Open tops are just sexy

[CaptainKirk]

FWIW, the newest date code arrangement (numerals) began in 2020 (CZ) somewhere along the mid-year. Guns built in 2020 can have either the CZ or 20 designation depending on when they were built during that year. Guns built in subsequent years are using the digits (21, 22)

Here is the most current version of date code tables:

 

[winter1857]

Found the box for my .44. It's a Uberti 1860 (not 1861, oops, my bad.) Army Fluted Steel. According to the box. As for paper cartridges, I priced purchasing everything needed for making them. No more shooting than I do. (I carry it mostly for self-defense. Just call me 'old fashioned.) I purchase them ready made. About $2.00 each sounds price, but the cost of materials and equipment for making them was about $200.00 and makes 50 cartridges. Not exactly economical.

I bought a neat little reloading kit from capandball.com for forming my own .36 paper cartridges using a provided template and cigarette rolling papers. They're based in Hungary, I believe. Cost was $35 or so with shipping. I have the powder and ball, only additional purchase was rolling papers and a glue stick.

My first attempts were less than perfect but worked well enough. I need more practice.

 

[springfield art]

The newest gun have the last two digits of the year produced in the box rather than letters; e.g. a gun built in 2021 will have the numerals "21" in a box.

They should have done that all along. I don't know why so many things are kept "secret" from the final user/buyer. I've consulted the on-line date charts many times.

 

[springfield art]

Nice! I shortened the bbl. on my Pietta 1860 Colt, expecting to find a conversion cylinder for it. They are out of production, but it's a nice, percussion, handy pistol with 'aged' finish now.

By 'out of production' I meant the conversion for same.

 

[Dark Angel]

I bought a neat little reloading kit from capandball.com for forming my own .36 paper cartridges using a provided template and cigarette rolling papers. They're based in Hungary, I believe. Cost was $35 or so with shipping. I have the powder and ball, only additional purchase was rolling papers and a glue stick.

My first attempts were less than perfect but worked well enough. I need more practice.

View attachment 134023

 

[Dark Angel]

Cigarette papers are not idea for paper cartridges. They leave unburned paper in your chambers. What you need is nitrated paper, if you can find it. It burns up entirely leaving only a little ash in your chambers. If you can't find it, info for making it can be found online. The original paper cartridges were sealed with sodium silicate (waterglass) which is available commercially. This is the reason I use ready-made. Making your own is a real pain. But then you probably plan to shoot more than I do.

 

[springfield art]

Cigarette papers are not idea for paper cartridges. They leave unburned paper in your chambers. What you need is nitrated paper, if you can find it. It burns up entirely leaving only a little ash in your chambers. If you can't find it, info for making it can be found online. The original paper cartridges were sealed with sodium silicate (waterglass) which is available commercially. This is the reason I use ready-made. Making your own is a real pain. But then you probably plan to shoot more than I do.

I thought cig papers were indeed nitrated, to burn fully. Oh, well. The ready-mades are really pricey due to labor time. I'll look up the Na Silicate, just for interest. I'll be using loose makin's, anyway. Thanks for the info.

 

[Bad Karma]

I thought cig papers were indeed nitrated, to burn fully. Oh, well. The ready-mades are really pricey due to labor time. I'll look up the Na Silicate, just for interest. I'll be using loose makin's, anyway. Thanks for the info.

Cig paper has retardant applied to it to control the burn rate.

 

[winter1857]

Cigarette papers are not idea for paper cartridges. They leave unburned paper in your chambers. What you need is nitrated paper, if you can find it. It burns up entirely leaving only a little ash in your chambers. If you can't find it, info for making it can be found online. The original paper cartridges were sealed with sodium silicate (waterglass) which is available commercially. This is the reason I use ready-made. Making your own is a real pain. But then you probably plan to shoot more than I do.

Granted I have only rolled and fired 20 or 25 cartridges so far I've not had any failures to ignite or other issues with cigarette papers. They may not be authentic or ideal but they're inexpensive and have worked for me so far. They may be a pit of a pain that's the joy in it for me. That's exactly the reason we do this sort of thing isn't it?

 

[Stantheman86]

The early cartridges for the Dragoons were basically miniature versions of musket cartridges. The end was bitten off, the powder poured in and the bullet removed from the paper and loaded. I make these occasionally, usually with round balls. I don't mess with the nitrated paper cartridges. There's a whole online article on these, I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Dale Lilly]

It's a ,44 cal. I load it with paper cartridges, rather than loose powder. As for a photo, I'm strictly Old School, No 'smart phone,' Have a flip phone. GASP!!!! It takes photos, as for posting on line, that's another story. If I can figure some way to take a photo, I will.

No gasp. I like my 'flip phone' very well. Dale