US M1906 Multiball Cartridges

[oldcorps]

Thanks, Jim. It must be lens distortion that makes the cartridge bases appear to be a different size. In reality, the dimensions are identical and the overall length of the mystery cartridges is 2 1/2." During the 1930's both the US and England experimented with multiball cartridges and did so again in the 1950's. I suspect that these are either experimental or very limited production rounds from Frankford Arsenal. At any rate, these appear to be an updated version of the rounds briefly discussed by Brophy.

[browningautorifle]

It must be lens distortion that makes the cartridge bases appear to be a different size.

Looks like one is closer to the lens, doesn't matter.

[green]

Consensus at Intenationl Ammunition Collectors is that they are handloads.
In Labetts two volume set on .303" and other British ammo and the HWS book I can find no mention of experimentation with multiball loads in the 30s.

[oldcorps]

Thank you for your opinion but that's nonsense.

[green]

I can back my "nonsense" with documentation. Please back up yours. Regards.

[Badger]

I can back my "nonsense" with documentation. Please back up yours. Regards.

Although my technical knowledge level stepping into this type of discussion is basically non-existent, purely as a research and discovery tool, I would love to see documentation (or other evidence) from both sides ...

Thanks folks...

Regards,
Doug

[green]

The assertion was made that in the 1930s the US and Britain experimented with multiball cartridges. I disagree.
My documentation:
US "History of Modern US Military Small Arms Ammunition Vol I 1880-1939." Hackley, Woodin and Scranton. This is considered the authoritative source on US ammo.
Britain ".303 inch" and "British Small Arms Ammunition 1864-1938" Labett. Again the definitive works.
If documentation for the above assertion is available please provide it. I have been at this for 50+ years and keep learning.

[browningautorifle]

Well, the OP is gone and I doubt he will return... So, here's what he was working with.

Quoting Brophy from the 1903 Springfield book, page 312, he states the Multiball Cartridge is loaded with 43 1/2 gr of powder and two round balls weighing 42 gr each. The balls are held in the case neck by a cannelure at the lower end and a crimp at the upper end. The cartridge must not be used in the magazine of the gun.

Brophy doesn't specify who loaded this ammo or when. He gives no indication of packaging. He includes a drawing of the cartridge with measurement. So there you go, it exists...

[green]

The ctg on pg 312 is a 30-03 not 30-06 loaded by Frankford Arsenal and discontinued in 1904. From "US Military etc" as listed above. This is a scarce ctg. No double ball 30-06 load is shown in the Brophy book.
No equivalent was loaded by the US govt for the 30-06 ctg.

[browningautorifle]

I guess we'll have to measure the cartridges in the pic then...for length...