handejector
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If a few loose original BP rounds could be located, it would seem worthwhile to pull the bullets and weigh the charges.
When exactlry did the .38 S&W Special begin?
- Thread starter Oyeboteb
- Start date
Alk8944
US Veteran
Since the question was about the origination of the .38 Spl. I only quoted the pertinent passages. Go back to my first post, now edited, for the reference to the loading change to 21.5 gr.
Oh good...
Thanks Alk8944 for verifying the 21.5 Grain Loading.
What do we know of the Smokeless Powders which would have been used in the earliest Smokelss .38 S & W Special Cartridges?
I mean, as far as what Brands or Kinds.
I believe Bullseye, and, Unique, were available then...but, I do not recall right now, what some of the others may have been.
Thanks Alk8944 for verifying the 21.5 Grain Loading.
What do we know of the Smokeless Powders which would have been used in the earliest Smokelss .38 S & W Special Cartridges?
I mean, as far as what Brands or Kinds.
I believe Bullseye, and, Unique, were available then...but, I do not recall right now, what some of the others may have been.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Bullseye yes. Unique, was introduced by Laflin & and in 1900. There is a very interesting book available titled "The History of Laflin & Rand" as I recall. It is a free download, Google the title and you can probably still find it. Here is the link to the book: http://www.laflinandrand.com/page2.html
Please note that former comments, now deleted, about "Infallible" were recalled from an article in one of the major gun magazines now known to be incorrect after referring again to the noted "History".
Suydam continues, ".....probably 3.6 grains of Bullseye."
In the early days of smokeless powder Bullseye was pretty much the "standard" powder for any revolver or pistol cartridge as factory loaded. Basically it was because there was nothing else that did the job any better, and Bullseye did it at a lower cost. Cost control in manufacturing is nothing new.
What I find interesting is that the powder most commonly loaded today in cartridges for semi-automatic pistols, by many major manufacturers, is a non-canister number known in the industry as "Bullseye 84" which is manufactured by Alliant. This has been around for many years and available only to the industry until a few years ago when it was finally released to the public as a canister grade powder for reloaders. It is marketed as "Power Pistol". Don't get confused over this, Bullseye and Bullseye 84 are not the same, and are not interchangeable!
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opoefc
US Veteran
rdmeado, Welcome to the Forum. You should post your question as a " new thread" to get the best reponse. Also, if you have a Victory Model the 233020 should have a "V" prefix to the serial number, to be a true Victory Model. If that's the case, V 233020 would have been shipped in approx. Feb. 1943. Post a new thread with a good description of all markings and a picture of your gun and we can tell you much more about it. Ed.
