Modern firearms use cartridges which contain a primer which ignites the powder. Early firearms used an external ignition source such as a percussion cap, flint, etc.

     Although the most successful Civil War designs came to rely on rimfire ignition-- cartridges such as the Henry and Spencer--many famous metallic cartridge designs required a percussion cap for ignition.

     In general, this was accomplished by having a hole in the base of the metallic cartridge. A percussion cap produced the flame which entered the cartridge through the hole.

    Notable examples of metallic cartridges of this type include the BURNSIDE, GALLAGER, MAYNARD, and BILLINGHURST & REQUA. All exhibit a hole in the cartridge base. These cartridges were never struck by the hammer of the gun. All required external flame for ignition. Thus, there is never a hammer mark for this type.

     One planned advantage for these metallic cartridges was that they could be easily reloaded. Pour in a measured amount of powder, shove the bullet in and they were ready to use again. Confederate troops were able to use captured Maynard carbines because the cartridge cases were much simpler to make than rimfire types.

See my guide for Civil War bullets and cartridges for references. My own book on this subject has yet to be published.