Dave,
Thanks a bunch. That is one super neat shell. The nipple is similar to that of Parker #06 and is for a percussion cap. This is the W. H. Wills of Boston and it is patent No. 45,292 dated Nov, 29, 1864. Wills describes it as being useful because of the "objection to that class of firearms in which a metallic cartridge is employed arises from the difficulty in obtaining these cartridges in wild and unsettled portions of the country." He also remarks that these metallic cartridges are quite expensive and "on account oh their weight and bulk, are inconvenieNt to transport from place to place." The sportsman then needs only carry to cartridges and his supply of powder, shot and percussion caps.
If you wish, I can digitize the patent and send the two images to you. It is only one pg of drawings and 1 pg. of text. Perhaps you could then post it if you think there are others that might be interested. I do not yet know what I must do to upload pictures to this site.
Yours,
Richard
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