Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

U.M.C. 50-70 Bullet

navydad
I have a unfired cartridge that I am unfamiliar with. It says U.M.C.
50-70 on the lower rim near the primer. The actual bullet is rough as if it might have been carved? Any info. is appreciated.
Thank you
Marcus
0

Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Hangfire
    It appears you have a caliber 50-70 Government made by Remington. This was one of the first military rounds introduced in the late 1860's. It was chambered in a trapdoor Springfield, and replaced by the 45-70.I don't think they've been made since before WW1.I'm sure Iconoclast can give the details and current values....however, your description of the bullet leads me to believe that some kid in years past was trying out his pocketknife and really hurt the value!!!

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
    0
  • rldowns3
    Sounds like an old .50-70/gov't black powder cartridge. Standard issue during the indian wars to the calvary in the early 1870's was a sharps chambered for 50/70.

    aliens.jpg
    racism.jpgnaacp.jpg
    0
  • rufe-snow
    "U.M.C. " Is the abbreviation for the Union Metallic Cartridge Company. It was a very large producer of ammunition in the U.S.

    The "50-70" was the standard U.S. Military Rifle Cartridge for a short period after the Civil War, circa 1866-1873.

    Lead unjacketed projectiles are subject severe oxidation when buried for long periods of time. The surface you describe is very commonly found in older cartridges.

    luger_4.jpg
    0
  • haroldchrismeyer
    The UMC 50-70 cartridges are fairly common. I have two rifles of that caliber, so I picked up some collector cartridges to match them at the last gun show. I think I paid $5 each for the UMCs. There are some rare ones out there. An unopened box from the frankfort arsenal is about $1000. Wish I had those. While the cartridge is large, think of it as a black powder round with a 70 grain charge of black powder.
    0
  • oldammo
    Hello. After the introduction of the 45=70 to the US Military a lot of 50-70 were given to National Guard Units. Some National Guard Units were still armed with them when Spanish American War. The 50-70 was the first centerfire cartride used by the US Military. The cartridge you have can be Military Contract or Commercial.

    Old Ammo, have lots always looking for more.
    0
  • Iconoclast
    The above ID data is all correct.

    However, the .50 Gov't was not actually the first CF round used by the US military. It was the first exterior primed design. The .58 Musket inside primed in converted Civil War weapons was the true first centerfire used, albeit briefly. The .50-70 was made in RF, IP CF and EP CF - as, in fact, was the .45 Gov't (the RF version of the .45-70 is a scarce loading).

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity