David,
Thank you for that. Seems logical to me. I would think that they would be stored when not in use and unloaded. I would also think that when they were needed that they would be loaded and a fresh cap applied and be ready for action so that they had fresh powder in them. Nothing worse than trying to shoot the weapona and not get anything. It would be real hard to keep mosture out. I don't suppose they used the same powder in the pistol that they used in the cannon did they? Seems the burn rate would be different. Not being a gunners mate, I am just guessing. FC