shooting blanks from a Smith carbine

[brgreen]

Greetings to all:


I?m looking how to make blanks for a smith carbine. I have had several suggestions that were not tested but rather just thoughts on how to make them. The blanks would be used strictly for rifle salutes at ceremonies. I?m using brass tubes for the smith.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, and thanks in advance


Bryan Green
Dulany Troop
10952V

[Carolina Reb]

I carried a Smith on horseback in a Cav unit. For blanks 35 grains of FFF or FFFF and a toilet paper wad, well compressed on top. The TP won't hurt anybody and melts in the first rain.

[RaiderANV]

I second the toilet paper. I used 40 grains of 3F and either TP. I used my drill press & a wooden dowel to compress the rounds. Never had one come loose. It doesn't take but a half a sheet of TP folded many times to the size of the opening then pack it. I don't recall any TP ending up on the ground.

[threepdr]

My reenactor buddies who shot Smiths, made blanks from short lengths of PVC. They were 1/2 inch inside diameter and the same length as the black nylon cartridge cases. They pressed a card stock disk inside to make the base (with pin hole for ignition) added the powder charge and then either toilet paper or another card disc. They were simple to make and it was not big deal if they were lost on the field.