But if factory loaded came first, wouldn't the assumption be that a box of shellls was loaded? Meaning, unless you were accustomed to shells coming empty ready for hand loading, why would you need to be told these hulls have powder and shot already? And why don't old boxes of .44-40 etc. say "loaded cartridges"?
I'm new to this board and am not trying to start a fight--i have now reason to believe I'm right. I'm honestly interested and thinking out loud.

This is why I thought that. Of course, who's to say he's right.
From the UMC section:
"Union Metallic Cartridge Co. (UMC) was originally formed to provide firearms and ammunition to the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. UMC was reincorporated in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1867. UMC began to sell unloaded brass shotshells in 1868, which is said to be the first commercially available shotshell in the USA. Twenty years later, in 1888, UMC began to sell loaded shotshells."
http://www.rbs0.com/shotshell.htm

In 1812 a Swiss named Pauly in vented the first cartridge shotgun. The primer was separate from the shell much like a muzzleloader. Then in 1832 Lefaucheux from Parris invented the pinfire shell. Were they sold empty or loaded, I don't know, but our European counter parts were way ahead of us. What came first, the chicken or the egg ? At 71 I try not to give these things too much thought. I have enough trouble trying to remember why I went into a room or what it is I wanted. Charlie, it sounds like you knew the answer to your question before you ask it.

The buffalo hunters sat around the campfire moulding bullets from lead stock and recovered bullets and assembling ammo for their Sharps.

Lewis and Clark made up lead boxes in which they stored their powder. Crimped everything tight to make the package waterproof. When it was time to make more bullets, they opened up the box, melted the lead, and used the powder. Efficient packaging