American Civil War Relics Catalog

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Antique Cartridges - Cartridges - Civil War Cartridges

.54 Hunt & Jennings Rocket Ball Cartridge

Item #: Z9129

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Z9129 .54 Hunt & Jennings Rocket Ball Cartridge

Description: Nice example of the scarce .54 Hunt & Jennings self-propelled "Rocket Ball” cartridge. These were patented by Walter Hunt of New York City on August 10, 1848, under U.S. Patent No. 5,701. The innovative design cased the powder within the hollow base of the bullet itself, sealed with a cork wafer containing a small perforation for ignition.

This cartridge type was used in Jennings’ patented single-loading and repeating rifles. Several variants exist in differing lengths, both with and without the patent information marked on the side. This specimen is the unmarked type.

The cartridge shows a dark, even patina with a few light oxidation spots. The cork wafer remains tightly crimped in place.

The Hunt & Jennings "Rocket Ball” stands as one of the earliest attempts at a self-contained cartridge, laying the groundwork for the later Volcanic cartridge and, ultimately, the Winchester lever-action rifles that defined 19th-century American firearms history. A scarce and historically significant piece.

Measures: D .560 OAL .991”

Reference: "Round Ball to Rimfire” Thomas Vol. 3 Pg. 223

Price: $350.00 UPS Shipping Required

Shipping Weight: 0.5 lb

Your Price$350.00 USD

Disclaimer for Antique Firearms and Ammunition:

Americancivilwarrelics.com strongly recommends that these artifacts be enjoyed and appreciated for their historical significance and not ever fired. By ordering you are acknowledging these facts, warnings and assume full responsibility for your personal actions with regard to them.

We DO NOT sell modern guns, all our inventory will be Pre-1898 and are classified by the ATF as antiques and require no government paperwork to own.

All ammunition is sold as "Collectable/Display Ammunition" and is NOT meant to be fired. By ordering you are acknowledging these facts, warnings and assume full responsibility for your personal actions with regard to them.

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Ian Workman

American Civil War Relics & Military Antiques