[Nick]

BTW, your Dreyse should be marked with a LA (lange) or a KA (kurz) on the buttstock.

KA = Kurze Anschlag, LA = Lange Anschlag

 

[Nick]

I highly recommend this book. There is a chapter on how to make the cartridges.

 

[Nick]

The base of the sabot showing the rings left from winding the sabot

I am really confused about the material of which the sabot was made. Some authors state formed/pressed papier-mache, some state coiled paper. I see the rings on your photo (not very well), but they could be from the process of cutting/facing the bottom of the sabot. What say you - really coiled paper? Guy and Leonard, extremely knowledgeable on the subject say coiled paper that "unfurls" in shooting. But the contemporary accounts state that the sabots didn't disintegrate/unfurl and could hurt the troops nearby if hit. Hence my confusion...

 

[Nick]

I have that book. From a manufacturing point of view making sabots from rolled paper and then turning them from both sides seems to be a very inefficient method. Forming them from paper pulp (papier-mache) would be a lot more productive. But I don't speak German and I am unable to find the proper text on sabot fabrication.

 

[Nick]

papier mache is impossible, it would never stand the stresses.

Disagree. There were even shells with sabots of papier-mache for muzzle loading rifled cannons. I need to check with the book on exactly what model, don't remember right now.

PS. Schenkl used papier-mache sabots. 3-inch Schenkl Shell - Case Shot

 

[Nick]

Guy and Leonard, your knowledge is amazing! Thank you!

 

[Nick]

I don't want to be the doubting Thomas, just being curious. If the sabot is made of rolled paper, then the edge of the paper strip would be visible on the outside surface of the sabot. Could you tell me if that's the case?

 

[Nick]

Thank you. Is the edge/seam visible from the side?