Hello all! I have a question and figured someone here might know the answer.
I have been thinking about purchasing a Pedersoli made M1841 Mississippi rifle in .54 caliber as I love the looks and history of the gun, and having a .54 round ball rifle is just more practical and economical for me vs. a .58 rifle shooting Minie balls.
I know the Mississippi rifle was originally in .54 caliber, with many re-bored to .58 caliber later on to take the Minies. Once re-bored, they would have been loaded with paper cartridges I'm sure, just like every other rifled musket on the battlefield.
But how were they loaded in the original .54 caliber? I know they used a round ball and I've read some reports that it was linen wrapped or something like that, but their seems to be very little info on the subject on the internet.
So just how were the original .54 cal Mississippi rifles loaded in battle? With loose balls and a powder horn, or with it's own cartridge? What accessories and ammunition pouches would the soldier have for loading?
Thanks so much for helping everyone!!
Earl Burlin
I have been thinking about purchasing a Pedersoli made M1841 Mississippi rifle in .54 caliber as I love the looks and history of the gun, and having a .54 round ball rifle is just more practical and economical for me vs. a .58 rifle shooting Minie balls.
I know the Mississippi rifle was originally in .54 caliber, with many re-bored to .58 caliber later on to take the Minies. Once re-bored, they would have been loaded with paper cartridges I'm sure, just like every other rifled musket on the battlefield.
But how were they loaded in the original .54 caliber? I know they used a round ball and I've read some reports that it was linen wrapped or something like that, but their seems to be very little info on the subject on the internet.
So just how were the original .54 cal Mississippi rifles loaded in battle? With loose balls and a powder horn, or with it's own cartridge? What accessories and ammunition pouches would the soldier have for loading?
Thanks so much for helping everyone!!
Earl Burlin