If anyone has any info or a good reason why the cartridge designers/makers held on to the black powder nomenclature, I'd be obliged if you'd post.
“The Rifle Book” – Jack O’Connor – 1964 from page 21:
“Now let us see how cartridges are named. The first method of naming cartridges was to give the bore diameter in hundredths of an inch, followed by the capacity of the case in grains of black powder – information that was worth something at the time because black-powder cartridges were filled to the base of the bullet with powder. Examples of this type of nomenclature are the .45/70, .38/55, .45/90, and .50/100. When the first smokeless-powder cartridges came along, the same system was followed for the earlier ones - .30/30, .30/40, .25/35, and others. Often in black-powder days the weight of the bullet was tacked on after the bore diameter and powder capacity, as in .45/70/405 and .38/72/275. Occasionally the length of the case was given as well, such as the .45 Sharps, 3 ¼ in.”
Jani:
I don't think the proofhouse could have gotten all the stamps correct as they had to make at least 1 mistake and you might well have it???
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
