Unusual .44 Special cases

[SmithNut]

Was going through some .44 Special cases I've had for some years, sorting by head-stamp, Ammo manufacturer, etc. In the batch there were a dozen or so that were primed, so I set them aside.

When I was done I took a look at these primed cases, now I'm real curious.
The headstamp reads MSA Rivet Remover.... (?)

Anyone ever hear of or have seen any like this?

Comments appreciated.....

 

[6string]

The MSA rivet remover seems to have been a tool to remove rivets from steel hulled ships. Sort of a oversized nail gun type of device.
Maybe a Navy Vet here might know more?

 

[SmithNut]

Cool, Thanks for the info.

I did do a search but didn't see that particular tool.

Kinda interesting that they used 44 Special ammo/brass for the work, maybe smaller calibers (22LR) just didn't get the job done...

 

[Drm50]

In the mines there were punches designed to knock bolt holes in web of rails that were powered by 45 blanks almost as long as 45/70.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Many of the 22 & 38 cases were used to fasten or anchor metal objects to bulkheads or other structures on a ship.

All of the loads were "Color Coded" to show the energy of the load,
to be selected for the metal thickness and job at hand.

I know of one "Shot" by a shipmate, that used the wrong load, which went all the way through the metal fastener, the bulkhead and through the leg of a sailor that was walking on the other side of the bulkhead. (Wall)

 

[4barrel]

I have some 17 caliber 45 Long Colts.

 

[Alk8944]

In the mines there were punches designed to knock bolt holes in web of rails that were powered by 45 blanks almost as long as 45/70.

There sure were. Probably about 45 years ago I picked up about 100 .45-70 cases that were sold as coming from rail perforator loads. They didn't have any special headstamp, they were normal 45-70 cases, R-P as I recall.

MSA – Mine Safety Appliances Ltd., Pittsburgh, Pa., USA The brass was most likely contracted for MSA from one of the major ammunition manufacturers, probably Winchester or Remington.

I wonder how old those may be. I did a search on the MSA web site for rivet remover and nothing was found, likely they no longer make the item these were used in.

 

[DWalt]

The MSA headstamp probably means Mine Safety Appliance Co. MSA manufactures a wide variety of industrial safety equipment, and some item such as described could be used in mining as rescue equipment. MSA Safety | United States

At one time a sonar-type device using .45 Colt blanks was used for determining static oil levels in producing oil wells. I have used them myself some years ago. I think other safer methods are used for that purpose today.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A very interesting thread, thanks for posting it...

 

[Swiftflyer]

I have checked fluid levels in wells using 45 Colt blanks but we used disposable plastic cased blanks.

 

[DWalt]

One interesting application of the .45 Colt was an aid in land surveying in heavily forested areas. There was a gun-like device that fired .45 Colt tracer bullets straight up from a ground location. After a few shots a surveyor could get direction bearings on the trace from different directions. With GPS, no need for that sort of system today.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Was going through some .44 Special cases I've had for some years, sorting by head-stamp, Ammo manufacturer, etc. In the batch there were a dozen or so that were primed, so I set them aside.

When I was done I took a look at these primed cases, now I'm real curious.
The headstamp reads MSA Rivet Remover.... (?)

Anyone ever hear of or have seen any like this?

Comments appreciated.....

Was them range pickups?

All the years I have been shooting, I have never picked up 44 Special brass (or 45 Colt for that matter)

 

[Nemo288]

Very interesting "stud-gun" round.
I have used the .22 versions of those and that was plenty enough for me
after a nail bounced back off a 100 year old concrete floor towards us.

I could be wrong, but holding up a primed 44 special case next to to your picture,
those primers look a little larger than a regular LPP.
I would hesitate to use those for anything but ogling at not knowing the energy carried within.