Cartridge

a ready-made charge for a gun. In early days, powder, a wad, a bullet or shot, and a second wad were rammed home from the muzzle in succession. In the earlier cartridges for muzzle loading the lead occupied one end of a paper cylinder, the powder the other. The soldier inserted the cartridge between his teeth, tore a hole in the powder end, poured the powder into the gun, and then rammed lead and paper after it. Modern cartridges for breech-loaders are furnished with metal and pasteboard shells. A fulminating cap is placed in the metal shell, so that, on being struck by the hammer, a spark discharges the powder. Shells are recapped and reloaded. They are described in accordance with the amount and kind of powder, the amount and size of the lead, and the caliber or diameter of the cylinder. See Rifle; Ammunition; Powder; Sepoy