32-44 S&W

[Hedning]

I while back I was lucky enough to find an almost mint S&W new model 3 chambered for the 32-44. One of the first ones ever made. Serial number 70. Even got the "Russian spur". Well and swell... I even found an original 32-44-83 Smith & Wesson Ideal mold.

Thing is. The bullets has a rather shallow grease groove. Could it be that my mold is a mold meant for smokeless powder? Looking through the history of Ideal tells me that this mold have to be made before 1910. Thats when the 32-44 and 38-44 was ditched, as far as I could understand.

If anyone could find a picture or measures of the original bullet used in the 1880`s I would be very gratefull. I would like to make this my number one bpcr revolver for competition shooting. And I want the whole thing to be as close as possible to the original cartridges.

[aliceinchains]

So this is the gun you are trying to find an original bullet spec for?

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Smith-and-Wesson-New-Model-3-32-44.cfm?gun_id=100145458


Here is a link to make brass and a good place to ask your current question.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/155090-32-44-s-w-25-20-brass.html

[Gunreference1]

Hedning, the link below has pictures of a .32-44 S&W cartridge. The bullet is recessed deeply into the case.

http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9481185.0

For reference I'm looking at The Handloader's Manual Of Cartridge Conversions - Third Edition. It shows the case length at .970" and the overall cartridge length at .985".

Hope this helps!

Steve

[Hedning]

Thanks to both of you. Iv allready made brass out of 32-20 casings, pretty close to the original design. Mine is a bit to long, so I`ll trim them just a little bit.

Steve.... how long is that bookshelf of yours? You allways have an answer to all kinds of goofy questions.

Oh...by the way, my revolver was no wear near that price. I think I can concider myself lucky....