Early cartridges used during the 1870's in the US

It can be difficult to tell the difference between the early large caliber rim fires and the Benet primer cartridges used by the US Military during the 1870's and into the 1880's. The Benet inside center fire primer was developed by Col Benet at Frankfort Arsenal in the 1860's. A cup was secured inside the case head by two crimps, the cup was the anvil to enable the firing pin to activate the priming mixture. These cartridges look like rim fires but they are center fire. The Benet primed cartridges were used in the Custer Battle in 1876 by the military

Photo: left: 45-70 Benet primed, 45 Govt revolver Benet primed, 44 Henry rim fire, 50-70 Benet primed, 50 US Carbine Boxer primed and 56-50 Spencer rim fire.

second photo is reverse orderAttachment 87917Attachment 87918

45 LC and 58 US Musket were also made with Benet primer.
The Martin bar primed ctgs are even harder to distinguish from a RF.

Those appear to be very rare cartridges to me...very nice.

Very Nice RCS

Truly, they don't make them like that anymore!

I have a Belgian-clone S&W Russian in 44 Henry flat and a Swiss Peabody in 10,4x38R. Yes, I shoot them both. Yes, it is a PITA to make the cartridge cases. Buying modern ammo is just toooo easy! Haven't yet tried a "Benet clone" though...perhaps one could fudge up a substitute with shotgun primers?

P.S. It is, perhaps, worth mentioning that these old cases often had a larger capacity than modern thick-based ones. Which is why, fr'instance, getting 70 gn of powder in a modern 45-70 case is impractical. If I write impossible, that should provoke a few "I've done it" answers!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick

these old cases often had a larger capacity than modern thick-based ones

---

Isn't that a fact! Even with drop tubes it can be a nightmare.