Help ID unusual old rifle cartridge

terry5732

December 05, 2008 21:15

I have some old cartridges which don't seem to match the dimensions of anything I've seen before

The case length is 2.005"
The bullet diameter is 0.465"
The neck is 0.503" outside
The shoulder is 0.552"
The base is 0.580"
The rim is 0.658"

The headstamp is "RWA" and USA

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g159/terry5732/Store/5070question0001.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g159/terry5732/Store/5070rwa.jpg

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  MMOMEQ-55

  December 10, 2008 12:01

  Never seen this before but if you have any extras I would be interested in buying a couple for my collection.

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  mongrel1776

  December 12, 2008 16:16

  In Barnes' "Cartridges Of The World", closest thing to what you picture and describe is the 11 (or 11.3)x 52Rmm Beaumont, M/71/78. Dimensions given are:
  
  Case length 1.97"
  Bullet diameter .464"
  Neck diameter .486"
  Shoulder diameter .530"
  Base diameter .581"
  Rim diameter .666"
  
  The cartridge pictured in Barnes is a dead ringer for the one in your pics. Next likeliest candidate, also a very close match visually, is the 11 (or 11.3)x 50Rmm Beaumont M/71, with very slightly smaller relevant dimensions overall, except for a slightly longer case length.
  
  I have no idea what dimensional tolerances might be found in cartridges of this (late 19th century) vintage, but the two mentioned are the only ones in Barnes' book that come reasonably close.
  
  Unfortunately no mention is made in the descriptions of headstamps.

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  terry5732

  December 13, 2008 08:36

  Thanks for the info. I didn't even think of European makes. These cases appear to be 1980s repro brass that were turned rather than drawn. I think they were something like a 50-90 that was cut and necked down.

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