The Arms & Equipment in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Ammo:Minnies, Maynards, & CSA Merrills and Sha

1. The "minnie ball" is the name applied to any hollow base bullet meant for muzzle loaders. Captain Claude Minie (Min-YEA) of the French Army is credited with developing this bullet in the 1840's, but he had a lot of help. Just the easiest name to pronounce.
2. The Maynard tape primer (one of several self-priming systems) was applied to several guns, both breech and muzzle loading. The type of bullet used was determined by the type of gun and its caliber. Muzzle loaders normally used a "minnie ball" and breech loaders normally used a solid base bullet, but there are exceptions. The Maynard cartridge was usable only in Maynard guns.
3. Never heard of a "one groove" bore. Any Merril arms used by the CSA were captured from the Union and used unmodified.
4. Needs to be answered by an expert. The cavity isn't big enought to allow meaningful expansion. The pin hole may be a casting flaw (air pocket) or something left over from the manufacturing process such as used for "pressed and turned" bullets.

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Ammo:Minnies, Maynards, & CSA Merrills and Sharps
Re: Ammo:Minnies, Maynards, & CSA Merrills and Sha