.41 short rimfire

[Guest edc]

I recently stumbled across an old 12gauge shotgun (1920-1940s) and the buttplate was loose so I removed it to try and fix it.

These 3 bullets were tucked inside with an old piece of paper. Some people on another forum said they may be .41 short, and after measuring and searching, it's true.

These are from around the late 1800s - early 1900s.

Has anyone seen these before or have any more info? They have a "U" stamp on the bottom.

[Garufa]

Cool. U stands for Union Metallic Cartridge Company which later merged with Remington.

[Magiccarpetrides]

i might wanna buy those from you....I think thats what my Vetterli fires.

[Dolomite_supafly]

There is a way to shoot those old rimfire derringers.

You can take an original shell and drill it for a 22 blank to fit inside but on the rim. Push a round ball in by hand. WHen you insert it into the chamber you need to make sure the 22 blank is where the firing pin will hit. After you shoot you push the 22 blank out and put another in followed by another round ball.

I have seen it done a few times over the years and it seems to work ok. Makes shooting that gun you can't find rimfire ammo for easier.

Hey Magid, when we meet up if you have any fired cases bring them with you as well as the gun itself. I might be able to machine an insert for you to be able to shoot. Even if you don;t have any cases I might be able to emasure and build a case to use.

Dolomite

[Magiccarpetrides]

cool i will just bring my wallflower along and you can lemme know if theres any hope for her :-)

[Dolomite_supafly]

There is always hope.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Just looked up pictures of the vetterli ammo. The ammo in the OP will not work. The Vetterli ammo is a necked cartridge that is more of a rifle cartridge than a pistol cartridge. I have an idea of how to make one if I can can get detailed dimensions.

It will take a while though because of how I feel. And add that fact I fell between the last post and this one. Hopefully I will be able to move later.

Dolomite

ETA:Have the drawing now.

http://en.valka.cz/files/10_4x38r__v_c.vetterli.gif

Problem is going to be sourcing an appropiate bullet to use. I would suggect a round ball but I can't find any that are .40 diameter. I will mic the bore to get an idea of size then go from there.

You might be able to paper patch one of these:

Hornady Muzzleloading Bullets 40 Caliber (395 Diameter) Round Ball Box of 100 - MidwayUSA

Might be able to use these as well but I would be concerned about sticking one in the bore:

Hunters Supply Hard Cast Bullets 40 Caliber (401 Diameter) 155 Grain Lead Round Nose - MidwayUSA

Edited October 7, 2011 by Dolomite_supafly

[Caster]

There's an entire article on reloading old rimfires using the method Dolomite mentioned, in the latest issue of Handloader magazine.

[1gewehr]

Those old .41 rimfire shorts are for the old Remington double-barrel derringer like this:

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsDADB_derringers.htm&h=581&w=864&sz=229&tbnid=UIWghZ8ZbEACWM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=138&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dremington%2Bderringer%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=remington+derringer&docid=hhkC7EuPwd0PpM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8EaQTu6oL463tgfhsc2CDA&sqi=2&ved=0CFgQ9QEwBg

The cartridge is a 120gr bullet at a blistering 425fps, for a tremendous 52ft/lbs of energy. Or about half the energy of a .22lr target load. I've fired these back when Navy Arms had a bunch of this ammo imported from Brazil. Not at all like the movies. These basically 'pop', with a little puff of smoke. They penetrate about 1" into a pine 2x4. Typically, you just get a dent in hardwood.

[gregintenn]

Those old .41 rimfire shorts are for the old Remington double-barrel derringer like this:

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsDADB_derringers.htm&h=581&w=864&sz=229&tbnid=UIWghZ8ZbEACWM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=138&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dremington%2Bderringer%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=remington+derringer&docid=hhkC7EuPwd0PpM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8EaQTu6oL463tgfhsc2CDA&sqi=2&ved=0CFgQ9QEwBg

The cartridge is a 120gr bullet at a blistering 425fps, for a tremendous 52ft/lbs of energy. Or about half the energy of a .22lr target load. I've fired these back when Navy Arms had a bunch of this ammo imported from Brazil. Not at all like the movies. These basically 'pop', with a little puff of smoke. They penetrate about 1" into a pine 2x4. Typically, you just get a dent in hardwood.

That's what they look like to me. Don't throw them away. Someone will want them.