factory loadings

[swifty22]

I don't think I have ever heard but in the late 1800's were the paper patched bullets loaded by factory's patched by machine or by hand and were the bullets cast or swage'd (sp?)?-Muddy

[.22-5-40]

Hello, swifty22.  The factory paper-patched bullets of the 1870-80's were patched by hand by women.   I have read where an experienced worker could patch 1000 bullets in a day..something I find hard to believe having done many myself..but you never know?
    Hugo Borchardt..who developed the hammerless Sharps rifle that bears his name, is said to have invented a mechanical patching machine..but I have not seen any patent pictures of such.