Early firearms question.

[knarfj]

On one of our infamous rainy days I was enjoying a bit of reminiscing and was digging through some of my old finds and came across this old cartridge casing. The

 

[Aarong81]

Almost certainly fired from a model 1866 Winchester rifle as the Model 1873 Winchester was a "central fire" as they were known then.(pictured below)
http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/8053/9568293_1.jpg <-------<<<< Model 1873 CENTER FIRE
This is the information on the rifle that I believe fired your casing...
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/WINCHESTER-MODEL-1866-RIFLE-Atlas-Classic-Firearms-CARD-/16/!Bc8gmB!BGk~$%28KGrHqQH-CgEqszl1WnFBK2yciGWt!~~_12.JPG <-----<<<< Model 1866 Double pin rimfire.
And the Model 1866 was available in many calibers(yours is probably .40-82, 40-75, or similar .40 cal).....
http://www.rockislandauction.com/photos/54/p_standard/KIO151-K-O1-O.jpg<----<<<<The yellow box is the only NON 1866(it's a center fire ammo)

 

[Aarong81]

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/llieder1/009_1.jpg <---<<<< Winchester .44 fired from Henry rifle...note the narrow dual firing pin strikes identical to Winchester 1866 except the base is usually bulged when fired from the Henry rifle. The .44 rimfire was pretty short, also. This confirms your casing was fired from a Henry rifle and not a Winchester. The headspacing on the Henry rifle was not as close which allowed the casing to bulge, this was not apparent on the Winchester 1866.
SOURCE: http://www.nuggetshooter.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=22966
SOURCE: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/348341-need-help-shell-casing-found-ghost-town.html

About the headstamp.....

Raised H in depressed Circle = Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
H =Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Scrolled H with D below = Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

SOURCE: http://www.cartridge-corner.com/usrim.htm

 

[Aarong81]

The .44 rimfire Henry Rifle cartridge was found at Little Big Horn which was fired by the indians at Custer. These are pictures of the actual artifacts recovered at Little Big Horn...
It also displays the typical "Henry" bulge not seen when fired from Winchester.
http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/06_ammunition/06images/0108lbhset_4.JPG http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/06_ammunition/06images/0110lbhhenry_1.JPG THIS INDIAN TRIED 3 TIMES BEFORE GETTING HIS BULLET TO FIRE!

SOURCE: http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/06_ammunition/06_item_034.htm

 

[Ant]

According to the reload chart, 38-40 is a .40 caliber cartridge. Your reading of .420" is just right for a
fired 38-40 cartridge identification, the bullet specification is .401". I learned something new, prior to this thread I could only recall the Henry's rimfire cartridge with the double fireing pin marks.

 

[knarfj]

Thanks Aarongg81!

Very interesting and informative information you have provided. Obviously there is a lot that can be said about a lowly looking cartridge case with a unique look!

At the risk of my sounding a little dense, but for the sake of clarity on my part, what you have informed me is my cartridge is a "40 caliber, double rimfire cartridge, made by Winchester Repeating Arms Co. that was fired from a Henry rifle." ....Yes?

knarfj

 

[knarfj]

Thanks all!

 

[Aarong81]

Thanks Aarongg81!

Very interesting and informative information you have provided. Obviously there is a lot that can be said about a lowly looking cartridge case with a unique look!

At the risk of my sounding a little dense, but for the sake of clarity on my part, what you have informed me is my cartridge is a "40 caliber, double rimfire cartridge, made by Winchester Repeating Arms Co. that was fired from a Henry rifle." ....Yes?

knarfj

Yes, that is the conclusion I came up with. I would add that the bullet was not specifically a double rimfire bullet, it just happens to be fired from a double rimfire Henry rifle. Its not very often that you can look at a fired casing and tell what rifle, model and age of rifle that fired it. It may not be very valuable but it sure could tell a tale if it could talk. Nice find. The bullet you found could possibly be from the same time period/rifle as well. It looks similar to the ones found at Little Big Horn fired from the Henry .40 rifles. Click this LINK to see more artifacts from Little Big Horn.
http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/06_ammunition/06images/0108lbhset_1.JPG

 

[knarfj]

Great I'm all set now. I'm looking to make an I.D card to place with it.

Thanks again.

 

[Savvy_Jack]

Would you guys happen to have any 44 WCF cartridges or cases from any of the early Indian Wars Battlefield areas?