As with the switch to conical balls in the US - long range sights were added to some guns when the muskets were rifled by the armories.

Cloth patches had been in use in American military since the 1795 rifle, later in the 1803 Harper's Ferry rifle and in all rifles afterwards until the adoption of the conical in the 50's.

American civilians had been using cloth patches for at least a century prior to that time. Indeed, Germany & Switzerland saw the use of cloth patches in the 17th century as well, with civilian hunters.

During the 18th and 19th century, many different 'patents' and methods that didn't make the patent office were tried, of course. Primary in them, were the military experiments with the Tige and Delvinge systems used in Austria & in the US with purchased Austrian guns.