Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
"What I need to prove is that the modern .38 S&W and 44-40 is not the same Cartridge that a Pre 1900 Antique is manufactured and designed to use."
They are the same, except that in pre-1900, many cartridges were loaded with black powder, even though smokeless powder was coming into widespread use at that time (ca. 1900). Another way of saying that .38 S&W and .44-40 cartridges made today would fit and fire in your old gun. Most cartridges made today which originated in the BP era are loaded very lightly with smokeless powder so they can be used safely in old firearms.
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This is the 'grey area' that is troubling; it will come down to a point of Law. If the point of view expressed here is taken, a lot of collectors could lose their precious Antiques and face Charges. Hand guns are very strictly controlled here and being in possession of one that is deemed 'Registerable' that is not Registered and without the appropriate License can land you in hot water very quickly. As someone noted earlier; somewhere in the World someone makes almost every Obsolete Cartridge; and the Law here is somewhat vague and does not go into what constitutes 'Commercially Available'. It will likely be a case of 'The Spirit of the Law' in whatever interpretation as seen by the Judiciary will prevail. It seems crazy though to outlaw people who simply collect historical Artifacts just because a modern equivalent of Cartridge is made on the other side of the World (basically unavailable here in the case of .38sw)