Any info you can give on these? 45-75 and 44-40 dug up metal detecting

[SoonerP226]

I don't specifically recall hearing of a .45-75, but it's not surprising to learn of it. They did a bunch of variants on the .45 rifle rounds. .45-70 Gov't is the major one that survives, but they made them with longer cases and more powder, the "-xx" specifying the grains of black powder the cartridge was designed to use (e.g, the .45-70 was .45 cal projectile over 70 grains of BP--and .30-30 is a .30 cal over 30gr. of BP).

My recollection is that .45-90 was relatively common, and .45-110 was the caliber of the Sharps "Quigley rifle" from Quigley Down Under. The biggest one I've shot was a Shiloh-Sharps in .45-120; the brass was 3" long, and, IIRC, each case cost $5 (in 1993 dollars).

 

[dennishoddy]

Very cool finds! I think metal detecting could become an addictive hobby.

 

[Snattlerake]

Very cool finds! I think metal detecting could become an addictive hobby.

It's the only hobby I know of that pays you back.

 

[Snattlerake]

 

[Dumpstick]

That's a balloon head case. See how the head is not flat inside, as modern cases are.

 

[Snattlerake]

Thanks!

 

[Okie4570]

That's a balloon head case. See how the head is not flat inside, as modern cases are.

When did they stop production of those?

 

[OKCHunter]

Where did you find the revolver? Any identifying information left that might let you date it? That would be a dream find for me.

 

[Dumpstick]

When did they stop production of those?

I don't know the answer to that. It's not a hard line date. Different cartridges could be purchased with that style brass at different times. Cartridge companies would make runs of brass, then use it up as demand dictated.

For the most part, by the 1940s that old balloon head style had gone by the wayside. However, 44-40 was popular even into the late 1950s, or even later, especially in the western US.

And, if it was reloaded by the owner, who knows how old the brass itself is? It could have been purchased almost any time, and reloaded multiple times over the years.

I have some 38spl brass that is the old style, with that same REM-UMC headstamp.

ETA: Come to think, that 38 Spl balloon head brass is also a Large primer pocket. This was prior to manufacturers standardizing on the SPP for that cartridge.

 

[Snattlerake]

Where did you find the revolver? Any identifying information left that might let you date it? That would be a dream find for me.

Just a cap gun. I'm really surprised no one has commented on the thing Winnie the Poo is pointing to.

As a side note this thing was found in a school yard.