Paper Cartridge Template Kits
Forth Armoury is pleased to offer these precision-made steel templates for making period paper cartridges for your muzzle loader. Made in the USA.
We are always expanding our pattern offerings so check back often!
We are always expanding our pattern offerings so check back often!
Free Shipping for all Continental USA Orders!
British Cartridges
Brown Bess Cartridge
The Brown Bess is one of the most well known British military firearms. Our stainless steel template dimensions come from Small Arms of the British Forces in America 1664-1815 by Dr. De Witt Bailey. The mandrel is .69" in diameter.
$30 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel - Brown Bess
Includes a precision-made template made from .036" thick stainless steel and a 3D printed .69" diameter mandrel for making the Brown Bess cartridge. The mandrel has a ball-shaped cavity in one end and is rounded on the other. $30 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
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Enfield Cartridges
Here you will find a selection of variants of cartridges for the Pattern 1853 Rifled Musket. Starting with its precursor, the Pattern 1851 Rifled Musket, the Pattern 1853 cartridge rapidly evolved from inception in 1853 to state-of-the-art by 1860, only to quickly be made obsolete by the widespread adoption of metallic cartridges.
If you want an in-depth, yet easy-to-understand history of the Pattern 1851 and 1853 musket ammunition, this book, "The English Cartridge", by Brett Gibbons, is a must-have resource. This is a fantastic book and is absolutely essential reading for anyone who is interested in the Pattern 1851 and Pattern 1853 British Enfield muskets and, specifically, the ammunition that went with them. It covers the evolution of the ammunition, and identifies the contributions of the key innovators and military men involved. For the price of a burger and fries you can have an invaluable resource on British musket ammunition. Available on Amazon.
1855 Enfield Cartridge
While this pattern absolutely existed in 1855, based on the dates of the sources for it, this is probably what the cartridge looked like back to 1853 when the Pritchett bullet was first used with the Enfield musket.
Our templates are based on drawings from Instruction of Musketry, Horse Guards, 1854, and The Artillerist's Manual and British Soldier's Compendium 7th Edition, F. A. Griffiths, 1856.
In both sources, the instructions for this cartridge instruct to "fold the remainder of the envelope on the base of the bullet". In addition, The Artillerist's Manual describes the bullet as 530 grains (the weight of the Hay bullet with plug; the Pritchett bullet was 520 grains). This means that the Hay bullet, with it's wooden plug, must have been in use with this cartridge by this date.
The Pritchett bullet was abandoned by the British around 1855. This pattern of cartridge was probably identical to, or very similar to, that used earlier for the Pritchett. In any case, a .568" diameter bullet was used with this pattern of cartridge.
This style of cartridge was also produced by the Confederacy during the American Civil War (see Round Ball to Rimfire Volume 4, Dean S. Thomas). The Confederate copies of this Enfield cartridge did not utilize a plug in the base of the bullet.
Our templates are based on drawings from Instruction of Musketry, Horse Guards, 1854, and The Artillerist's Manual and British Soldier's Compendium 7th Edition, F. A. Griffiths, 1856.
In both sources, the instructions for this cartridge instruct to "fold the remainder of the envelope on the base of the bullet". In addition, The Artillerist's Manual describes the bullet as 530 grains (the weight of the Hay bullet with plug; the Pritchett bullet was 520 grains). This means that the Hay bullet, with it's wooden plug, must have been in use with this cartridge by this date.
The Pritchett bullet was abandoned by the British around 1855. This pattern of cartridge was probably identical to, or very similar to, that used earlier for the Pritchett. In any case, a .568" diameter bullet was used with this pattern of cartridge.
This style of cartridge was also produced by the Confederacy during the American Civil War (see Round Ball to Rimfire Volume 4, Dean S. Thomas). The Confederate copies of this Enfield cartridge did not utilize a plug in the base of the bullet.
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$40 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel Set - 1855 Enfield
Includes 3 precision-made templates made from .036" thick stainless steel and a 3D printed 1/2" mandrel and forming tool for the "1855" Enfield cartridge. The mandrel has a bullet nose-shaped cavity in one end for forming the powder cylinder. $40 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
1860 Enfield Cartridge
Based on the Boxer drawing, these pattern templates will let you make exact copies of the final evolution of the Enfield muzzle loading cartridge. This version of the Enfield cartridge utilized the "Boxer" bullet that was .550" in diameter.
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$45 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel Set - 1860 Enfield
Includes 3 precision-made templates made from .036" thick stainless steel and 3D printed mandrels and forming tool for the 1860 Final Pattern Enfield cartridge. The 1/2" diameter mandrel has a bullet nose-shaped cavity in one end for forming the powder cylinder. We also include a .55" diameter mandrel so that you can roll the bullet cylinder without using an actual bullet to wrap around. Historically, only the small mandrel and the former were used - the bullet itself was the forming tool for the final wrapping of the outer wrapper. $45 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
The Enfield Cartridge Collection
$75 Shipped in USA
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Purchase the 1855 and 1860 Template and Former sets together and save!
Includes one 3-piece 1855 template set, one 3-piece 1860 template set, one 1/2" mandrel, and one .55" mandrel. $75 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
USA Cartridges
US Expanding Ball Cartridges
The United States entered the Civil War using the pattern from the 1855 US Ordnance Manual to make cartridges for its 58 and 69 caliber muskets. While superior in many respects, it was more expensive and difficult to make, as it used 2 different kinds of paper and 3 separate components. In 1861 a new, simpler design was created that used one single component, used twice, to create a package for the bullet and the powder, respectively. This is found in the 1862 US Ordnance Manual.
We offer templates and mandrels for both the 1855 and 1862 US Expanding Ball Cartridges, in 58 and 69 calibers.
We offer templates and mandrels for both the 1855 and 1862 US Expanding Ball Cartridges, in 58 and 69 calibers.
58 Caliber US 1855 Expanding Ball Cartridge
Based on dimensions provided in Reports of Experiments with Small Arms for the Military Service, United States Army Ordnance Dept., 1856, these templates and former will let you make precise replicas of this 58-caliber expanding ball cartridge.
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$40 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel set - 58 Cal. US 1855 Expanding Ball
Includes precision-made templates made from .036" thick stainless steel and a 3D printed mandrel for making the 1855 US Expanding Ball Cartridge. $40 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
58 Caliber US 1862 Expanding Ball Cartridge
Based on dimensions provided in the United States 1862 Ordnance Manual, this template and former will let you make precise replicas of this 58-caliber expanding ball cartridge.
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$25 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel set - 58 Cal. US 1862 Expanding Ball
Includes a precision-made template made from .036" thick stainless steel and a 3D printed mandrel for making the 1862 US Expanding Ball Cartridge. $25 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
The 58 Caliber US Expanding Ball Cartridge Collection: 1855 + 1862
$55 Shipped in USA
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1855 + 1862 58 Caliber US Expanding Ball Set
Purchase the 58 Caliber 1855 and 1862 US Template and Former sets together and save! Includes one 3-piece 1855 template set, one 1862 template, and one .58 mandrel. $55 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
69 Caliber US 1855 Expanding Ball Cartridge
Based on dimensions provided in Reports of Experiments with Small Arms for the Military Service, United States Army Ordnance Dept., 1856, these templates and former will let you make precise replicas of this 69-caliber expanding ball cartridge.
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$40 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel set - 69 Cal. US 1855 Expanding Ball
Includes a precision-made set of templates made from .036" stainless steel and a 3D printed mandrel for making the 1855 69 caliber Expanding Ball Cartrdige. $40 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
69 Caliber US 1862 Expanding Ball Cartridge
Based on dimensions provided in the United States 1862 Ordnance Manual, this template and former will let you make precise replicas of this 69-caliber expanding ball cartridge.
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$25 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel set - 69 Cal. US 1862 Expanding Ball
Includes a precision-made template made from .036" thick steel and a 3D printed mandrel for making the 1862 US Expanding Ball Cartridge. $25 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
The 69 Caliber US Expanding Ball Cartridge Collection: 1855 + 1862
$55 Shipped in USA
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1855 + 1862 69 Caliber US Expanding Ball Set
Purchase the 69 Caliber 1855 and 1862 US Template and Former sets together and save! Includes one 3-piece 1855 template set, one 1862 template, and one .69 mandrel. $55 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
US Smoothbore Cartridges
69 Caliber US Round Ball / Buck and Ball Cartridge
Based on dimensions provided in the United States Ordnance Manuals, this template and former will let you make precise replicas of 69-caliber Round Ball and Buck and Ball cartridges.
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$25 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel set - 69 Cal. US Round Ball / Buck and Ball
Includes a precision-made template made from .036" thick stainless steel and a .65" 3D printed mandrel for making the US 69 Caliber Round Ball and Buck and Ball Cartridge. $25 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
Now available from Eras Gone Bullet Molds - .650 Round Ball Mold!
Eras Gone Bullet Molds now offers a .650" round ball mold so that you can make historically-correct US .69 round ball and buck-and-ball cartridges!
69 Caliber US Buckshot Cartridge
Based on dimensions provided in the United States Ordnance Manuals, this template and former will let you make precise replicas of 69-caliber Buckshot cartridges.
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$25 Shipped in USA
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Template and Mandrel set - 69 Cal. US Buckshot
Includes a precision-made template made from .036" thick stainless steel and a .65" 3D printed mandrel for making the US 69 Caliber Buckshot Cartridge. $25 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
69 Caliber Smoothbore Cartridge Collection
Based on dimensions provided in the United States Ordnance Manuals, these templates and former will let you make precise replicas of 69-caliber Buckshot, Round Ball, and Buck and Ball cartridges.
$40 Shipped in USA
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US 69 Caliber Smoothbore Cartridge Collection
Purchase the 69 Caliber Roundball/Buck and Ball and Buckshot sets together and save! Includes one Round Ball / Buck and Ball template set, one Buckshot template, and one .65" mandrel. $40 shipped via USPS shipping within the Continental United States only. We ship internationally - contact us with your address for a PayPal invoice that includes shipping to your address. |
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