Here is a minty example of an original Federal paper cartridge in .54 caliber used in military, percussion, single-shot pistols of the mid-nineteenth century such as the A.H Waters pistol, H. Aston pistol and I. N. Johnson pistol. The round .54 cal lead ball and its accompanying charge of black powder are both finely and tightly wrapped together in a light brown paper. This cartridge specimen is in mint original condition with no rips, tears or perforations at all to the paper body. Its light, tan-colored paper of the cartridge body is clean and crisp with no traces of surface grime or blemished.

The cartridge resembles a 1½” long, cylindrical tube with the nose end (ball) tied off with string while the opposite end of the cartridge has a long (1”) paper tail folded over and attached to the body. When the soldier prepared to load his rifle musket, he bit off the paper tail, poured the powder contents down the weapon’s muzzle followed by the lead minie ball. A fine and rare complete .54 cal cartridge from the pre-Civil War period.

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