Lancaster,

I am a complete novice regarding needle fire guns. My understanding of guns completely skips needle fired guns.

In the 1850s or thereabout, were needle fire cartridges readily available? I ask because the cartridge looks beyond the capability of a number of people.

I asume oine makes a bunch of paper casings using a mandrel, loads them with several drams of powder, insert a wad with a percussion cap somehow located in the center, drop in an oz of shot, and seal the top. Easier said than done.

How does one keep the percussion cap cenered with the wad? Were wads mad with a recess to hold the cap?

Is the paper nitrated so it burns or at least partially burns?

Do the needles need to be replaced often? It seems like they would be damaged or corroded.

The entire system seems very complex to me.