I keep finding period listings for the .46 short rimfire associated with the Smith & Wesson American revolver. Does anyone know if this is true? Was there a .46 short rimfire American revolver made?

I’m only aware of the Remington and that was an early conversion that involved the using of Rollin White’s bored through patent.

However, the 1875 Winchester catalog clearly states “Smith & Wesson” army revolver included in the .46 short rimfire listing.

Perhaps it was submitted to the U.S. Army trials but never manufactured?

This would be the largest caliber revolver Smith and Wesson manufactured since the bullet is listed as .456 in diameter. That’s bigger than the Schofield at .449.


Murph

Attached Images

	IMG_8465.jpg (23.9 KB, 45 views)
	IMG_8458.jpg (87.5 KB, 58 views)

I did an internet search on the 46 rimfire as I had never heard of it before. Reportedly designed by Remington in 1868. Apparently the 46 rimfire was a .458 bullet intended to fit 44 bore weapons.
Thanks for finding something new.

It’s extremely interesting reading old Military records. Especially the Military pistol trials that were basically continuous after the Civil War until the very late 1870’s. It was a focus during the Indian Wars.

They are very much incomplete and often non specific when you need them to be but I’m thankful that they exist for historical reference.

It seems that in 1867-68 timeframe Remington in agreement with the Smith & Wesson patent of bored through cylinder manufactured the first cartridge large caliber revolvers in .46 rimfire. There is documented material that exists that supports that they were issued to the U.S. Army for field tests at that timeframe. 1868-1869.

A follow up recommendation is made to purchase 1000 Remingtons and 1000 Smith & Wessons in the same caliber as the U.S. Army pistol! This is a quote from the records and prior to the
1000 44 American center fire purchase in 1870-1872 trials. Cartridges in large numbers were not issued for the .44 American center fire until June 30, 1872. 130,000 cartridges were issued.

I don’t think any other records remain regarding the early contract purchase. It does suggest that at least some of the very early Americans were chambered for the .46 short during the early trials.

The recommendation was from the chief of Ordnance Major Gen. A.B. Dyer and he is clearly talking about .45 caliber pistols.

QUOTEapproved by General Sherman and Secretary of War the purchase of:
1000 Remington single shot 50 cal pistols.
1000 Smith & Wesson revolvers of same caliber as our Army revolvers and
1000 Remington of the alteration caliber (.46rf) to be issued for comparative trial in service.

It may have also been a mis-understanding of what a .44 cap and ball revolver actually chambered. .454 bullet.

Still, it’s possible a trial run was in .46rf.

Murph

Hi There,


I wonder if this is getting confused with the B. Kittredge attempt
to get 400 Remington percussion revolvers converted to a 5 shot
.46 RF. and contacted S&W for a license to use the Rollin White
patent. They in turn solicited Rollin White and ask him if he would
accede but he initially was argumentative and didn't consent but
he must have changed his mind because there are converted Remington
1858 New Models in a 5 shot .46 RF. with the April 3rd patent date
rolled around the outside of the cylinder.


Cheers!
Webb

Several early examples of Remington conversions actually have the Rollin White patent stamped on the cylinder. Remington actually advertised conversions as early as 1866 and the first of these is listed as the .46 rimfire.

The earliest examples lacked an ejector rod for both the Army and Navy calibers. It was obviously accomplished at the Remington factory and with the permission of Smith & Wesson using the Rollin White patent and all were stamped on the cylinder until the expiration of the Rollin White patent in 1869.

It’s the connection with Smith & Wesson and the exact same time presenting both of their examples of what the U.S. Army wanted for a service pistol that is intriguing.

The fact that records are thin leaves us guessing and that the U.S Army actually adopted a 44cal center fire in the American cartridge in 1872. We know this from Military records.

There was a large contract involving Kittredge that amounted to 4,540 altered or converted Remington .46 revolvers that was delivered in April of 1869 just prior to the Rollin White expiration. They were all stamped on the cylinder with that patent date.

Prior to that the government actually altered Remington Army revolvers already in in stock to .46rf and it looks to me like some were also tested at .44 rimfire to match the Henry rifle caliber. That’s why there are both 5 and 6 shot examples.

It’s because of Smith & Wesson’s involvement that I am curious about that caliber being on the American frame and also as I posted in my first post? You can see “period reference” that supports it using the American frame as a platform for the .46 cartridge at that time.

Smith & Wesson was deeply involved in the conversions performed by Remington and wanted money from the U.S. Government for their alterations. Some are actually listed as .44 rimfire but are believed to have been .46 rimfire so again, the records are thin and non specific since there are so many players in the U.S. Army submitting input during the trials.

One thing is also very clear when reading the Military records. The Ordnance dept wanted 45’s. It’s very clear in their corrective measures. Alter gun submitted to match standard caliber and in center fire.


Remember also that the American and Schofield are basically the same gun. The Schofield supported a .45 caliber round.


Murph

After reading through the records it’s obvious that it was the military that was calling the shots backed up by the US Government.

The Chief of Ordnance wrote a very convincing letter that basically stopped the renewal of the Rollin White patent and convinced President Grant to veto Whites motivation for renewal.

The Military was also the source of the 44 rimfire on a pistol platform and the .46 Rimfire from different opinions given by military personnel. Confusion in the records between the 44 Rimfire and 46 Rimfire is also obvious.

Since it’s also clearly recorded that the military was altering test gun calibers anything is possible at this point.

Murph

Hi There,


The whole Rollin White patent situation is complicated and involved.
The wording of the patent gave White and by extension, S&W a
monopoly on the practical cartridge revolver.

It was after Rollin White was denied an extension of the patent
that Benjamin Butler engineered a compensation bill in Congress
and it was that bill that was vetoed by Grant. The President is
not involved in the extension of patents (but I'm sure he could
influence the decision).

At the time, the Rolling White patent was looked upon as a im-
position to a free competitive firearms market. To help create
sympathy, Rollin White granted the US Government free usage
of his patent.

Bills to compensate White were brought up in congress every
year from 1870 to 1878 (IIRC).


Cheers!
Webb

I have a Remington Arms Rolling Block pistol that is supposed to be the first single shot cartridge pistol adopted by the US Military. At the time the Army was using the old 50/70 in the earliest Trapdoors, Sharps as well as Remington Rolling Blocks. It is chambered in 50/25 and is a bit of a challenge to reload, 56-50 brass and a 240gr. conical lead bullet .512". Looks kind of like a 45ACP on steroids. 25grns of 3F over .030 wad works just fine as recommended. Navy arms brought out some repops a few years ago, I have one in .357 that is fun to shoot.

A very clear picture of obvious confusion is developing.
When cap & ball revolvers were being converted to cartridge the lesser caliber remained as the identifier.
Example;

44 cap and ball= 44 cal cartridge revolver
However, the caliber was actually.45

This remained apparent from 1866 until 1872

Notice the 1868 order form from K&Co still lists the .46 rf as a 44 cal revolver.
Storrs also ordered about 1200 Remington.46 rf revolvers in 1868. The same 44rf identifier was used.

That is the root cause for researched confusion thinking 44 rf was actually a .440 rf Henry when in fact it was not. It was a .46 Rimfire in 456 caliber being identified using the old cap & ball method. Still calling it a 44.

The old records did not clearly identify the .46 Rimfire. They kept calling it a 44 cal rf in lieu of the old caliber identification pre-cartridge.

I’m finding more evidence that the American was submitted for trials in .46rf. How many? How long were they made in 45cal?

Likely very few but it sure looks like they were manufactured.

Murph

Attached Images

IMG_8474.jpg (54.2 KB, 13 views)

Hi There,



I have to correct that statement. It was 1877 and not 1878 that
was the last year a bill was introduced to compensate R. White.
The main reason they stopped was that Benjamin Butler was too
busy running for governor to introduce it in Congress.


Cheers!
Webb