.45 Model of 1906 Ammunition
The so-called "Cal. .45 Ball, Model of 1906" was developed in late 1905 by Frankford Arsenal for use in testing revolvers submitted for the Army trials that began in 1906. The case was rimmed, 0.923" in length, and was loaded with a 230-grain cupro-nickel jacketed round-nose bullet over 7.2 grains of Bullseye smokeless powder. The muzzle velocity was 800 fps.
10,000 rounds were ordered manufactured for the trials. The bulk of the casings were manufactured in April 1906, with most of the order being completed as loaded rounds by July of that year. The only reported headstamp is "F A 4 06". Evidently, both cannelured and uncannelured cases were made, with the cannelure being located on the case just behind the base of the bullet where it served to control seating depth.
It would seem that there was never any commercial production of this ammo, but the Union Metallic Cartridge Company provided 5000 rounds to Smith & wesson in June of 1906.
For the semi-autos tested in the Army trials, there was a similar rimless cartridge, with a case length of 0.918" (also reported as 0.923"), loaded with the same 230-grain bullet as the revolver ammunition, and to the same muzzle velocity.
Attached is a drawing of the two varieties of cartridges used in the revolver tests.
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