Index

Enfield Paper Cartridges

David Minshall ©2004
Introduction
Small-Arms Ammunition
The Bullet
Bullet Casting
Base Plug
The Cartridge
Cartridge Manufacture
Packing
Loading
 The Bullet

Select for enlarged imageWe are informed by Hawes that pure lead was procured, usually arriving from the broker in pigs weighing 1cwt. This lead was subject to chemical testing, details of which are provided, with just one-tenth per cent of antimony for instance being sufficient to condemn the consignment. Having cleared the chemical testing the lead was melted and passed though a Weem's Lead-Squirting Machine (pictured right) to produce rods of lead which are wound onto a reel.

These reels were then conveyed to the bullet-machine which completed several operations:

1st Unwinding the lead-rod, and passing it up to the cutting-off lever and nippers.
2nd Cutting off the lead from the rod, and delivering this pellet to the die.
3rd Compressing the bullet into the die.
4th Ejecting the bullet from the die.
5th Cutting off the ring of superfluous lead that remains round the base of the bullet after compression.

Hawes gives each of these stages detailed consideration and observes that from 25 to 35 Enfield bullets can be turned out of the machine in a minute. Including steam power, repair of the machines, and in fact, all contingent expenses, the price of bullets was stated to be 16s. per 1,000, or "a little more than five for a penny."