Enfield Paper Cartridges

David Minshall ©2004

Introduction

For today's researcher into Enfield ammunition, the definitive reference is "Rifle Ammunition. Being Notes on the Manufactures connected therewith as conducted in The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich" by Arthur B. Hawes, Captain (r.h.p.), Bengal Army and published in London, 1859. Hawes writes in his introduction: "These notes, intended at first only for myself, were, I am happy so say, useful to others; and from that reason more than any other, I am induced now to offer them, imperfect as they are, for the perusal of all who feel interested in the preparation of ammunition of different descriptions, with the exterior of which all soldiers are so familiar."

What Hawes produced in his 100 page document is a comprehensive guide to the manufacture of small arms ammunition. Each element is discussed in considerable detail and there are chapters on:

• The Bullet
• The Plug
• The Cartridge
• Metallic Tubes (for preserving cartridges from damp)
• Lubrication
• The Cap
• Ammunition Barrels

together with additional comment on the following:

• Rifle-Practice Targets
• Experimental Targets
• Mantlets
• Rifle Rests
• The Micrometer
• Penetration of Rifle-Bullets
• Experimental Practice
• The Vernier

Before considering some of this information in more detail, the Hawes observations on "What Small-Arms Ammunition Consists Of" are worthy of review.

Elements of Enfield ammunition production are discussed in the following pages:

The Bullet
Bullet Casting
Base Plug
The Cartridge
Cartridge Manufacture
Packing
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