New Hand made personal items

[Tsalagidave]

Now that winter is here, I know that a lot of people go into craftsman mode and start making stuff. I attached a few things that I have done lately and I hope there are others here that will put some stuff up. I have done up a new flint wallet with tool pouch. I also have been making the 1857 Milward needle packages along with the 1860 Colt Navy ammunition packages.

The bullets are always fun to make.  Even though I have been at this for 20 years, I have still taken a lot of advice from the old timers as well as archived a lot of articles written by the other guys on the subject. From there, I looked over original examples and try to improve it every time I make these. The bullets are molded from an original Colt Conical mold and encased in a combustable paper envelope made from lightweight onionskin paper soaked in potassium nitrate.

Like I said, I am interested in seeing projects from the other guys here so don't be shy.

-Dave

[Wahkahchim]

Those are some world-class revolver cartridges. Isn't there a lag time between hammer fall and ignition, or does the percussion cap just blast right through the paper?

[Chaparosa]

Superb work on the Colt's revolver cartridges and packaging. Thanks for showing.

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[Tsalagidave]

Thanks for the kind words guys. The cap blasts through the paper and ignition is as instantaneous as with a metallic cartridge. The tapered base really makes the difference in seating them. I have discharged and reloaded in rapid succession without a hitch using these. I also never put a glob of grease in my tubes. Only a drop of oil as with the originals and I have never had a chain fire after firing thousands of rounds.

-Dave

[Oregon Bill]

First class stuff again, Dave. Those cartridges really are nice, and the needle packages look they they just came from the dry goods store. What are you using to attach the paper to the bullet base?

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks Bill, I use sodium silicate. I learned from shooters that it is the authentic way and that the cooked residue of modern glues will actually gum up your bore over time.

-Dave

[Wahkahchim]

Dave, I'm serious about this: Would you ever consider creating a class for how to make combustible cartridges? With enough notice, I'd attend. Thanks.

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

A couple tech questions Dave:

Where do you get your potassium nitrate?

Are you mixing your own sodium silicate and if so, what ratio of sodium hydroxide and Silica beads? or are you purchasing it already made?

twoWalks Baldridge

[Tsalagidave]

You are way ahead of me for making your own chemicals.  I just order them online from the science company or some other chemical retailer.  I treat the paper with the saltpeter first, let it dry and then glue it with the sodium silicate.

As far as classes go, I'd love to do something like that but I know there are lots of guys who have been doing it a lot longer than I have but there really isn't much to it. I can post a thread with pictures showing my method of making them. If we were to do a class, I live out in California. It would be a hoot to do something like rent out Hanks Hotel at Calico Ghost Town for a general workshop on guns and gear but I would not want to do that one alone.

Just a thought.

Dave

[Tascosa Joe]

I wish you have the time to come to the NCOWS Convention in March and present a seminar.  But the distance from California to Sheppardstown Kentucky (Louisville) is a long way to come to put on a free seminar.  The convention is a good time for all who attend.

T-Joe

[Wahkahchim]

Hmmmm...Dave...

We could do it here. If you do it with public access then it's part of the living history program. You could teach just about anything and we'd be grateful.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=563

or I could drive down to here, if they'd give us permission:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585

Plus if a California group us got together we could plan a rendezvous here:

http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm

Thoughts?

Pete

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

You are way ahead of me for making your own chemicals.  I just order them online from the science company or some other chemical retailer.  I treat the paper with the saltpeter first, let it dry and then glue it with the sodium silicate.

Dave

Thanks Dave

[Tsalagidave]

This is a good idea.  I am swamped with life plans right now but doing a living history seminar that is sanctioned by the park services really appeals to me.  Sounds like you've looked into this before.  How would we make a small event like this happen?

-Dave

Hmmmm...Dave...

We could do it here. If you do it with public access then it's part of the living history program. You could teach just about anything and we'd be grateful.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=563

or I could drive down to here, if they'd give us permission:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585

Plus if a California group us got together we could plan a rendezvous here:

http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm

Thoughts?

Pete

[kurt250]

tsalagidave, your cartridges look good, i have never used onionskin paper. i use medium grade slikspan. it a material that is used to cover model aircraft. it take the saltpeter very well and folds easy for making cartridges. i use medium for pistols and heavy grade for sharps paper cartridges. it also drys fast. kurt250

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks for the idea Kurt. My archives are full of posted discussions, my own trial/error notes and tips from friends like you.  I think everyone should read all the posts here on the CAS forums and other sites about making your own combustible cartridges and then experiment until they find the right combination.