Metallic Cartridge Comparison

[Mason Jarr]

I've found all these casings at Indian War sites. Most are fairly common, but the last two, not so much. From left to right:

.45-70 Government
.45-70 Blank (primarily used to train new horses and has a rounded tip)
.50-70 Government
.50-70 Blank
.56-50 Spencer
.56-46 Spencer (probably someone's personal weapon as it was more a sporting round than combat)
.45 Colt
.45 Smith & Wesson (also called the. 45 Schofield, shorter than the .45 Colt)
.44 Henry
.38 Smith & Wesson (not 100% on this ID. It's the only one I've ever found. Not a military issue cartridge)
.32 Smith & Wesson (again, not a military issue cartridge and likely someone's personal pocket weapon)

I thought the size comparison might help with IDs.

 

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[ToddsPoint]

38 special sure are military. The Army had to supply Gen George Patton cartridges for his engraved Colt single action 38 special!😉

 

[Mason Jarr]

38 special sure are military. The Army had to supply Gen George Patton cartridges for his engraved Colt single action 38 special!😉

.38 Special and .38 S&W are two different cartridges. The .38 Special cartridge was developed in 1898 by the military, yes. My posting is in context to the Indian Wars, which is generally concluded to have ended after the Wounded Knee Massacre in December 1890.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Yep, you are correct. My bad!😩

 

[Mason Jarr]

Yep, you are correct. My bad!😩

No worries. I'm often mistaken myself and always seeking to learn.