ABSTRACT
Prior to the introduction of a self-contained cartridge, firearms were muzzle-loaded by pouring a measured amount of gunpowder down the barrel followed by the bullet and then compacting the gunpowder/bullet combination by the use of a plunger and some sort of wad. Ignition of the gunpowder was accomplished separately. Obviously, this system suffered several major disadvantages. Faster reloading in order to achieve greater firepower was desirable, the means of ignition was susceptible to weather conditions, and it was necessary to carry items of equipment ancillary to the firearm, that is, gunpowder, ignition powder (finely powdered gunpowder), bullets, wads, and ramming rod. Because of the long loading time, the advantages of a selfcontained ammunition package were evident early in the history of firearms and many attempts were made to produce such a package.
