Rimfire Questions?

[fyrffytr1]

I found these two cartridges today. One is almost .45"s in diameter and about .90"s long. There are no markings on it. The other is mashed flat so I can't get a case diameter but it is close to a .32" one and about .55"s long. It is stamped US on the bottom.
Both came from a site that dates to the mid 1800s. Is the large one a Henry? What does the US stamp mean?
Thanks.

 

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[Retired Sarge]

The US is below, as for the unmarked one, someone who knows more will be along to answer that one.

US = United States Cartridge Co., Lowell, MA


Mike
TSgt, USAF Retired

 

[PChammer]

Could have been stamped either if the U.S. government adopted the ammunition for the war or due to patents. I think the larger is a large Henry rifle. My grandfather had a few shells like this at one time and I recall him stating it was for a rifle.

 

[vayank54]

I couldn't find it but there is a civil war casing with the US like your's I believe it is a Hammond revolver and I think PChammer is right about the other being a Henry

 

[fyrffytr1]

I also found another of the small caliber ones a few weeks back that has just a "U" on it. What I can't figure out is the amount and variety of civil war military relics that have been found at this site. There was no action or camps in this area. These finds are coming from old home sites.
We have found Union and confederate buttons, different minnie balls and round balls as well. And no two have been alike. I can only guess that someone had a collection from the war that was lossed or thrown out. Or, the Union stuff could have come from Andersonville prison. Gaurds were known to have lived in this area.

 

[NHBandit]

Anyone who is finding mystery brass on a regular basis should have this site saved to their favorites... http://cartridgecollectors.org/headstampcodes.htm The one with just a "U" is probably from Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Bridgeport, CT and if my memory is correct they later became part of Remington.

 

[diggerfororo]

Could have been stamped either if the U.S. government adopted the ammunition for the war or due to patents. I think the larger is a large Henry rifle. My grandfather had a few shells like this at one time and I recall him stating it was for a rifle.

I don't think it is a Henry. If my memory serves me right, the henry had double firing pins and there is only 1 strike on the case.

Les

 

[Monty]

Early on when cartridge firearms were first invented, many of the popular calibers wer made from rimfire cases. Most were handgun calibers but a few were for rifles like the Henry. The larger calibers were most popular like the .40, .41 and .44 and .45.But there were some smaller ones also like the .32 and the 5mm or .22 caliber. As smokeless powder improved it became necessary for a hotter ignition source and the center fire came into being. The center fire could also be reloaded by anyone with a basic set of tools and therefore more popular than the rimfires. Monty

 

[PChammer]

Could have been stamped either if the U.S. government adopted the ammunition for the war or due to patents. I think the larger is a large Henry rifle. My grandfather had a few shells like this at one time and I recall him stating it was for a rifle.

I don't think it is a Henry. If my memory serves me right, the henry had double firing pins and there is only 1 strike on the case.

Les

I thought the original Henry only left one but I'm no gun expert, just mild interest in them over the years.

Here is a picture that may fit. Left shell.

http://www.oldammo.com/september04.htm