (.186 inch) cap. Short copper, folded-head case. Bullet similar to that used in the Serv? ice carbine. Single flash-hole at side of pocket. Frankford 1866. 0-1.575, C-1.114, R-.644, H-.559, M-.556. [Figure 52.] 336 Similar, but brass case with larger (.245") primer, same bullet. Frankford, 1866. 0-1.583, C-1.065, R-.656, H-.559, M-.562. 337 Solid nipple head; iron nipple in pocket in solid brass base of short brass case. Frank? ford, 1865. C-1.318. [Figure 53.] 338 Crispin foil and paper; pocket pressed in brass cup attached to base of wrapped case. Different thicknesses of foil tried, using dif? ferent color paper?yellow and green have been noted. Service bullet, having one can? nelure exposed. Height of base .300. Frank? ford, 1867. 0-2.245, C-1.532, R-.653, H-.561, M-.530. [Figure 54.] 339 Laidley arch anvil; iron " H " anvil reaching to bullet. Springfield 1866. Resembles rim? fire cartridge. 0-1.832, C-1.326, R-.666, H-.563, M-.528, B-.502 (ahead of crimp). [Figure 55.] 340 Laidley capped bar; inside cap on an arched iron bar, held in place by narrow indents, about .150 from base. Springfield, 1866. C-1.769. [Figure 56.] No. Description 341 Star cap receiver; inside cap and anvil con? tained in a star-shaped pocketed receiving plate. T h e base plate is held in position by the rim fold. Looks like rimfire cartridge superficially. Frankford, 1866. 0-2.248, C-1.765, R-.662, H-.561, M-.545. [Figure 57.] 342 Cup cap-receiver; inside cup and anvil, con? tained in a pocket of the brass reinforcing cup. Cup held by two stab crimps .179 from base. Made at Frankford, February 1872. C-1.775, R-.667, H-.563, M-.546. [Figure 58.] 343 Reinforced pocket, brass case. Cup reinforce held in by pressing back the primer pocket, which is a separate piece from head. Frank? ford, 1872. C-1.757. [Figure 59.] 344 Plate flanged; brass base held on by a separate clinched primer pocket. This pocket is heavy brass, inserted from inside and clinched outside. Outside cap with spear- shaped anvil. Bottleneck brass case with paper-patched bullet. Frankford, 1872. O-3.014, C-2.365, R-.574, H-.500, N-.483, M-.439, B-.414. [Figure 60.] 345 Similar, except held together by primer pocket, inserted from outside and clinched on inside. Frankford, January 1872. [Figure* 61.] 346 Wrapped brass metal foil, soldered into pock? eted base cup. Outside cap and spearhead anvil. Base cap .288 inch. Frankford, Jan? uary 1872. C-1.780. 347 Front ignition; wrapped brass foil case, sold? ered into brass base cup .310 inch high. Primer pocket extended nearly to bullet. Outside cap and bolt anvil. Frankford, 1872. C-1.940, R-.665, H-.562, M-.534. [Figure 62.] 348 Front ignition; copper case, pocketed for cap and spearhead anvil. T h e pocket prolonged in a small tube, nearly to the bullet. Base filled with solder. Frankford, 1872. C-1.759, R-.662, H-.561, M-.540. [Figure 63.] 349 Treadwell cube anvil; brass case, reinforced with inside ring. Pocketed for outside cap containing a cubical anvil. Plain flat head. Frankford, 1872. C-1.767, R-.667, H-.565, M-.540. NUMBER 11 33 55(339) 58(342) 59(343) 60(344) 61(345) 62(347) jwyb 63(348) ^ FIGURES 52-64. 34 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. Description 350 Same, except head reinforced with solder, without ring. No external means to dis? tinguish between these last two. 351 Treadwell spherical anvil. Case reinforced with solder in flange. Pocketed for outside cap and spherical anvil. Frankford, 1872. Same as last two and indistinguishable from them externally. 352 Cast base; wrapped brass case, with soft metal base cast on. Pocketed for outside cap and spherical anvil. C-1.819, R-.667, H-.559, M-.545. [Figure 64.] 353 Berdan base, with typical Berdan pocket and reinforcing. Appears to be gliding metal case. Frankford, 1872. C-1.740, R-.667, H-.564, M-.540. 354 Berdan anvil, wrapped metal (appears to be gilding metal); base cup with pocket and Berdan return anvil. Usual reinforcing ring replaced by the wrapped metal and solder. Base cup .322 inches high. Frankford, 1872. C-1.792, R-.664, H-.560, M-.543. Section III: Cup Anvils No. Description 355 Tinned cup anvil; straight case. Held in by crimps or indents, .255 from base and .186 apart. Service cartridge from March 1868 to September 1869. Frankford. 0-2.236, C-1.760, R-.669, H-.563, M-.547. [Figure 65.] 356 Tinned cup anvil; cylindrical, slightly throated (.010) or necked case. Tinned cup held in by two crimps .255 from base and .186 apart. Service cartridge from Septem? ber 1869 to August 1870. From this date, the standard case retained this .01 reduc? tion, about .575 from mouth. Frankford. 0-2.242, C-1.766, R-.665, H-.564, M-.533. 357 Side-vent, iron cup anvil (no hole in center), flutes leading from priming to sides. Cup shown below no. 355 is photo of eighth drawer. Cup held by indents. Indistinguish? able externally from no. 356. 358 Copper cup anvil; substituted for tinned iron. Held by crimps .257 from base and .214 apart. Service cartridge from August 1870 No. Description to November 1871. Frankford. 0-2.268, C-1.764, R-.663, H-.564, M-.544. 358- Cups of various materials and vents. Experi- bis mental. Frankford December 1870. [Plates 15, 38/', 45k.] 359 Corrugated base, copper cup anvil. Annular depression near edge of base. Springfield and Frankford, October 1870. 360 Plain base; double-crimped copper cup anvil; 360-degree crimp above cup .255 from base. 361 Corrugated base and double crimp .273 from base, combining characteristics of last two. Flatter bullet nose than no. 360. 0-2.254, C-1.760, R-.670, H-.565, M-.545. 362 Corrugated base with indents in front of cup instead of crimp, .241 from base and .178 apart. Springfield and Frankford, Novem? ber 1870. 363 Reduced case, copper cup anvil; held by re? ducing case diameter in front of it by .02 inch. Frankford, December 1870. 0-2.274, C-1.769, R-.660, H-.566, M-.533. 364 Reduced case, copper cup anvil; similar to last, but reduced only .01 inch. Frankford, January 1871. 365 Shallow copper cup, reduced in depth and held by two crimps .197 from base and .175 apart. Service cartridge from December 1871 to January 1872. Frankford. 0-2.291, C-1.765, R-.667, H-.564, M-.540. 366 Solder reinforce to copper cup anvil. Ring in head makes trough for solder on in? side. Two crimps .210 from base and .192 apart. Frankford, January 1872. 0-2.291, C-1.785, R-.665, H-.564, M-.540. 367 Cup anvil, with re-entrant fold at head as used on Martin cartridge. Reinforcing cup between cup and head. Cup held by 360- degree crimp .324 from base. Bottleneck copper case, caliber .45. Springfield, Jan? uary 1872. [Figure 66.] 368 Solid head, copper-cup anvil. Flat head with square rim; cup held by two wide crimps .264 from base. Frankford, 1868. C-1.786. [Figure 67.] 369 Double case copper cup anvil, reaching to bullet. Looks like a rimfire externally. Sin? gle center vent. (A variant case is shorter and has two vents at sides of primer.) Frank- NUMBER 11 35 65(355) 69(370) 67(368) 68(369) 71(372) 72(373) 73(374) 74(375) 75(376) FIGURES 65-76. 76(382) No. 370 371 372 Description ford, January 1872. 0-2.212, C-1.782, R-.665, H-.565, M-.542. [Figure 68.] Brass cone cup anvil; reinforcing cup between anvil and head. Center of head has .225 in? dent opposite priming. Cup held by two crimps .287 from base and .200 apart. Frank? ford, January 1872. C-1.760. [Figure 69.] Similar to last, but has hole through base in? stead of indent. [Figure 70.] Outside cup; case itself the anvil. Priming in? side, covered by a .275-inch flanged cup. No. 373 374 Description Frankford, 1872. C-1.804. [Figure 71.] Copper cup, held against concave base, which yields on firing. Cup held by two wide crimps .264 from base and .225 apart. (This was also made in .45-70 size.) Frankford, June 1872. C-1.760. [Figure 72.] Treadwell open base, double cup, as made for .45 caliber. Brass case. Copper cup anvil inside long reinforcing cup, held by two crimps .250 from base. Hole through base .146 inch. Frankford, 1873. [Figure 73.] 36 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. Description 375 Moore's collar flange, also .45 caliber. Plain, unflanged copper case, enclosed in .570-inch brass flanged collar. Copper cup anvil, held by two indents .230 from base and .08 apart. Inner case shows through .372 hole in head. Frankford, 1874. [Figure 74.] 376 Caliber .45 brass case, plain flat head, with Berdan-type anvil. Frankford, July 1874. 0-2.533, C-2.096, R-.608, H-.508, M-.483. [Figure 75.] 377 Vacant. 378 Remington breechloading pistol. Tinned iron cup anvil. Caliber .50. C-.874. 379 Same, except Martin primed. C-.904. No. Description 380 Colt caliber .44 revolver. Martin primed. C-1.076. 381 Smith 8c Wesson caliber .44 revolver. Martin primed. C-.905. 382 Colt's caliber .44 revolver. Franklin's front extraction. Cup anvil held by usual two crimps. (Note: This system is F. Alexander Theur's patent no. 82258-General W. B. Franklin was vice president and general manager of the Colt Company, to whom the Theur patent had been assigned.) Made at Frankford, November 1868. C-.842. [Fig? ure 76.] 383 Colt's caliber .38 Navy Revolver. Tinned iron cup anvil held by crimps .250 from base. C-1.020. Ninth Drawer: Modification in Caliber (Reductions) Section 1: Caliber .45 (All cases bottleneck, copper, tinned iron cups, made at Frankford unless otherwise noted.) No. Description 384 Charge 80 grains, 400-grain cannelured, 1.108- inch bullet. O-2.600, C-2.105. 385 Same, but 75-grain charge. 0-2.527, C-2.010. 386 Same, but 70-grain charge. O-2.330, C-1.787. 387 Charge 80 grains, 420-grain, cannelured, 1.103- inch bullet. O-2.600, C-2.020. 388 Same, but 75-grain charge. O-2.500, C-2.010. 389 Same, but 70-grain charge. 0-2.346, C-1.786. 390 Charge 80 grains, 440-grain, cannelured, 1.133- inch bullet. 0-2.579, C-2.025. 391 Same, but 75-grain charge. O-2.540, C-2.015. 392 Same, but 70-grain charge. 0-2.365, C-1.780. 393 Copper, shallow-cup anvil; 80-grain charge, 425-grain, smooth, patched 1.153-inch bul? let, dipped and inserted .4 inch. 0-2.688, C-1.985. 394 Same, but 75-grain charge; bullet inserted .5 inch. O-2.604, C-1.990. 395 Martini-Henry imitation. Martin-primed, with single fold head, reinforcing cup, and cop? per bar anvil. Hardened bullet, with patch and wad, to resemble Henry ammunition. Springfield. Raised headmark "70 GRS." O-3.055, C-2.255. No. Description 396 Section bullet, hardened front, lead base to drive up the Schenkle sabot. (It was noted that this design failed entirely.) 0-2.534, C-2.014. 397 Charge 75 grains, bullet 440 grain, cannelured, and inserted only .2 inch. Base wad (lubri? cated) and dipped. Two cannelures exposed. Report of 1872 Caliber Board No. 26. 0-2.715, C-1.805. 398 Similar, but 425-grain smooth bullet, inserted .15 inch. Board No. 28. O-2.680, C-1.807. 399 Similar, but 485-grain smooth bullet, Laidley bullet, cannelured; six exposed. Caliber Board No. 29. O-2.804, C-1.718. 400 Same, but inserted .45 inch, with 4 cannelures exposed. No. 30. 0-2.829, C-2.000. 401-402 Vacant. 403 (This and the next four all have straight cases, with Martin-type primers, copper bar anvils, and single fold heads.) Bullet 400 grains, four cannelures; one exposed. Charges 60, 70, 75, and 80 grains, all in same length case. Springfield, No. 39. O-2.780, C-2.188. 404 Similar, all cannelures covered. Charge 70 grains. Springfield, No. 47. O-2.680, C-2.178. NUMBER 11 37 No. Description 405 Similar, but case shortened. Springfield Cal? iber Board No. 50. O-2.500, C-2.015. 406 Similar to last, with hardened 405-grain bul? let. Charge 70 grains dense musket powder. Lubricant in cannelures. Bullet seated .61 inch. Springfield Caliber Board No. 58, and recommended for adoption. 0-2.548, C-2.100. 407 Similar, but as first made at Frankford Ar? senal, after adoption by War Department. Bullet has slightly dished base in contrast to ellipsoidal cavity in base of Springfield bullet. O-2.680, C-2.175. Section II: Caliber .42 No. Description 408 (Missing) 80-grain charge, 350-grain bullet, cannelured. 0-2.6 . Numbers 408 to 421 inclusive are all bottle-shaped. 409 Charge 75 grains, bullet 350 grains, can? nelured. O-2.500, C-1.985. 410 Similar, with 70-grain charge. 0-2.361, C-1.788. 411 Large Martin primer, with copper bar anvil, re-entrant fold head. Bullet 370 grains, 1.115 inch. 0-2.616, C-2.033. 412 Like No. 409, except 370-grain bullet. O-2.404, C-2.005. 413 Like No. 410, except 370-grain bullet. 0-2.352, C-1.786. 414 Like No. 409, except 80-grain charge, 385- grain bullet with rounder ogive, 1.088- inches, slightly dished base. 0-2.535, C-1.994. 415 Like No. 409, except bullet like No. 414. 0-2.465, C-2.015. 416 Like No. 410, with 70-grain charge, except bullet like No. 414. 0-2.414, C-1.847. 417 Copper cup primed, charge 80 grains, bullet 350 grains, 1.060 inch, smooth, patched, inserted .4 inch. Base lubrication disk. O-2.650, C-2.028. 418 Similar to last, but bullet inserted .5 inch, with 75-grain charge. 0-2.591, C-2.055. 419 Similar to last, but 1.115-inch, 370-grain bul? let, inserted .4 inch; charge 80 grains. 0-2.685, C-2.012. No. Description 420 Similar to last, but inserted .5 inch, with 75- grain charge. 0-2.598, C-2.015. 421 Large Martin-type primer, copper bar anvil, re-entrant fold head. Bullet 1.1 inch, 373 grains, with ratchet grooves. Charge 75 grains. O-2.460, C-2.140. 422^27 Vacant. 428 Straight case, small Martin-type primer, with copper bar anvil. Bullet 370 grains, with four shallow cannelures; one exposed. Charges 70, 75, and 80 grains, using same case size. Springfield Caliber Board num? bers 20, 21, and 22. O-3.088, C-2.455. 429 Similar, except 365-grain bullet with four deep cannelures (.02); one exposed. Charges of 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 grains in same case. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 23, 34, 35, 36, and 38. O-3.095, C-2.465. 430 Similar, except cannelures all covered, charge 65 grains. Springfield Caliber Board number 48. O-3.000, C-2.450. 431 Similar, except shorter case, with 65, 70, and 75-grain charges. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 49, 54, and 55. 0-2.782, C-2.327. Section III: Caliber .40 (All cartridges in this section have small Martin-type priming, with a copper bar anvil. Numbers 432 and 433 have the re-entrant fold head; 434 and 435 have single fold heads with reinforcing cups; 439 through 447 have single fold heads without reinforcing cups. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 432 to 435 are bottlenecked, the rest straight cases.) No. Description 432 Charge 75 grains, bullet 350 grains, smooth, with paper patch. Base disk of thick felt wad with lubricant. Springfield, 1871. O-3.03, C-2.387. 433 Similar to last, but 80-grain charge and thin wad to increase powder space. Springfield, 1871. 434 Like 432, except added reinforcing ring at head, Springfield, 1871. 0-2.992, C-2.378. 435 Like last, except 80-grain charge. 436-438 Vacant. 439 Charges 65, 70, 75, and 80 grains; bullet 350 grains, 1.101 inch, smooth, greased patch. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 2 to 9. 0-3.214, C-2.484. 38 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY No. Description 440 Charge 80 grains, 400-grain bullet, 1.255 inch, with seven cannelures (four exposed). Springfield Caliber Board number 10. O-3.430, C-2.502. 441 Charges 65, 70, and 75 grains. Bullet 350- grain, 1.093 inch, with four cannelures all covered by case. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 11, 12, and 13. O-3.042, C-2.510. 442 Charge 60, 65, and 70 grains. Bullet 350 grains, 1.094 inch, with five shallow (.01) can? nelures, three covered by case. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 14-18. 0-3.152, C-2.504. 443 Charge 65 grains; bullet 340 grains, 1.084 inch, with five deep (.02) cannelures, three cov? ered by case. Springfield Caliber Board num? bers 19 and 44. 0-3.177, C-2.487. No. Description 444 Like last, but bullet 1.110 inch, and inserted to cover four cannelures. Springfield Cali? ber Board number 45. O-3.100, C-2.505. 445 Like last, but bullet inserted to cover all can? nelures. Springfield Caliber Board number 46. 0-2.962, C-2.505. 446 Charge 70 grains. Very light 1.025 inch bul? let, 290 grains, smooth, greased patch. Springfield Caliber Board number 24. 0-3.100, C-.480. 447 Charges 65 and 70 grains. Bullet 340 grains, 1.197 inch, hardened with one twelfth tin, five deep cannelures, all covered by case. Springfield Caliber Board numbers 59 and 60. O-3.004, C-2.476. 448-449 Vacant. Tenth Drawer: Service Ammunition and Stages of Manufacture No. Description 450 Caliber .50 musket; 70 grains of powder, 450- grain bullet, 143-grain copper case. Shallow copper cup primer anvil, held by two crimps .200 from base and .202 apart. T h e Service cartridge from January 1872 to 29 December 1873. O-2.250, C-1.760, R-.665, H-.562, M-.538. 451 Caliber .50 cadet musket; 45-grain charge; 385-grain bullet. Made originally for the short chambered Remington Navy carbine, Model 1868. Copper cup primed, indents .257 from base and .175 apart. O-1.740, C-1.330, R-.661, H-.568, M-.543. Can be confused with Remington inside primed with iron cup cartridge No. 11. 452 Caliber .50 carbine; 55-grain charge, 430- grain bullet with ellipsoidal front. Adopted January 1872. Shallow cup primer, indents .208 from head and .200 apart. O-2.170, C-1.790, R-.665, H-.563, M-.540. 453 Caliber .50 pistol (Remington breechloader); 25-grain charge; 300-grain bullet. Made for Army Remington pistol after July 1871, and a similar one for the Navy (The Army type is bottlenecked, the Navy straight No. Description taper). Copper cup primed copper case, crimps .264 from base and .179 apart. 0-1.229, C-.881. 454 Caliber .50 musket blank; 70- or 80-grain charge; case 1.5 inch closed by tar composi? tion (later with wad and shellac). Iron cup primed. Adopted September 1868. 455 Caliber .50 Gatling blank; charge 100 grains. Copper cup primed case 2.25 inches long. Powder compressed and mouth closed with varnish. 456 Caliber .45 rifle; charge 70 grains; bullet 405 grains, hardened. T h e cartridge adopted by the Board, as made at Frankford in 1874. 0-2.555, C-2.102. 457 Caliber .45 carbine; charge 55 grains; bullet 405 grains, hardened. Copper case, copper cup primed, indents .210 from base and .200 apart. Made at Frankford from September 1873 to about 1876. Marked "u.s. CARBINE" on head to distinguish it from the rifle round. O-2.560, C-2.100. 458 Caliber .45 Colt revolver; charge 30 grains; bullet 250 grains. Copper case, cup primed, with indents .200 from base. Frankford NUMBER 11 39 No. Description from September 1873 to about 1878. 0-1.615, C-1.291, R-.503, H-.480, M-.480. 459 Caliber .45 blank, rifle and carbine; cup primed, crimps .215 from base, .175 apart. C-1.600, R-.608, H-.503, M-.484. 460 Caliber .45 revolver blank. Copper, cup primed case, crimps .215 from base, .175 apart. C-1.066, R-.484, H-.462, H-.458. 461 Caliber .44 revolver (Smith 8c Wesson); charge 40 grains; bullet 225 grains. Copper case, cup primed, crimps .194 from base, made at Frankford from August 1871. 0-1.466, C-.897, R-.485, H-.444, M-.442. 462 Caliber .44 revolver blank; charge 40 grains. No. Description Copper cup primed case. C-.895, R-.489, H-.447, M-.415. 463 Musket powder for all small arms cartridges. Light "Oriental" for caliber .50, dense "Haz? ard" for caliber .45. Ingredients: sulphur, potassium nitrate, and charcoal. 464 Lead bar for bullets of all cartridges except the caliber .45 rifle and carbine. 465 Alloy bar for bullets: Tin 1, lead 16. For bul? lets of caliber .45. 466 Japan wax. Generally used for bullet lubrica? tion. 467 Bayberry wax: 8 parts wax to 1 part graphite. Preferred when Bayberry obtainable. Compiler's Comments Those who atempt to check other cartridge speci? mens against the measurements given in the fore? going catalog must remember that in most instances there was but a single sectioned specimen to meas? ure. There were manufacturing tolerances on all these dimensions, some of which had to be held rather close, others did not matter. It will be noted that head and rim diameters were controlled rather well. Tolerances in other dimensions would nor? mally be zb.004 inch from the standard specification dimension. A further complication in dealing with experi? mental types stems from the practice (still in effect) of keeping small stocks of empty primed cases on hand for convenience in making special small scale experiments or tests. Thus, in drawing such cases from stock, minor variations in case or priming might be introduced. Bar anvil, iron or copper disk or cup anvil, different types > of retaining crimp, Martin priming, and the like, might be encountered in a test lot of cartridges assembled to investigate a new bullet, or a different powder charge. As these elements function similarly, the variants made little difference in the tests being conducted, but do make it difficult for the collector or researcher in these fields to classify specimens. In addition to the varieties officially used in the Service, many of the experimental cartridges were sent to the field unofficially in small quantities of a case or more in order to get a quick check on their effectiveness. Thus some of these types which were never officially adopted have been found at battle sites with Indians in the West. A chronology of officially approved cartridge types for U.S. rifles and carbines during the period 1865 to 1876 has been extracted from the preceding data. Service Ammunition, Rifle and Carbine, 1865-1876 No. Description Date 120 Allin conversion of caliber 1865 .58 musket to use rimfire car? tridge, .58-60-500, made at Springfield and marked on head ".58 CAL." 121 Caliber .50 rifle. Straight- 1865 cased rimfire cartridge, .50- 60-500, made at Springfield and marked on head ".50 CAL." (Limited use.) Various experimental types 1865-1866 for caliber .50 rifle. (Includes 122, 130, 312-314.) Center? fire, both inside and out- 40 No. Description side primed. Springfield and Frankford. (Limited use.) 315 Caliber .50-70-450, with Martin's tinned iron bar an? vil, inside primed. Indents .110 inch from base. 355 Caliber .50-70-450, with tinned cup inside priming, in straight case. Indents .255 inch from base, and .186 apart. 356 Caliber .50-70-450, with tinned cup, in slightly Date October 1866 to March 1868 March 1868 to September 1869 September 1869 to NUMBER 11 41 No. Description necked case. Indents .255 from base, and .186 apart. 358 Caliber .50-70-450, copper cup anvil. Indents .255 from base and .214 apart. 322 Caliber .50-70-405, with copper disk anvil, 360-degree crimp, and corrugated head. 50,000 made for Service test. 330 Caliber .50-70-450, Martin- primed, with reentrant fold. 452 Caliber .50-55-430 carbine, shallow cup primer indents .206 from head and .200 apart. 450 Caliber .50-70-450, with shallow copper cup, indents Date August 1870 August 1870 to November 1871 September 1871 to October 1871 November 1871 to December 1871 January 1872 to August 1873 January 1872 to No. 406 457 456 Description .200 from base and .202 apart. Final Service car? tridge for the .50-70. First .45-70 rifle cartridge in about final form made for trial by Springfield. Copper cup primed case. First carbine cartridge cali? ber .45-55-405, made at Frankford. Cup primed, in? dents .200 from base. Marked on head "u.s. CARBINE," to tell from rifle. First Frankford Arsenal pro? duction of Service cartridge for caliber .45-70-405 rifle. Cup primed, indents .200 from base. No marks. Date December 1873 1872-1874 September 1873 1874-1882 Performance of Arms and Ammunition 1865-1875 In recent years much has been made of misfired and separated cartridge cases which have been found on sites of battles between U.S. troops and Indians during the years after the Civil War. At that time the Government was experimenting to determine the optimum arms and ammunition for use in the Service. In recent decades the quality of small arms and their ammunition has been so uni? formly high that such excellent performance is taken for granted. This was not always the case. Arms and ammunition selected for Service use were tested by the Ordnance Department under the di? rection of special boards of officers appointed for the purpose. Before final approval extensive field tests in Army units were required. One of the most important series of tests for se? lecting new weapons was conducted by the Board on Breechloading Small Arms, appointed on 28 June 1872 pursuant to an act of Congress and some? times known as the "Terry" Board (from Brigadier General Alfred H. Terry, its senior member). The tests conducted for arms subjected them to repeated firing and to the effects of dust and sand, rust, and defective ammunition to test their reserve strength. Ease of manipulation was judged by the maximum rate of fire obtainable. Accuracy was checked at various combat ranges. The Service cali? ber .50 cartridge was used whenever it was practical to do so. The tests were as follows.15 Rapidity with aim: The number of shots, which fired in one minute struck a target of 6 feet by 2 feet, at a distance of 100 feet. Any cartridge missing fire was examined to determine the cause. (Only four or five cartridges in over 20,000 thus expended failed to fire from causes not due to the arm.) Rapidity at will: The number of shots that could be fired in one minute, irrespective of aim. Endurance: Each gun was fired 500 continuous rounds, without cleaning. The state of the breech mechanism was examined after each 50 rounds. Defective cartridges: Each gun was fired once with each of the following types of defective cartridges: (1) cross-filed on head to nearly the thickness of the metal; (2) cut at intervals around the rim; and (3) with a longitudinal cut the whole length of the car? tridge, from the rim up. A fresh piece of paper was laid over the breech to determine if gas escaped. Such tests showed whether the gun tested was 15 United States Government, Ordnance Memorandum No. 15, pp. 70-71. 42 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY sufficiently sturdy and gas-tight to be safely fired with defective cartridges, which allowed gas-pres? sure to escape from the case. The simulated defects were representative of those occasionally introduced in manufacture and overlooked by routine inspec? tion. Statistically, a few such defective rounds will pass undetected by the inspector. Dust: The piece was exposed in a box to a blast of fine sand-dust for two minutes; fired 50 rounds, replaced for five minutes, removed and fired 50 rounds more. Rust: The breech and receiver were cleaned of grease and the chamber greased and plugged. The butt end was then inserted up to the chamber in brine for two days, exposed two days in the open air standing in a rack, and then fired 50 rounds. Excessive charges: The arm was fired once with 85 grains of powder (normal load, 70 grains) and one 450-grain bullet, once with 90 grains and one such ball, and once with 90 grains and two balls. The piece was closely examined after each dis? charge. These loads corresponded to normal "proof" loads. Ability to withstand the excessive pressures thus produced assured safe functioning with regular loads and would presumably show up any danger? ous defect. The Board had begun its studies with a total of 99 rifles on hand for test and evaluation. These in? cluded all the principal foreign systems available, nine in all. These were the French Chassepot, the German needle-gun (two models), needle-gun car? bine, German Mauser (Model 1871), Austrian Werndl, Bavarian Werder, Italian Vetterlin, and the British Martini-Henry. The initial series of tests had reduced the contenders to 21: Peabody, Whit? ney, Springfield-Stillman, Elliot, Ward-Burton, Epdegraff, Sharps (Civil War model converted to .50-70), Springfield, Remington-Ryder, Berdan- Russian, Freeman, Dexter, Lee, Roberts, Reming? ton, Winchester, Broughton, Sharps (New Model), Remington Navy rifle (made at Springfield), the British Martini-Henry, and the Austrian Werndl. When it became apparent that further tests would be needed to reach a decision, the following supple? mental tests were performed. First: The piece was fired with two defective car? tridges (types 1 and 2, see p. 41), and then dusted for five minutes, the mechanism being in the mouth of the blow pipe and closed, the hammer being at half-cock. It was then fired six times, the last two shots again being defective types 1 and 2. Without cleaning, it was dusted with the breech open for five minutes, and then fired four more shots. The piece was freed from dust only by wiping with the hand or pounding with the bare hand. Second: The piece was rusted for four days after immersion as before (see "Rust"), and fired five rounds with a Service cartridge. Without clean? ing it was fired five more rounds with 120-grain powder charge and a ball weighing 1200 grains. The gun then stood for 24 hours without cleaning, and was subsequently thoroughly examined. Third: Ease of manipulation was tested by mem? bers of the Board. The supplemental tests further eliminated many of the entries. A few examples will indicate the re? sults obtained. The Sharps (Civil War converted model) failed the supplemental tests, being very hard to open; the lever was broken in the attempt. The Winchester could not be opened. The Reming? ton Navy model was stiff and hard to operate after the second exposure. The Remington-Ryder failed; the hammer would not stay back, the extractor had to be pounded with a hammer to move, and the action opened with the foot. The Peabody passed the tests satisfactorily. In the first series of tests, the Springfield showed some gas escape at the sides, but worked well throughout. The cam stuck slightly after the first defective cartridge, but after freeing, worked well thereafter. In supplemental tests it opened and worked easily throughout and was in working order at the conclusion of the tests. It was fired an average of 11.59 shots per minute by sol? diers and 8.51 by recruits. Meanwhile, a "Small Arms Caliber" Board headed by Major J. G. Benton began studies on 13 May 1872 to determine the proper caliber for small arms. In this series of trials, the Board exhaustively tested 16 three new calibers, .45, .42, and .40 in com? parison with the caliber .50. In the .45, nine forms of barrels and 25 forms of ammunition were tried. In the .42, 11 forms of barrels and 26 of ammuni? tion. In the .40, seven forms of barrels and 27 of ammunition. Seven styles of rifling were included, with ten different twists. Chambering and throating were modified. Powder charges varied from 60 to 85 grains, in 5-grain increments. Bullets varied from 290 to 484 grains, in various forms, cannelured, 19 United States Government, Ordnance Memorandum No. 15, pp. 437^38. NUMBER 11 43 plain, and patched, with lubrication applied in various manners. Straight and bottlenecked cases were compared. T h e ammunition tests of the Caliber Board de? termined that the cartridge design later known as the .45-70 was the best available. T h e Terry Board then selected the best six arms being tested and had them altered to caliber .45. These guns were the Springfield (modified Ml870), Elliot, Remington (modified Ml871), Freeman, Peabody, and Ward- Burton magazine carbines. After further testing and extensive trial by the Army in the field on 19 May 1873, the Board recommended the Springfield breechloading system in caliber .45 be adopted for small arms. As the Elliot had exhibited very great ease of operation with one hand, the Board recom? mended that some be made for further Cavalry trial. It also recommended the Ward-Burton as the best magazine gun tested, though not fully meeting the requirements. It suggested that a small number be made for further field trial.17 The Springfield carbine, caliber .50 (Ml870), was tested in competition with Spencer, Sharps, and Remington carbines. It was found scarcely inferior to the Springfield rifle (Ml868), and in all points except recoil was greatly superior to the others tested. However, a new caliber .45 carbine was adopted in 1873. Many Service cartridges were test-fired at Frank? ford Arsenal in connection with routine acceptance inspection tests, and special tests of experimental cartridges. Results of such tests give a good idea of the reliability of this ammunition, at least while reasonably new. Storage stability must be deter? mined by actual trial for protracted periods under adverse conditions. Most of the type ammunition here discussed became obsolete within a few years because of new developments; hence deterioration in storage was not fully determined, being of aca? demic interest only. It was later found, however, that the fulminate type priming stood up better in tinned components. The critical area was the primer and primer-pocket, but it was easier to tin the en? tire case by dipping in an electroplating bath. In 1957 Frankford Arsenal received a report from an individual who had purchased a case of this tinned FA 1884 ammunition about 1925. He had just fired the last 250 rounds of it in 1957 and had experi- 17 United States Government, Ordnance Memorandum No. 15, p. 49. enced only a few misfires with the whole case. Between 1867 and 1868, 92,891 test cartridges had been fired in routine acceptance tests. Of 79,517 which had the bar anvil, 68 misfired, or one out of every 1,169. Of 13,374 with cup anvil, 7 misfired, or one out of every 1,910. Between March 1868, when cup priming was standardized, and 1 July 1870, 49,252 more cartridges were fired in tests, with only 8 failures from all causes. Only three were from Service cartridges, which comprised about two-thirds of the number tested. This rate was less than one per 6,000. Note that it is the custom to use for such "in house" tests, which are mostly done in machine rests or pressure fixtures, the cartridges rejected during manufacture for minor defects. Hence those accepted and shipped to the field should be a little better than those tested. As the primers of these types were inside the case, inspection after assembling the primer components was difficult. If the mix was a little too dry and the tooling a little out of adjustment, an occasional primer was fired during the tapering operation. This, of course, could not fire a second time, when attempted. An anvil not pressed quite hard enough, or a slight amount of oil in the case could also cause a misfire. In spite of these problems, the U.S. Service cartridge was then the best in the world. As other types (foreign or domestic private interests) came to the attention of the Frankford Arsenal, they were tested, and none outperformed the U.S. model?most were substantially inferior in relia? bility. Minor modifications solved the problem of break? ing firing pins in the caliber .50 rifles, Model 1868. No fracture occurred in test firing some 12,000 rounds of ammunition through six rifles. One rifle, Model 1868, was fired at Frankford over 10,000 times, using the same firing pin throughout, and replacing only one ejector spring. With the lubrication then available?Japan wax and graphite?good results were obtained for targets of 20 to 25 shots, without cleaning. With contin? uous firing of 100 or more shots, the performance fell off rapidly, especially in dry weather. Bayberry wax was much better as a lubricant. The bayberry, however, is a wild plant and its annual production varies making it an uncertain source. This problem was the reason for the extensive tests of lubricants and methods of application that were described in drawer seven. References Anonymous. Les Armes a Feu Portatives des Armees Actuelles et Leurs Munitions. Paris: L. Baudoin, 1894. . [Bound Briefs and Notes on Various Patent Suits.] New Haven, Connecticut: Winchester Library (n.d.). Bartlett, W. A., and D. B. Gallatin. Digest of Cartridge Patents. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1878. [See also Appendices 1, 2, and 3 of Berkeley R. Lewis, "Small Arms and Ammunitions in the United States Service." Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, volume 129.] British War Office. Textbook of Small Arms. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1904. Deane, J. Deane's Manual of the History and Science of Fire? arms. London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans & Rob? erts, 1858. Greener, W. W. Modern Breechloader. London: Cassell, Petter, & Galpin. . The Gun and Its Development. 8th edition. London: Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. Hackley, F. W., W. H. Woodin, and E. L. Scanton. History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition. Volume 1 (1880-1939). New York: The Macmillan Co., 1967. Lewis, Berkeley R. "Maynard Arms and Ammunition." The American Rifleman (Washington, D.C), vol. 99, no. 8 (August 1951). . "Meigs and the U.S. Cartridge Co." The American Rifleman (Washington, D.C), vol. 103, no. 6 (June 1955). . "Morse Arms and Ammunition." The American Rifle? man (Washington, D C ) , vol. 103, no. 3 (1955). . "Small Arms and Ammunition in the U.S. Service." Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections (Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office), volume 129. . "The Volcanic Arms." The American Rifleman (Wash? ington, D.C), vol. 105, no. 11 (November 1957). Logan, Herschel C. Cartridges. Huntington, West Virginia: Standard Publications, Inc., 1948. Mattenheimer, Von A. Die Patronen der Ruckladungs-Ge- wehre. Darmstadt and Leipzig: Edward Zemin, 1868. Metcalfe, Henry. The Ordnance Department, U.S. Army, at the International Exhibition. Washington, D C : U.S. Gov? ernment Printing Office, 1884. Ordnance Department, U.S. Army. "Letter of Col. S. C. Lyford, 2 January 1877" Report of the Executive Department on the International Exhibition, 1876. 2 volumes. Washington, D C : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1884. Pepys, Samuel. Pepys's Diary. Lord Braybrooke edition. Lon? don, 1825. Pitman, John. Notebooks, West Point Museum. 16 volumes (unpublished). Reid, W. "Pauly, Gun Designer." Journal of the Arms and Armour Society (London), vol. 2, no. 9. Schmidt, Rudolph. Handfeuer Waffen. Basel: B. Schwabe, 1875. Scofern, J. Projectile Weapons of War. London: Longman, Brown & Co., 1859. Smyth, John. Certain Discourses ... Concerning Divers Weap? ons. London: Richard Johnes, 1590. Suydam, Charles R. The American Cartridge. Santa Ana, California: G. Robert Lawrence. Tackels, C J. Armes de Guerre. Paris: Ch. Tannera, 1868. United States Government. Ordnance Memorandum No. 8: Metallic Ammunition. Washington, D C : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1868. . Ordnance Memorandum No. 14:Metallic Cartridges. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1873. . Ordnance Memorandum No. 15: Board for Selecting A Breech-System. Washington, D C : U.S. Government Print? ing Office, 1873. . Ordnance Memorandum No. 21: Ammunition, Fuses, Primers. Washington, D C : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1878. Weygand, Herrman. Die Technische Entwickehmge der Mod- emen Pracision-Wafjen der Infanterie. Leipzig: Fr. Luck- hardt, 1872. White, Henry P., and Burton D. Munhall. Centerfire American and British Pistol and Revolver Cartridges. Washington: Sportsmen's Press, 1950. . Centerfire Metric Pistol and Revolver Cartridges. Washington: Sportmen's Press, 1948. Winant, Lewis. Early Percussion Firearms. New York: William Morrow & Co., 1959. 44 Glossary Ball, bullet: These terms are used for the same thing in this catalog, though the former, strictly speaking, should be reserved to describe a round ball as used in smooth-bore guns. Cap, primer: These terms are interchangeable, meaning the small metallic cup containing a detonating composition which is used for igniting a cartridge. In the United States the word primer is more often employed today, though cap was the preferred term in the late 19th Century. The British still use cap. Crimp: A deformation made in a cartridge case to retain some element of the cartridge in position. Crimping has been used to hold the primer in the primer pocket, to hold a bullet in place, and to hold the anvil of an inside-primed cartridge securely. A ring crimp goes completely around the case and was at times called a knurl crimp, being put on with a rotating tool. Stab crimps may be simple circular punch marks, or may extend longitudinally for some distance. A roll crimp, often used at the case mouth, leaves the edges of the case slightly reduced in diameter, and turned in. Externally-primed: Priming not an integral part of the cart? ridge, which has merely a hole in its base to admit the flame from the primer. An example is the old-fashioned percussion cap, placed on a steel nipple in the vicinity of the breech. Inside-primed: Priming composition placed inside the cart? ridge case, struck by the firing pin either transmitting its blow through the head itself, or by an internal pin extend? ing to the priming. Obturation: Sealing to prevent gas leakage. May be accom? plished by a mechanical fit or by expansion and subsequent contraction of relatively thin metal. Outside-primed: Priming placed in a pocket on the exterior surface of the case, the flame passing through one or more small openings (vents) to the powder inside. 45 46 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY PLATE 1.?a, Powder container from musketeer's bandolier. Courtesy Winchester Museum, b, Auxiliary chamber from wheel-lock breechloader 1638. Metropolitan Museum of Art. c, Pauly cartridge using patch or pellet of detonating com? pound, d, Pauly cartridge using nipple for percussion cap. e, Pauly shot cartridge. /, Galy-Cazalat cartridge, g, Same;X-ray of interior (Lewis, 1956, pl.35). h, Pottet cartridge, i, Mark I Snider cartridge, with Potter-type head, j , Demondion cart? ridge. PLATE 2.?a, Le Page cartridge, b, Beringer self-primed cart? ridge. Primer disk shown to side of head. Head marked "BER? INGER BVT, PARIS," one of earliest use of headstamp. c, Beringer- type cartridge. Specimen may be Minesinger's. d, Cartridge for Voss (Danish) breechloader, e, Original type Le Faucheux pinfire cartridge. /, Prussian needle-gun cartridge, Ml842. g, Sabot and bullet for f. h, Guncotton cartridge, i, Chadun's improved pinfire cartridge. ;', Chaudun "tailgate" cartridge for Robert and Le Faucheux guns, h, Lenoir horizontal (inside) pinfire cartridge. /, Flobert cartridge, m, Hunt cartridge, n, Adams revolver cartridge, o, Marston rifle cartridge. NUMBER 11 47 PLATE 3.?a, Needham needle-fire shotgun cartridge, b, Lan? caster inside-primed shotgun cartridge, c, Gaupillat "charged ball" cartridge, d, Smith & Wesson No. 1 Volcanic cartridge. e, Smith & Wesson No. 2 Volcanic cartridge. /, Maynard's first patented cartridge, with base cover, g, Morse, rubber base cartridge, caliber .54 (Frankford Arsenal), h, Morse, solid base cartridge, with rubber obturator disk, i, Morse, solid head cartridge, cap for seal. /, Smith & Wesson's patent rimfire cartridge, for Ballard carbine. PLATE 4.?a, Smith rubber case cartridge, for caliber .36 rifle. b, Cartridge for Genhart revolver, c, Gallager and Gladding cartridge for Schubarth converted musket, d, Foster's grease ring as used on Burnside cartridge, e, Daw shotgun cartridge. /, Poultney and Trimble (assignees of Crispin) foil and paper cartridge, g, Selwyn's patent centerfire cartridge for Burnside rifle, h, Boxer cartridge, Mark II Snider. /', Berdan cartridge, early form with inserted primer pocket. /, Dupee cartridge with extracting groove at head. 48 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY PLATE 5.?U.S. government exhibit building at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Brady photo. PLATE 6.?U.S. government exhibit of cartridge making machinery at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Brady photo. NUMBER 11 49 INTERNATIONAL ?22S:TIdi ORDNANCE D | ; P J M ^ | ^ T . | | Sp>x;imcns Rbawingjgie ~ - -?.manoftctutc'aiu! PLATE 7.?a, Souvenir box of specimens showing stages of manufacture of the U.S. caliber .45 cartridge, as made on the Exhibition grounds, b, Blank disk from which case is made. c-g, Successive draws in forming the case, h, Trimmed case. i, Anvil, j , Bullet, k, Headed case. I, Complete cartridge, show? ing head marking. 50 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY PLATE 9.?Second drawer: Paper ammunition (fixed), specimens 26 to 54. PLATE 10.?Third drawer: Transition and patent types (fixed), specimens 55 to 91. NUMBER 11 51 PLATE 11.?Fourth drawer: Rim primed and miscellaneous, specimens 92 to 149. PLATE 12.?Fifth drawer: Foreign and sporting cartridges, specimens 150 to 174. 52 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY PLATE 13.?Sixth drawer: Modification of charge, specimens 175 to 244. in in ii in til ill in till 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 253 iiii mi Hill I III 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 PLATE 14.?Seventh drawer: Modifications in bullet and lubricant, specimens 245-310. NUMBER 11 53 IIHIIIJTTI ij i.v.w.TM": 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 JSMETALUC CARTRIDGE* I 383 : 382 339 340 34. 342 343 344 " 378 379 34S m ,? m m _ , _ , ; . _ _ 3 H M m & fft If If If||S I jfi?>. m g& m j?J m iL aS u E ffli II E M u 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 - 375 376 ?77 WBaamaaasmsssBsasem PLATE 15.?Eighth drawer: Anvils and cap-primed cases, specimens 311-383. PLATE 16.?Ninth drawer: Modifications in caliber (reductions), specimens 384-449. 54 SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY m^'^mm^rrwfrrr PLATE 17.?Tenth drawer: Service ammunition and stages of manufacture, specimens 450-467. NUMBER II 55 e g PLATE 18.?Specimens from first drawer: a, No. 1; b, No. 2; c, No. 3; d, No. 4; e, No. 5; /, No. 7 (for caliber .69); g, No. 8; h, bullet for No. 8. i ^ ?v. 4A P?^ ?L