I'm another canuck in the same boat. I bought a Lee .44 Russian die set from our LGS and I've ordered some Starline brass. I'm going to order my bullets from Jet since they have soft cast and I'm informed that the Bullet Barn product is too hard an alloy. From the reading I've done, I'm leaning toward HP38 as the propellant and maybe Green Dot. My brother has some Pyrodex should I choose to try that. I'm in Toronto BTW, whereabouts are you?

Yup!

I feel bad I was not looking right originally, and then realized as you say, OP's example was ( indeed ) .44-40, and just needed a little cleaning to show the little 'steps' more clearly.

Greetings fellow canuck! I'm in the same boat as you regarding reloading. I've got essentially the same model of pistol coming. I have a set of Lee reloading dies and some Starline and Fiocchi brass. I plan to order some soft cast (as recommended on this site) Jet bullets in 240 gr. and 200 gr. I have primers and I just have to pick up the propellant.

You got the .44 russian dies from a big box? If it's a smaller place let me know which one and I'll order one online once I can. If you happen to have some reloads done before my licence arrices let me know how it went.

I'm on the west coast

I've found a dealer in the Praries who has a nice looking Mexican Army Orbea Hermanos SA in .44 Russian that he will send me some info about once the gunsmith has looked it over.

Those would be hard to establish a pre 1898 date for, as most of them were made in the early 1900s, 'teens...and many were made for private purchase in the 1914-1918 War in .455.

Mexico and South America tended to favor .44-40, if rarely .44 Russian, and Canada tended to favor .455.

I do not recall the Mexican Military to have ever used .44 Russian. I have no idea as for private purchase privileges though.

Belgian emulations tended to have began earlier and may be pre 1898...but, again, it'd be hard to determine year made.

At least with Colt, SAA or m1878s in .44 Russian, year made is easy.

S&W, likewise, of course...

Merwin Hulbert, all .44 Russian chamberings would qualify...

You can actually date the copies with a good reference on proof marks and maker marks. I have a few books on them. The Black powder proofs are much different than the "Nitro" proofs of post 1900 examples. In fact the proof marks are "Proof Positive" of year of manufacture. Accompanied with the Maker mark under the grips on the grip frame.

Phil is right that they were made beyond 1900 but those should have very clear "Nitro" proofs on the frame usually on the flat of the forward frame next to the breech. Also, on the back of the cylinder. It's a great reference also for collectors to easily prove that the example you are looking at is actually antique or modern.

I mean if you have a "Black Powder" proof clearly stamped on the frame? I'd say your in the clear. Since reference manuals claim that mark was terminated no later than 1895.


Murph

I myself have seen no date-code Stamp on any of the Spanish or Belgian big frame top breaks.

I have a few myself, and none have them.

I do not think they were doing that then, even if they may have had a 'Proofed' Stamp.

There are some examples of antiques with Nitro proofing. They are somewhat rare however because they tended to come apart when "Proof" tested with Nitro powder. That testing usually amounts to a significant smokeless charge.

During time of war all "available" guns would become a subject of "need" and I've seen as an example the "Colt lightning" revolver with Nitro Proofs on later production post 1905. I've also seen stamped "Not British made" examples with blown top straps and XXX'd out Nitro proof marks where an early 1880's example was accidentally tested for Nitro powder and came apart. A top strap welded back on the frame and a new cylinder installed with "Black Powder" proofs now stamped on the frame.


So accidents happen all around. It's not a perfect world. Many Wars after the antique gun was actually manufactured can bring on many odd features and stamps.

Murph

I do have a copy of the RCMP FRT Number public database that I will go through later which lists multiple examples of the Orbeas. The fellow who has offered them for sale is involved in the importation and sale of Antique firearms as his speciality so I would imagine he would know his stuff. I believe these would be 1870 to 1884 models.

[QUOTE=Darknight;140979055]You got the .44 russian dies from a big box? If it's a smaller place let me know which one and I'll order one online once I can. If you happen to have some reloads done before my licence arrices let me know how it went.

I'm on the west coast[/QUOTE
I bought my dies at Elwood Epps, one of the best and oldest firearms shops in Ontario. Great staff and service! If you look online for Lee dies in .44 Russian you should find someone closer to you in BC. As to reloading, I'll keep you up to speed on what transpires.

I'd like to see this, if you can post us the Link.

Thank you!

Interesting!

I was not aware of these existing, I had only seen Spanish emulations of the big frame "DA"s, and of course, of the later Swing-Out Cylinder S & Ws.

It was news to me as well!