Replies

He carried a .38 in movies in 5½" I believe.

I was told it was a 38-40. Until a year ago, I thought the 38-40 had the traditional Caliber-Blackpowder load. Not so. It's the only cartridge that had reversed the numbers. A 38-40 is a blackpowder load of 38 grains[or the modern equivalent] with a .40 caliber bullet.

You are probably right.

Check "Dixie Gun Works" catalogs

Full of good info on old FAs

You will also see that Colt changed the bore of standard .38 barrels way back when.

The BP C&B .36 was really a .375

The BP C&B .44 was really .451-.454

Colt SA .38-40s are popular with some SASS shooters, but I like to stick to easy to git ammo!

The old Colt .41 has a larger cylinder chamber but check out the barrel bore!

Early small Magnum cartridge.

Interesting, but I'll stick with the high $ value .44-40 in 7½" or a .45LC in pre-1899 BATF "antiquey", from 1896-1898 which is smokeless strength and has the cross-latch cylinder pin like the Colt NewLine .22, .32, .41 and the Colt Model-1877 "Lightning" .38 and "Thunderer" .41 and the Colt ArmyDA Model-1878 big frames made past 1900 as were the Lightnings.

I should quit talking about Colts, I may be running up their values.

My private collection is getting to be too valuable to own.

Then again, a .44-40Win or a .44S&W cartridge is not .44 bore.

Bullets run in the .427-.429 range.

I know the later Colt Diamondbacks used the same bore for both .22Mag and .22rf.

Lousy accuracy resulted for a beancounter's compromise decision.

But then Colt quit making SAs after they used up pre-WWII parts after the war.

Said there was no market for big SAs.

Ruger proved 'em wrong.

Colt came back with more 2nd Gens

The new 3rd Gens are no match for 2nds in quality.

1st Gen pre-1899 values are outta sight now.

Gotta neat 4-digit Model 1862 Pocket Navy 4½" circa 1861 that was a Reb capture; sent back from New Orleans in 1872 to become a .38rf w/loading gate but no ejector.

1st Sheriff's/Storekeeper's model made.

Good for display as most don't realize a .38CF will fit the chambers but not ever fire.

Patent stamps on LS Frame: 1871 & 1872