Cliff,
Yes, I believe that is what it means. Apparently back then, the term "Dry Firing" had not been coined yet.
Did you notice that back then, Winchester suggested the use of "wads" (page 7) for reloading.
I found evidence of what the "wad" was in some very early .44 W.C.F. cartridges I dissected. It was a .030" thick cardboard disc between the powder and the soft lead bullet to help protect the base of the bullet.
Ammunition manufactured by Winchester was used by Doc Pardee to fire that impressive 30 shot group at 110 yards distant on page 24.
w44wcf