Help IDing unmarked case ??

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oldfireguy

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I came across a couple of empty cases the other day and am wondering what they are.
Brass centerfire case approx. .429 cal. OAL case length is approx. the same as a OAL of a loaded .44 mag round. The primers have an elongated strike mark.
Any ideas ?
 
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They measure just over 1.61. Thanks, the .445 seems likely. I am puzzled by the elongated firing pin strike though, it is identical on both cases.

Rule 3, Other than adding that the cases are brass and rimmed what else would a picture have told you ?
 
oldfireguy said:
They measure just over 1.61. Thanks, the .445 seems likely. I am puzzled by the elongated firing pin strike though, it is identical on both cases.

Rule 3, Other than adding that the cases are brass and rimmed what else would a picture have told you ?
Click to expand...

A picture is worth a thousand words. I see you are a LEO, would you rather have a picture of the subject or the homeless guys description? How many pennies are in my change jar on my dresser?;)

The firing pin mark is related to the gun that it was fired in, nothing to do with the cartridge, There are absolutely no markings on the case head?

Even with the exact dimensions internal and external it would still be hard to match even if one had a chart.
 
The Dan Wesson was the primary gun in this chambering; perhaps someone who has one can comment on the primer indentation.
 
I have a very low opinion of Dan Wesson revolvers. I briefly handloaded for a .445 Supermag revolver at one time and the fit, finish and quality were far worse than any S&W revolver I have ever seen. Such a primer indentation could be indicative of a low quality revolver that wasn't assembled properly.

Dave Sinko
 
oldfireguy said:
They measure just over 1.61. Thanks, the .445 seems likely. I am puzzled by the elongated firing pin strike though, it is identical on both cases.

Rule 3, Other than adding that the cases are brass and rimmed what else would a picture have told you ?
Click to expand...

Do they have a headstamp?

BTW; My Dan Wesson .44H (mid 80s) is very well fit and very accurate. When I was shooting a lot, it was mostly indoors @ 50 ft. My 44H could keep 6 rounds inside 2" repeatably. It has a standard round firing pin...
 
Last edited:
I still have dies for the DW .445 Super Mag I loaded for in the early 1990s. I'm not familiar with the type of primer marks that Thompson/Center firearms leave behind, but a Contender or an Encore may be the culprit. Maybe a T/C owner will comment. The thing that surprises me is that anyone shooting a .445 Super Mag would leave brass behind at a range. It's pretty much a hand load only proposition.
 
Not a single mark on either case and both are in decent shape. They were in a box of mixed brass that someone gave me. No idea where they came from. The only modern gun I know of that does not have a round firing pin is the Glock but I'm pretty sure thats not the case.
Maybe something old and a little unique ?????? Somebody fired them in something.
 
Early 445 brass was made from a variety of rifle rounds that have
the proper base dimensions. I have made these from 303, 30/40,
and 30 USA (a heavy duty 30/40), but have never seen any with NO
markings whatsoever.

Your cartridge may also be an old black powder round.

My DW is a well made and accurate revolver. They were made in
a couple of locations and this might affect the respective quality.

I am in the process of getting a T/C and will report on the firing
marks if y'all are patient :) A loose lockup break action could cause
an elongated firing mark. Think maybe the H&R Handi-rifle.

----
Nemo
 
A elongated primer strike is like the strike from a .22
and is also of the old style design, much different than the
modern centered firing pin.

Interesting find.
 
I wonder if that elongated firing pin swipe might not be from a semi auto. I have a really vague memory that the Automag was chambered in 445 supermag at one point.
 
David Sinko said:
I have a very low opinion of Dan Wesson revolvers. I briefly handloaded for a .445 Supermag revolver at one time and the fit, finish and quality were far worse than any S&W revolver I have ever seen. Such a primer indentation could be indicative of a low quality revolver that wasn't assembled properly.

Dave Sinko
Click to expand...
I think that is a gross generalization. I never cared for the Dan Wesson but fit and finish is every bit the equal of the average Smith. Maybe you had one that was the victim of some shade tree gun smith.
 
I took a close look inside the case and am thinking this may be a black powder round. I also found some info that used the description "folded head". I have not heard this before but compared to a .44 mag case it is obviously different. There seems to be no solid base as the primer protrudes up into the case and the rim looks much like a rimfire case. YES, pictures would help here. I will TRY to get pic's of the inside. Ever hear of a 44-50 centerfire Spencer ? Dimensions are similar. Cant find anything about the primer strike though.
 
Nemo288 said:
They are out there, most as rechambers:

Item:8913447 New England Firearms, Co HANDI RIFLE SB2, .445 SUPER MAG For Sale at GunAuction.com

---
Nemo
Click to expand...


That astonishes me. I got into loading for .454 Casull and .445 Super Mag as a favor to a friend. The cartridges were hand load only propositions at the time. I ended up with the dies and the thrill of testing my hand loads. I just cannot imagine why someone would buy a Handirifle for such an unusual cartridge. As I recall the dies were about $70 in 1993, for 60 bucks more you could buy a Handirifle.
 
Oldfireguy:

If it's a "balloon" head case then it is for sure a black powder round.
The only experience I have is owning some early 44 special
brass and reading Elmer's tome on the subject. He cut back a
grain when the solid head brass came out due to the reduction
of inside volume.

Your idea is good.
There are also the:
44 Wesson extra long
44 Extra long Ballard
45-60 Win

Unfortunately my Cartridges Of The World (4th) does not have
drawings or dimensions.

Kweslke:

I have always used the standard (carbide) 44 dies to reload the 445.
Set so they don't cut the base web area they work fine.
The true 445 nut [looks around the room] will always want another
gun to use with this addictive round. Mike Bellm says it is one
of his most popular rechambers.

---
Nemo
 
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