So, I bought a lamp...

[oldpaul]

The cartridge for the Model 1889 is the same as used in the earlier Model 1874. The original black powder round had a bullet weight of 11.6 grams (179gr.), a case length of 22.6mm and contained 1.6 grams (25gr) of fine grained black powder that produced a velocity of 735 fps. Beginning in 1890 the cartridge was loaded with smokeless powder, the case length reduced to 22mm and a cotton ball placed between the powder and bullet. The bullet weight was reduced to 11.3 grams (174r.) with a velocity of 810fps. The advice given in a Robert's previous post on fabricating suitable ammunition is how it is usually done and likely the prudent way for most. I possess and shoot my Grandfathers Model 73 Winchester in .38WCF (38-40) and also an Uberti Colt revolver copy in the same caliber so I opted to use this brass as a base for the 10.35 Italian since I already have a lot of brass on hand. A bullet mold in the original heeled design and weight was purchased from Buffalo Arms for nearly as much money as I have into the revolver but I like the originality aspect and was curious how well it would shoot with an 1870s design idea. The mold is beautifully machined and turns out perfectly round 177gr bullets that measure exactly 0.425" at the band just forward of the heel. My only complaint with it is that it has far too much metal for a single cavity mold and so it takes an excessive amount of time to heat up to casting temperature. Since these bullets have a heel I couldn't use a Lyman sizer/ luber and instead outside lubed with Lee Alox tumble lube. As luck would have it, a sized .38-40 Win case has the correct inside neck diameter for the heeled part of the bullet but the cases trimmed back to 22mm are too short to be sized in in a normal length die. A used .38 WCF size die was bought on ebay and was cut back enough to properly size my 'new' 10.4 cases. I use mostly Alliant (the old Hercules) pistol powders but with Unique, Bullseye and all the Dot powders I couldn't come up with a load that had consistent velocities although I am sure with more experimentation some or all would be fine. By happenstance I was given bottle of Titegroup and it proved up well for this caliber. With the usual precautions and disclaimers; With this gun, these cases, these bullets, this process and 4.6gr of Titegroup I shot under three inch groups at thirty feet from a rest, single action, at very consistent 800fps velocities. Not bad for an old pot. So, was it worth it? Everyone has their own reasons for collecting and I would never disparage any that are not my own but I have no safe queens. I shoot them all and load for everything except the rim fires. I mostly like Great War weapons and this one fits into my Italian handgun section nicely. This gun is likely less valuable than a matching number un-repaired similar revolver but with just over 200 rounds down range, it has become one of my favorites probably because, as my Grandfather would have said "you have some blood in it". Thanks for all the interest and comments. Tom