50 EX U.M.C. Co Cartridge

333_OKH

June 01, 2005 20:27

I have one round so marked on its headstamp. the cartridge is very old and
has various colors of a patina from the age. The bullet is lead, but has a
plug in the center where a hollow-point might be that is either wood or
tarnished brass/copper/bronze? Can anyone tell me the age of this one
and or potential worth? I have a lot of mixed old cartridges. I hope
you don't mind the quizing and take it as a challenge? 333

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  heavyiron

  June 02, 2005 20:02

  What you probably have is a 50-110 Express. There are several varieties of these but they are basically all the same except for the the blackpowder charge. These are the 50-110, 50-105, 50-100, or the 50-110 High Velocity.
  
  The company that made the round is the Union Metallic Company which was in business from 1867 to 1911. They combined with Remington in 1911 to form the Remingtion-UMC company which was in business from 1911 to 1934.
  
  This cartridge was first introduced in November 1887 for the Model 1886 lever action rifle. The "high velocity" variation was introduced about 1910. Therefore, your round would have been made between about 1887 and 1911.
  
  The plug in the center of the bullet is referred to as an "expander plug" which was one of the first attempts to expand a solid lead slug bullet. I am not sure of the material used for the plug but suspect it to be brass or copper.
  
  I would estimate value to be no more than $20.00 per specimen. I have seen these on auctions (you can look them up on this website and the other evil auction website) and they have been auctioned for (in my humble opinion) overly inflated values.
  
  Regards,
  
  Heavyiron
  
  
  "If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix

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