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copper rimfire

260
i just acquired some rimfire ammo. looks like a copper case to me. the lead bullets are very dull. one of the cases which looks like .41 maybe? has US in the center.others .32?
i think these are from a collection because there are some commercial rounds, peters for example that i have never seen.
anyway, what time period did copper cease to being used?
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • 11b6r
    The .22 rimfire dates to just before the Civil War. Many did use copper, but changed to brass pretty quickly due to better characteristics of brass over copper. Do not have an exact date, but most switched PROBABLY by the 1870s.

    US headstamp is commercial stamp for US Cartridge Company, not US Govt. I have rimfires of 22, 25, 30, 32, 38, 44, 45, and 50- and there are extra short, short, long, and extra long- and the metric rounds- 5,7,9, and 11 mm. There are also rounds that are neither centerfire nor rimfire- including teatfires, lipfires, cupfires, Crispins, pinfires etc.

    A really good small reference book (try amazon) is US Cartridges and Their Handguns by Chas Suydam.
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  • EVILDR235
    I have a 56 Spencer rimfire cartridge with a copper case.looks like a giant 22 short with a pointed bullet.
    EvilDr235
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  • 260
    thanks guys. are there any value to these?
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  • heavyiron
    Are any of the headstamps raised?

    Photos would help.

    Heavyiron
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  • 260
    headstamps are not raised.
    one has US, the others D,and H
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  • 11b6r
    Generally a raised headstamp is raised lettering INSIDE a depressed circle. Yes, there is some collectors value. No, don't run out to buy the new boat yet- most are a few dollars. Depends on what you have. DO NOT CLEAN THEM UP OR BRASSO THEM ! Problem with cartridge collecting on the net is the shipping costs of ammo. By a $1 cartridge, pay $9 shipping, etc. D headstamp is likely Dominion (Canada) and the H for Henry.
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  • 260
    the D is inside a circle. quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
    Generally a raised headstamp is raised lettering INSIDE a depressed circle. Yes, there is some collectors value. No, don't run out to buy the new boat yet- most are a few dollars. Depends on what you have. DO NOT CLEAN THEM UP OR BRASSO THEM ! Problem with cartridge collecting on the net is the shipping costs of ammo. By a $1 cartridge, pay $9 shipping, etc. D headstamp is likely Dominion (Canada) and the H for Henry.
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  • heavyiron
    Hi,

    "D" in a circle is Gustav Genschow, Durlach, Germany. Usually plain "D" is Dominion. Do you know the caliber of this cartridge?

    "H" is Winchester Repeating Arms Company to commemorate B. T. Henry designer of the Henry rifle.

    Post photos and a description of these on this link:

    http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/

    The experts there will be more than happy to tell you more than you every imagined about your cartridges.

    Heavyiron
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  • 260
    thanks guys
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