.44 S&W American
| .44 S&W American | |
|---|---|
|
|
| general information | |
| caliber | .44 S&W American |
| Sleeve shape | Rim cartridge |
| Dimensions | |
| Sleeve shoulder ⌀ | 11.2 mm |
| Sleeve neck ⌀ | 11.1 mm |
| Floor ⌀ | 11 mm |
| Cartridge bottom ⌀ | 12.9 mm |
| Sleeve length | 23 mm |
| Cartridge length | 37 mm |
| Weights | |
| Bullet weight | 13-14 g |
| Powder weight | Black powder 1.8-2.3 g |
| Technical specifications | |
| Speed v 0 | 200-250 m / s |
| Bullet energy E 0 | 266-401 J. |
| Lists on the subject | |
The .44 S & W American and .44 American is an early for the Smith & Wesson Model 3 Kipplaufrevolver produced centerfire ammunition .
history
The cartridge was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1869 as the first centerfire cartridge , it replaced the .44 Henry cartridge of the first models of this large-caliber S&W revolver developed in 1869. It was later replaced by the longer .44 Russian. The cartridge was manufactured until around 1930 and disappeared from the market around 1940.
technology
Berdan or Boxer detonators were used to ignite the black powder cartridge.
To prevent the barrel from becoming leaded, the lead bullets had to be greased. Since the .44 S&W American cartridge had the same diameter along its entire length, the rear end of the bullet had to match the smaller inner case diameter. The grease groove for the bullet lubrication was therefore attached to the bullet head without protection or the bullets were coated with wax on their entire surface.
In its successor, the .44 Russian cartridge, the bullets had the same diameter over their entire length. The fat grooves could therefore be attached to the rear of the area protected by the sleeve.
The projectile energy of the .44 American was roughly equivalent to the early .41 Long Colt , .32-20 WCF black powder cartridges. Shortened .41 Magnum cases can be used for reloading.
use
As the first large-caliber centerfire cartridge, the .44 S&W cartridge sold well, with the advent of the more powerful .44 Russian, .44-40 and .45 Colt cartridges, interest in them disappeared. It was used by Wyatt Earp in the shooting at OK Corral with his .44 caliber 1869 American Smith & Wesson.
literature
- Norm Flayderman: Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms . Krause Publications, Iola, WI 1971, ISBN 0-87349-313-3 .
- Roy G. Jinks: Smith & Wesson, a company with a history . Stocker-Schmid, Dietikon, Switzerland 1979, ISBN 3-7276-7025-8 .
source
- Barnes, Frank C., ed. By John T. Amber. ".44 S&W American", in Cartridges of the World , pp. 167 & 177. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972.